BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Nadal wins easily to move INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2 – 6, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 Qatar’s LNG value chain REGION 8 BUSINESS 1 – 6, 10 – 16 closer to 16,944.14 10,070.89 34.34 ARAB WORLD 9, 10 CLASSIFIED 7 – 9 effi ciency is tough for -214.52 +111.22 -1.63 INTERNATIONAL 12 – 25 SPORTS 1 – 12 -1.25% +1.12% -4.53% other producers to match title clash Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXVI No. 9960 January 7, 2016 Rabia I 27, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets Danish foreign minister Panel on In brief

QATAR | Event new health Doha to host rights conference The regional conference on the Role of the Off ice of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Promoting and insurance Protecting Human Rights in the Arab Region will be held on January 13 and 14 in Doha. The event is being organised by the OHCHR in co-operation with the League of Arab States. The conference will serve as a forum for an interactive system dialogue on roles, achievements, progress, best practices and The committee, to be headed After the regular Cabinet meeting expectation of various stakeholders by the Ministry of Finance, will chaired by HE the Prime Minister and in promoting and protecting human have, as members, a number of Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah rights in the Arab region. government agencies bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan , HE the Deputy Prime he Cabinet yesterday gave its Minister and Minister of State for QATAR | Justice HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receiving Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen ahead of their meeting at nod to the formation of a com- Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah Jail for stealing the Emiri Diwan yesterday. The meeting, attended by the delegation accompanying the Danish minister, reviewed bilateral Tmittee that will take the nec- bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said the session relations and ways to promote them in addition to a number of issues of common concern. HE the Prime Minister and essary steps to implement the new also approved a draft law on the pro- LPG cylinders Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed health insurance system through pri- tection of privacy of personal data and Three Bangladeshi expatriate men al-Attiyah and HE the Minister of Public Health Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani also met separately with the visiting Danish vate companies owned by Qatari na- referred it to the Advisory Council. have been sentenced to one year foreign minister. Page 3 tionals. The provisions of the legislation in jail and subsequent deportation The committee, to be headed by will apply to personal data processed by a Doha Criminal Court. Local the Ministry of Finance, will have, in an electronic form or obtained/col- Arabic daily Arrayah reported as members, a number of govern- lected/extracted in any other way in yesterday that they were convicted ment agencies, the offi cial Qatar News preparation for being processed elec- for stealing LPG cylinders from a Agency (QNA) reported. tronically, or by combining electronic commercial outlet at the Central The move comes just days after the and traditional processing methods. Market. Investigations aff irmed Qatar Foreign Ministry government decided to suspend the The provisions of the law will not that they broke the iron chains that services provided through the Nation- apply to personal data processed by secured some gas cylinders at one al Health Insurance Company (Seha) individuals at a personal/family level shop and took away 16 cylinders and entrust them with private insur- or to obtain offi cial statistical data in valued at QR5,000 and sold them. ance fi rms. accordance with Law No 2 of 2011 on The convicts admitted their guilt in recalls envoy in Tehran Last week, the Cabinet approved Offi cial Statistics. the court and during investigations. proposals by the Supreme Council of The draft law includes provisions on Health (SCH) on amending some pro- the rights of individuals to protect the QNA, Reuters Oman yesterday said it regretted terference in the internal aff airs of visions of Law No 7 of 2013 on health privacy of their personal data, obliga- ASIA | Test Doha the “unacceptable” attacks on Saudi Arab states”, the Petra news agency insurance. The amendments annulled tions of the controller and processor ‘Further measures’ missions in Iran. . said. It also rejected Iranian state- Seha and all matters related to its re- as well as personal data of a private The sultanate “expressed its deep ments it said represented “interfer- sponsibilities on the management of nature, besides prohibiting the trans- against North Korea atar’s Foreign Aff airs Ministry regret” over the attacks, which it de- ence in internal Saudi aff airs”. the system. mission of any electronic communica- The UN Security Council yesterday yesterday recalled the state’s scribed as “unacceptable” in a foreign The Iranian ambassador was told Yesterday, the Cabinet was briefed tion for the purpose of direct market- agreed to prepare further Qambassador to Iran following ministry statement published by the to relay the Jordanian position to his on the SCH’s proposals on basic health ing to individuals without obtaining unspecified measures against the attacks on the Saudi Arabian em- offi cial ONA news agency. government immediately. benefi ts package for citizens and de- prior consent. North Korea after it carried bassy in Tehran and general consulate Oman stressed the “need to fi nd Meanwhile, Arab League secre- cided to approve the establishment of In a report issued a few months ago, out a fourth nuclear test. The in Mashhad, said the director of the new rules that prohibit any form of tary-general Nabil al-Araby has said the committee. the Ministry of Information and Com- 15-member council including Asian Department at the ministry, interference in the internal aff airs of a closed consultative meeting will be The panel will be responsible for munications Technology had said a China, Pyongyang’s ally, “strongly Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Hamar. other countries”. held in Abu Dhabi at the foreign min- qualifying insurance companies in ac- draft law to protect privacy of personal condemned” the test and described The Foreign Ministry also handed The assaults on its missions isterial level before the end of this cordance with approved conditions data was being enacted. It had stressed it as a “clear threat to international a protest note to the Iran embassy in prompted Riyadh on Sunday to break month to discuss “foreign interfer- for the tender, preparation of the ten- the need to issue such laws in response peace and security”. Pages 15, 26 Doha, according to an offi cial state- off diplomatic ties with Iran and order ence” in the region. der document and off ering it to eligible to the concerns of organisations over ment. its diplomats to leave the kingdom. He told a press conference in Cairo companies, development of mecha- protection of data and privacy rights. The ministry called the attack on the Bahrain and Sudan have followed suit that the meeting would focus “on nisms to select private insurance com- Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting has AMERICA | Growth Saudi embassy a “violation of interna- and the United Arab Emirates down- Iran’s meddling in Arab aff airs”, add- panies that will provide the services, reviewed a letter by the Minister of En- Payrolls data point to tional charters and norms that ensure graded its ties with Tehran. ing that the League had adopted sev- evaluation of the proposals submitted ergy and Industry and chairman of the the security and protection of diplo- Kuwait recalled its ambassador in eral resolutions condemning Tehran’s by these companies, choosing the best standing committee for water resources economy’s resilience matic missions and their members”. Tehran on Tuesday. interference in Bahrain’s internal af- off er and making recommendations to and took the appropriate decision. The US private companies added Earlier yesterday, Djibouti cut ties Jordan summoned Iran’s ambas- fairs and its occupation of the UAE’s be approved by the Cabinet. committee looked into several issues, workers at a brisk clip in December, with Iran to condemn Sunday’s at- sador in Amman to condemn the at- three islands. It was also decided to approve the including a study on the cost and use pointing to underlying strength tack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran tack on the embassy of Saudi Arabia On the recent attacks by Iranian tender procedures on the appointment of treated wastewater and its use in in the economy despite signs that by protesters. in Tehran and “Iranian interference” protesters on Saudi diplomatic mis- of private insurance fi rm/s for insur- construction works, establishment of growth slowed sharply in the fourth Djibouti cut its diplomatic ties with in Arab aff airs, Jordanian state news sions in Tehran, al-Araby stressed ance coverage of citizens according to wastewater treatment fi lling stations quarter. Other data yesterday Iran out of solidarity with Saudi Arabia, agency Petra reported. that international conventions of dip- the proposed timetable and determin- and a seawater desalination project showed a slight moderation in Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Yous- The Jordanian government stressed lomatic and consular missions should ing the premium for the services and based on reverse osmosis on-board a services sector activity last month. souf told Reuters in a text message. its condemnation “of the Iranian in- be observed. Page 8 obligations of the bidder. vessel.

SCH and Pasteur Institute sign research pact Council plans campaign he Supreme Council of Health demiological reality of the region and against private tuition (SCH) and the Pasteur Institute the needs of the people of Qatar. T(Institut Pasteur), an interna- "The institute is organising two tional research foundation dedicated training sessions in March and June, he Supreme Education Council rial that promotes and encourages pri- to the study of biology, micro-or- open not only to physicians but to (SEC) is to launch a crackdown vate tuition. ganisms, diseases and vaccines, have all medical staff, to mark the ur- Tagainst private tuition from the According to the new law, the SEC signed an agreement to develop co- gency of the topics we are tackling second semester of the current aca- has the authority to approve educa- operation in the areas of infectious together with the Ministry of Public demic year. tional centres and issue sanctions diseases and immunology. Health, such as Mers-Corona vi- According to the local Arabic daily Al against those who practice without The fi ve-year agreement was signed rus," he said. Arab, the campaign will prohibit pri- permission. “Unauthorised private tu- by HE the Minister of Public Health Ambassador Chevallier stated that vate lessons and the promotion of the tors will be targeted in the fi rst phase of Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani and the MoU would lead to synergistic ac- “phenomenon” with heavy penalties the drive,” al-Muhammadi said. Institut Pasteur director general Prof tions in education, in research and in for people who would violate the rules. To curb the "unhealthy" practice, Christian Brechot in the presence of the diagnosis of infectious disease, The daily, quoting Hassan al-Mu- awareness campaigns through diff er- French ambassador Eric Chevallier. a topic of utmost importance for the hammadi, head of the Communication ent media will be run to inform the res- The agreement was developed with population of Qatar. Offi ce at the SEC, said the penalties idents about the new law, he said. The inputs from various organisations "This MoU is the fi rst step to further for off enders could be imprisonment council has already started adding les- such as the Department of Public actions to be developed in the long up to six months and fi nes reaching sons and explanations on the SEC web- Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, term on the investigation on infec- QR100,000 or both. site so that students can study without Qatar Foundation and Qatar Univer- HE the Minister of Public Health Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani shaking hands tious diseases and other health issues Offi cers of the SEC will have the the help of tutors. sity. with Institut Pasteur director general Prof Christian Brechot after signing the MoU of importance for the region.” judicial authority to deal with any of- In addition, special classes will be “This agreement will strengthen as French ambassador Eric Chevallier looks on. The Institut Pasteur is a private, fence in this regard. conducted at the schools for students collaboration in health services by en- non-profi t foundation with recog- Al-Hassan said the measures are be- who need help in some of the subjects. couraging collaborative approach in networking with a prominent institute ment as "timely" as team leaders of nised charitable status entrusted with ing taken to implement the new law for Blaming parents for the “laziness” of education, training and research," al- such as Institut Pasteur and its net- Pasteur Institute are gathering in Paris four core missions of public interest practicing of educational services in their kids, the offi cial urged pupils to fo- Qahtani said. work that enables exploration of new with directors of Qatar Biomedical – research, education, public health, Qatar issued last September. He urged cus on their teachers in classes instead of "We are looking for tangible re- horizons for advancement of knowl- Research Institute and Qatar National and augment the value of scientifi c publishing houses and advertisement depending on private tutors, a phenome- sults that benefi t both parties. SCH is edge on all levels.” Research Fund to defi ne a scientifi c research via technology transfer and platforms to participate in the cam- non which, he said, could have a negative proud of establishing an international Prof Brechot described the agree- co-operation consistent with the epi- industrial partnerships. paign by refusing to release any mate- impact on children in the future. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, January 7, 2016 QATAR

Emir, PM meet US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman In brief

Minister of Labour meets senior US off icial

HE the Minister of Labour and Social Aff airs Dr Abdullah Saleh Mubarak al-Khulaifi met the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker in Doha yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them as well as other issues of common concern. Minister honours former ATO Award chief

HE the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, who is also the Supreme Chairman of the Arab Towns Organisation Award, honoured the former director of Arab Towns Organisation Award Yaqoob Yousuf al-Mass on the HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receiving the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Bob Corker at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. They reviewed relations between Qatar and occasion of the end of his tour the United States and exchanged views on issues of mutual concern. Separately, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, also met Senator Bob Corker, and of duty that lasted 32 years since the accompanying delegation yesterday. Talks during the meeting dealt with co-operation between Qatar and the US and means of enhancing them as well as developments in the region. the inception of the Award in 1983. Al-Mass thanked the Minister of Municipality and Supreme Chairman of the Arab Towns Organisation Award, and director designate of Arab Towns Organisation Award Mohamed Stranded Ahmed al-Sayed for honouring Business solutions expo him, whishing them success in developing and modernising the organisation. expatriate Strong winds and to kick off from Jan 10 high seas forecast for today he 1st International Exhi- travels home Strong winds and high seas are bition for Support Serv- expected in off shore areas in the Tices and Business Solu- early hours today, the Qatar Met tions (QBX-Expo 2016) will be n Indian expatriate, received for selling one of her department has said. held at the Doha Exhibitions and stranded in Qatar for husband’s properties to repay The wind speed in these areas Conventions Centre (DECC) be- Athe last several months, his loans. will range from 12-22 knots tween January 10 and 12. could travel home yesterday, The relative was arrested by (northwesterly) at first and The event, held under the thanks to the intervention of the police later. decrease to 7-15 knots by night, patronage of the Ministry of some members of the com- Once reports about the cir- according to the weather report. Economy and Commerce, is munity. cumstances that led his wife The forecast for inshore areas considered a major source of The expatriate, who operat- to take the extreme step ap- says it will be hazy to misty in the information about trade and in- ed a couple of businesses, had peared in Malayalam news- early hours of the day, followed vestment entities, distinctive incurred huge debts resulting papers, some of the commu- by moderate temperatures solutions, support services and from the continuous losses in nity members in Doha came during the day and a relatively investment requirements in Qa- his activities after becoming forward to help their compa- cold night. tar. indisposed in a road traffi c ac- triot. Off shore areas will remain partly The expo would help people cident. The fact that the stranded cloudy and the sea level may rise actively participate in the coun- Compounding the tragic expatriate’s two sons were to 7ft. try’s economic growth in coming situation, his wife ended her desperate to see their father The minimum and maximum years, said general manager of life along with their seven- prompted the community temperatures in the country Sedeer Media Ahmed al-Nuai- Al-Nuami (left) and Moini at the briefing of the expo yesterday: PICTURE: Jayan Orma year-old daughter by jumping members to stand guarantee today are expected to be 13C mi. Sedeer Media are the or- into a lake in Kerala’s Thiru- for him, on the basis of which and 24C, respectively, with the ganisers of the three-day expo, ticipating in the exhibition. executive manager Wael Moini besides a number of local enti- vananathapuram in November the sponsor granted him exit forecast for Doha being 15C and which is licensed by the Qatar The expo, said al-Nuami, will said the ultimate goal of the expo ties. last year. permit. 23C. Abu Samra is likely to be the Tourism Authority (QTA). help one understand the actual is to contribute continuously to Companies expected in- The couple also has two oth- At the time of his accident, coldest at 13C. Al-Nuami said some of the needs and requirements of the the building of a growing Qatar. clude Linkedln, PWS, Bayt.com, er minor sons, who are in the the individual had more than well established and sophisti- Qatari market. He hoped no less Specialists and their compa- BlackBerry, Media NX Pty Ltd, care of the wife’s mother. 150 expatriates working with Man gets life for cated international companies than 10,000 visitors would fl ock nies from such destinations as Ooreedo Qatar, BPO Plus WLL, The suicide was triggered him and most of them are still specialised in support services to the venue in three days. the UAE, Canada, US, UK and CyberCom, Qatar Green Build- when one of her relatives working under the same spon- killing sister, bid and business solutions are par- Also speaking Sedeer Media USA are among those expected, ing Council and Care n Cure. duped her off the money she sor, it is learnt. to murder mother

A Doha Criminal Court has sentenced an Arab man to life imprisonment for intentionally killing his sister and attempting Ahlibank names winner to kill his mother. Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported yesterday that the defendant was also convicted by the court for possession of QR1mn prize draw of sharp weapons and fire arms without license and drug consumption. ahra Habeeb A Muhsin, a nifi cant endorsement of the Al as the winner of the fi nal QR1mn Al The court sentenced him to six Qatari citizen, has been Rabeh Savings Scheme from a Rabeh quarterly draw for 2015. In month and three years in jail and Znamed as Ahlibank’s Al long-standing and valued cus- addition, I was delighted to meet a collective fine of QR20,000 Rabeh Savings Scheme QR1mn tomer for Al Rabeh. her to present the cheque.” for both crimes as part of his Prize Draw winner for Q4 2015. He noted that the Scheme is Ahlibank customers are eli- sentence. “I still can’t believe what available in a range of curren- gible for entry into the prize The case started when a young happened. I was driving when cies, including QR, USD, GBP draw by depositing QR500 for man, a friend of the defendant, Ahlibank called and informed and euro, and an overdraft facil- a minimum of seven days in an visited his house in the absence me that I won the QR1mn prize. ity is available for up to 90% of Al Rabeh Savings Account or of the latter and was received by I opened my account in 2000 balances held in Al Rabeh Sav- by investing in a Savings Cer- his sister. as did my family. This win of ings Accounts and Certifi cates. tifi cate. Customers with an Al The convict called his friend QR1mn will defi nitely change my “Moreover, Al Rabeh Savings Rabeh Savings Account have when he returned home and life and I will reinvest my QR1mn Account holders will earn a mar- the chance to enter the weekly, blamed him for meeting his sister winnings back into Al Rabeh to ket-leading interest on any bal- monthly and quarterly draws, alone at home contrary to the increase my chances of winning ance above QR500,” he added. with an additional prize draw approved social norms. in the future,” she said. Hassan al-Frangi, head of re- entry for each QR500 invested. However, later he started to Andrew McKechnie, Ahl- tail banking services, added: “As a Additionally, customers can doubt the behaviour of his sister ibank’s deputy CEO (retail bank- trusted Qatari Bank that is at the take part by purchasing Al Rabeh and asked to talk to her alone in ing), congratulated the winner heart of the community, we are de- Savings Certifi cates in QR500 her room. He locked her in and and said: “I am delighted that lighted to announce Zahra Habeeb units from any Ahlibank branch. started to stab her with a knife she intends to reinvest her win- A Muhsin, a long-standing cus- Every QR500 represents a until she died. nings in Al Rabeh. This is a sig- tomer of our Old Airport branch, chance to win under the scheme. In his rage, he went downstairs and tried to kill his mother before another sister managed to restrain him and called the Year-long closure at Salamiya police. The mother survived but sustained severe injuries. Health Minister intersection in Al Kharaitiyat meets Danish FM

rom tomorrow (Friday) It is expected to remain duced to 30 kph throughout the HE the Minister of Public Health a temporary closure closed for a year. diversion route to reduce risks Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani Fwill be in place on the During the period, traffi c to the road users and the work met the visiting Danish Foreign signal-controlled intersec- will be diverted to a tempo- force of the project. Minister Kristian Jensen in Doha tion of Wadi Al Salamiya rary two-lane roundabout that This closure is required to yesterday. Street with Al Kharaitiyat was constructed at the closure carry out the construction of Talks dealt with bilateral relations Street, west of Al Kharaitiyat location (as shown in the at- a bridge which forms part of and means of enhancing them, Interchange (N8) on the Al tached map). the North Road enhancement especially with regard to health The winner with off icials. Shamal Road. The speed limit will be re- project. sector. Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 3 QATAR

Danish foreign minister in Doha meetings

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani holding talks with Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen in Doha yesterday. The meeting reviewed relations between Qatar and Denmark and means of promoting them, in addition to regional and international issues. Right: HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs, Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah holding talks with Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen and the accompanying delegation yesterday. Talks dealt with relations between Qatar and Denmark and means of enhancing them in various fields. The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.

QU off ers PhD programme in Business Administration

atar University College of Information Systems, Manage- GMAT – the minimum score ed that graduation from the pro- country’s burgeoning economic Business and Econom- ment, Marketing, Accounting will be determined based on gramme will require students to development and progress. I Qics (QU-CBE) yesterday and Finance. the applicants’ obtained score; complete 60 credit hours – 30 expect that it will attract wide announced the establishment of It was designed to meet the TOEFL minimum score of 550 credit hours for coursework and interest from students from di- a new PhD in Business Admin- needs of the labour market for and IELTS 6.0 for students who 30 credit hours for fi nal thesis. verse disciplines.” istration, the College’s fi rst doc- high-qualifi ed professionals in graduated from a programme Dr Hindi said: “The labour Dr Aouni said: “This pro- toral programme. the fi eld of business manage- where English is not the lan- market is ripe for specialists in gramme prepares profession- The announcement was ment, in line with the country’s guage of instruction; a fi nal this fi eld as the demand of the als who will add value to the made in a press conference led ambitions towards a knowl- thesis proposal and successful business and fi nance sector in fast-growing business and fi - by CBE dean Dr Nitham Hindi edge-based economy. Decision performance in a personal in- Qatar increases. In establish- nance professions on the local and CBE associate dean for Re- to establish the programme was terview ing the new PhD programme, and international level. It also search and Graduate Studies Dr based on a survey conducted by Priority admission will be CBE is committed to providing aligns with the college’s ongo- Belaid Aouni who outlined de- CBE that engaged working QU given to QU business man- intellectual and professional ing eff orts to provide students tails of the new programme, in graduates, and leaders of various agement graduate students, development opportunities to with opportunities to explore the presence of CBE faculty and government and private-sector Dr Hindi said, adding that the ensure graduates’ achievement existing and emerging devel- staff , as well as local media rep- organisations in Qatar, Dr Hindi programme will start with 6 of excellence and preparation opments and changes in the resentatives. said. students in Fall this year, with CBE associate dean for for their chosen specialisa- sector and get a better insight The 4-year programme, is the Admission requirements in- the admission process already Research and Graduate Studies tions. We are positioned to off er into the roles and responsibili- fi rst-of-its-kind in Qatar, and clude completion of a Master’s started this month. Applica- Dr Belaid Aouni CBE dean Dr Nitham Hindi this new PhD programme that ties they will encounter in the will be conducted in English. It in Business Management with tions can be completed via QU will graduate business scien- labour market in Qatar and be- comprises of fi ve disciplines – a minimum GPA of 3 over 4; website (http://www.qu.edu. qa/students/admission/gradu- ate/apply.php). He further not- tists who will contribute to the yond.” Gulf Times 4 Thursday, January 7, 2016 QATAR Mowasalat holds mock drill to enhance safety awareness

owasalat held a mock drill in their Msprawling compa- ny compound highlighting the use of safety equipment in the event of a fi re during working hours. The exercise was carried out to increase awareness on fi re related issues among the employees and to ensure security and safety at work place, the company said in a statement. Mowasalat CEO Khalid al- Hail said the implementation of such initiatives, measures and objectives for occupa- tional health, safety and se- curity is no longer a luxury. “Rather it is an ethical and legal obligation in ac- cordance with the directives of the International Labour The mock drill in progress at Mowasalat premises. Organisation’s accepted standards to avoid injuries, in the work environment. While lauding such steps tion to the safety culture. accidents, crises and risks at Executive Offi ce direc- as mock drills, PR and Com- Mowasalat HSSE Man- work,” he explained. tor Nasser al-Khanji said munications manager Kha- ager Idris Said Jabbar said The CEO felt continuous Mowasalat has better un- lid Hassan Kafoud said such their company educates training and raising aware- derstanding of health, safety practices are taken seriously its staff and employees on ness on the measures of and security at work place and studied in a compre- the importance of safety at occupational safety, secu- and realise the importance of hensive manner in order to regular intervals and also rity and health enhances the mock drills and eff ective im- change the possibly indif- ensure that its property and safe functionality and en- plementation of their objec- ferent conduct of people inventory remained safe riches the human concepts tives in work environment. and hence pay more atten- from any eventualities.

Ooredoo to provide latest Ronaldo content

oredoo has an- date content on the foot- for QR9/week. answer a Ronaldo question nounced an exclu- balling superstar, including As a special promotion for correctly, the higher chance Osive partnership text alerts with the newest new subscribers, custom- they have to win. Each reply with TiMWe, the content Ronaldo news, facts, offi cial ers can also enter the CR7 to the CR7 competition will provider for the world fa- photos, offi cial videos and competition where they can cost QR3. The promotion mous football star Cristiano social media posts. answer questions related will run for three months. Ronaldo, to provide Oore- This is the fi rst ever dedi- to Cristiano Ronaldo to be The new CR7 service is doo customers in Qatar the cated footballing profi le entered into a weekly race available for all Hala and latest Ronaldo content on Ooredoo has launched for to win a smart device, and a Shahry users and can be ac- their mobiles. Cristiano Ronaldo, and will monthly prize of QR25,000. tivated by sending the SMS The new ‘CR7 portal’ will provide fans with the latest The more points each ‘CR7’ to 92292 for subscrip- include the latest up-to- news on their football hero customer gains when they tion. Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 5 QATAR

The fisheries information system workshop began in Doha yesterday. MoE holds workshop on database creation

By Ayman Adly duced a constantly updated protection of the fi shing sistance off ered for those Staff Reporter national database for the process should be based interested in implementing local fi sheries statistics, on proper statistics that similar programmes. which is available on the refl ect the actual situa- Al-Muhannadi said that he Ministry of En- Internet (Samaqweb) since tion with fi gures and facts. Qatar produces around vironment (MoE) 2010. Previously, our informa- 12,000 to 14,000 tonnes of Tyesterday launched a Elaborating on the eco- tion was based on the catch various types of fi sh annu- workshop on the exchange nomic and ecological ben- that comes to the fi sh mar- ally, which covers almost of common experiences and efi ts of the database, he ket at the Central Market, 80% of the local consump- approaches in implement- hoped that the workshop which never refl ected the tion. He was of the view that ing the fi sheries informa- would be instrumental for real situation. So, we de- the remaining 20% could tion system in the GCC all GCC countries to de- velop new database with not be considered a short- region. velop their own fi sheries the help of an international age in production but rather The two-day workshop, database systems. expert in the fi eld and it has due to the taste and culture inaugurated by Sheikh Dr Mohamed Saeed al-Shu- been working excellently of consumers who prefer Faleh bin Nasser al-Thani, qairi al-Muhannadi, direc- since 2010. The methods other varieties of fi sh not assistant undersecretary tor of the fi sheries depart- approved by the new pro- available in Qatar. of agriculture aff airs and ment at MoE, said that the gramme refl ect about 90% The peak of the local sea- fi sheries at MoE, aims at database has been highly of the reality of the fi sher- son of production starts introducing the experiences instrumental in saving time ies sector in the country from April until May each of Qatar in information col- and eff ort and simulta- with minimum eff ort and year. Some information of lection in the fi eld of fi sh- neously providing scien- time requirement,” pointed the database is accessible eries and the creation of a tifi c basis and reference for out al-Muhannadi. through MoE website for national database. decision-makers. Qatar’s experience in the the benefi t of fi shermen, Sheikh Dr Faleh pointed “All the decisions re- fi eld will be showcased dur- traders, students and re- out that Qatar has intro- lated to the regulations and ing the workshop and as- searchers. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, January 7, 2016 QATAR 700 to attend emergency medicine conference ore than 700 Corporation (HMC), the gency Departments are the guished lineup of speakers trators, learning and sharing healthcare pro- conference will discuss in- point of entry to the health- from a wide spectrum of the latest thinking on these Mfessionals from fectious disease, disaster care system for a large per- emergency care and public topics,” said Prof Stephen across Qatar and the world preparedness, pre-hospital centage of the population. health organisations located H Thomas, chairman, de- will gather in Doha from emergency, injury pre- In turn, emergency medi- across the world. partment of emergency January 16 to 18 for the In- vention, medical toxicol- cine, as a specialty, holds an “This conference has a medicine, HMC. ternational Conference ogy and many more topics integral role in addressing multidisciplinary focus, ad- The conference is expect- in Emergency Medicine relevant to those with an several public health con- dressing major public health ed to be one of the year’s and Public Health-Qatar interest in emergency care. cerns,” said Sheikh Dr Mo- concerns such as the man- largest gatherings of emer- (ICEP-Q). The event will be “This conference under- hamed bin Hamad al-Tha- agement of chronic condi- gency and public health held under the patronage of scores the importance of ni, director of Public Health tions, injury and health risks professionals in this region. HE the Minister of Public focusing on the crucial in- at the SCH. and the delivery of clinical Qatar National Bank is the Health Abdullah bin Khalid terface between two major Taking place at the Qatar and preventive services. At- main conference sponsor al-Qahtani. components of the health National Convention Cen- tendees will have an oppor- and an exhibition will run Being organised in col- system - emergency medi- tre (QNCC), the conference tunity to engage with many in parallel with the confer- laboration with the Su- cine and public health. In also includes two days of of the leading emergency ence. The conference will Turner’s Stock and beIN’s al-Khelaifi at the agreement signing yesterday. preme Council of Health Qatar, and in many other pre-conference workshops and public health research- also feature more than 150 (SCH) and Hamad Medical parts of the world, Emer- and will feature a distin- ers, clinicians and adminis- scientifi c abstracts. beIN to telecast Masraf Al Rayan honours long-serving employees asraf Al Rayan has ing director Dr Hussain Ali portance of cultivating the ees that management doors taining the culture of team- continued its tra- al-Abdulla and Group CEO sense for belonging to the are always open to ideas work to sustain progress. Turner channels Mdition of recognis- Adel Mustafawi, senior ex- institution, which has be- and suggestions that may He also presented the ing its long-term-serving ecutives and employees, come a fi nancial and eco- contribute to achieving the awards and certifi cates to staff with a ceremony held and staff of Masraf Al Rayan nomic icon contributing strategies and objectives of staff that have completed o further strength- able on beIN Pay TV DTH laborating with the beIN on Tuesday at the Sheraton and Al Rayan Investment. in the development and the bank and enhance its fi ve years in 2015, serv- en its presence in networks across the Mena Media Group on other ini- Hotel-Doha. During Mustafawi’s growth of Qatar. standing locally, regionally, ing Masraf Al Rayan in ac- Tthe entertainment region. tiatives that will add more The event was attended speech, he welcomed the Mustafawi also reminded and globally. He also high- knowledgment of their loy- space, beIN network has Speaking at the event, value and further enhance by chairman and manag- attendees, noting the im- Masraf Al Rayan’s employ- lighted the notion of main- alty to the bank. entered into a strategic al-Khelaifi said, “Our the regional Pay TV land- partnership with Turner, agreement with Turner re- scape,” Stock added. a division of Time Warner, iterates our commitment beIN’s expects signifi - to exclusively air Turner- to provide our audiences cant subscriber growth on owned channels in the with the best in global en- the back of their strate- Middle East and North tertainment on our net- gic expansion plans and is Africa region. work, and ensures a wider planning to launch more An agreement in this reach and coverage of these entertainment channels regard was signed in Doha channels to their fans in of full HD quality. The yesterday by beIN Media the Middle East and North company is determined to Group CEO Nasser al- Africa.” keep expanding its sports, Khelaifi and Turner EMEA The agreement, which movies and entertainment president Giorgio Stock. has come into eff ect from content portfolio. As part of the agree- this month, is available to beIN decoders also have ment, Turner’s popular existing and new subscrib- advanced feature of “Pa- channels including Car- ers of the beIN network rental Control” that will toon Network, Boomerang, across packages launched give parents ability to de- TCM, HLN and CNN HD in November 2015. termine what their family Senior off icials and staff of Masraf Al Rayan during the awards ceremony. will now be solely avail- “We look forward to col- can watch.

QA holds flu vaccination Tennis champ visits store campaign for employees Qatar Airways recently held a five-day influenza vaccination campaign for employees of the group to help ensure the health and wellbeing of employees. The campaign took place at Qatar Airways corporate off ices and Hamad International Airport to ensure that vaccination was available to all of the carrier’s employees based in Doha. Qatar Airways head of David Ferrer, defending champion of Exxon Mobil Qatar tournament 2015, visited medical service Dr Soha al- Sports Corner store at City Center Doha on Monday. Several fans were waiting to Bayat said, “Qatar Airways meet him for an autograph and photo opportunity. The event was brought by Lotto. continues to prioritise the health and wellbeing of employees, especially during the winter season. This campaign aimed to provide our local employees in Doha with the influenza vaccination and raise awareness about the importance of getting vaccinated during winter as a preventative measure.” In a statement, Qatar Airways stressed that it was one of the largest employers in Qatar with the staff members representing more than 150 nationalities. “In 2015, the airline increased its group employee numbers by 14% to a year-end total of more than 40,000 staff members worldwide,” it noted. Influenza is a viral infection that can circulate worldwide and cause annual epidemics. It is thought to aff ect 5% to 10% of adults and 20% to 30% of children, resulting in up to 5mn cases of reported illness each year and tragically, up to half a million deaths, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). As the influenza virus can develop a resistance to the drugs used against it, it is recommend to have yearly vaccinations. Qatar Airways has a fleet of 175 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. It won the Airline of the Year, Best Business Class Airline Seat and Best Airline in the Middle East accolades at the 2015 Skytrax Awards. This is the third time the airline won the accolade of Airline of the Year.

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, January 7, 2016 REGION Bahrain dismantles ‘terror’ cell linked to Iran

Agencies carry out a “series of dangerous little-known Al-Ashtar Brigades nancial and logistical support, group believed to have links to Bahrain has seen frequent un- with Iran. Some of its allies among Manama bombings” on the Sunni-ruled which has reportedly claimed re- relying on their relations with “terrorist elements in Iran” who rest since a Shia-led uprising Sunni Arab states followed suit, kingdom, an interior ministry sponsibility for bombings in the “terrorist elements” that have it said were planning to carry out erupted in 2011 demanding a con- with Bahrain and Sudan breaking statement said. kingdom, including one outside a strong ties with the Revolutionary attacks in the coming days. stitutional monarchy. off ties and the United Arab Emir- ahrain said yesterday it had Members of the “secret ter- Sunni mosque in 2013. Guard and Hezbollah, the state- Bahrain recalled its ambassador The kingdom frequently accus- ates downgrading relations. dismantled an Iran-linked rorist organisation” have been It is also linked to suspects in- ment said. to Iran in October after it said se- es Tehran of backing the unrest. Bahrain has also severed air B“terror” cell that was plan- identifi ed and many arrested, said volved a July 28 bombing that Ali Fakhro and two other sus- curity forces discovered a bomb- Yesterday’s announcement links with Iran. ning attacks in the kingdom, amid the statement on the offi cial BNA killed two policemen and wound- pects also met in 2012 with Hez- making factory and arrested a comes as tensions widened be- Kuwait said it was withdrawing a growing diplomatic crisis be- news agency, adding that others ed six others. bollah chief Hassan Nasrallah number of suspects linked to the tween Saudi Arabia and Iran after its envoy. tween Gulf Arab states and Te- remain at large. Al-Ashtar Brigade, as well as and his deputy who off ered them Revolutionary Guard. protesters torched the kingdom’s Saudi Arabia accused Iran on hran. Among those arrested were Lebanese Shia movement Hez- “$20,000 (18,520 euros) in sup- In March, Bahrain’s public diplomatic missions in the Islam- Saturday of sponsoring “terror- The cell was allegedly linked to 33-year-old twins Ali and Mo- bollah, are on Bahrain’s list of port of their organisation,” Bah- prosecutor said it seized bomb- ic republic on Saturday. ism” recalling Iran-linked cells Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and hamed Fakhrawi identifi ed as “terrorist groups.” rain said. making equipment being smug- Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with that have been uncovered smug- Lebanon’s Tehran-backed Hez- leaders of the group. The twins have travelled to Iran In November, Bahrain said it gled from Iraq aboard a passenger Tehran in protest at the attacks on gling explosives and arms to Bah- bollah militia and planning to The cell is allegedly linked to the on several occasions to obtain fi - had arrested 47 members of a bus for use in attacks. Sunday and has severed air links rain and Kuwait.

LuLu opens 5th outlet in Bahrain Iran ready for Saudi talks amid dispute

Agencies “The attackers are criminals bours,” Zarif said at press con- Tehran/Baghdad whose illegal and un-Islamic act ference in Tehran. damaged the international rep- Zarif said he regretted and utation of Iran,” Rouhani told a condemned the attack on the ran yesterday showed signs weekly cabinet meeting. Saudi embassy, adding that 50 that it was willing to hold Saudi Arabia broke off dip- people had already been ar- Italks with Saudi Arabia lomatic relations with Iran on rested in connection with the amid a dispute between the two Sunday, angered by Tehran’s ve- violence. countries, triggered by Saudi hement criticism and the week- Shia Iran and Saudi Arabia Arabia’s execution of a dissident end storming of its embassy in back opposite sides in civil wars Shia cleric that set off diplo- the Iranian capital. in Yemen and Syria. matic fallout across the globe. Demonstrators in Tehran at- The current row between Middle East retail major LuLu Group has opened its 120th hypermarket and the fifth outlet in Bahrain at Juff air yesterday. The new “We want friendship, broth- tacked the Saudi embassy on Saudi Arabia and Iran is their hypermarket was opened by Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khaled bin Abdulla al-Khalifah, in the presence of dignitaries erhood and good relations with Saturday, the same day that the worst since 1988 following including Industry and Commerce Minister Zayed al-Zayani, Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan, Crown Prince Court president Shaikh all countries of the region,” Ira- Saudi government announced the deadly clashes between Saudi Khalifa bin Daij al-Khalifah. Speaking to the media on the occasion, LuLu Group chairman Yusuff ali M A stated that the success of Lulu nian President Hassan Rouhani execution of 47 people, including security forces and Iranian pil- Hypermarket in Bahrain, since it opened its doors in 2007, has been due to the leaders and the people of the country. said. the Shia cleric, for convictions on grims, prompting a three-year The Saudi government should terrorism-related charges. severance of ties between Riya- contribute constructively to Earlier yesterday, Iranian For- dh and Tehran. a common and serious fi ght eign Minister Javad Zarif said all Meanwhile, Iraq dispatched against Islamic State, he said, countries in the region should its foreign minister to Tehran referring to the terrorist militia unite together, especially in the yesterday with an off er to me- active in Syria and Iraq. fi ght against current threats of diate in rising tensions between Yemen troops seize Red Sea port from Houthis Rouhani also demanded that terrorism. Saudi Arabia and Iran, refl ecting the “criminals” who attacked “Iran wants no tension in the Baghdad’s fears that new sec- the Saudi embassy in Tehran be region and would always wel- tarian confl ict could unravel its AFP/Reuters The UN Security Coun- put on trial. come dialogue with its neigh- campaign against Islamic State. Aden/UN cil on Tuesday urged the Iraq, where a Shia-led gov- warring parties in Yemen ernment is urgently trying to to resume a “meaningful, reach out to minority Sunnis as roops loyal to Yemeni sustainable” ceasefi re after it seeks to retake territory con- President Abedrabbo a Saudi-led coalition ended trolled by Islamic State mili- TMansour Hadi seized a more than two-week-old tants, is particularly vulnerable a Red Sea port town yester- truce amid accusations it to any upsurge in anger between day in the country’s north- had been repeatedly violated the Muslim sects. west following fi erce fi ght- by both sides. Powerful Iran-backed Shia ing with Iran-backed Shia The ceasefi re began on militia called on Iraqi Prime rebels, a military chief said. Dec 15 in tandem with UN- Minister Haidar al-Abadi -- a “We have full control of brokered peace talks. Nearly Shia who has staked his cred- the port and the town, along 6,000 people have been A handout photo released by the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA ibility on eff orts to reconcile with its historic castle,” Fifth killed since the coalition en- yesterday shows Kuwait’s Deputy Emir and Crown Prince Sheikh with Sunnis -- to shut a Saudi Military Region commander tered the confl ict in March, Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah (left), meeting with Kuwait’s embassy that reopened only General Adel al-Qumairi almost half of them civilians. ambassador to Iran Majdi al-Dhafiri at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait last month after decades of said of Midi. The coalition offi cially City upon the ambassador’s arrival to Kuwait. strained ties. People stand at the site of a Saudi-led air strike in Yemen’s capital Sanaa yesterday. Intensive clashes had ended the truce on Satur- raged in the area since mid- day, saying it could not be December when govern- maintained because of “the ment forces trained in near- continuation of the Houthi by Saudi Arabia crossed the militias and Saleh forces in border and seized the town violating it.” Yemeni troops of Haradh. loyal to former President Ali The rebels, known as Abdullah Saleh are fi ghting Houthis, have reportedly alongside the Houthis. used Midi’s port to bring “The members of the weapons into their tradi- council urged the parties to tional stronghold in the resume a meaningful, sus- north. tainable ceasefi re that would Despite losing Midi, they be respected by all sides,” said and their allies of renegade Uruguay’s UN Ambassador troops loyal to former presi- Elbio Rosselli, who is presi- dent Ali Abdullah Saleh, dent of the 15-member body continue to control a long for January. “For the members stretch of the coastline. of the council this is of funda- Government forces have mental importance.” enjoyed air support from The coalition began its the Saudi-led coalition, military campaign to pre- which launched a campaign vent the Houthis, whom it against rebels in March after sees as a proxy for Iran, from they advanced on the south- taking complete control of ern city of Aden where Hadi Yemen after seizing much had taken refuge before fl ee- of the north last year. The ing to Riyadh. Houthis accuse the coalition The rebels continue to of launching a war of ag- control the capital, which gression. they overran 2014, but loyal- “We all hope that the re- ists have captured areas east gional powers that have and northeast of the capital infl uence in Yemen will be recently. responsible to enter into yesterday, coalition war- dialogue and to prevent the planes bombed rebel posi- situation from impacting tions in Sanaa, including the elsewhere,” said Rosselli, presidential complex, wit- speaking in his national ca- nesses said. pacity.

Gas leak at refinery injures worker

A gas leak that occurred at financial and administrative a major refinery in Kuwait aff airs at Kuwait National yesterday injured a labourer Petroleum Co, told KUNA. but did not aff ect the plant’s “The leak did not result in operations, state news any ... material damage as the agency KUNA reported. refinery and gas liquefaction Workers were able to control plant’s operations were not the leak in the second line of aff ected,” Abdullah was a gas liquefaction plant in the quoted as saying, adding that Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, Ali the injured contractor was Abdullah, vice president for treated at the scene. Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 9 ARAB WORLD Salt city for World Heritage List Call for Greek action on Israel plane ‘apartheid’

AFP However by this stage the passengers in mind,” it said. crew prior to the departure of Jerusalem protest had escalated, with doz- The incident delayed the fl ight last Sunday’s fl ight,” he said in a ens of passengers refusing to to Tel Aviv by over 90 minutes. statement. take off until the men were re- Israeli media identifi ed the “We call upon the Greek gov- he Palestinian leadership moved from the plane. two as an Israeli Arab and a Pal- ernment to take strong action yesterday demanded the “It started with three or four estinian, saying the protesting against this racist act, including TGreek government act people and by the end there were passengers were Jewish. compensation for the two Pal- after two Arab passengers were 60-70 people standing up, de- The company said only that one estinian passengers. expelled from an Israel-bound manding that the pair disembark,” of the men held an Israeli passport “This appalling behaviour by fl ight, saying the decision to an Aegean spokesperson said. while the other had a valid Israeli the Israeli passengers is remi- remove the pair was “reminis- Eventually the pair left after residence permit, without discuss- niscent of the worst years of the cent” of apartheid. negotiations with the airline, ing their ethnicity. South African apartheid,” he said. Two Arab passengers with Is- staying in a hotel at Aegean’s Saeb Erekat, secretary-gen- Aegean on Tuesday thanked raeli documents were forced off expense and fl ying the next day. eral of the Palestine Liberation the two Arab men for their co- an Aegean Airlines fl ight before Aegean yesterday expressed Organisation, referring to both operation. it set off from Athens on Sun- its “greatest regrets for the men as Palestinians, called the “We thank again the two Is- day after Israeli Jews protested event” and rejected “any pos- decision to eject them “unjust raeli passengers that agreed to about their presence. sibility of discrimination” in an and disgraceful.” disembark for their understand- After an initial complaint by apology letter. “We are outraged by how two ing and collaboration and we A general view of Salt city centre, Jordan. Al Salt municipality has chosen 23 buildings to submit for passengers, the pair’s documents “Our crew reacted to a very Palestinians were treated with apologise for the whole episode nomination to the Unesco World Heritage List. were checked again by Greek se- diffi cult situation only having discrimination and prejudice at which was indeed extremely curity but no issues were found. the safety and comfort of all the hands of the Aegean cabin unfortunate,” Aegean said. Abbas denies concern of PA collapse

AFP peace accords with Israel, has The PA was meant to be a tem- Bethlehem faced funding shortages, and its porary body until a fully inde- ongoing security co-operation pendent Palestinian state was cre- with the Jewish state has been ated, but more than two decades alestinian president Mah- heavily criticised. after Oslo young Palestinians see moud Abbas dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Ben- little hope of the dream becoming Pyesterday weeks of ru- jamin Netanyahu is preparing a reality - and many do not feel Ab- mours that the Palestinian Au- contingency plan in the event of bas represents their concerns. thority could collapse, saying he the PA’s collapse, according Is- In a recent poll, two-thirds of would “never give up” on it. raeli media reports. Palestinians said they believed a Abbas, 80, was speaking public- “I have heard a lot of talk in new armed uprising, or intifada, ly for the fi rst time since rumours the past few days about the Au- would serve “national interests” surfaced last week that he was in thority, the destruction of the better than negotiations. poor health, which the PA has cat- Authority, the collapse of the Abbas refused to countenance egorically denied. He did not dis- Authority,” Abbas said. “The Au- an end to the PA. cuss the matter and appeared well. thority is an achievement of ours Answering a question about He also spoke as three months of that we will never give up.” what will happen after the PA, violent attacks by frustrated Pales- “Don’t dream of its collapsing, Abbas said “the Authority is tinian youths on Israeli targets have don’t even dream,” he told a press here, and after it comes the (Pal- made the PA and its leadership ap- conference during a lunch dur- estinian) state. No one has any Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures as he speaks during a Christmas pear increasingly out of touch. ing a lunch to mark Christmas, other scenarios, and we will not lunch with members of the Christian Orthodox community yesterday in the The PA, the governing author- which some Orthodox churches accept another scenario from West Bank city of Bethlehem. Abbas dismissed weeks of rumours the Palestinian ity set up under the 1993 Oslo celebrate today. anyone.” Authority could collapse, saying he would “never give up” on it. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, January 7, 2016 ARAB WORLD

Tunisian cabinet Thousands reshuffl ed

Reuters Tunis in besieged unisian Prime Minis- ter Habib Essid named 12 Tnew ministers yesterday in a cabinet reshuffl e he hopes will boost the eff ectiveness of his government as it battles jihad- ist violence and tries to revive the economy. Syrian town Tunisia has been under a state of emergency since an Islamic State suicide bomber attacked presidential guards in November in the capital Tunis following two previous militant attacks on for- Men work to fix a damaged house in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus. eign tourists that have damaged the country’s economy. face death Essid named new ministers of the interior, justice and foreign DPA The doctor said that “most of The Syrian Observatory for aff airs, among others. He gave no Cairo the people in Madaya suff er from Human Rights said on Monday reason for the changes but late last severe malnutrition to the extent that at least 23 people, including Up to 26 dead as govt year he said he would replace min- that they started about 10 days children, had died in Madaya be- isters to increase the effi ciency of housands of lives are ago to slaughter dogs and cats cause of the siege and mines laid his government. threatened in the rebel- and eat their fl esh.” by al-Assad’s forces around the Tunisia has mostly avoided the Theld Syrian town of Ma- The last humanitarian sup- town. violent turmoil of other “Arab daya, where a siege by the Syrian plies, including food rations, had At least 300 children in Ma- and rebels trade fi re Spring” countries which also top- military has blocked food aid since reached Madaya in mid-October daya are also suff ering from pled long-standing rulers. October, the UN World Food Pro- after a local agreement by the malnutrition, the Britain-based gramme (WFP) said yesterday. opposition and government, ac- monitoring group reported. AFP for Human Rights, a British-based Trucks with supplies to feed cording to the World Food Pro- More than 250,000 people are Damascus monitor. the town’s 40,000 inhabitants gramme. estimated to have been killed in The monitor gave a slightly dif- for one month were on standby, “WFP is deeply concerned Syria’s confl ict since it started in ferent toll of nine dead and 30 Bettina Luescher, a spokeswom- about the reported humanitar- 2011. overnment and rebel bom- wounded, some critically, in the an for the UN agency, said. ian situation in the town of Ma- Nine people were killed and bardment killed up to 26 bombardment of Damascus. The town, about 25km north- daya, which has been besieged more than 30 wounded in shelling Gcivilians and wounded Ten other civilians, including a west of Damascus, has been un- for many months with thousands yesterday on government-held dozens in the Syrian capital and a child, were later killed in govern- der siege since July by President of lives under threat,” Luescher central Damascus, the Observa- nearby opposition bastion yester- ment air strikes on the town of Bashar al-Assad’s soldiers and said. tory and state media reported. day, state media and a monitoring Hazzeh and one in Mesraba, east fi ghters from the Lebanese Hez- The Red Cross reported that Rocket shells hit Abid Street, group said. of the capital, the Observatory bollah movement. people also suff ered from the which runs between the parlia- Mortar rounds fired from the said. Local activists say an estimat- cold as there was no electricity or ment building and the central rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region Eastern Ghouta, which is largely ed 40,000 people have little ac- burning fuel. bank, as well as other areas of the onto residential areas of Damas- controlled by the Jaish al-Islam cess to food and medicines. The opposition Syrian Nation- city centre, the watchdog said. cus left eight civilians dead and 23 (Army of Islam) rebel group, is “Food is rare. We cannot pro- al Coalition warned of a “human- Central Damascus is regularly wounded, the official SANA news regularly bombarded by govern- vide milk for infants,” Khaled itarian catastrophe” in Madaya. hit by mortar and rocket shells agency reported. ment forces. Mohamed, a doctor at a fi eld “There must be an immediate fi red from rebel-held areas on The attack came after the re- More than 260,000 people have hospital, said yesterday. “Today, move to save lives of the civil- the outskirts of the capital, which gime fired rockets onto the East- been killed since Syria’s con- a 10-year-old child died of mal- ians and end siege on Madaya and have themselves been devastated ern Ghouta town of Douma earlier flict erupted in 2011 with protests nutrition. People are eating grass other areas in Syria,” the alliance by three years of artillery shelling in the day, killing six civilians, ac- against President Bashar al-As- to stay alive.” said in a statement. and airstrikes. cording to the Syrian Observatory sad’s government.

Gaza gets fi rst new hospital in a decade

Reuters Gaza City

he Gaza Strip’s struggling healthcare system will get some much needed help in 2016 after the fi rst Tnew hospital in a decade opened its doors in the territory last month and as two more foreign-funded clin- ics are set to launch this year. After nearly fi ve years of construction, with delays caused by fi ghting and restrictions on imports imposed by Israel and Egypt, the Indonesia Hospital opened its doors on Dec 27 and has since been treating more than 250 pa- tients a day. Built on a hilltop out- side Jabalya, Gaza’s larg- est refugee camp, it serves 300,000 people who live in the far north of the terri- tory, an area hard hit in the confl ict with Israel in 2014. Heavy aerial bombard- ment of the densely popu- lated Gaza Strip killed 2,100 people, mostly civil- ians, according to Pales- tinian offi cials, and caused widespread destruction. Israel put the number of its dead at 67 soldiers and six civilians. Funded by an Indonesian NGO, the $9mn facility has 110 beds, compared to the 62 beds of the old lo- cal hospital, and will make a big diff erence to the local population, said Muaeen al-Masri, its head of media and public relations. Gaza, home to nearly 2mn people, has around 30 hospitals and major clinics, providing an average of 1.3 beds for every 1,000 peo- ple, according to the World Bank. By comparison, Israel has an average of 3.3 beds per 1,000 and the European Union 5.4 per 1,000. One hospital expected to open this year is a Qatar- funded centre for pros- thetics, an area much in demand in Gaza where re- peated confl icts with Israel since 2006 have left thou- sands of people with miss- ing limbs. Turkey, a major sup- porter of the Palestinians, is building health facilities in both Gaza and the West Bank. The Indonesia Hos- pital employs 400 people, paid by the health minis- try.

Gulf Times 12 Thursday, January 7, 2016 AFRICA

Seven die in Ouattara seeks ‘effi ciency’ Boko attacks

AFP Maiduguri

oko Haram gunmen have mount- from Ivory Coast reshuffl e ed their fi rst attacks since Ni- Bgeria’s government declared the AFP ernment reshuffl e targeting greater Islamist group “technically” defeated, Abidjan effi ciency in dealing with our fellow killing seven people in a raid and suicide citizens’ primary concerns,” he said. bombing, residents told AFP yesterday. “In view of this, and as you embark The attacks happened on Tuesday in vory Coast’s government resigned on your second term, I would like.. to the northeastern state of Borno, near yesterday after President Alassane present to you my resignation as prime the group’s Sambisa Forest hideout, IOuattara vowed to bring more “ef- minister,” Kablan Duncan said. where the army is looking to fl ush out fi ciency” to the West African state just A respected member of Ivory Coast’s remnants of the rebel group. two months after he was re-elected. Democratic Party (PDCI), which was President Muhammadu Buhari, who Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan founded in the 1940s by former presi- has made crushing the rebellion a pri- presented his resignation and that of his dent Henri Konan Bedie, Kablan Dun- ority, in December said a sustained government at what was to have been can took over as prime minister in No- counter-off ensive had reduced the the fi rst cabinet meeting of the year in a vember 2012. group’s ability to strike eff ectively. move observers said was expected. He formed a broad team of fi gures The fi rst attack happened in Izgeki But after praising the 73-year-old drawn from the coalition which pro- village, said one resident, who gave his economist for astutely handling his pelled Ouattara to power although name as Isyaku, from the town of Mubi brief during three years in the post, several key posts were reserved for in neighbouring Adamawa state. Ouattara’s offi ce said Kablan Duncan technocrats. “I received information from my would remain as head of a new team. Kablan Duncan replaced fel- relatives who fl ed the attack... that “The president of the republic (has low PDCI member Jeannot Kouadio some Boko Haram gunmen on bicycles signed) a decree nominating Daniel Ahoussou, a surprise casualty of disa- attacked Izgeki across the river from Kablan Duncan as prime minister and greements which emerged within the Izghe on Tuesday morning where they government head and has instructed coalition. killed two people. him to propose a new government as Kouadio Ahoussou served as pre- “The attack forced villagers to cross soon as possible,” presidential secre- mier for eight months in 2012, replac- the river into Izghe. The gunmen pur- tary general Amadou Gon Coulibaly ing Guillaume Soro who served in the sued them. One of them who had a sui- said. post for fi ve years. Before becoming cide belt on him blew himself up near Prior to Coulibaly’s announcement premier, Soro headed the Patriotic the market, killing fi ve people.” on Kablan Duncan’s retention, Ouat- Movement rebel force which led a Izghe was previously attacked in tara had declared a new cabinet would 2002 rebellion against former presi- February 2014 where more than 100 be “put in place in the coming days - dent Laurent Gbagbo, which triggered people were killed as the rebels torched targeting greater cohesion and more the fi rst civil war. Soro is now head of homes, opened fi re and set off explo- effi ciency of government action.” the National Assembly. sives. Ouattara, 74, says he is seeking to Last year’s poll took place without Thousands of residents fl ed the at- mould a “new Ivory Coast” to draw a incident in Ivory Coast, a key West Af- tack into Adamawa towards the town line under the turmoil of the civil war rican economy and the world’s prime of Madagali and elsewhere but follow- in 2011. cocoa producer, enabling the country ing the army’s recapture of territory, Re-elected for a second-fi ve year to turn the page on a wave of blood- some managed to return and begin re- term on October 25, Ouattara has said A November 3, 2015, file photo of Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara and Chief-of-Staff General Soumaila Bakayoko shed and violence which claimed some construction. he wants to deepen national reconcili- reviewing the honour guard at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan. 3,000 lives in the wake of Ouattara’s Izghe is in the district of Gwoza, ation and draw up a new constitution initial election triumph over Gbagbo which Boko Haram captured in August which he plans to put to a referendum. Ouattara himself indicated he wanted to action at the head of the government”, “greater effi ciency” to the manage- in 2010. 2014 and which the group’s shadowy Other aims include redistributing un- see fresh faces in government, including and hailing the cabinet for its “good ment of government aff airs. Now 74, Ouattara - a former high- leader Abubakar Shekau declared the even wealth and tackling high youth more women in cabinet posts. conduct” in state aff airs. “At the last 2015 cabinet meeting fl ying economist - won a solid victory centre of its self-styled caliphate. unemployment. But he praised Kablan Duncan’s Addressing the president, Kablan on December 23, you expressed your in the October elections, cementing Ayuba Chibok, an elder in the town Following the vote, which observers team, expressing gratitude for “your Duncan explained he stepped down wish to inject a new dynamic into gov- Ivory Coast’s return to stability after of the same name, said there was also hailed as generally smooth and peaceful, competence, your leadership and your recognising Ouattara’s desire to bring ernment action, undertaking a gov- years of turbulence. an attack in the nearby village of Nchi- ha at about 10pm (2100 GMT) on Tues- day. Life terms sought for “Luckily no-one was hurt but they (Boko Haram gunmen) looted food and Burundi coup plotters burnt a large part of the village,” he IMF ‘does not back’ Nigeria foreign exchange curbs added. Residents managed to fl ee. rosecution lawyers in Burundi Boko Haram kidnapped some 276 yesterday demanded that 28 girls from their school in Chibok in Pmen on trial for launching a Reuters April 2014 in a daring raid that cap- failed coup be jailed for life. Abuja tured world attention. Fifty seven es- Top government prosecutor Adol- caped soon afterwards but 219 are still phe Manirakiza demanded “a sentence being held. of life imprisonment for all the de- nternational Monetary Fund chief Buhari set his military command- fendants” in closing arguments at the Christine Lagarde yesterday told ers a deadline to end the insurgency by trial. INigerian lawmakers the IMF does December 31, after six years of fi ghting Former Burundi defence minister not support foreign exchange restric- that have left at least 17,000 dead and Cyrille Ndayirukiye, the second in tions, a policy option Abuja took after made more than 2.6mn homeless. command, as well as two other army prices for its oil exports collapsed. AFP reporting of attacks indicated generals and two police commission- Addressing senior politicians dur- at least 1,624 people were killed since ers have admitted taking part in the ing a four-day visit, she said any such Buhari was sworn in as president on failed May 2015 coup bid. restrictions should be temporary. May 29 to the end of 2015. The wisdom They have cited the violent repres- Nigeria’s central bank, dealing of setting a time limit, however, has sion of anti-government protests to with the worst economic crisis hit- been questioned with Boko Haram still justify their attempted takeover of ting Africa’s biggest economy in conducting suicide and bomb attacks power. years, has resisted calls by investors against civilian targets in towns and But Ndayirukiye also said he had not to devalue the naira more than the cities across the northeast. been given proper access to lawyers. 20% it has been allowed to fall since On December 24, Buhari said in an “I never received a fair trial, because the start of 2014. interview the Islamic State group affi li- I have not been entitled to legal assist- President Muhammadu Buhari has ate was now unable to mount eff ective ance by lawyers,” Ndayirukiye said. supported central bank measures to “conventional attacks”. “I think tech- Zenon Ndabaneze, a police gen- restrict access to foreign exchange, nically we have won the war because eral also on trial, said he took part but they have been unpopular with people are going back into their neigh- in the coup to “defend the consti- investors and highlight Nigeria’s de- bourhoods,” the former army general tution and the peace agreement” of pendence on crude oil exports, which and military ruler told the BBC. Arusha, which paved the way to end make up over half of state revenues. International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde gives children two thumbs-up after visiting the Jacob Zenn, an Africa security ana- more than a decade of civil war in “Additional exchange rate fl exibility, Mother Theresa Orphanage in Gwarimpa district of Abuja. lyst at the Jamestown Foundation in 2006. either up or down, can help soften the Washington, said Buhari’s strategy was The small central African country impact of external shocks, make output country adjust to the downturn in oil, sun and Vice President Yemi Osin- ance to reduce revenue “leakages”. working but warned the group was not descended into bloodshed in April and employment less volatile, and help which has lost around two-thirds of bajo, said she was not in Nigeria to “On recurrent expenditure, ef- defeated. “Even if the Islamists appear when President Pierre Nkurunziza an- build external reserves,” Lagarde said. its value since mid-2014. negotiate a loan. forts should be made to streamline to be on the back foot in Nigeria, this nounced his intention to run for a con- “It can also help avoid the need for The president said Nigeria, which In her speech, Lagarde noted Ni- the cost of government and improve does not mean permanent defeat,” he troversial third term in a July election costly foreign exchange restrictions, has foreign currency reserves worth geria’s economy grew by about 3.2% effi ciency of public service delivery,” wrote on the African Arguments web- that he went on to win. which we don’t really support, and if around $30bn, will borrow as much in 2015, “its slowest pace since 1999”, she said, praising eff orts that have site on Tuesday. “The threat from Boko Coup leader General Godefroid Niy- they exist they should remain tempo- as 900bn naira abroad to fund its def- and said only a “modest recovery” already been made in this area by Bu- Haram has ebbed and fl owed in the ombare is currently on the run. rary by nature,” she added. icit, which is equivalent to 2.16% of was expected this year. hari’s administration. past fi ve years and while Boko Haram Months of street protests in Burundi Last month, Buhari announced gross domestic product. Some 984bn To confront the crisis, she said Ni- The IMF chief has also held talks with is now on the downturn, the military have devolved into regular armed at- a record budget for 2016, forecast- naira would be borrowed at home. geria should consider increasing VAT, Central Bank Governor Godwin Eme- group may have new tactics and strate- tacks with gunfi re disrupting the ing a doubling of the defi cit to 2.2tn On Tuesday, the IMF managing which at 5% is among the lowest rates fi ele and representatives of the com- gies as well as a plan to return stronger nights and dead bodies appearing on naira ($11bn) and a tripling of capi- director, who has held meetings with in the world, as well as broadening mercial banking sector. She will travel than before. Nigeria’s security forces city streets almost every day. tal expenditure intended to help the Buhari, Finance Minister Kemi Adeo- the tax base and improving compli- today to neighbouring Cameroon. will need to anticipate this.”

UN mission vows action on abuse claims

AFP soldier to be involved in these awful But an offi cer with the French armed Bangui acts,” Onanga-Anyanga said at a news forces - the only other foreign mili- conference in Bangui. tary mission in the country - said they “Where there is doubt we will take were not aware of any new case against he head of the UN mission in the the side of the victims,” he said, vow- them. Central African Republic yes- ing that “the sanctions will be strong Fourteen soldiers from the French Tterday vowed tough action over when we have established who is re- force are under investigation in France allegations that peacekeepers sexually sponsible”. as a result of allegations dating from abused four young girls. The UN has not said which coun- 2013 and 2014 that they forced chil- The UN said Tuesday it had asked tries are involved or specifi ed how dren to perform sexual acts in ex- three countries to investigate their many troops have been accused, but change for food. soldiers serving in the MINUSCA mis- sources said the soldiers were from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sion over the incident, which brings to Gabon, Egypt and Morocco. fi red the head of the 10,000-strong 26 the number of sexual abuse cases The troops were accused of rape, MINUSCA force last year over the against UN peacekeepers in the Cen- sexual exploitation and transactional mounting number of cases, but the al- tral African Republic. sex with the girls, some of whom were legations have continued to surface. The victims have been interviewed living in a camp for displaced civilians Ban has warned that he is ready to by Unicef investigators and MINUSCA in Bangui, according to a UN offi cial. throw out an entire peacekeeping unit chief Parfait Onanga-Anyanga prom- MINUSCA said late on Tuesday that if their country fails to prosecute sol- ised a strong response. “international forces” in Bangui were un- diers accused of sex abuse. “We have come to this country to der investigation. Asked about this yester- Under UN rules, it is up to the troop- help a population which is already day, Onanga-Anyanga said the allegations contributing country to investigate and traumatised. It is absolutely unaccept- “seem to indicate that the forces involved prosecute soldiers accused of miscon- able for even a single peacekeeping are not only those of MINUSCA”. duct while serving under the UN fl ag. Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 13 AMERICA Trump has a ‘problem’ with rival Cruz’s Canada birth

By Emily Stephenson, Reuters and have that kind of thing over your Washington head.” Presidents must be “natural-born citizens” under the US Constitution. epublican presidential front- Cruz was born in Calgary, Alberta, runner Donald Trump has but his mother was a US citizen, Rwaded back into the topic of which he says meets the require- eligibility for the US presidency, tell- ments to run. ing the Washington Post that rival Previous presidential candidates, Ted Cruz could run into trouble if he such as Republican US Senator John won the party’s nomination because McCain, who were born outside the he was born in Canada. US to parents who were citizens, were Trump had previously demanded also considered eligible. McCain was that President Barack Obama prove born in the then US-controlled Pan- he was born in the US. He appeared to ama Canal Zone. re-enter that “birther” arena with his Cruz dismissed the comments on latest comments, which were pub- Tuesday with a lighthearted tweet lished on Tuesday. implying Trump’s remarks were far- Trump dominated the Republican fetched. pack in a recent Reuters/Ipsos na- He linked to a video of the “jumping tional poll, but Cruz leads the fi eld the shark” scene from a 1977 episode in Iowa, the fi rst state to hold its of the television show Happy Days” presidential nominating contest next in which the character Fonzie jumps month ahead of the November 2016 over a shark while on water skis. The election. phrase has come to indicate when a Trump told the Post he was not fading TV show does something out- attacking Cruz, simply repeating rageous or silly to grab attention. chatter he had heard about Cruz’s Cruz has avoided engaging with birthplace. But he said it could cause Trump’s critiques so far. Trump has problems, including potential court questioned how Cruz’s evangelical challenges. Christian faith fi ts with his Cuban “Republicans are going to have to heritage and criticised his opposition ask themselves the question: ‘Do we to ethanol subsidies. want a candidate who could be tied Trump also raised questions about A driver climbs out of a window of his car after driving onto a flooded road in Van Nuys, California. up in court for two years?’ That’d be Cruz’s birthplace early in 2015, a big problem,” Trump was quoted but later backed down and said he as saying in an interview with the thought the senator was eligible to Post. “You don’t want to be running run.

Haley set to give Republican Rains, fl oods bring response to Obama address

AFP in the wake of a church shooting in Washington Charleston. “Nikki Haley has led an economic relief to California turnaround and set a bold agenda for outh Carolina Governor Nikki her state, getting things done and be- By Curtis Skinner, Reuters The service forecast widespread rain damaged when large rocks fell from a Further north, the Bay Area county Haley, who has been mentioned coming one of the most popular gover- Los Angeles and mountain snow. cliff onto the Pacifi c Coast Highway in of Santa Cruz saw heavy rainfall, and Sas a possible 2016 vice presiden- nors in America,” House Speaker Paul Emily Thornton, a NWS meteor- Malibu Canyon. the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper tial pick, will deliver the Republican Ryan said in announcing her as the per- ologist in Los Angeles, said Tuesday’s The Los Angeles Fire Department said said vehicle accidents were reported response to President Barack Obama’s son to deliver the Republican address. n El Niño-strengthened storm storm was the strongest thus far of the it had made several water rescues by across the greater Bay Area. fi nal State of the Union address. “This is a time of great challenges brought widespread rain to El Niño season, which she said is ex- Tuesday afternoon. Southbound lanes California is in its fourth year of a Haley, the fi rst female and fi rst mi- for our country, but also of great op- Adrought-stricken California pected to last into spring. of the 101 freeway, a major roadway that drought that has cost the state’s agri- nority governor in her state’s history, portunities. I intend to speak about on Tuesday, triggering fl ooding that “It’s defi nitely the biggest rainmaker runs the length of California, were also cultural economy $1.84bn, according will address the nation on the night both,” Haley said in a statement. clogged roadways, and authorities we’ve had,” Thornton said. briefl y closed near Santa Barbara due to to the University of California, Davis. of January 12 after Obama’s speech, The speech comes in the run up warned residents about possible mud The weather service warned of mud and water, offi cials said. The El Niño phenomenon, char- congressional leaders said Tuesday. to the highly anticipated Iowa cau- slides. fl ooding on urban roads, as well as fl ash Police in Glendora, a Los Angeles acterized by a warming of the Pacifi c She surged into the spotlight last cuses and New Hampshire primaries, The National Weather Service fl oods and mud fl ows that could hit ar- suburb, closed a road due to fl ood- Ocean that often brings precipitation year during a bitter debate over the the fi rst two state-wide votes in the (NWS) has issued fl ash fl ood watches eas recently ravaged by wildfi res. ing and debris fl owing onto the street. to California, is expected to help ease Confederate fl ag, when she ordered process to determine the Democratic for much of the coast from San Diego There were no immediate reports of Pictures provided by the department the drought over the next few months, the divisive and controversial ban- and Republican nominees for presi- to San Francisco and said storms would weather-related injuries, but Califor- showed a few inches of muddy water but experts caution the state’s woes are ner be taken off state capitol grounds dent. linger through tomorrow. nia Highway Patrol said four cars were snarling traffi c. far from over.

Oregon tribe uncomfortable with armed standoff

By Jonathan Allen, Reuters Burns, Oregon

hen armed men fi rst took over a wildlife refuge in WOregon last weekend, the leader of the area’s Native American tribal council could relate to their land-right dispute, but disagreed with their gun-toting approach. “I just think they’re a bunch of glory hounds,” Charlotte Rodrique, the chairwoman of the federally rec- ognised Burns Paiute Tribe, said in an interview on Tuesday at the tribal reservation’s meeting house. “‘Look at us, look at what we’re doing.’ I don’t give much credence to their cause.” The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and the small town of Burns have been thrust into the spotlight by the takeover, which began on Sat- urday and marked the latest protest over federal management of millions of acres of land in the West. The armed militia’s standoff with the US government over ranch- ers’ land rights has bewildered the Charlotte Rodrique, the chairwoman of the federally recognised Burns Paiute Tribe, talks about the occupation at leaders of the tribe. Although the the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon. Paiute have their own disputes over land and water with US government “I’m, like, hold on a minute, if you But they tribe wants to avoid the It was not clear how many pro- agencies, they prefer a less adver- want to get technical about it … the increasingly prevalent gun-toting testers were involved in the occu- sarial approach. land belongs to the Paiute here,” said approach to grievances favoured pation and federal law enforcement The reservation is not far from Selena Sam, a member of the tribe’s by the group led by Ammon Bundy, offi cials have kept their distance, the wildlife reserve and the tribe has council who waitresses at a local diner. whose father had a similar stand- following guidelines instituted to been living off the arid western Ore- The tribe held a council meeting off with federal agents over grazing prevent a repeat of deadly standoff s gon mountains since long before Eu- on Tuesday to discuss the sudden rights in Nevada. such as those in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, ropeans arrived in North America. national attention land rights are Bundy and his supporters ar- and later in Waco, Texas, in the early “There was never an agreement that once again getting. rived in Oregon after local ranchers 1990s. we were giving up this land. We were She said the government has be- Dwight Hammond Jr and his son, “I feel like it’s happening all over dragged out of here,” Rodrique said. come increasingly bureaucratic Steven, were handed longer prison again but to a diff erent set of peo- The tribe’s approach has typically about allowing the tribe to catch terms for setting fi res that spread to ple,” Sam said of the anger felt by been less provocative than the pro- trout, bass and perch in the rivers federal land, saying the government the ranchers and their supporters. testers who picked up guns to fur- lacing the mountains and hunt elk wanted to seize ranch lands for its “They’re like ‘Let’s grab some guns.’ ther their anti-government cause. and deer in the woods. own use. We have a diff erent approach.” Gulf Times 14 Thursday, January 7, 2016 ASEAN Thai junta leans Harmony in flight on tough sedition law to silence critics: activists

AFP Watch’s Thailand researcher, Bangkok cautioning that it set a “prec- edent” for future governments who may want to stifl e dissent. hailand’s junta is in- “The interpretation of the creasingly turning to off ence has been stretched to Ta tough sedition law restrict and criminalise peace- to silence its critics, a report ful political activity that op- warned yesterday, setting a poses, or even questions, the dangerous legal precedent for conduct of the regime,” he future governments. added. At least 30 people have been But junta spokesman Colo- charged with sedition since nel Winthai Suvaree played a military coup in May 2014, down the signifi cance of the with most of the cases fi led in sedition law, calling it a “nor- 2015, according to iLaw, an ad- mal procedure” following a vocacy group monitoring legal criminal off ence. cases in Thailand. Most of the sedition charges The charges, which carry up in late 2015 were tied to an to seven years in prison, have alleged corruption scandal A man takes pictures of seagulls at Bang Pu seaside resort in Samut Prakan province on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. been brought against peaceful linked to Rajabhakti Park, a anti-junta activists, as well as multimillion dollar memorial those accused of spreading ru- to Thai kings built by the army. mours about alleged military Three Facebook users were corruption on Facebook. arrested and charged with the The sedition law - article off ence last month for sharing 116 of the Thai penal code - is posts about alleged corrup- being used because it “carries tion in the construction of the a hefty punishment”, a high park, which was overseen by a bail and “falls under the juris- former army chief. An inter- diction of the military court,” nal military probe has cleared Suu Kyi’s party to join the iLaw report said. the army of any wrongdoing. Decisions by army tribunals But the allegations have stung can not be appealed and rights the military that seized power groups say sentences are rou- pledging to rid the kingdom of tinely stiff er than those hand- rampant corruption. ed out by civilian courts. “Thailand’s military is to- The junta has used special day deforming and twisting parliament on Feb 1 emergency powers to pass a the law to serve the purpose of litany of laws to restrict politi- shielding those soldiers pos- AFP in November, crowning the lature replaces the incumbent the constitution. The junta- country a glimpse of a demo- cal expression since it seized sibly involved in corruption Yangon struggle against almost half a one of the Union Solidarity and drafted constitution bars Suu cratic future. power. The rise in sedition from investigations,” accord- century of military rule. Development Party, a quasi- Kyi from the role because she But the new government charges suggests a new eff ort ing to Paul Chambers of the In a statement parliamentary civilian junta spin-off that has married and had children with faces formidable challenges, to hunt critics with standard Institute of South East Asian embers of Aung San speaker Shwe Mann announced ruled the country since the a foreigner. including reviving an econo- laws drawn from the king- Aff airs in Chiang Mai. Suu Kyi’s victorious that “all MPs (are) to start the end of outright military rule in She has said she would rule my left to rot by the junta and dom’s criminal code, accord- The military has also over- Mpro-democracy party new parliament at 10am on 2011. “above” a proxy, without giv- ending ongoing civil wars. ing to rights campaigners. seen a surge in prosecutions will take their seats in parlia- February 1, 2016”. First on the MPs’ to-do list is ing details of how this arrange- Much rests on the relation- The law was “very rarely” for royal defamation, an of- ment on February 1, Myanmar’s But the new government will choosing the next president. ment might work or who she ship between Suu Kyi and the used in the recent past, said fence that carries up to 15 years speaker said yesterday, begin- take office slowly under the Parliament will select the wants to be president. military, which held her under Sunai Phasuk, Human Rights for each charge. ning a new era for a nation under complex political system -- it president from three candi- Thein Sein’s government house arrest for some 15 years army rule for decades. can only be formed after cur- dates put forward by the upper introduced major political during the junta era. Suu Kyi led her National rent President Thein Sein steps and lower houses and the mili- and economic reforms that Despite the reforms the Indonesian passengers delayed due to bee on plane League for Democracy to a big down on March 31. tary -- which holds a quarter culminated in the Novem- army retains huge political majority in landmark elections The NLD-dominated legis- of the legislature’s seat under ber poll, which has given the and economic sway. A bee delayed an Indonesian passenger plane for four hours after getting stuck in vital equipment and causing a problem with the aircraft’s controls, the airline said yesterday. The flight, operated by Indonesian flag carrier Garuda, was scheduled to take off Tuesday morning from the western island of Sumatra and head for Jakarta. But the pilot of the Boeing 737, which was Malaysia Airlines reverses decision on suitcase ban carrying 156 passengers, decided not to take off after noticing a problem with the controls, according to Garuda. “An investigation found that the incident occurred because the plane’s electronic AFP The troubled carrier, whose MH370 fl ight specifi cally was. Economy class passengers “strange” by industry analysts. engine control suff ered a technical problem after an insect got Kuala Lumpur went missing in 2014 on its way to Beijing fl ying from Kuala Lumpur to London, Paris But in a sudden about-face yesterday, into a pitot tube,” airline spokesman Benny Butarbutar said in a and has still not been found, had said it was and Amsterdam would only be allowed to Malaysia Airlines ditched its baggage rules statement. “Due to safety concerns, Garuda Indonesia decided to limiting baggage to reduce weight. take one small piece of hand luggage with and said passengers could carry the normal delay the flight.” Another Garuda off icial confirmed it was a bee ess than 24 hours after telling Europe- It cited concerns about its planes being them, the company announced on Tuesday. amount of luggage. that became trapped in the pitot tube, a vital piece of equipment bound passengers they were not al- able to carry enough fuel as they had to fl y Those in business class could carry two. The carrier, still reeling from the loss of which measures airspeed. The airline did not say whether the Llowed to take check-in baggage be- a longer and diff erent route due to its own Suitcases could be checked in on other two Boeing 777-200 aircraft in separate in- bee survived the ordeal. After being repaired, the plane took off cause of “unseasonably strong headwinds”, “risk assessment” and handle strong head- fl ights, but would arrive much later than cidents in 2014, defended the temporary re- and landed safely in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon. Malaysian Airlines did a sudden U-turn winds “in excess of 200 knots”. their owners, the company had said. striction, saying that “safety was of utmost yesterday. The airline did not specify what the risk The move was blasted as “ludicrous” and priority” in its operations.

ENTERTAINMENT Madonna’s Jakarta turns to China as ethnic Singapore concert is for adults only

The Singapore leg of pop super- Uighurs join would-be militants star Madonna’s global Rebel Heart Tour has been restricted to fans aged 18 and above, the concert’s Reuters local co-ordinator said yesterday. Jakarta The one-night-only event on February 28, Madonna’s first-ever concert in the city-state, will be ndonesian authorities are work- held at the 55,000-seat National ing with their counterparts in Stadium, entertainment firm Me- IChina to stem a fl ow of ethnic diaCorp Vizpro said. “Please note Uighur militants seeking to join ji- that this concert is rated ‘R18’ with hadists in the country, Indonesia’s the consumer advisory on ‘Sexual counter-terrorism chief said. References’. Only those above 18 Saud Usman Nasution’s com- years of age will be permitted into ments come amid mounting con- the venue,” it said on its Facebook cern in Indonesia about possible at- page. Concerts and other forms tacks by sympathisers of the Islamic of public entertainment are clas- State group and follows the arrest sified by the Media Development of 13 men across the island of Java, Authority, which also regulates the including a Uighur with a suicide- film and broadcast industries. bomb vest. Saud Usman Nasution, the head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency, The appearance among Indone- gestures during an interview at his off ice in Bogor,.. sian militant networks of Uighurs, TRAGEDY who come from the Xinjiang region of Islamic State, to join his band of “As far as China is concerned, Speedboat kills in far-western China, is likely to add fi ghters. these people are running off, some to Beijing’s concerns that exiles will Islamic State and human traffi ck- of them taking part in jihad and French tourist off return to their homeland as experi- ing networks helped them travel via planning to strike back,” said Pan Thai island enced and trained jihadists. Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia to Zhiping, a terrorism expert at the China says militants and separa- Santoso’s hideout in an equatorial Xinjiang Academy of Social Sci- A speedboat struck and instantly tists operate in energy-rich Xinjiang jungle of eastern Indonesia, he said. ences. killed a French tourist while she on the borders of central Asia, where However, the would-be suicide “Of course we must stop them. I was swimming in waters reserved violence has killed hundreds in re- bomber arrested on Dec 23 was hid- believe, in terms of jointly guard- for snorkellers at a Thai resort, cent years. ing in a house just outside the capi- ing against extremism, it is neces- police said yesterday. The woman, Rights groups say much of the un- tal, Jakarta. sary that we co-operate.” 52, died at the scene Tuesday rest can be traced back to frustration “We are co-operating with China Bilveer Singh of the Rajaratnam afternoon after the boat struck her at controls over the Uighurs’ culture and investigating evidence such as School of International Studies in as she was snorkelling off Poda and religion, and that most of those ATM cards and cellphones,” Nasu- Singapore said the direct involve- island, one of several small islands who leave are only fl eeing repression tion said, adding that an Indonesian ment of Chinese Uighurs in South- in the tourist hot-spot of Krabi not seeking to wage jihad. China de- team went to China to interview east Asian militancy added “an province. Police arrested the nies repressing rights. members of the man’s family, who external dimension to the existing speedboat’s 29-year-old driver, Nasution, who heads the National would not confi rm that they were home-grown terrorist threat”. Yothin Subsak, and charged him Counter-Terrorism Agency, told related to him. “It could also complicate ties with with causing death by a reckless Reuters in an interview on Tuesday There was no immediate com- a rising China, which may want to action. “He confessed to the that several Uighurs had responded ment from China’s foreign minis- play a bigger counter-terrorism role charges,” Krabi’s tourist police to a call last year by Santoso, Indo- try on whether Beijing is collabo- in the region,” Singh said in a Eurasia commander Lieutenant Colonel nesia’s most high-profi le backer rating with Indonesia. Review article. Man Rotthong said Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA China lands two N Korea claims ‘successful more planes on disputed island hydrogen bomb test’ equipped with the capacity AFP Beijing to ensure the safe operation Reuters as a surprise, as did the timing. Survey reported a 5.1 magnitude of large civilian aircraft,” said Seoul It ensures that North Korea quake that South Korea said was Xinhua. will be a key topic during the US 49 km (30 miles) from the Pung- hina landed two more It said the facility would presidential campaign, and Re- gye-ri site where the North has planes on a contested help transport supplies, per- orth Korea said it suc- publican candidate Marco Rubio conducted nuclear tests in the past. Creef in the South Chi- sonnel and medical aid. cessfully tested a min- blamed North Korea’s nuclear North Korea’s last test of an na Sea yesterday, state media China claims virtually all Niaturised hydrogen nu- activities on President Barack atomic device, in 2013, also reg- said, despite international the South China Sea, while clear bomb yesterday, claiming Obama’s “failed” foreign policy. istered at 5.1 on the USGS scale. condemnation of a landing at the Philippines, Vietnam, Ma- a signifi cant advance in its strike Rubio’s rival Donald Trump said The test nevertheless may the same location days earlier. laysia, Brunei and Taiwan also capability and setting off alarm the onus was on China to solve mark an advance of North Ko- Two civilian aircraft landed have partial claims. bells in Japan and South Korea. what he called the North Korean rea’s nuclear technology. The yesterday morning on Fiery China has asserted its claim by The test, the fourth time the “problem”, and if it did not, the claim of miniaturising, which Cross reef in the disputed rapidly building artifi cial islands, isolated state has exploded a United States “should make trade would allow the device to be Spratlys island group during including airstrips said to be ca- nuclear device, was ordered by very diffi cult for China.” adapted as a weapon and placed “test fl ights”, the offi cial Xin- pable of hosting military jets. young leader Kim Jong-Un and North Korea has long coveted on a missile, would also pose a hua news agency said. Viet- Several other claimants successfully conducted at 10am diplomatic recognition from new threat to the United States nam also claims the reef. have also built facilities but at local time (0130 GMT), North Washington, but sees its nuclear and its regional allies, Japan and The planes departed from a slower pace, and China’s ac- Korea’s offi cial KCNA news deterrent as crucial to ensuring North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un signs a document regarding the South Korea. and returned to the city of Haik- tivities have heightened ten- agency said. the survival of its third-genera- test of a hydrogen bomb, in this still image taken from KRT video and The North’s previous minia- ou, the capital of the southern sions in the region. “Let the world look up to the tion dictatorship. released by Yonhap yesterday. turisation claims have not been island province of Hainan—a It began work in 2014 on the strong, self-reliant nuclear- “With Iran being off the table, independently verifi ed. Many two-hour journey each way. 3,000m (9,842ft) runway on armed state,” Kim wrote in what the North Koreans have placed tion, said North Korea may have drogen bomb,” he said. “But it is experts also doubt whether “This successful test fl ight Fiery Cross reef, around 1,000km North Korean state TV displayed themselves at the top of the for- mixed a hydrogen isotope in a not a true fusion bomb capable the North possesses missile proves that this airport is (620 miles) from Hainan. as a handwritten note. eign policy agenda as far as na- normal atomic fi ssion bomb. of the massive multi-megaton technology capable of reli- South Korean intelligence of- tion-states who present a threat “Because it is, in fact, hydro- yields these bombs produce”. ably delivering a warhead to the fi cials and several analysts ques- to the US”, said Michael Mad- gen, they could claim it is a hy- The United States Geological continental United States. Goannas trained to avoid toxic toads tioned whether Wednesday’s ex- den, an expert on the country’s plosion was indeed a full-fl edged secretive leadership. Australian scientists yesterday invade the floodplain. test of a hydrogen device. The device had a yield of Japan deploys planes to collect radioactive material said they had devised an The scientists off ered small, But the reported nuclear test about 6 kilotonnes, according Japan’s defence ministry ones in 2006, 2009 and 2013, whether this was nuclear or non- “innovative method of non-lethal cane toads to the wild drew condemnation abroad, in- to the offi ce of a South Korean yesterday deployed three planes though many experts cast doubt nuclear, or which type of nuclear, conservation” through feeding yellow-spotted monitors—which cluding from China and Russia, lawmaker on the parliamentary to collect possible radioactive on Pyongyang’s claim that it was is not appropriate at this time,” he giant monitor lizards small cane have experienced a 90% plunge North Korea’s two main allies. intelligence committee - roughly material following North Korea’s a successful test of a hydrogen told reporters. toads so they won’t be killed by in population following toad China expressed “resolute op- the same size as the North’s last claimed hydrogen bomb test, bomb. In Tokyo Suga said no abnormal larger-sized amphibians, AFP invasions—with further trials position” and said it would lodge test, which was equivalent to 6-7 off icials said. They said the seismic activity levels of radiation had been reports from Sydney. confirming “just one or two toad a protest with Pyongyang. kilotonnes of TNT. “To understand the impact of suggested a less powerful atomic detected through monitoring Cane toads are so toxic they can meals were enough to convince a No countries were given ad- “Given the scale, it is hard to possible radioactive materials device. posts across Japan as of early kill predators that try to eat them. goanna not to eat another toad”. vance warning of a nuclear test, believe this is a real hydrogen released by the test, Air Self- In Vienna, the Comprehensive yesterday evening. Scientists have said the spread The goannas quickly learnt to South Korea’s intelligence serv- bomb,” said Yang Uk, a sen- Defence Force planes have Test Ban Treaty Organisation said The results collected by the of the cane toads — which an avoid the adult cane toads in the ice said, according to lawmakers ior research fellow at the Korea collected dust in the air,” Chief the magnitude was very similar planes are expected to be Australian university study wild after being exposed to the briefed by intelligence offi cials. Defence and Security Forum. Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga to 2013. released today, an off icial with found numbered about 200mn younger, smaller toads. In previous such tests, “They could have tested some told a press conference. Randy Bell, director of its Japan’s Nuclear Regulation on the island continent — was “After training, giant monitor Pyongyang had notifi ed China, middle stage kind (of device) be- “It is currently being sent to international data division, said Authority told reporters. causing catastrophic population lizards, known as goannas, Russia and the United States be- tween an A-bomb and H-bomb, the Japan Chemical Analysis the data yesterday was very Last month North Korean declines in predators. survived when the toads forehand, they said. but unless they come up with Centre,” he said, adding that consistent with the 2013 test and leader Kim Jong-Un suggested But researchers from the University arrived, whereas untrained While a fourth nuclear test any clear evidence, it is diffi cult the T4 training planes stayed in the seismic magnitude of 4.9 was Pyongyang had already of Sydney said they were able lizards were immediately killed,” had been long expected, the to trust their claim.” Japanese airspace. the same. developed a hydrogen bomb, to teach free-ranging goannas lead researcher Georgia Ward- claim that it was a hydrogen Joe Cirincione, a nuclear expert Yesterday’s nuclear test was the “But to try to ascertain the though the claim was questioned in the Kimberley wilderness in Fear said of the study, which device, much more power- who is president of Ploughshares North’s fourth after previous very particular nature, such as by international experts. northwestern Australia to avoid was published yesterday in the ful than an atomic bomb, came Fund, a global security organisa- eating the toxic toads about to Biology Letters journal. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, January 7, 2016 BRITAIN

EDUCATION PEOPLE DATA ACCIDENT HEALTHCARE School exams to be Alex Salmond to host Asylum claims pass a Girl, 12, seriously injured GP surgeries ‘at breaking held before Ramadan weekly phone-in on LBC record 5,000 in a month in collision with police car point’ over new patients

School examinations are to be timetabled in order Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond The number of migrants seeking asylum in the A 12-year-old girl has been seriously injured in At least 100 GP surgeries are reported to have ap- not to disadvantage students from the Muslim yesterday vowed to “shoot from the hip” as it was UK has passed 5,000 in a month for the first time a collision with a police car responding to an plied to stop taking on new patients, amid claims minority observing Ramadan, exam boards said announced he would host a weekly radio phone-in in at least six years, figures reveal. Britain received emergency call. The girl suffered serious head many are reaching breaking point. Practices are yesterday. GCSEs, taken by 16-year-olds, and beginning next week. “I am looking forward to claims from 5,095 main applicants and depend- injuries following the accident in Camborne, struggling to cope with a rising demand from A-Levels, taken by 18-year-olds, in core subjects discussing all of the issues and taking calls from ants in October, according to statistics published Cornwall, yesterday morning. Devon and Corn- patients, a lack of resources and a GP shortage, such as English and mathematics could be set every corner of these islands,” the former leader of by the EU’s data agency. Press Association analy- wall Police said the Ford Focus was responding the British Medical Association’s GP committee for the beginning of the exam season, before the Scottish National Party (SNP) said ahead of his sis shows it is the highest total for any month to a violent incident in the town with its blue chairman told the BBC. Just under half of those the start of the holy month of Ramadan, which debut on LBC, a London-based national talk and since current records began in January 2009 and lights on when the 12-year-old pedestrian was that applied in 2014-15 were either denied permis- begins this year in early June. The Joint Council phone-in radio station. “When I was first minister of nearly double the number recorded at the start of struck. The girl was taken by ambulance to the sion to do so or withdrew the request, a Freedom for Qualifications said where possible, large-entry Scotland, there were times when I had to bite my last year. It suggests that migrants and their fami- Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro before being of Information request by the BBC showed. Dr GCSE subjects “are timetabled prior to the com- tongue. However, now unburdened from off ice, I lies applied to stay in this country as refugees at a transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital by Chaand Nagpul told the broadcaster: “GP services mencement of Ramadan and consideration given can shoot straight from the hip,” he added. The first rate of 164 every day. There was a dramatic jump air ambulance. The force said the Independ- are reaching breaking point as they struggle to to whether they are timetabled in the morning or half-hour show will be aired on January 13, with LBC in claims last year as the international migration ent Police Complaints Commission had been cope with rising patient demand, falling resources afternoon”, it said. promising that “no topic will be off limits”. crisis escalated. informed of the incident. and a shortage of GPs.”

Concern First day at nursery grows for Three shadow missing mother and son ministers quit

Agencies London over Corbyn olice searching for a moth- er who went missing with Pher 18-month-old son on New Year’s Eve have sent mes- sages to her Facebook account as concern for them deepens. reshuffl e Offi cers have not received a response to their appeals for Ile- Jonathan Reynolds and mons following the Paris atroc- Jones told the BBC’s The World ana Tomoiaga, 29, to get in touch Stephen Doughty quit after ity. at One that shifting Eagle was following her disappearance objecting to sacking of Pat McFadden asked David Cam- a mistake in terms of Labour’s with her son Daniel Sava. McFadden, while Kevan Jones eron to reject the view that ter- credibility on defence. She left their home in Furnace resigns after Maria Eagle’s rorist acts were always a re- He also criticised the way the Road, Uckfi eld, East Sussex, move sponse or a reaction to what the reshuffl e was carried out, say- at 2.30pm, saying she was go- west did and to agree that such ing: “There’s nothing straight- ing to a nearby Tesco Express to Guardian News and Media an approach risked infantilis- forward or honest about what’s buy a bottle of wine and a phone London ing terrorists when the truth was gone on in the last 48 hours.” charger. that they were adults who were Jones claimed Eagle was not But Sussex Police said there entirely responsible for their ac- happy about being moved, de- is no evidence that she visited hree junior shadow min- tions. spite Labour leadership sources the store or any other shops in isters have resigned in This was seen by Corbyn’s claiming she was pleased with the town. Relatives reported her Tprotest at Jeremy Corbyn’s team as an implicit attack on the the new job and had always missing on New Year’s Day. reshuffl e in which two front- leader and was interpreted as wanted to cover the culture Appealing for help in fi nding benchers were sacked for dis- such in the media at the time. brief. the mother and son, Shannon loyalty and a third was moved to In a letter to the Labour leader, Meanwhile, Benn has denied Marchesani, of the East Sussex clear the way for Labour to op- Reynolds said he had enjoyed his he is being silenced by Corbyn. Missing Persons team, said: “We pose the renewal of Trident nu- role as shadow rail minister but Corbyn considered whether to are growing concerned about clear weapons. wanted to exercise more freedom sack Benn, but Labour sources Ileana and Daniel. Jonathan Reynolds and to express his views on the future said the two came to an agree- “We are appealing to Ileana Stephen Doughty stepped down direction of the party. ment on Tuesday night that there to contact us to let us know she from their roles after Pat Mc- He also cited the sacking of would be no repeat of the situa- and Daniel are safe. The evidence Fadden was removed as shadow McFadden as the trigger for step- tion in which the shadow foreign shows that Ileana left home Europe minister for “serial dis- ping down, saying the news had secretary argued for interven- completely of her own accord loyalty”, including what was seen “pushed him over the edge”. Rey- tion in Syria from the frontbench and there are still no suspicious as a coded attack on Corbyn’s re- nolds’s letter said he could not while the leader made the case circumstances. sponse to the Paris terror attacks. “in good conscience endorse the against. “However, she did not leave The third, Kevan Jones, re- world view of the Stop the War Corbyn will in future govern with anything to prepare ei- signed as a shadow defence Coalition” - the anti-war group the direction of foreign policy ther of them for even a short minister after the Labour leader chaired until September by Cor- and Benn would have to speak stay away, and nothing has been replaced his boss, Maria Eagle, byn and which the Labour leader from the backbenches in the heard since.” who is pro-Trident, with the praised in December as “one of event of any disagreement. As the search for Tomoiaga anti-Trident Emily Thornberry the most important democratic Benn told Sky News: “I widened to London, friends spoke in the role of shadow defence campaigns of modern times”. haven’t been muzzled. I’m go- of their concern for Tomoiaga, de- secretary. Doughty, a shadow foreign af- ing to be carrying on doing my scribing her as “always smiling” A Labour source said the lead- fairs minister, who had raised ob- job exactly as before, which is and “a bit reserved”. ership was relaxed about the re- jections with Corbyn about Stop speaking for Labour on foreign One, Malina Iftimie, told the sponse of MPs to the shakeup the War’s reaction to the Paris policy, supporting Corbyn and Brighton Argus newspaper: “I and did not believe there would attacks in November, announced campaigning really hard to get used to nickname her The Prin- be any signifi cant resignations. his resignation on live television. Labour elected at the next gen- cess as she was, and still is, very Corbyn avoided a mass shad- He told the BBC’s Daily Poli- eral election.” beautiful. ow cabinet walkout of up to 10 tics: “Fundamentally, I agree Corbyn made the key moves in “She was always trying to help, MPs after he reached an agree- with everything that Pat Mc- his reshuffl e on Tuesday night, she was always speaking nicely to ment to keep Hilary Benn, the Fadden said about terrorism and more than 30 hours after it began everyone, behaving nicely, always shadow foreign secretary, in his national security and not being on Monday. taking care of people’s feelings so post in return for an end to public seen to develop a narrative that His biggest move was replac- as not to upset anyone.” dissent over policy. somehow it’s the west that is ing Eagle with his ally Thorn- Tomoiaga previously lived in However, he decided to sack responsible. I have to look at my berry, clearing the way for a La- Willesden, north-west London, Prince George of Cambridge attends his first day at the Westacre Montessori nursery school McFadden for what he saw as a own conscience in that situation. bour policy change to oppose the and offi cers in Sussex are in con- near Sandringham in Norfolk, eastern England, yesterday. His mother Catherine, Duchess of variety of disloyal interventions, It’s only the honourable thing for renewal of the Trident nuclear tact with the Metropolitan Po- Cambridge and Prince William dropped him off for his first day at nursery. including a question to the prime me to do to also tender my resig- weapons system when there is a lice. minister in the House of Com- nation.” vote this year. ‘Wonder season’ to mark Castle under threat Khan playing race Shakespeare anniversary card, says Goldsmith Guardian News and media than playing the race card when it London clearly, unambiguously does not AFP identity and love,” she said. fi lms on show will feature some apply,” he told BBC Radio 4’s To- London The Globe is the re-creation of of the world’s top actors per- day programme. Shakespeare’s circular, wooden forming scenes from Shake- ac Goldsmith, the Tory When Goldsmith published theatre on the banks of the River speare plays, shot in the place London mayoral candi- the leafl ets in December, sources hakespeare’s Globe Thea- Thames. they were set in. Zdate, has accused his La- on Khan’s team suggested it was tre in London is marking Opened in 1997, theatre-goers “Imagine Cleopatra in front bour rival Sadiq Khan of “playing a “coded racist attack”. Khan Sthe 400th anniversary of can stand in the open air to watch of the Pyramids, Shylock in the race card” in an escalation of later expanded on his criticism the bard’s death with a “Wonder the plays. Venice’s Jewish ghetto, Hamlet tensions in their electoral battle. of leafl et in an interview with Season” of some of his most fa- From September 17, associate on the rocks of Elsinore. The Goldsmith made the claim af- the Sunday Times, saying it was mous plays. director Matthew Dunster will be Complete Walk will be an inter- ter Khan objected to being called “frankly off ensive”. “I’m really seeing the 400th staging Imogen, a “reclaimed and active journey through Shake- “radical and divisive” on Tory Khan has said he does not want anniversary, the whole season, renamed” version of Cymbeline speare’s life and work,” The election leafl ets, saying the use to criticise Goldsmith over his being a celebration of wonder telling the story from the point Globe said. of such language about a Muslim privileged background but has and reminding us how brilliant of view of the eponymous king’s A two-year world tour of candidate was playing with fi re. claimed the Tory MP for Rich- Shakespeare was,” said Emma daughter. Hamlet will be coming home to Asked if the leafl ets were a mond is a “serial and habitual Rice, the theatre’s new artistic Acclaimed actor Jonathan perform at The Globe on the an- coded way of trying to link Khan underachiever”. Goldsmith has director and the fi rst woman to Pryce will reprise his role as Shy- niversary weekend, after a fi nal to extremism, Goldsmith in- in turn previously accused Khan hold the post. lock in The Merchant of Venice in run of shows in Tehran, Lahore in sisted he was making a point that of “negative tribal politics”. The English language’s fore- October. Pakistan, San Marino and Vati- he thought Labour under Jeremy Responding to Goldsmith’s lat- most playwright died aged 52 on The season also features The can City. Corbyn was radical. He said Khan est interview, a spokesman for April 23, 1616, and the anniver- Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth Meanwhile The Royal Mint will nominated the Labour leader and Khan said: “It was the Zac Gold- sary is being marked with a host and The Two Gentlemen of Ve- issue three diff erent £2 coins to was chosen by the same pool of smith campaign which put out the of events in Britain. rona. mark 400 years of Shakespeare’s party members. infamous leafl et branding Sadiq as The Globe season opens on The wider celebrations include literary legacy since his death. Pressed again, Goldsmith ‘radical’ just because he happens April 30 with A Midsummer The Complete Walk on April 23 The coins celebrate his trag- The river Dee flows very close to Abergeldie Castle, which claimed it was in fact Khan who to be a Muslim. And it was Zac Night’s Dream, directed by Rice. and 24, featuring 37 screens along edies, comedies and histories is near to Queen’s Elizabeth’s Balmoral Estate, after a was playing with fi re and defended Goldsmith’s campaign which had “It brings great joy, great a 4km stretch of the Thames riv- with a designs featuring a skull, a section of land was washed away by the flood swollen his right to use the word “radical” to launch an investigation after acceptance, and is about eve- erbank in London. jester’s hat and a crown and dag- river, in Scotland. about his opponent. “I don’t think alleged racist remarks from a Tory rything I care about: magic, Each of the 37 separate short ger respectively. there is anything more divisive canvasser to a voter.” Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 17 EUROPE

Russia sued over annexed Female activists slain in Crimea airport curfew-hit Turkey town Reuters AFP thorities wage a major military senior posts between a man and Amsterdam Diyarbakir operation to crush the PKK in a woman. the Kurdish-dominated south- The PKK launched a formal east of the country. insurgency against the Turkish Ukrainian business- hree female Kurdish po- The government says that the state in 1984, initially fi ghting man has fi led a com- litical activists have been PKK eff ectively took over towns for Kurdish independence al- Aplaint against Russia in Tkilled in fi ghting in a cur- by erecting barricades and dig- though now more for greater au- The Hague, saying that he was few-hit town in southeast Tur- ging trenches. But Kurdish ac- tonomy and rights for the coun- unfairly deprived of his right to key as the authorities press an tivists say excessive use of force try’s largest ethnic minority. operate a passenger airport in off ensive against the outlawed has killed dozens of civilians. The confl ict, which has left Crimea after Russia annexed the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), The HDP identifi ed the three tens of thousands dead, looked peninsula in March 2014. the main pro-Kurdish party said women as Seve Demir, Pakize like it could be nearing a reso- The Permanent Court of Ar- yesterday. Nayir and Fatma Uyar. lution until an uneasy truce was bitration said yesterday that The Peoples’ Democratic The man has not been identi- shattered in July. it had agreed to consider the Party (HDP) said three of its fe- fi ed because his face was so bad- In a typically tough ad- case, which was brought a year male campaigners and another ly disfi gured, it said. dress yesterday, President Re- ago by Igor Kolomoisky, one of as-yet-unidentifi ed man had It was not clear under what cep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that Ukraine’s richest men, and Aer- been shot and badly wounded in circumstances they were hit or Turkey would press on with the oport Belbek LLC, against the Silopi town in Sirnak province who fi red the fatal shots. “anti-terror” operations for the Russian Federation. late on Monday, accusing the There was no immediate com- sake of all its citizens. Kolomoisky’s company held a authorities of failing to evacuate ment on the incident from the “There is not a Kurdish prob- contract to operate a passenger them despite pleas. authorities. lem in Turkey. There is a terror terminal at Crimea’s Sevastopol All four died. Pro-Kurdish media insisted problem,” said Erdogan. International Airport until 2020. “These three women and the they were civilians and not com- His remark is sure to infuri- He wants Russia to compen- man were shot on Monday in the batants. ate many Kurds who argue there sate him for income lost after he evening. They called to say ‘We “The targeting of three women is a deep problem with the need was deprived of use of the facil- are wounded and losing blood, in the vanguard of the resistance to provide greater rights in lan- ity. so get us out of here’,” Leyla Bir- was not a coincidence. They tar- guage, education and politics. Kolomoisky has estimated his lik, the party’s MP for Sirnak geted the freedom struggle of all Tensions are already high due losses linked to the airport, near province, said. women,” HDP’s co-leader Figen to the military campaign and Belbek in Crimea, at $15mn, ac- “The HDP asked the authori- Yuksekdag said in a statement. Erdogan has backed lifting the cording to Ukrainian media re- ties to evacuate them (from Si- The HDP and the Kurd- parliamentary immunity of the ports. lopi) but got no response,” she ish movement in Turkey pride HDP’s leaders to press charges The claimants say Russia added. themselves of being in the over their suggesting autono- breached a bilateral investment Silopi has been under curfew forefront of promoting gender my of the Kurdish-dominated A man stands in the room of a house after it was hit by mortar fire during clashes with Turkish police at treaty with Ukraine. since December 14 as the au- equality and usually split most southeast. the Sur district in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, on Sunday. Co-founder of the banking chain Privatbank, Kolomoisky has interests in energy, media, aviation and metals. While governor of the indus- trial Dnipropetrovsk region, he took fi rm action against pro- Erdogan foe, police chiefs Russian separatism, arming and fi nancing local militia groups and volunteer battalions. Moscow says the court has no jurisdiction over the matter on trial over graft claims and that it will not participate in proceedings, according to a statement by the court. AFP allies in the police and judici- The court will now decide if it Istanbul ary, media and a vast network does have jurisdiction to hear the of cramming schools designed merits of the case. to make up for deficiencies in The court of arbitration, most US-based Turk- the state education system. of whose proceedings are held ish preacher who has Ankara now accuses Gulen in closed session, fi rst made the A emerged as an arch-en- of running what it calls the case public yesterday. emy of President Recep Tayyip Fethullahaci Terror Organi- In 2014, it made a $50bn award Erdogan went on trial in ab- sation/Parallel State Struc- against the Kremlin to compen- sentia yesterday along with ture (FeTO/PDY) and seeking sate former shareholders in de- several former police chiefs to overthrow the legitimate funct oil company Yukos. charged over the corruption Turkish authorities. Erdogan: In Turkey there is no Kurdish issue but a terrorism issue. It is currently hearing pro- allegations that hit the Turkish Gulen supporters decry the ceedings brought against China leader in 2013. accusations as ridiculous, say- by several of its South East Asian Fethullah Gulen, a former Gulen: being tried in absentia. ing all he leads is a more infor- neighbours over the geopoliti- ally of Erdogan turned chief mal group known as Hizmet cally sensitive South China Sea foe, was not present at the ing Saygili and Aksoy, who Erdogan has dismissed the (Service). Erdogan widens dispute. start of the proceedings in had been remanded in custody recordings as a “vile montage”. Addressing the court, Al- Istanbul, with Washington were brought to the court- The top suspects are charged bayrak mocked the indictment failing to respond to Turkish house from the prison. with plotting to topple the – which describes Gulen’s Rail staff stage requests for the cleric’s extra- Aside from Gulen, the other Turkish government with the group as “a network of treach- demand for legal dition from his secluded com- suspects had been released graft allegations, as well as ery nested within the state” – strike in Belgium pound in Pennsylvania. from custody pending trial. membership of a “terrorist as a “comedy script”. Gulen is being tried along Two other suspects – Gulen group”. He said: “Throughout his A rail strike in Belgium brought with dozens of former police aide Sinan Dursun and former “There is no concrete evi- life Fethullah Gulen and his action against train travel to a near standstill officers, including the former deputy police chief Hamza To- dence that my client has been movement have had no inten- in the French-speaking half of head of Istanbul police Yakup sun – are at large and consid- involved in any violence, not tion other than promoting tol- the country yesterday, while all Saygili and the city’s former ered fugitives. a single document,” Gulen’s erance and dialogue in society, services connecting Brussels to deputy criminal police chief The corruption allegations lawyer Nurullah Albayrak said. let alone engage in terrorism.” Kurdish parties London and Paris were scrapped. Kazim Aksoy, both of whom directly implicated some of “We have never seen such a According to the Anatolia Only 15% of services were are said to have ordered the Erdogan’s inner circle, includ- murky investigation in the his- news agency, around 1,800 running in the EU capital of graft probe. ing his son Bilal. tory of our country.” people, including 750 police Reuters “I believe parliament and Brussels and the French-speaking The pair have been held in The government denied the The scandal was seen as one officers and 80 soldiers, have Istanbul the judiciary are obliged to act region of Wallonia, compared detention since September claims, which it said came of the biggest challenges to the been detained as part of a against lawmakers who be- with 68% of trains running in 2014 and were both in court at from Gulen and his acolytes in dominance of then prime min- crackdown against the follow- have like members of the ter- the Flemish northern half of the the start of the trial. the judiciary and police. ister Erdogan. ers of Gulen since arrests be- urkish President Recep rorist organisation,” he said, country, the SNCB operator said. A total of 69 people, includ- Erdogan, his son Bilal, son- He survived the allega- gan in the summer 2014. Tayyip Erdogan said although he said he was op- Eurostar trains to Brussels from ing Gulen, are on trial, facing in-law Berat Albayrak and tions, however, and went on Some 280 of them are still in Tyesterday that some posed to closing political par- London all stopped at the French terms ranging from seven years Turkey’s spy chief Hakan Fi- to become president in August jail pending trial, Anatolia said. lawmakers and local mayors ties down. border city of Lille, while all to 330 years. dan are among the plaintiffs 2014. The current trial related to from the pro-Kurdish opposi- “Titles like lawmaker, may- Thalys services to and from Paris The judge at Istanbul’s main in the case, along with four Investigations related to the only one of several investiga- tion were behaving like mem- or or head of a party can’t save were cancelled through today. courthouse opened the pro- former ministers who lost allegations were closed and tions. bers of a terrorist organisation anyone from being held ac- Unions in the Dutch-speaking ceedings by conducting a roll their jobs over the corruption the authorities moved to expel “Hundreds of people’s lives and renewed his call for legal countable before the law if they region of Flanders controversially call of the defendants and the allegations. Gulen supporters from the po- have been ruined just because action against them. have sided with the terrorist dropped out of the two-day plaintiffs before lawyers began The allegations, based on lice and judiciary. they stepped on the feet of the The predominantly Kurd- organisation.” strike against job cuts, stoking their statements, an AFP cor- bugged conversations, en- Despite living outside of government,” said Murat Er- ish southeast has sunk into its Erdogan urged parliament tensions with their francophone respondent said. thralled Turkey like a soap op- Turkey, Gulen built up huge in- dogan, lawyer for Yakup Say- worst violence since the 1990s last July to lift the immunity colleagues. Eight defendants, includ- era. fluence in the country through gili and Kazim Aksoy. after a two-year ceasefi re be- of politicians with suspected tween Kurdistan Workers Party links to militants after a pros- (PKK) militants, who are fi ght- ecutor launched an inves- ing for greater autonomy, and tigation into HDP co-head the state collapsed last July. Selahattin Demirtas, a call he Erdogan and the govern- repeated yesterday. Italian minister likens surrogate parents to sex criminals ment accuse the pro-Kurdish “Whatever the law orders Peoples’ Democratic Party for other members of the ter- (HDP), parliament’s third- rorist organisation, the same Reuters dren, saying that this subverts that Roman Catholic teaching of their children is legally shaky biggest grouping, of being an mechanisms should be in place Rome traditional family values. still holds over Italy. and has led to prolonged battles extension of the PKK. for these people. “Stepchild (adoption) really The contested bill is due to re- in the Italian courts. The HDP says it is opposed “Immunity is an exception risks bringing the country closer turn to parliament on January 26, Some opposition parties, in- to violence and wants a peace- to serve the people better, not urrogate parents should to wombs-for-rent, towards the with most of the tension focused cluding former prime minister ful solution for Turkey’s Kurds. to be used as a shield for the be treated as sex off enders most vile, illegal trade that man on whether unmarried partners Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia “In Turkey there is no Kurd- terrorist organisation,” the Sand sent to prison, Italy’s has invented,” Alfano told Avve- should be allowed to adopt their (Go Italy!) party, have said they ish issue but a terrorism is- president said. interior minister said yesterday, nire newspaper, Italy’s main- stepchildren under certain cir- will support the bill, meaning sue. All ethnic minorities An investigation into escalating his opposition to plans stream Roman Catholic news- cumstances. that Renzi should be able to mus- have problems of their own Demirtas was launched in late to give gay and unmarried het- paper. Proponents of the plan say ter the numbers needed to carry and we have always tried to December after he made com- erosexual couples legal recogni- Alfano: We want wombs-for-rent “We want wombs-for-rent to this would protect the rights of it into law. solve these,” Erdogan said in a ments in favour of local Kurd- tion. to become a universal crime, become a universal crime, which a child if its natural parent died. However, Alfano has warned speech to elected neighbour- ish self-rule, something An- Italy is the last major country which is punished with a jail is punished with a jail term. Just Opponents such as Alfano say the prime minister not to seek hood administrators. kara has long opposed. in the West that has not given term. as happens for sex crimes,” he it would open the way for gay ad-hoc deals outside the walls of More Kurdish politicians Erdogan said a total of 3,100 same-sex couples rights or pro- added. couples to seek children via sur- the ruling coalition, saying such a were likely to be prosecuted, PKK militants and 200 security tection on issues such as parent- But minister Angelino Alfano, Centre-left Prime Minister rogate mothers. move could get out of control. he said, urging the authorities personnel were killed in clash- hood. whose small New Centre Right Matteo Renzi had promised to le- Surrogacy is illegal in Italy and “(A law on) civil unions is not to treat them on equal terms as es last year. It was condemned last year by party (NCD) opposes any form galise civil unions before the end can lead to prison terms. in the government programme. members of the PKK, deemed a An HDP-linked group said the European Court of Human of surrogacy, is particularly in- of 2015, but the deadline slipped Looking to circumvent the law, There is a risk that a snowball terrorist group by Turkey, the on Wednesday 215 civilians had Rights for failing to legislate on censed by a proposal to let gay though coalition infi ghting a number of couples have used might become an avalanche,” he United States and the Euro- been killed in fi ghting since the matter. partners adopt their stepchil- which has highlighted the sway surrogates abroad, but the status told Rai state television. pean Union. July. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, January 7, 2016 EUROPE

German coal plants World still paying price emit seven tonnes of of ‘war on terror’: Italy mercury AFP that defeating terrorism would and by emphasising non-mili- and, as Prime Minister Matteo Renzi went on to emphasise per year Rome take more than a generation to tary eff orts to weaken Islamist Renzi has stressed, action on the the need to give priority to com- achieve and that military action groups. cultural front. bating radicalisation amongst could only play a limited role. “I am not aware of any French “The tremendously subjective youth of Islamic heritage who DPA talian Foreign Minister Pao- “We are still paying, after 15 request that Italy did not re- nature of Islamist fundamental- are born and raised in Europe. Berlin lo Gentiloni says the world years, the consequences of what spond to,” Gentiloni wrote. ism will be beaten by isolating it Gentiloni stressed that Italy Iis still paying the price of was supposed to be a lightning He said that Italian forces at every level in Islamic coun- was not saying poverty could be a misguided ‘war on terror’ war to eliminate the terrorist were “among the most involved tries and in Europe. Yes, even used as an excuse for the phe- ermany’s coal-fi red pow- launched by the United States in threat,” the minister wrote in a and appreciated” in a crisis zone in our own suburbs,” Gentiloni nomenon of homegrown terror- er plants are emitting reaction to the 9/11 2001 attacks letter to Corriere della Sera. he described as stretching from wrote. ism. Gseven tonnes of hazard- on its soil. Gentiloni was responding to Africa’s Atlantic shores to Pa- The foreign minister’s letter “I do not have any time for ous mercury per year, making In a defence of Italy’s deci- a front page editorial in the in- kistan. echoed remarks made on De- sociological interpretations but the country the worst European sion not to actively participate in fl uential daily which suggested Gentiloni said military action cember 10 by Renzi, who warned I have less time for those who quicksilver polluter after Poland Gentiloni: We are still paying the the current bombing campaign Italy had erred by rebuffi ng had to be combined with diplo- that the West would get no- still preach that the challenge and Greece, a study has shown. consequences of what was against the so-called Islamic France’s call on its allies to join matic eff orts, intelligence shar- where with “gut, instinctive or we have in front of us can be ad- Conducted by the Hamburg supposed to be a lightning war State (IS) group in Iraq and Syr- an intensifi ed anti-IS bombing ing, co-operation with coun- kneejerk” reactions to atrocities dressed by a few brilliant mili- Institute of Ecology and Poli- to eliminate the terrorist threat. ia, Gentiloni argued yesterday campaign after the Paris attacks tries at risk of destabilisation such as the attacks on Paris. tary actions,” he wrote. tics on behalf of the opposition Green Party, the research found that Germany – which has been at the forefront of promoting clean energy – is emitting about two tonnes more than previously A year after ‘Je suis Charlie’, a divided France struggles thought. Quicksilver, which is emitted into the atmosphere and also By Ingrid Melander, Reuters rural and small-town France. fi nds its way into the food chain, Paris In the run-off , voters in big can cause neurological damage cities helped to keep the Front and cancers. out of power, exposing another Particularly among children, ne year on, an anxious, deep split, this time between it has been found to result in fragmented France is those who look to the far-right symptoms like IQ loss and de- Opaying tribute to the for hope and those who reject it. layed speech. victims of the killings at Char- In a further sign of tension, Germany is still heavily reliant lie Hebdo magazine, with old a Muslim prayer hall was ran- on coal-fi red power generation, divisions made worse by what sacked to cries of “Arabs out” which covers 40% of its energy President Francois Hollande has during a protest rally in Corsica needs. called “a terrible year”. after fi refi ghters were attacked Oliver Krischer, deputy head After the Islamist attacks that last month on a housing estate of the Greens in parliament, killed 17 on January 7-9 last year with a large migrant population. called on the German govern- at the satirical weekly and at a While the “spirit of January” ment to follow the example set Jewish supermarket, the French prompted politicians of all sides by the US, which recently an- rallied, marched and lit candles to paper over diff erences for a nounced the strictest mercury in emotional gatherings cel- while, the November 13 killings emissions limits worldwide. ebrated as “the spirit of Janu- of 130 people across Paris were Germany is also trying to low- ary 11”, the day 4mn took to the quickly followed by criticism er the limit, and has committed streets. and divisions. to allowing a maximum of one But cracks in that unity soon The most divisive issue is microgramme of mercury per appeared and, a year later, after the Socialist government’s plan cubic metre a day from 2019. an even bloodier assault on Paris to strip dual citizens of their German Environment Minis- by another set of home-grown French nationality in terrorism ter Barbara Hendricks respond- Islamists in November, politi- cases, a proposal supported by ed to the criticism levelled by cians are embroiled in a bitter the National Front and until now the opposition by defending the debate over homeland security, opposed by left-wing politi- government’s existing policy and the anti-immigrant Nation- cians. and saying that further measures al Front (FN) is stronger than Opinion polls show the plan is were not necessary. ever. overwhelmingly backed by vot- There is increasing pressure The slogan “Je suis Charlie”, a ers, but it caused outcry within on the world’s biggest consum- defi ant cry of solidarity that ap- the ruling Socialist party and its ers of energy after world lead- peared everywhere immediately allies. ers met in Paris in December to after the killings, is little seen a Even Hollande’s justice min- hammer out a climate deal and year on. ister and his former prime min- to encourage companies to in- “Events such as the January or ister criticised it. This January 11, 2015 picture shows people hold panels to create an image depicting the eyes of late Charlie Hebdo editor Stephane vest in clean energy to reduce air November attacks trigger mo- Opponents say the plan would Charbonnier, known as ‘Charb’, as hundreds of thousands of French citizens take part in a solidarity march (Marche Republicaine) in the pollution. ments of unity, in reaction. But further divide a fragmented so- streets of Paris. that is not enough to off set deep ciety by making distinctions divisions,” said Brice Teinturier, among French citizens. real issues to boost cohesion, said Nicolas Cadene, a senior of- er suburbs with large immigrant managed to bridge the gap be- head of the Ipsos polling organi- Hollande urges critics to rally (the government) pretends they fi cial at France’s Observatory of populations rejected the “Je suis tween France’s privileged insid- sation in France. behind him in the name of na- come from abroad and wants to Secularism, a government body Charlie” slogan because they did ers and its struggling outsiders. “The divisions are huge. There tional unity. push them abroad,” said Domin- that promotes secular values. not want to support a publica- It will be a big issue in the 2017 Varoufakis are several Frances and they About 5% of French people ique Sopo, the head of anti-rac- “It’s linked to the social, politi- tion that lampoons religion. presidential elections. are clashing,” he said, describ- aged between 18 and 50 hold two ism group SOS Racisme. cal, economic and identity cri- Social and economic frag- “What does France stand for? ing a France of big cities turned passports. SOS Racisme has received sis that France is going through, mentation was already a ma- This will be the question for to launch towards the future, a rustbelt That is the case for two-thirds calls from people who for the which leads some to withdraw jor theme in Jacques Chirac’s 2017,” said Stephane Rozes, head France that feels crushed by glo- of north Africans who have be- fi rst time felt discriminated into their shells, to turn to iden- 1995 presidential campaign. of the CAP political analysis balisation, and a France of hous- come French, but only a third of against because of their ethnic tity politics.” His pledge to tackle the “social group. new party ing estates that feels forgotten. their children. background or skin colour, he While most French people fracture” that caused economic Mainstream parties must look Regional elections last month They form the majority of said. rallied together after the Char- inequality helped to get him harder for credible answers, he highlighted those divisions. France’s Muslim population, the “There is a lot of tension lie Hebdo shootings, that unity elected. said. “If it’s just empty words, it DPA In the fi rst round, the Nation- biggest in Europe. around everything that has to do started to crack after a few days. Yet critics say neither he nor will play into the hands of the FN Berlin al Front came fi rst, doing well in “Instead of addressing the with religion and secularism,” Some schoolchildren in poor- subsequent presidents have and the Islamists.”

reece’s former fi nance minister Yanis Varoufakis Gis set to launch a left- wing, pan-European political Charlie Hebdo editor movement in Berlin on February 9, German socialist newspaper Neues Deutschland reported. Varoufakis, an economist who shot to fame after being ap- promises a magazine pointed as fi nance minister by the left-wing Syriza party last year, announced plans to launch a movement to reform EU insti- tutions several months ago. ‘worthy’ of victims It has now emerged that the movement will be called DiEM 25 – short for Democracy in Eu- AFP but survived the attack by play- special anniversary edition, rope Movement 2025 – and will Paris ing dead, has the sense they are with a cover sporting a Riss car- be presented by Varoufakis next looking over his shoulder. toon of a fugitive “killer” deity. month. “For me, they are no longer Inside, he wrote a blistering In an interview in October, rom their bunker at an here but they have not died,” he editorial against religious fa- Varoufakis said his experience undisclosed address in told AFP in an interview. naticism. at Eurogroup meetings held to Fsouthern Paris, the staff of “I wonder sometimes if I’m in Riss said the team, bolstered negotiate Greece’s third bailout French satirical weekly Charlie some ways doing the paper that by a handful of newcomers, was package had shown him that the Hebdo are soldiering on a year they would have done,” he said, beginning to overcome the grief People look at flowers and messages to pay tribute to the victims of last year’s January and November EU was not democratic. after coming close to annihila- adding that he wants the surviv- and fear to be able to laugh a lit- shooting attacks near the statue at the Place de la Republique in Paris. tion in a jihadist attack. ing Charlie Hebdo to be “worthy tle. Two weeks after the mas- of them”. “Charlie has always been a timate test, to see if you live or people who marched in Paris Cow trial on hold to search for evidence sacre, driven by principle and Being under round-the-clock combat newspaper, but a funny, die, if we believe in our ideas to four days after the attacks, but sheer determination, they over- protection by fi ve bodyguards kidding combat,” he said, add- the point of getting through this now: “I fi nd your cover scandal- For the last five years a cow named Verona has been suspected of came their grief to put together a is “just a little constraining”, he ing: “Otherwise we would have year and coming out a winner. ous.” killing a woman in central Germany, but further evidence is needed for “survivors’ issue”. said. stopped long ago. It’s a nice “If the paper had disappeared, Riss commented wryly: “It’s the case to continue. The overriding impulse, says But he takes grim pride in place again” – despite the inten- our ideas would also have disap- as if January 11 was a contract: I Before the case can go back to trial at its original court in Dillenburg, new boss Laurent Sourisseau, keeping the paper going af- sive security. peared a little.” marched for you, so now tone it Germany, a report on other animals in the area is needed, a court was to keep publishing a maga- ter terrorist brothers Said and “It hasn’t been easy for any- Moved by the outpouring of down.” spokesman said yesterday. zine that would honour his slain Cherif Kouachi were convinced one,” he acknowledged. “Eve- support Charlie Hebdo received Underscoring his determina- The report should clarify whether any other cows in the area could be colleagues. they had fi nished it off that ryone has had to overcome per- after the massacre, Riss has also tion to stay true to the maga- the off ender. Charlie Hebdo’s top car- blood-drenched January day a sonal anguish. But everyone got been pleased to see circulation zine’s principles, Riss said: “The “That’s very diff icult and tedious work,” the spokesman said. toonists, beloved in France and year ago. on deck. If the paper is here, it’s boom – from around 30,000 be- Charlie spirit is everywhere in At the time of the death of the woman, who was taking a walk in August known by the nicknames Charb, Riss, 49, said his “combat thanks to them.” fore the attacks to 80,000 today. the world, but you need a chem- 2011, Verona had run away and was free to roam for several days. Cabu and Wolinski, died in the newspaper” would not compro- The past year has been one However, there has also been ical agent” to bring it out. In a first case in 2013, the local court in Dillenburg was convinced that massacre along with nine other mise in its defence of secular- of “weekly struggle: struggles disappointment among the “Everywhere, people share the animal and its owner were guilty. people. ism. for our ideas, but also to prove readers. our values but don’t speak out. The higher regional court in Frankfurt ordered a new case due to formal Sourisseau, nicknamed Riss, That promise was kept yes- to ourselves that we were still A priest wrote in complaining Charlie can help them express problems. who lost the use of his right arm terday with a no-holds-barred capable of doing it. It’s the ul- that he was among some 1.6mn themselves,” he said. A new court date has not been set. Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 19 EUROPE

Sweden, Denmark Merkel under fi re after agree to lift border sex assaults in Cologne checks AFP/DPA many to an abrupt end,” warned AFP Berlin Andreas Scheuer, general sec- Brussels retary of Merkel’s Bavarian al- lies, the Christian Social Union erman Chancellor An- (CSU), which has demanded weden and Denmark have gela Merkel came un- she set a strict upper limit of agreed to lift temporary Gder mounting pressure 200,000 newcomers per year. Sborder checks as soon as yesterday over her welcoming Merkel was due to speak at a possible but must fi rst slow mi- stance toward migrants, which meeting of the CSU in Bavaria, grant fl ows, the EU said yester- opponents have linked to a just weeks after its leader Horst day after emergency talks Eu- shocking rash of apparently co- Seehofer gave her a humiliating rope’s passport-free Schengen ordinated sex attacks in Cologne dressing-down over her posi- zone. on New Year’s Eve. tion on refugees at another party EU Migration Commissioner Police in the western city told event. Dimitris Avramopoulos called AFP they have received more Merkel has urged a thorough the meeting after Denmark this than 100 complaints by women investigation of the “repugnant” week slapped spot checks on its reporting assaults ranging from attacks in Cologne, which she border with Germany, and Swe- groping to two rapes, allegedly said required “a tough response den imposed its own controls on committed in a large crowd of from the state”. travellers from Denmark. revellers during year-end festiv- Witnesses said groups of 20- “We agreed to keep (the meas- ities outside the city’s main train 30 young, intoxicated men out ures) to a minimum and return station and its famed Gothic ca- of a crowd of about 1,000 peo- to normal as soon as possible. thedral. ple had surrounded victims, as- This means the fl ows have to be Victims blamed men of “Arab saulted them and in several cases slowed down,” Avramopoulos or North African” appearance, robbed them. said following the talks in Brus- infl aming a public debate about Police and crime experts have sels with offi cials from Sweden, Germany’s ability to cope with confi rmed that this diversion Denmark and Germany. “We all the nearly 1.1mn asylum seekers tactic to commit theft has been agreed that Schengen and free the country took in last year. known to them for some time. movement must be safeguard- Authorities have said there is Similar crimes were commit- ed.” no concrete indication that the ted by men with “Mediterra- More than 1mn refugees and perpetrators were asylum seek- nean or Arab looks” in Hamburg, migrants arrived in Europe in ers who arrived in last year’s where 53 complaints were fi led 2015 – many of them fl eeing the record infl ux. including 39 allegations of sexu- war in Syria – in the worst crisis No arrests have been made. al assault and 14 of theft. of its kind to face the continent However, critics of Merkel’s However, police in the north- since World War II. liberal refugee policy charged ern city confi rmed yesterday The EU’s cherished passport- that the Cologne assaults proved that it had no indication of a link free Schengen area has come un- she was playing with fi re with- to the Cologne attacks. der huge strain, as many coun- out a clear strategy to integrate More details about that night The police are seen yesterday in the area in front of the main train station and the cathedral in Cologne, where dozens of apparently tries have reintroduced border the mainly Muslim newcomers began to emerge yesterday after co-ordinated sexual assaults were perpetrated against women on New Year’s Eve. controls to deal with the fl ow of who will settle in Germany. false reports of 1,000 suspects migrants trying to reach wealthy The right-wing populist Al- circulated widely the previous them for more than 18 months. arrived at the station in Cologne fi le complaints after facing ac- police for failing to stop the as- Germany, Sweden and other ternative for Germany (AfD) day. Dusseldorf police confi rmed and was hit with a volley of sex- cusations of initially playing saults. countries from the main landing party, which hopes to gain seats While roughly 1,000 men did that a special unit named “Casa- ist slurs shouted in German as down the rampage. “The police cannot work in point in Greece. in three regional elections in in fact gather in the area near the blanca” was investigating 2,000 she made her way through the “We assume more people will this way,” de Maiziere told public Schengen rules mean checks March, charged the attacks were main train station just before individuals involved in a Dus- crowd. come forward,” said police chief TV channel ARD late on Tues- can be reintroduced for up to six “a result of unchecked immigra- midnight on New Year’s Eve, seldorf-based organised crime “I saw a girl ... who was crying, Wolfgang Albers, who dismissed day. “I am urgently demanding months. tion”. police have confi rmed that not network and that it has been with ripped stockings, her skirt calls yesterday for his resigna- clarifi cation.” Swedish migration minister Late on Tuesday 200-300 all of them were involved in the working with Cologne police askew – she was just wrecked,” tion. Faced with accusations of Morgan Johansson said the new people, according to police es- attacks. to determine whether it may be she told the daily Sueddeutsche Justice Minister Heiko Maas self-censorship of the infl am- checks “should not be put in timates, gathered in front of Co- A plain-clothes policewoman behind the recent assaults. Zeitung. warned against scapegoating matory case, which took four place longer than we need”. logne cathedral calling for more was reportedly among those at- Police said yesterday that it “A young guy came out of the refugees over the assaults, which days to hit national media out- He said the controls were nec- respect for women. tacked. was investigating three sus- crowd and made vulgar com- he said “appeared to be co-ordi- lets, public broadcaster ZDF essary because his country has One female demonstrator Victims described terrifying pects, but refused to elaborate. ments. ‘Can I help you? I know nated”. apologised for delays in report- taken in more asylum seekers per held a sign reading: “Mrs Mer- scenes in the marauding mob. Five men taken into custody I can help you’ he said with a “No one should exploit the ing on the melee. capita than any other EU nation kel, what are you doing? This is Police are investigating on Sunday were later found strong accent and made obscene attacks to smear refugees as “The news situation was clear – 160,000 asylum requests last scary.” whether the mass sexual as- to have committed unrelated gestures with his hand. When a group,” he told news agency enough,” wrote deputy chief ed- year, including 26,000 unac- “If asylum seekers or refugees saults committed in Cologne are crimes. she wanted to get away, he fol- DPA. itor Elmar Thevessen on Face- companied minors, with 115,000 carry out these kind of attacks linked to a North African crime Steffi , 31, said she saw “count- lowed her. I told him to piss off .” Interior Minister Thomas de book, calling it a “mistake” not of them in the last four months. ... it will bring their stay in Ger- gang that has been known to less weeping women” when she Authorities urged victims to Maiziere lashed out at Cologne to cover the incidents sooner. Family of asylum seekers attacked Cologne mayor mocked over advice to women A disabled Tunisian man and his two children were verbally abused and beaten by thugs in a AFP/DPA length” away from strangers. detective Inspector Gadget and vice to girls and young women to New Year’s Eve attack in the east Berlin The comment sparked anger a Hindu deity, all with their arms stay in groups when in crowds, of Germany, where the family has and ridicule amid a heated debate extended. saying they had been taken out of applied for asylum. about the ugly scenes blamed Harsher critics on the Twit- context by the media. Two men and one women are he mayor of the German on men of Arab and North Afri- ter topic #einearmlaenge Critics argue that her focus thought to have hurled racist city of Cologne drew on- can appearance which have led (onearmslength) argued that should be on raising security and slurs at the man, who uses a Tline mockery yesterday for to more than 100 criminal com- abusive men, not their female bringing the attackers to justice. walker for support, and his son her advice to women on how to plaints in Cologne. victims, must change their be- A former refugee services ad- and daughter, police in the city of avoid sexual assaults like those One Twitter user joked that haviour. ministrator, Reker was the victim Chemnitz said yesterday. that marred her city’s New Year’s when a man sat down beside her Justice Minister Heiko Maas of an attack that shocked Germa- The attackers then beat the Eve festivities. on the subway, she “immediately tweeted that “it is not women ny last October when a man with father to the ground and kicked Henriette Reker, 59, told a smashed the window to gain an who are responsible, but the per- a far-right background stabbed the girl before fleeing the scene Tuesday press conference about arm’s length. Safety fi rst!” petrators”. her in the neck. at a bus stop, police said. last week’s mob attacks that girls Others posted Reker’s words Yesterday Reker defended her A day later, lying in hospital, The victims called the emergency and young women could avoid with pictures of Star Wars villain comments on “prevention strat- she was elected Cologne’s fi rst services after the attack and were Reker: has defended her comments on ‘prevention strategies’. trouble by staying over “an arm’s Darth Vader, cartoon cyborg- egies”, which also included ad- ever female mayor. taken to hospital for treatment. An investigation is ongoing. Slovakia to send 25 Turkey seizes more than 1,200 unsafe life jackets

AFP sand and wearing life jackets that cops to Macedonia Ankara had apparently been of no use. Dogan said that the so-called life jackets seized were fi lled Reuters Slovakia has already sent 50 urkish police have seized with “packaging” rather than the Bratislava police offi cers to Hungary. over 1,200 unsafe life proper material needed to keep “We are ready to help other Tjackets destined for use by the wearers alive for hours in the countries on a bilateral level or as migrants trying to reach Greece water. lovakia will send 25 police part of international co-opera- by sea, in a raid on an under- It said that four people were offi cers to help Macedonia tion,” Fico said. ground workshop that used Syr- found working in the workshop, Sguard the Balkan country’s “We are worried what will ian underage labour, a report said including two young Syrian girls. borders strained by migrants happen in the fi rst spring yesterday. The confi scated life jackets fl ooding to the European Union, months, (when) if the UN es- The authorities seized 1,263 have been sent to the local police Prime Minister Robert Fico said timates are right the infl ux of life jackets that failed to corre- for examination and an investi- on Tuesday. migrants will be bigger than we spond to safety standards in the gation has been launched. More than 1mn refugees and have seen so far.” raid on the workshop in the cen- AFP correspondents who re- migrants came to the European EU members have struggled to tre of Izmir, a city on the Aegean ported on the wave of migrants Union by land or sea in 2015, the agree on a strategy to tackle the Sea, the Dogan news agency said. heading from Turkey to Greece International Organisation for migrant crisis. Izmir is a major hub for refu- this summer had seen a booming Migration (IOM) said in Decem- Hungary, Slovakia and the gees and migrants seeking to trade in life jackets in Turkish re- ber. Czech Republic all opposed a make the risky crossing in fl imsy sorts for sale at suspiciously low Many of those fl eeing confl ict plan for mandatory national boats to EU member Greece. prices. and poverty in the Middle East quotas to share out 120,000 asy- The news of the seizure comes Turkey, which is home to some and Africa have arrived via Tur- lum seekers among the bloc’s 28 a day after Turkish authorities 2.2mn refugees from Syria’s civil key, Greece, Macedonia, Hun- member states. announced that the bodies of 36 war, has become a hub for mi- gary or Croatia. Slovakia and Hungary have migrants had been found on its grants seeking to move to Eu- More are still pouring into also challenged the plan in court. Aegean coast after their boats rope, many of whom pay people Greece everyday by the thou- Slovakia, which is due to sank in bad weather while try- smugglers thousands of dollars sands. take in 802 migrants under the ing to cross to the Greek island of for the risky crossing. The Slovak government, which scheme, argues it has no power Lesbos. The International Organisa- will next week approve sending to keep migrants in if they wish Yesterday Turkish newspa- tion for Migration (IOM) said the police offi cers to Macedo- to move on to Germany and other pers published harrowing images Tuesday that 1,004,356 migrants nia from February, is also likely richer EU member states. of the corpses of the refugees and refugees reached Europe in extend a 20-person mission to It only received 169 asylum re- as they were found on Tuesday 2015 but 3,771 died while cross- A Syrian child is seen wearing a lifejacket, moments after arriving on Monday on a raft with other Slovenia, Fico told reporters. quests last year. morning, with their faces in the ing the Mediterranean. migrants on a beach on the Greek island of Lesbos. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, January 7, 2016 INDIA

TRAGEDY LAW AND ORDER LEGAL VIOLENCE PRODUCT Six killed, 15 injured in Police off icer under fire Mum seeks release of son Maoists kill TDP leader for Innovative emergency exit Tripura bus accident for hanging comments linked to Rajiv’s killing supporting bauxite mining system for flats developed

Six people, including four women, were killed Days after Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi The mother of one of the convicts in former Maoists shot dead a former village headman of M C David, a Kerala scientist, has developed an and 15 others were injured when the bus in said police would “shoot or hang” perpetrators prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra innovative escape system for high-rise buildings which they were travelling fell into a pond in of crimes against women if the law allowed it, a yesterday petitioned Tamil Nadu Chief Pradesh’s Viskhapatnam district late Tuesday, in case of fire or other emergencies. David, who Tripura yesterday, police in Agartala said. “A rights group termed the comment “disturbing”. Minister J Jayalalithaa for her son’s release. police said yesterday. The killing occurred in Jarrila hails from Kayamkulam, said his product was a packed passenger bus from Agartala going to “It is disturbing that the leadership of one of The petition comes just short of the 25th village. S Venkatramna, a former village headman spiral sliding chute that facilitates a quick and safe South Tripura district headquarters Belonia the largest police forces in the world appears to death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, who was and director of market yard, was kidnapped from escape for people trapped in high-rise buildings. fell into a pond after one of the front wheels endorse tactics akin to extra-judicial killings,” the assassinated on May 21, 1991. Arputham the village on Tuesday night by a group of Maoists. He said it can be made of fibre glass or concrete, broke off. Six of the passengers were killed on Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Ammal submitted the petition at the chief The Communist Party of India (Maoists) sent a which is fire resistant, and can be built by the side the spot,” police spokesman Uttam Bhowmik an international non-governmental organisation. minister’s special cell seeking the release message to the village early yesterday stating they of existing staircases of buildings. In case of fire in revealed. He added that the 15 injured Bassi on January 4, said: “If the constitution permits of her son A G Perarivalan. Perarivalan alias had killed him for supporting bauxite mining and a high-rise building, the residents need to sit in the people, some of them in a serious condition, shooting, if it permits hanging on the spot, Delhi Arivu was convicted and sentenced to life also for acting as a spy for police. The Maoists also chute and water is sprayed and people can come were taken to a government hospital. The Police will not refrain from doing so to people who imprisonment for assassinating Gandhi at an posted wall posters, warning TDP and BJP leaders to the ground floor four times faster than using authorities have launched an investigation indulge in heinous crimes against women. But we election rally at Sriperumbudur near Chennai against organising party activities and supporting the stairs. Setting up a glass fibre chute would cost into the accident. are committed to human rights.” on May 21, 1991. bauxite mining. around Rs50,000 for every floor, he said

Republic Day preparations 17 union ministers Prove car ban to canvass in Uttar cutting smog, Pradesh

IANS Lucknow court orders

n what is possibly the biggest outreach by the Bharatiya Ja- Inata Party (BJP) in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, as many as 17 union ministers will be in Delhi govt the state over the next fortnight, a party leader said yesterday. Agencies Environmentalists, howev- “Vehicular pollution, which BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur New Delhi er, say it would be unrealistic is the most harmful of PM 2.5, Pathak said those who would visit to expect a rapid improve- has come down significantly the state are Defence Minister ment and attribute the smog in the interior part of Delhi,” Manohar Parrikar (Agra), Surface court yesterday chal- to low winds and a fall in day- he said. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari lenged the Delhi city time temperatures. PM2.5 refers to microscopic (Lucknow), Fertilizers Minister A government to prove The Delhi government de- particles that penetrate deep Ananth Kumar (Gorakhpur), Ag- that its restrictions on cars fended the scheme, saying into the lungs and are partic- riculture Minister Radhe Mohan were improving air quality it had helped decongest the ularly harmful to health. Singh (Moradabad and Aligarh) in the world’s most polluted city’s clogged roads and re- India’s state-run System and Food and Civil Supplies min- capital. sulted in less pollution from of Air Quality Weather Fore- ister Ram Vilas Paswan (Alla- The Delhi high court said cars. casting and Research showed habad). a trial ban, that allows most PM 2.5 concentrations at a The spokesman further said private cars to use the roads “very unhealthy” 272 level that these ministers would cover only on alternate days, was yesterday and advised against 23 Lok Sabha constituencies, meet causing inconvenience to the going outside. people and take their suggestions. public due to inadequate pub- It recorded Delhi’s PM 2.5 They would also inform them of lic transport. concentration hovering be- the schemes rolled out by the Na- With pollution levels still tween “very poor” and “se- tional Democratic Alliance gov- running at 10 times the inter- vere” levels since January 1, ernment for their welfare and also national safe limits, it ordered with Monday’s reading spik- expose the opposition parties, es- the government to submit ing to 280, well above the pecially the Congress for stalling data for January 1-7 by tomor- World Health Organization the parliament. “The people who row so that the impact of the safe limit of 25. never engaged in dialogue are now ban could be assessed. A 2014 WHO survey of ensuring that discussions do not The Delhi government more than 1,600 cities ranked take place,” Pathak added. launched the trial ban last Delhi as the most polluted, Other ministers who would be Friday in an attempt to thin “Vehicular pollution, partly because of the 8.5mn touring Uttar Pradesh are Ram the toxic blanket of smog that which is the most harmful vehicles on its roads. Kripal Yadav (Kushinagar and has settled over the city. of PM 2.5, has come Meanwhile, in a status re- Deoria), Science and Technology “In these six days you must down signifi cantly in the port submitted to the court, Minister Harsh Vardhan (Saha- have collected data related to interiors of Delhi” the Aam Aadmi Party govern- ranpur), HRD Minister Smriti Ira- pollution level, we think it’s ment defended its decision to ni (Amethi), Minister of State for sufficient for you,” the bench Talking to reporters Delhi exempt two-wheelers from Social Justice and Empowerment of judges G Rohini and Jay- Transport Minister Gopal Rai the scheme. Vijay Sampla, who would camp ant Nath said, according to said the government decided “In case of two-wheelers, in Bahraich and Giriraj Singh who the Press Trust of India news to run the scheme for 15 days pooling would have been a would be travelling to Mathura agency. because it wanted “to have limited option and it was ex- and Faizabad. “You will have to think sufficient data and experi- pected that around 60%-70% Final touches to the itiner- about the inconvenience ence”. of population would have to ary of Chaudhary Birender Singh caused to public at large,” the He claimed that vehicu- resort to public transport. who would be camping in Bu- judges said, responding to a lar pollution has come down The present available public landshahr, Piyush Goyal in Ballia handful of petitions against significantly since Janu- transport infrastructure is and Phoolpur, Sanwar Lal Jat in the scheme. ary 1 when the scheme was not sufficient to cater to such Baghpat, Nihal Chand in Jalaun, Air quality, which tradi- launched. a huge demand,” it said. Upendra Kushwaha in Chand- tionally worsens in winter as “We have increased the fre- The status report said the auli, Krishan Pal in Muzaff arnagar the cooler air traps pollutants quency of the metro, increased reduction in number of four- and Jhansi, Rajyavardhan Singh and people start lighting fires, the number of buses, people wheelers helps decrease the Rathore in Meerut and Rampur, A soldier exercises with a rifle during the rehearsal for the Republic Day parade on a foggy winter remains poor despite the trial are carpooling... all of Delhi congestion on roads “which are also being worked out, the BJP morning in New Delhi, India, yesterday. India will celebrate its Republic Day on January 26. restrictions which are due to has come together to support has a positive effect on vehic- leader said. last 15 days. this campaign,” Rai added. ular pollution control”.

DMK seeks probe Students plan protest as Star shames man FTII chief to take charge viewing pirated fi lm AFP Mumbai IANS Now, Chauhan is joining offi ce “We still have problem with Pune after seven months of his ap- these appointments and will pointment. continue to resist it unless the Bollywood star posted For his fi rst day in offi ce, the concerned authorities put the a series of angry tweets s Gajendra Chauhan gets students are once again planning society in abeyance and set a Aafter a passenger sitting ready to take charge as protests. process for the further appoint- next to her on a fl ight brazenly AFilm and Television In- ments, since it is the question of started watching a pirated copy stitute of India (FTII) chairman “I have been ordered by our academics.” of one of her fi lms. The $15mn movie, today, the students at FTII are the government, and I will The offi cial note also said that Actress Kriti Sanon was trav- which sees Sanon star planning a protest at the campus do my job. Let me go there despite gaining national atten- elling to Delhi last week when alongside Bollywood icon here and vowed to continue their and see. I can’t comment on tion from all quarters of the soci- the man seated beside her and Shahrukh Khan, had only resistance until their grievances what they will do, but I am ety including ministry of infor- her mother started using an been released in cinemas are acted upon. The actor and ready to do my job” mation and broadcasting, their iPhone projector to watch Hindi 10 days previously BJP member says he only wants “questions remain unanswered”. blockbuster Dilwale. to focus on doing his “job”. FTII Students’ Association The FTII appointment epi- The $15mn movie, which sees “Sad to c the hardwork of so Chauhan will today chair his president Harishankar Nachi- sode saw many twists and turns. Sanon star alongside Bollywood many ppl bein watched in such fi rst FTII Society meeting. “We muthu said: “He (Chauhan) is The students gave a diff erent di- icon Shah Rukh Khan, had only pathetic quality! Pls enjoy fi lms will be fi nalising the governing coming... that is confi rmed, but rection to their protest after they been released in cinemas 10 in cinemas #SayNoToPiracy,” council and then other agenda we have not got any offi cial in- called off their strike after 139 days previously. Sanon wrote. It was accompa- will be discussed,” Chauhan said. timation. There will be protests days. A bevy of celebrated FTII “Someone watchin pirated nied by another picture of the His appointment was followed obviously, but we have not de- alumnus marked their protest version of Dilwale in front of passenger, who appeared to be by a series of protests by stu- cided other things. There will by returning several government me on phone in the fl ight! An- enjoying the movie. dents and celebrated alumni of be some protest at the campus honours. noyed!! #SayNoToPiracy,” the A third tweet followed, in re- the Pune-based premier fi lm in- today.” On his part, Chauhan is not 25-year-old posted on Twitter. sponse to a user who said that stitute. Students had even gone A FTII Students Association hassled by the protests as he The tweet, which has been watching pirated movies was a on an indefi nite strike on June statement also addressed the notes “it’s about fulfi lling the re- liked almost 3,000 times, was criminal off ence. 12 as they questioned his pro- issue by quoting that “our core sponsibility”. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi addresses accompanied by a photo show- “Yup..told him politely tht he fessional credibility to lead the demand was to put the newly ap- “I have been ordered by the a rally against the Tamil Nadu government in Chennai. The ing the passenger watching the would enjoy the fi lm more in a institute due to lack of “stature” pointed society in abeyance and government, and I will do my DMK activists demanded a judicial inquiry into the release movie. It also included an angry theatre. but he was busy showin and “vision”. to set proper criteria and proce- job. Let me go there and see. I of surplus water from the Chembarambakkam lake and the emoji face. off his projector!,” she wrote, The students withdrew the dure to appoint the FTII Society can’t comment on what they will subsequent flooding in the city. Shortly afterwards she this time including two angry strike in October after 139 days. and it still remains the same. do, but I am ready to do my job.” tweeted again. emoji faces. Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 21 INDIA

DECISION POLITICS CLARIFICATION TRAGEDY PEOPLE Congress expels Governor’s intervention in Aamir still Incredible India Policeman dies after Music composer Rathod Amit Jogi for six years Malda violence issue urged brand ambassador: govt accidentally shooting self in hospital after car crash

The Congress yesterday expelled its Chhattisgarh Accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan is still the A 32-year-old Delhi Police constable with the Music composer Shravan Rathod met with legislator Amit Jogi, son of former chief minister “shielding” the perpetrators, the Bharatiya Janata brand ambassador of Incredible India, the anti-terrorist unit died after a bullet accidentally an accident near Behror in Alwar district over Ajit Jogi, for six years for indulging in anti-party Party (BJP) yesterday sought the intervention of government said yesterday. The tourism fired from his own AK-47 assault rifle pierced his 140kms from Jaipur, when his car hit a divider activities. The junior Jogi later said he would West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi into a protest ministry issued the clarification following jaw yesterday morning during a raid conducted while trying to save a nilgai. Rathod suff ered a challenge his expulsion. The expulsion came in turning violent in Malda district. Protesting reports in a section of the media that Aamir by his unit to arrest a criminal, police said. Anand mild fracture, a doctor said. “He has suff ered the wake of revelations about Amit Jogi’s alleged against remarks allegedly made to “hurt religious had been removed as the ambassador of the Khatri, who was transferred to the Special Cell a mild linear fracture in the vertebra,” Dr D B role in fixing the Antagarh by-election in 2014. The sentiments”, a large number of people on Sunday campaign aimed at promoting tourism in the around two months ago from the traff ic police, Singh, deputy medical superintendent, Kailash decision was taken during a meet of the Congress went on a rampage in Kaliachak, torching vehicles country. “In response to certain news reports, suff ered the injury around 5.40am in Rohini Hospital, Behror, said. He was admitted to the state unit in Raipur that also approved a proposal and attacking a police station. “The police station about Aamir Khan, the ministry of tourism Sector 21 during the raid carried out to arrest Kailash Hospital yesterday morning. Singh said to suspend his father, senior Congress leader was attacked to destroy records of criminals kept clarifies there is no change in the stand of the Ashok alias Sonu Pandit, a member of the that a panel of doctors will review his situation to Ajit Jogi. Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh there. Still police have not arrested those involved. ministry in this matter,” the statement read. Ravinder Bholu gang. “Khatri accidentally shot decide the further course of action. The accident Baghel said the party had acted, and it was now This is only because the Trinamool government The actor-producer came under criticism in himself with his own rifle... He was rushed to a occurred at around 5.30am when Shravan was the BJP’s turn to act against those involved in the doesn’t want them to be arrested,” BJP national November after his comments on “growing hospital where he was declared dead,” an off icer travelling from Noida to Jaipur. The car’s driver “murder of democracy” in Antagarh. secretary Rahul Sinha said. despondency” in India. said. suff ered minor injuries, the doctor added. Govt scraps Book launch management seats in Delhi private schools

IANS Kejriwal said with the new New Delhi rules in place, the education mafi a would have little scope to manipu- late the admission procedure, and head of the new academic warned that strict action would be year, the Delhi government initiated against the schools which Ayesterday issued an order do not comply with the order. scrapping the so-called manage- “We may also de-recognise the ment quota in nursery admissions schools which do not follow the in the city’s private schools. order,” he said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejri- Besides, the government has wal said the decision was taken also scrapped 62 other criteria for BJP veterans L K Advani and Yashwant Sinha with actress Sonakshi Sinha and others attend the launch of actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha’s biography - to bring more transparency in admission which Kejriwal termed Anything But Khamosh - in New Delhi yesterday. the admission process of private “unreasonable” and “discrimina- schools. tory”. “Management quota is the Giving examples, Kejriwal said biggest scandal in the education that some schools had even stated system. Under this arrangement, in their admission criteria that seats are either sold or admis- children whose parents were non- sions given on recommendations. vegetarians or were alcoholic, So, we have decided to scrap this would not be granted admission. management quota to make the The government order has ad- admission process transparent vised schools to make their admis- and pro-people,” he said at a press sion criteria “clear, well defi ned, ‘Suspicious’ men near conference here. equitable, non-discriminatory, Kejriwal said the existing pro- unambiguous and transparent”, an vision of 25% seats earmarked for offi cial statement said. students from poor families will The National Progressive remain in place. Schools’ Conference (NPSC), an association of privately-managed “Management quota is recognised schools, was guarded army base sparks search the biggest scandal in in its response, saying it will fi rst the education system. examine the order. Agencies the search is still on,” he added. linked to the Pakistan-based dead and 11 others wounded. the Pathankot air base was not a Under this arrangement, “We would decide our future New Delhi Meanwhile a man was cor- militant group Jaish-e-Moham- Earlier Western Command limited one. Claims that the ar- seats are either sold or course of action once we receive nered by security forces at a ed. chief Lieutenant General K J my’s role was limited were incor- admissions given on a copy of the order. Secondly, the barricade near the Pathankot All the attackers were killed in Singh clarifi ed that the army’s rect, Singh said at the Chandi- recommendations” matter is already being heard in he army and police yes- air base yesterday evening when the two days of gunbattles. role in the counter off ensive mandir command headquarters the Delhi High Court. As of now, terday launched a search he tried to jump over the bar- The attack - a rare targeting against terrorists who attacked near Chandigarh. “In accordance with the Delhi it would be premature to com- Toperation near Pathankot rier with a bag on his shoulder. of an Indian military installation High Court order, 25% admission ment on the order,” said Ashok where a weekend attack on an Armed security personnel, with outside Kashmir - threatens to quota is reserved for EWS (eco- Pandey, chairperson of NPSC and air force base left seven soldiers their automatic weapons point- undermine improving relations Police offi cer grilled over ‘abduction’ nomically weaker sections), while principal of Ahlcon International dead, after villagers complained ed towards the man, ordered with Pakistan. National Investigation Agency terrorists and at the spot where rest of seats are mostly wrongfully School, Mayur Vihar. about two suspicious men in the him to lie down on the ground. It came just about a week after (NIA) off icials yesterday took his car was found abandoned. reserved by schools on their own. Delhi’s lieutenant governor had area. His bag was placed on one side. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Punjab Police off icer Salwinder The SP, who was first questioned From now onwards, remaining in December 2013 issued a noti- The search was focused in NSG and Punjab Police com- paid a surprise visit to Pakistan, Singh with them to reconstruct by NIA off icials at his residence 75% will have to be made available fi cation abolishing management Gurdaspur district in Punjab, mandos immediately arrived at the fi rst by an Indian premier in the entire sequence of events in Gurdaspur on Tuesday to the general category students,” quota in nursery admissions but close to Pakistan border and the scene. The bearded man, 11 years. of his ‘abduction’ by suspected evening, was questioned by he said. this was challenged by the aff ected about 51kms from Pathankot. who was wearing a black jacket, Modi on Tuesday urged his Pa- terrorists who later attacked the NIA team yesterday too. His However, he added that schools schools. “The local villagers informed initially did not heed the orders kistani counterpart to take “fi rm the Pathankot air base in a jeweller friend Rajesh Verma are free to grant admission to the In November 2014, the high us about two suspicious men in of the security personnel not to and immediate action” against pre-dawn attack on January and cook Madan Gopal were children of their employees and court quashed the admission army fatigues close to the army cross the barricade. The inci- those behind the attack, adding 2. The NIA team took Singh to also questioned. The SP is being can allocate points in their criteria. guidelines issued by the lt. gov- cantonment area,” Gurpreet dent took place at a barricade that New Delhi had passed on the place near Kolian village questioned as a suspect in the Currently, the schools keep ernor and gave autonomy to Singh Toor, senior superintend- put up by the Indian Air Force “specifi c and actionable infor- from where he was allegedly case due to inconsistencies in 20% or even more seats under the schools to decide on the criteria ent of Gurdaspur police, said. (IAF) in the past fi ve days. mation” about the incident. abducted in his car along with his version of the abduction management quota, while 25% as per Ashok Ganguly Committee “We have since launched a Security agencies have been The Pathankot attack coincid- two others. The team also and the versions of his two seats are reserved for EWS stu- guidelines. The city government search operation along with the on a high alert since the attack ed with a 25-hour seige near an took the off icer to the place companions, a police source dents and the rest are open for the appealed to refer the matter to a army in that area. We haven’t yet over the weekend on the air base Indian consulate in Afghanistan where he was dumped by the said. general category children. larger bench. come up with anything yet but by six gunmen with suspected that left at least one policeman Kerala aid for family of Quake clean-up Dutt to be released offi cer dead in terror strike from jail on Feb 27 AFP unfi nished movies and went back Mumbai to jail in May that year to serve By Ashraf Padanna/Gulf All families with an annual in- days, 30 days in case of complicat- the remaining three-and-a-half Times Correspondent come less than Rs300,000 will ed cases, after hospital discharge. years of his sentence. Thiruvananthapuram come under the programme bring- The scheme covers free outpa- ollywood actor Sanjay ing all existing fi nancial assistance tient (OP) tests, food for the pa- Dutt will be released from schemes ‘under one umbrella’. tients and their helper and medi- Bprison next month after he Kerala government has “Some 4.2mn families will ben- cines. serving a sentence for possessing sanctioned Rs5mn ex-gra- efi t from this project,” he said. Those in need of long-term weapons supplied by gangsters Ttia to the family of Lieuten- treatment can get benefi ts for up behind the 1993 Mumbai bomb ant Colonel E K Niranjan, who died to a year under a special package. blasts, reports said yesterday. in a terror attack on an air force Nearly a dozen existing schemes The disgraced star will walk base on Sunday. will be brought to a single IT plat- free from Yerwada Central Jail The state government also of- form and they will have uniform in Maharashtra on February 27, fered his widow, Dr K G Radhika, procedures. Currently, these slightly ahead of schedule, the a job and will sponsor the educa- schemes have diff erent and com- Press Trust of India (PTI) re- tion of the couple’s 18-month-old plex processes. ported. daughter, Vismaya. The benefi ciaries will get a one- Dutt was originally sentenced Dutt was originally “The cabinet took the deci- time income certifi cate from the to a six-year term after being sentenced to a six-year sion to honour the soldier who revenue department for the pur- convicted in 2006 of possessing term aft er being convicted laid down his life for the country,” “The cabinet took the pose. The hospitals will also be guns supplied by mafi a bosses in 2006 of possessing guns Chief Minister Oommen Chan- decision to honour the brought under the network. who orchestrated the series of dy told reporters after a cabinet soldier who laid down his A technical panel like third-par- bombings in Mumbai that killed PTI said yesterday that Ma- meeting yesterday. life for the country” ty administrators of health insur- 257 people. harashtra Home Minister Ranjit The 32-year old National Secu- ance companies will consider each A labourer removes debris at The Ima Market He spent 18 months in prison Patil had granted Dutt remission, rity Guard (NSG) offi cer was laid to The chief minister will head the claim and send its recommenda- in Imphal yesterday following a 6.7 magnitude before being released on bail in clearing his release for February rest in his Elambulassery village in Total Health Kerala Trust with tions to the trust for fi nal approval. earthquake in the north-eastern state. At least nine 2007, pending an appeal. 27. Calls and text messages to the Palakkad district on Tuesday with a corpus fund of Rs200mn. The The rates will be decided time- people were killed and scores injured on January In March 2013, the Supreme minister went unanswered. military honours. benefi ciaries will get a smart card to-time based on the reverse bid- 4, when a strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Court upheld his conviction but The 56-year-old actor shot to The chief minister earlier an- for availing of assistance up to ding process. northeast India, sending panicked residents fleeing cut his prison term from six years fame in the mid-1980s in a string nounced a programme to ensure Rs200,000. Treatment for cancer patients into the streets even hundreds of kilometres away in to fi ve. of action movies in which he per- healthcare for all residents in the Patients confi ned to their beds below 18 years of age will be en- Bangladesh. Dutt was later granted four ex- formed his own stunts, earning state. will get assistance for 10 more tirely free. tra weeks of freedom to work on him the nickname “Deadly Dutt”. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, January 7, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

Anniversary protest Northern Triangle recorded 17,422 murders in 2015

AFP San Salvador

entral America’s so-called Northern Triangle - Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras - recorded Ca total 17,422 murders in 2015, 11% higher than for 2014, according to preliminary police tallies. The fi gures released this week confi rmed the region’s reputation for the worst homicide rates in the world out- side of war zones, driven by gangs that wage vicious turf battles and seek to exert brutal control over citizens. The everyday danger of violent death has helped push many residents in those countries to try to migrate to the US. “The rising death tally in the Northern Triangle is shameful and clearly shows that the social confl ict is ma- jor and needs regional eff orts to confront it,” a Salvadoran analyst and university professor, Roberto Canas, told AFP. According to the police numbers, El Salvador was the country mainly responsible for the Northern Triangle in- crease. It had 104 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants last year, for a murder toll of 6,657 - a staggering 67-percent jump on the fi gures for 2014. That propelled El Salvador to the top of the list of countries with the highest murder rate - overtaking even Venezuela, whose rate jumped 12% to 90 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Honduras was still very dangerous with 57 murders per 100,000 people, calculated from the 5,047 murders it re- corded in 2015. But that was a decrease from 2014, when its murder rate was 68 per 100,000 inhabitants. Guatemala’s rate for 2015 was little unchanged: 36 hom- icides per 100,000 people, with 5,718 murders - slightly less than the 38 per 100,000 rate recorded in 2014. By way of comparison, per 100,000 inhabitants, Brit- ain’s homicide rate is around one, the US’ is around four, and Brazil’s is around 25, according to the latest available data from the UN Offi ce on Drugs and Crime. In an bid to stem immigration from Central America, the US has started raiding homes to round up and deport mi- grants who have failed to convince courts to let them stay. At the same time, the US government has allocated $750mn to the Northern Triangle countries to try to im- prove security and prosperity this year, in an eff ort to miti- gate the violence prompting would-be migrants to leave.

A Mapuche Indian supporter argues with a riot police off icer during a rally on Tuesday in Santiago City, Chile. The rally was held to mark the death anniversary of Matias Catrileo, 22, a Mapuche Indian who died on January 3, 2008, after being shot during clashes with the police in a land dispute in southern Chile. Mexican murder probe uncovers Argentina eyes options hidden mass grave AFP Mexico City

he investigation into the murder of a mayor in cen- tral Mexico has led police to a clandestine grave ahead of key debt talks Tcontaining fi ve other bodies, authorities said on Tuesday. The burial spot was found in the community of Reuters central bank and matured at the The debt saga started with a Back to Davos aft er a decade away Alpuyeca following the killing of Temixco Mayor Gisela Buenos Aires start of the year. 2002 crisis that threw millions Mota, who was murdered on Saturday, just one day after “The notes had to be transferred of middle-class Argentines into Argentina will return to the World president Cristina Kirchner and her taking offi ce. into bonds before they could be poverty. Economic Forum in Davos this late husband Nestor Kirchner. “As a result of this regrettable event in Temixco, an in- rgentina has swapped $16bn sold as a way of increasing central Many were helped by the gen- month under its new conserva- Since taking off ice last month, vestigative process was triggered that led us to make an- in non-negotiable notes bank reserves,” said Fausto Spot- erous welfare spending of Fern- tive president Mauricio Macri after Macri has launched a series of other discovery,” Matias Quiroz Medina, a senior Morelos Aheld by the central bank for orno, an economist with local con- andez, who ruled from 2007 until more than a decade away, the economic reforms. state government offi cial, told reporters. US dollar-denominated bonds, as sultancy OGF. last month. But her intervention- government in Buenos Aires said on He vows to roll back Cristina Three people - a 32-year-old woman, an 18-year-old the country moves to bolster cur- “The central bank could also try ist policies took a toll in the form Tuesday. Kirchner’s trade and currency re- man and a 17-year-old boy - who were detained right rency reserves and strengthen its to use them as collateral for a loan, of wide defi cits, low reserves and Macri said he would attend the strictions to open Argentina up to after the mayor’s murder were formally charged with hand against creditors suing over at least in the local market and per- high infl ation. top-level gathering along with one international markets. homicide on Tuesday. Two other suspects were killed in defaulted debt. haps with the international invest- Macri won the November elec- of his major political rivals, Sergio His leftist opponents warn his re- a shootout with police on Saturday. Long-awaited negotiations with a ment banks,” Spotorno said. tion on promises of rejuvenating Massa. forms will hurt ordinary Argentines’ Offi cials did not say whether the grave had any direct group of New York hedge funds that The outlook for currency re- the economy by opening local They hope that show of solidarity spending power. links to Mota’s murder. sued in the US courts for full repay- serves has improved enough over markets after years of strict cur- at the forum in Switzerland from Travelling to Davos with Massa Authorities suspect that the drug gang known as Los ment of defaulted sovereign bonds recent days to take pressure off the rency and trade controls. January 20-23 will restore investor is part of a policy of “confidence- Rojos killed Mota, 33, because she backed a plan to place are set to start in the days ahead. country’s eff ort to clinch a bank fi- His policies sparked a pre- confidence in Latin America’s third- building,” Pena said. state and municipal police into a unifi ed command struc- The central bank also is talking nancing deal, two sources close to Christmas one-day currency biggest economy. “We have to work in the world ture. The UN agencies for human and women’s rights with investment banks about a fi - those talks told Reuters. drop of 26.6%. This spurred ex- “It seemed to us an important to be able to generate more condemned Mota’s killing, calling it a “grave crime” that nancing deal of up to $7bn, another The hedge funds, known as ports and increased dollar in- gesture to go together with an investment and more jobs on our also “disrupts the political rights of women” guaranteed part of its push to shore up foreign ex- “holdouts” for having rejected the fl ows, which along with a curren- opposition leader who is working way to achieving zero poverty,” by Mexico’s constitution. change reserves that were run down roughly 70% repayment cuts of- cy swap with China has started to in a responsible way,” Macri’s chief Pena said. In a joint statement, they urged the authorities to fi nd by president Cristina Fernandez. fered in Argentina’s 2005 and 2010 shore up central bank reserves. of staff Marcos Pena told a news Massa said in a radio interview the perpetrators, investigate the crime by taking the vic- The free-spending interventionist bond restructurings, are expected Reserves have risen by about conference. that he accepted Massa’s invitation tim’s gender into account and make sure politicians, no- Fernandez was succeeded last month to fi ght any bank loan deal until $1bn to $25.5bn since Macri’s De- Massa, a center-right member of to go with him to Davos “to show tably women, are protected. by Mauricio Macri who is moving to their suit is settled. cember 10 inauguration. the populist Peronist movement, ran the world that we are ready to make While Mexico has made great strides toward equality more free-market policies. The case has dragged on for years “Negotiations with the banks against Macri in the first round of a qualitative jump.” between men and women in Congress, the participation The new bonds mature in 2022, while Fernandez refused to nego- remain open, but now there is last year’s election. The Kirchners stayed away from of women in mayoral offi ces “is still insuffi cient,” the 2025 and 2027, the government tiate with funds she dismissed as no urgency,” one of the sources Macri eventually won in a runoff the Davos forum during their time in statement said. The communique was signed by the Mex- said yesterday. They were traded “vultures,” hamstringing Argen- said on Tuesday. “No amount has against leftist Daniel Scioli, ending 12 power, saying it only served the big ico branches of UN Women, which is dedicated to gender for non-transferable notes that a tina’s fi nances by keeping it locked been set and no terms have been years of Peronist rule under former economically liberal powers. equality, and the Offi ce of the UN High Commissioner for previous government owed to the out of the global bond market. agreed upon.” Human Rights.

Death of migrant Flooded Mexico’s ‘Grand Warlock’ predicts alarms Panama Trump defeat in White House race

AFP AFP has made for the past two dec- they will, they will kill him. Panama City Mexico City ades. The police and army have been Vazquez, who wrongly advised to kill him. They won’t foresaw US President Barack risk losing him for a third Cuban migrant’s death from the AH1N1 infl u- exico’s famed ‘Grand Obama losing his re-election time,” Vazquez said after look- enza virus has alarmed authorities in Panama, Warlock’ predicted bid in 2012, delved into Ameri- ing at his cards. Awhere nearly 1,000 other Cubans are stranded Mon Tuesday that US can politics again this year. Venezuela, meanwhile, will near the border with Costa Rica, according to an of- presidential hopeful Donald “Trump won’t really be- fall into chaos and Maduro’s fi cial on Tuesday. Trump will fail to reach the come the Republican candi- presidency faces a harsh end, The country’s health ministry said the 53-year-old White House - but the tycoon date. He’s fl aming out on his he said. Cuban man was taken to a hospital near the border on shouldn’t worry too much: the own,” Vazquez said, adding “I think that his reign Saturday and died the next day of “severe respiratory forecaster often gets things that the real estate magnate ends this year but not with- problems” linked to the virus. Two other Cubans ad- wrong. and reality TV star would out blood. There were will be mitted at the same time with similar symptoms were With his tarot cards, white- move on to an unsuccessful strong clashes within the pop- said to be doing well under special supervision. bearded Antonio Vazquez also independent candidacy. ulation,” the warlock said. Authorities were now examining sanitary condi- saw fugitive Mexican drug lord In Mexico, the self-styled “There will be many deaths, tions for the hundreds of Cuban stuck on the border, Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman ‘Brujo Mayor’ said the au- many problems. Maduro won’t which Costa Rica has closed to them since December getting killed and Venezue- thorities will kill Guzman, go on this year, but I don’t 19. They have started vaccinations and say they are lan President Nicolas Maduro who escaped from prison for think he stays alive either.” ready to contain any outbreak of the fl u strain. falling from power. the second time in his criminal Vazquez did get it right in Nearly 8,000 other Cubans are currently in Costa Despite his spotty record, career last July, instead of ar- 2012 when he correctly pre- Rica, stranded there by Nicaragua’s decision mid- People and vehicles traverse a flooded road on the Paraguayan side of the Vazquez has attracted a gag- resting him. dicted that Maduro’s late November to likewise prevent them passing through border in Puerto Falcon, linked to the city of Clorinda in Argentina. gle of journalists every year to “If they fi nd him, and predecessor, Hugo Chavez, its territory on their way to the US. hear his predictions, which he there’s a great possibility that would suff er a cancer relapse. Gulf Times Thursday, December 7, 2016 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

ALERT AVIATION CONTROVERSY LEGAL ACTION POLITICS Security for Saudi, Iran New facility for old, Pakistani Sikhs split over Actress Mishi Khan Afghan deputy governor embassies ordered sick air travellers sale of gurdwara land indicted in fraud case fired over Facebook post

Police’s special branch in Pakistani capital The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan The Sikh community in Pakistani Punjab is Pakistani actress and TV Mohamed Jan Rasulyar, the deputy governor of Islamabad has issued an alert about possible has introduced ‘free of charge CAA help facility’ split over the sale of gurudwara land to build anchor Mishi Khan was Afghanistan’s most volatile southern province protests in the capital over the ongoing tension for senior citizens, special and unwell passengers houses. On Tuesday, a group of Sikhs from yesterday indicted in a of Helmand, has been fired over a Facebook between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The special at major airports across the country. The CAA Nankana Sahib demanded the resignation case of criminal breach of post he wrote in December. In the post, Rasulyar branch informed the Central Police Off ice (CPO) spokesman said in a statement yesterday that of Siddiqul Farooq, chairman of the Evacuee trust. In July 2015, a doctor directly addressed President Ashraf Ghani about about the need to enhance security measures in initially the facility had been introduced at the Trust Property Board, of illegally selling canal hired Mishi Khan to run an security problems in Helmand, saying that if “the and around the embassies and diplomats of the Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports which land of Gurdwara Janam Asthan for a housing advertising campaign for president doesn’t take urgent action, Helmand two countries, police sources said. In response, in the second stage would be introduced at scheme, The Nation newspaper reported her clinic and paid her Rs450,000 by cheque, would be lost to the Taliban.” Two Helmand directives were issued by the CPO to the police other airports also. The service was in addition yesterday. Dawn Online said. The complainant contended provincial council members confirmed the news. to make proper security arrangements for the to other facilities airlines were off ering to their After staging a protest near the Punjab assembly, that the actress took the cheque but did not do The Afghan National Security Council said that installations. Besides, the concerned security passengers, he said. The director general CAA dozens of Sikhs gathered outside the Lahore the campaign. Additional District and Sessions local authorities must be “reminded that using wing of the police was directed to approach the had taken special measures to further improve High Court to express solidarity with Mastan Judge Kashif Javed “indicted the actress for social media to voice their dissatisfaction against diplomats of the two countries and inform them the facilities and make travelling easy and Singh, the Sikh leader who faces trial for “anti- criminal breach of trust”, the report said. The government decisions and policies will never be about the need for tight security. comfortable. state activities”. actress’ lawyers denied the charges against her. tolerated.” Afghan battle Civic art ongoing as US soldier killed

Reuters mand, a traditional stronghold dent Haji Mohamed, who added Islamabad of the insurgents. he was about a kilometre away In December, the Taliban of- from the site when the helicopter fensive prompted the fi rst British came down. US soldier has become deployment to the volatile prov- Another resident also said the the fi rst American killed ince in 14 months. helicopter had caught fi re. Ain Afghanistan in 2016 The deployment, in addition A Taliban source claimed to while two more were wounded in to a recent arrival of US special AFP that the insurgents had shot an operation in Helmand prov- forces in the region, comes a year the helicopter down, with all ince, where Afghan troops are after Nato forces formally ended those on board killed. battling Taliban insurgents, US their combat operations in the The Taliban, who regularly and Nato offi cials said. country. exaggerate battlefi eld claims, The troops had come under “There are dangerous parts have in the past shot down sev- Vehicles move past a graff iti, depicting the provincial chief executive with the message ”Fix It!”, near an uncovered drain hole fi re while conducting a mission of Afghanistan where the fi ght eral military helicopters with along a road in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday. According to local media, a group of Pakistani activists launched an idea to promote a on Tuesday with Afghan special is still under way, and Helmand small-arms fi re. campaign-project to draw the attention of authorities towards civic issues by art, with the spraying of stencil images of lawmakers operations counterparts in Mar- province is one of those places,” In October, a US F-16 was with messages. jah, Pentagon press secretary Cook said. struck by enemy fi re in eastern Peter Cook said. “This is an ongoing fi ght, and Afghanistan, in a rare case of an “This is an ongoing situation, I think the events of the last few advanced jet fi ghter coming un- there is still a fi ght going on in hours highlight that.” der a Taliban-claimed attack. the immediate surroundings,” In November, the insurgents Cook said. “There are dangerous parts attacked a helicopter chartered Brigadier General Wilson of Afghanistan where the by the Afghan army that crash Shoff ner, a spokesman for the fi ght is still under way” landed in the north, killing at ‘Anti Pak-India elements Nato mission in Afghanistan, least three of those on board added: “We are deeply saddened Two HH-60 Pave Hawk med- — including a Moldovan crew by this loss.” ical evacuation helicopters were member — and taking others An unspecifi ed number of Af- scrambled after the attack. hostage. ghan troops were also wounded One of these turned back after The unrest in Helmand, won’t succeed in their plans’ in the mission, offi cials said. taking fi re, and returned safely blighted by a huge opium harvest “We can confi rm the wounded to its base. The second landed that helps fund the insurgency, have been evacuated,” Colonel at the scene but its rotor blades comes after the Taliban briefl y IANS they would not succeed in their the most appropriate response stani newspaper said yesterday Michael Lawhorn, a spokesman were damaged after it apparently captured Kunduz city in Sep- Islamabad nefarious designs. to the terrorists. that Pakistan must do all it can for Nato forces in Afghanistan, struck a wall, Cook said. tember — their biggest victory in Indian leadership has not lev- Pakistan itself was a victim to help India track down the ter- said. It was unclear if he meant Initial reports were that a 14 years of war. elled any allegation on Islama- of terrorism and fi ghting a suc- rorists who planned the attack Afghan wounded as well as the mortar had exploded near the US President Barack Obama in akistani Defence Minister bad regarding the Pathankot cessful war against the menace, on the IAF base in Pathankot. US soldiers. helicopter. October announced that thou- Khawaja Mohamed Asif airbase terror attack, Radio Pa- he said. “Fortunately, it seems that this Afghan forces are currently Local residents told AFP that sands of US troops would re- Psaid yesterday that some kistan quoted Asif as saying. The terrorist attack on the is the case after all as Prime fi ghting to repel Taliban mili- the helicopter caught fi re. “The main in Afghanistan past 2016, anti Pak-India elements want He said Prime Minister Na- Indian Air Force base in Pun- Minister Nawaz Sharif called (his tants who in recent weeks have chopper fell to the ground and backpedalling on previous plans to sabotage the dialogue proc- waz Sharif and his Indian coun- jab’s Pathankot town left at Indian counterpart Narendra) seized large swathes of the key began to burn. I don’t know if it to reduce the force and acknowl- ess between New Delhi and Is- terpart Narendra Modi in a tel- least seven security personnel Modi to express his condolences opium-rich district of Sangin in was shot down by the Taliban or edging that Afghan forces are lamabad through acts like the ephonic contact have agreed and six terrorists killed. and off ered assistance in anyway the southern province of Hel- if it crashed,” said Marjah resi- not ready to stand alone. Pathankot air base attack but that a cordial relationship was Meanwhile a leading Paki- required,” The Nation said. Afghan Taliban seek leverage in winter surge

AFP “Military success also de-le- peace process,” he said. Kabul gitimises the anti-Mansour fac- Arif Rafi q, a Pakistan analyst tion that is emerging,” he said, at Middle East Institute added: referring to the recent formation “While it’s plausible that the he Afghan Taliban have of a splinter group challenging militants responsible for these launched an unprec- his rule. attacks receive direction from Tedented winter surge that “The insurgents are trying to elements in the Pakistani mili- points to a desire for an upper show to the world that they have tary, it’s also quite possible that hand in peace talks, analysts say, presence in the country and get they are acting on their own, at- while some suggest rogue Paki- more concession in the peace tempting to secure a veto power stani elements may be bolstering talks,” said Dawlat Waziri, a de- over the process of Indo-Pak the eff ort to derail overtures by fence ministry spokesman. normalisation.” Islamabad to India. But Pakistan — seen as one of There were other signs of Taliban fi ghting normally qui- the few countries with infl uence the army’s displeasure with ets down in winter months with over the insurgents — is also the India-Pakistan initiative: the insurgents resting ahead of playing a role, regional analysts Twitter accounts associated an annual spring off ensive, but said. with the powerful Inter Serv- this year has seen a series of “The Taliban do not have the ices Intelligence slammed fi erce attacks — many focused authority to decide on peace Modi’s visit, while one nightly on Kabul in recent weeks, in- talks, they are controlled by news anchor said he had been cluding three in the capital since others,” said Zalmay Wardak, a asked by intelligence offi cials Friday. Kabul-based military analyst, to express pessimism on his Some say the ongoing fi ghting referring to Pakistan. show. is a bid by Taliban leader Mullah In recent years Pakistan has The regional tug-of-war be- Akhtar Mansour to consolidate offi cially re-oriented its Afghan tween Islamabad, Delhi and Ka- his position ahead of four-way policy, disavowing the use of bul will continue to fuel the Tali- talks between Afghanistan, Pa- surrogate fi ghters such as the ban’s 15-year-long insurgency, kistan, the US and China slated Taliban to achieve its foreign suggested Rashid. for next week, a precursor to a policy goals in Afghanistan, In September of last year, the revived peace dialogue between where it is seen as fi ghting a Kabul government briefl y lost Kabul and the insurgents. proxy war with India. control of northern Kunduz, Ahmed Rashid, a leading ex- Islamabad and Delhi recently a stinging psychological blow pert on the Afghan Taliban, said agreed to relaunch peace talks to Afghan forces after years of Mansour was tightening his grip and Indian premier Narendra training by Western forces which on power through the high-pro- Modi made a surprise visit to spent tens of billions of dollars to fi le attacks, after a shootout be- Pakistan in December, the fi rst improve their capacity. tween rival insurgent command- by an Indian prime minister in 11 According to Rashid, the Tali- ers in Pakistan in December left years, immediately after his fi rst ban could have more ambitious him wounded. tour of Kabul. A file picture taken on November 3, 2015, shows Afghan Taliban fighters listening to Mullah Mohamed Rasool Akhund (unseen), the newly goals. “We’ve never had such a win- But two spectacular attacks on appointed leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban, at Bakwah in the western province of Farah. “What do the Taliban want? ter off ensive before from the Indian interests since the week- Do they want a city or province Taliban. That winter is going to end — a 25-hour siege on India’s peace eff orts between the two terpart last month without the with a Taliban surge in Af- he told AFP, clarifying that it so they can install a government roll into a continuous spring- mission in the northern Afghan countries, one analyst suggested consent of the army, widely un- ghanistan indicated that ele- was unclear whether such de- in exile, as it were? summer off ensive,” he said. city of Mazar-i-Sharif that said. derstood to dictate foreign and ments of the Pakistani military cisions were sanctioned at the “That is also a possibility — “That is looking very danger- ended on Monday, and a bloody Observers in Pakistan believe security policy. were not on board with the ne- highest levels. everything is open and talks are ous. Mansour is consolidating weekend assault on an air base in it is nearly impossible that the But Khadim Hussain, a po- gotiations. “It’s not spur of the mo- very unlikely until Pakistan is his position. If he’s seen as a India — could signal the desire prime minister would have been litical analyst based in the Pa- “The attack in India and the ment. It’s planned, conscious, prepared to stop some of the military success they will remain of elements within the power- allowed to hold a breakthrough kistani city of Peshawar, said surge in attacks in Afghanistan and the immediate result is supplies and persuade Mansour loyal to him. ful Pakistani military to scupper meeting with his Indian coun- the attack on the air base along could be seen as a joint strategy,” they would like to derail the to talk.” Gulf Times 24 Thursday, January 7, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Parliament scraps Roxas tops spending for budget for presidential campaign contraceptives AFP have waged a bruising strug- By Jeff erson Antiporda rior Secretary are more capable Manila gle over the issue for years. Manila Times of spending big on television The church has long opposed ads than the administration efforts to make birth-control candidate who is accused of he legislature in the more available. iberal Party (LP) stand- using government money to mainly Catholic Phil- ard-bearer Manuel Roxas fund his campaign. Tippines has eliminated Foreign and local Lbested other presidential Gutierrez issued the state- the government’s budget for authorities have long candidates not as the top choice ment before the camp of the contraceptives, the health cited the need for of voters but as the biggest cam- vice president presented an department said yesterday, improved birth control paign ad spender. updated and inclusive report by despite a law mandating the in the Philippines which Research done by AC Nielsen Nielsen showing Roxas as the state provide them to the poor. has one of Asia’s highest showed that Roxas shelled out overall top spender on political Health Secretary Janette birth rates as well as high the most money for campaign advertisements. Garin has confirmed the de- maternal mortality rates ads last year—a whopping Joey Salgado, spokesman for partment’s 2016 budget for P774mn. The amount covered Binay, said the Nielsen report contraceptives was scrapped It was only in 2014 that the expenses for political adver- showing the vice president as when it passed through Con- Supreme Court finally up- tisements from January to De- top ad spender only covers 11 gress, the bureau’s press of- held a “reproductive health” cember 2015. months. He added that Nielsen fice said. law, striking down more than Vice President Jejomar Bi- research did not include ads “This will have a huge ef- a dozen petitions against it nay, the presidential candidate placed by Roxas supporters fect since a lot of mothers from church-backed groups. of the United Nationalist Al- like the Mar Roxas for Presi- depend on what the Depart- The law requires govern- liance (UNA), placed second, dent Movement and Mar Roxas ment of Health provides,” the ment health centres to supply spending P695mn, based on School Alumni. office quoted Garin as say- free condoms and birth con- the Nielsen report. The campaign period for ing. trol pills, as well as mandat- Senator Grace Poe ranked candidates for national posi- Foreign and local authori- ing sex education in schools. third at P694mn. tions such as president, vice ties have long cited the need It also requires that public She was followed by Davao president, senators and party- for improved birth control health workers receive fam- City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte list representatives will run in the Philippines which has ily planning training, while who spent P129mn. from February 9, 2016 to May one of Asia’s highest birth medical care after an abor- Duterte only officially de- 7, 2016. rates as well as high maternal tion will also be legalised. clared his candidacy in No- Under Republic Act 7166 or mortality rates. Nearly 80% of the popu- vember. the Synchronised Elections The country has a popu- lation is Catholic, an inher- But prior to the release of the Law of 1991, candidates for lation well over 100mn with itance of three centuries of Nielsen report showing Roxas president and vice president about 25% living in poverty. Spanish colonial rule that as the top political ad spender, are allowed to spend P10 for The government of Presi- ended in the late 1800s. an earlier report also released every voter, while bets for oth- dent Benigno Aquino had The Catholic church op- by Nielsen showed Binay as the er posts can spend P3 per voter allocated a sum for contra- poses birth control and abor- top television ad spender, hav- in the constituency where they ceptives in the 2016 budget tion and its hold is strong in ing paid P596mn for TV ads have filed their certificates of but this was removed as the the Philippines where di- last year. Mar Roxas: tops spending candidacy. legislature was debating the vorce and abortion are ille- The report that covers the The Commission on Elec- bill, the department said. gal. period January 1 to November third at P425mn. Representa- vey showing Roxas as the third grassroots communications tions earlier urged Congress to Garin said she only learned Garin said the department 30, 2015, put Poe in second tive Barry Gutierrez, spokes- biggest spender showed that and less emphasis on “air war.” increase the campaign spend- of the budget cut on Monday. would now seek private do- position with a total ad spend- man for the Koalisyon ng Daang the campaign of the LP presi- He added that it also showed ing of candidates, saying the The government and the nors to provide funds for ing of P448mn. Roxas ranked Matuwid, said the Nielsen sur- dential bet is focused more on that rivals of the former Inte- ceiling is no longer realistic. dominant Catholic church contraceptives. Philippine ‘comfort women’ fear China US Marine convicted sea dispute blocks justice from Japan over killing fi les appeal Reuters been made. In a statement, against China over the West Sea. Beijing claims almost all Manila the Philippine comfort wom- Philippine Sea controversy.” the South China Sea, which is AFP duced sentence for the marine genitals. He acted out of “pas- en said they feared the South About 1,000 Philippine believed to have huge depos- Manila in the event that the acquit- sion and obfuscation”, the court China Sea dispute with China women were forced into pros- its of oil and gas, and through tal is not granted. “Of course, said, adding that “in the heat group of Philippine had distracted Manila from titution by Japanese troops which about $5tn in ship-borne we want an acquittal but what of passion, he arm-locked the “comfort women”, seeking justice from Japan, during World War II. The trade passes every year, and has he lawyer representing a is the likelihood the court will deceased, and dunked his (her) Aforced to work in Japa- which occupied the Philip- protesting comfort women been building up facilities on US Marine found guilty grant that?” she said. head in the toilet”. nese military brothels in World pines from 1942-45. belonged to a group called the islands it controls. Tof killing a transgender Pemberton met the transgen- Pemberton was sentenced to War Two, accused their gov- “Each day that they are ig- “Malaya Lolas”, or freed Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Filipina filed an appeal yester- der Jennifer Laude in October six to 12 years in jail and is be- ernment yesterday of not do- nored by their own govern- grandmothers. There was no Taiwan and the Philippines also day seeking to reverse his con- 2014 in a bar in the city of Olon- ing held in a cell in the country’s ing enough to help them secure ment, any hope of offi cial ac- immediate comment from the have claims. Tension rose this viction. gapo, 79 kilometres northwest military headquarters in Manila. an apology and compensation knowledgment and reparations foreign ministry or president’s week when China landed a ci- Lance Corporal Joseph Scott of Manila, after the marine took If Pemberton’s conviction is up- from Japan. grows dimmer as the shadows offi ce. vilian plane on one of three air- Pemberton was convicted of part in a joint US-Philippine held, his attorney said the case South Korea and Japan last of old age and mortality cast a The Philippines and Japan are strips it had built on man-made homicide last month by a Phil- military exercise. could be raised to a higher court. month reached an agree- dark pall on them,” lawyer Har- discussing the transfer of mili- islands in the Spratlys. ippine court, in a case that During the trial, the court Pemberton’s homicide con- ment to resolve the issue as ry Roque said in a statement. tary equipment, like surveil- Japan has also made available reignited long-simmering an- heard that Pemberton and viction is the fi rst under a visit- Tokyo made an apology and “The victims of horren- lance planes and patrol boats, about $2bn for roads and rail- ti-American sentiment in the Laude agreed to have sex after ing forces agreement between promised about onebn yen dous human rights violations to help strengthen the Philip- ways to upgrade the Philippines’ former US colony. meeting in Olongapo’s red light the two countries signed in 1998, ($8.43mn) for a fund to help should not be used by our pines’ capability to guard its dilapidated infrastructure and The American’s lawyer Ro- district, but that the drunken covering the legal liability of US survivors, though many South government as a leverage in maritime borders as China rap- untangle traffi c gridlock in the wena Garcia-Flores also filed marine turned violent when he troops taking part in military Koreans were angry a deal had its talk with Japan for support idly expands in the South China capital. a separate motion seeking a re- discovered Laude still had male operations in the Philippines. Road closures planned Miss Universe contest winner for religious procession set for homecoming on Jan 23 Manila Times Manila By Ritchie Horario traslacion. The procession will start from St., thereafter right to Fraternal St. and on Manila Times the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park at to Vergara St., Duque de Alba St., left to 7am. The “pahalik” or kissing of the Naza- Castillejos St., left Farnecio St., right to Ar- tella Marquez-Araneta, the chairman of Bini- rene’s feet will start at 8am on January 8 legui St. and on to Nepomuceno St., Aguila bining Pilipinas Charities Inc, which is the or- ome roads in Manila will be closed while the vigil will start at 7pm until mid- St., Carcer St., right to Hidalgo St. thru Sganisation responsible for picking Philippines’ on Saturday for the traslacion or the night.Saruca said the MMDA will also de- Plaza del Carmen, left to Bilibid Viejo thru representative to the Miss Universe, has fi nally an- Sannual procession of the Black Naza- ploy some 1,680 personnel in Quiapo. Gonzalo Ruyat St., left to Guzman St., right nounced Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s homecoming. rene. From the Quirino Grandstand (Rizal to Hidalgo St., left Barbosa St., right Globo According to an Instagram photo of TV5 reporter The Metropolitan Manila Development Park), the grand procession of the Black de Oro St. to Quezon Bridge, right to Pal- MJ Marfori, Marquez-Araneta revealed that Miss Authority (MMDA) advised motorists to Nazarene will go through Katigbak Drive anca St., right to Villalobos St. thru Plaza Universe 2015 will come home on January 23. Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach: set for homecoming expect heavy traffi c in Manila, particularly to P. Burgos, turn left to Taft Ave. (P. Bur- Miranda to Quiapo Church. And that’s not it. Marquez-Araneta’s organisa- near areas where the annual procession will gos) thru Jones Bridge and on to Escolta St., All heavy vehicles and cargo trucks com- tion has also lined up not just one but two activities Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. Besides, pass. right to Dasmarinas St. to Plaza Sta. Cruz ing from southern Metro Manila should take for Wurtzbach’s homecoming. the much-awaited news, Marquez-Araneta also Crisanto Saruca, MMDA traffi c disci- St; left to Carlos Palanca St. under Quezon Osmena Drive, thereafter right to Quirino The fi rst is a grand parade slated on January 25 to shared to Marfori the characteristics she is looking pline head, said 15mn devotees may join the Bridge, left to Quezon Blvd., right Arlegui St and to Nagtahan St. be followed by an event on January 28 at the Smart- for aspiring Bb. Pilipinas candidates. 11.2mn families poor in last quarter of 2015: survey

By Catherine S Valente recorded in the September survey. ing the island’s 2015 average to 63%, just Manila and Balance Luzon. Visayas and P8,000 in Mindanao. ministration “to further maximise the Manila Times The survey was conducted from De- a point below the record in 2014. It rose Self-rated food poverty fell by 13 The median food poverty threshold— country’s resources toward greater in- cember 5 to 8, 2015. Last year’s 50% av- by eight points in Balance Luzon to 46%. points in Mindanao to 41% in Decem- the lowest monthly food budget needed clusivity.” erage self-rated poverty rate was four In Metro Manila, self-rated poverty ber. In the Visayas, it rose by 10 points to by families so as not to be classifi ed “Our 2016 budget attests to this com- bout 11.2mn families remained points below the 54% average in 2014. went up to 37% from 32%. 50%. food-poor was P7,000 in Metro Manila, mitment. The Department of Education poor in the last quarter of 2015, It was the lowest annual average since It also rose fi ve points in the Visayas to The rate, however, hardly changed in P5,000 in Balance Luzon and the Visayas will again have the largest share, and Awhile some 7.4mn Filipinos 2011 when an average 49% was recorded. 71% from 66%. Metro Manila at 21%, though the full- and P4,000 in Mindanao (from P5,000 funding support will continue for the rated themselves food-poor, accord- “The steady self-rated poverty rate Also, the SWS found that 33% or year average dipped fi ve points to 22% in in September). Conditional Cash Transfer programme. ing to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) nationwide in the fourth quarter was due 7.4mn families consider themselves 2015 from 27% in 2014. “The December 2015 median self-rat- Its benefi ts are clear: initial studies by survey. to a sharp decline in Mindanao, off set by “food-poor,” two points below the 35% The self-rated poverty thresholds, de- ed food poverty threshold in the Visayas the DSWD indicate that already 1.5mn In its latest survey, the SWS said increases in Balance Luzon, Metro Ma- or 7.8mn logged in September. fi ned by SWS as home expense budget in is the highest level ever reached in this households—or about 7.5mn Filipinos— 50%, equivalent to 11.2mn households, nila and Visayas,” the pollster explained. The dip was attributed to a drop in order not to be considered poor, was at area,” the SWS said. have been lifted above the poverty line felt they are poor as of December. Self-rated poverty fell by 19 points in Mindanao that was off set by an increase record-high—P20,000 in Metro Manila, Malacanang welcomed the survey’s through CCT,” Palace spokesman Edwin This is the same as the 50% (11mn) Mindanao to 51% in December, bring- in the Visayas and steady rates in Metro P10,000 in Balance Luzon and in the fi ndings, saying it encourages the ad- Lacierda said in a statement. Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Court upholds death sentence for Islamist Motiur Rahman Nizami has been convicted of murder, rape and orchestrating the killing of top intellectuals when he was a militia leader during the 1971 conflict

AFP Dhaka

angladesh’s top court yes- terday upheld the death Bsentence on the leader of the largest Islamist party for crimes during the country’s 1971 independence struggle, paving the way for his execution within months. The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Motiur Rahman Motiur Rahman Nizami ... loses appeal Nizami, head of the Jamaat-e- Islami party, who was convicted clashes between Islamists and steer the country towards terri- of murder, rape and orchestrat- police. ble confl ict in a planned way by ing the killing of top intellectu- “We’ve stepped up security. killing Motiur Rahman Nizami als when he was a militia leader It is suffi cient to prevent any in cold blood through its own during the confl ict. violence,” deputy police com- fi xed blueprint,” the party said “The court upheld the death missioner Maruf Hossain Sorder in a statement on its website, sentence in three out of four said ahead of the verdict. calling him an “internationally charges. We’re very happy,” However, Jamaat support- acclaimed Islamic scholar”. prosecutor Tureen Afroz told ers clashed with police as they Jamaat said Nizami would reporters. staged impromptu protests and now seek a review of the judge- “Most importantly, the death marches in several towns and ment. Defence lawyer Khandker penalty was upheld for the kill- Activists who fought in the 1971 war celebrate after a review petition relating to Jamaat-e-Islami leader Motiur Rahman Nizami’s appeal against cities, police and local media Mahbub Hossain told reporters ings of the intellectuals.” his death sentence, was dismissed by the Supreme Court in Dhaka yesterday. said. they would decide their course of Nizami, 72, Jamaat’s leader Police fi red rubber bullets to action after consulting him. since 2000 and a minister in a bal criticism of their trials by a at a square in central Dhaka. from the rest of Pakistan in 1971. on the outskirts of the capital. disperse the protesters in the Since it was established by former Islamist-allied govern- controversial war crimes tribunal. “This verdict brings an end Prosecutors said Nizami was The killing was carried out northwestern city of Rajshahi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ment of 2001-2006, faces the The court swiftly dismissed to the long and painful wait for the leader of a student wing based on a hit-list Nizami or- local police chief Golam Saqlaen government in 2010, the Inter- gallows within months unless previous reviews of those four justice for the families of the vic- of Jamaat during the war and dered and the aim was to “intel- said. national Crimes Tribunal has his case is reviewed by the same opposition leaders on death row, tims,” said Imran Sarker, head of turned it into the Al Badr pro- lectually cripple” the fl edgling “We have detained two people sentenced more than a dozen op- court or he is granted clemency leading to their execution — the a secular group, showing a V- Pakistani militia which killed top nation, prosecutors said. from the scene,” he said. position leaders for “war crimes”. by the president. latest last November. sign to reporters. professors, writers, doctors and Security was tight across the The Islamist party also called Rights groups say the trials Three senior Jamaat offi cials Hundreds of people who “We now want his quick journalists in the most gruesome country. Previous convictions for a nationwide strike on Thurs- fall short of global standards and and a key leader of the main had campaigned for the Is- execution.” chapter of the confl ict. of the Jamaat offi cials triggered day, saying the charges against lack any international oversight. opposition party have been ex- lamist leaders to be tried for Bangladesh came into be- Their bodies were found the country’s deadliest violence Nizami were “false, baseless and The secular government ecuted since December 2013 their roles in the 1971 war burst ing after the region called blindfolded with their hands since independence with some imaginary”. maintains they are needed to for war crimes, despite glo- into impromptu celebrations East Pakistan broke away tied and dumped in a marsh 500 people killed, mainly in “The government wants to heal the wounds of the confl ict.

Pakistan expels Bangladesh Garden tour UN top envoy as ‘spy’ row escalates offi cial to visit Nepal AFP On December 23, Islamabad A formal statement from Is- Dhaka recalled one of its diplomats lamabad dismissed the charges from Bangladesh at Dhaka’s “baseless”, adding: “An inces- mid escalating political ten- request, after she was alleged sant and orchestrated media sions in Nepal, UN under- akistan has asked Bang- to have fi nanced a suspected campaign was launched against Asecretary-general Jeff rey ladesh to withdraw one Islamic extremist accused of her on spurious charges”. Feltman will be arriving in Kath- Pof its diplomats from Is- spying for Pakistan. Government and police have mandu today on a three-day visit, lamabad, Dhaka said yesterday, The secretary did not off er any blamed the JMB for a recent IANS reports from Kathmandu. in apparent retaliation after the reason for Pakistan’s decision to spate of killings of foreigners Tara Prasad Pokharel, spokes- expulsion of a Pakistani envoy expel the diplomat, but experts and bomb attacks on shrines man of Nepal’s foreign aff airs who allegedly funded a sus- believe it was a retaliatory move. attended by minority Shias. ministry, told Xinhua news pected Islamic extremist on “It is unsurprising and of Relations between Bangla- agency yesterday that Feltman is trial for espionage. course a tit-for-tat measure by desh and Pakistan have soured scheduled to hold meetings with Bangladesh foreign secre- Islamabad,” Delwar Hossain, lately after Islamabad strongly various political leaders. tary Shahidul Haque said Is- professor of International Rela- protested against the Novem- The visit comes at a time when lamabad had on Tuesday asked tions at Dhaka University, said. ber execution of two opposi- the government and the agitat- Dhaka to recall senior diplomat Idris Sheikh, a suspect- tion leaders for war crimes ing Madhesi parties are engaged Moushumi Rahman from its ed member of the banned during the 1971 independence in intense negotiations to end high commission in the Paki- Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangla- confl ict with Pakistan. the more than four-month-old stani capital within 48 hours. desh (JMB), told a Dhaka court Yesterday, Bangladesh’s top anti-constitution protests in the “The political counsellor and last month that he received court also upheld the death Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, centre, and his wife Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif, centre right, country’s southern Terai plains. head of chancery in Islamabad 30,000 taka ($380) from Paki- sentence on the chief of the ride in a buggy during a visit to The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy yesterday. More than 55 people, including has been given till Thursday to stani diplomat Farina Arshad, country’s largest Islamist party Sharif is in Sri Lanka on a two-day off icial visit. ten police personnel, have been leave the country,” Haque said. according to police detectives. for war crimes. killed in the protests. Nepal PM’s Lanka seeks ways to gain from El Nino Reuters Social Commission for Asia cies like the department of ag- offi cials are,” he said. “That Polonnaruwa and the Pacifi c (ESCAP) in early riculture to advise farmers to mindset needs to be changed.” December attributed the rains prepare for rains,” he said. Farmers must adjust to long India visit to the current El Niño weather The ESCAP report also noted dry spells, like that experienced ice farmer Weerasing- phenomenon, likely to be the that the waters from the current in parts of Sri Lanka between hearchchilage Darmar- strongest since 1997-1998. bout of rains could be used for June and October 2015, broken Rathana is used to periodic “The consensus that strong El the upcoming planting season. by heavy rains. “Right now the fl ooding in his low-lying village Niño conditions has led to ab- As the heavy rains struck when cultivation cycles follow the in February K P Sharma Oli of Galella in central Sri Lanka. normal rainfall during the north- there was no harvest, agricultural traditional monsoon,” he added. The 60-year-old has lived east monsoon season in South losses have been negligible. Farmer Darmarathana from February. The dates would be all his life on the fl ood plains of Asia indicates that El Niño had Pradeep Koddiplili, deputy Galella has worked according IANS way when he chose China as the fi nalised soon. the country’s longest river, the a part to play in the sequence of director at the Disaster Manage- to the monsoon since he started Kathmandu fi rst destination of his foreign Thapa endeavoured to stress Mahaweli, in Polonnaruwa dis- extreme weather events in India,” ment Centre, said no warnings farming in the 1970s. visit after taking over as Nepal’s that the media should shed the trict, some 250km (155 miles) the ESCAP advisory said. had yet been issued for potential “I don’t know any other prime minister and attended the mindset of harping on the prime northeast of Colombo. Excessive El Niño-linked El Niño-related crop damage, timetable,” he said. “Some- epal Prime Minister K P Beijing Olympics in 2008. minister’s maiden visit. “It used to be maybe twice, rainfall across southern India mainly because the rains had one needs to teach me the new Sharma Oli will in Feb- Thapa said preparations were “We have to shun such a three times a year the road and northern Sri Lanka was coincided with the preparation methods, if there are any.” Nruary embark on his fi rst underway in both countries mindset ... which nation the would go under, but the last year expected to continue into early of fi elds for planting. Wickramasinghe said the ap- foreign visit post-assumption of regarding Oli’s visit. prime minister would visit fi rst,” has been insane,” said the pad- 2016, it added. But disaster risk experts proach of traditional farmers offi ce to India, Foreign Minis- Thapa, who has already vis- Thapa asserted. dy farmer. In his recollection, Sri Lankan authorities said working in rural areas say needed to evolve “if we are to ter Kamal Thapa said yesterday, ited India twice in the past three He said it was “not good” to Galella has never been fl ooded they were prepared. “Histori- awareness of changing weather gain any kind of advantage from laying to rest speculations that months since the new govern- compare Nepal’s “independent with the same frequency as in cally El Niño has meant more patterns remains low and could the changing rain patterns”. the Communist leader would be ment assumed offi ce in the and sovereign” relations with the last two months of 2015. rains in this region, so we have prevent farmers making the The Red Cross and the UN touring China fi rst instead of the Himalayan nation, said Oli will India and China. The village was hit six times been making our predictions on most of the unseasonal rains. Development Programme have southern neighbour. visit China after his India tour. The Madhesis in Nepal’s Te- in less than two months, Dar- those lines,” said Lalith Chan- Sarath Wickramasinghe, a launched a pilot project in Pol- “Prime Minister Oli is visiting Amid hiccups in Nepal-India rai region have been agitat- marathana said, after unusually drapala, head of the island’s disaster risk reduction special- onnaruwa District to help farm- India fi rst,” Thapa, who is also ties over the Madhesi issue, ing for the past more than four heavy rains battered the region Department of Meteorology. ist with the Sri Lanka Red Cross ers adapt to uncertain weather deputy prime minister, said at there was speculation in the months against discriminatory in November and December. Chandrapala said the coun- who works in North Central and climate conditions. an event in Kathmandu. Nepali media that Oli would provisions of the country’s new More than 1mn people were try could be in a position to Province, said people in the Targeting 100 families in Na- Traditionally, Nepali prime pick China for his maiden for- constitution, which was prom- marooned in Sri Lanka’s Northern, benefi t from the El Niño-in- country’s dry zone lacked suffi - gastenne village, it provides them ministers have made it a point eign visit and “snub” a call from ulgated four months ago. The North Central and Eastern Prov- duced rains, which began in cient infrastructure and knowl- with assistance including seeds to visit India fi rst following their India. unrest has led to blockading of inces, and over 400 homes and mid-November on the back of edge to adapt to shifting rains. and technical knowledge to devel- assumption of offi ce. According to diplomatic the border entry points and held other buildings were destroyed. a weak monsoon he assessed to “They are traditionally op sustainable agriculture meth- Only Maoist Pushpa Kamal sources, Oli will visit India in up supply of essential items from An advisory issued by the be 75% below average. geared for the monsoon, which ods, such as water harvesting, and Dahal rubbed India the wrong the second or third week of India souring bilateral relations. United Nations Economic and “We have been telling agen- comes twice a year - even some to restore degraded land. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, January 7, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed North Korea’s test unlikely Production Editor: C P Ravindran

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar to force fresh negotiations [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), If confi rmed, the of the Washington-based Arms that Pyongyang show sincerity by taking in history, Xi has not visited North 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) “miniature” H-bomb Control Association. concrete steps toward denuclearisation Korea nor has he hosted a visit by Fax 44350474 “If indeed it was a nuclear test, before resuming dialogue. But China, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.” detonation would be North whether H-bomb or A-bomb, we Russia and North Korea have called for Shi Yuanhua, deputy director of the Korea’s fourth nuclear test can expect another round of largely an unconditional return to talks. Centre for Korean Studies at Fudan symbolic sanctions against North Korea, “Obama put in a tremendous eff ort University in Shanghai, said China since 2006 but the fi rst using plus public condemnation from China,” to secure the Iran nuclear deal which remained resolutely opposed to the fusion technology says Denny Roy, an expert on Northeast has been a successful and historic North’s nuclear activities but that Asia political and security issues at the breakthrough. It shows that when the it was up to Washington to shift its GULF TIMES East-West Center in Honolulu. US conducts deft, eff ective diplomacy stance to get Pyongyang back to the By Julie Makinen “I don’t expect that this will to deal with a proliferation threat it bargaining table. Los Angeles Times/TNS fundamentally change South Korean, can work,” said Kimball of the Arms “Compared to the US, China is Chinese or US policy toward North Control Association. still an outsider in this matter,” he Korea,” he says. “This will worsen “He has not taken the same political said. “Technically, the US and North orth Korea’s claim that it Pyongyang’s relations with China, but and diplomatic risk with North Korea Korea are still at war. They need a Pressure on had successfully detonated the North Koreans have weathered during the course of his presidency. peace treaty and then to normalise a hydrogen bomb yesterday that situation before and know the But I think it’s vital that in the fi nal diplomatic relations.” Nelicited an angry if familiar Chinese fear losing all infl uence over few months he lays the groundwork Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi chorus of condemnation from the (North). Beijing concluded long for a more eff ective strategy that is last year had urged all parties to get Zidane as he countries including the US, South ago that the only thing worse than focused on making sure there is no back to the bargaining table, Shi noted, Korea, Japan, China and various arms- putting up with North Korea’s bad further harm done by additional but Washington responded “coolly”. control organisations. behaviour is the danger of a collapse of nuclear test explosions or long-range Yesterday’s test, Shi said, was a sign But Washington and the the Kim regime.” ballistic missile tests.” that North Korea wanted to talk. begins new role international community may yet The Obama administration was At a joint news conference with But at least immediately, foreign again fi nd it hard to muster the will “monitoring and continuing to assess South Korean President Park Geun- governments signalled that they were to take bold steps to lure North Korea the situation in close co-ordination hye in Washington in October, Obama more focused on rapping North Korea back to the bargaining table any time with our regional partners”, John said he saw no sign that Pyongyang on the knuckles again. Rarely will a coach begin a career amid such intrigue. soon. Kirby, a spokesman for the US State was serious about negotiating. Park, chairing an emergency meeting If Gary Neville’s appointment at Valencia caused a stir, The UN Security Council, at a Department, said late yesterday. “We “At the point where Pyongyang of South Korea’s national security meeting later yesterday, did agree to have consistently made clear that says we are interested in seeing relief council, called the purported test Zinedine Zidane’s at Real Madrid is a seismic, if not prepare further unspecifi ed measures we will not accept (North Korea) as from sanctions and improved relations “a grave provocation to our national against North Korea after it carried a nuclear state,” he added. “We will and we are prepared to have a serious security but also a threat to our future ... entirely unexpected, development. out the test. The 15-member council continue to protect and defend our conversation about denuclearisation, and a strong challenge to international The man who could do things with a football that including China, Pyongyang’s ally, allies in the region.” I think it’s fair to say that we’ll be right peace and stability.” South Korea “strongly condemned” the test and China said it had no advance there at the table,” he said. also said it would “take all necessary others only dream of has been fast-tracked to the described it as a “clear threat to warning of the test. Foreign ministry “We haven’t even gotten to that measures ... so that the North will pay coaching zenith, replacing Rafa Benítez as Madrid international peace and security”. spokeswoman Hua Chunying said point yet, because there has been no the price for the nuclear test”. If confi rmed, the “miniature” Beijing remained resolutely opposed to indication on the part of the North In Japan, Nihon Television reported manager despite a lack of experience. It is certainly a H-bomb detonation would be the such tests and urged Pyongyang to take Koreans as there was with the Iranians that offi cials close to Prime Minister risk, for both club and coach, but one too enticing for reclusive Communist state’s fourth steps to prevent further deterioration that they could foresee a future in Shinzo Abe were already discussing nuclear test since 2006 but the fi rst of the situation. She also called for a which they did not possess or were not strengthening economic sanctions each to ignore. using fusion technology. North resumption of the so-called six-party pursuing nuclear weapons.” against North Korea. Abe also told Zidane is a hero at Madrid, as he is at Juventus, Korea’s nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 talks aimed at getting Pyongyang to In addition to testing Obama, reporters that Japan considered the and 2013 are all believed to have abandon its nuclear programme. Pyongyang’s actions are a fresh tests a serious threat and would join Bordeaux and across France. He is accustomed to used plutonium-based, or perhaps Those talks – involving the US, challenge for the Chinese leadership, forces with the US and China to take pressure, used to carrying the hopes of thousands and uranium-based, atomic weapons. North Korea, China, Japan, South which is increasingly trying to assert “fi rm countermeasures,” according to Hydrogen bombs, also called Korea and Russia – broke down in itself as an eff ective major player in Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. delivering when it counts. The art of getting others to thermonuclear bombs, can potentially 2009 after six years, not long after global aff airs. Russia also condemned Pyongyang’s deliver for you, though, is something else altogether. be much larger than atomic weapons, President Barack Obama took offi ce. The nuclear blast is the fi rst the announced test as a “violation of which rely on fi ssion for their Whether Obama has the desire – North has conducted since Xi Jinping international law”. But Leonid Petrov, an It is a signifi cant risk in that things may not work out explosive power. However, initial data or the bandwidth – to make a bold offi cially took offi ce as China’s expert on North Korea at the Australian as intended, if Zidane struggles to bring success to the about yesterday’s blast in North Korea move to get Pyongyang back to the president in March 2013. Although National University, said any push for indicated it was not substantially negotiating table before his term runs China is considered North Korea’s resumption of six-party talks could Bernabéu and rein in Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. It larger than the country’s 2013 test, out in about one year remains unclear. only remaining major ally, and Xi is be undercut by continuing tensions would be sad to see this titan felled by Florentino Pérez says Daryl Kimball, executive director Washington and Seoul have insisted the most-travelled Chinese president between Washington and Moscow. at some point in the future, but perhaps he is held in such high regard by the club that his reverential status will remain intact If anyone can whatever happens to the team under his walk into a watch. He has already dressing room targeted one trophy this and demand season. Zidane was at the the respect peak of his club powers of Cristiano in a white shirt — Ronaldo and winning the Spanish title and Champions company, it is League between 2001 Zidane and 2006, even if the Galácticos were not A photograph released by North Korea’s off icial news agency yesterday shows a crowd celebrating the success of the first hydrogen bomb test in Pyongyang. an entirely dominant force — and has spent much of his life in Madrid, fi ve years as a player and later as a director, assistant and reserve coach. Maybe he is the ideal man to morph a team of stars into a winning force, having shone the brightest in All investing is impact investing a team of stars himself. If anyone can walk into a dressing room and demand the respect of Cristiano By Bruce DeBoskey explore these approaches in an Fund, built on oil wealth, from all of said Jed Emerson. “More asset owners Tribune News Service upcoming column. its fossil fuel investments; the $24bn will be looking at how social and Ronaldo and company, it is Zidane. Invested funds are another story. Yale University endowment directing environmental factors will aff ect It appears that he has been primed to take this role The bulk of philanthropically its money managers to examine how performance, and how such fi nancial n the US, committed capital is invested in investments aff ect climate change performance can be used to drive for some time. When Zidane retired from playing after nearly $1tn is publicly traded securities or private and avoid investing in companies not social impact.” leading France to the World Cup fi nal in 2006 — player committed to markets for maximum returns. taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas Emerson is a pioneer in the field Iphilanthropy - However, like grants, those emissions; the $260mn F B Heron of impact investing and originator of of the tournament in Germany despite his infamous sitting in foundations investments may aff ect a variety Foundation focused on helping the Blended Value concept. He also and donor-advised funds. Donors of social issues, such as the disadvantaged communities, aligning is co-author of the book The Impact denouement — the midfi elder did not intend to move have transferred ownership of these environment, immigration, labour 100% of its capital with its mission; Investor: Lessons in Leadership into coaching. Now, however, he fi nds himself in one funds to separate legal entities and practices, food, education, resource and the $3.5bn Kresge Foundation, and Strategy for Collaborative received generous tax deductions consumption, gender pay disparity, committing 10% of its endowment Capitalism. of the biggest jobs there is. in order for those monies to fund health and healthcare or fi ghting into impact investing over the next Philanthropic capital, already As the announcement was made on Monday charitable work in the world. human traffi cking or discrimination. fi ve years. committed to making a diff erence Yet only a small percentage of Sometimes, foundation or donor- The $170mn Wallace Global Fund in the world, should be holistically evening, Zidane looked calm and hungry for the task. those funds is expended on charitable advised fund investments actually is one of 17 foundations (with assets examined to make sure that it is not Club president Florentino Perez told him: “I know that donations for the public good. The counteract the very mission for which totaling $2bn) divesting fossil-fuel defeating the donor’s mission and is great majority of those resources are the funds were donated. stocks from their portfolios and actually advancing the causes that for you, the word ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist.” Perfect invested for a fi nancial return without investing instead in clean energy. “It inspired the donor to give in the fi rst words of encouragement for Zidane, but then they also regard to the impact on society. Grants to nonprofi ts is not enough to award grants to good place. Philanthropically committed funds causes,” the fund states. “To have real Ask the manager of your carry a lot of pressure, something which Zidane will be are traditionally divided into two are designed to impact, we must put our money where philanthropic capital, “Where is my wary of. silos: grants for social impact and our mission is.” money spending the night?” Ask investments for fi nancial growth. maximise social Companies that take the social yourself deeper questions about the Grants to nonprofi ts are designed to and environmental impact of their social impact of those philanthropic maximise social impact by providing impact by providing businesses into consideration investments. You may be surprised at To Advertise critical support to worthy causes. when developing business strategy the answers. They can be viewed as a “social critical support to can generate both financial and [email protected] investment” with a 100% negative social returns. The evidence shows zBruce DeBoskey is a philanthropic Display fi nancial return for the donor. Once worthy causes that, if done well, adding social strategist working with The DeBoskey Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 given, the funds never come back. and environmental impact into Group (www.deboskeygroup.com) Yet, such funds are essential to enable Recently, philanthropic and investment criteria results in no to help businesses, families and Classified nonprofi t organisations to achieve investment leaders have come to financial sacrifice and may well foundations design and implement Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 their missions. recognise that grants and investments enhance returns. thoughtful philanthropic strategies Innovative approaches to grant can have both fi nancial returns and With more than $6.5tn of and actionable plans. He is a teaching Subscription making such as programme- social impact - and that strategic philanthropic and other capital now fellow with Boston College’s Center [email protected] related investments can result in alignment and integration with invested using various impact criteria, for Corporate Citizenship and a great benefit to nonprofits and a mission is important to maximise real “impact investing is a mainstream frequent speaker at conferences and recycling of grant money to enable change. trend with sustainability factors workshops on philanthropy. Readers 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved foundations or donor-advised funds Examples include the divestment serving as risk mitigation in the may send him e-mail at bruce@ to have even greater impact. I will of the $860mn Rockefellers Brothers management of traditional portfolios”, deboskeygroup.com Gulf Times Thursday, January 7, 2016 27 COMMENT Living our lives from inside a messaging app

The job of tech fi rms is As Business Insider put it recently: handling payments,” said Vakulenko. “The idea is pretty straightforward: “You will communicate with services to give customers more People like to chat and don’t like with messages.” reasons to stick around, so leaving chat to open another app. Put So far, Facebook hasn’t pushed the app in the chat, and you get the these new services on to users. But they’re piling on services best of all possible worlds.” that will likely change as the social within messaging apps And if this vision comes true, there network strives to get users to spend will be likely winners and losers. more time in its messaging world. Most at risk is Google, which has Google, which has lagged behind By Michelle Quinn commanded the desktop through its Facebook in this realm, reportedly is San Jose Mercury News/TNS browser and search services. Apple, working on its own virtual assistant, which has dominated mobile with its somewhat like Facebook’s M, known App Store, might fi nd itself out in the as “chat bots”, in which a user texts ill 2016 be the year cold if messaging services off er their questions. we start living our own stores connecting customers and On the business side, Slack, the digital lives from inside developers. And carriers also stand to collaboration app, has recently created Wsouped-up messaging lose if customers text less. its own version of Apple’s App Store apps on our smartphones? Others could benefi t from the trend. for developers to show off their wares It’s starting to look that way. Facebook’s early head start - in so that you don’t have to leave Slack to Many US consumers have heard addition to Messenger, it owns do something else. It also announced about how the Chinese use the wildly WhatsApp - could mean that even an $80mn fund to encourage popular WeChat for everything: people who aren’t on Facebook developers to create tools and services. ordering food, shopping, booking will feel a need to have Facebook This is the exciting brave new vacations, checking credit card bills Messenger. world of apps within apps. Messaging and, yes, even messaging. But there are other choices and a apps like China’s WeChat are the Likewise, in Japan, the Line app player who fi nds the right formula for “operating system for our lives,” is so popular, it introduced its own consumers could soar. Connie Chan, a partner at venture payment service as well as an Uber- “The fi eld of mobile messaging capital fi rm Andreessen Horowitz, like service for its users to use from apps is crowded and fragmented, and said in a recent report. within the app. moving into the New Year, the belief is So what could realistically happen Tech fi rms in the US are trying to multiusage will continue,” said Oscar this coming year? quickly ramp up messaging features Orozco, a forecaster with eMarketing, Most of the initiatives at startups and services to match Asian rivals. a market research fi rm. are focused on shopping or running This shift is happening as One of the most intriguing errands, said Vakulenko. No killer app consumers are using their messaging app trends is directing a has emerged yet that would encourage smartphones more and more and “bot”, short for robot, to go fi nd what people to give up juggling stand-alone looking to communicate with smaller we need, whether it’s showing us three apps on their phone and just live inside circles, something that messaging blue ties to buy Dad at a certain price one convenient and user-friendly apps are perfect for. point or a place nearby to eat. Users messaging system, but developers are The job of tech fi rms is to give click to decide the next action off ered headed that way. customers more reasons to stick by the bot - show more ties or make a noting that these bots are learning said 40% of mobile subscribers use a That’s in addition to features the “People are experimenting,” he said. around, so they’re piling on services reservation. to think like us and make selections messaging app once a month. company off ers such as being able to It remains to be seen if companies within messaging apps, sort of like “We have gone through these based on what they anticipate we Investors and entrepreneurs are send friends money or use an in-app will off er a compelling reason for creating a one-stop grocery store shifts before, from the desktop to the want. “Now we force apps to behave betting that chat is the new frontier. mapping service. The company has users to give up their app-cluttered containing everything instead of a browser and then to apps. Now it’s like humans. On the small screen, you “It’s one of the more exciting areas also unveiled M, a virtual assistant smartphones. separate butcher shop, fl ower stand, going to be bots,” said Beerud Sheth, don’t want a catalog of 100 options in tech now,” said Michael Vakulenko, that helps users from within the app. But we might if a virtual assistant produce market and paper goods store. chief executive of Webaroo, a fi rm when you shop. You may see two or strategy director at VisionMobile, a Think of it as similar to asking Apple’s helps us fi nd our way. If this vision comes true, this kind that makes the Teamchat enterprise three.” market analysis and strategy fi rm. Siri not just questions but to fi nd of super app could become our new messaging app. He was also the The US has lagged behind Asian Facebook recently announced that products or buy tickets to a movie. zMichelle Quinn is a business mobile operating system. We won’t founder of Elance. countries when it comes to the users could order up an Uber from “The bot could help them with columnist for the San Jose Mercury need the current glut of separate apps “Apps and websites force humans adoption of messaging, although it is Facebook Messenger, its stand-alone all stages of deciding what to buy to News. Readers may send her e-mail at on our phone. to behave like computers,” he added, picking up. A recent comScore report messaging app. actually making the purchase and [email protected] Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY Eliminate The surprise test has personally South Korea has said it will take all High: 23 C been ordered by Kim Jong-un and possible measures, including possible Please send us Low : 15 C all WMD comes just two days before his UN sanctions, to ensure Pyongyang Strong wind and high seas at first birthday. “With the perfect success pays the price after its fourth nuclear your letters Dear Sir, of our historic H-bomb, we have test. joined the rank of advanced nuclear Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo By e-mail FRIDAY High: 23 C North Korea claims to have states,” a North Korean official Abe has said the nation will make [email protected] successfully carried out its fi rst has been quoted as saying. His a firm response to North Korea’s Low : 17 C hydrogen bomb test, a development, statement follows South Korean challenge against nuclear non- Fax 44350474 P Cloudy if true, would mark a stunning step officials’ detection of an “artificial proliferation, calling its latest Or Post forward in its nuclear development. earthquake” near North Korea’s nuclear test a threat to Japan’s Letters to the Editor A hydrogen or thermonuclear main nuclear testing site. security. Gulf Times SATURDAY device uses fusion in a chain reaction Most experts had assumed The UN Security Council yesterday P O Box 2888 High: 24 C that results in a far more powerful Pyongyang was years from developing held an emergency meeting to discuss Low : 19 C explosion. Yesterday’s detonation a thermonuclear bomb, while North Korea’s reported test of a Doha, Qatar P Cloudy was North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, assessments were divided on how far it hydrogen bomb. and second since young leader Kim had gone in mastering the technology Time is running out for the All letters, which are subject Jong-un came into power in 2011. The to miniaturise a device that could fi t Security Council to fi nd credible to editing, should have the Fishermen’s forecast country last tested a nuclear device in on a ballistic missile. ways to eliminate all weapons of mass name of the writer, address OFFSHORE DOHA 2013. The nuclear test extinguishes any destruction in a sustained manner Wind: NW 07-15 KT South Korea has reasons to worry. In chance of a resumption of six-country with a time- frame. and phone number. The Waves: 2-4 Feet Seoul, the presidential Blue House has talks on North Korea’s nuclear writer’s name and address INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 05-15 KT already called an emergency meeting programme that Beijing has been Dr Abdul Ruff may be withheld by request. Waves: 1-2/3 Feet of the National Security Council. pushing for. abdulruff @gmail.com Around the region Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi Sunny 23/15 P Cloudy 24/13 Baghdad P Cloudy 20/12 Cloudy 19/09 Live issues Dubai M Sunny 24/17 P Cloudy 24/16 Kuwait City Sunny 19/12 P Cloudy 20/14 Manama Sunny 21/16 M Sunny 22/18 Muscat Sunny 25/17 Sunny 26/18 Riyadh Sunny 22/12 M Sunny 26/14 Problems that won’t go away Tehran Sunny 13/05 M Cloudy 14/07

By Barry Goldman would know everything there was Los Angeles Times/TNS to know about Oswald. They would know, he said, the kind of toothpaste he used. t started with garbage. When Now no one has to shoot anybody. I was a kid and didn’t want All our toothpaste purchases and something anymore, I just threw Google searches and GPS location Iit away. Pff t. Gone. Then came records and cellphone calls are the environmental movement, and maintained forever in “the cloud”. we all learned that garbage doesn’t None of it ever goes away. disappear. It gets moved around and Not too many years ago my wife buried or burnt, but even then the and I would go on vacation and leave smoke goes into the air and the ashes an extended absence announcement: go into landfi lls. It never really goes “We’re going to be out of the country away. and will not have access to voice Then it was official records. When mail or e-mail while we’re away.” We I was in school, we had something could still say that, but it is no longer called our “permanent yellow true. Around the world sheets”. If you talked back to your Being out of touch is no longer Weather Weather homeroom teacher or pushed a boy a feature of foreign travel, even to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min on the playground, it went on your distant lands. You can’t go away. Athens P Cloudy 13/06 Fog 13/07 permanent yellow sheets and it And then, of course, there is the Beirut M Cloudy 21/13 T Storm 16/12 P Cloudy 33/25 would follow you forever. Or so they matter of old lovers. In the past, Bangkok 35/25 P Cloudy Berlin Cloudy -2/-3 P Cloudy 03/-4 said. old lovers had the good manners Cairo M Cloudy 22/12 M Sunny 20/13 But in those days, records were to disappear. Fond memories Cape Town Cloudy 25/17 Cloudy 28/19 actual pieces of paper in a fi le cabinet. remained fond. Unpleasant ones Colombo S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 32/23 So if somebody removed those faded. There was a wistfulness that Dhaka Sunny 27/16 Sunny 27/16 Hong Kong P Cloudy 18/14 Sunny 18/14 pieces of paper, it would be as if the accompanied thoughts of the road Istanbul Rain 13/04 P Cloudy 08/05 transgression had never occurred. All not taken. We might not always Jakarta I T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 32/25 record of the off ense would go away. Garbage doesn’t disappear these days; it gets moved around and buried or burnt, have Paris, but we’ll always have Karachi P Cloudy 27/14 Sunny 27/14 With the advent of computers, but even then the smoke goes into the air and the ashes go into landfills. It never Benton Harbour. London Showers 09/04 P Cloudy 09/04 M Sunny M Sunny 33/23 everything changed. No more. Old lovers can be Manila 31/22 really goes away. Moscow Cloudy -12/-17 Cloudy -12/-15 As a labour arbitrator, I often resurrected with two clicks. They New Delhi M Sunny 25/12 M Sunny 24/10 hear cases involving employee removed from his fi le. Now there is a This permanence problem has now never go away. New York P Cloudy 08/01 M Sunny 07/03 disciplinary action. There are many digital record of everything that ever spread to our ephemera. Increasingly, we live in a world in Paris Rain 12/04 P Cloudy 09/04 circumstances that require old happened to every employee. I remember the morning which nothing goes away. The very Sao Paulo S T Storms 31/20 I T Storms 32/20 Seoul M Sunny 01/-6 M Sunny 03/-6 discipline to be “expunged”. In the The record may include the fact that president Kennedy was shot and Lee notion of away is going away. Singapore T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 31/26 days of paper, expungement meant a long-ago disciplinary suspension Harvey Oswald was captured. Our Sydney Showers 22/15 P Cloudy 23/17 the page documenting the employee’s was “expunged”, but the record itself homeroom teacher assured us kids zBarry Goldman is an arbitrator and Tokyo Clear 1 4 / 0 7 Cloudy 11/03 violation and punishment would be never goes away. that by the next morning, the FBI mediator. Gulf Times 28 Thursday, January 7, 2016 QATAR

Horse carriages will be used to arrange tours for guests. The restaurant at Al Shaqab Hotel. Al Shaqab Hotel formally opens

By Joseph Varghese featuring organic food items. lush natural surroundings, Al Arabian stallion. The venue has ence delegates who attend the Staff Reporter The main hotel building has Shaqab Hotel is the fi rst-of-its- a fi tness zone, swimming pool as events at the Qatar National two fl oors with a restaurant, kind in Doha, which provides well as steam and sauna rooms Convention Centre. which serves a ‘healthy break- guests with a tranquil getaway and Kids Zone where children The room rent per night l Shaqab Hotel, which fast,’ four meeting or board from the fast-paced city life.” are taken care of by well-trained starts from QR495 for king size had a soft opening in Oc- rooms and 70 rooms. Qatar’s “The hotel has a total of 70 childcare specialists. rooms and QR560 for double- Atober 2014, was offi cially only certifi ed organic farm, Al guest rooms and 24-hour in- The hotel also offers an in- bedded superior rooms with launched yesterday. Located Safwa, supplies vegetables to the room dining facilities, and pro- novative stay, ride and swim breakfast. There are attractive next to Al Shaqab Equestrian restaurant. The hotel also off ers vides guests with unlimited package. This new offering en- packages such as two night stay Complex in the Education City airport transfers. access to an array of hotel amen- ables guests to stay at the hotel, and one night free. of the Qatar Foundation, the ho- Speaking at the launch event, ities including the use of Mar- enjoy the exceptional eques- “Al Shaqab Hotel isn’t just tel is managed by Amlak Hospi- Al Shaqab Hotel general man- wan Club – an exclusive private trian facilities at Al Shaqab and a lodging facility – it is an un- tality. ager Karim Abdelhamid said the members club equipped with cool off in the pool at Marwan precedented, ground-breaking The major specialties of the facility is designed to redefi ne state-of-the-art facilities.” Club. The hotel team will ar- hospitality concept designed hotel are health driven cuisines, the boutique hotel experience. In addition, the hotel off ers range tours of Al Shaqab stables to promote wellness, serve as equestrian facilities and train- “Al Shaqab Hotel promotes equestrian riding packages and and paddocks for its guests. a catalyst for an active lifestyle ing as well as a resort experience. healthy, active lifestyles with facility tours. Marwan Club is The hotel mainly targets and entice guests to appreciate The non-alcoholic and non- a special focus on physical ac- named after Marwan Al Shaqab, families, domestic holiday the benefits of healthy living,” smoking hotel off ers a cuisine tivities and a balanced diet. With the award-winning 2000 bay makers as well as confer- added Abdelhamid. Karim Abdelhamid : hotel ‘promotes healthy, active lifestyles’