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FRIDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10192 August 26, 2016 Dhul-Qa’da 23, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Data safety In brief concern over REGION | Security Kuwait citizen held for promoting IS thoughts A Kuwaiti citizen working in a state smart device institution was arrested for promoting extremist thoughts, the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry said yesterday in a statement. Osman Zebn Naif, a 26-year-old civil servant, allegedly used his off ice and computer to hack ‘repair jobs’ off icial social media sites of “friendly and sister” countries to spread number of locals have expressed to the authorities as the data could be extremist thoughts, the ministry said. concern over the practice highly sensitive. In such a case, the He confessed to being a member Aamong many people of taking person concerned has little option but of the so-called Cyber Army of the their smartphones, tablets and other to deal with the culprit on his/her own. Khilafah, reportedly an aff iliate of smart devices to unauthorised shops Some of the locals pointed out that the IS group, that hacks the sites to for repairs. many shops passed off counterfeit or circulate security and other sensitive Those who do so face potential risks used parts as original ones, exploit- information to be used by elements such as misuse of private information ing the customers’ lack of knowledge, of the group, added the statement. and data theft, they point out. and sometimes even charged a lot more Naif admitted to his crime and led (Left to right) UN special envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah, In a recent report, local Arabic daily than the job warranted. to his three partners, two of whom Qatar’s Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Oman’s Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi, US Secretary Arrayah said many people go to these Another complaint is that some- were arrested in Iraq and another was of State John Kerry, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubair, Britain’s Foreign Off ice junior minister Tobias Ellwood, UAE Foreign shops to get their smart devices fi xed as times shopkeepers replace high-qual- detained in Jordan. Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, GCC Secretary General Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani, and Bahraini Undersecretary of they often fi nd these places more “af- ity original parts of smart devices with Regional and GCC Aff airs Waheed Sayyar pose for a picture following a meeting in Jeddah yesterday. Kerry announced a fresh fordable” than the authorised service cheaper counterfeit parts and the cus- international peace initiative for Yemen aimed at forming a unity government to resolve its 17-month-old conflict. centres of manufacturers or dealers. tomer will not be aware of it. The shops ARAB WORLD | Confl ict They do so despite being aware of the would later sell the original parts to Barrel bombing kills fact that the work may not be of a high other customers. quality and there are safety concerns as Questions have also been raised on 11 children in Aleppo well. the quality of work. “Though the serv- Eleven children were killed Speaking to the daily, some of the ices of these shops are becoming more yesterday in a barrel bomb attack locals said personal images and data and more indispensable, you may end carried out by government forces Kerry outlines new saved on smart devices could be ille- up paying more as some repair job may on a rebel-held neighbourhood of gally obtained by those working at the lead to further damage and you will end Syria’s Aleppo city, a monitor said. unauthorised shops and then used to up going to them again to get the same “Fifteen civilians, among them 11 blackmail customers. device fi xed,” said Hazza al-Othman, a children, were killed in a barrel Such cases have been reported in the young Qatari man. bomb attack on the Bab al-Nayrab past, prompting the authorities con- He, however, acknowledged that go- neighbourhood” in the south of Yemen peace push cerned to remind citizens and expatri- ing to authorised service centres was a Aleppo city, the Britain-based ates to be cautious about their personal rather costly option in many cases. Syrian Observatory for Human AFP But the internationally backed gov- Kerry spoke of the “staggering” hu- data while taking their mobile phones But another national, Khalifa al- Rights monitor said. The group also Jeddah ernment of President Abd-Rabbu manitarian impact of the war and an- for repairs. Sulaiti, said he preferred going to the reported eight civilians, including Mansour Hadi wanted a rebel pull- nounced an additional $189mn in aid For instance, around two years ago, dealer to repair his smart devices be- two children, were killed yesterday out from seized territory, including in response to the crisis. the Criminal Investigation Depart- cause of the guarantee and quality of in rebel fire on west of the city. S Secretary of State John Kerry the capital Sanaa, and a surrender of If a settlement cannot be reached ment had arrested some 35 men work- service off ered. The cost may be high yesterday announced a fresh weapons, as the fi rst steps, in line with that respects Saudi sovereignty and ing in mobile sales and service shops but it is a secure process, he felt. international peace initiative a UN Security Council resolution on security while providing Yemen’s for blackmailing customers, especially Meanwhile, Mohamed Emad said EUROPE | Calamity U for Yemen aimed at forming a unity the crisis. Houthi minority a role in government, women. the repair of smart devices needed to Italy quake death government to resolve its 17-month- Kerry also lashed out at Iran over al- “then things can only go in one di- The accused used to copy private be further regulated and controlled by toll climbs to 250 old confl ict. leged arms shipments to the rebels. rection, and that is worse in Yemen”, photographs and videos saved on cus- the authorities concerned to avoid any “This war needs to end and it needs “The threat potentially posed by Kerry warned. tomers’ phones without their knowl- potential trouble for customers. edge and used the same to blackmail Sultan Abdullah noted that cus- The death toll from a devastating to end as quickly as possible,” Kerry the shipment of missiles and other Apart from the humanitarian crisis, earthquake in central Italy climbed them. tomers should carefully weigh the op- said after a meeting in Saudi Ara- sophisticated weapons into Yemen the confl ict has allowed an expansion to 250 yesterday as rescue teams The Arrayah report, meanwhile, ob- tions and consider the risks and pos- from Iran extends well beyond Yemen of militants who have taken advantage scoured mounds of rubble for a bia with Gulf counterparts, a British serves that there is also the possibility sible consequences before deciding on second day in towns and villages minister and the UN peace envoy to and is not a threat just to Saudi Arabia of Yemen’s power vacuum, he said. of a victim not reporting an incident where to get their devices repaired. flattened by the natural disaster. Yemen. and the region,” Kerry told reporters in Kerry said Washington was “deeply The 6.2 magnitude quake struck a He said participants “agreed on a Jeddah. troubled” by rebel attacks on Saudi cluster of mountain communities renewed approach to negotiations” “It is a threat to the United States territory, where more than 100 sol- 140km east of Rome early on between the Saudi-backed govern- and it cannot continue.” diers and civilians have been killed Wednesday as people slept, ment and Iran-supported Shia rebels, The new push for peace will have in cross-border bombardments and destroying hundreds of homes. after three months of talks in Kuwait “both a security and political track skirmishes. US ship fi res warning Dozens of emergency workers with ended earlier in August without head- simultaneously working in order to The United Nations yesterday called sniff er dogs clambered over piles way. provide a comprehensive settlement”, for the creation of an independent in- of debris trying to find anyone still Those talks were suspended when said Kerry, adding that Gulf states had ternational body to investigate an ar- shots at Iranian vessel trapped. Page 10 the Shia Houthi rebels and forces loyal “agreed unanimously with this new ray of serious violations in Yemen. to their ally, former president Ali Ab- initiative”. In a new report, it laid out a long list The incident, which happened on ASEAN | Technology dullah Saleh, appointed a council to He said details would be fi nalised by of allegations of grave human rights Reuters govern Yemen. the “parties themselves”. abuses by all sides in the war. Washington Wednesday, started with three Iranian First driverless taxi Kerry outlined a plan which off ers But the fi nal agreement, in broad Saudi-led coalition air strikes vessels, but there was only one around by the time the warning shots were the Houthis participation in govern- outline, would initially include the were suspected of causing around hits Singapore streets US Navy ship fi red warning fi red, the offi cial said. ment in exchange for an end to vio- “swift formation of a national uni- half of all civilian deaths, while at- The world’s first driverless taxis shots after an Iranian fast-at- He described the Iranian behaviour lence and a surrender of weapons. ty government with power shared tacks by rebel-affi liated groups went into operation yesterday in Atack craft approached two US as “unsafe, unprofessional, and not Singapore in a limited public trial, “This is a proposal that off ers the among the parties”. were blamed for around a quarter of ships in the northern Gulf, a US de- routine.” At one point, the Iranian ves- beating giants like Uber in the Houthis an opportunity to have con- It also calls for the “withdrawal of deaths, it said. fence offi cial said yesterday. sel came within 200 yards (193m) of a race to roll out the revolutionary fi dence in the government structure forces from Sanaa and other key areas”, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al- The offi cial, speaking on the condi- US ship, the offi cial said. technology. The “robo-taxi service” that will be put in place,” he said. and the “transfer of all heavy weapons Jubeir, at a joint press conference with tion of anonymity, said the USS Squall Another interaction took place is being tested at a small research The Houthis had been demanding a including ballistic missiles and launch- Kerry, said Riyadh had been “extreme- patrol craft fi red three warning shots between an Iranian and US ship on campus well away from the thrum of unity government as the fi rst step to- ers from the Houthis and forces allied ly careful and cautious” in trying to from a .50 calibre gun after warning Wednesday, the defence offi cial said the Asian business hub. Page 7 wards resolving Yemen’s war. with them to a third party”. avoid non-combatant casualties. fl ares did not work. but gave few more details. S Asian missions welcome MoI’s amnesty off er

By Ramesh Mathew Law No.4 of 2009 regulating the entry, Lankan ambassador W M Karunadasa his embassy’s plans to issue temporary illegally staying in Qatar. peal to those without valid residence Staff Reporter exit, residence and sponsorship of ex- said his embassy would provide its passports for those without valid pass- It is understood that the Nepal em- documents to make use of the Qatar patriates can exit the country without wholehearted support to the local au- ports. bassy is setting up a helpdesk to fa- government off er. any legal consequences during the am- thorities to ensure that the illegal resi- The ambassador also said the mis- cilitate the exit of illegal residents from The embassy is also planning to cir- t least three South Asian em- nesty that runs until December 1, 2016. dents among his compatriots would sion would convey all further an- among its expatriates. Next to the In- culate among the community members bassies are hoping that their The MoI amnesty off er has come af- make their exit from the country dur- nouncements on amnesty to the ex- dian expatriate community, Nepal has three or four helpline numbers to facili- Aexpatriates overstaying in Qatar ter a gap of 12 years, the previous one ing the three-month period. It is learnt patriate community members through most number of its nationals in Qatar. tate conducive situations for their ille- without valid residence permit would being between March and July 2004. that Qatar hosts around 180,000 Sri the Supreme Council of the Sri Lankan The number of Nepalese is said to be gal residents to leave the country. avail of the Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) When contacted, offi cials of Sri Lan- Lankans. Community Organisations, which is more than 425,000. “Arrangements will also be made in three-month amnesty off er once it ka, Nepal and Bangladesh missions said However, the envoy does not think working under the aegis of the embassy. Bangladesh embassy’s labour atta- our embassy in the next few days for the starts on September 1. they would make arrangements in the that there are too many Sri Lankans Reacting to the amnesty offer, che Serajul Islam also echoed similar community members to make inquiries The ministry had announced coming days for their nationals to make illegally staying in the country these Nepal embassy’s Second Secretary sentiments. He said the mission of- on the issue,” he said. through a Facebook post on Wednesday their exit from Qatar, making use of the days. “I hope the numbers of such Nitesh Sapkota said the embassy fi cials would be visiting a number of As the Indian embassy was closed that foreigners residing in the country amnesty scheme. people would be bare minimum,” said would chalk out some plans to facili- labour camps housing a number of yesterday owing to a holiday, no formal in violations of the provisions of the Replying to a query on the issue, Sri the ambassador while elaborating on tate the exit of its expatriates who are Bangladesh expatriates and would ap- inquiries could be made there. Gulf Times 2 Friday, August 26, 2016 QATAR

FM meets UN official Envoy presents credentials Blowing dust to hit visibility in early hours

ow visibility is again ex- pected at some places in Lthe early hours today, the Met department has said. Visibility may drop to 2km or less in these areas, according to the weather report. Following the dust storm on Wednesday, windy and dusty conditions were experienced yesterday as well. Information available on the Met department’s social media HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, met the Special channels showed that blowing Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Support Mission in dust had led to a drop in visibil- Libya (UNSMIL), Martin Kobler, in Doha yesterday. Talks dealt with the developments of the current HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi received a copy of ity (to 1km) in the Umm Bab area situation in Libya. The Foreign Minister stressed Qatar’s support for all international eff orts aimed at credentials of Netherlands ambassador to Qatar Bahia Tahzib in Doha yesterday. The Minister of yesterday. “Please be cautious. achieving a comprehensive national reconciliation for the stability and prosperity of Libya. State for Foreign Aff airs wished the new ambassador success in her duties. Have a safe drive,” the weather offi ce tweeted late in the after- noon. Tweets also pointed to rain being detected east of Dukhan and a thunder cell towards Ju- mailiyah, with the Met depart- Electricity use fell ment advising people to watch out for strong winds and low visibility in such places. Talks are on to set up The detailed forecast for in- between April 2012 shore areas today says misty to foggy conditions are expected in some places at fi rst. This is to be followed by a hot day with some and November 2015 clouds. It will be relatively hu- new polyclinic in Doha mid by night. Hazy to misty conditions are By Peter Alagos he per person electric- (18Kwh), it is reported. also likely in off shore areas along Business Reporter ity use in the country The publication has also with some clouds. Tfell by approximately reported a massive growth in Yesterday, a maximum tem- 14% between April 2012 and water consumption in Qatar in perature of 45C was recorded egotiations are progress- November 2015, according the decade between 2005 and in Batna, followed by 44C in ing between medical ex- to fi gures released by Qatar 2015. While it was only 195 cu- Sheehaniyah, Karanah and other Necutives from the Phil- General Electricity and Water bic metres in 2005, the fi gure places. In the capital, the mer- ippines and Qatari investors for (Kahramaa). rose to 535 cubic metres, it said cury level reached a high of 43C the establishment of a polyclinic In a report published in the while attributing the increased in the Qatar University and Doha in Doha, as part of the proposed 2016 edition of The Report consumption to the three-fold airport areas. Filipino hospital project in Qatar. magazine of the Oxford Busi- rise in the country’s popula- Today, the maximum tem- “The project follows a ‘hub ness Group, Kahramaa also in- tion during the period. perature is expected to be 42C and spokes’ model, and could formed that there was a nearly in Doha and 41C in Al Khor and start earlier than the Filipino 17% fall in the per person con- In per capita terms, Qatar Abu Samra. hospital, possibly by 2017,” said sumption of water during the has the third largest Dr Jose Tiongco, chief execu- same period. electricity consumption tive offi cer of the Medical Mis- However, based on an in- in the Middle East sion Group Hospitals and Health formation from the Ministry Emir sends Services Co-operative Philip- of Development Planning and According to the fi gures re- pines (MMGHHSCP). Statistics the publication said leased by Kahramaa, Qatar’s National Day Tiongco, who is in Qatar with in December 2015 the coun- water consumption rates con- a team of Philippine-based try’s electricity utilisation tinue to be alarming. The cor- greetings medical experts, said they will increased 8.3% year on year poration said it reached 595 meet with Qatari investors, “and while per capita water con- litres per resident per day in are looking at being able to sign sumption dropped by 1.4%. 2014, up from 430 in 2012. QNA memoranda of understanding, It is also reported that some The fi gures released by Doha including an MoU for the poly- 57% of the electricity generat- Inter-Ministerial Permanent clinic.” ed in the country is consumed Population Committee esti- The investors, he noted, have by residents while the industry mated that residents now con- H the Emir Sheikh already identifi ed “a defi nite takes 30%. The auxiliary con- sume 675 litres of water per Tamim bin Hamad al- location” for the polyclinic in Dr Jose Tiongco (2nd from right) is flanked by Philippine Business Council-Qatar off icials (from left) sumers account for 7% while capita per day. HThani, HH the Deputy Doha. Lyndon Magsino, Robert Lepon, and Greg Loayon. PICTURE: Peter Alagos. 6% is referred to as transmis- Interestingly the growth in Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Ha- “A hospital provides ‘in- sion losses. per capita water consumption mad al-Thani and HE the Prime terventive’ type of care and is the Filipino hospital project to benefi t from the services of the port it has provided us and they In per capita terms, Qatar is reported at a time when there Minister and Interior Minister needed by only 5% of people in a Qatari investors in October 2015. hospital.” have been very generous to us. has the third largest elec- were repeated announcements Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin community. The ‘preventive and “After the investors exhib- For the past three months, the By providing quality healthcare tricity consumption in the of massive reduction in water Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables maintenance’ type, on the other ited support and excitement PBC-Q has conducted a series through the Filipino hospital, it Middle East, at about 17bn consumption across the coun- of congratulations to Uruguay hand, is needed by up to 95% of about the project, they made of information campaigns about is also our way of giving back to a Kwh, which is less only to try as part of the ongoing Tar- President Tabare Vazquez on his people and this is where service proposals and that’s how eve- the project in various locations country that has been very kind Kuwait (19Kwh) and the UAE sheed campaign. country’s National Day. is needed and where income is rything started rolling since in Qatar to encourage Filipinos to Filipinos,” he said. most, but very often this is ne- Dr Tiongco’s first visit to Qa- to be part of the entity. He said Loayon added: “Aside from glected because the focus is on tar last year. I think during the close to 1,000 OFWs already at- providing health services to the hospitals. initial meeting if we didn’t find tended the information sessions Filipino community, it extends “So, the Filipino hospital anything there, we wouldn’t be and have signifi ed intentions to to the wider population, and will be the hub but there will pursuing this project today,” become members. this is a way of supporting Qa- be spokes (polyclinics) to more said PBC-Q chairman Greg PBC-Q adviser Robert Lepon tar’s vision to provide quality Tamuq welcomes new populated areas to avoid con- Loayon. said the Filipino hospital project healthcare to the entire country. gestion of patients and long Currently, Loayon said the supports the human develop- If you’re looking at the Qatar queues,” Tiongco told Gulf group is working towards the ment pillar of the Qatar National National Vision 2030, this would Times yesterday on the sidelines incorporation of an entity that Vision 2030 as it aspires to pro- be one of those initiatives that class of master’s students of the medical team’s courtesy would be registered in Qatar vide world-class and quality support it.” call with Philippine ambassador once it is fi nalised. The entity, healthcare services to both citi- According to Lepon, there Wilfredo Santos. he explained, will function like a zens and the country’s burgeon- are also plans to bring project aculty, administrators Tiongco, in partnership with membership corporation “such ing expatriate community. to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and current master’s stu- the Philippine Business Coun- that the members, being stake- “We are indebted to the Qa- “subject to further study and Fdents at Texas A&M Uni- cil-Qatar (PBC-Q), proposed holders of the business, will tari government for the sup- research.” versity at Qatar (Tamuq) wel- comed a new class of incoming master’s students in chemical engineering for the 2016-2017 academic year. The Graduate Orientation Day event was held at the Texas WISH to host panel on A&M Engineering Building in Education City. The Graduate Orientation Day provided a comprehen- sive session for the new mas- Islamic Ethics in November ter’s students about the branch campus’s two master’s pro- grammes in chemical engineer- Dr Ahmed Abdel Wahab he World Innovation Summit for produce a report that will include policy rec- ing in addition to an overview Health (WISH) will host a panel on Is- ommendations on how to create culturally of the degree plan and aca- Patrick Linke: “We have Wahab, chair of the Chemical Tlamic Ethics during its two-day 2016 sensitive guidelines. The report will lay out demic requirements, as well as a very healthy mix of Engineering graduate com- conference, which begins on November 29 in various hypothetical scenarios to help tackle interaction with the diff erent students from Qatar — a mittee, and Dr Patrick Linke, Doha. such issues from an Islamic perspective. departments at Tamuq. good number of whom executive director of Graduate Using hypothetical case studies, the panel The WISH 2016 Summit will feature seven The incoming graduate stu- work full-time next to Studies and chair of the Chem- will provide answers to ethical questions groundbreaking research forums that high- dents also met with the cur- their graduate studies — ical Engineering Programme at surrounding genomics in Arab Muslim coun- light and address some of the world’s most rent master’s students and and the rest of the world” Tamuq. tries and the Gulf region where this new dis- pressing healthcare challenges. The forums PhD students during the ori- “It was very pleasing to see cipline has attracted increased interest over will generate interdisciplinary, evidence- entation and were able to get will help intensify my passion the enthusiasm and motivation the past few years. It will address issues such based reports on topics such as healthy the support and information for research and interpersonal of the incoming class,” Dr Linke as managing the “return of incidental fi nd- populations, precision medicine, economic necessary for their success in skills in a fi eld I am passionate said. “We have a very healthy ings”, which involve various stakeholders, benefi ts of investing in health, accountable fi rst year. about.” mix of students from Qatar — including healthcare professionals and poli- care, cardiovascular disease, autism and be- The new students then Muaz Selam, a current Texas a good number of whom work cymakers. Dr Eman Sadoun, chair of the Qatar Na- havioural insights. toured Texas A&M at Qatar’s A&M at Qatar Master of Sci- full-time next to their gradu- Dr Mohamed Ghaly, panel moderator and tional Research Ethics Committee at the Internationally-renowned experts will facilities and laboratories to ence student, agreed, saying: ate studies — and the rest of the professor of Islam and Biomedical Ethic at Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), said: chair the discussions. For the fi rst time, learn about the many research “Research at Texas A&M at Qa- world.” the Research Centre for Islamic Legislation “The MoPH off ers a set of guidelines that as- WISH will also report on its impact, locally opportunities that exist for Ag- tar is a rewarding experience. Applications for the Mas- and Ethics (CILE), said: “Discussions will sists investigators and Institutional Review and globally, on issues previously highlighted gie graduate students. As a graduate student you are ter of Science (MS) and Master focus on fi nding the right balance between Boards in the design and conduct of genomic at the conference, such as diabetes and pa- Kholoud Abdulaziz, a newly involved in interesting, state- of Engineering (MEng) pro- openness to new healthcare practices and Is- research to ensure the safety and well-being tient safety. admitted Qatari graduate stu- of-the-art problems with real grammes are being accepted for lamic traditions. Our conclusions will com- of participants.” The summit will feature innovation show- dent in the Qatar Research applications. This gives much the spring 2017 semester and bine these two elements to provide policy Egbert Schillings, CEO of WISH, noted: cases from around the world that are shaping Leadership Programme, said: more meaning to my work, will remain open until Novem- recommendations in the context of health- “We are delighted to be working with CILE the design, delivery and fi nancing of care, as “I hold high expectations of the which no longer remains just an ber 15. care delivery.” once again in tackling some of the thorniest well as a cohort of young innovators, emerg- graduate programme at Texas academic exercise.” For information, one CILE is a member of Qatar Faculty of Is- ethical issues in modern healthcare.” ing healthcare leaders under the age of 30, A&M. It will be an opportu- The Graduate Orientation can visit http://.gradstud- lamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- For the fi rst time since the launch of the whose contributions to global health deserve nity to be engaged in a unique Day ended with closing re- ies.qatar.tamu.edu or call sity. WISH Summit, the Islamic Ethics Panel will wider recognition. learning environment, which marks from Dr Ahmed Abdel 44230135. Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Helping hand Hamas to leave name off ballots

AFP Gaza City

amas said yesterday it will not submit candi- Hdates in its own name for upcoming Palestinian municipal elections, while its rival Fatah registered candidates in the Ha- mas-run Gaza Strip. “Hamas will not participate in the elections under the name of Hamas or with candidates known to be Hamas,” party spokesman Fawzy Barhoum told AFP. Instead the movement “will present academic lists, profes- sionals, experts, people recog- nised for their role in the ad- ministration or for international relations.” The Islamist movement is to decide which candidates to back after the electoral commis- sion announces the full list next month. Earlier yesterday, Fatah’s Gaza spokesman Fayez Abu Eita told a news conference the party had “submitted lists of candidates for all municipalities in the Gaza Strip to the electoral commis- sion” on the last day of registra- tion. The elections are due to take place in October. Fatah and Hamas have not contested an election since the 2006 parliamentary polls, which Hamas won — sparking a con- fl ict that led to a near-civil war in Gaza the following year. The two movements now each control part of the occupied Pal- estinian territories, with Hamas in charge in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank. The last Palestinian munici- pal elections took place in 2012, though Hamas boycotted them. This year, both parties pledged to respect the results of the polls, the electoral commission has Workers unload boxes of aid from Saudi Arabia, designated for the victims of the flood in Sudan, at Khartoum airport. Thousands of houses were destroyed and several villages submerged, earlier this month, said. after heavy rainfall killed at least 100 people nationwide, including 25 in Kasala. In both camps, experts agree, the forthcoming vote is seen as a test which could then lead to parliamentary and presidential elections. Relations, however, have been strained by the arrest of a number of Hamas fi gures in the West Bank. “This is the beginning,” Faisal Abu Shahla, a member of the Egypt’s wheat graft scandal Fatah leadership in Gaza, said at the news conference. He said if successful the elec- tions “should be followed by leg- islative elections, the election of a national committee and presi- dential elections.” takes down supply minister Barhoum said his party was committed to the polls despite Reuters procured in this year’s harvest exists gate the fraud have said upwards of 2mn of dollars in squandered government Critics have also accused Hanafi of the arrests. Cairo only on paper, the result of local suppli- tonnes, or 40% of the locally procured subsidies comes as Egypt gears up for bungling an array of the ministry’s most Registration closes at mid- ers falsifying receipts to boost govern- crop, may be missing. a raft of austerity measures, including critical duties. night yesterday with the fi nal ment payments. The general prosecutor has ordered various subsidy cuts agreed to as part From smart cards for bread distri- lists published on September 24, gypt’s Minister of Supply Kha- If Egypt’s local wheat procurement arrests, travel bans, and asset freezes of a $12 bn IMF programme that could bution that were hacked, wasting mil- according to the electoral com- led Hanafi has resigned amid the fi gures were misrepresented, it may for several private silo owners and oth- bring pain for its poorest people. lions of dollars in subsidised fl our, to mission. Ehighest-profi le corruption case have to spend more on foreign wheat ers allegedly involved in the scandal. Pressure has been mounting on the the ministry’s failure to purchase rice since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi purchases to meet local demand — even While Hanafi has not been accused minister, who was appointed in 2014, last harvest — an oversight that led to came to power in 2014. as it faces a dollar shortage that has of directly profi ting from misallocated ever since earlier this year when par- nationwide shortages of subsidised rice Libya seeks boosted Hanafi ’s resignation is the most sapped its ability to import. subsidies, parliamentarians, industry liament began investigating whether and price spikes that hit the country’s senior-level fallout from a probe into “It’s important that whoever comes offi cials, and media commentators have a bumper wheat crop — nearly 5mn poorest — Hanafi has drawn a broad US military backing whether millions of dollars intended to next knows that the minister is not in recent weeks pinned blame for the tonnes delivered by farmers versus 3mn coalition of critics. subsidise farmers were used to purchase above accountability and will always crisis squarely on his shoulders. to 3.5mn normally procured — may be Criticism took an unexpected turn ibya’s unity government wheat that did not exist. be monitored and under the spotlight,” “Hanafi started very strong but un- the result of foul play. last week, when fi ery media personality has asked Washington, “Experience has proven that being Nader Noureldin, a former supply min- fortunately he trusted the wrong peo- In recent weeks parliament’s wheat and MP Mostafa Bakry accused Hanafi Lwhich is backing an air in a position of authority is no longer a istry advisor, said. ple who ran the ministry for their own commission has captured the atten- on television of using 7mn Egyptian campaign against the Islamic picnic,” Hanafi said as he announced his Egypt’s supply ministry is in charge benefi t which led to huge loss of the tion of the Egyptian public, with MPs pounds ($788,300) in state funds to State group in Sirte, to step up resignation on state television. of a massive food subsidy programme subsidy,” said Waleed Diab, managing making highly publicised site visits to maintain a residency at a posh down- its military assistance, the US Egypt, the world’s largest importer and the main state grain buyer, the Gen- director of Egyptian Millers Company, private silos suspected of fraud, arriv- town Cairo hotel. Africa Command said yester- of wheat, has been mired in controversy eral Authority for Supply Commodities one of the country’s largest private ing unannounced to tally missing wheat The minister later said in a statement day. over whether much of the roughly 5mn (GASC).Parliamentarians who formed mills. before reporting their fi ndings to the lo- he had paid for the long-term hotel res- Fayez al-Sarraj, leader of the tonnes of grain the government said it a fact-fi nding commission to investi- The prospect of hundreds of millions cal press. idence with his own personal funds. Government of National Accord (GNA), made the request dur- ing talks Wednesday in Stutt- gart with Africom’s commander Thomas Waldhauser and US special envoy for Libya, Jonath- an Winer. Iraq sacks defence minister ahead of Mosul off ensive “Discussions were held on... the GNA’s desire for US assist- ance with future enhanced mili- Reuters ritory that the ultra-hardline Thirteen years after the US- against Daesh, nor will it hinder tary capabilities and defence ca- Baghdad Sunni Islamic State group seized led invasion that toppled Sadd- the Mosul operation,” said senior pacity building,” Africom said in in 2014 and said he had cut down am Hussain and led to sectarian Shi’ite MP and former national a statement. on graft including ghost soldiers violence, Opec oil producer Iraq security adviser Mowaff ak al- The US has been backing raq’s parliament yesterday — members of the military who ranks 161st out of 168 nations Rubaie, using an Arabic acronym the GNA’s eff orts to retake the impeached Defence Minis- do not exist but whose salaries in Transparency International’s for Islamic State. coastal city of Sirte from the Iter Khaled al-Obeidi over are collected. corruption index. Brett McGurk, the US envoy IS group, with American jets corruption allegations, remov- “Those who brought Iraq to The military is slowly be- to the anti-IS coalition, said this pounding the jihadists’ posi- ing him from office as the army where it is now have triumphed,” ing rebuilt with the support of a month that the row between tions and equipment since the gears up for an assault on Is- Obeidi said in a Facebook post US-led coalition, which has been Obeidi and Jabouri would not de- start of August. lamic State’s de facto capital, following parliament’s vote. “I bombing Islamic State militants rail the Mosul off ensive. “Waldhauser and Winer re- Mosul. tried with everything to fi ght in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. A Baghdad-based spokesman iterated their support for GNA Two lawmakers said parlia- corruption but it appears that its The army and Iranian-backed said yesterday the coalition re- efforts and throughout the ment voted 142-102 to withdraw masters are stronger, their voices Shia militias have retaken many mained committed to supporting visit, the three discussed stra- confi dence from Obeidi after louder and their actions more areas from the militants, but the Iraqi security forces, declining tegic options for Libya’s future questioning him this month enduring.” biggest test will be the battle for to speculate on the possibility once Sirte is liberated,” said Af- about weapons contracts. Lawmakers have accused the Mosul. of fallout on the battlefi eld from ricom. He had denied the corrup- Defence Ministry of wasting It was not immediately clear Obeidi’s departure, which he Pro-GNA forces began an as- tion allegations and in turn ac- billions of dollars and weaken- how Obeidi’s departure would called “a matter for the govern- sault in mid-May to expel IS cused Parliament Speaker Salim ing the armed forces to the point aff ect that off ensive, which Iraqi ment of Iraq”. Critics of the vote from what had been its Sirte al-Jabouri and fi ve other MPs of where they collapsed in 2014 in offi cials have said could start as condemned Obeidi’s questioning stronghold. wrongdoing. the face of the Islamic State on- soon as next month, a timeline as political. The militants had seized con- Obeidi, a Sunni Muslim ally slaught under the previous gov- some coalition offi cials consider Sunni lawmaker Khalid al-Mi- trol of the city, which was the of Shia Prime Minister Haider ernment led by Nuri al-Maliki, too ambitious. fraji described the impeachment hometown of Libya’s slain dicta- al-Abadi, had spearheaded the who was also acting defence “It will not negatively infl u- as “a crack in our war against tor Muammar Gaddafi , in June military campaign to retake ter- minister. ence counter-terrorism eff orts Daesh”. Al-Obeidi ... eye of the storm 2015. Gulf Times 4 Friday, August 26, 2016 ARAB WORLD

Russia to More Turkish tanks into Syria co-operate

Reuters on Syria Karkamis, Turkey gas report urkey yesterday sent more tanks into northern Syria and demand- Ted Kurdish militia fi ghters retreat Reuters within a week as it seeks to secure the United Nations border region and drive back Islamic State with its fi rst major incursion into its neighbour. ussia said yesterday it is pre- Syrian rebels backed by Turkish pared to work with the United special forces, tanks and warplanes on RStates at the United Nations Wednesday entered Jarablus, one of on how to respond to a report that Islamic State’s last strongholds on the blamed Syrian government forces Turkish-Syrian border. for two chlorine gas attacks and Is- Gunfi re and explosions echoed yes- lamic State militants for using sulfur terday around hills in the region. mustard gas. Some of the blasts were triggered as The year-long UN and Organiza- Turkish security forces cleared mines tion for the Prohibition of Chemi- and booby traps left by retreating Is- cal Weapons (OPCW) inquiry, au- lamic State militants, according to Nuh thorized by the Security Council, Kocaaslan, the mayor of Karkamis, said Syrian Arab Air Force heli- which sits just across the border from copters dropped toxic substances Jarablus. in Talmenes on April 21, 2014, and Three Syrian rebels were killed dur- Sarmin on March 16, 2015. Both cas- ing the operation to take Jarablus, one es involved the use of chlorine. of them when he opened the door of a It also determined there was suf- house rigged with explosives, Kocaaslan fi cient information to conclude that told reporters. Islamic State militants were the There were no casualties among the “only entity with the ability, capa- Turkish troops. bility, motive and the means to use President Tayyip Erdogan and sen- sulfur mustard gas in Marea on Au- ior government offi cials have made gust 21, 2015.” clear the aim of “Operation Euphrates “We have a joint interest in discour- Shield” is as much about stopping the aging such things from happening, in Kurdish YPG militia seizing territory preventing such things from happen- and fi lling the void left by Islamic State ing, even in the fog of war,” Russian as about eliminating the radical Islamist UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said. group itself. “It’s a very complicated report which Turkey, which has NATO’s second needs to be studied by experts.” biggest armed forces, demanded that Churkin said he spoke with US the YPG retreat to the east side of the Ambassador Samantha Power and Euphrates river within a week. they would “see what can be done on The Kurdish militia had moved west the basis of this report” by the UN/ of the river earlier this month as part of OPCW Joint Investigative Mecha- a US-backed operation, now complet- nism (JIM). ed, to capture the city of Manbij from The report’s results set the stage Islamic State. for a Security Council showdown Ankara views the YPG as a threat be- between the fi ve veto-wielding pow- cause of its close links to Kurdish mili- ers, likely pitting Russia and China tants waging a three-decade-old insur- against the United States, Britain gency on its own soil. and France over whether sanctions It has been alarmed by the YPG’s should be imposed. gains in northern Syria since the start “I saw...some in the media, pre- of the Syrian civil war in 2011, fearing dicting confrontation between Rus- it could extend Kurdish control along sia and the United States over it. It Turkish borders and fuel the ambitions Turkish Army tanks drive to the Syrian-Turkish border town of Jarabulus yesterday. doesn’t have to be the case, let me tell of Kurdish insurgents in Turkey. you, because JIM is the creation of the Turkey’s stance has put it at odds lamic State there,” Isik told Turkish “We are closely following this...If rose over the town as war planes fl ew eff ective force fi ghting Islamic State US and Russian delegations working with Washington, which sees the YPG broadcaster NTV. the PYD does not retreat to east of the overhead. has collapsed,” Erdogan’s spokesman together,” Churkin told reporters. as a rare reliable ally on the ground in “The PYD’s biggest dream is to unify Euphrates, we have the right to do eve- A senior Turkish offi cial said there Ibrahim Kalin wrote on Twitter, refl ect- French Foreign Minister Jean- Syria, where Washington is trying to the western and eastern cantons. We rything about it,” he said. were now more than 20 Turkish tanks ing Turkish frustration at how closely Marc Ayrault said yesterday the Se- defeat Islamic State while also opposing cannot let this happen,” he said. The off ensive is Turkey’s fi rst major inside Syria and that additional tanks Washington has been working with the curity Council had to respond fi rmly. President Bashar al-Assad’s govern- US Secretary of State John Kerry yes- military operation since a failed July 15 and construction machinery would be Kurdish militia. French diplomatic sources said ment in a complex, multi-sided fi ve- terday told Turkish Foreign Minister coup shook confi dence in its ability to sent in as required. Saleh Muslim, head of the Kurdish Paris wanted to push for a resolution year-old civil war. Mevlut Cavusoglu by phone that YPG step up the fi ght against Islamic State. A Reuters witness saw at least nine PYD, said on Wednesday that Turkey that would force Russia to accept The Syrian Kurdish force is one of fi ghters were retreating to the east side It came four days after a suicide tanks enter yesterday, and 10 more were was entering a “quagmire” in Syria and that its ally, Syrian President Bashar the most powerful militias in Syria and of the Euphrates, as Turkey has de- bomber suspected of links to the group waiting outside a military outpost on faced defeat there like Islamic State. al-Assad, had used banned weapons. regarded as the backbone of the Syrian manded, foreign ministry sources in killed 54 people at a wedding in the the Turkish side. Redur Xelil, spokesman for the YPG, Russia and China have previously Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Ankara said. southeastern city of Gaziantep. “We need construction machinery to said the intervention was a “blatant ag- protected the Syrian government alliance formed last October to fi ght Is- A spokesman for the US-led coalition A Turkish offi cial said the ground in- open up roads...and we may need more gression in Syrian internal aff airs”. from council action by blocking sev- lamic State. against Islamic State also said the SDF cursion had been in the works for more in the days ahead. We also have armoured After seizing Jarablus, the Turkish- eral resolutions, including a bid to Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik had withdrawn across the Euphrates, than two years but had been delayed by personnel carriers that could be used on backed rebels have advanced up to 10km refer the situation in Syria to the In- said preventing the Kurdish PYD party doing so “to prepare for the eventual US reservations, resistance from some the Syrian side. We may put them into south of the border town, rebel sources ternational Criminal Court. — the political arm of the YPG — from liberation” of Raqqa, the radical group’s Turkish commanders, and a stand-off service as needed,” the offi cial said. and a group monitoring the war said. Churkin said it was very important uniting Kurdish cantons east of Jarablus stronghold in northern Syria, which is with Russia which had made air cover Erdogan said on Wednesday that Is- But the Syrian Observatory for Hu- that the report concluded that Is- with those further west was a priority. to the east. impossible. lamic State had been driven out of Jara- man Rights also said Kurdish-backed lamic State militants had used mus- “Islamic State should be completely Isik said the retreat was not yet com- The sound of gunfi re, audible from blus and that it was now controlled by forces opposed by Ankara had gained up tard gas “because all talk we heard cleansed, this is an absolute must. But plete and Washington had given as- a hill on the Turkish side of the border Turkish-backed Syrian rebels, who are to 8km of ground northwards, appar- about any use of chemical weapons it’s not enough for us.... The PYD and surances that this would happen in the overlooking Jarablus, rang out early largely Arab and Turkmen. ently seeking to pre-empt advances by was an eff ort to ascribe things to the the YPG militia should not replace Is- next week. yesterday and a plume of black smoke “The myth that the YPG is the only the rebels. Syrian government.”

Gaza zoo animals fi nd safe haven in Jordan capital

AFP Amman

nimals evacuated this week from a zoo dubbed the A“world’s worst” in the Pal- estinian Gaza Strip have arrived at an animal shelter in Jordan, an AFP photographer said yesterday. Two turtles, two eagles, two por- cupines, a pelican, an emu and a deer arrived late on Wednesday near Am- man after travelling from Gaza via Israel, said Amir Khalil, a vet from the charity organising the transfer. Animal welfare charity Four Paws on Wednesday said it evacuated 15 animals — including Gaza’s last tiger Laziz — out of the Khan Yunis zoo, as they headed for a new life outside the Israeli-blockaded territory. The tiger was put on a plane and fl own to South Africa where it ar- rived yesterday, while fi ve monkeys remained in Israel, Khalil said. The animals that arrived in Jordan were placed in quarantine at the New Hope Centre, a shelter near Am- man, “while waiting to be transferred somewhere bigger”, the vet said. The animals would now have ac- cess to food and necessary treat- ment, Khalil said. Dozens of animals had died at the Khan Yunis zoo, some of starvation, and badly stuff ed bodies of dead crocodiles, lions and others were left in the open, surrounded by piles of A deer stands inside it’s enclosure at the New Hope Centre, an animal refuge near Amman, after being evacuated bones. from a zoo dubbed the “world’s worst” in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Four Paws says on its website that Khan Yunis had “been known as the mals that died in their care and dis- after its 2007 opening, but they were and Egypt’s closed border have suf- ‘worst zoo in the world’ since it be- playing them.” decimated by repeated wars and focated its economy, making it in- came public last year that the zoo There were more than 100 ani- shortages of customers. creasingly hard for Gazans to fi nd was crudely mummifying the ani- mals housed at the zoo in the years The Israeli blockade of the enclave money for leisure. Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 5 AFRICA Zuma backs Gordhan but ‘can’t stop probe’ Reuters government bonds also fi rmed, the matter since it surfaced late pressure on Gordhan’s position, Pretoria even though analysts said the on Tuesday, Zuma said that he analysts say. president had off ered only quali- had noted the concerns by indi- The presidency said in May fi ed support. viduals and various organisations that Zuma was not warring with outh African President News of Gordhan’s summons over the investigation. Gordhan. Jacob Zuma said yesterday this week compounded investors’ “President Jacob Zuma wishes Yesterday, the presidency de- Sthat he backs Finance Min- worries about a power strug- to express his full support and fended plans by cabinet to give ister Pravin Gordhan but cannot gle between Zuma and Gordhan confi dence in the Minister of Fi- Zuma supervision over state- intervene in a police investiga- as Africa’s most industrialised nance and emphasises the fact owned fi rms after Gordhan’s al- tion over a suspected spy unit economy teeters near recession that the minister has not been lies said this would limit the fi - at the tax service, signalling a and credit rating agencies con- found guilty of any wrong doing,” nance minister’s control. prolonged tussle that could rock sider downgrading it to “junk”. the presidency said in a state- Zuma’s team and the Treasury markets further. The main opposition party ment. under Gordhan have disagreed Zuma: does not have powers to stop investigations into any Gordhan said on Wednesday called yesterday for a parliamen- “The Presidency wishes to about government spending, individual. that he had done nothing wrong tary debate into what it called a also emphasise that President including at loss-making state and had no legal obligation to “witch-hunt” against Gordhan, Zuma does not have powers to companies like South African Gordhan (left) said he had done nothing wrong. obey a police summons linked to who was in charge of the tax stop any investigations into any Airways, analysts say. an investigation into whether he service when the unit under in- individual/s,” it said, adding that Analysts also questioned the tinue these investigations,” said out of there in a week,” he said. Hawks spokesman Hangwani used the South African Revenue vestigation was set up. Zuma could not bring a halt to extent of Zuma’s stated support Daniel Silke, a director at Politi- Political activists protested Mulaudzi declined to comment. Service to spy on politicians, in- Investors and rating agen- the probe even if it was negatively for his fi nance minister. cal Futures Consultancy. outside the offi ces of the Hawks, A former fi nance minister, cluding Zuma. cies back Gordhan’s plans to rein aff ecting the economy. “It was an ambiguous vote of NKC African Economics ana- the elite police unit that is in- Trevor Manuel, said on Wednes- The rand, which had tumbled in government spending in an A Zuma-backed plan to build a confi dence in Pravin Gordhan lyst Gary van Staden concurred. vestigating Gordhan, in solidar- day that the economy would be 5% since Tuesday in response to economy that has been forecast series of nuclear power plants, at which would suggest that the “Anybody who watches Eng- ity with the minister, where two “destroyed” if Zuma fi red Gord- the investigation, picked up yes- by the central bank to register no a cost of as much as $60bn, has agencies supposedly investigat- lish football can tell you when former offi cials of the tax service han, after he changed fi nance terday and gained further ground growth this year. caused tension with the Treasury ing in Pravin Gordhan will be the owner says he has confi dence presented themselves to the po- ministers twice in one week in after Zuma’s statement, while In his fi rst public comments on for months and is likely adding to given relatively free rein to con- in the manager, the manager is lice. December. Gabon’s old guard hoping to Burundi commission says people want presidential term limits gone unseat Bongo dynasty scion Reuters Bujumbura

AFP Libreville urundi could scrap presi- dential term limits from its Bconstitution after a com- he increasingly disgrun- mission set up to hear public tled people of Gabon go views on governance said most Tto the polls tomorrow in a citizens wanted no curbs on the presidential election in which a number of times the head of state last-minute opposition pact has may seek re-election. robbed incumbent Ali Bongo of The central African nation a clear run at a second term. has been gripped by violence for Bongo, 57, has long sought to more than a year, triggered by emerge from the shadow of his President Pierre Nkurunziza’s father, Omar Bongo, who ruled decision to seek a third term. the country of 1.8mn people for Opponents said the decision, 41 years until he died in 2009. taken in April 2015, violated the The president’s only credible constitution, which currently Nkurunziza: seeking a third term. challenger, former senior Afri- limits presidential tenure to two can Union offi cial Jean Ping, 73, fi ve-year terms. Critics also said Nkurunziza’s Burundi’s other neighbour, is carrying the fl ag for the old Justin Nzoyisaba, chairman of third term bid violated the terms Rwanda, which has the same eth- guard of Bongo senior’s cronies. CNDI, a commission set up by of a 2005 peace deal that ended a nic mix of Hutus and Tutsis and It was only last week that Nkurunziza last year to canvas previous rebellion. similar history of bloody politics, protracted negotiations fi nally public opinion on Burundi’s po- Burundi would be the latest in also changed its constitution last led the last of other prominent litical system, said on Wednes- a growing list of African coun- year to allow Paul Kagame, presi- opposition hopefuls to give way day that most Burundians want- tries where term limits have been dent since 2000, to rule possibly to Ping. ed term limits abolished. abolished or manoeuvres are until 2034. Until then, their presidential The majority of the people the under way as most incumbents Nkurunziza said a constitu- ambitions would most likely commission met “want the pres- appear unwilling to cede power tional court decision allowed him have mathematically ensured ident ... to exercise more than after their terms approach their to seek another term and he went Bongo won another seven years two terms”, he told a news con- end. on to win re-election in July last in offi ce. ference. “People said they have Often those moves have trig- year. Nine other runners have a to erase the term limits; it means gered tensions and violence. At least 450 people have since negligible chance of winning that the president can run for any In neighbouring Democratic died in widespread violence and the election, which will be de- time he wants.” Republic of the Congo (DRC), tit-for-tat killings spurred by his cided by a simple majority after Supporters of Bongo gather in Libreville during a campaign stop. The commission is expected President Joseph Kabila is facing third term bid. a single round of voting. to send its report to Nkurunziza, protests, with opponents accus- The violence has also uprooted Fears that the results will have lost their jobs, according to Ping has pledged to ensure, his job as chairman of the Afri- who will then send to it parlia- ing him of seeking to delay elec- about a quarter of a million Bu- deliver unrest are fuelled by the sector’s main union, ONEP. if elected, that Gabon would be can Union Commission. ment for debate and possibly be- tions and remain in offi ce after rundians, who have fl ed mostly memories of the violence that “If these people and their “sheltered from need and fear”. Ping also has close family ties gin a process to amend the con- his own term expires in Decem- to neighbouring Tanzania and followed Bongo’s 2009 victory families express their frustra- The campaign period has to the Bongo dynasty: he is the stitution. ber. Uganda. against Andre Mba Obame. tion at the ballot box, well, that been marked by months of bit- father of two children by Ali’s Several people were killed, could end badly for the govern- ter exchanges between the two sister. buildings looted, a ceasefi re im- ment’s candidate,” said ONEP’s camps, including accusations, He turned on Bongo in 2014, Tutu in hospital with infection Shebaab militants posed and the French consulate deputy head, Sylvain Mayabi- and strenuous denials, that and in March he told French in the economic capital Port- Binet. “There are enough frus- Bongo was born in Nigeria and daily Le Monde that “Gabon is South African Nobel laureate and former anti-apartheid campaigner bomb Somali Gentil torched. trated people for the slightest therefore ineligible to run. a pure and simple dictatorship Desmond Tutu is in hospital for a recurring infection, local radio beach restaurant There has been growing pop- spark to send people into the Ping’s own roots – he is Sino- in the hands of a family, a clan:”. station Eyewitness News reported yesterday. ular discontent and numerous streets.” Gabonese – served as ammuni- European Union observers in The Anglican archbishop emeritus had checked into a hospital in Shebaab militants attacked a public sector strikes in recent Bongo, 57, has campaigned tion for Bongo’s camp, which a statement urged the electoral Cape Town on Wednesday and was expected to be treated for a beach restaurant in the capital months. under the slogan “Let’s change has suggested he and his son are commission to ensure that the week or two, according to Tutu’s daughter, Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe. Mogadishu with a car bomb and The country’s economic woes together”, playing up the roads secretly serving Chinese inter- results are counted and an- It remained unclear what type of infection Tutu was suff ering from. a gunfight was still ongoing, are closely tied to the fall in the and hospitals built during his ests. nounced with “transparency But the 84-year-old was receiving similar treatment to when he was police and the insurgent group global price of oil, the mainstay term and stressing the need to The two rivals go back a long and speed”. hospitalised for an infection last year, Tutu’s daughter said. said yesterday. of Gabon’s perilously undiversi- break with the old days of disap- way, having worked for years to- Some 628,000 voters will be Tutu retired from public life in 2010. It was not immediately clear how fi ed economy. pearing public funds and dodgy gether under Bongo senior, who eligible to cast their ballots to- He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his resistance to many casualties there were. Thousands of oil workers management of oil revenues. was responsible for getting Ping morrow. South Africa’s apartheid regime. “A car bomb exploded at Banadir beach restaurant at Lido beach and there is exchange of gunfire. Hundreds protest to demand more food We have no other details so far,” Major Ahmed Ibrahim, a police Hundreds of people displaced by a Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s off icer, told Reuters. northeast staged a protest in the region’s main city yesterday to Without aid, 49,000 children will die Al Qaeda-linked Shebaab’s demand more aid, accusing off icials of stealing food rations, witnesses military operation spokesman said. Abdiasis Abu Musab has claimed They left their camps in Maiduguri, capital of the northeastern Borno responsibility for the latest attack. state, and blocked the highway to Kano, another big city, for five hours, in northeast Nigeria, warns Unicef “We attacked the Banadir beach demanding that distribution by feeding committees be ended. restaurant and now our fighters The UN food programme WFP last week warned that up to 5.5mn are fighting inside it,” he told people in the volatile northeast might need food aid by next month as Reuters $308mn in order to cope with Unicef said that as Nigerian main trapped in areas under the Reuters. soaring inflation was pushing up food prices. Lagos the crisis. government forces captured control of Boko Haram – which Shebaab, has carried out a series The Nigerian army, backed by its neighbours, has retaken most territory However, to date, Unicef said and secured territory, aid offi - is trying to establish a caliphate of deadly attacks in Somalia to previously lost to Boko Haram Islamist militants, which have been it had only received $41mn, 13% cials were starting to piece to- in the southern reaches of the try to topple the Western-backed staging a seven-year insurgency in the northeast. early half a million chil- of what it needs to help those gether the scale of the humani- Sahara – or are staying in camps, government. But most who have fled fighting are afraid to go back and harvest their dren around Lake Chad aff ected in the four countries – tarian disaster left behind in the fearful of going home. In January, its militants stormed fields as the security situation remains volatile. Nface “severe acute mal- Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cam- group’s wake. Boko Haram is thought to another restaurant on Lido “They don’t give us good food. The quality is bad. Most of the foodstuff s nutrition” due to drought and eroon – that border Lake Chad. “Towns and villages are in have killed as many as 15,000 beach, killing 17 people. are being diverted by the off icials, selling them to make quick money,” a seven-year insurgency by At the start of 2015, Boko ruins and communities have no people since the launch of its On Sunday, more than 20 people said Aisha Ali, one of the protesters. Islamist militant group Boko Haram occupied an area the size access to basic services,” Unicef insurgency in 2009. were killed when its suicide “We’re hungry and we don’t want any feeding committee again because Haram in northeastern Nigeria, of Belgium but has since been said in a report. Responding to its battle- bombers detonated two car they aren’t giving us quality food. Give us our food directly,” said Halima Unicef said yesterday. pushed back over the last 18 In Borno, nearly two thirds of fi eld setbacks, Boko Haram has bombs at a local government Mustapha, referring to a state body distributing aid. Of the 475,000 deemed at months by military assaults by hospitals and clinics had been turned to suicide bombings, headquarters in Somalia’s semi- Borno’s deputy state governor Usman Durkwa said he had suspended risk, 49,000 in Nigeria’s Borno the four countries. partially or completely de- many involving children. autonomous Puntland region. the feeding committee to investigate the accusations and ordered two state, Boko Haram’s heartland, Most of its remaining forces stroyed and three-quarters of Unicef said it had recorded 38 Yesterday Reuters witnesses near trucks to deliver food directly to the needy. will die this year if they do not are now hiding in the wilds of water and sanitation facilities cases of child suicide bombings the scene of the beach attack “Each family will now get its food stuff s and cook,” he told reporters. receive treatment, according to the vast Sambisa forest, south- needed to be rehabilitated. so far this year, against 44 in the said that the Banadir restaurant Last Friday, the WFP said there were “catastrophic levels” of suff ering in the United Nations’ child agen- east of the Borno provincial Despite the military gains, whole of 2015 and just four the had been sealed off by security the northeast, warning of a “regional crisis”. cy Unicef, which is appealing for capital, Maiduguri. Unicef said, 2.2mn people re- year before that. off icers. Gulf Times 6 Friday, August 26, 2016 AMERICAS Trump, Clinton spar

A Trump supporter hands out Hillary Clinton ‘Get out of Jail’ Monopoly cards before a rally for Republican presidential nominee over minority voters Donald Trump at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi. Reuters/AFP which include deporting millions of undocu- charge that she was a bigot, Clinton said he Palo Alto/New York mented foreigners, building a wall along the was “taking a hate movement mainstream”. Mexican border, and suspending Muslim im- “He’s brought it into his campaign,” she migration to shore up national security. said. “He’s bringing it to our communities S presidential candidates Hillary But recently he has suggested he could sof- and our country.” Clinton and Donald Trump clashed ten those positions. “From the start, Donald Trump has built his Uyesterday over who would make a In comments broadcast on Fox News on campaign on prejudice and paranoia,” Clinton better president for the country’s minori- Wednesday night, Trump said he would be will say, according to excerpts released by her ties, with each accusing the other of posing a willing to work with immigrants who have campaign. “He’s taking hate groups main- threat to the interests of blacks and Latinos. abided by US laws while living in the country, stream and helping a radical fringe take over Clinton needs to hold on to minority sup- backing away from his insistence during the one of America’s two major political parties.” port to beat her Republican rival in the No- primaries that he would try to deport all 11mn As Trump strives to temper his hardline vember 8 election and yesterday delivered a undocumented immigrants. anti-immigrant message in a bid to halt col- speech blasting him as a divisive candidate Trump said yesterday that he would deliver lapsing poll numbers, Clinton’s campaign stoking racist groups. an immigration speech detailing his updated has been at pains to remind voters of the New Trump has polled poorly with minorities positions at a later date, after canceling pre- York tycoon’s more controversial views. but lately has tried to broaden his appeal to vious plans to address the issue. In New Hampshire yesterday, Trump them, hinting at a softening of his hard-line The softening comes as Trump hopes to trashed Clinton’s claims about him and his position on immigration. erode some of Clinton’s strong support with supporters. In an appearance in Jackson, Mississippi, Hispanic and black voters, a central part of his “She paints decent Americans as racists,” on Wednesday, he had called Clinton a “big- campaign message for the past two weeks. he said to angry jeers. ot” who would do nothing to help blacks. Clinton was meanwhile due to paint Trump Clinton has accused “decent Americans “We’ve always had great relationships as the candidate of the far-right, claiming “a who support this campaign, your campaign, with the African American community and radical fringe” has taken over the Republican of being racists, which we are not” he said to I’ve made it such a focal point,” Trump said Party. angry jeers from the crowd. “It’s a tired, dis- yesterday before a meeting at his New York After releasing a hard-hitting ad that teth- gusting argument.” headquarters with black and Hispanic Re- ered Trump to the Ku Klux Klan, Clinton was Trump also accused Clinton of being be- publicans. “They have really been let down by to use a speech in Reno, Nevada to argue that hind a “vast criminal enterprise run out of the Hillary Clinton and the Democrats.” he has brought racism to the political main- State Department”, suggesting that she had Trump has been heavily criticised by mi- stream. sold valuable access to those who donated to Protesters demonstrate outside the Trump Tower in New York yesterday. norities for his proposals on immigration, When asked by CNN to respond to Trump’s her family’s Clinton Foundation. Fentanyl Cabinet missteps test overdose deaths Trudeau tefl on image surge in Reuters ber who declined to be named tary to Conservative leadership Ottawa because of the sensitivity of the hopeful and member of parlia- situation. “The opposition are ment Maxime Bernier. the US going to seize on this and if these Trudeau, the 44-year-old anadian Prime Minis- headlines continue we could see son of former prime minister ter Justin Trudeau was a drip drip drip that gradually Pierre Trudeau, has hardly put AFP Cknocked off message as damages the government.” a foot wrong since his Liberals Miami he marshalled his cabinet back The last Liberal government, took offi ce in November, being to work this week, distracted by ousted in 2006, was tarnished frequently mobbed by selfi e- recent spending miscues involv- by a sponsorship scandal involv- seeking fans. ainkillers containing il- ing top ministers in the fi rst ma- ing corruption and misdirection According to Nanos Research, legally made fentanyl, a jor wobble of his Liberal govern- of funds to Liberal supporters in 74% of Canadians say Trudeau Psynthetic drug up to 100 ment. the province of Quebec. has the qualities of a good po- times more potent than mor- While Trudeau’s popularity The Conservative opposition, litical leader. phine, are responsible for a surge remains sky-high 10 months af- decimated at the polls last Octo- With both the Conservative According to Nanos Research, 74% of Canadians say Trudeau has the qualities of a good political leader. in overdose deaths in the United ter being elected to a shock ma- ber and unable to fi nd a crack in and New Democrat opposition States, health authorities said jority government, his inexpe- the popular Trudeau’s armour, mired in leadership reviews, mate conference last year. unveiled transit funding. ernment is not going to mini- yesterday. rienced cabinet – much touted has pounced on the spending no other politician even comes Philpott apologised and has “What the Liberals have to be mise legitimate debate over Pop legend Prince, who died for its gender equality and racial issues and tried to tie it to past close. promised to repay the bill and sensitive to is an accumulation ministerial spending, but it is of an accidental overdose of fen- diversity – may be his Achilles Liberal spending issues. But Health Minister Jane Phil- McKenna said that her depart- eff ect,” pollster Nik Nanos said. determined to focus on eco- tanyl in April, is the latest high- heel, under scrutiny for ques- “Every day there is a new pott is being investigated by the ment will review its spending “One or two things don’t usually nomic growth and helping the profi le victim of the addictive tionable expense claims and scandal about expenses, and ethics commissioner for using policies. move the numbers, but if peo- middle class. and often-counterfeit pills that charges of entitlement. we think it refl ects their addic- a luxury car service owned by The controversies dominated ple see a pattern of behaviour, “We’re not dismissing this, are sweeping the nation. “These stories underline a po- tion to spending, to not manag- a Liberal Party supporter and Trudeau’s news conferences on it starts to shape the image and but we’re steadfast in our ap- A new report by the US Cen- tential vulnerability for the par- ing Canadians’ money properly Environment Minister Cath- Monday at the close of a cabi- brand of the government of the proach to what needs to be done tres for Disease Control and Pre- ty, since they feed into the nar- – and that’s connected to the erine McKenna is under fi re for net retreat at which he’d hoped day.” ... we’re not going to be dis- vention (CDC) found “substan- rative of Liberal entitlement,” enormous defi cit as well,” said spending C$6,600 ($5,011) on to outline his government’s fall A spokesman for the Prime tracted by a partisan back-and- tial increases in fatal synthetic said a senior Liberal party mem- Maxime Uphupe, press secre- a photographer at the Paris cli- agenda, and on Tuesday as he Minister’s Offi ce said the gov- forth,” said Cameron Ahmad. opioid-involved overdoses, primarily driven by fentanyl- involved overdose deaths” in multiple states since 2013. “In contrast to the 2005-2007 fentanyl overdose outbreak, Florida governor complains US not doing enough to fi ght Zika when deaths were confi ned to several states, the current epidemic is unprecedented in Reuters “We need as much informa- scope,” the CDC said in its Mor- Chicago/Miami tion as possible,” she added. bidity and Mortality Weekly Re- Scott made some of the same port. complaints about the CDC last Fentanyl has been used for lorida Governor Rick Scott week, including the request for anaesthesia purposes since the said on Wednesday that 10,000 Zika prevention kits. 1960s, and today it is often pre- Fthe federal government Asked about delays in deliver- scribed for cancer pain and other had so far not delivered all the ing the kits in a conference call chronic ailments. Zika antibody tests and labora- last Friday, CDC Director Tho- Illegally made versions of it tory support he had requested mas Frieden said the agency had began to skyrocket in 2013. as the state battles the spread of already provided 10,000 prod- Traffi ckers often incorporate the virus. ucts containing the insect repel- it in counterfeit pills or add it to The complaint came as Zika lent DEET for use in Florida. heroin, which can kill the drug cases mounted in some of the Frieden said the Zika preven- user by shutting down his or her state’s most popular tourist des- tion kits contained a number of respiratory system. tinations and some residents products that would not neces- Although fentanyl deaths are pushed for more information. Florida Governor Scott: Congress and the White sarily be useful in Florida. not reported separately in na- On Wednesday, the Florida House have not been good partners (in the fight In addition to insect repellent, tional data registries, CDC re- Department of Health reported against Zika). the kits include bed nets, larvi- searchers were able to outline a second non-travel related case cide tablets and condoms. the scope of the problem by ana- of Zika in Palm Beach County, A resident fills out a form as he speaks with work- “We sent the state of Florida lysing synthetic-opioid deaths, bringing the state’s total to 43. ers from the Florida Department of Health about more than $35mn for Zika and along with law enforcement That followed Tuesday’s an- the Zika virus at a Miami Beach neighbourhood. other emergencies. That in- seizures of drug products that nouncement of Florida’s fi rst cludes funds to purchase the tested positive for fentanyl. case of Zika transmitted by in Miami to be aff ected after In a teleconference on ceived less than 1,200. We’ve provided millions in fed- other products they might want “Analyses also were conduct- mosquitoes in Pinellas County, Wynwood. Wednesday, Scott made a plea He had also asked for addi- eral funds, deployed personnel in a Zika prevention kit,” he said. ed on data from 27 states with 265 miles (425km) from Miami The Zika virus was fi rst de- for more support in fi ghting tional lab support personnel to and we’ve shipped materials for As for the request of 5,000 consistent death certifi cate re- where the fi rst locally transmit- tected in Brazil last year and has Zika, complaining that “Con- speed testing. testing and more for testing still antibody test kits, Frieden said: porting of the drugs involved in ted US cases were reported. since spread across the Ameri- gress and the White House have Scott also said the state had to come,” Skinner said in an e- “We’ve already arranged for overdoses,” said the study. Health offi cials warned preg- cas. not been good partners”. asked the CDC for 10,000 Zika mail. them and they will begin ship- Researchers found that law nant women last week not to The virus poses a risk to The governor said that he prevention kits for pregnant In a Miami Beach neighbour- ping on Tuesday.” enforcement seizures of prod- travel to Miami Beach after pregnant women because it can asked the US Centres for Disease women, which had not been hood on Wednesday, workers The CDC said in a state- ucts with fentanyl rose 426% Florida confi rmed the mosqui- cause severe birth defects. It has Control and Prevention (CDC) provided. from the Florida Department of ment late on Wednesday that from 2013 to 2014. to-borne Zika virus was active been linked to more than 1,800 for 5,000 Zika antibody tests It has also asked the White Health went door to door to talk it planned another shipment of Meanwhile, synthetic-opioid there, becoming the second area cases of microcephaly in Brazil. last week, but so far had only re- House for a detailed plan on how to residents about the virus and antibody test kits, giving Florida deaths increased by 79% during to work with the Federal Emer- off er voluntary tests. the ability to conduct 6,300 Zika the same period, and research- Costa Rica registers fi rst microcephaly birth linked to Zika gency Management Agency, Among the area residents was antibody tests. ers found that police fentanyl which he said had not been pro- 32-year-old jogger Jen Cheek, Frieden also said the CDC had discoveries were “were strongly Costa Rica has registered its first case of a baby born The Zika virus was first detected in Brazil last year and vided. who said health workers told her provided Florida laboratories correlated with increases in syn- with microcephaly linked to the mosquito-borne Zika has since spread across the Americas. CDC spokesman Tom Skin- they would respond by e-mail to with technical support. thetic opioid deaths”. virus, the country’s health ministry said on Wednesday. The Zika virus poses a risk to pregnant women ner has said that the agency had her inquiries about the speed of As for the new case in Palm There was no change in fen- The health ministry described the case as “imported” because it can cause severe birth defects such as been responding to Florida’s re- the virus’ spread. Beach County, Scott said he be- tanyl prescription rates that in a statement, as the mother of the child is Nicaraguan microcephaly. quests. “There are many people in my lieved it was not related to an could have explained this rise in and was thought to have contracted the virus in the It has been linked to more than 1,800 cases of micro- “CDC has and will continue life right now who have young earlier non-travel related case use and deaths, the CDC report neighbouring Central American country. cephaly in Brazil. to provide the support to Florida children or are pregnant,” said announced earlier in the same stated. to address the Zika outbreak. Cheek. county. Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 7 ASEAN

Fell for the bait Bangkok governor suspended by junta

Reuters deputy spokeswoman at the Bangkok prime minister’s Offi ce. The order to suspend Su- khumbhand came hours after hailand’s military gov- he left Bangkok for South Ko- ernment suspended rea’s capital Seoul yesterday, Tthe governor of Bang- where he was due to take part kok, the country’s most senior in celebrations cementing the elected offi cial, yesterday while friendship between the two the country’s attorney gen- cities. eral investigates allegations of A military coup that ousted corruption and misuse of city a civilian government in May funds. 2014 left Sukhumbhand as the The order suspending Su- highest-ranked elected offi cial khumbhand Paribatra, a mem- in Thailand. ber of the royal family and a Since his re-election in former deputy foreign minis- 2013, Sukhumbhand has been ter, was signed by junta chief criticised by political oppo- Prayuth Chan-ocha and pub- nents and the ruling junta for lished in the Royal Gazette. failing to address longstand- The governor’s offi ce is fac- ing problems in Bangkok in- ing several investigations cluding traffi c congestion and for possible misuse of city fl ooding. funds, including a New Year Sukhumbhand, a member light show in 2015 which cost of Democrat Party, Thailand’s 39.5mn baht ($1.14mn). oldest political party, had Sukhumbhand denies the been also criticised for fail- allegations against him. ing to work with then-prime “If the investigation fi nds no minister Yingluck Shinawatra evidence of wrongdoing, the during fl oods in 2011 that dev- accused will be reinstated,” said astated the country and killed Colonel Taksada Sangchan, more than 900 people.

Navy fi nds tanker A fishmonger in Padang, West Sumatra. taken by own crew

AFP ting sail from southern Malay- Jakarta sia a day earlier. “The hunt was conducted day and night, non-stop, by ndonesia’s navy said the team,” said navy spokes- Yesterday it had found a man Edi Sucipto. Myanmar seals off Itanker carrying almost He said the tanker was found $400,000 worth of diesel Wednesday off West Kaliman- that was taken by its own tan province, on the Indone- crew last week due to a com- sian part of Borneo island. mercial dispute. The tanker is being escorted The MT Vier Harmoni was to Tanjung Pinang, the provin- initially feared to have been cial capital of Indonesia’s Riau temples hit by quake hijacked after setting sail from Islands, for further investiga- Malaysia, in waters that have tions, Sucipto said. Reuters residents in Bagan, President Htin Kyaw suff ered a string of pirate at- After the tanker disap- Bagan, Myanmar said United Nations cultural body Unesco, tacks in recent times. peared, the Indonesian navy Japan and China have off ered to support But Indonesian authori- said the captain had contacted the restoration of the damaged temples. ties quickly realised the ves- the vessel’s agent to say the ruckloads of soldiers and squad- “We have to record and repair the dam- sel, which was transporting crew were taking it back to rons of police sealed off some of the age to the pagodas, but it will have to be 900,000 litres of diesel, had Batam island, just south of Tcenturies-old Buddhist pagodas done systematically. been taken by its Indonesian Singapore, due to an “internal around Myanmar’s ancient capital of Ba- It will take time, but we will do our crew due to a dispute. management problem”. gan yesterday, a day after at least 187 of the best,” said Htin Kyaw. The navy deployed ships The term is commonly used brick temples were damaged in a powerful Work would not be able to start until af- and a helicopter to search for to refer to a dispute between earthquake. ter the monsoon at the end of October, he the tanker, which was reported a crew and a ship’s owner or President Htin Kyaw fl ew to Bagan to said. missing on August 16 after set- charterer. meet local residents as authorities scram- Bagan is the centrepiece of Myanmar’s bled to assess the full extent of the damage fast-growing tourism industry and has from the 6.8 magnitude quake that shook around 2,000-3,000 pagodas and tem- buildings across the Southeast Asian ples. country and beyond on Wednesday. They are spread over a 42sq km plain “The earth shook for about fi ve min- ringed by mist-covered mountains. German arrested utes,” said Soe Lwin, who was inside the It rivals Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and Sulamani temple or “Crowning Jewel”, one Borobudur in Indonesia as Southeast of Bagan’s most visited sites, with about 15 Asia’s premier archaeological site. over Bali meth lab other tourists when the quake struck. As police cordoned off temples and sol- “One Spanish girl got lightly injured, so diers moved in to start clearing up, tourists we helped her. took snaps of the damaged buildings. AFP 15 years in jail if found guilty After that, we ran outside of the pagoda But hotel and tour operators said the Denpasar, Indonesia of producing and using the and saw some parts falling down,” said Soe impact on the industry was likely to be substance, the agency said, Lwin, who cut short his trip for fear of af- A farmer works in the field near the damaged ancient pagoda of Sulamani after a 6.8 small. but the suspects look likely tershocks hitting the area. magnitude earthquake hit Bagan. They have not been contacted by tour- German man has been to avoid the death penalty as Although tremors from the quake were ists with cancellations, they said, and arrested on Indonesia’s they had so far made only a felt as far away as Thailand, Bangladesh UNOCHA and the Red Cross confi rmed major disaster,” said Amanda George from would remain operating as normal. ABali island for allegedly small quantity. Just 10gm of and eastern India, initial assessments three people had been killed — two chil- the International Red Cross in Myanmar. Myanmar is in a seismically active part making crystal methampheta- the drug was seized when they showed the wider damage was limited. dren and one resident from two towns The government’s Relief and Reset- of the world where the Indo-Australian mine in a secret lab, offi cials were arrested.Authorities “The overall humanitarian impact has close to the epicentre. tlement Department was leading the re- Plate runs up against the Eurasian Plate. said yesterday. suspect it was mostly for per- been relatively low despite the earth- The quake struck near the town of sponse, and has found four schools dam- A magnitude 6.9 tremor hit northwest- The 35-year-old German, sonal consumption, with just quake’s magnitude,” said Pierre Peron, Chauk, on the Ayeyarwaddy River south of aged in northwest Myanmar, UNOCHA ern Myanmar in April but caused no major his Indonesian partner — a a small amount sold to others spokesman for the UN’s Offi ce for the Co- Bagan and about 175 km (110 miles) south- and local authorities said. loss of life. transgender woman — and two on Bali. ordination of Humanitarian Aff airs, in a west of the country’s second city Manda- A hospital was damaged in Pakkoku, More than half of Bagan’s pagodas, in- Indonesian men were detained Indonesia imposes capital statement. lay, at around 5 pm(1030 GMT) the US where one person was injured, and other cluding the Sulamani temple, were seri- on Monday, accused of mak- punishment for some drug- “No major needs have been identifi ed Geological Survey (USGS) said. buildings were aff ected, while two houses ously damaged in a July 1975 earthquake ing crystal meth together, the related crimes, such as traf- and there has so far been no request for in- “We continue to provide assistance to collapsed near Chauk, said UNOCHA. that sent the landmark Buphaya Pagoda anti-drugs agency said. fi cking narcotics into the ternational assistance.” injured people, but we don’t see this as a In a short address to the media and local tumbling into the Ayeyarwaddy. The group could face up to country. Driverless robo-taxi hits Asia’s elderly to cost $20tn AFP the streets of Singapore Singapore sia’s population is ageing faster than any- where in the world, a study said yesterday, Reuters Parker, whose company has Awarning the swelling ranks of the elderly Singapore partnered with the Singapore will cost the region $20tn in healthcare by 2030. government on the project, said Health systems, businesses and families across he hoped to have 100 taxis work- Asia-Pacifi c will come under huge pressure as he fi rst driverless taxi be- ing commercially in the South- some 200mn people pass the age of 65 by then, gan work yesterday in a east Asian citystate by 2018. according to the Singapore-based Asia Pacifi c Singaporeans from the St Joseph Home for The Tlimited public trial on the Nutonomy is one of several Risk Center. Elderly wait for their transport after paying their streets of Singapore. companies racing to launch self- Yearly spending on caring for the elderly is ex- final respects to the late former president S R Developer nuTonomy invited a driving vehicles, with automak- pected to reach $2.5bn — fi ve times the cost in Nathan as he lay in state in Singapore yesterday. select group of people to down- ers and technology fi rms striking 2015 — the study said. load their app and ride for free in new alliances. “The Asia-Pacifi c region is ageing at a faster dividend’ to one where they face the prospect of its “robo-taxi” in a western Sin- Swedish automaker Volvo AB rate than any other region in the world,” said paying a ‘demographic tax’,” the study said. gapore hi-tech business district, said last week it had agreed to APRC executive director Wolfram Hedrich. By 2030, there will be 511mn elderly people in hoping to get feedback ahead of a a $300mn alliance with ride- Surging growth in Asia over the past few dec- the region, out of 3.8bn, according to the study. planned dull launch of the serv- hailing service Uber to develop a ades prompted an baby boom in many Asia-Pa- Japan will become the fi rst “ultra-aged” coun- ice in 2018. driverless vehicle. cifi c countries, creating a large and cheap labour try, with elderly people accounting for 28% of its “This is really a moment in Israeli driving assistant soft- force that in turn boosted productivity and in- population, while a fi fth of people in Hong Kong, history that’s going to change A nuTonomy self-driving taxi during its public trial. ware maker Mobileye NV said its comes. South Korea and Taiwan will be 65. how cities are built, how we real- vehicle, developed with Delphi But that trend is now reversing as the baby- The APRC warned governments would need ly look at our surroundings,” nu- Mitsubishi i-MiEv electric vehi- necessary. The trial is on an on- Automotive Plc, would be ready boomers age, leaving the young to look after them to invest heavily to care for their ageing popula- Tonomy executive Doug Parker cle, with an engineer sitting be- going basis, nuTonomy said, and for production by 2019, while — either by staying at home or paying for their care. tions, warning current levels are “unsustainable” told Reuters. hind the steering wheel to moni- follows private testing that began Ford Motor Co said its self-driv- “Many Asia-Pacifi c countries are transiting as medical costs are growing faster than the econ- The trial rides took place in a tor the system and take control if in April. ing car was slated for 2021. from a period when they reaped a ‘demographic omy in many countries. Gulf Times 8 Friday, August 26, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Hong Kong reports its fi rst case of Zika virus

AFP bean island, before complaining clinic at a private hospital on Au- to prevent further spread of the But in pregnant women, it can Zika may damage adult brain Thirty-six cases were locally Hong Kong of pain in the joints and red eyes. gust 23, Leung said, describing disease, as this is essentially a cause microcephaly, a deforma- cells involved in learning and transmitted, according to the “Initial investigations show her as a “foreigner” who lived in mosquito-borne disease, so the tion in which babies are born memory. state department of health. that the patient had travelled to the rural district of Tseung Kwan most important thing is to con- with abnormally small brains and The outbreak of the virus be- Hong Kong is particularly alert ong Kong authorities re- the island of St Barthelemy in the O and worked in the fi nancial trol the mosquito population in heads. gan in Brazil in early 2015 and has to the spread of viruses after an ported the city’s fi rst Zika Caribbean Sea from August 6th district of Central. Hong Kong,” Leung said. The virus has also been linked spread to neighbouring coun- outbreak of Severe Acute Res- Hvirus infection yesterday, to the 20th ... she remembered Test results revealed yesterday Until now, global health au- to a disorder known as Guillain- tries. piratory Syndrome (Sars) swept which they described as an im- that she was bitten by a mosqui- that she had Zika virus. thorities have been primarily Barre syndrome, which can lead In southern United States, the through the city in 2003, killing ported case of the disease blamed to,” Leung Ting-hung, head of Leung said she is now being concerned with the danger Zika to nervous system problems such state of Florida has reported a 299 people and infecting around for birth defects. the Centre for Health Protection, treated under quarantine in hos- poses to pregnant women and as weakness and paralysis. total of 524 Zika cases, most of 1,800. The Zika-infected patient was told reporters late yesterday. pital and is in a stable condition. their foetuses. However, new research ear- them brought in by people who Bird fl u scares in the past two said to be a 38-year-old female The woman underwent a blood “We will carry out relevant Zika causes only mild symp- lier this month using lab mice were infected while travelling to years have seen mass culls of up who had travelled to a Carib- and urine test at an outpatient preventive and control measures toms for most people. showed for the fi rst time that Latin America. 20,000 birds in Hong Kong. Bogan and ranga N Korea’s Kim hails added to Aussie offi cial dictionary

AFP ympian Steven Bradbury, who Sydney won the short track gold at the sub missile launch 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics after all his rivals crashed. Reuters The South Korean and US eading Down Under Bogan (an unsophisticated Seoul militaries said the missile was where locals are “dry as person), ranga (a person with fi red from near the coastal city of Ha dead dingo’s donger” red hair) and rurosexual (a Sinpo, where a submarine base is and beachgoers don “budgie metrosexual who lives in rural orth Korean leader Kim located. smugglers”, but unsure what Australia) were among the new Jong-Un supervised the Japan said the missile reached this means? word entries. Ntest-fi ring of a subma- its air defence identifi cation Fear not, the latest edition of “Budgie smugglers” refer to rine-launched ballistic missile zone, the fi rst time by a North the Australian National Dic- a high-fi tting swimsuit. and declared it “the greatest suc- Korean missile. tionary off ers a primer on all Moore said that he was sur- cess”, which puts the country in The United Nations Security things ‘Straya. prised by the “extraordinary the “front rank” of nuclear mili- Council met behind closed doors Both phrases along with increase” in the number of tary powers, offi cial media re- on Wednesday at the request of 6,000 other Australian terms words from indigenous lan- ported yesterday. the United States and Japan to such as bogan, ranga and ruro- guages. North Korea fi red a subma- discuss the missile launch. sexual have been added to the In the new version, there are rine-launched ballistic missile Kim Jong-Un is seen with his military aides during the missile test in Deputy Russian UN ambassa- country’s dictionary, the fi rst now 530 words from 100 indig- (SLBM) on Wednesday which this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News dor Petr Iliichev said the United update in almost three decades. enous languages, compared to fl ew about 500km (300 miles) Agency (KCNA). States would circulate a draft The second edition of the 250 words in the fi rst edition towards Japan. press statement. Australian National Dictionary released in 1988, he added. The South Korean government that were tightened in March. ebrating with military aides in The meeting comes after the – a two-tome hardback con- “Most people would be- and experts said that the launch This undated picture released North Korea said this year that photographs carried by the of- Security Council was unable to taining the defi nitions and his- lieve that when colonial people showed technical progress in the by North Korea’s off icial Korean it had miniaturised a nuclear fi cial Rodong Sinmun newspaper. condemn a missile launch by the tories of 16,000 words, com- come ... lots of place names are North’s SLBM programme. Central News Agency (KCNA) warhead to fi t on a ballistic mis- The Washington-based 38 North earlier this month that pounds and phrases unique to taken but not very many words “A test-fi re of strategic sub- yesterday shows a test-fire of sile but outside experts have said North project said in a report that landed near Japan because China Australia – was released this from the indigenous lan- marine-launched ballistic mis- strategic submarine-launched there is yet no fi rm evidence to the missile was launched from wanted the statement to also op- week and includes words from guages,” said Moore, a former sile was successfully conducted ballistic missile at an undisclosed back up that claim or show it had the North’s sole experimental pose the planned deployment of more than 100 indigenous lan- director of the Australian Na- under the guidance of supreme location. mastered the technology to bring missile submarine and a satel- a US missile defence system in guages. tional Dictionary Centre at the commander of the Korean Peo- a live warhead back into the at- lite photograph taken on Monday South Korea. “It is a lot (of Australian- Australian National University ple’s Army Kim Jong-Un,” the with nuclear attack capability.” mosphere and guide it to strike a showed fi nal preparations, likely China said on Wednesday that isms),” chief editor Bruce who also used to teach Old and North’s offi cial KCNA news DPRK, the Democratic Peo- target. after the missile had already been it opposes the North’s nuclear Moore, who has worked on the Middle English. agency said. ple’s Republic of Korea, is North Yesterday North Korean state loaded onto the submarine using and missile programmes. dictionary for more than two A recent example is migaloo, “He appreciated the test-fi re Korea’s formal name. television showed video clips of a heavy construction crane. It had been angered by what decades, told AFP yesterday. which is a term from several as the greatest success and vic- North Korea has conducted a the launch of a missile from un- The test showed the solid-fuel it views as provocative moves by “Most Australians are aware northern Queensland languag- tory,” KCNA said. “He noted with spate of military technology tests derwater at dawn, and still pho- missile’s control and guidance the United States and South Ko- I think of the fact that there’s es meaning a ghost or spirit and pride that the results of the test- this year, including a fourth nu- tographs of Kim on the dock at a system as well as the atmospher- rea on the decision to deploy the something very distinctive that was used by Aboriginal fi re proved in actuality that the clear test in January and numer- port as a large crane unloaded an ic re-entry of the warhead all met THAAD (Terminal High Altitude about our language, probably Australians to describe a white DPRK joined the front rank of the ous missile launches, in defi ance object onto a submarine. operational requirements, KCNA Area Defence) anti-missile sys- in a way that other English- person. military powers fully equipped of UN Security Council sanctions Kim is also seen jubilantly cel- said. tem in South Korea. speaking groups are not so The word now represents an much.” extremely rare white hump- Colourful phrases that made back whale regularly sighted the grade included “dry as a off the Australian coast and dead dingo’s donger” (very which has built up a loyal fol- thirsty) and “do a Bradbury” – lowing in the country since it Live fi re which refers to Australian Ol- was fi rst spotted in 1991. drills at NZ police rescue Czech woman one Mt Fuji month after deadly trekking accident New Zealand police have rescued a Czech woman traveller who spent almost a month alone in a warden’s hut by a remote mountain AFP lake after her male travelling companion was killed in a fall. Gotemba, Japan The two had become disorientated in heavy snow that covered up markers on their 32km (20-mile) trekking trail in late July. The man fell as they were trying to make their way to safety and the apan’s military has begun woman spent three nights in the open before finding her way to the four days of live-fi re drills hut by Lake Mackenzie, in the country’s South Island. Jnear Mount Fuji, an annual “She’s undergone quite a traumatic experience,” Inspector Olaf exercise that comes this year the Jensen of the district police told a news conference. “It’s obviously day after North Korea test-fi red a very unusual case given the length of time that the female was at a submarine-launched ballistic the hut.” missile. The pair began their journey on July 26 and the man fell two days Around 2,400 soldiers, as well later. as tanks, fi eld guns and helicop- The woman reached the hut, which was stocked with food, firewood ters were deployed at training and gas to keep warm, on July 31, police said. grounds in the foothills of the The Czech consulate raised the alarm after the two travellers, country’s most famous moun- believed to be aged about 30 years, were not heard from for some tain, 80km (50 miles) west of time. Tokyo. A recovery operation is underway to find the man’s body. The drill came as North Ko- The pair had been in New Zealand since January on a working rean leader Kim Jong-Un hailed holiday. his country’s latest weapons test Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force tanks move amongst an umbrella of barrage during an annual live fire exercise at the Higashi-fuji firing The travellers’ next of kin in the Czech Republic had been notified, the “greatest success”. range in Gotemba, at the foot of Mount Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture. police said.

Taiwan’s Tsai oversees war games

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has urged the island’s army to Pizza delivery by drone set to take off in New Zealand improve its performance after a string of accidents, promising to help upgrade equipment as she presided over military drills yesterday. Reuters Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd con- drones to be kept in sight at all times. The war games in the southern county of Pingtung, the first of Tsai’s Wellington ducted a demonstration pizza delivery by “I can’t truly see how commercially vi- presidency, are part of an annual military exercise which simulates drone in the New Zealand city of Auck- able that idea is because you would have incoming attacks from China, the biggest threat to Taiwan’s security. land yesterday, and afterwards said it to literally have somebody walking along Relations with the mainland have grown increasing frosty since Tsai New Zealand pizza chain aims to aimed to be the fi rst company to launch a to keep it in the line of sight, watching it won the island’s presidency in January. become the world’s fi rst company regular drone service, late this year. at all times,” Solaris said. Beijing is highly suspicious of Tsai, whose Democratic Progressive Ato off er a commercial drone deliv- “We’ve always said that it doesn’t Domino’s service would still need to Party is traditionally pro-independence, and has warned her against ery service, a milestone in the once-un- make sense to have a two-tonne machine overcome “random hazards (like) power any attempt at a formal breakaway. thinkable quest to save time and money delivering a 2kg order,” Domino’s chief lines, moving vehicles, children in the Tsai said yesterday that Taiwan’s army “needs a set of firm with an air-borne supply chain dispens- executive Don Meij said in a statement. backyard playing”, he said. directions” and instructed the defence ministry to work on updating ing with people. With clear skies and small population The Domino’s and 7-Eleven deliveries its military strategy. Some of the world’s biggest companies of 4.4mn, New Zealand last year became both used drones provided by US-head- “Some of the challenges faced by our army come from external including Amazon.com Inc and Google, one of the world’s fi rst countries to clear quartered Australian drone company structural limitations, others are because our performance isn’t or Alphabet Incorporated as it is known, commercial drone deliveries. Flirtey. good enough,” she said at a Pingtung army base after watching have plans to make deliveries by drone “Our enabling laws and regulation Domino’s said it is also looking at op- fighter jets and tanks fire live rounds. and aviation authorities in the United means we have the ideal environment,” portunities for drone delivery trials in Yesterday’s war games included more than 100 paratroopers States, Britain, Australia and New Zea- New Zealand Transport Minister Si- Australia, Belgium, France, The Nether- mimicking enemies attempting to invade an army base. land have been relaxing rules to allow air mon Bridges said after the Domino’s test lands, Japan and Germany. The president’s comments come as the military struggles with its deliveries. fl ight. In Australia, drone deliveries will be le- image after back-to-back missteps since she came to power. Last month, US convenience store But Philip Solaris, director of another gal next month, provided the drones stay During her speech, Tsai paid respects to four soldiers who died last chain 7-Eleven Incorporated conducted drone company, X-craft Enterprises, said at least 30m (100’) from houses. week when their tank slipped and plunged into a river. the fi rst single commercial drone delivery that while New Zealand has accommo- In the United States, drones will be al- The incident follows the accidental firing of a supersonic “aircraft – coff ee, donuts and a chicken sandwich dating regulations on drones, Domino’s lowed to make deliveries from August 29, The pizza delivery drone with a pizza box on carrier killer” missile towards China last month, which sparked an – as part of a trial. would be held back by a rule requiring but not across state lines or over people. a test flight in Auckland. uproar in Taiwan and a stern rebuke from Beijing. Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 9 BRITAIN Lending an ear Migration to Britain fell before EU vote Reuters ple coming in, they fi ll those London shortages.” The Telegraph newspaper reported yesterday that un- et migration to Britain der plans being considered fell slightly in the year by ministers, low-skilled mi- Nto March but remained grants from the EU could have close to record levels, offi cial to apply for permits to work in data showed yesterday, the fi rst Britain after it leaves the bloc. to be released since the June 23 David Metcalf, head of the vote to leave the European Un- Migration Advisory Commit- ion. tee, the body which advises the Prime minister Theresa May government on immigration has said the result of the EU issues, told the paper that both referendum, in which immi- the number of migrants and gration was a key part of the the time they spend in Britain debate, was a message from could be controlled using per- British voters that they wanted mits. to see fewer people coming into Net migration from the EU the country. was estimated to be 180,000 in Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, during a visit to a helpline service, as part of a Heads Together campaign in London yesterday. The Offi ce for National Sta- the year to March, down 4,000 tistics (ONS) said net migra- from the previous year, the tion to Britain was 327,000 in ONS said. the year to March 2016, a fall of It said net migration from 9,000 on the previous year. Bulgaria and Romania, whose The most common reason citizens faced restrictions on given for coming to Britain was working in Britain until Janu- work, it said. ary 2014, had reached a record In the year to June 2015 level of 61,000, up from 51,000 the number hit a record high a year earlier. of 336,000, more than three Migration played a key role times the “tens of thousands” in the debate ahead of the EU Despite Brexit homes level promised by May’s pred- referendum, with ‘Out’ cam- ecessor David Cameron. paigners saying Britain would May, who took offi ce last be better able to control migra- month, has repeated the tion from outside the bloc. pledge to get yearly net migra- May has said she wants tion down to the “sustainable” EU nationals already in Brit- level of less than 100,000, but ain to be able to stay but that has not yet set out any details this will depend on the status will be ‘out of reach’ of what restrictions might be member states give British put in place. nationals living elsewhere in In the near term homes will math and investors pulling out housing market would slump, or “The opportunity that Brex- the EU. remain too expensive for of commercial property funds, at best fl atline, in the aftermath it presents is to impose con- “The government must also most people leading to some suspensions. of a vote to leave. trols on people coming from clarify how new EU hires will But, on Tuesday, Persimmon Yet home ownership remains the EU to work here. be treated, as many business- Reuters reported a jump in reservations out of reach for many. It is early days in the nego- es also say they are uncertain London by buyers of new homes over the The average asking price for tiation but certainly that does about whether the people they last two months. a home dipped 1% to £304,222 present an opportunity,” im- wish to recruit will be able to Just over a third of respond- ($402,455) this month, according migration minister Robert continue working with them ritain’s vote to leave the ents have pencilled in a fall in to property website Rightmove, Goodwill told Sky News. in future,” British Chambers European Union will have house prices next year, but those but that is over 11 times the aver- “We need to identify where of Commerce Acting Director Ba negative impact on both falls were quite tame compared age British salary. there are skills shortages and General Adam Marshall said in prices and turnover in the UK to the heady rises seen during the And, although borrowing costs ensure that if we do have peo- a statement. housing market, with foreign in- boom years. are at a record low, British banks vestors set to benefi t most from Investors have been snapping approved the fewest mortgages bargains among sterling-priced up London property for nearly in a year in the month following Scottish police to allow hijab assets, a Reuters poll found. two decades, making huge capital the referendum, data showed on However, British house prices gains on soaring prices, and now Wednesday. Scotland’s police this week became the latest force in Britain to — a bedrock of consumer wealth that sterling has fallen by more London homes were still over- allow the hijab as an optional part of the uniform in an eff ort to — will still rise 2.8% this year, than 10% investment properties whelmingly rated as expensive, encourage more ethnic minority recruits. 1.3% next and 2.4% in 2018, ac- look that much cheaper for new with a median of 8 on a scale of London’s Metropolitan Police gave Muslim women on duty the cording to the poll of 24 econo- foreign buyers. one to 10 ranging from cheap to option of wearing the hijab in 2001. mists, estate agents and brokers A couple scan an estate agents window in London. They were overwhelmingly very expensive. A string of other British forces — including in central and northern taken in the past week. picked by respondents to the poll Nationally, house prices were England where there are large Muslim communities — also allow London prices will be up 2% open for business and we envis- The latest survey results were as the most likely to benefi t from rated 6. the headscarf. this year, not rise at all next year age slower (economic growth) several percentage points weaker Brexit. “Despite a slowdown in the “Like many other employers, especially in the public sector, we and then rise 2% in 2018. rather than a collapse.” in the coming years versus fore- “Foreign buyers will ben- rate of house price infl ation, the are working towards ensuring our service is representative of the “Short-term uncertainty and Nearly all respondents said casts based on a “Remain” vote efi t not only from steadier house house price to earnings ratio re- communities we serve,” Police Scotland chief Phil Gormley said in a a weaker economy look set to Britain’s pending departure from in a poll taken before the refer- prices but also from the chance to mains around 5.5 times against a statement on Tuesday. put a dampener on turnover over the EU — the details of which endum. buy at a lower sterling exchange long term average of 4.25 times,” “I hope that this addition to our uniform options will contribute to much of the next 12 months,” have yet to be thrashed out — Property was one of the hard- rate,” ADM Investor Services’ Building Value property consul- making our staff mix more diverse,” he added. Investec chief economist Philip would hurt house prices as well est hit sectors after the result of Stephen Lewis said. tancy Tony Williams said. Scottish police this year said only 127 of the 4,809 applications Shaw said. as turnover, which matters more the vote, with shares in the big- Nearly every economist, as “A large proportion of 25 to 45 to join the force — 2.6% — were from people with ethnic minority “But demographics remain for housing’s contribution to the gest builders and estate agents well as many politicians, said year olds will be permanent ten- backgrounds. Ethnic minorities, mainly originating from south Asia, a positive driver, banks remain overall economy. plunging in the immediate after- before the referendum that the ants rather than buyers.” account for around 4% of Scotland’s population as a whole.

Uber allows advance booking Pedal pushers Facebook, Twitter Uber is stepping up its assault on traditional cab services by allowing customers in London to failing on radical book in advance for the first time. The taxi-hailing app launched the scheduled rides feature content, say MPs yesterday, using the capital as a testing ground before rolling the service AFP Keith Vaz, a senior MP from out to other cities in the UK and London the main opposition Labour Europe. party who chairs the commit- Until now, Uber customers could tee, called the Internet “the only request a taxi to come acebook, Twitter and lifeblood of Daesh and other immediately, Google are not doing terrorist groups”. but they can now order a car up Fenough to prevent their Daesh is another term for to 30 days in advance. social networks from being Islamic State jihadists, also The service will initially be used by extremists for a re- known by the acronyms of available to customers with a cruitment drive, a panel of ISIS and ISIL. business account, but will be British MPs said yesterday. “Huge corporations like extended to the company’s 2mn Failure to act would lead to Google, Facebook and Twit- London users within a fortnight. the sites becoming “the ‘Wild ter with their billion-dollar Tom Elvidge, Uber’s general West’ of the Internet”, the Home incomes are consciously fail- manager for London, said: Aff airs Committee warned. ing to target this threat and “Instead of tapping a button a few The companies defended passing the buck by hiding minutes before you need the ride, themselves against claims that behind their supranational you can now tell us hours or days they were failing in their duty. legal status, despite knowing in advance when you need a car The report was published that their sites are being used and we’ll do it for you.” after the number of counter- by the instigators of terror,” He said the service had terrorism arrests in Britain in- Vaz said. been introduced in response creased 35% between 2010 and The committee added: to customer demand for 2015, although the country “These companies have teams booked cabs.Uber has been has not seen a mass casualty of only a few hundred employ- experimenting with diff erent extremist attack since 2005’s ees to monitor networks of bil- formats, including the UberEATS London bombings. lions of accounts and Twitter delivery service, which pits the An estimated 800 people does not even proactively re- company against Deliveroo. with links to Britain have trav- port extremist content to law Moving into the booked car elled to fi ght in Syria and Iraq. enforcement agencies. market could intensify the Britain’s offi cial interna- “If they continue to fail to animosity between Uber and tional terrorism threat level tackle this issue and allow traditional taxi drivers, who is currently set at “severe”, their platforms to become the have protested bitterly against meaning an attack is consid- ‘Wild West’ of the Internet, it its assault on their business. Women enjoy a boat ride on a warm day in Regents Park in London. ered highly likely. will erode their reputations.” Guardian News Gulf Times 10 Friday, August 26, 2016 EUROPE Quake death toll hits 250 in Italy By Ella Ide and Amatrice normally has a pop- Mario, a father of two small Right: A body found among the Angus Mackinnon, AFP ulation of around 2,500 but it boys, said he was still in shock. rubble in Amatrice is carried Amatrice, Italy was packed with visitors when “We slept in the car last night, away. the quake struck as people slept though with the quakes it was in the early hours of Wednesday. hard to sleep at all,” he told AFP Below: People is seen he death toll from a pow- A total of 215 people have been between sips of Coke. “We’ve preparing to spend the night in a erful earthquake in central rescued from the rubble since booked a tent for tonight. But gym following the earthquake in TItaly rose to 250 yester- Wednesday morning. then tomorrow, the next day?” Amatrice. day as rescuers continued a grim But there have been no reports The extensive damage to light- search for corpses and powerful of survivors being found since ly-used properties has raised the aftershocks rocked the devas- Wednesday evening, when eight- spectre of some of the smaller tated area. year-old Giorgia was rescued 16 hamlets in the region becoming The bulk of the confi rmed hours after being trapped, having ghost towns. deaths – 193 at the latest count been located by a Labrador called “If we don’t get help, l’Arquata – were in the small town of Ama- Leo. is fi nished,” said Aleandro trice, where Rita Rosine, 63, wept Her parents also survived but Petrucci, the mayor of Arquata as she mourned her 75-year-old her 10-year-old sister did not del Tronto, which accounted for sister, who was buried under the make it. 57 of the confi rmed deaths to ruins of her house. “I hope Giorgia will be able to date. “The situation is worse than in forget what she went through,” Petrucci said it was impossible war. It’s awful, awful ... they say Angelo Moroni, the head of the to say exactly how many people it will take two days to dig her out team that saved her, told La Re- were in the 13 tiny communities because they have to shore up the pubblica. that make up l’Arquata when the surrounding buildings,” she told The last survivor in L’Aquila disaster struck. AFP. “She didn’t deserve to die was found 72 hours after the In Pescara del Tronto, which like that, she was so good.” quake. was virtually razed by the quake, As hopes of fi nding any more The Red Cross began shipping there are only four permanently survivors in the rubble faded, in food and water supplies for resident families but there could questions mounted as to why homeless residents. have been up to 300 people there there had been so many deaths Among those who came to on Wednesday. in a sparsely-populated area so pick up emergency provisions Measuring 6.0-6.2 magnitude, soon after a 2009 earthquake in were Maria Atrimala, 48, and her the quake’s epicentre was near the nearby city of L’Aquila left 15-year-old daughter. Amatrice and its shallow depth 300 people dead. “We escaped by pure luck, the of 4km (2.5 miles) exacerbated its That disaster, just 50km (30 stairs of the house held and we impact. miles) south, underscored the ran, blindly in the dark and dust,” It occurred without warning region’s vulnerability to seismic she said with tears rolling down but in an area with a long history events – but preparations for a her face. of killer quakes. fresh quake have been exposed as “When we got out we could The Civil Protection agency, limited at best. hear the cries of people still which is co-ordinating the res- Giuseppe Saieva, the chief trapped and we helped those we cue eff ort, said that in addition public prosecutor for most of the could. to the dead, 365 people had suf- area aff ected, said that he would “We were in L’Aquila when fered injuries serious enough to be opening an investigation into the earthquake struck there, and be hospitalised. whether anyone could be held re- now this. We have friends, rela- Several of them are in a critical sponsible for the disaster. tives that didn’t make it. What state. In Amatrice, a 4.3 magnitude the future holds I don’t know.” Prime Minister Matteo Renzi After L’Aquila, the Civil Pro- fi lling attached, critics say. when renovating a building to creased by the widespread use of aftershock shook the already Hundreds of people spent the vowed lessons from L’Aquila, tection agency made almost €1bn “Here in the middle of a seis- make it comply with earthquake cement rather than wood beams. badly damaged village yesterday, night sleeping in their cars or which still bears the scars of available for upgrading buildings mic zone, nothing has ever been standards. But less than 20% of “These indestructible beams hit fuelling fears of fresh collapses in hastily-assembled tents, the 2009, would be applied. in seismically-vulnerable areas. done,” said Dario Nanni of the buildings do.” walls like a hammer and that is which could hamper the rescue aftershocks adding to their dis- “The objective is to rebuild and However, the take-up of grants Italian Council of Architects. “It Nanni said that the earth- what made so many (houses) col- operation. comfort. start again,” he said. has been low – because of form- does not cost that much more quake’s impact had been in- lapse.”

‘Queen of Knitwear’ Sonia Rykiel dead

French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel, the so-called Queen of Knitwear, died yesterday at the age of 86 after a long battle with French split over ban on burqini Parkinson’s disease, her daughter told AFP. “My mother died at 5:00 this morning at her home in Paris from the eff ects of Parkinson’s,” Nathalie Rykiel said. Reuters Valls (left): For me the burqini is The pioneering Rykiel was a fixture in the industry for half a century, Paris a symbol of the enslavement of launching her own fashion house in 1968 buoyed by the Swinging women. Sixties craze in London. She had made her breakthrough in 1962 with the so-called Poor Boy rench Prime Minister Vallaud-Belkacem (right): There Sweater, a garment designed for women that had long sleeves and Manuel Valls defended is no link between the terror a shorter, fitted shape. Fa ban on burqinis (also attacks of Daesh and the dress of The “Poor Boy” met resistance at first partly because of its bulky spelled burkini) in more than a a woman on the beach. stitches. dozen coastal towns yesterday, But all that changed in December 1963 when Elle magazine featured saying that France was locked in Below: Protesters demonstrate the 19-year-old French pop idol Francois Hardy on its front cover in a a “battle of cultures” and that the against France’s ban of the stripey red-and-pink Rykiel number. full-body swimsuit symbolised burqini, outside the French There was a sensation – Brigitte Bardot and fellow singer Sylvie the enslavement of women. embassy in London, yesterday. Vartan were photographed in Rykiel sweaters and Andrey Hepburn Photographs of armed police herself went to the shop and snapped up five of them. ordering a Muslim woman on a “The burqini is a political act, Over the decades, she branched out into other branches of fashion, beach in the Mediterranean city a militant act, a provocation. but always remained true to knitwear. of Nice to partially disrobe went Women who wear it are test- Rykiel was born in the upmarket Paris suburb of Neuilly in 1930 as viral on social media this week, ing the Republic,” Sarkozy told the eldest of five daughters to a Romanian watchmaker father and a upsetting many French Muslims the magazine in comments to be Russian mother. and causing global consterna- published today. In 1954, she married a clothing store owner, Sam Rykiel, with whom tion. In a demonstration of how the she had two children and whom she later divorced. In a sign of rifts opening in burqini controversy has rever- the socialist government before berated abroad, British author J a presidential election in 2017, K Rowling tweeted: “So Sarkozy Russia launches snap military drills France’s Moroccan-born educa- calls the burqini a ‘provocation’. tion minister said the debate was Whether women cover or un- Russia has launched large-scale snap military drills, putting its fanning racist rhetoric and being cover their bodies, seems we’re troops on full combat readiness in districts bordering Ukraine and used for political gain. always ‘asking for it’.” the Baltic states, the defence minister said. The health minister said France is not the only coun- “In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in- France’s secular values did not try where restrictions on face Chief of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (President Vladimir mean a rejection of religion. and head coverings are back in Putin), a spot check started today,” Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu “We have to wage a deter- the spotlight, and debate on as- said in televised comments. mined fi ght against radical Islam, similation is raging in Western Troops in the country’s southern, central and western military against these religious symbols Europe after a wave of militant districts, as well as the air force, northern fleet and paratroopers which are fi ltering into public strikes and an immigration cri- were in “full combat” mode as of 0400 GMT, he said. spaces,” Valls said in an interview sis that has forced a rethink of The drills – which are taking place in military districts that on BFM-TV. Europe’s internal open border encompass the contested Crimea peninsula, the region that borders Reiterating his stance on the policy. Ukraine and Nato members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as issue, he said: “For me the burqi- In Germany, Chancellor An- territory spanning from the Ural mountains to central Siberia – are ni is a symbol of the enslavement gela Merkel’s conservatives want set to last until the end of the month. of women.” a partial ban on the niqab, or face Shoigu did not reveal how many troops are taking part in the France’s Conseil d’Etat, its veil, while in Austria right-wing exercises. highest administrative court, be- politicians have called for a ban Relations between Nato and Russia have soured since Moscow gan hearing yesterday a request on the burqa, which covers the annexed the Crimea peninsula of Ukraine in March 2014, and by a human rights group for the face and body. eastern European countries are worried that they too could be burqini ban in the Mediterranean In Switzerland there are calls targets of Russian aggression. town of Villeneuve-Loubet to be for a popular vote on a ban on the and home for many immigrants. to allow each person to safeguard One senior French government overturned. burqa. It has also been a fertile zone their identity,” Health Minister offi cial warned that missteps The debate over the burqini On a visit to Paris yesterday, for Islamist militant networks Marisol Touraine wrote on her would only exacerbate tensions Duo give up on ‘Nazi gold train’ ban encapsulates the diffi culties London’s Muslim mayor, Sadiq recruiting would-be Islamist website. heightened since a Tunisian secular France faces as it grapples Khan, condemned the ban, say- militants to fi ght in Syria. Education Minister Najat drove his truck through a crowd Two treasure hunters who have been digging for a Nazi gold train with a response to homegrown ing that no one should tell wom- The stigma caused by the ban Vallaud-Belkacem said she op- in Nice last month, killing 86 believed to be buried in southwest Poland said yesterday that they Islamist militants and foreign en what to wear. “would only encourage Islamic posed burqinis but dismissed the people, and youths slit the throat had given up after two weeks and zero results. militants, following attacks on “I don’t think it’s right,” Khan State’s recruiters”, said Abdallah argument of Prime Minister Valls of a Catholic priest in a church in “There’s nothing,” said Andrzej Gaik, spokesman for the Polish- Nice and a Normandy church in told the Evening Standard news- Zekri of the National Observa- that the ban was a useful tool in Normandy. German team, which carried out the search near the city of July, and major deadly attacks in paper. “One of the joys of London tory against Islamaphobia. France’s fi ght against militants. “We have several million Mus- Walbrzych using ground-penetrating radar, bulldozers and drilling Paris last year. is that we don’t simply tolerate At least two ministers came “There is no link between the lims in France who are mostly equipment. Security and immigration are diff erence, we respect it, we em- out in open disagreement yes- terror attacks of Daesh and the moderates or non-practising. If “Last night we shut down operations, which we have to admit, now central issues in the presi- brace it.” terday with the government’s dress of a woman on the beach,” they feel that it is the only subject proved fruitless,” he told AFP. dential election campaign. The burqini has been banned stance on the burqini bans. Vallaud-Belkacem told Europe 1 in public debate they won’t feel The search results from a media frenzy sparked in August 2015 Former head of state Nicolas by at least 15 French towns from “To pretend that swimming radio, using the Arabic acronym at home and will be tempted to when German national Andreas Richter and Piotr Koper, a Pole, Sarkozy, who joined the presi- Corsica to the northern coast. veiled or bathing on a beach for Islamic State. withdraw to their communities,” claimed to have located an armoured Nazi-era train using ground- dential race on Monday, told the However, most restrictions dressed is in itself threatening While Valls rejected the idea the offi cial said. penetrating radar. Figaro magazine that France un- have been enforced in the south- to public order and the values yesterday that the ban might fuel The Conseil d’Etat is expected Running tests in December, geologists from Krakow’s prestigious der President Francois Hollande east, an area where the far-right of the Republic is to forget that sympathies for militant groups, to rule on the Villeneuve-Lobet AGH University of Science and Technology found no evidence for had become too timid. is strong and which is a gateway those (secular) values are meant some offi cials are worried. ban today at 3pm (1300 GMT). the train’s existence. Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 11 INDIA

Navy takes up India’s future ‘incomplete’ Scorpene leak issue with Paris

IANS without peaceful Kashmir New Delhi

IANS caused by pellet guns that have left day after reports that documents related Srinagar hundreds partially or fully blinded. to India’s Scorpene submarine have been Mehbooba Mufti justifi ed the kill- Aleaked, the Indian Navy said yesterday the ings by security forces saying those issue has been taken up with the French govern- ederal Home Minister Rajnath hit by bullets or pellets had not gone ment, as a high-level committee set up by the De- Singh yesterday made a pas- to fetch milk or toff ees. fence Ministry analyses the impact. Fsionate appeal for peace in the She was asked how she justifi ed In a statement issued here, the Indian Navy Kashmir Valley, saying India’s future the alleged disproportionate use of said the matter has been taken up with the French was incomplete without a peaceful force against Kashmiri protesters Director General of Armaments, “expressing Kashmir and announced that an all- when as opposition leader she had concern over this incident and has requested the party delegation will visit the state criticised the government during a French government to investigate this incident soon for talks on ending a protracted similar unrest in 2010 for civilian with urgency and share their fi ndings with the In- violent unrest that has killed nearly killings. dian side”. 70 people since July 9. The Chief Minister got angry and Over 22,000 pages of information were report- At a press conference towards the asked a reporter not to compare the edly leaked from DCNS, the French company that end of his two-day Kashmir tour, two situations. designed Scorpene submarines being built in In- Rajnath Singh conceded a popular She said people had come out on dia. demand, saying that an alternative the roads even though the govern- Contacted yesterday by IANS, the DCNS, which to the use of pellet guns as a tool to ment had imposed a strict curfew. had on Wednesday issued a statement, said the control unruly mobs would be found She added emphatically that poor “serious matter” is being thoroughly investigated “in a few days”. Kashmiri youth were being used as by the “proper French national authorities”. During his stay in Srinagar, the shields by vested interests. “(About) It said it had no “additive comments” and was Home Minister said he met some Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses a joint 95% people killed are from poor waiting for the result of the investigation. 300 people, including leaders of all press conference in Srinagar. families.” The extent of information in the documents, political parties in the state, with The Peoples Democratic Party their authenticity and potential to cause damage is whom he had “good talks”. “We are linking the future of ment to make all preparations for of the Constitution of India — unlike (PDP) leader said only 5% of Kash- yet unknown, as their analysis continue. “Everybody wants peace to be re- Kashmiri youth with the future of that.” previously. miri people were resorting to vio- The Indian Navy has, however, said there is stored. We are extremely sad over the India. Asked if he invited separatist It was the minister’s second visit lence and the rest “95% people want “nothing to get alarmed” about, as the specifi ca- situation. We are pained over the loss “And I appeal to Kashmir people leaders — who have been spearhead- to the valley in a month since the peace...a dialogue to resolve the tions in the documents will not be same as in the of lives,” the minister said with Chief to identify those who are creating ing the agitation — for talks, Rajnath unrest, the deadliest in six years, Kashmir issue”. submarine to be fi nally manufactured. Minister Mehbooba Mufti by his side. trouble.” Singh said the government was erupted after the July 8 killing of The Home Minister ended his val- An offi cial from the Indian Navy, who did not In an oblique reference to separa- India’s future, he said, is intrinsi- ready to hold talks with anyone who Hizbul Mujahideen commander ley visit during which he met lead- want to be named, said the specifi cations in the tist leaders, the Home Minister said cally linked to the future of Kashmir. believed in “insaniyat, jamhooriyat Burhan Wani. ers of all mainstream parties and documents are generic, and each boat has a unique people should “not play with the fu- He said leaders of all political par- and Kashmiriyat”. At least 67 civilians have been offi cials of civil, security and intel- signature that is known only when it is ready and ture of Kashmiri youth”. ties will soon visit here for talks on Notably, he didn’t name Pakistan killed and thousands injured in fi r- ligence agencies. However, trade in the water. “They (youth) should hold books, fi nding ways to break the logjam in for stoking trouble in the valley and ing by security forces at pro-free- bodies in Kashmir refused to meet According to sources, Defence Minister Mano- pens and laptops in their hands and the valley. didn’t repeat that talks over Kash- dom demonstrations. him in protest against the civilian har Parrikar had told the Indian Navy to ask DCNS not stones,” he said. “I have asked the state govern- mir will only be held under the realm Most of the injuries have been killings in Kashmir. about the leak. The statement added that an internal audit of procedures to rule out any security breach is also being undertaken. “The matter is being taken up with concerned foreign governments through diplomatic channels to verify the authenticity of the reports,” the In- Hell hath no fury like Mehbooba questioned dian Navy said. A high-level committee has been constituted by the Defence Ministry to assess potential impact of IANS hamed Sayeed died in January this on her right, was still seated and look- analysis of what you are saying. In in the current unrest where most of the leaked information. Srinagar year, she took some three months ing at journalists for more questions. 2010, there was a fake encounter. the nearly 70 deaths have occurred. “The government of India, as a matter of abun- before fi nally deciding to assume As Mehbooba’s anger was brew- Three civilians were killed. That In her angry outburst, the PDP chief dant precaution, is also examining the impact power because she wanted to put ing, the Home Minister, smiling but means there was a reason for peo- said it was she who saved the people of the information contained in the documents hen Jammu and Kashmir peoples’ agenda fi rst. apparently uneasy, gestured to her ple to be angry. Today, there was an of the south from “the edge of a knife, claimed to be available with the Australian sources Chief Minister Mehbooba In the Kashmir Valley, when she with his left hand, seemingly asking encounter in which three militants when they used to run away after see- is compromised. WMufti was asked to justify wasn’t in offi ce, she was hailed as a her to calm down. were killed. How is the government ing gypsies (vans) of the Task Force” The detailed assessment of potential impact is the killings in the ongoing bloody peoples’ politician who would at- But she stood up, not completing to be blamed for that?” she shot — a reference to the Special Opera- being undertaken by a high-level committee con- unrest, she angrily walked out of tend funerals of slain militants, her answer. back, raising her voice. tions Group of Jammu and Kashmir stituted by the Ministry of Defence, and the Indian the press conference she jointly soothing their families and espous- A reluctant Rajnath was left with She said people came out on the Police set up to battle militancy. Navy is taking all necessary steps to mitigate any addressed yesterday with federal ing for “self-rule” in the state. no choice but to follow her. roads after the July 8 killing of Hiz- “What will they tell me? I saved probable security compromise,” the navy said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh. But at yesterday’s press confer- Mehbooba was agitated when a bul Mujahideen commander Burhan them when they were being taken The statement also ruled out any threat from Faced with tough questions, the ence, held towards the end of Ra- journalist asked her about the al- Wani even though the government to begaar (forced labour), when they the documents posted on The Australian newspa- chief minister also lashed out at jnath Singh’s two-day Kashmir visit leged disproportionate use of force had imposed a strict curfew. were being taken to cut the grass in per’s website. the people of south Kashmir — the at her offi cial Fairview residence on against civilian protesters and if she “Had a kid gone to buy a toff ee south Kashmir. “The documents that have been posted on the bastion of her Peoples Democratic the upscale Gupkar Road, revealed a had swapped her role and views with from an army camp? A 15-year-old “I have got them out...from those website by an Australian news agency have been Party (PDP) — saying it was she who new side — an angry one — of Me- her predecessor Omar Abdullah, boy who attacked a police station in terrible situations when (security examined and do not pose any security compro- saved them from the security forces hbooba, often referred to as a soft- who was ruling the state during the Damhal Hanjipora (south Kashmir) forces) used to check their identities.” mise as the vital parameters have been blacked fi ghting militancy in the valley. separatist while in the opposition. 2010 unrest when nearly 120 civil- had not gone to fetch milk. Don’t As scribes kept asking questions, out.” Mehbooba has been a reluctant She was so angry that she abruptly ians were killed. compare the two,” she thundered. the Home Minister tried to pacify Parrikar has sought a report on the extent of fi rst woman chief minister of the ended the news conference with a “Don’t mix or compare the two She hit at protesters in south her by telling the journalists, “Meh- damage following the leak, which, he said, ap- state. When her father Mufti Mo- “thank you” even as Rajnath Singh, situations. You are making a bad Kashmir — the worst-aff ected region booba ji is from among you.” peared to be an incident of “hacking”.

Rs500,000 for kin of woman devoured by dogs in Kerala The Kerala government yesterday sanc- tioned Rs500,000 compensation for the Flood situation grim in Bihar, eases in MP family of the 65-year-old woman Sheelu- amma who was devoured by dozens of stray dogs here. IANS Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar less, many of them forced to live under The attack on August 19 took place Patna/Bhopal yesterday met fl ood victims during open sky, have also expressed anger for barely 10km from the state secretariat. his visit to the aff ected areas in Patna not providing fodder for their cattle. Speaking to the media soon after the district and assured all possible help, About 900 offi cials of the National cabinet meeting, Local Administration he fl ood situation in Bihar re- including timely relief. Disaster Response Force and the State Minister K T Jaleel said: “We have also mained grim yesterday, though Nitish Kumar also directed con- Disaster Response Force have been sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs50,000 to Tthe River Ganga and its tribu- cerned offi cials to provide adequate deployed in the fl ood-hit districts. another lady who was also attacked by taries showed sign of receding, but relief and other facilities at relief Meanwhile, RJD chief Lalu Prasad dogs the same day. We gave this amount hundreds of thousands of aff ected camps set up by the government. yesterday defended his remark on as this was the only application before people have been still struggling for “The chief minister has ordered to Ganga reaching the doorsteps of the the government.” survival, offi cials said. intensify relief and rescue operations people, saying his statement should Jaleel said the state government will The situation, however, was easing in fl ood aff ected areas and to serve be taken in the right spirit. only be able to go forward as per the law in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. food in steel utensils provided from Lalu Prasad also blamed the BJP- when it comes to tackling stray dogs who More than 3mn people have been the CM’s relief fund,” an offi cial said. led governments in Madhya Pradesh have attacked many children and women. hit by the fl oods in Bihar, including However, at several places, fl ood and Jharkhand for the mess. thousands who have been displaced victims have staged protests and In Madhya Pradesh, the monsoon across the worst-hit 12 districts, of- blocked roads to express anger and rains are letting up, easing the fl ood fi cials said. impatience over the quality and situation prevailing in many districts, Mani slams CPI, says not According to state disaster man- quantity of government aid that has offi cials said yesterday. agement department offi cials, till so far been provided to them. People in many relief camps have seeking to enter LDF date, fl oods have claimed 31 lives. Flood victims, hungry and home- started to return home, they said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspects relief material in Patna yesterday.

erala Congress (Mani) supremo K M Mani yesterday slammed the Com- Kmunist Party of India and made it clear that his party is not seeking to join the ruling Left Democratic Front. Profoundis founders teach budding techies at Startup Village “Look, we have no clue why the CPI is getting restless, and let me make it very very clear, we are not seeking an entry into By Ashraf Padanna grooming campus of Startup Village Chengannur in 2012, each pooling in jobs over the next few years going be- the Internet, we can now teach eve- the Left Democratic Front at all,” Mani Thiruvananthapuram as visiting faculty. Rs3mn to go places, and it was incu- yond engineering talent, to provide ryone on how to build a startup any- told reporters at his home near here. Pillai, the CEO, will share his global bated at StartUp Village. customer support, localisation and where in India.” On Wednesday, the CPI at a meeting of experiences in fundraising and iden- It off ers an intelligence service other business activities. Kris Gopalakrishnan, who simi- its top brass had categorically ruled out wo of the three founders of the tifying startup opportunities across called VIBE that sits in your email ac- Profoundis was part of Startup Chile larly established the second biggest Mani having any place in the LDF. The CPI email intelligence startup Pro- the world from India while Joseph will count and surfaces information about and graduated the Microsoft Accelera- IT fi rm in India with a team led by NR has time and again come out in the open Tfoundis will be teaching bud- teach on how to build teams and man- your contacts. tor Program in Bangalore in 2013. Narayana Murthy, said young startups against speculation in the media that ding entrepreneurs in the Kochi- age operations of startups. They employ 70 software engineers “In the startup world, the commu- needed role models to draw inspira- Mani, after leaving the Congress-led UDF based telecom incubator Startup “Sharing our knowledge and expe- and all of the 70 (and ever expanding) nity shares its learning with everyone. tion from. early this month, would be given entry to Village where it grew up. rience is the biggest way we can give staff based out of this port city will be This helps many other people succeed “There are very few mentors with the LDF. Profoundis hit the headlines in the back to the startup community,” Pillai part of the US-based group, thanks to who then share their new knowledge product startup experience in our However, a section of the CPI-M-led by tech circles when the US-based pro- said. the “dream deal”. and experience with young founders in country. With the new digital plat- its state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan vider of address book tools FullCon- “We were lucky to have learnt from VIBE looks up e-mail addresses creating a cycle of successful startups. form SV.CO (of Startup Village), the has dropped enough hints, including in an tact, which had raised US$25mn in people like Kris Gopalakrishnan (co- through the APIs (Application Pro- “This culture is crucial in the crea- knowledge can be shared with stu- article in the party organ, that Mani can venture capital funding, acquired the founder of Infosys and chief mentor gramming Interface) of most popu- tion of a startup ecosystem,” said San- dents across India,” he said. be considered. “We do not wish to learn three-year-old startup in an undis- of Startup Village) in our early days as lar social networks to retrieve links jay Vijayakumar, the Startup Village “Offi ce Hours” is a key compo- political morals from the CPI, which is closed fi nancial deal this week. entrepreneurs. to profi les, homepages, and displays chair. nent of the SV.CO’s #StartInCollege a party that sold its Parliament seat for Founders Arjun R Pillai and Jofi n “It is now time for us to repay by short biographies of people. “The success of Profoundis is a programme where engineering stu- cash. We are competent enough to re- Joseph, both aged 27, are now fol- teaching everyone with all the knowl- The Profoundis will now become wake-up call to the entire student dents can learn from industry faculty main on our own,” added Mani, a found- lowing the footsteps of Silicon Val- edge that we have gained.” Indian headquarters of FullContact, community in India to leverage the through 20-minute online sessions ing member of the Congress-led United ley founders of sharing knowledge Profoundis started by four class- a minor competitor of LinkedIn, pro- opportunity of a lifetime to build a using Google Hangout to clear their Democratic Front in 1982. and supporting each other on their mates at College of Engineering jected to creating thousands of new global business while in college. With doubts. Gulf Times 12 Friday, August 26, 2016 INDIA

Nirbhaya rape convict attempts Protesters, suicide in jail

IANS New Delhi pyramids inay Sharma, one of the four convicts in the December 16, 2012, gang-rape, tried Vto commit suicide by hanging himself with a ‘gamcha’ from the ventilator of his cell in Tihar Jail on Wednesday night, but was prevent- ed from doing so by Tamil Nadu policemen. He was hospitalised and is now back in jail, said police. defy SC Sharma used the gamcha, a long thin cotton towel, to tie a noose around his neck to hang him- self inside his cell in the high security ward of Jail No 8 on Wednesday around 9.30pm. However, he was spotted by the Tamil Nadu police, who have been tasked to provide security in the inner corridor of the prison, where his cell is located. at festival Sharma, a former gym instructor, was admit- ted to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital at night. IANS In Thane, an organisation backed by the He was discharged yesterday evening after Mumbai Maharashtra Navnirman Sena hung the Dahi treatment for the bruises around his neck. Handi at a height of 49 feet in an attempt to Deputy Commissioner of Police Pushpendra create a new world record. Kumar told IANS that “he had minor bruises everal organisations in Mumbai, Thane One of the main organisers and MNS activ- around his neck, but he was all right. There were and Navi Mumbai yesterday celebrated ist Avinash Jadhav said he was prepared “to no other injury marks on his body.” SKrishna Janmashtami, fl outing the Su- go to jail” but would take orders only from his Kumar also discounted reports that Sharma preme Court order on ‘Dahi Handi’ height and leader, Raj Thackeray, who has been critical of had consumed any anti-depressant pills. expressing their protest with black bands. the restrictions. Sources in Tihar Jail told IANS that Sharma in The popular game of forming a human pyra- A Govinda in Thane amused onlookers when order to convert his death sentence to life impris- mid to reach and break a ‘Dahi Handi’ (a pot he carried a measuring tape between his teeth onment, had planned the suicide. of curd or butter) at a height was organised to ensure he did not exceed the 20-feet limit. The source said that Sharma started shouting by several politically-backed organisations by Some other organisations also constructed on Wednesday night that he wanted to kill him- violating the norms endorsed by the Supreme pyramids that were more than four tiers or ex- self and had consumed some pills. Court — no more than 20 feet height and ex- ceeding 20 feet and even used minor boys to He later tried to hang himself. clusion of minors. break the Dahi Handi. His co-prisoners raised the alarm, and the po- Mumbai Police spokesperson Ashok Dudhe Among the highlights of the celebrations lice arrived on the scene. said that the police are photographing and were Maharashtra’s fi rst all-blind team of Reacting to Sharma’s suicide attempt, the fa- videographing the celebrations across the city. Govindas from Nayan Foundation who built a ther of the 23-year-old rape victim said yester- “All those found fl outing the Supreme four-tier pyramid amidst huge applause by the day they wanted to see “all the convicts dead so Court norms shall be booked and prosecuted gathering in Dadar. that they could heave a sigh of relief”. depending on the kind of violations,” Dudhe Displaying religious amity, the Jari-Mari “It is good. It is a big thing that he is still alive, warned, though police have not directly inter- Sanstha in Mahim fi rst off ered respects at the he should die very soon. vened to stop the celebrations. famous 14th century tomb of Muslim Saint “He has to die in future, if he dies today, it Till 6pm, various government hospitals had Makhdoom Ali Shah and then launched the would be a tribute to our daughter,” said the fa- over a 100 injured Dahi Handi participants from Janmashtami celebrations. ther of the young woman, venting his anger. diff erent parts of Mumbai and Thane but a major- Police moved swiftly in Thane to book at His daughter, a paramedical student, died on ity were discharged after treatment of their inju- least 19 organisations fl outing the apex court December 29, 2012, of the grave intestinal inju- ries and the rest admitted as under observation. orders, while the fi gures were being tabulated ries infl icted on her during the gruesome rape One injured ‘Govinda’, as a participant in the in Mumbai. here. She was airlifted to Singapore’s Mount Dahi Handi game is known, was reported to be On Wednesday, a division bench of the Su- Elizabeth Hospital, where she died. in a serious condition in Ulhasnagar in Thane, preme Court comprising Justice Uday U Lalit Tihar Jail Superintendent Bijendra Kumar told an offi cial said. and Justice L Nageswara Rao had upheld an IANS that “Tamil Nadu policemen prevented Vi- Unmindful of police, one Chinchpokli or- earlier ruling of the Mumbai High Court on the nay from committing suicide after they saw him ganisation built a horizontal nine-tier human issue of height restrictions and participation trying to hang himself in his cell.” pyramid on the ground, and another bypassed of teenagers below 18 years in the Dahi Handi Asked if Sharma was being harassed inside the restrictions by hanging the pot at a height game. the jail which led him to take such a step, Kumar of more than 30 feet — with the Govinda The Mumbai High Court orders of April 11, said: “We did not get any such complaint from climbing up a ladder to break it. 2014, had come in response to a PIL petition his side.” The Govindas of some organisations sported fi led by social activist Swati S Patil’s Utkarsh Sharma’s lawyer A P Singh gave a diff erent black shorts and arm-bands to protest against Mahila Samajik Sanstha, citing injuries of version, claiming that it was an attempt to mur- the apex court ruling and after breaking the Dahi Govindas when human pyramids came crash- Students of the SNDT Womens College, Matunga, display their skill at the Dah i Handi at der his client. “Few days ago, I met him in jail Handi, the topmost Govinda waved a black fl ag. ing down. Matunga Market yesterday. where he complained about torture inside the jail premises,” Singh told IANS. Sharma had in 2013 demanded extra security in jail, claiming that he was being beaten up by other inmates and police offi cials. Sharma, along with Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Akshay Thakur and Ram Singh, and a ju- Bodo outfi ts to restart statehood movement venile, was accused of gang-raping and brutally assaulting the woman inside a moving private bus. The victim and her male friend were thrown IANS “During the previous Congress- ment at the Centre, we have met Un- raising our demand in a peaceful way with the government of India since out of the bus after the crime. Guwahati led United Progressive Alliance ion Home Minister Rajnath Singh at but it seems the government has ear then but in none of the talks the Sharma, who is the only educated member (UPA) government’s time, four least seven times and Union Minister only for violence,” he said. main issues or demands have been among the convicts, had along with three other rounds of talks were held to discuss of State for Home Kiren Rijiju at least When the 2014 protests of the or- discussed,” Basumatary said. convicts, approached the Supreme Court against lamming the attitude of the the issue. 10 times requesting them to take up ganisations in Karbi Anglong turned He said the federal government the Delhi High Court’s 2014 verdict that handed BJP-led National Democratic However, nothing was done to the problems of the Bodos. It seems violent, the government had called had not been sincere enough to pay them death penalty, describing their off ence as SAlliance (NDA) government at fulfi l our demand. that the government is only interest- them for talks. the monthly honorarium to the 1,150 “rarest of rare”. the Centre, the All-Bodo Students’ “Before the 2014 Lok Sabha elec- ed in delaying matter and avoiding However, nothing happened to NDFB cadres who came overground Sharma is the second among the gang-rape Union (ABSU) and other Bodo civil tions, the BJP assured us to fulfi l our the legitimate demand of the Bodos,” their demand also, said Boro. in 2004 as part of the peace initia- accused who tried to commit suicide. society organisations have decided demands. The BJP also included the he said. General secretary of the pro-talk tive and restricted themselves to the In 2013, Ram Singh, the prime accused in the to revive their movement for a sepa- assurance in their election manifesto. “We have also met Assam Chief faction of the National Democratic designated camps. case and the driver of the bus in which the gang- rate state on August 30. “However, once the BJP formed the Minister Sarbananda Sonowal sev- Front of Bodoland (NDFB) Gobinda The ABSU, the NDFB pro-talk rape took place, was found dead in Tihar Jail. ABSU president Promod Boro said government at the Centre, they have eral times and reminded him about Basumatary also condemned the at- faction and a conglomeration of Investigators said that Singh had committed sui- yesterday that a fi ve-hour blockade forgotten their assurance,” said Boro, the assurance of the BJP before the titude of the federal government. several organisations in Bodoland, cide by hanging himself in his cell, while his family of the national highways (NH) will adding that this has left the organi- polls. However, nothing has hap- “We came overground in 2004 Peoples’ Joint Action Committee for and defence lawyer claimed he was murdered. be organised across the state on Au- sations with no option but to revive pened so far. and the process of peace talks started Bodoland Movement (PJACBM) are The juvenile was released in December 2015 gust 30 to press for their demand for their movement for a separate state. “We fail to understand what the in 2009. At least 25 rounds of formal not spearheading the separate state after completion of his three-year term in a juve- creation of a separate state. “After the BJP formed the govern- government wants. We have been and informal talks have been held movement for the Bodos in Assam. nile observation home.

Rahul says he stands by RSS Vested interests trying to upset peace in Tripura: CM comments; BJP hits back IANS hundreds of tribals owing allegiance Agartala to the IPFT took out a rally and at- tacked passers-by, including women, IANS fi davit fi led by Rahul Gandhi before the provoking retaliation by people of New Delhi Mumbai High Court, challenging the defa- ripura Chief Minister Manik diff erent community. mation proceedings against him launched Sarkar said yesterday that The Chief Minister said: “We have by RSS worker Rajesh Madhav Kunte. Tpeople with “vested interests” ordered a magisterial probe into the day after telling the Supreme Court Kunte had said that the Congress leader, were through rumours and social net- ethnic violence and asked the dis- he had not blamed the RSS as an in his election speech at Sonale in Ma- working sites trying to whip up ethnic trict magistrate and collector of west Aorganisation for Mahatma Gandhi’s harashtra on March 6, 2015, had allegedly tension in Tripura in the wake of the Tripura district to submit the report assassination but only people linked to it, blamed the RSS for Mahatma Gandhi’s as- August 23 violent incidents here. within one month.” Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi sassination. “The authorities would take stern Federal “Para-Military forces are said yesterday he stands by his comments The case is pending before a magisterial action against them,” Sarkar warned, helping the state security forces and will never stop fi ghting the “hateful court in Bhiwandi in Thane district of Ma- speaking to reporters. to maintain peace and tranquillity. and divisive agenda” of the RSS. harashtra. Urging people to maintain peace There is no fresh incident in the state However, the Bharatiya Janata Party Rahul Gandhi yesterday also uploaded and communal harmony, the Chief since August 23,” he added. strongly reacted to Gandhi’s stand in the the video of his election speech at Sonale Minister said that some people with The IPFT has been agitating for the Supreme Court as also his tweet on the on Twitter. “ill motives” were trying to tarnish creation of a separate state, carved issue. It asked if Rahul Gandhi can be BJP spokesman Shrikant Sharma cited the long-established peace, harmony out by upgrading the Tripura Tribal blamed for the crimes committed by Con- the murder cases of Bhanwari Devi in Ra- and ethnic tranquillity of the north- Areas Autonomous District Council gressmen. jasthan and Naina Sahani in Delhi in which eastern state. Area (TTAADC). “I will never stop fi ghting the hateful Congress leaders were involved and said The Chief Minister, after meeting Tribals constitute a third of Tripu- and divisive agenda of the RSS. I stand by going by Rahul’s logic, he could be blamed the Director General of Police K Na- ra’s 4mn population. every single word I said,” Rahul said in the for these crimes. garaj, addressed the media in refer- The TTAADC was formed in 1985 tweet. “What Rahul Gandhi would like to be ence to the August 23 violent clashes by amending the Constitution to de- On August 24, Rahul Gandhi’s counsel called? A murderer,” Sharma said. that left 24 people injured and 17 ve- velop the socio-economic conditions Kapil Sibal told the Supreme Court that Convicted for Bhanwari Devi’s murder, hicles badly damaged. of the tribals. Of the 1.21mn popula- the Congress leader had not blamed the former Rajasthan minister and Congress The clashes occurred after members tion living in TTAADC areas, more Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as leader Mahipal Maderna is serving a jail of a tribal party — Indigenous People’s than 90% are tribals. The IPFT’s an institution for the assassination of Ma- term while Congress leader Sushil Sharma Front of Tripura (IPFT) — attacked demand was rejected by almost all hatma Gandhi, but the people associated is serving life imprisonment for his wife civilians, traders and vehicles indis- political parties, including ruling with it. Naina Sahani’s murder, known as the in- Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar addresses a press conference in criminately without provocation. Communist Party of India-Marxist Sibal said this while referring to an af- famous Delhi tandoor case. Agartala yesterday. The situation turned violent as (CPI-M). Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 13 LATIN AMERICA Rousseff ’s trial opens in Brazil’s parliament

AFP damage on the once mighty Brasilia Workers’ Party. The charges against Rous- seff narrowly focus on her use he impeachment trial of unauthorised state loans to of Brazil’s fi rst woman cover budget gaps. Tpresident, Dilma Rous- She argues that the practice seff , got underway yesterday has long been accepted by a with high expectations that succession of governments. the suspended leader of Latin Unoffi cially, Rousseff is tak- America’s biggest economy ing the blame for Brazil’s ver- will be sacked within days. tiginous slide into economic The senate trial was opened decline, mixed with a giant by supreme court president corruption scandal and grid- Ricardo Lewandowski half an lock in Congress. hour late in the blue-carpeted Her predecessor and mentor, chamber at 9.30am (1230 GMT). Workers’ Party founder Luiz The proceedings in the capi- Inacio Lula da Silva, left offi ce tal Brasilia were considered al- with sky-high ratings in 2010 most sure to result in Rousseff , thanks to an economic boom 68, being found guilty of cook- that he used for social pro- ing the budget books to mask grams lifting tens of millions of the depth of economic prob- Brazilians from poverty. Marxist Farc in a camp deep in the jungles of southern Colombia. lems during her 2014 reselec- However, Rousseff ’s rule co- tion campaign. incided with a dramatic slump If she is removed from of- in global commodity prices, fi ce, her former vice president which badly hurt exporter Bra- turned rival Michel Temer will zil, as well as the revelation be sworn in to serve until 2018, of mass embezzlement at oil shifting Brazil to the right after giant Petrobras, the fl agship 13 years of leftist rule under state company, during Lula’s Rousseff ’s Workers’ Party. presidency. Rousseff , who was tortured Although Rousseff herself Colombia announces and imprisoned by the 1970s has not been accused of steal- dictatorship for membership ing from Petrobras, many of in a Marxist urban guerrilla her close allies on the left, group, swore to resist what she as well as opponents on the calls a coup. right, have been charged in “We will fi ght to reinforce an unprecedented crackdown democracy in our country with dubbed Operation Car Wash. the same force that I fought The notoriously infl exible historic peace deal against the military dictator- Rousseff was unable to stop the ship,” she told supporters late fraying of her patchwork alli- A bloody chapter that spanned fifty see such things, it’s historic for the coun- their jungle and mountain hideouts into Analyst Jorge Restrepo of the Confl ict Wednesday in Brasilia. ance in Congress. years has finally closed try,” 24-year-old Marcela Cardenas said, disarmament camps set up by the United Analysis Resource Center said the agree- The trial will climax Monday Huge pro-impeachment before adding that she believes the trans- Nations, which is helping monitor the ment allows Colombia to “fi nally deal with when the president, who was protests erupted and even AFP formation will be extremely diffi cult. ceasefi re. the public policy issues that have been suspended from offi ce in May, Rousseff ’s electoral base — the Havana Local TV in Colombia’s Caribbean city The Farc will then become a political overshadowed by the armed confl ict,” addresses the Senate herself country’s poor — turned away. of Barranquilla showed a rapper chanting party. such as drugs. for the fi rst time. Temer, who has served as “Forward with peace, forward!” Its weapons will be melted down to However there are still obstacles on the A vote is then expected with- acting president since May, olombia’s government and the Farc The confl ict began with the founding build three peace monuments. way to peace. in 48 hours, with a two thirds is hardly more popular than rebels have reached a historic peace of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Co- Special courts will be created to judge Santos’s top rival, former president Al- majority of the 81 senators re- Rousseff . Cagreement to end their half-cen- lombia (Farc) in 1964, at a time when left- crimes committed during the confl ict. varo Uribe, is leading a campaign to vote quired to bring Rousseff down. A recent opinion poll found tury civil war that cost hundreds of thou- ist guerrilla armies were fi ghting to sow An amnesty will be granted for less seri- “No” in the referendum, arguing his suc- Senator Raimundo Lira, a only 13% of Brazilians thought sands of lives. revolution throughout Latin America. ous off ences. cessor has given too much away to the Temer ally and strong backer he was doing a good job. After nearly four years of negotiations in Over the years, it has killed 260,000 But it will not cover the worst atrocities, Farc. of impeachment, told AFP that Opponents consider him il- Cuba, the two sides announced a fi nal deal people, uprooted 6.8mn and left 45,000 such as massacres, torture and rape. And the government is still fi ghting a senators “have already made legitimate, since he has come Wednesday, which President Juan Manuel missing. Those responsible for such crimes will smaller rebel group, the National Libera- up their minds and I don’t to power through impeach- Santos said would be put to a decisive ref- Along the way, it has drawn in several face up to 20 years in prison, with lighter tion Army (ELN), whose ongoing kidnap- think there will be any change ment. erendum on October 2. leftist rebel groups and right-wing para- sentences if they confess. pings have derailed eff orts to open peace at the vote”. He upset many as soon as he “The Colombian government and the militaries. Santos insisted there would be no impu- negotiations. Any lingering good vibes took up the temporary job by Farc announce that we have reached a fi - Drug cartels have also fuelled the vio- nity for such crimes. Colombia’s peace accord with the Farc from the Rio Olympics, which naming an all-male, all-white nal, full and defi nitive accord... lence in the world’s largest cocaine-pro- UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon rebel group is a “historic and unique op- ended last Sunday, were entire- cabinet. on ending the confl ict and building a ducing country. congratulated the negotiators for their portunity,” EU foreign policy chief Federi- ly absent as the capital became However, his centre-right stable and enduring peace,” the two sides Three previous peace processes with the perseverance, while emphasizing that ca Mogherini said yesterday while warning fi xated on the political drama. coalition and choice of mar- said in a joint statement read out in Ha- Farc ended in failure. equal determination will be needed to im- of the “many challenges” ahead to imple- A huge metal barricade has ket-friendly ministers have vana by Cuban diplomat Rodolfo Benitez. But after a major off ensive by the army plement the agreement. ment the deal. been erected on the esplanade raised expectations that he “We don’t want one more victim in Co- from 2006 to 2009 — led by then-defence EU foreign aff airs chief Federica Mogh- Hours earlier, the Colombian govern- outside Congress to separate can start getting the economic lombia.” minister Santos — a weakened Farc agreed erini warned in a statement that a number ment and the left-wing Revolutionary rival demonstrators, with large train wreck of Brazil back on In a national address just after the an- to come to the negotiating table. of challenges remain for implementa- Armed Forces of Colombia jointly an- protests expected Monday. the rails. nouncement, Santos — who has staked his Over the past few days, the two sides tion, but that the deal would bring lasting nounced that they had reached a “fi nal, Inside the chamber, many “We just need a change, legacy on the peace process — said the deal had been discussing a range of unresolved peace. integral and defi nitive agreement” to end senators can barely disguise anything other than Dilma,” marked “the end of the suff ering, the pain topics, and worked late into the night On Twitter Erna Solberg, the prime more than 50 years of armed confl ict. their eagerness to fi nish Rous- said Andrei Portela, 35, who is and the tragedy of war”. Tuesday to draft their joint statement, minister of Norway, one of the countries The deal is due to be formally signed seff off — and infl ict lasting studying economics in Brasilia. He immediately launched his campaign sources from the two delegations told that mediated the talks, congratulated in September, according to government for a “Yes” vote in the referendum, which AFP in Havana. “both parties for a bold step towards a sources, before being subjected to a na- he said would be the most important elec- Farc chief negotiator Ivan Marquez peaceful Colombia.” tional referendum. tion of voters’ lives. called the accord a new chapter for Co- Meanwhile the White House said US It is now for Colombians to decide their “This is a historic and unique opportu- lombia. president Barack Obama had called Santos own future, Mogherini said, nity... “We can now say that fi ghting with to congratulate him. noting that the peace agreement should Poor voters turn to leave behind this confl ict and dedi- weapons ends and with ideas begins,” he “The president recognised this historic be based on “genuine national reconcilia- cate our eff orts to building a more secure, said from Havana. day as a critical juncture in what will be a tion and justice” and should bring “truth safe, equitable, educated country, for all of The peace deal comprises six agree- long process to fully implement a just and and reparations” on leftist leader us, for our children and grandchildren,” he ments reached at each step of the arduous lasting peace agreement,” it said in a state- to the victims of the confl ict. said. negotiations. ment. The EU has pledged an overall 575mn Colombians welcomed the announce- They cover justice for victims of the Obama vowed continuing support for euros ($648.7mn) to support the imple- AFP country with 11mn unem- ment with both scepticism and joy, as confl ict, land reform, political participa- Colombia, a key ally in the US war on mentation of the deal. Sao Paulo ployed, the political milestone many took to the streets late Wednesday tion for ex-rebels, fi ghting drug traffi ck- drugs. “Today rewards those who, through means little. night, waving the national fl ag and car- ing, disarmament and the implementation Washington has spent more than $10bn perseverance and courage, never stopped They are sick of politics. rying balloons emblazoned with the word and monitoring of the accord. on a joint anti-narcotics strategy called believing in peace,” said European parlia- razil’s suspended presi- “The truth is I don’t care “yes” to show their support for peace. Under the peace deal, the Farc will begin “Plan Colombia” — recently rebaptised ment president Martin Schulz, who was in dent Dilma Rousseff is much if Dilma stays or goes,” “It’s hard to believe that we have lived to moving its estimated 7,000 fi ghters from “Peace Colombia” by Obama. Bogota earlier this week. Bfi ghting impeachment Dos Anjos told AFP. “Here to the end, but in poor districts things are always bad.” some of her leftist party’s most Her predecessor, PT founder loyal voters are sick of her — Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, had and all politicians. launched social welfare pro- Cidade Tiradentes on the grammes that lifted millions Agreement won’t boost economy outskirts of Sao Paulo, a bas- out of poverty. tion of Rousseff ’s Workers’ Among these is the “Bolsa Party (PT), has suff ered as Familia” or “Family Fund”, a much as anywhere from the system of conditional subsi- political and economic crises dies that has won praise in in- in the near term, say investors that have brought down the ternational media. 68-year-old leader. “With Lula our lives got bet- “I always voted for the PT ter,” says Naira de Oliveira, 27, Reuters ary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) and economy in the near term are unlikely to passes, Colombian president Juan Manuel but in the last election in 2014 an assistant cook. Bogota the country’s government. be borne out,” said Adam Collins, Latin Santos is expected to seek approval for a I cast a blank ballot,” said “There was more work and Colombian voters still need to approve America economist at Capital Economics package of tax increases aimed at off set- Pamela Dos Anjos, 28, outside less hunger. the agreement in a referendum expected in a research note. ting falling oil revenues, Eurasia Group a social welfare offi ce in the We got the Family Fund and olombia’s historic peace agreement to take place in the next couple of months. “The security situation in Colombia said in a research note. district. help to pay the rent.” with Farc rebels is not likely to give “It’s good news in the abstract, but we has been steadily improving for more than Investors also cautioned that the agree- “I was tired of hearing them Lula presided over a com- Cthe country’s struggling economy have to see whether the referendum will a decade,” he said.“As such, most of the ment could be an economic hindrance as say that things were going to get modities boom fuelled by Chi- an immediate boost, investors said, as be approved and there are other issues in economic benefi ts of peace in terms of in- re-integrating rebels could add to Colom- better and then nothing did.” nese demand for Brazil’s iron sluggish commodities prices remain the terms of fi scal reform that need to be ad- creased investment and tourism have al- bia’s budget defi cit, which might hamper She scrapes a living deliver- ore, oil and other raw materials. most pressing issue. dressed by the government,” said Jim Bar- ready been felt.” reform eff orts and cause a downgrade in ing newspapers for $13 a day. When commodities prices Any benefi t to the agreement, set to be rineau, co-head of emerging markets debt Colombia’s economy grew 4.4% in 2014 the country’s credit rating. “I am fed up with them, all dropped, Brazil’s economy unveiled late on Wednesday, is already re- at Schroders Investment Management. before slowing to 3.1% GDP growth in The Colombian peso fell 0.85% against of the politicians,” she said. slowed down. fl ected in the country’s markets and econ- Wednesday’s accord would see Farc rebels 2015, pressured by declining oil revenues. the dollar on Wednesday. “They are all the same.” It tipped into recession early omy, investors said, after the government reintegrated into civil society and given the How Colombia navigates its fi scal defi - The country’s IGBC stock exchange, The senate opens Rousseff ’s in Rousseff ’s second term in and rebels reached a ceasefi re deal in June, opportunity to participate in politics. cit and rising infl ation is now more press- which has gained 18% so far this year, rose impeachment trial yesterday 2015. setting the stage for a fi nal pact. “While there is little doubt that the deal ing than the long-term prospect of peace 0.7%. The price of oil and gold, two of Co- and is expected to vote on Tues- “I voted for Dilma both The agreement will end more than 50 is a net positive for the economy, the more in the country, investors said. lombia’s key exports, fell 1% and around day whether to fi re her for good. times, but now I am fed up,” years of combat between the Revolution- optimistic estimates of its impact on the Assuming the referendum on the deal 2% respectively on Wednesday. But for the poorest in a said Oliveira. Gulf Times 14 Friday, August 26, 2016 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Islamabad pushes for 16 killed as militants storm nuclear group membership

IANS American varsity in Kabul Islamabad

AFP without specifying how many Kabul troops were involved. akistan has made a strong After the attack ended a few pitch for membership women students, some of them Pto the Nuclear Suppli- ixteen people were killed terrifi ed and weeping, were es- ers Group (NSG), telling the UN after militants stormed corted out of the campus at Security Council that the “ex- Sthe American University dawn by policemen. emplary measures” Islamabad of Afghanistan in Kabul, offi - “My brother-in-law’s daugh- had taken to strengthen nuclear cials said yesterday, in a nearly ter, a student, has disappeared,” an safety establish its eligibility 10-hour raid that prompted anxious woman told AFP outside credentials. anguished pleas for help from the university. “We have been look- The NSG is a 48-nation body trapped students. ing for her since the attack began, that regulates the global trade in No group has so far claimed we have searched all the hospitals nuclear technology. responsibility for the assault, but there is no trace of her.” “We expect that a non-dis- but it occurred as the Taliban The attack, apparently the criminatory, criteria-based ap- ramp up their nationwide sum- fi rst major militant assault on proach is followed for extend- mer off ensive against the West- a prominent university in Af- ing NSG membership which ern-backed government. ghanistan, has cast a pall on the strengthens the non-prolifera- The presidential offi ce said education sector, widely seen tion regime,” Pakistan’s repre- the attack was “orchestrated” as a rare symbol of hope for the sentative to the UN Maleeha Lo- from Pakistan, Afghanistan’s country’s burgeoning youth dhi said, Dawn online reported longtime regional nemesis often amid rising insecurity. yesterday. accused of harbouring the Tali- The growing number of stu- ban. dents attending university, es- “We expect that a non- “Sixteen people, including pecially women, is hailed as a discriminatory, criteria- eight students, were killed and success story in Afghanistan based approach is 53 others were wounded,” health since the 2001 ouster of the followed for extending ministry spokesman Waheed Taliban regime, which banned NSG membership which Majroh told AFP. “Some of the women’s education. strengthens the non- wounded are in critical condi- “Terrorist groups, by at- proliferation regime” tion.” tacking civilians, educational It was not clear how many at- institutions, residential areas, Speaking on non-prolifer- tackers mounted the assault but culverts, bridges, electricity sta- ation of weapons of mass de- Kabul police said at least two of tions want to obstruct growth struction, Lodhi said Pakistan them were gunned down in the and strengthening of the val- had implemented a comprehen- clearance operation. ues that Afghans believe in,” Students walk toward a police vehicle after they were rescued from the site of an attack at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, sive export control regime, par- Hundreds of trapped students President Ashraf Ghani said in yesterday. ticipated in the Nuclear Secu- were rescued during the over- a statement, condemning the rity Summit process, ratifi ed the night operation, many of whom “brutal attack”. ers in the confl ict-torn country. 2005 amendment to the Con- tweeted desperate messages for The attack was “organised The uptick in violence comes vention on Physical Protection help, with some using classroom and orchestrated” from Paki- as the Taliban escalate nation- of Nuclear Material. furniture to barricade the doors. stan, his offi ce said in a separate wide attacks, underscoring the She said Pakistan has also de- The attack began just after statement, adding that Ghani worsening security situation in clared unilateral moratorium on dusk, when the private univer- spoke to Pakistan’s powerful Afghanistan since Nato forces further nuclear testing and reit- sity is usually packed with stu- army chief General Raheel Sharif ended their combat mission at erated its willingness to translate dents, many of them working to demand “serious measures the end of 2014. it into a bilateral arrangement professionals doing part-time against the terrorists”. Afghan forces backed by US on non-testing with India, all of courses. The elite American University troops are seeking to head off which established its eligibility “I heard explosions and gun- of Afghanistan, which opened in a potential Taliban takeover of to become a NSG member. fi re is going on close by...our 2006 and enrols more than 1,700 Lashkar Gah, the capital of the A challenge to non-prolif- classroom is fi lled with smoke students, was long seen as a southern opium-rich province eration norms was the grant- and dust,” an anxious student high-profi le target for militants of Helmand. ing of “discriminatory waivers”, told AFP by telephone, before partly because it attracts foreign The turmoil convulsing Hel- arrangements which denoted fl eeing the campus. faculty members. mand, blighted by a huge opium “double standards” and opened Many of the wounded were The two foreign professors at harvest that helps fund the in- the possibility of diverting ma- rushed into waiting ambu- the university were seized from surgency, has left thousands terial intended for peaceful use lances outside the university on their vehicle on August 7, as the of people displaced, sparking a to military purposes, she said. stretchers, as erratic gunshots kidnappers smashed the pas- humanitarian crisis as offi cials India and Pakistan are the two rang out through the night. senger window and hauled them report food and water shortages. non-NPT states aspiring for the Authorities refused to confi rm away at gunpoint. The Taliban have also closed membership of the 48-member whether any hostages had been Their whereabouts are still in on Kunduz — the northern international nuclear trade car- taken. unknown and no group so far has city they briefl y seized last year tel. At least 10 countries, includ- Nato military advisers helped publicly claimed responsibility in their biggest military victory ing China, had opposed India’s Afghan forces to respond to for the abductions, the latest in a so far — leaving Afghan forces A wounded Afghan police man looks on as he receives treatment, following the militants’ raid that bid to join the NSG at its last the attack, a US official said, series of kidnappings of foreign- stretched on multiple fronts. targeted the elite American University of Afghanistan, at the Italian aid organisation hospital in Kabul. meeting.

Pak concern over halt in US military aid Pakistan yesterday conveyed lamented that despite Pakistan’s Pakistan government unveils reforms for tribal region its serious concern to Peter indiscriminate action against Lavoy, Special Assistant to the all terrorist groups, including US President Barack Obama, the Haqqani Network, the US DPA districts, is between Pakistan’s “We will bring the tribal re- for investment and commercial The reforms are to be im- over the halt of $300mn in Administration had decided Islamabad northwestern province of Khy- gion on par with other areas of activities. plemented over a 5-to-10-year military aid to the country, not to certify the concerted ber-Pakhtunkhwa and Afghani- Pakistan through a set of exten- The region served as Al Qae- period, changing the political off icials said. and forceful measures taken by stan. sive reforms,” Sartaj Aziz, com- da’s nerve centre until June 2014, status of the area and ultimate- Lavoy, who is also Senior Pakistan,” Xinhua news agency akistan yesterday an- The government set up a spe- mittee chairman, told media in when Pakistan’s army launched ly merging the region with the Director for South Asia at the cited the Foreign Ministry nounced political, eco- cial committee more than eight Islamabad. an operation and cleared North Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. US National Security Council, as saying in a statement. US Pnomic, legal and develop- months ago to suggest measures The key measures include re- Waziristan, a key tribal district The region is currently con- held talks with Pakistan’s Defence Secretary Ashton B ment measures to integrate a to improve the security situa- cruitment of additional 20,000 and last bastion of militants. trolled through a draconian, co- Foreign Secretary Aizaz Carter decided against making a lawless and impoverished tribal tion and mainstream the region, tribal policemen to improve se- “The reforms announced by lonial-era law adopted in 1901, Chaudhry in Islamabad, amid certification to Congress stating region, which for years has been where militancy fl ourished due curity, 20% extra salary for em- the government will play an im- that punishes an entire tribe for tension over the blocking of the that Pakistan is taking suff icient an epicentre of Al Qaeda-linked to lack of development, poverty ployees posted in the region, en- portant role in ending militancy crimes committed by a single military aid. action against the Haqqani militants. and absence of a representative actment of a new law to replace and creating peace in the area,” person, under the concept of “The Foreign Secretary network. The region, comprising seven political system. a colonial-era law and incentives Fida Khan, security analyst, said. collective responsibility. Heavy rain in Lahore More MQM offi ces sealed in Pakistan

IANS Monday ransacked two televi- would be made by the MQM Karachi sion stations in a rampage that Rabita Committee in Pakistan, left one person dead and eight and Hussain on Wednesday injured. handed over the party powers ore offi ces of the MQM Hussain, by appearing to to the committee. party were sealed by incite his followers to attack Pakistan has also asked the Mpolice in Karachi city the media for not covering his British government to take ac- after its chief Altaf Hussain’s speeches, triggered an unprec- tion against Hussain for incit- anti-Pakistan remarks led to edented challenge to his control ing violence in the port city. violence in the Pakistani busi- over the party that has dominat- Interior Minister Nisar Ali ness capital. ed the politics and commerce of Khan said Pakistan “hopes The offi ces of Muttahida Karachi for decades. and expects” British authori- Qaumi Movement party were He had made anti-Pakistan ties to bring Hussain to justice sealed on Wednesday night. statements while addressing because “he is their citizen and Its headquarters “Nine Zero” the party activists here over used their soil for inciting vio- were locked shortly after Hussain telephone from London – the lence in Pakistan”. on Monday made anti-Pakistan usual way he keeps contact. Also on Wednesday, jailed remarks, Geo News reported. The remarks led to violence MQM leader Waseem Akhtar The police on Wednesday across the country with peo- was elected as Karachi’s new also arrested two women who ple saying Hussain was out to mayor by a big margin with his were involved in the August 22 destabilise Pakistan. party sweeping the local mu- attack on ARY News offi ces. MQM Pakistan has distanced nicipal elections. The MQM workers who were itself from the controversial Akhtar, who was arrested on protesting outside the Karachi statements with Deputy Con- July 19 for sheltering and provid- Press Club against “enforced venor Farooq Sattar taking ing medical treatment to mili- A Pakistani motorcyclist and his passenger fall into floodwaters following heavy rain in Lahore yesterday. disappearances and extraju- control of the party leadership. tants, will run the city with the dicial killings of workers”, on Sattar said future decisions help of “video links” from prison. Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 15 PHILIPPINES

Militants behead hostage

DPA Manila

ilitants have beheaded a hostage in the south- Mern Philippines after no ransom was paid for his release, a regional military spokesman said yesterday. The severed head of the Fili- pino victim, identifi ed as Patrick Jhames Almodavar, was found on Wednesday in a village on Jolo Island, 1,000km south of Manila, Major Filemon Tan said. The head was wrapped in a President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a meeting with soldiers at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal in the Senator Leila de Lima speaks at a Senate hearing regarding people killed during a crackdown on illegal plastic bag and left alongside a Philippines August 24. drugs in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines on August 23. road, Tan said. Almodavar was abducted by members of the Abu Sayyaf ter- rorist group on July 16 in the town of Jolo, and the kidnappers were demanding 1mn pesos (ap- proximately $22,000) as a ran- som. Last week, the militants re- leased a video of Almodavar ap- Duterte accuses senator pealing for help. Abu Sayyaf, which has been blamed for some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the Philip- pines, beheaded two Canadian hostages in April and June after no ransom was paid. The militants are also sus- of taking drug money pected of holding others captive on Jolo Island including fi ve Ma- Reuters offi cial, and a civilian, who was laysians, a Norwegian, a Dutch- Manila Baraan denies involvement in illegal drugs de Lima’s driver. man and several Filipinos. The United States, a close ally President Rodrigo Duterte has Former Justice undersecretary Francisco personalities involved in the drug trade in from a distance, the prison operations in of the Philippines, said this week directed the military to crush hilippines President Rod- Baraan 3rd on Wednesday denied links to Bilibid. Bucor’s seven penal colonies, more so the it was “deeply concerned” about Abu Sayyaf and also warned that rigo Duterte yesterday ac- drug syndicates that operated in the New Like de Lima, Baraan pointed out that he National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. As the reports of extra-judicial drug the group could be a source of Pcused a senator heading an Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, saying he did could do nothing against the President’s wrongly reported, I was not [undersecretary] killings and it urged Duterte’s recruitment for the Islamic State inquiry into extra-judicial drug not supervise the national penitentiary. attacks. in charge of the Bilibid: this is a total government to ensure that law- extremist group. killings of taking bribes from “All I can say now is that this is something I “I respect our president, but I am powerless misconception,” he said. enforcement eff orts “comply with jailed drug lords, which she im- totally cannot imagine myself being involved before him. All I ask is fairness and due His job as far as Bucor was concerned was its human rights obligation”. Deportation mediately denied. in; it contradicts the deepest Christian process, a chance to vindicate myself in a just to countersign documents or contracts The crackdown and some The senator, Leila de Lima, values I hold dear. I know myself, and in due formal proceeding. If a complaint will be for de Lima’s signature, he said. strongly worded criticism Du- charges against who has criticised the surge of time the truth will prevail,” Baraan said in a filed, so then I will have the opportunity to “That takes just a few minutes. Then, for terte has made of the United 25 foreigners killings and called for the Sen- statement. present my side,” he said. Bucor my task is done that day. I then do my States since coming to power ate investigation, appealed to On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte, who Baraan clarified that the Bureau of other tasks like resolving petitions for review, present a dilemma for Washing- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) Duterte in a news conference to had earlier accused former Justice secretary Corrections (Bucor) was just one of several attending meetings, receiving foreign guests, ton, which has been seeking to has filed deportation charges “stop this madness”. More than and now Sen. Justice department agencies under his etc.,” he explained. forge unity among allies in Asia against 25 foreigners arrested 1,900 people have been killed in Leila de Lima of benefiting from drug “limited administrative supervision.” Baraan pointed out that he was one of the in the face of an increasingly as- earlier this week by elements Duterte’s war on drugs since he money through her driver-bodyguard, “As [undersecretary]having limited members of the off icial Philippine panel that sertive China, especially in the of the Philippine National Police came to power seven weeks ago, said de Lima and Baraan were among the administrative supervision of Bucor, I did successfully negotiated the Enhanced Defence strategic South China Sea. (PNP) in Boracay, Aklan, for their according to police fi gures. highest government off icials in a “matrix” of never oversee, either on the ground or Co-operation Agreement with the US. Last week, two UN human involvement in illegal drugs and Police say the toll of about 36 rights experts urged Manila to cybercrime activities. Immigration people a day is a result of drug deal- stop the extra-judicial execu- Commissioner Jaime Morente ers resisting arrest or gang feuds. “De Lima, you are fi nished,” the country’s main prison. She said was the only one speak- This month, Duterte said de tions and killings. disclosed on Wednesday that the Duterte, who won a May elec- Duterte told a news conference At the top of the list was de ing out against Duterte’s war Lima was having an aff air with Duterte responded by threaten- 18 Taiwanese and 7 Chinese were tion on a promise to wipe out in Davao City in the south of Lima.“De Lima is undergoing a on drugs and she would not be her driver.She declined to com- ing to leave the United Nations. charged for being undesirable al- drugs and dealers, last month the country where he used to be nightmare now,” Duterte said. threatened. “Stop this madness,” ment on the issue. The Philippines summoned the iens and will undergo deportation named about 160 offi cials, judg- mayor and built his reputation as De Lima later held her own she pleaded to the president. Also on the president’s dia- Chinese ambassador this week to proceedings. Despite the deporta- es, police and soldiers who he a ruthless crime fi ghter. news conference and denied the “It’s as if this war against gram was a congressman, who explain reports that traffi ckers were tion charges, Morente said, the for- said were protecting drug traf- Duterte handed the media a di- president’s accusations as “non- drugs has turned into a war is also a retired police general bringing narcotics from China. eigners will not be kicked out yet fi ckers or selling drugs in their agram purportedly showing links sense and baseless”. She said the versus de Lima. It’s like he’s re- and former provincial governor, “This fi ght against drugs will con- pending resolution of the criminal communities. Yesterday, he between offi cials and politicians diagram showing her atop a web ally bent on destroying me at all a former deputy justice minister tinue to the last day of my term,” cases that were filed against them turned his anger on De Lima. and big drug dealers locked up in of graft and drugs was “garbage”. costs. I hope he stops it.” and his brother, a former prison Duterte told the news conference. before the court. Three out of 5 issues Philippine miners slam resolved in Oslo talks ‘demolition campaign’

Reuters between govt, rebels Manila hilippine miners claim Manila Times nist Party of the Philippines. national Humanitarian Law. the government’s envi- Manila “But the general atmosphere To accelerate the pace of Pronmental crackdown was cordial as the session was peace negotiations, both pan- is a “demolition campaign” punctuated by laughter and light els agreed to activate the Re- against mineral producers and he negotiating panels of banter,” Bello added. ciprocal Working Committee are seeking to meet President the Philippine govern- He said all agreements signed (RWC) on the Comprehensive Rodrigo Duterte amid a spate of Tment and communist during the time of President Agreement on Socio-Eco- shutdowns stemming from the rebels have agreed on three ma- Corazon Aquino up to the nomic Reforms, as well as the probe, an industry offi cial said. jor issues in the ongoing peace present were re-affi rmed “sub- Reciprocal Working Groups Duterte’s seven-week old talks in Oslo, Norway, the Of- ject to enhancements that may (RWGs) on Political and Con- government has so far sus- fi ce of the Presidential Adviser be mutually agreed upon later by stitutional Reforms and End pended 10 mines, eight of them on the Peace Process said on both panels.” of Hostilities-Disposition of nickel, for environmental in- Wednesday. “We may need these enhance- Forces. fractions, sowing fear among The statement said the peace ments in the future as we do not Bello said that the RWC and large-scale miners in the panels took only four hours, want to be tied down by the ri- the RWGs will hold simultane- world’s top nickel producer that from 9:30am to 1:30pm, to set- gidity of the past. ous discussions on substan- more shutdowns may follow. tle the three substantive issues, tive issues separate from formal The country’s mining indus- including a formal commitment “It was a frank and honest meetings being scheduled at the try expects to push ahead with to accelerate the process of forg- discussion among friends. panel level. $23-bn worth of new invest- ing a political settlement during We are candid with each “RWC and the RWGs may ments from this year through the term of President Rodrigo other, knowing that we hold discussions on their own at 2020, but this “spirit of opti- Duterte. share the common agenda the venue of their choice. mism is being shattered by a Only two of the five issues of peace. The general We agreed that all RWC meet- very unstable policy outlook,” Pro-environment activists hold a banner while calling for the passing of the “Alternative Minerals remain unresolved — the mode atmosphere was cordial as ings will be held in Oslo, but Benjamin Philip Romualdez, Management Bill” mining law during a rally in front of the Senate building in Pasay city, metro Manila, of interim ceasefire and am- the session was punctuated RWG discussions may be held in president of the Chamber of Philippines August 25, 2016. Banner reads “end to people’s suff erings and mining”. nesty proclamation for the re- by laughter and light the Philippines,” he said. Mines of the Philippines, said lease of all detained political banter’’ Bello said both panels also at an industry conference on warned miners to strictly fol- with Duterte so that future poli- the government’s environmen- prisoners, but these were to be agreed to try to complete discus- Wednesday. low tighter environmental rules cies could be “based on science tal audit, said there was no plan negotiated yesterday, said La- Learning from mistakes of sions on socioeconomic reforms “Notwithstanding the ongo- or shut down, saying the nation and hard facts and not on mere to shut the mining sector. bour Secretary Silvestre Bello the previous negotiations, we within six months. ing demolition campaign that is could survive without a mining slogans of hardline ideology”. “The purpose of the audit is 3rd, head of government peace want to explore all options to On JASIG, he noted that both maliciously maligning the true industry. Miners say the government to ensure that only responsible panel. move the process fast forward,” panels agreed to reconstitute nature of legitimate mining, we The crackdown on the sector should zero in on illegal small- mining is pursued,” Jasareno “It was a frank and honest dis- Bello said. the NDF list of consultants who will not allow anyone, to de- is being led by Environment and scale miners causing the most told Reuters by phone. cussion among friends. We are The agreements that were will be immune from arrest so stroy our industry and we will Natural Resources Secretary environmental harm. Congressman Erlpe John candid with each other, knowing re-affirmed include The they can participate in the peace all do this under the rule of law,” Regina Lopez, an environmen- “We can’t be lumped all in Amante, who has called for a that we share the common agen- Hague Joint Declaration of process. said Romualdez. talist who thinks open-pit min- one basket. There are those ban on exports of unprocessed da of peace,” Bello was quoted as 1992, the Breukelen Joint The NDF leaders informed It was the fi rst time that do- ing is “madness”. that do really well and there are minerals, says there is a need “to saying. Statement of 1994, the Joint the government panel that the mestic miners have spoken Romualdez, also the president those that don’t do well and the make mining more relevant”. He noted that there were Agreement on Safety and list will contain the names of 54 strongly against the govern- of gold-and-nickel producer government should be able to Unless miners invest in process- heated discussions during ne- Immunity Guarantees or consultants classifi ed as “pub- ment’s tough clampdown. Benguet Corporation that is distinguish,” Nickel Asia Cor- ing plants, the Philippines may be gotiations with the National JASIG, and the Comprehen- licly known” and the “assumed Duterte, who was invited pursuing a $350-mn expansion poration Chief Executive Ger- better off shutting its mines given Democratic Front (NDF), the sive Agreement on Respect names” of 87 guerrilla leaders, to speak at the conference but of one of its gold mines, has ap- ard Brimo said. the sector’s modest contribution political arm of the Commu- for Human Rights and Inter- Bello said. did not attend, has previously pealed for an industry meeting Leo Jasareno, who is leading to the economy, Amante has said. Gulf Times 16 Friday, August 26, 2016 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL/MALDIVES Holiday pace Mujib case plaintiff Mohitul Islam dead

By Mizan Rahman plaint with Dhanmandi police Dhaka station, as the delayed trial process began after Awami League under the leadership complainant in the of Sheikh Hasina returned to Bangabandhu Sheikh power in 1996 general elec- A Mujibur Rahman mur- tions and scrapped the infa- der case AFM Mohitul Islam, mous Indemnity Act which who was the then personal as- until then protected the killers sistant to the president, died from justice. of kidney complications at Islam also appeared as the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib plaintiff or key witness to the Medical University (BSMMU) trial while his testimony set in Dhaka. the course of the case. He was 63. Following the trial fi ve jailed “He breathed his last at killers were sentenced to death 2.55pm,” a spokesman of the for the killing of Sheikh Mu- facility told newsmen. jibur Rahman. He said Islam was be- They were executed by ing treated at the hospital for hanging at Dhaka Central nearly two months while for Jail. the past several days he was The initial fi ve were Syed on life-support system at the Faruk Rahman, Mohiuddin BSMMU’s Intensive Care Unit Ahmed, Bazlul Huda, AKM (ICU). Islam left behind his Mohiuddin Ahmed and Sultan wife, a daughter and a host of Shahriar Rashid Khan — all relatives, admirers and friends former army offi cers. Foreign tourists ride a cart pulled by an ox during a sightseeing tour in the ancient Sri Lankan city of Sigiriya. The number of foreign tourists visiting Sri Lanka has swelled to mourn his death. Their execution turned the since the island ended a 37-year separatist conflict in May 2009. Family sources said the body page on a black chapter of bru- was kept in the ICU unit as his tality lingering for 34 years. burial plan has yet to be fi nal- President Sheikh Mujib was ised. killed with most of his fam- President M Abdul Hamid, ily when some junior army Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offi cers stormed his private and law minister Anisul Huq residence on Dhanmondi Road conveyed their sympathy to 32 in a pre-dawn swoop on the members of the bereaved August 15, 1975, ending the family. new-born country’s fi rst spell Mohitul Islam was the resi- of democracy and setting the Leader of Maldives dent personal assistant of then stage for decades of military president Bangabandhu and a rule. key witness to the assassina- Six other former offi cers tion of Mujib along with most convicted in their absence are of his family members. still on the run and another aware of plans to oust He lodged the murder com- died abroad. Bangladesh mangoes him, says spokesman fail European tests According to the BBC Yameen faces an “There have been a lot of developments imminent threat and we are continuing with a democratic By Mizan Rahman increase in the order,” he said. approach and the shadow cabinet is ready Dhaka Mango export became dif- Reuters to take off when the government falls,” fi cult this year as the quaran- Colombo Ghafoor said. tine department asked export- Ghafoor denied the opposition was fter a successful start ers to pack the mangos in the working with “external forces” but said it Bangladesh’s mango garden, not in warehouses or aldives President Abdulla enjoyed international support. Aexports to European elsewhere, so that the produce Yameen, whose administration He said he opposition would ensure countries, the United States remains free of hazardous ele- Mhas jailed most of his opponents, a free and fair presidential election in and member-states of the Gulf ments. is aware of an opposition plot to over- 2018. Co-operation Council have But packing the mangoes in throw him with the support of “external The opposition says Yameen’s Progres- dropped following failed quar- the garden is not possible now, forces”, the president’s spokesman said sive Party of the Maldives is facing splits antine tests, exporters said in he said. yesterday. between its leader, former president Mau- Dhaka. The traders cannot start The BBC, citing unidentifi ed sources, moon Abdul Gayoom, and Yameen, on Bangladesh exported more contract farming immediately reported earlier that Yameen was facing a some issues. than 800 tonnes of mangoes, as the process is lengthy, Das “removal plot” by opponents “looking to The two are half-brothers. mainly to the European mar- said. move against him within weeks”. Gayoom’s daughter, Dunya Maumoon, kets, last year, but the amount “So, the entire system for Best known as an exotic tourist destina- stepped down as foreign minister last fell to 300 tonnes this season. exporting mangoes has to be tion, the Indian Ocean island nation has month citing her opposition to the gov- The fi rst shipment of 500 revisited,” Das said. been mired in political unrest since its fi rst ernment’s use of capital punishment. boxes of mangoes was sent in The EU last year rejected 15 democratically elected leader, Mohamed Abdulla Yameen and Mohamed Nasheed Shihab acknowledged diff erences. May last year. consignments of vegetables Nasheed, was ousted in February 2012. “There are political disagreement and Exporters have to obtain and mangos as they failed to “The administration is aware of Mal- Nasheed, now in exile in Britain after Shihab, asked who the “external forces” diff erences within the party. phytosanitary or quarantine achieve the health standards of dives United Opposition is trying to ‘le- being allowed out of jail to go there for were, said the plan was drawn up by those But that won’t have an impact on the certifi cates — relating to the the EU, he said. gally’ overthrow the government with the medical treatment, formed the Maldives living abroad. government and governance,” he said. health of plants. Some consignments were help of external forces,” Yameen’s spokes- United Opposition (MUO) in June with the The international spokesman for Nash- The largely Muslim island chain with a “Last year, I exported more abandoned this year as well, he man, Ibrahim Hussain Shihab, told Reu- aim of toppling Yameen’s rule. eed’s party, Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, said the population of 400,000 has other looming than 100 tonnes, mainly to added. ters by telephone from the capital, Male, Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail opposition was working to oust the gov- problems. diff erent stores of Walmart in Khaledur Rahman, proprie- citing the opposition. on terrorism charges after a trial in 2015 ernment and was ready to set up a transi- Signifi cant numbers of radicalised London, but this year I sent tor of Khaled Trade Syndicate, He declined to say if he thought it was a that was widely denounced as politically tional government if Yameen’s adminis- youths have been enlisting to fi ght for Is- only 35 tonnes, not to my pre- said: “I exported a small quan- serious plot. motivated. tration fell. lamic State militants in the Middle East. vious customers, as the agree- tity of mangoes as the authori- ment with Walmart has been ties asked us to export through scrapped this year,” said Pari- contract farming.” tosh Chandra Das, proprietor Traders and offi cials from of Dip International. the agriculture and commerce This year, he sent mangoes ministries already visited mainly to the non-resident some mango gardens in diff er- Bangladeshis. ent districts to get an idea how Concern in Bangladesh over contract farming can be done, “I could not send mangos to opening of Farakka Barrage Walmart this year despite an Rahman said.

By Mizan Rahman “There was no water in the Padma over the Kumar is the fi rst Indian leader who has He demanded prompt action on a na- Tara air crash: rescue Dhaka past few years. urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra tional silt management policy. If there’s pressure of water, huge cracks Modi to do away with the barrage that has He also reportedly expressed his con- might develop in the dam and Rajshahi caused silting on the river bed. cerns that the Farakka Barrage in West operation underway xperts fear, there may be fl oods in city, too, may face the fury of fl ood.” Meanwhile, leaders of International Bengal had led to silting in the Ganges and some areas of Bangladesh due to re- He said the water is fl owing 12-15ft be- Farakka Committee (IFC) have congratu- exacerbated the fl oods in Bihar. Elease of water by India through the low the danger level in the Padma now. lated Kumar for his suggestion. The Farakka Barrage is located on the Agencies tions to collect bodies and send Farakka Barrage. Bangladesh’s water experts and green “Finally, an Indian leader has under- Bengal-Jharkhand border and meant to Myagdi them to Kathmandu. India has already opened 100 gates out activists have been demanding the dis- stood the negative impact of the Farakka divert the Ganges water into the Hooghly Around 300 security per- of 104 of the Farakka Barrage to release mantling of the Farakka Barrage for a long Barrage. river and help in desilting process. sonnel from all three agencies 1.1mn cusec water, to save Bihar from time as it aff ects the country’s biodiversity The barrage doesn’t bring any benefi t to This, in turn, has made the river bed he recovery of bod- have been mobilised in the fl oods. and environment. people of Bihar, except fl ood. shallow and fl oods have become an annual ies of passengers and area, said DSP at Myagdi Biswo “The Bangladesh government will have Many rivers have already died and sev- We congratulate Kumar for his sugges- phenomenon in Bihar, which falls in the Tcrew members killed in Raj Khadka. to be prepared. eral others are in moribund condition due tion,” Dr SI Khan said. catchment area. a Tara Air plane wreckage in Some 19 bodies have been There may be big fl oods in Chapainaba- to scarcity of water, which is being with- Bihar chief minister Kumar said, “It is The construction of the barrage began Solighopte hill of Dana VDC-2, so far found. Search for four bganj, Rajshahi, Kushtia, Shariatpur and drawn upstream in the Farakka Barrage. not possible to protect Bihar from devas- in the early 1960s and it became opera- Myagdi on Wednesday morn- is on. Faridpur, due to release of water through Following the ‘unprecedented’ fl ood in tating fl oods, without the removal of the tional in 1975. ing has started. This according All 23 on board the aircraft the barrage,” a leading expert of the Inter- the Indian state of Bihar, its chief minister, Farakka Barrage on the Ganges.” Bangladesh has disputes with India over to nepalnews.com. including three crew mem- national Farakka Committee (IFC) Dr SI Nitish Kumar, has requested the Indian Kumar later met the Indian prime min- sharing the waters of common rivers, in- Teams of Nepal Police, Ne- bers died when a Twin Otter of Khan said in Dhaka. government to remove the Farakka Barrage ister in New Delhi and requested him to cluding the Ganges and the two countries pal Army and Armed Police Tara Air crashed on Solighopte “Some cracks have developed in Rajsha- that diverts waters of the Ganga before it send a team of experts to assess the signed a 30-year water-sharing treaty in Force that reached the wreck- hill in Myagdi on Wednesday hi city protection dam,” he said, adding, enters Bangladesh. ‘unprecedented’ situation in his state. 1996. age site are making prepara- morning. Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 17 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH This is Makkah, the Secure City onourable Makkah, the Secure City; Allah has distinguished it from among all places and made it Hsacred from the day He created the heavens and the earth. Allah commanded Prophet Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, to build the fi rst House on earth for Allah to be worshipped in at this spot and sent down the Black Stone from Paradise as a manifest sign of the sanctity of His Sacred House. In Makkah springs the fi nest water on the surface of the earth, the water of Zamzam, which is food that suffi ces the hungry and a cure for the sick. It is the water with which the chest and heart of the chosen Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was cleansed in order to prepare him for his mission. Allah has made Makkah eternally sacred and secure; He says (what means): “Have they not seen that We made [Makkah] a safe sanctuary, while people are being taken away (i.e. killed and taken captive) all around them?” [Qur’an 29:67] Allah has sent down blessings and mercy upon Makkah, the likes of which have not been bestowed upon any other place or person on earth. In order to make the matter clear, lest people confuse what is virtuous with what is not and what is sacred with what is not, the Lord sent down the angel Jibreel (Gabriel), may Allah exalt his mention, to point out the boundaries of the Sacred City, and Prophet Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, placed signs marking its boundaries. Furthermore, Allah commanded His messenger, Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to rebuild the structure of the House. This, indeed, is a clear sign and evidence manifesting the sanctity and holiness of this Secure City. It was with the command of Allah that Prophet Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, proclaimed to the people the Hajj (pilgrimage) and Allah took it upon Himself to convey the sound of the call all around An aerial view of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. the world. Thereafter, the caravan of the honourable prophets, the righteous and those who followed them began to respond and come forth to the Sacred City. Prophet Moosaa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, the one who was honoured by the miracle of Allah speaking to him, came forth, as came Prophet A duty mankind owes to Allah Yoonus (Jonah), may Allah exalt his mention, the one who was swallowed by the whale, as well as a multitude of other prophets. By Mohammad al-Qaasim and material forms of worship. The former one who seeks guidance will not fail, nor will pilgrim sets out for Haj with a provision which Makkah is the land where the Prophet due to the undergoing any hardship, exertion, the one who seeks advice regret it. Seek the is lawful, and puts his foot in the stirrup (rides Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was fatigue, strain, harsh conditions and travel. guidance of Allah regarding the appropriate his mount) and calls out: ‘O, Allah! Here I am born and where his prophethood began. It is raise and thank Allah the Majestic, The latter is due to the expenditure the pilgrim time, transportation and companions for your in response to Your call,’ an announcer answers where he fi rst received revelation; on the peak dear brothers and sisters in Islam, makes for and during the Haj. journey. The Istikhaarah prayer is to perform him from the heavens above, saying: ‘Your of one of its lofty mountains lies the famous for having extended our life to see The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi two units (rak’atain) of prayer and afterwards call has been heard; you are a happy one; your Cave Hiraa’ in which the Qur’an was revealed Pthe successive days and months, wa sallam) said: From Umrah to Umrah is an supplicate to Allah saying the supplication of provisions are lawful, your mount is lawful and to him sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. for before us now is the occasion of the Haj expiation for what occurs between the two (i.e. Al-Istikhaarah which is as follows: O Allah, your pilgrimage is free of sin and acceptable.’ The honouring and sanctity of Makkah (Pilgrimage). So many pilgrims have already sins), and there is no reward for the accepted I consult You as You are All-Knowing and But, if his provisions are unlawfully gained, continued with the prophethood of begun filling the sky with talbiyyah (declara- Haj other than Al-Jannah. Also he (sallallaahu I appeal to You to give me power as You are and he puts his foot in the stirrup and calls Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and tion of answering the call to Haj) and takbeer ‘alaihi wa sallam) stated: Whoever makes Haj Omnipotent, I ask You for Your great favour, out: ‘O Allah! Here I am in response to Your he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam conveyed to us (declaring Allah’s greatness). They come from and neither quarrels or commits indecency for You have power and I do not, and You know call,’ an announcer from the heavens above that the Ka’bah was to be the direction which the corners of the earth, both east and west, will return home like the day his mother gave all of the hidden matters . O Allah ! If you know answers him back, saying: ‘Your call is not the Muslims should face during their prayers, some having saved every penny they could for birth to him. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] that this matter (then he should mention it) is accepted; nor are you welcome; your food and that a single prayer in the Sacred Mosque years struggling to save enough to fulfil this The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) good for me in my religion, my livelihood, and is unlawful; your provisions are unlawful; was to be equivalent to a hundred thousand in awesome obligation. strongly urged increasing one’s obedience and for my life in the Hereafter, (or he said: ‘for my and your pilgrimage is not free of sin and is any other mosque. Those of you who have all the means and adherence between the Haj and the ‘Umrah for present and future life,’) then make it (easy) unacceptable.”’ Al-Mundhri says: “This is He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam guided opportunity, why are you delaying and what he said: Make the Haj and the Umrah follow for me. And if you know that this matter is reported by At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat, and also the people to know that shedding blood (i.e., are you waiting for?! Have you not read or each other closely, for they remove poverty not good for me in my religion, my livelihood by Al-Asbahani in a mursal hadith from Aslam, killing) in Makkah is prohibited as is felling heard the words of Allah the Most High: and sins as a blacksmith’s bellows remove and my life in the Hereafter, (or he said: ‘for the freed slave of ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab.” trees and hunting, and that picking up lost And Haj to the House (Al-Ka’aba) is a duty impurities from iron, gold and silver; and my present and future life,’) then keep it away It is said in a poem: items from its streets is prohibited, unless mankind owes to Allah, those who can aff ord Haj which is accepted gets no less a reward from me and take me away from it and choose When you make Haj with wealth whose certain strict conditions are fulfi lled. the expenses and whoever disbelieves, then than Paradise. [Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2524 what is good for me wherever it is and please origin is unlawful The last and fi nal Prophet sallallaahu Allah is not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud ; Umar ibn me with it.” [Al-Bukhari] You have not made a Haj but a Haj of no ‘alaihi wa sallam openly announced his love (mankind, jinn, and all that exists). [Ale- al-Khattaab. Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted 2. Purify Your Intention To Perform consequence of Makkah and its lofty status in the sight of Imraan 97] it, and Ahmad and Ibn Maajah transmitted it The Haj For Allah Alone: It is incumbent Allah accepts not except all that is virtuous. Allah when he said, addressing it: “I swear by Also His statement: And perform properly from Umar up to “from iron.”] upon the person undertaking the Haj to intend Not all who make the Haj to the House of Allah Allah! You are the best of the lands of Allah the Haj and the ‘Umrah for Allah. [Al-Baqarah He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also said in their Haj and ‘Umrah for the sake of pleasing are successful and you are the most beloved land to Allah.” 196] And fi nally: And proclaim to mankind a hadith that enlivens the feelings and hurries Allah alone and attaining the reward of the 7. Choose Righteous Companions: They [At-Tirmithi and Ahmad] the Haj. They will come to you on foot and on you on: From ‘Umrah to ‘Umrah is expiation Hereafter. This, so that all one’s actions and will be good for you during travel for they will How could we not glorify Makkah when it every lean camel, they will come form every for all that occurs between them (of sins) and speech and expenditure is a means to get remind you of what you may have forgotten is a land that Allah Almighty has designated deep and distant mountain highway. [Al-Haj the accepted Haj has no reward other than Al- closer to Allah. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi and inform you of what you may not know and singled out with the qualities of sanctity 27]. Jannah. [Muslim] wa sallam) said: Verily deeds are judged and and look out for you and show you brotherly and of being glorifi ed magnifi cently? How Dear Muslims, Haj is one of the fi ve pillars Along with this great reward is the fact that motivated by intention and verily every person love. They will consider all of that as an act of could we not glorify it when Allah has made of Islam. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu the days of Haj are few. So don’t hesitate and shall get what they intended. [Al-Bukhari and worship gaining them nearness to Allah the it sacred, magnifi ed the reward of performing ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Islam is founded upon undervalue this chance while the means to Muslim] Mighty and Majestic. good deeds in it, and has made its mention fi ve pillars: The declaration that there is no travel are much easier compared to past days 3. Learn The Rites of Haj And ‘Umrah 8. Adhere To The Etiquette Of Travel: eternal by mentioning it in the Qur’aan? true deity worthy of worship besides Allah and and you live a life of relative plenty. Favors And Related Issues: Learn the conditions of Make those supplications that are well known, Allah says: (what means): “That [has been that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the call for gratitude and life is for the purpose Haj and its obligations, its pillars and sunnah such as the supplication of travel and the commanded], and whoever honours the performance of prayer (salaah), giving zakaat of worshipping Allah. Don’t delay further or or supererogatory aspects to the point that takbeer when ascending to a high point and the sacred ordinances of Allah -- it is best for him (due alms), fasting in the month of Ramadan, procrastinate and receive the good tidings as you can worship Allah with insight clarity and tasbeeh (Subhaanallah – glorifi cation of Allah in the sight of his Lord” [Qur’an 22:30] and pilgrimage (Haj) to the inviolable House of one of the delegations of Ar-Rahmaan (the knowledge and you will also avoid errors which as free of all perfection) when descending in a Allah also says (what means): “That [is so]. Allah for whoever has the means. [Al-Bukhari Most Merciful), Allah, who has called them may spoil your Haj. Books on Haj are plentiful valley, along with supplications when stopping And whoever honours the symbols [i.e. rites] and Muslim] and they have answered Him and He has given and easy to obtain. Your local mosque may at places along the road etc. of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts” Is a duty for every Muslim who is able to to them. have preparatory classes as well. 9. Mentally Prepare For The Haj: [Qur’an 22: 32] hurry to the fulfi l the Haj before falling into Receive the glad tidings of a great day in 4. Leave Plenty of Provisions For Your Just as important as preparing physically The sacred ordinances and symbols (rites) sin. The Messenger of Allah stated: Hasten to which there will be many false steps and Family And Advise Them To Have Fear Of you should prepare to make psychological of Allah refers to the Sacred City, the Sacred the Haj because none of you knows what will slips of the tongue forgiven for the Prophet Allah (Taqwaa): It is obligatory for whoever adjustments to deal with the hardships, toils House of Allah, and sacred places within happen to him. [Ahmed]. (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: There is intends to make Haj that they leave adequate and inconvenience of traveling and Haj and them, and it is due to their special qualities It is narrated from Abdur-Rahman Ibn not a day when more slaves are freed from the provisions for those whose maintenance they consider all of it as good to be added to your that Allah has distinguished them from all Saabit: Whoever dies without having Hellfi re than on the day of Arafah. [Muslim] are responsible for of money, food, and drink. scale of deeds. There are those who just other cities and lands. performed the Haj and there was no Be happy and fi nd comfort and prepare One should be confi dent that their family is complain and mumble about the heat, the Honouring and glorifying the rites of debilitating illness as an obstacle nor unjust for the meeting with Allah the Glorifi ed and safe and sound and not left in a situation of food, the long trip... Haj is not a vacation or Allah is accomplished by respecting this ruler or some overwhelming necessity Majestic, and benefi t from your time by doing trial or danger. It is highly recommended (and recreational activity! Know that the highest city, by realising its status and virtues, and preventing him, would die in the state of that which will benefi t you in the next life and many scholars say obligatory) to have one’s type of patience, and the type that is most by continually expressing gratitude upon either a Jew or a Christian. [This statement it will then be cause for joy at the time when no will prepared before travelling. greatly rewarded, is patience in the obedience seeing it, as well as by holding the matter of is considered a da’eef (weak) hadith but it is amount of wealth nor progeny will avail you. 5. Sincere Repentance to Allah for All of Allah. Even with all the transportation and worshipping Allah within it in high esteem. supported by a similar statement by ‘Umar Ibn The Day when the records will be made to fl y Sins And Disobedience: Allah, Who is free road facilities, some hardship and toil will This is so because the fi rst House of worship Al-Khattaab and therefore known to have a and hearts will be trembling and transformed of all imperfections, states: And all of you remain. Don’t nullify your deeds dear pilgrim ever to be built was in Makkah, and it is sound origin according to Al-Haafi z Ibn Hajar and you will see people as though they are beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that by mentioning all you have done or irritations towards it that the hearts of the Muslims are al-Asqalaani in Talkhees Al-Kabeer] drunken however they will not be ... rather it you may be successful. [An-Noor 31] True and petty annoyances and driving away other directed from all places on earth. How can It is narrated by Sa’eed ibn Mansour that will be the intense punishment from Allah. repentance (At-Taubah) is when one renounces Muslims by your hand or your tongue. You worship in it not then have such a high status Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (radiallahu ‘anhu) said: Dear brothers and sisters, work for this all his or her sins and disobedience to Allah must apply kindness and compassion. and value? I have considered sending a man to the various world to the extent needed to live in it, but and His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa 10. Lower The Gaze From What Allah made the reward of performing acts cities to see whoever has the means but has work also for the Hereafter in order to live in sallam) and discontinues doing them and feel Allah Has Made Haraam To Look At: Be of worship in it multiples of that performed not made the Haj to then impose the jizyah (a it. Don’t put things off when death is indeed truly remorseful for those past ill deeds and is conscious and fear Allah regarding those elsewhere and made the reward of a single tax imposed upon non-Muslim subjects in an before you and sickness stops you or you determined not to return to them. If someone things which are unlawful. You will be in holy prayer in the sacred mosque equivalent to Islamic state). They are not Muslims. They are become engulfed in work. Instead, escape from else’s rights have been violated they must be places of tremendous religious signifi cance, a hundred thousand prayers in any other not Muslims. all that and seek Allah’s aid and depend upon given back their rightful possessions or made so hold your tongue and control your limbs so mosque. Additionally, fasting, spending in It is therefore a duty for you to fulfi l this Him and be among those who are answering amends with no matter what the violation may that your Haj is not a sinful or false one that charity and all other acts of virtue in Makkah great obligation when it is easy at this time the call to Haj and remembering Allah’s have been. will be a burden upon your back on the Day of have a much higher reward than anywhere for you to do so. Don’t let the Shaitaan cause greatness this year. 6. Use Only Lawful (halaal) Funds: Resurrection. else in the world, higher than any other act of you to sit and be overtaken by procrastination If Allah has already opened your breast and Funds that were lawfully earned so that May Allah accept our obedience and worship could reach in value. and be distracted by some desire. Think of the you have decided to perform the Haj for His nothing sinful may touch your Haj. It may adherence and excuse us of our shortcomings Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ generations and how they used to trek to the sake and the reward of the Hereafter, I remind be that you Haj is accepted but tainted with and make for us and our Muslim parents those emainpage/ Haj for months to reach the Ancient House! you of the following matters: some sin from some other way. It is stated in a through whom forgiveness is granted from The benefi ts of Haj are tremendous and its 1. Ask Allah For Guidance And Advice hadith of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu among the pilgrims answering the call this reward is glorious. It combines both physical (Al-Istikhaarah and Al-Istishaara) : The ‘alaihi wa sallam) where he said: As soon as a year and in the years to com. Gulf Times 18 Friday, August 26, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: Amjad Khan Theresa May and

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] the three Brexiteers Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Brexit, it turns out, is arrangements with the EU and the approve the application under Article and “control of its borders,” two key Fax 44350474 rest of the world (the European 50. A few principled Conservative (and much distorted) promises made not “Bruicide.” The Commission had previously handled pro-EU MPs may vote against it, by Leave campaigners. But Britain referendum’s outcome such arrangements). Another new endangering the government’s slim would still have to conform to all department, the so-called Brexit majority, though the great majority those niggling EU (and indeed US and has had little eff ect on the ministry, will handle political, judicial, will respect the electorate’s wishes. World Trade Organisation) regulatory wider global landscape and constitutional negotiations. The House of Lords will almost standards. And if Britain wants to The creation of these new certainly vote no, but can only delay. entice multinationals as a springboard GULF TIMES departments has reduced the But, even assuming that Article 50 to the European market, it will have to By Robert Harvey once-proud British Foreign Offi ce is triggered smoothly, the negotiations conform to EU rules on competition London to something of a think tank on will be much rougher. Fox may fi nd it and other matters. Otherwise, under international aff airs, responsible relatively easy to secure good terms WTO arrangements (favoured by Fox), for maintaining Britain’s public and with the “friendly dominions” – it would face European tariff s and lose Trump and Clinton rexit means Brexit,” Britain’s trading relations around the world Canada, Australasia, some African investment. new prime minister, Theresa until things settle down again. countries, and so on. But his talks with Once an agreement with the EU May, has declared. So it May’s approach has been to clasp India will be trickier, and extremely is reached, it will be up to May to Bmust: the wishes of the the anti-European viper to her bosom, diffi cult with China (though not get it through Parliament. This will campaign may get electorate, expressed by however awarding the new trade department with Russia, which is eager to make create considerable opportunities narrow a margin, must be respected, to a leading Brexiteer, Liam Fox, and mischief for the EU). Between them, for obstruction and delay from the even though referendums have appointing another, David Davis, as these countries account for around anti-Brexit majority there, at a time no place in Britain’s unwritten Brexit minister (offi cially, Secretary a third of Britain’s trade. The United when a slowdown – a direct result of nastier by Nov. 8 constitution, which is based, sensibly, of State for Exiting the European States is likely to be hard-nosed the Brexit vote – will be sapping the on representative parliamentary Union). The new foreign secretary, in trade negotiations with the UK, government’s popularity. democracy. Boris Johnson, too, was a leader of the but benign, placing Britain in the This is why a second Brexit vote on Former prime minister David “Leave” campaign. middle of the queue, rather than at the agreed terms of departure (favored By November 8, Americans will look back on August as Cameron, who called the referendum The idea is that the three men, the back, as President Barack Obama by Johnson) should take place. Do you the good old days. That’s because some Americans have to quell a rebellion in his Conservative who never spelled out (or probably threatened. endorse them, May will ask voters, only begun to acquaint themselves with the grim choice Party, miscalculated so badly that his didn’t know) the consequences of The remaining half of Britain’s or do you want to stay? In the cold government failed even to plan for a Brexit during the campaign, now trade, which is with the EU, will shower of reality, the vote may turn they face between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. A vote to leave the European Union. Two have to carry the can. There is the depend on what May, Davis, and Fox out to be diff erent, as it was in Ireland lot of people busy with jobs, families, volunteer tasks and months later, the fog is beginning to added satisfaction that all three have can secure. May has voiced distaste and Denmark the morning after their hobbies don’t give elections much attention until Labor clear, and a way out of the Brexit maze diff erent ideas about Brexit, and that for “off -the-shelf arrangements,” but EU referendums. Day, or later. can be discerned. none of them likes the others. something like Norway’s arrangement Then again, if the Labour Party Brexit, it turns out, is not Once the bureaucracy and broad with the European Economic Area continues to tear itself apart and May’s Though interest has been higher this year than in past “Bruicide.” The referendum’s outcome parameters for the negotiations are (EEA), with a few bespoke diff erences, current popularity holds up, she could presidential contests, 15% of Americans say they have has had little eff ect on the wider established by early next year, May seems likely to be Britain’s best option call an early election. Whatever she paid little attention. Some prospective voters are just global landscape, and the impact on will formally launch the withdrawal – access to the single market, but no says now, British prime ministers EU institutions is just another crisis process by invoking Article 50 of participation in political and judicial often seek their own mandate, as faintly aware of the two candidates’ White House eff orts to be managed, not the existential the Treaty of Lisbon. Two years of institutions. Harold Macmillan did when he came and all the baggage they’re dragging along behind them. implosion that London-centric British negotiations (longer if the EU agrees) A key point is that EEA status to power following Anthony Eden’s For those citizens, as well as the voters who’ve been newspapers imagine. May is in no will follow. provides for an “emergency brake” (of resignation in 1957, and as Harold paying attention, the weeks between now and Election hurry to act; nor is German Chancellor The three Brexiteers, after fi ghting the type the EU denied to Cameron Wilson did in 1966 after receiving a Angela Merkel (though, facing re- one another like rats in a sack, will in February) on the free movement wafer-thin majority in 1964. If she Day will bring a barrage of negative, largely dispiriting election next year, the increasingly have had to come up with a package. of people. As the Norwegian EEA got it, her room for manoeuvre in advertisements, from the campaigns as well as desperate French President François By then, the next general election Agreement puts it, “if serious the Brexit process would be greatly independent groups. The ads will highlight the real and Hollande says that he is). will not be far off , providing a second economic, societal or environmental enlarged. – Project Syndicate alleged sins and scandals of each candidate. May, who is as tight-lipped as stamp of approval for Brexit. diffi culties of a sectoral or regional Cameron was an open (if empty) book, That, at least, is the formal plan. But nature liable to persist are arising,” zRobert Harvey, a former member of Clinton and Trump have more than the usual has already created the institutional politics is, among other things, the art limits on free movement may be the House of Commons Foreign Aff airs vulnerabilities to exploit, so the ugly part of the skeleton of a political strategy. Her of managing the unexpected, which applied. Committee, is the author of Global campaign will be more hideous than usual. The subtext government has created a department May and her advisers cannot have With EEA status, Britain could Disorder and A Few Bloody Noses: of each candidate’s message will be: “You think I’m bad? of international trade, which will overlooked. The House of Commons retain “sovereignty” (actually loss The Realities and Mythologies of the almost certainly will be required to of infl uence in EU decision-making) American Revolution. My opponent is horrendous.” be responsible for drawing up trade When she left the State Department in 2013, Clinton was widely admired, with only 29% of Americans viewing her unfavourably. Today, more than half dislike her. And the number could grow. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said he timed a release of hacked e-mails from the Democratic National Committee to damage her candidacy – and he vows It may seem to publish more material about her in the coming impossible weeks. But Trump supporters for despairing shouldn’t be too voters to lower optimistic. Assange has also said that if their opinion disgruntled Trump of these two associates could supply his group with inside candidates information, “we’d be very happy to receive it and publish it.” He has indicated a particular interest in Trump’s tax forms. Then, of course, there are the debates, where the candidates have the chance to confront, challenge and pummel each other. Trump showed a talent for stinging insults – remember his disparagement of “Little Marco” More than 200,000 newborns die each year from infections that do not respond to available drugs. Rubio and “low-energy” Jeb Bush? There is every reason to think he’ll be ruder and more aggressive than previous major-party nominees have been in the fall debates. The Birth in a time of antibiotic-resistant bacteria usual rules of decorum don’t inhibit him. Clinton was relatively polite in her debates with Bernie especially if they are premature – do for disaster. More frequent antibiotic of breastfeeding in strengthening Sanders, whose supporters she hoped to eventually By Anthony Costello and Stefan Swartling Peterson not have fully developed immune use accelerates the process whereby newborns’ immune systems. Finally, enlist. But she didn’t pull any punches in her 2008 Geneva/New York systems, so they are more susceptible exposed microbes build resistance. when antibiotics are used, healthcare debates with Barack Obama, aggressively faulting him for to illnesses, either from bugs their Soon enough, the antibiotic becomes providers should confi rm that they are his Chicago ties to political operator Tony Rezko, whom mother is already carrying, or from ineff ective. Worse still, very few truly needed and prescribe responsible ing Henry VIII, Jean-Jacques infections they pick up in the hospital. pharmaceutical companies are doses. she called a “slum landlord,” and incendiary pastor Rousseau, and Mary Shelley, That likelihood naturally increases developing new antibiotics to Fortunately, policymakers around Jeremiah Wright. If her opposition research team has author of Frankenstein, when health facilities lack toilets, replace those that are losing their the world have started to pay attention dug up incriminating material about Trump, the debates Kall lost their mothers to running water, and other basic eff ectiveness. to this issue. In 2015, the World would be a perfect opportunity to unload it. infections following childbirth, and sanitary conditions, as is often the This points to the dual nature of the Health Assembly, the World Health literature abounds with tragic stories case in low-income countries. While problem. While antibiotics are used Organisation’s decision-making body, By the time these two and their many critics have of maternal death, from A Christmas these countries have made some excessively in some places, they are adopted a global action plan to address expended all their ammunition, Clinton and Trump may Carol to Wuthering Heights, Far From progress, through clean-water and unavailable in others. More children antimicrobial resistance. The plan have higher negative ratings than the Zika virus. the Madding Crowd, A Farewell to sanitation initiatives, immunisation, in Africa die from a lack of access establishes a framework for raising Arms, Revolutionary Road, Lolita, and and antibiotic use, the gains are to antibiotics than from antibiotic- awareness of the problem, collecting It may seem impossible for despairing voters to lower Harry Potter. fragile. resistant infections. Indeed, many still more data, developing new drugs their opinion of these two candidates. But this campaign But maternal and infant mortality is In high-income countries, maternal die from infections, such as bacterial and diagnostic tools, encouraging seems designed to change the old defi nition of politics as not confi ned to the past, much less to and infant mortality is now rare, pneumonia, that should be easily practices to reduce infections, “the art of the possible.” What was once impossible has fi ction. More than 30,000 women and owing to a century of improvements treatable. optimising antibiotic usage, and 400,000 newborns die each year from in hygiene and infection control. Saving the lives of mothers and investing in countries’ healthcare and become almost inevitable. infections around the time of birth. For example, when antibacterial infants will require us to address the sanitation capacities. Most of these deaths occur in low- sulphonamides became available problem of access as well as excess. World leaders will address income countries, and the situation after 1934, infections could be treated Simply put, those who need lifesaving antibiotic resistance at next month’s will only worsen as the antibiotics quickly and easily on the spot, and antibiotics must get them, and those G20 summit in China, and then at a To Advertise available for treating infections mortality rates plummeted. who do not must not. high-level United Nations General become less eff ective, owing to the However, antibiotics’ eff ectiveness The most important step is to stop the Assembly meeting. This is as it should [email protected] emergence of antibiotic-resistant led many healthcare providers to spread of infection, so that antibiotics be, because no border or wall will keep Display bacteria. overprescribe them, and people now don’t have to be used in the fi rst place. out drug-resistant bacteria. A real Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 According to current estimates, frequently take them when they All healthcare facilities, at a minimum, commitment from all governments more than 200,000 newborns die shouldn’t, such as when they have a must have clean running water and is necessary for tackling a problem Classified each year from infections that do viral infection like the fl u. Antibiotics sanitation services, and healthcare that threatens the lives and health of Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 not respond to available drugs. are also being fed indiscriminately professionals must follow good hygienic mothers and infants worldwide. – And studies using data from larger to livestock and fi sh to boost food practices such as hand washing. Project Syndicate Subscription hospitals – where microbes are more production. According to some Facilities should also implement [email protected] likely to develop antibiotic resistance estimates, less than half of all the policies to discharge mothers and zAnthony Costello is Director of – estimate that about 40% of antibiotics taken by humans are newborns sooner rather than later, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and infections in newborns resist standard actually needed, and there is even in order to reduce the potential for Adolescent Health at the World Health 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved treatments. more needless use in animals. exposure to infectious microbes, and Organisation. Stefan Swartling Childbirth can be risky. Infants – As we now know, this is a recipe to educate mothers on the importance Peterson is Chief of Health at Unicef. Gulf Times Friday, August 26, 2016 19 COMMENT The easy money contagion

When it comes to global Currency Experience, Ragnar Nurkse reminiscent of Nurkse’s era. argued that refl ationary policies Where does this leave other major monetary easing, the buck following the collapse of the gold central banks? Top Chinese offi cials may not stop at the Fed standard of the 1920s operated by have recently begun to call for the lowering currencies’ foreign exchange People’s Bank of China to cut interest By Carmen Reinhart value, with the 1931 devaluation of the rates and lower reserve requirements. Jackson Hole, Wyoming British pound unleashing a spate of As for the US, the Federal Reserve competitive devaluations worldwide. faces competing pressures. Strong While it is commonly believed recent job growth, including long- o consider the actions taken that the devaluations were intended awaited gains in middle-wage em- by the world’s major central to “beggar thy neighbour,” Nurkse ployment, is a positive sign for the US banks in the past month is to pointed out that they were often ac- labour market, and wage growth and Tinvite an essential question: companied by expansionary monetary so-called core infl ation are fi rming. At when – and where – will all this mon- policy, which benefi ted world trade. the same time, employment gains have etary easing end? The rationale for favouring weak not translated into proportionately At the end of July, the Bank of Japan currencies was that a competitive higher output, as productivity remains announced that it would maintain its exchange rate would prevent a further depressed, while infl ation expecta- current negative interest rates and contraction in domestic output and tions remain subdued. bond-buying programme. At the same prices (defl ation). The aim was to sub- Although the links between eco- time, the BOJ pledged that it would stitute external demand, in the form nomic fundamentals and currency nearly double its annual purchases of an improvement in net exports, for movements are elusive, it seems plau- of equity-traded funds, from ¥3.3tn defi cient domestic demand. sible to expect that a more hawkish ($32.9bn) to ¥6tn. And yet the an- We no longer live in a world domi- path for the Fed would mean living nouncement of a monetary-policy nated, as Nurkse’s was, by fi xed ex- with a stronger US dollar. But will it? package that in a diff erent era would change rates. The term “devaluation” The deterioration in US net exports have been considered inconceivably is not appropriate when describing already trimmed about 0.8 percent- accommodative, actually disappointed currency fl uctuations within a system age points from real GDP growth in fi nancial markets. To the chagrin of fl oating exchange rates. Yet the re- the fi rst quarter of 2016 (largely at the of Japanese policymakers, the yen cent spate of central bank actions and expense of manufacturing). Indeed, strengthened against major curren- their timing (notwithstanding consid- the US current-account defi cit is cies. erable diversity in terms of domestic widening once again just as Germany’s Then, in early August, the Bank of economic conditions) suggests that current-account surplus is expected England cut borrowing costs, boosted interest-rate cuts and nonconvention- to hit a high of about 8.5% of GDP this its quantitative easing (QE), and com- al forms of easing, if not competitive, year (about three times China’s ratio). mitted an extra £100bn ($131bn) to are certainly contagious. All of this, together with the wave encourage banks to lend. Responding This observation is not intended of central bank accommodation to the pound’s signifi cant depreciation to imply that the general direction of worldwide (and prospects for more against the US dollar and other cur- monetary-policy accommodation is of the same), would seem to tilt the rencies following the United King- inappropriate. The prospect of defl a- balance toward a more gradualist Fed dom’s vote in June to leave the Europe- tion is a threat to prosperity and fi nan- approach to unwinding QE. In other an Union, the BoE indicated the move cial stability, particularly for countries words, when it comes to global mon- was a pre-emptive eff ort to mitigate with low growth and high levels of etary easing, the buck may not stop at the recessionary pull of Brexit. In re- public and private debt. the Fed. With so much depreciation sponse to the new monetary stimulus, But the contagious nature of the worldwide, why would the US want the London stock market surged and rate cuts does raise the question of the dubious honour of a strong dollar? the UK pound slid further. currency appreciation in anticipa- In a similar vein, the Reserve Bank took place against a backdrop of solid whether domestic monetary policies – Project Syndicate In the same week, the Reserve Bank tion of further interest-rate cuts and of New Zealand cut its policy rate economic growth and a hot housing have once again become more inter- of Australia cut its benchmark interest QE around the world. Members cited 25 basis points, to 2%, to counter market. dependent. It would seem that among zCarmen Reinhart is Professor of the rate to a record-low 1.5%. The minutes a “reasonable likelihood of further defl ationary forces and restrain the The world has been here before, many of the world’s largest central International Financial System at of that meeting suggest that the cut stimulus by a number of the major appreciation of the New Zealand dol- only the names have changed. In banks, no one wants to be the one with Harvard University’s Kennedy School was primarily aimed at heading off central banks.” lar. In this case, the interest-rate cut his classic 1944 book International the strong currency. This, at least, is of Government. Rise and fall of Mideast health systems Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 42 C By Ali H Mokdad 1990-2008 rate of increase for life or income – of basic treatment for many countries in the region made in expectancy in Syria had continued everything from physical injuries to prior decades provides grounds for Low : 33 C Seattle Misty to foggy at places at first apace, it would have been fi ve years drug and alcohol abuse. hope that it can be reversed. Larger becomes hot daytime with some local clouds, and relatively humid higher for women and six years higher In fact, confl icts in the region investments in education, diagnosis, by night uch of the progress in for men than it is now. In Libya, life are especially hazardous for people and treatment, for example, would the Arab countries of the expectancy declined by six years for suff ering from mental illness and help to reduce the stigma of mental SATURDAY Middle East and North women and nine years for men. And in substance abuse. The rate of total illness that persists in many Arab High: 41 C Africa in recent decades Egypt, Tunisia, and Yemen, it declined disease burden for psychological countries. Low: 32 C M Sunny appears to have been reversed by by .25 years between 2010 and 2013. and drug-use disorders, measured But a resumption of progress in the the political unrest and civil wars The larger drop in life expectancy in in life years, increased from 4% in region is impossible without political affl icting the region. This reversal is Syria and Libya is to be expected, given 1990 to more than 7% in 2013, with solutions that reduce violence and especially visible in the health systems the civil wars in those countries. The some countries seeing more dramatic social unrest. As we conclude in our SUNDAY of Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, UN Special Envoy in Syria estimates increases than others. With the unrest study, “a healthy Eastern Mediterranean High: 40 C and Yemen, which previously had that 400,000 people have died in that yet to come to an end, the impact will Region is a politically stable Eastern Low: 33 C been steadily improving. country in the last fi ve years as a result be even higher in 2016. Mediterranean Region from which the Sunny Before 2010, these countries were of the violence. Moreover, the turmoil Areas neighbouring confl ict zones whole world will benefi t.” experiencing increased life expectancy has had less obvious, but equally are also increasingly burdened by Stabilising a country riven by as well as reduced infectious disease alarming, downstream eff ects. For the largest refugee crisis in 70 years. confl ict is a prerequisite for improving Fishermen’s forecast burdens and infant and maternal example, after declining at an average The fl ood of people into camps in its healthcare system. Once such OFFSHORE DOHA mortality. Today, however, disruptions annual rate of 5.6% between 1990 and Lebanon and Jordan has overwhelmed stability is achieved, regional and Wind: SE-NE 03-12/15 KT to their health systems have 2010, Syria’s infant mortality rate has sanitation measures, leading to local eff orts should be accelerated Waves: 1-3/4 Feet compounded the trauma and misery risen by 9.3% in recent years. outbreaks of infectious diseases and to improve disease prevention and INSHORE DOHA Wind: NE-SE 05-15/18 KT that have arisen from the region’s In war-torn countries, the resurgence in some areas of diseases healthcare infrastructure, and to Waves: 1-2 Feet many confl icts. destruction of infrastructure is that had been nearly eradicated, such put the region back on a path toward This is clear from a recent study that generally indiscriminate. Despite as polio among Syrian refugees in Iraq. providing better, healthier lives for its Around the region I co-authored for The Lancet, which international resolutions prohibiting Most countries absorbing refugees are people. – Project Syndicate/Mohamed Weather Weather examined data from the Global Burden attacks on healthcare facilities, such simply not equipped to deal with such Bin Rashid Global Initiatives, 2016. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min of Disease Study 2013 to determine the attacks are a regular occurrence. a massive infl ux of people who need Abu Dhabi Sunny 45/31 Sunny 45/28 eff ects of health-system deterioration Moreover, amid war and severe social health and social services. zAli H. Mokdad is Director of Middle Baghdad Sunny 49/29 Sunny 50/31 Dubai Sunny unrest, medical and mental-health The rapid deterioration of Eastern Initiatives and Professor at Sunny 43/31 42/29 in Eastern Mediterranean countries. Kuwait City Sunny 46/31 Sunny 48/32 We found that projected life professionals often fl ee to safer healthcare systems in the Middle East the Institute for Health Metrics and Manama Sunny 42/31 Sunny 43/32 expectancy has declined across the environments, depriving those left and North Africa in the last half- Evaluation (IHME), University of Muscat Sunny 36/28 Sunny 36/27 board since 2010. For example, if the behind – regardless of their status decade is alarming. But the progress Washington. Riyadh P Cloudy 43/29 Sunny 44/29 Tehran Sunny 35/23 Sunny 36/24 Live issues Which work desks, chairs are best for health?

By Danielle Braff recommended the Uplift Height the CoreChair ($1,195.95 at Fitter1. Tribune News Service Adjustable Sit Stand Desk (price com), Hedge said. varies by confi guration and by desk at It’s also important that your Upliftdesk.com) for those interested in computer be placed at the correct hances are, you’re sitting a completely new adjustable desk. relationship with your neck and head right now. Your back may be Those who don’t want to adjust – specifi cally, it should be at your eye aching. Or maybe it’s your their desks and chairs throughout the level, according to the US Department Cshoulders. day may want to look into chairs that of Labor. Most of us don’t have a choice: are simply better for their bodies. The computer screen should be 18 We’re locked into our offi ces for eight “Workers should make sure they to 30 inches from your body, with no Around the world hours a day, and that’s if we’re lucky. have a chair that allows them to move change in sight line or angle when Weather Weather And that means that our bottoms are in a range of healthy seated postures,” you change posture, Tameling said. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min fi rmly tucked into an offi ce chair. said Ken Tameling, general manager Your head should remain over your Athens Sunny 31/22 Sunny 31/22 A few years ago, standing desks More than 20 doctors helped make of global seating and surface materials neck, versus hunched forward. If Beirut Sunny 31/27 Sunny 31/26 Bangkok P Cloudy 34/27 S T Storms 34/27 were all the rage. You could burn the Herman Miller Embody Chair for Steelcase. your computer isn’t the right height Berlin Sunny 32/17 M Sunny 31/17 calories and combat the risk of heart ergonomically healthy. There are a variety of ergonomic for your neck and head, try raising Cairo Sunny 35/25 Sunny 37/24 disease and premature death linked chairs that will support your lower, it with a Monitor Stand ($39.99, Cape Town Sunny 26/13 Sunny 24/12 with sitting all day by standing while assistant professor in health and mid- and upper back, even when containerstore.com). Colombo T Storms 29/26 T Storms 28/26 S T Storms 33/27 you worked. human physiology at the University of you’re hunched over your computer These adjustable options should Dhaka 34/27 P Cloudy Hong Kong T Storm 31/27 S T Storm 31/26 But a recent study published in the Iowa. The answer, he said, is a combo. or your paperwork, said Alan Hedge, be combined with creating an Istanbul Showers 26/22 M Sunny 28/21 International Journal of Epidemiology “A good rule of thumb is to purchase director of the Human Factors and inconvenient offi ce environment. Yes, Jakarta T Storms 31/25 S T Storms 32/26 found that standing is no better for desk that easily adjust between sitting Ergonomics Laboratory at Cornell inconvenient is best. Karachi M Sunny 34/28 M Sunny 33/28 your health than sitting because being and standing,” Carr said. “Desks that University. He said ergonomic chairs “We have designed our work spaces London Sunny 26/14 T Storms 22/15 Manila T Storms 31/26 T Storms 31/26 still was what was negatively aff ecting have electronic lifts or air lifts tend to that provide good support for the to be so convenient that it’s having a Moscow M Sunny 23/13 Sunny 27/16 your health. So offi ce workers went be easiest to adjust.” entire body are the Humanscale negative impact on our health,” Carr New Delhi T Storms 33/27 S T Storms 33/27 back to their chairs. This way, Carr said, you’re always Freedom Chair with Headrest ($999 at said. He suggested moving the printer, New York S T Storms 34/23 Sunny 32/22 Within the past decade, we’ve on the move, with frequent posture thehumansolution.com), the Embody trash can and anything else that you Paris Sunny 34/19 M Sunny 36/21 P Cloudy Sunny 27/13 circled through exercise ball chairs, adjustments. chair by Herman Miller (starts at use regularly so that it’s out of reach, Sao Paulo 26/12 Seoul S Showers 25/18 Sunny 28/18 treadmills for chairs, standing desks For those simply looking to retrofi t $1,229 at Dwr.com) and the Leap chair forcing you to get up and move in Singapore S T Storms 32/26 P Cloudy 33/26 and now we’re back at square one. their current desk, the Varidesk Pro by Steelcase ($919 at store.steelcase. order to reach them. Sydney M Sunny 14/07 Sunny 17/06 There must be a better way. Plus 36 ($395 at Varidesk.com) is a com). Those looking to combine a core We’ll do that next. One step at a Tokyo Cloudy 32/25 Cloudy 32/23 Yes, there is, said Luca Carr, good option, Carr said. But he also workout with active sitting should get time. Gulf Times 20 Friday, August 26, 2016 QATAR

Supermarket pulled up for storing food items in workers’ housing

Legal action has been taken against a supermarket in Al Sadd for violating regulations by storing food items in a workers’ housing unit, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said yesterday. The violation was detected by inspectors from the health inspection section in the Municipal Control Department at Doha Municipality. A team of inspectors conducted a search at the workers’ accommodation following a complaint that the place was being used to store food products in unhygienic conditions. The place lacked basic hygiene requirements as well as adequate ventilation. Food items beyond their expiry date were also found at the store and seized accordingly. A violation report was issued for flouting Law No 8 of 1990 on the Regulation of Human Food Control. Korean artistes’ concert at Katara

By Joey Aguilar “We expect more exchange Staff Reporter visits of educational experts and students, and further co- operation will take place,” said he South Korean embassy Park, who also cited the visit of in Doha will host a joint HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Tconcert by countertenor to South Korea during the World David Dong Qyu Lee, pianist Education Forum. Sonya Park and Korean musi- The event saw the signing cians of Qatar Philharmonic of an agreement to support Orchestra on November 14 at 130,000 students in Afghani- Katara – the Cultural Village’s stan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Opera House. Cambodia. The event is part of further In tourism, Park said more strengthening bilateral ties be- than 1,000 Qataris visit South tween South Korea and Qatar in Korea for medical treatment, various fi elds, including culture, leisure and other purposes while education and tourism, ambas- many Korean travellers visit sador Heung Kyeong Park has Qatar on their way to European told Gulf Times. countries via Qatar Airways, “Dong is active in Germany which fl ies daily between Doha now; he is one of the famous South Korean pianist Sonya Park. PICTURE: www.sonjapark.org South Korean countertenor David Dong Qyu Lee. PICTURE: www.daviddqlee.com and Incheon. countertenors in our country,” He expressed optimism that Park explained. “He has drawn the Qatari map to both Koreans and Qataris.” October to mark the eighth Ko- of understanding on educational ing”, the conference included a more Qataris and South Koreans In co-ordination with the Qa- with Korean letters. Also, we can In February, South Korean rea-Arab Friendship Caravan. co-operation came into eff ect in workshop on ICT-based educa- would travel between the two tari cultural authorities, the em- show Arabic letters by using the media artist Lee Lee Nam exhib- On the educational front, the November 2015, he noted that tion. destinations with the increase of bassy is also planning to invite oriental brush, which is quite ited his video artworks at Katara envoy said a couple of Qatari Korean educational experts par- The embassy also announced mutual co-operation. popular artists from South Korea, impressive,” he added. “It will for a month. Last year, a group of students are studying in South ticipated in a conference held at that a Korean lecturer would Qataris can visit South Korea particularly its peace map calligra- be a good opportunity to share Korean performers also show- Korea, together with 90,000 the Qatar National Convention start teaching the Korean and stay for three months with- pher, to visit and possibly hold ex- our commonalities because cased oriental and contemporary other foreign students. Centre in May. language at Qatar University out any visa, the ambassador hibitions in Doha early next year. calligraphy is very attractive break dance at the same venue in As the bilateral memorandum Dubbed as “Leading Learn- starting next month. added. Qatar Charity reopens Qatari Bakery in Saraqib

atar Charity (QC) has fi cient, with displaced people The work included secur- ing this project to off er help to reopened Qatari Bak- and inhabitants of the area not ing the bakery, maintaining the Syrians there and alleviate their Qery in Saraqib (Idlib), receiving enough bread. In ad- oven, and replacing the cloth- suff erings. The project involves which had been destroyed, to dition, there were many fami- ing and cooling line. There are providing the benefi ciaries with provide displaced Syrians with lies that could not aff ord buying also plans to change the com- their basic food needs, espe- bread. bread. Therefore, QC found a pressor and replace the elec- cially because the price of fl our More than 44,000 people new, safe location for the bak- tricity and water networks. In is very high there and many dis- benefi t from the project on a ery from where it can off er its addition, water tanks that had placed Syrians remain without daily basis, QC has said in a services to the people living been destroyed would be re- food.” press statement. there.” placed with new ones. An experienced team su- Mohamed Rashid al-Ka’bi, In co-ordination with IHH, Al-Ka’bi explained how Qa- pervises the bakery. The staff director of relief management QC prepared the new location tari Bakery produces 64,000 members include a director, at QC’s executive management in order to establish the bak- loaves of bread every day in two supervisers and workers. Participants of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden’s ‘Fun & Learn’ workshop. operations, said Qatari Bakery ery there. Once operations re- Saraqib. The bread is distrib- Al-Ka’bi thanked philan- stopped off ering its services sumed, the bakery started pro- uted to the displaced and needy thropists in Qatar for support- as it was bombed. “As a result, ducing bread at full capacity at in Saraqib, Abu Duhoor and ing the cause and donating for bread production was insuf- a cost of QR90,000. other areas. “QC is implement- the relief of Syrians. QBG hosts ‘Fun & Learn’ workshop

he Qur’anic Botanic Gar- “The ‘Fun & Learn’ campaign being delivered to 20 Unesco- den (QBG) recently held aims to educate children about associated schools working un- Tan educational workshop the importance of plant life and der the supervision of the Qatar for children as part of its ongo- the environment through a se- National Commission for Edu- ing summer activities. ries of fun and interactive activi- cation, Culture and Science. The “Fun & Learn” event was ties,” said Fatima Saleh al-Khu- QBG is a member of Qatar hosted in collaboration with the laifi , project manager of QBG. Foundation for Education, Sci- women’s branch of Eid Charity. “Our most recent workshop was ence and Community Develop- The workshop was held at hosted in partnership with Eid ment (QF). Through its educa- Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Charity and was an overwhelm- tional initiative, QBG aims to Student Centre in Education ing success. We are looking for- encourage student engagement City, where participants enjoyed ward to rolling out the campaign and strengthen agricultural a series of engaging activities, across the rest of the country.” awareness in Qatar, supporting including interactive education- The “Fun & Learn” initiative QF’s dedication to sustainable al games such as colouring, puz- is aimed at primary school chil- development and environmental More than 44,000 people benefit from the project every day. zles and quizzes. dren aged six to 11 years, and is responsibility.