BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 12 Gharafa, Rayyan register INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-7, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 QNB plans to open REGION 8 BUSINESS 1-8, 15, 16 wins 19,986.00 10,596.39 53.83 ARAB WORLD 8, 9 CLASSIFIED 9-14 branches in Saudi, India +165.00 +25.98 +0.29 INTERNATIONAL 10-21 SPORTS 1-12 +0.83% +0.25% +0.54% in overseas push Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10356 February 6, 2017 Jumada I 9, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets Malaysia Dy PM Qatar vows zero In brief tolerance on food QATAR | Offi cial Emir speaks with Somali president HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held a telephone poisoning deaths conversation with President of the Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud. During the phone call, they Ministry of Public Health set to reviewed bilateral relations and ways launch country’s first-ever public of developing and enhancing them, health strategy and discussed a number of issues of common concern. By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter ARAB WORLD | Confl ict

US coalition jets atar will have zero tolerance bomb IS- held town on deaths caused by food poi- US-led coalition planes bombed an Qsoning, a senior offi cial of the Islamic State-controlled town near the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said Euphrates Dam in northern Syria a day yesterday. after the launch of a new phase of a “Our aim is to become one of the campaign to capture the militants’ de countries with the lowest cases of food facto capital of Raqqa, activists and poisoning,” said Sheikh Dr Mohamed the militants said yesterday. Activists HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday met at his off ice in the bin Hamad al-Thani, director of Public confirmed reports released by the Emiri Diwan Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Health, MoPH. militants’ news agency Amaq which Hamidi and his delegation. The meeting was attended by HE the Prime Minister and He was addressing a group of offi - Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani Dr Hamad Eid al-Rumaihi said four raids in the last 24 hours Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. Page 3 cials attending a MoPH workshop on hit the town of Tabqa west of Raqqa, preventing and raising awareness on “We are building capacities with reg- According to him, the ministry of- located near Syria’s largest dam, at food poisoning in the country. ulations so that restaurants and labour fi cials routinely check restaurants and the southern end of Lake Assad on “We are also increasing surveillance camps serve healthy food and there will labour camps to increase awareness the Euphrates. A video released by QA launches world’s longest fl ight to avoid any food poisoning outbreaks,” be regular monitoring and awareness. among food handlers. Amaq showed extensive damage to a the offi cial said adding the MoPH was As much as 99% of the food imported “We also raise awareness among the commercial centre in the town but did The world’s longest commercial international tradition to welcome working on launching Qatar’s fi rst-ev- to the country is safe and the incidents public to report any cases of food poi- not mention any casualties. flight landed in New Zealand with the inaugural flights, the Auckland airport er public health strategy. of food poisoning happen due to wrong soning. We will respond quickly to any arrival of Qatar Airways’ 14,535km rescue service showered the plane with Sheikh Dr Mohamed said Qatar has storage and improper practices by the notifi cations on such incidents. The AFRICA | Dispute Doha-Auckland service, the airline water cannons on arrival. been ranked fi rst in the Gulf and 15th people. We already have many laws in food safety personnel will go to the announced. “We’ve off icially landed The previous record for the world’s globally in health quality by the Lega- this regard and the ministry will propose premises and collect samples and check Morocco ‘will never in Auckland,” the airline tweeted as longest scheduled flight by flying time tum Prosperity Index 2016. several new regulations,” he added. in our central labs. The new law gives recognise W Sahara’ flight QR920 landed at 7.25am (1825 was held by Emirates, which launched “We are working on lowering the Dr Hamad Eid al-Rumaihi, director, us the authority to close any premises if Morocco will “never recognise” GMT Sunday), five minutes ahead of direct flights to Auckland from Dubai in cases of food poisoning as well as re- Health Protection & Communicable there is any violation,” he said. Western Sahara’s independence schedule after a 16 hour 23 minute March 2016. sponding to such cases very quickly. Disease, MoPH, said the ministry has The offi cial also noted that the de- despite rejoining the African Union flight. The long-range Boeing 777- Air India has a longer flight by distance, We also focus on lowering the suff er- opened a registry for food poison inci- partments of environmental health and after a decades-long dispute over 200LR crossed 10 time zones on its spanning 15,298km from Delhi to San ing, inconveniences and the hardships dences. communicable disease as well as the the territory, Deputy Foreign Minister marathon flight. Qatar Airways noted Francisco; this takes 14 hours and 30 during the treatment of food poisoning “Last year, we registered about 50 Ministry of Municipality are working in Nasser Bourita said in published the flight was longer than the entire minutes, according to the Times of India. cases. We have engaged an internation- cases of food poisoning. This is more in harmony to face the challenges of food remarks yesterday. Last Monday, the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Singapore Airlines may regain the top ally reputable company for this. We are number compared to the previous year poisoning and prevent them as much as AU approved Morocco’s re-entry into trilogies which were filmed in New spot when it resumes non-stop flights targeting to have a safe country free because we did not have the registry possible. the bloc which it quit in 1984 in protest Zealand. There were four pilots on to New York with an ultra-long distance from food poisoning,” the offi cial said. earlier. One of the priority programmes Dr al-Rumaihi also said that the at the admission of the Sahrawi Arab board as well as 15 cabin crew who variant of the Airbus A350 as soon as Sheikh Dr Mohamed said the MoPH is to improve food safety in 2017. We are MoPH was working closely with the Democratic Republic (SADR) declared served 1,100 cups of tea and coff ee, 2018. will propose several regulations to working closely with the food safety World Health Organisation to develop by the Polisario Front at the height 2,000 cold drinks and 1,036 meals It has said the New York service, at make the necessary changes in the ex- department in this regard,” al-Rumaihi a new set of guidelines on food safety of a war for the territory. “Not only during the flight. In keeping with around 19 hours, will start in 2018. isting laws. said. in Qatar. does Morocco not recognise – and will never recognise – this so-called entity,” Bourita told website Le Desk in an interview. “It will (also) redouble its eff orts so the small minority of countries, particularly African, which recognise it, change their positions.” Temperature drops to record low in Qatar EUROPE | Election he lowest ever temperature – 1.5C Explaining the phenomenon, the re- easterly, bringing air from the land and the Hamad International Airport area A minimum temperature of 7C is ex- Le Pen vows ‘France – in Qatar’s history was recorded port said a “cold wave” had been aff ect- resulting in a “dramatic” drop in tem- and 11C in the Doha airport area. pected in Al Khor, 8C in Wakrah, Abu fi rst’ at campaign launch Tin Abu Samra early yesterday, the ing the country since February 1 evening perature – over 7.5C – within 30 min- The maximum ranged from 15C to 19C Samra and Mesaieed, and 12C in Doha Far-right leader Marine Le Pen vowed weather offi ce said. and, as a result, temperatures dropped utes, the weather offi ce said, noting that in the country. today. The maximum temperature will yesterday she would be a president The previous record was set way back across the country and the Arabian Pe- the air monitoring station in Abu Samra More is available at http://qweather. be higher than yesterday, ranging from who puts France first as she formally in 1964, when the temperature touched ninsula in general. On Saturday, the area is one of the modern automatic stations gov.qa/NewsDetail.aspx#sthash.VnoL- 18C to 21C in the country. launched a campaign echoing many 3.8C in Mesaieed, according to the Qatar was infl uenced by high pressure accom- of the Meteorology department. l4Lb.dpuf In a detailed report, the weather of- of the themes that propelled Donald Meteorology Department (QMD). panied by a cold air mass. Meanwhile, low temperatures were Meanwhile, another cold night is ex- fi ce forecast hazy to misty conditions in Trump to the White House. With polls Weather charts also showed that sev- Around dawn yesterday, until recorded in several other places in the pected in the country today and there is inshore areas in the early hours, followed showing her now leading the first eral other places saw a minimum of 5C 5.40am, the wind speed was moder- country yesterday. South Qatar areas a chance of light rain by the evening, the by mild daytime conditions. It will also round of the election race, the head or lower yesterday as the country con- ate and the temperature remained low such as Mesaieed, Karana and Turayna the Met department said. be cloudy and there is a chance of light of the National Front (FN) attacked tinued to be aff ected by a cold wave. (9.5C). The wind blew in a southwest- saw a minimum temperature of 4C, fol- Strong winds and high seas are also rain in some places by the evening, while “mass immigration”, globalisation and According to a detailed report issued erly direction, which provided for a lowed by 5C in Batna and Al Khor, and likely in off shore areas towards the north the night will be cold. “Islamic fundamentalism” and said she by the Met department, the Abu Samra “warm track” as it came from the sea, 7C in Wakrah and Jumayliyah. by tonight. The wind speed (northwest- In off shore areas, slight dust is ex- wanted a country “which owes nothing monitoring station in southwestern Qa- the report stated. In Doha and its neighbourhood, the erly) in these areas may go up to 23knots pected at times along with partly cloudy to anyone”. tar registered a low air temperature of However, things changed soon after minimum temperature yesterday was at night, with the sea level rising to 7ft in conditions. Besides, there is a chance of 1.5C around 6.10am yesterday. as the wind direction shifted to south- 9C in the Qatar University area, 10C in some places. scattered rain towards the north by night.

Travellers rush to board US fl ights while Trump ban blocked

Reuters Trump says the 90-day travel ban on recently married to a US citizen, who direction to solve the problems that it The 9/11 attacks were carried out by of legal challenges to his push to clamp Washington citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, boarded a plane from Cairo to Turkey caused.” hijackers from Saudi Arabia, the United down on immigration. Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and a 120- yesterday to connect with a US-bound Trump’s January 27 travel restric- Arab Emirates, Egypt and Lebanon, The Justice Department appeal criti- day bar on all refugees, are necessary to fl ight. tions have drawn protests in the United whose nationals were not aff ected by the cised Robart’s legal reasoning, saying it US appeal court late on Saturday protect the United States from Islamist She declined to be named for fear it States, provoked criticism from US allies order. violated the separation of powers and denied a request from the De- militants. could complicate her entry to the United and created chaos for thousands of peo- In a series of tweets on Saturday, stepped on the president’s authority as Apartment of Justice to immedi- Critics say the measures are unjusti- States. ple who have, in some cases, spent years Trump attacked “the opinion of this so- commander-in-chief. ately restore an immigration order from fi ed and discriminatory. In a brief order, the US appeals court seeking asylum. called judge” as ridiculous. The appeal said the state of Wash- President Donald Trump barring citi- The judge’s order and the appeal rul- said the government’s request for an In his ruling in Washington state on “What is our country coming to when ington lacked standing to challenge the zens from seven mainly Muslim coun- ing have created what may be a short- immediate administrative stay on the Friday, Judge James Robart questioned a judge can halt a Homeland Security order and denied that the order “favours tries and temporarily banning refugees. lived opportunity for travellers from the Washington judge’s decision had been the use of the September 11, 2001 attacks travel ban and anyone, even with bad in- Christians at the expense of Muslims.” The court ruling dealt a further set- seven aff ected countries to get into the denied. on the United States as a justifi cation for tentions, can come into US?” he asked. The US State Department and De- back to Trump, who has denounced the United States while the legal uncertainty It was awaiting further submissions the ban, saying no attacks had been car- Trump told reporters at his private partment of Homeland Security said judge in the state of Washington who continues. from Washington and Minnesota states ried out on US soil by individuals from Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida: “We’ll they were complying with Robart’s or- blocked his executive order on Friday. “This is the fi rst time I try to travel to and from the government. the seven aff ected countries since then. win. For the safety of the country we’ll der and many visitors are expected to In tweets and comments to reporters, America. We were booked to travel next Reacting to the court’s statement, For Trump’s order to be constitu- win.” start arriving today, while the govern- the president has insisted he will get the week but decided to bring it forward Iraqi government spokesman Saad al- tional, Robart said, it had to be “based in But the Washington court ruling was ment said it expects to begin admitting ban reinstated. after we heard,” said a Yemeni woman, Hadithi said: “It is a move in the right fact, as opposed to fi ction”. the fi rst move in what could be months refugees again. Page 11 Gulf Times 2 Monday, February 6 , 2017 QATAR

Emir meets Humanitarian Forum delegation

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met a delegation participating in the 2017 International Humanitarian Forum on Humanitarian Funds being held in Doha. During the meeting, which took place at the Emiri Diwan yesterday, various humanitarian issues were reviewed. Security agencies defuse high-voltage suicide drama

ecurity agencies stances of the incident, the line was disconnected. the loudspeaker. prevented a sui- MoI said. Finally, the Civil Defence Scide by an Asian Security agencies com- The security agencies personnel were able to expatriate worker and prising the police, Civil De- prevented the suicide reach him with a crane and rescued him after he fence and Internal Security and saved the Asian brought him down from the started climbing an elec- Force (Lekhwiya) reached worker’s life electricity pylon. tricity tower to reach a the spot after the National The security agencies pre- high-voltage power line, Command Centre received a They engaged in a dia- vented the suicide and saved the Ministry of Interior call about an Asian expatri- logue with the man, which the Asian worker’s life as (MoI) reported on social ate trying to commit suicide. continued for a long time, part of their “humanitarian media yesterday. On arriving at the scene, and he was also connect- and societal role to enhance The competent authori- the security personnel ed to his wife in his home security and the preserva- ties have launched an in- tried to calm the worker country through a tele- tion of life and property”, the The rescue operation in progress. vestigation into the circum- even as power supply to the phone. He spoke to her via MoI report said. QRCS delivers winter aid to Afghan cave dwellers

atar Red Crescent QRCS personnel co-ordi- (500), Bamyan (500), and temperature. Abdul-Rahim, Society (QRCS) nated with the Afghan Red Oruzgan (600). Most of a person with disability and Qhas distributed Crescent Society (ARCS) these families live in moun- a father of seven children, $250,000 worth of winteri- and local authorities in tar- tain caves and rocky foot- said he was happy to benefi t sation aid to 2,500 families get regions for selecting the hills, with nearly no source from the aid, thanking the in Afghanistan as part of its benefi ciaries. to warm them. Every fam- eff ort of QRCS and ARCS ‘2016-2017 Warm Winter’ A special focus was given to reach out to remote areas campaign. to the families with or- “We hope that this and help those in need. In a statement, QRCS phans, disabilities, widows, support would Bamyan governor Taher said the campaign aims to or elderly people who have continue especially in Dhahir lauded QRCS’ con- alleviate the suff ering of no breadwinners. education, healthcare, tribution for providing destitute, homeless, and In October 2016, QRCS and other sectors in some of the needs of the displaced families, and and ARCS signed a memo- the country’s most province’s poor population. helping them withstand the randum of understanding to challenged province” “This intervention is a freezing weather. conduct logistic and tech- true manifestation of soli- Some of the items given nical preparations, short- ily received four blankets, darity. We hope that this to benefi ciaries included listing of benefi ciaries, and three jackets for children, support would continue blankets, winter clothes of specifying the amount of two jackets for adults, and especially in education, varying sizes, and tarpau- aid items to be supplied. one piece of tarpaulin. healthcare, and other sec- lins, in accordance with the Four provinces were cov- Alyaa, a widow with three tors in the country’s most shelter and nonfood items ered by the campaign: Kun- children, thanked QRCS for challenged province,” he standards. duz (900 families), Panjshir this aid amid the chilling added.

QRCS and ARCS deliver some items to poor families living in the mountains. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 3 QATAR PM meets Malaysia’s deputy premier Tajik president visits Qatar Foundation, MIA

atar Foundation (QF) welcomed Tajikistan QPresident Emomali Rah- mon to Education City yester- day. Rahmon is in Qatar as part of a two-day state visit on the HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met the invitation of HH the Emir Sheikh Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Malaysia Dr Ahmed Zahid Hamidi and the Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. accompanying delegation in Doha yesterday. Talks dealt with co-operation between the two The dignitary was welcomed countries and ways of developing them in various fields, particularly in the areas of security and to QF headquarters by Saad Ib- with regard to co-operation to combat terrorism, in addition to the latest developments on the Arab rahim al-Muhannadi, lifetime and regional arenas. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister hosted a luncheon in honour of the member of the board of direc- Malaysian deputy prime minister and interior minister and his accompanying delegation. tors, QF. The visiting Tajik del- egation was given a comprehen- sive presentation highlighting QF’s diff erent education insti- tutes, science and research cen- tres, and community develop- ment initiatives. Chief of Arab human rights panel Al-Muhannadi outlined to the Tajik president how QF is com- mitted to the concept of lifelong Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, with QF’s Saad Ibrahim al-Muhannadi, viewing the education and praises Qatar’s commitment learning, and to providing an research buildings of Education City from the open-air viewing platform at QF HQ yesterday. ecosystem where education can impact the life of every person, QNA cupied Palestine. They will also tion” it has against them. enabling future generations to Cairo discuss the Arab strategy on hu- Shamout noted also that such thrive in a global environment. man rights. decisions contradict interna- Following the presentation, The commission is responsi- tional standards for human the visitors were taken to the resident of the Perma- ble for 13 tasks with many past rights. They also contradict in- open-air viewing platform on nent Arab Commission contributions and achievements. ternational law and the US bill the eighth fl oor of QF headquar- Pon Human Rights Dr Am- However, it faces challenges in the of rights. He said that the United ters where they were shown the jad Shamout praised the human region such as the Syrian refugee States was a country built by im- education and research buildings rights situation in Qatar. issue, off ering protection for the migrants. of Education City, and discussed In an interview with QNA, Dr Syrian citizens, violations carried On America’s intentions of future plans at QF. Concluding Shamout said Qatar has taken out in Yemen by the Houthi mi- moving the US embassy in Israel the visit, Rahmon signed Qatar positive steps to promote human litias and deposed president Ali to Jerusalem, he said that the F’s Visitors Book. rights in diff erent areas, including Abdullah Saleh, the ISIS issue and move was also provocative and President Emomali Rahmon legislation, practices and policies. fi ghting terrorism which is vio- will serve to increase hatred and and his accompanying delega- Dr Shamout said Qatar’s Na- lently targeting the region causing terrorism. tion also visited the Museum of tional Human Rights Committee instability and social insecurity, As for the developments in Islamic Art (MIA) yesterday. (NHRC) is one of the most nota- Shamout said. Syria after the Astana talks, The president toured the mu- ble rights bodies in the region. It On the policies of the new US Shamout said that all parties in- seum and viewed the exhibits makes an eff ort to attend, par- president, Shamout said Donald volved must fi nd a political reso- which included books, manu- ticipate and organise interna- Trump’s decision to ban nationals lution to the six-year long crisis scripts and coins made of sil- President Emomali Rahmon, accompanied by HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim tional conferences. of seven countries (six of which whether through Astana or Ge- ver, copper and bronze as well Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, visits the Museum of Islamic Art. In response to future plans, Dr were Arab countries) was hasty neva talks. as other artefacts and precious Shamout said the commission and negative. He added that the interna- stones which have been collected disseminating science, culture ary record of the MIA. In his shared constructive culture”. will hold a meeting on January 19 He added that such decisions tional community has not been from three continents and date and encouraging creativity and remarks, President Rahmon During the tour, the Tajik at the Arab League to discuss the increase the negative feelings serious about ending the Syrian back 14 centuries. communication with cultures said: “The displayed histori- President was accompanied by Arab Charter on Human rights, that some Muslims and Arabs crisis. He warned that aid and During the tour, President and arts of the world. cal treasures in the MIA in HE the Minister of Transport the sanctions imposed on Sudan have towards the United States, food were not available for Syr- Rahmon was briefed on the his- Following the tour, the Tajik Doha embody the noble hu- and Communications Jassim and the Israeli violations in oc- due to the “hint of discrimina- ians in Aleppo. tory of the MIA and its role in president signed the honor- manitarian values and our Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti. Gulf Times 4 Monday, February 6, 2017 QATAR

Six Qatari students join research programme at WCM-Q Six new Qatari graduates biomedical sciences from have joined Weill Cornell QU; Kholoud al-Najdi, a Medicine in Qatar’s chemical engineering (WCM-Q) Biomedical graduate from Texas Research Training A&M at Qatar; and Wadha Al Rayyan Municipality Programme for Nationals, it al-Marri who majored was announced yesterday. in biological sciences at The six-month training Carnegie Mellon University programme, which in Qatar. runs from January The programme off ers to June each year, a solid grounding in the provides comprehensive basic skills to work in the combats insect menace instruction and work research field and gives the experience to recent interns the opportunity to l Rayyan Municipal- Qatari graduates in WCM- contribute to real research ity’s municipal aff airs Q’s laboratories. Working projects being conducted Adepartment issued 21 with the college’s research at WCM-Q. contracts for new garbage col- scientists, the interns Dr Khaled Machaca, lection containers and imple- learn a wide variety of associate dean for research mented 1,023 requests to com- competencies including at WCM-Q, recalled that bat insects and 70 to thwart practical lab skills, how the Biomedical Research rodents in January. to undertake clinical Training Programme The gardens department pruned research and research for Nationals has been a a considerable number of trees and administration. very successful initiative, planted 100 Sedr trees in the area This year’s interns are launching many new in front of the zoo, in addition to Alreem Alhayder, a graduates into a career in replanting a number of other trees sociology and mass research. in diff erent areas within the mu- communication major from “These new interns will nicipality. Qatar University (QU); Amal learn and develop the The cemetery services sec- Ibrahim, Fatima al-Dasim, skills and experience tion also conducted a census and Shaikha al-Abduljabbar required for a fulfilling and of the number of graves at Ain who graduated in rewarding career.” Khalid, Al Rayyan and Mura- yikh and identifi ed the names of those buried. There were 2,136 graves with identifi able names of the owners and 387 yet to be identifi ed. Also tomb stones at Al Pesticide being sprayed at a park. Rayyan and Murayaikh cemeter- ies were renovated and work is The protection and wildlife in co-operation with Al Shamal going on to expand Old Al Rayyan department at the Ministry of Municipality, has replanted a Ghaf Cemetery. Municipality and Environment, tree which fell in strong wind. A fallen Ghaf tree was replanted. Trauma Center cautions on use of heating devices

amad Trauma Center’s burns from house fi res sustained elderly, because they are unable It has also cautioned that elec- tablecloths, blankets and bedding. Hamad Injury Preven- while at home or in accommoda- to physically remove themselves tric heaters must be plugged di- At least a 3ft or 1m distance is Htion Programme (HIPP) tions,” said Dr Rafael Consunji, di- from the scalding liquid’s path, rectly into a wall outlet as they recommended. has issued a list of best prac- rector, HIPP, which is the commu- and because their skin is much are high-power devices. Plugging Similarly, heaters also must be tices that can help residents stay nity outreach arm of the Hamad thinner and more sensitive to them into an extension cord, es- kept away from heavily traffi cked warm and safe during the cooler Trauma Center. high temperatures. They can pecially those with multiple out- zones or play areas and teach chil- season. Dr Consunji explained that sustain severe scald burns within lets, can lead to an overload of the dren to avoid them. Electric heat- “The additional means to stay electrical burns and fi res are a few seconds,” he said. electrical system which can cause ers can be a signifi cant source of warm at home and at bath time more likely to happen with the The HIPP advises the public the fuse to blow or even the over- heat and can cause contact burns. unfortunately may lead to a rise incorrect use of electrical ap- to buy electric or space heaters heating and melting of devices or It is also important that auto- in the number of patients with in- pliances for heating, while scald from reputable stores and ensure wiring and might in turn, lead to a matic timers on heaters are work- juries due to accidents with their burns most often happen when the product is ‘UL’ certifi ed, or its house fi re. ing properly. Timers can help limit heating system. These include bathing or cooking with hot equivalent. This will certify that HIPP has also asked to position the duration that the unit is fully scald injuries, electrical or con- liquids. “Most victims of scald the heater meets international the heaters far away from fl am- powered and reduce the risk of tact burns, and even serious fl ame burns are the very young or the standards for safety. mable materials such as curtains, overheating and fi re. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 5 QATAR

A session in progress at the Rota workshop. Rota imparts training to volunteer tutors

olunteer tutors have attended a fair degree of spoken Arabic with no completing the training programme, I a ‘Training for Trainers’ work- reading or writing skills. feel confi dent in my ability to eff ectively Vshop hosted by Reach Out To A key feature of the programme is facilitate the Arabic literacy programme. Asia (Rota), as part of its Adult Arabic that it allows young people in Qatar “It is an honour to be part of an ini- Literacy (RAAL) programme, at Qatar to take part in an experiential service tiative that’s making continuous learn- Foundation’s (QF) Recreation Center. learning opportunity, developing their ing opportunities available to migrant Students from the Academic Bridge skills and knowledge as RAAL literacy workers.” Programme took part in the training Trainers and Champions. The Arabic literacy programme was course, designed to equip volunteer tu- Rasmeya Hassan al-Jamali, commu- established to address the learning tors with the necessary skills to eff ec- nity development specialist, National needs of migrant workers in Qatar and tively facilitate the RAAL initiative. Programmes Department, Rota, said: to promote mutual respect between The workshop covered a range of “The ‘Training for Trainers’ course is diff erent cultures. topics, including Rota’s literacy cur- an intensive programme that ensures Upon completion of the course, mi- riculum, practical information relating our volunteers are qualifi ed to facilitate grant workers will be able to speak con- to teaching Arabic, issues facing low- the RAAL initiative. versational Arabic and have a greater income migrant workers, methods to “Our volunteer tutors have a sound understanding of Arab culture and eff ectively facilitate adult learning, and understanding of migrant workers’ cir- Qatari society. The literacy classes will community-based learning tools. cumstances and are equipped with the be taught over a six-week period, from The RAAL initiative is a result of a relevant skills to teach adults through February to April, and will require two survey carried out by Rota, which sug- our community-based Arabic literacy to three hours of instruction per week. gested that 55% of low-skilled workers programme.” In April, Rota will host an event to did not possess Arabic literacy skills, Yousef Mohamed Yousef Ali Ab- showcase and celebrate the achieve- while 45% of workers appeared to have dulmalek, volunteer tutor, said: “After ments of both trainers and learners. Gulf Times 6 Monday, February 6, 2017 QATAR

QU research sheds fresh light on genetic nail disorder

research breakthrough conducted by a faculty member at Qatar University A College of Medicine (QU-CMED) in collaboration with a team from Cardiff Uni- versity and the National Centre for Scientific Research ‘Demokritos’ has discovered the functional association between hereditary leukonychia, a rare genetic nail disorder, and mutations in the gene encoding phospholipase C delta-1 (PLC1). Hereditary leukonychia is characterised by dis- tinctive whitening of the nail plate of all twenty nails. CMED assistant professor of biochemistry Dr Michail Nomikos, who led the study, explained that the disorder may exist as an isolated feature, or in simultaneous occurrence with other cuta- neous or systemic pathologies. The study demonstrates the importance of PLC-mediated calcium signalling within the manifestation of hereditary leukonychia. PLC1 is almost ubiquitous in mammalian cells, which may explain why hereditary leu- konychia manifests in association with other systemic pathologies relating to keratin expres- sion. Dr Nomikos said both dominant and recessive inheritance is known to underlie manifestation of this nail disorder. The study underlines the level of research be- ing conducted at QU-CMED, he added. Chair of Calcium Signalling Laboratory at Cardiff University College of Biomedical and Life Sciences Prof F Anthony Lai said the major discovery of structural and functional chang- es in the mutant protein causing hereditary leukonychia represents an excellent research study. “The very important report on this work published in the Federation of European Biochemical Societies Journal demonstrates the signifi cance of productive international co-operation in advancing our understanding of the processes that cause human diseases,” he said.

Students engaged in an activity at the Qatar Invents programme.

Qatari students design Dr Michail Nomikos and Prof F Anthony Lai. Qatari pupils win awards in mental sport competitions

atari students won 7 awards in an inter- solutions and apps national competition on mind sports after Qqualifying on diff erent levels in the com- ore than 35 Qatari school tions to energy and healthcare chal- included a fi tness app; a digital Tamuq and Maersk Oil Qatar. “Engineers have helped propel petition. It was the fi rst time Qatari students have students explored their lenges and built prototypes to dem- personal trainer linked into Qatar’s Dhia delivers strategic education- Qatar to be a world leader in ener- won in such competitions organised by the as- Mentrepreneurial streak and onstrate their inventions. fi tness sector, including gyms and al outreach programmes to motivate gy, and engineers and inventors are sociation of mental sports research in Goa, India. talent for innovation recently as part The programme aims to motivate nutrition specialists; a fashion de- young Qataris to choose educational needed in Qatar to meet the goals of The students presented a couple of shows in of a two-week academic enrichment students in science and engineer- sign app featuring a digital tailor pathways for careers in fi elds related Qatar National Vision 2030,” he said. the competition, one of them was the display of workshops organised by Texas A&M ing while teaching skills essential to that helps create clothing that’s not to Science, Technology, Engineer- Jassim al-Khori, deputy head of the Qatari fl ag in the midst of answering ques- University at Qatar (Tamuq). becoming leaders in engineering and available in stores; a trivia game ing and Mathematics (STEM), and subsurface at Maersk Oil Qatar, said tions, which showed their concentration and Qatar Invents, an intensive en- innovation. about Qatar and its traditions; and supports both teachers and students the company’s support of STEM the promptness of their responses, coupled with gineering invention and design In App Camp, students worked a cultural app with information for through a broad portfolio of pro- educational initiatives such as Qatar their ability to answer mathematical questions experience, engaged students in in teams to design and develop an tourists about Qatar’s culture and grammes and workshops. Invents and App Camp were crucial while engaging in sports activities. hands-on projects that pushed their iOS app. They learned how to code, attractions, language and more. Dr César O Malavé, dean of Ta- in giving the youth of Qatar an in- Early Years Education Department in the Min- innovation, creativity and commu- prototype, test and refi ne their ideas Qatar Invents and App Camp are muq, pointed out that from energy sight into the exciting opportunities istry of Education and Higher Education along nication skills. along the way. part of the ‘Dhia: Engineering Lead- to healthcare, engineering is every- off ered in science and inspire them with the Skills Development Centre collaborated Students developed novel solu- Apps developed by the students ers’ initiative, a partnership between where. in pursuing STEM disciplines. to sponsor the winning students. Porsche enhances Cayenne range

orsche’s Platinum Edition range has grown, with the addition of Cayenne S and Cay- Penne S Diesel models which feature more high-quality equipment, Porsche Centre Doha announced yesterday. Now available as standard are 21-inch Sport Edition wheels in Platinum with a satin fi nish, eight-way leather sports seats with Alcantara centre from the Cayenne GTS and a variety of comfort features. The high quality appeal of the latest Platinum Edition models is demonstrated by their refi ned yet understated appearance. In addition to the standard exterior colours of black and white, four optional metallic paint fi n- ishes are also available: Jet Black, Mahogany, Car- rara White and Rhodium Silver. The exterior package includes elegant and sporty touches in high-gloss black and wheel arch extensions in the vehicle colour. Platinum Edition models off er sporty function- ality in the form of Bi-Xenon main headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System, Power Steer- ing Plus and front and rear Park-Assist, as well as The Porsche Cayenne S Platinum Edition. automatically dimming interior and exterior mir- rors to prevent glare from the traffi c behind. All features make driving eff ortless, whether The 420hp 3.6-litre six-cylinder bi-turbo en- travelling on long-distance journeys or cruising gine in the Cayenne S consumes between 9.8 and around the city. 9.5 litres of fuel for every 100km, depending on Inside the vehicle, “Platinum Edition” lettering the tyres. is located on the front door entry guards, whilst The V8 engine with twin turbocharging in the all outer headrests bear a Porsche crest and front Cayenne S Diesel generates 385hp and depending seats with heating option. on tyre, consumes between 8.2 and 8.0 litres of The range is equipped with the Porsche Com- diesel every 100km. munication Management infotainment, which The new Cayenne S Platinum Edition mod- includes Navigation and the BOSE Surround els are available to order now, basic retail pric- Sound System. A further feature typical of this es in Qatar are as follows: Cayenne S Platinum edition is the sporty analogue clock on the dash- Edition is available for QR328,900 and Cay- A view of the interior of the Porsche Cayenne board. Power and consumption values for the enne S Diesel Platinum Edition is priced at Platinum Edition. Platinum Edition models remain the same. QR337,900. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 7 QATAR QFBA holds graduation ceremony for Kawader programme batch atar Finance and Busi- Qatar Financial Centre Author- ness Academy (QFBA) ity (QFCA), served as an ideal Qhas concluded the fourth platform for the country’s as- batch of its Kawader programme piring professionals to acquire with the graduation of 21 young skills and build competencies Qataris in a ceremony held in cross-functional areas in the yesterday. fi nancial sector. During the ceremony, HE the In its fourth edition, the pro- Minister of Finance Ali Sherif gramme granted a group of stu- al-Emadi lauded the programme dents from diff erent academic and highlighted Kawader’s role and professional backgrounds, in the development of a high- including Qatar University, calibre, human capital base that Stenden University, Georget- can help drive the growth of the own University, and Carnegie entire industry in Qatar. Mellon University, the oppor- QFBA CEO Dr Abdulaziz al- tunity to embark on an immer- Horr said: “We honour 21 ex- sive journey of learning and traordinary students who ex- personal growth. hibited dedication and spared Over the course of four no eff ort in order to make a dif- months, Kawader students took ference in the country’s fi nancial on a series of training-intensive landscape. Armed with produc- operations, combining both the- tive skills and precious knowl- oretical and practical aspects, edge, our Kawader graduates are designed to cultivate Qatar’s now ready to take their newly- next-generation business lead- garnered profi ciency to the next ers and decision-makers in the The fourth batch of graduates of QFBA’s Kawader programme. level and engage in the labour fi nancial services sector. market, deal with its ever-evolv- The theoretical component of Leadership and Management, ship programme, which served rything they had learned in the Bank, Qatar Financial Center, world-class work environments ing demands, and contribute to equipped students with soft and an International Certifi cate in as the perfect platform for the classroom. Qatar Financial Center Regula- and indispensable networking raising the bar of performance in interpersonal skills, as well as Financial English, and either a trainees to practice their newly- This year, partner organisa- tory Authority, Qatar Investment opportunities in the sector, fur- the country’s emerging fi nancial workplace ethics that are nec- Professional Banking Certifi cate acquired skills and talents in a tions that have hosted Kawader Authority, Qatar Stock Exchange, ther maximising their oppor- services sector.” essary to pursue excellence in or a Certifi cate in International real-world environment at some interns included the Bank of and QNB Capital. tunities as employment-ready Since 2013, the Kawader their future roles as profession- Securities and Investments. of the world’s most prominent Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Hilton The experiential learning candidates who are able to sup- programme, instituted by the als, which were reinforced by a The academic phase was fol- fi nancial institutions, playing a Hotels Worldwide, HSBC Bank, phase of the programme also ex- port the fi nancial and business QFBA, in partnership with the qualifi cation from the Institute lowed by a fi ve-week intern- critical role in consolidating eve- KPMG Qatar, Qatar Central posed Kawader students to new sectors in Qatar. DFI introduces new programming elements for Qumra 2017

ew programming ele- New Voices in Cinema strand fessionals from diverse back- screenings of the Modern Mas- international fi lm industry. ments for the third edi- that includes compelling grounds, which will allow 100 ters and New Voices in Cinema; The panel-style talks in Ntion of Qumra will take works by emerging Qatari and local and regional delegates Qumra Talks, in partnership partnership with Northwest- place at Souq Waqif and the international talents. to access more opportunities with Northwestern University ern University in Qatar, are Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari and Hani Qattan signing an agreement. Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) “Qumra further contributes and be part of the platform for in Qatar; select networking op- geared towards the evolution from March 3 to 8, the Doha to supporting the local fi lm in- discovery, networking, and portunities and inclusion in the of technology in digital story- Film Institute (DFI) has said. dustry and in positioning the inspiration. Accredited Delegates Guide, telling and distribution. Ac- Qumra 2017 programming role of Qatar to empower the Members of the local and which is distributed to all credited Delegates will have will continue to include indus- next generation of fi lm profes- regional fi lm and creative in- Qumra participants. the opportunity to attend QFD signs pact to train try meetings designed to assist sionals,” DFI CEO Fatma al- dustries, the educational com- Accredited Delegates have three talks, taking place from in propelling selected projects Remaihi said. munity and the general public been a crucial part of the Qumra March 5 to 7. to the next stages of develop- “With this edition, we are can now apply to be an ‘Accred- experience and have contrib- Qumra Industry events are Palestinian children ment through master classes, presenting an enhanced Ac- ited Delegate,’ aimed at advanc- uted to the rich diversity of dedicated to the industry pro- work-in-progress screenings, credited Delegate Programme ing knowledge and promoting participants. fessionals and will include bespoke matchmaking sessions (ADP) that will allow local discussion around media and Another new addition at working breakfasts, script atar Fund for Develop- improving the capacity of local and tailored workshops with and regional media profes- fi lmmaking. Qumra this year is ‘Qumra consultations, one-on-one ment (QFD) has signed partners by providing advanced industry experts. sionals and students to access The Accredited Delegate ap- Talks’, a series of three spe- and group tutorials, meet the Qa one-year grant agree- courses on fi nancial manage- Such exchange will be held new opportunities designed plication is open to interested cially curated discussions that masters, match maker meet- ment to support PACES Founda- ment and project management alongside a programme of to inspire them creatively and participants who are based in gathers leaders from the tech- ings, rough cut consultations, tion in training 6,220 children as well as by providing equal public screenings of a highly support their professional Qatar and the Gulf region. Ben- nology, fi lm, TV and online work in progress screenings in the age group of 7 to 16 years opportunities for both sexes in engaging selection of mov- development,” she noted. efi ts include access to Qumra worlds to share their insights on and feedbacks, and industry in the refugee camps and most sports. ies by the Qumra Masters and ADP is designed for pro- Master Classes; daily fi lm trending topics impacting the screenings. marginalised areas in Palestine, The QFD director general said Jordan and Lebanon. that the Fund attaches great The grant aims to support the importance to help Palestin- MEC spots 93 consumer law violations activities of the Foundation in ian children in Palestine and areas such as health, hygiene, in neighbouring countries and The Ministry of Economy and announced, not posting the sports programmes and aware- has continued to provide help Commerce (MEC) spotted 93 price tags before and after ness courses for children. to encourage participation and diff erent consumer violations the approved discount, and The grant agreement was take advantage of training and in January as part of its including fraudulent phrases signed by QFD Director General development opportunities in inspection campaigns on in describing an item, in Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari and all walks of life in general and in commercial outlets. addition to other related PACES Foundation chairman the fi eld of health and hygiene in The campaigns aimed at violations. Hani Qattan. particular. ensuring the compliance Such violations entail In a statement yesterday, QFD Qattan said that the part- of suppliers and service penalties that range from said that the programme aims to nership refl ects the shared vi- providers in the country with administrative closure of the enhance life skills for children sion of the two parties and their the stipulations of law no. 8 for outlet for various periods to through sports programmes and commitment to improving the 2008 on consumer protection. fines starting from QR5,000 educational activities. standards of living and well- A violation report was issued and up to QR30,000 per It also focuses on capacity- being of the marginalised Pal- for each of the 93 violations, violation. building of trainers, enhanc- estinian communities, adding which mostly included not Meanwhile, the entities ing their skills and expand- that PACES Foundation is work- posting adequate information concerned at MEC’s Consumer ing their participation in their ing to reach out to the greatest on the items on display, Protection Department communities through various possible number of children and hiking prices without prior received 1,160 complaints and programmes. trainers in Palestine, Jordan and MEC approvals, putting all the necessary procedures The programme also helps in Lebanon. prices higher than previously were taken to resolve them.

Trust Exchange relocates Al Khor branch MME off icials announcing the “Our Shepherds” campaign.

rust Exchange Company’s the senior management of Trust “The relocation is in line with credit to designated bank ac- Al Khor branch yesterday Exchange Company. the company’s strategy to re- counts instantly, according to a Trelocated to “a more spa- “The new branch allows us to inforce its growing presence in statement. MME launches campaign cious and conveniently accessi- better serve our esteemed cus- local markets while reaching out The Al Khor branch at Qual- ble location with state-of-the- tomers. We will continue to en- to our customers and provid- ity Mall also has the latest eS- art facilities” at Quality Mall hance our fi nancial services ex- ing them with easy access to our igning facility, which allows – Al Khor. perience with every branch that wide range of services.” customers to verify the details to boost livestock wealth The relocated branch was in- we open,” said KNS Das, gen- One of Trust Exchange’s of a transaction and digitally augurated by Indian ambassador eral manager, Trust Exchange popular products is ‘Lulu sign on the receipt presented P Kumaran in the presence of Company. Now’, which allows immediate to them on the e-tablet present he Ministry of Munici- la for Humanitarian Services of work. The bag includes a on the counter. Customers then pality and Environment (RAF), and Eid Charity, in ad- fi rst-aid kit, personal hygiene receive a digital copy of their T(MME) has launched dition to other private entities. tools and materials and a coat, transaction in their email ad- “Our Shepherds” campaign, in Khalaf Ajlan al-Anzi, public besides other basic things. dress along with a physical co-operation with a number of relations director, MME, point- QRCS will off er medical serv- copy of the receipt with their local charities and private enti- ed out that the campaign is part ices and health check-ups to signature. Trust Exchange had ties to improve the living con- of the ministry’s keenness to the shepherds and give them earlier in the year implement- ditions of the livestock raisers. develop the livestock wealth in awareness lectures on related ed the automated ID scanning The campaign aims at off er- the country. The campaign also topics. Other charities will of- facility, the statement adds. ing livestock owners or shep- off ers the best possible services fer them gifts and various serv- “We are constantly evaluat- herds, due care at their farms to those working in the fi eld, in ices to stress their importance ing our branches in Qatar and and herding places to boost the particular shepherds, aiming in the society. moving on a par with the grow- livestock wealth in the coun- at achieving self-suffi ciency in Al-Anzi added there is a plan ing needs of our esteemed cus- try. The participating entities meat and dairy products. to run the campaign each year tomers. Further development include Qatar Red Crescent During the campaign, shep- in other fi elds targeting cat- Indian ambassador P Kumaran inaugurated the relocated branch in the presence of the senior manage- across all our branches is in the Society (QRCS), Qatar Charity herd bags will be distributed to egories such as fi shermen and ment of Trust Exchange Company. pipeline,” Das added. (QC), Sheikh Thani bin Abdul- the benefi ciaries at their place sailors. Gulf Times 8 Monday, February 6, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD Lavrov backs Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ new outlet opens in Dubai renewal of UN-led talks on Syria

Reuters tives of Syrian President Bashar preme National Security Coun- Moscow al-Assad and opposition groups cil, Ali Shamkhani, also praised were a “breakthrough step” in the Astana talks in a meeting eff orts to resolve the crisis but with Russia’s special envoy on ussia said yesterday that it were not instead of the UN-led Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, supports the continuation talks. in Tehran yesterday, according Rof Syria peace talks under “We are not planning to re- to the Islamic Republic News United Nations auspices, long- place Geneva with the Astana Agency (Irna). But he said peace The latest showroom of Malabar Gold & Diamonds in Dubai at Grand Hyper, Sonapur, Muhaisnah, was inaugurated by Regency running negotiations which format,” he said in an interview was not achievable while Islamic Group chairman Shamsudheen bin Mohidheen in the presence of Malabar Gold & Diamonds managing director (international had been thrown into doubt by published on the ministry’s web State, which he labelled Daesh, operations) Shamlal Ahamed, Malabar Group executive director Abdul Salam KP, management team members of Malabar Gold & separate, Moscow-backed peace site yesterday. as well as the Al Qaeda linked Diamonds, other dignitaries and guests. talks launched last month. The Astana talks were a dip- Nusra Front, which has renamed The latest round of UN talks lomatic coup that underlined itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, had been planned to begin in the growing Middle East clout and other unnamed groups he Geneva on Feb 8 but Russia’s of Russia, Iran and Turkey and said were linked to them were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Washington’s diminished in- present. said last week that they had been fl uence at a time when Donald “As long as Daesh and Al Nus- postponed. Trump is settling into the presi- ra and groups linked to them are Saudi warship returns to Pence They have now been resched- dency. present in Syria — and they are uled for February 20, diplomats But the talks spotlighted sharp being protected and supported have told Reuters. diff erences between Moscow by some countries in the region warns The UN envoy for Syria, and Tehran over the possible fu- — a political solution and peace port after Yemen rebel attack Staff an de Mistura, said he had ture participation of the United for Syria and the region will not decided to delay them to take ad- States and also excluded Gulf be achievable.” Iran vantage of negotiations between states. The Syrian opposition have AFP the Syrian government and op- Iran, whose relations with objected to Iran’s role in the As- Jeddah position in Astana, Kazakhstan, Washington have nosedived tana talks, blaming Shia militias AFP hosted by Moscow, Ankara and since Trump became president, backed by Tehran for violations Washington Tehran. opposes any US involvement. of the fragile ceasefi re agree- Saudi warship targeted The Astana talks last month Lavrov reiterated yesterday ment by launching military as- by Yemeni rebel “sui- ended with Russia, Turkey and that the United States and Mos- saults in rebel-held suburbs of Acide” boats returned S Vice President Mike Iran agreeing to monitor Syr- cow were in a position to solve the capital. to its home port in Jeddah Pence in an interview air- ian government and opposition bilateral issues, improve ties and De Mistura said the United yesterday, Saudi Arabia’s na- Uing yesterday warned Iran compliance with a Dec 30 truce co-ordinate eff orts to fi ght “in- Nations would be attending a tional news agency said. “not to test the resolve” of the brokered by Moscow and An- ternational terrorism”, but said it follow up technical meeting in “The frigate, which was Donald Trump administration, kara. had to be on the basis of mutual Astana on Feb 6 of the talks on attacked by the Houthi mili- days after Washington slapped Lavrov said yesterday the As- respect. the implementation and moni- tia while on patrol in the Red new sanctions on Tehran follow- tana talks between representa- The secretary of Iran’s Su- toring of the Syria ceasefi re. Sea, has returned to Jeddah ing a ballistic missile test launch. as planned,” the Saudi Press “Iran would do well to look at Agency reported. the calendar and realise there’s a Saudi Arabia said last week new president in the Oval Offi ce. that two sailors were killed And Iran would do well not to test and three wounded when bat- the resolve of this new president,” tleship Al-Madinah was hit by Pence told ABC News in an inter- a Yemeni rebel “suicide” boat view taped Saturday. strike off the Red Sea port of The tough talk came after Hodeida. Trump’s Pentagon chief James The Houthi rebels said they Mattis declared last week that hit the ship with a guided Iran was “the single biggest state missile. Saudi forces are seen after the arrival of Saudi Arabia’s sponsor of terrorism in the world.” The United States has since “Al-Madinah” frigate in Jeddah’s King Faisal Naval Base yesterday. The rhetoric has raised ques- deployed the USS Cole to the tions over whether the United Bab Al-Mandab strait con- October 2000 claimed by Al 7,400 Yemenis have since States will abandon commitments necting the Red Sea and the Qaeda. A coalition launched been killed, most of them it made under a landmark deal Indian Ocean, according to a a military campaign against civilians, according to the — negotiated with several world US defence offi cial. the Houthi rebels in March World Health Organisation. powers and approved by presi- Seventeen US military per- 2015 as the insurgents closed At least 113 Saudis have dent Barack Obama in 2015 — that sonnel were killed aboard the in on President Abedrabbo been killed in skirmishes or obliged Iran to curtail its nuclear People who fled the violence from the Islamic State-controlled northern Syrian town of Al Bab arrive on the USS Cole in an attack in the Mansour Hadi in Aden, forc- rocket strikes along the bor- programme in exchange for relief outskirts of the Free Syrian Army and Turkish forces controlled Al Baza’a village in Syria. Yemeni port city of Aden in ing him into exile. More than der with Yemen. from US and global sanctions.

REBUTTAL Kuwait denies it imposed travel ban Kuwait has denied a media report which said it had imposed a travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, a story which US President Donald Trump praised on Facebook. “Smart!” a post on Trump’s off icial Facebook page said, linking to a report on Jordanian news website Al Bawaba which alleged that Kuwait had “mirrored” a decision by the Trump administration to temporarily bar travellers from several countries. The article alleged that “Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians, Pakistanis and Afghans” would not be allowed to enter the Gulf state “while the blanket ban is in place”. But Kuwait’s foreign ministry refuted the report, which was widely picked up by websites popular with Trump supporters including Breitbart, Infowars and Sputnik. Kuwait “categorically denies these claims and aff irms that these reported nationalities...have big communities in Kuwait and enjoy full rights,” a ministry spokesman was quoted as saying on state news agency Kuna on Friday.

TERROR Bomb blast in Bahrain, no casualties A bomb exploded on a main street near the Bahraini capital yes- terday, causing no casualties in what the government described as a “terrorist” act.“Terrorist bombing on Budaya Street damages mul- tiple cars without casualties,” read a tweet by the interior ministry. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 9 ARAB WORLD Law to imprison draws scrutiny in Egypt

Reuters stability in the most populous toed it within 30 days. however, that the fact that the their freedom under this un- general Sisi ousted Egypt’s first Reuters between the British Cairo Arab state. However the king, who ob- 1928 repeal bill went unpub- just, obsolete law must be im- freely elected president, the High Commissioner in Egypt Little was known about the jected to the repeal but knew lished did not detract from its mediately released, with apol- Muslim Brotherhood’s Mo- and the British Foreign Secre- history of the Assembly Law any veto would be overturned, legal status and that therefore ogies and reparations for their hamed Mursi, after mass pro- tary shows the king, who faced ights activists are trying until human rights groups de- prevented it being published the continued use of the As- families.” tests. protests, asked the British to to force President Abdel cided to delve into the archives. in the official gazette, leaving sembly Law was, and is, illegal. The government and Sisi’s The Assembly Law, along stop parliament passing the bill RFattah al-Sisi to throw out The Cairo Institute for Hu- its legal status, and that of the Their findings prompted a office did not respond to re- with a protest law issued in repealing the Assembly Law a law used by his government to man Rights Studies (CIHRS) original Assembly Law, un- group of 21 people, including quests for comment. The jus- 2013, has effectively outlawed but that they refrained. imprison thousands of Egyp- non-government organisation clear. two activists in jail because of tice ministry declined to com- demonstrations and a judicial Their thinking was that the tians and sentence hundreds published a 95-page report on the law, as well as lawyers and ment. and security sweep that began law had served its purpose now to death by arguing that it was Tuesday. The law, which criminalises opposition party leaders, to One official, speaking on with conservatives has ex- the war was over and could no overturned as far back as 1928. The law, which criminalises the gathering of fi ve or launch a legal case on Tuesday. condition of anonymity, said panded to include secular ac- longer be justified to the Brit- Over the past three years, the gathering of five or more more people and institutes The case sets out the argu- they were unlikely to comment tivists and journalists. ish public, the correspondence judges have cited Law 10 of people and institutes collective collective punishment, was ment that the Assembly Law because the matter was with The law stipulates six- shows. 1914, or the Assembly Law, in punishment, was issued at the issued at the behest of British was repealed in 1928 and urges the courts. month prison sentences for any CIHRS said its report was jailing opposition activists and behest of British occupation occupation authorities Sisi and the government to The activists say they know it gathering of five or more peo- published two years later than ordinary people for protesting authorities to stop Egyptians throw it out. is unlikely the law will actually ple as long as police deem it a intended due to a stepping up against Sisi and his government protesting against their rule in Despite this, successive “It’s time President Sisi takes be repealed, and that even if it threat to public peace, even if of pressure on Egyptian civil and in issuing mass death sen- the lead up to World War One. post-colonial and republican the initiative to immediately were repealed on a technical- no crime is committed. society workers, including tences, mainly to Islamists. What the researchers un- governments continued to ap- renounce this historic and le- ity, there is nothing stopping If a crime, such as murder, is travel bans and asset freezes. Security forces also cite it to covered was that in 1928, the ply the Assembly Law at vari- gal indignity by abolishing the parliament, where most MPs committed during the gather- It has prompted debate in justify the use of force against then-parliament passed a bill ous stages. British colonial administration are Sisi loyalists, from passing ing, all those at the gathering parliament and the House of demonstrators that has led to to repeal it. President Gamal Abdel law, originally designed to sup- similar legislation. and even those who call for it, Representatives Committee on thousands of deaths, a crack- The bill should have passed Nasser, who overthrew the press Egyptian resistance to Human rights groups es- even if they do not attend, are Legislative and Constitutional down they say is in response to into the statute book because monarchy, even made it stricter occupation,” said Bahey eldin timate about 40,000 people liable. Correspondence in the Aff airs Chairman has called on fatal attacks on police and sol- the monarch at the time, King in 1968 following student pro- Hassan, director of CIHRS. have been detained for political British National Archives un- the government to issue a state- diers and is needed to preserve Fuad I, neither signed nor ve- tests. The researchers argue, “Every citizen deprived of reasons since 2013, when then- earthed by CIHRS and seen by ment clarifying the law’s status.

Libyans Sunset in Beirut return to Sirte

DPA Tripoli

ibyan civilians displaced by fi ghting began their re- Lturn to their homes in the Mediterranean coastal city of Sirte yesterday, two months af- ter the Islamic State was driven out, a local offi cial said. The UN-backed Libyan gov- ernment announced in Decem- ber it was retaking full control of Sirte, the hometown of slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi , af- ter a military campaign of nearly eight months against Islamic State militants. Some 105,000 inhabitants lived in Sirte before Islamic State Syrian refugees take a pictures as they gather on the shores of the town of Dbayeh north of Beirut as the sun sets militants seized it in 2015, ac- over the Lebanese capital yesterday. cording to Libyan media.

RELIEVED PREPAREDNESS Syrians in Lebanon resume travel to US as ban blocked Nato’s anti-IS bomb training in Iraq

Syrian nationals began flying out of Beirut off icial documents allowing them to enter Nato has begun training Iraqi soldiers on how to neutralise yesterday en route to the United States after the United States left (Beirut), heading to bombs planted by the Islamic State group, the alliance said yes- a US court placed a temporary block on the US via Arab and European nations,” the terday, expanding a programme already in place in neighbour- President Donald Trump’s contentious travel state agency said. There are no direct flights ing Jordan. ban. After a federal judge on Friday tempo- between Lebanon and the United States. About thirty soldiers are taking part in the first five-week course rarily blocked the decision, citizens from the A source from Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines on countering the deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs). targeted countries began preparing once confirmed to AFP yesterday that citizens Since last month, Nato advisers in Iraq have been overseeing again to travel. of the seven banned countries would be courses on civil-military co-operation and overhauls of security “Starting on Sunday, airlines operating out allowed to board their flights from Beirut to a institutions. But until now, training of Iraqi forces in areas such of the airport began allowing citizens from transit country. The US executive order had as de-mining and ordnance disposal has taken place in Jordan. the seven countries...to travel to the United barred nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Soma- “The best weapon we have in the fight against terrorism is to States,” Lebanon’s National News Agency lia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering train local forces”, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was reported. “A number of Syrian families with the United States for 90 days. quoted as saying in a statement from the alliance. “A more eff ective Iraqi military means a safer Iraq, and a more stable Middle East.” Alliance members had agreed to the expanded training at their summit meeting in Warsaw last July. Since October, Nato has also deployed its Awacs surveillance planes in the region to bolster the US-led coalition fighting IS, a move also decided at the Warsaw summit. Gulf Times 10 Monday, February 6, 2017 AFRICA Nigerian music Congo rebel revival star 2Face calls off protest action

AFP clear that the #OneVoice Nige- Lagos rian protest scheduled to hold ‘threatens elections’ in Lagos and Abuja on Mon- day the 6th of February is un- Reuters/AFP Olof Skoog, the council’s presi- Rwanda and Uganda facilitate caped their military base. igerian music star der serious threat of hijack by Kinshasa/Kampala dent for January, in a letter dated the return of rebels remaining on The leader of M23 went miss- 2Face has called off a interests not aligned with our January 27 and seen by Reuters their territory to the Congo for ing shortly after about 60 rebels Nprotest he had planned ideals,” 2Face said in a video on Friday. disarmament. disappeared from a military base against the government and its clip on his Instagram page. he Democratic Republic He said that the fi scal strain An M23 resurgence could spark where they had been given shel- handling of the country’s eco- “The point and intent am of the Congo has told the would imperil the political agree- wider confl ict in a mineral-rich ter. nomic crisis, citing security making is not worth the life of TUnited Nations that a re- ment and “perturb the electoral region that is an ethnic tinder- “No, we don’t know where concerns. any Nigerian,” he said. emergence of the M23 rebellion process itself”. box straddling national regional he is,” army spokesman Richard The popular Afro-Pop artist, The celebrity said the idea in the east is endangering a deal Lack of money was one of the borders, and has seen decades of Karemire said of the M23 leader whose real name is Innocent of the protest was to demand a with the opposition intended to reasons cited by Kabila’s govern- war. Sultan Makenga. “We communi- Idibia, had last week called on better life for Nigerians. lead to a presidential election ment for its failure to hold elec- But any delay to this year’s cated that to the Congo govern- Nigerians to march on Febru- “I therefore announce the this year. tions last year as scheduled. election timetable could also ment as far back as January 16 ary 6 to protest the worsen- cancellation of the planned President Joseph Kabila is M23 was eastern Congo’s most reignite unrest in the capital this year.” ing economic conditions in a protest. We will share further meant to step down after the powerful rebel group until its de- Kinshasa, where dozens died He said Makenga had been liv- country frustrated by galloping information in due course,” he election under the agreement, feat by Congolese and UN forces last year during violent protests ing in Kampala under security “to infl ation and sluggish growth. said. “I appreciate the massive which defused unrest prompted in 2013. against Kabila. protect him against foreign forc- The police said on Thurs- support and I am convinced by his failure to step down as his Many of its fi ghters fl ed into The Catholic bishops who es”, but that he had the freedom day that they would not allow that our voices have been mandate ended in December. neighbouring Uganda and Rwan- brokered the election agreement to come and go as he pleased. the march to go ahead because heard.” In a letter to the president of da, where they have been kept in said last month that it could un- The Congolese government “hoodlums are planning to hi- Nigeria’s economic woes the UN Security Council, the camps. ravel unless politicians quickly said earlier this month that at jack” the protest. began with the collapse in the Congo’s ambassador to the Unit- The rebels accuse Kinshasa of reached compromises on its least 200 former members of “Information reaching us global price of oil, triggering a ed Nations, Ignace Gata Mavita, dragging its feet on promises to implementation, and the death M23 had arrived from Uganda revealed that some hood- recession that has been aggra- detailed a series of M23 incur- repatriate them under the terms of veteran opposition leader and occupied a village in North lums are planning to hijack vated by rebel attacks on oil in- sions that began in November of a peace deal. This file photo taken on March Etienne Tshisekedi on Wednes- Kivu province. the peaceful protest. As such, frastructure and controversial and accelerated last month. The Congolese army this week 7, 2013 shows M23 leader Sultan day has added a further element The Ugandan government ad- we won’t allow it to hold in monetary policies, which have “It goes without saying that said that M23 fi ghters had cap- Makenga. of uncertainty. mitted that more than 100 rebels Lagos,” Lagos police commis- led to a debilitating shortage of this situation risks diverting the tured four of the crew of a mili- Further to that, on Friday the had been caught trying to travel sioner Fatai Owoseni told AFP dollars. attention of the government, tary helicopter that crashed, and Council to condemn what he said Ugandan army said that the M23 to the Congo, and 40 others were on Thursday. It’s unusual in Nigeria for a which would have to devote that three had died after being was M23’s violation of the peace who had been living under secu- unaccounted for. This fi gure has “We know that 2Face does celebrity to take such a vocal available fi nancial means to face tortured. agreement. rity in Uganda has gone missing, since risen to 60. not have the capacity to con- political position. this war,” he wrote to Sweden’s Gata Mavita asked the Security He also asked it to request that after scores of his fi ghters es- tain such a crowd and we will But when 2Face fl oated the not fold our hands and watch idea of a protest last month the while things go out of hand,” idea quickly gained traction in Owoseni said. a country frustrated by a gal- “Dear Nigerians, after due loping infl ation rate and slug- Cotonou clean-up tough on the poor consultations, it has become gish growth.

By Josué Mehouenou and Sophie Bouillon, AFP Botswana opposition Cotonou parties combine to raders and hawkers armed with brooms and bags Tsweep pavements and challenge ruling BDP scoop up rubble in Benin’s eco- nomic capital Cotonou, where the authorities have ordered a Reuters “a response to a plea by the vast city clean-up. Gaborone people for the opposition to From informal street markets stop splitting votes and work to bars and food stalls illegally together”, said BNF president built on public land, nothing has otswana’s four main op- Duma Boko, who will lead the been spared, as squads of work- position parties have grouping. ers move in to clear the chaos and Blaunched a coalition to The four parties had already make the bustling city beautiful challenge the ruling Botswana started fi elding one candidate again. Democratic Party (BDP) in between them in by-elections But the clean-up has made 2019 elections. after the 2014 vote, a strategy daily life hard for many in Benin, The BDP has been in power that has secured them a string where the vast majority work in since 1966, but saw its share of victories. the informal sector. of the popular vote sink below Botswana’s economy con- Like other fast-growing west 50% for the fi rst time in elec- tracted 0.8% quarter-on- African urban hubs, Cotonou has tions in 2014, as it paid the quarter in the three months to vendors selling everything from price for sluggish economic September as electricity short- clothing to fast food by the road- growth and high youth unem- ages and the global downturn side, and restaurants that spring ployment. in commodity prices hit the up all over with their plastic The four parties – the Bot- southern African country’s chairs and tables. swana National Front (BNF), mining sector. “Nature abhors a vacuum,” the Botswana Movement for “With only one opposition deputy mayor Florentin Tch- Democracy, the Botswana party in place now, I believe aou told AFP. “People will take Congress Party, and the Bot- that the BDP will have to work advantage of any empty space swana People’s Party – split very hard in the coming years to expand their businesses and 53.55% of that vote between to preserve or better its su- increase their visibility so as to them. premacy at the 2019 elections,” improve sales.” Benin security forces are seen at a busy intersection during a clean-up drive in downtown Cotonou. On the streets of Benin’s economic capital The new Umbrella for Dem- political analyst Anthony But in July, freshly-elected of Cotonou, the sidewalks are covered in rubble, the aftermath of the government’s drive to clear anything illegally occupying public land. ocratic Change coalition was Morima said. President Patrice Talon decided that it was time to give the coun- population growth between 2015 try a facelift and gave major cit- and 2050 – 9.7bn – according to ies a six-month deadline to clear a 2015 United Nations report. their chaotic crowded roads. That means unchecked activ- Large red crosses were spray ity on public space isn’t going to A struggle for land and survival in Kenya’s highlands painted on building walls due for disappear anytime soon. demolition and posters added But the relatively peaceful de- warnings that eviction day was parture of the squatters in Benin By Tristan McConnell, AFP At the 44,000-acre die because of this land,” he says. near. contrasts with neighbouring Ni- Laikipia, Kenya (17,600-hectare) Suyian ranch, In easier times neighbouring Ageline Bocovo, who has been geria, where clashes with police south of Mugie, thatched huts communities are a buff er against selling clothes in Cotonou for enforcing eviction notices can for tourists were burned down illegal grazers, but when they fi ve years, didn’t believe it would lead to violence and even death. he broad plains of Mugie, and shots fi red this week as come in their hundreds with happen, but was wrong. Nevertheless, Cotonou’s poor a huge estate on a high herders swept in. tens of thousands of cattle, they “We couldn’t fi ght the police will suff er most by being forced Tplateau northwest of Black and white landowners are unstoppable. with our bare hands, we had no to move stalls to less busy streets Mount Kenya, are crisscrossed alike speak of invasions, fear and Perrett is negotiating with choice,” she said, when, on Janu- at a time when Benin’s economy with cattle trails and the wildlife siege. the Samburu and Pokot to leave ary 5, she was forced to leave. is being hit by recession in Ni- is mostly gone. The dangerous situation in their guns and dogs behind, Bocovo personally smashed geria. The knee-high grass remains, Laikipia is an acute expression stop killing the wildlife and keep her stall into smithereens, keep- In Ghana’s Accra, for example, but not for long, reckons man- of a chronic and complex tangle Zebra gallop as cattle belonging to an indigenous pastoral sheep and goats out in return for ing some of the bricks to build a alternative marketplaces were ager Josh Perrett. of population growth, livestock community graze near a small privately-owned wildlife conservancy access for less destructive cattle. new stall on a smaller street. set up for those evicted. Tensions between semi-no- increases, overgrazing, erratic on a plateau northwest of Mount Kenya. But he expects Mugie to be “The rest of the rubble will be But in Cotonou there is no such madic pastoralists and settled rainfall, climate change, weap- “a dust bowl” by the time they sold. But it won’t bring in much relocation or compensation. landowners are nothing new, ons, money and politics. dramatically, making it a smart like a reservoir in tough times. leave. cash,” she said. So for some, the beautifi cation nor is competition between live- A recently published four- investment for urban elites, a Loisaba, Mugie and oth- Managing coexistence in an Armelle Choplin, an urban of Cotonou is a nightmare. stock and wildlife, but in Ken- decade study by the Interna- mobile bank account hidden ers have established control- ever more crowded world is a planner at Cotonou’s Research “Where do you want me to ya’s central Laikipia highlands tional Livestock Research In- from scrutiny and taxation. led grazing programmes with challenge for individuals and Institute for Development, said go?” asked Eugenie Yovogan, they are taking a destructive, stitute in Nairobi uncovered When land can no longer sus- neighbouring communities government, but residents and that the “measure aff ects the lit- whose small street restaurant sometimes violent turn. “catastrophic ... widespread” tain their livestock, the people enabling the survival of both landowners criticise Kenya for tle people, who aren’t necessar- stood in front of a government Last month perhaps 30,000 declines in Kenyan wildlife as move. livestock and wildlife, but the not playing its part. ily organised into associations or building providing lunch for civil livestock arrived on Mugie. herds of livestock displace wild In Kenya, Laikipia’s private system breaks down when huge Last month President Uhuru unions, as is the case in Anglo- servants. The illegal herders – some animals. and community reserves and herds arrive. Kenyatta condemned those who phone countries like Ghana”. The clearance robbed her of a armed with spears, others with The data was Kenya specifi c ranches are the grassy frontier “We are neighbours with Loi- “invade land” in Laikipia but Clearing operations such as prime location and customers. AK47s – cut through fences, but the problem is continental. between the pastoralist north saba, we are part of the whole took no action against lawbreak- this are not uncommon on the “I lost my clientele forever,” making off with wire and posts. “At the basis of all this is the and the agricultural south. thing,” says 70-year-old Lesibia ers, while local leaders have continent, where many cities she said. The shooting, looting, poach- human population explosion,” “Population growth, livestock Larari, with 70 cows and silver stoked tensions by encouraging have grown at a rapid rate with- Cotonou’s authorities main- ing and rustling that accompa- says lead author Joe Ogutu. growth, that’s the pressure on rings in his stretched earlobes. pastoralists to take grass they out much thought about plan- tain that they will support people nied them left Perrett despond- The report blamed “policy, conservation,” said Tom Silvest- “We have a stake in it but the say belongs to the herders. ning. like Yovogan – even if it’s unclear ent. institutional and market fail- er, the 49-year-old manager of others do not care about being “The solution is co-existence, “Most people welcome it,” if they have the funds to do so. “Twenty years of time, ef- ures” and said regulation was Loisaba, a 56,000-acre conserv- good neighbours.” talking, dialogue. Recognising Choplin said. “Our citizens have demon- fort, sweat, money ... it’s fallen needed to reduce livestock num- ancy to the east of Mugie which Adowan Letowon, a 28-year- that resources are limited and “It’s Haussmann in the trop- strated a very high social matu- apart in two weeks, destroyed,” bers, which have increased 76% is recovering from large-scale old Samburu “moran” or war- working out how to equitably ics,” she added, referring to the rity, respecting the laws,” said says the 35-year-old. “Before, while wildlife fell by 68%. illegal grazing last year. rior, with a long knife in his belt divide it between wildlife and 19th-century French urban plan- Tchaou. “Now we must be able to you would see elephant, a few As pastoralist populations Tens of thousands of cattle and a mobile phone in his hand, livestock,” says Silvester. ner best known for transform- relocate them so that their turn- hundred head of buff alo, Jack- have grown so have their herds, a day reduced Loisaba’s grass has relied on Loisaba to get his “If we don’t succeed, the ing Paris into a city of sweeping over does not fall. But this re- son’s hartebeest, oryx, Grant’s grazing sparse pasture into plains to tufts of dry sedge and cattle through every dry season terrible, apocalyptic vision is boulevards. quires the means, and sweeping, gazelle, impala. Now you see desert. stubble, spike thorn, acacia and and drought since he was 13. the guy sitting on a rock in the Africa is expected to account garbage collection, this is already thousands of head of cattle, a lot Exacerbating the situation, shimmering croton bushes. “We have been here for long. desert, with a begging bowl for more than half of the world’s expensive.” of sheep and goats.” the value of cattle has increased Well-managed, grassland acts Our children, our cattle do not waiting for food aid.” Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 11 AMERICA Trump respects ‘killer’ Putin AFP gusting (and inaccurate),” he said suspicions that Trump is ready to fl ict in eastern Ukraine, which Palm Beach on Twitter. side with Moscow over allies in had fl ared after Trump and Putin Mainstream Republicans have Europe. spoke by telephone a week ago. repeatedly called on Trump to Across Europe, there are grow- “We’re watching, and (we’re) resident Donald Trump has distance himself from Putin, ing concerns that the continent very troubled by the increased rebuff ed calls for a tougher with little impact. might be wedged between a hos- hostilities over the past week Pstance on Russia, playing Throughout the election cam- tile Russia and a hostile United in eastern Ukraine,” Pence told down political assassinations in- paign, Trump refused to criticise States. ABC’s This Week news pro- side the country and Moscow’s the Russian leader, saying that Trump’s stance on Ukraine has gramme. invasion of Ukraine. better relations with the Krem- also raised eyebrows. During the Trump-Putin call, Trump – now two weeks into lin would be in the US national After a call with Ukrainian the Kremlin said the two men had his four-year term – showed no interest. leader Petro Poroshenko on Sat- discussed improving economic signs of yielding to demands The new president has ad- urday, the White House said the relations, a potential signal of from within his own Republican vocated working with Russia to pair addressed “Ukraine’s long- Trump’s willingness to lift sanc- Party to distance himself from combat the Islamic State (IS) running confl ict with Russia”. tions on Russia. President Vladimir Putin. group in Syria, where Moscow Russia annexed the Ukrainian Asked whether the adminis- “I do respect him. Well, I re- has deployed aircraft, naval as- region of Crimea in March 2014 tration would be willing to ease spect a lot of people, but that sets and troops to support Bashar and has supported separatists in sanctions while Russia is violat- doesn’t mean I’ll get along with al-Assad’s regime. the east of the country. ing ceasefi re agreements, Pence them,” Trump said in an excerpt In December, US intelligence Former national security ad- demurred. of a Super Bowl interview with agencies went public with their viser Susan Rice publicly criti- “I think that’s a question that Putin: discussed improving Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly. Trump: There are a lot of killers. We have a lot of killers. You think our view that Russia conducted a cised Trump’s framing of the will be answered in the months economic relations during his When pressed in relation to country is so innocent? hack-and-release campaign situation. ahead. phone call with Trump. Putin’s alleged links to the extra- aimed at swinging the US elec- “This distortion of even recent And it just simply all depends,” judicial killing of journalists and innocent?” Trump asked rhe- described Trump’s comments as tion in Trump’s favour. history is deeply troubling,” she he said. “If we have opportuni- “But make no mistake about dissidents, Trump said: “There torically. “disgusting”. Trump’s repeated criticism of tweeted. ties to work together, I think the it – those decisions will await ac- are a lot of killers. We have a lot Michael McFaul, a former am- “This moral equivalency that the North Atlantic Treaty Or- Trump’s Vice-President Mike president is looking for an op- tion. And they’ll be very depend- of killers.” bassador to Russia and adviser to Trumps continues to draw be- ganisation (Nato) – a common Pence tried to explain the admin- portunity to begin that relation- ent on how the Russians respond “You think our country is so former president Barack Obama, tween the USA and Russia is dis- target for Putin – has only fuelled istration’s approach to the con- ship anew.” in the days ahead,” he added. US envoy eyes cuts Protesters march on to UN peacekeeping Trump’s

AFP While the United States has citing opposition from President Florida United Nations few soldiers serving as peace- Salva Kiir’s government, even keepers, it is by far the biggest fi - though some 200,000 civilians nancial contributor to UN peace- are sheltering in UN bases. resort ashington’s new UN keeping, providing nearly 29% of There should be clear exit envoy Nikki Haley the $7.9bn budget for this year. strategies, she argued, and new Wis putting in motion During hearings at the US Sen- missions should be authorised AFP a far-reaching review of UN ate last month, Haley made clear only if there is a “secure base to West Palm Beach peacekeeping that is likely to that she was seeking to bring the start with”. lead to closures and downsizing US share of funding for peace- “Our goal should be to go in, of missions, according to diplo- keeping to below 25% and said keep the peace, get it settled and t least 2,000 people mats. other countries should step in to get out,” she said. marched on Saturday Haley took up her post with a shoulder the burden. The peacekeeping review Anear President Donald vow to overhaul the UN and “do “We have to start encouraging could have serious implications Trump’s Florida golf club, voic- away” with what she termed as other countries to have skin in for stability in Africa. ing outrage at his executive or- “obsolete” activities amid fresh the game,” she said. Nine of the UN’s 16 peace- der to bar refugees and travellers clamour in Washington over US No list has been drawn up of keeping missions are deployed from seven Muslim-majority funding for the world body. missions that are to be axed, but on the continent. countries. During one-on-one meetings diplomats said UN missions in US de-funding could open up Trump and First Lady Mela- A flag-draped coff in symbolising the death of democracy is carried by protesters as they walk to where with Security Council ambassa- Haiti and Liberia are probably the door for China – the second nia Trump were attending the Trump is staying, at Mar-a-Lago Resort, Palm Beach, Florida. Trump is on his first visit to Palm Beach dors this week, the new US envoy headed for a rapid shutdown. largest fi nancial contributor to annual Red Cross ball at Mar- since his inauguration. raised peacekeeping as a priority The last remaining UN peace- UN peacekeeping and Africa’s a-Lago, Trump’s “Winter White for cuts, zeroing in on the UN’s keepers in Ivory Coast will pull number one trading partner – to House”, located in an upscale Trump’s plan to build a wall on suspended the ban, a move marched from the White House fl agship enterprise, according to out in June while the Security bolster its role. area on Florida’s east coast. the US-Mexican border. which the Republican president to the US Capitol, chanting and three diplomats with knowledge Council renewed the UNMIL China’s share of the UN peace- “You know, my father fought In an executive order issued – who took offi ce on January waving signs in an expression of of the discussions. mission in Liberia until March keeping budget now stands at World War II,” protester Rob Re- on January 27, Trump slapped 20 – condemned and vowed to solidarity with immigrants tar- “On UN reform, I think there 2018 with the understanding that 10.3% followed by Japan (9.7%), said said. “For years and years, a blanket ban on nationals of fi ght. geted by Trump’s order. is a particular interest in peace- this would be the fi nal year. Germany (6.4%), France (6.3%) so many people fought for free- seven mainly Muslim countries The US Justice Department In Florida, one demonstra- keeping,” said a Security Council UN peacekeeping chief Herve and Britain (5.8%). dom in this country and now it’s – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Su- said on Saturday that it was ap- tor said she felt she had to speak diplomat. Ladsous is travelling to Haiti next The biggest and most costly being taken away. dan, Syria, and Yemen – barring pealing the judge’s suspension. out. Haley is setting up a mission- week to carry out an assessment mission is the 22,000-strong “We have to stand now before their entry to the United States The protest in West Palm “I’m worried for the future by-mission review of all 16 peace that could pave the way for a clo- MONUSCO force in the Demo- all of our rights are taken away, for 90 days. Beach was just one of several of our children ... our grand- operations and is “relatively sure. cratic Republic of the Congo, before we become the pariah of Refugees were also barred staged in cities around the world children, what’s going to hap- sceptical” of the value and effi - For now, diplomats are wel- which has been deployed for 18 the world.” from entry for 120 days, except this weekend to voice outrage to pen now?” Diane Spencer said. ciency of many of the blue-hel- coming the US scrutiny and years and has an annual budget Marchers chanted “This is those from Syria, who were Trump’s travel ban. “I’m worried about everything. met deployments, said the diplo- agree that while some missions of $1.2bn that some say could be what democracy looks like” and blocked indefi nitely. In Washington earlier in the He thinks he can do whatever he mat, who spoke on background. are operating in diffi cult political downsized. “No ban, no wall”, referring to On Friday, a US federal judge day, hundreds of protesters wants ... the man is a mad man.” A senior Security Council dip- environments – Haiti, Cyprus or The joint UN-African Union lomat told AFP that peacekeep- Kosovo for example – there is no mission in Sudan’s Darfur re- ing reform was “a priority” for major threat of confl ict in those gion (UNAMID) is singled out as the new US ambassador “who areas. a costly and ineff ective operation wants to work closely with key At the Senate hearing, Haley because it has been repeatedly partners on the issue in the com- questioned the decision to send blocked by the Sudanese govern- German magazine defends cover illustration ing weeks”. peacekeepers to South Sudan, ment. But analyst Aditi Gorur said funding cuts to UN missions in Reuters It carries the caption: “Amer- of justice and all that is seri- maker for Chancellor Angela South Sudan, the Congo, the Berlin ica First”. ously endangered,” he said. “So Merkel’s CDU conservatives, Central African Republic and It followed a series of attacks we are defending democracy told mass-selling daily Bild: “I Mali “would likely be a death on Berlin’s policies by Trump ... are these serious times? Yes urge everyone to calm down and sentence for thousands of peo- he editor-in-chief of Der and his aides that have marked they are.” to handle this with reason, rath- ple, and would undo a huge Spiegel has said that a a rapid deterioration in German Alexander Graf Lambsdorff , er than gut feeling.” amount of progress toward peace Tfront cover illustration relations with the United States. a member of Germany’s Free Merkel was the go-to Europe- deals”. of US President Donald Trump “Der Spiegel does not want to Democrats and vice-president an ally for former US president “The bottom line is that UN beheading the Statue of Liberty, provoke anybody,” editor-in- of the European Parliament, de- Barack Obama, who praised her peacekeeping is a bargain for which split opinion at home and chief Klaus Brinkbaeumer told scribed the cover as “tasteless”. as “an outstanding partner”. the US government,” said Gorur, abroad, was a response by the Reuters TV after the cover set Die Welt said it “damages But Trump has said she made director of the Protecting Civil- German magazine to threats off a debate on Twitter and in journalism”, while another a “catastrophic mistake” with ians in Confl ict Programme at against democracy. German and international me- German daily, the Frankfurter her open-door migration policy, the Washington-based Stimson Published on Saturday, the dia, adding he was surprised by Allgemeine Zeitung, said it was and his top trade adviser last Centre. “It advances the national cover depicts a cartoon fi gure of the impact of the illustration. “exactly what Trump needs – a week accused Germany of using Haley: made clear during hearings at the US Senate last month, that interest by promoting peace and Trump with a bloodied knife in “We want to show what this distorted image of him, which a “grossly undervalued” euro to she was seeking to bring the US share of funding for peacekeeping stability at a fraction of the cost one hand and the statue’s head, is about, it’s about democracy, he can use to work more on his gain advantage over the United to below 25% and that other countries should step in to shoulder the of what the US would have to dripping with blood, in the oth- it’s about freedom, it’s about distorted image of the press”. States and its European part- burden. spend on its own.” er. freedom of the press, freedom Karl-Georg Wellmann, a law- ners. La La Land director Chazelle clinches top DGA honours

AFP directing and writing La La Land, Donald Trump, and the DGAs Manchester was nominated for Denis Villeneuve for alien visi- His experiences were the in- Los Angeles a sumptuous throwback to the were no diff erent. fi ve Golden Globes in January but tation movie Arrival, and Garth spiration for his darkly comic halcyon days of Old Hollywood. Chazelle berated the Republi- only ended up taking home the Davis, for adoption drama Lion. Whiplash (2014) – the intense A darling of this awards sea- can for his travel ban on nation- best actor prize for Casey Affl eck. Davis walked away with a me- story of the stormy relationship S fi lmmaker Damien son, his movie has amassed a als of seven Muslim-majority The DGA awards are seen as a dallion for best fi rst-time fea- between a bullying teacher and Chazelle’s bid for Oscars record seven Globes and 14 nom- countries – put on hold for now reliable bellwether of Academy ture, and thanked his cast – in- his jazz drumming student. Uglory was boosted on inations for the Oscars, including by a federal judge – which would Awards success, particularly for cluding Nicole Kidman and Dev “His dream can produce Saturday as he took top prize at for best picture, best director and stop fi lmmakers like Oscar-nom- the best director prize, as 12 of Patel – for their courage. enough energy to power the the Directors Guild of America for its two stars, Ryan Gosling inated Iranian Asghar Farhadi at- the last 13 winners went on to win “There’s no doubt as a director state of Ohio for 11 days and he (DGA) honours – a key predictor and Emma Stone. tending the Academy Awards. the Oscar for best director. I was lucky I was gifted with such invented the colour burnt um- for the Academy Awards. “Movies are powerful because “That’s the most beautiful idea Presenters at Saturday’s star- a magnifi cent cast and beauti- ber,” Gosling joked before adding Chazelle with his DGA award Chazelle was crowned best they speak to everyone. They of all – that art can make some- studded event for 1,600 guests ful story,” he said, dedicating the that Chazelle has “great vision, director for his dreamy tribute speak to all countries, all cul- one anywhere in the world feel included Affl eck, Gosling, Stone, award to the movie’s child actors. unbridled creativity and is a real mation in our visual culture”. to the heyday of Hollywood mu- tures,” Chazelle, whose father like they are a bit bigger than they Michael Fassbender, Nicole Kid- A native of Rhode Island, Cha- collaborator”. “No experience is ever wasted. sicals, La La Land, three weeks is French-American, told fellow ever imagined,” Chazelle added. man, and Alejandro G Inarritu, zelle was inspired at a very young Veteran British director and You grow a little each time. If you ahead of the glittering culmi- fi lmmakers at the Beverly Hilton The director edged out Ken- who won the top prize at the last age by Edward Zwick’s epic civil producer Ridley Scott was pre- don’t, you’re a fool,” the 79-year- nation of Hollywood’s annual in Beverly Hills. neth Lonergan, nominated for two ceremonies. war fi lm Glory (1989), and had sented with a lifetime achieve- old Alien director said. awards season. A feature of speeches during visceral family drama Manchester The other nominees for best always planned to become a fi lm- ment award by fellow fi lmmaker “Try not to punch people – I’ve The 32-year-old has already the awards season has been criti- by the Sea – also seen as contend- director were Barry Jenkins for maker but took up jazz drum- Christopher Nolan, who credited come close quite a few times,” he scooped two Golden Globes for cism or mocking of US President er for Oscar glory on February 26. coming-of-age story Moonlight, ming in high school. him with enabling “a transfor- advised aspiring directors. Gulf Times 12 Monday, February 6, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

JUDGEMENT CALAMITY INVESTIGATION EPIDEMIC MISHAP Chinese tomb raider Indonesian volcano erupts Impeached president Chickens culled in Japan South Korea mall fire receives hefty sentence seven times in 24 hours faces interrogation soon to prevent bird flu spread kills four, 47 injured

An ancient tomb raider was sentenced to 10.5 Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra The special counsel investigating an influence- The Japanese authorities began the culling of A fire in a South Korea mall killed four and years in prison by a court in China for damaging province erupted seven times yesterday, local peddling scandal centred on impeached S 69,000 chickens in southwestern Japan after injured more than 40 others, authorities said and stealing from a protected neolithic site. media reported. “The eruptions occurred from Korean president Park Geun-hye is seeking to discovering dead chickens infected with a highly yesterday. Police suspect that sparks from a Using a metal detector, picks and spades, Qi midnight until 4:50pm,” volcanology agency interrogate her this week. It will be the first- virulent strain of bird flu in Saga Prefecture. The welding torch might have started the fire in a Jingyu and his three accomplices unearthed off icial Arif Cahyo was quoted by Viva.co.id ever prosecution inquiry of a sitting South Japanese government stated that genetic tests kids’ play area in the mall in Dongtan. Two of three jade pieces, three jade bracelets and a jade news portal as saying. The ash spewed from Korean president if it is carried out as planned, confirmed the presence of a highly pathogenic the four who died were builders and the others hoop from two tombs in the city of Lingyuan the volcano was carried by winds to Berastagi, off icials said yesterday. Independent Counsel avian influenza virus. Since November, bird were a mall worker and a shopper. Most of the between June and October 2013. Both Hongshan a tourist town in the Karo highlands south-east Park Young-soo is in talks with the president’s flu has been detected in six prefectures in 47 injured complained of smoke inhalation. culture tombs were more than 5,000 years of the volcano, Cahyo added. Local off icials in lawyers with a plan to hold the interrogation of Japan, including the prefecture of Hokkaido The play area was closed at the time of the old, Xinhua said. Hongshan burial artefacts Berastagi told locals and tourists to wear masks the president sometime this week, according and Miyazaki. In January 2016, the Japanese fire. Fire authorities urged builders to follow include some of the earliest known examples and eye protectors to avoid being exposed to off icials from the special investigation team. government started culling around 168,400 safety regulations, noting that welding torches of jade working, including dragons and embryo directly to the volcanic ash. The volcanic activity “If the face-to-face interrogation can be carried chickens after a bird flu outbreak was confirmed were blamed for past blazes. These include a dragons. Qi also damaged and stole from three put the surrounding area on the highest level of out, it will be on a date between Wednesday and in Saga. According to local news, 200 soldiers warehouse fire in Icheon that claimed eight lives other sites between 2013 and 2014. alert. Friday,” an off icial said. are assigned to help eliminate the birds in farms. and a shopping mall blaze in Koyang.

PM Turnbull says Trump call worked Indonesia bids to rein in in Australia’s favour

Guardian News & Media Australia,” Turnbull said. Canberra Asked if he would now feel indebted to Trump if his ad- radicals behind protests ministration wanted Austral- ustralian Prime Min- ian troops “for some military AFP in a move seen as supported by ister Malcolm Turn- adventure” or for “ships in the Jakarta President Joko Widodo and his Abull says his infamous South China Sea”, Turnbull administration. phone call with US President said he would not. “This is unprecedented, it is Donald Trump last week has “We assess all requests for ndonesia is moving to rein the fi rst time that the president worked in Australia’s favour, military assistance on their in a hardline group which and the government is openly because it inspired “dozens merits,” he told Channel Nine. Ispearheaded protests against challenging this Islamist group,” and dozens” of US congress- “And there is no linkage, no Jakarta’s governor, but experts Tobias Basuki, an analyst from men to publicly support the linkage at all between an ar- warn it will be tough to bring to Jakarta think-tank the Centre Australia-US alliance. rangement relating to a refu- heel a network with close ties to for Strategic and International He has also admitted the gee resettlement and any other the establishment. Studies (CSIS), told AFP. Liberal Party’s been in serious matters,” he said. The Islamic Defenders Front Last week police named the fi nancial trouble for a number He said Australia’s military (FPI) has been growing in infl u- cleric a suspect for allegedly de- of years, saying that is why he worked very closely with the ence despite being a fringe or- faming Indonesia’s founding donated $1.75mn to the party US military so he would not ganisation whose extreme views president, Sukarno, and the state during the 2016 election cam- be caught off -guard by any re- are rejected by most. The group ideology in a speech several years paign. quests for military help from has raided bars selling alcohol ago, meaning authorities believe “It is a big challenge that we Trump. during the holy month of Ram- there is enough evidence for him face,” he told Channel Nine Turnbull would not say adan, forced the cancellation of to stand trial. yesterday. whether his strong handling of a concert by Lady Gaga — whom Basuki said successive gov- “The corporate sector, par- Trump last week had helped to they dubbed “the devil’s mes- ernments had shied away from ticularly public companies, are counter the perception that he senger” — with noisy protests, cracking down for fear of being much more reluctant to make was a weak leader. and led demonstrations against accused of attacking Islam but political donations to anybody “It would be criminal of you, the Miss World beauty pageant the current administration de- and we face enormous fi nan- I think, if you didn’t consider when it came to Indonesia. cided to “make a stand” as con- cial resources from the unions whether your performance Led by fi rebrand cleric Rizieq cerns mounted about the hard- and Labor, so there is no ques- has got anything to do with Shihab, the FPI helped organise liners’ infl uence. Protesters hold a demonstration against criminalisation of clerics at the National Monument in Jakarta. tion we are at a massive disad- the government’s problems. I recent mass rallies — which at- The radicals have reacted an- vantage fi nancially these days,” mean have you done any self- tracted conservatives and mod- grily. Hundreds have rallied in from Australia’s Murdoch Uni- a weapon, while claiming to act times allegedly hire the group he said. examination?” he was asked. erates — against Jakarta governor support of Shihab — who has versity, estimated the fi gure at a in the name of Islam,” said the to help in their murky business With the major political Turnbull replied: “Well Laurie Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an eth- served two short jail terms in the maximum of 200,000. activist, who is also a member dealings. parties returning to Canberra like all of us we all refl ect on nic Chinese Christian, who is on past — whenever he is hauled in That is a fraction of the tens of Purnama’s election campaign While the current crackdown this week for the fi rst sitting what we do and how we can trial for blasphemy. for police questioning. of millions who are members of team. is viewed as long overdue, it may week of the year, Turnbull improve.” The protest movement against Authorities “want to sti- Indonesia’s two major, moderate The FPI was founded in 1998 not do away with the FPI forever, said last week’s embarrassing On same sex marriage, Purnama — accused of insult- fl e an Islamic people’s move- Muslim organisations, Nahdlatul as Indonesia transitioned from with analysts doubting the gov- phone call with Donald Trump which blew up dramatically on ing the Holy Qur’an while cam- ment, which is demanding jus- Ulama and the Muhammadiyah. dictatorship to democracy, and ernment will disband the group was not a bad thing. the weekend with news some paigning for re-election in polls tice against a blasphemer”, FPI But eff orts to tackle the FPI experts believe the military and as the process is complicated. He said Trump’s admin- Liberal backbenchers were later this month — propelled the spokesman Slamet Maarif told are complicated by its long his- police had a hand in its forma- They believe the moves against istration has since agreed to contemplating making a fresh hardliners from being a marginal AFP. tory of links to some members of tion, hoping they could use the Shihab are aimed at preventing honour the refugee-swap deal push for a free vote in parlia- group to the centre of national While they often hit the head- the establishment, who have in group against their enemies dur- trouble in the coming months that he had made with former ment, Turnbull said his party’s politics, alarming observers and lines with their colourful, noisy the past used the group to carry ing the tumultuous period. during the Jakarta election and US president Barack Obama, policy for was a plebiscite. some in the government. protests, the FPI does not have out their dirty work, said Guntur The police have on many oc- Purnama’s court case. But once and US leaders had made it “I took to the last election Now authorities are seeking a huge following in the coun- Romli, a progressive Muslim ac- casions been seen working with the current controversies blow known how highly they valued the policy of my party and my to put the muzzle back on the try of 255mn people. The group tivist. “Some in the bureaucracy the FPI when it conducts raids, or over, “it is likely that it’s going Australia’s friendship. “So this government which was to have radicals, with police stepping claims to have 4mn members but and opportunistic politicians like standing by and taking no action, to be back to business as usual,” has been a very good week for a plebiscite,” he said. up an investigation into Shihab Ian Wilson, an expert on the FPI the group as they can be used as while members of the elite some- Basuki of CSIS warned.

Tokyo hotel calling book lovers

A hotel in Japan is defying Natsuki Suno, who was China fi rms on sanctions list say only exported ‘normal’ goods the digital books trend and taking a break from her appealing to guests who studies. Reuters sanctions cannot access the US mal,” Yue said. “How is this fair? Co, based in the eastern port city while the new sanctions would prefer to curl up with a The hotel has 60 cube Beijing fi nancial system or deal with US Why should others pay attention of Ningbo, which business-to- have a limited eff ect on Iran, traditional paper book. Book rooms equipped with a companies and are subject to to what Americans say? What’s business websites show adver- they opened a new chapter in the and Bed Tokyo, a variation mattress and reading lamp. secondary sanctions, meaning wrong with my daily use goods?” tises exports and imports of fi re stand-off between Washington of Japan’s famous capsule Depending on the room, xecutives of two Chinese foreign companies and individu- Yue added he did not know hydrants and inner tubes for mo- and Tehran. hotels, off ers guests a closet- overnight rates range from companies included on a als are prohibited from dealing what he would do, or whether torcycle tyres. “Now Trump has taken offi ce, sized bunk embedded in 3,800 yen ($33) to 4,800 Enew US sanctions list tar- with them or risk being black- he would try and seek help from An export manager at Ningbo uncertainly in the US-Iran rela- rows of bookshelves. yen ($42). Daytime visitors geting Iran said yesterday they listed by the United States. the Chinese government. He did New Century who gave his fam- tionship has risen, and this may The walls, ceiling and most can lounge in cushioned had only exported “normal” The list includes two Chinese not elaborate on what products ily name as Tang told Reuters become a ticking time bomb for of the decor of the hotel are corners of the hotel for goods to the Middle Eastern companies and three Chinese his company, Cosailing Busi- they made “normal” exports to peace and stability in the Middle packed with 3,200 books 500 yen an hour. Kei Asai, country and didn’t consider they people, only one of whom the US ness Trading Co Ltd, based in the Iran, though he would not say of East,” Xinhua said. China has in in diff erent languages. A chief executive of Book had done anything wrong. Treasury Department explicitly northern port city of Qingdao what. “There’s nothing we can the past been angered by what it common room serves as a and Bed, said he wanted to The sanctions on 25 individu- said was a Chinese citizen, a per- and also on the sanctions list, ex- do. Let them put us on the sanc- calls unilateral sanctions placed lounge for day visitors who off er something beyond the als and entities imposed on Fri- son called Qin Xianhua. ported to Iran. tions list,” Tang added, declining on Chinese fi rms by the United can also come to share the traditional capsule hotel. day were the opening salvo by Richard Yue, who is on the list, The company’s website shows further comment. States and others in relation to experience of reading books “The reason why I came President Donald Trump who told Reuters he was also Chinese it is involved in trading every- Reuters was not able to locate Iran or North Korea’s nuclear together. up with this concept was has vowed a more aggressive and that he thought the deci- thing from furnaces to treadmills contacts for the two other Chi- ambitions. “There are many visitors that I wanted to stay in this policy against Tehran and came sion was unfair. His bank account and false eyelashes. Yue is listed nese people on the list. China’s China has close economic and staying in one big space, so kind of hotel where you can two days after the administration had been frozen, meaning he on the site as Cosailing’s sales Foreign Ministry has not com- diplomatic ties with Tehran, but we can communicate and fall asleep while enjoying had put Iran ‘on notice’ following couldn’t work, he said. “I export manager. The other Chinese mented on the new sanctions. was also instrumental in pushing feel relaxed,” said student something fun,” he said. a ballistic missile test. to lots of countries, and Iran is a company on the list is Ningbo The offi cial Xinhua news agency, through a landmark 2015 deal to Those aff ected under the customer too. That’s totally nor- New Century Import and Export in a commentary yesterday, said curb Iran’s nuclear programme.

Controversial Japanese hotel chain sparks protest in Tokyo

Reuters tain his revisionist views Organisers said some 200 company’s website. China Tokyo on history and are placed in people took part. says Japanese troops killed every room of the compa- They were met by coun- 300,000 people in Nanjing ny’s 400-plus APA Hotels. ter-protesters carrying from December 1937 to Jan- bout 200 protest- Motoya, using the pen signs saying “Japan is a uary 1938. A post-war Allied ers marched through name Seiji Fuji, wrote of country with freedom of tribunal put the death toll at Athe streets of Tokyo’s the Nanjing Massacre that speech, and you should about half that number. Shinjuku district yesterday “these acts were all said to change China into the coun- To the fury of China, carrying banners to protest be committed by the Japa- try that has the right of free some conservative Japanese a hotel chain under fi re for nese army, but this is not speech as well.” politicians and academ- books its president wrote true.” Both groups dispersed ics deny the massacre took denying the Nanjing Mas- Video shot by eyewit- without incident once past place, or they put the death sacre in wartime China ever nesses showed protesters the closest APA Hotel on the toll much lower. happened. carrying banners saying march route. The APA Hotel said that it Tokyo-based hotel and “Cherish Peace” and “Re- Tokyo police were un- would temporarily remove real estate developer APA sist APA resolutely and de- able to give an estimate of the materials from a hotel Group is at the centre of fend national dignity” in the protest numbers and the being used to house athletes a furore over books by its both Chinese and Japanese APA Hotel could not imme- during the Sapporo 2017 founder and president, marching through a busy diately comment. There was Asian Winter Games later Toshio Motoya, which con- shopping district of Tokyo. no statement on the unlisted this month. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 13 BRITAIN Black Sabbath says goodbye to touring in hometown

AFP Sabbath kicked off their mam- up with new ways of playing I think the door’s open,” he told London moth farewell run of 81 concerts, Black Sabbath was instrumen- chords, and also tuned down his the BBC, though Osbourne, said: entitled The End Tour, in January tal in creating heavy metal in the guitar to a darker, lower tone to “As far as I am concerned, this is last year in the United States. early 1970s with dark and high- make bending the strings easier. the end... lack Sabbath, the pioneers The world tour took them volume guitars coupled with a The resulting menacing sound I’m not doing it again.” of heavy metal, ended their to Australasia, Europe, North keen interest in the occult. spawned the heavy metal genre. US-based Osbourne, dubbed Blast-ever tour with a fi nal America again, South America, The hippy peace-and-fl owers Band members came and went, the Prince of Darkness, admitted concert in Birmingham, their then back to Europe to fi nish vibe of the 1967 Summer of Love though Iommi, Osbourne, Butler his emotions were “all over the home town where it all began in Birmingham with shows on bypassed industrial Birmingham, and Ward remained the classic place” since returning home for nearly 50 years ago. Thursday and Saturday. which instead still rang with the line-up. the fi nal shows. The godfathers of the genre Iommi, 68, the only ever- thunder of factories. Geoff Nicholls, who was the “Since I’ve got to this building, bowed out on Saturday with a present member, Osbourne, On his fi nal day as a sheet metal band’s keyboardist from I’ve been happy, I’ve been tear- farewell show at the 16,000-ca- 68, and Butler, 67 — Ward has metal worker, 17-year-old Iommi 1979 to 2004, died last Saturday ful,” he said. pacity National Exhibition Cen- not played with the band since Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performing in September 2016. accidentally sliced off the tips aged 68 following a battle with “One of the proudest things I tre Arena in the central English 2012 — took to the stage one last of the middle two fi ngers on his lung cancer. have in my heart is the fact that city. time, joined by drummer Tommy hit from 1970, as ticker tape and a farewell picture with the cheer- fretting hand. Iommi said Sabbath were “not Black Sabbath wasn’t a band that Guitarist Tony Iommi, singer Clufetos and keyboard player balloons blew out over the audi- ing crowd behind them. Though his future as a guitar- saying goodbye as such... was created by some big mogul,” Ozzy Osbourne, bass guitarist Adam Wakeman. ence. “Thank you, goodnight, thank ist seemed over before it began, we don’t want to do any more he said. Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Their fi nal song was streamed Pyrotechnics went off as they you so much,” Osbourne said as he was determined to continue world tours. “It was four guys who said, Ward got together in 1968 and live on Facebook. took their fi nal bow. they left the stage, Iommi giving playing and fashioned fi ngertips “I wouldn’t rule out doing a ‘Let’s have a dream’, and it came created a sound fi lled with the The band bowed out with Par- The band put their arms a thumbs up as he waved good- out of melted plastic bottle tops. one-off show. true beyond our wildest expecta- brooding menace of horror fi lms. anoid, their breakthrough chart around each other and posed for bye. The left-hander had to come Or even an album. tions.” Trump does All clowns day not want to risk possible boycotts

Guardian News The government source London suggested Trump would not want to risk embarrassment, saying the pictures he want- overnment offi cials in- ed broadcast to the US were volved in the planning of meetings with dignitaries Gof Donald Trump’s rather than protests and boy- state visit to Britain believe he cotts. is not interested in addressing The US president is ru- MPs and peers, and instead moured to have asked for a wants to focus on the pomp tour of the cabinet war rooms and ceremony aff orded to for- with a senior government fi g- eign leaders. ure such as Boris Johnson, and Sources have told the it has even been suggested he Guardian that the US presi- wants to play golf with the dent’s team have expressed no Queen at Balmoral. desire to speak in Westminster However, there are some Hall, or another venue within concerns about a meeting parliament. with Prince Charles, Clowns joke ahead of the annual Grimaldi Memorial Service at the All Saints church in east London. The service takes place to celebrate the father of modern clowning, The British government is who could raise concerns Joseph Grimaldi, who died in 1837. also wary of issuing such an about Trump’s stance on cli- invitation because of the like- mate change. lihood that MPs could boycott Labour’s Chris Bryant, the event, leaving the room who was a foreign minister half empty, and that protests overseeing the department outside parliament would charged with state visits, drown out any speech. said that of 115 that had taken One source said speaking to place, only 60 had involved politicians inside parliament speeches to both houses of would represent the “ultimate Parliament. establishment” act, and go May’s Brexit plan under against what Trump stands “The indication he is for. wants high visibility visits Pointing out that neither with key members of the Ronald Reagan nor George W Royal family” Bush addressed parliament during their state visits, the He said the decision on source said: “The indication whether a person speaks in pressure ahead of vote he is wants high visibility vis- Westminster Hall or a smaller its with key members of the venue, such as the Royal Gal- Three days of debates ternal Conservative Party dissent Scottish National Party to defeat up the pace of housebuilding to “We are not going to weaken Royal family.” They suggested lery, was not about prestige followed by votes will was visible which, could see the the government. ensure 1mn new homes by 2020. the protections; we have a clear that the focus would be on pa- but about which location decide if conditions are to be law amended, damaging May’s May has a 16-seat working zThe prime minister will seek manifesto promise and there is no rades, the military and a cer- could be fi lled. attached to Brexit authority domestically and po- majority, but the actual number to reassure Tory MPs and grass- need to take huge tracts of land emonial guard. While Obama, Nelson Man- tentially giving EU negotiators a of rebels needed to infl ict de- roots activists who have ex- out of the green belt to solve our The informal invitation dela, the Pope and Aung San Reuters powerful lever in the exit talks. feat could be higher depending pressed concerns about the plans housing crisis.” from Theresa May to Trump Suu Kyi all delivered speeches London “We could be faced with the on how smaller parties and pro- that she will not be rolling back He said local councils had the has triggered a backlash in in Westminster Hall, India’s prospect of leaving the EU by Brexit Labour MPs vote. on a pledge made by her prede- power to decide to build on the the UK, with more than 1.8mn prime minister, Narendra ‘falling off a cliff ’ — as some have One source said upwards of cessor David Cameron during the green belt, with reports sug- people signing a petition urg- Modi, spoke in the Royal Gal- ro-Europe lawmakers’ ef- described leaving with no deal — 20 Conservative votes might be last general election. gesting that more than 360,000 ing the government to cancel lery. forts to temper Theresa with potentially disastrous eco- needed to defeat her. “The green belt is 13% of the homes are planned for protected the visit. Vladimir Putin was aff orded PMay’s Brexit plan gained nomic consequences,” Member of Pro-Brexit lawmakers were land. areas. Meanwhile, a separate peti- a state visit, but did not make traction yesterday when a mem- Parliament (MP) Neil Carmichael keen to head off the threat of a We can solve this crisis without “They can take land out of the tion calling for Trump’s visit an address. ber of her own party broke ranks said yesterday. revolt. having to take huge tracts out of green belt in exceptional cir- to go ahead has attracted just The Russian president was to criticise her strategy before May has said parliament will be “Any vote to amend this sim- the green belt,” the housing min- cumstances but they should have under 300,000 names. one of a long line of more con- parliamentary votes that will test given a choice between accepting ple bill is a vote against the im- ister, Gavin Barwell, said. looked at every other alternative The invitation resulted in troversial guests for whom her government’s slim majority. the deal she has reached with the plementation of the referendum He told ITV’s Peston yester- fi rst,” he said, including build- an emergency Commons de- Britain has laid out the red A three-day debate on a law EU, or rejecting it and leaving the result,” said Conservative Euro- day that the government’s white ing on brownfi eld land, releasing bate, while an early-day mo- carpet in a bid to boost rela- giving May the right to trigger bloc without any agreement on sceptic MP Steve Baker. paper on housing would aim to surplus government land, in- tion from Labour’s Stephen tions. Britain’s exit from the European issues such as trade and immi- Baker said there were as many break the dominance of a handful creasing the density of projects in Doughty has been signed by Bryant told the Guardian Union begins today, and will be gration. 27 rebels in waiting. of large developers, and instead towns and cities, or partnering up 163 politicians. that while May clearly wants followed by a series of votes on But, MPs want to be given more A source familiar with the see more involvement for small with neighbouring councils. A group of Labour’s most to enhance the relationship whether to attach extra condi- infl uence. cross-party talks said that builders, as well as councils and Barwell was responding to senior women also vowed to with the US, the early invite tions to her plan to start talks by “Parliament must have a fi - number was higher than their housing associations. pressure from some within his stage a mass “no show” in for a state visit could mean a March 31. nal say when we get to the end- own estimates. The document would also pave party, including former cabi- Westminster if the president “diplomatic nightmare” — es- Lawmakers voted overwhelm- game,” Carmichael wrote in the So far only Carmichael and the way for “change of tone” in net minister Andrew Mitchell, is invited to speak to MPs. pecially if Trump were to ad- ingly in favour of the principle of Mail on Sunday, arguing that MPs one other MP, Anna Soubry, have which the Tories would turn at- who said he feared the govern- And there are now reports dress MPs and peers. the new law last week, signalling should be able to send May back publicly suggested they might tention to the millions of people ment was about to backtrack on that the speaker, John Bercow, “There will be a lockdown in May is unlikely to be blocked out- to the negotiating table. vote against the government. locked out of home ownership its claim that the green belt was has expressed concerns about parliament. right from triggering Brexit. Carmichael is the most out- Theresa May will reaffi rm a who instead need aff ordable and “sacrosanct”. Writing in the Mail the possibility of an address Everybody will be shout- But, she will need the support spoken of a handful of critics Conservative commitment to secure rents. yesterday, Mitchell said green along the lines of that given ing all the way through — you of her whole party to approve the within May’s party who could protecting the green belt this Barwell admitted the severity belt land in his Sutton Coldfi eld by the former US president won’t be able to hear him strategy without change. join forces with opposition MPs week, despite unveiling a govern- of the home ownership problem, constituency was threatened by a Barack Obama. speak,” he said. Yesterday the fi rst signs of in- from the Labour Party and the ment strategy that aims to ramp but added: plan to build 6,000 homes. British nationals still being barred from US

Guardian News entering the US, despite Boris the Guardian his US visa was Speaking to Channel 4 News 10-year US visa had been revoked “It was just a whole day of endorsement from my passport London Johnson’s claim to have secured revoked as a result of the presi- on Thursday, she said offi cials for the duration of Trump’s 90- going back and forth, wonder- because it is just a bad memory an exemption for UK passport dent’s executive order. told her an Iraqi visa in her pass- day travel ban. ing what we are going to do with for me … I feel unwelcome and I holders. His case followed that of a port was suffi cient grounds to He said he has not visited money and are we going,” he don’t like to go somewhere I am inisters have been ac- The shadow foreign secretary, British cardiologist, Dr Abte- ban her under the US president’s his country of birth, which is said. unwelcome.” cused of complacency Emily Thornberry, said the gov- hale al-Hussaini, who said she order. one of the seven Muslim-ma- “But I thought, ‘You know Hamidi said US offi cials had Mover Donald Trump’s ernment’s deal with the White had been stopped at Heathrow Hamidi planned to travel to jority countries on the banned what? Even if they say I can also refused to put the decision travel ban after claims emerged House was not being applied airport as she tried to travel to Washington in April with his list, since 1999 and that, to his travel, I just don’t want to go down in writing, making it dif- that British nationals are among properly after an Iranian-born Washington DC for a confer- wife, Evelyn, but the family said knowledge, there was no other any more.’ I thought about ask- fi cult for him to get a refund for those who have been barred from British man, Reza Hamidi, told ence. he was told on Monday that his valid reason to revoke his visa. ing someone to remove the visa his fl ights. Gulf Times 14 Monday, February 6, 2017 BRITAIN

CRIME SOCIETY AVIATION Swindon town overrun Police descend upon People shining lasers at by pop-up sex dens illegal rave in Wembley planes could face jail

A British town is being plagued by pop-up Police descended upon an illegal rave in north- People shining laser pens at plane pilots and train brothels, with 30 of the illicit sex dens opening west London in the early hours of Sunday drivers could be jailed or face huge fines under a every single week. Wiltshire Police warned up morning, seizing sound systems and shutting tough new law. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to 40 sex workers, mainly traff icked into the down the party. Off icers swooped on the branded the acts “dangerous behaviour” as new Police share an image of how a laser beam country from countries like Poland and Romania, property in Wembley High Road shortly before powers were announced to protect the public. It is appears inside an aircraft’s cockpit were off ering their services in Swindon during 1.30am. Pictures show police vans lining the currently an off ence to shine lasers at pilots which a typical week. It is claimed the women rent street near the property and off icers hauling can be punished with a fines of up to £2,500 but drivers is incredibly dangerous and could have properties on a short term basis for just a few huge speakers down stairs. Another photo police do not have the powers to tackle laser fatal consequences. “Whilst we know laser pens days before moving on. Detective Sergeant Chris Overrun by sex dens: Swindon. showed the empty room with sound systems attacks against aircraft, trains, buses and other can be fun and many users have good intentions, Hitchcock told the BBC: “Many of these women and lighting equipment sprawled across the types of transport. Under the new bolstered some are not aware of the risks of dazzling move between addresses within the town as 2014 and 2015. The warning comes after the floor. Police said the occupants of the building plans, police will only have to prove the off ence of drivers or pilots putting public safety at risk. well as outside of it. “Of these 40, we estimate seaside town of Newquay was also overrun engaged with off icers and there were no reports shining the laser instead of having to prove that “That’s why we want to take the common sense they populate 20 to 30 brothels in short-term to by temporary brothels. Pimps and prostitutes of disorder. No arrests were made. Brent police an aircraft had been endangered. There have been approach to strengthen our laws to protect medium-term rental properties.” allegedly come to the town in south west tweeted just before 3am: “Off icers are currently approximately 1,500 laser strikes each year since the public from those who are unaware of the According to police statistics, the number of England, set-up shop for a week and then on scene at an unauthorised event High Street, 2011, up from 200 which were reported in 2008. dangers or even worse, intentionally want to brothels in the town nearly doubled between disappear. Wembley. Grayling said: “Shining a laser pointer at pilots or cause harm.” Woman ‘called race traitor’ on Tube

Evening Standard then he started calling me a ‘race London traitor’ – he was shouting it at me.” The women then began London woman says she shouting back at the man – was assaulted and ac- whose friends remained silent Acused of being a “race throughout the altercation. traitor” for attending a march “We started saying ‘you’re a against Donald Trump’s contro- racist’,” Alice said. versial travel ban. Then, when we began fi lm- Sophia Nicolov, 23, was on her ing him, he started saying it was way to demonstrate in Grosven- nothing to do with race.” or Square against the President’s The women described the in- recent travel ban imposed on cident as “very intimidating and seven Muslim-majority coun- frightening”. tries. “We eventually told him to get She was on the Tube at Oxford off the train and the Tube driver Britain’s Prince William, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry take part in a relay race, during a training event to promote the charity Heads Together, at the Queen Elizabeth II Circus on the way to the protest came to see if we were okay. Park in London. with her 26-year-old sister, Al- “Everyone on the carriage ice, when she was shouted at by said we had done the right thing a man who had been “ranting but no one helped us at the about Muslims”. time.” “We were on the way to the Sophie added: “The whole protest and there were about fi ve thing was very aggressive and it or six of us girls,” Alice told The just happened out of nowhere – Standard. he saw the sign and exploded. “My sister was behind me “He kicked my hand holding William and Kate put holding a sign with a picture of the sign and that was when he Donald Trump and Theresa May started shouting at me. holding hands which read ‘pub- I shouted back and said ‘it’s lic enemies number one’. people like are the reason I am “I became aware of a group of going to the march today’.” men and one of them was rant- Both Sophia, a student, and ing and ranting about “Mus- Alice, a writer, grew up in Fins- through paces with lims”. bury Park, north London. “He was shouting about how They said they have never ‘there are no white people left in seen an outburst like this in the London anymore’ and kept say- capital before. ing ‘what is this country becom- Alice said: “I have never heard ing?’. someone accusing someone else “Then he looked around and of being a ‘race traitor’ before – marathon runners saw my sister’s sign and just it is white supremacist type of went mental – he lunged for her, talk and I have never heard that Running is being used to gether runners wore head bands During a cool down at the of our very special family, we men’s mental health,” she said. kicked her and kicked the sign kind of language being thrown create awareness on mental whilst training. Copper Box Arena the Duke gave fi nd ourselves hoping to use the The Heads Together training she was holding. around before.” health Heads Together is encourag- a few words of encouragement to experience to raise awareness day is the fi rst event to be held “He just started going mad Sophia added: “This hatred ing everyone running in this the team’s runners. of what is the biggest cause of at the new London Marathon and calling her a “liberal left- has come from somewhere and I Evening Standard year’s race, whichever cause They are fundraising for the death of men under the age of 45 Community Track which was ie”. The 6ft 3ins man tried to think it has been normalised by London they are supporting, to make it a eight Heads Together Charity in the UK. funded by a grant of £3.45mn knock the sign out of Sophia’s Trump and Brexit. ‘mental health marathon.’ Partners or the campaign itself. “As incomprehensible as this from the London Marathon hands and, in the process kicked “The reason we were march- Paula Radcliff e and Iwan One session focused on boost- statistic sounds — husbands, fa- Charitable Trust. her, whilst hurling abuse, it is ing is because we hate racism he Duke and Duchess of Thomas also gave advice and ing runners fundraising eff orts thers, brothers and sons are be- This is the largest single claimed. and we want people to know that Cambridge joined a train- encouragement to the assem- in raising funds for the services ing lost to a silent killer that as project ever funded by the trust. Sophia continued: “He kept London is not a racist city.” Ting day alongside Prince bled Heads Together runners on and support delivered by these a society we fi nd diffi cult to talk William, Kate and Harry are shouting ‘you left wing liberal The incident has been report- Harry and the runners taking training and preparation. Charity Partners, giving vital about. spearheading the Heads Togeth- scum’ over and over again and ed to British Transport Police. part in the 2017 Virgin Money As well as a range of advice on help with mental health, day in, It is time to start the conver- er campaign to build on the great London Marathon. nutrition, running and stretch- day out. sation. work that is already taking place They joined in training ses- ing, Team Heads Together run- William, Kate and Harry took “Which is why we’re pleased across the country, to ensure sions on the new London Mara- ners also received advice and part in a training relay race with to have the opportunity to run that people feel comfortable thon Community Track with encouragement on how they can members of Team Heads To- the Virgin London Marathon in with their everyday mental well- more than 150 Team Heads To- lead from the front in achieving gether and Paula Radcliff e. support for CALM and Heads being, feel able to support their Victoria Cross hero gether runners yesterday. the campaign mission of start- This included Pippa, Henriet- Together. friends and families through They also teamed up with ing millions of conversations on ta and Will Creasey who are run- “The strenuous training pro- diffi cult times, and that fear no world-record holder and three mental health in the build up to ning to raise money for CALM, gramme and the twenty-six longer prevents people talking or Beharry ‘humiliated’ time London Marathon win- the Virgin Money London Mara- after Henri and Will’s father and mile sightseeing extravaganza getting the help they need. ner Paula Radcliff e and British thon. Pippa’s husband Dr Terry Creasy will undoubtedly be an immense The London Marathon Com- 400m record holder and London In 2017, the marathon is cele- committed suicide following an physical and emotional chal- munity Track will be used as the Evening Standard Marathon regular, Iwan Thomas. brating the unique story of every acute struggle with depression. lenge. warm-up track for the World London Heads Together is the offi cial runner and the Heads Together Pippa said: “Suicide was not a “We hope the test will be Athletics Championships later Charity of the Year at the Queen runners also had the opportu- word we thought would be asso- made signifi cantly easier know- this year and then will be offi - Elizabeth Olympic Park in Lon- nity to visit the video booth and ciated with us. ing we are running for two fan- cially handed over to Newham ritish war hero and Vic- don. record their personal reason to “Nevertheless, four years af- tastic charities that are rais- and Essex Beagles and local toria Cross recipient All of the Team Heads To- run. ter tragically losing the head ing much needed awareness of schools and community groups. BJohnson Beharry has de- scribed his “humiliation” after he was held up by US border offi cials due to Donald Trump’s immigration ban. Beharry, who was awarded Farage sharing house with woman at centre of storm the highest British military decoration for his service in Johnson Beharry Iraq, arrived at New York’s JFK Evening Standard The claims have been strongly con- airport hours after the presi- my passport showed I had been London tested by Ukip. Ferrari, who fi rst became dent ordered travel restrictions to Iraq. involved in politics as a result of a chance on January 27. “Maybe I am a bit Asian- meeting with Farage 10 years ago while Long delays at immigration looking but that doesn’t mean igel Farage is sharing his Lon- she was working as a waitress in Stras- meant he missed a veterans’ I should be treated with the don house with a female French bourg, said she had been forced to move event where he was due to be a same suspicion as a terrorist. Npolitician who heads a think tank out of her own fl at after the European guest of honour. “I explained that I had been at the centre of an illegal Ukip funding Parliament stopped IDDE’s funding. Beharry, who was injured in Iraq fi ghting for the British probe. “I have no trustworthy friends in Lon- in the confl ict in 2004, said Army but they didn’t seem to Laure Ferrari — who runs the Institute don who could have hosted me. he faced a wait of nearly three care. for Direct Democracy in Europe (IDDE) — “I asked and he accepted. hours to reach the border “The offi cials only let me in has been living in the former Ukip leader’s Laure Ferrari Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage He is just trying to be helpful,” she told where his passport was further after I kicked up a fuss. £4mn house in Chelsea for the past week, The Mail on Sunday. scrutinised. It was the worst travel expe- according to The Mail on Sunday. wouldn’t cost her any money. and the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Asked by the newspaper whether he had The 37-year-old told the rience of my life.” Farage told the paper that he was help- “It’s a working relationship,” he was Europe (ADDE), the political party it is af- slept with Ferrari, Farage said he was not Sun he suspected he had been Beharry said he witnessed ing her out because she needed accommo- quoted as saying. fi liated to. prepared to answer “ludicrous questions”. viewed with suspicion because “Middle Eastern-looking pas- dation and had nowhere else to stay. Last November the electoral commis- It followed an audit by the European Last month Farage told paper that he spent of his travel to Iraq and his ap- sengers” being pulled aside by “She is someone I have worked with sion announced it was opening an inves- parliament which concluded that ADDE most week nights at a “bachelor pad” and pearance. offi cials enforcing the presi- and known well for a long time who tigation into whether Ukip had accepted and IDDE used EU grant funding for the denied that he had split from his German- He said: “I felt humiliated. dent’s controversial executive wanted somewhere to stay for a week that “impermissible donations” from IDDE benefi t of Ukip in breach of its rules. born wife, Kirsten. I think they held me because order. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 15 EUROPE

Louvre attack suspect Turkey arrests hundreds refuses to answer in huge anti-IS operation questions AFP pects, all Syrians, were rounded pected of travelling to and from foreigners, were killed on New der arrest ahead of trial over campaign inside Syria that be- Istanbul up in raids on hotels and private Syria and planning attacks in Year’s night when a gunman the nightclub plot, including gan in August. homes in Sanliurfa in the south- the city were detained, Anadolu went on the rampage inside a Masharipov’s wife Zarina Nu- At least 48 Turkish soldiers Reuters east, Dogan said. said. plush Istanbul night club. rullayeva. have been killed in the incursion Paris/Cairo urkish police have de- Another 47 were detained One of the suspects detained IS claimed the massacre, its In her statement to investi- so far, according to an AFP tally, tained almost 450 sus- in the nearby city of Gaziantep in Izmir – a Syrian identifi ed fi rst clear claim for a major at- gators, excerpts of which were the vast majority in the battle Tpected Islamic State (IS) close to the Syrian border which only as E A – is said to have been tack in Turkey although it had published by the Turkish media, for Al Bab since the fi ght for the he machete-wielding at- group members in nationwide has a known Islamist militant in touch with people smugglers been blamed for several bomb- she said she had “no idea” what town began in December. tacker who was shot by a raids just over a month after an presence while 38 were picked in a bid to help Islamic State ings in 2016. her husband was planning and Turkey was long accused by Tsoldier outside France’s attack on an Istanbul nightclub up in Hatay, also bordering Syr- members escape to Europe, Police detained the sus- “most of the accusations against its Western allies of not doing Louvre museum refused to an- claimed by the militants. ia. Anadolu said. pected attacker, Abdulgadir me are false”. enough to stop the fl ow of Is- swer investigators yesterday Security forces rounded up Sixty suspects, mostly for- Eighteen people were de- Masharipov, an Uzbek national, She was quoted as saying that lamist militants across its bor- after being formally placed into 448 suspects, the state-run eigners, were detained in four tained in Istanbul and the neigh- on January 16 after more than the couple had arrived in Turkey ders and emergence of IS cells in custody at a hospital, a source at Anadolu news agency said, in districts in the capital Ankara. bouring province of Kocaeli on two weeks on the run and au- from Iran but her husband had its own cities. the Paris prosecutor’s offi ce said. Turkey’s biggest police opera- Dozens more arrests were suspicion of planning attacks. thorities say he has confessed to sworn allegiance to IS in Paki- Ankara denies the charges, Abdullah El Hamahmy, an tion against IS since the New made in provinces ranging from Another 14 foreigners were the massacre. stan. saying that it listed IS as a terror Egyptian, was shot several times Year attack on the Reina night- Bursa in the west to Antalya on due to be deported, including 10 The Hurriyet daily later re- Last year, Turkey was hit by group since 2013. on Friday after attacking soldiers club that killed 39. the Mediterranean and Bingol in children. ported that IS had also planned a a string of attacks blamed on IS However, observers say Tur- as he cried “Allahu Akbar” in Among those detained were the east. Meanwhile in Eskisehir east simultaneous New Year’s strike and Kurdish militants that left key has markedly stepped up what French President Francois foreigners and those suspected Television footage showed of Istanbul, nine people were in Ankara but dropped the plot hundreds dead. its actions against IS in the last Hollande described as a terrorist of planning attacks in Turkey, police in body armour battering detained on suspicion of mem- after arrests by the Turkish au- It is also engaged in a battle months and note that the cap- attack. the Dogan and Anadolu news down a door in a pre-dawn raid. bership of Fateh al-Sham, Al thorities. with IS to take the Syrian town ture of Masharipov alive may “The fi rst interview took place agencies reported. In the usually peaceful Aegean Qaeda’s former affi liate in Syria. An Istanbul court on Fri- of Al Bab, in the fi ercest fi ght- provide it with valuable intel- this morning, but it turned out to During the operation, 150 sus- city of Izmir, nine people sus- Thirty-nine people, mainly day placed a dozen people un- ing yet of the Turkish military’s ligence. be a short one. For the moment, he refuses to talk to investiga- tors,” the source at the prosecu- tor’s offi ce said. El Hamahmy’s father told Reuters that it was “nonsense” Serbs demolish wall in Kosovo’s divided city to suggest his son was a terror- ist, saying that the youngest of four children was a law gradu- Reuters ate who had been working in the Mitrovica, Kosovo United Arab Emirates for about fi ve years and was in Paris on business. ocal Serbs in Kosovo used The 29-year-old arrived in bulldozers yesterday to France on January 26 after ob- Ldemolish a wall they built taining a tourist visa in Dubai. in the ethnically-divided city of Egyptian security offi cials Mitrovica, following weeks of have not said whether he had any tension over the issue between known links to militant groups. Kosovo and Serbia. Hours before the Louvre at- The Serbs, who do not recog- tack, an entry on El Hamahmy’s nise Kosovo as a state, started Twitter account was posted constructing the wall in Decem- Children shout into a megaphone as the adults protest in front of reading: “Why are they afraid of ber, saying that it was to protect the government headquarters in Bucharest against corruption in the establishment of an Islamic against a landslip, but the Pris- the government. state? Because the country of tina government said the struc- Islam will defend its resources ture was an attempt to further and territory and the honour and divide the city along ethnic lines dignity of Muslims.” and should be destroyed. Reuters could not independ- Tensions have grown in recent Protesters keep up ently verify the authenticity of weeks because of the wall and a the tweet and the account has train sent by Serbia carrying the since been shut down. slogan “Kosovo is Serbia” which A Serbian woman grimaces as bulldozers take down a concrete wall near the main bridge in the town pressure after govt The incident underlined the was stopped by Kosovo border of Mitrovica, after the Kosovo government reached an agreement with country’s ethnic Serb minority Islamist militant threat facing police. to resolve the issue of a contested wall symbolically dividing the city of Mitrovica. France, which is still under a Kosovo, backed by the US and drops graft decree state of emergency as presiden- major western European states, Crimea to annex the northern The deal to destroy the 2m tall sentative in Kosovo, Nataliya tial elections loom following a declared independence from part of Kosovo. concrete wall was reached fol- Apostolova, said: “I can assure series of attacks over the past Serbia in 2008. “Shame on them. They could lowing EU-mediated talks be- (you) there will no walls here ... AFP involved exceeded 200,000 lei two years that have killed more Belgrade considers it part of have built three houses with this tween the government in Pris- this shows that both parties can Bucharest (€44,000, $47,500). than 230 people. its territory and supports the money,” one man, Jovo Ilic, said, tina and Serb representatives. reach a deal when there is a po- The government also wants El Hamahmy’s father, Reda, Serb minority. watching two bulldozers de- Kosovo Prime Minister Isa litical will.” in a separate decree to be re- in an interview on Saturday ac- Serbia’s president has ac- stroying the wall. Mustafa had threatened local Kosovo Albanians make up omania has scrapped a viewed by parliament next cused French offi cials of fabri- cused the authorities in Pristina Italian Carabinieri were Serbs that if they did not take more than 90% of Kosovo’s contentious corruption week to free some 2,500 people cating the allegations against his of wanting to start a war, while guarding the area as part of down the wall, his government 1.8mn population. Rdecree in a climbdown from prison serving sentences son to excuse the force used to his Kosovo counterpart has ac- the Nato mission that still has would do it. Northern Kosovo is home to a after the biggest mass dem- of less than fi ve years. stop him. cused Serbia of potentially us- a force stationed in Kosovo to Visiting the demolition site Serb minority of around 40,000 onstrations since 1989, but Grindeanu, from the left- Asked if his son had shown ing the example of Russia in keep the fragile peace. the European Union repre- to 50,000 people. protesters kept up pressure by wing Social Democrats (PSD), Islamist militant tendencies, the taking to the streets for a sixth had said that the measures retired police major general said: straight day. were to bring penal law into “If he had I would have thrown As thousands of people line with the constitution and him out of the house.” gathered in Bucharest and reduce overcrowding in pris- French investigators are hunt- elsewhere, the government an- ons. ing for clues to establish whether Poll gap closes between Merkel’s nounced that it had approved a But critics saw a brazenly he acted alone, on impulse, or on repeal of the decree that would transparent attempt by the orders from someone. have decriminalised certain PSD to let off many of its own He attacked troops checking conservatives, Social Democrats corruption off ences. offi cials and lawmakers en- bags near the museum’s shop- This fulfi lled the promise snared in a major anti-corrup- ping mall with a machete in each made late on Saturday by a tion drive of recent years. hand, wounding one soldier. Reuters September’s federal election. pale and tired-looking Prime This push saw almost 2,000 Berlin Schulz has vowed to unseat Minister Sorin Grindeanu after people convicted for abuse of Merkel with a campaign aimed a fi fth day of demonstrations power between 2014 and 2016, Off icers who shot at overcoming “deep divisions” that were the largest since the and a serving prime minister, he lead in voter support that he says have fuelled pop- ouster of communist dictator fi ve ministers, 16 lawmakers Berlin attacker for German Chancellor ulism in Germany in recent Nicolae Ceausescu in 1989. and fi ve senators go on trial. moved for security TAngela Merkel’s con- years. But the announcement Grindeanu’s climbdown on servative alliance over the cen- In a theoretical head-to-head didn’t stop demonstrators Saturday evening – he said he The Italian police off icers who tre-left Social Democrats (SPD) contest for chancellor, the Em- Merkel waits for Bavarian state gathering again yesterday to wanted to avoid “dividing the shot and killed a Berlin terrorist shrank to a multi-year low of Schulz: managing above all to nid poll showed Merkel pipping premier and CSU leader Horst make it clear to Grindeanu nation” – sparked cheers and attacker on the run have been four percentage points, an opin- win back former SPD voters and the Social Democrat to victory Seehofer to discuss their and his left-wing government, celebrations that went late into transferred from their original ion poll showed yesterday. to appeal to them emotionally. with 41% support to his 38%. diff erences over refugee policy which has been in offi ce only a the night. location near Milan. The SPD, which a week ago The SPD has held exploratory in Munich. month, that they were on thin But he said the government As a precautionary measure, appointed Martin Schulz as “Martin Schulz is managing talks with the environmentalist ice and that corruption must still needed to bring laws into the off icers will no longer be leader, scored 29% in the survey above all to win back former Greens and the far-left Linke liberal Free Democrats (FDP) on be rooted out. line with the constitution, employed in Sesto San Giovanni, published in newspaper Bild am SPD voters and to appeal to party about forming a left-lean- 6%, also unchanged. “I hope that this is a real re- slamming what he called a the news agency Ansa reported Sonntag – a six-point jump that them emotionally,” Emnid’s ing coalition government after Schulz has called for higher peal ... we are going to keep an campaign of misinformation yesterday, citing local police. Bild said was the biggest pollster Torsten Schneider-Haase told the election but they need more wage increases for workers, de- eye on them to make sure we and “distortion”. The Italian interior ministry made Emnid had ever recorded for the the newspaper, adding: “Such a support if that is to become a vi- scribed US President Donald are not being had,” said pro- Raluca, a demonstrator in the decision after reports that a party. strong shift in party preferences able option. Trump’s policies as “un-Amer- tester Daniel, 35. her 30s, said she was delighted police chief had warned about The jump took SPD support within a week is a one-off .” The Emnid poll – a survey ican” and warned against lifting “Today we are going to break but that the government was the possibility of a retaliatory to its highest in over four years. The SPD appointed Schulz, of 2,233 voters conducted from sanctions imposed against Rus- new records,” electrician Flori- still not to be trusted. strike in reaction to the killing. Support for Merkel’s CDU a former European Parliament January sia over its role in the Ukraine an, 40, told AFP in Bucharest, “People are going to remain The 24-year-old attacker, Anis and its Bavarian sister party, the president, as leader last Sunday, 26 to February 2 – showed crisis. distributing free pretzels and very vigilant with this govern- Amri, drove a lorry into a row of CSU, fell four points to 33% – replacing Sigmar Gabriel who support for both the Greens and Merkel is meeting her Bavar- tea at Victory Square, the epi- ment,” she told AFP late on stalls on a Christmas market in cutting the gap between the two said he was standing aside to the Linke falling two points to ian allies for two days of talks centre of this week’s protests. Saturday. central Berlin on December 19, blocs to its narrowest in records boost the party’s chances. 8%. aimed at rallying their troubled By midafternoon, around a Her words were echoed yes- killing 12 and injuring more than compiled by poll tracker wahl- The move has re-energised The anti-immigration Alter- alliance ahead the September 24 thousand people could be seen terday morning by Rado, one 50, many of them seriously. recht.de going back to Septem- the SPD, junior partner in Mer- native for Germany (AfD) was election, which she expects to gathering in the square and the of a sweaty trio peddling away He was shot dead by Italian police ber 2013. kel’s ‘grand coalition’, ahead of unchanged on 11%, with the be “tough like no other”. crowd was expected to swell on bikes fi xed to the ground at near Milan on December 23 after later with buses arriving from Victory Square. drawing a gun and wounding one outside the capital. “Usually we do a Sunday of the off icers during a routine Anonymous posters criticising Pope for targeting conservatives appear in Rome Again they brandished plac- trip, we cycle around 100- check. ards, chanted and blew whis- 150km (60-90 miles),” said the Investigators used film footage Posters accusing Pope Francis of attacking beheading of the Knights of Malta”. its chaplain since 2014 and is a frequent critic tles and plastic vuvuzela horns 27-year-old who works for an from video cameras at a railway conservative Catholics appeared around This was a reference to an ancient Catholic of the Pope. in the national colours of blue, online sports shop. stations to trace Amri’s escape Rome this weekend and were swiftly covered order of knights which is now a worldwide City authorities pasted white paper yellow and red. “And since we have to look from Germany across the up by city authorities. charity and whose former grand master over them with the message “illegal Later in the evening they out for the thieves in our gov- Netherlands, Belgium, France and The posters, put up during the night between handed in his resignation to the Pope last advertising”, as they had been put up without were all to sing the national ernment, we decided just to then to Italy. Friday and Saturday by mystery activists, week after a two-month, highly public feud. authorisation or the payment of a tax. anthem. come here and train,” he told Shortly after shooting Amri, featured a picture of a stern-faced Pope and The posters appeared several hours before The Vatican had no comment. The decree, passed on Tues- AFP. “We just want someone off icials were criticised for the slogan: “Where’s your mercy?” the Vatican announced the name of the But Father Antonio Spadaro, a Jesuit who is day and due to enter into force competent to run the state for mentioning the names of the The text accused Francis of several Pope’s personal delegate to the troubled close to the Pope, said in a tweet that they on February 10, was to make the people. Not for themselves, police off icers involved in the interventions targeting conservatives, order, a move that side-lined conservative were a sign that Francis was doing a good job abuse of power a crime only for their own benefi t and bank operation. including what the posters called “the Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, who had been and therefore irritating many people. punishable by jail if the sums accounts.” Gulf Times 16 Monday, February 6, 2017 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Scenic Srinagar Roundup By Umaima Shafiq

Bill against NEET exams tabled Tamil Nadu has become the first state to table a bill against NEET, an all-India qualifying exam for medical and dental college admissions. Many states like Karnataka and Maharashtra have also opposed NEET. The National Entrance and Eligibility Test was introduced in 2013 by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to bring students under a uniform syllabi compiled by the Medical Council of India (MCI). However many states opposed it because their students found it tough. State Education Minister C Vijaya Bhaskar said that under the new bill, students would be given admissions based on their higher school grades and undergraduate marks. House boats are moored in Dal Lake during snowfall in Srinagar. Nine restaurants sealed in Chennai

At least nine restaurants of the Saravana Bhavan hotel chain, an iconic South Indian eatery, were sealed in Chennai. The Chennai Corporation cited reasons like meagre parking space, expired licences and poor quality of Sasikala to be Tamil Nadu CM service for the closure. The Saravana Bhavan chain was IANS said it was “shocked” that the was married to M Natarajan, a founded by P Rajagopal who Chennai AIADMK had chosen an ad- Tamil Nadu government offi cial. started a grocery shop in 1968 ministratively inexperienced In the 1980s, Natarajan urged THE LONG JOURNEY in suburban Chennai. He opened Sasikala as the chief minister of south Arcot district collector his first restaurant in 1981 at K K amil Nadu is set to get its Tamil Nadu, one of India’s big- V S Chandralekha to introduce Nagar. The group today has 33 third woman chief minis- gest states. Sasikala to Jayalalithaa so that z There were strong calls for Sasikala to in 2014, which was overturned by the high outlets in India and 47 abroad Tter. All India Anna Drav- “People didn’t vote for the then AIADMK propaganda take over as chief minister of Tamil Nadu court a year later. including the Gulf. The group ida Munnetra Kazhagam (AI- Sasikala,” DMK working presi- secretary would get due public- after she was appointed AIADMK chief fol- z The friends, however, had a brief fall- functions like a corporate with ADMK) MLAs yesterday elected dent M K Stalin said. The DMK ity. lowing Jayalalithaa’s death in December. The ing out in December 2011, after Jayalalithaa high wages, health insurance, general secretary V K Sasikala said yesterday was a “black day” With Jayalalithaa fi nding AIADMK contended that it was unwise for expelled Sasikala, her husband and family home loans and pension benefits as their legislature leader, two for Tamil Nadu. Sasikala’s work satisfactory, the party and government to have different members from the party for allegedly plotting for all its employees. months after her mentor J Jay- Sasikala said: “Since everyone they became friends. After a power centres in the state and thus, vocifer- against her. alalithaa died. stressed that one person should while, Sasikala moved into the ously demanded her elevation and Panneer- z Four months later, Sasikala publicly dis- The legislators unanimously hold both the posts - chief min- Poes Garden residence of Jay- selvam’s removal. tanced herself from her family and rejoined Traders to boycott chose Sasikala, who is not a ister and general secretary of the alalithaa in Chennai. z While Sasikala has neither been an elected Jayalalithaa. Pepsi and Coke member of the assembly, for party – I agreed.” Sasikala used to accompany member of the Tamil Nadu assembly nor held z Following Jayalalithaa’s death on Decem- the post. And she lost no time in According to AIADMK sourc- Jayalalithaa on her trips, often any official post in the government, she was ber 5, it was the 61-year-old Sasikala who per- Two major traders’ associations saying that outgoing Chief Min- es, Panneerselvam proposed her seated behind the charismatic considered to be the closest aide of former formed her last rites. in Tamil Nadu have banned ister O Panneerselvam himself name and the other MLAs sec- actor-turned-AIADMK leader. chief minister Jayalalithaa. She had a consid- z On December 31, she formally took their members from selling wanted her to head the govern- onded it to show unanimity in Jayalalithaa publicly called erable say in appointments and in the selec- over as general secretary of the AIAD- Coca Cola and Pepsi from March ment. the party. Sasikala a sister not related by tion of candidates. MK, fuelling speculation that she would, 1. President A M Vikramraja Addressing the legislators, Sasikala belongs to the Thevar blood. z Jayalalithaa was introduced to eventually, take charge as Tamil Nadu told the media that they had the 59-year old Sasikala, a long- community, which has a domi- But despite their closeness, Sasikala - a former video store chief minister. asked members to stock up on time confi dante of Jayalalithaa, nant say in the AIADMK. Sasikala maintained a low pro- owner - in the 1980s and over the z Speculation of Sasikala taking over as indigenously manufactured said Panneerselvam had also The Bharatiya Janata Party’s fi le publicly although she was years, she became a permanent chief minister by the end of January were drinks like Bovonto, Torino, insisted earlier that she become Tamil Nadu president Tamili- actively involved in managing presence in the actor-turned- strong but the massive protests across Vibro, Love-O and natural the party head too. sai Soundararajan agreed that the party aff airs. politician’s her life and home. The the state over demanding the removal of extracts like buttermilk Panneerselvam, who had ear- electing Sasikala was the AIAD- Their relationship turned former chief minister described the ban on the bull-taming festival of Jal- (lassi) and coconut water. He lier been acting chief minister MK MLAs’ right but wondered sour in 2011 and Jayalalithaa told Sasikala as “the “sister I never likattu delayed it. added that Pepsi and Coke twice, sent his resignation to what was the urgency. Sasikala and her family mem- had”. z Sasikala’s takeover has been pre- contained pesticides and their Sasikala, party sources said. Born in 1957 in bers to leave her residence. But z Her nephew was adopt- ceded by a number of changes manufacturing units were The main opposition Dravida Thiruthuraipoondi, about they patched up later, ensuring ed by the former Tamil in the government and the either polluting or depleting Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 330km from Chennai, Sasikala Sasikala’s return to the AIAD- Nadu chief minister as a party. Former chief secre- water tables in several states. MK. foster son. In 1995, Jay- tary Sheela Balakrishnan, Both traders’ associations have Supporters of Sasikala point alalithaa was accused an advisor to the Tamil about 15mn members who Panneerselvam thanks Modi for support, co-operation out that she assisted Jayala- of misusing state re- Nadu government, was have unanimously agreed to lithaa in the party affairs - and sources to fund the relieved off her du- the decision said Vikramraja. A Outgoing party general secretary V was with her during her tough wedding of Sasikala’s ties along with other national survey revealed that Tamil Nadu K Sasikala to take charge times. nephew. Sasikala senior bureaucrats. Coke and Pepsi controlled about Chief Minister of the state. In a letter to Earlier yesterday, Panneer- and Jayalalithaa Sasikala also ap- 80% of Tamil Nadu’s soft drinks O Panneersel- Modi, the text of which was selvam and other ministers met were convicted pointed 23 peo- market. However, about 60% of vam yester- released to the media, Pan- Sasikala at the Poes Garden of corruption by ple as offi ce customers also preferred non- day thanked neerselvam said: “I would residence of Jayalalithaa where a Bengaluru court party bearers. fizzy drinks like Bovonto. Prime Minis- like to convey my sincere Sasikala continues to live. ter Naren- gratitude for all the support Days earlier, Sasikala named party general secretary. Chief Minister was Janaki Ram- in assembly elections. dra Modi and Governor C and cooperation extended to various party posts some ex- Milk and Dairy Development achandran, the widow of the late Like Jayalalithaa, Sasikala too Cockroach pulled Vidyasagar Rao for their by you during my tenure as ministers and others who had Minister K T Rajenthra Bhalaji M G Ramachandran, the AIAD- has faced corruption charges. from woman’s nose support and co-operation. chief minister of Tamil Nadu.” been earlier shunted out by Jay- said: “Now a brave Tamil woman MK founder. She was in offi ce The Supreme Court is yet to Panneerselvam resigned Panneerselvam also thanked alalithaa. will be the chief minister. Can’t only for a brief period. deliver a ruling in the dispro- In a rare medical procedure, yesterday, paving way for Rao in separate letter. She also reached out to those a Tamil woman become chief She was succeeded by Jayala- portionate assets case. If it goes doctors at the government- seen as a threat to her and pla- minister?” lithaa, who in May last year led against her, it will be a blow to owned Stanley Medical College cated them before becoming the Tamil Nadu’s fi rst woman the AIADMK to another victory her and the AIADMK. Hospital removed a live cockroach from a 42-year-old woman’s nose in Chennai last week. Doctors said, “We had to use forceps and suction to pull out the cockroach.” In the past, RBI meeting not Rivals beads, buttons, a leech and a chalk piece have been removed but never a roach, the doctors seen hiking rates ‘want to added. Selvi the patient who works as house maid reportedly carried the insect for nearly 20 IANS ings by commercial banks, un- stall BJP’ hours and suff ered eye irritation Mumbai changed at 6.25%. and headache whenever it According to the panel, its moved. decision to keep the key lend- IANS he Reserve Bank of India ing rates unchanged was taken Aligarh Senior sports (RBI) is expected to hold after considering various glo- Tkey interest rates at its bal and local factors, such as journalist dead monetary policy review – its a likely hike in the US interest rime Minister Narendra second after November’s note rates, which has since been Modi yesterday accused Nirmal Sekhar, senior sports ban – in the wake of banks be- eff ected by the US Federal Re- Pthe opposition of trying journalist who worked with the ing fl ush with funds post-de- serve. to prevent the BJP from having Hindu newspaper and Sportstar monetisation and a fi rming up Moreover, acting as a further a majority in the Rajya Sabha magazine, died of a cardiac arrest of global oil prices. constraint for the central bank, to stall strong anti-corruption in Chennai. He was 60. Sekhar As a result of the surge in retail infl ation rose for the fi fth laws. is survwived by his wife, two bank deposits following the straight month in December, Taking a dig at the Con- children and mother. He was one recent demonetisation of touching 5.61% on the back gress-Samajwadi Party alli- of India’s popular sports writers high-value currency, lending of higher vegetable and cereal ance without naming it, he and worked for 30 years with rates have fallen by up to 1%. prices. said: “These people have not the Hindu from 1980 to 2015. His Industry chamber Ficci, In this connection, while come together to fight elec- incisive coverage on tennis and has said that the RBI is likely state-run oil marketers failed tion. They have come together cricket matches, particularly the to maintain status quo in the to make the fortnightly revi- because they feel if we (BJP) get Davis Cup and Grand Slams, were upcoming monetary policy sion in transport fuel prices a majority in the Rajya Sabha, much sought after. He also ran a and cut rates in the first half due earlier this week, the we will make such laws that weekly podcast titled Saturdays of the next fiscal beginning Indian basket of crude oils there will be no space left for with Sekhar. April 1. closed trade on the last trad- thieves and the corrupt.” Nirmal often said, “I don’t restrict Earlier in December, the ing day on Thursday at over The Bharatiya Janata Party myself to sports, but try and RBI’s Monetary Policy Com- $55 a barrel, latest official has a majority in the Lok Sabha bring in a life’s perspective; try mittee (MPC), during its sec- data showed. but not in the Rajya Sabha. understanding the psychology ond bi-monthly monetary Rising oil prices present a Addressing an election rally of sports and fit sports into the policy review – the fi fth of the challenge to India’s growth, ahead of Uttar Pradesh elections wider context, rather than stick fi scal – kept the repurchase said the Economic Survey pre- starting on February 11, Modi to the backhands and the cover rate, or the short-term lend- sented in Parliament earlier said Chief Minister Akhilesh Ya- drives alone.” ing rate it charges on borrow- this week. Prime Minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi attends a rally in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, yesterday. dav was scared of the BJP. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 17 INDIA

POLITICS CLAIM PEOPLE INDUSTRIAL ACTION OFFBEAT Nitish Kumar’s ‘lotus’ Modi government trying Kejriwal to visit Bengaluru IDBI Bank employees First-time women voters colouring creates a buzz to end quotas: Mayawati for medical treatment to strike today in Goa get teddy bears

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar lent colour to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to Employees of the IDBI Bank will strike today over Around 600 pink teddy bears were given to first- a lotus sketched by an artist, creating a social yesterday accused the central government of visit Bengaluru to get his high blood sugar treated, a wage revision and opposition to outsourcing time women voters across Goa. The snuggly teddy media buzz yesterday, with some seeing in it his trying to do away with reservation for Dalits. “The an off icial said yesterday. The Delhi government among other issues, a leader of All India bears were given to the early-visiting first-time “closeness” to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP-led government is trying to end the quotas for off icial said Kejriwal’s sugar level is “quite high”, Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA). “The voters in over 40 model polling booths, one in Nitish Kumar coloured the lotus sketched by artist Dalits, it is trying to end reservation,” Mayawati told and he will be visiting Bengaluru for treatment on conciliation meeting was held in Mumbai for each of the 40 assembly constituencies in Goa, Baua Devi at the inaugural function of Patna Book an election rally in Sitarganj, Uttarakhand. Hitting February 7. The Chief Minister is expected to return the past three days but despite the reasonable which went to poll on Saturday. “Our pink polling fair. It was widely seen by a section in social media out at the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, to the national capital after 10-12 days, the off icial stand of the union (All India IDBI Employees stations got 2% more voting than the average as his growing closeness with friend-turned-foe Mayawati said: “The Dalits and tribals are treated said, adding that Kejriwal, who was relentlessly Association) to find an amicable solution, the polling rate in all the other regular polling booths. BJP, whose party symbol is lotus. Thousands as vote bank by these two parties.” The BSP leader campaigning in Punjab over the last one month, IDBI management took a negative approach. People received the idea well,” an off icial said. The of people have shared the Janata Dal-United raked up the issues of Dalit student Rohit Vemula has been on three doses of insulin a day. The As a result there was no agreement forcing pink polling booths, in which the teddy bears were leader’s ‘lotus picture’ on social media, drawing who had committed suicide as well as atrocities on Delhi chief minister has visited Bengaluru for his the union to go on strike,” C H Venkatachalam, given, appeared to come straight out of a birthday comments. However, neither the JD-U nor its Dalits in Una in Gujarat. “The BJP and the Congress medical treatments earlier also. He underwent general secretary, AIBEA, said yesterday. “Around party with a pink pastel theme, with its pink walls, major alliance partner Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are the same within. That’s why Dalits and tribals of a naturopathy treatment for his chronic cough 2,000 employees-clerks and sub-staff s-will be on pink balloons, pink table cloths, even with most of of Lalu Prasad has reacted over it. Uttarakhand are not getting job promotions.” problem in the city last year in January. strike in IDBI Bank today,” Venkatachalam said. the women poll off icials wearing pink clothes.

Govt focus Mass marriage to improve Kerala CM’s education quality: Javadekar comment

IANS New Delhi on freedom ailing a hike of Rs60bn in allocation for education in Hthe 2017-18 budget, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar yes- terday said the government’s focus was to improve the overall quality of education. fi ghter fl ayed “From Rs640bn, the allocation has been increased to Rs700bn. By Ashraf Padanna of his late father, which is now ing of his position. He made There is a clear increase of Rs- Thiruvananthapuram known as P S Nataraja Pillai them in his eagerness to pro- 60bn,” the minister for human re- Memorial Boys Higher Second- tect the management of the law source development said. ary School. academy. He should correct his “Earlier, we use to fund many ude remarks by Kerala In 1968, the state govern- mistake.” schemes at the 75-25 (Centre- Chief Minister Pinarayi ment allotted the land to the Students of the law college state share) basis. Following RVijayan against a freedom law school for three years and have been on strike for almost a the recommendations of the fi ghter have angered his fam- extended it for another 30 years month now demanding the res- 14th Finance Commission, the ily members and the opposition in 1976 before fi nally transfer- ignation of its principal, P Lak- funding pattern has changed alike. ring ownership in 1985. shmi Nair. They accuse her of to 60:40. If we factor that into The Congress party has de- Though Pillai’s father owned harassment and discrimination the budget, we have been given manded Vijayan withdraw his the Harvey Bungalow, a pala- by caste and gender. nearly 25% more budget,” he comments against P S Nataraja tial building in Peroorkada, he The management which had said. Pillai, who was the fi nance min- died in a rented house while still earlier announced that classes “Now we will be spending 4.5% ister of the Travancore-Cochin serving as a member of Parlia- would resume today, under po- of our GDP on education,” he add- state formed after independ- ment in 1966, leaving many lice security and with the sup- ed. ence and which existed till the members of the family in pen- port of the student wing of the Emphasising that the Modi gov- constitution of linguistic states. ury. ruling Communist Party of ernment’s vision was to improve Vijayan had recently said he He was also a member of In- India (Marxist), yesterday said the overall education quality at could not take over 11.46 acres dia’s Constituent Assembly of it would remain closed indefi - all levels, he said the government of land as desired by the family 1948 representing the state. nitely. will introduce a system of measur- of “some Pillai”. Before that, he was a member Other student unions have ing annual learning outcomes in The land now in possession of of the Travancore legislative as- made it clear that they are not schools this year. Kerala Law Academy Law Col- sembly. willing for any compromise Learning outcomes will tell lege has a history that can be His father along with Dr Har- short of the resignation of Nair, what should be the knowledge of traced back to freedom fi ghter P vey was instrumental in estab- who hosts a popular cookery a student in each subject for every S Nataraja Pillai and his scholar lishing the archaeology depart- show on CPI (M)’s Kairali TV. standard. father Manonmaniam P Sunda- ment of Travancore and was its Last week, Congress legisla- This will help teachers to make ram Pillai. fi rst director. He was close to tor K Muraleedharan, who rep- necessary changes to teaching Prof Sundaram Pillai, who reformist saints Sree Narayana resents the constituency, began practices and to ensure that all taught at the Maharajah’s Guru and Chattambi Swamikal. an indefi nite fast, drawing top children achieve the desired level College here, was known as “It’s sheer ignorance. Vijayan leaders to the scene. of learning outcomes. Manonmaniam Sundaranar af- doesn’t know who my father Former defence minister A K Speaking on the need for a ter his play in Tamil and the M S was,” said P Venkatesh, son of Antony, who visited the venue single examination agency, Na- University of Thirunelveli car- the late Congress leader, who yesterday, said the stir showed tional Testing Agency (NTA), he ries his name. He owned 11.49 wants the land back for pub- the emergence of “women pow- said “The CBSE (Central Board of acres of land which was trans- lic good. “It was allotted (to a er” on the campus, as girls with Secondary Education) is overbur- ferred to his son after his death private law school) disregard- no political affi liations were at dened with examination works” aged 42 and later confi scated ing our objections. We want the its forefront. and last year it conducted various by the Travancore state for his government to take back the “Muraleedharan had to join examinations for more than 10mn involvement in the freedom land as the present owners are their strike as it was evident that students. struggle. trying to put it to commercial the government was not going to “We want to create a separate Though Nataraja Pillai was exploitation.” do justice to them,” he said. examinations agency.” off ered back the land while he “Vijayan should apologise to Former chief minister V On the University Grant Com- was part of the Pattom Thanu the family as well as the people S Achuthanandan, the sen- mission (UGC) reforms, the min- Couples in traditional outfits take part in a mass wedding ceremony on the outskirts of Pillai ministry of 1954-55, he of the state,” said V M Sudheeran, ior party colleague of Vijayan, ister said: “The thrust of UGC re- Ahmedabad yesterday. The mass wedding, using funds from charitable donors, involved 141 refused to accept it. He even the Congress party’s president in had also asked him to take over forms is to give more autonomy to couples. donated the nearby Sundara Vi- Kerala, after visiting the family. the land, now worth about Rs good institutes.” lasam School started in memory “His remarks are unbecom- 600mn. Skeletons found after man Celebration time ATM attack suspect remanded in custody admits to killing parents IANS Madanapelle to secure Reddy’s Bengaluru/Chittoor (Andhra custody, has joined the Andhra Pradesh) investigation team to interrogate IANS ellery on it, leading to suspicion since June 2016. Both had a fi ght in him, taking his statement and his Raipur that it could be of Udyan’ mother December 2016, following which fi nger prints to match with those Indrani. The other skeleton is he allegedly murdered her. local court in Andhra collected from the ATM kiosk. thought to be of his father V K Das. He built a concrete platform in Pradesh’s Chittoor yes- Reddy allegedly attacked Jyothi olice have recovered the Udyan told police that he had his fi rst fl oor house over Shweta’s Aterday sent the alleged at- Uday, 38, with a machete when bodies of Bhopal resident killed his parents as they con- body to conceal his crime. tacker of a woman at an ATM ki- she was drawing cash from the PUdyan Das’s parents. Udyan stantly nagged him regarding his The murder came to light after osk here over three years ago to 12 ATM of the state-run Corpora- had earlier been arrested on charg- job placement even though he had he was questioned by the police days judicial custody, police said. tion Bank in the city centre on es of murdering his live-in partner failed an engineering course. He after the tower location of Shwe- “Judge Kavita of the Paleru November 19, 2013. She is an and entombing her body in his had not told his parents about fail- ta’s mobile phone was traced to court has remanded accused employee of the same bank at a Bhopal house. ing in the exams. Saket Nagar area in Bhopal. Madhukar Reddy to judicial cus- branch in the city. “We have found two human Udyan earlier told the Bhopal Shweta’s family had registered tody till February 17 for interroga- Though the CCTV camera in skeletons after digging at the police details of how he murdered a missing complaint with Bankura tion in four-fi ve criminal cases, the kiosk captured the horrifying family’s Raipur house. We will his live-in partner Shweta Sharma police in West Bengal. including an attack on a woman incident, Reddy was at large, de- conduct a DNA test on the hu- (28). The Gobindpura police said the at an ATM in Bengaluru,” Chittoor spite police launching a massive man remains. Udyan will also be He also confessed that he had concrete platform was broken on superintendent of police G Srini- hunt for him in both the states brought to Raipur with court per- murdered his parents in 2010 and Thursday night and Shweta’s body vas told reporters at Chittoor, over the past 40 months and mission and questioned regarding interred the two bodies in their recovered. about 190km from Bengaluru. circulating his picture widely to the murder of two elderly persons Raipur house in the same manner Meanwhile, the family of Shwe- Being Sunday, Reddy (35) was trace him. in D D Nagar police station area as he did in the case of Shweta. ta Sharma, yesterday demanded produced before the judge at her “As Reddy has confessed to at- in the Chhattisgarh capital,” said A police team was dispatched the “harshest punishment” for residence a day after being ar- tacking Jyothi and committing Raipur superintendent of police, from Bhopal to Raipur to check the Udayan, who they described as a rested at Madanapalle in the same other heinous crimes such as Sanjiv Shukla, who was present veracity of Udyan’ statement re- “vicious” person. district. four murders at diff erent places when the two skeletons were un- garding his parents’ murder. A na- “I would want the harshest “We have lodged Reddy in the across the state (Andhra), he will earthed in the city’s Sundar Nagar tive of Raipur, Udyan was the only punishment for him. He is a vi- Paleru sub-jail as he had commit- be taken to those places on transit area. son of his parents. cious man. He moved with thor- ted one of the crimes in that area remand for investigating all the The skeletons were stuff ed in Udyan had come in contact with ough planning and after murder- while he was on run as a convict crimes,” reiterated Srinivas. rucksacks before being buried in Shweta, who hailed from Bokaro, ing my daughter, he tried to erase from Kadapa jail in 2011,” said The Karnataka government had an eight-foot pit, the police said. West Bengal, through a social net- all signs,” the deceased’s father Actor Aamir Khan along with daughter Ira Khan attend Srinivas. announced a Rs1mn cash prize as One of the human remains still working site and was living with told a TV channel in West Bengal’s the success party of the film Dangal in Mumbai. A special police team from reward for capturing the assailant had gold bangles and other jew- her at his Saket Nagar residence Bankura. Bengaluru, which rushed to or for leads to his arrest. Gulf Times 18 Monday, February 6, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

Lula lashes out at his detractors

AFP São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil

ormer Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a wake FSaturday for his late wife, ending it with harshly worded criticism for the couple’s detractors in an ongoing cor- ruption scandal. Leftist party staff and hundreds of citizens, many wearing the red shirt of the Workers’ Party and carrying posters that read “President Lula,” went to Sao Bernardo do Campo in metropolitan Sao Paulo to off er their condolences to Latin America’s most popular leftist leader. “Marisa died sad,” Lula said at the headquarters of the Metalworkers’ Un- ion where they met four decades ago, before later breaking into tears. She was aff ected by “the nasty re- marks, the idiocy and the wickedness that they infl icted on her,” he said of her critics, standing in front of her coffi n which was draped with a Brazilian and red Workers’ Party fl ag. Marisa Leticia Rocco, who was fi rst lady from 2003 to 2011 and a veteran labour activist like her husband, was pronounced brain dead at 66 at the Sirio-Libanes hospital in Sao Paulo on Thursday. She had been treated in intensive care since January 24 with a brain hemor- rhage due to a ruptured brain aneurism. Lula ended his rule with sky-high rat- ings and took credit for Brazil’s econom- ic boom. But his legacy has been tarnished by a subsequent recession and a string of Members of the Farc guerrilla with a white flag arrive in Buenaventura, from where they are to go to UN-monitored transitional zones to hand in their weapons. Farc rebels started a historic disarmament corruption charges last year in which his process to end Latin America’s last major armed conflict. wife was also indicted. “I’m 71 years old and I think I’m going to live much longer because I want the criminals who insulted Marisa to have the humility to apologize,” Lula said to applause. Lula’s leftist party colleagues were quick to defend the political couple as they paid their respects, with several 300 Farc rebels have not suggesting that the year of scandal had weakened the former fi rst lady’s health. “It is not an exaggeration to say that they killed Dona Marisa,” leftist senator Lindbergh Farias told journalists. “She was the victim of enormous per- secution and couldn’t take it.” demobilised yet: general Lula received condolences and hugs from hundreds of Brazilian citizens By Luis Jaime Acosta, Reuters and begin reintegration programs. Rebels who refuse to disarm, along throughout the morning. Saiza, Colombia Some rebel commanders, especially with smaller rebel group the National On Thursday evening conservative from units dedicated to drug traffi ck- Liberation Army and crime gangs, President Michel Temer — who replaced ing or illegal mining in rural jungle may seek to control ex-Farc traffi cking Lula’s ally and successor in the presiden- round 300 fi ghters from Co- areas, have rejected the peace deal and routes and profi table illegal mining, cy, Dilma Rousseff — off ered his condo- lombia’s Marxist Farc rebels refused to lay down arms. Mejia said. lences at the medical center. Awill not demobilise under a Farc leaders expelled fi ve dissenting Brazil is concerned that former Farc The former fi rst lady’s remains were to peace deal, a military commander commanders in December. combatants could form criminal alli- be cremated in a private family ceremony said, giving the fi rst offi cial fi gure of “The Farc has acknowledged some ances with increasingly powerful drug following the wake. guerrillas who may join with crime dissent,” General Alberto Jose Mejia gangs across the two countries’ po- gangs seeking control of lucrative told Reuters this weekend, listing six rous jungle border. rebel drug territory. fronts that have rejected the deal. Cultivation of coca, the raw in- The Andean country and the Revo- “It’s 5% of the Farc, approximately gredient in cocaine, is widespread in lutionary Armed Forces of Colombia 300 men,” Mejia said during a visit many Farc areas. (Farc) rebels agreed late last year to to the small northwestern mountain The government has launched an Peru pledges end more than 52 years of war. town of Saiza. ambitious plan to eradicate 50,000 Colombia’s confl ict with guerrilla Dozens of rebels recently left the hectares of the plant during the fi rst groups and paramilitaries has killed town to begin demobilising. year of the peace deal. visas for more than 220,000 people. “There may be dissidents in other Besides eradication, the gov- The fi gure is the fi rst offi cial esti- places in very small numbers. We’re in Alberto Mejia, commander of the Colombian National Army, talks to a peasant ernment will build roads and open mate of how many rebels will not de- a process of verifi cation, we have our during a visit to the town of Saiza. schools and health centres that com- Venezuelans mobilise. radars on,” Mejia said. munities have lacked for decades dur- More than 6,000 Farc fi ghters are “In other confl icts it’s normally the guerrillas are keeping their prom- drug traffi cking or other illegal activi- ing the confl ict, Mejia said. Military set to fi nish arriving at UN camps in 20%, 5% is far from that.” ise to gather in demobilisation camps ties would face the full force of mili- engineers have already begun to im- eru has created a temporary visa that the coming days to hand over weapons Despite the dissidents, Mejia said and that deserters who remained in tary power. prove Saiza’s road. will allow thousands of Venezuelans Pto work and study in the country, part of a migratory policy that aims to “build bridges” and “not walls,” the An- dean nation’s interior ministry said. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski’s Colombia coca growers fear bleak future Chile budget carrier backer government issued 20 temporary visas to Venezuelan migrants in Peru this week. Kuczysnki, a centrist, has expressed By Javier Ramirez Franco, AFP But for locals here, they were “We make a living from coca be- eyes Latin America market concern about shortages of food and Policarpa, Colombia protectors. cause other crops do not yield as medicine in Venezuela, mired in a deep With the Farc around, “there was much,” says Alexandra Matitui, 30, economic crisis. respect. They punished anyone who a grower with ragged clothes and Reuters nounced in November that the nation Some 6,000 Venezuelans are expected olombia is moving towards was disorderly,” says shopkeeper callused hands. Santiago would lift foreign ownership caps in to receive the permit, which will allow peace, but in the coca fi elds Roberto Delgado, 42. “We are afraid Coca is the only crop she has seen airlines to 49% from 25% in a bid to aid them to study, work and receive health Cwhose narcotic produce that when the Farc leave, there will grown successfully in this region. A start-ups seeking investors. services in Peru for a year, the interior have fueled decades of confl ict, be no more security.” one-hectare fi eld of coca can bring ill Franke, one of the world’s most- “There’s no fi nal decision,” Franke ministry said last week. villagers fear they are being aban- Colombia ranks as the world’s in $330 a month, she says. A similar infl uential investors in budget air- said. “We’ve hired advisers, and we’re in Peru has enjoyed nearly two decades doned to a new kind of war. biggest coca and cocaine producer, fi eld of peanuts, avocados or cocoa Blines, debuted a low cost carrier in the process of talking to the government of uninterrupted economic growth and A historic deal signed by the according to the United Nations. would yield just half that. Chile las week that aims to expand re- about ways we might be able to invest in single-digit infl ation, a sharp contrast to government and Farc rebels aims to Coca leaves produce the paste Matitui was raised on the pro- gionally in the coming years. a Canadian airline, but it’s really an issue socialist-led Venezuela, where the ranks demobilize the leftist force and re- that forms the base ingredient for ceeds of coca and is now raising her Franke, co-founder and managing between the regulators.” of the poor have swollen in recent years. place the drug crop that has funded the drug. own children on it, living in a mud partner of airline-focused investment Regarding Europe, Franke said the air- “We want to off er a diff erent message it with something safer. Under the peace deal, the Farc house. fund Indigo Partners, said new carrier line scene is ripe there for consolidation, on migration than what’s off ered in oth- But in Narino, a jungle-covered has agreed to abandon the coca It does not make you rich, she JetSmart plans to operate three Airbus echoing various other industry leaders er places. We want to build bridges that region on Colombia’s southwestern trade and disband, transforming says, but it earns you a living. A320s this year in Chile and add another who have made similar comments in re- unite us and not walls to separate us,” In- coast, people that live off the spar- into a political party. Coca “is easy because it is a very six in 2018. cent months. terior Minister Carlos Basombrio said in kling fi elds of green coca plants say The state has pledged to help light crop. After six months, it Once established in Chile, JetSmart “I think over time that will happen a statement. the deal takes away their livelihood plant alternative crops. yields the fi rst harvest and it keeps will eye regional expansion, he said. in Europe, and we will be a motivator to The comment appeared to be a thinly and leaves them at the mercy of a “It is a cause for hope in this on doing so every three months af- “We haven’t gotten to that yet, but we consolidation,” he said. veiled shot at the new US government, new gang turf confl ict. process that they have committed ter that,” she said. have a lot of interest expressed by other Franke said Chile’s large middle class, which is traditionally an ally of Peru. Locals used to pay the Revolu- to honouring their historic debt “What’s more, there is no need countries,” Franke told Reuters after the relaxed foreign ownership rules, and US President Donald Trump has im- tionary Armed Forces of Colombia to overcome the poverty that so to transport it to the city. The buy- debut in Santiago. clear regulations made the country at- posed a temporary entry ban on refugees (Farc) for protection from other aff ects this area,” local Farc com- ers come right here.” “We need to get the base of operations tractive for Indigo Partners’ entrance and citizens from seven Muslim-majority forces in the confl ict, and from au- mander Ramiro, 44, told AFP. Local people are facing a “criti- here, stabilize the airline...and then we into Latin America. countries, and insisted that Mexico will pay thorities looking to stamp out coca. “Now we must seek alternative cal” situation, said the mayor of will expand the airline.” In neighbouring Argentina, which for his proposed wall along the US-Mexican Over the past half-century of ways of making a living.” Policarpa, Claudia Cabrera. Franke’s Indigo Partners, which al- Franke called a “nice market,” the budg- border to curb illegal immigration. confl ict, the Narino region has But locals do not trust that will “If the government does not ready controls Denver-based Fron- et airline industry is also heating up, as Kuczynski, a former Wall Street bank- suff ered violence involving rebels, happen without the Farc to stick up reach a negotiated agreement with tier Airlines and owns part of Mexico’s low-cost Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA er and free-trade advocate who took of- drug gangs, illegal miners and hu- for them. the local farmers about crop eradi- Volaris, is known for unbundled or a la and start-up Flybondi have announced fi ce last year, has previously compared man traffi ckers. “When the Farc aren’t there, cation, there will be a social prob- carte fares in so-called ultra-low-cost plans to enter the market. Trump’s proposed border wall to the “There was a war between various people will come and tear out the lem,” she said. airlines, where passengers are off ered That nation’s transport minister told Berlin Wall, and said he would oppose it groups for control of the area,” said Je- crops and there will be no work for Cabrera carries a pistol wherever cheap base prices with the option of industry executives in December that the in the United Nations. sus Ramos, a 42-year-old coca grower us,” says Delgado. she goes, having received death paying more for extras. government expects $1.7bn in budget air- Kuczynski and Colombian President in the village of Policarpa. “As soon as “If the coca goes, there will be threats from armed groups. Indigo Partners is also in talks to ac- line investment over the next four years. Juan Manuel Santos said last week that the Farc gives up and this village is left nothing. People live off it.” “The national government has quire part of Canada’s Enerjet, and “We know Argentina well....It’s a nice they would stand with Mexico and seek to alone, the same thing that happened in Locals do not believe that they no excuse. It has always stigma- Franke told Reuters the fund was cur- market, we like the market, but it’s more strengthen regional trade, in the wake of past years will happen again.” can earn the same living from tized us as a confl ict hotspot,” she rently talking with regulators to better complicated than Chile,” Franke said. rising tensions between Mexican Presi- For the authorities, the Farc were planting other crops in this isolat- says. “Now there must be invest- understand foreign ownership rules. “So we want to have a nice, stable plat- dent Enrique Pena Nieto and Trump. a murderous rebel force. ed, impoverished region. ment here.” Canada’s transport minister an- form, which we think Chile provides.” Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 19 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

DIPLOMACY Pakistan seeks China-style ties with US: minister

Pakistan wants stable and all PM urges India to stop weather relations with the United States similar to its ties with China as the country seeks US invest- ments to supplement the growth spurred by the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “Pakistan and the US married very early. They filed for divorce three ‘bloodbath’ in Kashmir times but on all three occasions geostrategic com- Agencies and Kashmir are challenging a pulsion forced them to live togeth- Islamabad big power and Pakistan is the er. If that is the destiny, we might only country that acknowledges as well live happily forging stable our right to self-determination relations,” Minister for Planning, ne minute of silence was and extends its persistent sup- Development and Reform Ahsan observed across Pakistan port to us,” Gilani said. Iqbal said while speaking at the Oto mark the annual re- “We are highly thankful to US Institute of Peace (USIP). Ahsan membrance of Kashmir Day yes- Pakistan for its categorical sup- Iqbal commended Pakistan’s ties terday in a show solidarity with port and hope the country plays with China and highlighted the people of the disputed territory. a more eff ective role in this re- historic co-operation between the “We urge India to stop blood- gard by activating all its embas- two countries which is touching bath in occupied Jammu & Kash- sies and allocating them the task new heights under CPEC. “We mir and allow the holding of free of highlighting Kashmir issue want this kind of relationship with and fair plebiscite under the UN and human rights violations,” he the US. This is our desire. We wish auspices,” Prime Minister Nawaz said. to see lot more stable relations Sharif said in observance of the In his message, incarcerated with the US,” the minister said. day. chairman of Democratic Free- “Pakistan calls upon the in- dom Party Shabir Ahmad Shah PROJECT ternational community to raise said that observance of Feb 5 as its voice in seeking an end to the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ was Civil work on gross violations of human rights “encouraging and praiseworthy”. TAPI to start and the reign of terror unleashed Pakistani and Kashmiri expa- by Indian occupation forces...and triates in diff erent parts of the by year-end fulfi ll the promises it made with world, mainly the United King- the people of Jammu & Kashmir dom and United States, are also A delegation comprising off icials 70 years ago,” Sharif added. expected to hold rallies to voice of the Dubai- based TAPI Ltd is set The prime minister said the their support for the people of to reach Islamabad this month people of Pakistan joined their held Kashmir. to sign various agreements and Kashmiri brothers and sisters in Civil society workers in Mul- contracts for the Turkmenistan-Af- observing the “Kashmir Solidar- tan take out a rally to express ghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline, ity Day” to reaffi rm the coun- solidarity with people of Kash- Federal Minister for Petroleum and try’s moral, diplomatic and po- mir. Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan litical support to their legitimate Pakistanis and Kashmiris have Abbasi said yesterday. He said the struggle for their basic human been observing Kashmir Day TAPI consortium, led by Turkmen- rights, especially the right to every year on Feb 5 without any gaz, is serious about the project self-determination, enshrined discontinuity since 1990. deadline which is set for 2019. The in the relevant UN Security Both India and Pakistan ad- ongoing construction work on the Council resolutions. Activists of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan march in a protest to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day in Lahore yesterday. Kashmir Solidarity Day is minister separate portions of portion falling in Turkmenistan Meanwhile, President Mam- observed in Pakistan on February 5 as a way of showing support for those living in Indian-administered Kashmir. Kashmir but claim the region in shows their commitment, he noon Hussain has said the dream its entirety. added. Abbasi, however, was not for peace in the region would re- the July 8 extra-judicial killing Day in Azad Jammu and Kash- chain in a message to the inter- Pakistan for their support to the The relationship between Is- optimistic about the execution main elusive until resolution of of popular youth leader Burhan mir and Pakistan chanted anti- national community in general people of Kashmir. lamabad and New Delhi fell to its of the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline the Jammu and Kashmir dispute Muzaff ar Wani had shaken the India slogans and set the Indian and India in particular that Pa- According to the Kashmir Me- lowest point in years after an at- Project in near future, especially in in accordance with the aspira- conscience of the international and American fl ags on fi re. “We kistanis and Kashmiris are like dia Service, the leaders in their tack in September 2016 by mili- view of fresh sanctions imposed tions of Kashmiris. community. won’t rest till we have free- ‘one soul in two hearts’. statements said the people of tants at an Indian army base in by the United States. “This project In a message, Adviser to the Demonstrators in all major dom, we still steal freedom,” the Chairman of All Parties Hur- Indian-controlled Kashmir are the disputed region of Kashmir. is already on hold for the last cou- PM on Foreign Aff airs Sartaj Pakistani cities chanted anti-In- crowds chanted. riyet Conference Syed Ali Gi- challenging a big power and Pa- Pakistan and India have fought ple of years after the US imposed Aziz said that the Kashmir Day dia slogans and formed a human Children participated in a lani and senior Hurriyet leader, kistan is the only country that three wars since they gained sanctions on Iran. What will be had special signifi cance this year chain to express solidarity with number of Kashmir Day rallies. Shabbir Ahmad Shah, expressed extends its continuous support independence from the British the impact of fresh sanctions on because the recent uprising in people of Kashmir. In Muzaff arabad, they joined their gratitude towards the gov- to their cause. in 1947. Two of them were over this project, we will come to know India-held Kashmir, following Crowds observing Kashmir hands to form a symbolic human ernment, people and army of “People in India-held Jammu Kashmir. soon,” he explained. Pakistan thanks India after boy reunited with mother

AFP which they have fought two full- birth of their son. ernments, and urged them to Muzaff arabad scale wars. When Kiani refused, Tantray come together to find a lasting Kiani, a resident of the Pa- absconded with the child last solution to the Kashmir con- kistani-controlled part of the March. flict. akistan has sent a rare territory, said yesterday she was “Thousands of people are message of thanks to arch- overwhelmed with happiness “We are thankful to suffering from grief and sorrow Prival India after a fi ve- and prepared to forgive her es- Indian authorities for because of this dispute. The year-old boy who was taken to tranged husband, who is from their cooperation in this Kashmir issue must be solved India by his father nearly a year Indian-controlled Kashmir. humanitarian matter” to end problems of people liv- ago was reunited with his Paki- “I’m extremely happy and un- ing on both sides of Kashmir,” stani mother. able to express my joy. I pardon Kiani pursued a custody case she said. Ifthikar Ahmed was handed my husband and hope he will in an Indian court through the The Himalayan region has over to Rohina Kiani by border also join us soon to live with us Pakistani embassy in New Del- been divided between India and offi cials in the town of Wagah here in Pakistan,” she said. hi, and the court ruled in her Pakistan since they won inde- in Punjab province on Saturday Tantray was among thousands favour. pendence from Britain in 1947, evening following a long legal who crossed the de facto border “We are thankful to Indian but both claim the territory in its battle seeking his return from his into Pakistani Kashmir while an authorities for their coop- entirety. father, Gulzar Ahmad Tantray. insurgency was at its peak in the eration in this humanitarian Several rebel groups have for The case created a media stir Indian sector. matter,” Pakistan’s high com- decades fought Indian troops and shone a spotlight on the two He later married Kiani, but missioner (ambassador) Ab- deployed in the region, demand- Pakistani mother Rohina Kiani holds her son Iftikhar Ahmed after he was handed over by an off icial as she countries’ decades-long dis- wanted the family to return to dul Basit tweeted. ing its independence or merger speaks with media representatives at the Wagah border with India. pute over divided Kashmir, over his home village following the Kiani also thanked both gov- with Pakistan. Dozens killed as heavy snow hits Afghanistan, Pakistan

Reuters to reach at least 12 districts in Chitral region, a government Kabul Badakhshan that had been com- rescue worker was killed when pletely cut off , he said. an avalanche struck a check post Heavy snow also blanketed near the Pakistan-Afghanistan ozens of people in Af- the Afghan capital of Kabul, border, the commanding offi cer ghanistan and Pakistan where the government closed its told said. Dwere killed after heavy offi ces on Sunday. The snow wreaked havoc on snow and avalanches hit over the In neighbouring Pakistan, at major roads in Afghanistan, in- weekend. least nine people, including chil- cluding the Kabul-Kandahar In eastern Afghanistan, at dren, were killed by an avalanche Highway, where police and sol- least 50 people died and dozens in the northern Chitral district, diers had to rescue around 250 more were missing yesterday af- with as many as 14 residents be- cars and buses trapped by the ter an avalanche buried a village lieved to still be trapped in col- storm, said Jawid Salangi, a in Nuristan, provincial governor lapsed houses, district offi cial spokesman for Ghazni province, Hafi z Abdul Qayum said. Syed Maghferat Shah said. where as much as two metres of “Based on information from “So far the rescue workers new snow was reported. district offi cials, 50 dead bod- have recovered nine bodies and “Fortunately we arrived on ies have been recovered and the eff orts are under way to retrieve time and there is not a single number may increase,” he said. more,” he said. casualty,” he said, noting that of- At least fi ve other deaths from The avalanche struck a vil- fi cials expected the road to reo- collapsed roofs were reported lage of 25 houses, but evacua- pen quickly. elsewhere in Nuristan. tion operations were delayed The Salang pass north of Ka- In the northern province of by the weather, Chitral Deputy bul was also closed under as Badakhshan, over the past two Commissioner Shahab Hameed much as two and a half metres of days as many as 19 people were Yousafzai. snow, according to police general killed and 17 injured by ava- “There is no way to rush the Rajab Salangi, who oversees the lanches, collapsed roofs and road injured persons to Chitral hospi- area. accidents, said Naweed Frotan, tal because all roads in the valley “It will remain blocked un- a spokesman for the provincial have been blocked due to heavy til the snow is cleared from the governor. snowfall,” he said. main road, facilities are provided The government was working In a separate incident in the and it is safe to travel,” he said. An Afghan man removes snow from his shop during a snowfall in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterdsay.. Gulf Times 20 Monday, February 6, 2017 PHILIPPINES

Ministers say Duterte ends peace mine closure order will cost jobs

AFP welfare of the 1.2mn people Manila aff ected by the closure of the talks with rebels 23 PH (Philippine) mines. This will result in joblessness.” AFP he Philippine environ- The closures would also Manila ment minister’s move hit local government tax rev- Tto close some two dozen enues, he said. mines sparked concern yes- Lopez’s order was the result hilippine President Rod- terday among two of her col- of a government audit that rigo Duterte has angrily leagues, who said it could hit started in July last year after Pscrapped talks with com- the economy and employ- President Rodrigo Duterte munist insurgents aimed at end- ment. took offi ce. ing their decades-long confl ict The mining industry — ac- Duterte, who enjoys wide after both the government and cused of illegal tree felling popular support, has backed the rebels called off unilateral and polluting rivers — has Lopez’s order even as reports ceasefi res. also questioned the order of say the mining industry may Duterte, a self-described so- Environment Secretary Gina challenge it in court. cialist who had previously freed Lopez. In a statement yesterday, top communist leaders to jump- The Philippines is the Lopez said she would outdo start the peace talks, condemned world’s top supplier of nickel the industry, declaring “give the insurgents for resuming hos- ore and the main exporter to me...maximum of two years. tilities and said he was ready for China. I will prove that a green a prolonged confl ict. The order has already economy can create more “I told the soldiers to prepare caused a rise in global nickel jobs than mining could ever for a long war. I said (peace) will prices and a fall in local min- create.” not come during our genera- ing shares. She also said mine work- tion,” he said late Saturday. “I don’t think (Lopez) did ers would not end up unem- He later threatened to jail rebel it arbitrarily but anything like ployed but would be found negotiators should they return this would need a response jobs in mine rehabilitation from peace talks overseas. “They like more scientifi c and data- and reforestation. are bandits...I do not think they driven studies,” said Socio- “My issue is not about are worthy of being called rebels. President Rodrigo Duterte talks with the families of three slain army soldiers, who according to authorities were killed by members of rebel group economic Planning Secretary mining, my issue is about so- Plainly, they are terrorists,” he New People’s Army (NPA) on Wednesday, the same day the group announced that it is terminating the unilateral ceasefire, during the soldiers’ wake Ernesto Pernia. cial justice,” she said. said yesterday. at Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro city, southern Philippines yesterday. “Obviously it will have an Eufracia Taylor, Asia ana- The government and the com- eff ect on GDP and employ- lyst at risk advisory company munists separately declared be happy to accommodate you.” appeared hesitant in describ- tiator Luis Jalandoni told ABS- communities”. Duterte had pre- ment but we don’t have the Verisk Maplecroft, warned ceasefi res in August, and the in- The rebels last week an- ing the volatile president’s latest CBN television yesterday the viously made dramatic overtures hard data,” he said. that stricter oversight and formal arrangement largely held nounced an end to their fi ve- stance. Government negotiator rebels want talks to continue. to the communists, releasing Lopez, a staunch mining the review of licences would as they continued discussions in month-old ceasefi re, accusing Jesus Dureza said in a statement, “The compelling reason is some captured leaders so they critic, said last week that 23 likely prompt companies to Rome. The president said he was Duterte’s government of treach- “he (Duterte) has clearly spoken that the peace talks will try to could go abroad for peace talks mines had been told to close delay further investment. now ordering government ne- ery and human rights abuses. on the directions we all in gov- achieve genuine peace based on and even appointing to his cabi- after illegally encroaching on She also cited “mounting gotiators to “fold their tents and The government responded ernment should take. Let’s take justice, land reform, free distri- net leftist fi gures named by the watersheds, leaking waste into concerns over new environ- return home from the overseas by calling off its own unilateral guidance from these recent dec- bution of land,” he said. rebels. rivers and destroying trees. mental and social require- talks.” ceasefi re. larations.” “All of these things are still on The talks with the commu- A further fi ve mines had ments, and their potential to “I am not interested in talking Duterte also denounced the “The road to just and last- the table and for the (communist nists had appeared to be mov- been ordered to suspend op- drive up the costs of compli- to them (the rebel leaders). I will 4,000-strong communist New ing peace is not easy to traverse. leadership), it is worthwhile try- ing forward, with both sides erations. ance” in the nickel industry. refuse to talk about it anymore,” People’s Army for killing four There are humps and bumps, ing to continue the peace nego- describing the meeting in Rome Finance Secretary Carlos “The prospect of higher he told reporters. soldiers in attacks last week, and curbs and detours along the tiations,” he added. last month as “successful.” Dominguez, on his offi cial operational costs could well “We have been fi ghting for 50 saying one of the victims had way.What is important is that we He added that the NPA had But Duterte had refused com- Twitter account, also ex- impact the commercial vi- years. If you want to extend it for been riddled with 76 bullets. all stay the course,” he said. killed the soldiers only “to de- munist demands to free hun- pressed misgivings, saying: “I ability of some projects,” the another 50 years, so be it, we will Duterte’s peace negotiators Chief communist peace nego- fend themselves and defend the dreds of their jailed comrades. am deeply concerned over the Singapore-based Taylor said.

Church ‘out of touch’ in Cultural festival Anti-graft attacking drugs war: govt court eyes swift Reuters Abella said in a statement. stay with them. If you want to Manila More than 7,600 people have go to heaven, then go to them,” been killed since Duterte un- he said.”Now, if you want to end disposal leashed a ferocious crackdown drugs...I will go to hell, come he Philippine govern- seven months ago, more than join me.” ment derided Catholic 2,500 in police raids and sting Katrina Rufael, an offi ce of cases Tbishops yesterday as operations. worker who attended mass “out of touch” after they used Human rights groups believe at the Baclaran Redemptorist weekend sermons to attack a many other deaths that police Church, said the pastoral letter By Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino war on drugs they said had cre- had attributed to vigilantes was justifi ed. Manila Times ated a “reign of terror” for the were carried out by assassins “We have to oppose the war poor. likely colluding with police. on drugs, because we cannot Members of the Catholic The government and police just put an end to the life of he Sandiganbayan intends Bishops’ Conference of the vehemently deny extra-judicial people who have made mis- to speed up the disposi- Philippines (CBCP) had drama- killings have occurred. takes,” she said.”Let’s give them Ttion of cases this year as tised President Rodrigo Du- The CBCP’s message was a chance to change.” it announced that it was able to terte’s campaign and, instead read at numerous churches in Elsewhere in Manila, at the resolve more cases in 2016 com- of criticising, should focus on Manila attended by Reuters, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, pared to the previous year. contributing to the “reign of though not all. a packed congregation listened According to the anti-graft peace” that innocent people Church sources said the attentively to the plea to stop court’s Judicial Records Division now felt, presidential spokes- Archdiocese of Manila issued a the killings. (JRD), the Sandiganbayan was man Ernesto Abella said. circular telling parishes to read “Life is a gift from God, and able to dispose of 351 cases as of The church assailed blood- the pastoral letter, a copy of only God can take it away,” said November 30, 2016. shed that had caused suff er- which was obtained by Reuters Ligaya Reyes, a government “As of November of 2016, ing, and said killing people was prior to the fi rst readings. worker.”It was a strong state- there has been an increase of not the way to deal with illegal The drugs war is a conten- ment, it should have been made around 70 decided cases… last drugs. In a pastoral letter read tious issue, with some bishops a long time ago when the killing year, the number of cases we dis- out on Saturday and repeated keen to make a stand and others began.” posed of was 276. As of Novem- to congregations at churches hesitant to risk a backlash by The statement was also heard ber of this year… 351,” Sandigan- yesterday, bishops said it was criticising a campaign that en- at a chapel in the Philippine bayan Presiding Justice Amparo disturbing that many people in joys broad public support. National Police (PNP) head- Cabotaje-Tang told reporters in the majority Catholic nation Duterte has routinely at- quarters on Saturday. an interview in December. were indiff erent to the killings, tacked the Church, and as re- Not all agreed with it. “The tally is just until Novem- or even approved of them. cently as this week called for “They’re not being killed if ber, I think before the end of the Abella, a former pastor, said a “showdown” with priests they just surrender,” said a po- year there will be more cases that the war on drugs had made the whom he has accused of having liceman’s wife, who gave her will be decided… so hopefully country safer, “far from the wives, engaging in homosexual name as Dolores and said the this will still increase before the ‘terror’ the bishops paint rather acts, graft and child abuse. PNP had been unfairly depict- end of the year,” Tang added. dramatically.” In a speech late yesterday, ed as murderers for shooting When asked if the disposition “The offi cials of the CBCP Duterte shrugged off the bish- drugs suspects resisting arrest. of cases will be swift in 2017, the are apparently out of touch with ops’ letter and said there would “What the president’s doing Cheerleaders perform during the Pasinaya 2017 at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines in Pasay magistrate answered in the af- the sentiments of the faithful be no let-up in his campaign. right now...he’s doing good. City yesterday. The annual Pasinaya is considered as the largest multi-arts festival in the country fi rmative. who overwhelmingly support “You Catholics, if you believe Because for the common peo- which features more than 300 shows in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, film and literature. “Yes. In fact, we’re now do- the changes in the Philippines,” in your priests and bishops, you ple, it’s our safety.” ing something actually. We are conducting an inventory of our cases and we are trying to look into the areas… where there has been delay and what has caused the delay so that we can address these issues to speed up the res- Palace calls for debates on death penalty bill olution of the cases,” Tang said. According to the JRD, as of November 30, 2016, the Office By Catherine S Valente public sentiment. doing all of these criminal ac- course, we are a free society, House of Representatives. It Philippines was abolished af- of the Ombudsman filed 1,250 Manila Times “For those who support tivities.” we have a market of ideas and seeks to impose the death pen- ter the ratification of the 1987 cases before the anti-graft death penalty, you just write we know as a Catholic nation alty on more than 20 heinous Constitution. In 1993, Con- court. your congressman, your sena- “For those who support there is really opposition to it offences, such as rape with gress passed Republic Act Most of the 172 cases filed Malacanang official has tor or you join in the public death penalty, you just write (death penalty),” he added. homicide, kidnapping for ran- 7659, or the Death Penalty in November were malversa- called for public debates discourse. That’s part of the your congressman, your House Bill 4727, the bill som and arson with death. Law, which re-imposed capital tion charges (111). The others Aon the proposed re-im- democratic process. There are senator or you join in the seeking to restore capital pun- The revival of the death pen- punishment. include graft charges (44), fal- position of the death penalty senators who are against it and public discourse. That’s part ishment, reached the House alty was a campaign promise Former president Gloria sification charges (9), “Others” as legislators begin tackling those who are not, it’s part of of the democratic process” plenary for sponsorship on of President Rodrigo Duterte, Macapagal-Arroyo abolished (4), “Other Offence Commit- the issue in Congress. it. They have their own opin- Wednesday, but it was not de- and he has called for the swift capital punishment in June ted by Public Officers” (2), one In a radio interview, Presi- ions,” he said. “If the people speak out, if bated upon because the ses- passage of the measure despite 2006 when she signed Repub- bribery charge, and one special dential Communications Sec- Andanar however said the they participate in the debates sion was dedicated to privilege strong opposition from the lic Act 9346, also known as An civil action. The number of retary Martin Andanar said the Duterte government believes that are being sponsored by the speeches. Also, the quorum Catholic Church and human Act Prohibiting the Imposi- cases pending before the court proposal would need extensive the death penalty “will help churches, I think the congres- was not maintained. rights groups. tion of the Death Penalty in the when 2016 began was 3,206 consultation, to determine discourage the criminals from sional leadership will listen. Of The bill is a priority in the The death penalty in the Philippines. while 59 cases were revived. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Veteran ruling Awami League leader dead Veteran ruling Awami League (AL) leader and parliamentarian Hasina for linking ‘Education Suranjit Sengupta died at a hospital in Dhaka early yesterday. He was 71. Sengupta, also a member of the country’s constitution formulation committee and a 1971 freedom fighter, had been on life for All’ initiative with SDG support since he was admitted to the hospital on February 3. By Mizan Rahman best practices, and monitor “The E-9 ministerial meeting He was suff ering from a low Dhaka EFA-related progress. in Dhaka gives us a historic op- haemoglobin count. Representing over half of the portunity to collectively explore Sengupta, also a former railways world’s population and 70% our response towards achiev- minister, was survived by wife angladesh Prime Minister of the world’s illiterate adults, ing SDG-4,” the prime minister Joya Sengupta and son Soumen Sheikh Hasina yesterday the E-9 forum was launched in said. Sengupta. Burged the E-9 countries 1993 at the EFA Summit in New Highlighting Bangladesh’s Sengupta’s mortal remains of Unesco to align and integrate Delhi. success in achieving most of the were brought to the their initiatives of ‘Education Education Minister and new Millennium Development Goals parliament’s South Plaza for All’ (EFA) with the SDG-4 chairperson of E-9 Nurul Islam (MDGs) Hasina said the MDGs where President Abdul Hamid to achieve the goal of universal Nahid, Minister for Primary guided us for development ef- and Prime Minister Sheikh education. and Mass Education Mostafi zur forts over the last decade and Hasina, Speaker Shirin Sharmin “As we have stepped into the Rahman spoke among others, a half. It also helped achieving Chowdhury, Leader of the era of Sustainable Development on the occasion while director gender parity in the area of edu- Opposition in Parliament Goals (SDGs), we have to align general of Unesco Irina Bokova cation which has also been a key Begum Raushan Ershad, and integrate our initiatives presided over. element in the newly formed Cabinet members, advisors to and strategies with the SDG-4 Minister of State for Fed- SDG-4, she said. the Prime Minister, members (Education-2030) taking along eral Education and Professional “Ensuring equitable and of parliament and leaders of lessons and achievements of Training of Pakistan and out- quality education, we believe, diff erent political parties as MDGs and EFA,” she said while going chair of E-9 Muhammad Dhaka meeting will lead the E-9 well as political associates of inaugurating E-9 ministerial Baligh-ur-Rehman, presented countries to eff ective learning late Suranjit Sen paid their last meeting in Dhaka. the progress report from last outcomes as stated in SDG-4,” respect to him. “We are living in a world meeting of the forum held in she said. Born on May 5, 1946 at Anwarpur where we depend on each other November 2014 and handed Hasina said inclusive, equi- village in Sunamganj district, despite our diversity in culture, over chairmanship to Bangla- table and quality education and Sengupta completed his religion, race and language. Ed- desh’s education minister. lifelong learning by 2030 might graduation and post-graduation ucation can play a bridging role Prime Minister Hasina said prove challenging to achieve. in history from Dhaka University. in promoting mutual under- the SDG-4 aims mainly at en- But we have to overcome the He received LLB degree from standing, tolerance and friend- suring inclusive and quality challenge by sharing our re- Central Law College and started ship,” she said, adding that edu- education for all and promoting spective initiatives, practices his career as a lawyer. cation also gives the foundation lifelong learning while E-9 has and plan of action for future. Sengupta was elected as a of right values and dynamism become a common platform of “Concerted eff orts would competitive candidate of the of aspirations and required North-South-South coopera- give us the most eff ective re- Unesco Director General Irina Bokova handing over a crest to Bangladesh’s Education Minister Nurul National Awami Party (NAP) in competencies. tion in the context of the new sults. E-9 has to work in close Islam Nahid in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka yesterday. the Provincial Assembly in 1970s The E-9 is a forum of nine Global Education 2030 Agenda cooperation for that,” she said. national election. countries to achieve the goals for Sustainable Development. In this regard, the prime min- teachers’ education and training pathways from the E-9 meet- optimism that E-9 countries He was a vocal member of of Unesco’s ‘Education for All’ “Keeping these global as- ister highlighted the present programmes. ing for realising the SDG-4, would work together for a con- the Opposition Bench in the (EFA) initiative. The “E” stands pirations in mind, I hope, the education policy of Bangladesh “Attracting competent teach- the prime minister hoped that nected and knowledge-based first constituent assembly of for education and the “9” rep- esteemed educationists and saying all strategies and policies ers for teaching is important,” the Dhaka meeting would start North-South-South in this Bangladesh and soon after he led resents nine countries: Bangla- policy makers present in Dhaka with regard to education are be- she said adding that consider- the process of sharing the process. a party named the Ekota Party. desh, Brazil, China, Egypt, In- will revitalise the past eff orts ing formulated according the ing the challenge, a qualifi ed best practices, devising action The journey of the E-9 coun- Sengupta joined Awami League in dia, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and deliberate adjustments and well-consulted policy framed workforce for teaching profes- plan and programmes, fi nd- tries towards quality with quan- early 1990s. and Pakistan. new orientations for these nine in 2010. sion, policy options and incen- ing new modes of partnership tity education in light of SDG-4 Sengupta was a member of The E-9 initiative has be- countries sharing their aspira- Laying importance on en- tive plans should be explored for as well as welcoming regional will start from this meeting and Awami League’s advisory council. come a forum for the countries tions, commitments, and prior- hancing quality of education, motivation. and international dialogues on ‘Dhaka Declaration’ would come He was elected a member of to discuss their experiences ities based on SDG 4-Education the prime minister said spe- Expecting timely and prag- education. to be a source of our inspiration, parliament for eight times in the related to education, exchange 2030,” she said. cial emphasis must be given on matic recommendations and She also expressed her fi rm the prime minister hoped. post-liberation period. Bangladesh govt seeks international Chinese support to relocate Rohingyas investment

By Mizan Rahman He also mentioned about suc- nationals, to have better access Dhaka cessful repatriation of around to humanitarian assistances. 236,599 Myanmar refugees The minister informed to make in Nepal on through an agreement negoti- the place habitable. “The gov- angladesh has requested ated during 1991-92 in which he ernment plans to build necessary its international partners had been deeply involved in his infrastructure, including shelter, Bto support it in imple- offi cial capacity. schools, hospitals, health cen- menting the relocation plan of The minister stressed that the tres, mosques, roads,” he said, the rise Rohingyas to Hatiya Island in presence of the huge number of adding that the relocation will the Bay of Bengal by providing Myanmar nationals in Cox’s Ba- take place only after the develop- assistance in developing the is- zar district has not only created ment activities are completed. IANS 16, China was the largest land and transporting the My- formidable challenges for the He also hoped that he would be Kathmandu source of FDI pledges with an anmar nationals living in Bang- authorities to manage humani- able to lead the diplomatic com- investment commitment of ladesh to the new place of their tarian assistances to them but munity to visit the place once the $57.47mn. residence. also created a number of adverse infrastructure is in place. epal received more Pradeep Kumar Koirala, Foreign Minister Mahmood eff ects on the overall socio-eco- The ambassadors of Brazilian, than two-thirds of the director general of DoI, told Ali made the request to Bang- nomic, demographic, environ- US and Saudi highly praised the Ntotal foreign direct in- Xinhua that Chinese inves- ladesh’s bilateral, UN and other mental and security situation of Bangladesh government and its vestment (FDI) pledges from tors are largely seen interested international partners while A community healthcare assistant performs a health check-up on a Cox’s Bazar and adjacent dis- people for hosting this popula- China during the fi rst half of in tourism, infrastructure briefi ng the members of the Rohingya refugee child at Kutupalang Unregistered Refugee Camp, tricts and also negatively aff ect- tion for decades and rendering the current fi scal year that be- and restaurant businesses in diplomat community on the in Cox’s Bazar, yesterday. ing the ecotourism prospects. necessary humanitarian support gan in mid-July, according to Nepal. situation of Myanmar refugees Citing the vulnerable nature to them, said the foreign ministry. data from Nepal’s Department For Satish More, a director and undocumented Myanmar repatriation of this population to foreign secretary were, among of this population, he added that The representatives of dip- of Industries (DoI). of Hongshi-Shivam Cement, nationals in Dhaka yesterday. their homes back in Myanmar. others, present. networks have emerged in this lomatic community in general According to the DoI sta- a Nepal-China joint venture, He informed the interna- About 60 ambassadors, high During the briefi ng, Ali ap- area for the purpose of human expressed their readiness to help tistics, Nepal received invest- the Chinese investment in tional community that the commissioners, heads of mis- prised the diplomatic commu- traffi cking and smuggling of nar- the government implement its ment pledge of $51.77mn from Nepal has been rising in re- government of Bangladesh has sions, representatives of various nity of the steps that the govern- cotic drugs. relocation plan as and when it is China during the fi rst half of cent years because Nepal is an decided to relocate this popula- diplomatic missions in Dhaka as ment of Bangladesh had taken The minister explained that fi nalised. the current fi scal year. underdeveloped country and tion to Thengar Char, an Island well as representatives from Of- vis-a-vis Myanmar refugees and since the existing accommoda- They also expressed their hope The fi gure represents about there are opportunities for next to Hatiya Island in the Bay fi ce of UNRC, IOM, UNHCR and the undocumented Myanmar na- tion arrangements in the Cox’s that this will bring improve- 68% of total FDI of $76.39mn investment in almost all areas. of Bengal to ensure humanitar- other UN agencies attended the tionals who entered Bangladesh Bazar district for the Myanmar ments in the living condition of Nepal was pledged from “There is a scope for in- ian assistance to the Myanmar briefi ng that lasted over an hour to fl ee persecution and commu- refugees and undocumented this population. various countries during the creased investment from nationals. from 3:20pm. nal violence in the Rakhine State Myanmar nationals are already The representatives also rec- period. China if we develop our While this remains a tempo- Adviser to prime minister on of Myanmar. overstretched, arranging shelters ognised that the ultimate solu- In recent years, China has infrastructure,” he said. rary arrangement for the Myan- political aff airs HT Imam, State This huge population, numbering for the new arrivals has become a tion lies in the repatriation of emerged as one of the larg- During the fi rst half of the mar refugees, the minister men- Minister for Foreign Aff airs M more than 400,000, including the new challenge for the authorities. these refugees from Myanmar est FDI contributors to Ne- current fi scal year, the to- tioned, Bangladesh would like Shahriar Alam, the cabinet sec- newly arrived 69,000 is living main- He hoped that it would help to their homeland and also pal, as economic engagement tal pledged FDI increased to the international community to retary, the principal secretary ly in Cox’s Bazar in two registered the Myanmar refugees, includ- assured their full support in between the world’s second $76.39mn up from $59.93mn take meaningful measures for to the prime minister and the camps and makeshift settlements. ing the undocumented Myanmar this regard. largest economy with the during the same period last Himalayan country has been fi scal year when the country growing. had gone through troubling No Lankans stranded due to travel ban In the past fi scal year 2015- blockade from India.

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry has countries, including Sri Lanka, Candlelight vigil said that no Sri Lankans were were detained at New York’s stranded in the US airports John F Kennedy International following a travel ban issued Airport following Trump’s travel by President Donald Trump ban. Nepal hit by quake; no on seven Muslim-majority According to the No Ban JFK, a countries. coalition of volunteer attorneys Foreign Ministry spokeswoman camped out at JFK, those casualties reported Mahishini Colonne was quoted detained included travellers by Xinhua news agency as from Malaysia, Turkey, Sri saying that Sri Lankan missions Lanka, Pakistan, France, IANS district, situated east of Kath- in the US had informed Algeria, Jordan, Senegal, Kathmandu mandu, at 5.58pm local time Colombo that there were no Switzerland, Algeria, Egypt and on Saturday. confirmed cases of stranded Sri Guinea, which were not on the This was the 476th signifi cant Lankans at American airports US travel blacklist. 4.4 magnitude earth- aftershock of the Gorkha earth- and all Sri Lankan missions Trump’s travel ban, issued last quake has struck east- quake of April 2015, that claimed were on alert and in touch with week, has caused confusion Aern Nepal, including nearly 9,000 lives. The tremor relevant authorities on this at US airports and sparked the capital Kathmandu, the was also felt in Kathmandu. matter. lawsuits. 476th signifi cant aftershock to The last signifi cant after- She clarified that Sri Lanka It bars incoming travellers from hit the country since the dev- shock of the Nepal earth- was not on the list of countries seven countries – Iraq, Iran, astating April 2015 earthquake quake series was recorded on whose nationals were banned Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia that claimed over 9,000 lives. November 28, 68 days ago, in from entering the US. and Libya – for 90 days and People participate in a candlelight vigil to mark World Cancer Day at Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, According to National Seis- the border area of Ramechhap A media report said recently blocks refugees from around near Kathmandu. The theme of World Cancer Day is “We can, I can” this year. mological Centre, the earth- and Solukhumbu districts, that 71 individuals from 20 the world for 120 days. quake was felt in Dolakha bordering Dolakha. Gulf Times 22 Monday, February 6, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Quebec attack: Canada must

P.O.Box 2888 take a hard look at itself Doha, Qatar [email protected] The six Muslims who were and protect our Muslim neighbours In 2013, when I fi rst moved here, I it is very reasonable to suggest that murdered lost their lives and friends. was surprised to fi nd public discourse – in the relatively small world of Telephone 44350478 (news), To its great credit, Quebec has the rife with confl ict regarding what online rightwing Quebec politics – he 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) in a context of creeping highest rate of Muslim immigration Muslims could and could not wear encountered some of the rhetoric they Fax 44350474 intolerance, fuelled by of any Canadian province. This is to work. This was certainly not what describe, especially as he was known because of the history of French had I had expected from multicultural to feminist and refugee-friendly Canadian politicians as colonialism in North Africa and Canada. The Parti Quebecois (PQ), groups in Quebec as an Internet troll. much as Trump Quebec’s particular sympathy to then in power provincially, had If Trump and LePen are implicated in Francophone immigrants. Yet the proposed a Charter of Quebec Values, Bissonnette’s radicalisation, surely so mosaic model of multiculturalism which, if passed, would forbid public is former PQ leader Pauline Marois. By Emer O’Toole (by which I mean multiculturalism workers from displaying any symbol The accommodation debates did GULF TIMES in which minority groups are not of their religious affi liation. This not die with the PQ’s charter. Last Quebec City expected to assimilate, but can, was aimed none-too-subtly at the year, Phillippe Couillard’s liberal rather, co-exist alongside the majority province’s Muslims, with the Jewish government proposed unnecessary n January 30, a gunman culture) applied in other provinces sits population caught in the crossfi re. but popular legislation banning walked into a mosque uneasily here. Proponents of the charter met people (read: Muslim women) from in Quebec City and Quebec has a unique cultural accusations of hypocrisy when they covering their faces when receiving Early detection O murdered six innocent heritage within Canada, and the claimed that prominent Christian public services. During the leadership people. And now, as is human after desire to protect that heritage – symbols in Quebec public life – such race for the PQ, Jean-François Lisée tragedies like this, we’re trying to signifi ed, for example, by French as the great big glow-in-the-dark suggested that an AK47 could be figure out why. language protection measures cross on top of Mont Royal – had been hidden under a burqa. And the centre- key to tackling Much has been made of the prime – can come into confl ict with the around so long that they’d simply right Coalition Avenir Quebec called suspect’s support for Donald Trump. ideological underpinnings of mosaic become secular. Bisonnette would for measures against hijabi police After all, we know this act of terrorism multiculturalism. So too can Quebec’s have been 24. offi cers and the burqini. Clearly, we do happened two days after the Muslim secularism, which is especially When the liberals came to power not need to look across the border or cancer menace ban took eff ect at American borders, cherished because of the hard-won provincially in 2014, the Charter lost the Atlantic to fi nd rhetoric relevant to one day after a mosque in Texas was separation of church and state during its political momentum. Yet Presse Bissonnette’s apparent Islamophobia. burned in a suspected act of hate. the quiet revolution of the 1970s. Canadienne statistics show 59% of I am drawing attention to these New guidance from the World Health Organisation There has also been considerable The principle of “reasonable Quebecers were still in favour of it contexts not to vilify my adopted (WHO), launched ahead of World Cancer Day observed attention to Alexandre Bissonnette’s accommodation” has been part of as late as 2015. A recently published home, which I love, but, rather, on February 4, aims to improve the chances of survival support for Marine Le Pen, linking the Canadian Charter of Rights and study by Frédérick Nadeau and to encourage some national for patients by ensuring that health services can focus on his apparent Islamophobia to the Freedoms since 1985. This means that Denise Helly examines 10 pro- introspection. If we are going to wave of far-right populism in Europe. reasonable adjustments should be charter Facebook groups that arose in stand with our Muslim neighbours diagnosing and treating the disease earlier. These contexts are crucial. We should made to existing systems based on an response to the public debates. They and friends, then we must begin to New WHO fi gures released last week indicate that ask questions about the relationship individual’s needs. In Quebec in 2007, note that these groups share many recognise the continuum between each year 8.8mn people die from cancer, mostly in low- between far-right politics and cases concerning accommodations characteristics with the European and intolerance and violence. This is and middle-income countries. Many cancer cases are far-right terrorism. We should ask requested by Sikhs, Muslims and American extreme right, including not to say that we can’t debate diagnosed too late. Even in countries with optimal health whether the “sermons” of Trump Hasidic Jews appeared in the press, ethno-nationalism, populism, and a what constitutes a reasonable or Le Pen are enough to radicalise prompting much outrage and some rejection of multiculturalism. accommodation in a multicultural systems and services, many cancer cases are diagnosed someone like Bissonnette. xenophobia from a majority culture The archived Facebook profi le in society; it is, rather, to suggest that we at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat And yet, Canada is not the US that deemed the demands excessive. Bissonette’s name shows that he might spend a little less time talking successfully. and Quebec is not France. The local Fuelled by political opportunism, liked four distinct pages associated about what Muslims are wearing to Diagnosing cancer in late stages, and the inability to context for Bissonnette’s attack is these debates escalated into a crisis in with the PQ. While I don’t know if work and a lot more talking about provide treatment, condemns many people to unnecessary essential to a full picture, essential to the province. Bissonnette would have he directly engaged with any of the those who might want to kill them. – understanding how we can support been 20 at the time. pages studied by Nadeau and Helly, Guardian News & Media suff ering and early death, as pointed out by Dr Etienne Krug, director of WHO’s Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention. By taking the steps to implement WHO’s new guidance, healthcare planners can improve early diagnosis of cancer and ensure prompt treatment, especially for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. This will result in more people surviving cancer. It will also be less expensive to treat and cure cancer patients. All countries can take steps to improve early diagnosis of cancer, according to WHO’s new Guide to Cancer – Early Diagnosis. The three steps are improving public awareness of diff erent cancer symptoms and encouraging people to seek care when these arise; investing in strengthening and equipping health services and training health workers so they can conduct accurate and timely diagnostics; Challenges are and ensuring people living with cancer can clearly greater access safe and eff ective in low- and treatment, including pain relief, without incurring middle-income prohibitive personal or fi nancial hardship. countries Challenges are clearly greater in low- and middle-income countries, which have lower abilities to provide access to eff ective diagnostic services, including imaging, laboratory tests, and pathology – all key to helping detect cancers and plan treatment. Countries also currently have diff erent capacities to refer cancer patients to the appropriate level of care. The WHO is encouraging People visit a makeshift memorial near a mosque that was attacked in Quebec City, Canada on 30 January. PICTURE: Alice Chiche these countries to prioritise basic, high-impact and low-cost cancer diagnosis and treatment services. The organisation also recommends reducing the need for people to pay for care out of their own pockets, which prevents many from seeking help in the fi rst place. Rwanda achieves success in ‘health equity’ Detecting cancer early also greatly reduces cancer’s fi nancial impact: not only is the cost of treatment much less in cancer’s early stages, but people can also continue By Michael Fairbanks delivery of quality healthcare to those ten-year anniversary, 480 students Organisation’s recommended San Francisco who need it most. Agnes Binagwaho, a will have graduated; another 870 will minimum of 2,576 physicians. to work and support their families if they can access co-founder of UGHE who is a former be earning their degrees; and over UGHE has already generated jobs, eff ective treatment in time. In 2010, the total annual minister of health and an adjunct 2,500 professionals will have attended by hiring local labourers, and has economic cost of cancer through healthcare expenditure wanda has achieved some professor at Harvard Medical School, executive education courses. They increased access to the region, by and loss of productivity was estimated at $1.16tn. of the most dramatic gains once said to me, “Why would I want expect that over 1,000 of the students creating new roads. It could boost Strategies to improve early diagnosis can be readily built in health and poverty- to raise my children in a nation where passing through the UGHE’s doors in Rwanda’s GDP by 0.5% per year, that fi rst decade will arrive from the and every dollar invested in UGHE into health systems at a low cost. In turn, eff ective early Rreduction in the world. This all children don’t get the same medical small, landlocked African country care as they do?” rest of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the could generate $2 worth of return in diagnosis can help detect cancer in patients at an earlier has developed a primary healthcare Rwanda’s government has already Americas. economic development, according to stage, enabling treatment that is generally more eff ective, system with near-universal access pledged $43mn to UGHE in land and Rwandans will invite these McKinsey & Company. less complex, and less expensive. Studies in high-income to clinical care and insurance. infrastructure support. Its leaders international students to visit Some social scientists assert that countries have shown that treatment for cancer patients Rwanda has reduced both economic have launched a two-year, part-time their communities to observe their poverty is not just a matter of poor and healthcare inequality, and Master of Science in Global Health traditions and learn how to care nutrition, lack of medical care, and diagnosed early are two to four times less expensive demonstrates how “health equity” Delivery to teach how to create for their people. The young men inadequate shelter; it also means compared to treating people diagnosed with cancer at helps to build strong societies. national healthcare in developing and women will attend Rwandans’ exclusion from global networks of more advanced stages. The secret to Rwanda’s success is countries. Lecturers from Rwanda’s weddings and funerals, learn to trade, science and commerce. This Cancer is now responsible for almost one in six deaths that its leaders are building “modern Ministry of Health, Harvard Medical prepare and enjoy their foods, and isolation is pernicious, because it globally. More than 14mn people develop cancer every institutions on traditional values.” School, Yale University, and Tufts acquire some of their language, destroys people’s hope and aspirations They built a system of community University taught Rwandan students the portal through which to view for a better life. year, and this fi gure is projected to rise to over 21mn by justice, called Gacaca, which everything from epidemiology to their sturdy values. Rwandans will UGHE will be Rwanda’s newest 2030. There needs to be progress on strengthening early integrated their need for nationwide budget management. teach their international guests institution, a public-private cancer diagnosis and providing basic treatment for all. reconciliation with an ancient Last summer, UGHE began that in Africa, family is an all- collaboration based on traditional tradition of clemency. They breathed construction on a 250-acre campus encompassing concept, and that, values: community, trust, hard work, life back into a civic tradition of in Butaro. This year, 250 professionals in Rwanda, an entire generation and optimism about the future. It will Umuganda, where one day a month, from as far away as Mexico and treats the next as its own children. integrate each citizen of Rwanda into To Advertise citizens, including the president, Australia will compete for 25 spots The international network of UGHE global networks of learning. gather together to weed their fi elds, on that campus. Undergraduate and alumni, unified by their commitment The Rwandans will accomplish this, [email protected] clean their streets, and build homes graduate degrees in nursing and oral to realise health equity for their own as they do many things, because they Display for the poorest among them. health, and non-clinical programmes communities, will become a global believe that the only investment that Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 In 2015, the government of Rwanda in research and health management, force for change. can bring infi nite returns is in their and the Boston-based Partners In are next. In 2018, UGHE’s campus will UGHE will also strengthen children, and because graduates of Classified Health (PIH), with the help of the Bill also be home to a school of medicine. Rwandan society. Though regarded the University of Global Health Equity Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 & Melinda Gates Foundation and the It will provide space for generations by many as one of the safest and will be their sons and daughters, too.– Cummings Foundation, established of health professionals to learn how least corrupt societies in the world, Project Syndicate Subscription the private, not-for-profi t University to heal patients, comprehend the Rwanda faces a great shortage of [email protected] of Global Health Equity (UGHE). sociology of disease, and build the doctors and nurses. There are 684 zMichael Fairbanks, a fellow at the The university is founded on the health systems that make a strong physicians in Rwanda, a total that Weatherhead Centre for International principle that every member of a society. is far below the 1,182 physicians Aff airs at Harvard University, is 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved community deserves the same care UGHE’s founders believe that, by proposed by the Ministry of Health, Chairman of the Board of Silver Creek and opportunity, and focuses on the the time the university celebrates its and only 27% of the World Health Medicines. Gulf Times Monday, February 6, 2017 23 COMMENT Harnessing the politics of disruption

The political class should the existing system, in the hope make some of the outcomes that that something better emerges – these groups favour more diffi cult to work to create a new something that looks a bit more like achieve. system the familiar world of times past (or at The old and young alike hope to least of their fancy). The Web People, recapture the opportunities enjoyed by By Mark Leonard for their part, believe that technology the post-1945 Baby Boom generation. London must transform politics and But those opportunities were enabled institutions, just as it has transformed by a commitment to collective action, newspapers, taxi services, and hotels. broad support for redistribution, and he United Kingdom’s vote to The web mentality is exemplifi ed strong economic growth – none of exit the European Union and by Vyacheslav Polonski, a 27-year-old which can be counted on today. On Donald Trump’s election as network scientist of Ukrainian origin, the contrary, the backlash against TUS president exposed a deep who has spent time at Harvard and is globalisation and immigration will generational divide. Cosmopolitan currently completing a PhD in social likely damage global growth, while millennials and nationalist pensioners media at Oxford University. “We are the need to build ad hoc coalitions of – what Thomas Friedman calls “Web dealing with a 21st-century world,” he the willing undermines progress in People” and “Wall People” – seem to tells me, “but our political system has building new institutions. For many have nothing in common. But both not evolved since the 18th and 19th nowadays, redistribution has become point to the same crisis of political centuries.” a dirty word. representation. Polonski points out that our So the politics supported by In the UK, for every “Leave” voter government institutions were the Wall People isn’t the answer. under the age of 24, there were three established not just before Facebook But nor is the politics of the Web over the age of 65. In the US, Trump and Instagram, but even before People. While disruptive, Internet- won 53% of the over-65 vote, but was television and radio. Whereas our enabled politics can upend the status supported by only 37% of 18-29-year- economy is now characterised quo – the Arab Spring revolutions olds. by choice, customisation, and taught us that – it has not proved In both cases, the elderly were participation, our politics remains particularly effective at creating attracted by pessimistic rhetoric stifl ed by bureaucracy, special sustainable alternatives. assailing the damage to their interests, and entrenched-yet- The grievances of the old and the communities brought about by free declining political parties. “As our young are very real. The economic trade, free movement, free love, and government becomes more agile,” gains of the last few decades have human-free technology disrupting he says, “people can vote for specifi c not been shared widely enough. their jobs and economic security. ideas and agendas, rather than a Political parties are more beholden Young people were far more optimistic political party.” As a result, “politics to themselves than they are to the about the future, their personal will become more like Uber: more communities they serve. There is prospects, and technology’s potential decentralised, more open, more socialism for the rich, and capitalism – and far more empathetic toward immediate.” the Internet to ensure accurate the scientist could vote for me on by the World Economic Forum. for the poor. The war on terror is marginalised groups. To reinforce his point, Polonski representation. El Partido Digital environmental matters. These 23-27-year-olds are creative, creating more terrorists. And trade The pessimists won, and now connects me with his friend Maria is currently working to elect a Dibarboure’s concept relies on connected, cosmopolitan, and full and migration systems are losing they’re feeling pretty hopeful. The Luisa Martinez Dibarboure, a 27-year- representative to parliament. neither elections nor referendum. of energy. They are crestfallen about support. former optimists now fear the worst. old trainee lawyer who is one of That representative would use the Instead of representative or direct recent election results (“2016 was the Rather than defend the status quo But, despite their fundamentally the founders of El Partido Digital, Internet to poll her constituents democracy, it off ers what she and year in which I lost faith in humanity,” from the counter-revolution, the diff erent attitudes toward technology a new digital political party in her before each parliamentary vote, Polonski call “liquid democracy” – a says Dibarboure). But my sense is political class should work to create a and globalisation, the Web People native Uruguay. “We live in a crisis of thereby ensuring that she really is a system that combines the best of that they will bounce back soon, and new system – one that responds to the and the Wall People have one thing in representation,” Dibarboure tells me voice for voters. both. “We are about representation, fi nd opportunities in today’s political needs of the people. Both the young common: both are deeply sceptical on Skype (how else?). “Once people More intriguing, constituents not ideology,” she clarifi es. “We don’t disruptions. and the old have made their demands of existing institutions. They think are in power,” she laments, “they vote will be able to delegate their votes to represent left or right.… This is about This is not to say that these known. It is time to respond. – Project that representative democracy has according to their own preferences,” others, perhaps friends with more the people.” disruptions are the answer to their Syndicate broken down, and they see the creative not those of the voters who put them expertise on particular issues. Fred the Polonski and Dibarboure are problems, or even to the problems potential of disruption. there. economist could vote on my behalf members of a community of 6,000 of the Wall People. On the contrary, zMark Leonard is Director of the The Wall People want to smash Dibarboure’s solution is to use on economic questions, and Anne “global shapers,” brought together today’s political disruptions could European Council on Foreign Relations. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast E Ahamed’s Gandhi to come to the hospital during alone or a track to follow of your own. worked well, producing enough capable TODAY the middle of the night to help his It was just a group of happy people people who have been able to take up High: 21 C death deserved children see their father. At last around who gathered from various walks of leading positions across the world. Low : 12 C Off shore: Strong wind and high sea 2.30, his son-in- law announced to life to just run and enjoy. And as a Indians who now occupy to the north by night. better coverage the world that E Ahamed Sahib was benefi t runners lost some calories. The top positions in several global no more. It can be safely assumed that participants could run with family, organisations are products of the old Dear Sir, the doctors’ behaviour was dictated by friends, colleagues or solo. Not strictly system, which packs knowledge into TUESDAY higher authorities. running but walk, dance or stroll with the brain (manas) right from a tender High: 21 C I was surprised at the level of The truth about the incident your little ones. age, allowing it to blossom when the Low: 13 C coverage given by Gulf Times to the came to the fore only after MPs from The participants were welcomed suitable environment emerges at a Sunny passing away of former Minister of Kerala called a press conference like privileged runners and all you had later stage. State for External Aff airs and Indian and explained the whole episode. to do was to complete the run just by Just copying the so-called international Union Muslim League (IUML) leader E For the government what mattered being happy. Color Run because at standards would not be a good idea in WEDNESDAY Ahamed, who was declared dead in the was electoral gain by presenting the every fi nish of 1km, the participants education, particularly in a country like High: 22 C early hours of February 1. budget as planned with an eye on the were splashed with colours. At the India which has a proven system. Low: 14 C Considering the stature Ahamed forthcoming elections in some states. fi nish point there were a lot of events, It has been proved again that P Cloudy enjoyed especially in this part of the dancing, singing and exercises. One of a community which believes in world, many expected Gulf Times to (Name and address provided) the happiest days of my life. The end Education, Rewards and Happiness, provide more space to the news. result was not tired muscles but lots of would fail to adapt a foreign system Fishermen’s forecast E Ahamed was instrumental in „The news was carried happiness and positivity. that was made to cater to a diff erent OFFSHORE DOHA bringing Gulf countries closer to India prominently on three days right It was a well organised programme. atmosphere, goal and purpose. Wind: NW 08-18/23 KT especially during his tenure as external from his admission to the hospital, Hope this happiness of colour with a Waves: 3-5/7 Feet aff airs minister in the Manmohan his subsequent death and to the run comes every year. Guruprasad Dasarathan INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 05-15 KT Singh-led UPA government. He was controversy that followed. - Editor Doha Waves: 1-3/4 Feet one of the Indian leaders who was Sunitha Nair popular in the Middle East countries. A race worthy Doha Around the region Speculation is rife that the Indian Please send us Weather Weather government deliberately postponed to be run today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the announcement of the death of Traditional CBSE your letters Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 19/17 P Cloudy 21/17 Ahamed to facilitate the presentation Baghdad P Cloudy 17/03 Sunny 18/03 system is the best Dubai of the Union Budget. Dear Sir, By e-mail P Cloudy 22/18 P Cloudy 22/14 [email protected] Kuwait City Sunny 18/07 Sunny 20/07 What followed after Ahamed Fax 44350474 Manama S Showers 18/12 Sunny 19/13 suff ered a cardiac arrest and taken It was a race worth running and Dear Sir, Or Post Muscat Sunny 22/16 M Sunny 23/18 to RML Hospital in Delhi in a critical remembering your whole life. Kind Letters to the Editor Riyadh Cloudy 17/06 Sunny 19/08 condition cannot be justifi ed in of run you would always look forward Mixed feelings and responses have Gulf Times Tehran Sunny 08/-1 Sunny 09/00 any way. Not only did the hospital to the next year. Being a Saturday been aired after India’s Central Board P O Box 2888 authorities give any update on his one may not get up early in the of Secondary Education (CBSE) Doha, Qatar health condition, they surprisingly morning and reach Qatar National decided to discard its International All letters, which are subject to edit- also did not allow his colleagues and Convention Centre (QNCC) but it was curriculum, citing non-availability of ing, should have the name of the MPs from Kerala to see him. According made possible by Color Run Team’s ‘quality reading materials’ apart from writer, address and phone number. to reports, even his children were not Happiest 5K. other operational diffi culties. The writer’s name and address may allowed to see him. The best part of the event was that I believe the age-old traditional be withheld by request. It took Congress president Sonia there were no strict rules – running system of Indian education always Live issues Drug resistant malaria strain makes gains

AFP types of drugs, but has muscled out Last century the borderlands signifi cant successes made against Bangkok its less dangerous peers to become of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos malaria over the last few decades. Around the world the dominant variant, according to incubated two previous waves of But scientists fear much of those Weather Weather a paper published Thursday in The drug-resistant malaria that spread gains could unravel if the latest today Max/min tomorrow Max/min n especially drug-resistant Lancet Infectious Diseases medical from the region to India and Africa generation of drug-resistant parasites Athens Cloudy 18/10 Showers 16/08 type of malaria is becoming journal. where they killed millions. is not tackled. Beirut M Sunny 18/11 Sunny 21/15 Sunny Sunny 36/23 dominant in parts of the “What’s happened now is that The first was a chloroquine “There’s been too much talking and Bangkok 36/23 Berlin Cloudy 00/-4 Cloudy -2/-7 Mekong region, researchers one lineage which arose in western resistant strain that emerged not enough doing on this,” warned Cairo Sunny 22/11 Sunny 26/11 A Cloudy 26/17 said Thursday, warning of potentially Cambodia, one family of parasites if in the 1950s and 1960s and the White. Cape Town 28/18 Cloudy dire consequences if it makes the leap you like, has eff ectively beaten all the second wave was a type of parasite Arjen Dondorp, the study’s lead Colombo Sunny 31/21 Sunny 31/19 to India and Africa. rest out and has spread,” Nicholas impervious to the next generation author, told AFP a major global Dhaka Sunny 29/17 Sunny 30/17 Hong Kong P Cloudy 22/18 Cloudy 19/18 For the last decade scientists White, a specialist from the Mahidol of anti-malarial medicine, eff ort was needed to stop the latest Istanbul M Sunny 16/08 S Showers 14/07 and health workers have become Oxford Tropical Medicine Research sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (SP). generation of drug resistant malaria Jakarta I T Storms 31/24 S Showers 32/24 increasingly alarmed by the spread of Unit (MORU) in Bangkok, which led The Chinese military came to before it heads west. Karachi M Sunny 24/12 P Cloudy 26/13 a malaria strain resistant to a key drug the research, told AFP. the rescue when a female chemist “Once it is in Africa that would be London M Cloudy 08/06 M Sunny 11/01 Manila P Cloudy P Cloudy 30/22 used to treat patients: artemisinin. So far the dominant lineage has discovered artemisinin in the 1970s a disaster because that is where most 29/22 Moscow P Cloudy -14/-24 Sunny -16/-23 It was fi rst detected in western been detected in parts of Cambodia, during a secret project to protect of the world’s malaria cases are,” he New Delhi Sunny 23/10 P Cloudy 21/10 Cambodia in 2007 and has since Thailand and Laos but not Myanmar their North Vietnamese allies from said. New York Sunny 06/03 Rain 09/08 spread to parts of northeastern — the bridge to South Asia — although the debilitating disease in their war Doctors are hampered by the lack of Paris Cloudy 07/05 Showers 09/02 Thailand, southern Laos and eastern researchers believe it us just a matter against the United States. arteminisin-like breakthroughs. Sao Paulo S T Storms 29/19 T Storms 27/20 Seoul Sunny 02/-9 M Sunny 03/-7 Myanmar. of time before it pushes westwards. — Clock is ticking — Some new drugs are being worked Singapore T Storms 33/24 T Storms 32/24 Now researchers have also For tropical disease experts, The discovery, coupled with on with “several compounds” that Sydney Cloudy 36/23 T Storms 24/21 discovered a version of that strain the emergence of this strain has a worldwide preventative measures look promising, Dondorp said, but the Tokyo Clear 15/06 Clear 11/01 that is not only resistant to two worrying historical precedent. against the mosquitoes, resulted in testing takes time. Gulf Times 24 Monday, February 6, 2017 QATAR

A total of 55 students on 15 teams participated in the 24-hour programming competition held on the CMU-Q campus in Education City. CMU-Q Hackathon draws local and foreign students tudents from across Qatar, vided judges, mentors and prizes have learned to identify, tackle closing ceremony. Haya Thow- crawling, databases and Google CEO of Cosette Solutions and App — Maher Khan, Mohamed as well as eight from Ku- for the event. one of the challenges the spon- feek, a graduate of CMU-Q infor- and Twitter trends. The algo- a CMU-Q information systems Fituri, Yasser El-Sayed and Ab- Swait and one each from In- Hackathon is an annual event sors are experiencing, and ap- mation systems who now works rithm creates a confi dence level graduate, also judged the event. dulRahman Alfayad from CMU- dia and Australia, came to Carn- where university students work ply their skills to help solve that as an information management for each event, visualises it using The teams at the event repre- Q; Best Rookie Team — Moham- egie Mellon University in Qatar around the clock to develop soft- problem in a real-world context.” offi cer at EAA, said: “EAA is cur- mapping tools, and creates a pre- sented CMU-Q, College of the ed Nahin Khan, Kaustubh Ayer, (CMU-Q) for the annual Carn- ware for an innovative game, This year, Hackathon featured rently working on a project called dictive model which highlights North Atlantic – Qatar, Qatar Maimoon Siddiqui and Hanna egieApps Hackathon. mobile application or web ap- a new award category in humani- the Global Data Service that aims regions where an attack was pos- University, and Gulf University of Farooq Moazam, CMU-Q; Best A total of 55 students on 15 plication using software of their tarian technology. Sponsored by to create a central hub of infor- sible. Science and Technology and Ku- Design — Ahmad Alfulaij, Osama teams participated in the 24- choice. EAA’s programme Protect Edu- mation with data on the number This would allow organisations wait University. This is the fi rst Aljassar, Hamad Waleed and Ab- hour programming competition The event is organised by stu- cation in Insecurity and Confl ict of attacks on education. This will such as EAA to contact agencies time a university outside of Qatar dullah Almunayae from the Gulf held on the CMU-Q campus in dents with guidance from associ- (PEIC), the category challenged assist in the EAA/PEIC mandate near those confl ict zones to off er has sent teams to the event. University of Science and Tech- Education City. Hackathon 2017 ate professor of information sys- students to develop technology of advocacy in defence of the assistance. The awardees are as follows: nology and Kuwait University; was sponsored by Education tems Dan Phelps, who described solutions to diff erent humani- right to education.” QCRI sent two judges to the Best Humanitarian Technology and Best Technical Challenge Above All (EAA), Qatar Comput- the CarnegieApps Hackathon tarian issues across the globe. The winning team in the new event: Hassan Sajjad, scientist, — Shahan Ali Memon, Syed Me- — Aliaa Essameldin, Sabit Has- ing Research Institute (QCRI) “as an opportunity for students PEIC’s academic advisory direc- category created an algorithm and Yasser Makram, senior soft- hdi, Ibrahim Soltan and Sharjeel san, Aisha Mohamed and Shaden and Cosette Solutions, who pro- to demonstrate everything they tor Maleiha Malik attended the that collects data using web- ware developer. Omar Shamiyeh, Khan from CMU-Q; Best Overall Shaar from CMU-Q. QR1mn at stake for Shop Qatar’s draw QDF opens Harvest Market at HIA atar Duty Free (QDF), in part- nership with HMSHost Inter- Qnational, has opened Doha’s fi rst Harvest Market restaurant at Ha- mad International Airport (HIA). This provides travellers with an open-air food market dining expe- rience inside the Middle East’s only fi ve-star terminal, according to a press statement. Open 24 hours and located in the main Departures Terminal within HIA, Harvest Market off ers travellers a “globally inspired menu using only the freshest ingredients”, the statement notes. The breakfast dishes include a tradi- Harvest Market restaurant at HIA. tional English breakfast, pastry treats from the bakery and other light op- ity eateries inside the award-winning reinvented as contemporary gourmet tions. There is a fresh selection of juices HIA. The global traveller can enjoy an cuisine”; Great Eastern Market, a “dy- and smoothies available, while dinner extensive selection of cuisine from all namic multi-cuisine counter service can be enjoyed any time with Ameri- corners of the globe, with more than restaurant serving dishes from both the can-inspired gourmet burgers, Asian 30 restaurants and grab-and-go style Arabic and Asian cuisine”, and Spizzico, curries and noodles, and Australian establishments strategically placed a “quick service bread and pizza bakery steaks served all day. across the South and North Duty Free serving gourmet pizzas, freshly baked The grand finale of Shop Qatar 2017 tomorrow will see a QR1mn mega draw and a concert by singer Majid al- QDF senior vice-president Luis Gas- Plazas, as well as along Concourses A, paninis, pastries and salads”. Mohandis at the Mall of Qatar (MoQ). “Besides the grand prize, 14 other cash prizes ranging from QR20,000 to set said HIA’s very own Harvest Market B, C, D and E. HMSHost International CEO Wal- QR120,000 are also at stake at the mega draw,” said MoQ CEO Ahmad al-Mulla. Apart from discounts, promotions “will provide 30mn passengers annual- Later this year, QDF and HMSHost ter Seib added, “This partnership with the raff le draws, MoQ has given mallgoers and shoppers unprecedented entertainment options in line with this ly with the option to enjoy fresh, gour- will open three more quality dining one of the fastest growing airports in year’s festival, the off icial claimed. MoQ, which hosted an array of family-friendly cultural shows throughout the met, quality dining in an open kitchen- options throughout HIA: Burger Fed- the Gulf marks a signifi cant milestone month-long festival, is one of the festival’s 10 retail partners with the highest number of participating shops and a style establishment.” eration, a “cutting-edge restaurant in our strategy to increase our footprint wide variety of entertainment outlets. Harvest Market is the latest restau- with a stripped-back interior serving in the rapidly expanding and dynamic rant to open in QDF’s portfolio of qual- wholesome hamburgers that have been Middle Eastern marketplace.” The Pearl-Qatar welcomes 32 new retail and F&B outlets in two months

ore than 32 retail out- shoppers to seek out enviable lets, restaurants and bargains from fi ve luxury and de- Mother shops have signer labels, which are perma- opened at The Pearl-Qatar’s Por- nently discounted. to Arabia, Medina Centrale and Also moving into the neigh- Qanat Quartier in the past two bourhood is Nobbanolla, a brand months. of eco-friendly watches and ac- In a statement, United Devel- cessories. More exciting retail opment Company (UDC), the concepts are also scheduled to master developer of The Pearl- open later this year at The Pearl- Qatar, said they want to give resi- Qatar, most notably at Porto Ara- dents and visitors with an “ec- bia, UDC said. lectic retail mix that delivers an These include The French Ol- unmatched shopping and dining ive restaurant, Pressto laundry, experience.” Al Andalous Oud & Perfumes, Porto Arabia received luxury Bentley car showroom, a second men shoes and accessories la- branch of Kiddy Zone toy store bel Cellini Signature, in addition and Jasco Fitness. to Vazo and Fine Art furniture Medina Centrale will be ex- stores, Pure Fashion, The Balm pecting Tamima leather footwear, Cosmetics, as well as numerous Porto Arabia has opened new stores. Qanat Quartier entices with its new retail outlets, cafes, and restaurants. Dnata travel agency, Ajmal per- cafés including Java U, Fleurs fumery, El Clasico café and Al- et Café, Flat White, La Maison Shater Abbas, Mister Pizza and As a unique and charming According to UDC, these out- bins. Qanat Quartier also wel- Majectic Real Estate agency, Majles restaurant, among others. du Pain, Tea Club, Classic Rock Hot Dogty as Food and Beverage Venetian-themed destination lets included Casaluna, Esmer comed some convenience stores and Niya Yoga fi tness club. The Qanat Quartier is also set to receive Café, and A’la Turkish gourmet concepts, Saloon Looks for men, off ering boutique-style shop- Chef, and Crepa Crepa, in addi- needed in this up and coming fi rst clothing retail boutique to L’Eau De Vie Spa, Henks Flowers café and restaurant. exclusive toy store Kiddy Zone, ping and al fresco dining, Qanat tion to coff ee shop concepts Art- district such as mini market Crop be based in Qanat Quartier also and Chocolate, Domino’s Pizza, Medina Centrale also wel- and furniture shops Global An- Quartier received the largest ist Café, and Waffl es & Coff ee, Mart and laundry service brand opened its doors to the pub- Lilo Cake as well as restaurants Mr comed famed brands such as tiques & Arts, and Caracole. share of diverse new openings. and ice cream label Baskin Rob- Vasco, Pharmakeia Pharmacy, lic, The Brands Outlet, allowing Taco, N Zain and Crepe Bechamel.