BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Laudrup relishing prospect of INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-8, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 his fi rst Qatar REGION 9 BUSINESS 1–5, 11-12 Forum to focus on 19,158.00 10,010.27 51.68 ARAB WORLD 10, 11 CLASSIFIED 6-10 Clasico -39.00 +96.52 +0.62 INTERNATIONAL 12–25 SPORTS 1 – 12 LNG, LPG standards -0.20% +0.97% +1.21 Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10293 December 5, 2016 Rabia I 6, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir opens new institute Saudi king In brief

QATAR | Security arrives in New service added to Metrash2 app A new service pertaining to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been added to the Metrash2 Doha today application. The service, which is aimed at enhancing community HH the Emir to welcome the participation in maintaining security, Custodian of the Two Holy comprises four sections - ‘reporting’, Mosques King Salman who begins ‘provide information’, ‘request’ and a two-day off icial visit to Qatar ‘communicate with us’, according to today the Ministry of Interior (MoI). Through the ‘reporting’ section, users can QNA report cyber crimes, counterfeiting Doha and forgery, infringement of intellectual property rights, begging and other off ences. The ‘provide H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin information’ section allows users to Hamad al-Thani will lead well- give information about suspected Hwishers to welcome the Cus- vehicles, persons, institutions and todian of the Two Holy Mosques King houses, criminal activities and others. Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, who The ‘request’ section gives users will arrive in Qatar today on a two-day multiple options to select from. These offi cial visit. include requests for an awareness HH the Emir and the Saudi king will Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques lecture, field visit, activity participation discuss means of enhancing the well- King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. and general requests. Contact established fraternal relations between details have been provided in the the two countries in addition to the organised by the Qatar Chamber for ‘communicate with us’ section. These latest developments on the regional the fi rst time in the Kingdom of Saudi include the hotline numbers 66815757 and international arenas. Arabia on the sidelines of the Qatari- and 33292379, and e-mail id — ocr@ Meanwhile, Qatar’s ambassador Saudi Economic Forum. moi.gov.qa to Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdullah The ambassador stressed the con- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday opened the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, which is part bin Thamer al-Thani, yesterday de- formity of the two countries’ policies of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) in Lusail. Page 2 scribed King Salman’s visit to Doha and positions in all Arab issues in- and the meeting with HH the Emir cluding Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya as a “consolidation of the distin- as well as counter-terrorism issues, guished strong historic and fraternal which now threatens the region in the relations between the two brotherly multiple forms. countries.” The Palestinian cause and the ef- In a statement to Qatar News Agen- forts aimed at ending the Israeli ag- cy, the ambassador said the meeting gression against Islamic holy sites in between HH the Emir and the Custo- Al-Quds and achieving the Palestin- QATAR | Agriculture Rebels tell US they dian of the Two Holy Mosques opens ian national reconciliation have been Yards sell tonnes of vast prospects for joint action and co- and remain at the head of Qatar and operation in all areas and emphasises Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic priorities fruit and vegetables more cohesion and interdependence in all international forums, the am- Large quantities of vegetables and among the Gulf Co-operation Council bassador said. fruits have been sold at the yards for won’t leave Aleppo (GCC) member states. He stressed the great role being selling Qatari agriculture products This year has witnessed several played by the State of Qatar in the (Al Mazrouah, Al Wakrah and Al Reuters al from eastern Aleppo, where tens of vote today on a draft resolution de- meetings between HH the Emir and framework of the Arab coalition to re- Khor and Al Zakhira) during the first Beirut thousands of civilians are thought to manding an initial seven-day truce in the Saudi King along with the Emir’s store legitimacy in Yemen within its three days of December. As many as be sheltering, in the face of relentless Aleppo, which could then be renewed. meetings with Prince Mohamed bin ‘Restoring Hope’ and ‘Decisive Storm’ 22,300 boxes of various vegetables bombardment and ground assaults. But it was unclear if veto-power Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Crown operations along with the Arab, Islam- and 34.2 tonnes of fruits were sold, yria’s army and allied militia ad- The army said yesterday’s gains, Moscow would block the resolution. Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and ic and Gulf countries participating in in addition to 5.2 tonnes of fish, 492 vanced towards rebel-held areas of some of which were confi rmed by a Restoring full control over Aleppo Minister of Interior and Deputy Crown the coalition to protect the legitimate trays of locally produced eggs, 1,211 SAleppo’s Old City yesterday in an rebel offi cial with the Jabha Shamiya would mark the biggest triumph yet for Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Ab- rights in Yemen and repel any mali- domestic birds, 26kg of butter, 236 attack which a military source predicted group, included a strategically impor- Assad in a war that spiralled from pro- dulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and cious attempts to tamper the security heads of sheep and goats were sold. would be over in a matter of weeks. tant eye hospital. tests against his rule in 2011. Minister of Defence. This stresses the of Saudi Arabia which is the security of Various quantities of milk, juices and Western and regional states backing The rebel offi cial said it had yet to fall. The campaign is one of the war’s continuous communication between the Gulf and the entire region. livestock fodder were sold as well. the rebellion against President Bashar Loud explosions were heard in east- most ferocious, with hundreds report- leaders of the two countries, the am- Concluding, the ambassador re- The Ministry of Municipality and al-Assad appear unwilling or unable to ern Aleppo as night fell, Reuters jour- ed killed in recent weeks alone. bassador said. ferred to the active Qatar’s partici- Environment (MME) has urged all do anything to prevent a major defeat nalists in the government-held part of Russia said on Saturday it was ready The mutual visits between the two pation in Raad Al-Shamal Exercise, campers to abide by the set rules for those fi ghting to topple the Syrian the city said. for talks with the United States over a countries represent a chance to en- pointing to HH the Emir’s personal and regulations for camping, as leader, whose campaign to regain all The Jabha Shamiya offi cial said fur- full withdrawal of rebels from Aleppo, hance the brotherly relations between keenness to attend its closing to em- any violation would be dealt with Aleppo has been backed by the Russian ther advances may force a rebel with- but speaking to Reuters from Turkey, the two countries and peoples while phasise the role of Qatar along with its according to the law. Saad Ibrahim air force and foreign Shia militias. drawal to the southwestern corner of senior rebel offi cial Zakaria Malahifj i of off ering an opportunity to discuss is- brotherly Arab and Islamic countries al-Kaabi, general co-ordinator Rebel groups in Aleppo have told the their enclave. the Fastaqim group said rebels fi ghting sues of mutual interest as well as re- to promote peace and security in the of the winter camping season, United States they will not leave their “The areas of Old Aleppo will be in Aleppo had told US offi cials on Sat- gional and international issues, he region. stressed that the inspectors of shrinking enclave, a senior rebel offi - threatened to a great degree,” the offi - urday they would not leave. added. Speaker of the Advisory Council, MME Department of Environment cial said, after Russia call for talks with cial said. “It is scorched earth.” “Our response to the Americans was The ambassador hailed the dis- HE Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khu- Protection, Protectorates, and Washington over a full withdrawal of Food and fuel supplies are critically low as follows: ‘we cannot leave our city, tinguished level of bilateral relations laifi, yesterday stressed that King Wildlife will be closely monitor all opposition fi ghters. in eastern Aleppo, where hospitals have our homes, to the mercenary militias between Qatar and Saudi Arabia in all Salman’s visit emphasises the pow- camps throughout the season to But the rebels may eventually have been repeatedly bombed out of operation. that the regime has mobilised in Alep- areas and at all political and economic erful cohesion, integration, brother- spot any violations. no choice but to negotiate a withdraw- The UN Security Council is due to po’,” Malahifj i said. Page 10 levels. hood and the strong ties between the Bilateral ties are not limited to the two brotherly countries and peoples formal side between the two govern- thanks to their religious, national ments and offi cials in the two coun- and historical ties which bind them tries but have also reached out the to a common destiny. grassroots level, he said, referring to Speaking to QNA, al-Khulaifi the various events which brought to- stressed the importance of the visit in Severe traffi c congestion hits city gether businessmen in both countries, light of circumstances in the region in addition to the increased number and taking into consideration Saudi of visitors from Saudi Arabia to Qatar Arabia’s political weight, which repre- number of city roads experi- online by residents, had also slowed placing Doha and Qatar cities as pop- sent a safety and stability valve for the enced severe traffi c congestion down on a portion of Ras Abu Abboud ular touristic destinations for Saudi region’s peoples. Afor several hours yesterday. Street. families. Concluding, al-Khulaifi expressed Commuters narrated their experi- Congestion was particularly severe Trade and economic relations be- full conviction that the Saudi king’s ences on social media, with some ad- on the stretch of Salwa Road between tween Doha and Riyadh present an visit and his meeting with HH the Emir vising others to avoid certain roads the Midmac and Jaidah fl yovers, said excellent model of the integration and would have a positive impact on the in view of the long queues of vehicles some of those caught in the traffi c jam. strength of joint interests between the two countries, the two brotherly peo- there. There may be similar traffi c regula- two countries, the ambassador said, ples and the entire region while push- Queries found that traffi c along the tions today as well. expressing pleasure over the success- ing forward the march of GCC joint ac- Doha Corniche was regulated in prepa- Caught unawares, many motorists ful ‘Made in Qatar Exhibition 2016’ tion. Pages 2, 27 ration for the visit of some top foreign posted on social media about the traffi c dignitaries today. congestion yesterday and speculated On account of this, no movement of on the cause. Italy votes with Renzi’s future at stake vehicles was allowed in both directions Many of them advised other com- of a stretch for several hours, starting muters to avoid driving towards the Nearly 60% of Italy’s voting for Italy’s battered banks, pushing the from around 9.30am. Corniche due to “major traffi c conges- population had cast their ballots by eurozone towards a fresh crisis. About As a result, long traffic queues tion as the road is closed”. yesterday evening in a referendum on 51mn Italians are eligible to vote on were formed not only on roads lead- “Doha traffi c backed up on Corniche constitutional reform that will decide Renzi’s plan to drastically reduce the role ing to the Doha Corniche but also in from the national theatre all the way to the political future of Prime Minister of the upper house Senate and claw back parts of other arterial stretches such MIA, almost the whole way,” said one Traff ic congestion on a Doha road yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Matteo Renzi, who has vowed to resign powers from regional authorities. Renzi as Salwa Road, Rayyan Road and Su- of them. if he loses. Financial markets and was to address the nation at around haim Bin Hamad Street, among oth- Another resident tweeted about Some commuters had expressed many wondering if similar conditions Europe’s politicians fear victory for midnight (2300 GMT), just an hour after ers. helping nearby drivers by reporting concern over traffi c congestion near were expected over the coming days as the opposition ‘No’ camp could cause polls close, government sources said. Traffi c, according to maps posted standstill traffi c on the Corniche. the Corniche on Saturday as well, with well. political instability and renewed turmoil Page 19 Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 5, 2016 QATAR

Emir inaugurates Doha Institute for Graduate Studies

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday inaugurated The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, which is part of the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) in Lusail. The Emir toured the new building and was briefed on its programmes and academic mission as well as research and studies to be conducted there.The Emir was also given a presentation on the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language which traces the history of the Arabic words over 20 centuries and took about 15 years to be accomplished.

Official About 5,000 young people QU College of Chief of Staff Medicine appoints meets two suff ering from autism: expert military off icials here could be about 3,000 20 physicians to 5,000 young people Chief of Staff of the Qatari Tbelow the age of 18 with Armed Forces HE Major General autism in Qatar, going by cur- atar University (QU) are clerkship directors, key to Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem rent global estimates, an expert recently appointed the quality of education for met yesterday separately with has said. Q20 physicians and students, particularly during Brigadier General Salah Harrathi, Qatar National Autism Work- healthcare experts from lead- the clerkship phase. They are the Tunisian Naval and Air ing Group chair Dr Mohamed ing healthcare organisations instrumental in providing a Military Attache to Qatar and Waqar Azeem was addressing in Qatar as clinical faculty and clinical perspective to the pre- Lieutenant-General Stephen a symposium hosted by Qatar clerkship directors at its Col- clinical years. The clerkship Bowes command of the Canadian Foundation’s Pre-University lege of Medicine (CMED). directors also play a key role in Joint Operations and their Education (PUE) to provide an The appointees, fi ve of setting the policies and stand- accompanying delegations. overview of the prevalence, di- whom are Qatari, will join the ards for clinical experience. Talks during the meetings dealt agnosis and treatment of autism college from organisations in QU vice-president for with matters of common interest, among children in Qatar and Qatar such as Hamad Medi- Medical Education and CMED especially in the areas of military worldwide, at Awsaj Academy in cal Corporation (HMC), Pri- dean Prof Egon Toft said: co-operation. Education City. mary Health Care Corporation “Faculty in clinical instruction The Autism Symposium (PHCC), Ministry of Public and clerkship roles are crucial Envoy presents 2016, sponsored by the World Health and Sidra Medical to the college’s vision to be a Innovation Summit for Health and Research Center (Sidra), driving force for innovation credentials (WISH) and Sidra Medical and as well as Charles Clinic and across the national healthcare Research Centre, brought to- Institute of Dermatology at sector and as strong role mod- President of Lithuania Dalia gether more than 400 guests, University College Dublin, els and inspirational mentors Grybauskaite has received the including international autism Ireland. for Qatar’s future doctors.” credentials of Ahmed bin Saif specialists from the WISH Au- In their respective roles as The clinical faculty to date Saif Khalaf al-Moudadi, non- tism Forum, local education full professor, associate pro- have been appointed under resident ambassador of Qatar service providers, parents of fessor, assistant professor several categories: interim to Lithuania. Ambassador al- children with autism and oth- and lecturer, the new recruits clerkship directors, associate Moudadi conveyed the greetings er key stakeholders who have will bring their expertise in interim clerkship directors, of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin been instrumental in the de- internal medicine, surgery, special interim clerkship di- Hamad al-Thani to the president velopment of Qatar’s National family medicine, paediatrics, rectors and clinical appoint- of Lithuania. Autism Plan. dermatology, obstetrics and ments. Abeer al-Khalifa, director, Dr Mohamed Waqar Azeem speaking at autism symposium. gynaecology, psychiatry, pub- Interim clerkship directors Qatar, Nepal Academic Aff airs, PUE, de- lic health and radiology as well include professor Abdel Nass- scribed the event as a ‘wonderful that autism assessment input is portance to help them develop WISH Autism Forum 2016 del- as contribute in the future to er Elzouki in the internal med- ties reviewed opportunity to bring the autistic not just received in the clinical skills and strategies that will be egates; Dr Norbert Skokauskas, the planned PhD programme. icine programme, Dr Nora al- services community and the au- setting, but also more generally useful to make their everyday secretary general of the World Clinical faculty are aca- Mutawa in family medicine, Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr tism parents network in Qatar through family input, which he lives easier. Children with au- Psychiatric Association, Child demic appointments made to Dr Khalid Bashir in emergen- Prakash Sharan Mahat has met together to talk with each other described as “hugely important”. tism often need more of a tailor- and Adolescent Department and practising health profession- cy, Dr Madeeha Kamal in pae- with Qatar’s ambassador Yousef and to listen to outcomes of in- “I’ve always believed that made approach to be successful Dr Kerim Munir, director of psy- als with a track record of out- diatrics, Dr Sherif Abdel Azz- bin Mohamed al-Hail. ternational studies, which we, in families play a critical role in day-to-day functioning,” chiatry at the University Centre standing teaching, innovative im in surgery, Dr Nael Kilzieh The meeting discussed bilateral turn, can apply to our own serv- in children’s lives, especially added Dr Azeem. of Excellence in Developmental programme development and in psychiatry and Dr Salwa relations and ways of enhancing ices at Renad Academy.’ when it comes to children with The half-day symposium also Disabilities at Boston Children’s patient-oriented research. Abuyaqoub in obstetrics and them, in addition to matters of Dr Azeem told the conference autism. It’s of paramount im- heard from two international Hospital. Page 26 Among these appointees gynaecology. common interest. Many takers for local products Heart attacks more likely in winter, says HMC offi cial

eart attacks could be change in the spectrum of ill- minded of the importance of more during winter, nesses that people are exposed taking their medications as pre- Ha senior consultant at to. These illnesses might aff ect scribed and keeping their inhal- Hamad Medical Corporation a large percentage of the popula- ers close by. “Cold air is a major (HMC) has cautioned while ad- tion, especially schoolchildren,” trigger of asthma symptoms vising residents to safeguard Dr al-Nuaimi noted. such as wheezing and shortness themselves against common ill- Flu outbreaks are most con- of breath. People with asthma nesses that usually occur during cerning for vulnerable popula- should be especially careful in winter months. tions, especially those aged 65 winter. If you have asthma and “Cold snaps increase blood and above, and those with long- you smoke, stopping smoking pressure and put more strain on term health conditions such as can signifi cantly reduce how the heart making it work harder diabetes and kidney disease. severe and frequent your symp- to maintain body heat. It is high- “The best way to prevent toms are,” said the physician. ly recommended to stay warm in the fl u is to get the fl u vaccine, He added that regular moderate your home, or make sure to wrap which provides good protection exercise, such as fast walking or up warm when you go out,” urged and lasts for one year. However, Dr Saad al-Nuaimi cycling, could help keep asthma Dr Saad al-Nuaimi, HMC’s sen- those with existing health con- symptoms under control. ior consultant in Emergency ditions should see their doctors where you have large gather- Dr al-Nuaimi explained that Medicine. about the fl u vaccination,” he ings of people, such as shop- sore throats are also common in Common illnesses are on the said. ping malls, hotels and schools. winter due to viral infections. Substantial quantities of local agriculture, poultry and livestock products were sold last week at rise during the cooler months, he Another unpleasant common Though the illness is unpleasant, “One quick and easy remedy for the various yards of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment. These included 22,500 boxes of pointed out. These include the winter illness is norovirus, also its symptoms are usually over a sore throat is to gargle warm vegetables, 29,600 tonnes of fruits, 5.2 tonnes of fish, and 618 tray of locally produced eggs. Such fl u, colds, norovirus, cold sores, known as the winter vomiting within a couple of days,” he said. salty water. Though it will not sales were made at the three yards at Al Mazrouah, Al Khor, and Al Wakrah. Other sales included sore throats, painful joints, asth- bug. “Norovirus is an extremely He has recommended people heal the infection, it will soothe 1,175 domestic birds, 77kg bee honey, 26kg local butter, 329 litres of milk and fruit juices, and 259 ma and heart attacks. infectious stomach bug. It can with norovirus to drink plenty of the sore throat because of the goats and sheep. “As the weather changes in strike all year round but is more fl uids to prevent dehydration. anti-infl ammatory properties in Qatar, there will be a noticeable common in winter and in places Those with asthma are re- the warm salty water.” Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 3 QATAR King Salman’s visit to Qatar will strengthen relations: Saudi envoy

QNA Doha

he visit of the Custo- dian of the Two Holy TMosques King Sal- man bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia to Qatar, strengthens the bonds of co-operation between the two countries, especially as it comes at a crucial stage during which the region is facing several challenges, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Qatar Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Aifan said. Al-Aifan said that the Saudi ambassador Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Aifan. close ties between the two countries, and the wisdom Two Holy Mosques King visits to Qatar were con- in 2015, adding that 315 of both Custodian of the Salman bin Abdulaziz al- ducted by the Crown Prince, companies – fully owned Two Holy Mosques King Saud. These relations have Deputy Prime Minister and by Saudis – and 303 joint Salman bin Abdul Aziz and witnessed a strong boost Minister of Interior Mo- companies are working in HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim through his visit (when he hamed bin Nayef bin Ab- Qatar with a total capital of bin Hamad al-Thani will was the crown prince) to dulaziz and Deputy Crown SAR1.252bn. ensure the success of the Qatar heading the Saudi Prince, Second Deputy The ambassador also visit. delegation to the meetings Prime Minister and Minis- pointed out the common Speaking to QNA, am- of the Saudi-Qatar Co-or- ter of Defence Mohamed bin positions of the two coun- bassador al-Aifan said: “I dination Council, in which a Salman bin Abdulaziz. tries at the political level, am confi dent that the talks number of issues and topics The Saudi ambassador referring to the joint action which will be held, will were discussed and several to Qatar pointed out that in the Saudi-led Coalition also provide an important agreements were signed, he the relations between Sau- for Supporting Legitimacy springboard to support the added. di Arabia and Qatar have in Yemen, co-ordination of relentless eff ort to estab- Ambassador al-Aifan reached a distinct stage in positions on the Syrian issue lish a stronger joint action, noted that, during the past all areas and at all levels. and the eff orts to achieve within the framework of the few years, high-level visits Economic relations enjoy stability in oil markets. Gulf Co-operation Council, were exchanged between great support in both gov- Ambassador al-Aifan to tackle the challenges fac- the two countries to pro- ernment and private sec- expressed optimism about ing the region.” mote bilateral relations and tors, where work is continu- the future of the Saudi- He stressed the depth of co-ordinate positions on re- ing, through the meetings of Qatari relations, stressing the relations between the gional and international ef- the Saudi-Qatari Business that these distinguished two countries, saying these forts pointing to the promi- Council, for further co-op- ties are growing in all ar- ties are old and well-estab- nence of the several visits of eration between business- eas, in light of the great lished, built on strong pil- HH the Emir to Saudi Ara- men in the two countries attention of the Custodian lars. bia. and to overcome any obsta- of the Two Holy Mosques He explained that the two In addition to that, and cles they may encounter. King Salman bin Abdulaziz countries’ relations have in the context of promoting He pointed that the Qa- al-Saud and his brother, always enjoyed the atten- co-operation and co-ordi- tari-Saudi trade volume HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim tion of the Custodian of the nation in all fi elds, several reached about SAR7bn bin Hamad al-Thani. Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 5, 2016 QATAR Qatar, China to co-operate on OBOR initiative

By Joey Aguilar connect all six GCC countries, could Staff Reporter take between six to eight years, Gulf Times earlier reported. A senior offi cial of AbuIssa Hold- atar government offi cials have ing had hinted that the fi rst phase of expressed interest to work the project could start in Qatar but the Qclosely and join China’s ‘One system has to be compatible with all six Belt One Road (OBOR)’ initiative, Chi- GCC countries. nese ambassador Li Chen has said. Li said many Chinese companies are “The leaders from both countries also working with their partners in the attach a very great importance to co- country to seek for more awarding for operate within this initiative in Qatar,” major projects. the envoy told Gulf Times at a Chinese While bilateral trade between China tourism promotion-related activity in and Qatar continues to grow annually, Doha yesterday. there was a slight dip this year due to OBOR is part of China’s develop- the oil price slowdown, the Chinese ment strategy to further enhance bilat- embassy said. eral and trade relations, and co-opera- Chinese ambassador Li Chen speaks The same trend in bilateral trade was tion in various fi elds among countries in Doha yesterday. also experienced between China and in diff erent regions, including the other countries in the region, accord- Middle East. helping Qatar achieve its National Vi- ing to ambassador Li Chen. The project, Li noted, consists of sion 2030, the country’s development The envoy also cited the close co- two components: the ‘21st Century roadmap launched in 2008. operation of many Chinese companies Silk Road Economic Belt’ and ‘21st On the other hand, he believes that with Qatari companies in various con- Century Maritime Silk Road’. Qatar will help in promoting what he struction projects. OBOR also aims to foster intercon- described as “a great and ambitious About investments, Li said several nectivity between countries by fund- initiative” internationally. Chinese and Qatari banks have set up ing and building infrastructure de- “We want to co-operate with coun- branches in each other’s countries. velopment projects such as roads and tries along the ancient silk road, in- “There are investments on both bridges. cluding Qatar, economically, cultur- sides and we are seeking to broaden the In Qatar, Li said Chinese companies ally, and in many other areas,” Li said. scale and enlarge the scale for these in- have been actively engaged in con- “We want to achieve a high level of co- vestments,” he added. struction projects, which include the operation and development by imple- He pointed out that the establish- Hamad Port, some roads, high rise menting this initiative.” ment of an RMB clearing centre in buildings, and stadiums. Citing the wide experience of sev- Doha will further enhance the fi nancial The China Railway Construction eral Chinese companies in doing such co-operation between the two coun- Company recently won the contract to projects in China and in other coun- tries. build the 80,000-capacity stadium in tries, he added that the Chinese gov- “We are also attaching great impor- Lusail City for the hosting of the 2022 ernment is more than willing to engage tance for cultural exchange, especially FIFA World Cup, according to the en- in big projects in the region such as the with the celebration of the 2016 Qa- voy. GCC railway network. tar China Year of Culture where both With OBOR, Li stressed that they The construction of the billion- countries hosted big cultural events,” want to play an important role in dollar long distance project, which will Li said.

Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 5, 2016 QATAR IWA to hold interschool Indian danseuse quiz contest on Dec 9 to perform By Joseph Varghese Aster DM Healthcare Qatar Staff Reporter CEO Dr Sameer Moopan said that Aster was collaborating for the fi rst time with the interschool quiz on Dec 16 ndian Women’s Association competition. (IWA) - Qatar will host their “Aster Kids is an initiative by I20th Interschool Quiz com- Aster DM Healthcare to promote cclaimed danseuse petition, ‘IWA-Aster Kids Brain the importance of preventive and actor Shobana Quest 2016’ with the renowned healthcare and reach out to kids Awill present the quiz master Siddhartha Basu who are the most promising citi- Qatar premiere of her lat- on December 9, at Birla Public zens to lead the nation in future. IWA and Aster off icials announcing Aster Kids Brain Quest ’16 yesterday. est production ‘Dancing School. Gulf Times is the offi cial Several activities and initiatives Drums’ on December 16 at media partner. will be conducted over the next children in the age group of 3-12 pati and Dus Ka Dum. He started registered include Al Khor Inter- the Qatar National Con- IWA president Jotshna Dey few months by Aster DM Health- and the literary event for students with an intercollegiate quiz show national School, Bhavan’s Pub- vention Centre. yesterday announced that the care in Qatar under the Aster Kids for classes 7-9. All the activities “Quiz Time” in the 1980s on an lic School, Birla public School, ‘Dancing Drums’ is a quiz competition is open for stu- Programme,” said Dr Moopan. are open to students from all the Indian channel. Basu has also Staff ord Srilankan School, Ideal quest to produce Indian dents of classes from 7-9. “Over Aster Kids programme has three nationalities.” conducted a number of live multi- Indian School, DPS-Modern In- performing traditions in a 12 schools have already registered major initiatives. “In addition to The Aster Kids programme is media quiz contests on the corpo- dian School, Doha Modern Indian collage of rhythm, kalei- for the competition. There will be the quiz competition, we aim to already in operation in the UAE, rate, college, and school circuits. School, Shanthinikethan Indian doscope of colours, sen- a special show by mentalist Aathi train children in health activities Oman and India and aims to nur- Aathi is a leading mentalist from School, Bright Future Interna- sual poetry and traditional that will add more value to the such as fi rst-aid and raise aware- ture the holistic development of Kerala, who designs and conducts tional School, MES Indian School, Bharatanatyam. event. This quiz contest, started ness on diet and exercises. We plan children, he added. lectures and theatre shows inter- Philippine School Doha, and Phil- Shobana and her ac- in 1986, has grown in prestige and to organise a sports day as well as a Quiz master Siddhartha Basu is nationally to explore and exploit ippine International School. Entry companying dancers will stature since then and has now cultural and literary event for stu- best-known as producer-director the psychology of deception. passes of the quiz are available at be complimented by some entered in its 20th year.” dents. The sports day is open to of shows like Kaun Banega Crore- The schools that have already ICC and the participating schools. of the best live musicians in India rendering a mix Shobana to present ‘Danc- of Indian classical, Qa- ing Drums’ in Qatar. wali and Bollywood styles apart from instrumental- Community in association Malabar opens 157th showroom ists on acoustic and elec- with Sky Media. New e-Spectrum tronic accompaniments. Gulf Times, the offi cial “In ‘Dancing Drums’, media partner, is running I interweave all my me- a lucky draw for its read- services portal to diums to transport the ers to award three family discerning art lover in to tickets with entry for four what I would like to call a persons each and three ease application state of trance,” Shobana VVIP tickets with entry said. “Since it is live mu- for three persons each. sic, most of the choreog- Qatar Airways is the process, says CRA raphy is based on instinct travel partner and Crowne and on the spot creation,” Plaza Hotel the offi cial ac- he Communications all spectrum users in Qa- she added. commodation provider. Regulatory Author- tar to create an account in Shobana is well-known Other major sponsors Tity (CRA) will launch the portal to manage their for her unique thematic include City Exchange, the new automated fre- licences more effi ciently. productions like ‘Maya Western Union and Apollo quency management sys- To ensure a smooth transi- Ravan’, and ‘Krishna.’ The Tyres. Entry tickets can Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ 157th global showroom was inaugurated at Muscat City Centre, Seeb, Oman, by Sheikha Tamimah tem (AFMS) on January 1 tion, if you face any techni- dance recital is presented be had from Q-Tickets, bint Mohamed bin Sultan Almahruqiyah, adviser to the president of Public Authority for Craft Industries, Oman. Present on to digitise the application cal diffi culty in submitting in Qatar by Sree Kerala leading hypermarkets and the occasion were Khamis al-Mandhari, acting chief of West Asian Department, Oman; Abdul Salam K P, group executive process for spectrum users requests online, CRA may Varma College Qatar Indian dance institutions. director, Malabar Group; Najeeb K, regional head, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Oman, and other dignitaries and well-wishers. in Qatar. accept submissions manu- Users will be able to sub- ally until March 31, 2017. mit their spectrum licence After this period, all re- requests online through a quests must be submitted new e-Spectrum services online,” said CRA spokes- portal, paving the way for person Faisal al-Shuaibi. a “smooth digital experi- The AFMS is designed ence,” the CRA said in a according to international statement. standards, and will play an By bringing the proc- important role in effi cient ess online, CRA said it in- management of the radio tends to provide “tangible frequency spectrum in Qa- benefi ts” to all existing tar, the CRA said. Through licensees or future spec- the new system, CRA in- trum users. Users will be tends to enhance the ex- able to submit applications isting application process, for issuing, modifying, or and align its services with cancelling their spectrum the Qatar Digital Govern- licences. They will also be ment initiative. able to view active licences, To benefi t from the track submitted applica- features, spectrum users tions, register radio net- should create an account work/area deployments, using the e-Spectrum view invoices, and make Services Portal accessible online payments. at https://e-spectrum.cra. “The CRA encourages gov.qa.

Strong winds in some areas forecast Strong winds are expected in parts of the country today, the Qatar Met department has said. Off shore areas, too, are likely to see strong winds along with high seas until this evening. Northwesterly winds will blow at a speed of 10-20 knots, reaching a high of 26 knots in some places during the day. In off shore areas, the wind speed will be 15-22 knots, going up to 25 knots at first and decreasing to 8-18 knots by the evening. The detailed forecast says hazy to misty conditions are expected in some inshore areas in the early hours of the day, followed by mild daytime conditions with slight to blowing dust in some places at times. It will be relatively cold by night, according to the weather report. Hazy conditions are also likely in off shore areas at times, while the sea level may rise to 8ft before decreasing to 3-5ft by the evening. A minimum temperature of 19C is expected today in Abu Samra, while in Doha it will be 23C. Yesterday, a minimum temperature of 20C was recorded in Turayna and Karana, followed by 21C in Al Sheehaniya, Batna and Abu Samra. In the capital, the minimum was 22C in the Qatar University area. Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 7 QATAR QFC starts programme for hearing impaired

he Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority, in association with TQatar Finance and Business Academy (QFBA), have launched a special programme to off er hearing- impaired high school graduates tai- lored courses to prepare them for the workforce. With the theme of ‘Give the hearing impaired community a voice – break- ing down barriers for those living with hearing disabilities’, the programme aims to ensure that deaf and hard-of- hearing students have equal access to and an equal opportunity in higher education programmes and services to better equip them for life after gradu- ation and ease their transition to the workforce, according to a press state- ment. Students attending the programme. The course is set to run for nine weeks with students attending four sponsibility to make sure they are ac- an impact on society, on its way to re- weekly sessions for a duration of four cessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing alising Qatar National Vision 2030, hours each. Students will be presented individuals. We are proud to have with a focus on its human and social with QFC and QFBA certifi cates at the launched this programme specially development pillars. This programme completion of the course. dedicated to the hearing-impaired is a prime example of such eff orts and Fahad Zainal, adviser to the CEO’s community and will continue to pro- a clear proof that everyone has the offi ce at the QFC Authority, said: “En- vide support and assistance for years opportunity and potential to achieve tities that provide educational oppor- to come.” excellence and tap into their capabili- tunities, other than public schools, Abdulaziz al-Horr CEO at QFBA, ties, when they know how to overcome colleges and universities, have a re- noted: “Ultimately, our goal is make challenges and break barriers.”

Varsity announces early registration

atar University (QU) has an- the registration for graduate students The waiting list for Spring 2017 has nounced early registration for (Diploma, Masters and Doctorate) yes- been activated. It will remain open Qthe semesters of Winter and terday. until February 2, 2017. “Students may Spring 2017. Registration is available Al-Marri explained that students add themselves to the wait list courses via myBanner and continues until the can view the off ered courses through at the closed sections,” al-Marri said. end of the ‘add and drop’ period for the online Course Schedule, and stu- She also noted that the payment of each semester. dents with disabilities can seek assist- the tuition fees is mandatory to reg- “The registration for undergraduate ance to register for courses from the ister for classes. “The fees can be paid students who fi nished their required Inclusion and Special Needs Support through the online secure E-payment credit hours will start today and go on Centre. system,” she said. until December 11,” QU registration She also highlighted the importance Al-Marri also urged students to section head Noora Hamad A M al- of viewing the registration guidelines meet the academic adviser before reg- Marri said. The registration’s deadline which explain how to use myBanner istering for courses, in order to select is on February 2, 2017. self-service system to add and drop appropriate courses based on their The registration department opened courses. study plan. Gulf Times 8 Monday, December 5, 2016 QATAR Ministry of Education and CNA-Q renew pact new three-year compre- hensive agreement has been Asigned between the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and College of the North Atlantic in Canada, ensuring that College of the North Atlantic - Qatar (CNA-Q) will continue its role as Qatar’s pre- mier technical college. Faisal al-Raisi, right, receiving the award. The contract was fi nalised at a for- mal signing ceremony at the Qatar embassy in Ottawa, with represent- atives from Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Government beIN wins award at Broadcast of Canada, Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Pro Middle East Summit and CNA-Q in attendance. “The Ministry of Education and eading global net- al-Obaidly, deputy CEO of nered with AMC, BBC, Higher Education welcomes the new work beIN was beIN Media Group, said: Bloomberg, CBS, Dream- agreement and we are very pleased HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada (centre) along with members of CNA-Q’s Joint Oversight Board. Lrecognised with “This award is a true re- Works, Discovery, Fox, that the partnership continues. The the ‘Broadcast Trend- fl ection of beIN’s achieve- Scripps and Turner to signing opens new doors for collabo- and vocational training for our youth. cessful partnership between CNA pride in the achievements of the setter of The Year 2016’ ments and contributions bring premium enter- ration in many potential areas,” said This agreement reinforces the strong and the Ministry of Education and college thus far.” award at the recently held to the media industry in tainment content to its Qatar’s Minister of Education and and friendly partnership between the Higher Education continues,” said The fi rst comprehensive agree- Broadcast Pro Middle the Mena region.” screens. Higher Education HE Dr Mohamed Ministry of Education and Higher Dr Ken MacLeod, president, CNA- ment between the State of Qatar East Summit & Awards in Faisal al-Raisi, man- On the sports front, bin Abdul Wahid al-Hamadi. Education and CNA-Q. This part- Q. “With the signing of this agree- and CNA was signed on Septem- Dubai. ager of digital projects, ac- beIN has entered into a HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al- nership has successfully produced ment we start the next chapter, ber 30, 2001. The college opened in The judging panel unan- cepted the award. In 2016, multi-year exclusive deal Sada, chair of CNA-Q’s Joint Over- over 5,000 highly skilled, technical- launching into new programmes, 2002, with 300 students and 11 pro- imously agreed that beIN beIN has consolidated its with IOC to broadcast fu- sight Board, and Minister of Energy ly-competent graduates for Qatar’s building more educational capac- grammes. Now in the 15th academic has made huge strides position as the leading re- ture Olympic Games, while and Industry, said, “It is gratifying to workforce who make daily contribu- ity, and evolving with the changing year CNA-Q has more than 2,100 within the broadcast and gional Pay TV network, the it also acquired Holly- refl ect on the college’s role in shap- tions to the successful realisation of needs of our students and our busi- full-time students enrolled in over media industry in the cur- statement notes. wood studio Miramax and ing Qatar’s post-secondary land- Qatar’s 2030 National Vision.” ness and industry stakeholders. In 30 programmes, and boasts nearly rent year, according to a Within the past few leading Turkish Pay TV scape in providing vital technical “We are very pleased that the suc- our 15th academic year, we take great 5,000 alumni. press statement. Yousef months, beIN has part- operator Digi Turk. More features QDF opens new Omega store

atar Duty Free (QDF) has its innovation and quality. It pro- opened a new Omega store, duces some of the fi nest and most- added on Doha Qproviding travellers to desired timepieces demanded by Doha’s Hamad International Air- global travellers, including the pop- port (HIA) with the latest collec- ular Speedmaster, Seamaster and tions from the renowned Swiss Constellation ranges. watchmaker. Qatar Duty Free senior vice-pres- Bank mobile app With the opening, QDF has fur- ident Luis Gasset said, “Visitors to ther expanded the range of high- Qatar Duty Free will discover an ex- end boutiques on off er to passengers ceptional shopping experience and oha Bank has announced that its their benefi ciaries “eff ortlessly” through shopping in the airport’s Fash- a range of products and brands that customers can now enjoy the lat- the app and transfer funds to any indi- ion Avenue, according to a press will surprise and delight them. We Dest features of its mobile banking vidual having an account in a Qatar-based statement. are very proud to expand our range application, which is available on Google bank through the Local Fund Transfer fea- The new Omega store in HIA is of luxury boutiques to welcome Play Store and App Store. ture and internationally through overseas one of only two Omega boutiques Omega, which is a great addition to The new Omega store at HIA. In addition to the features and trans- money transfer services. in the GCC, the statement notes. It our world-class shopping hub. actional services off ered, customers can The “user-friendly” app has features off ers travellers shopping in QDF “Global travellers have voted Qa- that meet worldwide demands for fi fth ‘Best Airport for Shopping’ as manage their fi nancial needs with the that allow marking frequent transactions more than 120 timepieces to choose tar Duty Free as one of the world’s the very latest trends.” well as the ‘Best Airport in the Mid- “highest security” of biometric access that as favourites so as to provide easier navi- from, providing an “abundance of top fi ve airports for shopping thanks Passengers will receive expert dle East’ for the second consecutive has been introduced recently, according gation for recurrent dealings. For those gift ideas” to those looking to buy a to our commitment to providing buying advice when shopping in- year at the 2016 Skytrax World Air- to a statement from the bank. who enjoy online shopping, Doha Bank’s special present for their loved ones them with the very best shopping store and all watches are sold with port Awards in March. At the same Taking a “further step forward in its mobile banking app is connected to Qa- this coming holiday season. experience, personalised services an international warranty. time, HIA leapt into the ‘World’s digital transformation plan”, Doha Bank tar’s e-commerce portal - Doha Sooq. Omega is world-renowned for and delivering products and brands HIA was announced as the world’s Top 10 Best Airports’ ranking. has introduced more features on the new The app also allows customers to tem- mobile banking app. porarily block their debit card in the event Customers can now engage with Doha of suspected card loss or misuse. Bank’s Facebook page from their mobile app. Other functions include payment solu- “Doha Bank customers can now stay tuned tions, applying for Doha Bank loans, cards to the latest off ers, follow the latest events and insurance products and have an exec- and participate in contests via their mobile utive from the bank attend to their request All-new 2017 banking app. What makes the app even more in no time. fun is the fact that loyal customers can now “By enhancing our mobile app further share the latest news from Doha Bank and to off er customers an even more extensive like the posts for their preferred products range of useful, convenient features, we and services,” the statement noted. reaffi rm our industry-leading reputation Dodge Neon The app is easy to navigate and custom- for digital banking excellence,” said Gul ers can use their smartphone to manage Khan, head of retail at Doha Bank. launched

nited Cars Almana (UCA), Gurdeep Singh Multani, general the authorised Chrysler, Jeep manager (operations) at UCA. “The Uand Dodge dealership in Qa- new compact sedan will provide tar, has announced the launch of the high levels of comfort, extra space all-new 2017 Dodge Neon in Qatar. and value for money with a very The new vehicle is Dodge’s fi rst competitive price, starting from compact car in the Middle East in QR59,900 only.” fi ve years, off ering a “high-val- While “innovation and stand- ue proposition and a full array of out styling” is at the heart of the standard safety features”, according Dodge Neon, the brand’s signature to a statement from UCA. cross-hair grille remains a key fea- Powered by a “fuel-effi cient” ture, complemented by a rounded The new Dodge Neon packs “unique levels of standard features”. 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, cou- front fascia and swept back head pled to a six-speed automatic gear- and tail lights that echo the muscu- play a vital part of technological in- In addition to its front McPherson box, the Dodge Neon brings “unique lar appearance of the Charger and clusions, with easy-to-use controls struts and rear twist beam suspen- levels of standard features” to the Challenger. mounted on the steering wheel, al- sion, providing comfort and stabil- region’s compact sedan segment. The interior and cargo space has lowing full concentration on the ity, the modern rigid body structure “It is exciting to be launching the been designed to provide additional road. With the award-winning and chassis, the Dodge Neon fea- new Dodge Neon in Qatar. Being the storage and space, while comforta- U-Connect infotainment system, tures ABS, ESC with roll over miti- fi rst vehicle they have introduced to bly sitting fi ve adults with a 520-litre Bluetooth streaming and easy-to- gation, Tyre Pressure Monitoring the Middle East to step into a grow- boot, and various features through- navigate icons to navigate through System and Hill Holder. ing segment, there is signifi cant out for additional storage. The use of media outlets and functions such as Driver and front-seat airbags are hype around it. Given its features high-quality soft materials, fi nished radio, climate, media and USB ports, supported with curtain and seat- and specifi cations, the engine size of with chrome highlights, sets new accessing entertainment and keep- side airbags, contributing to the 1.6L and 6-speed automatic trans- standards - off ering optional fabrics ing in touch with friends and family safety of passengers. The addition mission, this interest is expected to and LED interior lighting. has never been easier,” the statement of child seat anchors heightens its continue through next year,” said “Functionality and convenience added. safety levels. Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 9 REGION

Zayed Medal for King Salman Iran vows ‘fi rm response’ unless Obama stops sanctions renewal

Reuters “America’s president is said the ISA extension Dubai obliged to exercise his au- would make it easier for thority by preventing its sanctions to be quickly re- approval and particularly its imposed if Iran contravened ranian President Has- implementation and if this the nuclear deal. san Rouhani demanded gross violation is carried On Sunday, 264 lawmakers Iyesterday that Barack out we will fi rmly respond,” in Iran’s 290-seat parliament Obama block an extension Rouhani said in the speech, issued a statement calling on of sanctions passed by the carried live by state televi- the government to imple- US Congress, saying Tehran sion. ment counter measures, in- would otherwise “fi rmly re- President Obama is ex- cluding relaunching nuclear spond”. pected to sign the legisla- enrichment halted under the In a speech to parlia- tion into law, the White atomic deal, the offi cial news ment, Rouhani denounced House said on Friday. agency Irna reported. legislation passed by the US The US Congress move The diplomatic thaw be- Congress to extend the Iran was a blow to Rouhani, a tween Washington and Te- Sanctions Act (ISA) for 10 pragmatist who engineered hran over the past two years years as a violation of Te- the diplomatic opening to looks in jeopardy with US hran’s nuclear deal with six the West that led to the nu- President-elect Donald major powers. clear deal. Trump taking offi ce next The deal curbs Tehran’s US offi cials have said the month. nuclear programme in re- ISA renewal would not in- He said during his elec- turn for the lifting of in- fringe the nuclear agree- tion campaign that he The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman of Saudi Arabia receives the Zayed Medal presented by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh ternational fi nancial sanc- ment. would scrap the nuclear Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (right) in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Also seen is Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice- tions. US lawmakers have also agreement. President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai. Bahrain court upholds three bomb blast death sentences

AFP citing hatred and calling for regime Bahraini security forces in quelling The cassation court had rejected Dubai change by force. a month-long protest led by the is- a request to release the cleric. The court of cassation had or- land’s Shia population. Salman appeared in court yester- dered a retrial in the case of the 10 In the case of the opposition day in a hearing that lasted just one Bahraini court yesterday defendants found guilty of plant- leader, Salman had been sentenced minute, a judicial source said. upheld three death sen- ing a bomb in March 2014 in a Shia in July 2015 to four years in jail after In another hearing, the court A tences and seven life terms village west of Manama that killed being convicted of inciting hatred in upheld life sentences against four against a group convicted of kill- an Emirati offi cer and two Bahraini the kingdom. defendants and 15-year jail terms ing police including an Emirati of- policemen. But the appeals court in May against six others in the case of a ficer in a bomb attack, a judicial The appeals court upheld the more than doubled his jail term to group convicted of “forming a ter- source said. three death sentences and life terms nine years after reversing an earlier rorist cell”, the source said. The same appeals court ad- for the other seven defendants, who acquittal on charges of calling for The group was accused of setting journed to December 12 the trial were also stripped of their citizen- regime change by force. up an armed organisation called of Bahrain’s Shia opposition chief, ships. The arrest in December 2014 of Jaish al-Imam, or Army of the cleric Ali Salman, after the court of The Emirati offi cer was part of a Salman, who heads Al-Wefaq, the Imam, and of spying for Iran and its cassation overturned in October a Saudi-led Gulf force which rolled main Shia opposition formation, elite Revolutionary Guards. nine-year jail term for allegedly in- into Bahrain in March 2011 to boost sparked protests across Bahrain. The court acquitted 14 others. Gulf Times 10 Monday, December 5, 2016 ARAB WORLD

Libya forces thwart Raids kill dozens in Idlib, escape bid of militants

AFP in the sea”, they said in a statement Tripoli on their operation’s offi cial Face- book page. The GNA forces are pressing an ro-government forces in almost seven-month-old off en- army advances in Aleppo Libya have detained at least sive to oust IS from the Mediterra- Peight Islamic State group nean city, some 450km east of the AFP fi ghters trying to swim to free- capital Tripoli. Aleppo, Syria dom out of their embattled former They began the operation to coastal bastion of Sirte, the loyal- retake Sirte on May 12, quickly ists said. seizing large areas of the city, but uspected Russian air strikes Yesterday, forces supporting have since faced dogged resistance killed at least 46 people in the UN-backed Government of from IS fi ghters cornered in their Sopposition-held parts of Syria National Accord (GNA) “thwarted last holdouts by the sea. yesterday, a monitor said, as gov- the escape of two members of the For several weeks, loyalists have ernment forces advanced in fi erce terrorist Daesh group via the sea”, slowly been advancing house by clashes with rebels in east Aleppo. they said, using an Arabic acro- house in the fi ercely defended Syria’s government is waging an nym for IS. seaside district of Giza al-Bahriya, off ensive to recapture all of second “The two Daesh members of but have failed to dislodge the last city Aleppo, and it has so far cap- Tunisian origin slipped out at pockets of IS fi ghters. tured more than 60% of the eastern dawn towards the sea and tried to GNA fi ghters have attempted districts that fell to rebels in 2012. escape by swimming,” the Lana to secure safe passage for civilians In Idlib province, in northwest news agency reported a military out of the neighbourhood, their Syria, at least 26 civilians were killed source within the forces as saying. Facebook page said. in suspected Russian strikes on the On Saturday, the GNA forces Almost seven months of fi ght- town of Kafr Nabel, the Britain- stopped “six Daesh members who ing have left nearly 700 GNA based Syrian Observatory for Hu- tried to fl ee at dawn by swimming fi ghters dead and 3,000 wounded. man Rights monitor said. A Russian soldier walks to a military vehicle in government-controlled Hanono housing district in Aleppo yesterday. An eyewitness said that warplanes hit several places in the town, in- Moscow says it is targeting “ter- to abandon their weapons and allow three people were killed in the east- cluding a local market. rorists” and has dismissed reports of civilians and the sick and wounded ern neighbourhood of Fardos in gov- The Observatory says it deter- civilian casualties in its strikes. to leave.” ernment artillery fi re, a woman and mines whose planes carries out raids In Aleppo, government forces ad- But tens of thousands of resi- two children. according to their type, location, vanced against rebels in east Aleppo, dents have poured out of eastern The latest assault has only added fl ight patterns and the munitions taking two small neighbourhoods and neighbourhoods as the army has ad- to the massive destruction in east involved. pushing into a third, state media said. vanced, with some heading south to Aleppo, which has seen some of the The group said 18 people were also The army and allied forces are remaining rebel territory and others worst violence throughout the con- killed in suspected Russian strikes nearly three weeks into an operation going to areas under government or fl ict that began in March 2011 with on the town of Maaret al-Numan, to recapture all of Syria’s second city, Kurdish control. anti-government protests. where an AFP photographer saw divided between regime and rebel At least 311 civilians, including The army has encouraged resi- rescue workers and residents trying forces since 2012. 42 children, have been killed in east dents to return to recently recap- to pull survivors from the rubble at a Tens of thousands of civilians Aleppo since the government began tured neighbourhoods, but many vegetable market. have fl ed the off ensive. its assault, according to the Observ- who have ventured across to see The monitor reported two addi- State television said yesterday atory. their old homes have found nothing tional deaths, one in an earlier strike evening that the army had captured The east has been pounded with but rubble. on Maaret al-Numan and another in the districts of Karm al-Tahan and air strikes, barrel bombs and artillery “This is all we found, this photo Al-Naqir, also in Idlib. Myessar and advanced into the Qadi fi re since the operation began. of my niece. It is precious to us, and And it said six civilians, four of Askar neighbourhood. Rebel fi re on west of Aleppo has we found a copy of the Qur’an, so we them children, had been killed in a The operation has already seen killed 69 civilians, including 28 chil- brought that too,” said Um Yayha, 55. government barrel bomb attack on some 60% of east Aleppo fall to the dren, in the same period, the moni- Despite international outcry over the town of Al-Tamanah in the south government, and rebels are increas- tor says. the confl ict, successive bids to end of Idlib. ingly under pressure in the remain- Yesterday, the bombardment of Syria’s war have failed. Russia is a staunch ally of Presi- ing southeastern districts under rebel districts was so fi erce it shook UN envoy Staff an de Mistura on dent Bashar al-Assad’s government their control. buildings in the west as well as the Saturday urged a return to negotia- and began a military intervention in State news agency Sana said the east, AFP correspondents on both tions, warning of a “creeping, ongo- support of Damascus in September air force was dropping leafl ets over sides said. ing guerilla (war) and no reconstruc- 2015. rebel-held areas urging “militants The Observatory said at least tion” unless peace talks resumed.

Ben Ali’s plane sold years after his ouster

AFP Tunis

plane originally in- tended for Tunisia’s Atoppled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been sold to Turkish Air- lines, Tunisair said yester- day, six years after it was grounded following his ouster. The Turkish fi rm bought the Airbus A340 for 181mn dinars ($78 mn), Tunisair spokeswoman Amal Bour- guiba said, without giving a date for the sale. The A340 had arrived in the French airport of Bordeaux in the autumn of 2010 to be equipped for Ben Ali’s use, but a popular uprising in Tunisia toppled the dictator early the next year. Tunisair, in a statement later yesterday, said it had obtained a good price, com- pared with the 250mn di- nars paid in 2009 to order the plane, and said it would save on the parking costs in Bordeaux. According to French daily Sud-Ouest, Ben Ali - who now lives in exile in Saudi Arabia - only used the plane once to test it before it was outfi tted. Tunisair put the plane on the market in January 2012, saying it had been outfi t- ted with a living room and bedroom “to suit the travel needs of a head of state”. Another Airbus A340 - this one luxuriously fur- nished for slain Libyan president Muammar Gadd- afi - has also been grounded for years at the French air- port of Perpignan. The plane, which a Ku- waiti fi rm was once in- terested in buying, still in theory belongs to Libya, a country that has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 revolt that toppled and killed Gaddafi . Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 11 ARAB WORLD Abbas gets boost in Fatah congress vote Outcome signals no major 18 seats up for election went to the congress to 1,400 members policy changes, analysts say Abbas loyalists. from 2,500 at the last session in As Fatah leader - Abbas was 2009, to limit his rival’s infl u- Reuters re-elected to the post at the fi rst ence. Ramallah, West Bank day of the session on Tuesday - Dahlan was also ejected from he can choose another three del- the party. egates on the 21-member panel. “The president is the victor,” alestinian President Mah- The outcome pointed to two said Palestinian political analyst A member of Iraqi security forces walks in the street of Gogjali neighbourhood in Mosul yesterday. moud Abbas kept a strong potential successors to Ab- Hani al-Masri. Pgrip on his Fatah move- bas: Marwan Barghouti, who “The result of the congress ment in an election in which his is serving multiple life terms means the continuity of the Oslo loyalists remained dominant in in an Israeli prison after being path and the same leadership its top decision-making body, convicted of murder during a structure,” he said, referring to fi nal results showed yesterday. 2000-2005 Palestinian upris- interim peace deals in the 1990s Islamic State strikes back to The outcome of the voting, ing, and former security offi- that set a path towards creation held on Saturday during the fi rst cial Jibril Rajoub. of a Palestinian state alongside congress of Abbas’s Fatah party Barghouti won the most votes Israel. for seven years, signalled no for a seat on the committee, fol- After the congress, the new change in a policy of pursuing a lowed by Rajoub. Central Committee will meet slow Iraqi forces in Mosul two-state solution with Israel, The congress was supposed and elect from its members a Palestinian political analysts to be held two years ago, but po- deputy to Abbas within the par- said. litical divisions, both within the ty. Reuters Police and army sources said city where the militants are dug sleeping under the concrete The meeting came at a chal- party and between Fatah and In the coming months, that Baghdad the attackers were killed before in among civilians and using a stairs in our house for a month lenging time for the 81-year- Hamas, its rival Islamist move- person may also be confi rmed as they reached the base. network of tunnels to launch now, afraid of the random bom- old leader, following Donald ment, led to repeated delays. deputy head of the PLO Execu- Iraqi officials say they con- waves of attacks. bardment between the Iraqi Trump’s election in the United Since then, Abbas has strived tive Committee, some observers slamic State fi ghters re- tinue to gain ground against This has prompted fears forces and the Daesh elements,” States, an event many Israelis to sideline opposition, especially say. treating in the face of a the militants who still hold among residents and aid he said. see favourable for settlement- from Mohamed Dahlan, a former If that happens, Palestinian Iseven-week Iraqi military about three-quarters of the groups of a winter food, wa- The capture of Mosul, the building on occupied land Pales- security chief and Fatah offi cial. offi cials say it would likely en- assault on their Mosul strong- country’s largest northern ter and fuel supply crisis for largest city under control of tinians seek for their own state. Dahlan lives in self-imposed shrine the nominee as Abbas’s hold have hit back in the last city which is Islamic State’s the million residents still in Islamic State in both Iraq and Israeli-Palestinian peace talks exile in the Gulf, and is a vocal designated successor. two days, exploiting cloudy last major urban stronghold Islamic State-held areas of Syria, is seen as crucial towards have been stalled since 2014. and tireless Abbas critic. Critics of Abbas, who has skies which hampered US-led in Iraq. the city, and calls to speed up dismantling the caliphate Offi cial results of the Fatah While Dahlan retains some been in power for 11 years, say it air support and highlighting the One military source said the operations. which the militants declared Central Committee (FCC) elec- support in Fatah, Abbas reduced is long overdue for him to nomi- fragile army gains. militants had taken back some “Daesh (Islamic State) still over parts of the two countries tion showed that least 16 of the the number of people invited to nate a successor. In a series of counter-attacks ground, but predicted their controls our neighbourhood, in 2014. since Friday night, the militants gains would be short-lived. and the Iraqi forces have not Some 100,000 Iraqi govern- struck elite Iraqi troops spear- “We withdraw to avoid civil- taken a single step forward ment troops, Kurdish security Five Gazans killed in tunnel incidents heading the off ensive in eastern ian losses and then regain con- in three weeks. We’re in de- forces and mainly Shia militia- Mosul, and attacked security trol. They can’t hold territory spair,” said a resident in Mosul’s men are participating in the Five Palestinians have been passage linking the enclave Egyptian army”, local authorities forces to the south and west of for long,” the source said. southeastern district of Intisar, assault on Mosul that began on killed in incidents in tunnels to Egypt. Four men aged 22 to in the city of Rafah near Egypt’s the city. But the fi erce resistance where the army’s Ninth Ar- October in the Gaza Strip, officials said 45 “were found dead after the border said in a statement. Yesterday two militants tried means the military’s campaign moured Division has struggled 17, with air and ground sup- yesterday, including four found tunnel they were working in was Egypt had not confirmed the to attack army barracks in the is likely to stretch well into next to make gains. port from a US-led interna- dead after the flooding of a flooded nine days ago by the information. western province of Anbar. year as it seeks to recapture a “My family and I have been tional military coalition. Gulf Times 12 Monday, December 5, 2016 AFRICA

Mass burial in Uganda

AFP guards attacked local offi cers, Kampala according to police. Fake US embassy in The local monarch was taken to the capital Kampala where he bodies of 51 uniden- he was charged with murder. tifi ed victims of fi erce The death toll from the Tfi ghting in a local king- clashes stands at 87, although dom in Uganda’s restive Kasese local reports suggest the real region were buried in a mass number could be more than ceremony yesterday, offi cials 100. Ghana capital shut said. Ugandan government and They were among nearly 90 local authorities agreed to yes- Reuters government, but by fi gures from documents, including birth cer- ery to operate unhindered. each day for visa appointments people killed in fi ghting last terday’s mass burial, but or- Accra both Ghanaian and Turkish or- tifi cates at a cost of $6,000 each, “The criminals running the and other consular business. month between palace guards dered DNA samples to be taken ganised crime rings and a Ghana- the statement said. operation were able to pay off The fake embassy was open of a tribal monarch and securi- from every corpse to attempt to ian attorney practicing immigra- During raids that led to a corrupt offi cials to look the other three mornings a week and did ty forces in the western region, identify them later. uthorities in Ghana have tion and criminal law,” the State number of arrests, authorities way, as well as obtain legitimate not accept walk-in appoint- said Kasese district offi cial Ge- “Each of the dead has been busted a fake US embassy Department said in a statement also seized authentic and coun- blank documents to be doctored,” ments. off rey Sibendire Bigogo. buried in separate grave so Ain the capital Accra run released late on Friday. terfeit Indian, South African the statement said. Instead, the criminals ad- “No relatives had turned up that once relatives show up the by a criminal network that for a Turkish citizens, who spoke and Schengen Zone visas and There was no immediate com- vertised on billboards in Gha- to claim them … it is a pain- bodies can be exhumed,” said decade issued illegally obtained English and Dutch, posed as con- 150 passports from 10 diff erent ment from Ghana’s Criminal In- na, Togo and Ivory Coast and ful exercise but we had no way Bigogo. authentic visas, the US State De- sular offi cers and staff ed the op- countries along with a laptop and vestigations Division. brought clients from across West out,” Bigogo told AFP. “The Explaining why so many partment said. eration. smart phones. Visas for Western countries Africa to Accra where they rented bodies were rotting away and bodies were not identifi ed, he Until it was shut down this Investigations also uncovered The statement did not say how are in high demand in Africa and them hotel rooms in nearby ho- the stench is unbearable con- said: “Some of the bodies were summer, the sham embassy was a fake Dutch embassy, the State the gang obtained the authentic embassies say the visa market is tels. sidering such (a) high number burnt beyond recognition dur- housed in a run-down, pink two- Department said. visas. a big target for organised crime. US authorities conducting a of corpses.” ing the raid at the palace.” storey building with a corrugated Offi cials in the Netherlands And the State Department did The real US embassy in Ghana broader security operation were The government accused Another local offi cial, Alex iron roof and fl ew a US fl ag out- were not immediately reachable not say how many people were is a prominent and heavily-for- tipped off about it and assembled Rwenzururu King Charles Byamugisha, said: “We may side. for comment yesterday. believed to have illegally en- tifi ed complex in Cantonments, a team including the Ghana De- Wesley Mumbere of stoking never know how many peo- Inside hung a portrait of Presi- The crime ring issued fraudu- tered the United States and other one of the capital’s most expen- tectives Bureau and police as well a secessionist rebellion and ple could have died as security dent Barack Obama. lently obtained but legitimate countries using visas issued by sive neighbourhoods. as other international partners to stormed his palace on Novem- barred us from accessing the “It was not operated by the US US visas and false identifi cation the crime ring, which used brib- Lines of people queue outside shut down the ring. ber 27, a day after his palace sites where clashes took place.” Jammeh known for cash gifts and ‘crocodile holes’

By Edward McAllister, Reuters centre stage as Gambia morphed Saidykhan was taken to the He invited hundreds of women and reinstated the death penalty. Banjul into a police state that tortured National Intelligence Agency, a to State House where he admin- In 2000, its forces killed 14 opponents, rights groups say. short drive away, next to one of istered another herbal remedy for students at an anti-government Jammeh’s supporters deny Banjul’s white sand beaches that infertility. protest. ambia’s President Yahya such claims, and he frequently attract thousands of tourists to In 2009 he arrested hundreds Former aides say Jammeh can Jammeh was celebrat- rails against the Western inter- Gambia. of people for witchcraft. appear charming and generous. Ging his 48th birthday in ference in Africa. There, on April 8, in a room Gradually, terrifi ed citizens In 2002, he gave a leather Banjul in May 2013 when he saw Jammeh accepted his shock that Gambians nicknamed the became bolder in expressing dis- bag containing 250,000 dalasis a poor street hawker selling pea- election defeat yesterday, a sharp “Crocodile Hole”, agents elec- sent, even after hundreds were ($6,000) to a boy whose father nuts with a child strapped to her turnaround for a man who had trocuted his genitals, beat him arrested for protesting in April to had been struck dead by light- back. vowed to rule the tiny West Afri- with batons, suff ocated him with May this year. ning, said Ramzia Diab, an ad- Without hesitating, he sent can nation of 1.8mn people for “a a plastic bag and broke his right “The fear began to erode,” said viser who saw it. an aide over with a gift: $1,000 billion years”. hand. Jeff rey Smith from campaign On a state visit to Thailand in in cash, double the tiny West He has not been seen in public “They said I write with my group Vanguard Africa. “People June 2005, he tipped restaurant African nation’s average annual since. right hand and that is what is had had enough.” staff with multiple $100 bills he wage, said Fatou Camara, his It is still uncertain whether he causing the trouble,” he told Reu- On July 22, 1994, Jammeh drew from a suitcase, said Ama- former press secretary who saw will honour his promise to hand ters. deposed the corrupt regime of dou Janneh, who witnessed the People begin removing an election poster for Jammeh in Broussbi, it. over power. Saidykhan left Gambia after Dawda Jawara, who had ruled event. Gambia. It was classic Jammeh: im- Friends and victims alike say if his 22-day ordeal and is now so- since independence from Britain But after the coup attempt, he pulsive, capricious and generous there was a defi ning event which cial worker in the United States. in 1960. became more paranoid. sticks and guns, and burned him Cells are overcrowded so that with his pocket, at least when he set Jammeh on an increasingly The government has repeat- It was a sudden rise for a quiet “He could be very jovial and with hot metal. inmates cannot lie down. was in the right mood. authoritarian path, it was a coup edly dismissed allegations of tor- man with little education who kind and then lose his temper like Four others interviewed by Re- They are served sandy rice and “He could change a life in min- attempt by a vanguard of the mil- ture. once grew tomatoes and lettuce a mad dog,” said Momodou Sowe, uters got similar treatment that rotting fi sh. Dozens share one utes,” said Camara. “When you itary in March 2006. Reuters’s calls to offi cials for in rural Gambia. 36, an aide to Jammeh between week. toilet, often a bucket in a corner, are close to him, it is impossible Musa Saidykhan, then the ed- comment on this story went un- “Many of us welcomed the in- 2003 to 2012 before being jailed Guards dripped melted plastic several former inmates said. to believe the killings.” itor-in-chief of The Independent answered. tervention. These were soldiers for allegedly leaking sensitive in- onto the leg of Yaya Darboe, an Former newspaper editor Sai- For 22 years since he took pow- newspaper, was in bed a few days Jammeh’s quirkier traits, such with a diff erence, setting the formation, which he denies. offi cer involved in the coup. dykhan developed severe back er in a coup, Jammeh, a former after the coup when police offi c- as his strong belief in supernatu- stage for democracy,” said Ama- Armed men arrested Demba Someone fi lmed it, Darboe pain from his treatment, and junior army offi cer, mixed charm ers came to arrest him. ral powers, often made interna- dou Janneh, Jammeh’s commu- Dem, a member of parliament, at said. in 2010, the regional ECOWAS and generosity with the threat of His paper had reported that tional headlines. nications minister in 2004. his offi ce shortly after the 2006 Dem and Darboe were taken to Court of Justice ordered the violence to maintain a fi rm grip Jammeh rounded up more peo- He claimed to have a herbal Even then, there were warning coup. Mile 2, a prison complex of white Gambian government to com- on power. ple than the authorities had an- cure for Aids that only worked on signs: the junta arrested politi- In darkness, agents that he concrete that abuts the main pensate him with $200,000. But over time, the latter took nounced. Thursdays. cians from the old government could not see beat him with highway into Banjul. He is still waiting to receive it.

Police off icers accused of rape decapitated in Congo violence

Two police off icers accused of rape were decapitated as violence flared between Democratic Republic of the Congo authorities and supporters of a traditional tribal chief killed in August, a governor’s aide said on Friday. Violent clashes between supporters of the slain chief and government forces that they blame for his death broke out in Kasai province in central Congo on Tuesday. “On Tuesday locals decapitated two police off icers accused of rape. About 15 police and soldiers sent as backup were targeted by supporters of Kamwina Nsapu who attacked them with machetes during the night,” an aide to the Kasai governor told AFP. The clashes happened in Kabeya-Lumbu, 30km (19 miles) from Tshikapa, the capital of Kasai. For more than three months the regions around Kasai have been rocked by violence between followers of Nsapu and the Congolese security forces. “I saw 10 police off icers and soldiers decapitated or killed with machetes around 10am (0800 GMT), their bodies were in the hands of the attackers,” a Congolese journalist told AFP by telephone. Kasai province interior minister Daniel Katombola said that the situation was now “under control” but refused to give an estimate of the death toll for an “operation still in progress”. According to a source at Tshikapa airport, an aircraft twice brought reinforcements from Kinshasa. Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 13 AMERICA

Donald Trump points to himself when asked who he is dressed as, as he arrives at a costume Kellyanne Conway, campaign manager and senior advisor to the Trump Presidential Transition Team at the home of hedge fund billionaire and campaign party at the home of hedge fund billionaire and campaign donor Robert Mercer in Head of the donor Robert Mercer in Head of the Harbor, New York. Harbor, New York. President-elect Big data helped Trump attends costume party dressed as...himself

Reuters a hedge fund. Daughter Rebekah New York Mercer sits on Trump’s transition even after he scorned it team. zPresident-elect Donald Trump Trump’s campaign appears to have top cities to reach the highest concen- “If there is an Achilles heel in analytics, disparaging to African-Americans — in S president-elect Donald sent a dismissive tweet in response used technology extremely well tration of persuadable voters,” said Matt it is predicting turnout,” Bonier said. an eff ort to depress turnout. Trump attended a “Vil- to a comedy sketch that mocked his Oczkowski, head of the data science team “The models do a great deal in predict- Oczkowski said negative ads were “a Ulains and Heroes” costume penchant for sending tweets. AFP for the Trump campaign at Cambridge ing how people are going to vote, but have very small part of our strategy” and that party at a major donor’s Long Is- Trump again lambasted the show Washington Analytica. a hard time predicting who is going to “most of our focus was to reach our vot- land home on Saturday night, but Saturday Night Live, on which he is “That intelligence was being updated vote.” ers”. declined to don any garb that was in played by actor Alec Baldwin. and shared daily. Trump’s digital strategist tapped by He added that the campaign did only a keeping with the theme. But whereas on other occasions onald Trump derided the use of This campaign had to be far more sur- Kushner was Brad Parscale, head of a Tex- small amount of “psychographic” profi l- Trump entered the party hosted Trump has tweeted his criticism data and technology tools for his gical because Hillary Clinton outspent as-based marketing fi rm who was new to ing because of the limited time frame it by the Mercer family, one of his the next morning, this time he fi red Dpresidential campaign — but those this campaign by double.” politics. had to work in. biggest donors, at their home in the away before the show ended. techniques might well have propelled him The digital eff orts involved “thousands Parscale’s lack of experience may have The company said it was able to review village of Head of the Harbor in St “Just tried watching Saturday to victory. of variations” of messages that were tar- played to his advantage, said Chris Wil- and update ads on a daily basis to reach James, NY, wearing a suit and a blue Night Live — unwatchable! Totally Trump’s stealth digital campaign, geted based on voter profi les to platforms son, CEO of WPA Research, who led dig- undecided voters, who were divided into and white checked tie. Security biased, not funny and the Baldwin thrown together hastily in the fi nal such as Facebook, Snapchat or Pandora ital strategy for Senator Ted Cruz’s presi- 12-15 subgroups for “highly-targeted” guards at the event however were impersonation just can’t get any months of the campaign, allowed the Re- radio, Oczkowski said. dential bid. messages. dressed as biker gang members worse. Sad,” Trump wrote. publican billionaire to fi ne-tune his mes- Cambridge Analytica said its 4,000 dif- “There’s a lot of value in going into a “Our cutting-edge digital capabili- Hell’s Angels. In the latest sketch, Trump is sage and reach voters in crucial Rust Belt ferent online ads for Trump were viewed campaign knowing what you don’t know,” ties allowed the campaign to reach voters Trump walked into the home gently chided by aides for sending states that gave him an Electoral College 1.5bn times by millions of Americans. Wilson said. more eff ectively than ever before, and at and gave reporters, who were not retweets, one from a high school majority. The data science team could glean in- “The Clinton team knew what it would a fraction of the cost spent by the Demo- allowed inside, the thumbs up and student, during a national security During the primaries, Trump dismissed formation about users to deliver pitches take to motivate an Obama voter and as- cratic candidate,” Cambridge Analytica posed briefl y for photos, but did briefi ng. as “overrated” the kinds of data analytics “based on the issues they care about”, Oc- sumed the same approach would work, CEO Alexander Nix said in a statement. not respond to questions except to Actress Kate McKinnon’s Kelly- and “micro-targeting” successfully used zkowski said. and it didn’t.” Wilson said that there is no evidence mouth “me”, pointing to himself anne Conway, a Trump strategist, by President Barack Obama. While many factors contributed to Eff ective digital targeting involves that negative ads and posts depressed when asked who he was dressed as. said the president-elect tweets a lot But after winning the nomination, he Trump’s win, data analysts from both gathering data from various online and turnout, and that such eff orts “are more None of Trump’s immedi- to “to distract the media from his quietly developed a digital strategy led by parties said a major element was deter- offl ine sources to match voters to their likely to do the opposite” by energising ate family members attended, but business confl icts and all the very a political neophyte, his son-in-law Jared mining who would turn out to vote. profi les on Facebook and other platforms. supporters. his campaign manager, Kellyanne scary people in his cabinet”. Kushner, and a data company whose par- “The linchpin to understanding this “I can take a predictive model of a po- Bonier said there appeared to be a slight Conway, was on hand, dressed as But Trump as played by Bald- ent fi rm worked on the Brexit campaign. election was based on the ability to un- tential Trump voter that I can match drop in turnout of black voters in key Super Woman. win said, “actually that’s not In the fi nal stages of the race, Trump derstand who a likely voter was,” said Oc- to Pandora, and match it to the kind of states, but that it was not clear if this was Trump’s designated White why I do it. relied on insights generated by Cam- zkowski. music they listen to and target them on due to Trump’s ads or other factors. House strategist Steve Bannon was I do it because my brain is bad”. bridge Analytica, the US unit of British “The main reason we were hired was to Snapchat based on the fi lters they use,” “It’s diffi cult to draw too many lessons on hand, but appeared not to be in The sketch ended with Trump behavioural marketing fi rm SCL, that quantify the Trump eff ect,” and to quan- Wilson said. from this particular campaign, this was costume. calling for his chief strategist Ste- allowed his campaign to reach voters in tify “how unique this candidate was”. A report by Bloomberg/BusinessWeek such a unique race,” Bonier said. A Wi-Fi network set up for the ve Bannon who then enters in the the key states of Pennsylvania, Michigan Tom Bonier, CEO of the consultancy said the Trump campaign used micro- “We did see some new tools emerging, party used the password “He- guise of the Grim Reaper. and Wisconsin that delivered his majority TargetSmart that worked with Demo- targeting to deliver negative messages on Snapchat was one of them, but I think roesWin!” After Trump’s tweet, Baldwin over Democrat Hillary Clinton. cratic candidates, agreed that under- Facebook — reminding them of Clinton’s agility is the lesson, the ability to adapt to Robert Mercer is co-chief execu- himself tweeted: “Release your tax “We built an algorithm that generated standing turnout was a key factor in 2016. comments and “super predators” seen as the changing landscape.” tive of Renaissance Technologies, returns and I’ll stop. Ha.” Stein to pursue recount Gore says US climate curbs on track, hopes Trump will surprise petition in federal court Reuters sume that Republican Trump would carry out cam- Oslo paign pledges to ditch the 2015 Paris Agreement signed by almost 200 nations, which aims to end the Reuters The court gave the petitioners until 5pm ment. “No voter in America should be fossil fuel era by shifting to renewables in the second Harrisburg local time (2200 GMT) today to post the forced to pay thousands of dollars to know S greenhouse gas emissions are likely to fall half of the century. bond, but said it could modify the amount if her or his vote was counted.” irrespective of the pro-coal policies of presi- “It’s too early to write off the prospects of the new if shown good cause. Stein said she planned to announce “the Udent-elect Donald Trump, who may still sur- administration surprising people like me on the up- reen Party candidate Jill Stein late Instead, Stein’s campaign withdrew. next step” in the recount eff ort today at a prise the world by embracing global action to limit side,” said Gore, a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize laureate for Saturday vowed to bring her fi ght “Petitioners are regular citizens of ordi- previously scheduled news conference at climate change, former vice president Al Gore said. his work to highlight the risks of global warming. Gfor a recount of votes cast in Penn- nary means. Trump Tower in New York City. Gore, a climate activist who will lead a 24-hour During the campaign, Gore once said Trump’s poli- sylvania in the US presidential election to They cannot aff ord to post the She said recounts already under way in televised marathon on December 5-6 about global cies would “take us toward a climate catastrophe”. federal court, after a state judge ordered her $1,000,000 bond required by the court,” some Pennsylvania counties would continue. eff orts to limit rising temperatures, told Reuters that Trump has dismissed the idea of man-made cli- campaign to post a $1mn bond. wrote attorney Lawrence Otter, informing The state’s election commission had ap- companies and US states would cut emissions despite mate change as a hoax but told the New York Times on “The Stein campaign will continue to the court of the decision to withdraw. proved recounts in 75 precincts where vot- Trump’s doubts that warming is man-made. November 22 that he had an “open mind” on the Paris fi ght for a statewide recount in Pennsyl- Stein, who garnered about 1% of the ers requested one, but refused to allow a full “Business alone, along with states, will almost Agreement, softening past opposition. vania,” Jonathan Abady, lead counsel to presidential vote on November 8, has also forensic audit of voting machines. guarantee that we meet the reduction targets (set by After Trump won, Gore off ered on November 9 to Stein’s recount eff orts, said in a statement. sought recounts in Michigan and Wiscon- Even if all the recounts were to take place, US president Barack Obama) regardless of the policies “do everything I can to work with him (Trump) and Saying it has become clear that “the state sin. the overall election outcome would not the new president ends up adopting,” Gore said in a his administration”. He declined comment when court system is so ill-equipped to address Trump won narrow victories over Demo- likely change. phone interview. asked if Trump’s transition team had been in touch. this problem,” the statement said “we must crat Hillary Clinton in all three states, part The race is decided by the Electoral Col- Obama wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by Gore said it was hard to keep all campaign promises seek federal court intervention.” of the industrial heartland of the country lege, or a tally of wins from the state-by- between 26 and 28% from 2005 levels by 2025, a goal upon assuming what he called the “awesome respon- The Stein campaign said it will fi le for until manufacturers started leaving for state contests, rather than by the popular opposed by Trump who wants to promote jobs and sibilities” of government, citing his own experiences emergency relief in the Pennsylvania ef- Mexico and other low-wage countries. national vote. bolster national security by exploiting more US coal, from 1993-2001 with former president Bill Clinton. fort in federal court today, “demand- Trump and his allies have attempted to Trump surpassed the 270 electoral votes oil and natural gas. Gore’s Climate Reality Project will run a 24-hour ing a statewide recount on constitutional stop the initiatives in the states, calling the needed to win, with 306. Gore said companies were fi nding that both cus- broadcast from today at 2300 GMT, televised in 75 grounds.” recount eff ort a “scam”. Clinton’s campaign Recounts would have to fl ip the result to tomers and employees, especially the young, wanted nations and available globally online, about actions to The bond was set by the Common- has said it would take part in the recounts. Clinton in all three states to change the re- greener, less polluting products. slow climate change in major emitters led by China, wealth Court of Pennsylvania a day after “The judge’s outrageous demand that sult. And prices of electricity from solar or wind pow- the United States, India and Russia. representatives of president-elect Donald voters pay such an exorbitant fi gure is a In the popular vote, Clinton had more er were falling below the cost of coal-fi red power in It will also feature celebrities including Ryan Rey- Trump requested a $10mn bond, according shameful, unacceptable barrier to demo- than 2.5mn votes over Trump, the inde- many nations. nolds, Jon Bon Jovi, Carole King, Thirty Seconds to to court papers. cratic participation,” Stein said in a state- pendent Cook Political Report said. A Democrat, Gore also said it was premature to as- Mars and PJ Harvey. Gulf Times 14 Monday, December 5, 2016 ASEAN

Authorities recover body parts after plane goes missing

AFP last night, the body parts were Jakarta not intact... they are now in the Bhayangkara hospital in Batam,” said Bambang Soe- uthorities have recovered listyo, the head of Indonesia’s body parts and debris in search and rescue agency. Awaters where an Indone- He added that search and sian plane carrying police went rescue efforts would continue missing, offi cials said yesterday, for another week. raising fears over the fate of the Indonesia has a poor avia- fl ight’s passengers and crew. tion safety record and has ex- The M28 Skytruck plane car- perienced several air disasters rying 13 people lost contact recently. with air traffic control Satur- But Indonesia’s police insist- day during a flight from Pan- ed yesterday that the plane was gkal Pinang, Bangka Belitung in good condition and the pilot province to Batam in the Riau was experienced. Islands province in western In- It was carrying five crew and donesia. eight passengers. Airplane seats and suitcases Last week, an Indonesian along with body parts were re- army helicopter crashed on covered by fishermen off Riau Borneo island leaving three Islands Saturday afternoon crew dead, while in November rescue officials said. a cargo plane crashed in Papua “We sent three body bags region killing four.

Ethnic Rohingya Muslim refugees off er prayers during a gathering in Kuala Lumpur. Najib wants Suu Kyi to stop ‘genocide’ AFP urday accused Myanmar of en- Kuala Lumpur gaging in “ethnic cleansing.” But analysts said yester- day the issue is a convenient ung San Suu Kyi must smokescreen for Najib, who is Police carry a body bag containing debris and belongings recovered step in to prevent the fi ghting allegations he took part from an aircraft carrying 13 police personnel which went missing on A“genocide” of Rohingya in the looting of billions of dol- Saturday, in Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia yesterday in this photo taken Muslims in Myanmar, Malay- lars of public cash through state by Antara Foto. sia’s prime minister said yes- fund 1MDB. terday as he mocked the Nobel Both he and the fund deny laureate for her inaction. any wrongdoing. Addressing a 5,000-strong James Chin, director of the rally in Kuala Lumpur, Najib Asia Institute at the University Razak said the Myanmar gov- of Tasmania, said that Najib “is At least 13 dead after ernment must stop the bloody there (at the rally) to boost his crackdown in its far west that standing as an Islamic leader,” has sent thousands of Rohingya with a general election looming. central Vietnam fl oods fl eeing, many with stories of “Najib is looking for anything rape, torture and murder. to make him look good and the “What’s the use of Aung San Rohingya issue is simply a tool,” DPA The most recent deaths, which Suu Kyi having a Nobel prize?” said Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia Hanoi occurred Saturday in Quang Najib asked a raucous crowd. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gestures while addressing ethnic Rohingya Muslim refugees during a politics expert with Turkey’s Nam, included three drowned “We want to tell Aung San gathering in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Ipek University. children. Suu Kyi, enough is enough...We She added that if Najib’s gov- t least 13 people have been Four fi shermen are also re- must and we will defend Mus- have fl ed to Bangladesh in re- Myanmar has denied alle- hingya marched to the embassy ernment really cared for the Ro- reported dead in central ported missing off the coast. lims,” he said. cent weeks, the United Nations gations of abuse, but has also in the Malaysian capital car- hingya, they would “re-examine AVietnam’s most recent The new fl oods came just “We want the OIC (Organisa- said on Wednesday, escaping a banned foreign journalists and rying banners denouncing the their own treatment of the com- spate of fl oodings. weeks after at least 15 people tion of Islamic Co-operation) to bloody army crackdown in the independent investigators from “genocide.” munity within Malaysia.” The fl oods, which began in were killed throughout central act. north of Rakhine state. the area. Malaysia has recently A senior minister has called Malaysia might be a beacon for late November, have killed six Vietnam during a week-long “Please do something. The Arrivals in Bangladesh have upped its criticism of Myanmar on Asean, the ten-country Rohingya fl eeing Myanmar but in Binh Dinh province, four in downpour that triggered wide- UN do something. The world said horrifying stories of gang for its handling of the crisis. Southeast Asia bloc, to review many have said they end up in a Quang Ngai province and three spread fl oods in early November. cannot sit and watch genocide rape, torture and murder at the Last month it summoned the Myanmar’s membership, while precarious and stateless limbo in Quang Nam province, the Flooding also killed at least taking place,” said Najib. hands of Myanmar’s security Myanmar ambassador, while a strongly worded statement and suff er a new kind of margin- Thanh Nien newspaper reported 29 people in October and forced More than 10,000 Rohingya forces. around 500 Malaysians and Ro- from the foreign ministry Sat- alisation. yesterday. 500,000 to evacuate. Vietnamese split over MH370 families want investigation Castro national mourning

AFP bit too much,” 25-year-old of- to focus more on debris from plane Hanoi fice worker Nguyen Luu Huong told AFP. “It’s ridiculous,” business- Reuters six pieces of debris that have confi rmed was probably from lags fl ew at half mast in man Hoang Bau added. “I am Antananarivo washed up on the Indian Ocean MH370 and more than 10 pieces government buildings in sure many Vietnamese do not island of Madagascar over the of debris in Madagascar, in- Fcommunist Vietnam yes- care about it.” past six months. cluding a seat back. terday, as the country marked Vietnam is an authoritarian amily members of those A total of 33 pieces suspected The wreckage could reveal a day of national mourning for state where people are cautious lost aboard a Malaysia to be from the plane have been how the plane was downed, he Fidel Castro — an honour of the about speaking out in public FAirlines fl ight that went found so far, including parts of said. highest accord that has divided against the government. missing in 2014 criticised Ma- the wings and tail, in La Reun- “They can test for traces of public opinion. On social media, where many laysian investigators yesterday ion, Mozambique, South Africa, explosive or any sort of shrap- Cuba’s revolutionary leader Vietnamese feel less con- for not doing enough to fi nd Mauritius and Tanzania. nel, if it was a high-speed force- Castro died last week at age strained, disapproving com- debris, which could give more Three pieces have been ful impact, which is what it 90, prompting an outpouring ments abounded. clues about what happened. confi rmed by the Malaysian looks like because the pieces are of grief in Vietnam where offi - “There is no laws for the Flight MH370, carrying 239 authorities as belonging to small and shredded,” he said. cials hailed him as a communist Communist Party to ask the passengers and crew, disap- MH370, including a fl aperon For the past two years, the brother and comrade. nation to mourn a foreigner, peared on its way from Kuala from the tail which they said search for the body of the plane The Cuban embassy in Ha- whoever that person is,” said Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, showed the pilots were not in has focused on a deep sea area of noi has fi lled with fl owers from activist Le Dung. 2014, sparking a search in the control of the plane when it more than 120,000 square kilo- mourners since his death. “I do not support this deci- southern Indian Ocean that crashed. metres in the Indian Ocean. Yesterday, state offi ces across sion at all,” he said. continues. But more suspected pieces Ghislain Wattrelos, a French- the country fl ew black-ribboned In contrast, state-run media Grace Nathan, who lost her Relatives of some passengers of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, remain with local authorities. man who lost his wife and two fl ags at half-mast while authori- was fi lled with supportive com- mother, said families wanted carrying 239 passengers and crew, that went missing more than two “The fact that in six months teenage children in the crash, ties called on entertainment ments saying a day of mourning authorities to focus more on years ago hold hands at the Gassy Country House Hotel in they haven’t collected this de- said the families wanted more venues to suspend activities for for Castro was appropriate given fi nding debris from the plane. Antananarivo, Madagascar yesterday. bris refl ects their lack of seri- focus on debris. the day. he was one of the earliest and The search has so far been ousness about the search,” said “We are spending quite a But the national day of most steadfast supporters of Ho entirely funded by well-wishers Aslam Khan, one of the Ma- comment.” “We are here now,” Nathan. big amount of money trying to mourning — aff orded in the past Chi Minh’s communist revolu- and the families of the missing, laysian investigators who ar- he said. “Once we have had a Blaine Gibson, an Ameri- fi nd a plane (in the sea) where only to the most senior Viet- tion in Vietnam. she said. rived in Antananarivo yester- physical examination of it (the can lawyer turned self-funded it is not,” he said. “I don’t know namese politicians or war heroes “Fidel Castro has been very “There should not be a situa- day, said it was incorrect to debris) we will be in a position sleuth, has spent more than a why they are spending so much — has not been universally wel- devoted to our Vietnam, so a day tion where the relatives of peo- suggest the inquiry was wind- to say more.” year combing beaches across money doing this when it’s eas- comed. of national mourning for him ple on the plane have to keep ing down. Seven representatives of the the region where the plane dis- ier to try and fi nd the debris.” “He is not Vietnamese. We is worthy,” wrote reader Bui Ta funding the search,” she told He said criticism of the in- families are expected to meet appeared. “It’s been 1,000 days and we owe him for his support, but a Vinh on the website of Tuoi Tre Reuters in Antananarivo, the vestigation team for failing investigators today and see the He found part of a wing in still have no clue what hap- day of national mourning is a newspaper. capital of Madagascar. to collect the debris was “fair investigators take custody of Mozambique that authorities pened to my family.” Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Australian booked for murder in Chinese media blame tourist stabbing

AFP have charged a 35-year-old Sydney man with murder in relation to the death of a French national at Conners Well on Wednes- Trump ‘inexperience’ man has been charged day evening,” police said in a with murder after a statement late Saturday. FP es Beijing as the sole government of “One AFrench tourist was “The man has been re- Beijing China” – while keeping friendly, non-of- stabbed in the neck in an un- manded in custody to appear fi cial ties with Taipei. provoked attack in the Aus- in Alice Springs Local Court China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part tralian outback, police said. today”. hinese state media said yesterday of its own territory awaiting reunifi cation, The French national — Jegouzo’s wife, named in that US President-elect Donald and any US move implying support for named in local media as Australian newspapers as CTrump’s “inexperience” led him to independence – even calling Tsai “presi- 33-year-old Philippe Jegouzo 30-year-old Aurelie Chorier, accept a phone call from Taiwan’s leader dent,” as Trump did in a tweet announcing — and his wife were at a rest tried to save her husband by but warned that any breach of the One the call – prompts grave off ense in China. stop on the Stuart Highway an hitting the accused attacker China policy would “destroy” Sino-US Trump “took the call, accepted her con- hour north of Alice Springs on on the head with a picnic table, relations. gratulations and good wishes and it was Wednesday when the incident the NT News reported. The call “exposed nothing but (Trump’s) precisely that,” Pence said. happened. Police said the latest attack and his transition team’s inexperience in Pence was asked directly if there were The alleged attacker, re- was a “bizarre” occurrence dealing with foreign aff airs”, said an edito- any implications for the “One China” portedly from the southern and other travellers should not rial in the English-language China Daily policy. city of Melbourne, stabbed fear for their safety. newspaper, adding there was “no need to “We’ll deal with policy after January Jegouzo who died at the scene, “This is bizarre, obscure over-interpret” it. the 20th,” he said, referring to the day that before fl eeing in a vehicle. and could not have been pre- But it hinted at the possible economic Trump takes offi ce. He was arrested on Thurs- dicted on any scale,” Detective impact of any breakdown in ties, say- Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Trump day, police said. Superintendent Travis Wurst ing that China held $1.19tn in US treas- aide Kellyanne Conway said that her boss “Northern Territory Police told reporters Friday. ury bonds and had bilateral trade worth Donald Trump and Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen. “is well aware” of Washington’s “One- $558bn with the country last year. China” policy. “If Trump wants to overstep the One with most criticism in state media directed After the Trump-Tsai call, the outgo- “It was just a phone call at this point. S Korea, US seek ways to counter China principle, he will destroy Sino-US at Tsai, who has enraged mainland author- ing Obama administration said it had not It signals the fact that he accepted a con- ties,” it said. ities by taking a more independent stance changed its stance. gratulatory call,” Conway said. N Korea’s submarine threat Trump’s call with Tsai Ing-wen Friday than her Beijing-friendly predecessor. “There is no change to our longstand- “I know China has a perspective on it. South Korea and US forces are capabilities and how best to broke with decades of US foreign policy The often nationalistic Global Times ing policy on cross-Strait issues,” National The White House and state department stepping up eff orts to better respond to them in the most precedent, raising questions on whether newspaper in an editorial Saturday threat- Security Council spokeswoman Emily probably have a perspective on it. Cer- counter the growing threat eff ective manner,” the Navy it marked a deliberate pivot away from ened that Tsai would “pay the price” if Tai- Horne told reporters. tainly Taiwan has a perspective on it. The from North Korea’s submarine- said. In addition, the allies Washington’s offi cial “One China” stance. wan “crosses the red line”, and said China “We remain fi rmly committed to our president-elect’s perspective is he accept- launched ballistic missiles agreed that the North’s SLBMs Washington cut formal diplomatic re- would “use its power without hesitation” ‘One China’ policy,” she added. “Our fun- ed a congratulatory call. (SLBM) that can disrupt the posed immediate challenges lations with the island in 1979 and rec- to punish any move toward independence. damental interest is in peaceful and stable “When he’s sworn in as commander- balance of power in Northeast to their national security and ognises Beijing as the sole government of It attributed the call to her administra- cross-Strait relations.” in-chief, he’ll make clear the fullness of Asia, the South Korean navy called for redoubled eff orts to “One China” — while keeping friendly, tion’s “tricks”, noting that Trump “is not President-elect Donald Trump’s con- his plans. But people shouldn’t read too said yesterday. The navy strengthen anti-submarine and non-offi cial ties with Taipei. familiar with foreign relations”. troversial telephone conversation with the much into it,” she said. said commander of US Navy anti-ballistic missile training. China regards self-ruling Taiwan as part Trump’s advisers have signalled a leader of Taiwan was just a “courtesy call,” Since his surprise November 8 victory Region Korea, rear admiral SLBMs are a particular of its own territory awaiting reunifi cation friendlier stance toward the island of US vice president-elect Mike Pence said Trump has accepted congratulatory calls Brad Cooper held talks with his challenge because they are under Beijing’s rule, and any US move that 23mn, which enjoys a democratic govern- yesterday. from numerous leaders, including the counterparts from the South very hard to detect before they would imply support for independence ment and vibrant press unlike the commu- “It was nothing more than taking a prime ministers or presidents of Israel, Korean Navy Fleet Command in are launched from a submarine, would likely trigger fury. nist-ruled mainland. courtesy call from a democratically elect- Singapore, Japan and China, Conway said. Busan late last week to discuss making it that much more Trump congratulated Tsai on her elec- In a November article for Foreign Policy ed leader,” Pence told ABC’s This Week Trump “is not out there making policy Pyongyang’s submarine threat diff icult knock them out of the tion as president this year and discussed magazine, Trump advisers Peter Navarro programme, speaking about the Friday or announcing new policy prescriptions and joint eff orts to counter sky before they hit their targets. the “close economic, political and security and Alexander Gray wrote that the Obama call between Trump and Taiwan’s Tsai worldwide. He’s merely taking phone such developments. “At the Pyongyang launched three ties” of the US and Taiwan, according to administration’s treatment of Taiwan had Ing-wen, which broke decades of US dip- calls,” Conway said. South Korea-US submarine SLBMs this year, most recently the president-elect’s offi ce. Beijing said it been “egregious” and called for more sup- lomatic policy and risks creating a serious “We know about ‘One China.’ He knows warfare working group talks, on August 24, when the missile made solemn representations to the US af- port of “this beacon of democracy in Asia rift with China. about ‘One China.’ He’s routinely briefed off icials from the two countries flew some 500km and hit a part ter the call, which was initiated by Taiwan. (that) is perhaps the most militarily vul- Washington cut formal diplomatic rela- on these matters. That just is what it is,” exchanged views on all aspects of the East Sea within Japan’s But its response has largely been muted, nerable US partner anywhere in the world”. tions with the island in 1979 and recognis- she added. of North Korea’s submarine Air Defense Identification Zone. Gulf Times 16 Monday, December 5, 2016 BRITAIN Farage keen to serve Trump in bid to boost Britain-US ties

Guardian News and Media leader told CNN. “I’ve clearly got “But what I will say is I would ness to reinstall a bust of Church- May’s government fi rmly re- ship with Steve Bannon, the con- in Obama’s time; he looked to London Trump’s confi dence and I want like, formally or informally, to do ill in the Oval Offi ce. jected Trump’s suggestion that troversial senior Trump aide who (Angela) Merkel, he looked to the us to move as quickly as we can whatever I can to bring our great Theresa May, in contrast, was Farage should be ambassador, once ran the far-right website European Union and not to us as towards a free trade deal between nations a bit closer together.” only the 11th foreign leader called prompting Ukip donor Aaron Breitbart.com. an independent country. igel Farage has expressed the UK and the USA.” Farage was the fi rst British by Trump as president-elect. Banks to say the prime minis- “I do think the special rela- “So post-Brexit we’ve got a a willingness to serve Trump infamously tweeted politician to meet Trump after Trump reportedly told the prime ter would be “nuts” to reject the tionship (between the US and chance to start all over again with NDonald Trump “formally that Farage should be British am- the New York billionaire’s vic- minister: “If you travel to the US help of someone with “a hotline the UK) is very important,” a president in Trump who is an- or informally” in the pursuit of bassador to the US. Asked if he tory in the presidential election, you should let me know.” to Trump and some of his closest Farage said from Washington, glophile, he is pro-British, he improved US-UK relations. envisaged taking a formal diplo- attending Trump Tower in Man- Trump and May spoke for a advisers”. where he was reportedly due to knows the things we’ve shared “I just happen to know a few matic role, Farage said: “Do you hattan for a talk which reportedly second time this week, Downing Banks, who also attended the meet members of Trump’s tran- together over the years, the good people in his administration,” the know, I honestly don’t know the included “freedom and winning” Street said, agreeing on the “im- Trump Tower meeting, also said sition team. and the bad, the tough times as former UK Independence party answer to that. and Trump’s supposed willing- portance of Nato”. Farage enjoyed a close relation- “It was signifi cantly devalued well as the good.”

Man dies Sci-Fi fans trying to Minister to rescue dog on busy road allow police to

London Evening Standard London use new Taser father died after be- ing hit by a car when he A dashed into a busy road to save a dog that had strayed on to the carriageway, his friends said. Tim King, 50, was knocked ‘within weeks’ down close to the luxury car dealership where he worked in Guardian News and Media 1,921 Taser discharges recorded The families of those who I rep- Sidcup. Air ambulance para- London by police in England and Wales resent, whose loved ones have medics battled to save him but in 2015. been Tasered are horrifi ed that he was pronounced dead at the Black and minority ethnic without a public consultation scene in Maidstone Road. olice offi cers across Britain people are also three times more the government has pressed King, an employee at Stephen are expected to be issued likely to be on the receiving end ahead with testing a weapon, James BMW Ruxley, helped set Pwith a new and more pow- of the weapons when discharged which if unleashed would cause up one of London’s first under- erful Taser gun despite calls for by offi cers, according to offi cial more Taser-related deaths.” ground trance clubs, GHOST, use of the potentially fatal weap- fi gures. At least 11 deaths in Brit- The US company that pro- in the mid-Nineties and dance on to be curtailed, the Guardian ain have followed the use of Tas- duces the device says it is wrong station XTC Radio. has learned. ers, but none have conclusively to describe the weapon as non- His wife and daughter were Amber Rudd, the home secre- been shown to have been caused lethal, preferring instead the too upset to comment but close tary, is due to give approval to the by them. label “less lethal”. Steve Tuttle, friend Rob Parish confirmed new model of the electric stun An inquest jury found the use vice-president of strategic com- that the death was being treated gun within weeks. by police in Manchester of a Tas- munications for Taser, said the as an accident. The X2 model has a second er in 2013 on Jordon Begley was warning arc of electricity should He said: “Tim rushed into shot, in case the fi rst fails to sub- “not reasonable” and that fail- make it less likely the device has the road to save a dog that had due a suspect, and is equipped ings by police offi cers had con- to be fi red. strayed into the carriageway, with a warning crackle of bright tributed to his death. An offi cial He said: “You can use a warn- which is typically the sort of electric light designed to en- investigation into the incident ing arc button that lights up thing that he would do. He al- courage suspects to surrender has been reopened after the fi rst electricity at the front of the de- ways thought of others before before being fi red upon. one exonerated police. vice. They (the suspect) would himself. In the 25 years I have The Home Offi ce has been Former footballer Dalian At- see two large electrical arcs known him he has never said a studying the new Taser for sev- kinson died after a clash with crackling loudly and they are bad word about anyone. He was eral months after police applied offi cers in which a Taser was pretty bright at the front of the a true gentleman. The man is to use it in Britain. The current used in Telford in August 2016. weapon being aimed at them.” a true hero and I am proud to single-shot model, the X26, used A criminal investigation is un- Tuttle said the X2 was fi rst have had him as my friend.” by UK police forces, is 13 years der way and it is yet to be deter- on sale in 2011 in the US. It has Carl Nicholson, a regular DJ old and spare parts are beginning mined what the cause of death a host of new features which at Fabric who was billed along- to run out. Its likely successor, is and whether the Taser played improve accountability and the side Fatboy Slim, Chemical like the current model, delivers a any part. protection it off ers police: “It is Brothers and Judge Jules, de- 50,000-volt surge of electricity Solicitor Sophie Khan, who more powerful in that you have a scribed King as “integral to the to incapacitate a suspect. has represented families who second backup shot,” he said. Nineties rave scene”. Steve White, chair of the Po- have lost relatives and believe The Police Federation wants Nicholson added: “Tim was lice Federation, which repre- Tasers are to blame, said: “The any offi cer who wants a Taser to a great man. He always had a sents 124,000 rank-and-fi le of- government should be looking be given it. positive vibe and was one of fi cers, said: “A police offi cer gets to curb the use of Tasers instead White said the public sup- those rare people that you never assaulted every 22 minutes and of considering whether to au- ported Taser use but a funding hear a bad word about. they should have access to the thorise a new breed of Tasers, squeeze may slow the new mod- “He always saw the upside right equipment, so we welcome which is reported to be more els being introduced to Britain. to everything and was always a the new model Taser. The cur- powerful and more deadly than He said: “It remains to be seen glass half full kind of guy. Tim rent model is obsolete and forces the model police forces use at whether forces will be able to was inspirational to me and can’t get spare parts for them.” present. fund replacements, though, loads of other DJs — he was ab- Fans dressed as characters from science fiction films and literature poses for photographs But critics believe a string of “The number of deaths and due to budget constraints. Pub- solutely integral to the London at the ‘For the Love of Sci-fi’ convention, in Manchester, northwest England, yesterday. deaths allegedly linked to its use life-changing injuries that peo- lic attitudes towards Taser are scene in the Nineties. He was The independent fan convention features actors, merchandise and live music alongside means Taser use should be cur- ple have suff ered as a result of changing and it is a hugely valu- deeply passionate about his numerous recreated props and sets from science fiction films such as: Transformers, Judge tailed. According to government the Taser cannot be ignored by able tool which can diff use situ- music. He was one of the good Dredd, Jurassic Park, E.T. and Star Wars fi gures, use of the devices has the government, when they have ations, protect the public and guys.” grown over recent years, with a duty to protect us from harm. save lives.” Ukip leader under Scotland car smoking ban comes into eff ect

fi re over PhD claim Agencies The Smoking Prohibition (Chil- Edinburgh dren in Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Liberal Demo- Guardian News and Media on my website. It’s on a LinkedIn fl es competition” and as long crat MSP Jim Hume, was passed London page that wasn’t put up by us and as the NHS was above criticism new law that bans smoking unanimously by the Scottish Par- we don’t know where it’s come “the longer the British people in cars when children are liament in December last year and from.” will suff er with a second-rate Apresent comes into force in comes into force today. kip’s newly elected leader Nuttall said he had always health service”. Scotland this week. The British Medical Associa- Paul Nuttall has come said he wanted to fi nish his PhD, Nuttall told Marr that “all Anyone caught breaking the tion (BMA) welcomed the ban but Uunder fi re over errors in which he started in 2004. things should be up for debate.” law by smoking in private vehicles called on the Scottish government his CV and his views on privati- A video then showed Nuttall with someone under 18 on board to go even further and introduce a sation of the NHS. “No, I’ve never claimed previously describing the NHS faces an on-the-spot penalty of complete ban on smoking in vehi- The MEP, who has previously I’ve got a PhD. It’s not as a “monolithic hangover from £100 or a fi ne of up to £1,000 if the cles. called for the health service to be on my website. It’s on a days gone by” and noting he case goes to court. BMA Scotland chairman Dr privatised, said his party would LinkedIn page that wasn’t wanted “more free market in- Health campaigners welcomed Peter Bennie said: “The ban on be “committed to keeping the put up by us and we don’t troduced into the health service” the move as they pointed to fi g- smoking in cars with children is NHS in public hands and free at know where it’s come given the country’s ageing popu- ures suggesting around one in six an important fi rst step and we the point of delivery”. from” lation. 15-year-olds are being exposed welcome this move to protect our But in an interview on BBC1’s Asked about these comments, to second-hand smoke in the car. most vulnerable. The Andrew Marr Show he said The error follows a separate Nuttall replied: “I made it clear Sheila Duff y, chief executive “Doctors witness fi rst- everything in politics should claim on his personal website we are an ageing population, of anti-smoking charity Ash hand the devastating eff ects be up for debate, adding that at earlier this week that he had we’re a growing population as Scotland, said: “We know from of smoking-related harms on some point “years on” from now been a “professional footballer” well. speaking to parents that they their patients. Children are still there could be talks about how for Tranmere Rovers. The club “At some point in this century, want to protect their children developing physically and, as a the NHS is funded – citing the denied it and a Ukip spokesman years on, we may well have to from tobacco smoke, but often result, are more susceptible to country’s ageing population as a said he had played for the Tran- have a debate on how we fund the don’t know enough about how the harmful eff ects of second- factor. mere schoolboy and youth teams, NHS in this country.” smoke is harmful and lingers in hand smoke. An outright ban Nuttall was also asked about adding that the embellishment Asked if the NHS would go the air even after you can’t see or on smoking in vehicles would reports that his CV included was an “innocent mistake” by a private one day in the future, smell it. ensure that adults, and particu- claims that he had a PhD in his- press offi cer. Nuttall said: “Maybe at some “This legislation sends a clear larly vulnerable adults, who may tory from Liverpool Hope Uni- During the programme Marr point, in years to come within message that children should grow be unable to object to others versity. read out comments from Nut- this century we’ll have to have up in a smoke-free environment, smoking while they are present, He replied: “No, I’ve never tall in 2011 in which he said the this debate but it won’t be under and who could disagree with are also protected. This would claimed I’ve got a PhD. It’s not “very existence of the NHS sti- my leadership in Ukip.” Nuttall: denies allegations that?” also be easier to enforce.” Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 17 BRITAIN Plan for killer drivers to face life sentences wins praise

Guardian News and Media by speeding or street racing, or The Justice Minister Sam Gyi- “My message is clear: if you A ministry of justice consulta- sentence of three years. driving. Gary Rae, the campaigns London through careless driving while mah said the maximum sentence drive dangerously and kill on tion will seek views on whether The MoJ will also consider in- director for road safety charity under the infl uence of alcohol or should rise to a life term. our roads, you could face a life the current maximum penalty creasing the minimum driving Brake, said: “This is a vindica- drugs, could also be handed life “Killer drivers ruin lives,” he sentence.” Last year, 122 people available to the courts should bans for those convicted of caus- tion of our eff orts, and those angerous drivers who sentences if proposals to increase said. “Their actions cause im- were convicted of causing death be increased. As well as plans to ing death on the roads. of victims’ families, calling for kill while using a mobile the 14-year limit for the off ence measurable pain to families, who by dangerous driving, includ- increase the maximum sentence Road safety campaigners wel- change through our roads to jus- Dphone at the wheel could are adopted. must endure tragic, unnecessary ing those who were speeding, of causing death by dangerous comed the proposals, but said tice campaign. For too long, the face life sentences under plans Under the current penalty, peo- losses. While (it is) impossible street racing and using a mobile driving, or careless driving, to a ministers should go further in justice system has treated them unveiled by ministers, bringing ple are usually released after seven to compensate for the death of a phone. A further 21 people were life term, the proposals include punishing what the RAC de- as second-class citizens.” the punishment in line with those years. In 2015, the average sentence loved one, we are determined to convicted of causing death by creating a new off ence of causing scribed as an “epidemic” of mo- But he said there were con- charged with manslaughter. for drivers who killed was 45.6 make sure the punishment fi ts careless driving while under the serious injury by careless driving, torists texting, checking mes- cerns that the charge of “care- Motorists who cause death months, or less than four years. the crime. infl uence. which would carry a maximum sages and making calls while less” driving remained.

Harry in Guyana Some EU co-operation ‘may continue post-Brexit’

Reuters ice),” said Johnson, who cam- London paigned for Britain to leave the EU on a “battle bus” that had written on its side: “We ritain could pay in to send the EU £350mn a week, some EU programmes let’s fund out NHS instead.” Bafter Brexit but the gov- Johnson has been criticised ernment will take back control for saying the health service of its own money and will no could benefit to such a large longer spend large amounts extent and since then has in Brussels, Foreign Minister found some of his comments Boris Johnson said yesterday. made during the campaign Businesses, investors and have come back to haunt him. opposition lawmakers are Several EU offi cials have clamouring for clarity on the questioned whether they can government’s negotiating trust him, and some opposi- position before it triggers the tion lawmakers have accused formal exit procedure from him of putting one of the most the European Union by the complicated negotiations since end of March. World War II in jeopardy by Last week, Brexit minister making unscripted comments. Prince Harry wears a traditional headdress during an off icial visit to Surama, Guyana. David Davis said Britain could Brexit spokesman for the pay into the EU budget to get opposition Labour Party, Keir access to the bloc’s single Starmer, called on the gov- market of 500mn customers, ernment to offer parliament easing fears that the govern- more clarity on its plans. ment is heading for a “hard “The government must put Brexit” involving a clean its basic plan before parlia- break with the bloc. ment so we can discuss it, at But Johnson, speaking on the moment... we are all go- the BBC’s Andrew Marr tel- ing through trying to find evision programme, declined fragments of evidence as to Govt memo seeking end to confirm whether that was what approach they are going a priority for the government, to take,” Starmer said. saying ministers were consid- “There are two very dif- ering several options. ferent versions of our future. “I’ve always thought that One is an isolated hard Brexit, there were aspects of EU co- the other is a collaborative, operation...where actually... co-operative Brexit. That’s to Brexit leaks is leaked to be part of that in the future the one the Labour Party has might be a good idea, certain- to fight for.” Guardian News and Media “spate of corrosive leaks” must “She has instructed that we discuss Brexit plans so far. not deny that it was genuine. ly would be a good idea if it But Johnson said the gov- London end. begin this work immediately and In October, the Guardian re- The former Labour cabinet involved paying in,” Johnson ernment was being clear in He said there was a need for expects to see rapid and visible vealed that one of the papers minister Ed Balls suggested that said, referring to the Erasmus its aims and said from his a “cultural change”, and set out improvement. Heywood referred to had warned the document reminded him of student exchange programme experience, officials he had heresa May has called for plans to review areas vulnerable to “Ministers, permanent secre- cabinet ministers of a 4.5% drop his time working under Gordon and Horizon programme for met appreciated his honesty. urgent action to prevent leaks and to place security teams in taries and senior offi cials set the in GDP by 2030 if Britain with- Brown’s premiership. research. “(Paying in for sin- “Seriously, what I find is that Tministers and government charge of ramped up inquiries into tone in an organisation and no drew from the customs union. “I have seen these memos in gle market access) is obvi- people do appreciate frank- offi cials from leaking informa- who is passing information on. amount of process will make up It followed a leak that another the past – they happen when a ously something that David ness and they do appreciate tion about the Brexit process to “Anyone found to have leaked for an environment where leaks of the reports had included a prime minister is losing grip … Davis is considering. That people saying what they think journalists. sensitive information will be dis- are accepted. controversial fi gure used during the prime minister needs to show doesn’t mean that a decision as much as possible,” he said. The prime minister’s demand missed, even where there is no “If leaders think they are the the referendum that said hard leadership,” he said on ITV’s Pes- has been taken. “What I have genuinely resulted in a warning memo from compromise of national security,” necessary cost of open ways of Brexit could cost £66bn a year, ton on Sunday. “The crucial thing to un- found in the last few months the cabinet secretary that, ironi- he said. working they are mistaken.” and that the government was The document shines a light derstand is very large sums is that the mood amongst our cally, was itself passed on to a na- Heywood also wrote: “The Heywood also revealed that looking at a migration system on the frustrations in govern- of money will be coming back European friends...has really tional newspaper within days. prime minister has directed that he had strengthened control for under which people could only ment over leaks thwarting its at- to this country which... could changed and they are starting Sir Jeremy Heywood wrote to we urgently tighten security proc- “sensitive cabinet committee come to Britain for a specifi c job. tempt to maintain “no running be spent on priorities like the to see the positive possibili- permanent secretaries in govern- esses and improve our response to papers” that were used by sen- Downing Street would not commentary” around the Brexit NHS (National Health Serv- ties.” ment departments to say that a leaks. ior members of May’s team to comment on the leak, but did process.

Pedestrians, cabbies £100mn deal to improve ‘facing pollution risk’

RAF drones announced London Evening Standard From 2020 Transport for London London will introduce an Ul- tra Low Emission Zone around Guardian News and Media Fallon, who knows the incoming increased dependence of the US central London to ensure all ve- London Defence Secretary, General James and UK on drones over the last ondon’s air pollution is a hicles meet emission standards Mattis, will have a chance to gauge decade. serious health risk to cab or pay a daily charge to travel. any potential shifts in defence The plan is for the Protector to Ldrivers and pedestrians, it Baroness Jones said: “We need he Defence Secretary, thinking in the new administra- be armed with UK-made Brim- was claimed. the ULEZ to be brought in and Michael Fallon, has an- tion. stone 2 missiles and Paveway IV Green Party peer Jenny Jones strongly enforced because it Tnounced a £100mn con- Trump created alarm in Europe laser-guided bombs. urged City Hall and the govern- has to be a deterrent. We need tract to improve the performance by making comments on the cam- Fallon told the conference: ment to do more to reduce emis- to make the zone expensive but of a new generation of drones for paign trail in which he cast doubt “Britain faces ever-evolving sion levels after touring pollu- public transport easier. That the RAF. on the whole basis of Nato, sug- threats and we must look at inno- tion hotspots. means better buses, train and The government disclosed as gesting the US might not neces- vative solutions to stay ahead of She was driven around the Tube services.” part of last year’s defence review sarily come to the aid of a member our enemies. Doubling investment West End and west London by Under EU legislation member that it would double its drone under attack. His seeming will- in our unmanned air fl eet will sub- cab driver Matt Newell, 44, to states must keep annual average fl eet from 10 to 20 and the exist- ingness to engage with the Russian stantially enhance both the intel- measure microscopic PM2.5 PM2.5 levels below 25 micro- ing Reapers will give way to an president, Vladimir Putin, has also ligence gathering and fi repower of particles from vehicle exhausts. grams per cubic metre. updated version, the Protector, ca- contributed to concerns in Nato. the RAF. The results showed the high- Baroness Jones believes cab pable of remaining airborne for 40 Fallon was scheduled to meet “The UK’s security partner- est levels of PM2.5 were around drivers are particularly at risk hours and due to come into service the present US Defence Secretary, ship with the US is the deepest Trafalgar Square and Euston of developing pollution-related in around 2020. Ash Carter, and the chairman of and most advanced of any two station. The readings in the diseases during their long and The UK is using drones in both the US joint chiefs, General Joseph nations on earth; this programme Euston underpass were fi ve busy driving shifts. Iraq and Syria to target members of Dunford, at the conference. is part of a further strengthening times higher than EU guidance A spokesman for the mayor Islamic State. The new drone contract is with which will help keep Britain safe levels. of London said: “Sadiq has Fallon was speaking in Califor- the California-based drone com- and secure.” Baroness Jones said: “What proposed the toughest crack- nia at the annual Reagan National pany General Atomics Aeronau- Tony Douglas, chief executive this shows is that London has an down on polluting vehicles by Defence Forum, which brings to- tical Systems, and is intended to offi cer of the defence ministry’s air pollution problem that needs any major city in the world… gether leading members of the US develop better imaging and also defence equipment and support fi xing because it is becoming a The mayor cannot tackle air defence establishment. It poten- improve data links for the Protec- organisation, said: “Protector is a public health crisis.” quality on his own and he is tially provides the fi rst opportuni- tor. One of the biggest causes of highly advanced system which will PM2.5 particles can be also calling for the government ty for a British cabinet minister to drone crashes is loss of links with use world-beating technology to breathed in and enter the blood- to rise up to the challenge and engage with the incoming Trump ground control. give us a decisive advantage on the stream to greatly raise the risks pass new legislation fi t for the administration. The new contract refl ects the battlefi eld. Fallon: doubling investment. of heart and lung problems. 21st century.” Gulf Times 18 Monday, December 5, 2016 EUROPE Austrian far-right presidential hopeful

Hofer (left) congratulating Van der Bellen at a post-election TV talk soundly defeated in Vienna yesterday. Reuters closed and the fi rst projections tria,” Van der Bellen’s campaign range of issues, even though ref- Vienna were broadcast. manager Lothar Lockl told ORF erendums are beyond the job’s Austria’s president tradition- minutes after polls closed. remit. ally has a largely ceremonial role. When Hofer narrowly lost The president also plays an he candidate vying to But the election, a re-run of the original run-off in May with important part in forming coali- become Europe’s fi rst a May vote that was overturned 49.65% of the vote, European tions. Tfreely-elected far-right due to counting irregularities, governments breathed a sigh of Van der Bellen has said he head of state since World War had been seen as another test relief. would try to prevent an FPOe- II conceded defeat in Austria’s of populist sentiment in Europe Far-right parties like France’s led government even if it won an presidential election soon after ahead of elections in France, National Front cheered the election. polls closed yesterday evening. Germany and the Netherlands record performance. The FPOe is running fi rst in The result is a blow to popu- next year. Opinion polls had suggested polls with support of roughly lists who had hoped a wave Voters may have heeded Van the re-run was too close to call. one-third of voters, with parlia- of anti-establishment anger der Bellen’s increasingly stri- A Hofer win would have raised mentary elections due in 2018. sweeping Western democracies dent warnings that Hofer want- the prospect of two near-simul- Van der Bellen, 72, put Brexit would carry Norbert Hofer to ed to follow Britain’s lead and taneous blows to Europe’s po- at the heart of his campaign, ar- power after Britain’s Brexit ref- pull Austria out of the European litical establishment. guing that Hofer wants Austria erendum and Americans’ elec- Union. Italy held a referendum yes- to hold its own “Oexit” referen- tion of Donald Trump as presi- Van der Bellen had a clear terday on constitutional reform dum, putting jobs at risk in the dent. lead over Hofer, according to a that could decide the political small, trade-dependent coun- Hofer, of the anti-immigra- projection by pollster SORA for future of Prime Minister Mat- try. tion and anti-Islam Freedom broadcaster ORF that included a teo Renzi, who has promised to The result of the May 22 run- Party (FPOe), conceded that count of 69% of votes. resign if he loses. off was overturned mostly due to he had been soundly beaten by The projection showed Van While the president’s role is election offi cials cutting corners former Greens leader Alexander der Bellen on 53.3% and Hofer traditionally largely ceremonial, as they raced to complete the Van der Bellen. on 46.7%, with a margin of error Hofer had made clear he wanted count. “I am infi nitely sad that it of one percentage point. to be an interventionist head The re-run was then post- didn’t work out,” Hofer said in “Should this projection really of state, threatening to dismiss poned because the glue on the Supporters of Van der Bellen, one holding a sign reading ‘Thank God’, cheer to the announcement of the first a posting on his Facebook page be true, at which point we can be a government if it raises taxes envelopes for some postal bal- results of the presidential elections in Vienna. less than an hour after polls pleased, it is a good day for Aus- and calling for referendums on a lots did not stick. Asylum-seeker Gunman kills three held in Germany women in Finland

AFP sustaining gunshot wounds to over rape, murder Helsinki the head or the torso. The suspect, a local man, did not put up any resistance to his AFP nearby Endingen forest, in lone gunman shot dead arrest and the weapon was found Berlin which a 27-year-old jogger was a local offi cial and two in the boot of his car. found dead having also been Ajournalis ts, all of them The gun belonged to an uni- raped. women, in a night-time attack on dentifi ed third person who had a teenage Afghan asylum- So far, investigators have Saturday in a small town in Fin- hunting licence, police said, in- seeker has been arrested established no connection be- land, a country with one of the dicating that the inquiry would Aon suspicion of the rape tween the two murders. highest rates of gun ownership in seek to establish how it was in the and murder of a 19-year-old News of the young Afghan’s the world. suspect’s possession. female student in Germany, arrest triggered much reac- Police said yesterday that they Finland enjoys relatively low police and prosecutors said on tion on social media with some believed the 23-year-old sus- crime rates compared to other Saturday. people saying an ironic “thank pect, who was swiftly arrested European nations but, with many The 17-year-old Afghan was you” to German Chancellor after the shooting, acted alone Finns keen hunters, it has one of arrested on Friday after his Angela Merkel. and initial indications were that the biggest gun ownership rates DNA was found at the scene The 62-year-old, who will there was no political or extrem- in the world. Candles are seen in front of the Vuoksenvahti restaurant in Imatra, where three women were shot dead. of the crime and he was iden- next year seek a fourth term in ist motive. The suspect, who already has a tifi ed on CCTV, authorities in offi ce, has faced criticism for The attack took place as the record for violence, was interro- cil’s Social-Democrat leader who Figures in the Small Arms Sur- 22-year-old shot and killed 10 the southwest German town her previous open-door policy women were leaving a restau- gated by police yesterday but his was in her early 50s, was among vey, carried out by the Graduate students in a classroom at a of Freiburg told a press confer- towards refugees, although rant in the southeastern lakeside motive remains unclear, with in- the victims. Institute of International and cooking school in the western ence. more recently she has tried to town of Imatra near the Russian vestigators saying he could have The names of the two journal- Development Studies in Geneva, city of Kauhajoki. The Afghan teenager, who curb the infl ux. border, and police said the vic- picked his victims at random. ists, one of whom was of a similar found Finland to be fourth in the And in May 2012, two peo- has said nothing to investiga- Germany received 890,000 tims may have been targeted at There was no initial indica- age while the second who was in civilian gun-ownership ranks, ple were killed and seven more tors about the alleged crimes, asylum requests in 2015, al- random. tion that the triple murder was her mid-30s, were not released. behind the United States, Yemen, wounded after a shooting near arrived in Germany in 2015 as though that rate slowed to Investigators identifi ed the “linked to political issues or ex- In a posting on its website, Im- and Switzerland. Helsinki by another 18-year-old. an unaccompanied minor and 213,000 from January to Sep- victims as the head of the munic- tremism”, police said, adding that atra town council said it had set In November 2007, eight peo- The attacker is currently serv- had been living with a host tember 2016 following a deal ipal council and two local report- they were not looking for any up a counselling facility for resi- ple were killed in a high school ing life in prison. family. between the European Union ers, the SST news agency said. other suspects. dents. north of the capital Helsinki by Imatra is a small lakeside town The teenage victim was and Ankara to stem the fl ow of A police statement said that Imatra mayor Pertti Lintunen Finland has seen several deadly an 18-year-old who later killed of 27,500 people in southeastern a medical student who was migrants crossing from Turkey the women had died at the scene confi rmed to SST that Tiina shootings over the past decade, himself. Finland, just a few kilometres found dead on the banks of the into the bloc. after being shot at close range, Wilen-Jappinen, the local coun- all by young men. Less than a year later, a from the Russian border. river Dreisam, which Freiburg Public anger about the straddles, on October 16. number of refugee arrivals in An autopsy found that she Germany has been stoked by Four arrested over had drowned. some high profi le crimes in- The previous evening she volving migrants. deadly dorm blaze had gone out to a student night Last month, German police Protest outside Russia consulate in Istanbul before cycling home. arrested seven Afghan asylum- Turkish authorities arrested four Her body was found just a seekers on suspicion of repeat- people yesterday in connection few hours later. edly raping an Iranian teenager AFP with a fire at a dormitory in the No personal link has yet been in a refugee camp. Istanbul southern Adana province that found between the victim and During the last New Year’s killed 11 schoolgirls and one other the alleged murderer, authori- Eve celebrations, hundreds of person, state media reported. ties said. women reported sexual as- urkish students protested The four, who were arrested The murder made big news saults in Cologne and other yesterday outside the pending trial, included the in Germany and was followed German cities, with the attacks TRussian consulate in Is- manager of the dormitory by another as yet unsolved blamed largely on Arab and tanbul over Moscow’s military and the head of an aff iliated crime on November 10 in the North African men. support for President Bashar al- foundation, Anadolu Agency Assad’s regime in Syria. reported, citing a judiciary “Russia murderer, go away source. from Syria!” chanted several Reuters was not immediately able dozen students who called for to reach anyone for comment at an end to the siege on Syria’s the local court. 877 attacks recorded second city, Aleppo. The fire in the town of Aladag on The protest came as Moscow Tuesday swept through the two- and Damascus denied claims by storey dormitory, causing the against refugee homes Ankara that the regime was re- roof to collapse. sponsible for an air strike that Twenty-four people, many of killed four Turkish soldiers last them schoolgirls, were injured. DPA Nearly 350 of the 877 attacks month. The government has said an Berlin involved property damage, 203 A similar demonstration electrical fault may have been the were characterised as propa- against Russia’s backing of As- cause of the fire. ganda-related crimes and 151 sad took place on Friday, outside Opposition politicians have here have been 877 at- were considered violent inci- Istanbul University in which complained of lax regulation and tacks against refugee dents. demonstrators called for “im- Protesters march yesterday to the Russian consulate in Istanbul. criticised an education policy that Thomes in Germany so Police declined to predict perialist Russia to leave Syria”. has seen a growing number of far in 2016, police said on Sat- whether the total number of Russia is the chief ally of the losing their lives,” said Mehmet vided between regime forces in see Assad removed, leaving it at such dormitories set up to house urday, suggesting that the total crimes would be fewer than in Syrian president in the confl ict Akif Olgun, vice-president of the west and rebels in the east. odds with Moscow. poor students from villages number will fall below the 1,031 2015 because there are many that has claimed more than the National Turkish Students’ Moscow says it is not involved Turkey and Russia have been where there are no state schools. reported for all of last year. ongoing investigations. 300,000 lives since 2011. Association which organised in the current assault on Aleppo. working hard to improve ties af- Local media said the dormitory The Federal Criminal Police In 2015, nearly 900,000 Since September 2015, it has the protest. Ankara is also engaged in an ter ending a bitter seven-month was run by one of the several Offi ce said 816 of the crimes asylum-seekers arrived in Ger- provided Assad with military In recent days, Assad’s troops operation inside Syria in sup- stand-off after Turkish forces religious movements in Turkey reported in the fi rst 11 months many. support that Western observers have pressed a fi erce assault port of opposition rebels against shot down a Russian jet over the that operate such facilities. of this year were carried out by The government expects say has killed civilians. aimed at retaking the whole of the Islamic State but it has made Syrian border in November last Earlier this week police issued far-right extremists. fewer than 300,000 this year. “Thousands of people are Aleppo which is currently di- no secret of the fact it wants to year. warrants to detain 14 people. Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 19 EUROPE

Polish lawmakers approve Italians vote on reform change to freedom of ... and PM Renzi’s fate assembly AFP Rome

AFP Warsaw illions of Italians voted yesterday in a knife- Medge constitutional olish lawmakers have vot- referendum that left Prime Min- ed to amend the freedom ister Matteo Renzi sweating on Pof assembly law to give his future and the rest of Europe preference to rallies organised by braced for the fallout if he is religious and state institutions forced to quit. over citizen initiatives, sparking Renzi, who has vowed to step human rights concerns at home aside if he loses, was counting and abroad. on a last-minute turnaround in The conservative Law and voter sentiment to win backing Justice (PiS) party introduced for his proposals to streamline the amendment after a year parliament and centralise some in power, a period marked by regional powers in the name of Renzi and his wife Agnese Landini vote yesterday in the referendum several large anti-government more eff ective and stable gov- on constitutional reforms at a polling station in Florence. protests staged by the liberal ernment. opposition and pro-democracy Early indications of a high Five-Star Movement (M5S), the tre-left, led the way with more activists. voter turnout in northern cities, biggest rival to Renzi’s Demo- than 26% of electors having “Priority is given to assem- where the reform enjoys higher cratic party, the “No” campaign voted. blies organised by public au- support, may have represented has also sought to capitalise on Southern metropolis Naples thorities as well as assemblies a boost to the premier’s survival Renzi’s declining popularity, a only registered 15% and other held as part of church activity,” hopes. sluggish economy and the prob- parts of the south, where sup- reads the amendment passed He was in jovial mood as he lems caused by tens of thou- port for M5S is running high, A polling station off icer in Rome takes a ballot during the referendum on constitutional reforms. on Friday by the lower house of cast his vote in his native Tus- sands of migrants arriving in were lower. parliament, which still needs cany. Italy from Africa. Turnout in Rome may have until the early hours of today. campaigning was suspended at tator Benito Mussolini’s disas- approval from the senate and the “Have you decided how you “God willing it’s over. A new been aff ected by the vote co- If Renzi goes, some short- midnight on Friday. trous rule. president. are going to vote, prime min- era starts tomorrow, I hope,” inciding with the local football term market turbulence looks Up until polls were banned on Under the proposed reform, It would allow authorities to ister?” a female voter cheekily said Matteo Salvini, leader of the derby match. inevitable. November 18, the “No” camp the Senate, currently a body prohibit citizens from holding asked outside a voting station in far-right Northern League, after Roma fan Matteo Rossi, 25, Some analysts fear a deeper was leading comfortably – but of 315 directly-elected and fi ve a demonstration if the Catholic his home town of Pontassieve, voting in Milan. voted “Yes” before heading to crisis of investor confi dence that with a quarter of the electorate lifetime lawmakers, would have Church or the state decides to near Florence. Outside a polling station in the Stadio Olimpico. could derail a rescue scheme undecided. only 100 members, mostly nom- organise its own rally at the same “Now I’m thinking about it!” Rome, business owner Raff aele “I hesitated but when you look for Italy’s most indebted banks, After the Brexit vote and Don- inated by the regions. time and place. Renzi, 41, quipped back before Pasquini, 37, told AFPTV that he at the people who are for ‘No’, I triggering a wider fi nancial crisis ald Trump’s victory, populism The chamber would also be Cyclical rallies that take place spending 10 minutes queuing to was voting “Yes” in the interest couldn’t be with them,” he told across the eurozone. has been a factor, and M5S, led stripped of most of its powers to several times a year or annually register his vote. of his two-year-old son. “We are AFP. If he wins, Italy’s youngest by comic Beppe Grillo, would see block and revise legislation, and on national holidays would also Opposition parties have de- voting to try and change a coun- Fellow fan Guido wasn’t plan- ever prime minister could be a “No” vote as its stepping stone to unseat governments. take precedence over citizen ini- nounced the proposed amend- try that has been stalled for far ning to vote. “For me, the im- emboldened to accelerate prom- to government. Other envisioned changes in- tiatives. ments to the 68-year-old too long.” portant thing today is what hap- ised reforms in areas such as But the campaign has also volve transferring some regional Permission to stage rallies up constitution as dangerous for By midday nearly one in fi ve of pens inside this stadium.” public administration, the judi- caused many voters to recon- powers to the national govern- to now has been handed out on a democracy because they remove the near 47mn Italians entitled The referendum closes at cial system and education. sider the merits of a much-loved ment, making it easier to get fi rst come, fi rst serve basis. important checks and balances to vote yesterday had cast their 11pm (2200 GMT, 1am Qatar “If we miss this chance it constitution, crafted in the af- major infrastructural works ap- Interior Minister Mariusz on executive power. ballot. time today) with a reliable pro- won’t come back for 20 years,” termath of World War II and the proved, and abolishing a costly Blaszczak said the amendment Spearheaded by the populist Bologna, a bastion of the cen- jection of the result not expected Renzi warned voters before bitter experience of fascist dic- policy agency in Rome. will prevent “confrontations between rival demonstrators” since two rallies will no longer be able to take place at the same location. But critics said the amend- ment will only restrict funda- Uzbekistan votes for its second president mental rights. This is “an attempt to silence Poles who are not happy with AFP rimov’s death,” said Kamoliddin telecoms fi rms that US and Eu- the government”, said Dorota Bishkek Rabbimov, an Uzbek political ropean investigators say paid Oko, spokeswoman for the left- analyst who lives in France. her billions of dollars in bribes ist extra-parliamentary party “If anything, eff orts have been to secure access to the national Razem, in a statement quoted zbekistan voted yester- made to ensure other candidates market. by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily day for a successor to late are even more obscure because Under Karimov, Uzbekistan newspaper. Ustrongman Islam Kari- Mirziyoyev’s stature among the enjoyed mostly cordial relations Poland’s human rights com- mov, with long-serving premier population is not yet what Ka- with foreign powers active in missioner Adam Bodnar said Shavkat Mirziyoyev expected rimov’s was,” he told AFP. “Uz- the region but kept all of them that the amendment violates the to score a comfortable victory bekistan has its own specifi c at arm’s length while regularly country’s constitution, while against weak opponents. take on democracy. There will be threatening smaller neighbours his European counterpart Nils The Central Electoral Com- no surprises here.” Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Muiznieks said he was “very mission (CEC) in the former So- Karimov’s 27-year reign began The country with the region’s concerned”. viet authoritarian republic said in 1989 at the tail-end of the So- largest army exited a Moscow- almost 87% of the 20mn-plus viet era, and was often criticised led security bloc in 2012. electorate had voted, an hour for extreme abuses of human In 2005, it ejected US forces before polling stations closed at rights. from a military base used for Severe rain causes 1500 GMT. In the run-up to yesterday’s Afghanistan operations over flooding in Spain Mirziyoyev, who was ap- poll, Mirziyoyev, 59, created an Washington’s human rights pointed prime minister in 2003, online forum for public com- criticisms. The heaviest rainfall in years became interim president fol- plaints and pledged to prioritise Mirziyoyev was quick to meet along Spain’s southern coastline lowing Karimov’s death in Sep- economic reforms as many Uz- with Russian President Vladimir has flooded the streets of the tember from a stroke at the age beks struggle to eke out a living. Putin after Karimov’s death and city of Malaga and nearby of 78. The election commission last month hosted President Re- towns, killing one woman Representing the same Lib- published a series of glowingly cep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, and prompting the Spanish eral-Democratic Party that Ka- optimistic quotes attributed to with whom Karimov enjoyed government to issue a public rimov stood for in the last presi- voters about the poll. patchy relations. safety warning. dential vote in 2015, he faced “I realised the importance of Mirziyoyev poses for photographers with his family after voting at a polling station in Tashkent. “Under Karimov, Uzbekistan A 26-year-old-woman was found three other challengers in a bid my voice in the future develop- withdrew into itself, to its great dead in the town of Estepona to secure a fi ve-year term. ment of the country which made “Now everything has Karimov’s eldest daughter Gul- man’s September funeral and cost, and this may be the main on Spain’s Costa del Sol, a However, political analysts me proud,” student Sevara Fozil- changed,” said the man the com- nara Karimova. her eldest son Islam Karimov Jr, diff erence under Mirziyoyev,” spokeswoman for Malaga’s local have noted that the other candi- jonova was quoted as saying on mission described as a grandfa- But businesswoman-cum- who lives in London, called on said analyst Rabbimov. “The government said. dates were not critical of Mirziy- the commission website. ther to “around 50 grandchil- popstar Karimova, 44, has been authorities to prove that she was policy of not joining military Yesterday Spain’s meteorological oyev nor the regime in the coun- “There was a time when we dren”. reportedly under house arrest alive and well in a recent inter- blocs and hosting bases may service issued a “red alert”, its try bordering Afghanistan where had to agree with everything,” As premier for 13 years, Mir- in the country since 2014 after view with the BBC. remain, but I think Uzbekistan highest level of warning for Beijing, Moscow, and Washing- the CEC quoted 106-year old ziyoyev was regularly touted as a publicly feuding with her moth- With her situation at home will begin to participate in more “extreme risk”, although it since ton all vie for infl uence. World War II veteran Badal- potential successor to Karimov, er and her younger sister Lola. unclear, Karimova is also the international initiatives. He will lowered the warning one level to “The format for Uzbek elec- bobo Khuramov as saying, refer- along with current deputy prime Neither Karimova nor her two subject of a multi-year corrup- see the country can’t survive in “important risk”. tions has not changed since Ka- ring to the Soviet era. minister Rustam Azimov and children attended the strong- tion probe targeting Western isolation.”

Merkel to chart 2017 election battle at party congress

By Andrew McCathie, DPA Union (CDU) party’s campaign A poll published last month the country’s borders to allow next September’s German elec- Berlin at next September’s election is a by the weekly Bild am Son- about 1mn asylum-seekers into tion following the rise of new signal of stability in an uncertain ntag showed 55% of Germans Germany over the last year. anti-foreigner party Alternative world, said Hajo Funke, a politi- want Merkel, a trained quantum The build-up to Germany’s for Germany (AfD). ngela Merkel is set to se- cal scientist at Berlin’s Free Uni- chemist who grew up in com- September’s poll will also be ac- With about 12% of the na- cure the backing of her versity. munist East Germany, to remain companied by a series of key tional vote, the AfD is currently Aconservative party at its “It’s important for Germany chancellor. elections across Europe, includ- the country’s third political force conference starting tomorrow for to retain a strong fi gure both as The poll found 39% were ing in France and the Nether- after it successfully capitalised a fourth term. CDU chief and as chancellor,” against her continuing as chan- lands, which are likely to un- on voter opposition to Merkel’s The German chancellor is fac- said Gottfried Ludewig, a party cellor. derscore the backlash against open-door refugee policy and ing up to what could be the most delegate from Berlin. “She has “We are the strongest party by mainstream political parties. anxieties about globalisation. challenging period of her 11 years demonstrated that she can gov- a considerable margin,” fi nance Opinion surveys show that the Still, analysts are sceptical at the helm of Europe’s biggest ern Germany well in diffi cult minister and close Merkel CDU CDU and their Bavarian-based about the potential of the AfD economy. times.” ally Wolfgang Schaeuble told allies, the Christian Social Union to transform itself into anything Merkel: has demonstrated that she can govern Germany well in With no predecessor on the The chancellor’s plans to run DPA. (CSU), as regaining political mo- more than a protest party. diff icult times. horizon and her political oppo- again come against a backdrop of The conference vote tomorrow mentum after the deep divisions “As a phenomenon, it is lim- nents having failed to produce new threats posed to Europe by for Merkel’s reelection as CDU caused in the CDU-CSU by Mer- ited in Germany because of the asylum and its moves to boost se- it here that she was fi rst elected any credible alternative candi- the rise of nationalist, populist chief will test her current politi- kel’s liberal refugee stance. nation’s history,” said Funke, re- curity to deal with terrorism and CDU chief. dates, 62-year-old Merkel is fa- forces and a newly unpredict- cal authority in the party. However, the shock votes in ferring to the nation’s Nazi past. organised crime. Since then, she has been re- vourite to win next year’s elec- able White House following last In particular, it will reveal just Britain to exit the EUuropean But the AfD’s success means This year’s CDU conference turned eight times as the CDU tion. month’s election of New York how much Merkel’s standing has Union and in the US to elect the CDU party conference is will be held in the western Ger- head, securing 96.7% of the vote Merkel’s decision to again head real estate billionaire Donald suff ered as a result of the nation’s Trump as president have fuelled likely to underline the Merkel man city of Essen, a city that has when the ballot for party leader up her Christian Democratic Trump. refugee crisis after she opened fears in Germany of an upset at government’s tougher stance on special meaning for Merkel as was last held two years ago. Gulf Times 20 Monday, December 5, 2016 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Roundup Air India eyes Dorniers to boost regional links IANS According to two senior of- The offi cial elaborated that Aviation (DGCA) for a civilian with lesser number of seats apart from various other fi nan- By Umaima Shafiq New Delhi/Kanpur fi cials with the state-run Hin- though due diligence has been role in accordance with the Civil jacks up the total operational cial concessions for a period of dustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), conducted by Air India, the two Aviation Requirement (CAR cost manifolds. So an aircraft three years. Air India has shown interest in sides are yet to enter into a for- 21G). with an overall low operational While the central government fter serving the Indian at least two civilian versions of mal agreement for purchasing The aircraft originally man- and maintenance cost is best is expected to provide concessions NIA arrests six armed forces in various the 19-seater aircraft. the two aircraft. ufactured by RUAG - a Swiss chosen for these types of opera- in the form of reduced excise duty Acapacities, the German- “Air India has shown interest “We are currently manu- technology major - is being li- tions,” an Air India offi cial said. and service tax, the state govern- terror suspects origin, India-made twin-tur- in the Dornier aircraft. This has facturing two Dornier aircraft cence manufactured by HAL The UDAN scheme envisages ments will have to lower the VAT from Madurai boprop Dornier Do-228 aircraft sprung from the fact that the for civilian roles which will be since the 1980s at its Kanpur enhancing air passenger traffi c (value added tax) on air turbine fuel is soon expected to don the col- aircraft has a very low opera- ready by the mid of next year,” facility. in the country by stimulating (ATF) to 1% or less. The National Intelligence Agency ours of fl ag carrier Air India to tional and maintenance cost,” a the offi cial said. Air India, which will partici- demand on regional routes. Besides, the state govern- (NIA) has arrested five suspected boost regional connectivity. senior HAL offi cial said. The twin-turboprop, high- pate in the upcoming reverse- The operations under the ments would not charge on terrorists involved in low intensity The aircraft, best known for “Even in terms of the overall wing aircraft has been used bidding round for allocation of scheme are intended to provide security and fi re services, and blasts in courts in various cities its specialist roles of surveil- off -the-shelf price and lifecy- for diff erent purposes, such as RCS routes today, is said to have air connectivity to unserved and electricity, water and other including in Chennai in the past six lance, transport, search and cle costs, the aircraft is far too VIP transport, surveillance, selected the aircraft for its low- remote routes, with airfare being utilities would be provided at months from the temple town of rescue, has been found fi t by the competitive to its closest rivals, air observation, air ambulance operational cost. capped at Rs2,500 for an hour’s concessional rates. Madurai last week. national passenger carrier to not to mention the proven track services, cargo and logistics This may be the second in- journey of around 500km. On their part, airport opera- The suspects mostly in their provide ferrying services under record of the aircraft with the support, and maritime surveil- nings of the aircraft in civilian The allocation of routes un- tors will not impose landing and twenties ran an outfit called Base the country’s ambitious region- Indian armed forces,” the offi - lance. role after it had served the few der the scheme will be based on parking charges and terminal Movement that was inspired by al connectivity scheme (RCS) cial said by phone from Kanpur, Last year, the aircraft had re- civil aviation players more than a reverse bidding mechanism, navigation landing fees. They Al Qaeda ideologies. The NIA christened UDAN (Ude Desh ka where the aircraft is manufac- ceived regulatory approval from two decades ago. with selected airlines getting will also off er discounts on route found incriminating documents Aam Naagrik). tured under licence. the Directorate General of Civil “Operating a small aircraft a VGF (viability gap funding), navigation facility charges. that showed they had been planning attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders and social organisations. They tracked the culprits from pamphlets left behind at the blast sites. The mastermind Suleiman Mohamed Abdullah, 23, was a software employee in Chennai Act against while others were school dropouts. They have been remanded in judicial custody in Madurai, while investigations are underway. Poet-dramatist supporters Inquilab dies

Noted Tamil poet and dramatist Inquilab, alias Shahul Hameed, died on December 1 in Chennai. He was 72 and survived by wife and three children. of terror: PM He adopted the Karl Marx-Lenin ideology and pledged his body India’s commitment to and the world also needed to A few days after his visit mili- for donation after his death. Afghanistan is absolute and act against “those who support, tants launched a 25-hour gun Born in Keezhakarai in southern unwavering, says Modi shelter and fi nance them”. and bomb siege near the Indian Ramanathapuram district, Addressing the conference consulate in the northern Afghan Inquilab worked as a professor at Agencies later Afghan President Ashraf city of Mazar-i-Sharif. New College in Chennai. Amritsar Ghani accused Pakistan of wag- And in March Taliban mili- He was associated with the ing an “undeclared war” and tants fi red a barrage of rockets at Vaanambadi poetry movement said Taliban insurgents battling the parliament complex. or writing with social inclination rime Minister Narendra his government would not last a In an earlier bilateral meet- founded in the 1970s. He also Modi yesterday urged ac- month without sanctuary in the ing Modi and Ghani discussed adapted Sangam literature (a Ption against those who neighbouring state. a range of issues including im- renaissance period for Tamil support and fi nance terror and Ghani also urged Pakistan to proved connectivity, trade, in- literature) in his dramas like endanger peace in the entire spend around $500mn pledged vestment and terrorism. Avadi, Manimegalai, Kurinjipaatu, South Asian region. in aid for Afghanistan to tackle “The two leaders discussed Yaadum Nammoor and “We must demonstrate a extremism instead. several aspects of the close and Palsaanteerey and poetry that strong collective will to defeat “Despite our intense engage- friendly relations between the became part of Tamil college terror networks. Support for ment with Pakistan on bilateral two countries,” External Af- syllabuses. peace alone is not enough. It and multilateral basis, the un- fairs Ministry spokesman Vikas must be backed by resolute ac- declared war not only has not Swarup said in a tweet. tion,” Modi said while address- abated but also intensifi ed dur- He said the leaders also re- Students held for ing the inaugural function of the ing 2016 with special intensity,” viewed the progress on recent stabbing seniors sixth ministerial ‘Heart of Asia Ghani said. decisions to deepen bilateral conference - Istanbul Process on “One of the key fi gures in the economic co-operation and Four students of Class IX were Afghanistan’ here. Taliban movement recently said strengthen the strategic part- held for stabbing two senior “Silence and inaction against if they didn’t have a sanctuary nership between the two coun- students at Muthiahpuram in terrorism in Afghanistan and our in Pakistan, they wouldn’t last a tries. Tuticorin district, about 600km region will only embolden ter- month,” he added. “The two leaders noted with south of Chennai, last week. rorists and their masters....” Delegations from more than a satisfaction the prospects for bi- The boys belonging to diff erent Modi also emphasised that In- dozen countries including Paki- lateral relations and agreed that schools travelled on the same dia’s bilateral and regional com- stan, China, Russia, Turkey and both countries would continue public bus and got into an mitments of material assistance Iran attended the conference in to work ever harder for further argument over some remarks for Afghanistan’s development the northern city of Amritsar. strengthening them.” about a film actor scribbled on needs must continue and in- They discussed challenges to Ghani, in his address yester- the bus. They got into a heated crease. the long-term growth and stabil- day, said they had reached agree- argument with the senior boys He said India’s commitment to ity of the war-torn country. ment on an air cargo corridor be- and were pacified by fellow Afghanistan is “absolute and un- India, the fi fth largest bilateral tween the two countries. passengers. However the wavering”. donor to Afghanistan, has been a The strained ties between In- following day, the junior students “We also plan to connect Af- key supporter of Kabul’s govern- dia and Pakistan have impeded brought knives and stabbed their ghanistan with India through ment and has poured more than any progress on land transport seniors. an air transport corridor,” Modi $2bn into the country since the links between India and Afghani- Fans of Tamil film actors often said. Taliban were toppled. stan. revere them as gods and He also urged member coun- Both the Indian and Afghan The two countries also re- celebrate their movie releases tries that all should work to build leaders in recent months have cently signed a three-way transit with prayers and great fanfare. stronger positive connectivity vocally blamed Pakistan for its agreement with Iran to develop between Afghanistan and other support for groups and individu- the southern Iranian port of countries of the region. als behind attacks in their coun- Chabahar. With Pakistan being repre- tries. The deal, bypassing Pakistan Explosive factory sented at the conference by its Last December Modi inaugurat- to connect Iran, India and Af- blast toll rises to 19 top diplomat Sartaj Aziz, Modi ed Afghanistan’s new parliament ghanistan to Central Asia, is ex- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrive for the Heart of Asia said mere action against “forces complex in Kabul, built by India at pected to boost economic growth The death toll in the December conference in Amritsar yesterday. of terrorism” was not enough an estimated cost of $90mn. in the region. Page 23 1 explosives factory blast rose to 19 at Muruganpatti village in Tiruchi, 350km from Chennai, last week. The explosion occurred at Mass marriage around 7.30am where four Delhi police probe rape units of the factory complex were working their first shift. The impact was heard for a 5km radius and left many of accusation by US tourist the victims’ body parts strewn around the area. Meanwhile neighbouring Agencies External Aff airs Minister Su- checking security camera foot- residents demanded that the New Delhi shma Swaraj urged police to age from the hotel. 15-year-old factory be closed “bring guilty to book” after ini- There have been several as- down as it had been polluting the tial media reports of the incident. saults on foreign tourists in In- local water table with eff luents. US woman has told po- “I have also asked Indian dia recently. lice she was gang-raped Ambassador in US to contact A 35-year-old Japanese tour- Aat a top hotel in the In- the victim and assure her that ist was raped in southern India Tamil Nadu tops in dian capital during a visit ear- we will not spare the guilty,” she last month. organ donation lier this year - the latest in a tweeted on Saturday. Five men were sentenced to series of alleged sexual assaults Local media reports, citing life in prison in June after being Tamil Nadu has won a national against tourists. police sources, said the woman convicted of the gang-rape of a award for the highest number of Delhi police launched a for- had travelled to India in April Danish woman in 2014. organ donations and transplant mal investigation on Saturday but cut her visit short after the She was attacked in an isolated surgeries in the country for the after receiving a direct com- alleged crime. spot near a railway station in New second year. plaint from the woman, who is The woman has complained Delhi, not far from where the The award was presented by in the United States and had in- that her local tour guide, who American woman was staying. federal Health minister J P Nadda itially contacted them through had access to her room, gave her In July, two men were arrested to Tamil Nadu Health minister C an e-mail by a US-based NGO. a spiked bottle of water and raped in connection with the rape of an Vijaya Baskar in New Delhi. “The police have registered a her with four other acquaintanc- Israeli tourist in the hill town of Vijaya Baskar credited the case of rape and will now verify es inside her hotel room. Manali in Himachal Pradesh. award to good organisation, all aspects of the woman’s com- “She said that after hav- Concerns about the safety of subsidised and often state- plaint,” Joint Commissioner of ing water from the bottle, she women spiked after the bru- funded treatment, streamlined Police Mukesh Meena said. started feeling dizzy. Then four tal attack and gang-rape of a organ harvesting, donor “We had received the e-mail other men entered the room 23-year-old woman on a bus in banks, green corridors and (from the US-based NGO) ear- and locked it,” a report in the New Delhi in 2012. excellent networking of medical, lier but could register a case Sunday Times of India said. The woman died of her in- paramedical and tertiary staff only after getting a direct com- Police are now verifying the juries, and India then imposed in government and private plaint from the woman late Sat- woman’s timeline and track- stricter penalties for those con- Brides wait for their turn to take vows during a mass wedding in Ahmedabad yesterday. hospitals. urday,” the offi cer added. ing the suspects, including by victed of sexual assault. Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 21 INDIA

Jayalalithaa suff ers cardiac arrest, under observation at Apollo

Agencies ter examining her health, they larly ever since the 68-year-old viding physiotherapy to her. She will lithaa is suff ering from Acute have a high mortality of up to 50%. Hospitals, especially Intensive Chennai shared the good news with us AIADMK supremo was admitted return home soon”, he said. Respiratory Distress Syndrome, When it is accompanied with oth- Care Units, are a more risky place that Amma has completely re- on September 22. Jayalalithaa was hospitalised a life-threatening condition, er ailments, it only complicates the for critical patients. That is because covered,” party spokesman C Ponnaiyan said the chief min- on September 22 after she com- characterised by infl ammation issue and the treatment. In Jayala- hospitals are teeming with virulent amil Nadu Chief Minister J Ponnaiyan told reporters. ister was doing “physical exer- plained of fever and dehydra- in the lungs. ARDS is triggered lithaa’s case, her diabetes, hyper- bacteria. If an infection is contracted Jayalalithaa yesterday suf- A team of doctors from Del- cises” and undergoing “physi- tion. The Apollo hospital, which by pneumonia and sepsis, one of tension and cellulitis - ailments from the community, it requires a Tfered cardiac arrest and is hi’s All India Institute of Medi- otherapy”, was eating food on had been issuing bulletins on her the reasons why intensivist Dr mentioned in her 2014 bail plea in basic antibiotic for treatment. But under observation at the Apollo cal Sciences comprising Dr G her own and advising offi cers on health status, has said she was Richard Beale, an experienced the Karnataka High Court - were if a patient contracts an infection Hospital here, doctors said. Khilnani, professor, Department issues related to government and being treated for infection. investigator in the fi eld of sepsis, factors the team of doctors took from the ICU, bacteria is likely to Hours earlier, the ruling Anna of Pulmonology Medicine; Dr party activities. Hospital chairman Dr C Prat- ARDS and clinical nutrition, was into account. be resistant to basic antibiotics and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Anjan Trikha, professor of An- “Currently, she is undertaking hap Reddy had recently said that fl own in from London to treat “If it was a 30-year-old pa- doctors have to prescribe high-end party said Jayalalithaa would re- aesthesiology and Critical Care physical exercises as she has been Jayalalithaa was in good health her. An intensivist by defi nition tient, the body recovers that antibiotics. Such potent antibiotics turn home “soon.” and Dr Nitish Nayak, professor, in hospital for more than 60 days. and was speaking using a valve at- is a doctor who specialises in much faster. Since the CM is 68, in high dosage can lead to side eff ects “The AIIMS doctors visited Department of Cardiology, has Specialists from Mount Elizabeth tached to the tracheotomy tube. treating critically-ill patients. she needs that much more care,” like diarrhoea, renal failure, myopa- the hospital yesterday and af- been visiting the hospital regu- hospital (in Singapore) are also pro- According to sources Jayala- Experts say ARDS is known to said a source. thy and neuropathy, sources said. Kejriwal wants BJP president probed over ‘hidden wealth’

IANS the total amount of demonetised New Delhi currencies deposited with the banks was Rs8.44 lakh crore. In other words, a total of elhi Chief Minister around Rs13.50 lakh crore worth Arvind Kejriwal yester- of currency was taken out of cir- Dday demanded a probe culation, said Ramadoss. against Bharatiya Janata Party He said that by the end of this president Amit Shah follow- month, another Rs94,000 crore ing allegations that he may have worth of demonetised notes are used a Gujarat property dealer as expected to be deposited with a front to disclose unaccounted the banks, thereby leaving out- Rs13,860 crore. side around Rs100,000 crore The property dealer, Mahesh worth of old notes. Shah, disclosed the unaccount- Compared to the size of the ed money under a tax amnesty Indian economy, this Rs100,000 A stray dog rests as people queue outside an ATM to withdraw cash in Kolkata scheme. crore is not a big amount. “Amit shah should respond to While under the voluntary dis- Hardik Patel’s allegations. Very closure scheme, Rs65,000 crore of serious! It should be investigat- unaccounted money was declared ed,” the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with ease, to recover a sum slightly leader tweeted. higher than that (Rs100,000 crore) Mahesh Shah, a businessman is it necessary to create a vortex in from Gujarat, had made a sur- the lives of poor and middle class prising disclosure of Rs13,860 by demonetising the two currency IT department probes crore two months ago. notes, he asked. However, the Finance Ministry “The government should pon- yesterday said that the amount der.” declared by Shah is most likely a Ramadoss said the amount is “false” fi gure, and the Indian Tax low compared to the economic Department has already initiated impact the central government’s an inquiry into the matter. decision had on trade and manu- ‘suspicious’ declarations Kejriwal’s tweet came after facturing sectors. Patel, a Patidar leader, alleged on zScrapped notes valued Rs10 Mumbai family declares Rs2 Mahesh Shah, a businessman the total value of declarations count holders not to let their proximately Rs1.64 crore depos- Saturday that the main face be- lakh were found in the posses- lakh crore under amnesty from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, announced on 1st October, 2016. deposits be misused following ited by persons who have never hind Shah is “General Dyer” re- sion of popular Telugu actor and scheme created a sensation by declaring After due inquiry, it was found the November 8 demonetisa- fi led returns of income being be- ferring to the BJP president. Telugu Desam Party legislator N a whopping Rs138.6bn in unac- that these declarants were per- tion. low the taxable limits into their Patel, the founder of Patidar Balakrishna’s wife Vasundhara IANS counted wealth under the In- sons of suspicious nature and The warning came after a sud- Jan Dhan accounts have already Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Devi at Renigunta Airport near New Delhi come Declaration Scheme that very small means and the dec- den surge in deposits in the Prad- been detected at Kolkata, Mid- who is leading an agitation for Tirupati. ended on September 30. larations could have been mis- han Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana napore, Ara (Bihar), Kochi and reservation in education and The cash was found when she Shah went underground on used,” it added. accounts showed up various in- Varanasi. government jobs for his com- was checking out along with fi ve he Income Tax Depart- November 29 and appeared at “Therefore, after due consid- consistencies. “Rs40 lakh has been seized munity, usually addresses Amit family members after landing ment is investigating the ETV studio in Ahmedabad a eration, the Income Tax Depart- “Investigations being con- from one such account in Bihar,” Shah as ‘General Dyer’. from Hyderabad on Saturday. Ttwo sets of declarations week later only to claim that the ment decided by November 30, ducted by the Income Tax De- it said InChennai, Pattali Makkal The airport security offi cials of Rs2 lakh crore (Rs2tn) and declared money did not belong 2016, to reject these two sets of partment across India into the “Undisclosed income so de- Katchi founder S Ramadoss said and later income tax offi cials Rs13,860 (Rs138.6bn) made to him and that he was used as declarations of Rs200,000 crore sudden surge in cash deposits in tected will be brought to tax as the demonetisation of Rs500 and questioned her about the huge from Mumbai and Ahmedabad a front by some businessmen and Rs13,860 crore. The de- Jan Dhan accounts have revealed per the provisions of the Income Rs1,000 notes to eradicate black cash, all in demonetised notes of respectively, after the declar- and politicians to declare their partment has since commenced various inconsistencies,” the Fi- Tax Act, 1961, apart from other money was akin to demolishing a Rs1,000 and Rs500, sources said. ants were found to be ‘persons money. inquiries against these declar- nance Ministry statement said. actions depending upon the out- mountain to catch a rat. Vasundhara showed IT docu- of suspicious nature’ and ‘of Among the declarations re- ants to determine the intention “Undisclosed moneys of ap- come of investigations,” it added. Ramadoss said while the cen- ments to the offi cials and told very small means.’ ceived, the Income Tax Depart- behind these false declarations,” tral government claims the de- them that she brought the The Rs2tn declaration was ment found these two sets of said the statement. RBI to issue new Rs50, Rs20 notes soon monetisation of high denomina- money for off ering it to Lord made by a family of four people declarations “suspicious” and The Income Declaration tion notes would result in getting Venkateswara temple. She said in Mumbai and the other by a did not take them on record, Scheme was announced in the The Reserve Bank of India yes- of the banknotes, it said. The back black money, reports that they were going to drop the Gujarat businessman. which showed a total declaration budget 2016-17 under which terday announced it will shortly decision follows the November emanate gives a contrary picture. money in the temple ‘hundi’. The Mumbai family of four - of Rs67,382 crore made by 71,726 declaration of undisclosed in- issue new Rs50 and Rs20 8 demonetisation of high-value He said that on the day the cen- The offi cials allowed her and Abdul Razzaque M Sayed, his son declarants as on October 1, the come or asset could be made by notes bearing the signature of currency that has caused a ma- tral government announced the other family members to proceed Mohamed Arif Abdul Razzaque statement said. agreeing to pay 45% of the de- new Governor Urjit Patel, but jor cash crunch, with the supply demonetisation move, the cash to the temple. Sayed, his wife Rukhsana Abdul “These declarations from clared amount as tax, surcharge existing banknotes of both of new Rs500 and Rs2,000 with the Reserve Bank of India Balakrishna is a leader of rul- Razzaque Sayed, and his sister Mumbai and Ahmedabad were and penalty. The scheme closed denominations will continue to notes released proving insuf- and other commercial banks was ing TDP. He is a member of And- Noorjahan Mohamed Sayed – are kept pending for investigation on September 30 this year. be legal tender. The year ‘2016’ ficient for meeting the current around Rs4.57 lakh crore. hra Pradesh state legislative as- residents of Bandra, according to about the genuineness of the Meanwhile, the government will be printed on the reverse demand. After that, till November 28, sembly from Hindupur. a Finance Ministry statement. same and were not included in yesterday warned Jan Dhan ac-

Drones are mapping cities Navy Day celebrations Disparity in – where they’re allowed sex ratio increasing Reuters there are invariably errors, even Haryana state officials Mumbai with satellite imagery,” said T L sourced drones from Science he number of Indian girls Satyaprakash, deputy commis- and Technology Park, Pune to born compared to that sioner in Gurgaon. take high-resolution images Tfor boys continues to de- ffi cials in one of India’s “That is why we are using every three months to record cline, census data shows, despite fastest growing cities are drones, as they are more precise. boundaries, illegal construc- nationwide campaigns to boost Ousing unmanned aerial So we can verify and rectify the tions and encroachments of female birth levels. According to vehicles (UAVs) to update land land records before they are digi- forests and public lands, Saty- the latest report on the Census records in a pilot project that tised,” he told the Thomson Reu- aprakash said. of India website, only 887 girls could be rolled out across the ters Foundation. These images were then were born for every 1,000 boys in country if rules governing the India has embarked on a land checked against existing land 2014. The fi gures show a steady use of drones were simpler, au- record modernisation pro- records and verifi ed with village decline from 2011, when the ratio thorities said. gramme to survey lands, upgrade councils in rural areas before was 909 girls per 1,000 boys, to Haryana state’s Project Udaan, records and establish ownership. being updated, said R S Hooda, 898 in 2013. The number is well or fl ight, is mapping the technol- The project is scheduled to con- chief engineer at Haryana Space below the global average, which ogy hub of Gurgaon, a satellite clude in 2021 at a cost of Rs110bn Applications Centre, which is in 2014 was 934 girls for every town of Delhi, and the towns of ($1.6bn). also working on the project. 1,000 boys, according to the CIA Sohna and Manesar in northern Delays in mapping lands and “Drones are cheaper now World Factbook. In recent years, India. authenticating ownership have compared to some years ago, as Indian leaders have voiced con- The drone images are being caused disputes that stall de- they are being made in India, cerns about the “alarming de- used to update decades-old land velopment projects, sparking and the images are far superior to cline” in girls being born, from records, check encroachments lengthy court battles. Matters satellite images,” he said. 962 per 1,000 boys in 1981 to and resolve disputes over land related to land and property “This project can be replicated 927 in 2001. Successive govern- and property. make up about two-thirds of all elsewhere quite easily, but the ments have launched campaigns “While land records are meant civil cases in India, according to guidelines for drone use are rath- Indian Naval personnel demonstrate a marching exercise in front of the Gateway of India during against female foeticide, the to be updated every fi ve years, Daksh, a legal advocacy group er strict, including where they the Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai, yesterday. main cause of the adverse sex ra- this is not done regularly and based in Bengaluru. can fl y, so their use is limited.” tio in the country. Gulf Times 22 Monday, December 5, 2016 LATIN AMERICA ELN says peace talks to begin once rebels freed

Reuters leftist rebel group and the gov- Odin Sanchez, held in the jungle Santos won the Nobel Peace said should be released. group by the US and the Euro- process with the ELN, Ramirez Bogota ernment of President Juan province of Choco, and stop at- Prize this year for his eff orts to The government said this week pean Union. said. “To do it well you have to do Manuel Santos have agreed to tacks against oil infrastructure. end the civil war. they will only be pardoned if they Larger rebel group the Revo- it with calm and a lot of caution. begin peace negotiations in Ec- “We agreed that all the libera- are legally eligible. “We agreed lutionary Armed Forces of Co- I don’t mean they will be eter- eace talks between the Co- uador, part of Santos’ eff orts to tions which have yet to take place “We agreed that all the they will happen simultaneously lombia, or Farc, late last month nal conversations, but you can’t lombian government and end a 52-year confl ict that has will be done simultaneously and liberations which have to eliminate mutual distrust,” signed a revised peace deal with end a half-century confl ict in a PMarxist insurgent group killed more than 220,000 and ahead of the start (of talks),” Isra- yet to take place will be Ramirez said. the government, after an initial couple of weeks,” he said. the National Liberation Army displaced millions. el Ramirez, head of the ELN’s ne- done simultaneously He ruled out a unilateral cease- agreement was rejected in a pub- The group will for now not halt (ELN) will begin only after a si- But despite more than two gotiating team and better known and ahead of the start (of fi re until an agreement is reached lic referendum. extortion against mining and oil multaneous release of a politi- years of preliminary talks, formal by his nom de guerre Pablo Bel- talks)” with the government at talks. The fraught negotiations be- projects, Ramirez said. Under a cian held by the guerrillas and negotiations were this month tran, told Reuters by phone. Ramirez also denied any divi- tween the two sides lasted four peace deal, the rebels would seek two imprisoned rebels, an ELN postponed until January. “The same day our two are Ramirez, a member of the sion regarding the peace talks years. power as a political party in alli- leader said. The government has said the pardoned, Sanchez will be free,” ELN’s central command, did within the 2,000-strong ELN, As with the Farc talks, Colom- ance with other leftist groups, he Colombia’s second-largest group must release ex-lawmaker said Ramirez. not name the two rebels he which is considered a terrorist bians should not expect a short added. No sympathy for Colombia jet crash pilot

Guardian News and Media Their anger and frustration Brasilia has been compounded by media reports that Quiroga was also a partner in the charter airline La- he father-in-law of the Mia, leading to speculation that pilot who was operating he did not stop to refuel to save Tthe charter fl ight which money. crashed in the Andes killing 71 “It was 77 people’s lives in the people, has asked for forgive- hands of one pilot. It was not ness, amid growing evidence just one family. It shocked the that the aeroplane embarked whole world, there is no doubt with barely enough fuel to com- the company was wrong,” said plete the journey. Caroline Machado, 19, whose But his apology is unlikely uncle Eduardo Preuss, one of the to appease a growing sense of coaching staff , was killed in the anger in Brazil, which is still crash. “We are very shaken.” mourning the loss of most of Brazilian pilots have strongly the Chapecoense football team, criticised LaMia for apparently who were travelling on plane to taking unacceptable risks. their first-ever international “This really was a tragedy, a final in the Colombian city of tragedy that this happened be- Medellín. cause of pure irresponsibility,” A copy of the fl ight plan has said one pilot, speaking anony- been circulated widely in Brazil, mously because he was not showing that the estimated time authorised to give interviews. of the journey and the plane’s “What he (Quiroga) did was mass total range were the same – four murder.” hours and 22 minutes – leaving On Friday Brazil’s Estado de S Cuba’s President Raul Castro (centre) places the box containing the ashes of former president Fidel Castro into a boulder at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, in Santiago de Cuba, yesterday. no time for any delays. As the Paulo newspaper reported that fl ight neared its destination late the same British Aerospace-built on Monday, another fl ight with plane had fl own four other trips problems jumped in front of the at the limit of its fuel capacity. team’s plane, leaving it circling Another Brazilian pilot, Evan- while its fuel ran out. dro Garcia also pointed the fi nger Roger Molina, the father-in- at the Bolivian civil aviation au- law of Bolivian pilot Miguel Qui- thorities, who he said were more roga, 36, issued his apology in an lax than other South American Fidel Castro laid to rest interview with TV Globo. countries. He said he wanted to tell “mil- “Their criteria, their demands, lions of Brazilians, but specifi - are below other countries,” he cally those relatives, children, said. parents and brothers and sisters On Friday, the Associated of Chapeco, that we are very Press reported that one of the sorry”. LaMia airlines owners, Gustavo in private ceremony Speaking for the family, who Vargas, had served as pilot to Bo- live in the Brazilian town of Epi- livian President Evo Morales in Reuters photos released by state me- brink of nuclear war during the fi rst provisionally in 2006, then last ceremony was not broadcast taciolandia, near the Bolivian 2006 and that his son, also called Santiago, Cuba dia showed. Cuban missile crisis. defi nitively in 2008. on Cuban media. border, Molina said he did not Gustavo Vargas, headed the of- Castro died on November 25 His monument sits a few In keeping with his wishes, Instead, in Havana, military want to comment on the causes fi ce at the country’s civil aviation at age 90. steps from the mausoleum of Castro’s image will not be im- cannons unleashed a 21-gun of the crash. “The word sorry agency tasked with licensing air- idel Castro’s ashes were A dark plaque engraved with independence hero Jose Marti, mortalised with statues and pub- salute that thundered across does not resolve anything, but craft. The younger Vargas was placed in the niche of a the word “Fidel” was then fi xed another towering fi gure of Cu- lic places will not be named after the capital city as the ceremony we want to ask for pardon,” he one of a number of high-level Fboulder yesterday, cap- over the niche. ban history who Castro long him, his brother said on Saturday. began hundreds of miles to the said. aviation offi cials suspended on ping nine days of offi cial mourn- Dressed in his four star gen- admired. His send off seemed refl ective south east. Victims’ relatives and Bra- December 1 as part of an inves- ing when hundreds of thousands eral military uniform, Raul Cas- Castro had been out of power of a man who had a vast public Castro’s memorial at the zilian pilots have said Quiroga tigation into the crash, AP said. of Cubans said farewell with a tro saluted the rock, which was for a decade but never far from career but could be intensely cemetery is a large, round stone should never have been allowed Marcelo Chavez, regional combination of tears, Castro- fl anked by two honour guards in the centre of public life. private about his health and per- placed close to, but dwarfed by, to set off with a fl ight plan as director of Bolivia’s air traffi c like defi ance and choruses of “I white uniform. In his fi nal years he wrote a sonal life. Marti’s mausoleum, according fl awed as the one the company control agency and one of the am Fidel!” Castro gave Cuba an outsized periodic column on world and Cubans still do not know the to a Reuters witness. presented. There were no plans suspended offi cials, told AP that President Raul Castro infl uence in world aff airs. local matters and received for- cause of his death, or where he The stone is a few steps from to refuel, nor did the plane have an inspector had fl agged the is- placed the wooden box con- He was feted by Nelson Man- eign dignitaries at his home on was cremated. a monument to rebels who died enough range to reach an alter- sue with the aircraft’s fuel and taining his elder brother’s dela for helping to end apart- the outskirts of Havana. After a three-day caravan in fi ghting in Castro’s failed 1953 native airport or keep fl ying be- range but the airline went ahead cremated remains in the 10 heid at a time when the West Forced to step down due to which hundreds of thousands of attack on the Moncada barracks yond expected fl ight time, as is anyway and air traffi c controllers foot rounded stone at the supported the racist system, an intestinal ailment, he ceded people lined streets and packed in Santiago, the start of the rev- standard safety procedure. had no authority to stop them. Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, but helped take the world to the power to his younger brother, at squares to bid him farewell, the olution. Brazilians take to Venezuela govt to issue bigger bills streets against graft Reuters 2,000, 1,000 and 500 bolivars and Caracas three coins of smaller value. “(This) will make the payments AFP embezzlement by politicians and try has been in turmoil all year. system more effi cient, facilitate Rio de Janeiro top executives at state oil com- Car Wash revelations have already enezuela will introduce commercial transactions and pany Petrobras and other busi- brought down major political and six new notes and three minimise the costs of production, nesses. business fi gures, the economy is Vnew coins starting mid- replacement and transfer... razilians marched across “Car Wash — protected by the in its worst recession for decades, December to help alleviate prac- which will translate into ben- the country yesterday, people,” read one placard in Rio and in August the leftist president tical problems in doing business efi ts for banking, trade and the Bprotesting against cor- carried by a man wrapped in the Dilma Rousseff was impeached with the world’s most infl ation- general population,” the central rupt politicians and what they Brazilian fl ag. and replaced by centre right vet- ary currency, according to the bank said. Paying a restaurant or said were attempts by Congress Demonstrators were furious eran Michel Temer, triggering na- central bank. supermarket bill without a debit to shut down a huge anti-graft at a vote earlier this week by the tionwide tensions. Currently, the Opec na- or credit card can often require a probe. lower house of Congress — where The protesters’ main villain tion’s largest note is worth just backpack full of cash. Dressed overwhelmingly in the many deputies are themselves yesterday was the powerful Sen- 2 US cents on the black market, However, even getting cash at green and yellow national col- suspects in criminal probes — to ate speaker, Renan Calheiros, meaning cash transactions are ATMs in recent months has prov- ours, thousands of demonstra- weaken a long-planned anti- who this week attempted to hold extremely cumbersome. en diffi cult. On Friday, the coun- tors fi lled a beachside avenue in corruption bill and to intimidate a lightening quick vote to con- The bolivar currency has suf- try’s point-of-sale machines suf- Rio’s posh Copacabana, while judges and prosecutors. fi rm the lower house’s contro- fered its most dramatic monthly fall fered chronic malfunctions. several thousand gathered out- The vote, which took place versial corruption bill, but had to in history, down 60% since early Unable to process transactions, side Congress in the capital Bra- while most Brazilians slept dur- retreat. November against the dollar on the businesses asked customers to use silia. ing the early hours of Wednes- Calheiros also faced a ruling black market, as the country strug- cash, transfers or pay later. Another protest was held in day, prompted prosecutors from this week by the Supreme Court gles with a major economic crisis President Nicolas Maduro the country’s fi nancial power- the Car Wash case to threaten that he must stand trial on mul- that is leaving millions hungry and blamed the problems on a cyber house Sao Paulo, as well as in resignation. tiple corruption charges. the medical sector in crisis. attack, but he did not provide scores of smaller cities, accord- In Rio, protesters lauded Ser- “Renan out!” and “Lock Re- The largest new bill, according to any evidence. He attributes the ing to organisers. gio Moro, the judge heading Car nan up!” the crowd chanted in a central bank communique, will be country’s economic crisis to an The peaceful crowds expressed Wash cases, chanting: “Moro, Brasilia, where they performed a worth 20,000 bolivars, just under “economic war” led by the op- support for Operation Car Wash, fi ghter for the Brazilian people.” mock funeral march with a coffi n Thousands gather during a protest against corruption at the $5 on the streets. It will be accom- position with a helping hand a probe that has uncovered mass Latin America’s biggest coun- inscribed “corruption.” Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. panied by notes of 10,000, 5,000, from Washington. Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Crucial week Pakistan ‘committed to for Panama peace in Afghanistan’ Papers case

Agencies Amritsar hearing eiterating that his country “is committed to lasting Internews The Sharif family’s counsel Rpeace in Afghanistan and Islamabad Akram Sheikh said it was his the region”, Pakistan’s de facto personal opinion that the top foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz court should decide the case yesterday said only one country he Supreme Court of itself as the petitioners have cannot be blamed for rising ter- Pakistan is likely to failed to present substantial rorist violence in the region. Tadopt a decisive course evidence against his clients to “The fi rst and foremost in our of action in the Panamagate establish their case. view is continuing violence and case next week in view of the Sheikh, who has a long le- acts of terrorism claiming scores imminent retirement of Chief gal career spanning 44 years, of human lives. This needs to be Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali claimed that he would quash all addressed urgently and eff ec- on December 31. the allegations against his cli- tively through collective eff orts,” Justice Jamali heads the ents and would conclude his ar- Aziz said at the 6th ministerial fi ve-judge larger bench which guments, most likely, in one day. ‘Heart of Asia Conference - Is- is hearing a slew of petitions Sources close to Sheikh said tanbul Process on Afghanistan’ in connection with the Pan- he had taken up the case after in this Punjab city near India’s ama Papers which revealed he was satisfi ed with the evi- border with Pakistan. in April that Prime Minister dence, which have been pro- “It’s simplistic to blame only Nawaz Sharif’s three children vided by Sharif’s children to one country for the recent up- had stashed money in off shore establish the money trail. surge in violence. We need to companies. have an objective and holistic While Justice Jamali will re- “We will submit further view,” Aziz said at the two-day main in offi ce till the last day documentary evidence conference. of the month, a full-court ref- next week” Earlier, Afghanistan President erence and farewell dinner will Ashraf Ghani, in his blunt re- be hosted in his honour on De- Another member of the marks in the presence of Indian cember 15 due to winter recess Sharif family’s legal team said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the apex court. it was a ridiculous claim of the unequivocally named Pakistan The recess will end on Janu- PTI that Sharif family owned for promoting terrorism in the ary 2. luxury London fl ats prior to region. If Justice Jamali retires be- 2006, adding that they were Aziz said Pakistan had “been fore giving any decision in the well-prepared to respond to making serious eff orts for facili- Sartaj Aziz and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif talk as they wait for the group picture during the 6th Heart of Asia (HoA) case, then a new bench will be the Al Towfeek case judgment, tating peace talks between the Ministerial Conference in Amritsar yesterday. constituted by his successor wherein these properties were Afghan government and Taliban Justice Mian Saqib Nisar. attached by a UK court. that have not yet produced posi- fl ict and all our eff orts should be in the Afghanistan-Pakistan sued after the 6th ministerial of violence in Afghanistan However, Justice Jamali, “We will submit further tive results”. to achieve a politically negoti- Transit Trade Agreement. In this ‘Heart of Asia conference - Is- caused by Taliban, terrorist while hearing the case on Oc- documentary evidence next “We need to make an objec- ated settlement through an Af- context, let me emphasize that tanbul Process on Afghanistan’, groups including Al Qaeda, tober 31, had observed that week,” he said, adding that if tive evaluation of our eff orts for ghan-led Afghan-owned proc- peaceful resolution of outstand- “recognises terrorism as the Daesh (Islamic State) and its ‘time is short’ and that “we any court of law summoned peace and stability in Afghani- ess.” ing disputes will further improve biggest threat to peace” and de- affiliates.” have a lot of work to do”. Legal Tariq Shafi and the Qatari stan.” Advocating the need to pro- prospects of regional coopera- manded “immediate end to all “We strongly call for con- experts believe the next week prince for cross-examining, Aziz said his government mote connectivity across the tion and connectivity.” forms of terrorism”. certed regional and interna- will be crucial in the Pan- then they would appear for stood in solidarity with the borders, the diplomat said Paki- A declaration issued at the Citing the declaration, In- tional co-operation to ensure amagate case. this purpose. elected government and people stan was committed to enhanc- conference called for immediate dian Finance Minister Arun elimination of terrorism, in- A Supreme Court offi cial On the other hand, PTI’s of Afghanistan in furthering the ing facilitation for transit of Af- elimination of terrorism to help Jaitley, who chaired the meet- cluding dismantling of terror- said that before his retirement spokesperson Fawad Chaud- objective of peace, stability and ghan goods through Pakistan. the war-ravaged country in its ing in the absence of ailing ist safe havens in the Heart of Justice Jamali might give the hry said they were not inter- development. “We believe the two sides political and economic transi- External Affairs Minister Su- Asia region, as well as disrupt- last ruling of his career in this ested in the formation of an “In our view, there is no mili- need to work together for ex- tion. shma Swaraj, said: “We re- ing all financial and logistical case. inquiry commission in this tary solution to the Afghan con- tension of and improvements The Amritsar Declaration, is- main concerned by high level support for terrorism.” The hearing of case will matter. resume on December 6, and Another PTI lawyer said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s they had three documents to lead counsel Naeem Bukhari establish that the Sharif family Military court trials of terror cases set to end will continue his arguments owned the London fl ats prior against the alleged corruption to 2006. “The main evidence The power of military courts Rehman, “since the situation of the ruling Sharif family. is London High Court’s judg- Islamabad’s rural areas to to try civilians is likely to end is under control now, there On the last date of hearing, ment in the Al Towfeek case,” in a month as the government is no need to extend such Bukhari had ensured the bench he said. of Pakistan does not appear wartime legislation”. that he would conclude his ar- Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Sira- interested in extending the The amendment extended guments in 35 minutes. jul Haq, who is one of the pe- come under property tax net relevant amendment to the the scope of scheduled Later, Akram Sheikh and titioners in the case, moved a Constitution, which will lapse off ences of the PAA. Salman Aslam Butt — coun- fresh plea yesterday, request- on January 2. Another anti-terrorism law, sels for the Sharif family — will ing the court to declare the Internews In August this year, the FBR the ICT administration to com- On January 3 last year, the Protection of Pakistan present their case. Panama Papers a basic docu- Islamabad issued a revised DC rate fi x- plete the rest of the work on its parliament passed the 21st Act (PoPA), also lapsed in July Independent experts believe ment for an Enquiry and Trial ing new prices of the land in own. Constitution Amendment, after completing its two-year the top court cannot give a fi - Commission. the capital city: Rs10mn for a Sources said it seemed the bringing the civilian suspects term. nal ruling without holding a The JI has not made Premier he Islamabad Capital 1,000 square yard plot in E-12 ICT had lost interest in the of terrorism under the The government was initially detailed inquiry into the mat- Sharif and his family respond- Territory (ICT) admin- and Rs18mn for a similar plot in project as the revised PC-1 was jurisdiction of the military indecisive about its renewal ter. ents in its main petition. Tistration has decided to Sector F-6 and F-7. yet to be approved by the Plan- courts which are otherwise but days before PoPA’s expiry They believe the judges are The application said all per- bring changes to the property The local administration ning Commission. meant to try personnel of the it constituted a high-level not in the mood to disqualify sons named in the Panama Pa- law to bring the rural areas of wants to also fi x the rates of “Our revised PC-I is lying armed forces for disciplinary team to discuss the revival Premier Sharif on the basis of pers along with their families, the federal capital under the tax land in the rural areas as a mas- in the Planning Commission reasons or for off ences of the legislation with the available evidence. children, companies and busi- net. sive development activities are and without an amendment to mentioned in the schedule of political parties. Of all the petitioners, three ness entities should be made In the urban areas of the fed- taking place there. the existing law we cannot is- the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) The amendment related are in favour of a judicial com- respondents, having the right eral capital, there is a minimum Meanwhile, the revenue of- sue computerised fard (land 1952. to the military courts was mission, but the PTI and the to submit their reply in their value of land fi xed by the FBR fi ce, which started the com- document) even in the 33 vil- According to Minister of State passed with a sunset clause of ruling PML-N are not inter- own defence and in rebuttal to through the deputy commis- puterisation of land record in lages where the project has been for Interior Aff airs Baleeghur two years. ested in the formation of the allegations mentioned in the sioner (DC rate) on the basis of 2009, completed,” said an offi cial of commission. Panama Papers. which the seller and purchaser has failed to make any signifi - the revenue directorate. of a plot pay a certain amount cant progress. On the other hand, the sourc- of tax. Though the ICT adminis- es said patwaris were allegedly But there is no such offi cially tration claims to have made charging “illegal” fee from the fi xed rate of land in the rural ar- progress, it would not make any citizens for getting copies of the Sindh marks culture day eas. diff erence until the entire proc- fard and other land documents. As a result, the buyers and ess is completed and amend- “If the land record is compu- sellers in the rural areas men- ments are made to the existing terised, the door of corruption tion a very low rate of the plot property law. will be closed. on the sale deed to avoid the tax. In 2009, the ICT administra- This is the main reason the “We have moved a summary tion in collaboration with the mafi a does not want to see the to the Ministry of Interior to get Ministry of Information Tech- completion of the project,” an approval for the changes to the nology launched the project to offi cial alleged. law and bring the rural areas of computerise all the land records When contacted, acting Islamabad under the tax net,” in Islamabad’s 112 mauzas by Deputy Commissioner Islama- Tehsildar Awais Khan said. June 2013. bad Abdul Sattar Esani said the He said in the absence of the But when work in only 33 project had been halted because fi xed rate, the revenue offi cers mauzas had been completed in of a shortage of funds.“We have had to rely on the property rates 2014, the ministry disassoci- moved a summary to get funds mentioned in the land deeds by ated itself from the project and for restarting the project,” he the sellers and purchasers. the federal government ordered said.

First-ever Pakistan Film Festival opens at UN

Internews eral Jan Eliasson, who was the Pakistan will convey the energy Islamabad chief guest, congratulated the and dynamism that defi nes to- Pakistan Mission to the UN for day’s Pakistan. organising the two-day festival In his brief remarks, Elias- he fi rst-ever Pakistan that will showcase at Asia Soci- son, the UN deputy secretary- Film Festival kicked off ety top-rated Pakistani movies general, also said that art, fi lm Ton Friday night with a over the weekend, saying that and music build bridges across largely-attended red carpet cultural events such as this one cultures and promote peace reception at United Nations played a key role in promoting through inter-cultural under- Headquarters in New York in better understanding among standing. the presence of some of the big- peoples of the world. He welcomed Pakistani fi lm gest Pakistani stars, ambassa- Pakistan’s ambassador to the stars to the United Nations, say- dors accredited to the UN, com- United Nations Maleeha Lodhi, ing, “You have given life to this munity members, media and who took the initiative to hold building.” “You have already con- movie buff s. the festival, read out a welcome quered Pakistan, now you will A woman dances with others during Sindh Culture Day in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday. UN Deputy Secretary-Gen- address, saying the fi lms from conquer New York,” he said. Gulf Times 24 Monday, December 5, 2016 PHILIPPINES

RECOGNITION US Congress passes bill honouring Filipino veterans US lawmakers have passed a bill Robredo claims plot to oust granting collective honour to Filipino World War II veterans, the Department of Foreign Aff airs has announced. The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 will go to the White House for President her from vice presidency Barack Obama’s signature after its passage in the US House of AFP Ban Ki-moon a “fool”. killed by police or unidentified Representatives on November 30. Manila Duterte’s spokesman Martin attackers. The bill unanimously passed the Andanar, interviewed on ABS- Other differences cited by US Senate last July 13. CBN television yesterday, Robredo were the govern- Both bills were introduced in June hilippine Vice President confirmed Robredo’s depar- ment’s moves to bring back last year. The Philippine embassy Leni Robredo announced ture from the cabinet and cited the death penalty, to lower the in Washington lauded the passage Pyesterday she would quit “irreconcilable differences”. age of criminal liability to nine of the bill. “We welcome this good President Rodrigo Duterte’s Regarding the alleged plot and “sexual attacks against news and extend our appreciation cabinet after being told to stay to unseat her from the vice women”. to all the advocates and support- away from its meetings, and presidency, Andanar said: “If She did not specify which ers of the bill at the US House of said there was a plot to oust her there is a plot, that plot did attacks but Duterte and his Representatives and the Senate. as his deputy. not come from the camp of the supporters have often used ac- Our veterans’ sacrifice is one of Robredo did not say who president.” cusations of sexual misbehav- the greatest stories of heroism, was behind the alleged plot to “Tomorrow, let us see if the iour and other insults against courage and strength that our two remove her as vice-president. president actually accepts her female critics. countries have ever seen. From But she cited “major differ- resignation (from the cabi- In the May elections for the ordinary civilians to defenders ences in principles and values” net),” he added. vice presidency, Robredo, 51, of free nations, these men and with Duterte, such as over the Evasco confirmed separately narrowly defeated Ferdinand women deserve our deepest rash of extrajudicial killings that he had sent Robredo a Marcos Jr, the son and name- respect and gratitude,” said Patrick during his “war on drugs” and message, telling her not to at- sake of the dictator who died Chuasoto, charge d’ aff aires and the hero’s burial he granted for tend further cabinet meetings in exile in 1989. interim of the Philippine embassy. dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Leni Robredo: irreconcilable diff erences? on the instructions of Duterte. However Marcos Jr, a key “We look forward to the final step In the Philippines the presi- He said there was no order ally of Duterte, has a pending of President Obama signing this dent and vice president are set in motion,” Robredo said in Cabinet Secretary (Leoncio) She had been appointed to to strip Robredo of her housing election protest which argues bill into law,” he added. elected separately. a statement on her Facebook Evasco, relaying the Presi- the cabinet as a housing offi- position. he was the real winner. The measure seeks to award a Duterte and Robredo come page. dent’s instruction...for me cial.Duterte’s war on drugs has Duterte won presidential Robredo, originally a lawyer Congressional Gold Medal, the from rival parties. “I will not allow the Vice ‘to desist from attending all claimed thousands of lives and elections in May after pledg- for the disadvantaged, rose to highest expression of national “I had been warned of a plot Presidency to be stolen. I will Cabinet meetings starting this sparked international criti- ing to kill tens of thousands fame as the wife of respected appreciation for distinguished to steal the Vice Presidency. I not allow the will of the people Monday, December 5’.” cism, including from key ally of drug suspects, warning cabinet member Jesse Robre- achievements and contributions have chosen to ignore this and to be thwarted,” despite leav- “This is the last straw, be- the United States and the UN. that otherwise the Philippines do. When her husband died in in the US, collectively, to 260,000 focus on the job at hand. But ing the cabinet, she said. cause it makes it impossible He has struck back by calling would turn into a narco-state. a plane crash in 2012, public Filipino veterans in recognition the events of recent days indi- “We received a text (SMS) for me to perform my duties,” US President Barack Obama a Since he assumed office, clamour encouraged her to en- of their dedicated service during cate that this plot is now being message last Saturday from Robredo said. “son of a w****” and UN chief some 4,800 people have been ter politics. World War II. Ombudsman fi les graft charges Duterte orders arrest of against former Palace offi cial Lam for bribery attempt By Ma Reina Leanne Tolentino bio of violation of Section 3(a) against GSIS stemmed from an Manila Times of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt ownership row. It was raffled to Practices Act. Bail was fixed at the appeals court division then Agencies P60,000. headed by Justice Sabio, who Manila he Office of the Om- According to the Ombuds- died in 2012. budsman has filed graft man, Sabio allegedly “allowed Sabio allegedly persuaded, Tcharges at the Sandi- himself to be persuaded, in- induced, or influenced a pub- resident Rodrigo Duterte ganbayan against former Presi- duced, or influenced by Atty. lic officer to “perform an act has ordered the arrest of dential Commission on Good Jesus I. Santos” — who was a constituting a violation of rule Pgaming tycoon Jack Lam, Government (PCGG) chairman GSIS board member at the time or regulation duly promulgated Philippine National Police Di- Camilo Sabio over his alleged — “by readily acceding to the by competent authority” when rector General Ronald “Bato” attempt to persuade his late latter’s request to persuade his he told his brother to favour the dela Rosa has said. brother, who was then a justice brother, Justice Jose L Sabio Jr, GSIS, the Ombudsman said, of the Court of Appeals, to help to help the Government Service citing the anti-graft law. “We will look for a a litigant in 2008. Insurance System (GSIS)” in a The Ombudsman’s field in- way to enforce the Director Moreno Generoso of case filed by the Manila Elec- vestigators did not include the president’s orders. the Ombudsman’s Preliminary tric Co (Meralco) which was late Justice Sabio as a respond- We will take full Investigation and Administra- then pending with the appeals ent “since records do not show responsibility if we will be tive Adjudication Bureau-B, in court. that he had been influenced by charged with illegal arrest two charge sheets, accused Sa- The case filed by Meralco his elder brother.” as long as we have a basis (to arrest him)”

“I am calling on anyone who has information on the wherea- Education department’s concern over bouts of Jack Lam or whether they have seen Jack Lam, the online gaming operator at Fon- contraceptive distribution in schools tana, Clark. He is a Chinese na- tional. Just give the information to your nearest police station,” By Francis Earl Cueto premarital sex is okay just because you gave him a Dela Rosa told dzMM radio. Manila Times condom,” he said. Dela Rosa said Duterte want- The DOH plans to distribute condoms in high ed Lam arrested for bribery and schools starting next year as part of its “business economic sabotage, but said no he Department of Education (DepEd) has unusual” strategy aimed at curbing rise of hu- formal charges have been fi led expressed apprehension over the plan of the man immunodefi ciency virus (HIV)/acquired im- against him, Philippine Daily TDepartment of Health (DOH) to distribute mune defi ciency syndrome cases (AIDS) among the Inquirer reported. Rodrigo Duterte: bribery crackdown condoms to high school students starting next year. country’s youths.The DOH will also urge parents to “We will look for a way to en- DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said teach safe sex at home as part of the strategy. force the president’s orders. We legations of bribery. inside the villas. workers. Although the presi- the move could prematurely pique the curiosity of DOH Secretary Paulyn Ubial cited data showing will take full responsibility if we A joint team of the Bureau Justice Secretary Vitaliano dent has only named Lam in his minors toward sex and lead to culture shock. that from 1984 to October 2016, a total of 38,114 will be charged with illegal ar- of Immigration and the Special Aguirre II earlier said Lam, arrest order, Dela Rosa said that “Instead of the child remaining innocent, you are HIV cases were recorded, with 32,099 tallied from rest as long as we have a basis Action Force conducted a raid through his representative, Sombero would also be arrested opening their minds to a sensitive subject,” Umali 2011 to 2016. (to arrest him),” Dela Rosa said. on Fontana’s illegal online gam- former policeman Wally Somb- if he was spotted by the police. said.The government is implying that there is noth- A total of 10,279 HIV cases were recorded among Raymond Fortun, Lam’s ing operations on Nov 24 and ero, attempted to bribe him in Aside from ordering the ar- ing wrong with premarital sex as long as condoms persons aged 15 to 24 years old during the period, Philippine lawyer, was not im- arrested 1,316 Chinese national a meeting at the Shangri-La rest, the president also moved are used, he added.“The child might think that 9,066 of which were tallied since 2011. mediately available for com- illegals working in the multibil- hotel at The Fort two days after to shut down Lam’s casinos in ment. He had earlier denied al- lion peso business conducted the arrest of the illegal Chinese the country. School faces investigation over links to terror group

By Julmunir I Jannaral ity of Butig to prevent Dawlah alleged links with the Dawlah Mayors are worried of more ARMM’s regional vice gover- ning and development co-ordina- Islamiya extremists in Butig to Manila Times/Cotabato City Islamiya bandits from coming Islamiya. “There are also three attacks soon by extremists nor, Haroun al-Rashid Lucman tor of Butig. their municipalities. back to terrorise villages. other smaller schools rumoured on the once peaceful Ma- Jr., who hails from Bayang town The Dawlah Islamiya, founded Buldon Mayor Abolais Man- Members of the Butig munici- to have links to this group, which ranao farming communities as in Lanao del Sur, said there is a by relatives Omar and Abdullah alao has recommended an urgent ocal government offi cials pal peace and order council con- is espousing violence. Nowhere vengeance for the deaths of 22 need for immediate deployment Maute, boasts of its allegiance to meeting of the municipal peace in Lanao del Sur have fi rmed that more than half of the can we fi nd a single verse es- Dawlah Islamiya gunmen that of a battalion of soldiers in Butig the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and order councils in the three Lurged authorities to inves- group’s 200 members are jobless pousing violence as a means of the military killed during the to deter attacks by the Dawlah and has also been using the black Maguindanao towns to discuss tigate a religious school whose men from nearby towns and stu- furthering a cause or in seeking fierce encounters there last Islamiya. ISIS fl ag as its revolutionary ban- how to prevent the possible arrival name is being withheld while dents of a school in Marawi City. redress,” said a mayor who asked week that according to govern- “An Army battalion that would ner. of extremists from Butig. investigation of its alleged links Lanao del Sur Vice Governor not to be named. ment sources displaced some stay there and not leave after the The founders of the group had Butig is so close to the border of to the Maute terror group, now Mamintal Adiong Jr, a senior Maranao mayors confi rmed 2,715 Maranao families. ongoing anti-Maute operations is studied religious theology in Syr- Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, sporting the name of Dawlah Is- member of the provincial peace that the suspicious school in needed,” Lucman added. ia, Jordan and in secular schools where there is a much bigger ter- lamiya, is yet to begin. and order council who attended Marawi City fi rst sent students “Certain students Evacuees provided with food by in the United Arab Emirates, ac- rorist group, the outlawed Bang- The Dawlah Islamiya fi gured a recent local government sum- to Butig to help the Dawlah Is- of the school were the ARMM government through a cording to some public offi cials in samoro Islamic Freedom Fighters recently in a gunfi ght with the mit of the Autonomous Region lamiya fi ght Philippine Army reportedly absent from team led by Lucman, concurrent Lanao del Sur. also known for its allegiance to military in Butig, Lanao del Sur, in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) units that fl ushed them out of classes during the latest regional social welfare secretary, Last week’s hostilities in Butig ISIS. where, according to military in Davao City, said the school is the municipality during the incursion of the group in said the terrorists forced villagers erupted when Dawlah Islamiya Butig Mayor Dimnatang Pan- sources, the terror group suff ered now being monitored by local campaign period that preceded populated areas in Butig” last week to leave at gunpoint and gunmen showed force in the cen- sar said he is optimistic that the more than a dozen casualties. authorities. the May 9, 2016 elections. looted their houses. tre of the municipality and hoisted Armed Forces of the Philippines The Maute terror group is just Other local executives from “Certain students of the The military had announced The evacuees said the bandits the ISIS fl ag on strategic spots in will deploy soon a battalion of sol- considered as a gang but enjoys Lanao del Sur who attended the school were reportedly absent that more than 50 Dawlah Is- also took their farm animals as the municipality. diers to their municipality to help support of local schools, provid- summit said they want the De- from classes during the latest lamiya members were killed in they fl ed to elude responding sol- Municipal mayors in the local police control activities ing the group with students to partment of Education in the incursion of the group in popu- fi refi ghts in Butig from Novem- diers. Maguindanao’s adjoining Mata- of the Dawlah Islamiya. help fi ght government forces. ARMM (DepEd-ARMM) to look lated areas in Butig,” said a local ber 23- 25. “It is just a very small group. nog, Buldon and Barira towns that Pansar noted that there are only Local offi cials in Butig on Sat- into the activities of the religious offi cial who also attended the Local government offi cials, Most of its members are not resi- are all located near the forested 20 policemen that the Philippine urday urged President Rodrigo school, whose name they asked ARMM local government sum- however, confi rmed that the dents of Butig but are from nearby border of the province with Lanao National Police assigned in Butig Duterte to assign a battalion of not to publish yet pending out- mit, held at the SMX Convention group only had 22 fatalities, nine towns in Lanao del Sur,” said Ab- del Sur said they are apprehensive and some of them are only carry- military men in the municipal- come of an investigation of its Centre in Davao City. of them teenagers. dul Pansar, the municipal plan- of a possible retreat of the Dawlah ing 9 millimetre pistols. Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Philippines urges Bangladesh to share results of heist probe Maithripala Sirisena: “If we cannot Reuters the results of its investigation. ed in a statement as telling the has been returned to Bangla- nilla said Manila had received ($20mn) by the Philippine cen- strengthen reconciliation among Manila He assured the visitors the delegation. desh, with a further $2.7mn an assurance from Bangladesh tral bank for its failure to pre- all communities it is a massive government was doing it eve- frozen. it would provide an “initial up- vent the movement of the stolen disaster.” rything it could to fi nd Bang- “We are pursuing Philippine President Rod- date” since the investigation Bangladesh money through its he Philippine govern- ladesh’s missing money. Cyber the lawsuits on your rigo Duterte, who had earlier was not yet fi nished. bank. Huq said paying that fi ne ment wants Bangladesh criminals tried to steal nearly behalf as vigorously pledged the stolen money would Bangladesh has said it want- was tantamount to accepting Tto share the fi ndings of $1bn from Bangladesh Bank as we can” be returned, cancelled a meet- ed RCBC, or the Rizal Com- culpability. its investigation into how un- in February and made off with ing with the Bangladesh team mercial Banking Corp (RCBC), An anti-money laundering Lankan known hackers pulled off one of $81mn via an account at the Bangladesh Bank has de- because of “pressing matters”. to compensate it for its losses, body last month fi led charges the world’s largest cyber bank New York Federal Reserve. That clined to disclose the fi ndings of Asked if the fi ndings of the but RCBC refuses to pay and against fi ve RCBC offi cials in heists, to help speed up recovery money was transferred to four its own inquiry, saying it wanted probe would be shared with the has said the Bangladesh central connection with the theft. president of the stolen funds. accounts with false names at to deny perpetrators knowledge Philippines government, Bang- bank was “negligent”. No arrests have been made Finance secretary Carlos one RCBC branch in Manila be- of the investigation. ladesh’s ambassador in Manila, Bangladesh’s Law Minister despite investigations by the Dominguez, who last week fore vanishing. Most of the money was laun- John Gomes, said: “No one Anisul Huq last week said RCBC US Federal Bureau of Investi- calls for met with a Bangladesh del- “We are pursuing the lawsuits dered through Philippine ca- asked us anything yet.” should shoulder the burden for gation, Interpol, Bangladesh egation, said Manila “strongly on your behalf as vigorously as sinos. About $15mn recovered But Philippine central bank accepting stolen funds. RCBC police and authorities in the recommended” Dhaka share we can,” Dominguez was quot- from a gaming junket operator deputy governor Nestor Espe- was fi ned a record 1bn pesos Philippines. unity

IANS Colombo Rail worker honoured ri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has Scalled on parties and scholars to join in the eff orts to strengthen reconciliation and after daring rescue support the new constitution to solve issues in the island nation. “If we cannot strengthen rec- AFP “I knew I might die but I also ter Mujibul Haque called Maz- onciliation among all commu- Dhaka knew if I didn’t try to save him, umder a “hero” at a ceremony nities it is a massive disaster,” a young stranger’s face would in Dhaka and rewarded him with President Sirisena said. haunt me for the rest of my life,” a 100,000 taka ($1,250) in cash “The root cause of many of humble rail worker who Mazumder said. for his gallantry. the wars, confl icts and blood- shot to fame for pulling CCTV footage of the entire “He has set an example for shed in world history has been Aa suicidal man off train incident went viral on social mankind and made us truly mostly language, religious, ra- tracks was honoured by Bang- media with hundreds of Bang- proud,” the minister said, as- cial and cast diff erences.” ladesh authorities yesterday, ladeshis, many from abroad, suring Mazumder that his son He said that politicians at- as footage of his heroism went applauding Mazumder for his would be given a job at the rail- tempting to become “so-called viral. heroic act. way department. patriots and heroes” have never Railway lineman Billal Hos- The father of four, who earns Railway accidents are com- attempted to fi nd solutions to sain Mazumder, 50, put his life less than $100 a month, said he mon in Bangladesh where some genuine issues of the people. on the line last month by drag- did not have time to consider his 40% of around 2,500 rail cross- He pointed out that these ging 34-year-old Mohammad own welfare when he jumped on ings are unmanned and exposed politicians who create problems Mamun out of harm’s way as a the tracks to save Mamun. to fatal accidents. in the country aimed at only train approached. “I would do it again... life In the last six years 152 people winning votes were committing “I hoisted the red fl ag to sig- is precious. No one should were killed in railway accidents. a national crime that would af- nal the driver to stop the train, commit suicide even in the In addition, scores of people, fect the future generation. but within an instance, I real- face of unbearable pain,” said mostly drug addicts, chose rail- “We are attempting to intro- ised it would be too late,” Maz- Mazumder. way tracks to take their own Bangladeshi Railway Minister Mujibul Haque shakes hands with railway lineman Billal Hossain Mazumder, duce a new constitution,” the umder said. Bangladesh’s Railway Minis- lives. 50, in Dhaka yesterday, during an award ceremony. president said. “Discussions are made in that direction and some are trying to point out that the government is attempting to di- vide the country.” He further said the country Nepal sees sharp needed a mechanism that would ‘1 taka’ meal providing lifeline bring about lasting peace and reconciliation among the com- munities. fall in HIV cases “We are not solving the issues by the gun as ours is a harmless to street children in Dhaka government. Everyone should IANS The Nepal government has join hands with us to fi nd a Kathmandu prioritised the prevention of solution.” HIV/Aids and is committed to IANS rently works for Google in Puru. well-being of the children, private donations given by the implementation based on Dhaka His technical prowess has been for whom their eff orts, from people who have forgone the he rate of HIV infec- a national health policy, Min- injected into the foundation cooking to distribution, are an expenses of birthday celebra- tions and deaths has ister for Health Gagan Thapa for it to also provide a myriad essential daily lifeline. tions and presents, to give the Tsharply dropped in said at the ceremony. ating a meal for 1 taka of other charitable solutions to Shikha said the volunteers money to the foundation for Nepal, a report released by “We have at least trans- in Bangladesh’s capital the underprivileged. are delighted to be able to feed our cause(s),” said Shikha. Bail for three the National Centre for Aids formed from the status of un- EDhaka would have been These include virtual educa- so many children, while help- Volunteers provide fruits and and STD Control (NCASC) of known number of deaths by unimaginable even a decade tional solutions for poor stu- ing them maintain their self- sweetmeats when someone do- Nepal has said. HIV to the commitment level ago and by today’s standards a dents who can utilise digital esteem by accepting their one nates their birthday celebration jailed for A drastic 22% decline in in public. Nepal is committed meal for less than $1 (80 taka) technology to help free them- taka notes or coins. In addition, money, which is an extra treat HIV positive patients was re- to the ambitious global target in the city can’t be found even selves from the shackles of the children lining up for food for the kids, Shikha said. corded in Nepal over a period of 90-90-90 to end Aids by from a street vendor. poverty and fi ght on an equal are also given liquid soap to A young child named Brish- over 15 years of 10 years, said the report un- 2030,” Thapa said. But thanks to an organisation footing with the more fortunate clean their hands with and keep ti visits the outreach loca- veiled by NCASC on World The global target is to have called Bidyanondo Foundation, to gain employment, having the conditions sanitary, which tion in the city every day. She Aids Day. The fi rst HIV case 90% of people living with HIV a meal for just 1 taka is avail- received pre-career education is also paramount to their said the food was really good without trial was reported in Nepal in 1988. know their status, 90% of able daily for underprivileged and guidance provided by the overall health. and the volunteers kind and HIV is highly prevalent in people identifi ed infected get children. foundation. Shikha said that the foun- encouraging. the 15-49 age group as the enrolled in antiretroviral ther- Bidyanondo Foundation’s As for the 1 taka mission, dation, which has been opera- Shakil, another regular, said By Mizan Rahman number stands for 30,074, apy (ART), and 90% of ART-en- policy is to charge 1 taka so dozens of volunteers at the tional for the past fi ve months, that fresh fruit like an apple or Dhaka whereas it is least found rolled achieve viral suppression. as not to be viewed as giving foundation prepare and pack overall, acts as an important an orange is always gratefully among 0-14 age group with It is believed that the mas- handouts to the children, and around 750 food parcels daily to educational provider for the received. 1,589 infections. sive expansion of antiretro- for the children’s part, pay- be distributed to the children, children, focusing on their wel- “The food is really tasty,” hree persons in Bangla- Sex workers, drug users, viral therapy has reduced the ing the money, as little as it is, who would quite likely other- fare and enhancing their future beamed Jasim who studies at desh jailed without trial third genders, prison inmates, number of deaths in Nepal. is a matter of pride, Xinhua wise not be able to get a decent opportunities. a school in Tongi, on the out- Tfor periods ranged be- male migrant workers and Some 2,263 people with HIV/ reports. meal. The foundation serves to skirts of the capital. “Today we tween 15 and 18 years are set to be their wives are most likely in- Aids, on average, lose their life Thanks to the foundation’s At a Bidyanondo centre in give hundreds of street children even had an apple and sweet- freed on bail granted yesterday fected. Some 40% of the HIV per year in the country. generosity, hundreds of impov- Dhaka’s downtown area of Mir- somewhere safe to go on daily meat with our regular meal and by the High Court (HC). infected in July were sex work- Currently, there are 263 HIV erished children in the capital pur, dozens of volunteers were basis and receive a nutritional it only cost 1 taka.” “The High Court in a simul- ers and their clients, while testing and council centres and in other places in the coun- busy removing the shells from meal as well as other lifestyle The Bidyanondo Founda- taneous order also ordered the drug users accounted for 10%. and 65 ART centres across the try can regularly receive a de- hard boiled eggs. Sultana Jan- and educational support from tion wants to work towards authorities concerned to dispose The estimated new HIV in- country. cent, nutritional meal for next nat Shikha, one of the regular the volunteers. expanding its project activities of cases against Makbul Hossain, fection in 2015 is 1,331 in Ne- The ART treatment begun to nothing. volunteers said that everyone “Since June this year we not only in Bangladesh but all Sentu Kamal and Billal Hossain pal, while the average number in Nepal in February 2004 and The organisation is head- was working there of their own have been feeding children in around the world, with a vi- within 90 days,” a court offi cial of new infections per day is freely available for all people ed by founder and chairman, volition and putting in a hard many places in Dhaka, with sion that one day in the future familiar with the process said. stands at four. living with HIV. Kishor Kumar Das, who cur- graft purely for the benefi t and our projects partly funded by “no child will go hungry.” He said the development came as the jail authorities produced the three detainees before the two-member High Court bench as ordered earlier. The bench comprising Justice Migratory birds start arriving in Bangladesh M Enayetur Rahim and Justice J B M Hassan granted bails two weeks after it issued a ruling By Mizan Rahman change due to rise in global tem- change and drying up of the rivers shir, Piyang, Pankouri, Rangamu- asking for an explanation about Dhaka perature,” said Mamunur Rashid created threats to bio-diversity, ri, Pintail, Pantamukhi, Chokha- their confi nement without trial. of RDRS Bangladesh. ecology and environment reduc- chokhi and Khonjona were found In a separate order, the bench Citing statistics, he said that ing number of many species of fl ocking to marshy areas on the asked a trial court to dispose of a ailing to bear the bitter chill the average temperature had been fi sh, insects, birds and some ani- Brahmaputra river. case pending against Chan Miah of winter, migratory birds continuing to rise in the Himalay- mals causing grave concern to the “The riverside people fi nd within 60 days, saying he could Fhave already started ar- an, Siberian, Nepal, Xinxian and natural balance. only a fewer number of migra- not be granted bail immediately riving in water bodies and ma- Mongolian regions making those “As a result, the number of mi- tory birds now in Noonkhawa, since he already gave a confes- jor rivers in northern districts of places habitable to some extent gratory birds is continuing to be Madarganj, Narayanpur, Jatrapur, sional statement in the case. Bangladesh from Himalayan and for birds even during winters. less and their duration of stay has Begumganj, Hatia, Kodalkati, As- Chan Miah, Makbul Hossain, Siberian regions. Dr Tuhin Wadud, associate been shortened in water bodies as tomirchar, Noyarhat, Mohanganj Sentu Kamal and Billal Hossain According to local people and professor at Begum Rokeya Uni- they dry up much earlier before and Tajerhat in the Brahmaputra were languishing in jail without experts, migratory birds had been versity, said that migratory birds end of the winter season,” Tuhin basin,” he said. trials for 18, 17, 16 and 15 years arriving in the northern districts were coming in lesser number added. Mesbahul Islam, a specialist at respectively. in huge number even a couple of due to reduction of water bod- Delwar Hossain, 75, of Chilmari the Department of Agriculture The High Court move came decades ago. ies and depletion of many spe- in Rangpur district, said that Extension, said the number of as a private TV channel recently “The number of the migratory cies of sweet water fi sh from the a fewer number of Bali Duck, migratory birds has been declin- carried a report on the plight of The number of the migratory birds has been declining in birds declined in recent times fol- marshes. Samukal, Bright, Rose King, Bali ing alarmingly in recent years in the four, grabbing the court’s recent times. lowing adverse impacts of climate The adverse impacts of climate Lenja, Chity, Sorail, Boikal, Nil- the Brahmaputra basin. attention. Gulf Times 26 Monday, December 5, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah General who is decidedly Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar apolitical and avid reader [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), Keeping an orderly house approach, but it also fuelled unease authority in letter and spirit. Minister’s Secretariat, also fall under 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) – fi rmly in step with the amongst the political class – Massively symbolic as it is, only the jurisdiction of the Commander of Fax 44350474 predominantly, the ruling Pakistan time will tell how strong is the 10 Corps. civilian chief executive’s Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), its apparent “paradigm” shift portrayed These are just two of a long list of fi at – should be the favoured predecessor, the Pakistan People’s in the image released by the PM Bajwa’s stellar career bullet points, but Party (PPP), and the Karachi-based House. But Prime Minister Sharif can he is also an avid reader and has a keen ideal for new army chief ethnic Muttahida Qaumi Movement be justifi ably credited for outlasting interest in international relations and Qamar Javed Bajwa (MQM) – all of whom wanted to see six army chiefs, including two current aff airs. It would be certainly the back of him. handpicked ones, despite two previous interesting to see how he approaches GULF TIMES Save for perhaps, the Pakistan aborted terms – one of which even saw the two ongoing but challenging By Kamran Rehmat Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) of fi rebrand him forced into a long exile! assignments from a security Doha opposition leader Imran Khan, they Given the chequered history, the perspective: India and Afghanistan. felt the heat of Raheel Sharif’s actions civilian Sharif may have gambled While consolidating the gains of in an expanding clean-up operation in denying his khaki namesake an General Raheel Sharif’s counter- Parkinson’s disease: fter keeping Pakistan agog aimed at breaking the nexus of extension – regardless of whether terror efforts must remain the for months, Raheel Sharif political corruption and terrorism. the General sought it or not after priority of his successor along with fi nally walked away last While Sharif successfully averted announcing earlier in the year that the swift rehabilitation of IDPs in Aweek, handing the baton to the launching of an operation in his he wouldn’t – and then picking a the Federally Administered Tribal new possibilities for General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the new Punjab province, the PPP struggled candidate to replace him who, at best, Areas up north following the longest army chief. in Sindh, where Dr Asim Hussain, remained only a dark horse in a four- ever anti-terror military operation, Was the transition – the fi rst on a confi dante of Asif Zardari, the man race! the first point of interest at home schedule in two decades – as smooth party’s leader and former president, General Bajwa has already shown will hover on the civil-military treating patients behind the scenes as it appeared? continues to be in custody for alleged a bit of nous by persuading the two relationship. If the now-retired General took his corruption and terrorist link. seniors whom he had superseded to While the imbalance has often own decision to go by the book, does The MQM, on the other hand, lies stay on – against tradition where those created an unwanted chasm in the The fi nding that the onset of Parkinson’s disease, one of this signal a change within the single battered after its once revered leader, passed over usually sulk and retire past, the expectation around this time the world’s most common debilitating brain disorders, has a most organised entity in the country – Altaf Hussain, launched a stunning early. The senior most was already is that Bajwa’s strong professional functional link with the bacteria in the gut, is about to bring the military? verbal assault against the state last elevated to the largely ceremonial mien will provide decent space for the forth a radical change in the condition’s treatment. If not, is it the prime minister, who August that served as an own goal slot of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff political class to strengthen the roots has regained a crucial upper hand after the Rangers had been given the Committee. of democracy. The best target for treatment may be the gut, rather than for under-the-weather civilians by green light for a crackdown. Bajwa’s selection is rather Paradoxically, now that he is in the the brain, according to a new study published in the journal standing his ground and denying an Despite the civilian Sharif’s interesting, not in the least for his hot seat, it will also fall upon Bajwa’s Cell. extension to the powerful former numerous attempts to loosen his known aversion to interference in shoulders to ensure that the country’s It was a team of scientists from several institutions in the khaki chief? khaki namesake’s grip on Karachi to political matters and a general dislike often bickering political parties do US and Europe that showed how changing the bacteria in All these are critical questions in the placate the PPP, both had to wait him of the limelight – apparently, just the not have a fi eld day queering the pitch the guts of mice aff ected the manifestation of Parkinson’s context of the civil-military relations out eventually. PPP’s Zardari, who package that suits Prime Minister come the 2018 general elections. as Pakistan moves to augment its fl ed abroad after a blistering attack Sharif, whose Achilles’ heel as it were Historically, the army is called symptoms. eight-year-old democratic transition. on the army once he realised the has been his uneasy relationship with out to keep a steady watch on any The researchers, who even included bacteria taken Insiders suggest there may have consequences of his reckless action nearly all the army chiefs he has had to prospective hanky-panky. from the guts of humans with the disease, hope the new been a gnawing bout from the security last year, is now returning home and contend with in power, including his Last but not least, the democratic information can be used to develop “next generation” establishment to get an extension for has already made a courtesy call to the own appointed ones. forces would like to see General Bajwa probiotics. the army chief given his signifi cant new army chief! Bajwa, who has commanded 10 stick to his known credentials of Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder where contribution in Pakistan’s existential But the picture, below, of Prime Corps, which is responsible for the non-interference and perhaps, even war-on-terror, but that a wary Minister Sharif in his strategically most sensitive areas of the country, resist the temptation to Twitterise any brain cells accumulate excessive amounts of a protein called Nawaz Sharif was unwilling to go positioned chair having a word with including almost the entire border reaction to developments that often alpha-synuclein and then die off . down the beaten path after largely Raheel’s successor Bajwa during the with India, has even won praise from led to needless controversies during Patients lose motor function, experience tremors and having walked in the former General’s latter’s call-on with the PM off ers the former Indian army chief for his predecessor’s time. shaking, and suff er other physical and mental eff ects. shadows for much of his three-year- a stunning story per se. A whole his professional acumen (both of In a nutshell, keeping an orderly One million people in the US and up to 10mn worldwide term. generation of Pakistanis have grown them worked in Congo under a UN house – fi rmly in step with the civilian General Sharif could easily be accustomed to – some might suggest, mission). chief executive’s fi at – should be the suff er from the condition, which is considered the world’s counted as the most popular army resigned to – the army calling the The entire defence installations, favoured national ideal. second most common neurodegenerative disease after chief in the country’s history for shots with the civilian chief executive including the army, navy and air force Alzheimer’s. his no-nonsense, action-oriented not really being able to execute his headquarters, as well as the Prime zThe writer is Community Editor. It rarely runs in families; instead it appears to be infl uenced by environmental factors. Previous research has suggested connections between gut bacteria and Parkinson’s, as well as other diseases such as multiple sclerosis. But no research has Parkinson’s is shown exactly how the two might be related. considered the In this study, the second most researchers performed three diff erent common neuro- experiments that showed the link between the degenerative germs in the gut and the disease in the brain. disease aft er Researchers used mice Alzheimer’s genetically programmed to develop Parkinson’s as they produced very high levels of alpha-synuclein. But only those animals with bacteria in their stomachs developed symptoms. General Qamar Javed Bajwa listens to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his first meeting with the chief executive after his appointment. Sterile mice remained healthy. Further tests showed transplanting bacteria from Parkinson’s patients to mice led to more symptoms than bacteria taken from healthy people. Dr Timothy Sampson, one of the researchers at the Autism: The importance of early intervention California Institute of Technology, said: “This was the ‘eureka’ moment, the mice were genetically identical, By Aney Mathew early signs and symptoms? features, it is essential to not lose time the only diff erence was the presence or absence of gut Doha Autism is a neurodevelopmental with a “wait and watch” approach, microbiota. Now we were quite confi dent that gut bacteria disorder whose features become but to start intervention immediately. regulate, and are even required for, the symptoms of manifest before 3 years in almost all Home-based, parent-mediated, Parkinson’s disease.” atar has played a signifi cant children. However, its features can be early intervention has been shown to role on the world platform recognised in most children around improve symptoms of autism. These In other words, it could mean that the guts of Parkinson’s in its contribution to the age of 1.5 to 2 years. These early interventions include systematic patients have certain bacteria that contribute to the disease, Qcreating greater awareness signs and symptoms primarily include teaching of social and communicative or that they lack certain benefi cial bacteria that could help on autism. In 2007 HH Sheikha Moza impairments in the development of skills. Children can be taught simple protect against the disease. bint Nasser, in her capacity as Qatar’s social interactions and meaningful social skills that can make a huge Samples of gut bacteria in Parkinson’s patients render this representative to the United Nations, communications. diff erence. They can learn to follow possible. successfully proposed a UN General Typical examples of these simple commands and actions such Assembly resolution, creating a World impairments are: as: come, go, take, give, show, point, They tend to have certain kinds of bacteria not found in Autism Awareness Day. As a result on — poor eye-to-eye contact look at me, imitate and pretend. Also, healthy people, and they also lack others that are found April 2 every year, all member states — inability to respond to their through early intervention, teaching in healthy people, noted Sarkis Mazmanian, one of the are encouraged to take measures to names self-help skills such as: brushing, researchers on the team and professor of microbiology at raise awareness on autism spectrum — poor social imitation (unable to eating self, bathing, and toiletry, the California Institute of Technology. disorders (ASD) across the globe. This Dr Satish C Girimaji, Professor, Dept learn to wave bye-bye and inability to can be taught. The importance of Moving forward, Mazmanian said the team would like to year, on April 2, the General Assembly of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, imitate an action) providing appropriate education and emphasised children and adults with NIMHANS, India — being solitary and uninterested speech therapy are also vital. identify specifi c bacteria that are helpful of harmful and ASD and other neurodevelopment in people Why is it important to have understand how they might contribute to or prevent the disorders need to have a special place Educating the public – both adults — may not point to subjects (such as an inclusive approach to autism disease, and what kinds of treatments might produce the at the heart of the UN Sustainable and children, on autism and the need pointing to body parts) where both - people with autism microbiome that best protects against the disease. Agenda and in the implementation of for tolerance and understanding is — delayed speech and not using as well as their family are Given that Parkinson’s is currently incurable, the the Sustainable Development Goals. crucial in helping the unfortunate and speech for communication supported? In keeping with the high priority innocent victims of ASD. — lack of joint attention and sharing Individuals with autism and their discovery that changes in the microbiome may be involved placed on mental health both globally It is also important to understand of interests families face enormous stresses and in the disease is a paradigm shift and opens entirely new and nationally, the World Innovation that identifying children at risk of — restricted and repetitive patterns challenges, often for the whole life possibilities for treating patients. Summit for Health (WISH), an autism early can be a life-changer; this of behaviour. span of the aff ected individual. In my initiative of Qatar Foundation, calls for increased public awareness In short, these children have experience I often see families running assigned a separate forum for autism and early detection. diffi culty in understanding and from pillar to post to get meaningful To Advertise at the recent WISH 2016 summit. In an exclusive interview with Gulf responding to social cues and information, advice and appropriate Unfortunately there is yet no cure Times, a delegate of WISH 2016 - Dr initiating social interactions, both services. Therefore, providing support [email protected] for autism. The hallmark feature of Satish C Girimaji, Professor, Dept verbal and non-verbal. as well as adequate, aff ordable and Display ASD is impaired social interaction. As of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, accessible services becomes the Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 a result, one of the most vulnerable NIMHANS, India, spoke on early Why is early intervention responsibility of governments. This of student populations are children signs and symptoms of autism and important? can be brought about by combined and Classified suff ering from autism. Misunderstood the importance of early intervention. Early recognition and intervention concerted action of politicians, policy Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 and often perceived as socially An acclaimed expert in his area, Dr is crucial. Parents know their makers, public servants, professionals, awkward, they are subject to bullying Girimaji’s work includes providing child best and when they notice public at large and parents themselves. Subscription and isolation, as they struggle to clinical service, as well as clinical and that their child is showing signs of Systems of support that are responsive [email protected] communicate and interact with academic teaching in the area of child developmental delay or any of the to the needs of individual with autism, their peers. Regrettably, nearly 70% & adolescent psychiatry, and research. features mentioned above, they and their families that encompass of children with autism spectrum must consult their doctor and ask health, education, training, and social 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved disorders experience emotional How early can autism be for evaluation and advice. Once it is welfare measures have to be built in a trauma as a result of being bullied. detected in children. What are the clear that child is having some autistic seamless and integrated manner. Gulf Times Monday, December 5, 2016 27 COMMENT Qatar, Saudi set a model for ties

The Qatari-Saudi relations King Salman’s recent visit to Doha Qatar and Saudi Arabia are are an excellent model for to off er condolences on the death reflected on the overall popular and of HH the Grandfather Emir Sheikh economic relations between the co-operation and integration Khalifa bin Hamad al-Thani refl ected two countries. between the two countries, as well the strength and durability of Figures indicate that Qatar is the these distinctive bilateral ties. favourite tourist destination for which share historic ties and This year witnessed as well families from Saudi Arabia. deeply-rooted bonds of love continuous and ongoing meetings The country received 2.18mn and communication between HH the visitors during the fi rst nine months of and brotherhood Emir and his brother the Custodian of 2016, of which more than 1mn visitors the Two Holy Mosques over various were from the GCC countries and QNA offi cial occasions, including their Saudi Arabia topped the list with more Doha meeting on the occasion of HH the than 740,000 visitors between January Emir’s participation at the closing and September 2016, representing an ceremony of Raad Al-Shamal Exercise increase of 8% compared to the same he visit of the Custodian in Hafr Al-Batin in March at the period last year. of the Two Holy Mosques invitation of the Custodian of the Two The trading volume between the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Holy Mosques. two countries in 2015 reached about Tal-Saud of Saudi Arabia HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin QR7bn - QR1.8bn for Qatar and to Qatar, due to begin today, comes Hamad al-Thani and King Salman QR5.1bn for Saudi Arabia. within HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim also met at the summit of the GCC On the corporate and investment bin Hamad al-Thani’s keenness leaders and the US President Barack level 315 companies fully owned to promote the excellent relations Obama in Jeddah in May before by Saudis are operating in Qatar in between the two countries and take meeting again in August at King addition to 303 joint companies with a them to greater heights for the benefi t Salman’s residence in the Moroccan total capital of QR1.252bn. of the two brotherly peoples. city of Tangier. These companies work in several The Qatari-Saudi relations are an The meetings which brought fi elds including trade, contracting, excellent model for co-operation together HH the Emir and his engineering, construction, jewellery, and integration between the two brothers Prince Mohamed bin Naif transport, medical services and other countries, which share historic ties bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Crown Prince, fi elds of investments. and deeply-rooted bonds of love and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Thanks to this activity, Qatar brotherhood. of Interior and Deputy Crown Prince Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bilateral relations between the Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Qatari and Saudi flags fly high along the Corniche to welcome Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s visit to chose Riyadh as the fi rst foreign two countries enjoy a permanent Second Deputy Premier and Minister Doha today. PICTURE: Jayan Orma station for the “Made in Qatar” fair coordination in most issues of concern of Defence stress the continuous which was held in November with the for the Gulf Co-operation Council communication between the leaders of participation in the Peninsula Shield interests of the two countries and the cultural and media areas were participation of more than 200 Qatari (GCC) or the Arab region, particularly the two countries. Force aimed at consolidating the two brotherly peoples. discussed. industrial companies. the situation in Syria, Yemen and the Confi rming the unity of destiny of concept of Islamic Arab Force troops’ The council is considered to be a Refl ecting the meanings of Doha and Riyadh agree on the need Palestinian cause along with the need the two brotherly countries, Qatar strength to face any provocative furtherance to the march of the GCC integration between Doha and Riyadh to restore the balance to international to achieve an international solution to took part in the North Thunder attempts. and realisation to its objectives of HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh oil prices. the Libyan issue based on the United Exercise within the Arab coalition The establishment of the Qatari- achieving co-ordination, integration Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani The two countries join eff orts in and Nations resolutions. forces to protect the legitimacy in Saudi Co-ordination Council in 2008 and interconnection in all fi elds said that the competent authorities in outside the Opec in order to set a fair This historic visit is a an extension Yemen against the Houthi coup in came as a step toward activating and between the member states and Qatar and Saudi Arabia will implement price for oil to revive global economy for several meetings, which brought support of the unity of the Gulf and developing the co-operation to realise strengthening the co-operation the directives of the leaders of the and bring gains for producing and together the two leaders this year, Arab rank while stressing that what the aspirations of the leadership in between the peoples of the GCC two countries with regard to the exporting countries. including the friendly meetings held threatens the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the two countries and agreeing on countries in various fi elds. continuous co-ordination for the It is worth mentioning that Doha on the sidelines of GCC forums or is a threat to the State of Qatar. full co-ordination on various fi elds The council held four sessions the implementation of joint projects in hosted the international negotiations private visits as well as the continuous Qatar was keen to participate in addition to developing bilateral fi rst of which was in Riyadh and most order to achieve the Qatar National on oil prices, and co-ordinated and permanent communications in the North Thunder Exercise, in relations in political, security, fi scal, recent was in Doha 2013 when ways Vision 2030 as well as the vision of positions with Saudi Arabia to bring which clearly refl ect the depth of which 20 Arab, Islamic and friendly economic, trade, investment, cultural, to develop co-operation in military, Saudi Arabia 2030. momentum to Qatar’s eff orts on this relations between the two countries. countries took part, in addition to its media and other fi elds to achieve security, economic, trade, agriculture, The strong relations between important topic. Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 30 C Low : 23 C Strong wind and high sea till evening

TUESDAY High: 28 C Low: 21 C Sunny

WEDNESDAY High: 28 C Low: 20 C Sunny

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OFFSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 08-18 KT Waves: 3-5 Feet INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 26-12 KT Waves: 1-3 Feet

Around the region Armoured troop carriers, belonging to Singapore, are detained at a cargo terminal in Hong Kong, China. Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi Fog 32/21 P Cloudy 31/21 Baghdad P Cloudy 19/09 Sunny 19/03 Dubai Sunny 32/21 Sunny 29/21 Singapore a tough nut for China to crack Kuwait City P Cloudy 21/14 Sunny 21/10 Manama Sunny 26/19 Sunny 26/21 Muscat Sunny 29/19 Sunny 29/20 By Greg Torode and Marius Zaharia Singapore after military exercises, and able to withstand pressure, diplomats say their Chinese Riyadh Sunny 26/14 Sunny 28/12 Tehran P Cloudy S Showers Hong Kong/Singapore prompting warnings from Beijing but Singapore will fi nd itself counterparts are also making 17/07 14/01 about maintaining ties with an island losing infl uence and more isolated clear their rising concern at US it regards as a breakaway province. within Southeast Asia as countries surveillance activities off coasts s the impounding of The dispute has erupted at a increasingly look to China,” Zhang from assets stationed around the Singaporean troop carriers period of apparent vulnerability for said. region. in Hong Kong exposes rising Singapore, with its economy slowing Since the seizure of the armoured Advanced P-8 aircraft especially Atensions between China and and questions over the trade and vehicles, Beijing has stressed its are viewed by Chinese strategists as Singapore, the Lion City is unlikely security policies of incoming US opposition to any form of offi cial a threat to Beijing’s evolving nuclear to budge on core security interests President Donald Trump. contact with Taiwan. deterrent, centred on ballistic missile concerning Beijing - its military Singapore has enhanced its long The infl uential state-run tabloid, submarines stationed on Hainan relationship with Taiwan, worries over standing security relations with the Global Times, has been more Island. the South China Sea and its hosting of Washington over the last 18 months, strident, suggesting the carriers “They are relentless on this point,” the US military. and now hosts revolving deployments should be “melted down”. While other one Western diplomat said. “They Singaporean offi cials, retired of vessels and US P-8 surveillance state media have run commentaries don’t want to accept it as normal in military offi cers and analysts stress planes that regional military critical of Singapore through the year, any way.” that even while Singapore publicly sources say routinely target Chinese they have been quiet on the troop Chinese offi cials and state plays down the spat, its leadership submarines. carrier impounding. media have accused Singapore of will not easily give in to what it sees While not a formal US alliance Singapore has discreetly circulated internationalising matters in the as intimidation on matters of national partner, regional diplomats say it thousands of troops a year through South China Sea, where it is not a importance. has become Washington’s most Taiwan since 1975 - a presence that claimant. All three points - Taiwan, the important military relationship survived formalising ties with Beijing While Singapore insists it does South China Sea and its deepening in Southeast Asia - more so since under a “one China” policy in the early not take sides in the disputes, it has relationship with the Pentagon - President Rodrigo Duterte’s 1990s. stressed the importance of freedom Around the world refl ect positions refi ned over decades Philippine election win. While Singapore increasingly of navigation and international Weather Weather as the tiny island state seeks to secure The shift has not gone unnoticed in exploits facilities in Australia and norms. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min itself in a region now undergoing Beijing. India, as well as sending troops to As negotiations continue over the Athens P Cloudy 13/05 Sunny 14/07 historic strategic shifts amid China’s “Singapore has gone from being Brunei and Thailand, Taiwan remains fate of the troop carriers, Singapore’s Beirut P Cloudy 19/13 Sunny 18/12 Cloudy 29/23 rise. seen as a useful facilitator of US-China an important to Singapore given the ambassador-at-Large Bilahari Bangkok 32/26 Rain Berlin P Cloudy -1/-4 Cloudy 02/-1 But those shifts mean the pressure is relations to being in the vanguard of depth of military links and diverse Kausikan made clear the issues went Cairo P Cloudy 23/13 P Cloudy 23/12 intensifying and Singapore risks being an anti-China coalition, particularly training options, experts and retired deeper than military materiel. Cape Town M Sunny 29/16 M Sunny 24/16 isolated as neighbours including the on the South China Sea,” said Zhang Singaporean offi cers say. Contemporary China was Colombo M Sunny 33/24 M Sunny 32/23 Philippines, a US ally, and Malaysia tilt Baohui, a mainland security scholar at Singapore has also played a role “curious mixture of assertiveness Dhaka Sunny 30/18 Sunny 30/17 Hong Kong M Sunny 25/19 P Cloudy 22/17 towards Beijing. Hong Kong’s Lingnan University. “The as a diplomatic bridge between the and insecurity”, Kausikan wrote Istanbul P Cloudy 09/01 Sunny 10/03 “Singapore will not be bullied and days of Beijing comfortably seeing two sides, most recently hosting the on Facebook this week, adding he Jakarta T Storms 29/24 T Storms 30/24 backed up against a wall,” said Tim Singapore has vaguely neutral are over, historic meeting between outgoing believed its leaders wanted to preserve Karachi Sunny 31/16 Sunny 31/16 Huxley, an expert on Singapore’s and it is reacting accordingly.” Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou the broader relationship. London P Cloudy 08/04 Fog 12/09 P Cloudy P Cloudy 32/25 military at the International Institute China will fi nd Singapore harder to and Chinese President Xi Jinping in “We are a small country and larger Manila 32/24 Moscow Snow -1/-3 Cloudy -3/-14 for Strategic Studies. “(It) will take a crack than other countries in its orbit, November 2015. countries - not just China - routinely New Delhi Sunny 26/12 Sunny 27/11 determined stand on issues that it sees however, as it less beholden to Chinese Singapore’s Minister of Foreign try intimidation. New York Showers 09/04 Showers 08/06 as important - and the importance security or economic pressure, given Aff airs Vivian Balakrishnan this week But because China wants us to Paris M Sunny 09/01 P Cloudy 11/03 of the issues at hand should not be its advanced market status and sought to play down the seizure, accept the appellation of ‘Chinese Sao Paulo S Showers 24/13 P Cloudy 29/17 Seoul P Cloudy 11/-4 Sunny 04/-2 underestimated.” international security relationships, saying it was “not a strategic incident” country’ and because so many Singapore S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 33/25 Hong Kong customs last week including with the United States, he and that Singapore’s relationship with Singaporeans are of Chinese Sydney S T Storms 28/19 Showers 23/19 seized nine armoured troop carriers said. Taiwan was known to China. descent, their actions have a special Tokyo Clear 17/10 Cloudy 17/07 being shipped from Taiwan to “China will fi nd Singapore defi ant But behind the scenes, regional resonance.” - Reuters Gulf Times 28 Monday, December 5, 2016 QATAR HBKU partnership takes The Idol to new audience

amad Bin Khalifa Uni- ditional content used in audio enjoy the fi lm through subtitles have done a tremendous job en- versity’s (HBKU) Trans- descriptions and subtitles for a enriched with detailed infor- suring The Idol can be enjoyed Hlation and Interpreting special ‘trans-adapted’ version mation about sound eff ects and by all members of the commu- Institute (TII), part of the uni- of the fi lm. music. nity in Qatar, and we are very versity’s College of Humanities The special screening was Dr Amal Mohamed al-Malki, grateful to DFI for giving us and Social Sciences (CHSS), has presented in Arabic with Arabic dean of CHSS, noted that inclu- the opportunity to collaborate collaborated with the Doha Film audio descriptions, pre-record- sivity is a cornerstone of transla- with them for this special Ajyal Institute (DFI) to screen the in- ed Arabic sign-language inter- tion and interpretation services. Youth Film Festival screening.” spiring Arab fi lm, The Idol by pretation, and enriched subtitles “The idea that something Fatma al-Remaihi, chief Hany Abu Assad. in Arabic and English. should be accessible to every- executive officer, DFI, has It was screened to an audi- Visually impaired audiences one, regardless of their ability thanked, “Dr Amal al-Malki, ence that included members were able to fully experience to understand the language of and the wonderful team of of Qatar’s hearing and visually the fi lm through sound alone, origin or whether they have a students and faculty at TII for impaired communities as part thanks to the inclusion of audio visual or hearing impairment, their whole-hearted efforts in of the fourth Ajyal Youth Film descriptions of the fi lm’s visual is a frequently cited reason for delivering an uplifting expe- Festival. elements. why people get into the field of rience of The Idol, a real-life Students in CHSS’s Master of Attendees who were hard-of- audiovisual translation. story of hope and positivity Arts in Audiovisual Translation hearing, or who had diffi culty “Our Masters of Arts in Au- that we are proud to have sup- programme developed the ad- processing speech, were able to diovisual Translation students ported.” HBKU CHSS team which developed the project. The Salesman set for showcase at Ajyal he fourth Ajyal Youth Film Festival presented Tby the Doha Film Insti- tute will conclude today with the red carpet screening of The Red Turtle (France, Japan), di- rected by Academy Award-win- ning Dutch animator Michael Dudok de Wit. The Mena premiere of the fi lm, which celebrates the A scene from Kashta, a short narrative by AJ al-Thani. themes of humanism and com- passion, at 7pm will follow the closing ceremony, where the winners of Ajyal competition in the three categories – Mohaq, Hilal and Bader – chosen by 20 DFI-backed over 550 young Ajyal Jurors will be feted. Today celebrated actor Meg Ryan will address the Ajyal Ju- fi lms to screen rors, speaking about her fi rst feature-length directorial debut Ithaca (US), which will screen at 3pm at Katara 12- Theatre A. at Dubai festival The tale of a young telegraph delivery boy in the small town of Ithaca, US, during World War II, total of 20 fi lms, sup- (Iraq, France, Qatar); The Great underlines the power of speak- ported by the Doha Film Family by Eliane Raheb (Leba- ing out clearly against a world AInstitute, are taking the non, France, Qatar) –a 2016 forever embroiled in confl ict. spotlight at the eight-day Du- Qumra project – and Parijat, a Audiences can also watch bai International Film Festival feature narrative by Hend Fa- Seasons (France, Germany) di- (DIFF) which begins on Wednes- khroo (Qatar), also a 2015 Qumra rected by Jacques Perrin and day. project. Jacques Cluzaud at 4.30pm at In one of the largest participa- Among the 15 fi lms to be Katara 12- Theatre B, a new tions of Qatar-backed projects, screened at DIFF that were sup- documentary that narrates ad- 15 fi lms supported by the Doha ported by the Doha Film Insti- ventures from the point of view Film Institute (DFI) will be tute, six are marking their world of many creatures against the screened at the 13th DIFF. premiere. backdrop of climate change as Several of these fi lms were They are: Ali, the Goat and human activity increases its im- also nurtured at Qumra, the Ibrahim (Egypt, UAE, France, pact on the continent. dedicated industry event where Qatar / 2016), a feature narrative At 3pm at Katara Drama Thea- the fi lmmakers had the opportu- by Sherif El Bendary; Behind the tre is the screening of Hunt for the The Salesman by Asghar Farhadi is the final screening at Ajyal this year. nity to discuss diverse aspects of Wall (Morocco, Qatar / 2016), Wilderpeople (New Zealand) by the fi lm with industry veterans. a short narrative by Karima Taika Waititi about Ricky, who in an armoured vehicle accom- Today’s screenings also in- this year is of The Salesman (Iran, able for purchase 24 hours a day A number of these fi lms are Zoubir; Egyptian Jeanne d’Arc has a last chance to settle down panied by soldiers. It screens at clude two fi lms that have capti- France) by Asghar Farhadi at at ajyalfi lm.com or from the Ajyal competing for DIFF’s Muhr (Egypt, Kuwait, Germany, Qatar with a foster family before he 7.30pm at Katara 12-Theatre B. vated world audiences this year: 10.15pm at Katara 12 – Theatre Katara Main Box Offi ce in Katara Awards, while two fi lms are / 2016), a feature documentary lands in juvenile detention. Do not miss Sonita (Iran, Ger- I, Daniel Blake (UK, France, Bel- B. The fi lm, about two people Building 12 or Ajyal FNAC Ticket showcased in both the Cinema by Iman Kamel; Kashta (Qa- Audiences also have the chance many, Switzerland) by Rokhsareh gium) directed by Ken Loach, the suddenly at odds in a space con- Outlet, FNAC Qatar (at Lagoona of the World and Arabian Nights tar/2016), a short narrative by AJ to watch Serbia’s entry for the Ghaem Maghami, a fi lm set in Palme d’Or winner at Cannes this taminated by uncertainty and Mall). segments. al-Thani; Terra Firma (Morocco, Oscar for Best Foreign Language Tehran, where an 18-year-old year. Laying bare one of Great mistrust, won the prizes for Best Katara is the cultural partner, Additionally, three fi lms that France, UAE, Qatar / 2016), a Film last year, Enclave (Serbia, Afghan refugee dreams of being Britain’s most damaging social Screenplay and Best Actor at Oxy Qatar is the principal partner are recipients of the DFI’s grants feature documentary by Laurent Germany) directed by Goran a world-famous rapper, will be ills, the fi lm will screen at 9.30pm Cannes this year. and Qatar Tourism Authority the are being showcased in Dubai Ait Benalla; and The Waiting Radovanovic about a young boy screened at 6.30pm at Katara 12– at Katara 12- Theatre A. Tickets are priced QR25 for signature partner of the festival Film Connection, the co-pro- Room (Qatar/2016), a short nar- who is taken to school every day Theatre A. The fi nal screening at Ajyal general screening, and are avail- this year. duction market of DIFF. rative by Hend Fakhroo. Hafi z Ali Ali, a Qatari produc- Six feature narratives will er-director, has been nominated mark their Mena premiere at for the prestigious IWC Film- DIFF. These include: Apprentice maker Award 2016 of the festival (Singapore, Germany, France, for his project, The Search for the Hong Kong, Qatar / 2016) by Restoration of MIA’s key masterpiece complete Star Pearl, a feature animation Junfeng Boo and Tramontane that received the DFI’s grant for (Lebanon, France, UAE, Qa- development and was nurtured tar/2016) by Vatche Boulghour- onservation of one of by industry experts at Qumra jian that premiered at the 2016 Museum of Islamic Art’s earlier this year. Ali will compete Cannes Film Festival; Blessed C(MIA) most signifi cant alongside Emirati nominees and Benefi t (Jordan, Germany, The artworks – a monumental stuc- fi lmmakers Nujoom Alghanem Netherlands, UAE, Qatar / 2016) co panel from Iran dating from and Abdullah Hassan Ahmed for by Mahmoud al-Massad and Off the 12th century, Saljuk dynasty the $100,000 award. Frame AKA Revolution Until Vic- – has been completed, Qatar Adding to the pride of Qatar, tory (Palestine, France, Lebanon, Museums (QM) has said. Smicha (Qatar / 2016), a short Qatar/2016), a feature essay by The project was a partnership narrative produced by Innova- Mohanad Yaqubi that screened between the Museum of Islamic tion Films, written and directed to audiences fi rst at TIFF 2016; Art (MIA) and Bank of America by Amal al-Muftah will mark its The Dark Wind (Iraq, Germany, Merrill Lynch and formed part world premiere at DIFF. The fi lm Qatar /2016) by Hussein Has- of the bank’s global Art Conser- received in-house development san; and White Sun (Nepal, vation Project. support from the DFI, and will Netherlands, US, Qatar/2016) by The bank, one of the world’s compete in the Muhr Gulf Short Deepak Rauniyar. largest supporters of arts and segment. Two fi lms mark their Middle culture, supported the conser- “This is a strong testament to East debut at DIFF in the Muhr vation eff orts and marked the the success of our grassroots- Feature and Arabian Nights seg- fi rst time a fi nancial institution level initiative to identify, nur- ments. These are Hedi (Tunisia, ever partnered with QM and ture and strengthen the fi lm- Belgium, France, UAE, Qatar / MIA. making skills of our talented 2016) by Mohamed Ben Attia “The panel is one of only young people,” said Fatma al- that won the Best First Feature three monumental stucco pan- Remaihi, CEO of the DFI. Award at Berlinale 2016; and els from the highly celebrated A monumental stucco panel from Iran dating from the 12th century, Saljuk dynasty is now on permanent display at MIA. “Through their selection, Zaineb Hates the Snow (Tunisia, era of Islamic art history, and these fi lms are highlighting the Lebanon, France, UAE, Qatar / the much needed restoration of cle’, detailing feasting, hunting, The project was led by the servation Project in 2010,” said East but around the world. remarkable strides that Qatar 2016), a feature documentary this iconic and important piece music-making and the enjoy- curatorial and conservation Arshad Ghafur, president of The other two stucco panels has made in building a home- by Kaouther Ben Hania, that has enabled us to permanently ment of nature in the traditions departments at MIA, with ad- Middle East North Africa at are currently in North America: grown fi lm industry marked by premiered at the 2016 Locarno display it to the public, for the of Persianate art and culture, is ditional support from an ar- Bank of America Merrill Lynch, one in storage at the Philadel- quality productions.” Film Festival. Also in the Ara- enjoyment of residents and now on permanent display in chaeological illustrator from who recently visited MIA to see phia Museum of Art, and the The DFI grantees that have bian Nights segment is House visitors in Qatar,” MIA acting MIA’s permanent galleries. the University of Pennsylvania. the completed work. other belonging to a private col- been short-listed at the Dubai Without Roof (Iraq, Germany, director Daniel Brown said in a Conservation of the panel “Recognising the importance Ghafur stressed that they lector. Film Connection are: From A Qatar/2016), a feature narrative statement. began in November 2012, and of preserving cultural treas- will continue supporting MIA The panel at MIA has been Palm Tree to the Stars, a feature by Soleen Yusef, which marks its The panel, which features a took almost four years to com- ures for future generations, we to help preserve heritage and scientifi cally and rigorously ex- documentary by Leila Albayaty GCC premiere at DIFF. compilation of the ‘princely cy- plete. launched our Global Art Con- tradition not only in the Middle amined and conserved.