BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar’s Abu Issa set to tackle INDEX Dakar Rally DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-4, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 Qatar Airways Cargo REGION 5 BUSINESS 1–6, 11-12 adds new destinations 19,952.99 10,224.13 53.84 ARAB WORLD 5, 6 CLASSIFIED 7-11 +19.18 -134.86 +0.84 INTERNATIONAL 7–17 SPORTS 1 – 8 in Americas from Feb +0.10% -1.30% +1.55% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10316 December 28, 2016 Rabia I 29, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals ‘Power of reconciliation’ Car sales In brief

QATAR | Offi cial PM holds phone talk rev up in with Bahrain premier HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani held yesterday a telephone conversation with Bahraini Prime Minister Prince October Khalifah bin Salman al-Khalifah during which he congratulated here was an impressive 61.2% rise water consumption in November him on the success of his medical in the number of new vehicles compared to October. The total wa- check-ups. Tregistered in Qatar in October this ter consumption for November was year compared to the previous month, 45,563,368 cu sq m. AMERICA | Obituary according to the fi gures released by the The report has also added that com- Ministry of Development Planning & pared to October 2015, the country’s Star Wars actress US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday during a meeting in Statistics (MDPS) yesterday. population during the corresponding Carrie Fisher dead Honolulu, Hawaii, prior to visiting the site of the Pearl Harbor attack to celebrate “the power of reconciliation.” The As many as 8,629 vehicles were reg- month this year grew by 8.3%. Hollywood star Carrie Fisher - best Japanese attack on an unsuspecting US fleet moored at Pearl Harbor turned the Pacific into a cauldron of conflict - istered in October against 5,352 in Sep- The population at the end of October known for her portrayal of Princess more than 2,400 were killed and a reluctant America was drawn into World War II. Page 10 tember. The Traffi c Department issued this year stood at 2.63mn while it was Leia in the wildly popular Star a total of 20,493 driving licences dur- 2.4mn in the same period last year. A Wars films - died yesterday, days ing November, marking a remarkable total of 2,311 births and 188 deaths were after suff ering a heart attack on a increase compared to October. recorded in October this year in the transatlantic flight. She was 60. According to the MDPS statistics, country. about 4% of those issued driving li- With regard to the number of prop- cence in November were Qatari males erties sold, Al Daayen municipality Erdogan: ‘West breaking promises’ and 1% Qatari females. The expatriate topped with 210 transactions in Oc- males constituted about 82% of the tober and 92 in November this year. new licence holders while 13% were The total value of properties sold in AFP military seeks to take the town of Al- Erdogan complained that rather expatriate females. The report did not Al Daayen municipality amounted to Ankara Bab from IS militants and Ankara has than supporting Turkey, the West was provide the number of driving licences QR537,076,000 in October and about become more impatient over the lack backing the Kurdish Peoples’ Protec- issued in October. QR963,453,000 in November. of support from the US-led coalition tion Units (YPG) and Democratic Union Compared to September, there was a Total broad money supply (M2) re- urkish President Recep Tayyip against the extremists for the Turkish Party (PYD), who work with the United 11.2% rise in the number of traffi c vio- corded about QR489bn during October Erdogan yesterday said the West operation. States on the ground in Syria, and also IS. lations recorded in October across the showing a monthly decrease of 0.9% Twas breaking promises in Syria, “The coalition forces are unfortu- “They are supporting all the terror country. There were more than 161,000 compared to September. On the other accusing Ankara’s partners of backing nately not keeping their promises,” Er- groups — the YPG, PYD but also in- violations in October. hand, cash equivalents; includes depos- “terror groups” including IS militants dogan said at a news conference along- cluding Daesh (IS),” Erdogan said. Another most highlighted statisti- its decreased by 0.3% during October in the country. side visiting Guinean President Alpha The US State Department yesterday cal variable is the signifi cant fall in in comparison with September, as it re- At least 37 Turkish soldiers have died Conde. rejected as “ludicrous” accusations by the electricity utilisation in November corded about QR677bn during October. in Turkey’s major incursion inside Syr- “Whether they do or they don’t, we Erdogan that US-led coalition forces compared to October. The fall amounts In contrast, total broad money supply ia since it was launched in August to will continue along this path in a de- supported terrorist groups in Syria. to nearly 19%, it says while adding (M2) recorded a negative year-on-year back pro-Ankara Syrian fi ghters bat- termined way. There is no going back State Department spokesman Mark that the utilisation in November was change of 4.1%, while cash equivalents; tling IS and Kurdish militia. on the path we have set out on,” he Toner there was no was basis for such 2,858,106 (MW/H). includes deposits, recorded a positive Casualties have mounted as the added. an accusation. Similarly, there was a 6.3% fall in year-on-year change of 7.4%. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 QATAR

Free data Bangladesh extends support off er for Ooredoo to Qatar’s Unesco candidate App users oredoo has announced By Mizan Rahman that Ooredoo App users Dhaka Ocan get 10MB data free per day when they download the latest version of the award-win- ngladesh has extended its ning app. support to the Qatari can- To ensure that customers stay adidature in the post of di- connected, Ooredoo is off er- rector general of United Nations ing 10MB free data daily until Educational, Scientifi c and Cul- March 20, 2017, for all customers tural Organisation (Unesco). who use the latest Ooredoo App Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (download via Ooredoo.qa/app extended the support when HE or SMS ‘App’ to 114), the compa- Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al- ny has said in a press statement. Kuwari, the adviser to the Emiri Users need to select their Diwan and the Qatari candidate service number and then the for the Unesco director general’s ‘Deal’ tile in the latest app ver- post, paid a courtesy call on the sion to get the free 10MB daily, PM at her offi ce in Dhaka yester- the statement notes. day. Talking about the off er, Fa- Briefi ng reporters after the tima Sultan al-Kuwari, director meeting, PM’s Press Secre- of Community and Public Re- tary Ihsanul Karim said during HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari with Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday in HE al-Kuwari with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Abul Hassan lations at Ooredoo Qatar, said: the meeting, Dr Hamad sought Dhaka. Mahmood Ali. “This daily boost of data will Bangladesh’s support to his can- ensure that our customers who didature for the Unesco director The premier expressed satis- tion sector under the steward- daughter Saima Wazed Hossain are low on credit can connect general’s post. faction over the existing friendly ship of the prime minister. as the Chairperson of the Interna- Bangladesh FM presents document of support with their friends, send a mes- In response, the prime minis- relations between Bangladesh Spelling out various steps for tional Jury Board of Unesco-Emir sage over social media or check ter told Dr al-Kuwari: “I’m glad and Qatar and hoped that the her government for the devel- Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah The Foreign Minister of Bangla- confidence in his experience in the latest news. at your candidature at the post traditional and brotherly ties opment of the country and its Prize for Digital Empowerment of desh Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali performing duties. “We wanted to reward the and you will get our support,” would be consolidated further people, Sheikh Hasina said the Persons with Disabilities. presented a written document Qatar’s Unesco candidate also many Ooredoo App users in Qa- the press secretary quoted the in the days to come. She also re- main aim of her government is to Dr al-Kuwari said he is aware expressing his country’s support met Minister of Culture of Bangla- tar and encourage as many peo- prime minister as saying. called her visits to Qatar. eradicate poverty. about this as well as other noble for Qatar’s Unesco candidate, desh Asaduzzaman Noor, where ple as possible to take advantage Sheikh Hasina also said she is Dr al-Kuwari highly appreci- While talking about the sign- work on autism and the children saying it is a confirmation of the their talks touched on the cultural of the digital self-service op- very happy to know that for the ated the dynamic leadership of ing of a memorandum of under- with disabilities by Saima Wazed distinguished relations between and heritage aspect of the Qatari tions we off er and hopefully this fi rst time a candidate from Arab Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina standing on strengthening cul- Hossain, who is also the chair- the two countries, and shows candidate’s vision. deal will do that.” countries is contesting the post. as a woman leader in the Muslim tural co-operation, between the person of the National Advisory The free 10MB data will be HE al-Kuwari informed the world and said others should fol- two countries, Dr al-Kuwari said Committee on valid until midnight on the day prime minister that the election low her. the MoU would be inked during a Autism Bangladesh and a PM’s Principal Secretary Dr General Mia Mohamed Joynul of activation. to the post of Unesco director He also lauded Bangladesh’s suitable occasion. member of the World Health Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Abedin and ambassador of Qatar For full details of the Oore- general will be held in October stunning success in socioeco- Dr al-Kuwari also pointed out Organisation Expert Advisory PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum, in Dhaka Ahmed bin Mohamed doo App, customers can head to next in Paris. nomic development and educa- election of the prime minister’s Panel on Mental Health. PM’s Military Secretary Major al-Dehaimi were present. Ooredoo.qa/app

Rayyan civic Traffic detour body conducts QU to team up with QOA 988 inspections in November in sports-related areas

ayyan Municipality con- atar University (QU)’s technical qualifi ed cadres who courses. QOA will help QU with ties and is currently working to ducted 988 inspection Department of Student are capable to advance the sport a platform to conduct future ac- establish more sport venues in Rtours in November, which QServices and Activi- sector in Qatar, as well as the ex- ademic and specialised courses both male and female campus- resulted in issuing 94 violation ties and Qatar Olympic Acad- change of athletes to participate and research on sport admin- es,” he explained. reports of Law No 3 for 1975 on emy (QOA) yesterday signed an in international sport activities istration and laws, sports for Being the national higher edu- the commercial and industrial agreement to establish collabo- and share their ideas and expe- people with disabilities, sports cation institution, QU is increasing houses and public utilities, and ration in sport-related areas. riences in sport-related areas. medicine, and anti-doping. its international visibility by en- 17 violations of Law No 8 for QU Student Services and Ac- Both parties will also co-operate Al-Yafei said QU is keen to couraging students to participate 1990 on the regulation of human tivities director Abdulla al-Yafei on hosting sport delegations and create a balanced environment in international and local sporting food control. and QOA executive director Saif trainers and experts in physical that integrates academic and events and tournaments.” From these, 157 violation re- Mohammed al-Naemi signed training, and developing applied sports activities and help stu- Al-Naemi felt that collabo- Umm Leshkhoot Interchange on the North Road will be closed ports were resolved in recon- the agreement in the presence of sport sciences. dents to enhance their academic rating with QU, which gathers to traff ic from tomorrow for 40 days. The closure, scheduled ciliation with the erring outlets. offi cials from QU and QOA. In the terms of the agreement, performance and to enrich their hundreds of Qatari youth, will until February 6, 2017, designed in co-ordination with the Besides, some foodstuff , includ- The terms of the agreement QU will provide QOA with ac- experience. allow QOA to set up many train- General Directorate of Traff ic, will enable the reconstruction of ing 22 full carcasses of sheep, include collaboration on the de- cess to its sport and administra- “QU launched this year the ing programmes in topics related Umm Leshkhoot Interchange as part of North Road Corridor were destroyed during the same velopment of administrative and tive venues to organise training Department of Sport Activi- to the sport sector. Enhancement project, according to an Ashghal communique. period for being unfi t for con- During the traff ic detour, Umm Leshkhoot Interchange users sumption. are to be diverted to the two major nearby Rasheeda and Al The total amount of the Ghesen Interchanges instead via the newly-constructed fi nes collected amounted to service roads between the two intersections with keeping the QR239,400. The Municipality main North Road open to normal traff ic (as illustrated on the also conducted 132 inspections map). for issuing new commercial li- cences. $5mn QRCS aid for Libyan families

The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has allocated $5mn to provide urgent humanitarian assistance for thousands of Libyan families 2013 Nissan returning to Sirte, Libya. In a press statement issued on Monday, QRCS said that the support is extended by Qatar Fund for Development (QFD) and will be used to Pathfi nder secure the basic needs in relief and healthcare for six months, as well as water and sanitation for one year. This life-saving aid would help an estimated 79,400 people of the city. model recalled As the crisis erupted, $500,000 had been contributed to the UN’s humanitarian eff orts on 19 September, seeking to raise $10.7mn for covering the needs of the people of Sirte over four months (September he Ministry of Economy through December 2016), with a special focus on medical supplies for and Commerce, in collab- seven health centres and Ibn Sina Central Hospital. Toration with Saleh AlHa- Over the coming period, $1,325,000 of QFD’s contribution would cover mad AlMana Co, has announced medical consumables and equipment, staff ing, and operation costs to the recall of Nissan Pathfi nder QU and QOA off icials at the signing ceremony yesterday. enable the medical facilities to off er services. model year 2013 over a potential defect in the stop signal. The MEC said the recall cam- paign comes within the frame- work of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on ve- Samsung launches fi rst brand shop at Mall of Qatar hicle defects and repairs. The MEC will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on amsung has opened its fi rst The latest range of consumer set a new benchmark in retail the maintenance and repair brand shop in the country electronics, including SUHD TVs experience,” he stressed. works and communicate with Sat the newly opened Mall featuring Quantum Dot technol- Techno Blue chairman Nabil customers to ensure that the of Qatar. In collaboration with ogy, Twin Cooling Plus refrig- AR Abu Issa noted that their long necessary repairs are carried out. local partner Techno Blue, the erators and AddWash washing term partnership with Sam- brand shop that spans 345sq machines will also be on display sung has gone from strength to Real estate m off ers Samsung’s extensive at the store. strength. product portfolio including “Qatar is very important to “We are delighted to be part transactions smartphones, tablets, accesso- us due to its buzzing consumer of delivering the highest quality ries, wearables, smart TVs, home electronics and smartphone brand experience to consumers Real estate transactions between appliances, printers and moni- market. Our customer base here in Qatar in the specially created December 18 and 22 for the real tors and also after sales services. has also been among the most environment that the new brand estate sales contracts registered The store will also have a ded- loyal. They are particularly keen store represents,” he added. at the Ministry of justice are icated virtual reality (VR) zone to equip themselves with the Samsung has as many as 27 worth QR234,041,377. with 4D motion chairs where latest technology innovations,” brand shops in the Gulf region. The real estate registration customers can enjoy a variety Samsung Gulf Electronics presi- The Mall of Qatar is a project department at the Ministry said of content that showcases the dent Ismail Yoon said in a state- worth more than QR5.4bn. It in its weekly report that the list abilities of the Gear VR, which ment. is situated near the Al Rayyan of properties that were traded by is a part of Samsung’s grow- “Catering to their growing FIFA 2022 stadium, with more sale includes multi purpose open ing mobile ecosystem, currently needs, with several dedicated than 500 varied retail, dining plots of land, houses and multi- centred around the Galaxy S7 spaces for product demonstra- and café options, and a fi ve-star Senior off icials of Samsung, Techno Blue, and Mall of Qatar lead the opening of Samsung’s first brand purpose buildings. and S7 edge. tions, our new brand store will hotel. shop in the country. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 3 QATAR

Farewell for Hungarian ambassador Qatari envoy’s role praised

Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Aff airs’ undersecretary Abdulla Abdullatif Abdullah held a farewell ceremony for departing Qatari ambassador in Bahrain, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Saoud al-Thani in Manama yesterday. The undersecretary praised the strong bilateral ties between Foreign Ministry Secretary General Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi yesterday held a farewell ceremony in honour of Hungarian ambassador the State of Qatar and Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the strong bilateral co-operation which to Qatar, Istvan Elter, on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the country. A number of heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the country reflected the commitment of the leadership and people to developing it in diff erent field. Abdullah and directors of Foreign Ministry departments attended the ceremony that took place at the Diplomatic Club. also praised the eff orts of the Qatari ambassador during his term in off ice. Movies and sport Ahlibank opens branch at Crowne Plaza Doha activities lined up hlibank has relocated its Al Mansoura branch to Anew premises at Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park, on Airport Road. The Crowne Plaza branch at Markhiya park features Ahlibank’s “new brand identity with modern ia Motors Qatar has an- technology, including inter- nounced that it is a spon- active touchscreens designed Ksor of the HawaScene to enhance the customer ex- programme, which involves free perience”, the bank said in a open-air fi lm screening every statement. Thursday and Friday evening Hassan AlEfrangi, deputy at Dahl Al Hamam Park in CEO for retail and private Markhiya until March 2017. banking, said: “I am delighted HawaScene – The Outdoor to announce the relocation of Movie Experience is a recently- Al Mansoura branch to Crowne launched initiative of Smart Plaza Doha – The Business Global and the Ministry of Mu- Park, on Airport Road. The nicipality and Environment branch has been designed to (MME). meet the needs of our custom- The movies to be screened as ers, including a dedicated fl oor The new Ahlibank branch at Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park, on Airport Road. part of the programme cater to and lounge for our Premium families and include children’s Banking customers. mitment to being an accessi- ue to provide innovative prod- we remain focused on provid- classics such as Finding Nemo, “The new branch is part ble bank at the heart of Qatar’s ucts and services and enhance ing the most personal banking The Lion King, Aladdin and oth- of Ahlibank’s ongoing com- community, wherein we contin- our branches. At Ahlibank, experience in Qatar.” ers. Besides, Kia Qatar is stag- ing its own sports and recrea- tional activities for children and teenagers at the park before the movie screening. “This is a fantastic opportu- nity for Kia Qatar to give back to QA unveils artisan amenity the community in Qatar by sup- porting the HawaScene initia- There are special activities for girls, such as colouring a Kia car. tive. Aside from being a refl ec- tion of our brand personality of World Cup, Australian Open Another special activity is the being full of life and exciting, this tennis tournament and NBA bas- unique Qatari childhood game kits for premium travellers programme also emphasises the ketball league”, according to a of Al Dahrowi, or metal wheel development of society through statement. or ring race. Al Dahrowi serves time-honoured values such as Kia Motors Qatar said it has to remind children of the joys of atar Airways has an- lers can add new keepsake bags quality family time and love for sought to recreate the excitement playing outdoors and with peers nounced the introduc- to their collection. the environment and outdoors,” of sports and recreation through in a simpler setting than what Qtion of signature Nappa Qatar Airways Group chief said Hossam Abu Shadi, director some of its activities during the they are used to now. Dori amenity kits on board executive Akbar al-Baker said, (automotive), Kia Motors. HawaScene programme. Boys, There are special activities for all its premium passengers “Nappa Dori, like Qatar Air- With its numerous activities girls and teenagers are encour- for girls, such as colouring a Kia travelling on short- and medi- ways, is a business that prides globally, Kia Motors has “cre- aged to test their football skills car and keeping it as a souve- um-haul fl ights. itself in providing its customers ated a strong link between its through goal-scoring and ball- nir. The children can freely use Artisan brand Nappa Dori, with superb and unique prod- brand and several top-notch dribbling contests that create their imagination and creativ- which has gained global rec- ucts and invests in quality and sports competitions and or- much enthusiasm at the venue, ity in painting their own unique ognition for its luxury hand- service to create an exceptional ganisations such as the FIFA the statement notes. perception of the car. crafted travel and fashion ac- experience for the customer. cessories, has created bespoke “Our premium travellers de- amenity kits that celebrate the serve the very best service and airline’s global network by fea- comfort – whether they are turing images from the more joining us for a short or long than 150 destinations Qatar fl ight, we want them to take Airways serves, according to a pleasure in their time on board statement. with Qatar Airways.” Qatar Airways has said it is Rossen Dimitrov, Qatar Air- the fi rst airline to launch an ex- ways senior vice-president clusive worldwide partnership of customer experience, said: with Nappa Dori, the New Del- “The new amenity kits cel- hi-based brand, and is one of ebrate both Qatar Airways’ and the only international carriers Qatar Airways and Nappa Dori have combined vintage and contempo- Nappa Dori’s commitment to to off er amenity kits to its pre- rary styles to create ‘unique amenity kits featuring iconic cityscapes’. innovation and providing be- mium passengers fl ying short spoke service.” distances from Doha. ment noted. The new amen- Castello Monte Vibiano Vec- Gautam Sinha, founder and “Together, the two innova- ity kits are available on board chio, the environment-friendly creative director, Nappa Dori, tive brands have combined vin- all Business and First Class olive oil company, as well as added: “We are extremely tage and contemporary styles to fl ights fl ying to destinations socks and eyeshades. The travel proud of the association with create unique canvas amenity within fi ve hours of Hamad accessory designs are available Qatar Airways as the brand res- kits that currently feature one of International Airport. in four diff erent styles and will onates similar values of crafts- three iconic cityscapes, Doha, The amenity kit exclusively be refreshed every few months manship through its service Kia Motors is staging a number of sports and recreational activities for kids and teenagers at the HawaScene venue. Paris and London,” the state- features lip balm from Italy’s to ensure that frequent travel- philosophy.” ‘Shop Bahrain’ aims to attract more visitors from GCC: offi cial

By Joey Aguilar in Bahrain and experience its number of tourists per year. Qa- Visitors who stay or avail of Shop Bahrain has also lined up such as those in the UAE (Dubai) Staff Reporter hospitality and tourism off erings. tar nationals and residents come these off ers are also entitled several entertainment activities and Qatar. The duration of these “This major event in Bahrain number three after Saudi Arabia and for coupon and a chance to win and events for all ages at Festival festivals also fall in public and aims to stimulate and energise Kuwait; these numbers are going major prizes in a raffl e draw. City, a newly-built temporary school holidays in the region. he third edition of the its retail sector and labour mar- to increase,” Alkoheji said. “During the festival, tourists circus facility within the Bahrain According to the offi cial, more Nawaf Alkoheji speaking at Bahrain shopping festival, ket and promote the tourism With most of the major malls and guests can avail from loyalty Bay area, next to Four Seasons than 20 shopping malls took a press conference in Doha Ttitled ‘Shop Bahrain’ will sector, Nawaf Alkoheji, project participating, he said any shopper points when using the services at Hotel. “We have activities that part in Shop Bahrain last year, yesterday. feature an array of family-ori- manager, Shop Bahrain, told re- who buys at any participating re- any of the 17 participating hotels are more tailored for GCC fami- generating BD11mn worth of ented activities and events, and porters in Doha yesterday. tail outlet for a minimum of BD10 that include a number of fi ve and lies and we are launching Festi- shopping, along with an increase indirectly employed scores of a unique shopping experience Part of Bahrain’s tourism gets a coupon for a raffl e draw. four star hotels,” Alkoheji added. val City, which is more family- in the number of tourists from Bahrainis. from January 19 to February 18. strategy is to increase the aver- Participating hotels have also Another highlight of Shop oriented.” other GCC countries. The festival, co-organised by the The 30-day festival aims to age tourist expenditure from the developed new travel pack- Bahrain is the return of the ‘Taste About the timing of Shop Apart from the 30% increase Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions attract more visitors from neigh- Bahraini dinar (BD)100 to BD136 ages for Shop Bahrain visitors at Tour,’ which aims to showcase Bahrain, he stressed that GCC in the daily sales revenues com- Authority and Tamkeen, is held bouring GCC countries, in- per day by 2018. cheaper rates than booking a ho- more than 25 restaurants that countries complement each pared to the fi rst edition, the in co-operation with the partners cluding Qatar, to visit and shop “We have seen an increase in the tel and fl ights separately. serve a wide range of dishes. other in holding similar festivals second edition also directly and from the public and private sector. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 QATAR Katara fest on Qatari products

atara – the Cultural try by promoting Qatari of Municipality and Envi- serve the community, Katara include vegetables, fresh Village is set to host products. ronment, will run from 8am general manager Dr Khalid fruits, honey, poultry, milk Kanother unique ini- The “Mahaseel Festival”, to 9pm daily and from 8am bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said and cheese products, fresh tiative from January 7 to the organised in collaboration to 6pm during public holi- the festival is a renewal of juices, and fl owers. end of April, aimed at sup- with the Agricultural Aff airs days. their commitment towards The festival will also fea- porting farmers in the coun- Department at the Ministry As part of its eff ort to supporting Qatar’s agricul- ture several events and stu- tural sector, national live- dent-based activities such as stock, and food products, as the “arrangements contest” well as off ering new business for students. opportunities to the owners Katara will also organise a of Qatari farms. weekly contest every Friday He said that the festival and Saturday, off ering each will feature competitions, winner QR2,000 worth pur- exhibitions, and an array of chasing coupons. cultural activities to raise “The festival will also in- Al-Sulaiti (right) and al-Nuaimi announcing the ‘Mahaseel Festival’ yesterday. awareness about Qatari food clude the ‘Nakheel (Palms) products among consumers Exhibition’ to promote and benefi ts to health, the Qur’an,” al-Nuaimi said. tree planting, starting with and farmers. awareness on the phases ac- relevant foods, industries In addition, the festival preparing the soil, planting “To promote the culture companying the planting and traditional crafts, as will stage agricultural docks seeds, irrigation, respiration, of good, social solidarity, de- process of the tree, pollina- well as the honoured status to instruct children and visi- and methods of providing votion and support, we will tion, fruits, its importance of the palm tree in the Holy tors on the various phases of best care to plants and fruits. work in collaboration with a number of local institutions and charity associations to distribute quantities of dis- played food products to vul- nerable families at the end of each day of the festival,” al- Sulaiti said. Katara restaurants will buy food products from the festi- val as a gesture of support to the farm owners taking part in the event. “We believe that the festi- val will act as a vital contrib- utor to development, qual- ity and competitiveness, in addition to off ering the best services in the market to the producers and consumers from various social catego- ries,” al-Sulaiti stressed. Festival organising com- mittee head Salman al- Nuaimi, who is also the di- rector of the co-ordination and follow-up unit at Katara, noted that the event, to be hosted in the southern part of the Cultural Village, will be off ering visitors “an out- standing market where the best quality of Qatari agri- cultural products are dis- played” through the 22 sales outlets and 12 mobile vend- ing vehicles. Some of these products Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 5 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Nature’s bounty Three months needed to rout IS: Iraq PM

Reuters take as long as two years to ployed closer to the front line Baghdad eliminate Islamic State and its inside the city. cells in Iraq and Syria, Abadi Mosul, the largest city held said: “The Americans were by Islamic State anywhere raqi Prime Minister Haider very pessimistic. They used to across the once vast territory al-Abadi said yesterday it talk about a really long period it controlled in Iraq and neigh- Iwould take three months but the remarkable successes bouring Syria, has been held to rout Islamic State, as US- achieved by our brave and he- by the group since its fighters backed forces battle to dislodge roic fighters reduced that. drove the US-trained army out the militants from their city I foresee that in Iraq it will in June 2014. stronghold of Mosul. take three months.” Besides Mosul, Islamic State Abadi previously said the city More than two months into still controls the towns of Tel would be retaken by the end of the operation, elite Iraqi sol- Afar and Qaim as well as Hawija this year but commanders say diers have retaken a quarter of and the surrounding area. the operation has been slowed Mosul, but entered a planned The fall of Mosul would by the need to protect civilians “operational refit” this month. probably end Islamic State’s who have mostly stayed in their A US battlefield commander ambition for a self-styled homes rather than fleeing as told Reuters on Monday Iraqi caliphate, but the fighters was expected. forces would resume their of- could still mount a more tradi- Hany Mousa, 38, collects mandarins at a farm yesterday, in the Egyptian village of Abu Ghalib, in Cairo’s northern Giza province. Asked to respond to com- fensive in the coming days, in a tional insurgency in Iraq, and ments by a commander of the new phase of the operation that plot or inspire attacks on the US-led coalition that it would will see American troops de- West. LEGAL Man gets one-year 40 killed in Yemen off ensive: army jail term for call to Iran opposition leader quits party end male control AFP trict, on the border between coalition warplanes drove A Saudi man has been jailed for Aden Shabwa and Marib provinces. the rebels out of several po- one year for calling for an end to AFP up under house arrest for their part in the protests, Bayhan is the only part of sitions in the area, adding the kingdom’s guardianship sys- Tehran which regime leaders still call “the sedition”. Shabwa province still con- that 14 insurgents were also tem that gives men wide controls “Considering my situation since (2011) and given t least 28 Houthi in- trolled by the Iran-backed captured. over women, local media said that I do not know how long this will last, I ask my surgents and 12 Yem- rebels after government forc- The Yemen conflict has yesterday. ehdi Karroubi, a leading member of the friends to accept my resignation,” Karroubi, 79, Aeni soldiers were killed es supported by a coalition killed some 7,000 people The man, who was also fined Iranian opposition who has been under wrote in a letter to his party, according to reformist yesterday in the southern last year expelled them from since the coalition interven- 30,000 riyals ($8,000) by a court Mhouse arrest for almost six years, an- newspaper Shargh. There have been repeated calls province of Shabwa as gov- fi ve southern provinces. tion in March 2015, accord- in the eastern city of Dammam, nounced he is quitting his party, Iranian media re- for Karroubi and Mousavi to be tried in court to no ernment forces pushed to “The death toll of the ing to the United Nations. was convicted of “inciting to end ported yesterday. avail. capture a rebel enclave, mili- Houthis has reached 28 while The coalition began the guardianship of women” in state- Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi were re- Hardliners claim house arrest was actually an tary offi cials said. 12 soldiers of the legitimate military campaign against ments he posted on Twitter and in formist candidates during the 2009 presiden- “act of clemency” for the two leaders, since oth- The fi ghting fl ared when forces were killed,” a military the rebels after they closed public posters, the Okaz daily said. tial election, and questioned the shock victory of erwise they would be put to death for sedition, in forces loyal to President Abe- offi cial said. in on Hadi in his refuge in the He was arrested while putting up conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad which led to the words of ultra-conservative lawmaker Mojtaba drabbo Mansour Hadi at- Military officials said gov- southern city of Aden, forcing posters in mosques in Al Hasa mass protests. Two years later, both leaders ended Zolnour last week. tacked rebels in Bayhan dis- ernment forces backed by him to fl ee to Riyadh. district. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 ARAB WORLD

Abbas calls for timetable on ending occupation

DPA Tel Aviv

alestinian President Mah- moud Abbas has called Pfor a timetable for ending Israel’s occupation of the West Bank following a UN Security Council resolution against Is- raeli settlement activity. The resolution lays the groundwork for “serious talks to end the occupation...and paves the way for the success of the French-sponsored international peace conference,” he said on Monday night at a meeting for his ruling Fatah party’s Central Committee. A tractor removes rubble as the Syrian government starts to clean up areas formerly held by opposition forces in the northern city of Aleppo yesterday, in the Shaar district. Right: A girl walks near a damaged house He expressed hope that the in Al-Rai town, northern Aleppo province. meeting on January 15 in Paris will lead to an international mechanism and concrete time- line for ending Israel’s occupa- tion of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The Israeli govern- ment has repeatedly rejected ef- forts to set up the peace confer- ence, while Palestinian leaders Russia says Syrian govt have welcomed the plan. A Foreign Ministry spokesman yesterday said Israel was reducing ties with the member states that had voted in favour of the resolution and opposition in talks The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday Lavrov says discussing a close ally.“During the recent The two men agreed to push that condemns Israeli settle- with opposition before meeting in Moscow with my for a nationwide ceasefi re in ment building in the Palestinian peace talks; Russian colleagues from Iran and Turkey Syria and to prepare for the As- Territories and called on Israel off icials see possible we approved a joint declara- tana talks, the Russian Foreign to halt it, with 14 votes in favour talks in Kazakhstan mid-Jan tion in which we confi rmed our Ministry said. and the US abstaining. readiness to guarantee a future The RIA news agency cited Israeli Prime Minister Ben- Reuters agreement between the Syrian an unnamed diplomatic source jamin Netanyahu has reacted Moscow/Beirut government and the opposi- as saying that representatives to what his offi ce described as a tion,” Lavrov told the Interfax from the Russian and Turkish “shameful” resolution with a va- news agency in an interview. militaries were holding consul- riety of measures, from cancel- ussian Foreign Minister “Negotiations about that are tations with the Syrian opposi- ling meetings to re-evaluation Sergei Lavrov was quoted going on,” he said. tion in Ankara about how a pos- relationships. Ryesterday as saying that Interfax said he was referring sible nationwide ceasefi re might A Foreign Ministry spokesman the Syrian government was to talks between the opposition work. yesterday said Israel was reduc- consulting with the opposition and the Syrian government. Separately yesterday Turkish ing ties with the member states ahead of possible peace talks, The High Negotiations Com- President Tayyip Erdogan said that had voted in favour of the but an opposition group said it mittee, a body grouping armed he had evidence that US-led resolution, including limiting knew nothing of the negotia- and political opponents of coalition forces in Syria were trips to and from those countries tions. President Bashar al-Assad, said giving support to “terrorist as well as recalling the envoys to Lavrov did not say where the it had no knowledge of the con- groups” including Islamic State Senegal and New Zealand. consultations were taking place sultations. and the Kurdish militant groups The other 12 in favour were or which opposition groups “We in the High Negotia- YPG and PYD. Russia, China, Japan, Ukraine, were taking part. tions Committee certainly have Iranian Defence Minister France, Britain, Angola, Egypt, Russia, Iran and Turkey said no connection to this matter,” Syrian youths collect wood from rubble to be used for heating and cooking yesterday in the Damascus Hossein Dehghan told Russia’s Uruguay, Spain, Venezuela and last week they were ready to George Sabra, a member of the rebel-held eastern suburb of Zamalka. state-backed RT TV station in Malaysia. help broker a peace deal after HNC, told Reuters. an interview that Saudi Arabia Netanyahu’s actions have holding talks in Moscow where The HNC includes armed a peace plan for Syria with US kharova said the easing of the way, but that invitations to par- should not be allowed to take drawn criticism from party lead- they adopted a declaration groups fi ghting Assad under the Secretary of State John Kerry restrictions could directly ticipants have not been sent out part in the Syrian peace process, ers at home as well as leaders setting out the principles any banner of the Free Syrian Army. in a telephone call yesterday, threaten Russian forces in Syria. and the exact timing has yet to the RIA news agency reported. from abroad. agreement should adhere to. It took part in a failed bid to without elaborating. President Vladimir Putin be decided. It cited him as saying he thought “I would not have cancelled Arrangements for the talks, launch peace talks earlier this Lavrov also told Kerry that has said that Russia, Iran and The offi cials, who have spo- Riyadh’s insistence that Assad offi cial visits,” said Deputy For- which would not include the year. a US decision to ease some re- Turkey and Assad have agreed ken of mid-January as a possi- should step down meant it had eign Minister Tzipi Hotovely of United States and be distinct The HNC was established strictions on arming Syrian that Astana, the Kazakh capi- ble date, say it is too early to talk no place at any talks. Netanyahu’s Likud party yes- from separate intermittent UN- in Saudi Arabia with Riyadh’s rebels could lead to more casu- tal, should be the venue for new about contacts with the HNC. He also said that Assad terday. “I would prefer to see brokered negotiations, remain backing in December 2015. alties, it said. Syrian peace talks. Lavrov spoke to Mevlut Ca- should have the right to stand in these visits as an opportunity to hazy, but Moscow has said they Russia’s foreign ministry Earlier Russian foreign min- Russian offi cials say prepa- vusoglu, his Turkish counter- the next presidential election if explain the Israeli position,” she would take place in Kazakhstan, later said Lavrov had discussed istry spokeswoman Maria Za- rations for the talks are under part, by telephone yesterday. he wanted to, RIA said. told Army Radio.

Turkey claims no confi rmation of IS ‘burning soldiers’

AFP sion against IS militants Istanbul inside Syria in support of pro-Ankara fi ghters. But they have faced stiff - urkey yesterday said ening resistance in the bat- it had no confi r- tle to take the Syrian town Tmation of a video of Al-Bab, taking increas- published by Islamic State ing casualties. (IS) militants purport- “There is still no clear edly showing the burning information from our to death of two Turkish armed forces or defence troops captured in Syria. ministry to confi rm these After users in Turkey re- video images,” Kurtulmus ported problems using so- told reporters in Ankara in cial media in the wake of the televised comments. release of the video, Deputy “If there is confi rmed in- Prime Minister Numan formation, it will be shared Kurtulmus said some media with the public,” he said. needed to “watch their step” But Kurtulmus added in the face of attempts by that terror groups were terror groups to spread fear. “vile mechanisms” and Turkey has for four were seeking to “spread months pressed an incur- desperation” through fear.

RIGHTS Militants ‘executed 13 Iraqi civilians’ Islamic State group fighters “summarily executed” 13 civilians af- ter villagers rose up against them at the start of the Iraqi army’s off ensive to retake Mosul, Human Rights Watch said yesterday. The killings took place in the villages of Al-Hud and Al-Laz- zagah, 50 kilometres south of Mosul on October 17, the day government forces launched the massive operation to oust the militants from the city. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 7 AFRICA

Army: 3,000 return Somalia swears in to Nigeria hometown Reuters Damasak displaced by the in- Maiduguri surgency staying as refugees in the neighbouring Niger Re- public and internally displaced ore than 3,000 people people in Maiduguri,” he said. in northeast Nigeria Usman said the returnees Mwho were forced to went through military security federal lawmakers fl ee the seven-year insurgency checks when they arrived and waged by Islamist militants were met by local offi cials and Reuters im haji Abdi, the chief secretary of that the current political process have returned to their home- community leaders. Mogadishu Somalia’s federal parliament, told will help bring some stability. town following the reopening More than 2mn people have reporters at a police training camp Legislator Khalif Sheikh Ab- of major roads in the area, the been displaced during the in- in the capital Mogadishu, where dullahi told Reuters before the army said yesterday. surgency as Boko Haram tries lmost 300 members of So- the ceremony took place. swearing-in ceremony that the Damasak – in the northwest to establish an Islamic state, malia’s federal parliament This left 32 members of the oldest MP would temporarily act of Borno, the state worst hit by run using a strict interpreta- Awere sworn in yesterday, lower house still to be sworn in, as House speaker, in line with the the militants – was taken over tion of Shariah, in the north- although parliament’s election of a because their elections either had constitution, until a full-time by Boko Haram in late 2014, east. new president to head the govern- not yet taken place or were dis- speaker was elected. when it controlled an area the About 15,000 people have ment was postponed. puted. Somalia’s weak UN-backed size of Belgium in northeast been killed. The ceremony at least gives the In addition, 34 new seats in the government is dependent on for- Nigeria. After the announcement that chronically unstable Horn of Af- upper house were only created by eign funds to pay the fl edgling The insurgents were pushed the Sambisa camp had been rica country a quorate assembly, the electoral committee last week armed forces and a contingent of out of the town by the army in taken, the Chief of Army Staff , four weeks after the conclusion of for the six federal states, in order 22,000 African Union peacekeep- July. Tukur Buratai, said the former a month-long election conducted to resolve a disagreement. ers. President Muhammadu game reserve would be used as a among 14,000 representative citi- Once the remaining seats are The outgoing parliament, Buhari said on Saturday that military training base to prevent zens. fi lled, the parliament will have a elected in 2012, was picked by 135 the army had taken back Boko the insurgents returning. The lawmakers were supposed total 347 legislators. elders. Haram’s main camp in the Security analysts say Boko to pick a new president today, However, the 281 already sworn- The government has said that Sambisa forest. Haram split this year with one but the electoral commission said in are enough to be able to elect a threats from the Al Qaeda-linked On Sunday, the govern- faction led by Abubakar Shek- yesterday that the vote had been president. insurgents of the Shebaab group ment said it was reopening two au operating from the Sambisa postponed to an as yet unspecifi ed Plagued by Islamist militancy, made a one-person, one-vote roads between Borno’s capital, forest and the other, allied to date. famine and maritime piracy, So- election impossible this year, but Maiduguri, and the northern Islamic State and led by Abu “As you witnessed, 243 law- malia has been at war for more that the choice of 14,000 repre- Members of Somalia’s new federal parliament place their hands towns of Damasak and Baga. Musab al-Barnawi, based in makers and 38 upper house mem- than a quarter of a century, but sentative electors did constitute on copies of the Qur’an during their swearing-in ceremony at the Army spokesman Sani Us- the Lake Chad region. bers have been sworn in,” Abdikar- diplomats and some citizens hope some progress towards democracy. General Kahiye Academy in Mogadishu. man said more than 3,000 Despite having been pushed people used one of the roads to back by a military off ensive in return to Damasak on Monday. the last few months, Boko Har- Reuters was unable to in- am still stages suicide bomb- dependently verify his state- ings in northeast Nigeria, and ment. in neighbouring Niger and Mozambique’s opposition agrees to seven-day truce “They were residents of Cameroon.

Reuters dozens of people have been killed Competition to control this sional truce,” he added. Renamo has retained a mili- Three die in South African prison riot Maputo this year in tit-for-tat attacks newfound wealth could stir un- Mediated peace talks collapsed tia since the end of the war and between Renamo fi ghters and the rest, analysts say. earlier this month but Dhlakama violence has intensifi ed since A prison riot erupted on Monday in South Africa when inmates ruling Frelimo government. “I announce the provisional said that he was willing to con- Frelimo won a disputed election clashed with guards at a jail outside Port Elizabeth, leaving three ozambique’s Renamo Renamo and Frelimo fought on cessation of military hostilities tinue to dialogue with Nyusi fol- in 2014. people dead and 26 others injured, off icials said. opposition party will opposing sides in a civil war from across the country as from mid- lowing Monday’s productive tel- Renamo is demanding that it A helicopter, ambulances and other emergency vehicles rushed to Mcease all military opera- 1976 to 1992 in which a million night on Tuesday,” Dhlakama, ephone call. control six provinces where it the scene as guards struggled to impose order at St Albans prison, tions against government forces people died. who is in hiding, told reporters by Nyusi told reporters on Mon- won the most votes and the in- which was also hit by a deadly riot in 2013. for the next seven days to allow Mozambique is on the verge telephone. day that he was “encouraged” by clusion of its militia in the army Off icials declined to say whether the three fatalities were prisoners the public to enjoy New Year of developing huge off shore gas “I took the initiative, I called the conversation with Dhlakama and police. or guards, but added that investigations were under way. festivities, its leader Afonso Dh- reserves which could transform the President of the Republic, and he described the provisional Frelimo has said that Renamo Ten of the injured were in a serious condition in hospital. lakama said yesterday. one of the world’s poorest coun- Filipe Nyusi, and gave him the ceasefi re as a “sign of hope for must disarm before any agree- Special security measures are put in place each year over the Rights groups estimate that tries into a middle-income state. possibility to off er this provi- the whole country”. ments can be reached. holiday period to tackle any protests or unrest in prisons. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 AMERICAS

Golfing getaway Huge crowd at teen’s party as invite goes viral

A huge crowd turned out on Far-right ‘will Monday to celebrate the 15th birthday of Rubi Ibarra, a small- town Mexican girl — though it was fewer than the 1.3mn people who said they were coming after the invitation went viral online. revolt if Trump Girls’ 15th birthday parties are often a huge aff air in Latin America, when families pull out all the stops to welcome them to womanhood. But Rubi’s “quinceanera” party took the phenomenon to a whole new shuns white level, after the invite became an off beat internet sensation. “We found out through social media and we said ‘Let’s go. Everyone is invited? Let’s go,” said Tania Rodriguez, who trav- elled five hours by car to attend supremacy’ the party held in a large field in Villa de Guadalupe, in San Luis Guardian News and Media of the Trump presidency is de- Weber, Taylor and Brimelow Potosi state. London lusional.” – all classifi ed as “extremists” About 10,000 partygoers of Jared Taylor, a white suprema- by the Southern Poverty Law all ages came to see Rubi, who cist who runs the self-termed Center – said Trump’s victory danced the night away in a onald Trump will disap- “race-realist” magazine Ameri- energised the far-right and that bejewelled floral princess gown point and disillusion his can Renaissance, said the presi- the movement can grow with or with a dramatic red skirt. Dfar-right supporters by dent-elect had already backped- without White House help. The teen was the centre of eschewing white supremacy, alled on several pledges that had The young crowd that roared attention on a rock concert- according to some of the move- fi red up the far-right. “At fi rst he “Hail Trump” at last month’s style stage set up in the field, ment’s own intellectual leaders. promised to send back every il- gathering in Washington will as journalists jostled to capture Activists who recently gave legal immigrant. Now he is waf- fi ght for its beliefs no matter her every move. The evening Nazi salutes and shouted “hail fl ing on that.” what, Brimelow said. “None of featured fireworks, a banquet Trump” at a gathering in Wash- David Cole, a self-proclaimed them were looking for jobs in the sponsored by a food company ington will revolt when the new Holocaust revisionist and Taki Trump administration. These and a concert broadcast on a US president fails to meet their magazine columnist, envisaged are not party loyalists. They giant screen. Rubi danced with expectations, the leaders told the the movement sliding into bick- know they’re entirely outside friends, as well as the men of Guardian. ering and in-fi ghting, stuck in the establishment consensus. her family, receiving a rose from The prospect of such disillu- “rabbit warrens” of online troll- And they’re used to guerrilla each, in keeping with tradition. sion and internecine squabbling ing rather than policy shaping. warfare.” “Hi, how’s it going? We would like may console liberals who fear a “In January Trump will start Trump’s relationship with the to invite you this December 26 to White House tinged with racism governing and will have to make far-right – an unruly grouping our daughter Rubi Ibarra Garcia’s and quasi-fascism. All the more compromises. Even small ones which includes opponents to il- 15th birthday party in La Joya,” reassuring because it comes will trigger squabbles between legal immigration, free trade, her dad, Crescencio, said in the from far-right infl uencers and the ‘alt-right’. ‘Trump betrayed police reform, political correct- video invitation that went viral. analysts, not wishful progres- us.’ ‘No, you’re betraying us for ness and mainstream Holocaust Dressed in a cowboy hat typical sives. saying Trump betrayed us.’ And scholarship – will partly defi ne of northern Mexico, he ticked Instead of enjoying proximity so on. The alt-right’s appear- his administration. off the names of the bands that to power, according to this anal- ance of infl uence will diminish The casino mogul-turned- would play at the party and ysis, vocal parts of the loose coa- more and more as they start to Republican insurgent electrifi ed announced a horse race with a lition known as the “alt-right” fi ght amongst themselves.” this group during the election by 10,000-peso prize (about could remain on the political In an e-mail interview Peter calling undocumented Mexican $500), as his fringe, wondering what hap- Brimelow, founder of the we- immigrants rapists and crimi- wife and pened to their triumph. bzine Vdare.com, which alleges nals. He vowed to deport 11mn the now- “Their hearts are bigger than Mexican plots to remake the US, undocumented people, ban famous their brains,” said Mark Weber, said Trump’s failure to deliver Muslims from entering the US Rubi stood who runs the Institute for His- “important bones” could trigger and build a wall on the southern at his side. torical Review, an organisation a backlash. “I think the right of border. He was slow to disavow “Everyone” dedicated to exposing “Jewish- the right is absolutely prepared an endorsement from David US President Barack Obama waves to the crowd from the 10th tee at Mid Pacific Country is invited, Zionist” power. “Saying they to revolt. It’s what they do.” Duke, the former Ku Klux Klan Club during his Christmas holiday vacation in Kailua, Hawaii. he said. want to be the intellectual head There is, however, a catch: leader.

3,800-year-old potato garden discovered in Canada

AFP the ancestral lands of the Katzie amplify production of the wild tober to February, wapato was Ottawa tribe in British Columbia is “the food plant. an important dietary source fi rst evidence” of gardening by lo- They installed a rock pave- of starch through the winter cal hunter-gatherers of the era, ac- ment that “formed a boundary for months. ncient spuds recently dug up cording to a study published in the the cultivation” of the potatoes, The archaeological excavation on Canada’s Pacifi c coast are journal Science Advances’ Decem- which were found in growing po- recovered 3,768 wapato tubers, also Ablackened and surely unedi- ber issue. sition. called Indian potatoes. “The re- ble, but are the fi rst proof, say re- Archaeologists led by Tanja Also discovered at the site was mains were dark brown to black in searchers, that North American na- Hoffmann and Simon Fraser Uni- close to 150 fi re-hardened wood tool colour, and although only the exte- tives tended gardens at least 3,800 versity concluded that the inhab- fragments, believed to have been the rior shell or skin survived on many, years ago. itants of the Pacific Northwest tips of “digging sticks.” some also had the starchy material The excavated potato patch on had engineered the wetland to Typically harvested from Oc- inside,” said the study.

US collecting social media details from foreign travellers

Guardian News and rights activists say there Media are few guidelines about Washington how the information, once obtained, is used or shared with other agencies. he US government The proposal fi led with has begun ask- the US Federal Register Ting select foreign states that the collection of travellers to disclose their social media data was in- social media activities as tended to “enhance the ex- part of an expanded eff ort isting investigative process to spot potential terrorist and provide department of threats. homeland security (DHS) The request functions greater clarity and vis- as a prompt on the on- ibility to possible nefarious line Electronic System for activity and connections Travel Authorisation, or by providing an additional Esta, a visa waiver applica- tool set which analysts and tion that many visitors are investigators may use to required to submit before better analyse and investi- travelling to the US. gate the case”. The choices include The Internet Associa- platforms such as Face- tion, which represents book, Twitter, Google+, companies including Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook, Google and YouTube, and additional Twitter, has argued that space for applicants to in- policy threatens free ex- put their account names on pression. those sites. Michael W Macleod- The Customs and Bor- Ball, chief of staff for the der Protection, which be- American Civil Liber- gan the programme last ties Union’s Washington week, has previously said offi ce, told Politico last it wouldn’t prohibit entry week: “While the govern- to foreigners who didn’t ment certainly has a right provide their social media to collect some informa- account information. tion ... it would be nice if The government has they would focus on the faced a barrage of criticism privacy concerns some ad- since it fi rst fl oated the vocacy groups have long idea last summer. Privacy expressed.” Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 9 ASEAN Blasphemy charges hold

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy. against Jakarta governor

Reuters Cambodian Jakarta n Indonesian court will proceed with a blasphe- leader faces jail Amy trial against Jakarta’s governor, who is accused of in- sulting religious sentiments, a judge said yesterday, a case seen as a test of religious freedom in over FB post the Southeast Asian nation. A panel of judges rejected a call by lawyers defending Gov- Reuters Sathya Sambath, guilty of citing ernor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama to Phnom Penh the false 1979 border treaty. strike down the case because it The fake treaty, which they had violated the ethnic Chinese posted on Facebook, purported politician’s human rights and ambodia’s exiled opposi- to show Vietnam and Cambodia breached procedures. tion leader Sam Rainsy agreeing to get rid of their mutual “The exception by the de- Cwas sentenced to fi ve boundary. Presiding Judge Leang fendant will be considered and years in prison in absentia yes- Samnath sentenced Sam Rainsy to decided by the court after ex- terday for posting a fake gov- fi ve years in prison and Ung Chung amination of all evidence. The ernment pledge to dissolve the Leang and Sathya Sambath to defendant’s exception is not Southeast Asian country’s bor- three years, all in absentia. accepted,” said Judge Abdul der with Vietnam. “The court orders the arrests Rosyad. The sentence follows months of Ung Chung Leang, Sathya A tearful Purnama denied at of tension between Cambodia’s Sambath and Sam Rainsy to his fi rst hearing on December two main political parties, the serve these sentences,” Judge 13 that he had intended to insult Cambodian People’s Party of Leang Samnath told the court. the Holy Qur’an while he was Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodia has fretted for cen- campaigning ahead of elections opposition Cambodia National turies about its much bigger in February for the governorship Rescue Party (CNRP). neighbours, Vietnam to the east of Jakarta, capital of the world’s Hun Sen has been Cambodia’s and Thailand to the northwest, largest Muslim-majority nation. leader for three decades but his encroaching on its territory. The Hundreds of white-clad pro- grip on power was shaken in a 2013 issue remains emotive and many testers chanted slogans outside general election when the CNRP Cambodians are suspicious of the court in north Jakarta yes- Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama walks outside the court room shortly after his trial at the North Jakarta District Court in Jakarta, Indonesia. won 55 seats in the National As- both countries. terday and called for the jailing sembly, leaving the Cambodian Sam Rainsy has been living in of the governor, known by his forgive him if he has apologised.” be moved to an auditorium in nearly always result in convic- of Jakarta’s bloated bureaucracy. People’s Party with 68 seats in the France since 2015 to avoid arrest nickname Ahok. The presiding judge on the the Agriculture Ministry in the tion. Amnesty International has However, his abrasive language 123-seat assembly. in a separate defamation case. He “Blasphemy is not accept- panel, Dwiyarso Budi Santiarto, south of the city for security criticised the law for hurting and insistence on clearing city Members of the opposition did not respond to a request for able in Indonesia. No religion said the defence could appeal reasons, authorities said. Pur- freedom of expression and for slums has alienated many vot- have complained of a crackdown comment yesterday but said on should be insulted,” said Mafut to a higher court if they did not nama was named a suspect after targeting religious minorities. ers. by the government and its al- Twitter the case against him and Rudiah, a protester standing agree with the decision to pro- hundreds of thousands of peo- President Joko Widodo, seen After suff ering a slide in sup- lies in a bid to intimidate crit- the two others had been “fabri- outside the courtroom, which ceed with the case. Purnama, ple, led by hardliners, attended as a Purnama ally, has blamed port in opinion polls, Purnama ics before a general election in cated” by a “kangaroo court”. was fl anked by lines of police. after consulting his lawyers, told rallies in recent months calling “political actors” for fuelling the has rebounded to become the 2018. The Phnom Penh Munici- The CNRP said it had no Standing among a smaller group the court he would consider do- for his arrest. protests, but declined to elabo- frontrunner again in the election pal Court found Sam Rainsy and knowledge of the whereabouts of the governor’s supporters, ing so. Blasphemy convictions in In- rate. As governor, Purnama has race to lead Jakarta, according to two members of his social me- of Ung Chung Leang and Sathya Kisab Tocakroyo said: “As a fel- The next court hearing is donesia can carry a jail term of won credit for cutting red tape a poll by the Indonesian Survey dia team, Ung Chung Leang and Sambath. low Muslim, I think we should scheduled for January 3 and will up to fi ve years and such charges and improving the performance Institute earlier this month.

Police withdraw from stand-off at controversial Thai temple

Thai police yesterday called off a Pathumthani province, 50km north tion complex in Nakhon Ratch- raid on a controversial Buddhist tem- of Bangkok, at 5am (local time). They asima province was found to have ple until the new year, Prime Minister later removed a metal gate they said encroached on a national forest. Prayut Chan-ocha told reporters. encroached on public space and Phra Dhammachayo was also indict- “There is nothing to be gained at this retreated. ed in November for alleged money time,” Prayut said in a press briefing The operation to arrest Phra Dham- laundering of 1.4bn baht (40mn saying authorities wanted to avoid machayo, 72, is expected to encoun- dollars). The 400-hectare, futuristic- upsetting the public during the fes- ter significant resistance from the looking Dhammakaya is known tive season. large number of monks and disciples for holding large-scale religious Thai police earlier withdrew from who pray at the temple. This is not ceremonies featuring hundreds of positions they had taken up during the first time the temple has been in thousands of participants and unor- an operation to capture the temple’s a tense stand-off with the police. A thodox Buddhist teachings. high-profile former abbot Phra raid was called off two weeks earlier, The Dhammakaya sect is controver- Dhammachayo. citing the same reason of wanting to sial for its massive wealth and for Hundreds of riot police and officials avoid conflicts. political connections that include from the Department of Special In November, a court issued an ar- former prime minister Thaksin Investigation had surrounded rest warrant for Phra Dhammachayo Shinawatra, who was ousted in a Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in after his sect’s 76-hectare medita- 2006 coup.

False social media alarm in Bangkok

Facebook’s crisis notification tool was mistakenly activated for users in Bangkok late yes- terday. The social network’s Safety Check feature was activated after false reports of an explosion in the Thai capital. Users was asked to mark themselves as “safe” for a brief period, before Facebook realised the error and deacti- vated the feature. “The Safety Check for this crisis has been turned off ,” Facebook wrote on its Safety Check page for the erroneous Bangkok explosion. Weerachon Sukondhapatipak, a spokesman for the ruling military government, con- firmed that no explosion had taken place in Bangkok. According to local media website Khaosod English, the Safety Check was triggered due to a BBC article posted last year on a Bangkok bombing that was picked up by MSN news bot. The BBC article was published on Au- gust 17, 2015, and reported on a real bombing that killed 20 people at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok. The Safety Check tool was launched by Facebook in October 2014. It allows us- ers to let friends know they are safe and lets others check on the status those who may be in the affected area. The Paris terrorist attacks of November 2015 was the first time the tool was activated for an event other than a natural disaster. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

NORMALCY ACCIDENT DISASTER TRAGEDY EPIDEMIC Australia’s Uluru reopens Man dies after being bit Lifeguards urge caution Search on for missing men Hong Kong’s first bird after rain and flash floods by snake in Cairns after drownings over Xmas in Australian desert flu patient this winter dies

Australia’s world famous Uluru reopened yesterday A man has died a week after being bitten Australian lifeguards have urged swimmers Police began a search yesterday for three people An elderly Hong Kong man died on Christmas after record-breaking summer rains turned the by one of the world’s deadliest snakes in his to follow water safety advice after a spate of missing in a remote desert area after heavy rains Day from bird flu, the government said yesterday, monolith in the middle of the outback desert into living room in Australia’s tropical northeast, drownings over the Christmas holiday left five caused flash flooding in central Australia, local the first human infection in the city this winter. a series of cascading waterfalls. The Uluru-Kata officials said. The 77-year-old, named in local people dead. Police discovered the body of a media reported. The three people, all believed The Centre for Health Protection of the Health Tjuta National Park, which surrounds the Australian media as David Pitt, was at his home in Cairns 25-year-old man in the Nepean River near Syd- to be adults, went missing on Christmas Day as Department said the 75-year-old man, who was landmark also known as Ayers Rock, was closed when he was bitten between his toes as he ney yesterday after he disappeared while swim- heavy rains made desert roads impassable, local diagnosed with the H7N9 strain, died on Sunday. when heavy rain and flash flooding hit the area tried to kill the snake with a spade last Tues- ming with friends on Monday. Also on Monday, newspaper NT News reported. Authorities are Last week, Hong Kong confirmed the first hu- on Christmas Day and Monday. The desert area day, Queensland Ambulance said. Paramed- a 60-year-old man drowned at Wooli Beach now set to begin aerial searches for the group man bird flu infection for this season after the usually suff ers sweltering heatwaves in summer, but ics performed CPR and gave Pitt anti-venom 642km north of Sydney after trying to rescue who apparently left the remote desert community man, who had recently travelled to China, was footage on social media showed rain pouring off treatment before taking him to Cairns Base his four nieces aged 10 to 16 who got caught of Kiwirrkurra in Western Australia’s Gibson Desert diagnosed with H7N9. South Korea and Japan the massive rock. Northern Territory Bureau of Me- Hospital. “There’s quite a lot of blood on the in a rip current. Surf Life Savers patrolling the on Sunday, bound for the neighbouring Northern ordered further culls early last week to contain teorology senior forecaster Sally Cutter said more scene so potentially the snake had actually beach managed to rescue the girls but were Territory. Nearby, flash flooding after 230mm of outbreaks of a diff erent strain of bird flu, having than 232mm (nine inches) of rain fell on Kintore on hit a vein instead of just entering the tissue unable to reach the man before he drowned. A rain caused 85 people to be evacuated and spend already killed tens of millions of birds in the past Monday, more than double the record December itself,” critical care flight paramedic Valerie 27-year-old man drowned in the Kangaroo River Christmas Day at a school in Kintore, 520km west month. At least seven people in China have been rainfall of 110mm (four inches) in 2003. Noble said last week. 190km south of Sydney on Monday. of Alice Springs. infected with H7N9 this winter, two have died. S Korea party Abe’s Pearl Harbor visit split could open window underlines US-Japan ties Abe, hosted by US President Barack Obama, would be the first Japanese premier to for UN chief visit the wreckage of the USS Arizona

Reuters But running as a Saenuri can- AFP Seoul didate looks far less attractive Honolulu given the corruption scandal gripping the country, in which South Korean ruling party a friend of Park’s is accused of apanese Prime Minister faction said yesterday it colluding with the president to Shinzo Abe travelled to Ha- Awould form a new par- pressure big businesses into pay- Jwaii’s Pearl Harbor, the site ty, and key members said they ing money to foundations back- of a sneak attack by his country hoped outgoing UN Secretary- ing Park’s initiatives. Park and that provoked America into en- General Ban Ki-moon would join the friend, Choi Soon-sil, have tering World War II, to reinforce it to launch a widely expected bid denied wrongdoing. what the leader calls “the power to become president. Kim Jun-seok, a Dongguk of reconciliation.” If Ban joined the new party, University political science pro- Abe, who is hosted by US it would give him a conserva- fessor, said Ban supporters in the President Barack Obama, would tive platform while distancing Saenuri Party, including law- be the fi rst Japanese premier to himself from the ruling Saenuri makers from his home region of visit the wreckage of the USS Party of President Park Geun- Chungcheong, were waiting to Arizona, which lost 1,177 crew hye, which has become tainted see what he would do. A former members to the Japanese at- by a corruption scandal that led South Korean foreign minister, tack 75 years ago. The meeting to a parliamentary impeachment Ban has never run for offi ce in his between the two leaders comes vote against her this month. home country. as Abe prepares to lead Japan The 29 lawmakers defecting Ban could opt to form his own into uncharted waters, after from Park’s Saenuri Party were group, with the intention of later President-elect Donald Trump among those who supported the joining forces with the new con- clouded the guiding stars of US- parliamentary motion to im- servative party, saving him from Japanese relations. peach her over the infl uence- having to run in the new party’s The President-elect has de- peddling scandal, which was primary contest, Kim said, an clared his opposition to the passed overwhelmingly on De- arrangement which is not unu- Trans-Pacifi c Partnership trade cember 9. Some analysts ex- sual in Korean politics. “Eve- deal that Obama was push- pect the new party to become ryone remaining in the party is ing for and that Abe made the the country’s main conservative calculating what their next move heart of his economic strategy. force and further defections to should be,” Kim said. “Saenuri And, at least on the campaign it from Park’s party were likely, has lost its identity and the new trail, Trump has even called especially if Ban joined. party will take the lead among into question the US security “We are hoping Secretary- conservatives.” The Constitu- guarantees that shielded Japan General Ban Ki-moon will join tional Court has up to 180 days to through the Cold War and later the New Conservative Party for uphold or overturn the impeach- the rise of China. Reform, and if he joins, it will be ment vote against Park, who has In eight years, Obama — Amer- right that he would compete in a been stripped of her powers in ica’s Hawaiian-born fi rst “Pa- fair primary,” Yoo Seong-min, a the meantime. cifi c president” — never made the US Army Brigadier General Spindler, left, is seen with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, centre, and Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada member of the new party and a If Park’s impeachment is up- headway he wanted in his vaunted in Honolulu, Hawaii. possible presidential contender, held, a presidential election will be “rebalance to Asia” diplomatic told TV station SBS, using the held in 60 days. An election for the strategy. But he and Abe chose a ever, has healed many wounds. new party’s tentative name. fi ve-year single-term presidency telling spot to celebrate US-Jap- Only fi ve of the Arizona’s crew- A look at history In a Realmeter poll released on is currently scheduled for Decem- anese partnership, three-quarters men are still alive and, while Monday, 23.3% of respondents sup- ber 20, 2017. The head of the mi- of a century after the “day of in- the memorial remains a tourist December 7, 1941 was one of the blackest Japanese losses were minimal. The attack is ported Ban, just ahead of the liberal nority People’s Party, which holds famy,” December 7, 1941. draw, in Hawaii the divisions of days in the history of the United States. In the considered among the greatest military defeats Democratic Party’s Moon Jae-in, 38 seats in parliament, has also In May, Obama visited Hiro- war have given way to a shared early morning, 360 Japanese fighter bombers in US history. Believing attacks on their bases in at 23.1%. The defections cut the said it would welcome Ban. shima to pay his respects, and present. without warning turned the US military base at the Philippines more likely, the US military was number of seats held by Saenuri to Over the years, South Korean yesterday Abe laid a wreath at “Hawaii has a very multi- Pearl Harbor on the Hawaiian island of Oahu simply was not prepared for such a bold move fewer than 100 in the 300-member parties have often broken up and the USS Arizona memorial. The ethnic population with a very into an inferno. Nearly 100 US ships, including so close to home. chamber. The Saenuri unexpectedly reformed in new guises. Ban has leaders were expected to head by large Japanese population,” eight battleships, were at anchor at the time. The catastrophe was a decisive event in World lost its majority in April parliamen- been coy about his plans, other boat to the white-walled memo- Stanley Chang, a 34-year-old Some 21 ships from the US Pacific fleet were War II. A day after the attack, US President tary elections. than saying he will return to rial positioned over the sunken Democratic member of the Ha- sunk or damaged in the Franklin D Roosevelt –- referring to Pearl Harbor Ban, 72, has not declared an in- South Korea on January 15. vessel. The Japanese attack on an waii state senate said. “I don’t two-and-half-hour attack by Japanese planes as “a date which will live in infamy” – made the tention to run for president, only “I will devote my whole body unsuspecting US fl eet moored at think there is any feeling of an- that struck in two waves decision to enter the war, which up until that saying he would devote himself to to work hard if what I have seen Pearl Harbor turned the Pacifi c tipathy towards the Japanese, 75 from aircraft carriers north of Hawaii. In addi- point had been a controversial consideration in the country after his tenure ends and experienced as the UN sec- into a cauldron of confl ict. The years after the attack.” tion, 188 US aircraft the US. Joined by American military might – just this month after 10 years. Never- retary-general helps develop attack had been prepared in se- Today, Obama’s home state were destroyed and 2,400 people were killed. months after Germany invaded the Soviet Un- theless, he had until recently been the Republic of Korea,” Ban told cret by Japan for months, but has a reputation as one of the On board the battleship USS Arizona alone, ion – the Allies were able to push back Hitler’s widely expected to run for the top Korean media last week at the was over within two hours. most multi-ethnic and multi- more than 1,000 soldiers lost their lives. forces and eventually win the war. job as a member of Park’s party. United Nations. Post-war co-operation, how- cultural in the country.

China calls on Vatican to be pragmatic on ties

Reuters to him and those who are members quoted by state news agency Xinhua Beijing of a government-controlled official yesterday as saying China “hopes the church. Vatican takes an even more fl exible and One of the obstacles to improving pragmatic attitude, and takes actual he Vatican should take steps to relations is the question of who should steps to create benefi cial conditions for improve relations with China, be able to appoint senior clergy. China improving relations.” Tthe Chinese head of religious says bishops must be named by the lo- China wants constructive talks to aff airs said yesterday, a week after the cal Chinese Catholic community and narrow diff erences, increase consen- Roman Catholic Church said it was refuses to accept the authority of the sus and promote improved relations, he hoping for “positive signals” from Bei- pope, whom it sees as the head of a for- told a meeting of Chinese Catholics. jing. eign state that has no right to meddle in “The Chinese government’s position Pope Francis is trying to heal a dec- Beijing’s aff airs. on improving Sino-Vatican ties has al- ades-old rift with China where Cath- Wang Zuoan, head of the State Ad- ways been clear and consistent,” Wang olics are divided between those loyal ministration for Religious Aff airs, was said.

North Korea plans nuclear push in 2017: top defector

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is “With South Korea holding presidential a nuclear warhead to the US mainland. planning a “prime time” nuclear weapons elections and the US undergoing an Analysts are divided as to how close push in 2017 to take advantage of leader- administration transition, the North sees Pyongyang is to realising that ambition, es- ship transitions in South Korea and the 2017 as the prime time for nuclear devel- pecially as it has never successfully tested United States, a high-ranking defector opment,” Thae told local reporters. an inter-continental ballistic missile. But all said yesterday. “That’s based on a calculation that the agree it has made enormous strides in that In his first press conference since flee- US and South Korea will not be able to direction since Kim took over as leader ing his post as North Korea’s deputy take physical, military measures because from his father, Kim Jong-Il who died in De- ambassador to Britain in August, Thae they are tied up with domestic politics,” cember 2011. According to a transcript of Yong-ho said Kim had issued a directive he added. North Korea carried out two his press conference, Thae said Kim would at a rare ruling party congress in May to nuclear tests in 2016 and numerous never trade away the North’s nuclear “complete” nuclear development by the missile launches in pursuit of its ultimate arsenal – no matter how large a financial end of next year. goal of a deterrent capable of delivering incentive might be off ered. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 11 BRITAIN

LAW AND ORDER TRAVEL FALSE ALARM CRIME MYSTERY Police concerned about Three crashes prompt Missing student Hunt continues for killer Body found in car increase in gun crime closure of M5 in Somerset ‘posts on Facebook’ after Glasgow murder near lighthouse

Police in West Yorkshire have expressed concerns Three separate crashes prompted part of the M5 in A university student who was reported missing A murder investigation is continuing after a A man’s body has been discovered inside an about an unprecedented rise in gun violence in Somerset to be closed in both directions yesterday. after failing to turn up at home for Christmas 43-year-old man died following a violent Christmas overturned car found near a lighthouse. The the region over Christmas. Off icers have appealed The motorway was shut for two-and-a-half hours has posted on Facebook, police have said. Isabel Day attack that also left another man in hospital. blue vehicle was spotted by a member of the to the public for any information they have on due to ice on the road, as the south of England Gayther, 21, was last seen at about 11.30GMT on Thomas Roberts was found with serious injuries in public on the causeway to St Mary’s Lighthouse, firearms incidents and any illegally held guns. awoke to extensive frost. The M5 was closed at Christmas Eve. Posts on her Facebook account the back courts of Ashgill Road, in the Saracen area Whitley Bay, North Tyneside. Northumbria Police The call comes after three unrelated incidents about 9am northbound between junction 21, near in response to media coverage state she is “not of Glasgow, at about 0400 yesterday. He was taken said off icers attended and found the car on its since the start of Christmas Eve. On December 24, Weston-super-Mare, and junction 18A, near Bristol, missing” and has not come to harm. The police, to hospital but died a short time later. A 50-year- roof. A spokesman said: “There was a man in a man in Shipley was shot and injured and, later and southbound between junction 18 and junction which earlier said it was “concerned” for Gayther, old man was also taken to hospital after being the vehicle but he was pronounced dead at the that day, a police car was damaged in Bradford as 19, near Portishead. A spokesperson for Highways said it was aware of the messages but had not injured in the incident, but has since been released. scene.” The driver’s next of kin have yet to be off icers attended a reported assault. On Christmas England said the road’s closure had come after the been able to speak to her. A spokesman said The Daily Record newspaper quoted eyewitnesses informed. Off icers are investigating how the Day, a car was damaged in a firearm incident three accidents yesterday morning. The stretch of an investigation continued, “with the aim of as saying Roberts had been subjected to a horrific vehicle got on to the causeway and are treating in Huddersfield. Assistant chief constable Russ motorway was reopened at about 11.30am once establishing that she is safe and well”. Gayther beating for about half an hour before his attacker the death as “unexplained”. The short causeway Foster said police were “very concerned about gritters were able to attend the scene. The closure lives in halls of residence in New Cross, south- dragged him into the street and left him lying in a out to the rocky island and its lighthouse is the rise in firearms-related incidents” has caused heavy traff ic and queues. east London. She also has family in Oxford. puddle. submerged at high tide.

Govt’s Fans pay tribute voter ID Corbyn hits proposal attacked back at Obama Guardian News and Media London

illions of people may be disenfranchised by Mthe government’s plans comments on to trial asking for ID in order to vote, Labour has said. Cat Smith, Labour’s shadow minister for voter engagement, raised concerns that 7.5% of the electorate may not have the right kind of identifi cation in order to Labour party exercise their right to vote. “Labour supports measures to Guardian News and Media party base. That hasn’t happened ing people and the need to take tackle electoral fraud and will be London in the Democratic party. I think action to reduce inequality across backing a number of the reason- people like the passion that Bernie the world. able proposals planned by the brought, but Bernie Sanders is a “They agreed on the case for government,” she said yester- spokesman for Jeremy pretty centrist politician relative Britain to remain a member of the day. “However, requiring vot- Corbyn has hit back after to ... Corbyn or relative to some of European Union, and that there ers to produce specifi c forms of ABarack Obama appeared to the Republicans.” would be further contact between photo ID risks denying millions suggest that the Labour party has In response, Corbyn’s spokes- their teams to discuss measures to of electors a vote. moved away from “fact and real- man said: “Both Labour and US deal with international tax avoid- “A year ago the Electoral ity” and is disintegrating. Democrats will have to challenge ance and evasion.” Commission reported that The spokesman said the Labour power if they are going to speak Despite Obama’s comments, 3.5mn electors – 7.5% of the leader “stands for what most peo- for working people and change a Corbyn is secure in his position electorate – would have no ac- ple want” and suggested that the broken system that isn’t deliver- leading Labour after seeing off ceptable piece of photo ID. Un- outgoing president’s Democratic ing for the majority. a challenge by Owen Smith this der the government’s propos- party needed to “challenge power “What Corbyn stands for is autumn, which was triggered by als, these voters would either if they are going to speak for work- what most people want: to take a mass resignation of his shadow be denied a vote entirely, or in ing people”. on the tax cheats, create a fairer cabinet. He has since put together other trial areas, required to Obama had earlier said he was economy, fund a fully public NHS, a shadow cabinet with closer al- produce multiple pieces of ID, not worried when asked if the build more homes and stop back- lies in senior roles, such as Diane ‘one from group A, one from Democrats could undergo “Cor- ing illegal wars. Abbott as shadow home secretary group B’. bynisation” and “disintegrate” like “For the establishment, those and Emily Thornberry as shadow “The government should Labour following Hillary Clinton’s ideas are dangerous. For most foreign secretary. be doing all it can to encour- election defeat by Donald Trump. people in Britain, they’re common In the new year, strategists age lawful voting and ensure a The departing US president sense and grounded in reality.” are planning to pitch Corbyn as high turnout, not putting extra was giving an in-depth interview, The Labour leader has been a leftwing populist as they pre- hurdles in the way. The plans in which he also said he would critical of the Democrats’ poli- pare for the possibility of an early for photo ID are like taking a have won the 8 November con- cies. In February, Corbyn said he general election and a tricky bye- sledgehammer to crack a nut, test if he had been able to run for a opposed “dangerous elements” lection in the marginal northern potentially denying a vote to third term, to David Axelrod, for- in the negotiations for the trans- seat of Copeland, prompted by millions.” merly an adviser to Ed Miliband, atlantic trade and investment the resignation of the Labour MP Smith’s comments came af- Corbyn’s predecessor as Labour partnership (TTIP). The secretive Jamie Reed. ter former London mayor Ken leader. Obama, 55, compared the bilateral trade deal between the Meanwhile Ken Loach, the Livingstone said the proposed way Labour and the US Republi- EU and US has been maligned for fi lmmaker who set up the Left measures would be a barrier for cans had chosen to move from the apparently putting corporate in- Unity party, described Labour people who had no driving li- middle ground and claimed that terests above national sovereignty. MPs who continue to oppose Cor- cence or passport. even the leftwing senator Bernie Corbyn, who met Obama in byn as a “bunch of political los- The veteran politician also Sanders was a centrist compared London for 90 minutes in April, ers”. In a letter to the Guardian, suggested there could be an ele- with Corbyn. also opposes British military in- he criticised MPs unhappy with ment of gerrymandering to help Asked about a potential Cor- tervention in Syria. The meeting, Corbyn’s leadership, suggesting the Conservatives’ electoral bynisation of his party, he said: “I described as “excellent” by the they should be labelled rightwing aims because the demand for don’t worry about that, partly be- Labour leader, was announced rather than moderate. ID would “hit the poorest” who cause I think that the Democratic just as Obama said the US and “Any disarray or disunity in might never have applied for a party has stayed pretty grounded Britain were ready to take action the party is the responsibility of passport or driving licence. in fact and reality. to stop Islamic State securing a those MPs. They attack Corbyn “That, I suspect, like the de- People gather outside the home of singer George Michael where tributes of flowers, “(The Republican party) started stronghold in Libya. and John McDonnell day after day, cision last year to knock a lot of messages and candles have been piled in the village of Goring, southern England. Pop fi lling up with all kinds of conspir- A Labour spokesman said after refusing to promote party policy people off the electoral register, superstar George Michael, who rose to fame with a string of smash hits including Last acy theorising that became kind of the meeting: “They discussed the on jobs, housing, transport or the is going to hit the Labour party,” Christmas, died on Monday aged 53. common wisdom or conventional power of global corporations, the NHS, the core concerns of those he said. wisdom within the Republican impact of globalisation on work- they should represent,” he wrote. Two fi rms earn £500mn Households hit as essentials cost rises from benefi t assessments Guardian News and Media contrast to the same time last London year when spending on fuel sank by 9.3%. Guardian News and Media Tim Farron, queried how Atos and ber 2016, 110,000 out of 526,000 The Lloyds spending power London Capita could have been paid such claimants who were reassessed ouseholds are being left report, which analysed current huge sums. “This adds to the sus- lost their benefi ts. with less cash to spend account data, also noted a rela- picion that these companies are MPs criticised Atos in a report Hon treats or to stash away tively sharp rise in spending on wo private fi rms have just driven by a profi t motive, and by the public accounts commit- as savings as the rising cost of es- food. That was up 1.6% on the earned more than £500mn the incentive is to get the assess- tee in March, saying “it did not sentials like food and fuel take a year – the biggest increase in 20 Tin taxpayers’ money for ments done, but not necessarily show an appropriate duty of care bigger chunk out of family budg- months. carrying out controversial dis- to get the assessments right,” he to the taxpayer” and questioned ets. “2016 has been a year of sus- ability benefi t assessments. told the Daily Mirror. “They are why the cost of one type of as- A new report on household tained growth in consumer out- The department for work and the ugly face of business.” sessment had risen from £115 to fi nances from Lloyds bank ech- goings, with the steady rise in ex- pensions (DWP) paid Atos and A total of £382mn was paid to £190. Capita divisional managing oed other signs that the pound’s penditure on food and fuel driving Capita £507mn for personal in- the IT services fi rm Atos, a Euro- director Chris Stroud apologised steep fall since the Brexit vote is a signifi cant increase in overall es- dependence payment (PIP) tests pean IT services fi rm with head- for a poor quality service in front raising import costs for the UK sential spending,” said Robin Bul- between 2013 and 2016, despite quarters in Paris, and £125mn to of the committee in February. and trickling through to higher loch, managing director at Lloyds. fi erce criticism of their services London-based FTSE 100 com- George Osborne announced prices for consumers. The fi ndings chime with of- by MPs. pany Capita. a £4.4bn cut to benefi ts for the Household spending on es- fi cial fi gures showing infl ation Figures up until September this The Guardian revealed in disabled in March over the course sentials rose at the fastest pace picked up to a two-year high of year reported by the Daily Mirror March that the government was of parliament. The cuts were later for almost three years in Novem- 1.2% in November. suggest that 61% of the 90,000 to review all of Atos’s major con- shelved after the then work and ber – going up by 1% compared With the pound down more claimants who appealed against tracts from Whitehall, which pensions secretary Iain Duncan to a year ago – and the bank than 17% against the dollar since a PIP decision by the DWP, based amount to more than £500mn, Smith resigned in protest. found consumers were growing the Brexit vote, economists say on these companies’ assessments, following a serious IT failure. Theresa May’s administra- increasingly worried about price UK companies will continue to won their case at tribunal. The The Cabinet Offi ce review found tion has back-pedalled further pressures. face rising bills for imports such DWP said it was unsure where they were performing “within the on disability tests, with the Work Much of the pressure on as food and fuel, as infl ation this fi gure came from. normal parameters of large tech- and Pensions Secretary, Damian household budgets last month climbs further in 2017. Hundreds have complained, nology contracts” and that Atos Green, revealing in October that came from higher petrol and Following high-profi le pricing many via the Guardian, that their provided an appropriate level of chronically sick people claim- diesel prices. Spending on fuel tussles between supermarkets benefi ts have been cut since PIP professional support. ing employment and support al- soared by 5.9% year-on-year – and big brands such as Typhoo replaced the disability living al- After the PIP system was intro- lowance would no longer have to the biggest increase since Feb- and Walkers, consumers are be- lowance (DLA) in April 2013. duced, under 65-year-olds had to prove every six months that they ruary 2013. That pre-Christmas coming more worried about in- The Liberal Democrat leader, be reassessed and, up until Octo- were still ill. Tim Farron: companies driven just by profit motive hit to family fi nances was in stark fl ation, according to surveys. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 EUROPE First Istanbul trial begins of Turkey coup suspects

AFP based preacher Fethullah Gulen be handed jail terms of between However, there has been grow- “Our state will defend the in- Istanbul who the authorities accuse of seven-and-a-half and 15 years on ing international alarm over the tegrity, security and public will of leading the plot. charges of “terror group” mem- extent of the crackdown amid the our country with full vigour and Gulen, who Turkey wants to bership. state of emergency imposed after force. All of this will be within wenty-nine Turkish police see extradited from the United Three police helicopter pilots the coup. the rule of law,” Anadolu quoted offi cers went on trial yes- States, vehemently denies the are specifi cally accused of ignor- With the purge showing no her as saying in Chicago. Tterday, accused of failing charges. ing orders to protect Erdogan’s sign of relenting, the interior Following the start of the Is- to defend President Recep Tayyip Of the 29 police on trial in Is- waterside residence in Istanbul. ministry said 1,096 people sus- tanbul trial, several others will Erdogan during the military’s tanbul, 24 are under arrest, one Others allegedly failed to re- pected of links to Gulen were de- start, including on February 20 of failed coup in July, the fi rst such on the run and the rest on bail. port for duty or to support col- tained in the last week alone. 47 suspects accused of trying to case in Istanbul. Special forces in camoufl age leagues resisting the coup. Erdogan has said there are assassinate Erdogan at a holiday The hearings follow a massive gear stood guard outside the “We will make sure the guilty strong public demands for retri- resort. crackdown on alleged putschists courthouse and snipers were – within the framework of the bution, even extending to reim- The courthouse in Silivri has – 41,000 are under arrest in a posted on the balconies of nearby law – are punished and given the posing the death penalty. huge resonance for Turks after national state of emergency and minarets. most heavy punishment pos- He also said last week that the it was also used in trials against the trials are set to be the most The names of the accused and sible,” said lawyer Orhan Cagri assassination of the Russian am- suspects in 2013 accused of a far-reaching legal process in the the indictment were read out, the Bekar, head of the July 15 Asso- bassador to Ankara was carried separate coup plot known as Er- country’s history. state-run Anadolu news agency ciation, which represents victims out by a Turkish police offi cer genekon. Five months after the coup at- said. of the coup. loyal to Gulen, a claim not yet ac- That case was strongly sup- tempt, small-scale cases involv- Arguments for the defence are President of the Turkish law- cepted by Moscow. ported by Gulen and 275 police ing suspects have already begun Soldiers are seen patrolling outside the Silivri Prison and Courthouse expected to follow with the ini- yers’ association Mehmet Sari In a rare political speech, Er- offi cers, journalists, lawyers and in the provinces and on Monday complex during the first trial related to Turkey’s failed coup. tial hearings expected to last un- said the trials would have a wider dogan’s prominent younger academics indicted for allegedly 60 people went on trial in the til Friday. bearing for the country. daughter Sumeyye Erdogan conspiring to oust Erdogan. southwestern city of Denizli. most signifi cant to date. The accused are charged with If convicted, 21 suspects each “Never again will a group in- Bayraktar said the group of Gulen However, the convictions were But the trial in Istanbul – in a The government says 248 peo- seeking to overthrow the govern- face three life sentences on terfere in our state and to try to had been “unmasked” in its tac- quashed amid accusations that gigantic courthouse outside the ple were killed by the coup plot- ment as well as allegedly being charges of staging a coup. lead a putsch. This is what this tic of “taking possession of the Gulen had perverted the legal Silivri prison in the city – is the ters. members of the group led by US- The other eight offi cers could trial will do,” he said. minds and hearts” of people. process.

Ukraine’s hero pilot Savchenko launches Black box of crashed her own movement

AFP Savchenko has contradicted Kiev Poroshenko by supporting direct talks with the militias and was forced out from the Russian plane found popular Ukrainian fe- leadership post of the populist male combat pilot who political party of former prime AFP fi ve plane fragments, including Aserved time in a Russian minister Yulia Tymoshenko for Sochi part of the fuselage and engine, prison gave President Petro that reason. were found overnight 30m (98’) Poroshenko a new headache And yesterday pro-Moscow underwater, around 1,700m from yesterday by launching her insurgents reported that they ussian rescuers working the shore. own opposition movement. had released two women that round the clock have found Searchers later found an addi- “This is meant to ... create they had held captive thanks to Rthe main black box from tional three fragments, including a real change in the system,” Savchenko’s intervention. the Syria-bound military plane landing gear and a portion of the local media quoted Nadiya The freeing of the women – that crashed into the Black Sea engine, the ministry said. Savchenko as telling reporters a judge and a journalist – came with 92 people on board, the au- Russia’s federal security serv- in the western city of Lviv. after Savchenko held a private thorities said yesterday. ice has said it is looking into four Savchenko’s new movement meeting with the heads of The defence ministry said the suspected causes of the crash, is called RUNA – an acronym the separatist regions of Lu- box, which could provide vital namely pilot error, technical fail- for the Movement of Ukraine’s hansk and Donetsk earlier this clues as to why the Tu-154 jet ure, faulty fuel and an object in Active People. month. crashed, was discovered early the engine. She said the movement Savchenko has fervently yesterday only 1,600m from the The defence ministry said a would be transformed into a taken up the cause of winning shore and 17m under the surface. total of 12 bodies and 156 body political party when the time back the freedom of some 110 The equipment was in “satis- fragments had been recovered was right. people believed to still be held factory condition” and experts from the sea since the crash, all of The announcement adds by the militias in their indus- in Moscow are now examining its which are being sent to Moscow Savchenko to the slowly grow- trial enclave in the southeast of data, the ministry said in a later for DNA identifi cation. ing list of those willing to stand Ukraine. statement. The Kommersant daily news- up to Kiev’s pro-Western gov- Her trip to the war zone cre- The Tu-154 jet, whose pas- paper reported that investigators Police off icers look at rescue vessels searching the Black Sea outside Sochi, two days after a military plane ernment that is seen as riddled ated controversy in Kiev be- sengers included more than 60 are relying on a witness state- carrying 92 people crashed into the waters. with corruption. cause it was not authorised by members of the internationally- ment by a coastguard member Mikheil Saakashvili – the Poroshenko. renowned Red Army Choir, was who saw the plane in its fi nal mo- guard coming on board as it was military offi cers, journalists and homeless people of Moscow. former president of ex-Soviet The Ukrainian leader refuses heading to Russia’s military air- ments descending towards the being fuelled. popular charity worker Yelizave- Tu-154 aircraft have been in- Georgia who briefl y served as to have formal contacts with base in Syria on Sunday when it sea with its nose tilted sharply Onboard were 64 members of ta Glinka, aff ectionately known volved in a number of accidents governor of the strategic Odes- the rebellion’s commanders went down off the coast of Sochi upward. the Alexandrov Ensemble – the as “Doctor Liza”, who was bring- in the past, including the April sa region – has also created his because they lack legitimacy in shortly after take-off . The authorities have not said army’s offi cial musical group, ing medical supplies to a hospital 2010 crash killing then-Polish own movement meant to top- his eyes. Investigators have yet to con- how long it would take to deci- also known as the Red Army in the coastal Syrian city of Lata- president Lech Kaczynski and his ple Poroshenko and hold snap An AFP correspondent saw fi rm the cause of the crash, but pher the black box. Choir – and their conductor kia. delegation. elections. the two women – regional offi cials have said that an act of The Tu-154 jet went down on Valery Khalilov. Russia observed a day of The Tu-154 aircraft are no Ukraine has been torn by 31 judge Anzhelika Presnyakova terror was not being considered Sunday morning, minutes after The choir was set to perform mourning on Monday, cancelling longer used by commercial air- months of war with insurgents and journalist Olga Svorak – as a possible explanation. taking off at 5.25am (0225 GMT) for Russian troops at the Hme- entertainment programmes. lines in Russia. that Kiev views as Russian handed over to a Ukrainian en- The discovery of the black box from Sochi’s airport, where it imim airbase in Syria, which has People brought fl owers to im- Asked whether all Tu-154 proxies and is only starting to voy who came to the rebels’ de comes as searchers scramble to had stopped to refuel after fl ying been used to launch air strikes in provised memorials at the port planes would be grounded, recover from an economic cri- facto capital of Donetsk. recover bodies and remaining out from the Chkalovsky military support of Moscow’s ally Presi- in central Sochi and the city’s Kremlin spokesman Dmitry sis that saw production shrink It was not immediately clear debris from the aircraft in an op- aerodrome in the Moscow region. dent Bashar al-Assad. airport, as well as to the Moscow Peskov referred journalists to the by about 17% in 2014-15. how long they had been held eration involving divers, deep- The FSB said all passengers Defence minister Sergei headquarters of the Red Army transportation ministry, while Support for the government captive or under what circum- water machines, helicopters and remained on the plane when Shoigu has pledged to restore the Choir and the offi ce of Fair Aid, Transport Minister Maksim is low and morale weakened stances they were captured. drones. it stopped in Sochi, with one choir “in the nearest future”. the NGO that Glinka headed, Sokolov called the model “rather by the death of nearly 10,000 They were taken back to The defence ministry said that customs offi cer and one border Other passengers included which primarily worked with the reliable”. people in a confl ict fought Ukrainian-held territory by over regions that were once Volodymyr Ruban, the head the industrial heartland of the of a non-governmental or- former Soviet state. ganisation involved in prisoner Moscow denies any med- swaps. German lawmakers urge tougher security measures dling but international moni- Ruban told reporters that tors have seen tanks and other Savchenko’s visit to the sepa- heavy military equipment ratist region “helped ease the Reuters escaped deportation after his ap- with German security services as ‘Polish truck driver shot long before Berlin attack’ enter the Ukrainian war zone prisoners’ release”. Berlin plication was rejected. potentially violent. from Russia throughout the He was shot dead by Italian Polls indicate that Germans’ A Polish truck driver whose hijacked vehicle was used to crash into a war. police on Friday. deeply entrenched opposition Berlin Christmas market was shot in the head several hours before the The 35-year-old Savchenko oliticians on both sides Merkel’s conservative allies to state monitoring, a legacy of attack and could not have attempted to foil it as previously thought, Bild initially became a symbol of of Germany’s governing in the state of Bavaria, the CSU, widespread surveillance in Com- newspaper reported yesterday. Ukraine’s resistance to what Pcoalition, reacting to last called for greater powers for the munist East Germany and in the The newspaper quoted a confidential coroner’s report that said driver Kiev considers Russia’s occu- week’s Christmas market at- police and intelligence agencies Nazi era, may be waning. Lukasz Urban, 37, had suff ered not only knife wounds in a battle in the pation. tack, called for more state pow- and improved data exchange be- While several Greens politi- truck cabin but also a gunshot wound to the head between 2.5 and 3.5 Yet Savchenko’s political ers to deport potentially danger- tween them. cians have argued since the Berlin hours before the 8pm attack. star has somewhat faded since ous failed asylum-seekers, with “We need new grounds to ar- attack that more video surveil- There was no confirmation to the Bild report available. her release from a Russian some also pushing for enhanced rest dangerous people,” they said lance of public places is not be A total of 12 people were killed in the attack last Monday. prison in May. surveillance. in a paper seen by Reuters en- the answer to Germany’s security The Tunisian assailant, 24-year-old Anis Amri, was shot dead by Italian She had been sentenced for Chancellor Angela Merkel, titled Security for our Freedom, problems, a YouGov poll showed police in shootout on Friday after a European-wide manhunt. alleged complicity in the mur- whose open-door migrant policy which they will discuss at a party 60% of Germans were in favour. In a video released after his death, he is seen pledging his allegiance to der of two Russian state televi- critics say has put Germany’s se- gathering early next month. A deputy leader of the So- militant group Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. sion journalists in the war zone curity at risk, promised after the It says intelligence agencies cial Democrats (SPD), the junior The Berlin state interior minister Andreas Geisel had said on Friday that in June 2014 – a charge she Savchenko: supported direct Berlin attack – which killed 12 should be able to monitor indi- partner in Merkel’s governing Urban had “quite probably” tried to disrupt the attack by seizing control denied and that led her to hold talks with the pro-Russia people – to introduce new laws if viduals as young as 14 to avoid coalition and which is tradition- of the steering wheel before being shot in the head after the truck veered several hunger strikes. militias. needed. radicalisation, and calls for ally more reticent on security to the left. The suspected perpetrator, greater powers of detention for issues, also demanded deten- It came to a halt after driving for just 60m into the market that extended 24-year-old Tunisian Anis Amri, people due to be deported. tion before deportation for some more than 400m, averting further deaths. was an asylum-seeker who had Some 550 people are registered failed asylum-seekers.

Russia opens criminal case over alcohol poisoning deaths

Reuters The mass poisoning in Irkutsk, tion and sale of drinks, medi- Nefedova, a deputy minister re- justifi cation to ask a court to an- Moscow a city 2,600 miles (4,000km) cines, perfumes and other liquids sponsible for the use of land be- nul the (rental) contract ... but east of Moscow, was the worst of with a high percentage of etha- longing to the Irkutsk regional instead Nefedova only signed off its kind in recent years in a coun- nol, or drinkable alcohol. government, had been charged on another fi ne,” the statement ussian investigators said try where up to 12mn people con- The lethal bath oil in Irkutsk with negligence over the aff air. said. yesterday that they had sume cheap surrogate alcohol. was contaminated with metha- In November Nefedova had The Irkutsk region’s health Ropened a criminal case into Investigators have so far de- nol, a related form of alcohol been passed evidence that a plot ministry meanwhile said that the Recently freed judge Anzhelika Presnyakova (left) and a senior offi cial in Siberia after at tained 23 people and President which is poisonous. of state land was being used to number of deaths from the poi- journalist Olga Svorak talk with negotiator Volodymyr Ruban least 77 people died from drink- Vladimir Putin has demanded Russia’s Investigative Com- sell illegal alcohol. soning had risen to 77 and that 16 who was involved in prisoner swaps during a gathering in ing bath oil for alcoholic kicks. tighter controls on the produc- mittee said that Yevgeniya “She had all the powers and people remained in hospital. Donetsk yesterday. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 13 INDIA Eff orts on to free priest abducted in Yemen, says Sushma

Agencies deadly attack by militants on a of India to get me released. I am precious for us,” she said. ever he is saying is under duress. would have been taken more se- who claimed that besides Uz- New Delhi care home operated by the Mis- very sad that nothing has been She added that the Indian We are certain that he is still in riously by authorities and people hunnallil, there were five more sionaries of Charity group in the done seriously in my regard,” government had got a priest and captivity and eff orts are on to would have got me released,” he from the family who were in the southern Yemeni port city of Uzhunnalil said. a non-profi t worker released free him,” Chinnayyan said. said. clergy. ndia said yesterday it will Aden in March. In response, External Aff airs from their captors in Afghani- The video was posted on so- Meanwhile, a close relative of Uzhunnalil’s ancestral home is “spare no eff ort” to secure The fi ve-minute video, the Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted stan. cial media sites YouTube and Fa- the priest urged Pope Francis and in Ramapuram in Kottayam dis- Ithe release of a priest kid- provenance of which is un- that New Deli would “spare no Joseph Chinnayyan, the dep- cebook on Monday but it is not the Indian government to secure trict, which lies deserted as two napped in Yemen, after video known, shows him appealing to eff ort to secure Fr (father) Tom’s uty secretary general of Catho- clear when it was shot. his release. of his brothers live abroad, while footage showing him pleading Prime Minister Narendra Modi release from captivity”, but gave lic Bishops’ Conference of In- In it the 56-year-old priest “Despite so many efforts our another is in Gujarat. for help was circulated on social and Pope Francis to secure his no details. dia, said it was not possible to said his nationality remained the dear one languishes in captiv- Yemen is in the midst of a media. freedom. “I have seen the video from Fr verify the authenticity of the main reason that world leaders ity. Our Church has to take this civil war and has seen a growing Thomas Uzhunnalil from “My captors have made many Tom. He is an Indian citizen and video. remained unsympathetic. up very seriously and at the presence of Al Qaeda and Islamic Kerala was abducted during a contacts with the government the life of every Indian is most “Even if it is authentic, what- “If I were a European priest, I highest level,” said the relative State militants. Village gets jumbo visitors BJP ordered online abuse of opponents, claims book Former volunteer for the BJP the opposition Congress Party. The targets of the social me- says she was told to criticise He said the BJP had published dia unit would end up being journalists, actors and social media guidelines on its swarmed by critical messages political figures online website and never “encouraged that occasionally veered into trolling”. criminal threats, Khosla said. A herd of elephants gathers in a paddy field in the village of Bahampur in Nagaon district, some 155km east of Guwahati in the Guardian News and Media Khosla’s account is contained “I simply could not follow northeastern state of Assam yesterday. Some 150 elephants have appeared from the forest in Assam searching for food in the New Delhi in a new book by journalist Swati (the) directions anymore when area around the village. Chaturvedi, published in India I saw rape threats made against yesterday, I Am a Troll, which female journalists like Barkha ocial media trolling against investigates the ties between Dutt,” she said. Indian public fi gures in- abusive social media accounts “Every day some new person Scluding journalists and and the BJP. was a target and they would at- actors has been directly co-or- Prominent women, particu- tack like a swarm of bees with dinated from inside the coun- larly journalists, have been rais- vile sexual innuendoes, slan- I wasn’t elected to cut ribbons, try’s ruling party, a new book has ing concerns for more than three der, rape and death threats … claimed. years about the scale and tone of It made me feel suff ocated as a A former volunteer of the the abuse they face online, with woman.” Bharatiya Janata Party has al- much of it anonymous, sexually Khosla left the unit after she will weed out corruption: Modi leged the 2014 prime ministe- charged and fi ercely nationalist. was asked to spread a petition rial campaign of Narendra Modi Khosla claims in the book calling for SnapDeal, a shopping used social media volunteers to that starting late in 2013, and for website, to cut its ties with Bol- IANS pull it out. One engine you have “The people of India by and In a state headed to elect a push critical messages about nearly two years after, she was lywood actor Aamir Khan. Dehradun installed in Delhi and the sec- large are people who side with new assembly in the next few public fi gures perceived to be one of hundreds of BJP support- Khan had attracted the ire of ond one should come in form of the honest and I am happy that weeks, Modi tried to woo the opposed to the party. ers receiving direct instructions Hindu nationalists in Novem- a BJP government in the state,” I have your blessings, else what young and the unemployed Whether intended by the BJP on messages to push online from ber 2015 after remarking on the rime Minister Narendra he stated. these politicians would have saying his government has done or not, the social media cam- senior members of the party’s “growing intolerance” he felt Modi made a strong pitch Graft is the biggest stum- done to me, only God knows,” away with the practice of inter- paigns would often spill over social media unit. was taking root in India. Pfor demonetisation yes- bling block in the progress of Modi said. views for Group C and D jobs, into religious and sexual trolling She received the orders SnapDeal released a statement terday and said the move was the country, the prime minis- Taking a dig at those oppos- which breeds corruption and of the target, especially if it was a through WhatsApp but also met at the time distancing itself from aimed at weeding out corrup- ter said adding he was voted to ing the demonetisation deci- nepotism. woman, said Sadhavi Khosla, the with senior members of the dig- the 51-year-old’s comments tion from the country and give power with a majority in 2014 sion, the prime minister said “Now, only merit guaran- 37-year-old former party volun- ital unit, she claims. and did not renew his contract India its long deserving place. by the people of India “not to the corrupt are sweating, as his tees one a job, while earlier it teer. A fervent Modi supporter at in February this year. Another The country, which was once cut ribbons and light inaugural government is after them for used to be notes that did so,” The trolls’ “hit list” included the time, Khosla said she enthu- Khan endorsement contract, for referred to as a ‘Golden Bird’, lamps”. looting the money which be- he said. political opponents, such as the siastically participated, using her the Incredible India! tourism has now become just the op- “They (the people) wanted longs to the people. The prime minister also Congress Party vice president Twitter account to criticise Rahul campaign, was also allowed to posite, Modi told a public rally me to act, and here I am after He also underlined his re- laid the foundation stone for Rahul Gandhi, and screenshots Gandhi and his mother Sonia. lapse – though the government at Parade Grounds here and the corrupt people and black solve to bring the corrupt to an ‘all-weather’ road for the provided by Khosla also show But she claims she grew un- has denied this was linked to the reiterated his commitment to money, which was being used book and account for every sin- ‘Char Dham’ annual pilgrim- that Bollywood star Aamir Khan comfortable when ordered to actor’s remarks. take on the corrupt and wee out for human traffi cking, drugs, gle penny belonging to the poor age. was among those singled out. tweet criticisms of prominent “I realised that my hero had black money. mafi a and the underworld.” people. Modi said the Rs120bn She says the social media unit journalists, such as Rajdeep become a ‘Muslim’,” Khosla said. Amid cheers from a large He once again targeted the Modi referred to OROP (One- project will not just ease travel responsible for directing her and Sardesai and Barkha Dutt, which “For me he had just been an In- gathering, Modi made a fervent opposition parties and some Rank-One-Pension) scheme to the four pilgrimage sites hundreds of other volunteers sometimes featured “slanderous dian actor. I felt like my country appeal to the people of Utta- politicians for siding with and saluted the defence person- of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Ke- continue to operate. claims”. was changing.” rakhand to vote for a Bharatiya the corrupt and black money nel for understanding the fi nan- darnath and Badrinath, but The BJP did not respond to “It was a never-ending drip Chaturvedi, the author of the Janata Party government in the hoarders. cial constraints of the govern- will also give a big boost to the request for comment but the feed of hate and bigotry against new book, has herself been the state in the 2017 assembly polls, Modi also thanked the people ment and for agreeing to take the state’s economy. former head of the party’s social the minorities, the Gandhi fam- target of social media trolling, saying it was the only way to for facing hardships after the arrears in four instalments. “This Char Dham project is media unit, Arvind Gupta, told ily, journalists on the hit list, lib- fi ling a police complaint last year bring the hill state out of the demonetisation but endorsing He also said so far Rs66bn a tribute to those who lost their the Indian Express that Khosla’s erals, anyone perceived as anti- against an anonymous Twitter mess it fi nds itself in. his fi ght against graft and black has been distributed under the lives during the Uttarakhand claims were unsubstantiated Modi,” she is quoted in the book account that had deluged her “You need a double engine to money. OROP scheme. fl ash fl oods,” he said. and that she was a supporter of as saying. with malicious posts. 12 hurt as Jet Airways Foreign funds ban on 20,000 charities plane skids off runway AFP and revalidated, these NGOs can New Delhi receive foreign funds and start regular work.” Agencies ist markets during the winter vestigation to go on and we are Meanwhile that leaves only Panaji season. co-operating with the DGCA he government has 13,000 NGOs with licences in Television images showed (Directorate General of Civil banned some 20,000 India where charities, espe- injured lying on stretchers in Aviation),” she said. Tcharities from accept- cially foreign-backed ones like Jet Airways Boeing 737 darkness on the service road, The airline is India’s second ing overseas funds because they Greenpeace, have come under aircraft with 161 people with fi re engines parked near the largest passenger carrier. failed to comply with the rules, a increased scrutiny since Prime A on board veered off an stricken plane, which appeared In a separate incident in New home ministry offi cial said yes- Minister Narendra Modi came to airport runway in Goa short- to have lost its front undercar- Delhi airport, a SpiceJet air- terday. power in 2014. ly before takeoff just before riage, and damaged a wing as plane was preparing to take off KS Dhatwalia, a spokesman A major crackdown began in daybreak yesterday, crossing it rested on its belly and engine at the same time as a fl ight run for the federal home ministry early 2015 after an intelligence a field before spinning into a casings. by IndiGo had landed and was which revoked the licences, said report said groups like Green- ditch on the side of a service Some passengers said they headed to the runway’s taxiway, that they had been cancelled peace were damaging the coun- road. saw smoke in the cabin as the but the pilots avoided a colli- “over the period of one-and-a- try’s economy by campaign- At least 12 people suff ered aircraft began taxiing on the sion and no one was injured, the half years”. ing against key development injuries as the 154 passengers runway. two companies said in separate “They have not followed projects. and seven crew on the Mumbai- One of the injured described statements. FCRA (Foreign Contribution The government has can- bound fl ight were evacuated, Jet how the accident unfolded. IndiGo and SpiceJet said Regulation Act) norms while ap- celled licences of thousands of said in a statement. “I fractured my leg,” Dinesh they were working with au- plying for (licence) renewals,” he NGOs since then, citing misuse “The fl ight 9W 2374 from Kumar, a passenger told Times thorities investigating the in- said. of overseas donations to harm Goa-Mumbai skidded off the Now TV channel. cident. Without the licences the the country’s growth. runway at Dabolim airport this “The moment the plane Air travel is surging in In- NGOs will not be able to receive Critics have argued that the morning due to a technical glitch started running on the runway, dia, one of the world’s fastest overseas donations, which could apparent clampdown was an at- while aligning for takeoff ,” the it slipped into the nearby fi eld growing economies. Passenger likely impair their day-to-day tempt to stifl e voices of dissent. statement said. and there was smoke inside the numbers on domestic flights operations. An Indian charity running December is the busiest fl ight.” jumped 21% in 2015 to more Officials gather beside a Jet Airways Boeing 737 aircraft after Dhatwalia, however, said they schools for low-caste Dalit chil- month for Dabolim airport, out- A Jet Airways spokeswoman than 80mn. it skidded off the runway following an aborted takeoff at the can reapply and have their li- dren said last week it was set side state capital Panaji, as holi- said the carrier was looking into The government foresees that Dabolim airport in Goa yesterday. The plane carrying 161 cences renewed by the ministry. to close down after its foreign daymakers fl ock to Goa’s palm how the incident occurred. number growing to 300mn by passengers and crew skidded off the runway early yesterday, “Applications can be sent funds were blocked over alleged fringed beaches and exotic tour- “It needs time for proper in- 2022. injuring 12 people. again. And if they are renewed threats to national unity. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 INDIA

POLITICS RELIGION CRACKDOWN TRAVEL POLITICS How can murder accused Devotees throng ED raids home, off ice Ola off ers ‘one-way’ ‘Goa BJP’s infighting will stay in cabinet: Congress Bihar gurdwara of ‘hawala’ trader trip fares from Delhi-NCR trigger volcanic eruption’

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) Thousands of devotees have started arriving The Enforcement Directorate (ED) yesterday App-based taxi operator Ola yesterday A rift within the Goa unit of the Bharatiya should explain how a murder accused in Patna to participate in the celebrations to raided the office and home of hawala trader announced an inter-city mobility Janata Party following the induction of an can continue to remain in the cabinet of commemorate the 350th birth anniversary of the Paras Mal Lodha in Kolkata, an official solution offering ‘one way trip fares on allegedly tainted Congress leader has triggered Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a 10th Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh. Dozens of said. “A team from our Delhi office raided Ola Outstation to over 50 cities from turmoil in the ruling party that could result in a senior Congress leader said yesterday. cooks and volunteers are busy preparing nearly Parasmal Lodha’s home at Queens Park Delhi- to national Capital Region. Using “volcanic eruption”, state Congress president “On Saturday, a court dismissed a 1.2mn packets of special ‘prasad’ for the pilgrims. and his office in south Kolkata,” the official the ‘one-way’ fares feature, inter-city Luizinho Faleiro said yesterday. “Their (BJP) petition filed by CPM leader and state Off icials at Takht Sri Harimandir ji Patna Sahib said. Lodha, a leading businessman with commuters from Delhi can travel to cities people are coming to us. Their people are Electricity Minister M M Mani, seeking gurdwara near Bihar’s capital said yesterday that interests in real estate and mining, was like Jaipur, Chandigarh, Agra, Dehradun, unhappy. There is turmoil and it will come out discharge from a case related to the each 60g packet of ‘panjeeri prasad’, prepared intercepted by a team of ED sleuths at the Haridwar, starting at Rs11 per km. “With like a volcanic eruption,” Faleiro said. He also murder of a Youth Congress leader in from pure ghee, flour, semolina and sugar, will Mumbai airport in last week while he was Ola Outstation, we are aiming to make took a dig at the BJP, saying “they are taking 1982,” Ramesh Chennithala said. “With cost Rs15. Cooks from Amritsar in Punjab have trying to flee to Malaysia. The businessman outstation travel as convenient and reliable in the same people who until yesterday were this, he is now an accused and has no arrived at the historic gurdwara to prepare was arrested for allegedly converting over as daily commute,” Deep Singh of Ola said being called corrupt by the BJP leaders.” On moral right to continue as a minister. the special prasad,” gurdwara management Rs250mn demonetised notes linked to in a statement. The booking process for Monday, federal Minister of State for Ayush Very soon, when the trial of the case committee off icial Ishpal Singh said. Devotees, industrialist J Sekhar Reddy and lawyer Ola Outstation remains the same as for Shripad Naik said former Congress MLA begins, we will have to see our state meanwhile, are off ering prayers at Takht Sri Rohit Tandon into new currency. The ED travel within the city. The user needs to Pandurang Madkaikar’s induction into BJP last minister standing in the box in the Harimandir ji Patna Sahib – the birthplace of Guru booked Lodha under the provisions of the select ‘Outstation’ from the category list week was a “wrong decision” and against the court,” the Congress leader said. Gobind Singh – as well as other Sikh holy places. Prevention of Money Laundering Act. displayed at the base of the Ola app. BJP’s principles.

Pregnant Beating the cold woman and husband I am still in attacked in Gujarat charge, says

AFP Ahmedabad

low-caste pregnant TN’s former woman and her hus- A band were beaten with sticks after refusing to allow a group of higher-caste men to graze cattle on their farmland in Gujarat, police said yester- day. bureaucrat The alleged attack is the lat- est incidents of violence against Opposition parties condemn S Ramadoss said: “He has chal- were searched by offi cials on De- Dalits. former chief secretary’s lenged the central and the state cember 21, and the raid only con- Police said Rekha Sankhat, remarks, ask government to governments and it is condem- cluded the next day. who is six months pregnant, and respond nable.” The state government ap- her husband were recovering in He also said that the former pointed Girija Vaidyanathan as hospital after the assault in the IANS chief secretary was trying to give the new chief secretary in Rao’s town of Una, and had registered Chennai a political colour to the IT raid place. a complaint. issue by bringing in the name of According to Rao, the central “Babu and his wife were Jayalalithaa. government could have asked the abused by the upper-caste ormer Tamil Nadu chief “This is an attempt to defl ect state government to transfer him members,” local sub-inspector secretary P Rama Mohana the IT probe which cannot be al- before the IT offi cials began their M A Vala said. FRao, who was removed af- lowed. He can also tamper with raid. “A complaint has been regis- ter he came under the Income witnesses. Hence he should be He said he had always followed tered. Further investigation will Tax Department’s scanner and arrested,” Ramadoss added. Jayalalithaa’s orders and it was be conducted,” he said. had his offi ce and home raided, she who trained him since 1994. Vala said the unborn child yesterday asserted that he con- “At gun point they entered my was unharmed in the attack, tinued to hold the post, claim- house. I was under house arrest,” but Rekha has sustained in- ing the state government did not Rao said, referring to the gun tot- juries on her legs and shoul- serve him any transfer orders. ting CRPF personnel who were der. While the government did deployed at his residence to es- In a similar case in September, not react to the top bureau- cort the IT offi cials. a low-caste pregnant woman crat’s claims, opposition par- Charging the Income Tax of- and her family were attacked for ties condemned his remarks “This government has no fi cials with entering his residence refusing to clear away a cow car- and asked Chief Minister O guts to serve the copy of the and his offi ce in the state secretari- cass. Panneerselvam’s government transfer order” at without authorisation, Rao said: Dalits, formerly known as to respond. “The search warrant was in the “untouchables,” are commonly “This government has no guts The PMK leader also said it name of my son, Vivek Papisetty.” tasked with removing dead cows to serve the copy of the trans- was the duty of the chief minister Rao questioned how IT of- from streets, where the animals fer order,” Rao thundered at his to clarify the questions raised by fi cials could search the offi ce of often roam freely. Anna Nagar residence here. Rao. the chief secretary without due Anger and protests erupted Expressing his anger at the A similar demand was also authorisation. among the community in July Panneerselvam government, Rao made by Dravida Munnetra Ka- “Did they get the permission after cow-protection vigilan- said had the late J Jayalalithaa zhagam leader M K Stalin. of chief minister or home secre- tes wrongly accused four Dalit been alive, the Central Reserve Speaking to the media here, tary for searching the chief sec- villagers of killing a cow – con- Police Force (CRPF) would never Rao also denied that the state retary’s offi ce?” he asked. sidered sacred in India – and have entered the state secretari- government served him any The tax offi cials also raided the stripped and publicly thrashed People warm themselves around a bonfire during a cold winter day in Patna yesterday. at. transfer orders. homes and offi ces of Rao’s son them. Reacting to Rao’s outburst, Rao is under the Income Tax Papisetty and those connected Pattali Makkal Katchi founder scanner and his home and offi ce with them. From one diary to another, what’s the diff erence?

hose who live in glass not good enough. It had heard only for the sake of making up the Varanasi, the constituency from Delhi. Also, it is not as if Jung houses should not throw Bhushan in November and had numbers, or the Congress vice- where he was elected to the Lok had thwarted every attempt by Tstones.’ made similar observations. In president does not mind sacrifi c- Sabha, Modi couldn’t contain his the city state government to Rahul Gandhi does not seem fact last week the court said its Delhi Diary ing some of the top leadership of mirth at Gandhi’s histrionics. bring new ideas and initiatives. to be a well-read person. He patience was running thin. his party if he can nail Modi. Finally, dairy entries are a But the AAP chief, with his anti- had told reporters last week to Bhushan was demanding a Su- By A K B Krishnan Many believe that Gandhi double-edged sword, at least establishment persona, contin- read his lips but it is obvious he preme Court-monitored probe is attempting to emulate what for Gandhi and his party. It is ues to fi nd it diffi cult to adjust to himself does not read much, es- into alleged payoff s to several top Gulf Times Correspondent Modi and the BJP did in the run- precisely diary entries that the being the establishment himself pecially the papers. That much politicians including Modi. On up to the 2014 elections. It is Congress Party is refusing to and wants to change everything was in evidence last week when October 15, 2013, during investi- generally agreed that the Con- accept as evidence in the allega- overnight. Jung, on the other he addressed a political rally in gation into coal block allocations observed that they were not preme Court of India is con- gress Party did itself in with all tions against the Gandhi family hand, is professorial in every- Mehsana in Gujarat. to Aditya Birla group’s Hindalco enough to convince it to smell a vinced that the evidence before the corruption charges against and senior party leader Ahmed thing he does and so goes by the Over the past ten days news- Industries, the Central Bureau rat and order an inquiry. it merits further going into, the Manmohan Singh-led gov- Patel in the AugustaWestland book, in his case the Constitu- papers had carried several re- of Investigation (CBI) had con- The newspapers had splashed whatever Gandhi, Bhushan, Ke- ernment. It was more an “anti- helicopter scam. If Rahul Gandhi tion of India. ports about how the Supreme ducted simultaneous raids on its these stories on the front pages jriwal or anybody else would Congress” vote than a “pro-BJP” insists that the Birla diaries are While Jung is on record that Court had rejected as evidence premises in New Delhi, Mumbai, and news television anchors had throw at Modi will have no value one that brought Modi into pow- true and that Modi had indeed he always viewed the chief min- dairy jottings that purportedly Secunderabad and Bhubaneswar wondered whether Rahul Gan- except a debate or two on prime er. Gandhi is hoping to reverse taken money from the company ister with aff ection, Kejriwal had mentioned payments of large and had found diaries with en- dhi, when he had threatened time television and a headline the sentiment now and is looking based on the evidence he and often described the outgoing Lt sums of money by two industrial tries of alleged payments. Modi with “earth-shaking” rev- or two in the newspapers the for “anti-Modi” vote to propel others have produced, then he Governor in less than fl attering houses to Narendra Modi in 2012 Documents allegedly recov- elations that would “burst his following the day. Criminal law the fortunes of his party. How will have little defence in the idioms. Perhaps his absolute ha- when he was chief minister of ered from the premises of anoth- balloon”, had something more provides for innocence until far this will succeed only time – AugustaWestland case which at tred for Modi coloured his vision Gujarat. er conglomerate, Sahara, during incriminating than what was al- proven guilty and it should apply and probably the Supreme Court least one court in Italy has found but some of those phrases Ke- “This is becoming very abnor- a raid on November 22, 2014 by ready in the public domain. For to all, especially to constitution- though indirectly – can tell. to be correct. jriwal had used were not exactly mal for us. What we told you (pe- the Income Tax Department Gandhi’s own sake some wished al authorities who are the targets That said, all this may possibly ‘Those who live in glass hous- becoming of a chief minister. titioner)… give us smallest ma- show payments to several politi- that there better be. of frivolous charges. be doing Modi a world of good. If es…’ But you can know this adage Do not speak ill of the dead is terial. We will deal with it… How cians, including some chief min- Leave alone an earthquake, Curiously, Gandhi’s charges, if this is the best that Gandhi has only if you have the reading habit. a widely accepted norm. Jung is will a constitutional authority isters and MPs from various po- Gandhi’s diatribe did not even they indeed have substance, will got and it is not sticking – at very much alive and kicking but (in this case the prime minis- litical parties, running into tens produce, or merit for that mat- most certainly implicate several least for now – then the prime since he has left his post Kejri- ter) function if you are going to of millions of rupees, Bhushan’s ter, a tremor, but his party’s of his own party leaders, most minister is going to emerge from Relief for Jung, for wal had only good things to say make such allegations? We don’t complaint has alleged. spokesmen, supporters and important of them being former it all the more strong. Kejriwal not yet about the former vice-chancel- see even the smallest material to As recently as November 17 countless Modi-haters on so- Delhi chief minister Shiela Dixit Prashant Bhushan is an intel- lor of Delhi’s Jamia Millia Isla- substantiate your accusations,” this year, Delhi Chief Minis- cial media have been overjoyed who is being projected as the ligent man and a highly accom- Najeeb Jung must be a most mia University who is planning a bench of Justices J S Khehar ter Arvind Kejriwal produced over his “daring attack”. At least Congress candidate for chief plished lawyer. Why should he relieved man. For nearly two- to return to academia. and Arun Mishra told advocate bundles of documents, report- one Congress spokesperson ministership in the upcom- hold back stronger evidence and and-a-half years he had been on But there are several sore Prashant Bhushan, appearing for edly the same documents that said there is more evidence with ing assembly elections in Uttar provide not even the “small- a daily duel with the Aam Admi points that remain to be set- NGO Common Cause. Bhushan has presented in court, Gandhi to prove Modi is corrupt. Pradesh. According to the diary est material”? Either he doesn’t Party (AAP) government of tled between Kejriwal and the Lt “If we accept what you say, alleging payoff s by the two fi rms Prashant Bhushan has reported- jottings Dixit was supposed to have anything more incriminat- Arvind Kejriwal. Last Thursday Governor’s offi ce and whoever then somebody can tomorrow to Modi when he was chief min- ly submitted four more volumes have received Rs10mn. Dixit has ing than what he has already he put in his papers as Delhi’s takes over is sure to have her/his make an entry that I sent PM this ister. In fact, West Bengal Chief of “evidence” for the Supreme strongly questioned the authen- presented or he is keeping his Lieutenant-Governor and the hands full. If Jung’s successor much of money… see how far- Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Tri- Court to evaluate, so it is a safe ticity of the diaries. best to the last. The jury is still Modi government accepted it af- also decides to play by the book, reaching this could be.” namool Congress was the fi rst to guess that Gandhi would also It is either that Gandhi has lit- out on that one but Modi seemed ter having rejected his attempts Kejriwal can fi nd no respite un- It was not the fi rst time that raise the issue way back in 2014. have the same and would let us tle hope of his party doing well little worried about what is go- at resigning twice earlier. less the Supreme Court, where the court was telling Bhushan The Supreme Court is fully know some time in the future. in the elections and, therefore, ing on. Not that everything that Ke- he is fi ghting for supremacy, de- that the material at hand was aware of all these but had still But until such time the Su- a chief ministerial candidate is Speaking at a function in jriwal is trying to do is bad for cides otherwise. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 15 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Pakistan govt Toxic alcohol claims rejects call to 39 lives in Pakistan demonetise DPA Islamabad Rs5,000 note

t least 39 people, most Reuters The Rs5,000 note is Paki- of them Christians cel- Islamabad stan’s biggest. Aebrating Christmas, died During the last fi nancial and dozens fell ill after drinking year, 17% of currency notes toxic alcohol in Pakistan, offi - akistan’s government printed were of the 5,000 de- cials said yesterday. has dismissed a recom- nomination, the fi nance min- Police in eastern Punjab prov- Pmendation from the istry said. ince took all alcohol sellers in the upper house of parliament to Pakistan has a huge informal district of Toba Tek Singh into scrap the Rs5,000 ($48) bank economy and transactions are custody for questioning, district note to cut the fl ow of illicit often handled in cash, partly police offi cial Mohamed Shah- money and reduce the size of because much of the popula- baz said. the informal economy. tion is not in the formal sector. The drink was consumed India scrapped its two big- during festive celebrations gest currency bills — the “This is the way to move in a Christian community, Rs1,000 rupee ($15) and Rs500 forward for promoting Shabaz said, however five rupee notes — in November in documentation in the Muslims were also among the a bid to fl ush out money hid- economy rather than by dead. den from the tax man, leading cancelling any existing Many of the victims had been to acute currency shortages denomination” drinking and dancing through- and raising concern about out Sunday and into Monday growth there. The government frequently morning, when some of them Pakistan’s Senate passed a off ers tax amnesties to en- fell ill and were taken to hospital, non-binding resolution this courage people with hidden he added. month calling for the govern- wealth to declare assets and More 150 people were taken to ment to follow suit to “reduce enter the banking system, clinics, dozens of them uncon- illicit money fl ow, encourage hoping to expand an extremely scious. the use of bank accounts and narrow tax base. Funerals have been held for 25 reduce the size of the undocu- But governments have victims, Shabaz said. mented economy”. struggled for decades to boost The offi cer said that the indi- But the fi nance ministry a meagre tax-to-gross domes- vidual who allegedly arranged ruled out such a demonetisa- tic product ratio of only about for the alcohol at the Christmas tion, saying it world hurt busi- 10%. festivities was among the dead, ness. The ministry said the gov- complicating police eff orts to A woman is comforted as she mourns the death of a relative, who died after consuming locally made toxic liquor, in Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan, “Given the continuing use ernment hoped to encourage trace where the toxic beverage yesterday. of cash in transactions, the digital banking to “reduce the came from. government believes that dis- dependence on currency”. The sale of alcohol is banned is with the Toba Tek Singh po- Aisf Saleemi, a doctor at the ous condition were taken to the the Faisalabad hospital and continuation of the Rs5,000 “This is the way to move in most of Pakistan. lice, said deaths from toxic al- District Headquarters Hospital larger and better-resourced Al- 24 others were either in the note would adversely aff ect forward for promoting docu- Christians, however, are al- coholic drinks regularly occur in Toba Tek Singh, said his clinic lied Hospital Faisalabad, located intensive care unit or the the effi ciency of exchange in mentation in the economy lowed permits to buy liquor for in rural areas where people of- had received 105 patients, of some 90 kilometres from Toba general ward, the hospital’s business,” the ministry said in rather than by cancelling any personal use. ten consume poor quality liq- whom 23 died. Tek Singh. Mustafa Shahzad Mughal a statement, seen by Reuters existing denomination,” it Usaman Akram Gondal, who uor. Many of the patients in seri- Sixteen people had died at said. yesterday. said. Zardari to contest polls Afghan pilot plays down US asylum request

IANS emperor (Prime Minister Na- Islamabad waz Sharif),” the Pakistan Peo- Internews Times and the Wall and serve my oppressed ple’s Party co-Chairman told a Karachi Street Journal reported people particularly my large number of party workers that Nilofar Rahmani sisters and make Af- fter his re- who gathered to commemorate applied for asylum in the ghanistan proud,” she turn to Pa- the 9th anniversary of Benazir fghanistan’s fi rst US in summer. said. Akistan from Bhutto’s assassination. female air force The reports also spoke Her lawyer Kimberly an 18-month, Firing a broadside at Prime Apilot has sought of threats against the Motley confi rmed to self-imposed ex- Minister Nawaz Sharif, the to play down her request young woman by Islam- DPA yesterday that Rah- ile, former presi- former president said he was for US asylum and criti- ists as well as from her mand had indeed ap- dent Asif Ali Zard- Zardari not afraid of courts and his cal remarks she made own extended family, plied for asylum. ari announced yesterday that party will face all cases against about her family and and disrespect by male “Nilofar loves Af- both he and his son, Bilawal them. colleagues, after her colleagues. ghanistan, and when she Bhutto-Zardari, will contest “We have fought against the case was featured in US “I was deeply sad- speaks of her commit- elections and be part of “this country’s dictators but never media reports. dened about the mis- ment to serve she means Parliament”. raised voice against the army,” In the letter addressed translation and misin- that she will always Dwelling on his “surprise Zardari said as he took a jibe at to the Ministry of De- terpretation of the New continue to represent announcement”, Zardari said the prime minister. fence and the Afghan York Times article and Afghanistan” regardless he will contest elections from Addressing Sharif, Zardari TV station Tolo TV, and off er an apology to all my of the asylum request, his sister’s seat in Nawabshah said: “I am not coming to par- published in excerpts colleagues who had been Motley said. whereas Bilawal will con- liament to topple your govern- by Tolo, Nilofar Rah- hurt by the report and The Afghan govern- test from his mother, Benazir ment.” mani wrote she had been wish them good health ment on Monday de- Bhutto’s constituency in Lar- He said his only intention misunderstood and mis- and success,” Rahmani scribed Rahmani’s de- kana. was to teach the government a quoted by the US news- wrote in her letter. cision as “shameful.” A “We have given so many few lessons and to consult with papers. “I only want a better spokesman alleged that sacrifi ces for democracy and the prime minister on national Over the Christmas education so I can serve she had made up the This file photograph taken on April 26, 2015, shows Afghanistan’s first female pilot Nilofar Rah- we will not spare this Mughal issues. weekend, The New York my country Afghanistan threats against her. mani as she sits in a fixed-wing Afghan Air Force aviator aircraft at an airfield in Kabul. Rekindling hopes for education in militancy-hit region

Internews A resident of Bara, Khalid is Kurram Agency 15; Bajaur Agen- Young local people, like Zara Islamabad sitting at a Hujra now turned cy 14; and Mohmand Agency 12. Jan, who is busy taking courses into a school. The aim of community-based during the day, has been teach- Much like offi cial buildings in schools is to bring education to ing in an ALS school since its es- s the sun sets behind the the area, the Hujra comprises a children who have suff ered as a tablishment. mountains, young boys minimum of two rooms which result of mass displacement. This initiative helps teachers Awith age ranging from can be used as makeshift class- Iqbal is confi dent that they will get employment and their stu- nine to 16 sit on the fl oor of an rooms. manage to increase enrolment in dents gain 5th grade certifi cates empty classroom in Bara tehsil, Before enrolling at his school, schools across the tribal region and that will be acceptable at private some of them wearing a scarf Khalid and many other children provide employment to youth. and government schools. and hat to keep warm. relocated to safe ground due to a This delights parents like Earlier this year, Khyber Pa- “My mind does not grasp what rise in militancy and the subse- Mumtaz Afridi, whose children khtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Za- is being taught in class,” says Asif quent security operation. do not have to travel great dis- far Jhagra initiated an educa- Khan, a student and resident of He now attends classes at a tances to attend a government tion enrolment drive to register Bara, Khyber Agency, expressing school a few metres away from school. 400,000 children of Fata in gov- his disappointment at the time what was previously a militant Expressing his joy on their ernment schools under a three- spent out of school. base. proximity, he hopes the children year ‘emergency education plan’. Although he is not shy about “I had left my home due to getting educated here “will be- The goal set for the current cal- reading aloud in front of his their (the banned Lashkar-i- come doctors, engineers, teach- endar year is 150,000 children. classmates, Asif says at times the Islam’s men) infl uence. During ers and other professionals in the “I am happy to be enrolled in pace of the lecture feels as if it’s the military operation mortar future”. a newly established school close in “slow motion”. shells were fi red by miscreants Having established a total of to my home where I am actively “The golden time for learning causing a lot of displacement,” 137 out of a planned 175 schools learning. I come in at 2pm and has almost passed,” he says, re- he recounted. along the militancy- aff ected leave around 6pm,” Khalid joy- ferring to the years-long interval From 2009 to 2014 Khalid and tribal belt, FEF also hope to trig- fully exclaims. in his studies due to the confl ict his family took refuge in Zakha ger employment opportunities. He reveals that even though he in his hometown. Khel in Landi Kotal. According to it, around was out of school for so long his Several children have recently After returning home, Kha- Several children have recently enrolled in Alternative Learning Schools. 24,000 children across the tribal will for education is undeterred. enrolled in Alternative Learn- lid enrolled in an ALS school, belt will have access to education Having access to education for ing Schools (ALS). The project established by the Fata Educa- a bathroom, dustbin, furniture, desks and stationery. ating hours of 2pm to 6pm. and 200 young male and female children robbed of their adoles- is part of the ‘Literacy for All’ tion Foundation (FEF) aiming to big blackboard and other facili- He claims they will “ar- According to the Fata Educa- teaching staff will be employed. cence is paramount for them to campaign under the Annual De- enhance enrolment of children ties so as to continue learning,” rive over the next couple of tion Foundation, more than 76 Children aged from 9 to 16 will achieve their dreams. velopment Programme (ADP) who were displaced during mili- he says. months”. Iqbal also adds that schools for boys and 61 for girls be enrolled in ALS schools. Due “Our miseries have eased to which has been initiated to bring tary operations. Javed Iqbal, manager plan- checks will be conducted on have been established across to a dearth of educators, FEF some extent,” Asif points out, education to militancy-hit Fata. Despite being a progressive ning and development of FEF, each school via the Village tribal regions: North Waziristan and ALS encourage young local looking to a brighter future, Among them is 13-year-old initiative, Asif feels that the says arrangements have been Education Committees (VEC) 30; South Waziristan 25; Khyber community members to teach at much like Khalid who dreams of Khalid Khan. school lacks facilities. “We need made for the provision of before and during their oper- Agency 24; Orakzai Agency 17; their schools. becoming a doctor. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 PHILIPPINES

More than 300 fl ights Six dead, 18 missing in grounded

By Benjie Vergara Manila Times Christmas typhoon AFP yphoon “Nina” on Mon- Manila day grounded 344 interna- Ttional and domestic fl ights and left thousands of passengers t least six people are stranded at the Ninoy Aquino In- dead and 18 others ternational Airport (NAIA). Amissing after Typhoon Airport authorities said 90% Nock-Ten lashed the Philip- of planes were unable to take off , pines over the Christmas holi- while 88 domestic and interna- days, the government said yes- tional fl ights suff ered delays. terday as it tried to assess the As early as 6am on Monday, damage. 270 domestic and 36 interna- The unusually late storm tional fl ights of Philippine Air- fi rst hit the eastern provinces lines, Cebu Pacifi c Air and AirA- on Christmas Day, fl ooding sia Zest were cancelled because roads and farms, destroying of bad weather, Manila Interna- homes and damaging ships as it tional Airport Authority (MIAA) crossed the archipelago, though general manager Ed Monreal the highly-populated Philip- said. Monreal said incoming pine capital was spared. fl ights from foreign airlines were In the worst incident, a ferry also cancelled, except those that known as the MV Starlight At- had morning schedules such as lantic sank off the coastal prov- China Airlines and Jetstar from ince of Batangas, killing one and Taipei and Singapore, respec- leaving 18 crewmen missing, the tively. coast guard reported after con- Foreign carriers who were able fi rming the number of people on to land in the morning returned board. to their points of origin before Five others were killed by Typhoon “Nina” made landfall fl oods and falling objects in Batangas, he said. knocked down when the storm MIAA offi cials said they would hit, bearing gusts of 235 kilo- have closed the NAIA runway if metres an hour, local offi cials the typhoon’s wind speed reached said. 50 knots per hour. At 10am on Nock-Ten took out power in Monday, speed reached 25 knots many eastern provinces, with per hour. Wind speed went down energy offi cials unsure when Workers inspect a road damaged by the typhoon in Tabaco, Albay province yesterday. to 10 knots per hour by noon. electrical services would be re- By 3pm., takeoff s and landings stored, spokeswoman for the resumed. Morning fl ight sched- Philippines disaster-moni- ules of Eva Air, Gulf Air, Korean toring agency Mina Marasigan Airlines and Asiana Airlines said. were said to have been moved to More than 429,000 people the afternoon. were pre-emptively evacuated NAIA Terminal 3 was said to from their homes in vulnerable have been most aff ected by ightfl areas and over 330 fl ights were cancellations because majority cancelled due to the typhoon, were passengers of Cebu Pacifi c, offi cial fi gures showed, while the terminal’s biggest user. As of houses and infrastructure also 2pm, Cebu Pacifi c had cancelled took a beating. 196 domestic and 12 interna- “We saw many houses de- tional fl ights. At NAIA terminal stroyed by the strong winds. 2, PAL cancelled 24 international Infrastructure like schools and and 78 domestic fl ights. hospitals as well. We are still AirAsia Zest cancelled 20 awaiting the exact fi gures of fl ights, Skyjet cancelled four and how many houses were de- Air Swift, six. stroyed, on the exact cost of China Southern scrapped fi ve damage,” Marasigan told re- fl ights to Manila and Oman Air porters. cancelled one fl ight. Nock-Ten had been expected Aviation offi cials on Saturday to bring heavy rains and winds A resident inspects his house which was damaged by Typhoon Nock-Ten in Tabaco, Residents wade across a flooded street brought by heavy rains and strong winds of urged airlines to constantly in- to capital city Manila, home to Albay province yesterday. typhoon which cut through Naboa town, Camarines Sur, Bicol region, central Philippines. form their passengers of the sta- 13mn residents, but the typhoon tus of the fl ights, and co-ordi- lost force as it crossed the east- land of Luzon yesterday heading storms strike the Philippines Huge tsunami-like waves when super typhoon Haiyan large number of casualties of nate with airport authorities on ern islands. west to the South China Sea. each year, routinely killing hun- devastated the city of Ta- struck the central Philippines nearly 7,350 people dead or aircraft evacuation. It left the main Philippine is- Some 20 typhoons and dreds of people. cloban and nearby areas in November 2013, leaving a missing. Police say 1mn people US-Philippine ties likely to taken in drug war worsen if envoy’s plot unfolds Manila Times ity that the US has some plan or DPA Dela Rosa said there are 1.8mn He said that based on the lat- Manila two to destabilise a country es- Manila drug users and pushers based est data, 983,232 suspected pecially if it is taking a direction on the 2010 data by the Danger- pushers and users surrendered against (US) interests,” he said. ous Drugs Board, but Duterte to the police and 42,543 were awmakers have said the “As for the fear that Con- he Philippine National has said there could be as many arrested from July to December rift between Manila and gress will be divided on Charter Police said yesterday that as 3 to 4mn drug suspects in the 27 this year. A total of 2,157 were LWashington could only change, I have no doubt it will Ta total of 1.049mn people Philippines. killed during police operations, worsen if a blueprint to oust be since we are not just discuss- have surrendered, been arrested “The PNP is on a continuous the police said. President Rodrigo Duterte, ing an insignifi cant provision or killed in President Rodrigo campaign against criminal gangs There were in addition 3,000 supposedly written by former but a fundamental change,” Ba- Duterte’s fi ght against illegal and personalities...with more victims of extrajudicial killings, US ambassador Philip Gold- tocabe said. drugs. focus on the arrest and (bringing he said, stating that they may berg, actually unfolds. “But then I do not foresee PNP Director General Ronald to) account of High Value Target have been killed by the drug syn- “If there is such a plan, that that Charter change will cause dela Rosa said in a press brief- personalities involved in illegal dicates themselves or by vigi- will further alienate and strain the breakup of the coalition. The ing that since Duterte took offi ce drugs,” dela Rosa said. lante groups, and some of the our relationship with each oth- popularity of the president will in July the police have accom- Some of the drug suspects in- deaths may not have been drug- er as a country,” Senate Major- be the major determinant on plished 70% of its target in the clude military generals and poli- related. ity Leader Vicente Sotto. whether the coalition will hold war against drugs. ticians. Duterte gained support from Sotto said it would be better if or not,” he added. Presiden- the public when during the elec- the US left the Philippines alone tial Communications Secretary tion campaign he promised to and did not interfere with the Martin Andanar said “No one $120mn worth of ‘shabu’ seized in record haul suppress drugs and defeat crime Duterte government. will admit ownership of the al- in six months. But Sotto believes Duterte leged ouster plot document.” Philippine authorities have Vitaliano Aguirre said in a news He said most of the drug ad- will not be ousted because the “Until then, it remains part seized about 6bn pesos conference. The seizures will be dicts sell drugs to sustain their president has not been impli- and parcel of a larger conspiracy ($120mn) worth of methamphet- a boost for President Rodrigo habit and many of them are in- cated in any corruption issue. theory. Ambassador Philip Gold- amines in a series of anti-narcot- Duterte, who is facing allega- volved in other crimes. “The people will accept a berg already exited the Philip- ics operations this month that tions of widespread human The Philippine president politician for everything except pines, so therefore, we no longer have yielded the biggest haul in rights violations in a bloody war however has been criticised by stealing,” he added. Philip Goldberg: eye of storm have to deal with him. We have the country’s history, the justice on drugs dominated by killings the United States, the European Ako Bicol party-list Rep. already in our midst a new and minister said yesterday. of drug users and pushers, with Union and the United Nations Rodel Batocabe agrees with the would be divided on the issue would not break up because of much more empathetic US Am- The National Bureau of Inves- few known arrests of major drug for the alleged extrajudicial kill- view expressed in the supposed of Charter change, but he add- it. bassador in His Excellency Sung tigation (NBI) conducted the lords. Duterte has expressed ings. Dela Rosa said the police Goldberg paper that Congress ed that the majority coalition “There is always a possibil- Kim,” he added. operations, including one on his frustration at the failure of successes so far have been ac- Monday in San Juan City in the anti-money laundering authorities complished within the original capital Manila where drums to chase the trail of drug money, six-month deadline set by the State Department says aid programmes, defence co-operation proof of commitment to build institutions of chemicals used to produce accusing them of helping to fuel president. methamphetamines, or “shabu” corruption and threatening to Duterte has moved to intro- US State Department has denied that former ambassador Philip “Our ongoing aid programmes and defence co-operation demon- as it is known, were seized. charge them with crimes. duce a six-month extension be- Goldberg had written a blueprint to oust President Rodrigo Duterte, strate our commitment to building Philippine institutions and to the That followed a raid on Friday Agents of the NBI said their latest cause of the extent of the drug noting that aid programmes and defence co-operation between Ma- Philippines’ success as a country and within Asean. “Our relationship in a quiet neighbourhood in operation involved an apartment problem. nila and Washington were proof of American commitment to build with the Philippines is broad and our alliance is one of our most the same city, when six people rented by a Chinese national, who Meanwhile, Philippines au- Philippine institutions, Manila Times reported. Daniel Russel, assistant enduring and important relationships in the Asia-Pacific region. It has were arrested and 560kg of was not there when the raid took thorities have seized more than secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Aff airs has issued the been a cornerstone of stability for over 70 years. It is built on shared suspected methamphetamines place. More than 6,000 people 890 kilograms of metham- below statement to Manila Times. The statement said: “These allega- sacrifices for democracy and human rights and strong people-to- was found, worth an estimated have been killed in the crackdown phetamine in a series of raids tions of a blueprint are false. No such blueprint exists. As Secretary people and societal ties. We continue to focus on our broad relation- $67mn. “It is not only the biggest since Duterte took off ice in July, this month in what Justice Sec- Kerry said in his meeting with President Duterte in July, the United ship with the Philippines, and will work together in the many areas haul this year, but the biggest so roughly a third in police retary Vitaliano Aguirre II has States respects the sovereignty of the Philippines and the democratic of mutual interest to improve the livelihoods of the Philippine people far in history,” Justice Secretary operations. described as “the biggest drug choices made by the Philippine people in selecting their leaders.” and uphold our shared democratic values,” the statement added. bust” in the country’s history. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 17 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Tsunami Bangladesh factories sack victims remembered

IANS 1,500 workers after protests Colombo

Agencies strators, according to labour lapse of the Rana Plaza factory “They used [the] Special is very high. If they want to go to keep protesting and demand- ri Lanka on Monday ob- Dhaka leader Taslima Akhter. complex which killed 1,134 peo- Powers Act to detain union a good doctor, they also have to ing the unconditional release of served minutes of silence Police have branded the pro- ple. It triggered massive pro- leaders and workers,” he said. pay more.” arrested leaders and workers.” Sto remember the thousands tests illegal and said they had tests and international scrutiny “Up to 3,500 workers have been Shawkat Ali, a worker at the On Friday, Nazmul Huda, a of victims who died in a devas- t least 1,500 workers arrested 30 workers including of the industry. sacked and 50 leaders have gone Rose Dresses factory in Ashulia, TV journalist covering the dem- tating tsunami in 2004. have been sacked from seven union leaders, as well as a into hiding.” was among those who lost his onstrations was also arrested The National Disaster Man- ABangladesh garment television reporter covering the “Up to 3,500 The Ashulia police chief said job. He said he needed a pay in- for allegedly “spread[ing] false agement Centre requested the factories after protests forced a unrest. workers have been only those involved in violent crease because so much of his and provocative news,” media public to observe two minutes week-long shutdown at dozens Yesterday, they said fac- sacked and 50 protests had been arrested. wage each month was spent on reported. of silence and said that religious of sites supplying top European tory owners had sacked around leaders have gone “When a worker is suspended rent. The protests were the latest observances and awareness pro- and American brands. 1,500 workers and resumed into hiding” or sacked by a factory owner, “I can’t buy food with 1,500 blow to country’s $30bn gar- grams were held in 25 district Tens of thousands of work- operations. they don’t easily get a job again,” taka each month,” he said. “I am ment industry after a series of at- disaster management centres ers walked out of factories this “All the factories have re- But it remains one of the Taslima Akhter said. ill, but I can’t buy medicine.” tacks on foreigners and religious across the country. month in the manufacturing sumed their operations. Some lowest wages in the world, less “The owners make a list of He estimated around 250 minorities in Bangladesh. Following the devastating tsu- hub of Ashulia which make 90% of the workers have joined than one-fi fth of what some those workers and distribute workers had been sacked from Garment manufacturing nami disaster in 2004, December clothes for top western brands work,” said Nur Nabi, assistant campaigners estimate to be the their names and photos close his factory and another 13 were makes up 80% of Bangladesh’s 26 has been declared as the “Na- such as Gap, Zara and H&M, superintendent of police. country’s living wage. to the particular factory. They facing criminal charges. exports and a prolonged inter- tional Safety Day” in Sri Lanka, prompting concerns over sup- “Around 1,500 workers have The Bangladesh Garment never get jobs again in that Taslima Akhter said workers ruption would have a major im- the Disaster Management Centre ply during the holiday season. been sacked [by the owners]. and Industrial Workers Federa- area.” had returned to their shifts for pact on the economy. said. The protests were sparked The owners have fi led fi ve cases tion said the number of sacked She said the 5,300 taka work- the moment, and that labour Bangladesh’s 4,500 garment More than 30,000 peo- by the sacking of 121 workers, against the unruly workers,” he workers was actually far higher, ers were paid each month was leaders were trying to free those factories have a woeful history ple were killed and millions but soon evolved into a demand said. about 3,500, with dozens more supposed to cover healthcare, arrested. of poor pay and conditions for more displaced when mas- for the trebling of workers’ Many of the sacked workers labour organisers forced into transport, rent and food. But “Factory owners and the gov- their 4mn workers, and protests sive tsunami waves struck the pay from the current monthly discovered their fate only after hiding. the wage had not increased ernment have tried to stop these occur frequently. coastal areas of Sri Lanka, 12 minimum of 5,300 taka ($65). arriving at work to see a list of The head of the federation, since 2013 and was “not enough protests by force, by police … The Rana Plaza tragedy trig- years ago, in the worst disas- More than 50 factories were those aff ected posted on factory Babul Akhter, said authorities to survive on”. and by sacking workers,” she gered international outrage, ter to strike the Indian Ocean closed last week to try to con- gates. had shut down the protests by “If workers need to rent a said. forcing US and European cloth- island. tain the protests, which esca- The monthly minimum wage using a controversial wartime- room, they have to pay between “The situation is not good, ing brands to improve deplor- The tsunami was triggered by lated after police fi red rubber for Bangladeshi textile workers era law intended to deal with 2,500 and 4,500 taka,” she said. workers are living in fear, but able safety conditions at their a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off bullets that injured 10 demon- was raised in 2013 after the col- threats to state security. “And the price of daily products workers’ organisations will supplier factories. the coast of Sumatra. Former Lanka Met offi ce launches phone app

By Mizan Rahman PM dies at 83 Dhaka angladesh Meteorologi- IANS cleared the way for Rajapakse cal Department (BMD) Colombo who went on to become the Bhas launched a mobile president. application for providing de- In his previous stint as prime tailed weather updates in the ormer Sri Lankan prime minister, Wickremanayake suc- country. minister Ratnasiri Wick- ceeded prime minister Sirimavo Ratnasiri Wickremanayake who The application was aimed Fremanayake passed away Bandaranaike who had resigned served twice as prime minister at preventing damage caused yesterday. He was 83. at the age of 84. A host of po- of Sri Lanka passed away yester- by natural disasters and ensure Wickremanayake served litical leaders cutting across day after a brief illness. smooth movement of water twice as the island nation’s pre- party lines condoled the death of vessels and aircraft, BMD offi - Sheikh Hasina at the launch ceremony of ‘BMD Weather App’ at her off ice in Dhaka yesterday. mier fi rst from 2000 to 2001 Wickremanayake. winning the Horana seat in the cials said yesterday. and then from 2005 to 2010. He “Veteran politician Ratnasiri general election as a member of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the automatic weather Moreover, the overall weath- According to the offi cial, was appointed prime minister Wickremanayake was loved by the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna. inaugurated the service “Access monitoring centres situated er-related forecast and cau- through unveiling of this mo- by former Sri Lankan presi- his people for many decades. My In 1970, he was appointed dep- to Real Time Digital Weather In- in various parts of the country tionary signalling system would bile apps service the govern- dent Mahinda Rajapakse on condolences are with his loved uty minister, justice and went formation” yesterday. while one could immediately be further strengthened in de- ment moved one step forward November 21, 2005. ones and followers,” President on to be the general secretary of PM press secretary Ihsanul Ka- know about the latest infor- termining the route of storms towards materialising its pledge It was Wickremanayake who Maithripala Sirisena tweeted. SLFP in 1977. rim said latest weather updates mation on air temperature, air by detecting their position, di- of building ‘Digital Bangladesh’. paved the way for Rajapakse to Rajapakse also tweeted his In the 1994 general election, can be accessed from any location pressure, direction, volume of rection and severity. BMD offi cials said one has emerge as the next leader of the condolences. “Deeply sad- he won the Kalutara district seat with the ‘BMD Weather App’. rain using this app. “This would eventually en- to have Internet connection Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). dened by the death of former and was appointed as the min- A met offi ce spokesman said The app would also show sure safe river and air move- in smart mobile phone sets, He resigned from his position Sri Lankan PM & veteran politi- ister of public administration, BMD developed the app for smart the cautionary signals regard- ments and thus play an impor- and any user fi rst need to go to as the leader of the main oppo- cian Ratnasiri Wickremanayake. home aff airs and plantation in- phone users who could download ing cyclones, earthquake, ag- tant role in reducing the extent the Google Play Store, then to sition in 2002 to make way for My condolences to his family,” dustries and the leader of the it from the Google Play Store. riculture weather, hydrology, of losses of lives and property the search icon and type BMD Rajapakse to become the leader Rajapakse said in a tweet. house in president Chandrika He said the application shows cold wave, and drought-related due to natural disasters,” the Weather App. Then the user of the opposition. That move He entered politics in 1960 Kumaratunga’s cabinet. the latest weather information information. BMD offi cial said. would have to install the app.

Indian fishermen Head-on collision to be freed soon In a goodwill gesture, Sri Lanka Nepal’s industrial output down will soon release 20 Indian fishermen held for allegedly fishing in its territorial waters, a IANS According to a recent report, dustries have been established senior minister has said. Kathmandu Pashmina, noodles and electric in southern plain because of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources cable manufacturing industries proximity with India so that Development Minister Mahinda saw the highest capacity uti- they could easily import raw Amaraweera said his ministry has epal’s key manufactur- lisation while industries pro- materials as well as export recommended to the attorney ing industries ran at ducing rice, iron and steel and fi nished goods. general’s department to release Nan average of 48.2% of soft drinks ran at their low- “Some industries were also the 20 fishermen from India. their capacity in the fi scal year est capacity during the review aff ected by deadly earthquake “Indian fishermen will be released, 2015-16 as the Himalayan na- period. of April 2015,” states the report. but their fishing vessels will not tion suff ered prolonged border The central bank said the ca- “In the aftermath of earth- be returned,” Amaraweera was blockade, the country’s central pacity utilisation of the indus- quake, demand for goods other quoted as saying by Colombo bank has said. tries suff ered in the last fi scal than essential ones also de- Page. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) year as they faced shortage of creased creating less demands “So this is essentially a sign said the capacity utilisation essential fuel and raw materi- overall in the aftermath of the of goodwill. Very quickly the of major industries suff ered als which resulted from four earthquake aff ecting the capac- fishermen will be released,” he downturn in the last fi scal year and half months’ blockade im- ity utilisation of the industries.” said. that ended in mid-July against posed by India amid concerns Nepali industrialists say that Amaraweera said that the Indian the average capacity utilisation about political unrest in Ne- most of the industries were A damaged cab at the accident site in Vavuniya town, 254km north of Colombo, yesterday. Three government has submitted of 52.7% in the previous fi s- pal’s southern plain over the virtually closed during the people were killed after a container truck and a cab collided, local police said. a request for the release of cal year 2014-15, Xinhua news country’s new constitution. blockade which resulted in low fishermen in Sri Lankan custody. agency reported. Most of Nepal’s major in- capacity utilisation. Nepal hosts elephant festival, seeks to revive tourism

IANS beauty contest, picnic among lack tourists as compared to ists in a single year, the number Kathmandu others elephant participation. other parts of the country. has dropped to less than half The annual event is being or- “We need to attract more after the disaster of 2015. ganised by Regional Hotel Asso- tourists from our neighbouring This year, the festival has in- he 13th edition of Nepal’s ciation Chitwan in order to bring countries to boost the overall troduced elephant polo for the fi ve-day Chitwan Elephant humans closer with elephants, tourism industry,” Shahi said. fi rst time in its history, which is TFestival kicked off in Kath- to encourage wildlife protection “If we could invite just 1% of expected to draw huge number mandu with the participation and conservation and to promote population from the neighbour- of foreign and domestic tourists. of over 50 elephants. tourism in the region. ing countries India and China, it Elephant polo is often regard- The annual festival which Inaugurating the fi esta, Nepa- would be a big achievement for ed as the most adventurous and brings fun, sports and adven- lese Minister for Culture, Tour- Nepal,” Shahi added. rare activity in the world. ture together was inaugurated on ism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ba- Chitwan is the third popular Besides, the festival has also Monday in Sauraha, the gateway hadur Shahi said that these sorts tourism destination in the Hima- featured cultural and entertain- to Chitwan National Park. of festivals play an important role layan country after the capital city ment programs along with boat The festival would feature in attracting foreign tourists. Kathmandu and lake city Pokhara. and cart riding competition. unique and spectacular games “Chitwan is a pioneer hub for Though the region used to The fi ve-day event will end on Players participate in the Fast Walk Competition of Elephants during the 13th Elephant Festival in Sauraha, like polo, football, fast-walk, elephant adventures but still welcome nearly 200,000 tour- Friday. a tourism hub in Nepal’s Chitwan district yesterday. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko The threat to global

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] banking standards Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Gone are the days when for example, more than doubled the At its meeting in Santiago, Chile, Hensarling, envisage a “Made in the Fax 44350474 banks could set up branches capital an individual bank should in November, the Basel Committee USA” version of banking regulation. hold, and enhanced the quality of that conspicuously failed to agree on a But, while the idea has some merit, it all over the planet, capital. The system looks somewhat solution, and kicked the issue upstairs would not sit easily within the current with support from the safer as a result. But now there are to the committee of Governors and Basel framework. dangerous signs that the commitment Heads of Supervision, which will try Europe faces other worries. parent’s balance sheet. to stronger global standards – indeed, again in January. Regulators there are now keenly Subsidiarisation is now the to any common standards – may be on They will probably find a way focused on the implications of GULF TIMES the wane. to thread this particular needle. Brexit, which will require complex rule Many predicted this trend, but But the future for global standards arrangements to manage a new By Howard Davies for the wrong reason. Sceptics looks more uncertain than it has for relationship between London and London warned that it would be far harder to some time. Since the 2008 crisis, the eurozone. The top priority for reach agreement among 20 or more many countries, while ostensibly the European Central Bank must Local mergers bode countries than it had been among the supporting the development of be to preserve the integrity of the he fi nancial crisis of 2008 dozen pre-crisis Basel Committee tighter global rules, have been taking EU banking union, which is under gave a big boost to the global members (mainly European countries, other measures to protect their own pressure from both Brexit and the standard-setters. Suddenly, with only the US, Canada, and Japan financial systems. crisis gripping Italy’s banks. well for banking in Tthe Basel Committee (which representing the world beyond). In The collapse of Lehman Brothers Against this background, it will be a sets the standards for international practice, that has not turned out to and others showed, in former Bank challenge to retain the primacy of global banking supervision) was leading be a major problem. Basel III was of England Governor Mervyn King’s standards and to secure continued buy- the fi nancial news. Dinner parties agreed far more quickly than Basel II memorable phrase, that big banks are in to the Basel process. The Bank for GCC amid oil fall in Manhattan and Kensington were was. Political pressure from fi nance “global in life, but national in death.” International Settlements’ new general consumed with the fi ner points of ministers, expressed through the FSB, In other words, when a global bank manager, Agustín Carstens, a former Basel II and the evils of procyclical proved eff ective. crashes, the host-country regulators governor of Mexico’s central bank, will The more than 50% plunge in global oil prices since capital requirements. Governments In fact, recent tensions have been must pick up the local pieces. That’s have a key role to play, as will whoever June 2014 has forced Gulf Co-operation Council that had been suspicious of more old-fashioned, pitting the US why requirements to establish local replaces Mark Carney (the current countries, among the world’s biggest crude producers, international interference were eager against the eurozone, with the UK and subsidiaries, with local capital, have Governor of the Bank of England) next for tougher global rules to prevent others stuck in between. The US has been adopted. Gone are the days year as Chairman of the FSB. It is likely, to streamline spending to keep rising budget defi cits banking crises from spilling across been pressing for tighter controls on when banks could set up branches too, that there will soon be a new Chair in check. Combining some of their largest banks to borders and infecting others, like banks’ internal models, and for a limit all over the planet, with support of the Basel Committee itself. Stefan reduce costs and duplication has become a central bouts of Asian fl u. on how much a bank’s models can from the parent’s balance sheet. Ingves of Sweden is due to step down The concrete consequences of reduce its assets on a risk-weighted Subsidiarisation is now the rule. next June. theme of the GCC consolidation wave in 2016. this enthusiasm were the creation of basis. Agreement on these so-called And, looking ahead, we can see that These three new leaders will need The proposed three-way merger of Masraf Al the Financial Stability Board (FSB), output fl oors has so far proved the two biggest players in the FSB all of their diplomatic skills to navigate Rayan, Barwa Bank and International Bank of Qatar born out of the ashes of the Financial impossible. The Europeans argue and Basel have other preoccupations. treacherous political waters. The (IBQ) will create Qatar’s second-biggest lender. The Stability Forum, at the G20’s London that their banks’ corporate lending is Donald Trump’s incoming US stakes are high. If the commitment summit in April 2009, and inclusion inherently less risky. administration has already signalled to global standards wanes, everyone combination would help build an institution with of representatives of all G20 members After all, EU banks lend more to its suspicion of foreign entanglements will suff er in the long run. Countries assets of more than QR160bn ($44bn) and a combined among the key rule makers in Basel higher-rated large companies, which and international commitments. will impose incompatible local overall credit share of 15%. But by size and market and elsewhere. The G7’s domination access US capital markets, rather Making America great again is not requirements, which will reduce the share, it would still be dwarfed by QNB, the region’s gave way to the hope that broader than borrowing from banks. They likely to involve new enthusiasm for effi ciency of capital utilisation and membership would produce more also hold more low-risk mortgages on more intrusive rules made in Basel. make the system less robust in the largest. comprehensive buy-in and stronger their balance sheets, in the absence Those who advocate rolling back much event of renewed fi nancial instability. In early July, Abu Dhabi lenders National Bank of political support for increasing the of a European equivalent of Fannie of the 2010 Dodd-Frank fi nancial- Project Syndicate Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank approved a merger to banking system’s capital. Mae and Freddie Mac (America’s two reform legislation, in favour of a create one of the largest banks in the Middle East with All this change has worked, up to quasi-public mortgage banks), which higher leverage ratio, as promoted in zHoward Davies is Chairman of the a bill advanced by Representative Jeb Royal Bank of Scotland. assets worth $175bn. Abu Dhabi is also weighing plans a point. The Basel III regulations, hoovered up securitised US mortgages. to merge Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Union National Bank as well as Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank with Al-Hilal Bank. In Oman, Bank Dhofar and Bank Sohar are pursuing a merger, creating a new lender that would have a 19% share by assets of the market. The GCC region, apparently, is overbanked. While the UAE, with a population of just 9mn, houses an estimated 50 fi nancial institutions, about 18 lenders are competing for business in Qatar, a country of around 2.6mn people. Qatari banks, Consolidation makes sense in an over- despite the crowded market, macroeconomic helping the merged entities to reduce costs, headwinds, are compete for market share and better serve on a stronger the customers. footing Qatari banks, despite the macroeconomic headwinds, are on a stronger footing, driven by the government’s fi nancing need in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, according to BMI Research. Amid an estimated $200bn infrastructure upgrade drive, Qatar’s commercial banks will remain resilient to the “lower-for-longer” oil price equation and More plant-based food is needed to feed livestock than we would need to feed ourselves directly through a plant-based diet. outperform their GCC peers over the coming years, BMI said. In a year of consolidation, Gulf policymakers are planning better for the future. The plant-based solution to hunger Qatar is merging Qatargas and RasGas to save hundreds of millions of riyals. QP, the world’s biggest producer of liquefi ed natural gas, took over its global By Barbara UnmuBig feed grain – rose from 130mn tonnes we must challenge the presumption as the European Union’s Common Berlin in 1996 to 270mn tonnes in 2015, that an industrial agricultural model, Agricultural Policy. As it stands investment arm Qatar Petroleum International last with 80% of output going to meat let alone meat, is necessary to feed the now, large-scale industrial meat year, as part of an eight-month restructuring. And the production, especially in China (70mn world. producers are profi ting extensively Qatar Investment Authority is reportedly undergoing he way we eat in the tonnes) and Europe (31mn tonnes). In fact, that presumption has from EU subsidies; but these subsidies industrialised world is This expansion of soy agriculture, little merit. The UN Environment could be redirected as investments its biggest overhaul since 2014. unhealthy, unjust, and as a result of the growing demand Programme estimates that, by 2050, in decentralised meat and grain In Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Development Co and Tunsustainable. Far too much for meat, is driving up land values. an area between the size of Brazil and production chains that adhere to a International Petroleum Investment Co, two of Abu of the meat we consume is produced Consequently, in the global south, India will have to be repurposed into more sustainable model. Dhabi’s largest sovereign funds, are merging to create under questionable ecological, ethical, common land is being privatised, cropland if current food-consumption Doing so requires recognising that and social conditions. And now our rainforests are being destroyed to trends continue. But if the 9.6bn realistic alternatives to industrial an entity with assets of about $135bn and debt of industrial model for meat production make room for agricultural cultivation, people expected to inhabit the planet agriculture do exist. For example, about $42bn. The emirate is reining in spending as the is being exported to the global south and international agribusinesses are by then were to have a plant-based “agroecology” – a system based on decline in oil prices slows economic growth. – especially India and China – where expropriating the land that one-third diet, industrial meat production traditional and indigenous knowledge In a wider sense, policymakers in every Gulf country meat consumption is rising among of the world’s people still rely on for could be abandoned and all of them that is passed down through the these countries’ emerging middle their livelihoods. could be fed without the need for any generations – is easily adaptable to now know for sure the oil windfall the region has classes. Animal-feed production, additional agricultural land. all geographic circumstances. In fact, been accustomed to for decades is a thing of the past. Worldwide, 300mn tonnes of and the intensive cultivation of For many people, the competition in 2006 Jules Pretty of the University Amid a slowdown in economic growth, government meat are produced each year, and the agricultural land that it requires, for land is a fi ght for survival. Land of Essex found that this mode of austerity drive, liquidity squeeze and the bottom-line United Nations Food and Agriculture is not only destroying ecosystems access, which is more unevenly production can increase harvest yields Organisation estimates that the and reducing biodiversity; it is also distributed than incomes, is a by 79%. hit from a low interest rate regime, domestic mergers, annual amount will increase to 455mn fuelling climate change. Worldwide, deciding factor in whether someone But, to implement this shift, for sure, augur well for the GCC banking sector. tonnes by 2050 if demand continues our industrial agriculture system suff ers from malnutrition: 20% of governments must ensure that all to grow at the current rate. Such large produces an estimated 14% of the households that experience hunger do people have guaranteed access to amounts of meat can be produced world’s greenhouse-gas emissions; not own land, and 50% of people who land and potable water, and they only on an industrial scale, and at high including emissions indirectly experience hunger are small-scale need to create political frameworks To Advertise social, political, and ecological costs. linked to deforestation, and those farmers. to promote ecologically and socially Meat production is a tremendously associated with fertiliser production, The industrial agriculture system’s just agricultural models – which, [email protected] ineffi cient use of agricultural land, increases that share to 24%. Moreover, production chains must be replaced by defi nition, excludes industrial Display because considerably more plant- the extensive use of fertilisers and with local, decentralised, and agriculture. Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 based food is needed to feed livestock pesticides – 99% of the world’s soy is sustainable production chains. It The challenge of feeding every than we would need to feed ourselves genetically modifi ed, and is routinely is incumbent upon governments to human being should not be viewed Classified directly through a plant-based diet. treated with pesticides – is also prioritise people’s right to food and in opposition to – or as somehow Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 For example, producing 1kg of chicken contaminating ground-water sources, nutrition above private economic ruling out – questions of social justice meat or beef requires 1.6 and 8kg of destroying biodiversity, and eroding interests. People should not lose their and the future of the planet. Poverty, Subscription animal feed, respectively. This pits the soil. livelihoods and food security for the malnutrition, and hunger are a result [email protected] farmers and animal-feed producers We can no longer ignore the external benefi t of agribusiness profi ts. of politics, not scarcity. – Project against one another in a fi erce costs of this system. If we are serious To move toward an ecologically Syndicate competition over land. about addressing climate change and sustainable and socially equitable 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Meanwhile, the production of soy – securing every human being’s right agricultural model, we can leverage zBarbara UnmuBig is President of the the world’s most important animal- to proper nutrition and food security, existing political frameworks, such Heinrich Boll Foundation. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 28, 2016 19 COMMENT A growth agenda for China

Beyond the external The fourth major external factor unproductive fi rm, particularly if it uncertainties and relates to exchange rates. As it contributes signifi cantly to local fi scal stands, the renminbi is facing revenue and employment. headwinds, China faces a signifi cant depreciation pressure, Given that private fi rms enjoy no slew of internal challenges, caused largely by a surge in capital such offi cial protections and thus outfl ows. Meanwhile, the US dollar play on a fi eld that is nowhere near which may well present even is strengthening in anticipation of level, they must be substantially more greater risks to its economy Trump’s fi scal expansion. China’s productive and competitive than the performance will depend partly on SOEs. And even then, if the SOEs with how these dynamics play out. which they are competing struggle too By Michael Spence and Qian Wan But, beyond the external much, they are vulnerable to policy Milan/Beijing uncertainties and headwinds, China shifts that increase their disadvantage faces a slew of internal challenges, further. which may well present even greater Simply put, the Chinese fi nancial t a time when the United risks to its economy. Those challenges sector’s bias in favour of SOEs is States is poised to turn – including weaknesses in the real contributing to some of the biggest inward, China’s economic economy and the private sector, risks faced by China’s economy. Aperformance is more overcapacity, excessive leverage, Investors’ recognition of these important globally than ever. Whether and high housing prices – are rooted risks may be one driver of capital China can achieve sustainable growth largely in the fi nancial sector’s outfl ows, meaning that distortionary patterns in the coming years will mounting problems and the failure of incentives in the fi nancial system are depend upon a number of key factors. China’s leaders to address them. also contributing to the downward One of the leading external factors Consider eff orts to promote pressure on the exchange rate. shaping China’s prospects will be investment in the real sector. The China has made great strides its relationship with the US under People’s Bank of China has been in recent years in implementing president Donald Trump. Ideally, the providing spurts of liquidity to the reforms that boost domestic private two governments would work together market, in the hope of relieving consumption. And, despite the to negotiate mutually benefi cial trade fi nancial constraints on productive barriers it faces, the country’s private and investment agreements, with private businesses and industries. But sector has become highly dynamic and sensitivity to the challenges faced by the monetary-policy transmission innovative. Earlier reforms are now both sides. But the opposite outcome mechanism is broken, and liquidity bearing fruit, and this has helped to – the escalation of mutually damaging is not making it to the real economy. The People’s Bank of China in Beijing: providing spurts of liquidity to the market. sustain economic growth. trade and investment disputes – is Instead, China’s banks continue But achieving faster, more resilient also a distinct possibility. to allocate credit largely to state- Meanwhile, local governments’ medium-size enterprises – continue For fi nancial institutions, SOEs and growth will require China to eliminate Political uncertainty is also on owned enterprises (SOEs) and leverage continues to rise. to get squeezed. Given that the private LGFVs represent much lower risk than the biases, protections, and implicit the rise in Europe. While its impact local-government fi nancing vehicles SOEs may also use the unregulated sector is generally signifi cantly more private businesses, regardless of how guarantees favouring SOEs in the on China would not be as direct as (LGFVs). shadow banking system to re-lend at productive than SOEs or LGFVs, leveraged or uncompetitive they are. marketplace and in the fi nancial Trump’s actions, it is a source of Credit to the state sector ends higher interest rates the cheap money generating much higher returns on After all, because SOEs and LGFVs system. Only then can monetary signifi cant medium-term risks for the up fl owing not into productivity- they receive to private businesses, investment, the absence of hard are implicitly guaranteed by central policy achieve its goal: supporting entire global economy. enhancing investments, but into which cannot borrow reliably from the budget constraints on troubled SOEs or local governments, they are highly productive investment, innovation, Within Asia, a key factor shaping the housing market (fuelling price formal banking system. Whereas the clearly must be addressed. unlikely to default. the scaling of private-sector China’s economic prospects is bubbles) and industries with interest rate of a one-year loan in the Of course, China’s leaders have Banks know (or believe) that if businesses, and real economic growth. progress on Chinese-led regional excess capacity (fuelling even more formal banking system is around 5%, known this for a while, and have an SOE or LGFV faces bankruptcy, – Project Syndicate trade and investment agreements. In overcapacity and enabling companies the average one-year interest rate in created a reform agenda that seeks to the government will step in with particular, investments in regional to avoid much-needed restructuring). the Wenzhou shadow banking market reform the SOEs, while unleashing the favourable policies and subsidies, zMichael Spence, a Nobel laureate in development via the “one belt, While LGFVs use the low-cost loans (to cite one example) was around 16% private sector’s potential. But it is still tax cuts, and low-cost fi nancing economics, is Professor of Economics one road” initiative and the Asian to build infrastructure, the social in November. a work in progress. Convincing banks instruments. In some cases, banks at New York University’s Stern School Infrastructure Investment Bank may returns of those investments are This state of aff airs is jeopardising to lend to private enterprises, rather have no choice but to lend to failing of Business and Senior Fellow at the produce expanded trade and growth in often low; and, after decades of the entire economy. Banks are bailing than to SOEs and LGFVs, will require SOEs; their provincial government Hoover Institution. Qian Wan is a PhD Asia (and beyond), though the eff ects rapid infrastructure construction, out bankrupt companies, while substantial structural shifts in China’s may demand that they provide large student in Political Economy at Renmin will not be immediate. the marginal returns are declining. private fi rms – especially small and economy. low-cost loans to a struggling and University in Beijing. Weather report Will Europe let Germany lead? Three-day forecast TODAY creation of the European Stability are justifi ably frustrated with the working relationship, but only on High: 26 C By Marcel Fratzscher Low : 18 C Berlin Mechanism, and an EU banking union. slow pace of economic reform across the basis of “common values” such What’s more, Germany has borne the the EU. Overall, Germans are deeply as “democracy, freedom, as well as Poor visibility over most areas at first largest fi nancial burden. pro-European, and the German respect for the rule of law and the he United Kingdom’s Brexit Germany has also been criticised for government has done more for Europe dignity of each and every person.” She vote, Italian Prime Minister not agreeing to underwrite Eurobonds, than it is given credit for. is also the most important, and the THURSDAY Matteo Renzi’s referendum and for opposing a transfer union. But Leadership mistakes are easy to most sympathetic, partner for the UK High: 26 C defeat and subsequent these arguments have not always been identify and criticise in retrospect. government in the upcoming Brexit Low: 17 C T Sunny resignation, and Donald Trump’s made in good faith: member states A more constructive exercise is to negotiations. election as president of the United such as France want to share risk judge decisions in the context of the Merkel’s approval rating remains the States have created a power vacuum without ceding suffi cient sovereignty information that was available at the envy of other European leaders, and in the West, and in Europe. At a time over economic policymaking. time they were made, and to apply she could be the last well-grounded, FRIDAY when Europe needs to make important Germany’s government and citizens past lessons to future choices. With non-populist head of government High: 28 C collective economic and foreign- are more open than most to the deeper the benefi t of hindsight, the German among the larger Western countries. Low: 17 C policy decisions, domestic issues are integration required to make the euro government – indeed, any government Italy’s December 4 constitutional- Sunny preoccupying larger European Union sustainable, including fi scal union. – would have acted diff erently with reform referendum may have been the member states such as France, the But, to achieve that, all partners need respect to the Greek debt crisis, fi scal fi nal wake-up call for Europe to get its UK, Spain, and Italy. Consequently, to move forward, in terms of sharing policy, the Brexit referendum, and act together in order to address social Fishermen’s forecast there is growing pressure on German policy sovereignty and risk. so forth. So, a fairer benchmark for divisions, political extremism, and OFFSHORE DOHA Chancellor Angela Merkel and her A third complaint made against German leadership is other large deepening economic and political crises. Wind: NW 05-15/ 18 KT government to step up and lead. Germany is that it engages in beggar- European governments’ own track The German government should Waves: 1-3 Feet But while Germany wants to thy-neighbour behaviour, by pursuing records. Would Europe really be better learn from its past mistakes, while INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15 KT show leadership, it needs European restrictive fi scal policies that have off today if Germany’s government continuing to step up as a leader for Waves: 1-2 Feet partners who are willing to engage created an excessive current-account had followed the paths taken by its Europe. But it can’t do it alone. Other and compromise. Germany’s critics surplus of close to 9% of GDP. This French, British, or Italian counterparts EU governments should stop bashing Around the region are right to say that it could be more has indeed been a mistake. But it in recent years? Germany as a way to defl ect attention Weather Weather open to other member states’ policy is Germany’s problem, fi rst and Even if Merkel was late in from their own failings. In recent today Max/min tomorrow Max/min proposals, but many of the complaints foremost. While Germany has a large responding to the crises in Italy years, their attacks have gone too far, Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 26/19 Sunny 26/19 levelled against Germany have been investment gap that hurts domestic and Greece, she has also shown and have been counterproductive. Baghdad Sunny 16/04 M Sunny 16/06 Dubai P Cloudy productivity and growth, it is not the extraordinary tolerance, open- Germany needs its partners to P Cloudy 27/17 27/18 unfair – and often self-serving. Kuwait City Cloudy 20/09 Sunny 19/11 For example, the German main culprit behind tepid growth, high mindedness, and foresight. In two key come to the table, and to engage in a Manama M Sunny 26/18 Sunny 23/16 government has been accused of unemployment, low competitiveness, areas – addressing the refugee crisis constructive dialogue about concrete Muscat Sunny 29/19 Sunny 28/19 shunning European solidarity in and other economic ills elsewhere in and confronting Russian aggression solutions to Europe’s deepening crisis. Riyadh Sunny 24/09 Sunny 23/12 response to the 2008 fi nancial crisis. Europe. – her government has shown more – Project Syndicate Tehran Showers 09/02 Sunny 11/04 But, while German measures have Admittedly, many German European solidarity than most other sometimes come too late, or been policymakers have been misguided member states. zMarcel Fratzscher, a former head of ill-conceived – such as its “temporary in their obsession with fi scal Moreover, Merkel demonstrated International Policy Analysis at the Grexit” proposal – Germany’s austerity, and with their criticism sound leadership in her response to European Central Bank, is Committee government has also agreed to of the European Central Bank’s Trump’s victory. She congratulated Chairman and President of the think numerous bailout programmes, the monetary-policy approach. But they him, and off ered him a close tank DIW Berlin. Live issues Shift work and sleep problems

Tribune News Service you get sleepy at certain times of the yourself with plenty of bright light. If Leading a healthy, active lifestyle Washington day and become more alert at other you drink caff eine, do it early in your also can promote healthy sleep. Eat a Around the world times. The main infl uence on this shift. If the sun starts to rise during well-balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Weather Weather rhythm is exposure to external light. your commute home, wear dark Most adults need seven to eight today Max/min tomorrow Max/min ear Mayo Clinic: I started Shift work often presents sleep sunglasses to dim the external light. hours of sleep every 24 hours. Few Athens P Cloudy 10/02 Rain 06/02 working a night shift six problems because the timing is a As soon as you arrive home, go to bed. people can function well on fi ve Beirut P Cloudy 16/12 Rain 15/12 Bangkok M Sunny 31/20 M Sunny 31/22 months ago, and I just can’t mismatch between your body’s If you delay, it will be more diffi cult to hours or less. Without enough sleep, Berlin Cloudy 07/02 P Cloudy 04/-3 get enough sleep. I’m having biological sleep-wake cycle and the get to sleep. your health may suff er. You probably Cairo P Cloudy 18/11 P Cloudy 19/08 D Cape Town Cloudy Sunny 31/19 a hard time staying asleep during the schedule required by your job. When Set up your bedroom environment already know that lack of sleep 26/17 day. Most days, I get fi ve hours of sleep you have to work, your internal rhythm to help you sleep. Keep it dark, can lead to fatigue, irritability and Colombo S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 32/23 Sunny Sunny 28/17 or less. What can I do to get more wants you to sleep. When you are done covering the windows with room- diffi culty concentrating. But, over Dhaka 27/16 Hong Kong Cloudy 15/14 Cloudy 16/14 sleep? I’m worried that lack of sleep is working and you want to sleep, your darkening shades or curtains to block time, people who don’t get the sleep Istanbul Cloudy 06/03 Rain 05/01 going to aff ect my health. body thinks it’s time to be awake. out any external light. Wearing a they need also may be at higher risk Jakarta T Storms 29/24 T Storms 30/24 A: Trying to sleep during the day To help your body get enough sleep mask over your eyes also may be for other health problems, including Karachi Sunny 30/15 P Cloudy 30/16 rather than at night can be diffi cult. As sleep, fi rst, stay consistent. Go to useful. Adjust the temperature in your high blood pressure, heart disease and London Fog 08/00 Sunny 07/02 Manila P Cloudy 32/24 S T Storms 32/24 you’ve found out, humans naturally bed and get up at the same time room so it is cool and comfortable. diabetes. Moscow M Cloudy -2/-4 Cloudy -3/-8 are wired to be awake during the day each day, including on your days off . Your surroundings should be quiet. If you try these tips consistently New Delhi Sunny 23/10 M Sunny 24/10 and sleep at night. But there are steps This will allow your body to adapt to If other family members are home for two weeks and still have problems New York Sunny 06/01 Rain 08/02 you can take to help your body adjust your schedule. Changing your sleep when you sleep, ask them to respect getting enough sleep, talk to your Paris Sunny 08/-2 Sunny 04/-4 Sao Paulo S T Storms P Cloudy 34/21 and get the sleep you need. schedule when you don’t work makes your need to rest. If possible, sleep in doctor. He or she may be able to give 34/21 Seoul Sunny 01/-4 Sunny -1/-9 Your body has an internal sleep- it much more diffi cult for your body a room located away from family areas you additional suggestions for steps Singapore Showers 30/24 S Showers 31/24 wake rhythm. In most people, that to adjust, making it less likely you will that can get noisy. Unplug or turn off you can take to adjust your body’s Sydney Cloudy 29/21 P Cloudy 37/23 rhythm generally fi ts a 24-hour cycle. get the sleep you need over time. phones and other electronic devices so sleep-wake rhythm. - Mayo Clinic Tokyo Clear 10/04 Cloudy 13/02 Because of your sleep-wake rhythm, When you go to work, surround you are not disturbed. News Network Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 QATAR

The new operating theatre complex at Hamad General Hospital. The hybrid MRI operating room. Hybrid operating theatres at HMC transform patient care he state-of-the-art diag- theatres. This month, another brid operating rooms with this cording to Dr al-Sulaiti, who is have MRI imaging during sur- more surgical procedures would Intensive Care Unit and 15-bed nostic imaging equipment milestone was achieved with the real-time imaging technol- also the president of the Gulf gery. now be possible for HMC, es- Surgical Intensive Care Unit were Tpermanently integrated fi rst patient undergoing surgery ogy which will change the way Neurosurgical Society and the “This is significant because pecially for functional neuro- also opened in June of this year. into Hamad General Hospital’s using the hybrid MRI operating surgeons perform a variety of Qatar Society for Neurological it means, for example, that a surgery, which addresses the “Hybrid operating rooms (HGH) operating theatres is rev- room. specialist surgeries, especially and Spine Surgery. surgeon operating on a patient treatment of patients with neu- provide a number of benefi ts to olutionising surgical practice at “A hybrid operating room is a neurosurgery. The new Brain- “Surgeons are now collabo- with a brain tumour is now able rological disorders such as epi- patients, including combined Hamad Medical Corporation’s surgical theatre that is equipped lab technology allows for a more rating with neuro-anaesthesiol- to maximise tumour resection- lepsy and Parkinson’s disease. procedures previously not pos- (HMC) largest hospital and pro- with advanced medical imaging precise surgical procedure, ena- ogists, neuro-cradiologists and ing. This means there is less The opening of the newly sible. With more accurate proce- viding patients with even better devices such as a MRI scanner, bling minimally-invasive surger- neurosurgery staff to make as- chance of causing damage to equipped surgical theatres and dures, patient recovery may also care. CT scanner, or an angiogram,” ies which are less traumatic for sessments using real-time im- the brain structure around the their hybrid operating rooms are be faster and some patients with Earlier this year, HGH inaugu- said Dr Ghanem al-Sulaiti, sen- the patient,” he explained. aging. Our fi rst case using the tumour.” part of a wider expansion plan conditions that were formerly rated a new 10,000 sq m operat- ior consultant neurosurgeon and Combining imaging technol- hybrid MRI operating room is an Dr al-Sulaiti highlighted that that is revitalising HGH. In ad- deemed inoperable may be able ing theatre expansion that fea- head of neurosurgery at HMC. ogy with the operating room is important milestone for HMC as the introduction of the new im- dition to the operating theatre to undergo procedures,” added tures 20 newly equipped surgical “At HGH, there are three hy- transforming surgical care, ac- it means that patients can now aging technology meant that expansion, a new 19-bed Trauma Dr al-Sulaiti.

MEC to issue licences for Two cruise ships visit businesses run on wheels Qatar simultaneously he Ministry of Economy The MEC pointed out that and Commerce (MEC) the general conditions to obtain Thas decided to issue li- a licence to run a business on wo cruise ships, MSC that the cruise industry in Qa- “Today marks yet another cences for 12 businesses, in- wheels, which include getting a Fantasia and Crystal tar is witnessing this season, step taken along the road to en- cluding maintenance services commercial registration, valid TEsprit, are expected to in which Qatar will receive as suring that Qatar becomes a key and beauty salon, which can be registration and road permit simultaneously dock at Doha many as 50,000 cruise visitors,” port of call on all cruise itiner- operated from mobile platforms. from the Traffi c Department for Port today, Qatar Tourism Au- QTA chief tourism develop- aries that cover this region,” he In a statement yesterday, the the vehicle, health certifi cates One of the vehicles found damaging the environment at Al Qartat area. thority (QTA) has announced. ment offi cer Hassan al-Ibrahim stressed. MEC explained a number of from the Ministry of Public With over 3,000 passengers said. The MSC Fantasia fi rst docked commercial activities could be Health for the workers, and the set to disembark and transport He noted that the rapid growth in Qatar on December 7, bringing run from vehicles that run on the necessary approvals of the Civil out of the port, the berthing of of this sub-sector is testament to more than 3,000 passengers and roads, or towed by other vehicles Defence, in addition to the relat- these two cruise vessels is set to the fruitful partnerships that exist more than 1,300 crew members. and parked on the roadsides, ed approvals of the departments MME conducts inspection showcase Qatar’s preparedness between QTA, government part- It is scheduled to make four calls to public places, parking areas or concerned according to the type to manage the smooth move- ners and the local private sector, Doha throughout the remainder of other viable areas. of the activity. ment of large groups of cruise alongside the cruise lines. Accord- the 2016/2017 cruise season. The licences include fi ve For eateries in particular, tours on food facilities tourists, shortly after Qatar ing to al-Ibrahim, these partner- The 100m long Crystal Es- commercial activities in food applicants should get the prior welcomed its fi rst ever mega ships have paved the way for cruise prit, a 62-passenger luxury products (hot and cold meals, approvals from the health af- l Rayyan Municipality’s rent out his camp licence at Al cruise ship. visitors to enjoy a warm welcome yacht, also made its maiden call hot and cold drinks, and ice fairs department at the Minis- Gharrafa offi ce recently Utoriyah Area. The department “This is one of many fi rsts and a smooth visitor experience. to Qatar earlier this month. cream); four in the fi eld of main- try of Municipality and Envi- Aconducted 109 inspec- inspectors contacted him and tenance (transaction services, ronment. tion tours on food facilities asked him about the details to tyre repair, and home main- To submit an application within its jurisdiction and issued confi rm the information about tenance that cover electricity for these licences, applicants 30 violation and reconciliation the advertiser and the location works, plumbing, aluminium, should download and fi ll in the reports, got 16 affi davits signed of the camp. wood and metal works), three relevant form at www.mec.gov. by violators, and inspected 63 When he showed his desire licences for services activities qa and send by e-mail to mo- foodstuff shops. to rent it out, they reached out (women’s beauty salon, barbers, [email protected] the The Ministry of Municipality to him and took the necessary tailors, and dressmakers). completed form attached with and Environment’s (MME) En- legal procedures against him, The initiative is based on the a sketch of the vehicle design, vironmental Protection unit at including the cancellation of his decision no 243 for 2016 of HE the proposed number of work- Al Shamal spotted two vehicles licence. the Minister of Economy and ers, the possibility of using envi- damaging the soil at Al Qartat The patrols also spotted own- Commerce regarding the regu- ronment friendly materials, and area, and took necessary legal er of another winter camp cut- lations and conditions that gov- other related details. procedures against them. ting wild trees near his camp ern the licences for practising Winning applicants will be Similarly, the patrols of the at Rawdat Rashid Area, and the activities of peddlers and chosen through a public draw. department spotted licensee of took necessary legal procedures street vendors. It is also part of Applications can be submitted a winter camp trying to lease it against him including the can- the MEC’s eff orts to encourage from January 1 to February 8, through an Internet advertise- cellation of his winter camping MSC Fantasia at Doha port earlier this month. private sector. 2017. ment. The owner was trying to licence. Fog persists, low visibility expected in early hours

By Ramesh Mathew most all parts of the country. Like on Monday, the fog re- they parked their vehicles on Staff Reporter In a post on Facebook yester- turned late in the afternoon service roads along the high- day morning, the MoI said traf- (4-4.30pm) yesterday, with vis- ways for some time and resumed fi c fl ow was generally slow due to ibility dropping sharply in places driving only after conditions im- eople in Qatar experienced low visibility although no heavy such as the Doha Corniche and proved. yet another foggy morning gridlocks had been reported un- West Bay. After that, the fog did Abdulla al-Mannai, director of Pyesterday, which brought til then. Some road accidents, not intensify further in most the Met department, said the fog down visibility and led to slow though, were reported and the Doha areas for several hours. subsided as the day went on and traffi c movement on a number of sites had been cleared, it added. However, the Met department conditions improved signifi cant- roads. Poor visibility is expected Traffi c patrols were stationed tweeted later in the evening that ly. The detailed forecast for today in most parts of the country – in diff erent locations to control visibility was down to 300m in says it will be foggy in most areas as well as off shore areas – in the and monitor vehicular fl ow, the the Hamad International Airport at fi rst, followed by mild daytime early hours today as well, the Qa- ministry said, urging people to area while zero visibility was re- conditions. Some clouds are also tar Met department has said. co-operate with them and follow ported from Al Khor, Al Ruwais expected and it will be misty in Visibility will range from their instructions. and Abu Samra due to thick fog. some places. 4-7km today, decreasing to The MoI also reminded mo- Besides roads within the city, Most off shore areas will see 800m or less in some places at torists to “drive at speeds that sources told Gulf Times that reg- misty to foggy conditions in the fi rst. suit the weather and allow more ular users of highways connect- early hours along with clouds. Yesterday, fog aff ected both distance between vehicles. Turn ing Doha with places like Me- The minimum temperature today the eastern and western coasts on your fog lights and low-beam saieed, Ras Laff an and Dukhan will be 14C in Abu Samra, while of Qatar, including places such lights and don’t use hazard lights had to cope with slower-than- in Doha it will be 18C. The maxi- as Doha, Dukhan, Al Khor, She- while driving. Turn them on only usual traffi c in the morning due mum, on the other hand, will be haimiya, Umm Bab and several when you stop the vehicle in an to the dense fog. 27C in Abu Samra and 26C in others, the Met department in- emergency,” it added. A bus driver said it took him Doha, according to the weather formed on Twitter. While conditions improved nearly 3 hours and 45 minutes to report. The Ministry of Interior (MoI), gradually in Doha and most other reach Ras Laff an Industrial City Yesterday, a minimum tem- meanwhile, reported on social parts of the country as the fog yesterday. Similar experiences perature of 14C was recorded in media that the foggy spell which cleared, the Met department said were narrated by other residents Dukhan, while the maximum was started on Monday evening con- visibility continued to be low in who also travel to far-off desti- 29C in Ghuwairiyah. In Doha, the tinued until yesterday morning, places along the western coast, nations for work. mercury level ranged from 18C to resulting in poor visibility in al- such as Dukhan. Some of the commuters said 24C. A view of foggy conditions on D-Ring Road yesterday. PICTURE: Shameer Rasheed