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SATURDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10690 January 6, 2018 Rabia Il 19, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals ‘Wain’ app In brief to enhance QATAR | Reaction Explosion in Afghan capital condemned Qatar tourist The State of Qatar expressed strong condemnation of the explosion that targeted police in the Afghan capital of Kabul and left a number of people killed and injured. In a statement issued yesterday, experience the Foreign Ministry reiterated Qatar’s firm stance in rejection of violence and terrorism no matter O Wain is an intelligent We have also what the motives and causes were. map and location-based enhanced our The statement off ered Qatar’s smart naviga- condolences to the families of ’s goalkeeper Fayez al-Rashidi holds the trophy next to his teammates after his team won the Gulf Cup in the final services application tion features victims as well as the government football match between Oman and the UAE in City yesterday. developed by QMIC and improved and people of Afghanistan. It also our PoIs col- wished speedy recovery to the By Joseph Varghese lection with injured. Staff Reporter more than 12,000. We REGION | Unrest have intro- ain, a mobile application, duced an Pro-regime rallies meaning ‘where’ in ‘Events’ sec- held around Tehran Oman beat UAE Wand launched by the Qatar tion where you Pro-regime rallies were held around Mobility Innovations Centre (QMIC), can fi nd and Tehran yesterday with authorities will enhance the tourist experience in attend local seeking to put the recent violent a big way by providing accurate infor- events, in ad- unrest to bed, as Washington mation about the happenings and ma- dition to add- slapped fresh sanctions on Iran. jor locations in the country. ing and shar- The UN Security Council went into “With the number of tourists to Qa- ing your own,” closed-door talks yesterday on the to lift Gulf Cup tar increasing in a big way, the Wain highlighted Dr Abu-Dayya. protests in Iran with Russia and the app is a very handy one for the tourists “We want to make Wain the de fac- United States at odds over whether By Sports Reporter to understand about the day-to-day to platform in Qatar for information. the top UN body should discuss the Doha Emir congratulates Sultan Qaboos events and major tourist destinations Wain gives the information regarding demonstrations. Iranian off icials in the country,” Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya, restaurants, parking, real time traffi c, blamed a plot by the CIA, Israel and His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the executive director and CEO, QMIC told and many more. We have a number of for the unrest that man won the Gulf Cup for the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister Gulf Times. signifi cant features on the app,” noted convulsed much of the country for second time in history when and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent “As the focus on tourism has in- the offi cial. five days — part of the increasing Othey beat UAE 5-4 via penal- cables of congratulations to HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman on his creased in the recent years, we are ex- He observed that many people gen- tensions playing out between Iran and ties in a dramatic fi nal at the Jaber country winning the 23rd in yesterday. ploring possibilities of providing the erally come to know of the events in its neighbours since President Donald International Stadium in Kuwait yes- relevant information and better expe- the country very late or sometimes Trump came to power. Page 3 terday. rience to the visitors. We expect that even after the events. “Wain gives you The win was an apt reward for Oman team. They showed they can beat any past UAE goalkeeper Khaled Eissa the tourists can be advised in advance a list of the events as well as the loca- AMERICA | Weather who were the most consistent team in team in the region by winning the Gulf when after a dazzling run he shot from about the app and they can have it on tion and time. Wain is a cloud-based the 23rd edition of the prestigious re- Cup,” said Ahmed, a 21-year-old Qa- a tight angle only to see the ball graze their smartphones for a refreshing ex- application and anybody can con- US Northeast braces gional tournament which was shifted tari student. the post. perience to move across the country. tribute to the events section. You can for the deep freeze to Kuwait from Qatar after its interna- Former Asian footballer of the year A couple of minutes later, UAE’s Ab- We are also in discussion with the sport navigate it through a single click. It The northeastern United States tional football ban was lifted by FIFA a was the villain for dulrahman went agonisingly close with bodies to add current and upcoming gives also the option to contribute to yesterday slowly emerged from few weeks ago. UAE as he missed two penalties – one his header as Oman survived a scare. sport events to the app,” explained Dr the events by adding the events to the the travel chaos sparked by heavy The victory triggered off enthu- in regulation and one in the tie-break- UAE could have nailed the trophy Abu-Dayya. list and integrate it with the calendar,” snows, but forecasters warned siastic celebrations in Oman where er to hand Oman victory. a few minutes from time when they Wain is an intelligent map and loca- he said. the weekend would bring record- men, women and children took to the The teams adopted a conservative won a penalty after was tion-based services application devel- According to the QMIC CEO, there is breaking cold. “Arctic air mass streets in the capital Muscat and other approach during the initial stages of pushed from behind inside the box. oped by QMIC. The app delivers useful a continuous updating of the app. “We and dangerously cold wind chills cities, waving their national fl ag and the match but it was Oman who cre- But Omani goalkeeper Fayez al-Rash- map related services which includes add more maps and other facilities to expected across much of the fl ashing the victory sign. ated more chances as they went close idi produced an excellent save to block real-time traffi c information, smart the app as and when available. We have eastern two-thirds of the country Thousands of Qataris also celebrat- a couple of times midway through the Abdulrahman’s shot. navigation, dynamic maps, updated also added a number of parking facili- through this weekend,” the National ed on Doha Corniche to express their fi rst half. But Fahmy Saeed and Ahmed The extra time also failed to break parking information, speed camera ties and the availability of the parking Weather Service said. “Many daily support for Oman which had been de- Mubarak couldn’t make good of the the deadlock following which the alerts, a rich collection of Points of In- lots in each of the facilities. We plan to temperature records may be fying pressure by Saudi Arabia, UAE opportunities as they misdirected match went into penalties. However, terest (PoI). integrate more parking facilities into broken.” Flights resumed from the and and standing by Qatar their headers. Abdulrahman again missed his penalty “Wain is your companion on the the app. The app also has most of the region’s bustling airports in Boston during the ongoing illegal blockade. In the third minute of the second much to UAE’s agony and Oman’s joy. road, giving you Qatar’s most needed emergency contacts,” added Dr Abu- and New York, although 20% were “We are very happy for the Omani half, Jameel al-Yahmadi almost scored Sport Page 8 transportation and location services. Dayya. again cancelled at JFK airport and 30% from La Guardia, the FlightAware website said. Page 5 QFA wins Golden Excellence Award ASIA | Diplomacy Koreas agree to fi rst talks in two years Qatar fund donates North and South Korea agreed yesterday to hold their first talks in more than two years, hours after $1mn to Costa Rica Seoul and Washington decided to defer joint military exercises which always infuriate Pyongyang until he Qatar Fund after the Winter Olympics. The for Development meeting, the first since December T(QFFD) has donated 2015, will take place in Panmunjom. $1mn to Costa Rica to re- South Korean President Moon store the aff ected areas Jae-in said that “overly optimistic after Hurricane Otto and expectations” were “undesirable” Qatar Football Association received the Golden Excellence Award yesterday after being named as best Gulf sport federation Tropical Storm Nate, it was but added: “We will do our best to during the a ceremony organised by the Gulf Sports Media Association (GSMA) on the sidelines of the Gulf Cup. The awards announced yesterday. make the Pyeongchang Olympics ceremony was attended by Gianni Merlo, the President of International Sports Press Association (AIPS) along with senior Gulf Through a press release, an Olympics for peace and settle the sport off icials. The GSMA also granted the best sport commentator award to the late Qatari commentator Mohamed al-Lenjawi Costa Rica’s Foreign Min- nuclear issue peacefully.” Page 6 along with Kuwaiti Tarek al-Mulla and Oman’s Ahmed al-Ajmi. istry informed that the money will be deposited in an account of the National Commission of Emergen- cies (CNE). “Receiving selfless, non-reimbursable help Book questions Trump’s fi tness for offi ce from friendly countries is very significant, be- Off icials at the cheque handover ceremony in AFP White House was rushed into book- best-seller as “phony” and “full of Trump’s fitness for office, Wolff cause of their generosity. Costa Rica. Washington stores and onto e-book platforms four lies.” said in an interview with NBC’s To- No state has the obliga- days ahead of schedule due to what Journalist Michael Wolff , no day show. tion to help us, however, they do it caused the death of 10 people and mil- its publisher called “unprecedented stranger to controversy, quotes sev- “They all say he is like a child. And because of the relationship we have lions of losses, most of them in the he release of a bombshell-fi lled demand” — and after Trump’s bid to eral key Trump aides expressing seri- what they mean by that is he has a and understanding that, just as they Northern Zone of the country, the Car- book about Donald Trump’s block it failed. ous doubt about his ability to lead the need for immediate gratifi cation. It’s have their problems and difficulties, ibbean and Guanacaste. Tfi rst year in the White House The book — which has sent shock- world’s largest economy — and despite all about him.” we also have our own, and we need Tropical Storm Nate killed 14 people yesterday sparked fresh debate about waves across Washington — quickly fi ery criticism from the Republican, he The 71-year-old Republican presi- that collaboration in good faith,” said a few months ago and had an impact on the president’s fi tness for offi ce, with sold out in shops in the US capital, stood his ground. dent, who is approaching the fi rst Manuel Gonzalez, Minister of Foreign almost the entire country. The Foreign the author claiming his closest aides with some even lining up at midnight “Let me put a marker in the sand anniversary of his inauguration, has Affairs. Ministry reported that the eff orts to “say he is like a child.” to get their hands on it. here. One hundred per cent of responded with fury to the claims in Hurricane Otto hit Costa Rica in obtain this donation began weeks after Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump Trump has decried the instant the people around him” question Wolff ’s book. November 2016. This phenomenon Otto crossed the country. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, January 6, 2018 QATAR

TII to off er language QRCS trains volunteers courses

he Translation and In- terpreting Institute (TII), Tpart of the College of Hu- manities and Social Sciences at in disaster management Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), will be off ering a range atar Red Crescent Soci- safety and security, information ments. He highlighted QRCS’s of popular community lan- ety (QRCS) has conclud- centre and reporting, disaster Disaster Management Camp as guage classes at its facilities in Qed a fi ve-day advanced response tools, working with an important event to create a Education City. disaster management training local community, project plan- base of youths qualifi ed in Targeting children and course for 31 volunteers who ning, team work, and leadership immediate disaster response. adults, TII’s Language Cen- had graduated from its seventh development. Dr Ghassan al-Kahlout, PhD tre courses are delivered by Disaster Management Camp. This course is part of a year- in Post-War Recovery Studies, experienced instructors, who The purpose of the course round disaster preparedness emphasised the importance of actively support language is to build the capacity of vol- programme conducted by QRCS partnership with Qatari human- learning for students with di- unteers in disaster response, to enhance community prepar- itarian organisations, primarily verse cultural backgrounds, through a set of advanced top- edness skills under the super- QRCS, which serves to enhance irrespective of their current ics instructed by seven inter- vision of disaster management the practical experiences of MA profi ciency level. After a round nationally-certifi ed trainers. specialists. students. of initial placement tests, all These topics included disaster In the end of the course, At the closing ceremony, the registered students will be al- management policies, media a disaster scenario exercise participants commended the lotted an appropriate language relations in emergency, stress was implemented to measure content of the course, which command level. management, co-ordination co-ordination and quick re- added signifi cantly to their in- TII’s Spanish language co- across the International Red sponse. The closing session formation and skills both in dis- ordinator, Inmaculada Villasu- Cross and Red Crescent Move- was attended by Rashid S al- aster management and academic so, said, “At the TII Language ment and the United Nations, Mohannadi, general director, progress. The cyclone simula- Centre, we work to off er the Movement Code of Conduct, Relief and International De- Volunteers at a session of the disaster management training course. tion was particularly benefi cial best quality of Spanish cours- and assessment methodology velopment Division at QRCS, as an international standard re- es in Qatar. Led by a team of and tools. as well as a group of MA stu- A special course on shelter in QRCS and Doha Institute have a Al-Mohannadi welcomed the sponse and co-ordination train- qualifi ed and experienced na- Other topics covered by the dents at the Centre for Con- emergency was given to 15 CHS Memorandum of Understanding participants and gave them a ing, a rarely available practice for tive Spanish teachers, our course were the auxiliary roles fl ict and Humanitarian Stud- researcher students in com- to work together in training, ex- presentation about QRCS’s his- humanitarian service providers programme prepares students of national societies, volunteer ies (CHS), Doha Institute for pletion of the requirements of change of experience, and joint tory, humanitarian mission, and prior to engagement in risky fi eld to communicate in Span- management in emergency, fi eld Graduate Studies. their academic programme. research projects. local and international achieve- operations. ish from day one in a friendly environment.” TII applies the same level of curricular quality, class environ- ment, and student engagement eff orts across all other language programmes as well. Bedaya Centre hosts medical Adults may register for Arabic, French, German, Italian, Man- darin Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish language courses. Each course utilises a blended learn- talents at Mehna Cafe meet ing approach, building on classic textbook learning with audio- edaya Centre for Entre- visual and multimedia resources preneurship and Career as well as structured classroom BDevelopment (Bedaya discussions. To be held during Centre), a joint initiative by the University’s spring semester, Qatar Development Bank and all seven language courses at TII Silatech, recently held its fi fth are presently open for enrolment Mehna Café (career café) meet. until January 10. The programme The event at MIA park coff ee of classes, beginning January Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti (right) receiving a memento from shop revolved around the top- 16, is conveniently timed to ac- Chinese ambassador Li Chen. ics of medicine and nursing and commodate those interested hosted two pioneers from both in learning or developing their Katara to host Chinese acrobatics in Feb fi elds, Dr Jassim Fakhro, bariat- chosen language. ric surgeon and a distinguished For children between the ages The Chinese embassy in Doha is Li Chen expressed optimism life member, World Association of 5 to 12, the list of languages at planning to hold performances that such relations will “take of Laparoscopic Surgeons, and TII’s Language Centre this com- led by the Wuhan Acrobatic and new and wide horizons of Nouf al-Kawari, an operating ing semester includes Arabic, Cultural troupe at Katara – the excellence and innovation in nurse at the paediatric depart- Dr Jassim Fakhro and Nouf al-Kawari spoke about their journeys and dreams at the Mehna Café meet. French, German, Mandarin Chi- Cultural Village in February, various cultural fields.” ment at Sidra Medicine. They nese, and Spanish. During two- aimed at strengthening bilateral Dr al-Sulaiti welcomed the proposal shared their experiences with the state’s needs for qualifi ed a human touch instilling the most important pillars the “hu- hour classes every Saturday, ties in the field of culture with of hosting any Chinese cultural the audience. medical and nursing staff , and meaning of compassion among man development,” she added. children will gain an opportunity Qatar, it was announced. activities, hoping that “the mutual- The two speakers shed light the importance of academic people and solidarity in the Mehna Café is a professional to practise the language of their Katara general manager Dr ties between the entities will develop on their journey and dreams programmes provided by uni- community. Doctors and Nurs- gathering but in an informal at- choice through well-structured Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti met in an aim to maintain the levels of since their school days until versities that enhance the role es through their professions are mosphere where pioneers from lessons that integrate diverse with Chinese ambassador Li friendship and co-operation.” their graduation ceremony and of the medical sector as one of able to alleviate the pain and diff erent careers and profes- activities, such as art and crafts, Chen in December to discuss The Wuhan performers are how they turned their dreams the main contributors to the suff ering of people.” sions get to be hosted alongside drama, games, and music. Reg- and enhance joint cultural co- among the oldest yet the finest into reality. achievement of Qatar National “We are honoured to host Dr guests and audience interested istration is open until January operation through the hosting in China. The troupe built a The two recalled all the times Vision 2030. Jassim Fakhro and Nouf al-Ka- in those professions. They pro- 15 and classes are scheduled to of various events and shows. rich history of acrobatics and and incidents that coincided Reem al-Sowaidi, general wari, who have given a detailed vide a clear image about those begin on January 20. The Chinese envoy lauded the held numerous international with their careers and the lofty manager, Bedaya Centre, said, explanation about their special- professions which in return will To register for the language role of Katara in promoting and performances. goals that were a vital incentive “Medicine and nursing have isations and the humanitarian give the attendees an in depth courses online, interested com- embracing various cultural and Wuhan has performed in 150 and motivation for them to be- been the two most prominent role they play in this fi eld. This insight and support their as- munity members may log on to artistic events, which attract a countries and has trained many come what they are now. professions throughout the in turn supports the Qatar Na- pirations to enter the arena of http://tii.qa/language-center wide range of audiences. teams from the Arab world. They also emphasised on ages. Both professions have tional Vision 2030, and one of its professional life. and www.tii.qa/kids-courses

Qatar Charity sends winter relief Charity funds projects in Kosovo city to orphans in Kosovo and Bosnia atar Charity (QC) is sup- porting sustainable de- Qvelopment in Mitrovica, atar Charity’s (QC) con- Kosovo, it has been announced. tributions to the ‘Or- In 2017, QC managed to fund Qphan Below Zero’ cam- 144 projects as part of its eco- paign have reached Kosovo and nomic empowerment plan Bosnia, it was announced in a for the district of Mitrovica, statement. according to a statement. As part of ‘Rofaqa’, a QC ini- QC has also signed an tiative that sponsors orphans agreement to execute 60 new and through ‘Orphan Below projects to endorse sustainable Zero’, QC said it is determined development in Mitrovica. to protect the poor children The 1990s in Mitrovica, Ko- from freezing temperatures by sovo, were a chapter of a dev- providing them with food and astating confl ict that greatly winter bags. damaged the city, the statement For the second consecutive recalled. The aftermath of the year, the campaign has reached war crippled the infrastructure, more than 800 orphans in Ko- destroyed the lives of thousands sovo and Bosnia, according and caused severe poverty. to QC. “To rebuild the shattered The QC projects cover various key areas. In Kosovo, 400 orphans Mitrovica, one of QC’s main sponsored by QC received food priorities is to improve the lives While delivering a speech dur- baskets, winter clothes, and of the aff ected families through ing the ceremony, al-Yafei said: blankets. improving their income and “Qatar Charity works tirelessly “Qatar Charity is launching help them start a business of to improve the lives of those in this campaign to stand for poor A young boy carries relief materials received from Qatar Charity. their own. Income-generation need through increasing their orphans in Turkey, Lebanon, projects will restore people’s income, creating more jobs op- Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia, Albania, continuous support” to help chance to interact with each sense of equality, opportunity portunities and fi nancing their and Kosovo. The campaign aims them survive the cold. Hasani other and receive awards. QC and dignity,” it was explained. small yet impactful projects.” to raise QR3mn to provide es- said the benefi ciaries “are now said it sponsors more than 2,505 In May, 64 projects were fi - Behitri expressed apprecia- sential living items and protect safe and warm.” people in Bosnia, where 2,205 are nanced while 80 others were tion and gratitude for the sup- children and their families from QC is also sponsoring more orphans. distributed to the benefi ciar- port provided by people in Qa- the freezing cold,” said Kha- than 2,200 people in Kosovo, QC said with QR500, donors ies at a ceremony attended by tar. He also thanked QC for its Sheep rearing for milk is one of the activities supported by QC. led al-Yafei, director of Project mostly orphans and children can help protect orphans from Ajim Behitri, mayor of Mitro- “dedication and hard work for Management at QC. with special needs. freezing temperatures through a vica; Khalid Abdullah al-Yafei, the betterment of the society in model of dedication, hard work with the ‘district shield’ as well Al-Yafei also thanked all the On the other hand, QC’s bu- winter pack of clothes, blankets, head of project management at Kosovo and the great impact on and quality of projects. as a gratitude certifi cate for all of sponsors and donors of QC and reau in Bosnia had distributed medical kits, and food baskets Qatar Charity; and Biraam Ko- the lives of thousands of orphans The benefi ciaries of the projects QC’s contributions. praised “their benevolence and food baskets, winter clothes, “to keep them safe, warm, and sumi, deputy minister of public and families”. appreciated QC’s eff orts and As continuation of its devel- unbreakable will to help those and blankets to more than 400 well-fed.” administration, Kosovo. On his part, Kosumi expressed hoped that more people in the re- opment strategy in the region in need.” orphans. Donors can also contribute to The funded projects include happiness at attending the cer- gion would gain support and fund of Kosovo, al-Yafei, on behalf of Anisa Hasani, an orphan The campaign was launched the ‘Winter Below Zero’ cam- agricultural greenhouses, ag- emony and made a plea to all to help their poor families. QC, has signed an agreement to sponsored by Qatar Charity in during a sport and recreational paign at any QC collection point ricultural machinery, rearing charitable organisations around In appreciation of Qatar Char- execute 60 new projects to en- Kosovo, thanked the people in event held in the city of Zavi- or donate money via the mobile cattle (cows and sheep for milk), the globe to stand for the people ity’s humanitarian work in Ko- dorse sustainable development Qatar “for their kindness and dovici, where children had the App, Rofaqa. apiaries and commercial stores. of Kosovo and consider QC as a sovo, Behitri presented al-Yafei in Mitrovica. Gulf Times Saturday, January 6, 2018 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD South African tourist killed in Egypt balloon crash, 12 injured

AFP ity were buried. Hot air bal- Cairo loon companies in Luxor off er the tours usually starting at sunrise. South African tourist The government had previ- was killed and 12 other ously suspended the rides after Apeople were injured two crashes in four years. when a hot air balloon crashed In 2009, 13 tourists were near Egypt’s ancient city of injured when their hot air bal- Luxor yesterday, a health min- loon struck a communications istry offi cial said. mast in Luxor and crashed. Sharif Wadie, the assistant In 2013, a hot air balloon health minister in charge of caught fi re in mid-fl ight over emergency services, said there Luxor, killing 19 tourists. were no other casualties but A fact-fi nding committee did not elaborate on the extent later found that the accident of the passengers’ injuries. was probably caused by a gas The nationalities of the in- leak near the burner, sparking jured were not immediately a blaze that spread throughout clear. the balloon. Nour Tamimi (centre), 20, is welcomed home by her mother Bushra (left) and her father Naji in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, yesterday. Egypt’s civil aviation minis- The tourists, from Britain, try said 21 hot air balloons had France, Hong Kong, Hun- taken off and landed with no gary and Japan, died when incident yesterday but the one the balloon plummeted to the that crashed had landed too ground after catching fire. forcefully. The pilot and one tourist Twenty people had been survived by jumping from the on board, it said, adding that balloon, officials said at the weather conditions had con- time. Yesterday’s accident Palestinian woman in formed to fl ight standards. comes as the government Tourists often take early tries to woo back tourists fol- morning hot air balloon rides lowing years of unrest that over the city and the ancient drove them away. Egyptian temples and relics in A militant insurgency led neighbouring areas. by the Islamic State group has One of the main attractions targeted tourists, including ‘slap video’ case gets bail is the Karnak temple, which the bombing of a Russian air- dates back thousands of years. liner carrying holidaymakers AFP Nour was allowed to return to tor threatened to have her father dent Donald Trump’s controver- Ahed’s mother Nariman be- The hot air balloons also of- from an Egyptian resort in Nabi Saleh her home in the village of Nabi and brother arrested and the sial recognition of Jerusalem as comes involved. fer views of the Valley of the 2015 that killed all 224 people Saleh, near the West Bank city of family home demolished unless Israel’s capital. On Monday, Ahed was Kings, where pharaonic nobil- on board. Ramallah, after posting a bail of she answered his questions. Relatives say that a member charged with 12 counts, includ- srael yesterday released a 5,000 shekels ($1,450).A guar- “He bullied me, he would slam of the Tamimi family was shot ing assault. Her mother faces Palestinian woman on bail antor vouched that she would his fi st on the table,” she said.”He in the head with a rubber bullet fi ve charges, including incite- UNREST Iafter she was charged with show up for her court proceed- told me, ‘speak or I’ll blow up during those protests. ment. Armed groups clash at Libya border post assaulting an Israeli soldier in ings, set to begin on February 12, your house’.” Israel’s military said the sol- Ahed has been lauded as a the occupied West Bank follow- her lawyer Gaby Lasky said. The military appeals court diers were in the area to pre- hero by Palestinians who see her Armed groups clashed yesterday in western Libya, forcing the ing a viral video of the incident. She was welcomed home by ruled Nour would also have to vent Palestinians from throw- as bravely standing up to Israel’s closure of a key border crossing with Tunisia, an off icial and a military Nour Tamimi, 20, was released family and friends and the gov- sign in at an Israeli police station ing stones at Israeli motorists 50-year occupation of the West commander said. The clashes took place near the Ras Jedir border early yesterday from a military ernor of Ramallah, Laila Ghan- every Friday at noon. nearby. Bank. post, the main crossing between western Libya and southeastern prison after a court rejected the am. On Sunday, a military court A video that was shared wide- She has been involved in a se- Tunisia. The crossing has been controlled by militias from the west- prosecution’s appeal against her “The fi rst day (in prison) was charged Nour with aggravated ly on social media shows the ries of previous confrontations, ern port city of Zuwara since the fall of longtime dictator Muammar release, her father Naji Tamimi the hardest because it was a new assault of a soldier and disturb- cousins approaching two Israeli leading Israelis to accuse her Gaddafi in 2011 in a NATO-backed revolt. Yesterday, a force set up by said. experience for me. ing soldiers carry out their du- soldiers and telling them to leave family of using her as a pawn in the country’s United Nations-backed unity government to stabilise She was arrested on Decem- I had no idea what was going ties. before shoving, kicking and staged provocations. Libya’s west attacked in a bid to seize the crossing, said an off icial ber 20, day after her cousin Ahed to become of me,” Nour said in Ahed’s family says the De- slapping them. Palestinians however say she from Zuwara who asked to remain anonymous. The unity govern- Tamimi, 16, was detained in the Arabic. cember 15 incident that led to The heavily armed soldiers do is engaged in legitimate resist- ment force’s commander Osama Jouili, who served as Libya’s de- wake of a viral video showing “It’s true that my father used the charges occurred in the yard not respond in the face of what ance. fence minister after Gaddafi’s fall, confirmed the off ensive had taken them slapping and kicking two to tell me so many stories, but of their home in Nabi Saleh, near appears to be an attempt to pro- Ahed and her mother are to place yesterday. Speaking to Libya’s 218TV, he argued his forces had soldiers the previous week. going through something new Ramallah. voke rather than seriously harm remain in custody until at least a mandate from the unity government to secure the region, but did Ahed and her mother Nariman always has an impact on you.” The scuffl e took place during a them. Monday, when they will face an- not specify whether the operation was coordinated with authorities Tamimi remain in custody. She said her Israeli interroga- day of protests against US Presi- They then move back after other hearing. in Tripoli or not. Saudi Govt presses Idlib off ensive as Pro-regime rallies intercepts people fl ee homes in the cold missile forces progressing towards the fully under opposition control. held in Tehran Reuters Beirut strategic Abu al-Duhur mili- Tahrir al-Sham, spear- AFP tary airport, to which rebels headed by Aal-Qaeda’s former AFP Riyadh laid siege in 2012 before com- branch in Syria formerly called Tehran apid advances by pletely ousting Assad’s forces the Nusra Front, is the main the Syrian army into in September 2015. rebel force in the province. audi Arabia yesterday in- Rrebels’ largest remain- A commander in a military A Syrian military source said ro-regime rallies were tercepted a ballistic missile ing stronghold, Idlib province, alliance fi ghting in support of the Nusra Front and its allies held around Tehran yes- Sfi red from Yemen into the have brought it closer to a key Damascus has said the army are the target of the military Pterday with authorities kingdom’s south. insurgent-held military airport and its allies intend to capture operation in northeast Hama seeking to put the recent vio- The Riyadh-led military coa- and displaced tens of thou- the air base. The Syrian Ob- and southeast Idlib provinces. lent unrest to bed, as Wash- lition fi ghting the Houthi rebels sands of people struggling to servatory for Human Rights “The army’s operations there ington slapped fresh sanctions in Yemen in a statement said fi nd shelter in winter weather. said yesterday the Syrian army are continuing and the army is on Iran and called for an emer- Saudi air defences intercepted Supported by militias and and its allies had taken around achieving advances. The ter- gency UN Security Council the missile at around 0500 GMT, Russian air power, President 84 villages since Oct 22, in- rorists (are facing) big losses in meeting. but reported no casualties. Bashar al-Assad’s forces have cluding at least 14 in the past 24 the area,” he told Reuters. Iranian offi cials blamed a The Houthis, who are locked taken territory in northeastern hours. Idlib is part of Russian-engi- plot by the CIA, Israel and in war with Yemen’s Saudi- Hama and southern Idlib prov- The Britain-based war mon- neered “de-escalation zones” Saudi Arabia for the unrest that backed government, earlier said inces since beginning an off en- itor said the rapid advance this meant to reduce fi ghting in convulsed much of the country Iranian pro-government protesters take part in a march held after they had fi red a missile at Saudi sive in late October. week was made possible by in- western Syria. for fi ve days — part of the in- the weekly prayers in central Tehran, yesterday. Arabia’s southwestern province The fi ghting and air strikes tense air strikes which caused Turkish troops are also creasing tensions playing out of Najran in a statement tweeted have forced more than 60,000 rebels to withdraw. present in northern Idlib under between Iran and its neigh- towns, but these could not be years by the United States, Is- by their Al-Masirah television people to leave their homes The Syrian army lost Idlib the de-escalation deal struck bours since President Donald verifi ed. rael and Saudi Arabia. channel.A confi dential report since Nov 1, according to the province, which borders Tur- with Assad’s allies Russia and Trump came to power. Police asked people to send “The main architect of this to the UN Security Council the UN Offi ce for the Co-ordina- key, to insurgents when the Iran. “De-escalation zones do For a third straight day, there photos and videos of “trouble- plan is Michael D’Andrea,” same month said UN offi cials tion of Humanitarian Aff airs provincial capital fell to insur- not cover the Nusra Front at all, were large pro-government makers”, local media reported, Montazeri said, referring to the had examined debris from mis- (OCHA). In recent days the gents in 2015. and the Nusra Front is in reality rallies, this time in 40 loca- and to identify a number of head of the CIA’s Iran desk. siles fi red at Saudi Arabia that off ensive has escalated, with It became the only province the one fully controlling Idlib,” tions around Tehran province suspects already caught on Montazeri also claimed there pointed to a “common origin” the military source said. and several cities including camera. It remains diffi cult to were eff orts to infi ltrate the but could not conclude wheth- Tahrir al-Sham is simul- Tabriz and Kerman after Friday gauge who was involved in the Islamic State group into the er they came from an Iranian taneously under attack from prayers, as authorities declared unrest that began December country. supplier. The Houthis have in- Islamic State, which has been the unrest over. 28, claiming 21 lives — mostly “Eternal bedfellows #KSA creased their rocket attacks on expanding a small pocket of “We are here to show that protesters — and leading to (Saudi Arabia) and #ISIS — the kingdom since November. territory in northeastern Hama we can solve our problems hundreds of arrests. following Trump’s lead — all The Saudi-led coalition on the edge of the Idlib enclave ourselves, and will never al- President Hassan Rouhani’s endorse violence, death and joined the Yemeni government since the Syrian army ousted it low Saudi Arabia, the USA and supporters have blamed con- destruction in Iran. Why are we in its fi ght against the Houthis from central Syria in October Israel to intervene...and we are servative rivals for stoking not surprised,” tweeted Foreign in March 2015, after the rebels last year. behind the revolution until our anger over economic issues, Minister Mohammad Javad seized control of the capital Mustafa al-Haj Yousef, head last drop of blood,” Mohsen, an which quickly grew out of con- Zarif. Sanaa. of Idlib’s Civil Defence, rescu- IT engineer in the crowd, said. trol and saw attacks on security Many offi cials have none- Despite the coalition’s supe- ers who work in opposition- The US imposed sanctions forces, government buildings theless recognised the genuine rior fi repower, the rebels still controlled areas of Syria, said: against fi ve Iranian fi rms al- and symbols of the regime. economic grievances of many control the capital and much of “If martyrs, the displaced, the leged to have been working on The conservatives deny the Iranians, particularly a jobless the north of the country. injured, are on the rise, col- an illegal ballistic missile pro- accusations and say Rouhani rate at close to 30% for young More than 8,750 people have lapsing the houses, striking ci- gramme, linking the move to must do more to help the poor. people. been killed since the coalition’s vilians, targeting civilians? It’s the protests. The United Nations Secu- Iran’s economic growth re- intervention in Yemen, accord- as if there’s no de-escalation.” On the streets of Tehran, a rity Council was set to hold an bounded to more than 12% last ing to the World Health Organi- The United Nations said the heavy police presence lingered emergency meeting on the is- year after sanctions were lifted sation. situation of civilians newly dis- though there were no reports of sue at the request of the United under a 2015 nuclear deal with The country is also now fac- placed by the fi ghting in Idlib fresh protests overnight. States. world powers, but analysts say ing what the United Nations has Syrians displaced from southern Idlib due to the fighting between was “dire”, with humanitar- There were some reports Chief prosecutor Mohamed much of the windfall has come described as the world’s worst government forces and opposition fighters stand at a make-shift ian agencies struggling to meet of small anti-government Jafar Montazeri blamed the un- from renewed oil sales that humanitarian crisis. camp in Batabu, some 40 kilometres west of Aleppo, yesterday. their needs. demonstrations in provincial rest on a plot dating back four generate few jobs. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, January 6, 2018 AFRICA Boko Haram faction claims troop killing

AFP Mus’ab al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Haram attacks, kidnap- Kano dead Boko Haram founder Mo- pings and bombings over the hamed Yusuf, as leader. holiday season last month, de- The militants carried out a spite Nigerian President Moha- he Islamic State faction bloody raid on the Kanamma madu Buhari saying in his New of Boko Haram yesterday barracks, located near the Niger Year’s address that the country Tsaid it was responsible for border, triggering a gun battle has “beaten” the militants. a late December attack on Ni- that needed air force support, The IS-affi liated Boko Haram gerian army barracks, claiming according to AFP sources. faction is particularly active on it killed nine soldiers and took The sources said fi ve soldiers the Chad and Niger borders and military equipment. had lost their lives, instead of usually targets Nigerian forces. The militant faction said in an the nine claimed by Boko Haram, Meanwhile, longtime leader online statement published by but added that 30 troops are still Abubakar Shekau operates from the Islamic State’s West Africa missing after the battle. his Sambisa forest stronghold Province (ISWAP) that it had or- “We lost fi ve men in this at- along the Cameroon border and chestrated the raid on army bar- tack and 30 remain missing,” is responsible for unrelenting racks in the town of Kanamma in a military offi cer on Wednes- suicide bombings targeting ci- northeast Yobe state, according day said on the condition of vilians who don’t join the move- to the SITE Intelligence group, anonymity. “It is not known yet ment. which monitors militant activ- whether they fl ed during the at- The Boko Haram insurgency ity. tack or whether they were cap- has killed over 20,000 people Boko Haram has long been tured by the terrorists,” added and displaced some 2.6mn since divided, but in 2016 it suff ered the same source. 2009, triggering a dire humani- a major split when the Islamic The Kanamma raid took place tarian crisis in the Lake Chad Tanzania Opposition lawmaker Tundu Lissu waves from his wheelchair after giving a press conference surrounded by members of his State group recognised Abu amid a barrage of almost daily region. family and supporters yesterday at a hospital in Nairobi, to which he had been admitted since September 2017.

At least 44 killed in Congo after heavy rains cause flooding South Africa opens Tanzanian opposition leader The number of people killed in flooding triggered by heavy rains probe over train crash has risen to 44 in the Congolese capital Kinshasa. “This figure leaves hospital after being shot remains provisional as rescue op- AFP a lorry at a level crossing near erations are ongoing,” Dominique Kroonstad Kroonstad in central Free State Weloli, the provincial health min- province on Thursday and then DPA charged with hate speech after government had prompted those er, who was in a wheelchair, ister, said by telephone yesterday. burst into fl ames.The lorry Mombasa calling the president a dictator behind the September attack to questioned why the Tanzanian Weloli had placed the death toll at outh African police driver, who the country’s trans- earlier this year, was shot at his try to kill him. authorities had not questioned 35 on Thursday. The victims were launched a manslaughter port minister Joe Maswanganyi residence in the Tanzanian ad- “In Tanzania an incident him or released a formal state- killed by collapsing walls, landslides Sinvestigation yesterday accused of “taking chances... fi ery critic of Tanzanian ministrative capital of Dodoma where a person is attacked over ment on the attack on his life. or drowning, the minister said. following a train crash that killed that cost lots of lives”, will be President John Pombe on September 7. his politics has never happened: Magufuli of the Chama Cha Heavy rains hit Kinshasa on Thurs- at least 18 people and injured 254 central to the probe. AMagufuli and leading The legislator was treated at a The incident that brought me Mapinduzi (CCM) party, who day, starting in the early morning others in one of the country’s “There is a case of culpa- opposition member left hospi- hospital in Tanzania before being to Nairobi hospital is a histori- took offi ce after winning the and continuing for hours. Weloli worst ever rail disasters. ble homicide open to be in- tal in the Kenyan capital Nairobi airlifted to the Nairobi hospital. cal incident,” said Lissu, who presidential election in 2015, said that the floods had caused a The passenger train, trav- vestigated,” Free State police yesterday, terming his injuries Speaking to journalists moments is the chief whip of the Chama has come under growing criti- large amount of damage. elling from Port Elizabeth to spokesman Brigadier Motantsi politically motivated. after his discharge, Lissu said his Cha Demokrasia (CHADEMA) cism from the opposition for Johannesburg, smashed into Makhele said. Tundu Lissu, who was stand on the current Tanzanian party. The Tanzanian lawmak- authoritarianism.

Zimbabwe’s president visits ailing opposition chief E Guinea launches

AFP “He is fi ne. He is recuperat- International Crisis Group, said manhunt after coup bid Harare ing very well. Very soon he will that the visit could mark the be going back again for further beginning of a new era in Zim- medical check-ups in South Af- babwe’s politics. “He’s clearly AFP and Mongomo, the source said. imbabwean President rica,” Mnangagwa said as he left very sick, visibly so. That fact Libreville The small west African na- Emmerson Mnangagwa Tsvangirai’s home. that (Mnangagwa) is visit- tion was put on alert Wednes- Zmade a home visit yester- Asked whether Zimbabwe ing Tsvangirai is an indication day after a senior government day to the leader of the coun- required a coalition govern- of that more than it was of the quatorial Guinea has offi cial announced that a putsch try’s main opposition party, ment to bring together the rul- possibility of some kind of po- launched a dragnet for mounted by foreign mercenar- Morgan Tsvangirai, who has ing ZANU-PF and other par- litical confi guration,” he said, E“mercenaries” behind a ies on December 24 had been put been battling cancer. ties, Mnangagwa said “there is playing down the possibility of a bid to overthrow President The- down. Obiang, 75, who seized The visit, which analysts said no need”. “What’s the cause? coalition between the two men’s odoro Obiang, Africa’s longest- power in 1979, has faced a string was highly symbolic, comes as You are allowed to lobby — it’s a parties. “It’s an important ges- serving leader, a senior govern- of coup attempts during nearly Zimbabwe’s political parties democratic country. People are ture. It perhaps refl ects the be- ment offi cial said yesterday. four decades in offi ce. prepare to begin campaigning allowed to lobby for anything. ginnings of the maturity of a “We are carrying out in- Critics accuse him of brutal for elections due later this year. Currently, there is no need,” he new politics.” tensive searches everywhere,” repression of opponents, elec- It will be the fi rst ballot since said. Tsvangirai is a former prime the source, reached by phone toral fraud and corruption. former president Robert Mu- Tsvangirai’s deputy in the minister and a veteran political from the Gabonese capital Li- On Thursday, the United Na- gabe stood down on Novem- opposition Movement for fi gure who is hoping to lead a breville, said. The manhunt, tions said it would send its en- ber 21 following a brief military Democratic Change (MDC) unifi ed opposition bloc against the official said, is focussed on voy for West Africa, Francois takeover. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa chats during his party Nelson Chamisa said that Mnangagwa and his all-power- “the Ebibeyin zone and other Louceny Fall, to Malabo for talks Mnangagwa, who was ac- visit to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai (centre) and his wife, Mnangagwa’s gesture was “the ful ZANU-PF party. forests nearby,” located near next week. companied by his deputy Elizabeth, at his house in Harare, yesterday. politics we want to see”. Tsvangirai won the most the border with Cameroon and A UN spokesman said that Constantino Chiwenga, the “The politics of peace, the votes in the fi rst-round of the Cameroon. while “little information” had former army chief who led lon cancer diagnosis two years and wearing slippers as he sat politics of working together, the 2008 presidential election in It is also being carried out “in emerged over last month’s al- November’s takeover, said ago. on a couch holding a hand out politics of caring for each oth- which he faced off against Mu- towns where they are believed leged coup attempt, “we con- Tsvangirai was “recuperating An image of the meeting to Mnangagwa, who appeared er,” he said. gabe — but it was not enough to to have infi ltrated”, in the capital demn all attempts to seize power very well” following his co- showed Tsvangirai looking frail relaxed and wore a smart suit. Piers Pigou, an analyst at the avoid a run-off against Mugabe. Malabo, as well as Bata, Ebibeyin unconstitutionally.”

Left with ‘chocolate water,’ Madagascar’s parched south grows hungrier

Thomson Reuters Foundation fer from stunting, Norohasina of AnkilibeVahavola, told the lack of protein.But the drought water or food from neighbours food and people are hungry. We a little bit dryer each year,” he Ankilibevahavola Rakotoarison, a spokeswoman Thomson Reuters Foundation. makes it diffi cult to feed him and eventually pay it back when only eat cactus seed and fruit. said. for Madagascar’s Ministry of the Around the area, “there’s no better, she said. the rains come. We cook it and boil it with wa- He said it’s important to un- Environment, told the Thomson production because the land is “We’re farmers, so when there But this year, it’s been more ter,” said Rafoava Ravaonimira, derstand that climate change is very morning, residents Reuters Foundation. very dry”. is no rain we have no crops,” she diffi cult.“Because of drought 65, another resident of the vil- not the only threat to food se- of this village in southern In the south of the island, “It’s our everyday life now,” he said. every livelihood has gone,” said lage. curity. EMadagascar’s Amboasary where many people farm for a said. “We wait for the rain be- In September, construction Aova Soatoatse, a 43-year-old She said it was hardest to ex- Slash-and-burn agriculture Sud district set off on an eight- living, the rainy season is getting cause our main issue is lack of began on a much-needed pipe- with 13 children. plain to the youngest children techniques, particularly the hour round-trip journey to col- shorter and shorter, they say. water. We don’t know when it line that will carry clean water She said her family are now why they can only have one meal burning of forests — which when lect water from the nearest river. Rains that once stretched will come.” much closer to 13 thirsty com- eating wild cactus plants to pro- a day. The older the kids grow, left standing can stabilise rain- Along the thirsty way, some from October to March now fall In Madagascar, nine in 10 peo- munities in this area of southern vide the bulk of their diet. the more they understand. fall — also are playing a role, he give up and instead use plastic only between December and ple live on less than $2 a day, ac- Madagascar. Looking for cash to buy food, Unicef offi cials say there are said. “There’s climate change, jerry cans to scoop up whatever February. cording to Unicef. The pipeline, funded by they sold their wooden shelter 850,000 people in need of hu- but human action reinforces it. they can fi nd in potholes along A recent El Nino event — a Poverty is even worse in the Madagascar’s Ministry of Wa- and moved into a smaller one manitarian assistance in Mada- In the south they burn forests for the road — muddy liquid that aid warming of sea surface tem- dry south. ter and Unicef and expected to — but the paltry money bought gascar, including 391,000 chil- charcoal and agriculture. workers jokingly call “chocolate peratures in the Pacifi c that of- Bumpy roads last paved in co- be working by March, will pro- food only suffi cient for two days. dren. That reinforces climate water”. This region of Madagas- ten causes drought in southern lonial days impede the delivery vide household water for about “Then the money was fi n- Jean-Benoît Manhes, Unicef’s change,” he said. car has been chronically poor for Africa — aggravated already dry of aid, and mean even emergency 46,000 people. ished,” she said. Now they live deputy representative in Mada- Meanwhile, many families in decades, but a series of droughts, conditions, driving hunger not transport is diffi cult. “It’s an emergency to com- crammed together into a one- gascar, called the situation a the impoverished south with which government offi cials say only in Madagascar but across Hoasie, a woman in her 40s plete this pipeline,” said Herini- bedroom wooden shack. “silent crisis”, which gets little large families are faced with a are driven by climate change, southern Africa. who goes by one name, said she aina Rakotomalala, a civil engi- At the moment the family still attention because of the island’s hard decision: which of their have left close to a million people That El Nino has now ended, was forced to carry her 3-year- neer who works with Unicef on has six chickens. lack of geopolitical signifi cance. children to feed. struggling to cope in this south- but many families have not re- old son 20 kilometres to the the project. But the small plot of land they “(It’s) a French-speaking is- “Families may prioritise giv- ern African island nation. covered, and harsh weather con- nearest hospital in November, For now, in AnkilibeVahavola, own is steadily decreasing in land in an English-speaking re- ing food to the children who can Drought is increasing the risk tinues, they say. after large bumps broke out on home to about 3,000 people, size, as they sell off bits to buy gion. With a (something like a) work to help, leaving less to the of malnutrition and could cause “The air is more violent. his body. families are trying to get by us- more food. cyclone you can take nice before smallest children who are al- deaths in children younger than The wind is very strong,” Soja It turned out he was suff ering ing a traditional lending system, The family isn’t the only one and after photos,” he said. ready malnourished,” Manhes fi ve, half of whom already suf- Voalahtsesylvain, the chief from acute malnutrition and a in which poor families borrow facing hard times. “There’s no But with drought, “it just gets said. Gulf Times Saturday, January 6, 2018 5 AMERICAS Trump meeting top Republicans on 2018 strategy Reuters Trump achieved the fi rst major political priority of giving Re- Wednesday after the comments Washington legislative victory of his presi- publicans substantive issues to attributed to his former adviser dency in December with a tax highlight ahead of the November in author Michael Wolff ’s Fire overhaul long sought by his party mid-term elections in which the and Fury: Inside the Trump White A man takes photographs as Marine One with President Trump on board departs from the South Lawn ollowing a tumultuous start and its supporters. party will battle to keep control House were made public. of the White House in Washington, DC as he travels for a weekend with Republican lawmakers at Camp to 2018, President Donald The president is eager for more of Congress. Trump said Bannon had “lost David. FTrump will huddle with top victories, and the White House All 435 members of the House his mind”. Republicans on a two-day retreat has targeted infrastructure policy and a third of the 100 members The Camp David strategy ses- plete fantasy” fi lled with tabloid will also be attended by Vice- and administration offi cials get this weekend to lay out legislative and an overhaul of welfare pro- of the Senate will be up for re- sion will provide an opportunity gossip. President Mike Pence, Senate on the same page about their pri- priorities for the year and discuss grammes as top priorities. election. to switch topics after the furore She also called for the con- Majority Whip John Cornyn, orities. a strategy for pivotal November Immigration legislation, in A Democratic takeover of one over the book, which went on sale servative online outlet Breitbart House Majority Leader Kevin “This administration came congressional elections. particular a plan to protect hun- or both chambers could stifl e yesterday. News to consider parting ways McCarthy, and House Majority into offi ce perhaps not really Two days after explosive com- dreds of thousands of young Trump’s agenda. “The White House doesn’t with Bannon, who leads the Whip Steve Scalise. knowing for sure that they would ments by Trump’s former chief adults who were brought to the The meeting at the Camp mind the optics after a few days group and had pledged to cam- Cabinet members including win the election, and was a little strategist, Steve Bannon, put United States illegally as chil- David presidential retreat follows of the president unloading on paign for anti-establishment Re- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, bit behind the curve in terms of the White House on the defen- dren, is also on the agenda. uproar over a new book’s account Bannon and making our views publican candidates in the 2018 Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, preparing. Now I think they’ve sive, the president will sit down While Trump and McConnell of an inept Trump White House. clear on the book. The president elections. Homeland Security Secretary recognised that that sort of co- at Camp David in Maryland with want to work on infrastructure In the book, Bannon was quot- sits down and charts the course The White House said health- Kirstjen Nielsen, and Environ- ordination is really important in party leaders, including House fi rst, Ryan is more interested in ed as calling a meeting involving forward ... with the actual leaders care, the fi scal 2019 budget, the mental Protection Agency Ad- order to get things done,” Cornyn of Representative Speaker Paul tackling so-called entitlement the president’s son and son-in- of the Republican Party,” a White opioid crisis and the eff ort to win ministrator Scott Pruitt will also told reporters on Thursday. “So Ryan and Senate Majority Leader programmes such as welfare. law with a Russian lawyer during House offi cial said. Senate confi rmation of Trump’s attend, along with a handful of I look forward to having those Mitch McConnell, Republican A White House offi cial said the 2016 presidential campaign White House spokeswoman nominees for various govern- senior White House advisers. conversations and making sure establishment fi gures who Ban- that the timing of legislation “treasonous”. Sarah Sanders said on Thursday ment posts would be discussed at Cornyn said the weekend that the president’s priorities and non has criticised in the past. would be discussed as well as the Trump broke with Bannon on that Wolff ’s book was a “com- the Camp David meeting, which meeting would help lawmakers our priorities are aligned.” In blizzard’s wake, intense Canadian senator cold grips US Northeast expelled

Reuters meteorologist with private fore- Reuters Boston/New York casting service AccuWeather. Toronto “It can be very dangerous,” Pydynowski said. “Any kind of treet crews dug out snow- exposed skin can freeze in a cou- People observe cold-stunned anada’s opposition Con- clogged roads across the ple of minutes.” iguanas following extreme cold servatives kicked a law- SUS Northeast yesterday Wind chill describes the com- weather in Lake Worth, Florida. Cmaker out of the party after a powerful blizzard, with bined eff ect of wind and low after she posted letters on her temperatures set to plunge fur- temperatures on bare skin. Commuters riding the rail- offi cial government website that ther during a brutal cold spell There were noticeably fewer ways serving New York and Bos- derided indigenous people and that has already killed at least 18 tourists yesterday afternoon in ton’s suburbs endured extensive then refused to take them down people. New York City’s Times Square, delays as crews worked to re- from the site. From Baltimore to Caribou, which is usually thronged with pair frozen equipment and clear Conservative Party leader An- Maine, workers battled to clear visitors from countries around snow-covered tracks. drew Scheer said on Thursday snow and ice as wind chills were the world. Thursday’s storm caused a 3’ evening that he ejected Senator to forecast to fall as low as -40° Arjun Shah, a 22-year-old (90cm) tidal surge that fl ooded Lynn Beyak over the letters post- Fahrenheit (-40° Celsius) in Briton, studies in Indiana but the area around Boston’s historic ed on her website. some areas after sundown, ac- had never visited the US East Long Wharf with icy seawater. The letters claimed that in- cording to the National Weather Coast before. Firefi ghters used an infl atable digenous Canadians were “pam- Service (NWS). He fl ew in to New York City, raft to rescue one motorist from pered” in abusive residential In the latest fatality blamed where temperatures have been a partially submerged car, au- schools and that they were look- on the harsh conditions, a driv- below freezing since Christmas thorities said. ing for government handouts. er slid off an icy road, killing a Day, just 24 hours before the Communities outside Boston, “Promoting this comment is pedestrian, early yesterday in blizzard whipped in. including Scituate, also experi- off ensive and unacceptable for a North Charleston, South Caro- “Oh it’s so bad! It’s not this enced extensive fl ooding. Conservative Parliamentarian,” lina, city offi cials said. bad in London,” Shah said, shiv- New York’s John F Kennedy Scheer said in a statement. “To “THE DANGERS ARE REAL,” ering while taking a break from International and LaGuardia suggest that indigenous Cana- the offi cials warned in a Twitter snapping photos of the square. airports resumed fl ights yester- dians are lazy compared to other message. “Huge patches of ice “It’s my fi rst time experiencing day after closing during whit- Canadians is simply racist.” all over the city. Stay at home.” -10°C.” eout conditions the day before. Senators are appointed for The fi erce cold will reach The storm that swept in on More than 1,300 US fl ights life, though they can be expelled from New England to the Mid- Thursday with gusts of more were canceled by afternoon yes- from political parties. west and down to the Carolinas, than 70mph (113kph), dumped terday, most of them at the New Some 150,000 children were forecasters warned, adding that a foot (30cm) or more of snow A snowplough is seen working on Liberty Island, next to the Statue of Liberty, in New York City. York area’s three major airports taken from their families and low-temperature records could throughout the region, includ- and Boston Logan International sent to assimilationist schools be broken across the region over ing Boston and parts of New bombogenesis, or a “bomb cy- The frigid spell also had some Children in Boston and Bal- Airport. where they were physically and the coming days. Jersey and Maine, before ending clone”. unusual eff ects: Shocked igua- timore enjoyed a second day of Nearly 500 members of the sexually abused. In much of New England yes- early yesterday. The weather has been blamed nas fell out of trees in Florida, cancelled classes, while New National Guard were activated A government commission terday, the highs reached only The harsh conditions were for at least 18 deaths in the past while wildlife offi cials in the York schools stayed open. to assist with the emergency that investigated the schools de- into the single digits or teens powered by a rapid plunge in few days, including four in state said they had rescued more Schools in Newark, New Jer- response along the East Coast, termined that their treatment of Fahrenheit, with intense wind barometric pressure that some North Carolina traffi c accidents than 200 cold-stunned sea tur- sey, opened two hours later than including 200 in New York state, indigenous children amounted chills, said Dan Pydynowski, a weather forecasters called a and three in Texas. tles from freezing waters. normal. authorities said. to “cultural genocide.”

HBO confi rms Game of Thrones 2018 gap year Deal on ‘Dreamer’ immigrants still

AFP a ways off , say Republicans Los Angeles

Reuters country, most of them have little Democrats are much further ame of Thrones (GoT) is Washington or no experience of their parents’ apart, and that is key to getting a taking a year off , US ca- homelands in Latin America, bipartisan deal on DACA,” sena- Gble network HBO has an- Asia, Africa and elsewhere. tors Thom Tillis and James Lank- nounced, confi rming the wide- ongressional Republicans Saving the Dreamers is a high ford said in a statement. ly-held understanding that one have downplayed the like- priority for Democrats, but the Democrats have said they are of history’s most popular shows Clihood of a deal soon with issue has been swept up in other open to tying DACA to additional would not wrap until 2019. Democrats on saving 700,000 debates, including one on the funding for border security tech- The network did not specify young, undocumented US immi- wall that Trump wants to build nology. when exactly the eighth and fi - grants from being kicked out of along the US-Mexico border. However, they oppose nal series will debut but, regard- the country in March, a possibil- Trump’s wall, projected to cost less of the time of year, it will be A handout picture released on Thursday shows characters of the hit US show Game of Thrones on a ity created by President Donald In September 2017 over $21bn. the longest wait ever for fans new collection of stamps to be released by the UK’s Royal Mail. Trump. Trump ordered the DACA The struggle over the Dream- desperate to know which char- Trump in September ordered programme to be ended in ers carries political weight for acter ends up in the coveted Iron “As the biggest hit in HBO’s Starring Kit Harington, more than 20mn US viewers per an Obama-era programme that six months both parties heading into the Throne. history, one the subscription Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage episode, moved beyond George provided the young “Dreamer” November 2018 midterm con- The news was largely wel- service hoped to continue for and numerous other big names, RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and immigrants with work permits Republican Senator John gressional elections. comed by the entertainment additional seasons, keeping the Game of Thrones tells the story Fire series of novels in season and prevented them from being Cornyn, in a tweet yesterday, Most of the Dreamers came press, with critics satisfi ed that show around a while longer isn’t of noble families of the conti- six. deported to end in six months. accused Democrats of trying to from Mexico and Hispanics tend the lay-off would mean a high- a bad thing,” wrote Entertain- nent of Westeros vying for con- Showrunners David Benioff The programme is known as force a deal on Dreamers by do- to vote for Democrats, who hope er-quality fi nal season. ment Weekly’s James Hibberd. trol of the Iron Throne, all the and DB Weiss announced in Deferred Action for Childhood ing a “slow walk” on eff orts to to gain seats in the Senate and the Reports fi rst began circulat- “Also, with season seven con- while keeping one eye on the 2016 that it would fi nish with 13 Arrivals, or DACA. approve critical disaster aid and House of Representatives. ing in summer 2017 that GoT tending for Emmy awards in “White Walkers” leading hordes episodes spread over a fi nal two Despite his order, the Republi- defence spending. Republican lawmakers met might skip 2018 and Sophie 2018 due to its summer launch of the undead in an invasion seasons. can president has vacillated in his Two other Republicans late Trump at the White House on Turner, one of its stars, revealed last year, HBO can focus its GoT from the North. A seven-episode seventh sea- view of the Dreamers. on Thursday said both sides re- Thursday and initially emerged in a recent interview she didn’t promotional eff orts on its Emmy The show, which has more son hit screens last summer and Young people brought to the mained far apart. saying they were optimistic that expect the series to return this campaign rather than launching Emmy Awards than any other the fi nal run will extend over United States as children illegally “Our discussions on border they could fi nd a legislative fi x for year. a new season.” narrative series and pulls in just six episodes. and raised and educated in the security and enforcement with DACA. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, January 6, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Japan’s Tsukiji market holds fi nal New Year auction

AFP of bidding with hand signals for known as Japan’s self-styled around the market, an extremely Tokyo their preferred tunas. “Tuna King” who in 2013 paid a popular attraction located con- “We have to continue the record $1.8 million for a bluefi n, veniently within walking distance Tsukiji brand and establish a snapped up a 190-kilogramme from the Ginza district. Many okyo’s world-famous Tsu- new brand” at the new site, Shi- fi sh at Friday’s auction for around businesses were emotionally at- kiji fi sh market held its geo Yokota, the representative 30 million yen, the highest price tached to the Tsukiji brand as well Tlast pre-dawn New Year’s of buyers at Tsukiji, said in his per kilogramme. as the location, which had prob- auction yesterday before clos- New Year speech. “I’m proud to Kimura has built his successful lems with soil contamination as it ing down for relocation, with the be standing here at this historic Sushizanmai chain into a national used to house a dry cleaning plant highest bidder paying more than moment,” he added. The high- brand by paying big money at before the market was built. $320,000 for a giant tuna. est bidder paid 36.5 million yen Tsukiji’s fi rst auction every year. Governor Yuriko Koike, a After more than 80 years in for a bluefi n tuna — a threatened At the fi rst auction of 2017, he former TV anchorwoman, put the operation, the world’s biggest species — weighing more than paid more than $600,000 for a relocation plan on hold shortly fi sh market, a popular tourist at- 400 kilogrammes (880 pounds) 212-kilo bluefi n tuna. The Tsu- after being elected Tokyo’s fi rst traction in an area packed with caught off northern Aomori pre- kiji market handles 480 kinds of female governor in 2016. restaurants and shops, will move fecture, according to the market. seafood worth $14mn daily – as She then found a series of prob- to Toyosu, a former gas plant a bit “It’s the best feeling,” Akifumi well as 270 types of fruits and lems with the new site in Toyosu, further east, on October 11. Sakagami, head chef at a sushi vegetables – and has fed Japan’s including soil and groundwater The market, which opened in restaurant in the Ginza shop- hunger for fresh seafood since its contamination as well as the dis- 1935, is best known for its pre- ping district which paid for the opening. covery that contractors had inex- dawn daily auctions of tuna, tuna, told AFP after the giant But in recent years the anti- plicably failed to fi ll in a basement caught from all corners of the fi sh was sliced into several pieces quated facility has prompted its at the new site with clean soil as a ocean, for use by everyone from for delivery. “We wanted to get users, such as seafood wholesalers, buff er against underground pol- top Michelin-star sushi chefs to the number-one tuna at the fi rst to voice concerns about its earth- lution. The local government paid ordinary grocery stores. auction of the year at Tsukiji... quake resistance, sanitation and hundreds of millions of dollars Before dawn, buyers in rubber because this is the last New Year fi re safety, as well as the structure’s to clean up the new facility and boots inspected the quality of auction,” he said, adding that the use of asbestos and its crumbling Koike took the fi nal decision to the giant fresh and frozen tunas restaurant owner had a budget of walls. They have also called for move the market last month, end- by examining the neatly cut tail 100 million yen ($886,000). upgraded technology, such as bet- ing years of delays. end with fl ashlights and rubbing “Tsukiji is the world’s ter refrigeration systems. Tsukiji’s wholesalers had slices between their fi ngers. At number-one fi sh market. It’s in However, the move, origi- voiced frustration over the de- 5:30am, auctioneers rang hand- a very convenient location. It’s nally slated for late 2016, also lay, arguing that postponing the President of sushi restaurant chain Sushi-Zanmai, Kiyoshi Kimura, displays a 190kg bluefin tuna at his bells to signal the start of the sad that it will be closed down,” faced loud opposition from vari- move was costing them millions main restaurant near Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market yesterday. auction and buyers began a fl urry Sakagami said. Kiyoshi Kimura, ous businesses that operate at or of dollars a month. US, S Korea to suspend drills during Olympics

AFP traded personal insults with his States and Republic of Korea since 2016. They also agreed to Seoul North Korean counterpart Kim forces can focus on ensuring the hold high-level talks next week Jong-un, rattling regional allies. security of the Games,” the White — the fi rst since 2015 — which But the last few days has wit- House said in a statement. will focus on “matters of mutual he United States and South nessed a rare softening of tone Moon’s offi ce said the South interest”, including the North’s North Korea’s government officers depart for this year’s first weekly labour workday at a farm near Korea agreed yesterday to on both sides of the demilita- Korean president told Trump participation in the Winter Ol- Pyongyang yesterday. Tdelay their joint military rised zone after Kim off ered an that delaying the exercises ympics. exercises until after the Winter olive branch to Seoul during a would help ensure the success North Korea’s young leader has thing to ban all nuclear weap- Pyongyang’s missile and nu- News agency RIA Novosti quoted Olympics next month in an ap- New Year’s speech, saying he of the Winter Olympics — being shrugged off a raft of new sanc- ons in North Korea,” she said on clear tests has seen the isolated him as saying that Moscow “ob- parent move to de-escalate ten- was willing to send a team to next hosted by the South next month tions and heightened rhetoric Tuesday. state slapped with painful new serves with satisfaction” that sions with Pyongyang. month’s Winter Olympics in the in Pyeongchang — “in case the from Washington as his regime A State Department spokes- sanctions that even its key ally their calls to halt the manouevres The announcement came just South. North does not make any more drives forward with its weapons woman also warned that China have backed. have been “taken into account”. hours after US President Donald The tentative rapprochement provocations”. programmes, which it says are Pyongyang’s olive branch may be But South Korea and Wash- Kim’s New Year address also in- Trump said that high-level talks took a further step on Thursday After a year that saw tensions meant to defend against US ag- an attempt to “drive a wedge of ington’s regular joint military cluded a warning to the US that set for next week between North after South Korean president on the Korean peninsula spike to gression. some sort” between Washington drills have also been criticised by he has a “nuclear button” on his and South Korea were “a good Moon Jae-in spoke to Trump by their worst levels in years, 2018 While Trump called the talks and Seoul. some as adding to regional ten- table, prompting a furious re- thing”. telephone with both agreeing to has begun on a tentatively warm- a “good thing” in a tweet on The White House statement sions, particularly by Beijing and sponse from Trump via Twitter Tensions have spiralled in re- suspend joint military drills, a er note with Seoul responding Thursday, his ambassador to the announcing the suspension Moscow who have both called for that Washington’s nuclear but- cent months after North Korea regular source of Pyongyang’s positively to Kim’s New Year United Nations, Nikki Haley, of drills said both Trump and them to be suspended. ton was “much bigger and more held multiple missile launches ire. speech. struck a much more cautious Moon “agreed to continue the Russia’s deputy foreign min- powerful”. and its sixth and most powerful “The two leaders agreed to de- On Wednesday the two Ko- tone earlier in the week. campaign of maximum pressure ister Sergei Ryabkov on Thursday The tweet generated respons- nuclear test – purportedly of a confl ict the Olympics and our reas restored a cross-border “We won’t take any of the talks against North Korea and to not said he “welcomed” the halting es both on Twitter and from ana- hydrogen bomb. Trump has also military exercises so that United hotline that had been shut down seriously if they don’t do some- repeat mistakes of the past”. of drills during the Olympics. lysts largely of scorn and alarm.

New Zealand Boat tragedy storm sparks US fi rm seals deal evacuations and to resume MH370 cuts power Gale-force winds battered New Zealand’s North Island hunt, says Malaysia yesterday, tearing off roofs, bringing down trees, cutting power and forcing residents AFP search,” he said. He added that to flee flooded seaside towns. Kuala Lumpur a contract would be signed next The storm, which began week in Kuala Lumpur. on Thursday, was easing in News of the decision was the upper part of the North alaysia has agreed to also sent to relatives of those Island but would continue allow a US explora- on board the doomed jet. The to wreak havoc as it moved Mtion fi rm to resume message, seen by AFP, said that south and hit the capital, the hunt for fl ight MH370, the the “MH370 Response Team Wellington, forecasters said. transport minister said yester- wishes to note that the Gov- A tree smashed into a car in day, a year after the search was ernment of Malaysia has en- the eastern town of Rotorua, suspended. gaged Ocean Infi nity to under- killing a woman, police said. The news came after the take further search operation “We ask that people avoid company, Ocean Infi nity, said for MH370”. low-lying roads and coastal this week it had already des- Norwegian research vessel areas across Bay of Plenty patched a research vessel to- Seabed Constructor, leased by as water levels are high, wards the expected search zone Ocean Infi nity for the search, making conditions extremely as it believed a deal would be set off from South Africa this dangerous,” the statement fi nalised imminently. month for the southern In- added. In Kaiaua, a seaside The Malaysia Airlines jet dian Ocean, where MH370 is town south of Auckland, disappeared in March 2014 believed to have disappeared. authorities called for residents with 239 people — mostly from The fi rm wants to start the to evacuate as strong tides China — on board en route hunt during a period of good submerged the coast. “My from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, weather expected in January husband said ‘I think we Relatives carry the coff in of a victim of a boat accident in Palembang, South Sumatra province yesterday after a boat carrying 55 people triggering one of the world’s and February. need to go’ and I looked to hit a large wave and sank amid bad weather. At least 13 people died after a passenger boat capsized off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, greatest aviation mysteries. No The vessel is carrying sev- see where he was pointed two days after another ferry accident in the archipelago killed at least nine, police said yesterday. sign of the plane was found in eral autonomous submarines and the sea was coming in a 120,000 sq km search zone which can be launched from like a tsunami. It came in real selected by satellite analysis of the ship to scour the seabed for fast,” Kaiaua resident Diana the jet’s likely trajectory. the jet. Ocean Infi nity has not Gausden told the New Zealand Australian warship makes drugs bust in Arabian Sea The Australian-led sea given details of the new search Herald. New Zealand’s largest search, the largest in aviation area. But Australia’s national city, Auckland, was pummelled An Australian warship has made (CMF) naval partnership. cue us onto a suspect vessel, give its likely destination. The history, was suspended in Jan- science body released a report by two months’ worth of rain its second large drugs bust in The latest seizure occurred on which Warramunga’s boarding HMAS Warramunga is part of uary last year. But Malaysian in April suggesting the doomed in 24 hours, according to the the Arabian Sea within a week, January 3 with support from a party searched in challenging the Combined Maritime Forces Transport Minister Liow Tiong plane was “most likely” north National Institute of Water seizing 3.5 tonnes of hashish British Royal Navy helicopter, with conditions,” he said. “The boarding naval partnership in which 32 Lai told AFP that an agreement of the former search zone in an and Atmospheric Research, with an estimated street value of crew from the frigate boarding party did a first-rate job locating nations patrol 6.5mn sq km of had now been made with the area of approximately 25,000 prompting authorities to shut US$142mn, off icials said yesterday. a suspect vessel in international and seizing more than three-and- international waters. Their focus US fi rm, adding the deal was on sq km. Only three confi rmed major roads and cancel ferry It followed HMAS Warramunga waters. HMAS Warramunga a-half tonnes of illicit narcotics.” is on ensuring the free flow of a “no fi nd, no fee” basis. fragments of MH370 have been services and dozens of flights. making an eight-tonne hashish commanding off icer Dugald Off icials did not say where in the legitimate commerce, but also to “It is our duty to look for found, all of them on western Winds of up to 128kph an hour haul in late December during Clelland said it was a complex Arabian sea the drugs were seized, crack down on terrorist activity in answers and the plane, and as Indian Ocean shores, including tore off roofs, felled trees and manoeuvres in the area as part night operation. “The Royal where the smuggling vessel was the Middle East and Indian Ocean of today the government has a two-metre wing part known ripped boats, according to of the Combined Maritime Forces Navy helicopter was able to believed to have come from or regions. decided to go ahead with the as a fl aperon. media. Gulf Times Saturday, January 6, 2018 7 BRITAIN

LEGAL OFFBEAT WARNING DATA DECISION Bulger killer charged Creme egg rampage as Rail strikes to hit Number of teachers found Vicar slaps £100 fine over child abuse images shoppers hunt for prize harder than forecast cheating at record high on brides running late

One of Britain’s most notorious killers, who in Shoppers are tearing open packets of Cadbury’s Disruption caused by three days of strikes next Exam cheating by teachers trying to improve Fed up with repeated delays to wedding services 1993 murdered two-year-old James Bulger when Creme Eggs to hunt for white chocolate eggs week across South Western Railways (SWR) their pupils’ pass rate has soared, it was revealed. because of brides arriving late, a vicar is imposing he was only 10 himself, has been charged over worth up to £2,000. The confectionery company will be worse than forecast with 1,500 trains A record 895 penalties were issued to staff last £100 fines for a delay of more than 10 minutes, indecent images of children, state prosecutors has launched a hunt for 400 prize white eggs. cancelled. SWR yesterday warned it will run year, up from 360 in 2016, exam watchdog Ofqual The Times reported yesterday. Church of England said yesterday. Jon Venables was released in 2001 But shoppers have reported seeing them opened “more than 70% of services” and not the 75% said. There was also a rise in the number of pupils vicar John Corbyn said he had introduced the with a new identity after serving eight years in on supermarket shelves across the UK as people originally planned. Walkouts by RMT train staff caught cheating, with hidden mobile phones the policy at his two churches, Holy Cross in Bearsted prison for the torture and murder of the toddler in check the colour of the chocolate inside. One will take place on Monday, Wednesday and most common problem. More than 2,700 penalties and St Mary the Virgin in Thurnham, after two Liverpool. He was returned to prison in November person, who appeared to work in a supermarket, Friday in the long-running dispute over the role were issued to youngsters, compared with 2,180 delayed weddings in a row. “My team was feeling after allegedly being caught with child abuse tweeted: “The down side to this ‘white creme of the guard. Further delays and cancellations the previous year. Sneaking in a mobile was the a bit ill-used...We worried that it was going to images, and will now face trial in private at an egg’ thing is that some customer came in today are threatened on the non-strike days of Tuesday reason in four in 10 cases. A tenth involved other become normal practice,” he said. Couples are unnamed court. “The man formerly known as Jon and opened every single creme egg in the shop.” and Thursday due to train stock and staff being notes or study guides. Plagiarism was the third asked to present the vicar with a £100 cheque Venables has been charged with off ences relating There have also been reports of supermarket out of place. Strikes have also been ordered on biggest problem. Ofqual stressed that cheating before the service, which he gets to keep if to indecent images of children and will appear in staff unwrapping Cadbury Creme Eggs before Greater Anglia, Northern Rail and Merseyrail on was rare and aff ected only 0.015% of students and the bride is late and distribute to the organist, court,” the Crown Prosecution Service said. putting them on the shelves. the same dates. “a small proportion” of the 350,000 teaching staff . bellringers and choristers kept waiting. Crisis ‘forcing River Thames bursts its banks nurses to treat patients in ambulances’

Guardian News and Media getting to its next call, thereby cre- London ating yet more delays.” “This is yet another symptom of an NHS operating under severe ospitals have become pressure. There are fault-lines so overwhelmed by the running through the entire system Hnumber of patients need- of getting patients into and out of ing care that nurses have been hospital.” leaving their A&E unit in order to Separately, staff at the Royal treat patients stuck in the back of Bournemouth hospital in Dorset ambulances outside. have told how paramedics have Nurses have begun using the been triaging patients in the hos- highly unusual practice – branded pital’s A&E unit – a task nurses “shocking” by their own union always perform – so that they can – in a bid to ensure that patients’ offl oad their patients more quickly health is not suff ering in the face of and start answering other 999 the NHS winter crisis. calls more quickly. One nurse in the south-east The hospital has been under Cars sit in floodwater after the River Thames burst its banks at high tide in west London yesterday. of England told how she did that such pressure this week that it has during her shift on New Year’s Day asked patients to stay away unless – triaging patients arriving at A&E they are having a genuine medical – because the chaos in the unit emergency. meant some patients were being Richard Renaut, the hospital’s forced to wait up to six hours in- chief operating offi cer, said on side ambulances outside the hos- Thursday: “Our emergency de- pital. partment remains incredibly busy “During my shift I treated pa- and so we encourage you to call tients, including taking bloods and NHS 111 and seek advice if you are prescribing antibiotics while they unsure where to get treatment”. Parole chief apologises were in the back of the ambulance Nurses in the south-east have as there was no space in the hospi- given the RCN vivid anonymous tal,” said the nurse, who spoke on personal testimonies about the condition of anonymity. diffi cult circumstances their hos- “One patient arrived early af- pitals have found themselves in ternoon and was still in the am- this week during what senior doc- bulance when I handed over to the tors and NHS bosses say is the as rapist set for release night shift. I did question whether worst winter crisis in years. Prof this was safe.” Keith Willett, NHS England’s di- London Evening Standard time of Worboys’s conviction He emphasised that the not legally give its reasoning for The mayor said the public She acted out of concern that rector of acute care, said that pres- London in 2009, also faced questions panel which reached the deci- the release. needed answers from the police patients’ health could deteriorate sures are the greatest since the over why more charges were not sion was “very experienced”, Worboys, an ex-stripper, who and the CPS about the “fl awed” because they were spending so 1990s. brought against him. was chaired by a “very senior” became known as the “black cab investigation and prosecution. long in the vehicles without being Nurses have described how he Parole Board’s chief Professor Hardwick said female member, and would rapist”, was jailed indefi nitely in “The Parole Board must recon- assessed and treated by hospital some patients have had to spend yesterday apologised he was “very surprised” and have considered a “huge dos- 2009 with a minimum term of sider their decision to release this staff , she said. 15 hours in A&E while they wait for T“unreservedly” for the “shocked” to hear that not all sier of evidence”. But he ad- eight years. He was found guilty man. They also need to be open “It’s shocking news that some a bed and resuscitation units have failure to inform victims of black victims had been informed and mitted that Worboys, who po- of 19 charges of drugging and and transparent about why they nursing staff are having to treat also run out of space, sparking cab rapist John Worboys that he added that the responsibility lice suspect may have attacked sexually assaulting 12 female reached their decision and ex- patients in the backs of ambu- fears about the safety of patients will be released within days — for doing this lay with the Vic- more than 100 women, could passengers, in one case raping a plain these further failings,” he lances,” said Janet Davies, gen- whose health is already seriously as it emerged he could face new tim Contact Service, run by the reoffend. woman. added. eral secretary and chief executive damaged. charges. Probation Service. “We recognise that we deal In 2010 police said his alleged Sir Keir, now the shadow Brex- of the Royal College of Nursing “Several patients should have Professor Nick Hardwick, “Whoever’s fault it was, I fully with some very dangerous peo- victims were believed to have it secretary, yesterday said: “First (RCN). gone into resuscitation and there the board’s chairman, defended accept this was a problem with ple and we won’t and can’t re- numbered 102, after more came and foremost, it’s very important “If paramedics have made a was no space,” one nurse said. freeing Worboys, 60, but mayor the parole system,” he told BBC lease then until we are as confi - forward following his trial and that if there are any allegations decision that a patient needs to “If they had had a cardiac arrest Sadiq Khan called for the deci- radio. “I’m chair of the Parole dent as we can be that it’s safe to conviction. The allegations were that anybody thinks have not be treated in hospital, then that is or become compromised, we still sion to be reconsidered. Board, this would have been ab- do so,” Professor Hardwick said. investigated but no further ac- been looked into, suffi ciently or where they should be, not stuck didn’t have any space. I felt I was Senior Labour MP Sir Keir solutely horrible for those two “But in the end it is not an exact tion was taken on the advice of at all, they go to the police and outside in a vehicle. playing a game of roulette with Starmer, who was the director women concerned, and I apolo- science.” the Crown Prosecution Service, make those allegations so they “It also stops the ambulance people’s lives.” of public prosecutions at the gise for it unreservedly.” He insisted the board could police said. can be looked into.” Call for levy on takeaway Elvis is back! ‘Mysterious void’ hits train services coff ee cups to cut waste Guardian News and Media Western route, said: “Sinkholes London are very unusual on the railway. We are trying to work out whether Guardian News and Media O A 25p levy on coff ee bought in ment should ban them.” this one has been caused by a col- London takeaway cups to be used to reduce Some coff ee shop chains – Star- ost commuters are ac- lapsed culvert or sea erosion or the number of cups thrown away bucks and Costa – had shown customed to unusual both. Either way, we’ve got a big and invest in reprocessing facili- initiative in introducing on-site Mreasons for delays to their hole right by the tracks that we Ps are calling for a 25p ties recycling bins for cups, which they service – from leaves on the lines need to fi ll in.” charge on takeaway cof- O The introduction of a ban on then sent to one of three special- to the wrong type of snow – but Trains are having to run on one Mfee in a move that could throwaway coff ee cups if a target ist recycling facilities. These were a “mysterious void” must rank as line along the stretch during re- see disposable cups banned in fi ve that all takeaway cups are recycla- “well meaning”, MPs said, but not one of the most bizarre. pairs, which are expected to be years. ble by 2023 is not met enough to tackle the scale of cup Railway engineers are trying concluded over the weekend. In the UK, 2.5bn takeaway cof- O Coff ee chains to pay more to- waste in the UK. Other eff orts were to deal with a sinkhole that has James added: “In theory run- fee cups are used and thrown away wards disposing of cups “inconsistent and need targets” to appeared beside train tracks in ning the railway is simple. But in each year – enough to stretch O Improved labelling to better be imposed by the government. northern England in the wake of practice, when you throw storms, around the world fi ve-and-a- educate consumers Instead coff ee chains perpetu- Storm Eleanor. wind, waves and sinkholes into the half-times. The UK produces Labour MP Mary Creagh, chair ated customer confusion that cups The hole, 1.2 metres deep and mix, it gets more complicated.” 30,000 tonnes of coff ee cup waste of the committee said: “Coff ee are widely recyclable when they more than a half a metre wide – big Network Rail has recorded 50 each year, according to a report cup producers and distributors are not. The Local Government enough for a child to fall in – was sinkholes on the railway in the past published by MPs on the environ- have not taken action to rectify Association said more waste could found in the village of Harrington 12 years. mental audit committee yesterday. this and the government has sat on end up in landfi ll if coff ee cups on the Cumbrian coast. The Cumbrian sinkhole, on a Disposable cups cannot be re- its hands.” Only two of the major were put into normal collection Sea erosion or a collapsed drain stretch of track where only one cycled by the normal systems coff ee chains gave evidence to MPs systems because they contami- beneath the tracks are believed to or two trains an hour usually because they are made from inquiry, while others refused to nated other paper waste be behind what Network Rail de- pass, should prove less disrup- cardboard with a tightly bonded engage. MPs said: “It is unacceptable scribed as a “mysterious void” – tive than the Forest Hill sinkhole polyethylene liner, which is diffi - “Their silence speaks volumes,” that coff ee sellers are perpetuat- echoing other recent discoveries of 2016. That four-metre deep cult to remove, and means they are MPs said. “There is no excuse for ing customer confusion though by archaeologists. hole opened up beneath tracks not accepted by paper mills. the ongoing reluctance from gov- their use of recycling labels and Elvis Presley tribute artist Darren Wright performs Train services on the Barrow- used by Southern Rail during the As a result just one in 400 cups ernment and industry to address emphasis on the recyclability of in the European Elvis Championships at the Hilton Carlisle line between Whitehaven industrial dispute over guards on are recycled – less than 0.25%. coff ee cup waste,” the report said. coff ee cups, despite the shockingly Metropole Hotel in Birmingham, England, yesterday. and Workington were disrupted as trains, closing all four tracks be- Half a million coff ee cups are lit- “Disposable coff ee cups are an low recycling rate,” the report said. Held annually around Elvis’ birthday weekend, over Network Rail attempt to tackle the tween London Bridge and Croy- tered each day in the UK, the re- avoidable waste problem and if the “Those without in-store recycling 80 of Europe’s top Elvis tribute acts battle to become “shifting” hole. don and piling further misery on port said. UK cannot be confi dent of their should print their cups with a not crowned the European Champion. Phil James, head of operations passengers on the busy commuter MPs are calling for: future sustainability, the govern- widely recyclable label.” for Network Rail’s London North service. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, January 6, 2018 EUROPE Macron says Turkey has

Cavusoglu: It is not the time for no chance of joining EU bullhorn diplomacy. AFP EU’s perspective ... and see if we scribing their co-operation in Paris cannot rethink this relationship, the fi ght against the Islamic not in terms of an integration State (IS) group as “exemplary”, process but a co-operation, a and Syria, on which he hailed a Turkey rench President Em- partnership,” he added at a joint “communion of views”. manuel Macron has sug- press conference. The Paris visit was also about Fgested that Turkey should He emphasised however that trade, with Turkey signing ac- minister renounce its ambition of joining he wanted to see Turkey “remain cords on an anti-missile defence the EU and settle instead for a anchored to Europe”. project with a Franco-Italian looser “partnership” after talks Erdogan said that Turkey’s 54- consortium and on purchases urges fresh with visiting Turkish leader Re- year wait to join the EU was “se- of new planes from European cep Tayyip Erdogan. riously exhausting” the Turk- planemaker Airbus. Turkey was hoping to warm ish people and that he might be Erdogan met later with Pierre start with frosty relations with Europe forced “to take a decision”. Gattaz, head of the French em- during Erdogan’s trip to Paris, He did not specify what that ployers’ federation Medef. but the talks were overshadowed might be, but admitted: “We His visit had been billed as a Germany by concerns over Turkey’s huge don’t really have an attitude of Macron and Erdogan at the joint press conference at the Elysee Palace yesterday. chance to turn the page on a tor- crackdown after a 2016 failed ‘let us in’ (to the EU) anymore.” rid year for EU-Turkey ties in coup. The visit was Erdogan’s fi rst to tempted to demonstrate outside “Do not speak with the mouth Referring to the jailing of doz- 2017. Reuters Macron said that there was no France since the botched putsch the Elysee Palace yesterday were of FETO,” Erdogan retorted, re- ens of journalists, whose cases In a column for the German Berlin chance of Turkey’s membership against him, which triggered arrested. ferring to the Fethullah Terror the two leader discussed in de- newspaper group Funke yes- bid, which has been languishing a sweeping purge of the public The Reporters Without Bor- Organisation – the term Ankara tail, Macron said: “Democracies terday, Turkish Foreign Minis- for years, moving forward. service and an intensifi ed crack- ders group protested outside the uses for the movement of US- must fully respect the rule of ter Mevlut Cavusoglu – who is urkish Foreign Minister “I’d be lying if I said we could down on the media, civil society Turkish embassy in Paris, hold- based cleric Fethullah Gulen, law.” heading to Berlin at the week- Mevlut Cavusoglu has open new chapters,” he said in and opposition. ing aloft stencilled portraits of whom Turkey accuses of being While admitting that he and end for talks – called for a “new Tcalled for a fresh start in reference to the accession proc- It came after a year in which imprisoned journalists. behind the failed coup as well as Erdogan were in “disagreement start” in relations with that his country’s rocky relationship ess. Turkish-European relations hit The French presidency in- the Syria arms report. on our vision of individual liber- country also (see report on the with Germany, holding out the “As regards recent relations a low point, with Erdogan no- sisted on the need to “maintain Macron chided Erdogan over ties”, Macron noted that France right). prospect of closer economic co- with the European Union, it is tably accusing Chancellor An- dialogue” without “covering up his rights record. had been able to obtain the re- For Macron, hosting Erdogan operation if ties improved. clear that recent developments gela Merkel of “Nazi practices” diff erences”. More than 140,000 Turks lease last year of two French was another diplomatic gamble However, his German coun- and choices allow no chance for for refusing to let his ministers Tensions spilled over dur- have been sacked or suspended journalists held in Turkey. after visits from US President terpart Sigmar Gabriel, who will progress in the process,” Macron campaign in Germany. ing Erdogan’s meeting with the from their jobs and more than Erdogan insisted: “Turkey is a Donald Trump and Russia’s host Cavusoglu for talks in his said after what he described as Macron’s invitation to Er- French press when a journal- 55,000 offi cials, security force state based on the rule of law, the Vladimir Putin last year. hometown of Goslar in central “very frank” talks with Turkey’s dogan drew sharp criticism from ist pressed him on a report that members, judges, academics, judiciary is independent.” A relative newcomer to poli- Germany today, made clear that strongman. the French left, trade unions and Turkish intelligence services journalists, politicians and ac- Areas where they signalled tics and diplomacy, he has made Turkey must fi rst release a Ger- “We must list the subjects rights groups, and a group of shipped arms to radical groups tivists been arrested since the agreement included fi ghting it his goal to bolster France’s man-Turkish journalist detained that are blocking things from the Kurdish demonstrators who at- in Syria. coup. terrorism, with Macron de- standing on the world stage. for more than a year without charge. “Both sides have an interest in a new start in the bilateral rela- tionship as we live in a time full Trumped up of challenges,” Cavusoglu wrote Moldova’s top court suspends in a column for Germany’s Funke media group of newspapers. “It is not the time for bullhorn di- plomacy.” president’s powers, again His comments underlined Turkey’s desire to mend fences with Germany, its biggest trade Reuters of citizens,” Dodon wrote on Fa- partner and an important Nato Kyiv cebook. “As for the current ac- (North Atlantic Treaty Organi- tions of the regime with the sup- sation) ally, after a series of dis- port of the Constitutional Court, putes, including over Ankara’s court has temporarily they will not remain without large-scale crackdown on sus- suspended the powers of consequences. After the parlia- pected supporters of a failed AMoldova’s President Igor mentary elections that will be 2016 coup. Dodon, paving the way for par- held this year, we will have to Cavusoglu urged Germany to liament to bypass his veto and change and correct many things.” develop a more “empathetic” enact a law that would restrict Dodon and the government tone in its dealings with Turkey, Russian TV broadcasts as foreign have frequently clashed, es- saying it did not seem to fully propaganda. pecially during rows between understand the “trauma” caused Former Soviet Moldova, a Moldova and Russia. by the coup against President small country that borders on the Lawmakers are seeking to im- Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which European Union and Ukraine, is plement a measure passed in some 240 people were killed. politically divided between sup- Dodon: After the parliamentary parliament last month to prevent Gabriel struck a more cautious porters of closer ties with Mos- elections that will be held this the dissemination of what they note in remarks yesterday. cow and those who seek closer year, we will have to change and describe as “fake news” on for- “If we do not speak to one an- relations with the EU and United correct many things. eign channels. other the situation can certainly States. The law bans television chan- not improve – neither between The president is from the pro- refusing to do so, he had violated nels from airing news and ana- our countries nor for individu- Russia camp, while parliament his duties. lytical programmes from coun- als still being held in custody,” and the government of Prime It ordered him suspended until tries that have not signed up to he told the weekly magazine Der Minister Pavel Filip are con- the law is implemented. a European broadcasting agree- Spiegel. trolled by parties from the pro- It was the second time this ment, such as Russia. But, noting that Germany Western camp. week the court had taken similar “Concerning the law on com- has refused to authorise “a large The constitutional court action. bating propaganda, it is an out- number of arms exports” to Tur- temporarily suspended Dodon He was also temporarily sus- right violation of the freedom key, he added: “That will remain after he opposed a law passed pended on Tuesday for trying to of citizens of the Republic of so until the case of (Deniz) Yucel last month aimed at combating block the appointment of minis- Moldova to obtain information,” has been solved.” foreign propaganda, legislation ters he accuses of incompetence Dodon said. Turkish authorities have ac- which Dodon says is an attempt and links to scandals. Most Moldovans speak Roma- cused Yucel, a correspondent to foment “anti-Russian hyste- “As promised, I will not yield nian. for the German daily Die Welt, ria” and violates free speech. to the regime under any pretext. I However, there is a large mi- An activist of women’s rights group Femen, with make-up applied to look like US President of spreading propaganda for the The court ruled that Dodon will not approve of compromised nority of Russian speakers, many Donald Trump, is seen at a protest near the US embassy in Kyiv yesterday, The protest was outlawed Kurdistan Workers can veto a bill only once and must candidates and will not sign laws of whom primarily watch Rus- against the war of words between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Party (PKK). approve it if it is passed again; by that are contrary to the interests sian TV channels. He denies the charge.

Ukraine baby’s death exposes religious rift Georgian ex-president sentenced

AFP words between the two branch- as he was being led out of the family was forced to leave. in absentia for abuse of power Kyiv es of Ukraine’s main faith. apartment building by his fa- The parents eventually took The Ukrainian Church splin- ther, belongs to the Kyiv Patri- the baby’s body to the church tered into Moscow- and Kyiv- archate. where he was christened to per- Reuters he death of a baby led branches when the Soviet His father, Roman Polish- form the burial rights. Tbilisi crushed by a drunk man Union collapsed in 1991. chuk, said that the priest of Priest Molchanov has insisted Twho committed suicide The bad blood between the the Moscow-led church they that he had no choice because by jumping out of an eighth- two has been heightened by had turned to told the family those were the rules of his faith. Georgian court has sen- fl oor apartment in Ukraine has the war between Russian- and he could not perform the burial “I am very sorry. I feel for tenced former leader exposed the religious divide in Kyiv-backed sides in eastern ceremony. those people,” he told Forpost. AMikheil Saakashvili in the Orthodox Christian country. Ukraine that has killed more “The priest said our baby was “But there are certain lines I absentia to three years in prison A Moscow-led church in the than 10,000 people in nearly unchristened and our church cannot cross. A child christened for seeking to cover up evidence central city of Zaporizhia re- four years. was a sham,” Polishchuk told by the Kyiv Patriarchate remains about the murder of a Georgian fused to bury the one-year-old The Moscow-led denomina- the local Forpost news site. “My unchristened.” banker when he was president – boy killed on New Year’s Eve tion is much larger and also the wife cried and threw herself be- “And the Kyiv Church itself is a verdict which he denounced as Saakashvili: The ‘verdict’ of the Georgian court ... against me is because he was christened by a dominant one in Zaporizhia – a fore him on her knees, but this a hoax.” illegal. completely illegal and contradicts all international, national norms rival church overseen by Kyiv. city of more than 700,000 peo- did not help.” A spokesman for the Kyiv Georgia said it would seek the and common sense. Local media reported that the ple that was founded more than Priest Yevgen Molchanov said Patriarchate said such inci- extradition of Saakashvili, who boy’s bereaved father punched 1,000 years ago and is now an that the father then punched dents had happened before and was president from 2004-2013, court ... against me is com- the Ukrainian prosecutor gener- the priest in anger in an incident industrial hub. him and a small brawl broke only fed frustrations among the from Ukraine where he is an ac- pletely illegal and contradicts all al, told Reuters by phone in Kyiv. that has sparked a new war of The family of the boy, killed out inside the church before the faithful in Ukraine. tive opposition fi gure and has international, national norms The 50-year-old Saakash- had violent brushes with au- and common sense,” Saakashvili vili, a mercurial fi gure, moved to thorities. wrote on his Facebook page yes- Ukraine in 2014. Case launched into German skiers for causing deadly avalanche in Italia Alps A court in the Georgian capital terday. His support for Ukraine’s Tbilisi found Saakashvili guilty Ukraine said it would consider pro-Europe Maidan movement, The public prosecutor has launched a probe The mother and daughter from the piste in the Malga San Valentino ski resort of abusing his presidential pow- Georgia’s extradition request which forced a Russian-backed into the survivors of an avalanche in the southwestern German city of Ludwigsburg area, known in German as Haideralm, in the ers by trying to cover up evidence though legal procedures would president to fl ee the country, Italian Alps in which a German mum and her were pulled alive from the avalanche on Venosta valley. about the 2006 murder of banker have to be followed. won him favour from incoming 11-year-old daughter died. Wednesday by rescue workers, but died later The extent of the avalanche was being Sandro Girgvliani and pardoning “Prosecutors are in the process President Petro Poroshenko who It must be established who played a pivotal of their injuries. investigated; in Italy any activity that four men convicted of the killing. of arranging a date for Saakash- appointed him governor of the role, the justice authorities in the city of The father of the family – who survived – was inadvertently causes an avalanche is a Saakashvili called the verdict vili’s questioning due to Geor- Black Sea Odessa region. Bolzano in the German-speaking province of also a part of the group of nine members crime, and if someone dies, charges of illegal. gia’s request to extradite him,” But he has fallen out badly with South Tyrol said yesterday. of the same skiing club that had gone off manslaughter can follow. “The ‘verdict’ of the Georgian Andriy Lysenko, spokesman for his former patron in Ukraine . Gulf Times Saturday, January 6, 2018 9 INDIA

CRIME LEGAL WAGE DISPUTE LAW AND ORDER LITERATURE Explosive devices found Lalu Prasad seeks minimum Tamil Nadu bus transport Police probe case of man Bengaluru most well read near Kerala railway bridge punishment in fodder scam staff warned over strike ‘kidnapped’ for marriage city in the country: survey

The Kerala Police is examining five explosive Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad yesterday The Madras High Court yesterday directed Allegations a young engineer was kidnapped and Bengaluru has emerged as the most well read devices that were recovered from a river near sought leniency from the special Central Bureau striking workers to resume work immediately made to marry at gunpoint are being investigated city in India, while Mumbai and Delhi stands at a railway bridge at Kuttipuram in Malappuram of Investigation court on the quantum of sentence or face disciplinary action after a flash strike by police in Bihar. The state has a history of forced second and third position, respectively, according district, a police off icer said. Police said they were in a fodder scam case he was convicted in on by thousands of employees crippled state-run marriage of men. Video footage apparently to a survey conducted by Amazon India’s Annual informed about the explosives near the bridge December 23. The former Bihar chief minister bus services across the state. However, defiant showing Vinod Kumar being forced to go through Reading Trends Reports for 2017. “We are very late on Thursday night. “The police team soon and other convicts were produced through video striking unions refused to end the work stoppage with a wedding by his bride’s family sparked the excited with this year’s Reading Trends Report reached the place and found these small ‘mine’ like conferencing before special CBI judge Shivapal unless their demands for better salaries and probe, police said yesterday. A video circulated and are thrilled to see Indian writers among the devices on the river side about 40 metres from the Singh. “We sought minimum punishment for Lalu more were accepted by the government. The on social media shows the engineer being most read authors for the fifth consecutive year! pillar of the railway bridge,” said the off icial. Later Prasad. We requested for a lenient approach by unions pledged to appeal against the court order. manhandled and forced to dress for the wedding We are truly committed to helping our customers senior police off icials arrived at the scene and the the court towards Lalu Prasad citing his health Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul as he pleads for freedom. “We are only performing enjoy their passion for reading by off ering them explosives were taken to the police camp near condition. He is suff ering from many illness and Quddhose said essential services cannot be your wedding, not hanging you,” a man is heard to a wide selection of books with unique choices Kuttipuram. “Experts from the Indian army and the has to take many medicines,” his lawyer Chitranjan paralysed and ordered the government to take shout as Kumar begs to be released. Another video across languages, genres and authors,” Noor Patel, National Security Guard are expected to arrive for Kumar said. “We told the court there was no direct strict action. The workers could face suspension shows Kumar sitting beside his bride crying while a director Category Management, Amazon India, further examination of it,” the off icial added. evidence against Lalu Prasad,” he added. or dismissal if they don’t resume work. woman, apparently an in-law, tries to console him. said in a statement.

Republic Day parade rehearsals Furore as Yogi govt paints Haj Modi urged Committee wall saff ron to speak up

IANS Lucknow he BJP government in on violence Uttar Pradesh yesterday Tcame under fire from social groups and opposition parties in the state after the peripheral wall of the UP Haj Committee office was painted in saffron, a colour identified with the Hindu religion. against Dalits The boundary wall of the of- fice facing the state assembly IANS allegedly triggered caste tension violence during the Maharashtra building had always worn a New Delhi between Dalits and Marathas, he shutdown on January 3. green and white colour in the said fi ling of a charge sheet against “In view of the recent develop- past. him was “a childish move” to tar- ments and the manner in which Yesterday, when the bound- ujarat Dalit leader Jignesh nish his image. Bhide’s name is being linked with ary wall was painted saffron, it Mevani yesterday asked Mevani said he had neither vis- the Koregaon-Bhima incidents, triggered an immediate storm GPrime Minister Narendra ited the Koregaon-Bhima event we have decided to postpone the even while the ruling party Modi if Dalits in the country had site, where violence on January lecture to avoid any disturbances,” leaders said “not much should a right to hold peaceful protest 1 left one person dead, nor made Pratishthan spokesperson Balwant be read” in the development. rallies and urged him to speak up any infl ammatory or provocative Dalvi said here. Samajwadi Party (SP) MLC on the violence against the com- speech. Earlier yesterday, Bhide denied and party spokesman Sunil munity in the last three years. He said the BJP and the Rash- all allegations against him vis-a- Singh Sajan said the govern- “Dalits were attacked when triya Swayamsevak Sangh were vis the violence in Koregaon-Bhi- ment was trying to impose its they held peaceful rally in Bhima- threatened due to his growing ma as “baseless” and demanded a ideology on other religions, es- Koregaon. Why is Modi silent on popularity and were worried about thorough probe into the incident pecially minorities. violence against Dalits? He must 2019 elections. by the Maharashtra government. “To save face from their fail- clarify his stand,” he said while ad- Dalits would have to take to the He broke his silence after Bhari- ures in the past nine months, dressing a press conference here. streets if they were to fi ght fascist pa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) they have now resorted to the The Gujarat MLA recalled in- forces in the country to stop their president Prakash Ambedkar lev- game of colours and politics of stances of atrocities against Dal- exploitation, Mevani said, adding elled allegations of him having religion,” he said. its in the past three years such as the Maharashtra government’s incited violence on January 1 in Many Muslim organisations the Rohith Vemula suicide case, decision to fi le cases against him Koregaon-Bhima where Dalits had have also expressed their re- thrashing of Dalit youths in Gu- may anger Dalits, leading to more congregated to commemorate the sentment over the change of jarat’s Una, and the Saharanpur violence. 200th anniversary of the Anglo- colours of the wall of the Haj caste clash. He made an appeal to the Dalits Maratha war. committee office. “Modi calls himself an Ambed- to maintain peace. Mevani said he “Ambedkar’s allegations Ever since the Bharatiya Ja- karite, a follower of B R Ambed- would hold a Yuva Hunkar rally in against me are totally baseless. I nata Party (BJP) took over the kar. Then why has he not spoken Delhi on January 9. urge the government to probe the reins of the government in a word in these cases yet. There Meanwhile, Mumbai police incidents properly and punish March, saffron has become a has been no action either. Why are yesterday denied permission for the guilty. If I am found guilty, I prominent colour in the state’s Dalits not safe?” a lecture by pro-Hindutva leader am ready for the consequences,” power corridors. “Do Modi and the Bharatiya Ja- and Shri Shiv Pratisthan chief asserted Bhide. From the party leaders, min- nata Party government have any Sambhaji V Bhide, two days after it The controversial rightwing isters and the chief minister commitment to the annihilation of cancelled a lecture by Mewani and leader and a former Rashtriya donning saffron colour clothes caste, which was Ambedkar’s ulti- JNU student leader Umar Khalid. Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist to the colour of curtains, sofas mate goal,” Mevani asked. Bhide was scheduled to deliver expressed his willingness to face and even microphones have Members of the Border Security Force (BSF) ride their camels during rehearsals for the Rubbishing the charges of in- a lecture in Lalbaug tomorrow in any inquiry panel or probe that the changed to saffron. Republic Day parade on a winter morning in New Delhi yesterday. fl ammatory and provocative the wake of the January 1 Kore- state government might set up, as The penchant of Uttar speech at Bhima-Koregaon which gaon-Bhima riots followed by the demanded by Ambedkar. Pradesh politicians when in power for colours has been seen earlier too. During the Sama- jwadi Party (SP) rule, the col- ours prominent in governance were red and green (the party colours) and when the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was in pow- Tourism, travel sector er, dark blue was the colour of power. The BJP government this time round, however, seems to have gone a step ahead of oth- ‘to get boost in budget’ ers and it was no surprise that during a visit of Adityanath to parched Bundelkhand, even the Reuters lines like IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe “We have reached a plateau point cold drinks served were “all or- New Delhi Aviation, and Jet Airways and hotel and need more resources to create new ange”. operators such as Indian Hotels, that infrastructure and develop tourist owns the Taj Mahal chain and EIH packages,” Alphons later said adding he government is planning to Ltd that operates the Oberoi hotels in there was huge potential in developing Sleaze chat row back cut taxes on travel and tour- India. Tour operators including Cox & areas that were not the usual tourist to haunt ex-minister Tism in next month’s federal Kings and Thomas Cook are also likely destinations. budget and give more incentives to gain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has A woman journalist who had to the $210bn sector, government In India tourists, on average, pay said developing tourism, particularly approached the Kerala High sources said, hoping to boost eco- 30% tax on hotel rooms and travel in India’s remote north-eastern states, Court to withdraw a case filed in a nomic growth and create more jobs. compared with less than 10% in Sin- is one of his top priorities. lower court against former Kerala The move could add to a domes- gapore, Thailand and Indonesia, said Hotel occupancy levels in India minister A K Saseendran over tic tourism boom in the world’s sec- Pronab Sarkar, president of the Indian are at their highest since 2008, even objectionable comments by the ond most populous nation, where Association of Tour Operators (IATO). though many hotel chains have raised latter, told the high court yesterday low infl ation and rising incomes are Another government offi cial said prices. she was taking back her petition changing lifestyles and consumption the budget was likely to “signifi cant- The need for rooms has been spot- to withdraw the case. The woman patterns of an estimated 250mn mid- ly” raise allocations for tourism infra- ted by foreign investors with Japan’s had filed a case after an alleged dle-class Indians. structure and raise income tax exemp- SoftBank Group backing start-ups phone call by the Nationalist Con- With scores of destinations intro- tions on investments in new hotels. like OYO Rooms, which has emerged gress Party (NCP) leader and former duced on airline routes last year, air A third offi cial, who is aware of the as the largest aggregator of budget ac- Kerala minister Saseendran. travel is also surging. fi nance ministry’s pre-budget con- commodation across the country with However, last November she The tourism sector grew over 10% sultations with industry groups, said hotels in over 200 destinations. approached the court stating that in the six months ending September, Jaitley was expected to lower income One major driver of the domestic all issues had been resolved and compared to near 8% in the year-ago tax on corporate profi t, off er tax in- tourism boom has been the launch in sought permission to withdraw the period. centives on hotel construction, allo- 2017 of fi ve regional budget airlines petition. Consequent to the latest According to an industry report, cate more funds for new tourist trains on over 100 routes, which are given move, the case will now go back tourism employs 40mn people in the and building roads to tourist destina- incentives by the government to of- to the trial court in Thiruvanan- country and could add 10mn jobs in a tions. fer cut-price fl ights to uncovered and thapuram, making it tough for decade. The government will off er incen- remote areas, encouraging thousands Saseendran, who was expecting “We’ll announce measures in the tives to more regional airlines this year of families to explore fl ying for the fi rst to return to the Cabinet had the budget to promote investment in the to cover new, under-served airports, time. court allowed the original petition tourism sector,” a top fi nance minis- the offi cial added. Domestic airlines carried 10.6mn to be withdrawn. try offi cial said, adding that Finance All three offi cials, who spoke on passengers in the fi rst eleven months Speaking to the media, Saseen- Minister Arun Jaitley favours lowering condition of anonymity, declined to of 2017, up 17% from the year-ago pe- dran said he was clueless about a 28% tax on hotel tariff s, and off ering provide numbers or share further de- riod — encouraging some established what happened in court and will incentives to attract private invest- tails. players like Spicejet, Jet Airways and have to find out about the new ments. India needs about 200,000 new Vistara, a joint venture between the development. If the moves come about, compa- hotel rooms, Tourism Minister K J Al- Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, to nies expected to benefi t include air- phons told parliament this week. start fl ights to new locations. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, January 6, 2018 LATIN AMERICA New immigration measures come into force in Cuba

Tribune News Service parents cannot have committed ted acts or carried out actions in Washington did not respond exam for applicants who were pal leaders; the country’s geog- during a minimum period of two Miami any counterrevolutionary acts, against the political, social and to el Nuevo Herald requests for born abroad to parents who were raphy; and general knowledge of years before submitting the ap- and some applicants must pass economic pillars of the Cuban comment. not born on the island but later national happenings.” plication,” the decree added. an exam on Cuba’s political sys- government, the applications An initial rejection of the ap- obtained Cuban citizenship. That means, for example, that Those and other measures fa- he children of Cubans tem and “national happenings.” will be put on fi le and the appli- plication may be appealed to the The exam, written by the US-born Cuban-Americans will cilitating the return of Cubans living abroad will be able That indicates that they will cants will be notifi ed,” said a de- ministry of the interior, but its ministries of the interior and have to become familiar with the who live abroad were announced Tto apply for and obtain have to be familiar with news re- cree published in the last Offi cial decision will be fi nal. higher education, will test the island’s political organisations, in November by Foreign Minis- Cuban citizenship starting this ports by government-controlled Gazette of 2017. Cuban state media highlighted applicants’ knowledge of Span- the socialist constitution and ter Bruno Rodriguez in reply to week, without the need to live on media such as Granma, the of- Those minors will have to wait that the measure benefi ts those ish, but also of “constitutional news reports published in offi - Trump administration changes the island for any length of time. fi cial newspaper of the Cuban until they reach the age of ma- born in countries that do not regulations on the political, ad- cial news outlets like Granma if that made travel to and from the But the government will ap- Communist Party. turity to apply for citizenship, grant citizenship to the children ministrative and social organisa- they want to pass the exam. island more diffi cult. prove or reject the applicants “When the applicants, the added the decree. The decree of foreigners born there. tion of the country; the national Those applicants must also “As the US closes, Cuba based on political criteria. parents or legal representa- does not defi ne those “acts” or The decree also announced symbols; the rights and duties of prove “permanent links and sta- opens,” Rodriguez declared at Among the requirements: the tives of minors ... have commit- “actions.” The Cuban embassy the creation of a new citizenship citizens; the history and princi- ble relations with the country the time. Community chief killed by Peru land traffi cking gang

Guardian News and Media area, told the Guardian. Juarez Lima claims the murderers are known to the community and were re- sponsible for the brutal killing of criminal gang involved three farmers in October 2016 in in land traffi cking has reprisal for the eviction of land Atortured and murdered a traffi ckers from the nearby San community leader in northern Francisco de Salas community. Peru, according to his wife and Famous for its spectacled local villagers who witnessed the bears, the inspiration for the killing. fi ctional Paddington Bear, the Jose Napoleon Tarrillo Astoni- Chaparri reserve receives visi- tas, 50, was attacked by four men tors from all over the world. It is in his home on Saturday night. considered a model for commu- His wife, Flor Vallejos, told po- nity ecotourism and generates lice he was bound by his hands income for the local people. and feet, beaten with a stick and The reserve is also home strangled with an electric cable. to the critically endangered As she was covered in a blan- white-winged guan, a bird once ket and forced to listen to her thought extinct. North-west Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori poses for a photo with daughter Keiko and son Kenji and two unidentified family members in Lima, Peru. husband’s screams, the attackers Peru is considered a hotspot for told him they had been paid to endemic bird species. kill him, Vallejos told a national Heinz Plenge, a renowned Pe- radio station. A local police chief ruvian wildlife photographer and said a murder investigation had one of the founders of the private been opened and the killers were reserve, says the criminals oper- being hunted. ate with “absolute impunity” A community leader in El Mi- and that land traffi ckers have in- rador village, Tarrillo, known as fi ltrated the peasant community Fujimori reunited with Napo, opposed land traffi ckers which owns the communal land who had taken over parts of the on which the reserve is situated. Chaparri Ecological Reserve and The announcement of an ir- were clearing land and sowing rigation project for the Lam- crops. The reserve is a wildlife bayeque region in 2012, which hotspot, with one of the largest would place two reservoirs in the populations of the rare specta- Chaparri reserve, sent land pric- family after jail release cled bear in South America. es skyrocketing, Plenge explains. Vallejos said her husband had The project is on hold, but some DPA Thursday following the pardon, the leader of Popular Force (FP), A medical panel has deter- tions with the corruption-tar- received death threats from peo- land prices have risen from $80 Lima which was granted by Presi- the biggest party in parliament. mined that Alberto Fujimori nished Brazilian construction ple within his community for to $10,000 per hectare, he says. dent Pedro Pablo Kuczynski last The luxury residence where suff ers from a serious, degen- giant Odebrecht. opposing deforestation and land “These mafi as are trying to week. Alberto Fujimori is staying erative, incurable but non-ter- Ten FP members, including invasions in the private reserve. grab hold of as much communal eru’s former rightwing The 79-year-old was serv- measures 1,900 square metres minal illness. Kenji Fujimori, unexpectedly “He was threatened two days land as possible and take over strongman Alberto Fu- ing a 25-year prison sentence and costs $4,900 a month to He also has blood pres- abstained from voting, leaving before he was killed,” says Juan peasant communities which can Pjimori has been reunited for human rights abuses during rent, the website RPP Noticias sure problems, depression and Kuczynski in offi ce. Carrasco, a fellow member of the be easily bought off ,” he adds. with his family after being con- his term in offi ce from 1990 to reported. tongue lesions which might be Allegations of a deal to release Muchik Santa Catalina de Chon- “These lands are bought up troversially pardoned and re- 2000. Fujimori waved to sympa- cancerous. Alberto Fujimori have surfaced goyape farming community, in by small operators, but behind leased from prison on humani- He had been admitted to hos- thisers on leaving the Cente- Independent doctors, how- since then. Peru’s northern Lambayeque them are politicians and very tarian grounds. pital before Christmas. nario clinic, but did not speak to ever, have questioned whether The pardon strongly divides region. powerful businessmen.” “Very happy to welcome our Fujimori’s son Kenji accom- journalists, according to televi- his health problems are serious Peruvians, according to an Ipsos “He was a brave man and he Javier Ruiz Gutierrez, founder father in this new phase of his panied him to a house in the sion reports. enough to justify his release poll quoted by the daily El Com- never lost his nerve. He said we of the Save Chaparrí Defence life!!” his daughter Keiko Fu- upmarket Lima neighbourhood The 79-year-old was whisked from prison. ercio on December 30. must organise our own patrol to Front, said the land traffi ckers jimori said in a tweet, showing of La Molina, which was under away in a waiting car, where Kuczynski pardoned Fujimori About 56% of Peruvians ap- evict the land invaders because are “trying to terrorise the popu- the ex-president with his four heavy police guard. he was seen talking into a cell two days after he survived an prove it while 40% oppose it, the authorities would not take lation” so they can clear land for children, which was quoted by Inside the house, Fujimori’s phone. impeachment vote in parlia- the poll showed. The pardon action.” the proposed reservoir, which local media yesterday. three other children were re- Kenji posted pictures of the ment driven by the FP. sparked widespread protests “This was to be expected,” Ana could transform the reserve into Alberto Fujimori left a Lima portedly waiting for him. pair on Twitter with the cap- The president was suspected after Christmas. Juarez, a biologist working in the prime agricultural land. clinic in a wheelchair late Kenji is a legislator and Keiko tion: “With my dad!” of hiding his business connec- More are now being planned. Mexico vows to crack Anti-govt protest US blacklists four Venezuela generals down on dirty money AFP ple,” Treasury secretary Steven Washington Mnuchin said in a statement. “This action underscores Reuters Elias said, noting in particular the The FATF recommends such the US’ resolve to hold Maduro Mexico City room to improve the quality of parallel investigations, and its he US Treasury placed and others engaged in corrup- money laundering investigations report on Mexico underscored four serving or retired tion in Venezuela account- and the seizure of assets. haphazard, uneven results of TVenezuelan generals on able,” he added. exico’s acting attorney The FATF report highlighted current investigations, noting its sanctions blacklist, rais- “We call on concerned par- general said prosecu- that Mexico has been slipping in low conviction rates and tiny ing pressure on the embat- ties and international partners Mtors were already work- successful convictions. seizures of assets compared with tled government of President around the world to join us as ing to improve investigations The country already lagged the amount of illicit proceeds Nicolas Maduro. we stand with the Venezuelan and co-operation with other regional peers such as Colombia that are generated in Mexico. The Treasury alleged that people to further isolate this countries following an inter- and Brazil, both of which have Elias noted that the FATF re- the four were either involved in oppressive regime.” national report that blasted the made strides in setting up inde- port recognised Mexico had repressing protesters or tied up Under the US Treasury or- country for failing to punish pendent prosecutors. improved its legal framework to in major corruption schemes. der, Aragua state governor, re- money launderers. The report also noted the “low tackle laundering and credited Washington has already tired general and state oil fi rm Alberto Elias Beltran, Mexi- level of eff ectiveness” in prose- the country for the recent em- targeted Maduro himself for board member Rodolfo Clem- co’s acting attorney general, said cutions and seizures and an “ex- phasis on improving investiga- sanctions, and is a long-stand- ente Marco Torres is designat- in an interview that the country tremely low level of eff ective- tions. ing opponent of what it sees as ed for his alleged role in food was seeking to work better with ness” in punishing corruption. Elias pointed to last year’s ex- his increasingly authoritarian smuggling. the US and Colombia to target “We are working with the tradition of Joaquin “El Chapo” regime. Francisco Jose Rangel fi nancial networks of multina- specialised offi ces (that target Guzman, Mexico’s most notori- The sanctions designations Gomez, another retired gen- tional drug gangs. money laundering) where we are ous kingpin, to the US as a suc- “highlight that corruption and eral and a former governor Earlier this week, the Finan- strengthening protocols,” Elias cess. repression continue to fl our- of Bolivar state, is accused of cial Action Task Force (FATF), an said, adding that government He said Mexico was continu- ish under the Maduro regime, pressuring Venezuelan courts international organisation based agencies were also working to ing to work with the US in or- both by those in current gov- to release suspected members in Paris that sets global stand- implement so-called parallel in- der to identify Guzman’s assets ernment positions and former of armed pro-government ards for fi ghting illicit fi nance, vestigations. north and south of the border. offi cials who continue to ben- gangs. criticised Mexico for not sys- The FATF report underscored He also noted that during the efi t from a corrupt system,” the General Fabio Enrique Za- tematically prosecuting money that Mexico was largely failing last two months Mexico, Co- Treasury said. varse Pabon, commander of launderers. to carry out parallel money laun- lombia and the US have been Healthcare employees and students participate in protest “President Maduro and the defence zone that includes “There are important fi ndings dering investigations to match working on developing a new against Bolivia’s government new healthcare policies in a his inner circle continue to Caracas, is accused of using of opportunities for improvement probes of organised crime, drug computerised method to share main avenue of La Paz, Bolivia. put their own interests above National Guard troops to vio- at the attorney general’s offi ce,” traffi cking and corruption. information. those of the Venezuelan peo- lently repress demonstrations. Gulf Times Saturday, January 6, 2018 11 PAKISTAN

US admits lion’s share of $33bn cited by Trump went to NGOs Pakistan asks US not

Internews could not be treated as aid be- Islamabad cause these were expenditures which had already incurred on mobilisation of troops for he US has admitted that launching an off ensive against to ‘move goalposts’ out of over $33bn funding the Taliban and Al Qaeda in areas Tfor Islamabad since 2002, adjacent to Afghanistan. AFP/DPA/Reuters However, Pakistan’s for- ter-terrorism operations. Privately, US diplomats insist norities have long been margin- a signifi cant amount was not However, there was a delay Islamabad eign ministry issued a cautious They said they could make ex- that the relationship is not in cri- alised and targeted, said it rejects provided to Pakistan but to the with the reimbursement, result- statement in which it said it was ceptions to fund critical US na- sis. the designation and would seek NGOs, international organisa- ing in Pakistan having to obtain “engaged” with US offi cials and tional security priorities. They say Pakistan is not refus- a clarifi cation from Washington. tions and other institutions. loans with interest payment that akistan has denounced awaiting further details. CSF funds, which fall under ing to fi ght the Haqqani network, “It is surprising that countries In a written reply, a US embas- were never covered by the US. Washington’s decision to Without referring to the de- US Defence Department author- but that the two capitals disagree that have a well-known record sy spokesman said: “The United “Over $9bn in bills remains Psuspend hundreds of mil- cision directly, it warned that ity, are covered by the freeze, about the facts on the ground. of systematic persecution of re- States has committed over $33bn pending with the US authori- lions of dollars in security assist- “arbitrary deadlines, unilateral said Pentagon spokesman Com- Pakistan insists safe havens ligious minorities have not been billion for Pakistan since 2002. ties,” said a top offi cial of Finance ance as “counterproductive”, in a pronouncements and shifting mander Patrick Evans, saying have been eradicated, but US included in the list,” the foreign “A signifi cant percentage of Division. carefully-worded response to the goalposts are counterproductive that Congress authorised up to intelligence says it is still seeing ministry said in a statement. this money has not been provid- The US authorities had com- frustrated Trump administra- in addressing common threats”. $900mn in such money for Pa- militants operating freely. “This refl ects the double stand- ed to the government of Pakistan, mitted $11.095bn for Pakistan tion’s public rebuke over militant Emerging threats such as the kistan for fi scal year 2017, which Nauert was at pains to point ards and political motives behind but rather to non-governmental from FY2002 to FY2018, out of safe havens. growing presence of the Islamic ended September 30. out that the frozen funds had the listing and hence (it) lacks organisations, international or- which they provided $295mn for The United States has been State (IS) group in the region None of that money has yet not been cancelled, and would be credibility.” ganisations and other institu- “Child Survival and Health”. threatening for months to cut aid make co-operation more impor- been disbursed. ready to be disbursed if Pakistan Tense ties between the un- tions that benefi t Pakistan. Washington committed to Islamabad over its failure to tant than ever, it added. The US National Defence Au- takes action to prove its commit- easy allies nosedived on Janu- “Some of the assistance pro- $8.696bn for Economic Support crack down on groups such as the Pakistan has fought fi erce thorisation Act permits the US ment to the fi ght. ary 1 when Trump lashed out on vided to the Pakistani govern- Fund (ESF), $643mn for “Food Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani campaigns against homegrown military to spend up to $700mn “The United States stands Twitter against Islamabad’s “lies ment is utilised to purchase US Aid”, and $918mn for “Interna- network, which it says operates Islamist groups, and says it has in fi nancial 2018. ready to work with Pakistan in and deceit” despite $33bn in aid weapons systems for Pakistan tional Disaster Assistance”. from bases in Pakistan’s north- lost thousands of lives and spent combating all terrorists, without and the White House warned of to use in counter-terrorism and The US committed $257mn for west. billions of dollars in its long war A senior US State distinction,” Nauert said. “specifi c actions” to pressure counter-insurgency operations. Migration and Refugee Assist- The rhetoric has raised hackles on extremism. Department offi cial has said Briefi ng reporters, US offi cials Pakistan. “This total funding includes ance (also includes Emergency in Islamabad and fears that the But US offi cials accuse Islama- that the US is hoping that stressed that the suspension did South Asia expert Christine foreign assistance from the De- Refugee and Migration Assist- row could undermine Pakistan’s bad of ignoring or even collabo- Pakistan will see the aid not aff ect civilian aid to Paki- Fair of Georgetown University partment of State, USAID and ance or ERMA) from FY2002 to support for US operations in Af- rating with groups that attack suspension as an incentive, stan and that the money could go voiced concern that Pakistan Department of Defence, and FY 2018. ghanistan. Afghanistan from safe havens not a punishment through if Islamabad took deci- might retaliate for the suspen- Coalition Support Fund (CSF) Pakistan has taken issue with On Thursday, the State De- along the border between the two sive action against the groups. sion by closing the highways reimbursements from the De- the US having disbursed over partment announced a dramatic countries. US State Department spokes- “Our hope is that they will see from the port city of Karachi on partment of Defence.” $5bn for economic assistance, freeze in deliveries of military In September last year, the US woman Heather Nauert said that this as a further indication of which equipment is trucked to The Economic Survey of Paki- out of which just over $2bn was equipment and security funding suspended $255mn in funding the security spending would be this administration’s immense land-locked Afghanistan and the stan 2016-17 had estimated that provided through “on budget” until Pakistan cracks down on the to help Pakistan buy high-tech suspended until Pakistan takes frustration with the trajectory airspace through which supplies the country faced total losses of mechanism while remaining militants. weaponry from American manu- “decisive action” against the of our relationship and that they are fl own to US-led international over $123bn after joining the US amount was provided through The announcement ignited facturers. Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani need to be serious about taking forces there. war against terror since Septem- “off budget”, mainly through some small protests in Pakistan Now, the US Defence Depart- network. the steps we have asked in order “What is the plan if they close ber 11, 2001. NGOs, international organisa- yesterday, including in Chaman, ment has been instructed to stop The move, which US offi cials to put it on more solid footing,” a the GLOCs?” she asked, using Of the $33bn, the actual tions, and others. one of the two main crossings making payments from “coali- had hinted at for months, was senior State Department offi cial the military acronym for Ground amount disbursed was not more The US committed $8.259bn on the border with Afghanistan tion support funds” set aside to greeted optimistically in Af- told reporters. Lines of Communications. than $27bn on all accounts. for defence-related funding from where several hundred people refund Pakistani spending on ghanistan. “We’re hoping that Pakistan “What if the Pakistanis shut However, in the latest report FY2002 to FY2018, out of which gathered to chant anti-US slo- counter-terrorist operations. “We have been saying for years will see this as an incentive, not a down the ALOCs (Air Lines of prepared by the Congressional $326mn was provided for Coun- gans. US offi cials said that two main that neighbouring Pakistan is punishment,” he added. Communications). How do you Research Service (CRS) for distri- ter-narcotics Funds (CN) under “We don’t need any type of categories of aid are aff ected: providing safe haven to terrorist On Thursday, the US State De- keep supplying the ANSF?” she bution to multiple congressional the Pentagon budget, $4.086bn aid. Almighty Allah is with us foreign military fi nancing (FMF), groups, and they were also fund- partment also tweeted that it has asked, referring to the Afghan offi ces, the US had committed for Foreign Military Funding, and he is giving us everything,” which funds purchases of US ing the terrorist groups,” Nasrat placed deeply conservative Mus- national security forces. $33.927bn for Pakistan from fi - $52mn for International Mili- protester Mohammad Saleem military hardware, training and Rahim, deputy interior minis- lim Pakistan on a special watch “Pakistan could be within their nancial year 2002 (FY2002) to tary Education and Training, told AFP, adding that he had a services, and coalition support try spokesman, told reporters list for severe violations of reli- rights if they tell us you don’t FY2018, out of which reimburse- $949mn for International Nar- message for US President Donald funds (CSF), which reimburse in Kabul. “We welcome this an- gious freedom. have fl yover rights anymore,” she ment of Coalition Support Fund cotics Control and Law Enforce- Trump: “Don’t threaten us.” Pakistan for expenses for coun- nouncement.” Pakistan, whose religious mi- said. (CSF) stood at $14.573bn. ment (includes border security), The major amount of reim- $182mn for Nonproliferation, bursement of CSF was provided Anti-Terrorism, Demining, and to Pakistan from FY2002 to Related (the great majority al- FY11 to the tune of $8.881bn and located for Pakistan is anti-ter- No clear view this amount was cut in subse- rorism assistance), and $2.352bn MPAs and quent years, except FY2013 and for Pakistan Counterinsurgency FY2014 when the US reimbursed Fund (PCF)/Counterinsurgency $1.438bn and $1.198bn respec- Capability Fund (PCCF) – PCF mayors to tively. is overseen by the Pentagon and Pakistani authorities argued PCCF is overseen by US State that the CSF reimbursement Department. get offi cial Cooking expert Zubaida Aapa dead passports Cooking expert Zubaida Aapa, a household name in Pakistan, passed away late last night, a family member said. Internews She is survived by a son and a daughter. Islamabad Funeral prayers for her were off ered at Sultan Masjid in Defence Housing Authority after Friday prayers, her brother and writer Anwar Maqsood was quoted by TV channels as saying. embers of provincial Zubaida Aapa, he said, had been unwell for some time. assemblies (MPAs), Aapa was famous for her handy culinary and housekeeping hints or Mmayors of metropolitan totkas. corporations, and chairmen of She did numerous culinary shows on various TV channels and wrote district councils would now be cookbooks. entitled to blue (offi cial) pass- On her off icial Twitter account TotkaAapaZubaida (@ZubaidaAapa), she ports, according to a decision wrote: “Ask me quick solutions to your domestic, social, political etc taken on the directive of Interior problems. Happy to help men and women alike.” Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Aapa was born on April 4, 1945, in Hyderabad, India, The matter had been pending for a long time and the provincial assemblies had also passed reso- Wet spell coming to Pakistan this week lutions to this eff ect. Members of parliament, their First rainfall of the New Year is likely to hit isolated places of Khyber spouses, parents and dependent Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), children are already entitled to North Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir later this week, while this facility. dense fog is expected in plain areas of Punjab and Upper Sindh. Under the passport and visa Rain-thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is expected at isolated manual 2006, the judges of places in Malakand, Hazara, Rawalpindi divisions, upper Fata, superior and federal Shariah Islamabad, whereas in north Baluchistan at Zhob, Quetta divisions, courts, the federal ombudsman, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during this time span. the chief election commissioner Dense foggy conditions are likely to prevail over plain areas of Punjab and members of the Election and upper Sindh during night and morning hours however, cold and Commission of Pakistan, the dry weather to grip other parts of the country, an off icial of Met off ice An elderly man sits in a park during a foggy morning in Lahore. auditor general of Pakistan, the said on Thursday. chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission, the chair- man of the Federal Services Tri- bunal and their spouses and de- pendent unmarried children up to the age of 28, are also entitled to diplomatic passport. Poverty funds mostly spent on salaries Those who are also entitled to the facility include provincial ministers and advisers with the Internews current expenditures including Despite the increase in overall staff , particularly in the areas of or 29.3% from the same quarter and order, up Rs11.5bn or 16.3% status of minister, speakers and Islamabad salary payments and other re- pro-poor spending by the fed- health, education, justice ad- of previous year. from last year. deputy speakers of provincial current obligations. eral and provincial governments, ministration, and law and order. Of this, Rs49.2bn was on ac- Almost the entire amount was assemblies, former elected fed- The fi nance ministry traces there is no signifi cant change on Overall, the federal and pro- count of current expenditures, spent on running expenses. The eral ministers, ministers of state ore than three-fourths spending patterns in areas like the ground, say social-sector vincial governments spent mainly salaries and transporta- increase was across the board. and their spouses and unmar- of Rs462.7bn, which road building, environment pro- experts. Rs160.64bn on education, tion. The share of spending on law ried dependent children, retired Mwas to be spent by tection, education, healthcare, There has been an increase in Rs23.6bn or 17.2% higher than The share of health spending and order in total expenditures chairmen of the Joint Chief of federal and provincial govern- agriculture, rural development, inequality and poverty and the the previous fi scal year. in total pro-poor expenditures inched up to 17.7%. Staff Committee and all three ments on poverty reduction law and order, justice adminis- government seems reluctant to However, 92.5% of this went was 12.5% the fi rst quarter, up On the administration of jus- services chiefs (four-star gen- programmes, actually went to tration and subsidies. come up with the exact number to current expenditures. from 10.7%. tice, Rs9.6bn was spent com- erals) and their spouses and de- meeting non-development ex- Expenditures on all these of people living in poverty. The share of education spend- There have been concerns pared with Rs7.9bn a year ago. pendent children. penditures, including salary heads are clubbed as poverty re- On social security and wel- ing in total pro-poor expenses about deterioration in the social The spending on agriculture Another class entitled to the payments. duction expenses. fare, Rs7.9bn was spent against went up to 34.7% from the pre- indicators of health and educa- went down 6.8% to Rs34.6bn. gratis passport includes civil The Poverty Reduction Strat- The fi ve governments spent Rs9.7bn in the comparative pe- vious year’s 32.7%. tion despite pumping an ad- Similarly, expenses on build- servants and armed forces per- egy Report (PRSP) for the fi rst Rs25.2bn on paying subsidies in riod of previous year. Spending on universities, col- ditional billions into provinces ing highways fell 18.6% to sonnel residing in Pakistan and quarter of fi scal year 2017-18 the fi rst quarter, up 30.7%. Expenditures on social secu- leges and institutions increased under the seventh National Fi- Rs44.5bn in the fi rst quarter of proceeding abroad on postings, showed that the federal and four Subsidies had a share of only rity fell 18.5% largely because of to Rs21.7bn due to higher federal nance Commission Award. current fi scal year. secondment or on deputation provincial governments spent 5.4% in total pro-poor expendi- low spending by the Sindh gov- spending on higher education. There are now proposals to The reduction was mainly be- with a foreign government, the Rs462.7bn, up 10.4% or Rs44bn, tures. ernment. The spending on higher edu- create a link between the im- cause of low spending on build- ECO (Economic Co-operation compared with the expenditures An amount of Rs24bn was One of the reasons behind the cation by the provinces re- provement in social indicators ing roads and highways by the Organisation) or the UN or its af- made in the fi rst quarter of pre- spent on targeted subsidies and low impact is that most of the mained almost at the previous and additional transfer of fi nan- Punjab government. fi liated organisations along with vious fi scal year. cash disbursements under the expenditures that are counted year’s level. cial resources to the provinces. The provincial government their spouses and unmarried de- However, a huge sum of Benazir Income Support Pro- as pro-poor actually went to Health spending came in at The government spent rough- spent Rs14.4bn on roads in the pendent children up to the ages Rs354.4bn was spent on meeting gramme (BISP). pay salaries to the departmental Rs57.8bn, an increase of Rs13.1bn ly Rs82bn on maintaining law fi rst quarter, down 28.4%. of 28. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, January 6, 2018 PHILIPPINES

President Government probing 14 deaths accepts son’s resignation as amid dengue vaccine furore vice mayor

AFP ed to the vaccination,” Assistant announcement yesterday, the DPA Manila Health Secretary Enrique Do- department this week sus- Manila mingo told reporters. pended a government clear- More than 800,000 school- ance for Dengvaxia for one year he Philippines is investi- children received the vaccine and fi ned Sanofi 100,000 pesos hilippine President Rod- gating if the deaths of 14 last year in the world’s fi rst (about $2,000). rigo Duterte yesterday ac- Tchildren had any link to public dengue immunisation It ruled that Sanofi did not Pcepted the resignation of a dengue vaccine whose use the programme. comply with Food and Drug Ad- his eldest son as vice mayor of government has suspended due Dengue was blamed for only ministration (FDA) regulations, the southern city of Davao fol- to health concerns, offi cials said four of the 14 deaths being a fi nding that the company dis- lowing allegations he was in- yesterday. probed, Duque said, with lupus puted yesterday. volved in drug smuggling. The country stopped the sale and meningococcemia named The pharmaceutical giant Paolo Duterte resigned from and distribution of Dengvaxia as the cause of the others. said in a statement that it had his post on December 25, cit- last month after Sanofi , the But now the panel of experts complied with local regulations ing “unfortunate events” in his French manufacturer, warned will verify those reports, the of- and FDA requirements. personal life and damage to his it could worsen symptoms for fi cials said. “Sanofi Pasteur will continue reputation after being linked to people who had not previously “We need to watch out for to co-operate in full transparen- the smuggling of $128mn worth been infected with the virus. 837,000 students who have cy with the Philippines FDA and of methamphetamines. Sanofi has maintained the vac- been vaccinated and to us this is is committed to comply with “President Rodrigo Duterte cine does not kill people, but did paramount,” Duque added. the Philippines laws and regula- has already accepted this after- not comment on the health de- He also said the govern- tions,” the company added. noon the resignation of Davao partment’s new announcement. ment wants to return unused Dengue, a mosquito-borne City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte,” The government has assigned Dengvaxia stock worth 1.5bn illness, is a leading cause of se- presidential spokesman Harry an independent panel of experts pesos ($30mn) to Sanofi and get rious illness and death among Roque said. to review the cases and expects a refund. File photo shows a nurse displaying vials of Sanofi’s dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, which has been recalled children in some Asian and In his resignation statement, their fi ndings in one or two In November last year, Sanofi from local health centres, in the district of Manila, following the suspension of the country’s public Latin American countries, ac- Paolo Duterte said he was taking weeks, Health Secretary Fran- released fi ndings of a new study dengue immunisation programme. cording to the World Health Or- the step “to protect (his) honour cisco Duque said. that said showed Dengvaxia ganisation. and that of (his) children.” “We asked them the question, could lead to severe infections Philippine government not to However, the disclosure trig- a number of legislators accusing More than a thousand people In September, Paolo Duterte number one: what they think is for vaccinated people who suspend the vaccine’s use, say- gered a public furore, with some the health department of en- died of dengue last year in the told a Senate hearing that he the cause of death, and then caught dengue for the fi rst time. ing it was a crucial tool in fi ght- parents blaming the vaccine for dangering public health. Philippines, the health depart- was not part of an alleged syn- second, do they think it is relat- The company also urged the ing the deadly disease. their children’s deaths and with In a move unrelated to the ment said. dicate at the Bureau of Customs that allegedly made it possible for a huge shipment of metham- phetamine hydrochloride to be cleared. The narcotic, locally called Inquiry Cocaine worth $2.5mn washes up on seashore shabu, is the most popular illegal drug in the Philippines. President Duterte had told re- sought into AFP porters last month that his son Manila was fed up with the “most un- fair” attacks against him, espe- deadly cially after he was called to the illions of dollars of Senate to answer accusations. cocaine packed in The younger Duterte denied mall fi re Ma plastic drum has the allegations during his ap- washed up on a seashore in pearance at the Senate hearing, the eastern Philippines, an but refused to show whether he Reuters anti-narcotics official said had a tattoo on his back indicat- Manila yesterday. ing membership of a Chinese A local fisherman in the drug syndicate. town of Matnog found the group of Philippine law- drum on Wednesday and re- makers will call for a ported it to authorities, not A congressional inquiry knowing what was inside, this month into a recent shop- said Christian Frivaldo, a re- ping mall fire that killed 38 gional director of the Phil- Korean found people, of whom 37 worked at ippine Drug Enforcement a call centre for an American Agency. firm, a House representative Inside the drum, anti- dead in said yesterday. drug agents found about 24 The Dec 23 blaze in Davao kilograms of cocaine bricks City, the southern hometown wrapped in plastic, he said. hotel room of President Rodrigo Duterte, Frivaldo estimated the broke out on the third level of value of the cocaine at about a mall before its choking smoke 125mn pesos ($2.5mn). Manila Times engulfed the offices of the US The source of the cocaine Manila firm, Research Now SSI, a floor found in Matnog — about above. 403 kilometres southeast of Five members of the Davao the capital Manila — may be Korean allegedly com- City fire department, who had a Taiwan-flagged cargo vessel mitted suicide by hanging inspected the mall and issued that was hit by huge waves off Ahimself inside his room at permits for it to operate, were the eastern Philippines a day a hotel-casino in Pasay City yes- relieved of duties and face ad- before the cocaine was found, terday, police said. ministrative investigation. he said. Chief Superintendent Tomas Nine Chinese, Hong Kong Apolinario of the Southern Po- “We are calling for an and Taiwanese crewmen are lice District identifi ed the vic- investigation in aid under the custody of the local tim as Lee Chang Yong, who was of legislation” government after they were found inside room 933 of Okada rescued from their damaged Manila at about 1:45pm. Initial checks by the Bureau ship, he added. Apolinario said they were now of Fire Protection revealed “They are under investiga- investigating the incident, add- signs of fire safety lapses that tion. We are checking their This undated handout from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-Legazpi) released yesterday shows police off icials and ing that the process of gathering may have contributed to the vessel (to see) if there is addi- PDE executives sitting next to packs of cocaine during a press conference in Legazpi City, in Bicol region, south of Manila. evidence was more sensitive, es- tragedy, since there were prob- tional evidence inside. But it pecially inside a big casino-hotel lems with “exits, sprinkler sys- is difficult because it is half- ippine President Rodrigo nearly 4,000 “drug person- been murdered under myste- to warn the president may be like Okada. tems and alarm systems”. submerged,” Frivaldo said. Duterte wages a bloody war alities” killed by police while rious circumstances. orchestrating crimes against “But initially there is no sign “We are calling for an inves- The seizure comes as Phil- on drugs that has resulted in thousands of others have This has led rights groups humanity. of foul play,” Apolinario said. tigation in aid of legislation,” Congresswoman Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, a women’s group, told a news conference. “We are filing a resolution as soon as the session starts. We will call anew the passage Maritime agency chief fi red over unoffi cial foreign trips of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (bill).” The lower house of Congress By Llanesca T Panti to get Amaro axed, pointed out country. The memo requires a concentrate on their jobs here will resume its session on Jan Manila Times that if Presidential Commission government offi cial to secure a in the Philippines… Any for- 15. The left-wing bloc will seek on the Urban Poor Chairman travel authorisation from his or eign travel must conform to the to ensure the accountability of James Mark Terry Ridon was her agency, even for personal guidelines,” he added. the Philippine Economic Zone resident Rodrigo Duterte fi red for making seven trips in trips, and accomplish the nec- The Department of Trans- Authority, the Labour Depart- has fi red Maritime Indus- one year, “then 24 is certainly essary forms. portation (DoTr) on Thursday ment, the Davao City govern- Ptry Authority (Marina) excessive by the president’s Such travel should not ham- said it respects the decision of ment and companies involved, administrator Marcial Quirico standards.” per the effi ciency of the agency, President Duterte to terminate Brosas said. Amaro 3rd for frequent unof- Both Amaro and Ridon have the memo said. Amaro as Marina administrator. A security officer of the New fi cial foreign trips in 2016 and denied that their trips were jun- Medialdea’s memo also cov- “The DoTr trusts that the City Commercial Center shop- 2017. kets. ers employees of government- president’s decision is just, ping mall was among the 38 Palace spokesman Harry Roque said the president was owned and -controlled cor- fair, and unprejudiced as it was killed in the fire, which injured Roque Jr said on Thursday Am- informed of Amaro’s excessive porations and government based on verifi able facts and a six people, although about 100 aro had travelled abroad seven foreign travels on December 22 fi nancial institutions. thorough investigation,” it said call centre employees survived. times in 2016 and 17 times in through a complaint made by The memo mirrors Executive in a statement. SSI has declined to comment 2017, or 24 trips in two years, Marina employees. Order 459 issued by President “The DoTr, under the lead- on the issue of fire safety at its based on records from the De- “This is a reminder to pub- Gloria Arroyo in 2005, which ership of Secretary Arthur Tu- Davao offices until the investi- partment of Transportation. lic offi cials to stay true to their streamlines the procedure for gade, looks into the aff airs and gation is completed. “The president has termi- mandate, lead modest lives the disposition of requests of performances of all its attached The Research Now SSI offic- nated the services of Amaro of and avoid unnecessary foreign government offi cials and em- agencies, and shall not, in any es in Davao employ 500 people. Marina. All but one of the 24 trips,” Roque said. ployees for authority to travel case, tolerate corruption and It promised to relocate some trips are on offi cial business, On Wednesday, Executive abroad. excesses in government service. to a bigger facility in the central and only three of them (offi cial Secretary Salvador Medialdea Roque said that henceforth, Rest assured that the DoTr and Philippines while looking for a trips) were sponsored trips. The warned government employees “All government employees its attached agencies and of- new site in the south. rest were paid by the Philip- under the Executive depart- need to get approval for any for- fi ces will be very discerning and On its website, SSI says it pine government, and he has ment against excessive travel eign travel, be it offi cial or per- judicious in this matter,” the has more than 11mn panellists received honorariums for such,” abroad, offi cial business or oth- Duterte: crackdown against fund wastage sonal.” agency added. in 40 countries with more than he told reporters in a news con- erwise. “This is the president’s uni- Earlier, the United Filipino 300 clients worldwide, includ- ference. Medialdea issued the memo- travels of government offi cials travel should be consistent with lateral decision to crack down Seafarers urged the Senate to ing Twitter, Facebook, Nielsen, Roque, echoing the line of randum “to ensure compliance and personnel.” the offi cial’s mandate; not incur on foreign travels of govern- conduct a thorough investiga- Capital One, BestBuy and Lib- Marina employees and clients with the pronouncements of Based on Medialdea’s memo, excessive expenses and should ment offi cials. He believes that tion over alleged “jet-setting” erty Mutual. who had mounted the campaign President Duterte against lavish a government offi cial’s foreign bring substantial benefi t to the government offi cials should and “globe-trotting” of Amaro. Gulf Times Saturday, January 6, 2018 13 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Dense fog disrupts Dhaka ‘fi rm’ to send 1mn fl ights

By Mizan Rahman Dhaka

ll fl ight operations were Rohingya back: minister suspended at Hazrat AShahjalal International Agencies to Thailand Saida Muna Tas- since an outbreak of violence in Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka for sev- Dhaka neem and senior offi cials of August last year. en and half hours yesterday due the Bangladesh embassy and “Although more than 90% of to heavy fog. Thai fi nance ministry were also Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Ba- “We’re forced to suspended he Bangladesh fi nance present at the meeting. zar (a district in southeastern fl ight operations due to dense fog minister has reaffi rmed Both the ministers expressed Bangladesh where the refugee from 2:45am to 10:11am,” Civil TPrime Minister Sheikh satisfaction at the recently camps are located) have re- Aviation Authority of Bangla- Hasina’s resolve to send 1mn concluded high-level meetings ceived emergency food assist- desh (CAAB) spokesperson Re- Rohingya refugees back to My- between the countries includ- ance, a major concern is limited zaul Karim told newsmen. anmar from Bangladesh under ing the foreign minister-level access to a well-diversifi ed and During the period, he said, two bilateral arrangements. seventh joint commission, the balanced diet,” the WFP said in Air Arabia fl ights from Sharja and Abdul Muhith discussed the fourth joint trade committee at a statement. one Bangladesh Biman internation- issue with his Thai counterpart the commerce ministers’ level A study carried out by the al fl ights were diverted to Kolkata Apisak Tantivorawong during a and the fi rst foreign offi ce con- agency between November and while one Bangladesh Biman fl ight meeting in Bangkok on Thursday, sultations between the two for- December, titled “Rohingya from Dubai and one US Bangla Air- the Bangladesh foreign ministry eign secretaries. Emergency Vulnerability As- lines fl ights from Kuala Lumpur in Dhaka said yesterday. Referring to the bilateral trade sessment”, revealed that 80% of were diverted to Chittagong. He briefed the Thai fi nance volumes to the tune of $1bn, the overall refugee population Besides, another US-Bangla minister on the unprecedented Muhith reiterated Bangladesh’s was either highly or entirely re- fl ight from Kuala Lumpur was humanitarian crisis and eco- request to Thailand for duty and liant on life-saving assistance, diverted to Mandalay of Myan- nomic burden being shouldered quota-free market access of 36 Efe news reported. mar due to the suspension. by Bangladesh following the products from Bangladesh at “WFP’s food distributions to Karim said the domestic mass infl ux of nearly 700,000 the earliest. the new arrivals is rice, vegeta- fl ight operation was resumed Rohingya into Bangladesh since He also appreciated Thai in- ble oil and lentils - an emergen- at 10:11am while international August 2017. vestments to the tune of $1.5bn cy ration designed to provide fl ights at 10:35am. He thanked Thailand for its in Bangladesh and sought basic calories, but lacking in Bangladesh Finance Minister Abdul Muhith during a meeting with his Thai counterpart Apisak Tantivorawong Due to the fl ight operation supportive position on the OIC greater FDI in the food process- dietary diversity,” the WFP said. in Bangkok. suspension, one Biman Bang- resolution on Myanmar at the ing and tourism. It recommended the ex- ladesh fl ight to Kolkata and one UNGA in November 2017, and He also discussed how pansion of its e-voucher pro- some 655,000 Rohingya refu- ladesh and Myanmar earlier Myanmar, where, according to Regent Airways fl ight to Bangkok sought support to convince both countries can share best grammes, under which the ref- gees have arrived in Bangladesh reached an agreement on the recently-arrived refugees, the were delayed. Asean countries for a peaceful practices in achieving higher ugees receive a monthly ration since August 25, 2017. process of repatriation for the military campaign against them Apart from international fl ights, resolution to the Rohingya cri- growth. on a pre-paid debit card which The exodus was triggered by Rohingya refugees who fl ed to was still ongoing. 10 early morning domestic fl ights sis. UN condemns food can be used in allocated shops to the Myanmar security forces Bangladesh, which is expected The UN and human rights – four of Novoair, three of US The fi nance minister is on a two insecurity: The UN World buy diff erent foods. launching an operation in re- to begin in the coming months. organisations pointed out clear Bangla Airlines, two of Bangladesh day-visit to the Southeast Asian Food Programme (WFP) yes- Some 90,000 people are taliation to an attack by the Ar- Several human rights organi- evidence that abuses were com- Biman and one of Regent Airways nation. He discussed issues of terday condemned the food in- currently enrolled in WFP’s e- akan Rohingya Salvation Army sations, however, have repeat- mitted, while the UN High Com- were delayed due to fog. mutual interest and bilateral eco- security faced by the 655,500 voucher programmes. (ARSA) on several security posts edly denounced that conditions missioner for Human Rights As per the weather forecast, mod- nomic co-operation there. Rohingya refugees who fl ed According to the UN Inter- in Rakhine state. were not appropriate for the Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein described erate to thick fog may occur over the Bangladesh ambassador to Bangladesh from Myanmar Sector Co-ordination Group, The governments of Bang- safe return of the Rohingyas to the situation as “genocide”. country in the next few days. Japanese FM visits Lanka UK parliamentarians meet Sirisena

IANS Colombo

he UK all-party parlia- mentary group on Sri TLanka met President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat yes- terday for talks, the President’s Offi ce said. Members of the all-party parliamentary group in- cluding its Chair Ranil Jaya- wardena of Sri Lankan origin, MP, House of Commons, who represents the Conservative Party of the UK, participated at this meeting. The delegation arrived in the country with the aim of strengthening relations with Sri Lanka as a Commonwealth country as well as to promote trade and investment relations UK all-party parliamentary group members with Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena, middle, in between the two countries. Colombo yesterday. The delegation had told the president that there was im- promote foreign trade. of employment opportunities. ther consolidate their ties. mense progress in the pro- President Sirisena pointed The Commonwealth heads The Secretary to the Presi- grammes carried out by the out the importance of further of government meeting is dent Austin Fernando and government to strengthen strengthening the relations scheduled to take place in Michelle Donelan, Chris Green democracy and in the steps between the two countries to the United Kingdom in April, and John Lamont representing Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, left, and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe taken to develop the econo- reap maximum benefi ts from and the delegation said that the UK all-party parliamentary shake hands during a meeting in Colombo yesterday. my, implement special de- the opportunities of new tech- parallel to this event, the two group on Sri Lanka participated velopment projects as well as nology and the promotion countries are expected to fur- at this meeting.

Lanka set to launch fresh Flood-hit families struggle to cope with winter IANS children are sick because of the have enough blankets and win- private clinics and hospitals. sha and Sarlahi have witnessed tourism project in March Kathmandu cold,” said Kajal Rishidev, a fl ood ter clothes to wrap themselves Bhutiya Rishidev’s grandson a sudden surge in the number of victim. Her children have been warm. is suff ering from fever and diar- patients of common cold, asth- IANS and will further enhance the down with common cold and fe- “We lost everything in the rhoea. She said the local health ma and pneumonia. Colombo natural beauty of the area,” he emperature in the area has ver for the last few days. monsoon fl ood, and now we have facility could not do anything District Medical Superintend- added. dropped signifi cantly over Kajal’s husband is a daily wage winter to contend with. Peo- about her grandson’s illness due ent Dr Ram Parikshyan Yadav of Wickremesinghe explained Tthe past four days. Many worker. She said his earning is ple are falling sick one after an- to medicine shortage. Janakpur Zonal Hospital said the rime Minister Ranil the government will carry out families, who were given tem- hardly enough to manage two other,” said Kuleshwor Rishidev, “I took him to the health fa- hospital was receiving up to 250 Wickremesinghe said this signifi cant tourism devel- porary shelter in Jamuwa town square meals a day. another fl ood displaced. cility here, but the medical staff patients daily. Pconstruction of the opment project in collabora- of Saptari district after the fl ood There are 60 fl ood-aff ected Local government health fa- there sent us back, telling that According to the Janakpur Dedduwa tourism zone, tion with the private sector. last year, do not have proper families at Jamuwa, who have cilities, meanwhile, are going they had run out of medicines,” fi eld offi ce of the department of Sri Lanka’s biggest tourism The Galle district in south- shelters, nor warm clothes to been living in a wretched condi- through a shortage of essential she said. hydrology and meteorology, the project, will begin in March ern Sri Lanka, the prime min- keep themselves warm. Some tion for months now. Their shel- medicines. There are many chil- Patients suff ering from cold minimum temperature of Dha- this year to lure more tourists ister said, is located between people have started to fall sick ters made from tarpaulin sheets dren, old people and new moth- related diseases are increasing nusha plunged to 8.8 degrees to the island country, state two international airports Ka- due to cold. off er no insulation against the ers at Jamuwa, who require im- in several Tarai districts, accord- Celsius while the maximum media reported. tunayake and Mattala. “We have no warm clothes cold blast of wind that blows mediate medical help, as their ing to health offi cials. Health temperature was recorded 12.6 The prime minister said “Although many concen- to wear during this winter. My every night. They also do not families cannot aff ord to visit facilities in districts like Dhanu- degrees Celsius. the Dedduwa project, which trate on the coastal area of is located in the Galle dis- Galle in terms of tourism, its trict in southern Sri Lanka, interior areas are blessed with will focus heavily on con- natural beauty and have im- servation of the natural mense potential. That is why eco-system. we have already made plans Wickremesinghe added that to start tourism projects in BNP to hold demonstration today new laws will be formulated to Akurala and Koggala. With protect the environment in the all these projects, Galle, I am By Mizan Rahman scheduled rally yesterday. stigmatised’ national elections politan Police (DMP) and South gramme in the city in observance area during construction. certain, will become a major Dhaka BNP leader Ruhul Rizvi an- held on January 5, 2014. City Corporation authorities on of the ‘Democracy Killing Day’ to “We have a plan to convert tourism hub in the region.” nounced the programme at On Monday, BNP announced Wednesday for holding the pro- avoid confrontations. this 1,800-acre area into the Sri Lanka’s tourism sector a press conference in Dhaka to hold a rally at Suhrawardy gramme at Nayapaltan as an Is- But the party’s all other met- best tourism destination in has continued to grow since ailing to observe De- yesterday. Udyan in the city and bring out lamic party was allowed to hold ropolitan, district and sub-dis- South Asia,” he said. a three-decade civil confl ict mocracy Killing Day due “It has been proved once again black fl ag processions across the a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan the trict observed the day by bring- “Lunuganga, an area that ended in May 2009 between Fto the government ban, with the obstruction to BNP’s country on January 5 to observe same day. ing out black fl ag processions. will be a key part of the Ded- government troops and Tamil major opposition Bangladesh rally that Awami League is a par- the day as ‘Democracy Kill- However, the DMP authori- Rizvi criticised the govern- duwa project, is well-known Tiger rebels. Nationalist Party (BNP) will ty that kills democracy,” he said. ing Day’ to register its protest ties urged the party to arrange ment for denying their party the because of the legendary ar- China has been Sri Lanka’s stage demonstration in the Rizvi said the government did against 10th parliamentary polls an indoor programme on Friday permission to arrange the rally chitect Geoff ery Bawa. The second largest market with capital Dhaka today in protest not allow BNP to hold the rally as held on that day in 2014. instead of going for outdoor one. while the ruling party has been project will be very much in 249,000 Chinese tourists ar- against denial by authorities part of its scorched-earth policy Later, the party sought per- BNP later shelved its plan to given permission to hold two line with Bawa’s concepts riving so far this year. to allow the party to hold its to hush up the ‘controversial and mission from Dhaka Metro- hold a rally or any other pro- rallies in the capital. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, January 6, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko Production Editor Amjad Khan

P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Rudderless French Socialists seek party leadership

Wanted: A dynamic leader for France’s historic Socialist Par- ty, able to rebuild the brand after a year of watching the political ground crumble beneath its feet. Candidates: Not many. The fact that few Socialists can agree on who might be placed to unite a scattered left just eight months after the party held the presidency under Francois Hollande, has many wondering if the task is even possible. Better plastics for The leadership doubts come hot on the heels of the forced sale of the party’s opulent Paris headquarters for 46mn euros ($55mn) and layoff s for more than half its 100 staff members. This week Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, education minister in ex-president Hollande’s abysmally unpopular government, announced she wouldn’t run for party chief, saying “there are healthier oceans other ways to make yourself useful”. Her decision turned all eyes toward Olivier Faure, 49, head of Despite the best eff orts of Many governments are also encourag- of plastic litter seeping into the envi- molecules that can be assimilated the 31 lawmakers — down from 277 — who remain in parliament well-intentioned lawmakers ing better waste management, and ronment. back into the environment. Accord- after Emmanuel Macron’s centrist upstarts smashed their way the reuse, redesign, and recycling of The focus of the plastics industry ing to international standards (such to power last year. and nongovernmental plastic products. has long been on a product’s function- as ASTM D6954), the use of OBP organisations, thousands This is prudent policymaking. ality during its lifespan. This approach would demand proof of degradation The Socialists have been rudderless since Hollande’s decision But while taxes, bans, and waste- is no longer tenable. The world needs and biodegradation, and confirma- not to risk standing for a second term in the face of historically of tonnes of plastic waste management policies will reduce the a new type of plastic – one that will tion that there are no heavy metals low approval ratings. are still entering the problem of plastic pollution, they will perform well, but will also biodegrade or eco-toxicity. That opened a rift in the once powerful party of such leftist environment, particularly the not solve it. And, because plastics are much faster than the plastics we use As plastics change, the ways titans as Francois Mitterrand, which newcomer Macron capital- made from a byproduct of oil refi ning, today. countries integrate them into their oceans, every day a ban would have little or no impact on Enter oxo-biodegradable plastic. economies must change, too. The ised on in his sprint to the presidency. hydrocarbon extraction, either. What Unlike other plastics, including bio- good news is that, though the United Faure has so far kept his cards close as party apparatchiks taxes and bans will do is deprive the plastics, OBP biodegrades anywhere in States and Europe have been slow to around him have splintered into diff erent groups. poorest people of a useful and inex- the environment, and can be recycled embrace innovative solutions, others His associates indicate By Michael Stephen pensive material. if collected during its useful life. Ordi- have been more open to them. For a decision to seek the London The fact is that, despite the best nary plastic products can be upgraded example, Saudi Arabia and the United “In terms of party leadership could eff orts of well-intentioned lawmakers to OBP with existing machinery at the Arab Emirates have banned the import and nongovernmental organisations, time of manufacture and at little to no or manufacture of conventional plas- vision, everybody come on Tuesday, now lastics are among the most thousands of tonnes of plastic waste extra cost, using technology that the tics for a wide range of products, and that the path appears popular materials in use today. are still entering the environment, Oxo-biodegradable Plastics Associa- both now require that plastic products is lost in a fog” clear. Given the material’s versatili- particularly the oceans, every day. tion is working to explain. be upgraded with OBP technology. “He has kept his bal- Pty, it is little wonder that some Clearly, a better approach is needed. OBP is produced when a special ad- They have not opted for “bio-based” ance perfectly at the centre of the party,” a party source said. 320mn tonnes of it are used around Some governments and companies ditive is mixed with a normal polymer. plastics. the world each year. Indeed, the recent have been persuaded that “bio- The additive (produced by a company The world does not need new bans But even if the Socialists can unite behind a leader ahead of holidays left many with a mountain of plastics” – which are derived partly where I am a director) dismantles the or taxes. Rather, it needs people who their annual congress in April, the biggest obstacle to rebuilding plastic products and packaging. But from biomass like cornstarch – are the molecular structure of the polymer at work with plastic, and their govern- is beyond their control. plastics also pose a serious environ- solution. But this argument is fl awed: the end of its useful life and enables ments, to become as adaptable as “It would take a failure by Emmanuel Macron to revive France mental threat. bio-plastics are very expensive and natural decomposition in an open the material itself, taking advantage for any return of the left to power,” Jean Garrigues, a professor If not disposed of properly, plastics energy-intensive to produce, and still environment. of technological advances to ensure can lie or fl oat around for decades. In contain large amounts of material And, when it comes to OBP, de- that we can make the most of a cheap of political science, told the Parisien newspaper yesterday. addition to being harmful to terrestrial derived from oil. composition doesn’t mean break- and versatile material, without sub- “But it will not be enough,” he added. and aquatic life, free-fl oating plastics Moreover, recycling bio-plastics down into plastic fragments. As jecting the environment to its dam- For now, only Luc Carvounas, a relatively unknown lawmaker, in oceans can adsorb toxins and break requires that they be separated from Ignacy Jakubowicz, a professor at the aging impact. – Project Syndicate has announced his candidacy, while aides to former government up into micro-plastics, which then ordinary plastic. Such polymers are Research Institutes of Sweden and spokesman Stephane Le Foll suggest his decision could come enter the food chain. tested to biodegrade, but only in one of the world’s leading experts zMichael Stephen, a former member It is this seeming immortality that the particular conditions found in on polymers, explains, when OBPs of the UK Parliament, is Chairman of within two weeks. has led governments to tax certain industrial composting. In other words, break down, the material changes the Oxo-biodegradable Plastics As- Rachid Temal, a party co-ordinator, said that he would not environmentally damaging plastic while this technology might sound entirely, with hydrocarbon mol- sociation, and a director of Symphony rule out a run. products or ban them altogether. appealing, it will not solve the problem ecules becoming oxygen-containing Environmental Technologies Plc. “The question is, what would you do as party chief? Which political line, which project for the French?” he told Sud Radio. But the fact that Vallaud-Belkacem, who had the party in her grasp, backed away suggests few people have a clear idea of what the party should stand for. “In terms of vision, everybody is lost in a fog,” said Gerard Le Gall, a longtime Socialist Party strategist. “For now, I don’t see any notable Socialist capable of reaching the second round of a presidential election, something which is vital for the future.” An exodus of party lawmakers for either the hard left of Jean- Luc Melenchon, and more often for the centrist movement led by Macron, has deepened the existential doubt. “I suspect certain elements of this played into (Vallaud- Belkacem’s) decision about whether or not the party is a corpse that can be rejuvenated,” said Robert Zaretsky, a historian at the University of Houston who has long studied the French left. Whoever wins may even be tempted to drop the “Socialist” brand, which may carry too much baggage for a party looking to reconnect with France’s lower and middle classes.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Volunteers try to clear a dam which is filled with discarded plastic bottles and other garbage, blocking Vacha Dam, near the Bulgarian town of Krichim. Gulf Times Saturday, January 6, 2018 15 COMMENT To resist robots, invest in people

Technological advances the machines offl ine. At the same time, The private sector can also help are rapidly transforming having a fully automated section allows produce more graduates with job- production to continue if workers go ready skills. Asian countries should industries and economies, on strike. take a cue from India’s National Skill by blurring the boundaries Conventional wisdom decrees Development Corporation, which that this dual-track approach isn’t works with private training fi rms to between the physical, digital, sustainable, and that low- to middle- match skills curricula with industry and biological worlds skilled workers will eventually make needs. So far, India’s programme has way for robots. A landmark 2013 helped train more than 63,000 people. study by Carl Frey and Michael Furthermore, governments should By Stephen Groff Osborne of Oxford University suggests off er subsidies or tax incentives to Manila that, in the coming decades, 47% companies that invest in the skills of total US employment will be at that humans master better than risk of automation. Similarly, the machines, such as communication knitting factory in International Labour Organisation and negotiation. They will also have to Bangladesh brings together (ILO) has warned that 56% of total adopt more fl exible labour regulations, the past, present, and future. employment in Cambodia, Indonesia, because fi rms won’t hire skilled AOn one fl oor, workers knit the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam workers who cost too much. At the end by hand. On another, people and is “at high risk of displacement due of the day, Asia’s developing countries machines do the work together. And on to technology over the next decade or need policies that support workers, a third fl oor, there are only robots. two.” rather than jobs. All parties can benefi t This building might seem like an But these grim predictions ignore from fl exible contracts and lifelong anachronism, given the accepted the fact that most jobs comprise learning and retraining opportunities. wisdom that robots will replace a bundle of tasks, some of which Retraining is particularly important, humans in textiles and many other cannot be automated. According to a because automation will create entirely industries. But it is actually a savvy 2016 OECD study that breaks down new industries and occupations. The response to how the Fourth Industrial occupations by task, only 9% of jobs McKinsey Global Institute estimates Revolution will likely play out in Asia. on average across 21 OECD countries that automation could boost global As is the case elsewhere, technological are really at risk. productivity growth by 0.8-1.4% advances are rapidly transforming The same logic applies to Asia. In annually, generating large savings and industries and economies, by blurring Vietnam, for example, the share of jobs performance gains for businesses. the boundaries between the physical, at risk falls from the ILO’s predicted Improving access to training and digital, and biological worlds. 70% to just 15% when the country’s certifi cation would help countries And yet much of Asia isn’t ready large informal economy is taken into capitalise on these advances and for robots, for reasons that go beyond account. Street sweepers in developing ensure more equitable growth, by fears of mass unemployment. In countries are arguably less threatened by giving workers the skills needed to 2014, China had just 11 robots per automation than their counterparts in handle the new jobs. 10,000 employees in non-automotive developed countries, because their jobs That outcome would be good for industries, and just 213 per 10,000 are less mechanised and lower paid. A humanoid robot working in a factory. workers and for Asian economies. employees on automotive assembly Still, robots are gaining a foothold in It would mean that businesses like lines. That is hundreds fewer than in the region, particularly in economies systems, starting with technical and availability of modular short courses, other skills needed to repair rural the factory in Bangladesh could Japan, the United States, or Germany. such as China and South Korea. In vocational education and training which take less time, train for specifi c machinery. operate solely with robots, while its Although China is closing the gap 2015, robot sales in Asia increased by (TVET). Although TVET is becoming tasks rather than entire jobs, and Competency-based assessment former workers would be gainfully by increasing its spending on robots, 19% – the fourth record-breaking increasingly popular in Asia’s are more manageable for entrants systems could also be particularly employed elsewhere, most likely in poorer countries face signifi cant year in a row. When less-developed developing economies, its quality who need, fi rst and foremost, to earn useful, given Asia’s large informal jobs that don’t even exist yet. – Project barriers to adopting new technologies. Asian countries eventually join the is often poor. Governments should money. In Myanmar, for example, workforce. Programmes off ering Syndicate Moreover, the region’s lower wages technology bandwagon, layoff s will ensure that TVET courses focus on the government has launched a skilled workers a chance to earn give fi rms an incentive to retain human inevitably ensue. more relevant skills, while remaining pilot program to target the country’s certifi cations based on their work Stephen Groff is the Asian workers. At the factory in Bangladesh, To soften the blow, governments fl exible so that students can study “missing million” students who drop experience would allow for, say, Development Bank’s vice president human workers can step in if power urgently need to pursue labour-market without sacrifi cing income. out of school each year. The program uncertifi ed electricians to fi nd formal for East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the outages or equipment failures knock reforms and overhaul their education One option is to expand the off ers short courses on welding and employment in robotics. Pacifi c.

LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 260c Minimum Temperature : 160c

SUNDAY Maximum Temperature : 250c Minimum Temperature : 160c Reopening a case with new evidence MONDAY Maximum Temperature : 220c Minimum Temperature : 160c By Dr Nizar Kochery submit their claims, their debts shall landlord to be able to bring a claim disclose the information relating Fisherman's forecast Doha be deposited with the court custodian, in respect of the lease contract to the off ence? Please advise. until the claims are received from their before the Rental Dispute Settlement DS, Doha WARNING owners or the claims are time barred Committee, the lease must be Inshore : Nil Question: Though a complaint by extinctive limitation. registered. The landlord has to pay an A: According to Article 172 of Qatar Offshore : Nil was lodged at the police station annual fee of 1% of the annual rent penal laws, any person, being a WEATHER and later referred to the Public for such registration. There will be a witness who, after taking the oath Inshore : Hazy at places at first Prosecution, it was not accepted, Registration of penalty imposed on landlords who fail before a judicial or investigative becomes moderate probably due to lack of evidence. to register lease agreements. authorities, gives false testimonies temperature daytime lease contract with some clouds, cold Now, I have managed to arrange or withholds all or some of the by night. witnesses and documentary Q: We are engaged into real estate information of which he is aware WIND evidence. Can I reopen the matter? business and we require some Failing to disclose regarding the facts of the case Inshore : Southwesterly-North- TU, Doha clarifi cation on registration of facts in testimony concerning which his testimony westerly 03-13 KT lease contract. Is it mandatory is being made, shall be punished Offshrore : Southwesterly-South- Answer: As per Article 148 of the to register the lease contracts as Q: A case was fi led against with imprisonment for a term not easterly 3-12/15 KT at criminal procedure, the order of per law? What will be the eff ect of our company manager for exceeding three years and a fi ne places at first. SEA STATE insuffi cient evidence to proceed with non-registration? According to misbehaving with one of the not exceeding QR10,000. The same Offshore : 1-3 FT, Rises to 4 FT at the criminal action issued by the law, who is responsible to register employees. Now the manager provisions shall apply to any person places at first. Public Prosecution shall not preclude the lease contract? has threatened everyone who instructed by judicial or investigative the reinvestigation whenever there NX, Doha witnessed the incident. Out of authorities to work as an expert or is new evidence strengthening the fear, those employees may not translator and deliberately commits an Around the region charge. Such new evidence includes A: As per Rental Law, all lease disclose the facts before the act of misrepresentation. Weather Weather testimony of witnesses as well as contracts must be registered by the investigation offi cer. As per law, today Max/min tomorrow Max/min records and other documentation that landlord at the Registration Offi ce is there any chance of legal action Please send your questions by P Cloudy 18/08 Sunny 19/08 had not been previously presented at the Municipality. In order for the against witness who fails to e-mail to: [email protected] Kuwait City Sunny 22/11 M Sunny 22/10 to the Public Prosecution and Manama Sunny 25/16 Sunny 23/14 strengthens the evidence that was Muscat Sunny 25/17 Sunny 26/18 found insuffi cient or may serve to Tehran S Showers 07/01 P Cloudy 10/-1 clarify and determine the truth. LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Creditors’ claims in liquidating firm According to Article 60 of the Civil employees or the parties that fail to and Commercial Procedure Law, the fi le the documents or to take any of Q: Last February, our company presiding judge shall be responsible for the litigation proceedings within the had supplied materials to an MEP control and direction of the hearing time limit specifi ed by the court to company in Doha and as per the and if anyone disturbs the order of the pay a fi ne of not more than QR500 terms it was agreed to settle the hearing, he may order to leave the court pursuant to an order noted in the dues within six months. But now room. If such person failed to obey the minutes of the hearing. The court we came to know that the MEP order, the presiding judge may detain order that imposes a fi ne shall have company is in loss and they have him for twenty-four hours or impose the force of executive decree and shall initiated liquidation procedures. a fi ne against him of a maximum of not be subject to appeal. The court What will be the procedure followed QR500. Such rulings shall be fi nal may exempt the party, against whom by the appointed liquidator to and are not be subject to appeal. If the the order of fi ne is imposed, from Around the world identify the creditors to settle the contravention is caused by one of those paying the whole fi ne or part thereof, Weather Weather claims? Please explain. working in court, the court may initiate, if there is an acceptable reason. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min ISK, Doha during the hearing, disciplinary action The court may, in lieu of imposing Athens P Cloudy 17/11 P Cloudy 17/11 against the person which the head of fi ne, decide to suspend the case for Beirut S Showers 16/11 Sunny 17/12 A: As per Article 312 of the the department may enforce. a period not exceeding six months, Bangkok P Cloudy 32/26 P Cloudy 30/26 Commercial Companies Law, due The court may, even at its own provided that this defendant shall Berlin M Cloudy 07/02 S Showers 03/-4 dates in respect of all the company instance, order the deletion of any shall deliver an immediate judgment not object. If the suspension period Cairo P Cloudy 21/10 Sunny 21/11 debts shall expire upon the dissolution abusive words which are contrary against such person. The court may expires, the offi ce of the Registry Cape Town M Sunny 22/18 Showers 20/16 of company. The liquidator shall, by to public policy or morals from any also initiate action against a person of the court shall bring forward the Colombo Sunny 30/22 M Sunny 30/22 registered letter, notify all creditors submission or pleading. who commits perjury and shall hearing of the lawsuit at a request Dhaka Sunny 24/12 Sunny 24/12 on the commencement of liquidation, As per Article 64, the Presiding judge be punished with the prescribed by one of the parties, to the next Hong Kong Rain 19/18 Showers 21/19 and shall invite them to submit their shall order a record to be prepared punishment for perjury. The court’s possible hearing. The parties shall be Istanbul Sunny 11/07 Sunny 13/09 claims against the company. The of any crime committed during the judgment in these cases shall be summoned accordingly. If it is proved Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 M Cloudy 32/24 notice shall be published in two local course of the hearing and to refer the eff ective even if it is appealed. that the plaintiff has not complied Karachi Sunny 26/11 Sunny 25/11 newspapers, of which one shall be in papers to the Police to take necessary According to Article 66, the litigants with the court’s orders, the court may London Cloudy 07/02 P Cloudy 06/03 the Arabic language, and also on the action. If the crime committed is may, at any stage of the case, request declare the lawsuit void. Manila P Cloudy 32/24 P Cloudy 31/24 website of the company, if any, if the felony or misdemeanour, court may, if the court to record any compromise Arabic shall be the language of Moscow Rain&Snow 03/02 S Showers 02/-4 creditors or their places of residence the circumstances so require, issue an terms agreed to be signed by the court. The court may hear the New Delhi Sunny 21/07 Sunny 20/07 are not known. In all cases, the notice arrest warrant against the person who themselves or their authorised testimonies of litigants or witnesses New York Sunny -9/-16 M Sunny -6/-8 to creditors for the submission of has committed the crime. representatives. If they have already who are ignorant of Arabic through an Paris Showers 08/04 Showers 07/04 their claims shall include a period of The court may take legal action written such agreement, the court interpreter who shall take an oath to Sao Paulo T Storms 27/20 Rain 22/19 not less than 75 days from the date of against whoever commits shall attach such agreement to the interpret with honesty and integrity. Seoul Sunny 02/-7 Cloudy 03/-3 such notice, provided that publication misdemeanor against the court panel, minutes of the hearing and its content The judgments are issued and Singapore Cloudy 31/26 T Storms 30/25 of notice shall be repeated during or any of its members, or any of the shall be recorded therein. executed in the name of His Highness Sydney Cloudy 29/22 M Sunny 36/21 such period after the expiry of one court employees during hearing and The court shall order any of its the Emir of the State of Qatar. Tokyo Clear 10/01 Clear 09/02 month thereof. If some creditors fail to Gulf Times 16 Saturday, January 6, 2018 QATAR

A variety of ornamental plants attract many shoppers. PICTURES: Nasar T K Shoppers buy in bulk at Mahaseel Souq yesterday. Local produce selling quick at Mahaseel Souq

By Joey Aguilar cial outlets. Good to see many or- sheep milk, as well as vegetables, Staff Reporter ganic produce from local farms as natural honey and fish. well,” they said, hoping the event Agrico, which doubled its veg- will expand further in its next edi- etable production this winter, con- large number of Qatar resi- tion. tinues to offer organic and pesti- dents and visitors thronged cide-free tomatoes, cucumbers, A the Mahaseel Souq yester- Local farms have been capsicum, chilli, and mushrooms, day at Katara–the Cultural Vil- exerting eff orts to produce among others. A farm employee lage’s southern area to buy fresh more and support Qatar’s said the event helped them a lot in White and brown mushrooms on off er at Mahaseel. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar produce from local vegetable farms agriculture sector to attain introducing their products to Qa- and dairies. self-suffi ciency in the coming tar residents, as orders from many Some 30 stalls from 22 local years customers surged after taking part farms and six national companies in the first edition early last year. — specialised in producing and Mahaseel, organised by Katara “We hope to meet the growing selling dairy products and livestock in collaboration with the Ministry demand for fresh produce here, es- meat — offer a wide range of veg- of Municipality and Environment pecially tomatoes and cucumber,” etables and fruits, eggs and locally- and Qatari farm owners, serves as she added. produced honey and dates. an effective marketing platform to Local farms have been exert- Ornamental plants and flowers showcase and promote premium ing efforts to produce more and on offer also attracted many fami- fresh produce in the country. It will support Qatar’s agriculture sec- lies, particularly those who have run every weekend (Thursday, Fri- tor to attain self-sufficiency in been anticipating the reopening of day and Saturday) until March. the coming years. Apart from fresh the souq, which took a short break Some of the participants include produce, Mahaseel is also attract- after its December launch last year. Oryx Mushrooms, which offers ing many visitors due to its wide A British couple who were white button and brown mush- range of traditional Arabic food and spending their weekend at Katara rooms, as well as green leafy veg- snacks prepared by local families at told Gulf Times that they prefer etables, to its customers. Its pro- the venue. buying their broccoli, cauliflower, duce are grown locally at Eden farm Hundreds of students from vari- jalapeno, capsicum and cucumber in Doha using state-of-the-art ous schools in Doha took part in at the Mahaseel Souq. technology. Jerry Smeih, dubbed as several educational workshops and “The items here are of high qual- “The Family Farm,” sells fresh duck lectures at Mahaseel such as bee- ity like imports – fresh and prices and eggs, free range chicken and keeping and healthy nutrition, and are cheaper compared to commer- eggs, Syrian sheep (Awassi), and the cultivation of home gardens. Families throng Katara’s southern area to buy fresh vegetables, poultry and other locally-produced products. 35 global fi lm projects chosen for DFI’s Fall Grants

ome 35 projects by fi rst-, second-time and estab- Slished Middle East and North Africa (Mena) fi lmmakers from across the world, includ- ing eight from Qatar, have been selected by the Doha Film Insti- tute (DFI) for its Fall 2017 Grants programme. In a statement, DFI said the programme aims to nurture the new generation of fi lm talents. Underlining the important role of women in fi lmmaking, 18 of the chosen projects are by tal- ented female directors. “The diversity of submis- sions for this cycle has been ex- ceptional, and we chose the 35 projects for their ability to en- gage with audiences anywhere in the world,” DFI CEO Fatma al-Remaihi said. “Through our grants pro- gramme, we are empowering talented young fi lmmakers, es- pecially from our region, to help fulfi l their creative aspirations,” she noted. “We are proud to be develop- ing the next generation of Arab fi lm talents, and we are delight- Late to Die Young (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands, Qatar) by Dominga Sotomayor is set in an isolated Displaced in Heaven (Palestine, Germany, Qatar) by Khaled Jarrar has the Palestinian director following ed to see their numbers continue community, where Sofía, Clara and Lucas prepare for New Year’s Eve. a family through the Balkan route, to plunge into the horror of exile in a desperate need to recover his to grow every year.” lost memories. To date, DFI supported more fi lms supported through the Qa- original voices of emerging tal- set new benchmarks. Two ac- than 380 fi lm projects from more tari Film Fund. ents in fi lm by encouraging crea- claimed directors – Mohamed documentaries and short nar- Corner Boy (Palestine, UK, is the only fi lm for the feature than 63 countries including 310 This year’s Fall Grantees in- tive interaction and establishing Zineddaine for The Healer (Mo- ratives have been awarded de- Qatar) by Omar El-Khairy and experimental or Essay while from the Mena region, off er- clude projects from Algeria, Ar- a fi lmmaking community. rocco, Italy, Qatar) and Merzak velopment grants. My English Cousin (Algeria, Split-Screen (Qatar) by Nadia al- ing development, production gentina, Chile, Egypt, Hungary, The programme also sup- Allouache for Divine Wind (Al- Feature narratives included Switzerland, France, Qatar) by Khater and Fahad al-Khater, and and post-production resources Iceland, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, ports established names from geria, France, Qatar) – are this Beneath the Dunes (Qatar) by Karim Sayad made it to feature The Mute (Qatar) by Thamer al- through the Grants programme. Morocco, Palestine, Serbia, the Mena region who are rec- year’s Grantees. Seven projects Mohammed al-Ibrahim and documentary. Thani made it to short narrative. Of these, 26 fi lms are by Qatari Syria, Tunisia, and the UK. The ognised for their creative vi- from the Mena region, includ- Saffron’s Land (Morocco, Qa- I, Hummus (Lebanon, Can- DFI said 15 Mena fi lms have fi lmmakers, in addition to the 23 Grants programme promotes the sion and compelling content to ing feature narratives, feature tar) by Yassine El Idrissi while ada, Qatar) by Rawane Nassif been awarded production grants.