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Saturday 25 February 2017 | 28 Jumada I 1438 Volume 21 | Number 7083 | 2 Riyals

Katara opens new fountain Qatar supports UN Khalifa Stadium likely counter-terrorism efforts: Envoy to open by mid-2017 New York QNA

Sanaullah Ataullah sport event its tourism sector QATAR'S permanent repre- The Peninsula witnessed remarkable boom. sentative to the United “We expect about a million Nations Ambassador Sheikha he Khalifa Interna- or a million-and-a-half visitors Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani tional Stadium (KIS) and spectators during Qatar said that the country remains that is being redevel- 2022 which is more than visi- committed to all the UN's oped to host FIFA tors hosted by other countries counter-terrorism efforts. Wold Cup 2022 is in the past. The previous host The Ambassador praised Texpected to open by the end of countries of Fifa World-Cup the working plans of national second quarter of this year. received about 500,000 to and regional entities con- “We are moving as per our 600,000 visitors,” cerned with counter-terrorism schedule to complete all projects Khalifa International But Qatar’s geographical and preventing extremism. related to the World Cup 2022 Stadium will be location and its other factors like She said that violent extrem- on time, said Nasser Al Khater, opened by the end of having Qatar Airways and sup- ism is one of the biggest Assistant Secretary- General of second quarter of this ported by other regional airlines security challenges facing the the Supreme Committee for like Emirates will help to attract world. Sheikha Alia stressed Delivery and Legacy (SC) in a year and will be more visitors during the event. the need for strong measures talk show on Qatar TV. followed by Al Khor Fifa will require 60,000 taken at the national, “KIS will be the first stadium and Al Wakrah hotel rooms and we promised regional, and international to be ready and will be opened stadiums that are to provide about 90,000 rooms levels. The Ambassador high- by the end of second quarter of including hotel rooms and lighted the important role that 2017. KIS will be followed by Al slated to be apartments, rooms in Cruise sustainable development and Khor and Al Wakrah stadiums completed by end of ships. Some buildings and com- human rights can play in that are slated to be completed 2018. Al Rayan and pounds will be also turned into counter-terrorism efforts. by end of 2018. Al Rayan and accommodations for spectators For his part, Foreign Minis- Qatar Foundation Qatar Foundation stadiums will and villages for spectators will ter's special envoy on open in 2019 while the remain- stadiums will open in be built. We expect to achieve counterterrorism and disputes' ing stadiums will be also ready 2019. the target by 2022. settlements, Dr Mutlaq bin by the end of 2020,” said Al Sports Villages for specta- Majed Al Qahtani warned Khater. tors will have different type of against linking violence and ter- “Now we are focusing on housing facilities. Some will be rorism on one side, and religion eight stadiums that would host In the long term, the event like camp-shaped while other or other beliefs and ideologies the world Cup 2022 but final will boost the tourism industry will be three and five-starred on the other. He expressed decision regarding the number significantly as it happened with hotels in a bid to serve all sec- regret at the increased tendency of stadiums will be taken in May countries that organised previ- tions of spectators and of linking terrorism and extrem- this year,” he added. ous football world cup visitors. ism to a religion. He stressed on Qatar will benefit in many championships, which is one of We focused to utilise the the importance of dialogue on ways directly and indirectly with the biggest sport event in the facilities related to Qatar 2022 a national, regional, and inter- World Cup 2022 during the world. like stadiums after the event. national level iagainst hosting of this giant sport event Germany has benefitted Some stadiums will be turned extremism. He highlighted the and aftermath in long term. The immensely by organising the into clubs for the residents of the role the Doha Center for inter- A new water fountain opened at the Katara Amphitheater, direct income will come from world cup. Before hosting the respective localities. And others faith Dialogue in promoting a the visitors and spectators of 2006 championship, Germany will cater to the surrounding yesterday. spirit of understanding between Qatar 2022 by providing them was known for industry and population in other different Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula different cultures and faiths. housing and other services. production but after this giant ways. → See also page 2 Iraqi forces enter western Mosul Proposal to train eatery staff to ensure food safety Baghdad AP Sidi Mohamed raq's air force struck Islamic State (IS) tar- The Peninsula gets inside Syria for the first time Iyesterday as troops on the ground pushed o address the issue of food-safety related violations and to into western Mosul, the last major urban make the work easier for municipalities’ inspectors, a pro- stronghold held by the Sunni militant group Tposal has been forwarded to to the Minister of Municipality in Iraq. and Environment for opening a training centre for workers Iraq's Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi employed by eateries, an official at the Ministry said. announced the air strikes in a statement, say- “To make the work easy for municipalities’ inspectors and to ing the air force hit towns of Boukamal and decrease food violations a proposal has been presented to the min- Husseibah across the border and came in ister for opening training centres for employees of food outlets response to recent bombings in Baghdad and restaurants. The proposed centre will teaching them how to claimed by IS and linked to the militants' deal properly with food and also educate them on food hygiene”, operations in Syria. a sources at the Ministry told The Peninsula. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces pushed into the “After opening these training centers for workers, hygiene first neighbourhood of western Mosul and standards will be met because workers will be well-aware of food took full control of Mosul's international air- safety and the violations will also decrease,” he added. port and a sprawling military base on the “Generally, violations at eateries are committed due to lack of southwestern edge of the city, according to knowledge among their staff. Therefore, we are suggesting the launch Iraqi officials. Iraqi troops advance towards Mosul to retake the northern city from Islamic State of such training centers which will be run under the umbrella of munic- The territorial gains mark the first key militants, yesteray. ipalities and experts will deliver lectures to workers”, he added. moves in the battle, now in its sixth day, to “We usually provide awareness lectures to workers but there rout IS militants from the western half of airport. An Iraqi air force commander said airport will be key to the next steps in the exists a problem that the workers are usually changed every two Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. the air strikes against IS Syria were carried daunting battle and will serve as a base of to three weeks at food outlets hence our activity does not bring The push into Mamun neighborhood was out with F-16 warplanes at dawn and "were operations as Iraqi forces launch subsequent desired results. Every time we visit a food outlet, we find new faces followed by intense clashes with IS militants, successful." The commander, who spoke on pushes into western Mosul, which is divided which makes our awareness job more difficult. The proposed cent- according to an Iraqi special forces officer condition of anonymity because he was not by the Tigris River into two halves. ers will give certificates to workers who will join classes”, he said. on the ground, who spoke on condition of authorised to talk to the media, said they Iraqi authorities declared the city's east- "Some restaurant chains have more than 200 workers. It is in anonymity in line with regulations. were conducted at the order of the prime ern half "fully liberated" from the Sunni their favour to get their workers trained from these centres and Earlier yesterday, the spokesman of the minister. militants in January, three months after avoid penalties which are imposed when violations are commit- Joint Military Operation Command, Brig Gen The advances come a day after special launching the operation to take back Mosul, ted by their employees," he explained. He said that most of food Yahya Rasool, said Iraqi forces had also forces joined the fight for western Mosul. Iraq's second-largest city. violations committed at restaurants because food passes through retaken the military base adjacent to the Both the Ghazlani military base and the → See also page 3 many phases like storing, preparing and cooking. 02 HOME SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 Sixth annual Halal Qatar Qatar and Papua New Guinea establish ties Festival opens at Katara

Raynald C Rivera to introduce visitors to the var- The Peninsula Beauty contest ious kinds of halal. Festival sheds light on In its sixth edition, the festi- he sixth annual Halal the crucial role val has seen an increase in the Qatar Festival opened number of activities including livestock breeding yesterday at the exhibitions of photography, and trade played in southern area of handicraft and traditional cui- Katara, providing vis- the past and attempts sine in addition to folkloric Titors a glimpse into animal trade to preserve heritage. songs and traditional games. The as an important aspect of rich festival also hosts an old souq, Qatari tradition. This year’s main traditional tent and horse and Through this festival, which events include Al camel rides. runs until March 4, Katara sheds Mazain - a beauty This year’s festival also wit- light on the crucial role livestock contest for sheep and nessed the participation of more breeding and trade played in the goats. Qatari companies engaged in past as well as attempts to pre- the production of food and non- serve this integral component food products related to of Qatari culture and heritage. including Syrian sheep, Arab livestock such as milk, dairy Qatar and Papua New Guinea yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding at “Halal Qatar Festival is con- sheep and Aaridy goats among products and handicraft. the headquarters of Qatar's permanent committee at the UN for establishing diplomatic sidered to be one of the essential others. “Katara has always recog- relations. Qatar's permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed events hosted by Katara, as the “This year’s organizing com- nized the importance of bin Saif Al Thani, signed the agreement with her counterpart in Papua New Guinea, Max festival attracts local and mittee sought to organize a promoting local enterprises in Hufanen Rai. regional visitors. The festival festival, which builds on the a manner that is both sustaina- offers an opportunity for event’s success by offering new ble and competitive. Halal Qatar Katara’s audiences to witness contests and issuing new con- Festival is in line with its efforts various sheep breeding aspects ditions and regulations. An to provide a platform to such while considering its significant exciting expansion of the event businesses, to display their live- role in providing us a range of this year involves allocating stock products to the public,” Rare items on display at DJWE products,” said Katara General more prizes that includes 27 cars said Al Sulaiti. Manager Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim to be awarded to the winners,” The festival is open from Al-Sulaiti. said Al Sulaiti. 8am to 12 noon and from 3pm The Peninsula This year’s main events Regionally popular among to 10pm. Public auctions are include Al Mazain-a beauty con- halal events, the festival has held in the evening while sub- intage and privately test for sheep and goats, Al attracted not only local partici- mission of entries for Al Mazain owned jewellery pieces Mazad-a public auction of live- pants but also those coming competition are held in the Vnever shown in Qatar stock and barns-enclosures from other GCC countries. Some morning with the judging and before are displayed at a spe- which showcase different types participating livestock owners announcement of winners held cially curated Central Exhibition of halal (goats and sheep) are also present at the festival in the evening. - one of the new features of this year’s Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) which concludes today at the Doha Exhibition and Conven- tion Centre (DECC). Under the theme ‘Once upon a time… luxury’, the exhibition is a stunning showcase of col- exquisite gold and diamond Imperial Highness Princess lections from Qatar’s leading brooches, a matching powder Soraya of Iran. luxury jewellery retailers Fifty case and lipstick holder detailed Al Majed Jewellery has two One East, Al Fardan Jewellery, with diamond flowers, a square collections of striking natural Ali Bin Ali and Al Majed yellow gold ladies wristwatch pearls: a vast necklace featur- Jewellery. with invisible clasp, and a purse ing 2,569 individual pearls Displaying over fifteen made of twelve articulated connected to five pieces of white exclusive pieces, the central panels. diamonds and a jewellery set exhibition enables jewellery afi- Al Fardan Jewellery has displaying natural pearls, dia- cionados to see a unique 18k bestowed a dazzling Piaget monds and enthralling yellow gold pocket watch watch, featuring 217 beautiful emeralds. detailed with a 30-minute coun- baguette cut diamonds with a The Central Exhibition is a ter and perpetual calendar watch face which displays a brand new feature of DJWE, giv- presented to His Majesty King radiant sunshine detail ing visitors a rare opportunity Fuad of Egypt by the Swiss Col- Ali Bin Ali presents a wealth to see unique pieces, each with ony in Egypt in 1929. of 1950s jewellery from the a fascinating story to tell. This Boucheron, the famous revered brand Van Cleef&Arpels. precious jewellery has travelled French brand available at Fifty The collection includes a strik- across the globe, handled with Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and other officials tour the barns, One East, has lent pieces from ing gold and diamond necklace great care to ensure they long which showcase various breeds of sheep and goats, at the opening of sixth Halal Qatar its museum in Paris dating from and earring set which was part continue to enthrall jewellery Festival at Katara. 1902 to 1954. These include of the former collection of Her enthusiasts.

Video Games 'Qatar aware of environmental impact of reclamation' Live returns Irfan Bukhari Coast Guards, Ashghal, the Min- of time to provide breathing to Qatar The Peninsula istry of Municipality and space to the nature for recovery. Environment were open to dis- He said that the environmental The Peninsula eorge Karani, Professor of cussing the problems related to problems could not be fully eval- Environmental Health and reclamation. uated or understood without fter the success of last GChair, Africa Partnership He said that it was very nec- engaging indigenous people. year’s show, Video Initiative, Cardiff Metropolitan essary to bring all stakeholders “Similarly, no sustainable solu- AGames Live returns to University School of Health Sci- together to evaluate the impact tion can be found if we neglect Qatar National Convention ences has said that stakeholders on marine environment and local people’s input and partic- Center in another concert in Qatar were aware of the envi- public health. ipation,” he observed. which promises to enthrall ronmental impact of land “Before applying solutions, He said that climate change video games fans and music reclamation and, through coor- we have to evaluate the nature was the biggest issue of the time enthusiasts. dinated efforts, were trying to and extent of the problem and it and to tackle the challenge, Video Games Live 2017 evaluate the problem and find is possible only when we engage indigenous knowledge should be which will be stages on March the solutions. local indigenous population in combined with scientific knowl- 4 at 8pm at QNCC is expected “My purpose of participating the process. First, we should start edge. “We will have to include to entertain hundreds in the in the seminar on reclamation talking about the issue and share local communities and empower audience with a blend of the and marine environment was to our knowledge on the subject,” them to meet the challenge as energy and excitement of a speak on the quality of life and he added. the decisions made at foreign rock concert mixed with the importance of collaboration “If the problem is in the com- lands cannot address local prob- power and emotion of the among stakeholders. The state’s munity, the solution is also in the lems. No one understands us Qatar Philharmonic Orches- George Karani, Professor of Environtal Health, speaking to The engagement with local people is community,” he observed. Prof better than us is the real philos- tra and Choir, combined with Peninsula at the Qatar Scientific Club. a must to evaluate the environ- Karani said that reclamation had ophy in executing environmental the technology, interactivity, Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula mental problems and present many positive points like that the solutions. Every partner is incredible visuals and fun that solutions,” he told The land could be used for construc- reclamation in the long run He said that during interac- equally important in this proc- only video games can offer. Peninsula. tion and accommodation affected food quality and tion with various officials ess,” he added. The concert will play well- Prof Karani was here to guaranteeing more employment. quantity. representing different relevant Prof Karani said that Millen- loved music from popular video deliver a keynote lecture in a “But along economic benefits, it “It also spoils water quality departments, he had learnt that nium Development Goals could games such as Super Mario Bros, seminar titled “Land Reclama- has its negative impact like it and alters the features of beaches the authorities in Qatar used to not be achieved as some devel- Halo, Warcraft, Final Fantasy tion and Marine Environment” restricts water movement. It also negatively,” he added. “It is implement strict environmental oped countries crafted them with and The Legend of Zelda, among organised by Staff Brig Ali bin has negative effects on fish as highly commendable that due to safety standards. proper input from local people others.Created and hosted by Saad Al-Naimi, an academic some species of fish are very efforts of Staff Brig Al-Naimi, all “We cannot stop progress but of various regions. game composer the show’s associate at Cardiff School of sensitive and they cannot toler- stakeholders discussed the issue we must first evaluate the prob- “I hope Sustainable Devel- creator Tommy Tallarico and Health Sciences and former ate changes in water color, odor for the first time under one roof lems associated with progress opment Goals will be achieved conducted by famous Irish board member of Qatar Scien- etc. Consequently, they start with one another,” he said. Prof and then apply solutions accord- as they are more realistic game composer Eimear Noone, tific Club. migration and sometimes in the Karani is supervisor of Al-Nai- ingly,” he added. because efforts have been made the entertainment includes Karani said that he was process of migration they can- mi’s PhD research on Prof Karani thinks that the to make them ‘inclusive’ in synchronized video footage impressed with the fact that var- not survive,” he noted. reclamation and marine land reclamation process should nature by taking input of devel- and lighting as well as interac- ious stakeholders in Qatar like The professor said that environment. be executed with breaks in terms oping countries,” he noted. tive segments. SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 03 Over 50 dead in Syria Car bomb attack

Beirut Deadly blast establish a safe zone for civilians. Thursday it had lost control of Al Reuters Turkey’s military said yesterday Bab. Syria’s main conflict pits The blast in the that Syrian rebels had taken full President Bashar Al Assad, n Islamic State car village of Sousian hit control of all of Al Bab, and that backed by Russia, Iran and Shia bomb killed more a security checkpoint work to clear mines and unex- militias, against rebels that than 50 people yes- controlled by rebels ploded ordnance was under way. include groups supported by terday in a Syrian fighting under the Sousian is behind rebel lines Turkey, the United States and village held by rebels, Free Syrian Army about 8km northwest of Al Bab, Gulf monarchies. aA war monitor said, a day after (FSA) banner. around which Ankara has long However, both those sides, the jihadist group was driven supported the formation of a as well as a group of militias led from its last stronghold in the security zone it says would help by Kurdish forces and supported area. Murad Brigade near Al Bab, said: to stem a wave of migration via by the US, are also fighting The blast in the village of “It was done on a checkpoint but Turkey into Europe. Islamic State, which holds large Sousian hit a security checkpoint there were a lot of families there A second blast took place parts of northern and eastern controlled by rebels fighting gathered and waiting to get back 2km south of Sousian, but it was Syria. As mines laid in and under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to Al Bab. Therefore we have unclear whether it was from a around Al Bab claimed lives for banner. The Syrian Observatory many civilian casualties.” vehicle bomb. There were a second day, the Sultan Murad for Human Rights, a monitor of The Turkey-backed rebels reports of casualties but no Brigade fighter said many IS cells the war based in Britain, said drove Islamic State from the immediate details. Islamic State were still operating there. “It is United Nations (UN) Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura (centre) more than 50 people died includ- town of Al Bab on Thursday, fol- said in a social media posting very dangerous. Our search and ing over 30 civilians. One of the lowing weeks of street battles that it was behind the Sousian clear operation is still under looks on during a meeting on the second day of a new round two, a fighter with the Sultan near where Ankara wants to attack, having acknowledged on way,” he said. of Syria peace talks in Geneva yesterday. Saudi minister in talks with Iran over Haj Israel to publish report Riyadh concerning participation of the logistics for the Haj, which will year), of course, if Saudi Arabia on 2014 Gaza war AFP Iranian faithful in this year's take place around early accepts our conditions," Iran's Haj," the official Saudi Press September. Culture Minister Reza Salehi Saudi minister held talks Agency (SPA) said. For the first time in nearly Amiri told state television on Jerusalem cross-border attacks on Israeli with an Iranian delegation It did not give more details three decades, Iran's 64,000 pil- Wednesday, when he confirmed AFP territory. The report also exam- Aabout the possibility of but said the meeting took place grims did not attend last year's Iran had sent a team to Saudi ines "the way in which Iranian pilgrims rejoining the on Thursday in the Red Sea city Haj after the countries failed to Arabia. report expected to criti- decisions were made within the annual Haj, state media of Jeddah. agree on security and logistics. "In a letter I've written to the cise Israel's prime (security) cabinet before and at reported. SPA said the talks occurred Saudi media reported in Decem- Saudi Haj minister I have spec- Aminister and the armed the start of Operation Protec- The kingdom's minister in in the context of meetings organ- ber that Bentin had invited Iran ified our conditions," he said. forces command over their tive Edge", Shapira's spokesman charge of pilgrimages, Moham- ised by the pilgrimage ministry to discuss arrangements for this "If they accept our condi- conduct in the runup to the said, using Israel's codename med Bentin, discussed with the with various countries about year's pilgrimage. "Iran's policy tions, we will definitely send 2014 Gaza war is to be released for the assault. Iranians "arrangements accommodation and other is to send pilgrims to the Haj (this pilgrims (this) year." next week, officials said The draft, released to min- yesterday. isters and military officials in State comptroller Yossef November, says Netanyahu and Shapira's report, the result of a Yaalon only partially informed Jordan warplane crashes in Saudi Desert walk two-year inquiry, will be pub- the Jewish state's inner cabinet lished on Tuesday, a spokesman of the threat posed by the tun- for his office said. nels, according to leaks to local RIYADH: A Jordanian F-16 warplane crashed in Saudi Arabia yes- Shapira, who is in charge of media. A source close to Netan- terday but its pilot survived. "Technical reasons" caused the crash assessing state policies and use yahu has rejected the charge. of the US-built aircraft in the Najran district on the Saudi side of of public funds, opened his Destroying the tunnels and the border with Yemen, the coalition said. It added that the pilot investigation soon after the stopping Gaza-based Palestin- was in good condition. The rebels' Al Masirah television website July-August 2014 conflict ian militants launching rockets claimed that the fighter-bomber had been shot down by "anti-air- between Israel and Hamas, the into Israel were the key craft defences". He was the second Emirati soldier in a week to die Islamist group which controls declared goals of Israel's third in Yemen, raising to around 80 the number of troops from the UAE the Gaza Strip. offensive in the coastal terri- killed in coalition operations against the Houthis and their allies. A draft released to senior tory in six years. The coalition launched air strikes, and other military assistance officials reportedly condemns The tunnels were among nearly two years ago Prime Minister Benjamin the Palestinians' most effective Netanyahu and Defence Min- weapons during the 50-day ister Moshe Yaalon for failing conflict. Seven dead in Boko Haram attack to prepare for the threat posed Israel's military found 32 by Hamas tunnels from Gaza, tunnels, including 14 from the An Emirati man walks with his camels across the Hameem despite alerts from the intelli- Gaza Strip into Israel, accord- KANO: At least seven soldiers were killed in a Boko Haram attack desert, some 170km west of the Gulf Emirate of Abu gence services. ing to a UN inquiry on the on military positions in northeast Nigeria, a civilian vigilante and Hamas and its allies used conflict. Hamas says it has con- Dhabi, yesterday. a security source said yesterday. The attack happened in the town the tunnels to carry out tinued to dig new ones. of Gajiram, about 80km by road north of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, on Wednesday afternoon. A military source in Maid- uguri and a civilian vigilante, Babakura Kolo, both told AFP on Thursday that the fighting lasted for about two hours and that Israel bans Human three soldiers were killed. SA police fire at anti-immigrant march But Kolo said yesterday that the toll was had risen and that it Right Watch worker was "now seven, including one lieutenant, and six rank and file. Pretoria "We support the police," drugs? They can search our Jerusalem AFP South African marcher Aysha shops." Some officers shot rub- Reuters Ali, 25, said. "Nigerians are very ber rounds at close range at outh African police fired bad, they are bringing drugs into protesters lying on the ground, 15 Iraq guards dead near Jordan srael has denied a work rubber bullets, tear gas and our community. I support the and police used water cannon permit to a Human Rights Sstun grenades to break up protest." As police struggled to against demonstrators who HABBANIYAH: The Islamic State group carried out an attack on IWatch researcher, accus- clashes between local protest- impose control, Mohammed wielded rocks and machetes. an Iraqi border guard position near Jordan yesterday, killing at ing the group of doing the ers and immigrants in Pretoria Abdi, 31, from Somalia, said: "We President Jacob Zuma con- least 15 guards, officials said. work of Palestinian propa- yesterday at a march against are looking for peace. People say demned the latest wave of "Daesh launched an attack with a suicide car bomb and gun- gandists, a move the foreigners. we foreigners are here to sell xenophobic unrest. men on the 2nd border guard regiment near Trebil," an officer in US-based organisation called Shops and homes owned by the border guard said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. "The attack unprecedented and an “omi- migrants have been looted and came from several directions and killed 15 border guards, includ- nous turn”. Foreign Ministry torched over the last two weeks, ing two officers," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. spokesman Emmanuel Nah- with some South Africans alleg- The border with Jordan lies in Anbar, a vast western province shon said the decision had ing that the properties were where IS fighters have lost most of their urban strongholds but been taken because of HRW’s brothels and drug dens. continue to harass government forces. “extreme, hostile anti-Israel Attacks against foreigners in agenda which was working the country have erupted regu- at the service of Palestinian larly in recent years, fuelled by Two Malians held over I Coast attack propaganda ... in a totally high unemployment and dire biased manner.” The US State poverty. Riot police in Pretoria Department said it strongly formed lines to keep apart about DAKAR: Senegalese police have arrested two Malians suspected disagreed with Israel’s char- 1,000 protesters as tensions rise A South African riot policeman fires rubber bullets to disperse of involvement in a jihadist attack on an Ivory Coast beach resort acterisation of HRW which it over migrants from Nigeria, last year that killed 19 people. considers a credible human Zimbabwe, Somalia, Pakistan South African nationals during a protest march against illegal More than 10 suspects have already been detained in relation rights organisation. and elsewhere. immigrants in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday. to the March 13 assault, when assailants armed with grenades and assault rifles stormed three hotels in Grand-Bassam, a beach- side resort popular with foreigners 40km (25 miles) from Abidjan. The attack, the first of its kind in the Ivory Coast, was claimed by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which has also carried out Millions at risk from African famine: UN assaults on tourist hotspots in Mali and Burkina Faso. Oslo United Nations said yesterday The United Nations says it Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Reuters as it launched a funding appeal. needs $1.5bn in humanitarian aid Chad, aid experts say. International donors at a for the region this year. Boko Haram militants have 8 Soldiers dead in Yemen attack id agencies must get food conference in Oslo pledged The presence of Boko Haram killed around 15,000 people and to close to 3 million peo- $672m for the next three years, militants has prevented farmers forced more than 2 million from ADAN: A suicide bomber killed at least eight soldiers in an attack on Aple by July to avert a $457m of which was for 2017, from planting crops or access- their homes during a seven-year a military camp in Yemen's southern city of Zinjibar at dawn yes- famine in Africa’s Lake Chad Norway’s foreign minister said. ing Lake Chad to water their insurgency. Their attacks and the terday, media reports quoted local official as saying. The bomber, region caused by drought, It was not clear whether that was animals. Fishermen have also counter operations by Nigerian wearing a military uniform, drove a car that exploded at the entrance chronic poverty and Islamist all new money or had already been prevented from accessing authorities still disrupt vital eco- of the camp, he said. Ten others were wounded, added the official. insurgents Boko Haram, the been earmarked previously. the lake which is shared between nomic activity, officials say. 04 ASIA SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 South Korea claims North has chemical arsenal

Seoul Large stockpile agent is enough to fatally dam- unconventional methods of AFP age a victim's central nervous delivery," he wrote on the North Korea is system. closely-watched US-Korea Insti- VX nerve agent found orth Korea has up to believed to have a Military science professor tute's website 38North in the 5,000 tonnes of large stockpile of VX, Kim Jong-Ha at Hannam Uni- year 2013. chemical weapons, which can easily be versity said the North has 16 There was a "growing body on Kim Jong-nam's face South Korean manufactured at low kinds of nerve agents including of evidence" that the North had experts said Friday, cost: Defence analyst. VX and sarin, used by a Japanese an "ominous" history of prolif- Kuala Lumpur Nincluding the toxin used to assas- doomsday cult, Aum Shinrikyo, erating chemical weapons AFP sinate its leader's half-brother. in the 1995 attack on the Tokyo capabilities to countries such as South Korea's defence min- North Korea has not subway system that killed 12 Syria and Iran, he added. orth Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's half brother was assas- istry said in its 2014 Defence signed a global people. North Korea has not signed sinated with a lethal nerve agent manufactured for White Paper that the North chemical weapons It also possesses other lethal a global chemical weapons con- Nchemical warfare and listed by the UN as a weapon of began producing chemical convention that chemicals, including suffocat- vention that prohibits the mass destruction, Malaysian police said yesterday. weapons in the 1980s and esti- prohibits the ing, blistering and blood agents, production, stockpiling and use Releasing a preliminary toxicology report on Kim Jong-Nam's mated that it has about 2,500 to production, Kim said, as well as 13 types of of chemical weapons. murder at Kuala Lumpur airport, police revealed the poison used 5,000 tonnes in stock. stockpiling and use of biological weapons such as More than 160 countries by the assassins was the odourless, tasteless and highly toxic VX. "North Korea has chemical chemical weapons. anthrax and bubonic plague. signed the treaty, that went into An autopsy revealed traces of VX -- a fast-acting toxin that weapons production facilities in Defence analyst Joseph S force in 1997. sparks respiratory collapse and heart failure -- on the dead eight locations including the Bermudez Jr has said that North In a 2015 assessment, the man's face and in his eyes. northeastern port of Chongjin ago, VX can be produced at small Korea "produces and possesses Washington-based Nuclear Tiny amounts of the poison are enough to kill an adult, and the northwestern city of laboratories or facilities produc- the capability to effectively Threat Initiative wrote: "North whether it is inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Sinuiju," it said in the 2012 edi- ing pesticides, he said. employ throughout the Korean Korea claims that it does not "I am outraged that the criminals used such a dangerous tion of the document. "Chemical and biological peninsula, significant quantities possess chemical weapons. chemical in a public area," said Environment Minister Wan Jun- "North Korea is believed to weapons can be delivered and varieties of chemical weap- "While assessing stockpiles aidi Tuanku Jaafar It "could have caused mass injuries or even have a large stockpile of VX, through various means such as ons", and could have as many as and capabilities are difficult, the death to other people". which can easily be manufac- artillery, missiles and planes", he 150 chemical weapons warheads DPRK is thought to be among the National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar has previously said tured at low cost," defence added. for ballistic missiles. world's largest possessors of the woman who attacked Kim from behind clearly knew she analyst Lee Il-Woo at the private If absorbed through the skin, "It also has, to a lesser extent, chemical weapons, ranking third was carrying out a poison attack, dismissing claims that she Korea Defence Network said. eyes or nose, just a tiny drop of the ability to employ these after the United States and thought she was taking part in a TV prank. Developed some 100 years the colourless, odourless nerve weapons worldwide using Russia." Abe denies participation Japan man to stand trial over in government land deal stabbing spree Tokyo Media say the school, Mori- AFP tomo Gakuen, paid just $1.2m for Tokyo the 9,000 sq metre plot -- AFP are scandal was swirling around a tenth of the cost of a around Japan's Prime Min- nearby plot of a comparable size. A MAN will stand trial over Rister Shinzo Abe yesterday Until recently, the kindergar- the brutal stabbing deaths of as he was forced to deny involve- ten's website said Abe's wife, 19 people at a disability cen- ment in a shady land deal by a Akie, would become honourary tre in Japan last year -- the religious school. principal at new primary school nation's bloodiest crime in A growing controversy over it was building on the land. decades -- media reported the purchase of state land by a The suggestion among his yesterday. nationalist at well below market opponents was that the opera- Satoshi Uematsu claimed rates intensified in parliament tor Yasunori Kagoike had only he was on a self-styled mis- over the past week, with auditors got such a good deal on the land sion to rid the world of people pledging to look into the sale. because of his connections to the with mental illness when he That led Abe yesterday to prime minister. allegedly carried out the pledge he would resign if any Abe, pressed in parliament attack at the Tsukui Yamay- wrongdoing was uncovered. yesterday, acknowledged that uri-en care centre south of "I will take responsibility as his wife Akie had once "reluc- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe poses with musicians at a concert for Premium Friday, Tokyo on July 26. a politician if my wife and I were tantly" accepted the post of outside a museum in Tokyo, yesterday. The mass killing at the involved," he said. honourary principal, but had facility in mountainous Sag- The issue centres on the pur- since "resigned". school, which is due to open in "Shinzo Abe Memorial Primary Shimbun yesterday said the issue amihara city in Kanagawa chase last year of a plot of land The prime minister also said April. School," Abe said. "It was before was "grave". prefecture shocked Japan in Osaka by the right-wing oper- that he complained to Kagoike, Kagoike had collected dona- I became prime minister and I "Parliament should thror- and sparked a review of the ator of an ultra-conservative who had attempted to use his tions by saying the new declined it at that time". oughly investigate and clear up country's mental health kindergarten. name to help raise money for the institution would be named the The left-leaning Tokyo the suspicions". system. The Yokohama District Public Prosecutors Office indicted Uematsu for killing 19 residents and attempting Britain concerns over HK's system Indonesia plane turns back to kill or injure 24 others at the centre, according to pub- Hong Kong hub has seen tumultuous times the vast majority of areas". as door not totally closed lic broadcaster NHK. Reuters over the past couple of years, "Nevertheless, during the Uematsu, who once with pro-democracy protests reporting period a number of worked at the facility, had evelopments in Hong quelled in what many residents developments caused concern Jakarta Sriwijaya Air was 1.5 hours into previously been under psy- Kong have affected con- see as creeping interference by in Hong Kong and internation- AFP the five-hour flight on Thurs- chiatric care and had made Dfidence in a system of Beijing and the rise of a small ally, affecting confidence in 'one day when its system detected public threats against the government intended to ensure but vocal movement pushing for country, two systems,'" it said. n Indonesian passenger that a passenger door at the centre. the Chinese-ruled city's auton- independence. "We believe that, despite plane carrying 192 peo- front of the aircraft had not shut The 27-year-old experi- omy, though its rule of law Britain monitors develop- challenges, Hong Kong's rule of Aple from China to Bali properly, said spokesman Agus enced a "personality disorder" remained robust "despite chal- ments in Hong Kong, as the law remains robust overall, was forced to turn back after Soedjono. but psychological reviews lenges", former colonial power agreement it struck with China thanks in large part to a world- the crew realised one of its "The system did not detect have suggested he is fit for Britain said yesterday. for the territory's return stipu- class, independent judiciary". doors was not properly closed, this prior to the flight, but when trial, media including Jiji Britain handed Hong Kong lated the continuation of its Britain also reiterated con- the airline said yesterday. the plane was up in the air, it Press said, citing unnamed back to China in 1997 with guar- capitalist way of life for 50 cern over the case of five Hong It was the latest problem to was detected," he said. investigators. antees it would retain extensive years. Kong booksellers who published hit an airline from Indonesia, The plane returned to the Uematsu allegedly broke autonomy, an independent legal In its latest report to its par- material critical of Beijing and which relies heavily on air trans- southern Chinese city of into the centre, tied up car- system and broad personal and liament, covering the six months disappeared in late 2015 to re- port to connect its thousands of Guangzhou and was checked egivers and roamed the commercial freedoms under a to the end of last year, the Brit- emerge in Chinese custody islands but has a poor safety for 30 minutes before taking off facility stabbing sleeping res- deal known as "one country, two ish government said the formula months later. Four have been record and has suffered several again for Denpasar. idents and leaving them in systems". setting out how the city is ruled released but one remains in fatal crashes in recent years. No one was hurt or injured pools of blood, authorities The international financial "continued to function well in detention. The Boeing 737 operated by in the incident. have said. Man jailed for Facebook threat to Cambodian PM Phnom Penh He reportedly wrote "Hun Cambodia as Hun Sen clamps on defamation laws to muzzle AFP Sen, today is the day of your down on critics ahead of a 2018 dissent. death" and "Beheading Yuons poll. The clampdown in Cambo- Cambodian court yester- (derogatory term for Vietnam- "Flippant social media posts dia comes as 64-year-old Hun day sentenced a ese people) is the duty of all or throw away comments, with- Sen brandishes his own social A 27-year-old to two years Khmer children" on his Face- out any real intention to follow media arsenal in a bid to con- in jail for Facebook posts that book account, leading to his through, should be handled with nect with young voters fed up threatened strongman Prime arrest in October last year. a common-sense approach and with the corruption and rights Minister Hun Sen. Yesterday, a Phnom Penh treated with leniency," Chak abuses that have flourished Ven Sopheap, a resident of court handed the man two years Sopheap, executive director of under his tenure. eastern Prey Veng province, in prison for issuing a death the Cambodian Center for The prime minister's politi- admitted during his trial last threat and inciting discrimina- Human Rights, said yesterday. cal rivals have accused him of week to posting threats against tion, according to judge Ly Prison sentences for social buying "likes" from foreign click Hun Sen -- the authoritarian Sokleng. media posts have become farms to boost engagement on premier who has ruled Cambo- Human rights groups criti- increasingly common in Cam- his active Facebook page -- a Ven Sopheap (centre) is escorted by a prison guard at the Phnom dia for more than three cised the verdict as the latest bodia and around the region, charge Hun Sen vehemently Penh Municipal Court, yesterday. decades. smothering of free speech in with governments often leaning denies. SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 ASIA 05 Indonesia seeks joint patrol with Australia

Sydney South China Sea Reuters Widodo said he ndonesia President Joko would like to see joint Widodo (pictured) will patrols with Australia, discuss the prospect of but only if did not joint patrols with Australia further inflame in the South China Sea tensions with China. Iwhen he meets his counterpart Prime Minister Malcolm Turn- bull at the weekend. Australia has been Widodo told The Australian seeking to repair ties newspaper he would like to see with Indonesia after joint patrols with Australia, but their most recent only if did not further inflame spat. Security officials stand at the site a day after an explosion in Lahore, yesterday. tensions with China. "If there is no tension I think it's very important to have the countries had "overlapping Sea disputes but has supported patrols together. We will discuss claims" to waters close to Indo- US-led freedom of navigation Lahore explosion probably a gas leak this with PM Turnbull," said nesia's Natuna Islands, Jakarta activities in the region - has Widodo. staged large-scale exercise on been seeking to repair ties with Lahore upscale market, which also There is no evidence of explo- Indonesia has traditionally the edge of South China Sea in Indonesia after their most recent Reuters wounded 32 people. sive materials. There were gas taken a neutral position on the October. spat. Soon after, a burst tyre in cylinders present at the site and South China Sea, acting as a China claims almost the Indonesia suspended mili- akistani officials yesterday another commercial district there is a strong possibility that buffer between China and fel- entire South China Sea, through tary cooperation with Australia said a blast that killed 10 prompted police to clear the the explosion was caused by a low members of the Association which about $5 trillion worth of in January after "insulting" Ppeople at a shopping cen- area and rumours of another gas leak." of Southeast Asian Nations trade passes each year. Brunei, teaching materials were found tre in the eastern city of Lahore blast began to spread. Punjab government spokes- (ASEAN) that have the most at Malaysia, the Philippines, Tai- at an Australian base. was most probably an accident "Yesterday's (Thursday) man Malik Mohammad Ahmed stake, the Philippines and wan and Vietnam also have While Australia's army chief caused by a gas leak, not a blast was not an act of terror- Khan revised his statement the Vietnam. claims to parts of the sea. apologised to Indonesia in Feb- bomb, as initially described. ism," Punjab Law Minister Rana previous day that the initial blast But after China angered Australia - which says it ruary, military cooperation Panic gripped the city on Sanaullah said. had been caused by a planted Indonesia by saying the two takes no sides on South China remains suspended. Thursday after the blast at an "It took place by accident. bomb. Duterte clarifies minister's remarks on S China Sea Afghan deportation flight

Manila about its militarisation in the its manmade islands in the referring to a trip he made to Reuters South China Sea. Spratlys. China last year. from Germany half empty On Tuesday, Foreign Secre- "The problem is I think Sec- China's Commerce Minister hilippine President Rod- tary Perfecto Yasay, the retary Yasay was misunderstood Gao Hucheng decided at the last numbers are always below that rigo Duterte said yesterday chairman of a meeting of foreign by the Chinese government," minute to postpone an official Repatriation of the planning figure". Phe was not sure why Chi- ministers of the Association of Duterte said in a speech. trip on Thursday to the Philip- There are always a "There are always a few na's commerce minister had South East Asian Nations "I would like to assure China, pines to sign about 40 joint few who don't turn who don't turn up because of cancelled a trip to his country, (Asean), said the region had and this is what I had commit- projects worth billions of dol- different reasons -- health rea- up because of and that Beijing misunderstood "grave concerns" about China ted to do when I was there, that lars. No reason was given by sons, successful applications for different reasons — his foreign minister's comments putting weapons installations on we will talk as friends," he said, either side. urgent rights protection of health reasons, which there are three cases successful here." applications for "Others go into hiding or Two dead as urgent rights seek asylum in churches," he Duterte's drug war critic arrested protection of which said, adding that the proportion there are three cases of no-shows increase when the plane crashes in Manila here. Others go into planned expulsions are known AFP hiding or seek asylum ahead of time. central Pakistan in churches: Official. "That's why the government he highest-profile critic of has initiated several measures, Multan Philippine President Rod- including for example no longer AP Trigo Duterte's brutal drug Berlin announcing such flights in war was arrested yesterday on AFP advance," the spokesman said A PAKISTANI police officer charges she said were meant to recently. says a twin-seat training plane silence her, but she vowed to he German government This week's group were part has crashed near an airport in keep fighting the "sociopathic admitted yesterday that of a third wave of repatriations central Pakistan killing both serial killer". Tit deported fewer than from Germany to Afghanistan instructor and the trainee pilot. Speaking to journalists min- half the Afghans who were since December under a dis- Javed Azam says the utes before armed police in flak due to be repatriated on a puted Afghan-European Union instructor, Maaz Ahmed, had jackets detained her, Senator charter plane earlier this deal aimed at curbing the influx contacted the control tower Leila de Lima insisted she was week, after some went into of migrants. minutes after taking off from innocent of the drug trafficking hiding. Nearly 80 Afghans, all men, Faisalabad airport yesterday charges that could see her jailed A policewoman guards Philippine Senator Leila De Lima as "Fifty Afghans whose asy- have so far been sent back after noon and requested an emer- for life. she gestures a sign that means "Laban" (Fight), in Muntinlupa, lum requests had been rejected their asylum applications were gency landing because of "It is my honour to be yesterday. were to have boarded the air- rejected by the German engine failure. imprisoned for the things I am craft for their home country late government. Azam said the plane fighting for. Please pray for me," repression by the Duterte which has seen more than 6,500 Wednesday, but "in fact, only Chancellor Angela Merkel crashed yesterday just short De Lima, 57, said outside her regime." people killed since he took office 18 got on the flight," said inte- has been battling to bring down of the landing strip, with no Senate office. De Lima also recorded a eight months ago. rior ministry spokesman Tobias the numbers of asylum seekers damage on the ground. Res- "They will not be able to polemical video just before her "There is no doubt that our Plate. after the arrival of more than cue teams have recovered the silence me and stop me from arrest in which she called for president is a murderer and a But he sought to play down one million migrants seeking bodies of the instructor and fighting for the truth and justice Filipinos to show courage and sociopathic serial killer," she the issue, saying that "if one refuge since the summer of trainee, Mohammad Ahmed. and against the daily killings and oppose Duterte's drug war, said in the 10-minute video. looks at other flights, the 2015.

Chemical plant explosion Pakistan & UK launch digital remittance services Karachi January 2017) of the current fis- Pakistanis into the system that The central bank has given reported in Uzbekistan Internews cal year compared to $11.15bn in use unauthorised channels to them licences to attract inward the same seven months of pre- send money home from abroad,” remittances only and they are Bishkek t a time when remittances vious year. Islam said. not allowed to send remittances AFP to Pakistan slow down, a Remittances play a major The country attracted abroad. Aleading mobile financial role in bridging Pakistan’s trade another $13bn in remittances via "The digital services will mergency services in Central Asian Uzbekistan have said services company has partnered and current account deficits as undocumented and unauthor- enable recipients to receive that a blast at a chemical plant in the eastern town of Fer- with a global digital money they make up about half of the ised channels, including Hundi remittances instantly unlike Egana claimed "human casualties", without confirming transfer firm to attract 5% of import bill. and Hawala, in the last fiscal through conventional channels. how many died in the explosion. total remittance flow to the The mobile financial services year, according to estimates of It would work faster for the In a short statement that appeared on the Ministry of Emer- country. company has announced incen- central bankers. recipients in remote areas where gency Situations' website late on Thursday, the ministry said Announcing the formal tives like additional cash for the At present, some nine mil- conventional banks had com- the blast at the Ferganaazot plant occurred at 16:30 local time launch of digital remittance recipients of remittances to make lion Pakistanis are living abroad. paratively lower presence," he (09.30 GMT) on February 23. services, in partnership with UK- the digital channel catch the mar- JazzCash is the second said. The factory produces fertilisers and other chemical based WorldRemit, Mobilink ket faster and in lesser time. mobile bank in the country to “JazzCash has equal number products. International Remittance Mobile It will charge no fee from the have launched the digital inter- of active mobile wallet accounts The statement said the explosion had taken place during Financial Services Assistant recipients. However, WorldRe- national remittance services [50:50] in both rural and urban "repair works" and that a government commission would inves- Manager Hamza Islam said. “We mit will receive a certain fee since 2012. EasyPaisa remains areas,” he claimed. tigate the incident and help provide assistance to victims of are targeting to attract $1bn in from the money sender. the pioneer in the area. WorldRemit Global Business the blast and their families. remittances in the first year.” Pakistan attracted $19.6bn Other mobile companies are Development Director Bryce Uzbekistan, a tightly controlled country that gained inde- The remittances sent home in remittances in the previous also in the process of acquiring Currie said the share of remit- pendence from the Soviet Union in 1991 relies heavily on by overseas Pakistanis have fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. licences from the State Bank of tances through digital system agricultural exports to bolster its troubled economy. dropped 2% to $10.95bn in the “The digital disruption will Pakistan (SBP) for the special- stood at 5% in the total world- first seven months (July 2016 to also target bringing those ised services. wide remittances of $600bn. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 Indian man killed Up in arms in hate crime in US

Washington/Hyderabad from the state and central gov- IANS Tragic incident ernments to bring home his body. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, External Affairs Minister n Indian engineer Sushma Swaraj yesterday 32, was killed and was killed and expressed "heartfelt condo- Alok Madasani was another injured by lences to the bereaved family" an American who injured when Adam W and said she had spoken to mistook them for Purinton, a white who Indian ambassador, Navtej "MiddleA Easterners" and yelled earlier served in the Sarna. The Minister said Consul "Get out of my country" before US Navy, shot them a R D Joshi had rushed from Hou- shooting them. restaurant in Olathe, ston to Kansas and Vice Consul Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, Kansas state. Harpal Singh was also proceed- was killed and Alok Madasani ing from Dallas to Kansas. was injured when Adam W Pur- The US "strongly" con- They would meet the injured inton, a white who earlier demned the shooting and said Madasani and help in flying back Activists from the Bangladesh Islamist group offer prayers as they take part in a protest served in the US Navy, shot them it has reached out to Indian con- mortal remains of in Dhaka yesterday calling for statue of a Greek goddess installed at the Supreme Court at a restaurant in Olathe, Kan- sular officials to offer support. Kuchibhotla. to be removed. sas state. The US Embassy in New Delhi According to The Star, fed- Purinton reportedly got into expressed full faith in the US eral officials were investigating an argument with the victims authorities investigating the mat- if the attack was a hate crime. and hurled racial slurs. He yelled ter. "We have full faith that US The Hindu American Foun- "get out of my country", "terror- legal authorities will bring the dation (HAF) said the killing was ist" before shooting them. case to justice," the statement "the first reported bias-moti- US must work together on Purinton, according to said. Purinton has been charged vated fatality in the US after the reports, provoked them into with first-degree murder. bitter Presidential election" that argument asking their presence "It was a tragic and sense- catapulted Donald Trump to and work in his country, and less act of violence," Olathe office. "We call upon the US solution to N Korea: China how they are better than him. Police Chief Steven Menke said. Department of Justice and local To avoid unwanted scuffle, Kuchibhotla hailed from law enforcement to investigate Beijing enough to rein in its irascible negotiations to sanctions, which the hotel management asked Hyderabad while Madasani is this murder as what it is, a hate AFP neighbour, hit out at Trump’s it fears could destabilise North him to leave the place, only to from Warangal town in Telan- crime," said Jay Kansara, the suggestion in an interview that Korea and send a flood of refu- find him back at later with gun gana. They were aviation HAF Director of Government hina called on the US to China could rein in North Korea gees across their shared border. when he fired at the Indians. programme managers at Garmin, Relations. The killing of the shoulder more responsi- “very easily” if it wanted to. Beijing’s recent snap deci- Ian Grillot, 24, an American an electronics manufacturer. innocent engineer triggered dis- Cbility in tackling North “The crux of the Korean sion to halt North Korean coal who tried to save the Indians, Kuchibhotla is survived by may in India. Korea’s rogue nuclear pro- nuclear issue lies with differ- imports—a key economic life- was also shot at, media reports his wife, Sunayana, in the US. Andhra Pradesh Chief Min- gramme yesterday , slapping ences between the DPRK and line for the isolated regime—has quoted police as saying. Grillot She also works in Kansas. ister N Chandrababu Naidu said down claims by President Don- the United States,” foreign min- been seen as an attempt to was recovering in a hospital Madasani's wife is five months he was saddened to learn about ald Trump that Beijing could istry spokesman Geng Shuang defuse criticism and nudge while Madasani was discharged. pregnant. the attack. bring the isolated state to heel. told reporters yesterday at a reg- North Korea and the US toward The Hindu American Founda- According to his profile on Meanwhile, a GoFundMe North Korea defied the ular press briefing. negotiations. tion (HAF) called it a hate crime. LinkedIn, Kuchibhotla gradu- page created to collect money world last week with a missile He urged Washington and The UN Security Council has Police said Purinton, 51, fired ated from Jawaharlal Nehru to help Kuchibhotla's family test and is suspected of orches- Pyongyang to “shoulder their due imposed six sets of sanctions multiple rounds and fled the Technological University in crossed its $150,000 goal, rais- trating stunning assassination a responsibilities and play their due since Pyongyang first tested an place. He was arrested on in Clin- Hyderabad in 2005. Madasani ing nearly $250,000 in 11 hours. day later of supreme leader Kim roles and work together with atomic device in 2006. ton city in neighbouring Missouri is a graduate of the Vasavi Col- More than 6,700 people, Jong-Un’s half-brother in Malay- China to maintain stability” and But North Korea has contin- state when a bartender told police lege of Engineering in including Americans, donated sia, provocative acts that followed denuclearise the peninsula. ued to thumb its nose at the that he had bragged about killing Hyderabad. $248,404 on the page created a nuclear test in September. China shares US concerns world with a series of missile "two Middle Eastern men", The Kuchibhotla's family in India by Kuchibhotla's friend Beijing, often the target of about Pyongyang obtaining a launches over the years and two Kansas City Star reported. was in shock and sought help Kavipriya Muthuramalingam. US criticism for not doing nuclear weapon, but prefers nuclear tests in 2016 alone. Cash handler 2 firefighters die held over toy notes in dousing small fire New Delhi "There was a blast just India ATM IANS when the firemen lifted the shutter of the shop. No one wo Delhi firefighters could have known there were New Delhi dousing a small fire in a leaking cylinders inside," Jain AFP Tshop here were killed said. yesterday when a cooking gas "At first glance, there INDIAN police have arrested cylinder inside the snack store doesn't seem to be any lapse a cash handler after notes in exploded, catching dozens of related to following of proto- a State Bank ATM were firemen by surprise, officials col. However, the real reason replaced with children’s toy said. Two others were injured would be known only after the bills, an officer said in the blaze in Vikaspuri, a con- inquiry." yesterday. gested west Delhi But Delhi fire chief Atul Mohammad Isha is neighbourhood. Garg said that in most of the accused of stealing the real "There was a minor fire in cases, firefighters have nobody cash and substituting it with the shop. But an LPG (liquefied to guide them about the site of fake bills earlier this month petroleum gas) cylinder the incident and this places when he was refilling the exploded when our men were their lives in more danger. State Bank of India machine busy dousing the flames," a "In majority of cases when in New Delhi. Delhi Fire Service official told we respond to a fire call, there Nepalese prisoners Dilli Koirala (left) and Mimkosha Bista performing wedding rituals inside “After entering the ATM reporters. is nobody to guide us as to what with the cash bag, Isha Kalikot District Jail, some 388km from Kathmandu. The official said that when is inside the building. This is the removed the notes from the the firemen pulled up the shut- biggest problem the fire depart- ATM tray and replaced them ter of the shop there was a loud ment faces," the Chief Fire with the dummy cash,” the explosion accompanied by Officer told reporters. officer said on condition of Couple jailed for murdering blazing flames leaping out of Garg said unless the fire- anonymity. the store. men know what is inside the “We interrogated him at He said five fire tenders building on fire, they cannot length and he has confessed were rushed to the spot after ensure a fool-proof plan to to the crime.” spouses wed in Nepal prison the fire service got a call at 5.35 douse the flames. The dummy 2,000-rupee a.m. "I cannot wait for someone ($30) bills were marked ‘Chil- Kathmandu ceremony, was set up by Koira- have a face to face chat twice a The deceased were Hari to come and tell me what is dren Bank of India’—and AFP la’s mother—also in prison for month,” he added. Singh Meena, 55, who died on inside. If there is a fire, I have carried the misspelt pledge “I helping her son kill his first wife. Lawyer Danam Raj Bam, the spot, and Hari Om, 56, who to go inside. That's what my promise to pay the bearer two man and a woman each “He murdered his wife and who attended the unusual mar- succumbed to his injuries later men did. They risk their lives thousand coupens”. serving time for killing I did in my husband. His mother riage in the prison, told reporters in a hospital. every time they step out to do Isha will face trial for A their first spouses have likes me and that is one of the that the couple had decided to Firemen Naveen and their job," he said. cheating and theft. married in a prison in western reasons I drew close to him,” get hitched because they Ravinder received minor inju- What adds to the problem The 2,000-rupee bill was Nepal—but won’t be able to con- Bista, 30, said after the wedding thought they would be unlikely ries and were being treated at is that small shops and estab- introduced last year after summate the marriage until the ceremony, according to Repub- to find anyone else willing to B.L. Kapur Memorial Hospital lishments are not covered Prime Minister Narendra groom is released in 14 years. lica newspaper. marry them. here. under fire safety laws, Garg Modi pulled all existing high- The couple are both in A Hindu ceremony was per- “Since we both happen to The authorities have added. value notes from circulation Kalikot District Jail where Dilli formed by a local priest, have committed the same kind ordered a probe into the inci- Jain urged Delhi residents in a bid to tackle large-scale Koirala, 33, is serving a 20-year witnessed by jail staff and fel- of crime, we won’t be in any dent that raised questions how to take fire safety measures tax evasion and sentence for murdering his wife, low inmates, prison official position to look down upon one the Delhi Fire Service ensures seriously. counterfeiting. while Mimkosha Bista has Sanjay Mahato told reporters. another,” the groom Koirala safety of its own men. "There were four cylinders The decision removed another four years to serve for “They are not allowed to said, according to local media. Delhi Health Minister Saty- inside such a small shop. Peo- around 86 percent of availa- killing her husband. stay together in the jail as we Kalikot District Jail is a small endar Jain said there were "no ple in Delhi are not scared of ble cash at one stroke, The match between the con- have separate sections for male prison in rural western Nepal procedural lapses" in the fire hazards. There is a need to triggering huge queues out- victed murderers, who had and female prisoners. But we with just 53 prisoners — 50 men Vikaspuri fire fighting create awareness on fire safety side banks and ATMs. never met prior to the marriage have decided to allow them to and three women operation. measures," the minister said. SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 EUROPE 07 UK Conservatives embarrass Labour in by-poll

London Feather in the cap But some Labour legislators AP said the party is on a disastrous Conservative Trudy course ahead of the election in ritain’s governing Con- Harrison won the 2020. servative Party dealt a seat in a by-election “We are in trouble as a humiliating blow yes- in Copeland that has party,” said Labour lawmaker terday to the long been a Labour John Woodcock. “We are on opposition Labour stronghold. course to a historic and cata- BParty and its struggling leader strophic defeat and that will have Jeremy Corbyn by winning a par- very serious consequences for liamentary seat that had been in victory for the Conservative all of the communities that we Labour’s hands for decades. Party but also for the people of represent.” Conservative Trudy Harrison Copeland,” May told supporters. The Labour Party’s strength won the seat in a by-election in “Labour have held this seat since in Parliament is at its lowest level Copeland, a rural district in the the 1930s.” since 1987, with only 230 of the far north of England that has long Harrison said Corbyn did not 650 seats in the House of Com- been a Labour stronghold. represent “ordinary working mons, and is far behind the It was first time since 1982 people” in the district. Conservatives in the polls. that a governing party gained a Corbyn, who had cam- Many Labour figures in Par- seat in a by-election, and paigned in the district, has liament have criticized Labour’s defeat raises more struggled to unite his party and Corbyn’s performance but he questions about Corbyn’s ability faced repeated calls to step retains the support of party to strongly lead the party into a down. militants. Conservative Party candidate Trudy Harrison stands with her husband Keith after winning the general election, expected in He said defiantly yesterday Corbyn also faced criticism Copeland by-election in Whitehaven, Britain, yesterday. 2020. that he is “proud” to lead the from former Labour Prime Min- The surprising victory party and will continue to focus ister Tony Blair, who has urged brought Prime Minister Theresa on the future of Britain’s finan- Britons to rethink their decision bloc — after having opposed it Stoke-on-Trent Central, beating party leader Paul Nuttall. May to Copeland for a joint cially strained National Health to leave the European Union. before the June referendum. back a challenge by the right- The by-elections were held appearance with Harrison. Service as well as the issues of Corbyn now backs Brexit — a In a second by-election, wing, anti-EU U.K. Independence after the lawmakers in both dis- “This is an astounding social care and housing. British exit from the 28-nation Labour held on to its seat in Party, which was represented by tricts resigned. German secret service spied on global media Corbyn warns against

Berlin worked extensively with the US unknown whether surveillance published in full in its weekly AFP fugitive intelligence contrac- had ceased or was ongoing. edition which hits news stands Brexit ‘no deal’ tor Edward Snowden and On the list seen by Der today. ermany’s foreign intelli- reported on the US and Ger- Spiegel were several dozen A BBC spokeswoman said: London gence service BND long man espionage scandals, said numbers of the British Broad- “We are disappointed to hear AFP Gspied on journalists of the it cited only documents it had casting Corporation at its these claims. BBC, The New York Times, Reu- seen. London headquarters and in “The BBC’s mission is to pposition leader Jeremy ters and other media, news It reported that the BND had Afghanistan, as well as of the bring accurate news and infor- Corbyn (pictured) yes- weekly Der Spiegel reported listed at least 50 telephone and BBC World Service, the maga- mation to people around the Oterday warned against yesterday. fax numbers and email zine said. world and our journalists should the prospect of Britain crash- Media rights group Report- addresses of journalists or news- A number of The New York be able to operate freely and ing out of the EU with no deal ers Without Borders labelled the rooms on its list of “selector” Times in Afghanistan was also safely, with full protection for in place for its future relation- alleged surveillance “a mon- keywords for surveillance since on the list, as were mobile and their sources. ship with the bloc. strous attack on press freedom”, 1999. satellite phone numbers of news “We call upon all govern- “No deal is a bad deal,” voiced fears the eavesdropping A Spiegel journalist said that agency Reuters in Afghanistan, ments to respect the operation Labour leader Corbyn said, was continuing and said it was the list was thought to have cov- Pakistan and Nigeria. of a free press.” after Prime Minister Theresa planning legal action, according ered only part of the BND’s The BND declined to com- Reuters and The New York May said last month that she to Der Spiegel. international media targets at ment, Der Spiegel said in an Times did not immediately reply was prepared to walk away The magazine, which has the time, and that it was excerpt of an article to be to requests for comment. from talks with Brussels since bargaining chip,” leftist veteran “no deal for Britain is better Corbyn said. He said the gov- than a bad deal”. ernment was planning a “Tory Corbyn said in a speech: “We Brexit”, adding: “The Tories are need continued access to exist- hurtling down the road to Brexit 5-year jail for Sun rays glow reeds ing markets. If the prime minister with a broken sat-nav system fails to deliver that, she would telling them to turn right, right Hitler-inspired have failed on the economy.” and right again”. He said leaving the EU May has outlined plans for British without a deal in place and a hard Brexit that would see relying only on standard World Britain impose some immigra- Trade Organisation tariffs tion controls on EU nationals extremist would leave exporters facing and leave the European single £6bn (€7.1bn, $7.5bn) in poten- market. London tial extra costs. She has also warned that if AFP Corbyn also emphasised the other EU countries pursue a importance of guaranteeing “punitive” Brexit then Britain A RIGHT-WING extremist rights of some three million cit- could change its economic from London who described izens of other EU member model and slash taxes to attract Adolf Hitler as “his God” was states living in Britain. business. jailed for five years yesterday “The rights of European Corbyn said this threat for terrorism and hate crimes Union nationals living and amounted to “turning Britain over his social media posts. working in Britain must be into a bargain-basement tax Sean Creighton was sen- guaranteed now, uncondition- haven if the EU doesn’t play tenced in London after using ally, to stay in this country, just ball”. social media to call for Mus- as rights of UK nationals must “Slashing taxes still further lims and Jews to be killed. be protected across the rest of for corporations and cutting An investigation was the EU,” he said. essential regulation in jobs, launched after a photograph May has said she will make environment and consumer was posted online of this a priority in her upcoming protection will be a magnet for Creighton, 45, holding an negotiations but wants to American corporate giants,” assault rifle and standing in ensure that rights of British Corbyn said. front of a Nazi flag. expats are also protected. “That’s not just a threat and The probe uncovered his “It is a scandal that our gov- danger to the EU, it’s a threat wider hate campaign, includ- The last sunrays of the day shine on reeds standing at the lakeshore of the Pilsensee Lake ernment is trying to use citizens and a danger to the British peo- ing leaving offensive stickers near Seefeld, southern Germany, yesterday. of the EU, who have made their ple, effectively turning us all in public and ownership of a homes in Britain, as a into bargaining chips.” “White Resistance Manual 2.4” document with details of weapons and explosives. Creighton was described as a “committed racist” by pros- Pop music ban a hit with Bulgarian radio audience ecutor Jonathan Sandiford. “He was enthralled by Nazism and Adolf Hitler, Sofia radio to drop contemporary switch has boosted our listener “The music that the radio Musicautor an annual fee of whom he told police in his AFP music and dig up older tunes base,” BNR spokeswoman Niko- played before - a bad mix of Bul- 500,000 leva (€256,000), which interviews was his God,” San- from its archive. Under EU reg- leta Elenkova told reporters this garian and foreign pop according to the organisation diford told the court. ulgaria’s public radio has ulations, copyright lasts for 70 week, as a new round of talks - annoyed me,” said Galina was much lower than what pri- In addition to racist social been given a surprise boost years after a composer’s death. with Musicautor failed. Savcheva, a beautician in her vate broadcasters paid. It now media posts, evidence against Bin listenership after a cop- Instead of Rihanna and Jus- A listeners’ survey conducted fifties. wants a rise of 250 percent. Creighton included an image yright war limited the tin Bieber, the crooning sounds by the IPSOS institute showed a “Now I love turning back to The BNR filed a lawsuit of Hitler posted online along- broadcaster to airing music of Glenn Miller and the Andrews 20-percent boost in listenership the BNR for some Mozart, Vivaldi against Musicautor in January. side the message “kill the recorded at least 70 years ago. Sisters now fill the airwaves. in January, when the changes or foxtrot, which reminds me of But the rights’ organisation Muslims”. The station has been playing The change in tune unex- entered into effect, compared to my grandmother,” she added. hit back, with director Ivan Dim- “Jews prepare to die” he classical music and long-forgot- pectedly struck the right note the average monthly levels in the In a further unexpected itrov saying that “the data for a wrote in another social media ten jazz and folk pieces for almost with listeners, particularly fourth quarter of 2016. twist, many young performers rise in listeners numbers is noth- post, published with an image two months now after its manage- among older generations. Pen- With a share of 16.5 percent, used the copyright row as a ing but a bad attempt for more of a gun and a Swastika. ment refused to pay increased sioners make up around a third the station moved one place up chance to promote their music publicity.” Creighton told police he was annual royalty fees to Musicautor of Bulgaria’s 7.4-million-strong in ranking of most popular sta- by voluntarily ceding their rights “We only demanded a grad- “a bit of a hater who hated for performers’ rights organisation. population. tions and was now third behind to the BNR. ual rise over five years,” he the people”, the court heard. The refusal has forced the “Instead of punishing us, the two music radios, IPSOS said. The radio used to pay added. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL

On the right track alaysian police are making rapid progress in their investigation into the murder of the estranged half-brother of MNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un at Kuala Lumpur airport last week. The police yesterday said that Kim Jong-nam was killed using the highly toxic liquid nerve agent VX, which is Trump and the death of classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction. This was a significant finding by the police but throws up new challenges before the investigators. The police are now determining how this most poisonous nerve agent entered the the two-state solution country or whether it was made inside the country and how it was smuggled into the airport. They his nickname, he added: “I can live with In this respect the strange double have also sought the help of Interpol to apprehend either one. I thought for a while it act of the prime minister and his poodle four North Korean suspects who are believed to Avi Shlaim Al Jazeera looked like the two-state, looked like it may be said to have marked the official have fled on the day of the attack. may be the easier of the two, but hon- burial of the two-state solution. The Malaysian authorities have been regularly estly if Bibi and the Palestinians, if Israel In truth, the demise of the two-state updating the media about the developments in the and the Palestinians are happy, I’m has been evident for some time. Netan- case which has attracted global attention. At the happy with the one they like the best”. yahu’s far-right coalition government is same time, the investigation has unnerved North t his meeting with the US President Trump might as well have said to packed with expansionists and outright Korea which is under negative spotlight. The probe Donald Trump at the White House the man standing alongside him: “Yes annexationists who recognise only Jew- has also ruptured relations between Kuala Lumpur on February 15, Israeli Prime Min- Sir, no Sir, three bags full Sir”. His body ish rights in what they call Judea and and Pyongyang. Malaysia’s foreign minister ister Benjamin Netanyahu scored language reinforced the impression of Samaria or the Land of Israel. yesterday warned the outspoken North Korean what in his eyes must be a spec- not just deference but subservience and American presidents in the past tacularA diplomatic success: he got the new obsequiousness towards his guest. three decades have talked a great deal ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, Kang Chol, that he would be thrown out if he continued to speak lies. president to reverse the US’ long-standing Nonetheless, the president’s poor about the two-state solution but have support for a two-state solution to the Israeli- English and his confused and contradic- done virtually nothing to implement it. The envoy had said that Palestinian conflict and to give him a free tory message must not conceal the As the American expression goes, they “we cannot trust the hand to do more or less whatever he likes bombshell he dropped: the US would no have talked the talk but not walked the Malaysian police investigation by the with the West Bank. longer insist on a Palestinian state as walk. are gradually Malaysian police”, The major stumbling block to a two-state part of the solution to the Israeli-Pales- The question today is no longer one adding it was a disentangling the solution is the illegal Zionist colonial project tinian conflict. state or two states but the protection of politically motivated on the West Bank. The Obama administration The same question about the two- basic Palestinian rights, both individual mysteries behind case and a conspiracy. repeatedly tried and failed to secure an Israeli state solution was addressed to the human rights and the collective right to the murder of Chol’s accusations stem settlement freeze. prime minister. Netanyahu has a long national self-determination. North Korean from his worry and that By abstaining in the United Nations Secu- history of duplicity on the subject: when Sadly, the Palestinians are handi- leader’s half- of his leaders back rity Council vote on December 23 last year, it it suits him he pays lip service to the capped by weak leadership and by the home because Malaysia made possible the passage of a landmark res- idea of a Palestinian internal rivalry between Fatah and brother in Kuala is gradually olution. UNSC Resolution 2334 condemned state while working Hamas. Israel’s occupation of the Pales- Lumpur. disentangling the the settlements as a flagrant violation of inter- assiduously to make it tinian lands is now its 50th year and the mysteries of the case. national law and a major impediment to the impossible. pressure on Netanyahu from his right- Malaysia and North achievement of a two-state solution. For the Just before the 2015 wing coalition partners to annex the first time since 1967, Israel came under con- main settlement blocs is growing all the Korea enjoy relatively warm relations, with some certed international pressure, which included time. bilateral trade and citizens from both countries the US, to curb settlement expansion. American leverage to halt this allowed visa-free travel. These relations have come The election of Donald Trump let Israel off American presidents in the creeping annexation of the West Bank under strain after the murder and the perpetrators the hook. He was pro-Israel and pro-settle- past three decades have has virtually vanished under the new of the crime have done an injustice by choosing the ments and he campaigned on a promise to administration. The Security Council international airport in Kuala Lumpur for its move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to talked a great deal about made a valiant effort to curb Israel’s execution. And Pyongyang will be the only loser if Jerusalem. the two-state solution settler-colonialism but this effort is now ties worsen further. For a country which is reeling President-elect Trump tweeted his oppo- but have done virtually imperilled by the American veto on the under international isolation and economy- sition to the Security Council resolution and nothing to implement it. As Security Council. breaking sanctions due to a crazy nuclear promised that things will change after Janu- Western governments as a whole programme it is maniacally pursuing, it will be both ary 20. Netanyahu conveyed to the the American expression have been either unable or unwilling to suicidal and foolish to lose one of the few countries president-elect and his team his opposition to goes, they have talked the hold Israel to account for its persistent with which it enjoys normal relations. a Palestinian state well in advance of talk but not walked the violations of international law or for its Malaysia has a duty to take this investigation to inauguration. systematic abuse of Palestinian human He also assured his hawkish ministers at walk. rights. its logical conclusion because the crime has home that he would make it clear to Trump The abuse takes countless forms: a happened in its territory and any failure or that all he is willing to concede to the Pales- discriminatory legal system, settlers- reluctance to identify and catch the culprits will tinians is a “state minus”, suggesting a level of only roads, home demolitions, arbitrary reflect poorly on its intelligence agencies and the autonomy well short of statehood. arrests, torture, the mistreatment of police machinery. And it’s diplomatically naïve and At the press conference with Netanyahu, elections he finally removed all ambi- children for stone-throwing, the block- counterproductive on the part of Pyongyang to put Trump denounced what he regarded as unfair guity by stating that there will be no ade over the Gaza Strip and daily spokes in the investigation wheel. and one-sided action against Israel at the UN Palestinian state on his watch. His humiliation of the non-Jewish inhabit- and indicated that he would not hesitate to answer to the question at the press con- ants of the West Bank at over 500 use the veto to protect the US’ junior ally. ference was vintage Netanyahu: “Rather checkpoints. His other comments were practically than deal with labels, I want to deal Justice for the Palestinians can identical to the Israeli government’s talking with substance”, he said evasively. therefore only come from the efforts of QUOTE OF THE DAY points: Trump criticised the Palestinians for He then went on to stipulate his two civil society. Here the signs for a change their alleged incitement of their children to “prerequisites” for a peace settlement: are quite encouraging. Boycott, Divest- hate Israelis, he urged the Palestinians to rec- the Palestinians must recognise Israel as ment, Sanctions (BDS), the global ognise Israel as a Jewish state, and he stressed a Jewish state, and “Israel must retain grassroots movement in support of Pal- If necessary, let that it is the parties themselves who must overriding security control over the estinian rights is steadily growing in work out the peace deal. entire area west of the Jordan River”. both size and impact. BDS upholds the me say one more This ignored the staggering asymmetry of Presumably, this is what Netanyahu simple principle that Palestinians are thing now, we can power between the parties which precludes a meant by a “state minus”. What this entitled to the same rights as the rest of open a route for a voluntary agreement: Israel is too strong and amounts to is a collection of enclaves humanity. referendum on this the Palestinians are too weak. with no territorial contiguity, no sover- In a world that is moving away from Hence the need for a third party to redress eignty, no capital city in Jerusalem, and nation-states and national borders to (capital punishment). the balance. no armed forces, in short, Bantustans. universal rights, the message of BDS is When pressed by a journalist on the sub- Not even the most moderate of Pal- ever more relevant. Inspired by the Recep Tayyip Erdogan ject of the two-state solution, Trump said: estinian politicians would accept a South African anti-apartheid move- Turkish President “I’m looking at two-state and one-state and I peace deal on such humiliating terms ment, it is fighting to end Israeli like the one that both parties like. I’m very and Netanyahu knows it. Trump who apartheid. And it represents the best happy with the one that both parties like”. accused the UN of one-sidedness could hope the Palestinians have for a better Referring to the Israeli prime minister by not have been more one-sided himself. future. SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 OPINION 09 Venezuela: Short on food & short of hope

within 30 days of taking office. Hannah Dreier & But while such a display of bra- Joshua Goodman vado is red meat to opposition AP hardliners, it could alienate the many Venezuelans who still revere the late President Hugo Chavez. And it only increases the odds that corrupt officials will close ranks for enezuela is so short on food that tens of fear of being hunted down them- thousands are going hungry or even selves should they ever lose power. starving. Its murder rate is among the “It’s the exact wrong thing. The highest in the world. Its economy is so opposition needs to convince the crippled that the average shopper spends ruling elite that there’s life after 35V hours a month waiting in line — three times more Maduro; that if they allow a transi- than in 2014. Yet even as the country becomes tion, they’re not going to end up in increasingly unlivable, the socialist government is jail or exile. If the regime elite more entrenched than it has been in years. A sense of remains united, there’s nothing in a hopelessness has settled over what was once among protest movement that forces them the richest nations in South America, a belief that to leave,” Levitsky said. nothing will really change. The protest to commemorate the To understand why people have given up, look at 2014 deaths eventually grew to a Jhorman Valero and his family. few hundred people. Bassil’s mother, Three years ago, Valero dragged his 24-year-old Jineth Frias, showed up, somewhat Students holding an anti-government protest to mark the third anniversary since the killing of student cousin, Bassil da Costa, to join thousands of others in reluctantly, and marched with other protester Bassil da Costa by security forces during weeks of unrest in Caracas. a nationwide protest against the administration of parents in front of a sign that said, President Nicolas Maduro. Hours later, Bassil was “We remember our young.” bleeding in his arms, the first of more than 40 people arrested three members of the party of Leopoldo To be sure, the streets are not always calm. Twice For the most part, she sees little to be killed during weeks of unrest. Staring numbly at Lopez, the highest-profile prisoner, who led the pro- last year, the opposition rallied hundreds of thou- point in taking to the streets, and the floor, Jhorman recounts how he watched his test at which Bassil was killed. sands of people to protest the Maduro administration. turns to prayer instead. At her mod- cousin’s skull come apart under his baseball cap As the price of oil has fallen and laid bare years of But while popular movements have helped topple est home on the outskirts of from a bullet shot by security forces. mismanagement, Maduro’s administration has governments in places like Egypt and Ukraine, Vene- Caracas, she has built a tiny altar Now Valero and Bassil’s sister, Yenicer da Costa, responded by becoming more repressive. It has zuela’s protests seem to have had little effect on the with a framed picture of Bassil in no longer bother to protest, even on the anniversary purged state institutions of potential traitors, kept out political calculus of those in power. the black and yellow jersey of his of the 2014 protest. “What’s the point of protesting if foreign reporters, detained prominent businessmen “Ever since the fall of the Berlin Wall, a lot of peo- favourite soccer team, hung along- they just kill you in the streets and, three years later, and declared null all decisions by the opposition- ple are walking around with this myth in our heads side a statue of the Virgin Mary. everything is even worse?” she said. controlled congress. As a result, the young people that if you get enough people into the streets, the gov- In the three years since his The fear inspired by the 2014 crackdown weighs who would be the natural fuel for any street protest ernment will fall. And that’s just not true,” said Steven death, her family’s predicament, heavily on the present, with a government that is movement are not turning out. At demonstrations Levitsky, a professor at Harvard University who spe- like that of Venezuela, has wors- selectively repressive. Many of more than 100 politi- these days, there are more grandparents than youths. cializes in Latin American politics. ened. Her refrigerator is almost cal prisoners were arrested that year and remain in One reason is that so many young people have The loss of hope is also tied to the opposition’s always empty and as a result she’s jail, according to human rights groups. Most are simply fled the country. The protest this month got failure to present a clear alternative to the govern- lost 10 kilograms, in what Venezue- being held incommunicado in the dungeons of El off to an inauspicious start, with an older man shout- ment. It is perennially divided and absorbed by its lans call the “Maduro Diet.” Helicoide, a spiral-shaped modernist landmark built ing, “Where are all the students?” own internal ego battles. “I know it sounds terrible,” she as a shopping mall during the 1950s oil boom, which ‘’They didn’t come!” called back Diego Cerboni, The government has successfully made use of confides between tears, “but I thank is now the headquarters of the all-powerful Sebin student union president at the private Santa Maria legal loopholes to hobble the opposition without God he’s not here to see this.” intelligence police. University. Many of the friends Cerboni used to rely much international protest. For much of last spring The creation last month of an “anti-coup com- upon to demonstrate have left Venezuela. Cerboni and summer, the opposition appeared to be getting mando unit” headed by the vice president has stoked estimates 100 students are leaving Santa Maria each back on track, collecting some 2 million signatures — fears of more roundups. The unit already has week, forcing professors to consolidate sections and 10 times the required minimum — to force a recall cancel under-enrolled classes at the 12,000-student referendum against Maduro. Polls suggest 80 percent campus. One recent survey found 88 percent of of the country want to vote him out. But after a mass young Venezuelans want to emigrate. Venezuelans demonstration with a million people in September As the price of oil has accounted for more US asylum requests than any grabbed international headlines, the government sus- D-RING ROAD fallen and laid bare years other country last year — more than 18,000, com- pended the recall drive. POST BOX: 3488 of mismanagement, pared to a few hundred in 2013. So many people are The Obama administration then dispatched a top applying for passports that the government has run diplomat to walk back the opposition leaders and DOHA - QATAR Maduro’s administration short of supplies and all but stopped issuing them. tempt them with a Vatican-sponsored dialogue, [email protected] has responded by becoming “The government has a smart strategy. They keep which has since collapsed. In hindsight, to many it felt more repressive. It has us looking over our shoulder, keep us busy looking like capitulation, with the only result being that purged state institutions of for food and medicine. You’re working on how to get Maduro was never punished for trampling on the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE out of the country, and you don’t have time to constitution. Now, there is an effort underway to TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 potential traitors, kept out march,” Cerboni said. block opposition parties from competing in future FAX: +974 4455 7758 foreign reporters, detained Protester Marcello Gonzalez, 69, said all his 15 elections altogether. prominent businessmen grandkids and seven of his 10 children have left the The opposition may have found a more willing MANAGING EDITOR country. “There’s a terror campaign here,” he said. partner in US President Donald Trump, who abruptly TEL: 4462 7505 and declared null all “The government is using tear gas and arrests to broke with the Obama administration’s policy of rela- decisions by the opposition- intimidate the young people and make them stay tive restraint towards Venezuela. Trump met with DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR home. We older people don’t have to worry as much. protester Lopez’s wife in the White House and controlled congress. TEL: 4455 7769 We know we’re not the target.” slapped drug sanctions on Maduro’s vice president

LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

Damage control Pyongyang style: Deny and attack BUSINESS NEWS SECTION TEL: 4462 7535 has made similar statements to reporters. But the The diplomats had been at the Putrajaya government hospi- decision to carry the story in the North’s highly tal closest to the airport for two days before moving to the SPORT NEWS SECTION Eric Talmadge selective official media is significant because it Kuala Lumpur hospital when the body was transferred there TEL: 4455 7745 AP reflects a level of concern in Pyongyang over the for an autopsy. Malaysian officials say that although the allegations and its desire to push harder with the embassy officials made no public comments for several days, ONLINE SECTION counter-message of its own. they privately demanded custody of the body and strongly TEL: 4462 7501 Pyongyang’s fiery and categorical denials and objected to an autopsy. Investigators balked, saying they [email protected] aced with the killing of its lead- counter-allegations follow a well-established pat- were following procedure as it was a “sudden and suspicious er’s half brother in what appears tern: It has taken essentially the same tack in death.” PUBLIC RELATIONS to have all the trappings of a response to allegations levelled at it going all the Three days after the killing, Deputy Prime Minister politically motivated hit, North way back to who started the 1950-53 Korean War. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is in charge of police, confirmed TEL: 4455 7613 Korea is turning up the volume To this day, it also disputes as biased and politi- widespread reports in the media that the victim was Kim [email protected] Fon a familiar defence: Flatly deny the alle- cally motivated the findings of an international Jong Nam, though he carried identification with a different gations, viciously attack the accusers. investigation into the 2010 torpedoing of the Cheo- name. For North Korea, that’s the most sensitive of sensitive ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT It’s a position the North has been in nan warship that left 46 South Koreans dead topics. The North has not acknowledged the dead man is the TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 before, from dismissing UN reports outlin- — calling it “fictitious” and an “intolerable mockery.” half brother of its leader — or mentioned Kim Jong Nam’s FAX: 4455 7870 ing human rights abuses or the findings to A particularly damning UN-backed report on name — in any of its statements. Information about the fam- [email protected] disputing who threw the first punch in the human rights abuses that came out in 2014 contin- ily tree of North Korea’s rulers is tightly controlled and few Korean War. But, while master of the mes- ues to be written off by Pyongyang as based on the North Koreans are aware that Kim Jong Un even had an elder CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT sage at home, rarely, if ever, has lies of “human scum” defectors eager to please half brother. TEL: 4455 7857 Pyongyang managed to effectively sway Japan, the United States and South Korea in their Soon after Malaysia officially pushed that button, Kang [email protected] world opinion. With evidence emerging plot to discredit the North’s social system. Chol, North Korea’s ambassador, turned up at the morgue to that seems to strongly implicate some kind More recently, it flipped the script by claiming demand custody of the body. He wasn’t allowed in. SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION of North Korea connection to the killing of South Korean agents had tricked a group of North Kang then did what North Korean diplomats almost TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 Kim Jong Un’s estranged half brother Kim Korean waitresses at a restaurant in China to defect. never do — he went straight to the cameras and gave an FAX: 44557819 Jong Nam, the North is intensifying its Obfuscating the South’s claim that the group defec- unexpected press conference, accusing Malaysia of “trying to public attack on the officials in charge of tion indicated growing dissatisfaction in the North, conceal something” and “colluding with hostile forces.” He [email protected] the investigation in Malaysia. Pyongyang accused Seoul of violating the women’s also pre-emptively said the North would “categorically In its first mention of the case, state- human rights by holding them against their will and reject” any autopsy carried out “unilaterally and excluding run media denied Thursday that North is demanding their immediate return. our attendance.” All thoughts and views Korean agents masterminded the killing Malaysian officials have not directly accused North His scorched-earth approach may have backfired. expressed in these columns and said the Malaysian investigation was Korea of being behind the killing, and Malaysia is one Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak vowed Tuesday full of “holes and contradictions.” of the few countries with close ties to the North. But that his country will not be cowed and is resolute in getting to are those of the writers, not The response came a day after Malay- they have arrested a North Korean man working at a the bottom of the killing. “Malaysia will stand firm,” he said. of the newspaper. sian police said they were seeking two Malaysian company along with three other people and “We will be guided by the principle of the rule of law.” more North Koreans, including the second are searching for several more North Koreans. And, The North now also faces another problem: the South All correspondence secretary of North Korea’s embassy in not surprisingly, Malaysia has bristled at the North’s Korean military has reportedly started using loudspeakers to regarding Views and Kuala Lumpur, in connection with the attacks on the integrity of its investigation. broadcast news of the killing across the Demilitarized Zone. Opinion pages should be February 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam in an According to Malaysian officials, North Korean Not many North Koreans will actually hear those broadcasts, airport lobby. diplomats were informed of the death the day it and many of those who do won’t believe them. But some just mailed to the North Korea’s ambassador in Malaysia occurred; it was not made public until a day later. might. [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 Hamon wins new backing Le Pen snubs Paris not to run for re-election after a Melenchon also to drop out of cops'questioning AFP Presidential race five-year term marked by ter- the race and give the left a Paris Environmentalist ror attacks and stubbornly high chance of staying on in power was surprised by the “sudden ocialist candidate Benoit unemployment. but left-wing stalwart has so far AFP rush” in the investigation. Yannick Jadot Hamon picked up new Both the Republicans and the refused to do so. Le Pen’s personal assist- backing in the roller- dropped out and Socialist parties discarded the Melenchon however early rench far-right presi- ant Catherine Griset was coaster French threw his support most obvious candidates when yesterday said he was “not clos- dential candidate charged on Wednesday with presidential race, as the behind Socialist choosing their nominee in pri- ing any doors” and that he was FMarine Le Pen yester- breach of trust in the probe Snation’s left aims to forge a candidate Benoit mary votes. ready to meet Hamon on Sun- day refused to attend into allegations that her united front with polls just Hamon, while Under fire Socialist candi- day or Monday if he so wished. questioning by investigating National Front (FN) party months away. Communist-backed date and former prime minister “I am open to discussion,” he magistrates over claims she defrauded the European Par- Environmentalist Yannick Jean-Luc Melenchon Francois Fillon was the frontrun- said. broke rules on use of Euro- liament of about €340,000 Jadot dropped out and threw his said he was “open to ner in his party but has come Telegenic former economy pean Parliament funds. ($360,000). support behind Hamon, while discussion.” under a cloud over allegations minister Emmanuel Macron has Le Pen, who is one of the Le Pen, who sits in the Communist-backed Jean-Luc that he supposedly paid his wife emerged as the head of the cen- frontrunners in the race, told European Parliament, has Melenchon said he was “open to money for parliamentary work tre after an alliance with veteran reporters she refused to be furiously denied accusations discussion.” she did not do. centrist Francois Bayrou who questioned by anti-corrup- she broke the rules by using Polls show the three have est opinion polls. Hamon, who is credited with dopped out of the race on tion investigators during the parliamentary funds to pay enough supporters to mount a “My responsibility is to over- winning between 13 to 15 per- Wednesday. presidential campaign. Griset as well as bodyguard serious challenge together, come egos... and create a new cent of the ballots but will not The 39-year-old Macron has “I will not respond (to the Thierry Legier for jobs in which means a potential tie-up adventure in this election,” the make it to the run-off voting however lost ground in recent summons) during the elec- France rather than at the between the splintered leftist 49-year-old told France 2 pub- round in May, according to the days to his far-right rival Marine tion campaign,” she said. European Parliament. candidates could produce more lic television. latest polls, welcomed the Le Pen. “During this period, there Le Pen, who has vowed uncertainty in the race. “This evening I am with- announcement. The 48-year-old Le Pen is cannot be neutrality or calm to call a referendum on Jadot, a former Greenpeace drawing my candidacy,” he said, He said Jadot’s backing projected to win between 25 and necessary for the justice sys- France's membership of the director, made the announce- speaking of a “terrific” deal with would help “prepare for the 27.5 percent of the vote if the tem to function properly.” European Union if elected, ment after being credited with Hamon. great ecological conquests of election were held now but fore- The candidate’s lawyer has described the investiga- winning only two percent of Unpopular Socialist Presi- tomorrow.” cast to lose in the second round Rodolphe Bosselut said he tion as a vendetta. the vote, according to the lat- dent Francois Hollande decided Hamon has tried to woo on May 7.

Courts orders release The world of Arctic & Antarctic Greek Cypriot leader sees of Ukraine oligarch talks stalled Vienna was first detained in 2014. AFP The tycoon, who denies all until April charges, has been under house n Austria judge yester- arrest in Austria over the past Nicosia day ordered release of three years. AFP ADmytro Firtash, one of An ex-ally of Ukraine’s Ukraine’s richest men who was ousted pro-Russian president GREEK Cypriot leader Nicos detained earlier this week over Viktor Yanukovych, Firtash Anastasiades said he believes alleged links to organised crime made money through connec- UN-backed talks on reunify- in Spain. tions with Russian gas giant ing Cyprus will remain stalled His arrest on Tuesday came Gazprom, and was at one time until after Turkey’s April 16 after a Vienna appeals court linked to a former campaign aide referendum on presidential ruled he could be extradited to of US President Donald Trump. powers, in an interview pub- the US on bribery charges fol- Firtash is wanted in the US lished yesterday. lowing a three year-trial. over charges that he and five Anastasiades, who heads Spanish and US authorities others paid $18.5m in bribes to the island’s internationally had filed separate requests for officials in India to secure tita- recognised government, has Firtash’s detention, saying he nium mining licences in 2006. held 21 months of negotia- was at risk of flight. The US argues it has jurisdiction tions with his Turkish Cypriot But the court in Vienna said because the conspiracy involved counterpart Mustafa Akinci it found no reason to keep him using US financial institutions, People visit the Paul Emile Victor museum in the French eastern village of Premanon, But Akinci this week sus- custody because he had already travel to and from the US, and yesterday. This is the first permanent museum devoted to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, pended his participation in handed in his passport and paid use of US-based communica- according to Anthony Renou, in charge of museum's communication. the talks in protest at Cyprus bail of €125m ($130m) when he tions—computers and internet. parliament’s approval of a law that will see Greek Cyp- riot schools mark anniversary of a 1950 referendum in sup- port of union with Greece. Kremlin politicians warn Trump may unleash new arms race “I hope there are second thoughts from the Turkish Cypriot side and from Turkey, Moscow and he said a treaty limiting Rus- and ‘60s,” said Konstantin to ensure peace, Kosachev wrote leading proponent of warmer but I don’t expect this to hap- Reuters sian and US nuclear arsenals was Kosachev, chairman of the inter- on his Facebook page. ties with Moscow, from his job pen before April’s a bad deal for Washington. national affairs committee in the “Are we entering a new era? as national security adviser. referendum” on expanding ussian politicians close to Russian officials issued no upper house of the Russian In my view we need an answer Another pro-Kremlin law- the powers of the presidency the Kremlin said yesterday reaction, with yesterday a public parliament. to that question as soon as pos- maker, Alexei Pushkov said in Turkey, Anastasiades told RUS President Donald holiday, but pro-Kremlin politi- The president’s remarks in sible.” During presidential race, Trump’s comments on increasing the English-language Cyprus Trump’s declared aim of putting cians expressed consternation the interview were, Kosachev Trump said he would try to end US nuclear capacity “put in doubt Weekly. the US nuclear arsenal “at the top about comments from Trump, said in a post on his Facebook enmity that broke out between the agreement on limiting strate- “I believe the goal of the of the pack” risked triggering a who Moscow had hoped would page, “arguably Trump’s most the Kremlin and Washington gic arms, returning the world to Turkish side, especially of new Cold War-style arms race usher in new, friendlier relations alarming statement on the sub- during Barack Obama’s presi- 20th century”. He said a Cold War President (Recep Tayyip) between Washington and between the two countries. ject of relations with Russia”. dency. Russian officials looked arms treaty laid the foundation for Erdogan, to achieve a posi- Moscow. “Trump’s campaign slogan Over the course of the Cold forward to re-setting relations. nuclear stability between Moscow tive result in the referendum In an interview, Trump said ‘Make America great again’, if War, the Soviet Union and the US But just over a month into and Washington. “That needs to becomes a substantial obsta- the United States had fallen behind that means nuclear supremacy, realised that achieving suprem- Trump presidency, that prospect be preserved. And the US States cle in the negotiations when in its nuclear weapons capacity, a will return the world to the worst acy was dangerous, and accepted has receded, especially with cannot achieve decisive it comes to the withdrawal of situation he said he would reverse, times of the arms race in the ‘50s doctrine of parity as the best way sacking of Michael Flynn, a superiority.” occupation troops,” he said.

Swearing-in Dutch MPs back compromise to ratify EU-Ukraine pact

The Hague has to go before the Senate for It a blow to Prime Minister AFP final approval however, which Mark Rutte and his coalition is unlikely to happen before the government at a time when The utch MPs have backed a poll, Dutch media said. Netherlands was at the helm of hard-won compromise The Netherlands is the only the EU’s rotating presidency. Ddeal ratifying an member of EU yet to ratify the Rutte, who had promised to amended EU-Ukraine pact association accord with Kiev take into account the results, which was rejected in a contro- which aims to boost trade and was forced to seek a compro- versial referendum last year. political dialogue, in a bid to mise with his EU partners. In a majority vote of 89 for nudge the country away from its After tough talks, the trea- and 55 against, the lower house former Soviet master, Russia. ty’s wording was amended to of Dutch parliament yesterday Eurosceptic groups, seizing limit the EU’s defence commit- approved the compromise ham- on a new law, forced a referen- ments to Ukraine and state that mered out in EU talks in dum on the pact. Some 60 the pact does not provide any December. percent of those who voted guarantees to Kiev of full EU King Philippe of Belgium (left) and Prime Minister Charles Michel stand as Zuhal Demir The MPs were holding their rejected the treaty, even though membership in the future. (right) gestures during her swearing-in ceremony as new State Secretary for the fight last session before going into turnout barely scraped above Ukrainian President Petro against poverty, equal opportunities, disabled, science politic and big cities in the recess ahead of a key election the 30 percent needed for the Poroshenko welcomed yester- government, in Brussels, yesterday. on March 15. The draft law still results to be valid. day's vote. SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 AMERICAS 11 Democrats set to pick new leader today

Counter politics Republicans. whomever they choose in the Steve Grossman, and Vermont With opposition Democrats primary, regardless of how citi- ex-governor Howard Dean, him- With opposition preparing for crucial 2018 mid- zens vote in the states. self a onetime presidential Democrats preparing term elections and the nation's Ellison, 53, is the insurgent candidate and DNC chair. "The for crucial 2018 next presidential race on the dis- in the race, a supporter of liberal wolf is through the gates and eat- midterm elections and tant 2020 horizon, nothing less Bernie Sanders during the Dem- ing our sheep right now. We've the nation's next than the future of the party is at ocratic primaries who, like Perez, got to take it to the real opposi- presidential race on stake. has pledged to reclaim the par- tion, which is the Republicans," the distant 2020 The race to chair the Demo- ty's reputation of standing for fair Buttigieg said in the debate. horizon, nothing less cratic National Committee (DNC) trade, jobs, infrastructure invest- The falsehoods peddled by than the future of the features front-runners Thomas ment and the preservation of the Trump White House must be party is at stake. Perez, a Hispanic-American and Social Security. "met with fact and outrage," he former secretary of labour under "That's what we do," said added. But at the same time, the During a debate with Barack Obama who is the estab- Ellison, who was endorsed by focus has to return to struggling lishment pick, and Keith Ellison, Sanders. Trump "stole a Demo- Americans. "We've got to get several DNC a black Muslim congressman cratic message" by constantly back to talking to people and candidates, Perez and from the party's progressive wing reminding working-class and about people in terms of their Former Labour Secretary Thomas Perez (left) and Minnesota Ellison expressed who has left open the prospect middle-class voters during the everyday lives." similar views about of pushing to impeach Trump. Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison. campaign that he was the can- The three candidates pledged how they would run The race is narrowing -- one needs to take a solid economic message, our message of eco- didate who listened to their to remain neutral should sitting the party. of the second-tier challengers, message to working-class and nomic opportunity, that's how concerns. Trump no doubt is Democrats be challenged by South Carolina Democratic Party middle-class Americans, many we win," he said during the watching the DNC race closely. more liberal candidates in the chairman Jaime Harrison of whom said during last year's debate broadcast on CNN. Earlier this week he tweeted that 2018 midterm elections in the dropped out of the race on campaign that they felt aban- Perez also warned that Dem- Ellison's bid is notable because Republican-controlled Congress. Washington Thursday and supported Perez doned by Democrats. ocrats must reform their party's "he was the one who predicted And they portrayed the Demo- AFP -- and culminates in a vote today Perez, 55, said Democrats presidential primary system, early that I would win!" crats as a party desperate for a at a DNC meeting in Atlanta, need to "get back to basics" by which he said has created "a cri- Beyond Perez and Ellison, a reenergizing from the ground up. S Democrats, licking Georgia. making house calls in all 50 sis of confidence" because of its dark horse has emerged: Pete Grossman, one of the former their wounds from During a debate with several states and establishing a year- lack of transparency. Buttigieg, the charismatic DNC chairs, said Trump was far last year's election DNC candidates Wednesday round organizing presence to The current system includes 35-year-old mayor of South more adept than Hillary Clinton, debacle, will pick a night, Perez and Ellison remind American workers that the use of several hundred so- Bend, Indiana. He has earned the Democratic presidential can- new leader today to expressed similar views about the Democratic Party represents called "super-delegates" -- DNC support from former presiden- didate he defeated, at showing Utake the fight to President Don- how they would run the party. their values and interests. members, party grandees and tial candidate Martin O'Malley, Americans that he could feel ald Trump and his They acknowledged that it "When we lead with our lawmakers who can vote for former DNC chair their pain.

State Department Trump vows great will resume news briefings military build-up Washington Reuters Washington going to mess with us. Nobody. Reuters It will be one of the greatest he US State Department military buildups in American will resume news brief- resident Donald history,” Trump said. Tings the week of March Trump said he would With appeals to people on 6, a spokesman said yester- make a massive welfare to go to work and day, breaking a silence under budget request for pledges to follow through on his Secretary of State Rex Tiller- one of the “greatest vow to build a wall on the US- son that had caused Pmilitary buildups in American Mexican border, Trump drew consternation among Amer- history” yesterday in a feisty, rounds of applause from the ican diplomats and campaign-style speech extol- large gathering of conserva- contributed to confusion ling robust nationalism to eager tives, many of them wearing abroad about US positions on conservative activists. hats emblazoned with the pres- key issues. The briefings, Trump used remarks to the ident’s campaign slogan, “Make which in the past were tele- Conservative Political Action America Great Again.” vised and held daily, are US President Donald Trump is surrounded by business leaders as he signs an executive order Conference (CPAC), an organ- His speech was heavy on watched closely by US allies on regulatory reform at his desk in the Oval Office at the White House, yesterday. isation that gave him one of his the nationalist overtones from and adversaries for signals on first platforms in his improba- his campaign last year, focus- American positions on major ble journey to the US ing heavily on promises to boost international crises and presidency, to defend his una- US economic growth by retool- developments around the bashed “America first” policies. ing international trade deals, Trump blasts FBI over leaks to media world. Ahead of a nationally televised rolling back regulations and But they have been halted speech to the US Congress on boosting energy production, Washington on Capitol Hill and at the FBI. of cable news, came as CNN was ever since President Donald Tuesday, Trump outlined plans Trump is looking to put AFP Accusations against Trump and airing a story on how the FBI Trump took office on Jan. 20, for strengthening the US mili- behind him a rocky first month his cohorts have come from rejected a recent White House a move that is unprecedented tary, already the world’s most in office. An executive order he resident Donald Trump news reports based on unnamed request to publicly deny news in at least the last three inter- powerful fighting force, and signed aimed at banning peo- took the unusual step yes- government sources. "The FBI reports about alleged commu- party presidential transitions, other initiatives, though he ple from seven Muslim-majority Pterday of publicly is totally unable to stop the nications between Trump according to online archives again offered few specifics. countries became embroiled in criticising the FBI, saying it was national security 'leakers' that associates and potential Russian of briefing transcripts. He said he would aim to the courts and he had to fire his failing to stop national security have permeated our govern- spies during the 2016 presiden- The last televised news substantially upgrade the mil- national security adviser, leaks to the media, even from ment for a long time," Trump tial campaign. briefing at the State Depart- itary in both offensive and Michael Flynn, for Russian con- within the agency. said. "They can't even find the CNN's report was based on ment was held on Jan. 19, the defensive capabilities, with a tacts before Trump took office. The Republican's rebuke, leakers within the FBI itself. "multiple unnamed US officials last full day of Barack massive spending request that With the federal budget still posted on Twitter and Facebook, Classified information is being briefed on the matter." Obama’s presidency. The would make the country’s running a deficit, Trump will comes with his administration given to media that could have US intelligence agencies question-and-answer ses- defence “bigger and better and have to square his request for on the defensive against allega- a devastating effect on US FIND have concluded that Russia sions allow reporters to press stronger than ever before.” a military buildup with his plans tions of improper links to Russia, NOW." interfered in the 2016 presiden- spokespeople on the nuances “And, hopefully, we’ll never to cut taxes for most Americans with several investigations into The social media posts from tial campaign to tip the result in of US foreign policy and the have to use it, but nobody is and for corporations. the matter underway Trump, a voracious consumer Trump's favour. actions of diplomats abroad.

Pre-arrangements US heroin overdoses quadrupled

Atlanta and did not examine the under- opioid painkillers,” Hamburg Reuters lying causes. But a 2015 study said. “Heroin is part of Ameri- by the US Centers for Disease ca’s larger drug abuse he number of deadly her- Control and Prevention found problem.” Yesterday’s study oin overdoses in the that the declining price of her- found that the percentage of TUnited States more than oin and its increasing purity overdose deaths from prescrip- quadrupled from 2010 to 2015, might be causing more people tion drugs such as oxycodone a federal agency said yesterday, to use it. The latest statistics and hydrocodone fell to 24 per- as the price of the drug dropped come as authorities in several cent in 2015 from 29 percent and its potency increased. parts of the United States grap- five years earlier. There were 12,989 over- ple with opioid and heroin Over the same period, the dose deaths involving heroin in crises. Experts say there is a link percentage of overdose deaths 2015, according to the National between heroin use and much blamed on cocaine rose to 13 Center for Health Statistics, higher rates of prescription opi- percent in 2015 from 11 percent compared with 3,036 such oid painkiller usage. in 2010, according to the study. fatalities five years earlier. Due to its falling price, her- In 2015, the four states with In 2010, heroin was oin can cost as little as the highest drug overdose death involved in 8 percent of US drug one-tenth that of prescription rates were West Virginia, New overdose deaths, a study by the pills, Rich Hamburg, executive Hampshire, Kentucky and Ohio, Atlanta-based center said. By vice president of the non-profit the study said. While overdose 2015, that proportion had group, Trust for America’s death rates increased for all age Workers building out the red carpet for the 89th annual Oscars in front of the Dolby Theatre jumped to 25 percent. Health, said on Thursday. “You groups, those aged 55 to 64 saw in Hollywood, California, yesterday. The center’s research was are 40 times more likely to use the largest percentage increase, based on death certificate data heroin if you started with the study found. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017

Haiti president US promises Mexico no mass deportations appoints doctor Easing tension Security Secretary John Kelly and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson as new PM US Homeland met with Mexican ministers who Security Secretary expressed "concern and irrita- Port-Au-Prince and Secretary of tion" over Trump's combative Reuters State met with stance on trade and migration Mexican ministers ties with Mexico. relatively unknown Trump has outraged the medical doctor was who expressed United States' southern neigh- tapped to be Haiti’s "concern and A bour by vowing to build a wall new prime minister, tasked irritation" over along the border to keep out with steering the govern- Trump's combative immigrants, and branding those ment’s legislative agenda stance on trade and from Mexico as rapists and crim- through parliament, President migration ties with inals during his presidential Jovenel Moise said. Mexico. campaign. The Department of The choice of Jack Guy Homeland Security (DHS) on Lafontant as prime minister Tuesday issued new orders to of the impoverished Carib- Mexico City step up the arrest and deporta- bean country came two US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (left) and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly during AFP tion of illegal immigrants, many weeks after Moise took power of them Mexicans. a meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at the Los Pinos Presidential Palace in as president. If parliament S officials promised But Kelly promised at a news Mexico City, yesterday. confirms Lafontant, perhaps Mexico no "mass conference in Mexico City on best known as the president deportations" or use Thursday that "there will be no, stepped-up deportation drive as "We're getting really bad dudes concern and irritation among of the Rotary Club in the of military force to repeat, no mass deportations. "a military operation." out of this country, and at a rate Mexicans about what are seen upscale district of Petionville, expel immigrants, Everything we do in the DHS will But his spokesman Sean that nobody's ever seen before." as policies that could be detri- and allows him to choose Umoving to calm tensions over be done legally." "There will be Spicer later told a news confer- Mexican Foreign Minister, mental for Mexicans in Mexico other ministers, it would President Donald Trump's vow no use of military force for immi- ence that Trump was using the who met with Tillerson, repeated and abroad," he said."There are mark the country’s first to crack down on "bad dudes" gration operations," he added. term "military" simply "as an his vow not to let the United well-known differences and the elected government in a year. illegally residing in his country. Earlier at the White House, adjective" to mean "efficient." States impose migration reforms best way to resolve them is Moise announced the sur- US Homeland Trump had described the Or as Trump himself put it: on it "unilaterally." "There is through frank, clear dialogue." prise pick on Twitter and noted that he had consulted with the heads of both cham- bers of parliament on the selection. Moise did not indi- Bid to reduce Amazon cate why he had chosen Canadian province passes Lafontant. The two men are believed to be friends, reserves corresponds according to local media. Haiti has been headed by anti-Islamophobia motion a caretaker government since Michel Martelly, the last with mining proposals elected president and Moise’s Trenton of Islamophobia, the Canadian Ottawa-Vanier area she repre- political benefactor, stepped Anatolia Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) sents in parliament. Sao Paulo maps, and does not provide a down early last year without reported. They included anti-Muslim Reuters reason for the change, WWF- a designated successor. he province of Ontario The passage of the motion graffiti and women spit on for Brazil said. Moise was also a relative passed an anti-Islamo- is important because more than wearing their hijabs — the tra- bill to reduce the size of But maps created from the unknown until he was tapped Tphobia motion as a similar one-third of Canada’s popula- ditional head covering for four Amazon conserva- coordinates by the conserva- by Martelly to run as his suc- motion has run into opposition tion of 35 million lives in women. A tion reserves in Brazil tion organisation show that cessor. His Bald Heads Party at the federal government level. Ontario, which also has the larg- Six men were shot to death and eliminate another may be proposals to begin mining – and its allies control the The motion put forth by Lib- est number of inside a Quebec City mosque related to proposals by mining particularly for gold, but also majority in parliament. eral Member of the Provincial Muslim-Canadians (146,000] January 29. industries to begin work in for diamonds and niobium, Parliament Nathalie Des Ros- and includes Toronto, the prov- Ontario’s Muslim Attorney those areas, investigators from used in steel and superconduc- iers sets the standard to “stand ince’s capital and the country’s General Yasir Naqvi said that a conservation organisation tors – have been filed with the Brazilian court against all forms of hatred, hos- largest city. Ottawa, Canada’s following the killings, his office say. government in all the areas, the tility, prejudice, racism and capital, is also in Ontario. received a telephone call from “We noticed that the major- NGO said. intolerance” and censures “a Des Rosiers put forth the a Muslim man who asked if it ity of those exploitation The mining proposals are requests Pele's growing tide of anti-Muslim motion in December after a were safe to send his son to requests are within the limits available from a national data- rhetoric and sentiments”. number of anti-Islamphobia school, the Toronto Star news- of the conservation units that base of requests by industry for son's arrest It also condemns all forms incidents occurred in the paper reported. the new bill wants to cut,” said mineral prospecting and Mariana Ferreira, the science extraction. In Acari National Rio De Janeiro coordinator for WWF-Brazil, a Park alone, about 40 requests AP non-governmental environ- for prospecting or mining min- mental protection organisation. erals, mainly gold, have been Brazilian court has Worst drought The national bill, proposed by filed, WWF-Brazil said. Some requested the arrest of legislators from Amazonas have already been authorised, APele's son, Edson state, aims to eliminate the according to the organisation. Cholbi do Nascimento, for Campos de Manicore Environ- According to President association to drug traffick- mental Protection Area and Michel Temer’s chief of staff, ing and money laundering. reduce the size of Acari Eliseu Padilha, the proposed Edinho, as the son of the National Park, the Manicore cuts to conservation areas are former footballer is known, Biological Reserve and the Uru- being analyzed within the Min- has yet to be arrested after padi and Aripuana national istry of Environment. yesterday's ruling. The Sao forests. The protected areas However Jose Sarney Filho, Paulo state court decided that were created last year, before the country’s environment min- Edinho's previous sentence the impeachment of President ister, has indicated he is against of 33 years in jail should be Dilma Rousseff in August. the changes. reduced to 12 years. But “even after the creation “The minister is against the Edinho played for years of those conservation units in project because any change in as a goalkeeper at Santos, his 2016, the mining industry didn’t conservation units demands father's former club. He stop requesting official licenses technical advice from the Chico retired in 1999. to exploit minerals within the Mendes Institute for Biodiver- The former goalkeeper protected areas”, said Ricardo sity Conservation, an agency was sentenced for the first Mello, coordinator of the Ama- linked to the Ministry of Envi- time in 2014, but was appeal- zon programme at ronment,” the ministry replied ing the decision. WWF-Brazil. via email, when asked for com- Despite the risk of immi- The more-than-20-page ment. Brazil’s forests are under nent arrest, Edinho coached The dry Cedro reservoir at Quixada, Ceara State, in Brazil yesterday. The situation of the bill describes the conservation pressure not only from mining two small teams in Sao Paulo Brazil's oldest reservoir sumps up the devastating effects of the worst drought of the areas proposed for reduction but also expansion of agricul- state. Pele has not made any century in the northeast of the country. or elimination only as geo- ture, creation of large dams and comments about his son's graphic coordinates, without timber harvesting. arrest. Canada’s Trudeau pressured to tackle issue of asylum-seekers

Ottawa Allies and opponents alike resources to deal with the new spokesman for Public Safety implementation of his adminis- science professor Nelson Reuters say they want a strategy to cope arrivals, some of whom have lost Minister Ralph Goodale. tration’s actions to protect Wiseman. with the dozens of people - fingers to frostbite in the dan- Bardsley said comparable America from terrorist attacks Polls show Canadians are rime Minister Justin Tru- mainly from Burundi, Eritrea, gerous crossing. data for the Jan. 1 to Feb. 13 by foreign nationals and split over whether Canada deau came under Syria, Ghana and Sudan - walk- While Brian Pallister said his period in 2016 was not availa- others.” should be accepting more or Pincreasing pressure yester- ing across the border every day. province will welcome those in ble. The asylum seekers are Officials say Trump will soon fewer refugees. day to deal with asylum seekers The number of asylum seek- need with “open arms and open breaking the law because Can- issue a new executive order to But even Liberal legislators illegally crossing into Canada ers crossing into Canada at hearts,” his call for a national ada’s policy under a Canada-U.S. replace the administration’s are starting to hear from constit- from the United States to avoid isolated and unguarded border strategy to deal with the arrivals Safe Third Country Agreement directive suspending travel to the uents concerned about the a crackdown by the administra- crossings has increased in recent adds to opposition criticism that is to turn back refugees if they United States by citizens of seven arrivals. tion of President Donald Trump. weeks amid fears that Trump Trudeau has put national secu- make claims at border mostly Muslim countries. “One or two people have Trudeau, who stresses that will start expelling illegal immi- rity at risk by embracing asylum crossings. Warmer weather could spur raised the issue with me ... and I Canada welcomes refugees, has grants, and photos of smiling seekers. Trudeau and Trump dis- more arrivals of asylum-seekers expect I’ll have a few more” con- so far avoided political fallout Canadian police greeting the As of February 13, some cussed border cooperation in in Canada. versations with constituents with Trump. The two talked on migrants have gone viral. 3,800 people had made an asy- their phone call on Thursday. “They know they are in a about the arrivals, said Kevin the phone about the border and The premier of the western lum claim in 2017, up from the The White House said Trump pickle. If people are coming over Lamoureux, member of parlia- other issues on Thursday but nei- province of Manitoba, where same period last year and on emphasized the importance of in February, what’s it going to be ment for Winnipeg North, where ther government gave many many of the refugees end up, on track to approach the 2008 peak working closely with Canada on like in June and July?” said Uni- many asylum seekers settle details of the conversation. Thursday asked Ottawa for more of 36,867, said Scott Bardsley, cross-border issues, “including versity of Toronto political awaiting their refugee hearing. SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017 CLASSIFIEDS 13

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CONCEPTIS SUDOKU

7:30 Talk To Al Jazeera 04:48 Mythbusters 10:10 Yankee Jungle 10:20 Disney Mickey 8:30 Rewind 05:36 How Do They Do 11:05 The Vet Life Mouse 9:00 Witness It? 12:55 Bondi Vet 10:25 Best Friends 10:00 News 06:00 Food Factory 13:50 Borneo's Pygmy Whenever 10:30 Inside Story 06:24 Mythbusters Elephants 10:50 Bunk'd 11:00 News 07:12 Close Encounters 14:45 Search For The 11:40 Pocahontas 11:30 The Listening Post 07:37 Close Encounters Knysna Elephants 13:10 The 7D 12:00 News 08:00 How Do They Do 16:35 Kingdom Of The 13:20 The Next Step 12:30 Counting the Cost It? 06:24 Elephants 15:25 Jessie 13:00 NEWSHOUR Mythbusters 17:30 China's Last 16:15 Austin & Ally 14:00 News 07:12 Close Encounters Elephants 17:05 Descendants 14:30 Inside Story 08:00 How Do They Do 18:25 Echo And The Wicked World 15:00 Marco Polo: A Very It? Elephants Of 17:10 Elena Of Avalor Modern Journey 08:26 Food Factory Amboseli 17:35 Stuck In The 16:00 NEWSHOUR 10:26 How Do They Do 18:50 Echo And The Middle 17:00 News It? Elephants Of 18:00 Gravity Falls 17:30 UpFront 12:26 Close Encounters Amboseli 18:25 Sky High Yesterday's answer 18:00 newsgrid 16:26 Mythbusters 19:20 Catching 20:05 Disney 19:00 News 20:30 NASA's Monsters Cookabout Conceptis Sudoku: Conceptis Sudoku is a number- 19:30 People & Power Unexplained Files 20:15 Biggest And 20:30 Elena Of Avalor placing puzzle based on a 9×9 grid. The object is to 20:00 News 21:20 Future Weapons Baddest 20:55 Liv And Maddie place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so 20:30 Inside Story 22:10 How The Earth 21:10 Yankee Jungle 21:20 Best Friends that each row, each column and each 3×3 box 21:00 NEWSHOUR Works 22:05 Treehouse Whenever contains the same number only once. 22:00 News 23:00 Food Factory USA Masters 21:45 Austin & Ally 22:30 The Listening Post 23:50 Mythbusters 23:00 Catching 22:10 Dog With A Blog 23:00 00:40 22:35 CROSSWORD Al Jazeera World How We Invented Monsters Jessie HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

NOVO — Pearl SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Eliminators (2D/Action) 10:00, 11:00, 11:30am, 12:00noon, 1:30, 2:00, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 5:30, 6:00, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 9:30, 10:00, 11:00, 11:30pm & 12:00midnight The Worthy (2D/Arabic) 10:30am, 12:40, 2:50, 5:00, 7:10, 9:20 & 11:30pm Rock Dog (2D/Animation) 10:00, 11:50am, 1:40, 3:30, 5:20, 7:10, 9:00pm & 11:00pm Trespass Aaginst Us (2D/Crime) 10:30am, 3:00, 7:30pm & 12:00midnight Split (2D/Thriller) 12:40, 5:10 & 9:40pm The Lego Batman (2D/Animation) 11:00am, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00pm Loving (2D/Drama) 9:00 & 11:30pm John Wick 2 (2D/Action) 11:30am, 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30pm & 12:00midnight Fist Fight (2D/Comedy) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 1:00, 2:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight La La Land (2D IMAX/Musical) 10:30am, 1:10, 3:50, 6:30, 9:10 & 11:50pm

MALL

Yesterday’s answer Winner (2D/Telugu) 2:30pm Fukri (2D/Malayalam) 2:00 & 8:30pm Rock Dog (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 5:00pm A Dog’s Purpose (2D/Comedy) 3:30 & 8:00pm Munthirivallikal (2D/Malayalam/Comedy) 4:45pm Rangoon (2D/Hindi) 5:15 & 11:15pm Eliminators (2D/Action) 6:45 & 9:45pm My Ex And Whys (2D/Tagalog) 7:30pm The Worthy (2D/Arabic) 9:30pm Yaman (2D/Tamil) 11:15pm Tresspass Against Us (2D/Crime) 11:30pm

LANDMARK

Rangoon (2D/Hindi) 2:00 & 11:00pm A Dog’s Purpose (2D/Comedy) 2:00 & 7:30pm Rock Dog (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 4:15pm Winner (2D/Telugu) 3:45pm Eliminators (2D/Action) 8:00 & 11:30pm Fukri (2D/Malayalam) 4:45 & 11:00pm My Ex And Whys (2D/Tagalog) 6:00pm Tresspass Against Us (2D/Crime) 6:30 & 9:45pm Yaman (2D/Tamil) 8:15pm The Worthy (2D/Arabic) 9:15pm ROYAL PLAZA

A Dog’s Purpose (2D/Comedy) 2:30 & 9:45pm Rock Dog (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 4:30pm Rangoon (2D/Hindi) 2:30 & 8:15pm Yaman (2D/Tamil) 4:30 & 11:00pm My Ex And Whys (2D/Tagalog) 5:15pm ALL IN THE MIND Tresspass Against Us (2D/Crime) 6:15pm Loving (2D/Drama) 7:30pm Winner (2D/Telugu) 9:00pm Munthirivallikal (2D/Malayalam/Comedy) 11:00pm Eliminators (2D/Action) 11:30pm The Worthy (2D/Arabic) 11:30pm

ASIAN TOWN Munthirivallikal (Malayalam) 12:30, 3:15, 6:00 & 9:00pm Fukri (Malayalam) 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm Winner (Telugu) 1:00 & 7:00pm ANGUS YOUNG, BRIAN MAY, Rangoon (Hindi) 4:30 & 10:30pm Yaman (Tamil) 4:00 & 10:00pm CARLOS SANTANA, DAVE GILMOUR, EDDIE VAN HALEN, ERIC CLAPTON, AL KHOR GARY MOORE, JAMES Rangoon Munthiri Rock HETFIELD, JEFF BECK, JIMI 11:15am, 2:15, 5:15, 8:15 & 11:15pm 11:00am, 5:00 & 11:00pm Dog 11:30am, 1:30, 3:30 & 5:30pm Fuki 2:00 & 8:00pm Eliminators 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30pm HENDRIX, JIMMY PAGE, JOE SATRIANI, KURT COBAIN, MARK KNOPFLER, SLASH, ROXY STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, TOM Rock Dog 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm Rangoon (Hindi) 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm MORELLO, ZAKK WYLDE. Loving 2:00 & 6:45pm Yaman 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm Fukri (Malayalam) 8:00 & 11:15pm Eliminators 4:30, 9:15 & 11:30pm 16 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 04.45 am 'Beauty and the Beast' premieres in London SHOROOK 06.01 am London ZUHR 11.47 am MAGHRIB 05.35 pm Reuters ASR 03.06 pm ISHA 07.05 pm elle is a departure from other Disney princesses, Emma WEATHER TODAY Watson insisted at the pre- miere for her new fantasy o o romance film “Beauty and Bthe Beast” on Thursday evening. 18 C 22 C “The wonderful thing about Belle Minimum Maximum is I feel like even in the original, she was very progressive”, Watson said, adding that she enjoyed filling out more of the back story for the character. A live action remake of the 1991 Disney animated movie, “Beauty and the Beast” follows Belle as she is imprisoned by a beast, played by Dan Stevens, in his castle. She meets and becomes friends with its staff members, such as Potts the teapot, voiced by Emma Thomp- Actor Emma Watson leaves after posing for photographers at a media event for the film "Beauty and the son, and gradually warms to the beast. At the premiere, Luke Evans, who Beast" in London, yesterday. plays the arrogant, boorish Gaston smitten by Belle, said that there were told ‘no’, and will fight until the end anticipation of seeing how the new film probably even more than the original”, similarities between his character’s purely because of the fear of the compares with the original was McKellen added. The stars later braved “fear of the unknown” and the current unknown,” he said. “nerve-racking”. Storm Doris, which has been batter- political climate. Director Bill Condon said that he “Lots of jokes in this, and unex- ing Britain and Ireland, to head to “There’s a definite parallel to be felt “pressures” in creating the remake, pected jokes, with constant reference Leicester Square to watch the film. drawn there, about somebody who while Ian McKellen, who takes on the back to the Disney animation, so I “Beauty and the Beast” hits cine- Expected thundery rain at places doesn’t want to be told ‘no’, will not be voice of Cogsworth the clock, said the think it’s very very likely to appeal to, mas worldwide from March 15. associated with strong wind. Part- ly cloudy to cloudy with chance of scattered rain may be thundery at places at times. Spring coming sooner HIGH TIDE 04:30 - 16:00 LOW TIDE 11:30 - 21:45 Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department 'Ring of fire' eclipse treat to some Arctic plants New York for southern skygazers IANS ature's clock is running fast in the Arctic, Paris thanks to climate change. Due to dimin- AFP Nishing sea ice cover, spring is coming sooner to some plant species in the low Arctic of Green- spectacular "ring of fire" land, while other species are delaying their solar eclipse tomorrow will emergence amid warming winters, says a study. Aregale skygazers in South The timing of seasonal events, such as first America and southern Africa, spring growth, flower bud formation and bloom- with seafarers in the nearby ing make up a plant's phenology -- the window Atlantic getting a front-row view of time it has to grow, produce offspring, and too, astronomers say. express its life history. It can be called "nature's The eclipse -- during which clock." the Sun will all but disappear as While how early a plant emerges from its win- the Moon crosses its path -- will ter slumber depends on the species, the study, be most visible in a 100km band published in the journal Biology Letters, demon- cutting through Chile, Argentina, strates that the Arctic landscape is changing Angola, Zambia and the Demo- rapidly. Such changes carry implications for the cratic Republic of Congo. ecological structure of the region for years to come. A so-called annular solar "The Arctic is really dynamic, and it's chang- eclipse occurs when the Earth, ing in a direction that won't be recognisable as Moon and Sun line up. But even the same Arctic to those of us who have been when perfectly aligned, the Moon working there for decades," said lead author Eric is too far from Earth to com- Post, a polar ecologist at the University of Cali- pletely block out the Sun, creating Sun spots are seen as the moon moves into a full eclipse position fornia - Davis in the US. instead the impression of a fiery after reaching annularity during the first annular eclipse seen "The picture is definitely being reorganised," ring. At first, it will look as if a in the US since 1994 on May 20, 2012. Post said. The study covered 12 years of observa- "bite" has been taken out of the tions at a West Greenland field site, about 240km Sun, said Terry Moseley of the "As about 90 percent of the Moon will be right in the middle inland from the Davis Strait. Irish Astronomical Association, Sun is covered, you'll notice a dis- of the Sun, leaving "a perfect, The site is near Russell Glacier, a dynamic front stressing that viewers should not tinct drop in temperature and beautiful, symmetrical ring" of protruding from the massive inland ice sheet that observe the eclipse unfold with brightness, and a change in the light around the edge before exit- covers most of the island. Each year from early the naked eye. quality of the light which is hard ing on the other side, said May to late June, researchers looked daily for the "This 'bite' gradually gets big- to describe." Moseley. For people just outside first signs of growth in plots enclosing individual ger and bigger as the Moon As the day darkens, birds and the band of optimal viewing, the plant species. They found that warming winters -- which is itself invisible -- animals may enter a night-time phenomenon will appear as a ring and springs associated with declining arctic sea moves further and further in front routine, thinking sunset is nigh. thicker on one side than the other, ice cover created a mixture of speed demons, of the Sun," he said. At the height of the eclipse the said Moseley. slowpokes and those in between. Hollywood still struggles with race

Los Angeles where the main storyline is about race, Reuters as opposed to just being a person going through a divorce or something simi- n their way to this year’s Oscars, lar,” said Victoria Thomas, casting Dev Patel searched for his director of best picture Oscar nomi- OIndian roots, Denzel Washing- nee “Hidden Figures.” ton wrestled with racism as an angry “That’s the next hurdle to get over,” African-American patriarch and Octa- she added. To be sure, some of this via Spencer became a top black female year’s crop of Oscar hopefuls have mathematician. found success in color-blind roles. With seven nominations for actors Washington was Oscar-nominated and actresses of colour, the Oscars this for playing an alcoholic airline pilot in Freshly-painted Oscar statues at a parking lot outside the Dolby Theatre year have been touted as an improve- 2012’s “Flight;” “Moonlight” support- ment on diversity after two years of ing actress Naomie Harris was cast as in Hollywood, Los Angeles, yesterday. #OscarsSoWhite criticism. Miss Moneypenny in James Bond mov- Yet critics say the real test will be ies “Skyfall” and “Spectre;” and all black actors who have won Acad- themes of slavery and civil rights that when the movie industry, like televi- “Fences” star Viola Davis won an emy Awards have done so for playing in the past most attracted awards sion, casts more actors of color in roles Emmy for playing a hard-bitten crim- black characters.This year’s lineup is attention. Washington and Davis star that are not defined by their race. inal lawyer in the TV series “How to no exception, although films like in the screen adaptation of African- “It can get burdensome possibly to Get Away with Murder.” Yet in the “Moonlight,” “Fences” and “Hidden American playwright August Wilson’s actors (of color) to play characters 89-year history of the Oscars, nearly Figures” tell black stories outside the “Fences.”