BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar Cavendish ‘will act to and Kristoff maintain headline INDEX liquidity DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2 – 8, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 if it is REGION 8, 9 BUSINESS 1 – 10, 16 – 20 the fi eld at 16,131.00 9,620.57 30.89 ARAB WORLD 9, 10 CLASSIFIED 11 – 15 needed’ -197.00 -63.05 -0.83 INTERNATIONAL 11 – 25 SPORTS 1 – 12 -1.21% -0.65% -2.62% Tour of Qatar Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXVI No. 9992 February 8, 2016 Rabia II 29, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Solidarity demonstration QP and In brief Chevron in QATAR | Event All set for Sport Day The Emiri Diwan yesterday announced that tomorrow would be an off icial holiday to mark Qatar exploration Sport Day which is marked on the second Tuesday of February every year. All leading public and private companies and establishments have announced special programmes for the day. Katara agreement – the Cultural Village will organise more than 80 events to celebrate Under the agreement with Production, said: “The agreement is a the day. Ooredoo will host an event Chevron, Qatar Petroleum will milestone in both companies’ eff orts to at the Museum of Islamic Art Park. acquire 30% interest in three deep- maximise the value of exploration and The Qatar Tourism Authority has water off shore leases in Morocco production assets through long-term partnered with 47 hotels in the relationships. We are pleased to part- country to launch an initiative atar Petroleum (QP) has ner with Qatar Petroleum in off shore that will help residents “take the reached an agreement with Morocco and are looking forward to first and sometimes diff icult step QChevron Morocco Exploration, use our joint capabilities in this excit- towards living an active and healthy a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, ing sub-salt play for the benefi t of Mo- lifestyle.” Pages 7, 8, 26, 28 to acquire a 30% participating inter- rocco.” est from Chevron’s 75% share in three The three off shore lease areas are deep-water off shore leases in Morocco. located between 100-200km west REGION | Off er Under the agreement, which was ap- and northwest of the Moroccan city UAE ‘ready to back proved by the Moroccan government, of Agadir. They encompass approxi- Qatar Petroleum will acquire the 30% mately 29,200sq km with average coalition against IS’ interest in the deep-water leases, while water depths ranging from 100m to The UAE said yesterday it was Chevron will retain a 45% interest and 4,500m. ready to supply ground troops Supporters of hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Mohamed al-Qiq hold portraits as they demonstrate in solidarity with remains the operator and Morocco’s Qatar Petroleum is a state-owned to help support and train an him outside the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) off ices in the West Bank city of Ramallah yesterday. Qiq Offi ce National Des Hydrocarbures Et public corporation established by Emiri international military coalition will keep up his hunger strike despite Israel suspending a detention without trial order against him, according to his lawyer. Des Mines will continue to have a 25% Decree No 10 in 1974. It is responsible against Islamic State (IS) in Syria Qiq rejects any conditional release. Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Executive Committee secretary-general Dr Saeb interest. for all phases of the oil and gas industry provided such eff orts were led by Erekat held the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the life of Qiq who is on hunger strike for more than 75 The three off shore areas are Cap Rhir in Qatar. the US. Asked whether the UAE days in a protest against his administrative detention. He was arrested on November 21, 2015 when Israeli soldiers blew up Deep, Cap Cantin Deep and Cap Wa- The principal activities of QP, its could be expected to send ground the front door of his house and took him in for interrogation at a detention centre. lidia Deep. subsidiaries and joint ventures are the troops to Syria, and if so under what Qatar Petroleum president and CEO exploration, production, local and in- circumstances, Minister of State Saad Sherida al-Kaabi “expressed ternational sale of crude oil, natural gas for Foreign Aff airs Anwar Gargash pleasure” at the fi nalisation of the and gas liquids, refi ned products, syn- said: “I think that this has been our agreement, which he described as “an thetic fuels, petrochemicals, fuel ad- position throughout ... that a real important step towards building a ditives, fertilisers, liquefi ed natural gas campaign against Daesh has to mutually benefi cial relationship with (LNG), steel and aluminium. include ground elements,” he said, MoI completes more than Chevron with particular emphasis on The operations and activities of Qa- referring to Islamic State’s name international upstream activities”. tar Petroleum and its affi liates are con- using the Arabic acronym. Page 9 “It is no coincidence that Qatar Pe- ducted at various onshore locations, troleum’s international presence is including Doha, Dukhan and the Me- 53mn transactions in 2015 now extended to Morocco, a country, saieed and Ras Laff an Industrial Cit- ASIA | Disaster which Qatar enjoys special relations ies, as well as off shore areas, including Taiwan quake with,” he added. Halul Island, off shore production sta- ore than 53mn transac- scription. The total number of trans- As for its social media activities, Ali Moshiri, president, Chevron Af- tions, drilling platforms and the North toll goes up tions were completed by the actions made through Metrash2 has there was 80% increase in the number rica and Latin America Exploration and Field. More than 100 people were MMinistry of Interior (MoI) in reached 1,276,326. of social media activists who engaged missing a day after a 6.4-magnitude 2015, highlighting the effi ciency of its The MoI services include immigra- with the MoI through the digital me- earthquake killed at least 29 in services, according to an offi cial re- tion, traffi c, criminal evidence and in- dia. The online campaigns held on southern Taiwan, authorities said port. formation and nationality and travel social media such as Facebook, Twit- yesterday. Interior Minister Chen The total number of transactions documents. The MoI highlighted that ter and YouTube in six languages Wei-zen, who heads the Central were 53,298,980, amounting to a the customer satisfaction level of the amounted to 65 campaigns. It reached UN vows robust measures after Emergency Operation Centre, monthly average of 4,441,582 and a services at its centres ranges between almost 17mn people, in addition to the said all emergency crews would daily average of 148,053 transactions. 86-93%, as per offi cial surveys. 518,851 engagements including likes, North Korean missile launch continue to search for survivors, The average number of completed The percentage of transactions shares, retweets and comments. state-run Central News Agency transactions every hour was 6,159 made through service headquarters The ministry held about 1,447 reported. Page 15 with 103 transactions every minute. showed a decrease in 2015 which, ac- community programmes in 2015, in- DPA national sanctions, the council said. The MoI also provided 3,900 serv- cording to the MoI offi cials, is a direct cluding meetings, visits and discus- Washington The missile launch comes one month ices for the elderly people and persons outcome and success of the decen- sion sessions on diff erent topics and after North Korea conducted a nuclear BUSINESS | Energy with special needs during last year. tralisation of the services. issues to make closer relation between test. Saudi and Venezuela The MoI provides over 120 e-serv- The ministry launched a number ministry and diff erent segments of he UN Security Council yester- “In line with this commitment and oil ministers confer ices. There are about 18 MoI service of e-services and projects such as the the society. day vowed to “expeditiously” the gravity of this most recent violation, centres across the country, off ering new Residency System, Security Cov- Many educative and awareness Tpursue measures to punish the members of the Security Council Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali various services of the ministry. erage of Commercial Streets and oth- programmes on safety and security North Korea after its launch of a long- will adopt expeditiously a new Security al-Naimi discussed co-operation During 2015 there was 25% growth er electronic services last year. There measures and fi ght against crimes range rocket, which Pyongyang said Council resolution with such measures between Opec members and other in the services through self-service are a number of ongoing projects, were also held. Awareness lectures was carrying a satellite, but the council in response to these dangerous and seri- oil producers to stabilise the global kiosks, MoI web portal and Hukoomi such as developing the new website of were held with the public and private condemned as a missile test. ous violations,” the council said. oil market with his Venezuelan website. There has also been 24% in- the ministry, paperless transactions sectors and in expatriate gatherings The launch strengthened the coun- Samantha Power, US ambassador counterpart yesterday, state news crease in the number of individual project, “Talaa” Smart Traffi c Camera in diff erent languages such Arabic, cil’s determination to take the “further to the UN, said that Security Council agency SPA reported. Business subscription to Metrash2 portal as project and renovating company reg- English, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam and signifi cant measures,” it had promised if members would pursue a “swift and Page 20 well as 14% increase in company sub- istration. Nepali. North Korea continued to violate inter- aggressive response”. Page 15 First palm tree planted in Sheikh Abdullah’s original palace

he fi rst palm tree was planted partnering and fostering relationships yesterday inside the gardens of to support the development of local TSheikh Abdullah bin Jassim al- culture. Thani’s original palace, which is now “This was the fi rst palm tree planta- part of the under construction Na- tion for Qatar Museums and there will tional Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). be many more to come, refl ecting on The palace, built at the end of the the historical support of the local her- 19th century, was the residence and itage and culture in Qatar.” the ruling Seat Palace for Sheikh Ab- Al-Khalifa observed that the growth dullah bin Jassim al-Thani and his of the palm trees will refl ect Astad’s family. continued growth and collaboration The decision to preserve the palace, with Qatar Museums. “The National which was renovated in the 1970s to Museum of Qatar will further build serve as the Qatar National Museum upon the region’s heritage and will at that time, aims to build the bridge prove to be a cultural icon within Qa- between Qatar’s heritage and its rapid tar.” development and modernisation. The ceremony was attended by sen- The palace, an integral part of the The palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim al-Thani with the first palm tree planted ior staff and engineers from Qatar Mu- NMoQ, will be surrounded by a semi- The palm tree being planted at the palace by al-Mahmoud and al-Khalifa. yesterday. seums and Astad. More palm trees are public park and an artifi cial lagoon. to be planted in the perimetre of the The fi rst palm tree was planted by bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud along with agement’s CEO Ali al-Khalifa. moud reiterated Qatar Museums’ vitality, complexity and diversity of NMoQ as part of the project’s sustain- Qatar Museums acting CEO Mansour project supervisor Astad Project Man- Speaking on the occasion, al-Mah- commitment to refl ecting the full the arts and traditions of Qatar, while able scheme. Gulf Times 2 Monday, February 8, 2016 QATAR Emir’s message to Saudi king Dialogue basis Minister meets US official

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has sent a written of cultural message to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, dealing with bilateral ties and the latest developments in the region. The message was handed over by HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Minister of Transport and Communications HE Jassim Seif al-Thani during an audience with King Salman in Riyadh yesterday. Ahmed al-Sulaiti yesterday met in Doha with US Under Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince and Second diplomacy, Secretary for International Trade Stefan Selig. Talks during the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Prince Mohamed meeting dealt with bilateral relations in the fields of transport, bin Salman met HE the Foreign Minister. They discussed bilateral communications and information technology and means of relations and the means to enhance them. enhancing them. The meeting was attended by US ambassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith, the delegation accompanying the US off icials along with a number of Ministry of Transport and says envoy Communications off icials.

QNA attended the reception. visiting the Museum of Islamic Washington Ambassador al-Kuwari high- Art and Katara the Cultural Vil- Lawyers panel meets lighted the challenges facing di- lage. plomacy and international rela- The ambassador highlighted Ties reviewed atar considers dialogue tions, stressing the importance the importance of higher educa- QNA of lawyers Ayidh Faraj al-Marri and cultural exchange as of the eff orts made by “Global tion in Qatar and the signifi cance Doha and Abeer Riyadh Rohani before Qthe basis of its cultural Ties US” to overcome some of of the Education City which in- the Court of Appeal. diplomacy, Qatar’s ambassador these challenges by promoting clude branches of six prestigious zAcceptance of the registration to the US Mohamed Jaham al- exchanges and encouraging par- American universities, refer- he Lawyers Admission of lawyers Khalid Hamid Mayqa Kuwari said. ticipation in experiences. ring to the visit of US First Lady Committee met yesterday al-Ahbabi and Ibrahim Mohamed Speaking at a reception hosted He underlined the strong rela- Michelle Obama to Doha where Tunder the chairmanship of Ahmed al-Mohannadi at the reg- at the Qatari Embassy in Wash- tions between Qatar and the US, she took part in the WISE sum- HE the Justice Minister Dr Hassan ister of lawyers appearing before ington in honour of the “Global especially in education, pointing mit. Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi who is the Court of First Instance. Ties US” organisation, al-Ku- out to the study visits organised Al-Kuwari shed light on Qa- also Chairman of the Committee. zAcceptance of the registration wari underlined Qatar’s keen- by the Qatari embassy for Amer- tar’s contributions to the educa- Dr Reem al-Aansari took the of Khalifa Faraj al-Mohammed ness to educate and enable the ican students from various US tion and health fi elds in the US, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif oath before the Committee. in the register of lawyers under youth as its support the principle universities and schools. such as “Qatar Katrina Fund” Ahmed al-Sulaiti yesterday met Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador The Committee discussed top- training. of global citizenship. The nine-day visit allows stu- which was established in 2005 to Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Aifan. They discussed co-operation ics on the agenda and took the fol- The Committee discussed other Global Ties US president dents to visit universities and ex- provide direct assistance to peo- between the two countries in the field of transportation and lowing decisions: topics and took appropriate deci- Jennifer Clinton and mem- change information with Qatari ple and institutions in need in the communication and means of enhancing them. zAcceptance of the registration sions. bers from all over America and Arab students, in addition to wake of Hurricane Katrina. QDF delegation reviews QRCS projects in Gaza

QNA view some of the humanitar- service of the Palestinian people posed projects to enhance these the importance of partnership manitarian interventions fund- and treat war injuries; the Doha ian projects undertaken by of Gaza. vital sectors, helping alleviate the between QRCS and other Qa- ed by QDF, under their strong $1mn relief programme in wa- Qatar to improve the living Dr Akram Nassar, director of suff ering of the Palestinian peo- tari organisations working in the partnership and QRCS’s role as ter and sanitation and cholera standards of Palestinians in QRCS Office in Gaza, welcomed ple of Gaza. Strip. an auxiliary to Qatar in its hu- control for the war-affected delegation from the Qa- various aspects. the guests and gave them a Dr Nassar pointed out that Both parties agreed to further manitarian efforts locally and communities in South Sudan; tar Development Fund The delegation comprising Ali presentation about the key ac- QRCS has been working in Gaza pursue their co-operation in the abroad. and the $10mn programme to A (QDF) visited the Qatar A Al-Dabbagh, QDF Executive complishments in the fields of since 2008, conducting almost future, which will contribute to Among the notable QRCS- provide food, shelter, medical Red Crescent Society’s office Director, and Sultan Alasiri, vis- healthcare, water and sanita- $100mn worth of projects. the basic services provided for QDF joint projects are the aid, drinking water, and health in Gaza, as part of its official ited QRCS’s offi ce to know more tion. Al-Dabbagh commended Palestinians. $4mn intervention to support education for displaced Libyan mission on the enclave to re- about its achievements in the The meeting explored pro- QRCS’s work in Gaza, stressing QRCS has many major hu- the medical sector in Yemen families.

Gulf Times 4 Monday, February 8, 2016 QATAR

HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani with Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Adel bin Mohamed al-Faqih in Riyadh yesterday. Qatar, Saudi ministers review economic ties

QNA The fi rst phase of the project was car- The Saudi side praised Qatar’s pres- Riyadh ried out by the ministry last year which entations and underlined the impor- is viewed as pioneering. tance of exchanging experiences in the Later, Qatar’s experience in public- economic fi eld for the good of the two E the Minister of Economy and private sector partnership and the brotherly countries. Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin ministry’s eff orts in investment pro- After the presentation by the Qatari HJassim bin Mohamed al-Thani motion in diff erent sectors were also delegation, the Saudi side made a gen- yesterday met in Riyadh with Saudi reviewed. eral presentation on the ministry and Minister of Economy and Planning HE the Minister of Economy and the programmes of its affi liated cen- Adel bin Mohamed al-Faqih. Commerce explained that such meet- tres. During the meeting they discussed ings assume signifi cance as they seek A delegation from the Ministry of co-operation between the two coun- to exchange expertise of the two coun- Economy and Commerce received an tries and means of developing them as tries. invitation from Saudi Arabia to re- well as the exchange of expertise for the Such meetings are also useful in re- view the joint experiences of the two benefi t of the two countries particular- viewing the experiences, challenges countries and to exchange expertise ly in the economic sector. and solutions, he said adding the re- in the different fields such as trade, The accompanying Qatari delegation gion is witnessing challenging times economy, consumer protection, and made a presentation on the macro eco- which require exerted eff orts to fi nd ef- means of enhancing mutual co-op- nomic analysis of the Qatari economy. fective and long-term solutions. eration. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 5 QATAR

French ambassador visits Gulf Times

French ambassador Eric Chevallier visited the Gulf Times off ice yesterday and held talks with editor-in-chief Darwish S Ahmed. They discussed ways to enhance bilateral co-operation in the field of media and culture. The envoy expressed happiness at the remarkable support the embassy and the French community in Qatar have been receiving from Gulf Times. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil. Shrek the Musical coming to Doha ased on the Dream- vention Centre (QNCC). the show has played with Works blockbuster As part of its vision to immense success for more Bwhich has enchanted help make the state a tour- than a year on Broadway in millions of audiences of all ism and entertainment hub New York and in the London ages from across the world, in the region, the Qatar Westend. Shrek the Musical is now set Tourism Authority (QTA) is Shrek the Musical tells to entertain families in Qa- a partner for this produc- the touching story of a hulk- tar with its lavish costumes tion. ing green ogre who, after and great music. The animated movie was being mocked and feared his “We are excited to bring released in 2001, and the entire life by anything that to Qatar this theatre spec- three sequels have grossed crosses his path, retreats to tacle which features a much far more than $2bn during an ugly green swamp to ex- loved character,” TripleT- A scene from Shrek the their worldwide run. ist in happy isolation. wo CEO Hussein Fakhri Musical. In 2002, a creative team “Early bird” tickets are said. “Featuring all new around writer David Linday available at discounted songs as well as Shrek’s extravaganza.” Abaire and composer Jean- prices until February 13. famous anthem, Shrek the Tickets are now on sale ine Tesori began to develop Tickets will also be available Musical brings the much- for Shrek the Musical, a live stage musical version at Ticketmaster outlets in loved DreamWorks charac- which will visit Doha for the which premiered in 2008. Carrefour branches in City ters to life, live on stage, in very fi rst time from March 9 Since the premiere in Center Doha, Villaggio and an all-singing, all-dancing to 19 at Qatar National Con- Seattle in summer 2008, Landmark from today. Gulf Times 6 Monday, February 8, 2016 QATAR

Strong winds forecast Expat fi ned trong winds are ex- es. It will be cold by night. pected in some parts The wind speed in these for attacking Sof the country after areas may go up to 20 knots QDF celebrates midday today, the Qatar Met after midday. department has said. Off shore areas, mean- neighbour Off shore areas, too, are while, will see some clouds likely to see strong winds today, with the wind speed and high seas by this expected to reach 28 knots Doha criminal court has evening, according to the by the evening. The sea level fi ned an Egyptian expatri- weather report. may rise to 7-9ft. Chinese New Year Aate QR1,000 for insulting The forecast for inshore The minimum and maxi- and threatening his neighbour areas says it will be hazy mum temperatures in the atar Duty Free’s (QDF) gift items in the Chinese pavilion. we are telling Qatar Duty Free’s with a knife, local Arabic daily to misty at fi rst, followed country today are expected Chinese pavilion has Customers who buy items own story through Chinese New Arrayah reported yesterday. by moderate temperatures to be 12C and 26C, respec- Qopened its doors inside valued at QR1,000 ($274) and Year and providing our custom- The defendant was accused during the day with slight to tively, with the forecast for Hamad International Airport above, using a UnionPay credit ers with exclusive promotions of knocking on the door of his blowing dust in some plac- Doha being 17C and 26C. (HIA), inviting passengers to card, will receive a traditional across an extensive range of gift neighbour, whom he never knew celebrate China’s most impor- Chinese red envelope contain- items.” before, one afternoon and tried tant festival – the New Year ing a QR100 QDF gift voucher. Additional Chinese New Year to attack him. However, the Ministry recalls Mercedes Benz - with discounts of up to 20%, Discount vouchers will also be discounts of up to 10% will other neighbours intervened and GLC and CLA 2015 models spending rewards and a range of distributed to passengers in HIA also be available on brands at drove him away. At the time, the promotions. by QDF staff throughout the selected boutiques in HIA. defendant insulted the victim The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Nasser Mandarin holiday greetings, Chinese festive season. “Passengers can choose from and threatened him with a knife Bin Khaled (NBK) Automobiles, has announced the recall of Mercedes decorative red lanterns and staff Keith Hunter, senior vice- a variety of duty-free prod- and warned him not to talk to his Benz GLC and CLA 2015 models to replace the exhaust camshaft. dressed in traditional Chinese president of QDF, said: “Chinese ucts at amazing prices, includ- wife again or approach her. The Ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework costume will welcome travellers tival items and presents, as well New Year is a time to revel in ing promotions from Tiff any, In the police investigation, the of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that car to QDF’s red-and-gold, 180sqm as for travellers who are simply holiday festivities, observe tra- TAG Heuer, Chopard and Bul- defendant justifi ed his action by dealers follow up on vehicles’ defects and repair them. pavilion located behind the inspired by the customary New ditions and enjoy family reun- gari. Popular products available claiming he was trying to keep The Ministry will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on Lamp Bear in the departures hall Year celebrations,” QDF said in a ions. Qatar Duty Free recognises within the Chinese pavilion in- the neighbor away from his wife. the maintenance and repair works and communicate with of HIA. statement yesterday. the importance of this festival clude Godiva chocolates, Prada He claimed that the neigh- customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. “Passengers will discover an Savings of up to 20% will be of- for many of our customers trav- perfume, La Prairie skincare, bour used to try to fi nd diff erent The Ministry has urged all customers to report any violations array of gift ideas once inside the fered on QDF fragrances, cosmet- elling through HIA during the Swarovski jewellery, Harrods excuses to talk to his wife and to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud elaborate Chinese pagoda, per- ics, skincare, confectionery, luxury seasonal period. bags and Marmalade Market gift follow her at the entrance of the Department through the following channels: Hotline: 16001, fect for those shopping for fes- watches, fi ne jewellery and other “With this beautiful pavilion, items,” the statement added. building and the staircase. e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar Indian embassy holiday tomorrow Al Khaliji hosts staff gathering The Indian embassy will remain closed tomorrow on account of the Qatar National Sport Day, it was announced yesterday.

Al Khalij Commercial Bank (Al Khaliji) has hosted its annual staff gathering in Doha. The event is a gesture of gratitude for the eff orts of the bank’s staff and a celebration of its achievements as an institution in 2015. It celebrated a year “marked with milestone achievements, organic growth and remarkable performance for the group, as a result of staff determination and commitment, who also enjoy an environment of prosperity, innovation and creativity”, according to a statement. Al Khaliji’s annual gathering allows staff members to socialise in an informal atmosphere, fostering and deepening the sense of goodwill and creating an atmosphere of relaxed interaction, the statement adds. This year, the event provided an opportunity for the Al Khaliji team to celebrate the bank’s several accolades, including 2015’s Best Private Bank in Qatar by Global Finance magazine, and Best Premium Bank by the Banker Middle East, among others.

Two jailed for stealing money by using fake bank website Two African expatriate men have been sentenced to three years in jail for creating a fake website to steal money from clients of a bank. Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported yesterday that the Criminal Court also ordered their deportation upon serving the sentence. According to the charge- sheet, the local bank was notified by some of its clients about suspicious withdrawals and money transfers from their personal accounts through the website without their approval. Upon investigation it turned out that all such transactions were conducted in August 2013, as the defendants had created a fake website that resembled that of the bank concerned and managed to steal the information of some of its clients. Then, they used such information on the original website of the bank and manipulated the accounts of some clients. Most of the funds so transferred were diverted to the bank account of one of the defendants. When the authorities concerned investigated the case and seized the computers used in the crime, it turned out that they were also attempting to steal the money from other banks using the same techniques. Accordingly, the court convicted them based on investigations and evidences. Jail term for theft: A Doha criminal court has sentenced a Sri Lankan expatriate to six months in jail and ordered his subsequent deportation for stealing QR2,350 from the vehicle of his paternal half-brother. Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported yesterday that the defendant followed the victim as he was going to the mosque to perform prayers. Then, he opened the car and grabbed the money and fled. The defendant admitted his guilt at the police interrogation but denied any wrongdoing at the court hearing. However, the court convicted him based on investigations. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 7 QATAR AZF lines up activities

for National Sport Day Yousef bin Jassim al-Darwish at CNA-Q. spire Zone Foundation (AZF) has announced Athat its venues and fa- cilities are ready to receive thousands of participants on Businessman National Sport Day. Full details of the activities on off er can be found through the “Life in Aspire” mobile app, www.aspirezone.qa or any of addresses AZF’s social media channels. The National Sport Day pro- gramme at AZF consists of a wide variety of sports activities, which suit all ages, from early in CNA-Q class the morning. A number of family activi- ties have been lined up for the eading Qatari business- in lockstep with the growth of occasion. At 7am, registration man Yousef bin Jassim Qatar’s oil and gas sector and opens for the Fun Run. Visitors Lal-Darwish has ad- has been involved in devel- can take part in the 3K Fun Run dressed students at College oping some of Doha’s biggest around Aspire Zone, between of the North Atlantic – Qatar landmarks such as Educa- 9am and 11am. (CNA-Q). tion City and the State Grand Then, from 8am, there will be During the talk, he brought Mosque, the statement notes. the Family Bike activity. Fami- lessons in entrepreneurship as “I am glad to visit CNA-Q, lies will be able to enjoy the bikes well as laughter to an audito- the State’s premier techni- in Aspire Zone, situated behind rium full of CNA-Q Business cal college, and meet these the children’s playground area Studies students. young people who are thirsty next to Aspire Dome. The activ- Al-Darwish’s question- for knowledge,” said al-Dar- ity will run until 11.45am and no The National Sport Day programme at AZF consists of a wide variety of sports activities, which suit all ages, from early in the morning. and-answer style talk is part wish. “It is our responsibility registration is required. of CNA-Q’s eff orts to inspire to share the expertise we have The 5,000 steps journey starts men above 18 years. Eight teams action will take place in a private competitions under the supervi- ing how their results compare to students to be leaders of Qatar learned over the years, and to at 9am at Aspire Park, next to will compete for the champion- space at the ladies’ club. No reg- sion of coaches and referees. a number of athletes and world National Vision 2030 by hear- direct the youth, who will be the Burgeri restaurant. The walk ship on Aspire Zone’s sand pitches. istration is required. The afternoon activities will champions. ing from successful business the next generation of leaders consists of 12 stations where There will also be basketball Children arriving early will also take place from 10am to 4pm. The Multi-Sport Skill Devel- professionals who have helped in Qatar.” participants will receive tips and for men above 16 years. A half- be able to enjoy their share of the A wall climbing activity will be opment programme will com- build today’s Qatar, according “Mr al-Darwish’s heartfelt advice on physical activity and basketball court will host 3x3 activities, which will run from held under the supervision of li- prise challenges and activities, to a statement. answers resonated with our leading a healthy lifestyle. matches, organised under the 8am until 12noon on pitch 10. censed instructors on an outdoor including gymnastics and aero- Al Darwish United Co was students, and you could see Also from 9am, there will supervision of the Qatar Basket- AZF will organise judo train- climbing wall. It will take place bics, for all family members. established in 1994 as part by the look on their faces that be the Aspire Zone family ac- ball Federation. ing for boys and girls, aged 8-12 near the outdoor pitches. Aspire Active will include of a family business set up in they aspire to be like him. It is tivities. Families can take their Ladies’ activities, meanwhile, years. Following a number of For those who want to exercise a number of exercises for the 1935. Al-Darwish assumed important that we show our children to pitch 10, opposite will run from 9am until 10.30am warm-up exercises, those taking indoors, Aspire Dome will host whole family, designed to help chairmanship of the company students business role mod- Aspire Park, to enjoy basketball, at the ladies’ club. part in the training will be able to activities for the entire family. build up endurance and muscle in 1994. els, so they can see for them- volleyball, football tournaments Women can enjoy their share learn more about judo techniques One of the attractions will be mass and enhance fl exibility. The company has grown selves the success that can be and more sporting activities. of AZF activities on National under the guidance and supervi- “Beat the champion”, featuring A series of football-relat- into a conglomerate enterprise reached through a quality ed- Men’s activities will run from Sport Day, including the oppor- sion of professional instructors. a variety of indoor activities. At ed activities will also be held. with interests in construc- ucation and hard work,” said 8am until 12noon. tunity to enjoy exercising to the There will also be football for the end of each test, participants These are open to everyone. tion, industrial supply, travel, David King, dean, School of There will be beach soccer for beat of Zumba. This exclusive kids (7-12 years), featuring mini- will receive a certifi cate record- Pages 8,26,28 real estate and media. It grew Business Studies, CNA-Q. QRCS personnel trained on neonatal resuscitation skills

atar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) of- Qfi ce in Turkey re- cently organised a course on neonatal resuscitation programme (NRP) to de- velop scientifi c skills and experience among the per- sonnel of its health projects in Syria as well as other medical institutions. Held at the Union of Syr- ian Civil Society Organisa- tions (USYCSO) in Bab Al- hawa, Turkey, the two-day course was directed to the nurses and midwives who work at obstetrics and gy- naecology departments, to update their information about NRP techniques. A trainer conducts a demonstration on neonatal resuscitation. The course was attended by 72 midwives and nurses, and others. There were also intermittent positive pressure by the latest scientifi c re- including 23 from QRCS’s 39 nurses from the Academy ventilation (NIPPV), closed search and journals in the healthcare centres in Syria of Medical Sciences, Eastern chest cardiac massage, en- world, enhancing their ex- and 10 from other part- Ghouta, Rif Dimashq, who dotracheal intubation, use of perience and profi ciency. ners such as the Syrian attended the training via drugs in resuscitation, and Neonatal asphyxia is re- American Medical Society videoconference. ethical issues of resuscitation. sponsible for 20% of the over- (SAMS), the Syrian Expa- Several signifi cant topics Such courses give the all neonatal mortality rate. triate Medical Association were discussed in the event, medical and technical per- This course was crucial for (SEMA), International Hu- including NRP basics, ini- sonnel a lot of medical skills the trainees to integrate NRP manitarian Relief (IHR), tiation of resuscitation, nasal and knowledge introduced best practices in their work.

Applications invited for Food fest to feature celebrity chefs Unlimited Doha Design Prize Celebrating culinary culture Rashed al-Qurese said in a press The British Council and its partners have invited under the theme “A Diff erent statement. Gulf-based designers to participate in the Unlimited Side of Food,” the Qatar “QIFF showcases our country- Doha Design Prize 2016. The contest off ers an International Food Festival wide five-star culinary and opportunity to come together with UK counterparts (QIFF) will be staged for seven hospitality off erings, giving for a week-long design residency in Doha. days (March 22 to 28) this year at visitors a taste of the country’s The Unlimited Doha Design Prize is open to the Museum of Islamic Art Park most authentic experiences,” he architects, urban designers, engineers, 3D and in satellite venues including added. designers, technologists and researchers. Katara – the Cultural Village and QA senior vice president Twenty participants – 10 each from the Gulf and The Pearl-Qatar. Marketing and Corporate the UK – will take part in the live design residency The annual festival, organised by Communications Salam al- between March 18 and 26. Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Shawa said QIFF, on its seventh They will work in teams to research and explore the and Qatar Airways (QA), will see year, has proven to be one of the theme of “The Open City” and develop new ideas the return of signature events most popular city-based events and innovative design solutions that will improve such as ‘Dinner in the Sky’ and in the world. the experience of movement and accessibility ‘Cooking Theatre,’ featuring “We are pleased to join with QTA within the 21st-century city. celebrity chefs from Doha and to create an experience for the Under the patronage of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint around the world. residents of Doha. In addition, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, chairperson of Qatar Chinese food lovers will also have we are very proud of our role Museums, and in partnership with the Supreme plenty to look forward to with a in bringing the world to Doha Committee for Delivery & Legacy, the design showcase of Chinese cuisine as to taste the country’s finest residency will give shortlisted participants the part of the Qatar-China 2016 Year culinary and cultural off erings,” opportunity to work in Doha. of Culture celebrations. she added. At the end of the residency, a winning team will be “The event is an important part Following its success last year awarded the Unlimited Doha Design Prize and a of our strategy to grow and with around 170,000 visitors, grant of £15,000 to be used to further develop the diversify the country’s tourism the QIFF is expected to attract a project proposal as a team. off ering in partnership with large number of people this year For more information, one can visit http://tinyurl. the private sector,” QTA Chief with new off erings designed for com/Unlimited-Doha-Design-Prize Marketing and Promotion Off icer the whole family. Gulf Times 8 Monday, February 8, 2016 QATAR/REGION QTA partners with 47 hotels in Sport Day initiative

Residents and visitors will entities both public and private, have the chance to get free as well as leaders of various com- access to hotel gyms and munities, to ensure that National join gym classes during the Sports Day is taken advantage of Qatar’s National Sport Day the way it is intended to, accord- A workshop session in progress . celebration tomorrow ing to al-Kuwari. He advised residents to check By Joey Aguilar a detailed listing of hotel off ers Staff Reporter online since each participating hotel has a diff erent package. “The number of hotels par- QEERI holds workshop on he Qatar Tourism Au- ticipating is an evidence for the thority (QTA) has part- growth of the hotel sector, es- Tnered with 47 hotels in pecially in the four and fi ve star the country to launch an initia- categories,” he said. on photovoltaic innovation tive that will help residents “take As part of its National Sports the fi rst and sometimes diffi cult Day celebration, QTA also he advantages and re- heat insulation, sun protection, ramaa’s Tarsheed programme is step towards living an active and launched the #QatarInMotion sources available for noise protection, modulation of taking the lead. healthy lifestyle”. social media campaign. People TQatar to integrate photo- daylight, and security. Dr Ahmed Ennaoui, research Residents and visitors will can capture their view of Qatar voltaics (PV) technology in the BIPV are photovoltaic ma- director of the Solar Energy have the chance to get free ac- while doing various physical ac- urban environment, allowing terials used to replace conven- Group, QEERI explained: “Qa- cess to hotel gyms and join gym tivities such running, jumping buildings to be converted from tional building materials in tar’s desert environment poses classes during the Qatar’s Na- rope, swimming or doing yoga. energy users to energy produc- parts of the building such as the unique challenges for PV; the tional Sport Day celebration to- QTA’s International Co-operation director Saif al-Kuwari, right, and Videos must be posted on Twit- ers, was discussed at a work- roof, skylights, or facades. They dust and high temperatures morrow. National Sport Day Committee chairman Abdulrahman Mosallam al- ter or Instagram with the cam- shop. are increasingly being incor- decrease their effi ciency, in ad- Announcing the initiative yes- Dosari announcing the “healthy lifestyle” initiative yesterday. paign’s hashtag. Titled “Building-Integrated porated into the construction dition, to the challenges of inte- terday, QTA’s international co- QTA added that Qatar has a Photovoltaic (BIPV) technolo- of new buildings as a principal grating solar energy to the grid. operation director Saif al-Kuwari Sport Day,” he stressed, as he “excellent spa and gym facili- thriving hospitality sector with gies and their application to or auxiliary source of electrical QEERI’s research addresses said that hotels would also off er a thanked hotels for making their ties.” 119 hotels and hotel apartments, Qatar and the Mena Region”, the power, although existing build- these issues, so collaborating number of health packages that sport facilities and healthy foods QTA is the government agency and more than 20,000 rooms. In event was hosted by Qatar En- ings may be retrofi tted with with both local stakeholders include (up to 50% discount) widely available for people dur- that regulates the hospitality 2015, the sector posted a steady vironment and Energy Research similar technology. and international experts in this on gym membership, healthy ing the off er period. sector, ensuring they operate at occupancy rate of 70%. Institute (QEERI), a national A roundtable discussion on fi eld is vital to our success.” brunch buff ets, free gym classes, QTA held a series of brain- the highest standards and con- “The new hotel and classifi ca- research institute of Hamad Bin BIPV opportunities and needs The BIPV workshop included and special room packages. storming sessions with four and tinuously perpetuating Qatar’s tion system raises the bar further Khalifa University (HBKU). in Qatar highlighted the chal- research posters from local and “We want to encourage people fi ve-star hotels in Qatar which culture. for hotel facilities and services,” Architects and building en- lenge of promoting the use of international scientists. to take the fi rst step on National supply 16,000 rooms and all have The initiative encourages all al-Kuwari added. Page 26, 28 gineers learnt how PV systems solar energy in Qatar when The workshop concluded with can be introduced in buildings the cost of energy in domes- a ceremony for the Young Contest with good design, structures tic buildings is free of charge Award, where fi ve students from and energy concepts, as well as for Qataris and subsidised for Hamad Bin Khalifa University and how BIPV products can be mul- expats. It was noted that there Qatar University received awards tifunctional such as electricity is a big need for sustainability for their innovative projects in so- An ‘opportunity’ to make lifestyle changes generation, weather protection, awareness, a task where Kah- lar photovoltaics.

By Joey Aguilar He said that such illnesses had entities took advantage of the tar University, to investigate the Staff Reporter been causing a lot of damage to annual celebration to sell lot of habits of residents with regards LuLu expands Oman presence society on a daily basis, reducing unhealthy food items. to sport and exercise. They found the percentage of work effi ciency. This was the reason why the out that walking is the most pop- large number of people in “Many people do not take the Qatar Tourism Authority and 47 ular physical activity for them. Qatar had been “missing a time to exercise and this is the hotels launched an initiative that The fi nding has inspired the Abig part of their lives” due reason why we have Sport Day to off er residents healthy packages committee to work with the to increased mobility and the ad- remind them of its importance,” such as free gym use and gym Ministry of Municipality and En- vent of modern gadgets, National al-Dosari noted. “It is a special classes, among others. vironment and the Ministry of Sport Day (NSD) Committee day to be taken seriously, an op- The committee also asked en- Transport and Communications chairman Abdulrahman Mosal- portunity for people to make tities to focus on not wasting to fi nd ways of building more av- lam al-Dosari said yesterday. changes in their lifestyle.” resources. “We want the private enues for walking in the city. Qatar is among the countries He also said the country had sector to develop something “They are working to develop with “very high” obesity cases built enough facilities for physi- more innovative that can have a the ‘Sport for all initiative’ and along with Western and other cal activities, sports and rec- bigger impact on a larger group will be announcing soon ways GCC countries such as the US, reation for its residents. “Some of people and not just on their to make the NSD more eff ective the offi cial pointed out, while ex- people complain about the lack staff ,” al-Dosari said. so it will not just be one day in a plaining that 17% of adults in the of facilities and this is not true.” The committee is also doing a year but a long term initiative,” country are battling diabetes. Al-Dosari lamented that some study, in collaboration with Qa- al-Dosari added.

Audit Department team Signals at Al Thumama reviews Seha bills A team from the Audit Department is reviewing the bills and invoices paid within the National Health intersection partially open Insurance Company (Seha), which was stopped on December 31 last year, local Arabic daily Arrayah he newly-installed traffi c signals at has reported. The team started its work last week Al Thumama intersection became at the Ministry of Public Health. They are reviewing Tpartially operational from yester- and auditing all the amount spent through Seha, day. Work on the project, which is part estimated to be QR8bn. of a major expansion, will take at least According to the daily, some reports suggest that four more months to be completed. The the suppliers of Seha had manipulated the cost of widening of E-Ring Road, which is being treatment and medications to deliberately increase Middle East retail major LuLu Group has further expanded its presence in Oman by opening its turned into a four-lane-a-side road, con- the amount of bills through unnecessary tests and latest 100,000sq ft hypermarket in Suwaiq, a coastal town in the north east of the country. The struction of the median, widening of Na- oversupply of drugs without any real need. LuLu Group’s 122nd hypermarket and the 16th in Oman was off icially inaugurated by Shaikh jma Street between the Mall Signal and Al Besides, the Advisory Council has demanded that a Muhna bin Saif bin Salim al-Lamki, governor of North Al Batinah, in the presence of several high- Thumama intersection and installation of special committee should evaluate and assess the ranking off icials from various government departments and representatives from local business new traffi c signal (Oqba bin Nafi e Street) system to find a better alternative. The decision of communities. Speaking on the occasion, LuLu Group chairman Yusuff ali MA, announced that the towards the Mathar Qadheem area are the the cabinet to stop the work of Seha came as a result group would open seven more hypermarkets in various regions of Oman in the next two years. other works to be completed as part of of mounting complaints about inflated amounts LuLu Group CEO Saifee Rupawala, executive director Ashraf Ali MA and Oman regional director the road development under the ongoing charged for the medical services off ered to Qataris Ananth A V were present. project. by private providers, Arrayah added.

Honda Qatar Facebook page reaches a milestone

onda Qatar Facebook page reached a milestone with H100,000 fans. Keeping in line with Domasco’s phi- losophy, the Facebook page had been created to promote customer engage- ment and attract as many Honda fans as possible in Qatar. “Launching the Honda Qatar Face- book page was an integral part of our strategy to create a new way of inter- acting with Honda clientele, promote customer engagement and build an ac- tive brand community,” said Domasco products including cars, motorbikes, munity, Domasco organises special managing director Faisal Sharif. marine, power products, and Honda events and in-store celebrations that “Since its commencement, the page racing. have traditionally witnessed a high at- has clearly generated signifi cant online Regular contests with amazing give- tendance. interaction and succeeded in creating a aways and information about the latest “As part of our strategy, we con- two-way communication channel with off ers from Honda are also featured on stantly interact with our fans, provid- our fans online,” he added. the brand page. ing them with exclusive benefi ts for Interesting online content and visu- Honda ensures that the engage- being a part of the Honda brand com- ally appealing photos cover key insights, ment is not restricted to just the on- munity. We encourage all the Honda which allow the brand to reach across to line space, and makes special eff orts customers and fans to join our Face- a wider target audience in Qatar. to translate these eff orts to the offl ine book page and stay connected with us,” The page highlights information on arena as well. Domasco Honda sales and marketing the range of Honda innovations and To bring together the online com- head Greig Roff ey said. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD UAE ready Clashes leave vehicles stranded in Yemen to support anti-IS coalition

Reuters tants decided to start such Abu Dhabi operations. Gargash said that any po- tential supply of troops would he United Arab Emir- not be particularly large. ates (UAE) said yes- “We are not talking about Tterday it was ready to a thousand troops but we are supply ground troops to help talking about troops on the support and train an inter- ground that will lead the way, national military coalition that will train, that will sup- against Islamic State in Syria port ... And I think our posi- provided such eff orts were led tion remains the same and by the US. we will have to see how this Asked whether the UAE progresses.” could be expected to send “Of course an American ground troops to Syria, and if leadership in this eff ort is a so under what circumstances, pre-requisite,” Gargash said. Minister of State for Foreign He added that the UAE had Aff airs Anwar Gargash said: been frustrated at the slow “I think that this has been pace of the international ef- our position throughout ... forts against Islamic State “al- that a real campaign against though there has been some Daesh has to include ground progress in Iraq recently, of elements,” he said, referring to confronting Daesh.” Islamic State’s name using the Gargash said the UAE had Arabic acronym. always stated there also need- Saudi Arabia, one of sev- ed to be a “genuine political eral Gulf states, including process in Baghdad that will Trucks are seen stuck on a road due to fighting between pro-government forces and Houthi rebels in Yemen’s volatile northern province of Marib yesterday. the UAE, who are opposed to encompass the Sunnis” in Islamic State, said last week Iraq, which has a Shia-led it was ready to participate government. in any ground operations in Saudi Arabia and most other Syria if the US-led coalition Gulf states are opposed to Syr- fi ghting Islamic State mili- ian President Bashar al-Assad. Algerian lawmakers’ nod Saudi king cautions against interference for constitutional reforms Reuters Riyadh, state news agency SPA Riyadh reported. AFP nally brings together the main political change,” he said, refer- “We co-operate with our Algiers elements necessary to build a ring to parts of the constitution Arab and Muslim brothers democracy”. that cannot be altered if Islam- audi Arabia’s King Sal- in all areas in defending our But as “violating laws has be- ists form a majority. man yesterday called on lands and ensuring their inde- lgeria’s parliament adopt- come the law” in Algeria, it is Unlike many countries in the Sother countries not to pendence and guarding their ed a package of consti- hard to believe those in power region, including its neighbours interfere in the kingdom’s in- government systems as sanc- Atutional reforms yes- are being even “the slightest bit Libya and Tunisia, Algeria has ternal aff airs in what appeared tioned by their peoples,” he terday that authorities say will sincere”, he wrote in El Watan been relatively stable since the to be a rebuke to main foe Iran, added. strengthen democracy, but op- newspaper. 2011 Arab Spring. which it accuses of attempting Salman did not elaborate, ponents doubt it will bring real Former prime minister Ali But it is facing a range of chal- to stir unrest. but his remarks seemed aimed change. Benfl is, who was Boutefl ika’s lenges, including regular jihadist “It is our right to defend at Iran, which Riyadh accuses The reforms are meant to ad- rival in the 2014 presidential attacks, sporadic outbreaks of ourselves, without interfer- of destabilising Arab states dress longstanding public griev- polls, slammed the reforms as a violence between Berbers and ing in the aff airs of others. We and spreading sectarianism ances in the North African na- “constitutional power grab” to Arabs, and a precipitous drop in call on others to not interfere by backing militias in Syria, tion, and possibly to prepare for a “solve only the regime’s — not state revenues as oil prices have in our aff airs,” Salman said in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen and smooth transition amid concerns the country’s — problems”. plummeted. a speech opening the annual fomenting unrest in Bahrain over the health of 78-year-old The president and his sup- The High Council of the Janadriya cultural festival in and Saudi Arabia. President Abdelaziz Boutefl ika. porters have moved in recent Amazigh aff airs (HCA), set up The package was passed by months to take control of the in 1995 to promote teaching the 499 votes to two, with 16 ab- security services, dissolving the Berber tongue in public schools, LEGAL stentions, Senate speaker Ab- powerful Department of Intelli- has welcomed the Berber lan- Dual citizens face espionage charges delkader Bensalah said. Algerian parliamentary group leaders vote on a package of gence and Security and jailing or guage becoming offi cial. A two-term limit on the presi- constitutional reforms yesterday, in the capital Algiers. sidelining top offi cials. It will allow “the state to dedi- There are several detained dual citizens in Iran, most of whom face dency — lifted in 2008 to al- Boutefl ika and his inner circle cate more means and measures espionage charges, the judiciary spokesman was quoted as saying low Boutefl ika to run for a third public offi ce, which has sparked ter Abdelmalek Sellal hailed the have held a fi rm grip on power to make up for shortcomings”, yesterday, although he did not give details of any individual cases. time — will be reintroduced and criticism among the Franco-Al- president as “the architect of the since 1999 and, as the end of his HCA secretary-general Si El The comments come after an Iranian-British former BBC journalist, the president will be required to gerian community. new Algerian republic”. rule appears to close in, there are Hachemi Assad said. Bahman Daroshafaei, was detained last week in Tehran. His family nominate a prime minister from It foresees the creation of an But critics disagree, saying fears of instability in the mainly Around a fourth of Algeri- said on Saturday they had not been informed of any charges against the largest party in parliament. independent electoral commis- the reforms are little more than a Muslim country of 40mn, a key ans speak regional variants of him. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif said in London Boutefl ika — whose public sion and recognition of the roles show and will do little to reduce energy producer. Amazigh, but less than 3% of on Thursday that he did not know about the case. engagements have become rare of women and youth. Freedoms the infl uence of the powerful “This project crowns the students learn it at school, the Tehran released four Iranian-Americans on Jan 16 in a prisoner since suff ering a stroke in 2013 of assembly and the press will be elite, including Boutefl ika’s Na- process of political reforms HCA says. swap deal with Washington, including Jason Rezaian, the Washing- — will be allowed to fi nish his explicitly guaranteed. tional Liberation Front party and promised by the head of state,” Algeria hopes to create an ton Post’s Tehran bureau chief who was arrested in July 2014 and fourth term, which ends in 2019, The Amazigh language spoken army generals. Sellal told parliamentarians. Amazigh language academy to accused of espionage. “We have several dual citizens in jail. Their and run for a fi fth if he wishes. by the indigenous Berber popu- Former lawmaker and regime The reforms guaranteed address its standardisation and charges are mostly the same (as Rezaian’s),” the judiciary spokesman The package also prevents lation will also be recognised as opponent Djamel Zenati said “democratic change by means transcription into one of the Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei was quoted as saying by the Fars news Algerians with dual nationality offi cial, alongside Arabic. that “with the current revision, of free elections” and were “a Berber, Latin or Arabic alpha- agency. from running for high posts in After the vote, Prime Minis- our country’s constitution fi - bulwark against the vagaries of bets.

Arab Israeli MP gets suspended sentence for police ‘insult’

AFP Jerusalem

n Arab Israeli lawmaker known for her sharp criti- cism of Israeli policies has been given a six-month Asuspended sentence for insulting police offi cers, of- fi cials said yesterday. The incident dates to July 2014, when Hanin Zoabi called two Arab Israeli police offi cers “traitors”. Her comments were made at a court hearing in the city of Nazareth for young Arabs arrested after protests to de- nounce the burning alive of Palestinian teenager Mohamed Abu Khdeir by three Israelis. She was also ordered to pay a fine of 3,000 shekels ($770, 690 euros), the Nazareth magistrates’ court deci- File photo shows Israeli Arab member of parliament, Hanin sion read. Zoabi , who has been given a six-month suspended sentence. Zoabi is a member of the Balad party which is on the Joint List, a coalition of Arab Israeli parties in parliament. ing initiated by a Palestinian committee seeking to retrieve The Joint List has 13 seats out of the parliament’s 120, in- the bodies of attackers killed by Israeli security forces, Balad cluding three for Balad. said. She was one of three Arab Israeli lawmakers who recently Israel has returned the bodies of some attackers but re- met relatives of Palestinians killed after attacking Israelis, a tained others since a wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car- move that drew harsh condemnation from Prime Minister ramming attacks erupted in October. Benjamin Netanyahu. Zoabi also sparked outrage in Israel by taking part in a Basel Ghattas, Jamal Zahalka and Zoabi attended a meet- Gaza-bound aid fl otilla in 2010. Gulf Times 10 Monday, February 8, 2016 ARAB WORLD

Deadly air strike hits Turkey delivers aid as Syrian hospital in east Libya forces step up Aleppo assault

AFP Tens of thousands mass fi ve-year confl ict that has killed Benghazi on Syrian side of border; at least 250,000 people across Erdogan says Aleppo the country and driven 11mn assault threatens Turkey from their homes. n air strike hit a hospital “Assad teaming up with Rus- in Derna in eastern Libya Reuters sia is trying to annihilate us,” Ayesterday, killing four Oncupinar, Turkey/Beirut said Kasim, 21, an opposition people including a woman and fi ghter lying in hospital in the her child and two anti-govern- Turkish town of Kilis, one of a ment fi ghters, a doctor said. id trucks and ambulanc- few dozen wounded combat- “There are four dead — a es entered Syria from ants and civilians let in through nurse, her 10-year-old son ATurkey yesterday to help Oncupinar in recent weeks. and two members of the Shura tens of thousands of people who “But they won’t succeed. I Council,” radiologist Dr Mo- have fl ed an escalating gov- will get better and go back to hamed al-Jeddayimi at Al We- ernment assault on Aleppo, as war and fi ght to the last drop hda hospital said. air strikes targeted villages on of my blood to see Bashar top- In its own statement, the Mu- the road linking the city to the pled.” jahedeen Shura Council said the Turkish border. While areas to the northwest attack was in the area of the Fac- Rebel-held areas in and of Aleppo are held by Syrian ulty of Medical Technology Sci- around Aleppo, Syria’s largest opposition forces and Kurdish ence in the Bab Tobruk district before the war, are still home to groups, the territory to the of eastern Derna came at 0400 350,000 people, and aid work- northeast is held by the militant GMT. The Mujahedeen Shura ers have said they could soon fall group Islamic State. Council of Derna is a coalition of to the government. The Observatory said there militias in the city. The Syrian Observatory for had been fi erce clashes in that It was formed to oppose forc- Human Rights, which monitors area, and state media said gov- es of the controversial General the war, said air strikes, thought ernment forces had wrested Khalifa Haftar, head of forces to be from Russian planes, hit a strategic hill in the eastern loyal to the internationally rec- villages north of Aleppo yester- Aleppo countryside from Is- ognised authorities based in the day including Bashkoy, Haritan lamic State. east. and Anadan, the latter two near The United Arab Emirates Jeddayimi said the nurse and the road to Turkey. (UAE) said it was ready to send her son were killed in a direct Russia’s intervention has ground troops into Syria as part hit on Al Wehda hospital’s urol- tipped the balance of the war in of an international coalition ogy department, adding that favour of President Bashar al- Ambulances enter Syria from Turkey at Oncupinar border crossing in the southeastern city of Kilis, Turkey yesterday. fi ghting Islamic State, provid- the unit was “completely de- Assad, reversing gains the rebels ed Washington took the lead, stroyed”. made last year. Advances by the vilians fl eeing Syria throughout now. The local governor of On- food and medical assistance to Syrian Army fl uttered over the echoing an off er made last week The hospital is near the medi- Syrian army and allied militias, the confl ict, but is coming under cupinar said on Saturday that people. We are already setting road leading out towards the by its fellow Gulf power Saudi cal faculty in Bab Tobruk. including Iranian fi ghters, are growing pressure from the US to around 35,000 had reached the up another camp,” an offi cial Syrian city of Azaz, along which Arabia. No claim of responsibility has threatening to cut the rebel- secure the border more tightly, border in the space of 48 hours. from the Turkish Humanitar- many of the displaced have Erdogan said Turkey’s armed been made, and forces loyal to held zones of Aleppo off from and, from Europe, to stem the “If needed, we will let those ian Relief Foundation (IHH) told travelled in recent days. Oppo- forces had the full authority to the recognised government did Turkish supply lines. onward fl ow of migrants. brothers in,” Erdogan was quot- Reuters. sition fi ghters armed with Ka- counter any threats to its na- not report any air strike in the “In some parts of Aleppo, the It is already sheltering more ed as saying. At a camp at Bab al Salama, lashnikovs wandered nearby. tional security, although sen- area yesterday. The coastal city Assad regime has cut the north- than 2.5mn Syrians, the world’s Aid offi cials at Oncupinar on the Syrian side of the bor- “Syria is fi nished now,” said ior offi cials have said the Nato of Derna is 1,100 kilometres east south corridor ... Turkey is un- largest refugee population. said they were focusing for now der, children played in the Dilel Cumali, who has been member does not intend to of the capital Tripoli. der threat,” Turkish President But at the Oncupinar gate, on getting aid to the Syrian side muddy lanes between rows of sleeping at the camp for the past mount any unilateral incursion The Mujahedeen Shura Tayyip Erdogan was quoted by which has been largely shut for of the border, where Turkish tents lashed by rain. Some were month. “All we want is to get in- into Syria. Council of Derna that controls the Hurriyet newspaper as tell- nearly a year, the newest arriv- agencies have set up new shel- ripped and caked with mud, but side Turkey.” Syria’s foreign minister said it is a motley mix of militias that ing reporters on his plane back als were being shepherded into ters. others appeared to be newly set Taking full control of Aleppo on Saturday it would send include Ansar al-Sharia, which from a visit to Latin America. camps on the Syrian side, where “We’re extending our eff orts up. would be a huge strategic prize any invading forces home “in is close to Al Qaeda. Turkey has given refuge to ci- Turkey says they are safe for inside Syria to supply shelter, A fl ag of the opposition Free for Assad’s government in a coffi ns”.

CONFLICT Sudanese man who Egyptian police shoot four stabbed Israeli soldier shot dead suspected militants in raid A Sudanese man stabbed and wounded an Israeli soldier yesterday before being shot dead Reuters ing of an assault rifl e, a 9mm pistol, an in southern Israel, with police Cairo improvised fi rearm, a car previously investigating whether the attack used in many terrorist attacks, and a was carried out in solidarity with motorcycle without licence plates,” a Palestinians. Police initially said gyptian police shot dead four sus- ministry statement said. the incident near a bus station pected militants inside a house The men were suspects in the killing in the southern city of Ashkelon Ea few miles from central Cairo, of two policemen, a soldier and a civilian was suspected to be part of a the interior ministry said yesterday, the and they were also suspected of blowing wave of Palestinian knife, gun and third such incident in as many weeks. up a police vehicle and bombing a secu- car-ramming attacks that erupted It said the men belonged to Ajnad rity checkpoint, it said. in October. Later police said they Misr, a group that emerged in January Egypt is fi ghting an insurgency in Si- suspected that the Sudanese 2014 and has targeted security forces in nai that gained momentum in mid-2013 national acted in solidarity with the and around Cairo. when the military ousted Muslim Broth- Palestinians, but had not ruled out The suspects had opened fi re fi rst, it erhood president Mohamed Mursi after other potential motives. said. mass protests against his rule. The incident saw 32-year-old Kamal “Engagement resulted in the death of Hundreds of soldiers and police have Hassan stab the soldier and flee, four known elements and the uncover- been killed. according to police. Another sol- dier in the area grabbed the lightly wounded soldier’s gun and chased UNREST Hassan before shooting him. A Civilians fleeing Darfur clashes in ‘dire’ conditions witness told Israeli public radio the soldier shot three times at the Tens of thousands of civilians fleeing weeks of clashes between troops and rebels in Dar- Sudanese man, but he continued fur’s Jebel Marra area face “dire” humanitarian circumstances, the UN said yesterday. to run. He then fired three more Fighting in the Jebel Marra has flared between forces loyal to President Omar al-Bashir, times, according to the witness. wanted on war crimes charges relating to the Darfur conflict, and the Sudan Liberation A wave of violence that erupted Army led by Abdelwahid Nur (SLA-AW), which has been battling him since 2003. Condi- in October has claimed the lives tions for the recently displaced are “pretty dire. They are basically in need of everything,” of 165 Palestinians, 26 Israelis, an said Marta Ruedas, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator in Sudan. American and an Eritrean. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 11 AFRICA Ex-general defends ‘Carnaval’ time French response to Rwanda massacre

AFP genocide that had begun in April, of the genocide to sink in seeing... kind of attack on troops that had Paris and which three months later had the presence of mass graves, burned befallen American soldiers in So- left at least 800,000 people dead, villages,” he added. malia in 1993. most of them Tutsis. There was “a general underesti- “I can only regret the death of the French general has defend- Lafourcade, who appeared as an mation - French and international Tutsis who died during these two days,” ed France’s response to the “assisted witness” - meaning he - of the involvement of local and he said. “We were very much alone.” A1994 Rwandan genocide, has not been charged but can be government authorities.” His lawyer Pierre-Olivier Lam- saying his troops did not give so summoned for questioning at any In 2005, survivors fi led a com- bert told AFP that Lafourcade was much as a bullet to the perpetra- time - again refuted the accusa- plaint in France, saying the French “very glad to have fi nally been able tors and did not immediately grasp tions during lengthy hearings on troops had on June 27, 1994, vowed to testify before the French justice the scale of the killing, sources said January 12 and 14, the sources said. to return to Bisesero, but when they system as he has been asking to do yesterday. The retired general, now 72, dis- came back three days later, it was for many years.” General Jean-Claude Lafourcade missed as “completely false” al- too late for hundreds of Tutsis who Rwandan President Paul Kagame was questioned over claims that legations that French soldiers sup- were massacred. has accused Paris of complicity in France’s UN-mandated Operation plied arms to the Hutu extremists. Lafourcade said he was short the genocide because of its support Turquoise, which he led, left ethnic “I will say it again here. No muni- staff ed, with a unit of 120-130 sol- of the Hutu nationalist government Tutsis to be slaughtered by Hutu kill- tions, not even a bullet, was given by diers and had as priority the “evac- that carried out the mass slaughter. ers in the western Bisesero hills in June Operation Turquoise” to the Hutus, uation of the sisters of Kibuye” Paris has repeatedly denied the 1994, sources close to the case said. Lafourcade told a judge. “Where nuns in western Rwanda. accusations and insists that French French soldiers had been de- the French soldiers were, there were He was concerned about forces had worked to protect civilians. ployed in Rwanda a few days earlier no massacres nor abuses.” “thoughtlessly” launching patrols Bilateral relations, completely frozen A performer takes part at the annual Carnaval celebrations in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. under UN instructions to stop the “It took some time for the reality in the country’s interior, fearing the from 2006 to 2009, remain tense.

Australian taken in Burkina Faso Child killed in Burundi attack released in neighbouring Niger our people, including a child, were killed in grenade In southern Africa, an illusion built on attacks in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura, which has ne of two Australians Elliott was freed on Sat- Fbeen wracked by political violence, an offi cial and abducted in Burkina urday in neighbouring Ni- witnesses said yesterday. The four were killed by an attack aid heralds both hope and hunger OFaso about three ger, whose President Maha- late Saturday in a bar in the working class Kinama neigh- weeks ago has been released, madou Issoufou announced bourhood, said Bujumbura Mayor Freddy Mbonimpa. Australian and Burkinabe her release, Radio France Among the victims was a young boy selling eggs. Ten oth- Reuters authorities have confi rmed. Internationale reported. ers were wounded, according to a hospital source. Lilongwe Australian Prime Min- She was kidnapped with In another attack late on Saturday “armed criminals” ister Malcolm Turnbull her husband by suspected threw a grenade at a police patrol, injuring eight civilians, yesterday confi rmed the Al Qaeda militants in the Mbonimpa said. Another grenade thrown at a military pa- s she walks along a dirt road release of Jocelyn Elliott to northern Burkinabe town trol, but no one was hurt. in central Malawi, Louise Ab- broadcaster ABC. of Djibo, where the couple Burundi has been in crisis since April when President Aale carries her precious maize Burkinabe Foreign Minister runs a clinic. Pierre Nkurunziza ran for and won a controversial third wrapped in a brightly coloured cloth Alpha Barry said the 84-year- It was not known what term, sparking street protests, a failed coup, regular kill- and balanced on her head. old “has indeed been released role Niger played in the ings and a nascent rebellion. The opposition and the gov- Because of drought in Malawi and and handed over to the Niger- negotiations to release her, ernment yesterday traded mutual accusations over the at- across southern Africa the grain has ien authorities.” RFI said. tacks, though no group claimed responsibility. doubled in price in the space of a year, and now costs around 200 kwacha ($0.28) a kilo. Like many, Abale is struggling to pay for maize, a staple of the diet, and says her own - stunted - crop will not be ready for harvest for two months. “It’s too expensive, I have almost no mon- ey,” she said. In all 2.8mn people in Malawi, or 17% of the population, now face hun- ger, according to the UN World Food A subsistence farmer works his field of maize near Lilongwe, Malawi. Programme (WFP). Drought and fl oods have hit the production among more medium and it is imported and the kwacha has been maize crop, exposing the fragility of large-scale farms if they are unable sliding against the dollar, losing 63% in gains which had seen Malawi’s rates of to market the surplus,” said Richard the past 12 months. malnutrition slashed in the past two Record, World Bank senior country Gondwe said the programme this fi - decades. economist in Malawi. nancial year would cost 54bn kwacha That progress was partly rooted in a In the long run such a ban stunts instead of an original estimate of 40bn, fertiliser grant for small-scale farmers. food production, especially in an age of plus an additional 8bn rand for seeds. But now the government, starved of increasingly high-tech farming, econ- To be sure, FISP has helped indi- donor funds following a graft scandal omists say. vidual farmers, such as Salome Banda. over two years ago, can ill aff ord such FISP also diverted state funds from Five years ago, Banda made the transi- payments and says it must scale down other areas. In all, FISP has accounted tion from subsistence farming to pro- the programme. for as much as 9% of government ex- ducing a surplus of maize for market Ironically, policies aimed at ensuring penditure and over half the agricultural because she received the grant once. basic food security are partly to blame budget, leaving scant funds to invest in “I have not had it since 2010 but I for a cycle of rural poverty and aid de- rural transport links and other projects can buy my own fertiliser now,” she pendency in this land-locked African that would benefi t the countryside. told Reuters as she stood proudly by 50 nation, leaving the population vulner- “The FISP was not matched by in- kg bags of her maize stacked in a ware- able to climate shocks, economists say. creased investment in rural infrastruc- house north of Lilongwe. She said one “There is no doubt that the fertiliser ture especially roads and irrigation,” FISP grant tripled her production that subsidy was only feasible due to donor said Hobey of Africa Risk Consulting. season. support,” said Ed Hobey, an analyst This retards development of other For others, the benefi ts have not at Africa Risk Consulting. “At best, it sectors in the farm value chain, such as translated into such gains - and even was unsustainable without continued canning, which can kick-start indus- Banda, while she produces surpluses, donor support. At worst, it was an illu- trialisation, economists and analysts has hardly made the leap to more pro- sion built on aid.” say. ductive, technical farming. Launched in 2005, the Farm Input Initially FISP met its objective: pro- “When I got FISP, I fed all my chil- Subsidy Programme (FISP) provides viding calories to the rural poor. Be- dren,” said Matezenji Watsoni, a qualifying farmers - those with limited tween 2007 and 2014 Malawi produced 35-year-old mother of seven, as she income but a plot of productive land bumper maize crops, with surpluses waited outside a World Food Pro- - with two coupons which can be re- recorded since 2007 - until last year. gramme relief station in a rural Lilong- deemed for two 50kg bags of fertiliser. A study in the “The American Jour- we suburb for a 50 kg bag of maize. The recipients make a modest contri- nal of Agricultural Economics” found a “But this is the third year I have not bution, with the government footing 15% boost in maize production under had it, and it has brought hunger to my most of the bill. FISP coincided with a 15% decrease house,” she said. Because the government is subsi- in the amount of land devoted to the This year a perfect storm is brew- dising the production of maize - the grain. ing after a decade of maize surpluses main source of calories for many poor This suggests small-scale farmers turned into a defi cit of 225,000 tonnes households - it also bans the export of diversifi ed to cash crops such as to- in 2015, in a country that consumes the grain. bacco and cotton. 3mn tonnes annually. The harvest this The programme is credited by the Today FISP is no longer viable, gov- season looks set to be even worse. government and some aid agencies ernment offi cials and analysts say. Another unintended outcome of with lifting maize production and cut- Donor funds for the budget have the FISP is that by subsidising peas- ting hunger. dried up in the wake of a scandal over ant farming, people have an incentive The data appear to back that up. two years ago dubbed “cashgate”, in to remain on the land, adding to rural The UN Food and Agriculture Or- which state offi cials siphonedmns of population pressures. ganisation (FAO) says the percentage dollars. Late rains have clothed central re- of Malawi’s malnourished population “We are going to have to be scal- gions in simmering shades of green but fell to 21.8% in 2012-14 from 45% two ing down expenditure on FISP, we are this idyllic image belies the late start decades earlier. reacting to diminishing resources of to the summer planting season and But FISP’s role here is diffi cult to funds for the budget,” Finance Minis- the grinding poverty of rain-fed, hand untangle as most of those gains were ter Goodall Gondwe told Reuters. tilled agriculture. made before 2005. Still, there is evi- Belt tightening is underway, though Malawi, which has done little to dence of benefi ts, including indirect the number of FISP recipients has re- industrialise, is also barely urban. In ones. mained unchanged at 1.5mn. 1990, 88% of the population was ru- Stunting among Malawi children - a Instead of paying 500 Malawian ral, a number that was 84% in 2014, key nutrition measure - fell to 42.4% in kwacha ($0.70) toward the two 50 kg according to World Bank data. Sub- 2014 from 49% in 2002. bags of fertiliser subsidised, Gondwe Saharan Africa as a whole is 63% rural. But the programme has also had un- said farmers would now pay 3,500 Asked about industrialisation, fi - intended consequences. kwacha. The cost of a bag is around nance minister Gondwe, a jovial sep- The focus on food security, includ- 20,000 kwacha. tuagenarian, looked almost bemused. ing the ban on maize exports, has dis- Several subsistence farmers in- “It will take time to industrialise. couraged investment in more produc- terviewed by Reuters in their fi elds But don’t forget this country cannot tive commercial farming methods. said they could not aff ord the 3,500 even make a needle. So to base your “Our concern with the export ban kwacha, let alone the full cost. policy on that probably is asking too is that it limits the scope to expand The price for fertiliser has surged as much.” Gulf Times 12 Monday, February 8, 2016 AMERICA

Marc Anthony at the Square Doctor gets 30 years jail in landmark overdose case Reuters of Dr Conrad Murray for giving pop Los Angeles star Michael Jackson a fatal dose of a surgical anaesthetic to help him sleep. Prosecutors said Tseng’s convic- Southern California doctor was tion after a six-week trial marked the sentenced to 30 years to life in fi rst time in which a US physician was Aprison on Friday for over-pre- found guilty of murder for over-pre- scribing drugs that caused the fatal scribing drugs. overdose of three patients in a murder Licensed to practice in 1997, Tseng case capped by the fi rst conviction of opened a storefront medical offi ce in its kind in the United States. 2005 in Rowland Heights, a hillside Marc Anthony performs at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The case against Dr Hsiu Ying community east of Los Angeles that Lisa Tseng, 46, comes amid what is home to many upper-middle-class public health officials describe as Hsiu Ying Lisa Tseng and wealthy immigrants from China, a national epidemic of drug abuse. Taiwan and South Korea. The Centers for Disease Control eligible for parole. The defence sought At trial, prosecutors pointed to and Prevention has said the trend a 15-years-to-life term. nine overdose deaths associated with is fueling nearly 17,000 overdose Addressing the court just before Tseng’s practice in less than three deaths annually, as well as a rise in she was sentenced, Tseng expressed years, during which they said she had Prison chief quits over heroin addiction. remorse for her patients’ deaths and made $5mn from her clinic, dispens- A Los Angeles jury in October con- their families’ loss, saying, “I know I ing addictive medications to patients victed Tseng of three counts of sec- cannot turn back the clock,” according unnecessarily. ond-degree murder in a case prosecu- to a courtroom account by City News The drugs included powerful nar- tors said showed she put greed above Service. cotics such as oxycodone, methadone release of inmates patients’ wellbeing. Defence lawyers argued at trial that and hydrocodone, and sedatives like She was also found guilty of 19 her patients put themselves in jeop- Xanax and Valium. counts of unlawfully prescribing a ardy by taking drug dosages far in ex- Tseng, a Michigan State University Reuters as a corrections offi cer, Inslee’s offi ce of the problem in 2012 but failed to fi x controlled substance and one count cess of what Tseng prescribed. medical school graduate who spe- Seattle said. it, Inslee said. He has retained an in- of obtaining a controlled substance by Criminally prosecuting physicians cialised in internal medicine, sur- “It is my hope that with this resig- dependent law fi rm to investigate the fraud. for patients’ deaths is relatively rare, rendered her doctor’s licence prior to nation, the politicians who would use problem, which he has called “mad- Her sentence requires Tseng to serve with one notable case being the 2011 arrest. Her licence to prescribe drugs he head of Washington state’s this tragic event for their political pur- dening.” at least 30 years in prison before she is involuntary manslaughter conviction was revoked. prison system resigned yes- poses will have satisfi ed their need for Republicans agree. A senate panel Tterday six weeks after his blood,” Pacholke wrote in a letter pro- in January hired their own lawyer for agency said thousands of inmates vided by Inslee’s offi ce. a separate probe after saying its com- may have been mistakenly freed ear- In December, state offi cials said as mittee would seek subpoenas in the ly from state custody since 2002, in- many as 3,200 inmates may have been case. cluding two men blamed for deaths mistakenly released early from Wash- Pacholke in his letter said that the when they should have been behind ington prisons since 2002 because of agency’s leadership “failed in its re- bars. errors in calculating sentences. sponse to a sentencing calculation er- In a resignation letter to governor So far, two deaths have been blamed ror” in 2012, and he apologized for “the Jay Inslee on Saturday, Dan Pacholke on prisoners freed by mistake. One tragic consequences of this error.” defended his three-month tenure as inmate was arrested on suspicion of Inslee, a Democrat who appointed department of corrections secretary fi rst-degree murder over an attempted Pacholke to the post in October, said he and praised his staff ’s eff orts to fi x er- robbery 12 days after he was wrongly doubted the man’s resignation would rors that have been blamed on recent freed. Another inmate was charged mollify Republicans, that a transition deaths. with vehicular homicide in November. plan for the agency was in the works, Pacholke, who had served as deputy The status of these cases was not and that he was “sorry to see a dedi- secretary since 2014, began his career immediately known. cated public servant end his tenure this with the agency some thirty years ago State corrections authorities learned way.” Policeman in Akai ONE SMOKER. Gurley case to testify

Reuters patrol partner, offi cer Shaun Landau, building without adequate lighting. New York about whether to report the shot to That defence was underscored on police headquarters while Gurley lay Thursday night, when two police offi c- TWO PATIENTS. dying downstairs. Once Liang and ers were shot during a similar “vertical New York City police offi cer Landau realised someone had been patrol” inside the stairwell of a public charged with fatally shooting an hit by the bullet, they failed to provide housing complex in the Bronx. Aunarmed black man in an unlit medical assistance despite their train- Jurors will weigh Liang’s own ac- Brooklyn stairwell is expected to take ing, prosecutors claim. count with versions of the story off ered the stand in his own defence today at The shooting helped to infl ame ten- by Melissa Butler, Gurley’s girlfriend his trial for manslaughter. sions in New York and across the Unit- who described frantically trying to ad- Peter Liang was conducting a rou- ed States over the use of force against minister aid while Liang stood by, and tine patrol inside a public housing minorities by police offi cers, though Liang’s partner Landau, who testifi ed project on the night of Nov. 20, 2014, Liang, who is Chinese-American, has last week under an immunity deal with when he fi red his gun once. The bul- not been accused of deliberately fi ring prosecutors. TOBACCO KILLS let ricocheted off a wall and struck at Gurley. Liang’s lawyers have said he was in the chest of Akai Gurley, 28, who was Prosecutors have said Liang acted shock following the shooting and un- walking one fl oor below with his girl- recklessly in unholstering his gun in able to render medical assistance to friend. the fi rst place and then fi ring unnec- Gurley. Prosecutors have said Liang, at the essarily. Liang’s defence lawyers have Liang could be the fi nal witness at time a 27-year-old rookie police of- said Liang was justifi ed in having his the trial, which began two weeks ago in fi cer, spent minutes arguing with his gun out as he patrolled a crime-ridden Brooklyn state Supreme Court.

Probe ordered after radioactive leak

Reuters shut down the plant because of doubts “While elevated tritium in the New York over the safe evacuation of the area in ground onsite is not in accordance the event of an accident. with our standards, there is no health Cuomo said in a statement the or safety consequence to the public, nuclear power plant north of plant’s operator, Entergy Corp, has and releases are more than a thousand New York City has leaked water informed him the contaminated water times below federal permissible lim- Acontaminated with radioactive has not migrated off the site and poses its,” the company said. tritium into the groundwater below no public health risk. Cuomo, in his letter ordering the the facility, sparking an investigation The governor said he has directed state investigation, said Indian Point by state offi cials, governor Andrew the state departments for the environ- has previously had a problem with the Cuomo said on Saturday. ment and health to investigate the leak. release of radioactive water, and this Cuomo said he learned on Friday of “Our fi rst concern is for the health time the levels of radioactivity report- “alarming” levels of radioactivity at and safety of the residents close to the ed by the company are worse than in three monitoring wells at the Indian facility and ensuring the groundwater past incidents. Point plant in Buchanan, about 65km leak does not pose a threat,” Cuomo One monitoring well showed a near- north of New York City on the east said. ly 65,000% spike in radioactivity, from bank of the Hudson River. Entergy in a statement said the tri- 12,300 picocuries per liter to more than Issued in Public Interest by GULF TIMES The governor has previously asked tium likely reached the ground at Indi- 8mn picocuries per litre, the governor the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to an Point during recent work at the site. said. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 13 AMERICAS Use of waterboarding divides Republican poll hopefuls Trump was outrageous as usual senator from Florida, Rubio retreated fi nished second to Cruz and just ahead Rubio repeated the line enough that time and again to canned statements of the surging Rubio. someone created a Twitter profi le Reuters from his stump speech and looked A victory in New Hampshire could called @RubioGlitch that repeated his Washington uncomfortably rattled for the fi rst time put Trump on track for more wins in line about Obama. after seamless performances at seven South Carolina on February 20 and Bush attacked Trump for using prior debates. beyond on the way to the November 8 eminent domain, which allows even years after the United States “Marco, the thing is this,” Christie election. governments to seize private lands for banned waterboarding as an in- said during one heated exchange early For the second debate in a row, Bush projects for the public good, to help him Sterrogation tactic, two Repub- in the night, “when you’re president looked polished and sounded like build casino complexes in Atlantic City. lican presidential candidates said on of the United States, when you’re a the candidate many establishment Eminent domain is a frequent target of Saturday they would revive its use and governor of a state, the memorized Republicans had pinned their hopes on. criticism from conservative and anti- one of them, billionaire businessman 30-second speech where you talk His problem is it may be too late. government groups. Donald Trump, would go even further. about how great America is at the end Kasich, likely to end his candidacy if “What Donald Trump did was use “I would bring back waterboarding of it doesn’t solve one problem for one he does not do well tomorrow, delivered eminent domain to try to take the and I’d bring back a hell of a lot worse person”. a positive message that could appeal to property of an elderly woman on the than waterboarding,” Trump said during While Rubio recovered later in the New Hampshire Republican voters, strip in Atlantic City. That is not public Saturday night’s Republican debate on debate, the timing of his performance who famously make up their minds late purpose. That is downright wrong,” he ABC, days before New Hampshire holds was terrible, coming three days before and never seem in the mood to follow said. its primary for the Nov. 8 election. New Hampshire Republicans register the lead of the Iowa caucuses, won by Trump said eminent domain was Trumps’s rival and a fellow leader in their choices on Tuesday in the nation’s Cruz. “a good thing” and was necessary to the opinion polls, senator Ted Cruz of second nominating contest. The debate The trouble for Rubio began soon building roads, bridges, schools and Texas, said he would only allow limited at St Anselm College was the last face- after the debate started when the ABC hospitals. “Certainly, it’s a necessity for use of the practice. off of the candidates before the vote. News moderators asked Christie about our country,” he said. Waterboarding - the practice of Republican presidential candidates Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and Donald Trump Rubio’s tough moments may breathe Rubio’s experience in the US Senate, “He wants to be a tough guy, and it pouring water over someone’s face to greet one another following the Republican Presidential Candidates Debate. new life into the campaigns of Christie, and Christie pressed his case. doesn’t work very well,” Trump said mimic drowning as an interrogation former Florida governor Jeb Bush Rubio critics have made much of the of Bush, telling the son and brother of tactic - remains controversial in the practice, saying it telegraphs a position widespread way the exact tactics that and Ohio governor John Kasich, three fact that his experience is akin to that former presidents to be quiet. United States even after Democratic of weakness to the nation’s enemies we’re going to use because that allows experienced politicians who, like Rubio, of much-derided Democratic president When the crowd booed, Trump President Barack Obama banned use of and concedes that the United States terrorists to know to practice how to represent establishment Republicans. Barack Obama, elected in 2008 when a said, “that’s all his donors and special the method days after he took offi ce in erred in using waterboarding. evade us,” Rubio said. All three have suff ered from the fi rst-term senator. interests out there”. 2009. Cruz said he would not “bring it back Former Florida governor Jeb Bush dominance of front-runner Trump in Rubio’s defence was that his and Trump, known for his tough The Senate Intelligence Committee in any sort of widespread use” and not- said he would not employ waterboard- the Republican race. They are badly in Obama’s world views are diff erent, not stances with calls to ban Muslims released a report in 2014, despite the ed that he doesn’t believe waterboard- ing. need of a breakout moment to change that Obama has simply led the country from visiting the United States and objection of Republicans, that detailed ing meets the international defi nition “Congress has changed the laws the trajectory of the battle in New down the path it is on because of deport immigrants without the proper what it called torture tactics used by the for torture. and I... think where we stand is Hampshire, where the polls show inexperience. documents, also called for a more Central Intelligence Agency, including “If it were necessary to, say, prevent the appropriate place,” said Bush. Trump in the lead, Rubio in second and “Let’s dispel with this fi ction that empathetic view of the Republican the extensive use of waterboarding. a city from facing an imminent terror- Republican contender Marco Rubio Texas Senator Ted Cruz in third place. Barack Obama doesn’t know what he’s call to repeal Obamacare insurance Waterboarding came into more com- ist attack, you can rest assured that as struggled at a presidential debate on Trump did not have his best debate. doing. He knows exactly what he’s coverage for Americans. mon use by the United States during commander in chief, I would use what- Saturday at the worst possible time, He looked fl ustered in a fi ght with doing,” Rubio said. “There will be a certain number of the early days of the wars in Iraq and ever enhanced interrogation methods potentially confounding his bid to Bush over the use of eminent domain When Rubio repeated the same line people who will be on the street dying, Afghanistan. American interrogators we could to keep this country safe,” emerge as Donald Trump’s chief rival in advancing the interests of public use again, Christie sought to reinforce the and as a Republican I don’t want that to utilised the tactic to try to garner more Cruz said. in New Hampshire and giving hope projects and private industry. charge that Rubio is so inexperienced happen,” he said. information from captives, but crit- Florida senator Marco Rubio de- to three rivals desperate for a strong But he seemed to do well enough that he relies on well-worn talking Trump captured the biggest share ics argued the method never actually clined to say defi nitively whether he showing. to possibly win on Tuesday in what points and cannot think on his feet. of the conversation on Twitter during yielded any intelligence information. would reinstitute the use of water- Under assault from New Jersey would represent his fi rst victory of the “There it is. There it is. The the debate, winning 33% of the Republicans have been critical of boarding. governor Chris Christie over his 2016 race, erasing the pain from a loss memorized 25-second speech. There it conversation followed by Rubio at 20% Obama’s decision to eliminate the “We should not be discussing in a level of experience as a fi rst-term US in the Iowa caucus last week, where he is, everybody,” Christie said. and Cruz at 15%. Fiery start Economy, security woes dent Trudeau

AFP Toronto

ne hundred days after Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government was sworn in, the Ostill-popular Canadian prime minister faces mounting criticism, against the backdrop of a fl oundering economy and terror fears. The 44-year-old Trudeau — a former school- teacher and the son of a popular prime minister — immediately saw his international profi le rise upon taking offi ce on November 4, and he still en- joys strong support at home. He has touted a multilateral foreign policy, and Justin Trudeau attends the funerals on February a more transparent governing style than his pred- 6 in Quebec of six Canadians killed in deadly ecessor Stephen Harper, who was seen as prickly, attacks in Ougadougou last month. awkward and more at home plowing through eco- nomic theory than glad-handing voters. Still, polls show a majority of Canadians are “Canada is back!” the youthful-looking prime satisfied with Trudeau’s performance in of- Fireworks burst over the New York skyline, the Empire State Building lit in red and gold in honour of the Chinese Lunar New Year, as minister with a broad smile, a twinkle in his eye fice. Nanos weekly surveys show a 15 percent- seen from Weehawken, New Jersey. and a thick mop of curls told world leaders at sum- age point bump in support since the election, to mits, looking to recast the image of the world’s 50%. fi fth-largest oil producer from climate laggard to “I don’t think voters blame the government for environmental champion. the economic situation,” commented University UN chief Ban Ki-moon is expected to praise of British Columbia Sauder School of Business Canada’s shift in a visit to Ottawa on Thursday. economist Werner Antweiler. “They realize much The economy, however, has cast a pall over Tru- of it is due to outside infl uences.” Rubio springs back from debate glitch deau’s self-professed “sunny ways.” He noted, for example, that “the government Canada emerged from a mild recession in Sep- can’t fi x the oil price”. tember in the middle of the election campaign, The Canadian energy sector accounts for 10% Agencies where coffee and muffins would be served. him unchanged at 14 percent behind Donald but consumer confi dence soon faded as oil prices of nominal GDP and 300,000 jobs, according to Washington “We couldn’t fi gure out how to make pan- Trump’s 35 percent lead. and the Canadian dollar sank to new recent lows, Natural Resources Canada estimates based on cakes for 800 people,” quipped a relaxed and Steven Marchand, a consultant from Port- leading to thousands of job losses in the country’s 2014 Statistics Canada data. confi dent Rubio, warming up the crowd with smouth, New Hampshire and a fi rst genera- oil and gas sector. Observers say the real test will be when the arco Rubio, the young Republican jokes about the Super Bowl and making no tion American, said it was a message that res- Attacks in Jakarta and in Burkina Faso in Janu- rookie government unveils its fi rst budget in the senator fast building momentum in mention of his debate drubbing. onated strongly with his family despite him ary that left seven Canadians dead, meanwhile, coming months. Mthe race for the White House, came He spoke eloquently about his parents’ being a registered Democrat. raised fresh security concerns. Trudeau pledged to run several “small” defi cits back swinging yesterday after a mauling in struggle as young immigrants from Cuba “He’s a highly charismatic guy. He’s highly The new government was forced to backpedal in order to build new bridges, transit and other in- the latest presidential debate for his lack of and the pride they took in being able to own articulate. He has a personal story which is on its pledge to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by frastructure before returning to balance at the end experience. a house and watch their children grow up to compelling to a lot of Americans,” he told AFP. the end of 2015 and on its fi scal plans, while taking of his four-year mandate. The charismatic Florida senator fl oundered have more opportunities than they had. Banker William Lionhood, who brought his heat over its climate and counterterrorism strate- But a dimmer economic outlook since the Oc- at the start of the Saturday night showdown, His personal narrative is a key part of his wife and three young children, said Rubio was gies. tober 19 legislative elections has raised the specter just days before the crucial New Hampshire appeal, reaching out to other immigrant fam- the best hope of expanding the voter base for In parliament, opposition leader Rona Ambrose of ballooning defi cits. primary on Tuesday. He was mocked for re- ilies and tapping into his promise to revive the the Republican Party beyond the divisiveness accused the government of “stepping back from “The budget will be key,” Duff Conacher, a vis- peating the same rehearsed line over and over. American dream at a time when the middle of Trump. He dismissed Christie as “a little the fi ght (against the Islamic State group) when iting professor at the University of Ottawa and co- On Sunday he fought back, telling ABC classes are more squeezed than ever. rambunctious” but admitted it hadn’t been our allies are stepping up.” founder of Democracy Watch, told AFP. News that his campaign had raised more Gathered in the school were young fami- the 44-year-old Rubio’s fi nest hour. “The reality is that when we talk about Cana- “The Liberals have to signal in the budget that money last night in the fi rst hour of the de- lies, visitors from out of state, ardent Rubio “Even if Rubio losses three or four points da’s new approach to fi ghting ISIS, Canada is not they’re addressing all the problems they promised bate — precisely when he appeared to come supporters, others yet to make up their minds its going to be split over so many diff erent back, Canada is backing away,” she said. to address.” undone — than in any other debate. and opponents drawn to the political theatre. people that are running in the same lane that The husband of a Quebec woman shot dead by The Liberals have so far reduced taxes for mid- “Let’s dispel with this fi ction that Barack “I think he was dead on,” said Derek Laf- it probably won’t make a huge impact,” said Islamist gunmen last month in Burkina Faso hung dle income earners, assigned an ex-cop to draft Obama doesn’t know what he’s doing. He leur, a Ted Cruz supporter, who felt New Jer- Lionhood. up on Trudeau when he called to off er condolenc- rules for legal marijuana, announced an inquiry knows exactly what he’s doing,” Rubio said on sey governor Chris Christie had been right to Danny Mahoney, professor of political sci- es, while criticising the prime minister’s dovish into missing and murdered aboriginal women as a loop in clips seized upon by Democrats and savage Rubio. ence at a college in neighbouring Massachu- world view in the local press. part of a rapprochement with indigenous peoples, doing the rounds on social media. “I think Marco Rubio sounds very re- setts, agreed. “I hung up in his face, and it felt good,” Yves Ri- and signed a Pacifi c trade pact negotiated by the “As far as that message, I hope they keep hearsed, very polished. He doesn’t seem very “I don’t think Cruz can win a general elec- chard told a local radio station. previous administration. running it and I’m going to keep saying be- genuine. Like he said, the 25-second speech, I tion, and I think Trump is a clown and a dem- The Liberals were able to push back their Syrian A further 200 pledges are either in progress or cause it’s true,” Rubio told ABC. agree wholeheartedly with Christie.” agogue, and the governors have no chance of a refugee intake without much controversy because have not started yet. Next stop was a town hall event in the Outside two Democrat campaigners made snowball in hell of being elected president, so of widespread calls to slow resettlement amid do- Conacher noted the Liberals won the largest town of Londonderry, New Hampshire to hay by dressing up as robots until Rubio’s that leaves Rubio.” mestic and US security concerns in the aftermath majority (54.5% of seats in the House of Com- address a crowd of hundreds packed into a team asked them to move aside, but few in the “The last two thirds of the debate he was of deadly attacks in Paris. mons) with the smallest number of votes (39.5%) school hall. Initially advertised as a pancake crowd seemed that bothered. terrifi c. There were fi ve brutal minutes where But ordering the pullout of fi ghter jets from Iraq in Canadian history. breakfast, his campaign took pleasure in The latest 7News/University of Massachu- he got fl ustered by Christie. They were un- and Syria without so far announcing a new strate- “They’re going to have to walk the talk or they announcing it was so oversubscribed they setts Lowell poll also suggested that the glitch fortunate but you know you shouldn’t score a gy to combat the Islamic State group has left them will be accused of selling false hope to people and were forced to reclassify it as a town hall, had not impacted him in the polls, putting debate simply by a gaff e.” vulnerable on security. Canadians will turn on them,” he said. Gulf Times 14 Monday, February 8, 2016 ASEAN Lunar New Year Firebrand monks still a force in Myanmar

Agencies showing love to our country,” Washington central committee member Ashin Parmoukkha told The Associated Press in Yangon, ark-skinned and Myanmar’s main city. bearded men jump a Yet even the group’s more Dyoung woman after moderate leaders have es- she prays at a Buddhist shrine. poused an ultra-nationalist They push her to the ground outlook in which Muslims, and rape her. Then they cut off who account for about 5 to her ear and slit her throat. 10% of Myanmar’s 52mn peo- A lurid video recently post- ple, pose an existential threat ed online by a fi rebrand monk to the Buddhist majority. in Myanmar purports to re- Ma Ba Tha’s vice chairman, enact the woman’s death at the renowned monk Sitagu the hands of Muslim assail- Sayadaw, organised a peace ants. Her killing in 2012 set off conference last month with widespread violence between participants from more than majority Buddhists and mi- 50 countries. He told a visit- nority Muslims in the South- ing US delegation in 2014 that east Asian nation. Buddhist countries “are living Tens of thousands of people in constant daily fear of falling viewed the video until Face- under the sword of the Islamic book blocked it on February 1, extremists”. a sign of the continuing reach The ability of Ma Ba Tha of Myanmar’s Buddhist ex- leaders to simplify Buddhist tremists even as the country teachings has added to the moves toward civilian rule group’s popular appeal. It has Malaysian-Chinese devotees at the Thean Hou temple in Kuala Lumpur, on the eve of the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year will mark the start of the Year of the Monkey. after fi ve decades of military a nationwide network of of- dominance. fi ces, oversees newspapers, A new report by US re- broadcasts TV sermons and searchers fi nds that a divi- does charitable work. sive religious group known Wirathu, the monk who as Ma Ba Tha, which counts posted the video, is Ma Ba the hardline monk Wirathu Tha’s most provocative voice. among its senior members, He served several years in is likely to remain a force for jail for inciting deadly anti- some time to come in Myan- Muslim riots in 2003. In Janu- mar, also known as Burma. Ma ary 2015, he called a UN spe- Malaysia Twitter police Ba Tha’s anti-Muslim preju- cial envoy on human rights a dices resonate in the broader “whore” and a “bitch” after Burmese society, according to she criticised a bill restrict- the report. ing interfaith marriage and The confl ict and security religious conversions in My- research group C4ADS spent anmar. It was among four race several months studying hate and religion bills championed target critics of Najib speech in Myanmar. It focused by Ma Ba Tha and signed into on Ma Ba Tha, or the Organi- law last year despite opposi- Reuters The police responded within hours, the Twitter account issuing the warn- government stepped up a campaign of zation for the Protection of tion from the NLD party. Kuala Lumpur with an online warning to the artist who ings was an offi cial Malaysian cyber unit harassment and repression. Race and Religion, scrutiniz- The video posted in late drew it, Fahmi Reza, telling him they account but she declined to comment on The government did not respond directly ing the social media accounts January on his Facebook page, were watching his Twitter account and he specifi c warnings, such as the one issued to that report but it denies violating rights. of the group’s leading monks which has 131,000 followers, igitally savvy Malaysian police have should use it “prudently and in line with to Fahmi. Fahmi responded to his warning by re- and followers. was intended as a teaser for a been taking to social media to issue the law”, he said. She referred queries to the head of the posting the clown and with a new sketch “We fi nd a decentralised, longer video portraying the Dwarnings to critics of scandal-hit “The ruling elite of this country has al- police cyber unit but he declined to make of the police with hashtag #BigBrotherIs- but still highly organised, May 2012 killing of 27-year- Prime Minister Najib Razak in an unusual ways been intolerant to dissent. They’re any immediate comment. The Home, or WatchingYou. group that operates with un- old Ma Thida Htwe in western online campaign that critics say is unlikely always afraid of losing their throne,” Fahmi interior, Ministry which is in charge of the No further action was taken against him rivaled freedom,” the report Rakhine State. A court sen- to work. said. unit, did not respond to a request for com- while other artists expressed solidarity by says. It cites the group’s ac- tenced to death two Muslim Najib is facing the biggest political cri- “But the people have changed. The cul- ment. sharing the clown sketch with the hashtag tivist rallies, legislative cam- men for robbing, raping and sis in his seven-year premiership over a ture of protest and resistance is growing Najib has taken steps that critics say are #KitaSemuaPenghasut, or “we are all se- paigns, powerful media net- killing the woman. A third multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund stronger.” aimed at stemming opposition. ditious” in Malay. work and pressure directed at man was charged; state media 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Fahmi was not the fi rst person to be He sacked a deputy prime minis- Najib’s Facebook page has over the judges and police to infl uence reported that he hanged him- and over deposits of $681mn in his private warned over social media comment as ter who was critical of him, replaced a months been fl ooded with criticism and legal cases. self in custody. bank account. the police for the fi rst time make use of former attorney-general and authorities calls on him to resign. The report concludes that The woman’s killing trig- Najib, chairman of the 1MDB advisory Twitter to identify people who are being have suspended some media and blocked A former cabinet minister, Rafi dah Aziz, the incoming government led gered the fi rst in several bouts board, has denied any wrongdoing and watched and caution them about reper- websites. said in a Facebook post on Monday that by Aung San Suu Kyi’s Na- of Buddhist-Muslim violence says he did not take any money for per- cussions. Asked to comment on criticism of sup- cracking down online would not work. tional League for Democracy that has left more than 200 sonal gain. “Action will be taken against individuals pression of dissent, minister of commu- “It is so very naive to think that shutting party, or NLD, is unlikely to dead and 140,000 homeless. Attorney general Apandi Ali last week who spread false information,” is a typical nications Salleh Said Keruak said police down blogs and intervention in social me- confront Ma Ba Tha, despite Wirathu, 47, defended the closed investigations of Najib and said the warning to appear on Twitter, often ac- and the communications regulator were dia will actually stop people from talking,” the religious group’s support video in an interview with the $681mn was a donation from a Saudi Ara- companied by the Twitter handle of the enforcing the law. she said. for a rival pro-military party Myanmar Times newspaper, bian benefactor and most of it had been person it is being directed at. “It is not a crackdown. We are just doing Salleh said the authorities took the law that was trounced in Novem- saying he wanted to show the returned. Responding to criticism of the attorney the ordinary enforcement,” he said, adding seriously. ber elections. The new NLD- incoming NLD government That has not stopped Malaysians taking general’s decision to drop the investiga- that authorities had taken action in nearly “It is an off ence ... to upload any com- led parliament convened this that it “needs to prioritize to social media to voice their exasperation. tions of Najib, police told another Twitter 3,000 cases last year under a telecommu- ment, request, suggestion or other com- week. protecting the race and reli- A caricature of Najib with a clown face user: “Investigations will be carried out on nications and multimedia act. munication which is obscene, indecent, “While the (election) defeat gion of the country.” and the words “in a country full of cor- the posts made by the owner of this Twit- Human Right Watch said last month false, menacing or off ensive in character is embarrassing to an organi- Facebook took down the ruption, we are all seditious”, was widely ter account”. that Malaysia’s human rights situation with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or sation whose key leaders had video after complaints from shared recently. A police spokeswoman confi rmed that had deteriorated sharply in 2015, as the harass another person,” Salleh said. openly advocated against the activists, including Myanmar NLD, it may prove to have lit- scholar Maung Zarni, who tle material impact over the said its portrayal of Muslim long run,” the report says. men as blood-thirsty and its Experts say the NLD’s vic- use of Buddhist symbolism Shan state parade tory was driven by support for were clearly intended to reso- Bootleg Suu Kyi and a desire for civil- nate with Burmese racists. ian rule. But the party did not The NLD and government fi eld a single Muslim among offi cials have also criticised liquor its 1,151 election candidates the video, but Maung Zarni — a sign of the political sensi- contended that authorities tivities surrounding religion. have “incubated” Ma Ba Tha kills at Also, there is popular sup- and allow it to act with impu- port for Ma Ba Tha’s campaign nity. to deny rights to stateless Ro- Tina Muff ord, East Asia least 24 hingya Muslims, who have analyst for the US Commis- been targeted in the religious sion on International Reli- violence and live in apartheid- gious Freedom, said the group Reuters like conditions in western has grown rapidly in the past Jakarta Myanmar, according to the two years and she expected its report. “warped” anti-Muslim mes- Ma Ba Tha denies spreading saging would continue. ootleg liquor has killed at hate speech. “We are not tell- “The elections may be over, least two dozen people in a ing anyone to hate Muslims or but Ma Ba Tha’s inner work- Bvillage in Indonesia’s Cen- kill them or anything like that. ings are still in place,” she said. tral Java province over the last We are just trying to protect Courtesy Malaysian In- few days, MetroTV said yester- our own race and religion and sider day quoting police. Police have arrested two people in the village of Sleman for selling homemade liquor that was believed to have contained harmful substances. Twenty-two others are being treated at hospitals. “Police have sent the hard liq- uors mixed with harmful sub- stances to the laboratory in Se- marang to be tested,” MetroTV quoted Sleman police chief Yulianto as saying. Deaths from moonshine are common in Indonesia, particu- larly in rural areas where many Ethnic Shan woman, wearing the colours of the Shan National flag, at the Shan State Army-South military parade celebrating the villagers are unable to aff ord li- 69th Shan State National Day at Loi Tai Leng, the group’s headquarters, on the Thai-Myanmar border. Nationalist Buddhist monk Wirathu, marches in Mandalay, the censed spirits. second largest city in Myanmar. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA N Korean launches rocket in defi ance of global warnings North Korea continues to test discuss openly the possibility of de- dor to “make representations and make global patience with its weapons ploying THAAD. clear China’s principled position”. programmes “North Korea continues to develop China is North Korea’s main ally, but their nuclear weapons and ballistic it disapproves of its nuclear weapons Reuters missile programmes, and it is the re- programme. Seoul sponsibility of our Alliance to maintain Russia, which has in recent years a strong defence against those threats,” forged closer ties with North Korea, general Curtis M Scaparrotti, US Forces said the launch could not but provoke orth Korea launched a long- Korea commander, said in a statement. a “decisive protest”, adding Pyongyang range rocket yesterday carrying “THAAD would add an important ca- had once again demonstrated a disre- Nwhat it called a satellite, but its pability in a layered and eff ective mis- gard for norms of international law. neighbours and the United States de- sile defence.” “We strongly recommend the lead- nounced the launch as a missile test, China, South Korea’s biggest trading ership of the Democratic People’s Re- conducted in defi ance of UN sanctions partner, repeated what it says is “deep public of Korea think about whether a and just weeks after a nuclear bomb concern” about a system whose radar policy of opposing the entire interna- test. could penetrate its territory. tional community meets the interests The US Strategic Command said it South Korea’s military said it would of the country,” Russia’s foreign minis- had detected a missile entering space, make annual military exercises with US try said in a statement. and South Korea’s military said the forces “the most cutting-edge and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rocket had put an object into orbit. biggest” this year. North Korea objects strongly condemned the launch and North Korea said the launch of the to the drills as a prelude to war by a urged North Korea to “halt its provoca- satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, named United States it says is bent on toppling tive actions”. after late leader Kim Jong Il, was a the Pyongyang regime. South Korean President Park Geun- “complete success” and it was making North Korea’s rocket is launched. A Japanese soldier mans a unit of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) The United States has about 28,500 hye said it was an unforgivable act of a polar orbit of Earth every 94 minutes. missile at the defence ministry in Tokyo yesterday. troops in South Korea. provocation. The launch order was given by his son, no signal has ever been detected from it. US Secretary of State John Kerry said Australia condemned what it called leader Kim Jong Un, who is believed to “If it can communicate with the carrying an Earth observation satellite, use space for independent and peaceful the United States would work with the North Korea’s dangerous conduct while be 33 years old. Kwangmyongsong-4, North Korea triggering opposition from governments purposes”. UN security council on “signifi cant Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe The launch prompted South Korea will learn about operating a satellite in that see it as a long-range missile test. The launch and the January 6 nuclear measures” to hold North Korea to ac- said the launch was “absolutely unac- and the United States to announce that space,” said David Wright, co-director The UN Security Council will hold test are seen as eff orts by the North’s count for what he called a fl agrant vio- ceptable”, especially after the North’s they would explore the feasibility of and senior scientist at the Global Secu- an emergency meeting to discuss the young leader to bolster his domestic lation of UN resolutions on North Ko- nuclear test last month. deploying an advanced missile defence rity Program of the Union of Concerned launch, at the request of the United legitimacy ahead of a ruling party con- rea’s use of ballistic missile technology. North Korea has said that its fourth system in South Korea, which China Scientists. States, Japan and South Korea, diplo- gress in May, the fi rst since 1980. South Korea’s navy retrieved what it nuclear test was of a hydrogen bomb. The and Russia both oppose, “at the earliest “Even if not, it gained experience mats said. North Korea’s embassy in Moscow believes to be a fairing used to protect United States and other governments possible date”. with launching and learned more about Isolated North Korea had initially said in a statement the country would the satellite on its journey into space, have expressed doubt over that claim. North Korea’s state news agency the reliability of its rocket systems.” given a February 8-25 time frame for continue to launch rockets carrying a sign that it is looking for parts of the North Korea is believed to be work- carried a still picture of a white rocket The rocket lifted off at around the launch but on Saturday changed satellites, according to Russia’s Interfax discarded rocket for clues into the iso- ing on miniaturising a nuclear warhead that closely resembled a previously 9.30am Seoul time (0030 GMT) on a that to Feb. 7-14, apparently taking ad- news agency. lated North’s rocket programme, which to put on a missile, but many experts launched rocket, lifting off . Another southward trajectory, as planned. Ja- vantage of clear weather on Sunday. South Korea and the United States it did following the previous launch. say it is some way from perfecting such showed Kim surrounded by cheering pan’s Fuji Television Network showed North Korea’s National Aerospace said that if the advanced missile de- China expressed regret over the technology. military offi cials at what appeared to be a streak of light heading into the sky, Development Administration called fence system called Terminal High launch and called on all sides to act It has shown off two versions of a a command centre. taken from a camera at China’s border the launch “an epochal event in devel- Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) was cautiously and refrain from steps that ballistic missile resembling a type that North Korea’s last long-range rocket with North Korea. oping the country’s science, technol- deployed to South Korea, it would be might raise tension. China’s Foreign could reach the US West Coast, but launch, in 2012, put what it called a North Korea had notifi ed UN agen- ogy, economy and defence capability focused only on North Korea. Ministry said late on Sunday that it had there is no evidence the missiles have communications satellite into orbit, but cies that it planned to launch a rocket by legitimately exercising the right to South Korea had been reluctant to summoned the North Korean ambassa- been tested. 312 blocked from leaving Australia

Agencies stronghold of Raqqa in Syria have so far Sydney been added to the nominated areas list. Australia pledged up to A$500,000 ($354,000) in aid for its Pacifi c island neighbours yesterday to he rate at which suspected jihadists are be- help combat the spread of the Zika virus after an ing blocked from departing Australia has outbreak in Tonga last week raised concern in the Tdoubled in the past year, a report said yes- region. terday, amid a government crackdown of its na- The initial focus on strengthening the fi ght tionals travelling to Iraq or Syria to fi ght. against the mosquito-borne virus would be in There were 312 people pulled off planes in the Tonga, Steven Ciobo, minister for the Pacifi c, said seven months to the end of January, compared to in a statement. 336 in the almost 12-month period before that, Australia would work with World Health Or- Sydney’s Sun-Herald newspaper reported. ganization (WHO) offi cials and the Tongan gov- The immigration department confi rmed the ernment to control the mosquito population and fi gures to AFP but it was not clear how many of increase access to testing, he said. the suspected jihadists stopped from leaving the The tiny South Pacifi c island nation last week island continent were actually heading to the declared an outbreak of the Zika virus after fi ve A monkey at a monkey training school in a zoo in Dongying, eastern China’s Shandong province. Middle East to fi ght, and some were eventually al- cases were confi rmed and 259 suspected. lowed to resume their journey. “Stopping the spread of Zika in the Pacifi c is “In some cases, a person who was ‘offl oaded’ essential to protecting Australia from the virus, may be allowed to continue with their travel plans which has seen a resurgence in our region,” Ciobo if they are no longer considered a risk,” an immi- said. gration spokesman added in a statement. The WHO declared Zika an international health China school sees monkey Canberra has been increasingly concerned emergency last week, citing a “strongly suspect- about its citizens fi ghting with jihadist organisa- ed” relationship between the virus in pregnancy tions such as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, say- and microcephaly, a condition in which infants are ing some 120 Australians had left the country to born with abnormally small heads and can suff er join such groups. developmental problems. business in New Year Another 160 are actively supporting extremist Until last week, Tonga had never had any con- organisations at home through fi nancing and re- fi rmed cases of the Zika virus, its chief medical cruitment, the government has said. offi cer Dr Reynold Ofanoa told Reuters, so it was AFP miniature drum kit after a few tender taps, It is a partnership with Japanese monkey Under sweeping counter-terrorism measures likely brought into the country by an infected per- Beijing and another slamming down her plastic gui- troupe Nikko Saru Gundan, whose animals aimed at blocking jihadists from going overseas, son and then spread by mosquitoes. tar before running to stage left. regularly star on TV shows in their native Australia introduced laws in late 2014 that would On Saturday, health authorities in the Austral- “Our monkeys don’t listen to us very well. country. see anyone who heads to nominated areas face up ian state of Queensland confi rmed that a child had acaques in frilly dresses turn back- But that’s what is funny about it all. Monkeys “We hope to attract audiences from all over to 10 years’ jail. contracted the virus after a family trip to the Pa- fl ips and answer maths questions being natural and being themselves,” added China,” Xiao told AFP, as monkeys were led Iraq’s second city Mosul and the IS cifi c island of Samoa. Mfor crowds of screaming children at a Soma. around in front of her on leashes. Chinese monkey school, where trainers teach Such performances have a centuries-old “We would like to take advantage of the them to waltz and play rock drums. history in China, and today monkeys are monkey year for publicity... this will be a year Shows featuring performing simians, pop- often seen at country fairs catching knives of promotion.” ular in China and throughout Asia, are ex- and riding bicycles. As China’s economy has A crowd of several dozen children and par- Taiwan rescue pecting a boost in the Lunar New Year of the boomed, the scale of the shows has increased. ents gathered outside the theatre building monkey, which begins today. More than a dozen zoos in the country now over an hour before the show started, mix- But they are facing a growing backlash off er monkey performances. ing with the animals who wore nappies with from Chinese people concerned about animal China has no laws protecting non-endan- holes cut for their tails. welfare. gered species, but a growing animal protec- “Mum, I’ve seen monkeys! I’ve seen Sun “It’s like a human school, but using mon- tion movement has condemned the displays Wukong,” said three-year-old Zhao Yizi, re- keys,” said Takeshi Soma, the Japanese “head- as cruel. Their cause was aided when video of ferring to a hero of the classic Chinese novel master” of the facility, at a zoo in Dongying in a bear biting and clawing a monkey after the Journey To The West, and cajoling his mother the eastern province of Shandong. two fell off their bicycles in an “Animal Ol- into buying a 30 yuan ($5) ticket. His charges are about a dozen macaques ympics” in the eastern city of Shanghai, went Sun has cemented the image of monkeys in from snow-capped mountains near Tokyo, viral in 2013. China as mischievous but essentially lovea- who receive one-on-one tuition from a team One staff member at the Yangjiaping zoo in ble. The centrepiece of the school’s afternoon of live-in instructors. Chongqing told AFP that monkey shows had show was a mock mathematics class, with “This kind of training is the fi rst in China,” been cancelled this year “because of a com- animals in tunics and denim shorts sitting track-suited Soma said. plaint about animal cruelty”. behind miniature desks. He watched as staff in sequinned waist- Monkeys at the Dongying school sleep in They raised their hands and showed their coats clothed the monkeys in multicoloured bare concrete-walled enclosures, and some- fi ngers to apparently answer basic arithmetic gowns, leading them on stage in a mock Vien- times receive light slaps from their trainers. questions, as the young audience giggled and nese ball. Headmaster Soma admitted: “How should clapped.Later the monkeys rode atop large “I think this is the only place that does I put this? They are tough things. I don’t think plastic balls and jumped over obstacles. And, that,” he said. monkeys like the school.” of course, waltzed. Four of the animals are training as a mock But the backlash has not deterred inves- “I like the dancing best. They are like peo- rock band, led by a monkey with a red bow tie tors, with nearly 19mn yuan ($2.9mn) spent ple,” said four-year-old Ai Jiuqiu. and pink toy microphone. on the school, said Xiao Jingxia, president “Happy monkey year!” an announcer A rescue worker brings down a victim from the collapsed Wei Kuan complex building in Tainan, But a recent rehearsal ended with one of the local government backed China-Japan boomed, before the animals were undressed southern Taiwan. macaque walking on his hands away from a Friendship Association. and led back to their cages. Gulf Times 16 Monday, February 8, 2016 BRITAIN

OFFBEAT INFRASTRUCTURE CRIME OFFBEAT COMMENT Firms urge govt to back Teen charged with murder Bus blown up in London Lack of women LibDem third Heathrow runway after man stabbed in park for Jackie Chan film MPs embarrassing: Farron

Thirteen of Britain’s largest construction and A teenager has been charged with the murder A double decker bus dramatically explodes in the The fact the Liberal Democrats have no female development firms have written to George of a 27-year-old man in an east London park. heart of London - but it is all for a movie. Londoners MPs among its eight-strong rump in Parliament, Osborne urging him to live up to his declaration The victim, who has not been named, was found were left confused as they saw the bus go up is “frankly embarrassing”, party leader Tim Farron that “we are the builders” by supporting the stabbed in Plaistow Park, Newham, on January in flames as it drove along Lambeth Bridge in has admitted. Commenting on reports the party building of a third runway at Heathrow. The letter 29. He was taken to hospital for treatment but central London yesterday. A spokesman for the was considering having shortlists for seats of to the chancellor stated that the west London died of his injuries three days later. A post-mortem Port of London Authority confirmed it was a stunt only ethnic minorities or only gay people or only airport has provided a “steady base of work” examination found the cause of death was stab for a film and that the bridge was closed off . But disabled people, Farron said it was important to Performers take part in the biennial Imbolc Celtic during the economic downturn and expansion wounds to the abdomen. Detectives investigating the scene took some by surprise. Author Sophie make sure “you represent properly and reflect fire festival, to celebrate the end of Winter and the would bring “a £15.6bn order book to the UK supply the killing charged Kaleb Amponsah, 18, of Canning Kinsella wrote on Twitter: “Hey film types, next the diversity of the society we live in”. He said: coming of Spring, in Marsden, northern England. chain”. It also noted last year’s report by respected Town, east London, with murder, on Saturday. He time you blow up a bus on Lambeth Bridge maybe “The Liberal Democrat conference in March will The festival culminates in a short Mummers international economic thinktank the OECD which will appear in custody at Thames Magistrates’ tell us first so children in park aren’t freaked?” The be looking at a range of possibilities and it’s all play where Jack Frost and the Green Man battle found that the UK has historically underspent Court today. Two 16-year-old boys were also controlled explosion was shot for a scene in new about trying to make sure that those people for victory and which concludes with a firework on infrastructure, partially due to “long decision- arrested in connection with the incident. They were action flick The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and who represent us reflect the diversity of the display signifying the emergence of the Sun. making processes”. later released on bail until a date in mid-April. Pierce Brosnan. communities that are out there.”

Clowning around Rape claims linked to dating websites soar sixfold

Agencies may have led to the stranger rape London case. “We absolutely wouldn’t see that, but we can understand the he number of allegations rape mythologies that might feed of stranger rapes linked into that. So our concern is that Tto dating websites has they are even more under-report- soared sixfold in fi ve years, Brit- ed in this area. ain’s top crime-fi ghting body “Part of our campaign is to en- has warned. courage people to come forward. National Crime Agency (NCA) Our message is the police will take fi gures show that 184 people re- them seriously and deal with them ported being raped by someone sympathetically.” they had met on a dating app or Discussing what could be fuel- website in 2014 - up from 33 in ling this worrying rise, Sutton 2009. said online daters often swap Sean Sutton, head of the NCA’s sexualised messages and develop Serious Crimes Analysis Section, a “pseudo-closeness” that can said we could be seeing the emer- skew expectations when they fi - gence of a “new breed” of rapist as nally meet, but they do not actu- these alleged sex off enders are less ally know each other “from Adam likely to have a criminal record. or Eve”. Clowns pose ahead of the 70th annual “Clowns International” church service at the Holy Trinity church in Dalston in east London yesterday. The service takes place to Twice as many people now “This pseudo-closeness can celebrate the father of modern clowning, Joseph Grimaldi, who died in 1837. report being raped by someone happen very, very quickly, and we they met online dating than those are saying you could be talking to a who are attacked by a bogus taxi 14-year-old boy or a 60-year-old driver - a danger that has seen a woman”, he warned. huge public awareness campaign “Come back a step and take it mounted to prevent it. on a face to face basis when you A new NCA report, Emerg- meet in public for the fi rst time.” ing New Threat In Online Dating, Some 85% of the stranger rape highlights the growing problem victims are women, and of these and the force is launching a cam- 42% were aged 20 to 29 and 24% paign to raise awareness of the were between 40 and 49, meaning Plan to curb benefi ts ‘may dangers of online dating. that middle-aged daters are more It comes after an investigation likely to be targeted by rapists on- by the Press Association revealed line than in other arenas. that alleged crimes potentially Police also warned their analy- involving the use of so-called sis suggested a new type of sexual hook-up apps Tinder and Grindr off ender could be emerging on- spark EU migrants surge’ increased seven-fold in two years line. between 2013 and 2015. Whereas 84% of people con- Agencies counterparts in Brussels on He said since the proposed see a surge in migrants in the the emergency brake: “Clear- Rape is signifi cantly under- victed of stranger rapes have London February 18. deal was set out “Eastern Eu- next 12 months.” ly as part of the negotiations reported, and those attacked previous convictions, for those In a further sign of the divi- ropean newspapers have car- Former cabinet minister we have to ensure that that by people they meet on dating suspected of doing this through sions on his own side, former ried numerous stories about Sir Eric Pickles, a Euroscep- doesn’t happen.” websites may be less likely to a dating website the fi gure is far avid Cameron has been leadership contender David in-work benefits and the plans tic who now looks likely to He added: “We’ve got to come forward, meaning the ac- lower at 49%, while the convic- warned his proposed Davis warned that coverage of to terminate them for the first support the prime minister’s ensure that there isn’t a new tual number could be 10 times tions they do have are less severe. Ddeal to curb benefits the proposed curbs on benefits four years after a migrants ar- deal, said: “What we need to influx.” higher than the 184 fi gure, Sut- “It is potentially quite a dif- for European Union migrants would act as an incentive to rival in the UK” while Brussels be clear is, we’re not trying to Sir Eric played down the ton warned. ferent type of character who is could lead to a surge in the workers to head to the UK over has suggested that the scheme prevent people moving inside prospect of the European Par- He told the Press Association: perpetrating these off ences from number coming to the UK be- the coming months before a could take 12 months to imple- the European Union.” liament rejecting the reform “We think, anecdotally, that be- our usual, if I can use that term, fore the “emergency brake” deal can be implemented. ment. Instead the reforms were proposals, claiming it would cause of the nature of the cases stranger rape case,” Sutton said. mechanism is applied. Former Europe minister “Under such circumstanc- aimed at preventing people be an “appalling misuse of being on a dating website where “Is it displacement or is it a new The prime minister’s EU Davis warned: “ The so-called es the incentive for anybody gaining “something for noth- trust that would fundamen- someone has put themselves for- breed? We couldn’t say and we referendum strategy has come emergency brake that the prime wishing to come to live in the ing” by gaining benefits before tally undermine” the EU. ward, in their mind’s eye in a posi- wouldn’t want to conjecture.” under fire from his own grass- minister is attempting to nego- UK will be to come as quickly contributing to the UK. He said his own position tion of vulnerability perhaps, they But he warned the phenome- roots activists and he has also tiate with Brussels is very likely as possible to beat the dead- The Tory MP for Brentwood was not the result of “any en- may feel more culpable than oth- non highlights that it is impossible faced reported unrest within to increase the number of peo- line when any such restric- and Ongar said action would thusiasm for Europe” but “the ers in relation to the activity that to spot a rapist. his top team as he prepares ple immigrating into the UK in tions come into effect. be needed to prevent a surge lack of any decent idea that for a crunch summit with his the coming year.” “Accordingly we are likely to of migrants hoping to beat we’d be better off outside”. Corbyn : UK must stay Thatcher ‘would have in European Union backed staying in EU’ AFP “But we also want to see pro- London gressive reform in Europe: de- mocratisation, stronger workers’ AFP John Major as he tried to heal rela- servative MPs to campaign to ei- rights, sustainable growth and London tions with Brussels. ther leave or remain in the EU. pposition Labour lead- jobs at the heart of the economic “Margaret Thatcher’s heart was But he will be mindful that divi- er Jeremy Corbyn said policy and an end to the pressure never in our membership of the sions over Europe ripped the party Ostaying in the European to privatise and deregulate public ormer prime minister EU. But l am convinced her head apart in the 1990s. Union was in the country’s best services. “And we will be press- Margaret Thatcher would would continue to favour staying The Sunday Times said it had interests. ing the case for a real social Europe Fhave supported David in on the conditions now on off er,” heard back from 144 Conservative The left-wing veteran, who during the coming referendum Cameron’s draft renegotiation Powell wrote. lawmakers (330 sit in parliament), has displayed a eurosceptic streak campaign.” of Britain’s EU terms of mem- “There were certainly times as of which 66 said they were com- throughout his political life, said He said Labour would be stand- bership, her closest advisor said prime minister when her frustra- mitted to leaving the EU, while 50 his party would make the case for ing up for “public ownership” yesterday. tion with Europe boiled over. said they would vote to remain in a “social Europe” during the refer- during the campaign and resist- Lord Charles Powell said “The one thing I never heard her the bloc. endum campaign. ing “potential threats” to public Thatcher, whose fevered hostility propose was Britain’s withdrawal The Sunday Telegraph newspa- Conservative Prime Minister services posed by a trans-Atlantic to Brussels in the latter part of her from the EU. Perhaps she would per said Cameron was also facing David Cameron wants to fi nalise free trade pact being negotiated premiership led to her downfall in have persevered for longer before a growing revolt from grassroots a renegotiation of Britain’s terms between the EU and the US. 1990, would have backed Cam- settling than the present prime Conservatives who are angry that of membership at an EU summit The Leave.EU campaign group eron’s new deal with the European minister and raged more mightily. he told MPs they did not have to on February 18 and 19. He has claimed Corbyn was a “lifelong Union. “But... I am confi dent she would vote according to their local con- committed to stage an in-or-out opponent” of the EU but had been Writing in The Sunday Times have settled, and for something stituency association’s views. referendum on the outcome of his “gagged” by moderate, centrist newspaper, Powell said Thatcher very close to what is on off er now.” In a letter to the broadsheet, attempt, by the end of 2017. fi gures within his party. “Jeremy might have “raged more might- However her close cabinet ally representatives of 44 local Tory Newspapers expect the refer- Corbyn voted to leave the EEC ily” at Brussels than Cameron, the Lord Norman Tebbit slammed associations said Cameron had endum could come as soon as late (European Economic Community) current Conservative leader and Powell’s view. “undermined” the goodwill of June. Corbyn said Labour wanted in 1975 and against the Maastricht prime minister. “I think it more likely that were loyal members and warned him: Britain to stay in the 28-country Treaty which transformed it into However, “She would have gone she alive, then she would be say- “No prime minister has a divine bloc. “Our party is committed to the EU, saying it took powers to along with what is on off er, indeed ing: ‘No, no, no’,” he said, using her right to rule.” keeping Britain in the EU because set economic policy away from negotiated something similar her- famous refrain on proposed great- A Downing Street spokesman we believe it is the best framework parliament and handed them ‘to self.” er European powers. Thatcher, said Cameron was “simply mak- for European trade and co-opera- an unelected set of bankers’,” said Thatcher stoked up animosity Britain’s prime minister from 1979 ing the point that everyone should tion and in the best interests of the spokesman Jack Montgomery. over Europe which helped wreck to 1990, died in 2013 aged 87. ultimately vote with their con- people of Britain,” he told activists “No one really believes his pri- the premiership of her successor Cameron is allowing his Con- science.” Corbyn: ‘gagged by moderate figures in party’ in Nottingham, central England. vate opinion has changed.” Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 17 BRITAIN/IRELAND Welsh MP seeks ban on singing Delilah at rugby matches

Chris Bryant wants Tom lilah to be banned from Six Na- by matches on, and sometimes sung Delilah as well, everybody Dafydd Iwan, a folk singer to Shakespearean tragedies like against women, saying it was Jones ballad banned from tions rugby matches because he football matches as well, the loves doing the ‘She stood there and former Plaid Cymru presi- Romeo and Juliet. never a political statement. Six Nations rugby matches claims it incites violence against number of domestic violence laughing’ moment, but if we dent, has previously raised “Within rugby, Delilah has “This woman is unfaithful to on grounds it incites women. incidents rises dramatically,” he are really going to take this is- concerns about the ballad , gained prominence through its him and (the narrator) just loses violence against women Jones’s 1968 hit is an unoffi cial said. sue seriously in Wales, we have saying in 2014 it was “a song musicality rather than because it ... It’s something that happens anthem at Welsh rugby matches, “I know that some people will to change how we do things,” he about murder and it does tend of its lyrics,” a spokesman said. in life,” Jones said. “I love to hear Guardian News and Media with male voice choirs and Jones say, ‘Oh, here we go, he’s a ter- said. to trivialise the idea of murder- “There is, however, plenty of it being sung at Welsh games. London himself singing it before games rible spoilsport,’ but the truth is Delilah tells of a man who at- ing a woman. It’s a pity these precedent in art and literature, It makes me very proud to be at the Millennium stadium. But that song is about the murder of tacks the woman who cheated words now have been elevated prominently in Shakespearean Welsh that they’re using one of Bryant has insisted that an alter- a prostitute.” on him. to the status of a secondary na- tragedies for instance, for nega- my songs ... I don’t think the he shadow leader of the native should be found because Bryant, the Labour MP for “Forgive me, Delilah, I just tional anthem.” tive aspects of life to be por- singers are really thinking about House of Commons, of the song’s lyrics. Rhondda, added that there were couldn’t take any more,” Jones But the Welsh Rugby Un- trayed.” it ... If it’s going to be taken lit- TChris Bryant, has joined “It is a simple fact that when thousands of other songs that sings. “I felt the knife in my hand ion has defended the song by Jones has rejected claims that erally, I think it takes the fun out calls for the Tom Jones song De- there are big international rug- could be sung instead. “I have and she laughed no more.” comparing its subject matter his song trivialises violence of it.”

Family Duchess joins anniversary celebrations hits out as Hunt blames robbers cleared of murder union for row

London Evening Standard London with doctors he family of a teaching as- sistant stabbed to death Tafter he was ambushed by Gumtree robbers told of their heartbreak at “injustice” as three men were cleared of murder. University graduate Michael over contracts Adegbite, 28, had advertised his MacBook for sale on the online Hunt accused the union was anger within the workforce. tary, did the government that marketplace but when he met of behaving in a “totally “Quite outside the contract, has committed in its manifesto the “buyers” one pulled out a irresponsible way” and we need to do a number of to seven-day services, did they knife. He and his friend Mohamed “spreading misinformation” things to improve the morale of do the right things for patients Umer fought off the teenagers and about the proposed deal junior doctors. I think there is a to make care safer, better? If snatched back the computer. lot we can do in respect of the they did, in the end doctors too The Old Bailey was told Adeg- Agencies training. will say ‘there was a big argu- bite later followed the trio who London “But what I would say is one ment over it, but it was the right had attacked him to try to identify of the reasons for that anger thing for the NHS’.” them, armed with an iron bar for - and there is anger there - is Hunt said that his choice of protection. ealth Secretary Jeremy because they were told by the language during the dispute had The talented football coach was Hunt has acknowledged BMA that their pay was going to been “extremely careful” but stabbed through the heart in the Hthe low morale and an- be cut. It isn’t. claimed his words were often ensuing confrontation in Lack- ger among junior doctors but “They were told that they “distorted” by the BMA “ which more Road, Enfi eld, last July, and blamed the British Medical As- were going to be asked to work is one of the cleverest trade un- bled to death in the street. sociation (BMA) for exacerbat- longer hours. They aren’t, we ions in the book because they Isaac Owen-Brady and Chris- ing the bitter dispute over new are actually bringing down the know that in any argument be- topher Nzeh, both 18, and Montel contracts. hours they work. tween doctors and politicians , Ajayi, 19, whooped and congratu- With thousands of junior the public are going to side with lated each other in the dock after doctors in England set to go “What we will end up with doctors “. being cleared of murder. The three on strike again on Wednesday, is a contract that is better He insisted that he was still had admitted conspiracy to rob Hunt accused the union of be- for patients but also better prepared to negotiate over the and Nzeh, who stabbed Adgebite, having in a “totally irresponsi- for doctors” deal: “ The single issue that we was convicted of manslaughter. ble way” and “spreading misin- are still at loggerheads on is this The court heard they had a history formation” about the proposed “And if you are told by your question of unsocial hours on of Gumtree robberies. deal. union that the health secretary Saturdays, I have said my door In a statement, the victim’s He acknowledged that work wants to do these awful things, is open, I’m happy to do that. mother, father and brother said: was needed to improve morale of course you feel devalued. “The BMA are saying they “We feel let down, it is an injus- but claimed the BMA’s actions “Now the way to restore mo- don’t want to talk about that. tice. Throughout this his attackers over the contract dispute had rale in the profession is to sit What I am saying is rather than have shown nothing but blatant made medics feel “devalued”. around the table, discuss what cancelling more operations, disrespect.” The government has threat- is the right thing to do for doc- come and talk.” Adegbite, of Chingford, was a ened to impose a new contract tors and for patients and also Shadow health secretary Hei- talented footballer who had tri- aimed at delivering the Tory to look at the bigger picture - di Alexander wrote to Hunt urg- als for Wolverhampton Wander- commitment to a seven-day which is record resources going ing him to make an “explicit and ers. He became a fi tness instruc- NHS if an agreement cannot be in to the NHS, the sixth biggest signifi cant public commitment tor at Leyton Leisure Centre and reached with the BMA. increase in funding in one year to further concessions” over was praised as a role model during Hunt told BBC1’s Andrew in the history of nearly 70 years Saturday hours. his time as a coach of youth team Marr Show: “What we will end of the NHS, more doctors and “If you are not willing to do Eastside United FC in Hackney, up with is a contract that is bet- nurses than ever, a total com- this, a new contract should not and in his job as a teaching assist- ter for patients but also better mitment by the government to be imposed,” she said. “Such a ant at Heathcote School in Ching- for doctors.” making the NHS the highest decision on your part could lead ford. But confronted with quotes quality, safest healthcare any- to protracted industrial action He graduated from University of from junior doctors raising is- where in the world. and widespread anger among East London and had been signed Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, walks to a reception after attending an event to mark the sues about low morale and po- “There are always battles other NHS staff at a time when up by a number of modelling 75th anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets, at St Clement Danes church in London yesterday. tentially unsafe working condi- along the way but what history morale is already at rock bot- agencies. tions, Hunt acknowledged there will ask is did the health secre- tom.”

Armed checkpoints across Irish minister sets out income tax plan

Dublin after hotel attack Reuters in Ireland but if you abolish the Dublin USC completely without any claw back, there would be very Garda Síochána fearing a in their investigation into the three of whom were dressed extravagant gains for people on retaliation in capital for killing of Byrne, a member in paramilitary uniforms with reland’s senior coalition par- the highest incomes,” Noonan shooting of Irish gangster of a south Dublin crime gang a Garda logo and armed with ty will ensure high earners do told a news conference. David Byrne at boxing controlled by Irish gangster AK-47 assault rifles, while a Inot make “extravagant gains” “They will still gain very, very weigh-in on Friday Christy Kinahan who lives in stocky man with a cap and a from planned income tax cuts signifi cantly but not dispro- southern Spain. man dressed as a woman each and also raise the minimum wage portionately. We will reduce the Guardian News and Media Byrne was shot dead in a had a handgun. The sixth man by 15% by 2021 if re-elected, Fi- marginal rate of tax to 44% (from London highly organised assault on drove the Ford transit van nance Minister Michael Noonan 49.5%) for middle income earn- the hotel by six gunmen loyal used as a getaway vehicle in said yesterday. ers and to under 50% for every- to a north Dublin criminal the attack. Ireland votes on Februry 26 in one else.” rmed garda check- known as The Monk. The owner of the hotel, what promises to be a tight con- The ‘high income levy’ would points have been set up The gang, which included James McGettigan, revealed test dominated by debate over mean the gradual benefi t of USC Aover Dublin this week- one man dressed as a woman that he repeatedly tried but how the resources freed up by a abolition for a worker earning end as fears grow over an all- in a blonde wig and grey dress, failed to contact the gardai as strong economic recovery should 100,000 euros would be capped out gangland war following failed however to wipe out Ki- he witnessed two hitmen gun be spent and how or whether an at just over 5,000 euros versus the murder of a criminal at a nahan’s top gangsters during down their gangland rival. unpopular additional tax levied 9,500 euros if there was no claw- boxing weigh-in. the event. He said he tried to raise the on income, the Universal Social back, Fine Gael said. The Garda Siochana yes- Gardai also confirmed that alarm three times but when Charge (USC), should be un- The state body that attracts terday confirmed that armed they have been working with his calls went unanswered, he wound. foreign direct investment into officers are being deployed at Interpol as well as police forc- was forced to hang up and call Noonan’s Fine Gael, com- the country has warned that in- major arterial routes around es in the UK and Spain in rela- a garda friend instead. fortably ahead in opinion polls come tax rates are too high and the Irish capital after the fa- tion to Friday’s gun attack. The hotel owner and busi- that nevertheless suggest it may could make it diffi cult to keep tal shooting of David Byrne in Police officers maintained a nessman witnessed Byrne struggle to form a coalition, winning investments from the the Regency hotel on Dublin’s strong presence at the Regen- being killed during the at- plans to abolish the tax brought multinationals that employ al- Swords Road on Friday. cy hotel yesterday. They are tack. He told the Independ- in during the fi nancial crisis. most one in every 10 workers. The checkpoints are ex- now looking over a large vol- ent on Sunday: “He was shot Yesterday Noonan outlined Fine Gael’s junior partner La- pected to be in place for ume of CCTV and television three times, twice in the body how the state would claw back bour, which is struggling in the several days over fears of footage as well as still photo- and once in the head. These some of the gains with a new 5% polls, wants to scrap the USC on retaliation, the force said. graphs and collating that with guys made sure he was killed. levy on incomes over 100,000 the fi rst 72,000 euros of income, Senior officers also insist eyewitness testimony. There was smoke coming out euros. a similar proposal to the opposi- that progress is being made Six men were involved, of his body.” Noonan: pledge to raise minimum wage “Personal taxes are too high tion Fianna Fail party. Gulf Times 18 Monday, February 8, 2016 EUROPE Bosnians protest against hijab ban in judiciary

AFP mention hijab - a scarf which Sarajevo covers hair, ears and neck - was strongly condemned by Bosnia’s Muslim political and religious ome 2,000 people, mostly leaders as well as numerous local women, protested yester- Muslim associations. Sday in downtown Sarajevo The protesters marched for against a recent ban on wearing around an hour through the a hijab headscarf in the majority capital’s centre carrying ban- Muslim country’s judicial insti- ners that read “Hijab is my Daily tutions. Choice,” “Hijab is my Right” or “We gathered to protest “Hijab is my Life.” against prejudices, discrimina- “We came here to say that tion and marginalisation,” Sami- we are not the victims of this ra Zunic Velagic, one of the pro- scarf. We came to defend our test organisers, told the crowd. rights. It is our crown, our lib- “The ban of wearing hijab in erty, our honour,” Elisa Hamo- judicial institutions is a serious vac, a 33-year-old stay-at-home attack against Muslim honour, mother, wearing a light blue hi- personality and identity, a viola- jab, told AFP. tion ... aimed at depriving them Muslims make up around 40% of their right to work,” she added. of Bosnia’s population of 3.8mn. The protest was sparked by a The hijab was banned by the recent decision of Bosnia’s high communist authorities while judicial council, a body tasked Bosnia was still part of the former with supervising the functioning Yugoslavia until 1992 when it of the judiciary, to ban “religious proclaimed independence. To- signs” in judicial institutions. day many Muslim women wear The decision which concerns hijab, with some being com- judges and other employees in pletely veiled. However, most are Muslim women demonstrate in Sarajevo yesterday against the ban on the headscarf in the Bosnian judicial institutions. the sector, but does explicitly not veiled. Turkey insists 2 migrant women die from cold in Bulgaria

AFP Over 68,000 braved sea route to Europe this year Sofia won’t ‘abandon Over 68,000 people have crossed the 3bn euros ($3.3bn) to Turkey to improve Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece this conditions for the millions of migrants wo female migrants found dead year, the UN refugee agency said yester- living there. in a mountainous rural region day, one day before German Chancellor However, that country faces a new Tof Bulgaria died due to freezing Angela Merkel was due to travel to wave of migration as violence in neigh- conditions, authorities said yester- Ankara as part of her bid to curb migra- bouring Syria escalates, resulting in thou- day, as asylum seekers continue to try tion to Europe. sands of refugees from Aleppo gathering Syria refugees’ to reach the EU despite harsh winter An estimated 68,023 people travelled at the Turkish border in recent days. weather. from the Turkish coast to Greek islands Meanwhile, strict entry policies at AFP them not to come. If we do, we would Meanwhile, Pope Francis yesterday The women were part of a group from the beginning of 2016 to February Greece’s border to Macedonia have re- Ankara be abandoning them to their deaths.” urged the world community to make of 19 migrants, including 11 children, 6, according to the UN High Commis- sulted in crowds of over 7,000 migrants Turkey’s Oncupinar border cross- every eff ort to revive the Syrian peace found late on Saturday by border police sioner for Refugees. amassing at the Idomeni-Gevgelija ing, which faces the Bab al-Salama talks and appealed for unstinting gen- near the southeastern town of Malko At least 366 people lost their lives railway crossing. Macedonian authori- urkey said yesterday it would frontier post inside Syria, remained erosity for civilians fl eeing the confl ict. Tarnovo. Their nationality was still while attempting the perilous sea jour- ties are only allowing small groups of not abandon thousands of Syr- closed Sunday to thousands of refu- “I appeal to the international com- unclear. ney in a bid to reach Europe. Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan migrants into Tians stranded on its border after gees gathered there for a third day, an munity to spare no eff ort to urgently “Two women have died - one young- Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister the country. fl eeing a major Russian-backed re- AFP reporter said. bring parties back to the negotiating er and another middle-aged. Our bor- Ahmet Davutoglu are to meet today to Smugglers have been enjoying “good gime off ensive, as aid agencies warned They waited desperately for the table,” the pontiff said at his weekly der guards made every eff ort to help discuss the implementation of a multi- business” there, according to local of a “desperate” situation. moment the gate will open, as Turkish Angelus prayer. them, carrying them in their arms to lateral plan to crack down on smuggling off icials, who said that traff ickers tip off Tens of thousands of people, in- aid trucks delivered food inside Syria. “A political solution to the confl ict try to warm them up, but it happened networks and curb migration. migrants to unmanned border points in cluding many women and children, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the only way to guarantee a future because of the cold,” Interior Minister The European Union has pledged exchange for cash. have been uprooted as pro-govern- said on Saturday night that Turkey of reconciliation and peace for this Rumyana Bachvarova told private bTV ment forces backed by intense Russian was ready to open its gates to Syrian dear, suff ering country,” Francis said, television yesterday. anti-rebel air strikes advance near refugees “if necessary”. before asking worshippers in St Pe- The area was under harsh winter condition, a hospital spokesman told have sounded alarms over inadequate Syria’s second city Aleppo. Carrying what few belongings they ter’s Square to join him in reciting the conditions with high winds, some Focus news agency. shelter from the current freezing tem- “Turkey has reached the limit of its still have, Syrians queued in the cold Catholic prayer “Ave Maria” for Syria. 30cm of snow and freezing tempera- This is the second report in Bulgaria peratures and snowy conditions, par- capacity to absorb the refugees,” Dep- and rain in squalid camps near the The Pope also said he was deeply tures. this winter of migrants succumbing to ticularly for children. uty Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus border, waiting for tents being dis- concerned about the plight of civil- A ministry statement said one of the cold, after the frozen bodies of two men In January, almost 62,200 migrants told CNN Turk television. tributed by aid agencies. Others are ians forced to fl ee their homes as victims was a teenager - aged between were found in a mountainous area at and refugees entered Europe through “But in the end, these people have reportedly sleeping in the open, in fi ghting raged. 14 and 16 - and the other was between Bulgaria’s border with Serbia in Janu- Greece, most of them from Syria, Af- nowhere else to go. Either they will fi elds and on roads. “I hope that, thanks to generous 30 and 40 years old. ary. ghanistan and Iraq, the International die beneath the bombings... or we will A Turkish offi cial said the Oncupi- solidarity, there will be the necessary All of the children, aged between As refugees continued to fl ow from Organization for Migration said. Close open our borders.” nar crossing was “open for emergency help to ensure their survival and dig- 4 and 16, were taken to hospital with Greece through the Balkans on their to a third of them were unaccompanied “We are not in a position to tell situations”. nity,” he said. frostbite and two adults were in critical way to western Europe, aid workers minors.

7 arrested in Football fans fulfi l mask pledge to monkey chant victim Koulibaly

Spain over AFP militant links Naples housands of Napoli fans ful- fi lled a pledge yesterday to rac- AFP Tism victim Kalidou Koulibaly Madrid by fi lling the San Paolo stadium with masks of the Senegal defender prior to kick off against Carpi. panish police said yesterday they The latest in a long line of rac- arrested seven people with suspect- ist incidents hit Italian football last Sed links to Al Qaeda and the Islamic week when France-born Senegal in- State groups and uncovered an operation ternational Koulibaly was the victim to smuggle arms to militants under the of monkey chants during a 2-0 win at guise of humanitarian aid. Lazio. The arrests were carried out in the On that occasion, referee Massimil- eastern cities of Valencia and Alicante iano Irrati, in accordance with league and in Spain’s North African enclave of regulations, halted the match for Ceuta, the police said in a statement. nearly four minutes to demand a stop “Five are Spanish nationals of Syrian, to the abuse. Jordanian and Moroccan origin, and two Lazio were later handed a 50,000 are Syrian and Moroccan nationals,” it euros fi ne and will see the Curva Nord said. (North End) of the Stadio Olimpico The arrests were made in the context closed to fans for their next two home of an investigation launched in 2014 into games. “foreign structures” providing logisti- While Irrati’s decision to stop the cal support for Islamic State - also called game was roundly applauded as one of ISIL, ISIS or Daesh - and the Al Nusra the league’s new initiatives to stamp Front, an Al Qaeda affi liate in Syria, po- out racism, Koulibaly showed his dis- lice said. dain for his abusers by off ering his One of those arrested was a man who Napoli shirt to a young Lazio-sup- dispatched “military material, money, porting ball boy. electronic and transmission material, A supporters’ group, ‘Quelli del fi rearms and precursors for making ex- Sangue Azzurro’ (The Blue Blooded plosives” to Syria and Iraq via a company, Ones), later called on Azzurri fans to it said. show their full support for Koiulibaly This was shipped out in closed con- by holding up masks of his face. tainers under the guise of humanitarian And fans replied in their thousands, aid, and fi nanced by “hawala,” an infor- fi lling almost the entire stadium with mal system of payment based on trust masks of the African’s face prior to People hold flyers bearing the face of Napoli’s French defender Kalidou Koulibaly before the Italian Serie A football match at the San Paolo stadium in Naples that is far more diffi cult to trace than bank kick-off against the visiting league yesterday. transfers. strugglers. The leader of the network was in “con- A statement from the group last invitation to Napoli fans is to print a ers in 2001 to show their support for ing team ran out on to the pitch with ers is well documented, with several stant” contact with a member of the Is- week said: “Everyone in Naples is photo of the defender and put it on 18-year-old Nigerian player Schen- their faces blackened as Omolade high profi le players falling victim to lamic State, who repeatedly asked him off ended by what happened to our your face when the teams come on the gun Omolade, who fell victim to his - who had not been informed of the abuse over the years including Ruud to recruit women in order to marry them young star. Because of this, we want pitch.” own club’s notoriously racist ‘Blue players’ plans - sat on the bench as- Gullit, Aaron Winter, Patrick Vieira, off to IS militants in Syria, the statement to show our full support to Koulibaly. The gesture was reminiscent of Army’ supporters’ group. tounded. Paul Ince, Mario Balotelli and Kevin- said. “We are all with you, Kalidou. Our the stance taken by Treviso play- At their next game, Treviso’s start- Italy’s problem with racist support- Prince Boateng. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 19 EUROPE Dutch to probe civilian deaths in Iraq strikes

AFP of the US-led bombing campaign now target eastern Syria “in particu- Amsterdam against IS in Iraq and The Hague lar to stop the IS ‘pipeline’ leading said the expansion into Syria came from Syria into Iraq.” following requests by the US and US air strikes in Iraq began in Au- he Netherlands is probing two France. gust 2014 after IS captured a swathe incidents in which civilians may “The incidents are being investi- of territory in Iraq and Syria in a Thave been killed or injured in air gated by the Defence Ministry and de- lightning off ensive. strikes against the Islamic State group tails will be passed to the Public Pros- Washington and Arab allies broad- in Iraq, the government has said. ecutor’s Offi ce,” said the letter, posted ened the strikes against IS in Syria a “Two incidents in which there may on the Defence Ministry’s website. month later in September 2014, with have been possible civilian casual- “Because of several reasons it’s im- the US also leading moves to build an ties are being investigated in around possible to determine the regrettable international coalition of some 60 1,300 missions carried out by the number civilian deaths as a result of nations against the militants. Netherlands,” The Hague-based coalition operations,” it added. The four Dutch F-16 jet fi ghters government said in a letter to parlia- The Netherlands is participating which have been pounding IS mili- ment late on Saturday. in the Iraq strikes with four F-16 air- tants in Iraq since October 2014 will Citing “operational reasons”, the craft specialising in close air support “remain active until July 1 over the Defence Ministry said neither details of ground operations by Iraqi forces. enlarged zone,” the government said of the incidents nor the probe are be- Late last year in the wake of the last month. ing made public. November Paris attacks, the Dutch Dutch Foreign Minister Bert The probe was prompted by a raft government received a request Koenders has cautioned however that of questions raised by lawmakers in from American and French allies to bombing was not the whole solution parliament on the Netherlands’ role broaden its campaign against the IS in a “complex confl ict” in Syria. in the fi ght against IS after The Hague militant group - also known by the More than 260,000 people have announced last month it would ex- acronym ISIS. been killed in Syria’s confl ict and pand air operations into Syria. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte more than half the population has Dutch F-16 fi ghters have been part said the extended air operations will been displaced. Masqueraded revellers celebrate Carnival Sunday in Cologne yesterday. Nobel medicine board member resigns over Spaniards would prefer 35 sex assault surgeon probe centre-left coalition: poll charges fi led at wedish genetics profes- sor Urban Lendahl has Sresigned from the body Reuters a coalition on Wednesday, a task seen Cologne fi esta which awards the Nobel medi- Madrid as impossible unless several political cine prize over an investigation parties drop some conditions. into controversial surgeon Paolo Sanchez was formally nominated DPA Macchiarini. majority of Spaniards favour to try to replace the centre-right Cologne Lendahl resigned on Saturday a coalition government led People’s Party (PP), which won most as secretary general of the Nobel Aby the Socialist party PSOE votes in the election but acting Prime Assembly, an independent body and market-friendly newcomer Ciu- Minister Mariano Rajoy deferred a ologne’s annual street carnival has so of 50 professors from the Karo- dadanos, according to a poll pub- parliamentary confi dence vote on far been relatively peaceful, police in the linska Institute which awards lished yesterday by El Pais news- a new government as he lacked the Cwestern German city said, despite hav- the Nobel Prize in Physiology or paper as Spain’s political deadlock support to win it. ing logged over 400 complaints by yesterday. Medicine. continues. Given the fragmentation of par- The complaints received over the course of He also chose to resign as a Spain has yet to form a govern- liament, the Socialists would need weekend celebrations were mainly regarding member of the board of the No- ment seven weeks after an incon- the backing of at least three parties pickpocketing and scuffl es, although 35 cases bel Foundation, which manages clusive Dec. 20 election in which no to achieve a simple majority of seats involve allegations of sexual assault. the Nobel assets, ahead of an in- party won enough votes to govern. while several others would have to Police presence has been bolstered for the vestigation into the Karolinska Newer parties, particularly the an- abstain. fi ve-day programme of street parties and pa- Institute’s recruitment of Mac- ti-austerity Podemos and the lib- Sanchez, who has said he needs at rades after crowds of men allegedly robbed and chiarini. eral Ciudadanos, grabbed votes from least a month before seeking a con- sexually assaulted in the city centre on New Lendahl has not himself been mainstream rivals. fi dence vote in parliament, has ap- Year’s Eve. accused of wrongdoing. A coalition led by the Spanish So- pointed a six-strong team to handle Although police said that this year’s carni- “As Professor Lendahl antici- cialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the negotiations. val had so far been more peaceful than in 2015, pates that he may be involved in Ciudadanos is supported by 51% of The failure to reach a coalition so they were unable to give comparative fi gures this investigation, he has re- Spaniards according to the poll of far raises the prospect of a new round for that timeframe as no such crime report was signed from his position as Sec- 1,000 people, carried out shortly of elections later this year. However, compiled that year. retary General out of respect for after Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez a new election would likely deliver On average, around 50 allegations of sexual the integrity of the Nobel Prize was given a mandate by the king last the same political deadlock. assault are placed each year over the course of work,” Rune Toftgard, chairman Tuesday to try to form a government. Sunday’s survey, carried out by the festivities, during which revellers dress in of the Nobel Assembly, said in a All other possible coalitions re- pollsters Metroscopia, showed the outlandish costumes and parties run late into statement. ceived an approval rating of less than four political parties - PP, PSOE, the night. Macchiarini, a visiting profes- 50%, the survey showed. Ciudadanos and Podemos - running The celebrations culminate today in a grand Members of rival teams fight with oranges during an annual carnival ‘battle’ sor at Karolinska, rose to fame for The Socialists started talks to form very close in approval ratings. parade on so-called Rose Monday. However, in the northern Italian town of Ivrea. Dressed as Middle Age kings’ guards, carrying out the fi rst synthetic the event has been scaled down this year due a group of men ride in a horse-drawn carriage and pelt ‘foot soldiers’ with organ transplant in 2011. to stormy weather forecasts and the 500 hors- oranges as thousands of people watch the re-enactment of a Middle Age The surgeon performed ex- Berlin senator slams ‘left-wing mob’ after rampage es traditionally seen in the procession will not battle when the townsfolk of Ivrea overthrew an evil king. Instead of swords perimental transplants involv- take part. and cross bows, these days the weapon of choice are oranges. ing plastic windpipes coated A Berlin senator said the city’s streets was made up of 50-100 people. with the patient’s stem cells would not be handed over to “the left- No injuries were reported and no and has been accused by sev- wing mob,” after dozens of cars were arrests made. A team of investigators eral colleagues of overstating vandalised and windows smashed over specialising in politically motivated the effectiveness of the proce- the weekend. Interior Senator for Ber- crimes is looking into the damage. dures. lin, Frank Henkel, yesterday slammed Tensions between the Berlin Two of the three patients he the hooded rioters’ “terrorist actions” authorities and the city’s left-wing operated on in Stockholm died, and said that photos show “that anarchist scene have spiked since and a third has been hospitalised left-wing anarchists only care about January 13, when police squads raided for more than three years. destruction and have no respect for the an occupied building in the Freidrich- An external investigation by property of their fellow citizens.” shain neighbourhood. the Karolinska Institute Univer- On Friday night, about 20 to 40 peo- On Saturday evening, 4,000 people sity Board is looking into the hir- ple cycled through the city, wrecking protested in the area against gentrifica- ing and work of Macchiarini. 28 cars and smashing several windows. tion and campaigned for squatters’ Last week, the Stockholm- From Saturday night to early yesterday, rights. A police spokesman said that the based institute announced Mac- masked hooligans trashed 20 cars in a event was peaceful, although some dem- chiarini would not have his con- second wave of vandalism in the Ger- onstrators threw bottles and firecrackers tract extended and his lab would man capital. Witnesses said the gang from a formerly occupied house. be closed.

France restricts transfusions over Zika transmission fears

Reuters through mosquito bites. However, sands of babies being born with mi- Paris Brazil in the last week announced two crocephaly. This is a condition where cases of transmission through blood infants have abnormally small heads transfusions from infected donors. and often have underdeveloped ravellers coming back from “Someone who comes from a zone brains. any outbreak zones of the Zika where there is Zika cannot give blood There is no vaccine or treatment Tvirus will need to wait at least for 28 days,” Touraine said in an in- for the virus. 28 days before giving blood to avoid terview with Europe 1 radio, news Eighteen cases have been reported any risk of transmission, French channel iTele and Le Monday daily. in travellers in France, Touraine said. Health Minister Marisol Touraine She also advised pregnant women The mainland part of the country said yesterday. to inform the authorities if they had has been spared by the virus, but it Zika, which is rapidly spreading travelled to any of the zones. has hit some of its overseas territo- through the Americas and has been Zika has been reported in more ries such as the Caribbean islands declared a global health emergency than 30 countries since it fi rst ap- of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and by the World Health Organisation peared in the Americas last year, French Guyana which neighbours Carnival revellers dressed as ‘Peliqueiros’ run along a street in Spain’s northwestern village of Laza. ‘Peliqueiros’, or ancient tax (WHO), is primarily transmitted where it has been linked to thou- Brazil. collectors, pursued villagers through the streets ringing their cowbells and hitting villagers with their sticks. Gulf Times 20 Monday, February 8, 2016 INDIA

Tamil Nadu Roundup Traditional coir industry embracing modernisation IANS Kerala’s Revenue and Coir For decades, producing fi bre “At one time, the workers “Productivity has shot up be- year at Adoor, about 80km from By Umaima Shafiq Alleppey Minister Adoor Prakash explains from coconut husks was a tedi- didn’t appreciate mechanisa- cause of mechanisation. Now, in Alleppey. The earlier machines why. ous process. The husks would tion,” G N Nair, managing direc- an eight-hour shift, we produce were imported. “This is a traditional industry be kept in water for six months, tor of the state-run Kerala State 1,200 sq km of fi bre per shift. Minister Prakash said the Murder, bank ne of India’s oldest in- but the new generation is not and they would emit a foul smell. Coir Corp Ltd, said at the venue When output is more, we can sell Kerala government’s intention loot mystery dustries is steadily em- taking to it precisely because of Workers would fi nally get into of the sixth edition of Coir Kerala more. Income is more. Naturally, was to spread the mechanisa- Obracing modern machin- the traditional methods used in this stench to extract the husks - 2016 here. wages also go up.” tion process across the length solved with ery, and the men presiding over the industry,” the minister said. and fi bre. “There was a lot of opposi- When Nair took charge of and breadth of the state where the future of coir making say “We have no option but to go For all this back-breaking tion to the introduction of ma- the Kerala State Coir Corp Ltd coir making is the biggest cottage arrest of worker there is absolutely no other way for mechanisation to rectify this work, the wages they got was a chines. This was akin to the way in January 2012, it was earning industry. out. situation.” pittance - as little as 70 paise a computers were fi rst received by Rs570mn. This had doubled to “We are helping all the co- Police arrested four people for And for a state where trade Kerala’s coir is considered one day. people who feared they may lose Rs1.2bn in 2014-15, a period co- operative societies to mecha- allegedly murdering an employee unions have often been accused of the fi nest in the world, and This is when Kerala decided their jobs,” Nair explained. inciding with growing mechani- nise,” he said, adding that Kerala and looting an agricultural of derailing industry, workers’ its products enjoy global appre- to deploy machines to do a bet- “But work now has become sation. wanted to increase its share of co-operative bank at Venmani collectives in this hub of Kerala’s ciation and demand. It employs ter job. Although the process easy, more humane, more de- To produce machines within coir production vis-a-vis two village in coastal Nagapattinam coir appear to be at home with some 350,000 people in the or- began some time back, the pace cent. Our machines are also used the country for the industry, other states which too play a role district. the steady pace of modernisa- ganised and many more in the un- has quickened in the past few to twist and twist the fi bre to the Kerala State Coir Machine in the industry: Tamil Nadu and The masked gang entered the tion. organised sector across the state. years. make fi ne yarn. Manufacturing Co came up last Karnataka. bank at closing time when only two employees, Kamaraj and Ganapathy were present. They killed Kamaraj, opened the vault Cylinder blast causes fire and looted Rs20mn worth of jewels and Rs200,000 cash. They also tied up Ganapathy before escaping. However police became suspicious on finding discarded ‘Candidates’ surgical gloves at the crime scene and Ganapathy’s contradictory statements. On interrogation, he confessed he had plotted with his wife and another couple to loot the bank for ‘quick’ money. hit campaign The jewels and cash were recovered from the septic tank of Ganapathy’s house. Drunk men drive on wrong side, trail early fatally knocks down bike rider

In a midnight accident, two Erode-based leather businessmen driving a luxury Audi car fatally in Kerala knocked down a hotel employee returning home on his motorcycle BJP seeks to cash in on Muraleedharan starts his work at Spencer’s Plaza junction on credibility crisis in Congress, at 6.30am and continues to be Anna Salai in Chennai. Later police CPM there till late in the evening, con- found that the men were drunk centrating on house visits. and were driving on the wrong By Ashraf Padanna “I see a shift in our favour eve- side of the road. Gulf Times Correspondent rywhere,” he said. Kevin Raj’s body was trapped in Thiruvananthapuram Congress vice-president Rahul the iron rails of a nearby metro Gandhi is arriving in the city to- rail project. Meanwhile the morrow to address a party rally, businessmen Mohamed Shafi, ith authorities ex- marking the culmination of a 31 and Mohamed Farook, 39, pected to announce the statewide journey undertaken by continued driving and hit a van Wdates for elections in its state president V M Sudheeran but had to stop as their car’s air fi ve states in a month, potential Wahid to keep the party machinery well bags deployed and trapped them candidates in at least one con- oiled. in. stituency in Kerala have started a Top leaders, including Prime The van driver sustained minor door-to-door campaign. Minister Narendra Modi, are ex- injuries and passersby alerted Three candidates, including pected to descend on the poll- police. sitting legislator M A Wahid of bound state in the coming weeks. Investigations are underway. the Congress Party, are visiting Rajagopal is likely to contest homes of voters in the Kazhakk- from Thiruvananthapuram while oottam, which is expected to wit- BJP state president Kummanam Temple town gets ness a fi erce three-corner contest Rajasekharan is expected to seek ready to receive this time. election from Nemam. This is one of the four assembly Vattiyoorkavu is another BJP 4.5mn devotees segments where Bharatiya Janata target for opening its account in Party veteran O Rajagopal estab- the assembly. It is the principal The Tamil Nadu government lished a lead over his Congress Surendran opposition in the Thiruvanan- is spending about Rs133bn to rival Shashi Tharoor in the 2014 thapuram Municipal Corporation. spruce up the temple town of parliamentary elections. It hopes to win at least 15 seats in Kumbakonam where nearly “My party had asked me to pre- the 140-member assembly. 4.5mn devotees are expected to pare for the elections, and I have Rajasekharan says his party is gather for the February 22 ‘holy’ started my work,” said Wahid. contesting this time to “win and dip in the Mahamagam water tank He will be seeking re-election rule the state”. about 120km from Tiruchi. for the fourth time in a row. The He expects the major fronts to The roads are being re-laid, fi rst time he won as a rebel can- crack if voters give a fractured ver- temples are being renovated, didate against fi lm director M A dict. In such a scenario, smaller water supply is being regulated to Nishad fi elded by key Congress parties could switch sides and join all parts of the town and electricity ally Indian Union Muslim League hands to form a new coalition. and power grids are being in 2001. In the 2011 assembly elections, refurbished. The government has He re-joined the Congress and the BJP could muster only 6.06% also deployed extra buses and continued his winning streak in Rajashekaran votes, which went up to 10.33 in trains and cleared out space for the next two elections. the parliamentary elections three parking lots. His predecessor Kadakampally Surendran won the seat in 1996 years later. Besides this, medical, fire and Surendran, the Communist Party by a huge margin of 24,057 votes The party has been aggres- other emergency services and of India (Marxist) district secre- defeating IUML’s E A Rasheed. sively wooing backward Hindu extra police have been arranged tary, will be pitted against Wahid However, the surprise per- caste groups, including Ezhavas in the town. again, after a gap of ten years since formance of Rajagopal in the and Dalits, who constitute around he lost to the lawyer-politician by parliament elections could send 40% of the state’s voters and con- a whisker of 215 votes. shivers down the spine for both sidered to be the backbone of the Young singer “I visit at least 15 houses a day, the principal players. CPM. and composer and that’s part of my routine,” BJP’s former president V Mu- They hope to change the politi- said Surendran, who refuses to raleedharan landed in the con- cal landscape forever if this “so- Shan Johnson dead deny or confi rm his candidature. stituency after a brainstorming cial engineering” works, which The CPM has vowed capture session in Kochi last week with many believe is farfetched, and Up and coming singer and A fire breaks out at a shop-cum-residential complex after cylinder blast at Vikhroli in Mumbai. the reins of the state, its last bas- party president Amit Shah, who also cashing in on the credibility composer Shan Johnson, 31, was At least three members of a family died in the tragedy on Saturday. tion after the northeastern state addressed a massive rally in Kot- crisis in the Congress and CPM found dead at her apartment at of Tripura. tayam, kicking off its campaign. rivals. Kodambakkam in Chennai last week. Police suspect that she suff ered a cardiac arrest. Shan was the Book fair daughter of late Malayalam music director Johnson and was working Kapu leader, wife continue as a marketing executive at a shopping mall. She was a trained Carnatic and Western musician who has composed music for hunger strike on quota issue several devotional albums and some films. IANS tendent of Police Ravi Prakash community in education and She was a member of the band Visakhapatnam along with a team of doctors jobs. They are also seeking Rs- The Sound Bulb. Her memorable reached Mudragada’s house yes- 19bn for a Kapu corporation. songs include Ravumaayave for terday, the couple sent them back. Chief Minister N Chandrab- the Malayalam film Vettah. apu leader Mudragada The offi cers made a similar at- abu Naidu earlier appealed to Her funeral was held in Thrissur Padmanabham and his tempt on Saturday night as well. Mudragada to call off his fast in Kerala. Kwife continued their in- The Kapu leader said there and promised that the Andhra defi nite hunger strike for the was no need for check-up since Pradesh government was com- third day yesterday in support of the couple had decided to dedi- mitted to fulfi lling its promise to Factory fire the demand for reservation for cate their lives for the commu- include the Kapus in the BC list. injures two the community in education and nity’s cause. He also accused The government has said a jobs in Andhra Pradesh. police of preventing people from commission will make a detailed Two men were injured in a fire at The former minister and his visiting his house. study of the socio-economic a phosphorus manufacturing unit wife Padmavati have been fast- Meanwhile, police and para- status of the Kapus and recom- in the industrial town of Sivakasi in ing at their house at Kirlampudi military forces were deployed mend the quantum of reserva- Virudhunagar district about 45km in East Godavari district since near the house amid indications tion to be provided. from the temple city of Madurai Friday. The couple locked them- that the fasting couple may be Meanwhile, popular actor and last week. selves up and refused to undergo forcibly shifted to a hospital. Jana Sena founder Pawan Kalyan Police suspect that combustion of a medical check-up. They are demanding inclusion urged the Andhra Pradesh gov- explosives in the factory caused Though Joint Collector Saty- of the Kapus in a list of backward ernment to hold direct talks with Visitors throng a book fair in Kolkata yesterday. the fire. anarayana and district Superin- classes and reservation for the the couple. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 21 INDIA Mobile kitchens upgrade street food in Kerala

IANS roads in cities across the state. Syed Mohamed claims to have tank that’s fi xed at the bottom. side up) are the most sought af- said John Thomas, a college stu- the curries are all prepared at Thiruvananthapuram There are more than 150 such pioneered the transformation in All the water that my clients use ter ones. dent in Kottayam. our home kitchen. We use envi- mobile kitchens which do busi- Kerala. As dusk falls, his mobile to wash their hands is collected The curries on off er include Illustratively, four pieces of ronmentally-friendly material, ness till 11pm in the state with kitchen arrives in front of a lead- in the tank. At the end of the day, various varieties of beef and chicken fry and a couple of rotis which include plantain leaves or a while now, street food most concentrating in the 14 ing foreign bank, situated a stone’s we empty the water on my land,” chicken and also vegetable dishes. would cost Rs70. An egg curry (placed on steel plates), paper has been passé in most district headquarters of Kerala. throw from the Kerala governor’s Mohamed said. “I am a regular at this place as with rotis would be Rs30. cups for water and also paper Fmiddle-class and upper These mobile kitchens are residence in this capital city. The mobile vans have an ex- I have found it very tasty, besides Sreekumar, a parotta maker at plates. We also provide mineral middle-class households in Ker- modifi ed vehicles, mostly Tem- “This is my 14th year. This tended menu and it includes being reasonably priced. If the a mobile kitchen in Kochi, said water,” Sreekumar said. ala. But lately, it’s making its way po Travellers, from which all the vehicle which I use is modifi ed mostly traditional dishes like very same dish that I have from they start around 7pm and serve “The waste is also collected back on to their dining tables. seats are removed and it’s just and we have a state-of-the-art the popular thattu dosa (the here is eaten at a hotel in the city, curries and other items. and we use it in our biogas plant.” One reason is the way street the driver’s section that remains kitchen behind the driver’s cab- smaller version of the regular I have to pay a minimum of 30% “Once we are here on the road, The Food and Safety Commis- food has undergone a transfor- from the original. in. It has been beautifully done one), chapaties, parottas, idi- more. What I understand is that we start working on the parot- sioner is the watchdog for these mation and the latest fad is the While the concept has been up using diff erent materials to appom and appom. Some even these mobile vans have very little tas and make the dosas. All the mobile kitchens. Its chief, T V An- mobile kitchens that appear around in other parts of the keep it very neat and clean. We off er fried rice, while omelettes overheads and what they save on fries (chicken and beef) are done upama said the mobile kitchens when dusk sets in on the main country, notably in north India, have made a makeshift water and bull’s-eye (fried eggs, sunny is passed on to people like me,” inside the mobile kitchen, while are classifi ed as street vendors. Liability pact Safe road campaign removes major irritant in Indo-US ties

IANS ing to get India a waiver from Washington the 48-nation Nuclear Supplier Group to do nuclear business with other countries, it had been ndia’s ratifi cation of an in- left high and dry. ternational convention on Finally, it was during Presi- Inuclear energy accident li- dent Barack Obama’s historic ability has removed a major ir- visit to New Delhi last year as ritant in India-US relations and chief guest at India’s Republic would help them unleash the full Day that he and Modi reached potential of a landmark nuclear what was described as a “break- deal. through understanding” to allay The US was quick to welcome US concerns about industry li- the development removing the ability. last hurdle in the way of Ameri- The understanding sought to can fi rms to build nuclear plants resolve India’s concerns about in India and generate an esti- inspections and US concerns Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and founder chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare Azad Moopen walk on the zebra crossing with school children mated $100bn in business seven about liability for a nuclear ac- at the launch of Aster Safe Roads campaign in New Delhi yesterday. years after the deal was signed cident with Washington saying with much fanfare. India’s laws and regulations do A deal between Toshiba Corp’s not meet international standards. Westinghouse Electric to build On the fi rst, with India agree- six nuclear reactors in Gujarat ing on ‘administrative arrange- may well be signed in time for a ments’ providing for tighter possible visit by Prime Minister checks by the International Narendra Modi to Washington to Atomic Energy Agency, Wash- attend the March 31- April 1 nu- ington dropped its insistence on clear security summit. ‘fl agging’, or tracking, fuel con- Westinghouse is reported to signments. No troop pullout from be negotiating with the state- On the issue of liability, the run operator Nuclear Power understanding endorsed the Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) with principle of strict liability, which the hope of making a “com- ‘channels’ costs arising from a mercially signifi cant announce- nuclear accident to the plant op- ment” during Modi’s expected erator and requires it to pay no- US visit and sign a fi nal contract fault compensation. Siachen, says Parrikar later in the year. To address another issue Another US company GE Hi- posed by India’s 2010 nuclear Death of 10 soldiers painful, analysis,” he said, referring to ends. It’s an avalanche... These Meanwhile, Parrikar said new levels due to global warming. tachi is said to be in talks about liability law that allows a plant says defence minister demands that Indian soldiers be are unpredictable in nature.” ways and better mechanism “Oceans have always directly the techno-commercial viability operator to seek secondary re- withdrawn from the glacier. Parrikar said the search op- need to be evolved to resolve or indirectly infl uenced events of its reactors at sites in Andhra course against a supplier, an IANS Asked if the proposal to eration was continuing though peacefully disputes related to on land. At present too, besides Pradesh. India Nuclear Insurance Pool Visakhapatnam convert Siachen into a “peace there was little hope of survival the seas. power projection, oceans are American fi rms had been al- (INIP) with a liability cap of Rs- mountain” still exists, the min- of the soldiers. “In the changing economic increasingly being looked upon located sites in the two states 15bn ($222mn) was launched in ister said: “The decision (on “The hope of any survival is situation, the scenario of fi nd- as resource provider,” he said. under the nuclear deal signed June 2015. efence Minister Mano- deploying troops) on Siachen is nil. They are covered in tonnes ing more and more resources in The conference is being held in October 2008 after the then Now with India agreeing to har Parrikar yesterday based on the security of the na- of ice,” he said. deep seas is changing. Original on the sidelines of the Inter- prime minister Manmohan ratify the IAEA Convention on Dtermed the recent death tion.” Former prime minister Man- laws and treaties may not be national Fleet Review that has Singh staked his government Supplementary Compensation of 10 soldiers in an avalanche on He said the loss of human mohan Singh suggested in 2005 of much use... we need to fi nd seen the participation of 50 na- over it. for Nuclear Damage (CSC), it the Siachen glacier as “painful”, lives on the Siachen had come that the world’s highest battle- ways to resolve disputes more vies from across the world. However, the two US compa- would also gain access to inter- but said withdrawing troops down in recent years due to im- fi eld be converted into a “peace peacefully,” Parrikar said in his The minister also pointed out nies were reluctant to go ahead national funds with risk shared from the world’s highest bat- proved facilities. mountain” without redrawing keynote address at the Maritime to the growing security chal- in the face of India’s tough 2010 according to how many nuclear tlefi eld could not be a solution. “We have lost thousands of the boundaries between India Conference. lenges at sea. nuclear liability law that made plants a country has. The soldiers were buried soldiers to get control (of the gla- and Pakistan. “...more land will go under “Our strategic environ- the suppliers of nuclear plants The February 4 submission of on Wednesday after an ava- cier)... The loss of life is less in the The two countries maintain water and better mechanism ment continues to pose wide liable for damage in the event of the instrument of ratifi cation to lanche hit their post located at last few years,” he told reporters permanent military presence at is (thus) needed to resolve challenges... blurring of lines an accident. IAEA in Vienna, according to In- 19,000ft on the southern side of on the sidelines of an Interna- heights of over 20,000ft. Both confl icts,” Parrikar said while between traditional and non- Though the deal otherwise dian offi cials “is the conclusive the glacier. tional Maritime Conference here. have lost many men to extreme pointing out that the impor- traditional threats remains a transformed India-US rela- step in the addressing of issues “This incident is painful to He said the incident had cold in the area where tempera- tance of oceans will increase in concern,” he said, adding that tions, Washington was sore that related to civil nuclear liability me personally, but the solution nothing to do with prepared- ture can dip to minus 50 degrees future as land availability will the conference should deliber- while it had done the heavy lift- in India.” that is suggested is not a proper ness. “I don’t fi nd any loose Celsius. shrink due to a rise in water ate on all these issues. Cold is gold for tourism industry

IANS “Be it paragliding, trekking or MyTrip.com, India’s leading Most demand has been for New Delhi bungee jumping, I do it all. My online travel company: “Winter Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and wife and friends are game for it. tourism as a concept has picked Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttara- Winter certainly is the best time up in India. With the growing khand and Uttar Pradesh. icro light fl ying in for such adventures.” popularity of adventure tour- Those going abroad prefer Mysuru, heli-skiing in Winter travellers are by no ism in India, winter snow sports Dubai, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the MAuli, scuba diving on means rare species any more. have become a hot tourist at- Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Netrani Island, dune bashing in More Indians are fi nding win- traction. Gulmarg (in Kashmir) is Singapore and other aff ordable Jaisalmer, zip lining at Neemrana ter travel exciting. That is perhaps considered one of the best skiing destinations. Fort, spelunking in Meghalaya, the reason why men and women, destinations in the world.” Hari Nair, founder and CEO of bungee jumping in Rishikesh... with children in tow, make a bee- Yatra.com off ers special pack- Holiday IQ, said that Thailand, All this and more! The harsh line for the Himalayan spots for ages like “Alluring Gangtok” Malaysia and Singapore were winter is no more an impedi- a glimpse of the fi rst snowfall, or (starting from Rs10,650) to among the popular international ment to a great holiday. just to brave the chill. “Manali Super Saver” (starting destinations for Indians in winter. Tourism industry comes alive The travel industry is exploit- from Rs5,999) and “Hilly Es- Indians on average spent in winters, off ering a wide range ing the season with attractive capades in Himachal” (starting Rs82,000 in 2014. This rose to of adventure activities for those packages. from Rs10,900) to woo travellers. Rs100,000 in 2015, said Nair, who do not shy away from ex- “A winter break has become The Associated Chambers of adding that the average trip perimenting. almost as mandatory for Indians Commerce and Industry (Asso- length of an international des- Film editor Sandeep Singh as vacationing in the summer. cham) acknowledges that winter tination has gone up by 14 days. fi nds snow-capped landscape In fact, Indians have started ex- is the best season for the tourism Adventure travel is the biggest and cold winds exhilarating. For ploring not only domestic but industry’s growth. attraction among couples. this travel junkie, winter is best also international destinations Assocham secretary general D Nair said 52% of adventure suited to pack bags and set off to during the shorter winter break,” S Rawat said winters were ideally travel business goes to couple- a new destination. Sharat Dhall, president of Yatra. the best season across India. travellers. Families comprise 21% “I love travelling during the com said. According to Assocham esti- and only 9% are single tourists. winter. I take off to the moun- The popular travel portal mates, over 1.5mn domestic and He said the top 10 winter ac- tains. The biting cold seems to claimed that its bookings were foreign travellers would have tivities included trekking, wild- open up all my senses and makes 132% higher than the previous visited tourist attractions across life safaris, paragliding, skiing, them sharper,” Singh, an avid year in the winter season. India in the winter (December- rock climbing, jet skiing, river Tourists enjoy a spell of snowfall on the Ridge road in the heart of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh traveller, said. Added Ranjeet Oak of Make- February). rafting and surfi ng. yesterday. Shimla and its nearby tourist spots received a spell of snow yesterday after a long dry weather. Gulf Times 22 Monday, February 8, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

CITYSCAPE TRAGEDY CRACKDOWN OFFBEAT POLITICS Two dead in oil rig El Salvador ex-soldiers Breathalyzer tests for Haiti gets transitional fire off Mexico coast held for priest killings town hall meetings government

Two workers were killed and at least seven injured El Salvador said it had detained four former Town hall meetings at a village in Brazil turned Haiti President Michel Martelly and leaders of yesterday in an oil platform fire off the coast of soldiers accused of killing six priests during the into drunken brawls so often that the mayor both chambers of the National Assembly have Mexico, state petrol company Pemex said. The country’s civil war, and would keep searching for has resorted to breathalyser tests before the agreed on how to govern the country after blaze broke out in a “compression area” on the rig 12 other suspects who remain at large. In January, councillors can take their seats. The sessions in Martelly’s term ended yesterday with no elected located off the southeastern state of Campeche the government said it would help arrest former Pianco in northeast Brazil’s Paraiba state had successor. Under the plan, Prime Minister Evans in the Gulf of Mexico, Pemex reported on Twitter. soldiers linked to the 1989 killings after a Spanish become so notorious the town council is known Paul will run the country until a provisional It said nine injured workers were airlifted away judge sent a new petition for the soldiers’ arrest among locals as “the dog pound” because of president is chosen by the National Assembly. for medical treatment and added later that two to the international police agency Interpol. The all the fighting, news reports said. Mayor Pedro That interim president will then oversee the workers died. The fire was brought under control four were captured in a Friday night operation. Aureliano da Silva imposed the breathalyzer selection of a consensus prime minister whose and the platform did not need to be evacuated, Another member of the group is facing extradition tests late last year and since then the municipal primary job will be to organise the postponed Pemex added. Two Pemex installations in the to Spain from the US. Prosecutors say Salvadoran sessions have in fact become much calmer. One legislative and presidential runoff elections same area suff ered explosions last year, one of soldiers shot the priests at their home to silence city councillor, Antonio Azevedo Xavier, had a within 120 days. The plan is for the second A bicycle taxi passes by a parked vintage which killed four people. Pemex is a key source of their criticism of rights abuses committed by the bottle of whiskey fall from his coat pocket during round of voting to take place April 24. The new American car in Havana, Cuba. income for Mexico’s government. US-backed army during the 1980-1992 civil war. one session, but was not in the least embarrassed. president is to be installed on May 14.

Ex-mafi a Macri wins praise killer gets Church accused another chance at of bending freedom

Tribune News Service marriage rules Los Angeles

convicted killer and former shot-caller for Athe Mexican mafi a who developed an unusually close re- for Pena Nieto lationship with law enforcement was again granted parole, a year Guardian News and Media ited “defects of canonical form”. Rivera marriage. It cited Rivera after the governor rejected his Mexico City But the newly revealed church and three witnesses - all her sis- previous bid for freedom. documents cast doubt on the ters - who claimed they did not During a hearing before a archdiocese’s story that an im- “understand” they were signing California parole board, Rene he Catholic church in proper wedding ceremony was a church marriage certifi cate at “Boxer” Enriquez spoke for more Mexico has been accused suffi cient grounds to annul the the ceremony in Mexico City. than three hours as he made his Tof bending its own rules on marriage. A spokesman for the arch- case for release, insisting he had marriage to allow Enrique Pena A copy of Castro and Rivera’s diocese of Mexico City, Father changed and promising that he Nieto to enhance his image ahead Catholic marriage certifi cate ap- Hugo Valdemar, denied there had stopped drugs and had gone of his successful run for president. pears to show a proper church had been any irregularities and through several self-help courses. Documents obtained by in- ceremony took place in a Mexico told the Guardian the annulment He pointed to his extensive vestigative reporters appear to City parish on December 2, 2004 “followed the proper process”. collaboration with law enforce- show that the church hierarchy - before the Acapulco beach He added that the original mar- ment, which began more than a fast-tracked a marriage annul- service and in contradiction of riage in the Mexico City parish decade ago when he left the no- ment for the actor Angelica Riv- archdiocesan claims. was celebrated with the inten- torious prison gang. era, who became Pena Nieto’s Annulments are available to tion that it would be repeated in The adult children of one wife 19 months before he was all Catholics, though the proc- Acapulco by a priest lacking the of Enriquez’s murder victims elected president. ess is cumbersome and can take proper permission to perform it. begged the board to keep their The claims of ecclesiastical years to complete, according to Valdemar also denied any po- mother’s killer behind bars. Af- irregularities come days before a priest consulted by the Guard- litical motives for granting the ter the decision was announced, Pope Francis makes a six-day trip ian. That is especially true for annulment. Cynthia Gavaldon’s children to Mexico , in which he is expect- those lacking the cash or con- Salinas died of cancer in Oc- said they felt “defeated.” ed to address touchy topics such nections to people in prominent tober 2015. In 2012, a Vatican tri- After just under 30 minutes as corruption, inequality and in- positions. Pope Francis has only bunal known as the Roman Rota of deliberation, the two-person security - matters on which the recently attempted to make an- absolved him of any ecclesiasti- parole panel announced its deci- Mexican government has mostly nulments more accessible. cal wrongdoing in Rivera’s mar- sion. Commissioner John Peck stayed silent under Pena Nieto. “Working class Mexicans riage. A letter to the Vatican in acknowledged that Enriquez’s Reporters with the news would almost never be able to get 2009 by Father Enrique Gonzalez crimes were “horrifi c” but said weekly Proceso and online news an annulment,” said Father Rob- Torres, the prominent former they believed Enriquez had organisation Aristegui Noticias ert Coogan, an American priest rector of the Jesuit-run Universi- changed since dropping out of obtained the documents , which in the city of Saltillo. dad Iberoamericana, condemned the gang. Rehabilitation classes were shared with the Guardian. Documents show the archdio- the archdiocesan actions against have helped reduce the threat Pena Nieto’s fi rst wife, Monica cese of Mexico City vigorously Salinas as “full of irregularities”. Enriquez posed to the commu- Pretelini, died in January 2007 pursued a priest popular with “It is very sad that to indulge nity, Peck said. He had “solid after suff ering an epileptic sei- telenovela actors, Father Jose a lady, who wishes to marry parole plans and a signifi cant zure. His subsequent romance Luis Salinas Aran- da, who the governor of Mexico state, amount of support,” Peck said. with Rivera, who had been hired presided at the Enrique Pena Nieto, in a The commissioner also noted as the public face of Mexico state, Acapulco cere- church wedding, a travesty the “volumes of support letters” where Pena Nieto was governor, mony - which he of justice is committed,” Enriquez had received. produced a steady stream of puff described as González Torres wrote in a “We believe you have insight pieces and cover stories in the a repetition December 18, 2009, let- into your behaviours ... and how country’s gossip magazines. of vows. ter defending Salinas. you can avoid those behaviors in Rivera, a popular soap opera One The letter was sent the future,” he told Enriquez. star, was married to TV producer archdioc- two days after Pena Ni- The second commissioner, Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri takes part in a carnival celebration in the Argentine Jose Alberto Castro from 2004 to esan doc- eto went to the Vatican Nga Lam, said she felt Enriquez northern town of Purmamarca. Investors praised the speed with which Macri made a 2008. They have three daughters ument with bishops from his had addressed the concerns the cash off er to holders of defaulted bonds aimed at ending a long and bitter dispute that together, including two who were proposes home state. In an au- governor outlined last year when has strangled government finances. A financial markets pariah since defaulting on a born out of wedlock. The archdio- punishing dience with Pope Ben- rejecting his parole. “I wish you record $100bn in 2002, Argentina proposed on Friday a $6.5bn payment to settle the cese of Mexico City annulled their Salinas edict XVI, he introduced luck,” she said. legal battle and said two of the leading six “holdouts” in the case had already accepted marriage in May 2009, noting for “ir- the pope to Rivera and “Thank you all so much,” En- the discounted terms. that the ceremony had taken place regularities” made their marriage plans riquez said. on a beach in Acapulco and exhib- in the Castro- public for the fi rst time. Rousseff urges Brazilians Virus threat hits to join fi ght against Zika tourist arrivals: poll AFP “I am actively trying to get Brasilia pregnant with my husband, so ‘It needs the engagement of address that was broadcast on this week, putting Zika in the I am a little bit concerned,” said everybody,’ president tells all of the main TV and radio same category of urgency as Erica, a respondent who said she nation in televised address, channels. Ebola. he rapidly spreading Zika was bitten by a mosquito during urging individuals to check “We can’t admit defeat. The Rousseff said US President virus is discouraging a January trip to the US Virgin water tanks, vases, pools victory depends on our deter- Barack Obama had agreed that Tmany Americans from Islands, where Zika has been re- and gutters mination to destroy the breed- American scientists would travelling to Latin America and ported. ing grounds.” collaborate in an international the Caribbean, with 41% of The US Centers for Disease Guardian News and Media attempt to develop a vaccine, those aware of the disease saying Control and Prevention (CDC) Brasilia “This is a struggle to but until that was achieved, they are less likely to take such a has advised pregnant women to protect our families, a she said, the most eff ective trip, a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows. avoid travel to areas with an ac- struggle that should unite course of action was to target The poll is the latest sign the tive outbreak of Zika, and the resident Dilma Rousseff all of us” the insects that transmit the virus, suspected to be linked to World Health Organisation has has called on all Brazil- virus. thousands of birth defects in declared an international emer- Pians to join a “mega-op- Her message underscored “The war against the breed- Brazil, could depress travel to gency over the disease. eration” against the Zika virus growing domestic and inter- ing sites is complex because popular cold-weather getaways Erica said she no longer plans later this month that will at- national concern about a virus they can be found everywhere in the coming months. to visit Jamaica this summer to tempt to destroy the breeding that was unknown in Brazil so it needs the engagement Airlines and cruise ship op- celebrate her wedding anniver- grounds of the mosquitos that until last April, but is now be- of everybody,” she said, urg- erators have yet to report drops sary. carry it. lieved to have infected 1.5mn ing people to consider water in bookings because of Zika, “We’ve defi nitely gone back The mass mobilisation on people there and spread to tanks, flower vases, swim- and analysts have downplayed to the drawing board on that,” February 13 will involve hun- more than 20 other nations in ming pools, gutters, bottles, the impact that newly sedentary she said, referring to the island, dreds of thousands of per- Latin America. tyres or any container thrown parents-to-be could have on which is on the CDC warning sonnel from the armed forces More worryingly, Rousseff away as rubbish. their revenue. list. as well as public offi cials in a noted that the virus is sus- “We need continuous vigi- Still, awareness of the mos- Of those aware of the virus, house-to-house campaign to pected to have caused a dra- lance in our homes, our work- quito-borne virus has surged to 41% said they were less likely identify and eradicate the stag- matic increases in reported places, our school, and public nearly two-thirds of Americans, to travel to Puerto Rico, Mexico nant waters where the parasites cases of brain defects and places,” she said. “Let’s prove according to the poll of 1,595 or South America in the next 12 thrive. microcephaly in newborns. once more that Brazil is strong, adults in the US conducted from months because of Zika, the poll “This is a struggle to protect Alarmed by the trends, the that we are a conscientious A soldier collects trash and debris as he takes part in cleaning of the February 1-5. That compares found. Some 48% said Zika had our families, a struggle that World Health Organisa- people and that we will not be streets, gardens and homes as part of the city’s efforts to prevent with 45% who had heard of Zika not changed the likelihood of should unite all of us,” Rouss- tion declared a global pub- beaten by mosquitos and the the spread of the Zika virus vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, in in a Reuters/Ipsos poll from late their visiting those destinations, eff told the nation in a televised lic health emergency earlier virus they carry.” Tegucigalpa, Honduras. January. while others did not know. Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Over 2,000 Pakistanis stranded in Jeddah More than 2,000 Pakistanis were stranded in Jeddah due to the suspension of flights, and neither the government nor Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) itself has approached PIA fi asco may bring PPP, them since lodging them at a local hotel in the city, Dawn online reported. Many of these passengers were particularly worried because their visas expire in two days’ time. “We fear that the Saudi police will arrest us on charges of visa expiry, as most people’s visas will expire in a PTI closer against govt week, or three or four days,” Usman Qureshi, a Pakistani stranded in Internews inside parliament. There- ment inside parliament on pub- Kaira said the PPP had always onstration against the Orange The two parties then man- Jeddah, said over phone. Islamabad fore, we cannot rule out the lic issues. stood for the rights of the work- Line Metro Train Project in La- aged to hold a joint protest in He said he has been stranded in possibility of joining the PTI In a rare display of unity last ing class and would continue to hore but did not allow PTI leaders Lahore over the train project. Jeddah for three days, and has not on the streets,” the PPP’s in- week, the PPP, the PTI and extend its “traditional support” to become part of ‘its show’. Sources in the PPP said that a heard a response from PIA off icials or he PPP’s leaders, who formation secretary Qamar other opposition parties sub- to PIA workers in their protest Led by Lahore PPP president number of PPP leaders and ac- the Pakistan embassy in Saudi Arabia. had so far been reluc- Zaman Kaira said yesterday. mitted requisition notices to the against the government’s plans Samina Khalid Ghurki and in- tivists were unhappy over this “My flight, PK-7135, was scheduled Ttant to join the Pakistan According to PTI’s deputy National Assembly and Senate to sell the national fl ag carrier. formation secretary Faisal Mir, act and were even considering to leave Jeddah on February 4, but Tehreek-i-Insaf’s protests, parliamentary leader in the secretariats to convene sessions The PPP leader alleged that the protesters shouted slogans staying away from the protests flight operations were suspended. believe that the government’s National Assembly, Shah Meh- of the two houses to discuss the the government had started us- against the Punjab govern- in the future. PIA brought me and my family, and handling of the PIA crisis may mood Qureshi, the two parties ongoing fi asco pertaining to the ing force and resorted to extreme ment for depriving people of In October, the PPP had not 160 others, to a local hotel where 500 lead to a larger co-operation have already started co-opera- Pakistan International Airlines. steps, including “murdering” their houses and businesses and supported the PTI’s candidate, Pakistanis were already staying. Food between the two opposition tion in parliament and he sees Qureshi said the PTI had pre- two PIA employees, adding that damaging the city’s heritage. Shafqat Mehmood, in the elec- is served three times a day, but people parties outside parliament. no harm in joining hands with sented its new “charter of de- his party would go to any length Opposition leader in Punjab tion for the offi ce of the Nation- have to sleep in the hotel lounge The main opposition PPP the PPP outside too. mands” on Sunday. “Now my to protect the workers’ rights. Assembly Mian Mahmoodur al Assembly speaker and some because the rooms are limited,” he said. says that since PTI chairman The two parties came closer question to the PPP leaders is if He admitted that in the past, Rashid of the PTI faced embar- of its members had even voted Qureshi said they have received no Imran Khan has started “be- in parliament when the govern- it is acceptable to them or not,” the PPP had reservations over rassment when a group of PPP in favour of the PML-N’s Sardar information regarding the next flight, and having maturely” and his party ment introduced a controversial he said. joining hands with the PTI, but workers did not allow him to Ayaz Sadiq. PIA off icials have not come to the hotel or is now playing its role inside tax amnesty scheme for traders The charter pertains to issues said that the way the govern- join the demonstration. The PPP was not ready to tried to contact the passengers in Jeddah. parliament, it cannot rule out in the National Assembly last that have a direct impact on the ment had been handling the PIA Next day, the PPP’s provincial support the PTI because of its “The PIA off icials took our tickets the possibility of the two parties month. After several meetings, life of the people, such as insuf- issue, “the situation may lead to leaders contacted Rashid and previous role and “uncalled- and passports, so it’s diff icult for us holding joint demonstrations. leaders of all the opposition fi cient reduction in oil prices a larger co-operation between apologised over the incident, for” criticism against the party to arrange tickets on other airlines to “Imran Khan has realised parties decided to adopt a joint and imposition of new taxes in the two parties in the future”. putting the blame on some “un- and its leaders during the 126- come back home,” said Mohammad that the PTI should play a role strategy against the govern- gas bills. Last week, the PPP held a dem- disciplined” workers. day sit-in outside parliament. Adnan, who too is stranded in Jeddah. Top clerics scramble to get Afghan talks on Feb 23 seats on advisory body

Internews The off er of a lucrative sal- Khan claimed he was not aware on CII include Dr Raghib Hus- Islamabad ary package and the perks of of the infl uential scholars using sain Naeemi, director of Jamia protocol, expensive cars, staff contacts to get on CII. Naeemia, Lahore, Senator Hafi z and such allure Ulema from all “Obviously, many are inter- Hamdullah, of JUI-F, Qari Mu- nfl uential religious schol- schools of thought to vie for a ested for this post, but I don’t hammad Hanif Jalandhari, Sec- ars from across Pakistan seat on the council, an offi cial know their names,” he said. retary General, Ittehad-i-Tan- Ihave begun muscling their of the CII said on the condition Infl uential people directly ap- zeemat-i-Madaris-i-Deenia, way into acquiring a seat on of anonymity as he was not au- proach the PM Offi ce and it is not Habibur Rehman Sheikh, who the Council of Islamic Ideology thorised to talk to the media. necessary that only the law min- is additional secretary ministry (CII) upon the retirement of 10 The offi cial said that the CII istry’s list would be considered of law and justice, and Maulana members of the advisory body, and the ministries of religious for appointments on CII, he said. Abdul Wasay, senior leader of it emerged yesterday. aff airs and law and justice have Prominent among the names JUI- F. A senior offi cial of the council sent recommendations to the sent to PM include Profes- Also among these scholars is said that seven members retired prime minister, the competent sor Sahibzada Sajidur Reh- the name of Mufti Saeed Jan, on January 22 and three will re- authority for appointments on man, former director Dawah who performed the short-lived tire on March 2. The council is the council. Academy, who is relative of nikah of PTI chief Imran Khan. a constitutional body which of- The apex body of seminar- Raja Zafarul Haq, senior leader The seven CII members who fers recommendation to parlia- ies, Wafaqul Madaris, and the of PML-N and Leader of the retired in January are Mufti ment regarding Islamic laws. President House, have also House in the Senate. Ghulam Mustafa Rizvi, Syed Currently, Maulana Muham- sent names to the PM offi ce for Interestingly, Professor Sa- Seed Ahmed Shah, Hafi z Tahir mad Khan Sherani of JUI-F is appointment on CII. hibzada Sajidur Rehman, when Ashrafi , Allama Ibrahim Qadri, the chairman of the 20-mem- When contacted, law and contacted claimed that he did Pir Abdul Baqi and Dr Farida ber body. Members are hand- justice secretary Raza Khan said not know who placed his name Siddiqui. The three members Spokesman for Afghan foreign ministry Ahmad Shakib Mostaghani speaking during a press picked by the PM Offi ce for ap- the ministry has forwarded a in this list. retiring on March 2 include Al- conference in Kabul yesterday. The fourth round of four-party meeting on Afghan peace process pointment on the council for a list of 31 religious scholars to Other high-profi le Ulema lama Amin Shaheedi, Maulana will be held in Kabul on February 23, the spokesman said. period of three years. the PM Offi ce. However, Raza recommended for appointment Fazal Ali and Dr Idrees Soomro. Housing scheme waits PM’s approval Govt invites bids for new power projects Internews is coming out of the meetings, get a permanent chief executive ing Committee on Housing and The scheme could not be im- Islamabad mapping and follow-up hud- and related staff to run the pro- Works, Minister of State Akram plemented due to several fl aws, dles. gramme as another summary Durrani told the members that including unrealistic pricing, Internews power projects. Project spon- The PM offi ce has yet to re- for these appointments is pend- for the last eight months they and unsuitable locations where Islamabad sors must also start open- akistani government of- lease Rs500 million for the ing with the PM for over four were waiting for the approval of there was no provision of water, cycle operations by March 31, fi cials seem least inter- project. The housing and works months. Currently a joint sec- summary from PM. power and gas. 2017 and commercial opera- Pested in initiating work on ministry has also not purchased retary of the ministry is holding Interestingly, in the same This is not the fi rst time he Pakistan govern- tions in combined-cycle mode a housing scheme involving the a single piece of land anywhere acting charge. meeting the members with con- that the ruling Pakistan Mus- ment has decided to by January 1, 2018. construction of 500,000 houses in the country for the project. The ministry’s joint secretary sensus set aside objection of lim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Tinvite bids from the pri- The water and power min- for low income people as the As per the scheme, the prov- and acting head of the project an audit report of 2003-2004 has launched a scheme but vate sector for building new istry said the planned projects Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has inces will provide the land free Akhtar Jan Wazir said that some about a housing scheme started procrastinated over it. medium-sized power plants would be processed and devel- yet to approve the summary. of charge and the government land had been identifi ed for the in 1987. ‘Mera Ghar’ Scheme the big- of 100 to 250 megawatts with oped under the Power Genera- Such approval has been pend- will construct 500,000 hous- project in Jhelum, Gwadar and According to documents, the gest public sector housing re-gasifi ed liquefi ed natural tion Policy of 2015. The policy ing for the last eight months. ing units at 1,000 places around other areas of Balochistan. then prime minister Muham- scheme involving an expendi- gas (LNG) as fuel and cumu- provides for standardised se- The prime minister an- Pakistan in fi ve years. “We are following up the mat- mad Khan Junejo launched the ture of billions of rupees was lative production capacity of curity documents for power nounced the scheme - Apna The seriousness of the gov- ter but waiting for the approval ‘Apni Basti’ project in 1987 to announced in Nawaz Sharif’s 1,000MW. projects developed by the Ghar Housing Society - in No- ernment about the project can of summary from the PM,” build 130,000 housing units, but second tenure in 1996 as well but The economic co-ordina- private sector. vember 2013 right after com- be gauged from the fact that he said. eventually only 35,000 houses the desired objectives could not tion committee (ECC) took the The security documents ing into the power but nothing the housing society has yet to Last week, in a Senate Stand- were constructed. be achieved. decision in a meeting held on include an implementation January 29. agreement and a power pur- The ministry of water and chase agreement containing power told the committee that provisions regarding legal and the government was making contractual framework for Victim of suicide attack concerted eff orts to eliminate fi nancial close, engineering, 10 killed in power shortages and was ex- procurement, construction, ploring all possibilities for a commissioning, operation and substantial addition to the maintenance on build, own Sindh fi re country’s electricity genera- and operate basis. tion capacity in the minimum Drafts of the implementa- time frame. tion agreement and the power AFP To achieve that goal, the purchase agreement are based Karachi government will stimulate on the standards approved private-sector investment in earlier by the ECC for coal- constructing new medium- based power projects of the fi re started by a falling oil lamp sized power plants of 100 to private sector. engulfed several huts in a Pa- 250MW and these will be run These are also in line with Akistan fi shing village and killed with the help of re-gasifi ed the specifi c requirements of 10 people including women and chil- LNG. re-gasifi ed LNG-based power dren early yesterday, police said. Their total production projects, the upfront tariff set The tragedy occurred on Bachoo capacity will be 1,000MW by the National Electric Power island in the Thatta district of the and investors will be picked Regulatory Authority (Nepra) southern province of Sindh. through international com- and the parameters specifi ed “The fi re broke out after an oil petitive bidding. by the regulator. lamp in one of the huts fell to the These plants will either be The Ministry of Water and ground. The fi re later engulfed sever- installed at the sites of old or Power asked the ECC to ap- al huts, killing 10 people,” a senior lo- abandoned power generation prove the initiative and the cal police offi cial, Fida Hussain, said. plants or in the vicinity of ex- framework for processing and He said nine people died on the isting grid stations and trans- implementing the planned spot and another on the way to the mission lines of the National power projects. It also sought hospital. Transmission and Dispatch the ECC’s go-ahead for the Two children and four women Company (NTDC) or electric- standardised implementa- were among the dead, while two Pakistani paramilitary soldiers carry a coff in during the funeral of their colleagues who were killed in Saturday’s suicide attack in ity distribution companies. tion agreement and the power injured children were transferred Quetta. At least 10 people were killed and 40 others injured as a suicide blast hit a security forces’ convoy in Quetta on Saturday The bidders will be required purchase agreement under to the Civil Hospital in Karachi for afternoon, said local off icials. to off er a discount on the tariff the Power Generation Policy treatment. set for re-gasifi ed LNG-based of 2015. Gulf Times 24 Monday, February 8, 2016 PHILIPPINES Labour chief Getting prepared for Chinese New Year celebrations favours modest pension hike

By Nelson S Badilla had no capacity to raise mem- Manila Times bers’ benefi ts and yet did so by slashing the bonuses of top SSS offi cials. he entire Benigno At least seven more law- Aquino administration makers have signed a resolu- Tis not at all opposed to tion calling for an override of increasing the monthly pen- the presidential veto on the sion of retired Social Security proposed P2,000 across-the- System (SSS) members. board increase for SSS pen- Labour Secretary Rosalin- sioners, after Congress failed da Baldoz is in favour of an to overturn the veto last week. across-the-board monthly However, while opposition pension hike of P500, not the lawmaker Neri Colmenares of P2,000 sought by the reti- Bayan Muna party-list over rees, according to Jose Matula, the weekend said there are al- president of the Federation of ready 64 lawmakers who have Free Workers (FFW). signed the override resolu- Matula over the weekend tion, the fi gure is still far from said Baldoz made her stand the required 192 signatures when the SSS pension raise representing two-thirds of was brought up during the the House of Representatives’ National Tripartite Industrial membership. Peace Council meeting at the “We now have an initial Department of Labour and 64 signatures so far collated Employment in Manila on Fri- and we are still gathering the day. signed resolution from the The Labour chief presided offi ces of many congressmen over the meeting, which was next week. By May 23, we hope attended by veteran labour to have more than 192 signa- leaders, including Matula. tures,” Colmenares, who was The FFW president and among those who principally lawyer Arnel Dolendo of the moved for an override of the Trade Union Congress of the veto, said in a statement. Lion dancers carry their costumes on the eve of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Manila’s Chinatown, Philippines yesterday. Philippines said they are ame- The initial 57 signatures on nable to a P1,000 increase, an the override resolution were amount that was also backed those of all members of the during the meeting by a rep- Nationalist People’s Coalition resentative of the Employers as well as several members Co-operatives of the Philip- of the Liberal Party, United pines. Another meeting on Nationalist Alliance, Lakas- February 15 will further dis- CMD, House minority bloc cuss the SSS pension increase and House independent mi- for 1.8mn pensioners. nority bloc. Governor and lawmakers Matula said the SSS is ca- Colmenares, who is running pable of granting the P2,000 for a Senate seat in this year’s pension hike without the pen- polls, principally authored the sion fund going bankrupt by bill that proposed the P2,000 2029. SSS pension hike.He said the During the administration pension for a retiree is P3,169 ‘linked to illegal drug trade’ of President Gloria Macapa- on average, with the lowest gal-Arroyo, he noted, the SSS being P1,200 per month. By Joel M Sy Egco He said he brought his report it would be very hard to prove it story, Manila Times had sent a member that the government Manila Times to Gazmin as he was about to be and it is most likely that the case quationnaire to Glenn Mala- has tightened its grip on election replaced at PDEA. will not even stand in court. This pad, Offi cer-in-Charge, Public expenditures,” Poe explained. Both Gazmin and Santiago are makes (prosecuting them) really Information Offi ce, PDEA, for She noted that the drug prob- t least one provincial gov- former military generals, but the very hard,” Santiago explained. comment and any input. lem grew even worse after the ernor and some members latter became chief of staff of the In fact, he said, he knew of A staff member said she would Supreme Court stopped the Pri- Gunman shoots mayor Aof the House of Repre- Armed Forces of the Philippines. a top PDEA offi cial, with the provide data and probably their ority Development Assistance sentatives are among govern- The former PDEA chief men- rank of regional director, who reaction to the article, but the Fund (PDAF). ment offi cials linked to illegal tioned the names of the governor had been receiving P1mn from a Manila Times has yet to receive Since the PDAF is already in pre-poll ambush drug trade, according to former and the lawmakers whom the known drug lord in his area. such as of press time. dead, it caused limitations on Philippine Drug Enforcement PDEA believed were involved in “Sad thing is, according to my Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of discretionary spending by gov- Agency (PDEA) director general illegal drugs. former people who remain in the the committees on public infor- ernment offi cials. AFP Galvez said. Que, who is not Dionisio Santiago. He, however, asked that the agency, drug money crawled up mation and on illegal drugs, said “So they obviously had to re- Manila seeking re-election, is mayor In an exclusive interview at his names be not printed in this re- even higher in the PDEA hierar- nobody can deny the fact that sort to some other means to fund of Bongao, a remote seaside residence in Taguig City (Metro port. chy,” Santiago added. “government offi cials them- their campaign… if local gov- town in Tawi-Tawi, an im- Manila), Santiago also disclosed “So if they want to know all He said the regional director selves are involved in the illegal ernment or public offi cials are Philippine town mayor poverished island chain on that he had sent a full report on about the extent of the illegal used to be “very close” to him drug trade.” involved, this could be the root was shot and wounded the country’s southernmost the involvement of the pub- drug menace in the country, but he lost trust in the offi cial “But defi nitely, we need to if they are involved,” she added. Ain an ambush in the tip. A relative is running to lic fi gures to Defence Secretary they should ask Secretary Gaz- when he learned of his illicit ac- be able to expose the names of Poe said she plans to get all confl ict-wracked south yes- succeed him, according to Voltaire Gazmin as early as 2010, min, PDEA or even Malacanang,” tivities. “That (expletive) is even those people. And I would prob- the names of “popular” drug terday, two days before the election records. before he left PDEA. Santiago said. a relative of someone who holds ably do so,” Poe said in a state- lords who have not yet been ap- offi cial campaign for general Que, who suff ered three “I surmise Malacanang al- When asked if he could sup- a top position in the offi ce of one ment released by her offi ce. prehended and vowed to “make elections in May kick off , po- gunshot wounds to his arm, ready has a copy of my report. It port claims that there is active senator,” Santiago pointed out. According to the lawmaker, them public.” lice said. leg and buttocks, is recovering contained everything, including “narco-politics” in the country, He named the regional direc- she believes that the threats of To show the involvement A gunman riding a motor- in a Zamboanga hospital while the who’s who in the drug in- the former military general re- tor and the senator but again narco-politics are present and of drug lords with politicians, cycle opened fi re on Mayor his assailant escaped. dustry. The highest government plied, “certainly.” requested not to publish their active in the country. she cited a hearing last week at Jasper Que as he drove with It was not immediately clear offi cials included in my report “It’s where they get their names. “If there’s a rise in the inci- the Senate where she named his two bodyguards in the port if the attack was election-re- were a governor and some active funds. The problem is this, even Santiago, however, said the dence of violence and the sale a barangay (village) councillor city of Zamboanga at around lated, Galvez said. The mayor lawmakers from Southern Taga- if you have an A1 (highest) infor- senator was not in any way in- of drugs during this time, we in Iloilo as being “directly in- 9am, city police spokeswom- is a member of President Be- log and Central Luzon,” he told mation about the involvement volved in illegal drugs. cannot help but associate that volved” with alleged drug king- an Senior Inspector Helen nigno Aquino’s Liberal Party. Manila Times. of certain government offi cials, For purposes of this exclusive perhaps to campaign funds. Re- pin Melvin Odicta Sr. Philippines’ raucous election season begins this week

AFP recommended Binay be charged back ahead by a small margin. Manila with graft for kickbacks alleg- The wildcard contender is Ro- edly taken during his long stint drigo Duterte, 70, a controversial as mayor of the nation’s fi nan- fi gure nicknamed he Philippines’ raucous cial capital, Makati. Binay denies “The Punisher” for his ruth- democracy cranks into the allegations, insisting they are less but successful tactics fi ght- Ttop gear this week as cam- part of a smear campaign by his ing crime as mayor of Davao, a paigning begins for national opponents and that his family’s major southern city. elections, with familiar themes new riches have been earned le- Human rights groups have ac- of corruption, dictatorship and gitimately. cused Duterte of running vigi- celebrity star-power to domi- Meanwhile, he has sought via lante “death squads” that killed nate. slick TV and Internet video clips suspected criminals. The three-month campaign to portray himself as the man of Duterte has denied lead- launches tomorrow with most the poor. ing death squads but gave a interest on a crowded contest Another top contender for speech late last year in which he to succeed President Benigno the presidency is Grace Poe, 47, bragged about killing drug traf- Aquino, who has won global the adopted daughter of a dead fi ckers. applause for six years of strong movie star whose success so far His vows to clean up crime economic growth and a bruising can largely be attributed to her and end corruption in the nation anti-graft campaign. father’s enduring popularity. of 100mn people have won him There are myriad other sub- However the Supreme Court many fans, both rich and poor. plots, including a bid by dead could knock her out of the race Meanwhile, Ferdinand Marcos dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ son before the May 9 elections, with Jr, the son of the dead dictator, to take the vice presidency and justices currently listening to ar- has a strong chance to become eight-time world boxing cham- Top contenders (from left): Jejomar Binay , Mar Roxas , Grace Poe and Rodrigo Duterte guments she is ineligible based the Philippines’ next vice presi- pion Manny Pacquiao’s run for a on citizenship and residency dent, currently in second place Senate seat. into the presidential palace “Programmes and policies are er Mar Roxas, a trusted ally with In contrast is Jejomar Binay, laws. in polling. The jailhouse campaigns of and most analysts predict the secondary... it’s a personality many years governing experi- 73, a natural campaigner who The constitution requires His father and mother, Im- two politicians charged with deciding factors will - as usu- contest.” Aquino won in a land- ence who is vowing to continue grew up in poverty but rose to presidents have Filipino parents. elda, are accused of plundering murder who are running in lo- al — be name recognition and slide six years ago largely due to the pair’s “straight path” agen- become one of the nation’s most But Poe does not know who her billions of dollars from state cof- cal mayoral elections, as well as charisma rather than ideology the popularity of his parents, da of steady reforms and fi ght- powerful politicians. biological parents are. Compli- fers and overseeing widespread graft-tainted ex-president Glo- or policy. who led the democracy move- ing graft. Binay heads the main opposi- cating matters, she lived in the human rights abuses. ria Arroyo’s run for a third term “In the Philippines, elections ment that saw Marcos fl ee into But Roxas, 58, is trailing in tion party and is the current vice US for many years and took US Marcos Jr, a senator, says he as congresswoman while behind are like a circus with the candi- US exile in 1986. polls and analysts say he has a president — the nation’s two top citizenship before renouncing it. has nothing to apologise for and bars, fuel a sizzling political at- dates trying to attract attention Aquino, 56, is still relatively huge task to ignite an electorate posts are elected separately in Binay and Poe have over re- is counting on voters —many of mosphere of chaos and chican- with their performances,” said popular but the constitution that generally perceives him as the Philippines — but he has had cent months swapped top spot whom were born after the 1986 ery. Earl Parreno, an analyst at the limits him to a single term. having little charisma. to endure a barrage of corruption in popularity surveys. “People Power” revolution — to There are four major con- Manila-based Institute for Po- His preferred successor is “He is dry, he can’t connect to allegations. The latest poll, released on cement a remarkable political tenders in the battle to move litical and Economic Reform. US-educated investment bank- ordinary people,” Parreno said. A Senate committee recently Saturday, showed Poe edging comeback for the family.

Gulf Times 26 Monday, February 8, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed A crash course in geopolitical Production Editor: C P Ravindran

P.O.Box 2888 realism for German leaders Doha, Qatar [email protected] Germany’s embrace of a meet Nato’s target of 2% of GDP for more active global role has defence spending. Like most other Telephone 44350478 (news), states, it has also failed to meet the 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) taken place within a rapidly internationally agreed commitment Fax 44350474 changing geopolitical to spend 0.7% of GDP on offi cial development assistance. landscape But, unlike some of its partners, Germany has not slashed its defence By Volker Perthes budget, and it has substantially Berlin increased funding for diplomacy. Nonetheless, even as it has GULF TIMES increased its capacity to provide n the two years since Germany’s military forces for UN, Nato, or EU president, foreign minister and operations, Germany has made clear defence minister signalled that German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaking at the donors Conference for Syria that it does not view itself as a military Itheir country would take on a in London recently. To maintain a broader international footprint, Germany will power. German policymakers continue larger role in international aff airs, the require co-operation with allies and partners around the world. to believe that political and economic The importance country’s leaders have received a crash means of infl uence are more eff ective course in geopolitical realism. The integration, domestic security, and interventions in crises outside the than violence, implying further challenges Germany has had to face social-welfare policy. alliance’s area. development of soft-power tools, include Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Increasingly, the challenges It has participated in UN including digital diplomacy. of becoming the confl ict in eastern Ukraine, the Germany is facing have become peacekeeping eff orts in Mali, prolonged They are also eager to develop more explosion of Syria, terrorist attacks in intertwined; terrorism, the Syrian civil its engagement in Afghanistan, “networked” national and European Europe and an unprecedented infl ux of war, Russian aggression and refugee supplied weapons and training to foreign policies that take into refugees. fl ows are interacting in dangerous forces in northern Iraq, and provided account the activities and possible These crises have greatly increased and unpredictable ways. Nor are reconnaissance fl ights and other contributions of non-state actors. more humane Germany’s international profi le. And any of these crises likely to be easily assistance to French military strikes For the time being, Germany’s main yet the country’s reemergence as a contained or quickly resolved; each against the Islamic State in Syria. foreign policy priorities are likely to major player on the world stage must will have to be managed over the long German policymakers are aware remain the EU and the continent’s As the world surges into the Fourth Industrial be tempered with the recognition that term. that their international partners eastern and southern neighbours – Revolution – a new age of interactive technologies, its power depends on co-operation And given its high degree of expect this type of leadership from which immediate security risks with its partners and the development integration into the global economy, to become the norm, and they are most likely to emanate. This would artifi cial intelligence and automation – a key challenge of a strong, unifi ed European foreign Germany is vulnerable even to have demonstrated an interest be a wise choice. Germany and its for individuals will be to understand and retain their and security policy. distant developments. For example, in expanding Germany’s rising EU partners will be most eff ective very essence, their humanity, leading scientists Germany’s embrace of a more preventing military confl ict and infl uence. As a medium-size power when managing confl icts, stabilising active global role has taken place maintaining maritime freedom in however, Germany cannot be present governments, or supporting economic and thought leaders on society and law said in the within a rapidly changing geopolitical the South China Sea is clearly in everywhere; maintaining a broader and political transitions in their closing panel session of the recent World Economic landscape – one in which German Germany’s interest. international footprint will require immediate neighbourhood. and other European leaders have had To their credit, Germany’s leaders, co-operation with allies and partners Furthermore, given today’s Forum Annual Meeting 2016. Being able to master the to accept that most of the rest of the recognising the important role their around the world. extraordinarily turbulent geopolitical technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution must world does not share their preference country can play, have taken the Indeed, the more Germany leads, environment, Germany has a be an essential part of that, the panellists agreed. for multilateral decision-making. diplomatic lead with Russia over its the more dependent it becomes on fundamental interest in championing They have also had to come to terms intervention in Ukraine. other international actors – most the development of the EU’s foreign As pointed out by Henry T Greely, the Deane with the fact that the US is no longer Moreover, Germany was a key notably its European Union partners policy and security institutions. F and Kate Edelman Johnson professor of law at prepared to take the lead in every participant in the nuclear negotiations – and the more exposed it becomes As much as German policymakers Stanford University, US, all of us need to begin to crisis, and that rising global powers with Iran, and it has been deeply to fl uctuations in the geopolitical might enjoy the growing demand for – such as China, India and Brazil – involved in the eff ort to fi nd a political environment. For example, China’s their contributions to international understand and grapple with how we want to shape are not yet prepared to contribute solution to the Syrian civil war. regional posture and its strategic politics, the country’s membership these technologies. “We are competing with artifi cial eff ectively to maintaining a stable Germany also assumed the 2016 relationship with the US will infl uence in the EU remains its most potent global order. presidency of the Organisation for German eff orts to find multilateral source of power and security. - Project intelligence,” asserted meeting co-chair Amira Meanwhile, the dividing lines Security and Cooperation in Europe. solutions to global challenges like Syndicate Yahyaoui, founder and chair of citizens action group between domestic and international On the military front, Germany has climate change or cyber threats. Al Bawsala in Tunisia and a member of the World aff airs have become increasingly beefed up its contribution to Nato As Germany continues to lean zVolker Perthes is chairman and blurred. The refugee crisis, measures to bolster defences in the forward internationally, it can be director of Stiftung Wissenschaft Economic Forum’s Global Shaper community of for example, demands policy Baltic region and Central Europe, expected to increase spending on und Politik, the German Institute for leaders in their twenties. interventions in areas as diverse as and it has become increasingly open foreign policy and international International and Security Aff airs, We really have to show we are the good ones. So defence, development aid, European to contributing military forces to security. To be sure, Berlin has yet to Berlin. the discussion of ethics and value has never been more essential than it is today. We should not think of robots as competitors. To quote Justine Cassell, associate dean, at the “Empathy, School of Computer respect – those Science at Carnegie Mellon University, we skills will be should consider them eff ective for the as collaborators to help us do what we wish to workplace of the do but cannot do alone future” and help us to be part of a larger community. Robots and artifi cial intelligence will force people to hone human skills that were much more important generations ago in the days of very low tech. “Empathy, respect – those skills will be eff ective for the workplace of the future,” Cassell reckoned. “It is through comparison with robots that we will know what it is to be human.” As rightfully declared by Jennifer Doudna, professor of chemistry and of molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley, what makes us human comes from our brain chemistry. We are not about our physical bodies but what is going on in our brains. As the panellists agreed, confronted by the rapid technological advances of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, “our goal should not be just to stay human The aim of National Sport Day is to raise awareness of the importance of sports and physical activity and the key role it can play in improving the quality of life of indi- but to stay humane and become more humane.” The viduals, a workforce and society as a whole. need of the hour is to become better humans. To quote Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum: “If we all All fun and games – National Sport Day create self-awareness and, in our own personal and collective lives, work towards improving the state of By Emma Higham, Yasser Shabbir the quality of life of individuals, a 2004, the provisions of which govern week, a day off in lieu should be Doha workforce and society as a whole. the employment of most of Qatar’s given. the world, we would live out our human dimension.” In the last four years, organisations expatriate workforce. The public In addition, where an employee It goes without saying that there needs to be a in Qatar have embraced this initiative holidays are: must work on a public holiday, the concerted global eff ort to eradicate poverty, illiteracy, omorrow, the majority of such that now a diverse range of overtime provisions of the Labour employees in Qatar will sporting activities aimed at a wide zEid al-Fitr, three working days Law will apply, i.e. the employee lack of sanitation, improve access to technology celebrate the fi fth annual demographic take place throughout zEid al-Adha, three working days will be compensated as if he or she and healthcare, and put an end to the refugee crisis, TNational Sport Day, an the country. zNational Day, one working day, being had worked on a rest day, being a irrespective of the geographical distribution of the offi cial paid public holiday which is December 18 (formerly the September day in lieu and a payment equal to celebrated on the second Tuesday of Sport is integral to 3 until 2008) 100% of total pay (i.e. basic pay plus human population. February in each year. National Sport zThree “fl oating” working days which allowances such as accommodation Day was introduced via Emiri Decree Qatar’s national the employer will determine for all and transport etc) or 150% of basic No (80) of 2011. employees. pay. The Decree provides that vision To Advertise ministries, government Note: Employees working in the Note: All Qatari Laws (save for departments, public sector Sport is integral to Qatar’s banking sector, including the QFC, those issued by the Qatar Financial [email protected] institutions, including the Qatar national vision. The country’s have an additional bank holiday on Centre (QFC) to regulate its own Display Financial Centre (QFC), as well as success in hosting the 2006 Asian the fi rst Sunday in March and the internal business) are issued in Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 other organisations in the private Games, being awarded the World employees of Qatari ministries and Arabic and there are no official sector shall organise sporting and Athletics Championships in 2019 other government agencies enjoy translations, therefore for the Classified interactive activities on this day and culminating in being awarded extended Eid holidays. purpose of drafting this article we Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 for their employees to participate the host country for the FIFA World have used our own translation and in. Employees should be able to Cup in 2022 is testament to Qatar’s It is important for employers to interpreted the same in the context of Subscription participate in activities in a way commitment to sport. note, that in Qatar, unlike in some Qatari laws and regulations. If you [email protected] which suits their age and condition. National Sport Day brings the other GCC jurisdictions, if a public would like further information please The aim of National Sport Day is total of public holidays enjoyed by holiday falls on a rest day, being contact either Emma Higham (emma. to raise awareness of the importance the majority of Qatar’s workforce to Friday where an employee works a [email protected]) or Yasser 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved of sports and physical activity and 11. These public holidays are set out six-day week or a Friday or Saturday Shabbir the key role it can play in improving in the Qatar Labour Law, No (14) of where the employee works a five-day ([email protected]) Gulf Times Monday, February 8, 2016 27 COMMENT Rebuilding the Muslim House of Wisdom

If the Muslim world is to challenge; it is seen as a secular – if Baghdad’s House of Wisdom, at the become a centre of not atheist – Western construct. time the largest repository of books Too many Muslims have forgotten – in the world. Historians may bicker innovation again, it is useful or never learned about – the brilliant over whether such an academy truly to recall the Islamic “golden scientifi c contributions made by existed and what function it served; Islamic scholars a thousand years ago. but such arguments are less relevant age” that stretched from the They do not regard modern science than the symbolic power it still holds eighth century well into the as indiff erent or neutral with respect in the Islamic world. to Islamic teaching. Indeed, some When Gulf state leaders talk about fi fteenth prominent Islamic writers have even their multibillion-dollar visions of argued that scientifi c disciplines such creating a new House of Wisdom, they By Jim al-Khalili as cosmology actually undermine are not concerned about whether the Guildford the Islamic belief system. According original was just a modest library that to the Muslim philosopher Osman a caliph inherited from his father. They Bakar, science comes under attack on want to reanimate the spirit of free uslim governments know the grounds that it “seeks to explain inquiry that has been lost in Islamic that economic growth, natural phenomena without recourse culture and that urgently needs to be military power and to spiritual or metaphysical causes, recovered. Mnational security benefi t but rather in terms of natural or To achieve that, daunting greatly from technological advances. material causes alone”. challenges remain to be overcome. Many of them have sharply increased Bakar is of course entirely correct. Many countries devote an unusually funding for science and education in Seeking to explain natural phenomena large share of research funding toward recent years. And yet, in the view of without recourse to metaphysics is military technology, a phenomenon many – especially in the West – the exactly what science is about. But it is driven more by geopolitics and the Muslim world still seems to prefer diffi cult to think of a better defence of unfolding tragedies in the Middle East to remain disengaged from modern it than the one off ered almost exactly than by a thirst for pure knowledge. science. 1,000 years ago by the 11th-century The brightest young scientists These sceptics are not entirely Persian Muslim polymath Abu and engineers in Syria have more wrong. Muslim-majority countries Rayhan al-Bir ni. “It is knowledge, pressing matters on their minds spend, on average, less than 0.5% in general, which is pursued solely than basic research and innovation. of their GDP on research and by man, and which is pursued for the And few in the Arab world are likely development, compared with fi ve sake of knowledge itself, because its to view advances in Iranian nuclear times that in the advanced economies. acquisition is truly delightful, and is technology with the same equanimity They also have fewer than 10 unlike the pleasures desirable from as developments in Malaysia’s scientists, engineers, and technicians other pursuits,” al-Bir ni wrote. “For software industry. per thousand residents, compared the good cannot be brought forth, But it is nonetheless important to to the global average of 40 – and 140 and evil cannot be avoided, except by recognise how much Muslim countries in the developed world. And even knowledge.” could contribute to humankind by these fi gures tend to understate the Fortunately, a growing number of nurturing once again the spirit of problem, which is less about spending Muslims today would agree. And, curiosity that drives scientifi c inquiry money or employing researchers than given the tension and polarisation – whether to marvel at divine creation about the basic quality of the science between the Islamic world and the is no panacea. Scientists do require important – nurturing the intellectual since the publication of Ibn al- or just to try to understand why being produced. West, it is not surprising that many adequate fi nancing, of course, but freedom, scepticism, and courage to Haytham’s Book of Optics, one of the things are the way they are. - Project To be sure, one should not be overly feel indignant when accused of being competing globally requires more than ask heterodox questions on which most important texts in the history Syndicate hasty in singling out Muslim countries culturally or intellectually unequipped just the latest shiny equipment. The scientifi c progress depends. of science. Written more than 600 for criticism; even in the supposedly for competitiveness in science and entire infrastructure of the research If the Muslim world is to become a years before the birth of Isaac Newton, zJim al-Khalili is professor of “enlightened” West, an alarmingly technology. Indeed, that is why environment needs to be addressed. centre of innovation again, it is useful al-Haytham’s work is widely regarded theoretical physics and chair in the high proportion of the population governments across the Muslim world That means not only ensuring that to recall the Islamic “golden age” that as one of the earliest examples of the public engagement in science at the regards science with suspicion or are increasing their R&D budgets laboratory technicians understand stretched from the eighth century modern scientifi c method. University of Surrey. He is a speaker at fear. And yet, in many parts of the sharply. how to use and maintain the well into the fi fteenth. For example, Among the most famous of this the World Government Summit, Dubai, Muslim world, science faces a unique But throwing money at the problem equipment, but also – and far more the year 2021 will mark a millennium era’s intellectual epicentres was February 8-10. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY A portent of emerge, with deadly consequences. Don’t blame High: 26 C The earth’s magnetic-fi eld reverses Low : 17 C Expetced strong wind at places things to come polarity every few hundred thousand the messenger after midday years. During the next reversal the Please send us Dear Sir, ozone layer will be unprotected from Dear Sir, charged solar particles that could your letters TUESDAY The Zika virus has now been weaken its ability to protect humans The letter “Don’t focus on High: 22 C classifi ed as a global threat as it from ultraviolent radiation. negative news” (Gulf Times, By e-mail Low : 14 C continues to migrate across inter- Nuclear power poses another threat; February 4) was not fair to Gulf [email protected] Sunny continental frontiers. it could result in radioactive pollution Times. I don’t think the paper is Fax 44350474 It is diffi cult to predict plausible and even a general nuclear war that focusing on negative news about Or Post events that will guide or decimate could kill millions of people. Bio- any country, including India. I find WEDNESDAY mankind in the decades ahead. weapons and Nanotech weapons will the coverage in the paper balanced Letters to the Editor High: 22 C Earthquakes and fl oods will occasionally be the next generation of weapons. in general. The problem is when we Gulf Times Low : 13 C kill tens of thousands of people in Fuel shortages could see civilisation readers have own likes and dislikes P O Box 2888 Sunny developing countries; of greater crumble. Without supplies of energy, and want the media to be in line with Doha, Qatar consequences would be a massive the world’s economy would collapse, them. earthquake in North America or Japan. and, more importantly, we will not Both positive and negative things Fishermen’s forecast Such a quake could cause damage worth be able to grow and transport even a happen in all parts of the world. The All letters, which are OFFSHORE DOHA a trillion dollars, triggering a worldwide fraction of the food the world’s 7bn media’s duty is to present them to subject to editing, should Wind: SE-NW 20-28 KT depression and setting back human plus people need to survive. their readers and views without bias have the name of the Waves: 7-9 Feet progress by a decade. If crop failures, for any reason, is and prejudice. writer, address and phone INSHORE DOHA How much of humanity could be suffi ciently widespread and ectsaff Don’t blame the messenger Wind: SW-NW 12-20 KT number. The writer’s Waves: 1-3/4 Feet wiped out in the future by a naturally- enough species, then the end of because the message is name and address may be arising pathogen? The worldwide modern civilisation will be the result. unpleasant! Around the region infl uenza of 1918 killed 30 million, withheld by request. Weather Weather and Aids had killed thousands by Farouk Araie Rajesh Nair today Max/min tomorrow Max/min 2000. New deadly viruses are likely to [email protected] [email protected] Abu Dhabi Sunny 29/14 Sunny 24/14 Baghdad M Sunny 17/06 Sunny 18/05 Dubai Sunny 27/16 Sunny 24/16 Kuwait City Sunny 20/11 Sunny 18/11 Manama Cloudy 21/16 Cloudy 20/14 Muscat Sunny 26/17 Sunny 29/18 Riyadh Sunny 22/07 Sunny 20/06 Live issues Tehran Showers 10/-1 P Cloudy 06/-1 Qualities a US president should have

By Judi Light Hopson, Emma H included, speak of goals but we have Hopson and Ted Hagen no real plans. Tribune News Service zA positive attitude and upbeat speech patterns. If our eventual president tries to sell an idea to s we examine candidates Congress or unify the masses seeking party nominations in some way, it would help if for the US president, it’s this person exudes a positive Ainteresting to note the nature. Think about it: It’s almost personality traits and belief systems of impossible to sell a negative- each person. sounding idea to anyone. First of all, it’s likely we all agree “I once ran for student body that every person running already president,” says a friend of ours we’ll possesses a lot of inner strength. call Janie. “I got elected, but soon Most of us would hate to deal with the thereafter I got impeached!” Around the world mudslinging and the dodging it would Janie is joking, but she explains that Weather Weather take to deal with it. A girl in the audience listens as US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary she was too negative when she assumed today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Anyone in the running has to have a Clinton speaks at a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. offi ce. “I made a long list of everything Athens M Sunny 14/06 Sunny 16/10 good measure of self-confi dence, the that was wrong with our school,” she Beirut M Sunny 16/09 Sunny 17/11 ability to stay cool under pressure, and who is a good friend of ours. We’ll call Words have the power to start or end laughs. “It ticked people off .” Bangkok P Cloudy 28/16 M Sunny 31/18 Berlin Showers 11/05 Rain 09/03 the intelligence to provide answers him Dave. a war, so we need a leader who can use Having a US president that can put a Cairo P Cloudy 17/07 P Cloudy 18/08 quickly, even if those answers are far “National political campaigns them carefully. positive spin on problems is essential. Cape Town Sunny 31/19 Sunny 36/21 from perfect. would have to put you through the zThe acumen to know what Otherwise, we will feel a loss of power. Colombo P Cloudy 33/24 S T Storms 31/23 This column is about relationships, wringer,” laughs Dave. “I barely the future looks like. This means Also, we need to make sure that the Dhaka Sunny 29/18 P Cloudy 27/18 Sunny Sunny 18/16 and we all tend to develop a “virtual survived my local campaign!” electing someone who is well- candidate elected will actually deliver Hong Kong 18/14 Istanbul Sunny 11/03 P Cloudy 10/06 relationship” with our favourite Running for leader of the free world, versed about world issues and on promises. We need to vote for Jakarta T Storms 31/25 T Storms 31/24 candidates. Then, we start to narrow meaning US president, calls for some knowledgeable about “people someone who is likely to achieve the Karachi Sunny 30/13 Sunny 29/17 down our picks to our favourite one. personality and character traits that problems”. We need a president who goals he or she designates. In the end, London S Showers 10/04 S Showers 08/03 While the news media and the elicit respect from around the globe, is not running to catch up. Judging the promises have to play out, not just Manila P Cloudy 28/22 P Cloudy 31/22 Moscow P Cloudy 01/-3 M Cloudy 01/-1 public like to jump on weaknesses in not just here at home. someone’s past record is about the sound good for the news media. New Delhi P Cloudy 22/09 Sunny 24/09 these candidates, we should get a list Qualities we really need to only way we can know this. New York Cloudy 03/-1 S Showers 02/-1 of strengths together. This way, we can see from the winner include the zThe ability to devise a detailed zJudi Light Hopson is the executive Paris Rain 12/08 Showers 09/04 fi gure out who we want to champion. following: plan from A-Z. Whether someone is director of the stress management Sao Paulo S T Storms 31/21 M Sunny 32/22 M Cloudy Sunny 06/-6 website USA Wellness Cafe at www. Seoul 08/-5 “As I watched the debates, both for zThe ability to speak and act in making a plan to sell a house or bring Singapore Showers 30/26 T Storms 30/25 Democrats and Republicans, I was a dignifi ed manner under pressure. peace to the Middle East, nothing can usawellnesscafe.com. Emma Hopson Sydney Sunny 27/18 P Cloudy 25/17 amazed that they could stay composed We need a president who can speak happen without a detailed plan. Too is an author and a nurse educator. Ted Tokyo ClearClear 09/0 1 Cloudy 12/01 and hang in there,” says a politician intelligently when the heat is on. many of us, presidential candidates Hagen is a family psychologist. Gulf Times 28 Monday, February 8, 2016 QATAR Qatar Airways Group prepares for National Sport Day

atar Airways Group em- country’s largest employers – has take part in a variety of competi- Salam al-Shawa, Qatar Airways tion in a wide variety of cultural Qatar Airways, said: “Qatar Air- and their families have fun taking ployees, along with their said it is expecting record num- tions, including football tourna- senior vice-president (marketing and sporting activities, as well ways is proud to host a family part in the wide variety of activi- Qfamily members, are get- bers of its workforce to attend the ments, supported by three of FC and corporate communications), as our goal of establishing a glo- event that brings together staff ties that will be on off er.” ting ready to celebrate this year’s national public holiday events, or- Barcelona’s own coaches, bas- said: “It is important that, as an bal leadership in hosting world- to socialise and celebrate Qatar’s In order to create a “unique and National Sport Day at Al Sadd ganised with the aim of celebrating ketball, cricket and more. airline, we take the time to cele- class sporting events, Qatar Air- National Sport Day. team atmosphere”, Qatar Airways Sports Club tomorrow. the company’s team spirit. Qatari employees will serve as brate the very concept of sport and ways has aligned with key sports “On behalf of Qatar Airways’ employees and their families will In what is set to be a day of fam- From early tomorrow morning, on-site leaders during the day, the value it brings to our society. sponsorships around the world.” human resources department, be presented with branded caps ily fun and traditional sporting Qatar Airways Group employees helping families navigate the dif- “In line with the Qatar 2030 Nabeela Fakhri, senior vice- who have worked hard to organ- and T-shirts upon arrival at Al activities, the airline - one of the and their family members will ferent activity zones. vision of encouraging participa- president (human resources) at ise this event, I hope our staff Sadd Sports Club. UDC lines up host HMC staff , families to take part in range of special activities of healthy, fun events reparations are in full swing at The Pearl-Qatar Pto celebrate Qatar National amad Medical Corpo- from 7am to 12noon at Bayt Ministry of Public Health and Sport Day tomorrow. ration (HMC)’s staff Al Dhiyafah and across other Primary Health Care Corpo- United Development Com- Hand their families will locations. ration for National Sport Day pany (UDC), in collaboration participate in a range of activi- events being held at Aspire with Qatar Olympic Committee, ties to mark National Sport Day ‘This special day highlights Park. There will be a 1.5km has prepared a variety of sport- tomorrow. our commitment to a walkathon as well as free basic ing activities for all ages at Lido The main venue will be healthy society and we are health checks and other ac- Venezia Beach in Qanat Quartier Bayt Al Dhiyafah in Hamad pleased to join with major tivities. precinct at The Pearl-Qatar from Bin Khalifa Medical City (HB- government departments Shamma Abdulla Behair, di- 9am to 4pm. KMC), where more than 1,000 and other organisations to rector of PR and community National Sport Day aims to help people will take part in the work together for a engagement at HMC’s corpo- realise HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim activities, including a walka- healthy future’ rate communications depart- bin Hamad al-Thani’s vision for a thon, starting at 8am from ment, said National Sport Day healthy Qatar. The celebration is the Nurses Club, and the mini The HMC National Sport Day highlights the country’s com- part of UDC’s strategy to promote football tournament to be held Organising Committee has also mitment to a healthy and pro- sports, physical education and an at the Nurses Club. lined up a full range of other ductive population. active community in and around Staff and their families as healthy and fun activities, in- “This special day highlights The Pearl-Qatar in line with Qatar well as patients and visitors cluding sports training, basket- our commitment to a healthy National Vision 2030. to Al Wakra and Al Khor Hos- ball, handball and table tennis, society and we are pleased to Sports activities will include pitals and The Cuban Hospi- in and around HBKMC. At the join with major government beach volleyball, beach football, tal will take part in separate Kids’ Zone, more fun activities departments and other organi- basketball, table tennis, badmin- UDC will celebrate National Sport Day at the Qanat Quartier Lido beach with a variety of sports activities. events organised at the hospi- have been planned. sations to work together for a ton, fi tness classes, outdoor gym tals. The activities will be held HMC is also joining the healthy future,” she added. and a designated zone hosting a together and feel proud that and balanced living among the Sports plays a signifi cant role variety of kid-oriented attrac- Qatar, as a nation, is one of the company’s employees and the in The Pearl-Qatar’s community, tions, ensuring the day will be a few countries in the world to set community at large,” he noted. fi rstly to safeguard its residents family-centred occasion. aside a day to actively promote a “We urge all residents at The against possible diseases such as UDC president and CEO Ib- healthy lifestyle.” Pearl-Qatar to participate in the diabetes, heart attacks and obes- rahim Jassim al-Othman said, “The annual celebration is very planned activities for them to ity. In addition, National Sport “National Sport Day, now in its much aligned with UDC’s corpo- experience how a few small steps Day acts as an integral means of Ooredoo to mark fi fth year, is a wonderful and rate social responsibility com- can bring out the sportsperson in unifi cation when celebrating the unique initiative for all to come mitment to encourage a healthy each of us,” added al-Othman. Island’s cultural pool of diversity. occasion with fi tness Katara to organise more classes, Jiu Jitsu

oredoo will return to the football, kayaking and more. tional Sport Day represents than 80 events for all ages Museum of Islamic Art this year, which is why we have OPark tomorrow for the This year’s activity- focused more heavily than third year to host an all-day Qa- packed schedule has been ever before on fitness classes atara – the Cultural Village will or- 40 entities and institutions from across tar National Sport Day event. designed with a strong and activities,” said Fatima ganise more than 80 events for all Qatar. He thanked the Ministry of Culture This year’s activity-packed focus on getting visitors to Sultan al-Kuwari, director of Kages to celebrate Qatar National Sport and Sports for continuously supporting schedule has been designed think about their fi tness community and public rela- Day tomorrow. such events. with a strong focus on getting levels and strength tions, Ooredoo. In a press statement, Katara deputy general “I hope all visitors and guests of Katara visitors to think about their “We want the day to help manager for operations Ahmad al-Sayed said fi nd our programmes and activities ben- fitness levels and strength. To ensure that the activities visitors kick-start their exercise marine and aerial activities, athletics, bas- efi cial and fun on this exceptional day, and I It will also include a host of provide the benefi ts of healthy routine and inspire more people ketball, soccer and beach handball competi- wish they spend a wonderful time with us,” classes, trainers and activities living for participants, Ooredoo than ever before to keep fi t in tions will be held at the Village’s esplanade he said. to help the whole community has hired professional sports 2016,” she added. and beach. Katara also launched its slogan “Be the get into shape. trainers to teach visitors vital Ooredoo’s support for Na- “Culture and sports are integral parts of Champion” to mark the fi fth edition of Na- From 8.30am, Ooredoo will exercise skills such as warming tional Sport Day is part of its everyday life, responsible for the develop- tional Sport Day as part of promoting an ac- hold fi tness classes for all ages up, which can then be used in ongoing commitment to raise ment of the human mind and body,” he noted. tive and healthy lifestyle through sport. and levels, including Brazilian everyday life. awareness of the importance of Al-Sayed added that the events they will A number of institutions will hold free Jiu Jitsu, a walking group, glad- “We wanted to truly get to fi tness and health among the be hosting are being presented by more than Ahmad al-Sayed medical check-ups and consultations. iator joust, circuit training, the heart of what Qatar’s Na- people of Qatar. New exhibition depicts lives of Qatari athletes

One of the pictures in the exhibition.

n the occasion of Nation- tinue until the end of this month. history of sports in the State al Sport Day, an exhibi- Speaking on the occasion, al- of Qatar and the accomplished Otion titled “Images and Jassim said the display of some progress in this fi eld are vividly Memories” by Qatari artist Sul- very rare images from the fi eld of depicted in this exhibition.” tan Jassim al-Jassim was inau- sports in the country is an illus- Al-Jassim also organises the gurated at Katara - the Cultural tration of an overall renaissance exhibition in other GCC countries Village yesterday. witnessed in all fi elds. in a bid to promote Qatari sports. Over 30 photographs that de- “Similar images that go back Katara deputy general man- pict the lives of Qatari athletes to the 1960s indicate the great ager for operations Ahmad al- since the 1960s are displayed in importance the people of Qatar Sayed was present at the opening the exhibition, which will con- had always given to sports. The of the exhibition. Katara off icials and dignitaries at the opening of the exhibition.