BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1

QSE is working El Jaish meet with authorities to allow short Bunyodkor, INDEX selling by Sadd away DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-7, 24 COMMENT 22, 23 end-2017 REGION 8 BUSINESS 1-7, 12-16 to Esteghlal 20,042.30 10,609.64 53.09 ARAB WORLD 8, 9 CLASSIFIED 8-12 -29.16 +13.25 -0.74 INTERNATIONAL 10-21 SPORTS 1-12 -0.15% +0.13% -1.37% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10357 February 7, 2017 Jumada I 10, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir, Tajikistan president hold talks QP is in In brief growth QATAR | Diplomacy Niger president arrives today President of the Republic of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou will arrive mode, today in Doha on an off icial visit to the country. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the president of Niger will hold talks on bilateral relations and means of boosting and developing them. says CEO EUROPE | Controversy World’s largest LNG producer aims UK speaker opposes to expand assets abroad Trump address to MPs Agencies Speaker of Britain’s lower house Doha of parliament John Bercow said yesterday he would not support any HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receives Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. plans for US President Donald Trump The two leaders later held a meeting during which they reviewed bilateral relations and means of boosting and developing atar Petroleum (QP) is explor- to address parliament during a state them. The meeting also discussed the latest regional and international issues. Page 2 ing oil and gas in Morocco and visit planned for later this year, citing QCyprus as it aims to expand Trump’s temporary immigration ban its liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) assets as a factor. More than 1.8mn people abroad while trimming costs at home, Al-Kaabi: not worried about gas glut in Britain have signed a petition President and Chief Executive Offi cer calling for Trump’s planned visit to Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said yesterday. main similar to that exercised under be cancelled or downgraded. “You will see us going international- previous presidents. Ashghal on track to deliver ly with some of the partners we have in “Projects that we get into are projects SPORT | Doping Qatar, this year and next year. We are in that we get into for 25 to 30 years,” he growth mode,” Kaabi told reporters at said. “They survive seven, eight presi- Russia banned from the company’s headquarters in Doha. dents or whatever. athletics event QP, the world’s largest LNG produc- “The president is a businessman. Russia will miss the World Athletics action plans on road safety er, has been pursuing deals in Cyprus Bringing in foreign investment into the Championships in August in London where it “won a bid for 40% of a plot US is something that I think he would due to their doping ban, world By Joey Aguilar mittee (NTSC), focus on ‘safer roads’, ditional and supplementary guides, for exploration” and recently “went into want. “As far as I have seen, as far as the governing body president Sebastien Staff Reporter ‘safe speeds’, and ‘road safety man- standard drawings, procedures, and Morocco for exploration”, al-Kaabi said. oil and gas business is concerned, he’s Coe said yestetday. Coe said Russia, agement.’ specifi cations to support the delivery QP is merging two liquefi ed natural been very positive for oil and gas.” whose 15-month ban from athletics Under its road safety remedial of road safety projects. gas divisions, Qatargas and RasGas Co Fears have been raised elsewhere was extended yesterday at the atar’s Public Works Authority works improvement programme, Ash- Ashghal will also review and update Ltd, following a more-than-two-year about a new protectionism being used IAAF’s Council meeting in Cap (Ashghal) has so far completed ghal will work to further reduce the existing speed limits and submit it to slump in oil prices that has forced Gulf by Washington. d’Ail near Monaco, could not be Q21 of its 34 ‘action plans’ aimed possibility of head-on crashes, mak- the National Speed Limit Manage- countries to reduce state spending. China, Germany and France’s lead- reintegrated into the sport before at making the country’s roads safer, an ing intersections safer, and eliminat- ment working group. Such a move, QP is reducing costs at its domestic ership have warned in recent weeks November. Russia has been barred offi cial said yesterday. ing other hazards on the road. Marsh believes, will signifi cantly re- operations and looking to expand over- against tougher trade rules being im- from international competition “We are on track to deliver 90% of Ashghal is mulling to build upon duce fatal accidents and injuries on seas through joint ventures with inter- posed by the US. since November 2015 over state- these actions by June this year, some and implement NTSC’s recommen- the road. national oil companies, al-Kaabi said. QP already has joint ventures with sponsored doping. will continue in the next fi ve years dations, under the Qatar Pedestrian “To support this, we recommend a He added that supplies of LNG from America’s ExxonMobil, whose former (2018-2022),” Ashghal’s strategy co- Crossing Masterplan, that will iden- speed running strategy similar to the the United States were not a threat to chief executive Rex Tillerson is now AFRICA | Mystery ordinator Fabian Marsh told the “3rd tify connection problems and safety one in Abu Dhabi in the UAE,” Marsh business. “I’m not worried at all about Trump’s secretary of state. Forum for Co-ordinators of the Au- issues that need to be rectifi ed with said. “As an example, one of the rec- a gas glut. Gas is going to be needed for And trade between the two countries Nigeria’s leader thorities Concerned to Implement the the existing road network. ommendations is that all arterial a very long time,” al-Kaabi said. is set to grow after Qatar said last year ‘in good health’ National Traffi c Safety Strategy.” Marsh said they are also looking at roads in the urban network must have Qatar, a member of the Organisation that it wanted to invest $35bn in the US Nigeria’s absentee president is in The two-day forum, which con- a number of best practices in road en- a maximum of 60kph.” of the Petroleum Exporting Countries by 2020. good health and is expected to cludes today at St Regis Doha, is held gineering projects that use tools and He also highlighted the importance (Opec), shipped 76.4mn tonnes of LNG In November, QP received US regu- return home soon, his deputy said under the patronage of HE the Prime solutions known and proven in other of monitoring speed behaviour across in 2014, or 32% of global supply, ac- latory approval to build a $10bn LNG yesterday, after mounting unease Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh countries. the road network in Qatar by creating a cording to the International Group of plant with ExxonMobil. about the leader’s well-being spilled Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- “We want to pilot those technolo- programme of speed surveys annually. Liquefi ed Natural Gas Importers. The company is also interested in the over into street protests. President Thani to discuss the next phase of gies and practices here in Qatar, and “We acknowledge that there is a Al-Kaabi shrugged off fears that any Mozambique gas business of Italian en- Muhammadu Buhari has been National Traffi c Safety Strategy 2013- identify any localisation issues, then, signifi cant issue with high speed on potential protectionist policies pur- ergy group Eni and could opt to join Exx- in Britain since mid-January for 2022. identify opportunities to mobilise the road (free ways), as well as work sued by US President Donald Trump on in buying a multi-billion dollar stake. unspecified medical checks and The Ashghal offi cial said these ac- elsewhere,” he said. zones, and we are fi nding those loca- would impact on global oil and gas Al-Kaabi added that he believed Qa- many Nigerians suspect his health is tion plans, which have been presented Marsh noted that they also see some tions cropping up more frequently in markets. tar would be a leader in the LNG market worse than off icials admit. Page 10 to the National Traffi c Safety Com- approaches such as developing ad- terms of crashes,” the offi cial added. He said he expected US policy to re- “for a long time”. Qatar gets light rain, more forecast 94% consumer complaints oha and other parts of the country received some rain Dyesterday evening and the Qa- resolved in 2016, says CRA tar Met department forecast another spell of showers from this weekend, reaching its peak next Monday and he Communications Regulatory stallation and activation issues. average per month against the service Tuesday. Authority (CRA) resolved more “CRA is constantly looking for ways providers. Resolving these complaints Yesterday’s rain was initially re- Tthan 94% of complaints received to improve the experience of telecom is a vital part of our role in protecting ported from the northern and central in 2016 compared to 90% in 2015. consumers in Qatar, and to enable the consumers in Qatar and the upcoming areas before extending to other places, To address issues raised by consum- availability of innovative, high qual- complaints management system shall including Doha and its neighbour- ers such as billing, network coverage, ity communications services. Soon, enhance CRA’s co-ordination with the hood. Around 9.30pm, the weather disconnections and delays in activa- CRA intends to launch a new interac- service providers for complaints man- offi ce tweeted that scattered rain was tion, the CRA also engaged with the tive complaints management system to agement,” said Amel Salem al-Hanawi, detected across the country and it service providers to discuss solutions make it more convenient for consumers CRA’s Consumer Aff airs manager. was likely to continue overnight, until to the challenges in the delivery of to lodge and monitor complaints,” said Consumers are free to approach the dawn today. communication services in Qatar. Mohamed Ali al-Mannai, president, CRA if a complaint directly to their The Met department also observed The CRA received 3,504 complaints services. service provider remains unresolved that the rain would “resume on Fri- from consumers about service provid- He added: “Through eff ective and for 30 calendar days, or if they are dis- day, with a better chance on Sunday Vehicles making their way through the C-Ring Road during a brief spell of rain in ers in Qatar in 2016. Of these, 2,058 reliable systems and processes, CRA satisfi ed with the resolution off ered. evening and reaching its peak on Mon- Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Hussein Ali were invalid and of the remaining 1,446 ensures that people have the right tools Complaints are then assessed by the day and Tuesday”. valid complaints, over 94% have been and technology at their fi ngertips to CRA against a set of criteria to deter- Meanwhile, today’s forecast says country, with a number of places re- ed early on Sunday, was the coldest resolved. It is investigating the remain- contribute to CRA’s vision of making mine if a complaint is valid or not. CRA strong winds (northwesterly, up to 22 cording a minimum temperature of place in the country yesterday (until ing complaints with the service provid- Qatar a smart, connected nation.” receives and investigates complaints by knots) are expected in the northern ar- below 10C yesterday and similar fi g- 5.30pm) as well with a minimum of ers and expects to resolve them in the Complaints received by CRA include working with both the consumers and eas, along with slight dust and a cold ures are forecast for today. 4C, weather charts showed. It was coming weeks. issues related to disconnections, bill- service providers to fi nd a fair and mu- night across the country. The weather A minimum of 7C in expected in followed by Karana (5C), Mesaieed, For mobile services, 51% of the com- ing, premium SMS service, poor net- tually acceptable solution. offi ce also issued an off shore warn- Abu Samra today, followed by 8C in Turayna, Dukhan and Batna (6C), and plaints received are related to billing work coverage, delay in activating fi xed Consumers can contact the CRA ing from today, with the wind speed Wakrah, Mesaieed and Al Khor, 9C in Al Khor, Sheehaniya and Jumayliya issues, 7% related to network coverage line services, roaming charges, spam through 103, the 24/7 hotline number; expected to reach 30 knots and waves Dukhan and 12C in Doha. The maxi- (7C). In and around the capital, the issues, and 13% related to service dis- calls and SMS, and mobile data usage [email protected]; the CRA’s rising to 12ft. The off shore conditions mum, on the other hand, will range minimum was 10C in the Qatar Uni- connections. As for fi xed line services, denial. online complaint form on their web- would last until early tomorrow, it from 17C to 22C in the country. versity area, 11C in the Hamad Inter- 26% of the complaints relate to fi xed- “These fi gures show that CRA is site; by tweeting directly to @CRAqa- said. Abu Samra, where Qatar’s lowest- national Airport area and 12C in the line disconnections, while 25% of the proactively and eff ectively manag- tar; or by visiting the CRA’s headquar- The cold spell also continued in the ever temperature of 1.5C was record- Doha airport area. complaints are related to delay in in- ing the 290 complaints received on ters at Al Nasr Tower B. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 QATAR

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon review a guard of honour at the HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani holding off icial talks with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Emiri Diwan yesterday. Qatar, Tajikistan sign pacts to boost bilateral relations QNA Doha

atar and Tajikistan signed a number of Qagreements and memo- randa of understanding follow- ing a session of offi cial talks chaired by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. The talks reviewed bilateral relations and means of develop- ing them on all fronts, particu- larly in the fi elds of economy and investment. The meeting also discussed the latest regional and inter- national issues and exchanged views on topics of common con- cern. Following the talks, the Emir and the Tajik president wit- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon witness the signing of agreements between Qatar and Tajikistan at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. nessed the signing of the follow- ing agreements and memoranda of understanding. 1. A co-operation agreement in the fi elds of security and cul- ture; 2. A Memorandum of Under- standing on sports co-operation between the Qatar and Tajikistan Olympic Committee; 3. A Memorandum of Under- standing between Qatar Cen- tral Bank and National bank of Tajikistan; 4. A co-operation agreement in the legal fi eld between both ministries of justice; 5. A co-operation agreement in education, higher education and scientifi c research; 6. An Air transport agree- ment; 7. An agreement on health sector.HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al- Thani attended the signing of the agreements and memoranda of understanding. The signing was also attended HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon at the off icial HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani meeting the Minister of Foreign by HE the Prime Minister and welcome ceremony at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Aff airs of Tajikistan Sirodjidin Aslov in Doha yesterday. Interior Minister Sheikh Abdul- lah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- Following the agreement ister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah tions and the means to enhance technical co-operation that was by HE the Secretary-General his accompanying delega- Thani and several ministers. signing ceremony, HH the bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani them in the economic and in- held last year. of the Advisory Council Fa- tion were seen off at Hamad Members of the delegation Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- and a number of cabinet mem- vestment fi elds. President Emomali Rahmon had bin Mubarak al-Khayareen International Airport by HE accompanying the Tajik presi- mad al-Thani hosted a lunch- bers. They also reviewed the latest also met the Speaker of the Ad- and ambassador of Qatar to the Minister of Transport and dent also attended the meeting eon banquet at the Emiri Di- Separately, HE the Foreign political and security develop- visory Council HE Mohamed bin Tajikistan Ali bin Mubarak al- Communications Jassim Seif and the agreement signing cer- wan in honour of President Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin ments in Central Asia and the Mubarak al-Khulaifi . Mohannadi. Ahmed al-Sulaiti, ambas- emony. Emomali Rahmon and the Abdulrahman al-Thani also met Middle East. During the meeting, they dis- Later in the evening, sador of Qatar to Tajikistan Earlier, an offi cial welcome delegation accompanying the Minister of Foreign Aff airs of The two sides reviewed the cussed parliamentary relations Tajikistan’s President Emomali Ali bin Mubarak al-Mohan- ceremony was held for the Tajik him. Tajikistan Sirodjidin Aslov yes- results the second meeting of between both countries and Rahmon left Doha concluding his nadi and the ambassador of president upon his arrival at the The banquet was attended by terday. the Joint Qatari-Tajik committee ways to develop them. two-day offi cial visit to Qatar. Tajikistan to Qatar Ardeshir Emiri Diwan. HE the Prime Minister and Min- They discussed bilateral rela- on economic, commercial and The meeting was attended President Rahmon and Qaderi.

Interior Ministry opens centres QU launches Centre for Law & Development for holding video conferences The Ministry of Interior (MoI) the day when the committee has provided four centres for meets, thereby considerably atar University (QU) Law Clinic, both designed to funded by the Qatar National Economic Development Divi- focal point of fi nancial centres in conducting video conferences lessening the crowd and recently launched the provide students with the op- Priorities Research Programme sion. the region. between the applicants for waiting times for applicants, QCentre for Law & De- portunity to work on live cases and designed to build legal ca- The Energy and Environ- LAWC dean Dr Mohamed recruitment and the MoI besides easing the overall velopment within its College for real benefi ciaries. The centre pacity in Qatar. mental Division seeks to build bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi said, committee concerned. process. of Law (LAWC). The new cen- is also producing a wide range The projects are “Legal In- community awareness of and “We are focusing on developing In an interview published by Brigadier al-Ansari pointed out tre will contribute to building of publications relevant to legal novation to Empower Develop- promote the dissemination of infrastructure, as well as in- local Arabic local daily Arrayah that the department currently awareness of laws in Qatar and areas of national economic and ment: Designing and Building timely and neutral information creasing our research outcomes yesterday, Brigadier Abdulla has 15 centres and three off ices promoting the exchange of ideas environmental development, an Online “TradeLab” in Qatar” related to climate and energy and the number of training Ahmed al-Ansari, director of the that cover various parts of the for policy development and im- such as fi nancial regulation, (Trade and Investment Legal challenges while partnering with programmes to achieve our Unified Services Department, country. plementation. energy, and environmental pro- Advisory Broker) and “Legal established multi-stakeholder strategic goals and contribute MoI, has pointed out that such A centre is to be opened soon The new facility will provide tection. Education and the Skills Market initiatives to better educate re- to realising the objectives of centres are located at the at The Pearl-Qatar, followed by clinical education and training The centre will conduct re- in Qatar”. It also runs a range of gional consumers and encour- Qatar National Vision 2030. main headquarters of General one at Ras Laff an. programmes, especially to meet search projects in areas of inter- other research grants related to age regional businesses to re- The Centre for Law & Devel- Directorates of Passports at Due to the introduction of the needs of the Qatari society, disciplinary law and policy Qatar’s environmental law, cli- duce their energy use and carbon opment is one of those efforts. Gharrafa, and the services Metrash 2 e-services and and aimed at building national which will contribute to promot- mate change, legal education footprints. The Centre will provide re- centres at Mesaimeer, Al the e-government services, capacity in the fi eld of law. ing national economic growth in in Qatar, and Islamic fi nance. The Economic Development search covering many areas of Wakrah and Al Rayyan. the number of transactions The centre currently runs two a sustainable manner as required Collectively, it manages grants Division seeks to promote ef- interest that are important to The department would conducted at the MoI centres clinical legal education pro- by Qatar’s Permanent Constitu- worth over $1.5mn. fi ciency, accessibility, fairness, the Qatari society and aimed consider increasing the has considerably dropped. grammes – an Environmental tion and National Development The centre includes two transparency, and stability of to achieve Qatar’s sustainable number of these centres There is also a plan to end Law Clinic on climate change Strategy. The centre currently divisions: an Energy and En- domestic and global fi nancial model for economic and human when needed. Around 100 paper-based transactions by and a Trade and Investment manages two research projects vironmental Division and an systems, and stands out as the development.” meetings are conducted on the end of this year. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 3 QATAR

Qatari leaders Message from UAE president Emir meets Norway’s FM greet Britain’s Queen Elizabeth

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday sent cables of congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of her accession to the throne. Emir sends National Day greetings

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a written message from President of the HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met Norway’s Minister of Foreign Aff airs Borge bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, inviting him to attend the World Brende and his accompanying delegation, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. They reviewed bilateral Prime Minister and Interior Government Summit, to be held from February 12-14 in Dubai. UAE’s ambassador to Qatar Saleh relations and the means to enhance them. They also discussed issues of joint interest. Talks also Minister Sheikh Abdullah Mohammed bin Nasra handed over the message when HH the Emir met him at the Emiri Diwan touched on the international eff orts being made to rebuild Gaza and alleviate the suff ering of its bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- Off ice yesterday. people. Thani have sent cables of congratulations to Governor- General of New Zealand Patsy Reddy on her country’s National Day. FM praises Qatar-Norway ties Advisory Council panel meets

The Advisory Council’s Cultural WISE participates and Information Aff airs Committee yesterday held a meeting chaired by its rapporteur Dr Mohamed Ahmed al-Obaidan. The committee examined a draft law amending some provisions of laws pertaining to the Ministry of in Asian forum on Education and Higher Education. The committee agreed to present its report on the draft law to the Advisory Council. NHRC chief meets Norway’s FM global governance HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met Norwegian Minister of Foreign Aff airs Borge Brende in Doha yesterday. They he World Innovation Under this year’s theme, Elyas Felfoul, director, Poli- to rising populism.” discussed means of co-operation in all fields and reviewed latest regional and Chairman of the National Human Summit for Educa- ‘Democracy, Diversity and cy Development and Partner- The Raisina Dialogue, international issues, especially in Palestine, Syria and Afghanistan. They also Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ttion (WISE) recently Development: Restrength- ships, WISE, remarked, “The India’s fl agship conference discussed ways of co-ordination between both nations on mediation to solve Ali bin Sumaikh al-Marri met participated in the Asian ening 21st Century Multilat- participation of WISE is vi- focusing on contemporary the conflicts and the exchange of expertise in this regard. The Foreign Minister Norway’s Foreign Minister Borge Forum on Global Govern- eralism’, the forum examined tally important to ensure the issues of global geo-politics praised the Qatar-Norwegian ties adding that he looks forward to greater Brende. They discussed ways of ance (AFGG) in New Delhi, global political-economic interests and concerns of the and geo-economics, is an co-operation in the near future. enhancing co-operation in the India, bringing the case of challenges, with an empha- education community are in- important feature of the fo- human rights field. education to the table. sis on the Asian region. The cluded in these wide-ranging rum. Co-organised by the The forum is an an- AFGG provides a networking political discussions.WISE was ORF and the Indian Minis- nual intensive series of platform for young profes- established to raise the sta- try of External Aff airs, the workshops and network- sional leaders, and features tus of education on the global 2017 Raisina Dialogue was ing opportunities, jointly unique opportunities for agenda. By taking part in the entitled, ‘Navigating Asia’s organised by the Observer participants to interact with AFGG, we can demonstrate New Normal: Multilateral- Research Foundation (ORF) high-ranking political, busi- how education plays a role in ism with Multipolarity’. Some based in India and the ZEIT ness and academic fi gures the development of all political 600 delegates from over 65 Foundation of Germany. from around the world. issues – from climate change countries attended the dis- cussion panels, comprising high-ranking policy makers. The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, also ad- dressed the gathering. The delegation from WISE met with several dis- tinguished speakers, in- cluding the secretary of state, Foreign and Com- monwealth Aff airs of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson; the former Ca- nadian prime minister, Stephen Harper; and the former Afghan president, Hamid Karzai. The 2015 WISE Prize for Education Laureate, Dr Sakena Yacoobi, also par- ticipated in the Raisina Dia- logue. She spoke on a panel A panel session from the Asian Forum on Global Governance in New Delhi, in which WISE entitled, ‘Women in the recently participated. New World Order’.

Draw for mobile vehicle businesses to be held tomorrow

The public draw on 12 investment opportunities for the transactions, tyre repair, and home maintenance), and three licences of mobile vehicles businesses will be conducted opportunities in services activities (women beauty salons, tomorrow at 10am at the Ritz-Carlton Doha, the Ministry of barber shop, tailor and dressmaker). Economy and Commerce (MEC) has announced. Through SMSs, MEC has invited all the 170 qualified The investment opportunities include five licences in food applicants to attend the public draw. All the submitted activities (hot and cold meals, hot and cold drinks, and applications have been reviewed to ensure they comply ice cream), four in maintenance and services (conducting with all the necessary terms and conditions for qualification.

Qatar, Georgia hold political consultations

Foreign Ministries of Qatar and Georgia held a round of political consultations in Doha yesterday. The talks were chaired by Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi and Georgia’s First Deputy Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani. Bilateral relations in diff erent fields and ways to develop them, in addition to a number of topics of common interest, were discussed. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 QATAR

Temporary diversion in Wukair area from tomorrow

A 100m-stretch of a street route and access Al Wukair Doha and Mesaieed as located off Al Wukair road via the alternative well as access to the Road, near Teyseer local street. new Al Wakrah Stadium Ashghal takes steps to ease petrol station, will be The traff ic diversion is which is currently under closed for three months required to allow for the construction for 2022 FIFA from tomorrow, the construction of one of five World Cup. Public Works Authority major interchanges as Ashghal has requested (Ashghal) has said. part of Al Wakrah bypass all road users to abide by congestion in New Slata Road users and residents project. Once completed, the existing speed limit of of Ezdan Villages 3, 9 and 11 the bypass will provide 30kph for the length of the have to follow the diversion a direct link between diversion. n response to the appeal from during project work and keeping the public, Ashghal has taken two lanes open in each direction. Ieff ective steps to ensure better All schools’ entrances in the area traffi c diversions on Ali bin Abi Talib remained open. Street in New Slata. Measures initiated to enhance With the reopening of the schools smooth traffi c fl ow included open- after the spring break, there was ing of Al Maahed roundabout for heavy traffi c congestion in the area traffi c, removal of artifi cial speed owing to road works as part of Ali humps on the lanes which are open bin Abi Talib street development on Ali bin Abi Talib Street, rec- project. alibration of traffi c signals at Al However, with some positive Rawabi and Khalifa Al Attiya in- steps taken, the traffi c movement in tersections to enhance traffi c fl ow the area has improved remarkably, on Ali bin Abi Talib Street, main- according to an Ashghal statement. tenance works on Ali bin Abi Talib Work in progress on Ali Bin Abi Talib street. Besides on Ali bin Abi Talib Street and approaching schools of- Street, development works are also fi cials in the area to seek their sug- is expected to enhance traffi c fl ow Ashghal said it will take at least 11 taking place as part of Al Qafi la and gestions to ensure easy and safe ac- by increasing the number of lanes months to complete work. “How- Al Maahed streets development cess to schools. on Ali bin Abi Talib and Al Qafi la ever in active co-ordination with projects in the area. It has become necessary to start streets, increasing the road capacity the contractors, maximum eff orts The traffi c re-organisation in- work on this project without delay by 30%, in addition to converting Al would be made to reduce the time cluded diverting traffi c on Ali bin given the traffi c congestion in the Qafi la and Al Maahed roundabouts for completing the project,” said an Abi Talib street to the service road area. When completed, this project to signal-controlled intersections. offi cial.

Quality Group International opens clinic in Muaither earl Medical Centre, a new multi-specialty Pmedical clinic, has begun operating in Muaith- er (South) under the health- care portfolio of Quality Group International. “Aimed to be a family-fo- Shamsudheen Olakara and Rashid al-Athba, chairman of Al Athba cused clinic, the medical fa- Holding Company, jointly inaugurating Pearl Medical Centre. cility has a team of advanced and specialised doctors for Pearl Medical Centre has Shamsudheen Olakara said. its gynaecology and paediat- an in-house pharmacy. The As part of the Group’s re- ric departments. In addition, facility is further expanding vised business agenda – Vision internal medicine and den- its current facilities to in- 2020, new departments and tistry are equally functional clude a “state-of-the-art” facilities will be introduced at departments at the clinic,” laboratory and X-ray centre. both the clinics, including der- the Group said in a statement. “The healthcare division matology, orthopaedics and Quality Group International has been initiated as part ophthalmology. The Group is also owns and manages the of the Group’s mission to also expanding its healthcare specialty clinic, Lifeline Medi- provide for the needs of the portfolio with the addition of cal Centre in Al Khor, which community,” Quality Group two more clinics by the end of began operations in 2009. International chairman the year, the statement adds. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 5 QATAR

Honda CRF450R Career Fair 2017 attracts debuts in Qatar oha Marketing The motorcycle is Services Com- equipped with a coil- Dpany (Domasco), spring 49mm Showa fork, a part of Al-Futtaim and developed from a ver- the distributor for Honda sion supplied to MX race students to HBKU halls motorcycles in Qatar, teams. has announced that the The body is more com- By Joseph Varghese from the Education City student CRF450R, ‘the most pow- pact with aerodynamical- Staff Reporter community. erful, best handling Hon- ly-effi cient plastics with The interactions with the organ- da motocross machine feature fi lm insert graph- isations are intended to assist par- ever,’ is now available in ics for optimum scratch two-day career fair for the ticipants in becoming familiar with the Honda showroom. resistance and a bolder students of the Education each employer’s work culture, op- The 2017 CRF450 is all eff ect. ACity got underway at the erating style, hiring programmes, new-from-the-ground- The lighter aluminium Student Centre of the Hamad Bin and specifi c current needs. up. The new Unicam en- frame has a narrower Khalifa University (HBKU) yester- Collaborating in the event with gine has been developed cross-section and a light- day with the participation of about HBKU are Virginia Commonwealth to achieve overwhelming er, extruded aluminium 100 organisations. University in Qatar, Weill Cornell performance in the fi rst rear sub-frame. The fair was opened by Maryam Medicine-Qatar, Texas A&M Uni- 100ft, off ering increased Dunlop Geomax MX3S Hamad al-Mannai, vice president versity at Qatar, Carnegie Mellon power output and allow- tires come standard, and of Student Aff airs at HBKU and University in Qatar, Georgetown ing unparalleled traction. the CRF450R is the fi rst Paulo Macedo, general manager, University in Qatar, Northwestern Honda engineers de- mass-produced moto- corporate aff airs and deputy coun- University in Qatar, HEC Paris in signed an all-new chassis cross bike ever to come try chairman of Qatar Shell along Qatar, and UCL Qatar. with reduced weight and with a titanium fuel tank. with deans and offi cials of HBKU Al-Mannai pointed out that sev- centralised mass. Faisal Sharif, managing and its partner universities. eral ministries are participating in The new geometry and director at Domasco said The Education City Career Fair the fair for the fi rst time this year. packaging results in a “Honda has re-imagined 2017, sponsored by Qatar Shell, has Adam Ahmad al-Saadi, direc- more concentrated, lower the CRF450R and created the participation of leading pri- tor, Career Development Centre, centre of mass, helping a machine that’s stronger, vate companies, semi government HBKU, recalled that during the last to get the power to the lighter and faster, which organisations as well as some gov- two years, about 1,000 students ground, maximise stabil- delivers the kind of per- ernment entities. each visited the career fair. ity and improve cornering formance motocross lov- The fair off ers students and “We expect that more students performance. ers’ dream of.” alumni from all universities in will visit the fair this year and benefi t The CRF450R allows Greig Roff ey, head of Education City the opportunity to Al-Mannai and Macedo along with other off icials opening the career fair. PICTURE: Jayan Orma from it. We had conducted a survey riders to more easily ex- sales and marketing at Do- interact with representatives of the with the students and the companies tract maximum perform- masco Honda, added that participating organisations. gy, fi nance, technology, medicine, to explore a wide range of career Across the two days, the event after last year’s fair and found out the ance, consistently turning the “2017 edition of Hon- Potential employers at the fair education, and media sectors. options when considering their fu- anticipates attracting in excess of needs and requirements of the stu- low lap times while si- da’s legendary CRF450R include companies from the ener- The fair encourages participants ture profession. 1,000 highly qualifi ed job seekers dents and the employers,” he added. multaneously taxing their is a complete redesign and bodies less. geometric rework which Another big change to resulted in a machine that the new bike is going back is the epitome of dirt bike Hospital promotes CPD programmes to a coil spring fork. engineering.”

l Ahli Hospital has run to healthcare practitioners to earn cat- Khalid al-Emadi, chief executive date 13 Continuous Profes- egory 1 CPD points. offi cer of Al-Ahli Hospital said the Asional Development (CPD) The hospital aims to run accred- establishment is committed to pro- events, attended by 1,320 licensed ited symposia and collaborate with viding continuous medical educa- healthcare practitioners, it was an- other accredited providers in subse- tion and professional development nounced yesterday. This has enabled quent educational events. for its healthcare practitioners. its licensed staff to claim 1,320 cat- It also plans to expand the activi- “In 2016, Al Ahli Hospital was egory-1 CPD points. ties to involve other staff members, granted accreditation from the Qa- Al Ahli Hospital currently runs such as the administrative teams, to tar Council for Healthcare Practi- hospital-wide educational events, off er the highest quality of service to tioners Accreditation Department Khalid al-Emadi creating opportunities for licensed the guests. for three years,” he added. The 2017 Honda CRF450 Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 QATAR QNL looks at global economic scenario

atar National Li- and chair of Data Science at brary (QNL) kicked the University of Notting- Qoff its February pro- ham. gramme yesterday with a The topic is managing data public lecture entitled, ‘Glo- and digital technologies that bal Economic Outlook: EIU’s can protect companies from Forecast on the Diff erent risks of digital obsolescence. Economies’. It will also encourage new The lecture was presented conversations with technol- by Robert Ward, editorial di- ogy providers that put forth rector of the Economist In- digital continuity and long- telligence Unit (EIU). term access to computation With nearly 20 years’ ex- as an important aspect of perience in the Asia region, technology innovation and Ward provided an insight business continuity. into economic and political In its eff orts to help the developments and forecasts library’s registered members across diff erent regions. get the most out of its online The lecture also touched resources, QNL will organ- on business environments ise a one-day free training Beach cleaning at Al Ruwais. for opportunities related to session on the eff ective use growth and investment. of selected social sciences QNL’s February book dis- online resources including: cussion will highlight an Pivot, Ebrary, ProQuest, Re- Arabic book about the hu- fWorks, and Taylor & Francis Ministry removes man psyche, written by Dr eBooks. Salman al-Odah, a member These online resources of the International Union contain scientifi c journal ar- abandoned vehicles, for Muslim Scholars and its ticles, ebooks, and reviews in Board of Trustees. various areas of social sci- The author charts a ences. cleans Ruwais beach meaningful set of ideas and For undergraduate stu- thoughts that focus on the dents who want to deepen human psyche, its advance- their understanding of writ- he Ministry of Munici- also removed 76 abandoned ve- ment and development. ing in English, QNL will off er pality and Environment hicles. He states that humans a free workshop on the ‘Eng- T(MME) has removed 8,244 MME’s Public Cleaning De- need to discover their hidden lish Writing Process’. abandoned vehicles from across partment has cleaned Al Ruwais abilities and explore their This practical workshop Qatar last year, it was announced beach and removed garbage and potential. will include an introductory yesterday. refuse materials. QNL will organise a work- session on the writing proc- These include 3,012 in Doha The Wildlife and Protection shop on ‘Digital Continuity: ess, while participants will Municipality, 4,473 at Al Rayyan, marine patrols spotted a compa- Securing Long Term Value also have the chance to work 375 Al Wakrah, 350 Al Sheehani- ny making an unauthorised road of our Digital Assets and ICT collaboratively, brainstorm, yah, and 34 at Umm Salal. and excavating the beach and Investment’, by Dr Natasa create, edit, and develop The Ministry of Interior’s se- took necessary legal procedures Milic-Frayling, professor their writing. An abandoned vehicle being removed. curity department concerned against it. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 7 QATAR New licence for meat and poultry Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida with the students. imports

mporters of all types of red in this regard have been sent to meat or poultry products, the traders also. Iwhich are not thermally The MoPH has also in- treated, should obtain from structed the health offi ces at Graduation ceremony for March 1 a licence from the the entry points and ports to Ministry of Municipality and inform the importers about Environment’s (MME) live- the new mechanism. stock wealth department. MoPH inspectors at the The new mechanism was ports will ensure all the con- adopted by the Joint Commit- signments are accompanied tee on Human Food Control with the necessary licences, hearing impaired held to ensure that the supplying and they are safe and comply countries are free from any with the health conditions he Qatar Financial Centre Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi. with hearing disabilities, was the hearing impaired community propriate training is also one of epidemic. Due to the current and standards before being Authority (QFCA), in as- The programme ran for dura- main driving theme behind the have equal access to and an equal the prerequisites for achieving bird fl u epidemic situation in released fi nally. Tsociation with the Qatar tion of eight weeks, with stu- programme we developed which opportunity at higher education comprehensive and sustainable Europe and Japan, the Minis- The new mechanism aims Finance and Business Academy dents attending four weekly is the fi rst of its kind not only programmes and services to pre- development,” said Dr Abdulaziz try of Public Health (MoPH) at enhancing the safety of (QFBA), held a graduation cere- sessions for four hours covering here in Qatar, but in the Mid- pare them for work in the fi elds al-Horr, QFBA chief executive. and the MME have called on imported meat products, mony to honour 17 students who topics such as personal plan- dle East as a whole,” said Yousuf of banking and fi nance, he said. The students set goals for importers red meat or poul- and facilitates smooth trade have successfully completed ning, creative thinking, general Mohamed al-Jaida, QFCA chief “Human resources are a na- themselves, and have sought to try products to acquire a transactions. the country’s fi rst ever hearing management, social media mar- executive. tion’s prime wealth, as capital achieve them with perseverance prior licence for any consign- Import licences that take impaired programme. keting, career excellence, com- QFC’s corporate social re- and natural resources while im- and due diligence, and here they ment from these countries in into consideration the epi- The graduation ceremony munication skills and stress and sponsibility (CSR) activities portant, hold no tangible value are now among us writing a suc- particular. demic situation at the source was attended by VIPs, includ- time management. have largely been focused on without a well-educated and cess story marked by resolve and The MoPH has issued a cir- country, based on a unifi ed ing HE the Minister of Ad- “Give the hearing impaired inclusion and accessibility and equipped human element. Hu- determination, while reaping the cular asking all ports and entry reference for animal health, ministrative Development and community a voice – breaking this programme was created man development and empow- fruits of their labour, according points to implement the new will be issued before starting Labour and Social Aff airs Dr down barriers for those living to ensure that members of the erment with knowledge and ap- to him. mechanism. Besides, circulars the import process.

Ministry recalls Pajero models The Ministry of Economy and the dealer to follow up on the Commerce (MEC), in collaboration maintenance and repair works and Commercial Bank introduces new biometric with Qatar Automobiles Company, communicate with customers to has announced the recall of ensure that the necessary repairs Mitsubishi Pajero models of 2007- are carried out. technology in mobile banking service 2016 because of a potential defect The MEC has urged all customers to in the driver seat airbag inflator. report any violations to its Consumer ommercial Bank has ter their fi ngerprint with their Joseph Abraham said, “We “Biometric security features The MEC said the recall campaign Protection and Anti-Commercial announced the intro- mobile device and Commercial have upgraded our Mobile are an important tool to com- comes within the framework of Fraud Department through the Cduction of a new bio- Bank’s Mobile Banking app, and Banking app to support this bat fi nancial fraud and identity its ongoing eff orts to protect following channels: Hotline: 16001, metric technology to its Mo- once registered they can login innovative feature in line with theft. Fingerprint technology consumers and ensure that car e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ bile Banking service, allowing “securely and conveniently”, our strategy of investing in is not only convenient for the dealers follow up on vehicle MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, customers to log in using their according to a press statement technology to provide the best customer but also a secure way defects and repairs. MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: fi ngerprint. from the bank. customer experience for our for customers to access their The MEC will co-ordinate with MEC_Qatar Customers need to regis- Commercial Bank CEO clients. Mobile Banking app.” The Commercial Bank head off ice. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 REGION/ARAB WORLD New LuLu hypermarket launched in Saudi Arabia Netanyahu seeks Britain sanctions against Iran

Reuters London Middle East retail major LuLu Group has opened its latest hypermarket in the city of Hail, in the north-western province of Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The hypermarket, spread over about 160,000sft, is LuLu’s eighth in the country and 133rd of the group. The new outlet was off icially inaugurated by Hail province undersecretary Dr Saud Hamood al-Bugami, in the presence of several sraeli Prime Minister Ben- high-ranking off icials from various government departments and representatives from local business communities. LuLu Group jamin Netanyahu urged “re- chairman Yusufali M A, CEO Saifee Rupawala, executive director Ashraf Ali M A and other senior off icials were also present. Speaking Isponsible nations” to join on the occasion, Yusufali said LuLu has plans to open 20 stores in Saudi Arabia by 2020. new sanctions against Iran yes- terday during a visit to London, but Britain defended a nuclear deal sealed between major pow- ers and Tehran. Ahead of his talks with Brit- ish Prime Minister Theresa May, Saudi govt to appoint envoy to Lebanon Netanyahu said other nations should follow new US President Donald Trump’s imposition of Reuters tions with Saudi Arabia’s mon- sanctions against Iran following Beirut archy, when he visited Riyadh a ballistic missile test. earlier this month. “Iran seeks to annihilate Is- British Prime Minister Theresa May poses shaking hands with Israeli Aoun said his visit had helped rael. It seeks to conquer the Mid- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Netanyahu arrived for a audi Arabia will appoint a improve ties, after tensions led dle East, it threatens Europe, it meeting at 10 Downing Street in central London yesterday. new ambassador to Leba- Riyadh to cancel $3bn of mili- threatens the West, it threatens Snon, encourage the return tary aid to Beirut last year. the world. And it off ers provoca- Tehran — which is strongly op- alert to Iran’s pattern of destabil- of Saudi tourists and increase Lebanon’s president had also tion after provocation,” Netan- posed by both Netanyahu and ising activity in the region.” fl ights there by Saudi airlines, hoped his trip would result in a yahu told May ahead of their Trump — but said there was a Earlier the spokeswoman said the Lebanese president’s offi ce lifting of travel advisories im- meeting. “That’s why I welcome need to “rigorously monitor” May would also tell Netanyahu said, in a sign of improved bi- posed by some Gulf states last President Trump’s assistance of Iran’s behaviour. that continued Israeli settlement lateral ties. year on nationals visiting Leba- new sanctions against Iran. I think “The prime minister made clear activity in occupied lands cap- The kingdom’s Gulf Aff airs non, which severely damaged other nations should follow suit, that we support the deal on nucle- tured in the 1967 Middle East War Minister Thamer al-Sabhan in- its tourism sector. Last year, Ri- certainly responsible nations. ar that was agreed,” the spokes- on which the Palestinians hope to formed President Michel Aoun yadh also advised big-spending I’d like to talk to you about how woman told reporters, when asked create independent state under- of the changes when they met Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun meets with Saudi Arabia’s Arab Saudis not to visit Lebanon. we can ensure that Iran’s aggres- whether Britain was considering mined trust in the region. at the presidential palace yes- Gulf Aff airs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan at the presidential palace in The tensions had also created sion does not go unanswered.” joining new sanctions. Despite their diff erences, Lon- terday, Aoun’s offi ce said in a Baabda, Lebanon yesterday. uncertainty for an estimated May’s spokeswoman said the “What happens now is that (the don has adopted a more positive statement. 750,000 Lebanese nation- British leader had repeated her nuclear deal) needs to be properly approach to Israel since May be- Saudi Arabia’s former am- Aoun, an ally of the Iran- Muslim politician, Saad al- als living and working in Saudi backing for the nuclear deal with enforced, and we also need to be came leader after last year’s vote bassador left Beirut last sum- backed Hezbollah, was elected Hariri, appointed prime min- Arabia and in other Gulf states, to leave the European Union, ech- mer, and the post has been va- in October in a deal that also ister. who transfer between $7-$8bn oing the more sympathetic tone cant since. saw Lebanon’s leading Sunni Aoun sought to mend rela- each year to support families. Kremlin says it disagrees with Trump’s view set by Trump, with whom Britain wishes to secure a post-Brexit The Kremlin said yesterday it did not agree with US President Donald trade deal. Trump’s assessment of Iran as “the number one terrorist state” and May told Netanyahu that Brit- wanted to deepen what it described as already good ties with Tehran. ain was a “strong and close friend The Kremlin was responding to comments Trump made to Fox News in of Israel”, and highlighted their Missile test ‘not a message’ to US president an interview aired at the weekend in which he complained that Iran had co-operation in science, trade and “total disregard” for the United States. security. They agreed to set up a Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call with report- working group to develop trade Reuters pose some new sanctions on Tehran.Trump Iran has test-fi red several ballistic mis- ers that Moscow saw things diff erently. “Russia has friendly partner-like ties both before and after Brexit, Dubai tweeted that Tehran, which has cut back its siles since the 2015 deal, but the latest test relations with Iran, we co-operate on a wide range of issues, value our the spokeswoman said. nuclear programme under a 2015 deal with on January 29 was the fi rst since Trump en- trade ties, and hope to develop them further,” said Peskov. Trump and Last month Britain said it had world powers easing economic sanctions, tered the White House. Putin say they want to try to rebuild US-Russia ties, that were badly reservations about a French-or- ran said yesterday a recent missile trial was “playing with fi re”. Iranian Foreign Trump said during his election cam- damaged by Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and by Western sanc- ganised Middle East peace confer- launch was not intended to send a mes- Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was paign that he would stop Iran’s missile pro- tions imposed on Russia in response. Peskov said there was no reason ence in Paris and did not back the Isage to new US President Donald Trump quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying: gramme. Qasemi said The US government for policy diff erences over Iran to hinder such a rapprochement. “It’s no fi nal communique by 70 countries and to test him, since after a series of policy “Iran’s missile test was not a message to the was “still in an unstable stage” and Trump’s secret for anyone that Moscow and Washington hold diametrically op- which reaffi rmed that only a two- statements Iranian offi cials already “know new US government. comments were “contradictory”. posed views on many international issues,” said Peskov.” That should not state solution could resolve the him quite well”. “There is no need to test Mr Trump as we “We are waiting to see how the US gov- be an obstacle when it comes to forging normal communication and Israeli-Palestinian confl ict. Iran test-fi red a new ballistic missile have heard his views on diff erent issues in ernment will act in diff erent international pragmatic mutually-beneficial relations between Russia and the US.” Its stance angered many EU last week, prompting Washington to im- recent days...We know him quite well.” issues to evaluate their approach.” members.

Rescuers douse blaze at Kuwait opera house

AFP out and caused no injuries. Kuwait City Parts of the roof were seen to be missing after the blaze but it was unclear if that was fi re broke out yes- the result of the maintenance terday at a cultural work or the fi re. Acentre in Kuwait that The centre was launched houses the Gulf state’s opera in October with a perform- house, the fi re department ance at the 2,000-seat op- said. era house by Italian tenor The blaze started during Andrea Bocelli. The sprawl- maintenance work on the ti- ing 214,000-square-metre tanium roof, the department centre, located in the heart of said in a statement on Twit- the capital Kuwait City, cost ter. It said the fi re was put $750mn.

PLEA Family of Yemen journo seeks probe The family of a Yemeni investigative journalist and rights groups have demanded an investigation into his sudden death after an autopsy showed he was poisoned, an activist said yesterday. Mohamed al-Absi, 35, died suddenly on December 20, after publish- ing reports about corruption. Local media accused the rebel Houthi militia, which has ruled Sanaa since September 2014, of poisoning him. “We are looking for an experienced team of investigators to aid the prosecution, but the team has to be neutral,” said Abdulrashid al-Faqih, head of Mwatana human rights organisation. The team should investigate “the circumstances of the death after the autopsy confirmed that poison is the cause,” he said.

ACCIDENT Gas line rupture kills two

A gas pipeline rupture in southeastern Iran during a pressure test killed two workers, Mehr news agency reported yesterday. The pipeline between the cities of Bazman and Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan province did not contain any gas, and the testing and cleaning process were conducted with air and water, a local oil off icial was quoted as saying by Fars news. Mehr news agency also quoted the spokesman of the National Iranian Gas Company as say- ing that the incident was not an explosion. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 9 ARAB WORLD Man injured in air strike

Reuters northern Gaza Strip,” the Is- Gaza raeli military said in a state- ment, cautioning it “will not tolerate rocket fire towards Palestinian rocket civilians”. launched from Gaza Gaza residents said an Astruck Israel yesterday, armed training camp, a se- causing no casualties or dam- curity compound and an ob- age, in a rare attack that drew servation post belonging to Israeli air strikes against Pal- Hamas were hit. estinian targets. There was no immediate A 70-year-old Palestinian claim of responsibility for the man was slightly wounded Palestinian rocket strike. in one of the Israeli strikes, Israel has said that Hamas, health workers said, identi- the group that rules the Gaza fying him as a passerby. Strip, bears overall responsi- He was the only reported bility for what happens in the casualty on either side of a enclave. frontier that has been largely Hamas has observed a de- quiet in recent months. facto ceasefire with Israel “In response to the projec- since a 2014 war but small tile fired towards southern armed cells have defied the Israeli communities earlier agreement and have contin- today, the air force targeted ued to occasionally launch three Hamas posts in the rockets at Israel.

Free Syrian Army fighters carry their weapons as they stand on the outskirts of the Islamic State-controlled northern town of Al-Bab. Palestinians set vote timetable

The Palestinian electoral commission announced yesterday a calendar for delayed municipal elections, despite Gaza rulers Hamas rejecting them. The commission said on its website that voter registration would end on February 25, while registration of candidates will take place for 10 days from March 28. The Palestinian Authority said last month that IS ‘completely besieged’ in vote will be held on May 13th simultaneously in the Gaza Strip and in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which the PA controls. But the Hamas movement which runs Gaza has criticised the plans and said that the new timetable “strengthens divisions”. The rival parties have not con- tested an election since 2006 parliamentary polls, which Hamas won. Hamas boycotted the most recent municipal elections in 2012, which Syria’s Aleppo province took place only in the West Bank. Last year a timetable was agreed for elections in both territories, but they collapsed amid political AFP ers dead, the Observatory said. squabbling and the elections were delayed. Beirut They had captured the Hayy- an oilfi eld west of the celebrated desert city of Palmyra at the he Islamic State group is weekend and were seeking to ad- “completely besieged” in vance backed by heavy artillery Tits last major stronghold and air strikes. in Syria’s Aleppo province, a The United Nations said yes- Israel zoo announces monitor said yesterday, as pro- terday IS was “militarily on the regime forces pressure the mili- defensive” across the region, tants on several fronts. struggling to attract recruits and rare white rhino birth IS fi ghters were cut off in Al- facing a drop in revenue from oil Bab after forces loyal to President and extortion. Bashar al-Assad’s government But the UN report urged AFP pregnancy, spokeswoman severed a road into the northern governments to be vigilant of Jerusalem Sagit Horowitz said. town, the Syrian Observatory for IS efforts to fi nd new revenue Rihanna, his seven-and-a- Human Rights reported. streams, citing concerns that half-year-old mother origi- “Al-Bab is now completely journalists and aid workers trav- zoo in central Israel nally from South Africa, mated besieged by the regime from the elling to areas recaptured from yesterday announced with four-year-old Atari in the south, and the Turkish forces the militants could be targets for Athe rare birth of a white 100-hectare park. and rebels from the east, north kidnapping. rhinoceros, an endangered Rihanna belongs to the and west,” said the Britain- A handout picture released by the off icial Syrian Arab News Agency (Sana) yesterday shows Syrian President On Saturday, US-backed species. southern white rhinoceros based monitor. Bashar al-Assad meeting with a visiting Belgian parliamentary delegation headed by Filip Dewinter, parliament Kurdish and Arab fi ghters an- Rami, a male, was born sev- subspecies native to southern Observatory chief Rami Abdel member of the Flemish far-right party Vlaams Belang. nounced a new phase in their eral days ago in the Ramat Gan Africa, of which some 20,000 Rahman said regime forces and campaign to capture Raqa, but zoological centre and safari remain globally. There are 14 allied militias captured the last ritory around Al-Bab “to protect by UN special envoy for Syria the confl ict in his country had said they needed more weapons park following an 18-month rhinos in Ramat Gan. remaining route between Al-Bab the eastern fl ank of Aleppo city” Staff an de Mistura, are the lat- actually hurt Europeans. to win. and Raqa, the militants’ de facto which it recaptured in Decem- est attempt to stop the six-year “Most European countries The Syrian Democratic Forc- capital in Syria. ber, he said. confl ict. adopted an unrealistic policy es began their off ensive for the At least 11 pro-government It also sought to use the town Several rounds of indirect since the beginning of the war in militant stronghold in Novem- fi ghters were killed in ongoing as a buff er, “preventing the talks in 2016 between the regime Syria...damaging the interests of ber and have taken some ground clashes around Al-Bab yester- Euphrates Shield from advanc- and the opposition, represented their own people by supporting further up the Euphrates Valley day, he added. ing south” deeper into Syria. by the High Negotiations Com- terrorist groups,” he said. but are still some distance away. Just 25 kilometres south of the Turkey and Russia back op- mittee, fi zzled out without nota- Assad’s regime has refocused SDF fi ghters have received Turkish border, the town is seen posing sides in the war, but have ble progress. on IS since fully recapturing training and air support from the as a prize by nearly all sides in joined forces in recent months to On February 12, the HNC will Aleppo city in December, in the US-led coalition against IS. the complex war. try to end to the confl ict. announce the members of its biggest blow to rebels battling to Last week Washington said Since December, Turkey- The two powers carried out delegation to this month’s talks, topple his regime. it had supplied them with ar- backed rebels known as the their fi rst joint bombing raids the leading Istanbul-based Na- IS is among several militant moured sports utility vehicles Euphrates Shield alliance have around Al-Bab in January after tional Coalition said yesterday. movements that have shot to for the fi rst time. edged towards Al-Bab from the brokering a fragile ceasefi re be- The main obstacle to progress prominence during the con- US President Donald Trump, north. tween rebels and regime forces. in previous rounds has been the fl ict, which has left more than who made fi ghting “radical ter- “Al-Bab is more important for Along with Iran, they organ- fate of Assad, who opposition 310,000 people dead and forced rorism” a central plank of his the Turks, who defi ned the town ised a summit in Kazakhstan in a forces say must leave power at millions more from their homes. election campaign, was due to as a priority for their Euphrates bid to reinforce that truce ahead the start of any transition pe- Assad’s forces were also locked visit US Central Command yes- Shield alliance,” said Syria ex- of fully fl edged peace talks in riod. Yesterday, Assad told vis- in fi ghting with IS in the central terday, meeting offi cers who will Rami, a two-week-old white rhinoceros, is pictured with his mother, pert Thomas Pierret. Geneva later this month. iting Belgian parliamentarians province of Homs yesterday that spearhead his new strategy to Rihanna, at the Ramat Gan Safari zoo near Tel Aviv yesterday. But the regime was eyeing ter- Those negotiations, hosted that Western policies towards left at least 14 government fi ght- defeat IS. For Kurds, world novels fi nally speak their language

AFP pre-war population, including volunteer basis. The translated that Kurds can read world litera- time publishing in Kurdish. Qamishli, Syria depriving them of Syrian na- version of Snow has already gone ture in their mother tongue.” The latest issue of the bi- tionality. on sale, for just over one US dol- To swell the body of homeg- monthly, which relaunched in “I spent three months in a lar a piece, enough to cover the rown books, Malfa Ali, one of the 2015 off ering readers articles bdo Shehu sits in an of- prison in Damascus in 2009, and costs of printing, according to founders of the project, is also by Kurdish authors, is themed fi ce in Kurdish-majority was threatened with expulsion Shehu. compiling traditional Kurdish “Identity and Language”. AQamishli in northeast from university, because I was After translation, each work folktales and songs to put them “The Kurdish language is the Syria, surrounded by copies of found with books in Kurdish,” is reviewed by a committee for into print. fi rst thing we have to protect. the fi rst Western novel available said Shehu. approval, which tried, without The 37-year-old said he It never had its chance before, in the city in his own language. “Our language and our culture success, to reach Fermine to ob- spends long exhausting hours despite representing the identity The novel is Snow by French were banned by the authoritar- tain copyright permissions be- collecting these tales directly of a whole people,” said Abbas writer Maxence Fermine, the ian Baath party, which wanted fore publication began. from the storytellers themselves. Musa, a member of the maga- fi rst fruits of a new project to to get rid of the Kurds and their After decades of marginali- They have never been formally zine’s editorial team. translate international works of culture,” he added. sation, today very few Kurdish recorded because publishing “We’re striving to off er some- literature into a language that But Syria’s central govern- authors write in their mother Kurdish-language books was thing diff erent and varied to was eff ectively banned in Syria ment no longer has much sway tongue, encouraging avid read- forbidden. those interested in culture,” he until recently. over the Kurdish-majority re- ers like Shehu to translate works “We’ll start gathering all the said of the magazine, which is The 29-year-old is working gions of the country, in the north from other languages. stories told in the area and then published in Qamishli and dis- as part of the “Hunar” project, and northeast. “There are only very few au- we’ll move on to the songs,” he tributed in two other cities. named for the Kurdish word It withdrew its security forces thors who write literature in said. The 31-year-old said he hoped for pomegranate, launched two from Kurdish-majority regions Kurdish,” writer Hussein Zido, The project also hopes one day highbrow articles in Kurdish months ago to translate litera- in 2012, a year after the upris- A Kurdish woman reads a book at a library in Kurdish-majority Qamishli 45, said. to produce a complete dictionary would show his mother tongue is ture into the Kurdish language in ing broke out against President in northeast Syria. “Kurds never obtained their of the Kurdish language, includ- “not weak”. Fellow Sormi editor Kurdish-majority parts of Syria. Bashar al-Assad. cultural, social or political rights ing words and phrases from the Bahar Murad, 39, also translates For years, Syria’s Kurds were And since then, the Kurds ish names to villages and towns. Those books will soon go into throughout their long history in tongue’s spoken form. children’s stories from English to banned from using their lan- have walked a careful line be- The project has already trans- publication, and work will con- the Middle East,” he said. Kurdish areas have seen a cul- Kurdish. guage in offi cial settings and tween the government and lated three more works, includ- tinue with new volumes, which The “Hunar” project aims to tural revival since 2012, with new In his offi ce at the culture prevented from learning it in rebels, while focusing on build- ing The Epic of Gilgamesh, a are chosen by a committee that save the Kurdish language from cultural associations and maga- magazine, he points to a recent schools or publishing magazines ing a semi-autonomous region. poem from ancient Mesopo- weighs various criteria, includ- extinction by translating books zines taking life. translation of Snow White and or books in the tongue. Kurdish offi cials have re- tamia and among the earliest ing whether the works are rel- from the rest of the world into Syrian authorities forced the the Seven Dwarfs. He wants to The restrictions were parts claimed their tongue, reintro- known literary writings in the evant to Kurdish life. Kurdish, Shehu said. Kurdish magazine Sormi to close see children reading in their of a larger programme of con- ducing the Kurmanji dialect of world, from Arabic, and a study It is a non-profi t initiative, “We’re doing our best not down in its original Arabic-lan- mother tongue, he said. straints placed on Kurds, who their language into the school of the Kurdish people, from Eng- and funded by private donors, only to translate literature, but guage form in 2008, but since “They’ve asked me to trans- make up around 10% of Syria’s curriculum and restoring Kurd- lish. with translators working on a also philosophy and thought...so the uprising it has reopened, this late Little Red Riding Hood.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 AFRICA Nigerians protest for change Reuters ia still heavily dependent on ex- Lagos ports of crude, the price of which has halved since 2014. Clarity sought on The still active insurgency has undreds of Nigerians killed more than 15,000 people marched through the and led to a humanitarian crisis Hstreets of Lagos calling that has left 1.8 million Nigerians president’s health for a change of government yes- at risk of starvation and turned terday in a rare show of public millions more into refugees. dissent that refl ected mounting Many of the more than 200 By Ola Awoniyi, AFP anger over an absentee president schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Abuja and a sputtering economy. Haram from the northeast town Flanked by a heavy police es- of Chibok in 2014 remain miss- cort, more than 500 demonstra- ing. igeria’s President Mu- tors halted traffi c in the commer- “We have a missing budget, hammadu Buhari is ap- cial capital as a truck blasted out missing Chibok girls and miss- Nparently unwell. protest songs against the admin- ing president,” the protesters Or he might not be. istration of President Muham- chanted, also referring to the fact Either way, it’s enough for his madu Buhari. the 2017 budget has not yet been health to have increasingly be- Buhari has been in Britain approved by parliament. come a national talking point. since mid-January for unspeci- Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo The 74-year-old former army fi ed medical checks and, with told an economic forum in Abuja general had been due to resume no indication of when he might that the government heard the work yesterday morning in the return, many Nigerians suspect protesters “loud and clear”. capital, Abuja, after a holiday in his health is worse than offi cials “You have a right to demand London. admit. for a better economy and we are But on Sunday evening, his The country is also mired in committed to see it happen,” offi ce announced that he was to Buhari: his health has its fi rst recession in 25 years and he said on Monday, but added: prolong his stay on doctor’s or- increasingly become a national high infl ation is driving up prices “Years of deterioration cannot be Protesters hold placards during ders, as he was still waiting for talking point. of basic goods. reversed overnight. an anti-government the results of medical tests con- “Government of the rich, “Again it has to be said that demonstration yesterday in ducted during his stay. months of political uncertainty. for the rich, making rules for it’s our business, it’s our duty to Lagos. No further details were given Yar’Adua’s death brought his the poor,” protesters chanted ensure that we put the Nigerian about his condition nor when he deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, to against a backbeat of anthems economy on the track of recov- Yar’Adua before his fi rst four- would fi nally return. power. by Afrobeat superstar Fela Kuti, ery.” year term ended. The announcement triggered To be sure, Buhari’s presiden- a fearless critic of Nigeria’s often Some fear a rerun of the un- Olusegun Obasanjo, his Chris- fresh speculation about the state cy has not hidden the fact that brutal and corrupt military rule stable three months when former tian predecessor, held offi ce for of Buhari’s health and has done he needed medical treatment: in until his death in 1997. president Umaru Yar’Adua was ill the maximum eight years, while little to convince an already June 2016, it said he was heading “Unemployed people are hun- before he died, after which vice- Jonathan was in power for fi ve. sceptical public that there is no to London for treatment to a per- gry and angry,” read one demon- president Goodluck Jonathan Nigeria is no stranger to eth- cause for concern. sistent inner ear infection. strator’s sign. was sworn in in 2010. nically- and religiously-charged Buhari’s offi ce has already had It also announced last month Buhari, whose age is offi cially Like Yar’Adua, Buhari is a violence. to counter rumours during the that his latest trip would include given as 74, took offi ce in 2015 on Muslim from the north, and like Confl ict has swept the coun- trip that Buhari was critically ill “routine medical check-ups”. pledges to diversify the economy Jonathan, the current president’s try’s heartland, where hundreds and had even died. But Buhari and his All Progres- away from oil, fi ght corruption deputy Osinbajo is a southern have died in clashes between The main opposition Peoples sives Congress (APC) have been and end an Islamic insurgency by Christian. Muslim herders and mainly Democratic Party (PDP) seized unable to shake off persistent ru- Boko Haram that broke out in the Traditionally the two religious Christian farmers, and militants on the announcement of his mours that he is more seriously northeast in 2009. groups have taken turns to hold continue to operate in the oil- extended stay in London, say- ill than is being made out. But critics say that he has the presidency, but that accord rich Delta region in the south- People hold placards during a rally in Abuja to show support for ing that Nigerians had a right to The PDP claimed during the made little progress, with Niger- was unbalanced by the death of east. President Buhari. know what he was being treated 2015 election in which Buhari for because he was using public defeated Jonathan that he had funds. terminal prostate cancer – one “He should tell them (the pub- of a series of smears designed to lic) the true state of his health,” a show he was unfi t for offi ce. statesman for the PDP was quot- One of Buhari’s spokes- Somalia presidential hopefuls make last vote pitch ed as saying in the Punch news- men, Femi Adesina, on Sunday paper. “Medical tests have dates evening tried to play down the of collection of results. It can’t be signifi cance of the extension, as By Abdi Sheikh, Reuters Somalia, which was shattered by President Hassan Sheikh Mo- open-ended without dates.” Nigerians took to social media to Mogadishu more than two decades of con- hamud had been due to take part In Abuja, where protesters air their theories. fl ict and where clan loyalties still in the afternoon debate, but had had turned out to demonstrate “I am sure it will get to a point tend to trump policy in politics. still not turned up as it began. against Buhari’s economic policy when the president has to dis- residential candidates “Somali clans have fought for He is seeking a second term and call for solutions to end a close the status of his health if in Somalia rounded off many years so I will reconcile after more than four years in of- crippling recession, there were it needs to be disclosed,” he told Pcampaigning with an un- them so we have a government fi ce during which time he has calls for greater openness. Channels television. precedented televised debate that will bring people together,” faced criticism from the public “I wonder why the govern- But he said that because of yesterday, dominated by issues said candidate Mohamud Ahmed and Western donors about cor- ment is not transparent enough doctor-patient confi dentiality, of corruption, security and US Nur Tarsan, a former Mogadishu ruption. about our president’s health is- only Buhari himself could reveal President Donald Trump’s travel mayor, promising to fi ght cor- Major Osman Mohamed, a sue,” said one woman, who gave what was wrong. ban. ruption and Islamist militants. military offi cer who like other her name only as Mabel. “We are Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo Somalia, which holds a presi- Candidates bidding for offi ce soldiers complains about delayed completely in the dark.” is deputising and there was no dential vote tomorrow, is one of in a race repeatedly delayed since wages, said: “The best questions, James Badmus, a lawyer, power vacuum, he added. seven majority Muslim nations August promised to improve se- which I am sure our lazy presi- added: “The issues are clear and Nigerians are generally mis- whose citizens were barred from curity and the economy. dent can’t answer, is how to solve straightforward: what exactly is trustful of government and its travel to America under Trump’s Most of the 23 hopefuls did corruption and insecurity prob- wrong with our president and for pronouncements. executive order. not turn up for the debate, split lems.” how long is he going to be away? They also have long memories Many Somalis were sent back between two sessions due to An insurgency by Shebaab Is- Period. Anybody can fall sick that go back beyond Yar’Adua to home or stranded at airports, number of candidates. lamist militants scuppered plans but when a president falls sick, military ruler Sani Abacha, who until a US judge put the ruling on Voters complained that the for each adult to have a vote, so it should not be a confi dential also died in offi ce. hold. debate was more of a question Somalia’s 300 members of par- matter.” Victor Giwa, of the Advocates “I will tackle the issue of refu- and answer session that ignored liament will instead vote on the The health of Nigeria’s head of for Peoples’ Rights and Justice gees deported from the United people’s daily concerns. next president. state has long been a sensitive is- pressure group, said the public States and other countries, and Candidates were asked ques- About one-third of lawmak- sue. had a right to know if the presi- will settle internally displaced tions such as “why do you de- ers, who were themselves picked In 2010, president Umaru dent was unwell. people,” Bashir Rage, one of serve to become president?” by a by about 14,000 clan elders and Yar’Adua died from a long- “If they cannot tell us the several former warlords seek- prominent journalist. regional fi gures, are loyal to the standing, but undisclosed kidney health status of the president, ing election, said in the debate “I wish the questions were president’s Peace and Develop- condition, while in Saudi Arabia. it shows there are many things broadcast on TV and radio. from citizens,” Ahmed Nur, from ment Party, giving Mohamud an His initial illness and treat- they have been hiding from us,” Motorists drive along a Mogadishu street sporting campaign Tomorrow’s presidential vote Baidoa, northwest of the capital, edge in the race but not enough to ment in hospital abroad triggered he added. billboards of presidential candidates. is part of the rebuilding eff ort in told Reuters. guarantee him victory.

South Africa tries to limit crop damage from pest from the Americas 200 cops

Reuters/AFP on their agricultural products of what you will harvest as in Zimbabwe’s capital next week approximately 130,000 hectares the Mediterranean, according to sacked Pretoria because armyworm is classifi ed that process is informed by a to shape a co-ordinated emer- (320,000 acres) of crops. the not-for-profi t group. as a quarantine pest. number of other factors includ- gency response to the army- However, the FAO emphasised “This is the fi rst time it has The fall armyworm is an in- ing the prevalence of rain ... but worm threat in the region. that the full extent of the dam- been shown that both species or DPA outh Africa’s agriculture vasive Central American spe- of course the reason we want to The FAO has announced the age there and in other aff ected strains are established on main- Kigali minister said yesterday cies that is harder to detect and react very quickly is to make sure meeting to be held on February countries is yet to be estab- land Africa” CABI chief scientist Sthat the country was tak- eradicate than its African coun- we minimise the damage if it is 14-16 in Harare after the pest lished. Matthew Cock said after analy- ing measures to determine the terpart. possible,” he told a media con- was identifi ed in southern Af- The outbreak follows a crip- sis was conducted in the group’s wanda has dismissed 200 extent of damage from an inva- Agriculture, Forestry and ference. rica. pling El Nino-triggered drought labs. police offi cers implicated sion of the crop-eating fall ar- Fisheries Minister, Senzeni Zok- His ministry was registering “Preliminary reports indicate which scorched much of the re- Essential for food security in Rin corruption-related myworm, and could not yet esti- wana said that the fall army- pesticides for use against the fall possible presence (of the pest) in gion last year, hitting crop pro- large parts of Africa, maize is cases, a police spokesman said mate the impact on farm output. worm had been positively iden- armyworm as “no pesticide was Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, duction and leaving millions in particularly vulnerable to the yesterday. This is the fi rst time the pest tifi ed from samples collected in previously registered to be used South Africa, Zambia and Zim- need of food aid. larvae, which attack the crop’s The announcement came has been detected in Africa’s the northern Limpopo province. against it”, he said. babwe,” FAO subregional co- Meanwhile, Britain-based growing points and burrow into about two weeks after anti-cor- biggest grain producer. He said the pest was a strong Two pesticides had been reg- ordinator for southern Africa, Centre for Agriculture and Bio- the cobs. ruption watchdog Transparency It can cause extensive crop fl yer and could be distributed by istered. David Phiri, said in a statement science International (CABI) The pest is also known to have International ranked the East damage and has a preference for prevailing winds over large dis- Zokwana said South Africa last week. warned that the armyworm caused major damage to other African country as the third- maize, the regional staple. tances. would take part in an emergency Zambia has already spent threatens farming worldwide. economically important crops least corrupt in Africa – after Countries with confi rmed “It is diffi cult in crop pro- meeting called by the Food and $3mn (€2.8mn) in an attempt to Two species of the fall army- including rice, soybean and cot- Botswana and Cape Verde – and outbreaks can face import bans duction to determine the scale Agricultural Organisation (FAO) control the pest that has aff ected worm could spread to Asia and ton. as the 50th least corrupt globally among 176 countries. “The ranking shows the gov- ernment’s commitment and the will to fi ght corruption,” Marie- Immaculee Ingabire, the chair Tribunal hears maritime dispute between Ghana and Ivory Coast of Transparency International Rwanda, told DPA. The sacked police offi cers in- AFP boundary that cuts through lu- the Sea to rule on where the bor- of carrying out oil exploration gion of some of the most sig- geous for it if the line were drawn cluded one superintendent and Frankfurt am Main crative off shore oil fields. der lies exactly, with Ghana ar- activities in Ivorian maritime nifi cant oil reserves in west Af- somewhere else.” four chief inspectors. The area is believed to hold the guing there is no need to deviate zones. rica,” Ghana’s justice minister A tribunal spokeswoman said “The war against corruption biggest hydrocarbon resources from a decades-long “mutually Both sides will lay out their Gloria Akuff o told the court in that a judgment in the case is not and bribery, either within the n international tribu- discovered in west Africa over agreed and recognised” bound- case in oral hearings over the her opening statement. “A fairly expected until “later this year”. force or in other institutions, nal began hearing argu- the last decade. ary line based on equidistance. next two weeks, with Ghana drawn agreed line does not sud- The two countries brought remains. The slogan is the same Aments yesterday in a dis- The neighbours have asked Ivory Coast however claims kicking off the proceedings yes- denly become unfair simply be- their spat before the tribunal in ... no mercy for corrupt offi cers,” pute between Ghana and Ivory the Hamburg-based Interna- the border is not properly de- terday. cause one state decides it would 2014 after months of fruitless police spokesman Theos Badege Coast over a contested maritime tional Tribunal for the Law of marcated and accuses Ghana “The boundary lies in the re- be economically more advanta- negotiations. said. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 11 AMERICAS Trump visits Centcom

AFP Orlando nightclub, who left 49 destine agents around the world. MacDill Air Force Base dead in June last year. Hundreds of Trump’s own Legal battles to In late January, Trump ordered diplomats have voiced their op- generals to begin a 30-day re- position to the ban. resident Donald Trump view of the US strategy to defeat The contours of Trump’s poli- paid his fi rst visit to US the Syria and Iraq-based militant cy to fi ght the Islamic State group PCentral Command (Cent- group. abroad are still coming into fo- com) yesterday, meeting offi cers Trump had made fi ghting cus. who will form the tip of the spear “radical Islamic terrorism” a On January 28, he signed a in implementing his new strat- central plank of his election cam- presidential memorandum that test Trump ban egy to defeat the Islamic State paign and the issue is emerging called for a review including any (IS) group. as the organising principle of his “recommended changes to any Reuters to fi le a legal brief, arguing that After a three-day break at his foreign and domestic policies. US rules of engagement”. Washington the travel ban “infl icts signifi cant Mar-a-Lago estate in southern He used potential co-opera- That could foreshadow a harm on American business, in- Florida, Trump stopped off at tion in the fi ght against the Is- tougher approach, but it is one novation, and growth”. Centcom headquarters in Tampa lamic State group as a reason to that some experts believe could S President Donald The companies noted that on his way back to Washington. embrace Russia and has tried fuel radicalisation. Trump’s temporary im- “immigrants or their children The Republican president, to implement an order banning During Trump’s fi rst days in Umigration ban faces a le- founded more than 200 of the now in his third week on the job, refugees and nationals of seven offi ce, US special forces car- gal hurdle that could determine companies on the Fortune 500 also had lunch with enlisted sol- Muslim-majority countries from ried out a raid against Al Qaeda whether he can push through the list”. diers and delivered remarks in entering the United States. in Yemen which resulted in the most controversial and far reach- Trump has vowed to reinstate the early afternoon. The ban has spurred an un- deaths of one US soldier, 14 mili- ing policy of his fi rst two weeks in the measures, which put a 90- The military command is re- precedented battle with the tants and as many as 16 civilians. offi ce. day bar on citizens from Iran, sponsible for an area that in- courts. Trump also called for the The government has a dead- Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syr- cludes the Middle East and Cen- On Sunday, Trump tried to pin “identifi cation of new coalition line to justify the executive or- ia and Yemen and a 120-day halt tral Asia. the blame for future attacks on partners” – a likely nod toward der temporarily barring entry to to all refugees. It plays a key role in Operation the federal judge who has tem- Russia. the United States of people from Curbing entry to the United Inherent Resolve – the US-led porarily blocked his executive Moscow has deployed aircraft, seven Muslim-majority coun- States as a national security mission to “degrade and defeat” order. naval assets and troops to Syria, tries and halting the US refugee measure was a central premise of Najmia Abdishakur (right), a Somali national who was delayed entry the Islamic State group – which “Just cannot believe a judge but has so far trained its fi re on programme. his run for offi ce, originally pro- to the US because of the recent travel ban, is hugged yesterday by has resulted in 17,861 strikes would put our country in such rebels with the aim of propping A federal judge in Seattle sus- posed during his campaign as a her mother Zahra Warsma at Washington Dulles International Airport across northern Syria and Iraq peril. If something happens up Bashar al-Assad’s regime. pended the order on Friday, temporary ban on Muslims. in Chantilly, Virginia. since August 2016. blame him and court system. After substantial territorial opening a window for travelers US presidents have in the past Apart from seizing territory People pouring in. Bad!” Trump gains, IS is now on the back foot, from the seven countries to enter. claimed sweeping powers to fi ght (CIA) directors Michael Hayden remarks to raise questions about and declaring a caliphate, the said. struggling to hold onto the Iraqi The government had until 3pm terrorism, but individuals, states and Michael Morell. how independent his Supreme Islamic State group has claimed He did not off er evidence for city of Mosul and with its “capi- PST on Monday (2300 GMT, and civil rights groups challeng- Bob Ferguson, the Washington Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, responsibility for attacks in Af- the suggestion that would-be tal” in Raqa under threat. 2am in Qatar time today) to sub- ing the travel order say his ad- State attorney general who fi led might be. rica, Europe, the United States, terrorists are fl ocking to the But the battle is approaching a mit additional legal briefs to the ministration has off ered no evi- the Seattle lawsuit, said he was “With each action testing the Southeast Asia and across the country. fork in the road. 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals dence it answers a threat. confi dent of victory. Constitution, and each person- Middle East. Most experts express more Trump has reportedly shelved in San Francisco in support of Protesters have taken to the “We have a checks and balance al attack on a judge, President It’s seen as infl uencing attack- concern about Americans be- his predecessor Barack Obama’s Trump’s order. street accusing Trump of dis- system in our country, and the Trump raises the bar even higher ers in San Bernardino, California, coming radicalised and carrying plans for taking Raqa with the The court was expected to act criminating against Muslims. president does not have totally for Judge Gorsuch’s nomination who killed 14 people in Decem- out IS-inspired attacks, rather help of Kurdish forces and must quickly, and a decision either way The government says the unfettered discretion to make to serve on the Supreme Court,” ber 2015, and the attacker of an than the group dispatching clan- soon decide how to proceed. may ultimately result in the case president is exercising his con- executive orders as he chooses,” Chuck Schumer, the top Demo- reaching the US Supreme Court. stitutional authority to control he told NBC News’ Today show. crat in the Senate, said in a state- The new Republican president, borders and that the law allows Trump derided US District ment. “His ability to be an inde- who has said the travel measures him to suspend the entry of any Judge James Robart in Seattle, pendent check will be front and are to protect the country against class of foreigners who “would be who issued the temporary stay center throughout the confi rma- the threat of terrorism, has re- detrimental to the interest of the on Friday, as a “so-called judge”. tion process.” acted to challenges to his ban United States”. On Sunday, he broadened his There are numerous legal chal- by attacking the federal judge in A businessman who had never Twitter attacks on Robart, who lenges still pending across the Seattle and then the wider court held public offi ce until he as- was appointed by former Repub- United States even as the appeals system. sumed the presidency on January lican president George W Bush, court considers the travel ban. Over the weekend, the appeals 20, Trump has vented his frus- to include the “court system”. A federal judge in Washington, court in San Francisco denied tration over the legal challenges “Just cannot believe a judge DC has set a hearing after two the administration’s request for with a volley of attacks on the would put our country in such people aff ected by the travel ban an immediate suspension of the judiciary. peril,” Trump tweeted. “If some- sued. federal judge’s temporary re- Ten former US national secu- thing happens blame him and Court documents show one of straining order that blocked the rity and foreign policy offi cials, court system.” them, a Somali woman married implementation of key parts of who served under both Republi- Trump did not elaborate on to a US citizen, was allowed to the travel ban. can and Democratic presidents, what threats the country poten- enter the United States on Sun- But the court did say it would fi led a declaration in the court tially faced. day while another, an Iranian consider the government’s re- case arguing the travel ban serves It is unusual for a sitting presi- woman married to a lawful per- quest after receiving more infor- no national security purposes. dent to attack a member of the manent US resident, is set to fl y mation. It was signed by former sec- judiciary, which the US Consti- to the US in the afternoon. Top US technology compa- retaries of state including John tution designates as a check on The Justice Department has nies, including Apple, Google Kerry, Madeleine Albright, and the power of the presidency and urged Judge Tanya Chutkan not and Microsoft banded together Condoleezza Rice, and former Congress. to issue a temporary restraining with nearly 100 fi rms on Sunday Central Intelligence Agency Democrats seized on Trump’s order.

Trump attends a lunch with members of the US military during his visit to the US Centcom and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida. LGBT community wonder if they’re next

Canada returns AFP Advertisements bring political message to Super Bowl Los Angeles bison to its oldest Home-sharing giant Airbnb injected a surprise political mercials pushing multiculturalism is propaganda to national park Kremlin wants Fox message during the Super Bowl on Sunday with a accept Muslim refugees that seek to invade.” merica’s LGBT commu- television spot highlighting multiculturalism and the Trump’s January 27 decree prohibits entry to all refu- Rangers have successfully nity is watching warily to hashtag #WeAccept. gees, regardless of nationality, for 120 days, and bars reintroduced a herd of plains News apology over Adecipher President Don- While the American football championship normally Syrian refugees indefinitely. bison to Canada’s oldest national ald Trump’s intentions towards frowns on overtly political ads, the subtle message It also suspends the issuance of visas for 90 days to park, off icials said yesterday, them, with many fearing a back- from Airbnb came amid a heated debate following migrants or visitors from seven mainly Muslim coun- more than 130 years after the Putin comments lash is in store from the new ad- President Donald Trump’s order to block the flow of tries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. iconic North American animal last ministration – despite its eff orts immigrants and refugees into the United States. However, the travel ban has been lifted temporarily grazed the eastern slopes of the to reassure them. The 30-second Airbnb spot shows a series of faces of following a federal district judge’s order that it be Canadian Rockies. Reuters ing on the allegations against The presence in Trump’s cabi- people from diff erent races, genders and ages with a suspended nationwide on Friday. Parks Canada moved 16 bison Moscow Putin in the same interview, net of arch-conservatives, with running line of text saying: “No matter who you are, The ad was among several which aimed to deliver a from a protected herd in central questioned how “innocent” a record of opposing same-sex where you’re from, who you love or who you worship, message. Alberta into an enclosed pasture the United States itself was, marriage and other hard-fought we all belong.” A separate spot from the home improvement retailer in Banff National Park in the west he Kremlin said yes- saying it had made a lot of its lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- The ad was among several apparently promoting toler- 84 Lumber showed the journey of a mother and of the province last week. terday that it wanted own mistakes. gender (LGBT) rights, has set the ance and multiculturalism at a time of deep political daughter who appeared to be travelling in the Mexican The herd will stay under Tan apology from Fox That irritated some con- community on edge. polarisation. desert seeking to reach the United States, and invited observation in an enclosure in News over what it said were gressional Republicans who Since Trump’s election in No- On Twitter, Airbnb founder and chief executive Brian viewers to watch the full ad online. the remote Panther Valley until “unacceptable” comments said there was no comparison vember, phones have been ring- Chesky also announced that the group would donate On YouTube, the five-minute film described as “too summer 2018, when the animals one of the channel’s pre- between how Russian and US ing off the hook at the Trevor $4mn over four years to the International Rescue Com- controversial for TV” showed the pair arriving at a will be released into the full senters made about Russian politicians behaved. Project, which provides counsel- mittee to assist refugees. large wall, unable to cross. 1,189sq km re-introduction zone President Vladimir Putin Asked in an interview on ling to people in the community “Airbnb’s goal is to provide short term housing over the At the end of the spot, viewers saw the message: “The in the park’s eastern valleys. in an interview with United Sunday to clarify those com- who suff er from depression or are next five years for 100,000 people in need,” Chesky will to succeed is always welcome here.” Parks Canada said bison were States counterpart Donald ments, Trump told West- at risk of suicide. tweeted. The retailer had to revise its spot for television after it once dominant grazers and Trump. wood One Sports Radio: The day after the vote, the or- The ad, which was not revealed ahead of the game, was rejected for being overtly political. a “keystone species”, and Fox News host Bill O’Reilly “Well, I don’t have to clarify ganisation was contacted 400 prompted considerable reaction on Twitter. The ad also sparked a range of social media reactions. bringing them back to Banff will described Putin as “a killer” it. The question was do you times – the biggest single day to- “Great job airbnb executing a positive ad that draws “Trump vile hate is surrounded by love,” one Twitter restore their missing role in the in the interview with Trump respect him – he’s a head of a tal all year. people together & helps your brand. Acceptance starts user wrote. ecosystem. as he tried to press the US major country.” “Before this campaign, this with all of us,” one Twitter user wrote. But another commented, “I won’t be shopping at 84 Bison also have great spiritual president to explain more Putin, in his 17th year of election season, people were But another Twitter user responded: “All of these com- Lumber again. Too bad. Was great place. Adios.” meaning for Canada’s aboriginal fully why he respected his dominating the Russian po- feeling in power to really be groups, having once provided Russian counterpart. litical landscape, is accused themselves, speak out. Because an important source of food, O’Reilly did not say who he by some Kremlin critics of the direction was, after gay mar- decree would remain intact. He is accused of supporting are engaged in a resistance,” Tay- clothing and shelter. thought the Russian presi- ordering the killing of oppo- riage, under (Barack) Obama, Politico reported that Trump’s conversion therapy – a treatment lor warned. The re-introduction coincides dent had killed. nents. more moves to more openness daughter Ivanka and infl uential designed to change people’s sex- Last week about 3,000 peo- with the 150th anniversary of “We consider such words Putin and the Kremlin have and more security in terms of son-in-law Jared Kushner – who ual orientation from homosexual ple demonstrated in New York Canada’s confederation. from the Fox TV company to repeatedly rejected those al- laws and policies,” said Steve have both supported gay rights – to heterosexual. to voice solidarity with LGBTQ “This is a historic moment and be unacceptable and insult- legations as politically moti- Mendelson, the organisation’s led the charge to scuttle the draft. Pence denies this charge. groups, Muslims and others they a perfect way to mark Canada’s ing, and honestly speaking, vated and false. interim executive director. But members of the religious Activists say Trump’s nomi- fear the president could target. 150,” Environment and Climate we would prefer to get an Trump, who has said he But now “there are a lot of right quoted by Politico said they nees for attorney general, Jeff They massed around the his- Change Minister Catherine apology from such a respect- wants to try to mend battered messages that lead LGBTQ peo- have been led to expect some Sessions, and education, Betsy toric Stonewall Inn, a symbol of McKenna said. “Not only are ed TV company,” Kremlin US-Russia ties and hopes he ple to be frightened, to think that changes will come from Trump’s DeVos, also have long records of the gay community and its hard- bison a keystone species and an spokesman Dmitry Peskov can get along with Putin, was they can’t come out”, he said. administration – namely to opposing LGBTQ rights. won rights, chanting and waving icon of Canada’s history, they are told reporters on a confer- asked a question about some Those fears spiked last week, let companies opt out of anti- “I think we should judge who rainbow and American fl ags. an integral part of the lives of ence call. of those allegations by Fox when a draft executive order out- discrimination rules on faith he is and what he believes based Jim Obergefell, the widower indigenous peoples.” Fox News and O’Reilly did Business before he won the lining plans to roll back LGBT grounds. on what he does, and what he behind the class action suit that Vast bison herds up to 30mn not immediately respond to White House. workplace protections created Trump spoke out in defence has done so far is nominate the led the US Supreme Court to animals strong once migrated a Reuters request for com- In January last year, after a under Obama was circulated of the community last year af- most hateful anti-gay cabinet legalise same-sex marriage na- freely across the plains of North ment. British judge ruled that Putin among journalists and progres- ter a shooting massacre at a gay imaginable,” said Camilla Taylor, tionwide in 2015, said it will be America, including the montane Trump’s views on Putin had “probably” authorised sive groups. nightclub in Orlando, Florida left senior counsel for Lambda Legal, hard for the court to reverse that and sub-alpine meadows are closely scrutinised in the murder of former KGB The White House moved to 49 people dead. an NGO that works to defend the decision. where the front ranges of the the United States, where US agent Alexander Litvinenko quash the story in a statement But his words have been rights of LGBTQ people. In his view it would take an Rocky Mountains meet western intelligence agencies have in London, Trump said he last week. eclipsed by the records of some With both houses of Congress unlikely “perfect storm of the Canada’s rolling prairies. accused Moscow of having saw no evidence the Russian “President Donald J Trump is of the appointees to his cabinet. now under Republican control, right case, the right judges, the The animal was nearly hunted sponsored computer hacking president was guilty. determined to protect the rights Vice-President Mike Pence, many in the community wonder right appeals court and Trump’s to extinction by humans, and to help Trump win offi ce, and “First of all, he says he of all Americans, including the for instance, while serving in if lawmakers might try to scrap nominated justices”. rangers estimate bison have not critics say he is too compli- didn’t do it. Many people say LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, Congress for the state of Indiana, laws legalising gay marriage, say, Meanwhile the Trevor Project’s grazed in the valleys of Banff mentary about the Russian it wasn’t him. So who knows transgender and queer) com- consistently voted against same- or institute conversion therapy phone lines – manned 24 hours a National Park since before the leader. who did it?” the future US munity,” it read, promising that sex marriage and laws to protect for children. day by volunteers in Los Angeles park was established in 1885. Trump, when comment- president said. Obama’s anti-discrimination gays from discrimination. “This is the fi ght of our life. We and New York – keep ringing. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

NARCOTICS TRADITION DISEASE MISHAP ACCIDENT French man arrested for Vietnamese off icials seek South Korea confirms Fire at China foot massage Australian dies in jet ski mailing drugs to Yulara end to buff alo sacrifice foot-and-mouth case parlour kills 18, injures 18 crash on Thai holiday

A French man was arrested and charged for Vietnamese off icials have ordered the stop to South Korea confirmed a case of foot-and-mouth A fire at a foot massage parlour in eastern China A 21-year-old Australian woman was killed in a jet allegedly posting illicit drugs from his home an annual buff alo sacrifice ritual in northern disease at a dairy farm, the agriculture ministry that killed 18 people this weekend also injured 18 ski crash after she collided with her boyfriend off country to a remote Australian outback town. Vietnam, local media reported yesterday. A in Sejong said yesterday. others. People jumped out of windows to escape the coast of Thailand’s Phuket island, police said The 30-year-old man posted two packages of ceremony, which is held every year following The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural the blaze, which broke out around 5:30pm yesterday. The woman, identified as Emily Collie, cocaine and cannabis from France to an address the Lunar New Year at Dong Cuong Temple Aff airs said that 195 cows at the farm in Sunday at the Zuxintang foot spa in Tiantai was brought to the shore of Kata beach after the in Yulara, north of Uluru, a popular tourist in Yen Bai province, traditionally features a Boeun, 180km southeast of Seoul, of North county. Eight people were found dead after the accident on Sunday but was pronounced dead destination in central Australia, said local police specially selected buff alo being hung by the Chungcheong Province, tested positive for the fire was extinguished, while another 10 died in soon after, said Patiwat Yodkwan, a senior police spokesman Michael White. “The first package neck until dead. animal disease. Foot-and-mouth disease, which hospital, Xinhua said. Eighteen others were still off icer on the island. “People on the beach tried of cocaine and cannabis arrived on Wednesday. Images of the buff alo hanging in previous years does not aff ect humans, is often fatal for cloven- in hospital yesterday morning. Authorities have to rescue her and send her to a hospital,” he told A second package that was intercepted by have sparked protests in Vietnam. The festival hoofed animals, such as cows and sheep. The detained the people responsible for the massage AFP, adding that her partner was not seriously police contained a quantity of cannabis and a is due to begin Thursday. The Communist Party ministry said it has taken measures to contain parlour. A witness who worked at a business injured in the accident. Police were waiting for traff icable quantity of cocaine,” he said. The man provincial chief, however, has ordered the the suspected outbreak, including a ban on the next door told Beijing News that she overheard an autopsy to determine exactly how the woman travelled to Yulara to collect the packages where celebrators to refrain from the killing, the online movements by livestock and people near the rescue workers saying the fire might have been died, he said. “We are still investigating the cause he was arrested on Friday. Doi Song Vietnam reported. farm. caused by a floor heating explosion in the sauna. of the accident.”

Japan resumes work on Okinawa US base, China welcomes Mattis’ sparks angry protest

AFP Tokyo emphasis on diplomacy

he Japanese government yesterday resumed work on Reuters South China Sea was “worthy of building a controversial US airbase on Okinawa island, Beijing affi rmation” and that the situa- Tsparking angry protests and scuffl es with police. The tion there was normalising. “This Japanese and US governments want the Futenma airbase locat- accords with the common inter- China ships sail near ed in a crowded city on the island moved to a sparsely populated hina yesterday welcomed ests of China and all countries area in the north for safety reasons. But many Okinawans want US Defense Secretary in the region, and we hope that it off the island altogether. CJames Mattis’ suggestion countries outside of the region disputed isles: Japan Okinawa governor Takeshi Onaga had tried to block eff orts to that diplomacy should be the pri- can respect the joint interests and reclaim land for the new off shore facility and he and Prime Min- ority in the South China Sea, and wishes of countries in the region,” ister Shinzo Abe fi led rival lawsuits to try to settle the issue. But that major US military action was Lu said. AFP in December the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the central not being considered to contend China claims most of the South Tokyo government, giving the green light to move ahead on construc- with China’s assertive behaviour China Sea, while Taiwan, Malay- tion. there. sia, Vietnam, the Philippines and apan said Chinese coast guard vessels sailed yesterday into its ter- “The government’s position was entirely supported by the Mattis, speaking in Tokyo Brunei claim parts of the waters ritorial waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea, days Supreme Court ruling,” top government spokesman Yoshihide on Saturday, blamed China for that command strategic sea lanes Jafter the new US defence chief vowed to defend Tokyo’s control Suga told a regular briefi ng yesterday. “shredding the trust of nations in and have rich fi shing grounds of them. He said that during a visit Friday and Saturday by US Defense the region”, but also played down along with oil and gas deposits. James Mattis ... soothing words. Three ships entered the waters surrounding the uninhabited chain, Secretary James Mattis, the two sides reaffi rmed that the new any need for US military manoeu- In his Senate confi rmation the Japan Coast Guard said in a statement. The isles are controlled facility “is the only solution”. Japanese TV footage showed con- vres in the disputed waters of hearing, Secretary of State Rex air strips and installed weapons by Japan as the Senkakus but claimed by China as the Diaoyus. The struction vessels carrying gigantic concrete blocks off shore, the South China Sea and instead Tillerson said China should not systems. Pronouncements by incursion came at around 2pm and the ships were cruising in a south- where workers will soon start dropping them into the water for called for open lines of commu- be allowed access to islands it has China’s state-run news outlets do southwesterly direction, according to the statement. The ships left landfi ll purposes. nication. built in the contested South China not equate to government policy, about two hours later, the coast guard said in a separate statement. Tokyo and Washington fi rst proposed moving the Futenma The comments, his most com- Sea. The White House also vowed but can refl ect offi cial thinking. The incident came two days after James Mattis, US President Don- airbase, a Marine Corps facility located in the middle of the city plete on the issue to date, came to defend “international territo- The offi cial English-language ald Trump’s new defence secretary, said in Tokyo that the island chain of Ginowan, in 1996. But the plan has been mired in local op- after analysts had said other re- ries” in the waterway. Such action China Daily newspaper said in an was subject to a longstanding Washington-Tokyo defence treaty. The position. Campaigners want a replacement built elsewhere in marks made by President Don- would risk an armed confronta- editorial yesterday that Mattis’ islets are at the centre of a festering row between Tokyo and Beijing, Japan or overseas, saying they can no longer tolerate the heavy ald Trump’s administration had tion with China, an increasingly comments were a “mind-sooth- which is also involved in a widening dispute with several Southeast American military presence on Okinawa due to noise, accidents suggested the possibility of US formidable nuclear-armed mili- ing pill” that had “dispersed the Asian countries over islands in the South China Sea. and crimes by US service members. military action, or even a naval tary power. clouds of war that many feared China was quick to accuse the United States of stirring up trouble Yesterday, dozens of protesters were seen trying to block blockade. Chinese state media said at were gathering over the South in Asia with the comments by Mattis. Its foreign ministry spokesman heavy trucks and machines from entering the construction Chinese Foreign Ministry the time that the United States China Sea.” said Washington should “stop making wrong remarks ... and avoid site, scuffl ing with riot police. Okinawa, which accounts for spokesman Lu Kang told report- would need to “wage war” to bar “Mattis has inspired optimism making the issue more complicated and bringing instability” to the less than 1% of Japan’s total land area, hosts about 28,000 US ers at a regular briefi ng that Mat- China’s access to the artifi cial is- here that things may not be as region. China and Japan have repeatedly clashed diplomatically over troops – more than half of the approximately 47,000 American tis’ emphasis on using diplomatic lands built up on reefs, where it bad as previously portrayed,” the ownership of the islands, and both sides regularly send ships to near- military personnel stationed in Japan. means of resolving disputes in the has constructed military-length newspaper said. by waters to assert their claims.

China protests US sanction Thailand says royal list that hits Chinese fi rms Snowstopper insult suspects in Laos made death China yesterday said it had spokesman Lu Kang said threats against PM “lodged representations” that Beijing had lodged a with the United States protest with Washington, over Washington’s new and that such sanctions, Thai people wanted for break- sanctions list targeting Iran, particularly when they ing a law on insulting the which includes Chinese harmed the interests of monarchy have issued death companies and individuals. a third party, were “not threats against the Thai prime The sanctions on 25 people helpful” in promoting minister, from Laos where and entities imposed last mutual trust. “We have they have fled to avoid arrest, week by President Donald consistently opposed any Thailand’s top security off icer Trump’s administration, and unilateral sanctions,” Lu said yesterday. Last month, came two days after it had told a regular press briefing. Thailand pressed Laos over the put Iran ‘on notice’ following Executives of two Chinese extradition of Thai fugitives a ballistic missile test. companies included on the accused of lese majeste, or Those aff ected by the list said on Sunday they royal insult, which carries a jail sanctions cannot access the had only exported “normal” term of up to 15 years for each US financial system or deal goods to the Middle Eastern off ence. Thailand’s military with US companies, and country and didn’t consider government says there are up are subject to secondary they had done anything to six Thai suspects in Laos sanctions, meaning foreign wrong. China has in the who it is seeking. companies and individuals past been angered by what General Thawip Netniyom, the are prohibited from dealing it calls unilateral sanctions head of Thailand’s National with them or risk being placed on Chinese firms Security Council, told reporters blacklisted by the United by the United States and the suspects last week posted States. The list includes others in relation to Iran death threats against Prime two Chinese companies or North Korea’s nuclear Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and three Chinese people, ambitions. China has close and Defence Minister Prawit only one of whom the economic and diplomatic Wongsuwan on Facebook. US Treasury Department ties with Tehran, but “As we’re pushing Laos for their explicitly said was a Chinese was also instrumental arrest, they’re reacting, saying citizen, a person called Qin in pushing through a that if they had a chance they Xianhua. landmark 2015 deal to curb Tourists pose for a photograph in front of a snow statue of US President Donald Trump during the Snow Festival in Sapporo on Japan’s would hurt them,” Thawip told Chinese Foreign Ministry Iran’s nuclear programme. northernmost main island of Hokkaido. reporters.

Record cocaine Australian PM under threat from party split bust in Australia Australia has made its largest Reuters ment deal in a tense telephone call to conservatives that have so far cocaine haul ever after seizing a Sydney that hit international headlines. continued to support the govern- yacht carrying 1.4 tonnes of the Yesterday, the Sydney Morn- ment. If that happens ... we could drug with an estimated street ing Herald and the Australian have another leadership challenge value of Aus$312mn (US$239mn). prominent member of Broadcasting Corp reported that in the mid-year,” said Haydon The boat was stopped off the Australia’s government is Senator Cory Bernardi was about Manning, professor of politics at New South Wales coast on Aset to defect to form his to abandon the Liberal Party, the Flinders University in South Aus- February 2 and six men were own conservative party, media senior coalition partner, to set up tralia. arrested, police said yesterday, reported yesterday, further evi- a more conservative wing — the The loss of Bernardi would following a two-and-a-half year dence of a shift towards the right biggest party split in a genera- likely also make it even harder for joint investigation between that is weakening Prime Minister tion. Turnbull to govern after he won Australia and New Zealand. Malcolm Turnbull’s already tenu- As well as highlighting internal only a razor-thin majority at an “This is the largest cocaine ous grip on power. party divisions, Bernardi’s defec- election last year. haul ever seized in a single Adding to centre-right leader tion would also underline a hard Yesterday’s Newspoll, pub- operation in Australia’s history,” Turnbull’s woes, an opinion poll turn to the right in Australian lished in The Australian news- said Immigration Minister Peter published yesterday showed that politics typifi ed by the resurgence Malcom Turnbull ... on weak ground. paper, showed the coalition with Dutton. support for his coalition had of Pauline Hanson’s nationalist 46% support on a two-party Police allege the yacht slipped to its lowest since he took One Nation party. principles and conservative poli- preferred basis, where votes for sailed from New Zealand to a power in a party-room coup 17 Bernardi could not be reached cies,” Nationals member George minor parties are redistributed, “mothership” in the South Pacific months ago and that his Liberal- for comment but another senior Christensen said in Canberra. eight points behind the Labor op- to pick up the drugs last month. National coalition would easily coalition conservative said the Political analysts also believed position. A 63-year-old New Zealand fall if an election was held now. creation of a new party would it meant Turnbull, who took the Support for Hanson’s One man and a 54-year-old Swiss- Both developments came only indicate Turnbull had moved too leadership from the more con- Nation — which fi rst gained in- Fijian dual national who were days after Turnbull’s leadership close to the political centre. servative Tony Abbott in Septem- ternational notoriety in the late aboard the yacht were taken into was questioned after he was be- “It sends a signal to the lead- ber 2015, could soon face a leader- 1990s with its appeal to white na- custody, while four men aged rated by US President Donald ership that we cannot abandon ship challenge himself. tionalism — hit a national high of between 32 and 66 were arrested Trump over a refugee resettle- conservative causes, conservative “Cory Bernardi could appeal 8%, the poll showed. in Sydney. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 13 BRITAIN Scotland ‘headed to new independence vote’

Reuters Greer was a key fi gure in the “That leaves us in a position concentrated on getting progress Greer believes the decision on even though most Scots are un- Edinburg 2014 independence campaign in of polar opposites: we can either on that plan. a new referendum will be taken happy about leaving the EU. which Scots voted to stick with be part of hard Brexit which tilts The Scottish government has this spring, in order to give time But Greer, Scotland’s young- the UK by a 10 point margin. towards (President) Trump’s insisted, however, that Scots for a campaign to be prepared est-ever lawmaker, argues that cotland is almost certainly His party’s six seats in the America or we can be part of the must have all options open to and a vote to take place within the vote can be won because of headed towards a new in- Scottish parliament complete the European family as an independ- them as Brexit takes shape. the two-year leaving window. the new circumstances after Sdependence referendum 65 seats for a majority needed by ent state,” he added. The British parliament, which “If the vote itself is to occur Brexit. after the UK triggers the proc- Nicola Sturgeon’s Scottish gov- Sturgeon’s government pre- is sovereign, could block another ahead of Brexit... that (campaign) He noted the 2014 independ- ess to leave the European Union, ernment. sented an alternative plan for referendum on independence in process all needs to start quite ence campaign started out with according to a lawmaker for the Scotland’s First Minister Nicola He said the UK government Scotland, including continued the national parliament. soon or it becomes very, very support for secession at below Scottish Greens, who back the Sturgeon at Pitlochry dam, had been unwilling even to con- membership of the EU single But to do so would likely pro- tight,” he added. 30% but rose to 45% by the time devolved nationalist government Scotland. sider what compromise options market, in December. voke a constitutional crisis if Polls, however, do not indicate the vote took place. on independence. might be open for Scotland, A source at the Scottish gov- opinion polls were to show most that there is support for another “For us to be starting from “I’m 85 or 90% sure at least 22, told Reuters yesterday. where voters opted to stay in- ernment noted Greer was speak- Scots favouring a ballot, or may potentially divisive vote on Scot- 45% this time is miles ahead of that we’re heading towards an- He thought a decision would side the EU at last June’s refer- ing for his own party, and said the even win over some Scots to the land’s future so soon after the last time and puts us in a much other referendum,” Ross Greer, be made in the Spring. endum. Edinburgh administration was cause of independence. last one and after the Brexit vote, stronger position.” Premier warns MPs on Brexit May said the wishes of from a previous poll by ORB last the people must not be month. obstructed Labour MPs have been told to cancel leave and be prepared for Agencies a three-line whip as the party The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery take part in a 41-gun salute to mark the start of Queen Elizabeth’s Blue Sapphire Jubilee year at Green Park in central London, yesterday. London enters another diffi cult week in which it will push for a series of amendments before a fi nal vote ritish prime minister on the Brexit bill. Theresa May warned A copy of the week’s whip- Bpro-European members ping schedule — sent to politi- cians and seen by the Guardian Queen becomes the fi rst British of her Conservative party yes- terday not to “obstruct” Brexit — confi rms that the party will by seeking to amend a bill em- be asking all its politicians to powering her to begin the nego- line up together tomorrow. tiations. But Jeremy Corbyn has hint- ed that frontbenchers who defy monarch to reach sapphire jubilee MPs overwhelmingly backed the fi rst stage on Wednesday the offi cial position will not of a bill to start Britain’s with- face the sack, telling BBC Ra- Agencies “It is a testament to her self- ranging from a £5 coin to a £1,000 diamond (2012) jubilees, which A senior former member of the drawal from the European Un- dio 4 that he is a “very lenient London less devotion to the nation that solid gold coin, which weighs 1kg were celebrated with major pub- Royal Household said: “Her Maj- ion, but opposition lawmakers person”. Labour’s chief whip, she is not marking becoming the and costs £50,000 to buy. lic events. esty doesn’t think one should be were to begin debating amend- Nick Brown, could face anger at fi rst monarch to reign for 65 years The £5 coins feature the impe- Besides Britain, she has also lauded simply because one lives ments that could tie ministers’ a meeting of the parliamentary ueen Elizabeth II, the with any special celebration but rial state crown, rotated to show been the monarch of Australia, longer than somebody else. hands. party over the issue amid ques- world’s longest-reign- instead getting on with the job to off the Stuart sapphire. Canada and New Zealand for 65 “She understands the sym- A Eurosceptic Conservative tions about the meaning of a Qing monarch, set a new which she has dedicated her life,” They also bear words from the years. bolism of course but fi nds such lawmaker claimed at the week- three-line whip if rebels remain record yesterday, of 65 years on she said. famous quote in her 21st birthday She suff ered from a heavy cold praise and the reason for it a little end that 27 of his fellow MPs on the frontbench. the throne. She is the fi rst Brit- “She has truly been an inspira- speech to the Commonwealth over Christmas, missing two disconcerting.” were planning to support some Some MPs are annoyed about ish monarch to mark a sapphire tion to all of us and I am proud, back in 1947: “My whole life, Sunday church services, but is The monarch said as much of these “wrecking amend- last week’s vote on the bill’s jubilee. on behalf of the nation, to off er whether it be long or short, shall generally in rude health. publicly when she surpassed the ments” during three days of second reading in which three The head of state, now 90, our humble thanks and congrat- be devoted to your service.” However, with her advancing record set by her great grand- discussion at the House of shadow cabinet members and became queen aged 25 upon the ulations.” Meanwhile the Royal Mail is- age, Queen Elizabeth is gradually mother, Queen Victoria, saying Commons. some ministers resigned but premature death of her father, Despite her reluctance to cel- sued a £5 stamp in a sapphire blue handing over more responsibili- it was not a title “to which I have But May warned MPs: “This others, including whips, were king George VI, in 1952. ebrate publicly, the occasion was colour. ties to younger royals. ever aspired”. And on her 90th House has spoken, and now not punished. As usual on Accession Day, being marked in Britain. “It’s very, very diffi cult to dis- Her 34-year-old grandson birthday celebrations last year is not the time to obstruct the There is also some scepticism Queen Elizabeth was at her Gun salutes were fi red at the like her,” Andrew Gimson, author Prince William, second in line to she joked that the fuss about her democratically expressed wish- about the fact that the shadow country estate in Norfolk, east- Tower of London, in the capital’s of “Gimson’s Kings and Queens”, the throne after his father Prince age could grow a bit tiresome. es of the British people.” home secretary, Diane Abbott, ern England. Green Park and around the king- told AFP. Charles, is stepping down as an “How I’ll feel if people are still The government was forced said she was unable to vote be- “The queen is spending the dom, while the bells of West- “She’s never answered back, air ambulance pilot this year to singing Happy Birthday in De- to introduce the bill after the cause she went home with a mi- day privately at Sandringham minster Abbey, where she was she’s always been above politics.” carry out more royal duties on his cember remains to be seen,” she supreme court ruled that only graine. House,” a Buckingham Palace crowned in 1953, rang out. Elizabeth became Britain’s grandmother’s behalf. said. parliament could start Brexit, The Guardian understands spokesman told AFP. Sapphire is the 65th-anniver- longest-serving monarch ever in She has chosen to remain out For the Queen, it is not the and it is under pressure to get it that she informed Corbyn’s of- The monarch was working on sary gemstone and a photograph September 2015, surpassing the of public sight today, spending it length of her reign that matters passed quickly. fi ce before leaving the House the “red boxes” — the red brief- was reissued of the sovereign reign of her great-great-grand- in calm refl ection at her country but what she achieves in that May has promised EU leaders of Commons, where the rest of cases of offi cial government pa- wearing a suite of sapphire jewel- mother queen Victoria, a record estate Sandringham in Norfolk. time and how she serves her peo- she will trigger Article 50 of the the party helped passed the bill pers — and refl ecting on her fa- lery from 1850, which was given she said was “not one to which I February 6, 1952, marks not ple, her country, her Common- Lisbon Treaty, beginning the despite a rebellion of 47 Labour ther’s passing. to her by her father in 1947 as a have ever aspired”. only the moment she ascended wealth and her God. two-year exit process, by the MPs. On Sunday, she was seen smil- wedding gift. She also became the longest- the throne but also the anniver- She is the most travelled mon- end of March. One person working in the ing as well-wishers gave her “She has very kind eyes with a reigning living monarch in the sary of her father’s death in San- arch in history, having visited To speed up the passage of whips’ offi ce said it was dif- fl owers outside church. mischievous glint,” said photog- world in October last year fol- dringham House at the age of just more than 116 countries. the bill through the Commons fi cult to be authoritative with Prime Minister Theresa May rapher David Bailey after taking lowing the death of Thai king 56. She still carries out hundreds and the unelected upper House colleagues when there was so said the country would join in the portrait in 2014. Bhumibol Adulyadej. As a senior royal aide put it: of engagements a year. Her next of Lords, the government kept much inconsistency as to the giving thanks for the queen’s The Royal Mint marked the Her three big jubilees — at 25, “This will be a day of quiet re- will be on Valentine’s Day when it short — just two clauses. outcome of a decision to rebel. lifetime of service to Britain and anniversary with specially-de- 50 and 60 years — were the sil- fl ection for Her Majesty, not of she opens the National Cyber Se- But opposition MPs have Another MP said: “The La- the wider Commonwealth. signed commemorative coins, ver (1977), golden (2002) and celebration. curity Centre in Victoria. tabled more than 140 pages of bour whips’ offi ce is turning amendments covering areas into an advisory service.” such as parliamentary scrutiny But others were much more of the negotiations, the govern- sympathetic about the position ment’s priorities and the in- Labour fi nds itself in, given the volvement of Scotland, Wales number of MPs representing and Northern Ireland. heavy leave constituencies and Zakaria Bulhan pleads guilty to manslaughter Some of May’s Conservative those with large remain sup- MPs have expressed particu- port. Guardian News was undergoing an acute episode stab wound to her back that pen- in east London and said prayers, the retired special education lar concern about her promise London MPs including Ab- London of paranoid schizophrenia at the etrated her left lung and heart, but the defendant got up and ran teacher as an “inspiration”. The to leave the EU and the single bott, the shadow Brexit sec- time of the attacks. sustaining “a devastating in- away, the court heard. only British victim was Bernard market with no new trade deal retary, Keir Starmer, and the The prosecutor, Mark Hey- jury from which she died at the Justice Spencer ordered the Hepplewhite, 67, from Kent, who in place if she cannot agree on shadow foreign secretary, Emi- teenager has plead- wood QC, said the case had been scene”, Heywood said. attempted murder charges to lie was seriously injured after being a satisfactory agreement within ly Thornberry, have received ed guilty to killing an considered at the “highest level” Bulhan, who was born in Nor- on fi le. stabbed in the stomach. the two-year timeframe. thousands of e-mails from con- A American tourist and and it was decided that it was way after his parents emigrated Despite initial concern, Scot- The other victims were: Mar- This would mean Britain stituents angry about Labour’s wounding five others in a series right to accept the pleas. from Somalia, is the second of land Yard said at the time that tin Hoenisch, from the US, falling back on World Trade decision to back the govern- of random stabbings in Russell Opening the facts of the three children and was living in no evidence had been found who was stabbed in the chest; Organization rules and tariff s, ment over article 50. Square, case, Heywood said that on Tooting, south London, of radicalisation or anything Australians Lillie Selletin, 23, with potentially damaging ef- Corbyn ordered his party central London, last August. the evening of 3 August 2016, with his mother, siblings and to suggest the man in custody who was stabbed in the back, fects on the economy. to take that line at the second Appearing at the Old Bai- a man was seen “moving in stepfather at the time of the at- was “in any way motivated by and David Imber, 40, who was Only one Conservative MP, reading last week, but will now ley yesterday, Zakaria Bulhan, an erratic fashion” in Rus- tacks. terrorism”. Horton, who was stabbed in the chest; and Israeli committed Europhile Ken try to win a series of amend- 19, admitted the manslaughter sell Square, armed with a large He dropped out of college in pronounced dead at the scene, Yovel Lewronski, 18, who was Clarke, voted against the bill ments that aim to force the gov- of Darlene Horton, 64, on the kitchen knife. April 2016 and “began to be- was attacked in front of her stabbed in her bicep. last week. ernment to regularly report on grounds of diminished respon- “As he passed members of have in an odd fashion”. After a husband, Richard Wagner, a Horton’s daughter yesterday The government of British the negotiations, make the fi nal sibility, and the wounding of fi ve the public, he veered across the number of consultations with psychology professor at Florida called for her killer to be locked Prime Minister Theresa May vote on the deal more meaning- others with the intent to do them pavement towards them,” Hey- his GP, Bulhan was referred to a State University. up indefi nitely. has for the fi rst time won the ful and guarantee protections grievous bodily harm. wood said.”Without warning or community mental health team. He had been in London teach- Shannon Wagner, the daugh- approval of a majority of the for British workers. He had been due to stand trial provocation, the man stabbed Two days before the attacks, ing summer classes and they ter of Ms Horton, said the attack public for its approach to leav- In theory, Labour could on one count of murder and fi ve six people in quick succession, while his mother was in the were due to fl y back to the US has left her fearful of going out ing the European Union, a new choose to abstain tomorrow’s counts of attempted murder. saying nothing to any of them, Netherlands, there were con- hours after the incident. in big cities, and rendered their poll showed yesterday. fi nal vote if all the amendments After pleading guilty to the moving on after each stabbing cerns about Bulhan’s behaviour, She reportedly died while be- tight-knit family heartbroken. The proportion of the pub- fail, but senior fi gures have lesser charges, the prosecution towards his next victim.” prompting his father to collect ing cradled in the lap of a Span- “The loss of my mother took lic that approve of the govern- suggested that is very unlikely, said it accepted his not guilty Five of the victims sustained him and take him to a mosque in ish tourist after trying to warn so much out of me and a signifi - ment’s preparations for Brexit and whips say they have been pleas to murder and attempted non-fatal injuries and had made Camberwell, south London. others that their lives could be in cant piece of our family unit”, she stood at 53%, polling fi rm ORB told to expect the same posi- murder. good recoveries. On the evening of 3 August danger. said in a victim impact state- found, up 15 percentage points tion again. The court heard that Bulhan However, Horton received a 2016, they attended a mosque Friends of Horton described ment. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 BRITAIN

POLITICS CRIME HEALTH LEGAL ROADS Ukip MEP challenges Man, 22, shot and ‘Nurse burned himself to Builders on trial after Female cyclist hit by coach Dance to debate stabbed in ‘war zone’ death after breakdown’ lawyer crushed to death on cycle superhighway

A Ukip MEP has challenged Seb Dance to a debate A young man was shot and stabbed yards in A nurse who burned himself to death near Builders at a West End gallery made “no eff orts” A female cyclist is fighting for life after being hit by after the London MEP ridiculed Nigel Farage with front of horrified partygoers celebrating a 21st Kensington Palace suff ered a mental breakdown to secure three heavy window frames which fell a coach on a cycle superhighway in east London. a sign reading “he’s lying to you”. Dance said on birthday. The 22-year-old was found collapsed following a disciplinary investigation at work. and killed a lawyer on her way to work, the Old The woman, in her 30s, was struck as she cycled Thursday he had “no regrets” for holding up the in a car outside the bash at the upmarket Praba Amin Abdullah, 41, set himself on fire on Bailey heard yesterday. Amanda Telfer, 43, died near Aldgate East Tube station on the CS2 route handwritten sign while Nigel Farage was speaking Banqueting Suite in Ilford at just before 5am on February 9 last year after being sacked from when the frames, weighing around 665kgs, in Whitechapel High Street, Tower Hamlets, just in the EU Parliament chamber. The incident was Sunday. One witness described the scene as a Charing Cross hospital. Terry Skitmore described fell on top of her outside 5 Hanover Square before 9am yesterday. She suff ered life-threatening broadcast live on BBC News as Farage delivered a “war zone” as police off icers and paramedics his partner as a “wonderful, caring person” who on August 30 2012. The frames had been injuries and was rushed to an east London speech about Donald Trump. But Dance, who was swarmed the area. The victim was rushed to an had spiralled into depression after just seven delivered the previous day but left unsecured hospital in a critical condition, Scotland Yard said. elected to represent London in the EU Parliament in east London hospital with serious injuries after months earlier being the “happiest man in the overnight, the court heard, and toppled over Dramatic images taken at the scene showed police, 2014, has now been challenged to a public head-to- being shot, Scotland Yard said. He also suff ered world”. as Telfer passed on her way to the off icers of ambulance and fire crews surrounding a coach as head debate by Ukip MEP William Dartmouth. The minor knife wounds. the attack, which took place Showing a picture of an apparently healthy, at Keystone Law, in Davies Street, near Oxford the road was taped off at the junctions with the Ukip MEP for the South West of England, sent an e-mail less than 100 yards from Ilford police station. smiling man, he told Westminster Coroner’s Street. Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said Commercial Road and Adler Street. One bystander, to the whole of the European Parliament on Thursday. Praba Banqueting Suite remained cordoned off Court: “This was seven months before he died. those in charge of the construction site did not who witnessed the aftermath of the crash, described “There is only one side that has lied in this debate — it is behind police tape as off icers guarded the door How can someone end up as a pot of ashes after take reasonable steps to make the area safe for how passengers were escorted from the coach as not Nigel Farage,” Dartmouth’s e-mail read. while investigations continued inside. such a short time?”. pedestrians passing by. heroic witnesses worked to save the cyclist. Southern Royal couple visits school Rail faces further strikes

Evening Standard platform by the driver, the OBS London is late or sick and there is no al- ternative cover available. Mick Cash, the RMT leader, outhern Rail’s 300,000 said: “This abysmal docu- passengers were told yes- ment lists a whole host of areas Sterday they face further where a a train can leave with- strike disruption amid fears a out a second member of staff deal to end the bitter dispute that will leave both the driver could unravel. and passengers exposed and Leaders of Aslef, the train vulnerable and which also rep- drivers’ union, last week ac- resents a thin end of the wedge cepted a deal over driver-only that will lead to the de-staffi ng operation (DOO) but many of trains. of their members could vote “This is not a deal it is a dis- against the decision. grace and the RMT dispute re- The drivers began vot- mains on and we will fi ght this ing yesterday, with the result shocking betrayal with every scheduled for 17 February. But tool at our disposal.” now a second union, the RMT, Sadiq Khan yesterday sug- which condemned Aslef and gested he had saved London called the deal a “stitch-up”, millions that would have been warned of further walkouts. lost to strikes by talking direct- The RMT, which is respon- ly to the Tube unions. sible for train guards and on The mayor said “construc- board supervisors (OBSs), said tive discussions” had resulted it would continue to fi ght “with in the unions suspending three Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend a assembly at a primary school in London to mark Children’s Mental Health Week. every tool at our disposal.” days of industrial action. It called on drivers to reject The RMT, which represents the deal, saying they had been station staff , said it was sus- “betrayed” by their leadership; pending the strikes because RMT and Southern Rail are London Underground agreed to expected to meet in the next hire additional 325 members of few days but there is no sign of staff , of which 200 will be full any agreement and the union time. could then order more strikes. But Tories claimed the action A walkout by guards and was averted because Khan had OBSs would cause major dis- “bowed to his union friends”, ruption across the region and and advised him to take a less Farages have been force the cancellation of around “self-congratulatory” tone. 600 trains. They warned his decision Some Aslef drivers could to spend millions of pounds refuse to cross any RMT picket reinstating hundreds of “un- lines, adding to the disruption. necessary” Tube station jobs Steve Hedley, RMT assistant was “capitulation” to their de- general secretary, described in a mands. Tweet his personal view of the But Mr Khan, who has invit- ‘separated for years’ Aslef deal as being “the most ed Tube union bosses for “cups shocking sell-out since the of tea” and discussions at City Kirsten Farage said ‘it was not on Sunday reported at the week- opening an investigation into miners’ strike. RMT members Hall, appeared to feel his policy news to the people involved’ end that Laure Ferrari, who runs whether Ukip had accepted have been betrayed by the Aslef had been vindicated. the Institute for Direct Democra- “impermissible donations” leadership and the TUC”. “The only way to resolve in- The Evening Standard cy in Europe, has been living at a from IDDE and the Alliance for He called on Aslef members dustrial disputes is by engaging London house in Chelsea with Farage for Direct Democracy in Europe “please reject this appalling and by talking. the past week. (ADDE), the political party it is deal”. I am pleased to see that ap- He told the newspaper that he affiliated to. The RMT has already staged proach has resulted in the sus- igel Farage’s wife yes- was helping her out because she It followed an audit by the Eu- 28 strikes in the 10-month long pension of two series of strikes terday said she and her needed accommodation and had ropean Parliament which con- dispute over changes to the role that had the potential to cause Nhusband have been living nowhere else to stay. cluded that ADDE and IDDE used of the guard. huge disruption for London- “separate lives” for years. “She is someone I have worked EU grant funding for the benefi t It is insisting on a second ers and would have cost our Kirsten Farage said the former with and known well for a long of Ukip in breach of its rules. safety qualifi ed member of staff economy tens of millions of Ukip leader moved out of their time who wanted somewhere to The claims have been strongly being on board or the train does pounds,” he said family home in Kent “a while stay for a week that wouldn’t cost contested by Ukip. not run. “We will continue to ensure ago”. German-born Kirsten’s an- her any money. Ferrari, who fi rst became in- Southern says the major- all sides are able to take part in nouncement came in the wake It’s a working relationship,” he volved in politics as a result of a ity of trains will carry two crew the kind of constructive dis- of unconfi rmed press reports was quoted as saying. chance meeting with Mr Farage members but adds that in cer- cussions that allow them to that Farage was sharing a house Farage declined to make any 10 years ago while she was work- tain circumstances it will oper- settle their diff erences and pre- in London with a female French Kirsten Farage at the family home at Downe, Kent. response to his wife’s comments. ing as a waitress in Strasbourg, ate with just the driver to main- vent strike action.” think tank director. The MoS said that Farage had said she had been forced to move tain the service. Transport for London esti- The Farages married in 1999, “This is a situation that suits distressing, especially for my told its reporters last month that out of her own fl at after the Euro- The Aslef deal, seen by the mates that they will avoid los- after his divorce from his fi rst everyone and is not news to any children. he spent most week nights at a pean Parliament stopped IDDE’s Evening Standard, lists a range ing revenue of up to £7.5mn, wife, and have two children. of the people involved.” Please let us get on with our “bachelor pad” and denied that funding. of “circumstances” where this while the London Chamber of In a statement today, Mrs She urged reporters not to lives.” he had split from his wife. “I have no trustworthy friends could happen. Commerce and Industry be- Farage said: “My husband and I “doorstep” her family home She was seen leaving the prop- He dismissed any sugges- in London who could have hosted It includes the proviso that lieves the strike would have have lived separate lives for some near Biggin Hill in Kent, saying: erty yesterday without her wed- tion of an affair as “ludicrous”. me. I asked and he accepted. He a train could run if the OBS is cost the wider economy tens of years and he moved out of the “Having press camped out in ding ring. Last November the Electoral is just trying to be helpful,” she accidentally left behind on the millions of pounds. family home a while ago. front of my house is extremely Farage spoke out after the Mail Commission announced it was told The Mail on Sunday. Man who murdered police offi cer found dead

Evening Standard with acid and bit into one of the “As with all deaths in custody was jailed for life for murder. Brizzi in the act of trying to dis- er Thames while dumping other London victim’s ribs. there will be an independent in- Former web developer Brizzi, olve the PC’s body. limbs in the communal bins at his The ministry of justice con- vestigation by the Prisons and who earned £70,000 a year at Brizzi was sentenced to life in home. fi rmed to the Standard that Probation Ombudsman.” Morgan Stanley, was inspired by prison with a minimum term of Bite marks matching Brizzi’s iller Stefano Brizzi has Brizzi died on Sunday at HMP A police spokesman told the his favourite TV show, Breaking 24 years on December 12, just two bottom teeth were found on one been found dead in his Belmarsh where he had been Standard they were called at just Bad, to try and get away with the months ago. of PC Semple’s ribs, which had Kprison cell just months jailed for life. before 10.15am on Sunday to re- killing. He had met his victim via a been dumped in the kitchen bin. after being jailed for the hor- It is believed he killed himself ports of an “unresponsive pris- Stefano Brizzi, 50, was jailed dating app. Italian-born Brizzi’s defence rific murder of a Met police of- in his cell. oner”. for life in December. But Judge Nicholas Hilliard claimed his behaviour was due to ficer. Police said his death is being “The man, aged in his 50s, was Two months later he was found said: “I have no doubt there came the drug crystal meth, which he The 50-year-old throttled PC treated as unexplained. pronounced dead at the prison,” dead in his prison cell. a time when you went beyond had become addicted to and had Gordon Semple while high on A Prison Service spokesman the police said.”The death is But neighbours were alerted what was agreed and decided you led him to quitting his high-fl y- crystal meth before chopping up said: “HMP Belmarsh prisoner currently being treated as unex- to the horrors after a “smell of would cause him really serious ing job at Morgan Stanley. A jury his body with saws. Stefano Brizzi was found dead Stefano Brizzi (dob 26/06/66) plained.” death” could be detected from his harm.” deliberated for 30 hours before He then attempted to dissolve in his prison cell on Sunday died in custody on Sunday 5 Feb- Brizzi’s death comes near- fl at in Bermondsey. Brizzi dismembered the body fi nding Brizzi guilty of murder on the body parts in a bath tub fi lled morning. ruary. ly two months to the day he Police were called and caught and tossed some parts in the Riv- April 1. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 15 EUROPE

Merkel unites her allies for Fillon sorry over scandal ‘toughest race yet’ but refuses to step aside

AFP AFP Fillon, 62, said he had hired tempt to bury a scandal that has frontrunner crashing out of the Munich Paris family members – as allowed dogged his campaign for nearly fi rst round in April, leaving far- in France – out of “trust” but two weeks, triggering a prelimi- right candidate Marine Le Pen recognised that such practises nary probe into possible misuse and rising star Emmanuel Ma- erman Chancellor Angela rench right-wing presi- “create distrust nowadays”. of public funds. cron, a centrist, to battle it out in Merkel formally united dential candidate Francois Addressing allegations that A devout Catholic who won May’s run-off vote. Gher conservative bloc FFillon has apologised for Penelope did not actually per- the nomination of the Repub- Fillon’s listing poll numbers behind her re-election bid yes- hiring his wife as a parliamen- form any duties, Fillon said: licans party in November on a have created alarm in his camp, terday, despite discord over mi- tary aide, admitting he made an “No-one has the right to judge pledge to slash public spending, leading some in his party to call grant policy, as she faces tough “error” but refusing to quit the what a parliamentary assistant’s Fillon had been the presidential for a replacement candidate. challenges from both the right race. job consists of, except the MP frontrunner before the scandal Some have suggested 71-year- and left. Fillon’s presidential bid himself.” broke. old Alain Juppe, the runner-up While a huge refugee in- has been fl oundering since it He said his wife had worked Le Monde reported yester- in the Republicans primary, fl ux has fuelled the rise of the emerged that his British-born constantly to assist in his con- day that investigators were also should step forward. anti-immigration Alternative spouse was paid over €800,000 stituency business and that examining Fillon’s ties to Marc Yesterday Juppe again ruled for Germany (AfD) party, Mer- ($860,000) from public funds her average monthly salary of Ladreit de Lacharriere, the own- out taking over from Fillon. kel also faces a threat from her between 1998 and 2013 as a par- €3,677 (around $4,000) after tax er of a literary magazine who is “I’ve set out my position ... centre-left coalition partners liamentary assistant. over the period was “perfectly also suspected of paying Pene- no means no,” Juppe told report- the Social Democrats, who have He also hired two of his chil- justifi ed” given her training in lope for a fi ctitious job. A camera screen shows Fillon giving a press conference focused on ers in the southwest city of Bor- enjoyed a sudden spike in popu- dren as assistants, paying them law and literature. The investigators are looking ‘fake job’ allegations at his campaign headquarters in Paris. deaux, where he is mayor. larity. €84,000 ($91,000) pre-tax be- He again presented himself as at whether the owner of the Re- Le Figaro quoted an unnamed To face the twin threat, Merkel tween 2005 and 2007. the victim of a smear campaign vue des Deux Mondes magazine In a statement to AFP, Ladreit cost Fillon crucial support, three Republicans lawmaker as saying and Horst Seehofer, head of the “It was an error, I profoundly and ruled out stepping back in paid her around €5,000 a month de Lacharriere said that Pene- months before the French begin that, despite his public renun- Bavarian CSU party, her tradi- regret it and I apologise to the favour of another Republicans pre-tax between May 2012 and lope Fillon’s work for the maga- voting in an election charac- ciations, Juppe could be per- tionally ally, said yesterday that French,” a combative Fillon told party candidate, saying there December 2013 in return for zine “was in no way fi ctitious” terised by the kind of anti-es- suaded to step in if Fillon, 62, they had buried the hatchet after a press conference while insist- was no “Plan B”. being recommended by Fillon and said he was “very shocked” tablishment anger that fuelled bowed out. openly feuding over the migrant ing he had done nothing illegal “I am a candidate for the pres- for France’s highest honour, the to see it being linked to the Le- Brexit and Donald Trump’s rise “Juppe will only go for it if crisis. and that his wife Penelope’s idency to win it,” he said. Grand Cross of the Legion of gion of Honour. to the White House. there is consensus,” the source “We will jointly head into this earnings were “justifi ed”. Fillon’s remarks were an at- Honour, in 2010. The scandal appears to have Polls now show the former was quoted as saying. election battle,” said Seehofer, premier of Bavaria state, who had long been Merkel’s fi ercest conservative critic over the in- fl ux that has brought more than a million asylum-seekers to Ger- many since 2015. Protests after alleged baton rape by offi cer Despite their unresolved dif- ferences – notably the CSU’s demand to cap migrant arrivals AFP station BFM yesterday, Theo de- bureaucracy, outdated equip- ple. The image of the Republic is at 200,000 a year from now on Paris scribed being ordered to stand ment and what is seen as leni- being tarnished. We have to ur- – they agreed to fi ght together against a wall by police, who ent sentencing for those found gently fi nd a solution,” he said in in what Merkel said would be her deny the allegations and say they guilty of violence against offi c- a statement. “toughest election campaign” undreds of people took were targeting lookouts for drug ers. In 2005, the death of two yet. to the streets of a Paris dealers. Hundreds of people incensed teenagers who were electrocuted The latest poll results “chal- Hsuburb yesterday to de- “I saw him with his baton. He by the alleged treatment of Theo, while hiding from police in an lenge us to put up a decent fi ght” nounce police brutality, after a rammed it into my buttocks on a youth worker, marched yester- electricity substation sparked in September’s general election, 22-year-old black man was al- purpose. I fell onto my stomach, day through Aulnay-sous-Bois. weeks of riots. Merkel said at a joint press con- legedly sodomised with a baton I had no strength left,” Theo ex- Some carried banners reading Around 10,000 cars were ference with Seehofer after a during an arrest last week. plained, adding that he had also “Justice for Theo”, while nearby burned and 6,000 people were two-day meeting of the parties. The case of the man identi- been racially abused in a patrol someone had scrawled “Police, arrested. And Seehofer praised Merkel, fi ed only as Theo, who was sent car afterwards. rapists” on a wall. The far-right National Front saying that under her more than to hospital with severe anal in- Video footage of the arrest “He was there at the wrong (FN), which is riding high in the decade-long leadership, Eu- juries and head trauma, threat- fi lmed by the police has been re- time and came across some polls ahead of presidential and rope’s top economy was an “is- ens to revive the contentious leased. crooks,” Theo’s brother-in-law parliamentary elections from land of stability”. issue of policing in France’s poor Interior Minister Bruno Le Johann told BFM television. April, urged people not to judge Despite her strong track suburbs, which saw the death in Roux confi rmed late on Sunday Theo’s sister Aurelie called all of France’s security forces. record, Merkel faces multiple custody of another black man that all four offi cers had been for calm but said justice must be The FN’s anti-immigration challenges at home, and a con- last year and major riots a dec- suspended during the investi- People hold a sign reading ‘Justice for Theo’ during a protest served. leader Marine Le Pen rails fre- fused picture in Europe and in- ade ago. gation, adding that exemplary yesterday in Aulnay-sous-Bois, northern Paris, a day after a French “My brother is someone who’s quently against “lawlessness” ternationally. One offi cer was charged on conduct and respect “must police off icer was charged with the rape of a youth with a baton. very kind, very helpful. He works and promises “zero tolerance” The AfD, which is close to Sunday with rape, while three guide the behaviour of security with young people, he’s always of crime in the rundown suburbs France’s far-right National Front others were charged with assault forces at all times”. Traore in police custody in an- of the movement against police bringing people together,” she which are home to many new- (FN) and other European popu- during the arrest in a gritty area There were minor clashes and other Parisian suburb last year. brutality in the United States, said. comers to France. lists, has railed against Merkel’s of Aulnay-sous-Bois on Thurs- arson attacks on the vast hous- That incident led to several seized on the case and helped The Socialist politician in “If the facts are confi rmed, liberal asylum policy and has day evening. ing estate, called “3,000”, on nights of clashes in Beaumont- organise protests. charge of the Seine-Saint-Denis then it’s serious and reprehen- been polling at 12-15 percent in The man suff ered severe anal Saturday and Sunday evening sur-Oise against the police, with Police say they are frequently region where Aulnay-sous-Bois sible,” the party’s secretary gen- recent months. injuries which required surgery where the arrest took place. cars and public property also set targeted by delinquents as they is located, Stephane Troussel, eral, Nicolas Bay, told France 2 And in a new challenge, the and was also treated for damage At least fi ve people were de- alight. play a game of cat-and-mouse said on Sunday that the incident television yesterday. Social Democratic Party (SPD) to the head and face in hospital. tained, police sources said. Two autopsies were unable to with gangs and drug dealers in raised “numerous questions”. “(But) one shouldn’t take ad- has seen a rise in support in re- The severity of his injuries led The latest incident comes determine the cause of Traore’s tough parts of French suburbs. “Although thousands of po- vantage to heap criticism on the cent days under new leader Mar- a doctor to declare him unfi t to in the middle of a presidential death. Offi cers staged nationwide lice are doing their work prop- police who do admirable work tin Schulz, the former president work for 60 days. election campaign and follows A group calling itself Black protests in October to denounce erly ... too many arrests end in in very diffi cult conditions,” he of the European parliament. Speaking to French television the death of 24-year-old Adama Lives Matter France, an off shoot their ever-increasing workload, nightmares for some young peo- added. In a newspaper poll yesterday, the SPD – having long played second fi ddle to Merkel’s party in a loveless “grand coalition” government – for the fi rst time overtook her conservative bloc. On trial, former Catalan chief In the Insa poll published by mass-circulation Bild daily, it took 31% against 30% for Mer- kel’s CDU-CSU bloc. defends independence vote Political analyst Oskar Nie- dermayer of Berlin’s Free Uni- versity cautioned that there had AFP clear and purely democratic The court also stopped that been “huge media hype” around Barcelona roots.” vote, but defence lawyers argue Schulz, and that he was yet to Prosecutors want Mas and his that most of it had already been outline his stance on a range of former associates banned from organised by the time the ban policy issues. ens of thousands of sup- holding public offi ce for nine to came and that the rest was then Ahead of the poll, which is porters protested yes- 10 years. implemented by thousands of expected on September 24, the Tterday in Barcelona as But their defence argues they volunteers. election campaign looks set to be Catalonia’s former leader Artur were merely defending “the This, they say, avoided in- dominated by the migrant issue Mas went on trial for holding right to freedom of expression” volvement of the regional gov- and domestic security. a non-binding independence for Catalans, many of whom ernment which would clearly The AfD has linked the mass referendum in 2014 – a move he want a say in the future of their have broken the law. migration with security fears defended as legitimate. 7.5mn-strong region. “There was no intention to fanned by several Islamist mili- The trial has stoked pro-in- Catalonia, a region with its commit any off ence or disobey tant attacks. dependence fervour in Spain’s own language and customs, anyone,” Mas told the court. Merkel pledged that her con- wealthy, northeastern Catalo- has long demanded greater au- But prosecutors point to the servative bloc would off er a nia region at a time of high ten- tonomy. fact that the regional govern- responsible leadership char- sions between the local separa- But in recent years, tensions ment requisitioned schools to acterised by “stability, order, tist government and Madrid. with Madrid have markedly in- set up polling booths and pro- dependability and a measured, People hold big handcuff s reading ‘Spanish democracy’ outside the Superior Court of Catalonia in Shouting “independence, creased, as have calls for out- vided 7,000 computers as proof centrist approach”. Barcelona, during the first day of the trial of former Catalan president Artur Mas. independence”, and “we want right independence, culminat- that it was involved – a matter to vote”, some 40,000 people ing with the election in 2015 of a that was not addressed by Mas gathered on a wide palm tree- pro-independence government and his two former associates in lined avenue next to the court- in Catalonia backed by a major- court. house, many of them holding ity separatist parliament. In the end, more than 80% separatist red, yellow and blue A watershed moment was of those who cast their ballot Stranded migrants protest living conditions fl ags in strong gusts of wind. in 2010, when Spain’s Consti- in the 2014 vote did so for inde- Mas, Catalan president from tutional Court watered down pendence – although just 2.3mn 2010 to 2016, and two former a special statute awarded to people out of a total of 6.3mn Reuters side a gate chanting “Go, Go!” About 1,600 people, mostly the reports that they were going members of his government are Catalonia in 2006 under the eligible voters took part. Athens and “Liar!” to Migration Minis- Afghans, are camped in these fa- on hunger strike were unfound- accused of serious civil diso- Socialist government, giving it Catalonia’s current govern- ter Yannis Mouzalas. cilities. ed. bedience and misconduct for more powers. ment has promised to hold a One migrant handed him a About 600 people live at the “I completely understand their having organised a symbolic, Supporters of independ- referendum in September – a group of migrants and ref- crying child as he reached the former arrivals’ terminal of the pain and hardship. We are try- non-binding referendum in ence slammed what they said binding one this time, with or ugees yesterday blocked a chained gate. Hellenikon airport where yester- ing to ease it as much as we can,” November 2014 despite a ban by was “judicial harassment” and without Madrid’s consent. AGreek minister from en- The government wants to clear day’s protest took place. Mouzalas told reporters. Spain’s Constitutional Court, asked for a referendum similar The Catalans themselves tering the former Athens airport out the entire compound, which The protest, a day after local About 60,000 refugees and which deemed it illegal. to the one organised in Scotland remain divided over the issue terminal, where they have been consists of venues used in the media reported that a group of migrants have been stranded in “I am responsible for eve- in 2014. – 44.9% want independence stranded for months, in a protest 2004 Olympic Games and the migrants were going on hunger Greece from border shutdowns rything,” Mas told the court, After the Constitutional while 45.1% don’t, according against their poor living condi- former Athens airport, as Greece strike, was brief. throughout the Balkans, halt- speaking in Catalan even when Court banned that, Mas and his to a recent poll conducted by a tions. has agreed to lease it to private Mouzalas said some migrants ing the onward journey many the judge addressed him in associates instead held the non- Catalan public institute. Dozens of protesters, among investors under its bailout pro- had tried to block food distribu- planned to take to central and Spanish. “My initiative and that binding vote for which they are A large majority, however, them many children, rallied out- gramme. tion at the camp on Sunday but western Europe. of the government had deep, on trial until Friday. wants a referendum. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 INDIA

DECISION EDUCATION OPINION TRAGEDY OFFBEAT Shahrukh Khan film Raees Counselling for parents, Oust Modi to save India’s Man dies after cobra Elite commandos go banned in Pakistan exam-weary students diversity, says Antony selfie goes wrong on unsanctioned leave

Pakistan yesterday banned the release of The Central Board of Secondary Education Prime Minister Narendra Modi must be ousted A man in Navi Mumbai paid with his life for In a glaring case of misconduct, 59 newly-trained Bollywood film Raees starring Shahrukh Khan (CBSE) will provide counselling to de-stress in elections to save Indian diversity, Congress attempting to kiss a rescued cobra and click a commandos of the CRPF’s elite anti-Maoist CoBRA and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan due to its students during exams, the board announced. leader A K Antony said yesterday. The strength selfie. Somnath Mhatre used to rescue snakes squad went to their homes in Bihar without “objectionable” content. The Central Board of The counselling will be provided over the of India was the unity in diversity that the and other creatures. On January 30, the informing or seeking permission while on their Film Certification (CBFC) said the Rahul Dholakia phone to students of all CBSE aff iliated country was known for and today that has 25-year-old was summoned to remove a cobra way back to their unit from Jammu and Kashmir. directorial, which marks Mahira Khan’s Bollywood government and private schools. The service been destroyed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak which had slithered into a private car parked in The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), one of debut, will not release in the country. The film was will be available to CBSE aff iliated schools Sangh-controlled Modi-led BJP government, a housing complex. After retrieving the snake the country’s oldest central paramilitary forces, has scheduled to hit Pakistani cinemas on Sunday. located abroad as well. The helpline will start Antony said. The former Kerala chief minister from the vehicle, Mhatre checked the animal for initiated a inquiry against the troopers who were Most members objected to the film’s release, an functioning on February 9 and will continue was inaugurating a political convention here any injuries. He then decided to make the rescue scheduled to report to their headquarters in Bihar’s off icial of the Punjab censor board said, adding till April 29. Counselling is open to parents of the Congress-led United Democratic Front. mission memorable by kissing the cobra for a Gaya yesterday. The troopers were to be deployed that they will follow the decision of the central of the students too. A total of 90 principals “The need of the hour is that we have to stand selfie with his phone. He managed to click the for conducting special anti-Maoist operations in censor board. The self-imposed ban on Bollywood and trained counsellors from CBSE aff iliated together to save India which was always known selfie, but the snake bit him in the chest. Mhatre Bihar after a six-month training in Srinagar. However, films ended on February 1 as Karachi’s Atrium schools will participate in tele-counselling. for its unity in diversity. Now with Modi at the was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, but the commandos alighted from a train in Uttar Cinemas screened Hrithik Roshan starrer Kaabil. The counselling will be available in Qatar too. helm, that idea has been destroyed,” he said. died five days later. Pradesh and went to their homes in Bihar.

Mayawati supporters Court attaches Sahara Aamby Valley property

IANS hearing for two hours to show New Delhi the apparent errors in two court judgments, the bench told him “unless the money he Supreme Court yes- comes, we can’t grant you two terday attached the hours’ hearing. This is a condi- TSahara Group’s Aamby tion that you pay”. Valley property in Lonavala, Sibal told the court that the Maharashtra, for recovery Income Tax Appellate Tribunal of about Rs140bn that the had said that 85% of the inves- group’s two companies have to tors are genuine. He said Saha- repay investors. ra was being asked to deposit A bench of justice Dipak money with Sebi to return to Misra, justice Ranjan Gogoi investors whereas there was and justice A K Sikri also di- no demand either from banks rected Sahara to submit a list or individual investors to that of its properties that are un- aff ect. encumbered and free from any “There is no question of litigations or mortgage by Feb- getting back. You have to pay. ruary 20. The next hearing in Please give us the list that is the case is on February 27. good enough for Rs147bn. Why Supporters wear Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati masks during a rally in Agra yesterday. Mayawati hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the demonetisation and for The Rs140bn is the balance we should sit every now and what she said was interference with the Muslim personal law. Targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati spent considerable time explaining to those at on the principal amount that then for Rs2bn or Rs3bn? You the rally that voting for the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance would be a waste. Sahara’s two companies – Sa- give us a list, we will sell it and hara India Real Estate Cor- give you a hearing.” poration Ltd (SIRECL) and Amicus curiae Shekhar Sahara Housing Investment Naphade told the bench: “It Corporation Ltd. (SHICL) – has gone on for too long. Every have to repay. two to three months they pay Sahara has already paid Rs6bn. There are income tax about Rs110bn of the principal demands, issues with the Re- amount to market regulator serve Bank of India.” Securities and Exchange Board Sahara, meanwhile, depos- of India for returning to over ited Rs6bn as per the Novem- Sasikala swearing-in 30mn investors. ber 28, 2016, court order for “We are not appointing any continued parole of Subrata receiver. We are attaching your Roy and others. Aamby Valley,” the bench said SIRECL and SHICL were as senior counsel Kapil Sibal, asked on August 31, 2012, to appearing for Sahara chief return to investors Rs176bn Subrata Roy, told the court that with 15% interest that the two date ‘yet to be fi nalised’ the attachment of Aamby Val- companies raised through op- ley will adversely impact the tionally fully convertible de- company eff orts to mobilise bentures (OFCD) in 2008 and IANS versity Centenary Hall is being The petitioner contended that headed the AIADMK, was di- According to Babu K Abraham, money to pay Sebi. 2009. Chennai readied for the swearing in of if Sasikala was convicted and had agnosed with sepsis bacteria in Respiratory Medicine Special- While attaching the Aamby Subrata Roy, his son-in-law Sasikala. to consequently resign then there blood. He said people with sepsis ist at Apollo Hospitals where she Valley property, the bench said Ashok Roy Choudhary and Rao accepted Chief Minister O was a possibility of riots erupting become unwell in hours or days. died, Jayalalithaa suff ered car- that for now they were not group director Ravi Shankar he date for swearing-in Panneerselvam’s resignation on in the state. He said sepsis and diabetes led diac arrest around 5pm on De- sending Roy back to jail. “You Dubey, who are now on parole, of All India Anna Dravida Monday. The PIL may come up for hear- to Jayalalithaa’s death, which he cember 5. deposit the amount you have were sent in judicial custody to TMunnetra Kazhagam gen- The Supreme Court was yes- ing today. added was “totally unexpected” She was given cardiopulmo- to pay. We are not sending you Tihar jail on March 4, 2014, for eral secretary V K Sasikala as terday moved seeking to restrain Meanwhile London-based as she seemed to be recovering at nary resuscitation (CPR) for 20 to custody for now,” the failure of the two compa- Tamil Nadu chief minister is yet Sasikala from being sworn in as doctor Richard Beale, who treat- one stage. minutes. He said as there was no court said. nies to comply with the to be fi nalised, a party spokes- chief minister on the grounds ed Tamil Nadu chief minister J Beale said the issue of taking heart rhythm, Jayalalithaa was The bench made court’s August 31, 2012, person said yesterday. that she along with late chief Jayalalithaa until she died in De- Jayalalithaa to London for treat- put on ECMO (extracorporeal it clear that Sa- order. A Raj Bhavan offi cial here also minister J Jayalalithaa were ac- cember, yesterday ruled out any ment was discussed but was not membrane oxygenation) which hara will fi rst have Roy was granted pa- said governor C Vidyasagar Rao, cused in a disproportionate as- “conspiracy” behind her death. taken forward as she was against would take 24 hours to show re- to comply with the role on May 6, 2016, to who holds the post of Tamil Nadu sets case. Addressing the media here, it as the necessary medical facili- sult. court’s order and perform the last rites Governor as additional charge, The PIL petitioner – a Chennai Beale said: “There was no con- ties were available here. Abraham said it was a collec- deposit money with of his mother who has left for Mumbai and there is resident and general secretary of spiracy. She (Jayalalithaa) had He said the idea of exhum- tive medical decision compris- the market regula- died on May 5. Besides no plan for him to travel to Chen- NGO Satta Panchayat Iyakkam severe infection. She had sup- ing Jayalalithaa’s body for post- ing of all doctors who had treated tor before its request Roy, Choudhary too nai today. – Senthil Kumar, has contended portive care.” mortem was ridiculous. Jayalalithaa including the doc- for a hearing could be was released on “There is no information (yet) that the verdict in the dispro- The Tamil Nadu government According to Tamil Nadu gov- tors from AIIMS, New Delhi, that granted. parole. Dubey on the swearing-in date,” AI- portionate asserts case involving organised the media meet involv- ernment doctor P Balaji, the total it was futile to continue with As Sibal was re- ADMK spokesperson C R Saras- Jayalalithaa, Sasikala and her two ing Beale and doctors from Apollo bill for treating Jayalalithaa came ECMO. urged the leased on wathi said amid speculation that relatives V N Sudhakaran and El- Hospitals to clear the air sur- to Rs55mn. “I am told the bill has A decision was taken to remove court to parole it could be on February 9. avarasi is likely to be pronounced rounding the death of Jayalalithaa. been given to the family members ECMO after informing Jayala- grant him later. Meanwhile the Madras Uni- next week. Beale said Jayalalithaa, who of Jayalalithaa.” lithaa’s family. Kejriwal orders probe Verifi cation of mobile phone users ‘soon’

IANS He made the assurance after it into shelter home lapses was claimed that there was no New Delhi verifi cation of pre-paid connec- IANS Kejriwal’s orders came a day women and child development tion holders after they got the New Delhi after the Delhi Commission for departments, Dilraj Kaur, vis- he central government connection as was in the case of Women (DCW) chairperson, ited the Asha Kiran Home and two yesterday told the Su- post-paid connection holders. Swati Maliwal, paid a visit to the other homes for mentally chal- Tpreme Court it would put Rohatgi told the court that he deplorable conditions at Asha Kiran Home and found de- lenged in the past. in place, within a year, an eff ec- 90% of mobile connection hold- the Asha Kiran Home for plorable conditions that had led The chief minister also asked tive mechanism for verifi cation ers have pre-paid connections. Tthe mentally challenged to the death of 11 inmates. why the offi cial did not bring the of pre-paid mobile users who Asking the government to put where 11 inmates have died over Maliwal noted over-crowding reports of deaths to the notice of constitute 90% of the total sub- in place the mechanism for veri- the past two months saw the op- with up to four patients on a sin- the government. scribers. fi cation of existing pre-paid mo- position Bharatiya Janata Party gle bed, women inmates made to “What steps did she take when A bench of chief justice Jag- bile connection holders “as early and Congress attack the Aam remove clothes in the open while each death was brought to her dish Singh Khehar and justice N as possible”, the bench disposed Aadmi Party government yester- queueing up for bath and walking notice? What steps did she take V Ramana expressed their satis- of the petition by Lokniti Foun- day even as Delhi Chief Minister naked in the corridors, and CCTV to prevent these serious lapses,” faction that the verifi cation plea dation seeking scrutiny of the Arvind Kejriwal ordered the chief cameras being monitored by male Kejriwal asked. was “substantially dealt” with subscribers so that those having secretary to fi le a report on the staff . Responding in the matter, and an “eff ective process” would pre-paid mobile connections on lapses. She also observed stinking leader of the opposition, Vi- be in place in a year. fake identities are weeded out. The BJP said Kejriwal cannot rooms, fi lthy toilets and excreta jender Gupta, accused Kejriwal “We are satisfi ed that the Addressing the bench, Rohatgi escape “moral and legal respon- and urine in the corridors. of “cunningly shifting” the re- prayer made by the petitioner, said telecom companies have sibility for mismanagement” of Expressing shock, Kejriwal sponsibility from politicians to NGO Lokniti Foundation, has been insisting on some kind of Asha Kiran Home by shifting re- wrote that he was “extremely dis- bureaucracy. been substantially dealt with verifi cation from individuals ei- sponsibility to bureaucrats, while turbed” by the reports. “It appears that the chief and an eff ective process will be ther by way of driving licence, the Congress party said the AAP “The chief secretary should minister and deputy chief min- in place to verify the identity of voter identity card and though government had “undone” its personally ensure that all these ister by themselves owe no re- subscribers,” the bench said in its not mandatory, the Aadhar card. work for the mentally challenged. defi ciencies are removed within a sponsibility to run the home,” order. The court observed that when Kejriwal ordered Delhi chief week to the satisfaction of DCW,” Gupta added. The verifi cation mechanism a pre-paid connection holder secretary M M Kutty to fi le a re- he ordered. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister would apply to existing pre-paid goes for recharge he could be giv- port by February 13 and to “per- He also ordered Kutty to sub- Manish Sisodia and Delhi BJP BJP workers stop the car of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish connection holders and fresh ap- en a form seeking details which sonally ensure” the situation is mit a report on how many times chief Manoj Tiwari visited the Sisodia after he visited Asha Kiran Home for the mentally plicants as well, attorney general the mobile user will need to fur- rectifi ed within a week. the secretary of social welfare and Asha Kiran Home yesterday. challenged in New Delhi yesterday. Mukul Rohatgi told the court. nish in a given period of time. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 17 INDIA

CONTROVERSY CLASH CRACKDOWN TREND OPINION Parliamentary probe into 20 students hurt in Priests arrested for Unemployment rate is Bring back separate rail Ahamed’s death sought Gujarat campus violence marrying off their children rising, admits government budget, demands MP

Congress MPs yesterday demanded a A fight between local and foreign students at a Two priests have been arrested for marrying The opposition’s allegations aside, the rate of An MP from Kerala yesterday urged the parliamentary probe into the death of IUML leader private university campus near Vadodara left at off their teenage children in a secret ceremony unemployment is actually rising in the country, government to bring back a separate Railway and Kerala MP E Ahamed. The MPs demonstrated least 20 youths injured, police said. The injured they believed would bring prosperity to their especially among the backward classes, the Budget, a 92-year-old practice that was put to an in the Parliament complex, accusing the Modi were admitted to a hospital at the Parul University families, police said yesterday. Three others, government admitted in the Rajya Sabha end this year. Participating in the debate in the Lok government of hushing up the MP’s death in campus in Waghodia, Vadodara. Those injured including the mothers of the betrothed, were yesterday. In reply to a question during Question Sabha, Congress (Mani) MP Jose K Mani said, “The a hospital ahead of the annual union budget’s included six from Afghanistan, two from Uganda also detained when police broke up the Hindu Hour, Minister of State for Planning Rao, Inderjit government without holding discussion with the presentation on February 1. Former union minister and one from Congo, and the remaining 11 from wedding rituals in Hyderabad. Police, acting on Singh, said overall unemployment was rising, members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha and Indian Union Muslim League leader Ahamed India. Police detained 18 students, including a tip off , discovered dozens of family members but the rate was highest among the Other decided to merge the Railway Budget with the was declared dead hours before Finance Minister eight foreigners, and filed two charge-sheets in present at the secretive ceremony to wed the 15 Backward Classes (OBCs). While the overall Union Budget. I want that the government should Arun Jaitley presented the union budget in the matter. “The fight broke out when a group of and 13-year-old teenagers. Their parents claimed unemployment rate is 5%, it is 5.2% for the OBCs, bring back a separate Railway Budget again,” Parliament on February 1. The opposition has said Indian students was passing by the international the marriage was a family tradition premised on the minister said. The unemployment rate was Mani, who has been elected from Kottayam in that he died a day earlier but the Modi government hostel. An altercation ensued over a trivial the belief that it would bring them good fortune. 4.9% in 2013, 4.7% in 2012 and 3.8% in 2011. For Kerala, said. The Railway Budget was merged with kept the news under wraps to ensure that the issue, after which both sides summoned their The priests justified the union by claiming they the scheduled castes, the unemployment rate the Union Budget and was presented by Union budget presentation was not disrupted. supporters and clashed,” a police off icer said. too were married at the same age. was 3.1% in 2011, which has now risen to 5%. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on February 1.

Nagaland Factory ablaze stir shuts Kerala institute down govt offi ces row leaves

IANS Kohima

ribal groups in Nagaland ruling coalition enforced the closure of Tgovernment offi ces across the state yesterday to press for resignation of Chief Minister T R Zeliang for deciding to conduct elections to urban civic bodies with 33% reservation for women. deeply divided They also said they would boycott any meetings called by By Ashraf Padanna ance to keep Nair out of the acad- a habit of saying diff erent things Zeliang. Thiruvananthapuram emy’s functioning for fi ve years. on diff erent days,” he said. “We will continue with our However, others have con- “We don’t know what assur- indefi nite shutdown of govern- tinued demanding her formal ance they got from the manage- ment offi ces till the chief min- eep divisions within Ker- resignation as they fear she will ment to end the strike.” ister and his council of ministers ala’s ruling Left Demo- keep harassing them. Meanwhile, CPI (M) members resign from their posts,” Naga- Dcratic Front (LDF) over a “The CPI should try not to and government nominees voted land Tribes Action Committee private law school here widened tarnish the image of this gov- out a resolution the UDF (United (NTAC) convener K T Vilie said. yesterday with senior leaders ernment with their public state- Democratic Front) moved in the Zeliang, who termed the de- joining in the slanging match. ments. They should show more syndicate of the University of mand for his resignation as “un- The Communist Party of In- maturity,” Jayarajan said in Thris- Kerala with the support of the CPI reasonable” and “unconstitution- dia (Marxist) central committee sur. He was provoked into making to cancel the institute’s affi liation. al”, has called for a consultative member, E P Jayarajan, derided the comments after statements They decided to constitute an meet with all tribal bodies and or- junior partner Communist Party by CPI leaders and an attack by enquiry into the academic quali- ganisations tomorrow, to discuss of India with an adage implying one of them in the party mouth- fi cations of Nair, who got her the various problems arising out that it was enjoying power at his piece Janayugam as a response to undergraduate and postgraduate of the civic polls and how these party’s expense. the CPI (M) criticism that the BJP degrees from the same institute could be resolved amicably. “The CPI is seen nowhere in “sponsored the protest”. headed by her father, and dis- Vilie, however, said the tribal the state,” said the senior leader criminatory internal assessment. bodies have decided to boycott who had to resign as industries Nair, who hosts a popular Zeling’s consultative meet. minister following nepotism cookery show on CPI (M)’s Kai- “We have decided not to attend charges recently. “As the saying rali TV, is also facing charges of any meeting called by the chief goes in our Malabar (the northern discrimination on the basis of minister or participate in any of his region of the state), (lower caste) caste and gender, besides award- programmes. There is blood on his Warrier is having his meal at (up- ing internal marks at will and hands and therefore, we will not be per caste) Namboothiri’s home.” persecuting students refusing to part of his meetings and he should The All India Students Fed- do extracurricular “duties” like gracefully step down,” he said. eration (AISF), a feeder outfi t of Nair claimed she had working at her restaurant. Meanwhile, all government the CPI, the second largest rul- admitted several In an interview with Man- offi ces, including the Assembly ing partner, had been on strike candidates to the institute galam newspaper, Nair said she secretariat and legislators’ hos- demanding the resignation of who were recommended would never resign from the tel have been under lock and key Lakshmi P Nair, principal of the by K Muraleedharan institute but would keep away by the pressure group to prevent Kerala Law Academy, for almost from offi cial duties. She accused government employees from at- a month now. Revenue Minister E Chan- the agitating students of want- tending to their offi cial duties. The CPI (M) is angry with drasekharan, a CPI leader, also ing to “convert the law academy Volunteers were on the roads to them for launching protests with ordered an inquiry into the sta- into a love academy.” prevent government vehicles ply- the opposition parties led by the tus of the land in its possession, She also accused some politi- ing even as security forces were Congress party’s Kerala Stu- disregarding Chief Minister Pi- cians of gaining “undue favours” seen patrolling to thwart from any dents Union (KSU). narayi Vijayan’s position. for turning against her, and add- untoward incident. However, pri- The student outfi t of Prime The opposition wants the gov- ed if she wanted to enter politics, vate and government educational Minister Narendra Modi’s ernment to take back the land al- it would be through the CPI (M). institutions, banks and health Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also lotted in 1968. “If everyone starts Nair claimed she had admitted centres have been exempted from joined the protesters accusing to act on their own and order an several candidates to the insti- the purview of the shutdown. the school of “illegally” occupy- inquiry into every complaint tute who were recommended by “No untoward incident has ing 11.49 acres of government they receive, what will happen?” local legislator and senior Con- been reported so far. The shut- land worth around Rs600mn. asked Jayarajan. “They should gress leader K Muraleedharan, down has been peaceful. Police are Though the CPI (M)’s Students understand coalition politics.” who is currently on an indefi nite keeping a watch on the strike and Federation of India (SFI) earlier CPI leader Pannyan Raveen- fast in solidarity with the stu- will function accordingly,” Naga- Firefighters attend to a blaze at a cloth factory in Mundka, New Delhi, yesterday. joined the protest, it withdrew dran retorted stating Jayarajan dents. She, however, refused to land police chief L L Doungel said. last week after getting an assur- did not deserve a reply. “He has reveal more. Isro eyes record with Gangster held Chidamabaram again launch of 104 satellites denies Mallya links IANS to the fi nance ministry his loans, New Delhi dues to the tax department were IANS 100 foreign micro or smaller same orbit with distance be- mounting, I think we attached an Bengaluru satellites will be 820kg. tween them increasing due to aircraft, I assigned excise depart- Though the Indian space their relative velocities,” said ongress leader P ment and service department of- agency had launched 20 sat- an offi cial. Chidambaram yesterday fi cials to attach his properties and ndia will create history by ellites in one shot on June 22, At an altitude of 500km, the Csaid neither he as Union he didn’t comment, or protest or launching a record 104 sat- 2016, the launch of 104 satel- spacecraft will take about 90 fi nance minister or then prime complain to various offi cers. Iellites, including 101 foreign lites will surpass the 37 satel- minutes to complete one polar minister Manmohan Singh dealt “We told him that unless you ones, into the earth’s lower or- lites launch record set by a Rus- orbit over the earth. with any letter to give favours to show some bonafi des by pay- bit, on February 15 from Andhra sian rocket on June 19, 2014, “The satellites will be in- the now-grounded Kingfi sher ing some amount, these attach- Pradesh, an offi cial said yester- and 29 satellites launched by jected into the sun synchro- Airlines chief Vijay Mallya. ments cannot be lifted... that’s day. Nasa on November 19, 2013. nous orbit at diff erent slots at “Neither prime minister the only interaction I had with “We have tentatively decided “The countdown will begin diff erent angles and at diff erent (Manmohan Singh) nor I dealt him in the last two years of my to launch the satellites at one go 48 hours before the lift off after times,” the offi cial added. with the letter. And especially tenure in the fi nance ministry. around 9am into the sun-syn- the launch authorisation board ISRO chairman A S Kiran Ku- the letter to me was not concern- “I really don’t know how these chronous orbit, about 500km gives fi nal clearance for the mis- mar earlier said the space agen- ing Kingfi sher, it concerned the loans were handled in 2009. above the earth,” the Indian sion keeping in view the weather cy would maximise its rocket US shell,” former fi nance min- If there was something illegal Space Research Organisation conditions and other prepared- capability to launch more satel- ister P Chidamabaram said in an about the way loans were han- (Isro) offi cial said. ness at the Satish Dhawan Space lites in a single mission for max- interview to India Today TV. dled it must be investigated but Of the total earth-observation Centre,” said another offi cial. imum return on investment. He also said that when loans don’t immediately lay the blame satellites, three are Indian, 88 are The launch of over 100 “By launching 104 satellites to Mallya were given in 2009, he at the door of the prime minis- from the US and the rest from spacecraft together will be a together, we are trying to max- was not in the fi nance ministry. ter’s offi ce,” he said. Germany, Israel, Kazakhstan, the major achievement for India as imise our workhorse rocket’s “Loans under investigation Chidambaram also said “the Netherlands, Switzerland and such an attempt has not been capability and optimally utilise it were given in 2009. It so hap- prime minister is not a clerk and the United Arab Emirates. made before by any of the doz- for maximum return on invest- pened that I was not in the fi - hundreds of letters remain on his “A 320-tonne rocket – polar en space-faring nations. ment,” Kumar said on January 11. nance ministry then, so I can’t table.” satellite launch vehicle (PSLV- The constellation of 88 small As an advanced remote sens- comment on that,” Chidama- “These letters are marked C37) – will launch the satel- satellites, each weighing 5kg, ing satellite, Cartosat-2D has a baram said. to various offi cers and depart- lites with a combined weight of US earth observation fi rm single panchromatic camera to “Will they (BJP) release the let- ments. Now it for them to take of 1,500kg, including the 650kg Planet will be separated from beam scene-specifi c spot im- ter that was acted upon, we don’t what is the appropriate action,” Cartosat-2D and two nano- the rocket in diff erent direc- ageries of more than one metre The Delhi police yesterday arrested wanted criminal Akbar know what work was done. Will Chidambaram said, adding: “If satellites (INS-1A and INS-1B) tions to avoid them colliding spatial resolution and a swathe during a shootout in the national capital. The shootout took anyone reveal what illegal work anyone of them has acted inap- weighing 15kg each,” the offi cial when being deployed in orbit. of 10km for cartographic appli- place around 2.30am near Eros hotel in Nehru Place. was done? Nothing is known. propriately or illegally, of course said. The combined weight of “The satellites will be in the cations. “All I know is when I returned it should be investigated.” Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 LATIN AMERICA

UNPAID WAGES BUSTED MONITORING THE SITUATION BOOKED SOLID GOODWILL GESTURE Brazil city with no police Haiti arrests 12 for human 5.7 quake rattles Colombia, Lady Gaga to headline Colombian ELN rebels asks for military rescue traff icking, dozens rescued no casualties reported Rock in Rio festival release hostage soldier

The governor of Vitoria in eastern Brazil yesterday Police in Haiti over the weekend rescued dozens A 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Colombia Lady Gaga will headline the Rock in Rio Colombia’s last active rebel group, the ELN, called for federal troops to come to the rescue of women and girls on the verge of being sold, yesterday, shaking large cities including the festival for the first time, organisers in yesterday freed a hostage soldier in a new after police went on strike, leaving the city at the and placed 12 suspected human traff ickers capital Bogota, off icials said, indicating there were Brazil confirmed yesterday. The US goodwill gesture on the eve of peace talks to mercy of criminals. The acting governor of Espirito under arrest, authorities said. Off icials said the no immediate reports of casualties or damage. superstar, who will be on her newly end a 53-year conflict, the Red Cross said. “Fredy Santo state, Cesar Colnago, asked President Michel arrests took place Sunday at a tourist resort The quake struck at 8.02am (1302 GMT), with its announced Joanne World Tour, will stop Moreno Mahecha, an army soldier who was Temer “to send the National Force and the army outside the capital Port-au-Prince after a three epicentre 5km southeast of a town also named in Rio de Janeiro on September 15 for the being held by the National Liberation Army to safeguard the security of citizens,” a statement month investigation. “We found 33 girls, 20 Colombia, in the central region of Huila, said the opening night of the latest edition of the (ELN), was handed over today in a rural area of on the governor’s website said. Police, aided by of them minors, piled together in one room,” Colombian Geological Service. Schools and off ices annual festival, rockinrio.com announced. Arauca department to a team of delegates from relatives and sympathisers blockading police Danton Leger, government commissioner for were evacuated in Bogota. Residents reported Also playing at the September 15-24 event, the International Committee of the Red Cross,” stations, have been protesting against unpaid Port-au-Prince, told local radio. “In another room scenes of panic in other cities where the quake staged at the Rio’s Olympic Park, will be groups the humanitarian group said. The news came as salaries. Globo television yesterday broadcast there were 12 people — four women and eight was felt, including Cali, the country’s third-largest. including Aerosmith, Bon Jovi and Red Hot Chili a new boost to President Juan Manuel Santos’s cellphone footage of burned and smashed buses, men — with what appeared to be marijuana and “No reports of damages after earthquake. We Peppers. Lady Gaga has previously performed quest to bring “complete peace” to Colombia after looted shops, and a crowd running in panic from cocaine.” The raid took place at the Kaliko Beach remain watchful for further reports,” President in Brazil, playing Sao Paulo, Rio and Porto Alegre sealing a historic peace deal last year with the what appeared to be gunshots. Club, some 60km outside the capital. Juan Manuel Santos said on Twitter. during a 2012 tour. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

Rebuilding... Recession, disasters, Trump test resilience across Latin America

By Sophie Hares, Reuters and earthquakes, said experts. Tepic, Mexico “There’s a very large gap...be- tween the capacity in a country like Cuba — and even the Dominican altering growth in many Latin Republic next door — and the ca- American nations could ag- pacities of Haiti,” said Jessica Fai- Fgravate the impact of disasters eta, Latin America and Caribbean and other shocks on their people, director for the United Nations De- warn development experts, point- velopment Programme. ing to Venezuela’s crippling food She emphasised the need to in- shortages and the struggle to re- vest in protecting people from dis- build storm-hit Haiti. asters and helping communities or- Alongside clinging onto gains in ganise themselves better to prevent lifting people out of poverty as some loss of life. governments shave social spending, While early warning and civil the region faces multiple challenges defence systems have improved — from violent crime spurring mi- signifi cantly across the region, the gration from Central America, to work is far from fi nished, said Niels drought in Bolivia and help for con- Holm-Nielsen, the World Bank’s fl ict-hit parts of Colombia after its lead specialist for disaster risk recent peace deal. management. “Venezuela is a crisis out of pro- “We still see large disasters that Members of the Farc guerrilla group repair an access road in Cano Limon, a remote area near Tibu in Norte Santander department, northeast Colombia, in one of the portion to what we’ve seen in this kill a lot of people, so more progress UN-monitored transitional zones where they are to hand in their weapons. The Farc rebels started a historic disarmament process to end Latin America’s last major hemisphere for a long, long time,” needs to happen. It’s true both in armed conflict. said Luisa Villegas, a senior pro- Latin America and at a global level,” gramme director with the Pan he said. American Development Foundation Alleviating the lingering eff ects (PADF). of a widespread drought linked to “Venezuela is so extreme just be- the El Nino climate pattern is an- cause you have a government that other priority, said development won’t admit there is a crisis, so it’s experts. very hard for the international com- Northeast Brazil, Guatemala and munity to provide aid,” she added. other areas of Central America have A generation of Venezuelan chil- been hit, with protests erupting in dren could suff er developmental Bolivia which is suff ering its worst Maduro seeks papal help problems stemming from poor drought in 25 years. nutrition in the country, which is Another major problem under- plagued by soaring prices, chronic mining development across the re- food shortages and limited access to gion is organised crime. healthcare, she said. Rising gang violence in El Sal- Eff orts to strengthen people’s re- vador, Guatemala and Honduras silience across Latin America could has made those countries the most in new opposition talks be hampered by weak economic deadly outside of a war zone, ac- growth after two years of recession cording to the UN refugee agency AFP “I hope that it will take place soon. removing him from offi ce over the past Municipal and regional elections are against a backdrop of sliding natural (UNHCR), which has said the region Caracas And that at that gathering we and the year. due this year, but no date has yet been resource prices. is facing a refugee crisis as hundreds delegation on the right...can fi nish it He says the crisis is the result of a US- set. Brazil is set to emerge from its of thousands fl ee their homes. with a hug,” Maduro said. backed capitalist conspiracy. The next scheduled general election is worst-ever downturn, but 12mn are Economic migrants, meanwhile, enezuela’s President Nicolas He gave no time frame. Vatican-backed talks to get dialogue in late 2018, with Maduro’s current term out of work in the country. face an uncertain outlook due to Maduro on Sunday said he was The South American oil-exporting going among the parties have not made expiring in early 2019. The International Labour Organ- expected shifts in Washington’s Vseeking more Vatican help to try country has been hard hit by low crude much progress since December. Recent polls indicate 80% of Ven- ization has predicted unemploy- policies under US President Donald to jump-start political talks with the prices, with food and medicine shortages Critics say Maduro — who is seek- ezuelans disapprove of him. ment will creep up to 8.4% this year Trump, which are likely to hit Mexi- opposition. sparking riots and looting in recent months. ing to maintain the socialist “revolu- The opposition won by a landslide in across the region, which ranks as co the hardest. “A meeting with Pope Francis at the The centre right-dominated coalition tion” launched by his predecessor Hugo legislative elections in December 2015. the world’s most unequal. Trump has said he wants to clamp Vatican is being worked on. I hope it can has declared Maduro unfi t for offi ce due Chavez — has run the economy and Infl ation in Venezuela is projected to “In many countries, there’s not down on people illegally entering be worked out,” the embattled president to his handling of the crisis. country into the ground. soar to a mind-boggling 1,660% this necessarily the scope to expand so- the United States from Mexico by said during his Sunday programme on But the socialist president has over- The opposition insists elections are year, according to the International cial programmes, especially anti- building a controversial wall along state television. ruled all their eff orts to hold a vote on the only way forward. Monetary Fund. poverty programmes,” said Suzanne the border — which he may fund by Duryea, principal economist for slapping a 20% import tax on goods the Inter-American Development produced in Mexico. Bank’s social division. He could also potentially follow Those programmes, which of- through on a threat to deport mil- ten include schemes to pay fami- lions of Latin American illegal im- lies to vaccinate their children or migrants living in the United States. Kuczynski says ex-president betrayed Peru enrol them in school, already have And many struggling families “considerable coverage” in Brazil could be hit if Trump blocks remit- and Mexico, while Ecuador is start- tances from migrant workers there, Reuters in bribes that Brazil’s Odebrecht has ac- president Toledo. It’s a betrayal of the between Odebrecht and Toledo that are ing to scale back cash transfers, she which totalled $27bn last year to Lima knowledged distributing to win a con- Peruvian people, and it’s a betrayal of being probed. The current president is added. Mexico alone, according to bank tract during his 2001-2006 government. his colleagues that worked so hard,” the subject of a separate preliminary in- The bank is focusing on pro- BBVA Bancomer. According to a source in Peru’s pros- Kuczynski said in comments to Colom- vestigation regarding a law he signed off grammes that provide short-term Amid the pressures of the past eruvian President Pedro Pablo ecutor’s offi ce, authorities detected bia’s W Radio, which were distributed on in 2006 that removed legal obstacles social protection while aiming to two years, in which the trend of Kuczynski said on Sunday that $11mn that was allegedly transferred to by the president’s offi ce. to highway contracts awarded to Ode- improve the quality of health and Latin Americans escaping poverty Pex-president Alejandro Toledo, an associate of Toledo, leading investi- “This is very lamentable. He must brecht and other Brazilian companies. education in the long run, she said. to the middle class tailed off , the accused of receiving millions in bribes gators to raid Toledo’s house in Lima on straighten himself out and come back to He denies any wrongdoing. Hurricane Matthew — which risk now is that more people will from embattled construction fi rm Ode- Saturday. Peru and answer what the investigators In addition to Peru, Odebrecht has killed up to 1,000 people as it start sliding back down the ladder. brecht SA, betrayed his country and The ex-president, who has denied are going to ask him.” acknowledged doling out hundreds of ripped through Haiti last October, “The challenge is to make sure must return to Peru to face justice. taking any bribes, was in France on Sat- Kuczynski, who was Toledo’s fi nance millions in bribes to win public work leaving 1.4mn in need of aid — those gains from the last decade are Prosecutors are preparing an arrest urday, though his current whereabouts minister and prime minister, also re- contracts throughout Latin America, showed that better preparation for still maintained and people don’t go warrant for Toledo after discovering are unknown. iterated previous declarations that he spurring inquiries from Argentina to disasters remains crucial in a region back into poverty,” said PADF’s Vil- evidence that implicates him in $20mn “Very hurt by this news about ex- was not involved in the negotiations Panama. prone to droughts, fl oods, storms legas. Colorado governor sees Cuban desire to work with Trump

By Marc Frank, Reuters Vidal, director of US aff airs at review” of America’s foreign pol- Hickenlooper said he did not Havana the Cuban foreign ministry, and icy toward Cuba was underway. doubt many innocent people other foreign ministry offi cials Obama and Cuban President were hurt during the early years “were cautiously optimistic.” Raul Castro stunned the world of the Revolution, but most of he governor of Colorado “They realise they have to wait in December 2014 when they an- those involved had passed away. said on Sunday he believes and that the new administration nounced the two governments “The younger people seem ea- Tthe Cuban government has a lot of things going on. They would restore diplomatic ties ger to build a relationship with wants to further improve rela- understand things could change after more than 50 years of Cold the United States,” he said. tions with the United States un- in some ways, but I didn’t sense War hostilities and work to nor- The governor, a former entre- der President Donald Trump, as there was any fear or some sort malise relations. preneur and restaurant owner, he wrapped up a three-day visit of depression,” the governor said. The Colorado governor said spent a day meeting with small to the Communist-run island Hickenlooper, who travelled the purpose of his trip was to business owners and said he had nation. with a cultural and business del- view post-Fidel Castro Cuba and visited fi ve private eateries. “They seemed eager for the egation, was the highest-ranking invite the country to his state’s “I was surprised. One has this vi- chance to build a relationship elected US offi cial to meet with Biennial of the Americas, which sion of everyone being downtrod- with President Trump and have it Vidal since Trump assumed of- brings together the cultures, den, and there was so much opti- be a constructive one,” Governor fi ce last month. businesses and ideas of North mism and positive energy,” he said. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, Trump has said he wanted a and South America. “Some of the business peo- said of his meeting with Cuba’s better deal than that brokered by Hickenlooper said the Cubans ple did say if you see President point person for US relations, his predecessor, Barack Obama. had enthusiastically accepted the Trump please tell him to let us Josefi na Vidal. On Friday, White House press invitation to attend the event in keep the beginnings of this new He said in an interview that secretary Sean Spicer said a “full September. inspiration,” he said. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper poses for photos in front of the Capitol in Havana. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 19 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

India not fulfi lling responsibilities under Indus Treaty: Aziz

Agencies over construction of new dams Sharif said that since the IWT in 1960 with the help of Prime Minister Narendra ing for developing consensus And in case of failure, both the Islamabad by India. World Bank was a signatory to World Bank, which has survived Modi’s “blood and water can- in the light IWT on mechanism countries need to develop agree- Last week, Prime Minister the treaty, it should play its due over fi ve decades of hostilities not fl ow together” and the threat for resolution of ‘faulty de- ment on the middle way to re- Nawaz Sharif took up the issue role to help resolve the issue, ex- between the two states. of unilateral abrogation of the signs’ of 300MW Kishenganga solve issues. ndia has not been fulfi lling with World Bank CEO Krista- pressing his hope that the World treaty has resulted into a new and 850MW Ratle hydropower However, sources said if a sec- its responsibilities under the lina Georgieva in Islamabad, and Bank will set a court of arbitra- “India’s construction of wave of hydro politics around projects. retary of water and power level IIndus Waters Treaty, Paki- contended that India’s new dam tion in this regard. Ratle and Kishenganga Pakistan and brought the Indus Well-placed sources said that meeting was held between both stan foreign policy chief Sartaj building on Indus river’s tribu- Pakistan and India share the dams on western rivers is a Water Treaty under stress. the World Bank wants both the the countries, the representa- Aziz said yesterday airing Islam- taries was sheer violation of the waters of Indus River Basin violation of the treaty” In a related development, countries to develop consensus tives of World Bank would also abad’s concerns over construc- Indus Waters Treaty. which has been a major source with a view to ending the ongo- either on mechanism of neutral be the part of the meeting and tion of new dams by New Delhi. “India’s construction of Ratle of contention between the two However, due to the recent ing stalemate between India and expert or court of arbitration they would try to persuade both In his written reply in the Na- and Kishenganga dams on west- states since Independence. upsurge in the Kashmir Valley, Pakistan, the World Bank has mentioned in the IWT for the the parties to reach consensuses tional Assembly, Aziz said Pa- ern rivers is a violation of the In order to resolve the dis- water has once again become a stepped up its eff orts to soon resolution of issues pertaining to to any of the mechanisms or fi nd kistan has expressed concerns treaty,” he contended. putes, both countries signed divisive issue. arrange a secretary level meet- the said projects. out a middle way. Afghan diplomat Pakistan, Bahrain boost ties slain at consulate in Karachi

Reuters peared to be the result of a per- rounded the consulate immedi- Karachi sonal dispute. ately after the attack amid fears Afghan ambassador to Paki- of a possible extremist assault. stan Omar Zakhilwal confi rmed “There was nothing of the sort n Afghan diplomat was the shooting on his offi cial Face- and it seems the guard had some shot dead yesterday in the book account. sort of personal grudge with the AAfghan consulate in Paki- “Firing inside Afg Consulate diplomat,” Khan said. stan’s southern city of Karachi in General in Karachi at around The guard has been arrested, what was described as a personal 12:30pm today... has been carried he said, and an investigation dispute, Pakistani offi cials said. out by an Afghan guard inside the launched. The consulate’s third sec- compound resulting in fatality of The consulate is located in retary was killed by a private one of our diplomats,” Zakhilwal Karachi’s upscale Clifton neigh- guard, who had been arrested, wrote. “It seems to be a personal bourhood. The missions of In- police offi cial Saqib Ismail said. dispute related criminal act.” donesia, the United Kingdom “The guard used his auto- “The guard, Rehmat Ullah, and France are nearby. matic weapon, fi ring multiple opened fi re on a junior diplomat A strategic operation in Kara- bullets,” Ismail said, adding that Mohamed Zaki Uro, killing him chi, Pakistan’s largest city and the guard was also an Afghan na- on the spot and wounding an- a major business and industrial tional. other consulate offi cial,” Azad hub, by security forces in recent Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifah and Pakistan’s top foreign aff airs off icial Sartaj Aziz address a joint press Another police offi cial, Depu- Khan said. years has brought a lull in vio- briefing in Islamabad yesterday. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan values its ties with Bahrain and stressed the need for ty Inspector General Azad Khan, Paramilitary Rangers and a lence, but scattered attacks still expanding bilateral trade between both countries. told reporters the shooting ap- heavy police contingent sur- take place. Rescuers battle to reach victims of avalanche

AFP But there has been no word cut off , he said, suggesting the firmed toll to emerge. Kabul yet from some villages in Nuris- eventual death toll could be Barmak said a further 89 tan which Qayyom said received higher. The series of avalanches people had been wounded, with nearly three metres of snow, with over the weekend destroyed 190 houses damaged and 400 escuers are battling to blocked roads and mountainous dozens of homes and killed cattle killed. reach survivors of ava- terrain slowing the rescue eff ort. livestock mostly in central and “The government priority is Rlanches in Afghanistan’s “We will evacuate wounded northern provinces. the rescue operation, then to remote and mountainous north, victims to the city of Jalalabad At least 119 people were clear roads and passes and fi - as the offi cial nationwide death for treatment,” he said, adding killed, Minister for Natural Dis- nally reconstruction and dam- toll neared 120 and fears grew that skies were clear yesterday. asters Wais Ahmad Barmak told age repair,” he said. for dozens still believed trapped The snowfall had also blocked a press conference. Deadly avalanches are com- under the snow. roads and killed at least 19 The toll appeared lower than mon in Afghanistan’s moun- Aid is being delivered by heli- people in neighbouring Bada- earlier reported fi gures and Bar- tainous areas in winter. Some copter to the worst-hit province khshan, said provincial gover- mak did not off er a breakdown. areas in Badakhshan usu- of Nuristan, where at least 64 nor’s spokesman Naweed Ah- The UN’s Office for the Co- ally “are only accessible three people have been killed includ- mad Froutan, adding that relief ordination of Humanitarian months a year”, Afghan Chief ing 53 in one devastated village, workers were struggling to get Affairs said that, with access Executive Abdullah Abdullah Pakistani paramilitary soldiers escort a suspect (C) for interrogation outside the Afghan consulate after provincial governor Hafi z Abdul aid through by helicopter. to the affected areas difficult, told AFP when asked about ac- the shooting of an Afghan diplomat in Karachi yesterday. Qayyom said. At least 12 districts are still it may take time for a con- cess to the region. Afghan civilian casualties hit record high in 2016

AFP for twin explosions that ripped fi erce gun battles with govern- Kabul through crowds of Shia Hazaras ment forces, who ultimately in Kabul, killing at least 85 peo- drove the insurgents back. ple and wounding more than In November, US forces con- iolent clashes between 400 others. ceded that an air strike had “very Afghan security forces The bombings marked the likely” killed at least 30 civil- Vand militants, particular- deadliest single attack in the ians in the Kunduz area, many ly in populated areas, resulted in Afghan capital since the Tali- of them children, triggering im- a record number of civilian casu- ban were ousted from power in a passioned protests in the city. alties last year. 2001 US-led invasion, and were Civilian casualties caused by Nearly 11,500 civilians were a major escalation for IS. Nato forces have been one of the killed or wounded in Afghani- z Taliban militants launched most contentious issues in the stan in 2016 — one third of an assault on the Kabul offi ces 15-year campaign. them children — according to of CARE International, part of a Yesterday’s UNAMA report the United Nations, the highest wave of bombings in the city on recorded the highest number yet number of annual non-combat- September 5 that left at least 41 of civilian casualties caused by ant casualties since it began col- people dead and dozens wound- air strikes — 590, of whom 250 lecting fi gures in 2009. ed. were killed. Here is a recap of some key z Lashkar Gah on the brink z Islamic State expands incidents in major cities with The Taliban, once a rural in- While the Taliban have been high civilian casualties in 2016, a surgency, continued an aggres- making their aggressive push bloody year for the war-ravaged sive push to capture big cities in into cities and are still blamed by nation: 2016, launching attacks on three UNAMA for the bulk of civilian zKabul, the war-torn capital provincial capitals — Tarin Kot, casualties, fears are also growing Even for Kabul’s estimated Lashkar Gah and Kunduz — with about the expanding presence of population of 5mn, grimly ac- many civilians caught in the Islamic State. customed to attacks which tear fi ghting. After the earlier attack on through the city with devastat- In early August, the Taliban Hazaras in Kabul, in October ing regularity, 2016 brought car- launched a major off ensive in militants linked to Islamic State nage on a new scale. Helmand province, advanc- jihadists abducted and killed z A truck bomb and ensuing ing on Lashkar Gah, which has Danielle Bell (left), director of human rights of UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), holds up a copy of a report of civilian casualties around 30 civilians, including fi refi ght killed at least 64 people 200,000 inhabitants. next to Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, during a press conference in Kabul. children, in central Ghor prov- on April 19, most of them civil- The Afghan army fl ushed out ince. ians, and wounded some 350 the insurgents with the sup- foreign forces withdrew in 2014. triggering heavy fi ghting around bolstered by reinforcements and After briefl y seizing the north- UNAMA’s report yesterday others a week after the start of port of American air strikes, and z Storming of Tarin Kot government buildings as many air support repelled the mili- ern Afghan city of Kunduz in charted a 10-fold increase in the Taliban’s “spring off ensive”. around 100 US troops were de- In September the Taliban of its panicked 70,000 residents tants, though fi ghting continued September 2015, the Taliban re- civilian casualties blamed on z On July 23, Islamic State ji- ployed in the city, the fi rst major stormed into Tarin Kot, capital scrambled to fl ee. in the outskirts. turned in October 2016, launch- Islamic State — 899, including hadists claimed responsibility American presence there since of southern Uruzgan province, Within hours Afghan forces z Return to Kunduz ing a fresh assault that triggered 209 deaths. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 PHILIPPINES Army arrests rebel leader after peace bid collapses

Reuters President Duterte’s pronounce- in a speech yesterday, calling Manila ment to re-arrest all those who rebels “spoiled brats” demand- were freed temporarily to take ing too much from the govern- part in the peace talks,” the ment. hilippine soldiers ar- spokesman, Captain Rhyan He now calls the NPAs as a rested yesterday a com- Batchar, told reporters. terrorist group. Pmunist rebel leader, days “He and a companion will be Another military spokesman after President Rodrigo Duterte brought back to prison.” said there was a spike in skir- scrapped a ceasefi re with the in- The confl ict between the gov- mishes between the army and surgents and as clashes between ernment and the NPA, the armed the rebels in central and south- them and the army erupted in wing of the Communist Party of ern parts of the country over the A South Korean mourner is overcome with emotion as he speaks during a memorial service for late South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo who several places. the Philippines, began in 1969 past 48 hours. was allegedly killed by suspected policemen, inside the police headquarters in Manila yesterday. Duterte announced on Friday and more than 40,000 people Three other rebels were cap- the government was scrapping have been killed. tured and one was killed in one the ceasefi re with the New Peo- Duterte, who won an election clash, said military spokesman ple’s Army (NPA) and he ordered last year on a vow to wipe out Colonel Edgard Arevalo. soldiers to prepare to fi ght, say- the illegal drug trade, had raised Separately on Sunday, soldiers ing the rebels were making hopes of bringing an end to a killed a guerrilla in a 30-minute Memorial held for South Korean “huge”, unacceptable demands communist insurgency that has fi refi ght on the central island of despite government conces- stunted development for years, Mindoro while skirmishes also sions. especially in central parts of the occurred in Iloilo and Masbate, whose murder stunted drugs war The rebel leader arrested Philippines. also in the central Philippines, yesterday, Ariel Arbitrario, was Last month, the government Arevalo said. among dozens of guerrillas freed asked the US State Department At the peak of the Maoist re- Reuters last year when the government to remove the rebel movement’s bellion, there were 25,000 NPA Manila and the rebels resumed peace founder and leader, Jose Ma. Si- fi ghters but its strength has fall- talks. son, from its terrorist blacklist to en to about 3,000 members. He was intercepted at an army move negotiations forward. The army said the rebels are he Philippines held a checkpoint in Davao City, in the But both sides later traded ac- concentrated in the country’s memorial yesterday for a southern Philippines, a military cusations of truce violations and eastern seaboard where there TSouth Korean business- spokesman said. negotiating in bad faith. are many plantations and mines, man whose kidnapping and “He was taken in based on “Let’s go to war,” Duterte said main sources of rebel funding. murder by rogue anti-narcotics police prompted a shock sus- pension of police from Presi- dent Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Diplomats, government offi - Miners say closures ‘illegal’ cials and members of the South Korean community were joined by more than 100 uniformed police at the ceremony to mark as minister sticks to decision the death of Jee Ick-joo, which caused the biggest scandal of Duterte’s seven-month-old Reuters bias: to stop all mining in the Philippines,” said Ar- presidency. Manila temio Disini, chairman of the chamber. Mourners in black stood be- “It is now apparent that within her department fore a portrait of Jee placed on there is widespread chaos,” he said, citing confl ict a stage covered in white fl owers he Philippine mining minister’s decision to between Lopez and the review team from the Mines at a Christian service for a man close over half of the country’s mines and and Geosciences Bureau. whose death led to a Duterte Tsuspend others is “illegal and unfair”, an in- Disini said on Friday the shutdowns would aff ect taking police off the front lines dustry group said yesterday, as the minister stood 1.2mn people. of his anti-drugs campaign, by her action. The chamber has asked President Rodrigo Du- his administration’s signature Environment and Natural Resources Secretary terte to review Lopez’s action, calling it “without policy. Regina Lopez on Thursday ordered 23 of the coun- basis, fairness and legality”. Duterte has supported Duterte is forging ahead with try’s 41 mines shut permanently, saying many were Lopez’s move and the minister said she will not re- a crackdown in which 7,600 South Korean nationals pray at the crime scene where late South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo, who operating in watersheds. consider her decision, adding the Southeast Asian people have been killed, a third was allegedly killed by suspected policemen, inside the police headquarters in Manila yesterday after a The mines to be closed account for half of nickel nation is “unfi t for mining”. in police operations, police have memorial service in honour of Jee. ore output by the world’s top supplier of the metal. “These open pits near our rivers and streams will said. Another fi ve mines were suspended. be there forever and a day,” Lopez told Reuters. Reported killings have shrank South Korea plays an impor- members of an anti-drugs gone to great lengths to show “She violated due process — which is an inher- “How is that economically lucid? It’s crazy, why dramatically in the week since tant role in the Philippines as an unit. their remorse for Jee’s death. ent part of the rule of law — and did not give proper are we doing this?” A staunch environmentalist, the suspension. investor, aid donor, provider of He had been arrested for drug “We are holding the memori- notice by consistently refusing to release the results Lopez launched an audit of the country’s mines in The Philippine Drug En- military hardware and source of off ences that his wife and law- al service inside the camp.They of the audit to the aff ected parties,” the Chamber of July, shortly after being sworn in, aiming to punish forcement Agency is now in a quarter of the country’s tour- yers said was an offi cial cover opened it, they don’t hide any- Mines of the Philippines said in a statement. operations she thinks are harming the environment. charge and will form a joint task ists. for kidnap for ransom. thing, to show they are sincere A team that reviewed an audit of the mines rec- Still largely unexplored, the Philippines’ mining sec- force with the military, which The ceremony was held at Charlie Shin of the United to the Korean community so we ommended suspension of operations and payment tor contributes less than 1% to the overall economy. will reinforce drugs operations the Camp Crame headquar- Korean Community Associa- appreciate it,” he said. of fi nes for environmental violations, rather than Only 3% of 9mn hectares identifi ed by the state against armed elements, the ters of the Philippine Na- tion of the Philippines delivered “Hopefully, the Korean com- closure, two people with knowledge of the mat- as having high mineral reserves is being mined, ac- agency’s director said yester- tional Police (PNP) where a speech at the memorial and munity will trust the PNP more ter said. “Her actions have fi nally revealed her true cording to government data. day. Jee was killed in October by later said the authorities had than before.”

Bishop says Filipinos afraid and disturbed Agency running crackdown says troops to play support role by spate of killings Filipinos are afraid and disturbed Reuters deaths were caused by inter- in this week, Lapena said. by a spate of killings under Manila gang violence or vigilantes, PDEA has a major chal- the Philippine government’s while human rights groups say lenge in keeping up the inten- campaign against illegal drugs, a there is a pattern of extra-judi- sity of a drugs war that was Catholic bishop said yesterday. hilippine troops will only cial killings. being waged primarily by the Bishop Ruperto Santos said provide back-up in the The government strongly re- 160,000-strong Philippine Na- Filipinos do not feel safe and are Pwar on drugs and not pa- jects that. tional Police (PNP). troubled by the killings of drug trol the streets or play any kind Asked if a drugs war run by PDEA has a tiny fraction of suspects under the campaign. of leading role, the head of an PDEA would see fewer killings that, with only 1,800 personnel. “They are now afraid, they anti-narcotics agency that has than those seen under the po- Lapena said PDEA had ap- become restless and they are been given charge of the cam- lice, Lapena said it was up to proval to recruit 900 more. disturbed,” he said. “There is no paign said yesterday. the criminal gangs to decide The new task force would peace and that is the reason why Last week, President Rodrigo whether to surrender quietly, or operate nationwide, but its size it is now terror that they experi- Duterte suspended the nation- put up a fi ght. and number of operations was ence.” On Sunday, the Catholic al police from the anti-drugs “There are fi refi ghts that re- yet to be decided. Bishops’ Conference of the Philip- war that has killed over 7,600 sult in death...we cannot avoid Lapena said PDEA would pines urged the public to speak people in seven months after a that,” he said. make up for the manpower up against the killings, which they South Korean businessman was Lapena said most previous shortage by strengthening links described as a “reign of terror” in kidnapped and killed by mem- operations led by the PDEA had to local communities, setting up a pastoral letter read at Masses. bers of a police drugs squad. resulted in arrests, not killings. anti-drugs councils to identify “Let us not allow fear to reign and He said the army would be in- Bloodshed was inevitable those in need of rehabilitation, keep us silent,” the letter read. ducted into the drugs war, cre- during a drugs war, he said, be- or “neutralisation”, which he The bishops expressed deep con- ating unease in a country that cause dealers and corrupt police said meant arrests and prosecu- cern over the killings in the drug endured a decade of martial law would kill others to cover their tion, and was not a euphemism war, noting that while the narcotics from the early 1970s and where tracks. for killing. trade should stop, killings were memories of campaigns to re- “We don’t have control over Lapena is a former police not the solution. “The situation of store democracy and protect other elements who do the kill- chief of Davao, a city where the families of those killed is also human rights are fresh in the ings. The other killings are per- Duterte was mayor for over two cause for concern,” they said in the minds of many people. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General, Isidro Lapena, signs documents before petrated, I would say, by drug decades. pastoral letter, pointing out that However, Duterte handed taking a mandatory drugs test at the headquarters of PDEA in Quezon City yesterday. syndicates themselves,” Lapena The narcotics agency chief often poor areas were aff ected. charge of the anti-drugs cam- said. said he had no idea why Duterte Presidential spokesman Ernesto paign to the Philippine Drug For example, if the target is in lead their own operations. when needed. Of the people “That is why, I cannot say would make such drastic change Abella criticised the Catholic Enforcement Agency (PDEA). an area where there are armed Troops selected for a joint killed in the war on drugs, about this will lower, or this will rise.” to his drugs war, leaving PDEA bishops for being “out of touch “They (troops) will be in groups, then we will be needing task force with the PDEA would 2,500 died during police opera- The remit and structure of with a race against time to come with the sentiments of the faithful support of PDEA agents,” the the armed forces.” attend orientation programmes tions and the remainder are in the new joint task force be- up with a plan. who overwhelmingly support the agency’s director general, Isidro Lapena stressed the military and would likely only be on dispute. tween the PDEA and the armed “We will take on the job and changes in the Philippines.” Lapena, said in an interview.” would not be on patrol duty or stand-by for drug operations The authorities say many forces could be finalised with- we will deliver,” he said. Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Lankan rupee slips US-bound Bhutan refugees on dollar buying by left in limbo in Nepal camp banks AFP a dream now,” Magar said at Nepalis fl ed Bhutan in the early Reuters Jhapa Beldangi camp last week. The 1990s after the Buddhist king- Colombo 41-year-old was due to be re- dom made national dress com- settled in Vermont with her pulsory and banned the use of alimaya Magar had given husband and children. the Nepali language. he Sri Lankan rupee fell away most of her be- A notice circulated to The majority were resettled yesterday due to dollar Klongings as she prepared refugees at the camp last in the US while thousands more Tdemand from importers to leave the refugee camp in Ne- week said “there would be found new homes in Europe, and banks as foreign investors pal for a new life in the United no departure-related proc- Australia and Canada, among continued to sell government States. esses from February 3 until other destinations. securities, dealers said. But after more than two further notice”, and referred Trump’s order on January Rupee forwards were active decades of waiting, her de- to the order signed by the US 27 unleashed chaos and con- with two-week forwards were parture – originally scheduled president. fusion around the world after trading at 151.22/25 at 0603 for this week – was cancelled While the travel ban on refu- it barred refugees from enter- GMT, compared with Friday’s in an instant after US Presi- gees has since been suspended ing the US for 120 days and in- close of 151.15/20. dent Donald Trump issued by a US court, those at the camp defi nitely blocked those from “Import demand is there while a temporary ban on refugee were unsure what that meant Syria. festive demand is also building arrivals. for them. The UN refugee agency UN- up, and we can see some foreign- The US has been the largest “We’ve heard rumours, HCR, which has publicly criti- ers exiting (from government se- recipient of Bhutanese of ethnic but have no offi cial informa- cised the ban, estimates more curities),” said a currency dealer, Nepali origin who say they are tion about if or when we might than 20,000 people worldwide requesting anonymity. fl eeing persecution in the tiny be able to go,” Magar said were slated for resettlement in Sri Lanka’s central bank is Himalayan kingdom. yesterday. the US during that window. scheduled to hold its fi rst mon- More than 90,000 have A State Department spokes- A US federal judge on Fri- etary policy review of 2017 today. been welcomed into the US person said they have been in- day suspended the presiden- The central bank could raise since 2007, when talks to se- formed about the court ruling, tial order pending a wider legal its key policy rates in coming cure their return to Bhutan but did not specify its impact review. An appeals court on months if it skips a chance to collapsed. on the Bhutanese resettlement Sunday refused a government Bhutanese refugee Aitemaya Tamang with her son next to bags labelled with their expected destination tighten next week, a Reuters poll More than 10,000 still live programme. request immediately to rein- North Carolina, at the Beldangi camp in Nepal’s Jhapa district. showed, underlining renewed in camps across Nepal but “We are working closely with state the ban. pressure on the rupee after the Trump’s controversial order our legal teams as well as our But it’s cold comfort for resettlement had been tached labels marked with her “I wanted to go because I Federal Reserve’s rate hike last on refugee resettlement has interagency and overseas part- Aitemaya Tamang, who suspended. destination: North Carolina. want to work and earn for my month. plunged many into limbo. ners to comply with the order,” was told a day before she Tamang, who was only a “I am shocked and worried,” the family and send my son to a good The rupee has been under “My hope for freedom from the spokesperson said. was to depart to join her toddler when she fl ed Bhutan, 26-year-old said from her hut in school. Now I don’t know what pressure due to rising imports this life as a refugee is only More than 100,000 ethnic family in the US that her had packed her bags and at- the camp, her bags on the fl oor. will happen.” and net selling of government securities by foreign investors, while the central bank has said defending the currency was not sensible. The central bank revised the Fisherman dead spot rupee reference rate to a Angry batsman hurls stump, record low of 150.50 from 150.25 last week. Foreign investors net sold in Myanmar fi ring 26.6bn rupees ($177.10mn) worth of government securities kills teenager in Bangladesh in the four weeks to February 1, AFP ermen returned to the Bang- according to latest central bank Dhaka ladeshi border town of Teknaf data. AFP and the wounded were taken Dhaka to a hospital where Nurul yanmar border Amin, 26, succumbed to bullet Man held for guards opened fi re injuries. taking snaps near 14-year-old cricketer Mon a Bangladeshi “The fi shermen said they has died in Bangla- fi shing boat in the Naf river were not given any prior PM’s residence Adesh after he was hit by that divides the countries warning before the BGP (My- a stump thrown by an angry yesterday, killing one fi sher- anmar’s border guard police) Sri Lankan police have arrested batsman during a friendly game man and injuring two others, started shooting,” another po- an Indian national for taking between neighbourhood teams, police said. lice offi cial said on condition photographs near Temple Trees, police said yesterday. Tensions have been run- of anonymity. the prime minister’s off icial Faisal Hossain was fi elding ning high since thousands Nearly 70,000 Ro- residence in Colombo, media in the southeastern port city of of Rohingya began pour- hingya Muslims have reported. Chittagong when the batsman ing over the border fl eeing a entered Bangladesh in re- Undercover police off icers, was given out, assistant police crackdown by the Myanmar cent months with stories deployed for surveillance duties commissioner Jahangir Alam army in October, and it is the of killings and mass rape during Sri Lanka’s Independence said. second time Myanmar forces by Myanmar soldiers that Day celebrations, had spotted and “The batsman was furi- have fi red on Bangladeshi have raised global alarm arrested him, news reports said. ous when he saw that he was fi shermen. and sparked protests The suspect, Bharatha stumped or bowled out. He Local police chief Iqbal around Southeast Asia. Muttukumar (35) from India’s grabbed a stump and threw it Hossain said the guards The army says it is hunting Tamil Nadu state, is said to in the air. The stump hit part fi red on the boat after it militants behind deadly raids be working in a private firm of the neck and head of Faisal allegedly strayed into My- on police posts. in suburban Kotahena near who was fi elding close to the anmar territory yesterday According to the Bang- Colombo. wicket,” he said. morning. ladesh government some The state-run Sunday Observer “He collapsed on the ground “Three of the fi shermen 400,000 Rohingya are living quoted police spokesperson in pain and was declared dead were injured with bullet in Bangladesh and most are Priyantha Jayakody as saying the after he was taken to a hospital.” wounds. They (fi sher- unregistered. arrested man had been behaving The batsman has been de- Relatives of Faisal Hossain react over his dead body in Chittagong yesterday. men) said they were not On Sunday, Dhaka asked in “a suspicious manner”, taking tained and will be prosecuted aware of crossing Bangla- diplomats and UN agencies to photographs opposite Temple for causing unintentional cricket in Bangladesh, where Last May, a batsman wield- in Dhaka after the teenager deshi territorial waters,” back a controversial plan to Trees. “He was arrested at around death, police said. the sport is taken seriously even ing a stump allegedly beat a taunted the umpire over a he said. relocate Rohingya refugees to 11am and was taken in for further Clashes are common over at village level. 16-year-old cricketer to death no-ball delivery. The boat carrying the fi sh- a remote island. questioning” Jayakody said. 37 in police net for illegal stay List of names for new EC IANS detained Bangladeshi nationals, The arrested Bangladeshi na- Kathmandu Xinhua reported. tionals have failed to produce Most of the arrested Bang- their travel documents during ladeshi nationals – who had the interrogation, local media submitted to president hirty-seven Bangladeshi entered Nepal via India-Nepal reported citing police sources. nationals have been ar- Kakarbhitta-Panitanki border They will be deported to Trested from Thamel, point a few months ago – were Bangladesh soon after the in- By Mizan Rahman Kathmandu’s tourist hub, involved in small-scale busi- vestigation, according to police Dhaka for illegally entering Nepal, ness like weaving and craft- sources. police said. ing clothes in Thamel area, the The police have suspected Somendra Rathaur, deputy police said. that as many as 4,000 Bang- search committee superintendent of police at the Police will hand over the ar- ladeshi nationals were illegally formed for appoint- Sorukhutte police station, told rested Bangladeshi nationals to working across the capital city Aing the chief and other local media that the police have the Department of Immigration of Kathmandu for the past one commissioners of the new launched a probe against those for further investigation. year. Election Commission (EC) has submitted a list of 10 persons to Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid. The six-member search committee, headed by Su- Mayor held for shooting journalist preme Court Judge Syed Mah- mud Hossain, fi nalised the list from the names recommended By Mizan Rahman Metropolitan Police (DMP) ar- League (AL) in Shahjadpur on by political parties. Dhaka rested him from the house of a Thursday. Later, he died on the Abdul Wadud, additional relative, said Masudur Rahman, way to Dhaka. secretary of the cabinet divi- DMP deputy commissioner. Miru, who won the mayoral sion, told journalists after the Supreme Court Judge Syed Mahmud Hossain handing over a list to President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka angladesh police de- Earlier, police arrested Miru’s race with Awami League ticket, meeting that a gazette notifi ca- yesterday. tectives have arrested two brothers – Hasibul Haque allegedly shot fi res during the tion will be issued by February BHalimul Haque Miru, Pintu and Habibul Haque Mintu clash. 8 in this regard. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s will end in the middle of this Sadique, Comptroller and Au- Mayor of Shahjadpur munici- – in connection with the killing The incident sparked a na- The list has been kept a endorsement before formal an- month. ditor General Masud Ahmed, pality in Sirajganj district, from of the journalist. tionwide protest by journalists closely-guarded secret till nouncement of the names, he Headed by Justice Syed Mah- Transparency International Shyamoli area in Dhaka in con- Abdul Hakim Shimul, a corre- and drew condemnation from the notifi cation is issued as it added. mud Hossain, the search panel Bangladesh trustee and board nection with the killing of a spondent of vernacular daily the various quarters. might trigger political contro- The timeframe of the search includes High Court judge member Prof Syed Manzoorul journalist. Dainik Samakal, sustained bullet A video, apparently fi lmed versy, said a senior offi cial re- committee will expire on Febru- Justice Obaidul Hassan, Bang- Islam and Chittagong Univer- A joint team of Detective injuries during a clash between on a mobile phone, of the clash questing anonymity. ary 8 while the tenure of the in- ladesh Public Service Com- sity pro-vice chancellor Shireen Branch of Sirajganj and Dhaka two factions of ruling Awami shows him with a fi rearm. The president will seek cumbent election commission mission chairman Muhammed Akhter. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Humanitarian envoy

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] outlines his priorities Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Dr Ahmed al-Meraikhi is the UN Fax 44350474 Secretary-General’s Humanitarian Envoy, based in Doha. He was appointed on December 8 to build stronger humanitarian partnerships in Qatar, and with the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) region and beyond. In GULF TIMES January, al-Meraikhi met UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Aff airs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Root poised to Stephen O’Brien, and many other UN leaders at the organisation’s headquarters in New York to discuss his vision for this role. In an interview with OCHA (Offi ce for become England’s the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Aff airs) he discusses what he sees as the priorities for 2017.

80th Test captain uestion: How would you describe your role? Answer: The way The most measured, drama-free departure from the QI see it, my key role as England captaincy in decades will surely be followed Humanitarian Envoy is to bridge the practical and perceptual gaps between by the most uncontentious announcement of Alastair states, the private sector, NGOs Cook’s successor within the next two weeks. and UN agencies when it comes to UN Secretary General UN Secretary-General António Guterres meets with Dr Ahmed al-Meraikhi. humanitarian eff orts. Joe Root is poised to become England’s 80th Test I have started with this trip to the raising awareness and advocating The donors need to see that they are humanitarian and development goals captain. The chances of him being given the job are UN headquarters to gain insight into for principled humanitarian action, putting their investment in the right in line with the New Way of Working even greater than that of Celtic winning the Scottish how the UN can better engage with and developing policy and providing place and that they will get maximum that came out of the 2016 World emerging donors and continue to build leadership. value from their eff orts. Humanitarian Summit. Premiership — and they are currently 27 points ahead its partnerships with Gulf countries. On the fi rst, to mobilise resources, The donors and UN agencies Finally, the fourth pillar will be to of their nearest challengers in Aberdeen. Q: Why is there a need for this we need to involve the government, alike need to focus their mindset on exhibit leadership across the region role? NGOs and the private sector to achieving a sustainable partnership to bring about these changes, and to There are arguments against Root but none of them A: It is amazing what we can create dynamic new partnerships and not just meeting internal metrics, leverage support through pledging are decisive. There is no necessity for the best player to achieve when we tackle a problem capable of responding to the complex and ensuring that donors are the conferences and humanitarian from a fresh perspective. humanitarian needs the world faces. actual real partners that will lead this response plans. have the job — but it helps if the captain is guaranteed This is what HH the Emir Sheikh As global politics continue to shift, dialogue. I will start with Qatar – the his place in the side. Root’s experience of leadership is Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani achieved the rise of the private sector will play Donors want and need to be part of generosity of the Qatari people and limited but that applies now to all contenders since an when he launched the Halab Labieh, an important role in new funding the system. They do not want to be leadership of the government in or ‘Answering Aleppo’, campaign in sources. seen as just another ATM. I want to humanitarian action is a good model England player has no opportunity to lead at county December last year. I intend to approach foundations see donors move from a position of to replicate. level. His Highness announced the and companies and look at Islamic trust to one of infl uence. Q: What are your next steps? cancellation of Qatar’s National Day social fi nancing mechanisms as There are many gaps to overcome A: I intend to spend the next three The extra responsibility might jeopardise the output on December 18, turning a day of vehicles to fi ll funding gaps left by to reach this point, and the key months visiting each of the Gulf of England’s best batsman — but look how Root’s celebration into one of fundraising traditional donors. ingredients to surmounting them are countries to meet with stakeholders international peers have fared when elevated to the out of solidarity with the victims in The kinds of trilateral partnerships open dialogue and awareness. and potential private sector partners. Aleppo. I would like to see would involve, for This trust, this awareness, has been I will also make several fi eld visits to job. By taking this bold step, he helped instance, a funding entity, such as a built up at missions in New York and see where the funds are going and how Root will complete a quartet of brilliant players at raise $80mn from private citizens company or foundation; a technical Geneva, but it has to be reinforced they are being spent. to provide life-saving aid to families entity providing support, such as an right through to the capitals if it’s to I plan to support the upcoming the top of the ICC rankings of Test batsmen who run in Aleppo whose lives had been torn international NGO or the UN; and have any impact. humanitarian funding conferences for the show. Statistically they have much in common: apart by confl ict. the recipient who sees the eff ect of a Thirdly, I will focus on policy – Syria, which Qatar is co-hosting, and Steve Smith of Australia, 27 years old, has played 50 This early achievement illustrates functioning system on the ground. outlining clear mechanisms through for Yemen, and hold a private sector the abundant possibilities for more I envision that these partnerships which investors can channel their conference to bring emerging donors Tests and averages 60.15; Kane Williamson of New engagement with less-traditional will grow out of increased South- funding. together with UN entities to explore Zealand, 26, has played 58 matches at an average of donors. South co-operation and encourage The UN agencies have rigorous funding and partnership possibilities. Private fi rms, foundations, engagement with small- and medium- monitoring systems that enable donors In the region, I plan to reach out 50.07; Virat Kohli, 28, individuals and governments across sized entities. to see exactly where their money is to the Arab League, the GCC, the Root’s 53 Tests at an average of the Gulf want to exercise their The second pillar is advocacy and going and how it is being used, but we Organisation of Islamic Co-operation 50.10. generosity and invest in humanitarian awareness. need to show the donors this. and individual states. experience of action, but they need guidance on how First, we need to feel out the We now need to show that these Over the second half of the year, I This trio does not to interact with the UN system. donor climate to understand what systems can be nimble and fl exible and will broaden my geographical focus leadership is appear to be greatly The UN system has been set up to each donor wants and needs from can fulfi l donors’ needs. and conduct several donors visits, work with traditional donors, but the humanitarian agencies and how to I recently met with the Secretary- including to Azerbaijan, Brunei, India, limited but that hampered by additional roadmap is unclear when it comes to fulfi l this, including giving them the General of the Gulf Co-operation China, Brazil and the African Union, responsibility. Why the GCC and others. kind of recognition that they need. Council (GCC) who has agreed to as well as to the more traditional applies now to That is where I come in. UN agencies and their partners receive my proposal to establish a humanitarian donors: the US, UK, should Root? Indeed Q: Tell us more about your 2017 launch detailed humanitarian Humanitarian Unit, with the GCC to Canada, Australia, ECHO and Japan. all contenders the pattern is that new action plan. response plans crisis by crisis, but improve co-ordination among GCC The way I see it, when you throw a Test captains enjoy a A:In my role as Humanitarian donors need to know more about what countries and act as a focal point for stone it creates a series of ever-wider Envoy, my work will fall along four these plans mean, how they will be put the UN. circles, and you move from one to the spike in their form before becoming weighed down by main pillars: mobilising resources, into practice and their end goal. In all these eff orts, we will focus on next. their duties. So perhaps Root, 26, who averages 52.80 after 53 Tests, can expect to improve his record, at least in the short-term. Moreover, there are no real alternatives. The bowlers, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, are too old and Three surprises in 2017 cannot be expected to be ever-present; Ben Stokes, whose infl uence on and off the fi eld has become By Anatole Kaletsky which infl uence the world economy Trump’s stated desire to boost US will be one of these EU founding ever more prominent, does not need to be shackled; London more than the overnight rates set by exports. The catalyst for exchange- members, followed perhaps by the central banks, are likely to rise steeply. rate appreciation would be not only entire EU. Moeen Ali is so self-eff acing he would probably The rationale for this scenario is higher US interest rates, but also a These expectations create the never put himself on to bowl; Jonny Bairstow is only conomic pundits traditionally straightforward. Trump’s tax and dollar squeeze in emerging markets, possibility of the biggest surprise of touted by distant observers; Jos Buttler and Keaton off er their (traditionally spending plans will sharply reverse where foreign debts have increased 2017: instead of disintegrating, the EU inaccurate) New Year the budget consolidation enforced by $3tn since 2010. A confl uence stabilises, facilitating an economic Jennings have been publicly endowed with “leadership Epredictions at the beginning by Congress on Barack Obama’s of dollar strength and excessive rebound and a period of strong qualities” but neither are guaranteed a place in the of January. But global conditions this administration, and household foreign borrowing caused the debt fi nancial performance similar to the year are anything but traditional, so borrowing will expand dramatically crises in Latin America and Asia US “Goldilocks period” from 2010 to Test team. It has to be Root even though there is it seemed appropriate to wait until if Trump fulfi ls his promise to reverse in the 1980s and 1990s. This time, 2014, when the economy recovered at slender evidence of how he will do the job. US President Donald Trump settled the bank regulations imposed after Trump’s protectionism could make a pace that was neither too hot nor too The challenge for Root will be to fi nd the right into the White House to weigh in the 2008 fi nancial crisis. As all this matters even worse, especially for cold. The key event will be France’s on some of the main surprises that extra stimulus fuels an economy countries such as Mexico and Turkey, presidential election, which will most balance; he will be more inclined to allow his team might shake up the world economy already nearing full employment, which have based their development likely be decided in a second-round the freedom of expression that they crave. Yet as and fi nancial markets on his watch. infl ation seems bound to accelerate, strategies on rapidly expanding runoff on May 7. If either François Judging by current market movements with protectionist trade tariff s and a exports and have fi nanced domestic Fillon or Emmanuel Macron wins, the captain who carries the can he may come to and conditions, the world could be possible “border tax” raising prices business activity with dollar debts. France will embark on an economic recognise that in Test cricket a bit of bloody-minded caught off guard by three potentially even more for imported goods. So much for the bad news. reform process comparable to transformative developments. The only uncertainty is how Fortunately, a third major development Germany’s in 2003, undertaken by pragmatism is also necessary. For starters, Trump’s economic monetary policy will respond to this that is not priced into fi nancial markets then-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. He will have Cook at his side. The presence of policies are likely to produce much “Trumpfl ation.” But whether the Fed could be more favourable for global Even a mild foretaste of such a long-serving captain back in the ranks can be higher US interest rates and infl ation tries to counteract it by raising interest economic conditions: the European reforms would encourage a relaxation than fi nancial markets expect. rates more aggressively than its Union – an even more important market of the austerity terms demanded by forbidding but in this instance it should be an asset. Trump’s election has almost certainly current forecasts imply, or decides to than the US for almost every trading the new German government that ended the 35-year trend of disinfl ation move cautiously, keeping short-term country apart from Mexico and Canada emerges from the general election and declining rates that began in interest rates well behind the rising – could do much better than expected there on September 24. A more co- 1981, and that has been the dominant curve of price growth, bond investors in 2017. operative and constructive Franco- infl uence on economic conditions and will suff er. As a result, yields on ten- Economic indicators began German relationship would, in turn, To Advertise asset prices worldwide. But investors year US bonds could jump from 2.5% to improve rapidly in most EU erode support for the populist Five and policymakers don’t believe it to 3.5% or more in the year ahead – countries from early 2015, when the Star Movement in Italy. [email protected] yet. The US Federal Reserve Board’s and ultimately much higher. European Central Bank stopped the The risk to this benign scenario is, Display published forecasts suggest only three In Europe and Japan, by contrast, fragmentation of the eurozone by of course, that Marine Le Pen wins in Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 quarter-point rate hikes this year, and monetary conditions will remain launching a bond-buying program France. In that case, a breakup of the futures markets have priced in just two loose, as central banks continue to even bigger than the QE pioneered by EU will become a realistic prospect, Classified such moves. support economic growth with zero the Fed. But this economic recovery triggering panic in European fi nancial Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 As Trump launches his policies, interest rates and quantitative easing was overwhelmed last year by fears markets and economies. Every opinion however, the Fed is likely to tighten (QE). And this policy divergence of political disintegration. With the poll and serious analysis of French Subscription its monetary policy more than it had suggests a second potential shock Netherlands, France, Germany, and politics indicates that President Le [email protected] planned before the inauguration, for which fi nancial markets seem Italy all facing populist insurgencies Pen is an impossible fantasy. But not less, as the markets still expect. unprepared. – and at least the fi rst three holding isn’t that what every opinion poll More important, as Trump’s policies The US dollar could strengthen elections this year – the Brexit and and serious analysis of US politics 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved boost both real economic activity and much further, especially against Trump shocks have naturally provoked indicated last year about President infl ation, long-term interest rates, emerging-market currencies, despite anxiety that the next domino to fall Trump? – Project Syndicate Gulf Times Tuesday, February 7, 2017 23 COMMENT Surviving the next fi nancial hurricane

Regulators in the United more confi dent that a troubled bank connection that was, in fact, destroyed can be restructured eff ectively, and by a hurricane – became overly States and elsewhere have that depositors and other short- congested, tragedy would ensue. been preparing banks to term creditors would not trigger a So the authorities toughened up collapse by hastily withdrawing their the construction code, providing a weather a banking crisis money. Long-term creditors, they are new level of safety that attracted more like that of 2008 and 2009 confi dent, would take the hit. inhabitants. If one building fl oods, it But disturbing evidence has is more likely to stand. In any case, emerged suggesting that, overall, the its occupants have plenty of options: By Mark Roe global fi nancial system is no safer they can escape to a nearby building Key West today than it was in 2007. When the or along the clear highway. But 2008 global fi nancial crisis erupted, what if the entire town fl oods? With America’s red-hot housing market twice as many residents, the escape iking along the beach here had been operating as a money market route would becomes congested and for a good sunrise view, my for years. Companies’ chief fi nancial dangerous if all headed toward it bicycle’s headlight illuminates offi cers (and others with excess, simultaneously. Bsigns for the hurricane temporary cash) were using their cash The quality of hurricane protection in evacuation route to Miami. The signs to purchase securities backed by pools the Florida Keys seems to be formidable. are not surprising, given the intensity of mortgages, which they would sell Even if the buildings are not 100% safe of the storms that can smash into the back to the bank the following day, and the evacuation route is not 100% Florida Keys. More surprising is that reaping attractive interest gains. This smooth, they are close enough to ensure those signs hold important lessons for overnight market was – and remains that residents are safe. fi nancial regulation. – huge, rivalling the size of the entire In banking, though, one cannot The Florida Keys are much more deposit-based banking system. be so certain. The safety level for a developed than they were during, But illiquid real estate cannot solidly single failed bank is probably high say, Ernest Hemingway’s lifetime. All underpin a stable market for overnight nowadays. But there seem to be too along the hundred-mile archipelago, obligations forever. And, indeed, when many weaknesses in the overall system substantial hurricane protections the housing bubble burst, the money to guarantee against a rout if several are in place. Construction standards market in mortgages failed. Because banks failed simultaneously – or, worse, are higher, so that residents can CFOs (and other institutional savers) if the entire housing market, built on an wait out storms in their homes – no longer wanted to risk large amounts unstable market of overnight lending, or, at least, in local buildings. If an of cash on mortgages, they stopped suff ered another of its once-in-a- evacuation is required, there is the making the purchases, leaving banks generation crises. By making housing- so-called overseas highway – a high- short on cash to lend to businesses. based short-term debt more attractive cost engineering feat that links the Like a hurricane, this disaster smashed than other savings channels, we are archipelago’s islands to one another into the fi nancial system, which could courting trouble. and to the mainland. not absorb the losses smoothly. The systems that regulators have But if the evacuation plan is not So regulators are constructing put in place since the 2008 crisis may well-executed, bottlenecks along the stronger buildings that can withstand work. If the failure is localised, they 113-mile route could trap evacuees. a fi nancial hurricane. They want will most likely work well. But, at If you’re stuck in traffi c on that road, to make sure that banks pay off the fi nd out whether the highly complex creditors, as is the case today, the mortgage pools, which are safe enough this point, it is impossible, even for there is not much you can do other overnight mortgage pools fi rst. That mechanisms meant to ensure that they short-term market for housing taken separately, but, together, render regulators, to know for sure whether than wait and hope. way, the overnight mortgage-pool are paid will work as planned? What securities will surely grow. After all, it the entire system more fragile. the system can withstand a market- Today’s plans for protecting the buyers are less likely to get spooked, if they’re worried about the entire is appealing for investors to hold what This danger can be illustrated by wide failure. Given that the world fi nancial system have a similar rush to their cars, and clog up the mortgage-pool market and not just is virtually cash, while benefi ting from the situation in the Florida Keys. If, suff ers from major housing bubbles weakness. evacuation route at the fi rst sign of the safety of a single bank? They could better interest rates than the near- in the early 21th century, only 50% of every decade or so, it might not be Since the fi nancial crisis, regulators trouble at a single bank. fl ee en masse – and take their cash zero rate on deposits. Likewise, banks the archipelago’s infrastructure could many years before we fi nd out. – in the United States and elsewhere It sounds great – if it works. But with them. will prefer the interest rates on such withstand a hurricane, then, say, Project Syndicate have been preparing banks to weather what if overnight mortgage-pool The problem extends even further. overnight purchases to the rates on half the population would evacuate a banking crisis like that of 2008 buyers decide, in the face of a crisis, If those who use overnight mortgage long-term debt. The result could well when a hurricane hit. If the narrow zMark Roe is a professor at Harvard and 2009. They are now justifi ably that it is not worth waiting around to pools receive priority over other be even greater bank dependence on escape route – until 1935 a railroad Law School. How Democrats can win elections again Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY By Matthew Rey/ Tribune News from Orange County in California 8% margin in Oakland County, a strong majority of state houses, its High: 22 C Service to Gwinnett and Cobb counties in historically Republican suburb, while dominance almost certainly won’t suburban Atlanta. As Republican Macomb went from a 4% edge for last because its coalition is impossibly Low : 12 C Washington Inshore: Strong wind expected at margins decline in former strongholds, Obama to a 12% advantage for Trump. fragile. The tea party and Trump have northern areas. including outer Chicagoland, greater Postmortems of the presidential radically altered the ideology and n the last two months, two Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, campaign focused on the drift away constituency of the GOP. The famous paths for Democrats to regain Oklahoma City and the Kansas City from Democrats in Macomb. But GOP big tent, which now includes WEDNESDAY national and statewide majorities suburbs, Democratic margins are about a decade ago, Democratic neo-conservatives and isolationists, High: 22 C Ihave emerged. The fi rst is to hitting new heights in New York, Los pollster Stan Greenberg pointed out free marketeers and protectionists, Low: 14 C engage with the rising American Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis and that the future for Democrats lies social conservatives and libertarians, P Cloudy electorate at the grass-roots level – Boston. in Oakland. Because the county is can’t handle the strain. It is too big not increasing turnout and margins with The addition of college-educated far more populous than Macomb, a to fail. communities of colour, millennials voters to the Democratic base could mere 2% increase in Clinton’s margin Before that happens, THURSDAY and unmarried women. The other lead to a powerful and sustainable there would have erased her 10,704 gerrymandering may insulate the GOP High: 23 C is to rebuild a past connection with coalition. Just as people of colour statewide defi cit, and put Michigan in from Democratic incursions in the Low: 16 C working-class white voters, reducing and millennials represent a growing her column. House of Representatives. Even there, Sunny the two-decade drift of non-college- share of the electorate, virtually every We can fi nd similar examples however, there is still a path forward educated whites to the Republicans. community where educated voters in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. for Democrats if they court well- Neither recommendation engages reside is growing at a rapid clip. Some Democrats may believe they educated voters. Consider that Clinton Fishermen’s forecast have to rethink their Pennsylvania won or made massive improvements with the most important change Democrats need to stop the bleeding OFFSHORE DOHA occurring beneath the surface of with working-class whites. But that’s strategy entirely, but there’s plenty in Republican-held districts in Wind: NW 15-25/30 KT partisan politics, which President only a small piece of the equation. To of low-hanging fruit. Clinton won Chicagoland, suburban Dallas, Waves: 5-8/12 Feet Trump will only accelerate. Democrats confront demagoguery and “populist” Montgomery County and Chester – suburban Atlanta and Orange County. INSHORE DOHA Wind: N 06-18/22 KT won voters of all races with a conservatism, Democrats should both well-educated suburban areas – In the past, the Democratic Party Waves: 2-4/5 Feet bachelor’s degree or higher by the create a coalition that combines a by 21% and 9%, respectively. A future hasn’t invested in these districts with largest margin since exit polls began diverse electorate with increased Democratic presidential candidate, real resources, but it clearly should. Around the region tracking this information – and likely margins among college-educated cognizant that Pennsylvania can Although a wholesale conversion Weather Weather since college attendance exploded in voters. This approach could solve the swing to the GOP, could widen those of well-educated voters to the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the post-World War II decades (+4% party’s geographic problems and lead margins. Democratic Party will take time, Abu Dhabi M Sunny 21/16 M Sunny 23/16 margin for those with bachelor’s to victory in future elections. Inversely, Republicans still energy and resources, Democratic Baghdad Sunny 18/03 Sunny 19/08 Dubai degree; +21% margin for those with Running up the score with college- dominate the Milwaukee suburbs, but leaders won’t need to sacrifice any P Cloudy 22/14 M Sunny 25/17 Kuwait City Sunny 20/08 Sunny 19/11 a graduate degree). Support for educated voters could help Democrats Trump’s victory margin in Waukesha of their core values; on the contrary, Manama Sunny 19/13 P Cloudy 21/14 the Democratic Party among well- win Rust Belt states that were pivotal County – 26% – was lower than Mitt the party is in line with these voters Muscat M Sunny 23/18 Sunny 23/16 educated voters has risen steadily in 2016. Romney’s. If Democrats put resources ideologically. Both the party, and Riyadh Sunny 19/08 P Cloudy 19/09 since 1992, when Bill Clinton made Let’s compare two counties in the into the area, they could chip away these voters, are socially liberal. Tehran Sunny 09/00 Sunny 11/01 new strides in the suburbs. Detroit suburbs: Macomb, where at that number and improve their They both embrace diversity. And This development is as radical as only 23% of the population has a chances to take back the state. they both want to promote economic the so-called populism reshaping bachelor’s degree, and Oakland, where Although the Republican Party opportunity by reducing the cost of the GOP, and it already has led to 44% of the population does. Hillary has control of the White House, higher education, healthcare and surprising Democratic victories Clinton maintained Barack Obama’s both houses of Congress and a child care. Live issues Rising carbon emissions could kill off corals

Guardian News & Media enjoyed over corals in seawater with discovery here was that greater carbon such as the crown of thorns starfi sh, London rising carbon concentrations, had concentrations led to “some algae where local eradication programmes global implications as one of the most producing more potent chemicals that have had success. damaging seaweeds was found in reefs suppress or kill corals more rapidly”, in Diaz-Pulido said his conclusion was Around the world he destruction of coral reefs worldwide. some cases in just weeks. that “the way to address this really Weather Weather worldwide could accelerate And the futility of trying to remove “If the algae overtake the coral, we is to reduce the levels of CO2 in the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min as rising carbon emissions seaweeds that had the ability to regrow have a problem which contributes to reef atmosphere”. Athens Rain 14/08 Rain 16/07 help coral-killing seaweeds meant the problem could be tackled only degradation, on top of what we already The research at Heron Island, a Beirut Sunny 21/15 M Sunny 21/13 T Bangkok Sunny 36/22 Sunny 35/22 grow more poisonous and take over, by cutting carbon emissions, they said. know with coral bleaching, crown of coral cay north-east of Gladstone Berlin Cloudy -1/-7 M Cloudy -3/-8 according to researchers. Guillermo Diaz-Pulido, a Griffi th thorn starfi sh outbreaks, cyclones or any at the southern end of the reef, used Cairo Sunny 26/11 Sunny 23/10 A Griffi th University study on the University associate professor, said other disturbance,” Hay said. underwater reef experiments and Cape Town Cloudy 26/17 Cloudy 26/18 Great Barrier Reef has shown how the research was “a major step forward Diaz-Pulido said a common brown outdoor lab studies. Colombo Sunny 31/20 Sunny 31/21 rising CO2 emissions trigger more in understanding how seaweeds algae species found in reefs worldwide “For the algae to grow they need Dhaka Sunny 30/16 Sunny 29/15 Hong Kong S Showers 17/16 P Cloudy 18/12 potency in chemicals from common can harm corals and has important was shown to be among those that light and CO2, just like any other Istanbul P Cloudy 16/07 Showers 13/06 “weed-like” algae that poison corals implications for comprehending the caused the most damage. plant, and because algae in the future Jakarta S Showers 31/24 Showers 31/24 as they compete for space. consequences of increased carbon “That’s a problem because if this would be exposed to much more CO2 Karachi P Cloudy 26/14 Sunny 27/13 The study, conducted on Heron dioxide emissions on the health of the algae takes advantage of elevated CO2 in seawater we wanted to know to London P Cloudy 09/02 Cloudy 04/-1 Manila P Cloudy P Cloudy 31/22 Island with reef and chemical ecology Great Barrier Reef”. in seawater that’s even more a matter what extent the CO2 would aff ect 31/22 Moscow Sunny -17/-23 M Sunny -13/-17 experts from the University of Scientists previously knew that of concern,” he said. some of the things algae do, the New Delhi P Cloudy 21/11 P Cloudy 22/09 Queensland and the US, predicts that increased carbon in the atmosphere – Diaz-Pulido said the “scale of the physiology and the interaction with New York Rain 10/08 M Cloudy 16/03 “business as usual” emissions would which is absorbed by oceans, making problem is so big, removing a bunch animals,” Diaz-Pulido said. Paris Showers 11/03 M Cloudy 07/01 signifi cantly harm vital corals by 2050 them more acidic – aff ected the of seaweed from the reef isn’t going to The study was published on Sao Paulo T Storms 26/20 T Storms 25/19 Seoul M Sunny 03/-7 M Cloudy 03/-7 and kill them off by 2100. behaviour of seaweed. do much because it just regrows and February 2 in the Nature journal’s Singapore T Storms 32/24 Showers 32/24 The researchers said their But the study’s co-author Mark regenerates”. Scientifi c Reports, and involved Sydney T Storms 23/22 Rain 24/21 fi ndings, which shed new light on Hay, a professor from the Georgia That is in contrast to human collaboration with Peter Mumby, a Tokyo Clear 11/03 Clear 09/00 the competitive advantage seaweeds Institute of Technology, said the interventions on other coral threats University of Queensland professor. Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, February 7, 2017 QATAR

Auckland Airport welcomes the first Qatar Airways flight with a traditional water cannon salute. QA’s first flight to New Zealand flying over Auckland on its final approach to the airport.

New routes Auckland is the first new destination launch of the year for Qatar Airways, which added 14 new destinations in 2016 and plans to launch more in 2017/18, including Yanbu and Tabuk, QA breaks record with Saudi Arabia; Dublin, Ireland; Nice, France; Skopje, Mac- edonia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina; Libreville, Gabon; Douala, Cameroon; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Canberra, Australia; Medan, Indonesia; historic Auckland fl ight and Las Vegas, US. atar Airways marked a providing more options and bet- At the Hamad International “historic moment” yes- ter connections to exciting busi- Airport cargo terminal, Qatar Qterday as it launched its ness and leisure destinations in Airways Cargo off ers QR Fresh, new record-breaking Auckland Europe and the Middle East. a “seamless temperature-con- service on one of New Zealand’s “Arriving in Auckland on trolled handling and storage most signifi cant days of the year Waitangi Day, and achieving solution”, to deliver perishable – Waitangi Day. the title of world’s longest fl ight products such as dairy produce, In a press statement, the Do- for the return record-breaking meat and fruits from Auckland ha-based carrier said “a new service, which covers a distance into the Middle East and on to chapter began in the airline’s of 14,535km and lasts 17 hours major European cities. history” as the fi rst Qatar Air- and 30 minutes, makes this an The inaugural fl ight’s ar- ways fl ight touched down on the even more momentous occasion rival from Doha into Auckland North Island of New Zealand for Qatar Airways and provides Airport was captured by New just after sunrise. The airline another accomplishment to cel- Zealand’s leading aerial cinema- also said it was kicking off its ebrate in our 20th year of fl ying tography specialist, Tony Monk, 20th anniversary celebrations the fl ag internationally for Qa- who fi lmed the Boeing 777’s ap- with the record-breaking fl ight. tar.” proach and descent on to the Celebrations to commemorate Jeremy Clarke-Watson, New runway. Monk is best known for the launch of the world’s longest Zealand’s ambassador to Qatar, his aerial photography work and commercial fl ight, which takes added: “Welcoming Qatar Air- cinematography for The Lord of 17 hours and 30 minutes and ways to New Zealand, through the Rings trilogy, and has been covers a distance of 14,535km, this direct service, is a signifi - awarded an accolade for Serv- began at the airport with a tradi- cant event in the New Zealand- ices and Safety to the Film In- tional water salute as the Qatar Qatar relationship – opening up dustry. Airways Boeing 777 taxied down greater people-to-people and Qatar Airways is also encour- the runway. business-to-business connec- aging passengers planning to Qatar Airways Group chief ex- tions between our two countries. travel to New Zealand to include ecutive Akbar al-Baker travelled “We look forward to wel- a stopover in Doha as part of on board the inaugural fl ight coming more Qatari and GCC Akbar al-Baker is welcomed by Todd McClay, Nasser bin Hamad Mubarak al-Khalifa — Qatar’s ambassador to New Zealand, Adrian Littlewood their journey. With a new tran- from Doha to Auckland and was nationals to New Zealand, tak- and Qatar Airways senior vice-president (Asia Pacific) Marwan Koleilat. sit visa scheme off ering visitors welcomed by Todd McClay, New ing advantage of New Zealand’s a free transit visa for up to 96 Zealand’s Minister of Trade and 90-day tourist visitor visa on Littlewood noted, “We wel- Qatar Airways and will provide Class. Passengers travelling on tional Maori carving were also hours, it is now even easier to State Owned Enterprises; and arrival for GCC citizens. We also come Qatar Airways to Auckland a gateway for travellers to visit the inaugural fl ight were wel- designed especially for the oc- combine a quick visit to Doha Auckland Airport chief execu- look forward to working with Airport and New Zealand. We the country, which is famous for comed on board with special casion. with a trip to New Zealand. tive Adrian Littlewood. Qatar Airways and New Zea- expect this route to be very pop- its coastlines and forest land- cupcakes; in addition, guests The Doha-Auckland-Doha The Doha-Auckland fl ight On the occasion, al-Baker land exporters to maximise the ular with visitors to New Zea- scapes. travelling in Business Class re- daily services will off er 116 schedule (daily) is as follows: said: “The launch of our new potential of the direct service’s land and with New Zealanders The new daily fl ight to Auck- ceived a celebratory Kiwi Rose tonnes of belly-hold capacity QR0920 departing Doha at service to Auckland is an impor- freight capacity, which opens travelling, particularly between land is served by a Boeing 777, Fizz mocktail, both created to every week to support the grow- 2.50am and arriving in Auckland tant milestone for Qatar Airways up a whole new market for our this country and Europe.” which has a two-class confi gu- commemorate the new service. ing imports of raw, industrial at 5am (+1), and QR0921 depart- as we expand both in the region exporters, particularly in fresh Auckland is the fi rst city in ration with 42 seats in Business Bespoke menu cards and bev- and consumer materials into ing Auckland at 2.40pm and ar- and globally across our network food and beverage.” New Zealand to be served by Class and 217 seats in Economy erage lists inspired by a tradi- New Zealand. riving in Doha at 10.10pm.

Road safety campaign concludes

The road safety campaign Qatar, and other guests. #MakeItClickQatar, organised by The community-driven campaign ConocoPhillips in collaboration was aimed at raising awareness with BMW Qatar, has influenced on road safety to counteract about 800,000 people on the rising incidence of traff ic Instagram alone. It has reached accidents. By channelising over 1mn people on Instagram the use of both traditional and received over 2.2mn and social media platforms, impressions in addition to 255,561 #MakeItClickQatar reached interactions. out to a broad demographic of With over 1,000 posts submitted residents, to positively reinforce on Instagram, the hashtag has the use of seatbelts and usher a garnered a rising number of long-term behavioural change followers and continues to trend among motorists in the country. both online and off line. At the ceremony, Rona Salazar Five radio jingles, composed was announced as the winner and produced by over 15 of a brand new BMW 3 Series as internationally renowned part of the campaign’s Instagram artists as a friendly reminder for movement that invited users motorists to buckle up, received to share a photograph or video HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti (third right) joins other senior government off icials at the traff ic safety forum yesterday, over 180,000 views since their selfie of them wearing seatbelts including Public Health director Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani (left), Director-General of Public Security Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi (fourth, left), and release online. ConocoPhillips in a parked vehicle on the @ Brigadier Mohamed Saad al-Kharji (right). PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed marked the successful MakeItClickQatar account, with culmination of the campaign the hashtag #MakeItClickQatar. during a ceremony at the She was one of the five shortlisted Alfardan Automobiles showroom candidates, randomly selected recently. The event was attended through a draw in early January. Minister highlights eff ective, eco-friendly transport system by Todd Creeger, president of Launched nationwide in ConocoPhillips; Ihab Allam, December, 2016, the Make it Click general manager of Alfardan Qatar campaign came to a close By Joey Aguilar siderable support by the politi- collaboration with NTSO, also to traffi c, the General Directo- thority (Ashghal) president Dr Automobiles, BMW importer in with the year-end. Staff Reporter cal leadership of the State of Qa- formulated plans aimed at mak- rate of Traffi c has completed 56 Saad bin Ahmed al-Mohannadi tar as the National Traffi c Safety ing Qatar roads safer by 2022 so far and the remaining 33 will said that they are currently do- Strategy delivered countable under the national strategy. This be completed in June this year. ing several road works, totalling n eff ective and eco- achievements throughout the was echoed by Brigadier Mo- These include multiple areas in- 7,000km, including the major friendly transport system past,” the minister told partici- hamed Saad al-Kharji, director cluding laws, traffi c awareness, and local ones. Ais the key requirement to pants and guests at the forum. of the Traffi c Department and driving licences, response to ac- The Ministry of Interior and realise sustainable development Dignitaries and senior offi - vice-chairman of NTSC say- cidents, traffi c engineering, and the Ministry of Education and that helps to secure the lives and cials of various ministries and ing Qatar’s political leadership accident investigation, among Higher Education also forged a properties of the people of the government agencies, including “paid great attention to the issue others. close partnership to prevent the state, HE the Minister of Trans- Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Ha- of traffi c safety.” Brigadier al-Kharji stressed loss of lives through “very spe- port and Communications Jas- mad al-Thani, director of Public “Qatar strengthened its at- that they want to further speed cialised programmes” on road sim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti has Health Department at the Min- tention to traffi c safety after up procedures related to traffi c safety. said. istry of Public Health and mem- the adoption of UN agenda for violations, intensify patrolling Education and Higher Educa- He was highlighting the im- ber of National Traffi c Safety sustainable development goals aimed at reducing violations, tion Undersecretary Rabiea al- portance of traffi c safety at the Committee (NTSC); Brigadier 2015-2030, issued in September cover all major areas and roads Kabbe said such programmes, opening session of the two-day Mohamed Abdullah al-Malki, 2015, which reinforced the traf- with cameras and radars. Part which include events and meet- “3rd Forum for Co-ordinators secretary of NTSC; and profes- fi c safety and sustainable trans- of the national strategy includes ings, highlight the importance of the Authorities Concerned to sor Dr Kim Jraiw, manager at the port for the fi rst time. The State constructing infrastructures of reducing the fatalities and Implement the National Traffi c National Traffi c Safety Offi ce of Qatar has ratifi ed them,” he that will ensure the safety of Qa- serious injuries from collisions Safety Strategy” yesterday. (NTSO) took part in the forum. noted. tar’s residents. and traffi c accidents especially “Traffi c safety is given con- Al-Sulaiti said the NTSC, in Out of the 89 projects related Qatar’s Public Works Au- in the Gulf region. The five winners of the campaign.