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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10204 September 7, 2016 Dhul-Hijja 5, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Chinese artifacts on show Driving schools In brief

QATAR | Weather Windy and dusty adopt uniform conditions forecast Strong winds, dusty conditions and low visibility are expected in some places today, the Qatar Met department has said. Off shore areas, too, are likely to see strong winds contract format and high seas (up to 7ft) towards the north in the early hours today. The The uniform contract covers a a male guardian, the rules specify. The general rules specify the dura- wind speed may go up to 25 knots range of aspects, including fees The uniform contract also covers the tion of diff erent sessions, and driving in inshore and 22 knots in off shore and ways to seek redress in cases of area of training fees. A trainee has to pay schools are required to commit to pro- areas, with visibility dropping to grievances the owed fees in cash and shall receive a viding each session in full duration. 3km or less in some areas at times. copy of the contract in his/her preferred The duration is 45 minutes for each of The forecast for inshore areas also he Ministry of Economy and language in addition to a detailed in- the following: a theoretical session for says it will be hazy in some places Commerce (MEC), in partner- voice including a list of the services of- all courses, practical session for motor- at first, followed by a hot day. Tship with the Ministry of Inte- fered and their cost. bikes, practical session for small vehi- Mesaieed and Turayna recorded the rior (MoI), has compelled all nine driv- The cash fee covers the cost of theo- cles, practical session for large vehicles highest temperature in the country ing schools in Qatar to adopt a uniform retical and practical training, the cost and practical session for machinery. yesterday at 45C, followed by 44C in contract format outlining their duties of issuing the training permit, the cost In October last year, Gulf Times had the Qatar University area and other and obligations to trainees. of using the test vehicle and the price of reported that the Traffi c Department places. Today, the mercury level is This has been done to ensure that cli- the traffi c manual. had fi nalised a unifi ed curriculum for all expected to rise to 41C in Doha. ents receive quality services, the MEC If the trainee misses a session without driving schools as part of Qatar’s eff orts said in a statement yesterday. a valid excuse, s/he shall pay the owed to make the country’s roads safer. REGION | Construction The ministerial decision came after fees unless the driving school is notifi ed Prepared by experts in the road traffi c Dubai rolls out authorities spotted a breach in con- ahead of the session. fi eld, the revised curriculum addressed sumers’ rights, including trainees at “The driving school shall refrain from the shortcomings in the existing one, property projects driving schools, as well as a number of demanding any additional fees. In case besides covering all relevant practical Dubai developers are rolling out violations in terms of the lack of a con- the school does, the trainee can com- and theoretical aspects of driving. their scale models for the city’s The exhibition ‘Treasures of China’, featuring several Chinese artifacts, including tract that outlined the trainee’s name, plain to the School Administration. In Meanwhile, the MEC yesterday latest grandiose property projects the first display in the Middle East of the renowned terracotta warriors, opens preferred learning language, impor- case they do not take an action, s/he stressed that it was “determined to despite continued falls in real estate today at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). Five pieces from the First Emperor’s tant personal information, and his/her can complain to the General Directorate fi rmly protect consumer rights and prices. Shimmering skyscrapers, Terracotta Army, older than more than 2,000 years and dating back to Qin rights and duties. of Traffi c and the Consumer Protection intensify its inspection campaigns to golf-course villas and houses in Dynasty in 221-206BC, are among the highlights of the exhibition that runs until Such actions constituted a violation and Anti-Commercial Fraud Depart- crack down on all violations of the con- sprawling communities are on January 7, 2017. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Page 24 of Article 11 of Law No 8 of 2008 on ment at the Ministry of Economy and sumer protection law”. show at Cityscape, a fair with a Consumer Protection and Article No 4 Commerce,” the statement explained. It will refer violators of laws and minis- growing a reputation as the venue of the law’s executive regulations. If a trainee has a foreign driving licence, terial decrees to the competent authorities, for launching the emirate’s mega Both parties have to commit to a set s/he can register for half the duration of who will take appropriate action against projects. of guidelines based on the uniform con- the course after obtaining the approval of perpetrators in order to protect the rights tract, which covers a range of aspects the General Directorate of Traffi c. of consumers. Violators would be subject such as fees, how to seek redress in case The training permit is valid for three to a fi ne ranging between QR6,000 and Public auction to of grievances and others. months. Upon expiry, the permit shall QR1mn, and their establishment could face “Both parties shall comply with Qa- be renewed at the trainee’s expense for administrative closure. tar’s traffi c law and its executive regu- QR150. The ministry also urged consum- lations,” the statement noted. “The In case of absence or if the trainee ers to report violations through the call establish four driving school shall grant the trainee decides to abandon the course, s/he is centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected]. his/her full rights in terms of train- entitled to a refund after deducting ad- qa, Twitter: MEC_QATAR, Instagram: ing. In case the school fails to do so, the ministrative fees (QR350), permit fees, MEC_QATAR and the MEC application greenhouse projects trainee can complain to the school ad- the price of the traffi c manual and ses- available on iPhone and Android devic- ministration.” sions already received. es: MEC_QATAR. If the school administration does not ith a view to increasing plemented in the First Agrocluster. It take any action, s/he can complain to the domestic production of is a signifi cant move in the context of General Directorate of Traffi c, Consumer Key points Whigh-quality fresh veg- promoting the private sector to lead Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud etables and fruits, the Ministry of the development of food security Department as well as the Competition O Driving schools shall ensure the O Driving schools shall commit to Economy and Commerce (MEC), projects. Protection Department at the MEC. availability of a coach fl uent in the providing each session in full duration. in co-operation with the Ministry Such a project comes in the con- Further, the driving school shall language chosen by the trainee. O Schools shall refrain from demanding of Municipality and Environment text of a set of initiatives launched ensure the availability of a coach O If the trainee chooses to drop from any additional fees. (MME), has announced a public auc- by the MEC, through its Technical fluent in the language chosen by the the driving course for any reason, s/he O If the school administration fails to tion to establish four greenhouse Committee for the Promotion of Pri- trainee to provide both theoretical is entitled to a refund aft er deducting act on a complaint by trainees, they can projects with a total production ca- vate Sector Engagement in Economic and practical training even during administrative and permit fees, as well complain to the General Directorate of pacity of 80,000 tonnes per year. Development Projects, in collabora- the absence of the primary coach. as the price of the traffi c manual and Traffi c as well as departments concerned Within fi ve years from signing the tion with the authorities concerned. In case the coach is male, a female sessions already received. at the MEC. contract, each of the four projects Compared to open-fi eld farm- trainee may demand the company of shall reach its full production capacity ing, greenhouse farming has many of 20,000 tonnes per year. The project advantages, mainly: conservation aims at bridging the gap between the of natural resources such as water supply and demand of high-quality and soil, controlling the climate to vegetables and fruits at competitive provide optimal crop growth con- Eid al-Adha holidays from Sept 11 to 15 Turkey bound prices in the domestic market. ditions in order to produce large terday. Government employees are to ato chief Jens Stoltenberg will An area of 4sq km has been allo- volumes of high quality products QNA Doha resume their work on September 18. visit Turkey tomorrow, the cated for the four farming projects throughout the year, improving the As for Qatar Central Bank (QCB), military alliance announced banks, QCB-supervised financial in- N as part of the First Agrocluster. Each quality of the products, easy pack- yesterday, amid a fl urry of European he Eid al-Adha holidays for min- stitutions and Qatar Financial Markets project is planned to be established aging and waste reduction, control- visits to the country in the wake of its over an area of 1sq km. ling fertilisers and pests, reducing istries, other government institu- Authority (QFMA), the Emiri Diwan’s Ttions and public entities in Qatar statement said the QCB Governor thwarted coup on July 15. Offi cials from Greenhouse farming is the second labour requirements and produc- will be from September 11 to September would determine the start date of the the European Union have stepped up phase of initiated projects to be im- tion of high quality products. 15, the Emiri Diwan announced yes- holidays. their trips to the country recently. Ashghal hands over 11 schools to Ministry of Education

shghal has handed over to the School for Boys, Onaiza; Al Shamal Ministry of Education and Secondary School for Boys, Madinat AHigher Education as many as 11 Al Shamal; Al Sheehaniya Preparatory/ of the new 15 schools for starting class- Secondary School For Girls, Al Shee- es in the new academic year later this haniya; Qatar Technical Secondary month. School (Extension), Bu Hamour; Me- The remaining four schools and six saieed Primary/Prep School for Boys, kindergartens will be handed over to Mesaieed; Mesaieed Primary/Prep the authorities shortly. The 21 new School for Girls, Mesaieed; Al Kaa- buildings, built at a cost of approxi- The exterior of one of the Laboratory at a new school. Playground of a newly-built school. Lecture hall of a new school. ban School for Girls, Al Kaaban; Al Tha- mately QR1bn, have diff erent interior newly-constructed buildings. khira Model School for Boys, Al Tha- designs which are expected to help im- facilities including science, language shaded playing facilities and activity cial specifi cations for bathrooms and khira; Al Karaana Common School for prove the educational environment. that would help reduce energy, achieve and IT laboratories. areas, music, language and computer other areas. Girls, Al Karaana; Saad Ibn Abi Wakas Ashghal has constructed around 60 lower water consumption, improve in- The schools also have recreational rooms. Besides they have library, class- It also complies with safety require- Model School for Boys, Al Wajba; Hali- schools and 35 kindergartens across the door environment, and refl ect local ar- and art halls, multipurpose halls, gym- rooms and external spaces, comprising ments adopted by Global fi re and secu- ma Primary School for Girls,Al Wajba country since 2013. chitecture and heritage. nasiums, libraries besides their class- shaded parking spaces, green areas and rity systems and Qatari Civil Defence. and Umm Salama Primary School for Recipient of the 3-star Global Sus- The construction of these educa- rooms. The complexes have shaded service buildings. The 15 new schools are Jassim bin Mo- Girls, Al Wajba. tainability Assessment System (GSAS) tional facilities follows the standard parking spaces, playgrounds and service The design of schools and kindergar- hamed Preparatory School, Al Froosh; The six new kindergartens are com- certifi cation in design and construc- design model for schools, each com- buildings as well. tens is in line with the Qatari code for Lusail Model School for Boys, Al Furo- ing up in Al Thakhira, Al Messila, Wadi tion, Ashghal has complied with the prising 25 classrooms to accommodate The nurseries have 12 classrooms people with special needs, providing ush; Al Ghuwairiya Common School Al Banat, Hazm Al Markhiya, Nuaija, green building specifi cations in a way about 650 students as well as various each to accommodate 240 children, ramps at entrances and exits with spe- for Girls, Leghwairiya; Joaan Primary and Umm Ghuwailina. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 QATAR Khalid Al-Attiyah roundabout to close for 2 years

he Khalid bin Abdullah For reaching Muraikh one needs route connecting Al Rayyan Al Al-Attiyah Roundabout to turn right from Al Furousiya Jadeed Street and Huwar Street. Tin western Doha will be Street’s newly-installed traffi c They are advised to use al- closed for more than two years junction; for going to Olympic ternative routes as follows: For starting September 10. Roundabout (known as Sports going to Bani Hajer one needs The closure is to enable the Roundabout) commuters have to turn left at Huwar Street’s construction of a free-fl owing to turn left from Al Furousiya new-signalised junction before multi-level interchange which Street’s signalised junction rejoining Al Rayyan Al Jadeed will connect Al Furousiya Street, before rejoining Al Rayyan Al Street to proceed further; those Huwar Street and Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Street and proceed to- going to Al Gharrafa from the Jadeed Street. wards Olympic Roundabout; to Huwar Street newly-signalised The new routes, as shown on travel towards Al Gharrafa, road junction should turn right on the map, will continue to provide users have to turn left at the Al to Huwar Street and continue access to all local amenities and Furousiya Street junction, con- towards Al Gharrafa; to travel residents. tinue on to Al Rayyan Al Jadeed to Muraikh from the Huwar Road users travelling east- Street, turn left at the next junc- Street’s newly-signalised junc- bound to Doha from Bani Hajer tion and turn right on to Huwar tion one has to turn left on to via Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Street Street towards Al Gharrafa. Huwar Street before rejoin- will be detoured right before the Vehicles users travelling west- ing Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Street. closed roundabout onto a three bound from the Olympic Round- At the next set of traffi c lights, lane, one-way diversion route about (known as Sports Round- turn left on to the diversion road connecting Al Rayyan Al Jadeed about) via Al Rayyan Al Jadeed connecting Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Street to Al Furousiya Street. Street will be detoured right be- Street and Al Furousiya Street Motorists are advised to use fore the closed roundabout onto and turn right at the Al Furo- alternative routes as follows: a three-lane, one-way diversion usiya’s signalised junction.

QCHP, American Medical Association sign agreement Doha Bank’s ‘Back to School’ promo eases fee payment burden Advancing its mission to provide with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. currently working in Qatar, to fulfil Doha Bank has launched a “We understand that for completing the payment Pay Order favouring the quality-learning opportunities This will enable physicians to the renewal of licence requirements ‘Back to School’ promotion parents, there’s hardly using their Doha Bank credit nominated school, which they for healthcare practitioners in convert selected CPD (continuing in both countries at the same that allows its credit anything more important card. could then hand over to the Qatar and to develop strategic professional development) time by participation in QCHP-AD- cardholders to pay their than their children’s In case the child’s school school. international aff iliations, the Qatar credits gained here in Qatar to accredited activities. This initiative children’s school fees education, which is why we does not accept payments via Doha Bank branches Council for Healthcare Practitioners their US equivalent. is expected to be well received by in interest-free monthly have made it even easier for credit card, Doha Bank said it authorised to issue a Banker’s – Accreditation Department Points collected in Qatar as healthcare practitioners. instalments. them to settle their child’s off ers a “ready solution to help Pay Order under the ‘Back to (QCHP-AD) has signed a ‘credit QCHP-AD CPD credits, earned The agreement also represents All Doha Bank credit education fees with their overcome the problem in a few School’ promotion include conversion’ agreement with the through participation in specified a breakthrough for QCHP-AD in cardholders can now pay Doha Bank credit card,” simple steps.” City Center, Abu Hamour, American Medical Association accredited activities and certified achieving a core component of fees to any school or college said Doha Bank CEO Dr R Cardholders should visit a pre- West Bay, D-Ring Road, (AMA), the prestigious and well- for credit by QCHP-AD accredited QCHP’s vision “to become an anywhere in Qatar using their Seetharaman. designated branch with their C-Ring Road, Main Mushaireb, recognised Continuing Medical CPD providers, or the QCHP-AD internationally recognised body for Doha Bank credit card and Cardholders can avail of the Doha Bank credit card, and Al Handasah, Al Gharrafa, Al Education accreditation body. directly, can now be converted to accreditation. It ensures the quality convert it to a zero-percent zero-percent easy payment the bank’s staff will instantly Khor, and Mesaieed. More The agreement recognises AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. of its standards, policies, procedures easy payment plan payable plan off er by sending the debit the credit card account information may be had from QCHP-AD’s accreditation process The agreement provides and processes and hence the over six months. SMS ‘SCHOOL’ to 92610 after and issue them a Banker’s www.dohabank.com.qa as meeting the AMA’s core opportunities for physicians quality of CME/ CPD provided for requirements for equivalency licensed to work in the US and are healthcare practitioners in Qatar.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 3 QATAR Qatar is geared Qatar and Russia sign defence pact to provide medical help to Haj pilgrims

he Hamad Medical Corp ( HMC) integrated, clinical teams move with must take health precautions prior to along with the Ministry of Pub- pilgrims along each step of their Haj travel and during their journey. HE the Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah met yesterday in Moscow with Russia’s Tlic Health (MoPH) and other journey – this includes some doctors Preventative measures include re- Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu. They discussed enhancing bilateral co-operation in the military field between Qatar health partners has made all prepara- and nurses remaining with patients to ceiving necessary vaccinations at least and Russia. The meeting also saw the signing of a military co-operation agreement between Qatar and Russia. The tions to provide health services to the provide medical treatment,” he recalled. 10 days before Haj. Minister of State was in Moscow to participate in the International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2016” . Haj pilgrims. “Our specialist teams have devel- Pilgrims should also practice regu- For over 10 years, Dr Khalid Abdul oped plans on behalf of the MoPH and lar hand washing with soap and water, Hadi, senior consultant – Audiology activated ground support to facilitate and avoid hand contact with eyes, nose and Medicine at HMC, has dedicated operations well in advance of the be- and mouth as much as possible, as Qatar’s Unesco his time and eff ort, along with a group ginning of Haj. We prepare ourselves well as adhere to basic cough hygiene of clinicians from across all healthcare to deliver medical services and fi rst aid protective measures such as using tis- Minister meets top official candidate arrives sectors in Qatar, under the auspices of kits to thousands of Qatari pilgrims, sue paper when coughing or sneezing the Ministry of Awqaf, to ensure the and anticipate enough resources from and then disposing of the used tissues in Kenyan capital Qatari delegation receives medical HMC and sponsoring healthcare part- carefully; these are all important regi- HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz support during Haj, if needed. ners, including two ambulances from mens that will keep pilgrims healthy al-Kuwari, adviser at the Emiri Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) manages QRC to support pilgrims in the event during Haj and beyond. Diwan and Qatar’s candidate for the Haj Medical Committee, which is they become ill,” he stated. “If upon return any pilgrim develops the post of secretary general of responsible for the planning, co-ordi- “We recognise that the risk of trau- an illness and notices worsening symp- the United Nations Educational, nation and logistics of the massive and ma and injuries is heightened with toms, such as a high fever greater than Scientific and Cultural synchronised healthcare undertaking, the infl ux of pilgrims to Makkah, and 38C, a cough or breathing problems, Organisation (Unesco), arrived aimed at providing medical services to anything could potentially happen they should immediately seek medical yesterday in the Kenya’s capital the Qatari Haj pilgrims along holy routes when 3mn people gather in one place. assistance from any urgent care centre of Nairobi on a visit, during which that span four cities across Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we provided necessary dis- and that the person should inform the he would meet a number of Staff from HMC, Primary Health aster training to participating HMC treating physician about their recent Haj Kenyan off icials. Care Corp (PHCC), QRC and MoPH doctors, nurses, pharmacists and trip,” added Dr Abdul Hadi. Dr al-Kuwari is kicking off an regularly undergo emergency prepar- paramedics, in an eff ort to mitigate Meanwhile, the last batch of Qatar’s African tour that includes a edness training, consisting of real sce- risk and ensure the safe and eff ective pilgrims arrived in Makkah by air from number of African capitals narios, drills, briefi ngs and instruc- management of delivering healthcare Doha on Monday night. HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti as part of his campaign that tional courses, to eff ectively prepare services for pilgrims who may suff er They are preparing to head to Mina. yesterday met with Francis Zachariae, the secretary general of the International bears the slogan ‘Toward a New for any medical emergencies. from respiratory illnesses, heat ex- A mobile application “Haj Guide” Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). Momentum for Unesco.’ “Helping people and being respon- haustion, and other potential illnesses will enable the pilgrims to directly During the meeting, the two sides reviewed means of mutual co-operation in The Qatari candidate previously sible for their safety and well-being during the fi ve-day ritual expected to contact the help desk at the mis- the field of marine systems as well as promoting ties between Qatar and the visited a number of African during Haj is very important to me,” begin on September 9 and continue sion for assistance, consultations and organisation. A number of off icials from the ministry and the organisation countries, with the visits said Dr Abdul Hadi. until September 14,” he said. medical services on 132 from Qatar attended the meeting. receiving wide support in “This is not a one-man show. Our The offi cial stressed that pilgrims and 8003040444 from Saudi Arabia. political and cultural circles. IN BRIEF Envoy presents credentials

Qatar slams Kabul bomb attack Qatar has expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the double bombing, which occurred near the Ministry of Defence in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing and injuring dozens of people. In a statement issued yesterday, the Foreign Ministry aff irmed Qatar’s solidarity with Afghanistan and reiterated rejection of violence and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations, whatever their motives and causes. The statement extend sincere condolences and sympathy to the Afghan government, people HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi and families of the victims. yesterday received a copy of the credentials of Djibouti’s ambassador to Qatar Tayeb Dbd Robleh. HE the Minister of State wished the new Working hours ambassador success in his post and more progress and prosperity to bilateral relations. The Ministry of Public Health yesterday announced the working hours for the Women’s Hospital’s off ice for issuing birth and death certificates. The off ice for registering births will work everyday except the first day Almana Group sponsors of Eid and Fridays and Saturdays. The off ice will be open from 8am- 12pm. The off ice issuing death interior design conference certificates works in two shifts from 8-11am and from 4-7pm. lmana Group and its subsidiar- derstanding the operational, cognitive Online certificates ies Almana Maples and Barrisol and cultural needs of the persons using Apartnered with Qatar’s leading the space, healthcare interiors and pro- The Qatar Chamber for interior design and fi t-out conference, moting well-being through sustainable Commerce and Industry (QCCI) Future Interiors Qatar 2016, which re- design. has launched the COO Online turned for its third annual occurrence During the conference, Almana system to issue electronic in September. Group representatives gave a presenta- country of origin certificates The two-day conference, part of the tion and provided further information for private sector companies Project Qatar Business Intelligence Se- about its products and services that through its website. QCCI said it ries Project Qatar 2016, concluded yes- date back to the 1960s. aims to limit manual transactions terday in Doha. The group, which encompasses sub- and to digitise all procedures Future Interiors Qatar is one of six sidiaries across design, furnishing, au- through its website. It urged all specialised conferences taking place tomobiles and real estate, has evolved companies to register for the. this year and was designed to show- into one of Qatar’s leading business en- Al Anoud Zayed al-Mohannadi, case the latest interior design projects terprises, a statement notes. acting head of the member and opportunities for fi t-outs in Qa- As part of Almana Group’s expansion aff airs department, said despite tar. plans, its furnishing and interior design seminars held by the chamber to The conference focused on a number division, Almana Maples, opened its brief the business society on the of aspects of the interior design and latest showroom earlier this year at The service, the number of registered architecture industry, including un- Pearl-Qatar. companies was still low. Real estate deals

Real estate sales contracts registered with the Land Registry Department of the Ministry of Justice last week reached QR291.9mn. According to the weekly bulletin issued by the Department, the real estate sales included lands as well as multi-use housing units and buildings. The sales were in Doha, Umm Salal, Al Khor, Al Dhakira, Al Zain, Al Rayyan During the conference, Almana Group representatives gave a presentation and and Al Wakrah municipalities. provided information about its products and services.

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 QATAR Visits by other GCC $5mn for Palestinian institute nationals up in Aug isitors from other GCC gust 2016 compared to the same countries to Qatar con- period in 2015. Vtinued to increase in Au- August is typically an off -peak gust, with year-to-date arrivals month with declines in visitor arriv- growing by 7% compared to the als compared to the rest of the year. same period in 2015, a Qatar Tour- The increase in arrivals this August ism Authority report has shown. compared to the same month last Overall, total visitor arrivals in year comes after eff orts to incen- August increased by 2% compared tivise travel to Qatar through Qatar to August 2015. Summer Festival promotions and The growth in year-to-date (Jan- entertainment activities. uary to end of August) visitor arriv- These included special packages als from the GCC was dominated by from 56 hotel establishments, shop- visits from nationals of Saudi Ara- ping promotions in malls across bia and the UAE, which increased by Qatar, and entertainment events 9% and 11%, respectively compared throughout the month, including The Qatar Development Fund (QDF) yesterday signed an agreement worth $5mn to 2015. the Doha Comedy Festival. to support projects of the Institute for Palestine Studies which aim to inform the Similarly, visits from Bahrain The QTA projected further mod- world about the Palestinian issue and the nature of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Kha- nationals were up by 2%, while Graph shows GCC visitor arrivals to Qatar. est increases in visitor arrivals in the lifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari, general manager, QDF, signed the agreement with Tarek visits from nationals of Oman and coming months, supported by Sep- Mitri, chairman, Institute for Palestine Studies. Al-Kuwari stressed the importance Kuwait were down by 6% and 1%, country on the Qatar-Oman tour- period in 2015. Visits from nation- tember’s Eid celebrations in Qatar of Qatar’s role in supporting the Palestinian people and said that the agreement respectively. ist visa increased by 2% year-to- als of the Americas also increased and the docking of the fi rst cruise was part of those eff orts. Meanwhile, visitors entering the date in comparison to the same by 6% between January and Au- ship of the season in October.

Mercedes-Benz E Class 2015 model recalled The Ministry of within the framework The MEC has urged all Economy and of its ongoing eff orts to customers to report Commerce (MEC), in protect consumers and any violations to its collaboration with ensure that car dealers Consumer Protection Nasser Bin Khaled follow up on vehicle and Anti-Commercial Automobiles, has defects and repairs. Fraud Department announced the recall of The MEC will co-ordinate through the following Mercedes-Benz E Class with the dealer to follow channels: Hotline: 2015 model on account up on the maintenance 16001, e-mail: info@ of a potential defect in and repair works and mec.gov.qa, Twitter: @ the manufacturing of communicate with MEC_Qatar, Instagram: the double belt buckles. customers to ensure MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile The MEC said the that the necessary app for Android and IOS: recall campaign comes repairs are carried out. MEC_Qatar

Ezdan Holding Group CEO Ali Mohamed al-Obaidli inaugurating Grand Hypermarket in Ezdan Mall, Al Wukair, in the presence of off icials of Grand Mall and Regency Group. Grand Hypermarket opens at Ezdan Mall

rand Hypermarket supermarket and a depart- Al Wukair, the 41st ment store, off ering special Gbusiness unit of Du- prices for vegetables, elec- bai based Regency Group tronics, clothes and many and its third in Qatar, was other products. inaugurated in Ezdan Mall, The Grand hypermarket Al Wukair, on Monday. has stocked an extensive Ezdan Holding Group range of products, with CEO Ali Mohamed al- lines across the store in- Obaidli opened the outlet cluding a huge fresh pro- in the presence of Grand duce range, meat, poul- Mall director Hussain Ak- try, dairy, frozen, dry ber al-Baker, Ezdan Mall grocery and bakery items, general manager Malik and an exclusive shop for Qaiser Awan, Regency fresh fl owers. Group managing direc- Fresh vegetable and tor Dr Anwer Ameen, ex- fruits are sourced from ecutive director Mohamed group’s own farms in In- Aboobaker, regional direc- dia, China, Turkey, Indo- tor Ashraf Cherakkal, ex- nesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka ecutive director (Kuwait) and Europe. The depart- Ayyoob Kechery and other ment store houses all ma- dignitaries and business- jor brands of electronics, men. household, clothes, watch- As the major anchor es, and accessories. The in- store in Ezdan Mall, Wu- house bakery off ers fresh kair, Grand Hypermarket Arab and French breads and comprises a full-fl edged patisserie.

Farewell to Haj pilgrims The Community Policing Community Policing Department and Permanent Department, said the Committee for Abu Samra department has been Border Post, in association working to highlight its with the Qatar Haj Mission, humanitarian and social bade farewell to Haj pilgrims commitment through its travelling by land. participation in events and A number of off icers from ceremonies. both the department and Capt Adel Alavi al-Yafie, the Permanent Committee secretary, Permanent attended the farewell Committee for Abu Samra ceremony, according to Border Post, said they were a report available on the all set to receive pilgrims Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) travelling to perform Haj and website. working to complete their Colonel Dr Ahmad Zayed travel procedures easily. al-Mohannadi, director, Picture courtesy of MoI Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 7 REGION Saudis ‘keen to provide pilgrims with best services’

QNA dom, led by the Custodian of the this year’s Haj another success. Mina Two Holy Mosques King Salman On the kingdom’s position in bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, welcomes case of violation of instructions the guests of Allah Almighty and, during the pilgrimage by some audi Crown Prince Moham- in this regard, has spared no eff ort pilgrims motivated by their coun- An aerial view shows the Clock Tower and the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah yesterday. ed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, to provide state-of-the-art serv- tries’ positions towards the king- SDeputy Premier and Minis- ices for the safety, comfort and dom, he said that “Haj is a sacred ter of Interior, who is also Chair- security of all pilgrims as was the ritual, and the place is an hon- man of Supreme Haj Committee, practice every year, according to oured place and while our duty is stressed that Saudi Arabia, since Saudi Press Agency (SPA). to guarantee safety of pilgrims and its inception, is working on the However, the kingdom’s Haj- to facilitate performance of Haj, Two Holy Mosques to serve and related authorities have also given with all safety and security, there- Iranian attack boats harass take care of pilgrims and provide great attention to the security fore, the kingdom will deal fi rmly all of them with facilities to per- developments in the region and, with violation of the purposes of form this great ritual. accordingly, have their strict, Haj and will not compromise the Following patronising Haj se- well-prepared, contingent, pre- security of pilgrims, rather, it will curity forces parade in Mina on emptive and precautionary plans be fi rm and decisive and each vio- US patrol ship: Pentagon the outskirts of Makkah on Mon- to meet whatsoever develop- lator will be held responsible and day, the Saudi Crown Prince said ments, he said, expressing confi - be brought to law,” adding that that amid the current security dence that such plans, experience legal provisions will be applied by AFP Pentagon spokesman Captain interaction we’ve had with the fi rst half of this year, with 10% of situation in the region, the king- and preparedness would make the judiciary. Washington Jeff Davis. IRGCN.” those encounters deemed unsafe “Three of them manoeuvred Sunday’s encounter is at least and unprofessional. close to the (US) ship, shadowing the fi fth the Pentagon has re- “Commanding offi cers of Iranians ‘not Muslims’, says Saudi top cleric even Iranian military boats her course from a range of about vealed in the past month, with ships are given the inherent harassed a US patrol ship 500 yards,” Davis said. US military offi cials repeatedly right of self-defence, and what Saudi Arabia’s top cleric said Muslims is an old one. Especially world should challenge Saudi Sin international waters in The Iranian vessels eventually blasting Tehran for the maritime we don’t want to have is a situ- Iranians are “not Muslims”, with the people of Sunnah,” management of Islam’s two the Arabian Gulf over the week- broke away, but one then turned incidents. ation where, due to miscalcula- after Iran’s supreme leader Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh holiest sites in Makkah and end in yet another “unsafe and towards the Firebolt and stopped In one incident last month, tion, that right is invoked when launched a fresh tirade over told Makkah daily, referring to Medina. unprofessional” interaction, the directly in front of it. the USS Squall resorted to fi ring it doesn’t need to be,” Davis said. the kingdom’s handling of the pre-Islamic beliefs in Iran and For the first time in almost Pentagon said yesterday. “This caused the Firebolt to warning shots from a 50-calibre In January, the Iranian navy Haj pilgrimage, a newspaper to the Sunnis who make up the three decades, Iranians will The Iranian Revolutionary have to manoeuvre to avoid colli- gun at an Iranian vessel as it ap- briefl y captured the crews of two reported yesterday. main branch of Islam. not participate in this year’s Guard Corps fast-attack boats sion,” Davis said, noting that the proached. US patrol boats that had, through “We must understand these are The grand mufti’s comments pilgrimage to Makkah after talks approached the USS Firebolt on US sailors had attempted to hail Navy offi cials say ships from a series of blunders, strayed into not Muslims, they are children of came a day after Iran’s Ayatollah on logistics and security fell Sunday with their machine guns the Iranians via radio. the US and Iranian navies inter- Iranian territorial waters. Magi and their hostility towards Ali Khamenei said the Muslim apart. uncovered, though not trained “This is another example of acted more than 300 times in The 10 American sailors were on the Americans, according to an unsafe and unprofessional 2015 and more than 250 times the released within 24 hours.

Russia mulls LNG supplies to Bahrain

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah attend a signing ceremony at the Krem- lin in Moscow yesterday. Russia and Bahrain agreed to expand co-operation in liquefied natural gas (LNG) yesterday, with Moscow considering LNG supplies to the kingdom. Wind shear a factor in Dubai crash-landing, report suggests

AFP uated safely after the airliner caught 800m after hitting the ground, the re- Dubai fi re following the crash-landing, but port said. one fi refi ghter was killed. “Twenty-one passengers, one fl ight During fi nal approach and at touch- crewmember, and one cabin crewmem- preliminary report issued yes- down, the wind direction changed, ber sustained minor injuries, and a sec- terday into an Emirates Boeing resulting in an automated “Long Land- ond cabin crewmember sustained a seri- A777 crash-landing at Dubai air- ing, Long Landing” aural warning to the ous injury,” the preliminary report said. port said the aircraft was attempting fl ight crew who decided to go around Emirates Airline said that there were to take off again following an aborted and approach again, the report said. 282 passengers and 18 crew members landing during wind shear. Clearance to do so was given by the on board, including 226 Indians, 24 The civil aviation authority report control tower, and this was acknowledged. Britons and 11 Emirati nationals. did not specify the exact causes of the “The aircraft became airborne in an Dubai International airport is the August 3 crash of the fl ight from India attempt to go-around and was sub- world’s largest air hub in terms of in- with 300 people on board, but a fi nal jected to a headwind component until ternational passengers, and is the base report will be issued at a later date. impact,” the preliminary report said. for Emirates, from where it serves All passengers and crew were evac- The twin-engined jet slid for some more than 153 destinations.

Egypt to host Yemen aid conference in March

Agencies that at least 10,000 people had been Rabbu Mansour Hadi yesterday met Cairo killed in the past 18 months. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the United It said some 14mn of Yemen’s 26mn Nations special envoy for Yemen. population needed food aid and 7mn During the meeting, Hadi stressed gypt will host an international were suff ering from food insecurity. the Yemeni government’s keenness on conference in March to co-ordi- “We are now preparing for a confer- positively interacting with peace eff orts Enate humanitarian aid for Yemen, ence to be held here in the city of Sharm centred around the three references which has been devastated by a civil war, El Sheikh,” Abdel Raqeeb Fateh, minister of the Gulf initiative and its executive a minister in Yemen’s Saudi-backed of local administration, told a news con- mechanisms, outputs of the national government said yesterday. ference in Cairo. dialogue, and relevant Security Council The United Nations said last week Meanwhile, Yemeni President Abd- resolutions including Resolution 2216. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 ARAB WORLD Abbas, Israel PM ‘willing to meet’, but

Poland’s President Andrzej Duda (right) welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Presidential Palace courtyard in no date set Warsaw yesterday.

AFP for Friday but an aide to Netanya- discussions and contacts with Warsaw hu suggested delaying this, lead- the two parties about the form, ‘Palestinian economy could ing to it being called off . contents and dates of the meet- “Netanyahu’s representative ing.” alestinian President Mah- proposed to delay this meeting Peace eff orts have been at a moud Abbas and Israeli to a later date. standstill since a US-led initia- PPrime Minister Benjamin So the meeting will not hap- tive collapsed in April 2014. double if occupation lifted’ Netanyahu both said yesterday pen,” Abbas said at a joint press The last substantial public they were willing to meet to re- conference with Polish Presi- meeting between Abbas and launch peace eff orts, but no date dent Andrzej Duda. Netanyahu is thought to have AFP economy of the Occupied Pal- UNCTAD also pointed to the their own water from Israel to was set and they traded blame “But I am ready and I declare been in 2010, although there Geneva estinian Territory could pro- dire impact Israel’s control of cover 50% of their consump- for stalled talks. again that I will go to any meet- have been unconfi rmed reports duce twice the GDP (gross do- the so-called “Area C”, which tion,” it said. Russian President Vladimir Pu- ing.” of secret meetings since then. mestic product) it currently covers 61% of the West Bank All of this combined has tin has been seeking to arrange a Netanyahu, speaking dur- There have been concerns in he Palestinian economy generates,” the report said. and 66% of its grazing land. “generated permanent cri- meeting between the two in Mos- ing a visit to The Hague, said he Israel that US President Barack could easily double, The economy of the territo- “It is estimated that the oc- ses of unemployment, pov- cow in a bid to restart peace eff orts was “ready to meet Abu Mazen Obama will seek to make a strong Twhile sky-high unem- ries grew 3.5% last year after cupation of Area C costs the erty and food insecurity,” that have been at a standstill for (Abbas) at any time directly and statement on the confl ict in his ployment and poverty would shrinking 0.2% in 2014, when it Palestinian economy the equiv- UNCTAD said. more than two years. without preconditions”. fi nal months in offi ce, possibly plummet if the Israeli occupa- was hard-hit by the devastating alent of 35% of GDP” ($4.4bn in Officially, one quarter of But disagreements over the “The real question is whether by supporting or at least not tion were lifted, the United Na- war in Gaza between Israel and 2015), UNCTAD said in a state- the population in the Pales- conditions for such talks have Abu Mazen is willing to meet us vetoing a UN Security Council tions development agency said Hamas and other factions. ment. tinian territories is unem- derailed previous eff orts, and without preconditions and we resolution that Israel opposes. yesterday. Per capita income remains In Gaza meanwhile, pro- ployed, while the rate in Gaza Netanyahu again called for a are hearing confl icting reports International criticism of Is- In a new report, UNCTAD below its pre-2014 level, the re- ducers are unable to access is 38%, but these figures are meeting without preconditions. on that,” he said. raeli settlement building, in- pointed to a long list of ways port said. half of the cultivable area due likely to significantly un- Abbas did not speak of what Putin’s Middle East envoy has cluding from the United States, the Israeli occupation stifl ed The 2014 Gaza war killed to an Israeli-imposed buffer derestimate the problem, his conditions would be for such held talks with both Netanyahu and has intensifi ed in recent months. the economies of the West more than 2,200 Palestinians zone blocking access to land UNCTAD said. a meeting if any, but Palestinian Palestinian leaders in recent days. Netanyahu’s government, Bank and Gaza Strip, including and 73 on the Israeli side while alongside the border fence, “A shocking indicator of the leaders have previously spoken Yesterday after talks in Pales- considered to be the most right- the confi scation of Palestinian causing economic losses close and 85% of fishery resources grim situation in Gaza is the of three issues. tinian political capital Ramallah, wing in the country’s history, land, water and other natural to three times the size of Gaza’s due to a maritime blockade, it rising infant mortality rate, They include a halt to Israeli he said eff orts would continue to has nonetheless continued with resources. GDP. said. (which) has risen for the fi rst settlement building, the release work towards a future meeting. the policy. The widespread restrictions With reconstruction ham- Israel also widely blocks Pal- time in 50 years,” the report of prisoners and a deadline for “We are very thankful that The settlements are consid- on the movement of people and pered by Israel’s blockade and estinians from digging water said. the end of the occupation of the Abu Mazen accepted in principle ered illegal under international goods, destruction of homes, by lagging international aid, wells, while confi scating 82% The neonatal mortality rate West Bank. the Russian initiative proposed law and major obstacles to peace trees and other assets, and the 91% of damaged houses in of Palestinian groundwater, the nearly doubled between 2008 The Palestinian president, by President Putin,” Mikhail as they are built on land the Pal- expansion of Israeli settlements Gaza have yet to be rebuilt and agency said. and 2013, from 12 to 20.3 deaths speaking during a visit to Warsaw, Bogdanov said. estinians see as part of their fu- were also damaging, it said. 75,000 people remain displaced “The Palestinians are left for every 1,000 live births, it said a meeting had been proposed “We’ll continue our eff orts, ture state. “Without occupation, the two years on, UNCTAD said. with no choice but to import said. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 9 ARAB WORLD Syria, Russia blamed for rising civilian casualties: UN

AFP that “the sense of hope engen- Geneva dered earlier this year must be revitalised.” The report was published after N investigators yesterday US President Barack Obama and said aerial bombardment Russian counterpart Vladimir Uby Syrian forces and their Putin held talks on Syria on the ally Russia were mostly to blame sidelines of a G20 meeting in for swelling numbers of civilian China this week, which were de- casualties in Syria’s devastating scribed as “productive”. confl ict. But the two powers failed to The UN Commission of In- produce an expected deal to quiry on Syria criticised all par- ease the violence in Syria, where ties in the bloody war over a clear more than 290,000 people have increase in “indiscriminate at- been killed and more than half tacks on civilians,” citing attacks the population displaced since on medical workers and facili- March 2011. A Syrian man suff ering from breathing diff iculties is treated at a make-shift hospital in Aleppo after regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the rebel-held Sukkari neighbourhood ties, blocked humanitarian con- The UN commission has re- of the northern Syrian city yesterday. voys, enforced disappearances peatedly accused the various and summary executions. sides of a wide range of war Investigator Vitit Muntar- crimes and in some cases crimes bhorn told reporters that aerial against humanity. bombardments by “pro-govern- Tuesday’s report charged that ment forces cause the most civil- “unlawful killings, including ian casualties and damage to the deaths in detention, and summa- civilian infrastructure, particu- ry executions remain a hallmark larly in Idlib and Aleppo.” of this blood-soaked confl ict.” ‘Dozens choke’ in Aleppo When asked to clarify who And for people detained es- exactly the “pro-government pecially by government forces, forces” referred to, commission torture and sexual abuse appear chief Paulo Sergio Pinheiro said to be the norm. “the forces that are in the air are “It is extremely rare to fi nd Russian and Syrian forces.” an individual who has been de- after chlorine gas attack The upsurge in violence in tained by the government who Syria since late March is espe- has not suff ered severe torture,” cially regrettable, the investiga- it said. Agencies were left choking and needed war have traded accusations of The United Nations Commis- lence in recent months after the tors added, since it came after a The commission voiced par- Beirut treatment. attacks against civilians and use sion of Inquiry on Syria said it collapse of a partial truce bro- ceasefi re agreed in February of- ticular concern over the growing The opposition Aleppo Media of unconventional weapons in- was investigating an August in- kered by the United States and fered a brief “glimmer of hope” number of attacks on hospitals Centre charged on its Twitter ac- cluding chlorine and mustard cident. Russia in February. to civilians who have endured and medical workers over the ozens of people had to count that Sukkari was the target gas. “Unimaginable crimes are Government forces put eastern fi ve-and-a-half years of civil past six months, pointing to the be treated for breathing of a chlorine attack. A United Nations and Or- occurring in Aleppo pro-gov- Aleppo under siege on Sunday war. dire impact on access to des- Dproblems in the Syrian Observatory head Rami Abdel ganisation for the Prohibition of ernment aerial bombardments for a second time since July after “The cessation of hostilities perately needed medical care in battlefront city of Aleppo after Rahman was unable to confi rm Chemical Weapons inquiry last cause mass civilian casualties,” advancing against rebels on the agreement brought a welcome many places. regime helicopters dropped bar- the claim but said that no one month found that Syrian govern- Commission Chairman Paulo city’s outskirts. respite for civilians that lasted all Bombardments by pro-gov- rel bombs on a rebel-held district was killed in the strikes. ment forces were responsible for Pinheiro told reporters in Gene- The city has long been divided too briefl y,” the commission said ernment forces were mostly to yesterday, a monitor said. A Sukkari resident said a “very two toxic gas attacks in 2014 and va. “In government-held areas, between government and oppo- in its 12th report, covering the blame, it said, pointing out in a The Britain-based Syrian Ob- strong smell” fi lled the neigh- 2015 involving chlorine. indiscriminate ground shelling sition areas of control. period from January 10 to July 20 statement that such bombings servatory for Human Rights said bourhood after it was hit by a The Civil Defence accused the (by) armed groups is also killing The Syrian confl ict has killed this year. had destroyed more than 20 hos- the bombs hit the Sukkari neigh- barrel bomb and that he and oth- government of two other sus- scores of civilians,” he added. more than 250,000 people and The team emphasised the need pitals and clinics in the Aleppo bourhood and that more than 70 ers had diffi culty breathing. pected chlorine gas attacks in Aleppo has been one of the ar- forced more than 11mn from their to restore the ceasefi re, insisting governorate alone since January. people, “most of them civilians”, Both sides in Syria’s complex August. eas hardest hit by escalating vio- homes. Saudi says Syria truce deal could be agreed within 24 hours

Agencies on the failure of the United States Assad’s history did not inspire said it hoped a ceasefi re in Syria Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama agreement on paper that can be could begin with a 48-hour-truce London/Istanbul and Russia to agree a ceasefi re, optimism about implementation could be implemented in time for before leaving the G20 meeting in implemented,” Kalin told NTV that would then be lengthened al-Jubeir said he would not de- of any agreement. a major Islamic holiday that be- Hangzhou. television. and would see both the regime of scribe it as a failure but as a work A cessation of hostilities agree- gins next week, despite the failure He said Erdogan had told the Asked when such a truce could Assad and opposition fi ghters halt audi Foreign Minister in progress. ment brokered by US Secretary of world powers to announce a two leaders that it was essential be implemented, Kalin said Erdog- fi re. Adel al-Jubeir said yester- “There is a possibility of ar- of State John Kerry and Russian deal at the G20 summit in China. “as soon as possible to agree a an had told Putin that the people of An agreement between Rus- Sday there was a possibil- riving at an understanding in the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in President Recep Tayyip Erdog- ceasefi re or a truce” for Syria’s Aleppo should benefi t from a sus- sia and the United States was be- ity of reaching an agreement on a next 24 hours or so that will test February unravelled within weeks, an’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, northern Aleppo province. pension of fi ghting in time for the lieved to have been close at the ceasefi re in Syria within 24 hours. Bashar al-Assad’s seriousness to with Washington accusing Assad’s revealed that the Turkish leader “We are waiting for a fi nal Eid al-Adha holiday which in Tur- G20 but Washington then admit- Asked at a briefi ng with re- comply,” he said. forces of violating the pact. had met separately a second time agreement. We received an out- key begins on September 12. ted no deal could be announced porters in London to comment But the minister went on to say Meanwhile, Turkey yesterday with Russian and US counterparts line but we are expecting an Kalin said that the ceasefi re for the moment. Tunisia fears militants are coming home

Reuters “There isn’t a regional Paris strategy. Neighbouring countries are managing the day to day security and orth African coun- military question but while tries should be co- there are terror laws, you Noperating more to need proof that a young stop Islamic State fi ghters person was in a camp or who are fl eeing their Libyan fi ghting in militant ranks,” stronghold of Sirte from re- he said. turning to their homelands International co-opera- and causing trouble there, tion is “not up to the level of Tunisia’s defence minister the danger”, he added.”We said yesterday. are in a decisive moment. Libyan forces aligned with the UN-backed government “The danger is real. in Tripoli launched their Those who leave Sirte campaign to recapture Sirte are heading south to in May and are advancing on eventually join Boko the last areas under its con- Haram, but some are trol. also going west” But Tunisia, which esti- mates that about 4,000 of The threats endanger all the its nationals left to fi ght for region. We have to cooperate militant groups, is concerned before the boat sinks.” that many are returning to His French counterpart the country and could turn Jean-Yves Le Drian said the their focus on home soil. spread of militants beyond “The danger is real. Those Libya had to be dealt with who leave Sirte are heading and a plan put in place. south to eventually join Boko “They don’t just disappear Haram, but some are also go- so there’s a new risk there ing west,” the Tunisian Min- and only a real co-operation ister, Farhat Hachani, told between all neighbouring journalists on the sidelines countries will enable us to of a gathering of defence and face that threat,” Le Drian military offi cials in Paris. said. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 AFRICA

Protected land AU set to mediate in Gabon poll crisis

Reuters day, with lawmakers gathering Libreville in the Senate building looking sombre. The National Assembly was he African Union said yes- set alight and badly damaged terday it would send a del- during last week’s protests. Tegation to Gabon to help As in other African countries resolve a post-election standoff led by men who have held onto between President Ali Bongo, power for decades, Gabon’s op- whose family has ruled for a half position has consistently called century, and his main opposition for a change from the Bongo rival that triggered deadly riots leadership. last week. It also disputes Ali Bongo’s Offi cial results last Wednesday 2009 election victory shortly af- gave Bongo a slim victory and ter the death of his father Omar another seven-year mandate in Bongo. the central African Opec mem- One of their main com- ber. plaints is that Gabon’s ample oil OPIR agents responsible for Mont Peko, destroy a house during an eviction operation of illegal farmers from Burkina Fasso inside the Mont Peko National Park in Duekoue But challenger Jean Ping wealth has not been shared fairly department, western Ivory Coast. The OIPR is one of the government agencies charged with managing protected land. claimed he had won and accused amongst the Central African security forces of using violence country’s population of 1.8mn. against his supporters. Gabon authorities have so far Opposition anger at Bongo’s dismissed calls from the opposi- re-election boiled over into ri- tion and Western powers includ- ots in the capital, Libreville, ing former colonial ruler France and other towns, killing six to publish more detailed results Massive blaze guts prison Nigeria oil bill put on hold people, according to the gov- of the August polls, prompting ernment. the justice minister to resign on The opposition says the death Monday. holding opposition leaders till Delta unrest is resolved toll is much higher. French Prime Minister Manuel “It is an urgent matter and I Valls suggested yesterday that expect the high-level delegation a recount of the vote would be By Aaron Maasho, Reuters “The government has a responsibil- Reuters 4 troops drown in capsize to be dispatched very soon,” Af- wise. Addis Ababa ity to explain to the public, no less their Abuja rican Union spokesman Jacob He also called on Gabonese families. We have no idea why it is taking Four Nigerian troops drowned after Enoh Eben said. authorities to help locate around that long,” he said. their boat capsized during operations to Chad’s President Idriss Deby, 15 French nationals it says are thiopian opposition activists have The government did not immediately long-awaited bill reforming Niger- combat rebels in the oil-producing south, one of Africa’s longest-ruling missing. demanded news on the fate of six of respond to his statement. ia’s petroleum industry is eff ectively the military said yesterday. presidents who currently holds France has in the past inter- Etheir leaders and other inmates held Dissidents say most recent inmates Aon hold until tensions ease in the The boat turned over on Monday at the chair of the pan-African vened in its former African colo- in a high-security prison that was wrecked are ethnic Oromos held for taking part in restive Niger Delta region, the country’s oil about 10:00am (0900 GMT) in the Brass body, would likely to lead the nies, such as when it helped oust by a massive fi re over the weekend. demonstrations over land rights and al- hub, an infl uential senator said yesterday. area of Bayelsa state, which has seen talks, he added. Cote d’Ivoire’s then-president The government has said 21 inmates leged rights abuses that have rocked one The delay is the latest setback caused multiple attacks on oil and gas installa- Ping, a former diplomat Laurent Gbagbo in 2011 after he died in the blaze that ripped through the of Africa’s fastest growing economies by militants in the Delta region, whose tions since the start of the year. and African Union Commis- refused to concede defeat in an Qilinto complex on Saturday — but has since last year. actions have prevented more than A local man in the Brass area, who sion chairman, told Paris- election. not named any of the victims. The United States last week said it 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) in oil pro- gave his name only as Etta, said: “The based television news chan- But it has ruled out intervening Another two prisoners were shot dead was gravely concerned about the use of duction due to anger at the way the na- boat that capsized was conveying a new nel France24 yesterday that 50 in Gabon where it has a military as they tried to escape the compound on excessive force against protesters. tion’s energy resources are split. batch of soldiers to the waterfront. to 100 people had been killed base and around 14,000 citizens. the outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa, Human Rights Watch said in June at The petroleum industry bill (PIB) “When the confusion subsided, four since last week. Gabon’s opposition can launch the government added in a brief state- least 400 demonstrators had been killed covering everything from an overhaul soldiers were found to be missing with His claim could not be inde- an appeal for a recount through ment two days after the fi re, again stop- by security forces. of state oil company NNPC to taxes on their rifles and other military gear.” pendently verifi ed. the Constitutional Court, al- ping short of identifying them. Ethiopia’s government — a major ally upstream projects, has been stuck in “We accept all mediation though it has not yet indicated it The opposition Oromo Federalist of the United States in the fi ght against parliament for a decade, but President eff orts,” Ping said of the AU would do so. Congress said yesterday it had received militants in neighbouring Somalia — Muhammadu Buhari has made passing groups, others have continued to attack oil delegation, while calling for Up to 1,100 people were ar- no news of six of its leaders, including disputes the death toll and says the pro- it a key part of his reform of a sector hit and gas infrastructure in the region. calm.”We want democracy and rested last week during the un- deputy chairman Bekele Gerba and as- tests are being staged illegally, stoked by by corruption at NNPC. Oil minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu peace to triumph.” rest, according to the interior sistant general secretary Dejene Tafa, rebel groups and dissidents based over- “We have to hold it because of all the told journalists on Monday that talks Authorities appeared to have minister, although many have who were arrested in December on sus- seas. problems in the Niger Delta,” Senator were ongoing with various groups. restored order in Libreville yes- since been released. picion of inciting protests. Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemari- Tayo Alasoadura, chairman of the com- The government has split the bill in terday and shopkeepers and UN human rights spokes- “Our entire leadership is being held in am Desalegn said last week his admin- mittee on petroleum resources, said of two in an eff ort to streamline its passage, government workers returned to woman Ravina Shamdasani said that place and we have no idea what has istration would carry out “deep-rooted” bill. “As soon as things improve, then it and a draft seen by Reuters earlier this their jobs despite Ping’s earlier yesterday they were following happened to them,” the OFC’s Assistant reforms and pledged to address griev- will come to the front of the line again.” year included plans to divide NNPC into call for a mass walk-out. the situation in Gabon with “in- Deputy Chairman, Mulatu Gemechu, ances, though he warned of measures if Despite a ceasefi re reached late last two companies and sell stakes in a por- Parliament resumed yester- creased concern”. told Reuters. protests escalated into violence. month with one of the most active militant tion of it.

Opposition woos Ghanians with billion-dollar spending pledge

By Matthew Mpoke Bigg, Reuters tions starting in 2000, during which festo but said it plans to reallocate 20 Salaga, Ghana time he served as attorney general and % of current capital expenditure to pay then foreign minister. for its policies on poverty alleviation, It was diffi cult to assess whether the rather than borrow, and it vows to im- he leader of Ghana’s main oppo- $1mn promise and the rally as a whole pose strict fi scal discipline. sition party, Nana Akufo-Addo, won new converts in Salaga, though if it “The life of our population is not go- Tclimbed from his car, picked up enthused supporters it will have served ing to get better unless the economy a microphone and made a bold election an electoral purpose. grows (faster),” Akufo-Addo told Reu- promise to give every constituency the One development worker who al- ters. equivalent of $1mn a year if his party ready supports the party said the Some commentators doubt the op- wins power. pledge would mainly help to focus local position pledges. The money would be used to allevi- government spending. Consultants would be needed to ate poverty by installing basic services “This (spending plan) is very good... make it work so some of the money such as electricity, running water and What he is trying to do will help lo- would go to them, said Kwami Ahia- sanitation in a country that has ac- cal districts to better plan and execute benu, an expert in governance and cepted an IMF bailout in part to help their projects,” said Iddi Zakaria, who technology. manage debt accumulated from past works for a local NGO. There is also no guarantee that com- government spending. Since President John Mahama’s nar- munities would make the best choices Akufo-Addo and his running mate row victory in 2012, Ghana has lost its or allocate money within each district Mahamudu Bawumia did not explain to reputation as one of Africa’s hottest coherently. the crowd how they would fi nance the investment destinations, as a global “If I have a factory, will I have a road, plan, which would cost $1.1bn over four commodities slump reduced revenue will I have electricity? Will I have a years, given that Ghana has 275 con- from exports of gold, oil and cocoa. market to sell my products?” Ahiabenu stituencies. Infl ation, the defi cit and public debt said, adding that the plan could work But this did not appear to matter rose. only if it was integrated. to the hundreds who had waited until Ghana also faced years of power ra- The last two elections have been after dark for the New Patriotic Party tioning, which has now largely ended. close, but there are no reliable inde- (NPP) rally last week in Salaga, a trad- The government says it is committed pendent electoral polls for Ghana this ing town in one of Ghana’s poorest re- to following the $918mn bailout even in time and both sides say their own polls gions. an election year when administrations put them narrowly ahead. They blew vuvuzelas and roared their often spend more cash. The ruling National Democratic approval. It also says the crisis is over, pointing Congress (NDC) is also yet to launch its “We have many, many good policies,” to 4.9% GDP growth in the fi rst quarter manifesto but says government invest- Akufo-Addo said as he campaigned for of 2016, up from 4.5 % in the same pe- ments in infrastructure have helped the December 7 vote. riod last year. citizens.. “And I want you to know that I will At the same time, the defi cit has Koku Anyidoho, deputy NDC gen- never, ever stand before you and tell you Supporters of Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party rally ahead of a speech by party leader Nana Akufo-Addo in Salaga. halved since 2014 to around 5 % of eral secretary, dismissed Akufo-Addo’s I can do something that I cannot do.” GDP. plans and told Reuters Ghana’s mid- Promising new initiatives in a time of Funds for constituencies would dam in every village, a factory in every nic alliances do not play a decisive po- Even so, the downturn, which raised term growth prospects were strong. austerity is a favourite tactic of politi- come from the existing budget, while district and off er free secondary school litical role. unemployment, provides ammunition “There is so much light at the end of cians the world over and, to head off the the private sector rather than state-run education as he toured the northern re- Akufo-Addo is bidding for power for for Akufo-Addo, whose party if elected the tunnel. That is the message we are scepticism such pledges often face, the corporations would help support other gion. a third time, having lost in 2008 and would face the same fi scal constraints going to give to the people rather than NPP insists its plans would not break plans. Policy debate matters in elections in 2012. as the current government. going with those phoney promises,” he the budget. Akufo-Addo also promised to build a Ghana, a stable democracy where eth- His party, however, won two elec- The NPP is yet to launch its mani- said. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 11 AMERICAS Toronto fi lm festival looks back at US politics

AFP Historical political fi gures, Toronto notably, have been brought back to life on the silver screen, such as Jacqueline Kennedy he race for the Oscars Onassis played by Natalie intensifi es this week at Portman in Jackie, and former Tthe Toronto fi lm festi- US president Lyndon B John- val, where a spotlight will be son in LBJ. shined on American politics, As US president Barack youth radicalisation, racism, Obama’s term draws to a close, feminism and alien arrivals. the fi lm Barry refl ects on his Nearly 400 feature and short college days in New York. fi lms from 83 countries will be “I don’t know if it’s coinci- screened at the 41st Toronto dental, with this year’s presi- An activist by the name of DJ Quacker outside Trump Tower in New York City. International Film Festival, dential election, that people the largest such even in North are looking back,” said Han- America, which opens tomor- dling. row and runs through Septem- “But there’s tremendous in- ber 18. terest in dealing with historic The event is crucial for Os- subjects, trying to understand car-conscious studios and dis- what these moments in his- tributors, attracting hundreds tory meant and in some way tie of fi lmmakers and actors to the them in to the present.” Clinton, Trump nearly red carpet in Canada’s largest The festival’s opening fi lm, city. a remake of the 1960 Western In past years, fi lms such as The Magnifi cent Seven, star- 12 Years a Slave, The King’s ring Denzel Washington, Chris Speech and Slumdog Million- Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent aire went on from winning the D’Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun and Toronto festival’s audience Peter Sarsgaard, “is an inter- even two months out prize for best picture to take esting metaphor for what’s go- the top honor at the Oscars. ing on in American right now”, AFP more than 1,000 at a picnic in Cleveland. for having “no plan” on immigration. Last year, audience favorite Handling told AFP. Washington “I’m ready. “What her real plan is, she has total Spotlight beat all predictions I’m more than ready,” she said of the in- amnesty” and a pathway to citizenship, to win best picture at the Acad- The event is crucial for tense battle ahead as she attempts to be- he said, reiterating his opposition to such emy Awards, while Brie Larson Oscar-conscious studios he race between Hillary Clinton and come the fi rst female US commander in a legalization process without undocu- — who is back again this year and distributors Donald Trump for the White House chief. mented immigrants leaving the country in Free Fire and The Headhunt- Thas tightened with two months to Clinton, 68, debuted her new cam- fi rst. er’s Calling — received a nod “Westerns have always spo- go before Election Day, as a series of new paign plane — with the slogan “Stronger Under Clinton, “people can pour across for her performance in Room, ken directly to what is going on polls yesterday shows them essentially in Together” emblazoned on the side — and the border and it doesn’t matter who the which also screened here fi rst. in present day America even a dead heat. brought the press corps aboard her jet for people are”. “I don’t think anyone last though it’s dealing with its his- Trump has edged ahead of Clinton in the fi rst time. Clinton shot back by recalling Trump’s year thought that Spotlight tory,” he explained. a new CNN/ORC poll, at 45% to 43% Under extensive criticism from her rival meeting with Mexico’s president En- would go all the way to best “This one certainly speaks to among likely voters, while an NBC News and journalists for not holding a full press rique Pena Nieto and their clash over picture or that Room would contemporary America. poll of registered voters meanwhile shows conference in nine months, she answered Trump’s plan to have Mexico pay for a break out and become the kind “It’s about a community Clinton’s lead holding at six percentage questions for more than 22 minutes on border wall. of phenomena that it did,” said under duress, under extreme points — 48% to 42%. several topics, including tensions with Trump “can’t even go to a friendly for- festival co-director Piers Han- pressure, and the people that And another survey, this one by The Russia over accusations of cyber-espio- eign country without getting into a fi ght”, dling. come together to defend this Washington Post looking at all 50 states, Hillary Clinton speaks to members of nage. she said during a campaign stop in Hamp- Films being positioned for community are representative shows Clinton with a solid lead in terms of the media aboard her campaign plane at Clinton expressed “grave” concern ton, Illinois. accolades this year include of American society. electoral college votes, and even strength Westchester County Airport yesterday in about reports that Russia has been inter- Trump, who visited a Cleveland diner to the new Denis Villeneuve sci- It’s an obvious metaphor for in some traditional Republican strong- White Plains, New York. fering in the US electoral process through meet with union members and the Can- fi movie Arrival, and Oliver what America is going through holds. invasive cyber attacks on the Democratic fi eld County Fair in eastern Ohio, is seek- Stone’s Snowden about former these days.” The various polls show how close the After hinting last month that he might Party and an apparent attack on voter reg- ing to capitalize on simmering frustration National Security Agency Similarly, true stories Loving race is looking to November 8, and makes not participate in all of them, Trump told istration systems in Arizona. among blue-collar workers over jobs and contractor Edward Snowden’s and A United Kingdom, about the battle for the so-called swing states all reporters he was on board. And she implied Moscow was try- wages. massive 2013 leak revealing the an African royal who marries the more important. “I expect to do all three,” he said. ing to help get the 70-year-old Trump The candidates were joined by their extent of government snooping an Englishwoman, off er in- Clinton was headed to Florida yester- On Monday, the candidates used Labor elected. running mates on Monday in Ohio, a signal on private data. sights into current American day to appear at a voter registration event, Day — the traditional launch of the home “I think it’s quite intriguing that this of the importance each campaign places Ryan Gosling and Emma race relations. while the billionaire real estate mogul was stretch of the presidential campaign — to activity has happened around the time on the Buckeye State. Stone’s performances as a Loving, which chronicles the due in Virginia for a town hall meeting and push their arguments that they would be Trump became the nominee,” she said. Democratic senator Sherrod Brown of jazz musician and an aspir- battle to abolish a Virginia ban in North Carolina for an evening campaign best for working-class Americans. On Monday, Trump followed Clinton’s Ohio said there was “more pressure on ing actress who fall in love in on interracial marriage, pre- rally. But the Republican flagbearer’s unor- lead, inviting some journalists aboard his Trump” than Clinton to win there. the bewitching musical La La miered at Cannes before com- “Thank you! #AmericaFirst,” Trump thodox White House bid, including his private jet where he discussed his immi- “If Trump loses Ohio, he loses the race,” Land, which opened the Ven- ing to Toronto and is also in the tweeted with the new CNN poll results. campaign’s apparent imperviousness to gration platform. Brown told AFP. ice fi lm festival before coming Oscar running. The candidates have less than three criticism about his harsh rhetoric, as- Just a week after traveling to Mexico “Hillary can lose Ohio and still win be- to Toronto, has also stirred up Ripped from the headlines, weeks to go before the fi rst of three sched- sures a tight contest for the next two for his first international trip as the cause she’s going to win Virginia, North a frenzy. youth radicalisation features uled presidential debates — expected to be months. nominee, and then returning across Carolina, Colorado,” and other swing American Pastoral, which in several fi lms from Canada, the most watched moments of what so far “I’m not taking anybody, anywhere the US border to deliver a nativist im- states where she has built deep ground op- looks back at the ideal Ameri- Europe and Africa, including has been a raucous campaign. for granted,” Clinton told a crowd of migration speech, he assailed Clinton erations, Brown added. can family torn apart by up- Nocturama, Those Who Make heavals of the 1960s, and the Revolution Halfway Only Dig rue story of a boy separated Their Own Graves, Layla M, from his family who searches Heaven Will Wait and Foreign for home 25 years later in Garth Body. Davis’s Lion are also generating Heeding a call from women tremendous buzz. in Hollywood, the Toronto fi lm Fox settles sexual harassment The cast of Lion, which festival this year is also pro- marks Ewan McGregor’s direc- moting more female directors torial debut, includes Jennifer and “female stories”. Almost Connelly and Dakota Fanning. 30% of the fi lms on off er were “These fi lms are getting se- made by women, and sev- suit for $20mn on Ailes’ behalf rious attention and we’ll see eral more “deal with subject how that shakes down in the through the eyes of women,” coming months,” Handling said Handling. Reuters off the air in April in retaliation for rebuff - ployer, according to a separate source fa- commented. They include Handmaiden, New York ing Ailes’ advances and complaining to top miliar with the situation, who requested Several directors this year Queen of Katwe, Elle, Toni Er- offi cials at Fox News. anonymity because discussions were con- looked back through history dmann, Lady Macbeth, Anat- Behind the scenes, her lawsuit said, fi dential. for lessons that may still be omy of Violence, and Strange ox News will pay $20mn to settle a Fox News was “a sex-fueled, Playboy The source declined to say if her depar- relevant. Weather. sexual harassment lawsuit by former Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimida- ture was connected to Ailes’ resignation. Fanchor Gretchen Carlson against tion, indecency and misogyny”.Fox News Fox News has been a ratings juggernaut the network’s ousted chief Roger Ailes, a characterized Tantaros as an “opportun- for 21st Century Fox, contributing $1.35bn source familiar with the agreement said ist” who was taken off the air for writing a in earnings before interest, tax, deprecia- yesterday. book without permission. tion and amortization (EBITDA), or 20% Cosby on trial The Fox News parent company, 21st Ailes, 76, who worked on the presiden- of parent Twenty-First Century Fox’s total Century Fox, off ered a public apology to tial campaigns of Richard Nixon, Ronald EBITDA in fi scal 2016, according to esti- Carlson, who fi led suit against Ailes in Journalist Gretchen Carlson. Reagan and George H W Bush before Fox mates by Anthony DiClemente, an analyst July, saying he took her off a popular show News, became one of the most powerful with Nomura. and cut her pay because she refused to A statement from 21st Century Fox said, forces in journalism and politics as the While the swift settlement of the Carl- have a sexual relationship with him. “We sincerely regret and apologize for the founder of the network. son lawsuit potentially removes a cloud Ailes, a former political consultant who fact that Gretchen was not treated with the He reportedly has been advising the that has been hanging over Fox News for founded the conservative news operation respect and dignity that she and all of our campaign of Republican presidential can- investors, there still are questions about in 1996, left Fox less than three weeks after colleagues deserve.” didate Donald Trump since leaving and whether more talent will depart because Carlson fi led suit, taking a $40mn sever- Carlson, who won the Miss America continues as an informal adviser to Rupert Ailes is no longer there, said Brian Wieser, ance package. beauty pageant in 1989, was a long-time Murdoch, executive chairman of 21st Cen- an analyst at Pivotal Research Group. Other women who had worked for him co-host on the Fox and Friends morning tury Fox. Carlson’s lawsuit was a wakeup call then came forward with allegations of programme before getting her own show In his resignation letter, Ailes did not for Fox shareholders, who have not had harassment, leading to another lawsuit by in 2013. indicate he had done anything wrong. to think about vulnerabilities tied to Fox a former on-air staff er. In a statement in July Ailes had said He previously denied Carlson’s allega- News, Wieser said. Ailes was the only defendant in Carl- Carlson’s suit was in retaliation for the tions, as well as those of star anchor Meg- “This has brought to the forefront son’s lawsuit. network’s decision not to renew her con- yn Kelly. that investors do need to think about Fox The source, speaking on condition of tract after disappointing ratings for her New York magazine reported in July that News,” he said.”Even if the former man- anonymity having not authorised to dis- show. Kelly had told investigators hired by Fox agement had stayed in place they are con- cuss the matter, said Ailes’ contract in- Attorneys for Ailes did not immediately to investigate the claims that Ailes “made tending with a big demographic cliff as demnifi ed him from employment-related return calls for comment on the settle- unwanted sexual advances toward her” their viewers tend to be older. claims, which is why the company was ment. about 10 years ago. Fox’s median age is over 65, higher than settling on his behalf. Fox News, which Nielsen ratings data Fox News also announced yesterday MSNBC and CNN, whose viewers are a Comedian Bill Cosby arrives at the Montgomery County A court fi ling showed Carlson, 50, had shows is the most watched channel in ba- that Greta Van Susteren, host of the On median age of 64 and 60 respectively, ac- Courthouse for a pretrial conference related to aggravated voluntarily dismissed her federal lawsuit sic cable television this year, still is fi ght- the Record, was leaving the network after cording to Nielsen data. indecent assault charges in Norristown, Pennsylvania. in New Jersey against Ailes. ing sexual harassment claims in New York 14 years. Shares of 21st Century Fox were down Cosby is expected to face trial on charges stemming from In a statement she said she was grateful state court. Van Susteren’s departure was related more than 1% in noon trading at $24.29 on an encounter with Andrea Constand in 2004. Fox took swift action. Andrea Tantaros claims she was taken to a fi nancial disagreement with her em- Nasdaq. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 ASEAN

Singapore faces rise in Zika, US ‘morally obliged’ to dengue cases heal Laos war wounds DPA US president announces kind of apology for American rural poor majority. As it did in Singapore $90mn for Laos over the military action, but recognised Vietnam, Washington has also next three years to address the suff ering it had caused all been pushing the Laos authori- the impact caused by sides.“The remnants of war ties for help in locating the re- health expert warned unexploded ordnance continue to shatter lives here mains of missing servicemen. yesterday of a possible in Laos,” he said, adding many The White House said the Adouble whammy of in- AFP Americans were still unaware remains of 273 personnel have creasing Zika and dengue fever Vientiane of their country’s secret carpet been located and identifi ed cases in Singapore. bombing of the country. from the Laos war years but Professor Dale A Fisher, head “Over the years thousands 301 Americans are still listed as of infectious diseases in Singa- resident Barack Obama of Laotians have been killed or missing. pore’s National University Hos- pledged yesterday to dra- injured. Farmers tending their More than 2mn tonnes of pital, believes that there is a pos- Pmatically increase US ef- fi elds, children playing. The bombs were dropped by the sibility a patient could be infected forts to clear millions of bombs wounds, a missing leg or arm, United States on Laos. with both Zika and dengue fever. secretly dropped on tiny Laos by last a lifetime.” About 30% did not explode, “We still have a lot to learn, American planes a generation Obama’s visit is laden with including an estimated 80mn but there is no reason to suspect ago, saying the clean-up was a historic symbolism given the cluster munition “bomblets”. that prior infection with one vi- “moral obligation”. two countries’ bellicose pasts. Some 50,000 people were killed rus will increase the severity of Laos became the world’s Earlier in the day, under pour- or injured by bombs between illness when infected later with a most-bombed country per cap- ing rain, the fi rst US president to the start of the war and 2008, diff erent virus,” he told DPA. ita from 1964 to 1973 as Wash- hail from the post-Vietnam war according to Laos government As of Monday, the number ington launched a secret CIA- generation met his Laos coun- data. of dengue fever cases in Singa- led war to cut supplies fl owing terpart Bounnhang Vorachith Bomb clearances and edu- pore at 11,343 had surpassed the to communist fi ghters during — a former revolutionary of the cation campaigns have since number of cases in the whole of the Vietnam War. communist Pathet Lao move- reduced the casualty rate to 2015, at 11,286. Much of the country is still ment that successfully faced around 40 people a year. Meanwhile, the latest fi gures littered with ordnance, includ- down his predecessors’ bomb- But only 1% of contaminated from Singapore’s Health Minis- ing millions of cluster munition ing campaigns. land has so far been restored. try show 275 people have been “bomblets” that maim and kill Bounnhang, 78, was anointed During his speech, Obama infected with Zika as of yester- to this day. the country’s top leader earlier singled out Channapha day evening. The issue has long dogged US President Barack Obama gestures as he delivers a speech about US-Laos relations at the Lao National this year. Khamvongsa, a Laos-American Although Fisher said the relations between the United Cultural Hall in Vientiane yesterday. Laos’ ageing communist campaigner whose group Lega- spread of both viruses is diffi cult States and Laos, a cloistered and leadership has ruled with an cies of War has long lobbied to project due to Zika only be- impoverished communist na- On the fi rst day of his two- moral obligation to help Laos Laos — in the last 20 years it had iron fi st since 1975, tolerating Washington to spend more on ing discovered through intensive tion. day trip, Obama announced heal,” Obama told a crowd of given a total of $100mn. little dissent and only gradually bomb clearances. detection by health authorities, But both sides have moved $90mn for Laos over the next delegates, including commu- But it mirrors what happened opening the country to outsid- She said she was “thrilled” he believes the mosquito popu- closer in recent years and three years to address the im- nist party leaders, students and in Vietnam as ties warmed be- ers. by the donation. “This is a ma- lation carries a multiplier eff ect. Obama’s visit — the fi rst by a pact caused by unexploded ord- monks, during a speech in the tween the two former foes dur- The nation has had one of jor step forward to healing the “The viruses can co-circulate US president to Laos — is being nance. capital Vientiane. ing the early 2000s. Asia’s fastest growth rates over wounds of war and increasing in a population. Whether an in- hailed as a landmark opportu- “Given our history here I be- The fi gure dwarfs Washing- As in Vietnam, Obama the last decade, but critics say co-operation between the US dividual mosquito is co-infected nity to reset ties. lieve the United States has a ton’s previous commitments to stopped short of issuing any little has trickled down to the and Lao PDR,” she said. is not as relevant as the fact that now our mosquito population is infected by both viruses,” he said. Pizza Hut Both viruses are spread in Sin- gapore by the Aedes mosquito. accused over In February, Singapore’s Na- Asean leaders urged to co-operate expired tional Environment Agency warned of more dengue fever ingredients cases in the coming months, in Indonesia with an anticipated 30,000 cases by year-end. amid regional threats, disputes US chain Pizza Hut’s Indone- Speaking yesterday at the 28th sian operation insisted its res- Association of South-East Asian taurants were safe yesterday Nations (Asean) plenary in Laos, DPA after it was accused of using Singapore Prime Minister Lee Vientiane ingredients up to six months Hsien Loong urged Asean coun- past their expiry date. tries to work together to fi ght a The allegations about Pizza long battle against Zika. outh-East Asian leaders Hut and Pizza Hut Delivery “We should prepare ourselves were urged yesterday to in the country, which are run for a possibly extended cam- Swork more closely togeth- by local company Sarimelati paign against Zika, but ensure er amid threats posed by ter- Kencana, were made in a joint that the region remains open rorism, climate change, fragile investigation by a magazine and connected for business and economic growth, and divisive and the BBC’s Indonesia trade,” said Lee.Patients who issues such as the South China service. would like to get tested for Zika Sea dispute. The restaurant chain, which can do so beginning today at a “Against this backdrop, there has more than 300 outlets in subsidised rate of 60 Singapore is a need for us to closely follow the archipelago, was accused dollars ($44) with doctor refer- these developments and con- of using ingredients including ral, cheaper than the normal tinue to enhance Asean co-op- puff pastry, vegetable sausage 150-dollar rate. eration and collaboration with and carbonara sauce when Testing will continue to be the international community,” it knew they were past their free for pregnant women who said Lao President Bounnhang expiry date. show symptoms or have a male Vorachith, formally opening a Expiry dates were extended partner infected with Zika. regional summit. for between one and six Beginning yesterday, hospitals The leaders of the 10-coun- months, the investigation in Singapore would no longer try Association of South-East alleged, citing company docu- ward Zika patients or isolate sus- Asian Nations (Asean) were ments. The practice had been pected patients due to such cases meeting in Vientiane for the going on for years with the having “mild symptoms, similar annual summit, which US Pres- knowledge of top manage- to the experience in other coun- ident Barack Obama was also ment, it said. tries,” according to a statement attending for the last time. The investigation also ac- Monday by the health ministry. “Although the global econ- cused Japanese noodle chain Two pregnant women have omy has gradually recovered, Marugame Udon of using been diagnosed with Zika in Sin- growth remains slow and frag- Lao dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Asean Summit in Vientiane, Laos yesterday. ingredients past their expiry gapore, with one of them — a ile,” Vorachith warned. date at its handful of outlets in 24-year-old entrepreneur — di- The leaders were expected to cerned over recent and ongoing sions and may undermine peace, the international Permanent the Philippines warned China Indonesia. agnosed with dengue concurrent- express serious concern over developments and took note of security and stability in the re- Court of Arbitration’s July rul- might be preparing new con- Both Pizza Hut and Maru- ly. She has since been discharged Chinese land reclamation in the the concerns expressed by some gion,” the draft statement said. ing that Beijing had no legal structions in the South China game Udon have denied the after recovering from both vi- South China Sea, according to leaders on the land reclamations However, in what is being right to claim a large part of Sea after 10 ships, including allegations. ruses but will be back in the hos- a draft statement which will be and escalation of activities in the seen as a diplomatic coup for the area. China has previously four that look like barges, were Pizza Hut said yesterday that pital by the end of September for issued at the end of the summit. area, which have eroded trust China, the leaders were unlikely rejected the ruling as “null and spotted near the disputed Scar- some of its restaurants on check-up. “We remain strongly con- and confi dence, increased ten- to make any offi cial mention of void.” Ahead of the summit, borough Shoal. Indonesia’s most populous island of Java had been inspected thoroughly and health authorities found that they met hygiene and sanita- tion standards. Stephen J McCarthy, presi- Myanmar Buddhists jeer dent director of Sarimelati Kencana, also defended Pizza Hut, saying he was proud of the outlets’ kitchens. “They’re the cleanest Pizza ex-UN chief on peace mission Hut in the world. If somebody wants to visit our kitchens, you give me a call, I will AFP surrounding the issue, protesters between ethnic Rakhine Buddhists bel them “Bengalis”, shorthand for personally take you,” he said Sittwe turned out as he landed in the state and the minority Rohingya Muslim illegal immigrants. at the weekend. capital Sittwe. population. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize “We have a great reputation Many booed and shouted “No Their plight threatens to poison Laureate, has disappointed rights in Indonesia, we expect that undreds of Buddhists Kofi -led commission” into loud- democratic gains in the former ar- groups who accuse her of failing not to change and only to get jeered former UN chief speakers as they swarmed around my-run country and has damaged directly to address the plight of the better.” No one is reported to HKofi Annan as he arrived in his convoy, carrying signs that Suu Kyi’s reputation as a defender Rohingya in a sop to Buddhist na- have fallen ill due to eating Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine state read, “No to foreigners’ biased in- of the downtrodden. tionalist sentiment. the expired ingredients at ei- yesterday to examine a bitter reli- tervention in our Rakhine State’s More than 100 people have been Last month she asked Annan to ther Pizza Hut or Marugame. gious confl ict that has displaced aff airs”. killed — the majority of them Mus- lead the advisory commission on Pizza Hut has been operating tens of thousands of Muslim Ro- “We want decisions to be made lims — while tens of thousands of solving the state’s troubles. for 32 years in Indonesia and hingya. by our own people. the stateless Rohingya have spent The envoy, who has vowed to be employs more than 13,000 Annan has been tasked by the I don’t want foreigners to make the past four years trapped in bleak impartial, met local Rakhine lead- workers. de facto leader of Myanmar’s new decisions, that is why I am peace- displacement camps with limited ers and civil society groups in Sit- The Pizza Hut and Marugame government, Aung San Suu Kyi, to fully protesting here,” May Phyu access to health care and other ba- twe shortly after his arrival. Udon franchises in the coun- head a commission charged with said. sic services. Recognising the highly-charged try are ultimately owned by fi nding ways to heal wounds in the Rakhine, which borders Bangla- The Rohingya are despised by nature of the divisions in the state, Indonesian food and bever- poor western state. desh, has been scarred since 2012 hardline Buddhists, who say they he said his advisory commission age giant Sriboga Raturaya. But in a sign of the passions by bouts of communal violence have no right to citizenship and la- would listen to all sides. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 13 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Climate the hot issue at China warns HK’s new Pacifi c islands ‘separatist’ lawmakers summit AFP were among those winning seats China’s cabinet – as saying. In a separate column in the said the government would need ence activists were banned from Hong Kong in the landmark vote. The vote saw the highest newspaper, a China-based aca- to be wary of exacerbating divi- standing, causing widespread Five candidates advocating turnout since Hong Kong was demic said there could be legal sions in society by freezing out outrage. AFP independence or self-determi- handed back to China by Britain challenges to lawmakers advo- those pushing for more autono- Hong Kong’s unpopular Palikir, Micronesia eijing has warned new nation for Hong Kong are to sit in 1997 under a “one country, cating independence, citing a my, known as “localists”. leader Leung Chun-ying, seen Hong Kong lawmakers not in the 70-seat assembly. two systems” deal that protected law under which a candidate or “Localists got 20% of the total by critics as a stooge of Beijing, Bto back independence for In a statement late on Mon- the city’s freedoms for 50 years. group of voters can lodge a peti- votes, including ones that were said yesterday that all lawmak- ulnerable Pacifi c is- the semi-autonomous city af- day, China said that it would not Fears that Beijing interfer- tion against an elected member not voted in. They represent part ers must abide by the Basic Law. land nations will look ter young anti-China activists tolerate any talk of independ- ence is now threatening those they believe is ineligible or has of society. The government can- However, he added that he Vto maintain momentum won seats for the fi rst time in key ence “inside or outside” the leg- liberties in a range of areas, from acted “illegally”. not just hastily disqualify them,” wanted to co-operate with all for action on climate change at weekend elections. islature. politics to education and media, Lawmakers will take up their he told AFP. legislators. a meeting in Micronesia this Sunday’s vote saw activists “We fi rmly oppose any activ- have sparked the birth of the in- seats on October 1 and will have However, the government has “(I) hope we can all work for week after playing a key role in pushing for more autonomy ity relating to Hong Kong inde- dependence movement. to swear an oath to uphold the already taken steps to deter the society together,” Leung told re- prompting action from China from Beijing secure a crucial pendence in any form, inside or It has been slammed by au- Basic Law – Hong Kong’s mini- pro-independence camp. porters. and the United States. foothold in the city’s Legislative outside the Legislative Council, thorities in Hong Kong and Bei- constitution, which describes It introduced a controversial Anti-establishment parties The Pacifi c Islands Forum Council (LegCo), as fears grow and fi rmly support the Hong jing as illegal and unconstitu- the city as part of China. new form before the LegCo elec- increased their share of the leg- (PIF) was one of the most vo- that China is tightening its grip. Kong government to impose tional. It is not yet clear what may tion which required candidates islature, taking 30 of 70 seats. cal international organisations It was the fi rst major poll since punishment in accordance with The Hong Kong edition of happen if they then advocate in- to verify that they understood It is almost impossible for demanding progress ahead of pro-democracy rallies in 2014 the law,” state news agency Xin- the state-owned China Daily dependence as a possibility for Hong Kong was an “inalienable them to take a majority, as 30 crunch climate talks in Paris last failed to win concessions on po- hua cited a spokesperson of the warned yesterday that wins by Hong Kong in the legislature. part of China”. seats are appointed by special year. litical reform from Beijing. Hong Kong and Macau Aff airs activists could mean “separatist Political analyst Chung Kim- Many refused to sign it. interest groups that tend to be The 16-nation group consists Some student protest leaders Offi ce of the State Council – ideas” emerge in LegCo. wah of Polytechnic University The most strident independ- pro-Beijing. mainly of small island nations, most of which are susceptible to rising sea levels. US President Barack Obama said the Paris talks would have failed without Pacifi c nations Giant pandas no longer ‘endangered’ highlighting the dangers of cli- mate change. Instead, the negotiations suc- AFP ceeded, culminating in Wash- Honolulu ington and Beijing – the world’s two biggest polluters – signing up to the ambitious Paris deal at ecades of conservation the weekend. work in China have paid “We could not have gotten Doff for the giant panda, a Paris agreement without the whose status was upgraded on incredible eff orts and hard work Sunday from “endangered” to of the island nations, they made “vulnerable” due to a popula- an enormous diff erence,” Obama tion rebound, offi cials said. told a conference in Hawaii last The improvement for the gi- week. ant panda (Ailuropoda melano- PIF secretary general Meg leuca) was announced as part Taylor said the organisation’s of an update to the Interna- leadership on climate showed tional Union for Conservation how small nations could band of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the together to have an impact. world’s most comprehensive This undated picture released by North Korea’s off icial Korean “The Pacifi c really stood to- inventory of plants and animals. Central News Agency (KCNA) yesterday shows North Korean gether, we can use the collective The latest estimates show a leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting the fire drill of ballistic rockets by to really move the world,” she population of 1,864 adult giant Hwasong artillery units at an undisclosed location in North Korea. told reporters this week. pandas. Non-government organisa- Although exact numbers are tions at the meeting in the Fed- not available, adding cubs to the eral States of Micronesia capital projection would mean about Palikir said the focus now was 2,060 pandas exist today, said N Korea leader hails to keep up pressure on climate the IUCN. change. “Evidence from a series of This file photo taken on August 24 giant panda Mei Xiang in her enclosure at the National Zoo in They said this included Pacifi c range-wide national surveys in- Washington, DC. Decades of conservation work in China have paid off for the giant panda, whose status missiles, calls for leaders examining issues such dicate that the previous popula- has been upgraded from ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ due to a population rebound, off icials said. as relocating populations from tion decline has been arrested, threatened areas. and the population has started chief conservation offi cer at the ebrate because it is not a part of “The concern now is that nuclear build-up Plans must be drawn up to to increase,” said the IUCN’s Wildlife Conservation Society, the world where we expect this although the population has “enable our people to migrate updated report. told AFP. to happen,” Stuart told reporters slowly increased – and it is still with justice and dignity” in the The cornerstones of the Chi- “So few species are actually at a press conference to unveil very small – several models pre- AFP of tests, which has also includ- face of rising seas, the civil soci- nese government’s eff ort to downlisted, it really is a refl ec- the updated Red List. dict a reduction of the extent of Seoul ed the detonation of a nuclear ety groups said. bring back its fuzzy, black-and- tion of the success of conser- Experts warned, however, bamboo forests in China in the bomb in January. Tiny Kiribati has already white national icon have includ- vation,” he said at the IUCN that the good news for pandas coming decades due to climate Despite the global chorus of made provisions for moving its ed an intense eff ort to replant World Conservation Congress, could be short-lived. change,” he told reporters. im Jong-Un has labelled disapproval, Pyongyang was people, buying a large block of bamboo forests, which provide the largest meeting of its kind, A warming planet, driven by The IUCN report said China’s North Korea’s latest unrepentant. land in Fiji in case its people need food and shelter for the bears. which drew more than 9,000 fossil fuel burning, is predicted plan to expand its conservation Kmissile tests “perfect”, Kim expressed “great satis- to relocate. Through its “rent-a-panda” heads of state, policymakers and to wipe out more than one-third eff ort for pandas “is a positive state media said yesterday, as faction over the successful suc- The dominant power in the captive breeding programme, environmentalists to Honolulu. of the panda’s bamboo habitat step and must be strongly sup- he called for the isolated state cessive fi ring drill of the ballis- PIF is Australia, whose prime China has also loaned some According to Simon Stuart, in the next 80 years. ported to ensure its eff ective to build up its nuclear arsenal. tic rockets”, which showed his minister, Malcolm Turnbull, will bears to zoos abroad in exchange chair of the IUCN Species Sur- That means the panda popu- implementation”. Hours before the UN Secu- military’s capability to launch attend for the fi rst time since for cash, and reinvested that vival Commission, the improve- lation is projected to decline, The IUCN Red List includes rity Council was set to meet “a preemptive attack on the taking offi ce last September. money in conservation eff orts. ment was “not rocket science” and any gains realised to date 82,954 species, including both to discuss Pyongyang’s lat- enemies any time and from any Canberra’s conservative ap- “When push comes to shove, but came from the hard work could be reversed, said Carlo plants and animals. est military provocation, the place”, KCNA said. proach to climate has often the Chinese have done a re- of controlling poaching and re- Rondinini, mammal assessment Almost one-third – 23,928 – country’s supreme leader The strategic artillery unit caused tensions with other PIF ally good job with pandas,” John planting bamboo forests. co-ordinator at the Sapienza are threatened with extinction, hailed Monday’s fi ring of three was “full of military might” members, but Taylor said Turn- Robinson, a primatologist and “This is something to cel- University of Rome. it said. mid-range weapons. to strike the US and its forces bull would be cordially received. Kim supervised a drill by ar- with “annihilating nuclear fi re “He’ll be warmly welcomed tillery units “tasked to strike shower”, it said. and we’ll see how participa- South Korea hosts high-tech weaponry show aft er North tests missiles High-security the bases of the US imperialist The North’s top newspaper tion goes,” she told ABC radio aggressor forces in the Pacifi c Rodong Sinmun carried nine recently. “Particularly on issues South Korea put its latest high-tech weaponry Korean arms manufacturers displayed the K9 prisoners strike operational theatre in a con- photos of the test, including such as climate change and dis- on show yesterday as tensions rise in the region self-propelled howitzer, the Surion helicopter, the for better pay tingency”, Pyongyang’s KCNA one of a beaming Kim standing aster-risk management, where following Pyongyang’s test-firing of three missiles K2 main battle tank and other military equipment news agency said. in front of a map surrounded Australia will make a substantial this week. during a press preview. Inmates at an Australian jail “The units’ capability for by smiling offi cials. contribution.” North Korea fired the mid-range missiles on Mon- Exhibitors also staged a live-fire show at a shoot- housing murderers and drug fi ghting a real battle and the Melissa Hanham, an expert Turnbull may also face ques- day, triggering condemnation from the US and ing range outside Pocheon city near the border dealers have gone on strike combat performance of the on North Korea’s weapons pro- tions over Australia’s immigra- Japan while winning praise from leader Kim Jong- with North Korea to display their artillery, mecha- demanding better pay, claiming rockets were appreciated as gramme at the Middlebury In- tion detention centre on the Un who hailed their performance as “perfect”. nised infantry fighting vehicles and missiles. that their wages are not enough perfect,” it said. stitute of International Stud- island nation of Nauru, which Pyongyang has conducted a fourth nuclear test Potential buyers from 25 countries have been to cover living costs in the top- “He stressed the need to ies in California, said it was has been the subject of abuse al- and a series of missile tests this year in defiance of invited to the exhibition which will run from today security prison. continue making miraculous diffi cult to determine so far if legations. UN sanctions, prompting Seoul to announce plans until Saturday, organisers said. Dozens of convicts have downed achievements in bolstering up there had been any technical Nauru has dismissed leaked to deploy a US anti-missile system to counter such Apart from South Korean companies, 80 foreign tools and are refusing to work, the nuclear force one after an- progress. reports of violence and humili- threats. firms from the US, Germany and Israel are also tak- claiming that the lack of inflation- other in this historic year,” it “The most obvious diff er- ating treatment against asylum- The biennial DX Korea exhibition organised by ing part in the exhibition. indexed pay is disrespectful. added. ence from the last test is the seekers as “fabricated”, while the South Korean government in Seoul involves South Korea’s arms exports fell from $3.6bn in Inmates at Barwon prison must South Korea’s defence min- change in warhead,” Hanham Australia is resisting calls for an around 250 companies, many of them local. 2014 to $3.4bn last year. work as part of their sentence istry said the tests were of Ro- said. inquiry into its detention centre. and are paid between A$6.50 and dong missiles with a range of Last month, North Korea A$8.95 ($4.95-$6.82) a day. 1,000km (620 miles). fi red a submarine-launched But they want more. It said they had been fi red ballistic missile from the Typhoon closes in on Japanese isles Shark kills Australian kitesurfer “The wages paid are a lot less over the Sea of Japan (East Sea) northeastern port of Sinpo. than in other states in Australia without warning. That fl ew 500km towards Typhoon Malou was moving closer to southern Japan and its A shark savaged an Australian kitesurfer to death off New and it doesn’t meet their The Rodong is a scaled-up Japan, far exceeding the range islands yesterday, bringing torrential rain and strong winds to the Caledonia yesterday in the second fatal attack in the South Pacific increasing costs,” said Brett Scud variant with a maximum of the country’s previous sub- region, weather authorities said. territory in six months, off icials said. Collins, a spokesman for prisoner range of 1,300km, bringing launched missiles. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of flooding, high “The man in his 50s was kitesurfing inside the reef at Koumac. advocate group Justice Action. most of Japan within range. Kim described the August waves, heavy rain and swollen rivers as the season’s 13th typhoon He fell and was bitten,” Nicolas Renaud, head of the archipelago’s “There’s been a lack of any CPI The launches came as world test as the “greatest success” approached the Amami Oshima islands and the southern Japanese marine rescue co-ordination centre, told AFP. (inflation) indexation, which has leaders gathered in neighbour- and said it put the US mainland region of Kyushu. The unidentified man from Fremantle on Australia’s southwest left them with less buying power. ing China for the G20 summit, within striking range. The typhoon was expected to produce waves of up to 6m around coast was out with several other people on a catamaran, who raised “They feel resentful and that they sparking condemnation from The launch was widely con- islands in the southern Japanese archipelago. the alarm. A rescue boat was sent to help but emergency crews haven’t been treated respectfully. Japan and the United States, demned by the US and other Rainfall of 48.5mm per hour was recorded on Miyako Island were unable to save him. This is a last act of desperation.” which blasted them as “reck- major powers, but analysts saw yesterday morning. “He suff ered a deep bite to the thigh from a big shark. We don’t Barwon, which houses almost less”. it as a clear step forward for The agency has also warned that some areas in the Okinawa and know for the moment what species it was,” added Renaud. 450 inmates and lies 75km (46 In spite of tough global North Korea’s nuclear strike Amami region may receive rainfall of more than 80mm per hour The last fatal shark attack in New Caledonia, a French territory east miles) southwest of Melbourne, is sanctions, Pyongyang contin- ambitions. overnight. of Australia, was in April, when a woman was killed on a beach on home to some of Victoria’s most ues to defy the international A proven submarine- The agency predicted rainfall of up to 250mm for the Kinki region, Poe in the west of the island group. dangerous criminals, including community’s calls for a halt to launched ballistic missile sys- 200mm for the Amami region and up to 150mm for Okinawa by this There were 98 shark attacks globally last year – the highest number murderers and drug dealers. its weapons programme. tem would allow deployment evening. ever recorded, according to researchers at the University of Florida, Last year, heavily-armed police Those calls were set to in- far beyond the Korean penin- As of 6pm (0900 GMT), Typhoon Malou was 180km north of which has been collecting data since 1958. Six attacks were fatal. quelled a riot involving up to 300 tensify when the 15-member sula and a “second-strike” Naha City, the capital of Okinawa prefecture, travelling northeast Theories on the increase include rising water temperatures caused inmates at a nearby Victorian jail, UN Security Council convenes capability in the event of an at 35kph, with maximum sustained winds of 72kph and gusts of by climate change making sharks change their habits, the El Nino sparked by the introduction of a in New York to consider a re- attack on the North’s military 108kph, the agency said. weather pattern, and the increasing popularity of watersports. smoking ban. sponse to the latest in a series bases. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 BRITAIN/IRELAND Sellafi eld riddled with safety fl aws: BBC probe

Guardian News and Media almost all of the country’s nu- told the programme he worried still on site. Dr Rex Strong, head that such material is inappro- It was also revealed that said: “You make alternative ar- London clear waste. about the safety of the site “eve- of nuclear safety at Sellafi eld, priately managed is simply not swaths of the plant often do not rangements, so the things that The investigation was ry day”. Panorama revealed how said: “The organisation is now true”. have enough staff to meet basic have to be done, get done, and prompted by a whistleblower, radioactive chemicals are stored focusing on putting right some The whistleblower said his safety levels. Investigators for facilities are shut down if in fact he Sellafi eld nuclear site once a senior manager in Sell- in plastic bottles on the site that underinvestments of the past in biggest fear for the site was for the programme found that in the we’re not able to operate them in is riddled with potentially afi eld, who revealed a litany of should only ever have been used order to support the hazard and one of the nuclear waste silos space of 12 months between July the way that we want to – it’s not Tlethal safety fl aws, ac- safety concerns including de- as short-term storage. waste reduction mission that the to go up in fl ames – the conse- 2012 and July 2013, minimum a level that’s dangerous.” cording to a BBC investigation. graded infrastructure, improper Despite the efforts of sci- site has.” quences of which would be dire. levels of safe manning levels One report on the site’s infra- The Panorama programme, storage of highly radioactive ma- entists at Sellafield to try to Sellafield later said in a He said: “If there is a fi re there it were routinely breached. structure from 2013 featured on broadcast on Monday night, un- terials and chronic under staffi ng eradicate the problem, the statement that plutonium and could generate a plume of radio- However Strong insisted that the programme said “years of covered a raft of safety issues on across the site. probe found more than 2,000 uranium samples were “kept logical waste that will go across low staffi ng levels did not mean neglect” had led to “intolerable the site in Cumbria which stores Speaking anonymously, he bottles with the toxic materials securely” and that “to imply western Europe.” safety was compromised. He conditions” in Sellafi eld. UK universities Royal Mail anniversary reception tumble in world rankings amid Brexit concerns

Guardian News and Media tion. “Uncertainty over research London funding, immigration rules, and the ability to hire and retain the top young talent from around the ritish universities have taken world seems to be damaging the a tumble in the latest inter- reputation of the UK’s higher edu- Bnational rankings, as con- cation sector,” said Ben Sowter, cern persists about the potential head of research at QS. impact of Brexit on the country’s The government’s promise to higher education sector. guarantee EU funding levels for The UK’s top-ranked university, research projects signed before Cambridge, has fallen out of the this year’s autumn statement had top three for the fi rst time since helped address some of the un- the QS World University Rankings certainty, but QS said more sup- began 12 years ago, and the vast port was needed if the UK higher majority of the country’s other education sector was to retain its leading institutions similarly drop reputation for excellence. Prince Charles sits on a 1933 BSA 500cc motorbike, used for delivering telegrams, during a reception to mark the 500th anniversary of the Royal Mail, at Merchant down the table. Leading US universities which Taylor’s Hall in London yesterday. While the performance of many benefi t from substantial private western European institutions funding continue to dominate – in France, Portugal, Germany the rankings, with Massachusetts and Italy – has declined, the most Institute of Technology (MIT) in signifi cant falls have been in the top spot followed by Stanford Uni- UK where universities have seen versity, California, in second and a real-terms cut to government Harvard third. funding for research. Asian universities continue to The surveys that informed the make strong progress. Of the 74 rankings were carried out before Asian universities in the top 400, the UK voted in June to leave the 68% have risen in the latest rank- Keith Vaz quits as Home EU. QS, a higher education think- ings. tank, said the referendum had Almost three-quarters of Brit- added to the uncertainty under- ish universities in the top 400 have mining the UK sector but did not seen a drop in both academic rep- fully explain the downward trend. utation and employer reputation Of the 48 UK institutions in the this year, and 58% have seen a fall top 400, 38 have dropped down in the number of foreign academ- Aff airs committee chief the rankings this year. Cambridge ics. slips to fourth place, and Imperial Nick Hillman, director of the London Evening Standard hitting reports. He stood down occasions and 1,379 witnesses. male escorts from eastern Europe hand and recommended that Tim College London drops from eighth Higher Education Policy Institute, London yesterday afternoon stating that But he announced yesterday for services at a fl at he owns in Loughton, the longest-serving to ninth. King’s College London said the drop in the rankings was the committee’s work must con- afternoon his decision to stand north London, to have asked one Conservative MP on the commit- (KCL) falls from 19 to 21, the Lon- worrying for British universities. tinue “without any distractions aside immediately from commit- to bring party drug poppers and tee, take over as interim chair- don School of Economics (LSE) Echoing QS, he blamed funding eith Vaz yesterday sensa- whatsoever”. tee business. to have off ered to pay for cocaine, man. He also thanked committee from 35 to 37, the University of and the perception that the UK tionally resigned from one In a statement, he added: “I “After speaking to the House while stating he did not want to members for their “tremendous Bristol from 37 to 41 and Warwick was a little less open to the rest of Kof Parliament’s most pow- am genuinely sorry that recent authorities, I will formally tender use it himself. support” and clerks for their from 48 to 51. the world than it had been in the erful jobs after allegedly paying events make it impossible for this my resignation to the speaker so The committee is currently “amazing work”. Four UK universities remain past. for male escorts. to happen if I remain chair. The that it coincides with the timeta- carrying out an inquiry into Vaz has survived a series of po- in the top 10 in the world: Cam- “We don’t know where Brexit is The veteran Labour MP quit integrity of the select commit- ble for the election of other com- prostitution which immediately litical controversies. He has pub- bridge, Oxford (unchanged at six), going to take us. We do know we as chairman of the infl uential tee system matters to me. Those mittee chairs, such as the Brexit raised questions over a possible licly apologised to his wife and University College London (still have got a prime minister who for Commons home aff airs select who hold others to account, must committee, culture, media and confl ict of interest. children for the “hurt and dis- at seven) and Imperial. On the up all her strengths looks like she is committee. First elected in 1987 themselves be accountable.” sport, and science and technol- The committee had been ex- tress” caused by the allegations are the University of Edinburgh, going to continue to have no par- to Parliament, his departure is a Vaz was the longest serv- ogy, so that the elections can take pected to meet yesterday after- in a Sunday newspaper, and faced climbing from 21 to 19, and Man- ticular soft spot for universities,” dramatic fall from grace. ing chairman of the commit- place together. This is my deci- noon at which Vaz was due to fresh claims yesterday about his chester University, now ranked in he said. London continues to fare The Leicester East MP was one tee, having been in the post for sion, and mine alone, and my fi rst face calls from several members reported liaisons with male pros- the top 30. well, however, with more top 40 of the most high-profi le commit- nine years, overseeing the pub- consideration has been the eff ect to resign or at least stand aside titutes. Former solicitor Vaz is QS said storm clouds were institutions than any other city in tee chairmen with a reputation lication of 120 reports, hearing of recent events on my family.” temporarily. Britain’s longest-serving British gathering over UK higher educa- the world. for tough questioning and hard- evidence from ministers on 113 Vaz is claimed to have paid But he decided to go before- Asian MP. BA delays continue even Man held for link to Dublin hotel shooting as airport protest ends Guardian News and Media Video and still photographs London captured the armed assault in- cluding men dressed like armed British Airways said it was cluding London’s Heathrow and The British arm of the group, Irish police offi cers carrying AK47 taking longer than normal Gatwick, and urged passengers which started in the US as a re- man has been arrested in rifl es into the hotel. One of the to process customers at a to check in online before they action to fatal shootings of black Northern Ireland over a gunmen involved in the shootings number of airports and urged reached the airport. people by police, said it wanted Atelevised armed assault on was seen dressed as a woman. passengers to check in online The airline, owned by Inter- to highlight Britain’s environ- a boxing bout weigh-in in Dublin The killing of David Byrne was national Consolidated Airlines mental impact on the lives of which sparked a gangland feud carried out by gangsters loyal to Agencies Group, apologised to customers. black people locally and glo- that has so far claimed 10 lives. convicted arch-criminal Gerry London “Really unhappy with @Brit- bally. The 46-year-old was detained ‘The Monk’ Hutch. The Regency ish_Airways “The system is Members blocked a main road on Monday evening in Strabane, Hotel ambush was a revenge at- down” & can’t check in!,” one to London’s Heathrow Airport in Co Tyrone. The Police Service of tack for the killing the previous ir passengers in Britain passenger, Shail, said on Twit- August. Northern Ireland carried out the September of Gary Hutch, a neph- and beyond faced delays ter. “Black people are the fi rst to arrest operation using a Euro- ew of ‘The Monk’. Ayesterday after a ‘Black Analysts at Royal Bank of die, not the fi rst to fl y, in this rac- pean Arrest Warrant that may see Gary Hutch was murdered by Lives Matter’ protest on a run- Canada said the delays — the ist climate crisis,” the group said the suspect extradited to the Irish associates of Costa del Sol-con- way halted fl ights for six hours at second problem with the service in a statement. Republic. He has been detained in victed Irish drug smuggler Christy London City Airport and a com- this year — could damage the air- “When black people in Britain connection with murder and fi re- Kinahan. Kinahan’s associates be- puter glitch hit British Airways in line’s reputation after passengers are 28% more likely to be exposed arms charges, the PSNI said. The lieved Gary Hutch had betrayed a London and the US. took to social media to complain to air pollution than their white arrest warrant allows for suspects drug shipment in Spain. More than 120 fl ights were about delays in San Francisco, counterparts, we know that en- to be extradited between EU states. However, the ensuing gangland cancelled, delayed or diverted at Washington, DC and Atlanta on vironmental inequality is a racist The man arrested appeared at war following the Regency shoot- City, a few miles east of the Ca- Monday night. crisis.” Belfast recorder’s court yester- ings has resulted in ‘The Monk’/ nary Wharf fi nancial district, af- British Airways has been roll- The campaign group said City day morning. In the attack at the Hutch crime gang sustaining all ter nine protesters locked them- ing out a new check-in system airport was designed for the Regency Hotel in north Dublin of the casualties since the David selves together on the runway. since last year and a spokeswom- wealthy while those who lived in February, 33-year-old David Byrne murder at the hotel. Police said late yesterday an said the check-in delays were near the site struggled on low Byrne was shot dead and two men Ten men are dead including Ger- morning they had arrested all teething problems that aff ected salaries. were injured. ry Hutch’s brother as well as an in- nine and the airline was prepar- many airports. Police said the protesters were The attack was fi lmed and pho- nocent man, Trevor O’Neill, whom ing to resume fl ights. At City Airport, the protesters now in police custody after being tographed as a live TV stream was members of the Kinahan gang shot British Airways said it was earlier erected two large post- arrested on suspicion of aggra- recording a weigh-in ahead of a dead in front of his wife and chil- taking longer than normal to ers with the slogans ‘Black Lives vated trespass, being unlawfully boxing bout taking place in the dren in Majorca last month. They process customers at a number Matter’ and ‘Climate Crisis is a airside and breaching London Passengers sit outside City Airport after a protest closed the Irish capital that weekend titled had mistaken O’Neill for being a of airports around the world, in- Racist Crisis.’ City Airport bylaws. runway causing flights to be delayed, in London, yesterday. “Clash of the Clans”. member of The Hutch gang. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 15 EUROPE

German state cuts work with Top Merkel ally demands Islamic group change on refugee policy

Reuters DPA people don’t want “this Berlin after Merkel’s controversial de- Berlin Berlin policy”. cision to open her nation’s bor- However, pollsters say that ders to allow refugees stranded the confrontation between Mer- in Hungary to travel to Germany. German state has stopped key leader of Angela Mer- kel and Seehofer about refugees Since then, Bavaria has working with the coun- kel’s conservative po- has been a major factor in the emerged at the frontline of Ger- Atry’s biggest Muslim as- Alitical bloc has demanded slump in support for the CDU- many’s refugee crisis, with a sociation, which has strong links that she change course, blaming CSU bloc. large number of migrants cross- to Ankara, on a project to pre- the chancellor’s liberal refugee In spearheading criticism of ing the state’s borders into the vent radicalisation due to a row policy for her party’s humiliating Merkel’s handling of the refu- nation. over a comic that it said glorifi ed result in a weekend state election gees, Seehofer at one point also More recently, however, the martyrdom. that hints at future defeats. threatened legal action if Mer- number of refugees arriving in The state of North Rhine- Sunday’s “disastrous” out- kel failed to introduce a tougher Germany has dropped sharp- Westphalia (NRW) said it had come in the eastern German asylum policy. ly, a result of an EU deal with ended co-operation on the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpom- The CDU was beaten back Turkey – from where many of project with the Turkish-Is- mern was a result of Merkel’s into a humiliating third place in the migrants made their fi nal lamic Union for Religious Aff airs open-border refugee policy, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern push into Europe – on top of (DITIB) in Cologne. Horst Seehofer, the premier of election following a surge in this year’s closure of the Balkan A spokesman for the state’s the southern state of Bavaria, support for the new right-wing route, which was used by many interior ministry said yesterday told the daily Sueddeutsche Zei- populist Alternative for Germa- refugees travelling to northern that it had asked the DITIB to tung. ny (AfD). Europe. make a clear it did not agree with His comments underlined the Merkel’s CDU is likely to suf- “So far, Merkel has had a an illustration in a comic, pub- deep divisions in the chancel- fer another setback in weekend pragmatic and humanitarian ap- lished in Turkey by the religious lor’s coalition caused by the ar- regional elections in the central proach on the issue,” the head authority Diyanet. rival of about 1mn refugees to state of Lower Saxony and in of UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, German media reproduced Germany during the last year. Berlin later this month, when Filippo Grandi told the daily La what it said was the image in Seehofer is also chief of the the anti-foreigner AfD is likely Seehofer (right) has been spearheading criticism of Merkel’s handling of the refugee crisis. Repubblica. question, with a translation of arch-conservative Christian So- to make further gains. “I think that being a leader re- the Turkish. cial Union (CSU), the Bavarian- CDU general secretary Pe- course correction” had fallen on Minister Marcus Soeder and a was part of a much deeper prob- quires acknowledging citizens’ It depicted a conversation based allies of Merkel’s Chris- ter Tauber hit back at Seehofer, deaf ears in Berlin, with the CSU possible successor to Seehofer. lem and demanded that the immediate fears and being able between a father and son which tian Democrats (CDU) in the saying that CDU-CSU support- demanding again that Merkel “We need eff ective controls, we chancellor clarify her govern- to manage them, while sticking ended with the exchange: “Dad- national legislature. ers “expect one thing above all: step up controls on refugees en- need to fi nally know who is in ment’s stance on taxation, secu- to a much wider plan and vision, dy, is it worthwhile to become “The situation is highly unity”. tering Germany. the country.” rity and pensions by October. which should always include the a martyr?” and “Of course, my threatening for the (CDU-CSU),” In his interview, Seehofer said “We need an upper limit (for Seehofer told Sueddeutsche The Mecklenburg-Vorpom- challenge of solidarity,” Grandi dear! Who doesn’t want to go to Seehofer said, insisting that that his “multiple prompts for a refugees),” said Bavarian Finance Zeitung that the refugee policy mern election comes 12 months said. paradise?” In a statement, the DITIB said the publication was linked to a day to commemorate sol- diers who had died, especially in World War I in Gallipoli, and other victims of war. Cannibals ‘terrorise’ Venice with Bad Batch “We … have stressed that it can certainly be debated wheth- AFP US stars Keanu Reeves and Jim ing the Stone, as well as the He’s the soul, the kindness in er such a subject is educationally Venice Carrey have smaller but key roles Westerns she used to watch with this harsh environment” in the sensible. We have also stressed as a commune leader and hermit her father. fi lm, she said. that representing violence or the in the story, which critics read In researching the fi lm, she “He’s also the homeless man eff ects of violence in a way that na Lily Amirpour brought as a cautionary tale for today’s spent a year getting to know a you ignore on every street cor- glorifi es it must be completely a cannibal love story American society. community of people who live ner. I feel like it’s the same thing avoided,” it said. Astarring Jim Carrey and “At a time when presiden- “off the grid” in the desert in with Carrey: being that famous, The Qur’anic term “martyr” Keanu Reeves to the Venice tial candidate Donald Trump California in a place called “Slab no-one really sees who you are,” is used in Turkey to refer to sol- Film Festival yesterday with Bad is advocating the construction City”, and said most of the extras she added. diers killed in battle, particu- Batch. of a physical wall to protect the used had been locals. Amirpour, who also cited The larly in the confl ict with Kurdish The hotly anticipated follow- national purity of the American Former model Waterhouse, Neverending Story and Princess insurgents and other militant up to Amirpour’s Iranian vam- population”, the story of exil- 24, said she had been drawn to Bride as among her infl uences, groups. pire western A Girl Walks Home ing undesirables to a fenced-off the role from the very fi rst mo- said she identifi es with all the Offi cial designation as a mar- Alone at Night (2014) tells the wasteland “doesn’t sound all ment, but playing it had felt “like characters in her blood-splat- tyr means the families of the tale of a young girl who wanders that dystopian”, Variety maga- I was an orange being peeled. tered off ering. deceased receive compensation a desert wasteland in a futuristic zine said. I was absolutely terrifi ed and “I’m just trying to fi gure out from the state. United States. Amirpour told the world’s stayed terrifi ed throughout”. who I am. It’s this huge, massive Critics say the term glorifi es The fi lm stars Britain’s Suki Amirpour and actress Suki Waterhouse pose at the premiere of the oldest fi lm festival, where the Amirpour said she had had no thing, fi guring out who you are. confl ict. Waterhouse (of Pride and Preju- movie The Bad Batch, presented in competition at the 73rd Venice fl ick is in competition for the qualms about presenting slap- You have to constantly strip it A spokesman for the NRW dice and Zombies), as Arlen, a Film Festival. prized Golden Lion, that the stick master Carrey, famed for back down to its basic elements. interior ministry said: “We ex- misfi t who is cast out into the “action-adventure fairytale” fi lms such as Ace Ventura (1994) You have to devastate your reali- pected the DITIB to clearly dis- desert, where she is captured by by one her limbs get the chop. Miami Man (Jason Momoa of was “a love letter” to America. and Bruce Almighty (2003), with ty and everything you know, how tance itself from this. That did a community of cannibals and Salvation not only from the Game of Thrones fame), whose She said she had been infl u- a non-speaking role as “I feel you understand the system that not happen so our co-operation eaten bit by bit, kept alive to en- cooking pot but the nightmar- child Miel (Jayda Fink) Arlen enced by Robert Zemeckis’s like in a way he is the hermit”. you exist it, to be able to evaluate (in this project) has ended.” sure her fl esh stays fresh as one ish society may lie with cannibal takes under her wing. 1984 action adventure Romanc- “The hermit is so important. yourself,” she said. He said that while co-opera- tion had stopped with the DITIB on the “Signpost” programme, designed to stop young Muslims being recruited by militants, they were still working together Dozens imprisoned for insider First face transplant recipient dies on other issues such as Islam teaching in schools. The DITIB denies it is steered thefts at French auction house AFP by the Turkish government. Lille It operates through about 900 associations across Germany, AFP up to 18 months plus fi nes of with pristine white gloves. most of which are mosques with Paris €25,000 ($28,000). The porters had monopolised he world’s fi rst face imams sent by Turkey. The lavish lifestyles of some the transport and handling of transplant recipient, Some senior German poli- of the porters had long been a valuables for Drouot, one of the TFrenchwoman Isabelle ticians have in the past few Paris court has jailed 35 source of suspicion. world’s oldest auction houses, Dinoire, died in April “after a months called for a rethink of former employees of the One apparently drove a Por- since 1860. long illness”, a hospital said yes- ties between the German au- Aprestigious Drouot auc- sche 911 and the latest BMW Much of the pilfering oc- terday. thorities and the DITIB which tion house for stealing valuable cabriolet, while another alleg- curred while the porters set In 2005, at the age of 38, Di- have built up over some 30 years. antiques and artworks in an edly bought a Paris bar with the about emptying the homes noire received a graft compris- German Chancellor Angela insider racket thought to date fruits of his spoils. of wealthy people after their ing the nose, lips and chin of Merkel has drawn criticism for back decades. The convicted men were deaths, taking items that were a brain-dead donor to replace cosying up to Turkish President The former porters were among 43 porters and six auc- not inventoried. parts of her face that had been Recep Tayyip Erdogan to help found guilty of helping them- tioneers who were tried in Two pieces by leading Art mauled by her dog. tackle the migrant crisis. selves to antiques, jewels and March for gang-related theft, Deco designer Eileen Gray went The hospital in Amiens, Tensions in Germany’s Turk- artworks including a Chagall conspiracy and handling stolen missing in July 2006, appear- northern France, confi rmed the ish community of about 3mn painting and rare Ming dynasty goods. ing three months later on the death of “Mrs D, the fi rst pa- This combination of pictures of Dinoire a few months after her people are also mounting be- porcelain items. Investigators alleged institu- Drouot auction block where tient in the world to receive a 2005 operation (left, on February 6, 2006) and one year later (in tween supporters of Erdogan The porters – who trans- tionalised theft by the porters, they sold for a combined total face transplant”. November 2006). and his foes especially after Ju- ported and stored objects des- known as “Les Savoyards” as all of €1mn. The hospital said her death ly’s attempted coup. tined for sale by Drouot – were members of the secretive group The porters claimed they had had been kept quiet to protect Jean-Pierre Meningaud, of that were heavy and infl exible. The decision to end the sentenced to up to three years came from the French Alpine no idea the objects – a pedes- her family’s privacy. a team at a Paris hospital that She spoke with a pronounced project, made in June, has come in prison with 18 months sus- region of Savoie. tal table and a dressing table – The ground-breaking op- has performed seven face trans- lisp but was otherwise compre- to light because of an answer pended. The employees are also could fetch such a fortune, with eration had raised hopes around plants, told AFP: “All the pa- hensible as she recounted how by NRW Interior Minister Ralf Three auctioneers were also known as the “Cols Rouges” one saying that they were to the world for victims with faces tients we operated on have had she had fainted after “taking Jaeger to a question from two re- convicted in the scam, with after the red trim on the collars have been “hauled away by the disfi gured in accidents or as- reactions of rejection, which medicines to forget” personal gional lawmakers. suspended prison sentences of of their black uniforms, paired rag-and-bone man”. saults, with surgeons in the leads to higher doses of drugs, problems. United States, Spain, China, and with them, the risks.” “When I woke up, I tried to Belgium, Poland and Turkey He added that in addition to light a cigarette and I couldn’t performing partial or full trans- the risk of rejection a number of understand why it didn’t stay plants since the ground-break- other problems can crop up in- between my lips. Then I saw the ing surgery on Dinoire. cluding “grafts that age a little pool of blood and the dog next Teachers face arrest for using ‘Gulen app’ But the initial enthusiasm faster than (the patient), prob- to me,” Dinoire said. “I went to over the procedure has been lems of (skin) colour, high blood look in the mirror and was hor- tempered by a daunting risk pressure (and) mood”. rifi ed.” AFP city of Kayseri launched an op- Some of the suspects were de- Turkish offi cials have said that that the patient’s body will Meningaud said that with Di- But the ground-breaking op- Istanbul eration with 400 offi cers in a bid tained, it said, without providing the coup plotters used ByLock, a eventually reject the donor’s noire’s death, “we should put eration gave her a new lease on to detain 147 teachers accused of any exact number. little-known messaging app, to tissue. these transplants on hold pend- life. using the app ByLock, the Ana- The report did not give further coordinate the conspiracy. Le Figaro newspaper reported ing advances in immunology”. “Since my operation I have urkish prosecutors yester- dolu news agency said. details on what messages were However, Turkey’s National that Dinoire’s body had rejected Dinoire gave a remarkable a face, like everyone ... I will be day issued arrest warrants The teachers, who had already exchanged via the app. Intelligence Organisation (MIT) the transplant last year “and news conference in February able to resume a normal life,” Tfor almost 150 teachers been suspended in the wake of Turkey says Fethullah Gulen began decrypting messages sent she had lost part of the use of 2006, just three months after the divorcee said. who allegedly used an encrypted the July 15 coup attempt, are ac- masterminded the failed coup on ByLock from May last year, her lips”. the operation, when the blonde, The operation was led by messaging app employed by fol- cused of “breaching the con- from his compound in Penn- the offi cials have said. The drugs that she had to blue-eyed mother of two ap- Jean-Michel Dubernard, a lowers of the US-based Muslim stitution”, “attempting to bring sylvania, using followers in This enabled authorities in the take to prevent her body from peared before a scrum of TV world-renowned surgeon at preacher authorities blame for down the Turkish government”, Turkey who had built up a top- wake of the coup to identify tens rejecting the transplant left her cameras. Edouard Herriot hospital in the the botched coup bid, state me- and “membership of an armed level presence within state insti- of thousands of Gulen followers, susceptible to cancer, and two She appeared to be wearing eastern city of Lyon, and Ber- dia said. terrorist organisation,” according tutions over several years. including top-ranking military forms of cancer had developed, thick make-up to disguise the nard Devauchelle, a professor of Police in the central Anatolian to the report. Gulen denies the charges. personnel. the report said. scars of the procedure and lips facial surgery. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 INDIA

Man in acid attack is Protests in convicted for murder Karnataka IANS Mumbai

ore than three years af- ter a Delhi nurse died Mfollowing an acid at- over Cauvery tack, a court yesterday convicted her obsessed neighbour Ankur Narayanlal Panwar for murder. Additional Sessions Judge A S Shende found Panwar, 27, guilty of the murder of Preeti Rathi and causing grievous hurt by throw- water order ing acid under the Indian Penal Code. Security tightened around water to Bengaluru, Mandya and Minister Siddaramaiah has in- “The convict had a one-sided reservoirs Mysuru,” Gowda said. vited fl oor leaders of all political love for the victim. He even asked “When we are being given only parties in the state legislature, her not to travel to Mumbai and IANS drinking water and not a drop central ministers from the state the girl had rejected his marriage Bengaluru for irrigation, why should farm- and members of parliament to an proposal,” Special Public Pros- ers in Tamil Nadu be given water all-party meeting to discuss the ecutor Ujjwal Nikam told report- to grow their crops? This is pat- apex court order and decide on ers after the verdict. day-long shutdown is be- ently unjust and the Karnataka the next course of action. “Out of jealousy, the convict ing observed at Mandya government must fi le a review In Chennai, opposition Drav- attacked her with acid, which Atown in Karnataka in pro- petition in the Supreme Court ida Muinnetra Kazhagam chief he purchased from New Delhi,” test against the Supreme Court against the decision,” said Man- M Karunanidhi asked the Tamil Nikam said. order asking the state to release dya legislators M H Ambareesh. Nadu government to spell out its He will be sentenced today. Cauvery river water to Tamil Protesters also burned effi gies next course of action. A resident of Narela in New Nadu. of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J In a statement issued, the Delhi, Rathi, 23, was attacked by The district authority was Jayalalithaa and stopped all buses former chief minister wondered Panwar shortly after she alighted forced to declare a holiday for coming from Tamil Nadu. whether the Tamil Nadu govern- from the Garib Rath Express train schools and colleges in the town, “We do not want to give even a ment would convene an all-party at Bandra terminus on the morn- about 100km from here, after drop of water to Tamil Nadu. The meeting to discuss the issue and ing of May 2, 2013. protesters staged massive rallies Karnataka government is to blame also take an all-party delegation She succumbed to multiple or- and demonstrations, blocking as it could not put the case of Kar- to meet Prime Minister Narendra gan failure on June 1 that year on vehicular traffi c on the Bengalu- nataka farmers properly in the Modi. account of the severe acid burns. ru-Mysuru state highway. court,” a protesting farmer said. The DMK chief said the re- Panwar had covered his face Though additional police lease of 15,000 cusecs of water to with a handkerchief and it be- personnel were deployed in “We will not allow the state Tamil Nadu over the next 10 days came practically impossible for the town and on the highway government to release the was insuffi cient for crops in his the investigators to identity him to maintain law and order and river water to Tamil Nadu state. though Rathi had named him as prevent untoward incidents, when it is not able to supply Pattali Makkal Katchi lead- one of the possible suspects. the state-run Karnataka State it to our fi elds to grow er Anbumani Ramadoss con- Both the victim and the ac- Transport Corporation (KSRTC) paddy, wheat, sugarcane demned the Karnataka govern- cused – who was caught eight has suspended bus services in and other crops and for ment for allegedly not releasing months after the crime was com- the district and across the old drinking in the region” the water despite the Supreme mitted – were neighbours and Mysuru region. Court order, and said Siddara- family friends in Bhakra Beas “We will not allow the state In a related development, po- maiah was indulging in “delaying Management Board Colony. government to release the river lice have tightened security and tactics.” He was nabbed on January water to Tamil Nadu when it is stepped up vigil in and around Ramadoss said the setting up 17, 2014 by the Mumbai Crime not able to supply it to our fi elds the four reservoirs – Kabini, of the Cauvery Management Branch from his New Delhi home. to grow paddy, wheat, sugarcane Krishna Rajendra Sagar (KRS), Board and Cauvery Water Regu- The needle of suspicion point- and other crops and for drink- Hemavathi and Harangi – in the latory Authority was a perma- ed at Panwar very late as his fam- ing in the region,” Made Gowda, river basin as hundreds of farm- nent solution to the problem. ily and the victim’s family were leader of the Karnataka Rajya ers threatened to lay siege if more He urged the central and state close friends. Raitha Sangha (state farmers’ as- water was released to the neigh- governments to ensure the safe- He later confessed to jealousy sociation) said at Mandya. bouring state. ty of Tamilians living in Karna- as the motive behind his attack After Tamil Nadu’s counsel “The state government has taka. since she had got a good, well- pleaded for water to save the also banned visitors and tourists The ruling All India Anna paying job but he remained un- samba crop in about 40,000 from entering the KRS dam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam employed. acres of agricultural fi elds in the Brindavan Gardens near Mysuru party welcomed the court’s de- Rathi had secured a job as a Cauvery delta region, the apex till September 9 to prevent pro- cision and expressed hope that lieutenant with the Indian Navy’s court on Monday ordered Kar- testers and agitating farmers the court will ensure full justice INS Ashvini Hospital in Colaba nataka to release 15,000 cusecs from staging demonstrations or by ensuring adequate water from and had come to Mumbai to join of water daily for 10 days on the laying siege at the sluice gates,” a the Cauvery. duty. policy of “live and let live.” district offi cial said. “It is the relentless battle that Panwar claimed he was taunt- The beleaguered Karnataka T B Jaychandra, Karnataka law Jayalalithaa fought through the ed and insulted by his own family government, however, expressed minister, appealed to the public legal system that has borne fruit members and neighbours for his its inability to release more wa- not to take law and order in their today,” said AIADMK spokesper- inability to get work while Rathi ter as the four reservoirs across hands and to maintain peace. son C R Saraswathi. managed to secure a prestig- the river basin are half-empty “We know that the Supreme She expressed hope that the ious assignment with the Indian due to a rainfall defi cit during the Court is the highest court in the central government would en- Navy. southwest monsoon in August. country. We have to obey their sure justice to Tamil Nadu by Though he eluded investigators “The state government should orders. My appeal to the public impressing upon Karnataka to for eight months, Nikam said that immediately fi le a review petition is not to resort to agitation and honour the court’s judgment call data records of Panwar, when in the Supreme Court for with- keep calm. They should co-op- and release water. “Tamil Nadu tallied with the railway time ta- Protesters burn an eff igy of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in Bengaluru yesterday. Protests drawal of its order as we don’t erate with the state government,” is hoping for more relief from bles, showed that he had travelled erupted across the state after the Supreme Court ordered Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil have enough water for supply- Jaychandra said. the Supreme Court,” Saraswathi on the same train as the victim. Nadu. ing to our farmers and drinking Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief added. Kejriwal’s Punjab plans are falling apart

Where did it all go wrong?” decided to form a political party hallmark of his party while other Singh Chhotepur, who has been in tary elections in Punjab with four If Arvind Kejriwal is a man and because Hazare would have parties simply don’t act against Punjab politics for over 40 years seats, was said to have a realistic “of clear conscience that’s the nothing to do with it, Kejriwal such people. But the moot ques- and who joined AAP just before chance of emerging at the top of question he must be asking him- said goodbye to him. So far so Delhi Diary tion that Kejriwal would not the parliamentary elections of the heap although an outright self over and over again. good because, unlike the freedom answer is how out of the seven 2014, has been charged with cor- majority could still elude it. Al- For someone who started his struggle when Gandhiji fought By A K B Krishnan people he had chosen three have ruption when, according to him, though Kejriwal would not have life in social/public service with a foreign enemy, the enemy this already been proved to be unde- all he did was accept a donation any tie-up with either the Con- Mother (Saint) Theresa’s Mis- time was within and any fi ght of Gulf Times Correspondent serving of their exalted positions of Rs200,000 towards party fund. gress or the Akali-BJP combine, sionaries of Charity in Kolkata, this new enemy had to be initiated in a matter of months. If his ca- Curiously, Kejriwal had resorted he was looking for a repeat of Del- Kejriwal has well and truly trav- and led from within. pacity to assess seven individuals to sacking Chhotepur even before hi where the AAP initially ruled as elled a long way. Unfortunately in So getting into politics was not extremely suff ocated within the elections. But, according to Ya- is under question, how capable is instituting an inquiry against the a minority government and then the wrong direction! a bad thing, after all. Although …..due the dictatorial attitude of dav, Kejriwal was only concerned he in assessing the needs of nearly allegations while in the case of came back strongly with a deci- His all-or-nothing attitude his attempt to make a big splash its top leadership.” This is the ex- about the “winnability” of the 18mn people in Delhi? his Delhi Principal Secretary Ra- sive victory. during Anna Hazare’s anti-cor- all across India did not bear fruit, act tweet except for the omission candidates. Their backgrounds Stretching it further, how good jendra Kumar, he had continued Kejriwal did not want anyone ruption agitation endeared Ke- the people of Delhi gave him tre- marks which are deliberate. were of no consequence to him as will Kejriwal be in catering to the to defend him even after charges in the way of his march towards jriwal to Indians from almost all mendous support and brought his If you thought the leadership long as they could win the seat. needs of Punjab’s 30mn people? were framed by the Central Bu- power in Punjab. So Chhotepur walks of life except, of course, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to power. and party under reference is the And so they won a big victory For, if reports are to be believed, reau of Investigation. was sidelined. Then there was the political and the bureaucrat- Naturally, the average voter AAP, you are wrong. That was a and everyone rejoiced. But, in the Delhi chief minister is seri- Chhotepur apparently had his the question of Sidhu who had ic. Here’s our messiah, our new cannot fathom the goings on in- tweet from none other than Ke- hindsight, it is perhaps safe to as- ously considering moving to Pun- sights set on chief ministership of sent enough feelers to Kejriwal. Mohandas Gandhi, thought peo- side a political party as well as jriwal himself about the Bharatiya sume that Kejriwal continued his jab and taking over the reins of Punjab, something that Kejriwal But his demand of chief minis- ple from Kanyakumari to Kargil. those who work within and man- Janata Party (BJP) after one-time autocratic ways in the selection of that state if the upcoming assem- would not want to tolerate. Apart tership was something Kejriwal He is going to straighten out our age it. The Delhi citizen thought cricketer-turned-politician Nav- his cabinet as well. With 70 mem- bly elections go in favour of his from anti-incumbency, the ruling could not stomach, so Sidhu did politicians and offi cials through a she had voted a very honest, jot Singh Sidhu resigned his Rajya bers in the assembly, Delhi can party. His present deputy Manish Akali Dal-BJP combine is riddled not even get a look-see into AAP. modern-day non-violent revolu- clear-minded man who would Sabha membership last month. have a maximum of seven min- Sisodia is tipped to head the Delhi with corruption charges mainly Sidhu has since formed his own tion. Indeed Kejriwal succeeded, lead the city state into an era of The metamorphosis of Kejriwal isters. In about 18 months’ time, cabinet. thanks to the Badal father-son party and Chhotepur is now ar- for a brief while at least, in making growth, prosperity and hap- from a champion fi ghter of dis- three of the seven have been found “I am myself taking command duo, Parkash Singh and Sukhbir rayed against Kejriwal. Besides, Indians believe that he would de- piness. But unbeknown to her honesty in public life to just an- to have indulged in forgery, cor- of Punjab elections. You need not Singh. there are allegations that several liver the nation from the corrup- things were getting hot inside the other run-of-the-mill politico is ruption and rape. And they have worry. I will myself go and placate For decades nepotism has AAP functionaries in Punjab are tion, injustice and inequality that party from Day One. complete. all been dismissed. good people and throw out those been writ large in the Badal clan. indulging in sexual misconduct had been the bane of the republic Within a matter of months af- One of the main reasons cited To boot, one of his most trust- who are dishonest,” Kejriwal The elder Badal, who is the cur- promising women party tickets almost from the day it was born. ter returning to power with the by Yadav, Bhushan, Anant Ku- ed senior bureaucrats has been told the Punjabi diaspora in Italy rent chief minister, also has his for the elections. The party’s MP Kejriwal had declared from biggest majority in Delhi’s po- mar, etc. for their decision to leave in and out of jail on corruption where he had gone to attend the son-in-law as one of the cabinet and Punjab election in-charge many a platform – Delhi’s Ramlila litical history, the AAP’s warts the AAP was the dictatorial way charges. That’s not all. Nine of his canonisation of Mother Theresa. ministers apart from getting his Bhagwant Singh Mann is also in Maidan being the foremost – that began to show as several of its in which Kejriwal selected party MLAs are out on bail after charges The operative word here is “tak- daughter-in-law and Sukhbir’s all sorts of trouble with the law his life’s mission was to fi ght the founder-leaders like Yogendra candidates for last year’s Delhi ranging from desecration of a holy ing command.” wife Harsimrat Kaur hoisted onto and even journalists. corrupt politician and, therefore, Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Anant assembly elections. These party book to abetting suicide, moles- Kejriwal has already drawn the the federal cabinet of Prime Min- It’s well and truly falling apart he would never ever join politics. Kumar and Maninder Singh Dhir “elders” had warned Kejriwal tation and assault were pressed battle-lines for Punjab. The one ister Narendra Modi. The upcom- for the AAP. Now, as he surveys For this he would always be with resigned citing Kejriwal’s author- that several undesirable elements against them. man who could have challenged ing elections could mostly likely his “fallen” soldiers and the jaded his mentor Anna Hazare. itarian ways of running the party. had got into the party and a lack Kejriwal claims prompt puni- his quest for power has been sum- see the end of the Badal reign. and withering ranks of his party, Then, because of “people’s And then this tweet: “Hon- of proper screening had enabled tive action against the guilty – or marily removed from the party’s The AAP, which registered its Kejriwal must be really wonder- compulsions”, as he put it, he est and gud people are feeling them to obtain tickets for the even supposedly-guilty – is the convener post in the state. Sucha lone success in the parliamen- ing: “Where did it all go wrong.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 17 INDIA

PETITION CORRUPTION TRAGEDY INVESTIGATION CAMPAIGN HC asks JNU not to take ED files charge-sheet 30-year-old dies of UDF cries foul over No temple agitation till action against Kanhaiya against LIC agent malaria in Delhi ‘vindictive’ raids UP polls: Togadia

The Delhi High Court yesterday asked The Enforcement Directorate (ED) yesterday A 30-year-old man is the first victim in New The United Democratic Front (UDF)-led Kerala The Vishwa Hindu Parishad won’t launch any the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) filed a charge-sheet against Life Insurance Delhi to die of malaria this year, authorities opposition yesterday cried foul over the ongoing agitation to build a temple in Ayodhya till administration to not take any action till Corporation agent Anand Chauhan in the said. Praveen Sharma was admitted to the Max raids against a former minister of the Congress and assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh get over next September 19 against students’ union president disproportionate assets case registered against super speciality hospital in east Delhi on August termed the exercise as vindictive. Since Saturday, year, its leader Pravin Togadia said yesterday. Kanhaiya Kumar and seven others. Justice Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra 28 following high fever and weakness. Tests the Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau Togadia, however, said the VHP was committed Sanjeev Sachdeva also asked the university to Singh. The charge-sheet was filed in the court conducted at the hospital confirmed malaria. has raided the homes of former excise minister to constructing the temple at the site where submit its response before the court on students’ of Special Judge Vinod Kumar. The ED told the Sharma, who initially underwent treatment at and Congress leader K Babu, his two daughters the 16th century Babri mosque was razed in petition against the finding of the appellate court that further investigation into the role of the Max hospital, was referred to the Safdarjung and two close aides in connection with a probe December 1992. “A Ram temple in Ayodhya authority. Kanhaiya Kumar moved the high Virbhadra Singh and his wife was continuing and Hospital after his condition deteriorated on into his alleged disproportionate assets. After a will be constructed. It is a fact,” he said. VHP court challenging the findings of the university’s it may file a supplementary charge-sheet later. September 2. According to the doctors, Sharma meeting of UDF, its convener P P Thankachen activists who brought down the Babri mosque appellate authority holding him guilty of Chauhan is accused of laundering the alleged succumbed to the disease on Sunday night. “On said there has been a blatant violation of all rules built on its ruins a makeshift temple which is indiscipline in connection with the controversial disproportionate assets acquired by Virbhadra the very first day itself, the hospital confirmed and procedures in undertaking the raids. “The open to pilgrims. The VHP has always said it February 9 event on campus in which “anti-India” Singh as federal steel minister. Chauhan is that my son was suff ering from malaria. Doctors government is using the Vigilance Bureau as a tool plans to erect a grand temple there. Togadia slogans were allegedly raised. The JNU appellate accused of investing Virbhadra Singh’s “tainted” tried but could not save him,” Praveen’s father to settle political scores. This will be dealt with also lauded the Bihar government’s decision to authority had imposed a fine on Kanhaiya Kumar. money of Rs50mn in LIC policies. Rewati Prasad Sharma said. both legally and politically,” said Thankachen. impose prohibition in the state. Govt doubles Bihar town in ‘deep water’ budget for digitisation of land records

Reuters ownership and less corruption in New Delhi administration, Phull said. Matters related to land and property make up about two- ndia will nearly double the thirds of all civil cases in the budget and extend the dead- country, according to a recent Iline for a programme to digi- study by Daksh, a legal advocacy tise land records as states strug- group based in Bengaluru. gle to survey land and property, India has introduced several large chunks of which have not land laws in the past decade to been mapped in a century, a sen- give more rights to farmers and ior offi cial said. indigenous people. People make their way through floodwaters after rescue at Pant Nagar after heavy rains in Gaya town in Bihar yesterday. The flood toll in Bihar went up to 204 even as The national land record But the complex web of legis- the water levels of the overflowing Ganges river receded, according to a Disaster Management Department report. modernisation programme, lation has not always helped the launched in 2008, was aimed most vulnerable, with the lack of at surveying lands, upgrading clear title deeds also a challenge. records and establishing owner- One of the main goals of Prime ship. Scheduled to be completed Minister Narendra Modi’s Digit- in 2016 with a budget of Rs56bn al India campaign launched last ($841mn), the project will now year was the digitisation of land conclude in 2021 at a projected records. States including Mad- cost of Rs110bn. hya Pradesh and Chattisgarh “It is a long process, as some have completed the process to of these lands have not been sur- digitise land records, Phull said. Protester killed as fresh veyed in a long time, some for 30 Others including Andhra years, some for 100 years,” said Pradesh, Telengana, Tamil Nadu K K Phull, a consultant with the and Maharashtra are scheduled department of land records in to be done in a few months, he New Delhi. said. “Many states lack the means In Maharashtra, about 270mn to survey lands, and for nearly all documents are being digitised, clashes erupt in Kashmir states this has not been a top pri- with surveys under way in sever- ority so far, hence the delays,” he al districts, a spokesman for the Muslim clerics plan to take lice and troops would use chil- In New Delhi, a delegation youth, and would try to con- by them, like they did to a hand- told the Thomson Reuters Foun- land records department said. out peace march li-based shells instead of ones of Muslim clerics of the Barelvi vince them in the light of ful of people recently,” he said. dation. The move to extend the dead- fi lled with birdshot to quell the school met Singh on the Kash- Qur’an, Hadith and traditions Calling the members of all- The process includes mapping line and increase the budget for Agencies unrest after hundreds of civil- mir issue and urged him to lead of great Sufi saints to abandon party delegation who went to of land with aerial surveys, sat- the programme is awaiting the Srinagar ians sustained serious eye inju- a delegation of Sufi scholars to violence,” Raza said. meet Hurriyat leaders on Mon- ellite imagery, drones, as well as cabinet’s approval, Phull said. ries in the clashes. the state while off ering to take He, however, dismissed the day as “chai khor”, Raza said physical markers. Existing land “Our attitude towards land The government has been out a peace march there them- prospect of any talks with sepa- that they should not have broken records are also verifi ed and put records is to forget about them protester died from pel- coming under growing pres- selves. ratists. away from the delegation and online and linked to landowners. until there is a dispute or an let gun injuries during sure over the level of casualties “We met Home Minister Ra- “How can we talk to people gone to meet the separatists. The programme aims to pro- emergency,” Phull said. Afresh clashes with secu- in Kashmir during the protests jnath Singh and proposed that who are raising ‘Pakistan zinda- “Why should we go to them? vide clear titles of ownership “Digitising land records can rity forces yesterday in Jammu against Indian rule, which broke he should lead a delegation bad’ slogans? We are very clear Kashmiri kahwa tou Dilli me bhi that should result in government have far-reaching benefi ts for and Kashmir, a hospital offi cial out after the death of rebel of Sufi scholars and clerics to that we would not go at their milta hai (Kashmiri kahwa is offi cials being able to monitor the country. It is important we said, a day after the government leader Burhan Wani on July 8 in Kashmir. doorstep only to be turned away available in Delhi too),” he said. land more easily, speedier trans- complete it on a priority basis,” said it would replace the weap- a gunbattle with soldiers. We would try to instil some actions, fewer disputes over he said. ons. More than 70 civilians have sense in the minds of stone- No decision yet on PM’s Pak visit The 21-year-old man was been killed and thousands in- pelting youths,” Maulana Ansar killed during clashes in Anant- jured in the worst violence to Raza of Garib Nawaz Founda- Prime Minister Narendra Modi High Commissioner, Gautam Disappointed with Kejriwal: Hazare nag district southeast of the hit the Muslim-majority state tion, who led the delegation, is looking forward to visiting Bambawale, told an event in main city of Srinagar, in which since 2010. said. Pakistan in November to attend Karachi on Monday that the Well-known social activist deeply saddened by whatever police said scores were injured. The metal pellets or birdshot Raza said the 60-odd Sufi s the Saarc summit, according visit was possible despite Anna Hazare yesterday said has happened in Arvind’s party,” There have been weeks of fi red from the pump-action from various khanqahs across to India’s High Commissioner tense India-Pakistan ties. “I his dream about his one-time he added. Hazare’s remarks deadly unrest in the state. shotguns rarely result in deaths, India plan to take out a peace in Islamabad. But New Delhi can’t say about the future but protégé and Delhi Chief Minister came in the wake of the arrest “Naseer had a zero degree but can often blind victims if march in Kashmir with the said yesterday that no decision as of today Prime Minister Arvind Kejriwal bringing about of sacked Delhi minister pellet injury near his heart. the fragments hit them in the Qur’an in one hand and the ‘Ti- had been made yet. “Decisions Modi is looking forward to a positive change in the political Sandeep Kumar in an alleged That means he was shot from eye. ranga’ (national tricolour) in the and announcements of such visiting Islamabad for the Saarc system lies shattered. “It is my rape case. Hazare said he had very close range,” an unnamed Authorities lifted a curfew in other. nature are not made so far summit in November,” the misfortune that the dream of been watching AAP with great medical superintendent at Seer most parts of the territory late He stressed that Sufi sm is the in advance,” External Aff airs Dawn quoted Bambawale as change which I saw in Arvind expectations and had hoped Hamdan hospital in Anantnag last month, but schools, shops way forward in Kashmir. Ministry spokesman Vikas saying at an interactive session has been shattered now,” that its leaders will work hard to said of the victim. and many banks remain closed “Sufi sm is the path of love Swarup tweeted. Swarup’s of the Karachi Council on Hazare told Times Now news bring about a change in society Federal Home Minister Ra- while residents struggle with a and forgiveness. We would remarks came a day after the Foreign Relations. channel in an interview. “I am and set an example in politics. jnath Singh said on Monday po- communications blackout. speak with the stone-pelting Mani alleges conspiracy Rahul at farmers’ rally RBI clarifi es against him by Congress on KYC norms IANS per financial year, the central Mumbai bank said. By Ashraf Padanna mous amount of money from duced to six, while Chandy was Banks only need to recon- Thiruvananthapuram hoteliers promising to renew surviving on a wafer-thin ma- fi rm KYC details every 2, 8 or their liquor licences. jority. he Reserve Bank of In- 10 years depending on the risk “I assigned a private agency to He, however, refused to re- dia has sought to dispel profi le, it added. erala Congress (M) leader investigate into the conspiracy spond to the report that Chen- Trumours and curb mal- For KYC norms, one “proof K M Mani, who is facing and understand what transpired nithala had the support of Chan- practices in banks on the pre- of identity” and “proof of ad- Kseveral corruption cases, (among them),” he said. dy to trap him in the bar bribery text of Know Your Customer dress” and a recent photograph yesterday said he had received “I know the conspirators, but scam. (KYC) norms by issuing clari- are enough to open a bank ac- a report from a private detec- my esteem does not permit me It also reportedly lists the es- fi cations on the guidelines. count, the RBI said. tive agency about a conspiracy to reveal their names. I know tranged leader P C George and The RBI guidelines say: “If The Aadhaar card, a driving hatched by his former allies everything.” former minister Adoor Prakash your current address is not the licence, voters’ identity card, against him. The report, the channel says, and former legislator Joseph same as the proof submitted passport or National Rural Mani, 82, the longest serving has claimed that the former Vazhakkan, both identifi ed close to your bank, a simple decla- Employment Guarantee Act legislator, left the Congress Par- home minister Ramesh Chen- to Chennithala, as the conspira- ration of your new address is (NREGA) card serves as both ty-led United Democratic Front nithala, a prominent Congress tors. adequate.” proof of identity and proof of (UDF) last month ending a 32- leader, had approached Mani Reports meanwhile said re- Even without the “proof of address while PAN card serves year bonding, saying the senior seeking his support to wrest sentment was brewing within identity and address,” any- only as proof of identity, the partner was trying to destabilise power from the then chief min- Mani’s party with senior leaders one can open a savings bank central bank clarifi ed. his party and the “bar bribery” ister Oommen Chandy. like P J Joseph and C F Thomas Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi waves to supporters at “small account” by submit- For any grievances about allegations against him was part When asked if any “emissary” distancing from his moves term- the launch of a month-long 2,500km Kisan Yatra I (farmers’ ting a recent photograph and the KYC process, a person can of it. of Chennithala had met him with ing it suicidal in the state’s bipo- march) in Rudrapur of Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district signature and enjoy account complain to the bank and if A regional television chan- the request, Mani said many had lar politics in which Prime Min- yesterday. Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was balance of up to Rs50,000, unsatisfi ed with the response, nel quoted him as saying that met him. Mani’s party had nine ister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya ready to waive off loans of rich corporates but wasn’t ready withdrawals of up to can directly complain to the he hired the private agency after members in the 140-member Janata Party (BJP) is slowly to do that in the case of farmers. Rs10,000 per month and to- RBI’s Banking Ombudsman, allegations that he took an enor- assembly, which has now re- emerging as a third force. tal credits of up to Rs100,000 the notifi cation said. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

LAW AND ORDER CLAIM PEOPLE DECISION COMMENT Mexico arrests drug cartel Cuban dissidents say text Journalist charged after Brazil bans firm from govt IMF says it could lift honcho wanted in US messages blocked anti-Maduro protest work over Petrobras bribes Argentina censure in Nov

Mexican authorities have arrested a suspected A group of Cuban dissidents have accused A prominent journalist and lawyer jailed on Brazil has banned IESA Oil & Gas from government The International Monetary Fund said it could lieutenant of the Sinaloa drug cartel who is the communist authorities of blocking text Venezuela’s Margarita island has been charged work for paying bribes, the third construction and remove its unprecedented 2013 censure of wanted in the US, off icials said. National security messages with words such as democracy, with money laundering, according to family and a engineering company barred in the massive graft Argentina in November after the country commissioner Renato Sales said the suspect, human rights or hunger strike. A 10-day study rights group, following his arrest after publicising and political kickbacks scandal involving contracts improved its reporting of key economic Martin “N,” was arrested in Zapopan, western carried out by a dissident news website identified a protest against President Nicolas Maduro. with state oil company Petrobras. The ministry statistics. The IMF executive board said that Jalisco state. Sales said the suspect crashed a list of some 30 words that apparently caused Videos published by activists, purportedly from of transparency, Brazil’s primary anti-corruption Buenos Aires had made “extraordinary eff orts his vehicle and injured a police off icer when state cell service provider Cubacel to block text the locality of Villa Rosa, showed scores of people agency, said IESA would not be able to bid for and important progress” in improving the he was captured under a warrant to extradite messages containing them. “That doesn’t mean banging pots and pans and jeering the socialist new government contracts for at least two years, accuracy of growth and inflation data that they him to the US. While he did not fully identify the there aren’t more,” said Reinaldo Escobar, editor- leader as he visited the island on Friday evening. and lifting the ban will depend on repayment are required to supply the fund as a member. suspect, Sales said the US treasury department in-chief of the website, 14ymedio. “If we change More than 30 people were briefly detained, of losses to Petrobras. Brazilian builder Mendes “Beyond the advances regarding the quality of declared in October 2011 that the man and his one letter, the message goes through,” he said. He activists said on Saturday. The incident came as Junior Engenharia was barred from bidding for the data, the Executive Board also commended two brothers ran a drug distribution network accused President Raul Castro’s government of the opposition has been stepping up its campaign government contracts in April and the local unit of the authorities’ intention to strengthen the and money laundering businesses in Culiacan, trying to “make communication diff icult for civil for a referendum to recall Maduro, who says a Swedish construction company Skanska AB was national statistics agency,” they said in a Sinaloa state. society.” coup is being planned against him. banned in May. statement.

Venezuela seeks Spanish Colombians academic’s assistance will say ‘yes’

Reuters Caracas

enezuelan President to peace, Nicolas Maduro has Venlisted a Spanish aca- demic to help the South Ameri- can country manage chronic product shortages. Alfredo Serrano is the only foreigner to form part of the says Santos Superior Organ of the Grand Mission of Sovereign Supply, AFP Recent polls show that nearly impossible,” he said. a group of civilians and mili- Bogota 60% of Colombians support the “This is an imperfect peace but tary officers tapped by social- agreement, but it faces tough op- an imperfect peace is always pref- ist President Nicolas Maduro in position from critics led by former erable to a perfect war,” he added. response to the country’s eco- olombia’s President Juan president Alvaro Uribe, Santos’ The Farc is the country’s larg- nomic crisis. Manuel Santos says he is onetime boss and now a vehement est guerrilla force with about 7,500 He will work on the crea- Ccertain his government’s opponent. fi ghters. tion of a “new distribution and peace deal with Farc rebels will Uribe says a special justice sys- It rose up against the state in marketing system” under the be approved in an October 2 ref- tem envisaged for crimes commit- 1964, starting what is now Latin supervision of Food Minister erendum because “an imperfect ted during the confl ict would give America’s oldest armed confl ict — Rodolfo Marco, according a peace is always preferable to a Farc fi ghters impunity. “I would one that also spawned rightwing resolution published in Ven- perfect war.” like to see anyone who commit- paramilitary groups, drug cartels ezuela’s official gazette. “The ‘no’ won’t win. The ‘yes’ ted horrible crimes, crimes against and other armed groups. Serrano has political beliefs camp will win. I’m completely humanity, behind bars,” Santos A smaller leftist guerrilla group, similar to those of Spanish an- sure of that and I am not worried said. “But I prefer transitional jus- the National Liberation Army, or ti-austerity party Podemos and about what some call Plan B. I’m tice so we don’t continue produc- ELN, is still active but has indi- is friends with several high- absolutely convinced,” Santos said ing more victims. cated it also wants peace talks. profile party members, a party in an interview. That transaction isn’t easy to “That depends on ELN,” said spokesman said in an interview. The president said he had not accept for many people, but it is Santos. “They have sent signals He is not a member of Po- been obliged to put the agreement necessary if we want peace.” in that direction, and I tell them: demos, the spokesman said. ending the 52-year confl ict with Santos said he had expected ‘Perfect, just free those you have Serrano did not respond to the Revolutionary Armed Forces the victims of the confl ict to be kidnapped’.” requests for comment. of Colombia, or Farc, to a referen- the biggest critics of the arrange- Meanwhile, his government has Maduro has promised an dum. ments for judging rebels, but to his already negotiated an agenda for “economic miracle” for a na- “But a referendum is a demo- surprise they have been his biggest peace talks with the ELN, he said. tion struggling with triple-digit cratic thing, it gives much more le- supporters. Santos has staked his presi- infl ation, snaking supermarket gitimacy to an agreement like this “A perfect peace doesn’t exist dency on achieving peace in a con- lines, and a deep recession that one. That’s why I insisted there be because a perfect peace implies a fl ict that has claimed more than he blames on an “economic war” a referendum,” he said. perfect justice system, and a per- 220,000 lives. It has involved a led by his adversaries with the The agreement reached in Ha- fect justice system makes peace dramatic role change for him. support of Washington. vana last month after nearly four His adversaries say the ma- years of negotiations will be for- Clinton ‘better for peace than Trump’ laise is caused by the state-led mally signed in the Colombian city socialist economic model of of Cartagena on September 26. Colombian President Juan Manuel and Hillary have been great allies price and currency controls, But then Colombians must give Santos weighed in on the US of Colombia,” Santos said. “I know and insist that extending gov- a thumbs-up to the question: “Do presidential election, saying Hillary them both and both are very good ernment control over the econ- you support the fi nal accord to end Clinton would be better for the friends of Colombia.” He was chillier omy will only make the situa- the confl ict and build a stable and peace process than Donald Trump. on the subject of Trump, who has tion worse. lasting peace?” The US has been a key ally of won himself enemies in Latin Maduro in recent months has If they do, the Farc will have 180 Colombia in recent years, spending America with inflammatory remarks boosted the role of the armed days to demobilise, disarm and re- more than $10bn on a joint anti- on immigrants. “I don’t know Trump, forces in the distribution of launch itself as a political party. narcotics strategy. Launched when and Trump’s policies aren’t very in staple products and created The UN has agreed to monitor Clinton’s husband Bill was president, sync with what Colombia wants socialist neighbourhood com- the process. “Plan Colombia” largely funded the from the US and what Colombia has mittees to sell products to indi- If Colombians vote no, “these military’s fight against the Farc and sought from the entire world: free vidual consumers in efforts to people will go back to the jungle other armed groups involved in trade, immigration policies that are fight smuggling of subsidised Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos arrives for the interview at Casa de Narino presidential and we will go back to what we drug traff icking. “Both Bill Clinton suitable for every country,” he said. goods. palace in Bogota, Colombia. had...when we began,” Santos said.

Pipeline inaugurated Hurricane smashes Hunger strike aff ects into Mexico resort ex-Gitmo inmate’s health AFP There were no immediate re- La Paz, Mexico ports of injuries. Some 14,000 tourists are AFP The six men have had a run- entry and that they are trying to in Los Cabos and about 1,000 Montevideo ning dispute with the Uruguayan arrange for his family to be relo- urricane Newton bat- elsewhere in the region. There government over housing and cated to Uruguay. tered Mexico’s north- was no immediate information living allowances, and Diyab says Diyab says he would not be able Hwestern resort of Los about the situation at hotels. former Guantanamo in- Uruguay is not doing enough to to support them in Uruguay and Cabos yesterday, tearing down Some 1,500 people took ref- mate who was resettled reunite him with his family. wants to be resettled elsewhere. trees and blowing away tin roofs uge in shelters in Los Cabos, Ain Uruguay has been hos- He caused alarm in June when He is a veteran hunger striker, as thousands of tourists and lo- Vazquez said. pitalised after suff ering from the he went off the radar, appar- having staged prolonged hun- cals hunkered down. Local airports closed late eff ects of a prolonged hunger ently evading border control and ger strikes during his 12 years at The powerful storm packed Monday while small boats were strike, a source said. sneaking into Venezuela. Guantanamo to protest his de- 145km per hour winds when barred from using the ports, Diyab, a 45-year-old Syrian He showed up at the Uruguay- tention. it made landfall before dawn with a storm surge expected to who has been on a hunger strike an consulate in Caracas in July He made international head- at the southern tip of the Baja hit low-lying areas. to press his demand to be reunit- asking to be taken to his family in lines when he launched an ulti- California peninsula, two years Schools were shut down. ed with his family in Turkey, was Turkey. mately unsuccessful court case after Hurricane Odile ravaged In La Paz, the capital of the admitted to a Montevideo hos- He was arrested and held in in the US in an attempt to stop the region. state of Baja California Sur pital at 8.30pm (2330GMT), said what his lawyer condemned as prison offi cials from force-feed- The US National Hurri- north of Los Cabos, locals put the source, who is close to Diyab. unacceptable conditions before ing him. cane Centre said Newton was tape on shop windows and fi lled “He was very bad, his blood being deported back to Uruguay Diyab and the other fi ve ex- “pounding Baja California Sur their cars with gasoline. pressure was very high, he had a on August 30. Guantanamo detainees were re- with hurricane-force winds The US hurricane centre’s low pulse, he had a lot of pain,” Diyab earlier said he has been settled in Uruguay as part of US and heavy rains.” “The winds latest bulletin placed the eye of said the source, who asked not on hunger strike for about 20 President Barack Obama’s eff ort are very strong,” Los Cabos civil Newton 50 miles northwest of to be identifi ed, adding that they days — starting when he was to fulfi l his long-delayed promise protection director Marco An- Cabo San Lucas, one of the re- had been present when he was jailed in Venezuela — and has to close the prison set up in the tonio Vazquez said. “We don’t gion’s resorts. examined by a doctor. “He’s very drunk no liquids for three days. wake of the 9/11 attacks. have light right now.” It was just fi ve miles from the thin and very dehydrated.” “Enough already,” he said. Accused of terrorist links, the “For now the damage in- town when it made landfall. Diyab has clashed repeatedly “I’ve been here (in Uruguay) for men — four Syrians, a Palestin- cludes a lot of branches, a lot Los Cabos, famed for its with the authorities in Uruguay a year and nine months, and they ian and a Tunisian — were never of fallen plants, many trees,” beaches and nightlife, was since being resettled as a refugee haven’t found a solution to my charged or tried. They had been Vazquez said, adding that he pummelled in September 2014 nearly two years ago along with situation.” cleared for release but could not Bolivia’s President Evo Morales attends an event to also saw telephone cables as well by Hurricane Odile which left fi ve other former Guantanamo Uruguayan offi cials say Tur- be sent to their home countries inaugurate a pipeline in Bulo Bulo in the Chapare region. as tin roofs from poorer neigh- six people dead and caused $1bn detainees. key has refused to allow Diyab because of unrest there. bourhoods on the streets. in damage. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 19 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Ministries to be linked with public complaint resolution system

Pakistan’s Federal ombudsman Charity attacked in deadly Muhammad Salman Faruqui has ordered ministries and other federal departments to link their complaint system with the Public Complaint Resolution Mechanism System of the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat. In this regard, a meeting was wave of Kabul violence chaired by Hafiz Ahsan Ahmad Khokhar, senior adviser law AFP forces gunned down all three and grievance commissioner Kabul attackers. for overseas Pakistanis. No militant group has so far Representatives of 35 ministries claimed responsibility for the and other attached departments ilitants attacked an raid on the charity, but it comes attended the meeting. international charity as the Taliban ramp up their na- Khokhar asked the Min Kabul yesterday tionwide off ensive against the representatives of the ministries during an hours-long assault US-backed government. and departments to establish labelled a “war crime” by The attack on CARE Interna- the Complaints Resolution Amnesty, as the capital reeled tional “is the deliberate target- Mechanism under the supervision from a wave of violence that ing of civilians and constitutes of an off icer of BS-19 and also killed at least 41 and wounded a war crime”, Amnesty Inter- establish a helpline for public dozens. national said, calling for an in- complaints and guidance. The assault on CARE Inter- dependent probe to bring the He also gave detailed briefing national began late Monday perpetrators to justice. on the CR mechanism. Under with a massive car bombing, The assault had been preced- this complaint mechanism, if a just hours after the Taliban car- ed by twin Taliban blasts that ministry or department fails to ried out a brazen double bomb- killed at least 41 people during reply to the complainant within ing near the defence ministry. rush hour on Monday, includ- 15 days, it would automatically A plume of smoke rose over ing high-level offi cials, and left generate a complaint in the off ice the upscale neighbourhood of 110 wounded. of Federal Ombudsman. Shar-e Naw after the raid on The rise in casualties was He also directed that details of the charity, located next to the announced yesterday by the attached departments be sent offi ce of Afghanistan’s former health ministry, which had ear- within three days, and a focal intelligence chief Rahmatullah lier put the death toll at 24 with person and a complaint off icer Nabil. 91 wounded. be appointed to deal with this CR It remains unclear which The second of the two ex- mechanism. compound was the intended plosions struck just as soldiers, Khokhar said, this system target of the attack, which left policemen and civilians hurried will improve governance of piles of rubble and shards of to help the victims of the fi rst government departments, glass strewn across the area. blast. and change the existing public “An armed group launched High-level defence offi cials perception about them. He also an attack on what is believed were among those killed, in- said that with this mechanism, to have been an Afghan gov- cluding a young military offi c- inquiries against off icials etc., ernment compound located er. Compounding the tragedy, would have to be finalised within close to the Kabul offi ce of his mother also died when she a stipulated period. CARE,” the charity said, add- heard of his death. Security personnel keep a watch in front of the entrance to the charity organisation following a car bomb blast that targeted the CARE Under this MIS system, off icers ing its staff had been safely “Colonel Ahmed’s mother International compound at Shar-e-Naw in Kabul yesterday. would be bound to generate the evacuated. died of a heart attack after hear- Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) “The incident continued ing of her son’s martyrdom,” and the back of police trucks. ican University in Kabul. capital comes as the Taliban Lashkar Gah, the capital of the within the year, failing which salary through early Tuesday morning former deputy interior minister Firemen raced to retrieve Earlier in August two pro- escalate nationwide attacks, southern opium-rich province of the supervisory off icer would with damages sustained to the Ayub Salangi tweeted. “She lost some bodies thrown into the fessors from the university, an underscoring the worsening se- of Helmand. be stopped. He said that no off icer CARE compound.” two other sons before him.” Kabul River by the force of the American and an Australian, curity situation and the heavy The Taliban have also recent- would be in a position to blackmail The interior ministry said 42 Ambulances were over- blast. were kidnapped at gunpoint price paid by civilians since ly closed in on Kunduz – the any subordinate on the name of people including 10 foreigners whelmed by the carnage outside The violence, condemned near the campus. Their wherea- Nato forces ended their combat northern city they briefl y seized ACRs and inquiries. were rescued. It added that six the defence ministry Monday. by President Ashraf Ghani, bouts are still unknown and no mission at the end of 2014. last year in their biggest military Khokhar said that with this people had been wounded in There were so many disfi gured came more than a week after group has publicly claimed re- Afghan forces backed by US victory since the 2001 US in- mechanism, an automatic the attack, which ended yes- bodies that some had to be 16 people were killed when sponsibility for the abductions. troops are trying to head off a vasion - leaving Afghan forces complaint system would be terday morning when Afghan taken to hospitals in car boots militants stormed the Amer- The uptick in violence in the potential Taliban takeover of stretched on multiple fronts. generated. Afghan refugees leave Defence Day PM’s energy Pakistan over tougher measures on visits home targets set to

Reuters The UN High Commis- until December 2016, but re- miss deadlines Islamabad sion for Refugees said 67,057 strictions and harassment have refugees were permanently grown, say refugees and the repatriated in August, up from UNHCR. Internews the conversion of these power ore than fi ve times 12,962 the month before and “The increase in the number Islamabad projects and completion of the number of Afghan 1,250 in June. of security operations against others can drag well beyond Mrefugees returned “The main reason for this is undocumented foreigners has next year. home from Pakistan in Au- the closing of the Torkham bor- also impacted refugees’ deci- akistani Prime Minister On August 6, the prime gust than in July, the United der gate, because these people sion-making,” said UNHCR Nawaz Sharif was in- minister was briefed by wa- Nations’ refugee offi ce said want to be able to go back and spokeswoman Duniya Aslam Pformed yesterday that ter and power offi cials on the yesterday, seeking to escape forth across the border, and that Khan. the conversion of a highly ex- progress of power projects harassment in the host nation has completely stopped,” said Police increasingly demand pensive thermal power plant including the conversion of and stiff er measures on visits Baryali Miankhel, president of bribes from refugees, Miankhel into gas was not possible be- Guddu and Nandipur power home. the Supreme Council of Afghan said, even those with Proof of fore next year amid reports of projects. Pakistan is home to the Refugees in Pakistan’s Khyber Registration cards showing a serious irregularities commit- The Nandipur Power Project world’s second-largest refugee Pakhtunkhwa province. legal right to stay. ted during the execution of the was inaugurated in May population, including 2.5mn Torkham is 180km (112 miles) “The police harass people, project. 2014. It became fully func- Afghans, many living there northwest of Pakistan’s capital ask for money, and confi scate The controversial Nandipur tional in July 2015. However, since the Soviet Union invaded of Islamabad and 170km (106 refugees’ cards unless they are power project has lately been in September 2015, the plant Afghanistan in 1979. miles) east of Kabul, the Af- paid bribes,” he added. in the spotlight but for all the stopped functioning owing to Until recently the Afghan ghan capital. Pakistani authorities deny wrong reasons. From the re- ‘technical problems’. refugees did not need pass- “These people have brothers harassing Afghan refugees. ports of corruption including The plant was made func- ports or visas to cross the po- and other relatives on the other Repatriations are on course huge rise in the project’s cost tional in October, but broke rous border and visit families side, that’s why the border re- this year to reach their high- to long delays in its launch, down again in November and left behind. strictions are the main reason,” est level since 2008, with the the plant lurched from one questions were raised over But Islamabad has begun ask- Miankhel added. UNHCR saying 103,013 refu- controversy to another. the capacity and operational ing for such documents follow- Under the UNHCR pro- gees have returned to Afghani- Petroleum Minister Shahid durability of the project. ing brief cross-border clashes in gramme, refugees returning stan from Pakistan, 93 percent Soldiers perform in a ceremony to celebrate the country’s Defence Khaqan Abbasi told the prime The government decided to June between Afghan and Paki- home get a special document within the last two months. Day in Lahore yesterday. Pakistan yesterday celebrated the 51st minister that the conversion covert the plant into gas after stani forces that killed four peo- permitting them to make the The surge coincided with a anniversary of its second war with arch-rival India weeks after the of Guddu and Nandipur into being criticised for producing ple at the main Torkham crossing journey. doubling of the UNHCR’s grant two nuclear powers faced off in some of their deadliest skirmishes gas-based plants was not pos- highly fuel-expensive power. on the disputed 2,600km (1,616- In June, Pakistan extended for returning refugees, to $400, in over a decade. sible anytime soon, and said Reports suggest that the cost mile) -long frontier. Afghan refugees’ right to stay Khan said. “steps” were being taken to of the project that was Rs23bn achieve this target by next has soared up to Rs58bn. year, offi cial sources said. Last month, Wapda chairman However, a carefully-draft- Zafar Mehmood had resigned ed press release issued by the reportedly due to his diff erences PM House attempted to give with the federal government over the impression that every- the issue of mega power plants. ‘Pakistan critical to US interests’ thing was well. Mehmood called on the “The federal minister in- prime minister on August 16, formed the prime minister and quit his offi ce on August Internews says an offi cial US document on ism and lost over 50,000 people will continue to face signifi cant portive of these policy goals. that all arrangements were in 22 – less than a week later. Islamabad the need for continuing aid to to violent acts. and broad challenges to its inter- It notes that the US and Pa- place to ensure the provision The prime minister was re- Pakistan in the fi scal year 2017. He also urged other nations to nal security, economy and social kistan enjoy a positive security of gas to Guddu and Nandipur portedly unhappy over repeat- The document, posted re- help Pakistan combat terrorists. sectors, all of which threaten its partnership and are working col- power projects next year.” ed delays in the execution of akistan remains critical cently on a US government web- The argument that the Obama long-term trajectory.” laboratively to address security “Sui Northern Gas Pipelines power projects and expressed to US counterterrorism site, explains why during his administration makes in the The document says that due threats faced by both nations. (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas his annoyance during his visit Peff orts, nuclear nonpro- visit to India last week Secre- document justifying its decision to these reasons the US will The document explains that Company (SSGL) are heavily to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydro- liferation, regional stability, the tary of State John Kerry rejected to continue security and eco- “continue its intensive engage- non-security US assistance to investing in the up-gradation electric Project on August 12. peace process in Afghanistan, the suggestion, made at media nomic assistance to Pakistan in ment with Pakistan to advance Pakistan supports development, of transmission and distribu- Meanwhile, the statement and regional economic inte- briefi ngs and public engage- 2017 further explains this point. our joint interest in a democratic co-operation and reform in fi ve tion network across the coun- issued by the PM Offi ce after gration and development, ar- ments, that Washington needed “Through security assistance, Pakistan that is developing eco- key areas: energy, economic try,” the statement said. Tuesday’s briefi ng passed the gues the Obama administration to abandon Pakistan as it was not the United States is enhancing nomically, countering militancy growth, stabilisation of areas The sources said contrary buck on to past governments while explaining why Washing- a trustworthy ally. Pakistan’s capabilities to ad- and contributing to peace and most vulnerable to extremism, to what the minister had as- for the energy crisis. ton needs to stay engaged with In his fi rst comment, however, dress its counterterrorism and stability in the region”. education and health. sured the prime minister, the “The government has been Islamabad. Secretary Kerry advised Paki- counterinsurgency challenges The US administration ex- The document also mentions stipulated timeline for power making speedy progress in all “The United States therefore stan not to make distinctions in the Federally Administered plains that its engagement with Pakistan’s eff orts at countering projects, including the con- key sectors including energy, has a deep interest in a stable, between “good terrorists” and Tribal Areas (Fata),” says the Pakistan is facilitated both violent extremism within its ter- version of the two projects infrastructure development democratic and prosperous Pa- “bad terrorists”, though in a later document. through the US-Pakistan Stra- ritory which, it says have “con- into gas-based plants, was and social welfare projects kistan, as well as long-term con- statement he said that Pakistan The Obama administration tegic Dialogue and through the tinued to expand and achieve fi xed between June 2017 and to mitigate suff erings of the structive bilateral co-operation,” itself had been a victim of terror- warns that in 2017, “Pakistan assistance aligned with and sup- results”. March 2018, implying that common man,” it said. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Crime war Govt scrambles to soothe claiming 44 lives a tensions after Obama slur day: police AFP Reuters Manila Vientiane n average of 44 people ew Philippines Presi- are being killed each day dent Rodrigo Duterte Ain Philippine President Nsought to defuse a row Rodrigo Duterte’s war on crime, with the United States yester- according to police data released day, voicing regret for a con- yesterday that showed the death troversial reference to President toll surging to nearly 3,000. Barack Obama, a comment that The new fi gures came after prompted Washington to call off Duterte vowed on Monday to a bilateral meeting. defy a wave of international con- The tiff between the two al- demnation and continue killing lies overshadowed the opening until every drug traffi cker in the of a summit of East and South- Philippines was dead. east Asian nations in Vientiane, “More people will be killed, Laos. plenty will be killed until the last It also soured Obama’s last pusher is out of the streets,” said swing as president through a Duterte, who scored a landslide region he has tried to make a fo- election victory in May largely cus of US foreign policy, a strat- on his promise to fi ght crime. egy widely seen as a response to “Until the (last) drug manu- China’s economic and military facturer is killed, we will con- muscle-fl exing. tinue and I will continue.” Diplomats say strains with Police have killed 1,033 people longtime ally the Philippines in anti-drug operations since could compound Washing- Duterte was sworn into offi ce ton’s diffi culties in forging a just over two months ago, ac- united front with Southeast cording to the national police Asian partners on the geostra- update on Tuesday. tegic jostle with Beijing over the Another 1,894 people have South China Sea. died in unexplained deaths, po- Duterte has bristled repeat- lice said, which rights groups edly at criticism over his “war believe are largely due to out-of- on drugs”, which has killed control security forces and hired about 2,400 people since he assassins. took offi ce two months ago, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the convention centre to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting in Vientiane yesterday. Right: Presidential The total of 2,927 is more than and on Monday said it would be spokesperson Ernesto Abella talks to the media after he read a statement from the Philippine government at the Asean Summit in Vientiane. 500 higher than the fi gure re- “rude” for Obama to raise the leased by police on Sunday, and question of human rights when added. “He expressed his deep South Korean President Park $90mn over three years to help drugs have been killed in po- ing a vital global trade route and equates to an average of 44 a day they met. regard and affi nity for President Geun-hye, a day after North clear unexploded ordnance, lice operations since July 1 and jeopardising freedom of move- since Duterte took offi ce on June Such a conversation, Duterte Obama and for the enduring Korea fi red three medium-range which has killed or wounded a further 1,500 have been clas- ment at sea and in the air. 30. told reporters, would prompt partnership between our na- missiles into the sea. over 20,000 people. sifi ed as “deaths under inves- China rejects those accusa- US President Barack Obama him to curse at Obama. He has tions.” He urged a full implementa- But the unusually open ten- tigation”, a term human rights tions and accuses the United was planning to raise concerns previously used the epithet Obama’s deputy national se- tion of sanctions against North sions between the United States activists in the Philippines say States of ratcheting up tensions about the war on crime with Du- against Pope Francis, although curity adviser, Ben Rhodes, said Korea, adding that the missile and the Philippines, its former is a euphemism for extrajudicial unnecessarily. terte at a meeting in Laos yester- he later apologised, and the US the focus on Duterte’s com- test demonstrated the threat colony, threaten to overshadow killings. China claims most of the day afternoon. ambassador to the Philippines. ments leading into the summit that Pyongyang posed. the Association of Southeast Duterte has poured scorn on South China Sea, through which But Obama cancelled the After Washington called off had not created a construc- Obama is also likely to hold Asian Nations (Asean) and East critics of his uncompromis- more than $5tn of trade moves meeting after Duterte warned yesterday’s bilateral meeting tive environment for a bilateral an unscheduled meeting in Laos Asia Summits in Laos, which ing campaign, usually larding it annually. he would not be lectured to, and between Obama and Duterte in meeting. with Japanese Prime Minister run until tomorrow. with curses. He lambasted the Brunei, Malaysia, the Philip- used an expletive against the US response to his latest comment, “All of the attention frankly Shinzo Abe to discuss North The 10-member Asean will United Nations after it criti- pines, Taiwan and Vietnam have president. the Philippines issued two was on those comments, and Korea, Rhodes said. also meet leaders of other re- cised the surge in killings and he rival claims. Philippine police insist they statements expressing regret therefore not on the very sub- He said Washington needed gional powers: China, Japan, turned down a meeting with UN An arbitration court in The are killing only in self defence. and also briefed reporters. stantive agenda that we have to maintain a sense of urgency South Korea, Australia, India, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Hague in July invalidated Chi- “They have guns, they are “President Duterte explained with the Philippines,” he told within the international com- Russia and the United States. at the Laos summit. na’s territorial claims after a drug-crazed. Our policemen are that the press reports that Pres- reporters. munity on sanctions against Duterte won the presidency He has accused a senator case was brought by the Philip- just defending themselves,” na- ident Obama would ‘lecture’ Offi cials from both countries Pyongyang. in May after promising to sup- heading an inquiry into the pines, a ruling Beijing refuses to tional police spokesman Dion- him on extrajudicial killings led said there would be no formal Obama, the fi rst sitting US press crime and wipe out the killings of getting payoff s from recognise. ardo Carlos said. to his strong comments, which meeting rescheduled in Laos president to visit Laos, said yes- illegal drug trade in a country drug lords. Duterte said last month he Police chief Ronald dela Rosa in turn elicited concern,” the but a short conversation be- terday he wanted to address the where the number of metham- Manila has been aligned with expected all Asean members to has also regularly said the un- Philippines government said in tween the two presidents was legacy of US bombing during phetamine users is estimated to the United States in its dis- support the arbitration court’s explained deaths are due to drug a statement. “He regrets that possible. the Vietnam War. be at least 1.3mn in a population pute with China over the South ruling, but that the Philippines syndicates waging war against his remarks to the press have Instead of the Duterte meet- He announced that Washing- of 100mn. China Sea, in which Washing- would not raise the issue in each other, rather than extraju- caused much controversy,” it ing, Obama held talks with ton would provide an additional About 900 people linked to ton blames Beijing for militaris- Laos. dicial killings by vigilantes and others. Still, Duterte has promised to protect police from pros- ecution if they are charged over the deaths and insisted human Tokyo to off er planes, ships for Health department confi rms rights cannot get in the way of his war. He has also urged ordinary Manila amid sea row with Beijing fi rst Zika virus case of year Filipinos to kill drug addicts in their communities. Dela Rosa last month called Reuters Abe and Philippine President rival claims. An arbitration court By Lorenzo Antonio Mendoza Tayag described the fi rst Zika case for the for drug addicts to kill traffi ckers Vientiane Rodrigo Duterte agreed in Vien- in The Hague in July invalidated Manila Times year as a 45-year-old female, married and not and burn down their homes. tiane to strengthen co-operation China’s claims to the waterway pregnant, from Iloilo province.The virus most The United Nations special to ensure a peaceful resolution after a case was brought by the likely came from local transmission because rapporteur on summary execu- apanese Prime Minister of the South China Sea dispute, Philippines, a ruling that Beijing ealth authorities on Monday an- the woman had no history of travel to any af- tions has warned incitement to Shinzo Abe yesterday agreed Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet refuses to recognise. nounced that a woman from Iloilo had fected country in the past two weeks, Tayag kill is a crime under interna- Jto provide two large-sized Secretary Koichi Hagiuda said. Japan’s ties with China has Htested positive for the mosquito-borne said. Tayag said the woman reported to doctors tional law. patrol ships and lend up to fi ve China claims most of the been marred by a long-running Zika virus that causes microcephaly in new- on August 31, and was found to have skin rashes But Duterte has told the Unit- used surveillance aircraft to the South China Sea, through which territorial spat over a group of borns, the fi rst such case recorded this year. and joint pains, but without fever. ed Nations not to interfere and Philippines, a Japanese govern- more than $5tn of trade moves small islets in the East China This brought to six the total number of cases She was confi ned in a local hospital where said he will use all means neces- ment spokesman said, with both annually. Sea. Japan has already agreed to registered in the country since 2012, Depart- urine and blood samples were collected. The sary to eradicate drugs in society, countries locked in territorial Brunei, Malaysia, the Philip- provide 10 smaller-sized patrol ment of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Eric 45-year-old tested positive for Zika in both which he insists is the nation’s disputes with China. pines, Taiwan and Vietnam have ships to the Philippines. Tayag told reporters in a news conference. urine and blood samples. biggest problem. Duterte vows strong action against militants

AFP Duterte, 71, also claimed to Vientiane keep two mistresses in cheap boarding houses who he took to short-stay hotels for sexual en- hilippine President Rod- counters. rigo Duterte has vowed to Duterte on Monday off ered Ppersonally tear apart and a particularly vivid description eat Abu Sayyaf militants, in a of how he would like to eat Abu bloodthirsty vow of revenge for Sayyaf militants, who killed 15 deadly attacks. soldiers last month and are ac- “They will pay. When the time cused of a bombing in his home comes, I will eat you in front of city last week that claimed 14 people,” Duterte told an audi- lives. ence of Filipinos late on Monday “I will really carve your torso night while in Laos for a regional open. Give me vinegar and salt summit. and I will eat you. I’m not kid- “If you make me mad, in all ding,” Duterte said, according honesty, I will eat you alive, raw.” to an offi cial video of his speech Duterte often hurls abusive posted yesterday. “These guys insults at critics and is waging are beyond redemption.” a brutal war on crime in which The Abu Sayyaf are a small nearly 3,000 people have been band of militants based on re- killed since he took offi ce on June Soldiers standing guard next to an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), mote southern islands of the 30. inside a military camp in Jolo, Sulu province, in the southern island of mainly Catholic Philippines and His aides often urge reporters Mindanao, as they prepare for an operation against the Abu Sayyaf group. are listed by the United States as against taking Duterte’s com- a terrorist organisation. ments literally, cautioning that During the election campaign “beautiful” Australian mission- They are notorious for kid- the 71-year-old former lawyer earlier this year Duterte at- ary who had been sexually as- napping foreigners to extract Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) inspect licenses of motorcycle drivers at a PNP checkpoint speaks in a crude language of the tracted widespread criticism for saulted and murdered in a Phil- ransoms, and this year beheaded in Metro Manila yesterday. people. saying he had wanted to rape a ippine prison riot. two Canadian hostages. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 21 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Police to handle Prominent Bangladesh unclaimed bodies of editor released from jail militants AFP charges of plotting to murder magazine called Mouchake Dhil. IANS Dhaka Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s More recently, he became the Dhaka son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who lives convenor of the international in the United States. aff airs committee of opposition prominent Bangladeshi Police said they had found leader Khaleda Zia’s Bangla- s relatives were reluc- magazine editor was evidence linking the editor to desh Nationalist Party (BNP) tant to receive bodies of Areleased from jail yes- the plot, claims his family and and headed a pro-opposition A19 killed militants, Dhaka terday nearly fi ve months after supporters reject. think-tank named G-9. Police yesterday said what to do his arrest on charges of plotting Rehman was the third pro- The government launched with the bodies will be decided to kill the premier’s son, a case opposition editor to have been a major crackdown last year after test reports. that sparked fears of a press arrested by authorities includ- against activists from the BNP Dhaka Police spokesman Mas- crackdown. ing on charges of sedition, and its Islamist allies follow- udur Rahman said the decision Shafi k Rehman, 81, who triggering repeated calls from ing a transport blockade that on the bodies of the militants is also a British citizen and a rights groups for their release. left scores dead in a failed bid to killed in the July 1 cafe attack and former speechwriter for the Journalists have also been force Hasina to resign. subsequent raids will be fi nalised main opposition leader and the detained under provisions of a The Supreme Court last after receiving reports, Xinhua premier’s arch rival, was re- controversial defamation law Thursday granted Rehman bail news agency reported. leased days after the Supreme which critics say gives the gov- for three months or until po- Six militants were killed in Court granted him bail. ernment free reign to quash lice submitted a charge sheet the cafe attack, nine in Dhaka’s “He is very weak. He has dissent. against him, his lawyer, M Kalyanpur raid, three, includ- been suff ering from heart and Concerns over freedom of Asaduzzaman, said. ing Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury, other ailments,” his wife, Taleya speech are also rising in Muslim- “We’re hoping the bail will one of the masterminds of the Rehman, said after his release majority Bangladesh following a be extended,” Asaduzzaman Spanish cafe attack, in the out- from Kashimpur prison outside spate of gruesome killings of sec- told AFP, adding that Rehman’s skirts of the capital city and one Dhaka. ular bloggers and liberal activists passport had been seized. in Dhaka’s Mirpur area. “We are taking him to Birdem by Islamic extremists. Authorities last week ar- Rahman said relevant authori- Hospital in Dhaka where he will Rehman was a long-time rested an award-winning editor ties will decide whether the bod- be treated,” she said. editor of Jai Jai Din, a mass-cir- of a specialist education web- Bangladeshi magazine editor Shafik Rehman (centre, left ) is welcomed by his wife Taleya Rehman ies would be handed over to their Police arrested Rehman from culation Bengali daily. He now site for allegedly defaming an (second, left) and supporters after his release in front of Kashimpur Central Jail on the outskirts of families or Anjuman, an organi- his home in April on conspiracy edits a popular Bengali monthly infl uential ex-schools chief. Dhaka yesterday. sation well-known in Bangla- desh for its burial service. The families are yet to claim the bodies, reportedly kept at hospital’s morgues, he said. According to the sources, Nepal launches hunt for man-eating leopard though the identities of the most of the slain militants have been confi rmed through DNA test, DPA and dragged away a four- region. The animal attacked her geted children and women. So none of their families are willing Kathmandu year-old girl, said Kishor and snatched her away from her we have ordered our forces to to receive their bodies. Kumar Chaudhary, chief ad- house,” he said, adding that the either capture it alive or kill it,” Weeks after July 1 attack at ministrative offi cer of the number of victims has reached he said. the Holey Artisan Bakery, nine uthorities in Nepal Baitadi district, 600km west two dozen in the past four years. Locals have been warned not suspected militants were killed have launched a hunt of Kathmandu. A team of 20 people includ- to venture outside their home as Bangladesh law enforcers Afor a wild leopard after The girl’s body - with an arm ing police offi cers, rangers and alone and to keep an eye on conducted a raid on a hideout of it killed two girls in two weeks missing and head separated - local hunters had been de- children, Kunwar said. banned Islamist outfi t Jamaatul in the country’s remote west- was found on Sunday about ployed in the region, Bal Nars- Three years ago, the local ad- Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). ern region, local offi cials said 800m away from the house, ingh Kunwar of the district’s ministration launched a simi- Nine Italians, seven Japanese, yesterday. said Chaudhary. police force said. lar campaign, announcing an two Bangladeshis, an Indian and The animal pounced on a “She was the second victim “The people of Tallo Swarad award of 25,000 Nepali rupees a Bangladeshi-origin American group of four children playing in two weeks. A seven-year-old have been terrifi ed because of ($234) to anyone who captured were among the 22 people killed Tarique Rahman in the courtyard of their home girl was also killed in the same the attacks. The animal has tar- or killed the animal. in the attack.

No charter change Sedition charges under external Kite festival pressure: Ex-PM Dhaka building fi led against Tarique, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN- UML) would not agree to amend three others Nepal’s new constitution under cordoned off after pressure from any external force, former prime minister and party By Mizan Rahman The investigation offi cer chairman K P Sharma Oli has said. Dhaka of the case made a plea to the “Though constitution is a dynamic three men barge in court to issue a warrant for document and can be amended the arrest of three absconding according to needs of the time, olice yesterday sub- accused, including Tarique. why do we need it now?” Oli said IANS An offi cial told bdnews24. mitted a charge-sheet On January 8, 2015, the trea- talking to reporters at the Tribhuvan Dhaka com from the spot that the Pagainst four people, in- son case was fi led with Tejgaon International Airport in Kathmandu situation was not yet clear. cluding Bangladesh Nation- police station over the live tel- on his return from Thailand. An employee at mobile alist Party (BNP) leader Tar- ecast of a provocative speech “The CPN-UML would not agree olice in Dhaka yesterday phone operator here said the ique Rahman and former ETV by Tarique at a programme in to amend the constitution under cordoned off a multi- suspects entered the NCC chairman Abdus Salam, in a London on January 5. pressure of any external force,” Oli Pstorey building at Dha- Bank branch by force around sedition case fi led in 2015. According to the case state- said without naming any country. ka’s upmarket Gulshan area, 9am. Detective Branch inspec- ment, Tarique instigated his In the past, Oli has alleged that after reports that some youths Gulshan police station in- tor Imdadul Haque, also the party men by delivering ‘pro- India was behind the months-long forcibly entered a showroom spector Salahuddin said the investigation offi cer of the vocative’ speech against law agitation by Madhesis demanding in the locality. youths entered the LG show- case, submitted charge-sheet enforcers which led to anarchy amendments to the Constitution Additional Commis- room and not the bank. before the Dhaka chief metro- in the country at that time. including redrawing of the sioner Shahabuddin Hundreds of policemen politan magistrate’s court. Salam committed the country’s federal provinces. Qureshi told reporters that stood guarding the build- The court fi xed September same off ence by broadcast- He said the amendment to the the police cordoned off ing from where two bags have 29 to make a decision whether ing Tarique’s ‘provocative’ constitution should not be done the multi-storey building been recovered. the charges brought against speech, which also posed a against democracy and national on information that three “Our bomb disposal experts the four accused will be ac- threat to the sovereignty of interests, adding the statute could suspicious persons carry- will examine the bags,” Sala- cepted or not. Bangladesh. not be amended just to fulfil vested ing bags entered the build- huddin said, adding that “af- The two other accused are Salam, who was arrested interests of some political groups. ing forcibly, Xinhua news ter which we can analyse the Mahathir Farooki Khan, the on January 6, in a statement At this time, both the government agency reported. situation”. then chief reporter of ETV and before a magistrate confessed and the agitating parties did not “We’re not sure yet whether Armoured vehicles and Kanak Sarwar, the then special to sedition charges brought have any concrete logic behind they are thieves or militants,” fi re service trucks were also correspondent of the private against him. their agenda for the constitution he said. rushed to the spot. TV channel. Tarique, BNP chairperson amendment, he said. It was not clear from the Security has been tightened Tarique, Mahathir Farooki Khaleda Zia’s eldest son, has Oli had resigned in July, bringing an initial reports whether the in the diplomatic area after A boy prepares to fly his kite during a kite festival in Khan and Kanak Sarwar have been in London since Sep- abrupt end to his nine-month-old young persons had entered militants attacked a Spanish Colombo. The annual kite festival was held in Sri Lanka’s been shown as fugitives in tember 11, 2008 on medical government that struggled with the task the NCC Bank branch or some cafe in Dhaka on July 1 that left capital on Sunday where hundreds of decorated kites the charge-sheet while Abdus grounds after securing parole of post-earthquake reconstruction and other business establishment 22 people, mostly foreigners, were flown throughout the day. Salam is now in jail. in various cases. crippling protests by the Madhesis. by force. dead. WHO hails Lanka’s remarkable ‘public health achievement’

Thomson Reuters Foundation The WHO attributed the WHO’s South East Asia director Globally, there were 214mn tries have recently eliminated it aged to eff ectively lay down the During the country’s New Delhi South Asian country’s suc- Poonam Khetrapal Singh said cases of malaria and more than altogether. ground work for the elimination 1986/87 epidemic there were cess to a strategy that de- late on Monday. 438,000 deaths in 2015. Analysts But, in South East Asia, the of the disease. more than 600,000 cases of ployed mobile clinics, boosted “This is testament to the say the actual fi gure is probably parasite which causes malaria Sri Lanka stepped up its bat- malaria, while during its 1999 he World Health Organi- public health awareness cam- courage and vision of its lead- higher because many cases are is developing resistance to the tle against the killer disease at epidemic, the number of con- sation (WHO) has de- paigns and intensively target- ers, and signifi es the great leaps not reported. most eff ective drug treatment the turn of the millennium after fi rmed cases of malaria reached Tclared Sri Lanka free of ed the parasite, as well as the that can be made when targeted Spread by the female and scientists are concerned re- malaria cases soared in the 1970s almost 265,000. malaria, hailing it as a “remark- mosquito. action is taken. It also demon- anopheles mosquito, it aff ects sistance may spread to Africa. and 1980s. By 2006, Sri Lanka recorded able public health achievement” This included providing strates the importance of grass- people in most developing More than 80% of Sri Lanka’s “Mobile malaria clinics in less than 1,000 malaria cases for the Indian Ocean island, once drugs to populations who roots community engagement countries. Sub-Saharan Af- 22mn population live in rural ar- high transmission areas meant annually, and since October one of the most aff ected nations may unknowingly be carrying and a whole-of-society ap- rica carries a disproportion- eas, providing ideal ecosystems that prompt and eff ective treat- 2012, there have been no locally in the world. the parasite, which can sur- proach when it comes to making ately high share of the global for Anopheles culicifacies, one ment could reduce the parasite transmitted cases. The WHO said Sri Lanka had vive in humans for more than dramatic public health gains.” malaria burden with almost of the main vectors for malaria in reservoir and the possibility of The WHO however said it become the second country in 10 years. Almost half the world’s popu- 90% of the total number of the region. further transmission,” the WHO was crucial to remain vigilant the region to eliminate the mos- “Sri Lanka’s achievement is lation is at risk of malaria. The cases and deaths. And despite an armed confl ict said in a statement. the parasite was not re-intro- quito-borne disease after Mal- truly remarkable. In the mid- disease is both preventable and Improvements in prevention raging in the country’s northern It added that health educa- duced, adding that it would help dives with no locally transmitted 20th century it was among the curable, yet hundreds of thou- have cut the number of peo- and eastern provinces, authori- tion and grassroots engagement Sri Lanka to maintain surveil- cases of malaria in Sri Lanka in most malaria-aff ected coun- sands of children die of it every ple dying of the disease by 60% ties - supported by international also helped in the fi ght against lance as well as screen high-risk the last three and a half years. tries, but now it is malaria-free,” year. since 2000, and several coun- charities and the army - man- malaria. travellers entering the island. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: C P Ravindran Leadership icons of

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] a globalised world Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Merkel and Putin have used Mussolini’s so-called March on herself as a foil to Merkel. For Le authoritarianism, and orthodox Fax 44350474 emerged as political icons Rome as his model for the Beer Hall Pen, Merkel is an empress using the religion as a nominal arm of the Putsch in Bavaria in 1923, which he European Union to impose her will state. His is a barely updated version just as globalisation has hoped would be a stepping-stone to on the rest of Europe, and especially of nineteenth-century theoretician reached a crossroads power throughout Germany. on hapless French President François and czarist adviser Konstantin Mussolini’s fascist internationalism Hollande. Pobedonostsev’s three-pronged inspired imitators around the world, In the United Kingdom, Nigel political prescription: orthodoxy, By Harold James from Oswald Mosley’s British Farage, the former leader of the UK autocracy, and nationality. GULF TIMES Union of Fascists to Corneliu Zelea Independence Party, takes a similar Merkel emerged as Putin’s foil and Princeton Codreanu’s Iron Guard in Romania. position. Merkel, he believes, is a a global icon, incidentally, during the Even in China, cadets at the Whampoa greater threat to European peace than eurozone debt crisis, when she was n today’s global culture, where Military Academy tried to launch Putin. seen as a rather nationalistic defender simple models help make sense a Chinese “Blue Shirts” movement On the other hand, UK Prime of German economic interests, and Saudi bourse opening of so much complexity, German akin to Mussolini’s Blackshirts or Minister Theresa May seems to be again in the summer of 2015 when she IChancellor Angela Merkel and Hitler’s paramilitary Brownshirts, the channelling Merkel, at least in her countered objections to her migration Russian President Vladimir Putin Sturmabteilung. negotiating style. Her fi rst major policies by arguing that Germany is “a on track, but investors embody opposing archetypes of policy speech largely ignored June’s strong country” that “will manage.” national leadership. Like others before Today’s leaders Brexit referendum, which brought her them, such icons often have a foil – a to power, and promised to push for so- Of course, this “new” Merkel yang for a yin – that establishes a are grappling with called co-determination – workers’ had always been there. In 2009, on watch and wait stark choice between two alternate representation on company boards she openly rebuked former worldviews. the politics of – which is a crucial part of Germany’s Pope Benedict for not providing That was certainly true in previous social contract. “sufficient clarification” about his Saudi Arabia’s economic priorities are changing with periods of political and economic globalisation Putin and Merkel are fi xed compass decision to rescind a Holocaust- the “lower-for-longer” reality about oil prices. For the strain. For example, in the aftermath points not only in Europe. In the denying bishop’s excommunication; of World War I, with democratic During this period, Mussolini’s United States, Republican presidential and, in 2007, she insisted on second time in 15 months, the kingdom is easing rules political systems disintegrating, much foil was Lenin, the fulcrum for the candidate Donald Trump – who has receiving the Dalai Lama, despite on foreigners investing in its $400bn stock exchange. of the world looked to either Benito international left. Throughout the praised Putin for “getting an ‘A’ [in official Chinese objections. From September 4, overseas funds with at least Mussolini in Italy or Vladimir Lenin in world, leftists defi ned themselves leadership]” – recently lambasted Merkel and Putin have emerged as 3.75bn riyals ($1bn) – deep down from the current Russia to determine the future. by the degree to which they admired his opponent, Hillary Clinton, as political icons just as globalisation In the 1920s, Mussolini convinced or disapproved of the Soviet leader’s “America’s Merkel,” and then started a has reached a crossroads. While threshold of $5bn – under management will be many foreign observers that he had ruthlessness. Like Mussolini, Lenin Twitter hashtag equating Merkel and Trump, channelling Putin, wants an allowed to invest in Saudi stocks. Individual foreign devised the optimal way to organise claimed to be building – by any means Clinton. Like Le Pen and UKIP, Trump alternative to globalisation, Merkel investors will be permitted to own 10% of shares society, one that overcame the anarchy necessary – a classless society, where has tried to put Merkel’s immigration wants to salvage it with strong and self-destructiveness inherent political confl ict was a thing of the policy at the centre of political debate. leadership, competent management, outstanding of a company, double the existing in traditional liberalism. Under past. One obvious interpretation of the and a commitment to universal values limit. While sovereign wealth funds and university Mussolini, Italy was still integrated Today’s leaders are grappling with Merkel-Putin dichotomy is that it and human rights. endowments will be now welcomed, qualifi ed foreign into the world economy, and offi cial the politics of globalisation, and in embodies gender archetypes: Merkel The 1920s’ global icons inspired corporatism, with its emphasis on that debate Merkel and Putin – who favours “feminine” diplomacy and calls for violent political change. investors will be able to take part in IPOs from January. the supposed harmony of interests are less similar in their tactics than inclusion, whereas Putin favours Today, that kind of language is kept at Saudi Arabia started opening up the Tadawul bourse, between capital and labour, seemed to Mussolini and Lenin were – represent “masculine” competition and arm’s length. But the choice between one of the world’s least accessible markets, to direct many to herald a future without class two paths forward: openness and confrontation. Another interpretation inclusive integration and exclusive confl ict and pitched political struggle. defensiveness, respectively. In Europe, is that Putin represents nostalgia – a disintegration remains with us.— foreign investment in June 2015 but with stringent In Germany, members of the political leaders defi ne themselves by longing for an idealised past – whereas Project Syndicate restrictions. As of now, overseas investors own just 1% orthodox nationalist right, as well their relationship to one or the other. Merkel stands for hope: a belief that of outstanding shares, according to Bloomberg data. as many others, admired Mussolini, Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen, the the world can be improved through zHarold James is Professor of History The 50%-plus slump in oil prices in the past not least the young Adolf Hitler, who leader of France’s far-right National eff ective political management. and International Aff airs at Princeton asked for an autographed picture after Front, who will likely be a candidate in Putin’s position is apparent in University and a senior fellow at the two years has focused the world’s biggest crude Il Duce (as Mussolini became known) the second-round runoff of next year’s his eff ort to unify Eurasia around Center for International Governance exporter on life after oil. As part of the long-term seized power in 1922. In fact, Hitler presidential election, has established social conservatism, political Innovation. drive to diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia plans to sell shares in Saudi Aramco, the world’s most valuable company, possibly in early 2018 and deploy the proceeds through its planned sovereign fund estimated to be worth $2tn (the $825bn Norway SWF is currently the world’s No 1). If part of the Aramco sale takes place in the kingdom, the Tadawul will need a deeper investor pool to help digest the largest IPO in history. Make no Amid a plan to almost double its size, the mistake, nobody Tadawul is aiming for doubts the an inclusion in MSCI and FTSE Russell prospects of the indexes, hoping to Tadawul, one of attract billions of dollars of passive the world’s last infl ows. If the proposed major markets reforms are carried out, FTSE inclusion to open up is possible in 2018 followed by MSCI in 2019, according to Mohamad al-Hajj, Dubai-based Mena equity strategist at EFG-Hermes UAE. What’s now in store for the bourse that has slipped China’s President Xi Jinping delivering his closing statement for the just-concluded G20 summit in Hangzhou on September 5. 12% this year? Some investors want more detail and greater clarity about the new rules. The Saudi market regulator has still way to go too. The G20 embraces green fi nance While the exchange is the biggest in the Arab world, it ranks fi fth out of the six Gulf peers for quality of regulation, according to World Economic Forum data By Ma Jun and Simon Zadek Since 2008, an average of 26.4mn the forefront of the green-fi nance Fund, much like the United Kingdom’s Beijing people have been displaced from their movement. Green Investment Bank. in May 2015. homes by natural disasters each year To be sure, the challenge facing How this process unfolds in China Make no mistake, nobody doubts the prospects of – equivalent to almost one person China is monumental. Success will hold important lessons for others the Tadawul, one of the world’s last major markets he G20’s fi nance ministers every second. One-third of the world’s will require an estimated $600bn seeking to build more sustainable and central-bank governors arable land is now jeopardized by land in investment each year, in areas economies. But some governments to open up. The move could also be benefi ting the have begun to undertake a degradation, which causes economic including environmental remediation are not hesitating to make their own Gulf region in the long run. Investors “will look at the Tstunning shift in mindset. losses of $6.3-10.6tn per year. And 21 and protection, renewable energies way. From the City of London’s Green region with more interest and automatically countries They have become increasingly of the world’s 37 largest aquifers have and energy effi ciency, and sustainable Finance Initiative to Indonesia’s convinced that “green fi nance” – passed their sustainability tipping transportation systems. Given that Sustainable Finance Roadmap, like the UAE and Qatar will benefi t,” according to fi nancing environmentally sustainable point. less than 15% of that fi nance will come innovative policy packages are Arindam Das, regional head of HSBC Securities. growth – should be at the centre of from public sources, China will also emerging at an accelerating pace. In a wider sense, policy makers in every Gulf country economic-development strategies. Since 2008, an have to retool its fi nancial system to Moreover, many of the world’s now know for sure the oil windfall the region has Such an idea, until recently confi ned support private investment. stock exchanges have committed to to a fringe of academics and average of 26.4mn But China is already taking requiring listed companies to report been accustomed to for decades is a thing of the past. policymakers, is potentially one of the concrete steps in the right direction. on their sustainable development Saudi Arabia’s bold economic overhaul, championed most important new “truths” of the people have been On August 30, President Xi Jinping risks. And a coalition of banking by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, twenty-fi rst century. presided over a decision by the Central regulators has emerged to explore how The conventional economic- displaced from their Leading Group for Comprehensively to advance green credit. Details vary bodes well for the kingdom’s non-oil future. But development model viewed Deepening Reforms to transform by country, but the goal is a common its success will require moving fast on the kinds of environmental protection as a “luxury homes by natural China’s fi nancial system to facilitate one: to align capital markets with economic, political and cultural reforms with greater good” that societies could aff ord only green investment. The so-called the fi nancing needs of an inclusive, after they became rich. Such thinking disasters each year “guidelines for establishing a green sustainable economy. transparency and urgency. explains why the dramatic growth in fi nance system” adopted at the The G20’s agenda, which aims to global income, 80-fold in real terms The downsides of the conventional meeting represent the world’s fi rst promote strong, sustainable, and during the last century, has been approach to economic development, attempt at an integrated policy balanced economic growth, should To Advertise accompanied by a decline, according which favours income and employment package to promote an ambitious shift now be updated to refl ect this shared to the United Nations Environment over environmental protection, are toward a green economy. goal, with green fi nance becoming a [email protected] Programme, in natural capital in 127 of particularly apparent in China. By some According to the guidelines, China key component of the G20’s business. Display 140 countries. measures – in particular, per capita will have to develop a wide range of -Project Syndicate Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 But natural capital is not just an income and GDP growth – China’s new fi nancial instruments, including abstract concept; it supports lives, development process has been an green credit, green development zMa Jun, Chief Economist of the Classified livelihoods, and societal well-being. extraordinary success. But it has also funds, green bonds, green equity Research Bureau of the People’s Bank Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 The environmental destruction brought lethal levels of air pollution and index products, green insurance, and of China, is chair of the Green Finance that our activities are wreaking – extensive contamination and depletion carbon fi nance. It must also introduce Committee of the China Society for Subscription greenhouse-gas emissions add energy of land and water. a host of specifi c policies, regulations, Finance and Banking. Simon Zadek, [email protected] to the Earth system at a rate equivalent The good news is that Chinese and incentives, including innovative co-director of the UNEP Inquiry into to the detonation of four nuclear leaders now seem to recognise that use of the central bank’s relending Design Options for a Sustainable bombs every second – has concrete they must safeguard the environment operations, interest subsidies, and Financial System, is DSM senior fellow 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved consequences, which are already being before China achieves high-income guarantees. And it must establish a and visiting professor at the Singapore borne by millions of people. status. Indeed, they have moved to national-level Green Development Management University. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 7, 2016 23 COMMENT Killing non-communicable diseases

The WHO expects that, from Contrary to popular perception require better forecasting, planning, 2010 to 2020, deaths from of NCDs as diseases of the affluent, and distribution; more eff ective they disproportionately affect negotiation of prices; and limits on NCDs will grow by 15%, with the poor in countries at all stages markups. the majority occurring in of economic development, but Moreover, we must invest in especially low- and middle-income research and development of low- and middle- income countries. Indeed, according to low-cost diabetes treatments and countries the WHO report, more than 80% diagnostic tools that are suited for of diabetes-related deaths occur low-resource environments. Smart By Steve Davis outside the high-income countries. collaborative projects that bring Seattle One reason for this is that type 2 innovative thinkers from nonprofits, diabetes, the more common variant, academia, and the private sector is associated with lifestyle factors, together to create effective, ver the last 25 years, such as inactivity, obesity, poor diet, affordable, and appropriate solutions thanks partly to a co- and smoking, that are often more are desperately needed. ordinated global eff ort to common among the less affluent. Diabetes is not unique among Ofi ght infectious diseases, Making matters worse, in poorer NCDs. Essential medicines and including malaria, tuberculosis communities, tools and medicines to technologies for diagnosing and (TB), HIV/Aids, and polio, childhood diagnose and treat diabetes are scarce treating heart disease, cancer, mortality rates have been reduced and often priced beyond people’s and respiratory ailments are also by 50%, and average life expectancy means. A recent study authored signifi cantly less available and has increased by more than six years. by PATH, with support from Novo proportionally more expensive for Moreover, the share of the world’s Nordisk, showed that, in some people in low- and middle-income population living in extreme poverty cases, just one-third of public health countries than they are for those in the has been halved. These are major facilities had insulin in stock, and only rich world. This disparity prompted achievements, but they have brought one in four had testing strips available the medical journal The Lancet to call a new set of challenges that must to monitor diabetes. In Ghana, 15 days’ the NCD crisis the “social justice issue urgently be addressed. wages pays for a 30-day supply of just of our time.” As lives have gotten longer and two of the drugs needed to prevent Unless we take action, the crisis lifestyles have changed, non- complications. will only become more serious. The communicable diseases (NCDs) like These failings mean that almost WHO expects that, from 2010 to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, half of diabetes cases outside 2020, deaths from NCDs will grow cancer, and respiratory ailments have wealthy countries are undiagnosed by 15%, with the majority occurring taken hold, becoming far and away the or inadequately managed. This has in low- and middle- income world’s leading causes of death. While signifi cant human and economic countries. about 3.2mn people died from malaria, consequences. Diabetes requires Today, just 1% of global health TB, or HIV/Aids in 2014, more than lifelong treatment, and the earlier it financing goes to NCD-related 38mn died from NCDs. And the death is detected and care begins, the better programmes. This must change – toll continues to rise. the outcome. Untreated, diabetes and fast. Otherwise, the remarkable Consider diabetes, one of the causes conditions that make it gains made in improving global fastest-growing NCDs. According to impossible to work and often lead to health in the last 25 years will be a recent World Health Organisation early death. overwhelmed by a rising tide of report, diabetes killed 1.5mn people in What will it take to ensure that people who suffer and die from 2012, about the same number as TB. people have the tools and medicines to chronic diseases that we know But while TB deaths have declined by diagnose, treat, and monitor diabetes? how to prevent and treat.- Project half since 1990, the impact of diabetes Syndicate is rising fast. In 1980, 108mn people For starters, policymakers and prevention and treatment. Prevention have the disease. And investment The cost issue, too, must urgently were living with diabetes, a rate of donors must acknowledge the programmes that promote healthier in health-care systems in low- and be addressed. We must tackle zSteve Davis is president and chief about one person in 20; today, more disproportionate impact of diabetes diets and exercise can lower the middle-income countries can help defi ciencies in distribution systems executive offi cer of the Seattle-based than 400mn, or one in 12, have the on poor communities and focus prevalence of type 2 diabetes and them to adapt to the increasing burden that limit access to drugs and international nonprofi t organisation disease. greater attention and funding on reduce complications for those who of lifelong diseases such as diabetes. diagnostics, driving up costs. This will PATH. Weather report Laptops and cool tops in a ‘class of their own’ Three-day forecast TODAY High: 40 C By Gayathree Ganesan An increasing share of parents are four years, according to First Data. Items Sales of apparel and accessories Millennials, adept at using technology ranging from tablet computers to USB have been helped by new trends such Low : 33 C and Subrat Patnaik Strong wind and expected low Reuters to fi nd the best deals. drives are all doing well, especially when as retro sneakers like Stan Smith horizontal visibility at places. Good weather is playing its part carrying special off ers. models from Adidas and shirts for too by coaxing shoppers to malls and Sales of laptops that can double up women with cut-out shoulders known long with the perennial department stores such as J.C. Penney as tablets like Dell’s Inspiron 2-in-1, as “cold-shoulder” tops. THURSDAY run on leggings, students and Macy’s, which have endured have been helped by this trend, said Good weather so far in the season High: 40 C returning to America’s tough competition from online giant Petter Knutrud, spokesman for Offi ce has also benefi ted clothing sales at Low: 31 C Aclassrooms this year are Amazon Inc. Depot. He added that schools were retailers such as Gap Inc’s Old Navy Sunny making a beeline for retro sneakers, Total back-to-school sales rose 2% asking students to save their work chain or Urban Outfi tters. “cold-shoulder” tops, versatile in July, compared with 1% growth in on USB drives, which had boosted While more jobs and rising stock laptops and USB drives. 2015 and 2014 and a 0.2% rise in 2013, demand for the small devices. markets are boosting consumer FRIDAY Demand for those hot-ticket items according to payments technology Electronics retailer Best Buy wealth, customers are still putting High: 39 C is helping to push back-to-school company First Data. has tempted students with special value over brand name. Wage gains Low: 30 C spending to its fastest growth in four Spending for back-to-school and coupons for everything from for middle-income consumers remain Sunny years, a boon for retailers in their college is expected to reach $75.8bn laptops and headphones to college insuffi cient to encourage discretionary second most important season. this year, up from last year’s $68bn, dorm-friendly items like compact spending, some analysts caution. Outdone only by the post- according to retail association refrigerators and microwaves. Lower-priced stores like Old Fishermen’s forecast Navy, off -price retailer TJ Maxx and Thanksgiving holiday bonanza, National Retail Federation’s annual J C Penney is also using promotions OFFSHORE DOHA back-to-school shopping for clothing, survey. to boost back-to-school sales of Kohl’s are 2016’s top back-to-school Wind: NW-NE 08-18/22 KT shoes, electronics and backpacks “They (younger shoppers) are apparel, which in turn helped July shopping destinations, RBC Capital Waves: 3-5/7 Feet spans most of the third quarter, from getting mom to buy more for them, comparable sales. Its ‘Penney Day’ Markets analyst Brian Tunick wrote INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 12-20/25 KT July to September, and is a key driver because they are agreeing to shop promotions, which off er back-to- in a note. Waves: 1-3/4 Feet in the sector’s sales and profi ts. at these less expensive lower priced school staple items such as fashion “Income rises faster than frugality But while demand is on the rise, retailers,” NPD Group analyst Marshal leggings or tee shirts at a discount changes,” NPD’s Cohen said, Around the region retailers still need to work hard to get Cohen said. every Saturday during the season, suggesting that bargain-hunting is Weather Weather shoppers in the door with coupons and In July, electronics and appliance are helping drive sales, company hard to give up even in the best of today Max/min tomorrow Max/min promotions like special shopping days. sales rose 5.5%, the biggest increase in spokeswoman Sarah Holland said. times. Abu Dhabi Sunny 43/31 Sunny 41/29 Baghdad Sunny 40/23 Sunny 41/23 Dubai Sunny 43/31 Sunny 41/31 Kuwait City Cloudy 45/29 Sunny 44/28 Manama Cloudy 39/34 Sunny 38/31 Muscat Sunny 33/27 Sunny 32/27 Riyadh Sunny 42/26 Sunny 40/26 Live issues Tehran Sunny 34/21 M Sunny 30/21 Apple event has world watching for new iPhone

By Glenn Chapman milestone for the company as it seeks The event today will come as Apple Apple’s chief fi nancial offi cer Luca AFP/ San Francisco to keep momentum in a competitive squares off with the European Union Maestri said on an earnings call. smartphone market. over a multibillion-dollar bill. Apple has vowed to fi ght the tax Apple reported a drop in iPhone Analysts told AFP that Apple was in bill. pple is expected to unveil sales in the second quarter of this position to fend off the blow from the Apple’s real issue is the lack of a a new iPhone and maybe year, a second straight drop after EU demand that the iPhone maker pay blockbuster announcement along the even a second-generation uninterrupted growth since its a record 13bn euros ($14.5bn) in back lines of those that ignited markets and Asmartwatch at a special introduction in 2007. taxes in Ireland. rocketed the company to glory under event in San Francisco today. South Korean consumer electronics “It’s total political crap,” Cook told the leadership of late co-founder Steve The rumour mill has been giant LG is set to show off a new the Irish Independent newspaper, of Jobs, according to analysts. grinding away with talk of iPhone 7 premium V20 smartphone in San European Competition Commissioner “Apple is a company that lived hit models that will boast faster chips, Francisco the evening before the Apple Margrethe Vestager’s assertion that to hit: the iPod, iPhone, iPad,” said more sophisticated cameras, and event. the company had paid a tax rate of independent Silicon Valley analyst improved software while doing away The V20 will be the fi rst to ship 0.005 % on its European profi ts in Rob Enderle of Enderle Group. with jacks for plugging in wired with a new Nougat version of Google- 2014. “Without those successive hits, it Around the world headphones. backed Android operating software. The commission ruled that Apple is struggling. While it has plenty of Weather Weather To assuage users accustowmed Meanwhile, leading smartphone had received favourable tax terms that cash, it has stopped being a market today Max/min tomorrow Max/min to wired headphones, Apple could maker Samsung has announced it will amounted to state aid — illegal under maker.” Athens P Cloudy 29/23 P Cloudy 30/23 roll out accessories that include an recall its latest fl agship smartphone its rules. Analysts and Apple fans have been Beirut M Sunny 29/24 Sunny 29/25 T Storms 33/26 adaptor that plugs into a remaining after faulty batteries caused some Apple expects to repatriate eagerly waiting for Cook to take a page Bangkok 32/26 I T Storms Berlin Sunny 27/14 Sunny 31/14 port. Galaxy Note 7 “phablets” to explode billions of dollars of global profi ts from Jobs’s playbook and enthral the Cairo Sunny 34/22 Sunny 35/22 The event would also be a chance while charging, in a massive blow to to the United States next year, Cook world with a must-have “one more Cape Town S Showers 18/12 Showers 18/11 to showcase wireless headphones, the South Korean electronics giant’s told Irish national broadcaster RTE thing.” Colombo I T Storms 29/26 S Showers 29/26 perhaps some from Beats, which Apple reputation. without providing specifi c fi gures. Apple iPhones have been at the Dhaka T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 33/27 Hong Kong T Storms 31/27 T Storms 31/27 bought two years ago in a deal valued California-based Apple could also The ease with which the heart of the company’s money- Istanbul P Cloudy 28/22 Sunny 29/21 at $3bn. use the event to showcase updates to company could write a check to making machine for years, while Jakarta S T Storms 33/25 S T Storms 32/25 In the Apple’s usual enigmatic other products, such as its smartwatch pay the gargantuan bill was seen reported investments in self-driving Karachi P Cloudy 32/26 M Sunny 32/26 style, it provided little more that the and laptop computers. as potentially coming back to bite cars and virtual reality have yet to London P Cloudy 28/17 P Cloudy 23/16 S T Storms S T Storms 33/25 date, time and place to the invitation- Speculation regarding an Apple Apple by giving the impression it is result in transformative new products. Manila 32/25 Moscow P Cloudy 19/15 P Cloudy 19/10 only gathering. Watch 2 was fuelled in part by the fact greedily avoiding doing right by the With iPhone sales and profi ts New Delhi M Sunny 34/26 M Sunny 35/26 Apple has maintained a rhythm that the original hardware has not public coffers. sliding, Apple in July highlighted New York Showers 30/23 Sunny 33/26 of introducing updated iPhone been updated since it debuted in April According to its most recent growth in sales of apps, music and Paris Sunny 29/16 Sunny 27/13 models on an annual basis, timing of last year. earnings report, Apple had $231.5bn in cloud services. Sao Paulo S Showers 23/10 M Sunny 23/12 Seoul P Cloudy 29/19 T Storms 28/18 introductions to coincide with the Improved iPhone and smartwatch cash plus marketable securities at the Apple is moving into new areas Singapore T Storms 31/27 T Storms 32/27 year-end holiday shopping season. models would be arriving just as Apple end of June. such as Apple TV and streaming Sydney M Sunny 20/12 Sunny 21/12 In July, the company announced is set to roll out a new version of the Of that total, $214.8bn, or 93%, was music, which could produce more Tokyo Rain 30/25 Rain 29/24 the sale of its billionth iPhone, a mobile operating system. said to be outside the United States, stable revenues. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, September 7, 2016 QATAR

An art piece on display at the ‘Treasures of China’ exhibition. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Enamel flat kettle. Expo to showcase Chinese heritage

By Joseph Varghese to see treasures from China’s aims and ambitions of the Qatar Staff Reporter legendary civilisation and meet China 2016 Year of Culture in the terracotta soldiers who promoting mutual understand- guarded a hidden underground ing between the countries. he exhibition ‘Treasures empire, transporting visitors on “We hope that visitors will of China’ featuring several a unique journey back in time truly enjoy ‘Treasures of China’ TChinese artefacts includ- to explore the glorious history and leave with a deeper under- ing the fi rst display in the Middle and heritage of China, spanning standing that whilst Qatar and East of the renowned terracotta 5,000 years. China are two countries that warriors, opens today at the Mu- Several of the exhibits also may be far apart, they have more seum of Islamic Art (MIA). portray a link between the Arab in common than they realise, in- Five pieces from the First Em- world and China with some of cluding shared values based on peror’s Terracotta Army, more the art pieces displaying some education, hospitality and cul- than 2,000 years old and dat- Arabic words or music instru- tural curiosity, strong economic ing back to Qin Dynasty in 221- ments. Exhibited at MIA’s Spe- ties and positive diplomatic 206BC, are among the highlights cial Exhibitions Gallery, the relations that date back to the of the exhibition that runs until exhibition is divided into three 1980s.” January 7, 2017. parts: “The Birth of Civilisation, Vivid pottery, bronzes, jades, There are more than 8,000 Ceremonies and Kingdoms”, porcelain, gold, silver, enamel terracotta warriors excavated in “Splendid Unifi cation, Prosper- and many other exquisite Chi- China so far. The pieces on show ity and the Silk Road” and “Por- nese treasures are on show, se- at MIA are the sculptures of a celain, Imperial China and the lected from fi ve museums and general, two soldiers, a shooter Royal Arts”. heritage institutions from across and a horse. It involves all major histori- China, providing the ideal show- Held under the patronage of cal periods of ancient China case for Chinese creativity and Qatar Museums’ chairperson, and displays 116 pieces dating craftsmanship. A handwarmer. A porcelain work on show. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Ha- from the Neolithic period to the Aimed at refl ecting the inte- mad bin Khalifa al-Thani and as Qing Dynasty, taking audiences gration between the cultures of and traditions from a number to enjoy. In November, MIA tools whilst sculpting miniature Art? Contemporary Art from part of Qatar China 2016 Year of through China’s past. the East and the West, the exhi- of perspectives. In conjunc- will hold a four-part work- fl owers and other decorations China’ exhibition, and the ‘Silks Culture, the exhibition features Mansoor bin Ebrahim al- bition off ers visitors an oppor- tion with the exhibition, there shop, where children will cre- Following the success of in- from the Silk Road’ exhibition, 116 art pieces with some of them Mahmoud, acting CEO, Qatar tunity to appreciate, embrace will be a series of educational ate clay sculptures inspired by ternationally acclaimed New ‘Treasures of China’ is another dating back to the Neolithic Age. Museums said the unique ex- and discover the profundity programmes and workshops for the ‘Treasures of China’ ex- York-based Chinese artist Cai major highlight of the Qatar Visitors will get the chance hibition perfectly expresses the and richness of Chinese culture students, families and schools hibition, learning to use clay Guo Qiang’s ‘What about the China 2016 Year of Culture. Qatar University among top 400 global club

atar University (QU) has lence, research endeavours, role to develop a knowledge- jumped 88 places which makes it been ranked 393 in the international reputation, and based economy,” Dr al-Derham one of the fastest rising universi- QQS World University local and international solid added. ties in the region. QU has gained Rankings, it was announced yes- partnerships. The ranking also Ashwin Fernandes, QS re- a wealth of academic, research terday in the presence of Sheikh highlights the local reputation gional director, said that since and institutional accomplish- Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani, vice QU has built in the local labour QU has soared into the glo- ments that have served to be po- chairman of the institution’s market and the local society as a bal top 400 universities in the sitioned as an eff ective partner Board of Regents. whole” he explained. QS World University Rankings in the Qatari society and one of “This important success re- QU president pointed out 2016-2017, it can really compete the leading universities in the fl ects QU’s noticeable improve- that the national university has with many international uni- region. ment that resulted from years achieved many successes in Ara- versities. “QU is also ranked among of hard work and commitment,” bic and international rankings “In the 13th edition of the QS the top 10 globally for interna- said president Dr Hassan al- which refl ect continuous eff orts World University Rankings, we tional faculty and 21 globally for Derham. for more than a decade. have ranked 916 universities, international students which “Ranking is an indication “This is only the beginning after considering over 3,800 of are considered as great achieve- of QU’s improvement and ad- and we are keen to record further them,” he said. ments for the university this vancement in academic excel- success in ranking as part of our From last year until now, QU year,” the QS offi cial added. Dr Sheikh Abdulla al-Thani receives the plaque from a QS official as Dr Hassan al-Derham looks on.

Supermarket shut down for violations Innovation in spotlight at RasGas contest

nother errant commer- haikha Saad al-Qahtani, cial outlet has been shut an electrical and compu- Adown in the country for Ster engineering student at violating norms. Texas A&M University-Qatar, The director of Al Khor and won the fi rst prize in the annual Al Thakira Municipality, Juma RasGas ‘Summer Internship Khamis al-Muraikhi, issued Star Competition 2016.’ an administrative decision to She developed a programme permanently close down a su- to extract and classify secu- permarket for selling foodstuff rity events based on critical- without obtaining the neces- ity within RasGas’ Distributed sary licence from the authorities Control System. concerned. The competition marked The store is located behind the the completion of RasGas’ new Al Khor stadium, southwest ‘11th Summer Internship Pro- of Al Khor city. gramme.’ The annual pro- The Health Control Section at gramme provides a practical en- the municipality co-ordinated vironment where students can with the Al Khor and Al Thakira The supermarket in Al Khor. learn about the business needs wildlife unit, Criminal Investi- of the oil and gas industry. gation Department at the Min- Thakira Municipality had or- found using expired foodstuff . “I am pleased to see yet an- RasGas CEO Hamad Mubarak al-Muhannadi with senior management and interns of the RasGas Summer istry of Interior and Al Shamal dered the permanent closure of The crackdown comes as part other group of such promising Internship Star Competition 2016. Security Department to inspect two other supermarkets in Al of eff orts undertaken by the au- individuals participate in this the supermarket. Khor and Simaisma for operat- thorities to ensure the compli- programme,” said RasGas CEO by runner-up Noora Mubarak by empowering employees to neering student at Texas A&M Accordingly, the authorities ing without licences. ance of retailers, food outlets Hamad Mubarak al-Muhanna- al-Khalfan, an industrial and perform pre-specifi ed mainte- University-Qatar, earned third ordered its closure and also is- The civic authorities also and distributors with health and di. systems engineering student at nance tasks. place for his work on a cost op- sued a violation report. shut down a cafeteria in Doha hygiene conditions in prepara- Al-Qahtani was joined in the Qatar University, whose project Mohamed al-Mansouri, an timisation transformer copper Recently, the Al Khor and Al Industrial Area after it was tion for Eid al-Adha. fi nal round of the competition involved achieving effi ciency electrical and computer engi- corrosion project.