BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Dredge shoots 64 to take INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 16 COMMENT 14, 15 QIF says Qatar ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-12 one-shot economic growth 20,100.10 10,989.76 53.78 INTERNATIONAL 4-12 CLASSIFIED 7 +31.59 -45.85 +0.03 ISLAM 13 SPORT 1-8 to pick up in 2017 +0.16% -0.42% +1.95% lead at DGC Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10346 January 27, 2017 Rabia II 29, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Emir attends military college graduation event QATAR | Economy Commerce Ministry QNA holds economists’ forum Doha The Ministry of Economy and Commerce yesterday held the first H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin forum for economists under the Hamad al-Thani attended theme of sectoral productivity and its Hyesterday the graduation cer- impact on Qatari economic diversity. emony of the 12th class of offi cer ca- A wide selection of economic experts dets of the Ahmed Bin Mohamed Mili- and consultants from the ministry as tary College. well as the public and private sectors HE the Prime Minister and Minister attended the forum. The forum, of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nass- which coincides with the launch of er bin Khalifa al-Thani also attended the second phase of the National the graduation along with a number Development Strategy (2017- of ministers and ranking offi cers of 2022), touched on the economic Qatar’s Armed Forces, the Ministry of aspect and production rates in the Interior, and the military colleges of diff erent sectors and their impact on friendly countries. economic diversity in the country. The Qatari national anthem was It also reviewed production rates played upon HH the Emir’s arrival. across all sectors in the past Following which the commander of few years, highlighting the main the parade requested HH the Emir challenges facing economic growth to review a parade performed by the and how to face them. Participants graduates. discussed a paperwork by the Delivering a speech on the occa- ministry, in which some solutions sion, Commander of the Ahmed Bin and ideas were presented to Mohamed Military College Brigadier help the Qatari economy boost Abdullah Abdulrahman al-Kaabi ex- productivity, particularly in the non- pressed his delight at HH the Emir carbon sector. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s presence at the graduation ceremony. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, accompanied by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and other Al-Kaabi said that the 12th class in- dignitaries, attending the graduation ceremony of the 12th class of off icer cadets of Ahmed Bin Mohamed Military College yesterday. QATAR | Weather cluded 90 offi cer cadets of the Armed Early morning fog Forces, Ministry of Interior, Lekhwi- who came joint-fi rst in military sci- ya, Emiri Guard, and state security. ence, fi rst in law, fi rst in leadership Emir opens to hit visibility He noted that the graduates received and fi rst in physical fi tness, the sec- Foggy weather and low visibility are training in Qatar, Mongolia, Britain ond Honours student Abdullah Hus- Rashash 400 expected in diff erent parts of the and France that helped elevate their sein al-Marri and third Mohamed country over the weekend, the Qatar spirits and strengthen their sense of Fahid al-Faheeda and Ghanem Sultan building Met department has said. belonging to the country and HH the al-Ghanem, who came fi rst in police Higher temperatures are also likely Emir. Commander al-Kaabi added science, and Mohamed Mahfouth HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin in Doha and other places during this that the experience will help the new Mohamed, who came fi rst in informa- Hamad al-Thani inaugurated period, though the nights will be graduates play their part in Qatar’s tion systems. yesterday the building of cold. Also, there is a “weak chance renaissance. HH the Emir then honoured Brig- Rashash 400 at the Ahmed Bin of light rain” in the northern parts Al-Kaabi said that the college co- adier Hamad Ahmed al-Nuaimi, Mohamed Military College. of the country tomorrow, according operated with a number of other insti- former commander of Ahmed Bin The Emir was briefed on to the weather off ice. The detailed tutions abroad – such as Kuwait’s Ali Mohamed Military College, in appre- Rashash 400’s features, which report for inshore areas today says Al Sabah Military Academy and Brit- ciation for his eff orts in developing include a hand grenade assault hazy to misty/foggy conditions are ain’s Royal Military Academy Sand- the college. course, running track, and a expected in most areas in the early hurst. The latter carried out training Later, the Emir viewed a perform- military obstacles course. hours of the day. This will bring in Qatar last November. ance by the Pakistani military band, HE the Prime Minister and down visibility in such areas to 2km The Ahmed Bin Mohamed Military comprising 52 military personnel. The Minister of Interior Sheikh or less. Mild daytime conditions are College also attracted high-quality ceremony concluded with the gradu- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa also likely along with some clouds, cadres from diff erent countries to pro- ates taking the oath as the national al-Thani and a number of their and it will be cold by night. vide the best service possible in terms anthem was played. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurating the building of Rashash 400 excellencies the ministers Offshore areas, meanwhile, will see of military academic programmes and Earlier in the morning, HH the Emir at the Ahmed Bin Mohamed Military College yesterday. attended the inauguration. hazy to misty conditions today and training techniques. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani clouds are also expected at times, After the speech, HH the Emir hon- met the heads of a number of military the report states. After dropping oured the ‘Honours students’ of the colleges from the Gulf and friendly 12th batch of offi cer cadets of Ahmed tual interest were reviewed. Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nass- for the past few days, the mercury 12th class. They included Offi cer Ca- countries. They were in Qatar to at- Bin Mohamed Military College. The meeting was attended by HE er bin Khalifa al-Thani and several level is likely to rise during this det Mohamed Khalfan al-Mansouri tend the graduation ceremony of the During the meeting, topics of mu- the Prime Minister and Interior ministers. Page 16 weekend, particularly in Doha. A minimum temperature of 10C is expected today in Abu Samra, 11C in Dukhan and 12C in Wakrah and Mesaieed, while in Doha it will be 18C. The maximum, on the other Mexico president cancels hand, will be 26C in Abu Samra and Qatar welcomes Trump’s call 25C in Doha. Yesterday, a minimum temperature of 8C was recorded visit to Washington in Abu Samra and Karana until 5.30pm, followed by 9C in Dukhan to create safe zones in Syria and Ghuwairiya. In the capital, the Agencies ed States fairly, with respect, such a minimum was 16C in the Doha Mexico City/Philadelphia meeting would be fruitless and I want airport area. QNA/Agencies President Trump said he “will abso- tion with the Secretary of Defence, is to go a diff erent route.” Doha lutely do safe zones in Syria” for refu- directed within 90 days of the date of The White House left open the door gees fl eeing violence in the war-torn this order to produce a plan to provide exico’s president yesterday for a possible rapprochement: White AFRICA | Politics country. safe areas in Syria and in the surround- scrapped a planned visit to House spokesman Sean Spicer said Gambian president atar’s Foreign Ministry yester- Saying Europe had made a tremen- ing region in which Syrian nationals MWashington and a summit the United States was keeping open returns home day welcomed US President dous mistake by admitting millions of displaced from their homeland can with Donald Trump in the face of in- lines of communication with Mexico QDonald Trump’s call to create refugees from Syria and other Middle await fi rm settlement, such as repatri- sistent tweets from the US president and looking to reschedule the meeting, Gambia’s new President Adama safe zones in Syria. Eastern trouble spots, Trump told ABC ation or potential third-country reset- demanding Mexico pay for a border which had been planned for Tuesday. Barrow, who was elected almost Speaking to QNA, Foreign Ministry News: “I don’t want that to happen tlement,” the draft order said. wall, a deepening rift that threatens Trump, who took offi ce last Friday, two months ago but forced to flee Media Offi ce Director, HE Ahmad bin here.” Creation of safe zones could ratchet Mexican eff orts to salvage trade ties. signed an executive order for con- to Senegal when his predecessor Saeed al-Rumaihi, said the ministry “I’ll absolutely do safe zones in Syria up US military involvement in Syria and Mexican President Enrique Pena struction of the wall on Wednesday, refused to step aside, returned welcomes the US president’s intention for the people,” he added, without giv- mark a major departure from Obama’s Nieto, responding to a Twitter mes- just as a Mexican delegation led by For- home yesterday. Barrow, who was to sign an executive decision to draw a ing details. more cautious approach. Increased US sage from Trump saying it would eign Minister Luis Videgaray arrived at accompanied by his two wives plan for the establishment of safe zones According to a document seen by or allied air power would be required be better for him not to come to the the White House for talks with Trump and some of his children, was in Syria. Reuters, Trump is expected to order the if Trump chooses to enforce “no fl y” meeting if Mexico would not pay for aides aimed at healing ties. welcomed by military off icials and The ambassador reiterated the need Pentagon and the State Department in restrictions, and ground forces might the wall, said in his own tweet that he The timing of that, and Trump’s re- senior members of his coalition to provide safe havens in Syria and im- coming days to craft a plan for setting also be needed to protect civilians in would not attend and had informed iterated call for Mexico to foot the bill, government. His return marks The pose no-fl y zones that ensure the safe- up the “safe zones,” a move that could those areas. the White House of this. caused outrage in Mexico, with prom- Gambia’s first democratic transfer of ty of civilians in line with international risk escalation of US military involve- Still, the document gave no details Trump later presented the scrapped inent politicians and many on social power and capped days of waiting resolutions, and protect the Syrian ment in Syria’s civil war. on what would constitute a safe zone, plan as a mutual agreement. media seeing at as a deliberate snub in the former British colony after people from the machine of destruc- The draft executive order await- exactly where they might be set up and Addressing Republican members to the government’s eff orts to engage longtime leader Yahya Jammeh tion and mass displacement. ing Trump’s signature signalled the who would defend them. of Congress at a meeting in Philadel- with Trump. had refused to leave after losing On Astana talks that concluded re- new administration was preparing a Meanwhile, Turkey yesterday said it phia, he said he and Pena Nieto had Pena Nieto was under pressure to a December 1 vote. Barrow took cently, the ambassador expressed hope step that Trump’s predecessor, Barack would watch closely Trump’s reported agreed to cancel the meeting, adding cancel the summit. “We have informed the oath of off ice at his country’s that the outcome will help in strength- Obama, long resisted, fearing the po- interest in setting up safe zones in Syr- it would be fruitless if Mexico did not the White House that I will not attend embassy in Dakar a week ago and ening the ceasefi re, stressing the need tential for being pulled deeper into the ia. Turkish foreign ministry spokesman treat the United States “fairly”. the working meeting planned for next a multinational African force then to establish an eff ective and practical bloody confl ict and the threat of clash- Huseyin Muftuoglu told reporters that “I’ve said many times that the Tuesday with @POTUS,” he tweeted entered The Gambia to ensure his monitoring mechanism to pave the way es between US and Russian warplanes Ankara would make an assessment af- American people will not pay for the yesterday. “Mexico reiterates its will- safe return home and Jammeh’s for Geneva talks. over Syria. ter seeing what Washington proposed. wall,” Trump told the gathering. “Un- ingness to work with the US to reach departure. Page 4 In an interview to ABC News, US “The Secretary of State, in conjunc- Page 3 less Mexico is going to treat the Unit- agreements that favor both nations.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 27, 2017 QATAR

Indian ambassador P Kumaran and Qatar’s Minister of Municipality and Environment HE Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi cutting a cake at the reception yesterday evening as Ministry of Foreign affairs’ Protocol Department director Ibrahim Fakhroo, other officials and diplomats look on. A group of Indian students at the Republic Day function. PICTURE: Ram Chand Indian expats celebrate 68th Republic Day

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter Emir greets president of India he Indian community in Qatar cel- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad ebrated the 68th Republic Day of al-Thani sent yesterday a cable of Ttheir nation at various locations congratulations to President of the across the country yesterday. Republic of India Pranab Mukherjee While the major celebration was held at on the occasion of India’s Republic the Indian embassy at West Bay, the tri- Day. HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh colour was also raised at Indian schools. Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE Early yesterday, ambassador P Kumaran the Prime Minister and Minister of In- hoisted the national fl ag at the embassy, terior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin as students from Indian schools sang the Khalifa al-Thani also sent yesterday national anthem in the presence of a large cables of congratulations to the Indian number of Indian expatriates. Indian ambassador P Kumaran addressing the gathering. PICTURE:Noushad Thekkayil president. Addressing the gathering, the envoy highlighted India’s progress in the modern During his speech, the envoy read ralism and her social, cultural, linguis- era and the achievements of the country so out some of the prominent parts of the tic and religious diversity are its greatest preciated the eff orts of the students as well far. “It is a great occasion for celebration message of the Indian president Pranab strength. “Our tradition has always cel- as the teachers who trained them. and to refl ect on the country’s great strides. Mukherjee which highlighted the need ebrated the ‘argumentative’ Indian; not In the evening, a reception hosted by We should also remember that it is also the to work harder than ever to redeem the the ‘intolerant’ Indian. Multiple views, the ambassador and his wife, in co-op- time for introspection about what we have promises to the people. thoughts and philosophies have competed eration with the Indian Cultural Centre, achieved so far and what we need to do in “Our war on poverty is not yet over. Our with each other peacefully for centuries in was attended by a large gathering, includ- the future to truly realise our destiny.” economy is yet to grow at over 10% for an our country. A wise and discerning mind is ing dignitaries from various walks of life, “The honourable president of our coun- extended period of time to make a sig- necessary for democracy to fl ourish.” diplomats and offi cials. HE the Minister of try has highlighted in his Republic Day nifi cant dent on poverty. One-fi fth of our At the ceremony, Indian school stu- Municipality and Environment Mohamed message about the cup being half full, countrymen still remain below poverty dents presented a medley of some popular bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi cut a cake with which is a pointer towards what we need to line. Gandhiji’s mission to wipe every tear patriotic songs which the crowd greeted the ambassador at the event at Sheraton do and how many miles we need to travel from every eye still remains unfulfi lled,” with loud cheer and applause. Later, the Doha. Ministry of Foreign aff airs’ Protocol to reach our destination,” continued the the president said in his message. students were presented with gifts by the Department director Ibrahim Fakhroo was Ambassador P Kumaran raising the National Flag at the Indian ambassador. Mukherjee reiterated that India’s plu- ambassador’s wife Ritu Kumaran, who ap- present. embassy premises.

Emir greets governor-general Dressed as popular leader, Residents of western of Australia on National Day Doha resident steals show areas seek bus to HIA QNA Doha By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter By Ramesh Mathew HIA, Barwa Village and Wakrah. longing to a construction firm. Staff Reporter As a result, they have to rely on He observed that there has H the Emir Sheikh taxis or change buses by travel- been a big rise in the number of Tamim bin Hamad al- ndian expatriate Mundi Thadaku Abdulla ling via the Central Bus Station bus users, especially on week- HThani sent yesterday Mammoonj was the cynosure of all eyes at esidents of neighbour- to reach these destinations, the ends, as more workers are ar- a cable of congratulations to Ithe 68th Republic Day celebrations at the hoods on the western side workers point out, stressing that riving for projects that are being Governor-General of Aus- embassy premises yesterday. Rof Doha have called for these options are either expen- executed in the area. tralia Peter Cosgrove on his He dressed up as the late Dr A P J Abdul Ka- better public transport access sive or time-consuming. Proposals are also coming country’s National Day. lam, one of the most popular presidents of In- to diff erent parts of the city and Asked how their problems from workers to consider oper- HH the Deputy Emir dia. A native of Kasaragod district in the south- Hamad International Airport could be solved, some of them ating buses to HIA through the Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad ern state of Kerala, Mammoonj has made it a (HIA). suggested an extension of some newly opened bridge link on F- al-Thani sent yesterday a ca- practice over the years to attend Indian national The demand comes in the of the bus services operating Ring Road, which is part of the ble of congratulations to gov- events, dressed as a prominent leader of the wake of a signifi cant rise in the between Dukhan and Doha in Expressway project. There has ernor-general of Australia Pe- past. movement of people living in the evening to HIA or the intro- been an increase in the number ter Cosgrove on the occasion Mammoonj who works with the Ministry of workers’ housing facilities in duction of new services from Al of people from the western areas of his country’s National Day. Justice, recalled that during his over 26 years places such as Al Sheehaniya Sheehaniya to the airport. using the road to reach the air- HE the Prime Minis- of stay in Qatar, he has appeared as Mahatma and others. “Such services will be ben- port, according to sources. ter and Minister of Interior Gandhi, Sardar Vallabai Patel and many other Speaking to Gulf Times, the eficial not only to those going to A Mowasalat offi cial recently Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser leaders. inmates of some labour camps in the airport but also others trav- said the company would explore bin Khalifa al-Thani also sent “Before coming to Qatar, I used to do the same Al Sheehaniya said though there elling to city areas such as Abu the possibility of introducing yesterday a cable of congratu- act at local schools and other places back home. are a few bus services between Hamour, Villaggio, Muaither new bus services if proposals lations to governor-general of Dressing up as a national leader always inspires Dukhan and Doha, there is no and neighbouring areas,” said came from the residents of newly Australia Peter Cosgrove on me and provides a treat for the spectators. I am Mammoonj (right) as A P J Abdul Kalam along direct bus connectivity from the the camp manager of a large developed neighbourhoods to the occasion of his country’s looking forward to imitate some special person with Indian ambassador P Kumaran yesterday. western areas to places such as workers’ housing facility be- operate such routes. National Nay. on the next occasion,” added Mammoonj. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil QU medical journal urges students to publish

atar University Student Medical in scientifi c research and its publication Journal (QUSMJ) has organised a will defi nitely distinguish them and en- Qworkshop on ‘How to Review Ar- courage them to become life-long learn- ticles’, in order to encourage students to ers and leaders. publish their research projects. “The workshop comes in line with QU The event was also meant to famil- Health learning approach that integrates iarise them with the rigourous scientifi c research, education and clinical care in publication procedure, starting from a unique manner, which contributes to writing and submitting papers, send- providing the healthcare sector in Qatar ing to reviewers, addressing the reviewer with highly-competent health profes- comments, and resubmitting the paper sionals.” to the journal for publication. Dr Maha al-Asmakh at the event. Dr al-Asmakh pointed out that ‘in sci- The exercise also highlighted the im- ence, no matter how spectacular the re- portance of scientifi c rational thinking sors Dr Maha al-Asmakh and Dr Ken- sults are, the work is not complete until and the features that editors look at while dra Guilford, CPH associate professor the results are published’. reviewing a scientifi c paper and provided Dr Ahmed Nadir Mohamed Kheir and QUSMJ was founded by students and tips to analyse and assess a scientifi c pa- CMED assistant professor Dr Farhan is run by them under the supervision of per. Cyprian. They discussed many top- faculty advisers and with the approval Initiated by students from QU College ics such as ‘Types of articles’, ‘Journal of QU Health Cluster. The journal will of Medicine (CMED), the event drew the review process’, ‘The Editor-in-Chief: publish research papers authored by un- participation of 74 faculty and students What Exactly Does S/he Do? and ‘Peer- dergraduate students in Qatar and the re- across QU Health colleges – Health Sci- review process’. gion in the fi eld of medicine, pharmacy, ences (CHS), CMED, and Pharmacy QU vice president for Medical and and health sciences. Undergraduate re- (CPH). Health Sciences and CMED dean Dr Egon searchers are encouraged to submit their The programme included presenta- Toft was of the opinion that the early papers online at the link: http://www. tions delivered by CHS assistant profes- exposure and engagement of students qu.edu.qa/qusmj/for-authors.php Students at the workshop. Gulf Times Friday, January 27, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Saudi tech Syrian rebels await action vulnerable to ‘Shamoon 2’ from Trump on safe zones virus: expert AFP Reuters Trump appears to see safe zones as a Riyadh Beirut way to stem the tide of refugees which he sees as a possible threat to US security. But there are no obvious answers as audi computer security systems yrian rebels have urged Presi- to how the United States would avoid are vulnerable to the “Shamoon dent Donald Trump to fulfi l a the problems that have prevented it S2” virus, a senior communica- Spledge to create safe zones in establishing safe zones in Syria before, tions offi cial warned yesterday, con- their country, but analysts doubted he including the complication of policing fi rming reports of a fresh cyberattack would proceed with a step that could such an area in a war zone dotted with on the kingdom. drag Washington deeper into war, armed groups. The virus “has devised a new meth- hasten Syria’s fragmentation and risk “At this stage this is very much in od that was unexpected by govern- confl ict with Russia. the realm of political manoeuvring,” ment systems”, Abdulaziz al-Ruwais, Trump told ABC News on Wednes- said Yezid Sayigh, a senior fellow and governor of the Commission for Com- day he “will absolutely do safe zones Syria expert at the Carnegie Middle munications and Information Tech- in Syria” for refugees fl eeing violence East Center in Beirut. “I don’t think it nology, told the Makkah newspaper. and that Europe had made a mistake is signalling imminent US action.” He said that “some bodies had been by admitting millions of refugees from Trump could order the State De- aff ected” by the programme, and de- Syria. partment and Pentagon to produce a tailed measures which companies President Bashar al-Assad’s oppo- plan that would also create “safe ar- could take to try to protect their com- nents have long demanded safe zones eas” in countries surrounding Syria puter networks. to protect civilians who have fl ed gov- where millions of refugees already live. Local media reported early this ernment air strikes and bombardment The Syrian government hopes week that Shamoon 2 hit the private of rebel-held areas. Trump will end US support for the sector and various government agen- But refl ecting uncertainties about rebels fi ghting Assad and refocus US cies including a division of the labour the announcement, representatives policy solely on fi ghting Islamic State, ministry. of the insurgents voiced only cautious perhaps in cooperation with Russia. Global security fi rm Symantec on optimism. Trump has indicated he will do both. Monday did not mention Saudi Arabia “We’ve seen no result on the ground Almost six years of war has turned but said it was “currently investigating from (US) statements that were made Syria into a patchwork of areas, some reports of yet another new attack in six years ago. So therefore we await ac- controlled by Assad, some by rebel the Middle East involving the destruc- tion before anything else,” said Fares groups and others by Kurdish militia tive disk-wiping malware used by the al-Bayoush, a rebel commander in or Islamic State militants. Shamoon group”. northwestern Syria. Previous discussion of safe zones in Syrian boys walk amid destroyed buildings in Aleppo’s formerly rebel-held Shaar neighbourhood. The company in December said There was no immediate word from Syria has focused on rebel-held areas Shamoon had been used in attacks Damascus, but it is sure to oppose such in the northwest stretching from Idlib tral status as a safe zone, he added. them on their way to autonomy from town of Jarablus in that strip of terri- against targets in Saudi Arabia. a move as Assad has vowed to regain province to the Euphrates river. While much of Trump’s Syria policy Baghdad. tory. Arab News reported at the time that control of all Syria. Areas in the southwest at the border remains unclear, Syrian Kurds, who The YPG has links to the Kurdistan Turkey, which hosts 2.8mn Syr- the National Cyber Security Cen- Iran, which backs militias in Syria with Jordan have also been seen as a have generally avoided confl ict with Workers Party (PKK), a designated ter- ian refugees, has long advocated safe tre “detected destructive electronic including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, would possibility. Assad, look set to remain central to US rorist groups in Turkey. zones in Syria. strikes against several government also oppose any US intervention. But the complications have grown strategy. Growing Kurdish infl uence in But underlining the caution with agencies and vital establishments”. Russia said it had not been con- since the Syrian opposition fi rst called The Syrian Kurdish YPG militia northern Syria largely explains why which foreign governments are view- In August, state media reported cy- sulted on Trump’s plan, warning that for safe zones, including the deploy- controls swathes of northeast Syria, Turkey launched a major incursion ing Trump’s comments, Turkey said berattacks against government insti- it should not “exacerbate the situation ment of Russia’s air force to Syria. where confl ict with the government is into Syria last year, helping insurgents it was waiting to see the outcome of a tutions and vital installations they did with refugees” and Washington should Defending a safe zone from attack rare and the US air force mounts regu- from the Free Syrian Army drive both “study” requested by Trump. not identify. weigh up “all the consequences”. by the Syrian government or its Rus- lar air strikes against IS targets. Islamic State and Kurdish militia away Aid agencies in the region are con- Shamoon was employed in strikes The creation of safe zones would sian and Iranian-backed militia allies Syrian Kurdish autonomy in north- from the border. cerned. Karl Schembri, Regional Me- against the Saudi energy sector in mark a major shift in US policy. would inevitably lead to an escalation, ern Syria alarms Turkey, which fears The operation dubbed “Euphrates dia Adviser in the Middle East for 2012. Former US president Barack Obama which is one of the reasons Obama had it could increase separatist sentiment Shield” has created what Turkish of- the Norwegian Refugee Council, said At that time, US intelligence offi - resisted an idea that would require avoided this path in the fi rst place, among its Kurdish minority. fi cials call a safe zone that is 100km that from the group’s experience, “we cials said they suspected a link to the a commitment to defend such areas Sayigh said. Kurdish groups already govern long. know that militarily enforced ‘safe kingdom’s regional rival Iran. from the Syrian government or its for- Another big challenge would be how northern Iraq, where the establish- This week, a new Turkish-trained zones’ rarely work and can actually put Ties between Riyadh and Tehran eign allies, including Russia. to police the area to maintain its neu- ment of a no-fl y zone in 1991 helped Syrian police force deployed in the civilians at more risk”. have worsened over the past year. Sudan’s Mahdi back from exile: party 153 more east Jerusalem AFP Khartoum settler homes approved udanese opposition leader and ex-prime minister Sadiq al- SMahdi returned yesterday to AFP the country more than two years af- Jerusalem ter he fl ed abroad, his party said. Mahdi, whose civilian government was overthrown in a 1989 coup that sraeli offi cials yesterday gave fi nal brought President Omar al-Bashir to approval to 153 east Jerusalem settler power, fl ew in to Khartoum, said his Ihomes, the deputy mayor said, add- daughter Mariam al-Mahdi, deputy ing to a sharp increase in such projects head of the Umma party. since US President Donald Trump took She said that authorities prevent- offi ce. ed several supporters from entering Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Meir Turge- the airport to welcome Mahdi. man told AFP the approvals by a city A fi xture of Sudanese politics since planning committee were among those the 1960s, Mahdi was prime minister held up due to pressure from former US from 1966 to 1967 and again from president Barack Obama’s administra- 1986 to 1989. tion. He left Sudan in August 2014, a Turgeman said developers “could few weeks after being released fol- start building from tomorrow”. lowing a month in custody on trea- Sudanese opposition leading figure Sadiq al-Mahdi is greeted by diplomats in Following Trump’s inauguration, son-related charges that could have Omdurman yesterday. Turgeman spoke of plans for some seen him face the death penalty. 11,000 homes in process for annexed Mahdi, 81, had been arrested after Mahdi is also revered by followers to the confl ict in Darfur, has been ac- east Jerusalem. accusing pro-government paramili- in his Ansar al-Islam movement, a cused of systematic repression of the “I’m going to deliver permits for tary forces of rape in western Sudan’s key component of the party. opposition. thousands of homes in Jerusalem in the Palestinian protesters hold a banner reading in Arabic ‘We want our children in Darfur region. While in exile Mahdi signed a con- Sudanese lawmakers voted in coming months,” Turgeman said. the land of our ancestors, return the bodies of our martyrs, it is right and dignity’ His detention led to large-scale troversial agreement joining Umma December to bring back the post Yesterday’s approvals were for the during a demonstration yesterday in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, protests at the time calling for the fall in an alliance with other opposition of prime minister, a position abol- settlement neighbourhood of Gilo. demanding that Israeli authorities return the bodies of Palestinians killed during of Bashir’s government, which were parties and a number of rebel groups ished after Bashir’s Islamist-backed Israel has announced a major settle- attacks on Israel. violently dispersed by authorities. from the war-torn Blue Nile, South putsch against Mahdi in 1989. ment expansion in the days following The case sparked concern from Kordofan and Darfur regions. In October, after a quarter-cen- Trump’s January 20 inauguration. Netanyahu’s government has moved Settlements are viewed by much of Western governments but Mahdi was In a statement in November Mahdi tury in power, Bashir concluded a On Sunday, the city planning com- quickly to take advantage. the world as illegal and major stumbling released after his legal team appealed had called for a three-day nationwide year-long national dialogue aimed at mittee approved building permits for In a telling break with the Obama blocks to peace eff orts as they are built to the justice minister to drop or sus- strike against Bashir’s regime, amid resolving the insurgencies in Sudan’s 566 settler homes in east Jerusalem. administration, Trump’s White House on land the Palestinians see as part of pend the charges. mounting anger over fuel subsidy cuts border regions and healing the coun- Two days later, the defence minis- has not condemned Israel’s settlement their future state. The exact status of the charges is and other economic problems. try’s crisis-wracked economy. try announced plans for 2,500 settler expansion. The announcements have Obama’s administration, like much not clear. Bashir, who is wanted by the Inter- The talks, launched in October homes in the occupied West Bank. deeply concerned those seeking to sal- of the world, warned that settlement The Umma party is one of Sudan’s national Criminal Court on charges 2015, were boycotted by most main- Trump has pledged strong support vage a two-state solution to the Israeli- expansion was gradually eating away at oldest political institutions. of war crimes and genocide related stream opposition and armed groups. for Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Palestinian confl ict. prospects for a two-state solution.

Helping hand Tripoli force suspects eastern backers in car bomb blast Pro-government fighters give food Reuters political confl ict between east and when long-time leader Muam- against Islamist-led opponents to Yemeni Tripoli west,” the city’s Special Deter- mar Gaddafi was killed in 2011. in the eastern city of Benghazi, children on rence Force (Rada) said in a state- In 2014, fi ghting between and has pushed west to control the road leading ment late on Wednesday that sig- armed alliances backing oppos- key oil facilities. to the counter-terrorism unit in nalled it held the Libyan National ing political factions resulted in It has said it is preparing to southwestern the Libyan capital Tripoli Army (LNA) responsible. rival governments being set up “liberate” Tripoli. Many doubt port city of Asaid it suspected a car The dead men had been try- in the capital and the east. it has the capacity to do so, but Mokha. bomb that went off on Saturday ing to target the embassy, but Since March last year a third, the claim has led to speculation near the Italian embassy was had been prevented from park- UN-backed government has that it is trying to lay the ground planted by backers of a rival force ing their car near the compound’s been trying to establish itself in for a military takeover. in the divided country’s east. walls, Rada said. Eastern offi cials Tripoli, but it has been unable to “According to the investiga- The blast occurred in central did not respond to the comments. win support from groups in the tions the perpetrators of the Tripoli about 350m from the re- Both Libya and Tripoli it- east aligned with the govern- terrorist act are connected with cently reopened embassy. The self are home to myriad armed ment there and the LNA. what is known as Operation Dig- bodies of two men were recovered groups with shifting and con- The LNA has made signifi cant nity, but it’s still unclear if it was from the wreckage of the car. fl icting loyalties that have sought gains over the past year in its an individual act or on Operation “This terrorist act is a result of to fi ll the power vacuum created “Operation Dignity” campaign Dignity’s orders,” Rada added. Gulf Times 4 Friday, January 27, 2017 AFRICA Barrow back in Gambia AFP/Reuters to oust authoritarian rulers with Banjul more powerful allies than Jam- meh. Regional leaders helped thrash ambians welcomed home out a deal last Saturday for Jam- yesterday their new Pres- meh to fl y to exile in Equatorial Gident Adama Barrow, who Guinea as thousands of ECOWAS was elected almost two months troops closed in after 22 years of ago but forced to fl ee to Senegal increasingly repressive rule in when his predecessor refused to Gambia, marked by alleged tor- step aside. ture and killings of opponents. Dressed in fl owing white robes Jammeh’s political demise is and cap, Barrow stepped off a relief to many people in the the plane, with heavily-armed small, sliver-like West African troops from Senegal and Nigeria country and the UN’s Chambas standing by as he fl ew in from promised assistance in investi- neighbouring Senegal, where he gating human rights abuses. had taken shelter on January 15. Swiss police meanwhile de- Barrow, who was accompanied tained long-time former Gam- by his two wives and some of his bian interior minister Ousman children, was welcomed by mili- Sonko near the Swiss capital of Barrow acknowledges supporters who had gathered to welcome him on his return from Dakar. tary offi cials and senior members Berne yesterday after a com- of his coalition government. plaint fi led against him by non- row supporter Adja Kombeh. to return quickly to curb the im- with ensuring safety, as it is be- However, lingering questions Barrow has told Jammeh that Immediately afterwards, governmental organisation Trial Gambians have said they were pact of the political crisis on the lieved rogue pro-Jammeh ele- remain as to the loyalty of the he will have all the rights legally fi ghter jets from the West African International. looking forward to their freedom tourist-reliant economy, already ments remain in the security Republican Guard, thought to ensured to a former president, ECOWAS regional force passed Barrow’s return marks Gam- after two decades of Jammeh’s in a fragile state. forces that were once under his number about 400, who in the which under Gambian law in- overhead. bia’s fi rst democratic transfer of iron-fi sted rule. The UN envoy for West Africa, personal control. past protected Jammeh from clude immunity from prosecu- “A new page in Gambian his- power and capped days of wait- “I’m 100% a Barrow supporter Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who “President Adama Barrow coup attempts. tion, barring a vote by two-thirds tory is being turned,” said Mo- ing in the tiny former British and I’m more happy than I can briefed the Security Council on has asked us to remain for two The whereabouts of members of the national assembly. hamed Ibn Chambas, UN Special colony after long-time leader say,” said Kanamo Sansou, sitting The Gambia, stressed that the or three weeks to see if there of alleged assassination squads However Chambas said there Representative for West Africa Jammeh had refused to leave af- with his friends at Serrekunda United Nations was working to are arms caches or mercenaries known in Gambia as the “Jun- was nothing in the UN-backed and the Sahel, who helped nego- ter losing a December 1 vote. market close to the capital Ban- bolster stability. hiding out,” said Marcel Alain glers” were not known. agreement that paved the way tiate Yahya Jammeh’s exit, short- Barrow took the oath of offi ce jul. Barrow will be staying at his de Souza, head of the 15-nation Jammeh fi nally left the country for Jammeh’s departure that gave ly before accompanying Barrow at his country’s embassy in Dakar “He will be diff erent in all as- own residence until further no- Economic Community of West on Saturday and went into exile him immunity. to Banjul. a week ago and a multinational pects ... we have been living un- tice while State House, Jammeh’s African States (ECOWAS) com- in Equatorial Guinea under threat In the weeks following Jam- Barrow’s surprise ballot box African force then entered Gam- der dictatorship for 22 years,” former seat of power, is assessed mission. of regional military intervention. meh’s decision to reject the elec- victory and the determination of bia to ensure his safe return home added pensioner Ibrahima Gaye. for potential risks. ECOWAS is ready to muster The authorities have accused tion outcome in early December, Western and African countries to and Jammeh’s departure. “You can go home at night and His fi rst job is to deal with an a force of up to 7,000 troops, he the former strongman of plun- Barrow was seen as vulnerable uphold it is being celebrated as a Hundreds gathered at the air- sleep without worrying you will internal crisis after it emerged his said this week. dering state coff ers and making and was protected by unarmed moment of democratic hope for port awaiting Barrow’s arrival, be arrested before daybreak.” choice for vice-president, Fatou- Gambia, a tiny riverine nation off with $11mn (€10mn). volunteers until he relocated to Africa. with drummers and dancers fi r- Barrow had not been seen in mata Jallow-Tambajang, may be surrounded by Western ally Sen- However, the new government Dakar. Yet, diplomats say that tiny ing up the crowds as Nigerian and public since his swearing-in and constitutionally too old for the egal on three sides, has a bloated has that confi rmed Jammeh will During his absence, Barrow Gambia was an easy target and Senegalese soldiers looked on. has yet to publicly address Gam- role. army for its size but so far there be permitted to keep a fl eet of was unable to return home for his that regional armies are unlikely “He will develop this country! bians. Around 4,000 west African have been no signs of resistance luxury cars, including two Rolls son’s funeral following a dog at- to venture into bigger countries He’s good, not a killer,” said Bar- Diplomats had urged Barrow troops remain in Gambia charged to ECOWAS forces. Royces. tack. Kenyan doctors snub court Govt: Buhari is Police ‘hale and hearty’ say Boko order to return to work Haram AFP Abuja Reuters kill three Nairobi igerian President Mu- hammadu Buhari is in Nigeria enya’s doctors union said N“hale and hearty”, his yesterday that a seven- government said yesterday, de- Kweek strike would con- nying rumours in the press and AFP tinue as long as needed to se- on social media that he was se- Kano cure demands for better pay and riously ill or even dead. conditions, ignoring a court rul- Last week, the 74-year-old ing ordering a return to work in went to London for “routine oko Haram Islamists raid- fi ve days or jail for union leaders. medical check-ups” – the ed a village in northeast The strike, which began on second such trip this year, the BNigeria earlier this week, December 5, has emptied hos- presidency said. killing three men and abducting pital beds as relatives take pa- But rumours that his health seven women, police said yes- tients to care for them at home was failing began to circulate Buhari: went to London for terday. and poses a challenge for the following reports that offi cials ‘routine medical check-ups’. The militants raided a village government in an election year, were planning to send a del- in the northeastern district of as it seeks to prevent other state egation to Britain to assess his a table, watching a Nigerian Askira Uba on Monday, fi ring workers taking action for higher condition. news channel on television. weapons and burning buildings pay. The reports were swiftly de- Wealthier Nigerians fre- to the ground, Borno state police Justice Hellen Wasilwa had nied by Information and Cul- quently travel overseas for commissioner Damian Chukwu initially handed union leaders a ture Minister Lai Mohammed, medical treatment because of told AFP. suspended one-month sentence who said they contained “no the poor state of healthcare in Casting doubt on govern- on January 12 after they defi ed a iota of truth” and that there the West African nation. ment claims that Boko Haram is December ruling declaring the was “no plan to send any emis- But his visit to London “technically defeated”, the po- strike illegal. Doctors chant slogans outside the employment and labour relations courts in Nairobi. sary to London” to see him. sparked anger, with Nigeria’s lice chief said offi cers had been But she gave them a two- “The president is hale and medical association saying deployed in the area to forestall week period for negotiations to (KMPDU) refused the time limit hospitals – began their walkout. diculous amounts, you have hearty in London,” he insisted. that it contradicted Buhari’s further attacks. avoid jail. imposed by the court. The union is demanding the to (explain) why we cannot af- Over the weekend, Buhari’s pledge to end medical tourism. “Homes and vehicles were Yesterday she extended the “The doctors are on strike and fulfi lment of a 2013 agreement ford that,” Finance Minister spokesman Garba Shehu also The health of the head of burned in the attack which made period for doctors to call off the the strike will continue until which it says awarded doctors a Henry Rotich told Citizen TV denied reports he was unwell, state has long been a sensitive villagers ran into the bush,” said strike by fi ve days. that day their demands placed 150-180% pay rise on basic sal- on Wednesday, saying that con- some of which even suggested issue. Chukwu. “The role of this court is to before the government are met,” aries, a review of working con- ceding would encourage more he had died. President Umaru Yar’Adua Askira Uba is near the town bring a solution, and an amica- KMPDU secretary general Ouma ditions and promotions criteria, worker strikes. “He is alive and well! Presi- died in 2010 from a long- of Chibok, where more than ble solution,” she said when an- Oluga told reporters. as well as hiring of more staff in Lecturers at public univer- dent Buhari is not magical. He standing, but undisclosed, kid- 200 schoolgirls were abducted nouncing the extension. Local newspapers have re- state hospitals. sities launched a strike last cannot be holidaying in the ney condition. in April 2014, drawing global Several thousand doctors and ported critically ill patients The East African state’s gov- week, a further headache to the UK and be in Germany, dead And there was also contro- attention to the raging Boko their supporters marched from left unattended and published ernment says it can only aff ord a government in the approach to or alive, at the same time,” he versy over the 1998 death of Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s the court to the centre of Nai- images of abandoned hospital 40% pay rise but would work to presidential and parliamentary said. military ruler Sani Abacha, northeast. robi where leaders of the Kenya beds after 5,000 members of the meet other conditions. elections in August when Presi- A day later, Buhari posted who offi cially died of a heart Nigeria recently said that it Medical Practitioners Phar- KMPDU – the only union repre- “We are not refusing to pay dent Uhuru Kenyatta will seek a a picture of himself on Twit- attack, but rumours persist has forced the Islamist mili- macists and Dentists’ Union senting doctors in government doctors. But if they ask ri- second and fi nal term. ter relaxing with his feet up on that he met a more lurid end. tants out of their Sambisa for- est stronghold, but residents in the area believe the Islamic Congo plans to extradite 186 alleged Burundian rebels Zambian off icers warned against marrying foreigners State (IS)-affi liated group is still present. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is to “We cannot accept that the Congo serve as a Zambian police off icers have been warned that it Esther Katongo told AFP. “Issues of security are The raid was the latest in a extradite nearly 200 suspected Burundian rebels, base to launch hostile actions against a member is illegal for them to marry foreigners, off icials said delicate and we cannot just sit and watch men in string of assaults or attempted raising concerns by rights groups that they could country of the ICGLR,” he said, referring to regional yesterday, in a crackdown over national security. uniforms marrying women from foreign countries.” attacks in Borno state by suicide be tortured or killed on their return to Burundi. body, the International Conference on the Great The move to strictly enforce long-established Katongo declined to identify the nationalities bombers, who are often young The 186 alleged rebels were captured near the Lakes. wedding regulations attracted criticism from of the foreigners, but some local cases have women. two countries’ border in 2015 and early 2016 amid At least 450 people have died since 2015 in human rights’ groups that described it as involved marriages to Rwandans, according to AFP At least 20,000 people have violence that broke out after Burundian President Burundi in clashes between protesters and discrimination. reporters. been killed since the beginning Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans to seek a third security forces, revenge killings and a failed coup, The police force said that increasing numbers In an internal memo this month, inspector general of the Boko Haram insurgency in term. stoking fears of wider unrest in a region still of off icers were getting married to foreigners in of police Kakoma Kanganja ordered that the law 2009. “We are finalising plans to extradite them,” the haunted by neighbouring Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. defiance of the law. over police marriages had to be obeyed. Violence continues, despite Congo’s government spokesman Lambert Mende UN experts said last year that some of the alleged “What prompted us to say that off icers should He said that all foreign marriages must be declared government and military claims told Reuters. rebels captured in the Congo confirmed receiving not marry foreigners is because there are off icers within one week or off icers would face disciplinary the group is on the verge of de- He did not know how long the process would take. military training or other support from Rwanda. who are breaching the law,” police spokeswoman actions. feat. Gulf Times Friday, January 27, 2017 5 AMERICAS Trump, party lawmakers wrestle over ‘bold’ agenda A 2002 file photo of the Bulletin of Reuters Trump has promised that Mexico Atomic Scientist’s ‘Doomsday Clock’ Philadelphia eventually will pay for the cost of the reading seven minutes to midnight. wall. Mexico has said it will not. Symbolic ‘Doomsday Clock’ resident Donald Trump yes- McConnell and Ryan did not say moves closer to midnight terday pushed Republican law- whether Congress would off set the Pmakers for swift action on his cost of the wall by cutting other pro- Comments by US President Donald Trump agenda including funding a US-Mex- grams or simply add to already huge and a “darkening global security landscape” ican border wall, rewriting the tax budget defi cits that they have criti- have made the world less safe, the Bulletin code and repealing the Obamacare cized for years. of the Atomic Scientists warned yesterday, law, despite tensions over timetables “We anticipate a supplemental moving its symbolic “Doomsday Clock” 30 and priorities. (budget) coming from the adminis- seconds closer to midnight. Congressional Republicans are in tration,” Ryan said at a news confer- The clock — which serves as a metaphor Philadelphia for a three-day retreat ence. “The point is we’re going to fi - for how close humanity is to destroying the to hammer out a legislative agenda, nance the Secure Fence Act.” planet — was last changed in 2015, from five with the party in control of the White Asked whether the Republicans to three minutes to midnight. House, Senate and House of Repre- could promise not to run up the fed- It is now set at two and a half minutes to sentatives for the fi rst time in a dec- eral defi cit with everything on their midnight. ade. agenda this year including the wall, The decision, to move the clock or not, is “This Congress is going to be the infrastructure spending and tax cuts, led by a group of scientists and intellectuals, busiest Congress we’ve had in dec- Ryan said, “We are fi scal conserva- including 15 Nobel laureates. ades, maybe ever,” Trump told the tives. What that means is we believe The minute-hand on the clock was moved lawmakers. government should not live beyond amid concerns about “a rise in strident “Enough ‘all talk, no action.’ We its means.” nationalism worldwide, President Donald have to deliver,” Trump added. Ryan and McConnell also indicat- Trump’s comments on nuclear arms and But Republican lawmakers have ed congressional Republicans do not climate issues, a darkening global security found themselves answering ques- plan to modify US law banning tor- landscape that is coloured by increasingly tions from reporters not just about US President Donald Trump poses with an executive order that he signed on Wednesday to start the Mexico border ture even as Trump considers bring- sophisticated technology, and a growing their legislative agenda but also wall project at the Department of Homeland Security facility in Washington, DC. ing back a CIA program for holding disregard for scientific expertise,” the group about Trump statements on matters terrorism suspects in secret overseas said in a statement. such as alleged voting irregularities we’re going to see unconventional on our campaign promises” including House Republican leader Kevin “black site” prisons where interroga- The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947. and CIA interrogation tactics. activities like tweets and things like repealing and replacing Democratic McCarthy said the pace of legislative tion techniques often condemned as It has changed 19 times since then, rang- House of Representatives Speaker that. I think that’s just something that former President Barack Obama’s Af- action may frustrate Trump. torture were used. ing from two minutes to midnight in 1953 to Ryan took issue with the notion that we’re all going to have to get used to.” fordable Care Act, as well as tax code “President Trump comes from a “I think the director of the CIA 17 minutes before midnight in 1991. congressional Republicans are not For weeks, Republicans talked and regulatory changes. diff erent world,” McCarthy told re- (Mike Pompeo) has made it clear he’s “Never before has the Bulletin decided in synch with Trump, the New York about formulating an agenda for the In comments suggesting a lack of porters. “Out in the business com- going to follow the law. And I believe to advance the clock largely because of the businessman who was sworn in last fi rst 100 days of Trump’s presidency. confi dence in fi nishing the job quick- munity, he likes things done fast, and virtually all of my members are com- statements of a single person,” two scientists Friday having never previously held In recent days, the talk has turned ly, Ryan said yesterday that it is “our he’s going to continue to push them.” fortable the state of the law on that at the Bulletin, Lawrence Krauss and David public offi ce. into a 200-day agenda for passing goal is to get these laws done in 2017,” McConnell said lawmakers will issue now,” McConnell said. Titley, said in an opinion piece published by “We are on the same page with major legislation before the lawmak- without guaranteeing that a replace- take up legislation to provide $12bn “Torture’s not legal,” Ryan said. The New York Times. the White House,” Ryan said during ers’ August recess. ment for Obamacare and a tax reform to $15bn to pay for Trump’s planned “And we agree with it not being legal.” “But when that person is the new presi- a joint news conference with Senate “It’s going to take more than sim- bill would be enacted by the end of wall along the US-Mexico border. Trump and his allies in Congress dent of the United States, his words matter.” Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, ply 100 days,” Ryan said. December. Trump signed an executive order are certain to face Democratic op- downplaying any diff erences with Ryan said congressional Repub- In his fi rst address to House and on Wednesday for the wall to pro- position to many of his legislative Trump. licans have been working with the Senate Republicans since taking of- ceed, part of a package of measures priorities, and Senate rules allow the “This is going to be an unconven- Trump administration on a daily ba- fi ce, Trump is expected to try to rally aimed at curbing illegal immigra- minority party to mount procedural tional presidency,” Ryan added. “I sis “to map out and plan a very bold party lawmakers to take quick action tion, although the action has tested hurdles that could slow or impede think you know this by now....I think and aggressive agenda to make good on his priorities. already frayed relations with Mexico. passage. Chicago to pay $4.75mn in police Brazil hunts ex-billionaire misconduct cases in corruption investigation

Reuters Reuters energy, shipbuilding and logistics com- Chicago Rio de Janeiro panies he has been forced to sell. One of Brazil’s most outspoken entre- preneurs, Batista’s fortune has dwindled hicago will pay $4.75mn in settlements razilian police are seeking the ar- from more than $30bn to nearly nothing in two cases stemming from police rest of fallen commodities tycoon as his energy, mining and transportation Cmisconduct after the city council voted BEike Batista as part of a vast po- empire crumbled in recent years. to approve the payments on Wednesday. litical bribery probe, investigators said Prosecutors said Batista had paid a Shawn Whirl, who spent nearly 25 years in yesterday, adding that the former bil- roughly $16mn bribe in 2011 to former Rio prison after being tortured into confessing a lionaire appeared to have already fl own Governor Sergio Cabral, who was arrest- A villager and his horse walk past a forest fire in the town of Santa Olga in the Maule region, southern Chile. murder, was awarded a settlement of $4mn. to New York. ed in November on corruption charges. Whirl’s compensation was the latest in a Batista, who ranked as Brazil’s richest Although investigators could not string of city payments linked to torture car- man just fi ve years ago, seems to have specify what advantages Batista alleg- ried out by disgraced former Chicago police left the country on a German passport edly gained, they said he was implicated commander Jon Burge and those who worked on Tuesday night and will be consid- in the corruption and money launder- under him, which have cost the city millions. ered a fugitive if he does not surrender ing operation. 7 die in Chile wildfi res Burge, a police offi cer starting in 1970, and soon to authorities, police investigator Batista’s lawyers could not be reached the detectives under his command were ac- Tacio Muzzi told journalists. for comment. cused of forcing confessions from black sus- Police said they believed Batista and Brazil and the United States signed an AFP Frantic locals have been join- sparsely populated rural areas in pects by using electric shocks from a home- eight others facing detention orders extradition treaty in 1961. Police told a Santiago ing in eff orts to tackle the blaze the central regions of O’Higgins made device, suff ocation with plastic covers took part yesterday in a $100mn money news conference that they could not yet to save their homes, animals and and El Maule. and mock executions. Burge was fi red in 1993 laundering ring tied to kickbacks on lu- be certain whether Batista had board- farmland. Bachelet said the fl ames were and later convicted of lying about police tor- crative contracts in a scheme centred on ed the fl ight to New York with a ticket orest fi res in central Chile Bachelet Tuesday ordered extra now advancing towards the state ture in testimony he gave in civil lawsuits. state-run oil fi rm Petrobras. bought in his name or whether he might have killed seven people, funds to fi ght what she called the of Biobio, further south. Chicago approve reparations for the vic- “We can’t categorically affi rm that have fl own onward from there. Fdisplaced thousands and country’s worst forest fi res ever. Foreign Minister Heraldo Mu- tims in 2015 and began paying them last year. there was an intention to fl ee,” said However, a federal police source told destroyed entire villages, the gov- At least 4,000 people were noz said the United States, Can- Whirl was coerced by a Chicago police de- Muzzi. “The federal police are in con- Reuters that it appeared Batista was fol- ernment said yesterday. evacuated earlier this week, the ada and various other countries tective into confessing to the 1990 murder of tact with Interpol to see if he in fact ar- lowed to New York the next day by his President Michelle Bachelet National Emergency Offi ce said. have off ered help. Billy Williams on the city’s south side, accord- rived in New York.” wife and one of his children. raised the death toll in a press con- More than 4,000 emergency Fires are common in Chile’s ing to the National Registry of Exonerations. A lawyer for Batista told Globonews Police declined to say where Batista ference yesterday after a farmer died. workers are battling the blaze, parched woods during the South- Whirl, who was 20 years old at the time, television that his client would turn would be jailed once apprehended. Four fi refi ghters and two po- with the help of water-dumping ern Hemisphere’s summer. was sentenced in 1991 to 60 years in prison, himself in. Inmates with a college degree, which licemen were earlier reported to aircraft. Most are caused by human ac- but was exonerated in 2015. Batista’s arrest would cap a dramatic Batista lacks, are usually separated from have been killed while battling the More hot and windy weather tivity. He fi led a lawsuit against the city following fall for a man who was among the 10 the rest of the population in Brazil’s blaze over the past week. was forecast for yesterday, rais- But this year was considered his release alleging his was a victim of a “pat- richest in the world before the glo- crowded and chaotic prison system, Multiple blazes have ravaged ing fears the fi res will continue to worse because of a drought at- tern of systemic torture and physical abuse bal commodities crash hammered his which has suff ered a series of violent 240,000 hectares and are grow- spread. tributed by environmentalists to of African-American suspects,” according to Grupo EBX, a constellation of mining, riots this year. ing, she said. The fi res have struck mainly in climate change. court documents.

TransCanada has not yet broached Keystone XL with shippers: CEO

Reuters from Hardisty, Alberta, across with the pipeline contract who Whistler, BC the US border to Steele City, Ne- declined to be identifi ed due to a braska. lack of authorization to speak to Girling said he believes the the media. ransCanada Corp has yet project remains attractive for The pipeline has faced fi erce to discuss the Keystone shippers, given that it will supply opposition over environmental TXL oil pipeline with ship- the popular Gulf Coast market. concerns and still needs to get pers and is not certain if all were “But we haven’t engaged in approval from the state of Ne- still in support of it, the compa- direct conversation on that is- braska. ny’s CEO said on Wednesday in sue,” he said at an investors TransCanada late on Wednes- his fi rst public comments since conference. “This wasn’t in our day did not immediately respond President Donald Trump revived planning horizon in the middle to a request for comment about the project. of last year, so we’ve only just the shippers’ commitment to the The new US president signed re-engaged with our shippers project. an order on Tuesday that allowed again.” If operational, Keystone XL TransCanada to reapply for a Analysts and traders said the would bring more than 800,000 permit for Keystone XL, after C$8 bn ($6.1bn) pipeline was far barrels per day of heavy crude it was rejected in 2015 by then- from being a certainty. from Canada, which holds the president Barack Obama on en- Since it has been proposed world’s third-largest crude re- vironmental concerns. nearly a decade ago, TransCan- serves but lacks the infrastruc- TransCanada chief executive ada has lost some initial sup- ture to move it easily. Russ Girling said the fi rm was port from shippers during its The project has received regu- “diligently” preparing its appli- arduous approval process, said latory approval and government Deer roam in a depot used to store pipes for Transcanada’s planned Keystone XL oil pipeline in Gascoyne, North Dakota. cation for the 1,900km pipeline a Canadian crude trader familiar backing in Canada. Gulf Times 6 Friday, January 27, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

CONVICTION EXTRADITION CRACKDOWN PROBE CONTROVERSY Vietnam punishes four Thailand presses Laos Indonesian anti-graft Indonesian family, including Chinese woman jailed over over Formosa disaster over royal insult suspects agency detains judge children, held over IS links balloon shooting set free

Vietnam said yesterday it would punish four Thailand’s top security off icer will go to Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency has detained Indonesian police have detained a family of five, A Chinese court yesterday set free a woman off icials over one of its worst environmental neighbouring Laos to push for the extradition a Constitutional Court judge in connection with including three children, after they were deported who had been jailed for three-and-a-half years disasters, caused by a unit of Taiwan of critics of the Thai monarchy, Thailand’s a graft investigation, the court’s chief justice from Turkey for allegedly seeking to travel to Syria for illegal ownership of guns used in a balloon- conglomerate Formosa Plastics, in the first defence minister said yesterday. Insulting the said yesterday. Chief Justice Arief Hidayat said to join the Islamic State (IS) group, an off icial said shooting game, a case that sparked anger over action against government off icials 10 months monarchy carries a jail term of up to 15 years the judge, Patrialis Akbar, would be suspended yesterday. The family were the latest Indonesians what many people see as the uncompromising after the accident. Formosa Ha Tinh Steel, for each off ence in Thailand and prosecutions from duty and possibly sacked if found to have to be caught attempting to join the jihadists. application of the law. China strictly controls which runs an $11-bn steel plant, polluted have risen since the death last October of the violated the law. “We will request permission Hundreds of radicals have flocked to the Middle gun ownership and gun crime is rare. Zhao more than 200km of coastline in April, killing revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His son, King from the president to suspend the judge first and East to fight with IS in recent years. The family left Chunhua was sentenced last month after police more than 100 tonnes of fish and devastating Maha Vajiralongkorn, has taken the throne. permanently relieve him of his duties if there Indonesia for Turkey in August, from where they determined six of the guns used in her street- the environment, jobs and economies of The government has asked seven countries, has been a violation of the law,” Hidayat told a planned to cross to Syria to join IS, police said. But side balloon game were air guns capable of four provinces. In its first measures against including Laos, to extradite a total of 19 suspects news conference. “We feel very concerned that they were caught by Turkish soldiers this month firing small metal bullets, rather plastic ones that government off icials 10 months after the event, accused of the crime of lese majeste. None has this has happened,” he said, referring to what he and deported back to Indonesia, arriving late should be used. The case was widely debated in four off icials are to be transferred to other said it would. General Thawip Netniyom would described as an “operation” by the Corruption Tuesday on the resort island of Bali, local police media and on social media, with many people departments and face administrative action. travel to Laos to follow up on the request. Eradication Commission (KPK) to detain Akbar. spokesman Hengky Widjaja said. saying Zhao was obviously no criminal.

Leadership hopeful Carrie Lam testifi es in Pomp and protest mark Hong Kong graft trial

AFP jor investor in a broadcaster — Hong Kong which at the time was seeking a licence from the Hong Kong gov- Australia Day festivities ernment. ong Kong leadership Tsang allegedly approved the By Subel Bhandari, DPA rython, as well as a “ballet” by recent days, with some 10,000 tralia Day needed to be moved shorter than rest and they make hopeful Carrie Lam tes- company’s application for the Sydney boats and yachts. people asking to change the since it evoked a “bad memory” up for 27% of the prison popula- Htifi ed in a high-profi le licence, and also failed to declare In Canberra, Prime Minister date of Australia Day. Protestors for so many. tion. But Deputy Prime Minister corruption trial yesterday where that an architect he proposed for Malcolm Turnbull donned an briefl y clashed with Australia “This is the beginning of all Barnaby Joyce hit back at the she described the accused — a a government award had been arbecue sausages, cock- apron to help sizzle some sau- Day revellers close to the city our troubles. We are a dysfunc- protestors. He told a local radio former city leader — as her “role employed as an interior designer roach races, concerts and sages at a Cure Cancer Australia centre after a fl ag was appar- tional people because of the yesterday that those who want a model”. for the fl at. Bprotests: that was how fundraiser. ently set alight. impact of white society and we diff erent date “should crawl un- Donald Tsang is charged with Lam denied knowledge of the Australia Day was celebrated in He also offi ciated a citizen- “Since 1788 we’ve been fi ght- need people to acknowledge der a rock and hide for a little bit.” misconduct and bribery while he Shenzhen property. She also said Australia yesterday. In addition, ship ceremony and welcome 28 ing and it’s a national disgrace to these facts,” he told the AAP Turnbull was more reconcili- was Hong Kong’s chief executive she had not come under pressure at least 16,000 new migrants new countrymen. The largest have a holiday on Australia Day news agency. atory, saying people are entitled and is the highest-ranking offi - when she nominated the archi- from 150 diff erent countries citizenship ceremony was held — a day which marked the be- Scientists say the Aboriginals to their point of view but the cial to be taken to court for graft. tect for the award after he was took oaths of citizenship at 400 in Wanneroo of Perth in Western ginning of genocide,” Dave Bell, trace their lineage to the conti- government would not support The trial comes at a time suggested to her department by diff erent ceremonies. Australia, with 800 people from one of the Sydney protest organ- nent some 50,000 years back, a date change. “There are many when residents are losing faith the chief executive’s offi ce. Australia Day marks the anni- 49 countries taking the oath. isers, said. long before the British coloni- bigger, more profound issues in Hong Kong’s elites, as a string “Of course I made my own versary of the 1788 arrival of the But the colourful celebrations In Melbourne more than sation that was followed by two like constitutional recognition of corruption cases fuel public judgement,” she said. The pros- British First Fleet in Sydney and also gave way to growing de- 10,000 people turned out for the centuries of brutal subjugation (for indigenous Australians) to suspicions over cosy links be- ecution has called Tsang’s be- is recognised as a public holiday. bate about the national day with “Invasion Day” rally. A few hun- and killing. deal with than the date of Aus- tween authorities and business haviour a betrayal of public trust. Thousands of people attended protest rallies in most big cities. dred protestors staged a sit-in Currently, some 700,000 Ab- tralia Day,” he told reporters. leaders. In 2012 Tsang apologised for Brisbane’s traditional cockroach Many indigenous Australians outside the parliament building original and Indigenous people A referendum on whether to Lam was made secretary for separate allegations that he ac- races; hundreds of cars paraded mark January 26 as “invasion in Canberra. At a protest outside — or 3% of the 23mn populace recognise the Aboriginals as development in 2007 during cepted inappropriate gifts from with Australian fl ags through day,” the start of oppression by federal parliament in Canberra, — are near the bottom across all the country’s fi rst people in the Tsang’s administration and said business friends in the form of Darwin’s streets; and Sydney British colonisers. Sydney saw Aboriginal man Alan Thomas economic and social indicators. constitution has been on hold he “had been my role model in trips on luxury yachts and pri- Harbour hosted the annual Fer- one of the largest protests in Coe said that the date of Aus- Their life expectancy is 10 years for years. my career as a public servant”, vate jets. Lam was most recent- when she was called as a prose- ly tough deputy to unpopular cution witness at the city’s High current chief executive Leung Court. Chun-ying. Lam answered “yes” when the She stepped down earlier Ooh La La! defence counsel asked whether this month to run for election in Tsang did his “honest best to March and is widely seen as Bei- serve the public”. Tsang, 72, was jing’s favourite candidate to lead leader from 2005 to 2012 and the semi-autonomous city. But has pleaded not guilty to three since announcing her bid Lam charges of misconduct and brib- has been accused of being out of ery, each with a maximum jail touch with ordinary people. sentence of seven years. She was this week ridiculed for He is accused of failing to dis- revealing she did not know where close his plans to lease a luxury to buy toilet paper late at night penthouse in the neighbouring and appearing hesitant using a city of Shenzhen from a ma- subway turnstile.

Japan hotel chain could remove books denying Nanjing Massacre

A Japanese hotel chain at the centre of a furore over books its president wrote denying the Nanjing Massacre in wartime China is prepared to consider removing the books from at least some hotels if it receives a formal written request to do so. Tokyo-based hotel and real estate developer APA Group came under fire last week for books by president Toshio Motoya, which contain his revisionist views and are placed in every room of the company’s 400-plus APA Hotels. Motoya, using the pen name Seiji Fuji, wrote that stories of the Nanjing Massacre were “impossible”: “These acts were all said to be committed by the Japanese army, but this is not true.” China says Japanese troops killed 300,000 people in Nanjing from December 1937 to January 1938. A post-war Allied tribunal put the death toll at about half that. To the fury of China, some conservative Japanese politicians and academics deny the massacre took place, or they put the death toll much lower. Motoya has previously said the hotel had no intention of withdrawing the books, which have appeared for years but only became an issue in China last week due to a video posting on social media, saying Japan’s free speech laws protect him. But APA said on its website on Tuesday that when negotiations took place in April 2015 about using some hotels to host athletes for the Canadian actor Ryan Gosling signs his autograph for fans during the Japan premiere of his film La La Land in Tokyo yesterday. 2017 Sapporo Asian Winter Games on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, it received a verbal request from a travel agent to remove all printed matter from rooms. It added that if there was a formal, written request, it was prepared to respond, without giving further details. Controversial Indonesian Nazi-themed cafe shuts Manhunt for foreigners over Thailand hit AFP datenKaff ee had shut as there Thai cops said yesterday they possession of a firearm and Bandung, Indonesia were not enough customers to are hunting two foreigners for also carrying weapons without support it, but said he did not the gangland-style execution permission,” he added. believe people had been put off of a Briton in a seedy beach Krissana declined to speculate controversial Nazi- by the theme. “The public inter- resort, but are unsure if the on the motive for the killing, themed cafe in Indonesia est is low because the current pair have fled the country. but said the pair were A with swastika-bearing location is not very strategic,” Tony Kenway, a 39-year-old identified through witness walls has closed over a lack of Hidayat said, adding the cafe father-of-four, was killed testimony and evidence customers, a lawyer said yester- was shut six months ago and the Tuesday morning with a single gathered over the last two day, but pledged it would reopen decision was taken purely for shot to the head outside a gym days. Bonito was suspected of at a bigger location. business reasons. in the eastern city of Pattaya. being the gunman with Turner The SoldatenKaff ee (“The He said Mulyana was looking Harrowing CCTV footage acting as the getaway driver, Soldiers’ Cafe”), which also for a better location in down- showed an assassin calmly he added. Thai media quoted sports a painting of Adolf Hit- town Bandung — the previous open the door of his victim’s unnamed investigators as ler, sparked global outrage when site was in a quiet area outside parked red Porsche, shooting saying the pair might have fled reports about the unusual venue the centre — and for new in- him once and then fleeing to Cambodia by land. in the city of Bandung surfaced vestors to build a bigger cafe, on a motorbike driven by an Krissana said detectives several years ago. although he did not say when it accomplice. were still working on The owner Henry Mulyana would reopen. Thai police named the two piecing together the pair’s voluntarily shut the cafe in 2013 Hidayat insisted the Sol- suspects as British national movements, adding that after receiving death threats but datenKaff e, which takes its Miles Dicken Turner and South immigration authorities it was reopened a year later, with name from cafes where German A file picture shows customers sitting next to images featuring German soldiers during World War II, African Abel Caldeira Bonito. had been informed of the the image of the Nazi leader still troops used to hang out in oc- inside the Soldatenkaff e “The Soldiers’ Cafe” in Bandung. “The court has issued an suspects’ identities. The killing in place and three huge iron ea- cupied Paris during World War arrest warrant for them,” has returned the spotlight gles with swastikas on display. II, would still display the Nazi reopened the cafe in 2014, he The cafe fi rst opened its doors criticism from overseas, par- deputy national police to the popular beachside But in the end it was not the memorabilia when it opened sought to escape criticism by in 2011, but only found itself at ticularly from Jewish organisa- spokesman Colonel Krissana city Pattaya, which has a controversy that forced the cafe again. “Those objects are not il- broadening the theme, adding the centre of controversy two tions, including the LA-based Pattanacharoen said. notorious reputation for its to close its doors again – but a legal,” he said. images of other World War II years later when the English- Simon Wiesenthal Center, “They are jointly charged with seedy nightlife and criminal lack of interest. “It’s not because we love Hit- fi gures like Winston Churchill language media began high- which expressed its “outrage premeditated murder, illegal underworld links. Mulyana’s lawyer Rohman ler, we only love things related to and Josef Stalin alongside Nazi- lighting its Nazi theme. and disgust” and called for the Hidayat confi rmed that the Sol- World War II.” When Mulyana related memorabilia. The reports prompted fi erce cafe’s closure. Gulf Times Friday, January 27, 2017 7 BRITAIN

PEOPLE TRAVEL LAW AND ORDER TRIAL Astronaut Peake to return Rush-hour ‘drain’ Police find array of arms Comedian McGrath admits to space on second mission drivers defy strike in knife crime blitz harassing ex-lover

British astronaut Tim Peake yesterday revealed Tube train drivers on the Waterloo & City line A terrifying array of weapons has been seized Rory McGrath yesterday avoided prison after he is set to return to space for a second mission. yesterday defied an RMT strike call and turned up by police after just two days of a purge on admitting harassing a married former lover for Major Peake told the Standard the experience for work. The line, known as the Drain, operates knife crime in London. More than 200 searches 14 months. The comedian was given a 10-week was so addictive that he wanted to go back a direct link between Waterloo mainline and uncovered 49 blades along with six guns, 23 jail sentence suspended for 18 months after after returning to Earth last June following his Bank stations and is used by more than 32,000 other off ensive weapons and 129 rounds of pleading guilty to a single charge of harassment 186-day European Space Agency mission. His commuters a day. A senior Tube source said: “We ammunition in the seventh phase of Operation on the first day of his trial at Huntingdon announcement came as he unveiled a new didn’t expect this. We have had a good service Sceptre. Among them were a “zombie knife” in magistrates’ court in Cambridgeshire. They Science Museum exhibit — the charred Soyuz during the morning peak. We ran the full five-train Newham, a machete in Newham — part of a haul Think It’s All Over star McGrath, 60, whose TMA-19M capsule that brought him back to service because drivers turned up for duty. ” The found in a park — and ordinary kitchen blades. wife Nicola was in court to support him, began Astronaut Tim Peake poses with the Soyuz Earth. Major Peake became the first British line later closed, however. The RMT ordered a 24- Commander Jim Stokley, head of the Met’s harassing his victim, who cannot be named TMA-19M descent module, the spacecraft astronaut to walk in space during his time on hour strike, which began at 9pm on Wednesday Gangs and Organised Crime Command, said the for legal reasons, when she ended their aff air. which carried him and his crew to and from the the International Space Station. His second ESA night, among its Central line drivers in protest weapons were hidden on estates by gangs so McGrath originally denied a stalking charge International Space Station, at a media event at mission is due to take place before 2024 but the over what it claims was the “forced” move of eight they could be picked up and used in attacks or in but admitted harassment when the charge was the Science Museum in London yesterday. ESA gave no specific timeframe. of its members to diff erent train depots. clashes with rivals. changed. Mystery body Hammond at Microsoft campus found on Saddleworth Moor identifi ed

Guardian News and Media by witnesses walking up the hill London at about 4.30pm. His body was found the next morning by a passing cyclist on he mystery behind the a boggy section of track. He was identity of a man found wearing slip-on shoes and had Tdead on Saddleworth £130 in cash in his pockets, along Moor more than a year ago has with three train tickets, includ- been solved. ing a return ticket to London. He A coroner has confi rmed the was carrying no documentation. man found dead at Dovestone Since the discovery of his reservoir, Greater Manchester, body a number of theories have was 67-year-old David Lytton. been explored by police offi cers In a short hearing at Heywood about how and why he died on coroner’s court, it was con- the secluded moorland. fi rmed that offi cers had checked Previously it had emerged he Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond talks with apprentices and Microsoft UK CEO Cindy Rose (third right) during a visit to the Microsoft campus, Thames passenger records from a fl ight had strychnine in his system – Valley Park, Reading, west of London, yesterday. from Lahore in Pakistan, which a highly toxic substance used tallied with Lytton’s details. in rat poison. He had also had a They had also checked air- 10cm metal plate inserted into port and train station CCTV to his left leg between 2001 and confi rm Lytton’s movements. 2015, which indicated the opera- Lytton’s body was found on a tion would have taken place in remote hillside on December 12, Pakistan. 2015. A container of medicine found Yesterday the Manchester on his body was also linked to North coroner, Simon Nelson, Pakistan. A number of theo- said his name had been con- ries about his identity had been May urged to stand up to fi rmed after detectives discov- discounted, including specula- ered he had travelled from La- tion that a survivor from a plane hore, Pakistan, to the UK two crash in 1949 near Indian’s Head days before his death. – the outcrop where he was dis- In January last year, pictures covered – that killed 24 people of the dead man were circulated may have made a pilgrimage to to GPs nationwide, while detec- the site. Trump’s torture stance tives from Manchester travelled The hearing was listed in the to London and visited hostels, name of Neil Dovestones – a Guardian News and Media and security committee, sug- Responding to Trump’s claim who chairs the Treasury select iterated by the Brexit Secretary, hotels and pubs in their quest to nickname reportedly given to London gested it was not adequate for that tactics such as waterboard- committee, asked May to make David Davis, and the Foreign uncover his identity. him by mortuary workers at May to shrug off concerns and ing work and might be consid- clear to her American counter- Secretary, Boris Johnson, but Offi cers identifi ed the smartly Royal Oldham hospital. simply pledge to rekindle the ered legal, Robertson added: “If part that “in no circumstances there has been no suggestion that dressed man in CCTV foot- Nelson said he and the in- heresa May is facing special relationship during a you had anyone who was in a sit- will she permit Britain to be the prime minister will raise the age from Ealing, west London, vestigating offi cer, detective growing pressure, in- two-day charm off ensive. uation where for days or weeks dragged into facilitating that issue in a meeting with Trump. where he is believed to have sergeant John Coleman, were Tcluding from high-profi le “How can the UK claim the they experienced drowning they torture, as we were after Sep- Meanwhile, a former key ad- started his journey on the morn- “anxious” the information of Conservatives, to warn Donald relationship is special when it will tell you anything.” tember 11”. viser to David Cameron has told ing of December 11. He arrived in Lytton’s identity be made public Trump that the government potentially involves torture,” he May is also facing pressure He added that any US return the Guardian that the previ- Manchester shortly after mid- “without delay” but he added: considers his comments about told the Guardian. “May must from within her own party. In to rendition and torture would ous prime minister would have day after taking a train from “There are other areas of inquiry torture to be unacceptable. raise this with President Trump response to the news that the “be not just illegal and im- been minded to raise the issue London Euston, then went to that need to be pursued and they MPs and peers have lined up and explain the extremely dam- prime minister would tell Trump moral but counterproductive” in a meeting with an American Greenfi eld, Saddleworth, and are being pursued in order that to urge the prime minister to use aging consequences that this that the US and UK could “lead, and make gathering intelligence counterpart. “It is really diffi cult visited the Clarence pub at 2pm, I can fulfi l my statutory obliga- her fi rst meeting with the US policy would have on intelli- together, again” on a global more diffi cult. and we would have been wring- where he asked the landlord how tions and conclude my inquest president to take a stand, amid gence co-operation between al- stage, Tory MP Sarah Wollas- May assured Tyrie on ing our hands about. There is to get to the top of the 1,500ft in due course. claims that any return to contro- lies.” ton tweeted: “You cannot lead Wednesday that Britain has a no upside to the UK falling out Indian’s Head peak above Dove- A full hearing will take place versial torture techniques would He argued that it would call on a global stage by advocating clear position on the issue. “We with the US and David would stone reservoir. at Heywood coroner’s court on seriously damage intelligence into question the ways intel- torture, disgusting racial stere- do not sanction torture, we do have been pragmatic,” they ad- Despite being warned about March 14. It is understood DNA co-operation. ligence agencies work together, otyping and turning back the not get involved in that, and that mitted. “But he always believed treacherous weather conditions taken from a relative of the de- Angus Robertson, the SNP’s with a mutual understanding clock on women’s rights world- will continue to be our position,” that a good friend was an hon- by the landlord, Mel Robinson, ceased man also matched Lyt- Westminster leader and a mem- that information is never ob- wide.” she said. est friend, and Britain has not he left the pub and was spotted ton’s profi le. ber of parliament’s intelligence tained via such techniques. And Andrew Tyrie, the MP The comments have been re- changed its position on torture.” No plan to strip GTR of Turkish delight Govt takes fi rst step to triggering Brexit rail contract: government Reuters the normal lawmaking process, London which will see both chambers of parliament scrutinise the bill. Reuters line connects London to Brighton the substantial operational chal- “The British people have made London and Gatwick Airport, began last lenges faced by the franchise,” said rexit Minister David Davis the decision to leave the EU and April, and has turned into the sec- Liberum analyst Gerald Khoo.”If began the process of pass- this government is determined to tor’s longest-running since Brit- such an operator exists, it would Bing a law that enables the get on with the job of delivering he government dismissed ain’s train services were privatised probably result in a signifi cantly government to trigger Britain’s it,” Davis said in a statement. media reports that it was in the mid-1990s. more expensive contract.” exit from the European Union, Tplanning to take a rail con- Britain’s privately-operated rail Some of the disruption on the saying yesterday he expected the “The British people have tract away from GTR, as strikes network attracts frequent criti- GTR network has been due to the legislation to pass quickly. made the decision to leave on the Southern network disrupt cism and in 2009 the government redevelopment of London Bridge Earlier this week, the top the EU and this government hundreds of thousands of London stripped National Express of the station, a major London train hub, court ruled that Prime Minister is determined to get on with commuters. London to Edinburgh East Coast which has proved more complex Theresa May must seek par- the job of delivering it” “There are no plans to strip service, keeping it in state hands than expected and caused more liamentary approval to trigger GTR of the franchise. This is pure for fi ve years. delays than forecast. Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon “I trust that parliament, speculation,” a department for The DfT also said it was keeping As a result, Go-Ahead has Treaty, rejecting the govern- which backed the referendum transport (DfT) spokesman said GTR’s performance under con- downgraded its profi t expecta- ment’s argument that it could by six to one, will respect the yesterday. stant review. tions for the seven-year rail con- do so unilaterally. decision taken by the British Passengers, politicians and the Some media reports said that tract. The ruling is not expected to people and pass the legislation media have heavily criticised Go- GTR’s performance meant the Shares in Go-Ahead traded derail May’s plans to invoke Arti- quickly.” via Thameslink Railway (GTR), a government would fi nd GTR had down 0.3 % to 2,204 pence at cle 50 by the end of March, which Opposition parties have said joint venture owned by London- breached its contract, and as a re- 1117GMT, only slightly underper- will start two years of complex they will try to amend the legis- listed Go-Ahead and France’s Keo- sult the government would seek forming Britain’s midcap index negotiations with the EU on the lation to make the government lis, over repeated strikes, cancella- another operator to run the con- which was up 0.1%. terms of Britain’s exit and its new reveal more details of its Brexit tions and delays. tract after fi rst taking control itself. Liberum’s Khoo warned that trading arrangements. plans. Reports in several newspapers But one analyst said the gov- GTR would continue to weigh on But it may force the govern- The bill will now be debated said the government was work- ernment would struggle to fi nd Go-Ahead. ment to reveal more of its nego- for two days next week, on Janu- ing on a plan to either take control another transport company to run “Until the operational perform- tiating position. ary 31 and February 1, the gov- of the network itself, or take over the service. ance of the GTR franchise is re- Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, tries a piece of Turkish Davis began seeking parlia- ernment said. It is then expected Southern by separating it from the “We see it as unlikely there will stored to acceptable levels, the risk Baklava during his visit to Narborough Road in mentary approval by publishing to progress to a further debate bigger GTR franchise. be a replacement private sec- of Go-Ahead being defaulted on Leicester, central England. legislation and introducing it to stage, lasting three days from The dispute at Southern, whose tor operator willing to take on the contract remains,” he said. parliament — the first stages in February 6 to February 8. Gulf Times 8 Friday, January 27, 2017 EUROPE

Austria arrests 14 Extradition of Turkish in major anti-terror coup suspects blocked raids AFP/Reuters was read out, the justice source swiftly go through the phases of requested asylum in other Nato AFP Athens/Ankara said. due process and manage to re- countries. Vienna In addition, the court ordered turn these terrorist elements so Turkish authorities have ar- that the eight be released from that they will face justice,” the rested thousands of people since reece’s Supreme Court police custody. ambassador told reporters. July with many thousands more ourteen people were ar- has blocked the extradi- However, shortly after the When the offi cers arrived a having been sacked – in par- rested in Austria yesterday Gtion of eight Turkish mil- court’s decision Turkey issued local court handed them a two- ticular journalists, teachers and Fas some 800 police inves- itary offi cers sought by Ankara an arrest warrant for the eight month prison sentence for ille- police offi cers, over alleged links tigating possible members of the over July’s failed coup against men, Turkish media reported. gal entry into the country, sus- with the movement of Fethullah Islamic State (IS) group carried President Recep Tayyip Erdog- Turkey has previously asked pended over a three-year period. Gulen, the Muslim preacher ac- out raids in Vienna and Graz in an, a justice source said. for the men’s extradition. They were later relocated to cused by Ankara of orchestrat- the south, authorities said. The men landed a helicopter The court decision brought an Athens and have spent the past ing the coup. The raids however were not in Greece a day after the botched angry response from the Turkish six months in police custody. The eight offi cers have re- related to the arrest in Vienna putsch and asked for asylum, foreign ministry, which accused In his defence, one of the quested asylum in Greece. last week of a 17-year-old sus- setting up a politically delicate Greece of protecting plotters Turkish offi cers had said: “We Their applications were origi- pected Islamist extremist, and situation in Greece. and said relations between the saw indiscriminate arrests of nally rejected in July but appeals investigators did not believe a Turkey has branded them countries would be reviewed. military personnel and we were are currently being processed. terror attack was imminent, re- “terrorists” and the case is Turkey would “use all avenues afraid.” The Supreme Court took over ports said. awkward for Athens, which is of law” to ensure the soldiers’ The eight Turkish army off icers arriving at the Greek Supreme Court Another said: “I’m proud to be the case after an appeals court “As part of an ongoing inves- working with Nato ally Ankara extradition and prosecution, it yesterday. The Greek court have blocked their extradition over an army man. I would not have last month gave contradictory tigation into suspected mem- to stem the fl ow of migrants added. July’s failed military coup against President Erdogan. left Turkey had my life not been rulings on the case. bership of terrorist organisation through its territory towards “Once again Greece, an ally in danger.” In three separate hearings un- IS, a co-ordinated operation western Europe. and a neighbour, has failed to tion for Greece, because in ad- But Greek Justice Minister The offi cers deny having taken der diff erent judges, the appeals planned for some time took “Regardless of their (alleged) fulfi ll the basics of the fi ght dition to Athens and Ankara Stavros Kontonis earlier this part in the putsch and claim that court elected to protect fi ve of place involving 800 offi cers,” culpability or the seriousness of against terrorism,” it said. “The working together on the migrant month said that the government their lives are in danger. the offi cers but ordered the oth- Graz prosecutors said. their crimes, extradition cannot impact of this decision thought crisis, they are also involved in would respect any decision by They say that members of er three to be sent back. Eight men were initially de- be applied because the rights of to be made with political mo- delicate talks to reunify Cyprus. the court. their families have been sacked Relations between Greece and tained – three Austrians of for- those wanted could be nullifi ed tives on our mutual ties, our Greece’s Prime Minister Alex- After the men landed in the from their jobs and had their Turkey have improved over the eign descent, two Bosnians, a or curtailed,” the court said. cooperation in the fi ght against is Tsipras in September had told northern Greek city of Alexan- passports confi scated. years but they remain at odds Syrian, a Bulgarian and a Mace- The offi cers – two command- terrorism and our work on other Erdogan that democracy was droupolis, Turkey’s then ambas- The presiding judge in yester- over territorial disputes and eth- donian – all aged between 21 and ers, four captains and two ser- mutual and regional issues will “very important” to Greece and sador warned that failure to re- day’s ruling noted that they also nically split Cyprus. 49, a spokesman said. geants – embraced each other be subject to a comprehensive coup plotters were “not wel- turn the offi cers “will not help” risked “torture” at home. In 1996, they almost reached Four of the arrests took place and snapped pictures with their review.” come,” according to state agency ties. Since the coup attempt, many the brink of war over an unin- in Vienna and four in Graz. Greek lawyers after the ruling It is an uncomfortable situa- ANA. “I hope we will manage to Turkish military offi cers have habited islet. A further three men and three women from the Balkans were later also arrested in Graz. Two of the women are wives of the male suspects, prosecu- tors said. Italy pulls Media reports said that as well Austria’s president takes offi ce as apartments, police also raided unoffi cial mosques, mostly in last of 29 Graz. They also said the operation targeted individuals from former bodies denouncing populist ‘danger’ Yugoslavia suspected of estab- lishing a Islamist militant net- work in Austria. from Reuters post, Van der Bellen said he term runs until autumn of next The Kronen Zeitung tabloid Vienna would work for all Austrians year. reported that the raids focused but rejected core tenets of the Van der Bellen warned during on the network of a Muslim buried populist wave that has swept his campaign of the dangers of a preacher from Bosnia jailed for ustrian President Al- Britain and other Western de- Freedom Party-led government 20 years last July in Graz for re- exander Van der Bellen mocracies. and said he would try to prevent cruiting young IS fi ghters. hotel Atook offi ce yesterday, “I see the biggest danger as that happening. The accused, known as Ebu denouncing populist ideas like letting ourselves be ensnared The president suggested on Tejma, “brainwashed” dozens of those of the far-right candidate by easy answers, and thereby Wednesday that the coalition people aged between 14 and 30 Reuters he defeated, but a spat within tipping into nationalism ... that should do its part to avert that and enlisted a number of them Penne, Italy the ruling coalition threatened cannot be in Austria’s interest outcome. to fi ght for IS in Syria, his trial to play into the hands of his ri- as a small country,” he said. “Politics is not just talk – that heard. val’s party. Austria’s president is tradi- is also important – but it most Ebu Tejma fl ed from Bosnia to escuers have pulled the In a close re-run vote, Van tionally a father-of-the-nation provide results,” he told parlia- Vienna following the break-up last of 29 bodies from the der Bellen, a former Greens fi gure who only occasionally ment. “Austrians are waiting of Yugoslavia and preached in Rwreckage of a hotel in cen- party leader, prevented Norbert intervenes in public. for the necessary decisions and various Austrian and southern tral Italy a week after it was razed Hofer of the anti-immigration But he also exerts infl uence results that will improve their German cities, becoming a “key by an avalanche, the national fi re Freedom Party (FPO) becoming on the government and political Van der Bellen attends a military ceremony at the Heldenplatz lives and for that I wish you all fi gure” in pushing IS propagan- brigade said yesterday. the fi rst freely elected, far-right parties behind the scenes. square in Vienna after he was sworn in as president. the best.” da, according to the prosecution. With the discovery on head of state in Europe since The post had been vacant for Kern this month outlined a He was arrested during a far- Wednesday night of the bod- World War II. six months because a re-run of agree on a list of new priorities by today or the coalition risked 145-page plan of action to tack- reaching crackdown on Aus- ies of one man and one woman, But polls suggest that the the vote was ordered over ir- that would keep their alliance collapse. le issues such as unemploy- trian Islamist militant networks everyone known to have been FPO would win the next general regularities in the count. alive and counter perceptions That would trigger a snap ment and educational reforms. in 2014 and denied the charges at the Hotel Rigopiano when it election. Van der Bellen’s arrival could their government is ineff ective. parliamentary election that His conservative coalition against him. was fl attened has now been ac- In an inaugural speech to help ease tensions between Chancellor Christian Kern, a polls indicate the Freedom Par- partners have made their own Austria has so far been spared counted for. parliament after he was sworn Austria’s two centrist coalition Social Democrat, said this week ty would win. proposals on increasing secu- getting hit by the string of at- Eleven people survived the in to the largely ceremonial parties, which are seeking to that he wanted an agreement The current parliament’s rity and cutting immigration. tacks by Islamist extremists in disaster, which struck in the other European countries in the wake of heavy snowstorms and past few years. several powerful earthquakes on But around 300 people have January 18. either left or were intercepted Nine of them, including four trying to leave Austria to fi ght in children, were extracted shiver- Even with new leader, Germany’s Syria, according to the interior ing after spending days under ministry. the crushed masonry. Around 40 have died there “When we managed to pull out while some 90 have come back. the survivors it gave us hope and SPD will struggle to take power The 17-year-old of Albanian energy,” civil protection agency origin arrested in Vienna last offi cial Luigi D’Angelo said at an Friday was thought to have been operation base in nearby Penne. By Madeline Chambers, servative bloc, and analysts ex- planning a bomb attack. “We never lost that hope, all the Reuters pect another right-left alliance, Merkel: may have to go on the The following day a suspected way until the end, until we had Berlin distasteful as it is to everyone in off ensive. accomplice was arrested in Neu- searched the last centimetre of it. ss, Germany. the hotel.” Furthermore the Greens, She told Reuters TV that she Media reports said that they Rescuers had to use pickaxes ermany’s Social Demo- who shared power under SPD would like nothing more than had experimented with making and heavy earth-moving equip- crats (SPD) may look chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to fi nd a partner for social poli- explosives in the 21-year-old’s ment to shift snow and debris Greinvigorated with a from 1998 to 2005, sound cool cies, but was “sceptical” that Neuss apartment. and break through the reinforced new leader, Martin Schulz, set on Schulz. its centrist line would change. Authorities said the Austrian concrete roof. to take on conservative Angela “We don’t know what he Indeed, many Left poli- had told investigators he made Prosecutors have opened an Merkel in September’s election, stands for in domestic policy,” cies seem impossible for the an experimental bomb. investigation into the tragedy, but their chances of leading a co-leader Katrin Goering-Eck- SPD to countenance, not least which Prime Minister Paolo left-wing coalition to oust the ardt told Reuters TV. its opposition to Nato and to Gentiloni said would establish if chancellor remain slim. Last week’s election of Goer- sanctions against Russia over anyone was to blame. The surprise leadership ing-Eckardt and Cem Ozdemir Ukraine, and its demand for an Teen who stabbed Many guests had wanted to switch has given the SPD a Schulz and Gabriel: the Social Democrats still trail Merkel’s as co-leaders was widely seen increase in income tax up to a off icer imprisoned leave before the wall of snow psychological boost by ending conservatives by 15 points. as a shift to the right for the top rate of 75%. struck but were unable to do so months of dithering and in- Greens, who are polling around On top of all that is the heavy A German court jailed a teenage because the access road was al- stalling a tougher opponent for ability on migrant policy. tempting – but tricky coalition 9% and may now prefer an alli- burden of history, seen this German-Moroccan girl yesterday ready blocked. Merkel than Sigmar Gabriel, The main winner is the anti- maths, decades of bad blood ance with the conservatives. month in a scandal over a jun- for stabbing a police off icer at The opposition 5-Star Move- who has been her deputy since immigrant AfD, which has al- between the SPD and the Left However, bridging the deep ior minister named to the Berlin a train station on the orders of ment (M5S) criticised cuts to lo- 2013. ready attacked Schulz as a sym- party and a new rightist Greens gulf between the SPD and Left government. Islamic State (IS) militants. cal government funding and the A poll on Wednesday put bol of EU bureaucracy. leadership stack the odds may be an even greater problem Andrej Holm was forced to Safia S, a dual citizen aged 16, scrapping of a rural police force. Schulz’s personal approval level “It will be tough for Schulz, against it. for red-red-green. quit after fi ve weeks for con- was convicted of attempted They said the national emer- with Merkel’s at 41%. as Gabriel was not the only “There is deep frustration The SPD lifted a taboo on cealing the fact that he had murder and being a supporter gency prevention and response Yet the euphoric welcome for problem; the party itself has big with the grand coalition, but joining the Left on a federal worked for East Germany’s se- of the Islamist militant group by system had been ill-prepared. the former European Parlia- problems,” said Forsa pollster having a new chancellor can- level only in 2013. cret police, the Stasi, for a few a regional court in the northern “It isn’t the snow’s fault,” the ment president at SPD head- Manfred Guellner. didate doesn’t help if there is The Left is made up of East months as an 18-year-old. city of Celle. M5S wrote on founder Beppe quarters after he was catapulted Fed up of playing second fi d- no power option,” said Cologne German ex-Communists and On a federal level, that issue Her defence lawyer said he would Grillo’s blog. “The failure of into the chancellor-candidate dle in a “grand coalition”, the University politics professor SPD dissenters in the West who could be a dealbreaker. appeal the six-year sentence. those who should have prevent- role on Tuesday, and a spike in SPD is desperate to off er an al- Thomas Jaeger. quit over Schroeder’s welfare Yet, however diffi cult the During the trial, which started in ed this disaster and helped the membership applications, can- ternative. With both the AfD and the reforms and became disciples road ahead, the SPD has at least October, her lawyer had argued communities in diffi culty is clear not conceal some uncomfort- To that end, it has in the last pro-business FDP looking like- of his former fi nance minister, made a start by shaking up the that she lacked the capacity to to everyone.” able facts. few months held talks with the ly to make it into parliament, Oskar Lafontaine, loathed as a election campaign. know she was doing wrong. Gentiloni has promised to Trapped as junior partner environmentalist Greens and the SPD, Greens and Left look traitor by many SPD members. “Schulz euphoria won’t suf- A now 20-year-old German-Syrian launch an emergency decree in Merkel’s coalition, the SPD the hardline Left party to ex- incapable of mustering a ma- Lafontaine has gone but his fi ce for an SPD election victo- man, named as Mohamad K, and add to reconstruction funds trails the conservative bloc by plore possible alliances. jority. uncompromising fi rebrand wife ry,” wrote Germany’s biggest- was sentenced to two-and-half set aside after earthquakes tore 15 points, has lost 10mn vot- The “red-red-green” op- The latest Forsa poll gives Sahra Wagenknecht carries his selling daily, Bild. “But Angela years in prison as an accomplice through the heart of Italy last ers in a decade, and is failing to tion, already being tested at the them a combined total of 40% banner, and is equally hated by Merkel will have to ... go on the after failing to inform the police year. capitalise on Merkel’s vulner- regional level in Berlin, looks compared to 37% for the con- the SPD. off ensive – not her strength.” despite knowing of Safia’s plan. Gulf Times Friday, January 27, 2017 9 INDIA

DISASTER PEOPLE LAW AND ORDER CONTROVERSY POLITICS Death toll in Kashmir Mallya hits out after Many arrested over Andhra Congress seeks dismissal Mayawati admits ‘lesser avalanches climbs to 15 Sebi ban on trading special status protest of Meghalaya governor goon’ Ansari into BSP

Eleven soldiers and four civilians have been After the Securities and Exchange Board of India Police arrested scores of youths in Visakhapatnam The Congress yesterday demanded the dismissal Mafia-don-turned politician Mukhtar Ansari killed in avalanches in Kashmir, army and (Sebi) barred Vijay Mallya from trading in the and other parts of Andhra Pradesh yesterday of Meghalaya governor V Shanmuganathan, who yesterday joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) police officials said yesterday. Kashmir has securities market for allegedly diverting funds after they defied ban on orders to stage protests is accused of molesting a woman. “The governor along with his son and brother ahead of the seen heavy snow this week and authorities from the United Spirits Ltd in his capacity as its demanding special category status for the state. has converted the Raj Bhavan into a scandal seven-phase Uttar Pradesh assembly elections have warned of the “high danger” of chairman, the beleaguered businessman yesterday Telugu actor Sampoornesh Babu was among those Bhavan. Because of this shocking and disgraceful to be held between February 4 and March 8. avalanches over the next two days. Power said he is “getting used to these witch-hunts”. “I am detained as they tried to march towards R K Beach behaviour, he should have been sacked long back,” Declaring that Ansari had “lost his way and and communication lines have also been cut kind of getting used to these witch-hunts coming to stage a silent protest called by ‘Andhra Yuvatha’ said Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan. needed help”, former chief minister and BSP in some areas. The army yesterday recovered from all directions with no legal basis whatsoever. or Youth of Andhra. Tension prevailed at the YMCA “He must be an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mayawati brushed aside his criminal track the bodies of 10 of its men who were killed Shows what government machinery can do,” near the beach as about 100 youths holding the veteran but he must learn to respect womanhood. record by saying “there were bigger goons in in an avalanche the previous day. One body Mallya tweeted. He said that the allegations of fund national flag and with black cloth tied on their We demand that the Meghalaya governor be other parties”. While sitting legislator Mukhtar was found on Wednesday, spokesman Colonel diversion out of the USL are “baseless”. The market mouth staged the protest. They carried placards dismissed immediately,” he added. Civil society Ansari will contest the Mau seat in eastern Uttar Rajesh Kalia said. Several army personnel were regulator on Wednesday barred Mallya and six which read ‘Special status is Andhra’s right’. Police groups in Meghalaya yesterday launched a Pradesh, son Abbas will contest from Ghosi rescued after being trapped in avalanches late off icials of the USL from trading in the securities arrested all the protesters for violating prohibitory signature campaign to demand the immediate and Mukhtar’s brother Sibagatullah will be BSP on Wednesday, he said. market with immediate eff ect. orders and shifted them to a police station. recall of Governor Shanmuganathan, candidate from Mohammadabad.

Republic Day parade Govt’s ‘plans highlights army might, diversity for expansive

IANS New Delhi budget’ raise ndia’s military might, its cul- tural diversity and achieve- Iments in various areas were showcased at a grand parade here yesterday as the nation celebrat- ed its 68th Republic Day with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh concerns Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan as the chief guest. Reuters committee’s fi ndings, added. est-growing large economy. The country’s main celebra- New Delhi New Delhi earlier aimed to cut The Washington-based lender tion took place at Rajpath here the federal defi cit to 3% of GDP has also shaved 0.4 of a percent- where India’s Who’s Who as- over the next two fi scal years, age point off its forecast for the sembled to watch a 90-minute he fi nance minister is compared with 3.5% in the year coming fi scal year. parade that also focused on the likely to borrow more now drawing to a close. Finance ministry offi cials re- government’s Make in India ini- Tthan originally planned Independent economists are main tight-lipped about how tiative to boost manufacturing. when he presents the budget on also pencilling in a higher federal quickly they expect growth to Amid fears of possible ter- February 1, senior aides and of- defi cit in the coming fi scal year, bounce back after it slowed fol- ror attacks, a tight security fi cials said, despite counting on at 3.3%-3.4% of GDP, creating lowing so-called demonetisa- blanket was thrown around the revenues from a national sales room for the government to in- tion. national capital including the tax whose launch date is still un- vest an extra $6bn. International prices for venue. Nearly 60,000 police and known. That has drawn a warning crude oil, India’s most expen- paramilitary personnel were de- Arun Jaitley is looking at how from ratings agency Standard & sive import item, could mean- ployed across Delhi. to fund giveaways to taxpayers Poor’s, which says that slowing while overshoot the finance Despite rain-bearing clouds and higher public investment to the pace of fi scal consolidation ministry’s expectations as ex- and a drizzle, thousands turned up help nurse Asia’s third-largest could delay India’s chances of an porting nations curb output, on both sides of Rajpath to watch economy back to health after the upgrade due to its high and rising hurting the growth and revenue the grand march that wound its government’s shock decision in debt levels. outlook. way over 8kms from Raisina Hill, November to abolish high-value “This budget is presented in a with the imposing Rashtrapati banknotes. Jaitley is looking at how very uncertain situation,” said N Bhavan in the backdrop, to the That is raising concern among to fund giveaways to R Bhanumurthy, an economist at 17th century Red Fort. some economists and investors taxpayers and higher the National Institute of Public The day began with President that the government will take public investment to help Finance and Policy, a New Delhi Pranab Mukherjee unfurling too many fi scal risks. nurse Asia’s third-largest think-tank that is partly funded the Indian fl ag at the Rashtra- Yet offi cials say that, given economy back to health by the government. pati Bhavan and Prime Minister the choice, they would choose Modi faces the imminent ver- Narendra Modi paying tributes to growth sustained by state in- Jaitley’s team forecasts a re- dict of voters in fi ve regional the fallen soldiers at the Amar Ja- vestment over a fi scal strait- covery in nominal GDP growth, elections, most importantly in wan Jyoti at India Gate. Modi wel- jacket. the key driver of tax revenues, to Uttar Pradesh. A setback there comed the president and the chief “Some degree of fl exibility around 12% in 2017-18. for his nationalist party could guest, Sheikh Mohamed, the son on fi scal discipline should not Yet that assumes oil prices of harm his chances of winning a of the UAE’s founding president. be seen as irresponsible fi scal $55-60 per barrel and a long- second term in 2019. President Mukherjee, com- management,” one senior gov- delayed goods and services tax Election authorities have mander-in-chief of the armed ernment offi cial said, requesting being implemented in July. barred the government from of- forces, took salute as the parade anonymity due to the sensitivity And the economy is still get- fering targeted budget ‘sops’ to began with a 149-member UAE of the matter. ting over the shock of Prime buy votes. military contingent marching A fi scal advisory panel, which Minister Narendra Modi’s deci- And even if the government down the boulevard. Led by Lieu- includes central bank head Urjit sion in November to scrap 86% does ramp up public invest- tenant Colonel Abood Musabeh Patel, has advocated widening of cash in circulation in a bid ment in Jaitley’s fourth budget, Abood Musabeh Alghfeli, it com- the budget defi cit to “slightly to purge the economy of illicit it has little room for manoeuvre prised of the UAE Presidential over” 3% of gross domestic “black money”. — nearly nine in every 10 rupees Guard, the Air Force, the Navy, product to free up funds for road, The International Monetary it spends go on servicing debt or the Army and 35 musicians. railway and irrigation projects. Fund has chopped a percent- paying wages and subsidies. It was followed by military “It is not possible to keep up age point off India’s forecast of “It will not be a populist, but a and paramilitary contingents, the pace of capital expendi- real economic growth to 6.6% pragmatic budget,” said a senior including mounted troops from ture without increasing the fi s- in the current fiscal year to fi nance ministry offi cial with di- the 61st Cavalry and mechanised Indian army’s Infantry Combat Vehicles are displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi cal defi cit beyond 3% of GDP,” March, meaning China regains rect knowledge of budget plan- columns. yesterday. another offi cial, briefed on the the crown as the world’s fast- ning.

Salman in court Law students fi rm on Shiv Sena snaps poll principal ouster demand alliance with BJP IANS The move to sever the alliance Mumbai was greeted with cheers and a IANS M Sudheeran, state Bharatiya The nine-member commit- thunderous applause, and party Thiruvananthapuram Janata Party president Kum- tee of the syndicate members of workers chanted to Thackeray’s manem Rajasekheran and the University of Kerala, which aunching a fi erce attack on call for fi ghting the ensuing leader of opposition Ramesh conducted a three-day probe old ally Bharatiya Janata elections separately. erala Law Academy prin- Chennithala – have visited the into the academy’s aff airs, LParty, Shiv Sena president Attacking Chief Minister Dev- cipal Lekshmi Nair is fac- striking students and expressed will prepare its report today Uddhav Thackeray yesterday endra Fadnavis for his recent or- King heat on the eve of the their support. and submit it to the syndicate announced breaking of their der banning all kinds of religious institute’s golden jubilee cele- meeting tomorrow. 25-year-old alliance for the up- activities in all government of- brations, as the student agitation According to the committee, coming civic elections across fi ces and institutions, Thack- against her ways of running the grave irregularities have sur- Maharashtra. eray demanded that it should be academy enters its third week. faced in the running of the insti- “We shall not go around with a withdrawn. The students demand that tution. Nair on the other hand, begging bowl. We have wasted 25 “How can they unilaterally Nair step down has been denied all the allegations and years in this alliance. But no more. take such a decision? Did you deemed as a “non-negotiable claimed certain vested interests The Shiv Sena will contest all the take us into confi dence? Was it clause” by her. Located in the are behind the smear campaign. civic body elections independently discussed before the state cabi- state capital, the Kerala Law Meanwhile, an assembly and will not have an alliance with net or even with the leaders of Academy has among its alumni record on the handing over of them (BJP) henceforth,” thundered opposition parties? The order many leading politicians, judg- The students demand government-owned land to the Thackeray at a party workers’ rally must be withdrawn or we will es, lawyers, high ranking police that Nair step down has college has surfaced. According in suburban Goregaon. make a bonfi re of it,” he said. offi cers and bureaucrats. That been deemed as a “non- to the records presented by the The move came after a sting- Referring to entry of persons has enabled Nair and her father negotiable clause” by her then minister M N Govindan ing speech in which he criticised with allegedly criminal back- – institute director Narayanan Nair in the assembly in 1968, the BJP with which the party is ground into the BJP fold, he said Nair – to quell with ease any Meanwhile, state BJP presi- the government had given away in alliance in Maharashtra and “even the Shiv Sena could rope student agitation till now. dent V Muraleedharan’s 48- 11.49 acres of land to a trust the centre, and directly targeted in some goons, but all such men But things appear to have hour hunger strike is also serv- with the governor as chief pa- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. are headed towards BJP only.” changed as students supported ing as a morale booster for the tron and chief minister as pa- The BJP did not spare even Comparing BJP to a bull which by all the political parties, are on agitating students. tron. However, such a trust is a Mahatma Gandhi and removed has run amok, he said the time a ‘dharna’ – sit-in agitation – According to the students, non-entity now. his pictures from the Khadi Vil- has come to tame it. before the academy. Most polit- Nair has fl outed the basic rules It has been alleged that Nair Actor Salman Khan arrives in Jodhpur yesterday to lage Industries Commission “I have full confi dence in my ical leaders – including former and regulations with respect and her family have been us- appear before a court in connection with 1998 black buck (KVIC) diaries and calendars for Shiv Sainiks... With their help, we chief minister V S Achuthanan- to allotment of internal marks, ing the land as their ancestral poaching case. this year, he said, referring to the shall fl y the saff ron fl ag in Mahar- dan, state Congress president V attendance. property for years. use of pictures of Modi instead. ashtra independently,” he said. Gulf Times 10 Friday, January 27, 2017 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Ababeel to buttress Pakistani doctor moves Pakistan deterrence

Internews closer to heading WHO Islamabad Internews world’s trust as its lead health agency, Islamabad and has the ability to foster and sus- akistan’s Ababeel, using the Multi tain partnerships to achieve the vi- Independent Re-entry Vehicle sion for health-universal attainment P(MIRV) technology, will restore nternationally acclaimed for her of the highest possible level of health minimal measures for deterrence equa- transformational leadership role in and well-being,” Dr Sania stated in tion of the country, defence experts and Ithe health sector, Dr Sania Nishtar her manifesto document, wherein analysts said yesterday. — Pakistan’s candidate for the post of she envisions 10 pledges for action to The system carrying more than one Director General of the World Health build further on WHO’s progress as warhead, which can destroy various Organisation (WHO) — yesterday the world’s only multilateral agency in locations within a 2,200km radius, was raised the country’s global profi le by health. successfully tested on Tuesday. making it to the fi nal round of elec- Dr Sania is uniquely positioned to Defence expert and analyst Lt Gen tions for the prestigious position. drive reform of the WHO as it grap- (R) Shoaib Amjad said the system was She secured 28 out of 34 votes. ples with health challenges of the 21st developed to defeat Indian Ballistic Dr Sania is amongst two other can- century. Missile Defence (BMD) shield whereby didates to have been shortlisted during As a starting point, she has pledged giving Pakistan the chance to maintain the fi rst round of voting held in Geneva, the adoption of an accountability minimum level of deterrence to counter where 34 members of the WHO Execu- framework at WHO and in this con- hegemonic designs of the adversary. tive Board cast their votes to shortlist nection has announced to make her He said the restoration of deterrence three candidates from among six. own electoral campaign fi nancing a will ensure stability and peace in the re- The shortlisted candidates, which matter of public record. gion. include David Nabarro from the Unit- One of her pledges talks about He said the BMD had increased In- ed Kingdom and Dr Tedros Adhanom acceleration of the pace of reforms dian sense of security and tendency to Ghebreyesus from Ethiopia, will go at WHO so that it transforms into pre-empt, adding that there is a pattern into the second round of elections an effective organisation, which that ‘India acts and Pakistan reacts.’ scheduled for May 2017, wherein the achieves value for money and where The facts reveal that if fl ight test next DG of WHO will eventually be robust evidence guides decision- numbers and types of tests are com- elected to replace WHO’s current di- making. pared — India has been testing around rector general Dr Margaret Chan, who Creating a performance-enabling three times more than Pakistan and has retires on June 30, 2017. environment, securing a budget that a bigger array in its inventory. Dr Sania, who is being seen as the is proportionate to its scope of re- This is evident, he said, that Islama- hot favourite for the position, will be sponsibility, and fostering a culture of bad takes minimal, qualitative and the fi rst-ever Muslim and the fi rst- partnerships to improve global health highly restrained measures to restore ever woman from a developing coun- are a few other pledges that constitute peace, stability and deterrence meas- try to head WHO, if elected in the fi nal her vision for WHO. ures. round. Dr Sania is the founder president of Dr Sania Nishtar, candidate for Director General of the World Health Organization, attends a news conference at WHO While divulging details about the The fact that Dr Sania managed to the globally recognised NGO Heart- headquarters in Geneva yesterday. minimum deterrence, Strategic Vision secure 41% votes in the pre-polls as fi le, a powerful health policy voice in Institute president Professor Dr Zafar against 26% obtained by the second- Pakistan and Heartfi le Health Financ- laterally, build partnerships, and ex- instrumental in re-establishing the tional expert panels. She is deeply en- Iqbal Cheema said that Ababeel, being highest contender, was the fi rst evi- ing, an access-to-treatment initiative ploit synergies for building systems. Ministry of Health. gaged in the international discourse on capable of carrying multiple warheads dence, backed by concrete data, of her to support Universal Health Coverage Dr Sania served as Federal Min- She has received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz health and development as a thought simultaneously, is visibly harder to be very bright chances to head the apex in mixed health systems. ister in the 2013 caretaker govern- for her contributions. At the global leader and has attended over 200 ma- encountered by the Indian BMD. health agency. She is a proven eff ective leader who ment of Pakistan with responsibility level, Dr Sania is recognised and re- jor international conferences, consul- He said that India has always tried “My vision for the World Health delivers results. for Health, Science and Technology, spected for her leadership and con- tations and policy fora over the last 15 to take the edge over Pakistan’s tech- Organisation is one in which WHO She is the recipient of the Global In- Information Technology and Higher sensus-building role in global health. years as invited expert, chair, resource nologies and in reaction to that Pakistan reclaims its primacy and earns the novation Award for her ability to think Education. During her term, she was She has served on many interna- person and keynote speaker. tests devices to encounter them. He said that Pakistan’s missiles are strictly India specifi c, but if the Indian Pakistan improves missile inventory is looked into, it has a 5,000km range missiles question- score on graft index ing about the targets around the globe. Watchdog bans top TV preacher over hate speech Some reports hold that they have over akistan’s score on the Cor- 3,500 missiles of various types in their ruption Perception Index inventory. P2016 — the most popular AFP Hussain was also prohibited from The fi ve bloggers were reported his views on the controversial blas- Another defence analyst Major Gen gauge of the Transparency Inter- Islamabad delivering “any hate speech” or missing from various cities in Paki- phemy laws. He was also unable to au- (R) Ejaz Awan said that Ababeel with national — improved fi ve points branding anyone an infi del or a trai- stan early this month, raising fears of thenticate an alleged degree in Islamic its specifi c abilities to easily deceive the during the past four years, de- tor on any other channel, according a crackdown. Studies from a college in Spain. radar system simultaneously can target picting a constant decline in akistan’s media watchdog yes- to the statement from the Pakistan Human Rights Watch said their near Known as doctor, he claims to have multiple targets with various warheads the incidences of extortion and terday accused a prominent tel- Electronic Media Regulatory Author- simultaneous disappearances raised a diploma from a medical college in and diff erent payloads. bribery in the South Asia’s sec- Pevision preacher of hate speech ity (PEMRA). concerns of government involvement, Pakistan. ond biggest economy, Internews and banned his hugely popular show, It said the decision came after Hus- which offi cials and intelligence sourc- In 2008, guests invited onto one of reports from Karachi. silencing the high-profi le host after sain had been monitored for several es have denied. his shows said members of the Ahmadi Freezing weather kills The Berlin-based anti-cor- years of controversy. weeks, and that it had received “hun- A virulent social media campaign minority should be killed. Two well- ruption watchdog, in its latest Aamir Liaquat Hussain, a charis- dreds” of complaints about his repeat- painting the missing as blasphemers known Ahmadis were subsequently 27 Afghan children report, gave Pakistan 32 score matic star criticised in 2013 for giv- ed violations. has triggered a fl ood of threats despite murdered, although there was no evi- on its Index as compared to 27 in ing out babies to childless couples live Rights activist Jibran Nasir, who has denials from their worried families. dence linking their killings to the TV eavy snowfall and freezing 2012. on prime-time television, had been spearheaded some of the demonstra- The charge, which carries the death show. weather has killed 27 children, This entails that the country accused of inciting hate against sup- tions over the missing bloggers and penalty, is hugely sensitive in conserv- In 2013 he was unrepentant about Hall under the age of fi ve, in a re- is moving on its scale from zero porters of fi ve progressive activists is among those maligned by Hussain, ative Pakistan, where even unproven the storm over his Ramadan show, mote district in northern Afghanistan, (highly corrupt) to 100 (very who disappeared earlier this month. tweeted that a police complaint had allegations have stirred mob lynchings which saw him give babies away to offi cials said yesterday, with fears the clean). He was told his programme on Bol also been made. and murder. childless couples, denying the move toll could rise. In 2013, Pakistan got a score News had been ended “with immediate “Pemra did its job & we should be Hussain, a former lawmaker, is no was a ratings stunt. Roads in Darzaab in northern Jawz- of 28, in 2014 (29) and in 2015 eff ect” and prohibited from appearing glad about it but our real job is still stranger to controversy. “People love me, that is why they jan province were blocked by 50cm of (30). on the channel “in any manner” even in left. We can rejoice when the missing Under military ruler Pervez Mush- watch me. Through television we snow, cutting off access for villagers in Transparency International old footage, with Bol warned it would come back home. Back to work!” he arraf, he was forced to resign as junior spread the message of tolerance,” he the area to medical care as temperatures also ranked Pakistan 116 in 2016 lose its licence if it did not comply. wrote. religious aff airs minister because of told AFP at the time. plunged to -10 degrees Celsius. as compared to Afghanistan “Unfortunately we have 27 children (169), China (79), India (79), Iran killed due to heavy snowfall and freez- (131), Bangladesh (145) and Sri ing weather,” district governor Rah- Lanka (95). matullah Hashar told AFP, saying the The global civil society or- Returning home ... deaths had occurred over the last two or ganisation gleans data from the Afghan refugees three days. World Bank, the African Devel- wait to update their All the children were under the age of opment Bank and International family data at the fi ve, he said, adding the blocked roads Institute for Management De- UNHCR Verification mean the toll could still increase. velopment to determine the cor- Center in The deaths were confi rmed by the ruption perceptions in the public Chamkani, on the Jawzjan provincial governor’s spokes- sector institutions. outskirts of man, Reza Ghafoori, who said aid would Mohamed Sohail, chief ex- Peshawar. More be delivered via emergency committees. ecutive offi cer Topline Securities than 380,000 Heavy snowfall and avalanches kill said generally there have been registered Afghan scores of people in Afghanistan each improvements in all the eco- refugees returned winter. In 2015, avalanches killed some nomic indicators over the past from Pakistan 300 people across the country, the bulk couple of years. in 2016. of them in the mountainous province of Sohail sees the rise in score too Panjshir, north of Kabul. as a fl ashing economic indicator, Rescue eff orts after disasters such as which, he said, would build con- avalanches and fl ash fl oods, which often fi dence of investors. hit as snows melt in the spring, are fre- “This is a continuation of suc- quently hampered by lack of equipment. cess stories,” he said. “But fur- Poor infrastructure makes it diffi cult for ther improvement is needed.” rescue teams to reach isolated areas. Punjab to enforce respect for the elders through law

Internews fare and Rehabilitation bill is ex- He said the draft, after ap- the culprit will be punished with authority for the welfare of living separately from their chil- The provincial government, Lahore pected to be tabled in provincial proval from the government and a two-month sentence a fi ne senior citizens will be estab- dren. on December 9, 2016, formed a assembly by March 2017. later the assembly, will have a Rs100,000. lished and further committees The bill will be executed and 16-member committee with the He said protecting the rights of prospective eff ect. It proposes jail terms of will be formed in all 36 dis- implemented via the Social Wel- provincial ministers for law and eing mean to grandpa can senior citizens is a serious matter Any transfer before the pas- three months and fi nes of up to tricts. fare and Baitul Maal Department. population welfare as co-con- land you in prison as the and not much has been done in sage of the bill will not be covered Rs300,000 for people who aban- After it becomes a law, old age Two seats will be reserved on veners. Bprovincial government of this regard. in the legislation. don their elders. homes will also be established in every bus for senior citizens. The legislation has been Punjab province of Pakistan is Sufi stated no youngsters can The draft states that the law This bill will also give neglect- Punjab and provide immediate They will also be given 50% off drafted by the Special Monitor- preparing a multifaceted bill to mistreat en elder. aims to turn the mistreatment of ed parents the right to retract any shelter and protection to senior on health services by all govern- ing Unit (now Strategic Reform turn the mistreatment of the eld- He added parents were ne- elders from just a social stigma to property or monetary benefi ts citizens, particularly those sub- ment hospitals in Punjab. Unit) which is working directly erly into a punishable off ence. glected in rural areas after the an act with serious consequenc- that they may have provided to jected to violence within their The draft also intends to pro- under the Chief Minister’s Of- The consequences will include transfer of family property. es. their children. homes. vide a 50% discount at recrea- fi ce. jail terms and hefty fi nes. The offi cial added aff ected It proposes a fi ve-year jail It also criminalises withhold- The bill gives parents the right tional centres, cinemas, theat- The committee is scheduled to Director General Strategic Re- people would be off ered shelter term and a plausible fi ne up to ing of dues or pension payable to to monthly allowance via main- ers, hotels, motels, resorts, meet in the coming days to for- form Unit Salman Sufi said that in old age homes by the provin- Rs500,000 for physical abuse. a senior citizen. tenance orders issued by the restaurants and lodging estab- mally fi nalise the draft before it is the Punjab Senior Citizens Wel- cial government. If an elder is abused verbally, According to the draft, an court if the mother or father is lishments. sent to the CM. Gulf Times Friday, January 27, 2017 11 PHILIPPINES Trolley line IS pushing into Asia, expanding: minister

Reuters Muslim militants in the Phil- Manila ippines and said Abu Sayyaf was had only pledged alle- giance to the network to boost he Philippines has re- its profi le. ceived intelligence that Abu Sayyaf, which operates Tshows closer links be- in two southern islands, has tween domestic militants and kidnapped dozens of foreigners Islamic State, its defence min- over recent years and beheaded ister said yesterday, adding several of them, including two weight to worries that Middle Canadians last year. East extremists are building a The United States has a network in Southeast Asia. $5mn bounty on the head of Intelligence from allies Hapilon for leading the 2001 showed a leader of the Abu kidnapping of 20 people, in- Sayyaf militant group, which cluding three Americans, on a has gained notoriety for piracy resort island. and kidnapping in the south- He has been identifi ed as ern Philippines, was trying to Abu Sayyaf’s commander on Commuters ride a makeshift trolley over a railroad bridge in metro Manila. spread into new areas of the Basilan. Philippines upon the instruc- President Rodrigo Duterte tion of Islamic State, accord- has recently raised the alarm ing to defence secretary Delfi n about the prospect of Islamic Lorenzana. State “contaminating” the “Isnilon Hapilon left his Philippines if driven out of Iraq traditional area of operation and Syria. on Basilan island and went to “They were communicating Lanao del Sur to see the area before but not as much as what and fi nd out if it is condu- they are doing now when ISIS cive for them to move there,” in the Middle East are having Duterte wants to hang Lorenzana told a news con- trouble retaining their areas,” ference, referring to an Abu Lorenzana said, referring to Sayyaf leader. contacts between Abu Sayyaf Lanao del Sur is a province and Islamic State. on the main southern island Lanao del Sur is a stronghold of Mindanao, to the northeast of a the Maute rebel group, of the much smaller Basilan which has also pledged alle- cops behind murder island. giance to Islamic State. Lorenzana did not say which Several of its members have Police are already accused of violence country provided the intel- been arrested for a bombing in an anti-drug drive ligence but said it included last year in which 14 people information that Hapilon had were killed. Reuters made the move to survey the Philippine forces yesterday Manila new area “at the behest” of Is- dropped bombs and fi red shells lamic State. at rebel positions in the moun- The army had until recently tains of Lanao del Sur in a bid hilippines President Rodrigo Du- denied the existence of links to fl ush out Hapilon, Loren- terte apologised to South Korea yes- between Islamic State and zana said. Pterday after policemen killed one of its citizens, then said he wanted to hang rogue police and send their heads to Seoul. He called again for the death penalty to be reinstated so that he could hang 20 criminals a day. Duterte promised the toughest punish- US military ment for those behind the kidnapping and killing of businessman Jee Ick-joo inside Choi Kyung-Jin (2nd L), wife of late South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo who was murdered allegedly by suspected policemen the national police headquarters in Octo- next to Marissa Morquicho (R), the house-help of her husband, as they appear at a Senate hearing into Jee’s death in Manila. ber. “I will see to it that they are sentenced to The death penalty was repealed in 2006 they are charged for killing drug suspects. disciplinary action, rather it is a move that Duterte personally ordered the three of- portrays our region as undeserving of dig- to upgrade the maximum,” he said of the policemen. following pressure from church groups. “You give that power to me back again, I A senate investigation into Jee’s killing fi cers, accused of extorting a mother and nifi ed and dedicated public service.” will execute them... began yesterday with police chief Ronald son of 120,000 pesos ($2,400) last week in Duterte, 71, has said he must take ex- I’ll hang them in one day, 20 of them — dela Rosa, a close ally of Duterte, saying he Manila, to the violence-plagued south of traordinary measures to prevent the Phil- 20 a day.” was “overcome by shame”. the country, a police statement said yes- ippines from becoming a narco-state and terday. Filipinos from becoming slaves to drugs. bases, deal He added: “You sons of *****, you po- “All indications point to an elaborate licemen. You will suff er. I can maybe send web of criminal activity by some police “This is part of the continuous internal Many Filipinos support the drug war. your heads to South Korea.” personnel operating under the cover of cleansing of (the city police),” Guillermo But critics fear the police force, regard- The death of the South Korean comes as legitimate police operations,” he told the Eleazar, their police chief in Quezon City, ed as one of the most corrupt institutions the Philippine police face growing criti- hearing. a district of the capital, said in the state- in the country, is spearheading a campaign ment. of extrajudicial killings while corrupt of- intact: govt cism from rights groups and some law- Three Philippine police charged with makers, who say cover-ups and abuses of robbery and extortion have been trans- “(It) should serve as a lesson for those fi cers are using the campaign as cover for police power are rampant. ferred instead of suspended or sacked, involved in illegal activities and also a stern their own rackets. Reuters towards erstwhile adversary Duterte’s critics, however, say he is to authorities said yesterday, fuelling con- warning for others not to do the same.” Duterte said this week he would toler- Manila China, and the election of blame for creating a culture of impunity cerns about immunity for rogue offi cers Duterte had previously vowed to trans- ate them earning “sideline” money, a eu- US President Donald Trump, by promising to protect police on the front prosecuting President Rodrigo Duterte’s fer corrupt policemen to an autonomous phemism for various corrupt activities, as whose administration has in- lines of his war on drugs. deadly drug war. region in the strife-torn southern Philip- long as that did not involve drugs. he United States will up- dicated it may take a tough The police accused of kidnapping and The announcement of the punish- pines, where security forces are battling National police chief Ronald Dela Rosa grade and build facilities line on China’s activities in the killing Jee were anti-narcotics offi cers. ments for the trio came as a senate in- several militant groups, leading to protests told the Senate inquiry yesterday that the Ton Philippine military South China Sea. Capital punishment has been a prior- quiry began into the murder of a South from the local authorities. anti-drugs offi cer accused of murdering bases this year, Manila’s de- The Philippines has said it ity for Duterte, whose allies introduced a Korean businessman allegedly by anti- “We need the best of our country’s po- the Korean businessman had been sus- fence minister said yesterday, wants no part in anything con- death penalty bill in Congress on June 30 drug police officers who extorted money lice on our side — not the worst,” Mujiv pected of involvement in the kidnapping bolstering an alliance strained frontational in the strategic last year, the same day as his inauguration. from his wife. Hataman, the regional governor, said this of a woman in 2007. by president Rodrigo Duterte’s waterway and will not jeopard- The draft, which is still being debated, Critics of Duterte’s drug war, which has month. “How can a police offi cer with allega- opposition to a US troop pres- ise promises of extensive Chi- says existing laws are no deterrent and had claimed more than 6,000 lives, say he has “Erring law enforcers must be held ac- tions of that sort be assigned to speciality ence. nese trade and investment, and “emasculated” the criminal justice sys- emboldened corrupt offi cers with his re- countable. units like the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group,” The Pentagon gave the off ers of military hardware, tem. peated pledges that he will shield police if Sending them to the (region) is not a said Senator Vicente Sotto. green light to start the work that Duterte has got since he as part of an Enhanced De- launched his surprise foreign fence Cooperation Agreement policy shift. (EDCA), a 2014 pact that Du- Lorenzana said the Phil- terte has threatened to scrap ippines had asked China for Prosperity Tree during barrages of hostility two to three fast boats, two Graft court orders arrest of towards the former colonial drones, sniper rifles and a power. robot for bomb disposal, in “EDCA is still on,” defence a $14mn arms donation from Negros Oriental governor decretary Delfi n Lorenzana China. told a news conference. The arms package would EDCA allows the expansion be used to support operations Manila Times total of P2.23mn and P30,000 for graft. of rotational deployment of US against Islamist Abu Sayyaf Negros City The cases stemmed from Degamo’s alleged ships, aircraft and troops at fi ve militants in the southern Phil- failure to comply with guidelines for imple- bases in the Philippines as well ippines, he said. mentation of infrastructure projects suppos- as the storage of equipment for “If these are quality equip- he sandiganbayan’s special third divi- edly to rehabilitate damaged structures as humanitarian and maritime ment, we will probably buy sion ordered the arrest of Negros Orien- a result of typhoon Sendong in 2011 and an security operations. more,” he said. Ttal governor Roel Degamo and two oth- earthquake in February 2012. Lorenzana said Washington Lorenzana said Russia was ers after graft and malversation charges were Upon Degamo’s request, the department had committed to build ware- off ering hardware such as fi led against them in connection with the al- of budget and management (DBM) issued houses, barracks and runways ships, submarines, planes and legedly illegal disbursement of calamity funds a Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) in the fi ve agreed locations and helicopters. in 2012. worth P961.5mn in June 2012, out of which Duterte was aware of projects As with China, those of- Degamo is facing 11 counts of malversation P480.7mn was immediately released to the and had promised to honour all fers have come as a result of a through falsifi cation of public documents and provincial government. existing agreements with the charm off ensive by Duterte, a graft case. Also ordered arrested were pro- The Saro is a document which, when obli- United States. who has praised Russia and its vincial Treasurer Danilo Mendez and provin- gated by the DBM, leads to the issuance of a This week, Republican US leadership. cial accountant Teodorico Reyes. Notice of Cash Allocation that authorises the senator John McCain, who He last year said if Russia The graft court resolution stated: “Where- release of funds for the projects. headed the US senate’s armed and China started a “new or- fore, the court fi nds the existence of probable A few days after the issuance of the Saro, the services committee, proposed der” in the world, he would be cause against the accused-movants Roel Ra- DBM informed Degamo that it was being with- $7.5bn of new military funding the fi rst to join. gay Degamo, Danilo Cual Mendez and Teodor- drawn because the province failed to comply for US forces and their allies in Duterte was infuriated by ico Guevara Reyes in these cases. with guidelines for the infrastructure projects. Filipino-Chinese students with rooster hats after tossing a coin in the Asia-Pacifi c. US expressions of concern Accordingly, let warrants of arrest be issued Instead of complying, however, “respond- front of a Prosperity Tree display, which is believed to bring good The geopolitical landscape about extra-judicial killings in against them.” ents unilaterally ignored the DBM’s direc- luck and fortune, ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations at the in Asia has been shaken up a campaign against drugs he The court recommended P200,000 bail tive and continued to award 11 infrastructure Lucky Chinatown mall in Binondo city, metro Manila. by Duterte’s grudge against launched after he took offi ce in for each of the 11 counts of malversation or a projects”, the Ombudsman said. Washington, his overtures June. Gulf Times 12 Friday, January 27, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Police use tear gas to break up protest

Reuters dia’s NTPC Ltd, would disrupt Dhaka the livelihoods of about half a million people and make mil- lions more vulnerable to natu- olice in Bangladesh yes- ral disasters. terday used tear gas and “This is a suicidal project,” Pwater cannons to dis- said Anu Mohamed of activist perse demonstrators protest- group the National Commit- ing against a coal-fi red power tee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral plant they say will damage ec- Resources, Power and Ports, ologically sensitive mangrove which called for an eight-hour forest and disrupt the lives of general strike in Dhaka yester- thousands. day. Unesco last year sought the “This will have a devastat- relocation of the 1,320MW ing and irreversible impact on power plant from the the Sundarbans, its ecology 742-hectare site where it is and biodiversity.” being built, saying it posed There was no major disrup- a risk to the nearby Sunda- tion to daily life in the city, rbans, the world’s largest however. mangrove forest and a World Prime Minister Sheikh Heritage site. Hasina has defended the “We used tear gas and wa- project, saying all concerns ter cannon after the protest- related to the plant had been ers threw bricks at us,” Maruf addressed. Hossain Sardar, deputy com- The government has indi- missioner of police in the cap- cated it is unlikely to abandon ital, Dhaka, told Reuters. a push to build more coal-fi red Police said about 200 pro- power plants, despite growing testers took to the streets in opposition from residents and the centre of Dhaka, while environmentalists. campaigners said more than Mohamed Anwarul Azim, a 50 activists were injured in spokesman for the joint ven- clashes. ture, the Bangladesh-India Campaigners said the plant, Friendship Power Co, said the a joint venture between state- plant would use new technol- run entities Bangladesh Power ogy to reduce its impact on the Bangladeshi activists throw stones towards police during a protest against the construction of a coal-fired power plant. Development Board and In- environment.

Court cancels bail of Khaleda Zia’s son, Dhaka begins inquiry issues warrant

By Mizan Rahman trust from unknown sources. Dhaka ACC deputy director Harunur Rashid, also inves- into Yunus ‘tax scam’ tigation offi cer of the case, special court in Dhaka pressed charges against the ac- The premier asserted that Yunus was It’s his responsibility and he will take Sheikh Hasina said Yunus persuaded the She blasted Dr Yunus for charging about yesterday cancelled bail cused on January 16, 2012. not qualified to be director care of it.” World Bank to withdraw from the project 40% interest from debtors saying the in- Aof Bangladesh Nation- Three other accused in the Muhith’s remarks came after a reporter and raise allegations of corruption against terest rate was so exorbitant that poor alist Party (BNP) senior vice- case are Khaleda’s former po- By Mizan Rahman brought up the issue and asked whether her and her family members. people could not aff ord it. chairman Tarique Rahman and litical secretary Harris Chow- Dhaka the ministry has taken initiatives over the “They made a frantic search to estab- The prime minister refuted the allega- son of party chief Khaleda Zia dhury, his former assistant unpaid taxes. lish their allegation but failed to establish tion that the government had removed in the Zia Orphanage Trust personal secretary Ziaul Islam Disclosing in the parliament, Prime anything,” she said adding, “I had taken Yunus from the position of the managing case and issued a warrant for Munna, and Manirul Islam angladesh has begun an inquiry into Minister Sheikh Hasina said former the matter as a challenge as I had mental director (MD) of the Grameen Bank. his arrest. Khan, former personal sec- several organisations founded by Grameen Bank managing director Yunus strength to take the decision of construct- Yunus was legally disqualified for the Judge Abu Ahmed Jama- retary of mayor of undivided BNobel laureate Dr Mohamed Yunus, lobbied with former US secretary of state ing the bridge with our own resources”. post of MD, the government proposed dar of Dhaka special judge’s Dhaka City Corp Sadeque which are enjoying ‘illegal’ tax benefi ts, Hillary Clinton to terminate World Bank’s The prime minister said she is in politics he accept ‘Advisor Emeritus’. But he re- court-3 passed the order after Hossain Khoka. said fi nance minister AMA Muhith yes- commitment to fi nancing the Padma for welfare of the people, not for gain. fused to accept the proposal and opted hearing a petition. Of the accused, Harris terday. Bridge project. However, the prime minister didn’t say to file a case against the government The court also asked all the Chowdhury left the country “It’s a very difficult issue…professor Replying to a supplementary question anything about a Question on taking legal and central bank, she said adding that accused in the Zia Orphan- in 2007 and has been abroad Yunus has taken tax benefits for organi- from Jatiya Party member AKM Maidul Is- actions against alleged siphoning of funds “he lost the battle as law was not in his age Trust case, including BNP since then. sations with the name Grameen; it is il- lam in the parliament, the prime minister by Grameen Bank abroad. favour”. chief Khaleda Zia, to appear Besides, the ACC fi led the legal. said Yunus “turned against us” after losing She said the government has exempted The prime minister said Hillary Clinton before it on January 30. Zia Orphanage Trust graft case It is being investigated, that’s all,” he the legal fi ght for the post of the managing Grameen Bank from paying tax on its in- phoned her not to remove Dr Yunus. Meanwhile, BNP chairper- on July 3, 2008 with Ramna told newsmen. director of Grameen Bank. come in good faith that the bank would Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yester- son Khaleda Zia did not appear Police Station accusing Kha- His remarks came after Prime Minister “Then his wrath fell on the Padma work for real welfare of the downtrodden. day visited Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur before the special court during leda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Sheikh Hasina lashed out at the former Bridge project. But other enterprises of the company Rahman’s ancestral home in Gopalganj her defence hearing in the Zia Rahman, now living in the UK, Grameen Bank managing director while An editor of a renowned newspaper were not exempted from tax. city, now being used as the district unit Charitable Trust case, citing after securing bail, and four speaking in parliament. of our country met the then World Bank So, the NBR may take actions against offi ce of Awami League as she is now on a general strike enforced by the others of misappropriating During a question-and-answer session president Robert Zoellick and lobbied with the tax evasion,” she said. two-day visit to her village home. National Committee to Protect over 21mn taka which came as on Wednesday, Hasina described the No- Hillary to cancel the fi nance,” the prime Sheikh Hasina said her government in “After her oath of offi ce, this is her first Oil-Gas, Natural Resources grants from a foreign bank for bel laureate as a ‘cheat’. The prime minister minister told the House. 1997 gave licence for Grameen Phone to Dr visit to Bangabandhu’s ancestral home at and Power-Port. the orphans. claimed Yunus does not pay taxes against “Even after releasing no funds for the Yunus as he promised that the profi t of the Bank Para in Gopalganj city which Banga- Earlier, on January 13, the On August 5, 2010, ACC his fi xed deposits with banks. “He has a lot project, the World Bank raised allegations telephone operator would go for welfare of bandhu’s father Sheikh Lutfor Rahman special court fi xed January 26 deputy director Harunur Rash- of money, but does not pay taxes and fi led of corruption against me and my family the members of the Grameen Bank. purchased in 1950s and used as a resi- for hearing the statement of id submitted a chargesheet to a lawsuit over it. members, which was completely an act of “But, Yunus cheated the government dence,” a relative and leader of the local BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia the court in the case against six He’s doing fi ne without paying taxes.” vengeance by Yunus,” she said. and people by establishing the Grameen Awami League said. in the Zia Charitable Trust people, including BNP chair- Hasina said that Grameen Bank enjoys The prime minister said the Padma Bridge Phone as his personal company. People in the neighbourhood said dur- graft case. person Khaleda Zia. a tax benefi t, but there are 40 to 50 other project was for development of the south, Now he has sold out most of the compa- ing the Liberation War Pakistani occupa- On August 8, 2011, the Tarique Rahman left for sister concerns, which also don’t pay tax. which had been neglected for a long time. ny’s share to foreign partners keeping only tion forces burnt down the home forcing Anti Corruption Commis- London on September 11, “Why will they not pay taxes? The Na- The region is also very vulnerable to cli- 30% shares in his name,” she said. Bangabandhu to purchase another piece sion (ACC) fi led the Zia 2008 for treatment after ob- tional Board of Revenue (NBR) has those mate change. Replying to a question from the Awami of land beside his ancestral home while the Charitable Trust case with taining bail from the higher reports.” At the very beginning of the initiation League member Kamal Ahmed Majumder, original one was left unattended for a long Tejgaon Police Station ac- court and since then his law- She then pointed to Muhith, who was of the project, she said the World Bank the prime minister said the government time after his brutal murder in 1975. cusing four people, includ- yer Sanaullah Mia has been sitting beside her in the parliament and had showed keen interest in fi nancing the had undertaken ‘Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar’ In 1980s, Sheikh Hasina renovated the ing Khaleda Zia, of abusing representing him in his ab- said: “The honourable fi nance minister is project and promised to fund construction (One House, One Farm) project to protect home and allowed the Awami League to power in raising funds for the sence. here. of the bridge. the poor from micro credit lenders. use it as party offi ce.

Bajhang man Australia day Sri Lanka stuck in held for killing ‘gigantic debt trap’ national bird AFP ment (of the former govern- Colombo ment) has not brought any re- turns on its investments.” Agencies Earlier this month the gov- Bajura ri Lanka yesterday said it ernment announced it would was stuck in a “gigantic raise $1.5bn through a domestic Sdebt trap” and that pay- bond sale to rebuild its foreign olice in Bajhang district have arrested a ing off foreign loans would hit exchange reserves. man with a dead danphe (Impeyan pheas- a record $2.41bn this year, up The move to borrow locally Pant), the national bird. from $1.82bn last year. came weeks after the Interna- The man has been identifi ed as Top Bahadur The fi nance ministry said the tional Monetary Fund warned Bohora (22) of of Daulichaur VDC in Bajhang dis- cash-strapped country’s debt the country’s foreign reserves trict. Bohora was arrested after the Ward Police servicing cost this year was es- were “below comfortable lev- Offi ce found the killed pheasant hidden in his bag timated at about half of its for- els”. at Chainpur, the district headquarters, according eign currency reserves, while Last June the government, to deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Naren- repayments were expected to which came to power in Janu- dra Chand at District Police Offi ce. worsen to $4.0bn in two years. ary 2015, received a $1.5bn IMF Bohora will be tried under the National Parks The main reason was loans bailout after facing a balance of and Wildlife Conservation Act, said police. taken by the previous admin- payments crisis. It has been reported that the poaching of wild- istration for white elephant The total foreign currency life in the northern mountainous region in Ba- projects such as an airport and reserves at the end of December jhang district has risen. a deep sea port, Finance Minis- were $5.16bn, up from $4.72bn Moreover, the folks of Kanda, Surma, Dauli- ter Ravi Karunanayake said in a a month earlier, according to chaur, Rilu, Dahabagar, Lekhgaun, Melbisauni Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of science, technology and research Susil Premajayantha (2nd L) statement, with both continu- government data. and Kailash VDCs in the region become active in and Australian high commissioner Bryce Hutchesson (L) cut a cake for the start of a ceremony in Colombo to mark ing to incur heavy losses. Sri Lanka is also selling part poaching wildlife as the fall in temperature and Australian National Day. Sri Lanka’s president Sirisena visited Hutchesson’s residence in Colombo to celebrate the “Sri Lanka is embroiled in of a loss-making $1.4bn har- heavy snowfall force wild animals and birds to event which also coincided with the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. a gigantic debt trap,” he said. bour to a Chinese company to migrate to lower altitudes “The infrastructure develop- help repay crippling debts. Gulf Times Friday, January 27, 2017 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Al-Tawakkul: Trusting in Allah

Khutbah from Masjid Nabawi

ll praise is due to Allah. We thank Him and we seek His help, guidance and forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah Afrom the evil promptings of our souls and the evil consequences of our deeds. Whom- soever Allah guides, no one can lead him astray and whomsoever Allah leads astray, no one can show him the right path. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger. Allah says: “O, you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He ordered and abstaining from all that He forbade) as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam,” (Al-i-’Imran, 3:102). “O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate, and from them both scattered many men and women, and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights) and do not cut the relations of the wombs (kinship). Surely Allah is ever a Watcher over you,” (Al-Nisa’, 4:1). “O, you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, he verily has got a great success,” (Al-Ahzab, 31:70-71). Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, Allah the Most High has created us of the best stature and granted us many abilities so that we may look after our needs and those of our relatives and fellow Muslims. He (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has invited us to explore the earth and use it for our subsistence: “It is He Who has made the earth subservient to you, so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the resurrection,” (Al-Mulk, 67:15). A night view of Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha. PICTURE: Thajudheen Yet, brothers and sisters, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has made it clear in this very verse, as well it is the work pertaining to our subsistence. Those who deviated from the right concept and fruit, and forms within its body the honey 19:23). But a voice cried to her from beneath as in other verses, that had He not made this earth Furthermore, we do not refer to haram (forbidden) of tawakkul have fallen into two extremes. The which it stores in its cells of wax. The diff erent the palm-tree: “Grieve not! for your Lord has manageable to us, we would not be able to explore work and haram subsistence – for we believe, fi rst group of people are those, attracted by the kinds of food from which it makes its honey give provided a water stream beneath you,” (Maryam, it nor benefi t from it. insha’ Allah, that the reader is conscious of that. temptations of this world, and have gone so far as diff erent colours to the honey. Now, brothers 19:24). Dear brothers and sisters in faith, the above It is the halal (permissible) work and the halal to forget their relationship with Allah. Their heart and sisters, could not Allah provide for the bees She knew now that Allah would deliver her verse is the starting point of this Khutbah livelihood that we are concerned about in this has become so attracted to these temptations that their sustenance without them going through all from her hunger and thirst and release the (sermon) which is about tawakkul (trust and Khutbah, for it is more tempting to the believer. they became subservient to their desires. Such this labour? Of course He could! Could not Allah pain of her pangs. But the Most High wanted complete reliance on Allah). This chapter of the What are the guidelines and limits of the halal people have become – knowingly or unknowingly create springs and rivers of honey as he created her to initiate an action to benefi t from Allah’s Qur’an is actually – in our humble opinion – a work? How much dedication do we give it? Do we – slaves of their own desires. Such people will springs and rivers of water? Of course He could! provisions: “And shake towards yourself the yardstick for understanding tawakkul. Surah Al- attribute the source of subsistence to our work ultimately claim that all their achievements are But by observing the work cycle of the bee and trunk of the palm-tree: it will let fall fresh ripe Mulk starts and fi nishes with the same message: or to Allah’s bounties? And do we associate the but the result of their own work and that Allah by tasting its sweet and wholesome honey, one dates upon you.” (Maryam, 19:25). Now that To Allah belong all that is in the universe and loss and deprivation of wealth, health and success had no involvement whatsoever. They do not can understand and appreciate better the nature she fulfi lled the physical part of her duties – by nothing would happen without His Mercy and with our loss of job, or with Allah’s universal plan? rely on Allah. Allah says, “Have you then seen and behaviour of the bee. A behaviour whose shaking the tree, she had to fulfi l the spiritual constant watchful care. He said in the fi rst verse, Brothers and sisters, Islam is a dynamic the sort of man who rejects Our signs, yet says: ingredients are hard work and complete trust in part – trusting Allah for deliverance. Allah’s help “Blessed be He in Whose hands is the Dominion, religion. Not only does it not condone ‘I shall certainly be given wealth and children.’” Allah: And that is the real tawakkul. was prompt: the fresh dates were now falling and He is able to do all things.” He then said in the passiveness, but also, it strongly rejects laziness Allah rejects their arrogant claim by saying, “Has Let us look at another creature of Allah: the upon her: “So eat and drink and be glad!...,” last verse, “Say: Have you thought, ‘if your water and dependency on others. The Prophet, he penetrated to the unseen, or has he taken a bird. Allah says, “Do they not observe the birds (Maryam, 19:26). were to disappear into the earth, who then can sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Begging promise with Allah?” (Maryam, 19:77-78). This above them, spreading their wings and folding This is the story of Maryam (Mary) whom supply you with clear-fl owing water,’” (Al-Mulk, is forbidden except when there is great debt, type of man who rejects Allah and denies His them in? None can uphold them except the Most Allah had destined to be the mother of Prophet 67:30). suff ering, injury, or abasing poverty.” (Related bounties regards himself as “self-suffi cient” and Gracious: Truly it is He that watches over all ‘Isa (Jesus). And when she conceived her baby Yes, we can surely explore the earth, look for by Abu Dawud and Al-Bayhaqi). He, sallallaahu thus, cannot be expected to rely on Allah. things,” (Al-Mulk 67:19). As He did for all of His and entered the pains of childbirth with no regions holding water and successfully discover ‘alaihi wa sallam, also said, “It is much better for creatures, our Lord subhanahu wa ta’ala provided one to attend her; when she got hungry and fountain sources and streams. But without one of you to take his rope and go to chop some “And put your trust in Allah, for the birds just those conditions that are best for thirsty with no visible help for food and drink; Allah’s permission and facilitation, we will not wood (for his livelihood) than to beg from people, their lives; He subhanahu wa ta’ala also inspired when she became weak and anguished; she was be able to reach this water. Furthermore, what whether they give him anything or deny him.” and suffi cient is Allah as a them to use their physical shapes and unique asked to shake a palm-tree for her provision. A would happen if – all of a sudden – Allah made (Related by Al-Bukhari, Ibn Majah, and others). Trustee (Disposer of Aff airs)” movements to take off , fl y and land. weak, tired, hungry and thirsty woman shaking the sources and springs of our water supply to The Prophet himself, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Thus, in order to fl y, birds would have to move a strong, deeply rooted palm-tree. Could not disappear in the deep undergrounds of the earth. worked hard for his living. He spent his boyhood The second group of people are those who their wings upwards and downwards, spread Allah send with Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) enough Blessed and Glorifi ed be He! No one will bring it as a shepherd and took to trade in manhood. He understood the reliance on Allah as meaning them and fold them. However, the birds know food and drink for her? Could not Allah send back but He. carried people’s goods to Syria and other places to completely break away from all mundane that the One Who upholds them in the air, is down from the heavens a ready-to-eat plate of Brothers and sisters, there is a hintful touch in and shared the profi ts with them. aff airs. They regarded piety and the pursuit not their upward and downward move, nor the dates? Or could not Allah say to the dates ‘fall the verse mentioned earlier. Allah said, “...so walk The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used of any material interests as contradictory. For spreading and folding of their wings, but rather upon Mary!’, upon which they would? After all, in the path thereof.” Then He said “...and eat of to constantly seek refuge with Allah from laziness them, reliance on Allah would mean not to take Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. They have understood is not Allah the only One Who, when He wills His provision.” So Allah is telling us that though as reported by Zayed Ibn Arqam: “O Allah! I seek any initiatives for securing one’s subsistence. that they have to exert eff ort and rely on Allah a thing, only says to it, “Be” – and it is? Yes, you are encouraged to strive and work hard, what refuge in You from incapacity, from laziness, from Consequently, they renounce the world and retire alone to uphold them high. As opposed to many yes, yes, brothers and sisters, He is! But Allah’s you produce is not yours; what you earn is not cowardice, from miserliness, from ineptitude themselves to remote areas or secluded spots and rebellious men, birds recognise and exercise total way is that the eff ort has to be made, and the yours. Rather, your production, your earnings and from the torment of the grave...” (Related by cut themselves from daily life. tawakkul on Allah without giving up the work. In trust has to be complete; the tawakkul has to be and all your subsistence comes from Allah. He Muslim). Both of these two groups, brothers and sisters, pursuing this way of life, the birds have become fulfi lled. made it available to you out of His Mercy and However, brothers and sisters, though we have not understood the meaning of tawakkul the example to follow for how the tawakkul Brothers and Sisters in Islam, these were some care for you. Hence, if Allah wills, your work and might strive hard to secure our livelihood, we according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah should be and how Allah would reward the one examples of Allah’s creatures putting their trust eff orts will be fruitless. Similar verses where Allah should not attribute our achievements solely in of His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. who exercises tawakkul as the birds do. in Him. The wisest course for us, therefore, is ascribes subsistence solely to Him are found in the work we do, but in Allah. We should not put Had they attempted to understand the Book The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said, to follow their example. So let us use all lawful many places in the Qur’an. Allah says, “...So seek our reliance on our work, our possessions, our of Allah, according to the understanding and “Were you to put your complete trust in Allah, means and exert reasonable eff ort to secure from Allah (Alone) subsistence and worship Him wealth, our position, etc. Neither should we rely implementation of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi He would provide for you as He provides for the our needs, and let us remain faithful to Allah (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) on our manager, our employer, our friends and wa sallam, and his honourable companions, birds. They issue forth hungry in the morning by putting all our aff airs in His Hands and hope will be your return,” (Al-’Ankabut, 29:17). our families. The only one on Whom we should they would have found that tawakkul is far and return fi lled in the evening.” (Related by and expect for the best outcome. Let us say like Those who misunderstood the Plan of Allah rely is Allah. He subhanahu wa ta’ala said, “...And removed from how they conceived it. Through Al-Tirmidhi). Did the birds remain in their nest the early believers said: “Say, ‘He is the Most and His Wisdom have felt confused by this rely on the Living One (Allah), Who will never the instinctive behaviour of some of His creatures waiting for Allah’s provision? Of course not! Benefi cent (Allah), in Him we believe, and in Him double command of Allah – to strive and work die, and celebrate His praises and thanks. And and the sublime conduct of His prophets and Did they claim that since they were engaged in we put our trust,” (Al-Mulk, 67:29). on the one hand, and rely on Allah to make the suffi cient is He to be acquainted with the sins of righteous slaves, Allah has set out in His Book tasbeeh (praising of Allah), they would not have Allah also says: “And put your trust in Allah, actions possible and goals attainable, on the His slaves,” (Al-Furqan, 25:58). Whoever attaches the genuine tawakkul. First, let us look at the to strive for their subsistence? Of course not! and suffi cient is Allah as a Trustee (Disposer of other. Initially, this question was presented his/her heart to his job, or to his/her employer or fascinating life of the bee. So praised is Allah, brothers and sisters, Who Aff airs),” (Al-Ahzab, 33:3). before the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. to any created beings in order for them to provide Allah says: “And your Lord taught the bee inspired the birds to set forth to seek provisions O Allah! Make us among those who believe in The companions asked: Should we quit working him/her with sustenance or to make him/her to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in men’s for themselves and for their little ones. Praised is You and put their trust in You. O Allah! Provide and rely on Al-Qadar (Allah’s predetermined prosperous and successful, and so on, he/she habitation; then to eat of all the produce of the He Who taught them tawakkul so they would not for us as You provide for the birds, the bees and decree)? The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa has submitted to them. And the more one relies earth, and follow the way of your Lord made expect provision but from Him. all Your creatures. O Allah! grant us the real sallam, answered: “You should initiate and do on the created beings, the weaker becomes one’s smooth: There issues from within their bodies a Now back to the world of mankind. Brothers tawakkul like that of Maryam, Your prophets and things. Everyone shall be facilitated towards that submission to Allah. drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for and sisters, here is an ultimate example of all Your righteous servants. O Allah! count us for which he was created.” (Related by Al-Bukhari Hence, brothers and sisters, as much as Allah men: Verily in this is a sign for those who give tawakkul. This is the story of an expectant mother among those whose hearts are smitten with awe and Muslim). Consequently, the Companions wants from us to initiate actions and seek and thought,” (Al-Nahl, 16:68-69). who retired with her conceived baby to a remote when Your Name is mentioned and whose faith of the Prophet moved on and initiated righteous use all permissible means to secure our needs Look at the gigantic work that the bee has to do area. The pains of childbirth drove her to the is strengthened when Your Signs are recited to deeds while putting their trust in Allah. and those of our families, He also wants us not in order to produce its honey: The bee fi nds out trunk of a palm-tree. She was alone with no one them, and who put their trust in their Lord. O The work that is referred to in this Khutbah, to depend on these means as the source of our the most inaccessible places, in the hills, in the to attend her. She was hungry, thirsty. She cried: Allah! send Your Grace, Honour and Mercy on brothers and sisters, is not that of the acts of sustenance. This is the genuine understanding of trees, and even among the habitation of men. It “Ah! would that I had died before this! Would that Muhammad, his family, his followers and on all worship (Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Haj, etc). Rather, tawakkul. assimilates the juice of various kinds of fl owers I had been forgotten and out of sight!” (Maryam, those who follow his Path until the Last Day. Suff ering in the path of Da’wah

uff ering is well-nigh an inescapable phe- the breasts of the worlds [i.e. all creatures]? And disbelievers dislike it.” [Qur’an 61:8] Such talk may infl uence many who are not Because it hasn’t happened that when a person nomenon for the Islamic movement of Allah will surely make evident those who believe, Since the beginning of the creation and the fi rst used to steep roads. Here lies the role of patience. gave Da’wah, nobody at all responded to him, or old and new, the reason being that Islam and He will surely make evident the hypocrites.” of Prophets (may Allah exalt their mention), since Being hasty in picking the fruit of Da’wah is when he advised, nobody at all took his advice, Sis a call to rebel against the institutions, [Qur’an 29:10-11] the birth of good and evil, the struggle between not conformable to patience which must be a or when a scholar sat down teaching, nobody thoughts and customs of ignorance (pre-Islamic Thus, every claim must have its proof, and the two has been violent and frightful. But the characteristic of the Daa’iyah. The Daa’iyah may at all came to learn. Every Daa’iyah will fi nd a era) in all its forms and shapes. This characteristic faith is a claim which needs proof. Steadfastness reality which keeps on recurring and which be in a certain place, a school or institute, he is respondent. For things have not yet reached which distinguishes Islam has made the Islamic in times of hardship is a manifestation of faith appears clear is that truth is always victorious and forbidding the forbidden, spreading the Da’wah what Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa movement more susceptible to suff ering. and it is also the proof of its existence and its falsehood ever fading. Allah Almighty Says (what (call to Islam) and speaking to many people, but sallam, warned us of concerning submissiveness Suff ering is one of the most important factors fi rmness. Almighty Allah Says (what means): “Do means): he won’t notice the change himself, because it to greed (stinginess), pursuit of desires, infl uence of character-building and selection in Islam. the people think that they will be left to say, We “And Our word [i.e. decree] has already is coming gradually. Just as the father does not of the worldly life, and admiration of one’s Theoretic training may have no value as long as believe and they will not be tried? But We have preceded for Our servants, the messengers. [That] notice the growth of his child whom he sees every opinion. This has not yet happened to the entire hardship and trial do not accompany it. Even certainly tried those before them, and Allah will indeed, they would be those given victory. And morning and evening! He is growing gradually! Muslim nation. It may be soon an individual level faith is in need of suff ering to probe its depths and surely make evident those who are truthful, and [that] indeed, Our soldiers [i.e. the believers] will How many Du’aat (pl. of Daa’iyah) deserted a or in a specifi c region, but there remain many measure its extents. Allah, the Most Exalted, Says He will surely make evident the liars.….” [Qur’an be those who overcome.” [Qur’an 37:171-173] certain place thinking that he’d had no infl uence, who respond and accept the Da’wah, or listen to in the Qur’an (what means): 29:2-3] Some of the people may come to the but after he left, his absence became noticeable, the advice of the advisor, provided that he speaks “And of the people are some who say, “We Thus was the decree of Allah: that the truth Daa’iyah (caller to Islam) and say, “You’re doing and his infl uence then appeared. with knowledge and wisdom. believe in Allah,” but when one [of them] is should be in eternal confl ict with falsehood, tremendous work, persisting day and night. So, the Daa’iyah should not rush the results and Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/ harmed for [the cause of] Allah, they consider and every time a ray of light emerges, the forces But the end result is little and the people are the fruits of the Da’wah, but he should strive and emainpage/ the trial [i.e. harm] of the people as [if it were] of darkness gather to extinguish it. Allah, The abandoning you. Yet you see the reasons that depend upon Allah, The Exalted, and realise that the punishment of Allah. But if victory comes Exalted Says (what means): “They want to devastation and destruction overwhelm the according to the logical settled experience from from your Lord, they say, “Indeed, We were with extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, majority of them.” This begins to ruin in an hour the historical aspect, and the realistic aspect, you.” Is not Allah most knowing of what is within but Allah will perfect His light, although the what the Daa’iyah builds in a year! that any truthful eff ort expended will yield fruit. Gulf Times 14 Friday, January 27, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Helping African farmers Production Editor: Amjad Khan

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] tackle climate change Telephone 44350478 (news), By Sophie Mbugua Maputo Declaration, committing 10% delivery as it does not appeal to the used to be a centrally controlled, 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Kakamega/Kenya of spending to agriculture. But only 13 county legislators compared to roads, top-down model is increasingly Fax 44350474 countries have ever managed to reach which are visible to the electorate [and more participatory, farmer-led, and that target in any one year. are a vote-winner].” market-orientated. griculture is the most Two decades of IMF programming The county spends less than 4% Farm Africa is an international important sector of African had pushed governments to cut on agriculture annually, despite the NGO that has been working with East economies, from the spending, diminishing the reach and government’s 10% target. African farming communities for Alivelihoods it supports to the quality of the assistance provided to “Expertise is dwindling,” said Jacob decades. Its approach includes not future jobs it can generate. small-scale producers. Masimba, an extension research only a farmer-to-farmer extension GULF TIMES The basic recipe for boosting The UN’s Food and Agricultural liaison and training offi cer. “There is model in which “elite” farmers are performance is well known: more Organisation (FAO) recommends there no regular short course training, even trained and pass on the message to investment, better access to fi nancial should be one extension worker for with climate change.” their peers, but also partnerships with services, improved seeds, and a lot every 400 farmers. In the rich world, That’s bad news for farmers like the private sector. more fertiliser (appropriately applied). the ratio is roughly one to 200, but Harrison Wesa, a 63-year-old retired Geoff rey Nyamota, Farm Africa’s Peaceful resolution What is less appreciated is the key in Africa it’s closer to one to 3,000, teacher who grows bananas on his head of market engagement, explained role played by agricultural extension according to Noordin. irrigated, half-hectare plot. “We how private businesses buying peas workers. They link small-scale Kenya has the largest, most used to have monthly visitations by and beans are now providing extension farmers to new research, helping diversifi ed economy in East Africa, government offi cers,” he told IRIN. services “directly to the farmers”. of Rohingya issue to improve their knowledge and and farming is its market-driven “Today, you are lucky to be visited.” “Public-private partnerships skills so they can take advantage of mainstay. In 2010, it adopted a new Wesa was forced to abandon are a win-win,” he told IRIN. “The market opportunities. In African constitution supposed to devolve vegetable farming due to government is happy, as they know countries prone to climate shocks, signifi cant powers to county unpredictable rains and a rise in insect their goals will be delivered on; the need of the hour these extension workers have an governments. infestation. He soon found he was private sector is happy, because they increasingly important role to play if But in reality, agricultural policy is spending far too much on pesticides, get the quality they need.” farmers are to learn to adapt and build still set at the national level and there pushed by agro-dealers out to turn a Farm Africa has also tested mobile Qatar’s wake-up call on the issue of Rohingya Muslims in their resilience. is a complicated relationship with the profi t. technology in Tanzania, with farmers Myanmar, at the just concluded meeting of foreign ministers of There’s just one big problem: counties over responsibilities for the With losses mounting, his son viewing interactive training modules the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation’s member-states in governments have tended to ignore day-to-day running and fi nancing of introduced him to the internet, where on tablet computers, as an alternative extension work. services and programmes. he soon found plenty of websites on to traditional demonstration plots. Kuala Lumpur, is signifi cant and timely. “The extension service provider’s Kakamega is a lush county in banana production. “My challenge It found that farmers trained using Addressing the meeting, HE the Minister of State for Foreign role is enormous and urgent, western Kenya, a seven-hour drive [now] is too much information that at tablets were able to achieve similar Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi stressed the urgent need especially as [the unpredictability from Nairobi. More than 80% of its times confuses me,” he said. increases in knowledge of sesame of] climate change has brought a new population is directly employed in the Noordin recognised this problem cultivation, but for about a third of to fi nd a peaceful and comprehensive solution to the issue or dimension to agricultural research agricultural sector. well. “Even if some farmer can the cost. risk a wider confl ict. He noted that “impacts of disputes and and development,” Max Olupot, of The Kenyan government should be download some of the information, And old-fashioned radio still has a confl icts will not be confi ned to a certain geographic area but the African Forum for Agricultural stepping up its help for farmers here, they might require help to interpret role to play, acting as a “megaphone” Advisory Services, told IRIN. but since devolution there’s been some of the messages,” he explained. for extension work. Typically, farmers rather go beyond borders to threaten global security and peace”. In addition, Qureish Noordin, from a drop in the number of extension Smartphone use is spreading, group themselves into listeners’ Echoing Qatar’s concern, Malaysia’s Prime Minister the Alliance for a Green Revolution in workers employed. but not all small-scale farmers can clubs and can call in or use SMS to Najib Razak spelt out that threat, warning that extremists Africa (AGRA), warned that climate Currently, the ratio is roughly one individually aff ord the data charges for participate in the FM programmes. variability is distorting “a huge to 3,000-5,000 farmers, according to downloading YouTube videos on the And while some governments don’t may exploit the crisis and the issue could fan the fl ames of portion of indigenous knowledge”, Johnston Imbira, the county’s director latest techniques, few of which are in appear to be getting the message international militancy. making the design of “realistic and of agriculture. Kiswahilli, the most broadly spoken yet, Agriculture for Impact, an “OIC member-states are well aware that terrorist practical adaptation programmes” “The number has decreased due to language in Kenya. advocacy initiative, says a revitalised even harder. offi cers retiring and exiting from the But there are alternatives. and expanded role for advisory and organisations such as Daesh (Islamic State) could seek to take African agriculture, in general, service since devolution,” Imbira told In many countries, extension information services is now seen advantage of this situation,” he said. is massively underfunded. In 2003, IRIN. “There are no deliberate eff orts services are going through profound “as central to pro-poor agricultural “This should concern the international community as a African governments agreed to the to support day-to-day extension change, out of necessity. What growth”. whole, as the threat of a new home for terrorist groups has the potential to cause death and destruction well “Terrorist beyond this region.’’ organisations The persecution of the Rohingyas, a such as Daesh stateless group of people (Islamic State) who have been denied citizenship in Myanmar could seek to take and are considered advantage of this as illegal immigrants hailing from Bangladesh situation” by the majority Buddhist population, has caused great concern in the Muslim world. Since October last year Myanmar’s army has carried out “clearance operations” in the north of western Rakhine state to root out insurgents accused of raids on police border posts. At least 66,000 Rohingyas have subsequently fl ed to neighbouring Bangladesh, alleging rape, murder and torture at the hands of security forces. But Myanmar denies the allegations. Highlighting the plight of Rohingyas at the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Qatar’s HE al-Muraikhi stressed that the Rohingyas’ issue is primarily a humanitarian one. This requires a mechanism to settle it in a way that helps the Rohingyas live in dignity with their fellow citizens in a safe A small-scale farmer in Kenya. PICTURE: Esther Havens/USAID environment. And in this respect, as the minister pointed out, Qatar has taken a lead role. Doha has pledged fi nancial aid to some neighbouring countries to cover the costs of hosting Rohingya refugees as well as provided assistance inside Myanmar, Decent work or indecent politics particularly in Rakhine state. In 2015, Qatar pledged $50mn to help Indonesia shelter many employed people know that their challenges of improving the lot of Commission in Germany, shows that Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. The aid pledge was By Guy Ryder Davos jobs are vulnerable, and there has been those at the lower end of the wage well-designed minimum wages – announced by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inadequate progress in job quality, even distribution, while creating enough which meet the needs of workers and when he met the visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno in countries where aggregate economic new high-quality jobs for the tens of their families, while also accounting he United Nations 2030 indicators are improving. millions of new labour-market entrants for economic conditions – can make Marsudi in Doha. Agenda for Sustainable According to the ILO’s global each year. With the global economy a real diff erence at the lower end of Additionally, Qatar Red Crescent sent volunteers to provide Development commits UN wage report, Wage Inequality in the having yet to recover fully from the the income distribution, without relief to Rohingya Muslims in the refugee camps established by Tmember-states to “leave no Workplace, published last month, global economic crisis that began a signifi cantly harming employment. one behind.” One crucial component global wage growth has decelerated decade ago, meeting these challenges Action can also be taken at the the Myanmarese government. of that commitment – encompassed in since 2012, from 2.5% per year to 1.7% will be no easy feat. international level, by implementing Qatar’s humanitarian eff orts in the region refl ect its the International Labour Organisation’s in 2015 – its lowest level in four years. Indeed, it is likely that labour-force support systems to help advance key longstanding policy of fi nding a peaceful resolution to the own agenda – is decent work for all. Remove China, which experienced growth will continue to outstrip job goals relating to decent work and At a time when worker frustration and particularly rapid wage growth, and creation. That is why the ILO’s World economic inclusiveness. That is why the confl ict. The sooner the international community realises the disillusionment is being expressed in annual growth in global wages dropped Employment and Social Outlook – ILO and the World Bank have launched seriousness of the problem and acts decisively the better. Or elections across the world, this goal from 1.6% to a mere 0.9%. Trends 2017 projects that just over a Global Partnership for Universal else, as HE al-Muraikhi pointed out, “continued clashes and could not be more important. Workers’ disillusionment is deepened 201 million people worldwide will be Social Protection, which aims to ensure Nowadays, the expectation that by the knowledge that, as their average unemployed this year, with another 2.7 that social safety nets – including incitement to violence will create an environment of violent each generation will be better off than wages grow slowly or stagnate, the joining their ranks in 2018. pensions and parental, disability, and extremism as well as chaos which will negatively aff ect the the previous one, both socially and very wealthy are growing signifi cantly The world needs economic growth child benefi ts – are made available to peace and stability of the whole region’’. economically, is no longer automatic. wealthier. As the ILO’s report shows, that is more sustainable, equitable, all people, covering the hundreds of For many, downward mobility has while wages have climbed gradually and job-rich. The key to success will millions worldwide who are currently become the new normal. across almost the entire income be strong and relevant labour-market unprotected. Little wonder, then, that long- distribution in most countries, they institutions, which rely on and advance Expanding access to decent work To Advertise simmering frustration with the way have risen sharply for the top 10%, and internationally accepted principles and opportunities is the most eff ective way globalisation has been handled and even more for the top 1% of employees. rights for workers. to increase labor-market participation, [email protected] resentment at the unfair distribution In Europe, the highest-paid 10% Minimum wages and collective lift people out of poverty, reduce Display of its gains have fueled the political of employees account for, on average, bargaining can play an important role inequality, and drive economic backlash sweeping the world of late. 25.5% of total wages, while the lowest- here. One remarkable trend of the growth. It should be at the center of Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 This disillusionment arises, at least paid 50% get just 29.1%. The share of last few years has been the adoption policymaking. The alternative is a Classified partly, from people’s own experience earnings taken by the top 10% is even or increase of minimum wages by dog-eat-dog world in which too many Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 of work, whether exclusion from higher in some emerging economies, countries hoping to mitigate inequality, will feel left out. One need look no the labour market, poor working such as Brazil (35%), India (42.7%), and with Mexico being the most recent further than today’s headlines to see Subscription conditions, or low wages. South Africa (49.2%). In Europe, the example. And the trend is set to the instability and insecurity that can [email protected] In many parts of the world, top 1% earn about €90 ($95) per hour continue: South Africa, for one, is result – and has resulted – from this including some European countries, – eight times more than median-wage also considering adopting a national approach. – Project Syndicate unemployment has been persistently earners, and 22 times the average wage minimum wage. 2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved high in recent years. But even having a of the bottom 10%. This is good news. Recent evidence, zGuy Ryder is Director-General of the job is no guarantee of fi nancial security: We are now faced with the twin including by the Minimum Wage International Labour Organisation. Gulf Times Friday, January 27, 2017 15 COMMENT National debt and global order

By Harold James Then there is a more radical Princeton alternative. Trump may pursue a nationalist version of what is typically a leftist demand: a debt jubilee or s we entered the new year, write-off . And his strategic reasoning all indications pointed to might entail letting China’s own a remaking of the global high levels of internal debt, and Aorder. Donald Trump was the unresolved debt issues in the inaugurated as president of the United eurozone, blow up. States, Chinese President Xi Jinping British Prime Minister Theresa delivered a defence of globalisation at May’s meeting with Trump in Davos, and far-right leaders such as Washington, DC, scheduled for today, Marine Le Pen and Geert Wilders held has stirred much excitement about a an “alternative European summit” in new security arrangement based on the German city of Koblenz. “Anglo-American capitalism.” The old Trump and his populist allies in style of Anglo-American capitalism Europe have denounced globalisation, was built on manufacturing; but the while Xi now stands as its principal new style rests on debt – particularly defender. But Trump’s message, in home ownership – to maintain particular, is confl icted: pursuing consumption and high standards of strictly national economic interests living. may require less international co- May’s government could play operation, but bolstering security a decisive role in the current requires more. international reordering. But while she The nationalist thrust of Trump’s has indicated that the UK will pursue inaugural address echoed the a “hard Brexit” – a clean separation isolationism championed by the racist from the EU – she has also emphasised aviator Charles Lindbergh, who, as how important both the EU and Nato a spokesman for the America First are to the European and global security Committee, lobbied to keep the US framework. out of World War II. And now Trump, If May can convince Trump that blaming previous US leaders for the security is more important than a economic hardships confronting gamble on leveraged debt, she will many Americans, has renounced the 2015. Just before the inauguration, suddenly eliminated its large defi cits administrations pursued this method currency as well, fi rst within Europe’s have undermined a key part of his country’s historical role in creating he suggested that he might impose with the rest of Europe. by applying bilateral pressure, and hard exchange-rate system after 1979, domestic strategy, while rescuing and sustaining the post-war order. high tariff s on imported German cars, In the past, US policymakers have by working through international and then within the eurozone after some of the old spirit of mutual While his objection to “global singling out BMW with particular tried to spur domestic job creation institutions such as the G7 and the 1999. The European Union and the defense. It’s worth remembering America” is not new, hearing it from a relish. by getting the surplus countries to International Monetary Fund. But eurozone, Trump has concluded, are that the only other US president US president certainly is. With their accumulated current- run budget defi cits or loosen their these negotiations have always had simply mechanisms to protect German to promote the phrase “America Trump’s vision is centered on the account surpluses, both countries monetary policy, so that they could rather mixed outcomes. Inevitably, interests and extend German power. fi rst” was Woodrow Wilson, who politics of debt. Having overseen have built up large claims on the US, grow faster and buy more American neither side is satisfi ed, and the There are two alternatives to the ended up trying to build an elaborate a large debt-fi nanced real-estate in the form of government debt for goods. Former US Presidents Jimmy process comes to be seen as fl awed. classical adjustment approach. The international system based on shared business, his intuition is that debt China and a wide variety of securitised Carter and Ronald Reagan took this Trump thinks that this old process fi rst, more plausible option is to security and co-operation. – Project renegotiation can be used to win back assets for Germany. While China’s tack in the late 1970s and 1980s, and failed because the surplus countries strike bilateral deals. There are some Syndicate for America what “other countries” foreign reserves are now rapidly President Barack Obama did so again cheated. According to this view, historical precedents for this, such as have supposedly taken from it. He falling, Germany’s are rising. But, in in the middle of the euro crisis that China deliberately held down its when Japan, in the 1980s, “voluntarily” zHarold James is Professor of History has focused on China and Germany, both cases, immediately eliminating began in 2009. exchange rate in the years prior to agreed to limit the number of cars it and International Aff airs at Princeton because they maintain large bilateral America’s bilateral defi cits would This is the classic form of 2015, subsidised Chinese businesses, sold in the US. Consequently, Japan University and a senior fellow at the trade surpluses with the US – totalling simply make Americans poorer. It adjustment in the international and restricted foreign ownership stopped selling cheap cars and quickly Center for International Governance $366bn and $74bn, respectively, in would be no diff erent than if Greece economic system, and past US rights; and Germany manipulated its moved up the value chain. Innovation. Weather report ‘Rise in populism risks corruption’ Three-day forecast TODAY High: 25 C Low : 18 C AFP Hazy to misty/foggy over most areas at first becomes mild daytime with Berlin some clouds and cold by night

he rise of populist politicians SATURDAY around the world risks High: 26 C undermining the fi ght against Low: 18 C Tcorruption, an anti-graft Sunny watchdog said on Wednesday, warning that it feared a backslide in the US under new President Donald Trump. SUNDAY “Populism is the wrong medicine,” High: 25 C Transparency International said as it Low: 16 C released its closely-watched annual P Cloudy Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranks nations according to their perceived level of public sector Fishermen’s forecast corruption. OFFSHORE DOHA “In countries with populist Wind: SE-S 05-15/20 KT or autocratic leaders, we often Waves: 2-4/6 Feet see democracies in decline and a INSHORE DOHA Wind: SE-SW 05-15/18 KT disturbing pattern of attempts to Waves: 1-3 Feet crack down on civil society, limit press freedom, and weaken the political “elite” and promised to clean The United States fell two places to ranked 176 countries on a scale of Around the region independence of the judiciary,” said TI up corruption in Washington. reach the 18th spot in TI’s latest index 0-100, where zero means very corrupt Weather Weather chair Jose Ugaz. But Finn Heinrich, a research with a score of 74 out of 100, down and 100 signifi es very clean. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min “Instead of tackling crony director at TI, said he was “not from 76 in 2015. The data is based on surveys Abu Dhabi Sunny 26/16 Sunny 27/18 capitalism, those leaders usually install hopeful” the US billionaire would live “If (Trump) keeps his promises to from the World Bank, the African Baghdad P Cloudy 17/07 P Cloudy 13/04 Dubai Sunny even worse forms of corrupt systems,” up to those pledges given his myriad fi ght corruption, I think the US can Development Bank, the Economist Sunny 26/17 28/19 Kuwait City P Cloudy 23/12 P Cloudy 20/09 he said in a statement. business confl icts, his attacks on the improve. But if you look at his actions Intelligence unit and other bodies. Manama M Sunny 24/17 P Cloudy 23/17 The watchdog said that both media and his refusal to release his tax so far, what we worry about is that New Zealand and Denmark shared Muscat Sunny 24/17 Sunny 27/18 Hungary and Turkey, “countries returns. there will be a decline,” Heinrich said. the number one spot with a score of Riyadh Sunny 28/14 P Cloudy 26/12 that have seen the rise of autocratic “When you see that Donald Trump The Berlin-based group said in its 90 points, with Finland, Sweden, Tehran Rain 06/0 P Cloudy 06/-3 leaders”, have slipped in the corruption has put his son-in-law as a senior statement that “deep-rooted” reforms Switzerland and Norway rounding out rankings in recent years. adviser that smells off ,” he told AFP. were needed worldwide to tackle the the top fi ve of squeaky clean nations. Concerns are also mounting about “His whole cabinet is full of confl icts inequality and systemic corruption Strife-torn Somalia was the worst the United States, where Trump of interest. He said he would drain the that have proved such “fertile ground” off ender in the list for a 10th year assumed power last week following swamp. The fi rst signs show that he for populists. running, followed by South Sudan, a campaign that railed against the would rather water it.” For its 2016 index, the watchdog North Korea and Syria.

Live issues Study links personality to brain shape

AFP enthusiastic), open-mindedness, “openness” refl ects curiosity and The research touches on a question Paris agreeableness (a measure of altruism) creativity. that has occupied the minds of Around the world and conscientiousness (a measure of The deep folds in the human brain philosophers and scientists for Weather Weather self control). were the evolutionary solution to centuries – are humans more a product today Max/min tomorrow Max/min ersonality traits such Using brain scans from over 500 fi tting such a large, super-computer of their genes, or of their upbringing Athens P Cloudy 08/01 Sunny 11/03 as moodiness or open- people aged 22 to 36, the new study into a relatively small skull. and exposure? Beirut Rain 14/07 S Showers 09/04 Bangkok M Sunny Sunny 32/20 The study, published in the 33/22 mindedness are linked to the looked at diff erences in the cortex – “It’s like stretching and folding a Berlin Sunny 03/-5 Sunny 02/-3 shape of one’s brain, a study the wrinkly outer layer of the brain also rubber sheet – this increases the surface journal Social Cognitive and Aff ective Cairo P Cloudy 18/08 Cloudy 15/09 P Cape Town S T Storms Sunny 24/16 said Wednesday. known as grey matter. area, but at the same time the sheet Neuroscience, could not conclude that 22/16 Researchers said they found a Specifi cally it focussed on itself becomes thinner,” co-author brain shape determines a personality Colombo T Storms 29/24 S T Storms 31/23 M Cloudy 27/15 striking correlation between structural combinations of thickness, surface Luca Passamonti of the University of type, its authors said. Dhaka 28/17 Sunny Hong Kong Sunny 21/17 P Cloudy 21/19 brain diff erences and vefi main area, and the number of folds in Cambridge explained in a statement. “We cannot answer the question: Istanbul Cloudy 01/-2 M Cloudy 03/-1 personality types. diff erent people. The study was the fi rst to clearly ‘What came fi rst, the chicken or the Jakarta S T Storms 32/24 Showers 31/24 “The shape of our brain can itself “We found that neuroticism... was link the “Big Five” personality traits egg?’,” said Riccelli. Karachi Sunny 23/12 Sunny 25/12 provide surprising clues about how we linked to a thicker cortex and a smaller to diff erences in brain shape, Riccelli “Hence we can’t say if we have a London M Cloudy 09/06 Showers 09/04 Manila P Cloudy 29/22 P Cloudy 30/23 behave – and our risk of developing area and folding in some brain regions,” told AFP. specifi c personality type because our Moscow Cloudy -2/-4 M Cloudy -2/-5 mental health disorders,” said a said study co-author Roberta Riccelli This, in turn, was “a crucial step brain has a specifi c shape.” New Delhi S Showers 18/09 Sunny 21/11 statement from the University of of Italy’s Magna Graecia University. to improving our understanding of Brain shape, in itself, is determined New York M Cloudy 07/01 M Sunny 06/-1 Cambridge, which took part in the Conversely, openness, “was mental disorders,” she said. by genetic as well as environmental Paris P Cloudy 12/07 Cloudy 08/03 T Storms T Storms 27/20 study. associated with a thinner cortex and “It may give us the opportunity factors, she pointed out. Sao Paulo 26/19 Seoul Sunny 0/-9 M Sunny 04/-4 Psychologists have previously greater area and folding”. to detect those who are at high risk The team hypothesised that Singapore S T Storms 30/24 T Storms 29/24 developed a “Big Five” model of main Neuroticism, the team said, was of developing mental illnesses early, brain diff erences may be even more Sydney S Showers 26/21 P Cloudy 31/22 personality types: neuroticism (how a trait underlying mental illnesses which has obvious implications for pronounced in people likelier to suff er Tokyo Clear 15/02 Clear 10/02 moody a person is), extraversion (how such as anxiety disorders, whereas prompt intervention.” from neuro-psychiatric illnesses. Gulf Times 16 Friday, January 27, 2017 QATAR Grand ceremony marks military graduation day

The graduation ceremony of the 12th class of off icer cadets of the Ahmed bin Mohamed Military College, held yesterday, was a grand aff air. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the event as also HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani along with a number of ministers and high ranking off icers of Qatar’s Armed Forces, the Ministry of Interior, and the military colleges of friendly countries. The Qatari national anthem was played upon HH the Emir’s arrival. Later the commander of the parade requested HH the Emir to review a parade performed by the graduates. Speaking on the occasion, Commander of the Ahmed Bin Mohamed Military College Brigadier Abdullah Abdulrahman al-Kaabi expressed his delight at HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s presence at the graduation ceremony.