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INDEX Japan DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-10, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 REGION 11, 12 BUSINESS 1-9, 13-16 Doha Bank reports today 18,208.65 10,452.11 51.36 ARAB WORLD 12, 13 CLASSIFIED 10-12 +46.71 -31.98 +1.07 INTERNATIONAL 14-25 SPORTS 1-12 net profi t of QR1.1bn +0.26% -0.31% +2.13% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10247 October 20, 2016 Muharram 19, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir visits Qatar University Committee In brief to resolve

BUSINESS | Agreement Qatargas, Petronas unit in new deal labour Qatargas has signed a new five- year liquefied natural gas sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with Petronas LNG UK under which the world’s premier LNG company will deliver liquefied natural gas to disputes the latter until December 2023, an extension of its current contract, The committee will be responsible fi led by the parties involved. which is due to expire in December for settling all disputes related to The appeals committee will have a 2018. A total of 1.1mn tonnes per the provisions of the Labour Law or judge from the Court of Appeal as its year (MTPY) are secured for a a work contract within a maximum chair, to be chosen by the SJC. Besides, partnership that will now extend of three weeks HE the Minister of Administrative De- to a decade-long supply of LNG to velopment, Labour and Social Aff airs the UK-based entity. The LNG will committee will be set up to re- will nominate two offi cials from the be supplied from Qatargas 4 (Train solve labour-related disputes in ministry as its members. 7), a joint venture between Qatar Athe country, in line with amend- Those seeking an appeal, according Petroleum and Shell, which started ments to Law No 14 of 2004 and as part to the new draft, must do so within 15 production in January 2011 and will of the government’s eff orts to ensure days of the verdict of the fi rst commit- be delivered on board Q-Flex LNG HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday toured Qatar University to take a look at its latest projects and workers’ rights and simplify judicial tee. This will apply if a party involved in vessels to Dragon LNG terminal at centres that aim to meet the country’s current and future education needs. Vice-Chairman of the Board of Regents HE Sheikh procedures in such cases. a dispute is present to hear the verdict. Milford Haven, United Kingdom. Dr Abdullah bin Ali al-Thani and President of Qatar University Dr Hassan Rashid al-Derham received HH the Emir upon arrival The Cabinet approved the amend- If not, they must appeal within 15 days Business Page 16 at the university. The Emir began his visit with a tour of the girls’ building of the College of Education and the Early Childhood ments at its regular weekly meeting in from the time they are notifi ed about the Centre, where he met the faculty, staff and students and attended a lecture. Later, the Emir visited the boy’s building of the Doha yesterday, the offi cial Qatar News verdict. Only the committee can halt the IRAQ | Off ensive College of Engineering where he viewed the advanced education systems available at the college, as well as laboratories, Agency (QNA) reported. implementation of one of its verdicts. such as the mechanical engineering lab. He attended presentations on some of the students’ projects. The Emir also visited Provisions of the new law include HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Militant leaders the College of Medicine and saw the clinical skills lab and listened to part of a lecture. The Emir was briefed on the latest the establishment of a committee – or Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs ‘fl eeing Mosul’ technologies available in the college. Pages 2, 3 more – at the Ministry of Administra- Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mah- Militant leaders are fleeing Mosul, tive Development, Labour and Social moud, who chaired the regular Cabinet a top US general in the coalition Aff airs, which will be charged with set- meeting at the Emiri Diwan yesterday, battling the Islamic State (IS) group tling labour-related disputes. said the Cabinet welcomed the resolution said yesterday as Iraqi forces closed The committee will be responsible issued by the United Nations Education- in on the northern city. Mosul was for settling all disputes related to the al, Scientifi c and Cultural Organisation where IS supremo Abu Bakr al- provisions of the Labour Law or a work (Unesco), under which it “fully approved Baghdadi declared his “caliphate” Woqod set to open 10 new contract within a maximum of three that the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Haram two years ago but is now the group’s weeks. The labour authorities con- Al-Sharif) is one of the exclusive Islamic last major stronghold in Iraq. Iraqi cerned may refer unresolved disputes holy sites and classifi ed it as an exclusive Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, to this committee for settlement. Islamic heritage, and said the Buraq Wall who announced the launch of a The committee will be chaired by a (Western Wall) is an integral part of the Al- broad off ensive to retake the city petrol stations this month judge from the Court of First Instance, Aqsa Mosque”, QNA reported. on Monday, visited the front line who is to be chosen by the Supreme Ju- The Cabinet expressed hope that the yesterday. Page 13 atar Fuel (Woqod) is gearing up among others, while four new loca- according to Woqod CEO Ibrahim Ja- diciary Council (SJC). HE the Minister Unesco resolution would provide new to open 10 new petrol stations in tions for mobile petrol stations have ham al-Kuwari. The statement also of Administrative Development, La- impetus to the international commu- EUROPE | Crime Qthe country this month. Work is been allocated at Al Sadd, Rawdat Al noted that nine private petrol stations bour and Social Aff airs will nominate nity to “halt Israel’s repeated violations also under way to build more such facili- Khail, Jelaiah (Qatar University) and Al were closed recently, which increased two ministry offi cials as members of of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its contin- Police detain suspects ties, which will be operational before the Gharafa, which will become operation- the demand at the existing stations. the committee. They should have ex- ued attempts to Judaise Jerusalem”. for airline ticket fraud end of the year, the company has said in al this month. On its part, Woqod has been able to perience in accounting. Further, the Cabinet renewed Qatar’s One hundred and ninety-three a statement. Woqod is co-ordinating with the accomplish a number of new stations There is also a provision for an ap- fi rm stance on the matter and support to suspects were detained over a The new petrol stations are located Public Works Authority (Ashghal) to this year to implement the govern- peals committee for labour-related the legitimate Palestinian rights, particu- five-day period at airports around in the Old Al Ghanim, Hamad Interna- link the exit/entry points of these fa- ment’s directive on providing relief to disputes, where pleas against any de- larly the right to establish their independ- the globe as part of a crackdown on tional Airport and Al Thameed areas, cilities with the roads leading to them, motorists. cision of the fi rst committee may be ent state with Jerusalem as its capital. fraudulently purchased airline tickets, according to a statement released by the Europol policing agency in Paris yesterday. The suspects booked flights using stolen, compromised or fake credit card details, allowing them Israel must face consequences for to travel anonymously, the statement Drivers face mobile phone ban said. Airline fraudsters cost the settlements, Security Council told industry an estimated $1bn per year, he Cabinet has given its nod to a ticle 55 of the law is replaced, stating that law, particularly with regard to the in- Europol said. AFP backed with serious, practical meas- draft law that seeks to prohibit the driver of a motor vehicle undertakes volvement of such clubs in sports ac- United Nations ures to compel Israeli compliance with Tthe use of mobile and other de- to comply with the following: avoid us- tivities and by taking into account the ASIA | Aviation the law,” Mansour told a council de- vices while driving and prevent the ing any device – whether by carrying it, principles of sports independence and bate on the Middle East. practice of making children below 10 touching it or watching it – while driving, relevant international standards. MH370 hunters srael must face consequences for “There must be consequences if Is- years sit in the front seats of a vehicle. and not to allow children under the age of The weekly meeting also approved continue probe its failure to heed international rael continues to violate international The decision was taken at the regular 10 to sit in the front seats of the vehicle a draft memorandum of understand- Investigators will deploy an Iappeals to stop building Jewish law.” weekly meeting of the Cabinet yester- while it is on the move. ing for co-operation in encouraging underwater vehicle to take a closer settlements on Palestinian land, the The United Nations maintains that day, chaired by HE the Deputy Prime Meanwhile, the Cabinet has ap- direct investment between the govern- look at objects found during a Palestinian envoy to the UN told the settlements are illegal and has repeat- Minister and Minister of State for Cab- proved a draft decision by HE the Min- ments of Qatar and Kuwait, a draft co- sonar survey of the southern Indian Security Council yesterday. edly called on Israel to halt them, but inet Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin ister of Culture and Sports to issue operation agreement in the legal fi eld Ocean in the hunt for MH370, Palestinian ambassador Riyad Man- UN offi cials have reported a surge in Zaid al-Mahmoud at the Emiri Diwan. rules and operational procedures per- between the governments of the Qatar Australia said yesterday, as it sour accused Israel of eroding pros- construction over the past months. According to the offi cial Qatar News taining to certain provisions of Law No and Macedonia and a draft air services extended the search into next year. pects for a future Palestinian state and UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov told Agency (QNA), the Cabinet approved a 1 of 2016 regulating sports clubs. agreement between the governments of Malaysia Airlines MH370, a Boeing creating a “one-state reality” that was the council that Israel was pressing draft law amending some provisions of The Ministry of Culture and Sports Qatar and Peru. 777, disappeared en route from tantamount to apartheid. ahead with new settlements, citing a the Traffi c Law, as promulgated by Law has prepared the draft resolution with- Further, the Cabinet reviewed a report Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March “The global calls for cessation of Is- recent decision to build an initial 98 No 19 of 2007, and decided to refer it to in the context of the completion of prepared by the government committee 8, 2014 carrying 239 passengers raeli settlement activities and crimes out of 300 housing units in Shilo, in the Advisory Council. necessary resolutions to give eff ect to on the national action plan on human and crew. against the Palestinian people must be the West Bank. Page 12 Under the amendment, the text of Ar- the provisions of the aforementioned rights and took the appropriate decision. Cabinet nod for draft law on non-Qatari capital investment

on-Qataris may invest up to Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud at the nies; assets in kind imported for in- the Commercial Companies Law”. obtain more than 49% of a company, new provisions do not contradict with 100% of the project capital Emiri Diwan. vestment purposes in accordance with Under the provisions of the draft law, subject to approval from the Cabinet the special agreement or franchise, the Nin all sectors of the national The draft law aims to keep pace with the provisions of the law; profi ts, rev- non-Qatari investors may invest up to and based on a proposal by HE the Min- QNA report states. economy provided they have a Qatari modern developments in the fi eld of in- enues and reserves accumulated from 100% of the project capital in all sectors ister concerned. The second exception is companies services agent, according to a draft law vestment and will replace Law No 13 of the investment of non-Qatari capital of the national economy provided they Citizens of GCC member countries that the government, or any public in- approved by the Cabinet. 2000 regulating the investment of non- in any project if added to the capital have a Qatari services agent. In the case are treated as Qatari citizens when it stitution, establishes or contributes to The Cabinet gave its nod to the draft Qatari capital in economic activity. of this project or if invested in any of of a Qatari partner, this partner is an comes to the ownership of companies the equity of in partnership with non- law on non-Qatari capital investment According to the QNA report, non- the projects permitted under the pro- agent for the services of that company. listed in the Qatari stock market. Qatari investors. in economic activity at its regular Qatari invested capital means “what- visions of the present law; and moral Non-Qatari investors may own up to The provisions of the law are not The law includes a number of invest- weekly meeting yesterday, the offi cial ever is invested by a non-Qatari citizen rights such as licences, patents and 49% of the capital of companies listed valid for companies or individuals ment incentives and does not aff ect tax Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported. in cash and/or in kind and the rights trademarks registered in the country. on Qatar Exchange following the ap- whom the State provides with the right breaks or other incentives currently The meeting was chaired by HE the of monetary value in Qatar”, including The draft law also defi nes a company proval of the ministry concerned on the to exploration, use or management of off ered to companies. Such companies Deputy Prime Minister and Minister cash transferred to the State through “as any company that has been found- proposed percentage in the article of a natural resource based on a special may also maintain those incentives for of State for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin banks and licensed fi nancial compa- ed in accordance with the provisions of association. Foreign investors may even agreement or a franchise – unless the the duration of their contracts. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, October 20, 2016 QATAR Emir tours Qatar University,.. QNA Doha

H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- HThani yesterday visited Qatar University to see the latest projects, centres and plans the university has made, on par with international standards, to meet the country’s current and future needs. Vice-Chairman of the Board of Regents HE Sheikh Dr Abdulla bin Ali al-Thani and President of Qatar University Dr Hassan Rashid al-Derham received HH the Emir upon arrival at the uni- versity. The Emir began his visit with a tour of the girls’ building of the College of Education and the Early Childhood Centre, where he met the faculty, staff and students and attended a lecture. Later, the Emir visited the boy’s building of the College of Engineering where he viewed the advanced education systems available at the college, as well HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is greeted by the staff of the College of Education and Early Childhood centre. Right: Emir greeting a young student at the Early Childhood Centre. as laboratories, such as the me- chanical engineering lab. with students on their ideas He then saw presentations by and current projects. He ad- faculty and students on some of vised them to focus their eff orts the students’ projects. on what will benefi t their soci- The Emir also visited the Col- ety and gives the State of Qatar lege of Medicine and saw the the leadership in the scientifi c clinical skills lab and listened to fi eld. part of a lecture. The Emir also The Emir expressed his appre- checked the latest technologies ciation on the role of youth and available in the college. the university in the develop- The Emir concluded his visit ment of the country. with a tour of the university’s He also met the deans of the research complex, where he saw university’s colleges and signed a presentation on the research a statement and presented it to conducted by the universities’ the young students. students and staff , which have The statement said that hu- benefi ted the state. mans are the most important The researchers briefed the aspect of building a nation and Emir on their latest innovations, a country’s biggest investment. key projects and the strategic The statement added that Qa- programmes made for the stu- tar has invested in its youth and dents. with them it will develop further The Emir held a discussion with the aid of science. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being received by the off icials of College of Medicine. Right: HH the Emir signing a statement. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 3 QATAR ..interacts with students, staff

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visitng Qatar University’s Research Centre. HH the Emir interacting with students at the College of Medicine.

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani interacting witht the students and staff at the College of Engineering.

Gulf Times 6 Thursday, October 20, 2016 QATAR WISE holds a series of meets on refugee challenge in Europe he World Innovation missioner for Humanitarian Aid that are transforming lives a high-level panel discussion Summit for Education and Crisis Management, Chris- through education and skills focusing on the current refugee T(WISE) has concluded a tos Stylianides, who expressed development. challenge to education sectors. series of high-level meetings in his interest in the work of WISE The panel brought together The discussion was presented Paris and Brussels focusing on and Qatar Foundation as well as several prominent speakers in- before an audience of some 100 the current refugee challenge to possible collaboration on future cluding Dr Sakena Yacoobi and education experts and offi cials European education sectors. education initiatives. Oda Helen Sletnes, the Norwe- from international organisations The WISE Prize for Education Also in Brussels, WISE part- gian ambassador to the Europe- and associations. Dr Sakena Yacoobi speaking at a Paris gathering on education for refugees. laureate, Dr Sakena Yacoobi, was nered with the government of an Union. Stavros N Yiannouka, Dr Sakena Yacoobi addressed a featured speaker at the round- Norway in organising a high- CEO, WISE, also spoke at the the panel in a discussion enti- to be part of a country, not a The Brussels and Paris events skills development being key to table discussions as well as the level roundtable discussion on event. tled, ‘Education and Displaced burden. Education is the solu- organised by WISE were fo- helping displaced individuals informal discussions in both Eu- refugee issues. The engage- In Paris, WISE partnered with People: Why is it important to tion. We have to develop an in- cused on a wide range of ref- of all ages to reconstruct their ropean capitals. ment was an opportunity for the French education magazine open our schools and univer- novative curriculum to encour- ugee-related challenges and lives; and how higher-skilled In Brussels, WISE offi cials met the participants to explore L’Etudiant, and under the pa- sities to refugees?’ Dr Yacoobi age leadership, accountability opportunities. Areas of discus- refugees can benefi t the local with the European Union com- successful creative solutions tronage of Unesco, took part in remarked: “We want refugees and values.” sion included education and economy. Students of Georgetown and QU win at Startup Weekend Doha eorgetown University in The event, held in collaboration Gifts was to create an online store or a purse or a pair of shoes, you event allowed them to meet and Qatar (GU-Q) students, with Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- where customers could purchase can give them something that is engage with collaborators who are GMalek Deeb and John sity, brought together industry high-quality items like oud and produced within their country.” interested in helping them take the Robling, were awarded the top experts and future entrepreneurs bukhoor, without having to navi- While many of the competi- business forward. They are cur- prize for their fl edgling online for just under three days of inten- gate crowded shopping malls or tors presented ideas and mock- rently assessing their next steps Arabic gift store at the recent sive work. After initial pitching hunt for items in the souks. ups to the judges, Deeb thinks and talking to potential partners. Startup Weekend Doha. sessions, participants dived into “Our company is about mak- that what set Ahlan Gifts apart, Startup Weekend is a glo- Deeb and Robling, along with Qa- rapid product development, de- ing the gift-giving process sim- was that they were able to show- bal network of events to foster tar University student Fatema Aref, vised potential business models pler. We want to stress the factor case an up-and-running website the creation of new, innovative created a functioning prototype and and fi nally presented their ideas of convenience, instead of feel- with secure payment facilities, businesses and a community of fi nancial plan for their business idea, to a panel of judges. Their projects ing overwhelmed when buying as well as a practical business mentors, investors and sponsors AhlanGifts.com. They competed were judged on their creativity, somebody an Arabian-themed model and fi nancial forecast. who can help them grow. The against approximately 20 other level of innovation, and the po- gift,” explained Deeb, who is While the team members are initiative, which is run by Google teams to win QR25,000 in initial tential viability for the business in majoring in International Eco- full-time students and Ahlan Gifts for Entrepreneurs, has included funding from event organiser Qatar the current market. nomics at GU-Q. “Instead of is still in the early stages of de- more than 2000 events that have GU-Q team members with their prize. Development Bank. The students’ aim for Ahlan buying somebody a new watch velopment, the Startup Weekend taken place in 150 countries. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 7 QATAR Beauty parlour closed for using expired products he Ministry of at the off ending store’s ex- Economy and Com- pense, in line with article (3) Tmerce (MEC) has of law no (8) on consumer announced the one-month protection. closure of a beauty salon The ministry stated that in the Al Hilal area of Doha it is determined to pro- for displaying and using tect consumer rights and expired products. will intensify its inspec- The closure comes within tion campaigns to crack the framework of inspec- down on all violations of the tion campaigns carried out consumer protection law. by the ministry in an eff ort The ministry said it will to monitor the market and refer violators of laws and commercial activity in Qa- ministerial decrees to the tar, in a bid to off set price competent authorities, who manipulation and expose will take appropriate action violations pertaining to against perpetrators in or- counterfeit goods and non- der to protect the rights of conformance with standard consumers. specifi cations. The MEC has urged all Inspectors from the customers to report any ministry fi ned the beauty violations to its Consumer salon and ordered its clo- Protection and Anti-Com- sure for a month in line mercial Fraud Depart- with article (7) of law ment through the following number (8) of 2008. The An MEC off icial pastes the closure notice outside the beauty salon. channels: Hotline: 16001, law compels suppliers to e-mail: [email protected], clearly display the nature the display of fraudulent The administrative clo- Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, In- of the item and other rele- descriptions, advertise- sure is published on the stagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC vant data on the product’s ments and misleading ministry’s website, as well mobile app for Android and package, while prohibiting statements. as in two daily newspapers IOS: MEC_Qatar

Qatar takes part in administrative body meet Qatar took part in the meeting of the Development, Labour and Social Aff airs decisions, endorsing the organisation’s Arab Administrative Development Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali al-Nuaimi, led budget for 2017-18, reviewing and Organisation’s executive council in Qatar’s delegation to the meeting. developing its structural organisation, its 104th session, which concluded The council discussed a number of and approving Qatar’s proposal to yesterday in the Egyptian capital Cairo. issues on the agenda of the meeting, prepare a database for Arab experts HE the Minister of Administrative including following up on previous and trainers. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, October 20, 2016 QATAR

Safari Mall celebrates sixth anniversary Jewellery retailer opens renovated outlet tomorrow

eading jewellery retailer All the offers are valid until Malabar Gold & Dia- November 5. Lmonds will open its reno- Malabar Gold & Diamonds vated showroom at Al Watan has also unveiled the latest col- Centre in Doha tomorrow at lection of jewellery specially 5pm. designed for Diwali in gold, The grand opening will be cel- diamonds and precious gems. ebrated with ‘the fi nest collec- These designs have been in- tion of gold, diamonds and pre- corporated as a part of various cious gem jewellery,’ promotions brands namely Ethnix - hand- for customers and the ongoing crafted designer jewellery, Era ‘Delightful Diwali’ campaign. - uncut diamond jewellery, Safari Mall at Abu Hamour celebrated its sixth anniversary on Tuesday. Managing director Aboobacker Madappat and director/general manager Zainul Abideen inaugurated a Customers get a chance to Mine - diamonds unlimited, cake cutting ceremony along with other members of the senior management. win up to 500 gold cold coins Divine - Indian heritage jew- instantly on purchase of gold ellery and Precia - precious jewellery worth QR2,500 via gem jewellery. Scratch N Win coupons. Malabar Gold & Diamonds is They will also get a 2g gold the flagship company of Mala- coin on diamond jewellery pur- bar Group, a leading diversified chase of QR5,000 and a 1g gold Indian business conglomerate. coin on purchase of diamond Established in 1993 in Kerala, jewellery worth QR3,000. Malabar Gold & Diamonds to- There are no making charges day has a retail network of 157 for 8g gold coins. outlets across nine countries, Qatar steps up eff orts Customers can protect the 10 wholesale units in addition gold rate at Malabar Gold & to offices, design centres and Diamonds on payment of 10% factories spread across India, of the entire amount on the se- the Middle East and Far East. lected gold jewellery. With an annual turnover of They can also avail them- $4bn, the company currently selves of the zero deduction of- ranks among the world’s top to tackle breast cancer fer on 22K (GCC) gold jewellery five jewellery retailers in terms exchange. of annual turnover. s part of Breast Cancer al Cancer Registry of the Ministry tar said: “It is important that we screening is a key part of our HMC is one of the key partici- International Awareness of Public Health, breast cancer take advantage of Breast Cancer work at PHCC in leading the na- pants in an annual breast can- AMonth, Hamad Medical represented 38.78% of overall International Awareness Month tion’s Breast and Bowel Screen- cer conference led by the Qatar Health ministry to hold workshop Corporation (HMC), in collabo- cancer diagnosis in women in Qa- to work hand in hand with our ing Programme, and the fi rst Cancer Society which will be ration with the Primary Health tar during 2014. healthcare partners. Our ulti- step in treating the disease. held on October 28 and 29. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) director of Public Health Department Care Corporation (PHCC), is Breast cancer ranks as the top mate goal is to enhance the health “Cancer is a serious dis- The two-day conference in collaboration with the World Health at MoPH, Sheikh Dr Mohmmed bin continuing to raise the level of cancer in Qatar (17.42%), fol- and well-being of our commu- ease that can be prevented will bring together oncologists, Organisation, Eastern Mediterranean Hamad al-Thani. Experts from WHO- awareness about the issue in lowed by colon cancer at 10.55%. nity, through fostering a healthy and by working with partners surgeons, gynaecologists, psy- Regional Off ice (WHO-EMRO) is or- EMRO will undertake the training of Qatar through a number of me- The highest incidence of population. This goal cannot such as HMC during October chologists, researchers, health ganising the first training programme the physicians from Hamad Medical dia engagements and outreach breast cancer at 16.2% occurs in be achieved without empower- - the Breast Cancer Awareness sciences students, and other in occupational and environmental Corporation, Primary Health Care activities. women aged between 45 and 49. ing women and inspiring hope in Month, we are bringing the dis- healthcare professionals from health for the second batch of gen- Corporation, Workers Health Centres These joint eff orts are aimed Dr Mufi d El Mistiri, senior those aff ected by breast cancer cussion to the top of the agenda across the world. eral practitioners and other specialties. and a number of physicians working at raising awareness of breast consultant, Oncology and head through early detection, educa- for women across Qatar. HMC has invited six interna- The workshop, which will be held in various companies. cancer and increasing public of the Cancer Registry Section, tion and support services.” “Engagement activities with tional speakers to share informa- from next Sunday at Millennium Hotel The workshop comes within the understanding of the impor- National Cancer Care Centre and Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, the wider community aim to tion about up-to-date breast can- Doha, aims to train the physicians on framework of MoPH’s keenness on tance of prevention and early Research at HMC and assistant cancer programme manager at not only increase awareness, but cer research, practical programmes the basic services for occupational providing the best occupational and detection of the disease. professor of Clinical Medicine, PHCC added: “Raising aware- also the number of lives that we and models of breast cancer care and environmental health. The five- environmental healthcare services for According to the Qatar Nation- Weill Cornell Medicine - Qa- ness about the benefi ts of early can save.” and screening services. day workshop will be opened by the the workers. Ooredoo media network ‘to carry HD video feeds’

oredoo has launched the Oore- rise and international broadcasters doo Media Network, a new so- compete to cover the action. Olution that aims to provide na- Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, COO tional and international broadcasters of Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Ooredoo with footage of “unprecedented qual- has developed the advanced Oore- ity” when they transmit video feeds in doo Media Network to provide na- Qatar. tional and international broadcasters Ooredoo, in partnership with Euro- with world-class technology when vision, recently supported media cov- they cover sporting events in Qatar. erage of the UCI Road World Champi- Our nation is set to host some of the onships using the new media network, world’s most important sports con- the telecommunications provider said. tests in the world and Ooredoo will leverage the power of our Supernet “Our nation is set to host to ensure that audiences around the some of the world’s most world will be able to see every mag- important sports contests nificent sporting moment.” in the world and Ooredoo The solution provides a cost eff ec- will leverage the power tive alternative for event coverage in of our Supernet to ensure Qatar, saving media outlets the need that audiences around the to lease outside broadcasting satellites world will be able to see and reducing the human and techni- every magnifi cent sporting cal resources required to provide high moment” defi nition broadcast coverage. Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, COO of As part of its role as the ‘National Throughout the championships, Ooredoo Qatar. Telecommunication Partner’ of the Eurovision Production Co-ordination Road World Championships, the acted as host broadcaster for the event, ensures zero jitter, ultra-low latencies Ooredoo Media Network covered and the Ooredoo Media Network de- and high availability for media outlets, seven race sites, including The Pearl, livered a key network component to the company said. Aspire, Lusail, Qatar University, and connect broadcast locations around The network has the capacity to Qatar Foundation. the championship courses to new ring carry video traffi c of up to 10Gbps The 2016 UCI Road World Cham- architecture. from one location to the other, provid- pionship, which ran until October 16, In addition, Ooredoo, together with ing the highest quality coverage for live was organised by the Union Cycliste the Eurovision FiNE Global Network, events. Internationale (UCI), and hosted delivered dedicated circuits to inter- Ooredoo said it predicts strong de- around 1,500 riders from more than 80 national broadcasters. mand for this solution, particularly as countries, and more than 5,700 par- The Ooredoo Media Network is de- the number and profi le of global sports ticipants from national federations, signed to carry HD video feeds and competitions in Qatar continues to delegations, and media outlets.

Galaxy Note7 exchange possible at any Samsung Brand Shops

amsung Gulf Electronics has an- ber (RP Tech), and Souq Gharaff a, week that with consumers’ safety nounced that from today Galaxy Samsung+ Member (Ghasham Inter- as a priority, Samsung has stopped SNote7 owners in Qatar can bring national). sales, exchanges and production their device, regardless of the original Consumers who wish to obtain a full of the Galaxy Note7 globally (af- point of purchase, to any of the Sam- refund should take their Galaxy Note7 ter some devices caught fire while sung Brand Shops to exchange for a and the original receipt to the original charging). Galaxy S7 edge with a refund of the point of purchase. Consumers in the Gulf region with price diff erence (in the form of cash or All consumers who have a replace- either an original Galaxy Note7 or re- a gift voucher). ment Galaxy Note7 device, or do not placement Galaxy Note7 device should The Samsung brand shops are: have an original purchase receipt, or power down and stop using the device Barwa Village, Al Wakra District, have questions related to the exchange and take advantage of the remedies Samsung+ Member (Ghasham In- process, are advised to contact Sam- available. ternational); Dar Al Salam Mall, Abu sung’s call centre on 800-2255 for as- More information on Galaxy Note7 Hamour, Samsung+ Member (RP sistance. exchange process is available on www. Tech); D Ring Road, Samsung+ Mem- Samsung had confirmed last samsung.com Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 9 QATAR GCC environment ministers meet Qatari real estate project inaugurated in Mauritania

QNA Nouakchott

inister of Trade, In- dustry, Handicraft and MTourism of Mauritania Naha bint Mouknass inaugurat- ed a large real estate project that will be implemented by a Qatari company. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mauritania’s Minister of Finance Mokhtar Ould Diay, Qatar’s ambassador to Mauritania Abdulrahman bin Ali al-Kubaisi, the owner of the Qatari company implement- ing the real estate project and a Qatar is taking part in the 20th meeting for GCC ministers in charge of environment aff airs, which number of offi cials. started Wednesday in Jeddah. HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin The real estate project con- Abdullah al-Rumaihi is leading Qatar’s delegation to the meeting. The session will discuss issues sists of two fi ve-star and four- related to combating desertification, groundwater depletion, climate change, promoting GCC star hotels, 386 luxury villas in action in these areas and the preservation of the environment in GCC states. addition to a school and com- Mauritania’s Minister of Trade, Industry, Handicraft and Tourism Naha bint Mouknass mercial complexes. inaugurating the Qatari real estate project in Nouakchott yesterday.

QRCS marks Two Swedish experts to assess World Food Day QNA Doha

atar Red Crescent So- ciety (QRCS) has cel- road safety awareness in Qatar Qebrated World Food Day 2016, observed globally under By Joey Aguilar Sweden have been selected for National Road Consulting AB Ahmed al-Sulaiti and Brigadier this year’s theme of “Climate is Staff Reporter this task based on tough interna- managing director Jonas Her- al-Malki to visit Sweden soon to changing. Food and agriculture tional competition,” a statement manson. He was among the see how Vision Zero is being im- must too”. from the offi ce of Brigadier al- keynote speakers at the recently plemented. QRCS’s Health Education wo Swedish transport spe- Malki said. held Qatar Transport Safety Fo- About the steps that need to Unit held a training event at Al- cialists will come to Qatar Part of the three-month pro- rum in Doha. be taken to achieve road safety Rashad Model School for Boys, Tnext month to assess the gramme includes developing “We could talk about a in Qatar, Hermanson said deal- Al-Duhail. road safety awareness campaign some guidelines and action plan number fi elds on road safety like ing with speed, seatbelts and be- The event was attended by 350 and education programmes in to be used by various agencies in crash data, in depth study of fa- haviour of road users should be students, teachers, and adminis- the country, Swedish ambassador Qatar during the next fi ve years tal crashes, analysis of data ma- given importance. trative staff of the school. Ewa Polano has said. based on local conditions and terial, like looking at the driver’s He explained that a deeper Its purpose was to promote The announcement was made international best practice. education, driver’s examination, understanding on how people QRCS’s role in building partner- during a meeting with National The two experts, one in con- and police enforcement,” he react on the road is also needed ships with public and private in- Traffi c Safety Committee secre- gestion and one on road safety said. “A number of issues are at- to change road users’ behaviour, stitutions, notably outstanding tary-general Brigadier Moham- awareness, are well-known tached to road safety.” particularly in a country which schools. ed Abdulla al-Malki yesterday, internationally and currently Jonas Hermanson and ambassador Ewa Polano speak about ‘Vision The experts, who are work- hosts a multinational population. The Al-Rashad School was the envoy told reporters yester- implementing a similar project Zero’ at the Swedish embassy in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan ing for the Swedish government, “Adding the aspects of hav- selected to host the celebration day at the embassy. fi nanced by the European Union Orma will be travelling back and forth ing many cultures to deal with for its eff orts to improve health “In line with the National to assess the migrant drivers, between Sweden and Qatar for makes it more complicated,” he conditions. Traffi c Safety Committee rec- Polano noted. safety management system in road situation in the country three months. said. “But we all are in traffi c so The school is a contributor to ommendations and approval The Swedish embassy in Doha Sweden, can also achieve positive and see what could be done to The embassy also invited we need to obey the laws and QRCS’s health education pro- of HE the Prime Minister, two believes that the ‘Vision Zero’ pol- and substantial results in Qatar. achieve the Vision Zero prin- Minister of Transport and Com- that can be educated and worked gramme, which seeks health de- highly qualifi ed experts from icy, a proven traffi c management The experts will assess the ciple, according to Swedish munications HE Jassim Seif on.” velopment towards the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. During the morning assem- bly, the students and staff were introduced to World Food Day, its importance for hunger con- trol and food security, how so- OIC FMs praise Hi-tech traffi c cameras ciety members can take part in the global endeavour to eradi- cate hunger by wise consump- tion practices and donations for Emir’s role in hunger-affl icted communities, operational in Mesaieed good eating habits, and healthy food.

the direction it is travelling, and detectors, a camera embedded in Zero policy, which has sub- Al-Kuwari Darfur peace By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter the lane it is in, among others. a car is also being tested to detect stantially reduced road fatali- With the help of the Ministry of violations such as speeding. ties and serious injuries. meets Italian QNA In its resolution on “solidar- Interior (MoI) and the Traffi c De- “We have completed a demo, the While cutting down speed re- finance minister Tashkent ity with the Republic of Sudan,” afety on Qatar roads has partment, the company designed proof concept was approved and we duces the risk of serious injuries, the Council thanked and ap- received a further boost “whole shape cabinet cameras” are just waiting for the right time he explained that speeding is one HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz preciated HE the Deputy Prime Swith 4D microwave ra- specifi cally for Qatar roads, and to have a word from MoI or tender major component in fatal acci- al-Kuwari, Adviser at the Emiri he Council of Foreign Minister and Minister of State dar detectors up and running in initially being implemented by such a process,” Vadiee noted. dents. “Speed is a major cause of Diwan and the State of Qatar’s Ministers of the Organi- for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Mesaieed, according to a senior Qatar Petroleum at the Industrial He said the camera produces damage in a crash.” candidate to the post of the Tsation of Islamic Co- Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, offi cial of a Swedish company Area in Mesaieed. The project was video and images of any motor- “Managing kinetic energy is Director-General of the United operation (OIC) member-states and African Union-United Na- involved in the installation of the handed over to the MoI. ist passing by the car over the what is needed,” he said. “We have Nations Educational, Scientific has commended the positive tions Joint Mediator for Darfur state-of-the-art cameras. Vadiee said the cameras can speed limit, complementing the done a great overhaul of the speed and Cultural Organisation role of the State of Qatar under for their credible eff orts to bring “A total of 46 grey box-shaped also detect a number of violations 4D radar system. system (in Sweden) depending on (Unesco), met Italian Minister of the leadership of HH the Emir peace to Darfur. cameras are now operational such as tailgating and swerving. The devices have so far passed what kind of situation you have.” Economy and Finance Pier Carlo Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- The Council commended the in the area, detecting various He disclosed that they initially the environmental test, which After the speed system was Padoan here yesterday. Thani in support of the peace steps taken to implement the road violations of erring driv- received a lot of complaints from include both hot and cold implemented, he noted that During the meeting, HE al-Kuwari process and development in Darfur Peace Agreement signed ers,” explained KTC International many motorists travelling in the weathers, according to Vadiee. Sweden also saw a 25% cut in detailed his programme with a Darfur which enables everyone in Doha, and called on the gen- Co general manager Mohamed area who are not used to such Swedish National Road Con- carbon emissions due to lesser focus on the financial crisis facing in Darfur to enjoy security and eral secretariat of the member- Vadiee at a briefi ng on road safety restrictions. Installed since last sulting AB managing direc- fuel consumption. Unesco and how to deal with it. stability. states to follow up the imple- at the Swedish embassy yesterday. year, these cameras started op- tor Jonas Hermanson said the “In turn, it has a great impact on The meeting also touched on the At its forty-third session in mentation of the outcome of The new devices can capture a erating in July. concept is being implemented the environmental targets we have depth of relations between Qatar Tashkent, the Council welcomed the international donors’ con- vehicle’s classifi cation, size and Besides 4D microwave radar in Sweden as part of its Vision in Sweden,” Hermanson added. and Italy. the mediation eff orts under- ference for reconstruction and taken by HH the Emir Sheikh peace in Darfur. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to On the situation in Somalia, resolve the dispute between Eri- the Council of Foreign Minis- trea and Djibouti, including his ters appreciated the countries, eff orts that led to the release of including Qatar, that have con- Education on usage, security to boost mobile banking four Djiboutian prisoners in Eri- tributed to transport and treat trea. the wounded in Somalia. By Peter Alagos “diffi cult to access,” referring to summit on new age banking. Citing an E&Y report, Buckley ferred channel” (43%). OIC condemns kidnapping of Qatari citizens Business Reporter another report by E&Y on GCC During his presentation, said the GCC has a tech-savvy “The key is education […] not banking. Kundagrami stressed that “edu- population. He said up to 98% of just around banking products The 43rd session of the The council expressed its “Ease of use is another focus cation about usage and security surveyed baking customers are but also around security, social Council of Foreign Ministers solidarity with the Qatari espite having one of the area for banks because today, to [is the] key for uptake.” equipped with modern smart- media, and the entire digital of Organisation of Islamic government in any measure it highest Internet pen- make [online banking] secure, “It is a matter of telling the phones, and a large number of standpoint, so this is how bank- Co-operation (OIC), which takes in that regard. Detration and smartphone the customer has to remember customers what are the secu- customers use various smart- ing is changing. It is not just concluded its meetings in The council also expressed its usage in the GCC, mobile bank- a user ID, a password, and then rity mechanisms the bank has phone apps daily. about ‘I have an account’. It is all Tashkent yesterday, adopted hope that the contacts made ing in Qatar remains low, but there is a strict question, as well implemented, what are the fac- However, Buckley said “mo- about the relationship. It is all a resolution regarding Qatari between the Iraqi government education on usage and security as is an OTP (one-time pass- tors that can lead to fraud, and bile banking penetration is very around creating that ecosystem citizens kidnapped in Iraq. lead to the release of the will play a key role to help boost word), among many other secu- what are the information that low mainly due to lack of con- for the customer to live in that’s The council renewed its citizens. uptake, according to industry rity features. they should not be sharing. venience.” Topping the list of trustworthy, and they’re getting condemnation of the They requested that the OIC sources. “We have to make banking Banks have to get this across factors that inhibit digital cus- value,” Buckley said. kidnapping, saying the Qatari secretary-general follow up Citing fi gures from the Minis- frictionless. To do this, we have the media and to the people. tomers in the GCC in the E&Y To increase their digital foot- citizens entered Iraq through on the implementation of try of Transport and Communi- to make the best use of technol- They should have this con- report is “diffi cult access” at print, Buckley said GCC banks legitimate means. The council their resolution regarding the cations, Chandramouli Kunda- ogy such as facial recognition, tinuous customer engagement 46%, he said. should prioritise on channels, described the kidnapping kidnapped Qatari citizens. grami, head Digital Strategy, which can happen in both the and discussion with them,” he Other factors include “un- payments, and process auto- as a terrorist attack that Qatar’s delegation to the Infosys Finacle, India, said 44% Internet, as well as the smart- stressed. intuitive user experience” mation. “Among the benefi ts contradicts with all Islamic meeting was chaired by HE of the overall population in Qatar phone. Qatar has a high smart- This was corroborated by an- (31%), “not real time” (31%), of these digital initiatives is re- teachings. They called on the Minister of State for Foreign does not use e-Banking services phone penetration but it is not other speaker during the event, “slow transaction speed” duced cost by 25% to 35%, en- Iraqi government to assume Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al- due to security reasons. being leveraged as a technology,” Neil Andrew Buckley, Group (36%), “not tailored, does hanced customer satisfaction, its responsibility. Muraikhi. He also said 62% of Qatar Kundagrami told Gulf Times on head of Technology & Opera- not fulfil my needs,” (37%), and improved turnaround time customers fi nd mobile banking the sidelines of a recently held tions at Doha Bank. and “non-availability of pre- by 50% to 60%.” Gulf Times 10 Thursday, October 20, 2016 QATAR HBKU Press WCM-Q, HMC researchers supports World Osteoporosis Day win prestigious funding n recognition of World Middle Eastern and African Osteoporosis Day, marked countries where the extremely esearchers at Weill Cor- Ion October 20, Hamad high temperatures and the nell Medicine-Qatar Bin Khalifa University Press practice of covering prevent R(WCM-Q) and the Neu- (HBKU Press) has focused on the population from absorbing rosciences Institute at Hamad better bone health, a topic Vitamin D from the sun. Medical Corporation (HMC) ‘highly relevant to Qataris and According to the Interna- have won a prestigious inter- those living in the region, but tional Osteoporosis Founda- national funding for their in- one that is often neglected in tion, osteoporosis is set to novative proposal to use eye the Middle East.’ dramatically increase in the examinations to aid in early di- Osteoporosis is a medical Middle East as the percentage agnosis, analysis of disease pro- condition that causes bones of the population older than gression and benefi ts of treat- to become brittle and frag- fi fty grows. The number one ment in patients with Multiple ile due to the loss of tissue. It risk among old people is that Sclerosis (MS). is caused by inactivity, a diet of bone and/or hip fractures WCM-Q professor of medi- defi cient in calcium, magne- which signifi cantly reduces a cine Dr Rayaz Malik was pre- sium and Vitamin D, excessive person’s independence and the sented with the award for smoking and alcohol intake, quality and longevity of life. Multiple Sclerosis Innovation and in some cases genetics. by the European Committee Accurate information Vitamin D defi ciency, for Treatment and Research in from healthcare profession- lack of exercise, and Multiple Sclerosis. It was one als about diet and lifestyle hormonal changes of only four research grants choices can help prevent the in post-menopausal awarded from a total of 260 onset of osteoporosis. In an women are the main applications from 45 countries article published via HBKU risk factors for fragile and the fi rst ever to be awarded Press on QScience.com titled, bones to the Mena region. “Helping Patients Under- The research team will now stand Osteoporosis” in which The best way to fi ght the use the grant to conduct a com- 93 osteoporosis patients were disease is to prevent it. Vi- prehensive 24-month study surveyed in Qatar, researchers tamin D, a key vitamin that to determine whether Corneal found that people were more supports healthy bones, can Confocal Microscopy can be a informed if they had a univer- be absorbed though moderate viable method for determin- sity or graduate-level degree. exposure of healthy ultraviolet ing nerve damage in patients Furthermore, many patients rays directly on the skin in the with MS. The research has local obtained a greater degree morning and evening. Con- signifi cance as Qatar appears of information about their suming foods like egg yolks, to have a higher than expected condition from the media milk, yoghurt, fi sh, cereals and prevalence of MS. rather than from healthcare green, leafy vegetables, which MS is a debilitating disease Researchers from WCM-Q and HMC who are working together to develop an innovative monitoring tool for MS. professionals. are high in calcium, mag- of the central nervous system The article highlights the nesium and Vitamin D also in which nerve impulses within magnetic resonance imaging neurologist, and Dr Ashfaq Sh- imaging of the cornea’s nerve fi - in the clinic and in clinical trials. need for education by health- support strong bones. High the brain, and between the brain scans of the brain, cannot ac- uaib, professor of medicine and bres to identify nerve damage in Our research indicates that nerve care professionals on preven- impact, weight-bearing exer- and other parts of the body, are curately identify nerve damage, neurology and director, Neuro- a variety of conditions including damage in the cornea is a reliable tion methods and awareness of cises can help improve bone disrupted. Symptoms include which is the underlying pathol- science Institute, believe their diabetic neuropathy, hereditary indicator of nerve damage in the the chronic illness from cred- density as well. Education diffi culty walking, vision prob- ogy associated with progressive technique could provide a more neuropathies and in patients brain that characterises MS.” ible sources before it aff ects and awareness are extremely lems, fatigue, pain and cognitive neurological defi cits. accurate and easier method for with Parkinson’s disease. Dr Ashfaq Shuaib of HMC your health as in most cases, important to preventing and changes. The new test is non-invasive monitoring MS. Dr Malik said: “MS is an ex- said, “We are extremely pleased osteoporosis can be complete- managing osteoporosis and MS is diffi cult to monitor as and utilises existing ophthalmic The cornea has the densest tremely distressing disease, to be involved in this important ly prevented by maintaining a to building healthier, stronger each patient is aff ected in diff er- equipment that many hospitals concentration of nerve fi bres an- which is very diffi cult to moni- research and this award gives us balanced, healthy lifestyle. bones for life. ent ways and experience diff er- already have. ywhere in the body. Dr Malik and tor and has limited treatment all a great opportunity to contin- Another article details that This year’s theme, as or- ent rates of disease progression. Dr Malik and his team of other colleagues have pioneered the options. There is an urgent need ue to work together to develop a while osteoporosis may be ganised by the International Additionally, the most widely WCM-Q researchers and neu- technique of ‘Corneal Confocal for a new monitoring tool that very eff ective new tool for diag- well-researched, informa- Osteoporosis Foundation, is used monitoring technique, rologists from HMC, Dr Saa- Microscopy’ over the last 15 years is both reliable and more accu- nosing and assessing progression tion and guidelines on it are Love Your Bones. It calls on dat Kamran, senior consultant to enable close examination and rate that could be applied both of MS.” lacking in the Middle East the general public to take early and Africa. In “Osteoporosis: action to protect their bone An under-recognised public and muscle health, in order to health problem”, the authors enjoy a good quality of life and Dietrich Büsselberg and Ra- independence in the future. jasree Vijayakumar from Weill It also calls on health profes- Cornell Medicine - Qatar re- sionals and health authorities view the latest fi ndings on the to prioritise osteoporosis and prevalence, risk factors and fracture prevention by ensur- lifestyle behaviours aff ecting ing that people at high-risk osteoporosis. are assessed and appropriately According to the researchers, treated. Vitamin D defi ciency, lack of “Co-ordinating closely exercise, and hormonal chang- with scientists and research- es in post-menopausal women ers in the region, our ambition are the main risk factors for at HBKU Press is to advance fragile bones. In a country like Arab scientifi c research and Qatar, where a 2009 study thought,” said Dr Alwaleed of 458 children revealed that Alkhaja, senior editor at HBKU 68.8% were Vitamin D defi - Press. “With platforms like cient, this knowledge is es- QScience.com, this cutting- sential. Statistics on Vitamin edge research is available to D defi ciency similar to these both academics and the gen- Insecticides being sprayed at Al Khor Park yesterday. Awareness lecture on greenhouse emissions at Al Jamilah Independent School for boys. are found in many hot, humid eral public to read freely.” Eatery faces action for keeping foodstuff in unhygienic place

nspectors of the health The Ministry of Munici- inspection section of the pality and Environment’s IDoha Municipality have department of public rela- taken action against a res- tions and communications taurant in the Najma area for has conducted an aware- preparing and keeping food- ness lecture on greenhouse stuff inside hidden store in emissions at Al Jamilah unhygienic conditions. Independent School for The outlet was issued a boys. Students of diff erent report for violating law no. age categories were intro- 8 for 1990 on the regulation duced to the issue and how of human foods control. to limit the adverse conse- Besides, all the necessary quences of climate change. legal procedures against The Al Khor and Al the outlet have been taken. Thakhira Municipality Meanwhile, the Al Khor also conducted an aware- and Al Thakhira Munici- ness lecture on the safety pality sprayed insecticides of food, and the proper yesterday at Al Khor Park, ways to keep diff erent food which was closed for the products yesterday at Al day. The park will be open Thakhira Independent to the public from today. Primary School for girls.

A lecture on food safety at Al Thakhira Independent Primary School for girls Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD Clashes kill dozens in Yemen ahead of ceasefi re

AFP fi ghters across the country yester- to silence their guns. Aden day, including near the Saudi bor- On Tuesday, US Secretary of der and around the capital Sanaa. State John Kerry hailed the an- At least 30 Houthi rebels and nouncement of the new truce. lashes killed dozens of fi ve pro-Hadi fi ghters died dur- “We ask the parties to take all fi ghters across Yemen ing heavy artillery bombardments steps necessary to advance the Kuwaiti candidates register for the upcoming parliamentary election in Kuwait City yesterday. Kuwait will hold snap elections on Cbefore a UN-brokered near the Red Sea, in Hajja prov- implementation of this cessa- November 26. ceasefi re was to begin yesterday, ince, a loyalist statement said. tion, call on them to sustain it, and as warring parties came under The last ceasefi re attempt be- strongly encourage its uncondi- mounting pressure to end the gan in April alongside UN-bro- tional renewal,” Kerry said. two-year confl ict. kered peace talks in Kuwait but Hadi’s government said it The truce is the sixth attempt to both the rebels and the coalition would agree to the truce if rebels end the bloodshed since a Saudi- accused each other of breaches. also adhered to it, and also called Kuwaiti royal to contest led Arab coalition intervened in After talks collapsed in August, for the insurgents to monitor the March 2015 to support the gov- fi ghting escalated until an October ceasefi re and end their siege of ernment of President Abd-Rabbu 8 coalition air strike which the UN Yemen’s third city, Taiz. Mansour Hadi after rebels overran said killed more than 140 people The rebels, in a statement on much of Yemen. and wounded at least 525 at a fu- Tuesday night, expressed readi- ness for a “lasting ceasefi re, com- parliamentary election Civilians have paid the highest neral in Sanaa. price in a country that was already Yemen’s Houthis are allied with prehensive and without condi- the Arabian peninsula’s poorest. members of the security forces tions”. AFP Only a few have registered Almost 6,900 have been killed loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah But clashes rocked Yemen yes- Kuwait City as candidates in the emirate’s – more than half of them civilians Saleh. terday ahead of the truce. 54 years of democracy, but all – while another 3mn are displaced They control the capital Sanaa As well as the Hajja fi ghting, have dropped out before elec- and millions more need food aid. and other territory but coalition- rebel tanks and other reinforce- member of Kuwait’s rul- tion day. The UN special envoy for Yem- backed forces earlier pushed them ments in the northern Saada ing family announced The last royal to register their en, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, on back from the southern port of province were bombed in coali- Ayesterday his candidacy candidacy was Sheikh Fahad Sa- Sunday announced the truce from Aden and adjacent areas. tion air strikes overnight, a mili- for next month’s parliamentary lem al-Ali al-Sabah, who with- 23:59 (2059 GMT) for an initial Both the rebels and pro-gov- tary source said. election, a rare move in the Gulf drew before the 2006 election. three days, subject to renewal. ernment forces have come under Three air strikes also hit a rebel state where royals normally Members of the al-Sabah But clashes killed dozens of increased international pressure convoy in Omran province, north stay away from polls. family, which has been in power of Sanaa, the source added. Sheikh Malek Humoud al- for 250 years, still occupy the At least two rebels and a pro- Sabah was among 71 hopefuls main posts in the Opec mem- government fi ghter were killed who fi led to stand for election ber. during overnight fi ghting in Taiz, on the fi rst day of registration The emir, crown prince and according to witnesses and mili- which saw some opposition prime ministers are senior tary sources. members return after a four- members of the family, and Kuwaiti ruling family member, Sheikh Malek al-Hmoud al-Sabah, And further south, three pro- year boycott. royals occupy the key posts of announced his candidacy for next month’s election. Hadi fi ghters died in a rebel missile “The previous assembly let foreign, defence and interior strike near the Bab Al-Mandab down the Kuwaiti people and I minister. parliament on Sunday, follow- tem of democracy, a senior strait, a military offi cial said. am contesting the polls to de- Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Min- ing a dispute over petrol price ruling family member will be In spite of yesterday’s violence, fend the rights of the people,” ister and Interior Minister hikes. mandated to form a govern- Mustafa Alani, a senior adviser said Sheikh Malek. Sheikh Mohamed al-Khaled al- Many candidates have criti- ment regardless of poll out- to the Gulf Research Centre, said Speaking to reporters in Ku- Sabah ordered yesterday form- cised the outgoing parliament come. the prospects for peace were wait City, he said he had given ing a special panel to examine for failing to defend the inter- Many opposition groups growing. up his special passport “to be- nomination papers of the can- ests of citizens. have decided to take part after “Both parties in the confl ict are come an ordinary citizen” and didates vying for seats in the Political parties are banned boycotting the previous two getting tired. The cost of the con- that he does not mind losing upcoming 50-member Nation- under Kuwaiti law but many elections in protest against fl ict – human, fi nancial – is very other benefi ts. al Assembly (Parliament). Islamist, nationalist and liberal changes to the voting system. Jamie McGoldrick, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator for Yemen, high,” he said. “Both parties be- Under the Kuwaiti constitu- The November 26 polls were groups operate freely as de facto Only two former opposition speaks during a news conference at the United Nations building in lieve they cannot win, they cannot tion, royals are eligible to run called after Emir Sheikh Sabah parties. lawmakers registered yesterday Sanaa yesterday. settle it by military means.” for public offi ce. al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved Under Kuwait’s unique sys- but as independents.

Iran rejects Sugar shortage US demand for release of dual nationals

AFP Tehran

ran said yesterday it would accept no US “interference” after Washington Idemanded the release of a dual national and his 80-year-old father given 10 year sentences for espionage. The State Department demanded the immediate release of Siamak and Baqher Namazi, both Iranian-American dual na- tionals, after their sentences were an- nounced on Tuesday. Egyptians gather to buy subsidised sugar from a government truck after a sugar shortage in retail But foreign ministry spokesman Bahram stores across the country in Cairo. Qassemi told Iranian media: “The govern- ment and the Iranian people give no impor- tance to the statements and interference of American offi cials and their eff orts to di- vide the ranks of the Iranian people. “The American threats only add to the wall of mistrust Iranians have regarding the Egypt court quashes death United States.” Washington expressed concern over the health of the elder Namazi, a former UN Children’s Fund employee who also served sentences of 14 Islamists as the governor of an Iranian province be- fore the Islamic revolution of 1979. Both were jailed for 10 years for “espio- Reuters Court of Cassation accepted ap- curity offi cial at the police sta- nage and collaboration with the American Cairo peals from the defendants fi led tion and the attempted murder government”, Tehran prosecutor Abbas Ja- last year against a lower criminal of others in July 2013, as well as fari Dolat-Abadi announced on Tuesday. court ruling, and ordered them assault, rioting, sabotage, and il- Three other Iranian-American dual gypt’s highest court yes- retried. legal possession of fi rearms and nationals – Farhad Abd-Saleh, Kamran terday quashed death sen- The court also threw out one knives. Ghaderi and Alireza Omidvar – were also Etences imposed on 14 Is- 10-year prison term in the same The Court of Cassation gave sentenced to 10 years on the same charges, lamists over an attack on a police case. no legal reasons for its reversals along with a US resident from Lebanon, station in protest at the military’s Eight more defendants in the of the death sentences but is ex- Nezar Zaka. overthrow in 2013 of then-Pres- case were sentenced to death in pected to do so in written form in Siamak Namazi, a well-connected busi- ident Mohamed Mursi, the state absentia. a few days time. ness consultant who has supported Iranian news agency Mena said. The court did not quash those In February the court ordered reformists and sought to promote ties be- It was the court’s latest reversal sentences but Egyptian law af- the retrial of 149 people on death tween Iran and the United States, was ar- of many of the hundreds of death fords automatic retrials to con- row, out of a total 183, in a similar rested as he arrived in Tehran a year ago. sentences imposed on Islamists victions in absentia that are sub- case where the defendants were His father was detained in February after the ouster of Mursi, a Mus- sequently reversed. accused of an assault on the same when he came to Iran to seek his son’s re- lim Brotherhood member. The 23 defendants face charges police station in August 2013 that lease. In yesterday’s decision, the of murder in the killing of a se- left 14 policemen dead. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, October 20, 2016 REGION/ARAB WORLD Israeli forces shoot dead Palestinian attacker in W Bank

Reuters died in violent incidents in the shot dead a pedestrian and a Jerusalem West Bank, East Jerusalem and police offi cer in Jerusalem be- the Gaza Strip. fore being killed by Israeli gun- Of those, 150 were identifi ed fi re. sraeli forces yesterday shot by Israeli authorities as assail- Palestinian leaders say the dead a 19-year-old Pales- ants while others were killed assailants are acting out of des- Itinian woman who police during clashes and protests. peration over the collapse in said had advanced towards Palestinians have accused Is- 2014 of peace talks and the ex- them with a knife in her hand rael of using excessive force and pansion of Israeli settlements at a checkpoint in the occupied say that some of those killed on occupied land that Palestin- West Bank. posed no threat or had no in- ians seek for an independent A police spokesman said the tention of attacking anyone. state. woman was shot after ignoring In some cases, Israel has Israel says anti-Israeli incite- orders to halt. opened investigations into ment by Palestinian offi cials Over the past year, Palestin- whether excessive force was and on social media networks is ians, many acting alone and used. stoking the violence. often using rudimentary weap- No Israelis were hurt in yes- Some individuals, fam- ons, have killed at least 35 Israe- terday’s incident at a junction ily members have said, carried lis and two visiting Americans near the Palestinian city of Na- out what were eff ectively sui- in mainly street attacks. blus, police said. cide attacks to escape personal At least 222 Palestinians have Ten days ago, a Palestinian problems at home. A man rides a bicycle near damaged ground in the rebel held besieged al-Sukkari neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria yesterday. ‘Women for Peace’ march Pause in strikes on Aleppo holds into second day

AFP Senior Russian military offi - the pause begins six corridors out It was the latest in a string Aleppo, Syria cial Sergei Rudskoi said yesterday of the city would open for civil- of evacuation accords allow- the ceasefi re had been extended ians with another two – via the ing armed rebels to fl ee encir- “by three hours until 7pm (1600 Castello Road in the north and cled areas, which Damascus has pause in Russian and Syr- GMT)”. Souk al-Hal in the city centre – championed as a way to restore ian strikes on Aleppo was He also said Russian and Syr- designated for rebels. stability. Aholding for a second day ian planes were keeping 10km The UN dashed hopes however Syria analyst Thomas Pierret, yesterday, ahead of a brief unilat- from Aleppo. that a prospective Aleppo truce of the University of Edin- eral ceasefi re aimed at allowing An estimated 250,000 people could allow humanitarian aid to burgh, said the halt in Russian civilians and rebels to quit the live in Aleppo’s eastern districts reach civilians. air strikes was about Moscow devastated city. and have been under near-contin- “Before we can do something “managing international pres- Moscow announced it would uous government siege since July. really meaningful we need as- sure”. extend an eight-hour truce AFP’s correspondent in east surances from all parties” over a “Russia is periodically try- planned for today to 11 hours and Aleppo said although clashes lasting ceasefi re, a spokesman for ing to mitigate tensions with the Female activists from the “Women for Peace” organisation, take part in a march at the Qasr said Syrian and Russian war- between rebels and pro-gov- the UN’s humanitarian agency West on Aleppo through such al-Yahud baptismal, site near the West Bank city of Jericho yesterday. planes were giving Aleppo a wide ernment forces involving heavy said in Geneva. initiatives. berth. artillery continued in several Rebel groups have indicated This is the continuation of war At a meeting in Berlin, French neighbourhoods, the pause in air they will not abandon their posts by diplomatic means,” he said. President Francois Hollande said strikes was holding. and, with Aleppo encircled by In Brussels today, EU leaders US general suspects he would work with Germany to The Syrian Observatory for pro-government forces, many are expected to “strongly con- persuade Russia to adopt a long- Human Rights, a Britain-based civilians fear falling into the demn the attacks by the Syr- Iran role in Houthi lasting truce around Syria’s sec- monitoring group, said pro-re- hands of the regime. ian regime and its allies, notably attacks on warships ond city. gime fi ghters were pressing their But Russia has said the pause Russia, on civilians in Aleppo”, Russia’s ceasefi re plan has ground assault in the Old City as is an opportunity for mainstream according to a draft obtained by Iran may have played a role in recent stirred scepticism in the West they vied to shift the front line. rebels to disassociate themselves AFP. Houthi missile attacks against US war- and the United Nations said it Russian and Syrian bombard- from militants in Aleppo. The draft calls on them “to ships in the Red Sea, a top US general would be insuffi cient to allow ment had been providing air Near Damascus, more than bring the atrocities to an end and said yesterday. humanitarian aid to reach encir- cover for a government off en- 600 rebels and their families to take urgent steps to ensure Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are cled Aleppo inhabitants. sive that started on September 22 were evacuated yesterday from unhindered humanitarian access believed to be behind a series of inci- Moscow is backing President aimed at seizing the city’s east, Moadamiyat al-Sham, a besieged to Aleppo and other parts of the dents this month that saw surface-to- Bashar al-Assad’s regime in its held by rebels since 2012. rebel town, according to a local country”. surface missiles fired at the USS Mason war with a wide range of rebel According to Moscow, once offi cial. Five years of diplomatic ini- on at least two occasions. groups, including with air strikes tiatives to put an end to Syria’s In response, US cruise missiles on in the divided northern city. Proposed truce not enough for aid deliveries: UN confl ict have failed, but over the October 13 struck Houthi radar sites Under growing international past week world powers have believed to have been used to target pressure over the devastation The UN yesterday dashed hopes “It’s great when the guns fall si- made new eff orts to reach a last- the weapons. and civilian deaths, Moscow an- that a proposed fighting pause lent but we need all the guns to ing truce. “I do think Iran is playing a role in some nounced early Tuesday that Rus- in east Aleppo would allow fall silent,” Laerke told journalists. Hollande and German Chan- of this. They have a relationship with sian and Syrian warplanes would aid to reach besieged civilians, Laerke stressed that the UN cellor Angela Merkel were to the Houthis, so I do suspect there is a stop bombing rebel-held parts saying all sides needed to back also needs fighting to stop for meet with Russian President role in there,” General Joseph Votel told of the city to pave the way for a an extended ceasefire before “a minimum of 48 hours”, with Vladimir Putin in Berlin later a Washington think tank. “humanitarian pause”. humanitarian convoys could roll. Russia’s proposal insuff icient for yesterday to discuss the ceasefi re Votel heads the US military’s Central That window, starting at 0500 “Before we can do something UN teams to mobilise. plans. Command, which oversees operations GMT today, was initially meant really meaningful we need as- Aside from getting desperately “France will do everything it across the Middle East. to last eight hours and is ex- surances from all parties,” said needed supplies to east Aleppo’s can to exert pressure, especially His statement was the most forward- pected to see all fi ghting stop to Jens Laerke, spokesman for the estimated 250,000 civilians, on supporters of the (Syrian) re- leaning so far of a US off icial in describ- allow civilians and rebels to exit United Nations humanitarian the UN also wants to evacuate gime, such as the Russians, so ing Iranian involvement in the missile opposition-held districts via six agency (OCHA) in Geneva. hundreds of people. that the ceasefi re can be extend- attacks. corridors. ed,” Hollande said. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 13 ARAB WORLD Hariri backs Aoun for president, some allies opposed

Reuters that could reshape Lebanese joy enough support among other tion of his father Rafi k al-Hariri. Fouad Siniora, a former prime exacerbated by regional confl ict. He has been a political ally of Beirut politics. politicians to secure the neces- He remains a fi erce critic of minister and head of the Future Hariri became prime minister Hezbollah since 2006. It has drawn opposition in his sary two-thirds quorum for the Hezbollah, which is fi ghting in Movement’s parliamentary bloc, for the fi rst time in 2009, but his A signifi cant fi gure in Leba- party and a fi nal decision has not vote in the 128-seat parliament. Syria in support of President told the newspaper Daily Star cabinet was toppled in 2011 when non’s 1975-90 civil war, Aoun ormer Lebanese Prime yet been taken, allies said. The next scheduled parlia- Bashar al-Assad. that Hariri had told his MPs on Hezbollah and its allies resigned. led one of two rival governments Minister Saad al-Hariri The presidency, which is re- mentary session to elect a presi- Two senior politicians said Tuesday that he had decided to Since then, he spent most of his during the fi nal years of the con- Fintends to endorse Michel served for a Maronite Christian dent is set for Oct. 31. that Hariri had expressed his in- support Aoun’s candidacy, but time abroad. fl ict. In 1990, the Syrian army Aoun for the vacant presidency, in the country’s sectarian power- Opponents of Aoun’s candi- tention to nominate Aoun for the added that there was “no fi nal Last year, he nominated Hez- forced him into exile. senior political sources said, sharing arrangements, has been dacy include Parliament Speaker presidency as part of the power- decision yet on this matter”. bollah ally Suleiman Franjieh for He returned in 2005 after Syr- and the Hezbollah ally could be vacant for 2 1/2 years due to po- Nabih Berri, head of the Shia sharing deal. One of the senior sources said the presidency, but Hezbollah ian forces withdrew under inter- elected head of state later this litical confl icts. Amal Movement and a close ally A third source, a member of Hariri would announce his sup- stuck by Aoun. national pressure following the month. Aoun, a veteran politician in of Hezbollah, which itself has yet Hariri’s Future Movement, con- port for Aoun “within the com- Aoun, a former army com- Hariri assassination. Long an opponent of the Iran- his 80s, has long coveted the to comment. fi rmed Hariri had expressed this ing few days”. mander, heads the largest Chris- Aoun’s main Christian rival, backed Shia group Hezbollah, post. Hariri, 46, led the “March 14” intention, but members of his The current government of tian bloc in parliament and has wartime enemy Samir Geagea, Hariri would become prime It was not immediately clear alliance against Hezbollah and its own parliamentary bloc opposed Prime Minister Tammam Salam a large following in the divided earlier this year also endorsed minister again under the plan if Aoun’s candidacy would en- allies, after the 2005 assassina- it. has been paralysed by rivalries Christian community. Aoun’s candidacy. IS leaders fl ee as Iraqi forces close in on Mosul

AFP into the local population based sistance), some clashes, they send Qayyarah, Iraq on the number of diff erent types car bombs -- but it will not help of foreign fi ghters that there are,” them,” he said. he said. Qaraqosh was the largest of ilitant leaders are fl eeing Hundreds of thousands of ci- many Christian towns and vil- Mosul, a top US general vilians were still trapped in the lages seized by the militants who Min the coalition battling city with dwindling supplies, swept across the Nineveh plain the Islamic State group said yes- many sheltering in basements as east of Mosul in August 2014. terday as Iraqi forces closed in on air strikes intensifi ed on IS tar- Kurdish peshmerga forces the northern city. gets. prepared to attack IS positions Mosul was where IS supremo “We couldn’t sleep last night on several fronts north of Mosul A displaced woman who is fleeing from clashes holds her baby in Qayyarah, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared because of the air strikes. The while federal forces worked their yesterday. his “caliphate” two years ago explosions were huge,” said Abu way up the Tigris Valley. but is now the group’s last major Saif, a 47-year-old resident con- The “caliphate” Baghdadi pro- stronghold in Iraq. tacted by AFP. claimed in Mosul’s Great Mosque in Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al- “Many families are starting to June 2014 once covered more than a Abadi, who announced the launch run out of some basic food goods, third of Iraq and parts of Syria. of a broad off ensive to retake the there is no commercial activity in But it has been shrinking stead- city on Monday, visited the front Mosul – the city is cut off from the ily for more than a year and re- Thousands of displaced Iraqis line yesterday. world,” he said. taking Mosul would be a major In the biggest Iraqi military East of Mosul, forces were setback for IS, all but ending its operation in years, forces have poised for an assault on Qaraqosh, experiment in statehood. retaken dozens of villages, mostly which lies about 15km (10 miles) Tens of thousands of personnel south and east of Mosul, and are away and was once Iraq’s largest are involved in the operation to cross into northeastern Syria planning multiple assaults for to- Christian town. retake Mosul, far outnumbering day. News of the move to recap- IS fi ghters. “We are telling Daesh (IS) that ture Qaraqosh sparked jubilation World leaders and military Reuters in Hasaka province, the offi cial using a pejorative term for IS. 90,000 Iraqi refugees in Syria, their leaders are abandoning among Christians who had fl ed commanders warned that -- de- Beirut said. Three days into the assault be- whose Hasaka province across them. We’ve seen a movement the town, with many dancing and spite signs that early progress in “There are around 5,000 to gan on Mosul, US-backed Iraqi the border from Mosul is mostly out of Mosul,” said Major General singing in the Iraqi Kurdish city of the Mosul off ensive was faster 6,000 who are already there. government and Kurdish forces controlled by Kurds. Gary Volesky, who heads the anti- Arbil on Tuesday night. than predicted -- the battle could housands of Iraqis fl ee- Meanwhile there are still around are steadily recovering outlying As Syria’s civil war weakened IS coalition’s land component. Units from Iraq’s elite counter- be long and diffi cult. ing fi ghting in the off en- 3,000 who are waiting at the bor- territory before the big thrust central state institutions after He told reporters in a video terrorism service, which has done “Mosul will be a diffi cult fi ght. Tsive against Islamic State der to cross,” Mezkin Ahmed, an into the city itself, expected to be 2011, Kurdish groups in the north briefi ng that the many foreign- the heavy lifting in most recent There will be advances and there (IS) in Mosul have taken shelter adviser to the de-facto autono- the biggest battle in Iraq since the of the country established au- ers among the 3,000 to 4,500 IS operations against IS, were poised will be setbacks,” Obama said on in northeastern Syria in recent mous administration that controls 2003 US-led invasion. tonomous rule, setting up three fi ghters would likely end up form- to fl ush militants out of the town, Tuesday. days, an offi cial from the Kurd- much of northeast Syria, said. The UN High Commissioner self-governing cantons in a re- ing the core of the holdout mili- offi cers said. After clearing towns and villag- ish-led administration in the “We have set up a welcome for Refugees said on Monday that gion they call Rojava. tant force. “We are surrounding Ham- es on the outskirts of Mosul with area said yesterday. point at the border. It is a hu- as many as 100,000 Iraqis might The main Kurdish armed Volesky noted that the Ira- daniya now,” Lieutenant General air support from the US-led coa- The displaced, who were Arab manitarian operation – we have fl ee to Syria and Turkey to escape group there, the YPG, is the most qis would screen anyone leaving Riyadh Tawfi q, commander of lition, Iraqi forces are expected to and mostly women, children experienced Daesh fi rst-hand, in the fi ghting in Mosul, a city of powerful element in the Syrian Mosul, and attempts by foreign Iraq’s ground forces, said at the besiege the city before entering it. and the elderly, had been cross- Kobani for example, so this is our 1.5mn and the largest controlled Democratic Forces, a coalition fi ghters to blend in to an expected main staging base of Qayyarah, Iraqi forces may allow fl eeing IS ing the border since Oct. 16 and duty,” she added, referring to a by IS militants. of militias backed by the United exodus of displaced people would referring to the district that in- fi ghters an exit to the west in a bid were currently being housed in a northern Syrian town previously It said that there were plans States and fi ghting against Is- be thwarted. cludes Qaraqosh. to minimise human and material refugee camp in the al-Houl area occupied by Islamic State, and under way to receive up to lamic State inside Syria. “It’s diffi cult for them to blend “There are some pockets (of re- losses. Bedouin village caught up in Israeli settlement rift

By Joe Dyke/AFP by an occupying power – a breach more than 400,000 Israelis living tricity and we want to live,” Abu Wadi Abu Hindi, Palestinian of the Geneva Conventions – and in the West Bank, according to Is- Youssef said. Territories could lead to more relocations. raeli statistics. Israeli offi cials would not con- The village is located east of Wadi Abu Hindi was demol- fi rm details of the off er, but noted Jerusalem, where rights groups ished by Israeli forces in the late an agreement hadn’t yet been bu Youssef is tired. He has fear demolitions could eventually 1990s then rebuilt, and since 2011 reached. already seen his family clear the way for further Israeli has faced a new demolition order. The temporary homes of Ahome destroyed once and settlement construction. Last year, the Israeli lawyer for Bedouin communities between now faces a second demolition. This could partly divide the the community, Shlomo Lecker, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea are But this time he has a contro- West Bank between north and says he received an off er he felt he often demolished by Israel, which versial opt out clause: agree to south while further isolating the had to present to them. says they lack permits. move his small Bedouin com- territory from East Jerusalem, He previously fought many Such permits are nearly impos- munity less than a mile away, and which the Palestinians see as their proposed relocations of Bedouins sible for Palestinians, including Abu Youssef could get a brand future capital. as they would be moved far away, Bedouins, to obtain. new home with running water That scenario would make a imperilling their traditional agri- Israel has off ered to relocate and electricity. contiguous future Palestinian cultural lifestyles, he said. more than 40 unrecognised The catch is that the off er state diffi cult to achieve. But this off er involved moving Bedouin villages into pre-planned comes from Israel, and Palestin- But for Abu Youssef, the issue is less than a mile to where many of communities but so far none have ian leaders and those concerned far more personal. their extended family members accepted. with Israeli settlement building Wadi Abu Hindi amounts to a live. One successful agreement are vehemently opposed. collection of shacks of corrugated Infrastructure would be avail- could pressure other Bedouin Any move, even if the 50 fami- metal in a desert valley, unbear- able and, crucially, they would be communities to move, Palestinian lies who live in the tiny commu- ably hot in summer and freezing free from the threat of demolition. offi cials argue. A man and his goats drink from a water tank in the Bedouin village of Wadi Abu Hindi, near the Israeli-occupied nity of Wadi Abu Hindi agreed to in winter. “Nobody wants to be trans- The concerns of the Palestin- West Bank town of al-Azariya, east of Jerusalem. it, would violate international law Abu Youssef, 56, has lived there ferred far away but if they can ians and the UN can be seen close and could be disastrous for the his entire life, but under two dif- have a chance to build a village to Wadi Abu Hindi. cuss taking a deal, Lecker has It warned that lawyers paid tor for the Palestinian territories Palestinian cause, they say. ferent rulers. near where they come from that is A few hundred metres above worked pro bono for more than by international organisations Robert Piper said in a statement “We are between two sides,” When he was six years old, Is- good,” Lecker said. the village, a shiny and clean Is- six months. “have provided legal aid to nego- to AFP he was concerned by po- Abu Youssef said. rael occupied the West Bank, seiz- Abu Youssef said Lecker has raeli settlement, Kedar, peeks He says he can no longer do so, tiate and/or mediate on behalf of tential forcible transfer but also It is a dilemma faced by other ing it from Jordan, in a move never won numerous battles for them, over the hill. while the Bedouin don’t want a these communities to reach a set- by the legal aid gap for Bedouin Bedouin communities in the West recognised by the international so they took the off er seriously. Further away, the suburban- diff erent lawyer. tlement agreement for their own communities. Bank, the Palestinian territory Is- community. He stressed they have not made like settlement of Maale Adumim The UN was considering step- transfer. Lecker accused the Palestinian rael illegally occupied in 1967. The government began build- a fi nal decision, but added that houses some 35,000 Israelis. ping in, UN sources said, prompt- “These legal aid actors have in Authority of ignoring the villag- Palestinian leaders say moving ing settlements, including on land personally he was “tired” and After a international NGO ing senior Palestinian offi cial fact facilitated the forcible transfer ers’ needs. Wadi Abu Hindi would amount to formerly used by semi-nomadic tempted. cut his funding when he rec- Saeb Erekat to protest earlier this of these communities,” it added. “They are soldiers of the PA forcible transfer of a population Bedouin farmers. There are now “We need water, we need elec- ommended the villages dis- month, in a letter seen by AFP. UN Humanitarian Co-ordina- without anyone asking them.” Gulf Times 14 Thursday, October 20, 2016 AFRICA

GUILTY IN CUSTODY CAUSE UNKNOWN SWINDLED LEGAL EAGLE Bemba convicted of Jazeera journalist, team Belgian tourist trampled to Imam ‘insults’ Senegal Top Kenya judge vows to witness tampering detained in Somalia death by elephant in Kenya Muslim Brotherhood adjudicate any vote rows

Congolese former vice president Jean-Pierre Somali security agents have detained a British A Belgian tourist was trampled to death by an Senegalese prosecutors yesterday requested Kenya’s new chief justice said yesterday he would Bemba and his defence team bribed witnesses journalist working for television network Al Jazeera elephant near Kenya’s famed Maasai Mara wildlife a six-month sentence for an imam accused of fight corruption, cut a backlog of court cases and to lie in his favour at a war crimes trial that together with his cameraman and their driver and reserve, police said yesterday, the second such insulting Muslim Brotherhood. The Mourides are ensure any election disputes arising from next ended in the highest ranking conviction by fixer, the Qatar-based channel said yesterday. The incident in a month. “He was badly injured by one of four important Sufi brotherhoods followed year’s vote were resolved fairly and swiftly. David the International Criminal Court, judges ruled detentions come less than a week after the off ices of the rogue elephant and succumbed to injuries by Senegal’s Muslims, who practise a moderate Maraga, an appeals court judge who was sworn yesterday. The court said 14 key witnesses had a Somali newspaper were raided and its editor held at the Talek Health Centre,” a police off icer in the version of Islam while following the teachings of in yesterday, takes over in the build-up to the been coached about what to say, and found for three days. The satellite network said Hamza area said. The death of the Belgian on Monday local spiritual guides. The case relates to a video August 2017 elections in a nation where votes Bemba and four other defendants guilty of Mohamed and his crew were arrested on Tuesday in circumstances that remain unclear comes a posted in September by imam Cheikh Mbacke are often marred by political strife. The disputed conspiring to present false evidence to the afternoon in Mogadishu. “Al Jazeera Media Network month after an Italian man was trampled in the Sakho in which he accused Mouride elders of 2007 election was followed by weeks of ethnic court. Supporters of Bemba, who is appealing have been in touch with him since his detention Tsavo National Park, southeast Kenya, while trying taking money from Muslims to further their own bloodshed. “The judiciary is ready to hear and his conviction and 18-year sentence for and he is well. He was travelling with a driver, fixer to take a photograph of an elephant. Kenyan daily business interests, and of “swindling” followers. resolve any election disputes that may arise in a fair overseeing a campaign of rape and murder in and cameraman, who were also detained,” the The Standard reported that in a separate incident Sakho could face a six-month suspended jail and timely manner,” Maraga said at the swearing-in Central African Republic more than a decade statement said. Off icials could not be immediately on Tuesday, a Kenyan secondary school student sentence and a fine of 1mn FCFA ($1,673) for ceremony, adding that he had experience as chair ago, had no immediate comment. reached for comment on the detentions. was killed by an elephant on the way to school. abusing a religious group on a digital platform. of the judiciary committee on elections. EU gets tough on African migrants

Reuters It wants fewer to come and it Brussels wants to deport more. EU leaders will therefore de- cide today that they want to get ncouraged by their success in “measurable results in terms of halting a mass infl ux of refu- preventing illegal migration and Egees by closing Greek borders returning irregular migrants”, ac- and cutting a controversial deal cording to a draft summit state- with Turkey, EU leaders are getting ment seen by Reuters. tough on African migrants too. It said they would also agree to A Brussels summit today will “create and apply the necessary endorse pilot projects to pres- leverage, by using all relevant EU sure African governments via aid policies, instruments and tools, budgets to slow an exodus of peo- including development and trade”. ple north across the Sahara and Behind the diplomatic language Mediterranean. lies a threat of cutting develop- President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo host some of the 21 Chibok schoolgirls released by Boko Haram. It also wants swift results from ment aid and restricting trade with an EU campaign to deport large those African countries that do not numbers who reach Italy. cooperate before the next migra- “By the end of the year, we need tion season starts in the spring. to see results,” one senior EU dip- Apart from the stick, there is lomat said yesterday. also the carrot, which comes in the form of promises of more aid Buhari meets freed Chibok girls Arrivals in Italy so far this year are nearly 6% higher than the and preferential trade treatment same period of 2015. under what Brussels calls migra- AFP that we fulfi l our pledge of bringing the seen the worst that the world has to off er. was hoping to secure the release of 83 Italy received 154,000 migrants tion “compacts”. Abuja remaining girls back home”. It is now time for them to experience the other girls believed to be from Chibok last year and this year’s fi gure will The new approach — aimed at Buhari said that he hoped the girls best that the world can do for them.” being held by a diff erent Boko Haram be similar or slightly higher. keeping people away from Europe would go on to complete their education The 21 girls were part of a group of over faction. Italy is sheltering 165,000 asy- — was fi rst proposed by Italy, the igerian President Muhammadu after their ordeal at the hands of Boko two hundred schoolgirls kidnapped from The release of the 21 Chibok girls is a lum seekers, almost three times as main disembarkation point for Buhari yesterday met the 21 Chi- Haram, whose name in the Hausa lan- the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok in triumph for President Buhari, who was many as in 2014. Africa migrants. Nbok girls who were released by guage spoken across northern Nigeria April 2014. voted into power on a platform vowing The buildup has accelerated since It is initially aimed at Nigeria, Boko Haram last week, pledging to “re- means “Western education is sin”. They were released last week following to stamp out corruption and crush Boko Italy’s northern neighbours clamped Niger, Senegal, Ethiopia and Mali. double” his eff orts to rescue those still “Obviously it is not too late for the negotiations between the Nigerian gov- Haram. down on border controls. Prime The bloc is determined to send being held. girls to go back to school and continue ernment and Boko Haram brokered by But Boko Haram still poses a threat to Minister Matteo Renzi has told EU back everyone whose life is not Speaking at the presidential villa in the pursuit of their studies,” Buhari said the International Committee of the Red the war-torn region, launching sporadic allies that Rome can cope for now under immediate threat at home. Nigeria’s capital of Abuja, Buhari ad- to the girls, who were clad in new, bright- Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss government. raids on remote villages in Nigeria and but is worried about the future. But the new strategy of making dressed the girls and their families say- ly coloured dresses and head wraps. On Sunday, presidential spokesman deadly attacks on soldiers in neighbour- EU offi cials want to put in place aid to third countries conditional ing “we shall redouble eff orts to ensure “These dear daughters of ours have Garba Shehu said that the government ing Chad and Niger. tougher measures to identify il- on their cooperation on migration legal migrants and fl y them back is controversial. to Africa before next year’s mi- Aid agency Oxfam has urged gration season, when thousands EU leaders to abandon their drive are expected to take to precarious to build a “Fortress Europe” and boats from Libya. instead help those in need. “The General strike against Kabila paralyses Congolese cities “We need to clean this up and need for development aid and Eu- have migration compacts with Af- rope’s obligation to alleviate poverty rican countries in place before next should not be about reducing mobil- DPA cember, and the constitution does spring,” a senior EU offi cial said. ity,” said Raphael Shilhav, Oxfam’s Kinshasa not allow him to seek a third term. That will depend on persuad- migration policy adviser in Brussels. The government postponed the ing African states — initially a “The reasons of displacement November elections over alleged group of fi ve — to take back their should be addressed through un- ongo’s main cities came logistical delays, sparking violent own citizens. The EU is already derstanding the situation on the to a partial standstill yes- protests in which dozens of peo- bringing African offi cials to Italy ground, seeking solutions to the Cterday as a general strike ple have been killed. to identify citizens who may try to confl icts that are driving dis- called by the opposition pressed The ruling coalition and some conceal their identity to avoid be- placement of people,” he said. President Joseph Kabila to step smaller opposition parties on ing sent home. But increasingly EU aid projects down in December. Tuesday set April 29, 2018, as the At their summit, European in Africa are accompanied by more Witnesses reported little com- new election date. Union leaders will agree to use political pressure on migration. mercial activity and public trans- Martin Fayulu, leader of the money and trade to force African “It is very much about send- port in the capital Kinshasa, opposition Commitment for Citi- countries to curb emigration, in a ing a message to would-be mi- where many schools remained zenship and Development party, shift towards a more hard-nosed grants. The political impetus is closed. said the main opposition had joint foreign policy. about sending this discouraging In Goma in the east, thousands boycotted the dialogue with the African leaders may be per- message,” said Elizabeth Collett, of protesters marched to the pro- government. suaded to agree with the new pol- director at the Migration Policy vincial governor’s offi ce. “We have told Kabila that his icy by the fact that the EU is the Institute, a Brussels think-tank. They also erected burning bar- tricks to cling to power have been continent’s biggest aid donor. “There is something inherently ricades until police dispersed exposed,” Fayulu told DPA. The EU has turned a wary eye distasteful in this new approach them with tear gas. “We cannot wait for 2018. Eve- on Africa, a young continent for the EU foreign policy because In the town of Beni, protesters rything has the right time, and where millions live in poverty, af- historically they have always been carried placards accusing the UN today, the right time for Kabila ter last year’s uncontrolled infl ux the good guys,” Collett said. and the international community to go is now, because he prom- of refugees and migrants from the “It’s the fi rst time they are be- of not addressing the situation in ised to respect the constitution,” A public cleaner works on a deserted avenue as the Congolese capital Kinshasa was gripped by a Middle East thrust the bloc into a ing asked not to just be the good Congo. a protester on a motorcycle said strike called ‘Villes mortes’ (Dead cities) in a protest over plans by President Kabila to stay in power deep political crisis. guys anymore.” Kabila’s mandate ends in De- in Goma. beyond the end of his term in December. France to keep troops in W Africa for as long as needed

Reuters area whose remote desert spaces out Al Qaeda-linked militants also on home soil after a series of brothers at the exact moment lacked equipment and resources ist groups continue to destabilise Paris spanning from Mauritania in the who hijacked a rebellion in 2012 Islamist attacks. when they need us the most to making a political settlement be- the region by carrying out attacks west to Sudan in the east host a by ethnic Tuaregs and attempted “France remains commit- consolidate the fragile balances,” tween Tuaregs and the govern- on Mali’s borders at the entranc- medley of extremist groups, is to take control of the central gov- ted as long as the militant threat he said. ment in Mali increasingly fragile es to other countries like Niger rance appeared yesterday seen as vulnerable to further at- ernment in Bamako. continues to weigh on the future After sending troops to Mali, and paving the way for Islamists and Ivory Coast,” Ayrault said. to accept that it would need tacks after strikes on soft targets Speaking to lawmakers, For- of these countries,” Ayrault said the former colonial power has and traffi ckers to exploit a void in France will next week seek to Fto keep thousands of troops in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast eign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault at a parliamentary debate on his since spread some 4,000 soldiers the north of the country. discuss Mali when it hosts a min- in Africa’s Sahel region for an in- earlier this year. sought to reassure regional allies country’s overseas operations. across the region to hunt down “We know it will be long and isterial meeting on UN peace- defi nite period given the ongoing That has been brought further that Paris would not abandon “What message would we be Islamists, while United Nations’ diffi cult (because) the national keeping operations in French- instability and preponderance of to light after a spike in violence in them despite pressure on its mil- sending if we envisaged a reduc- peacekeepers have been deployed reconciliation process is taking speaking countries to see how Islamist militants. northern Mali, where France in- itary that has seen it increase op- tion of our eff ort? We do not have to ensure Mali’s stability. time to come into eff ect, secur- to beef up and improve their ef- The region, a politically fragile tervened three years ago to drive erations in the Middle East, but the right to abandon our African However, the UN’s forces have ing the north is slow and terror- fi ciency. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 15 AMERICAS Debate gives Trump a last big chance to sway voters Trump has one last chance to turn Besides, Republican election offi - things around cials oversee the vote in most of the key battlegrounds of the 2016 presidential Agencies elections, states like Colorado, Iowa, Las Vegas Michigan and Arizona. “In person voter fraud — that’s when someone shows up and pretends to be epublican presidential nominee someone else — is incredibly rare, al- Donald Trump faces a formida- most never happens and there is no evi- Rble challenge yesterday when he dence that it happens in numbers that and Democrat Hillary Clinton go head are anywhere close to having an eff ect, to head in a third and fi nal debate as even in a close election,” said Cornell Trump tries to reverse momentum in an Law School professor Zachary Clopton. election that polls show is tilting away While the risk of in-person fraud is from him. seen as minimal, there are more seri- Trump has been damaged by accusa- ous concerns that hackers could pose tions that he made unwanted sexual ad- a threat on Election Day — fuelled by vances toward women — which he denies recent intrusions attributed to Russian — and concerns about his claims that the hackers in voter registration databases election will be rigged against him. in Illinois and Arizona. The debate at the University of Las Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally at Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado. Trump is on his way to Las Vegas for the third Those incidents have spurred federal Vegas Nevada gives the New York busi- and final presidential debate against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Right: People wait in line outside the IFC Theater before the debut of a surprise documen- authorities to off er local authorities nessman perhaps his best remaining tary about Donald Trump titled Michael Moore in Trumpland. their expertise in protecting their sys- chance to sway the dwindling number tems against hackers. of Americans who are still undecided “I can’t imagine what Donald Trump the largest after a video from 2005 was Malik, who supports the Republican, the 2000 presidential election between Pamela Smith, president of Verifi ed about which way to vote at the Novem- could do positively or a mistake Hillary released showing him bragging about as well as the mother of one of the four George W Bush and Al Gore. Voting, a civic group that advocates for ber 8 election. Clinton could make to change the tra- groping women. Americans killed in the 2012 attacks in A conservative-majority supreme clean elections, says safeguards against “This one is important if Trump is jectory of this race,” Democratic strate- That has weighed down the real es- Benghazi, Libya, a focus of Republican court fi nally ruled in favor of Bush, but fraud are greater now than they were in going to have any chance to get back gist Steve Elmendorf said. tate magnate’s political run going into criticism of Clinton. the sense of a “stolen” election lingered 2012 and 2014. into this race,” said Republican strate- Both candidates are likely to attack the fi nal weeks. Clinton’s guests include Mark Cu- on among some Democrats — who nev- Still, electronic voting machines gist Charlie Black. “He’s going to have each other’s character. This has prompted him to lash out at ban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas er fully accepted the Republican presi- could be a weak link. to talk about issues eff ectively and not Trump’s campaign has been marked what he calls a political and media sys- Mavericks basketball team and a fre- dent as legitimate. “That’s perhaps one area where we get down in the mud, and he needs to by personal squabbles and controver- tem rigged against him, an apparent bid quent Trump antagonist. But 16 years later, the chances of might be concerned about leaving these talk about jobs.” sial comments about illegal immigra- to discredit the process before the elec- Cuban wrote on Twitter that he mass fraud marring the contest be- questions to little towns and cities that Trump campaign manager Kellyanne tion and minorities. tion takes place. could not wait to give “a big hug to my tween Trump and his Democrat rival may not have the technical sophistica- Conway acknowledged that her candi- Most recently, he has urged support- Obama said Tuesday that Trump bestie” Trump in Las Vegas.”I know you Hillary Clinton are remote, experts say. tions of the federal government, but it date goes into the debate, which starts ers to patrol polling places in inner cit- needs to “stop whining” and make his miss me!” he added. Even national elections like the one would then require hacking multiple at 9pm EDT (0100 GMT today), as the ies to prevent voter fraud, and has tried case to voters. Republican candidate Donald Trump on November 8 are organised not by the places if you are trying to build up,” said underdog. to fi ght off several allegations that he Republicans who have watched has made the insistent claim that the federal government but by US states, Clopton. “It’s a comeback and he’s done it groped women. Clinton has struggled Trump repeatedly shoot himself in the elections are being “rigged,” but ex- and they tend to delegate the task to a Trump may be preparing the ground before several times in this campaign,” to get past concerns about transpar- foot said the debate was a chance to ap- perts say massive voter fraud is highly welter of local authorities. for a loss to Clinton by predicting that Conway said on Fox News, adding a jibe ency raised over her handling of emails pear presidential. unlikely in a system as decentralised as “The fact that every single voting the election is rigged. at Clinton: “Hillary Clinton just has not while she was secretary of state from “Trump needs to make a real closing ar- the United States. district would be involved in a fraud is But experts worry he is undermining been able to put him away. 2009 to 2013. gument and stop the personal attacks and “There are a lot of safeguards in place virtually impossible because there are public confi dence in a basic democratic What is her problem already?” “She needs to be able to answer the come across like a commander-in-chief,” that would preclude that from happen- so many diff erent kinds of districts,” institution. For Clinton, who leads national polls email question,” Democratic strategist Republican strategist Scott Reed said. ing, from federal laws to local and state Formicola said. “I can say it is highly unusual to claim and in most of the battleground states Bud Jackson said.”She hasn’t quite hit Trump called the event an important laws as well,” said Jo-Renee Formicola, A mosaic of voting systems — some ‘rigging’ in advance of polls even open- where the election will likely be decid- that nail on the head yet. opportunity to talk to voters. a political scientist at Seton Hall Uni- using electronic voting machines, oth- ing,” said Smith.” It would not appear to ed, the 90-minute debate is a chance She should do better this time. Both candidates have invited guests versity. ers paper ballots, and still others both be based on specifi c evidence, or per- to make a closing argument on why she And she should expect the unex- who could be seen as provocative. The US election system is far from — add a level of complexity that would haps it is better to say we have seen no is the best suited to succeed President pected.” According to several media reports, perfect, as illustrated by the imbroglio tend to thwart any attempt at wholesale evidence brought forward in support of Barack Obama. But Trump’s troubles have loomed Trump asked Obama’s half-brother over the vote count in Florida during voter fraud, the experts say. such a statement. Ranch patrol Woman shot dead by NY police offi cer

Reuters York police assistant chief Lar- races of the offi cer or the wom- New York ry Nikunen.The sergeant en- an in his statement to reporters. tered the woman’s apartment Bronx Borough president and found her clutching scis- Diaz, a former state lawmaker, New York City police sors in a bedroom, Nikunen said called in a statement for the sergeant fatally shot a at a news conference. state attorney general to inves- A66-year-old woman The sergeant talked to the tigate the shooting of the wom- who charged him with a base- woman, convincing her to put an, whom Diaz called “mentally ball bat at her apartment on down the scissors, but she disturbed”. Tuesday, prompting an inves- charged toward him while pick- “This elderly woman was tigation that will look into why ing up a baseball bat, Nikunen known to the police depart- he did not use a Taser instead, said. ment, yet the offi cer involved in an assistant police chief said. “As she attempted to strike this shooting failed to use dis- The Bronx Borough President the sergeant he fi red two shots cretion to either talk her down Ruben Diaz Jr called the shoot- from his service revolver, strik- from her episode or, barring ing an “outrage”. ing her in the torso,” Nikunen that, to use his stun gun,” Diaz It follows a string of inci- told reporters. said. “That is totally unaccept- dents that have put law en- The New York Police De- able.” forcement across the country partment is investigating and A representative for the New Cattle rancher Jim Chilton stands beside a fence that is the US-Mexico border on part of his 50,000 acre ranch some 40km southeast of under heightened scrutiny over will look into why the sergeant York police offi cers’ union Arivaca, Arizona, where a barbed-wire fence is all that separates the two countries. Despite the diff icult Sonoran desert terrain, the area the use of lethal force, especial- did not use a Taser against the could not be reached for a com- remains a popular and much-used route by the drug mules, sophisticated and well-equipped with binoculars and satphones to monitor ly against minorities and the woman instead of opening fi re, ment late on Tuesday. routes and US border patrols from the surrounding hilltops. mentally ill. Nikunen said. In a California shooting last Police on Tuesday evening The name of the woman, month that sparked protests, an received an emergency call of who was pronounced dead at a offi cer in El Cajon responding an emotionally disturbed per- hospital, was not immediately to a report of a man acting er- son at an apartment building in released. Police had previously ratically shot him to death. Po- the Bronx, where the woman’s been to her apartment to handle lice said the man had pointed an neighbour complained she was similar disturbances, Nikunen object, later determined to be a Oregon militants cast as Four wounded acting irrationally, said New said. Nikunen did not give the vaping device, at the offi cer. victims of corrupt govt in shooting

Reuters Reuters “You are the heart and lungs of liberty,” San Francisco Aboriginal girl latest in rash of Portland Mumford told jurors during an impassioned presentation lasting nearly four hours. “Only you can make clear that Mr Bundy olice and school offi cials said four people suicides by youth in Canada he six men and a woman charged is not a conspirator and none of these men were wounded, one critically, in a shoot- with conspiracy in seizing a US and women are conspirators.” Ping that erupted at a San Francisco high Twildlife center in Oregon were stag- On Tuesday, US attorney Ethan Knight school parking lot after school had been let out Reuters others in the province this Attawapiskat, declared a state ing a legitimate protest manipulated by the countered that Bundy and his followers had for the day. One victim, a teenage girl, was criti- Winnipeg, Manitoba month, Cameron said, adding of emergency after a rash of su- government through informants who infi l- defi ed the rule of law, turning the wildlife cally wounded after the shooting near the June that he did not have further icide attempts, and a Manitoba trated the group, a defence lawyer argued at refuge into an armed “fortress” from which Jordan School for Equity around 3.20pm local details. indigenous community also their trial yesterday. to press their political beliefs. time, while two teenage boys suff ered non-life- 10-year-old girl took her Canadian Press has reported appealed for federal help after In protesting what they saw as a form “Is it illegal to tell the government to re- threatening injuries, police said. own life on Tuesday, the that two girls from Stanley Mis- suicides. of tyranny, the defendants themselves be- spect its limits?” Mumford asked the ju- The San Francisco Unifi ed School District Afourth Aboriginal child sion and one from La Ronge, all Canada’s 1.4mn aboriginals, came victims of a government campaign rors. “Is it illegal to tell the government to said in a statement that a fourth person was also to do so this month in a poor, between the ages of 12 and 14, who make up about 4% of the to discredit and criminalise a larger move- respect the constitution?” wounded but could not provide any further in- remote region of Canada, the committed suicide earlier this country’s population, have ment opposed to federal control over mil- Mumford said federal offi cials sought to formation on the victim.The school was placed top chief in the province of Sas- month. higher levels of poverty and lions of acres of public land in the West, manipulate the occupiers through the use on lockdown, which has since been lifted. katchewan said. The federal health depart- a lower life expectancy than Marcus Mumford argued. of informants planted at the compound to School offi cials said one of the victims was The girl was from Des- ment could not be immediately other Canadians and are more Mumford, whose client, Ammon Bundy, help the government portray the protesters specifi cally targeted. The three others were by- chambault Lake, some 460km reached for comment. often victims of violent crime, led the armed takeover of the Malheur Na- as “scary people”. standers, the district said. northeast of Saskatoon, Sas- The suicides refl ect a need to addiction and incarceration. tional Wildlife Refug, summed up the de- He cited evidence accepted by the court Police said four male suspects were seen fl ee- katchewan, said chief Bobby “improve the quality of lives”, The problems plaguing re- fence case in federal court in Portland. that nine government informants were ing the scene shortly after the shooting. Cameron of the Federation of Cameron said, including better mote indigenous communities His closing argument followed the prose- present at the refuge during the occupa- The district said classes will continue as Sovereign Indigenous Nations, education, housing and mental gained prominence in Janu- cution’s summation and weeks of testimony tion, furnishing intelligence to federal law scheduled.Further details were not immediately an Aboriginal political group in health. ary when a gunman killed four by government and defence witnesses, some enforcement while infl uencing the course available, police said, as the investigation was Saskatchewan. Earlier this year, a poor On- people in La Loche, Saskatch- of whom took part in the occupation. of events there. early and ongoing. Her death follows three tario aboriginal community, ewan. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, October 20, 2016 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Japanese Style statement ministers visit disputed war shrine

AFP Tokyo

wo Japanese cabinet min- isters visited a controver- Tsial war shrine yesterday, after a mass visit by lawmakers angered China and South Korea which see it as a painful remind- er of Tokyo’s past aggression. The ministers – internal af- fairs chief Sanae Takaichi and Katsunobu Kato, in charge of women’s empowerment – are close to conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who did not visit the Yasukuni shrine during this year’s four-day au- tumn festival. Abe, often criticised for what some see as revisionist views on Japan’s wartime record, sent a ritual off ering to the shrine in- stead. He has not gone to the site in central Tokyo since late 2013 in Designer Christelle Kocher (front third right) poses with models during her Koche AW16 and SS17 mix collection show presented by H Beauty & Youth at Amazon Fashion Week in Tokyo yesterday. an apparent attempt to ease dip- lomatic tensions. China on Wednesday lashed out at the cabinet ministers’ visit, saying the shrine “white- washes” Japan’s past militarism and “reveals its wrong attitude towards history”. “China fi rmly opposes that,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Pro-independence lawmakers Hua Chunying told a regular Be- ijing press briefi ng. “We urge Japan to own up to and refl ect upon its history of aggression, make a clean break with militarism and use concrete actions to win back trust from its blocked from taking oath in HK Asian neighbours and the inter- national community.” AFP eon meat at his opponents while The pair said they wanted to Siu-lai, who read her oath at a On Tuesday a group of about Hong Kong another was surrounded by se- complete their oaths, but would snail’s pace last week, took the 85 legislators arrived at the leafy curity after turning China and not apologise for last week’s be- stand.The chaotic scenes came site for an annual pilgrimage, Hong Kong fl ags displayed on haviour. “We are empowered by after a late-night court bid earning rebukes from Beijing and ong Kong’s legislature pro-Beijing lawmakers’ desks the people to enter the Legco,” Tuesday by city leader Leung Seoul. again descended into upside-down. Baggio Leung said. Chun-ying and justice secre- Yasukuni honours millions of Hchaos yesterday as pro- Meanwhile, pro-Beijing law- The former British colony tary Rimsky Yuen to block Yau Japanese war dead, but also sen- Beijing politicians blocked the makers chanted “Apologise!”, was handed back to China in and Baggio Leung from taking ior military and political fi gures swearing in of two new lawmak- demanding Yau and Leung say 1997 under an agreement pro- up their seats. convicted of war crimes after ers who want a split from China, sorry for their failure to take tecting its freedoms for 50 That went directly against World War II. in an increasingly divided par- the oath properly at last week’s years, but there are concerns a decision by the pro-Beijing The indigenous Shinto re- liament. swearing-in ceremony. those liberties are being eroded. president of Legco, who had al- ligious shrine has for decades It comes as fears grow in the The pair had their oaths Leung and Yau are part of a ready given the green light for been a fl ashpoint for criticism by semi-autonomous city that Be- rejected last Wednesday af- new wave of lawmakers advo- them to have a second chance at countries that suff ered from Ja- ijing is tightening its grip, fuel- ter they draped themselves in cating independence and self- the oath. pan’s colonialism and aggression ling an independence move- “Hong Kong is not China” fl ags. determination who won seats in The court refused to grant an in the fi rst half of the 20th cen- ment in Hong Kong. The oath states Hong Kong is the Legislative Council (Legco) injunction against Wednesday’s tury, including China and Korea. Yesterday rival lawmak- a special administrative region – Hong Kong’s lawmaking body oath-taking, but gave permis- ers clashed in a heated shout- of China. – in citywide polls last month. sion for a judicial review into ing match after the pro-Beijing Both refused to pronounce Five legislators, including the whether the pair should be dis- camp walked out of the swear- China properly, and Yau was Pro-independence lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung (left), known as Long pair, had their oaths rejected at qualifi ed, putting their future as ing-in session. heard to replace the words “the Hair, argues with pro-Beijing lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun after last week’s swearing in. lawmakers into question. The walkout led to the meet- People’s Republic of China” with members of the latter group walked out of the main chambers to Of those fi ve, one pro-Beijing In a separate case yesterday, China anger ing being cancelled, preventing “the People’s refucking of Zeena”. block the second swearing-in of pro-democracy lawmakers – whose lawmaker and one pro-democ- former pro-democracy law- pro-independence lawmakers They were given permission initial oaths from October 12 were invalidated – at the Legislative Coun- racy lawmaker, whose oaths maker Raymond Wong was Yau Wai-ching and Baggio Le- to retake their oaths yesterday, cil in Hong Kong yesterday. were declared invalid the fi rst convicted of throwing a glass as Japan ung from taking the oath that but the session was abandoned time round, were allowed to re- at city leader Leung Chun-ying would allow them to take up after the pro-Beijing walkout express regret over their be- Hundreds of pro-Beijing sup- take them yesterday morning. inside the Legco in 2014. their seats. left an insuffi cient number of haviour last week and to apolo- porters waved Chinese fl ags and The Beijing camp then walked Wong, 64, was convicted of withholds In the ensuing confrontations legislators in the chamber. gise to all Chinese around the stamped on pictures of the two out, forcing the session to be common assault and will be one veteran pro-democracy “If they want people to re- world,” pro-Beijing lawmaker outspoken lawmakers outside abandoned before Yau, Leung sentenced on Tuesday, local Unesco legislator threw slices of lunch- spect their oaths, they have to Priscilla Leung told reporters. the legislative council building. and pro-democracy teacher Lau media reported. SPACE funding Chinese astronauts Widodo defends reach orbiting lab Reuters Beijing Two Chinese astronauts entered chemical castration the country’s new orbiting space laboratory for the first time yes- hina said yesterday that terday, state media reported, as Japan had acted irre- for paedophiles Beijing works towards having its Csponsibly by withholding own space station. its 2016 funding for the UN her- Mission commander Jing Haipeng itage body Unesco in a row over AFP book, as had been widely ex- was first to float into the Tian- how the 1937 Nanjing Massacre Jakarta pected. gong-2 (“Heavenly Palace”) lab, the is remembered. In an interview with the off icial Xinhua news agency said, Unesco last year decided to BBC, Widodo defended intro- followed by Chen Dong. include documents about the ndonesian President Joko ducing chemical castration, a The pair “extended greetings to all massacre in its “Memory of the Widodo has defended the decision that has sparked an- the people of the nation”, it said. World” programme. Iintroduction of chemi- ger from human rights activ- Their Shenzhou-11 (“Divine Vessel”) Chinese Foreign Ministry cal castration for paedophiles, ists and the Indonesian Doc- mission is scheduled to see them spokeswoman Hua Chunying said saying in an interview pub- tors Association, which has stay on board for 30 days – the the massacre was a serious crime lished yesterday there can be said its members will not per- longest stay thus far by Chinese and a historical fact recognised “no compromise” when it form the treatment. astronauts – carrying out experi- by the international community, comes to tackling sex crimes. “Our constitution respects ments before returning to Earth. and Unesco was right to include Widodo introduced a series human rights, but when it it in the listing. “What Japan has of tough punishments for child comes to sexual crimes there is said and done once again lays A member of the public walks past a sculpture at sunset that is part of the annual outdoor exhibition sex off enders in May through no compromise,” he said, add- MOCK EXERCISE bare their wrong attitude of not known as “Sculpture by the Sea” near Bondi Beach in Sydney yesterday. an emergency decree, includ- ing that the government “will South Korea stages acknowledging history,” Hua told ing chemical castration and hand out the maximum pen- a daily news briefi ng in Beijing. the death penalty, following an alty” for such crimes. large quake drill “Not paying fees to Unesco to ex- outcry over the fatal gang-rape “In my opinion...chemi- ert pressure is irresponsible. They of a schoolgirl. cal castration, if we enforce it About 3,700 people took part in a will not achieve their aims.” Australia’s ‘Sculpture by the Sea’ Parliament last week voted consistently, will reduce sex drill for a 6.8 magnitude earth- Ties between China and Ja- to put the new regulations crimes and wipe them out over quake in the South Korean capital, pan, the world’s second- and permanently on the statute time,” he said. Seoul, yesterday, with authorities third-largest economies, have exhibition begins near Sydney staging explosions, fires and build- been plagued with a territorial ing collapses. dispute over a group of tiny East POLICY South Korea is not in a major China Sea islets and the legacy Reuters tween Bondi and Tamarama The annual event, which Thais step up web surveillance earthquake zone but a 5.8 mag- of Japan’s wartime aggression. Sydney beaches near Sydney. began in 1997 and is free to nitude quake, the largest ever China says Japanese troops The exhibition showcases the public, received close to Thai “cyber-scouts” have flagged scores of websites for alleged royal recorded in the country, hit near killed 300,000 people in 1937 in both Australian and inter- 500 submissions this year defamation since the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and are the southern city of Gyeongju last its then capital of Nanjing. ustralia’s annual national artists and will stop from sculptors in 27 countries monitoring all communication channels, a junta off icial said yesterday. A month. Police, military and Seoul A postwar Allied tribunal put “Sculpture by the Sea” beachgoers in their sandy around the world. crackdown on perceived royal insults has been enforced following the metropolitan government off icials the death toll at 142,000, but Aexhibition got under tracks with sculptures such as It runs until Nov 6 and is king’s death last Thursday, which has plunged the nation into mourning took part in the exercise held at some conservative Japanese way on Tuesday with more a red fl ipfl op sandal and a dis- expected to attract thousands for a beloved monarch. Thailand’s monarchy is protected by a draconian more than 60 buildings and in- politicians and scholars deny a than 100 giant fi gures loom- membered rhinoceros with its of visitors working on their tan lese majeste law that outlaws criticism and muzzles detailed discussion cluded evacuations and helicopter massacre took place at all. ing along the coastline be- feet in the air. amidst the huge sculptures. on the monarchy – including by all media based in Thailand. searches. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 17 BRITAIN

CRITICISM PEOPLE INDUSTRIAL ACTION JUSTICE RULING Green ‘off ering no plan Woman left traumatised Strike by 1,000 Southern Millionaire music mogul Fraudster to forfeit to help BHS pensioners’ after Uber cab attack Rail drivers loom faces jail for raping girls £400,000 profit on flat

Retailer Sir Philip Green was yesterday accused A young woman yesterday said she is scared Southern Rail passengers are facing fresh A millionaire music promoter who worked with A benefits fraudster who ripped off taxpayers of making no proper plans to deal with the to get in a minicab again after an Uber driver disruption with up to 1,000 train drivers from the the Beatles, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton faces has lost more than £400,000 of profits he made £571mn BHS pension deficit, as MPs were set punched her in the face and racially abused her. Aslef union to hold a strike ballot. Overwhelming prison for raping two teenage girls. Mervyn from rising house prices after the National Crime to debate stripping him of his knighthood. Taleka White, 27, was dragged from the car and support for a strike is predicted when the Conn, 82, forced himself on his victims in the Agency seized his London flat. Sean Doherty Commons work and pensions committee hit twice across the face by her driver, Shahab result is declared on November 18. Aslef must Seventies and Eighties. One victim was 15 when bought a Kilburn home for £55,000 with a deposit chairman Frank Field said: “The flavour of this Akbar, 33, in Addiscombe, south London. She had give seven days notice of a walkout, poised to the promoter hired her as a cowgirl for a music of £2,750 in 1998 and saw its value increase by would change if he put concrete proposals a lump on her head, bruising to her face and a coincide with a three-day strike by RMT guards festival at Wembley Arena in 1976. He off ered her more than 700% to £460,000. He has now been which ensured the pensioners were better off bloodied wrist and knuckles. Akbar was handed starting on December 6. Combined action a lift home in his Rolls-Royce but took her to his forced to hand over the property and all profits than they are now, heading for the Pension a 16-week suspended prison sentence and a by both guards and drivers, over driver-only house in Wimbledon and raped her. Conn raped from it after a High Court ruling that he bought it Protection Fund. That would help him. Whether, community order at Croydon magistrates’ court operated trains, would halt Southern’s 2,242 another girl, 16, in 1985 after he had off ered her with a fraudulently obtained mortgage. Justice given the views now in the country and those after being found guilty of racially aggravated services-a-day across the region and in and out tickets to a concert. Conn, of Wimbledon, served Laing said that Doherty – in jail for fraud at the time that may be expressed today in the Commons, common assault. White described the attack of London. Southern will be ready to threaten a an eight-week prison sentence in 1989 for sexually – used a false identity and dishonest declarations it is possible to save his knighthood is clearly as “a nightmare part of her life” and said: “I no High Court challenge if there is any infringement assaulting a secretary. He was arrested at Gatwick of income to buy the flat and even his deposit had another matter.” longer trust minicab drivers.” in union voting rules. airport in 2014 when the fresh claims were made. been generated by criminal activity.

Migration controls May accused ‘must not harm the economy’ of ‘dithering’

Reuters London on Heathrow inance Minister Philip Hammond said measures Fto reduce net migration into Britain should be designed in such a way as to protect the economy as the country plans its strategy for exiting the European expansion Union. Newspapers have reported Guardian News and Media a step forward for a government woman could not say whether sharp disagreements between London decision to be made next week. Conservative MPs would even- members of Prime Minister He said he was “pretty confi dent” tually be given a free vote when Theresa May’s cabinet with there was support in the House of the fi nal decision was put before Hammond as an antagonist to heresa May has been ac- Commons and across the country parliament. Asked how many those pushing for a so-called cused of “dither and delay” for Heathrow expansion. ministers have threatened to re- ‘hard Brexit’ in which immigra- Tby Sadiq Khan, the London But he added: “It is another de- sign over the decision on aviation tion control is prioritised over mayor, after putting off a parlia- lay and I am not quite sure why it strategy, she said: “I’m not keep- economic concerns. mentary vote on airport expan- takes a year for that debate to take ing a tally.” “As we approach the challenge sion for another year. place because there has been a lot Downing Street sources said of getting net migration fi gures There are strong signs that a of consultation and MPs are well May had not categorically ruled down to the tens of thousands it Cabinet committee will decide up to speed on this issue. I would out holding a preliminary vote be- is, in my view, essential that we next week to back expansion at have hoped it could have taken fore winter of next year, but point- look at how we do this in a way Heathrow after the prime minis- place sooner than a year’s time.” ed out the only legal requirement that protects our economy and ter set out plans to let ministers Grant Shapps, the former Tory was for a vote in the fi nal stages, protects the vital interests of our such as Boris Johnson and Justine co-chairman, said more “guts and when a national policy statement economy,” Hammond told a par- Greening carry on opposing the authority” was needed and he was needed for planning purposes is liamentary committee yesterday. government’s position. “sorry this is going to be fudged put to parliament for approval. Earlier this week, the prime However, May also appears to for another year”. May allowed a discussion of minister’s spokeswoman said have shelved plans for a parlia- Speaking to the International airport capacity at cabinet on May has full confi dence in Ham- mentary vote on the issue this au- Business Times, Goldsmith yes- Tuesday morning, but the fi nal mond – who campaigned to keep tumn after being warned of pos- terday said Heathrow could still be decision on whether to back ex- Britain in the EU – and wants to sible Conservative resignations stopped by “more years of dither- pansion at Heathrow or Gatwick hear diff erent views on how to in south-west London, including ing and delay”. will be taken by a smaller subcom- make a success of leaving the EU. Zac Goldsmith, who would be Goldsmith, the former Con- mittee by the end of this month. Treasury sources have de- prepared to run as an independ- servative mayoral candidate, add- They will choose between three nied reports that Hammond was ent. ed: “For my part, I made a promise options examined by the Airports seeking to obstruct the exit proc- Khan, who backs expansion some years ago, and I will honour Commission, led by Sir Howard ess and that he was on the brink at Gatwick, said he thought the it. But for now I am concentrating Davies: a third runway at Hea- of resigning his post. prime minister needed to be more on winning the arguments.” throw, which was the preferred The June 23 vote took many decisive about airport expansion Two Conservative sources told choice, the extension of an exist- investors and business leaders after so many years of delay. the Guardian on Tuesday that ing runway at Heathrow, or the by surprise, triggering the deep- “The government’s decision Downing Street had been warned building of a second runway at est political and fi nancial turmoil to yet again delay deciding where by whips that May could face Gatwick. in Britain since World War II and to build a new runway will cause resignations and by-elections The commission, established the biggest ever one-day fall in unnecessary uncertainty for Brit- in seats that could be lost to the under the coalition government sterling against the dollar. ish businesses already struggling Liberal Democrats in south-west more than four years ago, gave a Nearly four months after the with Brexit,” he said. London when there is a vote on “clear and unanimous” verdict in vote, sterling is 17% below its “Now, more than ever, busi- Heathrow expansion. July 2015 in favour of building a pre-referendum levels. nesses need certainty and stability May outlined her timetable third runway at Heathrow, cost- Its latest falls were triggered in order to make investment deci- on Tuesday in a letter to Cabi- ing an estimated £17.6bn. But by concerns that May favoured sions and to keep jobs in Britain. net colleagues, saying Cabinet ministers have since almost en- a hard Brexit which most econ- Instead they are getting dither and ministers with longstanding op- tirely referred to Davies’ shortlist, omists believe would damage delay.” position to the chosen option delivered in 2013, which included the economy. There have also Sir John Armitt, a former mem- could dissent publicly as long as a £7.1bn second runway at Gat- been signs of friction between ber of the Airports Commission they do not campaign against the wick, as well as the Heathrow Hub the government and the Bank that backed a third runway at government or speak against it in scheme, an alternative £13.5bn of England since the referen- Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in London yesterday ahead of the weekly Heathrow in 2015, told BBC Radio parliament. proposal for Heathrow to expand dum. Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons. 4’s Today programme that it was However, her offi cial spokes- an existing runway. Second inmate arrested Official visit Victoria station roof collapse injures two over prison knife attack Guardian News and Media being seen by paramedics. They London are not seriously injured. No platforms are closed.” Guardian News and Media statement. Visitors queuing to see fl icted deaths in the year to March, The station’s new 8,500 sq London loved ones inside the prison spoke the highest for more than a decade. wo people were injured af- metre roof over its new con- of their safety concerns. A woman There were more than 20,000 as- ter heavy rain caused roof course links the original station’s visiting her 21-year-old son ini- saults – 2,813 deemed “serious” Tpanels to collapse at Victo- buildings. The “bubble roof” was second inmate at Penton- tially feared he could have been the – in the 12 months to December, ria railway station in Manchester. the central part of a £44mn up- ville prison has been arrest- victim. She said: “My son is 21, I a rise of 27% year-on-year, and The panels within the roof grade. Aed after a knife attack in the haven’t felt the same since I heard nearly 5,000 attacks on staff , a linking the Grade II-listed sta- Daniel Pratt, 25, a witness, said jail that left one prisoner dead and the news. jump of more than a third com- tion buildings buckled owing to a “tidal wave” of water from the two others in a critical condition. “As a mother everyone tells you pared with 2014. rain water, witnesses said. The roof collapse landed on a train The 26-year-old suspect was at least you know where he is and John Attard, national policy incident at the city’s second larg- and a platform where people were taken to a north London police he is safe – but actually he’s not offi cer at the PGA, said: “It is no est mainline railway station came walking. He said a group of be- station, where a 34-year-old was safe, is he? secret that we have had concerns after recent refurbishment work tween 20 and 30 commuters were already being held for questioning “No matter their age or what about cuts and resources over the to the roof. hit. by detectives from the Metropoli- they have done, no one deserves to last four years. The ministry of Police confi rmed that two peo- “About a tonne of water tan police’s homicide and major die in prison. It is supposed to be a justice statistics paint a very grim ple suff ered head injuries and dropped down and the train took crime command, police said. place of safety.” picture indeed.” were taken to hospital. A small the brunt of it but there was a big Offi cers and paramedics were Another woman said: “It Referring to Tuesday after- part of the concourse was fenced group of people who it landed on called to the prison at 3.30pm on shouldn’t be allowed to happen noon’s incident as a “tragedy”, he off and photographs posted on too, and one woman I saw who Tuesday, where three men had anywhere, let alone in prison. It’s said: “The prison service paid staff social media showed the bulging was knocked down and didn’t get suff ered stab wounds. At 4.25pm, obviously not safe in there.” to leave. The years of experience, roof. up,” he said. one inmate, in his 20s, was pro- The Prison Governors Asso- the mentoring, the sharing of their Managers at Northern Rail, “I don’t know if she was nounced dead at the scene. ciation (PGA) yesterday renewed experiences – a lot of that has been which runs the station, said the knocked out but she didn’t move. The two other victims, aged 21 calls for a public inquiry into the lost, and it is showing. It’s why we two people involved in the inci- She looked like she was in her 30s. and 30, remained in critical condi- state of jails in England and Wales. need an inquiry into this.” dent, just after 4.30pm, were not I think it’s a fabric roof in diff er- tion in an east London hospital. The union said government cuts to Speaking outside the prison seriously injured. ent segments and one or two seg- Police yesterday said they were staff and resources meant the inci- gates, Attard added: “We called for A spokeswoman said one plas- ments must have been damaged in the process of informing the dent at Pentonville was “no mas- an independent public inquiry a Queen Elizabeth II, as Captain General, Royal Regiment of tic roof panel above platforms so the water wasn’t draining then next of kin of the dead man, who sive surprise”. week ago. The reduction in staff - Canadian Artillery, meets Brigadier James Selbie, Colonel one and two had collapsed. “It suddenly it just collapsed. It was had not yet been formally identi- Recent statistics published by ing is a key factor, there’s no doubt Commandant, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, at has not disrupted the station and like the huge wave you get on the fi ed. “Further inquiries into the in- the ministry of justice showed about that, but synthetic drugs Buckingham Palace in London yesterday. services are running as normal,” log fl ume at a theme park. I hope cident continue,” the Met said in a there were 100 apparently self-in- also had some part in that.” she added. “Two customers are no one was injured.” Gulf Times 18 Thursday, October 20, 2016 EUROPE

EU panel seeks to plug national tax Putin in the fi ring line loopholes

Reuters Brussels over Ukraine, Syria arge companies in every European Union country will have to pay their taxes on a common set of rev- AFP Lenues and reductions under an EU draft law seen Berlin by Reuters and aimed at curbing tax avoidance. The 28 EU countries apply a wide range of tax exemp- tions and deductions, making it diffi cult to calculate the resident Vladimir Putin yes- tax base — the amount of net profi ts subject to taxation terday faced a grilling over — for corporations operating in more than one country. PRussia’s role in Ukraine and The national variations also allow companies with Syria at talks in Berlin on his fi rst bigger accounting departments to exploit these diff er- visit to the German capital since ences to reduce their fi nal bill — a practice that has raised the Ukrainian confl ict erupted. public outcry after revelations of widespread tax dodg- He was welcomed by host Chan- ing by companies and rich individuals. cellor Angela Merkel, as dozens of To close this loophole, the European Commission, the protesters who had gathered close EU executive arm, is proposing a “mandatory” tax base to the chancellery held up bloody for companies with a total group revenue that exceeds teddy bears in protest against Rus- 750mn euros ($820mn) a year. sia’s air raids in Syria. “All revenues will be taxable unless expressly exempt- Merkel said the talks — the fi rst ed,” the draft proposal read. four-way summit for a year — were It envisages some dividends and proceeds from the aimed at “off ering a brutally hon- disposal of shares could be exempt. est assessment” of progress on im- Countries will remain responsible for setting tax rates. plementing the frayed Minsk peace The Commission is set to unveil the proposal on a accords for Ukraine. Common Corporate Tax Base (CCTB) next week, accord- “Things are stalled in many ar- ing to an agenda of the EU executive. eas such as the ceasefi re, political The draft is still subject to changes. issues and humanitarian issues,” EU states will have to back the proposals unanimously. she told reporters. A plan in 2011 to set a common tax base for companies “We have to seize every chance was shelved after opposition from some EU states. we have for progress. I have to say The new proposal postpones proposals on consolidat- that we cannot expect a miracle ing multinationals’ accounts when they operate in more but it is worth every eff ort at this than one EU country. point.” This is seen as the most controversial part of the ear- But Moscow poured cold wa- lier plan and has been delayed until agreement is reached ter on hopes for headway toward a on a common tax base, the Commission said. lasting resolution of the confl ict at Brussels is also proposing to allow deductions for the the talks with Germany, France and issue of equities, seeking to increase this form of fi nanc- Ukraine. ing for companies rather than debt, whose favourable “We do not expect any break- treatment has encouraged high stocks of corporate debt. throughs,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters ahead German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin at the chancellery in Berlin. of Putin’s trip. “I don’t expect easy talks,” Ger- President Francois Hollande would allow civilians and rebels to leave paign the European Union said Peskov said that Putin believed man Foreign Minister Frank-Wal- talk to Putin “about somehow alle- the city’s battered east. could amount to war crimes. there was “no alternative” to im- ter Steinmeier said ahead of the viating people’s suff ering”. The move came after Hollande The last four-way summit in the plementing the Minsk accords. Germnay okays talks. “Here too, we cannot expect said he would work with Merkel so-called Normandy Format took “We know that on this point, “A peaceful solution is not yet in miracles but it is essential to talk, to persuade Putin to prolong the place in Paris in October 2015. the situation leaves much to be de- sight...but we will not stop trying.” even if the views are far apart,” said ceasefi re. At today’s EU summit over rela- sired,” he said. “For the moment, controversial Putin had not visited Berlin since Merkel, who will head to Brussels A pause in Russian and Syrian tions with Russia, European leaders Kiev is doing nothing.” Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean today for a summit with fellow EU strikes on Aleppo was holding for a will discuss the question of sanc- Ukrainian President Petro Poro- Peninsula in 2014, sending rela- leaders. second day yesterday, ahead of the tions over Ukraine, which come up shenko also indicated he had little N-waste deal tions with the West plunging to The European leaders will issue promised brief ceasefi re. for renewal at the end of the year. hope for progress in Berlin. their lowest point since the Cold a condemnation against Russia Syria’s second city, held by rebels Russia backs a separatist, pro- “Am I optimistic enough? Yes War. over attacks on civilians in Syria’s determined to oust President Moscow insurgency in the region I’m very optimistic about the fu- AFP Moscow’s involvement in the Aleppo, urge an end to fi ghting and Bashar al-Assad, has come under that has claimed nearly 10,000 ture of Ukraine but unfortunately Frankfurt Syrian civil war, which has deep- call for a revived political process, heavy bombardment since the Rus- lives. But it denies accusations not so optimistic about tomor- ened the diplomatic freeze, will according to a draft statement seen sian-backed military announced an that it has sent troops and weapons row’s meeting,” he said. also fi gure at the top of the agenda, by AFP. off ensive in late September to regain across its border with Ukraine to Germany currently holds the ro- ermany yesterday paved the way for nuclear Merkel said. In a small conciliatory gesture, control of the east. fuel the confl ict. tating presidency of the Organiza- power plant operators to pay 23.5bn euros ($26bn) Speaking of the “disastrous” sit- Russia said it was extending an Air strikes there have fl attened In the run-up to the meeting, tion for Security and Cooperation Gtowards managing atomic waste, in a deal critics uation in the besieged Syrian city of eight-hour truce in Aleppo, which numerous residential buildings Moscow and Kiev swapped re- in Europe, which has monitors in say lets fi rms get off too lightly. Aleppo, Merkel said she and French is planned for today, to 11 hours to and civilian facilities, in a cam- criminations. eastern Ukraine. Under a draft law approved by the federal cabinet, the four fi rms — Vattenfall, EON, RWE and EnBW — will pay the money into a state fund for temporary and perma- nent nuclear waste storage by 2022. Chancellor Angela Merkel declared the country would shut down all remaining nuclear plants by that date in Ukraine rebels bid farewell to notorious commander the wake of Japan’s 2011 Fukushima disaster. Her decision has left ministers and power companies wrangling over shutdown and waste management costs AFP the Komi region, Pavlov joined the The grandiose memorial cer- carrying a bunch of red carnations, “Lessons were cut for all the ever since. Donetsk fi ghting in east Ukraine in 2014 as a emony was also shown live on Rus- praised Pavlov as “a hero of DPR, a teachers to come here. Students Beyond the 23.5bn euros for waste management, the volunteer, rising to prominence af- sian state television. hero of Russia.” were also allowed out of classes”, fi rms will remain fi nancially and legally responsible for ter appearing on Russian television More than 100 armed men in After the ceremony, militants said Viktor, a 42-year-old history shutting down and dismantling the plants and preparing housands of pro-Russia broadcasts. camoufl age guarded the opera from the Sparta battallion Pavlov teacher. all remaining nuclear waste for permanent storage. rebels and supporters in He boasted in a 2015 interview house, where the leader of self- commanded carried his coffi n out Pavlov is the latest in a series The remainder of a total 40bn euros of provisions they Teastern Ukraine yesterday of shooting 15 Ukrainian prisoners proclaimed Donetsk People’s Re- to brass music as the crowd chant- of rebel leaders to be killed in the have set aside to cover the nuclear phase-out is ear- turned out to bid farewell to no- of war, prompting Kiev’s defence public (DPR) Alexander Zakharch- ed “We will not forget, we will not eastern Ukrainian regions control- marked for those costs. torious rebel commander Arseny ministry to say he was lucky to die enko, stood by the coffi n. forgive!” led by militias. Eight power stations remain in operation in Germany. Pavlov, who was killed in a week- in a bombing rather than serving an “A great public fi gure, a real The coffi n was then placed on Fighting has dragged on Meanwhile, Berlin forecasts that investing the waste end bombing. “inevitable” life sentence. warrior, a man who remained un- the gun carriage of an open-topped there despite a peace plan fund in fi nancial assets will allow it to grow enough to Some 5,000 people came to Some mourners carried fl owers defeated in an open battle is now truck, and the funeral procession brokered by Germany and cover the costs of temporary and permanent storage of Donetsk’s opera house to pay last and black-and-orange St George’s gone”, said 63-year-old Alexander slowly moved through streets lined France, which has run aground the fuel remnants. respects to the 33-year-old Rus- ribbons that symbolise World War Kurenkov, a rebel fi ghter standing with mourners to a local cemetery. amid acrimony between Russia “Financing for shutdown, dismantling and waste sian, known as “Motorola”, who died II victory and have been adopted by in the guard of honour. Several people told AFP that state and Ukraine. management will be guaranteed for the long term with- Sunday when a homemade device the Kremlin-backed insurgents, an “He was killed in a terrorist at- employees including teachers and The confl ict, which broke out out transferring the costs to society or endangering the exploded in his apartment block. AFP correspondent reported from tack,” he added. doctors were “strongly recommend- in April 2014, has claimed nearly economic situation of the operators,” energy minister A Russian army veteran from the scene. Natalia, a 32-year-old doctor ed” to be present at the funeral. 10,000 lives. Sigmar Gabriel said in a statement.

Spain focus moves onto Islamic militancy Mural depicts Pope as a graffi ti artist

AFP Ten of these are serving time for their Only around 200 Spaniards are esti- Reuters Madrid role in train bombings in Madrid in March mated to have gone abroad to fi ght, com- Rome 2004 that left 191 dead in what is still the pared to thousands from nearby France worst extremist attack in Spain’s history. and Belgium. ive years after ETA quit violence, Close to a quarter of all investigations And while Spain remains on high terror larger-than-life mural the Basque separatist group has yet launched by the National Court are now alert — level four out of fi ve — Zaragoza showing Pope Francis as a Fto dissolve but it poses little threat linked to militants, said Zaragoza. warned against descending into alarm- Asneaky graffi ti artist paint- and authorities have shifted their focus to Spain has so far been spared another at- ism. ing peace signs on a wall near the fi ght Islamic militants, says Spain’s chief tack and holiday-makers fl eeing other res- “We must be careful,” he said. Vatican was taken down yesterday anti-terrorism prosecutor. tive destinations have fl ocked to the coun- “One of the keys to the expansion of by Rome’s “decorum cops” just The armed group is blamed for the try known for its sunshine and beaches. terrorism is to be present all the time in hours after it went up. deaths of 829 people in a four-decade “There have been risky situations. We the media. The mural showed the pope on campaign of bombings and shootings in identifi ed two or three cases of cells that “If you constantly give news about their a step ladder playing a game of tic- pursuit of an independent homeland in were ready to act,” said Zaragoza. actions, you are in a way giving them what tac-toe by painting circular peace northern Spain and southwestern France. “But the attacks on March 11, 2004 they want: generating terror among the signs in place of zeros as a Swiss It declared a ceasefi re on October 20, 2011. taught us a lot,” he said, adding that the people. Guard in a billowing uniform acts as “ETA is not dead, it still has weapons, focus was on prevention, with the adop- “Without the media, terrorism is noth- a lookout against witnesses or police. explosives...but I don’t think they will tion in 2015 of a law allowing authorities ing.” Street artist Mauro Pallotta, who take up arms again,” said Javier Zaragoza, to detain people who had merely consult- ETA meanwhile has sought to negoti- signs his work “Maupal”, painted it chief prosecutor at the National Court, ed extremist websites. ate its dissolution with Spain and France on paper in his studio and pasted it which handles terrorism cases. But Zaragoza warned that Spain had re- in exchange for an amnesty or for gather- up with glue and lacquer on a cor- “There are still 50 people left who are cently started to be mentioned on extrem- ing together in Basque prisons the roughly ner near the Vatican overnight. being investigated for belonging to a ter- ist websites. 350 jailed ETA members scattered across Early yesterday, a maroon van rorist group or collaborating, or for par- “Spain is one of the countries they have both countries. marked “Decorum Squad of the ticipating in other off ences” linked to in their sights for historical reasons as it Relatives regularly stage protests de- City of Rome” arrived carrying city A street art mural by Italian artist Maupal of Pope Francis playing tic-tac- ETA, he told AFP. was once Al Andalus,” he said, referring manding they be held closer to home, but sanitation workers, who blasted toe and drawing peace signs as a Swiss guard keep watches the street Zaragoza added that up to twenty mem- to a territory that was under Muslim rule so far the government has taken a hard the artwork off the wall with high- near the Vatican. bers are still believed to be at large, living from 711 to 1492. line. pressure water sprays. in hiding. But unlike France or Belgium, the coun- “These negotiations cannot take place,” Local media have criticised bage pile up on sidewalks because It showed Francis as the comic In contrast, some 90 people are in pris- try is less exposed to a “very high risk” said Zaragoza. the unit, ridiculed as “the deco- of a collection backlog. book hero Superman taking off into on awaiting trial for acts linked to Islamic phenomenon — the return of nationals “You can’t put a terrorist organisation rum cops”, for removing popular Last year, the same squad took the air and carrying a black brief- militancy and around 30 have been sen- who went to fi ght abroad and plan to com- on the same level as a state governed by art while unsightly graffi ti blights down another of Pallotta’s crea- case bearing the word “valores,” tenced and jailed. mit extremist acts on home soil, he said. the rule of law.” many buildings and heaps of gar- tions in the same neighbourhood. Spanish for values. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 19 EUROPE

Berlusconi seeks to Erdogan vows to tackle sink Renzi’s referendum

Reuters Turkey enemies abroad Rome Reuters Ankara entre-right leader Silvio Ber- lusconi, who left Italy’s po- Clitical limelight after heart marting over exclusion from an surgery, has returned to the fray this Iraqi-led off ensive against Is- week trying to defeat Prime Minister Slamic State in Mosul and Kurdish Matteo Renzi’s planned constitution- militia gains in Syria, President Tayyip al reform. Erdogan yesterday warned Turkey In his fi rst television interview “will not wait until the blade is against since June, the 80-year-old media our bone” but could act alone in root- tycoon told his own Canale 5 channel ing out enemies. on Tuesday evening the reform was In a speech at his palace, Erdog- “dangerous” and had to be blocked to an conjured up an image of Turkey prevent Renzi becoming “the master constrained by foreign powers who of Italy and the Italians.” “aim to make us forget our Ottoman After meeting heads of other cen- and Selcuk history”, when Turkey’s tre-right parties, he said yesterday forefathers held territory stretching it “would solve none of Italy’s prob- across central Asia and the Middle lems” and was being used by Renzi to East. divert attention from “the economic “From now on we will not wait for failures of his government.” problems to come knocking on our The reform, which goes to a na- door, we will not wait until the blade is tional referendum on December 4, against our bone and skin, we will not aims to reduce the role of the Senate wait for terrorist organisations to come and cut the powers of regional gov- and attack us,” he told hundreds of ernments. “muhtars”, local administrators gener- Renzi says it will increase govern- ally loyal to the government. ment stability and speed up lawmak- “Whoever supports the divisive ing. terrorist organisation, we will dig up Opponents say it will make Italy their roots,” he said, referring to Kurd- less democratic and complicate the ish PKK militants who have waged a legislative process. three-decade insurgency against Tur- The great majority of opinion polls key and have bases in northern Iraq over the last month put the “no” and affi liates in Syria. camp ahead, but with many voters “Let them go wherever until we fi nd still undecided, the margin remains and destroy them. I am saying this very narrow. clearly: they will not have a single place Berlusconi, who had an aortic valve to fi nd peace abroad.” replaced on June 14 after what his Erdogan has struck an increasingly doctors said was a life-threatening fi rm tone in his speeches in recent cardiac disorder, headed four Italian days, frustrated that Nato member governments between 1994 and 2011. Turkey has not been more involved in He has lost much of his political the US-backed assault on Mosul, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during 28th mukhtars meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. clout since being barred from offi ce angered by Washington’s support for following a 2013 conviction for tax Kurdish militia fi ghters battling Islam- joining the Mosul operation, although gered by US support for Kurdish militia despite Moscow’s backing of Assad. Pro-government media this week fraud, but his Forza Italia (Go Italy!) ic State in Syria. Washington has said it is up to the Iraqi fi ghters in Syria. Erdogan said he discussed with Pu- published maps depicting Ottoman party is still backed by around 12% of He is riding a wave of patriotism government on who takes part. Washington views the Kurdish YPG tin by phone an agreement on Tuesday borders encompassing an area includ- Italians, according to opinion polls. since a coup attempt failed to oust him “They thought they could keep us as useful allies in the fi ght against the night on removing from Aleppo the ing Mosul. These votes could be vital in the in July, his message of a strong Turkey out of Mosul by bothering us with the militants, but Turkey sees them as a group formally known as the Nusra He warned of eff orts to “restructure referendum as polls show Forza Italia playing well with his fervent support- PKK and Daesh (Islamic State)... They hostile force and an extension of the Front, and now called Jabhat Fatah Al the region” and said Turkey would not supporters are particularly undecid- ers. think they can shape our future with PKK. Sham. He gave no details. sit by. ed, with as many as 40% attracted by Ankara has been locked in a row the hands of terrorist organisations,” “We know this business in this re- Erdogan has made repeated refer- “I’m warning the terrorist organi- Renzi’s proposals. with Iraq over the presence of Turk- he said. gion. You are foreigners here. You do ences in his speeches this week to the sations, the sectarian fanatic Baghdad Berlusconi negotiated with Renzi ish troops at the Bashiqa camp near “We know that the terrorists’ weap- not know,” Erdogan said, to loud ap- term “Misak-i Milli” or National Pact, government, and the Assad govern- in drawing up the reform and origi- Mosul, as well as over who should take ons will blow up in their hands soon.” plause, in a speech late on Tuesday to referring to decisions made by the Ot- ment that kills its own people: you are nally voted for it in parliament, only part in the off ensive in the city, once The US-led coalition now seems to mark the opening of the academic year. toman parliament in 1920 setting out on the wrong path. The fi re you are to withdraw his backing after Renzi part of the Ottoman empire. focus on fi ghting Islamic State in Syria While criticising the West, the the borders of the Ottoman Empire. He trying to start will burn you more than refused to settle on a mutually agreed Erdogan has warned of sectarian rather than on removing Syrian Presi- Turkish leader has restored ties often laments the concessions made by us,” Erdogan said. candidate for national president in bloodshed if the Iraqi army relies on dent Bashar al-Assad, the root cause of with Moscow in recent weeks, vow- Turkish leaders after World War I, with “We are not obliged to abide by the 2015. Shia militia fi ghters. the war in the Arab country, according ing to seek common ground on the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne role anyone has set for us in that sense. It remains to be seen how strongly He said agreement had been reached to many Turkish analysts. Syria after a meeting with Russian that brought modern Turkey into be- We have started carrying out our own Berlusconi will campaign ahead of the with the US military on Turkish jets They have also been particularly an- President Vladimir Putin last week, ing in 1923. plan.” referendum. Robot explorers all French police take to streets over anti-cop attacks AFP one offi cer told AFP, calling for more Paris resources to be ploughed into crime fi ghting. set for Mars quest Dozens of offi cers in plain clothes ozens of French police offi c- have observed vigils the past two ers demonstrated on Tuesday nights outside the Paris hospital AFP ren, radiation-blasted surface, scientists Dnight in and around Paris and where the offi cer whose car was Paris say traces of methane in Mars’ atmosphere in the southern city of Marseille, the petrol-bombed in the suburb of may indicate something is stirring under second wildcat protest in as many Viry-Chatillon on October 8 lies in the surface — possibly single-celled mi- days over mounting attacks on of- a coma. urope is to send a tiny lander on a crobes. fi cers. The 28-year-old offi cer sustained scorching, supersonic tumble to The TGO’s science mission will only Around 400 off -duty offi cers severe burns in the attack by youths EMars as part of an ambitious quest start in early 2018, once it has changed its demonstrated outside a police sta- from a notorious housing estate. with Russia to fi nd evidence of life on the initial eccentric orbit into a more circular tion in the suburb of Evry, near a His female partner was also seri- Red Planet, past or present. one at an altitude of some 400 kilometres. town where a fi rebomb attack on a ously injured. The Schiaparelli craft will end a seven- “The ExoMars/TGO orbiter is in great squad car earlier this month left one Under French law, police may pro- month, 496mn km trek from Earth with a shape and ready to swing into orbit,” the offi cer fi ghting for his life. test only when off duty, out of uni- dangerous dash through the Martian at- European Space Agency (ESA) said in a The protesters, who were in plain form and provided they leave their mosphere, a critical trial-run for a larger blog update yesterday. clothes with orange police arm- service weapons and vehicles be- and more expensive rover to follow. The fi rst manoeuvre will see the TGO bands, held aloft banners reading hind. “Things could not be better,” said Ri- execute its most critical command to date “Solidarity with our colleagues” and In Marseille, around 100 police chard Bessudo of Thales Alenia Space, — starting a more than two hour-long en- booed the visiting national police defi ed the restrictions on Tuesday who helped prepare the Exomars mission gine burn to slow down and allow itself to chief. night, gathering in uniform in the which could become Europe’s fi rst suc- be captured by Mars’ gravity. The police have been up in arms pedestrianised Old Port in solidarity cessful Mars touchdown 13 years after its Confi rmation is expected several hours over attacks on offi cers during pa- with their Paris peers. fi rst, failed, attempt. later. trols in tough suburbs and recent French police take part in a protest at the old harbour in Marseille on President Francois Hollande and “Everything is nominal,” Bessudo told Schiaparelli, meanwhile, will be ex- demonstrations over labour reforms. Tuesday night. Interior Minister Bernard Caze- AFP hours ahead of the historic touch- ecuting its own daredevil mission through In May, a squad car was set alight neuve yesterday both expressed down 175mn km from Earth. Mars’ thin, carbon dioxide-rich atmos- in Paris with three offi cers inside. On Monday night, several hundred Paris, circling the Arc de Triomphe in “support” for the police, with Ca- Schiaparelli has been free falling to phere. The three escaped without serious police in plain clothes took their pro- police vehicles, sirens blaring. zeneuve promising to address their the Martian surface since Sunday, when A discardable “aeroshell” will protect injury. test to the ritzy Champs-Elysees in “We’re at the end of our tether,” demands. it separated from its Trace Gas Orbiter the 600kg craft against a heat of several (TGO) mothership. thousand degrees Celsius generated by at- The lander was asleep and programmed mospheric drag, while a supersonic para- to wake up minutes before arriving at chute and nine thrusters will brake its fall. Mars’ atmosphere for a hair-raising six- A crushable structure in the lander’s minute descent. belly is meant to cushion the fi nal impact. Danish anti-immigration party hit by EU cash scandal Radio telescopes on Earth and satel- Schiaparelli was designed to send home lites in space will monitor signals from the vital data on how its body and instruments landing module throughout its entry, de- coped with the harsh hike through the at- AFP “It’s sloppiness at a very high lev- jects that there has been a deliberate The European parliament had scent and landing. mosphere. Copenhagen el,” party leader Kristian Thulesen attempt to cheat.” previously asked the DPP to pay back The TGO and Schiaparelli comprise Powered purely by onboard batteries, Dahl told public broadcaster DR. The expenses scandal is a sharp 2.9mn kroner that it spent on politi- phase one of the ExoMars mission, through it will stay online for two or three days, The money had been used to blow to the outspoken politician, cal campaigning. which Europe and Russia are seeking to sending messages that will take about 10 enmark’s anti-immigration cover expenses for two EU confer- who helped the eurosceptic DPP The party repaid 1.6mn kroner in join the United States in putting a rover on minutes to reach Earth. Danish People’s Party (DPP) ences that appeared to be indistin- become Denmark’s largest party in June, saying it did not administer the the hostile Martian surface. Since the 1960s, more than half of US, Dwas reeling yesterday from a guishable from the party’s regular the European Parliament election of rest of the money. Paddling pool-sized Schiaparelli’s main Russian and European attempts to operate string of EU expenses scandals, in- summer meetings, as well as an 2014. Messerschmidt previously sat on task is to test entry and landing technology craft on the Martian surface have failed. cluding a trip to Brussels when Eu- educational trip to Brussels for The liberal Politiken daily re- the board of the Movement for a Eu- for the planned rover — the second phase ExoMars is Europe’s fi rst attempt at a ropean institutions were closed. campaign workers during a public sponded by publishing a list of DPP rope of Liberties and Democracy, a and high point of ExoMars. Mars rover since the British-built Beagle Morten Messerschmidt, a Euro- holiday when EU institutions were expense quotes, accusing the EU of now defunct conservative European The TGO faces its own high-stakes ma- 2 disappeared without trace in 2003 after pean lawmaker and one of the coun- closed. wasting taxpayers’ money. alliance. noeuvre — to enter the Red Planet’s orbit separating from its mothership. try’s most ardent eurosceptics, was Cash had also been spent on me- “If Europeans knew the full extent Last year, the DPP paid back from where it will sniff atmospheric gases The ExoMars rover is set for launch in kicked off the populist party’s top dia training and an advertising cam- of the shameless waste of money, I 120,700 kroner to Brussels after us- potentially excreted by living organisms — 2020 after a two-year funding delay. leadership late Tuesday after the paign. am convinced that there would be a ing the money to tour Danish har- however small or primitive. It will be equipped with a drill to seek for DPP agreed to pay back 500,000 Messerschmidt told broadcaster revolution,” Messerschmidt wrote in bours on a sailing ship a few months While life is unlikely to exist on the bar- life clues up to a depth of 2m. kroner ($74,000) of EU funds. TV 2 News that he “completely re- 2012. before local elections in 2013. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, October 20, 2016 INDIA

POLITICS PATROLLING WATER ROW HONOUR EDUCATION Malayalam actor Navy commissions Tribunal setback for Indian elected to UN JNU starts courses Suresh Gopi joins BJP new fast attack craft Telangana, Andhra environment panel in animal welfare

Malayalam actor The Indian Navy yesterday commissioned In a setback to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, One hundred and ninety-seven countries have Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) yesterday Suresh Gopi yesterday a highly manoeuvrable fast attack craft INS the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II on unanimously approved India’s nomination of announced six new certificate courses in joined the Bharatiya Tihayu, which will now be deployed along yesterday ruled there was no need to re- Rajendra Shende as a senior expert to the UN animal welfare to sensitise and train people Janata Party in the the eastern coast for patrolling. The ship was allocate the river water among all four riparian Environment Programmes Technology and in the ethics of treating animals. The first presence of federal commissioned by Vice Admiral H C S Bisht, states. The much-awaited verdict has come Economic Assessment Panel of the Montreal certificate course - Management and Ethical minister Mukhtar Flag Off icer Commanding in Chief, Eastern as a relief to Maharashtra and Karnataka, Protocol - the most successful global treaty Use of Laboratory Animals in Research - will Abbas Naqvi and Naval Command. Tihayu is the second of the which were opposing re-allocation among all aimed at protecting the ozone layer. Shende, a commence from November 1 and will comprise party general four follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (FO- states. The tribunal said the water should be former UN diplomat on global environmental a minimum of 85 contact hours. The titles secretary Bhupinder WJFAC), built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders re-allocated between Telangana and Andhra treaties and presently chairman of the TERRE of the rest of the five courses will be put on Yadav. “The BJP will and Engineers Ltd (GRSE). The production of Pradesh, the two successor states of undivided Policy Centre, was seconded by the US, Brazil, the university website in November. The be strengthened further after Suresh Gopi Car Nicobar-class vessels was fast-tracked after Andhra Pradesh. It asked the Telugu states Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, courses are the outcome of a Memorandum of joined the party,” Naqvi said after the actor’s the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. The ship is an to submit their objections and arguments, if Tajikistan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Agreement (MoA) signed in July between JNU formal induction at a function in New Delhi. improved version of WJFAC, earlier constructed any, within four weeks. The tribunal adjourned “The universal approval of Shende by the and the National Institute of Animal Welfare The National Award winning actor was by GRSE. The ship is manned by a team of the next hearing till December 14. Telangana countries, that included China and Pakistan, is (NIAW). According to the MoA, JNU has to nominated to the Rajya Sabha in April. He four off icers and 41 sailors. Commander Ajay Advocate General Ramakrishna Reddy said the considered a welcome development for India conduct six certificate courses (duration four was the star campaigner for the BJP in the Kashov has been appointed the commissioning tribunal order was not final and was subject to and its leadership role under climate change,” a weeks) and one diploma course (five weeks) in Kerala assembly elections. Commanding Off icer. a review by the Supreme Court. statement said. the first year. Police fear US tax scam is spread across India School leavers or college try to close in on the 23-year-old Commissioner Singh said dropouts were trained to alleged mastermind. ringleaders “lured youngsters speak with an American It is claimed the accused would with good working knowledge of accent, posing as US Internal berate victims for failing to pay English and trained them how to Revenue Service off icials taxes and then threaten them speak with an American accent.” with jail if they did not cough up Police believe the recruits were AFP immediately. paid Rs30,000-70,000 a month, Mumbai The con artists would use an plus commission. Some made Private security guards stand near a banner placed at the main gate of the Delhi zoo which has temporarily closed after two birds died of altered caller ID number that the initial calls while others were bird flu. made it look like they were ring- employed to “close” deals. multi-million dollar rack- ing from the United States and They would work through the et that used fake Indian often quoted IRS badge numbers night to catch Americans dur- Acall centres to trick US to make them appear legitimate. ing their day and sometimes left citizens into paying bogus tax The fraudsters would trick the threatening voicemail messages bills may be the tip of the ice- victim into sending money, often if their targets didn’t answer the berg, with police warning similar through prepaid debit cards that phone, it is alleged. New Delhi zoo shuts down scams could be operating across can be purchased at stores like A victim of a similar-sound- the country. Walmart, or even by buying Ap- ing scam told NBC last year the School leavers or college drop- ple iTunes gift cards. caller had her “so frightened” outs would be trained to speak In both instances transfers are but felt “embarrassed, guilty and with an American accent, posing made by the victim handing over ashamed” when she realised she after birds die of avian fl u as US Internal Revenue Service the card’s registration number. had been swindled. offi cials and scare people into The iTunes scam has even led Singh said Thane police knew Agencies been closed as a precautionary around 130 species. It gets about Yamuna Biodiversity Park, believing they owed the govern- Apple to issue a global warning of 2,000 people suspected of in- New Delhi measure and will reopen in a few 2.2mn visitors annually. Najafgarh drain and Ghazipur ment cash, detectives said. on its website urging people not volvement in the scam, but the days,” he said. Meanwhile, Delhi Develop- poultry market,” Rai said. The scheme, which had been to give the number to someone force believes there are more, and Only masked staff members ment Minister Gopal Rai said “One such team has been operating for over a year, netted they do not know. is working with their counter- ew Delhi zoo has tem- were being allowed in, as the the government was taking all posted in the Delhi Zoo to con- more than Rs10mn ($150,000) a The IRS has been warning parts in Gujarat and the US Fed- porarily closed after two complex had been quarantined. necessary measures to check the sistently monitor the situation.” day, they added. about identical scams for a few eral Bureau of Investigation. Nbirds died of bird fl u, its Zoo staff are also being vac- threat of bird fl u. The Delhi government has More than 70 people have years with reports in US media Police in Ahmedabad raided curator said yesterday, a month cinated. “There have been some also started a helpline number been arrested after police this that such schemes might have more than half a dozen call cen- after India declared itself free of The closure comes a month deaths of migratory birds re- (011-23890318) to report cases month swooped on call centres been operating out of India. tres following the Thane opera- the disease. after India announced the coun- ported due to H5 virus in Delhi of bird fl u and seek help. in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, but In January, the US Treasury In- tion, a senior crime branch offi - Riaz Khan said tests had con- try was bird fl u-free, saying Zoo. But there is no alarming Bird fl u aff ects mainly the they suspect the network could spector General for Tax Adminis- cial said, while searches were also fi rmed the birds died of the H5 there had been no reports of an situation. The government is domestic poultry. The disease stretch even further. tration said it was aware of more carried out in the Gujarati cities strain of avian infl uenza, com- outbreak since May when more taking immediate pre-emptive spreads from infected birds to “We believe that the racket is than 5,000 victims who had paid of Bhuj, Surat and Vadodara. monly known as bird fl u. than 100,000 chickens were or- actions,” Rai said. other winged creatures through spread across India, including a total of more than $26.5mn in Police are desperate to fi nd al- “We have shut the zoo down dered to be culled in Karnataka. His remarks came after he contact with nasal and respira- in the north,” Parambir Singh, such scams since October 2013. leged mastermind Sagar Thakkar, only for two to four days to con- The zoo was in the spotlight visited the zoo. tory secretions and also due to commissioner of police in the “It is one of the biggest fraud known as “Shaggy”, who is from duct tests and monitor the situ- in May after 46 spotted deer re- Rai said six rapid response contamination of feed and water. Mumbai suburb of Thane, said. cases to surface in recent times in Ahmedabad but may have fl ed ation to see it does not spread,” portedly died of rabies. teams have been formed and sent Most strains of bird fl u do not Police from Thane, on the out- Mumbai,” Parag Manere, Thane India. Khan said. In 2012, it had to close the rhi- to possible spots from where the usually infect humans, accord- skirts of India’s fi nancial capital, police deputy commissioner, Thakkar had half-a-dozen He said a total of nine birds, noceros enclosure after one of infl uenza virus can spread in the ing to the World Health Organi- rounded up at least 770 employ- said, adding that the ringleaders people working for him in the including ducks, pelicans and them died of suspected anthrax. city including bird sanctuaries sation. ees of bogus call centres on Oc- found willing recruits. US and was preparing to expand painted storks, have died in re- But samples later tested neg- and poultry markets. But the H5 strain of the virus tober 4. “Hiring was easy. They just operations, according to the cent days but only two were ative. “Teams have been sent to - found in the zoo’s birds - can Most were let go pending fur- gave out pamphlets about job Ahmedabad offi cer. confi rmed as having had avian The zoo, one of the largest in Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Niza- cause fever, cough, sore throat, ther investigations but 72 were openings and received applica- “He was planning to set up fi ve fl u. India, has some 1,400 animals, muddin (where sale and pur- pneumonia, respiratory disease arrested while another suspect tions, mostly from school or col- more call centres by December,” “But in any case, the zoo has reptiles and birds belonging to chase of poultry happens), and sometimes death. was detained this week as police lege dropouts,” said Manere. he said.

Praying for husbands NHRC slams govt over SBI blocks 600,000 debit cards after security risk deaths of schoolchildren IANS act number of customers who Mumbai would be aff ected. The SBI emphasised that Reuters soning, drowning and snake Ashram schools for children its own systems have not been Mumbai bites. from poor tribal areas of In- he State Bank of India compromised and existing The schools, which provide dia were set up more than two (SBI) has blocked more cardholders are not at any risk accommodation for pupils, decades ago and are the only Tthan 600,000 debit and can continue to use their he National Human had not followed several proce- option for many living in re- cards of its customers follow- cards as usual. Rights Commission dures, including health screens mote areas. ing a suspected security breach, T(NHRC) has accused the for the students at least twice a The schools, which are run offi cials said yesterday, adding SBI has taken Maharashtra government of year, it said. by state authorities, are meant they will issue fresh cards. precautionary measures negligence over the “shocking “The school authorities, as to improve literacy levels and The malware-related se- and have blocked cards and painful” deaths in the past their lawful guardians, are re- provide basic healthcare to the curity breach was reportedly of certain customers decade of more than 700 indig- sponsible for their welfare, children. detected in the non-SBI ATM identifi ed by the networks enous children in schools run safety and healthcare,” the Maharashtra, one of the network and the bank’s move by the authorities. NHRC said. wealthiest states in the coun- is intended to ensure that cus- Meanwhile, SBI will issue It was the second time in two “The negligence on the part try, has about 550 tribal schools tomer’s confi dential personal new cards free of cost to the af- months that the commission of the Department of Tribal but most of these schools lack data is not compromised while fected customers. According to has criticised the state’s care of Development and the school even basic amenities and health swiping. banking circles, several other its indigenous people. authorities is a violation of the services, an activist said. An SBI spokesperson said banks have also experienced Last month, the NHRC asked right to life and dignity of the “There are no proper beds, card network companies NPCI, similar problems as a few ATMs state authorities for a detailed students,” it added. and most schools lack proper MasterCard and Visa had in- have been hit by a malware report on the deaths of more A spokesman for the state’s toilets and drinking water, and formed various banks in India which has a high potential to than 600 indigenous children tribal department said senior basic healthcare facilities,” about a potential risk to some compromise customers data. from malnutrition. offi cials were meeting with the said Vivek Pandit, founder of cards in India “owing to a data Offi cial fi gures indicate that The NHRC said on Tues- chief minister in Mumbai to Shramjivi Sanghatana, which breach.” SBI has over 200mn active debit day that at least 740 students “look into all aspects and take works with vulnerable people Women perform rituals during the Karwa Chauth festival at a “Accordingly, SBI has taken cards, besides another 40.75mn from poor tribal areas of Ma- appropriate action.” in Maharashtra. temple in Ahmedabad yesterday. Karwa Chauth is a traditional precautionary measures and of its associate banks. harashtra had died in state- The NHRC asked the govern- “There is enough funding, Hindu festival celebrated in northern India during which married have blocked cards of certain Some private banks are con- run “ashram” schools over ment of Maharashtra to provide but it is badly managed and women fast one whole day and off er prayers for the welfare, customers identifi ed by the ducting security review by ex- the past decade from illness- a report on the matter within a not accounted for,” said Pan- prosperity, and longevity of their husbands. networks,” the spokesperson perts of its ATM networks to es such as malaria, food poi- month. dit. said, without revealing the ex- pre-empt any type of breaches. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 21 INDIA Solar rickshaw comes to rescue of fume-choked Kochi

Reuters eff ective transport and environ- energy innovations, some of it cause they are cheap, ubiquitous tially fi nd a home in cities such chi, asked about whether he’d National Environmental Engi- Kochi mental protection. backed fi nancially by the Na- and able to get through narrow as Mumbai and Kolkata, where consider a solar vehicle. neering Research Institute calls Usually “you have to choose tional Bank for Agriculture and lanes – ply India’s roads, ac- their more polluting cousins Like most rickshaw drivers “severe” air pollution, even his between development or the en- Rural Development. cording to the federal Ministry have been banned, replaced with in Kochi, Biju doesn’t own his own 5-year-old son is struggling he inventor of an innova- vironment,” he said. “But I have The fl edgling solar rickshaw of Surface Transport. battery-operated electric rick- vehicle, but instead rents one with bronchitis, he said. tive solar chick incuba- an answer.” – a three-wheeled, fi ve-seater Kochi has about 15,000, ac- shaws, backers say. for 12 hours a day for Rs250. He Kariyanappally, the solar ve- Ttor, solar milking machine Solar vehicles are not entirely motorised rickshaw with a solar cording to the road transport of- “Think how much carbon spends another Rs250 a day on hicle’s inventor, says solar rick- and solar-powered boat now has new in Asia. Solar rickshaws are panel on the roof – has gained fi ce in the city. would be reduced if all the au- diesel while driving his vehicle shaws need not be more expen- his newest item rolling onto the on the road in a number of coun- a particular public following in “It’s quite similar to an or- tos in the city were remodelled 80 to 100km he said, and takes sive. streets in this city: a solar rick- tries, particularly Thailand; in Kochi since its launch in August dinary auto (rickshaw) journey as solar autos,” Kariyanappally home about Rs500 a day for his He believes his invention shaw taxi. Cambodia, a solar-adapted au- because it is quiet and non-pol- except that I am breathing fresh said. work. could be sold for Rs125,000, Georgekutty Kariyanappally, to-rickshaw has even become a luting. air instead of polluted air. This He noted that a switch to solar Ditching diesel costs would be compared to about 200,000 to the founder of Lifeway Solar De- mobile coff ee cart. In a country where more than gives me immense pleasure,” transport potentially could also great, he said, but not if it means 250,000 for a traditional new vices Private Ltd, so far has just Earlier this year another In- half a billion people don’t own said Vijayakumari, who recently net the country carbon credits. paying a higher daily rent for a auto-rickshaw. one prototype operating on the dian engineer drove a solar motorised vehicles and rely in- took a ride in Kariyanappally’s Some auto-rickshaw drivers solar taxi. For now, Kariyanappally’s streets, but has supplied another rickshaw he’d constructed from stead on hailing taxis – usually prototype. in Kochi say they’re interested “I am ready to shift from a tra- invention faces a few barriers – 20 to a nearby tourist resort. Bengaluru to the UK. auto-rickshaws – the invention The solar rickshaw can run up in the solar models – but only if ditional auto to a solar one. But including that his prototype ve- In a city where traffi c fumes But Kariyanappally, known in could have a big impact on air to 80km a day with six hours of they’re aff ordable and improve I should not have to pay more,” hicle is technically on the streets are a worsening problem, the Kochi as “Solar Man”, has come quality, noise, health and climate charging, with the range extend- incomes for drivers. he said. illegally, as the Kerala Motor solar rickshaw, Kariyanappally up with his own version – just change, backers say. ing to 120km on a sunny day, Ka- “Tell me in simple language Still, he can see other benefi ts Vehicle Department has not yet said, is a way of ensuring people the latest creation in more than Altogether more than 5mn riyanappally said. how could it helpful in my daily of making the switch. recognised solar as a legal vehi- don’t have to choose between 14 years of work on renewable auto rickshaws – favoured be- Solar rickshaws could poten- life,” said Biji, one driver in Ko- In a city suff ering what the cle fuel. India, Myanmar say states backing terror should be held to account

The two countries agree to closely in all its forms and manifestations as port, fi nancing, provision of material co-ordinate on border security well as all acts, methods and practices resources or training to terrorists who of terrorism wherever, by whomever, destroy innocent lives.” IANS against whomsoever committed, and Observing that maintenance of se- New Delhi agreed that the fi ght against terrorism curity was essential for the socio-eco- should target terrorists, hold to ac- nomic development of border areas, Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi reads a joint statement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on at count terror organisations, networks both sides underlined their mutual Hyderabad House in New Delhi, yesterday. ndia and Myanmar yesterday said and also states that encourage, sup- respect for sovereignty and territorial the fi ght against terrorism should port or fi nance terrorism in any way,” integrity, and reaffi rmed their shared Itarget terrorists, and hold to ac- the statement said. commitment to fi ght insurgent activ- count organisations and states that The two sides also agreed on further ity and the scourge of terrorism in all encourage, support or fi nance terror- co-ordination between the respective its forms and manifestations. ism in any way. border guarding forces and shared the “Both sides expressed their mutual A joint statement issued after del- view that the long-standing commit- respect for the already-demarcated egation level talks between Myanmar’s ment of not allowing insurgent groups boundary between the two countries, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to use their soil for hostile activities and stressed the need to resolve out- and Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the other side was essential for standing boundary demarcation issues made reference to last month’s terror the prosperity of the people residing as soon as possible through existing attack in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir along the border. mechanisms,” the statement said. that killed 19 Indian soldiers. India and Myanmar also agreed Both sides also agreed on the need for Suu Kyi condemned the Uri terror to co-ordinate, through diplomatic close co-operation on the development attack. Modi condemned the recent channels, the setting up of immigra- of ocean-based Blue Economy and Mar- armed attacks against three border tion facilities at the Tamu-Moreh itime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal. posts in the northern part of Rakhine and Rhi-Zowkhathar border crossing The two nations also agreed to hold state in Myanmar and expressed his points for enabling and facilitating early meetings of the Joint Trade Com- profound sympathy for the families of regulated and easy movement of peo- mittee (JTC), Joint Working Groups on the policemen killed in the attacks. ple across the land borders for busi- Border Trade and Border Haats, and on The two sides called for the expedi- ness, tourism and other purposes. Railways and Shipping. tious fi nalisation of the Comprehensive The statement said that terrorism Myanmar reiterated its support for Convention on International Terrorism was “fi rst and foremost a violation of India’s bid to become a permanent at present being negotiated in the UN. human rights and that there can be member in an expanded and reformed “Both sides condemned terrorism no justifi cation for extending sup- UN Security Council. Refund money to 39 Gurgaon fl at buyers, court tells Unitech

IANS The bench also asked Unitech to The court order came after fl at buy- New Delhi deposit Rs20mn with its registry. In ers rejected a Unitech off er to complete pursuance to the court’s earlier or- three residential towers by April and ders, Unitech has already deposited allot fl ats thereafter as per the sched- he Supreme Court yesterday Rs150mn with the registry. ule submitted in the court. asked real estate major Unitech Justice Misra said the foundation of As senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Tto refund the principal cost any economy was “faith” that a buyer Singhvi said the real estate major will of fl ats to 39 buyers who had booked reposed in the seller. give an undertaking to adhere to the apartments in its Gurgaon project sev- “The property developer has to have schedule, the fl at owners said Unitech en years back but are still to get pos- a contractual commitment. Live up to had given such schedules in the past session. the terms of contact and gain trust so too but never honoured it. A bench of Justices Dipak Misra, that people who dream of houses can “The appellant (Unitech), by delay- Amitava Roy and A M Khanwilkar said repose faith in them. The foundation ing the completion of fl ats, can’t base the issue of interest as well as com- of economy is faith; if faith is lost, its stand on nuances and rest on the pensation for the company’s failure to everything is lost,” the court said in its metaphor that Rome was not built in deliver timely possession of the fl ats order. one day,” the court said. will be considered at the next hearing “Be aware of the wrath of a patient The court noted the agony of the on January 11. man. Flat buyers have lost their pa- buyers as they told the bench that even The total principal amount that tience,” the court said later while hear- after paying the entire amount they Unitech has to refund to the 39 fl at ing another matter relating to another were still without a home were living owners is Rs160.5mn. real estate company. in rented accommodation.

‘Consensus needed on simultaneous polls’

IANS He said two primary issues have to course, we would need extra resources, New Delhi be taken care of in the matter. such as more electronic voting ma- “First, several constitutional chines, etc.,” he said. amendments will have to be made; and He said the Election Commission hief Election Commissioner second, there has to be a consensus has already written to the Law Ministry (CEC) Nasim Zaidi yester- among all political parties,” Zaidi said on the issue, after the ministry sought Cday said the election watch- on the sidelines of a two-day interna- the poll panel’s opinion on the 79th Re- dog was ready to hold simultaneous tional conference on voter education port of the Department-related Parlia- Lok Sabha and state assembly vote if organised by the Election Commission mentary Committee on the ‘Feasibility certain conditions are met, includ- of India here. of Holding Simultaneous Elections to ing political consensus and more re- “If these two things are done, we the House of People (Lok Sabha) and sources. can hold simultaneous elections. Of State Legislative Assemblies’. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, October 20, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

LAW AND ORDER TREND INDUSTRIAL ACTION U-TURN POLITICS Lawmaker behind Rousseff Poll shows disapproval Codelco unions eye Colombian opposition may Survey gives Ortega impeachment arrested of Temer growing strike at copper mines meet Farc on peace deal big lead ahead of vote

Brazilian police yesterday arrested Eduardo Disapproval of President Michel Temer’s Unionised workers at Chile’s state-owned copper Representatives from Colombia’s right-wing Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has a Cunha who was one of the country’s most government is rising as he seeks to restore miner Codelco are mulling going on a company- opposition could meet with leaders of the seemingly insurmountable lead in voter intentions powerful lawmakers and the architect of former Brazil’s fiscal discipline via unpopular austerity wide strike, possibly by mid-November, if the Farc rebels to discuss potential changes to a ahead of elections in three weeks that are president Dilma Rousseff ’s impeachment until measures, with his government now barely more government does not make progress on a peace accord signed by the guerrillas and the expected to deliver him a new term with his wife engulfed in corruption charges. “We can confirm popular than that of his ousted predecessor number of demands, union leaders said. Codelco, government, opposition leader Alvaro Uribe said. as vice president. A survey published by the M&R that (Cunha) was detained in Brasilia,” a police Dilma Rousseff , a poll published yesterday said. the world No. 1 copper producer, returns all its Hardliner Uribe, an ex-president, current senator polling institute credited the 70-year-old onetime spokesman said. G1 news site published a copy Pollster MDA said the number of people who profits to the state and is funded by a mixture and leader of the right-wing Democratic Center leftist rebel with 64% support. His nearest rival was of the arrest warrant issued by the off ice of top consider Temer’s government “bad” or “terrible” of capitalisation and debt. The Copper Mining party, had previously said his group would not seen with just 8 % support. The largely sidelined Brazilian anti-corruption judge, Sergio Moro. has risen to 36.7% from 28% in a previous Federation (FTC), which serves as the umbrella meet with the rebels, who signed a peace deal opposition has called the looming November Cunha, nicknamed Brazil’s Frank Underwood poll in early June, while those who rate it as organisation for Codelco’s unions, will ask Chile’s with the government last month to end 52 years 6 vote a “farce.” It wants the election to be put after the scheming main character in the dark “great” or “good” has edged up to 14.6% from government for permanent capitalisation for of war. Colombians rejected the accord with the off until next year. Ortega, who is widely seen US political series “House of Cards,” initiated 11.3%. Disapproval of the way Temer himself is the company and to overturn a law that requires Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, as being heavily influenced by his wife, Rosario the impeachment process that finally forced governing has also grown, rising to 51.5% from that 10% of Codelco’s revenues support Chile’s in a surprise plebiscite result this month. Uribe Murillo, is refusing to allow in international election Rousseff out of off ice this August. 40.4% in June. defence budget. spearheaded the “No” campaign. observers. Argentine girl’s brutal rape, murder spark new demos

AFP That is visible in statistics such Buenos Aires as the unemployment rate, she said: 9.3% nationally, but 12% for women. he brutal killing of a “In a context of social inse- 16-year-old girl who was curity, with children to care for Tallegedly raped and im- and no access to economic au- paled on a spike by drug dealers tonomy, it’s much more diffi cult has sparked outrage in Argen- to overcome domestic violence,” tina, where protesters staged a said Cartabia, a lawyer for an “women’s strike” yesterday. advocacy group called the Wom- Lucia Perez, a high school stu- en’s Network. dent in the resort city of Mar del Perez met her alleged killers a Plata, died on October 8 after be- day before her death, when she ing brought to the hospital by two and a friend approached them to men who said she had overdosed buy a marijuana joint, prosecu- on drugs. tors say. But after doctors noticed signs The men — Matias Farias, 23, of violent sexual penetration, in- and Juan Pablo Offi diani, 41 — vestigators pieced together a dif- were known for selling drugs near ferent story. her school and had prior convic- Prosecutors say the two men tions. drugged, raped and impaled her, Investigators say they forced Venezuelan lawmaker Diosdado Cabello (centre) greets supporters during a demonstration in Caracas. causing pain so excruciating that Perez to consume a large amount she went into cardiac arrest and of cocaine to incapacitate her, died. then raped her. The lead prosecutor, Maria Isa- “Her nose was purple from all bel Sanchez, could barely hide her the cocaine they made her take,” disgust. said her father, Guillermo. “We “I know it’s not very profes- can’t understand such barbar- sional to say it, but I’m a mother ity. It’s impossible to understand,” and a woman, and I’ve seen a said her mother, Marta Montero. thousand things in my career, but Together, the couple led a pro- Anger as Venezuela nothing equal to this litany of ab- test on Saturday in Mar del Plata horrent acts,” she said. that drew 1,000 people demand- The killing is just the latest in- ing the judge deny bail for the al- cident of horrifi c gender violence leged killers. in Argentina, which has seen more Despite the protest — and a long than a year of mass marches to string of others in recent months protest brutality against women. — at least four other women in Last year in June, protests Argentina have been killed by delays state elections broke out nationwide over a trio their husbands or exes since Pe- of gruesome killings: a kinder- rez’s death. Reuters cause they are frightened of let- Although Lucena did not give But opinion polls show they dum next year, his vice president garten teacher whose estranged Nationally, domestic violence Caracas ting Venezuelans have their say. reasons, government offi cials would currently fare badly in any would take over rather than there husband slit her throat in front of kills one woman every 36 hours on Maduro, who replaced the have said exceptional measures election, and government sources being a new election, dashing the her class; a 14-year-old girl whose average. popular Hugo Chavez in 2013 af- are justifi ed because of a US-led have said they are hoping for an opposition’s hopes of ending 17 boyfriend allegedly beat her to Argentina is one of 16 Latin lections for Venezuela’s ter his death, has seen his ratings “economic war” against them oil price recovery to help them. years of socialism. death because she got pregnant; American countries that have state governorships will halve to just over 20 % amid a and the oil price crash. The opposition has pushed for Meanwhile, Maduro warned and a woman whose ex-boyfriend written the crime of “femicide” Ebe held in 2017 rather than deep economic crisis in the Opec “This decision by the elec- a referendum this year to remove that various opposition parties stabbed her to death in broad day- into their penal codes, setting December as expected, the elec- nation. tion board is part of a dangerous Maduro and trigger a new presi- were at risk of losing their legal light at a Buenos Aires cafe. down harsher punishments for tion board said, giving the un- The 23 state governors’ four- trend by a regime clearly acting dential election. status and needed to renew their In the latest protest, wom- the killing of a woman by a man popular socialist government year terms were to end in early outside the constitution,” the But even if they collect the registry with the electoral board if en across the country went on when gender plays a part in the more breathing space before go- January, with elections antici- opposition Democratic Unity 4mn signatures needed to trigger they wanted to participate in the “strike” at 1pm (1400GMT), tak- crime. ing to the polls. pated for December. coalition said. the plebiscite, in a drive later this 2017 state polls. ing to the streets dressed in black. But the authorities are not do- Critics say authorities have de- But National Election Board With Chavez suff ering from month, such a vote could only “If they fl out the law...then the One organiser, Sabrina Cartabia, ing enough, argued Cartabia, who layed the elections — and are also head Tibisay Lucena, who the op- cancer but having just won re- take place next year. governor elections will come and said the goal was to protest not says Argentine society needs a seeking to derail an opposition position says is close to the gov- election himself, the socialists Under Venezuela’s consti- we will participate (alone)...It’s a only Perez’s killing, but a culture wake-up call on women’s vulner- push for a referendum to recall ernment, said they would instead swept to victory in 20 states in the tutional rules, that means that real, possible, probable scenario,” that values women less than men. able place within it. President Nicolas Maduro — be- be held toward mid-2017. last regional elections in 2012. should Maduro lose a referen- he said.

Campaign trail US extradites tycoon Nicaragua canal accused of drug ties

Reuters methamphetamine. Ye Gon’s ‘non-viable’: Panama New York/Mexico City attorney, Gregory Smith, has said his client was a legitimate businessman. “The Mexican AFP He insisted the $50bn project very quickly. I can only encourage he US has extradited to people should understand that Berlin could not hope to compete with them to clear up these things from Mexico a businessman Ye Gon has not yet received any Panama’s own century-old canal, the past clearly and defi nitively,” Taccused of working with trial, or been convicted of any- recently widened to allow passage said Merkel, adding both countries drug cartels after $205mn in thing,” said Smith, adding that icaragua’s plans for an to increasingly broad container hoped to seal an agreement on fi - cash was found at his Mexico Ye Gon had already spent nearly Atlantic-Pacifi c canal to ships. nancial transparency and infor- City home, ending a years- a decade in jail in the US. Nrival Panama’s are a non- Inaugurated in its new, widened mation exchange by year-end. long legal battle. US prosecutors brought starter despite Chinese backing, form last June, the volume of cargo In April, the International Con- Zhenli Ye Gon, who was ar- charges against Ye Gon after his Panamanian President Juan Car- passing through the Panama canal sortium of Investigative Journal- rested in the US in July 2007 arrest, but their case against los Varela said. is expected to double to 300mn ists published stories based on after the discovery of the cash, him collapsed in 2009 after key “A new canal, in Nicaragua for tonnes annually and sales to triple millions of documents from the faces charges of organised witnesses recanted or refused to example, would not be economi- to $1bn in the coming 10 years. computer archive of Panamanian crime, drug traffi cking, fi re- testify. Ye Gon, who remained cally viable,” Varela told reporters The US and China are the big- law fi rm Mossack Fonseca. arms and money laundering in in custody, had since been fi ght- at a joint press conference with gest customers of the waterway, The fi les unmasked politicians, Mexico, a spokesman for the ing his extradition to Mexico, German Chancellor Angela Merkel which accommodates around 5% celebrities and wealthy individu- US justice department said in a arguing he could face torture or in Berlin. of global maritime trade each year. als around the world who used the statement. even death if sent back. “Of course Nicaragua has the Nicaragua granted a 50-year fi rm’s services to create off shore “The US government recog- US courts rejected those right to build a canal, the Chinese concession in 2013 to Hong Kong- entities and hide assets. While not nised Mexico’s strong interest arguments and the US Su- businessmen who’ve shown inter- based HKND to build and operate a all of the activities revealed were in prosecuting its own citizen,” preme Court denied a peti- est of course have the right as well, canal three times the length of its illegal, the Panama Papers drew said spokesman Peter Carr. tion addressed to Justice Sonia but we think it’s more speculation Panamanian rival. attention to rampant tax avoid- Ye Gon’s extradition came Sotomayor to temporarily halt than reality.” Work began in December 2014, ance and money laundering. after the US Supreme Court de- the extradition, clearing the way “We see (our canal) as a model of but the Chinese fi rm said digging “We in Panama want to play a clined to hear his fi nal appeal. for Ye Gon’s return. success, and we don’t see any risk out and construction of the locks leading role and close these gaps,” Ye Gon was the former owner “We were able to refute all from the possible construction of would not begin until late 2016. Varela said, adding his govern- of the defunct Mexican phar- the arguments put forward by another canal in the region,” said Merkel meanwhile praised ment had spent more than two Chilean politician Carolina Toha, former mayor of Santiago, maceutical wholesaler Unimed the defendant and his defence,” Varela, adding there had been no Varela’s speedy response to leaks years updating its laws on fi nancial and current candidate for the mayoral elections for Santiago, Pharm Chem, which imported Salvador Sandoval, an assistant progress on the Nicaraguan canal about Panama’s links to tax dodg- transparency to tackle tax avoid- shows a poster to a child during a campaign rally in a chemicals that US and Mexican attorney for international aff airs since ground was broken in late ing that made global headlines ance, terrorism, the drug trade and neighbourhood in downtown Santiago, Chile. prosecutors alleged were used in Mexico’s attorney general’s 2014. earlier this year. “Panama reacted insecurity. to manufacture the illegal drug offi ce, said in a statement. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

CAREER Pakistani tea Malala urges Muslims to unite for peace seller turns model A blue-eyed young ‘chai wala’ (tea AFP these bombings and these at- human shields,” she said of the seller) from Pakistan, who became Sharjah tacks,” she told a conference in Iraqi city where an off ensive has an Internet sensation after his the southern Gulf emirate of been launched to retake it from photo was posted on Instagram, Sharjah on the future of women the Islamic State jihadist group. has got the job of a model. akistan’s Nobel Peace Prize in the Middle East. She called for empowering Retail site fitin.pk has signed on winner Malala Yousafzai, the younger generation, espe- the youngster, Arshad Khan, as a Pgiving a speech yesterday “We cannot talk about cially women, with the educa- model for an undisclosed amount in the Emirates, urged Muslims investing in our future tion needed “to bring peace and and his first shoot is already out, to respect the “true message of in this region without prosperity to their countries”. the Dawn reported yesterday. Islam” and unite against wars in calling for an end to these The youngest-ever Nobel re- His photo was posted by an their countries. bombings and these cipient stressed the need for men to aspiring photographer, Jiah Ali, on The 19-year-old, who was attacks” support women in their attempt to October 14. shot in the head by the Taliban in receive “quality education”. It was picked up in the West, 2012 after she had publicly advo- “We must not forget that the Malala moved to England including the popular US website cated education for girls, urged majority of those suff ering be- where she received medical Buzzfeed. the world’s Muslims to “come cause of these confl icts and wars treatment after the shooting. One of 18 siblings, Arshad hails together...and follow the true are Muslims,” said Malala, refer- She was awarded the Nobel from Kohat and has been making message of Islam as they join ring to confl icts in Syria, Iraq and Peace Prize in 2014 jointly with tea at Islamabad’s Sunday Bazaar hands in the struggle for peace”. Yemen. India’s Kailash Satyarthi, a fel- for three months. “We cannot talk about invest- “I cannot stop thinking of those low education activist who made Pakistani activist for female education and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai, delivers a speech He has never been to school. ing in our future in this region 500,000 children in Mosul right similar calls at the Sharjah con- during a conference entitled “Investing in The Future: Building the resilience of women and girls in the According to Dawn, Arshad without calling for an end to now under a threat to be used as ference yesterday. Arab region” yesterday in the United Arab Emirate of Sharjah. doesn’t know when his photo- graph was taken or who took it.

HYGIENE Over thousand Two Americans killed stray dogs killed More than a thousand stray dogs have been poisoned to death by Imran Khan municipal workers in Karachi after a deluge of complaints about ani- in ‘insider attack’ mals biting women and children, an off icial said yesterday. A total of 1,050 dogs were culled AFP uniform, indicating it was a so- In a similar attack in August in the campaign. Kabul called insider attack. last year, a man wearing an Estimates suggested 2,000 more summoned on Nato said the Americans Afghan military uniform shot would be targeted in the next were conducting duties as part dead two American soldiers in phase. wo Americans includ- of their mission to train, advise the southern opium-rich prov- Rehan Hashmi, the chairman of ing a civilian were killed and assist Afghan forces when ince of Helmand. the municipal jurisdiction, said Tyesterday when a gun- they came under attack, adding And in April last year an authorities had been flooded man opened fi re near a Nato that an investigation had been American soldier was killed with complaints of stray dogs base in Kabul yesterday, the launched into the incident. in a fi refi ght between US and biting people and suggested the ‘shutdown’ day military coalition said, with “Anytime we lose a member Afghan troops in eastern Af- extermination programme was Afghan offi cials calling it an of our team, it is deeply pain- ghanistan. necessary because the city lacked Internews Later, she transferred that “insider attack”. ful,” said General John Nichol- Western offi cials say most the resources to rehome the dogs Islamabad land to Khan, who declared it a No insurgent group has so far son, the top US and Nato com- such attacks stem from per- or put them in pounds. gift in his wealth statements fi led claimed responsibility for the mander in Afghanistan. sonal grudges and cultural “Had there been some better with the Federal Board of Rev- attack, which highlights grow- “Our sympathies go out to misunderstandings rather than resources or options, I would love he Election Commission enue (FBR).[This] establishes ing insecurity in Afghanistan the families, loved ones, and insurgent plots. to switch to that,” Hashmi said, of Pakistan (ECP) has is- that the gift-back arrangement as the Taliban step up their na- the units of those involved in The killings have bred fi erce adding: “They are living beings Tsued notices to Pakistan was made by Khan to launder his tionwide insurgency. this incident. mistrust between local and for- after all.” Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chair- black money. “One US service member To those who continue to eign forces even as the rate of A handful of activists and veteri- man Imran Khan and Secretary Besides the aforementioned and one US civilian died as a re- target coalition forces...(we) such incidents has dropped in nary surgeons are fighting to find General Jahangir Tareen, asking 45 kanals, Jemima also pur- sult of wounds sustained in Ka- will continue to pursue our recent years. a middle ground between stray them to appear before it on No- chased 255 kanals at Mohra Noor bul today,” Nato said in a state- mission to help our partners Nato troops have adopted dogs and a population that find vember 2 — the day of the party’s with an amount of Rs36.98mn.” ment, adding that three other create a better Afghanistan.” special security measures in re- them unclean. planned siege of Islamabad — in The reference also goes on to Americans were wounded in So-called “green-on-blue” cent years to try to counter the Few families outside the upper connection with the disqualifi - question the sources of income the incident. attacks — when Afghan sol- threat. classes keep dogs as pets, though cation references against them. Imran Khan that he used to construct the “The two individuals were diers or police turn their guns Insider attacks have also some people use them to guard The two references were fi led palatial house, accusing him of killed during an attack near a on international troops — have plagued Afghan troops, deplet- their homes — meaning there is with the National Assembly Apart from the four against concealing his investment in the coalition base by an unknown been a major problem dur- ing morale and causing mis- little demand for rescue dogs. speaker by Pakistan Muslim the PM, one of the references Grand Hyatt Hotel on Constitu- assailant, who was later ing Nato’s long years fi ghting trust within security ranks. Conservative figures estimate the League-N lawmakers and were fi led against Imran and the one tion Avenue in the declaration of killed.” alongside Afghan forces. In September, two Afghan feral dog population of Karachi referred to the ECP last month against Achakzai were rejected assets submitted to the ECP for Defence ministry spokesman Gunmen wearing Afghan soldiers with suspected Taliban could be up to 35,000. after Ayaz Sadiq deemed them on grounds of “insuffi cient evi- the year 2014. Dawlat Waziri earlier said one military uniforms shot dead links killed at least 12 of their The city sees as many as 15,000 to be valid references that war- dence”. It also accused the PTI chief Nato soldier had been killed two Romanian soldiers in the comrades as they slept in the reports of dog bites a year, ac- ranted further action. The reference against Imran of keeping the ownership of his and fi ve others were wounded southern province of Kandahar volatile northern province of cording to Isma Gheewala, head “Please take notice and be in- mentioned his off shore company London apartment at 165- Dray- by a gunman wearing military in May. Kunduz. of Karachi’s Animal Care Centre. formed that the reference cited and properties abroad, income, cott Avenue a secret until a tax as subject has been fi xed for the fact that he had not disclosed amnesty scheme was announced hearing on November 2, 2016, at an investment to the ECP and his by the government in the year 10am. You are therefore required alleged misstatements about his 2000. to appear before the ECP in per- Bani Gala house. The reference against Tareen, son or through counsel on the It alleges that Imran had pur- meanwhile, alleged that as a fed- Afghan troops causing ‘more civilian casualties’ above mentioned date and time chased a fl at in London through eral minister during the Mush- failing which the matter will be an off shore company in 1983 and arraf regime, he had received a decided in your absence,” the did not disclose this fact until Rs101 mn loan from the Zarai Reuters same period in 2015, indicat- “Increased fighting in At least 133 people were notice reads. 2016. Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in Kabul ing rates may be levelling off at densely populated areas killed and 159 were injured in The speaker had rejected four Another allegation against the name of Tandlianwala Sugar near-record levels after steadily makes it imperative for par- air strikes, with two-thirds of references seeking disqualifi ca- him is about his sprawling Bani Mills, which was later written off increasing since the UN began ties to take immediate steps those casualties attributed to tion of Prime Minister Nawaz Gala residence, which he had in 2005. fghan civilians are monitoring them in 2009. to ensure all feasible pre- the Afghan air force, the UN Sharif and other members of declared to be a gift from his ex- “Tareen concealed facts while paying the price for Ground fi ghting between cautions are being taken to said. his family after holding that no wife. submitting his nomination pa- Aincreased fighting in pro-government forces and Is- spare civilians from harm,” The Taliban and other mili- question of disqualifi cation had However, the record shows pers for the general elections in populated areas around the lamic militants caused nearly Tadamichi Yamamoto, the tant groups still accounted for arisen. that he claimed to have pur- 2013 and by-elections in 2015,” country, the United Nations 40% of all the casualties. UN’s Special Representative more than 60% of the overall In all, eight disqualifi cation chased the land at a rate of the reference stated. reported yesterday, with gov- Children have been particu- for Afghanistan, said in a casualties, with 1,569 civilian references were fi led with the Rs145,000 per kanal in 2011. (1 It has been over a month since ernment troops responsible larly hard hit by the fi ghting, statement. deaths and 3,574 injured, the speaker -four against Prime kanal is 5445sq feet). the ECP received these referenc- for a growing share of civilian with 639 young people killed Casualties caused by pro- report showed. Minister Nawaz Sharif, two “Imran gifted Rs6.5mn to his es from the speaker. casualties. and 1,822 wounded, for an in- government forces rose 42% The UN condemned anti- against Imran and one each ex-wife Jemima Khan in the Under the law, the commis- At least 2,562 civilians died crease of 15% over last year. compared to last year, with 623 government attacks that have against Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awa- year 2001-02. She purchased 45 sion is supposed to decide any and another 5,835 were wound- The Taliban and a handful deaths and 1,274 injured, UN directly targeted civilians, in- mi Party chief Mehmood Achak- kanals of land at Mohra Noor, Is- reference sent to it within three ed in the confl ict in Afghanistan of smaller groups have been investigators reported. cluding a bombing in the capi- zai and PTI’s Tareen. lamabad, with that amount. months. in the fi rst nine months of this fi ghting to topple the Western- That includes a spike of 72% tal, Kabul, in July that killed at year, UN offi cials said. backed government, 15 years in casualties from air strikes by least 85 people and injured 413. A similar number of civil- after the Taliban lost power in a the Afghan air force and its in- That attack was claimed by ian casualties occurred in the US-led military operation. ternational allies. Islamic State. Art on wheels Pakistani satellite service to monitor CPEC

Internews The meeting was informed only of Pakistan but also of The Senate’s Standing Islamabad that Suparco was providing the whole region, adding that Committee on Planning and complete geo sensing of the immense employment oppor- Development was on Mon- entire corridor from Gwadar tunities and other avenues for day informed that people he Pakistan Space and to Khunjerab (Pak-China bor- economic progress would be had started encroaching land Upper Atmosphere Re- der). created. along the CPEC and settling Tsearch Commission The president expressed sat- there and it would be difficult (Suparco) will provide com- isfaction that all related insti- A Special Security Division for the authorities to remove prehensive satellite service tutions were contributing to (SSD) comprising over them. to monitor the $46bn China- completion of projects under 4,500 security personnel The satellite service will help Pakistan Economic Corridor the CPEC and said the role of is being established to monitor the pace of infrastruc- (CPEC) and address its security Suparco in this regard was of ensure security of CPEC- tural development like con- concerns. great signifi cance. related projects and struction of roads and estab- This was said by a Suparco He also praised the role of Chinese nationals lishment of power generation delegation during a meeting Suparco in the country’s eco- units and economic zones along with President Mamnoon Hus- nomic progress and develop- A source in the presidency the corridor. sain at the presidency, offi cial ment and said the commission said that Suparco’s satellite A Special Security Division sources confi rmed here yester- needed to brief government service would help secure those (SSD) comprising over 4,500 day. departments on its capabilities CPEC areas which were vul- security personnel is being es- According to a spokesman for for optimum utilisation of its nerable to terrorist attacks and tablished to ensure security the president, Suparco Chair- expertise in agriculture, water criminal activities. of CPEC-related projects and man Qaiser Khurram briefed resources, healthcare, educa- He said Prime Minister Na- Chinese nationals. Hussain on the commission’s tion, disaster management and waz Sharif and President Hus- The terms of reference for ongoing satellite development environment monitoring. sain would have access to the the division are being prepared, projects and its role and contri- Suparco should also promote satellite service and would be which will be discussed with bution in completion of CPEC awareness among the public able to monitor CPEC projects the provinces. projects. about usefulness of space tech- on their computers. The planning and develop- The president appreciated nology. The service would also help ment ministry has allocated the technology-based support The president said the curb encroachments and land one per cent of the total cost of A truck driver cleans the mirror of his decorated truck in Charsadda outside Peshawar, Pakistan. the commission is providing to CPEC would pave the way for grabbing along the corridor, the CPEC projects for funding the the CPEC in major areas. economic development not source added. SSD. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, October 20, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Iloilo airport among Asia’s top 12: survey

The Iloilo International Airport Duterte says sea arbitration (IIA) is one of the 12 best airports in Asia, according to a 2016 survey of the interactive travel site “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports,” Manila Times reported. Also, Davao International Airport (DIA) landed No 26 when the trav- case to take ‘back seat’ el website released passengers’ reviews of the best and worst Reuters since Duterte took office on “It is in the broader outline of to provide a $3bn credit facility airports. The IIA and DIA were Beijing June 30. talks that we have agreed. for infrastructure investments among the 81 airports with 36 China refused to participate But as a matter of courtesy, in the Philippines. operating commercial flights all in the arbitration case or recog- and the oriental way, we will Yasay reiterated that the thaw over the country managed by the he South China Sea ar- nise its fi ndings. always wait because I am a visi- with China was “not going to Civil Aviation Authority of the Phil- bitration case will “take Speaking to reporters at his tor. I cannot destroy the good- erode our close ties with the ippines (CAAP). The travel website Tthe back seat” during hotel, Duterte described the will just by blurting out some- rest of our allies and traditional also came up with the results of talks with China, Philippine judgment as a “piece of paper”. thing.” partners”. other Asian airports such as Rajiv President Rodrigo Duterte “It would not be in keep- In a series of confl icting “As we renew our ties with Gandhi Airport in Hyderabad, said yesterday in Beijing, add- ing with courtesy and goodwill statements, Duterte has insult- this great nation, it does not India, (13), Suvarnabhumi Airport ing that he would wait for if I am the one to open it,” he ed US President Barack Obama mean that we are weakening in Bangkok, Thailand (17), Jakarta’s the Chinese to bring up the said.”And you will say, will it and the US ambassador in Ma- ties with the rest of the mem- Soekarno-Hatta International Air- dispute rather than doing so take a back seat? Of course, it nila for questioning his war bers of the international com- port (20), Nagoya Chubu Centrair himself. has to take the back seat.” on drugs, which has led to the munity. International Airport in Japan Duterte arrived in Beijing on China has welcomed the shift deaths of 2,300 people. This is at the core of the inde- (25) and Kaohsiung International Tuesday with at least 200 top in tone that has added to strains He told Obama to “go to hell” pendent foreign policy that our Airport in Taiwan (29). business people to pave the way between the Philippines and the and alluded to severing US ties. president has moved and put The Top 10 Best Airports in Asia for what he calls a new commer- United States, even as Duterte Speaking earlier, Philip- forward,” he said. 2016 as voted by travellers are cial alliance, amid deteriorating has vowed not to surrender any pine Foreign Secretary Perfecto After weeks of anti-American Changi International Airport in ties with longtime ally the Unit- sovereignty to Beijing. Yasay said territorial disputes rhetoric, Duterte said the Phil- Singapore; Seoul in Incheon, ed States. Duterte said on Sunday he between China and the Philip- ippines would maintain its ex- South Korea; Haneda Airport, The effort to engage China, would raise the arbitral ruling, pines may take a lifetime to re- isting defence treaties and its Tokyo; Taipei’s Taoyuan; Kansai months after the Permanent and vowed not to deviate from President Rodrigo Duterte attends a news conference during his visit solve, but should not prevent military alliances. airport in Osaka; Hong Kong’s Court of Arbitration in The the tribunal’s award. in Beijing yesterday. warming ties. China has expressed support Chek Lap Kok; Kuala Lumpur; Hague ruled over South China Speaking in Beijing, Duterte Yesterday, Philippine Trade for Duterte’s drug war, even as it Narita International Airport in To- Sea disputes in favour of the said he did not want to make wait for Chinese President Xi have to wait for your president and Industry Secretary Ramon has sparked concerns in West- kyo; Mumbai, India and Nanjing Philippines, marks a reversal any “hard impositions” on the Jinping to raise the subject. to mention it in passing for me Lopez told reporters in Beijing ern capitals about extra-judicial Lukou in China. in Philippine foreign policy South China Sea, and would “I have to be courteous and I to respond,” he said. that Bank of China had agreed killings. Police van runs over anti-US protesters

AFP stand up and stumble away. ers accused the police of start- Manila “They were trying to take ing the violence. over the vehicle, trying to over- “It was the police who at- turn it,” the vehicle’s driver, tacked the protesters. First Philippine police van police officer Franklin Khu, they rammed the police vehicle yesterday rammed and told reporters afterwards, ac- against the people. Then they A ran over baton-wielding cording to ABS CBN television, released tear gas and hit us with protesters outside the US em- which filmed the incident. truncheons,” said one of the or- bassy in Manila, with the driver Asked if he panicked, Khu ganisers, Amirah Lidasant. of the vehicle saying he pan- said: “Of course, our vehicle Christina Palabay, sec- icked because he feared being was overturning and if they retary-general of the leftist mobbed. seized control, they could run rights group Karapatan, said 31 Hundreds of protesters had down other policemen.” protesters were arrested. gathered at the embassy to Police chiefs said some of the Palabay slammed the police voice support for President Ro- protesters had sustained minor reaction as excessive, even if a drigo Duterte’s recent tirades injuries, although rally organ- few of the protesters had insti- against the United States, the isers said 50 were hurt and five gated the violence. Philippines’ longtime ally, and had been taken to hospital. “They don’t have to run call for American troops to Photos showed a second man down people because of what leave the country. trapped underneath the van af- some protesters did,” she said. Television footage showed ter it had stopped, with his leg National police spokesman protesters hitting the vehicle and hips under one of the back Senior Superintendent Dion- with long sticks and breaking tyres. He was later seen limping ardo Carlos said in a statement through a security cordon close away. that Manila police had been to the embassy. Police insisted the protesters ordered to conduct an inves- Police also fired tear gas and had instigated the violence. tigation to determine if proper Policemen block protesters during a rally in front of the US embassy in Manila yesterday. used their batons to strike back “We had to disperse them. procedures had been followed at protesters. They started it. They were try- in dispersing the group. personalities from both sides ment on yesterday’s violence, important and loyal allies in Asia, to Beijing. This has partly been At one stage the van reversed ing to enter the embassy,” Chief “The PNP (Philippine Na- whose involvement led to the referring media inquiries to the but Duterte, who describes him- in response to US criticism of quickly into dozens of people Inspector Arsenio Riparip, one tional Police) assures the pub- violent incident,” he said. local police. self as a socialist and has close Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, then forward again, running of the officers overseeing the lic that the investigation will US embassy spokeswoman The Philippines has for dec- links to communists, has threat- which has killed thousands of over a man, who was able to incident, said. But the protest- determine the liabilities of all Molly Koscina declined to com- ades been one of the US’ most ened to cut ties as he shifts closer people. Senator keen on Millions on alert for super typhoon reopening of AFP Manila probe into killings illions of people in the Philippines were on Mhigh alert yesterday for By Jeff erson Antiporda was not a credible witness be- one of the strongest typhoons Manila Times cause of the inconsistencies in to ever hit the disaster-battered his statements. country, with authorities warn- The panel is expected to re- ing of giant storm surges and de- enator Panfi lo Lacson is lease its report on the investi- structive winds. willing to push for the gation after absolving Presi- Super Typhoon Haima was Sreopening of the inves- dent Rodrigo Duterte of any forecast to hit remote communi- tigation by the Senate Com- involvement in the extra-ju- ties in the far north of the coun- mittee on Justice and Human dicial killings and dismissing try later, bringing winds almost Rights on the spate of extra- the existence of the so-called on a par with catastrophic Super judicial killings if there are Davao Death Squad. Typhoon Haiyan that claimed new witnesses or evidence But Lacson said he believes more than 7,350 lives in 2013. that will corroborate the tes- that the investigation is not “We only pray we be spared timony of confessed hitman complete because the wit- the destruction such as the Edgar Matobato. nesses from the CHR were previous times, which brought Lacson, the vice chairman not allowed to give their tes- agony and suff ering,” President of the panel, admitted that timonies.The senator said he Rodrigo Duterte said in Beijing, he wanted to hear the testi- requested Gordon to allow the where he is currently on a four- monies of the witnesses from presentation of the remaining day visit. Evacuees from the coastal villages take shelter inside an evacuation centre as Typhoon Haima locally named Lawin approaches, in Alcala town, the Commission on Human CHR witnesses during the last “But we are ready. Everything Cagayan province, north of Manila yesterday. Rights (CHR) who were not al- committee hearing but he did has been deployed.” lowed to testify by Sen. Rich- not push it because Gordon Haima has a weather band of is strong, the waves are big,” pelago endures about 20 major statement. “We call on all gov- The Philippine capital of Ma- ard Gordon, the chairman of was so annoyed. 800 kilometres putting more said Julie Hermano, manager storms each year, many of them ernment agencies to be on high- nila is about 450 kilometres the committee. “He (Gordon) was very pas- than 10mn people across the of a small resort in Santa Ana, deadly. est level of preparedness and to south of where Haima is forecast “I am open to reopen (the sionate, caught in the moment, northern parts of the Philip- a coastal town of about 30,000 The most powerful and dead- take all necessary precautions.” hit. Authorities said the city, investigation). The only quali- he has issues with Sen. (Leila) pines’ main island of Luzon people that is in the typhoon’s liest was Haiyan, which de- In the northern regions ex- with about 12mn people, was fi cation is I need somebody or de Lima that time, and I didn’t within its reach, according to the direct path. stroyed entire towns in heav- pected to be worst hit, tens of not expected to be badly aff ected something that will corrobo- want to insist,” Lacson said. government’s disaster risk man- “Some residents have been ily populated areas of the central thousands of people sought although it would experience rate or buttress Matobato’s Gordon did not allow the CHR agement agency. panic-buying food in markets Philippines. refuge in schools and other some rain. testimony. I also want to hear to present its witnesses after Haima was approaching the because we were told it’s going to “We are possibly dealing with makeshift evacuation centres Haima is forecast to have the CHR witnesses,” Lacson one its commissioners called Philippines with sustained be a super typhoon. a typhoon that is even stronger as authorities raised the highest passed over the Philippines by said in an interview with re- him “unfair” and a coward. winds of 225 kilometres an hour We’ve already tied down our than Typhoon Yolanda (as Haiy- “signal fi ve” typhoon alert. tomorrow and then track to- porters. De Lima welcomed Lacson’s and gusts of 315 kilometres an water tank and prepared our an was known in the Philippines) Flights to the north were also wards southern China. Matobato claimed that willingness to reopen the in- hour, according to the state (power) generator set.” in 2013. suspended and schools were Haima is the second typhoon President Rodrigo Duterte vestigation but she admit- weather bureau. The Philippine islands are of- We must therefore brace our- closed. to hit the northern Philippines ordered the killings of crimi- ted that it would be diffi cult Authorities warned coastal ten the fi rst major landmass to be selves for the possible eff ects of Power to some areas was in a week, after Sarika struck on nals when he was the mayor of to fi nd witnesses who would communities to expect storm hit by storms that generate over a typhoon of this magnitude,” cut off late yesterday as strong Sunday claiming at least one life Davao City. corroborate Matobato’s testi- surges of fi ve metres or higher. the Pacifi c Ocean. government executive secretary winds heralding Haima’s landfall and leaving three people But Gordon said Matobato mony. “It’s already started. The wind The Southeast Asian archi- Salvador Medialdea said in a brought down electricity lines. missing. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Goat forces pilot to halt Lanka exhumes body of landing at Nepal ex-army spy over murder airport An unusual member of Tribhuvan A suicide note claiming and bank accounts since his International Airport in Kathmandu role in the 2009 murder retirement nine years ago. security team forced a passenger of a newspaper editor was Last month authorities reo- plane to abandon its landing last week. found from 52-year-old pened the investigation into The Bhutan Airlines flight was former military intelligence the January 2009 killing of on its final approach when a off icer who reportedly hung editor Lasantha Wickrematun- goat was spotted on the runway, himself at his home last ga, a fi erce critic of the then- prompting crew to initiate a go- week strongman president Mahinda around, or “goat around”, as the Rajapakse. Aviation Herald reported. AFP A serving military intel- The Airbus A319-100 then ascended Colombo ligence offi cer is already in out of the narrow Kathmandu custody in connection with valley and entered a hold, while Wickrematunga’s death, which airport staff captured the goat and ri Lankan police yester- sparked an international outcry removed it from the area. day exhumed the body of and shone a spotlight on vio- The aircraft, which had flown a Sa retired army spy whose lence against the media. 70 minute journey from Paro supposed suicide note claimed Last month authorities also in Bhutan with 68 passengers responsibility for the 2009 exhumed Wickrematunga’s and eight crew, landed safely 40 murder of a prominent anti-es- body to conduct a fresh autopsy minutes after its first attempt. tablishment newspaper editor, a after fears that forensic evi- A preliminary investigation found police offi cer said. dence may have been tampered the goat came from the army The 52-year-old former mili- with or falsifi ed to mislead the battalion responsible for airport tary intelligence offi cer was investigation. security, as the animal had found hanging at his home in Wickrematunga was the chief appeared in a high security area. central Sri Lanka fi ve days ago editor of the Sunday Leader Tribhuvan International Airport is and was buried shortly after- newspaper which had accused Nepal’s only international airport wards, the senior police source Rajapakse’s then-powerful de- and is served by major international said. fence secretary brother Gotab- airlines including Qatar Airways, But police now suspect the haya of kickbacks in arms pur- Etihad and Singapore Airlines. suicide note found in his pocket chases, including an aircraft The incident is not the first time at the time of his death may not deal. animals have caused trouble at be genuine and want to deter- Last year a former minister the airport, which according to the mine his link to any criminal ac- in Rajapakse’s government ac- Himalayan Times has been plagued tivity that could have led to his cused Gotabhaya of running a by a variety of wildlife, including murder. death squad and ordering the monkeys, dogs, cows, rats, rodents, “There had been lapses in hit against the editor. cats and even buff alo. the fi rst autopsy and the body is The newspaper was highly Sri Lanka police exhume body of former army spy over murder. After suff ering numerous bird exhumed to carry out fresh fo- critical of rights abuses by strikes and receiving criticism for rensic tests,” the offi cer said on troops against ethnic minority Victim kin receive The Colombo High Court in The offi cer was accused of tions estimates, more than its lack of wildlife management condition of anonymity. Tamils during the island’s long- compensation: A retired Sri August had sentenced the of- shooting carelessly and murder- 40,000 civilians were killed in experts, the airport deployed “We are looking at his fi nger- running separatist confl ict that Lankan army lieutenant, who fi cer to two years of rigorous ing a handcuff ed Velinthan in Sri Lanka during the fi nal phase local hunters to patrol the area. prints to see if he had been involved ended in 2009. was charged with murdering an imprisonment and suspended Point Pedro town in Jaff na dis- of the three-decade long Tamil “The TIA now has a five-member in any criminal activity.” Some 17 journalists and me- LTTE member in 1998, yesterday him for 10 years over the death trict as the latter was trying to confl ict. hunter squad being active round Investigators have begun dia employees were killed in Sri paid Rs2mn to the victim’s fam- of Robert Velinthan in custody fl ee the army’s custody. The Sri Lankan government the clock only at the airside checking his phone records Lanka under Rajapakse’s regime. ily as per a High Court ruling. in 1998. According to United Na- disputes the casualty numbers. areas,” an airport spokesman told the Himalayan Times. Unesco urges Bangladesh Ruling AL leader to scrap Sundarbans plant hacked to death

AFP IANS a relative’s house on Tuesday exempting 11 people from the Dhaka Dhaka night.” charge-sheet. The injured were taken to On August 28, CID inspector Dhaka Medical College and Arman Ali submitted a charge- he United Nations has leader of the Janata Hospital (DMCH) where Monir sheet against fi ve people in the urged Bangladesh to halt League, a front or- succumbed to his injuries. murder case. Tconstruction of a huge Aganisation of the ruling DMCH police outpost sub- Of them, two are now in jail coal-fi red power plant near Awami League in Bangladesh, inspector Bachchu Mia said: while the others absconding. the Sundarbans, warning of a succumbed early yesterday to “Monir died at the hospital The CID also recommended serious threat to the delicate injuries sustained in a dead- around 6.00am today.” exempting 11 more people, in- ecosystem of the world’s largest ly attack the previous night, Meanwhile, a court in east- cluding an alleged extremist mangrove forest. media reported. ern Sylhet has city has police blogger Shafi ur Rahman Farabi, The UN’s culture and science Sheikh Swadhin Monir, to conduct a fresh investiga- from the charge-sheet as no agency Unesco said there was a president of Fatulla Awami Ja- tion into blogger Ananta Bi- evidence of their involvement high chance pollution from the nata League, was attacked near joy Das murder and submit a in the killing was found. plant would “irreversibly dam- his house in Fatulla upazila of supplementary charge-sheet On May 12, 2015 blogger age” the Sundarbans, which Narayanganj on Tuesday night, before it. Ananta was hacked to death by straddles the border of India Dhaka Tribune reported. Sylhet Metropolitan Magis- a group of assailants in broad and Bangladesh and is home to Monir’s nephew Ashraf Hos- trate Court-3 Judge Haridash daylight at Subidbazar Banka- endangered Bengal tigers and sain said: “My uncle had a feud Kumar passed the order. lapara in Sylhet city. rare dolphins. with local Swechchhasebok Assistant public prosecutor Ananta was also a writer of It also provides a barrier League leader Mir Hossain Khokon Kumar Datta said the the ‘Mukto-Mona blog’, found- against storm surges and cy- Miru relating to the business of court rejected the charge-sheet ed by blogger Avijit Roy who clones that have killed thou- cable connection in the area.” submitted by Criminal Inves- was murdered on February 26, sands of people in impoverished “Miru’s supporters stabbed tigation Department (CID) due 2015, almost three months ago coastal villages and islands in my uncle and two aunts while to errors in the charge-sheet after he had come home from recent years, and was declared they were returning home from as the CID had recommended the USA. a Unesco World Heritage Site in Mangrove trees in the Sundarbans near Khulna some 350km southwest of Dhaka. 1997. The planned 1,320 megawatt would not impact negatively on tear gas at hundreds of cam- Azim said preliminary work had Dhaka committed to Rampal plant, a joint project by the Sundarbans”. paigners who were marching to been completed and construc- India and Bangladesh, would The present site is just 14kms the Indian embassy in Dhaka tion would begin soon, but de- work for chemical be powered each year by nearly (nine miles) north of the Sunda- with a letter urging the Indian clined to comment directly on Nepal to table charter weapons free world 5mn tonnes of coal transported rbans. prime minister to scrap the the report. by boat along the ecosystem’s There was no immediate com- project. “They (Unesco) raised the Bangladesh has expressed its fragile waterways. ment from Bangladesh authori- “Unesco has done a respon- concerns to the Bangladesh gov- amendment by Nov 6 commitment to continue to promote Scheduled to open in 2018, ties or from the joint-venture sible job,” said Anu Moham- ernment and the Bangladesh the creation of a world free of the plant would also discharge company behind the $1.7b power mad, a university professor who government will respond,” he chemical weapons, the country’s nearly 125,000 cubic metres plant. has been leading the campaign said. Agencies major parties so far had not foreign ministry said yesterday. a day of chemically-tainted Bangladeshi Prime Minister against the power plant. Unesco has asked the gov- Kathmandu been much fruitful in this “Bangladesh, as a signatory to the water used to cool generators, Sheikh Hasina has defended the “The government should heed ernment for a progress report regard; hence, the govern- Chemical Weapons Convention, according to design specifi ca- project and rejected concerns their call and scrap the project. by December on the state of ment was doing further would continue to promote tions. about it as politically motivated. The sooner it is scrapped, the conservation of the section of epal Prime Minister homework to make the peaceful use of chemicals and In a report published late But it has sparked protests in better for the Sundarbans.” the Sundarbans that is a World Pushpa Kamal Da- discussions more fruitful. create a world free of chemical Tuesday, Unesco said the plant’s Bangladesh, where hundreds There was no immediate com- Heritage site. Nhal yesterday said the The government has ac- weapons,” Xinhua news agency construction would result in a of campaigners marched from ment from the Bangladesh gov- In its report it said the forest government aims at tabling a corded top priority to con- quoted Bangladesh Foreign substantial increase in shipping Dhaka to the Sundarbans earlier ernment or the Bangladesh-In- was also threatened by the con- constitution amendment pro- clude the constitution Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood and dredging in the area. this year to demand the project dia Friendship Power Company struction of the Farakka Barrage posal in the parliament before amendment process in Ali as saying. It recommended that the be cancelled. Limited, which is setting up the on the river Ganges in the Indian November 6 and will try to consensus of the main op- Aki was meeting with Ahmet Uzumcu, plant be relocated “to a more On Tuesday, dozens of people plant at Rampal. state of West Bengal, which was build consensus among the position CPN-UML and director general of the Organisation suitable location, where it were injured when police fi red Company spokesman Anwarul reducing the fl ow of fresh water. major stakeholders, including agitating parties and groups, for the Prohibition of Chemical the agitating Madhesis. including Madhesis, Tharus Weapons (OPCW) in Dhaka. While addressing the parlia- and Janajatis, he said. They exchanged views on Nepal and India joint commission to hold fourth meeting ment to inform about his re- “I want to assure you,” he enhancing mutual cooperation in cently concluded visit to Goa said, addressing the disgrun- promoting the full and eff ective The fourth meeting of the India- India, both sides had agreed to hold expediting the India-funded projects 20-22 in New Delhi, but it was to attend the Brics-Bimstec tled groups, “Your genuine implementation of the Chemical Nepal Joint Commission, the the meeting “at the earliest”. and setting up of a joint mechanism cancelled after a change of guard Outreach Summit earlier this concerns will be addressed.” Weapons Convention. top bilateral body at the foreign Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan at the government level to monitor in Kathmandu. The third meeting week, he said discussions were The Madhesi parties and The visiting director general minister-level, will be held on Mahat and his Indian counterpart progress of these projects in Nepal. was held in Kathmandu in 2014 underway for the same so as to ethnic minority groups have commended Bangladesh’s strong October 26-27 in New Delhi, an Sushma Swaraj will lead the Besides, the meeting will also try after a gap of 23 years. table the proposal within next been pressing the govern- commitment towards chemical safety. off icial said yesterday. respective delegations at the to work out a time-bound plan to The joint commission is a high-level three weeks, before the Chhath ment to amend the con- He was particularly happy with The Joint Commission meeting meeting that will review and assess complete the pending projects, it said. mechanism that aims to review festival which is considered stitution at the earliest for the eff orts by the Bangladesh on October 27 will be followed by all facets of bilateral relations and Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi India-Nepal relations in the areas major in this country. addressing their demands authorities in implementing a foreign secretary-level meeting, will give a direction to the future and Premier Dahal had agreed to of politics and security, trade and Dahal also informed the relating to re-demarcation various provisions of the Nepal’s ministry of foreign aff airs course, said the statement. expedite the pending projects through investment, water resources and lawmakers that the draft of the of provincial boundary and convention. said in a statement. The meeting will also dwell upon a bilateral monitoring mechanism. power, connectivity, development proposal was at its fi nal stage. other relating to more rights Uzumcu is currently on a two-day During the recent state visit of Prime a wide range of bilateral issues Earlier, the joint commission assistance and education and He, however, admitted and representation to the visit to Dhaka at the invitation of Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to and try to find a way out, including meeting was scheduled for August culture. that talks held among the marginalised communities. the Bangladeshi government. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, October 20, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: C P Ravindran Stronger-than-expected

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar La Niña may be brewing [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), La Niña, characterised quarter of 2012. But recently, cooling PDO typically coincides with La Niña. time now, the trade winds did not 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) by cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the key The PDO index has been unusually allow them to surface until late June. Fax 44350474 Niño 3.4 region have touched the levels positive over the past two years, which Also highly infl uential in the ENSO surface waters in the of early 2012. is not surprising given the record- cycle is the Southern Oscillation Index, CPC now says there is a 70% chance strong El Niño observed late last year. or SOI, which is a measure of the equatorial Pacifi c Ocean, that La Niña will develop during the Since 1900, the fi rst six months of pressure tendency between Tahiti and has not offi cially been in Northern Hemisphere autumn 2016 2016 and 2015 ranked third and fourth Darwin, Australia. A positive SOI index and there is a 55% chance it will persist for highest average PDO index, behind is supportive of La Niña and negative place since the fi rst quarter during winter 2016-17. This is up from 1941 and 1940. values favour El Niño. GULF TIMES of 2012 last month’s forecast of a 40 to 45% But the index has been on a steep While SOI and the trade winds often chance of development. decline over the past couple of months, go hand-in-hand, they do not always The environment has not fully and September’s reading of 0.45 was follow the same tendency. This was By Karen Braun committed to the La Niña cycle for the lowest value since February 2014. particularly the case in late 2014 when Reuters Northern Hemispheric winter as the PDO has not been negative since conditions seemed to overwhelmingly The threat of sea surface temperature anomalies December 2013. favour development of a strong El have at times hesitated to maintain the This substantial shift in overall Niño, but since SOI and the trade any have doubted downward plunge. oceanic-atmospheric conditions winds were out of sync, El Niño was forecasts calling for the But there are larger-scale features in certainly makes a good case for La not able to pick up notable strength a new arms race onset of the fi rst La Niña Niña, so a close watch on PDO trends until mid-2015. Min almost fi ve years, over the next few months may hint The trade winds and SOI are believing that its failure to materialise For the upcoming at whether La Niña conditions could currently aligned in favour of La Niña in convincing fashion last summer – as stick around, or whether neutral ENSO to the greatest degree in three years. in outer space originally predicted – means that it months, La Niña or a reversal back to El Niño is possible Together with MJO, SOI and the trades may be off the table for 2016-17. in 2017. operate on a shorter time scale than But in recent weeks, the oceans favours colder winters Another climate indicator, the features like PDO, but all three will Killer satellites, blinding lasers, sophisticated jammers: and atmosphere have been pulling Madden-Julian Oscillation or MJO, play a key role in the degree to which the world’s military powers are quietly readying for a war everything into place to facilitate a in the northern US has also been paving the path for La La Niña arises in the Pacifi c this year. potentially stronger La Niña than Niña via the trade winds, which are For the upcoming months, La Niña in outer space – at the risk of fuelling a dangerous new previously thought, so those who and drier conditions among the most important elements in favours colder winters in the Northern arms race. follow commodities markets may want across the southern determining ENSO phase. US and drier conditions across the US military offi cials have in recent years sounded to take a second look. MJO is a cluster of thunderstorms southern tier. Last Thursday, the US Climate tier that circles the globe every 30 to 90 Parts of Southeast Asia that dried growing alarm about the potential vulnerabilities of their Prediction Center reissued the La days and is instrumental in bringing out during last year’s El Niño may satellites, which underpin US military power. Niña watch that was removed in early the oceans and atmosphere that appear rainfall to more drought-prone regions be subject to heavier bouts of rain September. The watch indicates that consistent with soon welcoming a full- in the tropics. In recent weeks, the over the next few months as La Niña Initially, the reserve of the United States and the Soviet conditions are favourable for the on La Niña, rather than a borderline MJO cluster has been very prominent tends to introduce a wetter pattern Union, space has now become accessible to an ever- phenomenon’s development within event or a neutral ENSO. in the Western Pacifi c Ocean. to the Western Pacifi c Rim. Australia expanding multitude of nations and private fi rms. the next six months. Over the past few months, there has This is crucial for the development is included on this list, though the El Niño-Southern Oscillation been a considerable shift in the Pacifi c of La Niña because the persistent low Aussies and several areas of Southeast And Moscow and Beijing are keen to show off (ENSO), with its cool phase La Niña Decadal Oscillation or PDO, a large- pressure from the storm activity in the Asia were saved last year from El their space-attack capabilities, a deep worry for US and warm phase El Niño, is one of the scale, long-term climate variability in Western Pacifi c is highly conducive Niño’s typical parching by an increase strategists. most reliable long-term indicators for the North Pacifi c Ocean that is closely to strengthening the trade winds. The in MJO activity. global climate. The ENSO phases can associated with ENSO cycles. stronger the trade winds in this region, Heading into Northern “We are changing the culture in our space enterprise have drastically diff erent impacts on A positive PDO index is associated the more La Niña is favoured. Hemispheric spring and summer, because we need to get our heads around... what happens commodities worldwide – from energy with anomalously cool waters and The equatorial trade winds have Atlantic hurricane activity generally use to grain yields. below-average sea level pressure in become much more consistently increases with La Niña and Eastern if a confl ict on Earth extends to space. How will we La Niña, characterised by cooler- the interior North Pacifi c, while a favourable for La Niña than they had Pacifi c hurricanes are fewer. El Niño defend our assets?” Air Force secretary Deborah Lee than-normal surface waters in the negative PDO index is the inverse been just a couple months ago. While often suppresses Atlantic hurricane James said at an event last month. equatorial Pacifi c Ocean, has not scenario. Positive PDO is often the cooler waters required for La Niña activity while amplifying it in the offi cially been in place since the fi rst correlated with El Niño and negative have existed within the ocean for some Eastern Pacifi c. In 2015, the mysterious behaviour of a Russian satellite fuelled speculation about Moscow developing possible attack satellites, capable of manoeuvring through space and approaching a target. Without warning or explanation, the craft positioned itself for several months between two Intelsat satellites in geostationary orbit, coming to within 10km Space war could of one, before eventually moving away again. be devastating “Our satellites are for humans crucial for our national security infrastructure,” said Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation, which works to develop the safe and sustainable use of space. “The fact that another entity can come close to them and interfere with their work is very unsettling to US national security,” she added. China, too, has demonstrated its ability to send a small, low-orbit satellite capable of manoeuvring toward another craft. Teresa Hitchens, senior research scholar at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, said that China in 2013 launched three small satellites into orbit, one of which had a robotic grappling arm. For the Pentagon and many US experts, it is clear America should speed up military eff orts in space, and prevent its communications network from becoming the armed forces’ Achilles heel. Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo congratulating former transportation minister Ignasius Jonan, left, after the latter was sworn in as the new energy and mineral “The Department of Defence has aggressively moved resources minister, during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Jakarta last Friday. out to develop responses that we see coming from China and Russia. I believe it’s essential that we go faster in our responses,” General John Hyten, head of the Air Force’s Two years after election, Widodo’s popularity surges Space Command, told lawmakers in September. The United States has since 2004 possessed a mobile By Ahmad Pathoni appreciate that,” said Ari Kuncoro, an his key campaign promises, according record has raised doubts about his DPA/Jakarta economics professor at the University to the poll. commitment to solve cases of past jamming station which, from the ground, can block of Indonesia. He has also won plaudits for making rights abuses, including army excesses satellite communications. “With the favourable political healthcare and education more in the rebellious Papua region. hen Indonesian climate, Jokowi can implement his accessible for the poor. “In terms of human rights, I give America has already tested using a missile to blow up a President Joko Widodo economic plans without hindrance,” The president has jetted across the him zero,” said Haris Azhar, the head satellite, and has recently acquired four satellites that can came to power two years he said. far-fl ung archipelago to inaugurate of the local human rights group manoeuvre in orbit and inspect or monitor other space Wago after a closely fought Public satisfaction with Joko’s and inspect various infrastructure Kontras. “Not a single past rights election, he faced an opposition performance has also increased, projects, as part of his signature abuse case has been solved,” he said. objects. majority in the legislature bent on according to a recent poll. hands-on leadership style. Joko’s tacit alliance with the military Space war could be devastating for humans, as a single obstructing him. Today the tables have “God willing, Papua and West has raised concerns about the return of exploded satellite would leave a trail of debris that in turned. Papua (provinces) won’t be dark military control over civilian life. Joko’s coalition now holds some “Indonesia needs to anymore by 2019,” Joko said after Under Joko, the military has been turn could damage other satellites in a chain reaction of 67% of the parliamentary seats after inaugurating six power plants in Papua given non-combat roles including destruction. two key coalition parties switched achieve economic on Monday. increased security functions, helping allegiance in a move attributed to his Joko has courted China to help police in combating terrorism and astute political manoeuvring. growth of more build the country’s infrastructure, drug traffi cking, as well as serving as To Advertise “Jokowi has been very successful in whose dilapidated state is seen as an advisers in the government’s food self- consolidating his power,” said Emrus than 6% if it wants to impediment to strong growth. suffi ciency programme. [email protected] Sihombing, a political analyst at Pelita create more jobs” China is building a 140km high- “Indeed, constrained within a Display Harapan University. speed railway connecting the capital tangle of oligarchic politics, Jokowi “Now there’s hardly opposition to A survey released in September by Jakarta and Bandung in West Java, has to do what needs to be done to Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 his policies,” he said. the Jakarta-based private think tank while direct foreign investment from advance his political goals,” wrote Classified Joko, a former furniture Centre for Strategic and International China has also increased. Emirza Adi Syailendra, an analyst businessman, won the presidential Studies found that Widodo’s The Indonesia economy grew 5.2% with the S Rajaratnam School of Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 election in 2014 promising to boost popularity rose nearly 16%, to 66%, year-over-year in the second quarter. International Studies at Nanyang Subscription economic growth and eradicate from last year. “Indonesia needs to achieve Technological University in Singapore. [email protected] corruption. Joko enjoys high approval ratings economic growth of more than 6% if it “The puzzling question is, however, “We’re seeing progress in the for his perceived success in improving wants to create more jobs,” Ari said. whether these political transactions infrastructure sector, with the food security, strengthening the Joko is not without his critics. His will, in the long run, be worth it for 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved construction of new power plants, domestic industry and developing the appointment of a former military Indonesia’s democratic progress,” he roads and railway lines, and people country as a maritime power – among chief with a dubious human rights added. Gulf Times Thursday, October 20, 2016 27 COMMENT The chimera of stock-market short-termism

With greater scope for and foundations. And many other stockholders buy and sell within a longer-term thinking, year, even though it means paying the executives would make full tax rate. Their decision-making time horizon will not be aff ected decisions that have a by a long phase-in of the more long-term payoff , even if advantageous tax rate. But the fact that Clinton’s plan they are costly today will not achieve its goal is not exactly the end of the world. Contrary to By Mark Roe widespread belief, stock-market- Cambridge induced short-termism is probably not much of an economic handicap anyway. There is considerable (though n often-heard refrain, not conclusive) evidence that it is increasingly voiced in US not nearly as widespread – or as politics, is that corporate problematic – as many think. AAmerica is excessively Consider this: four of the 10 biggest infl uenced by short-term stock- companies in the United States market considerations. While the today, measured by stock-market US presidential election is not capitalisation, are Amazon, Apple, particularly focused on policy at the Alphabet (Google) and Microsoft. moment, the campaign will soon end, None of them can be accused of failing at which point people will govern and to invest in R&D or other long-term, policies will be adopted. sometimes even visionary, projects. Given that both Republicans and And the stock market supports all of Democrats have criticised short- them well. If they can do it, others can termism, it is possible that some of – and surely do. those policies might aim to address Simply put, ending short-termism it. They are unlikely to make any has turned into a bigger political issue diff erence. than it deserves to be. It is a cause that Not only has the problem of short- resonates widely not because short- termism been woefully exaggerated, termism is hampering the economy, but the policy proposals for addressing but because saying that it is justifi es it are severely lacking. Consider protecting those with a stake in the Democratic presidential nominee A trader working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. status quo – well-paid employees; Hillary Clinton’s proposal – which CEOs and senior managers; and board Vice President Joe Biden has endorsed Today, the lower capital gains rate is rate, the argument goes, they will be traders accord to their stock. In any case, Clinton’s programme directors – from rapid change. – to use the capital gains tax to available on shareholder profi ts made more willing to withstand a drop in Of course, curtailing the velocity of will not achieve its stated goal of The bottom line is that there are encourage shareowners to hold on to when selling stock held for one year or that company’s quarterly earnings. trading may have other eff ects, both inducing those doing the trading, bigger, more pressing problems to their stock for a longer time. more. Clinton and her advisers hope, With greater scope for longer-term good and bad. If too many resources and thus setting stock prices, to take address. And, even if short-termism The idea is that when shareowners instead, to tax capital gains at ordinary thinking, executives would make and too much brainpower are now a longer-term perspective. Nor will were a major problem, Clinton’s tax furiously trade their stock, corporate rates for stock held for up to two years, decisions that have a long-term devoted to fi nding slight underpricing it make corporate executives less proposal would not resolve it. The executives feel pressed to ensure high after which the rate would decline by payoff , even if they are costly today. or overpricing of stock, Clinton’s concerned about the next quarter’s good news here is that the plan is not earnings every quarter, so that the four percentage points per year until, The plan certainly sounds programme might be a good thing, results. Prices will, after all, still be particularly high on Clinton’s agenda, share price does not fall. Investment after several years, it reached the reasonable. The problem is that a as it would help to reallocate those going up and down. leaving a chance that she might not in, say, research and development, current long-term rate, which tops out falling tax rate for capital gains will not resources. If, however, less trading There is another reason the feel compelled to implement it when despite its long-term benefi ts, can for wealthy investors at 20%. stop most stockholders from trading; makes markets more volatile and proposal will not be eff ective: elected. – Project Syndicate induce shareowners to sell, punishing If stockholders know that holding at most, it will impel some of them unpredictable, taxing short-termism many of the largest shareowners the company with a declining stock a company’s stock will eventually trade less often. Executives will still could turn out to be a cure worse than are institutions that don’t pay tax zMark Roe is a professor at Harvard price. allow them to benefi t from a lower tax have to worry about the price that the disease. anyway, such as pension funds Law School. Weather report Caff eine could help prevent dementia Three-day forecast TODAY By Karen Herzog The study was unique because High: 35 C Low : 25 C Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/TNS researchers had an unprecedented Hazy at places at first becomes opportunity to examine over time moderate temperature daytime with the relationships between caff eine some local clouds new study suggests a intake and dementia incidence in a signifi cant relationship large group of women who consumed FRIDAY between caff eine and diff erent amounts of caff eine, High: 36 C Adementia prevention, though according to Driscoll. Low: 25 C it stops short of establishing cause and The fi ndings come from participants Sunny eff ect. in the Women’s Health Initiative The study, published in The Journals Memory Study funded by the National of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. SATURDAY Sciences and Medical Sciences, found Driscoll and her research colleagues High: 36 C higher caff eine intake in women age used data from 6,467 postmenopausal Low: 24 C 65 and older was associated with women age 65 and older who reported Sunny reduced odds of developing dementia some level of caff eine consumption. or cognitive impairment. Intake was estimated from questions Among the 6,467 women in about coff ee, tea and cola beverage Fishermen’s forecast the study, self-reported caff eine intake, including frequency and OFFSHORE DOHA consumption of more than 261 serving size. Wind: NW-NE 03-13 KT milligrams of caff eine was associated In 10 years or less of follow-up Waves: 1-3 Feet with a 36% reduction in the risk of with annual assessments of cognitive INSHORE DOHA function, 388 of these women received Wind: SW-NW 05-15 KT dementia over 10 years of follow-up. Waves: 1-2 Feet That level is equivalent to two to three a diagnosis of probable dementia 8-ounce cups of coff ee per day, vefi to or some form of global cognitive Around the region six 8-ounce cups of black tea, or seven impairment. Weather Weather to eight 12-ounce cans of cola. Those who consumed above the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min “While we can’t make a direct link median amount of caff eine for this Abu Dhabi M Sunny 36/23 Sunny 35/23 between higher caff eine consumption group (with an average intake of 261mg Baghdad Sunny 33/16 Sunny 33/17 and lower incidence of cognitive per day) were diagnosed at a lower rate Dubai M Sunny 34/24 Sunny 33/23 Kuwait City impairment and dementia, with than those who fell below the median Sunny 37/21 Sunny 36/21 Manama Sunny 36/24 Sunny 34/26 further study, we can better quantify better understand the underlying a causative eff ect, Driscoll told the (with an average intake of 64mg per Muscat Sunny 34/26 Sunny 33/26 its relationship with cognitive health mechanisms and their involvement in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. day). Riyadh Sunny 34/19 Sunny 34/19 outcomes,” said Ira Driscoll, the dementia and cognitive impairment,” “The mounting evidence of The researchers adjusted for risk Tehran Sunny 22/13 Sunny 22/11 study’s lead author and a professor she said. caff eine consumption as a potentially factors such as hormone therapy, of psychology at the University of Researchers know that caff eine protective factor against cognitive age, race, education, body mass Wisconsin-Milwaukee. binds to pre-existing adenosine impairment is exciting given that index, sleep quality, depression, “Research on this topic will receptors in the brain, so the fi ndings caff eine is also an easily modifi able hypertension, prior cardiovascular be benefi cial not only from a point to a potential mechanism dietary factor” with few risk factors, disease, diabetes, smoking and alcohol preventative standpoint but also to worth further exploring to determine Driscoll said. consumption.

Live issues Is fl ossing your teeth a waste of time?

By Dr Luisa Dillner The lack of good research emerged Association, says that brushing teeth London in a 2011 systematic review by the twice a day with a fl uoride toothpaste and only occasionally eating sugar Cochrane Oral Health Group. Its Around the world summary of results from 12 studies treats after meals is the best way Weather Weather I don’t need to fl oss” is a found only weak evidence that fl ossing to prevent tooth decay. He believes today Max/min tomorrow Max/min sentence my dentist never (plus brushing) reduces bleeding from fl ossing is of little value and that Athens P Cloudy 22/14 S Showers 23/17 used to hear – not until gums, and none for plaque reduction. small interdental brushes are better at Beirut Sunny 25/20 M Sunny 25/21 recently, when the latest But good studies are hard to do. cleaning the gaps between teeth. Bangkok S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 31/26 “ Berlin S Showers 11/04 S Showers 09/04 Dietary Guidelines for Americans The quality of fl ossing varies. No one, however, is arguing that Cairo Sunny 28/18 Sunny 28/18 stopped recommending it. Now, lots One study showed that professional fl ossing isn’t useful for dislodging Cape Town M Sunny 27/16 S Showers 19/13 of his patients are telling him they’ve fl ossing fi ve times a week can reduce unsightly food stuck between Colombo S T Storms 29/26 Showers 29/25 stopped. Despite the NHS advising tooth decay – a result not seen in any teeth. My own dentist, Richard Dhaka Sunny 33/23 Sunny 33/22 P Cloudy 28/27 daily fl ossing – and almost all dentists studies of self-fl ossing – so it’s clearly Travers, thinks we can drop the daily Hong Kong 30/27 Heavy Rain Istanbul P Cloudy 18/13 P Cloudy 20/12 being fans of interdental cleaning – a skill. Experts advise moving the fl oss, enslavement and reduce fl ossing to Jakarta S T Storms 32/26 T Storms 32/25 an investigation by Associated Press held in a C shape, away from the gum twice a week, increasing if our gums Karachi Sunny 32/24 Sunny 32/24 found “little proof that fl ossing works”. in an up-and-down motion. start bleeding. London M Cloudy 14/07 P Cloudy 13/06 But how can it not be good for you? However, the Cochrane paper His gut feeling, from what he sees, Manila T Storms 29/26 T Storms 31/25 Moscow Cloudy 03/01 Cloudy 03/0 Between our teeth are interdental sites actually said that, although the is that both fl ossing and interdental New Delhi Sunny 36/21 Sunny 36/22 coated in dental plaque. Plaque is a research was poor, the benefi ts of brushes are useful. And, in a recent New York Rain 21/19 S Showers 22/12 layer of bacteria mixed with organic fl ossing probably outweighed any feature in the British Dental Journal, Paris M Cloudy 15/07 P Cloudy 14/05 matter that coats teeth and causes gum risks. Bleeding gums is a risk factor in senior dentists including Phil Ower, Sao Paulo T Storms 31/19 S T Storms 22/17 M Sunny P Cloudy 22/13 infl ammation (gingivitis) and tooth developing chronic gum disease than the president of the British Society of Seoul 25/13 Singapore S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 32/25 decay. from other surfaces, but are not so can destroy the bone underneath. Periodontology, announced that they Sydney S Showers 19/14 M Sunny 28/17 Early warning signs include bleeding good between teeth. Surely fl oss can Professor Damien Walmsley, a still fl oss their own teeth. – Guardian Tokyo Clear 26/16 Cloudy 20/14 gums. Toothbrushes get rid of plaque reach the parts that brushes can’t? scientifi c adviser for the British Dental News and Media Gulf Times 28 Thursday, October 20, 2016 QATAR Video Home receives LG award for highest TV sales in Mideast ideo Home & Electronics Centre has been award- Ved by LG for the high- est growth in television sales amongst the distributors from the Middle East. The award was presented at the recent annual conference of LG in Korea with distributors from the Middle East to discuss business plans for the year 2017. The team from Video Home was also given a tour of the R&D facility of LG and taken through the product roadmap for 2017 of new products that will be intro- duced in Qatar. C V Rappai, director and CEO of Video Home & Electronic Centre said: “We are proud to receive this recognition, it is all the more special to us as this year we are also celebrating our 30 years of partnership with the LG Brand. Qatar is a rapidly growing market in the GCC and the premium television segment continues to show robust growth with demand for new technolo- gies like OLED on the rise. This award also demonstrates the consumer confi dence in LG tel- evisions. “LG introduced the OLED TV in Qatar last year which greatly helped increase the sales of tel- evisions in Qatar. Coined as a revolutionary new technology, OLED allows televisions to dis- Video Home and LG off icials after the award ceremony. play true black in a way other TV technologies sold today just deep black also serves as the per- ments in OLED technology is ports, LG plans to triple its OLED TV market would expand by up ager Mohamed Anis, assistant dent Y G Choi. LG Gulf general cannot. With this incredible fect backdrop for rendering vi- also promising with the potential TV sales while the company dou- to 150% by the end of 2016, while general manager (fi nance) Uday manager J D Lee, TV Product precision, OLED TVs can render brant colours without light noise it has created by expanding the bles its UHD TV global market the OLED TV market volume Bhagat and divisional manager head (Korea) S J Moon and LG TV crisp, nuanced images down to interfering with the picture. market share in the premium TV share. Research fi rm IHS esti- would triple during this year.” (LG TV) Rajesh Menon received Gulf sales manager Gulam Mah- the most precise details. OLED’s “LG’s technological advance- market. According to latest re- mates that the size of the UHD Video Home general man- the award from LG Gulf presi- boob were present. LuLu summer promotion QCS, Woqod in pact ‘off ers 50% discount’ for health awareness

he LuLu Summer Sale is atar Cancer Society on at all LuLu outlets un- (QCS) and Qatar Fuel Ttil November 5. Q(Woqod) have signed a “Prices will be slashed up three-year agreement for health to 50% on garments including awareness in the community, es- menswear, children’s wear, la- pecially on cancer. dies’ wear, saris, churidhar, chu- The agreement was signed by ridhar material, footwear, and Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al- ladies’ bags,” a statement said. Thani, chairman of Qatar Can- World-class brands, includ- cer Society and Ibrahim Jaham ing Hush Puppies, Crocs, Ree- al-Kuwari, CEO of Woqod. bok, Skechers, Woodlands, Sheikh Dr Khalid said the Nike, Converse, Francajel, Dick- agreement seeks to promote ies, Josef Seibel, Sapatoterapia, awareness of the diseases, Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Al- among diff erent segments of so- len Solly, Arrow, Wrangler, Kill- ciety, which cannot be achieved er, Lee, Eten, John Louis, Arezzo, without the support and co- De Backers, Marco Donateli, operation of the institutions and Cortigiani, Sero and Oxemberg agencies operating in the coun- are available on sale. try. “There would be attractive “Promotion of health educa- promotions in other sections as tion in the community is a shared well,” the statement explained. responsibility and we thank Wo- The objective of the promotion The LuLu Summer Sale is on at all outlets until November 5. qod for their generous support Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani and Ibrahim Jaham al-Kuwari is to meet the requirements of for the cause of health awareness exchange the agreement. the customers “at highly rea- at the checkout on the POS ma- til October 23. Further, select titled to get a coupon to win a programmes and events.” sonable and modest prices.” chine. The promotion, entirely household items are available at Quad bike and other prizes in- Al-Kuwari said the agreement Woqod is the gold sponsor of tives.’ Over 2,500 scientists, Also launched is the ‘Win controlled by the computer 25% discount and select home cluding cooler, grill, sleeping is within the company’s com- the Breast Cancer Conference or- researchers and delegates from 1,500 Free Trolleys with LuLu’ system, will continue until No- furnishing items at 20% dis- bag and tent. This promotion mitment to social responsibility ganised by QCS in collaboration diff erent countries will discuss promotion for the second time vember 6 at LuLu outlets at D- count. will continue until October 25 by providing material and moral with several other healthcare or- a number of topics related to in Qatar. Customers buying su- Ring Road, Al Gharrafa, Al Khor Nestle has also launched a and the mega draw will be held support to the activities and ganisations in the country. breast cancer including the lat- permarket items will have the Mall and Barwa City. promotion in co-ordination on October 27. events of Qatar Cancer Society, The conference will be held at est developments in the treat- opportunity to win the full trol- Another off er titled ‘15/20 with LuLu Group wherein cus- Customers will also get more as well as participating in aware- Sheraton Doha on October 28- ment of the disease, preventive ley of items shopped by them Deals’ on selected items in all tomers purchasing Nescafe savings if they do their purchase ness campaigns and other activ- 29 under the slogan, ‘Present measures and future steps to for free while making payment categories will continue un- products worth QR30 are en- on LuLu-Doha Bank credit card. ities carried out by the society. Standards and New Perspec- contain the disease. Qatari students drive rise in QU college admissions

he strength of Qatar Uni- specially designed to meet the Dr al-Esmail also noted that implement changes in Fall 2016.” versity College of Busi- needs of the labour market, pro- the department made a number “The Department also es- Tness & Economics (QU- moting student engagement in of achievements such as the tablished a new 4 + 1 master’s CBE) has risen to 4,110 with the research activities that develop proposal of 252 new English and programme. This fi ve-year ac- admission of 899, comprising their skills, and advancing a Arabic programmes for Fall and counting programme will allow 75% Qataris during Fall 2016. culture of community engage- Spring 2016, and the publication students to complete the Bach- This was revealed by CBE ment through the development of 48 papers in high-level jour- elor of Business Administration dean Dr Khalid Shams M A al- of a new strategy for expansion nals and conferences, among (BBA) in Accounting and the Abdulqader at a press briefi ng in executive education, and the many others. Master of Accounting (MAC) to outline the key achievements, promotion of application ses- On the College’s Finance & programmes in fi ve years in- developments and future plans sions in key areas such as human Economics Department, Dr stead of six. The fourth year of for the academic year 2016-2017. capital management, business Nechi noted that the department the programme is a transition in Management and Market- analyses and project manage- off ers accounting courses in Ar- which students complete their ing Department head Dr Bader ment. QU-CBE off icials at the press briefing. abic for the Arabic track, while bachelor’s degree and start their al-Esmail, Finance & Econom- The CBE dean stressed the restructuring the Management master’s degree.” ics head Dr Salem Nechi and importance of strengthening (EY), KPMG and Pricewater- signed to highlight key points in “This demonstrates the quality Information Systems (MIS) Ma- Dr Nechi noted that the de- Accounting and Information links with the College’s Advisory houseCoopers (PwC). international tax principles and of our programmes since only jor in line with the needs of the partment will continue to ad- Systems head Dr Mostafa Kamal Council and various sectors of “This agreement aimed to Qatari tax law, and will use in- 5% of business colleges in the labour market. vance its research initiatives Hassan were also present. society through the establish- establish collaboration on the dicative examples.” world are accredited by AACSB.” “During the academic year through the organisation of re- Dr al-Abdulqader outlined the ment of partnerships with gov- development and the delivery Dr al-Abdulqader also high- Dr al-Esmail explained the 2015-2016, the department ap- search forums and seminars on four pillars of the college’s new ernmental and non-governmen- of a tax awareness training pro- lighted the PhD Programme College’s Management and Mar- proved a restructuring of the tax awareness with the aim to strategic plan, which are: gradu- tal institutions in Qatar. gramme for CBE students”, he in Business Administration, keting Department comprises Master of Accounting pro- ensure a full engagement with ating high-qualifi ed profession- He also referred to the recent said, adding, “The training ses- launched this year. The pro- a total of 829 students, includ- gramme into two tracks – thesis the community, the establish- als who will contribute to Qatar’s agreement which was signed sions will be provided at QU dur- gramme is accredited by the As- ing 658 Qatari nationals. The track and non-thesis track. The ment of research groups and the growth and progress, establish- with “Big Four” accounting ing the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 sociation to Advance Collegiate number of faculty has increased proposal is yet to be approved by improvement of research ing new graduate programmes fi rms – Deloitte, Ernst & Young academic years. They are de- Schools of Business (AACSB). to 36. the university, and we expect to metrics.