QATAR | Page 2 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Kuwari Dane stresses depth of ties Dideriksen between stuns Wild INDEX Arab and DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-11, 31, 32 COMMENT 30 REGION 12 BUSINESS 1-6, 17-20 to clinch Chinese 18,059.00 10,389.96 50.35 ARAB WORLD 12-14 CLASSIFIED 7-16 cultures +38.00 -13.08 -0.09 INTERNATIONAL 15-29 SPORTS 1-12 world title +0.21% -0.13% -0.18% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10243 October 16, 2016 Muharram 15, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals FM attends meetings on Syria Initiative to In brief boost private

REGION | Recognition Qatar Airways wins Middle East award sector role Qatar Airways was chosen as the Middle East Airline of the Year at the 10th annual Aviation Business Awards held in Dubai. Qatar Airways was chosen on the back in education of the airline’s global network, modern aircraft and luxurious Investors from the private sector tion. They should submit their views Business Class service for providing would be invited to develop and on the implementation mechanism passengers with an exceptional operate a number of educational of such projects through answering a travel experience. Qatar Airways facilities according to the approved number of qualitative questions re- Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker standards garding the strategies for implement- said it was a demonstration of “the HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani took part in meetings on the Syrian crisis in Lausanne, ing the project. airline’s commitment to delivering Switzerland, yesterday. The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei he Ministry of Economy and Through this exercise, the commit- with the very best travel experience Lavrov, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Commerce (MEC) has an- tee wants to identify the inclination of to customers”. Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif, Staff an de Mistura, UN special envoy of the secretary-general Tnounced the launch of an ini- investors regarding the type of educa- for Syria, Turkey’s Foreign Aff airs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh. HE Sheikh Mohamed tiative that provides the private sector tional facilities they want to build, the AFRICA | Agreement earlier took part in a trilateral co-ordination meeting on the Syrian crisis with the Saudi and Turkish foreign ministers. A with promising investment opportuni- targeted student category, the time re- quartet co-ordination meeting was also held among HE Sheikh Mohamed, Saudi and Turkish foreign ministers and the US ties in the education sector. quired for the accomplishment of the Deal to phase out secretary of state ahead of the international conference. Kerry later said the Lausanne talks produced some new ideas on As part of the scheme, the ministry project and what support should be greenhouse gases reviving a ceasefire in Syria. But he said it was too early to reveal what these ideas were, and that high-level contacts - but not a plans to allocate land to build and oper- provided to the developers to success- In a major step toward curbing ministerial-level meeting - would continue tomorrow to flesh them out. Page 14 ate private schools that would provide fully build and operate the facility. global warming, the world distinguished educational services ac- Other issues addressed by the ques- community yesterday agreed to cording to the approved strategies and tionnaire include the cost of building phase out a category of dangerous standards and the best international and operating such private schools, an greenhouse gases widely used in practices. economic feasibility study for these refrigerators and air conditioners. The initiative is launched by the MEC projects and the proposed mechanism Nearly 200 countries agreed to end Technical Committee to Stimulate Pri- for marketing the educational services. production and consumption of vate Sector Participation in Economic Some of the questions are related so-called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) MMR vaccine safe and Development Projects in co-operation to the integration of the new services under an amendment to the 1987 with the Ministry of Education and with those currently off ered by both Montreal Protocol on protecting Higher Education and all other entities the public and private sectors in the the ozone layer. HFCs stoke climate concerned in the country. country. change because they are super- In co-ordination with the Ministry The participants would also answer eff icient at trapping heat in Earth’s eff ective, says ministry of Municipality and Environment, the questions on the proposed curriculum atmosphere. Page 15 committee has worked to allocate 10 and educational programmes, and how he Ministry of Public Health the past few months - within the cam- in 1998 and had been refuted ever since. plots of land, each measuring 15,000sq to get Qatar National School Accredi- THAILAND | Decision (MoPH) has affi rmed that the paign’s targeted age group of one to 13 The US Centers for Disease Control and m, at Al Wakrah, Al Khor and Al Rayyan tation, in addition to specifying the Tmeasles, mumps and rubella years. Prevention and the UK Academy of for this purpose. student capacity of the proposed insti- Prince urges calm (MMR) vaccine “is safe, eff ective and According to the offi cial Qatar News Medical Sciences had announced that Investors from the private sector tute, the targeted social categories, the over succession gives long-term protection”, and this Agency, the ministry has highlighted there was no connection between MMR would be invited to develop and oper- adopted educational system, extracur- Thailand’s Crown Prince has urged has been proved by its use globally for the importance of taking the MMR or any of its components and autism. ate a number of educational facilities ricular/co-curricular activities and the people not to “worry” about his more than 40 years. booster dose to prevent the diseases, The MoPH noted that the National according to the approved standards. proposed fees for each stage and class. surprise decision to delay being The MoPH also dismissed rumours, noting that about 3-5% of children Immunisation Programme was estab- The MEC has published a question- After evaluating the response to the proclaimed king following the death which had been spreading through so- do not develop suffi cient immunity lished in 1979 and MMR was introduced naire on the issue on its website, urging questionnaire, the committee hopes to his beloved father, the country’s cial media, of links between the MMR against the diseases after the fi rst or to the national immunisation schedule those interested to answer it. The ques- move on to the next phases, such as is- junta leader said yesterday. The vaccine and autism. second dose. in 1992. Qatar has achieved over 95% tionnaire is aimed at making potential suing the project licences and tender. move, which led to the appointment The ministry is set to conduct a na- Further, the MoPH stressed that it immunisation coverage, which has sig- investors and others to submit clear The ultimate aim of publishing the of a regent, has spurred rumours tional immunisation campaign against followed the best international stand- nifi cantly contributed to reducing the views on the mechanism of land alloca- questionnaire is to study the market in a nation whose recent history measles, mumps and rubella from to- ards to ensure the health and safety of rates of morbidity and mortality due to tion to develop and operate educational situation in this area based on the vi- is studded with coups, political morrow until November 14, targeting Qatar’s citizens and residents, adding disease that can be prevented by immu- institutes by the private sector. sion of the private sector . intrigues and street protests. about 294,000 children aged one to 13 that the State “spared no eff ort for the nisation, according to the statement. Encouraging people to participate, the Both the MEC and the Ministry of Against that backdrop, King years across the country. preservation of lives and the protection In the context of ensuring the safety ministry said the views of the respond- Education and Higher Education have Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died on In a press statement yesterday, the of children, ensuring that the commu- of vaccines, the MoPH has established ents would be highly instrumental in urged private sector investors and oth- Thursday aged 88, represented MoPH said the MMR vaccine that nity was healthy and free of infectious a programme to follow up on the side adopting the fi nal layout of the project. ers interested in participating in the stability and moral rectitude to would be used during the campaign had diseases and epidemics”. eff ects of vaccines, the statement said. Those who want to respond to the initiative to submit their entries within many Thais. Page 18 been licensed for use in Qatar and ap- It explained that vaccination was one Further, the statement pointed that questionnaire should provide their one month from October 15. proved by the National Immunisation of the best and most important ways to the “MMR vaccine contained devi- contact information and a summary of Details can be obtained by visiting ASIA | Concerns Technical Advisory Committee. prevent infectious diseases, adding that talised viruses with minimised ability their experience in the fi eld of educa- the MEC website at www.mec.gov.qa The vaccine is also approved by the the national programme of immunisa- to morbidity in order to stimulate the US military detects World Health Organisation (WHO), tion had contributed during the past human immune system to build its im- failed missile launch US Food and Drug Administration and years to the elimination of a number munity”. It added that the presence of The US military detected a failed GCC unifi ed drugs and vaccines pur- of infectious diseases in Qatar, includ- more than one devitalised virus in the North Korean missile launch chase specifi cations committee, the ing smallpox, polio, neonatal tetanus, vaccine leads to the creation of a strong yesterday, amid concerns the statement noted. tetanus and diphtheria. According to but not suffi cient immunity, which is Agreement on recycling hermit state may be on the brink of The vaccine does not include lead or WHO, the national MMR programme is the reason for a second and a booster another nuclear test or long-range aluminium and is used in MMR vac- considered to be the best in the region, doses in diff erent stages of age. atari Primary Materials Com- development, infrastructure and rocket launch. “The North American cination campaigns in neighbouring the statement said. The ministry urged citizens and resi- pany (QPMC) has signed a others. Aerospace Defence Command GCC countries, according to the min- In a bid to allay fears over rumours dents not to pay attention to rumours Qcontract with Britain’s TRL The two sides will start their co-op- (NORAD) determined the missile istry. spreading through social media, the and seek health information from offi - to recycle construction waste and eration in the fi rst quarter of 2017. launch from North Korea did not The statement points out that the ministry affi rmed that the vaccine was cial sources at the MoPH. co-operate in environmental studies. Commenting on the deal, QPMC’s pose a threat to North America,” national campaign for MMR immuni- “safe and eff ective”. It said extensive The ministry has said it is ready to re- The agreement also involves the two CEO, Eisa al-Hammadi, said the US Strategic Command said in a sation has been “planned and prepared studies had proven that there was no ceive queries about the campaign on the sides undertaking practical solutions agreement was part of the company’s statement about the launch of what in accordance with WHO recommen- link between MMR and autism and that following hotlines - 66740948 for Ara- to turn local construction waste, of strategy of placing sustainable devel- it said was a Musadan intermediate- dations following measles cases reg- most of the rumours were based on an bic and 66740951 for English – as well as demolished old buildings for exam- opment and envir onmental protection range ballistic missile. istered in Qatar - 18 in 2015 and 22 in incorrect study conducted by a doctor through e-mail - cdcmoph.gov.qa ple, to usable products in building at the heart of its operations. Qatargas delivers over 2,500 LNG cargoes to Japanese customers

atargas has “successfully” de- nese LNG buyers. This achievement guests including Qatar’s ambassador to boosting future cooperation between livered more than 2,500 LNG could not have been possible without Japan, members of the Arab and inter- Japanese customers and partner com- Qcargoes to its Japanese custom- the confi dence of our customers and national diplomatic corps, the mayor of panies, particularly in the LNG trade. ers, company chairman Saad Sherida the cooperation of all our partners in Tokyo, government offi cials, and senior They included meetings with al-Kaabi has said. Japan.” executives from the energy and banking chairmen, presidents, and senior ex- Addressing the annual reception Al-Kaabi said: “For us in Qatar, we sectors, as well as a number of Qatari ecutives of Chubu Electric, Jera, Mit- hosted by Qatargas for its Japanese have watched the volatility that has students in Japan. sui, Chiyoda Corporation, Idemitsu, partners and customers in Tokyo re- characterised the energy market in Meanwhile, al-Kaabi, also QP presi- Cosmo Oil, LNG Japan, Mitsui & cently, al-Kaabi said: “ (The year)1997 the past two years. And, throughout dent & CEO, has concluded a work- Company, Marubeni Corporation and was the beginning of our historic jour- this time, we have never lost sight of ing visit to Japan, during which he has Itohchu. ney in Japan with Chubu Electric and the need to maintain and enhance our held talks with major Japanese energy Meetings were also held with fi nan- the seven founding Japanese buyers. long-standing relationships with our companies on enhancing existing co- cial institutions such as Bank of To- The friendship and commitment of valued customers and partners.” operation. kyo – Mitsubishi UFJ and Japan Bank Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Qatargas Al-Kaabi expressed gratitude to all Al-Kaabi was accompanied on the for International Cooperation, util- towards our partners remain just as Qatar’s business partners in Japan for visit and talks by a delegation compris- ity companies such as Tokyo Electric strong as it was then – if not strong- their continued support and friend- Al-Kaabi: QP president & CEO and Qatargas chairman ing a number of senior QP and Qatargas (TEPCO), Kansai Electric, and Tohoku er. I am proud to announce that we ship, stressing that “Qatar places offi cials. Electric; and other major shipping have successfully delivered more than great value on its relationship with its wards better and stronger relations”. targas for its Japanese partners and Talks and discussions during the lines such as NYK Line, MOL, K Line 2,500 cargoes to our esteemed Japa- clients in Japan, and we will work to- The annual reception hosted by Qa- customers was attended by hundreds of two-day visit focused on ways of and Iino. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 16, 2016 QATAR Al-Kuwari stresses depth of ties between Arab, Chinese cultures

QNA that for this reason the slogan Beijing of his candidacy’s campaign is “Towards a New Start”, which implies a breakthrough to regain E Dr Hamad bin Ab- a renewal of the key principles dulaziz al-Kuwari, Ad- established by the initial found- Hviser at the Emiri Diwan ers of Unesco. and Qatar’s candidate to the post Dr al-Kuwari stressed the im- of Director-General of the Unit- portance of culture as an instru- ed Nations Educational, Scien- ment of soft power, renewing tifi c and Cultural Organisation his call for the establishment of (Unesco) has stressed depth of an International Day of Culture relations between the Arab and against terrorism. Chinese cultures. He also stressed Qatar’s and Delivering a lecture at the Pe- China’s strong commitment king University (PKU) under the and experience in the fi eld of title “China and the Arabs: The education, noting that revitalis- Lesson of Dialogue of Cultures”, ing education is one of his main Dr al-Kuwari said the pres- priorities so that Unesco would tigious Peking University is a continue its eff orts in this im- HE al-Kuwari stressed depth of relations between the Arab and Chinese cultures during his lecture at the symbol of the close relationship portant fi eld and works towards Peking University on the topic “China and the Arabs: The Lesson of Dialogue of Cultures”. between China and the Arabs in a future where all technological modern history since the estab- means are utilised to fi ght edu- lishment of the Department of cational decline and create new Arabic Language and Culture in partnerships among countries 1946, referring to the signing of along with the best universities a Memorandum of Understand- in the world. ing (MoU) for Co-operation be- HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Adviser at the Emiri Diwan He said education is “a path tween the Qatar University and and Qatar’s candidate to the post of Director-General of the United towards sustainable develop- PKU in 2012. Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), ment and contributes to provid- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim delivering a lecture at the Peking University. ing well-informed citizens the bin Hamad al-Thani has an- necessary means to overcome nounced the foundation of Qatar history of cultural exchanges be- diversity, whether in its social the stringent diffi culties in their Chair for Middle East Studies tween China and the Arab world, composition or in its direct rela- daily life while also helping the at the University of Peking with referring to Travellers Ibn Bat- tion with Arabs. This diversity political leaders to conduct the a grant of $10mn, Dr al-Kuwari tuta and Wang Dayuan who drew and cultural embodiment is what right decisions in order to build a said, noting that the Qatar- the cultural dialogue roadmap makes the Chinese people more resoundingly sustainable world.” China 2016 Year of Culture ex- and have contributed in enrich- understanding when it comes Dr al-Kuwari also stressed the presses Qatar’s appreciation for ing the Arab and Chinese civili- to the importance of the role of importance of cultural exchange the bilateral relations between zations alike. Unesco at this time in history, es- and mutual respect, saying that the two countries and the im- The “Silk Road” that linked pecially when it comes to the res- China has been playing a sig- portance of culture in achieving China to the Arab world for more olute need to continually expand nifi cant role in perpetuating this rapprochement among peoples. than 2,000 years embodies the cultural dialogue between na- path. Dr al-Kuwari stressed that common inherent heritage be- tions for the sake of overall world Dr al-Kuwari called to achieve Qatar and China have strong bi- tween both Chinese and Arab peace,’’ Dr al-Kuwari added. a new balance in the world based lateral relations in various fi elds civilizations, he explained. There is a general consensus on the mutual respect and un- and play a joint role in enhancing Unesco added the Great “Silk about the fact that Unesco faces derstanding of cultures. the dialogue between peoples of Road” to the World Heritage List a fi nancial crisis that requires Qatar’s ambassador to China, the world. due to its historical role in the creative solutions and innova- Sultan bin Salmeen Almansouri Both countries have as well development of economic and tive minds in dealing with it, al- attended the lecture along with maintained Arab-Chinese rela- cultural relations the diverse lowing the international organi- a number of Arab ambassadors tions, which are historical and people of the regions, he said. sation to achieve outstanding accredited to China, offi cials, deeply rooted, he added. “I believe that China embodies results in education, culture and professors and students in the Dr al-Kuwari has reviewed the the perfect expression of cultural science, al-Kuwari said, noting University of Peking. HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari with other dignitaries at the Peking University. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 3 QATAR Qatar one of the least aff ected globally by Hepatitis C virus

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter

atar is now one of the countries least Qaff ected by Hepa- titis C as the number of people infected by the virus has been reduced to 0.8% of the population compared to 2% in 2010, an offi cial of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) revealed yesterday. “A study, done in July this year, found that the inci- dence of Hepatitis C among the total population of the country is only about 0.8% which is one of the lowest in Dr Saad al-Kaabi addressing the gathering. PICTURES: Ram Chand the world. More than 5,000 people were involved in the 12 weeks,” he continued. He explained: “It is a new they are given the new med- study. It was 2% in 2010. According to al-Rumaihi, treatment. The vaccine is an We want to bring it down by Hepatitis C cases were oral tablet and the cure rate is another 30% by 2020 and found more among people more than 90% based on the eradicate it completely in the aged 45 and above. “It is cases treated in Qatar. Earlier, near future,” said Dr Hamad more prevalent among male the cure rate was only about Eid al-Rumaihi, director of than female. While the inci- 50-60%. We are encouraging Health Protection & Com- dence of the disease was 0.8 all the patients to receive the municable Disease Control among the whole popula- new treatment.” Department, MoPH. tion, it was only 0.3 among Dr al-Kaabi highlighted Speaking on the side- the nationals. It is the 7th that there is a clear global lines of the National Sym- leading cause of death all strategy in fi ghting the hep- posium on Hepatitis C , over the world. The seri- atitis virus. “The strategy Dr al-Rumaihi stated that ous complications of undi- has four major areas. They Dr Hamad Eid al-Rumaihi there are no waiting cases agnosed cases namely liver are awareness, screening, of Hepatitis C to be treated cancer and cirrhosis, make treatment and follow-up. icine,” he continued. in the country. “We are re- it a critical disease to be de- We are following all these in During the event an agree- ferring all the cases to Ha- tected early and treated,” he the country,” he described. ment was signed between mad Medical Corporation. added. “The screening can be HMC and Qatar Red Cres- We don’t have any waiting Dr Saad al-Kaabi, senior done at the health centres cent Society for carrying out list for treatment and a new consultant of medical aff airs under the Primary Health awareness campaigns about case is treated within one and the head of gastroen- Care Corporation. There the disease. Moreover, 20% week. We off er direct an- terology and hepatology at is a specialised team for of the cost of the medicine tiviral agent which is free Hamad Medical Corpora- conducting the screening to be paid by the expatriates, of charge for all. It is a new tion (HMC) noted that the at the health centres. The will be borne by Qatar Red treatment method which is present treatment is far more confi rmed cases are sent Crescent Society for the next an oral tablet to be taken for eff ective than the old ones. to HMC for treatment and fi ve years. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, October 16, 2016 QATAR

Malabar Gold & Diamonds glitters Barwa Bank names draw winners

arwa Bank has an- nounced the names Bof the 12th round of draw winners for Thara’a, its Shariah-compliant savings account, at the bank’s head- quarters. Adel Alawi Ali Alsanabani, Abdulaziz Abdulwahed A A Mashhadi, Kayingil Mohamed Kutty Abdutty and Raafat Wasfy Abdallah Ebdallah each won a cash prize of QR25,000. Also, a cash prize worth Malabar Gold & Diamonds has been recognised as the ‘Most Admired Retailer’ in QR50,000 was awarded to the Gold and Jewellery category at the Images RetailME Awards 2016. The special Elasyed Salem and Fahad jury award was bestowed on the brand after evaluating the evidence of success Mohd M Alqadi. achieved during the assessment period – August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016, according The draw’s 12th round was to a press statement from Malabar Gold & Diamonds. Pictured is Salish Mathew, conducted under the super- head – branding & marketing at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, receiving the award vision of a representative from Luca Cappuccitti of Design International at an event held in Dubai, the UAE. from the qualitative licence M P Ahammed, chairman of Malabar Group, said: “This award is a direct reflection and market control depart- of our hard work and commitment.” ment at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. Thara’a off ers account holders the chance to ben- efi t from cash rewards up to QR1,000,000. Based on several criteria, Thara’a account hold- ers are eligible for a number of periodic draws for cash prizes. Totalling QR3,000,000, Thara’a cash rewards are dis- tributed on both a monthly and biannual basis to cus- tomers holding a minimum balance of QR10,000. On a monthly basis, there are sev- en winners per draw for the cash prize of QR5,000 as well as four winners per draw for the cash prize of QR10,000. Additionally, twice a year, there are four winners per draw for the cash prize of QR25,000, two winners per draw for the cash prize of QR50,000 and one winner per draw for the grand prize of QR1,000,000. In all, 102 winners are re- warded with cash prizes up to QR3,000,000, according to a press statement from Barwa Bank.

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, October 16, 2016 QATAR

Qatar condemns Egypt attack atar has condemned The Qatari Ministry of stressed the State of Qa- an attack that tar- Foreign Aff airs said in a tar’s position against vio- QIB introduces new ‘automated Qgeted a security statement on Friday that lence in all its forms. The checkpoint in North Sinai it condemned the criminal ministry also expressed its governorate in Egypt, kill- act, adding that the attack condolences to the families ing and injuring a number contradicted all human of the victims, wishing the of armed forces’ personnel. values. The statement also injured a speedy recovery. complaint management system’

atar Islamic Bank (QIB) has launched Qa new automated complaint management system, a system that makes it easy for QIB customers to track the status of an issue or inquiry and to under- stand what is happening at every step in the process. The initiative forms part of QIB’s board of directors’ objective to invest in tech- nology to maintain QIB’s resolution of each case, QIB leadership in the banking customers receive a closing/ sector, in line with Qatar’s confi rmation SMS. vision to advance the coun- The introduction of the try’s fi nancial services sec- new automated complaint tor in the fi eld of technology. management system comes The complaint management as part of QIB’s ongoing system is accessible by all eff orts to upgrade its IT employees across QIB, en- infrastructure in order to suring that every person improve customer service working for the bank is able and increase effi ciencies to contribute to improving throughout the bank. The customer service. bank’s focus is on identi- QIB said it strives to pro- fying those tools and sys- vide its customers with a tems that will enhance the premium banking experi- customer experience and ence. Part of that involves improve the Bank’s behind- being responsive to their the-scenes operations. needs and demonstrating “The automated cus- that if they ever have a prob- tomer complaint system lem, the bank will bring it will benefi t both the bank to a swift and satisfactory and customers over the long resolution. The new auto- term,” said Constantinos mated complaint manage- Constantinides, chief strat- ment system will allow QIB egy offi cer for QIB. to address customers’ issues He added: “The ability to quickly and thoroughly. quickly identify and correct QIB anticipates that the issues as they arise – and new software will result in to prevent them from hap- “faster turnaround times.” pening again in the future The moment a request/com- – will result in lower costs plaint is logged into the sys- for the bank. More impor- tem, a text message (SMS) tantly, we hope that the is sent to the customer pro- new system, along with the viding a unique reference many other enhancements number related to his/her QIB has made over the past inquiry. This allows QIB cus- year, will help us increase tomers to get easy updates on our customers’ satisfaction the status of their complaint and maintain their loyalty any time. Upon a suitable to QIB.”

Gulf Times 8 Sunday, October 16, 2016 QATAR

Commercial Bank launches new credit card campaign Call to increase awareness

ommercial Bank the campaign if they spend has announced the a minimum of QR15,000 Claunch of a new cam- in any given month dur- paign, which rewards cus- ing the promotional period, tomers for using their Com- the bank has said in a press about heart related disorders mercial Bank Visa Credit statement. Card each month from Oc- All Commercial Bank By Ramesh Mathew increase in the number of tober until December. Credit Card holders can Staff Reporter patients is quite natural,” he Heart Hospital handles more than 2,500 cases every year A total of 150 Visa Credit redeem their points “eas- said while adding that many Card customers will win ily and instantly” by visiting steps have been initiated at More than 2500 acute and fatality among the sub-continent. Of course 10,000 Reward Points dur- the bank’s online rewards rominent Qatari car- the government level in the cases are handled every country’s population, there are other genetic ing this three-month cam- portal and choose what to diologist Dr Hajar last one decade to improve year at the Heart Hospital especially the expatriates. reasons also for their heart paign. To qualify for each redeem their Reward Points PAhmed Hajar al-Binali medical facilities for eff ec- of the Hamad Medical Dr al-Kindi also informed ailments,” he said. monthly prize draw, cus- for. With Commercial Bank has highlighted the necessity tively treating heart ailments. Corporation (HMC). This is that about one-fourth of Inquiries made yesterday tomers are required to spend Rewards, customers can of greater awareness about The government is aware apart from the numerous the country’s population at the Gulf Heart a minimum of QR7,500 on book fl ights to any destina- cardio-vascular diseases of the importance of im- other minor cases treated is suff ering from diff erent Association symposium retail purchase transactions tion, with any airline, with and related issues among the proving facilities further at the hospital on a day-to- levels of diabetes and found there are currently each month using their Visa no blackout dates and no country’s residents. and a lot of works are cur- day basis. there is a greater necessity 120 beds at the Heart Credit Card. hidden charges or taxes. While interacting with Dr Hajar Ahmed Hajar al- rently underway to expand Disclosing this yesterday, of residents adopting a Hospital in Doha. In the In addition to the monthly Customers can also choose journalists on the sidelines Binali, founder president of them, including raising the a consultant cardiologist diff erent lifestyle. next few years the number prize draws and as an add- to redeem their Reward of a symposium organised the Gulf Health Association, number of beds. at Heart Hospital, Dr Fahad Obesity and diabetes are of beds is expected to go ed bonus, three additional Points for gift vouchers that by the Gulf Heart Associa- at a symposium on `Heart Dr Hajar said the GHA Abdul Rashid al-Kindi also contributing heavily up considerably as there lucky customers will stand are accepted at a wide va- tion (GHA) yesterday , Dr ailments and treatment Qatar chapter is holding said improved medical to heart related disorders, is a growing demand for the chance to win 100,000, riety of stores in Qatar, or Hajar said there has been a methods. a series of symposiums, facilities have helped said Dr al-Kindi while increase in their numbers , 150,000 and 250,000 Re- points can be redeemed for big growth in the number PICTURE: Jayan Orma workshops and researches the hospital discharge adding that smoking said Dr al-Kindi. ward Points at the end of charity. of people suff ering from at diff erent levels for better patients admitted for such continues to cause severe heart related disorders over days among the people awareness among the coun- treatment as angioplasty in heart problems to a the years and it has been a about the ailments and try’s residents. 3 to 5 days, depending on considerably large number major cause of death among causes for cardio related dis- There has been better the intensity of the disease. of the region’s residents. eases,” he said while high- information among people Similarly, many of those expatriates. Dr Hajar, who served as lighting that GHA focuses about the eff ective treat- admitted for heart related “Smoking and food Minister of Health in Qa- on the prevention of heart ment methods available in surgeries are treated habits are among the tar for a considerably long ailments. “We all know that the country, especially since eff ectively and discharged main reasons for the spell until 2005 was also the prevention of such diseases the opening of the Heart within 10 or 15 days, he said high incidence of heart founder president of the Gulf is much better than curing Hospital in Doha, he said. while adding that cardio- ailments among the Asian Heart Association, a chapter them at a later stage,” said While conducting work- vascular diseases are the expatriates, especially the Dr Fahaad Abdul Rashid of which is actively involved the ex-minister. shops on the heart ailments, main cause for morbidity young ones from the Indian al-Kindi in spreading better aware- The leading cardiologist the members also review the ness about heart related ail- has no doubt that the nearly shortcomings and defi cien- ments among the region’s fi ve-fold rise in the country’s cies in the treatment meth- people, particularly Qatar. population in the last 15 years ods and also discuss the Dr Hajar said the fo- has also necessitated the de- challenges they come across rum has been involved in a mand for increased facilities at diff erent levels, recalled number of activities at dif- for treating heart ailments. Dr Hajar. The cardiologist ferent levels to give better While answering a ques- said remedies for overcom- education to the people . tion on increasing prevalence ing such shortcomings are “Besides informing resi- of heart disorders among the found after extensive stud- dents about the importance Asian expatriates, notably ies and researches and new of regular check-ups, we are Indians, Dr Hajar attributed information and proposals also making people aware it to their life style and food are quite often deliberated of the new developments in habits among other reasons. among those working in the treating such disorders, “ He said many expatriates are fraternity. said Dr Hajar while recalling smokers and it has contribut- The former health min- some of the initiatives the ed considerably to increasing ister also disclosed that GHA has taken in the last 14 levels of their heart ailments. many of the GHA’s fi ndings years since its formation. “Also there has been a large are published by leading “No doubt, there is an rise in the country’s popula- American, British and other increasing awareness these tion in the last 15 years. So European journals. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 9 QATAR

Hankook launches new As pound falls, opportunity tyre brand Hankook, in partnership with local distributor Imalco, has launched the rises for Qatari investors “Tier 2” brand, Laufenn, in Qatar. The launch event ith reports of the long-term impact of Brexit this rate of exchange cer- likelihood of increased re- was held in Doha under British pound and the uncertainty in the UK tainly makes it a very in- turns. At the end of the day, the auspices of Hankook Wfalling further market, market dynamics are teresting proposition” said UK home ownership is at its general manager (Middle against the Qatari riyal, in- strong and there is a shortage Simon Paterson, head of in- lowest rate for years and the East) B H Kim, senior terest in UK investments of housing in the UK market. ternational residential de- shortage of rentable prop- managers of Imalco and continues to rise for for- The company stressed that velopments at Chestertons erties has already been well tyre dealers. The brand was eign investors, according the “wait and see” policy may Qatar. “We have received documented. With more launched in other markets to international property “cost dearly”. In early 2016, a lot of interest in a Man- renters coming into the mar- in late 2015 and early this consultancy and real estate the exchange rate was about chester project we recently ket against a limited supply, year, including the US, agency Chestertons. QR6 to £1 and has since fallen launched here in Doha and the lack of property is cer- Europe and the Middle The recent “dramatic” sharply and “wise purchas- are confi dent in match- tainly not going to disappear East. During the event, fall in value of the pound ers investing now will benefi t ing that interest in a new in the foreseeable future”. the Korean manufacturer has “caught the eye of many from a substantial discount - London development being The key is to buy when unveiled its youngest shrewd investors”, the com- a 20% discount surely repre- launched next month. prices are low, which, for brand and patterns for the pany said in a statement. sents a bargain”, it said. “I think as an investor buyers using foreign cur- value segment targeting While some investors are “Whether an investor, or looking for buy-to-let op- rency such as the US dollar the youth and young taking a “wait and see” ap- someone purchasing a UK portunities, this current ex- or Qatari riyal, is now, the professionals who demand proach to try and assess the property for personal use, change rate really off ers the company noted. “performance at value”, according to a press statement. Pictured are (from right) Imalco tyre division manager Tauheed Alam, Kim, Imalco CEO V V Aboo Backer, Imalco director O P Louis, and Imalco purchase and logistics manager Ramzan Marzook.

Poor visibility expected in some areas Poor visibility is expected in some places in the early hours today, the Qatar Met department has said. Visibility may drop to 2km or less during this period, according to the weather report. The forecast for inshore areas says hazy to misty/ foggy conditions are likely in some places – especially towards the north – at first. This is to be followed by a relatively hot day with slight dust at times. Hazy conditions are also expected in off shore areas at times. The maximum temperature recorded in the country yesterday was 38C. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, October 16, 2016 QATAR Ooredoo Passport Ferrari test drives for posts sharp rise in business demand motoring enthusiasts oredoo has seen a To off er extra conven- port off ers more data and errari Qatar and Ma- sharp rise in the ience, Ooredoo Passport minutes, and is “perfect” water Centre have Onumber of com- can be subscribed to at any for employees travel- Fheld an exclusive two- panies deploying Ooredoo time via SMS, Ooredoo ling outside of Qatar for day event for the centre’s Passport for their employ- App, or through an account more than seven days, or motoring enthusiasts. ees in 2016 after the launch manager. Companies can for business customers on As part of the event, at- of new roaming options also order multiple quan- Shahry who want a bigger tendees were provided a for businesses and driven tities of Ooredoo Passport communications allow- fi rst-hand experience of the by the higher number of cards. ance when abroad. California T and 488 Spider travelling executives from As multiple cards can be With Monthly Passport, models under the supervi- Qatar. activated at the same time, users enjoy 300 roaming sion of Ferrari’s Corso Pilota Ooredoo Passport, which Ooredoo Passport cards minutes and 4GB of roam- drivers. provides 100 roaming min- off er businesses a way to ing mobile data, and an ex- Renowned for their utes for receiving and mak- provide employees with tra 4GB of roaming data in driving skills, Corso Pi- ing calls, 1GB of roaming more roaming allowance as GCC, all for just QR350. lota drivers represent the mobile data, and an extra and when they need it. Ooredoo Passport is world-famous team of Ital- 1GB of roaming data in To ensure aff ordable available in more than 70 ian driving trainers from GCC, gives businesses an roaming options for those countries and customers Maranello. During the Fer- aff ordable and measurable travelling for longer peri- can use their roaming al- rari test drives, the experts way of enabling travelling ods, Ooredoo has intro- lowance within Ooredoo’s demonstrated skilful sports employees to stay in con- duced Ooredoo Monthly Passport network of more driving techniques to par- Attendees were provided a first-hand experience of the California T and 488 Spider models under the supervision of Ferrari’s tact when overseas. Passport. Monthly Pass- than 170 roaming partners. ticipants, while exposing Corso Pilota drivers. Below: Off icials mark the occasion. the full potential of the car, according to a press state- der sprinting from 0 to 100 ment. km/h in 3 seconds fl at. The Ferrari test drive ses- Mohamed Ibrahim al- sion “served to ignite the Emadi, executive secretary motoring passion” of Ma- at Mawater Centre, said: water Centre’s members by “We are extremely thrilled highlighting the automotive to be given this one-of-a- excellence of the two mod- kind opportunity to test els, the statement noted. drive Ferrari’s supercars. It’s The California T is a a dream of every car lover to “brilliant expression” of discover the sporty power of Ferrari’s sporty DNA, while the brand.” its retractable hard top and Charly Dagher, general 2+ confi guration make it su- manager of Ferrari Qatar, premely versatile. Powered added: “We are delighted by the new turbocharged V8 to join hands with Mawater engine, the model sprints Centre and further heighten from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 their interest in cars. The seconds fl at and from 0 to test drives provided a won- 200 km/h in 11.2 seconds. derful platform to present The 488 Spider is the the fi ne Italian automo- most powerful ever mid- tive craftsmanship that the rear-engined V8 car to fea- brand is famous for.” ture the patented retract- Under the premium deal- able hard top. Its 3,902cc ership of Alfardan Sports turbocharged V8 engine Motors, Ferrari Qatar con- spurts out a maximum tinuously endeavours to power output of 670 CV support car enthusiasts by combined with maximum engaging them in exciting torque of 760 Nm at 6,750 sports events and activities, rpm, sending the 488 Spi- the statement adds. Workshop for research entities

atar Foundation Re- ers, giving them a framework search and Develop- through which they can con- Qment (QF R&D), in col- tribute information, experi- laboration with the Ministry ence, and expertise,” said Dr of Development Planning and Frans Van Den Boom, execu- Statistics (MDPS), hosted a tive director, PPE. training workshop for stake- Mohammed al-Muhan- holders in public, private, aca- nadi, director, Department demic, and research sectors. of Population and Social The two-day exercise at Statistics, MDPS, said: Qatar National Convention “This survey will provide Centre was attended by 111 us with data regarding the participants from 69 enti- number of employees work- ties involved in research. ing in research and develop- The workshop prepared the ment in Qatar, and the in- ground for MDPS’ 2015 re- vestments being made in the search and development sur- fi eld of research within the vey which aims to measure science, business, govern- Qatar’s research and devel- ment, and higher education opment inputs such as hu- sectors, while also providing man capacity, infrastructure data required by Unesco.” and facilities, and invest- Sessions focusing on ele- ments to track progress, draw ments including research and global comparisons, and development expenditure, support future planning. personnel, and funding, as Using internationally- well as Qatar’s global research recognised methodology, ranking and the survey’s goals the survey will collate sta- and methodologies, were led tistics and information from by policy analyst and research throughout Qatar’s research and innovation evaluator Prof and development ecosys- Michael Kahn, of the Centre tem, allowing key fi ndings for Research on Evaluation, to be identifi ed. The work- Science and Technology, Stel- shop, organised by QF R&D’s lenbosch University, South Offi ce of Policy, Planning, Africa, who will supervise the and Evaluation (PPE), out- survey’s implementation. lined the survey’s concept “Economies need good and components, and how understanding of how eff orts to prepare and submit data, to generate new knowledge while also providing a net- are progressing, and surveys working opportunity for of this kind are globally well- representatives from various established and an essential sectors and research fi elds. tool for governments, poli- “The purpose of this sur- cymakers, and organisations vey is to gather information involved in research and de- that provides visibility, and velopment,” he said. allows Qatar’s research and The 2015 Research and development inputs to be Development Survey fi - monitored, evaluated, and nal report is expected to be benchmarked against other published in early 2017 with nations. It is designed to pro- MDPS and QF R&D planning duce comprehensive insight, to extend subsequent surveys which is why we are provid- to include measurements of ing training, guidance, and research and development clarity to Qatar’s research outputs, outcomes, and im- and development stakehold- pact, as well as innovation. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 11 QATAR ‘Startup Weekend Doha’ seeks new entrepreneurs

atar Development Bank QDB executive director of Advi- (QDB) recently launched sory Services Hamad Khamis al- Qa new edition of “Startup Kubaisi, who distributed prizes Weekend Doha,” in collaboration to the winning teams. with Hamad bin Khalifa Univer- Startup Weekend Doha re- sity (HBKU). Startup Weekend warded the top three teams Doha, a QDB initiative that ac- with cash prizes of QR25,000 tively encourages Qatar’s youth (Team Ahlan Gifts, fi rst place), to develop an interest in entre- QR15,000 (Team Karage, second preneurial pursuits, was also ear- place), and QR5,000 (Team Wain, lier held in April this year at Qatar third place). University. Al-Kubaisi said: “QDB con- The latest edition of this year’s siders inculcating a culture of Startup Weekend Doha at HBKU innovation and entrepreneur- saw the active involvement of 40 ship among the Qatari youth and participants from across Qatar. Al-Kubaisi future generations as part of its Spanning a period of three mission. days, Startup Weekend Doha was specialists who discussed the “Our programme, Startup designed as a platform through projects with their respective Weekend Doha with HBKU, is a which participants discuss, owners to prepare the partici- component of our larger strategy share, and develop their business pants for their fi nal presentations. to encourage economic diversifi - ideas, hence building a knowl- The teams delivered their fi nal cation and encourage a spirit of The panel of judges of ‘Startup Weekend Doha’. edge-based society in Qatar. presentations in front of a panel competitiveness in the private During the event, teams were of judges from QDB, Qatar Sci- sector, as was envisioned in Qatar business ideas and turn them into in launching the second edition pants that equips them with an organisations such as QDB that formed and competed against ence & Technology Park (QSTP), National Vision 2030. potential models for building im- of the Startup Weekend Doha educational experience and mo- are working to enhance the hu- each other, participants attended Injaz Qatar, and HBKU. “For the programme’s latest portant projects in the future.” helped us combine a range of tivates them to join the private man capacity of the nation. brainstorming sessions to help Finalist teams qualifi ed on the edition, we collaborated with QDB head of Learning Saoud practical and academic expertise sector and benefi t the national “By welcoming QDB to the them shortlist a selection of ide- basis of their idea’s creativity and HBKU because of their ongoing Abdullah al-Mannai said: “QDB to appropriately assess the qual- economy one day.” HBKU Student Centre, we are as, and developed their concepts innovation, as well as the viabil- support of building a knowledge- believes in the importance of ity and feasibility of the projects HBKU director of the Career grateful that our students, our into workable business models. ity of their proposed project’s de- based economy. capacity and potential develop- developed during the weekend. Development Center – Student fresh graduates, and our more es- To build the basis for a feasible velopment. Together, through Startup ment as the basis for growing the “Through Startup Weekend Aff airs Adam al-Saadi said: “It is tablished alumni have the oppor- project, participants were sup- The competition concluded Weekend Doha, we have encour- private sector. Doha, we hope to create a stimu- important that we at HBKU build tunity to learn more about devel- ported by a team of appointed with an awards ceremony led by aged participants to develop their “Our co-operation with HBKU lating environment for partici- connections with well-reputed oping entrepreneurial skills.”

Ministry speeds up internal processes he Ministry of Munici- order to speed up the process. Transport safety in the spotlight at domestic forum pality and Environment Such procedures include link- T(MME) has adopted prac- ing the systems of diff erent MME tical procedures to expedite the departments to guarantee the he fi fth edition of the Qatar Trans- verse in the forum’s 5-year history. equipment and technologies being used expertise and discuss projects include process of issuing building per- speedy and accurate transfer and port Safety Forum (formerly the The Ministry of Transport and Com- around the world that will aid Qatar’s Brigadier Mohamed al-Malki, General mits and completion certifi cates exchange of information, ap- TITS & Road Safety Forum) will be munications organises the event in col- development into one of the safest trans- Secretary, National Traffi c Safety Com- as well as enhance the perform- plying performance evaluation held at the St Regis Doha from October laboration with IQPC Middle East. port networks in the world,” El-Mahgoub mittee, Ministry of Interior, Qatar, Eng ance of departments responsible indicators to building permits to 17-18 under the patronage of HE the Min- “In the wake of the announcement of added. Yousef al-Emadi, manager of the Roads for this. assess and accordingly address ister of Transport and Communications the United Nation’s Sustainable Develop- The issue of work zone safety will fea- Maintenance Department, Ashghal, Wal- In response to remarks by some any issues, adding more support Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti. ment Goals, transportation has become a ture prominently in the discussions, as, ter Nissler, chief of the Vehicle Regula- businessmen at a recent meet- systems to issue building permits The forum serves as a unique platform focus of many of the world’s governments by extension, this is integral to the whole tions and Transport Innovations Section, ing of HE the Prime Minister and preparing a handbook for for local authorities such as the Ministry and Qatar is committed to achieving the transport safety ecosystem. Transport Division of the UN Economic and Minister of Interior Sheikh the terms and conditions of the of Interior, the Ministry of Transport and goals set out by the UN which are also Paul Stanley Williams, Health & Safety Commission for Europe (UNECE), Phil Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa process. Communications, the Public Works Au- aligned with the Qatar National Vision Senior Manager, QSHESE Department Rowley, general manager of Qatar Op- al-Thani with representatives of According to MME statistics thority (Ashghal) as well as the relevant 2030,” stated Mohaned El-Mahgoub, fo- at Qatar Rail, will be presenting a short erations, Gannett Fleming, Dr Kim Jraiw, major companies regarding de- for September, a total of 459 re- companies to discuss their initiatives rum director, IQPC Middle East. masterclass on work zone safety. manager of the National Traffi c Safety Of- lays in issuing building permits quests for building permits were in improving safety across all modes of “The forum will serve as a catalyst for “With such a diverse array of experts, fi ce, National Traffi c Safety Committee, and completion certifi cates by submitted at diff erent munici- transport in the country. accelerated development by bringing in the forum is set to provide a number of Qatar, Susanna Zammataro, executive municipalities and the Civil Def- palities in the country, and 290 In addition, GCC and global experts some of the most preeminent experts lively debates and discussions, and spot director, IRF Geneva Programme Center erence, an offi cial source at the permits were issued accordingly. will share best practices and success sto- from Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, recommendations that would be imple- and Akin Adamson, director, Business MME stressed that the ministry In addition, 112 building com- ries on transport safety improvement. UAE, Saudi Arabia, Austria, USA and mented in Qatar and across the GCC. Growth and Transformation Leader, TRL, had improved the effi ciency lev- pletion certifi cates were submit- This year’s edition will be the most di- Singapore. They will showcase the latest Speakers confi rmed to display their a statement issued by the organisers said. els of its relevant department in ted and 94 of these were issued. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, October 16, 2016 REGION/ARAB WORLD Set for race Sisi defends ‘tough but unavoidable’ reforms

AFP For decades, the military Cairo – which produced all but one president since 1952 – has played a key economic role, gypt’s President Ab- producing everything from del Fattah al-Sisi has washing machines to pasta, Camels stand at the starting line ahead of a camel race held in Kabad, southwest of Kuwait City yesterday. Edefended what he de- alongside building roads and scribed as “tough but unavoid- operating gas stations. able” reforms ahead of a $12bn The president also justifi ed International Monetary Fund military spending including loan to revive his country’s ail- on two Mistral helicopter car- ing economy. riers from France on the need “The reforms are tough but to defend a recently discovered they’re unavoidable to save the gas fi eld in Egypt’s territorial economic situation,” Sisi said waters. in an interview published yes- “We have gas fi elds more terday by state newspapers. than 200km (125 miles) off our Coalition hit funeral In exchange for the IMF shores such as the Zohr fi eld loan, Egypt is expected to and others. We need to be able adopt drastic reforms to in- to secure and protect them,” he crease public revenues and said. reduce state subsidies, which Italian energy giant Eni in make up 7.9% of government August announced the discov- spending. ery of Zohr, the “largest ever” based on ‘wrong’ info Sisi described a “programme off shore natural gas fi eld in the for real reforms that aims to Mediterranean with a poten- Agencies Two US citizens held in Yemen freed targeted immediately as a legitimate mili- provide subsidies to those who tial 30tn cu ft (850bn cu m) of Riyadh tary target. deserve them and no one else”, gas in about 100 sq km (40 sq Two US citizens “held” in Yemen have spokesman, said the two Americans “The Air Operations Centre in Yemen promising “protection for miles). been freed and were taken to Oman were brought to Oman aboard an aircraft directed a close air support mission to tar- those with low incomes”. “The cost of a Mistral is he Saudi-led coalition battling yesterday after mediation by authorities that earlier yesterday flew to the Yemeni get the location without following the coa- The former army chief, who equivalent to one month’s rev- Yemeni rebels said yesterday that in the Gulf nation, the state-run Oman capital to evacuate those wounded in air lition command’s precautionary measures became president in 2014 less enues from the Zohr gas fi eld,” Tone of its warplanes had “wrongly News Agency reported. The agency, strikes on a funeral in Sanaa last week. It to ensure that the location is not a civilian than a year after toppling Is- Sisi said. targeted” a funeral in the capital Sanaa, quoting an Omani foreign ministry did not identify the US nationals. one that may not be targeted.” lamist president Mohamed Egypt’s parliament in Au- killing more than 140 people, and an- A statement from the coalition said it Mursi, also defended the gust passed a law on value nounced disciplinary proceedings. accepted the inquiry team’s fi ndings and army’s participation in large added tax, one of the reforms The October 8 strike prompted an in- prevent any repetition of the failings that Houthi rebels and has previously organised expressed “its regret at this unintentional scale projects touted as part of promised in exchange for the ternational outcry and strong criticism led to the strike. evacuations from Sanaa of Westerners and incident and the ensuing pain for victims’ the country’s recovery plan. IMF loan, to be set at 13% for even from Saudi Arabia’s closest Western “Coalition forces must immediately re- others who had been detained by the insur- families”. “The army is playing an im- 2016-17 and 14% for the fol- allies. view their rules of engagement and update gents. The strike has threatened to escalate portant role in development lowing fi scal year. “Because of non-compliance with coa- their procedures to ensure adherence in fu- The Omani aircraft also fl ew home Sanaa Yemen’s civil war and pull the United but this role will diminish in The VAT replaces a sales tax lition rules of engagement and procedures, ture,” the team said. rebel negotiators who had been stranded States further into the confl ict. the coming years when it will of 10%, although the govern- and the issuing of incorrect information, a The air raid, which targeted the funeral in the sultanate’s capital Muscat since the Houthi-led forces had responded to the have fi nished its plan for the ment says about 50 services coalition aircraft wrongly targeted the lo- of the father of a senior Houthi offi cial, also collapse of UN-brokered peace talks in Ku- attack by launching missiles into Saudi reconstruction of state infra- and products will be exempt, cation, resulting in civilian deaths and in- wounded at least 525 people, more than wait in August because of the air blockade, Arabia and possibly at a US warship sta- structures,” he said. including bread. juries,” an inquiry team found. 300 of them critically. a photographer reported. tioned off the Yemeni coast, prompting US “Appropriate action must be taken The outcry over the number of civilian The coalition initially denied responsi- retaliatory strikes against what Washing- against those who caused the incident, and casualties prompted the coalition to an- bility but after condemnation from West- ton said were Houthi radar sites. compensation must be off ered to the fami- nounce an easing of the air blockade it has ern governments, it promised an investiga- The Houthis have denied fi ring missiles lies of the victims.” enforced since March last year to allow the tion of the “regrettable and painful” event. at the US Navy destroyer. The strike was one of the deadliest in the evacuation of the most seriously wounded A letter sent to the UN Security Coun- Attacks continued yesterday, with coalition’s nearly 19-month-old bombing for treatment abroad. cil last weekend “expressed the kingdom’s Houthi media claiming responsibility for campaign in support of Yemen’s belea- An Omani aircraft landed in the rebel- deep regret” over the “attack”. fi ring another missile into Saudi Arabia, at guered government. held Yemeni capital yesterday to evacuate There was huge pressure on the coalition a military camp in Asir province. Britain is to present a draft resolution to 115 of the most seriously wounded, a rebel to publish the fi ndings of its investigation An air strike also hit the Houthi-con- the UN Security Council next week calling offi cial said. into the raid as swiftly as possible. trolled Hodeida port, killing a military for an immediate ceasefi re in Yemen, af- “They are the fi rst group of wounded to The inquiry team concluded that “a commander responsible for operations in ter an earlier text condemning the funeral be evacuated for treatment abroad,” the party affi liated to the Yemeni presidency of three provinces, according to a news agen- bombing was rejected by Russia as not rebels’ deputy health minister Nasser Aw- the General Chief of Staff wrongly passed cy affi liated with the group’s leading ally, strong enough. jali told reporters. information that there was a gathering of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. The inquiry team called on coalition Oman is the only Gulf Arab state that armed Houthi leaders in a known location A spokesman for the coalition could not commanders to change their procedures to is not part of the coalition fi ghting the in Sanaa, and insisted that the location be immediately be reached for comment. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

Iranian leader urges more Experts fi nd transparency in elections ‘cavities’ in

Reuters date and increasing the transparency of Dubai resources...” Great Pyramid Election fraud is rarely reported openly, but the head of the Guardian ranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Council, the top election watchdog, said AFP to search for hidden rooms Khamenei called yesterday for more after parliamentary elections in early Cairo inside Khufu and its neigh- Itransparency in elections due in May 2016 that “vote-buying is becoming bour Khafre in Giza, as well following allegations of electoral fraud more common” and should be fought. as the Bent and Red pyra- in the last polls. Iran will hold its next presidential gypt’s Great Pyramid mids in Dahshur, all south He also warned against any foreign election in May 2017. of Giza could contain of Cairo. funding and interference. “The use of foreign resources, both Etwo previously un- The project applies a mix State media carried election guide- fi nancial and promotional support known “cavities”, scientists of infrared thermography, lines issued by Khamenei, who has the by candidates and parties is banned,” using radiography to scan muon radiography imaging fi nal say on all matters of state. said one of the 18 articles of Ayatol- the millennia-old monu- and 3D reconstruction -- They called for “setting the scope and lah Khamenei’s guidelines, issued after ment said yesterday. all of which the research- type of expenses and sources of legal consultation with a top clerical body, On Thursday, the antiq- ers say are non-invasive and illicit campaign expenses by candi- according to state media. The Great Pyramids of Giza. uities ministry cautiously and non-destructive tech- announced fi nding “two niques. anomalies” in the pyramid Muons are “similar to built 4,500 years ago under X-rays which can pen- King Khufu, with further etrate the body and allow tests to determine their bone imaging” and “can go function, nature and size. through hundreds of me- At 146m (480ft) tall, ters of stone before being Khufu pyramid, named absorbed,” ScanPyramids after the son of pharaoh explained in a statement. Snefru, is considered one “Judiciously placed de- of the seven wonders of the tectors – for example in- ancient world. side a pyramid, below a po- It has three known tential, unknown chamber chambers, and like other – can then record particle pyramids in Egypt was in- tracks and discern cavities tended as a pharaoh’s tomb. from denser regions.” “We are now able to In late 2015, Egypt confi rm the existence of a started radar scans of ‘void’ hidden behind the Tutankhamun’s tomb in north face, that could have the Valley of the Kings in the form of at least one cor- southern Egypt, after a ridor going inside the Great British archaeologist the- Pyramid,” scientists from orised that Nefertiti was Operation ScanPyramids buried in a secret chamber said in a statement. there. Another “cavity” was Nicholas Reeves sug- discovered on the pyramid’s gested that Tutankha- northeast fl ank, said the mun’s tomb was in fact researchers who are using Nefertiti’s, and when the radiography and 3D recon- boy king died unexpect- struction for their study. edly at a young age, he was Operation ScanPyramids rushed into her tomb’s began in October last year outer chamber. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 13 ARAB WORLD Egypt retaliates against militants after North Sinai attack

Reuters day after Islamic State guerrillas from the town of Bir al-Abd. in the destruction of the ar- ment on Friday that it had killed pace after the military overthrew gency pledged allegiance to Is- Cairo killed 12 soldiers in North Sinai It was the fi rst major attack in eas that harboured terrorists, as more than 20 soldiers while suf- President Mohamed Mursi of the lamic State in 2014 and adopted province, the armed forces said the central Sinai area, which had well as locations for assembling fering no losses itself. Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s the name Sinai Province. in a statement. so far escaped the militants’ in- weapons and ammunition,” the The military said 15 attackers oldest Islamist movement, in It is blamed for the killing of gyptian jets bombed Is- Islamic State claimed respon- surgency. statement said, adding that the had been killed. The Islamist in- mid-2013 following mass pro- hundreds of soldiers and police- lamist militant targets for sibility on Friday for the attack “A targeted air strike, which operation was continuing. surgency in the rugged and thinly tests against his rule. men, and has started to target Ethree hours yesterday, one on a checkpoint 40km (25 miles) lasted for three hours, resulted Islamic State said in its state- populated Sinai Peninsula gained The group staging the insur- Western targets within Egypt. 55 killed in Iraq bombing and shootouts

Reuters of a local resident, authori- Baghdad ties said. The tent was set up in a crowded market in the round 55 people city’s northern al-Shaab were killed in Iraq district. Ain attacks yesterday Gunmen believed to be- that targeted a Shia Muslim long to Islamic State ear- gathering, a police check- lier in the day staged two point and the family of a attacks north of Bagh- Sunni paramilitary leader dad, one targeting a police opposed to Islamic State, check-point and the other according to security and the house of a Sunni mili- medical sources. tia chief who supports the The escalation comes government, police sources as Iraqi forces are getting said. ready to launch an off en- Eight policemen were sive to take back Mosul, killed and 11 others wound- the last Iraqi city still under ed in the fi rst attack which control of Islamic State, in took place Mutaibija, south northern Iraq. of the city of the city of The heaviest toll was Tikrit, while the militants caused by a suicide bomber had three dead in their who detonated an explo- ranks. sive vest in the middle of a In the second, the wife Shia gathering in Baghdad, and three children of Nu- killing at least 41 people man al-Mujamaie, the and wounding 33. leader of the Ishaqi Mobi- The explosion went off lisation militia, were killed inside a tent fi lled with when gunmen stormed his people taking part in Ashu- house in the town of Ishaq ra rituals. in his absence. Islamic State claimed the The assailants fl ed, attack in an online state- chased by security forces, ment. and later killed themselves Some people were also in by detonating explosive the tent to mourn the death belts, police said. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, October 16, 2016 ARAB WORLD UN meeting on illegal Israeli settlements in West Bank

QNA able Security Council members In her remarks, Friedman ac- ised human rights violations in the estinian land, El-Ad highlighted 5,500 people, half of them minors.” expansion in the occupied West New York to discuss “frankly” the topic at knowledged the existence of entire occupied territories through the a few, such as the fact that Israel “East Jerusalem fi gures would Bank, as well as a year long wave hand, and hear from guests whom system within the Israeli govern- establishment of permanent settle- has declared 20% of the occupied raise these by roughly another of violence characterised by small- the council deems would be ben- ment, and outside of it, dedicated ments, punitive home demolitions, a West Bank as “State Land” mean- 50%,” El-Ad said. scale attacks with knives or similar he United Nations Secu- efi cial to listen to. to constructing new settlements biased building and planning mech- ing Palestinians cannot build on El-Ad criticised what he said weapons. rity Council (UNSC) held a Among those presenting on the and expanding existing ones. anism, taking over Palestinian land or farm that land, that Israel has was Israel’s manipulation of the The British ambassador added Tspecial meeting on Friday issue were Hagai El-Ad, the ex- She noted the dramatic growth and much, much more,” El-Ad said. “generously” allowed Palestinians decades long peace process, saying that Israeli settlement expansion regarding illegal Israeli settlement ecutive director of B’Tselem, an in the number of Israeli settlers El-Ad expressed his outrage at the to build on only one-half of 1% of the country has used as a guise to was “an obstacle to peace” and construction and expansion in the Israeli organisation that monitors over the past 20 years, highlight- near half-century long occupation ‘Area C’ – the 60% of the West continue implementing such poli- undermined the establishment of occupied West Bank and East Je- human rights abuses in the oc- ing that under the leadership of of the Palestinian territory, add- Bank “temporarily” placed un- cies that violate international law, a sustainable Palestinian state. rusalem. cupied Palestinian territory, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- ing that 2016 was the worst year on der full Israeli security and civil- without any repercussions from The meeting came a week after Titled “Illegal Israeli Settle- Lara Friedman, director of policy yahu, between 2009 and 2015, the record, according to B’Tselem, for ian control after the Oslo Accords the international community. the United States and the Europe- ments: Obstacles to Peace and the and government relations at the Israeli government promoted the Israeli demolitions of Palestinian – that over the past decade, Israel Among the member states who an Union issued statements con- Two-State Solution,” the meeting Americans for Peace Now, the construction of 11,000 new settle- homes in the occupied West Bank has demolished some 1,200 Pales- responded and made remarks dur- demning Israel’s plans to construct was classifi ed as an ‘Arria-Formu- sister organisation of the Israeli ment housing units, in contraven- and East Jerusalem. tinian homes in the West Bank, ex- ing the meeting, were Britain and 98 new housing units in the north- la,’ which according to the UNSC, human rights NGO, Ma’an News tion with international law. Among the tactics that Israel cluding occupied East Jerusalem, France, whose ambassador’s con- ern West Bank for the establish- are informal gatherings which en- Agency reported on Friday. “Israel has systematically legal- uses to confi scate occupied Pal- “thereby rendering homeless over demned both Israeli settlement ment of a new Israeli settlement. Syria talks in Lausanne end without breakthrough

Reuters But France’s Foreign Ministry Kerry and Lavrov since the col- Lausanne, Switzerland confi rmed that foreign ministers lapse of a second attempted cease- of like-minded nations planned fi re in September. to meet to discuss Syria in London The US was expected to once US Secretary of State John Kerry talks with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (left) and Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh after a round yria talks convened by US today. again push Russia to agree to a of Syria talks at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday. Secretary of State John Kerry Since the breakdown of US-Rus- ceasefi re in Aleppo, and Russia Sin the Swiss city of Lausanne sia co-operation, long the backbone was seen as insisting on separating ended yesterday evening after of eff orts to end the war in Syria, US moderate opposition groups from more than four hours without any offi cials have worked on a number those it considers terrorists. joint ministerial statement from of ideas, and although no break- Pressure is rising for a halt to a the nine countries. through was expected, the regional ferocious, three-week-old Syr- ian government off ensive to cap- Opposition group slams Kerry was seeking a new path format could be the basis of a new to peace after failing to secure a process, the US offi cial said. ture the eastern zone of the city ceasefi re in direct talks with Rus- But a former Western envoy in of Aleppo, where the United Na- sia amid mounting international Syria said. “I don’t understand tions says 275,000 civilians still outrage over the Russian and Syr- (why) the Americans are asking live and 8,000 rebels are holding out against Syrian, Russian and talks as ‘procrastination’ ian bombardment of rebel-held the Russians to talk again. eastern Aleppo. They have made zero conces- Iranian-backed forces. Kerry hosted Russian Foreign sions. Do the Americans believe Western powers have accused AFP as no Syrians were invited. the absence of Syrians and a mo- by the world powers in February Minister Sergei Lavrov and seven Moscow was shaken by the break- Russia and Syria of committing Beirut “The absence of Syrians from nopolisation by the United States and mid-September both col- foreign ministers from the region off last week and will change be- atrocities by bombing hospitals, these preparatory meetings is one and Russia,” Stefo said. lapsed. — from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, haviour now?” killing civilians and preventing of the problems that has compli- The US and Russia back op- “Since February, we’ve been Turkey, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt Separately, a Western diplomat medical evacuations, as well as leading Syrian opposition cated and confused (the path to) a posing sides of Syria’s confl ict talking about a truce that would — weeks after the collapse of a in Lausanne said the meeting ap- targeting an aid convoy with the group slammed inter- political solution,” he said. but have spearheaded eff orts this bring a cessation of hostili- painstakingly crafted US-Russian peared ill-prepared and vague in loss of around 20 lives. Anational talks yesterday “The common denominator year to secure a truce and a po- ties, but what happened on the ceasefi re plan that many saw as the its goals, and the list of invitees Syria and Russia counter that in Lausanne aimed at ending among all the meetings that have litical settlement to the war. ground was the exact opposite last hope for peace this year. clarifi ed only at the last moment. they are only targeting militants the fi ve-year war, as warplanes been held since 2012 until now is Two ceasefi re deals brokered — more people are besieged and Lavrov, who had said he had “no “If it is to reach an agreement in Aleppo and accuse the United pressed fi erce raids on second increasingly starving,” Stefo special expectations” for yester- on Aleppo, countries have to make States of breaking the ceasefi re by city Aleppo. Russian aircraft carrier off to Mediterranean said. day’s meeting, later told Russian commitments: Russia to stop bombing scores of Syrian troops Abdal Ahad Stefo, deputy head “The United States and Russia news agencies that the countries bombing, Iran to withdraw its mi- fi ghting Islamic State insurgents, of the Istanbul-based National Russia’s flagship aircraft carrier the area. are the main ones responsible.” had agreed to continue contacts litia on the ground supporting Da- over which the United States has Coalition opposition body, said set off yesterday for the Medi- The Admiral Kuznetsov is Fierce air raids pounded sev- in the near future aimed at ending mascus,” the diplomat told Reuters expressed regret. the talks “will only lead to wast- terranean Sea where Moscow’s travelling with the Pyotr Veliky eral opposition-held districts of the Syria crisis. as the talks were under way. A senior rebel commander said ing more time, further procrasti- naval forces are supporting its battlecruiser, the Vice-Admiral the city yesterday, according to The parties had discussed sev- “If this format is to be credible, on Friday that Syrian government nation, and the shedding of more bombing campaign in Syria, the Kulakov destroyer and large the Syrian Observatory for Hu- eral “interesting ideas”, he said Kerry has to come out of the talks forces would never be able to cap- Syrian blood”. defence ministry said. anti-submarine ships, the min- man Rights. without elaboration. tonight saying we got something ture Aleppo’s eastern sector, but a Key global players, including The deployment of the Admiral istry said. The Britain-based monitoring “This is going to be, as it has for Aleppo. A ceasefi re would be military source said the operation the top diplomats from Russia Kuznetsov aircraft carrier In addition to safeguarding group did not have immediate been now for several years, a very credible.” was going as planned. and the United States, will meet comes weeks after Defence maritime navigation, the ships word on casualties. diffi cult process,” a senior US offi - Earlier, Kerry met separately The United Nations has said in Switzerland yesterday for last- Minister Sergei Shoigu said are meant to “respond to new Clashes were raging on the cial said before the talks began. with his Saudi counterpart Adel food, fuel and medicine are run- ditch talks aimed at ending Syr- the ship would be sent to the types of modern threats like southern and northern edges of Europe was not represented at al-Jubeir and with Lavrov to dis- ning out in eastern Aleppo and ia’s fi ve-year war. eastern Mediterranean to boost piracy and international terror- Aleppo, as well as in the central the meeting, held in a luxury hotel cuss the logistics of the meeting. there will be no rations to distrib- But Stefo said the meeting the country’s naval forces in ism,” the ministry said. district of its Old City, the Ob- on Lake Geneva. It was the fi rst meeting between ute from the start of next month. would fail to make any progress servatory said. Rival faction challenges Border crossing wait UN-back govt in Tripoli

Reuters stitutions and reiterated their was given chances one af- the implementation of political Tripoli backing for the UN-negotiated ter another to form the gov- agreement by a group which re- deal that formed a Govern- ernment, but it fails and has jects this deal after it has proved ment of National Unity (GNA) become an illegal executive its failure in managing the state,” Libyan faction opposed in Tripoli. authority,” former premier the presidential council said in a to the UN-backed gov- Since the fall of Muammar Khalifa Ghwail said in a state- statement. Aernment seized a build- Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been ment late on Friday. Tripoli is controlled by vari- ing used by parliament in Tripo- caught up in factional fi ght- Ghwail called for a new ad- ous armed brigades, some loyal li, proclaiming its own authority ing between various groups ministration to be formed by to the GNA and others who and demanding a new govern- of former rebels who bat- his former Tripoli government backed the former National ment in a challenge to Western tled Gaddafi and then steadily and its rival in the east, where Salvation government when its plans to end the instability in turned against each other in a hardliners also oppose the UN- forces took over the capital in the country. struggle for control. backed administration. 2014 in fi ghting that destroyed Libya’s internationally The presidential council of He said all institutions in- the international airport. backed government, which has the GNA arrived in Tripoli in cluding banks, the judiciary and Brigades of former rebels struggled to impose its author- March in the latest attempt to local authorities were under have often stormed government Palestinian children sit on a suitcase as they wait with their family for travel permits to cross into Egypt ity on rival factions, condemned bring together factions who op- their jurisdiction. offi ces, ministries and the par- through the Rafah border crossing yesterday in the southern Gaza Strip. the takeover of the Rixos Hotel erated competing governments There appeared to have been liament in the last fi ve years to Egyptian authorities temporarily reopened the crossing both directions for two days in the Gaza Strip. as a bid to scuttle its attempts to in the capital and in the east of no fi ghting in the takeover of the make political demands or call form a stable government in the the country since 2014. Rixos, which was supposed to for higher salaries. North African Opec member. Tripoli was calm yesterday be the base for the State Coun- Challenging the GNA’s au- Later yesterday, the UN- hours after leaders of a former cil, a legislative body made up thority in the capital poses a Erdogan: Iraq cannot handle Mosul assault alone backed government posted im- Tripoli government said they of Tripoli’s former parliament risk to Western plans for Libya’s ages on social media of its presi- had taken over the Rixos in the as part of the UN-backed unity unity government to stabilise Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan row with Iraq’s central govern- said Turkey would not allow Is- dential council and ministers capital, where part of the UN- government deal. the country and help fi ght Is- said yesterday that Iraq could not ment over the presence of Turkish lamic State or any other organisa- holding a meeting in the main backed government is supposed Traffi c was fl owing as nor- lamist militants and migrant deal alone with driving Islamic State troops at the Bashiqa camp in tion to control Mosul. offi ces of parliament in a diff er- to operate. mal around the Rixos yesterday, smugglers. from the city of Mosul and that northern Iraq, and over who He also said Turkish-backed rebels ent part of Tripoli. The hotel was already con- where around 10 military vehi- Eastern factions led by former the presence of Turkish forces in a should take part in the planned in neighbouring Syria were ad- The United Nations and Eu- trolled by an armed group loyal cles secured the perimeter. General Khalifa Haftar are also nearby military camp was an insur- US-backed assault on Mosul. vancing on the Islamic State-held ropean Union warned against to them. “The seizure of the state opposed to the UN-backed ance against attacks on Turkey. Speaking at a ceremony in the village of Dabiq in the country’s attempts to create parallel in- “The presidential council council is an attempt to hinder Tripoli government. Turkey has been locked in a fierce Black Sea town of Rize, Erdogan northwest. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 15 AFRICA 197 nations agree binding deal to cut greenhouse gases

Reuters ditioning in their hot climates, and because they worried about glo- Kigali because India feared damaging its bal warming pushing more of their growing industries. citizens into poverty. “Last year in Paris, we promised Donors had already put $80mn A file photo of a French Navy Panther helicopter chasing a boat carrying suspected Somali pirates as part of EU’s Atalante early 200 nations have to keep the world safe from the in a fund to start implementing the anti-piracy naval mission. agreed a legally binding deal worst eff ects of climate change. agreement, said Gina McCarthy, Nto cut back on greenhouse Today, we are following through administrator of the US Environ- gases used in refrigerators and air on that promise,” said UN environ- mental Protection Agency. conditioners, a major move against ment chief Erik Solheim in a state- But Sergey Vasiliev, the head of climate change that prompted loud ment, referring to 2015’s Paris cli- the Russian delegation, said Rus- cheers when it was announced yes- mate talks. sia’s estimates of the costs were Africans hail maritime deal terday. The deal binding 197 nations higher and argued countries’ con- The deal, which includes the crowns a wave of measures to help tributions to a multilateral fund world’s two biggest economies, the fi ght climate change this month. to help poor countries adapt their AFP Deby said the charter would “allow the In West Africa alone, the AU estimates United States and China, divides Last week, the 2015 Paris Agree- technology should be voluntary. Lome promotion of commerce and the exploita- that illicit fi shing causes losses of 170 bn countries into three groups with ment to curb climate-warming The details of the funding will be tion of the huge potential of the maritime CFA francs ($285mn) every year. diff erent deadlines to reduce the use emissions passed its required fi nalised at a later meeting. sector, as well as the creation of wealth and “Most African countries that have a of factory-made hydrofl uorocarbon threshold to enter into force after “We think it is more than $10bn frican leaders yesterday signed jobs in several industries”. It would also coastline are victims of one of these prob- (HFC) gases, which can be 10,000 India, Canada and the European and some experts estimated up to a deal to boost security off the “mark a decisive new step in the push to pre- lems, which is why it’s so important for times more powerful than carbon Parliament ratifi ed it. $20bn,” he told Reuters. Acontinent’s economically crucial serve the maritime environment”, he added. African leaders to sit down and try to fi nd dioxide as greenhouse gases. But unlike the Paris agreement, The HFC talks build on the 1987 coasts, hoping to shore up development The deal will create new national and solutions,” Dussey said. US Secretary of State John Kerry the Kigali deal is legally binding, Montreal Protocol, which succeed- by tackling maritime crimes like piracy regional institutions to improve security World piracy has been on the decline said the deal was “a monumental has very specifi c timetables and ed in phasing out the use of chlo- and smuggling. in African waters, while the signatories since 2012 after international naval pa- step forward” as he left the talks in has an agreement by rich countries rofl uorocarbons (CFCs), widely Congolese President Denis Sas- pledged a string of measures to protect trols were launched off East Africa in re- the Rwandan capital of Kigali late to help poor countries adapt their used at that time in refrigeration sou Nguesso hailed the African Union the maritime environment and fi ght traf- sponse to violent attacks by mostly So- on Friday. technology. and aerosols. agreement as “historic”, while Kenya’s fi cking in drugs, arms and people. mali-based pirates. Under the pact, developed na- A quick reduction of HFCs could The protocol contains provisions President Uhuru Kenyatta said it showed The AU said the deal would “solidify But the focus of concern has shifted to tions, including much of Europe and be a major contribution to slowing for noncompliance, ranging from Africa’s ability to put together a conti- Africa’s commitment to an effi cient and the Gulf of Guinea, particularly the waters the United States, commit to reduc- climate change, avoiding perhaps the provision of technical and fi nan- nent-wide strategy. eff ective management of its oceans, seas off oil-rich Nigeria. ing their use of the gases incremen- 0.5 degrees Celsius of a projected cial assistance to trade sanctions in Sassou Nguesso said 43 nations had and waterways so as to ensure sustain- The perpetrators are often off shoots tally, starting with a 10% cut by 2019 rise in average temperatures by ozone depleting substances, which adopted the binding agreement at a sum- able, equitable and benefi cial exploration of militant groups from the Niger Delta and reaching 85% by 2036. 2100, scientists say. will be widened to include HFCs. mit in Togo’s capital Lome. of these critical resources.” seeking a fairer distribution of the rev- Many wealthier nations have al- Environmental groups had called The original aim of the Montreal The talks drew 18 heads of state — an Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey enues from the continent’s largest oil re- ready begun to reduce their use of for an ambitious agreement on cut- Protocol was to stop the depletion unusually high fi gure for an AU meeting of told AFP ahead of the summit that there serves. HFCs. ting HFCs to limit the damage from of the ozone layer, which shields the this kind, signalling the importance that was a clear need for African countries to At least 27 attempted or successful hi- Two groups of developing coun- the roughly 1.6bn new air condi- planet from ultraviolet rays linked governments have placed on the need to cut work together to combat an upsurge of pi- jackings and kidnappings at sea have been tries will freeze their use of the gas- tioning units expected to come to skin cancer and other conditions. piracy and other crime in Africa’s waters. racy in recent years. recorded off west Africa since April, ac- es by either 2024 or 2028, and then on stream by 2050, refl ecting in- That eff ort cost $3.5bn over 25 As he opened the summit, Chad’s Pres- Piracy, smuggling and other crimes at cording to the International Maritime Or- gradually reduce their use. creased demand from an expanding years, said Stephen Olivier An- ident Idriss Deby, the current AU chief, sea have cost the African maritime sector ganization, compared to just two off east India, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and the middle class in Asia, Latin America dersen, the director of research noted that some 90% of Africa’s imports hundreds of billions of dollars in recent Africa. Gulf countries will meet the later and Africa. at Washington-based think tank and exports are transported by sea, mak- decades, according to the AU. The 17 countries lining the Gulf of deadline. Benson Ireri, a senior policy ad- Institute for Governance and Sus- ing maritime security key to the conti- Large-scale illegal fi shing also helps Guinea have poor maritime surveillance They refused the earlier date viser at aid group Christian Aid, tainable Development. nent’s economic future. drive piracy as it depletes stocks, reduc- capacities and they have been trying because they have fast-expanding said that all African countries had Scientists say it prevented 2mn Of the AU’s 54 member states, 38 have ing the legitimate economic activities of for several years to boost cooperation to middle classes who want air con- volunteered for the earlier deadline cases of skin cancer. coastlines. coastal communities. clamp down on piracy. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, October 16, 2016 AMERICA New York Film Festival Suit against arms maker by massacre victims fails

Reuters Bellis wrote in a 54-page deci- Connecticut sion. “This action falls square- ly within the broad immunity provided by PLCAA.” Connecticut judge on An attorney for the families Friday dismissed a law- vowed to appeal the decision. Asuit fi led by the fami- “While the families are lies of some of the 26 young obviously disappointed with children and adults killed at the judge’s decision, this is the Sandy Hook Elementary not the end of the fight,” at- school in 2012, saying the mak- torney Josh Koskoff said in a er of the rifl e used in the attack statement. “We will appeal had “broad immunity” under this decision immediately federal law. and continue our work to help The lawsuit, fi led in Decem- prevent the next Sandy Hook ber 2014 and seeking unspeci- from happening.” fi ed fi nancial damages, said Remington could not be the AR-15 military-syle as- reached for immediate com- sault weapon used in the attack ment. in Newtown, Connecticut, Lanza began his December should never have been sold to 14, 2012, attack by shooting his the gunman’s mother, Nancy mother dead in their home and Lanza, because it had no rea- ended it by turning his gun on sonable civilian purpose. himself as he heard police si- Superior court judge Bar- rens approach. bara Bellis sided with Rem- So-called assault rifl es like Steve Martin, Laura Lundy Wheale, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Arturo Castro, Joe Alwyn, Makenzie Leigh, Ang Lee, Chris Tucker and Vin Diesel attend Billy Lynn’s Long ington Arms, the North Caro- the Bushmaster, capable of Halftime Walk during 54th New York Film Festival at AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York City. lina-based maker of the rifl e infl icting rapid carnage, have known as the Bushmaster that been used in several recent 20-year-old Adam Lanza used mass shooting in the United in his rampage at Sandy Hook. States. Those include the June The 2005 Protection of Lawful attack on a gay nightclub in Commerce in Arms Act pro- Orlando, Florida, that took tected Remington from being 49 lives and was the deadliest sued for the use of its prod- shooting in US history. ucts in an illegal manner, Bellis The AR-15 was developed ruled. from the US military’s M-16 “The present case seeks rifl e, used in the Vietnam War damages for harms, includ- in the 1960s. Unlike the mili- Three Kansas men ing the deaths of the plaintiff s’ tary version, the AR-15 is not decedents that were caused fully automatic, meaning users solely by the criminal misuse must pull the trigger each time charged with plot of a weapon by Adam Lanza,” they want to fi re a shot. against Somalians The men were members of a group The men were being investigated as part of Beall. If convicted, they could face life in knocking off his turban, the Chronicle re- called the Crusaders a domestic terrorism probe of several mi- prison, Beall said. ported, citing prosecutors. litia groups in southwestern Kansas, ac- Allen and Wright are from Liberal, Kan- Prosecutors say one of the assailants, Judge Barbara Bellis during a hearing to hear arguments Reuters cording to an FBI affi davit accompanying sas, and Stein is from Wright, Kansas. Chase Bryan Little, 31, cut Khalsa’s hair brought to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against rifle Kansas City the charges. Those groups had anti-gov- Two men who are accused of attacking with a knife, according to the Chronicle. maker Remington Arms. ernment, anti-Muslim and anti-immigra- a Sikh man in California by punching him, “The savage cutting of Mr Khalsa’s un- tion beliefs, the affi davit said. knocking off his turban and cutting his shorn hair, a sacred article of his faith, hree men were arrested on Friday The FBI used a confidential source to hair were charged on Friday with assault constitutes a hate crime under the law,” and charged with plotting to bomb attend meetings of a militia group called as a hate crime, according to local media. Simon O’Connell, a Contra Costa County Tan apartment complex in western the Kansas Security Force and to collect The attack followed a number of similar deputy district attorney, said in a state- Kansas where 120 people lived, including information, according to documents beatings of Sikhs in the United States over ment to local media. Three people dead in Muslim immigrants from Somalia who released with the charges. The three de- a period of more than a decade. A representative for the district attor- also used one apartment as a mosque, fed- fendants were members of a small group Hate crime-tracking groups say assail- ney’s Offi ce could not be reached for com- eral offi cials said. called the Crusaders, the documents ants have occasionally mistaken Sikhs for ment. shooting at LA party The three men, Curtis Allen, 49, Gavin said. All three defendants are white, ac- Muslims, who themselves have also been Little and a second man, Colton Tye Wright, 49 and Patrick Eugene Stein, 47, cording to jail records from Sedgwick victimised in religiously motivated hate Leblanc, 24, were charged on Friday with were each charged with one count of con- County, Kansas where they are being crimes. assault by means to produce great bodily Los Angeles Conditions of the wounded spiring to use a weapon of mass destruc- held. It was not immediately clear if the two injury and assault with a deadly weapon, Reuters range from critical to stable but tion in Garden City, Kansas, Tom Beall, After considering targets such as pro- men charged on Friday had obtained an according to documents posted on the serious, Lopez said. acting US attorney for the District of Kan- Somali churches and public offi cials, the attorney and they could not be reached for website of San Francisco television station The shooting took place at a sas, said at a news conference in Wichita. defendants chose the Garden City apart- comment. KQED. hree people were killed party being held at a home that Offi cials said they were members of militia ment complex, according to the charges. The Sikh man, Maan Singh Khalsa, has The charges carried hate crime en- and a dozen wounded in was serving as a makeshift res- groups. The defendants discussed placing explo- told police he was in his car at a red light in hancements, the charging documents TLos Angeles early yes- taurant. A man and woman left Federal, state and local authorities in- sive-laden vehicles at the four corners of the San Francisco suburb of Richmond on said. terday after an argument at a the party after an argument, vestigated the plot for eight months as the the complex, prosecutors said. Sept. 25 when someone in a truck threw a Little, who was arrested after the attack, party resulted in gunfi re, a po- then returned and gunfi re three men conducted surveillance, stock- The men were not believed to be af- beer can at him, according to the San Fran- and Leblanc, who is still outstanding, are lice spokesman said. erupted, Lopez said. piled guns and explosives and wrote a fi liated with any larger terrorist group and cisco Chronicle. from Texas and were in California to work A man and a woman are in “From what I understand, manifesto to be published after the bomb- there is no continuing threat from their Khalsa, 41, got out of his car and fl ung at a refi nery, according to local media. custody over the shooting, they’re the ones responsible ing, according to the charges. plot, FBI offi cials said. They planned to the can back. When he drove off , the men The New York-based Sikh Coalition which occurred shortly after for the shooting,” Lopez said. “Many Kansans may fi nd it startling, carry out the attack the day after Election in the truck followed him, according to lo- said in a statement on its website it had midnight in southwest Los Three men died at the scene, as I have, that such things could happen Day next month. cal media. joined with civil rights groups in urging Angeles, a police spokesman, and both men and women were here,” Beall said at the press conference. The three defendants do not yet have They caught up to him at an intersec- prosecutors to fi le hate crime charges in offi cer Mike Lopez, said. The wounded. Garden City is a community of about an attorney and will be arraigned on the tion, and two men exited the vehicle and the attack on Khalsa, who was said to be an two people being held were not A fi rearm was recovered at 27,000 people in southwestern Kansas. charges on Monday, said a spokesman for punched Khalsa through his open window, information technology specialist. identifi ed. the scene, he said. Wildfi re burns 22 Democrats win extension of voter homes in Nevada

Nevada legal brothel in the television deadline in North Carolina Reuters series Cathouse on cable chan- nel HBO, posted a photo of the house reduced to rubble. Reuters The judge ordered an extension to next Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. publican Chairman Robin Hayes said in a wildfi re fanned by high More than 360 fi refi ghters Winston-Salem Wednesday in 36 counties, a lawyer for the State offi cials said this week they would statement. winds destroyed 22 were battling the blaze, which state Democratic Party said on Twitter. not extend the regular deadline to register In Georgia, US district judge William Ahomes in a wooded area has been dubbed the “Little “This ruling will ensure that those com- to vote, but allowances would be made for Moore ordered the voter registration dead- of northern Nevada on Friday, Valley Fire” and has destroyed state judge in North Carolina gave munities who have suff ered from the dev- forms delayed by mail delivery. Those who line extended until Tuesday in Chatham among them a mountain prop- 22 homes and 17 outbuildings, residents in counties hit hard by astating fl ooding brought on by Hurricane miss the deadline can still register and vote County, which includes the city of Savan- erty belonging to the owner of a offi cials said on the fi re track- AHurricane Matthew fi ve extra days Matthew have the grace period that they on the same day during the statewide early nah. The judge said the administrative dif- famous brothel in the state. ing website InciWeb. The cause to register to vote after Democrats sued to need in order to exercise their right to vote voting period from October 20 through fi culties of doing so “pale in comparison to Dennis Hof, the owner of the of the fi re, which was fi rst get an extension to Friday’s deadline, while and make their voices heard in this critical November 5. the physical, emotional and fi nancial strain Moonlite Bunny Ranch in the spotted early on Friday, being a federal judge ordered an extension in one election,” party offi cials said. The state has a Republican governor, Pat Chatham County residents faced in the af- Carson City area, revealed in a investigated, they added. Georgia county. Twenty-four people have died in North McCrory, who faces a tough contest for re- termath of Hurricane Matthew.” message on his Twitter page that The blaze, located near the The Democratic Party in North Carolina Carolina and thousands have been forced election. The state’s Republican Party op- A federal judge on Wednesday gave resi- one of his houses was destroyed border with California and challenged the state election board’s refusal from their homes in the eastern and cen- posed any extension. dents in Florida six extra days to register by the blaze, which fi re offi cials northeast of Lake Tahoe, has to extend the cutoff date, saying in its suit tral parts of the state due to record fl ood- “It is clear that North Carolina Demo- to vote after that state’s Democratic Party said had scorched 2,000 acres spread erratically because of that thousands of people would have been ing in Matthew’s aftermath. crats, who have been dominated in voter sued for more time due to Matthew. in the area of Washoe Valley just the high winds driving it, and deprived of their fundamental right to vote North Carolina is a battleground state in registration by Republicans, want to use South Carolina extended its registration south of Reno.Hof, who is pro- complicated fi refi ghters’ ef- in the November 8 election if Friday’s dead- the presidential election and could play a piv- a horrifi c natural disaster to change the deadline due to Matthew from October 7 fi led along with workers at his forts to contain it, offi cials said. line was not extended by at least fi ve days. otal role in the race between Democrat Hillary rules in the middle of the game,” state Re- to October 11. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 17 AMERICA Trump charges White House race ‘rigged’ for Clinton Trump has asked for Clinton to face a dope test

AFP Portsmouth, United States

onald Trump charged yester- day that “corrupt” media were Dseeking to rig November’s elec- tion in favour of Hillary Clinton — and suggested in a stunning new attack his rival was “pumped up” on drugs at their last debate. His White House campaign in chaos over snowballing accusations of sex- ual assault — which he dismisses as a “smear campaign” — the Republican nominee has stepped up his rhetoric aimed at casting doubt on the fairness of the November 8 vote. Yesterday’s broadside against his Democratic rival marked yet another escalation of Trump’s scorched-earth electoral strategy heading into the fi nal weeks of a race that has defi ed all po- litical norms. “Hillary is running for president in what looks like a rigged election,” the 70-year-old told a fi red-up rally in Donald Trump on stage at a rally at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. Right : Supporters at the rally in Bangor, Maine, yesterday. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “The election is being rigged by cor- triggered by the release last week of a “Civility is on the ballot. Respect Trump’s speech in New Hampshire during a meeting about a possible job. which moved from toss-ups to leaning rupt media pushing completely false video of him bragging about groping for women is on the ballot. Tolerance was intended to focus on a plan to end Trump said Zervos’ fi rst cousin called Clinton. allegations and outright lies in an eff ort women. is on the ballot. Justice is on the ballot. deaths caused by opioid overdoses, her a “huge fan of Donald Trump”, re- Accusations against Trump over- to elect her president.” At least nine women have since come Equality is on the ballot. Democracy is something he often mentions on the ferring to a letter the campaign released shadowed what might otherwise have Trump has trampled all conventions forward to say they were the victim of on the ballot.” campaign trail. to media. been a diffi cult week for Clinton. in his treatment of his Democratic op- unwanted sexual advances by the real Trump challenged accusations from But he deviated from policy propos- After a brutal week for Republican Her campaign manager’s email ac- ponent, vowing if elected to jail her over estate mogul. several women that he made unwanted als to air his allegations of election- presidential nominee Donald Trump, count was apparently hacked and her email practices as secretary of state But the Clinton camp issued a swift sexual advances toward them. rigging and his response to new groping Democrat Hillary Clinton maintained thousands of his emails were released — making “Lock Her Up” a rallying cry response to Trump’s latest comments Trump spokesman Jason Miller de- accusations, 24 days before the elec- a substantial projected advantage in the by Wikileaks. for his fi red-up supporters. on the election, accusing him of seek- nied a new allegation that surfaced tion. race to win the Electoral College and US offi cials say the Russian govern- His campaign has actively fuelled ing to erode public faith in the vote. yesterday, saying there was “no way” Trump has been fending off the ac- claim the US presidency, according to ment sanctioned the electronic break- right-wing conspiracy theories about “This election will have record turn- Trump had kissed a woman without cusations since the release of a 2005 the latest results from the Reuters/Ip- in. Clinton’s health, seizing on her bout of out, because voters see through Donald permission 20 years ago at his Florida video in which he was recorded brag- sos States of the Nation project released The emails have been trickling out pneumonia last month to suggest she is Trump’s shameful attempts to under- resort. ging about making unwanted sexual yesterday. for two weeks. concealing a major health problem, and mine an election weeks before it hap- Trump told an outdoor rally in New advances toward women. If the election were held this week, Included in the hacked e-mails were is unfi t for offi ce. pens,” her campaign manager Robby Hampshire on Saturday that the me- Trump has said the boasts were the project estimates that Clinton’s undisputed comments that Clinton In a bizarre and unsubstantiated Mook said in a statement. dia was sharing the accusations against merely words and he has denied each of odds of securing the 270 Electoral Col- made to banks and big business in a new attack, he suggested she had taken “Campaigns should be hard-fought him to boost Democrat Hillary Clin- the allegations. lege votes needed to win the presidency 2014 speech. performance-enhancing drugs during and elections hard-won, but what is ton and damage his own White House The latest woman to come forward, at more than 95%, and by a margin of In those comments, Clinton said she their last debate, and called for her to fundamental about the American elec- hopes. Cathy Heller, 63, of New York, told the 118 Electoral College votes. supports open trade and open borders, face a drug test ahead of their fi nal duel toral system is that it is free, fair and Trump has presented no evidence for Guardian newspaper that in or around It is the second week in a row that the and takes a conciliatory approach to Wednesday in Las Vegas. open to the people.” claims he has made for months that the 1997, Trump kissed her on the lips upon project has estimated her odds so high. Wall Street, both positions she later “I don’t know what is going on with The virulence of Trump’s attacks on election could be fi xed to prevent him fi rst meeting her during a Mother’s Day The results mirror other Electoral backed away from. her. the Clinton camp has raised concerns from reaching the Oval Offi ce. brunch at his Florida estate. College projections, some of which es- Since that release, waves of other At the beginning of her last debate, about whether the real estate mogul Leaders on both sides of the politi- She told the newspaper she leaned timate Clinton’s chance of winning at emails have been released, among she was all pumped up at the beginning. would even acknowledge a defeat, and cal spectrum worry that this rhetoric, away, then turned her head, and he around 90%. which were some that suggested Clin- At the end, it was like, take me down, how his legions of supporters would re- which supporters sometimes repeat in kissed the side of her mouth. For the Trump campaign there are a ton had inappropriately received ques- she could barely reach her car.” act should he lose. interviews, undermines the democratic Reuters could not confi rm the allega- handful of states the Republican candi- tions in advance of a debate with Bernie “Athletes, they make them take a President Barack Obama — who process. tions by Heller, who has contributed to date must win if he is to cobble together Sanders during the Democratic prima- drug test. along with First Lady Michelle Obama Trump’s campaign said yesterday it Clinton’s campaign. enough states to win the White House. ries. I think we should take a drug test stepped up this week as a heavy-hitting had raised a total of $100mn in Septem- The Guardian said it spoke to a rela- Among them is Florida, but numer- Without Trump’s own woes, the prior to the debate. surrogate for Clinton — echoed those ber, mostly from small donors but also tive who saw part of the interaction. ous recent visits to the Sunshine State Clinton e-mails may well have become Why don’t we do that?” concerns at a campaign rally Friday, including a $2mn monthly contribution “There is no way that something like by Trump and his vice-presidential the central issue in the campaign. As the Manhattan billionaire tanks warning democracy itself was at stake from Trump. this would have happened in a public running mate Mike Pence did little to Yet with just over three weeks to go in the polls — abandoned by part of in next month’s vote. At the same time, the campaign place on Mother’s Day at Mr. dent Clinton’s advantage in the con- until the November 8 election, Trump his own camp — he has spent the week “This is somebody who... squabbled with the Republican party in Trump’s resort,” Miller, the Trump test for the state’s 29 Electoral College does not have much time to turn the claiming the media and a “global elite” is now suggesting that if the election Ohio, a key swing state in the Novem- spokesman, said in a statement. “It votes. race around. are working against him, alleging that doesn’t go his way, it’s not because of ber 8 election, whose Republican lead- would have been the talk of Palm Beach She leads by 6 percentage points, According to the project, Trump Clinton plotted to destroy the sover- all the stuff he’s said, but it’s because ers have not been shy about concerns for the past two decades.” about the same lead she enjoyed last trails by double-digits among women eignty of the United States. it’s rigged and it’s a fraud.” with Trump. Yesterday, Trump deemed “crazy” week. and all minority groups. “Either we win this election or we “In a democracy, you have a contest, Yesterday, Trump’s Ohio state direc- another woman, Jessica Leeds, now 74, Still, the race tightened in Ohio, an- Among black voters he trails by near- lose this country,” he told supporters in but if you lose then you say congratula- tor released a letter saying that Ohio who said he groped her on an airplane other important state for Trump. ly 70 points. New Hampshire. tions and you move on,” said the US lead- Republican Party chairman Matt Borg- in or around 1980. Both Ohio and Nevada were leaning To a large extent his support is almost A confi dent Clinton has meanwhile er, whose second term ends January 20. es “no longer has any affi liation” with He also denied allegations of un- toward Clinton last week but are now entirely dependent on white voters. scaled back her campaign commit- “All the progress we’ve made these the campaign. wanted contact by Summer Zervos, a toss-ups. And while Trump’s support among ments, keeping a low profi le as her rival last eight years is on the ballot,” Obama Borges responded that the state party former contestant on Trump’s show However, Clinton’s support grew in white men is strong, among white battles a wave of incendiary allegations warned. had been actively helping Trump there. The Apprentice, who said he kissed her North Carolina and Colorado, both of women his lead is negligible. Puerto Rico governor off ers plan NJ Governor Christie signs gas tax hike, to right island’s economic ship restarts halted projects

Reuters population as locals flee for the US Autonomy Capital (Jersey), Covalent Reuters New York mainland. Partners, FCO Advisors, Monarch Al- New York Puerto Rico has defaulted on $1.375bn ternative Capital and Stone Lion Capital in principal and interest on its debt. Even Partners. uerto Rico’s outgoing governor, without servicing debt of more than Puerto Rico’s economy contracted in ew Jersey Governor Chris Alejandro Garcia Padilla, presented $34bn over a 10-year period, Puerto Rico nine of 10 years from 2006 through 2015. Christie on Friday signed Pa fi scal turnaround plan on Friday still would have a $6bn defi cit, Garcia Pa- Garcia Padilla said the problems did not Ninto law a gasoline tax to a federal oversight board, stating if dilla said. accumulate overnight and did not stem hike of 23 cents a gallon and or- “things do not change” the island faces Without specifying how much of from any single factor, political decision dered that stalled bridge, road a 10-year cumulative budget defi cit of the $70bn debt he believes should be or party. and transit projects be restarted. New Jersey Governor Chris $34bn. trimmed, Garcia Padilla said the debt “Rather they are the culmination of A week ago, lawmakers agreed Christie. Garcia Padilla reiterated that the US service-to-revenue ratio should not ex- decades of misguided and unscrupulous to increase the state gas tax, territory’s near $70bn debt load was not ceed 15%. public policies in San Juan, Wall Street which had not been raised since the beginning: tax fairness for all sustainable even with tax increases and Treasury secretary Jacob Lew with Puerto The impact of the plan is unclear. The and Washington,” he said, pointing at all 1988, to 37.5 cents per gallon residents, leading to a more af- other revenue-boosting measures im- Rico’s Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla. governor is not seeking reelection on No- actors in the crisis. in order to replenish the nearly fordable state and an improved plemented in the last two years. Bond- vember 8. His successor, likely to come Garcia Padilla restated the need for broke fund that pays for many economy,” Christie said in a holders later were critical of his presen- signed by president Barack Obama this from a more creditor-friendly opposition congress to fund Puerto Rico’s Medicaid transportation projects. statement. tation. year. party, could make signifi cant changes. and Medicare systems and pay its pen- In early July, Christie halted all Critics of the plan said that If Puerto Rico were to lose its cur- Under PROMESA, federal offi cials ap- A group of investors calling them- sioners. but the most essential projects once the tax cuts are fully phased rent level of federal support from the pointed the seven-member oversight selves the Ad Hoc Group of Puerto Rico’s Puerto Rico receives less federal Med- paid for with the state’s Trans- in they will blow a $1.4bn hole in Affordable Care Act and other meas- board charged with helping Puerto Rico General Obligation Bondholders, who icaid reimbursement than US states. The portation Trust Fund, including the state budget every year. ures, the cumulative deficit would rise get its house in order by working with confi rmed with Reuters they hold sev- U.S. government foots about $335mn of $2.7bn of NJ Transit projects, Moody’s Investors Service said to $59bn. the governor on a fi scal plan, approving eral billion dollars worth of debt, issued a Puerto Rico’s Medicaid bill, or about 12% because he and lawmakers could this week the combined revenue “And, even if spending is reduced to annual budgets and facilitating debt re- statement panning Garcia Padilla’s pres- while the poorest US states receive 75% not agree on how to fund the package would “strain the state’s pay the debt, you will soon realise that structuring talks with creditors. entation. reimbursement. program. operating budget amid rapidly any reduction in spending implies in- Protesters interrupted the public The group said Garcia Padilla dem- Under the plan submitted on Friday, The deal between the Demo- rising pension contributions and tolerable eff ects in aggregate demand meeting with shouts of “shame on you,” onstrated “a wholesale disregard for fi s- Puerto Rico is requesting the removal of crats who control state legisla- below-average revenue growth.” and will further throw Puerto Rico into a as they did during the fi rst board meet- cal soundness, factual accuracy, and his statutory limits on Medicaid funding. ture and Christie, a Republican, The expected $1.2bn to be death spiral that will directly aff ect credi- ing last month. Many in Puerto Rico are obligations under PROMESA and Puerto Its public pensions, which cover more calls for the sales tax rate and raised annually for the next eight tors’ recoveries across the board,” Garcia critical of the unelected board, calling it Rico’s Constitution. We look forward to than 330,000 workers and retirees, are other taxes to fall in exchange for years will be dedicated to trans- Padilla said. an attack on sovereignty. working with the Oversight Board and underfunded by some $45bn, a 96% the higher gas tax. An estate tax portation projects, while the re- The turnaround plan, a vision of how The island, trudging through a dec- the next governor to reach a solution for shortfall that is among biggest in US his- on wealthy residents when they duction in other taxes will reduce to right Puerto Rico’s economic ship, is ade of economic contraction in addi- Puerto Rico”. tory. Those obligations are separate from die will also be phased out. money available to pay for edu- a requirement of the Puerto Rico rescue tion to the massive debt, struggles with A source close to the group said it in- $70bn of bond debt. Debt to vendors “This compromise legislation cation, services and other costs, law known by its acronym, PROMESA, a poverty rate of 45% and dwindling cludes Aurelius Capital Management, stands at about $1.3bn. locks in what I called for from Moody’s said. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, October 16, 2016 ASEAN For those overcome by the monarch’s death, medics and a hotline

Reuters monarch after 70 years on the Bangkok throne has left many uncertain about the future. One of those being treated ing Bhumibol Adulya- at the palace, Suchin Yamatad, dej was so revered 64, said he felt dizzy at the Kthat many Thai people news of the king’s death. around the country fainted or “It’s just that I’m old. I’ve felt unwell when they learnt seen His Majesty for a long this week that he had died after time,” he added. 70 years on the throne. There was a government Two days on, the govern- webpage to advise people how ment says it has provided to cope with grief, besides a medical treatment to scores of counselling hotline, the Min- people overcome by grief and istry of Public Health said. has told mourners they can call “Those who are overcome a hotline to help them through with emotion can call it,” said the trauma. ministry spokesman Suwan- “There are people who hy- nachai Wattanayingcharoen- perventilate and we try to calm chai. them down by talking to them,” Most of Thailand is hushed Boonruang Triruangworawat, in dignified mourning, but in Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn takes part in a ceremony honouring the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. director general of the Depart- some areas news of the death ment of Mental Health told fuelled tension. Reuters yesterday. “Others we About 400 people gathered have to send to hospital.” outside the home of a soya He was speaking outside milk vendor in the southern the Grand Palace, a glittering province of Phuket on Friday complex of halls, pavilions and to protest against a Facebook gardens where the remains of post by the vendor’s son that Regent set to stand in as the king will lie for months be- they saw as insulting to the fore a royal cremation. king, police said. Thousands of black-clad Some shouted threats. mourners gathered there yes- “The messages aren’t nec- terday, some holding umbrel- essarily aggressive, but they las against the sun, and others hurt the feelings of Thai fanning themselves, visibly people who are grieving,” Thailand awaits new king overcome with grief. said Teerapon Tipcharoen, Dotted around the riverside the Phuket provincial police Crown Prince Maha the Grand Palace despite the 32 such as entertaining, dancing palace were dozens of ambu- commander in charge of the Vajiralongkorn expected Celsius temperature and humid- or violent acts”, and presenters lances and medical tents. case. to take throne; Head of ity. must dress in white or black. Teams handed out cotton The vendor’s son could be Privy Council to fill gap General Sansern Kaewkam- It said information related to wool soaked in ammonia solu- charged with breaking Thai- between monarchs nerd, a spokesman for the prime the king’s passing must be ap- tion to help revive people close land’s royal defamation and minister’s offi ce, said 30 bus proved by authorised bodies, to fainting, said a Reuters re- computer crimes law, he Reuters routes and some canal boat serv- while criticism or analysis would porter at the scene. added. Bangkok ices would be free to take people not be allowed. Boonruang said around 200 Thailand’s strict lese- to Sanam Luang, an open area Thailand’s strict lese-majeste people had been treated by majeste laws protect the most near the Grand Palace. laws, which have been applied medics since the king died, senior royals from insult. he head of Thailand’s The king had been in poor rigorously since a military gov- some for hyperventilation due A junta that took power af- royal advisory council will health the past several years and ernment took power in a 2014 to anxiety. ter a May 2014 coup has used Tstand in as regent while his death plunged the Southeast coup, have left little room for Thais loved King Bhumibol the law to hand down stiff the country grieves over the Asian nation of 67mn people public discussion about the suc- as a father fi gure, and the death sentences to critics of the death of King Bhumibol Adulya- into grief. cession. of the world’s longest-reigning monarchy. dej and awaits for his son to for- Most Thais have known no The New York-based Com- mally succeed him, the govern- other monarch and King Bhu- mittee to Protect Journalists ment said. mibol’s picture is hung in almost (CPJ) called in a statement on Mourners lit candles and every house, school and offi ce. Thailand’s military government recited prayers before dawn People in the capital and to lift the censorship order on yesterday outside Bangkok’s in towns across the country broadcasters riverside Grand Palace, where Mourners line up to enter the Grand Palace to pay respect to dressed in black. “While CPJ sympathises with the remains of the king will lie Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Bangkok yesterday. Shopping malls were open the Thai people over the passing for months before a traditional yesterday and the government of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, we royal cremation, and thousands the head of the powerful Privy The king’s remains were taken said bars could continue doing lament that the government has joined them during the morn- Council would have to step in as in a convoy on Friday through business, but it decreed that no resorted to crude censorship at ing. regent. Bangkok’s ancient quarter to entertainment events and fes- this sensitive time,” said Steven The world’s longest-reigning “There must be a regent for the Grand Palace, winding past tivities should be held outside Butler, CPJ’s Asia programme monarch, King Bhumibol died the time being in order not to thousands of Thais dressed in for 30 days, the fi rst month of coordinator. on Thursday in a Bangkok hospi- create a gap,” Wissanu said. black, many of them holding one year of offi cial mourning. The king stepped in to calm tal, at the age of 88. “This situation will not be aloft portraits of a monarch who A number of domestic sport crises on several occasions dur- The government has said used for long,” he added, with- was revered as a father fi gure. competitions, including soc- ing his reign and many Thais Crown Prince Maha Vajiralong- out mentioning by name Privy Buddhist monks chanted cer and golf tournaments, have worry about a future without korn wants to grieve with the Council head 96-year-old Prem prayers beside his coffi n yes- been cancelled or postponed, him. people and leave the formal suc- Tinsulanonda, a former army terday as Princess Maha Chakri and the Football Association of The military has for decades cession until later, when parlia- chief and prime minister. Sirindhorn came to pay her re- Thailand said it was seeking to invoked its duty to defend the ment will invite him to ascend Prince Vajiralongkorn does spects. move a home World Cup quali- monarchy to justify its interven- the throne. not enjoy the same adoration his “I didn’t ever want to hear fi er against Australia on Nov 15 tion in politics. Deputy Prime Minister Wis- father earned over a lifetime on this news although it couldn’t out of the country. Military government leader sanu Krea-ngam said in an in- the throne. be avoided. All we can do now is The Nation newspaper said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- terview broadcast on state tel- He has married and divorced hope that he will rest in peace,” government guidelines for the ocha said after the king’s death evision late on Friday that there three times, and has spent much said Sakhon Sondee from the media stipulated that TV pro- that security was his top priority A mourner receives help from rescue teams as she waits to pay was no uncertainty about the of his life outside Thailand, often eastern province of Surin, one of grammes and advertising “must and he ordered extra troops de- her respects to Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the succession but, in the interim, in Germany. thousands who gathered outside not contain improper scenes ployed around the country. Grand Palace in Bangkok yesterday.

Singapore Airlines bans Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on its flights Floods kill 11, displaces thousands in central Vietnam

Singapore Airlines said yesterday Reuters it has banned Samsung’s Galaxy Hanoi Note 7 mobile phones from all its flights and any passenger carrying one will not be allowed loods in Vietnam’s four central provinces have killed to board its planes. The US at least 11 people and displaced thousands, with a Department of Transportation Fstorm in the South China Sea approaching the central has issued an emergency order coast. banning the devices from aircraft Flooding from very heavy rainfall brought by a tropical in the United States as of yester- low pressure system since Wednesday have cut food sup- day at noon EDT (1600 GMT). plies to thousands of people and blocked north-south traf- Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has fi c, the government said in a statement yesterday. recalled its flagship Galaxy Note Seven people drowned or were electrocuted in Quang 7 smartphones worldwide be- Binh province, four others were killed in three nearby prov- cause of incidents of the phones inces, and at least 30,000 homes were submerged, state-run emitting smoke or catching Vietnam Television (VTV) said, citing government reports. fire, dealing a huge blow to the “It is our priority now to save people’s lives,” Chairman company’s reputation. Nguyen Huu Hoai of the provincial People’s Committee in Singapore Airlines said on its Quang Binh said on a VTV bulletin. Facebook page that “the Galaxy Dozens of foreign tourists were among passengers strand- Note 7 smartphone will be ed on 22 trains in the aff ected region, prompting provincial prohibited from being brought authorities to provide food and water, while many fl ights to on board all our flights in person, the region were cancelled, VTV said. in carry-on baggage or checked- Tropical storm Sarika, now in the Philippines, is mov- in baggage with eff ect from ing toward Vietnam’s central region, and could bring more October 16.” rain to the aff ected areas, the website Tropical Storm Risk A man paddles a boat near his submerged house during a flood in Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh province yesterday. Right: Tourists are evacuated by boat and VTV said. from a railway station in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Binh. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 19 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

China graft unit criticises Chinese movies win big HK aff airs offi ce at Asia’s top fi lm festival Reuters AFP “These fi lms were incredible,” trait of humanity and sacrifi ce There were 11 fi lms from seven There were shows of support with the Ben Younger-directed Beijing Busan said veteran African director that is restraint yet boiling with nations and territories in the throughout the 10-day event for boxing biopic Bleed For This Souleymane Cisse, New Cur- underlying emotion,” said Cisse. running this year for the New the beleaguered Lee. – and sent the fans wild – but rents jury head. “They were very “The excellently scripted fi lm Currents award and Cisse said A photo wall in the main festi- much of the focus was split be- he anti-corruption hinese movies have taken ambitious and out of the ordi- plays as much on the images as judges had been impressed by val building displayed messages tween engaging art house fare watchdog of China’s rul- the two main prizes at nary.” on the immaculate timing and them all. to him from around the world and commercial Asian fi lms that Ting Communist Party CAsia’s premier fi lm fes- Wang’s fi rst feature presents superb acting. The conclusion “We could really feel the pas- and many guests wore badges look set to travel the globe. has criticised the Beijing gov- tival, with judges lauding their a lyrical look at the often-stark is heartbreaking: when you fi ght sion of the directors,” he said. decrying what some in the fi lm Na Hong-jin’s thriller The ernment department in charge portrayal of two very diff erent realities of life in a mountain vil- destiny you will lose.” The strength of the main industry have labelled persecu- Wailing, all murder and mystery, of Hong Kong aff airs for weak versions of modern reality in lage and judges praised the de- The decision to hand the competition this year proved the tion following his decision to was a case of the latter, fl ying leadership and not properly fol- their country. but director for his “extremely awards to two Chinese fi lms perfect tonic both for the fes- screen a controversial docu- the fl ag for Korea’s ever-grow- lowing policy following a routine Wang Xuebo’s The Knife in photogenic” production that comes as relations between Bei- tival and the thousands of fi lm mentary about the Sewol ferry ing industry, while a preview inspection. the Clear Water and The Do- “serves as a backdrop to a poetic jing and Seoul appear strained fans who make the annual trek disaster in 2014. screening of this year’s closing The party’s graft-busting nor, from Zang Qiwu, were an- parable on grief and freedom”. following moves in South Korea to South Korea’s second city. Despite those troubles – and a fi lm – Iraqi’s director Hussein Central Commission for Dis- nounced yesterday as winners of For what is also his fi rst fi lm to set up a missile defence shield The BIFF had arrived looking slashed budget – the BIFF pro- Hassan’s family drama The Dark cipline Inspection said late on the New Currents award at the as a director, Zang – who has with the aid of the United States. to rebuild its reputation after gramme managed to refl ect the Wind – was an example of the Friday that its most recent in- 21st Busan International Film worked with acclaimed Chinese Korean television shows – two years marred by accusations growth of an Asian fi lm industry former, and left critics buzzing. spection of the Hong Kong and Festival (BIFF). director Zhang Yimou (Curse of wildly popular in China – have of political interference, and that seems, on this evidence, to “We have had some hard Macau Aff airs Offi ce had found a The directors collected the the Golden Flower) – turned his since August vanished from with former festival head Lee be in rude health. times but we have remained fo- series of problems. two prizes of $30,000 that come attention to the controversial is- broadcast in China while a series Yong-kwan facing sentencing Hollywood stars Miles Teller cused on identifying Asian tal- “The party’s leadership is not with the award when the festival sue of organ transplants. of planned K-pop events have for his charges of embezzlement (Whiplash) and Aaron Eckhart ent,” said BIFF executive direc- strong or powerful enough, and offi cially closed last night. “The fi lmmaker creates a por- been cancelled. on October 26. (The Dark Knight) were in town tor Kang Soo-youn. the enforcement of the relevant policies of the centre is not fi rm enough,” the watchdog commis- sion said in a statement. The way people are promot- ed is not conducted in a seri- Australia’s ous manner, personnel changes are not carried out in a timely way, and party discipline rules Crown not taken seriously enough, the commission said. The anti-graft commission’s Resorts report comes amid mounting concerns among pro-democrat- ic politicians, activists and for- personnel eign diplomats that the Central Government’s Liaison Offi ce, Beijing’s offi cial representative ‘detained’ body in the territory, was ac- tively interfering in Hong Kong politics and aff airs. in China The watchdog’s inspection also found “clues” about prob- lems with some senior offi cials AFP that have been reported up and Sydney will be handled, it said, without naming anyone or giving details. The statement quoted the p to 18 employees of Aus- head of the Hong Kong aff airs tralian billionaire James offi ce, Wang Guangya, as saying UPacker’s Crown Resorts that he “sincerely accepted” the Glimpse of life are believed to have been de- report and that his agency would tained in China, reports said “sternly and conscientiously Above: A woman past unwanted Two women in traditional hanbok prepare to take a selfie in an yesterday. carry out rectifi cation”. statues of deities, discarded by their alleyway in Seoul late on Friday. The gaming company said a China on Friday had also ex- owners on a rocky slope running group of staff were being ques- pressed “great indignation and down to the sea in Hong Kong. Below: A giant light sculpture of a tiger is driven last night tioned, with the Department of strong condemnation” of two through the central business district of Sydney to celebrate the Foreign Aff airs working to con- Hong Kong lawmakers who Left: Customers wait on Wednesday 100th year anniversary of Taronga Zoo. The parade of 10 giant fi rm whether Australians were raised the disputed issue of in- to buy the Sony PlayStation virtual animal light sculptures represented 10 of the most endangered involved. dependence at their offi cial mid- reality headset at the entrance of a species in the world to highlight the conservation eff orts of The Australian Financial Re- week swearing-in ceremony. shop in Tokyo. Taronga Zoo. view reported that at least 18 The former British colony were being held, including three returned to Chinese rule in Australians who are part of the 1997 under the so-called “one group’s sales and marketing country, two systems” formula, team in China. granting Hong Kong a high de- One was said to be a senior ex- gree of freedom and autonomy. ecutive. A 79-day “umbrella revolu- “Crown believes that a tion” in late 2014 demanding number of our employees in Beijing allow full democracy in China are being questioned by Hong Kong brought chaos to the local authorities,” the company streets, and anti-mainland Chi- told the newspaper. “At this time nese sentiment has simmered we can provide no details.” since. The Australian government Some fear Beijing’s grow- said it was aware of the issue and ing role in the city undermines “consular offi cials are seeking to the “one country, two systems” confi rm these reports with the principle. relevant Chinese authorities”. Critics of unpopular Hong It is not clear whether any Kong leader, Chief Executive Le- charges have been laid or why ung Chun-ying, accuse him to the employees are being ques- being too close to the head of the tioned. Liaison Offi ce, Zhang Xiaoming. Crown operates casinos across the world, including in Macau, where revenues have been hit $114mn drug haul in Sydney hard by a Chinese corruption crackdown which has driven Authorities have seized 1.2 tonnes of the illicit drug ecstasy worth away many high-rollers. Tiny Taiwanese island says no to casinos A$145mn ($114mn) in Sydney, off icials announced yesterday. Graft is endemic in China and The Australian Federal Police seized the recreational drug crystal President Xi Jinping launched a Methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA), popularly known as much-publicised drive against Reuters Last month, local govern- ecstasy, concealed inside aluminium sheets in a storage facility in a it after he came to power in 2012. Penghu County, Taiwan ment offi cials representing eight Sydney suburb last week, a government statement said. Packer owns 53% of Crown Taiwanese cities and counties, The police arrested and charged two Polish men, aged 28 and 29, Resorts but resigned as chair- mainly ruled by the opposition for allegedly importing the drugs. man in 2015. aiwanese residents in China-friendly Nationalists, Penghu have shut the visited China and met with its Tdoor to casino develop- top Taiwan policymaker in a bid ment in a referendum that pro- to continue economic and cul- ponents had said would bring tural exchanges. jobs to the isolated, tiny, off - Local governments have been Backpackers exploited: report shore archipelago. seeking ways to sustain growth The referendum to allow as the national economy, highly gaming, open only to residents dependent on foreign trade and DPA wages at all and many of the em- ing to Australia’s immigration of the outlying county just west trade with China, slows amid Sydney ployers withheld passports ille- department. of the main Taiwan island, was global uncertainties and a po- gally and without permission. Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie opposed to by the ruling inde- litical impasse between Taipei Many times backpackers had James said the survey confi rmed pendence-leaning Democratic and Beijing. ackpackers in Australia to pay for tools and equipment that overseas workers were “vul- Progressive Party (DPP). China has frozen offi cial com- are underpaid, exploited that the business was meant to nerable to exploitation”. The proposal was over- munication with Taiwan since Band in some cases sexually provide. She issued a warning to em- whelmingly rejected with 81% President and DPP leader Tsai harassed by employers in remote In some cases workers were ployers, saying that minimum against and 19% in favour, ac- Ing-wen took power in May be- farmlands, the country’s work- asked to pay for their jobs and pay rates in Australia were non- cording the county government. A sign reading ‘No Casino’ is seen outside a polling station during cause she refuses to acknowl- place watchdog said yesterday. accommodation. negotiable. It was a wider margin than a the referendum to decide if casinos can be built on the outlying edge the “one China” principle, Most of them will not com- According to the report more The report recommended referendum seven years ago on island of Penghu. agreed to with the previous Chi- plain due to fear of backlash from than a third of those interviewed changes to visa rules and laws, the same issue that also failed. na-friendly Nationalists that their employers, the Fair Work by the agency said they were paid better use of existing laws and “The focus is not gaming, it “I am 60 years old this year, against the 23mn national total, allows both sides to interpret Ombudsman said after their less than the minimum wage and eff orts to protect the visa holders is our dissatisfaction. We have a and even if we want to build ca- are part of the bigger economic who rules a single China that in- two-year long national inquiry 14% had to pay before getting and to make the workers aware of small population, few votes, no sinos it would take some 10-odd divide that has seen Taiwan’s cludes Taiwan. into the conditions of working work. their rights. infl uence,” a voter who gave his years so I wouldn’t be able to see second-tier cities and its off - China deems Taiwan a way- holiday visa holders, a temporary The majority of those surveyed The inquiry was established surname as Hsiao told Reuters. it for myself anyway. But what is shore counties lag in resources ward province to be taken back visa issued by the government to did not know their work rights. in August 2014 after complaints He said he voted yes to casino important is Taiwan’s develop- and development compared to by force if necessary and deeply young people under 31 who want Australia granted 226,812 from working holiday makers. development because it makes ment,” Hsiao said. the wealthier metropolis areas distrusts the DPP, which tradi- to travel and work in Australia. working holiday visas in 2014-15, More than 4,000 overseas the central government pay at- The concerns of Penghu, with of the north, including the capi- tionally advocates independ- The report found that some with Germany being one of the workers were surveyed as part of tention. a population of around 100,000 tal Taipei. ence. of the workers were not paid any top recipient countries, accord- the inquiry study. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, October 16, 2016 BRITAIN

Tally-ho Police swarm street after ‘screams and gunshots’ heard

Evening Standard The description adds that London the show is “a spy adventure like never before”. People who have attended errifi ed residents called the performance, which is police after hearing not staged in a theatre but Tgunshots and screams takes place in public spaces, - without realising the sounds described it as an experience were from a theatre produc- which makes you “forget about tion. everything else”. Armed police were called to Police confi rmed they were a street in Borough last night called to reports of gunshots after a call from a concerned and screams. local. Borough Police, a neigh- Five vehicles carrying armed bourhood team from South- offi cers swarmed on Long wark, posted on Twitter: Lane, oblivious of the immer- “Attended a call to gunshots sive theatre performance being / people screaming in Long staged there. Lane #SE1 last night. 5 ARV’s Instead of a gunman at large, attended.Turned out to be a offi cers were greeted by the show by @CoLab_Theatre. sight of people at Colab Thea- “Local residents had been tre’s ‘Hunted’ immersive show. informed about their shows The 90 minute performance but one hadn’t read the letter. sees people split into teams of Local police had no idea!” 10 and “hunted” down in an al- A spokesman for Colab told ternative reality. the Standard: “We are always A description of the show pushing the boundaries fur- on Colab’s website reads: “You ther and further away from im- are one of the most impor- mersive and into the very lives Pete Gaine, Mickey Barr and Stan Streather pose dressed up as Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery and Winston Churchill in a 1943 Humber Snipe part of a display of 90 tant people in the world and of the audience. It’s a big show historic British-built motor vehicles to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in London. yet you’ve managed to live a with massive intensity so we peaceful life. That is because haven’t held back on making it we have been protecting you feel real. but now our protection has “Audience safety is our been compromised. highest priority - even though “You are now being hunted. we have done everything in our If you want to fi nd out why - power to make all the correct join us. authorities and neighbours “Join us in our world of aware of what the show in- shadows and become the pro- volves, the police were called. tagonist of your own adven- We are glad that in an age ture. where we’re plugged into our Leo DiCaprio issues “Are you skilled enough to phone, at least these things get evade the evil agents of the responded to - another acco- ETF? Will you be able to es- lade to the solid community of cape? Borough in a quickly develop- climate action call “It all depends on you.” ing London.” in new documentary AFP fi nanced by the fossil fuel industry so it’s London in their best interest to tell people climate change doesn’t exist,” he told AFP. “In my country we have a guy running eonardo DiCaprio has issued an for presidency, he doesn’t believe in cli- impassioned call for immediate mate change. Laction on climate change in Before In France, Nicolas Sarkozy came out the the Flood, a documentary film making other day saying he doesn’t believe in cli- its European premiere in London yester- mate change. day. These people should not be able to hold The Hollywood megastar, who won this a position of power,” Stevens added. A promotional photograph for the show year’s best actor Oscar for his role in The From former US president Bill Clinton Revenant, takes viewers around the world and UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to to meet experts and politicians in order to Pope Francis, DiCaprio interviews power- BA flight forced to return reveal the scale of the problem, its eff ects ful leaders on the chances of avoiding cli- and the paths towards solutions. mate disaster. A British Airways flight was forced to make an emergency stop at As the inter-governmental Paris Agree- US president Barack Obama voices cau- Heathrow after the plane’s landing gear failed, it has emerged. ment to limit global temperature rises tious optimism, calling action against cli- The flight, carrying 293 passengers, had to return to the airport comes into force on November 4, the US mate change “a national security issue”. when the crew made the shocking discovery that the switch for the actor calls on individuals to examine their “It’s why we have to take action now. landing gear was stuck. Despite this, the pilot managed to safely own habits and use their vote wisely to There is no reason we don’t solve the land the Boeing 747-436 at Heathrow with only the nose and body tackle the issue. problem on time.” landing gear deployed, averting a potential disaster. The report “I didn’t want the fi lm to scare people, When it comes to solutions, DiCaprio’s from the Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) revealed that or present them with statistics and facts message is clear: “it’s up to all of us”. He the landing gear on the plane had been replaced shortly before the that they already know, but to focus on urges people to stop consuming palm oil- flight from Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. what can and must be done immediately British actress Romola Garai poses for photographers on the red carpet as he arrives for based products, replace some of our reli- But after take-off the crew found that the landing gear lever could so that we can leave our planet a liveable the BFI London Film Festival Awards in central London. ance on beef and chicken with vegetables not be moved and decided to return to Heathrow. Fortunately for home for future generations,” the 41-year- and “vote to tell that we know the truth the 310 people aboard the flight, the pilots managed to lower part old said. DiCaprio shows viewers the eff ects of for their stance on climate change. about climate change”. On the political of the gear using the extension procedure. The plane then landed “We are quickly running out of time,” pollution in China and examines the sea He targets those he says orchestrate front, he defends the need for a carbon tax, at Heathrow with half of the plane’s braking power, causing it to said DiCaprio, who also co-produced the levels which threaten tiny island commu- campaigns of media disinformation and hails the development of solar and wind slide right to the end of the runway. The report stated: “The landing fi lm. nities and the longer-term eff ects of de- lobby hard to block reforms that would power, and enthuses about the megafacto- gear lever jam was attributed to a maintenance error which had From the remote Canadian landscapes forestation. better look after the environment. ry of South African visionary Elon Musk, resulted in incorrect rigging of the landing gear lever system.” The where he shot The Revenant, to the sub- The actor, who has been named a Unit- “Everything in the film is fact,” said producing electric car batteries. fault in the landing gear has been attributed to a rig pin not being urbs of Beijing, Greenland, Indonesia’s ed Nations “messenger of peace” on cli- Fisher Stevens, director of Before the The documentary comes out in Britain fitted in the equipment It is believed the problem was caused by an Sumatra and the Pacifi c atolls of Kiribati, mate change, attacks giant corporations Floo”. and the United States next Friday before engineer losing concentration when taking a break, as well as an DiCaprio whizzes round the planet to see and politicians — especially Republican “The world should know that these being screened on the National Geograph- inadequate handover sheet. The report adds: “The following factors the extent of the damage. presidential nominee Donald Trump — politicians’ campaigns are being heavily ic television channel on October 30. were identified by the operator’s maintenance investigation:” Battle of Hastings relived, 950 years on

AFP Verdun,” said Michael Sadde, who in meat, while the other toasted him But alas, this year the invaders Hastings, United Kingdom participated in the re-enactment. with mead. took the Calais-Dover ferry, and “Such land elsewhere has been There were no showers on the even had to present their passports, concreted over. scene, these fans of the Middle Ages they joked. hain mail armour, sword Here it has been preserved for 950 boasted — nor any electricity or even King Harold II appeared sud- fi ghts and fl owing mead — years.” potatoes, bananas or tomatoes, all denly from the other side of the Cafi cionados of the Middle Sporting a red and yellow cape of which were introduced later into battlefield, with a pointed helmet Ages gathered in southern England and mid-length black hair, Sadde Europe. upon his head. yesterday to re-enact the Battle of was portraying William for a third On the Norman side, a couple A biology teacher during the week, Hastings, 950 years later. straight year at the annual event in butchered a deer to be cooked in a Kendall Kinrade headed an army of At the site of the pivotal battle, the small town of Battle, near Hast- stew, while a group of French people about 500 men yesterday. around 1,000 “soldiers” represent- ings. conversed around a fi re at the bot- Was he thinking of Brexit as he ing the Norman invaders of William Except for a row of portable toilets tom of the encampment. tried to repel the Normans? the Conqueror and King Harold II’s and a BBC camera, everything im- The men wore pitch-coated linen “I have to say, having an election Anglo Saxons gave an hour-long mediately surrounding Sadde was cloths and cotton tunics, sometimes is a better way to decide these things public rendition of the clash that as it would have been on October 14, under heavy chain mail armour, than fi ghting,” said Kinrade, smiling. featured 20 times that number. 1066. while a red-haired woman wore a fox From a historical perspective, The battle was a decisive moment On the side of the Saxons, Peter fur around her neck. the building of Europe is a recent in English history, with Harold’s Flowerdew, 66, with white locks and All of the participants dedicate project, noted Flowerdew, a psycho- death in the onslaught ushering in a goatee beard, set about crafting an several hours a week to their passion, therapist by day. a period of Norman rule as William axe out of wood. training themselves in sword fi ght- The Battle of Hastings, which seized the throne. By his side, in front of a white lin- ing. overturned the political balance of “The battlefi eld is as it was. en tent, two men busied themselves Some members of the group are western Europe, “goes back longer It’s very rare, it is as if you were around a cauldron: one preparing even planning to reproduce a ship than that,” added Flowerdew. “Al- Re-enactors participate in a re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, commemorating the fi ghting at (the World War I battle of) lunch, a thick piece of bread covered from the period. most a thousand years.” 950th anniversary of the battle, in Battle, Britain. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 21 BRITAIN By-election campaigning Ched Evans case: police hunt trolls

Evening Standard “This was done previously, London people were prosecuted and heavily fi ned.” North Wales Police said no hed Evans said he is one has yet been arrested. ‘disassociating’ him- The evidence heard in the Cself from anyone who Ched Evans rape trial should names or abuses female com- not have been admitted in plainant. Police are monitoring court, a former solicitor gen- social media accounts to crack eral said yesterday. down on people naming the The Wales international complainant in the Ched Evans footballer was acquitted of case. rape on Friday following a fi ve- Many people have publicly year battle to clear his name. the named the woman online, In a rare move, the jury at after the footballer was cleared Cardiff Crown Court heard of rape on Friday after a retrial. evidence from two men who The law gives lifetime ano- had sex with the complainant nymity to those who make al- around the time of the rape al- legations of sexual off ences legation. meaning anyone who names Vera Baird, police and crime the complainant could be commissioner for North- prosecuted and fi ned. umbria and former solicitor In a statement on his web- general, told Radio 4’s Today site yesterday, Evans said he programme that the case had disowns anyone who names or set things back by “about 30 abuses the complainant. years”. He said: “Following yester- She said: “The only diff er- day’s decision at Cardiff Crown ence between a clear convic- Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May and former prime minister David Cameron walk with Robert Courts, the Conservative candidate for the forthcoming Witney Court I want to stress that I tion of Mr Evans in 2012 and by-election, as they campaign in Hanborough. absolutely disassociate myself the absolute refusal of him from anyone who names on having any leave to appeal at any forum the woman in this that time, and his acquittal case. Or makes any off ensive now, is that he has called some comments about her.” men to throw discredit on [the North Wales Police have woman’s] sexual reputation. already put out a warning to “That, I think, is pouring people on social media not to prejudice, which is exactly name the victim. what used to happen before the Bethan King, a spokes- law in 1999 stopped the ad- woman for North Wales Police, mission of previous sexual his- told the Standard they have tory in order to show consent. Sturgeon tells Scots opened a special log to record “We’ve gone back, I’m complaints against people who afraid, probably about 30 have taken to social media to years.” reveal the woman’s name. The striker, 27, was original- She said offi cers are moni- ly convicted of raping a woman toring accounts on Facebook in a Premier Inn near Rhyl, and Twitter to crack down on north Wales, in May 2011. those naming the complainant. He served half of a fi ve-year all options are open Superintedent Jo Williams, prison sentence before being of North Wales Police, said af- released but there was a public Sturgeon is convinced that Scotland “What we’re saying to the UK govern- ter the verdict on Friday: “We outcry when he attempted to needs to go its own way ment is ‘Be creative, have an open mind’,” acknowledge the decision of return to professional football. he said. the jury.” Evans joined League One Reuters Many companies including TSB, JP “We are aware that once club Chesterfi eld FC after the Glasgow, Scotland Morgan, Coca Cola, Mastercard and Fu- again the victim has been Court of Appeal quashed his jitsu who were absent last year attended named on social media. conviction and ordered a re- the conference’s business session, an SNP “We would remind people trial earlier this year. cotland’s devolved government is source said. that it is a criminal off ence un- His family had employed preparing for all possibilities includ- “After the mess that has followed the der Section 5 of the Sexual Of- private investigators to gather Sing independence after Britain leaves (Brexit) vote, business is desperate for fences Amendments Act to do new evidence, with a £50,000 the EU, and is planning steps to protect its clarity and leadership,” Kate Forbes, a so, and that the victim has the reward off ered for information trade ties with Europe, fi rst minister Nico- Scottish lawmaker at the conference, told right to lifelong anonymity. An to help his case. la Sturgeon said yesterday. Reuters. investigation is ongoing into The jury of seven women The Scottish National Party leader has Sturgeon said on Thursday that the the naming. and fi ve men took less than raised the nation’s profi le since June’s Eu- Scottish government would publish a “People need to be aware three hours to fi nd Evans not ropean Union referendum in Britain, seiz- blueprint next week for a possible new in- that they could fi nd themselves guilty of the charge following ing on a new openness towards Scotland in dependence vote. being arrested and prosecuted. the eight-day trial. the European Union since Scots voted by a She has not said if or when the bill large margin to remain in the bloc. would be presented formally to the Edin- Britain’s overall vote to leave has burgh parliament. reignited talk of a split between Scotland Sturgeon yesterday said her belief that and the rest of the United Kingdom, even Scotland will become independent was though Scots rejected independence just Nicola Sturgeon, delivers her keynote address to delegates at the SNP Conference in stronger than ever as she confi rmed prep- two years ago. Glasgow. arations for a second referendum for leav- “If (the British government) insists on ing Britain. taking Scotland down a path that hurts such a vote would be won, however. pose stronger control over its borders. The Scottish National Party (SNP) lead- our economy, costs jobs, lowers our liv- The British government has stuck to The comments have driven the pound to er, fi rst minister of the semi-autonomous ing standards and damages our reputation saying there will be a one-size-fi ts-all deal its lowest level in three decades. Scottish government, has pledged to “ex- as an open, welcoming, diverse country for the UK after it leaves the EU. To protect business in Scotland, Stur- plore all options” to prevent Scotland — then be in no doubt,” she told the SNP But Northern Ireland, which also voted geon said the devolved government will being taken out of the European Union conference at its close, “Scotland must to remain, has had a sympathetic hearing set up a board of trade, a new trade envoy against its will. have the ability to choose a better future”. for its concerns about the creation of a scheme, expand its Scottish enterprise But with some of these options already Sturgeon said economic stability has “hard border” with the Irish Republic. agency and establish a Scottish trade hub being dismissed by the British govern- been threatened by the prospect of the UK Scottish government sources say that in Berlin, adding to current representation ment, Sturgeon has said another inde- leaving the European single market as well this may be creating an anomaly, and that in Dublin, London and Brussels. pendence referendum is “highly likely”. In as the EU, taking Scotland with it. Scotland’s options over its border with She also announced the extension of a a speech on the fi nal day of the SNP con- Scotland wants to keep as many of the England should also get an open hearing. scheme to shore up small businesses by ference in Glasgow, Sturgeon said: “I have advantages of single market membership Scotland’s minister for EU negotiations scrapping taxes on their premises, and a never doubted that Scotland will one day as it can even if Britain leaves, and is look- told Reuters on Friday that while there half billion-pound loan scheme for com- become an independent country. ing for a bespoke deal to do so, as is Lon- need be no hard border with England, Ed- panies that want to expand. “And I believe it today more strongly don, where a majority also voted to remain inburgh may try to take control of migra- Scotland wants to keep its single market than I ever have before. in the EU. tion as part of an enhanced devolution deal membership advantages even as Britain “But I’ve always known that it will hap- Sturgeon says that protecting Scot- once Britain leaves the EU. leaves the EU and the British government pen only when a majority of our fellow land’s interests may mean holding another British ministers have suggested that has room to make a deal, Derek McKay, citizens believe that becoming independ- vote on independence. the UK could leave the EU’s single market Scottish minister for fi nance and the con- ent is the best way to build a better future, Ched Evans and girlfriend Natasha Massey outside Cardiff At present, polls do not indicate that for goods and services to allow it to reim- stitution, told Reuters. together.” Crown Court. GCHQ releases puzzles for aspiring code-breakers

Evening Standard director Robert Hannigan in his standing the importance of mental and substitution codes, tests of nu- London Christmas card last year, although well-being.” meracy and literacy, picture and music three men who came closest were de- All GCHQ proceeds from the book challenges. clared joint winners. will be donated to Heads Together, the Writing in the book’s introduction, spiring code-breakers are being In the book’s foreword, the Duchess campaign spearheaded by the Duke Hannigan said: “For nearly 100 years, challenged by the UK’s national writes that she is “immensely” proud and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince the men and women of GCHQ, both Aintelligence and security agen- of her grandmother, Valerie Glass- Harry, to tackle stigma, raise aware- civilian and military, have been solving cy in a new puzzle book backed by the borow, and her twin sister, Mary, who ness and provide vital help for people problems. “They have done so in pur- Duchess of Cambridge. were part of the Allied eff ort to break with mental health challenges. suit of our mission to keep the United GCHQ is releasing its fi rst puzzle enemy codes. Kate added of the compendium: “I Kingdom safe. collection, which includes a foreword She said: “They rarely talked about hope it will not only amuse and chal- “GCHQ has a proud history of valu- written by Kate, whose grandmother their wartime service, but we now lenge readers, but help to promote ing and supporting individuals who was a Bletchley Park code-breaker know just how important the men and an open discussion of mental health think diff erently; without them we during the Second World War. women of Bletchley Park were, as they problems, which can aff ect anyone, would be of little value to the country. It follows the success of the agency’s tackled some of the hardest problems regardless of age or background.” Not all are geniuses or brilliant math- Christmas cryptography challenge, facing the country. The brain-teaser will feature more ematicians or famous names, but each which saw some 600,000 people at- “In a new century, their successors than 140 pages of codes, puzzles and is valued for his or her contribution to tempt to beat what was dubbed the at GCHQ continue this intellectual challenges created by GCHQ’s expert our mission.” “hardest puzzle in the world”. tradition. Like their Bletchley prede- code-breakers in their spare time. The GCHQ Puzzle Book, published Nobody managed to entirely solve cessors, they have become well known These will range “from easy to by Penguin, will go on sale on Thurs- the series of challenges set by GCHQ for valuing neurodiversity and under- mind-bending” and include ciphers day October 20. GCHQ Gulf Times 22 Sunday, October 16, 2016 EUROPE

Iraqi migrant Migrant children start run over by French leaving ‘Jungle’ for UK train AFP least a week, sources indicated. AFP Calais Meanwhile, work has been Paris stepped up on the creation of re- ception centres across France to naccompanied migrant house as many as 9,000 people n Iraqi migrant was killed children from the Cal- from Calais. and two others injured on Uais “Jungle” camp began On Friday, around 200 peo- AFriday after being mowed arriving yesterday in Britain, ple demonstrated at Croisilles, down by a freight train near a French authorities said. about an hour inland from Calais, camp in the northern French The Calais prefecture con- against the proposed creation of port of Dunkirk, authorities said. fi rmed that two dozen unaccom- a migrant reception centre for up The accident occurred as the panied minors were already on to 60 people once the Jungle ac- migrants were trying to cross the their way to a new life in Britain, tually closes, a prefecture source railway tracks near the Grande- where they already have family said yesterday. Synthe humanitarian camp on members. The source said the rally, which the outskirts of Dunkirk. “Five Syrian minors and one the local mayor said was organ- One of the injured was treated Afghan minor have just been ised by locals but had attracted in hospital for shock while the transferred to the United King- a number of far-right National other suff ered a minor hip injury, dom. From Monday, a dozen Front supporters, passed off the authorities said. more minors will follow, then without incident. The port of Dunkirk is situat- on Tuesday, a dozen more,” a In a further development yes- ed roughly 40km (25 miles) east spokesman told AFP. terday, 50 lawyers arrived at the along the Channel coast from He added there was “no deal camp to provide the migrants Calais. for a larger-scale plan” to dis- with advice so they could fi ll in Like Calais it is a rallying point patch more of the 1,300 minors in forms and be “aware of and as- for migrants seeking to smuggle the “Jungle”, according to fi gures sert their rights”, Flor Tercero, themselves onto trucks bound from French NGO France Terre head of an association of lawyers for Britain. The children have been living in for foreigners’ rights, told AFP. Fourteen migrants have died squalid conditions in the Calais “We are well aware that the in the attempt so far this year in encampment where charities ‘Jungle’ is a place where living Calais but Friday’s fatality was estimate up to 10,000 migrants conditions are undignifi ed and the fi rst of its kind around Dun- from Africa, the Middle East and inhuman and that cannot go on,” kirk. Asia have settled in the hope of Tercero said. Around 850 people, mostly reaching Britain. Away from Calais, a French Kurds, are currently living in the The camp faces demolition. fi shing boat came earlier yester- Grande-Synthe camp, which Yesterday also saw the start of Workers install concrete blocks during the construction of a 4m-high wall in Calais to stop migrants and refugees trying to reach Britain. day to the aid of four migrants was built by the Doctors Without construction on a new wall de- who ran into diffi culties in the Borders charity to international signed to block migrant access place, according to an AFP re- “Work is being undertaken on symbol of the Europe’s biggest The French government has English Channel as they made for standards, despite opposition to the Calais port, a magnet for porter at the scene. schedule and should be fi nished migrant crisis since the World yet to give an offi cial date for dis- England in a makeshift vessel, lo- from the French government. would-be stowaways who target When complete, the wall will by the year’s end,” said the Cal- War II and a major source of mantling the camp. cal authorities said. Backed by the local munici- UK-bound lorries. stretch for around a kilometre ais prefecture spokesman of the Anglo-French tension, leading Initial indications that it might The fi shing boat rescued the pality, the camp was built to The fi rst 4m (13’) high concrete (0.6 miles) and add to some 30km €2.7mn ($3mn) structure, which President Francois Hollande to happen as early as this Tuesday, group, all four of whom were suf- replace an infamous tent city, panels in the so-called “anti- of existing wire fences along the Britain has agreed to fi nance. demand that the site be demol- however, proved premature and fering from hypothermia, and similar to the squalid Calais intrusion” wall were moved into road leading to the port. The “Jungle” has become a ished before the end of 2016. the plan has been put back at handed them over to police. “Jungle”, which is set to be razed in the next few weeks. The government has an- nounced plans to tear down the Jungle and relocate migrants seeking asylum in France to shel- In from Calais cold, ters around the country. Parents deny bid migrant explores to sell baby online The parents of a baby girl who has been taken into care after a classified advertisement appeared online for the sale new surroundings of an infant have denied any involvement in the scheme, police in the German city of By Matthias Blamont, Reuters us,” Nasir said in broken Eng- plans for the Calais migrants. Duisburg said on Friday. Merignac, France lish. “We’ll watch TV here. We’ll In Merignac, run by a left- The 40-day-old girl was taken rest!” wing mayor, residents living into state care during a raid at the Not everyone supports Presi- near the social housing block family’s home in the western city n a dank fl at in southwestern dent Francois Hollande’s plans that once housed local teachers on Wednesday. France, 23-year-old Nasir for the Jungle’s closure. voiced wary sympathy for the re- Police said they are certain she is Istares at a living room wall Many of the nearly 10,000 mi- settled migrants. the baby who was being off ered bare except for a list of emergen- grants aid agencies estimate are “We’ve lost all perspective. Qadri holds a cellphone as he poses inside the reception centre in Merignac, a suburb of Bordeaux, for €5,000 ($5,500) in a post on cy numbers and contemplates holed up in the camp still target I’m not bothered as long as they southwestern France, where he lives after resettling three months ago from the Calais ‘Jungle; camp. eBay Kleinanzeigen, a popular life for his asylum-seeking family Britain, and a group of charities don’t mess things up for us here,” online platform for buying outside the migrant camp in Cal- this week sought a court injunc- said bar owner Pascal Thieblem- the reception centre without any Visegrad states unable to fi nd consensus on and selling household items in ais that had become home. tion to block the camp’s demoli- ont. word on his refugee status. European Union migrant distribution quotas Germany. Nasir volunteered his fam- tion. Merignac mayor Alain Anziani Qadri fl icked through photo- Employees at the website ily for resettlement days before Amid a fi ery debate on im- acknowledged local anxieties. graphs of corpses and beheaded Europe’s so-called Visegrad states were unable to come to a consensus contacted the police after the ad France is expected to begin dis- migration and border controls He said that the 32 places his bodies in his home city of Jalala- following a summit held to discuss proposed quotas for distributing was posted late on Tuesday with mantling the violence-ridden ahead of a presidential election municipality was making avail- bad in eastern Afghanistan. refugees that they have vehemently resisted. a picture of the infant. camp in Calais known as the next year, opponents have turned able would not be located at a “Look, I know this person,” “We could not come to a consensus on quotas and forced settlements Police said the family that posted “Jungle”, where disease is rife and up the heat on Hollande’s immi- single site. he said intermittently. “I have of refugees,” Polish President Andrzej Duda was quoted by PAP news the ad were refugees, without traffi ckers prey on individuals gration policy. “We don’t want to create a these dreams at night. I still can’t agency as saying at the close of the two-day summit in the city of Rzes- giving details on their nationality. desperate to reach Britain. Hollande has been at pains ghetto,” said Anziani, adding sleep.” zow yesterday. They have opened an The two-storey apartment to fi nd a solution to the Jungle, some residents are concerned In the early afternoon the The Visegrad states – Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia investigation into possible block in Merignac, a grey suburb which has become a symbol of their housing needs would come shutters in Nasir’s fl at are still – have opposed the European Union’s attempts to spread the burden of human traff icking and are trying on the outskirts of Bordeaux, is the European Union’s struggle to second to the migrants. down and curtains closed. the migration crisis across its member states with mandatory distribu- to establish who was behind the one of about 160 so-called re- stem the infl ow of migrants as its Under the government plan He says his 21-year-old wife tion quotas. posting as well as whether it was ception centres where President member-states bicker over who Anziani said the migrants would Nabila isn’t ready to venture out- a serious off er. Francois Hollande’s Socialist should take responsibility. spend on average two months side the fl at, though he has. government plans to re-house Anti-immigrant sentiment is at the reception centre to rest, “It was great, no one came temporarily the Jungle’s dwell- on the rise in France, refl ected receive medical checks and re- up to tell me what to do,” Nasir ers. in the growing popularity of the cover from their months-long beamed, talking enthusiastically There are few signs of the so- far-right National Front. ordeal in the Jungle before being about his plans to learn French ‘National push’ needed to deport cial workers Nasir is told will Gunshots have been fi red at relocated to await the outcome of and read books on European cit- visit frequently, but Merignac’s two planned reception centres their asylum demands – requests ies. town hall has given the family and one mayor wanted to hold a which could be rejected. But his fi rst priority is his wife. migrants with no right to stay food vouchers worth €80 for the local referendum on whether to Yet in a sign the process may “We need to see a doctor. She week. accept his town’s quota of mi- not prove smooth, Nasir’s neigh- still has a bullet stuck near her “We feel good. It looks like grants, exposing the resistance in bour Fazlullah Qadri said he had heart dating from when she was a Reuters someone cares a little bit about parts of the country to Hollande’s been waiting three months at youngster in Afghanistan.” Paderborn, Germany

erman Chancellor An- gela Merkel said yesterday Gthat Germany needed to Cardinals in a tizz over Vatican McDonald’s make a national eff ort to deport migrants who do not have the right to stay in the country. AFP fast-food chain in a piazza to the a month into the Vatican’s cof- more people into an area con- After an infl ux of almost Rome right of the Vatican’s basilica is fers but at a noisy, burger- sidered at high risk of a terror 900,000 migrants last year, “by no means respectful of the smelling price, La Repubblica attack. some Germans fear their country architectural traditions of one of said. Instead of a Golden Arches is being overrun by foreigners. he new McVatican comes the most characteristic squares Moreno Prosperi, head of the near the heart of the Roman Merkel has attracted criti- with a side order of out- which look onto the colonnade Committee for the Protection Catholic Church, the space cism for her migrant policy and Trage. of Saint Peters”, he said. of Borgo, the historic district should be used to house enti- her conservatives have lost some Plans to open a McDonald’s Sgreccia does not live in the around the Vatican where many ties which help the needy, in line support to the anti-immigrant next to Saint Peter’s Square in building but was speaking on cardinals live, told AFP that with the Pope’s call for “a poor Alternative for Germany (AfD). Rome have angered cardinals, behalf of the seven cardinals the planned outlet would be a church for the poor”, Sgreccia In the past, when smaller including a group of the red- who do reside above the site, further blow to the area which said. numbers of asylum-seekers ar- Merkel: working hard hatted “Princes of the Church” which covers 538sq m (5,800sq already draws huge throngs of However Cardinal Domenico rived, those who were not grant- who live above the proposed foot), and is being rented out by tourists. Calcagno, head of ASPA, told ed the right to stay were not de- working hard on that at the mo- Deporting those migrants was site. ASPA, the authority in charge of “Over the last few years, the La Repubblica that he was “not ported rigorously enough and ment,” Merkel told a conference only one element of Germany’s “It’s a controversial, perverse the Vatican’s real estate. identity of this area has been going to back down” because that needs to change now, given of the youth wing of her conserv- refugee policy, Merkel said, add- decision to say the least,” Car- One angry cardinal has even lost” due to an increase in illegal the deal is legally valid and he the high number of refugees and atives in Paderborn. ing that the integration of those dinal Elio Sgreccia said in an in- written a letter to Pope Francis souvenir stands and mini mar- didn’t see “anything negative” migrants, Merkel said. She added that this would in- who are granted protection must terview with La Repubblica daily urging him to intervene against kets, he said. about it. “We need a national push to clude boosting staff numbers at be expedited. yesterday. a commercial decision which Other members of the com- “I don’t see the scandal,” he deport those who are rejected. immigration authorities at the The causes of migration also Opening a branch of the US would bring €30,000 ($33,000) mittee say it is madness to pack said. That’s indisputable and we’re municipal level. needed to be tackled, she said. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 23 EUROPE ‘Bombing suspect spoke to IS contact about planning’

Reuters discovered about 1.5kg of explo- plans, the newspaper said. Welt am Sonntag said that fed- custody and is being investigated Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung said German security sources told Berlin sives in his apartment. In a call on October 7, al-Bakr eral prosecutors investigating the on suspicion of helping al-Bakr, train tickets that investigators Reuters that al-Bakr had trav- He was found dead in prison on told his contact that 2kg of explo- case assumed that al-Bakr want- the newspaper said. found in al-Bakr’s possessions elled to Turkey after receiving Wednesday. sives were ready and he named ed to make a vest packed with ex- Separately, the Berliner Mor- were key to uncovering the Berlin asylum in Germany and spent Syrian refugee arrested Authorities said he had com- a possible target, saying that a plosives for an attack. genpost newspaper and the re- trip. several months there this sum- on suspicion of planning mitted suicide. “big airport in Berlin” was “bet- Al-Bakr arrived in Germany in gional broadcaster rbb cited fed- The federal prosecutor’s offi ce mer. Aa major attack in Berlin Germany’s Welt am Sonntag ter than trains”, Welt am Sonntag February 2015 during a migrant eral security sources as saying declined to comment on media Frankfurter Allgemeine Son- spoke to a member of Islamic cited investigation sources as reported. infl ux into the country and was that al-Bakr had spent a night in reports when contacted by Reu- ntagszeitung said that al-Bakr State (IS) in Syria by telephone saying that US intelligence had In July, the militant group granted temporary asylum four Berlin in the second half of Sep- ters. landed in the eastern German about a possible target a day be- provided a tip-off about al-Bakr claimed responsibility for two months later. tember and met a contact there. Frankfurter Allgemeine Son- city of Leipzig at the end of Au- fore German police discovered after tapping several phone calls attacks in the German state of The man who rented the fl at During that time, he visited ntagszeitung cited a spokesman gust on his return from Turkey. explosives in his apartment, a between him and an Islamic State Bavaria – one on a train near in the eastern city of Chemnitz one of the city’s two airports, for the federal prosecutor’s offi ce The newspaper cited investi- newspaper reported yesterday. member in Syria. Wuerzburg and the other at a in which al-Bakr last lived – a they added, without saying as saying that there were not yet gators as saying al-Bakr had al- Jaber al-Bakr was detained on During the calls, 22-year-old music festival in Ansbach that 33-year-old Syrian who Welt am which one. “enough links to IS that could be ready planned an attack at that Monday, two days after police al-Bakr spoke about his attack wounded 20 people. Sonntag named as Khalil A – is in The newspaper Frankfurter used in court”. point.

Russia slams US threats Hollande invokes unity of online attacks at Nice attack ceremony AFP AFP More than 400 people were were Muslims and 15 of them Moscow Nice injured, some grievously. were children and adolescents. The Islamic State (IS) group The recriminations following said the driver, Mohamed La- the Nice atrocity posed a fresh he Kremlin has slammed resident Francois Hol- houaiej Bouhlel, was one of its challenge for the already deeply Washington for its “un- lande invoked the spirit of followers. unpopular Hollande, who has Tprecedented” threats Pnational unity yesterday The massacre marked a peak yet to announce whether he will against Moscow over an alleged as he led tribute to 86 people of brutality in a string of Islam- run for re-election next year. series of cyber-attacks and killed in a Islamist militant truck ist militant attacks in France Critics pointed to an insuf- vowed to respond. attack in Nice on Bastille Day. over the past two years that have fi cient police presence in Nice Last week, Washington for- Yesterday’s ceremonies in ramped up security fears while despite the state of emergency in mally accused the Russian gov- the Riviera resort city had been stoking anti-immigrant senti- place since the November 13 at- ernment of trying to “interfere” postponed until a day after the ment ahead of presidential elec- tacks last year that claimed 130 in the 2016 White House race three-month anniversary be- tions in 2017. lives in Paris. through cyber-attacks on Amer- cause of storms in the region. Hollande’s Socialist govern- Four days after the Nice at- ican political institutions. “What was attacked on July ment came under fi re for alleged tack, Prime Minister Manuel And on Friday, US Vice- 14 was national unity,” Hollande security lapses ahead of the at- Valls was booed when he visited President Joe Biden told NBC told hundreds of victims’ rela- tack in Nice, a bastion of the the city to honour the victims. that a “message” would be sent tives and offi cials invited to the right-wing opposition. The attack also exacerbated to Russian President Vladimir ceremony. Several politicians from the tensions in French society, felt Putin over the alleged hacking, “It is the monstrous aim of the right attended the ceremony in- particularly by the country’s with the channel saying that the terrorists, to attack some in or- cluding former president Nico- 4mn-strong Muslim commu- US Central Intelligence Agency der to terrify others, to unleash las Sarkozy and Alain Juppe, nity – the largest in Europe. (CIA) was preparing a retaliatory violence in order to sow division both candidates in the Repub- Several councils went on to cyber-attack “designed to har- ... well, I tell you, no, this evil licans party’s presidential pri- forbid the wearing of burqini ass and ‘embarrass’ the Kremlin enterprise will fail,” he said. mary next month, and far-right Hollande stands next to white roses, each representing one of the 86 victims, yesterday in Nice, (also spelled burkini) swimwear, leadership”. “In some families, three gen- National Front (FN) leader Ma- southeastern France during a national tribute to the victims of the July 14 terror attack in which a truck before the controversial ban was Kremlin spokesman Dmitry erations were swept away,” Hol- rine Le Pen. ploughed into crowds celebrating Bastille Day. reversed by France’s highest Peskov immediately denounced lande said, as he described “the Many families are still strug- court. Biden’s remarks, saying that nation’s compassion and soli- gling to deal with their grief. tack are still trying to put their bearing down, the mutilated, celerate,” he recalled. Hollande has tried to unite Moscow would take precautions darity” for mourning relatives. “Nice and all of France weeps lives back together. decapitated bodies, the guts,” The rampage that followed the country behind calls for a to safeguard its interests in the The July 14 attack saw a for the 86 victims. Our sadness Vincent Delhommel Desmar- said Desmarest, leader of a vic- lasted four minutes and 17 sec- “France of fraternity” in the face of the increasing “unpre- 31-year-old Tunisian extrem- is unending,” said Cindy Pel- est, who runs a restaurant on the tims’ group. onds up to Bouhlel’s death. fi ght against extremism. dictability and aggressiveness of ist ram a 19-tonne truck into a legrini, a relative of the victims, Promenade des Anglais, is still Another witness told investi- The Islamic State group later But solidarity remains elusive. the United States”. crowd of 30,000 holiday rev- who read a text in their memory haunted by the bloodbath and gators he was nearby when the said Bouhlel had been one of its A boar’s head was found out- “The threats directed against ellers on the Promenade des at the start of the one-hour cer- has yet to return to work. attacker Bouhlel started up the “soldiers” inspired by IS propa- side a mosque in Nice on Tues- Moscow and our state’s leader- Anglais seafront before police emony. “You don’t sleep at night. I lorry. ganda to attack Western targets. day, the second such anti-Mus- ship are unprecedented because shot him dead. And some survivors of the at- saw the whole thing, the lorry “I saw the driver smile and ac- Nearly a third of those killed lim incident this year. they are voiced at the level of the US vice-president,” RIA Nov- osti news agency quoted Peskov as saying. “To the backdrop of this aggressive, unpredictable line, we must take measures to Belgium budget protect (our) interests, to hedge risks.” And Kremlin aide Yuri Usha- kov vowed Moscow would re- deal agreed after spond to any US cyber-attacks, saying that such threats were “borderline insolence”, the news agency said. talks on cuts In the NBC interview, excerpts of which were released late on Friday, Biden said Washington AFP would respond “at the time of Brussels our choosing and under the cir- cumstances that have the great- est impact”. elgium’s coalition gov- Earlier this week Russian ernment has agreed the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Bbasics of its budget, shrugged off the US allegations, fi nding savings of some €3bn telling CNN that the hacking ($3.4bn) to help balance the claims were “fl attering” but books. baseless, with not a “single fact” “Agreement,” said Prime Michel: tweeted ‘Agreement’ to prove it. Minister Charles Michel in a late on Friday. The Kremlin was propelled to tweeted message late on Friday the heart of American politics in Anti-riot police (on the right) clash with protesters (left) throwing Molotov cocktails in Bastia on the French Mediterranean island of after lengthy talks fi nally pro- ence yesterday that the gov- July after Hillary Clinton’s cam- Corsica. duced an accord. ernment will continue work on paign blamed Russia for an em- Negotiations appeared the capital gains tax plan and barrassing leak of e-mails from blocked earlier in the week, other economic reforms need- the Democratic National Com- with Michel promising to work ed to secure jobs and growth. mittee. “relentlessly” to get a deal by “The government has shown Russia has been accused of Clashes break out in Corsican city October 15, when European it can take the diffi cult deci- favouring Donald Trump – who Union member states using the sions,” he said, adding that has praised Putin and called for euro currency are supposed to the budget talks had been “in- better ties with Moscow – over DPA youth tossed Molotov cocktails The court convicted three by the court, which ranged be- submit their 2017 budgets for tense”. the more hawkish Clinton. Paris and lit a vehicle on fi re, French young Corsican nationalists tween 5 and 8 years, local broad- scrutiny by Brussels. The European Commission Russia’s relations with the broadcaster iTele reported cit- of ramming a car into a public caster France 3 reported. Spending cuts, especially forecasts the Belgian economy United States have plunged ing the prefecture. building in the small village of The broadcaster said the in health, were a key sticking will grow 1.2% this year, rising to their post-Cold War nadir lashes broke out between The clashes began in the af- Corte in 2012. demonstrators were also Cor- point along with plans to in- to 1.6% in 2017, which would over the confl ict in Ukraine and police and protesters ternoon at the end of a dem- A few thousand people came sican nationalists, who support troduce a controversial capital make it one of the better per- stalled eff orts to end the ve-fi Cin the Corsican city of onstration against a ruling last out to march in protest of the autonomy or independence for gains tax broadly opposed by formers in the EU. year Syrian war. Bastia yesterday, after hooded week by a Paris court. prison sentences handed down the Mediterranean island. business. The Commission puts the Belgium, unlike most other budget defi cit – the shortfall countries, does not have a between government revenues capital gains tax and the pro- and spending – at 2.8% of to- posal exposed sharp diff er- tal economic output (GDP) for ences within the coalition gov- 2016, within the EU’s 3.0% Greeks fi nd Turkish offi cers in people smuggler’s car ernment Michel has led since limit. 2014. For 2017, the defi cit is ex- Flemish Christian Democrat pected at 2.3%. AFP northern city of Xanthi on they intended to fi le for asylum. offi cers who fl ew by helicopter quests for protection. party head and Deputy Premier Total debt as a ratio to GDP Thessaloniki Thursday evening, local police “We are not ruling out the pos- to the northern city of Alexan- Ankara has called on Athens Kris Peeters who submitted the will come in at 106.4% this told AFP. sibility that they themselves were droupoli shortly after the at- to extradite them all, but that plan, said the new tax would year, falling to 105.6% in 2017 The two Turks were crammed part of the smuggling operation,” tempted government takeover in request will only be considered not aff ect small- and medium- but still well above the EU 60% olice in Greece have de- inside a BMW with Bulgarian li- a police source in Athens said. mid-July. by Greek justice once the asy- sized companies nor start-ups. ceiling. tained two Turkish mili- cence plates, alongside two Ira- Several Turkish nationals have The eight men have requested lum issue is defi nitively decided, Rather, only the “wealthi- The €3bn in savings is equal Ptary offi cers found in a nians and three Syrians, the po- fl ed to Greece following a failed asylum in Greece, insisting their according to a Greek judicial est 10%” of the country would to 1.2% of GDP, in line with the smuggler’s car that had several lice said. army coup against Turkish Presi- lives are in danger despite deny- source. have to pay it, Peeters said Commission’s recommenda- migrants on board, offi cials said It was not immediately clear dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan in ing any role in the failed coup. The case threatens to strain on Thursday as he sought to tions to Belgium earlier this yesterday. how and when the two military July. However, Greek authorities ties between the uneasy Nato al- dampen opposition to the tax. year that it fi nd 0.6% this year The arrest took place in the offi cers came to Greece, and if Among them are eight military have turned down their initial re- lies. Michel told a press confer- and next. Gulf Times 24 Sunday, October 16, 2016 INDIA

INVESTIGATION EDUCATION PROTEST VIOLENCE CRIME Court orders probe Second PTM successful, Rallies and shutdown Communal tension Cop arrested for against Mohanlal says Delhi deputy CM against land acquisition grips six Bihar districts attempted robbery

A Kerala court yesterday asked the Vigilance Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia Jharkhand is set to witness two rallies and one Communal tension continues in several A police sub-inspector was caught red-handed Department to conduct a probe against superstar yesterday declared the second mega parent- shutdown this month to protest against land districts in Bihar following violent clashes while attempting theft in a house in Almasguda Mohanlal following a complaint that he possessed teacher meeting (PTM) in government-run acquisition for various projects and changes during the immersion of Durga statutes and on the outskirts of Hyderabad yesterday. elephant tusks. Besides Mohanlal, the roles of schools as successful and said it helps parents proposed to the state’s two land acts through an Tazia processions, police said yesterday. At Shivaprasad, a resident of Almasguda, on his then forest minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan to understand the quality of their children. ordinance. Opposition parties have called a rally least eight people, including police off icers, return from his native Karimnagar on Thursday and three others will also be probed. The case first “The PTM has become a medium to establish on October 19 and a shutdown on October 24 were injured. Railway services were disrupted, night, found the grilles of a window missing and surfaced in 2011 following an income tax raid at communication between the teacher, parents against the police firing at Barkagao in Hazaribagh markets and schools shut and Internet service things inside the house scattered. As he was the actor’s house when off icers found the elephant and students which was necessary,” Sisodia said. district that killed four villagers. Opposition leaders were suspended. Authorities imposed section making inquiries with neighbours, he found a tusks. Mohanlal claimed he had bought the tusks Issuing report card of students to their parents by held a meeting on Friday and chalked out strategy 144 of CrPC in Gopalganj, Bhojpur, Madhubani, man emerging from a bathroom in his house. and then chief minister Oommen Chandy of the teachers is a part of the meeting, the minister said. for the rally and the shutdown. All top opposition East Champaran, Madhepura and Kishanganj They caught the man and began questioning United Democratic Front (UDF) government asked Sisodia also said it helps parents to understand leaders took part in the meeting. Former central districts, the police said. The police arrested him. The intruder introduced himself as a Radhakrishnan to look into the matter. Possession the qualities as well as shortcomings of their minister and Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay, around 54 people involved in anti-social activities policeman and said he had come to inform the of elephant tusks is illegal and against the Forest children, adding that the PTM has become a best former chief minister and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha- from Hindu and Muslim communities from the owner about a theft. Bu Shivaprasad called and Wildlife Act. Forest off icials have been accused window to engage parents with teachers. The first Prajatantrik (JVM-P) president Babulal Marandi, aff ected districts. Sensing trouble, additional police. During questioning he confessed. After of not act according to the law. parent-teacher meeting was held on July 30. leaders of other parties also attended the meeting. security forces were deployed in sensitive areas. his arrest a local court granted him bail.

Not scared of Jung’s actions, 24 killed, says AAP

IANS New Delhi 60 injured

he Aam Aadmi Party yes- terday said Lt Governor TNajeeb Jung should stop behaving like a political spokes- man of the Bharatiya Janata Par- ty (BJP). in Lucknow AAP leader Ashutosh slammed Jung saying he was hiding behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to cover up his “unconstitutional” and “illegal” actions. The AAP reactions came after the LG offi ce in a press statement stampede on Friday said the Delhi cabinet’s appeal to dissolve a panel he had Panic spreads as thousands Raj Bahadur, a spokesman for Varanasi is also the parlia- set up to probe some of its deci- of people try to cross a bridge the organisers, said, “We were mentary constituency of Prime sions was an attempt to divert in Modi’s constituency not prepared for such a large Minister Narendra Modi, who attention from grave misde- crowd.” expressed his grief over the in- meanours. Agencies Bahadur alleged negligence cident. “Some misdemeanours are of Lucknow by the police, stating they failed “Deeply saddened by the the gravity that these matters are to provide proper security even loss of lives in the stampede in already in the process of being though they had been informed Varanasi. Condolences to the referred to the CBI for investiga- stampede at a reli- well in advance. bereaved families. Prayers with tion,” Jung’s offi ce said on Friday. gious gathering in Uttar TV footage showed colourful those injured,” Modi tweeted. Ashutosh said the AAP gov- APradesh killed at least 24 clothing and slippers piled one “I have spoken to offi cials and ernment is working for the peo- people yesterday as thousands of on top of the other with police- asked them to ensure all possible ple and is not afraid of Jung’s devotees of a controversial guru men trying to clear the debris. help to those aff ected due to the actions and falsehoods being tried to cross a bridge at once, “There was a lot of chaos, all stampede..,” he said in another spread by him. police said. of us were pushed and shoved. tweet. “Jung should convey to his At least 60 people were in- Many people have died includ- Congress president Sonia political masters (BJP) that the jured. ing my mother,” a witness told Gandhi and vice president Rahul AAP and the Delhi government The followers of Jai Gurudev, reporters. Gandhi also expressed shock and cannot be cowed down by the a leader of a local religious sect, Varanasi’s Senior Superin- grief over the deaths. threat of using the caged parrot had gathered in Varanasi, when tendent of Police, Akash Kulhari Hoping that the authorities - the CBI - for political vendetta the deadly stampede broke out. said: “The participants were concerned were providing ad- against us,” he said. “We can confi rm that 24 peo- feeling uncomfortable in the equate medical relief and com- “The Modi government has ple have been killed . We are heat due to which the stampede pensation to the victims, Gandhi unleashed all its agencies against monitoring the situation,” Daljeet might have occurred.” also instructed party workers to the Delhi government but has Chaudhary, the additional direc- He said that as the incident provide all possible assistance failed to fi nd any wrongdoing tor general of police, told report- spot was on the district bound- to the people, a Congress state- and it is welcome to continue its ers in state capital Lucknow. ary with Chandauli, police ment said. eff orts in future also,” the AAP Among the dead are at least 14 from both areas had reached Rahul Gandhi, in a statement, leader said. women. the area for rescue and relief said: “Shocked and deeply sad- Ashutosh said it might be The injured have been taken operations. dened to learn of the stampede a matter of survival for the Lt to hospitals while senior district An offi cer at the spot said that in Varanasi. My heartfelt condo- Governor to intimidate offi cials administration offi cials rushed they were focusing on relief and lences to families of the victims working for the Delhi govern- to the site to assess the situation. rescue operations and “a probe of this tragic incident.” ment, but his actions are clearly State police chief Javeed will be ordered later to ascertain Stampedes at India’s religious unbecoming of the constitu- Ahmed blamed overcrowding on the exact cause of the tragedy.” festivals, where a mixture of po- tional post held by him. the bridge for the disaster which Chandauli District Magis- lice and volunteer stewards are “Jung may be afraid that in occurred at 1.30pm. trate Kumar Prashant said an often overwhelmed by the sheer case he does not dance to the “They had sought permis- awareness camp was going on size of the crowds, are not un- tune of central government, then sion for 5,000 persons but many in Domri village, on the banks of common. the fi les related to his highly du- more people reached and joined the Ganges in the district, and a Last July, a stampede on the bious role in the Mukta-Panna the procession,” Ahmed told large number of devotees from banks of a holy river killed 27 pil- oilfi elds contract may be reo- NDTV news network. Varanasi’s Pili Kothi area were on grims in southern India. pened by the CBI,” he said. According to reports at least their way there when the stam- Around 115 people were killed Ashutosh said Jung was the 80,000 people had turned up. pede occurred. in October 2013 at a stampede then joint secretary in the Petro- “They were crossing a bridge Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav near a temple in the central state leum Ministry when the alleged when some rumour mongering has announced compensation of of Madhya Pradesh, site of an- irregularities were committed in happened which led to the dis- Rs200,000 each to families of other deadly stampede there the multi-million rupee contract. A large number of people are seen on the Rajghat bridge before the deadly stampede occurred yesterday. aster,” Ahmed said. the dead. seven years earlier. Kerala police book lawyers President, PM pay tribute to Kalam

IANS after attack on journalists New Delhi

By Ashraf Padanna I would not go back in good cal assault on journalists… and resident Pranab Mukherjee and Thiruvananthapuram shape,” Ajitha said. all this happened in front of a Prime Minister Narendra Modi “I was shocked by their ag- judge,” he said. Pyesterday paid tributes to former gressive attitude before the Nair and J Ramakrishnan, president and ‘Missile Man’ A P J Abdul olice in Kerala have regis- judge. They did not care about a senior reporter at the Press Kalam on his 85th birth anniversary. tered cases against 10 law- me being a woman. They pushed Trust of India, were pushed and Mukherjee paid fl oral tributes to Ka- Pyers for allegedly assaulting me out of the court using force.” shoved and women journalists lam at Rashtrapati Bhavan here. Ka- journalists who were covering Thomas wanted the police were threatened. lam’s family members were also present court proceedings here on Friday. to book the abusive lawyers for “The Bar Association presi- on the occasion. Several Journalists, including threatening her and for their dent was seen to be leading all “Tributes to our former president, two women, were thrown out of unruly behaviour amounting to this action inside the court,” Pil- the person who captured the imagi- the courtroom when an anti-cor- outraging the modesty of wom- lai said. nation of every Indian, Dr A P J Abdul ruption judge was hearing a peti- en. Journalists have not been al- Kalam, on his birth anniversary,” Modi tion against E P Jayarajan, who “All these acts were in a public lowed to cover court proceed- said in a tweet. resigned as industries minister place, in an open court, causing ings even after repeated assur- Kalam, who was given the highest ci- on Friday over nepotism charges. mental agony for me. They also ances by the chief minister and vilian award of Bharat Ratna in 1997, be- The police action was based denied me my professional free- the chief justice since July 19. came the 11th president of India on July on complaints from Prabhat Nair dom,” she said. Governor P Sathasivam, a 25, 2002, and served till July 25, 2007. of The New Indian Express, C “They insulted my woman- former chief justice of the Su- He was a recipient of several awards, in- P Ajitha of Asianet and Justina hood. Their intention was to preme Court, in a rare appeal re- cluding the Padma Bhushan in 1981 and Thomas of Manorama News. tarnish my image. They outraged cently, had asked the journalists the Padma Vibhushan in 1990. In their complaint to the city my modesty and dignity.” and lawyers to “settle their dif- Author of several best-selling books police commissioner, they said Trivandrum Press Club presi- ferences amicably through dia- such as Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds: six journalists were present dent Pradeep Pillai also wrote logue” as the government failed Unleashing the Power Within India and in the courtroom, and they all to the chief justice of the Kerala to intervene eff ectively to ensure India 2020, Kalam was a great orator were forcibly removed, and Nair High Court seeking proper ac- a free fl ow of information. and an inspiration to millions of people, was assaulted. “They harassed tion and an end the media ban. Yesterday, Chief Minister Pi- especially children. He always inspired me and Thomas, used abusive “The reports are alarming, to narayi Vijayan again warned the School children piece together an image of Kalam during a remembrance event on his 85th children to dream big and achieve great language and threatened that say the least. There was a physi- lawyers. birth anniversary at a school in Chennai yesterday. goals in life. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 25

INDIA

PM meets Xi, but no India and Russia sign energy, assurance on Azhar defence deals worth billions IANS Benaulim, Goa Rosneft-led group buys Essar Oil stake for $13bn; helicopter, missile, frigate deals set to rime Minister Narendra enhance ties Modi and Chinese President PXi Jinping yesterday recog- Agencies nised terrorism as a “key issue”, an Panaji, Goa Indian offi cial said after a meeting between the two leaders here. But Beijing gave no assurance on sup- ndia and Russia signed bil- porting New Delhi’s bid on a UN lions of dollars of defence and ban against Pakistan-based mili- Ienergy deals yesterday at a tant leader Masood Azhar. summit that sought to inject new “Both sides recognised terror- life into a relationship that has ism as a key issue. President Xi been tested by shifting global al- said we should strengthen our se- liances and confl ict in the Middle curity dialogue and partnership,” East. External Aff airs Ministry spokes- Under the biggest agreement, man Vikas Swarup told reporters. a group led by Russian state oil Modi and Xi met at a beach re- major Rosneft said it would pay sort here, ahead of the Brics Sum- $12.9bn for a controlling stake mit to review bilateral ties and its in both India’s Essar Oil and port dimensions. facilities that it owns. “Modi said that both India and The countries, which had China had been victims of terror- strong ties during the Cold War, ism which was a scourge affl icting announced plans for a joint ven- the entire region,” Swarup said. ture to build helicopters in India. He said Xi underlined that “ter- New Delhi said it would also rorism and violent extremism buy surface-to-air missile sys- were on the increase”, alluding to tems and stealth frigates from the threat from the Islamic State Moscow. terror group. “Ours is a truly unique and Asked about China blocking privileged relationship,” Prime the Indian eff ort to have Azhar Minister Narendra Modi said af- banned, Swarup said it was up to ter talks with Russian President Beijing to consider the move that Vladimir Putin in Benaulim, Goa, will safeguard not only the region where leaders of the other Brics but the entire world from terror- emerging nations were also gath- ism. ering for a summit. “The Chinese side is very well “Modi said that his views aware of our concerns, and the were aligned with Putin’s on the need for us to ensure that globally unstable situation in Afghani- notifi ed terrorists are designated stan and the Middle East, where by the UN,” he said, adding that Moscow is at odds with the West the two sides are co-ordinating on in the fi ve-year-old civil war in Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks with Putin during an exchange of agreements event after India-Russia annual summit in Benaulim, in Goa, yesterday. the issue and talks would continue Syria that has killed hundreds of over it. thousands. tions and low oil prices. ond reactor of the Russian-built taken over as India’s top arms in charge of space and military na’s President Xi Jinping, also in The spokesman said that Modi “We are conducting a compre- Under the deal, a group led by Kudankulam plant in Tamil Nadu supplier. industries, said two frigates the hope of boosting investment and Xi also had a “brief discus- hensive dialogue on a wide scale Rosneft will acquire 98% of Essar hooked up to the grid and con- Indian military offi cials have could be built in India and two and trade. sion on” India’s prospects of join- of international issues, in which Oil, and with it a 400,000 barrels- crete being poured in a ceremony said the plan is for the joint ven- in Russia, RIA news agency re- Relations however have been ing the Nuclear Suppliers Group Indian and Russian approaches per-day refi nery and port at Vadi- carried by a TV linkup to mark ture to build at least 200 Kamov ported. frustrated by Beijing’s decision (NSG). are close to each other or coin- nar for $12.9bn, the two sides said. the start of work on the third and 226t helicopters required by the Rogozin said the ships may so far to block New Delhi’s entry “PM Modi said we look forward cide,” said Putin. Russian state bank VTB said it fourth reactors there. country’s defence forces. later be equipped with missiles to a nuclear trade group, among to working with China to realise Modi also praised Putin’s sup- would refi nance $3.9bn owed by Putin said that Russia would Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd manufactured by BrahMos Aero- other issues. India’s membership of the NSG,” port for the fi ght against interna- the Essar Group. be able to build a dozen nuclear will be the local partner of Rus- space, a venture co-owned by the China and India, the world’s he said. tional terrorism. Rosneft would pay $3.5bn and reactors in India over the next sian Helicopters and state arms Indian and Russian governments. two most populous nations, are Swarup said that one round of “Russia’s clear stand on the its partners, oil trader Trafi gura 20 years to back Modi’s growth exporter Rosoboronexport. India and Russia have tradi- jockeying for regional infl uence dialogue has already been held on need to combat terrorism mirrors and investment fund UCP the strategy for Asia’s third-largest The S-400 surface-to-air tionally held strong ties dating in Asia. this issue and the second would be our own,” Modi said. same amount for an equal joint economy, which continues to missiles would strengthen In- back to the 1950s after the death Modi will host a dinner for conducted soon. The Rosneft-Essar deal will be stake. suff er chronic power shortages. dia’s defences along its borders of Stalin. the leaders of the Brics club - This apart, both leaders ex- the biggest foreign takeover in The refi nery deal follows a The defence pacts will also with China and Pakistan, Indian But trade has slipped beneath which also includes South Af- pressed satisfaction at the in- India, and Russia’s largest out- string of upstream investments deepen military ties between the military offi cials have said. $10bn since 2014, as Modi cul- rica and Brazil - ahead of talks crease in high-level visits between bound deal, according to data. in Russia by Indian companies in two countries that date back to Also agreed were plans to build tivates closer diplomatic and today. the two countries. It comes as Russia moves to re- recent months that, Modi said, the Soviet era, when India entire- and supply stealth frigates for the economic ties with Washington, Brics was formed in 2011 with Modi and Xi agreed that bilat- assert its role in global aff airs and were worth $5.5bn. ly depended on Moscow to equip Indian navy. while Russia eyes Pakistan and the aim of using its growing eco- eral investment and economic co- at a time when its own economy Also on display was Russia’s its armed forces. Russia’s Deputy Prime Min- also China. nomic and political infl uence to operation has increased. is stagnant, hit by Western sanc- nuclear prowess, with the sec- The United States has since ister Dmitry Rogozin, who is Modi will hold talks with Chi- challenge Western hegemony. Nepal, Bhutan PMs in Goa Children’s for Brics-Bimstec Summit deaths in hospital IANS bouring countries to join in for countries instead of the Saarc Benaulim, Goa an outreach summit. members is being seen as anoth- Following last month’s cross- er step in this direction. border terror attack on an Indian Pakistan, Afghanistan and spark fury epal Prime Minister Army camp at Uri in Jammu and Maldives are the members of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal Kashmir that claimed the lives of South Association for Regional IANS N‘Prachanda’ and his 19 Indian soldiers, India chose to Co-operation (Saarc) that are Chennai Bhutanese counterpart Tshering invite countries belonging to the also not members of Bimstec. Tobgay arrived in Goa yesterday Bimstec grouping over those of Following the Uri attack, ahead of the Brics-Bimstec Out- Saarc. Prime Minister Narendra Modi our children died in a gov- reach Summit to be held here. Countries belonging to the also pulled out of this year’s ernment-run hospital here “Another set of honoured Bay of Bengal Initiative for Mul- Saarc Summit that was sched- Fwithin 24 hours, offi cials guests begin to gather. PM of ti-Sectoral Technical and Eco- uled to be held in Islamabad in said yesterday. Bhutan and Nepal also arrive nomic Co-operation (Bimstec) November. The opposition hit out at the ahead of the Brics-Bimstec are India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh “callousness” of the state health Outreach Summit,” External Af- Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand and too followed suit. department and demanded the fairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Sri Lanka. The Brics-Bimstec Outreach government accept responsibility. Swarup tweeted after the two New Delhi blamed Pakistan- Summit will be held here today. The children aged between leaders landed on separate fl ights based Jaish-e-Mohamed group Meanwhile, the Brics Busi- eight and 11 died due to a mysteri- at Dabolim Airport. for the Uri attack and launched ness Council, which met here ous fever at the Institute of Child As host of this year’s Brics a diplomatic blitz to isolate Is- yesterday, suggested the mem- Health and Hospital for Children (Brazil, Russia, India, China, lamabad in the international ber countries continue the dia- here. Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with Minister of State for External Aff airs V K Singh after his arrival at South Africa) Summit, India, as community. logue for a new rating agency for Opposition Dravida Munnetra the airport yesterday. is the practice, can invite neigh- The invitation to Bimstec emerging economies. Page 29 Kazhagam party leader M K Sta- lin condemned the Tamil Nadu government for not looking into the callous attitude of the medi- cal department. The children’s deaths have created a fear in the minds of the Uniform civil code not acceptable at any cost: AIMPLB people, he said, adding one family lost two children on the same day. IANS He said the Supreme Court “Over the last 70 years, the devising new plans for it,” Rah- tionnaire by not responding to it. that UCC is not in the interest Stalin said he had brought to New Delhi should consider the issue of Indian Muslims have respect- mani said. The Indian Union Muslim of all and not practical too,” said the notice of the government triple talaq in its entirety. ed and obeyed all the laws. The AIMPLB is running an League (IUML) also said code Kunhalikutty, a former Kerala several times about the existence At present, the apex court is Although they have been the awareness campaign to sensi- was not practical and ques- minister and now the deputy of the mysterious fever and other he All India Muslim Per- hearing three petitions on the target of communal violence, tise the common people about tioned the government’s reason leader of the Congress-led diseases like dengue, but no ac- sonal Law Board (AIM- issue. and at times discrimination, the “perils of the uniform civil for raising it now. United D emocratic Front in the tion was taken. TPLB) yesterday reiterated “The Supreme Court can in- they still love their mother- code,” he said. The issue was discussed at the Kerala assembly. He said the Chennai corpora- its opposition to the uniform tervene in any matter. But our land. The Law Commission on Oc- IUML’s leadership meeting held The IUML has 18 legislators tion and the health department civil code, with general secretary request is that the matter of tri- “But the Muslims cannot tol- tober 7 published a 16-point in Kozhikode. and is the most powerful party in should at least wake up from their Maulana Wali Rahmani saying it ple talaq should be considered erate any interference in their questionnaire on its website Party leader P K Kunhalikutty the Muslim-dominated Malap- slumber now. is not acceptable to the Muslims in its entirety (and not just as a religious aff airs or laws,” he said. where it had asked common said the present move by the puram district with 11 out of the Pattali Makkal Katchi founder at any cost. women’s right issue),” Rahmani Rahmani said raking up of the people, activists, organisations government appears doubtful. 16 seats in the district with it. S Ramadoss said children dying Speaking at a conference or- said. two issues now reeks of some and other stakeholders to give “Already there is a case in this Under the uniform civil code, of dengue in government hospi- ganised by NGO Peace Founda- The AIMPLB leader said that “evil designs.” suggestions on the implementa- in the Supreme Court and the the personal laws based on tals is becoming a regular feature tion to discuss the code and tri- Muslims in India have respected “Most people in this country tion of the code. Shariah law has to be discussed scriptures and customs of every in Chennai, Kanchipuram and ple talaq issues here, Rahmani and obeyed all laws of the land are peace-loving and just. But Several prominent Muslim or- and debated by the community. religious community in India Tiruvallur districts. said the Muslim personal law is but they would not tolerate any there are a handful of people ganisations in the country have We have learned that there is a will be replaced with a common He said the doctors at the hos- based on divine law and hence interference in their personal who want to create a rift between opposed the move and urged the questionnaire being circulated set of laws applicable equally to pital did not diagnose the fever and cannot be altered. laws. the two communities and keep Muslims to boycott the ques- on UCC. We are of the fi rm view all citizens. proper treatment was not given. Gulf Times 26 Sunday, October 16, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

Argentina Bypassing congress, Maduro protests Falklands decrees Venezuela budget exercises AFP AFP It allocates 73.6% of spend- Buenos Aires Caracas ing to social programs and comes with a law to limit new government debt. rgentina said Friday it has enezuelan President Jose Guerra, the lawmaker lodged an “emphatic pro- Nicolas Maduro issued who heads the National As- Atest” against British plans Vthe government’s 2017 sembly’s budget commission, to hold military exercises in the budget by decree on Friday, said the legislature would re- disputed Falkland Islands, renew- bypassing the opposition- ject the budget. ing an old feud after a recent thaw. held legislature in a move that “We are going to tell the British ambassador Mark Kent could deepen the country’s government that this is an il- was summoned to the offi ces of economic crisis. legal budget,” he warned. the Argentine Foreign Ministry “Here is the 2017 budget and He said the Assembly and given a formal note of com- debt law. May it be fulfi lled. I would “call on fi nancial insti- plaint demanding the exercises ask for the support of the peo- tutions to abstain” from lend- be called off , the ministry said in ple, the military and the street,” ing money to the government, a statement. Maduro said at a signing cer- because state debt requires It said Britain was planning emony in Caracas attended by approval from the legislature. “illegal military exercises in the hundreds of supporters. Economists said the new area of the Malvinas,” the Argen- The move came a day after budget would only gener- tine name for the islands, from Venezuela’s Supreme Court ate more international mis- October 19 to 28, including the — which the opposition says trust of Venezuela, which is launch of Rapier missiles. is stacked with Maduro sup- already struggling to get to “Argentina rejects the holding porters — ruled that the leftist grips with a crushing eco- of these exercises on Argentine leader did not have to submit nomic crisis. territory illegally occupied by his budget to the National As- The budget-by-decree is the United Kingdom,” it said. sembly, despite a constitu- “an attack on constitutional British offi cials have said the tional requirement to do so. order in a domain that is so exercises are routine. The court said the ruling important for the functioning Britain and Argentina fought a aimed to “maintain the func- of the economy,” said the Na- brief but bloody war over the is- tioning of the state, the guar- tional Academy of Economic lands in 1982 after Argentine forces antee of fundamental rights Sciences in a statement. occupied them. The confl ict killed and constitutional order.” It stands on legally shaky 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British The court has said that the ground, which could scare off soldiers and three islanders. National Assembly is in con- foreign banks and contrac- Argentina argues it inher- tempt because it has sworn in tors, some experts warned. ited the windswept islands from three opposition legislators “This budget has no legal Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro attends a ceremony to sign off the 2017 national budget at the National Pantheon in Caracas. Spain when it gained independ- whose election is still being validity, and expenses, com- ence in the 19th century. challenged amid allegations mitments and contracts made No pay, no expenses, no laws for opposition lawmakers But Britain says it has histori- of fraud. under it could be disregarded,” cally ruled them and that the is- Maduro said the decree was said constitutional law expert They say they have not been paid for two Half a dozen opposition lawmakers inter- Maduro said attendance problems did not landers — who number around necessary because “there is Jose Ignacio Hernandez. months, have had their electricity cut and are viewed by Reuters say they have not been paid exist when he was a congressman in the then 3,000, most of them of British no National Assembly,” but The Supreme Court is tak- sometimes banned from flights — and the laws for two months, and those living outside the Socialist Party-controlled Congress, blaming descent — should have the right rather “a political forum op- ing over an authority “that they pass are blocked anyway. Venezuela’s op- capital Caracas say they have never received “lazy” opposition lawmakers for the suspension to self-determination. erating in contempt of court.” can only be fulfi lled by the position lawmakers accuse the socialist govern- travel expenses. of 25 sessions this year. In a 2013 referendum, resi- The president and the Na- people’s representatives, in ment of sabotaging their work after winning a Gabriela Arellano, lawmaker for Tachira state In a speech on Friday, Maduro seemed to dents voted overwhelmingly to tional Assembly have been other words the Assembly,” majority in congress last December. near the Colombian border, said she had been admit lawmakers were not being paid because remain part of Britain. locked in battle since the Hernandez said. The pro-government Supreme Court has twice prevented from boarding state airlines for Congress was defying the law, saying he was After years of testy relations centre-right opposition took The latest battle between blocked all congress’ bills from becoming law. a flight to Caracas because her name was on a only approving money for National Assembly under the successive presiden- control of the legislature in the executive and the legisla- Earlier this week, the high court also allowed blacklist. workers. cies of Nestor Kirchner and of his January, ending the left’s 17- ture comes as Maduro’s op- President Nicolas Maduro to present the 2017 For the last three months, she has had to make The Information Ministry and Venezuela’s wife Cristina Kirchner, Argentina year monopoly on power. ponents seek to call a refer- budget without congressional approval. the 14-hour trip by road. airlines association did not respond to requests had pursued something of a rap- The South American Opec endum on removing him from On a smaller scale, congressmen say they are Others said they had been stopped when try- for comment. prochement with Britain under member’s oil-dependent offi ce. also being blocked from doing their job because ing to travel to Margarita Island in September for Lawmakers should receive a 40,000 bolivar new President Mauricio Macri. economy has plunged in tan- Fed up with shortages of of lack of state resources. a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. monthly salary, just over a dollar a day at the After taking the reins in De- dem with global crude prices food and basic goods, spiral- “There’s no money for anything,” said law- Last week, a session of congress was sus- black market exchange rate or $60 a month at cember, the Macri administra- in the past two years. ling infl ation and rampant maker Angel Alvarado, adding he bought printer pended because it did not reach a quorum of 83 the weakest off icial rate. tion opened new talks with Lon- The new budget is based crime, seven in 10 Venezue- ink with his own money. out of 167 lawmakers. “Now I’m a lawmaker, my mom has to look don, culminating in a series of on an oil price of $30 a barrel, lans want a change in govern- “This is a means of destroying democracy... The opposition said the reason was the logisti- after me,” said Arellano, the Tachira state repre- deals in September covering oil, which Maduro called a con- ment, according to a recent They’re strangling the Assembly.” cal problems. sentative. fi shing, navigation and trade in servative estimate. opinion poll. and around the islands. New attraction ‘Elect more women to build sustainable, inclusive cities’

By Anastasia Moloney, Reuters Bogota

ess than 5% of cities are led by women and their lack Lof political participation is hampering progress in meeting international goals on making cit- ies more sustainable and inclusive, a group of female mayors said on Friday. Anne Hidalgo, the fi rst female mayor of Paris said more must be done to ensure more women are elected to help build more socially inclusive and equal cities. “Women represent half of hu- manity and you can’t transform and build humanity if you ignore half of it,” Hidalgo said at the World Summit of Local and Re- gional Leaders in Bogota. “If we don’t include women it’s diffi cult to transform the cities we live in,” she said. Women running cities are more likely to focus on improving basic services, such as clean water and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo walks with children during her visit to the Metro Cable railway at commune 13 in healthcare, transport, childcare, Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia. schools and providing support to businesswomen, experts say. participation in politics and gen- Experts say ensuring the new power was one way to increase United Nation member states der equality. agenda can be met means imple- their political participation. agreed last year to end violence “The message isn’t to exclude menting policies and development Fatma Sahin, mayor of Gaziant- and discrimination against wom- the participation of men,” Hidalgo projects that take into account ep, a Turkish city of 2mn people, en and girls and make sure they said. “We need an alliance, we that women experience cities in said one of her priorities was to have equal opportunities in all need to have partnerships with diff erent ways to men. ensure more girls go to school and areas of life, including politics, as progressive men.” They face unique challenges, have access to health services. part of the UN Sustainable Devel- She said UN studies showed such as gender-based violence “We have created social policies opment Goals. that having women in power, both and discrimination in access to that have put women and children But with women making up less in local and central government, jobs, education and housing. at the centre from the cradle to than 5% of the world’s mayors and can help to stem corruption. “Inequality among women is grave,” said Sahin, a former cabi- around 20% of local councillors, “Corruption is an ill and when felt very diff erently. They have net minister. females remain under-represent- women have access to power more restrictions to access the In Latin America, where some ed in urban government. they are less prone to falling into labour market, to pensions,” said 80% of its 600mn people live in While at the national level the the phenomenon of corruption,” Ibon Uribe, mayor of Galdakao, a cities, a higher number than any- percentage of women in parlia- Hidalgo said. town in northern Spain. where else, one key challenge is ments has nearly doubled in the Delegates at a UN conference “To get more women elected we reaching women and children in last 20 years, they still make up in Ecuador starting tomorrow will have to show the eff ects of such slums. A sea horse explores the AguaRio aquarium in Rio de Janeiro. The AguaRio aquarium will less than a quarter of all parlia- set out guidelines for the sustain- inequality and how inequality af- “Improving gender equality open to the public on November 9, becoming the biggest aquarium in Latin America, with mentarians, according to UN able development of cities over the fects men and women diff erently,” means how cities can bring ba- 4.5mn litres of salty water. Representing an investment of $40.6mn, the aquarium will be Women. next 20 years by adopting a non- he said. sic services to women,” said Raisa home to 3,000 sea animals, more than 300 species, 90% of them native to Brazil. Hidalgo said it was important to binding agreement, known as the Uribe added introducing quotas Banfi eld, deputy mayor of Panama work with men to boost women’s New Urban Agenda. to ensure women get elected into City, the capital of Panama. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 27 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN ‘Pakistan ready for talks if India serious about Kashmir’

Agencies before wrapping up a three-day killed. India has blamed Paki- diplomatic blitz to isolate Pa- moving in the right direction”. SCO (Shanghai Co-operation Sharif’s address to the UN Gen- Baku visit to Azerbaijan. stan-based Jaish-e-Mohamed kistan in the region as well as in Organisation), formation of AIB eral Assembly, he said the issue According to Sharif, Kashmir group for the attack. the international community, Kashmir is main cause (Asian Investment Bank), among of Kashmir and the continued is main cause of unrest in the Sharif also regretted that India blaming Islamabad for harbour- of unrest in the region others indicated major realign- human rights violations in the akistan Prime Minister Na- region and India must show se- blamed Pakistan for the attack, say- ing terrorists and sponsoring and India must show ments,” he said while talking to occupied territory were focused waz Sharif yesterday said riousness about resolving the is- ing that New Delhi levelled “allega- terrorism. seriousness about Express News. in the address. PIslamabad is ready to hold sue and honour its commitment tions” against Islamabad without But rejecting the view about resolving the issue and In response to a question, Aziz He also recollected how the a dialogue if India is serious about under the United Nations Secu- even probing the incident. the country’s isolation at diplo- honour its commitment said there was no backdoor or Composite Dialogue Process be- resolving the Kashmir issue. rity Council resolutions. He reiterated that no “infi ltra- matic front, adviser to Pakistani under the United track-II diplomacy going on be- tween the two countries was dis- Pakistan had off ered to hold Tension rose between the two tion” took place across the Line Prime Minister on foreign af- Nations Security Council tween Pakistan and India, as such continued and said, “India had talks on outstanding issues sev- neighbouring nations following of Control (LoC) in Kashmir Val- fairs, Sartaj Aziz, said on Friday, resolutions kind of contacts were established the habit of blaming Pakistan eral times but India did not re- the September 18 attack at an ley from the Pakistani side. with the major “realignments” on the desire of two sides. after every terrorist incident in ciprocate, Dawn online quoted Army camp in Uri town of Kash- The prime minister’s com- under way at “global and geos- “Development of Eurasia by Responding to a question their country without providing Sharif as telling the media here mir in which 19 soldiers were ments come as India began a trategic” levels, “Pakistan was Russia and China, activation of about Prime Minister Nawaz any solid evidence”. ‘No details of India’s plan to seal border’

Agencies had till date shared no evidence “We have been asking for the Islamabad on the Samjhauta Express attack international community’s in- in February 2007, despite New tervention in this regard and we Delhi’s commitment at the high- will keep on asking for this,” he ndia has not formally con- est political level to share the said. veyed any plan of sealing its details in relation with the ter- Zakaria said there should Iborder with Pakistan by De- ror attack, which killed mostly be an independent probe in cember 2018, the country’s For- Pakistanis. the current unrest in the val- eign Offi ce has said. ley which has left more than In a response to Indian Home “Manifestations of these 90 persons dead since July 9, Minister Rajnath Singh’s state- efforts are visible in their a day after the killing of top ment that India would com- false media campaigns separatist leader Burhan Wani pletely seal the border with and false surgical strikes in a gunfight with the security Pakistan by December 2018, Pa- claim and other things forces. kistan’s Foreign Offi ce spokes- like that’’ About Indian Defence Min- man Nafees Zakaria on Friday ister Manohar Parrikar’s state- said: “We don’t have any de- The attack was carried out by ment that the government has tails.” Rashtriya Seva Sangh and Abhi- no intention of providing proof Zakaria said that on the one nav Bharat’s operatives, he said, of the surgical strikes across the hand the Indian government adding that Islamabad “has and Line of Control in Pakistan oc- Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif being accorded an off icial welcome at Azerbaijan’s parliament by speaker Ogtay Asadov. talked of establishing a peace- will continue to raise the issue” cupied Kashmir, Zakaria said ful neighbourhood, and on the with India. “the blatant lie stood exposed other, their actions contradicted Zakaria said that Pakistan was now”. their claims, Dawn online re- actively highlighting the Kash- Commenting on New Delhi’s ported. mir issue across Europe, Bri- diplomatic blitz to isolate Is- The remarks come as India tian, North America and Nordic lamabad in the region as well in Azerbaijan a role model for and Pakistan are locked in an states, and this was the reason the world, Zakaria said Pakistan unprecedented diplomatic ac- why “India is desperate and is was “not facing international rimony and border tension after making every eff ort to defl ect isolation” and was very much the September 18 terror attack attention” from the matter. engaged in world aff airs. on a military base in Kashmir’s “Manifestations of these According to him, a number many countries, says Sharif border town of Uri that killed 19 efforts are visible in their of multilateral events and high- soldiers. false media campaigns and level visits were taking place in Days later, India claimed car- false surgical strikes claim and out of Pakistan. Agencies rying out surgical strikes against and other things like that. So, “More and more countries are Baku militant launch pads and killed these are the reflections of the engaging with Pakistan. Paki- an unspecifi ed number of mili- desperation of India and the stan’s strategic location is of im- tants in Pakistan-administered pressure which is being built mense importance,” he said, cit- rime Minister of Pakistan Kashmir. Pakistan has denied on India in the context of the ing the examples of Russia and Nawaz Sharif has hailed the Indian claim. brutalities it is committing in Iran’s recent engagements with PAzerbaijan’s develop- Zakaria regretted that India Kashmir.” Islamabad. ment as he met with President of the Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Baku. “…The people of Pakistan highly appreciate the vision of Afghanistan your distinguished father, the Import of sheesha late president Heydar Aliyev, keen to become and admire the progress and development of brotherly Az- part of CPEC erbaijan under your wise and banned in Pakistan deft leadership. The progress achieved by Azerbaijan over the Agencies past quarter of a century has Internews on October 29,” he said. Kabul been remarkable.” Islamabad The June 6 order of the apex “The development and court says, “It seems that not success of Azerbaijan is a much serious eff ort has been he China-Pakistan Eco- matter of pride for all Muslim fter the intervention of made for combating the menace nomic Corridor (CPEC) is countries and a role model the Supreme Court of of sheesha and other drug relat- Ta great economic devel- for many developing coun- APakistan, the Ministry of ed substances. opment project and Afghanistan tries,” he said. “I must say Prime Minister Sharif receiving honorary doctorate from Baku State University. National Health Services (NHS) Deputy Attorney General has expressed desire to become a that since yesterday we have of the country has fi nally im- (DAG) states that the very im- part of it. been very impressed and I versity’s students, teaching not recognise Armenia as an in- They exchanged views on the posed a ban on the import of all port of sheesha is being banned “CPEC is a great project that said this categorically to Mr staff and professors. dependent state because of the development of friendly and kinds of sheesha, its substances by the government. is equally relevant to Afghani- President that I have never Nawaz Sharif visited the country’s policy of aggression fraternal relations between the and fl avoured tobacco. We have asked the DAG to give stan, like Pakistan,” Afghani- seen such a clean city in the Heydar Aliyev Museum and met against Azerbaijan. two countries. In this regard, the Ministry of us a timeline. stan’s ambassador to Pakistan, world.” with students. The rector then handed a The Pakistani prime minister Commerce has issued the statu- He states that this will be done Dr Omar Zakhilwal said during “…Baku is surely one of the The BSU rector welcomed certifi cate and cloak of honor- also visited the Alley of Hon- tory regulatory order (SRO) to within a period of one month.” an interview, according to Radio cleanest cities that I have ever Pakistan’s prime minister on ary doctor to the Pakistani Pre- ours to lay a wreath at the tomb amend the import policy order. The health ministry offi cial said Pakistan. visited,” the Pakistani prime behalf of the university staff , mier. of national leader, founder and Health circles expressed the after a number of orders from the “Anything that is good for Pa- minister said. highlighting his visit as an his- In his address at the event, architect of modern Azerbaijani hope that around 3.7mn adults court, “We requested the Min- kistan will be good for the entire On Friday, Prime Minister toric event. Nawaz Sharif expressed his state Heydar Aliyev. may quit sheesha after the ban. istry of Commerce to amend the region,” the envoy said while add- Sharif received honorary doc- The rector spoke of the high gratitude for honorary doctor- He also paid fl oral tribute at They said a typical one-hour- import policy order but it said for ing that by becoming a part of the torate from Baku State Univer- level strategic alliance between ate. the graves of prominent oph- long sheesha smoking session that the approval of the Economic project, Afghanistan can recover sity. Azerbaijan and Pakistan. He praised Azerbaijan-Paki- thalmologist, academician involved inhaling of 100-200 Co-ordination Committee (ECC) from the damage it has suff ered Rector Abel Maharramov He said Pakistan is the fi rst stan relations. Zarifa Aliyeva, outstanding times the volume of smoke in- was required. As we don’t have a during its decades long war. presented doctorate to the Pa- country to recognise the Kho- Sharif also visited the parlia- statesman Aziz Aliyev and ac- haled with a single cigarette. fully-fl edged federal minister for The United States has spent kistani premier in a ceremony jaly Genocide. ment to meet with its speaker claimed doctor and scientist Nadeem Iqbal, the head of a NHS, we had to get the approval of billions of dollars in Afghanistan that was attended by the uni- He said offi cial Islamabad did Ogtay Asadov. Tamerlan Aliyev. civil society organisation, The the prime minister to send a letter to cushion the sinking ship of Network, said that though the to the ECC.” the landlocked country’s econo- decision to ban sheesha was ap- “Finally, on October 13, the my, but there are no visible signs preciated it happened only after ministry of commerce issued of improvement. the intervention of the apex court. the SRO and wrote to the FBR to An immediate workable solu- An offi cial of the Ministry of direct the customs department tion for Afghanistan to boost its Police arrest teacher, preacher for blasphemy NHS, requesting not to be iden- to ensure the implementation of economy is forging better rela- tifi ed, also said the ban was not the order,” he said. tions with Pakistan. possible without the interven- Project Manager Tobacco According to a report pub- AFP preaching things “contrary to try’s blasphemy law. cession last week. tion of the Supreme Court. Control Cell at the Ministry of lished by the Offi ce of the Islamabad Islam”, local police station chief Hussain said Aslam had start- “Police have arrested a teach- “In 2006, the then chief jus- NHS, Mohamed Javed, said that Special Inspector General for Javed Hussain said. ed preaching at a local shrine of er Faraz Ahmed for thrashing tice of Pakistan took a suo motu according to the Global Adult Afghanistan Reconstruction (Si- “Saeen Aslam was arrest- Sufi saint Panj Shaheed some his Shia student Zainul Abideen notice of the tobacco epidemic Tobacco Survey 2015, around gar), created by the US Congress teacher and a Sufi ed on Friday over blasphemy three months ago and had been because he missed his class to in Pakistan. 3.7mn adults were using sheesha for an independent oversight of preacher have been ar- charges on the complaints of acting strangely. attend his religious rites,” local Since then, a number of hear- in Pakistan. Afghan reconstruction projects, Arested on blasphemy locals that he had been ask- In a second incident in the police offi cial Mohamed Farooq ings have been held. “As a number of tobacco multibillion-dollar American charges in two separate inci- ing the villagers to stop off er- Punjab town of Kamalia a col- said. On June 6, 2016, the court di- points claim that they off er investment in Afghan economy dents in Pakistan, police said ing prayers and just bow before lege teacher was arrested on Ahmed has been charged rected to ensure a ban on shee- non-tobacco sheesha, it is spe- was spent uselessly and not fol- yesterday. him,” Hussain said. Friday for beating up a stu- under the blasphemy law for sha and on September 27 it asked cially mentioned in the SRO that lowed by any signifi cant results The preacher was arrested in Islam forbids Muslims to bow dent from the minority Shia assaulting the student because for the issuance of a notifi cation even the import of non-tobacco as expected by the international the village of Changa in Daska before anyone except Allah and sect who absented himself to of his faith and detained, he by the next hearing of the case sheesha is banned,” he said. society and the Afghan people. district of Punjab province for doing so also falls under coun- attend the annual Ashura pro- added. Gulf Times 28 Sunday, October 16, 2016 PHILIPPINES Man dies as nation set to face typhoon Although the storm did 246,000 residents of Catandu- with coastal areas at risk of not hit the island directly, anes, the offi ce added. storm surges of up to two metres its strong winds and heavy While the typhoon is not the (more than six feet), the fore- rains still knocked out all most powerful to hit the coun- caster said. power and telephone lines try this year, it could cause the Low-lying areas will be at for the more than 246,000 most damage as it will cross risk of flooding while moun- residents of Catanduanes heavily-populated areas just tainous areas could suffer north of Manila, said govern- landslides. AFP ment weather forecaster Beni- Although the storm did not Manila son Estareja. hit the eastern region of Bicol, “We can see from the radar that area experienced heavy that the storm is very destruc- rains as it passed nearby on Sat- t least one person was tive. It can destroy wooden urday, said civil defence spokes- killed and three were houses, it can topple trees. It can woman Rachel Miranda. Amissing as the Philippines possibly rip off roofs,” he said. More than 400 people were faces what could be “the most “This could so far, be the most evacuated from their homes damaging” storm this year in the damaging typhoon this year,” and sea and air travel in these approaching Typhoon Sarika, Estareja said. areas has been suspended as offi cials said yesterday. Sarika is forecast to hit the a safety precaution, officials A man was found dead on the province of Aurora on the east said. seashore while three fi shermen coast of the main island of Luzon The Philippine islands are of- were reported missing in the before dawn today, he said. ten the fi rst major landmass to be eastern island of Catanduanes as It is expected to cross central hit by storms that generate over Sarika, packing maximum winds Luzon before heading out to sea the Pacifi c Ocean. The Southeast of 180 kilometres per hour, by today evening, he added. Asian archipelago endures about Friends and relatives of Reynaldo Agregado, who was killed in a police anti-drugs operation, carry his coff in during the funeral in Manila yesterday. passed nearby, the civil defence “This one will have an im- 20 major storms each year, many offi ce said. pact because most of the people of them deadly. Although the storm did not are in (that part of) Luzon. Even Haiyan, the strongest ty- hit the island directly, its strong Metropolitan Manila will be af- phoon ever recorded to hit land, winds and heavy rains still fected,” he warned. smashed into the central Philip- knocked out all power and tel- These areas will experience pines on November 8, 2013, leav- ing 7,350 people dead or missing. Global court warns govt ephone lines for the more than strong winds and heavy rains, over extra-judicial killings Early Self-rated poverty at Manila Times & Agencies Libya; Côte d’Ivoire; Mali and Manila Georgia. break for record low: survey It is also conducting prelimi- nary examinations related to he chief prosecutor of the incidents in Afghanistan; Bu- Christmas By Catherine S Valente Manila and the Visayas.In International Criminal rundi; the registered vessels of Manila Times Luzon, self-rated poverty fell TCourt (ICC) has issued a Comoros, Greece and Cambo- by seven percentage points to warning to the Philippine gov- dia; Colombia; Gabon; Guinea; rejected mark a new record-low 34% ernment over alleged extra- Iraq and the United Kingdom; he number of Filipino in September, from 41% in judicial killings, saying offi cials’ Palestine; Nigeria and Ukraine. families who say they June.It fell by fi ve percent- incitement of mass killings Duterte has repeatedly de- By Francis Earl Cueto Tare poor fell to a record age points in Mindanao to could be prosecuted before the nied condoning extra-judicial Manila Times low in the third quarter of 49% from 54% in the second court in The Hague. killings, saying he had only in- 2016, according to the latest quarter, the lowest since June Malacanang reacted swiftly An anti-drug banner is displayed on a wall in Manila. structed police to kill drug sus- Social Weather Stations (SWS) 2013’s 47%. to the statement, saying the pects in self-defence. ducation Secretary Le- survey. However, self-rated poverty alleged extra-judicial killings the killings. But Duterte vowed mitted on the territory or by na- Malacanang however ap- onor Briones rejected the The poll, conducted from rose by four percentage points linked to the war against drugs on Thursday to “humiliate” tionals of the Philippines since peared to soften its stance this Eproposal of Senator Grace September 24 to 27, showed in Metro Manila to 36% in were not state-sanctioned, and her and any other critics if they November 1, 2011, the date week and said police should Poe to declare a Christmas break that 42 percent, equivalent to September from 32% in June, that President Rodrigo Duterte dared to come to the Philippines when the Statute entered into only shoot suspects to disable for students earlier this year in 9.4mn Filipino families, rated and by four points in the Visa- would face any inquiry. and investigate. force in the Philippines.” them. a bid to ease the expected holi- themselves as “mahirap” or yas to 56% from 52%. Duterte launched a typically Polls show Filipinos over- “Extra-judicial killings may Andanar pointed out that day traffi c snarls, particularly in poor. Self-rated food poverty, defi ant counter-attack on Fri- whelmingly support Duterte’s fall under the jurisdiction of Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman Metro Manila. The latest fi gure broke the meanwhile, went down by day, defending his rhetoric and war on crime. the ICC if they are committed of the Senate Committee on Briones refused to adjust the previous record of 43% set in three points in Luzon to a new the crime war that is seeing In a statement on the court’s as part of a widespread or sys- Justice and Human Rights who school calendar saying students March 2010 and 1987. Self- low 24% in September from more that 1,000 people killed website, ICC Prosecutor Fatou tematic attack against a civilian conducted a probe on extra-ju- should complete the minimum rated poverty in December June’s 27%, while in the Visa- every month. Bensouda, a lawyer from Gam- population pursuant to a State dicial killings, had been quoted 180 days contact time with 2015 stood at 52%. yas it slipped a point to 36% “There is nothing wrong in bia, said her offi ce was “aware policy to commit such an at- as saying “there is no proof that the teachers.The school cal- In its report, the SWS said from 37%. threatening criminals to death. of worrying reported extra- tack,” she explained. the killings were state-spon- endar, she explained, requires self-rated poverty had been Food poverty, however, By that statement alone: ‘You judicial killings of alleged drug Bensouda said her offi ce, in sored.” 202 school days, and Christmas either steady or declining for went up by two percentage criminals, I will kill you. Do dealers and users in the Philip- accordance with the Rome Stat- “In any case, the president break in public schools starts on eight consecutive quarters, points in Mindanao to 41% in not fool around.’ It is a perfect pines, which may have led to ute, would closely follow devel- has articulated that he is will- Dec 22 and ends on Jan 2, 2017. from 52% in December 2014. September from 39% in June, statement,” Duterte said. over 3,000 deaths in the past opments in the Philippines and ing to submit himself to an in- She also said that if they ac- SWS also said 6.7mn or 30% and stayed at 20% in Metro Describing his critics as three months.” “record any instance of incite- vestigation before any body,” he ceded to the request of Poe, they of families considered them- Manila. “fools”, Duterte reiterated his “I am deeply concerned ment or resort to violence with added. would have to extend the classes selves “food-poor,” slightly Presidential Communica- position he was not breaking about these alleged killings and a view to assessing whether a Duterte has earned criticism which means that schools would lower than the 31% (6.9mn tions Secretary Martin An- any domestic laws by threaten- the fact that public statements preliminary examination into from human rights advocates be open until the Holy Week. families) recorded in April and danar welcomed the survey ing to kill criminals and pledged of high offi cials of the Republic the situation of the Philippines and the international commu- If make-up classes are held on June. results, saying “change has the crime war would continue of the Philippines seem to con- needs to be opened.” nity following the surge in kill- Saturday, it is likely that parents It said the latest self-rated indeed come and it is being felt until there were no more illegal done such killings and further The ICC’s Offi ce of the ings of individuals with drug and students will complain be- poverty readings were a good by our people.” drugs in society. seem to encourage State forces Prosecutor said it conducts links. cause students would get tired. start for the Duterte admin- “For the past 100 days since Since Duterte took offi ce, po- and civilians alike to continue independent and impartial Despite this, the president Briones however said private istration’s efforts to bring his assumption, President Du- lice have killed 1,578 people and targeting these individuals with preliminary examinations, in- maintains that his fi ght against schools can declare an early down the official poverty rate terte has been fi nding ways to 2,151 have died in unexplained lethal force,” she said, with- vestigations and prosecution of drugs will be “relentless” until Christmas vacation if they want to 16 to 17% by mid-2022, make economic growth work circumstances, according to out naming these offi cials,” she the crimes of genocide, crimes the drug trade is wiped out. to. from 26.3% in the first half for the poor with focus on the offi cial fi gures released Friday. added. against humanity and war In retaliation, Duterte has “It’s more of the private stu- of 2015. country’s 10 poorest prov- The total of 3,729 is 368 more Bensouda reminded the gov- crimes. launched tirades against the dents who have parents with SWS attributed the decline inces,” Andanar said at a news than the previous police update ernment that the Philippines is It said it had conducted in- US, the EU and the UN, daring cars that are causing traffi c. in self-rated poverty nation- conference.“We have made a released last week. a state party to the ICC “and as vestigations in Uganda; the US President Barack Obama Most public school students wide to drops in Luzon and strong start and we expect to Malacanang this week in- such, the Court has jurisdiction Democratic Republic of the and UN chief Ban Ki-moon to simply walk to school or com- Mindanao that were partly continue making headway,” he vited UN Special Rapporteur over genocide, crimes against Congo; Darfur, Sudan; the Cen- come over to Manila and inves- mute,” she said. off set by increases in Metro added. Agnes Callamard to investigate humanity and war crimes com- tral African Republic; Kenya; tigate him. De Lima admits moments of weakness ‘as a woman’

By Jeff erson Antiporda, whose marriage (to Plaridel Bohol) spent some time inside the “kubol” or matters, concerned that some people Manila Times & Agencies had been annulled. prison apartment of kidnapping-for- may have started to believe the at- De Lima, a former Justice secretary ransom convict Jaybee Sebastian. tacks launched against her by no less and Commission on Human Rights De Lima had admitted to entering than the president. enator Leila de Lima has ad- chief, did not elaborate on her per- Sebastian’s kubol but said she was ac- The senator at the same time called mitted that “as a woman,” she sonal mistakes, but she insisted she companied by offi cials of the NBP or on students to help raise awareness Shad her moments of weakness was not the “bad and evil woman” her security aide. on human and women’s rights and and her own share of personal mis- that people in social media and in the The senator was also accused of democracy, which, according to her, takes, but receiving drug money and House justice committee proceedings getting a total of P10mn from Sebas- were in peril. sleeping with drug convicts were not had claimed. tian in 2015, and various amounts De Lima has been going around among them. “I am not the bad and evil woman from drug convicts in preparation for schools and universities to talk to stu- In a speech before students and they are trying to portray in the past her senatorial bid. dents and faculty members. faculty members of Miriam College few weeks. I have not partied with De Lima, in her speech, denied the “I’m doing this, because no one in Quezon City, the embattled senator or slept with any drug convict,” she allegations anew, saying she never is listening to me in the Senate, so I again denied allegations against her in added. benefi ted from illegal drug trade in might as well get out of the Senate the House inquiry on the illegal drug De Lima has been accused by drug the Bilibid. halls and reach out to you in the hope trade at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). convicts and former offi cials of the “I am not the mother of these drug that you would listen and open your “Yes as a human being, as a woman Bureau of Corrections and the Na- lords and I am not the one who won minds,” de Lima told her Miriam Col- I have frailties, I have weaknesses, I tional Bureau of Investigation of ac- as a member of the Senate and has lege audience. have certain fl aws. As a woman I made cepting millions of pesos from illegal turned this country into a narco- “Let’s use women’s intuition intel- mistakes in my personal life and I’ve drug operations allegedly run by big- state, because in the fi rst place our ligently. Let’s put a stop to the evil of always considered my personal life time drug lords at the NBP. country is far from being a narco- silence. We must speak and we must as a private matter, it’s a sacred thing There were even instances, ac- state,” she said. speak not just as human beings but De Lima: denies receiving drug money to me,” said de Lima, a mother of two cording to the inmates, when de Lima De Lima said she wanted to clarify specifi cally as women,” she added. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 29 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL 30 Lankan 39 Libya-bound illegal refugees migrants are rescued to return By Mizan Rahman men. They were supposed to airport … We have already in- original visas were pasted on ing to the European country af- Dhaka pay the brokers 400,000 taka to formed the Bangladesh embassy passport pages. ter seeing migrants’ photos on a from India 500,000 taka each after reaching in Libya to take necessary meas- Miftah said two Sylhet-based social networking site. He con- the destination. ures for their safety,” said the travel agencies were involved in tacted a local broker to take him total of 39 Libya-bound After primary interrogation of RAB commanding offi cer. the illegal trade. to Libya for 420,000 taka. From IANS houses will be provided with illegal migrants were the victims, the RAB prepared a Later, 20 more illegal mi- “A syndicate of brokers entic- there, he would board a boat Colombo houses under the ministry Arescued at Shah Amanat list of 30 brokers. Of them, two grants, who were supposed to es poor and unemployed people to Italy. programme. International Airport in south- are now in Libya while the rest take the second fl ight, were res- with promises of lucrative jobs Hedyat Ullah, a tea stall owner The Sri Lankan govern- eastern port city as the Rapid are in Bangladesh. cued. In the meantime, brokers abroad. They pledge the victims and father of three children, he Sri Lankan govern- ment of under the leader- Action Battalion (RAB) detained Speaking at a press confer- informed 70 more passengers to take them to Libya without wanted to go to Libya to boost his ment has said 30 Sri ship of President Maithripala them from fl ying. ence RAB commanding of- of that fl ight not to come to the spending money beforehand. earnings. He said he met a mid- TLankan refugees in Sirisena has initiated action However, 21 left for the war- fi cer Colonel Miftah Uddin airport, said Miftah. But once the victims reach Lib- dleman who already sent some south India will return home to encourage the voluntary torn North African country on Ahmed said they received According to him, the illegal ya, they torture the victims and local people to Libya. He didn’t this week. refugee returnee programme an Air Arabia fl ight before the information that 130 ille- migrants were supposed to be inform their family members see any risk in the process as he The ministry of prison re- on a phase-out basis and the security team launched the drive gal migrants would take two taken to Dubai fi rst. From there, over the phone about their suf- would not have to pay the broker forms, rehabilitation, reset- government said the current at the airport. Air Arabia fl ights to Libya at they would be fl own to Libya via fering for realising money,” he beforehand. tlement and religious aff airs trend of increased refugee Most of the rescued men are 10:10am and 12:30pm. Turkey. added. The RAB offi cial said they said the refugees will return returnees is a sign of recon- from diff erent districts of Sylhet The RAB team rescued 19 ille- The RAB suspects many of the Husain Ahammed, 19, of would hand over the rescued as part of a voluntary repa- ciliation and moving towards and Dhaka divisions. gal migrants who would take the victims travelled on fake visas. Biswanath sub-district in Sylhet victims to police and fi le a case triation programme assisted permanent peace. Some of them told news- fi rst fl ight. It found that some of their visas district, said many men from his against the 30 middlemen. by the UN refugees agency, men that they wanted to go to “However, 21 managed to fl y have already expired while those area went to Italy via Libya in last Bangladesh has already re- UNHCR, Xinhua news agency Since 2011, 5,110 Italy via Libya for jobs under as they boarded the fl ight be- of few others would expire in a fi ve to six months. stricted travel to strife-torn reported. refugees (1,863 families) contracts with some middle- fore the RAB team reached the day. Even photocopies of some He became interested in go- Libya. V Sivagnanasothy, secre- have returned to Sri tary of the ministry of prison Lanka. Over 100,000 reforms, rehabilitation, reset- refugees are currently tlement and religious aff airs, in India said the UN High Commis- sioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Lankan president vows will provide free air tickets, to work closer with UN: Sri Prachanda to meet Chinese reintegration allowance of $75 Lankan President Maithri- per person, transport allow- pala Sirisena yesterday con- ance $19 and monitory non- gratulated new UN Secretary- food grant of $75 per family. General Antonio Guterres and Since 2011, the ministry assured that Sri Lanka would president at Brics summit said, 5,110 refugees (1,863 continue its close families) have returned to Sri engagements with the UN. Lanka. Over 100,000 refugees In a letter sent to Guterres, IANS zil, Russia, India, China and PM Prachanda will invite him to travelled to Bangladesh on Friday. are currently in India. Sirisena said that Sri Lanka Kathmandu South Africa - are meeting in visit Nepal at the earliest possi- Since assuming offi ce in Au- Minister Swaminathan ini- had been an active member of Goa for their eighth annual ble date,” Mahat told reporters. gust, Prachanda has laid stress tiated a Cabinet paper based the United Nations for more gathering, after India assumed “Besides, the meeting will also on cordial relations with both Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal on which livelihood assistance than six decades and since the epali Prime Minister the chair of the bloc early this dwell on bilateral assistance and neighbouring countries and Prachanda to refugee returnees is pro- January presidential election Pushpa Kamal Dahal year. cooperation and implementa- maintain high-level exchanges, vided to support the livelihood in 2015, he had taken every NPrachanda yesterday Prachanda is scheduled to tion of the past agreements.” as part of which he visited In- between the two countries are activities. endeavor to renew and restore left for Goa to participate in the meet Chinese President Xi Jin- Earlier there were talks about dia on September 15-18 and In- important,” said Mahat. The provision of dry ra- the country’s meaningful Brics-Bimstec outreach summit ping on the sidelines of the Xi’s visit to Nepal either on his dian President Pranab Mukher- “The summit is expected to tion to them has already been engagement with the UN. to be held from October 15 to 16. summit. way to Goa or while returning jee is arriving in Nepal on provide an important platform approved for six months. “As such, our relations are This is Prachanda’s second The meeting between Prach- from the Brics Summit. How- November 2. to explore areas of partnership The ministry has instructed strengthened and there is visit to India after becoming the anda and Xi will focus on fi xing ever, there was no confi rmation From the northern neighbour, between the two dynamic groups offi cials to provide compen- much understanding and pro- prime minister on August 4 this the latter’s visit to Nepal and im- to this eff ect from either side. Jiang Zemin was the last Chinese of countries,” he added. sation for those who have ductive cooperation between year. He had visited New Delhi plementation of the agreements It was believed that Xi would president to visit Nepal in De- India will also host leaders of lost their houses and suff ered the UN and Sri Lanka. I look in September at the invitation of reached between the two coun- visit Nepal while visiting Cam- cember 1996. Chinese Premier neighbouring Bangladesh, My- loss of family members and forward to continued engage- Prime Minister Narendra Modi. tries, Minister for Foreign Aff airs bodia and Bangladesh. The Chi- Wen Jiabao had briefl y visited anmar, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka injuries. ment of this relationship dur- Heads of state and govern- Prakash Sharan Mahat said. nese president, however, left Nepal in January 2012. and Thailand for the Brics- Sivagnanasothy said ing your tenure as secretary- ment of fi ve Brics nations - Bra- “During his meeting with Xi, for Cambodia on Thursday and “High-level exchanges Bimstec outreach summit. the refugees who lost their general,” Sirisena said. Bangladesh, China fi rms ink $13.6bn deals

AFP “The agreements send a Dhaka positive signal to the rest of the world that Bangladesh is a safe haven as an investment desti- angladeshi and Chinese nation. The Chinese investors fi rms have signed $13.6bn are satisfi ed with the security Bin trade and investment situation here,” he added. deals on the sidelines of Presi- The deals were signed af- dent Xi Jinping’s brief tour to ter the FBCCI, Bangladesh’s the South Asian nation, a trade top trade and business lobbyist group offi cial said yesterday. group, and the China Council Zhang Dejiang, right, chairman of the standing committee of the The deals are in addition to for Promotion of International National People’s Congress (NPC), holding hands with Sri Lankan $20bn in loan agreements that the Trade (CCPIT) organised a two- parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya in Beijing yesterday. two governments signed on Fri- day tete-e-tete between busi- day, in a mark of Beijing’s growing ness offi cials of both nations on ties with Dhaka, which is a very the sidelines of Xi’s tour. close ally of regional power India. “We will invest in investment “These trade and invest- parks. There are many entre- Lanka, China vow to ment deals are between Chinese preneurs in our delegation who companies including some of want to invest in this country,” their state fi rms and Bangladesh CCPIT vice-chairman Chen boost legislative ties private sector. They are worth Zhou said, according to local Chinese President Xi Jinping, second right, and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attend an inau- $13.6bn,” Abdul Matlub Ahmad, news portal bdnews24.com. guration for co-operative projects between the two countries after their talks in Dhaka. head of the Federation of Bang- Chinese investors were con- IANS each other on issues regard- ladesh Chambers of Commerce sidering investing in infrastruc- labour than they can fi nd at home. access for its products in the Chi- tend a Brics summit of leading Beijing ing core interests and major and Industry (FBCCI), said. tural development, leather, As a mark of their deepening nese market, the world’s second emerging nations. concerns. Ahmad said the deals re- readymade garments, pharma- economic ties, the two nations on largest economy. His visit was the fi rst in more Both sides need to provide fl ect Dhaka’s improving secu- ceuticals, automobile and other Friday also signed an agreement Trade between the two nations than three decades by a Chinese hinese top legislator stable legal and policy envi- rity situation after Bangladesh sectors. to conduct a feasibility study on is currently heavily skewed in president to Bangladesh, which Zhang Dejiang held talks ronment to support economic launched a deadly crackdown Bangladesh has already agreed a China-Bangladesh free trade China’s favour with Bangladesh lies fi rmly within New Delhi’s Cwith Sri Lankan parlia- cooperation and personnel on Islamist extremists following to set up an industrial park ex- agreement. exporting goods worth only about sphere of infl uence. ment Speaker Karu Jayasuriya exchanges and help speed up an attack on a posh restaurant in clusively for Chinese investors Dhaka has been so far reluc- $808m last year while its imports Xi hailed what he called a “his- on Friday, calling for enhanced negotiation of the China-Sri the capital in which suspected near the strategic port of Chit- tant to sign a bilateral FTA with from China stood at $9.64bn. torical turning point” in relations parliamentary cooperation Lanka free-trade agreement, militants killed 22, mostly for- tagong hoping it will attract China and instead sought uni- Xi concluded his visit yes- with Bangladesh after talks with between the two countries. Zhang said. eign hostages. manufacturers seeking cheaper lateral duty-free and quota-free terday, fl ying to India to at- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Zhang, chairman of the He also encouraged the two Standing Committee of the countries to exchange govern- National People’s Congress ance experience and cooperate (NPC), hailed the profound at various levels. friendship between China Jayasuriya, who is leading a del- and Sri Lanka, saying the Sri egation to China at the invitation Hasina hails Bob Dylan for support in 1971 Lankan leaders’ visits to China of Zhang, said it is the common showed that the new govern- aspiration of all parties in Sri Lan- ment is committed to devel- ka to develop mutually benefi cial By Mizan Rahman contributions to Bangladesh’s Later Ravi Shankar told a it was one of the most moving oping bilateral ties, Xinhua co-operation with China. Dhaka independence war as he per- newspaper that it was early in and intense musical experiences reports. He said the members of the formed in a concert organised April 1971 that news reached him of the century. Sri Lankan President delegation, consisting of sev- by George Harrison and sitar of an unfolding humanitarian “Again and again I am asked Maithripala Sirisena vis- eral important leaders of major rime Minister Sheikh Hasi- maestro Ravi Shankar at New crisis in his homeland of Bengal. which concerts stand out in my Bob Dylan ited China in March 2015 and Sri Lankan political parties, are na has congratulated Amer- York’s Madison Square Garden “My heart went out to the memory, and it is very diffi cult to Prime Minister Ranil Wick- eager to understand and learn Pican music legend Bob Dy- on August 1, 1971 aimed at rais- Bengali speaking people of remember all the prominent ones joined by other eminent musi- remesinghe visited China in from China through the visit. lan on his winning the prestigious ing money, medicine and sup- Bangladesh and it was natural for as my career spans over seventy- cians including Bob Dylan, Eric April this year. The Sri Lankan parliament Nobel Literature Prize. plies for the displaced refugees me to reach out and want to help fi ve years of performances; but Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Pres- Speaking highly of the is ready to further cooperation Dylan, 75, was honoured and drawing global attention to the refugees and the hundreds of the Concert for Bangladesh was ton and Leon Russell. George sound relations between the with China’s NPC, he added. “for having created new po- the ravaging war. thousands of little children. very signifi cant to me as the con- closed the concert with “Bangla two legislative bodies, Zhang China’s top political adviser etic expressions within the The two concerts - one in the “I expressed my concern to ception of the idea came from me Desh,” the special song he wrote said he hopes the two sides Yu Zhengsheng also met with great American song tradition,” afternoon and another in the George Harrison. He knew about and the people needing aid were for the occasion. can expand exchanges and Jayasuriya. the Swedish Academy said on evening - were played to over the turmoil of my mind and a very close to my heart; some of As a result, overnight the co-operation. He said the Chinese Peo- Thursday. 40,000 people and featured the concert to raise funds was initi- them, of course, being distantly name of the country Bangladesh He called on both sides to ple’s Political Consultative In a congratulatory message, the all-star cast of George Harrison, ated. An enormous amount of related to me,” he said. came to be known all over the implement the consensus Conference hopes to expand prime minister recalled Bob Dy- Eric Clapton, Ravi Shankar, Leon money was collected and this Ali Akbar Khan and Alla Rakha world. Millions of dollars were reached by the two countries’ exchanges with Sri Lanka lan’s unequivocal support to Bang- Russell, Ringo Starr, Billy Pres- could never have been achieved joined Ravi Shankar on stage for raised and given to Unicef which presidents, strengthen politi- at various levels and share ladesh’s War of Liberation in 1971. ton, Ali Akbar Khan, Alla Rakha, without the help of dear George. the fi rst half and George Har- distributed milk, blankets and cal mutual trust and support governance experience. Bob Dylan made outstanding Klaus Voorman, and Badfi nger. What happened is now history: rison played the second half, clothes to refugees. Gulf Times 30 Sunday, October 16, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: Help transform schools C P Ravindran

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar into modern learning hubs [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), With 260mn children supports will have to prove their spur further innovations across the sector donors can make resources more scalability and share the goal of education sector. Reformers should consistently available for displaced 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) not in school worldwide, providing universal education, for the take a lesson from Sir Ronald Cohen’s people. Every time there is war or a Fax 44350474 fi rst time, to an entire generation of pioneering work in social-impact natural disaster, the international education needs more young people. investing. And, indeed, the Catalyst community passes the hat for champions to match the With 260mn children not in school Trust is already exploring how best donations to fi nance UN peacekeepers worldwide, education needs more to measure outcomes in developing or World Bank development grants. enthusiasm of advocates champions to match the enthusiasm countries’ school-assessment systems, But education for displaced people in, say, the global-health of advocates in, say, the global-health and determining which metrics are is lost in this framework between and environmental movements. most relevant to unique educational humanitarian aid, which focuses on GULF TIMES and environmental There is more room for innovation environments. A team of New York immediate needs such as food and movements in education than in any other University professors – building on shelter, and development aid, which international-development sector, previous fi ndings from Unesco and the targets longer-term projects. The especially as digital technologies and Brookings Institution – will work with Catalyst Trust hopes to help shape a By Gordon Brown the Internet become more accessible a global network of researchers at local better system that delivers emergency Balancing oil market even in the world’s poorest regions. universities in several countries to aid more eff ectively and accounts for London The education sector has so examine the most appropriate methods neglected needs like education. far been too slow to adapt to our for evaluating success and failure in There are many worthy projects essential for global n estimated quarter-million changing world. Despite momentous education systems worldwide. that deserve consideration by young people in Syria are technological advances, classrooms organisations such as Catalyst. One missing out on college as – unlike workplaces or homes – have The education sector example is a pilot that would help economic stability Aa result of the civil war remained largely unchanged since the the two million students who are there. Now, thanks to the Institute of nineteenth century. It is past time for has so far been too blind or visually impaired, and whose International Education, charities, reforms that empower teachers and educational needs have long been Eff orts aimed at bringing crude exporters within and philanthropists and foundations have transform schools into twenty-fi rst- slow to adapt to our neglected. With new technology, we outside of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting united to help refugee students fi nd century learning hubs. can now leapfrog the 150-year-old higher-education opportunities, and In recent years, private-sector changing world braille system and instantly render Countries (Opec) together will go a long way in balancing to provide safe havens for lecturers and funding options – such as venture text into audio recordings, making the oil market, which is essential for global economic professors persecuted by the Syrian capital, targeted-investment funds, In another eff ort, the Catalyst Trust all types of learning materials stability. regime. and new asset classes – have opened is looking at pilot projects in human- accessible to the visually impaired. Oil prices have dropped sharply since mid-2014, forcing The Platform for Education in up countless new opportunities for rights education across Eastern This technology is ready to be Emergencies Response (PEER) will education-sector social entrepreneurs. Europe, the Middle East, Africa and deployed so long as we can muster producers and companies alike to shelve projects and connect college-ready Syrian refugees However, as with technology, the the United States to determine how the resources to train teachers and cut oil investments, raising worries over a future supply with refugee-ready colleges. In time, public and nonprofi t sectors have school curricula can best cultivate visually impaired students to use the shock that could lead to a spike in prices. PEER will serve as a conduit to higher been slow to keep up; both still inter-faith understanding. It is time new tools. education for displaced students need to recognise the value of social to counter the extreme idea, currently For anyone who cares about Five members of the Opec and two non-Opec countries worldwide, and it will cater to all enterprises focused on education. popular in Western politics, that education, our task is clear: to held “constructive” informal consultations on the education levels, by providing web- This gap point to a unique coexistence is impossible. Schools furnish millions of poor people, sidelines of the 23rd World Energy Congress (WEC) based information, points of contact, opportunity to realise social are the fi rst places where we can especially in the remotest parts of and much-needed counselling and enterprise’s underappreciated and should be promoting inclusive the world, with the innovations in Istanbul recently, according to the Vienna-based support. potential. To grasp this citizenship. they need to transform and improve organisation. PEER is one project the Catalyst opportunity, we should first A curriculum fostering inclusion their lives through learning. As the Opec Conference President and HE the Minister of Trust for Universal Education – an acknowledge that too many ideas must go beyond optimistic appeals to Catalyst Trust intends to show, a Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada had education charity founded by former emanating from the nonprofit universal religious dictums such as little social enterprise goes a long New York University president John sector are stillborn or unfeasible, “love thy neighbor” and the Golden way.— Project Syndicate said in the statement on Opec’s 170th (extraordinary) Sexton – is now supporting. The often for lack of finance. So we Rule. To that end, the Catalyst Trust meeting in the Algerian capital on September 28 that an Catalyst Trust is also looking at should do more to provide seed hopes to support the development of z Gordon Brown, former prime minister oil production target for the organisation’s 14 member projects to rethink school auditing, capital for education start-ups curricula that teach pupils the value and chancellor of the exchequer of the spur social-impact investing in the like Catalyst, which can then of diversity for strengthening social United Kingdom, is United Nations countries would range between 32.5 and 33mn barrels per education sector, and introduce help to scale up successful pilot cohesion and harmony. special envoy for global education and day (mbpd). curricula to encourage inter-faith programmes. In its eff ort to help refugee students, chair of the International Commission Obviously, this will accelerate the drawdown of the coexistence. This strategy will create a virtuous the Catalyst Trust is examining how on Financing Global Education existing substantial overhang in global oil stocks and Any projects the Catalyst Trust cycle whereby initial innovations companies, foundations and public- Opportunity. bring the rebalancing of the oil market forward. According to the Opec statement, the recent meeting in Istanbul was a follow-up to that landmark agreement. Opec’s Algiers agreement is due “The group is more to be discussed serious now about further at the 171st meeting of Opec in managing the Vienna scheduled for global supply glut November 30. Opec offi cials seem and propping up to be embarking on a prices” fl urry of meetings to nail down details of an agreement reached in Algiers last month on modest oil output cuts, the fi rst such deal since 2008. “The chain of meetings, starting in Istanbul, signal that unlike in the fi rst half of 2016, the group is more serious now about managing the global supply glut and propping up prices,” a Reuters’ dispatch showed. Oil prices have trended higher since September 27, with Brent gaining about 13% and hitting one year highs above $53, after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced its fi rst planned output cut in almost eight years. The region’s largest fi nancial institution, Qatar’s QNB expects rebalancing in the oil market to continue, driven mostly by demand growth, notwithstanding moderately higher supply from the world’s major producers. A Syrian refugee child looks on, moments after arriving on a raft with other refugees on a beach on the Greek island of Lesbos earlier this year. Therefore, QNB expects oil prices to average $55 a barrel in 2017 and to continue converging towards $60 over the medium term. Also, QNB maintains its forecast that oil prices will average $45 this year, before rising to $55 in 2017 and $58 in 2018. Increased spending in the oil and gas sector is likely in EU leaders to grapple key issues at summit the coming years in view of a better price outlook, BMI Research points out. By Helen Maguire Brexit is no Brexit,” said Tusk, who will to redistribute asylum seekers from 2014 annexation of Crimea and the The Fitch Group company sees a 2.5%-7.5% increase in DPA/Brussels be chairing the EU summit on Thurs- countries facing undue migration crisis in eastern Ukraine. capital expenditure (capex) in the global energy industry day and Friday. pressures, with Slovakia leading the Recent steps towards a possible thaw European Commission President call for a more “fl exible” approach, in relations - including growing calls this year and in 2017 depending on the speed of price U leaders will grapple next Jean-Claude Juncker is due to meet although it has not provided details. for an easing of economic sanctions recovery and rates of asset divestment. It forecasts a week with the biggest British Prime Minister Theresa May on The issue has irked Italian Prime on Moscow - have taken a blow due to further rise of at least 7% in 2018. challenges within their the sidelines of the Brussels talks, but Minister Renzi, whose country is fi rst Russia’s involvement in an intense air bloc and on its doorstep, it is unclear what they might discuss. in line for migrants crossing the Medi- campaign by the Syrian government As such, 2017 looks to be a good year in which to take E at a summit due to focus on Brexit, The bloc has refused to negotiate terranean Sea. against rebels in the city of Aleppo. advantage of maximum cost defl ation and negotiate the migration, relations with Russia and before London triggers the EU’s exit More than 630 civilians have died in most competitive service costs for new developments. the worsening situation in Syria. clause. “The only real alterna- the siege, according to a British-based Therefore, more major projects are expected to be Britain’s decision by referendum in With May having set herself an rights group, while up to 300,000 June to leave the European Union has end-of-March deadline to invoke the tive to a ‘hard’ Brexit is people are thought to be trapped in the sanctioned in 2017. triggered a process of soul-searching so-called Article 50, the EU has plenty city. Many fear a new wave of migra- among the 27 other member states, of self-improvement to work on in the no Brexit” tion if Aleppo falls. who have been hardening their stance meantime. EU diplomats say there is not To Advertise towards London ahead of the formal Migration is seen as one of the big- He has just proposed a tough stance enough support around the table at divorce proceedings, expected to begin gest sources of discontent among EU against member states that are “dodg- present for Russia to be sanctioned [email protected] early next year. citizens, after the bloc experienced an ing their commitments” when it comes over its role in Syria. But it now looks Display “Brexit will be a loss for all of us,” infl ux of more than 1mn migrants and to future EU budget allocations. likely that the economic measures European Council President Donald asylum seekers last year. Last year’s migration fl ows were imposed due to the Ukraine crisis will Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Tusk said on Thursday at a think-tank EU leaders are expected to discuss fed to a large extent by the confl ict in be renewed in January, they note. Classified event.”There will be no cakes on the eff orts to better secure the bloc’s ex- Syria, which has taken a turn for the By Thursday however, the diplo- table. For anyone. There will be only ternal borders, clamp down on people worse since the collapse last month matic landscape could have changed Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 salt and vinegar.” who have no right to stay in Europe of a ceasefi re brokered by the United following a week of intense diplomacy. Subscription He warned London that it would and overhaul asylum laws to prevent States and Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lav- [email protected] not be able to retain access to the EU’s single countries from being overbur- The issue is expected to come up rov and his US counterpart John Kerry single market if the government con- dened - with the third issue proving during the leaders’ dinner talks on yesterday held new talks on Syria while tinues to prioritise curbing Europeans’ the toughest. Thursday, alongside a broader discus- eff orts are underway for a meeting in 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved access to Britain’s labour market. Central and Eastern EU states in sion on the EU’s relationship with Rus- Berlin next week among the leaders of “The only real alternative to a ‘hard’ particular have opposed a scheme sia, which has soured over Moscow’s Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany. Gulf Times Sunday, October 16, 2016 31 Weather report QATAR Three-day forecast TODAY High: 36 C Low : 25 C Hazy to misty/ Foggy at places specially to the north areas at first becomes relatively hot daytime with slight dust at times.

MONDAY High: 33 C Low: 25 C Volunteer positions Sunny

TUESDAY High: 32 C Low: 24 C up for grabs at Ajyal Sunny Fishermen’s forecast

OFFSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15/18 KT Waves: 2-4/5 Feet INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 05-15 KT Youth Film Festival Waves: 1-2 Feet Around the region All volunteers will receive a Weather Weather participation certificate today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi Sunny 34/24 Sunny 36/25 he Ajyal Youth Film Festival has Baghdad Sunny 34/17 Sunny 36/18 called for 400 volunteers to be Dubai Sunny 33/26 Sunny 36/26 Kuwait City involved in and contribute to Sunny 38/21 Sunny 37/21 T Manama Sunny 35/26 Sunny 34/24 the fourth edition of the annual com- Muscat Sunny 31/26 Sunny 31/25 munity event, presented by Doha Film Riyadh Sunny 36/20 Sunny 35/19 Institute (DFI). Tehran Sunny 26/13 Sunny 26/13 The festival, taking place this year from November 30 to December 5, will provide volunteers with an opportu- nity to go behind the scenes of the cul- tural event designed to inform and en- tertain all members of the community. “In addition to opening doors to the excitement associated with the festival that welcomes guests from around the world, the volunteering opportunity enables participants to learn the di- verse operations associated with host- ing Qatar’s highlight cultural event and gain valuable professional experience,” DFI said in a press statement. All volunteers will receive a partici- pation certifi cate. Candidates aged 18 and above can register their interest for volunteering on DFI’s website, www. dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/ volunteer, until positions are fi lled. The festival takes place from November 30 to December 5. Every year, a similar number of people Around the world in Qatar volunteer their time and eff orts unteers have played a signifi cant role Volunteers will support festival The six-day Ajyal Youth Film Fes- Weather Weather for the festival in a strong demonstration in the success of the past three edi- events to be held at Katara – the Cul- tival brings generations together today Max/min tomorrow Max/min of community spirit. They will have the tions of the festival. Working on vari- tural Village and other Ajyal-related (“ajyal” is Arabic for “generations”) Athens M Sunny 27/16 P Cloudy 23/13 opportunity to work across key festival ous aspects, they ensured the seamless activities across other venues, and will through activities and events designed Beirut Sunny 29/21 Sunny 28/20 departments, including theatre opera- conduct of the festival and are indeed serve as ambassadors of the festival to inspire creative interaction among Bangkok T Storms 32/26 T Storms 31/25 Berlin Cloudy 13/07 P Cloudy 14/08 tions, the Ajyal Jury, red carpet manage- our true heroes. Their self-less service and Doha. They will gain hands-on various sectors of the community. Cairo Sunny 31/20 P Cloudy 31/19 ment, transportation, marketing, guest is a strong demonstration of the com- experience on the working of an inter- A highlight is the Ajyal Competition Cape Town S Showers 21/13 Cloudy 22/13 registration and accreditation, guest munity spirit that Ajyal fosters. We are national event, interact with festival with fi lm entries in three segments eval- Colombo S T Storms 30/25 S T Storms 30/25 relations and hospitality department, looking forward to the participation of guests and jurors and gain industry uated by young jurors aged eight to 21 Dhaka Sunny 32/24 Sunny 33/25 among others. an enthusiastic team of volunteers this experience at the festival, designed to years. The festival presents daily public Hong Kong M Sunny 32/26 Showers 29/26 Istanbul M Sunny 21/14 S Showers 18/13 Fatma al-Remaihi, festival director year again to put together one of the empower the region’s youth and in- screenings, special presentations, Cin- Jakarta M Cloudy 31/24 P Cloudy 32/25 and CEO of DFI, said: “The enthusi- most magical events on the city’s so- spire fi lm enthusiasts of all ages in Qa- ema Under the Stars, school screenings Karachi P Cloudy 33/24 Sunny 33/24 astic and committed eff orts of our vol- cial calendar.” tar and the region. and Family Weekend activities. Gulf Times 32 Sunday, October 16, 2016 QATAR Exhibition set to display works of top Iraqi artist atar Museums (QM) will open a major exhibition by internationally acclaimed QIraqi artist Dia al-Azzawi in Doha today. Officials at the agreement-signing ceremony. Taking place simultaneously at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and QM Gallery Al Ri- waq for the fi rst time, the exhibition will cover 9,000sqm and include over 500 works. The exhibition, titled “I am the cry, who will give voice to me? Dia al-Azzawi: A Retrospective Katara in pact with (from 1963 until tomorrow)”, opens at Mathaf to- day and at QM Gallery Al Riwaq tomorrow. It will run until April 16, 2017. Presented by Qatar Museums under the lead- ership of its chairperson, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa Arab World Institute bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the exhibition is “unprecedented in its scale and content, re- fl ecting the long and distinguished career of al- atara - the Cultural Vil- tablishment of a permanent and a centre of arts, theatre, Azzawi”, QM has said in a press statement. lage Foundation recently and systematic relationship literature and music, make us Curated by Catherine David, deputy director Ksigned a co-operation that will strengthen the role of more committed than ever to at Centre Pompidou in Paris, the show examines agreement with the Arab World Katara in enriching the cultural contribute to the creation of the artist’s career, starting as an art student in Institute, Paris. arena in Qatar, the Gulf region knowledgeable generations, Iraq in the 1960s. The pact was inked in the and France. The agreement in equipped with the best educa- Works spanning 50 years across a range of me- presence of Katara general line with our strategic objec- tion, and who are familiar with dia will be featured, including painting, sculp- manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim tives, aspiring to promote cul- various cultures across the ture, drawing, print and artist books, incorpo- al-Sulaiti and the Institute’s ture in all its forms and make it world,” he noted. rating original and limited editions of artworks general director, Mojeb al-Za- a bridge that links people and Dr al-Sulaiti noted that the on view for the fi rst time. hrani. goes beyond local and regional co-operation agreement would Abdellah Karroum, director of Mathaf, said: The agreement is in line with boundaries.” help develop “cultural, cogni- “With Dia al-Azzawi’s retrospective, Mathaf is Katara’s “keenness to build He stressed that Katara tive co-operation”. continuing the museum’s mission of revisiting partnerships with regional, was eyeing the “creation of a In addition, it will be a gate- art histories and narratives that redefi ne the re- international and cultural in- healthy environment for arts way for exchanging experi- gion.” stitutes, contributing to a sus- and culture communities in ences and critical information Spanning two venues across Doha, the retro- tained relationship that will Qatar to fl ourish in, where na- through the launch of initia- spective aims to map an itinerary of modernism contribute to strengthening its tional talent is nurtured, sup- tives and programmes. and profi les the practice of the Iraqi artist. cultural role in Qatar”, accord- ported and celebrated, in line On his part, al-Zahrani said: The retrospective is organised in two parts, ing to a press statement from with the State’s master de- “I’m thrilled and optimistic as with each tracing a trajectory of the artist’s prac- the Cultural Village Founda- velopment plan that targets this is the fi rst agreement we tice. As part of the exhibition, collectors’ items tion. progress across all fi elds”. have signed with Katara. The inspired by al-Azzawi’s collection will be on sale On the occasion, Dr al-Su- “Katara’s ongoing eff orts Arab World Institute in Paris in QM retail outlets across Qatar. Saleh Al Ha- laiti said: “The importance of to become a global cultural was established to support cul- mad Al Mana Co is the offi cial sponsor of the ex- this co-operation lies in the powerhouse, a platform for tural exchange between France hibition. For more information on the exhibition, contribution made to the es- intellectuals and creativity and the Arab world.” visit http://www.qm.org.qa/en Gilgamesh_1966