QATAR | Page 27 SPORT | Page 1 Biggest win of career for

INDEX Qatar’s Adel DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-9, 27 COMMENT 26 Dhow festival off ers REGION 10 BUSINESS 1–6, 17-20 ‘loads of action in Jeddah 18,853.00 9,774.98 45.69 ARAB WORLD 10–12 CLASSIFIED 7-16 -16.00 +33.27 +0.27 INTERNATIONAL 13–25 SPORTS 1 – 12 and excitement’ -0.08% +0.34% +0.59% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10278 November 20, 2016 Safar 20, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Rota raises millions for education In brief projects at Gala Dinner auction

During the event, HE Sheikha QATAR | Talks Al Mayassa presented Rota’s Meeting discusses “Lifetime Achievement in 2016” award to Palestinian teacher bilateral relations Ahmed Sawafiri in recognition of HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs his achievements and his work in Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman the educational field al-Thani yesterday met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, By Joseph Varghese who is visiting Qatar. During the Staff Reporter meeting, the two sides discussed relations between the two countries and ways of developing each Out To Asia (Rota) raised and enhancing co-operation, in over $15.22mn for its education addition to a number of regional Rprojects in Asia and the Middle and international issues of common East at an auction held during its sixth interest. HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Gala Dinner, organised under the pa- Abdulrahman expressed Qatar’s tronage of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim desire to strengthen and develop bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday. relations with France in various Details of the fi nal proceeds from the fields. event were still awaited at the time of going to press. YEMEN | War Held at the Al Shaqab Indoor Arena of Qatar Foundation for Education, Pro-govt forces accuse Science and Community Development rebels of violating truce (QF), the event was attended by HH the Forces aligned to Yemen’s Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa government yesterday accused al-Thani; HH Sheikha Moza bint Nass- Houthi rebels of violating a er, chairperson, QF; HE Sheikha Al Ma- temporary truce hours after it yassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, went into eff ect in the country. chairperson, Rota; Prince Alwaleed bin Pro-government troops in northern Talal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, in addi- Yemen accused the rebels of 17 tion to a number of their excellencies breaches of the ceasefire, while an sheikhs and several other dignitaries anti-Houthi commander in central from Qatar and the wider Arab region. Yemen said that the rebels shelled The event was held under the theme residential areas in the flashpoint city “Team up today, Shape up tomorrow”. of Taiz. Meanwhile, a Saudi soldier Rota is marking its 10th anniversary. has been killed by a missile fired by Speaking at the event, HE Sheikha Al Yemeni rebels across the border Mayassa said: “Today we live in a period HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin into the kingdom’s southern Asir of time when many countries are expe- Abdulaziz al-Saud and other dignitaries during yesterday’s sixth Rota Gala Dinner at the Al Shaqab Indoor Arena. PICTURES: AR al-Baker/HHOPL province. Page 10 riencing disputes and confl icts, which have deprived children and young peo- ARAB WORLD | Assault ple of one of the most important rights to life, namely education. UN ‘appalled’ “So, it was our goal in Rota to get ed- by Syria violence ucation to these children in their coun- Top UN off icials said yesterday tries torn by confl icts, and we were able they were “appalled” by escalating - by the grace of God and the support of violence in Syria, and urged donors - to launch several educational immediate access to Aleppo, where projects in order to serve the children government forces are waging a and youth of those areas. ferocious assault to retake rebel- “We defend the right of children to held districts. “The United Nations get education, and also believe in the is extremely saddened and appalled right of young people to participate in by the recent escalation in fighting the decisions that shape the future of in several parts of Syria,” the UN’s their communities. That is why Rota humanitarian co-ordinator for has launched several initiatives to em- Syria Ali al-Za’atari and regional power young people at the local, re- humanitarian coordinator Kevin gional and international levels.” Kennedy said. Page 11 She also said Rota’s eff orts were a way to express Qatar’s gratitude to ex- patriates of diff erent countries working in Qatar. “A large number of expatriate workers have been involved in con- structing stadiums and other infra- structure for the development of Qatar. HH Sheikh Hamad and HH Sheikha Moza with HE Sheikha Al Mayassa. This is our way of thanking them by providing education to the children and to more than “100,000ft within the Bangladesh (Opportunities for Life empowering the youth in the countries layers of the planet’s atmosphere”. programme), Indonesia (1 in 11 cam- of those workers,” she added. The auction also featured a Patek paign, in partnership with Unicef and During the event, HE Sheikha Al Philippe dome table clock and a Qatari FC Barcelona Foundation) and Yemen Mayassa presented Rota’s “Lifetime Natural Jeewan pearl necklace off ered (Bringing Back Hope), and for Syr- Achievement in 2016” award to Pales- by Al Majed Jewellery; a Hermès men’s ian refugees in Jordan (I Had a Dream), tinian teacher Ahmed Sawafi ri in rec- trunk donated by Wissam al-Mana; Lebanon (Longing to Learn) and Turkey ognition of his achievements and his as well as a 2017 BMW M3 30 Jahre (Project Tomorrow). work in the educational fi eld. Limited Edition donated by Alfardan Proceeds from the fi fth Rota Gala At the Gala Dinner, international Automobiles, in addition to a Louis Dinner held in 2014 were used to sup- auction house Sotheby’s opened bid- Moinet Mecanograph limited-edition port Syrian refugees in Lebanon, youth ding for a number of rare items as well watch. in Nepal and the West Bank, and to re- as a special trip for two to the edge of The proceeds will fund existing and habilitate schools in Tunisia, the offi - HH Sheikh Hamad and HH Sheikha Moza with Palestinian teacher Ahmed Sawafiri, space on an aircraft that will take them future Rota education initiatives in cial Qatar News Agency reported. who was honoured with Rota’s “Lifetime Achievement in 2016” award. Tailgating remains a growing concern among motorists

hile tailgating remains a swerving and distracted driving. ing behaviour that are often linked to the roads (74%). The trend for abrupt try (Ministry of Interior) for improving culture of road safety in Qatar. “This growing concern among mo- The highlights of the survey over the the cause of accidents in Qatar. The changing of lanes too seems to have road safety in the State of Qatar. We are means working collaboratively across Wtorists, the overall driving last six months were presented yester- fi ndings of the survey are based on the dropped to 70% as stated by the re- proud to be associated with this unique, all elements of the road transport sys- perception has improved in Qatar, a re- day by QIC Insured, which commis- views of a representative sample of the spondents of the survey. However, the long-term perception study, as it dem- tem and recognising that everybody has cent study has found. sioned the bi-annual study. residents of Qatar. perception trend for tailgating appears onstrates the eff orts of QIC Insured to a role to play in improving road safety. According to the fi ndings of Qatar Though there are several fi elds which A large majority of the respondents unchanged over the last six months actively support the creation of safer It would also lay the foundations for Road Safety Monitor, a unique per- require amelioration, the overall posi- (68%) said road infrastructure has im- (76%). roads, in line with Qatar’s National a safe road transport system that will ception study of driving behaviour tive perception trends of driving in Qa- proved over the last six months, lead- Commenting on the fi ndings of the Road Safety Strategy and Qatar Na- benefi t future generations.” in Qatar, positive observation trends tar outweigh the negative ones in the ing to shorter commute time (67%) and survey, deputy group president & CEO- tional Vision 2030.” The details of Qatar Road Safety include improved road infrastruc- most recent study conducted by Qatar more driving enjoyment (38%). QIC Mena, Salem al-Mannai, said: “It According to him, while the observed Monitor can be found in the “featured” ture, lesser commute time and more Road Safety Monitor. Dangerous driving has reduced over is indeed encouraging to observe that trends are mainly positive, further ef- section on: http://www.roadsafetyqa- driving enjoyment. Participants who The survey sets out to quantify per- the last six months from 62% to 57%, most of the dimensions included in the forts in education, enforcement and tar.com/statistics/. The study will be responded to the study felt there has ception trends of Qatar’s motorists they said. There has been a marginal survey have developed in the right di- infrastructure improvement are needed repeated every six months with the been some improvement in areas like about infrastructure, overall driving improvement in the trend for dis- rection, which can be attributed to the by all stakeholders, public and private next scheduled release slated for mid dangerous driving, speeding, lane enjoyment, commute time and driv- tracted driving (85%) and speeding on various initiatives taken by the minis- entities and media to inculcate the Q1/2017. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, November 20, 2016 QATAR

Visitors generated QR54.6bn income in 2015: Ministry

he income derived from accounted for 16.2% of all services to ‘non-resi- income through the country’s Tdents’ (visitors) in Qa- exports in 2015, up from 4% tar amounted to QR54.6bn in fi ve years earlier. 2015, up from QR11bn in 2010, Such growth was mainly with an average annual growth driven by the activities of air of 44.9%, offi cial fi gures show. transportation, and Qatar The fi ndings of an analytical Airways in particular, as the report prepared by the Min- country has become a top des- istry of Economy and Com- tination in relation to trans- merce (MEC) on the “Com- border air cargo activities. petitive perspectives of Qatari Qatar’s air transport sector economy and its promising attained sixth place globally in sectors and activities” were 2015, up from the fourth place released yesterday. in 2014 in relation to air cargo. The report showed a “con- This represents a growth of siderable growth” in the role 26% during the period. of service activities in sup- The sector, represented by porting national exports, Qatar Airways, was able to which enhances Qatar’s eco- transport nearly 6mn tonnes nomic growth and the coun- of goods, surpassing even ad- try’s balance of payment with vanced countries such as Brit- the rest of the world. ain, Luxemburg, Holland, and The income from non-resi- France in this regard. dents (visitors to the country) The MEC report said the mainly in transportation and sector would advance further tourism, has “rapidly grown” in the upcoming years with within the last four years, air cargo transportation in the amounting to QR54.6bn last country approaching the level The opened section of the North Canal Crossing bridge at night. Below: A panoramic view of the area where the North Canal Crossing bridge is located. year. of countries such as Germany, In particular, the income Singapore and Japan. from the transportation sec- Besides, Qatar Airways has tor in this category has grown become one of the largest air more than four fold within carriers in terms of the growth the last fi ve years, amounting of the numbers of passen- to QR27bn in 2015, up from gers in the recent years. The around QR6.4bn in 2010. number of passengers carried As for the economic ac- by Qatar Airways registered a North Canal Crossing tivities related to tourism, 10-fold growth in the last 10 the report said income grew years, putting the national air- more than nine fold within line at the 30th place globally, the same period, amounting and 3rd in the Arab region in to QR18.3bn in 2015, and rep- this respect. resenting 33.6% of the total The direct income linked to “services exports” in the same tourism such as restaurants, bridge opened partially year. hotels, commercial outlets and The other services activi- internal transport, amounted he Public Works Author- ing a network of vehicle and ties accounted for 17% of the to QR18.3bn in 2015, which in- ity (Ashghal) has an- Light Rail tunnels, underpasses, income of such sector, it said. dicates an eight-fold increase Tnounced the partial open- fl yovers and junctions, Ashghal Also, “services exports”, compared with QR2.1bn in ing of the North Canal Crossing has explained. tourism and transportation, 2010, the report added. bridge, which is part of the Lu- Six major tunnels at The Pearl sail Expressway Project, to the and Onaiza Interchanges and the public. underpass at Al Wadha are at ad- The newly-opened section vanced stages of structural con- of the bridge is expected to re- struction and utility works. duce travel time to residential Till date, over 3,000,000 cu- Health Ministry holds and commercial developments bic metres of materials have in Legtaifi ya and provide easy been excavated to enable works access to Lusail City and the on these sites. Some 38,000m of awareness lecture northern areas of Qatar, Ashghal telecommunication, water and has said in a press statement. electricity utility network lines The opening took place on have been laid while 513,000 he Ministry of Pub- adopt proper rationalisation Friday after the completion of its cubic metres of concrete and lic Health (MoPH) re- and conservation practices fi rst phase of work. 55,000 cubic metres of rebar Tcently held a lecture for that would further help in Located between Lusail City steel works have been utilised to its senior offi cials and staff as making the campaign a suc- and north of the Pearl Inter- deliver the current state of com- part of eff orts undertaken to cess, and accordingly reduce change currently under con- pletion. spread awareness about the the annual percentage of water struction, the North Canal The “world-class infrastruc- National Programme for Con- and electricity consumption. Crossing bridge will be a 200m- ture” has been designed to meet servation and Energy Effi cien- The lecture was in line with long vital crossing. The opened the future transport needs of Qa- cy (Tarsheed). the MoPH and Kahramaa’s section will provide two lanes tar and all combined, will facili- The awareness lecture keenness to spread awareness in each direction and it forms a tate “faster, safer and seamless was held in co-operation about Tarsheed among diff er- section of the permanent road. traffi c movement of people and with Qatar General Electric- ent segments and sectors of The North Canal Crossing goods”, Ashghal has stressed. ity and Water Corporation the society as possible. bridge upgrade is due to be com- The developments will serve (Kahramaa)’s conservation The prime target of Tar- pleted in the last quarter of 2017, local tourist attractions such as and energy effi ciency depart- sheed is to reduce the capita the statement notes. Katara - The Cultural Village, ment. water and electricity con- Lusail Expressway is one of growing residential communi- The initiative was aimed at sumption by 35% and 20%, the Expressway Programme’s ties such as The Pearl-Qatar, as encouraging the attendants to respectively, by 2017. key projects currently under well as key commercial and dip- construction. It is located to the lomatic areas. Most notably, they north of Doha and will upgrade will provide direct, free-fl owing Recalled washing machine models not locally sold the existing Lusail Street from connection to the rapidly devel- south of the Al Wahda Intersec- oping Lusail City Development. The Ministry of Economy sold in Qatar by Samsung tion (previously known as the Ashghal, the statement and Commerce (MEC) Electronics, the ministry Arch Roundabout) to north of notes, is committed to ensur- has aff irmed that a recall has stressed. the North Canal Crossing. ing the preservation of local campaign involving some The recall initiative in the The project is 5.3km long, marine ecology throughout the models of Samsung US included 34 models of with four lanes in each direc- construction of the North and washing machines over a top-loading machines, based tion. In addition to the up- South Canal Crossings and has manufacturer’s defect is on reports that the appliance graded North and South Canal implemented a monitoring pro- limited to the US. might lose balance, causing Crossings, it will deliver three gramme that uses marine con- Such types and models them to shake so badly major interchanges at Al Wad- servation techniques to regularly of washing machines that the top of the washing ha, The Pearl and Onaiza, each assess environmental conditions have not been imported/ machine could detach. as high as four levels, compris- and sea grass health. Qur’anic Botanic Garden launches contest for students

he Qur’anic Botanic Gar- den (QBG) has launched Ta botanical competition as part of its educational pro- gramme established to teach high school students in Qatar about plant life mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith. The contest forms part of a collaboration between the Qur’anic Botanic Garden and Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Sixteen independent high schools will participate in the competition, which aims to teach students about the plants featured in the Qur’an, Hadith and the ‘Illustrated A group of high school students taking part in QBG’s recently-launched competition. Book of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden’. the competition will be held in tured in the Qur’an and Ha- understand their natural envi- Garden will host a number of to gain a better understanding Community Development, aims School teams comprising four March 2017. dith and promote a spirit of ronment and are committed to workshops to highlight the im- of the scientifi c terms of various to encourage student engage- students each will compete in a Fatima Saleh al-Khulaifi, fair competition among high working towards a sustainable portance of plants. Students will plants. ment and promote a greater league system where they will project manager at QBG, said: school students. QBG strives future.” also attend fi eld visits to Oxygen Through this initiative, QBG, awareness of Qatar’s heritage be required to answer a series “The contest aims to raise to create a generation of green In the lead-up to the com- Park and the Qatar Foundation a member of Qatar Founda- and culture, according to a press of questions. Final rounds of awareness of plant species fea- ambassadors who respect and petition, the Qur’anic Botanic Nursery, which will enable them tion for Education, Science and statement. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 3 QATAR

Qatar, Indonesia sign MoU in judicial fi eld Qatar Chamber offi cials meet QNA Doha Swiss delegation atar and Indonesia signed a memorandum of Qunderstanding (MoU) on QNA tor in development and eco- judicial co-operation following Doha nomic diversifi cation. a meeting between the president It is a favourable opportu- of the Court of Cassation and nity for growth for joint in- chairman of the Supreme Judi- ffi cials at Qatar Cham- vestments between the Qatari cial Council (SJC) Masood Mo- ber of Commerce and businessmen and their Swiss hamed al-Amri and Indonesia’s OIndustry (QCCI) yes- counterparts, he said affi rm- Chief Justice Mohamed Hatta Ali terday discussed with a Swiss ing QCCI’s readiness to pro- in Doha yesterday. business delegation means to vide data and statistics, and to The MoU dealt with co-op- promote trade exchange, es- arrange for business visits. eration in the fi elds of training, pecially in the fi elds of banking Geneva Chamber’s depu- exchange of expertise and con- and healthcare, between the ty director Vincent Subilia sultations on the best practices QCCI and Geneva Chamber. voiced his country’s interest to in litigation management. QCCI vice-chairman Mo- establish investment partner- During the meeting, the two hamed bin Ahmed bin Towar ships between businesses in sides discussed means to pro- said that the Geneva Chamber Qatar and Switzerland. mote co-operation and co-or- encourages the private sectors Geneva is known for being dination between the judicial in both countries to engage in the home to many prestigious authorities in the two countries. eff ective partnerships for the industries such as high-tech The meeting was attended by interest of the two economies, watchmaking as well as heavy Indonesia’s ambassador to Qatar President of the Court of Cassation and chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) Masood Mohamed al-Amri and Indonesia’s Chief especially with the growing mechanical and engineering Mohamed Bassiri Sidihabiy. Justice Mohamed Hatta Ali signing the memorandum of understanding yesterday. role of the Qatari private sec- equipment. Interfaith dialogue Ashghal wins Best Employer award

he Public Works Author- years, making it “a unique place ernment and semi-government ity (Ashghal) has been to work”. agencies and private companies. Thonoured as one of the The winners were selected In a press statement, Ashghal best employers in the Gulf region based on a number of factors, fo- has stressed that it continues in the area of human resources cusing on their commitment to with its eff orts to support dis- (HR) development. a framework that provides a role tinctive and creative workforce The recognition came dur- model for learning and develop- initiatives with regard to attract- ing the third edition of the ment initiatives. The framework ing and retaining employees, and 2016 GCC Best Employer Brand excels in applying recruitment always seeks to be a key player in Awards, which was held in Dubai best practices, training, employ- workforce recruitment in Qatar recently. ee retention and works towards and the GCC. Chairman of Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue Employer Branding Institute continuous innovation. It also Over the past years, the au- (DICID) Dr Ibrahim Saleh al-Nuaimi met the chairman of organised the awards ceremony enables employees to improve thority has “been a career ambi- Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology Mohamed Khan Sheerani in collaboration with CHRO their performance, attract new tion for many professionals and in Doha yesterday. The meeting dealt with the role of dialogue Asia, strategic partner for the employees and ensure retention, engineers because of the author- in promoting Islam. Dr al-Nuaimi made a presentation on event. in line with business growth and ity’s job stability, attractive priv- DICID’s activities. Sheerani stressed the importance of the role The award was received by building a global workforce cul- ileges, employees’ training and of the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue in the Saif Ali al-Kaabi, manager of the ture. development programmes as rejection of intolerance and promoting the culture of dialogue Human Resources Department An expert panel of judges well as its large-scale projects”. between religions to achieve peaceful coexistence among at Ashghal, in recognition of comprising HR consultants These have enabled Ashghal to believers. the development of HR policies from GCC countries chose the be awarded as one of the best and practices over the past fi ve winners from a list of 100 gov- employers in the GCC. Saif Ali al-Kaabi receiving the award at the ceremony. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, November 20, 2016 QATAR

Mutual ties Faleh al-Naemi, chairman and managing director of Qatar Postal Services Company (Q-Post), hosts Georgian Ambassador Ekaterine Meiering-Mikadze to discuss Sudan VP commends ways to strengthen relations and develop investment opportunities. Qatar Charity projects udan Vice-President Hassabo Mohamed Abdel Rahman has Slauded Qatar Charity (QC)’s eff orts in his country. He stressed that the humanitarian impact of QC’s activities in Sudan was noticeable, with such projects “greatly contributing” to develop- ment eff orts there. Abdel Rahman asserted that the Sudanese government was willing to facilitate administrative procedures and help overcome the obstacles faced by Qatar Charity. Further, he hoped that QC would continue with its humanitarian sup- port, which has positively impacted the lives of millions of Sudanese since the launch of the projects. During a visit to the Rufakaa mod- el village project, the vice-president said it is a multipurpose humanitar- ian project, especially in terms of creating an integrated environment for the targeted orphans’ ‘families’. This objective can be realised Hassabo Mohamed Abdel Rahman has stressed the importance of projects implemented by Qatar Charity in Sudan. through providing suffi cient infra- structure in the education, health ing areas can take advantage of it in- Al-Ghamdi pointed out that the The village will provide services in and vocational training fi elds, it was directly. model village will feature an “inte- the areas of shelter, health, educa- observed. He noted that the project’s work grated development environment” tion, rehabilitation, sports and rec- Abdel Rahman also praised the was moving forward in accordance that will help develop the characters reation, noting that the village’s cost strong relations between Qatar and with the objectives and plans. of the orphans. amounts to QR32mn. Sudan at both offi cial and non-offi - Al-Ghamdi explained that the cial levels, as well as Qatar Charity’s project covers over 250,000sqm in Al projects. Damer municipality, River Nile State. Mohamed bin Ali al-Ghamdi, ex- It includes building 200 houses, ecutive director of the International each featuring two rooms, a living Development Department at QC, room, a kitchen and a bathroom; as said: “QC appreciates the testimony well as a nursery, a kindergarten, two of the vice-president of Sudan relat- primary schools and two secondary ed to the impact of its development schools. projects, demonstrating that QC Further, the project will include a carries out a brotherly duty.” vocational training centre, medical He added that QC seeks to make a clinic, grand mosque, mall, children’s major change in the lives of the or- playgrounds and green spaces. phans’ “families” through the Ru- The village is to be provided with fakaa project. drinking water, sanitation services Some 200 families will directly and an administrative offi ce. benefi t from the project while 5,000 The project will be completed at residents of the village’s neighbour- the end of the current year. The Rufakaa model village project.

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, November 20, 2016 QATAR Mentors give students Al-Hammadi appointed tips on career paths QRCS chief edaya and Qatar Shell cel- ebrated Global Entrepreneur- mbassador Ali bin Has- Bship Week (GEW) at schools san al-Hammadi has been and universities with the launch Aselected as the new secre- of the Enterprise Challenge Qatar tary-general of Qatar Red Cres- (ECQ) 2016-2017 Programme. cent Society (QRCS). ECQ is in its fi fth year running Al-Hammadi has had a “rich with the participation of more than diplomatic career” since 1976, 1,200 students from over 40 schools QRCS said in a press statement. across Qatar. A graduate of Alexandria Uni- During the celebration, ECQ men- versity (1976), he attended many tors delivered special sessions to diplomatic, consular and cer- students about the diff erent GEW emonial courses while working activities in Qatar and the impor- at the Qatari Ministry of For- tance of entrepreneurship for their eign Aff airs and Qatar’s embassy future career paths. Mentors also in Egypt. He also participated conducted competitions within in numerous Arab, Islamic and schools for the best business ideas international conferences and with winners being awarded recog- wrote a number of works on his nition prizes. diplomatic experience. Over the coming weeks, ECQ vol- Al-Hammadi sees diplomacy unteer mentors will deliver coaching and humanitarian action as “two Al-Hammadi sessions for the students on ethical sides of the same coin”. business principles, training them In his capacity as ambassador “I ask God for success in my on how to navigate a computer- to diff erent countries, he was new mission with QRCS, which is based business simulation, and how closely in touch with relief and always at the forefront of eff orts to pitch an entrepreneurial business development projects conducted to help the communities aff ected idea. by Qatari charitable and humani- by natural disasters, armed con- The programme will conclude tarian organisations across Afri- fl ict, and poverty in needy coun- with the grand fi nal competition ECQ is in its fifth year running with the participation of more than 1,200 students from over 40 schools across Qatar. ca and Asia. tries. taking place in March next year. “Qatari charities and particu- “In Qatar, QRCS is a top pro- In 2015, Qatar Shell signed a mem- larly QRCS have proved reliable vider of social, health, training, orandum of understanding with the and eff ective, as evident in dec- awareness and empowerment Ministry of Education and Higher ades of humanitarian activities services for all segments of soci- Education to promote the Enterprise for the benefi t of millions of peo- ety. This contributes immensely Challenge Qatar programme nation- QSTP main sponsor of Global Entrepreneurship Week ple everywhere,” al-Hammadi to Qatar’s bright image both lo- wide in all independent and interna- said. cally and globally.” tional secondary schools. The Enterprise Challenge compe- atar Science & Tech- director of QSTP who delivered “This annual gathering framework based on flexibil- tition was created by Prince’s Trust nology Park (QSTP), a talk during the event’s opening provides a vital opportunity ity, efficiency, and inclusivity, RAF provides aid to residents of Yemeni city International, a UK-based not-for- QQatar’s primary in- ceremony, said: “Global Entre- for local startups, small and and GEW offers the ideal av- profi t organisation established by cubator for technology in- preneurship Week is an impor- medium enterprises, and en- enue for such collaboration.” Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) the Prince of Wales, with a range of novation and tech-based en- tant platform, which is contrib- trepreneurs to share ideas on QSTP hosted a session at has carried out three relief projects for people trapped in the Yemeni mentoring programmes aimed at trepreneurship, was the main uting to spreading the culture of how we can advance the en- GEW that featured the suc- city Taiz. In a press statement yesterday, RAF said that the projects fostering opportunities for young sponsor of Global Entrepre- entrepreneurship globally and trepreneurial landscape in cess story of ‘Metis Lab’, a included the distribution of about 2,000 ration baskets, 600 drinking people. Qatar Shell is the founding neurship Week (GEW) 2016. locally. QSTP is pleased to sup- Qatar. In order to achieve the startup that benefited from water tankers and 5,000 cooking gas cylinders for aff ected families in partner of Prince’s Trust Interna- The event took place at the port this annual event and help ambitious goal of transition- QSTP’s accelerator pro- diff erent areas of the city. It added that the ration baskets reached 1,951 tional in Qatar, and together with Doha Exhibition and Conven- build a vibrant tech entrepre- ing to a knowledge-based gramme and is now on its way families, equivalent to 13,651 people, and drinking water was provided to Bedaya, has worked to bring the En- tion Centre recently. neurial and product innovation economy, we have to adopt to exploring opportunities in 118,611 households, equivalent to 831,211 people, while 2,877 families (21,139 terprise Challenge to Qatar. Dr Maher Hakim, managing ecosystem in Qatar. a collaborative innovation Silicon Valley. people) received gas cylinders.

Gulf Times 8 Sunday, November 20, 2016 QATAR Tiny Baby Unit revamp promotes bonding and care

dditional space in the recently ex- panded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit A(NICU) at Hamad Medical Corpora- tion’s Women’s Hospital is providing parents with the opportunity to become even more involved in the care of their critically ill new- born and ensure their best possible chance of recovery. “In our Tiny Baby Unit (TBU), we now have the capacity to allocate individual space for our babies that are born before the 28th week of pregnancy,” said Dr Hilal al-Rifai, Wom- en’s Hospital medical director and director of its Neonatal/Perinatal Services. “This means our nurses have optimal access to each baby and parents have more privacy which gives them a better chance at bonding with their Children at the event. child.” In the TBU, each baby is assigned a nurse who administers one to one care for the du- ration of the baby’s stay in the unit. This allows them to build relationships with par- UDC organises second fashion show dedicated ents spending more time practicing bonding techniques such as Kangaroo Care. This is an important practice that encourages par- to children’s couture at The Pearl-Qatar ents to have skin-to-skin contact with their baby by placing them on their chest which can play an integral role in a baby’s recovery nited Development Company (UDC) is the increasing number of visitors during peak process. Baby Masa almost four months later ready for continuing with its series of family en- weekend hours”, according to a press statement. “Having my baby girl born at 24 weeks was discharge from Women’s Hospital NICU. Utertainment events held during week- Creative Party off ered water, popcorn and the worst thing imaginable. I was shocked, ends at The Pearl-Qatar, with a second Kids cotton candy for the fashion show audience terrifi ed and unprepared for the journey “Our nursing team works with each Fashion Show dedicated to children’s couture while KobecoConcept created an “elegant and ahead,” said Sally Dandachli whose baby Masa mother to teach them how to express milk held last Friday. joyful” setup for kids and their families. Make- was born at 24 weeks gestation. “Thankfully, so it can be delivered by a small tube into Sponsored by Blue Salon Kids, Mimisol and up District extended hair and makeup service the Women’s Hospital NICU staff ’s care for the baby’s stomach,” said Matheus Van Barcarola boutique for clothing and Trinity for all child models and Hospitality Develop- Masa were incredible. The doctors listened Rens, acting director of nursing in the Talent Qatar for young models, catwalk train- ment Company off ered event catering and gift attentively to our questions, always consid- Women’s Hospital NICU. “Breast milk for ing and music, the event featured little fash- vouchers for kid models. ered our feedback and the nurses never left my high risk premature infants is highly desir- ionistas who strutted the runway at the internal The event featured little fashionistas who All other children attending the event were baby’s bedside, helping me bond with her each able and not only as the optimal nutritional shopping arcade in 1 La Croisette. Parents and strutted the runway at the internal shopping treated to goodie bags sponsored by Tickles and day.” dietary source, but also to minimise the risk children could then visit Blue Salon Kids and arcade in 1 La Croisette, The Pearl-Qatar. Giggles and Cool de Sac at The Pearl-Qatar, Sally also recalls having the ability to express of infection, and maximise neuro-develop- Mimisol’s nearby stores and Barcarola boutique while Twyla Nursery participated with a table breast milk for baby Masa in one of the two mental maturation and ultimate cognitive in 18 La Croisette to view the complete winter encourage parents to embrace mix-and-match stand showcasing its “unique” preschool con- new dedicated breastfeeding rooms. Since of- function,” he added. season’s collections after the show. tips and tricks to dress up their little ones for cept in Qatar at The Pearl. fering this designated space, the unit has been The unit off ers daily support sessions for UDC is master developer of The Pearl-Qatar. any occasion. The idea of the show is to give children con- able to increase the number of babies receiv- parents during their HUG (Helping you grasp) While the collections for the runway focused This fashion show was hosted as part of fi dence and help instill in them the values of ing breast milk. Specially designed, each room days. HUG is a multidisciplinary parent educa- on warm winter colours, rich season fabrics UDC’s “ongoing eff orts to build synergies teamwork and discipline, alongside the oppor- is equipped with special lighting that is meant tion programme which organises an event eve- and a mix of sporty and elegant fashion picks with retail tenants at its fl agship development, tunity to embrace the limelight within a fashion to enhance relaxation and increase the produc- ry year for both staff and parents in recognition for boys and girls, the line-up was meant to while maximising exposure of their off erings to event of this calibre, the statement adds. tion of expressed milk. of World Prematurity Day. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 9 QATAR Tickets now on sale for ‘Match of Champions’

ickets are now on tickets, all available to Qatar Airways Holidays sale for the ‘Match book through its website - will provide e-tickets to Tof Champions’, fea- qatarairways.com/cup those customers who book turing FC Barcelona and Al Travellers can select match packages online. Ahli SC, which takes place from a number of match The exclusive match at Al Gharafa Stadium in packages, which off er stays packages available from Doha on December 13. in up to 15 of Doha’s hotels, Qatar Airways Holidays Tamayoz focuses on professional and personal development opportunities through six targeted critical competency areas. Ticket packages are including 5-star venues are valid for travel be- available to travellers from Oryx Rotana, Sharq Village tween December 9 and 17. the GCC now, ahead of the and Spa, and The Ritz- Match tickets can only be general ticket release, to Carlton Hotel. purchased from Qatar Air- buy exclusively from Qatar Qatar Airways Holidays ways Holidays as part of a Airways Holidays online at exclusive off ers include package. www.qatarairways.com/ airport transfers, breakfast Meanwhile, in addition cup and from Qatar Air- and additional hotel serv- to securing tickets for the ways approved travel agents ices such as spa and meal football match, visitors ExxonMobil Qatar’s within the Gulf region, ac- off ers. Additional services have been encouraged to cording to a statement. can also be booked as part book tours with Discover While FC Barcelona is one of the package, including Qatar while planning their of the most successful foot- car rental and tours. visit to Doha. ball clubs in the history of Travellers can choose Qatar Airways senior the sport, Al Ahli SC is the from Gold, Silver and Bur- vice-president (marketing recent winner of the Saudi gundy tiered football tick- and corporate communica- Tamayoz programme Professional League, Saudi ets as part of the match tions) Salam al-Shawa said, Super Cup and King Cup. packages. Gold tier pro- “Qatar Airways Holidays Qatar Airways Holi- vides VIP tickets inclusive is off ering travellers from days is also off ering match of hospitality, Silver tier across the GCC the fi rst packages for fans of both off ers general entry tickets opportunity to secure tick- teams travelling to Doha while Burgundy tier off ers ets to enjoy the ‘Match of from the GCC, including tickets located behind the Champions’ and explore our benefi ts nearly 800 fl ights, hotels and match football goals. beautiful home in Qatar.” early 800 participants from health and the environment. Routledge, president and general month’s Fundamentals of Cost and leading companies in the The courses are taught by global manager for ExxonMobil Qatar. Schedule Engineering course out- Nenergy sector have benefi t- ExxonMobil subject-matter experts “The facility was an extension of lined the basic concepts of cost en- ed from 38 courses held at the new as well as local professionals. this support: we wanted to of- gineering and data management for Tamayoz programme facilities, Exx- “Nearly 800 participants from fer participants a state-of-the-art eff ective project management. The onMobil Qatar has said. valued partner Qatar Petroleum, space where we could continue to Oil and Gas Processing Technol- October marked one year since joint ventures RasGas and Qatargas, help high-potential individuals ogy course enabled participants to ExxonMobil Qatar inaugurated its Tasweeq and Nakilat have benefi ted hone new skills.” improve their fundamental under- Tamayoz training programme fa- from the 38 technical, commercial Four intensive courses were of- standing of thermodynamics, hy- cilities at ExxonMobil Research and operational courses held at the fered at the new Tamayoz facilities drocarbon behaviour and upstream Qatar, housed at Qatar Science and new facilities,” ExxonMobil Qatar in September and October this year. processes. Technology Park (QSTP) in Doha. said in a statement. Two sessions of the Leading More than 150 Tamayoz training As the “fi rst comprehensive QSTP, part of Qatar Founda- Teams course were held in Septem- courses have been off ered free of programme of its kind in Qatar”, tion Research and Development, ber, which helped participants fi ne- charge to ExxonMobil Qatar’s part- Tamayoz focuses on professional provides an “ideal location” for tune their team leadership skills and ners and joint ventures, with close and personal development op- fostering the sharing of ideas and provided tools to develop high-per- to 2,500 individuals receiving train- portunities through six targeted expertise. forming teams. The Gas Business ing since the inception of the pro- critical competency areas: leader- “As the Tamayoz training pro- Fundamentals course, also held in gramme in 2012. Since January, 580 The match takes place at Al Gharafa Stadium on December 13. ship and personal eff ectiveness; gramme evolved, it became clear September, delivered a compre- participants have benefi ted from 24 commercial; project management; that it was having a far-reaching hensive view of the global gas value courses, surpassing the 400 indus- operations excellence; technical impact on our colleagues in Qa- chain - from exploration through to try professionals Tamayoz reached (surface and subsurface) and safety, tar’s energy industry,” said Alistair marketing the products; while last in 2015 through 35 courses. Strong winds likely ‘Al Wakra is in some areas

trong winds are ex- says hazy to misty condi- higher at 21C. The maxi- pected in parts of the tions are expected in some mum, on the other hand, Green’ contest Scountry during the places in the early hours of will be 30C in Doha and daytime, the Qatar Met the day, followed by mild some other places. department has said in its temperature during the Yesterday, a minimum forecast for today. daytime with slight dust temperature of 15C was participants Off shore areas, too, are and some clouds. It will be recorded in Mesaieed, Abu likely to experience strong relatively cold by night. Samra and Karana, fol- winds today along with Hazy conditions are also lowed by 16C in Al Khor, high seas, according to the likely in some off shore ar- Al Sheehaniya and other weather report. eas at fi rst, followed by places. In the capital, a honoured The wind speed may go up slight dust and clouds. minimum of 19C was re- to 22 knots in some inshore A minimum tempera- corded in the Qatar Uni- areas and 30 knots in off shore ture of 17C is expected in versity area. The maxi- articipants of the sidiary, stressed that SAK areas towards the north. Mesaieed, Wakrah and mum, meanwhile, was 31C ‘Al Wakra is Green’ Group was keen to be ac- The detailed forecast for Abu Samra today, while in in the Doha airport area, Al Pcontest, organised tively involved in all activi- inshore areas today also Doha it will be relatively Rayyan and Al Khor. by Al Wakrah Municipal- ties and events that served ity and sponsored by SAK the society. He said, “We Group, have been honoured highly revere the great ef- to encourage and motivate forts undertaken by Al students in Al Wakrah to Wakrah Municipality to- design environment friendly- wards providing a facilities. sustainable environment. One of the activities “We are also happy to be held to mark Sustainability a part of this event and be Week, the event was con- the offi cial sponsors of the ducted at the theatre of Al activities of the Sustain- Wakrah Municipality and ability Week, as well as the also attended by members ‘Al Wakra is Green’ contest Al-Sayed with Mansour Ajran al-Buainain, director of Al Wakrah Municipality. of private corporations. The organised by Al Wakrah winning design will be im- Municipality, which has the municipality for allow- with Al Wakrah Munici- family beach in Al Wakrah. plemented by the munici- made great contributions ing SAK Holding Group to pality in the fi eld of com- Members of the com- pality at Al Wakrah Park. towards sustainability ef- fulfi l some of its responsi- munity service,” he added, munity also took part in Ahmed al-Sayed, general forts at diff erent levels in bilities towards the soci- noting that the Group took the event, including French manager of SAK Trading line with Qatar National ety by sponsoring the Sus- part in a successful cam- ambassador Eric Cheval- and Contracting Company, Vision 2030.” tainability Week. “We are paign organised by the lier and a number of French a SAK Holding Group sub- Further, al-Sayed thanked proud of our collaboration municipality to clean the expatriates living in Qatar.

Exhibition opens at The Gate Mall

The Gate Mall has announced the opening of the ‘Love Song to Source’ exhibition by Iranian artist Mehrdad Shoghi, under the auspices of Salam International. At the exhibition, Shoghi takes visitors on a tour through unique pieces based on the art of Kufic calligraphy and that are inspired by the Qura’n and Khalil Gibran, according to a press statement. The exhibition runs until December 6 in Maysaloun Hall, located on the first floor of The Gate Mall. Pictured are senior Salam International off icials with Shoghi. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, November 20, 2016 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Israel forces kill one in Battle rages Gaza clashes

QNA Gaza

Palestinian man was in Yemen killed and three others Awere injured by Israeli forces during clashes east of al-Bureij refugee camp near the “buff er zone” in the central Gaza Strip, and near the Nahal Oz border crossing in eastern Gaza, Ma’an News Agency reported despite new yesterday. Palestinian Ministry of Health Spokesman Ashraf al-Qidrah said Mohamed Abu Sada, 26, from al-Nusayrat in the cen- tral Gaza Strip was killed after A man walks on the rubble of a house destroyed during recent battles between Houthi fighters Israeli soldiers shot him in the and pro-government fighters, on the first day of a 48-hour ceasefire in the southwestern city of chest during the clashes near al- ceasefi re Taiz, Yemen, yesterday. Bureij. Al-Qidrah said two oth- AFP Secretary of State John Kerry “Based on the agreement ers were injured near al-Bureij, Sanaa last week met rebel representa- reached in Muscat, we affi rm our while a third was injured near tives in Oman and also urged the commitment to the ceasefi re if Nahal Oz. government to come on board. the other party respects it,” Luq- Abu Sada is the 239th Pales- emen rebels and loyalist At fi rst the government reject- man said of the accord signed on tinian to be killed by an Israeli forces battled yesterday ed the peace bid, saying it had Monday with Kerry. since the beginning of a wave of Yaround third city Taiz not been consulted. Six previous attempts to unrest across the occupied Pal- even as a 48-hour ceasefi re an- But it has come under huge clinch a ceasefi re have found- estinian territory and Israel in nounced by a Saudi-led coalition pressure to back down in the face ered, the latest in October. October 2015, the vast majority fi ghting the insurgents began of an international outcry over All those truces were “use- of whom were shot dead by Is- following US pressure. the mounting civilian death toll less”, said Sanaa resident Abdul- raeli forces. A few hours after the cease- from 20 months of confl ict. lah Hasan. Israeli naval forces early yes- fi re took eff ect at midday (0900 “There are international pres- “We need a real truce, not one terday opened live fi re at Pal- GMT), fi ghting still raged around sures to observe a ceasefi re and which is just for media consump- estinian fi shermen boats across the fl ashpoint southwestern city, to resume (peace) negotiations,” tion,” added the 29-year-old. from the northern shore of the where violence has killed dozens a source close to the presidency UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh besieged Gaza Strip. this week, despite clashes sub- said. The 48-hour truce could Ahmed urged all parties “to en- Israeli military boats fi red at siding on several fronts. be extended if the rebels hold courage full respect for the ces- fi shermen north of Beit Lahiya Clashes were heaviest in the fi re and allow aid into besieged sation of hostilities and to en- in the besieged Palestinian ter- town of Salo southeast of Taiz, loyalist enclaves, the coalition sure that it leads to a permanent ritory. military sources said, reporting statement said. and lasting end to the confl ict”. No injuries were reported. casualties on both sides. “We really hope that the war Exiled President Abd-Rabbu An Israeli army spokesperson Inside Taiz itself, rebel rocket will end. All Yemenis are very Mansour Hadi has rejected a UN told Ma’an she would look into fi re into a residential district tired of the confl ict,” said Sanaa proposal to step down while his reports on the incident. killed three civilians and wound- resident Khaled al-Waysi. government forms a unity ad- ed two, military and medical Another resident, Sadeq Ju- ministration with the rebels. sources said. haifi , said: “We want one of the In an apparent bid to prove his Three die trying to Four rebels and two loyalists parties to be courageous enough legitimacy, the coalition under- Yemenis shop at a market yesterday in Sanaa as a 48-hour ceasefire began. were also killed in or near Taiz, to announce longterm peace, not lined that the ceasefi re came at defuse truck bomb military sources added. just a two or one-day ceasefi re.” Hadi’s request. Near the Saudi border further AFP received a copy of a de- The president asked Saudi Three members of the Iraqi north, two ballistic missiles fi red fence ministry document order- King Salman for the pause “in security forces were killed by the rebels hit the coastal area ing all pro-government forces response to UN and interna- yesterday when an Islamic State of Midi killing two pro-govern- to abide by the ceasefi re, report tional eff orts to bring peace to group truck bomb they were ment soldiers and wounding violations, and reserve the right Yemen” and allow aid deliveries, trying to defuse exploded west of four, a military commander said. to respond to any rebel breaches. its statement said. Baghdad, police off icials said. Intermittent fi ghting was also A spokesman for forces allied UN humanitarian offi ce depu- A large truck packed with reported in Nahm near the capi- to the Iran-backed rebels, Briga- ty spokesman Jens Laerke hoped explosives was intercepted by tal Sanaa, in Shabwa in the south dier General Sharaf Luqman, that, if respected, the truce security forces in the Tamim and Sarwah to the east. confi rmed that they would also would off er respite to civilians neighbourhood of Ramadi, the The ceasefi re comes after US abide by the ceasefi re. and give humanitarian organi- main city in Iraq’s vast western sations an “opportunity” to re- province of Anbar. Saudi soldier killed by missile from Yemen spond to aid needs nationwide. “Three members of the police’s “A large humanitarian eff ort disposal team, one of them a A Saudi soldier was killed regions and test Saudi defences is already underway in Yemen,” lieutenant colonel, were killed yesterday by a missile fired with guerrilla-style incursions. he said. and the head of the squad by Yemeni rebels across the The Houthis confirmed the Millions of civilians, many of was wounded, as they tried to border into the kingdom’s attack in a statement on their whom have fl ed their homes, des- defuse the truck,” said a police southern Asir province, the Saba news agency. Several perately need humanitarian aid. lieutenant colonel. interior ministry said. dozen Saudi soldiers have been The coalition’s air and sea Iraq’s interior ministry The Iran-allied Houthis, who killed in clashes along the long, blockade on Yemen will remain in spokesman said the driver was are battling the internationally rugged border with Yemen. place during the ceasefi re, it said. arrested. recognised government of A Saudi policeman was The rebels still control Sanaa Security forces retook Ramadi Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu shot dead yesterday in the and most of the northern and from IS militants early this year Mansour Hadi, often fire kingdom’s east, the interior central highlands. and recaptured Fallujah, which mortars into southern Saudi ministry said. Some loyalist-held towns are A woman carries a jerrycan filled with potable water from a charity tap during the first day of a lies closer to Baghdad in the under rebel siege, including Taiz. 48-hour ceasefire in Sanaa yesterday. Euphrates Valley, in June.

Egypt probes death of man in custody

AFP Coptic Bishop Makarios Cairo had on Friday charged that Makin was tortured to death. He said on his Facebook n Egyptian prosecu- page that he visited Makin’s tion offi cial said yes- family to express his con- Aterday authorities dolences after the man died were probing the death of a “as a result of ugly torture.” man at a police station, after There have been a string a Coptic Church bishop said of deaths, allegedly by tor- he had been beaten to death. ture, in Egyptian police The 50-year-old Coptic stations that have sparked Christian Magdy Makin, a anger and led to the trials fi sh vendor, had been de- of several policemen. tained in a police station The interior ministry before his family received says such abuses are an ex- his corpse on Monday. ception and that police do “The body showed clear not practice torture. signs of torture,” his son President Abdel Fattah Malak Magdy Makin said. al-Sisi has pledged to hold “We are waiting for the accountable errant police- forensic report to deter- men. mine whether his death Police abuses had helped was natural or criminal,” fuel a 2011 uprising that said prosecution offi cial unseated veteran strong- Adham Montasser. man Hosni Mubarak.

Boy killed by crude bomb

A six-year-old child was when it went off , police said. killed while playing with The second child lost part a crude football-shaped of his hand. bomb he found in a rubbish Residents of the low- collection area in eastern income area, who come Cairo, the Egyptian Interior from Egypt’s Christian Ministry said yesterday. minority, collect garbage The child, the son of a from much of Cairo and sift recycling worker in Cairo’s through it, largely by hand, Manshiet Nasr area, for recycling or reuse. brought the device home The police said they and he and a seven-year-old were investigating the friend were playing with it background to the incident. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 11 ARAB WORLD

US warns ‘Catastrophic day’ as Syria Syria and Russia on ‘heinous’ regime pounds Aleppo bombings AFP of the city, which has been be- Aleppo, Syria sieged by the regime since July. The intensity of the bombard- AFP ment has forced residents to stay Lima ntense government air indoors, leaving streets all but strikes and artillery fi re killed deserted. Iat least 27 people yesterday “There’s barely a neighbour- S National Security Ad- in rebel-held parts of Syria’s hood that has been spared,” said viser Susan Rice con- Aleppo, where hospitals have Abdel Rahman. Udemned “heinous” been destroyed and schools “People don’t dare to leave bombings of hospitals in rebel- forced to close. their homes.” held eastern Aleppo yesterday, An AFP correspondent de- Schools in east Aleppo, many warning the regime and its Rus- scribed relentless bombardment of which already operate from sian backers they are responsible with air strikes, mortar rounds basements because of govern- for immediate and long-term and barrel bombs slamming into ment attacks, announced in consequences. residential neighbourhoods in a statement they would close “The United States condemns the east of the battered second “Saturday and Sunday for the in the strongest terms these hor- city. safety of students and teach- rifi c attacks against medical in- “It is a catastrophic day in ers, after the barbarous aerial frastructure and humanitarian besieged Aleppo with unprec- strikes”. aid workers. There is no excuse edented bombardment with The bombardment has badly for these heinous actions,” Rice every type of weapon,” a mem- aff ected rescue and medical fa- said in a statement. ber of the White Helmets res- cilities in the east, which have “The Syrian regime and its al- cue group said in a video posted already routinely been targeted lies, Russia in particular, bears on the organisation’s Facebook in government attacks. responsibly for the immediate page. On Friday, regime shelling and long term consequences “People went to sleep to the partly destroyed one of the last these actions have caused in Syr- sound of bombardment and hospitals in the east, killing two ia and beyond.” awoke to the sound of bombard- patients and forcing it to shut. Her comments come as intense ment,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, The last paediatric hospital in government air strikes and artil- head of the Syrian Observatory the east was also forced to close lery fi re killed at least 27 people for Human Rights, a Britain- after being hit in multiple at- in Aleppo, where hospitals have based monitor of the war. tacks, with medical staff evacu- Syrians comfort each other yesterday following a reported air strike on Aleppo’s rebel-held neighbourhood of Bab al-Nayrab. Intense been destroyed and schools have Syrian government troops be- ating babies from incubators and government air strikes and artillery fire killed at least 27 people in rebel-held parts of Syria’s Aleppo, where hospitals have been destroyed and been forced to close. gan a new assault on the rebel transferring them to a new loca- schools forced to close. Rice indicated that the US side of Aleppo on Tuesday, as tion. government would use a summit they renewed their bid to recap- “This is a dark day for east strike on Friday, an AFP corre- Aleppo yesterday alone, with the intended to convince residents village of Tal Saman from the Is- of Asia-Pacifi c leaders in Peru to ture the east of the city. Aleppo,” said Teresa Sanc- spondent said. toll likely to rise because of the and surrendering rebels to leave. lamic State group. put pressure on Russia. Once Syria’s economic pow- ristoval, emergency co-ordina- The White Helmets have number of seriously wounded. Syria expert Thomas Pierret The village is just 25km (15 President Vladimir Putin is at- erhouse, Aleppo has been rav- tor for the Doctors Without Bor- struggled to keep up with calls for These deaths brought the toll said regime forces “intended to miles) from IS’s de facto Syrian tending the event. aged by the war that has killed ders (MSF) charity. help since the renewed bombard- since the renewed assault began combine air strikes with famine capital of Raqa, which the SDF “The United States again joins more than 300,000 people since “The severity of the bombing ment began, at times unable to on Tuesday to 92, with state media resulting from the siege to get began an operation to recapture our partners, many of them it began with anti-government has infl icted huge damage on the leave their centres because of the saying two people were also killed rebels to surrender”. earlier this month. gathering in Peru this weekend, protests in March 2011. few hospitals working around intensity of the government fi re. in rebel fi re on the government- “Aleppo is now completely be- The SDF is being supported by in demanding the immediate The city has been divided be- the clock to provide medical “We have no more (body) held west of Aleppo on Saturday. sieged and its residents are start- the US-led coalition fi ghting IS, cessation of these bombard- tween government control in the care.” bags,” said one rescue worker in The assault on rebel-held ing to die of hunger,” he said. which is carrying out air strikes, ments and calling on Russia to west and rebel control in the east A centre belonging to the another video posted yesterday Aleppo has ended a period of Elsewhere, an alliance of but has also stepped up deliver- immediately deescalate violence since mid-2012. White Helmet rescue group in by the group from Aleppo. relative respite after regime ally Kurdish and Arab fi ghters known ies of weapons and equipment and facilitate humanitarian aid More than 250,000 people re- the Bab al-Nayrab district was The Observatory said at least Russia halted its strikes and or- as the Syrian Democratic Forces to the alliance, its commanders and access for the Syrian people,” main in the opposition-held part also totally destroyed in an air 27 civilians were killed in east ganised a series of brief truces said they had seized the hilltop said. said Rice. After IS oppression, Iraqi girls eager to get lives back

By John Davison Near Bashiqa, Iraq

he fi rst thing Iraqi teenager Af- rah did when she escaped Is- Tlamic State captivity near Mosul was to remove her face veil and throw it defi antly to the ground. The militants kidnapped and used Afrah, 16, her older sister Asil and 14 other family members and relatives as human shields when they withdrew from the Iraqi city of Tikrit, her home- town around 200km (125 miles) south, early last year. For a year and a half the family was trapped in the village of Bawiza just north of the militants’ Iraqi strong- hold. The girls tried to keep a low profi le and barely ventured outdoors. When Iraqi forces pushed into the village a few days ago, part of the US- backed campaign to oust Islamic State from Mosul, they were determined not to be taken hostage again, and rushed towards the military’s armoured vehi- cles. Having survived the militants’ op- An Iraqi woman, who fled their village due to the fighting in Mosul, holds her pressive rule, Afrah and Asil, 19, want child after crossing the Tigris River yesterday in the village of Tall Adh-Dhahab, to put the harrowing experience be- some 10km south of Mosul. A group of civilians were forced out of Tall Adh- hind them, return to Tikrit, resume Dhahab and used as human shields by Islamic State group (IS) militants some studies, work and get their lives back. weeks ago but managed to escape and to return to their home village. “I’ve lost two years of my education. I want to get back to school, complete “I hardly went out, I slept, ate, that friends who had served in Iraq’s secu- my studies and then qualify to become was it. A few months ago they cut off rity forces. a dentist,” Afrah said. the Internet, too. It was boring. I didn’t Without enough evidence and be- Asil, for her part, wanted to go back want to go to one of their schools where cause the IS fi ghter was not high- to her job issuing food hygiene certifi - they teach you only about weapons ranking, Saeed was let go. cates to restaurants and cafes. and religion,” she said. “They’d have cut my head off ,” he “I loved that job, I can’t wait to start Afrah wore a long brown coat and said. again,” she said. bright woolly hat. A few months later they learned the The two sisters spoke as they waited She said she would continue to wear fi ghter had been killed in battle. in the desert alongside hundreds of the Muslim headscarf but was relieved “That dog is dead,” Saeed said, other displaced Iraqis trying to cross to show her face again. Asil had also standing next to Asil. into Kurdish-controlled areas a few shed her niqab. A relative had not been so lucky, kilometres northeast of Mosul. The elder sister narrowly avoided they said, pointing to a woman sitting Explosions could be heard coming being married off to an Islamic State nearby on a tarpaulin sheet with the from the city, as the campaign to drive fi ghter while they lived in Bawiza, she rest of the family. IS out continues with fi erce street bat- said. IS, often referred to by the Arabic tles between the militants and Iraqi “Dad refused to give the guy my acronym Daesh, had executed her hus- forces. hand in marriage,” she explained - a band because he was a former police- Islamic State has taken civilians dangerous act of defi ance that nearly man. hostage to avoid being targeted by air got her father Saeed killed. The family stocked up on blankets strikes, has executed people in Mosul, “The fi ghter who wanted to marry and warm clothes for winter, antici- used women from religious minori- Asil accused Dad of being a spy, and pating time displaced in a camp some- ties as sex slaves and enforced its con- they took him for trial,” Afrah said. where. servative rules on others using female “The fi ghter was gross, old with a They do not know when they will be religious police. big beard,” she added. allowed into Kurdish-held territory, “If you dared not to wear a niqab Afrah, who speaks some English and how long it will take after that to (face veil), you’d get a fi ne on the fi rst and who the family say is their tech- get home. occasion, around 50,000 dinars ($40). nical whiz, had the presence of mind “Hopefully we can return soon,” Asil After that, they’d beat you as punish- to delete all Saeed’s contacts from said.”Girls who lived under Daesh just ment,” Afrah said. his phone, starting with relatives or want to resume their lives.” Gulf Times 12 Sunday, November 20, 2016 ARAB WORLD Egypt jails journalists’ union chief for two years

Reuters terday for harbouring col- pression”. The verdict comes Abdel Rahim, can appeal the dict. Dozens of journalists Cairo leagues wanted by the law amid eff orts by Egyptian au- decision. and union offi cials gathered and spreading false news, thorities to quell rising dis- A bail of 10,000 Egyptian outside the syndicate head- judicial sources and their sent against President Abdel pounds ($623) has been set quarters in Cairo to protest n Egyptian court lawyer said. Fattah al-Sisi as the economy for each of them. the verdict, while riot police sentenced the head of Amnesty International deteriorates. “The three of us have been and armoured vehicles fi lled Athe journalists’ un- condemned the sentences as Union chief Yehia Qalash put on trial (but) the target is the streets near the building. ion and two board members “a new stage of a crackdown and the two board members, the whole syndicate,” Qalash “Down with military rule,” to two years in prison yes- on media and freedom of ex- Khaled al-Balshy and Gamal told reporters after the ver- yelled the protesters. Some carried signs that read “Journalism is not a crime”. Inside the building, un- ion offi cials held emergency talks on how to respond to the verdict. Prosecutors ordered the three men to be questioned in May after what their law- Journalists chant slogans as they gather in front of the Journalists’ Syndicate in Cairo yer at the time, Sayyed Abou yesterday, to protest against the court verdict to sentence head of the union and two Zeid, said was a police raid members to two years in prison. on the syndicate headquar- ters to arrest two opposition Egypt and a human rights journalists who had taken lawyer, said: “Qalash, al- refuge there. Balshy and Abdel Rahim The arrests of Mahmoud should have never been ar- El Sakka and Amr Badr rested or put on trial for do- sparked protests from jour- ing their job.” nalists and Qalash demand- Egyptian authorities have ed the interior minister be cracked down hard on the sacked. Islamist, secular and liberal The interior ministry de- opposition alike since Sisi, nied any police raid had oc- then the army chief, toppled curred but confi rmed the elected Islamist president arrest of Sakka and Badr, Mohamed Mursi in 2013 af- who work for the opposition ter mass protests against his website Bawabet Yanayer rule. and were wanted on criminal Hundreds have been killed charges. and thousands have been ar- This file photo taken on May 4, 2016 shows the head of the Commenting yesterday’s rested, including journalists. Egyptian journalists union, Yehia Qalash, demonstrating verdict, Amnesty’s Moham- Sisi denies that Egypt re- with journalists outside the Journalist Syndicate head- ed Ahmed, a researcher on stricts media freedom. quarters in Cairo. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 13 AFRICA Cruel rejection faces victims of Boko Haram atrocities

DPA am insurgency that has killed at been saved by the military or displaced people, mainly women the teenager says. “If I can abort must undergo security checks. A couple of local NGOs have Maiduguri least 14,000 people since 2009. managed to escape face harsh and children, in simple beige the pregnancy, I will do so in or- Regular patrols inside the also reported sexual assaults. Halima is relatively safe here, discrimination and even vio- tents. der to part ways with the child.” camps are meant to ensure the A range of aid organizations but utterly unhappy. lence, both inside and outside Halima shares a tent with 15 But Halima won’t be given that safety of the displaced. are now working with communi- alima Abdullahi was 14 The population rejects her, be- the camps. others, yet feels alone and vul- choice. But the guards are not neces- ties and religious leaders to dis- years old when she was cause girls who have been held “People always avoid me. They nerable. At four months preg- Abortion is illegal in Nigeria sarily on the side of the victims. pel the myths about Boko Haram Habducted by Islamist captive by the terrorists — who call me Boko Haram wife,” Hali- nant, carrying a terrorist’s baby, unless the mother’s life is in dan- Danladi Yahaya, one of the victims. terrorist group Boko Haram in want to enforce a strict interpre- ma explains. Halima is additionally ostracised ger, even if she is a victim of sex- security officers at the Muna The Nigerian government north-eastern Nigeria. tation of Shariah — are seen as “My family has disowned me. due to cultural and social norms ual violence. camp in Maiduguri, tells DPA runs a “de-radicalisation proc- They gang-raped her and brainwashed, indoctrinated and Since I was married to a Boko related to sexual violence. An estimated 2.2mn Nigerians he believes those rescued from ess,” which mainly consists of forced her to marry one of their radicalised. Haram fi ghter, they (want to) Children born from rape by have been internally displaced Boko Haram pose a “security debriefi ng, counselling and post- fi ghters. The distrust sits deep. have nothing to do with me.” insurgents are labelled “Boko due to Boko Haram violence, ac- threat.” traumatic stress care. Eventually, she fell pregnant. Women and girls have been in- Another girl, Amina Mah- Haram blood” or “annoba,” cording to the World Health Or- “The children work as spies But it will take a lot more than For 18 long months, her cap- creasingly used as suicide bomb- moud, who has also been living which means “epidemic” in the ganization (WHO). for Boko Haram, looking for po- that to enable those kidnapped tors starved and beat her, the tall, ers in north-eastern Nigeria as inside the Bakassi camp since she local language Hausa, the United Almost half of them have set- tential targets to be attacked and by the terrorists to return home skinny teenager whispers from well as in neighbouring Cam- escaped her abductors, says the Nations children’s fund Unicef tled in Maiduguri, which has nine giving them vital information and reintegrate into their com- behind a white veil. eroon, Chad and Niger, because population is openly hostile. says, descriptions that refl ect highly secured camps for the dis- like escape routes,” the 20-year- munities. When they told her she was to they seem innocent and can hide “When we go to fetch water at fears that Boko Haram exposure placed and shelters thousands of old says. Measures must address deep- become a suicide bomber, Hali- explosives under fl owing dresses the general tap, they will be in- is contagious. others in host families. A recent Human Rights Watch seated issues, including dis- ma found the courage to run. and veils. sulting us. Sometimes they stop “A child of a snake is a snake,” The camps are surrounded by report unveiled how government crimination, deprivation, exclu- She found shelter in the Bakas- Nigerians accuse them of add- us from even fetching water,” is a common saying in Nigeria. 3m high fences and guarded by offi cials, security forces and oth- sion and gender inequality, says si camp for displaced persons in ing to the overall insecurity in the says the withdrawn 14-year-old. Halima glances down at her soldiers and security guards with er offi cials have raped and sexu- Unicef emergency coordinator Maiduguri, the capital of Borno region, experts say. The dusty, makeshift Bakassi growing belly in disgust. assault rifl es. ally exploited women and girls in Abdulkadir Musse: “It will re- State, the heart of the Boko Har- As a result, those who have camp holds more than 16,000 “I don’t like the unborn child,” Anyone who enters or leaves camps in Maiduguri. quire a long time to recover.” Suicide Blast from the past! bomber shot dead in Nigeria

Reuters for the attacks on Friday and Satur- Lagos day but they bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram. The group targets crowded areas ecurity guards yesterday shot — such as markets, places of wor- dead a man who was trying ship and refugee camps — in suicide Sto detonate a bomb at a camp bomb attacks across northeast Ni- in northeastern Nigeria for people geria and in neighbouring Cameroon displaced during a seven-year in- and Niger. surgency waged by Islamist militant Boko Haram has killed some group Boko Haram. 15,000 people and forced more than PR Nigeria, a state-approved two mn people to fl ee their homes agency, said the incident occurred at during the group’s attempt to create a spot where refugees are screened a state in northeastern Nigeria that before entering the camp, which is adheres to strict Islamic laws. located in the Muna Garage district Nigeria’s army has pushed the of the city of Maiduguri. militant group back to its strong- A full size replica of a Spitfire fighter aircraft is displayed in Maseru, Lesotho. The Spitfire Heritage Trust presented the Kingdom of Lesotho with a full-sized replica Ibrahim Abdulkadir, a spokesman hold in the vast Sambisa forest of spitfire to commemorate the 24 Spitfires that the southern African kingdom paid for during the Battle of Britain in the WWII. for the National Emergency Man- the northeast in the last few months agement Agency (NEMA), confi rmed and bombings have decreased in fre- that the suicide bomber had been quency. killed. However, last month a car bomb The attempted suicide bomb- killed eight people in Maiduguri and ing came a day after multiple blasts two suicide bombers killed a further rocked Maiduguri, the birthplace of eight in the city. the insurgency in Nigeria, killing two Raids by gunmen on remote Patriarchal attitudes stymie Kenya’s people and four suicide bombers. northeastern villages have also been Nobody has claimed responsibility reported in the last few weeks. laws to give women land rights

Somalia PM secures truce By Caroline Wambui, Reuters had “bought” with a dowry would con- Nathan Njagi, a social services A lack of land rights for women un- Nairobi trol him, she said. worker in Tharaka, said changes in the dermines their ability to improve the Karimi’s predicament refl ects how law had not resulted in land rights for productivity of the farmland as well between warring regions entrenched patriarchal attitudes in women. as their economic status, said farmer abitha Karimi could barely hide Kenya are holding back women’s rights “Only 6% of women own land in Grace Nkatha. her delight at the thought of a over land, despite the 2010 constitution Tharaka — the majority are the elite... Without land, women have no col- Reuters an immediate ceasefi re and an initia- Tbumper harvest as she took part granting women rights to own and inherit ironic a few years after Kenya ushered lateral to access fi nancial services, re- Mogadishu tion of preliminary talks for a lasting in training on how to farm with crops land and to exert joint control over family in a new era in land management in stricting their ability to invest in fer- peace agreement,” a statement from specially adapted to the region, after resources, experts and activists say. 2010,” he said. tilisers, seeds and other innovations to his offi ce said. many years of poor harvests in Tharaka “In African culture, a woman has Human rights activists say women’s increase yields and incomes. omalia’s prime minister said The statement said Sharmarke in eastern Kenya. no say when it comes to property. Her land rights continue to lag in Kenya “The ability to access credit for yesterday he had secured a met Galmudug President Abdikarim Karimi, who usually produces just views aren’t valid and cannot therefore because the issue is poorly understood farmer is vital to enable them access the Sceasefi re between two warring Hussein Guled and Puntland Presi- fi ve or six bags of the beans, maize and infl uence a man’s decision in any way,” and traditional attitudes are so in- right seeds, the right farm inputs and regions in the Horn of Africa nation, dent Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and vegetables she grows on the six-acre David Mugambi, a natural resource grained that many Kenyans fail to grasp have the right storage facilities after two weeks after a peace deal col- witnessed a troop pull-back from farm she tends with her husband, said management expert and don at Chuka that equal land rights are granted by the harvesting,” she said. lapsed leading to fi ghting that killed the area where they clashed, and will she had learned a lot from a session in University, said. constitution. Joel Kithure, a project offi cer with at least 29 people. have a 4km buff er zone. which crops were tested for their suit- “Even at the household level, a wom- This situation is particularly prob- CARITAS, an NGO that works to eradi- The Galmudug and Puntland “What happened over the last ability to the soil. an cannot own a cow, a goat or a sheep... lematic because women account for cate food shortages, said organisations semi-autonomous regions have month and weeks in Galkayo is very “As a couple, I now understand she has no collateral when it comes to a more than 80% of the rural popula- like his were striving to advance wom- a history of clashes and the lat- unfortunate. It is the responsibility where we have been going wrong as loan guarantee as she isn’t even the le- tion whose only means of a livelihood is en’s land rights as a way of ensuring est round of fi ghting between their of all here and absent to make sure we we have not only been using the wrong gal owner of the farm.” land, Njagi said. families have enough to eat. forces two weeks ago erupted after do not see a repeat,” Sharmarke said. techniques but have not farmed with Like other women in Tharaka-Nithi “Customary laws, the patriarchal But for Karimi, traditional attitudes a dispute over buildings planned in Somalia has been hit by confl ict the right crops adapted to the region,” County, Karimi has no choice but to nature of Kenyan society — where the to the role of women are still holding Galkayo, a city that is divided be- since the downfall of dictator Mo- said Karimi, who was trained alongside comply with decisions made by her man is held as the head of the household her back. tween the two sides. hamed Siad Barre in early 1990s, and other women farmers. husband — or by her father and broth- and women’s rights to land are seen as She hopes that eventually she can “Prime Minister (Omar) Shar- Islamist militant group Shebaab has But her dream of making her family ers. secondary — as well as some communi- persuade her husband that she has marke travelled to Galkayo and over been one of the main causes of unrest more food-secure was shattered when Such traditions are detrimental to ties dictating that women should not knowledge to off er. (the) last week worked to negotiate in the last two decades. she suggested to her husband that she farming as they silence women who own land or other immovable proper- “My husband may not be buying the take over the running of their farm. may have valuable knowledge to off er, ties — play a key role in the discrimina- idea now, but I am sure that in the near He would not accept that the wife he experts say. tion against women,” he said. future he will,” she said. Congo blocks opposition demonstration uthorities in the Democratic putu said in a statement. Police shut 10 dead in Uganda ferry accident Republic of Congo yesterday down a similar protest on November 5. Church prince Ablocked an opposition dem- Kabila named opposition fi gure en people died “We managed to res- onstration in the capital aimed at Samy Badibanga as prime minister when an over- cue 11 people. The rest New cardinal putting pressure on President Joseph on Thursday under a power-sharing Tcrowded ferry on drowned,” he said. Dieudonne Kabila to step down next month at the deal that allows the president to stay the Ugandan side of Lake The 10 fatalities com- Nzapalainga of end of his mandate, witnesses said. in offi ce until at least April 2018. Albert capsized in strong prised six women and four Central African The rally was banned and security The main opposition bloc de- winds, local police said. men. Republic talks forces maintained a heavy presence. nounced the choice as a provocation The vessel, with 21 peo- Accidents are fre- with a woman at They also prevented activists and but its attempts to stop the govern- ple onboard, was taking quent on the lake, which the Vatican the UN peacekeeping mission in ment’s agenda appear to be strug- passengers from Buliisa is shared by Uganda and following a Congo from approaching the house gling to gain traction. to Kagoya, farther south, Democratic Republic of consistory of veteran opposition leader Etienne International powers fear the im- when the accident hap- Congo. ceremony led Tshisekedi, witnesses said. passe could lead to violence in the pened overnight Thurs- In March 2014, 210 Con- by Pope Francis “The sites where the meeting was to giant Central African nation, where day, Buliisa police spokes- golese refugees drowned to install 17 new have taken place have been isolated,” millions died in regional wars be- man Julius Hakiza told when the boat they were cardinals. police spokesman Pierre Mwanam- tween 1996 and 2003. AFP. travelling in capsized. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, November 20, 2016 AMERICA Trump chooses loyalists for top jobs

Reuters Flynn’s post does not need New York Senate confi rmation. One of the earliest Repub- lican lawmakers to support S president-elect Don- Trump’s White House can- ald Trump picked three didacy, Sessions opposes any Uconservative loyalists path to citizenship for illegal to lead his national security immigrants and was an enthu- and law enforcement teams on siastic backer of Trump’s cam- Friday, underscoring his cam- paign promise to build a wall paign promise to take a hard on the border with Mexico. line confronting Islamist mili- He has also argued for curbs tancy and curbing illegal im- on legal immigration on the migration. grounds that it drives down Trump picked US sena- wages for US workers. tor Jeff Sessions for attorney A former Alabama attorney general, rewarding a staunch general and US attorney, Ses- supporter whose tough and sions, 69, has been in the sen- sometimes infl ammatory ate for 19 years. statements on immigration Allegations that he made have refl ected his own. racist remarks led the senate to The choice was applauded deny his confi rmation as a fed- by the top Republican in the eral judge in 1986. Senate but drew sharp criti- The chamber’s top Demo- cism from civil rights activists. crat, Chuck Schumer, said he President-elect Donald Trump’s motorcade arrives at Trump National Golf Club, where president-elect Trump is scheduled to have meetings this weekend, in Bedminster Township, Retired army lieutenant would want Sessions to answer New Jersey. general Mike Flynn, who has “tough questions” about his championed Trump’s prom- civil rights positions. ises to take a more aggressive The attorney general acts approach to terrorism, was as the country’s chief law en- chosen as his national security forcement offi cer and head of adviser. the justice department. Trump named representa- Civil rights groups slammed tive Mike Pompeo, a vocal Sessions as a poor choice to head critic of the Obama admin- a department charged with pro- President-elect defends istration’s security policy, as tecting voting rights and run- director of the Central Intelli- ning immigration courts. gence Agency. “How can we trust someone The three choices, an- in that role who has demon- nounced by Trump’s transi- strated he thinks all forms of tion team, come as the Re- immigration are bad for Amer- publican president-elect ica?” said Beth Werlin, head move to settle Trump works to fill key positions in of the American Immigration his administration, which will Council. take over from Democratic Senate majority leader Mitch President Barack Obama on McConnell said he strongly January 20. supported Sessions for attor- The picks could heighten ney general, calling him “prin- concerns abroad that the cipled, forthright, and hard- University lawsuits Trump administration might working”. carry out campaign promises Sessions has been one of President-elect Trump has decided to said the deal followed repeated refusals by pledge to build a wall on the US-Mexico in and I respect that,” Forge said, referring of banning Muslims from en- Trump’s most enthusiastic settle after rejecting the possibility Trump “to settle for even modest amounts border to control illegals. to Trump. “So this settlement means he tering the United States or im- backers on Capitol Hill and since the start of the case of compensation for the victims of his A trio of suits brought by former stu- believed that the students deserved a real posing more severe restrictions the president-elect has hired phony university”. dents alleged that the training programme recovery.” on migrants from countries or several of Sessions’ staff ers, Reuters “Today’s $25mn settlement agreement — which was not an accredited college or He said $21mn of the settlement would regions with high levels of mil- including policy chief Stephen Washington is a stunning reversal by Donald Trump university, but was in operation from 2005 go to reimburse the Trump University itant Islamist activity, such as Miller and Rick Dearborn, who and a major victory for the over 6,000 to 2011 — fl eeced students by tricking plaintiff s in San Diego. Iraq and Syria. has a top job managing the victims of his fraudulent university,” New them with aggressive marketing. The remainder would go to the attorney Sessions and Pompeo seem transition. onald Trump yesterday defended York state attorney general Eric Schnei- Trump’s lawyers had countered for years general in New York to reimburse plaintiff s likely to be confi rmed by the Also on Friday, the fi rst set his decision to settle lawsuits derman said. that many students had given the program in that case. Senate despite heavy resist- of transition “landing teams” Dover his Trump University real “I am pleased that under the terms of a thumbs-up and those who failed to suc- Forge added that the aggrieved former ance from Democrats. were starting work at the de- estate seminars for $25mn, saying he this settlement, every victim will receive ceed had only themselves to blame. students could expect their money within Republicans will control a partments of State, Justice, does not have time to fight the fraud restitution and that Donald Trump will But, with the president-elect appar- three to four months. majority, with at least 51 seats Defense and the National Se- cases in court now that he is headed to pay up to $1mn in penalties to the State ently seeking to put the thorny matter to Lead Trump attorney Daniel Petrocelli in the 100-seat chamber, when curity Council to begin hash- the White House. of New York for violating state education rest as he builds his cabinet, a deal was said his client had put aside his personal Congress reconvenes in Janu- ing out the details of shifting to The lawsuits cast a shadow over the Re- laws.” reached. feelings to settle the matter. ary. a new administration. publican’s presidential campaign and led A spokesperson for Schneiderman’s of- Robert Guillo, a 76-year-old New “President-elect Trump is pleased to to one of the more controversial moments fi ce said the settlement covers all three Yorker who spent nearly $40,000 on put this case behind him,” Petrocelli told of his run for the White House when he class-action lawsuits against Trump Uni- tuition alongside his son, had previously reporters in San Diego. “We think it’s a claimed the judge overseeing two of the versity: two in California dating to 2010 told AFP that the program was an “abso- victory for everybody.” cases was biased because he was of Mexi- and one in New York fi led in 2013. lute scam”. Trump agreed to the settlement without can ancestry. Students had claimed they were they “I learned absolutely nothing,” Guillo admitting any fault or liability, Petrocelli Obama declares parts While denying any wrongdoing, Trump were lured by false promises into paying said. “He fooled me for $35,000.” added. agreed on Friday to pay $25mn to settle the up to $35,000 to learn Trump’s real estate The agreement came just before a hear- A Trump Organization spokesman lawsuits. investing secrets from his hand-picked in- ing in a San Diego federal court was about insisted that had the case gone to trial, of Arctic off -limits “I settled the Trump University lawsuit structors. to begin to decide on a request by Trump to Trump would have won. for a small fraction of the potential award Trump’s lawyers denied this. delay the trial. “While we have no doubt that Trump because as president I have to focus on our The deal covers three lawsuits relating Jason Forge, one of the lead attorneys for University would have prevailed at trial for oil exploration country,” Trump wrote on Twitter yester- to Trump University: two class actions the plaintiff s in the San Diego cases, hailed based on the merits of this case, resolu- day morning. suits in California and a New York case the settlement. tion of these matters allows president- “The ONLY bad thing about winning brought by Schneiderman. “This case has been unprecedented in so elect Trump to devote his full attention AFP The decision will protect the Presidency is that I did not have the US district judge Gonzalo Curiel in San many ways,” he told AFP. “It’s only fi tting to the important issues facing our great Washington wildlife migration routes, time to go through a long but winning trial Diego must still approve the settlement. that it end with an unprecedented recov- nation,” the spokesman said in a state- crucial feeding grounds, on Trump U. During his election campaign, Trump ery for so many people.” ment read on CNN. In February, Trump seafloor habitats and the Too bad!” He said in a second tweet. said that Curiel, who was born in Indiana He added that the settlement proves the tweeted that the programme had a 98% S president Barack larger Arctic marine ecosys- In announcing the settlement, New to Mexican immigrant parents, could not students had a valid case. approval rating and that he would not Obama on Friday de- tem, said the Pew Charitable York attorney general Eric Schneiderman be impartial because of Trump’s campaign “This man fi ghts for what he believes settle out of principle. Uclared portions of the Trusts. Arctic off -limits for oil explo- Oceana’s senior vice presi- ration for the next fi ve years, dent for the United States, dealing a blow to Republican Jackie Savitz, said she was eff orts to expand fossil fuel ex- “hopeful” about charting a traction. new course for protecting the The decision means new oil Arctic, rather than trying to Pence is booed at Broadway show and gas exploration leasing in exploit it. the Chukchi Sea and Beaufort “The decades-long push to Sea will not be considered until drill in the Arctic has put this AFP ment to Pence during the curtain call that The audience cheered and loudly ap- He made no comment. Trump com- after 2022. unique and diverse ecosystem New York echoed some of the main concerns critics plauded. plained in a tweet yesterday morning. “Given the unique and chal- at risk, cost tens of billions of have voiced since the Republican fi rebrand The crowd had greeted Pence with a mix “Our wonderful future VP Mike lenging Arctic environment dollars and created signifi cant won the election on November 8. of boos and cheers when he entered the Pence was harassed last night at the and industry’s declining in- controversy without provid- ice president-elect Mike Pence With that, a performance about a revo- theatre before the show. theatre by the cast of Hamilton, cam- terest in the area, forgoing ing the promised benefi ts,” she was booed at a performance of the lution and dawn of a young nation became During the performance, the audience eras blazing,” he wrote. “This should lease sales in the Arctic is the said. Vaward-winning Broadway musi- even more political. gave a standing ovation at the line “im- not happen!” right path forward,” interior “Companies have been given cal Hamilton, whose “alarmed and anx- Pence is a stalwart Christian conserva- migrants we get the job done”, theatregoer “The theatre must always be a safe and secretary Sally Jewell said in a every opportunity to fi nd oil ious” cast made an unusual call for Donald tive from the Midwest. Christy Colburn tweeted. special place,” he added in another mes- statement. The US government and have failed at every turn Trump’s incoming administration to work Thanking him for attending the per- sage. “The cast of Hamilton was very rude made a similar announcement because of the extreme condi- on behalf of all Americans. formance, Dixon asked him to “hear us Brandon Victor Dixon read a last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. in March, when it removed the tions and limited window for The president-elect later complained out”. statement to Pence during the Apologise!” Atlantic Ocean from the fi ve- operations there.” that the cast had been rude to Pence and “We, sir, we are the diverse America who curtain call that echoed some of the Trump has deployed polarising rhetoric year road map. The US plans off ered 11 po- harassed him during the late Friday per- are alarmed and anxious that your new main concerns critics have voiced to describe immigrants, vowing to build a Environmental groups hailed tential lease sales — 10 in the formance. “This should not happen!” administration will not protect us, our since the Republican fi rebrand won wall along the US border with Mexico and Friday’s decision as historic and Gulf of Mexico and one off the Trump tweeted. planet, our children, our parents or defend the election ban Muslims from entering the United coming at a key moment, as coast of Alaska in the Cook In- The wildly popular hit musical, which us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir,” States. President-elect Donald Trump let area. won 11 Tony Awards in June, follows Dixon said. “Crowd went NUTS at King George’s The bombastic real estate billionaire has promised to expand drilling House speaker Paul Ryan, a young colonial rebels who became Amer- “But we truly hope this show has in- lines ‘when people say they hate you’ & ‘do — who faced widespread condemnation for oil and to revive the Ameri- Republican from Wisconsin, ica’s founding fathers, celebrating diver- spired you to uphold our American values you know how hard it is to lead?’ He had to within and outside his party during his can coal industry. said lawmakers would work to sity and immigrants’ contribution to the and work on behalf of all of us. stop the song.” campaign when a video emerged of him “Today’s news couldn’t overturn the plan. nation. All of us.” Although Pence was leaving the audito- making lewd boasts about groping and come at a better time,” said the “In its fi nal days, the Obama The show’s lead actor, Javier Munoz, is Hamilton, Dixon told Pence, was per- rium when Dixon began reading his state- forcing himself on women — has so far Sierra Club. administration is throwing up HIV positive and a cancer survivor. formed by “a diverse group of men, wom- ment from the stage, he stood by the en- appointed staunchly conservative older “President Obama has pro- more barriers to American en- Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays former en of diff erent colours, creeds and orienta- trance to hear the entire message, the New white men to major posts in his future ad- tected the Arctic and Atlantic ergy development,” Ryan said vice president Aaron Burr, read a state- tions.” York Times reported. ministration. Oceans from Big Oil.” in a statement. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 15 ASEAN

Myanmar denies accounts of Rohingyas trying to fl ee

Reuters Yangon

yanmar’s state media yesterday denied Bang- Mladesh border guards’ accounts of Rohingya Muslims fl eeing confl ict at home by try- ing to cross into the northern neighbour. A commanding offi cer of Bor- der Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said on Friday his staff provided food and medicines to 82 people, in- cluding women and children, attempting to leave Myanmar but turned them back from the frontier. Two boats with 86 people were pushed back on Tuesday. State-run English language Pro-democracy group Bersih stage 1MDB protest, calling for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to resign, in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar said yesterday a newly created information task- force had found the reports to be untrue.“An inquiry into news reports by Reuters that nearly 200 people fl eeing Myanmar had been arrested and repulsed yesterday by Bangladesh bor- Malaysia’s Mahathir joins der guards has been found to be false,” said the newspaper, quot- ing BGB offi cials. Soldiers have fl ooded the north of Rakhine state, along Myanmar’s frontier with Bang- ladesh, responding to attacks by calls to oust prime minister alleged militants on border posts on Oct 9. AFP unseat a democratically-elected larger crowds for two days of Sixty-nine suspected insur- Kuala Lumpur government”. peaceful demonstrations over gents and 17 members of the Tensions in the Muslim- 1MDB.1MDB has fuelled gloom security forces have been killed majority country rose in the among progressives and reform since the violence began, ac- ormer Malaysian leader rally’s run-up due to threats by advocates who had already ac- cording to offi cial reports. Mahathir Mohamed called the “Red Shirts,” ethnic-Malay cused Najib of reneging on ear- Earlier this month, Myanmar Ffor a sustained push to rightists who support Najib, to lier promises to eliminate graft denied accusations by Rohingya topple scandal-plagued Prime disrupt the demonstration, but and end the 59-year-old ruling that its military had killed peo- Minister Najib Razak as thou- no clashes were reported. coalition’s repressive tenden- ple fl eeing the confl ict which has sands rallied yesterday to de- Police yesterday arrested Ber- cies. displaced up to 30,000 people. mand the premier’s resignation sih leader Maria Chin Abdullah Critics say Najib is lurching Rohingya residents have told over the 1MDB corruption saga. and several other fi gures in an toward autocracy and trampling Reuters hundreds have tried to Malaysians clad in the yellow apparent bid to undercut to- rule of law to stifl e the scan- fl ee to Bangladesh after fi ghting of the reformist Bersih cam- day’s protest. dal as elections loom within 18 intensifi ed a week ago. paign fl ooded Kuala Lumpur for Amnesty International called months. The UN refugee agency has the second time in 15 months to the arrests “the latest in a series Mahathir’s participation in said the border should be kept vent anger over allegations that of crude and heavy-handed at- Bersih’s 1MDB demonstrations open for people fl eeing violence. billions of dollars were looted tempts” to silence dissent. — he also showed up last year — The confl ict is the biggest test from state investment fund Defying the government underlines how the scandal has for Nobel Peace Prize winner 1MDB, Najib’s brainchild. pressure, rivers of yellow- upended Malaysian politics. Aung San Suu Kyi since becom- Speaking to a crowd of at least wearing demonstrators fl owed Mahathir ruled with a fi rm ing Myanmar’s de facto leader 20,000 under the shadow of the downtown, blowing vuvuzelas, grip during his own 1981-2003 seven months ago, laying bare capital’s giant Petronas Towers brandishing caricatures of Na- tenure, championing the ruling her lack of oversight over the twin skyscrapers, Mahathir, 91, jib and other 1MDB fi gures, and United Malays National Organi- military, which has been ac- accused Najib of stealing public chanting “Catch the Thief-in- sation (UMNO). cused of human rights violations money and said Malaysia was Chief!” But he has quit UMNO in dis- against ethnic minorities in the “controlled by thieves”. “We want a clean govern- gust over 1MDB and formed a past. The Global New Light of “Time has come for us to top- ment. We want fair elections,” new opposition party. Myanmar said the government ple this cruel regime. Najib is no said Derek Wong, a 38-year-old Yesterday he sanctioned planned to create an investiga- longer suitable to be the prime real estate agent. further protests against Najib, tion commission to look into the minister. He is abusing the law,” “We hope to see Najib re- despite dealing harshly with “violent attacks in Maungtaw”, Mahathir said. Members of pro-democracy group Bersih listen to former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamed at a rally moved and charged in court.” demonstrators while he was in the region in Rakhine at the cen- Malaysia has been seized during a 1MDB protest, calling for Prime Minister Najib Razak to resign, in Kuala Lumpur. Bersih, which means “clean” power. tre of the unrest. since last year by the 1MDB in Malay, is an alliance of scores “We should not be afraid to The report did not specify scandal, which has sparked in- ment — which has fi led lawsuits unnamed top Malaysian offi cial. fi red the attorney general and of NGOs and civil-society show our opposition to the gov- whether the probe would in- vestigations in several coun- to seize assets it says were pur- A Malaysian Cabinet offi cial purged ruling-party critics. groups that staged several pro- ernment,” Mahathir, wearing clude an investigation of alle- tries. chased with stolen 1MDB mon- has since admitted that indi- Few expect him to be toppled tests over the years for electoral a yellow Bersih shirt, told the gations of human rights abuses Najib, 63, and 1MDB deny ey — says the fund was pillaged vidual was Najib. anytime soon. reform, but has now shifted fo- crowd. that the United Nations, the wrongdoing. in an audacious campaign of Najib last year abruptly shut Najib yesterday condemned cus to 1MDB. Protesters began dispersing United States and Britain have But the US Justice Depart- fraud and theft that involved an down Malaysian investigations, Bersih as an opposition plot “to In August 2015, it drew even late yesterday afternoon. called for. At least 15 missing in Thousands rally against Indonesia boat accident racial, religious intolerance AFP Jakarta Reuters Jakarta t least 15 people are miss- ing after a speedboat col- housands of Indonesians Alided with a Vietnamese held a peaceful rally yes- cargo vessel yesterday and cap- Tterday to promote unity, sized in the Java Sea, according saying they were worried by to an offi cial. signs of growing racial and re- The passenger boat was ferry- ligious intolerance in the coun- ing 27 people some 50 kilometre try. off the coast of Tuban, a small Dressed in red and white town in East Java, when it col- shirts, the colours of the In- lided with a ship transporting donesian fl ag, religious lead- tapioca starch from Vietnam. ers, members of human rights All 22 Vietnamese crew mem- groups, lawmakers and others bers aboard the cargo vessel were marched along a central Ja- safe but the speedboat carrying karta street.Some held posters mostly Indonesian fi shermen with the national motto “Bhin- sunk after the collision. neka Tunggal Ika”, which means People take part in a rally against what they see as growing racial and religious intolerance in Jakarta. “Twelve people have been In this handout photograph taken and released yesterday by the unity in diversity, while others rescued alive while 15 others are Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency, the crew of a performed traditional dances. line sentiment in the country of Basuki Purnama Purnama ear- ist with Liberal Islam Network. still missing,” said Frans Su- Vietnamese vessel and passengers on a ferry are rescued some 50kms “This is about diversity, but 250mn people have grown since lier this month. Some analysts have said the priadi, a spokesman for the local off the coast of Tuban in East Java, after the two vessels collided. also about unity. police decided on Wednes- Police fi red tear gas and water police decision to pursue the disaster agency. We have to separate politics day to investigate a blasphemy cannon to quell the protest. case was a blow to democracy A rescue team has been de- along a busy trade route and wit- of more than 17,000 islands from ethnicity, religion, and complaint by Muslim groups “The economy is growing, as well as diversity. Indone- ployed by boat and helicopter to nesses suspected the speedboat is heavily dependent on boat race,” said 25-year old Iwan against the Christian governor infrastructure is being built sia recognises six religions and search for the missing. driver was sleepy and failed to transport, but safety stand- Saputra.”I want Indonesia to of Jakarta. everywhere. Don’t let this all be is home to several minority Supriadi said the spot where notice the Vietnamese ship. ards are lax and fatal accidents stay united.” More than 100,000 Muslims destroyed just because of ego,” groups that adhere to tradition- the accident happened was The Indonesian archipelago common. Concerns about rising hard- protested against Governor said Saidiman Ahmad, an activ- al beliefs. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, November 20, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Fresh protest in Seoul to seek Park’s resignation AFP Turnbull: Off icials from US Seoul Homeland Security are in Australia right now and they will be going to Nauru shortly. ens of thousands of pro- testers rallied in Seoul Tyesterday for the fourth in a weekly series of mass protests urging President Park Geun-hye US offi cials to resign over a corruption scan- dal. The demonstrations – among arrive in the largest seen in South Korea since the pro-democracy pro- tests of the 1980s – have pro- Australia vided a stark challenge to Park’s authority, but the president has defi ed calls to step down. to assess Organisers said that the can- dle-lit rally in Seoul drew some 450,000 protestors who chanted refugees “Park Geun-hye resign” as they A demonstrator poses against a police bus adorned with messages gathered in central Seoul. during the protest in central Seoul. Police put the number at Reuters 155,000. ply doesn’t feel ashamed of the old IT expert, was carrying a Sydney So far the protests have been wrongs she and her friend did. banner and wearing a medical largely peaceful, with many She must go.” mask inscribed: “Park resign”. families participating, but there The anti-Park rallies have “She is a criminal. How can A woman uses chalk to draw S offi cials have arrived in was still a heavy police presence, continued despite two tele- we have a criminal as our presi- candles on the pavement Australia to begin assess- with buses and trucks blocking vised apologies from the presi- dent? She must step down,” he last night during the protest Uing asylum-seekers held access roads to the presidential dent over a scandal linked to said. in Gwanghwamun square in on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Blue House. her friendship with long-time Fresh from the crucial college central Seoul. Island and Nauru for resettle- “We want to have a peace- confi dante Choi Soon-sil, who entrance exam they spent their ment in the United States, Prime ful protest,” Nam Jeong-su, has been arrested for fraud and entire school lives preparing for, to a probe by an independent Minister Malcolm Turnbull said spokesman for the Korean Con- abuse of power. a large number of high-school special prosecutor to be ap- yesterday. federation of Trade Unions, told Prosecutors have been inves- seniors were at their fi rst rally, pointed by parliament. Australia announced last AFP. tigating allegations that Choi, having missed the previous three But she has off ered no sign of week that it had reached a deal Nam said the ranks of protest- 60, leveraged their relationship due to study commitments. resigning and some members in which the United States would ers had been swelled by thou- to coerce donations from large “Making this country better of her ruling Saenuri Party have take a substantial number of sands of high-school students companies like Samsung to non- is more important than entering started to push back at the pop- the 1,200 refugees held at the who fi nished their fi nal exams profi t foundations which she set a good college,” said Park Chai- ular protests of the past month. Australian-funded off shore earlier in the week. up and used for personal gain. un, as he collected donations to “Candles are candles. They processing centres, although And this being South Korea – She is also accused of inter- buy candles and bottled water will just go out with a gust of the election of Donald Trump with the world’s highest smart- fering in government aff airs, for protesters. wind,” one Saenuri lawmaker has injected uncertainty into the phone penetration rate – many despite holding no offi cial posi- “When things go this wrong said. agreement. had downloaded a special app tion. with the country, it will become The scandal has paralysed the A protester holds a flower in front of riot police blocking a road near Trump started campaigning showing a burning candle to Lurid reports of the unhealthy even more diffi cult for us to nd fi Park administration and caused the presidential Blue House. for the presidency by advocat- hold aloft during the rally. infl uence Choi wielded over jobs. That’s why I am here,” said the president to pull out of a ing a blanket ban on Muslims “We’re here to show my chil- Park have seen the president’s classmate Kim Mi-sung. gathering of Asia-Pacifi c Eco- mal duties and announced that said Park was receiving bas- entering the United States, but dren the site where history is be- approval ratings plunge to 5% – In an eff ort to soothe public nomic Co-operation (APEC) she will attend an annual sum- kets of fl owers from supporters, later adjusted his stance to pro- ing made”, said Kim Myung-hee, a record low for a sitting presi- anger, Park has agreed to re- leaders in Peru next week. mit with China and Japan in To- and some 5,000 people joined a pose that the ban should apply 30, who came with her husband dent. linquish some of her extensive But after a lengthy hiatus, kyo next month. small pro-Park rally held before to people from nations that had and two daughters. “Park sim- Lee Won-cheol, a 48-year- presidential powers and submit Park has visibly returned to nor- The presidential Blue House the main protest. been “compromised by terror- ism”. Many of asylum-seekers at the camps are Muslims who have fl ed confl icts in Iraq, Syria, Af- ghanistan and Pakistan. Dalai Lama on Mongolia visit despite China’s objections “Offi cials from Homeland Se- curity are in Australia right now in fact and they will be going to AFP Dalai Lama’s visit had no con- Russian Daritseren Luvsa- Nauru shortly,” Turnbull said on Ulan Bator nection with the government. nova, 73, said she crossed the the sidelines of the APEC sum- The exiled Tibetan spirit- border and drove 12 hours to mit in Lima, Peru. ual leader arrived in the land- see him at Gandantegchilen A transcript of his remarks to he Dalai Lama met Bud- locked nation’s capital of Ulan monastery in Ulan Bator, journalists was issued by his of- dhist worshippers yes- Bator Friday and will stay until where he was participating in fi ce. Tterday during a four- November 22. Buddhist ceremonies. Resettlement is unlikely to day visit to Mongolia, despite At the airport he told report- After several hours the Dalai come before Trump’s January Beijing’s strident demand that ers that Mongolia and Tibet Lama came outside to greet 20 inauguration, and Turnbull he be barred from entering the have “a unique and ancient re- and bless worshippers, many said the timeline would be de- country. lationship” like that of a mas- of them holding long silk termined by American offi cials. China is “fi rmly opposed to ter and a student. bands in a traditional gesture Professor Simon Jackman, the anti-China separatist ac- “I want Mongolians to use of respect. chief executive of the United tivities by the Dalai Lama in new-era education and scien- “Look at how many people States Studies Centre at Sydney any country, in any name, and tifi c achievements in their life wanted to see the Dalai Lama. University, said that the deal in any capacity”, foreign min- to develop their country while Our desire will not be bothered may require further negotiation istry spokesman Geng Shuang keeping their beautiful ethical by Chinese aff airs,” 25-year- once Trump was in offi ce. told reporters yesterday. traditions such as respecting old monk Shinebayariin Lu- “All of the signs from the China further demanded elders and being humane to vsantseren told AFP. Trump administration are that that Mongolia “not allow the each other,” he said. Despite China’s demands deals like this are looked at unfa- visit by the Dalai Lama and do Hundreds of monks and that Ulan Bator refuse him, vourably,” Jackman said. not promote any facilitation worshippers waited hours “Mongolia has shown it is a Should Trump veto the deal, for the separatist activities by yesterday in biting, -20° Cel- democratic and independent the detainees would be left with the Dalai clique”. sius (-4° Fahrenheit) tem- country that makes its own the choice of returning to their Home to devout Buddhists peratures for a glimpse of the decision”, he added. home countries or remaining in but heavily dependent on 81-year-old Tibetan, who is The monastery that organ- Nauru or Papua New Guinea. trade with China, Mongolia widely revered in the country, ised the visit said it was purely Turnbull is facing growing has tried to avoid angering its with many families keeping religious and separate from outrage both at home and inter- giant neighbour, which views his picture in small household political aff airs. nationally over the treatment of the Nobel Peace Prize winner shrines. The Dalai Lama’s last visit the refugees. as a devious separatist bent on Mongolian Buddhism is to the vast and sparsely-pop- A US veto may force him to breaking apart China. closely related to the Tibetan ulated country came in 2011, search for another country will- But the spiritual leader has tradition. in the midst of a wave of self- ing to take them. pressed more for Tibetan au- Dolgoriin Lkhagva, a monk, immolations by Tibetans in Under Australia’s tough bor- tonomy rather than outright told AFP that he travelled China angry about what they der security laws, asylum-seek- independence. 600km (370 miles) on icy saw as religious repression and ers intercepted trying to reach Mongolia’s Minister of For- roads so he could convey the growing domination by the the country by boat are sent for eign Aff airs Tsendiin Munkh- Dalai Lama’s message to wor- country’s majority Han ethnic processing at detention camps The Dalai Lama (centre) addresses people gathered at the Gandan Tegchinlen monastery in Ulan Bator. Orgil said on Friday that the shippers back home. group. Manus island and Nauru.

North Korea slams South’s deal on Bank fire suspect identified as intelligence-sharing with Japan Japan ships out on Antarctic hunt asylum-seeker from Myanmar North Korea lashed out on Friday at a new South Korea-Japan The 21-year-old who set himself on fire inside a Melbourne intelligence-sharing accord, accusing Seoul of a gross act of bank, injuring 26 people, was an asylum-seeker waiting for his betrayal with the “sworn enemy” of the Korean people. AFP hunting that has been in force After the court ruling, Japan immigration claim to be processed, a local community leader said. The deal to share defence intelligence – largely driven by the Tokyo since 1986, but uses a loophole cancelled its 2014-15 hunt, only The suspect came from Myanmar and was known within the growing threat of the North’s nuclear and missile programmes – in the temporary ban allowing for to resume it the following year Melbourne Rohingya community, said Habib, a member of the was reached and provisionally signed in Tokyo on Monday. lethal scientifi c research. under a new programme with a Australian Burmese Rohingya Organisation. It was a controversial move in South Korea, where the legacy of apanese whaling ships de- Tokyo claims that it is trying two-thirds cut in the target catch Rohingyas are a Muslim minority group in Myanmar who are Japan’s harsh 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean peninsula is a parted on Friday on the annu- to prove the whale population number, saying the fresh plan is subjected to persecution and violence from the country’s Buddhist deep well of anti-Japanese sentiment and a belief that Tokyo has Jal Antarctic hunt, the govern- is large enough to sustain a re- genuinely scientifi c. majority. never properly atoned for the abuses of that era. ment said, defying a worldwide turn to commercial hunting for “The ICJ has not denied the Police were yet to reveal the identity of the suspect or his motive. Tensions between South Korea and Japan are welcomed and even moratorium and international a traditional source of food, but research whaling per se, but said The man arrived in Australia by boat in 2013 and was living alone encouraged by North Korea, which seizes any opportunity to drive opposition. the meat still ends up on dinner that it needs more clarifi cation in a Melbourne suburb while he was waiting to be accepted as a a wedge between the two key US military allies in the region. The two vessels set sail from tables and is served up in school as to the number of hunts and refugee, Habib said. A spokesman for the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee in the port city of Shimonoseki in lunches. their purpose. So we are try- He set himself on fire on Friday morning inside the Commonwealth Pyongyang called the intelligence agreement a “hideous act of western Japan with the plan of In 2014, the United Nations’ ing to improve these points,” the Bank branch in Springvale, in Melbourne’s southwest, before being treachery aimed to stifle fellow countrymen in the north in league killing 333 minke whales, a Fish- International Court of Justice agency offi cial in Tokyo told AFP. arrested and placed under police guard in hospital. with the sworn enemy of the nation”. eries Agency offi cial in Tokyo (ICJ) ordered Tokyo to end the “Although there is no alterna- Many asylum-seekers were in a legal limbo as the Australian In a statement carried by the North’s off icial KCNA news, the told AFP. Antarctic hunt, saying it found tive to our lethal research, we immigration department was too slow to process their applications, spokesman said it was a “dangerous act” that would further raise Japan is a signatory to the permits issued by Japan were will continue to look for such an causing mental anguish and depression, Habib said. already-elevated tensions on the Korean peninsula and open a door International Whaling Com- “not for purposes of scientifi c alternative by testing non-lethal In recent months the man faced financial diff iculties as he had to Japanese “re-invasion”. mission’s moratorium on whale research”. measures.” stopped receiving government benefits. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 17 BRITAIN Protest against runway Father of frozen girl ‘not allowed a goodbye’

Evening Standard only place with anti-cryonics London laws in North America.”At the moment that seems a very sen- sible strategy,” he said. he father of a 14-year- He added: “There is no evi- old girl whose remains dence outside amphibia and tis- Thave been frozen said sue slices that any of this works he hadn’t seen his daughter [...] We’re not at a point where for nine years and did not get regulation is appropriate. to say goodbye before she was The whole body is just ri- cryogenically preserved. diculous and the whole brain The teenager, who died on is only slightly less ridiculous.” October 17, was terminally ill The British philosopher and had wanted her remains to Mary Warnock said people be frozen in the hope she could considering cryogenic freez- be revived in the future. ing had to be better informed, But her divorced parents although she did not support a became embroiled in a dispute ban or other legislation.”People relating to whether her remains are being ruthlessly exploited should be taken to a specialist by these companies who are facility in the United States and guilty of exploiting those who cryogenically frozen. are vulnerable because of dis- The girl, who lived in the tress — that is the real ethical London area with her mother dilemma,” she said. and had a rare form of cancer, The cosmologist and astro- had taken legal action. physicist Prof Martin Rees said She had asked justice Peter the promises made by cryonics Environmental protesters block a road during a protest near Heathrow airport in west London. Jackson to rule that her mother enthusiasts were “ridiculous — who supported her wish to and not to be taken seriously”. be cryogenically preserved — “From an ethical point of should be the only person al- view if people are going to be lowed to make decisions about frozen and revived, even if the disposal of her body. they could survive they would Ultimately, justice Jackson be imposing a great obligation made the ruling she wanted — on future generations, and any following a private hearing in revived person would be a nui- the family division of the high sance or a misfi t.” court — shortly before she died. But leading transhumanists But speaking to The Tel- — an international movement Senior Tories tell May egraph, the girl’s father spoke that aims to transform the hu- of his sadness and blamed his man condition through tech- former partner for stopping nology — argue that any regu- him seeing the child’s body lation of the fl edgling industry before it was embalmed and at this stage could hamper de- frozen. velopments. The man, who is also suf- Anders Sandberg, research fering from cancer, said: “Last fellow at the Future of Human- to drop Brexit appeal time I saw her was in 2007. ity Institute at Oxford Univer- The reason for this is purely sity, said cryonics was a con- Senior Tories want Brexit disputes to necessary legal row, you avoid a lot of un- Boris Johnson talks “nonsense”about agreements (FTAs) took an average of six her mother’s doing — she said troversial area better known in be sorted out in parliament necessary expense, but you also avoid an EU rules and needs to “get real” about and a half years to complete, they urged ‘no way, full stop’. science fi ction than in real life. opportunity for ill-motivated people to the consequences of Brexit, a Tory former the prime minister to take steps to en- “She has caused this sadness “People who want to be Evening Standard attack the judiciary, to misconstrue the minister has said. sure business was not harmed if the UK between me and my daughter cryopreserved are like refugees London motives of both parties to the lawsuit, and Anna Soubry revealed she would not could not cut a deal before pulling out in and she died in the end without from the present, fl eeing to the you provide certainty.” attempt to block Brexit by voting against 2019. me being able to see her.” future because they can’t sur- Letwin, a former minister who was di- triggering Article 50 of the EU treaties in The Open Britain study showed that the Cryonic companies vive here,” he said.”There is a enior Tories have urged the prime rector of the “Brexit Unit” following the the Commons but launched an astonish- 37 deals the EU has in place, covering more should be banned from market- good chance they won’t make minister to drop an appeal against referendum, said avoiding the supreme ing attack on the former mayor of London. than 50 countries, took an average of four ing the technique to vulnerable it, their chances are slim — but Sthe high court decision which rules court would avert a risk of judges grant- The Remain-supporting MP insisted years to negotiate and two years to come people, according to a leading it beats the alternative.” parliament should vote on the UK leaving ing “veto powers” to devolved administra- immigration was unlikely to come down into force. neuroscientist who said they He said cryonics companies the EU. tions. after Brexit as the UK economy needed The Canada-EU trade deal which was were being sold a false hope that did not promise potential users Oliver Letwin, the man formerly in On Friday the Supreme Court ruled that foreign workers to fi ll job vacancies, citing recently agreed took more than seven freezing their bodies would al- that they would be restored in charge of Brexit negotiations, has called for Scottish and Welsh governments should this week’s employment statistics. years to negotiate and is not in force. low them to be brought back to full health in the future.”They Theresa May to abandon the appeal to the have a say in the appeal hearing scheduled On Johnson, she told the Guardian: “We By contrast, the UK will pull out of the life in the future. say, we’ll do our best and here supreme court against the decision requir- to start on December 5. actually now have a foreign secretary who EU following just two years of negotiations Clive Coen, a professor of is our theory, but you are still ing a Parliament vote to trigger Article 50. Grieve told yesterday that the govern- said the EU tells us what quantity of ba- under the Article 50 process. neuroscience at King’s College confronted with mortality,” he The ex-attorney general Dominic Grieve ment’s chance of success at the Supreme nanas we’re allowed to buy. Business fi gures warned against rushing London, said the high court said. and former solicitor-general Sir Edward Court hearing is low. “It’s just nonsense. And that’s the prob- towards a deal which could harm Britain’s decision could have the “un- But, he argued, if people Garnier also said May should back down. He added: “I can’t see the point in the lem.” economy and risk falling back on World intended consequence … that a could be reanimated in the fu- Three top judges ruled on November government continuing with the case and Soubry also criticised Johnson for get- Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, which lot of people are going to think ture after being frozen, medical 3 that the government does not have the also agree that if they enact primary legis- ting into a row with Italy by suggesting would see tariff s introduced. this is worth a punt”. advances were likely to mean power to trigger Article 50, which starts lation, they will get it through parliament.” the country should back a generous Brexit International Chamber of Commerce He was speaking to the that physical, if not emo- the formal process of leaving the EU, with- A spokesman for the Department for deal for the UK to avoid losing sales of its UK secretary general Chris Southworth Guardian. tional, complications could be out a vote in parliament. the Exit of the European Union said: “The beverage. said: “Despite concerns over a prolonged “Ethically it’s very compli- fi xed.”In the middle ages peo- But the government said it was plan- country voted to leave the European Union “Boris needs to talk to British business- Brexit, there is a huge amount at stake in cated. The trade-off is that ple thought that if you weren’t ning to fi ght the ruling and lodged an ap- in a referendum approved by an Act of Par- es, as I do. Boris and the rest of his people the negotiations, so it is far more impor- she got the comfort, but others breathing, you were dead, now peal with the supreme court – the highest liament and the government is determined need to get real.” tant we get it right than try and squeeze may now be duped,” he added. we know how to give CPR. In court in the UK. to respect that result. She spoke as business leaders and trade the process into an unrealistic timeframe. Coen said it would be a the future just because your The three Conservatives, who all sup- “We will robustly defend our position in bodies renewed calls for Theresa May to “Transitional arrangements would pro- “sensible step” for the UK to heart is not beating may not ported the Remain campaign, want the the forthcoming appeal. secure transitional trade arrangements to vide insurance and a safety net should consider following the exam- necessarily mean that you are process of voting started as soon as pos- As the prime minister made clear (on give companies a “back-up” and certainty timeframes overrun — and, importantly, ple of the Canadian state of gone.” sible with a bill in parliament. Friday), our work is on track and we remain in case a post-Brexit deal was not ratifi ed give businesses confi dence to plan ahead British Columbia which bans Currently cryonics is unreg- Sir Edward told the BBC Radio 4 Today committed to triggering Article 50 by the before the UK left. without fearing a sudden increase in cost funeral homes from marketing ulated and not subject to any programme: “That way you avoid an un- end of March next year.” As research suggested EU free trade or disruption.” cryonics — thought to be the laws in the UK. MPs clear ‘sweeping’ Rally for education reform surveillance powers

AFP only needs rubber-stamping by Queen ish liberty,” said Bella Sankey, the group’s London Elizabeth II. policy director. Prime Minister Theresa May intro- “Under the guise of counter-terrorism, duced the bill in March when she was still the state has achieved totalitarian-style he British parliament this week interior minister, describing it as “world- surveillance powers — the most intrusive gave the green light to new bulk leading” legislation intended to refl ect system of any democracy in human history. Tsurveillance powers for police and the change in online communications. “It has the ability to indiscriminately intelligence services that critics have de- It gives legal footing to existing but hack, intercept, record, and monitor the nounced as the most far-reaching of any murky powers such as the hacking of com- communications and internet use of the western democracy. puters and mobile phones, while introduc- entire population.” The Investigatory Powers Bill would, ing new safeguards such as the need for a Jim Killock, executive director of dig- among other measures, require websites to judge to authorise interception warrants. ital campaigners Open Rights Group, keep customers’ browsing history for up to But critics have dubbed it the “snoop- warned the impact of the legislation a year and allow law enforcement agencies er’s charter” and say that, in authorising would reach beyond Britain. to access them to help with investigations. the blanket retention and access by au- “It is likely that other countries, in- Edward Snowden, the former US Na- thorities of records of emails, calls, texts cluding authoritarian regimes with poor tional Security Agency contractor turned and web activity, it breaches fundamen- human rights records, will use this law to whistleblower, said the powers “went tal rights of privacy. justify their own intrusive surveillance further than many autocracies”. Rights organisation Liberty has chal- powers,” he said. “The UK has just legalised the most lenged the legislation at the European The bill also reinforces existing en- extreme surveillance in the history of Court of Justice, arguing it is incompat- cryption powers, allowing offi cials to ask western democracy,” he tweeted. ible with human rights law, and a judge- technology companies to provide con- The bill, the fi rst major update of Brit- ment is expected next year. tent where it is deemed “practicable”, al- Demonstrators rally in central London yesterday. The rally was called by the National Union of Students and ish surveillance laws for 15 years, was “The passage of the Snoopers’ Charter though fi rms fear it may open the door to University College Union to demand free, quality further and higher education accessible to all. passed by the House of Lords and now through parliament is a sad day for Brit- further demands on the sector. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, November 20, 2016 EUROPE ‘Only 13% of recent refugees in Germany have jobs’

Reuters rived in Germany, Europe’s larg- ment of the Federal Offi ce for tended to have found employ- Among those who are not in mary school and 9% never went should be a democratic system Berlin est economy, since the start of Migration and Refugees and the ment after living in Germany for work and arrived in Germany to school. and 92% said equal rights for 2015, many fl eeing war and pov- IAB and DIW research institutes. fi ve years, at least 60% were in since January 2013, more than Almost three-quarters of refu- men and women were part of de- erty in the Middle East, Africa It shows that of the refugees work after 10 years and 70% after three-quarters said they “cer- gees aged 18-65 said they had mocracy. hen migrants and refu- and elsewhere. who arrived last year and in Janu- 15 years. tainly” wanted a job and 15% said gained work experience before On average, refugees have es- gees started arriving Security concerns and wor- ary 2016, 13% are employed. He said that would probably they “probably” wanted one. arriving in Germany, with 13% tablished contact with three Ger- Win Germany in large ries about how the record num- Many newcomers are still in prove true of recent immigrants, Of adult refugees, 58% had having been employees in mana- man people and fi ve people from numbers last summer, many bers will integrate have boosted the process of getting asylum ap- especially as they were being of- spent 10 years or more at school, gerial positions. their home countries who they politicians and economists feted support for the anti-immigrant plications assessed and so have fered more language courses and in vocational training and at uni- Around 90% of refugees could did not previously know. them as a solution to a skilled la- Alternative for Germany (AfD) limited access to the labour mar- help from job centres and Ger- versity before arriving in Germa- not speak German when they ar- The survey of 2,349 refugees bour shortage, but a survey pub- party. ket, it found. man people than in the past. ny, the survey found, compared rived, a major stumbling block aged 18 and above was conducted lished this week shows that only The survey of refugees’ em- Herbert Bruecker of the IAB But he said recent newcomers with 88% of Germans. for many employers. between June and October 2016. around one in eight have found ployment status, educational Institute for Employment Re- had not arrived primarily to work Just under a third had attended The survey found many of The refugees arrived in Ger- jobs so far. background and values was con- search said that experience and were not as well prepared as university or a vocational school, the new arrivals shared Germa- many between January 1, 2013 Some 1.1mn migrants have ar- ducted by the research depart- showed around 50% of migrants other groups. while one in 10 went only to pri- ny’s values – 96% agreed there and January 31, 2016.

France ‘illegally’ Pope decries ‘epidemic’ deporting minors: of animosity worldwide groups Reuters/AFP itself was not immune to “a virus AFP Vatican City of polarisation and animosity”, Nice, France an apparent reference to a public challenge by four conservative ope Francis has said that cardinals, who accused him of rance has illegally expelled an “epidemic of animos- sowing confusion on moral is- a number of minors and Pity” against people of oth- sues. Fdozens of adults to Italy, er races or religions was hurting In the “consistory” ceremony rights groups and a lawyers’ un- the weakest in society, striking a in St Peter’s Basilica, Francis ap- ion said yesterday. note of caution against the rise pointed 17 new cardinals, 13 of The expulsions occurred after of populist nationalism. them under 80 and thus still eli- a group of youngsters requested Little more than a week after gible to succeed him. protection and access to child Donald Trump was elected the Dressed in red robes, the services in Breil-sur-Roya, a next US president, buoying an- “princes of the church” knelt town on the French-Italian bor- ti-immigrant parties in Europe before the Pontiff to pledge their der. and elsewhere, the Pope noted allegiance in a solemn ceremony. The allegation was made by “how quickly those among us “How many situations of un- representatives of France’s Hu- with the status of a stranger, an certainty and suff ering are sown man Rights League, the Network immigrant or a refugee become by this growing animosity be- for Education without Borders a threat, take on the status of an tween peoples, between us! Yes, (RESF), Amnesty International, enemy”. between us, within our com- immigrant support group Ci- “An enemy because they come munities, our priests, our meet- made and the French lawyers from a distant country or have ings,” he said. union SAF at a joint press con- diff erent customs. An enemy “We come from distant lands; ference in Nice. because of the colour of their we have diff erent traditions, On November 11, “12 young- skin, their language or their so- skin colour, languages and social sters made a request for protec- cial class. An enemy because backgrounds; we think diff er- tion” in Breil-sur-Roya, said they think diff erently or even ently and we celebrate our faith Mireille Damiano, a lawyer with have a diff erent faith,” he said at in a variety of rites. the SAF. a ceremony to induct cardinals. None of this makes us en- “But although eight of them While not naming any coun- emies; instead, it is one of our were rehoused, four others were try, Francis appeared to refer to greatest riches,” he said. sidelined” then illegally sent anti-immigrant and anti-Mus- The Pope gave each man a back to Italy by the police, she lim attitudes that surfaced dur- three-cornered red hat, telling said. ing the US campaign and since them that the colour symbol- The following day, another 58 the election. ises “your readiness to act with people had also requested pro- The US Justice Department courage, even to the shedding Pope Francis arrives to lead a consistory ceremony to install 17 new cardinals in St Peter’s Basilica. tection, but most of them were said on Friday that it was in- of your blood” for the Catholic put on a train to Italy, the groups vestigating reports of intimida- Church. The appointees come from 15 op Kevin Farrell of Dallas, Fran- reform-minded Francis is being Malaysia, Lesotho, and Albania. said, denouncing the French au- tion and harassment in schools, They were also handed a gold countries and many are progres- cis has “engineered what may challenged by US-led tradition- Francis has now named 44 thorities for “illegal abuses of churches and elsewhere since ring of their high offi ce. sives like the Pope. prove to be a seismic shift in the alists. cardinal-electors, slightly more process”. the election. Afterwards, the Pope and the Three come from the United Catholic hierarchy in the United The newly-inducted cardi- than a third of the total of 120 al- Getting help for those caught One of the new cardinals, new cardinals boarded two bus- States. States”, wrote expert John Al- nal-electors under 80, who are lowed by church law. in such a situation was tricky, Archbishop Blase Cupich of es and visited former pope Ben- The unexpected pick of three len on the US Catholic website eligible to take part in a papal It was Francis’ third “consis- they said, given the need to Chicago, told Reuters that the edict XVI, who has been living in Americans reverses a trend that Crux. conclave, come from Italy, the tory” since his election in 2013 physically meet with such mi- Pope was “very much aware of a house in the Vatican gardens saw Francis pass over US candi- The three, from the church’s Central African Republic, Spain, as the fi rst non-European pon- nors in order to take testimony the fact that if that (animosity) since resigning in 2013. dates in his fi rst two consisto- “progressive wing”, may help the United States, Brazil, Bang- tiff in 1,300 years, and he has from them. is not checked, it is very conta- Naming new cardinals allows ries. counterbalance a strong con- ladesh, Venezuela, Belgium, used each occasion to show sup- Earlier this week, Nice pros- gious and it can spread quickly, a pontiff to put his stamp on By choosing archbishops servative presence among US Mauritius, Mexico, and Papua port for the church in far-fl ung ecutor Jean-Michel Pretre said it can be like a wildfi re”. In his the future of the 1.2bn-member Blase Cupich of Chicago, Joseph cardinals, particularly at a mo- New Guinea. Those who were places or where Catholics are that since the borders were homily, the Pope said the church church. Tobin of Indianapolis and Bish- ment when the authority of aged over 80 come from Italy, suff ering. closed following the Paris at- tacks in November 2015, those arriving in the country illegally were considered as not having Path of light entered France at all. “These people must be im- Spanish police arrest two mediately sent back ... be they adults or minors,” he said on Monday. But his argument was chal- Moroccans with ties to IS lenged by the associations who said France must consider “the best interests of the child”. AFP ultimate aim of forming an ‘army nipping propaganda in the bud They also fl agged growing Madrid of followers’ invisible to police – in its strategy to fi ght Islamist concerns over the situation on control”, it added. militancy, with the adoption in the French-Italian border where A police spokesman, however, 2015 of a law allowing authori- “hundreds of people” were surg- panish police arrested two was not able to say whether they ties to detain people who merely ing into the Roya valley, “among Moroccans suspected of had actually recruited anyone. consult Islamist militant web- them a very large number of mi- Sforming part of the Islamic They also “did work of propa- sites. nors”. State (IS) group’s propaganda ganda and extolling of Daesh’s According to the ministry, 163 and recruitment network, with a military victories and gains, all alleged Islamist militants have view of committing attacks, the of which was presented in an at- been detained since 2015, when interior ministry said yesterday. tractive visual format to gain the Spain increased its terror alert to Baby-makers bed The two were detained in largest possible amount of fol- four out of fi ve. for free in Italy Madrid and Roda de Ter in the lowers,” the ministry said, using However, unlike France or Bel- northeastern region of Catalonia, an Arabic acronym for IS. gium, the country is less exposed Hotels in the Italian city of Assisi and the ministry said they joined According to police, they were to the return of nationals who are doing their bit to boost the the group voluntarily “and acted quickly radicalised, to the point went to fi ght abroad and plan to country’s flagging birth rate by as individual terrorist cells, de- that “they off ered themselves up commit extremist acts on home off ering a free holiday to couples centralised and pre-activated for to Daesh as ‘martyrs’, completely soil. who conceive there. the commission of terrorist acts available to act at any time, place Only around 200 Spaniards are Ten hotels are off ering refunds or in Spain”. and in any situation”. estimated to have gone abroad to a free future stay to guests who They were “focused on re- Police in Spain have long fo- fi ght, compared to thousands fall pregnant under the Fertility cruiting young Muslims with the cused on prevention – including from nearby France and Belgium. Room campaign. Guests will simply have to produce a birth certificate to Teenager charged in France over links to extremist prove the baby was born around nine months after their stay in the Anti-terrorism judges have charged a French 16-year-old girl arrested in August on suspicion mediaeval city. teenager over links to an Islamic State (IS) extremist of seeking to commit an act of terror in the name “Giving birth to a child is an suspected of instigating several attacks in France, a of Islam, based on a messages on Telegram – the act of deep love, which should judicial source said yesterday. encrypted messaging app popular among French be encouraged despite the The 17-year-old boy was allegedly in touch with radicals. multitude of diff iculties in life,” French-born militant Rachid Kassim, who is believed The boy, who called himself Abou Omar in the organisers said as the campaign to have inspired an attack this year in which a senior exchanges, was also active on Telegram, in particular launched on Friday. French police off icer and his partner were knifed to in the account run by Kassim. Italy has the lowest birthrate in death and another in which an elderly priest’s throat Investigators suspect that he may also have been the European Union and one was cut. planning an attack, sources close to the probe said. of the lowest in the world, with The teenager, born in Belgium, was arrested this At least 15 people, some of them minors, have been only eight babies born for every week in the western city of Rennes, where his family arrested in France since last summer for threatening A pedestrian walks along a street decorated with illumination lights and ornaments in central 1,000 residents in the past year, moved recently. attacks inspired by calls issued on Telegram by Moscow on Friday night. according to EU figures released His name has appeared in an investigation into a Kassim, 29, from IS-controlled areas of Iraq or Syria. in July this year. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 19 EUROPE Amnesty urges Russia to abolish ‘foreign agent’ law

AFP groups and “repeal the ‘foreign NGOs are put on the brink of ex- In the last four years, 148 non- mately silence critical NGOs”, agency and warned that “it could terials they publish, among a Moscow agents’ law”. tinction”. governmental organisations have Amnesty’s Nikitin said. last for a long time”. number of other requirements. The law obliges groups with “Many organisations have been included on the list of “for- Russia has used the law to la- He said that the “foreign Amnesty International pre- so-called “political” activities closed. Others have reduced the eign agents” in Russia, of which bel the most prominent groups agent” tag was “a dirty political sented the report as its staff had mnesty International has and international funding to call extent of their activities,” Am- 27 have closed down altogether, that criticise government policy, label” that is not a legal term. been shut out of its Moscow of- called on Russia to abolish themselves “foreign agents”, a nesty’s Russia director Sergei Ni- Amnesty said. including the leading Memo- The measure comes as Russian fi ce for 16 days with the munici- Aa law targeting overseas- term that recalls Stalin-era re- kitin said at a news conference in Amnesty warned of a “very rial rights organisation and Golos offi cials have accused the West of pal authorities citing rent ar- backed campaign groups, which pression and Cold War espio- Moscow. “The number of serv- grave risk for the future of civil election observer group as well as trying to undermine the country, rears, a claim the group denied. has been used to crack down on nage. ices off ered by NGOs has fallen society” when “only those NGOs HIV-prevention groups, ecologi- characterising internal criticism Nikitin on Friday blamed a more than 100 organisations that The rules have seen some or- signifi cantly.” that support government policy cal activists and those who work as the work of spies and traitors. “technical error” by the authori- have been labelled as “foreign ganisations reject much-needed President Vladimir Putin ap- without question” will survive. with victims of torture. The organisations branded ties and said the offi ce would be agents”. funding from abroad, while oth- proved the law shortly after his It called on Russia to cancel the A member of the Kremlin Hu- “foreign agents” are required to reopened later that day. Days ahead of the fourth an- ers have closed down since it took reelection, following a wave of law and meanwhile immediately man Rights Council, which ad- submit documents every three Amnesty’s Europe director niversary of the law coming into eff ect on November 21, 2012. huge public protests against his suspend its use and cease adding vises the president, lawyer Ilya months outlining details of their John Dalhuisen confi rmed on force, the rights watchdog urged The report warns that “given return to power. new groups to the list. Shablinsky, on Friday called funding. Twitter later on Friday that the Russia to reverse the “devastat- the insuffi cient funding resourc- It has ushered in a massive The law “was designed to the law “a disgraceful episode” They are also obliged to carry offi ce has been reopened and a ing consequences” for activist es within Russia, independent crackdown on civil society. shackle, stigmatise, and ulti- in comments to Interfax news the “foreign agent” tag on ma- new lease signed. Istanbul rally against child sex conviction bill

AFP The measures were approved Erdogan: I’m not going to blame the United States [for the coup]. Istanbul in an initial parliamentary read- But that’s what my people will think. Why are you still keeping ing on Thursday and will be voted that man (Gulen)? on again in a second debate in the housands of people, in- coming days. cluding women and chil- Critics claimed the bill would Tdren, marched yesterday encourage the rape of minors. in Istanbul against a bill that “Women will resist and take to Erdogan says he would overturn men’s convic- the streets until this law and sim- tions for child sex assault if they ilar other laws are withdrawn, ” married their victim. said one of the protesters who “We will not shut up. We will gave her name as Ruya. is ‘disillusioned’ not obey. Withdraw the bill im- Another protester, a middle- mediately!” some of the 3,000 aged man named Ugur, was at protesters shouted amid claps the protest with his 14-year-old and whistles as they marched daughter. with US policy to Kadikoy square on the city’s “I am concerned about my Asian side. daughter’s future,” Ugur told Others waved banners em- AFP. “AKP is passing any law DPA of the US for not doing more blazoned with slogans such as they want in the parliament,” he Istanbul to topple President Bashar al- “#Rape cannot be legitimised”. said. Assad. The opposition, celebrities, The AKP enjoys a comfortable Turkey hosts more than 2mn and even an association whose majority in the 550-seat parlia- urkish President Recep million Syrian refugees. deputy chairman is President ment, holding 317 seats. Tayyip Erdogan said he Erdogan has said relations Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s daugh- If passed, the legislation would Tis “disillusioned” with with the US may be strained ter, have expressed alarm over allow the release from prison of Washington’s policy in Syria as long as Gulen, a Turkish the move. men found guilty of assaulting and the refugee crisis while preacher, has not been extra- The government insists the a minor if the act was commit- also expressing dismay that dited to Turkey. legislation was aimed at dealing ted without “force, threat, or any Fethullah Gulen, whom he The preacher, who has lived with the widespread custom of other restriction on consent” and blames for a coup attempt, still abroad since 1999, was a one- child marriages and the criticism if the aggressor “marries the vic- resides in the US. time ally of Erdogan but they was a crude distortion of its aim. tim”. The remarks were made to have fallen out in recent years. Yesterday, Justice Minister The legal age of consent in CBS’s 60 Minutes programme, “I’m not going to blame the Bekir Bozdag moved to reassure Turkey is 18 but child marriage which is set to air in full today. United States [for the coup]. opponents that the bill would not is widespread, especially in the A man with a baby on his shoulders takes part in a protest in the Kadikoy neighbourhood of Istanbul “We have addressed these But that’s what my people will pardon rapists. southeast. yesterday against a proposed law that would overturn men’s convictions for child sex assault if they issues, discussed them with think. Why are you still keep- “The bill will certainly not Another protester, Yagmur, married their victim. President (Barack) Obama and ing that man?” Erdogan de- bring amnesty to rapists ... this called the bill “nonsense”. Vice-President (Joe) Biden. manded. is a step taken to solve a problem “In which century are we the bill and we will not remain such, and in all cases the best in- “sexual abuse” all sexual acts “They failed to rise to the The US has insisted that Gu- in some parts of our country,” he are living? Forgive me but we silent.” terest of the child should prevail,” involving children under the age occasion and handle these is- len’s extradition must be done told a Nato meeting in Istanbul. are talking about rape while The UN children’s fund Unicef Unicef spokesman Christophe of 15. sues seriously. This is quite through the legal system and After the controversy, Prime other issues should be up for said yesterday that it was “deeply Boulierac told AFP. Defenders of that law argued it upsetting for us,” Erdogan told based on evidence. Minister Binali Yildirim ordered discussion,” he said. “Is this a concerned” over the bill. The latest controversy comes made a distinction between cases the US broadcaster as Donald The preacher has denied any the ruling party to hold talks with progressing Turkey. A coun- “These abject forms of vio- after Turkey’s constitutional of sexual acts involving a young Trump prepares to take over involvement in the July coup the opposition in parliament on try cannot advance with more lence against children are crimes court in July annulled a crimi- teenager as opposed to a much the White House. attempt against Erdogan by a the planned measures. bridges or roads. We are against which should be punished as nal code provision punishing as younger child. “I am disillusioned,” the faction in the military. president added according to Turkey has been carrying a transcript of partial remarks out wide-ranging purges and released by CBS, apparently in crackdowns on alleged fol- reference to Syria and the refu- lowers of Gulen and other op- gee crisis. position circles, including the Polish teachers, In Syria, Turkey has media and academics, in the staunchly backed opposition months since the coup at- groups, and has been critical tempt. parents protest 53% of Europeans trust media: survey A little more than half of Europeans trust their news media, with the education reform figure much higher in Scandinavian countries but lower in several southern countries, an EU study said on Thursday. Some 53% of respondents agreed their national media provide Reuters Slawomir Broniarz, as saying. trustworthy information, while 44% disagree, according to the Warsaw The government plans to survey by the European Commission. revive a two-stage education Respondents in Finland led the way with 88% putting their faith in system of eight-year primary the media, followed by 77% in both Sweden and Denmark. housands of Polish school and four-year second- In Ireland, 61% agreed the media provided trustworthy information, teachers and parents ary school which functioned while the figure for Britain was 44%. Tmarched through the until 1999 and is associated by In contrast, only 26% in Greece, 34% in France and 38% in Spain streets of Warsaw yesterday to some with the communist era. trusted what they read or hear on the media. protest against planned educa- The last education reform in Some 87% in Greece, 71% in Spain and 69% in France believe the tion reforms which they fear 1999 introduced a three-stage information they receive was not free from commercial or political will bring chaos to schools. system of a six-year primary pressure. The protest on a rainy Sat- school followed by three-year Across the bloc, 57% believe the media comes under political urday was another sign of dis- middle-school and then by a or commercial pressure while 38% deemed them independent, content with the conservative general education high school according to the survey of nearly 28,000 citizens from all social Participants throw out chalk during the protest against planned education reforms in front of the parliament Law and Justice party, which or a vocational one. categories from September 24 until October 3. in Warsaw. won elections in 2015. The education ministry now In October mass protests plans to wind down the middle by women led to parliament schools from next year. throwing out government The reform will also intro- plans for a near-total ban on duce changes to the obligatory abortion. curriculum and teachers com- Tintin drawing sells for record €1.55mn in Paris The ruling party’s popu- plain that the new educational larity remains high thanks to content still remains unknown. higher welfare spending but its Critics of the reform also By Alain Jean-Robert, AFP It had been expected to sell in Tibet and The Castafi ore Emer- that time) to an American fan two That same month, an Asian eff orts to assert control of state quote data from the Organisa- Paris for between €700,000 and ald,” he added. years ago. investor paid $1.2mn for a draw- institutions have deeply split tion for Economic Co-opera- €900,000 ($741,000 and The 1954 book is viewed as one Original Tintin comic book ing from The Blue Lotus book, Polish society and raised Euro- tion and Development (OECD) $952,000). of Herge’s masterpieces. drawings have been fetching mil- published in 1936, of Tintin and pean Union fears about an ero- showing that Polish school- n original drawing from “It’s simply fantastic! It’s an Yesterday’s sale was a record lions at auctions over the last few Snowy in Shanghai. sion of Polish democracy and children have improved their the popular Tintin adven- exceptional price for an excep- for a single cartoon drawing. years. Alongside the moon drawings, media freedoms. education performance since Ature Explorers on the Moon tional piece,” said Artcurial’s In 2012, the 1932 cover il- In February 2015, the original Artcurial also sold 20 ink sketch- The demonstration was or- 2003. sold for a record €1.55mn at a comics expert Eric Leroy. lustration of Tintin in America cover design for The Shooting es Herge created for a series of ganised by the teachers’ union They fear the new reform Paris auction yesterday, auction He described the Explorers on fetched €1.3mn. Star almost matched the record New Year’s greeting cards known which estimated it attracted will jeopardise the progress house Artcurial announced. the Moon as “a key moment in Herge already holds the world when it was sold for €2.5mn. as his “snow cards”. around 50,000 people. made. The 50cm X 35cm drawing in the history of comic book art ... it record for the sale of a comic Back in May, the original art- The drawings, including Tin- “We want to protest against In front of the parliament Chinese ink by the Belgian car- has become legendary for many strip. work for the last two pages of the tin and Snowy skiing, or hapless the chaos, confusion and dis- building protesters piled a me- toonist known as Herge shows lovers and collectors of comic A double-page ink drawing King Ottokar’s Sceptre book sold detectives the Thompson twins mantling of the Polish educa- tre-wide heap of chalk which the boy reporter, his dog Snowy strips”. that served as the inside cover for for $1.2mn while in October of ice-skating, brought in €1.2mn. tion which is being organised was meant to symbolise “bro- and crusty sailor Captain Had- “It is one of the most impor- all the Tintin adventures pub- last year a double page slate from Herge sold some 230mn Tintin by the education ministry,” ken educational careers of stu- dock wearing spacesuits and tant from Herge’s post-war pe- lished between 1937 and 1958, the same Tintin book fetched albums by the time of his death in state-run news agency PAP dents and professional careers walking on the moon. riod, on the same level as Tintin sold for €2.65mn ($3.58mn at more than €1.5mn. 1983. quoted the union’s chairman, of teachers”. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, November 20, 2016 INDIA

IMMIGRATION WILDLIFE POLITICS INITIATIVE ENTERTAINMENT US consulate in Chennai Bird sanctuary Bihar government has Manipur may soon A soulful evening handles 1,600 visas daily to reopen today failed, says opposition have flying doctors at ‘Jashn-e-Tehzeeb’

The US Consulate in Chennai handles nearly The Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram, A day ahead of Bihar government’s release of Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah has It was a soulful event with Sufi songs, 1,600 visa applications every day even as the which was shut down as a precautionary a report card on its performance in 11 years, said her proposal for flying doctors and traditional dances, ghazal singers, dotara number of Indian students studying in America measure in the wake of bird flu outbreak the opposition National Democratic Alliance dispensaries will be finalised by the central balladeers and folk tunes performed by registered the largest growth for the second in parts of the country, will reopen today, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party yesterday government as soon as helicopter services renowned artists from Turkmenistan in the year in a row, a diplomat said yesterday. officials said yesterday. The park authorities released its own report card on the state are introduced in the state. Speaking at the national capital. Organised by the NGO Addressing reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, claimed no case of bird flu was reported in administration’s “failures” in the last one year. inauguration of the first open heart surgery in Sakshi, the “Jashn-e- Tehzeeb” was held to Chief of Consular Service at the US Consulate the park till date and it was closed only as a Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Sky hospital in Imphal, Heptullah said Prime celebrate Turkmenistan’s 25th independence General in Chennai, Charles E Luoma- precautionary measure on November 5 for a Bihar is in a “bad condition.” He said some Minister Narendra Modi has informed her day, and gave a glimpse of the country’s Overstreet, said the Chennai off ice opened in week that was later extended to a fortnight. serious questions have been raised over the that the matter would be entrusted to the rich culture and tradition. “We speak the 1968 and now it handles about 1,200 to 1,600 The authorities, assisted by experts from state government’s failures, to which Chief Ministry Of Development Of North Eastern same language of Sufism, ghazal, love and visa applications every day. “Last year more the Bombay Natural History Society Minister Nitish Kumar must reply when he Region (DoNER) for necessary action. In view tradition. India and Turkmenistan have than 300,000 applications were sanctioned,” (BNHS), were keeping a close watch on the presents his own report card today. The ruling of the remoteness of the hill districts and poor ties going back to many centuries. The Overtstreet said. On his first visit to Kerala’s movement of migratory and other birds. Grand Alliance led by Janata Dal-United leader road connectivity, the central government event gave a chance to bring the culture capital, Overstreet said the latest report “According to reports and conditions of Nitish Kumar and comprising Rashtriya Janata was planning to introduce helicopter services and philosophy of Turkmenistan to India,” published shows that for the second year birds in the park, we have decided to reopen Dal of Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Congress in Manipur. The aerial service was already Mridula Tandon, chairman of of Jashn-e- in a row, Indian students studying in the US the park for visitors from November 20,” an will complete one year in power in Bihar on available in Meghalaya, Nagaland and some Tehzeeb and Sakshi NGO president said at registered the largest growth. official said. November 25. other northeast states. the event. A day in the life of a fisherman Kashmir back to normal after four months of shutdown Shoppers throng markets, electronics appliance store own- “We have continued some- off ices and schools reopen er in Lal Chowk, is just happy how with our business for the to be at his shop during normal last two months by risking our IANS working hours, hoping to stay lives. But it is better to die earn- Srinagar open till midnight. ing bread for one’s family than “I don’t want to talk about seeing them starve to death,” my losses because that nobody said Abdul Hameed, 42, who fter 132 days of closure, is going to compensate me. Yet, sells beddings on a pedestrian the Kashmir Valley burst the feeling that I have opened mall here. Ainto life yesterday morn- my shop for the fi rst time during The stoic statement from ing with a large number of vehi- day hours after so long is great,” Hameed is a terse reminder for cles out on roads, and markets, Maqbool said. those who believe life can held A fisherman rows a boat along the Yamuna river in Allahabad early in the morning yesterday. schools, offices and businesses He said he had briefl y opened hostage for too long either by the open for the first time after his store earlier when separatists shutdowns or through curfews months of separatist-spon- announced evening relaxations. imposed by the authorities. sored shutdown and violent “Today is diff erent. Everything is Offi cials said attendance in protests. just normal.” government offi ces, banks and Shoppers thronged Srinagar Some distance away, Ramzan post offi ces was almost full for markets in large numbers even as Sheikh, a shoeshine boy, said the fi rst time since the unrest, demonetisation inconvenienced he made Rs80 - his “fi rst earn- which left nearly 100 people Priyanka yet to give consent people in the Kashmir Valley ing” after months of violence. “I dead, following the killing of where the November 8 surprise had four customers. Each one of Hizbul Mujahideen commander announcement had had little or them gave me Rs20 for polishing Burhan Wani on July 8. no impact because businesses shoes.” Students appearing for the on- and other activities were closed Asked if he worked during going 10th and 12th class annual to campaign for UP election since mid-July. the evening relaxation period, exams used public transport for Many buses and other public Sheikh said: “Who would want the fi rst time to reach the exami- vehicles started plying early in to get their shoes polished when nation centres. IANS “As of now, she has not said on the selection of candidates fate, and said only party gen- the morning as people came out the entire city was closed and on Meanwhile, a Hizbul Muja- New Delhi ‘yes’... But we are confi dent that for the assembly polls in Uttar eral secretary in charge of Uttar to attend their offi ces, open their the run?” hideen militant was killed in a she would agree.” Pradesh, Singh said: “The proc- Pradesh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, shops and visit banks to with- In north Kashmir’s Ganderbal gunbattle with security forces in Asked about media reports ess is going on. Very soon we’ll can comment. draw cash. district, Sooda Mir and his son a village yesterday. ongress president So- that Priyanka would play a “ma- announce the list.” Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Separatist leaders, who had Muzaff ar had a tough time start- Police said the security forces nia Gandhi’s daughter jor role” in Uttar Pradesh as- “If it becomes necessary to will be in Allahabad tomorrow been spearheading the agita- ing their mini bus after all these launched an operation after they CPriyanka Gandhi Vadra sembly polls next year, he said: announce anything, we will do it to attend a photo exhibition on tion with their weekly protest days. received information about the has not yet given her consent “I am not saying it is ‘incorrect at that very moment,” former prime minister Indira calendars, relaxed the shutdown “I had fi xed a new battery in presence of a militant in Begum- to campaign in Uttar Pradesh, or correct’.” he said without giv- Gandhi’s life to mark her birth for two days, asking people to the vehicle before the trouble bagh village in south Kashmir’s though the party is hopeful Priyanka and her brother ing further details. centenary celebrations. resume normal activities over started here. I would also occa- Pulwama district. she would agree to their re- and Congress vice-president He also said Priyanka has so far confi ned the weekend. sionally run the engine idle for “As the security forces closed quest, Rajya Sabha MP and Ut- Rahul Gandhi attended the the next strategy her electoral campaigning to Authorities also did not im- some time during the ‘hartal’ to in on the hiding militant, he tar Pradesh Congress campaign party’s strategy meeting on meeting will be constituencies of her mother pose restrictions anywhere yes- ensure that the battery did not opened fi re triggering an en- committee chairman Sanjay Uttar Pradesh elections here on held after Novem- and brother Rae Bareli and Am- terday to facilitate free move- run down. But, today the vehicle counter in which the militant was Singh said yesterday. Friday. ber 22. ethi. ment of people and traffi c. would just not start. I had to get a killed. “We have been requesting her Priyanka has attended Singh declined The Congress has been out Many places in Srinagar and truck to pull-start my bus,” said “He is a local militant belong- to campaign for a long time. We the party’s strategy to comment of power in Uttar Pradesh for other district headquarters in the Muzaff ar. ing to the Hizbul Mujahideen. are hopeful that she would give her meeting on UP as- on Con- over three decades. The party valley witnessed traffi c jams as Ironically, pavement vendors, His exact identity is being estab- consent to campaign,” Singh said. sembly elections in gress’ polls has also not won any major people came out in large numbers wayside fruit sellers and roadside lished,” a police offi cer said. “And when she gives her con- the past as well. strategist state assembly poll since its to go about their daily chores or barbecue sellers have been better A mopping up operation was sent, we’ll let everyone know,” Asked if anything Prashant debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha simply to have a feel of normalcy. placed than other shopkeepers launched for possible hidden ex- he added. has been fi nalised Kishor’s elections. Mohamed Maqbool, 42, an during the days of shutdown. plosives and arms. Three soldiers killed NIA offi cers raid Zakir foundation in Assam rebel attack IANS across the city owned or con- Mumbai nected with the IRF, including its headquarters in the congested Agencies Federal Home Minister Ra- ocratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) Dongri area of south Mumbai. Guwahati jnath Singh spoke to Assam Chief militant group also agreed to a he National Investigation The NIA that took over the Minister Sarbananda Sonowal ceasefi re with New Delhi. Agency early yesterday case from the Mumbai police in after the attack and said his min- Since then, elements of both Traided multiple locations mid-October was continuing eavily armed militants istry was closely monitoring the groups which oppose the peace connected to preacher and tel- with the raids and searches at ambushed an army con- situation. overtures have carried out bomb evangelist Zakir Naik’s Islamic noon yesterday but details were Hvoy yesterday, killing “Spoke to Assam CM Sonowal and grenade attacks in the state, Research Foundation, offi cial not available. three soldiers and injuring four who apprised me of the situation according to police offi cials. sources said. Naik is currently out of the others in the northeastern state in the wake of blast in Tinsukia. In August six gunmen from the The operation started around country. He has not been in India of Assam, police said. The MHA is closely monitoring NDFB opened fi re on a busy mar- 5am a day after the NIA lodged a in the past few months and did The two-vehicle convoy was the situation,” Singh said in a ket, killing 15 people and wound- case against Naik and his IRF un- not attend even the funeral of his on its way to the oil refi nery town tweet. ing several others. der various sections of the Indian father Abdul K Naik, who died on of Digboi in Tinsukia district There was no immediate claim More than 10,000 people, Penal Code and Unlawful Activi- October 30 here. when it came under attack from of responsibility, but police sus- mostly civilians, have lost their ties (Prevention) Act. The IRF came under the scan- the rebels, a senior police offi cer pected the ambush was likely lives to the insurgency in Assam Naik and the IRF were under ner of various security agen- said. carried out by rebels belonging to during the past two decades. the scanner of Indian security cies after one of the terrorists “The area is extremely dense a splinter group of the separatist agencies for the past four months involved in the Dhaka cafe at- and dark because of thick foliage. United Liberation Front of Asom. >>Five Maoists guerrillas were for alleged misdeeds, spreading tack had allegedly posted on The army jawans (soldiers) in the The Ulfa is one of the several killed in a gunbattle yesterday in or promoting communal dis- social media that they had vehicle came under heavy gun- groups fi ghting for independent Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur dis- harmony, feelings of enmity been inspired by Naik’s fi re,” Mukesh Agrawal said. homelands for their tribal fol- trict, police said. between communities and speeches. “Three soldiers have died and lowers in the tea- and oil-rich Narayanpur Superintendent inspiring or supporting ter- Some of the youths from four others are injured.” region of Assam. of Police Abhishek Meena said: ror acts. Mumbai suburbs, who had Local media reports said the In 2011, the Ulfa announced it “The gunbattle between the Teams of NIA sleuths, left their home to join Islamic militants used weapons includ- would join peace talks with the Maoists and the police took place accompanied by Mum- State earlier this year, ing rocket propelled grenades Indian government in a move to around 5.30pm on Friday near Bullet marks are seen on a damaged army vehicle at Pengeri in bai police started were also alleg- and AK-47 assault rifl es in the end a 33-year-old rebellion. Becha village on the borders of Assam’s Tinsukia district yesterday following an ambush attack the raids at eight- edly inspired by the attack. A faction of the National Dem- the Narayanpur and Bijapur.” by armed militants. to-ten locations preacher. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 21 INDIA Our intelligence agencies similar to militant groups: ex-spy

IANS organisation and India’s intelli- tant organisation and our intel- “There has been no help from No soldier is a coward. But if the government knows about our heroes. They were accompanied Jammu gence agencies. ligence agency,” Sawhney said. the government. There should government won’t do something problems, but the offi cials have by Sawhney. Sawhney, now 66, was a taxi He was sent to Pakistan in 1977 be a policy that will help those for us, we will take this step. We turned deaf and dumb,” he said. “Patriots don’t want awards. driver a few decades ago before and was arrested in the same who spent time in the enemy are anyway struggling so much,” He was referring to the Research They live for the country and die e started off as a taxi an intelligence offi cial boarded year. He was then sentenced to country’s jail, and their families. he said. and Analysis Wing, India’s pre- for the county. When the fi lm’s driver, went on to be- his vehicle as a passenger. jail for 11 years. In March 1988, The policy should also be ben- Asked if he would join politics, mier external intelligence agency. makers contacted me, I thought Hcome a spy for an Indian “He brainwashed me. He said he was sent back to India. On his efi cial to the martyrs’ families,” Sawhney said: “You need money Several Bollywood fi lms have that if they will be able to convey intelligence agency, spent 11 it was a government job and return, he found it diffi cult to get said the father of two, who lives for that.” Sawhney believes that been made on the subject, but our message to higher authori- years in a Pakistan jail and is now spoke about patriotism. So, I got his dues from the government. in Jammu’s Bakshi Nagar. movies are a big medium that it was the team of Force 2 that ties, we would love to associate running an association for the lured to become a spy without Later, he started the Jammu “Next year, we have decided can help his cause. recently approached him and with them,” said the former spy. welfare of unsung heroes. knowing my actual job. When Ex-Sleuths Association for that we will go to parliament if “If movies are made related lent support. The fi lm’s lead ac- The fi lm revolves around the Disappointed by the lack of I reached the (India-Pakistan) the welfare of those who have the government doesn’t consid- to us and our suff erings, the tors John Abraham and Sonak- intention of one man who wants support from the government, border, that’s when I got to know worked as secret agents for In- er our demands. We (along with reach will be much better. The shi Sinha even visited the Amar to kill RAW agents. Directed by Vinod Sawhney says there is no what the job was all about. There dian intelligence agencies, but our families) will commit sui- entire nation and the world will Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi to pay Abhinay Deo, the fi lm hit thea- diff erence between a militant is no diff erence between a mili- were later disowned. cide there. We are not cowards. see what RAW agents do. The tribute to the country’s unsung tres on Friday. Farmers fear lost crops and income

Reuters posit old money at the bank, and Bajna to draw new funds, many villag- ers live miles from the nearest branch and have yet to see the or farmer Buddha Singh, new notes being rushed into cir- who works a small plot of culation. Fland in the village of Bajna Delays to the planting season south of New Delhi, the govern- that began last month threaten ment’s decision to abolish Rs500 to dent India’s agricultural and and Rs1,000 bank notes to crush overall economic growth, wip- the shadow economy could ing out gains for farmers who hardly have come at a worse this year cashed in on decent time. monsoon rains after being hit by Senior citizens gather outside a bank as they wait to deposit and exchange Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes in Amritsar yesterday. He and millions of other drought in 2014 and 2015. farmers cannot get enough cash Farmers who have already to buy the seeds and fertilisers spent money on ploughing and they need for their winter crops, irrigation to keep the soil moist threatening production of key can ill aff ord to leave their land commodities and hurting rural fallow. communities only just recover- Late sowing typically reduces ing after two years of drought. yields and increases the risk that “We can’t buy our full re- inclement spring weather could Currency ban ‘biggest quirements of seeds, fertiliser damage crops. and pesticides on credit. There “In all likelihood we’ll not be is a limit,” said Singh, a turbaned able to recover our cost of culti- man in his 50s, who tills a two- vation as the prime sowing time acre fi eld near the highway run- has nearly lapsed,” said Prakash ning from the capital to the holy Chandra Sharma, another local city of Mathura. farmer. scam,’ says Kejriwal “We’re running out of time The farmers said they spent an as we’ve only 10-15 days more average of Rs58,000 per hectare Demonetisation done to The AAP chief also alleged Mamata Banerjee warned of a cies to stifl e the voices of pro- politics now. Because, fi rstly, to plant crops like wheat, mus- to grow wheat, only to eke out an create black money, says that the State Bank of India public revolt if the decision was test over the demonetisation. we have to save democracy, the tard and chickpeas,” he added, to income of Rs70,000. That as- Delhi chief minister has waived off Rs60bn loans not reversed in three days. “If anybody wants to protest, Constitution, the country and murmurs of assent from around sumes a crop yield of about 3.2 sanctioned to 63 industrialists She repeated the threat yes- they use their agencies. But we the people. People constitute 30 fellow farmers sitting under tonnes per hectare. IANS within the last three days. terday saying a protest move- don’t care about any agency,” political parties, and not the a tree and discussing their pre- A drop in wheat output would New Delhi “Vijay Mallya was one of ment would be launched from she said. other way round. So, fi rstly, we dicament. boost local prices that are al- these capitalists whose loan tomorrow. She met President Pranab need to save the country from India’s 263mn farmers mostly ready near record highs. worth Rs1,200 crore was waived Banerjee, however, refused Mukherjee on Wednesday to the economic instability. Then I live in the cash economy, expos- Stocks are at their lowest level elhi Chief Minister off by the State Bank of India,” to spell out the exact form of seek his intervention to allevi- will think about politics.” ing them to the full impact of for nearly a decade, and even Arvind Kejriwal yester- Kejriwal alleged. her movement, saying she ate the public suff ering. The Trinamool supremo Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s before the latest cash crunch, Dday alleged the govern- He said that Rs8tn loan was would comment only tomorrow Besides AAP, leaders of Shiv dubbed the Modi government shock November private traders were expected to ment’s decision to cancel Rs500 sanctioned to big corporate evening, after the expiry of the Sena and the National Confer- as anti-poor and anti-peo- 8 announcement that larger import around 3mn tonnes this and Rs1,000 notes was not houses run by these capitalists. deadline. ence had also joined her march ple, and said developmental denomination bank notes would year. aimed at curbing black money He alleged that the corporate “I will speak the language of to Rashtrapati Bhavan. projects had come to a halt for immediately cease to be legal Devinder Sharma, an inde- but done to “create black mon- houses siphoned off the money the people. After 72 hours, we Asked whether other parties want of money after the gov- tender. pendent food and trade policy ey.” or it was partly written off by will hit the streets and launch a would join her proposed protest ernment cancelled the high de- Modi’s drive to purge black analyst, said rural communities The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) banks. movement,” she said in Kolkata. movement, Banerjee said she nomination notes. cash from the economy has, at in particular would suff er from leader dubbed the govern- “This demonetisation is a “But credibility is all I have. I could only speak for the Trina- She said the whole of rural In- a stroke, wiped out 86% of the the demonetisation move. ment’s November 8 demon- conspiracy. The government have given them 72 hours. I have mool. dia was in tears. “Farmers cannot money in circulation. “It’s a little early to hazard a etisation move as the “biggest expects to net Rs10-11 lakh to wait. After that I will discuss “What other political par- buy seed, or grow crops, or pro- Delays in printing new Rs500 guess about the extent of crop scam, worth Rs8 lakh crore.” crore rupees by asking people to the matter with some political ties will do is up to them. I think cure paddy. The 100-day work and Rs2,000 notes mean that loss,” said Sharma. He said Prime Minister surrender the spiked currency parties. Then we will let you everybody should protest. I (under MGNREGA scheme) has money could be tight for weeks “But both rural income and Narenda Modi was “not serious and write off the bad debts,” know on Monday evening,” she have already appealed to all stopped. People cannot draw to come. demand will take a big hit be- about curbing black money. His Kejriwal said. said. opposition parties to work to- their pensions. Where will these While city dwellers are still fore things start improving from intention is not good. This de- On November 17, Kejriwal Banerjee accused the Modi gether. people go? What will people queuing up to exchange or de- April next year.” cision is to create black money.” and West Bengal Chief Minister government of using its agen- “I don’t want any electoral eat?” she asked. Thackeray warns of anarchy if move fails

IANS He said it was strange that those Mumbai declared corrupt and jailed by the former Congress regime are now Bharatiya Janata Party lead- aharashtra Navnirman ers and the party’s (Karnataka) MP Sena president Raj Thack- Janardhan Reddy spent Rs5bn on Meray launched a blistering his daughter’s wedding earlier this attack on Prime Minister Narendra week, and that too after demoneti- Modi for the November 8 demon- sation was implemented. etisation of high value currency “I have read that the bride’s sari notes and warned that if it fails the cost Rs17 crore...All this is beyond country will be pushed to anarchy. words,” he said. Questioning the govern- Training his guns on the prime ment’s assertions that prepara- minister, Thackeray said: “In the tions for demonetisation of Rs500 morning, he makes an emotional and Rs1,000 notes were made 10 speech in Goa, and in the evening months in advance, Thackeray he praises (Sharad) Pawar in Mahar- said: “Then how come it (the new ashtra.” notes) bears the signature of the “Modi says that he held Pawar’s new (Reserve Bank of India) Gover- fi ngers to enter politics... But even nor (Urjit Patel)?” Ajit Pawar (Pawar’s nephew) held “The BJP has still not submitted his uncle’s fi nger and came to poli- its election expenditure for the 2014 tics,” he said amidst laughter. polls... If there was so much aver- Thackeray said only 4% of the sion to black money, how did Modi A cashier stacks currency notes inside a bank in Chandigarh yesterday. population pays income tax and the get elected,” he asked, directly tar- rest carry out cash transactions. geting the prime minister. reacted on it... I wonder what’s re- (owned by Baba Ramdev)...we know “Even Finance Minister Arun Denouncing the new deci- ally going on,” Thackeray told a large where these come from,” Thackeray Jaitley made a declaration of Rs82 sions announced daily on money meeting of party leaders and grass- said. lakh ‘cash in hand’ in his election withdrawals or deposits in banks, roots workers. “There was absolutely no plan- declaration in Punjab - I am not Thackeray claimed it is evident now He asked why action has not ning or preparedness before Modi saying it is black money, but how such a major policy was “rushed been taken against those hoarding implemented the demonetisation... will he deposit it in the changed cir- through” without making proper black money and instead the ordi- Everybody says it is good for the na- cumstances now?” studies or adequate groundwork on nary masses are being punished and tion, but even the PM is not telling Thackeray urged the people of the the implications. made to stand in long queues. how we will benefi t. We can only country and his supporters to re- “I have spoken to people in the “More than 40 people have lost pray to God that something good main vigilant against the fallout of BJP, I have discussed it with RSS their lives,” he said. comes out... Because, if it fails, the the demonetisation, as “elections people, nobody seems to be happy “There are few ads in the print country will be pushed behind by will come and go, but the people of about it, but all are keeping silent... media and on television there are 20-25 years and be in severe crisis,” the country are of paramount im- Even Mohan Bhagwat has not yet only commercials by Patanjali Thackeray declared. portance to me.” Gulf Times 22 Sunday, November 20, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

WHO New deaths spark fears for declares end of Zika fragile Colombia ceasefi re emergency Reuters AFP Geneva Bogota he World Health Organi- he deaths of two Colombian guer- zation declared over the rillas have sparked fears that the Tweekend that Zika no Tcountry’s fragile peace process longer constitutes an interna- could be in peril after voters rejected an tional emergency, but it stressed accord to end the half-century confl ict. a need for a long-term eff ort Colombian authorities said the two to address the virus, which has fi ghters of the Revolutionary Armed been linked to birth defects and Forces of Colombia (Farc) died last Sun- neurological complications. day in a clash with the army. Offi cials on WHO’s Emer- They were the Farc’s fi rst fatalities gency Committee made clear since the government joined it in a bi- the Zika still constitutes a global lateral ceasefi re in August — though the public health threat. rebels cast doubt on whether fi ghting They warned the virus, which had taken place. has been found in 60 countries “This shows how fragile the bilateral since the outbreak was identifi ed ceasefi re is,” said Ariel Avila, an analyst last year in Brazil, will continue at the Peace and Reconciliation Foun- to spread where mosquitoes that dation. carry the virus are present. The government fell just a few tens Removing the international of thousands of votes short of passing emergency designation will put a historic peace accord in the referen- Zika in a class with other dis- dum. eases, such as dengue, that pose The Farc had gathered its members in serious risks and require contin- special demobilization camps to await ued research, including eff orts to the fi nal approval of the accord. develop eff ective vaccines. But the “No” vote on October 2 threw But some public health ex- their future into uncertainty. perts worried that losing the The government and the Farc an- “international emergency” la- nounced a new deal on November 12, bel could slow research into the but the level of support it enjoys re- virus, which continues to cause mains unclear. infections in the United States Colombian President Juan Manuel and elsewhere. Santos himself warned in announcing WHO in February declared the new agreement that “the ceasefi re Zika a public health emergency is fragile.” of international concern — a “The uncertainty generates fear and designation under international increases the risk of this immense eff ort law that compels countries to being thrown away,” he said. report outbreaks. Some sources suggested the Farc The moved was part of an ef- members were killed while extorting fort to determine if Zika was money from civilians, as the Farc have A woman waves a white flag during a demo for the immediate implementation of the agreement between the Colombian government and Farc guerrillas at Bolivar linked to reports in Brazil of the done to raise funds in the past. Square in Bogota. severe birth defect microcephaly Avila warned the ceasefi re “could and the neurological disorder break down...because the conditions demobilisation under the hoped-for man Rights representative in Colombia, Masse spoke before the Farc on Fri- the “enormous risk” of a return to con- Guillain-Barre Syndrome. for the gathering of the forces are not accord. Todd Howland, warned that violence day was forced to deny that dissident fl ict. Traditionally, Zika had only clear, or because the Farc in their camps The monitoring body, grouping UN, was rising in former confl ict zones. members of its force had been involved “Only disarmament can lead to a been thought to cause mild are out of money and are trying to raise Colombian government and Farc rep- Criminal groups are seeking to fi ll the in another deadly clash reported in the complete ceasing of the Farc’s criminal symptoms. funds.” resentatives, expressed “concern” over “power vacuum” left by the Farc when southwest. activities,” Restrepo said. That goal has been met, said Senior Farc commander Carlos An- the possible impact of Sunday’s deaths. it regrouped to disarm, he said. The reworked accord tries to address The multisided 52-year confl ict has Dr David Heymann, chair of the tonio Lozada said the force demanded In a statement released on Thursday, Sunday’s violence alone was “not critics’ demands to toughen the judi- claimed more than 260,000 lives. Zika Emergency Committee and “a forensic investigation to determine the monitor said it was investigating enough to break down the ceasefi re,” cial process against Farc members for Santos travelled to the United States a professor of infectious disease whether there was fi ghting or not,” in a and would make “the necessary recom- said Frederic Masse, an expert at Bo- crimes in the confl ict. this week for cancer tests. at the London School of Hygiene video message released on Thursday. mendations so that this kind of incident gota’s Externado University. Jorge Restrepo, director of the con- The Colombian ambassador to Wash- and Tropical Medicine, in a con- United Nations observers are in Co- does not occur again.” “But it must not be repeated too of- fl ict analysis center CERAC, said those ington, Juan Carlos Pinzon, later said on ference call with reporters fol- lombia preparing to monitor the Farc’s The UN High Commission for Hu- ten,” he told AFP. challenging the accord should realise radio that Santos was “very well.” lowing the committee meeting in Geneva. Because research has now shown that Zika and microceph- aly are linked, “the committee Reform protest felt that what is best now is a Venezuelan fi rst lady’s kin very robust technical response to the virus, and that would require work within WHO,” he said. convicted in US drug trial The UN health agency main- tained recommendations in- cluding that people exposed to Reuters Maduro’s Socialist Party lost its the Zika virus should take pre- New York parliamentary majority after the ventive measures for six months election. to avoid sexual transmission. Defence lawyers said neither “It remains crucially impor- wo nephews of Venezuela’s man was sophisticated enough to tant that pregnant women avoid fi rst lady were found guilty have carried out such a massive travelling to areas with local Ton Friday on US charges that drug transaction, nor did either transmission of Zika, because of they tried to carry out a multimil- intend for any drugs to be shipped the devastating complications lion-dollar drug deal to obtain a into the United States. that can occur in fetuses that be- large amount of cash to help their The government of Venezuela has come infected during pregnancy,” family stay in power. not commented on the trial and did the US Centers for Disease Con- Franqui Francisco Flores de not immediately respond to a re- trol (CDC) said in a statement. Freitas and Efrain Antonio Campo quest for comment on the verdict. Some experts, expressed con- Flores, nephews of Cilia Flores, Last January, the Venezuelan cern that losing the “interna- the wife of Venezuelan President fi rst lady said her nephews were tional emergency” designation Nicolas Maduro, were convicted by kidnapped by US authorities. might result in less support for a federal jury in Manhattan of con- David Rody, a lawyer for Flores research into the virus. spiring to import cocaine into the de Freitas, told jurors on Thursday “I think WHO’s decision is United States. that much of the evidence came unwise,” said Lawrence Gostin, The case has been an embarrass- from a paid DEA informant posing a global health law expert from ment for Maduro amid economic as a Mexican cartel member who Georgetown University. and political crises in the South later pleaded guilty to lying to the “Although Zika’s spread has American nation. government to engage in drug traf- waned, it still holds the potential The case was one of several in fi cking himself. for an explosive epidemic. which US prosecutors have linked The informant, Jose Santos-Pe- If it were to reemerge in the individuals tied to the Venezuelan na, subsequently testifi ed at trial Americas or jump to another government to drug traffi cking. under the terms of a cooperation part of the world, it would sig- They face up to life in prison agreement with the US govern- Union workers and social organisations demonstrate against economic measures of the government of Argentine President nifi cantly threaten a new gener- when they are sentenced. ment that would have helped him Mauricio Macri outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires. ation of children born with dis- Their lawyers indicated in court avoid a lengthy prison sentence if abilities such as microcephaly.” they planned to fi le post-trial mo- he testifi ed truthfully. Gostin said the international tions challenging the convictions, But after defence lawyers pre- response to Zika has been “le- though did not specify on what sented evidence they said showed thargic” and WHO’s decision grounds. he was lying on the stand and or- will give countries even less “Our client’s obviously disap- chestrating drug deals from prison reason to invest in preparedness pointed, but we want to see what prosecutors took the unusual step of Venezuela frees jailed opposition politician and research. the next steps are,” said Ran- announcing that Santos-Pena’s co- At the press conference, Dr dall Jackson, a lawyer for Campo operation deal would be ripped up. Peter Salama, executive director Flores. “Why did we have this spectacle Reuters home to be with my family, I want to take Hugo Chavez whose popularity has dived of WHO’s Health Emergencies Flores de Freitas, 31, and Campo of this man lying to you in court?” Caracas a few days, after the operation, but my during an unprecedented economic cri- Programme, insisted that WHO Flores, 30, were arrested in Haiti Rody said in his closing argument. commitment remains strong for all Ven- sis, accuses foes of seeking a coup against is “not downgrading the impor- in November 2015 and fl own to “And I think the reason is actu- ezuelans’ freedom.” him and denies the existence of political tance of Zika.” the United States following a sting ally quite simple. It’s because they enezuela has freed a politician ac- Mantilla, who was studying journal- prisoners. By framing Zika as a longer operation orchestrated by the US needed him.” cused of fomenting violent protests ism alongside his political activism, was Amnesty International welcomed program of work, Salama said, Drug Enforcement Administra- Robert Lewis, an architect who Vin 2014, but opposition leaders said arrested at his grandparents’ apartment Mantilla’s release, saying he was vic- “we are sending the message tion. sat on the jury, said “nobody was on Friday it was not enough and demanded in May 2014, accused of helping fi nance timized for rights work.”He should have that Zika is here to stay and Prosecutors said the two men in love with the witnesses.” Jurors President Nicolas Maduro’s government anti-Maduro protests that led to violence never been made to spend a second be- WHO’s response is here to stay plotted to use a Venezuelan air- instead focused on the transcripts release all 100 or so jailed opponents. and 43 deaths that year. hind bars. in a very robust manner.” port’s presidential hangar to send of recorded conversations as well The liberation of Rosmit Mantilla, During months of riots, the fatalities The Venezuelan authorities must now Dr Amesh Adalja, an infec- 800kg of cocaine to Honduras for as text messages presented as evi- a well-known activist for the hardline included both opposition and govern- build on this positive step and release all tious diseases expert at the Uni- shipment into the United States. dence. Popular Will party, came amid Vatican- ment supporters, and security personnel. imprisoned activists and political leaders versity of Pittsburgh Medical Prosecutors said recordings of The jury of fi ve men and seven brokered talks between the socialist gov- Supporters say authorities framed whose only ‘crime’ was to disagree with Center, said public health emer- meetings with two DEA inform- women delivered its verdict after ernment and the opposition that are fo- Mantilla by placing envelopes with mon- the government,” it said. gency declarations help direct the ants showed the nephews wanted six hours of deliberations. cusing on prisoners among other issues. ey in the apartment. That was echoed by opposition lead- world’s attention to a disease, and the cash to counteract money they Toward the end of their delib- “I remain hopeful my comrades still be- From prison, Mantilla won election as ers, who call Maduro a dictator. “We must the Zika emergency designation believed the United States was erations, jurors had “fought a little hind bars will be freed soon,” Mantilla, 33, a substitute legislator in a vote last year keep demanding the release of the other accomplished that goal. supplying to the opposition before bit” over the outcome, Lewis said. told reporters after being released and going when the opposition took control of Ven- political prisoners, the return of our ex- But much work remains to be Venezuela’s December 2015 Na- “By the time we were fi nished, straight to hospital for gall bladder surgery. ezuela’s National Assembly. iles and an end to persecution,” a Popular done, including the develop- tional Assembly elections. our heads were spinning,” he said. “It was a tough time...Now I’m going Maduro, the 53-year-old successor to Will leader, David Smolansky, said. ment of a vaccine, he added. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Three children Combat drill killed by Indian army fi ring

AFP Indian border troops ex- Tensions across the long- Muzaff arabad changed fire across the Line disputed de facto Himalayan of Control (LoC)in two other border reached dangerous lev- sectors yesterday, the Inter- els in September, when India hree children were Services Public Relations blamed Pakistani militants killed and three others (ISPR) said. for a raid on an army base that Tinjured yesterday when killed 19 soldiers. mortar shells fired by Indian “Indian troops resort India said it had responded forces hit a village along the to unprovoked fi ring in by carrying out attacks across Line of Control (LOC) in Paki- Tander and Baroh areas of the heavily militarised border, stan-administered Kashmir, Bhimber sector today” sparking a furious reaction officials said. from Islamabad, which denied “Two girls and their brother “Indian troops resort to un- the attacks took place. died when mortar shells fi red provoked fi ring in Tander and There have since been re- by Indian troops hit their house Baroh areas of Bhimber sector peated outbreaks of cross- in Kotli district along the Line today,” said a statement issued border fi ring, with both sides of Control (LOC),” Raja Arif by the military adding that no reporting deaths and injuries Mehmodd, a local administra- loss of life was reported in the including of civilians. tion offi cial, said. latest exchange of fi re. Kashmir has been divided He said the eldest girl was On Friday, Pakistan’s navy between India and Pakistan aged 10 and the youngest girl said it had “pushed” an Indian since the end of British colonial aged fi ve. submarine away from Pakistani rule in 1947. “All belonged to the same waters, as tensions between Both claim the Himalayan family,” he added. the two countries continue to territory in full and have fought Meanwhile, the Pakistani smoulder over unrest in the two wars over the mountainous Paramilitary troops take part in combat drills during a ceremony in connection with ‘53rd Frontier Corps Week’ in Peshawar yesterday. military said Pakistan and disputed Kashmir region. region.

CRACKDOWN Islamabad Pakistan ahead in bans two ECP to start audit of lawmakers’ militant outfits achieving goal of Pakistan government has banned two more militant outfits for their statements of assets by Dec 1 providing legal involvement in terrorist activities across the country, an off icial said. The move to proscribe the Internews month to randomly scrutinise industrial establishments and variations in different val- identity to citizens Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Lashkar-i- Islamabad annual statements of assets domestic and off shore invest- ues. Jhangvi Al-Alami came after re- and liabilities for the financial ments and entities. The section may ask for the cent attacks on sectarian grounds year 2015-16 submitted to it by The directorate of political fi - required evidence from the sub- Internews developing world.” in diff erent parts of the country he Election Commission lawmakers and had directed its nance, if required, will compare mitter of the form and if the evi- Islamabad “Nadra is also a fi nancially were claimed by the two groups, of Pakistan (ECP) will secretariat to come up with a a statement of a member with dence was still found not appro- self-sustaining system with a Dawn quoted a senior off icial on Tstart the audit of lawmak- standard operating procedure his statements submitted in the priate to support the variation good business model in place,” Friday. ers’ statements of assets and li- (SOP) for the exercise, includ- past two years. trends, he may request for cor- akistan has virtually at- the report added. A spokesman for the interior min- abilities by December 1 for the ing the modus operandi and This simple comparison may roboration from the state agen- tained one of the targets The report titled ‘Identity istry confirmed the development fi nancial year which ended on timeline. indicate the range of variation of cies concerned for an informed Pof the Sustainable De- for Development in Asia and and said that the decision was June 30 this year. The proposed SOP was ap- information in respect of cost, decision. velopment Goals (SDGs) by the Pacifi c’ says that Pakistan’s made a few days ago. This was decided by the ECP proved by the commission on changing business trends, ac- An offi cial of the ECP said that providing legal identity to its integrated national identifi ca- which met here with Chief Elec- Saturday outlaying the chain of quisition and utilisation of as- those found guilty of concealing citizens, including birth reg- tion (ID) system was assessed OFFENSIVE tion Commissioner retired Jus- command and modus operandi. sets over the past two years and their assets or making any other istration. as being at an advanced stage, tice Sardar Mohamed Raza in the Under the approved proce- values of expenditure. false declarations would be pro- The target 9 of Goal 16 calls as it uses cutting-edge proc- IS commander chair. dure, the process will start with The variation beyond the ceeded against under Section 82 upon the member states of the esses and was near universal in in Afghanistan Informed sources said that classifi cation of the statements common sense and/or envis- of the Representation of Peoples United Nations (UN) who have its coverage. the ECP, which was earlier con- of assets. aged business trends during Act (ROPA). pledged to achieve the SDGs “The duplication process killed by drone templating random scrutiny of The statements will be divided these three years may guide Section 82 of the ROPA pre- by 2030, that they provide “le- uses biometrics and is robust 25% of statements of assets, now into four slabs of value starting the relevant section to clas- scribes imprisonment of up to gal identity for all, including while the third-party integra- A top commander of the Islamic decided that 100% statements from Rs1mn to beyond Rs1bn. sify it as a simple case with three years for a person guilty of birth registration”. Since its tion is easy and profuse,” the State (IS) extremist militia has would be examined to see if The type of assets will also be an acceptable range of in- corrupt practice, and conviction inception in 2000, the Nation- report said. been killed in a US drone strike these contained any discrepan- categorised and will include ag- crease/decrease in values or also entails disqualifi cation from al Database and Registration “The ID system off ers a in Afghanistan’s eastern Nan- cies and apparent lies. ricultural property, corporate or needing further evidence for being a lawmaker or contesting Authority (Nadra) has been is- means to fast-track the de- garhar province, officials said The ECP had decided last business, real estate property, justification of the reported polls. suing Computerised National velopment process by provid- yesterday. Identity Cards (CNICs) to Pa- ing the most effi cient way to Mullah Bozorg, a leader in the mili- kistani citizens and its equiva- identify people in developing tant group, was killed along with lent to the Pakistani diaspora. countries.” seven fighters in the drone strike A CNIC is issued fi rst at the The report claimed that al- late on Friday, Attaullah Khugyani, age of 18, after the resident’s though there was no one mod- the spokesman for the Nangarhar Pakistan, China and Russia to hold talks biometrics have been captured. el for providing a legal identity, provincial governor told DPA. Acknowledging Pakistan’s the SDGs encouraged states “The airstrike was carried out on efforts, the Asian Develop- to provide people with free or Friday night in Lagharjo area of IANS ciliation and restore peace in Zakaria said in a statement. ing has already taken place. ment Bank (ADB) in a report low-cost access to widely ac- Kot district,” the spokesman said. Islamabad the war-torn country, an offi cial The trilateral talks have as- The deteriorating security sit- said that, “the Nadra system is cepted, robust ID credentials. Several weapons, ammunition and here said. sumed importance at a time uation in Afghanistan has raised considered one of the world’s “The UN sees ID as an ena- explosives belonging to the group “We attach high importance to when there is no let-up in the concerns about the spillover ef- leading integrated national bler to achieving other SDGs in were also seized and destroyed, akistan, Russia and China all initiatives aimed at bringing violence in Afghanistan in spite fect due to the presence of NSAs identification (ID) systems, areas relating to social protec- Khugyani said. will hold consultations on peace and stability in Afghani- of the advent of winter. (non-state actors) and other el- and has provided technical tion, health, fi nance, energy, The militant leader’s death was PAfghanistan in December stan and the region at large,” For- “Under the said trilateral ements there,” the spokesman assistance to the develop- and governance,” according to also confirmed by the Afghan to explore ways to reach recon- eign Ministry spokesman Nafees meeting, a working level meet- said. ment of many systems in the the report. Defense Ministry. Shortage of heavy vehicles hits Edhi Foundation

Internews people were killed and scores of ics kept receiving the injured But the plan was delayed due Karachi others injured. till the next morning, more to the lack of interest on the part “The situation at the shrine than 12 hours after the suicide of federal government. grew worse when the Edhi Foun- attack. “Actually these vehicles were escue operations of the dation couldn’t mobilise its Faisal Edhi echoed the con- imported from Japan, South Ko- Edhi Foundation have heavy-duty vehicles for survi- cerns but what he described as rea and China between 1999 and Rcome to a standstill as vors of the blast and the injured the reason for the delays proved 2001 and the-then government the country’s largest charity is people,” said a health offi cial to be more shocking. had supported the Edhi Founda- waiting for the federal govern- when he was asked about delays The chief of the country’s tion by removing all duties and ment’s approval to sell more in rescue and evacuation opera- largest charity and son of Abdul taxes,” said Edhi. than 300 of its heavy-duty tions. Sattar Edhi said the Edhi Foun- “Under the government reg- vehicles in order to generate “At the time of the attack dation’s rescue operations had ulations, we cannot sell them funds that could be utilised for there were over 1,000 people largely come to a standstill more without the permission of the buying new vehicles needed to at the shrine, who had reached than seven months ago. competent authority. replace the “obsolete and use- there from across the country, “The authorities concerned We have requested the FBR less” ones, officials said. particularly Karachi We all know know this very well,” he said. [Federal Board of Revenue] and The authorities in Islamabad the government’s resources and “The Edhi Foundation right the finance ministry for per- have confi rmed receiving re- it’s the Edhi Foundation which now is operating only within dif- mission a number of times but quests from the Edhi Founda- always does the rescue work. ferent cities, with a fl eet of just we have not received a single tion, which is headquartered in But they also were helpless. over 1,500 vehicles. We have reply.” Karachi, for immediate permis- They could only send their hi- some 300 heavy vehicles which He said he personally con- sion to sell the 300 vehicles that roof vans [used as ambulances] were once used for rescue op- veyed his concerns to all the “in- used to take part in its rescue op- which can never serve the rescue erations in tough terrains, long- fl uential individuals” and “top erations. purpose.” distance travelling and catering offi cials concerned” in July when Because of lack of heavy ve- He said that makeshift ambu- for more than one victim at a he was meeting them at his place hicles, the charity has been un- lances from the Edhi Foundation Because of lack of heavy vehicles, the charity has been unable to eff ectively mount rescue operations. time.” after his father’s death. able to eff ectively mount rescue and vehicles from other charities He said the 300 vehicles had “If the Shah Noorani inci- operations. and government departments excessive bleeding and delay in mountainous area more than He said that in the past the become obsolete after being dent fails to prove as a wake-up This emerged recently in the proceeded to bring the injured to start of their treatment. 250m away within a few hours? foundation had been using used for more than 16 years. call, I fear we should not expect wake of a suicide attack on the Karachi, some 250km from the “How can you expect a hi- It was simply impossible as the stronger and better vehicles. The foundation had planned anything good in future. We shrine of Bilawal Shah Noorani shrine. roof van used as an ambulance distance and the tough terrain The situation set off alarm to sell them in order to generate should keep in mind that due to in a remote region of Khuzdar As a result, more than 12 peo- to move the critically injured required heavy-duty rescue ve- bells at hospitals in Karachi funds needed to buy some new the problem the common man is district in which more than 50 ple lost their lives, mainly due to people to Karachi from that hicles,” said the offi cial. where doctors and paramed- vehicles. suff ering,” he added. Gulf Times 24 Sunday, November 20, 2016 PHILIPPINES Philippines, US agree to combat illegal drugs

By Catherine S Valente have told the United States is maybe we should tone Manila Times/Peru down and not focus on these joint military exercis- es which was a fundamental core of our mutual de- fence agreement, but get into Edca where we would he Philippines and the Unites States have like to focus on exercises that are nontraditional agreed to refocus bilateral relations toward insofar as building our capacity against nontradi- Tnon-traditional activities, such as joint co- tional security threats such as terrorism, even the Anti-Marcos protesters face off with supporters of Marcos (left) waving miniature national flags, during a protest while the late dictator operation in combating illegal drugs and corrup- fi ght against illegal drugs, even disaster response,” Ferdinand Marcos was being given a hero’s burial at the heroes’ cemetery in Manila. tion as well as disaster response. he added. This came after Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Yasay was referring to the 2014 Enhanced De- Jr. met with his American counterpart, US Sec- fence Co-operation Agreement (Edca) that allows retary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the US troops rotational access to military bases and Asia-Pacifi c Economic Co-operation (Apec) min- camps in the Philippines. isterial meeting in the Peruvian capital. According to him, President Duterte “never said Anti-Marcos camp vows Speaking to Filipino journalists, Yasay said that, anything about discontinuing Edca.” during a “very cordial” meeting, he conveyed to Yasay announced that US Admiral Harry Harris, Kerry the assurance of President Rodrigo Duterte the new commander of the US Pacifi c Command, that the Philippines would continue its defence co- would soon visit the Philippines to discuss areas of operation with the US. joint co-operation. to exhume remains But Manila will no longer focus on joint military The meeting of Yasay and Kerry came after Du- exercises to avoid “provocations,” particularly in terte, during a state visit in Beijing in October, an- the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). nounced his military and economic “separation By Llanesca T Panti reverse and undo this burial.” Aquino’s cousin, Sen. Paolo like a thief in the night. His bur- “Engaging ourselves with the United States inso- from the United States.” & Jeff erson Antiporda The petitioners have argued Benigno Aquino, said President ial is anything but noble. Even far as military preparedness for invasion of coun- But the president later clarifi ed that his an- Manila Times that Marcos did not deserve to Rodrigo Duterte should be held in death, he is a thief,” Drilon tries like China then no longer holds true, because nouncement was “not a severance” of diplomatic be given a hero’s burial because accountable for allowing the said in a statement. we’re in the midst of this confl ict or dispute we have ties, just a separation of foreign policy. The US re- of atrocities committed by his burial. Toym Imao, whose father insofar as South China Sea is concerned, where we acted by saying that Duterte’s controversial state- he anti-Marcos camp Martial Law regime that left “This is now part of our his- the National Artist Abdulmari are committed to resolve this in peaceful manner,” ments have created a “climate of uncertainty about on Friday vowed to have 3,257 killed, 35,000 tortured, tory – from Marcos and his cro- Imao is buried in the Libingan Yasay said during a news conference. “So what we the Philippines’ intentions.” Tthe remains of the late 70,000 incarcerated, and 737 nies’ grave abuses to the People ng mga Bayani and whose uncle strongman Ferdinand Marcos missing based on the records of Power Revolution, from his was killed during Martial Law, exhumed from the Libingan ng Amnesty International. At least covert burial to today’s protests expressed anger at the “white- mga Bayani, as well as run af- 75,000 torture victims have ap- and cries against a heroes burial wash” of Marcos’ atrocities. ter all government offi cials that plied for compensation under a for a Filipino dictator,” he said. “My father’s brother was approved the burial that caught reparations law passed in 2013. Vice President Maria Leonor killed during Martial Law, our Drug kingpin Espinosa to reveal all everyone by surprise. Critics also cite Marcos’ ill- “Leni” Robredo was among family suff ered during the Petitioners against the Mar- gotten wealth estimated at $5bn the fi rst to condemn the burial, burning of Sulu (in the same cos interment, led by Albay to $10bn, on top of the $13.4bn saying in a statement: “Like a period). This government By Anthony Vargas Rep. Edcel Lagman, claimed the supposedly deposited by the thief in the night, the Marcos whitewashed the dark legacy of & Jeff erson Antiporda burial was illegal as the Novem- Marcoses in Swiss banks. family deliberately hid the in- the Marcoses, and we will not Manila Times ber 8 Supreme Court ruling that “If they think this is closure, formation of burying former falter in seeking steps to ad- cleared it was not yet fi nal and they are mistaken. In fact, they president Marcos today from dress this travesty of a sacred that they had until November opened the wounds of the vic- the Filipino people.” ground,” Imao said in the news astern Visayas drug king- 28 to fi le a motion for reconsid- tims and kin who were tortured, “This is nothing new to the conference. pin Kerwin Espinosa fl ew eration. raped, abducted and killed. This Marcoses – they who had hid- Marcos opponents taken by Eback to the country more “We will fi le a motion to ex- is like raping, torturing, kill- den wealth, hidden human surprise by the burial quickly than a month after fl eeing to hume and motion to cite the ing them over and over. What rights abuses, and now, a hid- organised a series of rallies the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Marcoses in contempt. This is healing are they talking about? den burial – with complete dis- across Metro Manila on Friday vowing to reveal everything he the same deceptive, devious, I tell you, this will not unite regard for the law,” said Robre- afternoon that attracted thou- knows now that his father, Al- underhanded, abusive tactic our country. We will not be si- do, who defeated Marcos’ son sands of people. In one of the buera, Leyte mayor Rolando Es- that they did during Martial lenced,” said Pangilinan. and namesake Ferdinand Mar- biggest at the University of the pinosa, is dead. Law. He is a murderer and a Former president Benigno cos Jr in the tightly contested Philippines, protesters banged Kerwin arrived at the Ninoy Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald de la plunderer. The Libingan was Aquino, whose father Benigno vice-presidential election. on drums and chanted “Marcos Aquino International Airport Rosa (right) gestures as he presents Kerwin Espinosa, son of the late desecrated with him there,” said Aquino Jr’s 1983 assassina- Senate President Pro-Tem- thief,” “Marcos dictator” and (NAIA) on board Philippine Air- mayor Rolando Espinosa, to members of the media. Lagman, whose brother Her- tion triggered the ouster of the pore Franklin Drilon character- “exhume, exhume.” lines Flight 657 from Abu Dhabi mon went missing during the Marcos regime three years later, ised the “stealthy and hurried Students at Ateneo de Ma- at 3.41am Friday, and was later and later detained at the PNP But he said the PNP had guar- Marcos regime and was never said that “at a time like this, it manner” of the Marcos burial nila University, Miriam College presented to the media by Phil- Custodial Centre. anteed his safety. found. is fi tting that we hear the voic- as reminiscent of Martial Law. and University of Santo Tomas ippine National Police (PNP) Espinosa had feared for his “With my situation now that Senator Francis Pangilinan, es of others: learn about their The atrocities during Martial walked out of classes in protest. chief Ronald de la Rosa. life after the killing of his fa- my father is gone, I can assure interim president of the Lib- stories, the persons behind the Law succeeded because the cit- The protesters merged at the From NAIA, Espinosa was ther Rolando inside a Leyte jail (the president) that I will reveal all eral Party whose stalwarts had statistics, their loved ones lost izenry was kept in the dark, he monument on Edsa commemo- whisked by the PNP to its head- by a raiding team from the PNP the names of all those involved in fought Marcos’ one-man rule, to the regime of Martial Law. pointed out. rating the 1986 “People Power” quarters in Camp Crame in Que- Criminal Investigation and De- drugs,” Kerwin, speaking in Filipi- said in a news conference: They should never be forgot- “Like what Marcos did for 21 revolution that overthrew Mar- zon City, where he was booked tection Group last November 5. no, told reporters in Camp Crame. “We will tirelessly work to ten.” years, he caught us off -guard cos’ two-decade reign.

Customs seizes Filipino actors spotlight vigilantes of Duterte’s drug war 50mn pesos worth fake

Reuters cigarettes Manila Joint operatives of the Bureau of Customs-Intelligence and Investi- n unidentifi ed gunman gation Service (BOC-CIIS) and the shoots dead a Filipino Philippine National Police (PNP) Aman. simultaneously raided on Friday, A reporter looks anxious as he warehouses of raw materials for arrives at the scene and watches cigarettes in Bulacan and Pan- a policeman inspect the body. gasinan while criminal charges It’s the kind of event that hap- were filed against the owners of pens daily in the Philippines as an illicit depot in Davao where President Rodrigo Duterte’s war 50mn pesos worth of fake ciga- on drugs continues unabated, rettes was seized, Manila Times with more than 2,400 people reported. Seized by the raiding killed in the fi rst four months team were hundreds of boxes since he took offi ce on June 30. and sacks of tobacco, cigarette This time, no one is hurt. filters, cigarette paper, cigarette The incident is a re-enact- label, fake Internal Revenue seal, ment by a Manila theatre group, plastic wrappers, aluminium foils a portrayal of a spate of vigilante and sealants, among others, as killings that have put the Philip- well as several delivery trucks and pines in the international spot- private cars.The raw materials were light. used for the manufacture of fake Lead actress Roseball To- cigarette products like Marvels, ledo said the play aims to raise Mighty, La Reyna Mascada, Marl- awareness about human rights boro, Philip Morris, Jackpot and and due process. Skag Fortune, which are originally “Life is a basic human right produced by Philip Morris-Fortune and if we have a problem with Tobacco Corp. Several cartons of criminals, drug users or rapists finished cigarette products were or murderers, that’s what the also recovered. The warehouses, law is for,” she said. owned by a certain Tony Li, were “That’s what courts are for. Students from the University of the Philippines perform a play on President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, in Quezon city, Metro Manila yesterday. located at Barangay Santa Rosa II It’s not right to end the life of in Marilao, Bulacan. But the owner someone just because you don’t He has lashed out with pro- him a May election by a huge Other killings, police say, are lantism and has even said he en- supposedly righteous killing of or any other representative was see them doing anything good fanities at the United Nations, margin and his decisive, ruth- carried out by rival gangs or courages it. criminals...the character only not around during the raid. with their life.” European Union, United States less approach has proved popu- vigilantes, the mysterious and Directed by university stu- kills those who have wronged The Customs raiding team was It’s the kind of opinion that and human rights groups that lar among Filipinos. largely unexplained component dent Nicole Lorenzo, the play others,” Lorenzo said. acting on a formal complaint filed strikes a raw nerve with Du- have criticised his drug war and Police say most of those killed that the Manila play focuses on. centres on an assassin who “Those being killed now, by Philip Morris-Fortune Tobacco terte, a former prosecutor and voiced concern about possible were narcotics suspects shot Duterte strongly denies that claims to only kill criminals, and by whoever is doing this, are Corp. (PMFTC) for violation of the self-styled antidote to rampant extrajudicial killings. dead after resisting arrest dur- assassins are in cahoots with a reporter in a back alley where those who are believed to have Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) methamphetamine usage he Duterte’s promise to rid the ing operations by police and police to carry out murder. the assailant leaves the corpses. wronged society with their drug Law. says is destroying his country. country of crime and drugs won counter-narcotics agents. He does not condone vigi- “The parallelism here is the use.” Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Bangladesh stops 125 Hasina: Failure to achieve Rohingya from 100% literacy disgraceful crossing By Mizan Rahman presided over the programme. border Dhaka The Prime Minister, however, said it would have been possible to achieve the 100% literacy rate AFP rime Minister Sheikh in the country if a black day like Dhaka Hasina yesterday said the August 15 of 1975 had not come. Pfailure to achieve 100% “After the assassination of literacy rate in Bangladesh even the Father of the Nation, the angladesh Coast Guards after its 45 years of independ- system of killing, coup, illegal prevented 125 Rohingya ence is very much disgraceful. power grabbing and military BMuslims from enter- “Forty-fi ve have passed by rule had started. These ele- ing its territory as the group since Bangladesh’s independ- ments had never been able to attempted to escape vio- ence … this is very much regret- develop the country,” she said. lent unrest in neighbouring ful that we cannot yet say we’ve Hasina also said the military Myanmar. achieved 100% literacy rate, dictators and juntas just had Authorities patrolling the Naf this is disgraceful as well for us made their own economic for- River, which separates Bang- as a nation,” she said. tunes without thinking about ladesh’s southeastern border The prime minister was in- the country’s people. from western Myanmar, pushed augurating Chittagong Univer- She urged the teachers and back a group of Rohingya trying sity’s (CU) Golden Jubilee cel- students of all educational in- to enter the country late Friday, ebrations in the southeastern stitutions to maintain congenial local Coast Guard offi cial Nafi ur port city through a videocon- education atmosphere on their Rahman said. ference from her offi cial resi- campuses so that there could be Sheikh Hasina speaking during a video-conference with guests at Chittagong University, in Dhaka yesterday. “There were 125 Myanmar dence Ganobhbaban in Dhaka. no session loss. nationals in seven wooden Parliament Speaker Shi- Hasina said her govern- like medical university, agricul- two new medical universities in erty- and hunger-free country The Prime Minister urged boats. They included 61 women rin Sharmin Chaudhury was ment wants to develop a mod- ture university, marine univer- Chittagong and Rajshahi, while is possible only when the nation members of alumni, former and 36 children. We resisted present as the chief guest. ern and educated new genera- sity, fi sheries institute, univer- such universities would also becomes a well-educated one. students and affl uent section them from entering our water Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman, a tion to build the country more sity of science and technology be set up in other divisions in She said military dictators did of the society, including public territory,” Rahman said. former faculty member, deliv- effi ciently. are being developed at diff erent phases. not let the people know the true representatives, to contribute He added that all of the pas- ered the memorial speech. For the purpose, she said, parts of the country. Hasina mentioned that these history of the War of Liberation to the development and wel- sengers were Rohingya who CU vice chancellor Prof Dr many specialised and multifac- Besides, she said, steps have steps have been taken to build a as they distorted the history of fare of their local educational tried to enter Bangladesh amid Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury eted educational institutions already been taken to establish highly educated nation as a pov- the nation’s victory. institutions. an uptick of violent clashes in neighbouring Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Another coast guard offi cer said he saw two bodies fl oating in the Naf River during a patrol. Up to 30,000 people have Lanka’s Dhaka, Delhi plan short stay been displaced by violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, half of which occurred during the last week when dozens of people died in clashes with the military, fi nancial visas for border residents the UN said Friday. Troops have poured into a strip of land along the Bang- By Mizan Rahman matic sources in Dhaka. the ‘short stay visa’ like a token commission in Dhaka con- ladesh border, an area which Dhaka No passport will be required visa for the people living in the fi rmed that the Indian authori- is largely home to the state- conditions to get the short stay visa, but border areas. ties have already informed their less Muslim Rohingya minor- the immigration authorities “The matter is now in the Bangladeshi counterparts for ity, since coordinated attacks on angladesh and India are will issue a pass-like card with a hands of the two governments. taking necessary steps in this police posts last month. planning to introduce photograph of the pass-holder. The authorities are yet to take a regard. The resurgence of vio- B‘short stay visas’ for The Border Security Force decision in this regard,” sources At present, Bangladesh and lence in Rakhine has deep- stabilising, people living in border areas of (BSF) of India had recently pro- said. “The people in the border Myanmar issue one-day passes ened a crisis that has already the two countries to help them posed the new visa, and both areas of the two friendly neigh- for the border people of the two threatened to derail the new meet their relatives and trade the Bangladeshi and Indian bours would benefi t if such a countries. administration led by My- across the border. governments are scrutinising visa is introduced,” they said, However, no such facility ex- anmar’s democracy activist Such short stay visas are the proposal. adding: “There are so many ists between Bangladesh and Aung San Suu Kyi. says IMF likely to be issued by the However, the launch date of countries in the world that have India. Rakhine has sizzled with re- immigration authorities for the short stay visa is yet to be introduced short-term visas At present, around 5,000 ligious tension ever since waves three days to one week in fi nalised. for their people in border areas Bangladeshis and 2,000 In- of violence between the major- Reuters tax administration, public order to increase people-to- The BSF had recently sent and Bangladesh and India can dians cross over to the other ity Buddhist population and the Colombo fi nancial management, and people relations between the proposal to the govern- do it too.” country daily through the Muslim Rohingya left more than the governance and oversight the neighbours, said diplo- ment authorities to introduce An offi cial of the Indian high Benapole-Petrapole border. 100 dead in 2012. of state-owned enterprises he International Mon- are critical for durable fi scal etary Fund (IMF) yes- consolidation. Bangladeshi human Tterday said Sri Lanka’s Budget proposals presented macroeconomic and fi nancial in Sri Lanka last week includ- traff icker arrested Nobel laureate V S Naipul at literature fest conditions have begun to sta- ed revisions to corporate and A Bangladeshi national was arrested bilise and the island nation’s withholding taxes to boost in Libya on charge of his involvement performance under its $1.5bn revenue and cut the 2017 fi scal in traff icking of 37 compatriots and loan programme is satisfactory. defi cit to 4.6% of GDP from others alluring them of lucrative jobs The global lender, after this year’s 5.4%. in the war-ravaged country. completing the fi rst review The IMF has set a 4.7% Tripoli police arrested Sujon, of Sri Lanka’s economic per- budget defi cit target next year. a resident from Noakhali, on formance, also said infl a- The government also aims Thursday with the help of tion has trended down and to boost its 2017 tax revenue Bangladesh embassy in Tripoli, the balance of payments has by 27% to 1.82trn rupees according to the foreign ministry improved, though interna- ($12.35bn) year on year, to in Dhaka yesterday. tional reserves remain below meet a commitment given to Sujon was involved in human comfortable levels. the IMF in return for the loan. traff icking for long from The completion of the re- Parliament last month Bangladesh to Libya and realising view enables the second IMF passed a bill to raise VAT by huge amount of money from disbursement of $162.6mn 4% with eff ect from Novem- families of the job seekers by under the loan, bringing ber 1 in a move to boost gov- keeping hostage of the traff icked the total disbursements to ernment revenues, months Bangladeshi nationals. $325.1mn. after two court rulings delayed The Bangladesh embassy off icials “Fiscal performance has the move. were informed about Sujon when been encouraging. The rein- Facing both debt and a bal- they visited the 37 Bangladeshi statement of the amendments ance of payments crisis, Sri nationals, who were detained to the value added tax (VAT) Lanka sought IMF loan early at Al Hamra detention centre in will help boost revenues,” the this year while expressing its Gharyan town of Libya for illegally IMF said in a statement. willingness for fi scal reforms entering the country. “The 2017 budget pro- with an aim of reducing the The Libyan police detained the posal aims to strengthen gov- budget defi cit to 3.5% of the 37 Bangladeshi nationals in ernment fi nances through GDP in 2020. Gharyan town when they were revenue mobilisation, Since the IMF approved trying to reach Italy through the while guarding against rev- the loan, the central bank has Mediterranean Sea on November 8. enue shortfalls by aligning raised key monetary policy However, the Libyan police spending with revenue on a rates by 50 basis points and rescued at least 65 Bangladeshi 2001 Nobel laureate V S Naipaul, centre, inaugurating the annual literature festival in Dhaka. Top writers including 2001 Nobel laureate quarterly basis.” stopped defending the lo- nationals from traff ickers’ den at V S Naipaul gathered in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka to join an annual literature festival just months after the country was rocked by It also said complemen- cal rupee currency by selling Tajoura suburb of Libyan capital the worst terror attack in its history. tary structural reforms in dollars. Tripoli three weeks ago. Nepalis in India struggling to cope with demonetisation

IANS Shyam Chaudhary from Post quoted him as saying. a chartered accountancy student. “We have advised Nepalis who treatment, said he was hoping in the denomination of 500 and Kathmandu/New Delhi Bardiya district in Nepal, who Chaudhary said many Nepalis Many migrants send money do not have bank accounts to use that his debit card would work at 1,000 is within the fi nancial works at a roadside restau- like him were seeking help from back home on monthly basis. their friends’ accounts.” the hospital. system in Nepal. rant in New Delhi, said it took friends who had bank accounts. Now, with no new notes in hand There are about 2mn Nepalis “But unfortunately it didn’t. The fi gure includes cash parked ndia’s demonetisation of a while before he realised the “We are facing a lot of prob- and the old Rs500 and Rs1,000 living in New Delhi only. I had to spend fi ve hours in hos- at vaults of banks, fi nancial high-value currency has implications of the ban on 500 lems here,” he said. notes becoming illegal tender, Around 50,000 students an- pital and one of my friends paid institutions and NRB. Ihit hard the tens of thou- and 1,000 Indian rupee notes Students who have bank ac- they wonder how they are going nually arrive in India to pursue the bill,” he said. According to the Federation sands of Nepali migrant work- by the Indian government on counts said they have not been to remit the earnings. higher studies. There are many Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the of Nepalese Chambers of Com- ers employed in India as se- November 8. able to withdraw money as many “The transaction has gone Nepalis who come for medical central bank of the country, has merce and Industry, hundreds of curity guards, daily wagers, “I am struggling to meet my ATMs across India have run dry. down drastically by 70% or so,” treatment, of them about 100 also banned the 500 and 1,000 thousands of Nepalese who work domestic helps and others who day-to-day needs,” said Chaud- “We are taking the fi nal exam. said Sunil Mishra, a representa- Nepalis come daily for health Indian Rupee notes after the In- in India stand to lose their entire receive salary in cash, as they hary. “Besides, I am worried We are struggling to man- tive from Prabhu Money Bank, check-ups, the Post reported. dian government’s decision on savings if the now-scrapped are struggling to cope with the how I am going to send money age cash for auto and other a Nepali remittance company A Nepali government offi cial, demonetisation. notes are not replaced with situation. back home,” the Kathmandu expenses,” said Badal Basnet, based in New Delhi. who was in India for medical The NRB has said IRs 33.6mn legal bills. Gulf Times 26 Sunday, November 20, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: C P Ravindran The evolving independent

P.O.Box 2888 economy and its challenges Doha, Qatar [email protected] Up to 162mn people 25% of independent workers. The to earn an income, whether primary or and when to turn to independent Telephone 44350478 (news), throughout the United States independent workforce is also diverse secondary, from independent work. workers. Many factors will infl uence 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) in terms of income level, education, That trend poses challenges and that decision, including cost, quality, Fax 44350474 and the EU-15 are currently gender, occupation, and industry. opportunities for policymakers, productivity, and the security of engaged in some form of Moreover, 70-75% of those engaged workers, and employers. Policymakers proprietary information. in independent work do so by choice, need to collect better data on the Finally, there is the responsibility independent work rather than out of necessity – a fi nding independent workforce through of workers themselves to assert that is consistent with the results of regular surveys. They must also more control over their own By Laura Tyson and Jacques Bughin other recent studies. Indeed, although update how independent workers careers, seeking opportunities and Berkeley 40-55% of low-income workers are categorised, in order to adapt developing diff erentiated skills to GULF TIMES (earning $25,000 or less per year) taxation, regulation, and benefi ts avoid being relegated to a low-wage engage in some independent work, and protections (including anti- generalist talent pool or displaced by orking full-time for they comprise less than 25% of all discrimination laws and minimum intelligent machines. This may prove a single employer is independent earners. Only about one- wages) accordingly. The policy issues to be the most important element no longer the norm in third of survey respondents said they for high-skill professionals acting as of the emerging labour-market Doha setting ground Wadvanced economies. rely on independent work because independent agents are not the same transformation: workers are a driving Instead, millions of “independent they cannot fi nd conventional jobs or as those for low-skill workers selling force behind it. workers” – self-employed, freelance, need supplemental income to make their services through large digital Of course, digital technologies or temporary employees – sell their ends meet. platforms like Uber. have also played a vital role in for Opec agreement labour, services and products through Updating the provision and delivery facilitating the rise of independent digital platforms to numerous Digital technologies of benefi ts may be particularly work. Digital platforms like Airbnb, employers or clients. challenging. Some European countries Etsy, and Uber have been critical in The growing share of independent have also played are tackling the issue by creating reducing the friction and increasing on oil output ceiling work, which typically entails fl exible new classifi cations of work, with the transparency of the markets hours, promises to bring signifi cant a vital role in new benefi t systems. British law that support independent work. aggregate economic gains, by raising distinguishes between traditional And innovation in this area remains If the 14-member Organisation of the Petroleum labour-force participation rates, facilitating the rise of employees and “workers,” who are robust. Exporting Countries (Opec) is able to clinch a deal increasing the overall number of hours independent work entitled to only some employee rights. But it is these platforms’ users who on output limit at its ordinary meeting in Vienna on worked and reducing unemployment. In the US, there is a growing interest are really reshaping the labour market. But the “gig economy” also creates in a system of portable, pro-rated Aided by digital technologies, they November 30, Doha will have played a key role in setting complex new policy challenges in That minority, however, still benefi ts – such as unemployment and are advancing their own interest in the ground for such a pact, the fi rst one since 2008. taxation, regulation and access to amounts to a large number of people. disability insurance and pensions – earning more, while benefi ting from After informal talks in Doha at the weekend on the social benefi ts and protections that It is estimated that more than 50mn tied to workers, rather than employers. more fl exible working arrangements. traditionally have been provided Americans and Europeans are Another option in the US would be The likely result of this trend sidelines of a gas forum here, major oil producers look through standard employer-employee engaged in independent work out of new unions or collective organisations will be a shift from the old model more confi dent of striking a deal, which will provide relationships. necessity, and more than 20mn rely (guilds) of workers, both to negotiate of business organisation – in which some stability to the global oil market. According to a McKinsey Global on independent work as their primary the terms of independent-work most workers carry out specialised Reports indicate Opec is moving closer towards Institute study, up to 162mn people source of income. Many are low- contracts and to track and organise functions for a single employer throughout the United States and the income workers who would otherwise benefi ts for workers who serve within a rigid hierarchy – to one fi nalising a deal to limit crude output, with most EU-15 are currently engaged in some be unemployed. This suggests that many clients and employers. Similar centred on lean core organisations members prepared to off er Iran signifi cant fl exibility on form of independent work. Based stronger economic – and, thus, systems are already in place for the that rely on a loose network of production volumes. on a representative online survey employment – growth would reduce construction and entertainment external providers for many tasks. of 8,000 workers in six countries the number of workers engaged in industries. Whether this new system is actually During the Doha talks, Opec member countries (including the US), McKinsey found independent work. Entrepreneurs also have good for workers, employers, and proposed Iran cap its oil output at 3.92mn barrels per day that 10-15% of the working-age But, regardless of macroeconomic opportunities to create new products economies, however, will depend on (bpd), a Reuters’ dispatch showed. population relies on independent work conditions, independent work is likely and services tailored to the needs of how all of the relevant actors address Analysts say Iran has been the main stumbling block for their primary income. Another to account for a rising share of work in the independent workforce. These the challenges inherent in the 10-15% – including students, retirees, the long run, owing to technological could include shared offi ce spaces, transition.— Project Syndicate for such a deal because Tehran wants exemptions as household caregivers, and those with advances and individual preferences. fi nancial solutions that smooth out it tries to regain oil market share after the easing of traditional jobs – take on such work to While digital platforms for income between work assignments, zLaura Tyson, a former chair of the Western sanctions in January. Iran has previously said it supplement their income. independent work are still in the early training programs, and the creation US President’s Council of Economic McKinsey’s fi ndings challenge stages of their development, and are of widely recognised credentials Advisers, is a professor at the Haas would accept a freeze at between 4mn and 4.2mn bpd. several common beliefs about being used by only 15% of independent to enable independent workers to School of Business at the University In Doha, the Opec members looked committed to independent work. First, the workers, they are proliferating advance their work and income of California, Berkeley, and a senior striking a deal by the month-end to rein in oversupply independent workforce is not and expanding rapidly. McKinsey opportunities. adviser at the Rock Creek Group. and buoy prices. They agreed initially in September in dominated by young people: estimates that 30-45% of the Employers, for their part, will need Jacques Bughin is a director of the people under age 25 represent just working-age population would prefer to learn when to rely on internal talent McKinsey Global Institute. Algiers to cut their collective output to 32.5mn – 33mn bpd and have been trying to persuade other suppliers, notably Russia, to join the cuts. Last month, the organisation had estimated its own output at 33.6mn bpd. If Opec reaches Opec’s 14 members, who supply about 40% a deal by the of the world’s oil, will month-end, meet in the Austrian capital on November 30. it may also Iraq and Iran are seeking draw support exemptions from any cuts. from non-Opec The group is working members on an output deal that would last for six months or possibly a year, with a revision after the fi rst six months, Algerian Energy Minister Noureddine Boutarfa said in Doha. “That’s the proposition that apparently has consensus,” he noted. The Algiers accord recognises three countries that have special cases. Any oil-supply deal would include a mechanism for Iran, whose output is recovering after the lifting of international sanctions earlier this year. Libya and Nigeria, where production is still recovering Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe being welcomed by Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner during a meeting with US president-elect Donald Trump in after a spate of violence and militant attacks targeted oil New York on Thursday. infrastructure, are the two other special cases, according to Opec secretary general Mohamed Barkindo. If Opec reaches a deal by the month-end, it may also Trump makes transition to power a family aff air draw support from non-Opec members including Russia, which promised to co-operate but so far has refrained children will continue to play an general – bars any blood relative to run his businesses, which ethics from any fi rm commitment. By Catherine Triomphe AFP, New York important role at his side. or in-law of the US president from watchdogs warn would pose too many Russia has already stated it was prepared to join and And the seemingly pivotal holding paid employment for a potential risks of confl ict. cap output for six months or longer, if a deal was reached. role being played by Kushner, federal agency. Ivanka Trump’s very fi rst televised en days after his election, Trump’s businessman son-in-law, But the legislation appears to be a appearance at the president-elect’s Oil markets were also under pressure from a Donald Trump’s transition to in assembling the Republican’s lot less clear when it comes to White side – in a prime-time interview – strengthening dollar after comments from Federal power has every appearance administration is already drawing House advisor positions. triggered a mini-scandal after her Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen raised expectations Tof a family aff air, fuelling scrutiny after he was reported to be Presidential politics as a family fashion company sent out a message that the central bank will raise interest rates next month. concerns about confl icts of interest pulling strings in the process. aff air is nothing new in America, says promoting the $10,000 gold bracelet and a lack of experience in the future Sam Abrams, a professor of political she wore on air. A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive in other Republican president’s inner circle. Mixing family and science at Sarah Lawrence College in Abrams believes Trump is currencies. Offi cial snaps of the president- New York. committing a mistake by allowing But if the producer group succeeds in setting a elect’s fi rst meeting with a foreign politics is not that From Eleanor Roosevelt to Michelle his family to fi gure so prominently leader on Thursday triggered a Obama, and of course the Kennedys, – before he has even taken offi ce, production cap by adopting ceilings for countries, it torrent of criticism: they show Ivanka simple in the United Bushes and Clintons, the wives and and before he has fi nished building a will speed up the much needed balancing of supply and Trump sitting in on the talks with children of US heads of state have qualifi ed team to surround him. demand and shore up prices. Japan’s Shinzo Abe, while she and her States often played a key – if informal – “It’s normal to involve family,” businessman husband Jared Kushner role, without raising red fl ags over Abrams said. But he also believes can be seen chatting and laughing It was reported -and denied by nepotism. that to rely that heavily on immediate with the prime minister’s delegation Trump – that inquiries had been But for Daniel DiSalvo, an expert at family is “off putting for a lot of To Advertise at Trump Tower. made about top-secret clearance the City College of New York-CUNY, people.” “Confl ict of interest is an for Kushner to be able to join daily Trump throws several challenging Experts expressed surprise that [email protected] understatement,” tweeted Matt presidential briefi ngs. new ingredients into the mix: “The Trump did not request a State Display Ortega, a member of the digital team And on Thursday, The New York character of Trump’s business – his Department briefi ng before his Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 for Trump’s defeated Democratic rival Times reported – citing anonymous name is one of the main assets on his meeting with the leader of one of Hillary Clinton. sources – that Kushner had reached buildings, golf courses – the scale of Washington’s closest allies – but had Classified “OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG,” out to a lawyer about the possibility his fortune and the number of adult Ivanka and Kushner in the room. Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 reacted the left-wing magazine of joining his father-in-law’s children” involved in his businesses. Seeking counsel might have Mother Jones. administration, without violating “That’s the issue: how much of this appeared all the more pertinent Subscription While he insists Ivanka, Donald anti-nepotism laws. is going to create confl ict of interest since Trump had alarmed Tokyo [email protected] Jr and Eric will hold no formal posts For mixing family and politics is not issues,” said DiSalvo. policymakers during his campaign by in his administration, the billionaire that simple in the United States. While Trump says his children – musing about pulling the thousands president-elect has since his A 1967 law – adopted after John who all sit on his transition team – will of US troops from the region and 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved November 8 election given Americans F Kennedy, as president-elect, play no offi cial administration role, suggesting that offi cially pacifi st Japan good reason to believe his adult named his brother Bobby as attorney he does plan to have them continue may need nuclear weapons. Gulf Times Sunday, November 20, 2016 27 QATAR Dhow festival off ers ‘loads of action and excitement’ Mombasa named return home. It also witnessed cance of this year’s dhow festival. as next destination “loads of action and excitement”, Meanwhile, the fi rst prize in the for Fath Al Khair voyage including maritime tournaments Al Haddaq competition was won such as rowing, diving, Al Ghazl, by Abdullah bin Mohamed al- he sixth Katara Tradition- Al Haddaq and Al Lufah, two Kwari, with the second prize go- al Dhow Festival conclud- new contests - bringing down ing to Mohamed Salem al-Oraim Ted yesterday at the Katara the dhow loader and Al Nahmah, and the third to Nasser Essa. beach, with the winners of vari- and competitions to select the Saudi team Farsan ranked fi rst ous contests being awarded on best paintings and best photo- in the pearl diving competition, the occasion. graphs. followed by Omani team Sour and It was also announced that Before honouring the diff erent Bahrain’s Fath Al Kheir team. Mombasa, Kenya, would be the contest winners, Katara general This fi rst position in Al Nah- next destination for the Fath Al manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim mah was bagged by Qatari na- Khair voyage. al-Sulaiti announced Mombasa tional Ali bin Said al-Merri, fol- The dhow festival, organised in Kenya as the destination of lowed by Ahmad Khalid Yousef annually by Katara - the Cultural the third edition of the Fath Al from Bahrain and Ali Nasser al- Village Foundation, focuses on Khair voyage. Hadad from Qatar. the revival of the maritime her- “From its fi rst journey to all The general manager also itage of Qatar and other GCC the ports of the Gulf, following honoured representatives from countries and seeks to raise the old trade and pearl diving Qatar Museums Authority and awareness of the traditional routes, to its second journey that General Authority of Customs. maritime environment along led the epic ship to India, we now Snapchat infl uencers were also with its diverse activities. announce that Mombasa, once a honoured at the closing cer- Attracting a large public turn- renowned hub of the gold, ivory emony. out, the 2016 festival welcomed and spices trade linking India The festival hosted several more than 230 participants from with China, will be the destina- cultural, sporting, traditional Qatar, GCC and India, as well tion of the Fath Al Khair 3 voy- and environment-related tour- Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti honoured the winners of various competitions as well as representatives of diff erent organisations for their support. as over 100 dhows of diff erent age,” he said. naments, including pearl div- Supplied picture types and shapes, according to a “The journey is aimed at cel- ing, free diving, rowing and best press statement from Katara. ebrating one of the most impor- sailing dhows, in a bid to provide The festival also featured stalls selling traditional handi- The sixth edition of the dhow tant cities on the eastern shores younger Qataris, residents and crafts designed by some of the region’s best artisans. festival ended with Al Gaff al, a of Africa — a city that stands as a visitors with a glimpse into Qatar In addition to pearls, craftsmen such as basket weavers traditional sailing race designed symbol of interaction among the and GCC’s old-school life, fi lled and jewellery makers also had interesting goods on display. to honour pearl divers as they Arab and Swahili cultures.” with dhows, pearl divers and Bands of folkloric dancers and singers performed old songs Weather report end their risky sea journey and He also stressed the signifi - fi shermen, the statement noted. set to the rhythm of beating drums. Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 30 C Low : 21 C Expected strong wind at places daytime

MONDAY High: 29 C Low: 21 C Sunny

TUESDAY High: 28 C Low: 22 C M Sunny

Fishermen’s forecast

OFFSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-N 16-25/30 KT Waves: N 5-8/10 Feet INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 08-18/22 KT Waves: 2-3/4 Feet

Around the region Weather Weather The dhow festival focuses on the revival of the maritime heritage of Qatar and other GCC countries. PICTURES: Jayan Orma today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 31/22 Sunny 31/20 Baghdad Sunny 24/09 M Sunny 22/07 Dubai P Cloudy 30/21 Sunny 31/22 Kuwait City Sunny 27/13 P Cloudy 26/16 Manama Sunny 28/20 Sunny 28/21 Muscat Sunny 27/20 Sunny 27/19 Riyadh Sunny 28/13 Sunny 28/12 Tehran Showers 07/01 M Sunny 07/-1

Visitors at the festival in Katara. Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 20/09 M Sunny 19/09 Beirut P Cloudy 26/19 P Cloudy 26/17 Bangkok T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 33/26 Berlin P Cloudy 09/07 P Cloudy 11/07 Cairo P Cloudy 27/17 P Cloudy 28/17 Cape Town Cloudy 29/16 P Cloudy 27/16 Colombo T Storms 29/25 S T Storms 29/25 Dhaka Sunny 29/18 Sunny 29/18 Hong Kong S T Storms 27/25 P Cloudy 28/25 Istanbul P Cloudy 17/08 P Cloudy 16/09 Jakarta T Storms 32/24 T Storms 31/24 Karachi P Cloudy 30/20 Sunny 31/16 London Rain 11/03 Rain 12/09 Manila P Cloudy 32/25 P Cloudy 33/23 Moscow P Cloudy 00/-2 P Cloudy -2/-4 New Delhi Sunny 29/13 Sunny 29/13 New York Cloudy 09/03 Cloudy 07/02 Paris Showers 14/11 Rain 17/10 Sao Paulo M Sunny 25/12 M Sunny 29/17 Seoul P Cloudy 13/02 P Cloudy 15/03 Singapore T Storms 31/25 S T Storms 32/25 Sydney P Cloudy 25/18 P Cloudy 31/20 Tokyo Clear 19/08 Cloudy 16/11 Musical performances were among the highlights. The festival included various activities and contests.