QATAR | Page 16 SPORT | Page 1 Cavendish wins second Tour of INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 16 COMMENT 14, 15 Qatar title REGION 3 BUSINESS 1 – 6, 8 – 12 15,907.15 9,485.90 28.93 ARAB WORLD 3 CLASSIFIED 7, 8 Residents get familiar +246.96 -133.58 +2.72 INTERNATIONAL 4 – 13 SPORTS 1 – 12 +1.58% -1.39% +10.38% with key role of CPR Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXVI No. 9997 February 13, 2016 Jumada I 4, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Scepticism In brief

QATAR | Military greets Emir attends Pakistan air show HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended a military show performed by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft at the Doha Old Syrian Airport yesterday morning. Before the parade, the Emir was briefed on JF-17 fighters and the Super Mushshak and listened to an explanation about their characteristics and advantages. The military show coincided with the truce deal two-day off icial visit made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Qatar, during Several Western countries say there Rebels said the town of Tal Rifaat in which Qatar and Pakistan agreed to is no hope for progress without a northern Aleppo province was the target strengthen bilateral military co- halt to the Russian bombing of intensive bombing by Russian planes operation. Page 16 yesterday morning. The British-based Reuters Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, YEMEN | Confl ict Munich a monitoring body, said warplanes be- lieved to be Russian also attacked towns Govt forces advance HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul yesterday. in northern Homs. towards Sanaa ajor powers yesterday agreed to The news agency AFP quoted Assad as Yemeni pro-government forces have a pause in combat in Syria, but saying he would “continue to fi ght ter- advanced to within 40km of Sanaa in MRussia pressed on with bomb- rorism” while talks took place. He would a push towards the rebel-held capital ing in support of its ally President Bashar retake the entire country, although this from the northeast, loyalist military al-Assad, who vowed to fi ght until he re- could take a long time, he said. sources said yesterday. Loyalist Emir and Erdogan discuss gained full control of the country. Another week of fi ghting would give forces took the town of Nihm after Although billed as a potential break- the Damascus government and its Rus- overrunning the headquarters of the through, the “cessation of hostilities” sian, Lebanese and Iranian allies time to renegade pro-rebel 312th Brigade of the agreement does not take eff ect for a press on with the encirclement of Alep- army earlier this week, the sources said. week, at a time when the Assad regime is po, Syria’s biggest city before the war. The advance puts them within striking expansion of co-operation poised to make advances with the back- The cessation of hostilities agree- distance of the heights overlooking ing of Russian air power. ment falls short of a formal ceasefi re, Sanaa international airport, where QNA If implemented, the deal hammered since it was not signed by the main war- residents said the rebels were digging Istanbul out at fi ve hours of late night talks in ring parties - the opposition and gov- trenches and laying minefields. Page 3 Munich would allow humanitarian aid ernment forces. Implementing it will to reach besieged towns. It was de- now be the key, Kerry said: “What we AMERICA | Legislation H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin scribed by the countries that took part need to see in the next few days are ac- US Congress passes Hamad al-Thani yesterday as a rare diplomatic success in a con- tions on the ground.” Hdiscussed the latest regional fl ict that has fractured the Middle East, Two Syrian rebel commanders told North Korea sanctions and international developments with killed at least 250,000 people, made Reuters they had been sent “excellent The US House of Representatives Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- 11mn homeless and sent hundreds of quantities” of ground-to-ground Grad yesterday overwhelmingly passed dogan. thousands fl eeing into Europe. missiles by foreign backers in recent legislation broadening sanctions to The Emir was in Istanbul on a short But several Western countries said days to help confront the Russian- punish North Korea for its nuclear working visit to Turkey. there was no hope for progress without backed off ensive. programme, human rights record and The two leaders’ talks focused on a halt to the Russian bombing, which Russia suggested it might not stop its cyber crimes, and sent the measure developments in Syria. They agreed seems to have turned the balance of air strikes, even when the cessation of to President Barack Obama to sign on the need for a political resolution power in favour of Assad. hostilities takes eff ect in a week. into law. Lawmakers said they wanted to the Syrian crisis that maintains the US Secretary of State John Kerry said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said to make Washington’s resolve clear country’s unity. that if the peace plan fails, more foreign Moscow would not stop bombing fi ght- to Pyongyang, but also to the UN and The meeting, which took place at troops could enter the confl ict. ers from Islamic State and a rebel group other governments, especially China, Yilidiz presidential Palace where the “If the Assad regime does not live up called the Nusra Front, neither of which North Korea’s lone major ally and main two leaders had a working lunch, re- to its responsibilities and if the Irani- were covered by the cessation deal: “Our business partner. Pages 14 viewed bilateral co-operation and ans and the Russians do not hold Assad airspace forces will continue working ways to enhance them. They discussed to the promises that they have made... against these organisations,” he said. ARAB WORLD | Economy co-operation in the economic, invest- then the international community ob- Moscow has always said that those ment and military fi elds. viously is not going to sit there like fools two groups are the principal targets of EU throws Tunisia The delegation accompanying the and watch this. There will be an increase its air campaign. Western countries say 500mn euro lifeline Emir attended the meeting. On the of activity to put greater pressure on Russia has in fact been mostly attacking The European Commission yesterday Turkish side, members of the cabinet them,” Kerry, who was in Munich, told other insurgent groups. threw a lifeline to Tunisia’s economy attended the meeting. Dubai-based Orient TV. Turkey’s foreign minister yesterday with a proposed 500mn euro ($560mn) The Emir also met with Turkish HH the Emir with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. “There is a possibility there will be accused Russia of targeting schools and financial aid package. The commission Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. additional ground troops.” hospitals in Syria. said the funds, requested by Tunisia, They discussed bilateral relations and Earlier, on his arrival at Istanbul’s Qatar ambassador to Turkey Salem US President Barack Obama has ruled Nato secretary general Jens Stolten- would take the form of medium- ways to enhance them in all fi elds. Ataturk Airport, the Emir was re- bin Mubarak al-Shafi and a number of out sending US ground troops to Syria, berg said Moscow must halt strikes on term loans at favourable financing Developments in Syria were also re- ceived by Turkish Minister of Energy senior Turkish offi cials and embassy but Saudi Arabia this month off ered insurgents other than Islamic State for conditions”. viewed. and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak, members. ground forces to fi ght Islamic State. any peace deal to work. Page 3

Young entrepreneurs urged to tap Qatar incubators EU states give Greece deadline By Peter Alagos Though it is still in its prototype stage, can help in increasing the economic Business Reporter Qaho plans to launch the device within growth of the country,” she stressed. three to fi ve months. Currently, Abukhalil and her part- on borders Abukhalil emphasised that organi- ner, 21-year old Raghad Akram Abug- apping the resources provided sations like Injaz Qatar and Qatar In- hazzeh, a computer engineering stu- AFP by public and private sector- cubation Centre (QBIC) were instru- dent of Qatar University, are busy Brussels Tled incubators could help mental in helping provide exposure for developing their product at the QBIC. young entrepreneurs, including stu- both Qaho and their tracking device in Asked about the role of QBIC in their dents with innovative ideas, to launch the market. journey as a start-up, Abukhalil said: U member states yesterday gave their businesses and start-ups into “That’s what happened with us,” said “QBIC has played an important part in Greece a three-month ultima- the market, a “student company” has Abukhalil, referring to their achieve- our journey as young entrepreneurs. It Etum to remedy “defi ciencies” in said. ments at Qaho, which was among the has provided us training and coaching controlling the infl ux of migrants or Ranim Samir Abukhalil, a 20-year two winners of the “Best Company of courses to help us be well-prepared for eff ectively face suspension from the old business student at Qatar Univer- the Year” award during Injaz Qatar’s business life.” Schengen passport-free zone. sity, said there had been “ample ef- “eighth Mubadara 2015 Young Entre- Aside from a course on digital tech- The decision - taken by minis- forts” to increase awareness on the preneurs Competition” held in No- nology slated in March, Abukhalil said ters over Greek objections - is the importance of start-ups in diversifying vember last year. their training at QBIC “will make sure culmination of weeks of pressure Qatar’s economy. Mubadara is a competition for stu- we do things the right way by helping on Greece, the main gateway for the Abukhalil is among the four students dent enterprises established through us understand how a start-up operates million refugees and migrants who who developed a high-tech tracking Junior Achievement’s globally recog- and how to be a successful company in entered Europe last year, stoking the device that helps people locate lost im- nised “Company Programme”. Student the future”. continent’s biggest such crisis since portant items through their company, teams were off ered the opportunity to Abughazzeh added: “We are really World War II. “Qaho”, which means “here it is” in establish and run a real business over lucky to live in a country that continues Austria’s foreign minister Sebastian Arabic. four months with the guidance of pro- to support business-minded people, Kurz then warned Macedonia that it Qaho’s device runs on Bluetooth fessionals from leading businesses who should take advantage of this priv- should be ready to close its border to technology and comes with a mobile across Qatar. ilege by presenting their business ideas migrants, saying that Vienna may also app, which could be downloaded in “We would like to share our success to these agencies. I am confi dent that begin turning refugees away in coming Apple iOS or Android devices. It can story and hopefully in the future we this fi rst step will bring them closer to months as it struggles to cope with the track lost items within a 40m radius High-tech tracking device developed by “student company”, Qaho, which helps might train other start-ups to build their goals because this is exactly what surge from Greece through the Balkans. using either its ringing or map features. locate important items that are lost. their own successful businesses so we happened to us.” Page 9 Gulf Times 2 Saturday, February 13, 2016 QATAR Strong QA commended wind, dust Foreign Minister forecast for on-board

trong wind at places at fi rst has been forecast today entertainment Sinshore in Qatar. The off - attends ISSG meet shore weather is expected to be dominated by strong wind and QNA high seas. Munich innovation Inshore areas will experience slight dust and moderate temper- ature during the day and cold by E the Foreign Minis- atar Airways was ment library, unrivalled for night. The wind speed may go up ter Sheikh Moham- recognised for Mid- its wide range of content in to 22 knots inshore while it could Hed bin Abdulrahman Qdle East Content In- multiple languages. reach up to 28 knots off shore. al-Thani participated in the novation at the third an- “Oryx One enthrals our The maximum temperature International Syria Support nual Infl ight workshop and passengers, giving them a of 23C is expected at Mesaieed, Group’s (ISSG) meeting, awards held in partnership rich and extensive selection Wakrah, Al Khor and in Doha, which was held in Munich. with F&E Aerospace, the or- and providing them with the followed by 20C at Ruwais and The meeting, compris- ganiser of Aircraft Interiors best entertainment experi- Abu Samra, and 19C at Dukhan. ing 17 states and three in- Middle East. ence to enhance their journey The minimum of 12C is fore- ternational organisations, The award recognises the around the world with Qatar cast at Mesaieed and Wakrah, aimed to discuss recom- “outstanding quality of Qatar Airways.” followed by 13C in Doha and at mendations that would Airways’ on-board entertain- Qatar Airways’ in-fl ight Al Khor and Abu Samra, 15C at help in ending hostile acts, ment platform, Oryx One”, entertainment platform, Dukhan and 17C at Ruwais. transferring humanitarian the airline has said in a state- Oryx One, provides its pas- aid and reaching a political ment. sengers with more than 2,000 solution in Syria. Qatar Airways was com- channels of entertainment, Expat jailed for On Thursday, the min- mended for off ering a wide including 60 blockbuster dealing in drug ister held a seven-party selection of content to suit its movies, 1,100 episodes of TV meeting with US Secretary HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during the seven-party meeting on global passengers’ needs, in- programmes, 500 audio chan- A Sri Lankan expatriate got a jail of State John Kerry, Saudi Thursday. cluding movies and TV series nels and 50 games, refreshed sentence of 10 years and a fine of Foreign Minister Adel al- tailored to the Middle East each month. QR10,000 for illicit drug dealing Jubeir, Turkish Foreign Steinmeier, British Foreign Sec- sidelines of the ISSG conference. Forces (HNC), Riad Hijab, joined market. The award was pre- Passengers fl ying on Qatar and consumption. Local Arabic Minister Mouloud Jawish retary Philip Hammond and Then head of the High Nego- the meeting. sented to the airline at a cer- Airways fl ights served by its daily Arrayah reported yesterday Ihsanoglu, German For- Assistant Foreign Minister of tiations Committee for the Syr- Discussions dealt with the emony held recently in Dubai B787, A350, A380 and A319, as that a Doha criminal court also eign Minister Frank-Walter France Nicolas de Riviere on the ian Revolution and Opposition latest developments in Syria. as part of the Infl ight IFEC Pa- well as select A330 and A320 ordered his deportation upon vilion Workshop. aircraft, can also access on- serving the sentence. Akbar al-Baker, Qatar Air- board Wi-Fi. Qatar Airways The convict was arrested when ways Group chief executive, passengers on all connected an undercover police off icer said: “This award recog- aircraft will enjoy free Wi-Fi approached him to buy some nises the creativity and in- for the fi rst 15 minutes courte- marijuana. They agreed to meet novation that Qatar Airways sy of a global partnership with at a certain spot to finalise the continually applies to deliv- Ooredoo. HBKU to hold Community A “simple-to-use” portal deal. When they met, police ering the highest standard patrols were watching from a of on-board entertainment makes it easy for passengers to hidden place, and the undercover and connectivity for our log on and connect, and then off icer asked him for the drugs. passengers. From the latest browse the Internet or post The convict gave him a piece premieres to classic movies on their social media channels Day on February 25 directly from the comfort of of marijuana wrapped in paper. and popular TV to special- The off icer unwrapped it to make interest programmes, Qa- their seats. Continued use is sure that he got the targeted amad Bin Khalifa Uni- “HBKU, steered by HH the is aimed at facilitating an in- ates. The mission is also to tar Airways has compiled a off ered at rates ranging from substance and then handed him versity (HBKU), the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad creased awareness of the pro- fi nd out more about the needs state-of-the-art entertain- $5 to $20. the agreed sum of money. At this Hsecond national uni- al-Thani, continues to fulfi l the grammes that HBKU has to of- of HBKU’s industry partners point, the police patrol arrested versity of Qatar and a member Qatar National Vision 2030 by fer to the business community and how to build stronger and the convict. A lab test of his of Qatar Foundation for Edu- building and cultivating hu- in areas related to programmes, more eff ective relationships blood sample also confirmed that cation, Science and Commu- man potential through educa- scholarships, and research ini- in the areas of internships, he has traces of the illicit drugs. nity Development, will hold its tion, research and community tiatives. employment and research However, the convict appealed inaugural Community Day on development,” said a HBKU Participants will learn more collaborations. Award recognition the verdict, claiming that he February 25. statement. about the university’s aca- The ultimate goal of the an- knew nothing about the seized HE the Minister of Energy and HBKU Community Day will demic curricula, research ini- nual event is to link the sup- substances. The court eventually Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh provide a forum to focus on tiatives, institutional goals, ply (education) and demand for eff orts on heritage, rejected his appeal based on his al-Sada will inaugurate the pro- reconciling the needs and in- and most importantly, about (Industry) needs of the labour previous confession at the police gramme. The event will be held terests of the local and regional the need for the support of the force in Qatar by connecting investigations and the testimony from 8.30am to 1.30pm at Stu- industry with the programmes public and private sectors as the people who are the experts says ex-minister of the police off icers. dent Centre Ballroom, HBKU. at the university. The event future employers of the gradu- in these areas.

ormer minister of cul- sibility and trust that re- ture HE Dr Hamad bin quired carrying on not only FAbdulaziz al-Kuwari, at the domestic and Arab Falconry camp concludes the Qatari candidate for the levels but the global one in The Youth Falconry Camp secretary general position at general. (Al Mazab) has concluded the United Nations Educa- He said that such recog- at Sabkhat Marmi in the tional, Scientific and Cul- nition stressed to the world Sealine Area. A total of tural Organization (Unesco), Qatar’s keenness on herit- 22 young falconers, aged has said winning the 2016 age, which is one of the noble between 12 and 14, Arab heritage personality of responsibilities of Unesco, participated in the event. the year award is a recog- particularly during the cur- The camp was organised by nition of Qatar’s efforts in rent situation in the Arab Qatar Society of Al Gannas protecting and preserving countries such as Syria, Iraq, to teach youngsters the heritage. Yemen and Libya, which principles of falconry, under Speaking to QNA after makes heritage a victim that the supervision of their landing the award that was is subject to destruction and guardians. announced on Thursday looting. in Abu Dhabi by the Arab ACTM will hold a celebra- Centre for Tourism Media tion ceremony in two months (ACTM), al-Kuwari said the in one of the Arab capi- recognition was not only an tals where the prizes will be honour but also a respon- awarded to winners. Expert suggests conversion of Kenar Festival ends today azrouah Yard for selling for agriculture and fi sheries af- such event organised by MME Qatari farm produce fairs, told local Arabic daily Ar- after the festivals of honey, Mwill conclude the Ke- rayah that there is no plan to re- fl owers, and organic products. carbon dioxide into chemicals nar Festival today. The festival duce the subsidies given to Qatari “The other festivals to follow is organised by the Ministry of farms, affi rming that the MME will include strawberry, and Municipality and Environment is set to go ahead with plans to hydroponics.” onverting carbon diox- utilisation of waste CO2,” said (MME) to popularise the fruit of develop the agriculture sector. A total of 10 local farms are ide (CO2) into industri- Prof Zaidi. the Sidra tree. Yousef al-Khelaifi , director, taking part in the Kenar Festival Cally relevant chemicals Utilisation and conver- Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al- agriculture aff airs department, with diff erent varieties of Sidra and fuels can be one approach sion of CO2 into value-added Thani, assistant undersecretary said that the festival is the fourth fruit. to address mitigation, an expert chemicals and fuels will help from Qatar University (QU) has in decreasing CO2 footprint, said. which will help in controlling Prof Syed Javaid Zaidi, chair the worsening global warming professor and Qafac chair at problem. Moreover, CO2 has QU’s Centre for Advanced been seen as a plentiful feed- Materials (CAM), said this stock for the manufacture of approach would reduce the many chemicals and transpor- carbon footprint associated tation fuels such as methanol, with the burning of fossil fu- dimethyl ether and their useful els such as oil, gas and coal derivatives. and will also provide new feed Prof Zaidi noted that the stocks for petrochemical pro- reduction of CO2 to useful duction, and generate revenue petrochemical feed stocks and to contribute to the economic fuels would provide a sustain- growth. able solution to the growing He was delivering a key- emissions problems. In this note address at the sixth Waste context, CO2 can be con- Management and Recycling veniently captured at point Summit last week. sources such as power plants, It is estimated that CO2 con- aluminum plants, fermenta- tributes more than 70% of the tion units, chemical plants total global warming caused by and cement plants, and con- all greenhouse gases. Prof Syed Javaid Zaidi speaking at the Waste Management and verted into value-added prod- According to a research Recycling Summit. ucts. study, carbon emissions in the Methanol can be produced Middle East and North Af- “Qatar is endeavouring to grammes that reduce emis- from CO2 hydrogenation, and rica have doubled in the last 30 address its current and fu- sions to appropriate levels for is one of the most widely sug- years with oil-rich countries ture emissions, and will need the whole country and develop gested alternatives for chemical taking the lead. to embark on diff erent pro- solutions for the reduction and energy carrier. Ten farms are taking part in the festival to promote the fruit of the Sidra tree. Gulf Times Saturday, February 13, 2016 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Camel race US sees Saudi, UAE sending commandos

Reuters who control the capital, Sanaa. Brussels Carter said on Thursday Saudi Arabia committed to expand its role in the air cam- S Defence Secretary paign and the United Arab Ash Carter said yester- Emirates said it would restart Uday he expected both its participation. Saudi Arabia and the United Saudi Arabia and Gulf states Arab Emirates to send special took part on Thursday in the operations forces to Syria to largest gathering so far of de- help local opposition fi ghters fence ministers from the US- in their drive to retake the city led coalition against Islamic of Raqqa from Islamic State. State, which Carter hosted at Carter, who has long sought Nato headquarters in Brussels. greater participation of Sunni Carter said the group col- Arab allies in Syria, did not lectively approved a campaign disclose how many comman- plan that aims to recapture the dos he expected them to de- two main Islamic State strong- ploy nor the timing of those holds of Raqqa in Syria and deployments. Mosul in Iraq, as well as grap- But he suggested they would pling with the group’s spread play a major role taking back beyond its self-declared Raqqa, the Islamic State’s de- caliphate. facto capital, from the mili- That plan, however, does not tants. include deployment of large- “We’re going to try to give scale foreign ground forces opportunities and power to to Iraq and Syria and Carter ... particularly Sunni Arabs stressed that coalition com- in Syria who want to re-seize mandos were meant to bolster their territory back from ISIL, local forces, not replace them. especially Raqqa,” Carter told “We’re not looking to sub- reporters travelling with him stitute for them, any more Jockeys compete in a camel race during the Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al-Nahyan heritage festival, held at the Shweihan racecourse in Al Ain, on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi in Brussels. than we’re looking to substi- yesterday. The festival includes a camel beauty contest, a traditional souq, a camel auction and competitions for traditional handicrafts. Carter made the remarks tute for the Iraqi forces. But after talks with his UAE and we are looking to enable them Saudi counterparts yesterday strongly and help them organ- and Thursday respectively. ise themselves,” he said. Four months of Russian air The US has already deployed strikes in Syria have helped a small group of special opera- Syrian President Bashar al- tions forces to Syria and Carter Assad claw back territory from said other allies, beyond Saudi rebels fi ghting government Arabia and the United Arab forces, alarming Gulf Arab Emirates, were considering states who back the insurgents. commando deployments. Outlook for Syria peace Saudi Arabia had concen- “Some don’t even like to trated its military eff orts over acknowledge the operations the last year on the confl ict in of special forces, but there Yemen, where it is leading a are a number of them. And coalition of mainly Gulf Arab we are the organiser of them,” forces battling Houthi fi ghters Carter said. talks still ‘cloudy’: UN CONFLICT Reuters back to the table in Geneva by parties surrounding besieged Munich deal was enough for him try to helpmns of people,” said Geneva Feb 25. The big powers, led by US areas,” said Jan Egeland, who to reconvene the peace talks. Robert Mardini, regional head of Tunisia prepares for Libya fallout Secretary of State John Kerry and chaired the meeting. “We ex- “You’re asking for certainty in operations at the International Tunisia said yesterday that it was asking its regional authorities to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey pect to get such access without a very cloudy situation. Politics Committee of the Red Cross. work on a plan to cope with the fallout of a possible foreign military he UN Syria envoy Staff an Lavrov, struck a deal in Munich delay. Finally, the civilians who is the art of the possible,” Fawzi David Miliband, head of the In- intervention in neighbouring war-torn Libya. In 2011, hundreds of de Mistura is very keen to early yesterday to start to bring have been deprived of their basic told a UN briefi ng. ternational Rescue Committee, thousands of people fled from Libya to Tunisia — a country of around Thold a new round of peace an end to hostilities in a week and right of humanitarian access for Aid agency chiefs said the said the agreement needed detail 11mn — to escape fighting that led to the fall of longtime dictator talks after big powers agreed on to provide rapid humanitarian so long, will have hope.” humanitarian deal covered only and urgency. Muammar Gaddafi. Tunisia shares a southeastern border with Libya, a “cessation of hostilities”, a UN access to a handful of besieged Egeland earlier said he hoped the tip of the iceberg, with UN “You don’t wait a week for an where Western powers are openly considering an intervention spokesman said yesterday, but Syrian towns as a fi rst step. the Munich agreement could be fi gures showing 486,700 peo- emergency operation and the against the Islamic State group which has gained influence there in plans to reconvene the negotia- Diplomats from the coun- “the breakthrough we have been ple under siege among 4.6mn people of Syria should not have the chaos following Gaddafi’s ouster. “In preparation for the situation tions were still “cloudy”. tries sponsoring the Syria talks waiting for”, but it needed all who are hard to reach with aid, to wait a week for relief from developing and its consequences, Prime Minister Habib Essid has De Mistura abruptly suspend- held a fi rst weekly humanitar- countries to use their infl uence plus 5mn refugees andmns more bombings,” Miliband, a former authorised governors in the southeast regions to form regional ed a fi rst round of talks on Feb. 3, ian meeting in Geneva yesterday with the warring sides. homeless within Syria. British foreign secretary, said in committees,” a government statement said. These will include “the saying there was more work to be and demanded besieged areas De Mistura will brief the UN “In the short-term, ceasefi re a statement. “We wait with eager diff erent parties concerned in order to draw up a plan for each gover- done by the big powers sponsor- are opened up to aid within days. Security Council on Feb 17, UN or not, we need unconditional, anticipation to see whether this norate to successfully face... exceptional events that could occur,” it ing the talks between the Syrian “We have already submit- spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said. rapid and regular access to all agreement is a turning point or a said, without giving further details. sides, but he hoped to bring them ted requests for access to the But it was unclear whether the aff ected areas across the coun- false dawn.”

DEFENCE Kuwait ‘to sign Eurofighter jet South Sudan leader wants soldiers deal with Italy’ Kuwait and Italy will finalise a out in further hurdle to peace deal multibillion-euro deal next week for the Gulf state to purchase Eurofighter jets, Kuwait’s defence Reuters exacerbating a political feud that erupted into minister has said. Nairobi fi ghting between soldiers loyal to both men in Sheikh Khaled Jarrah al-Sabah Juba. did not specify the number of Machar and his supporters left the city and planes involved in the deal but outh Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar said took to the bush as violence spread across the the Eurofighter consortium said yesterday he wanted soldiers cleared out of oil-producing country, killing thousands, forcing in September that Kuwait had Sthe capital before he returns to take up the more than 2.3mn to fl ee and reopening ethnic rifts agreed to buy 28 fighter jets. post of vice president under a peace deal, in an- between Kiir’s Dinka group and Machar’s Nuer. “Italian Defence Minister Roberta other hurdle to eff orts to end more than a year of The two sides signed a peace deal in August, Pinotti will visit Kuwait next week fi ghting. under international pressure and the threat of to sign the Eurofighter warplanes President Salva Kiir gave Machar his old job sanctions, but the ceasefi re has been regularly deal,” al-Sabah was quoted as back as deputy leader late on Thursday, raising broken. saying Thursday evening by the hopes of a breakthrough after months of troubled There was no immediate reaction to Machar’s off icial KUNA news agency. negotiations and failed ceasefi res. demilitarisation demand, though Kiir had earlier Media reports said the value of But Machar told Reuters yesterday he would urged Machar to return quickly. the deal was between 7-8bn euros only come back if the government went through “I now call upon Dr Riek Machar ... to report A man examines damages at an amusement park after it was hit by air strikes in Yemen’s capital Sanaa. ($8-9bn). The minister said he met with what he said was a promise to demilitarise to Juba immediately so that together we form with his Italian counterpart earlier the capital Juba. He said he had not spoken to Kiir the Transitional government of National Unity Thursday on the sidelines of an since August. within seven days from today,” the president said anti-Islamic State group coalition “If this is done within a week’s time, it would in a statement through his spokesman, Ateny Wek meeting at Nato headquarters in accelerate my going back to Juba,” Machar said by Ateny. Red Cross turns down call to Brussels. The Kuwait deal follows phone from Cairo. “If it takes two weeks, then I South Sudan split away from Sudan in 2011 Oman’s order of 12 Eurofighter Ty- will wait for two weeks.” under a peace deal that ended decades of north- phoons in December 2012. Saudi Kiir sacked Machar as vice president in 2013, south civil war. Arabia already uses the fighter jets Regional and western powers who backed the leave Yemen confl ict zones in its air force. Kuwait is looking to peace process were dismayed when unrest con- upgrade its firepower against the tinued along the Sudans’ joint border, then fi ght- backdrop of increased security ing broke out inside South Sudan between Kiir AFP “We have no plans to change tionally recognised princi- concerns in the region linked to and Machar’s factions. Sanaa that for the time being, and we ples and will continue to do the rise of IS. Its parliament last The UN and rights groups have said both sides remain committed to operate in so.” month unanimously approved are guilty of atrocities and accused them of drag- all regions and to do everything Responding to O’Brien, the a request by the government ging their feet while millions of their people face he Red Cross yesterday possible to reach the civilians ambassador said the request for $10bn in additional funds for daily violence and starvation caused by food turned down a call from aff ected.” should not be “misinterpreted military spending over the next 10 shortages. TRiyadh for aid workers to According to a letter seen by to indicate any hindrance to years. The emirate is a member Machar said yesterday he was optimistic that stay out of rebel-held zones of AFP on Thursday, Saudi Arabia humanitarian access and the of the US-led coalition that has he would be able to rebuild trust with Kiir even Yemen war. has asked the UN to move aid delivery of humanitarian as- been bombing IS targets in Syria though the two rivals have not spoken since Au- The mission of the Inter- workers away from rebel-held sistance in Yemen”. and Iraq since last year and is also gust. national Committee of the areas as the Riyadh-led coali- O’Brien told Saudi Ara- taking part in a Saudi-led coalition “Unfortunately this has not happened,” Ma- Red Cross “often necessitates tion presses on with air strikes bia that aid workers would striking rebels in Yemen. char said. “I made several eff orts and we have not crossing frontlines” and secur- in support of the Yemeni gov- continue to inform coalition In November, Kuwait signed got in contact with each other.” ing access to combat zones, the ernment. authorities of their move- 2.5bn euros worth of fixed and Even on the day Machar was re-appointed ICRC’s Sanaa spokeswoman UN aid chief Stephen ments. provisional military deals led by Kiir’s deputy on Thursday, the two men did not Rima Kamal said. O’Brien said in a letter to UN and international aid the purchase of 24 Airbus-built Ca- speak. “I tried,” Machar said. “I will try again to- “To reach all those in need in Saudi Arabia’s UN ambas- workers have passed on their racal helicopters. Paris said Kuwait day, and I think we will still overcome it. It’s just a Yemen ... we will continue to sador, Abdallah al-Moualli- co-ordinates to coalition would purchase the helicopters matter of time.” seek security guarantees from mi, that relief organisations military authorities to ensure for 1bn euros, with an option for a He added the rebels have sent a delegation of all parties and in all regions,” were “delivering life-saving they are not inadvertently further six. Riek Machar : conditional return about 300 people to Juba to try to build trust. she said. assistance as per interna- targeted. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, February 13, 2016 AFRICA

Ruto wins appeal on Pretoria Five UN soldiers recanted testimonies back in AFP Ruto, 49, and his co-ac- court over The Hague cused, radio boss Joshua arap Sang, 40, face three crimes against humanity charges Bashir he International Crimi- namely murder, forcible de- nal Court (ICC) has portation and persecution af- Tupheld an appeal by ter disputed elections in De- immunity die in north Mali Kenyan Deputy President Wil- cember 2007. liam Ruto, denying war crimes Prosecutors have charged Reuters the MINUSMA base in Kidal was force that pushed the militants mation or claim of responsibil- prosecutors the use of recanted that more than 1,300 people AFP Bamako the target of a complex attack,” out of key towns a year later. ity. testimonies to beef up a case of died and some 600,000 others Bloemfontein said Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Islamist militants have ex- During a visit to Mali’s capi- crimes against humanity. were left homeless in Kenya’s the Mali representative of the panded their attacks in recent tal Bamako yesterday, Ger- In what will be seen as a worst wave of violence since ive UN peacekeepers were UN secretary general, referring months into other parts of Mali. man President Joachim Gauck major victory by the Kenyan independence from Britain in he South African govern- killed when their base in to the peacekeeping mission. These have included an at- said that more of the country’s government, Judge Piotr Hof- 1963. ment has argued in court Fnorthern Mali was hit by Eight mortar shells were tack on a hotel in Mali’s capital soldiers were due to arrive as manski said the court had in- Ruto and Sang deny the Tthat it was not obliged to mortars, gunfi re and a truck fi red at the base and there was in November in which 20 people peacekeepers to boost a contin- terpreted the rules “too nar- charges and Ruto’s lawyers arrest Sudanese President Omar bomb yesterday, an attack that a also gunfi re, said MINUSMA died, and one on Burkina Faso’s gent of 650 the government ap- rowly” on using such evidence. have argued there was no proof al-Bashir during his visit to the local separatist group blamed on spokesman Olivier Salgado. capital in January in which 30 proved in January. This was “to the detriment” that he was behind the blood- country last June because he had Islamist militants. Guinea said three of its peace- were killed. In a separate incident yester- of Ruto and his co-accused shed that rocked the powerful immunity. At least 30 people were keepers were among the dead. There is also a decades-long day, three Malian soldiers were radio boss Joshua arap Sang east African nation once seen Bashir is wanted by the Inter- wounded in the attack in Kidal, The nationality of the other separatist struggle in northern killed and three wounded when as his defence team had been as a regional beacon of stabil- national Criminal Court (ICC) a town in an unstable desert dead and wounded was not im- Mali by ethnic Tuaregs. their military convoy was am- denied the chance to cross- ity. for alleged war crimes related to region that is home to Islam- mediately known. Radouane Ag Mohamed Aly, bushed on a road between Tim- examine such witnesses. The prosecution claims the confl ict in the Darfur region ist groups, including Al Qaeda The Kidal base is part of an spokesman for the separa- buktu and Goundam in northern In a unanimous decision there was widespread witness of Sudan, and South Africa is a in the Islamic Maghreb, which attempt by the United Nations tist Co-ordination of Azawad Mali, a military source said. “the appeals chamber has de- intimidation in their case in- member of the Hague-based in- have staged increasingly bold to end violence in Mali following Movements (CMA), told Reuters The wounded were evacuated cided to reverse the decision cluding physical threats and stitution. raids and have targeted the UN a takeover of the north by Islam- that the Kidal attack had been to Timbuktu hospital. that ... prior recorded testi- bribery ensuring that witness- The government is seeking base several times. ists in 2012, which was thwarted conducted by Islamists. It was not clear who had con- mony can be used”, Hofmanski es changed and recanted their leave to appeal against an earlier “At about 7am (0700 GMT) by a French-led intervention There was no offi cial confi r- ducted the ambush. said. testimonies. court judgement that it was le- gally bound to arrest Bashir, who was in the country for a summit of the African Union (AU). Jeremy Gauntlett, appearing for the government in the Su- preme Court of Appeal, argued Zuma ridicules opposition for disruption that local legislation provides immunity to visiting leaders. The immunity applies “for AFP anything from genocide to park- Cape Town ing off ences, for anything from fraud to anything else, to a serv- ing head of state”, he said. outh Africa’s President Lawyer Wim Trengove, ap- Jacob Zuma has mocked pearing for the rights group Sthe opposition as “use- the Southern Africa Litigation less” and ignorant, after rowdy Centre, said that the ICC arrest radical lawmakers repeatedly order overrode the local legisla- disrupted his annual state of the tion. “The ICC act ... is clear and nation parliamentary address. unambiguous. It says that the In the latest attack on the em- fact that the person to be surren- battled president, who is tainted dered is ... a sitting head of state by graft allegations, lawmakers does not constitute a ground to from the leftist Economic Free- refuse an order.” dom Fighters (EFF) noisily inter- Judgment was reserved and rupted his speech on Thursday will be handed down later. night before being ordered out South Africa’s failure to pre- of the chamber. vent Bashir’s departure, despite When he was fi nally able to a court order, sparked interna- speak after chaotic scenes in Zuma: You (members of the opposition) are making this country tional condemnation. parliament, Zuma announced look bad out there. Earlier this month, however, plans for “an eff ective turna- African leaders meeting in Addis round plan” for South Africa’s gress (ANC)’s advantage. cratic Alliance, have dragged the Ababa backed a Kenyan proposal ailing economy, amid dire warn- “If the party or the president president to the Constitutional pushing for a pullout from the ings about growth from the commits a mistake, there is a Court over his initial refusal to ICC on the grounds that it un- International Monetary Fund process how you deal with that,” obey a ruling by the national fairly targets the continent. (IMF) and the World Bank. he said in his fi rst reaction to his ombudswoman that he repay Chadian President Idriss And yesterday he took aim at latest heckling. “You are really some of the $24mn lavished on Deby, elected AU chairman at the EFF protesters who chanted not doing good for your country. the Nkandla home. the two-day summit, criticised calling on him to step down. You are making this country look Yesterday Zuma insisted that the court for focusing its eff orts “They are showing how use- bad out there.” he had “never” refused to reim- on African leaders. less they are, people will never He said that opposition par- burse for the refurbishments but “Elsewhere in the world, many vote for them,” Zuma said. “They ties were too focused on criticis- said the case had been “highly things happen – many fl agrant don’t understand democracy, ing the ANC and were “not con- politicised”. violations of human rights – but how it works. They just move vincing people”. “This was just a political per- Malema (centre) leaves the parliament chamber with his fellow EFF party members as Zuma attempted nobody cares,” Deby said. with the wind when it goes this Zuma is facing moves in ception created that I am refus- to give his state of the nation address in Cape Town on Thursday. No legally-binding determi- way, that way, shame on them.” court, in parliament and on the ing to pay. I never said I was not nation was made, and the deci- The EFF’s fi rebrand leader Ju- streets to have him impeached going to pay this money,” he said. pledged to use it to press for Zu- Zuma, who plunged markets a sharply slowing economy, high sion to leave the ICC’s founding lius Malema had yelled at Zuma or dumped by the ANC. “What I have been refusing to ma’s impeachment. into chaos in December when unemployment, grinding pov- Rome Statute is up to individual that he was “no longer a presi- Among a slew of issues that do is to pay back the money that I Any such attempt however he fi red two fi nance ministers erty and a resurgence of public nations. dent that deserves respect from have angered the opposition don’t know how much it is,” said would likely fail in a parliament within days, held talks this week racial animosity. Bashir has evaded justice since anyone”. and sparked calls for his removal Zuma, adding that his repaying where the ANC holds an over- with business leaders in an at- Commentators have predicted his indictment in 2009 for al- But Zuma said the opposi- from offi ce is the use of taxpay- the money was not an admission whelming majority. tempt to avoid a downgrade of that 2016 could be South Afri- leged crimes in the confl ict in tion’s rowdy behaviour was ers’ money to upgrade his pri- that he did “something wrong”. Zuma’s own lawyers accepted Africa’s most advanced econo- ca’s toughest year since the ANC the western Sudanese region of damaging South Africa’s repu- vate residence. The court has reserved judg- in court that the case had “trau- my’s debt to junk status by glo- came to power under liberation Darfur in which 300,000 people tation – and also working to his Malema’s party and the main ment, and if the ruling goes matised the nation” and con- bal ratings agencies. icon Nelson Mandela at the end were killed and 2mn forced to ruling African National Con- opposition group, the Demo- against Zuma, the EFF has ceded that he needed to obey. The country is wrestling with of apartheid in 1994. fl ee their homes.

Central Africa votes tomorrow to heal wounds

AFP one in 10 of the population of 4.8mn Bangui to fl ee their homes. The Central African Republic’s own security forces – the army, the he Central African Republic police and the paramilitary gendar- holds delayed presidential merie – are patrolling areas where Tand parliamentary polls to- tension remains high between ex- morrow, with voters desperate to Seleka and anti-balaka elements. usher in peace after the country’s They are backed by around 11,000 worst sectarian violence since inde- UN and French peacekeeping forc- pendence in 1960. es. But although the armed forces The presidential election looks have stabilised the situation, they set to be a tight run-off between do not control the entire country, two former prime ministers in the Dologuele. which covers almost 623,000sq km Touadera. mineral-rich but dirt-poor country (241,000sq miles). dogged by coups, violence and mis- of the person who came third in the The international peacekeeping Both former prime ministers rule since winning independence fi rst round – with 12% of the vote – eff orts have also been undermined competing for the presidency in to- from France more than fi ve decades while Touadera has the support of 22 by a string of sex abuse claims. morrow’s election are Christian. ago. other candidates who ran in the De- Despite huge logistical problems As well as choosing their next The fi rst round of voting on De- cember campaign. and grinding poverty, December’s president, voters will also cast bal- cember 30 was won by Anicet Whoever wins will hope to turn vote attracted a huge turnout, with lots in a re-run of a legislative elec- Georges Dologuele, a 58-year-old the page on years of fi ghting in 1.3mn valid ballots cast in a country tion also held on December 30 but former central banker known as “Mr the vast country, only fractionally with nearly 2mn registered voters. later annulled due to “numerous ir- Clean” after his attempts to bring smaller in area than Afghanistan. Christians and Muslims alike regularities”. transparency to murky public fi - The most recent episode of blood- came forward on a massive scale to This election will see a stagger- nances when in offi ce. letting was sparked by the March ensure their names were on the elec- ing 1,800 candidates competing for He will face off against Faus- 2013 ouster of long-serving presi- toral roll and to collect their voting a place in the 105-seat National As- tin Archange Touadera, also 58, a dent Francois Bozize by a mainly cards, many saying they never again sembly. former maths professor standing as Muslim rebel alliance, the Seleka, wanted to hear gunfi re and violence However, three previous presi- an independent who surprised eve- which installed Michel Djotodia as on their streets. dents are barred from standing ryone by coming second in the fi rst the fi rst Muslim leader of the pre- The election came after 93% of again: former Bangui mayor Cather- round of voting with 19.4%. dominantly Christian country. voters backed a constitutional refer- ine Samba Panza, who has overseen Touadera’s popularity stems from Djotodia quit in January 2014 af- endum that cleared the way for the a political transition, as well as Boz- a measure he introduced as prime ter disbanding the Seleka, but at- vote. ize and Djotodia. minister – paying government sal- tacks on Christians by rogue Muslim It also followed Pope Francis’s Bozize and Djotodia are both in aries directly into bank accounts, forces led to brutal reprisals against groundbreaking trip in Novem- exile and both face UN and US sanc- ending decades of pay arrears and Muslim districts by “anti-balaka” ber – his fi rst to a war zone – and tions stemming from the violence. unpaid wages. (“anti-machete”) militias from his impassioned plea for peace and The latter stepped down under The election is expected to be Christian communities. reconciliation has been taken up by strong foreign pressure after failing close. Thousands were slaughtered in a candidates, political parties and re- to rein in forces that led to fears of Dologuele has won the backing spiral of atrocities that drove about ligious leaders. genocide along religious fault lines. Gulf Times Saturday, February 13, 2016 5 AMERICAS

PEOPLE LEGAL CONTROVERSY JUSTICE MILITANCY Barry Manilow rushed Trump, Univision settle Mayor sorry for ambulance Son gets life for killing Colombia’s ELN rebels to hospital from concert pageant lawsuit bill sent to shot boy’s family wealthy businessman declare 72-hour lockdown

Barry Manilow has been rushed back to a Los Billionaire US presidential candidate Donald Trump The mayor of Cleveland has apologised after an The scion of a wealthy Canadian family was The National Liberation Army, a leftist Colombian Angeles hospital after a performance in Memphis has settled a $500mn lawsuit against Univision ambulance bill was sent to the family of Tamir Rice, sentenced to life in prison for murdering his rebel group known as ELN, has declared a 72-hour because of complications from emergency oral over the Spanish-language broadcaster’s decision the black 12-year-old who was shot by police while father, following a long and sensational trial in armed lockdown in areas where they operate, surgery this week, a statement on his website said. to dump the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, holding a toy gun. Rice’s November 2014 death at New Brunswick province. But he may seek parole restricting transport and commerce amid signs The 72-year old, known for hits Mandy, Can’t Smile both parties said. Univision and English-language the hands of a white off icer in the US state of Ohio after 10 years behind bars. Dennis Oland, 47, of further delays in their eff orts to begin peace Without You, Could It Be Magic and Copacabana, network NBC dropped planned broadcasts of the shocked Americans and the $500 bill sent to his was found guilty in December of second-degree talks. The lockdown begins tomorrow, said the had performed in Memphis on Wednesday. His beauty pageants’ after the contests’ then-owner family has only stoked further outrage. “Asking murder against his father, Richard Oland, who ELN, which the US and European Union consider next two concerts were cancelled and are being Trump insulted Mexican immigrants to the US. Tamir’s family to pay for his ambulance is heartless. was part of the locally prominent family that owns a terrorist group. “We have directed all the rescheduled. “Following a triumphant sold out Trump promptly filed suit, calling Univision’s Cleveland should drop this fee,” Hillary Clinton Moosehead Breweries. The 69-year-old father was combatant forces of the National Liberation Army concert in Memphis, Barry Manilow was rushed decision a politically motivated attempt to said. Local media reported that lawyers for the Rice found dead in a pool of blood in his off ice on July to take part in an armed strike,” the country’s back to Los Angeles due to complications from suppress his right to free speech. At a campaign family said the bill only added “insult to homicide.” 7, 2011. His body bore numerous stab and blunt- second-largest rebel group said in a statement on emergency oral surgery that Manilow had on appearance in June, Trump said Mexico was “not Faced with the snowballing controversy, Mayor force wounds to the head, neck and hands. Dennis its website yesterday. During similar lockdowns Monday,” the statement posted on the singer’s sending their best” people to the US and smeared Frank Jackson called a news conference during Oland pleaded not guilty at trial and continues to in the past, rebels have forced shops to close and website and his Facebook page said. some immigrants as drug smugglers and “rapists.” which he admitted a mistake had been made. deny involvement in the killing. buses to halt transport along routes. Police offi cer found guilty of manslaughter

Reuters Akai Gurley’s life mattered, ech- New York oing the “Black Lives Matter” movement. A defence lawyer for Liang, New York City police of- Robert Brown, said he would ap- fi cer was convicted of peal and warned that the verdict Amanslaughter for fatally would put offi cers in danger. shooting an unarmed black man “It says to the NYPD, you have in a darkened public housing to be very cautious about tak- stairwell. ing your gun out, to the point of A jury in Brooklyn found Peter risking your own life,” he said. Liang guilty in connection with Gurley’s family and friends the death of Akai Gurley, 28, who expressed gratitude after the was killed by a bullet fi red from conviction. Liang’s gun on November 20, “I’m just glad we got a guilty 2014, that ricocheted off a wall. verdict,” said Kimberly Ballinger, A stunned Liang buried his his domestic partner and the head in his hands after the ver- mother of his young daughter. dict was read in court. Activists cheered the outcome He faces up to 15 years in pris- on social media, with many say- on when he is sentenced in April. ing it was an important step in The mostly white jury deliber- holding offi cers accountable. ated for more than two days. Liang’s indictment last year Democratic US presidential candidate senator Bernie Sanders and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton discuss an issue at the PBS NewsHour Democratic presidential The shooting added to na- came weeks after a grand jury candidates’ debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. tionwide protests in cities like declined to charge a white New Baltimore and Ferguson, Mis- York offi cer in the chokehold souri, over the use of police death of Eric Garner, an un- force against minorities, though armed black man, sparking city- Liang, a Chinese-American, was wide protests. not accused of deliberately kill- Thompson said the Liang case ing Gurley. had no connection to the ongo- The rookie offi cer was on pa- ing debate over police tactics. trol inside a Brooklyn public “This offi cer was indicted not Clinton slams Sanders housing project with his partner because of what is happening and drew his gun upon entering a elsewhere in the country but be- pitch-black stairwell. cause of what happened in that He fi red a single bullet that stairwell,” he said. “This con- glanced off a wall and into the viction is not a conviction of the chest of Gurley, who was walk- entire NYPD.” ing one fl oor below. But Patrick Lynch, the presi- ‘promises’ in debate At trial, Liang, 28, testifi ed dent of the city’s largest police that a sudden noise startled him, union, said the verdict “will have AFP Sanders’s criticism of her cozy ite State earlier this week, the federal government by about that amount in the reduction of causing his fi nger to slip onto the a chilling eff ect on police offi cers Washington ties to Wall Street and recon- pair were relatively civil, dis- 40%. health care costs. trigger and fi re. It was only af- across the city because it crimi- nect with women voters, all cussing eff orts to end institu- “We have a special obligation Clinton is looking to get back ter descending the stairs, Liang nalises a tragic accident.” while emphasising her overall tional racism and improve the to make clear what we stand for, on track in the next contests said, that he realized the errant Liang was also convicted of wo days after her humili- experience thanks to her time as lives of minorities. which is why I think we should in Nevada on February 20 and bullet had hit Gurley. offi cial misconduct for failing ating New Hampshire secretary of state under Presi- Their most heated clash came not make promises we can’t South Carolina a week later - “Oh my God, someone’s hit,” a to off er Gurley aid. His lawyers Tdefeat, White House dent Barack Obama. over health care and Sanders’s keep,” Clinton said. two states where Hispanics and tearful Liang recalled saying upon argued he was in shock and felt hopeful Hillary Clinton sought “I have said many times I am assertion that his plan for a She also suggested Sanders, a African Americans play key fi nding a bleeding Gurley lying on unqualifi ed to perform CPR due to regain the upper hand against not asking people to support me single-payer system would save self-described democratic so- roles in the presidential nomi- a landing, as his girlfriend franti- to inadequate training. her Democratic rival Bernie because I’m a woman,” she said American taxpayers money. cialist, was aiming to dismantle nation battle. cally tried to revive him. As the trial concluded on Sanders in their latest debate, on the debate stage in Milwau- “Based on every analysis Obama’s landmark health care Sanders is looking to build But prosecutors argued Liang Tuesday, prosecutors off ered ju- denouncing his proposals as kee, Wisconsin. that I can fi nd by people who programme in favour of his own on his stunning 22-point blow- fi red toward the sound delib- rors a new and more damning ac- unrealistic and costly. “I am asking people to sup- are sympathetic to the goal, plan. out win in New Hampshire by erately and that he must have count, claiming for the fi rst time Clinton, who is keen to strike port me because I think I am the numbers don’t add up and Sanders bristled: “I’ve fought reaching out to minority groups, known only another person that Liang aimed a shot on pur- a new path as the presiden- the most qualifi ed, experienced many people will be worse off my entire life to make sure with whom he has struggled to could have caused the noise that pose toward the sound he heard. tial campaign moves south and and ready person to be the than they are right now,” Clin- health care is a right for all peo- build a strong support base. surprised him. “I think it’s clear to you that west, quickly went on the of- president and the commander- ton said. ple.” Clinton must try to blunt “It was a tragedy, but justice he knew someone was there,” as- fensive, hammering the senator in-chief.” Continuing her assault, Clin- “We’re not going to dis- Sanders’s momentum without was done,” Brooklyn district at- sistant district attorney Joseph from Vermont on health care After their bruising battle in ton embraced a typical Repub- mantle anything,” he insisted, alienating young voters, in- torney Kenneth Thompson told Alexis said in his closing argu- and his plan to make university Iowa, won by a razor-thin mar- lican line of attack to demonise explaining that middle-class cluding young women, who are the television station NY1. He ment, adding that the shooting education free for all. gin by Clinton, and the thump- Sanders, saying his plans would families would pay $500 more fl ocking to his “political revolu- added that the verdict showed was “no accident.” She also sought to blunt ing win for Sanders in the Gran- likely increase the size of the in taxes while receiving 10 times tion” message. Man found 30 years Pope dons Sombrero Ted Cruz pulls ad featuring porn star after going missing Agencies is still live on Cruz’s site. Washington Lindsay, who has also ap- peared in a range of fi lms and Agencies His mother Silvia Wilson, ber who he was, so he created a mainstream television series Ottawa who later moved to Ottawa, de- new identity. ed Cruz’s campaign including Star Trek: Voyager, scribed her surprise when she Gavin said: “Pieces of his yanked a recent advert said she was “extremely disap- received the news by telephone memory started coming back. Tattacking Marco Rubio pointed” by the decision. Canadian man who dis- last week from a police detec- Then the social worker found after it was revealed that one “I assumed that they knew appeared 30 years ago is tive. something on the internet that of its featured actors had per- (about my career),” she added, Aset for an emotional re- “I don’t know what to think. led them to believe this was formed in erotic fi lms. saying she is currently decid- union with his family after he I was just kind of blown away,” something more.” Titled “Conservatives ing whether to support Cruz or suddenly remembered his name, Wilson, 76, told The Record, “I’ve been a police offi cer for Anonymous,” the Cruz spot is Trump. media said. describing her son as a troubled 18 years and this is something set in a group therapy session, A spokesperson for Cruz for Edgar Latulip, whose mental boy. I’ve seen on TV but never been a as a circle of men and women President said: “The actress age was that of a child, was 21 part of,” Gavin told the Star. discuss their disappoint- responded to an open casting when he walked out of a special “I’ve been a police offi cer “Absolutely, this is quite a rare ment in having supported call. She passed her audition home in Kitchener, Ontario in for 18 years and this is one.” the Florida senator given his and got the job. Unfortu- 1986, CBC News and other Ca- something I’ve seen on TV It was not immediately clear subsequent work on an im- nately, she was not vetted by nadian media reported. but never been a part of” when the reunion would take migration reform bill one calls the casting company. Had the Latulip, who had previously place. “amnesty.” campaign known of her full fi l- attempted suicide and was on “I want to talk to him and help A member of the original team “Maybe you should vote for mography, we obviously would medication, was never heard him out any way I can. I just investigating Latulip’s disap- more than just a pretty face not have let her appear in the from again and his mother want to see him.” pearance, detective constable next time,” softcore porn vet- ad. feared he might have been mur- The North American Miss- Duane Gingerich, said: “I had eran Amy Lindsay tells the “The campaign is taking dered. ing Persons Network described hopes that he was out there group before another man ap- the ad down and will replace That was until a man with Latulip as having the mental ca- somewhere. You expect the pears at the door in a Rubio it with a different commer- a different identity living pacity of a 12-year-old. worst when a person is missing shirt asking, “You guys have cial.” 120kms away told his social Niagara regional police con- for that period of time. room for one more?” Cruz, the Republican presi- worker last month that he stable Philip Gavin told the To- “I did speak with one of the Pope Francis wears a Sombrero hat he received as a gift by a The campaign removed dential candidate who beat thought his real name could ronto Star and CBC that Latulip family members they’re obvi- Mexican journalist aboard an airplane to Havana yesterday. the video from YouTube af- Donald Trump in Iowa and is be Edgar Latulip, after he had suff ered a head injury after a fall ously very happy about it, and Pope Francis has started his trip to Mexico, first stopping off ter it became aware of her currently second to the bil- flashbacks. around the time he went miss- they’re making plans to get to- in Cuba where he will hold a historic meeting with the leader background, though a web lionaire in the nomination A DNA test confi rmed that the ing, impairing his memory so gether with Edgar and speak of the Russian Orthodox church Patriarch Kirill. page with the “Conserva- race, has based much of his man was indeed Latulip. badly that he could not remem- with him further.” tives Anonymous” branding campaign on “family values”. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, February 13, 2016 ASEAN

US tells citizens Political mood sours as to avoid Laos Myanmar talks hit snag province Reuters Suu Kyi gets extra security aft er death threat over presidential ambitions from the USDP last year, as the who is also a member of Shwe AFP Naypyitaw head of the Legal Aff airs and Mann’s panel. Bangkok Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi has been given extra The threat comes at a key time in Myanmar’s drawn Examination of Special Matters The lawmaker said that the security following a death threat on Facebook alluding out power transition. Commission, a powerful panel commission would look into re- he mood of goodwill to her presidential ambitions, off icials said yesterday. After her party’s November election win, Suu Kyi that advises on legislation. cent budgets. he United States issued a evident in early talks be- In a post last week, a man called Ye Lwin Myint vowed to appoint a proxy and rule “above” a president This choice, some MPs say, The military is demanding warning yesterday urging Ttween Aung San Suu Kyi threatened to shoot anyone who tries to change a who is set to be chosen in March. could be problematic for former the positions of chief minister in TAmericans to avoid a cen- and Myanmar’s military over the controversial clause in the constitution which bars But in recent days rumours have swirled of backroom members of outgoing President Rakhine, Shan and Kachin states tral Laos province popular with country’s transition to demo- pro-democracy champion Suu Kyi from the top off ice. talks towards suspending the controversial 59 (f) Thein Sein’s government if the and, crucially, Yangon, where adventure travellers after a sud- cratic government has soured, While he did not specifically name the 70-year-old clause so she can take the top job. NLD decided to use the com- the bulk of foreign investment den spate of deadly bomb and as tensions rise over how to di- Nobel laureate, Suu Kyi has made little secret of her It is a highly contentious issue, with some senior mem- mission’s expertise to try to is likely to concentrate as Myan- gun attacks. vide up power and deal with the desire to be president. bers of the still powerful army vigorously opposed to amend laws or revisit contracts mar’s economy grows at a rapid Two roadside attacks killed legacy of junta rule. Her National League for Democracy (NLD) has taken charter change. approved by his administration. pace, two people briefed on the three people last month in Xai- The apparent stalemate has its seats in parliament after storming last year’s elec- Speculation that big political plays are underway in The issue of not raking over details of the talks said. somboun province. forced Suu Kyi’s National League tion – the freest in decades in the once junta-ruled Myanmar was deepened Friday as it emerged that the past has been crucial in ef- Both Shan and Kachin states Those attacks followed a se- for Democracy (NLD) to push nation. President Thein Sein will not travel to America next forts to establish a working re- are home to powerful ethnic ries of shootings at the end of back the election by parliament But Suu Kyi is blocked from the presidency by a week to join Southeast Asian leaders in talks with lationship between Suu Kyi and armed groups involved in il- last year, according to the notice of a new president to March 17, charter clause because her children and spouse were President Barack Obama. her former foes in the military, licit activities ranging from drug published by the US embassy in cutting close to the April 1 dead- foreign born. As well as blocking Suu Kyi’s rise, the charter also gifts which under the constitution production and smuggling to il- the capital Vientiane. line when the new government is An NLD member, who did not want to be named, but the military 25% of parliamentary seats and an eff ec- retains a bloc of seats in parlia- legal jade mining. “The US embassy in Vientiane supposed to start its term. who is close to Suu Kyi confirmed that extra security tive veto on constitutional amendments. ment and control of key parts of Control over these states, has prohibited its personnel While negotiations have measures were in place “since that man’s threat”. Suu Kyi, for years the army’s nemesis as the figure- the state apparatus. which also include Special Re- from traveling to Xaisomboun been conducted amid tight se- A senior police off icial in the capital Naypyidaw con- head of the country’s democracy struggle, is already When Suu Kyi met former gions – semi-autonomous fi ef- province, and encourages US crecy, lawmakers say divisions firmed the security boost, also requesting anonymity. protected by a personal security detail. junta leader Than Shwe in De- doms with their own adminis- citizens to adopt similar security emerged after the military put “Police security has been increased for her (Suu Kyi) ... Her father, independence hero general Aung San, was cember she gave him assurances trations and armies – is key for measures,” the travel alert said. forward its list of demands to but it is unoff icial.” assassinated in 1947. that the NLD would not focus on Suu Kyi, who has made a cease- Chinese state media last the incoming government last the past. fi re with ethnic armed groups month said two Chinese nation- month. In return, Than Shwe en- her top priority. als were killed and one injured in The appointment of former tect themselves,” said a former mutual handshakes and speech- Ye Htut, the outgoing minister dorsed her as the future “leader” China, which has important a suspected bomb attack in the general Shwe Mann, now a key senior lawmaker from the army- es about “national reconcilia- of Information and presidential of the country. economic and strategic interests mountainous province, without Suu Kyi ally, to a powerful ad- linked Union Solidarity and De- tion”, but as the talks drag on the spokesman, said that Suu Kyi Days before disbanding at in Myanmar, is also anxious to speculating on the motive. visory panel has also stoked velopment Party (USDP). tone of public debate – and that should respect the military as, the end of January, the parlia- protect its infl uence, Win Htein, One of the victims was an mistrust, some say, because his Suu Kyi’s NLD won a land- of legislators speaking privately essentially, the country’s sec- ment dominated by Thein Sein’s one of the top NLD leaders in- employee of a mining company insider knowledge could enable slide in Myanmar’s fi rst demo- – has changed. ond biggest party, and urged her USDP passed a bill granting life- volved in transition negotiations based in China’s Yunnan prov- Myanmar’s new rulers to delve cratic election in a quarter of a In recent days, the NLD and administration not to dwell on long immunity from prosecution said. ince, which borders Laos. into the actions of the outgoing century in November, kicking the military have bickered over the issue of the presidency, and to the president for actions taken “Chinese government rep- Beijing has been sinking government. off a lengthy transition from the whether Myanmar’s junta- instead focusing on economic in offi ce, sparking protests from resentatives and business as- money into the sleepy Southeast “It seems like all of the mem- semi-civilian government that drafted constitution, which bars reform. human rights organisations. sociations are coming to us all Asian nation, a fellow commu- bers of the previous government in 2011 replaced a junta that had Suu Kyi from becoming presi- Last week the NLD appointed “That law only protects the the damn time to talk about the nist state, in recent years and be- are now panicking, so they try to run the country for 49 years. dent, should be amended to al- Shwe Mann, a former speaker of president, but not his ministers,” president and business deals,” came its largest investor in 2014. use the military’s weight to pro- That transition began with low her take the highest offi ce. the lower house who was purged said the former USDP lawmaker, said Win Htein. China also hoovers up land- locked Laos’ water and forestry resources. The US embassy’s alert yes- terday also reminded travel- Celebration lers that unexploded ordnances ‘Gay’ emojis banned are still found throughout rural Left: A diver performs a lion Laos. dance underwater yesterday to During the Vietnam War US AFP/DPA being banned in Indonesia. celebrate the Lunar New Year at warplanes dropped more than Jakarta LINE Indonesia has already an aquarium in Kuala Lumpur. 2mn tonnes of explosives across removed its gay emojis from the landlocked country in an ef- online stores and issued an Below: Men perform a dragon fort to cut North Vietnamese n the latest crackdown on apology. dance next to the statue of supply lines. gay rights in Indonesia, the “LINE regrets the incidents Vietnamese King Quang Trung An estimated 30% of the de- Igovernment has demanded of some stickers which are (1788-1792) in Hanoi during a vices failed to detonate and all instant messaging apps re- considered sensitive by many ceremony yesterday marking the 50,000 people have been killed move same-sex emoticons or people,” the messaging app 227th anniversary of Vietnam’s by the explosives since the end face a ban in the Muslim-ma- said in a statement. “We ask for Dong Da-Ngoc Hoi victory over of the war. jority country. your understanding because at China’s Qing dynasty’s troops in In a rare state visit to the The emojis – which are the moment we are working on 1789. cloistered communist nation available on the popular apps this issue to remove the stick- last month US Secretary of State LINE and WhatsApp as well ers.” John Kerry said Washington as Facebook and Twitter – de- Indonesia is the world’s was considering increasing the pict same-sex couples holding most populous Muslim-ma- $15mn fund it provides to tackle hands and the rainbow fl ag, jority country. the scourge. commonly used to symbolise While homosexuality is not the lesbian, gay, bisexual and illegal in Indonesia, the topic transgender (LGBT) commu- remains a controversial sub- Indonesia island nity. ject. “Such content are not al- In January, the University of incommunicado lowed in Indonesia based on Indonesia told a support group after earthquake our cultural law and the reli- providing sex education and gious norms and the opera- counselling for LGBT students Indonesia’s Sumba island tors must respect that,” Ismail that they did not have permis- remained incommunicado Cawidu, spokesman for the sion to hold meetings on cam- yesterday after a 6.6-magnitude Communication and Informa- pus. earthquake struck the area, a tion Ministry, told AFP Friday. And last year Aceh, the only disaster management off icial He said of particular con- province in Indonesia which said. cern was that the colourful implements Shariah law, in- No reports had reached the emojis and stickers could ap- troduced caning as a punish- capital Jakarta about the damage peal to children. ment for gay sex. or any casualties from the quake, “Those things might be con- Prominent gay activist Har- which struck at 7.02pm (1202 sidered normal in some West- toyo said the move to ban the GMT), said Sutopo Nugroho, ern countries, while in Indone- emojis was symptomatic of spokesman for the National sia it’s practically impossible,” a wider crackdown on LGBT Disaster Management Agency. he said. rights. “Attempts to communicate Cawidu said that the min- “This is just the latest in a through satellite phones, radio istry had contacted all com- series of incidents that have and mobile phones have not panies that used such content, happened recently,” he said. been successful,” Sutopo said. including Twitter and Face- “The government has let this Sumba, part of East About book, and failure to comply ignorance go on for far too long 58,000 people are known to live with the request to remove the and it has put our nation in near what seismologists said was emojis could lead to the apps danger.” the epicentre of the quake.

Former PM Yingluck takes Thai politics to the garden

AFP/Reuters dates and increasingly frequent think-tank, said the family was Despite her mounting woes, have been bloodied by two coups Bangkok publicity stunts. laying the groundwork for a 2017 Yingluck remains a galvanising in that time. Yesterday foreign media were election campaign. force among Shinawatra sup- In a country where the military invited for salad at her Bangkok “What is simpler than a porters and is still in Thailand – has banned political activity, the arred from discussing compound where the smiling Yingluck in her garden present- unlike her older brother Thaksin, event was nothing if not political, politics by the Thai junta, former premier gave a tour of her ing herself as a housewife and a billionaire former premier who said analysts, and an extension Bousted prime minister vegetable garden. one of the people?” he said. lives in self-exile to avoid jail in of a publicity campaign Thaksin Yingluck Shinawatra opened up In a peculiarly Thai-style nav- However, she did briefl y touch the kingdom. and Yingluck are ramping up to her Bangkok home yesterday to igation of the curbs on her activi- on politics, saying that a new She faces charges of negli- reconnect with supporters. talk about her new passion: veg- ties, she gently parried questions military-scripted constitution gence over a multi-billion-dollar The generals running the etables. on politics in favour of urging her must be carefully considered rice subsidy scheme which paid country have promised a 2017 Yingluck, Thailand’s fi rst fe- compatriots to eat more salad. before it goes to a referendum in farmers up to twice the market election but critics, including Yingluck collects lettuce in front of mainly foreign media who were male premier, was removed from “I am very happy and proud July. rate for their crop. political parties, fear that a mil- invited to her compound where she gave a tour of her vegetable offi ce by a court shortly before of my salad garden,” she told be- “You will have to live with this Critics say that the scheme itary-backed draft constitution garden in Bangkok. the May 2014 coup. mused reporters, before off ering constitution. So please make sure cynically tapped state coff ers to will weaken their infl uence and She has since been buff eted by the assembled press pack takea- it fi ts with Thailand. It must be prop the Shinawatra’s political consolidate the military’s wide- former prime minister said. have to do much,” said Siam In- travel restrictions, banned from ways of homegrown lettuce. people-centric,” she said. base, incubated corruption and ranging powers. Neither Shinawatra can run for telligence Unit’s Kan. “They just politics and tangled up in a negli- As Yingluck strolled through The kingdom has been torn by resulted in massive rice stock- Yingluck said she spends her offi ce but they will likely boost have to present themselves to gence case that carries a 10-year the vegetable garden at her man- a decade-long struggle broadly piles. days tending to her vegetables, any Puea Thai Party campaign. the public and some might think jail sentence. sion in northern Bangkok, paus- between the Shinawatra family Yingluck denies wrongdoing, visiting temples and meeting “I think I can do more than wa- that during the Shinawatra ad- That has limited to her to ob- ing to pick some lettuce for the and their pro-democracy sup- insisting that she was just trying friends. tering plants,” said Yingluck. ministration Thailand was more lique references to the kingdom’s cameras, she said it was a “simple porters, and the royalist Bang- to elevate the lot of the rural poor. She regularly speaks to her ex- Many analysts think Puea Thai modern, especially compared to decade-old political crisis and get together” with no agenda. kok elite, which supports coups Shinawatra family members iled brother Thaksin. Party will still win the next gen- the current military administra- she now attempts to keep in the But Kan Yuenyong, an ana- with its allies in the military and or their affi liates have won every “We were taught to be close eral election. tion which harks back to the 70s public eye through Facebook up- lyst at the Siam Intelligence Unit courts. Thai election since 2001, but through good times and bad,” the “Thaksin and Yingluck don’t or 80s.” Gulf Times Saturday, February 13, 2016 7 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

US moves to expand Korea cuts off power and sanctions

AFP Washington water supply to Kaesong he US Congress adopted tougher sanctions on Reuters to leave the industrial park on cern about the potential deploy- TNorth Korea yesterday, Seoul Thursday evening, complet- ment of THAAD, saying it could in a bid to punish the reclusive ing the pullout at 11.05pm (1405 trigger an arms race in Northeast Asian nation for its provocative GMT), according to the South’s Asia. recent nuclear test and rocket outh Korea and the United Unifi cation Ministry, which han- South Korea and the United launch. States are expected to begin dles relations with the North. States have said the system, built The House voted 408 to 2 in Stalks next week on possible A few minutes before mid- by Lockheed Martin Corporation favour of the bipartisan meas- deployment of an advanced US night, the South shut off the sup- and designed to intercept and ure, which would slap sanctions missile defence system follow- ply of electricity into Kaesong destroy ballistic missiles inside on any person or entity import- ing North Korea’s recent rocket that powered the factory zone, or just outside the atmosphere ing goods or technology or train- launch, offi cials said yesterday, the ministry said early yesterday. during their fi nal phase of fl ight, ing related to weapons of mass as Seoul cut power to a factory It also disconnected the water would be focused only on North destruction into North Korea, or park run jointly with the North. supply. Korea. anyone who knowingly engages The discussions would focus The United States, Japan and South Korea accused North in human rights abuses. on placing one Terminal High South Korea are seeking tougher Korea of “illegal” acts by freezing The Senate adopted the legis- Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) UN sanctions against North Ko- the assets of South Korean com- lation on Wednesday, following system with the US military in rea in the wake of the nuclear test panies in Kaesong, and warned a similar move by the House ear- South Korea, a South Korean and rocket launch. that Pyongyang would be held lier this month. defence offi cial told Reuters on Wang Yi, the foreign minister responsible for any consequenc- Yesterday’s vote was on a condition of anonymity. of China, North Korea’s neigh- es from the industrial park’s sus- compromise version. Pentagon spokesman Com- bour and main ally, said yester- pension. It now goes to President mander Bill Urban said in an e- day that Beijing supported a UN The Kaesong project employed Barack Obama for his signature. mail that a joint working group Security Council resolution to about 55,000 North Koreans, The measure also heaps addi- would “review all aspects regard- make Pyongyang “pay the neces- who were given a taste of life in tional fi nancial pressure on the ing the potential of deployment sary price” for the launch. the South, working for the 124 already-sanctioned regime of of a THAAD system to South Ko- He also expressed concern mostly small- and medium- leader Kim Jong-Un, by aiming rea”. over a possible US deployment of sized manufacturers that oper- at cutting down on money laun- “We expect the fi rst meeting to its sophisticated THAAD missile ated there, about 54km (34 miles) dering and narcotics traffi cking, occur next week,” he said. A worker checks products made in the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC) after they had fallen from an defence system to South Korea, northwest of Seoul. two major illicit activities be- North Korea launched a long- overloaded vehicle returning from the KIC on the Grand Unification Bridge, just south of the demilitarised saying that it could also be used Except for Kaesong, both lieved to be funneling millions range rocket on February 6 car- zone separating the two Koreas, in Paju, South Korea. to target China. countries forbid their citizens of dollars into Kim’s inner circle. rying what it called a satellite, US military offi cials have said from communicating with each Under the bill, penalties for drawing renewed international resolutions because it used bal- Kaesong industrial zone as pun- the action “a declaration of war” the THAAD system is needed other across the border. the sanctionable activities would condemnation just weeks after it listic missile technology. ishment for the rocket launch and expelled the South’s workers. in South Korea, but Seoul had Despite volatile North-South include the seizure of assets, visa carried out a nuclear bomb test. North Korea carried out a nu- and nuclear test. Kaesong was the last venue for been reluctant to openly discuss relations, Kaesong had been shut bans and denial of government It said the launch was for clear bomb test last month, also The zone, just inside North regular interaction between the its deployment given the risk of only once before, for fi ve months contracts. peaceful purposes, but Seoul and banned by a UN resolution. Korea, had operated for more divided Koreas. damaging ties with China, its in 2013 amid heightened tensions And for the fi rst time, it estab- Washington have said it violated On Wednesday, South Ko- than a decade. The 280 South Koreans who biggest trade partner. following Pyongyang’s third nu- lishes a framework for sanctions United Nations Security Council rea suspended operations at the The North on Thursday called had remained in Kaesong rushed Russia has also expressed con- clear test. in response to North Korean cy- ber threats, according to Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker. Corker however admitted it would be diffi cult to target Chi- Taiwan to seize assets of building developer Ceremonies held for nese fi rms linked to Pyongyang. “This is about North Korea, it’s not about punishing China,” AFP court gave the city government earthquake victims he told AFP. “But if there are, we New Taipei City the go-ahead to freeze up to know there are, entities that are 30mn Taiwan dollars ($907,000) helping facilitate (prohibited ac- in assets belonging to the build- DPA the complex were arrested on tivities), those entities would be lmost a million dollars in ing’s developer Lin Ming-hui and Taipei Tuesday on suspicion that punished.” assets belonging to the three associates, according to a the construction did not meet China, the North’s main dip- Adeveloper and three as- government statement. safety standards. lomatic ally, has been resisting sociates of a building in Taiwan “The Tainan district court eligious ceremonies The city government is look- the US-led push for tougher UN felled by an earthquake will be handled it quickly, and grant- were held in Taiwan yes- ing initially to sequester 30mn sanctions. seized, a court ruled yesterday, ed ... provisional seizure up to Rterday to mourn dozens Taiwan dollars ($907,000) Although fi ercely critical of with more than 90 residents Tw$30mn of the assets of the re- of victims of a 6.4-magnitude from those responsible to pay Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, confi rmed dead in the disaster. lated people,” the statement said. earthquake a week ago. compensation to the victims. Beijing is more concerned at the Rescuers are still digging It added the move was to pre- The confi rmed death toll Further sums could be prospect of Kim’s regime being through the rubble of the toppled vent the developer and associates reached 98, with most of the seized, Mayor Lai Ching-te pushed to collapse – triggering Wei-kuan apartment complex from “disposing assets”. victims having perished in an said. chaos on China’s border. in the southern city of Tainan Lin and two of the men have apartment building that col- More bodies were found Japan unveiled unilateral which collapsed during last Sat- been detained on charges of pro- lapsed. early yesterday at the site of the measures earlier this week, in- urday’s quake – 26 residents re- fessional negligence resulting in People in Taiwan believe the collapsed apartment building. cluding prohibiting North Ko- main missing and the death toll death. Monks pray for the dead and survivors of a powerful earthquake that souls of the departed return Offi cials said 26 people were rean ships from entering Japa- has climbed to 98. The fourth to have assets hit Tainan, southern Taiwan last week, on the 5th day of the Chinese on the seventh day after death still unaccounted for at the nese ports and a total entry ban Prosecutors questioning the seized was a contractor used dur- Lunar New Year, at Guangji Temple, in Beijing. to bid a fi nal farewell to loved site. on North Korean nationals into developer and two others con- ing the construction of the Wei- ones. Another trapped dog was Japan. nected with the building have kuan building, the only high-rise – and has directed local authori- The Wei-kuan building had 96 Leading political fi gures in- rescued yesterday, but the said there were “fl aws” in the to crumble completely in the 6.4 ties to prevent any sale of those apartments and was completed cluding outgoing President Ma last known human survivors residential complex, including a magnitude earthquake. He has assets. in 1994, before a new building Ying-jeou and president-elect were pulled from the rubble on N Korea scraps lack of steel reinforcement gird- not been detained. Distraught relatives of resi- code was brought in following a Tsai Ing-wen paid their re- Monday. probe into kidnaps ers. The Tw$30mn is a preliminary dents told AFP that they had devastating earthquake that left spects to the relatives. Search operations were on- Pictures of the ruins also fi gure to cover the property dam- complained about cracks in the 2,400 people dead in 1999. At least 96 people died when going at the site. North Korea has responded showed tin cans and foam were ages of victims who have already walls of the building. The building collapse has the 17-storey Weiguan Jin- City offi cials said the task to fresh sanctions imposed used as fi llers in the concrete, made claims, the Tainan govern- Engineers at the rescue site struck a nerve with the pub- long building collapsed in the had become more challenging by Tokyo, by scrapping an exacerbating public anger over ment statement said. added that some walls may have lic, increasingly embittered by southern city of Tainan, au- because some parts were bur- investigation into the North’s past the latest safety scandal to hit the The government has also iden- collapsed on the ground fl oor, a string of disasters, from food thorities said. ied deep underground, state- abductions of Japanese citizens. island. tifi ed land owned by Lin – total- which housed part of a multi- safety scandals to a water park Three former executives of run Central News Agency re- “The comprehensive Yesterday Tainan’s district ling at least 30 plots in Tainan storey electronics store. explosion that left 15 dead. the company that developed ported. investigation into all the Japanese ... will be totally stopped,” the investigation committee said in a statement carried by the North’s off icial KCNA news agency. The committee, set up under a Australian Cabinet Spider kills snake in Outback duel bilateral agreement brokered in Stockholm in May, 2014, would also be dissolved, said minister resigns over AFP Sydney Funnel Web Spider. the statement, which warned of Sydney Brown snakes are common in “stronger counter-measures” to eastern Australia, and can be as follow. unoffi cial China trip much as 2m (six feet) long when Under the Stockholm accord, plucky little spider has fully grown, according to the North Korea undertook to once again proved that website of the Australian Mu- reinvestigate all abductions Reuters that Stuart had off ered his res- Asize doesn’t matter by seum. of Japanese citizens in what Sydney ignation after becoming aware taking on – and beating – a much Their bite, which delivers a po- appeared to be a significant that he held shares in another larger venomous snake, in a very tent mix of neurotoxins and co- breakthrough on an issue that company, Metallum Holdings Australian telling of the story of agulants, can be fatal to humans. has long hampered Tokyo’s ustralian Prime Minis- Pty Ltd, which had an unspeci- David and Goliath. Lees said that after taking his relations with Pyongyang. ter Malcolm Turnbull fi ed interest in Nimrod Re- The spindly Daddy Long Legs photograph, he left the deter- North Korea outraged Japan Ahas accepted the resig- sources. spider appeared to have come out mined little arachnid to enjoy its when it admitted in 2002 that it nation of a Cabinet minister “Mr Robert recognised that on top after going head-to-head moment. had kidnapped 13 Japanese in who admitted he had attended this connection would cre- with a brown snake in rural New “I can’t deny the spider its vic- the 1970s and 1980s to train its a contract signing between ate the impression that at the South Wales. tory,” Lees said. “I’m not sure if spies in Japanese language and China’s Minmetals Corpora- time he went to Beijing he had Farmer Patrick Lees said he it killed it but it defi nitely won in customs. tion and an Australian compa- something personally to gain was astonished to discover the the long run.” Five of those abducted were ny with which he had fi nancial from the Nimrod Resources expired reptile dangling from a Wildlife experts said it was allowed to return to Japan but links. project,” he said. web at his outback home in Wee- possible the snake and the spider Pyongyang has insisted, without The move ends a tumultuous Turnbull’s government has thalle, about 400km (250 miles) had duked it out – to the death – producing solid evidence, that week for Turnbull’s conserva- been dogged by scandals since west of Sydney, last Saturday. but it was impossible to know for the eight other kidnap victims tive government after two oth- he became leader after a par- “The snake was already dead, sure. are dead. er ministers quit a day earlier in ty-room coup in September, I made sure of that before I took “The most likely scenario is The issue is a highly-charged unrelated circumstances, pav- distracting him from eff orts the photo,” he told AFP, referring that the snake got entangled one in Japan, where there are ing the way for a Cabinet re- to unite his after the ouster of to the creature’s reputation for its in the spider’s web,” Graham suspicions that perhaps dozens shuffl e months before a general former leader Tony Abbott. deadly venom and quick bite. Milledge of the Australian Mu- of other people were taken. election is due. Two other ministers lost Lees’s photo, posted on his seum told the Australian Broad- Pyongyang’s commitment to Turnbull said a government their jobs in unrelated scandals Aussie Farmer Facebook page, casting Corporation. “Usually investigate was made after investigation found that Hu- in December. has proved a huge hit in a country what happens then is the spider Tokyo eased a number of man Services Minister Stuart A senior Department of well known for its array of fear- will try to wrap the snake and unilateral sanctions imposed on Robert had attended a meet- Foreign Aff airs and Trade of- some animals. then they’ll bite it.” Pyongyang. ing between unlisted Austral- fi cial told a Senate hearing on Many Australians take Mother The museum’s website says Yesterday’s statement came after ian miner Nimrod Resources Thursday that the department Nature in their stride, but visi- after killing prey with venom, Japan announced new unilateral Limited and Minmetals during was not aware of Robert’s trip tors to the vast island country Daddy Long Legs spiders squirt This handout photograph taken on February 6 and released sanctions earlier this week in an unoffi cial trip to Beijing in and that Chinese offi cials at the marvel at its range of dangerous digestive juices onto its body, be- yesterday courtesy of Patrick Lees shows a dead brown snake response to the North’s recent 2014. meeting believed he was there wildlife, from gargantuan salt- fore sucking up and ingesting the strung up on a spider’s web with a ‘daddy long legs’ spider by its nuclear test and long-range Turnbull said in a statement in an offi cial capacity. water crocodiles to the deadly resulting fl uids. tail in Weethalle, about 400km (250 miles) west of Sydney. rocket test. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, February 13, 2016 BRITAIN/IRELAND

CRIME LEGAL LITERATURE PEOPLE FALLOUT Rolf Harris to face further Court backs jail for juror Potter play a bestseller Film company in court over Osborne’s brother struck sex crime charges who searched Internet five months before release Harrison Ford accident off medical register

Veteran entertainer Rolf Harris, currently serving Britain did not violate the rights of a woman The script of a new Harry Potter play, which is The production company behind Star Wars: The psychiatrist brother of Finance Minister George a six-year jail term for child sex crimes, is to be who received a prison sentence for doing due to be published on July 31 following its world The Force Awakens is being prosecuted in Osborne was struck off the British medical register charged with seven more indecent assault off enc- research on the Internet about a case where premiere in London, is already a bestseller on Britain over an incident on set which left for having an aff air with a patient and threatening es dating back 45 years, the Crown Prosecution she was a juror, the European Court of Human the British version of Amazon. A day after the actor Harrison Ford with a broken leg, health her to keep quiet about it, a disciplinary panel said. Service (CPS) said yesterday. Harris, a household Rights ruled. The woman had complained announcement that it would be published, the and safety officials said. Ford, 73, was struck Adam Osborne, who qualified as a doctor in 2004, name in his native Australia and adopted home to the Strasbourg-based court after she was script also topped pre-sale orders on the website by a heavy door at Pinewood Studios west was ruled unfit to practice over his relationship Britain, was jailed in 2014 for repeatedly abusing sentenced to three months in 2012 for con- of bookshop chain Waterstones. Harry Potter and of London on the film’s Millennium Falcon with the patient, who suff ered from depression, young girls over decades when he was a popular tempt of court for searching for information the Cursed Child will off icially open in the West spaceship set in June 2014 and airlifted to anxiety, and other mental health issues, the Medical host on children’s television. The CPS said they on an accused at a trial and then passing the End on July 30, while the script will come out on hospital afterwards. Now Foodles Production Practitioners Tribunal Service said. Osborne, who had decided to take further action after police had information on to her co-jurors. The judge at the following day. The stage play also promises UK will appear in court in May to face four was married at the time, began treating the woman, gathered more evidence. “We have concluded that the trial had instructed all jurors to refrain from to be a success -- 175,000 tickets for it were sold charges alleging that it breached health and referred to as Patient A, on a private basis between there is suff icient evidence and it is in the public using the Internet and from speaking to anyone in October within 24 hours of booking opening. safety law as Ford reprised his role as Han February 2011 and late 2014. He admitted that interest for Harris to be charged with seven counts about the trial. The case was thrown out of The play is based on an original story by Rowling Solo. A hearing will take place at a court near during that time he had a two-year inappropriate of indecent assault,” a CPS spokesman said. court as a result. and is written by Jack Thorne the studios on May 12. relationship with her. Premier ‘will Sunderland sacks soccer star delay’ Trident vote until after EU referendum

Whitehall sources say prime 1966, wants to abandon La- minister is prepared to wait bour’s support for multilateral to seek national consensus disarmament in favour of unilat- behind £31bn nuclear eral disarmament. But he faces deterrent renewal strong resistance from trade un- ion leaders and may struggle to Guardian News and Media change the policy at the Labour London conference in the autumn. If the EU referendum is delayed until September - a possible sce- avid Cameron is to de- nario if Cameron fails to reach lay holding a parliamen- agreement in his renegotiations Dtary vote on renewing the next week - there is an outside Trident nuclear weapons pro- chance that the parliamentary gramme until after a referendum vote could still be held in July. on Britain’s EU membership, The prime minister knows the according to senior Whitehall Trident vote must be held this sources. year and does not want the re- The prime minister believes newal of Trident to be held hos- that the referendum campaign, tage to the EU negotiations, but which could be in full swing in just there are currently no plans in over a week’s time, will complicate Whitehall for the Trident vote to eff orts to build a strong national be held before the referendum. consensus behind the £31bn re- The government acknowl- newal of the nuclear deterrent. edges that it faces a particular Former Sunderland soccer player Adam Johnson arrives with his girlfriend Stacey Flounders at Bradford Crown Court in Bradford, northern England, yesterday. There had been an expecta- challenge in arguing in favour Sunderland terminated Johnson’s contract, hours after the 28-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one charge of grooming. Adidas tion that the “maingate” vote to of the renewal of Trident: the cancelled its contract with Johnson on Thursday. approve the Successor genera- threat from other nuclear-armed tion of four nuclear submarines states. There are fi ve countries - would be held in March. But the Russia, Iran, China, North Korea main parliamentary approval and Pakistan - which are seen will be delayed until at least July to present varying degrees of if the EU referendum is held on threats over the next 50 years. the prime minister’s preferred Iran presents no threat at the date of June 23. moment in the wake of the Iran The decision to delay the vote nuclear deal, but there is a belief will fuel speculation that Down- that the deal off ers no guarantee ing Street is seeking to exploit over the coming decades. Independent to end print Labour divisions over the nucle- Pakistan is not seen to rep- ar weapons programme. resent any threat to the UK, al- The prime minister insists though there are fears that it that his focus is on making and has the capability and the will to winning the argument for re- launch an attack as the smaller newing the Trident programme. of the two nuclear powers on the But he believes that Labour’s subcontinent. edition , set to go digital confused position is helping his North Korea is seen as deeply campaign to reach out to middle unstable and a threat as it em- ground voters. barks on missile tests, but the Reuters casualty of the change in news “This decision preserves division of the Evening Stand- the status of the Evening Stand- He mocked the shadow de- two most worrying big pow- London reading habits brought about the Independent brand and al- ard, The Independent, i, London ard, which continues to grow fence secretary Emily Thorn- ers are Russia, which is testing by the internet. lows us to continue to invest Live and their digital platforms, as a profi table and success- berry in the House of Commons Nato defences on a regular basis, From a peak of around in the high quality editorial said it would create 25 new dig- ful newspaper brand in its own on Wednesday for adopting “an- and China. Beijing enjoys more he Independent newspa- 400,000 copies a day, circu- content that is attracting more ital content roles, launch a new right,” it added. other completely ludicrous La- friendly relations with Nato per is to disappear from lation has fallen to little more and more readers to our online subscription mobile App and It confi rmed that it will sell bour position on defence”. countries than Moscow but, in Tnewsstands next month than one-tenth of that fi gure, platforms,” said owner Evgeny continue to invest in quality i newspaper to Johnston Press, Thornberry, a Trident sceptic every war game carried out by after its Russian owner said the despite innovations like moving Lebedev in a statement yester- journalism. subject to Johnston Press share- who is conducting a review into Washington, the US ends up in a 29-year-old title would only to a tabloid from broadsheet for- day. New editorial bureaux would holder approval. Labour’s support for the pro- confl ict with China. publish online, in the stark- mat and a period of splashing on “The newspaper industry is open in Europe, the Middle East “A significant number of gramme, said the submarines MPs will be voting on the entire est sign yet of the pressures radically diff erent stories from changing, and that change is and Asia, and the US operation employees are expected to could be as outdated as Spitfi res Trident replacement programme weighing on the newspaper in- its rivals. being driven by readers,” add- would be expanded. move across to Johnston Press within the next decade because which, if approved, will see the dustry. A move to sell profi table sis- ed Lebedev, who also owns The Independent’s last pa- ...,” it said, but added there China and Russia may be able to fi rst of four Successor subma- The paper launched by a ter title ‘i’ to Johnston Press, an- the free London daily, the per edition is expected to be would be some editorial re- detect them. rines come into service in the early group of journalists in 1986 nounced on Thursday, put the Evening Standard. “They’re on March 26 with the last In- dundancies among editorial Jeremy Corbyn, who has been 2030s at an overall cost of £31bn. with the slogan “Independ- future for the print editions of the showing us that the future is dependent on Sunday on the employees, the exact amount a member of the Campaign for There is also a further £10bn in ent, it is - are you?” has be- loss-making Independent and digital.” preceding March 20, ESI said. to be confirmed after a consul- Nuclear Disarmament since contingency earmarked. come Britain’s highest-profile Independent on Sunday in doubt. ESI Media, the commercial “The move has no bearing on tation period. Honoured Journalists threatened Villiers denies state role amid Irish ‘gang war’ in Troubles atrocities porter murdered by drug lords in AFP Dublin 1996. DPA pre-existing sectarian divisions and a narrative of the Troubles “Our media group will not be London were deepened and entrenched.” that is not justifi ed by the facts. deterred from serving the pub- Villiers praised “the remark- “Of all the deaths that oc- rish police warned journal- lic interest and highlighting the able dedication, professionalism curred during the Troubles, ists working for some of the threat to society at large posed by he British state caused and courage” of Northern Ireland’s 60% were caused by republican Icountry’s top newspapers such criminals,” added Rae. about 10% of deaths dur- Royal Ulster Constabulary and Brit- groupings, 30% by loyalists, and that they were under threat from INM said it decided to go pub- Ting Northern Ireland’s ish troops stationed in the territory, 10% by the state,” she said. organised crime gangs following lic with the threats to expose how sectarian Troubles and paramili- saying more than 1,000 members Republican party Sinn Fein a spate of shootings. the criminal gangs operate. tary groups were responsible for of the security forces had died in the criticised Villiers’ speech and Media group INM, which in- Ireland Prime Minister Enda the other 90%, Northern Ireland violence over three decades. said British secrecy over secu- cludes titles the Irish Independ- Kenny condemned the threats Secretary Theresa Villiers said. She rejected a “pernicious rity forces’ activities during the ent and Sunday Independent said the journalists had the gov- Villiers praised security forces counter narrative” that seeks to Troubles was “stopping progress — the country’s biggest selling ernment’s “full support”. for their work, saying that while “place the state at the heart of on dealing with the past.” newspaper — said police had put “On behalf of the government they were involved in some “tru- nearly every atrocity and mur- “The fact is that the British state staff on offi cial alert. and myself I deplore and condemn ly shocking” incidents she want- der that took place,” but admit- has tried to absolve and distance “This is an outrageous threat any threat made to any journalist,” ed to counter “deliberate distor- ted there were “instances where the actions of its forces and agents to the freedom of the press in Kenny said in a statement. tion” by critics who claim abuses members of the police and armed from having any responsibility Ireland and we are taking the “Those who engaged in the were “rife or endemic.” services fell below the high for the confl ict, and the suff ering threats with the utmost seri- recent killings on our streets will “Over the period of the so- standards we expect of them.” experienced by all sides,” Dec- ousness,” said INM chief editor be brought to justice and no re- called Troubles, broadly speak- “Sadly, we know that there are lan Kearney, Sinn Fein’s national Stephen Rae. source will be spared in doing ing from 1968 to 1998, over some truly shocking instances chairperson, said in a statement. “It is disturbing that threats so.” 3,500 people were killed, mostly, where they fell drastically short Kearney accused the govern- England international cricket player James Anderson of this nature have emerged as Armed police are still manning though not all, here in Northern of those standards,” Villiers said. ment of using a “national security poses with his medal with wife Daniella and daughters we approach the 20th anniver- roadblocks across the capital Ireland,” she said in a speech at “But to suggest that miscon- pretext” in an attempt to prevent Lola (front left) and Ruby (front right) after being sary of the death of our colleague Dublin after two men were shot Ulster University in Belfast. duct by the police and our armed information disclosure focussing appointed an Off icer of the Order of the British Empire Veronica Guerin, who was mur- dead in the last week. “Thousands more were maimed forces was somehow rife or en- on the role of “the most senior lev- (OBE) for services to cricket at an investiture ceremony at dered by criminals for exposing It is believed that the two or injured,” she said. “Businesses demic is, in the view of this gov- els of British state decision mak- Buckingham Palace in London. their activities.” murders are linked to an ongoing and livelihoods were destroyed, ernment, a deliberate distortion ing” during the Troubles. Guerin was an Irish crime re- feud between two rival gangs. Gulf Times Saturday, February 13, 2016 9 EUROPE

Italy buries slain Greece gets deadline to student

AFP Rome address border issues AFP cope with the surge from Greece Greece must report back on how An EU source told AFP that analyses, human resources and 18-19, could also help Turkey fi - taly bade a tear-soaked fare- Brussels through the Balkans. the scheme is being implement- Greece voted against the ultima- training as well as equipment nancially. well yesterday to slain stu- A report adopted 10 days ear- ed. tum, while Cyprus and Bulgaria and international co-operation. Brussels and Ankara remain Ident Giulio Regeni as Prime lier by the European Commis- If Greece fails to remedy the abstained. Germany, which received at odds despite their November Minister Matteo Renzi warned U member states have giv- sion, the EU executive, found problems by mid-May, Brussels In a document published on 1.1mn asylum-seekers last year, aid-for-co-operation deal to Egypt their countries’ close ties en Greece a three-month Greece was failing to properly could authorise other member the European Council website, has been the main destination curb the tide of migrants making were on the line over the young Eultimatum to remedy register and fi ngerprint migrants states to exceptionally extend Greece rejected the report’s con- for most of the migrants enter- their way from Turkey, which man’s brutal and unexplained “defi ciencies” in controlling the during inspections at the Turk- border controls within the EU’s tention that it was responsible ing Europe. hosts 2.7mn Syrian refugees. death in Cairo. infl ux of migrants or eff ectively ish land border and several is- cherished Schengen area, in- for “serious defi ciencies” in German Chancellor Angela A senior Turkish offi cial said More than 3,000 people at- face suspension from the Schen- lands in the Aegean Sea last No- cluding with Greece, for up to border control and denied it was Merkel’s liberal refugee policy yesterday that some 100,000 tended a private funeral for the gen passport-free zone. vember. two years, instead of the normal “seriously neglecting its obliga- came under fi re again as French Syrian refugees are being looked 28-year-old in his home town The decision – taken by min- “It is of utmost importance six months. tions”. Prime Minister Manuel Valls after in camps inside Syria close of Fiumicello in northeastern isters over Greek objections – is that Greece addresses the issues Such a scenario is outlined Greece also said it had taken warned it is not sustainable in to the Turkish border as they fl ee Italy, nine days after his torture- the culmination of weeks of identifi ed in the report adopted under article 26 of the Schengen a number of measures at “sub- the long run, even if it is “justi- the latest upsurge in fi ghting. scarred body was found dumped pressure on Greece, the main by the Commission as a mat- border code. stantial national fi nancial and fi ed temporarily”. As Ankara came under EU and in a ditch on the outskirts of the gateway for the million refugees ter of priority and urgency,” EU Germany, which along with social cost” and reminded Brus- But Merkel, without naming UN pressure to open its border, Egyptian capital. and migrants who entered Eu- ministers said in a document other member states introduced sels that the massive infl ux on its the EU members involved, told Turkish President Recep Tayyip A two-hour service in the rope last year, stoking the con- containing 50 recommenda- border controls late last year, on borders would put any member reporters in Berlin that there was Erdogan on Thursday threatened town’s sports hall culminated tinent’s biggest such crisis since tions published on the European Thursday extended the meas- state under “severe pressure”. “a group of countries” which to send the millions of refugees in a poignant message from his World War II. Council website. ures until May, the limit under However, it said it would con- may voluntarily accept more in Turkey to EU member states. mother Paola Regeni, read on her Austria’s Foreign Minister Se- The document gave Greece, current Schengen provisions. tinue co-operating with the EU refugees in exchange for redou- In an interview with AFP in behalf by a friend of Giulio’s. bastian Kurz then warned Mac- which is already struggling to The Schengen area allows and its institutions in dealing bled eff orts from Turkey to tack- Damascus, Syrian President “Thank you Giulio for having edonia that it should be ready emerge from a massive debt cri- passport-free travel through 26 with the crisis. le illegal immigration into, and Bashar al-Assad urged Europe to taught me so many things. The to close its border to migrants, sis, one month to “establish an countries, most of them in the The council website said out of, its territory. stop “giving cover to terrorists energy of your thinking will stay saying that Vienna may also action plan to remedy the defi - EU, and is put forward as one Greece had to take action on reg- She said this group, which will in the beginning and through in my heart. Your thinking about begin turning refugees away in ciencies”. of the major European achieve- istration procedures, sea border meet on the margins of an EU sanctions imposed on Syria” and how to love, how to understand coming months as it struggles to After a further two months, ments on unity. surveillance, border checks, risk summit in Brussels on February help Syrians return home. and how to build tolerance. I love you. Mamma.” Hours earlier Renzi had said Egypt was co-operating with Rome’s demand that Italian in- France to evict almost 1,000 migrants from the ‘Jungle’ vestigators be fully involved in the investigation into the death of the 28-year-old. Reuters tainers, opened last month. a 100m (110-yard) strip next to a “For the moment, all our re- Paris The south part of the camp will road that passes above the camp, quests have been met and above then be fl attened in a week’s time. forcing some 500 to 700 people to all we have demanded that every The containers, designed to move their tents. element should be put on the rance plans to close part accommodate up to 1,500 peo- An estimated 4,000 migrants table in order that the truth can of a camp for migrants ple, are equipped with bunk beds, now live in the state shelters and be established and those really Fnear Calais on its northern heaters and windows but lack toi- in the “Jungle”. responsible can be detained,” Channel coast within a week, lets and showers. This number had spiked to Renzi told Radio Anch’io. “This forcing almost 1,000 people to Many refugees told Reuters 6,000 in September and many has been a tragic event.” leave, offi cials said yesterday. they were reluctant to move there believe the fi gure will rise again as Regeni disappeared on Janu- Thousands of people fl eeing because access is controlled by the spring approaches. ary 25. Many Italians believe he poverty and war have converged handprint technology. Incidents involving migrants was abducted and killed by ele- at a camp near Calais called the Others would be encouraged to and the police have surged since ments of the Egyptian security “Jungle” over the past year in move to other migrant centres in last October when security near services, an allegation the au- hopes of making it to Britain France. the Channel Tunnel was rein- thorities in Cairo have rejected. where lower unemployment, the “I hope we don’t have to make forced to prevent anybody from According to media reports, English language and fewer iden- an eviction by force,” Fabienne entering the Eurotunnel infra- the Italian team in Cairo have tity checks are still seen as big Buccio, the regional prefect, told structure. questioned an Egyptian national draws. Reuters. “The conditions are On January 23, some 200 refu- who has testifi ed that he saw French authorities said they there for us to do that and fl atten gees managed to break into the a foreigner being bundled into would off er 750 migrants, many part of the camp that gives Calais port of Calais, enabling some of a police van close to Regeni’s from Africa and the Middle East, a bad image.” them to board the front deck of a house around the time he disap- spaces in a state-run shelter The decision comes a month British ferry, after a demonstra- peared on January 25. A photo taken yesterday shows a partial view of the so-called ‘Jungle’ migrant camp in Calais. made of converted shipping con- after authorities decided to clear tion of support for migrants.

Earth says First Arab contender in 20 years goodbye kicks off Berlin fi lm festival race to comet AFP than impart a political “mes- Berlin sage”, his movie describes a kind probe of personal revolution. The movie is part of a spe- This file image received from the European Space Agency (ESA) on love story set against the cial focus on Arab cinema at the Philae February 6, 2004 shows a computer generated image of the ESA aftermath of Tunisia’s festival, with keenly awaited space landing capsule Philae. Awatershed revolution features in its sidebar sections kicked off the competition at including a Saudi “romantic AFP Placing a probe on 67P marked “In July-August, we tried very the Berlin fi lm festival yesterday comedy”. Paris a breakthrough moment in the hard with Rosetta to make con- as the fi rst Arab-produced con- The fi lm’s main character European Space Agency (ESA)’s tact, including fl ying trajectories tender in two decades. Hedi – whose name means “se- mission to prod a comet for clues close enough and in the same Hailing from the North Afri- rene” in Arabic – “isn’t unem- cientists gave up yesterday to the origins of life on Earth. direction as those where we did can country that triggered the ployed, his family doesn’t have trying to contact robot lab The months that followed hear from Philae previously” but Arab Spring, Hedi is the debut any money problems ... but he Cast members Rym Ben Messaoud, Sabah Bouzouita (left) Majd SPhilae, stubbornly silent on yielded exciting scientifi c fi nds, to no avail. feature-length fi lm of Tunisian feels out of place in society”, Ben Mastoura (second left) and director Mohamed Ben Attia attend a the surface of a comet streaking and more than a little drama, as The absence of a signal does fi lmmaker Mohamed Ben Attia. Attia said. news conference to promote the movie Hedi at the 66th Berlinale through space – closing a cap- Philae intermittently phoned in itself not prove the lander is It is the fi rst Arab production When he meets a tour guide International Film Festival. tivating chapter in an historic home between long bouts of dead, as it may simply be unable set in the Arab world since 1996 called Rim and love strikes, Hedi quest. sleep. to make contact with Rosetta. to vie for prizes at Europe’s fi rst (played by Majd Mastoura) be- 2010 after the death of a street an overbearing mother, conven- “Time to say goodbye to Phi- The lander “tweeted” about its But after seven months of si- major cinema showcase of the gins to ask serious questions vendor who set himself on fi re tions!” lae,” announced the German exploits, also captured in a car- lence, “I think the general con- year, a festival spokeswoman about the kind of man he wants in protest at unemployment and Tunisia is hailed as a rare suc- Aerospace Centre DLR, and said toon depicting Philae as an in- sensus is that it’s over”, said Mc- said. to be. police harassment, leading Ben cess story of the Arab Spring, it “will no longer be sending any trepid adventurer with a hard hat Caughrean. “It’s not that I’m not ambi- Their passionate aff air marks Ali to fl ee the country. although authorities have failed commands”. and studded boots – Rosetta’s Philae’s landing 15 months ago tious, but I never imagined go- an unprecedented revolt by the In the tumult wrought by to improve the economy and last Philae’s comet host is moving brave little “brother”. was bumpy – the lab bounced ing to Berlin! All of us are sur- timid Hedi, who is due to enter the revolution, Hedi “discovers month imposed a nationwide further and further away from Philae last phoned home on several times before ending up at prised,” Ben Attia told AFP. into a marriage arranged by his himself through a love story” curfew to curb some of the worst the Sun and its battery-boosting July 9 last year as the comet an angle in shade. The only other debut feature domineering mother. and “detaches himself from social unrest since the revolu- rays, and by this point “there is closed in on its closest and most But this also changed its mis- in the race this year – British Ben Attia said he himself used conventions”. tion. indeed little hope to still get a sunbathed point, or perihelion, sion specs. theatre director Michael Grand- to be a “conformist”, selling cars He realises “he has another “It’s true we have a bit of a signal”, project manager Stephan reached on August 13. If it had been out in the open, age’s Genius – has an all-star for a living – much like his lead choice – but then, after the eu- hangover,” Ben Attia said. “We Ulamec told AFP. Looping out again on its 6.5- as planned, Philae would likely cast including Colin Firth, Jude character – before launching phoria, he discovers it’s not all thought he (Ben Ali) just needed The probe was “probably” year orbit, the comet by now is have overheated around April Law and Nicole Kidman. into fi lmmaking. that easy”, Ben Attia said in Tu- to leave for it all to get better.” covered with comet dust, and some 350mn km from the Sun, 2015, as 67P approached the Sun. Hedi was warmly received at The wake-up call came on nis ahead of the festival. In the fi lm, the lovers Hedi shaded on the craggy surface likely too far and much too cold Instead, the probe entered a press preview ahead of its gala January 14, 2011 standing in the Critics have praised the fi lm, and Rim (played by Rym Ben of its alien home – comet 67P/ for Philae to recharge and reboot. standby mode on November 15, world premiere as one of 18 fi lms crowd outside the interior min- with London-based Geoff An- Messaoud) start thinking about Churyomov-Gerasimenko. Once out of the Sun’s reach, 2014 after sending home data from around the world vying for istry demanding the removal of drew tweeting: “Berlinale com- quitting the country. Comet-orbiting mothership Philae “will go into permanent from some 60 hours of comet the festival’s Golden Bear top longtime dictator Zine el Abi- petition starts well ... Strong But the director said he has Rosetta will continue listening hibernation”, according to the sniffi ng and prodding with eight prize, with three-time Oscar dine Ben Ali. portrait of young man torn be- never contemplated leaving, es- for Philae for a month or two, DLR, which hosts the lander of its 10 instruments. winner Meryl Streep heading up It was the end of an era “un- tween marriage and unpredict- pecially as Tunisian fi lms make until it can no longer spare the control centre in Cologne. It awoke on June 13, and the jury. der censorship that we thought ability.” waves abroad. energy required. “Still listening, but I fear @ “tweeted”: “Hello Earth! Can The fi lm’s tale of “emotional was only political, but in fact New York-based fi lm writer “Tunisian cinema has been on But Ulamec insisted: “To be Philae2014 is facing tough con- you hear me?” upheaval” echoes Tunisia’s re- was (also) sedating everybody”, Aseem Chhabra called it on the move. We’ve seen fi lms that honest and to be realistic: It’s re- ditions on #67P...,” Rosetta After eight brief contacts, the cent history, said Ben Attia, who he said. Twitter a “strong story about a stand out, that are well received ally not likely that we will hear “tweeted” yesterday. lab fell silent again. turns 40 this year. But rather Protests swept Tunisia in late man setting himself free from abroad and at home,” he said. anything anymore.” The tweet sported a drawing of In January this year, ground The washing machine-sized a worried-looking Rosetta imag- controllers relayed commands probe’s exploits captured the ining Philae in a thought bubble for Philae to activate an onboard Judge hands Dutch ‘serial’ rapist maximum 16 years prison term hearts and minds of thousands, – a box-shaped character asleep instrument in the hopes this hardened scientists and chil- on a mat on the ground in com- would shake dust from its solar A Dutch man found guilty of committing four “The court is very shocked by the cruelty of ‘unimaginable brutality’”, the court said in a dren alike, who followed its every plete darkness between cliff s, lit- panels and better align the robot. rapes and suspected of a raft of others some your actions and the disregard you showed statement. move via social media and fretted tle fi ngers gripping a blanket. They heard nothing back. two decades ago was sentenced to 16 years your victims,” judge Alex van Maanen told the Gerard T was apparently tracked down after when it fell silent. “... we can’t prove anything, Rosetta will continue its comet in jail yesterday. accused at the Utrecht regional court. he was tried for a 2014 bike theft and required Philae touched down on No- but certainly the suggestion is observations, said ESA, moving The 52-year-old man, identified simply as “Society as a whole has been appalled,” he to give a DNA sample. vember 12, 2014, after a 10-year, that the lander is either dead or in closer and closer until Sep- Gerard T because of Dutch privacy laws, was said in a videoclip shown by the NOS public To the “great surprise” of the investigators 6.5bn km (4bn-mile) odyssey broken,” European Space Agen- tember when it will join Philae on suspected of seven rapes and 16 assaults, but newscaster. his DNA matched other samples left behind through space, piggybacking on cy (ESA) senior science adviser the surface of 67P in an endless was only charged with four rapes between The judge handed “down the maximum during a series of rapes in the western city of Rosetta. Mark McCaughrean told AFP. loop around the Sun. 1995 to 2001. sentence as the man acted with Utrecht, particularly in 1995 and 1996. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, February 13, 2016 INDIA

CRIME CLARIFICATION DECISION TESTIMONY LEGAL Senior BJP leader ‘No plans’ for joint TERI sends Pachauri Headley confirms move CPI-M leader remanded gunned down in Bihar US-India navy patrols on indefinite leave to target Bal Thackeray in judicial custody

A senior Bharatiya Janata Party politician was There are currently no plans for joint naval TERI executive chairman R K Pachauri, who has Pakistani-American terrorist-turned-approver A court yesterday remanded Communist Party gunned down yesterday as he returned home patrols by the US and India, the US State been accused of sexually harassing a junior David Coleman Headley yesterday said he had of India-Marxist leader P Jayarajan, an accused from a wedding, police said. Vishveshwar Ojha, Department said. Reuters reported on colleague, was yesterday sent on an indefinite recced Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar West in Mumbai in the murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak vice-president of the BJP in Bihar, was sprayed Wednesday that the US and India had held talks leave by the organisation, days after being with the intention of targeting the building and the Sangh activist E Manoj, in judicial custody for a with bullets on his way back from the ceremony in about conducting joint naval patrols, quoting promoted as the vice chairman. “Pachauri, who then party supremo Bal Thackeray. Headley said he month. The Kerala High Court had on Thursday Bhojpur district. “He had gone to attend a wedding a US defence off icial saying they could include had been at the head of the institute since 1982, had developed close links with Rajaram Rege, who rejected Jayarajan’s anticipatory bail plea. The and he was shot at by unidentified gunmen as the disputed South China Sea, a move that will be on leave from TERI, TERI governing was the public relations off icer to Bal Thackeray’s Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing he was returning,” police superintendent Naveen would likely anger China, which claims most council and TERI University till this is reviewed son Uddhav, now the Shiv Sena chief, and visited Manoj’s murder, named Jayarajan as an accused. Chandra Jha said. The 45-year-old, who had 10 of the waterway. “The US and India do have a by the governing council given the subjudice the Bhavan twice. “I took videos of the Shiv Sena He was booked under the Unlawful Activities charges of attempt to murder against him, was shared vision of peace, stability and prosperity nature of the matter,” a TERI statement said. The Bhavan from outside and inside... I thought the LeT (Prevention) Act. Just before presenting himself likely attacked due to a feud with his political rivals, in Asia,” state department spokesman Mark statement also mentioned that Ashok Chawla, a (Lashkar-e-Taiba) would be interested in attacking in the Tellichery court, Jayarajan, 63, told according to local media reports. Ojha failed to win Toner told a daily briefing. “At this time, there former finance secretary and former chairman it or even carry out an assassination of its head (Bal reporters that the “false case” was an outcome a seat in recent state elections in Bihar which is run are no plans for any joint naval patrols,” he of the Competition Commission, will be the new Thackeray),” Headley told special Tada court judge of a tacit understanding between the RSS and by a broad-brush alliance. added. TERI chairman. G A Sanap. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Kerala CM pledges free rice for poor in budget

IANS rice from the next fi scal to all fami- Thiruvananthapuram lies below the poverty line. His budget proposals revolved around his pet slogan - develop- ment and care. He set aside Rs1bn erala Chief Minister Oom- for a new project named ‘kanivu’ men Chandy yesterday (concern) for the poorest of the Kpresented the state’s budg- poor and those who suff er from et after a period of 22 years despite various ailments. opposition. Chandy had last pre- The monthly pension for all sented the state budget in 1994. those aged 75 and above has been When Speaker N Sakthan called raised to Rs1,500. on Chandy to present the budget, Some 3mn people will ben- members of the Left opposition in efi t from the insurance scheme the assembly raised placards and launched by the prime minister banners highlighting the bar and after Chandy said their insurance solar scams in Kerala to criticise premium would be borne by the the government. state government. Fifteen minutes into his budget He also set aside Rs7.64bn for presentation, the Left opposi- reviving the beleaguered agricul- Congress President Sonia Gandhi visits her parliamentary constituency of Rae Bareli yesterday. During the visit, Gandhi inspected the development works in the villages and tion distributed copies of what ture sector and announced raising met party leaders and workers. they claimed were relevant budget the farmers monthly pension to documents and said the sanctity of Rs750. the whole budget was lost as it was “A sum of Rs5bn is being ear- leaked before being presented. marked to ensure that the bench- Chandy in his budget yesterday mark price of one kg of rubber is promised to provide 25kgs of free kept at Rs150. In the present fi scal this amount was Rs3bn,” Chandy said. Air Kerala plans get Three new agriculture colleges Gandhis need to face trial a Rs100mn boost and a new agri-polytechnic will be set up in the new fi scal. Hopes of bringing into existence Another Rs1bn was set aside for Kerala’s own airline received a building a new dam in place of the boost yesterday as Chief Minister leaking Mullaperiyar dam. Oommen Chandy announced A total of Rs.25.36bn has been Rs100mn had been set aside for set aside for major infrastructure in graft case: top court the project in the state budget. projects like the Vizhinjam port, “I have set aside Rs100mn for Kannur airport, Kochi metro, Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stage in the case. ing state taxes is stuck. after the Supreme Court deci- commencing Air Kerala. It will be suburban rail corridor and the New Delhi ruling group. The Gandhis deny any The Nehru-Gandhi dynasty sion. done once we get the Centre’s proposed light metro projects But the court said it saw no wrongdoing. ruled India for most of its post- Congress leader Kapil Sibal sanction to commence flights to in Thiruvananthapuram and justifi cation for interfering in The two leaders had appeared independence era after 1947 said the party welcomed the the Middle-East countries from Kozhikode. he Supreme Court yes- the trial conducted by the lower in a Patiala House court in the and helped shape the country’s court’s decision to exempt the here,” Chandy said in his speech The budget also saw the ear- terday said that opposi- court. However it granted them capital on December 19, after institutions. Detractors accuse Gandhis from appearing in while presenting the budget in marking of Rs50bn to the local Ttion leaders Sonia Gandhi leave from attending regular the Delhi High Court refused the family of holding back eco- court and would continue to the Kerala assembly. The project bodies in the state as part of the and her son, Rahul, will have to hearings. to cancel summons to them. nomic development with so- fi ght Swamy’s “false allega- has been caught in turbulence plan fund allocation. After K M face trial in a case involving the “Their presence will cause In what was seen as a show of cialist policies. tions”. ever since he first mooted it dur- Mani, the state fi nance minister, alleged misuse of party funds, more inconvenience than con- strength, they had walked into The legal case, brought by Swamy has accused the Gan- ing his first tenure as chief min- quit following an adverse court re- but exempted them from ap- venience in the court. These court fl anked by top leaders of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy dhis of cheating and criminal ister (2004-06). At present, rules mark last year, the fi nance portfo- pearing in court. people are of such prominence their party and were granted bail against the Gandhis, has further breach of trust by setting up a for flying on international routes lio was handled by Chandy. The two members of the and they are not going to run in under fi ve minutes. poisoned ties and there are no shell company to illegally gain stipulate that a company should Chandy said the IT exports that Nehru-Gandhi dynasty had away,” the Supreme Court said, Modi and his Bharatiya Janata signs of compromise, political control of properties worth own 20 aircraft and should have stand at Rs110bn are expected to approached the top court to adding that the trial court judge Party are bitterly opposed to analysts say. $300mn that belonged to a operated domestic flights for five touch Rs150bn. He added that he throw out the case which their could seek a personal appear- the Congress party, leading to “The main prayer for which company that published a years. was setting aside Rs4.83bn for the Congress party says is a ven- ance by the two top Congress a gridlock in parliament where they (Gandhis) came has been newspaper founded by Rahul’s IT sector. detta carried out by a member of leaders if it needed to at any key legislation such as simplify- defeated,” Swamy told reporters great grandfather.

Killer jumbo Police charge students Goa threatens to list peacocks as vermin with sedition after protest AFP But animal rights groups Panjim fear the Goa government’s proposal to reclassify the pea- IANS told the court that Kumar’s in- ber Maheish Girri and the Akhil cock as a “nuisance animal” is New Delhi terrogation was needed to ascer- Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the oa has ruffled a few intended to make it easier to tain his alleged links with some students’ organisation associ- feathers with its pro- cull the birds. terrorist groups and identify the ated with the Rashtriya Swayam- Gposal to reclassify the “Goa seems to be trying awaharlal Nehru Univer- others who had shouted anti- sevak Sangh (RSS). national bird the peacock as to... (have) India’s nation- sity (JNU) students’ union national slogans along with him. The university witnessed vermin, making them easier al bird labelled this way so Jpresident Kanhaiya Kumar The police informed the court violence between two student to cull, reports said yester- that they may be hunted and was yesterday arrested in a case that they were in search of fi ve groups on Tuesday night over the day. killed,” Poorva Joshipura, the of sedition and criminal con- others identifi ed as Umar Khalid, holding of the event after which The move comes just weeks CEO of PETA India, claimed. spiracy. Anirvan Bhattacharya, Ashutosh, police was deployed there to after Goa’s legislative assem- “If Goa wants to remain on Kumar was arrested on charges Anant Prakash and Rama Naga. maintain law and order. bly caused similar conster- the tourist map, people expect of raising anti-India slogans at The magistrate too viewed the The event allegedly saw the nation when it ruled that the it to be an ideal place for ani- an event organised by the stu- footage submitted by the police. raising of anti-India slogans. The resort state’s beloved coconut mals too,” she added. dents to mark the execution of Kumar, however, told the court JNU authorities have instituted trees were not in fact trees, but Last month, opposition Parliament attack convict Afzal that the police had implicated an inquiry as to how the event palms. politicians in Goa reacted Guru, who was hanged in the him in a false case. was held despite withdrawal of “We have listed several wild with outrage after the state Tihar Central Jail here on Febru- Terming the case politically permission. University offi cials species including monkey, government reclassifi ed the ary 9, 2013. motivated, Kumar said he had said they would wait for the wild bison (Gaur), peacock as coconut tree as a palm be- The JNU student leader was neither shouted any slogan nor probe report before taking ac- nuisance animals,” the Press cause it doesn’t have any arrested from a hostel in the uni- said anything against the integ- tion. Trust of India quoted Goa’s branches. versity campus hours after union rity of the country. Another meeting was held at agriculture minister Ramesh Offi cials said it was neces- Home Minister Rajnath Singh Kumar claimed he had rushed the Press Club of India in Delhi Tawadkar as saying. sary to remove the coconut called for action against ‘anti- to the spot to prevent a clash be- on Wednesday where too anti- “These animals are creating from the list of protected trees national’ elements. tween ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vi- India slogans were allegedly (a) problem for farmers and are to make it easier to fell “eco- Police claimed Kumar and dyarthi Parishad) supporters and raised and objectionable placards destroying their cultivation in nomically unviable” and dan- some others were seen in a video students organising the event. displayed. rural areas,” he told reporters, gerous trees, and replace them footage raising anti-national On Thursday, the police had The police on Friday registered according to the PTI report. with newer ones. slogans. registered a case of sedition and charges against unknown people The colourful peacock is But opponents fear it means Kumar was presented before criminal conspiracy against on a complaint fi led by the PCI A wild elephant strayed out of a forest and killed a India’s national bird and is that large swathes of coconut Metropolitan Magistrate Love- “unknown students” follow- management against the organ- 50-year-old man at Rajganj block of West Bengal’s protected under the country’s trees could be chopped down leen who remanded him in three- ing complaints by the Bharatiya isers of the event for shouting Jalpaiguri district. Wildlife Protection Act of to clear space for develop- day police custody. The police Janata Party’s Lok Sabha mem- pro-Afzal Guru slogans. 1972. ment. Gulf Times Saturday, February 13, 2016 11 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN TV channel Bid to free Pearl killer warned over foiled; 97 rebels held anti-Malala Reuters ideology is closely aligned with Islamabad Islamic State, as it wants to hate speech kill or expel Pakistan’s minor- ity Shias and establish a Sunni akistan has arrested 97 theocracy. AFP law and constitution,” it said. Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e- Al Qaeda in the Indian Sub- Islamabad “Issuing certifi cates of trea- PJhangvi militants, includ- continent was formed by glo- son and infi delity and declar- ing three commanders, in the bal Al Qaeda chief Ayman al- ing someone the enemy of the southern city of Karachi and Zawahiri in September 2014, akistan’s TV regula- country or an enemy of Islam foiled a planned attack to break and is one of dozens of Islamist tor yesterday censured is not the job of TV anchors US journalist Daniel Pearl’s militant groups, some aligned Pa leading news chan- or the participants of a TV killer out of jail, the army said against Pakistan and oth- nel for airing “hate speech” programme,” it added. yesterday. ers against its neighbours, that against Nobel Peace Prize “They are broadcasting The men are accused of in- operate in the country. winner Malala Yousafzai and such material which could en- volvement in major attacks Pakistan has been under do- her family, warning that ac- danger someone’s life.” on two Pakistani air bases, the mestic and international pres- cusations of blasphemy could Malala was awarded the Karachi airport, several re- sure to crack down on all such endanger lives. Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 gional intelligence headquar- groups, and launched a renewed Malala, who moved to Eng- along with with India’s Kai- ters and on police installations operation against some of them land after being shot in the lash Satyarthi, a fellow between 2009 and 2015, the in June 2014. head by the Taliban, is both education activist. military said. Bajwa declined to give de- admired and hated in her na- Hardline Islamists con- The LeJ’s Naeem Bokhari tails of the raids, including their tive Pakistan where some tinue to revile the teen, who and Sabir Khan, as well as Fa- timing. conservatives view her as a was shot in the head by Tali- rooq Bhatti, deputy chief of Al Several of those arrested, in- Western agent on a mission to ban insurgents in 2012 after Qaeda in the Indian Subconti- cluding Bokhari, were in the ad- shame her country. she spoke out against them for nent (AQIS), were captured by vanced stages of planning a jail- In its ruling, the Pakistan opposing girls’ education. Pakistani forces in recent raids, break attempt on the Hyderabad Electronic Media Regulatory However, there has also military spokesman Lieutenant Central Jail, Bajwa said. Authority (PEMRA) said that been an outpouring of invec- General Asim Bajwa said. Khalid Omar Sheikh, who kid- a programme aired by the 24- tive from Pakistan’s mid- “Our conclusion is that all napped and killed the Wall Street hour ARY news channel on dle classes, who may be keen of the terrorist groups are try- Journal’s Daniel Pearl in 2002, February 7 used “indecent and to educate their daughters ing to co-operate with each is being held at that jail and was In this file photograph, police surround Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, currently on death row for the uncivilised” language to de- but who object to airing the other in order to carry out ter- to be released during the raid, murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl, as he leaves a court in Karachi. scribe the 18-year-old, brand- country’s problems abroad. rorist attacks,” he told a news he said. ing her “a traitor, a blasphem- The hatred towards her conference. Six suicide bombers had been the prison compound with two about 100 prisoners, including tion, long lengths of detonating er of Allah and the Prophet stems partly from religious The LeJ and AQIS had been enlisted in the attack plan, in vans fi lled with explosives, and Sheikh, whom they were sup- cord and dozens of ball bearings. (Muhammad)”. conservatism and opposi- working “in collusion” with the addition to 19 involved in facili- had a list of about 35 prisoners posed to release, he added. The footage also showed sev- “The host and guests used tion to female empowerment, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, tating it, Bajwa said. More than they planned to kill, Bajwa said, Video images of the militants’ eral rifl es that Bajwa said had such words about Malala but also taps into scepticism also known as the Pakistani 350kg (772 lb) of explosives had displaying pencil sketches of hideout showed blue plastic bar- been stolen from police in earlier Yousafzai and her family that towards a decade-long fi ght Taliban, Bajwa added. been recovered from a building the prison allegedly made by the rels fi lled with explosives, wash- targeted attacks. undoubtedly fall under hate against militants which many Lashkar-e-Jhangvi is an Is- believed to be a hideout, he said. militants. ing machines that had been used “This plan was 90% ready for speech and use of such words Pakistanis regard as being lamist group whose sectarian The attackers planned to raid They had a separate list of to transport arms and ammuni- execution,” he added. are strictly banned under the imposed by United States. US committed to No ‘organised presence’ of Signifi cant boosting Pak’s increase in strike capability IS in Pakistan, says offi cial raids on IS in Reuters ter Intelligence Bureau direc- overthrow the government. on the passengers, killing 45. Afghanistan: Islamabad tor general Aftab Sultan told The intelligence chief’s as- Police in charge of the inves- Internews “We understand that the a parliamentary panel that IS sertion that Pakistan should tigation said the militants were Islamabad deal has not been blocked. We was co-ordinating with mili- be worried about Islamic “inspired by Daesh,” but did US general intend to continue engaging iff erent offi cials in Pa- tant groups and that hundreds State’s role prompted mixed not believe the group had any constructively with the US kistan’s government of people had left Pakistan to reactions. organisational ties to its leader- Reuters he Obama adminis- side to address specifi c con- Dhave taken seemingly join its fi ght in Syria, media “This is the fi rst time it has ship in the Middle East. Washington tration has informed cerns,” Hotiana said. contradictory stands on Islamic reports say. been offi cially admitted,” said Authorities have also raised TCongress that it is On Tuesday, US Secretary of State’s infl uence in the coun- “Let me reiterate that there Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, concerns that Islamic State committed to improving Pa- State John Kerry proposed a fi - try, after a rare warning by an is no organised presence of an opposition parliamentarian was making inroads in Punjab he United States has “sig- kistan’s precision strike capa- nancial assistance of $859.8mn intelligence chief that the Mid- Daesh in Pakistan,” foreign of- of the Muttahida Qaumi Move- province late last year “after nifi cantly” increased its air bility, which is seen as a veiled for Pakistan, including $265mn dle East-based militant group fi ce spokesman Nafees Zakaria ment (MQM) party and a mem- consolidating its position in Tstrikes against Islamic State reference to F-16 fi ghter jets. for military hardware. posed a domestic threat. told reporters in Islamabad, us- ber of the senate committee Afghanistan,” according to a (IS) in Afghanistan since Presi- In a document released this Pakistan says that the mili- Reports of stepped-up re- ing the Arabic acronym for the that Sultan briefed. government circular seen by dent Barack Obama granted com- week, the US administration tary funding is used for coun- cruitment by Islamic State (IS) group. “The government of Pakistan Reuters. manders broader authority last told lawmakers that its foreign tering terrorists who have been and a bloody attack linked to He declined any further has gone into a mode of denial,” The circular, sent by the month to target the group there, military funding (FMF) to Pa- using their hideouts on both the group last year have stoked comment when contacted by he added. “We have to recog- Punjab government in Decem- a US military spokesman has said. kistan would focus on seven sides of the Pak-Afghan border fears the movement is gaining Reuters yesterday. nise Islamic State’s existence ber, cited reports that the group IS is a relatively new force in Af- priority areas “identifi ed and to destabilise the entire region. momentum in Pakistan, de- The entry of Islamic State, and take action.” was recruiting Afghan nation- ghanistan and the militant group agreed to with the government “Counter-terrorism lies spite the government rejecting while its numbers may remain In May, militants boarded a als living in refugee camps has violently challenged the much of Pakistan”. at the heart of co-operation its formal presence. small, would complicate Paki- bus carrying members of the in Pakistan, and distributing larger Afghan Taliban movement These include “preci- under existing Defence Co- The government reasserted stan’s fi ght against indigenous minority Shia Ismaili commu- propaganda to Pakistani youth in pockets of the country. sion strike; air mobility and operation Framework between its view on Thursday, a day af- Islamist militants fi ghting to nity in Karachi and opened fi re “in a large number”. Obama granted the US mili- combat search and rescue; Pakistan and the US,” Ho- tary the authority to strike Is- counter-improvised explo- tiana said. “And the F-16 is an lamic State, also known as ISIS, sive device and survivability; essential tool in this fi ght.” Gunmen kill policeman at checkpoint ISIL, or Daesh, in January, with battlefi eld communications; Pakistan is trying to buy concerns mounting about the night operations; border se- eight Block 52, F-16 fi ghters to One police off icer was killed and Pakistan has been in the grip of Lahore metro project group’s increasing global reach. curity; and maritime security/ complete a squadron but faces two others wounded when gunmen a bloody homegrown Taliban US forces could previously strike counter-narcotics in support strong resistance in Congress. opened fire on a checkpoint in insurgency since 2007 but there IS in Afghanistan but it was un- of counter-terrorism aims.” On Wednesday, Republi- the Pakistani capital Islamabad have been very few attacks in der more narrow circumstances, The document, sent to Con- can senator Bob Corker sent a yesterday, a police spokesman said, recent years in Islamabad. such as for protection of troops. gress with the administration’s letter to Secretary Kerry de- AFP reports from Islamabad. Security in the capital, already on “We have signifi cantly in- budget proposals for 2017, scribing the proposed sale as The incident happened on the high alert, was tightened after a creased our pressure and the identifi es these areas as es- “immensely problematic”. edge of the capital when police last month’s deadly assault on a number of strikes we’ve conduct- sential to enhancing Pakistan’s “I do not want US taxpayer tried to stop two men on a university in the country’s northwest, ed against Daesh in Nangarhar counter-insurgency and coun- dollars going to support these motorcycle for a routine search. in which 21 people were killed. province over the past three ter-terrorism capabilities. acquisitions,” Corker wrote. “All of a sudden the motorcycle Pakistan launched a military weeks,” Brigadier General Wilson “F-16s have proven to be Another Republican law- riders opened fire on them, one offensive in 2014 that has Shoff ner, a US military spokes- the most potent vehicle for maker, Congressman George police head-constable has been reportedly killed thousands of man, said in a briefi ng to report- conducting precision strikes Holding, also opposed the sale. martyred,” Muhammad Zia Ul militants and pushed the rest ers. “The change in authorities against terrorists,” said Na- Pakistani offi cials say that Qamar, a spokesman for Islamabad over the border to Afghanistan, has given us additional fl exibility.” deem Hotiana, a spokesman terrorists hide in civilian areas, police, said. resulting in improved security Shoff ner declined to give specif- for the Pakistan Embassy in which increases the risk of so- Qamar said another policeman across the country. ics on the number of strikes but said Washington. called “collateral damage”. and a paramilitary soldier were But militants associated with the combined with pressure from Af- The embassy acknowledged “But the F-16s are so precise wounded. Police said they had country’s homegrown militant group, ghan security forces, they had suc- that there were “some reserva- that they drastically reduce launched a search operation to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, ceeded in containing Islamic State tions” in Congress about this this collateral damage,” said a arrest the gunmen who fled the continue to occasionally carry out in the southern part of Nangarhar sale but the deal was still on. Pakistani offi cial. scene after the shooting. attacks from bases in Afghanistan. province, in eastern Afghanistan. According to the Afghan interior ministry, Afghan and international forces conducted nearly 20 joint operations against Islamic State in Nangarhar in January. Aid hiked for heirs of overseas Pakistanis IS is not yet able to conduct operations in more than one place Internews The meeting decided to hold of the scheme is increasing as the nessmen, philanthropists, pro- at a time in Afghanistan, Shoff - Islamabad a convention of overseas Paki- amount for the scheme is being fessionals and investors, would ner said, but was attempting to stanis in Islamabad next year to gradually increased,” the OPF be invited from diff erent parts establish a base of operations in promote positive image of the chief said. The board resolved to of the world to participate in the Nangarhar and carry out low- egal heirs of overseas Paki- country. “The aid is granted un- use the potential of Pakistani di- convention, he added. level recruiting in various parts of stanis who die in a foreign der the Financial Aid Scheme,” aspora to promote positive image The meeting was attended, the country. In eastern Afghani- Lcountry will get Rs300,000 OPF managing director Habibur of Pakistan, he said. among others, by Minister for stan, Islamic State numbers some ($2,280) aid from the Overseas Rehman Khan said. “To address concerns of Pa- Overseas Pakistanis and Human 1,000 to 3,000 members, he said. Pakistanis Foundation (OPF). The meeting decided to in- kistani expatriates and to attract Resource Development Sadru- Those joining Islamic State are This was decided by the OPF crease annual budgetary al- them to invest in Pakistan, the ddin Shah Rashdi, secretary typically former members of the board at its meeting yesterday. location for the scheme from board decided to hold a conven- of the ministry Khizar Hayat Afghan Taliban or the separate Earlier, destitute families of Rs200mn to Rs240m. About 800 tion of overseas Pakistanis in Is- Khan, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Pakistani Taliban, known as TTP, overseas Pakistanis who died families of overseas Pakistanis lamabad next year,” Khan said. Chaudhry and Chairman of the A labourer working on the Orange Line Metro Train Shoff ner said. Nangarhar bor- abroad received Rs250,000 as will be provided the aid this year. Prominent members of Paki- Federal Board of Revenue Nisar Project in Lahore yesterday. ders the Federally Administered one-time fi nancial aid. “The number of benefi ciaries stani diaspora, including busi- Mohammad Khan. Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Gulf Times 12 Saturday, February 13, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Govt considers sea talks Labour leaders slam with China if it wins case

Reuters China refuses to recognise Manila the case lodged by the Philip- pines with the tribunal and says all disputes should be re- he Philippines may con- solved through bilateral talks. Duterte for comments sider two-way talks with Philippine Foreign Minister TChina to resolve a ter- Albert del Rosario, who has By Al Jacinto & Nelson S Badilla said “its ranks are ready to defend them- ine agrarian reform programme, which is ritorial dispute in the South resigned effective next month Manila Times/Zamboanga City selves from whatever form of repression a crucial step toward a people-centreed China Sea but only if it wins due to health reasons, said the Duterte or any other president may un- development, instead of national indus- its case with Beijing at an arbi- court may hand down a ruling leash on the militant trade union move- trialisation.Other labour groups such as tration tribunal in The Hague, before May. residential candidate Rodrigo Du- ment.” the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Manila’s foreign minister said “A bilateral approach per terte is in danger of losing the sup- Joel Maglunsod, KMU vice president Trade Union Congress of the Philip- yesterday. se is good,” del Rosario said in Pport of workers and labour unions for Mindanao, said knowing Duterte’s pines (TUCP), Associated Labour Unions China claims almost the en- a television interview, three in the country after he threatened to kill penchant for hyperbole, his statement (ALU), Partido Manggagawa(PM, and tire South China Sea, believed years after Manila filed the case members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, if is prone to be taken literally. He chas- the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pili- to have huge deposits of oil and in The Hague, rejecting Bei- they do not stop organising labour un- tised Duterte for making such threats, pino (BMP) also expressed dismay and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, jing’s offer of two-way talks. ions. which Maglunsod described as “irre- said they will reject Duterte’s bid for the the Philippines and Taiwan also “When the conclusion of the Duterte reportedly made the threats on sponsible and disrespectful” to work- presidency. claim the waterways where arbitration is handed down, February 9 during his team’s proclama- ers, the urban poor, drivers and sectors Last week, the Davao mayor was also about $5tn of ship-borne goods and if it is in our favour, I think tion rally in Tondo, Manila as revealed in that are represented in the labour or- assailed by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng passes annually. we should initiate a bilateral.” a video circulated on social media. ganisation. Pilipinas (KMP) for “quickly” changing Speaking on the first day of the elec- “We need to remind Mayor Duterte of his stand on the land reform programme tion campaign, Duterte was heard say- the supremacy of the Constitution, as in favor of foreign investors.Julius Cain- CRIME ing, “I will establish economic zones. he has repeatedly invoked earlier to de- glet, vice president of the FFW, said Woman arrested for illegal recruitment I will bring in investors … Come and fend, particularly Article 13, Sec 3, that Duterte’s declaration was a war on the work here. Don’t expect things would the State shall aff ord protection to la- labour movement. Duterte’s attack and The long arm of the law finally ended the nine-year pursuit against an alleged go fast. bour, including the right to organise and death threat to the KMU was “unconsti- illegal recruiter in Zamboanga City when agents of the Bureau of Immigra- “Then you KMU people should stop freedom of association. That is a right tutional and criminal,” he added. tion (BI) and the police arrested her while attempting to leave the country via the labour unions. I myself am pleading we, too, will defend vigorously, even to “To threaten to kill workers who want the Port of Zamboanga, Manila Times reported. Bless Grace Hernandez-Ar- with you. We are one in ideology. But do death,” Maglunsod said. to exercise their right to organise them- dona has been wanted in connection with several cases of illegal recruitment not do that because you will destroy my He said Duterte’s capitalist line that Rodrigo Duterte: facing criticism selves for just wages, better working and estafa, based on the arrest warrant dated December 19, 2007 issued administration. If you do that, I will kill vilifi es unionism is extremely disap- conditions, social protection and the by Judge Jose Mendoza of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch you all. What would happen is, the so- pointing following his earlier pro- The KMU also cautioned Duterte right to be heard is a direct attack on 55. She was arrested before boarding a ship bound for Sandakan, Malaysia lution would be killing. Why? Because nouncement to end labour contractuali- against any plan to establish “special workers’ and human rights,” he said. with several women she reportedly recruited to work as club entertainers I’d ask you to have a discussion and you sation. economic zones” to boost employment Alan Tanjusay, TUCP spokesperson there. Authorities are mulling human traff icking charges against Hernandez- wouldn’t bring yourselves to the table. So “May we further remind Mayor Du- and fuel economic growth. “If he meant a and ALU advocacy offi cer, told Manila Ardona for allegedly attempting to smuggle the women to Malaysia when do not do that – an active labour front. terte that as far as history goes, even the continuation of existing economic zones, Times that the PDP-Laban presidential arrested on Thursday. Estafa, under the Revised Penal Code, is punishable Because if you do, companies will pull brutality of Martial Rule under the Mar- then these are nothing but exploitative candidate will surely “face the brunt of by imprisonment to a maximum of 13 years, while illegal recruitment results out. Do not do it. Give the Philippines re- cos dictatorship and subsequent repres- neo-liberal projects which will devastate labour unions by campaigning against in not less than 12 years up to lifetime imprisonment, if three or more victims spect for about 10 years.” sions during the regimes thereafter failed the working class,” Maglunsod said. him and by making sure he will be de- are involved. However, Hernandez-Ardona could face lifetime imprisonment if KMU strongly criticised Duterte and to quell KMU,” Maglunsod said. He urged Duterte to focus on a genu- feated in the elections.” found guilty of human traff icking, which is non-bailable. Poe hits back at Binay for belittling abilities of teachers

Manila Times running mate Senator Francis Dagupan City, Pangasinan “Chiz” Escudero will continue the fight against corruption, Poe said they co-authored ndependent presidential and sponsored the Freedom of candidate Senator Grace Information (FOI) bill until it IPoe shot back at Vice Presi- was passed on third and final dent Jejomar Binay for belit- reading last year. tling the ability of the teachers If elected, Poe vowed to give like her to run for president. top priority to the enactment “Did he not realise that he into law of the FOI bill that will not reach what he has will provide the people the achieved if not for the teach- right to check the government ers,” Poe told the media during transactions involving public her campaign sortie in Pan- funds. gasinan. “Corruption remains the Poe worked for three years as big problem in our country,” a pre-school teacher while she Poe said. was in the US. The lady senator, how- “If there is somebody who ever, believed that President can understand well the situ- Aquino has never been tainted ation of our people, it is our Grace Poe: rebuttal with corruption. teacher who serves as second She said the best way to mothers to our children, they politics with a bang as she gar- fight corruption is for the are heroes who do not teach nered record 20.3mn votes to government leaders, includ- only but serve as watchers of top the mid-term senatorial ing the president, to set as an our votes,” Poe said. election. example and fast court pro- In a campaign rally in Cav- The lady senator did not ceedings in corruption cases. ite last Thursday, Binay said frustrate her voters as she has Accompanied by some of the capabilities of the teachers managed to author new laws their senatorial candidates, were good only for the teaching namely, Republic Act 10639 Poe and Escudero visited the children. or the Free Mobile Texts Dur- University of Pangasinan and “If we think that they can be ing Disasters Act and RA University of Luzon before trusted to watch our votes but 10640 which streamlines the taking a lunch break and held should not run for president, ‘Three-Witness Rule’ of the a press conference at the Star Filipino couples raise their hands in oath during a mass wedding ceremony ahead of Valentine’s Day celebration in Manila yesterday. More than 350 can the keepers of our dear Dangerous Drugs Act. Plaza Hotel in Dagupan City. couples tied the knot in a mass wedding sponsored by the local government of Manila. children not run for president. Poe also handled ma- In the afternoon, the Poe- Then that’s the sad opinion jor Senate committees that Escudero tandem visited also from other people,” she added. spearheaded the controversial the Virgen Milagrosa Univer- Poe, a leading presidential inquiries particularly on the sity and wrapped their whole candidate, assured the public Mamasapano encounter, MRT day campaign sortie by at- that though she is a newcomer glitches, illegal drugs and tending a political rally held at Hundreds join mass weddings in politics, “I was not born yes- pork barrel scam. the DepEd Central School in terday.” “If there is somebody I want San Carlos City. In 2010, Poe was appointed to thank for giving me oppor- Pangasinan is the third DPA days ahead of Valentine’s Day. 66, who has been living with her event in the Philippines before by President Benigno Aquino tunity to serve the govern- province with the highest Manila In Manila, 350 Filipino cou- partner Fernando Marcelo, 68, or on Valentine’s Day. as chairperson of the Movie & ment, it should be our presi- numbers of voters at 1.7mn. ples, including elderly couples, for more than fi ve decades. The events are usually spon- Television Review and Classi- dent because he appointed me Last Wednesday, Poe and joined a ceremony presided Ruiz said they never thought sored by local politicians or by fi cation Board (MTRCB) where and included me in the (ad- Escudero wooed the voters of undreds of Filipino cou- over by Mayor Joseph Estrada of formalising their union be- the Catholic Church in order to she instituted reforms in its ministration) coalition when I Toledo City in Cebu, the top ples took part in mass in the predominantly Catholic cause they were too busy raising legalise unions of couples who media ratings system. ran in 2013,” Poe said. province with the most num- Hweddings yesterday to country.“We want to legalise our their eight children. are too poor — or too busy— to In 2013, Poe formally entered To prove that she and her bers of voters at 2.7mn. formalise their relationships two union,” said Maria Teresa Ruiz, Mass weddings are an annual get married. Lawmakers express concern over Comelec problems

By Jeff erson Antiporda “All these issues are very disappoint- should have already been certifi ed and he wondered. Pimentel will also ask the tion to the delays and glitches will not localities.“The reports of delays, de- & Jaime R Pilapil ing because these are all happening ready at this time. Comelec to submit its original and up- be used as reasons to allow the Come- liberate or not, are a cause for alarm. Manila Times when we are already in the campaign The senator said that he also re- dated timetable to determine the delay lec to invoke their power to suspend It seems that someone is already lay- period, which means that we have less ceived information that the machines encountered by the commission on its the polls or force them to go back to ing the predicate and some do allow than 90 days from the elections” to re- rejected the ballots during the test preparation for the May 9 elections. manual voting,” UNA spokesperson these problems to surface to give them he joint congressional oversight solve all these, Pimentel noted. conducted by the poll body. Pimentel, however, said that Come- Mon Ilagan said in a statement. enough window to manipulate the committee on Automated Elec- Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, These problems, he noted, will be lec offi cials seem to be deliberately de- Under the law, the Comelec can in- elections,” Ilagan noted. Ttions System (JCOC-AES) on also alarmed by the reported glitches, tackled during the JCOC-AES hearing laying the printing of ballots in order to voke Section 5 of the Omnibus Election “We should not allow sinister par- Thursday expressed disappointment said these problems show that the set for Feb 16. postpone the elections. Code to postpone elections “in case of ties to manipulate the elections, and over the problems bugging the Com- preparations for the upcoming elec- Pimentel said the panel will ask of- “I don’t think the offi cials of the violence, terrorism, force majeure and Comelec must see beyond these de- mission on Elections (Comelec), which toral exercise had not been smooth. fi cials of the Comelec to explain the Comelec will allow themselves to go other analogous causes.” lays and glitches and probe if there are they said could cause the postpone- “Of course we are all worried. The incompatibilities found between the down in history as the most incom- The Comelec had hinted that some quarters from within who are present ment of polls in some areas. problem is the source code, that’s the consolidation and canvassing sys- petent offi cials if they fail to hold the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) to infl uence and exploit the situation,” Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimen- root cause of it all,” Marcos said. tem (CCS) in the source code and the election in May. I’m sure and I’m hop- machines were malfunctioning and he added. tel, chairman of the JCOC-AES, said The United Nationalist Alliance Election Management System (EMS) ing that it is not the case,” the senator failing to correctly read the ballots. “It is within the mandate of the he is worried over reports about in- (UNA) expressed fears that the glitches and present their solutions during the added. On Tuesday, NAMFREL said that Comelec to make sure that the conduct compatibilities in the systems used in in the source code might prompt the hearing. Deliberate or not, UNA expressed Comelec is running behind schedule of the elections is fair, credible, honest, the counting of votes, the delay in the Comelec to invoke its powers to sus- “How come it took a third party, the hopes that the technical problems will in the printing of ballots, and other orderly and peaceful. The term of Pres- printing of ballots and the source code pend the national and local elections. certifying agency SLI, to discover the not compel the Comelec to suspend technical problems compounding the ident Aquino will be ending in a few that was recently turned over to the Pimentel said that under the law, problem? How come Smartmatic did the elections. “We hope that these is- delay may force the Comelec to sus- months; this would be the best legacy Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). all systems to be used in the election not voluntarily disclose the problem?” sues and concerns being raised in rela- pend elections in selected regions or he could leave behind,” Ilagan said. Gulf Times Saturday, February 13, 2016 13 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Fuel No peace for Nepal’s ex-child supplies resume in Nepalese soldiers, 20 years after war capital AFP ended they did not look after vocational training or a retire- dless farmworkers are passed on brands prompted scathing Bhattarai said the rebels Kathmandu us,” the 27-year-old said, ahead ment payment of up to 800,000 from one generation of land- articles in the media. deserved credit for engineer- of Saturday’s anniversary of the rupees ($7,400). lords to the next, remains rife “They adopted the habits ing a political transformation DPA start of the war. But child combatants, in- in Nepal, including in Ramtel’s of other political parties very in the country that eventually Kathmandu incing with pain Maoist guerrillas fi rst at- cluding Rai, received little in village, despite Maoist pledges quickly,” said Aditya Adhikari, ended a 240-year-old Hindu every time he walks, tacked a police post in west- the way of compensation or job to wipe it out. author of “The Bullet and the monarchy. WBijay Rai is constantly ern Nepal’s Rolpa district on opportunities, after UN offi cials “The Maoists preached a Ballot Box”, a history of the The Himalayan nation’s new ong-awaited fuel sup- reminded of his decision to join February 13, 1996, launching a discovered they were underage strong ideology that would end country’s Maoist struggle. constitution established Nepal plies were ready for dis- the Maoist army aged 14, as one confl ict that eventually claimed and disqualifi ed them from the the tradition of bonded labour “They became enamoured as a secular republic, refl ecting Ltribution in the Nepalese of Nepal’s thousands of child some 16,000 lives and left process. and untouchability, that’s why of power and started disre- Maoist ideology, he said. capital Kathmandu yesterday, soldiers. hundreds more missing. Instead they were discharged I liked them,” the 24-year-old garding their social base,” “We brought about demo- months after a political crisis led Rai voluntarily took part in Nearly 4,000 children fought with 10,000 rupees ($90) and said. Adhikari said. cratic change, gave democratic to a severe fuel shortage in the the Maoist’s decade-long in- alongside the rebels. Many were off ered therapeutic courses After the Maoists swapped When successive govern- rights to the dalits, women Himalayan nation. surgency, launching attacks on conscripted by force, while such as cooking and photogra- guns for politics, they swept ments, largely Maoist-led, and others, so that part of our Nepal Oil Corporation government and army posts, others willingly took up arms, phy that were of little use in a constituent assembly elections failed to write a long-delayed promise was fulfi lled,” Bhattarai (NOC), the country’s sole sup- because he believed they were stirred by the idea of a “people’s country wracked by poverty. held in 2008, campaigning on new constitution aimed at uni- said. plier, said it would restart the fi ghting for Nepal’s millions of war” that could bring change to Khadka Bahadur Ramtel, son a platform of social change and fying the fractured country, But for former child soldiers distribution of fuel in Kath- poor and oppressed. the deeply feudal country. of a bonded labourer in north- lasting peace. prompting a second round of like Rai, who returned empty- mandu now that imports from But 20 years since the war The Maoists laid down their west Nepal, was 11 when he was But their success story took elections in 2013, the former handed to his village after the India were gradually returning began, and almost 10 years weapons in 2006 after signing forced to deliver messages for a swift wrong turn, with the guerrillas crashed in the polls, confl ict ended, the promises to normal. after it ended, Rai, unable to a peace agreement, with the UN the rebels. Despite being con- former rebels coming under fi re fi nishing in third place. were mere rhetoric. Fuel has been selling in the hold a job because of the bullet Mission in Nepal tasked with scripted, he was soon seduced for abandoning revolutionary But former Maoist premier “The Maoists fought for the black market for up to fi ve shards embedded in his arms overseeing their reintegration by their slogans promising ideals and developing a liking Baburam Bhattarai defended poor, they fought for people like times the usual price because and legs, said he feels betrayed back into society. equality and progress. for luxury. the rebels, despite quitting their us who were oppressed, that is of a blockade at the Indian and abandoned by the Maoist Out of 19,000 Maoists iden- But today Ramtel is among Strongest criticism was re- political party in September in why I joined them,” he said. border since September that leadership. tifi ed, 6,500 were off ered a those who feel betrayed by the served for Maoist chief Pushpa anger over details of the consti- “They said they would liber- cut almost all of Nepal’s fuel “They used us when they chance to join Nepal’s regular leaders they fought to protect. Kamal Dahal whose taste for tution that was fi nally adopted ate us from poverty... but they supplies. Demand was set to needed us, but when the war army while others could take Bonded labour, in which lan- imported whisky and foreign the same month. destroyed our future.” grow as the Himalayan winter descends. Some 163 liquid fuel tankers and three gas tankers arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday from the main border town of Birganj, a local offi cial said. Around 15 gas Lanka in initial discussions tankers were expected to arrive yesterday. Most of landlocked Nepal’s trade goes through the Birganj border. on IMF loan, says minister The India-Nepal border re- sumed trade on Saturday, for the fi rst time since it was halted Reuters “Their main concerns were urged Sri Lanka to reduce original estimate of 4.4%. The over four months ago amid pro- Colombo usual budget defi cit, over- its fi scal defi cit and raise tax government forecasts a defi cit tests by southern Nepalis against estimated revenue, and under revenues. of 5.9% this year. the country’s new constitution. estimated cost.” Facing a lack of dollar in- Sasha Riser-Kositsky of the Trucks were stopped from cross- ri Lanka is in initial talks He said Sri Lanka has not fl ows, President Maithripala Eurasia Group said Sri Lanka’s ing due to what India called se- with the IMF about a loan, given any proposals to the In- Sirisena’s government has re- declining reserves and increas- curity concerns. SFinance Minister Ravi ternational Monetary Fund sorted to measures that include ing external vulnerabilities Trade resumed after local resi- Karunanayake said yesterday, and no decision has been made accepting dollar deposits from concerned foreign investors. dents dismantled a camp set up K P Sharma Oli ... hoping to end any confusion in bilateral ties amid concerns over pressures about the size of the loan. mystery investors and reviving “What the IMF would de- by the southern Madheshi ethnic on its balance of payments, out- IMF spokesman Gerry Rice fi nancial ties with China, which mand would be a much more group, the main border district fl ows from government bonds said Sri Lanka was interested in chilled after Sirisena won conservative budget than we offi ce at Birganj said. and a ballooning fi scal defi cit. an IMF-supported programme elections a year ago. saw in 2016. It is going to be ex- At least 55 people have died in Higher foreign debt repay- as one option to address pres- Foreign investors have sold tremely hard,” he said. “The fi rst clashes in the region since late ments and the central bank’s sures on its external fi nancing. a net 174.4bn rupees ($1.21bn) and foremost is a major fi scal September, as Madheshi com- Nepal PM to heavy intervention to prop up “We are considering the of government bonds since correction. That will presum- munities seeking more auton- a falling rupee have depleted options and that will depend Sirisena came to power. Selling ably involve both raising taxes omy expressed their anger over Sri Lanka’s reserves by around on our assessment of mac- was driven by concerns the US and controlling spending.” the new constitution. a third to $6.3bn, as of January roeconomic vulnerabilities, Federal Reserve would tighten Kositsky said such decision An amendment to the char- 31, since they peaked in Octo- the nature and the size of bal- policy, fears that were borne would be extremely politically ter was agreed last month to ber 2014. ance-of-payments needs and out when it hiked its ultra-low unpopular. But IMF backing meet most of the demands of visit India would lift investor confi dence, “We have started the ini- government policies to address rates in December. the southern activists, although tial discussion. Now they will those vulnerabilities,” he told Sri Lanka’s fi scal defi cit wid- help address external chal- some issues - such as drawing of come at the end of March,” reporters in Washington. ened to 7.2% of gross domes- lenges and buy time for fi scal federal state boundaries - are yet on mission Karunanayake said. The global lender last week tic product last year, from an adjustments. to be resolved. Abbas to make to repair ties stopover in Dhaka Marking Tibetan New Year Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to make a AFP The unrest has triggered stopover in Dhaka tomorrow on Kathmandu concern in India, with New his way to Japan. Abbas along Delhi urging Kathmandu to with his entourage will reach hold talks with the Madhesis, Hazrat Shahjalal International epal’s prime minister who say the charter, adopted Airport at around 12.30am, an will travel to India next in September, leaves them off icial told newsmen yesterday. Nweek on a visit aimed politically marginalised. Bangladesh Foreign Minister at repairing fractured rela- India’s foreign ministry Mahmood Ali will welcome the tions between the neighbours spokesman Vikas Swarup Palestinian president and his after the end of a crippling told reporters the visit was entourage at the airport, said the months-long border blockade, “expected to lead to a further off icial at the Palestine Embassy Kathmandu said yesterday. strengthening of our age old, in Dhaka. Demonstrators in Nepal had close and friendly relations State Minister for Power, Energy obstructed a major trade route with Nepal”. and Mineral Resources Nasrul since September in protest at Slated for discussion were Hamid, chief of protocol Asad a new constitution, sparking developmental assistance, en- Alam Siam and other off icials debilitating shortages of fuel ergy and connectivity, he said, from the ministry of foreign and other vital supplies across as well as the resumption of aff airs will be present. the landlocked Himalayan commerce across the formerly All the Arab heads of missions nation. blocked checkpoint. in Dhaka will also be present to But slow movement of car- Lok Raj Baral, a former greet Abbas. go across other checkpoints Nepali ambassador to India Later, the Palestinian Embassy in a where no protests were taking said that establishing a good statement said for the continuous place prompted Kathmandu to rapport with Prime Minister international support of accuse New Delhi, which has Narendra Modi would be vital Bangladesh in Palestinian concern, criticised the constitution, of for Nepal’s new prime min- President Abbas will make his imposing an “unoffi cial block- ister on the visit, slated for first stopover in Bangladesh while ade”, a charge India denied. February 19-24. continuing his tour to three other The strained ties meant that The small country is heav- Asian countries. Tibetans perform traditional mask dance during a function organised to mark “Losar” or the Tibetan New Year in Kathmandu yesterday. K P Sharma Oli, who became ily dependent on India for fuel The visiting delegation will have a premier in October, put off vis- and other supplies. meeting with Foreign Minister Ali iting India — a traditional fi rst “Nepal has serious limi- at the Airport VVIP Lounge. stop for Nepali prime ministers tations because of its geog- During the meeting, the issue heading overseas — until the raphy so our leaders need to of Palestine, the most recent blockade ended last week. be realistic instead of chant- development of Jerusalem issue “Prime Minister Oli is now ing nationalistic slogans,” in particular will be discussed Call for editor’s resignation over false reports in a position to improve the Baral said. alongside the ongoing Israeli souring relationship with In- “Meanwhile India needs to aggressive policy which has been dia after the promulgation realise that it cannot dictate intensified since September 2015, By Mizan Rahman false news during the political meeting of Jubo League (JL), have to show ethical courage of the new constitution in terms to a sovereign country that results more than 170 lives Dhaka changeover of 2007. youth front of ruling Awami in an identical way tender- Nepal,” said the prime min- and micromanage its political of innocent Palestinian women, “Of late, the Daily Star edi- League, in the capital. The ing resignation from his post ister’s foreign aff airs adviser aff airs,” he said. youth and children. tor has confessed that he had 14-party ruling alliance will of editorship for his accused Gopal Khanal. The constitution, the fi rst Other issues of mutual interest minister and close committed a mistake by pub- hold a human-chain protest in character assassination of the “He hopes to end any con- drawn up by elected rep- between the two countries will be aide of Prime Minister lishing false news about Sheikh Dhaka on February 15 in protest politicians.” fusion in bilateral ties that has resentatives, was meant to discussed at the meeting. ASheikh Hasina yesterday Hasina about her corruption. against Pakistan’s interference Awami League joint gen- emerged in recent times,” he cement peace and bolster The Palestinian delegation will demanded immediate resigna- But damage had already been into the internal aff airs of Bang- eral secretary Mahbubul Alam said. Nepal’s transformation to a also include Minister of Foreign tion of the Daily Star editor for done by this time. Thanks for ladesh and BNP chairperson Hanif said, “None would be More than 50 people have democratic republic after dec- Aff airs of Palestine Dr Riad al publishing false news about the your confession that you have Khaleda Zia’s recent remarks spared if anybody raises con- died in clashes between police ades of political instability and Malki, presidential spokesperson prime minister. committed a mistake. But, you on the fi gure of martyrs in the troversy with any settled and protesters from southern a 10-year Maoist insurgency. Nabil Abu Rodini, special adviser Mohammad Nasim, Awami should have to tender resigna- Liberation War. matter relating to the War of Nepal’s Madhesi ethnic mi- But ongoing discussions of diplomatic aff air Dr Majdi League presidium member tion from your post in the Daily Nasim said, “Earlier, media Liberation and Khaleda Zia nority and share close cultur- between the government and al Khalidi, special economic and health and family welfare Star for your off ence as your mughal Rupert Murdock had to would be put in the dock if al, linguistic and family links protesting parties over the adviser Mustafa Abu al Rob minister, said Mahfuz Anam confession would not serve the resign for publishing false news she doesn’t withdraw her re- with Indians living across the charter have failed to yield an and ambassador of the state of should tender resignation purpose,” he said. against the prime minister of marks seeking apology to the border. agreement. Palestine in Jordan, Attallah Khairi. from his post for publishing Nasim was speaking at a Britain. Mahfuz Anam should nation.” Gulf Times 14 Saturday, February 13, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: C P Ravindran Boundless global crises

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] and reckless spoilers Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) For the fi rst time since epitomise the way a confl ict can make to transnational challenges by seeking plunging oil prices, and a lack of Fax 44350474 itself felt far beyond the battleground. refuge in national myopia. This futile modernisation. There have been a few the end of the Cold War, The confl ict in Syria has long since approach will produce only pseudo- signs of a potential rapprochement the escalation of violence ceased to be a civil war; it has become solutions – or worse. between Russia and the West, but a full-fl edged regional crisis. The Some governments have responded disagreements over Syria loom large, between major powers Islamic State – with its territorial to the migration crisis with beggar- especially after Russia supported an cannot be dismissed as an base, aggressive online presence and thy-neighbour policies, forcing advance on rebel-held Aleppo by the international network of militants adjacent countries to bear the brunt of Syrian government, which brought a GULF TIMES unrealistic nightmare (including followers in Europe) the burden, and consequently, a core rapid end to the latest round of peace – has proved to be a truly global component of European integration talks in Geneva. Russia’s failure to By Wolfgang Ischinger organisation. – the border-free Schengen Area – is implement major parts of the Minsk Munich Elsewhere, the outlook is under threat. Agreement in Ukraine is another no brighter. In Libya, Mali and Even the traditional supporters of important sticking point. Tensions escalate Afghanistan, states have collapsed a liberal global order, one based on We are likely to be entering a period he international order may be or are at risk of failing. Tensions multilateralism and international law, of growing risk, rising uncertainty, in its worst shape since the between Turkey and Russia have seem to be struggling to believe in and fundamental transformation end of the Cold War. Those grown precipitously. And, online, their ability to shape events. Claims – the beginning of a less stable on the divided Ttrying to keep the peace are governments and private actors that the US is retreating from the international era. Responsible leaders overwhelmed and often helpless in the alike are abusing the modern world’s international arena are probably must work together to reconstruct face of seemingly endless crises and interconnectedness, threatening exaggerated, but in at least two of the the international order, strengthen reckless spoilers. At the 52nd Munich sensitive information and critical defi ning confl icts of recent years – institutional arrangements, and stem Korean peninsula Security Conference, which started infrastructure across the globe. Ukraine and Syria – the US has not spreading chaos. yesterday and ending tomorrow, world played as prominent a diplomatic role The risk of a major interstate war leaders will attempt to chart a path as it once would have. may still be remote, but for the fi rst North and South Korea’s perennially volatile relations through some very dangerous territory. Not since the end Europe has been handicapped time since the end of the Cold War seem headed for a new and potentially dangerous low, To be sure, the past year has seen of World War II have by several major problems: a shaky the escalation of violence between with all offi cial lines of communication cut off and a host its share of good news. Sustained consensus on sanctions against Russia; major powers cannot be dismissed diplomatic eff orts brought about two so many people continuing questions surrounding the as an unrealistic nightmare. Were of tension-raising issues on the near horizon. breakthroughs with potentially far- euro; the threat of a British exit from that to happen, the challenges The two rivals, who have remained technically at war reaching positive implications: the deal been driven from the EU; and a resurgence of illiberal facing the world today would pale in over the past six decades, have faced and weathered on Iran’s nuclear programme and the nationalism and populism. If Europe comparison.- Project Syndicate Paris climate agreement. But the rest their homes keeps spiralling into dysfunction, it numerous crises in the past, but the current situation of the picture is bleak. will not be able to play a meaningful zWolfgang Ischinger, former German feels particularly grim in the wake of the North’s recent The big crises of the day transcend Instead of the “ring of well- role in the future. ambassador to the US, is chairman – and even call into question – governed countries” the European As states fail and governments of the Munich Security Conference nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. international borders. The wars in Union envisaged in its 2003 Security crumble, rogue leaders are stepping and professor for security policy and Any hope of compromise or dialogue seems to have Syria and Iraq have not only fuelled Strategy, the continent has come to be into the power vacuums. diplomatic practice at the Hertie School been indefi nitely shelved, with a leader in Pyongyang the dissolution of political order in the surrounded by a “ring of fi re”. Europe’s Meanwhile, tensions between of Governance in Berlin. Middle East, but have also left Europe security is under threat once again; some of the world’s most powerful confi rming an unwavering commitment to nuclear struggling to fi nd a common solution military exercises are being conducted countries are starting to rise. Russia zPart of this article is based on an weapons development, and a counterpart in Seoul to the infl ux of refugees. Not since with increasing frequency, and the under President Vladimir Putin has essay in the Munich Security Report the end of World War II have so many Ukraine crisis remains unresolved. been keen to demonstrate that it is a 2016, which was published on the determined to react fi rmly to any North Korean people been driven from their homes. Nonetheless, major political fi gures global player – even as its economy occasion of the 52nd Munich Security provocation. Indeed, the Middle East has come to seem to believe that they can respond suff ers from international sanctions, Conference. The new mood on the divided peninsula played out this week in the eff ective termination of the sole remaining North-South co-operation project - the Kaesong joint industrial zone lying 10km over the border in North Korea. Despite its obvious vulnerabilities, Kaesong had taken on a talismanic image by riding out pretty much every inter-Korean crisis thrown up since it opened for business in 2004. But on Wednesday, Seoul announced it was suspending all operations of the 124 South Korean companies in Kaesong, and yesterday, Pyongyang responded by expelling all the fi rms’ managers and freezing The severing their factories’ assets. of all contacts The North placed the comes ahead of complex under military control, while the South a period when cut off all power and crisis-control water supplies. Most Korean observers talks could be see a dead end for most needed Kaesong now. Kaesong was born out of the “sunshine” reconciliation policy of the late 1990s. One of the roles initially envisaged by Seoul was of Kaesong as a beachhead for market reforms in North Korea that would spread from the complex and expose A computer simulation shows how our sun and Earth warp space and time, or spacetime, represented here with a green grid in this image released in Washington tens of thousands to the outside world’s way of doing on Thursday. Scientists have for the first time detected gravitational waves, ripples in space and time hypothesised by Albert Einstein a century ago, in a landmark business. discovery that opens a new window for studying the cosmos. Although that vision never materialised, some analysts still mourned its demise for closing a small but crucial open door on the world’s most heavily-militarised border. The ‘beginning of a new era’ in astronomy The space for communication between Seoul and Pyongyang shrank further on Thursday, when the By Gretel Johnston The result is that the scientifi c Einstein’s general theory of relativity: was an added bonus in the detection DPA/Washington community has an entirely new way of that every accelerated body emits of the waves, said Bruce Allen, the North announced it was cutting the last two remaining studying the universe. gravitational waves that are greater the director of the Max Planck Institute communication hotlines with the South. “Four hundred years ago Galileo more mass the body has. for Gravitational Physics in Germany. The hotlines themselves have never been used for t was a gathering of elite scientists turned a telescope to the sky and But they are so tiny that Einstein When LIGO set out the experiment, like no other in recent memory opened the era of modern observatory did not believe that they could ever the expectation was that the fi rst waves conversational diplomacy, but they were key to setting up at the National Press Club in astronomy,” said David Reitze, be measured. Physicists have been detected would come from two neutron meetings where such discussions could take place. IWashington. executive director of the Laser looking for direct evidence of them for stars interacting. Professors of theoretical physics, Interferometer Gravitational-Wave more than 50 years. Until Thursday’s The scientists knew LIGO would be The severing of all contacts comes ahead of a period nearly all PhDs and at least one Nobel Observatory (LIGO) laboratory at announcement, all reports of success in sensitive to two spiralling black holes if when crisis-control talks could be most needed. Prize winner, mingled with dozens of Caltech, southern California, where measuring them have turned out to be they existed, he said, and in a way they The vote by the US House of Representatives yesterday reporters. part of the experiment was based. untenable. got lucky. When the announcement came on But their existence has not been in Many more surprises are expected in to tighten sanctions on North Korea in the wake of its Thursday there was applause and a few doubt. the years ahead. The LIGO system soon nuclear and missile tests will upset the reclusive regime in cheers. Even though it had been leaked Thee scientifi c Russell Hulse and Joseph Taylor will expand to include a detector in the North further. days before and speculated about in Alan received the 1993 Nobel Prize in Italy and another in Japan further down the scientifi c community for months community now Physics for their work that provided the road. The lower chamber of Congress approved the there was more than just a “ripple” of indirect evidence of the existence of There will be much more news from legislation 408-2 after the upper Senate unanimously excitement. has an entirely new gravitational waves. the universe because each new method The detection of gravitational way of studying the The LIGO programme was founded of observation has revealed surprises, passed it a few days ago. The measure will now be sent to waves, sometimes described as ripples 10 years later and construction began in the scientists said. US President Barack Obama. in the fabric of spacetime, was a universe 1994 on the two listening facilities on But they warned the breakthrough “monumental” event, the scientists opposite sides of the US. would not directly transform the said with visible excitement. “I think we are doing something After enhancements last year the human experience. To Advertise And the work they described, carried equally important here today. I think LIGO sytem detected the waves on the Kip Thorne, a professor at Caltech out by hundreds of people all over the we are opening a window on the fi rst test run following the upgrade. and one of the presenters at the [email protected] world, amounts to something most universe, the window of gravitational The scientists referred to the LIGO news conference, said while the Display people said was worthy of a Nobel Prize wave astronomy.” system as the most precise measuring detection “brings us a much deeper in Physics. They didn’t parse their enthusiasm. devise ever built and said such understanding of how warped space Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 The details of the announcement “It’s monumental,” said Gabriela precision was needed because it had to time behaves when it’s extremely Classified were straightforward: two listening Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for detect something one-thousandth the warped, I don’t think it’s going to (bring facilities in the United States detected LIGO. “It’s mind-boggling,” Reitze diameter of a proton. us) any closer to being able to do time Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 the gravitational waves on September said, adding it is “truly a scientifi c Reitze said another amazing thing travel”. Subscription 14, each confi rming what the other had moonshot, and we did it. We landed on about the signal was that it is “exactly Gonzalez called it “inspirational [email protected] heard. the moon.” what Einstein’s theory of general science”, but said it was worth spending The duration was just a fraction There were a lot of reasons for their relativity would predict for two big money on because it “pushes” other of a second and the cause was the excitement. massive objects like black holes industries to making improvements. 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved coalescence of two black holes about Gravitational waves are among the spiraling and merging together”. And beyond that it will “keep all of us 1.3bn years ago. most spectacular predictions of Albert The existence of binary black holes looking into the sky”. Gulf Times Saturday, February 13, 2016 15 COMMENT South Africa revives zebra subspecies

The Quagga Project has chairman and farm manager Mike Gregor - says about 100 zebra are in used selective breeding of the reserve, with some six animals plains zebra to produce, from the fourth and fi fth generations accepted as true representations of the in the fi fth generation, extinct animal. an animal they say is “I think there is controversy with all programmes like this. There is no indistinguishable from way that all scientists are going to agree that this is the right way to go,” those that roamed the he said. same plains centuries ago “We are a bunch of enthusiastic people trying to do something to By Lawrence Bartlett replace something that we messed up AFP/Cape Town many years ago.” Harley rejected any comparison with breeding programmes run by n a spectacular valley less than some game farmers which have two hours’ drive north of Cape produced white springbok and golden Town, a small herd of animals wildebeest - which win higher market Iprovides the chance to travel back prices. in time over more than a century. “What we’re not doing is selecting The animals roaming over a wide some fancy funny colour variety plain encased by jagged mountain of zebra, as is taking place in other ranges look like quaggas, a subspecies areas, where funny mutations have of the plains zebra - but quaggas are taken place with strange colouring extinct. which may look amusing but is rather They were wiped out by colonial frowned upon in conservation circles. hunters in the 19th century. “What we are trying to do is get Now, a small group of scientists and suffi cient animals - ideally get a herd conservationists believe they have of up to 50 full-blown rau-quaggas in recreated the quagga, which is distinct one locality, breeding together, and from other zebra mainly through the then we would have a herd we could lack of the characteristic black and say at the very least represents the white stripes on its hindquarters. original quagga. Over a period of 30 years the Quagga Rau-Quagga on Elandsfontein farm, in the Riebeeck Valley, near Wellington, about 90km from Cape Town. “We obviously want to keep them Project has used selective breeding separate from other populations of of plains zebra to produce, in the University of Cape Town, told AFP. Selecting plains zebra in which colouration of the back part of the the whole project would have been plains zebra otherwise we simply fi fth generation, an animal they say “It is also to try and get a the stripes were less strong in the body, said Harley. unjustifi able.” mix them up again and lose the is indistinguishable from those that representation back of a charismatic hindquarters, thus exhibiting some “To all intents and purposes they To appease the critics, however, characteristic appearance.” roamed the same plains centuries ago. animal that used to live in South quagga genes, they bred them are the quagga back again. The project the new animal is formally called a The quaggas once more roaming the The last of the original quagga, Africa.” together. has been a complete success.” Rau-Quagga, to distinguish it from its veld have also not been subjected to found only in South Africa’s Western The project was founded by the late Each successive generation Harley defended the project against forebears. the sort of treatment that has resulted Cape region, died in an Amsterdam Reinhold Rau, a German-born South exhibited more of the quagga critics who say it is simply a stunt or But in the Elandsberg private in creatures such as the zorse - a cross zoo in 1883. African natural historian, who had colouring and now, on the fi fth unnecessary interference with nature. nature reserve in the Riebeek Valley, a between a zebra and a horse - and the So why try to resurrect it? DNA samples from a quagga skin at generation, the project is satisfi ed that “We don’t do genetic engineering, khaki-clad guide points to the herds zonkey, whose name speaks for itself. “It’s an attempt to try and repair the South African Museum analysed. it has recreated the quagga. we aren’t cloning, we aren’t doing drifting across the veld in the early Those creatures, being hybrids, are ecological damage that was done a It was discovered that the DNA was The only way in which the quagga any particularly clever sort of embryo morning light and names them simply usually infertile, while the quagga - long time ago in some sort of small the same as that of the vividly-striped was ever defi ned was by its appearance transfers - it is a very simple project of as: “Wildebeest... springbok... eland... with the time machine having been way,” Eric Harley, a retired professor plains zebra, and Rau set out to try to - the lack of striping over the rear selective breeding,” he said. quagga.” cranked up - are expected to reproduce of chemical pathology at the rebreed the quagga. part of the body and the darker brown “If it had been a diff erent species The guide - Quagga Project themselves.

LEGAL HELPLINE Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY High: 23 C Low : 13 C Worries over bank loan dues Strong wind and high seas By endorsing a blank cheque profession in conditions other than full pay for the fi rst two weeks and @ assuring their compliance with the with signature and handing those prescribed by the law or uses half pay for the next four weeks. Any required health conditions. SUNDAY it for his personal benefi t or for the subsequent periods are without pay. High: 22 C it over to the benefi ciary, benefi t of another person, without The maximum period of probation is Low : 14 C the drawer of the cheque the consent of the concerned person six months. Compensation Sunny with the secret, shall be liable to for contractor has eff ectively granted the imprisonment for a term not exceeding benefi ciary unqualifi ed two years in prison or a fi ne of no more Inspection of Q: Our project was suspended for MONDAY QR10,000 or both. labour camps two months by the main contractor High: 24 C authority to fi ll in the amount and after that it was terminated. Low : 16 C Sick leave Q: We have started a company in The main contractor is not willing Sunny By Nizar Kochery Doha and the initial business is to compensate us even after Doha entitlement going well. We have acquired a repeated requests. What is the legal labour camp and our employees provision on this? We spent much Fishermen’s forecast Q: What is the law on sick leave for stay there. We understand that money for mobilisation. OFFSHORE DOHA QUESTION: I have been working employees working with a private labour inspectors will inspect the VB, Doha Wind: NW 18-28 KT with a hospital in Qatar for the past company? If an employee is sick camp soon and verify all relevant Waves: 6-9 Feet INSHORE DOHA fi ve years and have taken a loan during his probation period, is he documents. What information A: According to Article 707 of the Qatar Wind: NW-10-18/22 KT from a bank. The management has entitled for sick leave benefi ts? Is should we keep in such a case? Civil Laws, an employer may withdraw Waves: 1-3 Feet now terminated me without any any certifi cation required for this TU, Doha from a contract and terminate the reason and I am searching for a new entitlement? What’s the maximum performance of work at any time Around the region job. I am worried about the action period of probation? A: In order to ensure legal compliance, prior to its completion, provided he Weather Weather that bank might initiate against me JP, Doha labour Inspectors shall have authority compensates the contractor for the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min on my loan dues if they know about to enter the places of work during the expenses he has incurred, the works he Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 24/13 Sunny 24/13 Baghdad Sunny my termination. The bank holds a A: Sick leave is determined as per working hours during the day or at night has completed and what he would have Sunny 21/08 23/09 Dubai Sunny 24/16 Sunny 24/16 signed blank cheque. What action Article 82 of the Labour Law. Subject to without prior notifi cation for inspecting been able to earn if he had completed Kuwait City Sunny 22/12 Sunny 23/13 could the bank initiate? Can I stop confi rmation from the doctor approved the registers, books, fi les or any other the work. However, the court may Manama Sunny 19/14 Sunny 20/15 the cheque since it is blank? What by the employer, the worker shall be documents related to the workers. reduce the compensation due to the Muscat P Cloudy 24/16 Sunny 24/17 is the best way to solve this issue? entitled to paid sick leave after three They may inquire from the employer contractor for loss of profi t if the Riyadh Sunny 20/08 Sunny 23/09 KD, Doha months from the commencement of or his representative or any of the circumstances justify such reduction. Tehran Sunny 12/02 M Sunny 13/03 employment irrespective of his term of workers individually or in the presence Initiate case against the contractor for ANSWER: As per procedures, the probation. of witnesses on any of the matters compensation. bank may fi le a criminal complaint by Accordingly, if the worker has related to the implementation of virtue of the cheque deposited with completed more than three months in Labour law and regulations. zPlease send your questions by the bank, and the case can be referred the continuous service falls ill, he shall They are also empowered to inspect e-mail to: [email protected] to the court in order to claim the be entitled to sick leave calculated @ the residence of the workers for (Mobile:55813105) outstanding amount. The court will issue its judgment even in the defaulter’s absence and LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR the person will become a defaulter. Therefore, seek settlement with the Following the issue of the adjudication oral clarifi cation within fi fteen days As per Article 710, after the expiry of bank to avoid complications. order, the creditors, even though their of the date of receipt of the notice. the period, the adjudicator shall draw In the matter of blank cheque and debts are guaranteed by collateral Such period shall be doubled to one up a final list of the undisputed debts stop payment, by endorsing a blank securities or established by conclusive month in respect of creditors who are and the receiver shall endorse the cheque with signature and handing it judgments, shall deliver to the receiver resident outside Qatar. Debts payable attached statement accompanying the over to the benefi ciary, the drawer of the documents recording their to the government arising from taxes documents of such debts to the eff ect the cheque has eff ectively granted the debts accompanied by a statement and fees shall not be subject to the that they have been accepted and the benefi ciary unqualifi ed authority to fi ll of these debts and their securities verifi cation procedures. According to amount admitted of each debt on in the amount. if any, together with their amounts Article 707, after verification of the the statement. The adjudicator shall valued in the national currency debts, the receiver shall deposit within decide on the disputed debts within at the exchange rate prevailing on the court, a list showing the debts thirty days from the date of expiry Confidentiality the date of judgment. The receiver including supporting documents and of the period fi xed for submission Around the world rule violation shall issue a receipt in respect of the the reasons for disputes thereto, and of objections. The Court Registry Weather Weather statement and documents and shall his decision as to the acceptance or shall notify the parties concerned by today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Q: One of the supervisors in our acknowledgement to give the creditor rejection thereof. He shall also deposit registered letter at least one week prior Athens P Cloudy 19/14 P Cloudy 20/13 M Sunny 20/14 company has been terminated offi cial copy thereof. a list of the names of the creditors to date of hearing. Beirut 20/14 M Sunny Bangkok M Sunny 34/24 M Sunny 33/24 from service under Article 61 of The receiver shall return the who have specifi c securities on the According to Article 712, the Berlin M Sunny 07/01 Showers 07/02 the Labour Law for violating the originals documents to the creditors bankrupt’s assets indicating the decision issued by the adjudicator Cairo Sunny 26/12 Sunny 28/13 rules of confi dentiality. He had after closure of the bankruptcy, amount of their debts and kind of their may be appealed within 20 days Cape Town M Sunny 26/18 P Cloudy 24/17 revealed some information about and shall be responsible for these securities. of issue. 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If we the assistance of the supervisor extended, if necessary, by decision accepted provisionally if a criminal London 07/03 Manila Sunny 33/21 M Sunny 33/23 fi le a complaint against him, what and in the presence of the bankrupt of the adjudicator. The bankrupt and action has been fi led in respect Moscow S Showers 02/-2 P Cloudy 01/01 will be the maximum punishment or after he has been notified to every creditor whose name mentioned thereof. If the appeal relates to the New Delhi M Sunny 23/10 Sunny 25/10 he will get for a crime like this? attend. If a debt is disputed by in the list of debts may dispute the securities for the debt, it shall be New York Cloudy -7/-16 Sunny -6/-11 DS, Doha the receiver, the supervisor or the debts recorded in the statement within accepted provisionally as an ordinary Paris Rain 07/05 Showers 08/03 Sao Paulo P Cloudy 30/18 P Cloudy 33/21 bankrupt, the receiver shall notify twenty days from date of publication debt. A creditor whose debt has Seoul Rain 06/-1 P Cloudy -1/-9 A: As per Article 332 of the penal laws, the creditor by registered letter with of the list in the Official Gazette. This not been accepted, either finally or Singapore S T Storms 33/26 T Storms 32/26 any person knowingly and illegally acknowledgement of receipt. period will be doubled if the creditor is provisionally, shall not participate in Sydney Sunny 28/19 Sunny 31/21 disclose a secret entrusted thereto The creditor shall submit written or residing abroad. bankruptcy procedures. Tokyo ClearCloudy 1 9/09 Rain 22/12 in his offi cial capacity, business, Gulf Times 16 Saturday, February 13, 2016 QATAR

Emir attends Pakistan Air Force show

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attended a military show performed by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft at the Doha Old Airport yesterday morning. Before the event, the Emir was briefed on JF-17 fighters and the Super Mushshak and also listened to an explanation on their characteristics and advantages. The military air show coincides with the two-day off icial visit made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Qatar, during which Qatar and Pakistan agreed to strengthen bilateral military co-operation.

Residents get familiar with key role of CPR By Peter Alagos minutes can save someone’s Business Reporter life.” According to Saifeldeen, many researches have confi rmed that CPR “is the best thing a per- elebrations for the Na- son can do” to optimise a cardiac tional Sport Day at Katara arrest victim’s chances of sur- C– the Cultural Village did vival. not only focus on maintaining an “For every minute without active lifestyle, but also opened CPR, there is a 10% reduction of up opportunities for children survival. The best ambulances in and parents to learn cardiopul- the world can arrive with fi ve to monary resuscitation (CPR), a seven minutes but without CPR, simple, yet valuable lifesaving any chance of survival is gone,” method. he noted. As part of a national pro- Asked about the public’s re- gramme, which was launched sponse to the ‘CPR Saves Lives’ two weeks ago, the ‘CPR Saves initiative, Saifeldeen said: “The Lives’ initiative “was met with activities we launched at Ka- enthusiasm” by members of the tara in line with Qatar National public mostly children and their Sport Day are part of a bigger parents, Hamad International programme and we thought this Training Centre (HITC) director would be an opportunity to do Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen it in a fun way. We were pleased told Gulf Times yesterday. with our engagement with the Dr Saifeldeen, who is also public and I believe the term CPR chairman of the ‘CPR Saves Lives’ Volunteers of the ‘CPR Saves Lives’ programme teach children and adults how to perform CPR. will stick to their minds.” Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen says CPR “is the best thing a person programme, said he believes the PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed As part of its mandate, Saifel- can do” to optimise a cardiac arrest victim’s chances of survival. participation of both parent and deen said the HITC provides child will help inculcate the value that at times, unfortunate inci- the streets or during outdoor “What people should do fi rst, training on lifesaving measures has awarded more than 200,000 plan is to integrate CPR aware- of CPR to children, especially dents can happen to people with events. What we are teaching is is call for help by dialling 999. such as CPR to a range of sec- training certifi cates, he said. ness to any activity under the during emergency cases. either known or unknown heart the principal message that every The next step is to administer tors, including members of the “We are planning to develop a CPR Saves Lives umbrella. The “Aside from training people disease; they can suddenly suf- member of the public, including CPR until help arrives. When public, healthcare providers and national network of CPR train- programme will cover schools, on how to stay healthy to avoid fer from cardiac arrest. “It can children, can save lives,” Saifel- someone goes into cardiac ar- other professionals. ers from diff erent healthcare companies and other organisa- heart disease, we also recognise happen at home, at work, along deen explained. rest, administering CPR within Since its inception, the centre providers aside from HMC. The tions,” he added. Qapco’s campaign focuses on keeping employees healthy

atar Petrochemical tion and became an inspiration basketball games, spinning Company’s (Qapco) Na- for many. and cross-fi t workouts. Part Qtional Sport Day (NSD) Qapco and Qatofi n CEO and of Qapco’s aim is to encour- celebration marked the culmi- managing director Dr Mohamed age young children to embrace nation of the company’s fl ag- Yousef al-Mulla said the fi tness healthy lifestyles and to prac- ship corporate weight-loss pro- and well-being of its employees tice sport everyday. gramme, ‘Lose to Win.’ and their knowledge of health- “The NSD is an excellent op- The programme is part of related issues is a priority. portunity to promote the regu- Qapco’s annual ‘Be Fit, Be The company organises a lar practice of sports amongst Healthy, Be Happy’ campaign. number of health-oriented ini- our employees and to encourage For 12 months, the company en- tiatives year round to promote them to do the same with their courages its employees to adopt healthy lifestyles amongst its children,” Dr al-Mulla said. healthy diets and to embrace employees and the community. “It is our responsibility as more active lifestyles with the Aligned with the principles of parents to transfer the values support of health and nutrition the Qatar National Vision 2030, associated with sport to the fu- professionals, in co-operation Qapco believes that sport will ture generations.” with the Hamad Medical Cor- support a sustainable future for He believes that every one can poration. generations to come. contribute to build a healthier The programme has so far at- A large number of Qapco em- and fi tter nation. tracted 500 employees who un- ployees and their families took Dr al-Mulla highlighted derwent various physical activ- part in the NSD celebration the importance of sport as it ities and monthly monitoring. held recently at the company’s strengthens teamwork and cor- The three employees who Sports Club in Mesaieed. porate culture, fosters social made signifi cant improvement The event featured an ar- integration and reinforces co- on their weight-loss and active ray of sports activities such as hesion. “Sport has contributed lifestyle journey were recog- football, handball and volleyball to shaping the Qapco family and nised during the NSD celebra- matches, bowling tournaments, our Mesaieed community.” Dr al-Mulla honours a winner of the ‘Lose to Win’ programme.