MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Philippine police raid Islamic centre before Catholic event MANILA: Philippine police raided an “This is part of security preparations for city had also been subjected to police last year’s event. Security forces have said group and has been blamed for various Islamic centre in Manila and briefly the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” Chief operations. Authorities have been on alert there is no report of a “direct threat” to the bombings and attacks. Investigators are detained scores of people as part of Inspector Marissa Bruno, spokeswoman for possible attacks by Islamic militants to festival this year but they are wary that still looking into whether the AKP was heightened security before a major for the Manila police, said. She said 82 disrupt the Black Nazarene event, which is Muslim extremists may seek revenge for involved in a bombing in the southern Catholic festival, a spokeswoman said yes- other people at the centre had been tak- expected to attract millions of Filipinos. the killing of a pro-Islamic State militant city of Davao in September which killed terday. Two men were arrested for illegal en to a police station but were released The annual festival sees huge numbers of leader last week. 15 people gathered in a popular park. drugs during the raid on the Islamic soon afterwards when it was found they barefoot devotees crowding to touch a Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, alias Local Muslim extremists have previously Center in the heart of Manila on Saturday, had no warrants outstanding. life-size and dark-skinned statue of Jesus “Tokboy”, founder and leader of the launched attacks on Christian targets, as authorities warned of possible attacks Bruno denied that police had targeted that is reputed to have healing powers. Ansarul Khilafa Philippines (AKP), was playing on longstanding tensions by Islamic militants when the Feast of the the Islamic Center, which includes a Two people were killed and hundreds killed by security forces on Thursday. His between the country’s Christian majority Black Nazarene reaches its peak today. mosque, saying that other parts of the injured during the crush of humanity at group is known to be a supporter of the IS and the Muslim minority.—AFP N Korea says can test-launch ICBM at any time, any place

SEOUL: North Korea said yesterday it can ICBMs have a minimum range of about test launch an intercontinental ballistic 5,500 km (3,400 miles), but some are missile at any time from any location set designed to travel 10,000 km (6,200 by leader Kim Jong Un, saying the miles) or further. United States’ hostile policy was to US President-elect Donald Trump blame for its arms development. Kim responded on Monday to Kim’s com- said on Jan 1 that his nuclear-capable ments on an ICBM test by declaring in a country was close to test-launching an tweet that “It won’t happen!” A US State intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Department spokesman said last week “The ICBM will be launched anytime and that the United States does not believe anywhere determined by the supreme that North Korea is capable of mounting headquarters of the DPRK,” an unnamed a nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile. Foreign Ministry spokesman was quoted North Korea has been under UN sanc- as saying by the official KCNA news tions since 2006 over its nuclear and bal- agency, using the acronym for the coun- listic missile tests. The sanctions were try’s name. tightened last month after Pyongyang The North is formally known as the conducted its fifth and largest nuclear Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. test on Sept 9. The United States said on Thursday that “The US is wholly to blame for pushing North Korea had demonstrated a “quali- the DPRK to have developed ICBM as it tative” improvement in its nuclear and has desperately resorted to anachronistic missile capabilities after an unprecedent- policy hostile toward the DPRK for ed level of tests last year. decades to encroach upon its sovereign- Experts have said that while North ty and vital rights,” KCNA quoted the Korea may be close to testing an ICBM, it spokesman as saying. “Anyone who would likely take years to perfect the wants to deal with the DPRK would be weapon. Once fully developed, a North well advised to secure a new way of Korean ICBM could threaten the conti- thinking after having clear understand- nental United States, which is around ing of it,” the spokesman said, according 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from the North. to KCNA.—Reuters Nine things Obama will be remembered for SEOUL: This picture shows an injured Buddhist monk who set himself on fire being carried into an ambulance in Seoul. —AFP WASHINGTON: As Barack Obama pre- nuclear weapon, in return for substan- S Korean monk sets himself pares to leave office on January 20, here tial sanctions relief and a dollop of inter- are nine things his presidency may be national legitimacy. The pact would remembered for: strain US relations with Iran’s enemies Israel and Saudi Arabia, but prevented a on fire at anti-president rally Making history nuclear arms race in the Middle East If historians were to write only one and defused tensions between Iran and ‘Monk urged authorities to arrest the president for treason’ thing about Barack Hussein Obama, the United States that have simmered they would likely note that — 143 years since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. SEOUL: A South Korean Buddhist monk is in crit- to decide whether to confirm the impeachment. of protest in the South, and was particularly after slavery was abolished-a young ical condition after setting himself on fire during The monk also slammed Park as a “traitor” for common during the pro-democracy movement Illinois senator became the first black No turnabout on Syria a mass protest against the impeached President forging a deal with Japan to settle compensa- of the 1980s and early 90s when a number of president of the United States. Obama, No international crisis tested Park Geun-Hye, officials said yesterday. The tion for women forced into sexual slavery for activists set themselves on fire during public just 47 at his 2009 inauguration, har- Obama’s foreign policy or his high bar monk, in his 60s and whose name was not Japanese troops during the World War II, accord- demonstrations. nessed magisterial oratory to rally a for US military intervention like Syria. released, set himself alight late Saturday night in ing to Yonhap. Critics say the 2015 deal did not Park is accused of colluding with her secret diverse electoral coalition behind a mes- Even when Bashar al-Assad defied central Seoul where hundreds of thousands go far enough in holding Japan responsible for confidante, Choi Soon-Sil, to coerce top local sage of “hope and change.” In office, Obama’s red line on chemical weapons returned to the streets for the eleventh week to wartime abuses. firms to “donate” tens of millions of dollars to Obama sometimes struggled to turn use and killed countless thousands of demand Park’s ouster. He left a note urging Tensions between the two countries spiked non-profit foundations which Choi then used as that poetry into the prose of gover- civilians-along with Russian and Iranian authorities to arrest the scandal-hit president for on Friday when Tokyo recalled its ambassador her personal ATMs. nance. Racial tensions-underscored by forces-the man who came to office on committing “treason”, the Yonhap news agency over a statue of a “comfort woman.” The monk The president is also accused of letting Choi, police shootings of unarmed black men an anti-war ticket rejected calls to step reported. suffered third-degree burns across his body and the daughter of a shady religious figure who was and conspiracy theories about his birth- in. Syria will likely be in crisis for years to Park was impeached by parliament last remains unconscious, according to police and also close to Park for decades, meddle in state place-persisted. But the very fact of his come. Critics will long argue about month over an influence-peddling scandal that staff at Seoul National University Hospital where affairs including nomination of top officials. Both election confirmed monumental whether Obama’s policy was sensible sparked a storm of public fury and nationwide he is being treated. Park and Choi-who is currently on trial-have changes in American society. and to what degree his decision dam- protests, and the Constitutional Court now has Self-immolation is not unheard of as a means denied any wrongdoing. —AFP aged America’s reputation, allowed the Too big to fail Islamic State group to grow, fueled an Obama’s first term in office was domi- immigration flow that destabilized nated by economic freefall. A real estate Europe and allowed Russia and Iran to crisis spawned a financial meltdown that extend influence in the region. torpedoed Wall Street banks and lenders, and was metastasizing into an Change the climate economic crisis of global proportions. After the climate skepticism of Bush, Outgoing president George W. Bush and Obama’s eight years in office resulted in a the Federal Reserve had kicked off the tidal wave of environmental legislation, government’s first panicked efforts at protecting marine ecosystems, curbing containment, but Obama faced down carbon emissions and boosting renew- ideological opposition to large fiscal able energy. In a bid to engrain environ- stimulus, extending government spend- mentalism into America’s body politic, ing by $831 billion and providing ballast Obama hiked Alaskan glaciers, snorkeled to the economy. As he leaves office, the at Midway Island and rushed through rat- political and social aftershocks of that ification of the Paris Climate Accord. But financial cataclysm are still being felt, Obama’s environmental agenda is likely but the economy has added jobs for 75 to come under sustained assault from his straight months. successor, putting the durability of that legacy into question. ‘Justice has been done’ “Tonight, I can report to the American A very big deal CLEVELAND: In this file photo, actor Scott Baio gives people and to the world that the United Democrats had tried and failed for FLORIDA: In this file photo, actor and model Fabio, right, talks with Sean Spicer, two thumbs up after addressing the delegates during States has conducted an operation that decades to provide Americans with uni- President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for White House press secretary, at Mar-a- the opening day of the Republican National killed Osama bin Laden.” With those versal health care. Obama wasn’t quite Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Convention in Cleveland. —AP Photos words on May 2, 2011, Obama exorcised able to do that but he extended insur- the anger and frustration of millions of ance coverage to tens of millions of citi- Americans-that the most powerful zens who previously had none. Trump celeb crew awaits his country on earth could not hold the Republicans decried the “Obamacare” man accountable for the 9/11 attacks. plan as socialism incarnate, at one The risky special forces operation was point claiming it would even create turn in spotlight, and their own also illustrative of Obama’s controversial “death panels.” But they failed to stop it drone-and-raid approach to counterter- from passing. They may yet have a WASHINGTON: Fabio, the golden-haired model shared social media posts about partying with tickets to his inauguration, yet few headline- rorism. As he leaves office, Al-Qaeda off- crack at repealing it under Donald who graced the cover of hundreds of romance the Obamas well into the morning. Trump, a making stars have been announced for the shoots and affiliates remain potent, but Trump’s watch. novels, was wrapping up Thanksgiving dinner at celebrity in his own right from his days as a New events surrounding his Jan. 20 swearing in. their leadership in Afghanistan and Donald Trump’s South Florida club when the pres- York tabloid fixture and reality television host, “They’ve tried to hire some of the top people in Pakistan has been decimated. Meet the neighbors ident-elect began making the rounds to greet his has attracted a motlier crew. Actors Scott Baio the business and nobody’s interested,” Obama’s trip to Cuba may be guests. Fabio, who goes by his first name only, and Antonio Sabato Jr. spoke at the Republican Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman said. Legislative toil remembered in the same way as said he hit it off with the newly elected National Convention and former Indiana “Everybody’s told them no.” One celebrity who “It’s one of the few regrets of my pres- Richard Nixon’s visit to China, but in Republican, who asked the brawny model how he University basketball coach Bob Knight appeared has said yes? Wayne Newton, the popular Las idency-that the rancor and suspicion truth it was the capstone of a much stays in shape. On a second visit to the Mar-a- with Trump on the campaign trail. Actor Stephen Vegas entertainer and “Danke Schoen” singer. between the parties has gotten worse broader effort to improve US relations Lago club around New Year’s, Fabio huddled with Baldwin was among Trump’s earliest celebrity Newton, who has performed for seven presi- instead of better,” Obama said in his final with Latin America. Resurgent left wing incoming White House press secretary Sean endorsers, despite having been twice fired from dents, said he’s discussed the inauguration per- State of the Union address. From the populists in the region had rekindled Spicer and offered his assistance on veterans’ Trump’s reality show “Celebrity Apprentice.” formance with Trump, though he’s not certain moment Obama was elected, Republics past memories of “yanqui imperialism”- issues. “I want to help,” said Fabio, who plans to be “Let’s just say, when he fired me the second exactly what his role will be yet. Newton said he in Congress vowed to oppose him tooth US-led coups, death squads and heavy- in Washington for Trump’s Jan 20 inauguration. time, it was between me or Gary Busey, so I was was disappointed that many in the Hollywood and nail. Efforts to close the prison at handed intervention. Barely 100 days Fabio’s embrace of Trump puts him in an a little pissed off for a couple of weeks,” joked establishment are giving the inauguration a cold Guantanamo Bay and enact gun con- after Obama took office, he told region- exclusive and eclectic club: celebrities who not Baldwin, who starred in 1995’s “The Usual shoulder. “I certainly agree with their right to do trols-even after the massacre of young al leaders at a Summit of the Americas only support the president-elect, but are willing Suspects” and 1996’s “Bio-Dome.” Baldwin took and handle that in any way they choose to, but students at Sandy Hook, the emotional that the United States had changed. The to do so publicly. The entertainment industry’s the role of celebrity endorser seriously. Before they have no idea, truly, what they’re missing,” nadir of his presidency-would fall victim approach was to deny leaders like Hugo liberal bent, combined with election-season out- doing interviews during the election, he said he Newton said. “When they look back on this at to partisan rancor. Chavez any excuses for sideshow anti- rage over Trump’s controversial comments on would contact the campaign and see if there some point in time in their life, they’re going to Americanism. He shook Chavez’s hand, women and minorities, left Trump persona non were any talking points he should emphasize. realize that they missed a truly important and A deal with a half-life met Nicaraguan firebrand Daniel grata with many A-listers, particularly those who Baldwin, whose older brother Alec plays a magnificent moment in American history.” For more than two decades, the Ortega and visited the tomb of a popu- have rolled in President Barack Obama’s circles. snarling Trump on “Saturday Night Live,” also Trump was a frequent target of celebrities United States had rolled out sanctions lar Salvadoran priest killed by US-linked While most modern presidents have had a stays in touch with the president-elect’s son Eric, throughout the campaign, particularly after the and covert actions to prevent arch foe death squads. Obama alluded to “mis- celebrity clique, Obama’s crowd has been espe- who attends the same Manhattan cigar club. release of a video tape in which he was heard Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. takes” in a coup that installed dictator cially glitzy. BeyoncÈ performed at both of his making predatory comments about women. Obama tried a different tack, engaging Augusto Pinochet in Chile, released inaugurations. Ellen DeGeneres and John ‘A’ list celebrities Hollywood kept piling on after Trump won in secret talks with the Islamic Republic. documents about involvement in Legend hobnobbed at his 55th birthday party. Always image conscious, Trump has bristled the election, with some stars appearing in a tele- That gambit ultimately yielded a deal Argentina’s dirty war and, of course, vis- A slew of famous faces attended the president at the notion that the entertainment industry’s vision advertisement to encourage members of that saw Iran halt its sprint toward a ited Havana.—AFP and first lady Michelle Obama’s farewell bash elite has rejected him. In December, he tweeted the Electoral College to switch their votes to Friday night at the White House, and some that “so-called ‘A’ list celebrities” were all seeking Democrat Hillary Clinton. —AP