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Monday 26 December 2016 | 27 Rabia I 1438 Volume 21 | Number 7022 | 2 Riyals

Deputy Emir receives credentials Emir condoles Driving school with King of offers advanced Saudi Arabia QNA

EMIR H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable services of condolences to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Mohammed Osman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, on The Peninsula Parents or employers the death of Prince Badr bin can have a special Salman bin Saud bin Abdulaziz leading driving Al Saud. school in Doha is password so that Deputy Emir H H Sheikh offering several they can watch Abdullah bin Hamad Al innovative services the training of Thani also sent a cable of to customers their children or condolences to King Salman includingA an option for parents bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the or employers to monitor the employees real time death of Prince Badr bin Sal- training of their children or from their mobile or man bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al employees online. computer. Saud. Prime Minister and The Dallah Driving Acad- Interior Minister H E Sheikh emy, one of the newest and Abdullah bin Nasser bin most sophisticated driving mobile or computer,” he added. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani with the Ambassador of the Republic Khalifa Al Thani sent a cable schools in the country has Al Amal (Hope) is a project of Zambia, Ibrahim Mumba, after receiving his credentials. The Deputy Emir also received of condolences to Saudi also launched a special pro- to train people with physical the credentials of Bubani Lapisa as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and Aya Tijani King, on the death of Prince gramme to train people with disabilities to get a driving as Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon. → See also page 2 Badr bin Salman bin Saud disabilities. licence and become fully inde- bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The school has a high-tech pendent. The Academy has workshop to modify vehicles to developed a training course for suit the requirements of people different cases of physical with different types of disability. QCHP becomes international accreditation body disabilities. “There are many employ- The Academy’s sprawling ees, students and professionals training area in Mesaimeer is like engineers, technicians and The Peninsula with the ACCME was determined on the needs of healthcare pro- this regard. Earlier, QCHP built to imitate the actual sta- many others with partial phys- after a thorough review and fessionals, measured for its received equivalency agreement tus of the roads in the country ical disabilities willing to drive he Qatar Council for evaluation of QCHP’s standards, effectiveness, meets standards with the American Academy of with intersections, subways, and enjoy normal life but have Healthcare Practitioners policies and processes by of scientific integrity, and is Family Physicians (AAFP. roundabouts, live traffic signal difficulties with driving. For T(QCHP) has become an ACCME. This included a detailed independent of commercial It also has a credit conver- and different traffic such people we have developed internationally recognised report, documentation of edu- influence. The accreditation sion agreement with the landmarks. the Amal Project which is not accreditation body, enhancing cational activities, a site visit and reflects QCHP’s commitment to American Medical Association “There is a monitoring limited to certain conditions of the quality of medical education a survey interview conducted by promoting consistent, high- (AMA) which enables physicians tower and all vehicles are under disability," said Nassar. in Qatar. the ACCME’s president and Chief quality education for individual registered in USA to use credit strict monitoring system and The Academy has vehicles QCHP’s continuing medical Executive Officer on October healthcare professionals and gained from participating in electronically linked to the specially prepared to suit each education/Continuing Profes- 2016. The information taken inter-professional healthcare QCHP-AD-accredited activities operation room,” said Hassan trainee with a disability or dif- sional Development (CME/CPD) from the review process and the teams, supporting QCHP’s ulti- to maintain their license of prac- Nassar, manager of the Acad- ficulty with driving. accreditation system obtained survey interview provided the mate goal of improving the tice in the USA. emy in an interview with The The Academy has a special substantial equivalency with that ACCME with verification of the health of patients in Qatar. The equivalency agreement Peninsula. workshop and technicians to of Accreditation Council for Con- successful implementation of the The achievement comes as emphasises the quality of the “ Parents or employers can make special modifications in tinuing Medical Education QCHP’s continuing medical edu- part of the QCHP vision to build standards and policies of the be given a special password so their vehicles after they obtain (ACCME ), one of the most rec- cation accreditation programme strategic relations with interna- continuing medical education that they can watch the train- a driving licence to help them ognised CME accreditation and decision-making process. tional accreditation bodies in the accreditation programme and ing of their children or drive safely on the road. systems in the world. QCHP’s accreditation system field of medical education and their conformity with the inter- employees real time from their → Continued on page 2 The equivalency agreement assures that CME/CPD is based adds to QCHP’s achievements in national standards. Foggy weather to continue through the week Israel to approve new

Huda N V settlements in Jerusalem The Peninsula

atar Meteorology depart- Occupied Jerusalem The resolution was ment expects foggy QNA brought before the 15-mem- Qweather to continue over ber council by New Zealand, the coming days but the mercury srael will approve thousands Malaysia, Venezuela and may rise slightly in Doha during of new settlement units in Senegal. day time, with increased IOccupied Jerusalem within Adopted with 14 votes in humidity. two weeks in response to the favour, this is the first reso- The dense fog that blanketed UN Security Council resolution lution the Security Council the country early yesterday, condemning the settlements, has passed on Israel and the made commuting a little tricky Israeli media outlets reported Palestinians in nearly eight due to low visibility and a number yesterday. years. of accidents were reported. Visi- According to the daily Israel Prime Minister Benjamin bility fell between zero to 300 Hayom, the Civil Administra- Netanyahu condemned the metre in most areas early morn- tion Planning Committee will decision, announcing that Israel ing yesterday, especially on approve on Wednesday the will re-assess its ties with the Shamal, Wakra and Dukhan high- establishment of 5,600 new United Nations and will not ways due to heavy fog. housing units in different set- abide by Friday's vote. Traffic jams were reported tlement in Occupied "I instructed the Foreign in various areas particularly on Jerusalem. Ministry to complete within a roads leading to Doha from The UN Security Council on month a re-evaluation of all our Umm Salal and Al Khisa due to Friday passed a resolution call- contacts with the United road accidents involving a ing for an end to the Judea and Nations, including the Israeli number of cars. Traffic patrols Samaria settlement enterprise funding of UN institutions and were stationed at the scenes to and condemning it as an obsta- the presence of UN represent- control the traffic, the Ministry cle to the Israeli-Palestinian atives in Israel," he said. of Interior posted on their social Dense fog blanketed Qatar last morning. A view from D-Ring Road in Doha. peace process. He described the Security media platforms. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula In a dramatic departure Council decision as "biased and Meanwhile, by early last from past policy shielding Israel shameful", adding: "It will take night, the visibility fell to less humidity along with low clouds, expected to be misty to foggy clouds and relatively cooler by from such moves, the US time, but this decision will be than 1km in south-eastern coasts according to the Met office. over most places at first, becom- night. refrained from vetoing the annulled". of the country, due to increased Today the weather is ing milder by day with some → Continued on page 5 resolution. → See also page 7 02 HOME MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016

QCDC concludes Deputy Emir meets envoys career counsellor programme The Peninsula

atar Career Develop- ment Center (QCDC) Qhas concluded its four- day Professional Career Counselor programme, which took place from 19 to 22 December at the Education City Clubhouse. The pro- gramme saw the participation of more than 50 career coun- sellors and educators from independent schools across Qatar. The training programme, a joint initiative between QCDC and the Ministry of Education and Higher Edu- cation and in collaboration with Bedaya Center, aims to develop the skills of the aca- demic and professional counsellors by equipping them with the necessary skills Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani with Hungarian Ambassador Elter Istvanon, who is ending his tenure in Qatar, at the Emiri Diwan and to provide students with yesterday. The Deputy Emir granted the ambassador the Decoration of Al Wajbah in recognition of his efforts in strengthening relations between the two professional support. countries and wished him success in future endeavours. RIGHT: Deputy Emir receiving the credentials of Aya Tijani as Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon. Explaining the significance of the programme, Abdulla Al- Mansoori, Director of QCDC, said: “The Professional Career Counselor programme aims to equip career counsellors with the tools and resources they Q-Post to launch home delivery service soon require in order to offer the best career counseling services to students, so that they can Irfan Bukhari “Q-Post has initiated a pilot with different establishments and ministerial instructions, the properly chart their academic The Peninsula project of home delivery serv- Drone delivery entities to offer special and vari- report says, the company and career paths. This is espe- ices in Al Wakrah using the Q-Post will engage ous delivery services,” the report worked on developing an infra- cially important since o provide faster serv- national address system. Q-Post private courier or said. structure for postal service professional and educational ices to its customers, is currently exploring the best logistic companies in Throwing light on other networks and systems, creating counseling remains a relatively Qatar Postal Services delivery options for customers its project to provide achievements made by Q-Post an e-commerce portal, and new field in many of Qatar’s Company (Q-Post) will for future roll-out,” according in 2016, the report says: “In a expanding the money transfer home-delivery independent and private engage private courier to the recently issued yearly similar context, Qatar Postal services. service. schools. In addition to that, Tor logistic companies in its ongo- performance report of the Min- Services Company (Q-Post) has On Q-Post’s Connected many counsellors lack the req- ing project to provide istry of Transport and managed to achieve many service, it says, “In April, Qatar uisite qualifications and home-delivery service. Communications. The report The Smart Innovation accomplishments, including a Post has launched a new online experience that enables them The Smart Innovation Lab at further says that there will be a Lab is working to signed memorandum of under- shopping delivery service called to effectively deliver their serv- the Ministry of Transport and new transportation fleet to sup- develop a drone standing between the Ministry Connected which allows Qatar- ices, which further highlights Communications is also working port the expansion of Q-Post delivery service. of Transportation and Commu- based customers to shop online the importance of such a to develop a drone delivery serv- services. nications and Q-Post to from overseas websites and programme.” ice, said a Ministry report. Presently, Q-Post customers develop a trial project for a arrange for their purchases to new innovative service that be delivered either to their can collect their letters or par- would cause a leap in the homes, and currently has more cels from the allocated PO method of delivering packages than 15,545 users. “ boxes. The company's main post in Qatar.” In terms of e-government office is located in Al Dafna area “The Ministry's Smart Inno- services, the Ministry of Trans- while there are more than 40 vation Lab will develop an port and Communications says, Q-Post branches, 18 of which autonomous drone delivery Qatar Post played a clear role par- have PO box (collection point) service proof of concept, as part ticularly by delivering the services facilities. Currently, no home of many of the lab's projects to of Metrash2 in cooperation with mail or parcel delivery service prove the credibility of the lab,” the Ministry of Interior, where it is available. it added. delivered 1,723,692 processes “Moreover, Q-post partnered In 2016 and under with 97% success. Dallah Driving Academy has about 450 instructors → Continued from page 1 All changes in the vehicles are made with Traffic Depart- ment’s approval in a way that does not affect the entire sys- tem, mostly in external parts like pedals and gear to suit the driv- er’s physical condition, added Nassar. “We are the only driving school in Qatar offering this course, with special training cars and experienced professional driving instructors. People with physical disabilities need to offer medical fitness report but in some cases the Academy is con- sulted whether it can offer training to certain conditions and we give the necessary feed- back,” said Nasser. Asked if there is a special cur- Hassan Nassar, Manager, Dalla Driving Academy. riculum for the disabled, Nassar Pic: Kammutty V P / The Peninsula said that they are treated like other trinees because they will use Female trainees have the full free- not willing to continue for differ- the same public road like any dom to choose a male or female ent reasons after deduction of motorist “ but we equip them with instructor, and all vehicles are some administrative fees,” said certain knowledge and skills.” electronically monitored. Nassar. He said the ban on around Driving school prices are The Academy has many facil- 260 professions from having a approved by the Consumer Pro- ities including nursery, library, an driving licence has affected tection Department. auditorium with a capacity of over enrollment at the Academy by 20 The discrepancy between the 300 people. to 30 per cent. prices of full course and half “The Academy is currently “This decision was based on course (40 lessons for QR 3350 working on a new training pro- studies of traffic situation in the and 20 lessons for QR 2800) is gramme using sophisticated country and taken in the interest because of fixed fees like insur- technology, aerial photography of the public,” he added. ance and other administrative fee, and smart cameras which will The Academy has 400 to 450 he explained. be announced soon,” said instructors including females. “We make refund for people Nassar. MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 HOME 03

Correction Fifth Gulf Inmates Week inaugurated In a report published by The Peninsula yester- day under the title ‘QU Works on display Law Clinic offers free legal aid to workers’, the name A number of crafts of Qatar University’s Law and paintings College dean was misspelt. made by prisoners The correct name is Dr are on display Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz at the event. Al Khulaifi. The error is regretted.

The event was organised under the Six days left theme 'Together to Achieve Reform'. to register for 2017 Ooredoo marathon Sidi Mohamed The Peninsula The Peninsula

number of excellent ith just six days crafts and paintings remaining to regis- made by prison Wter for the 2017 inmates were dis- Ooredoo Marathon, Ooredoo played yesterday at has encouraged everyone in theA Gulf Mall on the occasion of Qatar to sign up and help raise the 5th Gulf Inmates Week. money for a good cause. “The 5th Gulf Inmates Week, Major General Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi (centre), Director General of Public Security Department at the Ministry of Interior, Now in its fifth year, the 2017 which the ministry is keen to with other officials cutting a ribbon to inaugurate the Gulf Prisoners Week at the Gulf Mall yesterday. BELOW: Some of the Ooredoo Marathon will take mark every year, has an impor- paintings made by prisoners on display. Pic: Kammutty V P / The Peninsula place on Friday, 13 January. The tant role in enhancing positive route, which will start at the behaviour among prisoners and Museum of Islamic Arts Park, in integrating them with the soci- Charitable Foundation (Eid He also appreciated the will follow the Doha Corniche ety,” Staff Major General Saad Charity) also participated in the efforts of the PCID and the rele- and feature courses for all abil- bin Jassim Al Khulaifi said yes- event. vant governmental and ities of runners including a 10km terday while inaugurating the “These crafts and paintings non-governmental bodies and run, half-marathon, full mara- event. provided by the Penal and Cor- their support to prisoners’ fam- thon and special children’s 3km The 5th Gulf Inmates Week rectional Institutions ilies, in addition to exchanging and 1km fun run. Anyone can was organized under the theme Department (PCID) at the Min- experience with other GCC coun- register to take part at marathon. 'Together to Achieve Reform', istry and made by prisoners tries in this regard. ooredoo.qa and registration fees with the participation of various reflect that inmates are getting “We are offering the prison- will range depending on the Ministry of Interior Departments all care,” said Al Khulaifi. ers all the activities they need selected course and age of the like the Penal and Correctional Brigadier Khalifa Abdullah including sports and for those participant. Institutions Department (PCID), Al Nuaimi, Director General of interested in work we are offer- Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Medical Services Department, the General Directorate of Crim- ing several workshops like Director of Community & and General Directorate of inal Investigation, stressed the electric workshop, workshop for Public Relations, Ooredoo, Passports. importance of Gulf Inmates repairing ACs, among others. said: “The Ooredoo Marathon Other relevant institutions Week saying it helped in reduc- And half of the money they are is a great team building exer- like Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah ing the gap between the getting by selling their products cise, as well as moral building Foundation for Humanitarian prisoners and the society is for prisoners and their fami- Care and Rehabilitation section he said people could communi- event for Qatar’s businesses." Services (RAF), Qatar Red Cres- through awareness messages lies while the other half goes to head, adding that experts used cate with the authorities 100% of the 2017 Ooredoo cent, Ministry of Administrative aimed at spreading the culture the Ministry to buy the raw to give lectures to inmates on concerned and book the items Marathon registration fees Development, Labour and Social of acceptance of released materials for them," said Lieu- drug addiction. they wanted to buy. Some paint- will be donated to the charity Affairs, and Sheikh Eid prisoners. tenant Colonel Jassim Al Kaabi, About the displayed crafts, ings are priced up to QR 20,000. Reach Out To Asia.

Al Muraikhi meets Turkmenistan minister

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi with First Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, Wafa Khadzhiev, in Doha yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations and means of enhancing them in all fields.

Quality draw

Ajayan Al Marri, an official from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, with senior officials of Quality Hypermarket Group, after a raffle draw of the Shop and Drive sales promotion, at the Quality Mall, Al Hilal, in Doha yesterday. The winners of the draw were Bhim Kumar Rai (Coupon No. 0989438), Mohamed Mahmoud Al Sadi (Coupon No. 0099232) and Ram Chandra Yadav (0656246) who will each get a Lexus ES250 car, and Israr-ul-Hassan Abdul Gafoor (No. 0112526) and Ashwani (No. 0567195) who will each get a Land Cruiser GX 2016 4X4. Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula 04 HOME MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 Role of tech recognised in patient care

said, “Nursing Informatics is a devel- Healthy trend oping domain in the field of nursing Hamad Medical worldwide. It is a specialty that Corporation’s (HMC)’s advocates, trains and guides nurses Nursing Informatics to incorporate information technol- team says less paper ogy into their practices.” “The main objective of Nursing work can lead to more Informatics is to advance the best time spent on patients. use of clinical information and technological systems in the The Peninsula improvement of health care sys- tems and patient care delivery at Participants at the session entitled “Orientation to Training Courses in Public Health Program at QU: Field Experience amad Medical Corpo- HMC. This includes enhancing doc- ration’s (HMC)’s umentation accuracy and and Health Education Practicum”. Nursing Informatics decreasing the time spent by nurses team says that tech- creating and updating documen- nology plays a major tation, which ultimately benefits Hrole in improving patient care. patients,” she added. CPD trains public health professionals The team, which is led by Dr In addition to the CIS imple- Wasmiya Dalhem Al Kuwari, Exec- mentation, last year HMC became utive Director of Nursing the first hospital facility in the Mid- The Peninsula Coordinator at CHS Depart- health care practitioners who realising these goals during the Informatics at HMC, has recently dle East to launch a new electronic ment of Public Health. It aimed supervise and train QU Public training programmes. supported this by leading training system — Cerner Clairvia — for the he Continuing Profes- to highlight the importance of Health students during train- CPD Unit Coordinator Dr for nurses on a new Clinical Infor- management and organisation of sional Development providing training for super- ing courses at Qatar Cancer Hiba Bawadi said: “The Col- mation System (CIS) which is being more than 8,000 nursing staff. T(CPD) Unit at Qatar Uni- visors who train students in Society (QCS). lege of Health Sciences is one implemented across Hamad Med- Cerner Clairvia is considered one versity College of Health various health organisations Dr Al Jayyousi gave an of the earliest accredited CPD ical Corporation’s (HMC) hospitals of the leading systems used to man- Sciences (QU-CHS) recently and prepare them to become introductory presentation on providers for health care prac- and clinics. age nursing staff in prominent held an orientation session distinguished health care pro- QU Public Health programme titioners in the State of Qatar. Dr Al Kuwari said, “The new healthcare institutions across the entitled “Orientation to Train- viders in multiple health followed by a discussion about The College continues its electronic system enables nurses to United States. ing Courses in Public Health systems. The CPD Unit had the main objectives of experi- efforts to identify gaps in pro- access consolidated patient records With HMC opening three new Program at QU: Field Experi- been accredited by Qatar's ence-based learning for fessional practice and to in real-time without the hassle of hospitals in 2017, as well as the new ence and Health Education Ministry of Public Health as a students. She also highlighted provide effective CME/CPD going through a lot of paperwork. Communicable Diseases Center’s Practicum”. provider of continuing profes- the goals of the Field Experi- programmes to stimulate a With all past medical histories, labs opening in November, Nursing The session was delivered sional development (CPD). ence and Health Education positive change in knowledge, and diagnostics available on one Informatics will continue to work by Dr Ghadir Fakhri Al Jayy- The event brought together Practicum courses and competence, and performance system, nurses can make decisions to equip nurses with the changing ousi, Lecturer and Training many health educators and stressed the importance of of health care practitioners.” quicker. The time saved can then be technological demands of their used more effectively for attending profession. to patients’ urgent needs and most “We are preparing our nurses importantly, enhancing their safety.” with the competencies and skills Recently, the Nursing Informat- required to practice in a future Seawater used to make biofuel for aviation ics Department was recognised for health care environment. New HMC its work in the implementation of facilities are opening and we are CIS during HMC’s annual Stars of not only going behind the scenes The Peninsula article/10.1007/s11367-016-1215-5), which portion of the seed that remains after oil Excellence Awards. but leading the preparation phase was co-authored by QU Center for Sus- extraction is high in protein and can be Explaining more about the role for the rollout of the CIS across new study has found that an inte- tainable Development (CSD) Research recycled into feed for fish and shrimps. of Nursing Informatics, Dr Al Kuwari those facilities,” Dr Al Kuwari said. grated seawater energy and Assistant Professor Dr J Jed Brown, a life The dried straw that remains after the Aagriculture system (ISEAS) can pro- cycle assessment (LCA) of a potential oilseeds can also be used to generate elec- duce biofuel for the aviation sector with ISEAS was conducted. The team quanti- tricity. Water that leaves the halophyte fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its fied the energy and material flows fields flows into a mangrove wetland fossil counterpart. throughout the system and calculated the where most of the remaining nutrients The research project conducted by a resulting net greenhouse gas emissions. will be absorbed into mangrove biomass. team of researchers from Qatar Univer- In the ISEAS, seawater is pumped into Branches and leaves from the mangroves sity (QU) and Masdar Institute of Science ponds where high value shrimp and fish can be periodically trimmed to generate and Technology (Masdar Institute) has are grown for human consumption. The electricity with the Salicornia straw.” found that the aviation biofuel produced nutrient-rich effluent exits the ponds and Dr Brown also highlighted the environ- from this ISEAS system emits up to 68 per- flows into fields of salt-tolerant plants mental benefits of the ISEAS system, saying, cent less greenhouse gases compared to (halophytes). The team examined a Sali- "In the ISEAS system, the nutrient-rich efflu- fossil jet fuel and yields an overall posi- cornia bigelovii halophyte — commonly ent from the aquaculture ponds serves as a tive net energy balance. known as glasswort or samphire — which fertiliser source for the halophytes and man- The study is funded by Boeing Corpo- produces oilseeds similar to soybeans. groves, which clean the water by removing ration. In a new article appearing online The oil extracted from the seeds can nutrients. Mangroves are also used in many in the International Journal of Life Cycle be processed into a drop-in biofuel for parts of the Gulf region to stabilise erosion- Assessment (http://link.springer.com/ aeroplanes, Dr Brown said, adding, “The prone coastal regions." Chevron Phillips gives QR360,000 for expats

The Peninsula

n official delegation of Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Qatar LLC (Chevron Phillips Chemical AQatar) recently presented to Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) a QR360,000 donation cheque as part of QRCS' annual 'Together for Benevolence' programme. The programme aims to support expatriate workers and promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) in humani- tarian activities. This year's initiative focuses on securing the basic needs of 4,500 expatriate workers during the win- ter, by distributing 3,500 food packages and 1,000 winter clothing bags at their worksites countrywide in Qatar. The food packages will consist of basic food staples like rice, sugar, oil, tea, and canned foods, while the clothing bags will contain blankets, gloves, scarves, socks, and caps. The Chevron Phillips Chemical Qatar delegation com- prised Mitchell Eichelberger, President; Darren Ercolani, Finance Manager; and Ricardo Costa Almeida, Human Resources Specialist. The guests were welcomed by Ali Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of QRCS; Saad Shaheen Al Kaabi, Director of Resources Mobilization; Issa Mohamed Al Ishaq, Director of Communication; and Hamid Moharrar, Head of Corporate Relations. Al Hammadi commended the bilateral partnership as being in the best interest of Qatari society, particularly expatriate workers. The Secretary-General proclaimed that this donation is aligned with the country's national strategy of allocating considerable funds to improve the living standards of expatriate workers and ensure their welfare. MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 HOME 05

Malabar Gold & Diamonds cash back winner RAF distributes CRA finalises 40,000 Quran copies in Senegal

frequency The Peninsula

SHEIKH Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitar- allocation plan ian Services (RAF) recently distributed 40,000 copies of the Holy Quran in Senegal. future needs related to major The distribution came as Air waves national and international part of Tibyan project launched The plan is a sport championships, and cul- by RAF to print and distribute comprehensive tural events.” one million copies of the Holy frequency allocation “We have engaged with rel- Quran around the world. A document that evant public and private sector number of officials from Sen- provides a entities to take into considera- egal government attended the tion their future plans to finalise distribution ceremony. transparent, non- this document and bench- Ali Bader Job, who repre- discriminatory and marked it with international sented the government in the predictable approach radio regulations,” he added. ceremony, thanked RAF for to spectrum The plan, reviewed by the its projects in Senegal like management. Qatar National Spectrum Coor- medical fund project and dination Committee (QNSCC), project of distributing copies includes the updated National of the Holy Quran, which is Ajit Aby John, one of the lucky winners of ‘Malabar Gold & Diamonds Festival’ receives The Peninsula Frequency Allocation Table considered one of the most ‘100 % Cash Back’ from Shaffi, Assistant Manager, in the presence of other officials from (NFAT) and is a comprehensive important projects to main- he National Frequency frequency allocation document Malabar Gold & Diamonds, at Gharafa Lulu branch. tain peace, security and Allocation Plan (NFAP) that provides a transparent, non- stability. Thas been finalised by the discriminatory and predictable Communications Regulatory approach to spectrum manage- Authority (CRA) with appropri- ment and to reserve appropriate ate consideration to planning spectrum for future innovative of projects in sectors that are technologies. Temperature expected to rise today critical to Qatar’s economy. It also integrates planning of The plan has also been new mobile broadband technol- Continued from page 1 endorsed by the Minister of ogies, public protection and expected today ranges between Transport and Communica- disaster relief measures, According to the weather 15 to 18 degree Celsius. tions, and published on the CRA unmanned aircraft systems, glo- bureau, the humidity increase at The country is under the website, said a press release. bal flight tracking, maritime night could, in the coming days, influence of an upper level high “The finalisation of NFAP safety, and amateur radio with light winds makes condi- pressure system causing stable is an important achievement This document is an essen- tions favourable for mist and fog weather in general. Since the sea for Qatar’s requirements of tial guide for individuals, formations over most areas dur- is almost calm and suitable for spectrum usage in the telecom- government agencies, and com- ing late night and early morning all activities the Met office munication, government, mercial entities on how radio with zero visibility at times. Due expects no sea warnings until the aviation, security, energy, communication services, tech- to the foggy weather this morn- end of the week. Information & Communica- nologies, and applications are ing, visibility is expected to be However, the Ministry of tions Technology (ICT) and distributed over radio frequency 1km or less at first improving to Interior has advised motorists to other nationally critical sectors bands in Qatar. It contains four to 8km later. be cautious and slow down given as the management of this important information required Temperature is expected to the low visibility. The Ministry scarce recourse impacts the for applicants for any request for rise a bit above average with a has urged motorists to maintain country’s GDP,” said Moham- frequency usage (assignment, maximum of 27 degree Celsius distance between vehicles and med Ali Al Mannai, President licensing, authorisation, etc.), expected in Doha today, com- to avoid sudden overtaking. Heavy fog on the Corniche Road early yesterday morning. of CRA, adding, “moreover, before they approach CRA with pared to the current average of Hazard lights should not be used Pic: Abdul Basit/ The Peninsula NFAP includes all current and such requests. 23°C. The minimum temperature while driving in fog. 06 MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016

Tunisia Struck Boeing forces warn of returning deal at half militants Tunis AFP price: Tehran TUNISIA'S security forces called on the government yesterday to take "excep- planemakers have all faced a tional measures" to combat Plane truth downturn in orders, and are the return of jihadists fight- Iran seems to be taking therefore expected to offer deep ing for extremist groups full advantage of the discounts. abroad. lifting of sanctions Boeing said this month it was Tunisia has witnessed a after the nuclear deal. cutting production of its 777 long- wave of jihadist attacks since haul jet due to a drop in demand. its 2011 revolution, including “Boeing has announced that on foreign tourists, and the Dubai its IranAir contract is worth United Nations estimates that Reuters $16.6bn. However, considering the there are more than 5,000 nature of our order and its choice Tunisians fighting for extrem- ran said yesterday it had possibilities, the purchase contract ist outfits, mainly in Iraq and Omani men look at the list of candidates for the municipal elections, at a polling station negotiated to pay only about for 80 Boeing aircraft is worth Syria. half the announced price for about 50 percent of that amount,” in Al Suwayq, in northeastern Oman, yesterday. "The return of terrorists 80 new Boeing airliners in said Deputy Transport Minister from hotbeds of unrest in an order that the American Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan, quoted Tunisia is worrying and could Iplanemaker had said was worth by Iran’s IRNA state news agency. lead to the Somalisation of the $16.6bn. A Boeing spokesman in Dubai Oman holds municipal elections country," said a statement Boeing and its European rival was not available to comment. from the internal security Airbus have both signed huge con- Airbus’s contract to sell 100 forces' national union. tracts this month to supply jets to IranAir, signed on Thurs- Muscat be held for municipal Muscat. Voters across the Battle-hardened fighters airliners to Iran, the first such day, would be worth $18-$20bn AFP councils. country are choosing 202 "have received military train- deals since international sanctions at list prices, but the head of Ira- More than 620,000 vot- councillors from among 731 ing and have learnt to use all were lifted under a deal to curb nAir has been quoted as saying the oters in Oman headed ers were registered to take candidates, including 23 sorts of sophisticated weap- Tehran’s nuclear programme. value of the contract would not to the polls yesterday part in yesterday's polls, women, for the four-year ons," it added. Replacing Iran’s antiquated exceed $10bn. Vto choose municipal which will choose council- posts. The warning came a day civil aviation fleet is one of the The government of President councillors in only the second lors for 11 municipalities At the national level, after Tunisian authorities said biggest economic opportunities Hassan Rowhani, a pragmatist, local election held in the Gulf including the capital Oman has a consultative they had arrested three peo- of the 2015 accord to lift sanctions, has pushed to finalise aircraft sultanate. Muscat. council with limited powers, ple including the nephew of which was negotiated by the out- deals to show results from the Ruled by H M Sultan The councillors will have the 85-member Majlis Anis Amri, a national sus- going administration of US nuclear accord with world power Qaboos since 1970, Oman has limited powers, as authorities Al-Shura. pected of carrying out a President Barack Obama. Presi- to end sanctions. He faces criti- made tentative steps in recent will designate chairmen and In 2011 Sultan Qaboos deadly truck attack on a Ber- dent elect Donald Trump is a vocal cism at home from hardliners over years towards reform, though deputy chairmen for the slightly expanded the powers lin Christmas market this critic of the pact. the cost of the purchases. political parties remain municipalities from outside of the Majlis Al Shura after week. Despite Iran’s great need for Fakhrieh-Kashan also said banned. those elected. unprecedented social unrest Hundreds of people gath- new planes to replace those from yesterday that IranAir may exer- In 1994 it became the first "I voted for the person when the normally quiet ered outside parliament in the sanctions era, it has entered cise an option to buy 20 more Gulf country to give the vote who will best represent me," nation became caught up in Tunis on Saturday to protest the market at a time when Boe- aircraft from ATR, a European to women and in 2011 Sultan Jawhara Al Zadjali said as she protests which swept the Arab against letting jihadists back ing, Airbus and smaller maker of regional turboprops. Qaboos decreed that elections left a polling station in world. in the country. Hadi visits former Al Qaeda stronghold Prosecutor shot

Aden agency Saba, Hadi stressed the need blamed on Al Qaeda. They said Faraj vast desert east. In the north, a Saudi dead in Puntland AFP to "tighten our ranks to meet the Neji survived an ambush but two of soldier was killed in a cross-border challenges we face", a reference to his guards were killed. Loyalist forces firefight with rebels, the Interior Bossaso emen's President Abdrabuh Al Qaeda fighters still active across have been struggling to secure ter- Ministry in Riyadh said yesterday. A Reuters Mansur Hadi visited Mukalla the vast province. ritory taken by the Houthis since the border post was attacked overnight Yon the southeast coast yester- Yemen's internationally recog- summer of 2015. by Houthis, a spokesman said, add- l Shabaab Islamist militants shot dead a mil- day, an official said, his first trip there nised government has been based A military official said yesterday ing that a soldier wounded in the itary prosecutor in Somalia’s since loyalist forces retook it from in second city Aden since it was that five rebels were killed in a coa- exchange died before reaching Asemi-autonomous Puntland region yester- Al Qaeda in April. retaken from Shia Houthi rebels last lition air raid in the southern Shabwa hospital. day, witnesses and officials said, the type of Hadi and Prime Minister Ahmed year. province. He was the latest of at least 111 targetted killing that Al Qaeda-allied gunmen fre- bin Dagher met political and mili- Retaking Mukalla was facilitated Also in Shabwa, three armed Saudi soldiers and civilians to be quently commit throughout Somalia. tary officials from across Mukalla's by the intervention of Emirati spe- tribesman were killed in an ambush killed in the country's south since the Al Shabaab’s insurgency aims to drive out Afri- Hadramawt province, the official cial forces, members of a Saudi-led by fighters belonging to the Yemeni kingdom launched a coalition to bat- can Union peacekeepers, topple Somalia’s said. coalition that backs Hadi's branch of Al Qaeda, security officials tle the Yemeni insurgents in March Western-backed government and impose its strict The president praised efforts in government. said. 2015. version of Islam on the Horn of Africa state. the province to "eradicate the forces A local official survived an assas- Yemen's conflict has allowed The Yemen conflict has killed Yesterday, Abdikarim Hassan Firdiye was shot of evil and terrorism" and bring sination attempt yesterday in jihadist organisations including Al some 7,000 people since the Saudi- dead as he got out of his car outside a restaurant "security and stability" back to Shibam, around 100km north of Qaeda and the Islamic State group led intervention, according to the in Puntland’s largest city, Bosasso. Mukalla. Quoted by the official news Mukalla, in an attack security sources to expand, mainly in the country's United Nations. Just a few days ago, a regional official’s aide was killed in a similar and targetted attack and, days before that, Al Shabaab gunmen killed the region’s deputy police commander outside a hotel. Wedding bells toll “Two teenagers armed with pistols shot him in the head after he got off his car,” Hassan Ahmed, a waiter at the restaurant, told Reuters. “His bodyguards fired back but the killers had already disappeared by then,” he said. Abdifatah Haji Aden, Chairman of Puntland’s military court, said: “We believe it was the same militants who killed the other two officials last week that also killed him. We shall pursue them.” Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the kill- ing. “Today, we killed a prosecutor who had sentenced many teenagers - many boys and girls - to their deaths for alleged links to Al Shabaab,” said Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, the group’s mil- Algerian women sing during a group wedding ceremony organised itary operations spokesman. The Al Shabaab by a charity for economically disadvantaged people and orphans, insurgency persists in Somalia as the country in the Sahara desert village of In-Salah, south Algeria. struggles to restore order and rebuild infrastruc- ture after more than two decades of conflict. Egypt sentences two to life for Red Sea resort attack

Cairo Hurghada last January as tour- along with fellow Egyptian north of the Sinai Peninsula AFP ists were having dinner, slightly Ahmad Abdel Salam Mansour, that has killed hundreds of wounding an elderly Austrian identified as an Islamic State policemen and soldiers. gypt yesterday sentenced couple and a Swedish tourist. group jihadist based in Syria The jihadists have claimed to life two men linked to No one claimed responsi- where IS is active. attacks on other targets in Ethe Islamic State group bility for the attack, during The court official, who Egypt, including a bomb attack for plotting an attack on a Red which police shot dead one of spoke on condition of anonym- on a Cairo church this month Sea resort hotel during which the assailants, Mohamad Has- ity, said that Abul Kheir was that killed 27 people. three tourists were hurt, a court san Mohamed Mahfouz, and present in court for the verdict IS said it is also behind the official said wounded the other, Mohamed while Mansour was sentenced October 2015 bombing of a The men armed with Magdy Abul Kheir. to life in absentia. Russian airliner carrying holi- knives stormed the restaurant The prosecution said that The IS Egyptian affiliate is daymakers from the Sharm of the Bella Vista hotel in the pair had plotted the attack waging an insurgency in the el-Sheikh Red Sea resort. MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 MIDDLE EAST 07 Israel strikes back after Fire at refinery UN settlement vote

Jerusalem Seeks explanation While the resolution con- AFP tains no sanctions, Israeli Foreign ministry officials are concerned it could srael yesterday summoned spokesman Emmanuel widen the possibility of prose- representatives of states Nahshon said that the cution at the International that supported a UN res- 14 envoys of UN Criminal Court. olution demanding it halt Security Council They are also worried it settlement activity, while members will visit the could encourage some coun- Icutting civilian coordination tries to impose sanctions ministry in Jerusalem with Palestinians by way of against Israeli settlers and throughout the day. rebuke. goods produced in the Foreign ministry spokes- settlements. man Emmanuel Nahshon said Earlier yesterday, army that the 14 envoys of UN Secu- Jerusalem." radio reported that Defence rity Council members will visit It says settlements have "no Minister Avigdor Lieberman the ministry in Jerusalem legal validity" and are "danger- ordered the Israeli security throughout the day. ously imperilling the viability establishment to cease to all A blaze can be seen after a fire erupted in a fuel tank at Oil Refineries Ltd in the Israeli By way of rebuke of the of the two-state solution." cooperation on civilian matters northern city of Haifa, yesterday. vote, Israel's Defence Minister Prime Minister Benjamin with the Palestinians, while Avigdor Lieberman also Netanyahu, who had rejected retaining security announced yesterday that the resolution as a "shameful coordination. Israel was cutting civilian coor- blow against Israel," repeated Israeli officials refused to dination with Palestinians. on Sunday the Israeli claim that comment on the report. Earlier, army radio reported US President Barack Obama The measures taken Sun- Rebels blamed for 'poisoning' water that Lieberman ordered Israeli and Secretary of State John day join Netanyahu's order to security establishment to cease Kerry were behind the review engagements at the to all cooperation on civilian resolution. United Nations, including fund- Damascus it had halted supplies after "ter- tanks were empty again yester- matters with the Palestinians, "We have no doubt that the ing for UN agencies and the AFP rorist attacks on all water day. According to state news while retaining security Obama administration initiated presence of UN representatives resources feeding into Damas- agency SANA, rebel groups coordination. it, stood behind it, coordinated in Israel. esidents of the Syrian cap- cus and its surroundings". attacked springs at Wadi Barada The Council passed the the drafts and demanded to Rightwing Public Security ital were facing their third It said it was using reserves and Ain Al Fijeh, about 15km measure on Friday after the pass it," Netanyahu said at the Minister Gilad Erdan said Sat- Rconsecutive day of water and would pump water to var- northwest of Damascus. United States abstained, ena- beginning of the weekly cabi- urday night that Israel should shortages yesterday, with ious city neighbourhoods It did not specify the type of bling the adoption of the first net meeting. "announce a full annexation of authorities accusing "terrorist according to a schedule pub- attack, but the daily Al-Watan, resolution since 1979 to con- "This is of course in total settlement blocs" in response groups" of deliberately poison- lished on its website. which is close to the govern- demn Israel over its settlement contradiction to the traditional to the resolution. ing water resources. "Water has been totally cut ment, accused rebels of policy. The US envoy was not American policy of not trying Education Minister Naftali The government cut off for three days," said Rasha, a "contaminating the water summoned. to impose conditions of a final Bennett of the far-right Jewish water to Damascus on Friday 51-year-old housewife. resources into Damascus with The resolution demands resolution," Netanyahu said, Home told army radio that his after concerns that rebel groups "We can live without elec- pollutants and diesel". "Israel immediately and com- "and of course the explicit com- party would "soon propose a west of the city had poisoned tricity but we can't live without An estimated 1.5 million pletely cease all settlement mittment of President Obama bill to annex Maale Adumim," wells and pipes. A statement by water." Supplies were pumped people live inside Damascus activities in the occupied Pal- himself in 2011 to avoid such a settlement city east of the Damascus City Water Sup- briefly to two districts on Satur- city, with another 3.5 million in estinian territory, including east measures." Jerusalem. ply and Sewage Authority said day, a correspondents said, but its suburbs. Turkey moves arms to Syria border, seeks Trump’s backing in war on IS

Ankara President-elect Donald Trump agrees government’s account, killed nearly Bloomberg to block Kurdish forces from participat- 40,000 people, cost hundreds of billions ing. Turkey is concerned that Kurdish of dollars, and undermined Turkish aspi- urkey’s military deployed tanks territorial gains in Syria could lead to a rations to join the European Union. and guns on the Syrian border as new state there, emboldening the sep- “We will declare a safe zone cleared TPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan aratist aspirations of its own Kurds. from terrorism in northern Syria,” urged joint action with the Trump Kurds have established control over Erdogan said. administration against Islamic State (IS) much of Syria’s north during five years Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut in its de facto capital, Raqqa. of violence, and in doing so, emerged as Cavusoglu, meanwhile, endorsed efforts The deployment, including long- a favored US fighting force in the ground by Russian President Vladimir Putin to range guns and armoured personnel war against Islamic State. kickstart Syria peace talks in Kazakhstan carriers, followed Erdogan’s remark “We will not allow the formation under a deal that would involve Turkey on Saturday that Turkish troops fight- of a new state in northern Syria,” and Iran, but exclude the US and the ing to capture the jihadists’ stronghold Erdogan said as he vowed to retake American-backed Syrian opposition. of Al Bab in northwest Syria could Manbij, which was seized by Kurdish While backing opposite sides in the Syr- move first to the town of Manbij and forces from Islamic State. “After Man- ian war, Turkey and Russia have grown then to Raqqa. The artillery reinforce- bij, Raqqa is next if we can join hands closer because of shared security con- ments were sent to the border towns with the US.” cerns over spillover from the Syrian of Oguzeli and Karkamis, north of Turkey launched an incursion into conflict. Manbij, state-run Anadolu Agency Syria in August to fight Islamic State and “We need to transition to a political reported yesterday. the Kurdish forces. Turkey regards the solution in Syria and include Iran” in this Erdogan reiterated his country’s Kurds as terrorists because of their links effort, Cavusoglu said late Saturday in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to citizens in Tire district of Izmir, readiness to extend its fight against the to the PKK, whose fight for autonomy Antalya. “There should be an adminis- Turkey, yesterday. jihadist group in Raqqa if US in Turkey’s southeast has, by the tration acceptable to all sides.” Alleged hijackers of Libyan plane appear in Malta court

Valletta AFP

he two men accused of using fake weapons to hijack a Libyan plane earlier this week with 117 people on Tboard before diverting it to Malta appeared in court yesterday. Moussa Saha and Ali Ahmed Saleh pleaded not guilty in Valletta's law courts to a string of offences including hijacking a plane and threatening passengers. If convicted they face maximum sentences of life in jail. The Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A320 was en route from Sabha in southern Libya to the capital Tripoli when it was taken over and forced to fly to Malta, sparking a four-hour runway standoff. While the two suspects were initially thought to have used a real grenade and at least one pistol to stage the hijacking, it later emerged that they had allegedly used fake weapons, a Maltese government statement said. The pair were escorted into the Christmas Day hear- ing under heavy armed security and the two men were wearing bullet proof vests. Through his lawyer, Moussa asked the court to allow him to communicate with his family and be allowed to pray. The presiding magistrate said usual practices and procedures should be followed. Sources close to the investigation told AFP that the men refused to answer any questions during their inter- rogations. They were remanded in custody. The case continues. 08 ASIA / AFRICA MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016

NEWS BYTES Congo ethnic Thousands stranded at militia kills Japan airport HEAVY SNOW in northern Japan caused transport chaos over the holiday weekend, 13 civilians with flights and train services cancelled and Kinshasa Mounting clashes thousands of passen- Reuters gers forced to camp out Tit-for-tat massacres at a regional airport for by Hutu and Nande three straight nights. n ethnic Nande mili- militia in eastern Sapporo on Hokkaido tia in eastern Congo’s North Kivu island had up to 96 cen- Democratic Repub- province have killed timetres (38 inches) of lic of Congo killed dozens this year. snow as of Friday night, at least 13 Hutu the city's heaviest snow- civiliansA yesterday with guns fall in half a century, and machetes in an apparent It raising fears that according to the Japan revenge attack for the deaths political instability Meteorological Agency. of Nande civilians last week, a The snow blanketed New over President Policemen hold dogs as they clear the area of the Jakarta Cathedral in Indonesia, yesterday. local activist said. Joseph Kabila’s Chitose Airport, the main Tit-for-tat massacres by tenure could stoke a gateway to the northern Hutu and Nande militia in east- surge in localised island region, and caused ern Congo’s North Kivu conflicts by creating hundreds of flights to be province have killed dozens this a local security Terror suspects shot dead in Jakarta cancelled. year. Relations between the Some 2,500 people vacuum. communities have worsened Jakarta after arresting and interrogat- Borneo island. "Their target is were forced to stay there due to population movements AFP ing two men on Sunday to attack police officers, in police on Thursday night, 6,000 and operations by the Congo- referring to an attack on Thurs- morning. posts or even at home. They on Friday night and 2,600 lese army against the largest day by Nyatura, an ethnic Hutu ndonesian police yesterday The suspects attacked offic- wanted to attack with sharp in Saturday night, accord- Hutu militia in the area. militia, that killed at least 17 shot dead two terror suspects ers with knives but gave up after weapons such as knives and ing to a security official Militia violence across the civilians in a nearby village. Iand arrested two more, only being shot and wounded, police machetes," Setiyono said. at the airport. country has spiked in the last At least 40 people died last days after foiling separate plans said. After being interrogated, Less than a week before The passengers' plight week, raising fears that politi- week in protests against Pres- by an IS-linked group for a they led police to a house at a Christmas, Indonesian police was compounded by the cal instability over President ident Joseph Kabila’s refusal to Christmas-time suicide bomb- separate location where two thwarted a suicide-bomb plot fact that most flights had Joseph Kabila’s tenure could step down at the end of his con- ing near the capital. more members of the group planned for the holiday season been fully booked due stoke a surge in localised con- stitutional mandate last The pair were fatally shot at were hiding. Several sharp and shot dead three militants in to the holiday, national flicts by creating a local security Tuesday. a house in Purwakarta 100km weapons were seized from the a raid at South Tangerang just broadcaster NHK said. vacuum. Mai Mai Mazembe, a The govt says he will east of the capital Jakarta after house but no explosives were outside Jakarta. Indonesia suf- More than 280 flights to predominantly Nande militia, remain in office until an elec- allegedly resisting arrest. found. fered a string of deadly and from the airport were attacked the town of Nyanzale tion in 2018. Mediators from the "We ordered them to sur- Police said the suspects and homegrown attacks during the cancelled on Friday alone, early yesterday morning, Inno- country’s Catholic church hope render and even fired warning the dead men were members of 2000s, including the 2002 Bali along with hundreds of cent Gasigwa, spokesman for talks between Kabila’s ruling shots, but they resisted and the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah bombings which killed over 200 train services in the region the Civil Society of Rutshuru coalition and the main opposi- started to attack our officers group, a local militant outfit people. A sustained crackdown during the weekend. territory, said, adding that two tion bloc will produce a deal by with machetes, so we had to which supports the Islamic State has weakened many of the most militiamen were also killed. Friday that would see Kabila take them down," national group and was responsible for dangerous extremist networks “This must be the response step down after an election in police spokesman Awi Setiyono a November attack on a church but there have been fears of a for last time,” Gasigwa said, late 2017. said. Police raided the house which killed a toddler on resurgence in militancy. Two dead in Nigeria police building collapse Heavy flooding Two dead in Cameroon TWO people were killed when part of a two-sto- rey building in a police suicide bomb attack training college collapsed in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos yesterday, Yaounde was walking towards the mar- the police and the emer- Reuters ket which was full because of gency agency said. Christmas. Members of a vigi- The collapse hap- suicide bomber in the lance committee spotted him pened at about 4am in northern Cameroon before he could penetrate the the densely populated A town of Mora killed a market,” a Cameroonian sol- Ikeja district of the city, an young student and a woman in dier said. official from the National an attack on a market full of “He was stopped and in Emergency Management Christmas shoppers, an aide to panic he detonated his explo- Agency (NEMA) said. the governor of Far North sives. If he hadn’t been spotted “Two people lost their region said yesterday. the death toll would have been lives. Nobody is inside Suicide bombers suspected higher,” he said. the rubble,” said Dolapo of belonging to the Islamist mil- Fighters from Boko Haram Badmus, a spokesman for itant group Boko Haram have have killed thousands in their Lagos state police. Both launched attacks in Mora, about campaign to carve out an he and the NEMA official 30km from the Nigerian bor- Islamist state in their base in said the search for other der, several times before. northeast Nigeria and have also people was over. Build- The bomb also killed the launched attacks in neighbour- ing collapses are frequent attacker and wounded five ing Chad, Niger and in Africa’s most populous other people, said the aide to Cameroon. nation and often blamed A family using a boat to travel due to heavy flooding in the Rangae district of Thailand's Governor Midjiyawa Bakary. The group has frequently by officials on the use of southern province of Narathiwat, yesterday. “The suicide bomber was used female bombers and chil- cheap materials. pretending to be a beggar and dren to hit targets. China aircraft carrier to carry out Pacific drills first time Beijing of the Liaoning is the first step in and into the Pacific. There was sky, overseen by navy chief Wu Reuters what state media and some mil- no territorial incursion, the min- Shengli. They conducted aerial itary experts say will be the istry said. One Z-9 patrol refuelling and air combat exer- hina’s first aircraft carrier deployment of domestically built helicopter that took off from a cises on Thursday, the navy said. will carry out drills in the carriers by 2020. Taiwan’s Chinese frigate flew near Miyako China’s growing military CWestern Pacific, in what defence ministry said on Sunday Island, prompting the scrambling presence in the disputed South the navy called part of routine it had been monitoring the drills of Japanese jet fighters, said the China Sea in particular has exercises, amid renewed tension closely as the Liaoning went Japanese Defence Ministry. fuelled concern, with the United over self-ruled Taiwan that Bei- through the Miyako Strait, a body Nikkei business daily States criticising its militarisa- jing claims as its own. of water between the Japanese reported that Japan had told tion of maritime outposts and The navy said in a statement islands of Miyako and Okinawa, China via diplomatic channels holding regular air and naval late on Saturday the Liaoning, heading into the Pacific. that it was closely watching the patrols to ensure freedom of along with its accompanying It said it was monitoring moves of the aircraft carrier. navigation. fleet, would conduct “exercises whether the aircraft carrier China’s military conducted The Western Pacific exercise far out at sea”, without giving would continue into the Bashi its first ever live-fire drills using comes amid new tension over details of the location or route, Channel, which lies between Tai- an aircraft carrier and fighters in self-ruled Taiwan, following U.S. in what is likely its first blue- wan and the Philippines, on its the northeastern Bohai Sea close President-elect Donald Trump’s water drill far from home waters. return. The Japanese Defense to the Korean peninsula this telephone call with the island’s “This exercise is being car- Ministry said on Sunday evening month, and has more recently president that upset Beijing. ried out in accordance with that a Maritime Self Defense been in the East China Sea. China’s air force conducted annual exercise plans,” the navy Force ship and a P3C patrol air- The navy showed pictures on long-range drills this month said in a statement also carried plane had spotted six Chinese its official microblog from the above the East and South China A file picture of Chinese J-15 fighter jets on the deck of the on the front page of the official naval vessels including Liaoning drills in the East China Sea, Seas that rattled Japan and Tai- Liaoning aircraft carrier during military drills in the Bohai Sea, People’s Liberation Army Daily. travelling through the passage including J-15 carrier-borne wan. China said those exercises China’s successful operation between Miyako and Okinawa fighter jets launching into the were also routine. off China's northeast coast. MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 ASIA / PHILIPPINES 09 Powerful typhoon slams into Philippines

Manila as airlines canceled flights and AP Wrecking havoc ferries were prevented from sail- Typhoon Nock-Ten ing. Officials warned of storm was packing surges in coastal villages, flash powerful typhoon floods and landslides, and asked maximum sustained slammed into the villagers to evacuate to safer winds of 185kmh and eastern Philippines grounds. In the past 65 years, on Christmas Day, gusts of up to 255kph seven typhoons have struck the spoiling the biggest when it made landfall Philippines on Christmas Day, holidayA in Asia's largest Catholic yesterday night in according to the government's nation, where a governor offered Catanduanes weather agency. roast pig to entice villagers to province. Gov. Miguel Villafuerte of abandon family celebrations for Camarines Sur province, which emergency shelters. Heavy rainfall, is in the typhoon's forecast path, Typhoon Nock-Ten was destructive winds offered roast pig, a popular packing maximum sustained and battering waves Christmas delicacy locally called winds of 185kmh and gusts of up were threatening "lechon," in evacuation centers to 255kph when it made landfall heavily populated to entice villagers to move to yesterday night in Catanduanes emergency shelters. rural and urban province, where fierce winds and Camarines Sur officials tar- regions. rain knocked down the island's geted about 50,000 families power and communications, — some 250,000 people — for forecasters said. evacuation by Saturday night, but After Catanduanes, the making landfall and hitting the the number of those who typhoon, which had a 500km Sierra Madre mountain range in responded was initially far below rain band, was expected to barge southern Luzon. expectations. In Catanduanes westward across the mountain- Heavy rainfall, destructive province, Vice Gov. Shirley Residents sit in a truck after the local government implemented preemptive evacuations at ous southern plank of the winds and battering waves were Abundo said she had ordered a Philippines' main island of Luzon threatening heavily populated forced evacuation of villagers, Barangay Matnog, Daraga, Albay province, yesterday. and blow close to the capital, rural and urban regions, where saying some "are really hard- Welfare and Development, which reported to have moved to six Food, water and other emer- Manila, today, before starting to the Philippine weather agency headed, they don't want to leave helps oversee government evacuation centers by yesterday gency supplies had been exit toward the South China Sea. raised typhoon warnings, strand- their houses because it's Christ- response during disasters, said morning in the Bicol region, pre-positioned in areas expected Nock-Ten may weaken after ing thousands of people in ports mas." The Department of Social only about 4,200 people were which includes Camarines Sur. to be lashed by the typhoon. Four doctors in China China’s Suzhou City to halt live poultry trade suspended over kickbacks Beijing official People’s Daily reported Suzhou, reported last week that chickens had been culled. Beijing pharmaceutical sales repre- Reuters on its website. Two people have a man had been diagnosed with In Xiamen, a city in Fujian Reuters sentatives paying sweeteners died of the H7N9 strain of bird the H7N9 strain after travelling province also in the east, author- to doctors at six hospitals in Chinese city said yester- flu in China this winter, the first from Jiangsu. ities halted poultry sales on hree doctors in Shanghai Shanghai and Hunan. day it will suspend trade fatalities among at least seven The two deaths were in Thursday in one district, after a and one in Hunan prov- The bribes amounted to 30 A of live poultry in the inter- infections. In the past week, Anhui province, west of both 44-year-old man was diagnosed Tince have been suspended to 40 percent of the sales price ests of public health after Hong Kong and Macau have also Shanghai and Suzhou. Anhui has with H7N9, state news agency pending investigations over of the drugs, according to the neighbouring provinces reported reported their first human bird reported five human infections Xinhua reported. The H7N9 allegations they took kickbacks report. cases of human bird flu flu infections for this season. since December 8. Authorities strain does not seem to transmit from pharmaceutical compa- Anti-graft authorities in infections. H7N9 had not been detected in Anhui, which has a popula- easily from person to person, nies, Chinese state media Shanghai are investigating and Suzhou, the second-biggest in either humans or animals in tion of almost 60 million, have and sustained human-to-human reported. In an investigative authorities in Hunan pledged city in the eastern province of China until March 2013. shut some livestock markets and infection has not been reported, report aired on Saturday, China to improve supervision of phar- Jiangsu, will halt trading of live The city of Shanghai, about stepped up sterilisation to pre- according to the World Health Central Television showed maceutical sales. poultry as of midnight, the 100 km (62 miles) southeast of vent the virus spreading. “A few” Organization. 10 VIEWS MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Netanyahu’s gamble

srael is still struggling to come to terms with the The UN settlement resolution humiliation it suffered at the United Nations Security Council where a resolution was passed on Friday Icondemning Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Netanyahu called the US abstention is too little and too late shameful and singled out Barack Obama for attack, while the rest of the Israeli political leadership and the media too seethed in anger at the sudden turn of developments. resolution is the best news they have for itself a key influence in matters inter- Netanyahu’s anger and frustration are understandable, but Geoffrey Aronson heard in many years. national, but this time it has chosen a what’s surprising is his rebuke and retaliation against Al Jazeera Like wanderers in the desert, they non-speaking role. countries which supported the resolution. He suddenly see the vote as an oasis — offering a tan- The Obama administration has forgets that every country, including Israel, is free to follow talising hint of effective international recorded a singular failure. It is the only the foreign policy it likes and expecting all other countries action to force an Israeli retreat to US administration since the June 1967 to support the Israeli aggression and illegal settlement secure and defensible borders. war that has left barren the diplomatic expansion is nothing but arrogance and wishful thinking. he United Nations Security Council Like all mirages, effort to negotiate an end to the In an unprecedented move, Netanyahu yesterday vote decrying Israel’s policy of settle- however, this one too is occupation. summoned the ambassadors of all UN Security Council ment expansion is a welcome, but a dream that is bound to During eight years of energetic members who backed the resolution: Russia, China, Japan, empty, gesture — all but irrelevant to disappoint. The interna- effort, it failed to move Israel to negoti- Ukraine, France, Britain, Angola, Egypt, Uruguay and Spain. the contest waged daily between Israel tional community ate directly with the PLO, let alone to As expected, Netanyahu’s action on a Christmas day caused Tand Palestinians, but perfectly suited to the new remains unwilling to withdraw from territories occupied anger and disappointment in the diplomatic community. fascination with entertainment as policy. almost half century ago. “What would they have said in Jerusalem if we summoned Every lead player in this manufactured Washington had not had an idea in the Israeli ambassador on Yom drama on New York’s East River has written a UNSC Resolution 2334 joins more than three years, since the Kippur,” a senior diplomat told script that puts its role in the best light. an undistinguished list of expected failure of its central proposi- an Israeli paper. Tel Aviv is The international community has done long-forgotten efforts to end tion that US good offices were enough to Netanyahu’s anger taking a series of steps to nothing of substance in almost 50 years to convince Israel to act in its enlightened and frustration at retaliate against the UNSC vote. constrain Israel’s appetite for new territory in occupation and settlement, self-interest, get with its facile “right side the UNSC vote is It has recalled its ambassadors Palestinian areas conquered in June 1967. and more broadly to create of history” programme, and lighten up understandable, to New Zealand and Senegal, Now once again, and with great difficulty, a Palestinian state and fix on the Palestinians. and cancelled some it has trumpeted its opposition, content to Israel’s place as an accepted Now as he heads for the exit, Barack but what’s forthcoming official visits – warn of the consequences of the status quo, Obama has yet again been dragged surprising is his including by the Ukrainian but not to proscribe its central features, let and acknowledged part of from behind, letting the caravan pass in retaliation against prime minister. Netanyahu has alone to mandate a diplomatic road map for the region. a feel-good abstention that puts Wash- also ordered the foreign effectively addressing the issue. ington on the periphery of the right side countries which ministry to “reevaluate all of our Huffing and puffing of this sort is yet of history. supported the ties to the UN within a month”. another sad reminder that, if, after so many save Israel from itself by imposing a dip- That moment is destined to pass. resolution. All these measures will be decades, yet another toothless statement of lomatic framework to negotiate an end US support for the vote would not, in counter-productive and will concern is cause for such self-congratulation, to occupation and the creation of a Pal- and of itself, been a game changer. only help to strengthen the Israeli settlers have nothing to fear. estinian state, and, with or without the Remember the Clinton parameters, an Palestinian position. They will Indeed, the only one to suffer material council’s actions, Israeli opponents of inexact, but far more prescriptive, pol- set Israel on a collision course with countries with which it and immediate consequences of this vote is occupation are too weak and uncertain icy that fell from the tree almost as currently shares friendly relations. If Tel Aviv can’t convince hapless Senegal, whose role in bringing the to succeed on their own. soon as it was ripe. its closest ally, the US, about the ‘legality’ of its settlements, resolution to the table has won it an immedi- it’s nearly impossible to get other countries to support its ate Israeli decision to end its aid programme. Stale crumbs The Trump factor aggression and confiscation of Palestinian land. Palestinians know better than any- Perhaps the most important play- Netanyahu alone is to blame for the current state of The ineffectiveness of the resolution one the calamitous effectiveness of this ers were those not celebrating the affairs. He is facing criticism from some politicians and Israel has not been able to achieve the strategy. They are at the centre of an victory on First Avenue. Donald Trump sections of the media for precipitating the current crisis. extraordinary feat of defying the international Arab political community that, in our has promised to ignore Obama’s last, Some prominent columnists have blamed his poor consensus against its settlement policies for generation, is distinguished by its weak- toothless gasp, and offered the UN as relationship with Obama and his prioritisation of Jewish decades by being complacent in the face of ness in the face of external and internal yet another object of Washington’s settlers for the UN resolution. such international opposition, no matter how challenges and the consequent under- scorn by adopting a new look in US The UNSC resolution comes as a boon to Palestinians who inconstant. mining of state sovereignty across the policy that treats Israel’s expanding have been angry at the international community’s inaction It has long pursued a policy based on the region that follows as a result. presence in the West Bank and Jerusa- and inertia. They must seize the new opportunities and push adage that “creating facts on the ground” - The Palestine Liberation Organisa- lem as legitimate. for action against Israel through the UN and other forums. moving its citizens to conquered territory and tion (PLO) and its tired representatives Trump’s main allies in this effort are While the resolution contains no sanctions, Israeli in doing so, denying Palestinians the opportu- have not scored a substantive diplomatic not surprisingly Netanyahu, for whom a officials are concerned it could widen the possibility of nity to create sovereignty based upon achievement since Yitzhak Rabin Trump White House is almost a dream prosecution at the international criminal court and could unchallenged control of territory — creates acknowledged them a quarter century come true, and less obviously Abdel Fat- encourage some countries to impose sanctions against the context for diplomacy, and that every- ago. An Israeli decision to withdraw its tah Al Sisi’s Egypt, who offered to Israeli settlers and goods produced in the settlements. thing else, including the pontifications from settlements and army from Palestinian sacrifice the resolution it had drafted New York, or even Washington, while cer- territory — the ostensible objective of and sponsored in the hope of re-estab- tainly a cause for concern, is hostage to this the international community - was won lishing a more solid base of cooperation strategy. not by the UN, Washington, or the PLO, with the incoming administration and QUOTE OF THE DAY Indeed, the UNSC vote, which fails to sug- but by Hamas, which convinced Israel preserving its expansive security ties in gest any remedy, is scripted perfectly to the old fashioned way — through blood the Sinai and Gaza with Israel. match the central claim of Israel’s long-serv- and fire — that sitting in Gaza as con- UNSC Resolution 2334 joins an The development projects ing prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who querors was simply not worth the undistinguished list of long-forgotten are being executed as part of himself learned a thing or two about interna- trouble. efforts to end occupation and settlement, the Darfur Peace Agreement tional diplomacy as Israel’s representative to Palestinians know that they have and more broadly to create a Palestinian which created new paths the UN a generation ago. been offered only stale crumbs from the state and fix Israel’s place as an accepted for the advancement of The vote, and its self-evident, if notable, Security Council’s table, none better than and acknowledged part of the region. communities in Darfur and inclusion of East Jerusalem as occupied terri- the villagers who have seen their lands The international community con- tory, will play well in Israel and among its and livelihoods compromised by settle- tinues to bark, but Israel’s settlement turn them into productive many allies as yet the latest in an ignominious ment expansion. machine sees no cause to pause the and supportive communities history of international opposition to the Jew- But what else can their leaders do, work of generations in the service of for economic stability in the ish state, and will offer Netanyahu another but wave this new resolution as proof of Greater Israel. country. politically potent arrow is his “the world is yet another historic achievement on the against us” quiver. road to an inevitable, if faraway victory? The author writes about Middle Eastern affairs. He consults with a variety of public Hassabo Mohamed Abdul Rahman For the small but vocal pro-Palestinian Israeli community that punches well above its Another record of US failure and private institutions dealing with regional Sudanese Vice-President weight, if only in foreign capitals, the UNSC The United States as always reserves political, security, and development issues. MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 OPINION 11 India’s currency crisis is stalling small industries

because daily wage laborers do not Rama Lakshmi accept checks and do not have The Washington Post smartphones with Internet. “You can’t fit a jet engine to a bullock cart and expect it to fly” said Bandish Jindal, a bicycle parts manufacturer in the northern city of Ludhiana and president of the Federation of Asso- ver the past two years, this suburb of ciations of Small Industry of India. New Delhi mushroomed into a flourish- “How are we supposed to become ing enclave of small cellphone cashless overnight?” manufacturers, attracting tens of thou- Last week, about 200 business sands of workers from the countryside. executives in Ludhiana staged a sit- ONoida, known as the “handset hub,” was touted as a in against the cash-swap decision, showcase for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet calling it “ill-conceived.” They even “Make in India” initiative. formed a “stick brigade” and are Then on November 8, Modi’s government took a step threatening to beat tax officers who that has jolted the bustling industrial quarter. It show up to “scrutinise our books scrapped high-denomination currency, with a view, needlessly and harass us.” officials said, to curbing illicit wealth and the financ- In the country’s largest textile town, ing of terrorism. But the cash shortage triggered by Bhiwandi, in western India, more the move has also curbed legitimate small enter- than 2m power looms used to oper- prises. Many of Noida’s manufacturing units have ate around the clock. Countless slashed production by nearly half, and more than a machines are silent now. quarter of the workers have gone back to their “The cash shortage has come as the villages. latest blow to the industry that was “It was a booming, sunrise industry before Nov. 8th. already hit by global competition. Not now,” said Vipin Malhan, president of Noida Fifty to sixty percent of power Entrepreneurs Association, who also runs a business looms have shut down, and more that makes cellphone accessories here. “Many small than 150,000 workers have gone Customers wait in line at a branch of In Touch, operated by State Bank of India Ltd, in Varanasi, factories and assembling units which used to work back to their villages,” said Rashid round the clock, with three shifts, have scaled down Uttar Pradesh. Tahir Momin, whose family owns to just a single shift. We are all in shock now. One about 400 power looms. word that businesses dread is ‘uncertainty.’ The gov- crafts face rising inventories of unsold goods. cellphone manufacturers in Noida, said it had also One of Momin’s workers, Mazhar ernment has thrown that at us.” Citizens were given 50 days to exchange their old halted production for 10 days and sent workers on Zainuddin, used to earn nearly Modi came to power in 2014 promising to boost busi- bills for new ones, but the process has been slowed leave. $200 a month. Now he is working ness, create jobs and crack down on corruption. by long lines at banks. “We are waiting and watching and will plan our next at a construction site for half that Halfway through his term, this single controversial Even large car manufacturers have halted produc- course of action based on how situation improves or amount near his ancestral village of decision appears to be freezing business in centers tion in some of their factories for several days deteriorates,” the company said in a statement. Barbata, far away. such as Noida nationwide. because of a sharp dip in consumer spending. And in With the large, bellwether state of Uttar Pradesh “I left my village 15 years ago,” said Several small- and medium-scale industrial clusters, a reflection of the belt-tightening that has accompa- slated to hold elections early next year, the business Zainuddin, speaking from Barbata employing a total of more than 80m people across nied the general sense of uncertainty, credit card slump — and the lines at the banks - have become by phone. “Now I am back here, India, are reporting declining sales, production slow- companies have posted a decline in the total value of campaign issues. where I started.” downs and layoffs since bills worth 500 and 1,000 transactions, even as the cash shortage is forcing “Forget about creating new jobs. Modi’s decision is Indian rupees were invalidated (five hundred Indian people to use their cards more. taking away people’s jobs,” the opposition Congress rupees is worth about $7.40). Towns famous for This month, Goldman Sachs downgraded its outlook party leader, Rahul Gandhi, said at a public meeting weavers, lock makers, power looms, bicycle parts for growth in Asia’s third-largest economy in the this week. manufacturers, ready-made garments and handi- coming year to 6.3 percent. Despite nearly two decades of impressive economic “We started hearing murmurs that there were no growth, India has not created nearly enough new fresh orders from the market. That our raw material jobs. Nearly a million job seekers enter the job mar- was stuck because we could not pay. Stocks were pil- ket every month. Yet, in 2015, only 135,000 new jobs D-RING ROAD Several small and medium ing up,” said Sudhir Ramphool Singh, 33, who lost his were created, the lowest number since 2009. POST BOX: 3488 scale industrial clusters, job at a cellphone assembly unit in Noida and “Every place I call, I get the same answer: “Business returned to his Dharavu village in northern India this is down, there is no job,’” said Singh, who is anxious DOHA - QATAR employing a total of month. He is the sole breadwinner for his family of to get back to a factory job. [email protected] more than 80m people seven. “Production slowed. The unit was shut down Modi has urged people to adopt digital payment across India, are reporting for 10 days. When it reopened, many of us were methods and bear some pain in support of the long- declining sales, production asked to go.” term goal of rooting out corruption. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE Ironically, it was Modi who helped boost cellphone “The losses in the small- and medium-scale indus- TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 slowdowns and layoffs business in Noida last year. tries are nominal and temporary,” said Kalraj Mishra, FAX: +974 4455 7758 since bills worth 500 and “Earlier, India’s rules favored importing fully manu- the minister for micro, small and medium enter- 1,000 Indian rupees were factured mobile phones from places like China and prises. “Once the currency flow resumes, the MANAGING EDITOR invalidated (five hundred Hong Kong,” said business tax consultant Saurabh industrial momentum will be back.” TEL: 4462 7505 Mathur. But Modi “made it cheaper for entrepreneurs Mishra’s office is conducting 50 training sessions Indian rupees is worth to import critical components and assemble them every day in small industrial hubs to help them tran- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR about $7.40). here. That shifted about 100,000 jobs from China to sition to cashless transactions. But many business TEL: 4455 7769 India.” Lava International, one of the leading owners in these clusters say it is not easy to change

LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

BUSINESS NEWS SECTION As test scores slip, China must rethink its schools TEL: 4462 7535

SPORT NEWS SECTION consequences for schools, students and, ulti- parents who read to them, compared to 78 percent of TEL: 4455 7745 Adam Minter mately, the economy. urban children. Rural kids would benefit greatly from pre- Bloomberg Unequal access to education is a centuries-old school and kindergarten, but fewer than half have access ONLINE SECTION challenge in China. Traditionally, most Chinese to such programs, compared to 76 percent in the cities. TEL: 4462 7501 have lived in the countryside, where the time, In 2010, government researchers administered [email protected] money and even the need for education was lim- math and vocabulary tests to a broad range of stu- ited. Starting in the 1950s, the government began a dents, and the results were damning: Rural students PUBLIC RELATIONS It had become something of a ritual. largely successful effort to build a literate modern performed consistently worse than their urban coun- Every three years, the Organisation workforce. terparts, and the gap persisted even for children of TEL: 4455 7613 for Economic Cooperation and Between 1950 and 2001, China’s literacy rate intact rural families. [email protected] Development would release the improved from 20 percent to more than 85 percent. Those scores are indicative of a simmering economic results of its PISA exams, which are In 1986, the government adopted a nine-year com- dilemma. At a time when China’s leaders are trying to ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Igiven to hundreds of thousands of students pulsory education requirement. transform the economy from one reliant on factories to one TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 in dozens of countries. And every three Paying for that requirement, though, hasn’t been based on services and knowledge-work, the country’s FAX: 4455 7870 years, an American freak-out would ensue easy. Although the central government allocates social and educational policies are blunting the ambitions [email protected] as Chinese students seemed to be outper- some money to China’s schools, the bulk of funding of rural children. forming their US counterparts by a wide is local. In rich cities, such as Shanghai, that gener- One survey found that 77 percent of urban children aspire CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT margin. ally works fine. to college, while only 59 percent of rural kids do. That’s a rec- TEL: 4455 7857 In 2009, Shanghai students did so well Not so for China’s countryside, where money is ipe for developing another generation of unskilled rural [email protected] — beating the world in math, science and so short that some schools can’t even provide desks, workers. reading — that President Barack Obama let alone books. Rural teachers typically earn one- Fixing these problems won’t be easy. And many of SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION declared it a “Sputnik moment,” requiring third what their urban peers do — if they get paid at them are out of the hands of government. But there are TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 immediate action. A similar panic broke all. Inevitably, this leads to tension: Between 2014 natural places to start, beginning with repealing the FAX: 44557819 out in 2012. But this year proved to be a and 2015, there were at least 168 “strike and pro- residency permit laws that too often separate children surprise. test” actions by rural teachers. from their parents or relegate them to second-rate [email protected] The results from the 2015 tests, Ironically, China’s economic boom is worsening schools. released this month, showed Chinese stu- these problems. With plenty of jobs beckoning in Investment in early-childhood education for rural dents ranked sixth in math, 10th in science the cities, tens of millions of Chinese have moved kids could go a long way toward bridging achievement All thoughts and views and 27th in reading. What happened? out of the countryside. gaps. (China has lagged behind the global average in edu- expressed in these columns On one hand, the answer is simple. But thanks to strict residency permit laws, their cation spending as a percentage of gross domestic Instead of merely testing Shanghai’s elite, children aren’t allowed to attend city public schools. product for years.) And the government should lower the are those of the writers, not the 2015 exams included a broader selec- That leaves two options. Parents can enroll their notoriously high fees that rural parents pay for public of the newspaper. tion of students across China, which children in local “migrant schools,” which tend to be education. dragged down scores. inferior. Or they can leave them behind in the hands In time, such steps might help transform China’s All correspondence But the results also highlighted an of relatives. educational system into one better suited for the 21st- regarding Views and important problem: China’s much- For the 61m children who have been left century economy. They might even ensure that China’s Opinion pages should be lauded education system remains behind, the educational outlook is grim. Accord- schools are worthy of the admiration they earn around riven by inequality, with far-reaching ing to one study, only half of rural children have the world. mailed to the [email protected] 12 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 Pakistan releases 220 Indian fishermen

Karachi Relations between the Reuters Goodwill gesture nuclear-armed neighbours have Both countries hold been more fraught than usual akistan released 220 since a crackdown by Indian fishermen accused of Indian fishermen yes- forces on dissent in Indian-con- breaching border and terday as a goodwill trolled Kashmir began in July. In gesture aimed at eas- international law says September militants killed 18 sol- ing tensions with its such arrests should diers at an Indian army base, an Pneighbour, officials said. not happen. attack New Delhi blamed on The men were arrested more Pakistan. than a year ago, accused of Pakistan hopes India "We appreciate Pakistan's entering Pakistani waters in an will reciprocate goodwill gesture of releasing area of the Arabian Sea where "goodwill gesture". Indian fishermen, but we expect the border is unclear. a similar reciprocal move by India is also holding Paki- India, 156 Pakistani fishermen stani fishermen for the same fishermen out of which 220 are including 13 children are lan- Fishermen from India are guided by policemen after they were released from a prison, at reason and Pakistan hopes its being released today as a good- guishing in Indian jails," gesture — on the birthday of the will gesture of the Pakistan Muhammad Ali Shah, president Cantonment railway station in Karachi, yesterday. nation's father, Muhammad Ali government. In the next phase, of Pakistan Fisher Folk, a fisher- Jinnah, which coincides with 219 fishermen will be released men's rights body, said. waters can be warned and fined released, who goes by the single were treated nicely here, I will Christmas Day — will be on January 5," Shunail Husain The UN Convention on the but not arrested, and Shah called name Naresh, said: "I am very request the Indian government reciprocated. Shah, a police assistant superin- Law of the Sea states that fish- on both countries to respect that. happy, looking forward to meet release the detained Pakistani "We have total of 518 Indian tendent, said. ermen who cross territorial One of the fishermen being my family back in Gujarat. We fishermen as well."

Taliban leader Birth anniversary of Jinnah among 3 dead Anger at Afghan in Afghanistan airstrikes female pilot's

AT LEAST three Taliban insur- gents including a local leader US asylum bid of the group were killed and four others were wounded in separate airstrikes in east- Kabul graduated from flight school in ern Afghanistan Nangarhar Reuters 2012 and qualified to fly C-208 province. military cargo aircraft, had been The provincial police here was an angry reaction in the United States on a training commandment in a statement in Afghanistan to news that course and had been due to said the Taliban leader Abdul Tthe first female fixed-wing return home on Saturday. Rahman was killed in the first pilot in the country's air force was In a conservative country airstrike conducted in Bati requesting asylum in the United notorious for the restrictions Kot district and four of his States after completing an placed on women, Rahmani's companions were wounded. 18-month training course. story stood out as a rare exam- The statement added that The Afghan defence minis- ple of a woman breaking through two more militants were try confirmed yesterday that in areas normally reserved for killed in the second airstrike Captain Niloofar Rahmani, 25, men. Her success came at a price, conducted in Achin district. had sought asylum after the Wall however. The citation for the Pakistani military cadets march on the birth anniversary of the country's founder Mohammad According to the provin- Street Journal quoted her as say- "Women of Courage" award said cial police commandment, Ali Jinnah at his mausoleum in Karachi yesterday. The government has announced week- ing that she feared her life would she and her family had received the militants killed or long celebrations of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's birth anniversary. be in danger if she returned direct threats not just from the wounded in Achin district are home. A recipient of the US State Taliban but also from some rel- all foreigners. Both the Afghan Department's "Women of Cour- atives, forcing her family to move forces and US forces based in age" award in 2015, Capt. house several times. Afghanistan are conducting Rahmani had been a symbol of However, there was little regular airstrikes against the efforts to improve the situation sympathy on Afghanistan's active anti-government armed mil- Uncertainty over Rs5,000 notes heats up of women in her country, more social media networks, which itant groups. than a decade after the fall of the were replete with comments The US forces stepped up Karachi the Senate demanding the country hinting at the Indian cri- Taliban regime. criticising Rahmani, accusing her airstrikes by resuming their Internews demonetisation of the Rs5,000 sis that persists even after 50 Mohammad Radmanish, a of wasting government money operations earlier this year notes lends credence to rumours days of Prime Minister Modi’s defence ministry spokesman, spent on expensive training and after the Obama administra- requent denials by the gov- that after India, Pakistan is con- demonetisation announcement. said the government hoped that avoiding her responsibilities. tion granted them broader ernment of Pakistan and templating to dump the The Senate resolution did cre- her request would be denied by "Niloofar Rahmani took a role to go after insurgents. Fthe State Bank of Pakistan highest-value note to curb the ate uncertainty in the retail US authorities who have spent million dollars from the pockets (SBP) did not calm the anxiety cash economy. market as well, as many trading billions trying to build up Afghan of the people of Afghanistan to in the market over the fate of On December 19, the Senate entities stopped accepting security forces. "When an officer pay human traffickers to get to 2 dead in east Rs5,000 banknotes. passed the resolution calling for Rs5,000 notes. There were sev- complains of insecurity and is America to seek asylum," one The currency hoarders’ rush the demonetisation of the high- eral reports of customers afraid of security threats, then Facebook user wrote in com- to get rid of these notes has led est-denomination note to fight haggling at payment counters what should ordinary people ments typical of others. Afghanistan to an increase in demand for corruption. It demanded that of fast-food restaurants and do?" he said. "She has made an Dozens of Afghan troops gold in the local market. these notes be withdrawn from superstores over the issue. excuse for herself, but we have receiving training in the United explosion When approached, currency circulation. However, the gov- “Gold buying on future hundreds of educated women States have gone missing over the dealers declined to come on the ernment opposed the resolution delivery heated up after the Sen- and female civil right activists past two years, and at least one AT LEAST two civilians were record. They said privately that citing the reason that it could ate resolution,” said a currency who work and it is safe for them." has been detained while trying killed in an Improvised Explo- a recent resolution by create a monetary crisis in the dealer. Capt. Rahmani, who to cross the border to Canada. sive Device (IED) explosion in eastern Laghman province of Afghanistan, Afghan Khaama Press (KP) reported. Santa Claus in helicopter According to the local Islamabad could face government officials, the inci- dent took place close to Akhund Baba shrine. Provin- cial governor’s spokesman severe water crisis Sarhadi Zwak confirmed the incident and death two civil- Islamabad continues for next few months,” ians in the explosion. Internews Pakistan Council of Research No group including the in Water Resources (PCRWR) Taliban insurgents has so far fter an unusually long dry Chairman Dr Muhammad claimed responsibility behind spell after a hot and dry Ashraf said. the incident. Amonsoon season this He said that due to long dry Taliban militants and year, Pakistani capital Islama- spell, underground water insurgents belonging to other bad is facing a water crisis. resources were under greater militant groups are frequently Water levels in the Simly pressure. using Improvised Explosive dam and Khanna dam have Earlier in December, Islam- Device (IED) as the weapon fallen as winter rolled around. abad Metropolitan Corporation of their choice to target the Coupled with falling levels of (IMC) Chief Officer Muhammad security forces and govern- ground water means that tube SuleymanWarriach had said ment officials. wells, which are a major source that the capital has a demand However, in majority of of water, have been unable to of 125 million gallons per (mgd) such attacks, the ordinary slake the capital’s thirst. day but was only getting civilians are targeted as the “Areas, particularly those 50mgd, a deficit of 75 mgd. anti-government armed mil- areas which are fed by rains Simly dam usually makes itants are accused of incurring including Islamabad, may have up a quarter of the water which A Royal Air Force crew member waves while wearing a Santa Claus costume at ISAF the most casualties to the to face an acute water shortage Islamabad gets, supplying headquarters in Kabul, yesterday. civilians. if the ongoing dry spell 39mgd at peak. MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 INDIA 13

Modi acknowledges people's Go cashless, win prizes: PM pain after demonetisation New Delhi "On the day of Christmas, struggling to manage even their IANS Indians will get the benefit of daily expenses because the rime Minister Narendra Modi said he was also "feeling two schemes — Digi Dhan Vya- Reserve Bank of India has been the pain" demonetisation has caused to people across rime Minister Naren- par Yojana and Lucky Grahak unable to supply enough new Pthe country but defended the move to curb corruption dra Modi played a Yojana. It will last for 100 days. notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 to and black money in India. "People are going through pain, Santa on the Christ- As such, crores of rupees will be replace the now invalid currency hardship. Who won't feel the pain? I am also feeling the pain mas Day and distributed to lakhs of people," notes. as much as people are," Modi said in his monthly radio announced two Modi said. Modi said he wanted a broadcast. Pschemes to promote digital Traders going cashless with debate in Parliament on dona- He said he had received three kinds of suggestions from transactions and banking to online payments would get an tions being given to political the people over the November 8 decision to spike 86 percent make India a cashless economy. exemption in Income Tax, he parties but it could not take of the total currency in circulation in the country. "Some peo- Modi: On the occasion For the next 100 days from yes- announced. And the lure doesn't place. ple have written about the problems, inconvenience citizens terday, he said, some 15,000 stop here. "On the occasion of "I wish there was a discus- were facing. In the second category, people have stressed on of Ambedkar Jayanti people making e-payments will Ambedkar Jayanti (B.R. Ambed- sion in Parliament on funding the good work, (which is) in the interest of the nation. They on April 14, 2017, we get Rs 1,000 cash back in a daily kar's birthday) — April 14, 2017, for political parties," he said, also spoke about irregularities in some parts and how new will be conducting a lucky draw. And a weekly draw we will be conducting a bumper scoffing at rumours that there ways of corruption are being devised." can win cashless transactions draw in which the winning prize were different rules for funding "In the third category, people have supported (the demon- bumper draw in which prize money running into lakhs will be in crores (of rupees)." of political parties. etisation move). In addition, they have asked to continue the the winning prize will of rupees, Modi said in the year's More than six weeks after "Law is the same for every- war against black money, corruption. They have asked for be in crores. last edition of his monthly radio the November 8 demonetisation one, whether it is individual, stricter steps to weed out corruption, black money." broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat'. decision, people are still organisation or a party," he said. Law against benami properties to be implemented soon

New Delhi which came into being in 1988, but nei- "Everyday many new people are government, being a sensitive govern- money." He also said that rumours IANS ther were its rules ever framed, nor was being taken into custody, currency notes ment, amends rules as required, keeping spread by some people that political par- it notified. It just lay dormant," Modi said are being seized, raids are being carried the convenience of the people as its fore- ties enjoy various concessions and auding the public for their support in his monthly radio address. out. Influential persons are being caught. most consideration, so that citizens are exemptions "are wrong". in exposing the wrong-doings of "We have retrieved it and turned it The secret is that my source of such not subjected to hardships. "Some people are spreading Lthe corrupt post-demonetisation, into an incisive law against Benami information are people themselves," he "To counter these new offensives, rumours that political parties enjoy all Prime Minister Narendra Modi prom- property. In the coming days, this law said. "Information being received from we too have to devise appropriate new kinds of concessions. These people are ised to operationalise the law to deal will also become operational," he said. common citizens is many times higher responses and antidotes. When the absolutely in the wrong. The law applies with 'benami' properties as part of the The Prime Minister also spoke about than that being obtained through the opponents keep on trying out new tac- equally to all. Whether it is an individ- government's crusade against corrup- some who are devising "newer wily government machinery," he added. tics, we have to counteract decisively ual, an organisation or a political party, tion. "You are possibly aware of a law ways and means" to counter the gov- Defending the frequent changes in since we have resolved to eradicate the everyone has to abide by law and eve- about Benami property in our country ernment's fight against corruption. rules after demonetisation, he said: "The corrupt, shady businesses and black ryone will have to," he said. Delhi witnesses coldest Shimla gets season's first snowfall

December day in 5 years Shimla IANS

New Delhi with a private firm in south opular tourist destination IANS Delhi, said. College student, Shimla yesterday received Maria Sebastian said:"It's a joy- Pthe season's first snowfall, he national capital yester- ful gift of Santa on Christmas. I while the lower hills across day experienced coldest am enjoying it." Himachal Pradesh were lashed Tday of December in last Weather officials said that by rain, bringing the tempera- five years with the maximum the change in atmosphere was ture down by several notches. temperature settling at 15.4 due to Western Disturbance in Hoteliers have cheered up degrees Celsius, six notches the Jammu and Kashmir region, with the snowfall in the hope below the season's average. The and sudden increase of humid- that tourists will come in large Met Office has forecast similar ity which on Sunday oscillated numbers in the coming days. weather for the next few days. between 98 and 91 per cent. Tourist spots near Shimla, Delhi residents woke up An official at the India such as honeymooners' paradise with shallow fog in the morn- Meteorological Department Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda also ing but the clouds of dense fog (IMD) said that similar weather experienced mild snowfall, mak- enveloped the city the day will be seen in coming three- ing the hill stations even more ahead with breeze bringing the four days. "There will be a clear picturesque. "It's really surprising minimum temperature at 11.4 sky on Monday with shallow/ to see snow this (yesterday) morn- degrees Celsius, three notches moderate fog in the morning," ing as for the past few days, above the season's average. said the IMD official, adding the Shimla was witnessing long sunny At most of the places peo- maximum and minimum tem- days," said Vaibhav Sharma, a ple were seen using bonfires in perature on Monday are likely tourist from Delhi, said. the day but said they were to hover around 21 and 10 Likewise, Manali's uphill Pedestrians shelter under an umbrella as they walk through heavy snowfall on a road in enjoying the weather and said degrees Celsius. Kothi, Dalhousie and Kalpa, 250 Shimla, yesterday. it a gift of Santa Claus on the Though no cancellations of km from the state capital, saw occasion of Christmas. trains were made due to the snowfall. However, in the state, "It's amazing day. Unlike Delhi weather, as many as 103 the snow melted with the closed for motorists. Spiti and Chamba districts. lashed with rain," an official said. other weekends, I came out trains were running late accompanying rain. Meteorological office direc- "The higher reaches have The minimum temperature with my family outside my because of fog and other oper- The Rohtang Pass, 52 km tor Manmohan Singh said that been experiencing moderate in Shimla was recorded at 3.8 home to enjoy the weather," ational reasons as of Friday from Manali, has been experi- more snowfall might occur in snowfall since early Sunday, degrees Celsius, whereas the Mayank Srivastava, an engineer evening. encing heavy snowfall and is Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul- while mid and lower hills were maximum was 9.8 degrees.

Turban tying competition 40 injured in One out of 769 vehicles Sabarimala booked for overspeeding stampede AT least 40 pilgrims were on Yamuna Expressway injured, three of them seri- ously, in a stampede at the Agra High Court, Jain contended that Sabarimala temple in Kerala IANS 143 people died in 919 accidents after a barricade gave way in on the six-lane expressway in the huge rush, authorities said. 2015. State Devasom Minister t least 143 people lost their A total of 53,79,963 vehicles Kadakampally Surendran lives in 919 accidents on used the expressway in 2014, but said that the situation has AYamuna Expressway in only 2,915 were booked for been brought under control. 2015, but only one out of every overspeeding. That year, at least "All the medical attention 769 vehicles was found to be 127 people died in 771 accidents is being given to the injured overspeeding and fined during on the expressway. and the situation is fully that year, an RTI enquiry has In the nine months of 2013 under control," Surendran showed. — for which data was available, told reporters at the temple. Information provided to KC only 2,303 vehicles were booked According to the temple Jain of the Agra Development for overspeeding out of authorities, with yesterday Foundation (ADF) charitable 42,09,131 vehicles that used the being a key day in the two- trust shows that a total of expressway. At least 118 people month-long Sabarimala 62,71,147 vehicles crossed Jewar lost their lives in 896 accidents festival, there was an unprec- Toll Plaza on the expressway in in 2013. "This works out to 13 Young Sikhs wait for the judging of a turban tying competition at a school in Amritsar edented rush of devotees and 2015 — of these, only 8,156 vehi- challans per 10,000 vehicles. yesterday. The competition was held by a Sikh organisation to promote greater awareness the incident occurred when cles were found to be This tells the whole story of neg- of the turban. the sanctum santorum of the overspeeding and fined. In a ligence and callous overlooking temple was opened. petition filed in the Allahabad of road safety rules," Jain said. MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 EUROPE 14

Rescuers carry a stretcher with passenger belongings after a Russian military plane crashed in the Black Sea, on a pier outsideSochi, yesterday. RIGHT: Two girls lay flowers at the home stage building of the Alexandrov Ensemble (The Red Army Choir), in Moscow. All 92 feared dead as Russian plane crashes

Moscow Black Sea tragedy "We will conduct a thorough at the opening of the 2014 Win- an award earlier this month. "We the military and some other gov- AP investigation into the reasons ter Olympics Russia hosted in never feel sure that we will come ernment agencies in Russia have A total of 84 and will do everything to sup- Sochi, becoming an instant back alive," she said at the Krem- continued to use them. passengers and eight port the victims' families," Putin online sensation. lin award ceremony. "But we are While noisy and fuel-guz- Russian plane headed crew members were said in a televised statement. "Losing such a great collec- sure that kindness, compassion zling by modern standards, the to an air base in Syria on the plane when it Viktor Ozerov, head of the tive all at once is a great tragedy," and charity are stronger than any plane has been popular with with 92 people disappeared from defence affairs committee at the Moscow city's culture depart- weapon." crews that appreciate its maneu- aboard, including radars two minutes upper house of Russian parlia- ment head Alexander Kibovsky Nine Russian journalists from verability and ruggedness. members of the after taking off in ment, said the crash could have said, according to RIA Novosti. three Russian television stations "It's an excellent plane, world-famousA Russian army been caused by a technical mal- The military has repeatedly were also among the which has proven its reliability good weather. choir, crashed into the Black Sea function or a crew error, but he flown groups of Russian singers passengers. during decades of service," vet- yesterday minutes after taking President Vladimir believes it could not have been and artists to perform at Heme- Defence Minister Sergei eran pilot Oleg Smirnov said in off from the city of Sochi, Rus- Putin went on terrorism because the plane was imeem, which serves as the main Shoigu was personally coordi- televised remarks. sia's Defence Ministry said. There television to declare operated by the military. hub for the Russian air campaign nating the rescue efforts, and The plane that crashed was appeared to be no survivors. "I totally exclude" the idea of in Syria conducted since Septem- Putin has received official built in 1983, and underwent a nationwide day of President Vladimir Putin an attack bringing down the ber 2015. New Year's is the main reports on the incident. Russian repairs in 2014, according to the mourning today. went on television to declare a plane, he said in remarks carried holiday for most Russians, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev Defense Ministry. nationwide day of mourning by state RIA Novosti news the Orthodox Christmas on Jan. described the crash as a "terri- In April 2010, a Tu-154 car- today. helicopters, drones and divers agency. The passenger list 7 is also widely celebrated. Also ble tragedy." rying Polish President Lech By yesterday afternoon, res- searched the area for more released by the Defense Minis- on board was Yelizaveta Glinka, The Tu-154 is a Soviet-built Kaczynski and 95 others crashed cue teams had already recovered victims. try included 64 members of the a Russian doctor who has won three-engine airliner designed while trying to land at a sporad- several bodies from the site of A total of 84 passengers and Alexandrov Ensemble, among wide acclaim for her charity in the late 1960s. More than ically used military airport in the crash of the Tu-154, which eight crew members were on the them its leader, Valery Khalilov. work that included missions to 1,000 have been built, and they Smolensk in western Russia, kill- belonged to the Defence Minis- plane when it disappeared from The ensemble, often referred to war zones in eastern Ukraine and have been used extensively by ing everyone on board. try and was taking the radars two minutes after taking as the Red Army choir, is the offi- Syria. Her foundation said that carriers in Russia and Investigations by both Polish and Alexandrov Ensemble to a New off in good weather. Emergency cial choir of the Russian military Glinka was accompanying a worldwide. Russian experts blamed pilot Year's concert at the Heme- crews found fragments about 1.5 and also includes a band and a shipment of medicines for a hos- In recent years, Russian air- error in bad weather conditions, imeem air base in Syria's coastal km from shore. There was no dance company. pital in Syria. lines have replaced their Tu-154s but Polish authorities have province of Latakia. Ships, immediate word on the cause. The choir sang "Get Lucky" Putin presented Glinka with with more modern planes, but launched a new probe.

Mountain walk MP's widower urges unity in 2017 London traditional speech to the Com- year in which fascism, xenopho- AFP monwealth is screened on other bia, extremism and terrorism British channels. Jo Cox, 41, a made us divided and feel threat- he widower of murdered mother of two young children, ened. From America to Europe British MP Jo Cox yester- was shot and stabbed to death to the Middle East and beyond. Tday urged people to heed on June 16 in the days before "And these trends could the wake-up call of 2016 and Britain's EU referendum. Last strengthen, they could gain come together in 2017 to fight month Nazi-inspired Thomas momentum, they could consol- extremism and terrorism. Mair, 53, was sentenced to life idate. "But that isn't how it has Brendan Cox in a televised imprisonment without the pos- to be. "Instead of being a turn- speech called for people to reu- sibility of release after being ing point for the worse, 2016 nite after a divisive year in found guilty of murdering the could be a wake-up call that Europe, the United States and opposition Labour MP. brings us back together." the Middle East. Since 1993, "2016 has been an awful He urged people to reach Channel 4 television has shown year for our family. And it's been out to those they disagreed with an alternative Christmas mes- a divisive one for the wider and defend the values of toler- sage as Queen Elizabeth II's world," Brendan Cox said. "A ance and fair play. Search on for kidnapped Queen misses Christmas church French aid worker in Mali service with cold People walk on the mountain Smetovi as smog blankets Zenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, yesterday. Paris soldiers of the Barkhane force Sandringham AFP (in Mali) are actively taking part AFP in the search alongside the Mal- Frenchwoman who runs ians." Thousands of French ueen Elizabeth II missed an organisation for mal- soldiers have been deployed the Christmas Day A nourished children has across the Sahel region just Qchurch service attended Air hostess who survived 33,000 been kidnapped in Mali's res- south of the Sahara since Oper- by the British royal family tive north, France's foreign ation Barkhane was launched yesterday because she was ministry confirmed yesterday, in 2014. The troops have a base still suffering with a heavy as French troops joined in the in Gao. The Barkhane forces' cold. The 90-year-old, who foot drop from plane found dead search for the aid worker. mission is to target jihadist is the supreme governor of Sophie Petronin was groups that are active in the the Church of England, stayed Belgrade The cause of death was not parachute. She was temporar- abducted in the city of Gao on area including Al Qaeda in the indoors but was well enough AFP known. Vulovic was the only ily paralysed from the waist Saturday, the ministry said, Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). to join in the family festivities survivor of the January 26, 1972 down and in a coma for nearly adding that French and Malian Despite sustained efforts, it at home afterwards, a spokes- n air hostess who mirac- bomb blast over the Czech town a month. She spent several more authorities were working has proven extremely difficult man said. ulously survived a fall of of Srbska Kamenice which killed months in hospital. together "to find and free our to bring the vast desert terrain The royal family tradi- Amore than 10km 34 years 23 passengers and five crew. "My thoughts are always compatriot as quickly as possi- of northern Mali under control tionally spends Christmas ago after a plane exploded mid- She was trapped in the cone with those who died here," ble". "We are continuing the with jihadists, rebels and crim- together at her Sandringham air has died at the age of 66. of the tail and landed on a slope Vulovic said at a ceremony in search for Sophie. We have men inals still on the loose. private estate in Norfolk, east- Vesna Vulovic, who was a after plunging 10,160 metres 2002 when she returned to the deployed on the ground to find Petronin is the director of a ern England. 22-year-old flight attendant (33,300 feet) from the DC-9 spot where she had landed. The her. But up until now, there has non-governmental organisa- By custom they walk with Yugoslav airways JAT, was aircraft. bomb had been placed in the been no result," a Malian secu- tion called "Aide a Gao" (Help together to and from church, found dead by friends in her Vulovic is in the Guinness baggage hold in the Stockholm rity source said yesterday. Gao) that assists children suf- a rare occasion for the public Belgrade apartment, Tanjug Book of World Records for sur- to Zagreb flight by a Croatian A French military source fering from malnutrition, the to meet several members of news agency reported Saturday. viving the longest fall without a separatist group. meanwhile said: "French ministry said. the royal family. MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016 AMERICAS 15 Trump intends to dissolve charitable foundation

Washington his charity would be his first big complete," Schneiderman A Washington Post investi- policy issues, said a non-profit Under scrutiny AFP step to avoid a brewing storm spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick gation in June said Trump had foundation was set up making Trump's private of potential conflicts of said. Trump's transition team given just a fraction of the discreet potential pay-for-play foundation has been interest. said he had directed his coun- money he'd promised to char- possible. at the centre of S President-elect His private foundation has sel to take the necessary steps ity, and it was only after public Daughter Ivanka Trump was several controversies, Donald Trump said been at the centre of several to close the foundation. pressure that he made good on forced to scrap a charity auction yesterday he controversies, including how "The foundation has done a pledge to cough up $1 million for coffee with her, after ethics including how much intends to dissolve much money he has actually enormous good works over the to a non-profit group for experts said it appeared bidders money he has actually his controversial given it, and is under investiga- years in contributing millions of veterans. could pay for special access to given it, and is under Uphilanthropic foundation to tion by New York attorney dollars to countless worthy His children, too, have come the Trump family. investigation. avoid conflicts of interest, but general Eric Schneiderman. groups, including supporting under the spotlight for their Critics say Trump will run the move was quickly compli- In a statement to US media veterans, law enforcement offic- charitable enterprises. into conflicts unless he fully cated by an ongoing legal probe. on Saturday afternoon, the ers and children," Trump said in Trump's transition team this divests himself of all his busi- Shuttering of charity Trump's sprawling portfo- attorney general's office said a statement. week denied a report that his ness and charitable interests. would be his first big lio of US and overseas business Trump could not yet close the "However, to avoid even the sons were seeking donations of Trump savaged his Demo- step to avoid a interests and holdings, as well foundation. appearance of any conflict with up to $1m in exchange for pos- cratic opponent Hillary Clinton brewing storm of as his Donald J Trump Founda- "The Trump Foundation is my role as president I have sible post-inauguration access. during the campaign over her potential conflicts of tion, have come under increased still under investigation by this decided to continue to pursue The Center for Public Integrity, and her husband Bill Clinton's interest. scrutiny in the weeks since his office and cannot legally dis- my strong interest in philan- an award-winning group that foundation, calling it a "crimi- election, and the shuttering of solve until that investigation is thropy in other ways." addresses ethics and other nal enterprise."

Carrie Fisher’s friends NEWS BYTES Obamas send wish her fast recovery their final Los Angeles Diarist,” just before it went on X-mas message Reuters sale. Her friend William Shat- ner, best known for his role in PRESIDENT Barack riends and colleagues of the “Star Trek” television and Obama and first lady Hollywood actress Carrie film series, posted an old pho- Michelle Obama sent FFisher shared their hopes tograph on Twitter of him and their final Christmas sal- for the “Star Wars” star’s swift Fisher embracing, writing that utations from the White recovery, a day after she was she was “all I want for House yesterday, high- admitted to the intensive care Christmas.” lighting common values unit of a Los Angeles hospital. One of the more attention- uniting Americans of all Fisher, 60, suffered heart grabbing messages appeared faiths. problems during a flight on Fri- to come from Fisher’s dog Gary, "The idea that we are day from London, where she who has his own Twitter our brother's keeper and A damaged road is seen after a quake at Tarahuin, on Chiloe island, southern Chile, yesterday. had been shooting the third account and was reported to be our sister's keeper. That season of the British television with her at the hospital. we should treat others comedy “Catastrophe.” Her “I’ll be waiting right here as we would want to be younger brother, Todd Fisher, mommy,” Gary tweeted in a treated," Michelle Obama said she was taken to the hos- post with a photo of the French Strong quake strikes Chile said. "Those are values pital in critical condition and bulldog staring attentively that help guide not just was undergoing treatment in through a window - ears my family's Christian the ICU. perked, paws perched on the Santiago for several areas, according to television.Chilean media faith, but that of Jewish No further details on her sill. Other celebrities, including AFP ONEMI chief Ricardo Toro. tweeted images of roads that Americans, and Muslim condition or prognosis were Ellen DeGeneres and Christina ONEMI said around 4,000 peo- had been cracked by the force Americans; nonbeliev- immediately available, and a Applegate, took to social media housands of people were ple had been evacuated from of the quake. In some cases, part ers and Americans of all spokeswoman at the Ronald to share their sadness, while the evacuated from coastal one town, Los Lagos. It main- of the bitumen was cleaved backgrounds," the pres- Reagan UCLA Medical Center singer-actress Bette Midler Tareas in southern Chile tained its order for the public to away. ident added. declined to comment, citing described Fisher as “hilarious yesterday following a powerful stay away from many beaches The quake struck as Chile- The Obamas' seasonal patient confidentiality laws. on paper and in person, and just Christmas Day earthquake that in the south. ans were were their families greeting comes at a time “I’m shocked and saddened plain beloved.” initially triggered a tsunami The epicenter of the quake celebrating Christmas. All shops when America is deeply to hear the news about my dear Fisher reprised her “Star alert, later eased by officials. was on the southern part of Chi- were closed. Chile is in a quake- divided after a brutal friend,” actor Harrison Ford Wars” role in two sequels, gain- The quake registered 7.7 on loe island, in a zone of several prone region, lying on the presidential campaign told The Hollywood Reporter ing sex symbol status in 1983’s the Moment Magnitude scale national parks. The Pacific Tsu- so-called Pacific Ring of Fire of that pitched populist on Saturday. Ford played the “Return of the Jedi” when the according to seismologists at the nami Warning Center in frequent seismic activity. As a Donald Trump and his swashbuckling Han Solo oppo- Leia character appeared, wear- US Geological Survey. Chile's Honolulu, Hawaii, had given the result, buildings are usually built frequently incendiary site Fisher’s Princess Leia in the ing a metallic gold bikini, as a national emergencies office depth of the quake at 15km. to survive swaying. rhetoric against Hillary original “Star Wars” film captive of an evil alien. ONEMI put it at 7.6. The closest population The last big quake to shake Clinton. trilogy. She returned last year in There were no immediate center was Castro, a town on the Chile was in September 2015, “Our thoughts are with Car- Disney’s reboot of the reports of casualties, though island of 40,000 inhabitants. when an 8.3 temblor followed rie, her family and friends.” “Star Wars” franchise, “The electricity was cut to some Chile's capital Santiago was by a tsunami hit the north of the Venezuela oppn Fisher caused a stir in Force Awakens,” appearing as communities. around 1,000 kilometers (600 country, killing 15 people. November with the disclosure the more matronly military Immediately after the miles) from the epicenter. A coastal evacuation order won't resume that she had a love affair with resistance leader, General Leia quake, Chilean authorities "The earthquake hit us as we had limited the number of cas- talks in January Ford during the making of the Organa. Fisher’s career has issued a tsunami alert and urged were having breakfast and we ualties. In 2010 another quake first “Star Wars” movie. Fisher been dogged at times by sub- people to flee the coast for high immediately ran out of the measuring 8.8, also followed by VENEZUELA'S opposi- revealed the secret to People stance abuse and mental health ground. house because of fears of a tsu- a tsunami, struck the center and tion said on Saturday it magazine while promoting her issues, about which she has Later, the alert was down- nami," one man who fled with south of the country, killing would not resume stalled new memoir, “The Princess spoken openly. graded to a "state of precaution" his family told Chilean more than 500 people. talks with the govern- ment next month over their country's grave cri- sis because a number of demands had not been Toll rises to 36 in Mexico fireworks blasts 'We will beat this crisis' met. "Conditions do not exist for the return to Mexico City body died, hospital officials said. blast the market was packed direct dialogue between AFP The fiery wave of blasts with customers buying pyro- in 2017: Brazil leader the parties on January 13," occurred earlier this week at a technics for traditional year-end the secretary of the MUD he death toll from an market in Tultepec outside Mex- festivities. Christmas and New opposition coalition, Jesus explosion at Mexico's larg- ico City. Of the 60 hurt in the Year parties in many Latin Sao Paulo scalps. Next year, the central Torrealba, said. Test fireworks market rose explosions several remain in American countries often wrap AFP bank forecasts that Brazil will He was responding to 36 on Saturday after a woman critical condition, according to up with a fireworks emerge from recession -- only to a letter from the Vati- with burns on 90 percent of her authorities. At the time of the free-for-all. We will beat this crisis," Bra- just -- with 0.8 percent growth. can which, along with zil's unpopular President But the bank has already the UNASUR bloc of "Michel Temer said in a revised down its figures South American nations, Christmas broadcast, as the recently and may yet do so is attempting to forge a Colourful canopies country remained mired in again. consensus to tackle Vene- recession and uncertainty. Temer insisted that Brazil zuela's dire economic and The conservative leader, was now "on the right path" and political situation. who succeeded Dilma Rouss- his government would imple- President Nicolas eff, impeached in August, noted ment measures to boost growth. Maduro's government that Brazil was closing out a He noted that lawmakers has already rejected the year "of immense challenges" had already passed a constitu- Vatican letter's urging that but he projected optimism for tional reform freezing public talks restart on January 13, the year to come. spending at its current level for calling it an "ultimatum." Brazil, Latin America's big- the next two decades, as well According to Torre- gest economy, is facing its third as tightening up the generous alba, the letter called for year of recession, with climb- pensions system and easing an electoral calendar to ing unemployment, high strict labor laws. "I am utterly "allow Venezuelans to inflation and a growing list of conscious of the country's prob- decide their future with- austerity measures. At the same lems and the task I have before out delays." Such language time, there is ongoing political me," he said. Temer has an would imply early elec- turmoil following Rousseff's approval rating of only 10 per- tions to replace Maduro ouster, and major corruption cent. More than 60 percent of -- something the presi- scandals -- involving the state- Brazilians want him to step dent has fiercely resisted run oil company Petrobras and down before he completes the despite him suffering deep A boy plays with a soccer ball on the beach in Mar del Plata, Argentina, yesterday. construction giant Odebrecht rest of Rousseff's term, which unpopularity. -- that are claiming political runs to the end of 2018. 16 MORNING BREAK MONDAY 26 DECEMBER 2016

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 04.55 am Doha, shrouded in fog! SHOROOK 06.17 am

ZUHR 11.34 am MAGHRIB 04.53 pm ASR 02.32 pm ISHA 06.23 pm

WEATHER TODAY

18oC 27oC Minimum Maximum

Expected poor visibility over most places at first. Misty to foggy over most places at first becomes mild daytime with some clouds, relatively cold at night. HIGH TIDE 04:00 - 14:00 LOW TIDE 10:15 - 21:00 Towers at West Bay jutting above the fog that blanketed the city yesterday. The foggy weather is expected to continue over the omingc days, Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department according to the Meteorology Department. The picture was taken by The Peninsula reader Shabeerali Madalan. Tributes paid to Status Quo guitarist

London and some extremely dark periods." AFP "Rick was the ultimate rocker and lived the dream, plus a whole lot tatus Quo guitarist Rick Par- more," he said. fitt was the ultimate rocker "In perhaps the worst ever year for who lived the dream, the showbiz deaths, it is perhaps fitting band's manager said yester- that he topped the list right at the end day after he died aged 68 of the year. He would have liked that." Sfollowing a severe infection. David Bowie, Prince, Leonard "We all thought that Rick was Cohen, Glenn Frey and Greg Lake were invincible," said Simon Porter, given among the other music stars to die in his numerous recoveries from heart 2016. attacks and health scares. With his flowing blond hair and Parfitt was taken into hospital in denim outfits, belting out the riffs on southern Spain on Thursday due to a roadworn white Fender Telecaster complications with a pre-existing guitar held at 45 degrees, Parfitt was shoulder injury. He died on an instantly-recognisable figure on Saturday. stage. In nearly five decades in the busi- The Quo are known for their three- ness, marked by hard rock and hard chord hits such as their signature song drugs and an unwavering style, Status "Rockin' All Over the World", a cover Quo were synonymous with rock and File picture of Rick Parfitt (left) and Francis Rossi of British rock group with which they opened the mammoth roll. Status Quo performing at the Glastonbury Festival in 2009. 1985 Live Aid concert in style. Queen guitarist Brian May said Parfitt and frontman Francis Rossi Parfitt had "joyfully rocked our world", survived multiple heart attacks. invincible, given his numerous and were never afraid to poke fun at their and Live Aid co-organiser Midge Ure Porter said he had dinner with Par- astounding recoveries from situations reputation for sticking to the same said he was a "lovely man". The Who fitt in Malaga earlier this week, adding which would certainly have killed the formula. and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony he was in "good spirits". average human being. One of Britain's most successful Iommi sent their condolences. "Rick had come to terms that he "Sadly, as we now know, his luck bands of all time, Status Quo have sold Def Leppard said they "grew up on would be unable to tour with Quo had run out and his line that 'it will more than 118 million records. Status Quo" and had great respect for again, but he continued to be very take more than death to kill me' has "Down Down" topped the UK sin- the band's legacy. much part of the Quo machine and we taken a hollow ring." gles charts in 1974, as did "Come On Parfitt had been forced to with- discussed future plans for the band," Porter said his 30-year relation- You Reds" in 1994, recorded with the draw from his band's recent tour after he said. ship with Parfitt had included Manchester United football he collapsed and briefly "died". He had "We all thought that Rick was "incredible highs, numerous laughs squad. A&E network scraps Ku Klux Klan documentary plan

New York violation of A&E's policies and prac- The project triggered wide criti- racism and hatred in all its forms," A&E AP tices for a documentary," the network cism as soon as it was announced said. "A&E takes the authenticity of its said in statement. earlier this month. The network, which documentary programming and the &E is scrapping plans for an "Escaping the KKK" was to follow originally titled the series "Generation subject of racism, hatred and violence eight-part documentary series people trying to extract themselves KKK," changed the name and enlisted very seriously." Aabout the Ku Klux Klan after from the racist and anti-Semitic hate civil rights groups to collaborate on While US newspapers, magazines finding out that some participants of group. The network had promised that in-show educational content after get- and television news divisions do not the hate group were paid for their no payments would be made. ting heat for allowing the KKK's hate generally pay subjects for their inter- work on it. "We had previously provided speech to be aired. views, some documentary filmmakers The network said Saturday it was assurances to the public and to our In the opening scene of a trailer for do, though the practice is frowned dropping "Escaping the KKK: A Doc- core partners — including the Anti- the now-scrapped series, the Imperial upon. Errol Morris, the Oscar-winning umentary Series Exposing Hate in Defamation League and Color of Wizard of the North Mississippi White filmmaker, triggered a debate over the America" a day after discovering that Change — that no payment was made Knights is shown giving his young chil- issue in 2008 when he acknowledged "nominal" cash payments were given to hate group members, and we dren red Klansman hoods and said he that during the making of his film by third-party producers. believed that to be the case at the hopes his daughter becomes the first "Standard Operating Procedure," sol- "While we stand behind the intent time," the network said. "We have now woman Imperial Wizard. diers who were convicted of of the series and the seriousness of the decided not to move forward with air- "Our goal with this series has tormenting inmates at Abu Ghraib in content, these payments are a direct ing this project." always been to expose and combat Iraq were paid for their time.