BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 12 Kohli anchors INDEX India to DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 6 – 12, 30, 32 COMMENT 30, 31 REGION 13 BUSINESS 1 – 5, 19 – 23 17,492.00 10,425.97 39.44 ARAB WORLD 13, 14 CLASSIFIED 6 – 16 Lower LNG costs ‘set to easy win +107.00 +134.64 -0.76 INTERNATIONAL 15 – 29 SPORTS 1 – 12 +0.62% +1.31% -1.89% help Qatar stay profi table’ Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10033 March 20, 2016 Jumada II 11, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Earth Hour campaign Flydubai In brief passenger TURKEY | Security Qatar condemns bomb attack Qatar yesterday condemned the explosion that took place in Istanbul and led to a number of jet crash casualties. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, in a statement, expressed condemnation of the attack, the off icial Qatar News Agency (QNA) said. The statement said that such criminal acts violated the principles of Islam kills 62 and humanity. It also violated international laws, the statement The crash occurred more than Emir condoles with added. The ministry said that two hours after the plane, flight Russian president Qatar remained fully behind any number FZ981, was scheduled to measures Turkey would take land HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin to maintain peace and stability. Hamad al-Thani has sent a cable of The ministry conveyed Qatar’s Reuters condolences to Russian President condolences to the families of the Moscow/Dubai Vladimir Putin, expressing his heartfelt victims as well as the government condolences and sympathy over the and people of Turkey and wished victims of the Flydubai plane which the injured a swift recovery. Page 21 ll 62 people aboard a passenger crashed near Rostov-on-Don airport. jet fl ying from Dubai to southern HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah ARussia were killed when their bin Hamad al-Thani has also sent a ca- QATAR | Gesture plane crashed on its second attempt to ble of condolences to President Putin. Cables of land at Rostov-on-Don airport yester- HE the Prime Minister and Minister of day. Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser condolences A number of public and private organisations observed Earth Hour in Qatar yesterday, joining thousands of institutions Russia’s emergencies ministry said bin Khalifa al-Thani has sent a cable HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin across world in marking the initiative. Lights were switched off for an hour, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, to highlight the need the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated of condolences to Russian Prime Hamad al-Thani has sent a cable of to save energy and rationalise consumption of resources. Pictured is the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation by Dubai-based budget carrier Fly- Minister Dmitry Medvedev, express- condolences to Turkish President (Kahramaa) headquarters before the lights were switched off and during Earth Hour. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed dubai, crashed at 0340 (0040 GMT). ing his condolences and sympathy Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressing Pages 17, 18, 30 Most of those on board were Russian. on the victims of the Flydubai plane his heartfelt condolences and “The aircraft hit the ground and crash. sympathy on the victims of the broke into pieces,” the Investigative terrorist bombing which took Committee of Russia said in a state- place in the centre of Istanbul ment. “There were 55 passengers Sergei Melnichenko, head of Avia- yesterday, praying to Almighty aboard and seven crew members. They tion Safety consultancy in Moscow, Allah to grant the victims rest all died.” said so far little pointed to an act of ter- and bless on the injured quick Qatar’s mediation eff orts Both of the plane’s fl ight recorders rorism. recovery, according to the off icial have been recovered undamaged. “Nothing points to that,” Meln- Qatar News Agency. HH the According to the independent US- ichenko said. “But nothing can be fully Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah based Flight Safety Foundation, there ruled out until a complete decryption bin Hamad al-Thani has also was strong wind at the airport with a of the fl ight recorders is done.” sent a cable of condolences to win worldwide acclaim speed of 43km per hour, with gusts up According to the fl ight track- President Erdogan. HE the Prime to 69km, but visibility was reasonable. er Flightradar24, an Aerofl ot fl ight Minister and Minister of Interior “Diff erent versions of what hap- SU1166 from Moscow made three Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin QNA in mediation between Djibouti and Qatar’s mediation eff orts also won pened are being looked into, including landing attempts in Rostov before be- Khalifa al-Thani has sent a cable New York Eritrea, which resulted in the release of praise from Organisation of Islamic crew error, a technical failure and bad ing diverted. It landed at 2315 GMT in of condolences to Turkish Prime Djiboutian prisoners of war in Eritrea. Co-operation secretary-general Iyad weather conditions,” the committee Russia’s Krasnodar. Minister Dr Ahmet Davutoglu. In a statement issued by the General Ameen Madani. said. A source familiar with the inves- nited Nations secretary-gen- Secretariat of the Arab League, he wel- The secretary-general, in a state- It said the plane was in a mid-air tigation told Reuters that there was eral Ban Ki-moon has com- comed the release of Djiboutian prison- ment, expressed his thanks to the Eri- holding pattern for more than two no weather-related ban on landing at SPORT | Qatar MotoGP Umended Qatar’s mediation ers of war by Eritrea after Qatari media- trean government for responding to hours. The crash occurred more the airport. “We consider all possible Lorenzo starts new eff orts in brokering the release of four tion, describing it as “an important step Qatar’s eff orts. He also expressed his than two hours after the plane, fl ight causes, but no one is even talking now Djiboutian prisoners of war (PoWs) in to open the door to address all outstand- hope for ending diff erences between number FZ981, was scheduled to land. about the possibility of a terrorist at- season with pole Eritrea. ing issues between the two countries”. Djibouti and Eritrea to serve the stabil- Russia’s Interfax news agency cited tack,” the source, who spoke on condi- MotoGP world champion Jorge In a statement issued by his spokes- The statement expressed Arab ity of the Horn of Africa. a source in the emergency services tion of anonymity, said. Lorenzo started the new season person, the secretary-general pointed League’s hope that Eritrea and Dji- Meanwhile, the group of released as saying the pilot changed his mind Dubai’s civil aviation authority said where he left off with pole out to the arrival in Djibouti of HE the bouti would settle the border dispute Djiboutian PoWs have expressed their about landing on the approach to the it was sending an investigative team to position for Yamaha under the Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mo- that broke out between them in Febru- “deep thanks and sincere gratitude” to airport. Russia, president Ismail al-Hosani told Qatar floodlights yesterday. The hamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, ary 2008. HH the Emir for Qatar’s eff orts to se- “For an unknown reason, several reporters. Spaniard, who was also on pole and the announcement of the release In Riyadh, GCC secretary-general cure their release after they had spent minutes before the landing, the pilot Under international aviation rules, for last year’s acrimonious title- of four Djiboutian prisoners of war by Dr Abdullatif al-Zayani praised the eight years in captivity. reconsidered and decided to make an- the investigation will be led by Rus- deciding season-ender in Valencia, the Eritrean authorities. eff orts of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim They said that Qatar, under the lead- other circuit, but wasn’t able to,” Inter- sia’s air crash safety investigation lapped the Losail circuit with a He expressed the hope that this bin Hamad al-Thani to release Djibou- ership of HH the Emir, had always been fax quoted the source as saying. agency with representatives from the fastest time of one minute 54.543. would help address other outstanding tian PoWs who were held in Eritrea. a supporter of humanitarian issues and Flydubai’s CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith US, where the jet was made and the Honda’s twice world champion regional issues between Djibouti and In a statement, al-Zayani said that worked wholeheartedly in mediation told a news conference in the emirate United Arab Emirates where the airline Marc Marquez will line up next to Eritrea and enhance peace and security the success of Qatari mediation re- eff orts, which fi nally resulted in their that it was “too early” to determine the is based. him today with Suzuki’s Maverick in the Horn of Africa. fl ected the respect the country had release and their return to their coun- cause of the crash. Boeing will be appointed as technical Vinales, who put in a storming last In Cairo, Arab League secretary- earned. The success was also the latest try and families after losing hope over “We will have information about advisers to the US investigation team. lap, in third place on an all-Spanish general Dr Nabil al-Arabi has ex- in a long line of successful Qatari me- the past years in getting out of captiv- the circumstances of the incident and The Flydubai airline had a clean safe- front row. Sport Page 1 pressed appreciation for Qatar’s eff orts diation eff orts, he added. ity. Page 6 the black box in the future, and an in- ty record before the accident. It started vestigation is being conducted in co- fl ying in June 2009, with a fl eet of new operation with the Russian authorities Boeing 737s, one of the world’s most and we are waiting to see the results,” widely fl own planes. Ghaith said. It suff ered an incident when one of Security offi cials in the Middle East its planes was shot at while landing at Outlets witness sharp fall in sales of non-food items are on heightened alert for militant Baghdad airport on Jan. 27, 2015. threats to aviation following the Is- The aircraft that crashed was just lamic State claim of responsibility for over fi ve years old. By Joey Aguilar during the same period this year. chain in Qatar said the sales at one of ular and expensive brands remains to downing a Russian passenger plane The Flydubai plane came down in- Staff Reporter “We managed to reach a turnover their best performing shops fell to less be an advantage because many Qataris over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula in late Oc- side the airport’s perimeter, about of only around QR200,000, compared than QR2mn from QR8mn per month prefer them”. tober, in which all 224 people on board 250m short of the start of the runway. to the monthly target of QR600,000, since the last quarter of 2015. In the garments industry, sales in died. Page 22 substantial decline in sales of during January and February this year,” “The monthly target of this shop is both high-end and low-end brands various non-food items contin- a manager of one of the watch stores QR6mn and it always used to exceed have also slowed down but some of Aues to aff ect many business es- explained. QR8mn, until the end of 2015,” he re- their shops still meet monthly targets. tablishments in Qatar, prompting them “Sales started to pick up this month called. One manager has allayed fears of to embark on aggressive promotions, it compared with the previous months, “The only good thing is that the downsizing their personnel, saying is learnt. but it is only a nominal increase,” he company is not downsizing; in fact, they prefer maintaining the current Stores selling consumer electronic said. “The promotions we are off ering we are hiring more to work for our new number. “We invested in our people goods, watches, sport goods and gar- now also created very less impact.” stores in Doha set to open soon,” he and sending them back home will be ments are among those hit hard. “Our He observed that many of their reg- said. our last option,” he stressed. sales have dropped between 50% and ular customers, which included nurses He lamented that some sports shops, The company has also invested more 75% during the fi rst two months of and some others with high-paying particularly the smaller ones that sell in improving the quality of its items in this year, compared to the same period jobs, no longer visited the store. few brands, had closed while others all its stores across the country, he said. last year,” a representative of a leading “I have also observed that the had to downsize their manpower. “We had to change our supplier and consumer electronics brand told Gulf number of people visiting the shopping “Our huge profi ts in the past helped look for one off ering better-quality Times, citing the situation at one of its centre has signifi cantly decreased, es- us prepared for such crisis but we have products in order to retain our cus- outlets in a popular mall. pecially during weekends, unlike in the to exert extra eff orts to meet our tar- tomer base.” The garment chain is also Three outlets selling watches in fi rst two quarters of 2015,” the manager gets,” he added. planning to launch a series of promo- the same shopping centre recorded a said. About how they managed “to stay tions in the coming months to entice Investigators working at the crash site of the Boeing 737-800 Flight FZ981 operated drop in sales between 60% and 75% A supervisor of a leading sports shop afl oat”, he felt “having a variety of pop- customers. by Dubai-based budget carrier Flydubai yesterday.

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 20, 2016 QATAR FM: Qatar made intensive eff orts to secure release of Djibouti PoWs

QNA Djibouti

atar made intensive eff orts to broker the Qrelease of the Djibou- tian prisoners of war (PoWs) in Eritrea, HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has said. “HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani was personally overseeing the process,” HE the Foreign Minister said at a press conference on Friday night, in the presence of the Foreign Minister of Djibouti Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. The Foreign Minister added that intensive meet- ings were held in Doha with Eritrean President Isaias Released Djiboutian PoWs with HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. Afwerki, who directed the authorities in his country to Emir thanks hand over the four prisoners Eritrean leader of war who were in a group of seven. One of them died and two others fl ed. The Djibou- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim tian authorities confi rmed bin Hamad al-Thani held on the reports. Friday night a telephone For his part, the foreign conversation with Eritrean minister of Djibouti ex- President Isaias Afwerki. pressed his gratitude and The Emir expressed his appreciation to the State of thanks and gratitude to Qatar, noting that Djibouti the Eritrean president for had asked for the Qatari me- his response to the Qatari diation. mediation to secure the The minister praised Erit- release of Djiboutian prison- rea’s release of the prisoners ers of war. of war, saying it was a posi- tive step forward, and that his country wants good relations means to enhance them. with its neighbour Eritrea. They also discussed a number Meanwhile, President of of issues of joint interest. Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh The released Djiboutian held a meeting on Friday with prisoners of war have ex- HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- pressed their deep grati- dulrahman al-Thani. tude to HH the Emir Sheikh The president conveyed Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani his greetings to HH the Emir for Qatar’s eff orts to secure Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- their release following eight Thani, and wished the Qatari years in captivity. people further progress in Speaking during a press the future. The president ex- conference at Hamad In- pressed gratitude to the Emir, ternational Airport before government and the people leaving for their country, the of Qatar for the eff orts and prisoners of war said Qatar, the mediation which resulted under the leadership of HH in the release of the Djibou- the Emir, has always been tian prisoners of war. a supporter of humanitar- HE the Foreign Minister ian issues and has worked conveyed the greetings of HH wholeheartedly in mediation the Emir to the President and eff orts, which fi nally result- people of Djibouti. ed in their release and their The meeting dealt with return to their country and bilateral relations and the families.

Tearful farewell to accident victim

cores of the Indian van overturned after crash- expatriate commu- ing against the median of Snity members paid the road where the van was their fi nal respects on Fri- passing through. Four other day evening to fi ve-year-old children sustained inju- Adien Mathew Shaji who was ries. One of them has to un- killed in a bus accident near dergo a plastic surgery now. Al Mesliyah on Thursday. The children were travelling Adien’s body, which was home from their kindergarten taken to India in the wee school in Madinat Khalifa. hours yesterday, was buried Late in the evening on in his native Thiruvalla in Thursday Kerala Minister for Kerala’s Pathanamthitta dis- Social welfare M K Muneer trict, later in the day, his rela- who was on a personal visit to tives told this newspaper. Qatar paid homage to Adien Adien died when his school at the Hamad mortuary.

Case against two expats accused of taking bribes

Doha Criminal Court received a complaint that has been reviewing the these two persons had been A case of two Syrian ex- doing such illegal transac- patriate men accused of tak- tions and the fi rst defendant ing bribes to facilitate some was abusing the duties of transaction at government public job. offi ces. Accordingly, all the legal Local Arabic daily Arrayah procedures were taken to reported yesterday that the put them under surveillance fi rst defendant used to work and monitor all their actions as a survey engineer at the closely, including the record- Ministry of Municipality and ing of all their phone com- Environment. He is accused munications. of accepting bribes of a sum Eventually, investigations of QR1.1mn in exchange for proved the doubts, leading to speeding up the process of the arrest of the two persons. land allocations for the ap- Upon searching their ac- plicants, who paid him. commodations, some docu- The second defendant is ments were found affi rming accused of acting as an in- the charges against them. termediary between the fi rst Besides, the offi cer in charge defendant and his clients, testifi ed that both the de- where he used to facilitate fendants admitted their guilt communication and agree on during police interrogation. the required sum of the bribe. The case is still going on at The Public Prosecution the court.

Gulf Times 8 Sunday, March 20, 2016 QATAR

Cancer Society Qatar-Saudi ties discussed launches ‘Hope Volunteer Team’

QNA Doha

he Qatar Cancer So- ciety (QCS) yesterday HE the Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, Tlaunched “Hope Vol- holding talks with Dr Mohamed Saleh bin Taher Benten, President of the Saudi Post unteer Team” within its mis- Corporation. Talks during the meeting dealt with issues of common interest between sion to enhance social and Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the postal sector. volunteer work as one of the most important ways to con- tribute to the advancement of the status of communities. The Society is keen on ac- tivating the role of volun- teers in the Qatari commu- nity through attracting many young people who have crea- tive energies and directing them to do good and serve the needy, especially as it oper- ates in one of the most im- portant sectors close to hu- man health. Dr Dera Mejeb al-Dosari, Chairman of QCS Cultural and Social Committee and Head of ‘Hope Volunteer Team’, in a speech on the oc- casion, praised the team, stressing its young members’ keenness and full readiness to consolidate their eff orts to support QCS’s mission and objectives.

Shafallah Centre to observe Down Syndrome Day

The Shafallah Centre for Children with Special Needs will observe the World Down Syndrome Day tomorrow. The programme includes organising an awareness march in Villaggio Mall tomorrow. The events will also witness the organisation of a Shooting Championships in collaboration with the National Shooting Federation for the Shafallah Centre students with Down Syndrome on Wednesday. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 9 QATAR

Defence Minister meets ambassadors

HE the Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah has met separately with the ambassadors of India and Sweden to Qatar, Sanjeev Arora and Ewa Polano, respectively. Talks covered bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them. More rain forecast for tomorrow, Tuesday

ore rain and thun- rains of variable inten- “The temperature will The Met department der are expected in sity, which may be thun- drop on Tuesday as a result has urged people to remain Mthe country from dery and accompanied by of the expected rains. The cautious and avoid sea ac- tomorrow evening until strong winds at times,” the relative drop in tempera- tivities during the period of Tuesday evening due to the report states. ture is expected to continue unstable weather and strong extension of a low-pressure Tomorrow, southeaster- on Wednesday and Thurs- winds, and follow latest up- system, the Qatar Met de- ly to southwesterly winds day (March 23-24) as the dates and warnings through partment has said. - moderate to fresh – are country will be aff ected by its diff erent offi cial social After a rise in tempera- expected in the country, moderate to fresh north- media accounts. ture tomorrow, the rain and leading to an above-av- westerly winds, becoming More is available winds are likely to bring erage rise in temperature strong over some areas, with at http://qweather. down the mercury level on - reaching more than 30C sea warnings for high waves gov.qa/NewsDetail. Tuesday and this condition with dusty skies over some and strong winds,” the re- aspx#sthash.7Rv7CAfd. is expected to continue for areas. port adds. dpuf the next couple of days, ac- cording to the weather fore- cast. Hot day forecast today Weather charts indicate that “the country will be aff ected by an extension Today’s forecast says strong winds and high Inshore areas, meanwhile, will be relatively hot of a low-pressure system seas are expected in the early hours in off shore during the day, and slight dust and scattered between Monday evening areas. clouds are also expected. and Tuesday evening as The wind speed in these areas may go up to The minimum and maximum temperatures in the skies are expected to 25 knots at first, with the sea level rising to 8ft. the country today are expected to be 15C and gradually become partly Partly cloudy and slightly dusty conditions are 29C, respectively, with the forecast for Doha cloudy to cloudy with also likely, and it will be hazy to misty by night. being 21C and 29C. chances of scattered Gulf Times 10 Sunday, March 20, 2016 QATAR HBKU to play key role in research conference

he Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- Engineering, chairing the session tional and regional growth. Qatar sensitive and Insulin-resistant versity (HBKU), a member on Computing & Information Biomedical Research Institute, Arab Individuals in Qatar, Cost Tof Qatar Foundation for Technology, and Dr Hilal Lashuel Qatar Computing Research In- Optimisation for Software Defi ned Education, Science, and Commu- from QBRI chairing the session stitute, and Qatar Environment Measurement, and Big Data Ana- nity Development, will play a sig- on Health. Dr Ahmed Elmagar- and Energy Research Institute are lytics in Diverse Data Processing nifi cant role in this year’s Annual mid, executive director of QCRI an integral part of HBKU.” Platforms. Research Conference (ARC’16) will share insight from some of Dr Omar El-Agnaf, acting ex- with the participation of its re- the university’s research projects As a research university ecutive director of QBRI, will search institutes, Qatar Biomedi- in the fi eld of data science, and in Qatar, HBKU is focused share insight from his research cal Research Institute (QBRI), Qa- Dr Khalid al-Subai, executive di- on academic research on “Biomarkers for Parkinson’s tar Computing Research Institute rector of QEERI, will discuss the degrees as well as Disease and Disorders”, an area (QCRI), and Qatar Environment HBKU research institute’s work pursuing innovative, in which he continues to explore and Energy Research Institute relating to Qatar’s environment interdisciplinary with the support of a research (QEERI) for the fi rst time under the and energy grand challenges. research grant from the New York-based auspices of the university. Dr Ahmad Hasnah, president Michael J Fox Foundation for Three of the fi ve parallel ses- of HBKU, noted: “As a research Representatives from across the Parkinson’s Research. sions on the fi rst day of the con- university in Qatar, HBKU is fo- university will be presenting their In addition, students from ference will be moderated by cused on academic research de- research at ARC’16. The presenta- HBKU’s Juris Doctor (JD) law HBKU offi cials, with Dr Said Ahzi grees as well as pursuing inno- tions will focus on a diverse range programme will assist Dr Clinton from QEERI, chairing the ses- vative, interdisciplinary research of specialised research areas such Francis, founding dean of HB- sion on Energy and the Environ- that will address national pri- as Novel Tri-Hybrid Desalination KU’s Law School, in his presen- ment, Dr Mounir Hamdi, dean of orities and foster major develop- Plants, the Characterisation of tation on “Crowd Inventing: An HBKU’s College of Science and ments, ultimately impacting na- Circulating MiRNAs in Insulin- Innovation about Innovation”. HBKU Research Complex: key role

Business Excellence Award for Alukkas

ntrepreneur Joy Aluk- in many important aspects kas has been hon- of my business interests. I Eoured with the Busi- thank all the offi ce-bearers ness Excellence Award 2016 of IBPC for this honour,” at a gala event organised by said Alukkas. the Indian Business & Pro- Alukkas has grown his fessional Council (IBPC). business from a single The award was presented jewellery showroom to a to Alukkas, chairman and multi-billion dollar global managing director of Joy- business empire in a span of alukkas Group, by Sheikh 29 years. His fl agship busi- Nahyan bin Mubarak al- ness is Joyalukkas Jewellery, Nahyan, the United Arab which is today a 120-plus Emirates Minister of Cul- showroom chain spread ture, Youth and Social De- across 11 countries around velopment, at the event the world. The other busi- held in Dubai recently. ness interests include mon- IBPC is the only repre- ey exchange, malls, fashion sentative organisation of and silks retail, realty and Indian businesses and pro- luxury air charter, accord- fessionals in Dubai. ing to a statement. “Every recognition is “Brand Joyalukkas today heart-warming and being is a household name across honoured with the Business the world, thanks to Joy Excellence Award by the Alukkas’s vision and com- esteemed IBPC makes me mitment to excel and con- feel very special. I am an In- stantly innovate. For some- dian who owes my success one who has rarely - if ever to the UAE and its vision- - based his decisions on the ary leaders; the IBPC also modern management tools works towards the interests such as graphs, scales and of Indian businesses and projections, his meteoric professionals in the UAE, rise is a role model of entre- which means they play an preneurial grit and intuitive important role in help- enterprise,” the statement ing businessmen like me adds.

Joy Alukkas receiving the award at the ceremony in Dubai.

Ooredoo launches Samsung Gear VR

oredoo has an- and low latency, to bring nounced the launch virtual reality to life. Oof the Samsung With the number of ac- Gear VR, a virtual reality tive VR users forecast to headset for Samsung users. reach 171mn by 2018, the The Gear VR works Samsung Gear VR is now seamlessly with selected 19% lighter than the pre- Galaxy smartphones, ena- vious model, with a larger bling users to insert their touchpad to give custom- phone into the headset and ers easy and accurate con- enjoy the experience of vir- trol. tual reality, according to a With the Samsung Gear statement. VR, users can play games, “The device, which is watch movies, socialise expected to see a high de- with friends and do more. mand across the region, has “Ooredoo is an offi - only just become available cial partner of Samsung in Qatar, and Ooredoo is phones in Qatar, and the among the fi rst to off er the strong connection between amazing new technology the two companies means to their customers at the that customers can enjoy Ooredoo Landmark, City the latest devices, as well Center and Villaggio shops, as guaranteed authorised as well as via the eShop,” the products,” the statement statement notes. adds. The Samsung Gear VR Full details of Ooredoo’s costs QR399 and off ers an plans, pricing and off ers are LED display, wide fi eld of available at www.ooredoo. view, precise head-tracking qa Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 11 QATAR Minister visits Industrial Area

E Minister of Municipality and Environment Moham- Hmed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi yesterday visited the Industrial Area. He toured the area and reviewed the ongoing construction plans there. The minister called for fi nishing the construction work quickly and as- sured co-operation from authorities involved to get the work done. The minister also visited the Waste Treatment Facility in Mesaieed. He observed the process and the technology used in the facility that transforms waste into energy. The facility is the biggest of its kind in the Middle East. It has been built on a 3sq km area and can currently process up to 2,300 tonnes HEMohammed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi visits support services area . of waste in a day. Technology helps HMC staff save woman’s life

amad Medical Cor- Care Unit, she developed Fawzy Hassan, director, Joint Commission Interna- poration’s (HMC) respiratory failure with a HMC Critical Care Centre tional (JCI) as part of its as- Hhighly skilled clini- lung infection and a brain and clinical lead for ECMO, sessment of HMC’s clinical cal teams deployed revo- haemorrhage leaving her in said its use was only possi- standards and delivery of lutionary new technology a critical condition. ble due to the collaborative patient care.” that uses a machine to take The machine element of approach to care between Dr Ibrahim said Seddiq over the work of lungs and ECMO, acting as the lungs various departments within was in a critical condition heart to save life of a young or heart, ensures the body HMC and the support from having suff ered life threat- woman involved in a serious gets enough oxygen by cir- HMC’s partners, Guy’s and ening injuries and when the car accident. culating the blood outside St Thomas’ NHS in the UK. ECMO team arrived at Ha- HMC is one of the few the body while the patient “This gave us the time mad General Hospital, she healthcare systems in the is undergoing treatment or to call in the ECMO team was close to cardiac arrest. Middle East to use the recovering from serious in- to prepare for the patient,” “She was placed on ECMO (extracorporeal juries. he said, adding: “It is very ECMO to support her re- membrane oxygenation) The ECMO system is unusual to use ECMO on covery and after a further which was utilised to save currently only available in a trauma patient but the three weeks of intensive the life of Majida Seddiq. a few centres around the team’s high level training al- therapy, I’m delighted to Seddiq was struck by a world and requires a fully lowed us to recognise that it say that Seddiq was fully car whilst crossing the Cor- integrated and dedicated would be invaluable in help- awake and beginning reha- niche late at night, suff ering team of highly trained clini- ing us save Seddiq’s life. This bilitation,” said Dr Ibrahim. multiple trauma injuries, cians to carry out high risk teamwork and our ability to After spending three including a severe brain procedures with care deliv- put the latest technology months in rehabilitation, injury and multiple frac- ered by clinicians 24 hours a into practice was instru- Seddiq is now fully recov- tures. After being treated day, seven days a week. mental in saving her life and ered and enjoying life at in the Trauma Intensive Dr Ibrahim Mohamed has been recognised by the home with her family. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, March 20, 2016 QATAR Polysilicon plant in fi nal stages of

construction Dr Khalid K al-Hajri, chairman and CEO, QSTec. ena’s largest polysili- “Safety is a top priority on the value chain to ultimately pro- to QSTec’s largest solar installa- and we are committed to using and investments, and is prepared date for the organisation. To ad- con production facil- site with 93% of the facility con- duce high quality solar modules tion project, which generates 1.1 research as our guiding force. to harness the full potential of dress this need it created Shams Mity in Qatar is in the struction completed and over and technologies in Qatar. megawatts of solar energy. The strong solar research and solar for the benefi t and prosper- Generation – a hands-on solar fi nal stages of construction and 31mn man-hours of construc- “We are gearing up to move The solar farm provides en- development (R&D) base that ity of all,” asserted Dr al-Hajri. learning programme that is cur- is currently getting ready to re- tion without a single lost time the plant from construction ergy to QSTec’s administra- has been developed in Qatar by QSTec will continue with its rently running across 20 schools shape the region’s solar energy incident,” said QSTec, a member stage into the production phase. tion buildings and is just one Qatar Foundation, QEERI, QSTP expansion strategy locally and in Qatar. industry when the fi rst large of Qatar Foundation. This phase of the project is a very of many sustainable technol- and others already off er a great internationally by increasing “We are extremely proud of polysilicon plant rolls out later More than 3,000km of proud moment for all involved ogy solutions utilised in this many opportunities for QSTec,” its solar industry development QSTec’s Shams Generation pro- this year. electrical cable is installed at as we witness this enormously plant. he added. within the technology and man- gramme,” Dr al-Hajri said, add- Located at Ras Laff an Indus- QSTec in addition to a network complex manufacturing facil- “In line with the Qatar Na- While the polysilicon plant has ufacturing sectors and we value ing: “We have to educate these trial City, the Qatar Solar Tech- of pipes that is over 200kms ity come to life and see QSTec’s tional Vision 2030, we are pro- been under construction, QSTec co-operative participation with young minds about solar energy, nologies (QSTec) facility will run long. Construction utilised polysilicon transformed by our ducing solar technologies and has steadily been expanding its others for its achievement. the environment and how to be two polysilicon trains with a ca- 15,000 metric tonnes of steel partners into solar modules and solutions locally and exporting presence within the global solar QSTec is a joint venture with more sustainable and Shams pacity to produce 8,000 metric and 100,000 cubic metres of technologies for use through- products and knowledge glo- industry. Qatar Foundation for Education, Generation is addressing this tonnes a year of high grade poly- concrete. out the world,” said Dr Khalid bally. QSTec and its partners “QSTec has a vision to become Science and Community De- need. We have grown from 4 silicon – the key ingredient used QSTec has 1.2mn sqm of land K al-Hajri, chairman and CEO, are bringing additional research a world leader in integrated so- velopment, SolarWorld AG and schools and 2,500 students last in over 90% of the world’s solar in RLIC, which will allow for fu- QSTec. opportunities across the value lar solutions, from research and Qatar Development Bank and year to over 20 schools and 7,000 modules. ture expansion along the solar The Ras Laff an facility is home chain of the industry to Qatar manufacturing to supply-chain as such education is a key man- students this year.”

Subscribers urged to clear PO Box dues Qatar Post has urged Post Off ice Souq Waqif Boutique (PO) Box owners to renew their subscription before March 31. In order to receive mail in Qatar, Hotels to take part in one must use a PO Box, located in a number of convenient locations around the country and can be accessed 24x7. International Food Fest PO Boxes, provided to both personal and business users, are available on annual paid ouq Waqif Bou- The festival will pro- ities for the whole family, subscription which commences tique Hotels is set vide an opportunity for with the aim of promot- on January 1 each year. Sto participate in visitors to taste a wide ing the diff erent food The annual subscription fee the seventh Qatar Inter- variety of international and beverage facilities became due on January 1 and national Food Festival culinary options avail- at Souq Waqif Boutique those who have not paid so far, (QIFF), which is be- able at the collection’s Hotels and supporting should clear the dues before ing organised by Qatar diff erent restaurants. Qatar Tourism Author- March 31 in order to avoid any Tourism Authority and “Souq Waqif Boutique ity’s eff orts in attracting disruption of service. Qatar Airways in Doha Hotels is taking part, for international events to Subscribers who renew after from March 22 to 28. the third time, in the Qatar Doha,” he noted. March 31 will be charged a re- This is for the third International Food Festi- “The Qatar Interna- opening fee of QR100 to resume consecutive year that val, which is a major plat- tional Food Festival has their service, provided the Souq Waqif Boutique form for promoting tour- remarkably improved mailbox has not been transferred Hotels, the luxury hotel ism in Qatar and allowing and matured over time to another subscriber. collection managed by visitors to enjoy an eclectic in terms of its organisa- The PO Box renewal can be Ma’n Marwan Alhamawi, Nabil Srougi and the Auto Future Tech team at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Al Rayyan Hospitality, is selection of internation- tion, presentation and done at one of the 40 Qatar taking part in the event. al cuisines and dishes,” the level of the event’s Post branches or via Qatar Post Through its participa- said Amir Golbarg, hotel parallel activities, com- website www.qatarposts.com. tion in QIFF, Souq Waqif manager at Souq Waqif bining culture, enter- Boutique Hotels “reiter- Boutique Hotels. tainment and a refi ned ates its commitment to “This year, we are gastronomic experience Land for new Al Auto Future Tech opens actively promote Qatar taking part in the Inter- that represent diff er- Furjan markets as a vibrant and attrac- national zone where we ent geographies from tive tourist destination will showcase the best of around the world,” The Ministry of Municipality and while highlighting its Italian and Asian delica- added Golbarg. “We are Environment (MME) has allocated world-class services and cies, in addition to the proud of being an eff ec- seven new locations for Al Furjan new service centre cultural heritage,” ac- traditional dhow, which tive team player within (neighbourhood) markets, Central cording to a statement. will feature lots of activ- this activity.” Municipal Council chairman Mohamed bin Hammoud al-Shafi has said. uto Future Tech, the range of tyres, designed for Customers will enjoy free our well-trained team, is Four of these are in the Rawdat exclusive importer driving pleasure and safety labour charges for a limited a testimonial of our com- Aba Al Hayran area and three in Aof Continental and in varied road conditions, period upon purchasing mitment to off ering our New Al Rayyan. Castrol, has celebrated the as well as Castrol’s latest Castrol lubricants or Con- customers unparalleled Al-Shafi said the MME’s move inauguration of its new generation of automotive tinental tyres. experience,” Srougi added. came in response to a request service centre on Airport lubricants, including the On the occasion, Al- The new service centre is from him as the representative Street. premium product brands - Hamawi said: “We are located on Airport Street, of constituency number 14, In a statement, the com- Castrol Edge, Castrol Mag- very proud to celebrate the Parachute signal, Area 46, adding that regarding his request pany said this is its second natec and Castrol GTX. inauguration of our new Doha (near Ansar Gal- to allocate similar plots in the outlet, which off ers new In addition to supply- service centre with its new lery), with a fully trained Al Luqta and Al Wajbah areas, services to customers. ing the market with the off erings to our valued cus- team available from Satur- the department concerned is The ribbon-cutting cer- highest-quality products tomers. It represents a true days till Thursdays (8am to reviewing the matter as part of emony took place recently from the industrial giants, refl ection of the success of 6pm). the fifth stage of the Al Furjan in the presence of Ma’n Auto Future Tech is off ering our partnership with glo- Established in 2013, Auto markets project. Marwan Alhamawi, chief a wide range of professional bally recognised brands: Future Tech “constantly He stressed that he would operating offi cer, Alfardan auto services, which include Continental and Castrol. off ers its customers the continue following up on the Group - Automotive Op- replacement of tyres, tyre Our aim is to consistently best products and services implementation of the seven erations; Nabil Srougi, fi tting and balancing, wheel develop our presence in the from globally recognised new markets with all the entities general manager, Auto Fu- alignment and oil vending, market and increase our brands that have pioneered concerned in the country until the ture Tech; and Auto Future the statement notes. market share.” technological advance- Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels at Qatar International Food Festival last year. work was accomplished. Tech’s team. The new service cen- “Our new service cen- ments in their respec- The new service centre tre also off ers engine oil tre, with the new addi- tive industry sectors”, the houses Continental’s full and oil fi lter replacement. tional services off ered by statement adds. Traders hail rent Alnuweiri named for cut by Barwa MOQ professorship

By Ramesh Mathew Staff Reporter r Hussein Alnuweiri, pic- tured, professor of Elec- Dtrical and Computer Engi- arwa Commercial Avenue management’s neering at Texas A&M University decision to reduce rents of commercial at Qatar (Tamuq), has been ap- Bproperties by nearly 15% has come in for pointed as the fi rst holder of the praise from trader -tenants. Maersk Oil Qatar (MOQ) Profes- The management has already communicated sorship in STEM Leadership for an integral part of the success of the decision to the outlet operators, it is learnt. the next two years. this campus and in achieving our The Barwa Commercial Avenue management Alnuweiri was awarded the vision of being the premier pro- has also reportedly decided to give a three-month position in recognition of his cut- vider of engineering education in rent-free facility to tenants who are renewing ting-edge research and signifi cant the region, a valuable contributor their contracts. As a result, the tenants need not contributions to educational out- to knowledge internationally and pay rent for the months of March, April and May. reach to young Qataris. The STEM a valued resource to Qatar.” Responding to the management’s decision, some professorship is part of the Dhia: Lewis Affl eck, managing di- of the tenants said it provides a “big relief to us”. Engineering Leaders partnership rector, MOQ commented, “The They hoped the management would come up with between MOQ and Tamuq that is appointment of the Maersk Oil more off ers in the coming months to help improve developing local capacity in sci- Qatar STEM Professor is another business. Some of the outlet owners said off ers ence and engineering teaching. important milestone for the Dhia. such as providing incentives to entrepreneurs who “Alnuweiri’s rich portfolio of It will enhance understanding of start their ventures at Barwa Commercial Avenue STEM education and other out- how teaching and learning prac- would help in attracting more businesses there. reach activities made him an ob- tices in the context of Qatar can One of the traders said some tenants, on their vious choice for this new profes- promote greater success and par- part, are working out plans to hold promotions to sorship,” Dr Ann Kenimer, interim ticipation in STEM subjects in bring more customers to the place. dean, Tamuq, said, adding: “He is young people.” Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 13

REGION/ARAB WORLD

Dubai photo show Heavy gunfi re in Tripoli as rivals clash

Reuters Bab Azizziya before the capital eff ort to end the confl ict. Tripoli later returned to calm, witnesses With no national army, each said. There were no immediate faction is backed by loose coali- reports of casualties. tions of former rebels who fi ve eavy gunfi re broke out in Black smoke rose over the area years ago fought together to top- the Libyan capital Tripoli and military vehicles were seen ple Muammar Gaddafi but have Hyesterday after two rival patrolling through streets near- since fallen into internecine Eighteen renowned curators, led by Head Curator, Zelda Cheatle, have selected the works of over 700 museum quality photographs armed groups clashed in the city by. fi ghting. taken by 129 well-known photographers from 23 countries to be shown in a purpose-designed ‘temporary museum’ at the Dubai over the killing of one of their The clashes were between Za- Tripoli’s self-declared govern- Design District (d3). One of the largest photography exhibitions ever produced, Dubai Photo Exhibition, spans from the earliest fi ghters, a local security source wiyat Addahmani’s Alfi rqa As- ment and several of the armed photographic experiments, to modern classics and innovative contemporary artworks. and witnesses said. sadisah or the Sixth Team Secu- factions in the city have rejected The violence illustrated the rity brigade and Bab Azizziya’s the UN-backed presidential complex security situation in Salah al-Burki brigade in Camp council and warned them to stay Tripoli where several quasi-of- 77, a security source said. away from the capital. fi cial groups operate as law en- Libya is in chaos with two ri- Tripoli has been under control forcement controlling diff erent val factions struggling for con- of an armed alliance called Libya districts, and clashes sometimes trol, one in Tripoli and the other Dawn since 2014 when its forces Palestinian teenager 19 pilgrims die in occur over territory or personal to the east each running their drove rivals out of the city, set up disputes. own government. A UN-bro- their own government and rein- The clashes left several cars kered government of national stated the former parliament as shot dead in W Bank Saudi bus crash burning in the streets between unity based for now in Tunis is part of power struggle for con- the Zawiyat Addahmani area and negotiating to enter Tripoli in an trol. Agencies dead during clashes and pro- AFP “All the bus passengers have Jerusalem tests. Riyadh the same nationality of an Arab Palestinian leaders say attack- country except the driver who ers have acted out of desperation is Asian,” he said. Palestinian teenager was in the absence of movement to- t least 19 pilgrims died, Another 22 people were in- shot dead yesterday af- wards creation of an independ- all of them Egyptian, jured including some who were Boutefl ika urges vigilance Ater stabbing an Israeli ent state. Israel says they are Aand 22 were injured ear- badly hurt, Sihli added. paramilitary police offi cer near being incited to commit acts of ly on Saturday when their bus Millions of Muslims visit a Jewish settlement in the oc- violence by their leaders and on overturned in western Saudi Saudi Arabia each year for the cupied West Bank, Israeli police social media. Arabia, authorities in both year-round Umrah minor pil- after attack on gas plant said. Meanwhile, Israeli forces yes- countries said. grimage and the annual Haj A police spokeswoman said he terday detained three Palestin- The tourism ministry in pilgrimage. AFP reb (AQIM) said it was behind Fri- serious since other Al Qaeda- was 17 years old. The Palestinian ians and summoned nine others Cairo said 19 Egyptian pil- Jordan said on Wednesday Algiers day’s attack on the plant operated linked militants stormed a com- Health Ministry confi rmed his during predawn raids across the grims and a child were killed that 14 pilgrims died and an- by Britain’s BP, Norway’s Statoil plex in Algeria’s remote east in death and his family confi rmed southern West Bank district of and 15 were injured in the ac- other 36 were injured in an- and Algerian company Sonatrach. 2013 and began a four-day siege his age. Bethlehem, said security sourc- cident. other bus accident in south- lgerian President Ab- Algerians “more than ever that left dozens dead. Since October almost daily es. “Nineteen people were ern Jordan near the Saudi delaziz Boutefl ika called must be united, be vigilant and The defence ministry said on Palestinian street attacks have Forces raided Husan town, killed when the bus carrying border. Ayesterday for people to be mobilise to safeguard the integ- Friday two homemade rockets killed 28 Israelis and two US west of Bethlehem, where they them turned over on the Hijra The country’s civil protec- vigilant because of violence in rity of our state which shares bor- crashed near a guard post of a citizens. Israeli forces have killed detained three Palestinian mi- road” between the coastal city tion service said the driver neighbouring countries and after ders with many countries shaken Sonatrach facility in Krechba, at least 189 Palestinians, 128 nors after breaking into and ran- of Jeddah and the holy city of lost control of the vehicle rockets hit a desert gas plant run by violent crises,” Boutefl ika said, 1,300km (800 miles) south of Al- of whom Israel says were as- sacking their families’ houses, Medina, Saudi Red Crescent which turned over 320km by foreign energy giants. referring to Libya and Tunisia. giers, without causing casualties sailants, many of them in their Palestinian News Agency re- spokesman Khaled Ben Mes- (about 200 miles) southeast Al Qaeda in the Islamic Magh- Friday’s attack was the most or damage. teens. Most others were shot ported. saed al-Sihli said. of Amman. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, March 20, 2016 ARAB WORLD Tunisia launches security operations in border town

AFP operations in Ben Guerdane, tants mounted a dawn assault “A soldier was wounded dur- ment said, adding that no one UN chief to visit Tunisia on March 28-29 Tunis security forces and the army on security installations in Ben ing an exchange of fi re Saturday was injured. killed two terrorists holed up in Guerdane, which is near the bor- morning between army units Tunisia has failed to curb UN chief Ban Ki-moon will visit North African country since a house... in the vicinity of the der with unrest-plagued Libya. and a terrorist group at Jabal Sa- a rise in extremism since the Tunisia on March 28 and 29, the ouster of dictator Zine El unisian authorities said town,” the defence and interior Thirteen members of the se- mama” in the Kasserine region, 2011 revolution that ousted mainly to take part in a confer- Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. two “terrorists” were ministries said in a joint state- curity forces and seven civilians Lieutenant Colonel Belhassen longtime dictator Zine El Abi- ence on the post-revolt problem According to the UN Informa- Tkilled yesterday close to ment. were killed in those attacks, ac- Oueslati said. dine Ben Ali. of employment, a UN repre- tion Centre in Tunis, Ban will be the southern town of Ben Guer- It described “an exchange of cording to offi cial fi gures. Separately, the interior min- Last year, IS claimed attacks sentative said on Friday. joined on the first day of his visit dane near the border with Libya fi re between terrorists and secu- There was no claim of respon- istry said three gunmen had on the Bardo museum in Tunis The secretary general will also by World Bank chief Jim Yong where militants mounted a dead- rity forces who were preparing sibility for the March 7 attacks, opened fi re overnight on a police and a popular resort hotel, killing meet members of quartet that Kim in a meeting with Tunisian ly assault earlier this month. to search the house,” adding that but the authorities blamed them outpost along the border with 59 tourists in total, and the sui- won the Nobel Peace Prize for President Beji Caid Essebsi. Four people were also wound- three civilians were wounded by on the Islamic State group (IS). Algeria. cide bombing of a bus that killed their contribution to the success Since its revolution, Tunisia ed in clashes - three civilians and shrapnel and a member of the In the west, meanwhile, the “There was an exchange of 12 presidential guards. of Tunisia’s democratic transi- has managed to transition to a member of the security forces, National Guard was wounded in army fought militants in clashes fi re between security forces at Thousands of Tunisians have tion. democracy but has struggled to the sources said. the foot. that left a soldier wounded, the the post and terrorists before the signed up to fi ght abroad with It will be his third visit to the restart its economy. “During security and military On March 7, dozens of mili- defence ministry said. attackers fl ed,” a ministry state- extremist groups. Raids ‘kill 39 civilians’ in IS bastion

in Syria Workers in Beirut use a front-loader to move garbage to Naameh landfill, south of Beirut yesterday. AFP World Heritage Site known as the triotic forces with the support of Beirut “Pearl of the Desert”, last May. the Russian air force are carrying In September, satellite images out a large-scale operation to lib- confi rmed that Palmyra’s famed erate Palmyra,” he told journal- wave of air strikes killed Temple of Bel had been targeted ists in Moscow. Lorries begin moving Beirut’s at least 39 civilians yes- by IS as part of a campaign to de- Roughly 1,800 Syrian civil- Aterday in Raqa, the main stroy pre-Islamic monuments, ians including more than 400 stronghold of the Islamic State tombs and statues it considers children have been killed in Rus- militant group in Syria, a moni- idolatrous. sian air strikes since Moscow toring group said. UN experts said the main launched its aerial campaign on mountains of trash to landfi ll At least fi ve children and seven building of the temple as well as September 30, according to the women were among the dead in a row of columns had been de- Observatory. IS’s de facto capital in the north stroyed. Moscow has denied claims Reuters The crisis, which began last pened for two months to receive last month because the fi rm of the war-ravaged country, the In recent weeks, Syrian troops that its air force has repeatedly Beirut July when the same Naameh garbage. chosen failed to obtain docu- Britain-based Syrian Observa- backed by the Russian air force hit civilian and non-militant landfill south of Beirut was The Council for Reconstruc- ments showing that Russia, tory for Human Rights said. have been pressing an advance to rebel targets. closed with no plan in place tion and Development said in the intended destination, had Five members of IS’s self- try to reclaim the ancient city. More than 270,000 people orries began taking for an alternative, has caused a statement carried by the Na- agreed to accept it. styled police force were also Yesterday alone, at least 18 IS have been killed in Syria since the mountains of rubbish widespread protests against tional News Agency that trucks The Lebanese cabinet has killed and 60 people were fi ghters were killed in at least 70 confl ict began in March 2011 with Lthat have piled up in the dysfunctional state and had begun to enter Naameh. struggled to take even basic de- wounded, some critically, ac- strikes on the Palmyra area, the anti-government protests. Beirut to a landfill site yester- raised concerns for public Preparations were still under- cisions due to political confl ict cording to the monitor, which Observatory said, as clashes pit- An unprecedented ceasefi re day under a plan the govern- health. way to open the new landfi lls, it among the rival parties repre- relies on a network of sources on ted loyalist troops against mili- negotiated by Russia and the US ment approved to solve the Under the plan agreed on said. sented in it. the ground. tants on the ground. has largely held since February seven-month garbage crisis, March 12, two landfi lls will be The government had been Political deadlock has also left The raids came a day after 16 Russia, a key backer of the 27 but the truce does not apply to the body helping oversee dis- established near Beirut, and the working on a plan to export the the country without a president civilians were killed in strikes on Syrian regime, on Monday or- militants. posal said. Naameh landfi ll is being reo- garbage. But this was scrapped for nearly two years. the same city. dered the withdrawal of most UN mediator Staff an de Mis- “We cannot know whether the of its armed forces from Syria, tura has urged Damascus to make latest strikes on Raqa are by Syr- but continues to strike jihad- concrete proposals in the coming 13 Egypt policemen dead in Sinai mortar attack ian or Russian warplanes,” said ist targets, particularly around days on a political transition, fol- Observatory director Rami Abdel Palmyra. lowing a week of peace talks in A mortar attack on a checkpoint it had deployed a suicide bomber The interior ministry said the IS said a suicide bomber, identi- Rahman. Senior Russian commander Geneva. in Egypt’s restive Sinai Peninsula who blew up a car at the check- attack took place at a checkpoint fied by the nom de guerre “Abu “What is clear is that their goal Sergei Rudskoi on Friday said But a source close to the re- killed 13 policemen yesterday, point, which militants then raided. near El-Arish, the provincial capi- Al-Qaaqaa the Egyptian”, blew is to try to paralyse IS and to stop Russian jets were fl ying around gime said yesterday there had the interior ministry said in a The attack was the deadliest tal of North Sinai. up a car packed with explosives it from deploying reinforcements two dozen bombing sorties daily been “no progress” at the meet- statement. in months in Sinai, where IS’s “A mortar round was fired at the at the checkpoint. “This was from Raqa to the Palmyra area,” to back up the Syrian govern- ings and criticised the UN envoy The Islamic State group (IS) Egyptian branch is waging an in- Safa checkpoint... which resulted followed by the storming of the he said. ment’s bid to recapture Palmyra. for putting pressure on the Syr- claimed responsibility for the surgency that has killed hundreds in the martyrdom of 13 police- checkpoint,” it said in a statement IS seized Palmyra, a Unesco “Government troops and pa- ian government. attack, but said in a statement that of policemen and soldiers. men,” the ministry statement said. posted on social media accounts. Russia says Horse training Militants kill US truce mostly marine in Iraq

AFP specifi ed the casualty’s national- holding Baghdad ity. The IS-affi liated Amaq news agency published a report claim- Reuters fi ghting as peace talks take he Islamic State group ing the attack was carried out by Moscow place in Geneva. killed a US marine in a IS. Russia has been pulling Trocket attack in north- “An American soldier was out its attack aircraft after ern Iraq yesterday, the Pentagon killed today, Saturday, due to he ceasefire in Syria announcing a partial with- said, only the second American bombing carried out by fi ghters is broadly holding drawal from Syria, where its combat death in the fi ght against of the Islamic State on Makhmur Tbut the US should be air campaign in support of the militants. district,” it said. doing more to support it, President Bashar al-Assad “Earlier today a US Marine It said the marine was killed Russia’s Defence Ministry has turned fi ghting in his providing force protection fi re when two medium-range Grad said in a statement yester- favour. support at a recently established rockets were fi red on a village day. The Russian statement coalition fi re base near Makhmur called Krasur. The ministry said Russian criticised the US for what is in northern Iraq was killed after The Pentagon said the death monitors had registered no said was Washington’s fail- coming under ISIL (IS) rocket was the second since the start violations of the ceasefi re ure to restrain rebel fi ghters. fi re,” a statement said. in the summer of 2014 of Op- involving the use of heavy “In contrast to the Ameri- Makhmur is a district around eration Inherent Resolve against weapons within the last 24 can side, offi cers of the Rus- 70km southeast of the main IS IS and its self-proclaimed hours. sian (monitoring) Centre are hub of Mosul and 280km north “caliphate”. “On the whole the cease- in the provinces and on the of Baghdad. The coalition’s main role in fi re regime between govern- ground to restrain potential It lies within territory control- the war against IS has been to ment troops and opposition violations of the ceasefi re,” led by the autonomous northern provide air support, with close forces on the territory of it said. region of Kurdistan, but Baghdad to 10,000 strikes destroying or Syria is being observed,” the Russia had yet to receive has recently been deploying fed- damaging more than 16,000 statement said. a reply from Washington to eral forces there to prepare for an targets since the summer of But it said that, within its proposals for organising off ensive against Mosul. 2014. the last 24 hours, opposition monitoring of the ceasefi re, “Several other Marines were But the US and some of its fi ghters in the Homs region it added. wounded and they are being leading partners in the coalition had opened fi re on govern- “We consider that this treated for their varying inju- such as France, Britain, Australia ment posts, killing one sol- delay in accepting the docu- ries,” the Pentagon said. and Italy also have signifi cant dier. ment in question is unac- The 60-nation coalition bat- contingents deployed on the The ceasefi re took eff ect ceptable, because it leads to tling IS in Iraq and Syria had pre- ground Iraq. three weeks ago, reducing new civilian casualties,” the A Palestinian man trains his horse on the beach in Gaza City. viously announced a death as a Their offi cial role is to train violence but not halting the statement said. result of “enemy action” but not and advise local Iraqi forces. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 15 AFRICA

Elderly Kenyan is Congo shuts telecoms mauled by lion AFP Nairobi

n elderly Kenyan man was clawed by a lion that was wandering along a busy road during morning Arush hour in the capital Nairobi on Friday, wildlife for presidential vote offi cials said yesterday. It is the third time in a month that lions have caused panic as they roamed outside of Nai- Reuters robi National Park, a 117sq km reserve almost surrounded Brazzaville by a fast-growing city of over 3mn people. The 63-year-old man was injured when the lion be- came agitated and swiped at him, said Kenya Wildlife ongo Republic’s govern- Service (KWS) spokesman Paul Udoto. “People were ment has ordered the there, hooting their horns, taking selfi es and all that and Ccountry’s two largest tel- the lion got agitated,” Udoto said, adding that the man ecommunications providers to was taken to hospital and was in stable condition. block all communication during Soon afterwards, the lion returned to the park, fol- a presidential election today for lowed by rangers who encouraged it to move deeper into security reasons, a government the reserve. “The lion is safely back but our teams are still source said yesterday. on the ground in case there are any others around that The decision will cause in- have not been spotted,” Udoto said. convenience and possible alarm In a video shared on social media, commuters honked in a country where many rely on their horns continuously at the large, dark-maned male cell phone communication and lion as it trotted along Mombasa Road, a traffi c-clogged a prominent government critic four-lane highway that is one of the capital’s main arter- said it would impede the work of ies. Bystanders peered out from behind fences and gates. election monitors. The park is not entirely fenced to enable traditional President Denis Sassou migration by animals in search of grazing. Nguesso is expected to extend The big cats are under growing pressure as one of Af- his long rule in the oil-producing rica’s fastest growing cities expands onto ancient migra- nation by defeating eight oppo- tion routes and hunting grounds. nents, including retired General Conservationists say lions predate people in the area Jean-Marie Mokoko who is seen and are not “escaping” the park nor “straying” into hu- as the strongest challenger. man settlements, rather people have moved into the li- Mokoko was summoned yes- ons’ home ranges. terday to the state security head- In mid-February, two lions spent a day wandering quarters as part of an ongoing through Kibera, a densely-packed city slum, before re- security investigation, Charles turning to the park, and days later more lions were spot- Zacharie Bowao, the president ted in town. of the opposition coalition that While lions on the loose are increasingly common Mokoko belongs to, told Reuters. in Nairobi, it is unusual for anyone to be injured during “The minister of the interior their outings. indeed signed and sent a letter to ... MTN Congo and Airtel Congo to tell them that the state wants WHO experts in Cape Verde to them to cut off communication on March 20 and 21 for reasons monitor Zika, microcephaly case of security and public tranquil- lity,” the government source told he World Health Organization (WHO) has dis- Reuters. patched a team to Cape Verde to monitor a Zika The move to block communi- Congolese presidential candidate Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko arrives at his closing rally in Brazzaville late on Friday. Tvirus outbreak following the west African archi- cations is unusual in the context pelago’s fi rst recorded microcephaly case. The WHO said of an election in Africa, though Soldiers accused of attacking civilians in a statement released late on Friday it was sending a Uganda shut down Twitter, Fa- team of epidemiologists, maternal health specialists and cebook and WhatsApp on the Soldiers in Democratic Republic of The government has blamed most clear, the report added, but it said exploit the area’s natural resources. communication staff at the request of the government. day of its presidential election in Congo’s army have taken part in at of them on the Allied Democratic there was evidence of past collabora- The report said the repeated failure “WHO is sending a team to Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), February. least three deadly attacks on civilians Forces (ADF), a Ugandan Islamist tion between army off icers and the by army units, sometimes stationed with joint participation of experts from WHO AFRO “(The decision is bad because) and turned a blind eye to other as- group that has operated in eastern ADF in timber traff icking. Ethnic close to the attack, to respond and the Institut Pasteur, Dakar,” it said, referring to a there are other things to think saults carried out by rebels, a former Congo since the 1990s. rivalries could also be involved in promptly suggested some off icers Senegal-based infectious disease centre. It follows Cape about besides elections. Every- UN investigator said in a report But Stearns said witnesses and some cases, it said. had given orders not to intervene. Verde’s announcement on Tuesday of the fi rst appear- thing is being done so that the released over the weekend. other evidence showed soldiers had Two colonels were convicted by a The failure to respond to attacks ance of microcephaly on the islands, a severe deforma- election is not transparent,” said Spokesmen for Congo’s govern- participated in at least three attacks military court in November 2014 in was noted by a parliamentary mis- tion of the brains of infants whose link with the mosqui- Joe Washington, president of the ment and army did not immediately near the town of Beni between Octo- connection with the assassination sion report in November 2014 and to-borne Zika virus is under close study. Ebina Foundation, an activist respond to requests for comment ber 2014 and March 2015. of the commander of operations a report by the current UN panel of Cape Verde recorded 33 suspected cases of Zika in group. on the allegations by the Congo Re- “We have collected matching against the ADF near Beni earlier experts in Congo last year. the fi rst week of March alone, and has registered almost Sassou Nguesso has led Congo search Group at New York University, testimonies on the involvement of that year. “If you ask questions to under- 7,500 cases since October 21 last year, according to WHO for 32 of the last 37 years and headed by Jason Stearns. (army) soldiers in certain massacres Millions died between 1996 and stand why, they whip you,” one non- fi gures. “Investigations are underway to determine if this pushed through constitutional More than 500 people have died and also several general testimonies 2003 in regional conflicts in Congo’s commissioned off icer told research- case of microcephaly is linked to Cabo Verde’s outbreak changes last October to remove in a wave of machete attacks and of (army) off icers that confirm this east, mostly from hunger and disease. ers about orders not to intervene. of Zika virus,” the WHO statement said. term and age limits that would other raids in Congo’s east since complicity,” the report said. Dozens of armed groups continue to Stearns is a former coordinator of There is currently no vaccine for the virus. Aff ected have prevented him from stand- October 2014, rights groups say. The soldiers’ motives were not prey upon the local population and the UN panel of experts in Congo. countries are focusing on wiping out mosquito popula- ing again. tions in an eff ort to curb its spread.

Tanzanian court jails two Water woes Chinese for smuggling ivory

Reuters Poaching has risen in recent years across Dar es Salaam sub-Saharan Africa, where well-armed criminal gangs have killed elephants for tusks and rhinos for horns that are often anzania has sentenced two Chinese shipped to Asia for use in ornaments and men to 35 years each in jail for ivory medicines. Tsmuggling, local media reported In Tanzania, the elephant population yesterday, the latest conviction of Chinese shrank from 110,000 in 2009 to around nationals in a drive to stamp out poaching. 43,000 in 2014, according to a census The Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court released in June, with conservationists in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam blaming “industrial-scale” poaching. sentenced Huang Gin, 53, and Xu Fujie, There are also far fewer rhinos and they are 25, after they failed to pay a fi ne of 54.35bn endangered. shillings ($25mn) each, the state-run Daily In October, Tanzania charged prominent News reported. Chinese businesswoman Yang Feng Glan, The two were arrested at a house in Dar 66, dubbed the “Ivory Queen”, with run- es Salaam in 2013 with 706 pieces of ele- ning a network that smuggled out tusks phant tusk and have been in custody since. from 350 elephants. She is under arrest and “Considering the evidence adduced in facing a separate trial. court and the huge loss that the nation has A court in southern Tanzania sentenced suff ered for the killing of 226 elephants, it four Chinese men to 20 years in jail each is obvious the accused are a real threat to in December after they were convicted of the elephant population,” the privately- smuggling rhino horns. owned Citizen newspaper quoted magis- Tanzania denied a report in 2014 al- trate Cyprian Mkeha as saying in his ruling. leging that Chinese offi cials bought large The East African country relies heavily on amounts of illegal ivory during a visit by revenues from safari tourism and new Presi- President Xi Jinping a year ago and smug- dent John Magufuli has pledged to root out gled it out in diplomatic bags aboard his A Somalian woman collects water from shallow wells dug along the Shabelle River bed, which is dry due to drought in the Shabelle region. poaching as part of a wider war on corruption. plane. Mugabe may ‘consider’ retiring if veterans ask him

Reuters He told supporters at a rally the president has overstayed and babwe since independence from Mutsvangwa, fi red from the husband of former vice president midway through his fi ve-year Harare in Bindura, north of Harare, that should go. So war veterans come Britain in 1980. cabinet by Mugabe two weeks Joice Mujuru, had failed to get presidential term. leaders of the Zimbabwe Lib- to Harare ... so that we can dis- War veterans have been key ago, as accusing some members him to retire ahead of elections “Wait until we go to congress. eration War Veterans Association cuss this. No one should intimi- to Mugabe’s re-election at polls of the ruling ZANU-PF party of in 2008. If there are those you think can resident Robert Mugabe (ZLWVA) were pushing for him to date anyone,” Mugabe said in his since 2000. trying to manipulate the presi- Mujuru died in a fi re at his farm do a better job than the presi- has said veterans of Zim- step down. native Shona language. Last month police fi red tear dent by rallying behind his wife in August 2011. dent, you choose them. If con- Pbabwe’s independence war Mugabe, himself a war veteran “We will be saying: speak your gas and water cannon to dis- Grace. His wife Joice was fi red from gress approves them, fi ne,” he had indicated they wanted him to and patron of the ZLWVA, said mind. I will leave if that’s what perse veterans who had planned a Earlier this month Mugabe the vice-presidency in December told Friday’s rally. retire and he would consider it if the organisation would hold a you want. It has to come through march on ZANU-PF’s headquar- said his successor must be cho- 2014 over accusations of plotting ZANU-PF’s next leadership they asked him directly. “frank” meeting with him in the the party. But will that help you ters, amid tussles between party sen democratically by the ruling to remove Mugabe from power congress is due in 2019, a year Mugabe, at 92 Africa’s oldest fi rst week of April, where the vet- at this moment?” factions over who should succeed party, but that it would not be his and launched a new political par- after a presidential vote. No sen- leader, pointed out however that erans should freely express their Friday’s comments are likely to Mugabe. wife as some have speculated. ty on March 1. ior party members are expected others had tried to push him out views. be met with scepticism, coming Zimbabwean media has Mugabe said on Friday former Mugabe said he was surprised to openly challenge the veteran in the past and failed. “They have this thinking that from a man who has ruled Zim- quoted ZLWVA chairman Chris army general Solomon Mujuru, by calls for him to step down leader. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, March 20, 2016 AMERICAS Republican Campaign trail lawmakers to join Obama on Cuba visit Reuters Republicans backing Obama’s pol- The news drew immediate con- Washington icy cut against the grain of the party’s demnation in Congress, where a bloc Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders addresses supporters at a campaign rally in Salt Lake City, Utah. establishment thinking that seeks of mostly Republican Cuban-Amer- to avoid giving Obama any kind of ican lawmakers has worked to keep small group of Republican policy win, either domestically or in- tight restrictions on trade and travel lawmakers will join President ternationally. Normalizing relations with Cuba for years. ABarack Obama’s historic trip with Cuba would be a signifi cant for- Although polls show 72% of Amer- today to Cuba, underlining growing eign policy legacy for Obama. icans want to abandon the embargo, divisions in the party over the future Many Republicans see the embargo the Republican party line has fi rmly Hulk Hogan wins $115mn of the US’ trade embargo against the as contrary to their party’s pro-busi- supported the restrictions. Critics of island nation. ness tenets and believe the govern- Obama’s policy say Cuba’s govern- At least fi ve Republicans, all known ment should not tell citizens where ment is still too repressive for the US for favouring normal trade relations they can travel. to ease restrictions. with Cuba, will make the trip, con- “It’s about Americans’ freedom But this week businessman Don- payout in sex tape case gressional sources and lawmakers and embracing engagement rather ald Trump, who has questioned the told Reuters. than isolation as a way of changing embargo, easily won the Republi- Republican congressional leaders other governments,” Sanford said in can primary in Florida, defeating AFP handlebar moustache. During the trial, the appeals court will need to resolve have made opposition to President a Facebook post explaining his deci- leading embargo advocate Sena- Miami Hogan - dressed in a dark suit and black the case,” Denton said. Barack Obama’s easing of the Cuban sion to make the trip. tor Marco Rubio. Trump’s victory bandana - testifi ed that a friend of his, ra- The jury awarded Hogan $15mn more trade embargo a hallmark of their At least 15 of the 54 Republicans countered the long-standing as- dio personality Bubba “the Love Sponge” than he had originally sought. Of the foreign policy. in the Senate, mostly members from sumption that the state’s Cuban ex- US jury on Friday ordered the Clem, had an “open marriage” and want- $115mn, $60mn is for personal emo- But an increasing number of party states like Kansas where agriculture iles would defeat any anti-embargo news and entertainment website ed his wife to have sex with Hogan. tional stress suff ered by Hogan. members, drawn by the economic is a signifi cant industry, have pub- candidate. AGawker to pay wrestling superstar After several entreaties, Hogan said The jury - consisting of four women benefi ts of scrapping the cold war- licly backed increased Cuban trade or A young generation of Cuban- Hulk Hogan $115mn for posting online a he fi nally agreed, not realizing that the and two men - ruled in favour of Hogan era embargo, are lining up to back the fewer restrictions on travel. Americans has warmed to Obama’s secretly recorded video of him having sex. encounter was secretly recorded. on all of the claims. White House. Supporters of Obama’s policy engagement policy, with many ex- The six-member jury reached the de- “Mr Bollea is exceptionally happy,” The trial was closely watched by legal “This is the right policy. He’s done say the total number of Republican cited about the chance to open busi- cision in favour of Hogan after deliber- Hogan’s lawyer David Houston said experts and celebrities as defence attor- the right thing,” said Republican Sen- supporters in the House and Senate nesses in their homeland. ating for six hours following a two-week outside the court following the ruling. neys argued the publication of the sex ator Jeff Flake, an outspoken propo- reaches several dozen. Some mem- Ribble, a founder of the House civil trial in Florida. “We’re exceptionally happy with the tape was protected by the First Amend- nent of closer ties with Cuba who is bers say they want to see how the Cuba Working Group who is going on Hogan burst into tears when the ver- verdict. We think it represents a state- ment of the US Constitution. going to Havana. election plays out before speaking the trip, represents Wisconsin, one dict was announced. ment as to the public’s disgust with the A lawyer for Gawker, Michael Berry, Besides Flake, Republicans making publicly. of several states where farmers want The 62-year-old, whose real name is invasion of privacy disguised as jour- insisted during the proceedings that the the trip include House of Represent- The US embargo on Cuba, fi rst im- the chance to sell to an island just 90 Terry Bollea, has argued that the video nalism. The verdict says ‘no more’.” recording and posting of celebrity photos atives members Mark Sanford, Tom posed in 1960, can be lifted only via miles from the US coast. - which shows him having sex with the Nick Denton, Gawker Media’s found- and video - even salacious ones - comes Emmer and Reid Ribble, as well as a majority vote in Congress, which is “American producers are missing wife of a friend and lasts one minutes er and chief executive, watched quietly with the territory when one is a star. Senator Mark Heller, congressional now controlled by Republicans. out on a market that imports the vast and 41 seconds - invaded his privacy as the jury’s decision was read aloud to Hogan’s defence team, however, con- sources and lawmakers said. Obama and Cuban President Raul majority of its agricultural products, and humiliated him. those in the court. vinced the jury that by posting the video All of the representatives con- Castro shocked the world in Decem- and Cubans are missing out on expo- Hogan’s lawyer has said the video was Speaking to reporters outside, he in- Gawker publicly disclosed private informa- fi rmed their participation, except ber 2014 by abruptly announcing the sure to the freedom and democracy viewed around 7mn times. dicated an appeal was in the works. tion, intended to cause him severe emo- for Heller, whose offi ce declined re- Cold War adversaries would move to that lies just 90 miles (150km) from One of America’s most famous enter- “Given key evidence and the most tional distress, acted recklessly, and that he quests for comment. But other law- normalize relations after more than a their shore,” Ribble said in a state- tainment wrestlers, now retired Hogan important witness were both improp- had a reasonable expectation of privacy in makers confi rmed his travel. half-century’s estrangement. ment. was known for wearing a bandana and a erly withheld from this jury, we all knew the bedroom where the video was recorded.

Bald eagle hatches, second on the way Pilot reports near A pair of bald eagles known Cubans as “Mr President” and “the First Lady” welcomed miss with drone their first eaglet on Friday rescued in Washington’s National Arboretum. over Los Angeles An “eagle cam” provided by Coast live footage of the first bald eagles to nest since 1947 in Reuters the Arboretum, a park-like Guard Los Angeles conservatory in northeast Washington. The first egg was laid on AFP he pilot of a Lufthansa passenger jumbo jet re- February 10 and the other on Miami ported a drone aircraft nearly collided with the February 14. Tairliner on Friday on its landing approach to Los The first egg hatched early Angeles International Airport, according to the Federal on Friday and the other is ubans rescued at sea off Aviation Administration. expected to hatch later this Florida say nine others The close encounter between the wide-body, four- month. Cdied trying to reach the engine Airbus A380 and the drone occurred at about The pair built their nest US in a makeshift boat, the 1.30pm at an altitude of 5,000ft as the unmanned in a tulip poplar tree in 2015. Coast Guard said on Friday. aircraft passed about 60m over the Lufthansa fl ight The federally protected bird, The 18 survivors, plucked 22.5km east of the airport, the FAA said. or Haliaeetus leucocepha- from the waters west of Mar- No evasive action was taken by the airline crew, and lus, is featured on currency co Island by a cruise ship, the plane, Lufthansa Flight 456, safely made its land- and in the presidential seal, claimed they left Cuba 22 ing minutes later without further incident, according and was adopted as the days ago and that their col- to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. national US bird symbol in leagues perished at sea dur- The FAA immediately alerted the Los Angeles Police 1782. ing the dangerous crossing of Department’s air support division. The number of pas- The bald eagle almost the Florida Straits, the Coast sengers and crew aboard the plane was not reported by disappeared from the US Guard said in a statement. authorities, nor was the fl ight’s origin. decades ago, but habitat Word of the deaths comes US Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, who has protection and the banning as US President Barack Obama introduced legislation to require new safety features on of the pesticide DDT led to its prepares to head to Cuba today drones, pointed to the close call as an example of the recovery. for a historic visit highlighting hazards posed to commercial aviation by unregulated The bird was removed the restoration of relations drone activity. from the federal endangered between Havana and Wash- “This is one more incident that could have brought species list in 2007. A bald eagle is seen with a newly-hatched eaglet in a nest at the National Arboretum in Washington. ington. down an airliner, and it’s completely unacceptable,” she Amid the US-Cuba diplo- said in a statement. matic thaw, migrants from the Federal regulations generally bar drone aircraft and communist-ruled island have model airplanes from fl ying higher than 400ft (122m) voiced concerns it will prompt or within 5 miles (8km) of an airport without fi rst con- Washington to drop its “wet tacting air traffi c control and airport authorities. Op- foot, dry foot” policy of auto- erators also must keep their drones away from other Warning out as elderly ‘black widow’ walks free matically giving residency to aircraft and groups of people. Cubans who make it onto US The FAA has received at least 42 reports of drones soil. fl ying unsafely near LAX, the nation’s second-busiest AFP found her prey - and is not allowed to contact leased early and moved to the US state of Flori- Coast Guard Captain Mark airport, since April 2014, according to a Los Angeles Halifax past victims or their families. da, where she met a man by the name of Robert Gordon urged people not to Times analysis last fall of federal data released by Fein- In fact, she is not even allowed to “to enter into Friedrich. The two married in 2000. Friedrich’s make the journey, saying trag- stein. any romantic relationship, cohabitation, com- health then began to deteriorate - and the funds edy was all too common for The data shows nearly 200 pilot reports of close en- olice in the Canadian city of Halifax warned mon-law relationship, or marriage until that on his bank account diminished. He died of a those attempting to cross the counters involving drones in California alone during residents on Friday about the release of an person has been identifi ed by a member of the heart attack in 2002. 150km Florida Straits with no the past two years, the most of any state, according to P80-year-old woman - dubbed the “Inter- police agency where she resides” and informed Shortly thereafter, Shephard met 73-year-old safety or navigation equip- the Times. net Black Widow” - who spent time behind bars of her criminal past, according to police. Alex Strategos online. The day they moved in ment. In a 2014 letter to the FAA, Feinstein cited three in- for killing or bilking her husbands and lovers. Shephard was arrested in 2012 after trying to together, he was hospitalized for injuries he sus- “Immigration policies have stances in which drones fl ew dangerously close to pas- Melissa Ann Shephard was freed under strict poison her last husband, Fred Weeks, aged 75, tained, including to his head. Similar incidents not changed and we urge peo- senger planes near major airports - two on the same conditions after “completing a sentence for seri- whom she had married just two weeks earlier. took place seven times over the course of two ple not to take to the ocean in day in May of that year at New York City’s LaGuardia ous assaults against her intimate partners” - and Shephard had previously spent several years months. unseaworthy vessels,” he said. Airport and LAX, and another at John F Kennedy Inter- could try to commit more crimes, police said. in prison for manslaughter, theft and forgery, in Shephard was imprisoned in Florida after a “It is illegal and extremely national Airport in New York in March 2013. “A high risk off ender is residing in our commu- Canada as well as in the US. little-known drug was found in Strategos’s sys- dangerous.” Responding to heightened concerns about rogue nity,” they said. And they cautioned: “Shephard She was convicted for having drugged her ex- tem. Strategos also saw his bank account emp- Those rescued were to be drone fl ights near airports, the FAA issued a rule in De- has been assessed as being a high risk to re-off end.” husband Gordon Stewart, before running him tied out. taken to the cruise ship’s next cember requiring hobbyists as young as 13 to register Under the conditions of her release, Shephard over with her car in 1991. Released after fi ve years, in 2009, Shephard port of call in Cozumel, Mex- their unmanned aircraft online with the government. cannot access the Internet - that’s where she Sentenced to six years in prison, she was re- was deported to Canada. ico. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 17 ASEAN Led by China, Mekong nations take on Golden Triangle narco-empire

Reuters guarded by a 25-strong unit of The Mekong River Chinese People’s Armed Police. China conducts monthly joint patrols with its Laotian and he Lao People’s Army Myanmar counterparts, who — patrol boat was custom- gasoline permitting — do addi- Tmade in China with tional patrols by themselves. night-vision capability and two There have been successes. of the most powerful engines on In 2013, a Chinese-Laotian pa- this remote stretch of the Me- trol found 580kg of ya ba, worth kong River. more than 100mn yuan ($15mn), Today, like most days, it sits hidden in a cargo ship. idle for lack of gasoline, guard- But more patrols were needed, ed by a single Laotian soldier in said the UNODC’s Douglas, and fl ip-fl ops. Mekong countries also needed Even occasional patrols by to co-ordinate and share intel- boats like these, supplied by Chi- ligence to interdict more drugs. na to the Laotian army and My- Some areas remain intelli- anmar police, have successfully gence black holes. Hsop Lwe, for subdued the pirates who once example, is Myanmar’s busiest robbed the Mekong’s cargo ships port on the Mekong, but its gov- with impunity since Chinese-led ernment has no control over it. joint patrols began in 2011. The port belongs to Special Re- But there has been little gion 4, a semi-autonomous en- progress on another objective - clave famous for gambling, prosti- stemming the fl ood of illicit drugs tution and narcotics. To the north - exposing the limits of China’s is Special Region 2, also controlled hard power in mainland South- A Laotian soldier walks up a stairway in front of an army patrol boat on the Mekong river port of Mouang Mom on the Laos side of the Golden Triangle, the border between Laos, by heavily armed rebels. east Asia even as Beijing acceler- Myanmar and Thailand. Right: Thai soldiers stand guard at Ban Kaen Kai operation base on the Mekong river at the border between Thailand and Laos. The Special Regions were ates its militarisation of disputed “off the political grid,” said islands in the South China Sea. midst with no borders and lots of heart of the Golden Triangle. eight-fold increase from 2008. in 2015. Increasingly Myanmar in lawless enclaves on both sides Douglas, although he hoped While attacks on Mekong money.” Wei, who is deputy secre- Seizures of “crystal meth” or too has a drug problem, with of the river. Suu Kyi’s new government shipping have tailed off , drug Enter another Mekong boat, tary general of China’s National “ice” — a potent, crystalline form police last year making record- Regional law enforcement would engage with and secure production and traffi cking in the looking at fi rst glance like a Narcotics Control Commission of methamphetamine dubbed breaking busts of both ya ba and agencies are often underfunded better access to them. untamed region, known as the pleasure cruiser fi lled with mid- (NNCC), called drugs the “main “the poor man’s cocaine” — ice. and ill-trained, and the intel- The UNODC boat could not Golden Triangle, is booming — dle-aged tourists. In fact, they threat” along the Mekong. doubled during the same period. This could severely test the ligence they gather is not eff ec- get permission to stop at Hsop despite the presence of Chinese are senior police and drugs ex- “All other types of organised In 2015, China seized a record new government of Aung San tively shared with neighbour- Lwe, where a Chinese cargo ship gunboats and units of Chinese perts from fi ve countries, among crime are rooted in the drug 36.5 tonnes of methampheta- Suu Kyi, whose National League ing countries. In October 2011, was unloading SUVs as it passed. armed police along the Mekong. them one of China’s top anti- business, like human traffi cking, mine, most of it from Myanmar, for Democracy party has yet to a gang led by a Mekong pirate Reuters reporters also spotted The UN Offi ce on Drugs and narcotics offi cials, Wei Xiaojun. money laundering and the illegal said the UNODC. formulate drug policies, say ex- called Naw Kham murdered 13 unoffi cial Mekong ports in Laos, Crime (UNODC) estimates that Arranged by the UNODC and wildlife trade,” he said. Myanmar is the world’s sec- perts. Chinese sailors. He was hunted which this year chairs the Asso- Southeast Asia’s trade in heroin lent further clout by Wei’s in- China is a favourite destina- ond largest producer of opium, Many factors combine to help down in Laos, then taken back to ciation of Southeast Asian Na- and methamphetamine was volvement, their recent voyage tion for Myanmar’s drugs, which the bulk of which ends up in the Golden Triangle’s drug in- China to be tried and executed. tions (Asean). worth $31bn in 2013. down the Mekong was aimed at are fl owing through Asia in un- China as heroin. A recent report dustry prosper. The Myanmar- Afterwards, Chinese gunboats Landlocked and impoverished, “That’s bigger than the econ- mustering the regional collabo- precedented quantities. from the NNCC raised concerns Laos border, which the Mekong began patrolling further down- Laos shares a border with all the omies of some Southeast Asian ration needed to tame the Gold- More than 250mn metham- about the involvement of some delineates, is mostly unguarded. river, extending China’s security Mekong countries, which also countries,” says Jeremy Doug- en Triangle. phetamine pills, better known by Chinese military personnel in The terrain is rugged and hostile, reach far beyond its borders. include Vietnam and Thailand, las, the UNODC’s Asia-Pacifi c Reuters was invited to join the their Thai name “ya ba” or “cra- drug traffi cking, and said the with rebel armies holding sway This includes a riverside fa- making it an important smug- chief. “It’s like having an unde- four-day trip from the Chinese zy medicine”, were seized in East number of registered drug users in some areas and drugs and cility in Muang Mom in Laos, gling hub for both narcotics and clared sovereign state in your port of Jinghong through the and Southeast Asia in 2013, an in China rose to more than 2.3mn money-laundering fl ourishing which Reuters visited, run and the chemicals that make them.

Indonesia marks Earth Hour Tensions rise in Cambodia

Agencies Bangkok

top Cambodian police offi cer has warned that Aa “colour revolution” is possible, as political tempera- tures rise a notch with strong- man premier Hun Sen tightening his grip, reshuffl ing his Cabinet and taking aim at the deputy leader of the opposition, Kem Sokha. The reshuffl e was done in the name of effi ciency, according to ONE SMOKER. the premier. Hor Namhong retains the largely ceremonial deputy prime minister post, while the for- eign aff airs post goes to Prak TWO PATIENTS. Sokhonn, currently posts and telecommunications minister, The Straits Times reported. On Tuesday the government jailed a 25-year-old university student for remarking on Fa- cebook that he would one day lead a colour revolution to bring change. This refers to a wave of anti-government mass move- ments in recent years, mainly in TOBACCO KILLS the former Soviet bloc. Kong Raya, charged with in- citement to commit a felony or to disturb social security, was ar- rested in August last year and has already spent over six months in custody. He will serve another year. Reports say he is the fi rst per- son in Cambodia to be convicted and jailed for a Facebook post. A combination photograph shows a traffic roundabout in the central The UN reacted sharply, saying business district before (top) and during (bottom) Earth Hour in Jakarta, yesterday that it was “deeply Indonesia yesterday. concerned”.

Call to reduce outdoor activities amid heat

DPA including one fatality, have been re- physical activities for the duration of Kuala Lumpur corded since the start of the month, the heat wave. Environment Minister the Health Ministry said. Junaidi Tuanko Jaafar said emergency Police trainee Azizan Ayob died of measures would be taken if tempera- alaysian authorities urged heat stroke Wednesday during an ori- tures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius people to reduce outdoor entation session in the southern state last for more than seven days, includ- Mactivities yesterday amid a of Johor. ing suspension of classes. searing heat wave that has resulted in Health offi cials urged police and Che Gayah Ismail, director general the death of a police trainee, health of- the military to reduce outdoor train- of the Malaysian Meteorology Depart- fi cials said. ing, while the Youth and Sports Min- ment, warned that the heat wave would Issued in Public Interest by GULF TIMES Four cases of heat-related illnesses, istry was advised to postpone outdoor continue until the end of the month. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, March 20, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Landmarks go dark for 10th Earth Hour AFP of the PLA building lit up against Sydney a darkened skyline. Das said that momentum to- wards climate action was build- ustralia’s iconic Sydney ing in the wake of the global cli- Opera House and Har- mate talks in Paris last year. Abour Bridge went dark last The so-called Paris Agree- night as the Earth Hour cam- ment sets the goal of limiting paign to switch off lights to call global warming to “well below” for action on climate change be- 2° Celsius (3.6° Fahrenheit) over gan rolling out across the planet, pre-industrial levels, with a organisers said. more ambitious target of 1.5° C if Millions of people from 178 possible. countries and territories were Das said people were expe- expected to take part in WWF’s riencing the impact of climate Earth Hour this year, with land- change more now than when marks such as the Eiff el Tower, Earth Hour began, adding that Taipei 101 and the Empire State “climate change has now become Building plunging into darkness a more personal topic”. for 60 minutes from 8.30pm lo- “No one is denying the fact cal time. that the world is at a climate In Sydney, where the Earth crossroads, but while we are Hour idea originated in 2007, seeing more and more impacts many harbourside buildings fell of climate change, we are also dark as the city switched off for witnessing a completely new the tenth year in a row. momentum in climate action “We just saw the Sydney Har- that is transcending borders and bour Bridge switch its lights off generations,” he said. “I feel that China’s National Stadium, also known as the ‘Bird’s Nest’, is seen with its lights off behind a monument ... and buildings around as well,” there’s a renewed vigour among symbolising the Olympic torch, during Earth Hour at the Olympic Park in Beijing. Earth Hour’s Australia manager individuals and governments Sam Webb told AFP from The to come together for strong cli- Rocks area. mate action and to fi ght climate Earth Hour’s global executive change.” director Siddarth Das said that Das said that Earth Hour or- organisers were excited about ganisers did not collect global how much the movement had statistics on the energy con- grown since it began nine years served during the 60-minute ago. blackout, and that the event Central Tokyo is seen during Earth Hour with Tokyo Tower at the “From one city it has now has always had symbolic intent, centre having its lights switched off . grown to over 178 countries and saying it was more a moment of territories and over 7,000 cities, global solidarity about a global Below: Participants display their hands covered in neon paint during so we couldn’t be happier about problem. Earth Hour in Pasay city, metro Manila. how millions of people across the world are coming together for climate action,” he told AFP via telephone from Singapore ahead of the lights out. More than 150 buildings in Singapore dimmed their lights for an hour, while Taipei’s 101 gradually turned lights off for one hour and the city’s four his- torical gates and bridges also went dark. The lights dimmed across Hong Kong’s usually glittering skyline, although online com- mentators pointed out that Chi- Shanghai’s financial district of Pudong is seen during Earth Hour. na’s People’s Liberation Army garrison headquarters on the harbour front kept the lights blazing. “Imagine being the manager of the only building in a major metropolis to forget,” said one Twitter post alongside a picture

A general view of the Taipei skyline shows the Taipei 101 building during Earth Hour. The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge can be seen after their lights were mostly switched off for Earth Hour. UN Security Council slams N Korea missile tests

AFP Council members “strongly provided another one,” Power missiles was “deeply troubling” North Korea nuclear test site ready to carry out new tests, says monitor United Nations condemned and expressed grave said. and urged Pyongyang to halt concern at the ballistic mis- The launches came a day af- “these infl ammatory and esca- North Korea could carry out another nuclear test at showed activity around the main support area, with sile launches” and declared that ter US President Barack Obama latory actions”, his spokesman any time, a US think tank has suggested, after analys- numerous vehicle tracks and footpaths visible, it said. he UN Security Council North Korea “shall refrain from signed an order implementing said. ing satellite imagery from Pyongyang’s main testing At one entrance to the test tunnels, snow had been has strongly condemned further actions in violation” of the tough sanctions outlined in Ban called on North Korea to site. cleared, indicating that they were at the very least be- TNorth Korea after it test- UN resolutions. the recent United Nations reso- comply with UN resolutions that Activity at the Punggye-ri underground facility sug- ing maintained for future tests, the think tank said. fi red ballistic missiles, and or- Two weeks ago, the Security lution, as well as new unilateral bar the country from developing gested the North was maintaining tunnels as well North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered an dered Pyongyang to refrain from Council imposed its toughest US measures. missile technology. as cleaning up after its internationally condemned imminent nuclear warhead explosion test and multiple further actions that violate UN sanctions to date on North Ko- Japan’s UN Ambassador Moto- During remarks at an event detonation in January, the US-Korea Institute at Johns ballistic missile launches, Pyongyang’s state media resolutions. rea after Pyongyang carried out hide Yoshikawa called the latest with North Korean women at Hopkins University said on Friday. said this week, ratcheting up Pyongyang’s face-off Backed by China, Pyongyang’s its fourth nuclear test and fi red a missile launches “very, very un- the US mission, Power took an “It is highly likely that (the) site is capable of support- with the international community just days after being ally, the council said in a unani- rocket that was widely seen as a fortunate” and said Pyongyang apparent swipe at China, saying ing additional tests at any time,” it said on its closely slapped with tough UN sanctions. mous statement that “all these disguised ballistic missile test. had not received “the message” that it would be “absurd” to dis- watched 38North website. The North carried out its fourth nuclear test on Janu- launches were unacceptable” US Ambassador Samantha from the council. associate North Korea’s dismal Satellite images taken this month supported theories ary 6, followed a month later by a long-range rocket and “constituted a clear violation Power said the latest missile British Deputy UN Ambas- rights situation from its military that there were unused test chambers at the site and launch, apparently a disguised ballistic missile test. of UN Security Council resolu- launches underscored the im- sador Peter Wilson said “this is ambitions. tions”. portance of implementing the exactly the sort of thing that they “Many of North Korea’s sys- The statement was adopted new sanctions resolution, which should not be doing”. tematic human rights violations in the Security Council of North ballistic missile launches and country’s southwest at 2055 during a closed-door meeting targets North Korea’s mining, “What we see yet again is the deliberately underwrite the gov- Korea’s rights record, arguing a nuclear warhead test, spark- GMT on Thursday and the sec- called by the United States after trade and fi nancial sectors. North Koreans defying the will of ernment’s nuclear programme, that the forum for this was the ing fresh concerns about the re- ond about 20 minutes later. North Korea test-fi red two me- “If anybody on the council the international community and including the forced labour car- Human Rights Council in Ge- gime’s intransigence. North Korea has been hit by dium-range ballistic missiles, the needed a reminder of why that the Security Council,” he said. ried out by tens of thousands of neva. South Korean military of- fi ve sets of UN sanctions since latest in a string of provocative resolution is so important (...) UN Secretary General Ban Ki- women and children,” said Power. North Korean leader Kim Jong- fi cials said the fi rst missile was it fi rst tested an atomic device in acts from the reclusive regime. the North Korean regime just moon said the fi ring of the two China has opposed discussion Un this week ordered multiple launched from Sukchon in the 2006. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 19 BRITAIN Rally to support refugees Attempt to abduct child from playground

Evening Standard A spokesman for the Met- London ropolitan Police said: “At this early stage it is believed the two incidents are linked. two-year-old girl was “Enquiries into the circum- grabbed by a man while stances continue by offi cers Aat a playground in north from Westminster.” London. No arrests have been made. The girl was in a playground A man was allegedly near Albany Park in Enfi eld threatened by another man with her mother at 4.30pm on with a fi rearm outside a pub in Thursday when a man grabbed west London. her arm. Police have released CCTV The girl’s mother challenged images of two men they want the man, who then ran from the to speak to following two inci- park. dents outside Flynn’s Bar and He is described as black, Diner in West Ealing on Janu- in his late 20s and of medium ary 7. Demonstrators hold banners in support of refugees as they march through central London. build.He was wearing an Adi- Offi cers were initially called das hooded top, black trousers, to a fi ght outside the pub in dark shoes, and had a black Walsingham Road at 5.50pm bag. where it was reported a man Detective inspector Chris had been assaulted by two Rixon, from Enfi eld CID said: Asian males. “Thankfully the child was not A Metropolitan Police Serv- hurt during this incident, but ice spokesman said the victim both her and her mother were refused to engage with offi cers, very shaken up by the experi- so they left the scene. ence. At about 7.30pm the same Smith resignation set “The motivation for the in- day, offi cers were called back cident remains unclear but I to the pub to reports the same would ask anyone who was in victim was being threatened the park, or knows who is re- with a man with a fi rearm. sponsible, to contact police.” The victim was then alleg- A man has died after four edly chased by two men in the people were stabbed during a direction of Singapore Road. to sharpen EU debate pub brawl in east London. Offi cers found all those in- Police have launched a mur- volved in the reported inci- The quiet man’s exit is likely to cause a shortened on another potential succes- Britain will become increasingly de- der investigation after the dent had left the scene and an big flutter sor, London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is tached from the European Union even if 29-year-old died in hospital examination of the area did backing a ‘Out’ vote in June. it votes to stay in the bloc in a June refer- following a fi ght at the Army not provide any evidence that Reuters “So sure-footed for so long, Osborne endum, according to a report released by & Navy pub in Newham in the shots had been fi red. London was widely regarded as Cameron’s natural a Sottish parliamentary committee yes- early hours yesterday. The Met said during both in- and chosen successor, but recent blun- terday. Four men were found with cidents, a white hatchback car ders seem to have dealt him a serious blow The dossier drawn up by the devolved stab wounds after police were was seen in the area. ritish Prime Minister David Cam- to achieving that outcome and punters Scottish parliament’s European and Exter- called to the pub in New Barn Offi cers want to speak to two eron was forced into a hasty cabinet have begun defecting from him to Boris,” nal Relations Committee aimed to assess Street just before 12.15am. men captured on CCTV close Breshuffl e yesterday after the dra- bookmaker William Hill said. “Mr Duncan the implications for Scotland of Britain’s The three others, aged 18, 19 to the pub. matic resignation of a senior minister that Smith’s resignation has dealt Mr Osborne referendum on EU membership in June. and 37, were also taken to hos- One man, who had the fi re- threatens to widen divisions over Europe Iain Duncan Smith another blow.” “If the UK decides to remain in the EU, pital but their injuries were not arm, was wearing a dark col- within the ruling Conservative party. Duncan Smith’s move also handed the the committee feels certain that the UK’s thought to be serious. oured beanie hat with a logo on The rancorous departure of work and Responding, Cameron said he was “puz- struggling opposition Labour party a relationship with the EU will be one of in- The 29-year-old man’s rela- the front, dark clothing and a pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith, a zled and disappointed” by Duncan Smith’s much-needed propaganda boost by ex- creasing detachment from the EU,” the re- tives have been informed of his dark body warmer. leading campaigner for Britain to quit the decision to leave the cabinet post he has posing government divisions, and its lead- port says, adding that Scotland should be death.Ten people have been ar- The second man is described European Union, also deals a blow to the held since 2010. His Downing Street offi ce er Jeremy Corbyn was quick to demand careful not to be “pulled to the periphery”. rested. as black and was wearing a dark political ambitions of fi nance minister announced yesterday that Duncan Smith’s Osborne’s resignation. The report also warns that the reform of A young man is fi ghting for coloured tracksuit with a white George Osborne, commentators said. post had been fi lled by former Welsh sec- “The resignation of Iain Duncan Smith social benefi ts and free movement within his life after a double stabbing stripe down the arms and legs. Cameron and Osborne are both urg- retary Stephen Crabb, who wants Britain reveals a Government in disarray and a the EU agreed between British prime min- in west London. Detective constable Pete ing Britons to vote to remain in the EU to stay in the EU. Chancellor who has lost the credibility to ister and other EU leaders could result The 20-year-old was found Adi, from Ealing CID, said: “I in a June 23 referendum but many Con- The bitter tone of the letter from the manage the economy in the interests of the in less immigration to Scotland - whose with knife wounds in Harrow would appeal to anyone who servative lawmakers and activists favour a self-styled “quiet man” of British politics majority of our people,” he said in a state- population is ageing more rapidly than Road, Queen’s Park, close to was in the area around the time “Brexit”. The issue has riven the party for was reminiscent of a speech made by sen- ment. elsewhere in the UK. the junction with Third Avenue of both incidents to come for- decades. ior minister Geoff rey Howe when he quit “The Chancellor has failed the British Scottish lawmakers regret the lack of at about 7.30pm on Friday. ward and speak to police. In his resignation letter on Friday, Dun- Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet in 1990 over people. He should follow the honourable “genuine debate about the value of EU He remained in hospital in “A function was being held can Smith — a former Conservative party Europe, which contributed to her downfall. course taken by Iain Duncan Smith and membership”, the report said, saying the a critical condition yesterday inside Flynn’s Public House leader — cited cuts to disability benefi ts Cameron has said he will step down be- resign.” campaign was too negatively centred on morning. and while it is not thought that outlined in Osborne’s annual budget last fore an election in 2020 and close ally Os- Most commentators believed Duncan the risks of Britain leaving. A teenage boy, 17, was also those involved in the two in- week, which also included tax cuts for borne hopes to replace him as Conserva- Smith’s resignation was a genuine matter An Ipsos Mori poll last month showed being treated for a serious stab cidents had attended the pub, richer households. He complained about tive leader and prime minister. of principle over the severity of welfare 62% of Scottish voters would support EU injury yesterday after making someone inside may well have pressure from the treasury to cut welfare But he faces a growing rebellion from cuts but several noted he would now be membership compared to 55% across Brit- his own way to hospital. He seen something that could as- payments. within his own party over the plan which able to campaign within parliament for ain. was in a stable condition. sist the investigation.” Duncan Smith wrote: “I am unable to tightens eligibility criteria for a state ben- an ‘Out’ vote, free from any possible con- Senior politicians have warned that if watch passively whilst certain policies are efi t which supports the disabled or long- straints of government. Scotland votes to stay in the EU but the enacted in order to meet the fi scal self-im- term sick. “Mr Duncan Smith’s departure blows rest of Britain votes to leave, nationalists posed restraints that I believe are more and Bookmakers yesterday lengthened the apart any prospect of a restrained debate could seek a new referendum on inde- more perceived as distinctly political rath- odds on the chances of Osborne suc- in the ... party over Europe,” wrote the Fi- pendence from the United Kingdom. In er than in the national economic interest.” ceeding Cameron. In contrast, odds have nancial Times. 2014 Scots voted against secession. Trollstation founder jailed for bomb stunt

Evening Standard on their YouTube channel. Top judges block plans for luxury London Recently their pranks have focussed on “social experi- ments”, often fi lmed on the co-founder of YouTube Tube with members of the pranksters Trollstation group performing outrageous fl ats at Shepherd’s Bush market Ahas been jailed for nine scenarios to see how people months after a series of vid- react. eos involving bomb hoaxes and A video published at this Evening Standard land and Wales and lord justice Longmore, battle as a “fi ght for the livelihoods of that “businesses’ livelihoods are being fake robberies in London. month’s Million Women Rise London said: “Although it is clear that the secre- market traders”. threatened”. Cameraman Danh Van Le, event at Trafalgar Square tary of state disagreed with the inspector’s They fear major disruption to the mar- “The redeveloper’s scheme is remov- 31, was sentenced at inner where a woman appeared to view that the guarantees and safeguards ket’s operation, and claim the redevelop- ing the tenants’ security and forcing ad- London crown court yesterday have a bottle smashed over her ontroversial plans for luxury fl ats were inadequate, he does not explain why ment would harm the ethnic diversity of ditional costs and liability onto the market after admitting a series of of- head was heavily criticised by that traders say will kill off one of he came to that conclusion. Shepherd’s Bush. businesses. It is wrong that the Shepherd’s fences. domestic violence groups. CLondon’s oldest markets have been He said Pickles had made “bald asser- At a hearing earlier this month, they Bush Market businesses should be com- Van Le, known to fans as But Trollstation member blocked by senior judges. tions” in his decision to grant the CPOs, said Orion has not guaranteed a rent cap promised.” DigiDan, fi lmed the hoax Light, speaking on behalf of Stall holders in Shepherd’s Bush have and should “explain why he disagreed for the traders, leading to fears that many The trader’s fi ght has also been backed bomb stunt with a teenager, the group, drew a comparison spent years fi ghting the redevelopment with the inspector, beyond merely stating of the independent stall holders would by Hammersmith and Fulham MP Andy approaching people in the between DigiDan’s bomb stunt which would see more than 200 apart- his conclusion that he did. quickly go out of business. Slaughter, who said “a part of west Lon- capital, showing them a clock and the recent fi lming of a bus ments built next door to the historic mar- “The secretary of state may have had don history is under threat”. inside a briefcase before drop- being blown up for a Jackie ket. perfectly good reasons for concluding that The Shepherd’s Bush Market Following today’s decision, a spokes- ping it and running away. Chan fi lm. They say the market, in operation since the guarantees and safeguards were accu- Tenants Association took the case man for Orion said they were “extremely Two other stunts near the He said: “They can’t have 1914, will be driven out of business if the rate. The problem is we don’t know what to the court of appeal, claiming the disappointed” with the decision. National Portrait Gallery and notifi ed everyone in the area scheme goes ahead. they were.” minister had ignored the concerns “We believe that our ability to deliver the Tate, saw fake robbers with but there were no ramifi cations Developer Orion Land & Leisure bought Richard Stein, who represented the of a government inspector the much needed investment and regener- tights over their heads holding for their actions. the site from Transport for London in 2014 traders in court, said: “I am sure they will ation of Shepherd’s Bush Market will now up paintings. “He shouldn’t have ended and has applied for compulsory purchase be delighted that secretary of state will It is also said the arches around which be seriously aff ected. Van Le admitted one count up in prison. Obviously it orders to make way for the fl ats. now have to justify why concerns raised the market is based are falling into disre- “The decision creates further uncer- of placing a hoax bomb with didn’t go how we wanted, Former communities secretary Eric by the inspector were not adequately dealt pair and no guarantees have been made tainty for the existing market traders and intent and was given a 24-week we’d never want anyone to go Pickles granted the orders, but the Shep- with. that they will be improve as part of the re- consequently the future of the market, sentence. to prison.” herd’s Bush Market Tenants Association “Whatever the outcome, they will hope development. which has long been in decline.” He also pleaded guilty to He said: “Basically, he’s not took the case to the court of appeal, claim- the decision will protect this extremely “Tenants in arches will end up with re- He added: “We remain committed to using threatening, abusive or a dangerous person. He’s not ing the minister had ignored the concerns valuable resource locally and for the whole tail space not fi t for retail, or they will have providing a vibrant and successful market insulting words or behaviour, harmful to the public in any of a government inspector. of London.” to pay to patch up the problems them- that will return it to its rightful place at the and was given a further 12- way. He made a mistake.” Judges at the high court today upheld The decision on the CPOs may now selves” said Horada. heart of the local community. week sentence to run consecu- Light, who claims view- the traders’ appeal after agreeing that be sent back to the secretary of state, “In the end tenants will leave and the “However, without the wider invest- tively. ers have praised the group for Pickles had failed to give proper reasons or the whole process could have to start redeveloper will get their hands on it and ment and redevelopment needed to realise Trollstation have become raising awareness of diffi cult for his decision. again. cash in on it.” our common vision for the market, an- infamous since they started issues, said the group would Lord justice Lewison, sitting with lord James Horada, the chairman of the trad- In a petition signed by more than 10,000 other one of London’s historic landmarks posting their stunts in 2013, be adapting their methods for Thomas, The lord chief justice of Eng- ers’ association, had described the court in support of their cause, the traders claim may be lost.” racking up 700,000 followers future stunts. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, March 20, 2016 EUROPE Paris attacks suspect charged

Reuters have hailed his arrest, several Brussels days after Brussels police stum- bled on his fi ngerprints during a raid that turned violent, as a alah Abdeslam, the prime turning point in clarifying who surviving suspect in No- planned and ordered the Paris Svember’s Paris attacks, an- attacks, in which all the identi- swered questions from Belgian fi ed assailants were shot dead or investigators yesterday, a day af- blew themselves up. ter his arrest but will fi ght extra- It may also be an opportunity dition to France, his lawyer said. to disrupt other militant cells Belgian prosecutors said Ab- which Belgian Foreign Minister deslam and a second man arrest- Didier Reynders said were cer- ed with him on Friday had been tainly “out there” and planning charged with “participation in further violence. terrorist murder”. “We’ve won a battle against “He is co-operating with Bel- the forces of ignorance but the gian justice,” his lawyer Sven struggle isn’t over,” Belgian Mary told reporters outside the Prime Minister Charles Michel Lawyer Sven Mary speaks to the media after leaving the judicial judicial police headquarters, said. police headquarters in Brussels where he met Salah Abdeslam. adding that Abdeslam, bedrid- Interpol issued an advisory to den after being shot in the leg ensure border guards were ready in October when he was stopped Bernard Cazeneuve said after an during his capture, admitted be- to seize fl eeing accomplices. in a car with Abdeslam. emergency cabinet meeting that ing in Paris on November 13. A Belgian, 31-year-old Mo- A man in the house was a trial could answer questions for His elder brother was among hamed Abrini, is still on EU charged with belonging to a ter- those who suff ered in the attacks. the suicide bombers involved in police agency Europol’s “Most rorist organisation and he and a “Abdeslam will have to answer gun and bomb attacks that night Wanted” list after being caught woman were charged with con- to French justice for his acts,” he that killed 130 people. on CCTV with Abdeslam in a car cealing criminals. said. “It is an important blow to Mary added that the 26-year- heading to the French capital two While it is unclear exactly the terrorist organisation Daesh Armed Belgian police apprehend a suspect, in this still image taken from video on Friday, in Molenbeek. old French national, who was days before the attacks. where Abdeslam has been since (Islamic State) in Europe.” born and raised in Brussels in The arrest raises questions he called two acquaintances in a A trickle of people came to a Belkaid, a 35-year-old Algerian Hollande said the younger southern Brussels suburb of For- a Moroccan immigrant fam- about the intelligence capabili- panic in the hours after the at- makeshift memorial in Paris that was shot dead and police offi cers man’s role in the killings was un- est on Tuesday. ily, would refuse the extradition ties of the security services and tacks and asked them to drive to has engulfed the monument at wounded. clear, but investigators were sure Thinking they were simply demanded by French President the size of network that Ab- Paris and bring him home, it ap- Place de la Republique, near the Near the scene of the arrest, he helped plan the operation for looking for physical evidence, Francois Hollande, who was in deslam could call on to con- pears he was in the Belgian capi- scene of much of the bloodshed, newsagent Dominique noted that the Syria-based group. they were instead confronted by Brussels during Friday’s drama. ceal him for four months before tal all or most of the time. to pay their respects. Abdeslam had been well known There has also been specula- at least two people spraying au- Legal experts said his chal- he was fi nally found just a few Security agencies’ diffi cul- “It’s really a relief,” said Emil- to him and many in the commu- tion, associated with the fi nd- tomatic gunfi re at them as they lenge was unlikely to succeed, hundred yards from his par- ties in penetrating some Mus- ien Bouthillier, who works in the nity. ing of an abandoned suicide vest opened the door. but it would buy him more time ents’ home in the down-at-heel, lim communities, particularly in neighbourhood. “I can’t wait for “He was a very nice lad before,” in Paris and the apparent panic Then on Friday, local media to prepare his eventual defence. North African quarter of the bor- pursuit of Belgium’s unusually Belgium to transfer and return he said. “How can things to this of Abdeslam in calling friends said, a tapped telephone con- Having spent his fi rst night in ough of Molenbeek. high number of citizens fi ght- him to France so he can be tried far? That’s really something else.” to pick him up, that the younger fi rmed that Abdeslam was in the captivity in a Brussels hospital, A man using false papers in ing in Syria, has been a key factor the way he should be.” His elder brother Brahim, a brother had been meant to kill house in rue des Quatre-Vents in he is expected to be moved to a the names of Amine Choukri in the inquiry, along with arms Friday’s heavily armed swoop Brussels barkeeper who shared himself but changed his mind. Molenbeek. high-security jail in the western and Monir Ahmed Alaaj was also dealing in Brussels. came after fake passports and a chequered history of drugs A four-month inquiry that After French media broke word city of Bruges while legal pro- charged with terrorist murder. As Parisians, and families of Abdeslam’s fi ngerprints were and petty crime, blew himself had seemed to go cold, heated up that Abdeslam’s fi ngerprints had ceedings continue. As Choukri, he was docu- the victims, voiced relief at the found following a bloody raid up outside a Parisian cafe on the when French and Belgium offi c- been found, police moved in and French and Belgian leaders mented by German police at Ulm arrest, French Interior Minister on Tuesday in which Mohamed night of the attacks. ers went to an apartment in the seized him. 465 arrive in Greek city as migrant deal closes window

DPA Time is running out for so- already being accommodated in camp at the sealed Macedonian Athens called irregular migrants in Tur- gym halls and camps in Piraeus, border. key planning to reach the Eu- where the mood has been tense One Greek television reporter ropean Union by the main sea as authorities struggle to cope there spoke of disappointment he Greek port city of Pirae- route, which a deal struck on Fri- with the infl ux. as well as confusion over what us received 465 migrants day between the bloc and Ankara Journalists at the scene report- would happen to those who had Tyesterday, the coastguard seeks to close. ed clashes between groups of dif- arrived from Turkey before the said, as the clock ticks down on Turkey and the EU declared ferent ethnic backgrounds. deal was struck. the pending implementation of that those arriving on Greek Most of the migrants in Greece Greek authorities now face an- an EU-brokered deal to send back shores can expect to be returned do not want to stay there, but other challenge, with broadcast- asylum-seekers arriving by boats to Turkey as of today. their goal of reaching wealthier ers describing the task of sending from Turkey. The controversial deal hinges countries further north has been people back as “titanic”. The migrants had reached the on a one-for-one swap of Syrian thwarted by border closures Athens daily Kathimerini re- Greek islands via the Aegean Sea. migrants, with the EU promising along the Western Balkan route. ported that 4,000 offi cials would Another 30 people were ex- to resettle the same number of On Friday evening, news of be required to swiftly process the Children are seen among migrants and refugees lining up yesterday for a breakfast distribution at a pected to be ferried from these Syrians living in Turkey, up to a the plans to send back migrants large number of asylum bids in makeshift camp for refugees and migrants at the Greek-Macedonian border near the village of Idomeni, islands to mainland Greece later limit of 72,000. reached those stranded at Ido- order to determine who should Greece. in the afternoon. Meanwhile, 4,000 people are meni – a squalid, overcrowded be returned. Posh Parisians revolt over homeless shelter European cities joining hands

AFP grocer is too expensive. Obvi- Paris ously people are also afraid they to stay afl oat in migrant crisis will come closer to the residential area, this park, that they won’t shelter for homeless peo- have work and will just squat By Megan Rowling, Reuters charged with the responsibility refugees now in Athens. ple and refugees in Paris’s here.” Barcelona of housing, servicing, supporting “Barcelona could be hosting Aposhest district? To resi- The project has sparked out- and integrating refugees,” said and welcoming some of these dents, the very idea is enough rage in the calm, residential Dan Lewis, head of UN-Habitat’s people – why couldn’t we have to raise the hackles on their fur area with its elegant buildings s hundreds of asylum- urban risk reduction unit. “(Cit- an agreement between two cit- coats. overlooked by the distant Eiff el seekers from Syria, Iraq, ies) don’t have a voice in this.” ies to relocate (refugees)?” Co- They fear a planned centre on Tower. AAfghanistan and else- Eighty per cent to 90% of lau asked, sitting beside Athens the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, On Monday, angry residents where make the risky journey migrants coming to Europe are Mayor Giorgos Kaminis. a forested area west of Paris, will launched a barrage of profanities across the Aegean Sea each day to likely to settle in cities, and many Colau told the Thomson Reu- turn their beloved woods into a at offi cials attending a town hall A migrant walks past makeshift shelters in the northern area of the reach Europe, the Greek island of will stay for years, Lewis said. ters Foundation that she could sprawling refugee camp like the meeting that had to be cut short camp called the ‘Jungle” in Calais. Lesbos faces the problem of what Those cities will have to try not say how many asylum-seek- notorious “Jungle” in northern as it descended into chaos. to do with the discarded dinghies and create dignifi ed lives for ers Barcelona could resettle, nor Calais. “The people of the 16th are However, in reality France has cated,” she said. “We have friends piling up on its shores. refugees – yet there are limited when they might arrive, as Spain With all emergency shelters known for sitting on their asses, been aff ected far less by Europe’s who live (in the north). One must Help may be at hand, thanks resources and policy measures struggles to form a new govern- currently full to bursting, and in- watching TV and eating caviar, refugee crisis than other coun- not turn a blind eye, Calais is a to an agreement signed this week to help them deal with migration ment. creasing numbers of migrants ar- but they will defend their inter- tries. devastated city.” between the Lesbos municipality pressures, he added. “(Madrid) has not responded riving in Paris, the city is deter- ests like anyone else,” said the Nearly 80,000 people applied Paris authorities have dis- and Barcelona. “The question of resources to the cities and autonomous mined to fi nd new ways to house mayor of the district, Claude for asylum in France in 2015. In missed concerns over the envi- Environmental technicians and the distribution of resources communities that have said we those left out on the street. Goasguen, from the opposition contrast, more than 1mn people ronmental impact, saying the from the Spanish city will advise hasn’t been resolved at state level want to help and are prepared to Local government offi cials Republicans party who has led arrived in Germany last year. structures will be placed on the on how to deal with the waste yet,” he said. “The only other op- help,” she told the conference. have argued that the chic 16th the charge against the centre. Faced with growing anger, au- edge of the woods and not inside piling up on the island, which lies tion is for the cities to generate Kaminis said the Greek capi- arrondissement – a Parisian ver- The outcry “shocked” Prime thorities have insisted the cen- it. just a few miles from the Turkish their own.” tal – through which some 80% of sion of New York’s Upper East Minister Manuel Valls, who tre will not be dedicated to mi- Once a hunting ground for coast. That is why cities are setting the more than 900,000 refugees Side – is not pulling its weight, as weighed in, saying that the cen- grants, but for those who phone France’s kings, the Bois du Bou- Under the deal, Barcelona city up solidarity networks, such as to arrive from Turkey since the not one of the capital’s 78 home- tre – set to open in June – was an emergency number used by logne, with its idyllic lakes and council will also share environ- that launched by Barcelona this start of 2015 have passed – is re- less accommodation centres is in “essential so that populations in homeless people seeking a bed. jogging paths, also conceals one mental and logistical expertise week. Some are also committing ceiving support from the United the district. diffi culty are not only housed in But in reality, many homeless of the city’s red light districts. with the southern Italian island their own fi nancial resources to Nations to house 50,000 people Their answer: six pre-fabri- working-class neighbourhoods”. in Paris are asylum-seekers. But not all in the area oppose of Lampedusa, which has seen a tackle the crisis. in apartments and camps. cated wooden structures in the Aside from Paris’s increasing And the proposal approved by the project. huge infl ux of migrants crossing Barcelona city council said on “Many of these people are go- 16th that will house 200 home- homeless population, hundreds Paris’ city council describes the “Why not? It must just not from North Africa. Tuesday that it would triple fi - ing to stay in Greece – some for less people. of north African migrants set up project as necessary to “meet the be too big (and) impact the at- The agreement is just one ex- nancial aid for refugees in transit the coming years, and many for- “People in this neighbourhood a camp under a bridge which was needs of the homeless and mi- mosphere and also the architec- ample of cooperation between to €300,000 ($340,000), re- ever – and we need to be ready for are outraged,” said Bernadette, cleared out last June, and the city grants”. ture, because this is a beautiful city and town halls across Europe sponding to the “humanitarian the challenge of integrating them watching her toddler grand- has had to fi nd places for them in Brigitte Andre, 60, lives op- neighbourhood. It must not be to try to cope with the conti- consequences of the decision by into our society,” he said. son play in a quiet park near the emergency shelters. posite the proposed site, which something like Calais,” said Elena nent’s worst refugee crisis since European states to close the Bal- The mayors said it was impor- proposed development, as a “Everyone is saying they are is next to a municipal swimming Lambin, 28. World War II. kans route”. tant to fi nd ways to ease tensions few bored-looking ponies stood going to rebuild a Calais and they pool and not far from a horse- The tumult in the 16th has These eff orts are a response to The one thing Barcelona can- between newcomers and city lo- waiting for rides. will stay here and never leave,” racing track. amused average Parisians who a lack of support from national not do for now is take in more cals, such as making clear that “There are not a lot of jobs for said Bernadette. She is worried about the im- have mercilessly mocked their governments and the European refugees, as it is blocked by bu- rules to protect people’s rights people like that. Where will they Thousands of migrants fl eeing pact on the forest, security, and wealthier neighbours on Twitter. Union, experts told a conference reaucracy at national level. apply to all. do their shopping?” said Ber- poverty and war in the Middle she is angry that residents were “I remind all the homeless that on resilient cities in Barcelona On Wednesday, Barcelona Colau called for European nadette, who owns a restaurant East and North Africa have gath- not consulted. to fi t in in the 16th, your sweater this week. Mayor Ada Colau sent a letter to countries to allow asylum-seek- nearby. ered in Calais in grim conditions, “They mustn’t stigmatise us should not go around your waist, “The debate is taking place the Spanish prime minister ask- ers to work, so they can integrate “The supermarkets here are trying to reach Britain on lorries by saying the bourgeoisie don’t but around your shoulders,” read very remotely from the people ing for offi cial permission for into society and start a regular unaff ordable, even the Moroccan crossing the Channel. want this. It is a lot more compli- one tweet. who are ultimately going to be the Catalan capital to accept 100 life. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 21 EUROPE Istanbul bomb blast kills fi ve, wounds 36 Reuters at least 12 German tourists. Istanbul/Ankara One of the offi cials said the bomber had planned to hit a more crowded location but was suicide bomber killed deterred by the police presence. himself and four others in “The attacker detonated the Aa central Istanbul shop- bomb before reaching the target ping and tourism district yester- point because they were scared day, wounding at least 36 people of the police,” the offi cial said, in the fourth such attack in Tur- declining to be named as the in- key this year. vestigation is ongoing. The blast sent panicked shop- Another offi cial said that in- pers scurrying into side alleys off vestigations were focusing on Istiklal Street, a long pedestrian three possible suspects, all of avenue lined with international them male and two of them from stores and foreign consulates, a the southern city of Gaziantep few hundred metres from where near the Syrian border. police buses are often stationed. There was no further confi r- The attack will raise further mation of this. questions about Nato member Armed police sealed off the Police off icers check security surveillance cameras on Istiklal street, Turkey’s ability to protect itself shopping street where half a doz- following the suicide bombing. against a spillover of violence en ambulances had gathered. from the war in neighbouring Forensic teams in white suits Left: An abandoned stroller stands in a street following the suicide Syria. searched for evidence as police bombing in a major shopping and tourist district in central Istanbul. Turkey faces threats from helicopters buzzed overhead. Kurdish militants, whose insur- “I saw a body on the street. No Below: A child (her face digitally concealed) is seen in shock in the gency has spread from the largely one was treating him but then I aftermath of the suicide bombing. Her condition is unknown. Kurdish southeast and who An- saw someone who appeared to kara sees as closely linked to a be a regular citizen trying to do of the PKK claimed responsibility this attack, it is unacceptable and Kurdish militia in Syria, and from something to the body. That was for both bombings. inexcusable.” Islamic State (IS) fi ghters, who enough for me and I turned and The Istanbul suicide bomb- Turkey is a member of the have also recently targeted it. went back,” one resident told ing which killed German tourists US-led coalition fi ghting Islamic Germany shut down its dip- Reuters. in January struck at its historic State in Syria and Iraq. lomatic missions and schools on Istiklal Street, usually heart and was blamed by the gov- It is also battling the PKK in its Thursday, citing a specifi c threat. thronged with shoppers at week- ernment on Islamic State. own southeast, where a 2-1/2- Meanwhile, US and other Eu- ends, was quieter than normal Yesterday’s attack brought year ceasefi re collapsed last July, ropean embassies had warned as more people are staying home condemnation from around the triggering the worst violence their citizens to be vigilant ahead after a series of deadly bombings. globe. since the 1990s. of Newroz celebrations this Health Minister Mehmet Mu- Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- In its armed campaign in Tur- weekend, a spring festival large- ezzinoglu confi rmed that 36 peo- hammad Javad Zarif, on an of- key, the PKK has historically ly marked by Kurds which has ple had been wounded, seven of fi cial visit to Istanbul, said that struck directly at the security turned violent in the past. those were in serious condition the attack showed “the ugly face forces and says it does not target There was no immediate claim and twelve of the wounded were of terrorism”, while France con- civilians. of responsibility for the bomb- foreigners. demned it as “despicable and However, recent bombings ing, which two senior offi cials Broadcaster NTV said six of cowardly”. suggest it could be shifting tac- said could have been carried out the wounded were Israeli tour- Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg tics. by the Kurdistan Workers Party ists and two others were from described the attack as “another One of the Turkish offi cials (PKK), fi ghting for Kurdish au- Iceland. Israel’s foreign ministry terrorist outrage against inno- said the PKK was looking to carry tonomy in the southeast, or by an confi rmed some of its citizens cent civilians and ally Turkey” out attacks during the Newroz Islamic State militant. were among the wounded, as did on Twitter, while Germany urged holiday. Both groups have targeted Ireland, which said “a number” tourists in Istanbul to stay in At the height of the PKK in- Turkey in recent months. of Irish were injured. their hotels. surgency in the 1990s, the festi- A PKK off shoot claimed re- Yesterday’s blast came as Tur- Turkey’s Peoples’ Democratic val was often marked by violent sponsibility for two suicide key is still in shock from a sui- Party (HDP), a Kurdish-rooted clashes between Kurdish pro- bombings in the capital Ankara cide car bombing last Sunday at opposition party, condemned the testers and security forces. over the past month, which killed a crowded transport hub in the bombing. It coincides with the spring a total of 66 people. capital Ankara which killed 37 “Just as in the Ankara attack, thaw, a time when in previous Meanwhile, Islamic State was people. this is a terrorist act that directly years PKK fi ghters re-entered blamed for a suicide bombing in A similar bombing in Ankara targets civilians,” the HDP said in Turkey from mountain hideouts Istanbul in January which killed last month killed 29. An off shoot an e-mail. “Whoever carried out in northern Iraq. Spacecraft with grandpa onboard docks at the ISS

AFP proximately six-hour journey. Kelly, 52, spent nearly a year In 2009 and 2010, Williams Baikonur “Spacecraft carrying crew in space and returned to Earth served as a fl ight engineer for successfully docks to @Space_ earlier this month with a total of three months and later com- Station,” Nasa posted on Twitter. 520 days in space, as part of an manded the ISS for the remain- Russian spacecraft carry- The trio on board comprise experiment to test the eff ects of der of his half-year mission. ing three crew to the In- Russians Oleg Skriprochka and long-duration spacefl ight on the Williams, Skripochka and Ov- Aternational Space Station Alexey Ovchinin, and US grand- body and mind ahead of a poten- chinin will join US astronaut Tim (ISS), including a US grandfather father of three, Jeff Williams, a tial future mission to Mars. Kopra, Russian cosmonaut Yuri who is poised to enter the record veteran of long-duration space The all-time record for cumu- Malenchenko and the European books, has successfully docked missions. lative days spent in space is held Space Agency’s British astronaut with the orbital outpost, Nasa The craft is decorated with a by Russian cosmonaut Gennady Tim Peake at the ISS to continue said. portrait of the fi rst man in space, Padalka, who racked up 879 days Expedition 47. The crew docked at 0309 Soviet hero Yuri Gagarin, whose over his career and wrapped up The ISS has been orbiting GMT yesterday some 407km (253 pioneering orbital fl ight was his fi nal mission in September the Earth at roughly 28,000kph miles) above the Pacifi c Ocean, made nearly 55 years ago, on April 2015. (17,400mph) since 1998 and has off the western coast of Peru, ac- 12 1961. Williams has so far notched up been continuously occupied cording to the American space By the end of his half-year trip over 362 days in space, including since the fi rst expedition in No- agency. aboard the ISS, Williams “will three spacewalks. vember 2000. The rocket took off in windy become the American with the His previous missions were Space is one of few areas of conditions from Russia’s space most cumulative days in space – fl own aboard the space shuttle co-operation between Moscow base in Kazakhstan at 2126 GMT, 534”, Nasa says. Atlantis in 2000, as well as a trip and the West that has not been The Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft carrying Jeff Williams of the US with Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg an AFP reporter saw. The previous US record was set in 2006 when the station was far disrupted by tensions connected Skripochka of Russia blasts off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the launchpad at the Baikonur According to Nasa, it orbited by astronaut Scott Kelly earlier smaller – with only two modules to violence and separatism in cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, yesterday. This picture was taken through launchpad spacecraft lift. the earth four times in its ap- this year. and three crew members. Ukraine.

Iraqis jailed for aiding Islamic State Pope Francis now A Swiss court sentenced three Iraqis for terrorism off ences on Friday, on Instagram a verdict that the senior prosecutor said should send a message to Croatia’s e-media regulator resigns jihadists not to see the country as an easy target. After his success on Twitter – In Switzerland’s first convictions of foreign Islamist militants, the with more than 25mn followers three were jailed for between 42 and 56 months for belonging to or AFP for me as a professional and ished state subsidies to non- of the public broadcaster and in nine diff erent languages – supporting a terrorist organisation, at a trial conducted under tight Zagreb as a person of integrity,” Rakic profi t media, while some ruling the broadcast regulator”. Pope Francis joined Instagram security in the city of Bellinzona. told reporters. “It is not good to coalition offi cials have lashed The International Federa- yesterday. A fourth man was acquitted. treat media in this way.” out at the media, saying that tion of Journalists (IFJ), which The 79-year-old Pontiff is using The three main defendants, who had denied wrongdoing, were arrested he head of Croatia’s The move came after the they were “the only barrier to represents 600,000 report- the photo-sharing app under in early 2014 on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks and helping body regulating elec- Croatian government, which true democracy”. ers worldwide, urged Croatian the name @Franciscus, Latin Islamic State (IS) militants enter the country. Ttronic media resigned came to power in January, re- The moves prompted ex- leaders, including President for Francis, the Vatican said in a on Friday, saying that she could jected the agency’s annual re- pressions of concern from Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic and statement. no longer endure the political port and asked parliament to journalists’ associations and Prime Minister Oreskovic, “to “I am beginning a new journey, Ban on smartphones at govt off ices pressure coming from the new end its mandate and dismiss international media watch- stop the undemocratic silenc- on Instagram, to walk with you conservative government. Rakic. dogs. ing of journalists and free me- along the path of mercy and the Kazakh off icials and their visitors will have to leave their smartphones Mirjana Rakic quit her post The cabinet of Prime Min- Dunja Mijatovic, media free- dia”. tenderness of God,” Francis said at the door of government buildings from March 24 in line with a new as the head of agency for elec- ister Tihomir Oreskovic also dom representative for the Or- Croatia’s Journalist Associa- yesterday on Twitter @Pontifex. policy aimed at preventing leaks of sensitive documents, a leaked tronic media accusing the gov- changed the top regulatory ganisation of Security and Co- tion has also warned that the The first photograph uploaded on document showed on Thursday. ernment, dominated by the body of Croatia’s public broad- operation in Europe (OSCE), trend to rein in the media “is a Instagram was of Francis praying, The memo cites “increasingly frequent cases of confidential conservative HDZ party, of at- caster HRT, replacing the urged the Croatian authorities danger for democracy”. the image accompanied by the information being leaked through the WhatsApp mobile application” tempting to curtail media inde- members, dismissing the head “to take immediate action to However, the authorities words “pray for me,” in nine and instructs public servants to use only basic mobile devices with pendence. and putting in place a new chief reverse this trend”. “ignore our arguments and languages. no cameras or access to the Internet, two government sources told “All the political pressure has executive who promptly sacked Mijatovic appealed to the protests as well as warnings”, Within an hour after that first Reuters. been concentrated on me. After 20 top editors. government “to do their ut- its president Sasa Lekovic told image was posted, the account The full document was published by local news website Tengrinews.kz. two months I feel it is too much The government also abol- most to preserve independence AFP. had 140,000 followers. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, March 20, 2016 INDIA

CONTROVERSY ALLEGATIONS POLITICS WELFARE SCHEME INVESTIGATION Uber has no permission for BJP MP hid information Assembly row over UP to prioritise jobs for Goa govt soft on two-wheeler service: off icial from EC: RTI activist Roja’s suspension acid attack survivors drug mafia: Congress

Uber is off ering two-wheeler taxi service Bharatiya Janata Party MP Satyapal Singh Andhra Pradesh assembly was adjourned twice Uttar Pradesh is set to prioritise government The Congress Party yesterday alleged that the Goa without permission and the app-based had allegedly concealed information about yesterday as opposition YSR Congress Party jobs for acid attack survivors, an off icial said government was going soft on the state’s drug company has not held consultations with the unpaid dues to Mumbai’s city collector in his stalled the proceedings, demanding that its yesterday. As a pilot project, the victims would mafia, a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Karnataka government, transport commissioner election aff idavit, an RTI activist said yesterday. legislator R K Roja be allowed to attend the be given priority in the Women’s Welfare coalition conceded no action has been taken Rame Gowda said yesterday. However, Uber According to Anil Galgali, Singh, a former Mumbai session. The members of the opposition party, department. They will be given jobs at Rani on the findings of an assembly panel on police- issued a statement saying it held discussions police commissioner, had reportedly withheld who were clad in black dresses as a mark of Laxmibai Aasha Jyoti Centres. “The idea politician-drug mafia nexus. “The BJP, while in with the authorities but did not give the name information about unpaid dues of a penalty of protest, wanted Speaker K Sivaprasad Rao to is to assimilate these victims by providing opposition, created a big noise over alleged police- of the department and details of the off icials Rs48,420 imposed on him by Mumbai Suburban respect the court order which stayed Roja’s them better job opportunities,” said principal politician-drug mafia nexus. After coming to power, it met. “In the spirit of collaborating with the District collectorate in January 2013. “The penalty suspension from the assembly for one year. The secretary Renuka Kumar. The state government then chief minister Manohar Parrikar appointed government, we had extensive discussions with was for renting out his flat in Patliputra Society, High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for the has opened 11 Rani Laxmi Bai Aasha Jyoti a house committee to investigate the same case the relevant authorities over the past few days Andheri without taking proper permission from states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had Centres in the state and eff orts are underway to and now the government says they have not as we have made some modifications to our the collector as required under the laws,” Galgali on Thursday stayed the Roja’s suspension. The get 28 posts created in each centre. The centres investigated its findings. There is something fishy ongoing pilot service with a commitment to said. According to EC provisions, a candidate is actress-turned-politician, however, was stopped are likely to have counsellors, store keepers, here,” Congress general secretary Durgadas operate within the existing framework,” Uber bound to reveal details of criminal conviction, from entering the assembly on Friday. The computer operators and other staff . In these Kamat said. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said in the statement. Uber and Ola launched pending cases, assets, government liabilities and state government filed a petition in the court, posts, the victims would be given priority as per had cited a technical glitch while explaining the two-wheeler taxi services on March 3. educational qualifications in the aff idavit. challenging the single judge’s interim order. their educational qualifications. government’s inability to probe the nexus. Village tense after 2 cattle traders are found hanged Five suspects arrested in any Hindu radical group. We are Ashok Kumar, secretary of the Jharkhand still examining,” he said. BJP’s Jharkhand unit. Ansari and Khan were herding Attacks on cattle traders, who Agencies buff aloes to an annual animal fair are typically from the Muslim Ranchi when they were allegedly beaten minority have been reported and hanged to death by suspect- from several parts of India re- Bharatiya Janata Party leader Himanta Biswa Sarma speaks at an election campaign rally at Gohpur in Biswanath district of Assam yesterday. ed cattle protection vigilantes, cently. Last September a man in olice have arrested fi ve the Times of India newspaper Uttar Pradesh’s Dadri village was suspects in the hanging reported. lynched for allegedly eating beef. Pto death of two Muslims Villagers and a legislator Also yesterday tension herding cattle in Jharkhand, in quoted by the Times of India al- gripped Agra after a video clip an incident that led to an out- leged the attackers were Hindu showing some students allegedly break of violence in the eastern radicals. eating ‘beef’ in a hostel went vi- BJP, allies vow to oust ral on social media. state amid reports the attackers “They are supported by the were Hindu vigilantes. police who do not act against However, the authenticity of India is the world’s largest ex- them,” legislator Prakash Ram the video was not ascertained by porter of beef and its fi fth big- was quoted as saying. “Four any offi cial. gest consumer, but the killing of months ago, a group of men tried Hindutva groups demonstrat- the Congress in Assam ed in the morning at the gate of cows is forbidden in some states, to kill a cattle trader in Gomia including in Jharkhand, as many village ... The man managed to the Central Hindi Institute in IANS both parties in diff erent parts of dent Atul Bora said at a press He said the BJP, AGP and Hindus regard the animal as sa- escape.” Agra as the video shows some Guwahati the state and even led to splits in conference yesterday. BPF have emerged as a strong cred. Opponents have accused meat eaters in a hostel room on the two parties. “The people of Assam want alternative to the Congress and The bodies of the two cattle Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s the campus. While the disgruntled work- a change and the BJP has taken it could only bring a stable and traders were found hanging from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Registrar Chandra Kant Tri- he Bharatiya Janata Par- ers of the AGP fl oated a new the initiative and we have sup- transparent government to As- a tree in Jharkhand’s Jhabbar vil- seeking to stoke religious ten- pathi said: “We are collecting ty (BJP) and its alliance front christened AGP Regional ported it for the greater inter- sam for overall development. lage in Latehar district on Friday, sions in order to polarise voters information and after a suitable Tpartners in Assam yes- Forum, the BJP workers un- est to make Assam Congress- BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary stoking violence that injured six ahead of crucial state assembly inquiry action would be taken.” terday said they are determined happy over the alliance have free.” said that his party had sup- policemen, the Hindustan Times elections in fi ve states in the next It was not clear what action the to keep the ruling Congress out formed the Trinamool BJP. The conference was ad- ported the Congress in the past reported yesterday. two months. institute was contemplating. of power after assembly elec- The split factions of the BJP dressed jointly by Bora, As- and was an alliance partner of The village remained tense “This horrible incident is a Senior administrative and po- tions next month. and AGP have decided to put up sam BJP president Sarbananda the Congress at Dispur for 10 yesterday. result of the sustained commu- lice offi cials visited the campus They appealed to all mem- their own candidates in some Sonowal and BPF chief Hagra- years. Mazlum Ansari, 32, and Im- nal campaign conducted by the late Friday night to inquire and bers of the partners to ensure of the constituencies, which is ma Mohilary. “However, we have realised teyaz Khan, the 13-year-old son Hindutva outfi ts,” a statement check the veracity of media re- the victory of the BJP, the Asom expected the further divide the Although the three parties that the problems of the Bodos of another cattle trader, were issued by the Communist Party ports. Gana Parishad (AGP), and Bodo AGP and BJP vote banks, giving have come together, they are yet and Bodoland are far from be- residents of Balumath, 110km of India (Marxist) said. On Thursday, some students People’s Front (BPF) alliance an edge to other parties like the to unveil a common minimum ing over in the Congress rule. from Ranchi, it said. The area Despite protests by the local in Mewar University in Rajas- for the sake of good governance Congress and AIUDF. programme. We believe that development saw clashes between Hindus and people, the police and the BJP than were attacked by a mob for and a corruption-free Assam. “I accept that there are some “People of Assam have given can be brought by the BJP alone Muslims over the eating of beef state government in Jharkhand allegedly cooking beef, which The three have forged an alli- diff erences among us on some three opportunities to the Con- and so we have decided to sup- three months ago. have failed to protect minorities later turned out to be goat meat. ance ahead of the polls. issues. However, we are work- gress. However, the party had port BJP this time,” he said, “Police have arrested fi ve per- engaged in this trade, the CPM The photos and video on Fa- The BJP is contesting in 88 ing on hammering out the dif- failed to fulfi l the aspirations of adding the alliance was sure to sons and are looking for others statement said. cebook, about Agra, show some seats, the AGP 24 and the BPF ferences and I do not feel it is the common people of the state. form the next government in involved in the incident,” Late- A BJP state leader in Jharkhand students with some pieces of about 14. impossible. We have come to- The Congress is power hungry the state. har police chief Anoop Birtharay condemned the killings. “This is meat, according to reports. The alliance between the BJP gether with the main objective and winning elections out of its The election will be held on said. an unfortunate incident. Our Offi cials, however, clarifi ed and AGP, however, led to severe of keeping the Congress out of Bangladeshi vote bank politics,” April 4 and 11 to elect members “So far we have not found any government will take strong ac- that meat is not served in the discontent among workers of power this time,” AGP presi- Sonowal said. from 126 constituencies. affi liation of these persons with tion against the culprits,” said hostel mess.

Kalabhavan Mani’s death: All set for Holi Couple from Kerala police fi nd insecticide bottle among dead in Russia plane crash IANS headed by Inspector General of and also the man who brought it Chalakkudy, Kerala Police M R Ajithkumar. to the farmhouse that day. The team has taken state- Police have questioned several IANS here for a month and they left ments from numerous people of the actor’s friends who used to Kochi for Dubai from here on Thurs- day after chemical tests as well as actors like Sabumon visit the farmhouse, where there day afternoon,” said Issac. revealed the presence of and Jaff er Idukki who were with used to be regular parties. Anju has been working in Aan insecticide in the body Mani the day he fell ill on March A neighbour said he met the couple from Kerala were Russia since 2011 and after of Malayalam actor Kalabhavan 4. Sabumon and Jaff er Idukki actor on the morning of March among the 62 people their marriage in 2014 Mohan Mani, police yesterday searched had earlier said they had left the 4 and he was “in his usual jovial Akilled yesterday in a joined her. his 30-acre farmhouse near farmhouse quite early. self”. plane crash in Russia’s Rostov- Local legislator Saju Paul Chalakkudy in Thrissur district Yesterday morning Deputy “The next morning, I was sur- on-Don city, offi cials said. said that Mohan’s residence and found a few bottles - one of Superintendent of Police K prised to fi nd three of the actor’s The FlyDubai Boeing 737- was in his constituency and he which is believed to be that of Sudarshan, who is entrusted close aides arrive on a motorcycle 800 from Dubai missed the was reaching there soon. the toxic material. with the investigation, arrived and they were cleaning the out- runway as it attempted to land Mani, 45, who acted in 200 with his team of offi cials accom- house. They told me Mani has at 3.50am. “His father is a carpenter fi lms, was admitted to a hospital panied by an excise department gone on a foreign trip. They left The couple - Shyam Mohan and Mohan was the in Kochi on March 4. Said to be team to the farmhouse. the place carrying bags,” Man- and his wife K A Anju, both mainstay of his family, so suff ering from a liver ailment, he The police team searched the ikandan told reporters yesterday. aged 27 – were from Perum- was Anju, whose father is died two days later. entire farmhouse that comprises The late actor’s manager Jobi bavoor and worked in an ay- no more” After his death, hospital au- a farm of nutmeg trees and left told reporters that he was sur- urvedic resort in Russia. thorities reported the presence around 3.30pm. prised to hear reports of the They left from here on “His father is a carpenter of a chemical in the body, lead- Police searched the septic tank presence of pesticide in the ac- Thursday. and Mohan was the mainstay ing to speculation that he may of the house, and at the end of tor’s body. C V Issac, a resident of of his family, so was Anju, not have died a natural death. the day said they found a bottle “The only agriculture crop in Vengoal in Perumbavoor, whose father is no more,” the Mani allegedly drank liquor in believed to be that of a pesticide. the farmhouse is nutmeg and to who reached the home of the legislator said. the company of some friends in They also took a few other bot- my knowledge, there has been no Mohans told reporters it was Chief Minister Oommen his outhouse where he took ill. tles. application of any chemical fer- around 2pm that they got the Chandy said he spoke to Mo- Police had then registered “We got a few bottles... We tilizers,” said Jobi. tragic news of the air crash. han’s father and has promised a case of unnatural death and will know what they contained Meanwhile, the Mani’s fam- “Both of them are trained all help to the grieving fami- sealed his outhouse. Offi cials on only after scientifi c tests,” ily members expressed satisfac- ayurveda nurses and their lies. Friday said the chemical test re- Sudarshan said. tion over the probe. His younger Two boys show their water guns to be used during Holi marriage took place here on “I will speak to External Af- vealed the presence of the insec- Police have also been able to brother R L V Ramakrishnan was festival, at a shop in Guwahati, yesterday. The festival of November 2, 2014. It was their fairs Minister Sushma Swaraj ticide Chlorpyrifos. locate the person believed to also present at the farmhouse colours will be celebrated across India on March 23. fi rst visit (to Kerala) after they seeking her help to see what The investigation is now being have prepared the illicit brew yesterday. both went to Russia. They were can be done,” Chandy added. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 23 INDIA Dismiss Uttarakhand’s PDP-BJP rift widens Congress govt, says BJP over govt BJP challenges Chief Minister Rawat to prove his majority in the assembly formation IANS New Delhi IANS Madhav, however, said that Jammu/Srinagar after being chosen as a chief he Bharatiya Janata Party minister nominee, Mehbooba yesterday rubbished al- could always make demands Tlegations of indulging in ashmir’s Peoples Dem- as is usual for chief ministers horse-trading in Uttarakhand ocratic Party (PDP) while dealing with the central where nine Congress legislators Kleaders said yesterday government. have revolted, and demanded that “all is not over” between The message to Mehbooba that Chief Minister Harish Ra- it and the Bharatiya Janata was clear, although couched in wat’s government be dismissed Party, but there seems little polite words: get sworn on on as it had lost its majority. doubt that the alliance is on its our terms or else, forget it. The party also challenged the last legs. Senior PDP leader and one chief minister to prove his ma- After the so-called “secret of party’s founding members, jority in the assembly. talks” between PDP president Muzaff ar Hussain Baig swung “Allegations of horse-trading Mehbooba Mufti and BJP chief into some immediate damage are ridiculous. The legislators of Amit Shah failed to pave the control after the word was de- Congress have revolted against way for a meeting between livered by Madhav. the functioning of Rawat and his Mehbooba and Prime Minister Talking to reporters, Baig, dictatorial attitude,” BJP general Narendra Modi, the message who has been a strong votary secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya from one the most powerful for continuing the alliance told reporters here yesterday. men among the saff ron bri- with the BJP, said: “There has His assertion came against the gade was clear. been some miscommunica- backdrop of Delhi Chief Minister “The government in J&K tion. We have not raised any Arvind Kejriwal alleging that the cannot be based on precondi- new conditions. All we have BJP was indulging in horse-trad- tions. Trust cannot be based said is we seek a time frame on ing in Uttarakhand. on any condition,” said the already agreed terms of alli- “Brazen horse trading-fi rst Uttarakhand legislators arrive at Raj Bhawan to meet Governor Krishan Kant Paul in Dehradun. party’s national general secre- ance between the two parties”. Arunachal now Uttarakhand. tary Ram Madhav. PDP spokesman and former BJP proving to be most corrupt, claims so. “If voting had taken and are waiting for the gover- the Uttarakhand assembly by a Earlier, Speaker Govind Singh The BJP showed its own ver- minister Naeem Akhtar said: deshdrohi and power hungry,” place in the assembly yesterday nor’s response.” chartered plane. Kunjwal declared the bill as sion of ‘iron fi st’ even while Modi “The stalemate does not mean Kejriwal tweeted. (Friday), he would have known The BJP also demanded that Vijayvargiya, BJP national vice passed which led to further fu- was witnessing the ‘Iron Fist’ the talks are over. This is a set- Vijayvargiya however said the his strength. I challenge him to the Congress government be president Uttarakhand Shyam rore. exercises by the country’s armed back, but that does not mean the Congress leaders, who have re- prove his majority on any fo- dismissed. Jaju and senior Congress lead- Harak Singh Rawat, who had forces at Pokhran in Rajasthan. talks have reached a dead end”. volted against the chief minister, rum.” “The governor should dismiss er Bahuguna were also among lost the chief ministerial post to Madhav told reporters in Mehbooba returned to Sri- are not those who can be bought He also said the anti-defec- the Rawat government in Ut- those who arrived here. Rawat when the government was New Delhi: “Governments nagar yesterday, after her for money. tion law against the rebel Con- tarakhand. It has no moral right The political upheaval began formed, later resigned from the cannot be formed on precon- much hyped meeting with “Vijay Bahuguna is among the gress leaders would not stand to remain in power as it has lost with the Finance Bill coming up state cabinet. ditions. The fact is since the Modi did not come off and was rebel Congress leaders. He was because the BJP had already the confi dence of its MLAs,” BJP for passage in the assembly, giv- Vijayvargiya said here that death of Mufti Sahib, the PDP instead followed by Madhav’s the chief minister of the state. moved a no-confi dence motion secretary Srikant Sharma told ing ruling party rebels an oppor- the Rawat government was now is yet to choose its nominee for comments. What does the Congress want to against the speaker. reporters here. tunity to prove that the govern- in a minority and the governor the chief minister’s post”. That The one politician enjoying say? Do they mean Vijay Bahu- Viyajvargiya also claimed to In a late Friday night devel- ment has lost its majority. should dismiss it. “We are ready may be quibbling with the fi ne the impasse is former chief guna is for sale?” he said. have the support of 35 legisla- opment, at least nine Congress Led by Agriculture Minister to form the government as well print, since everyone in Kash- minister and working presi- Vijayvargiya also challenged tors in the 70-member assembly. legislators arrived in New Delhi Harak Singh Rawat, they walked as to face fresh elections,” he mir and Delhi knows who the dent of the regional National Rawat to prove his majority if he “We have support of 35 MLAs with all the BJP members of over to the BJP camp. said. nominee is. Conference Omar Abdullah. Parties struggle to fi nalise candidates for Kerala polls

By Ashraf Padanna eri Balakrishnan, a former home min- Talks with other allies, the Kerala Gulf Times Correspondent ister who is not contesting, to warn Congress (Democratic), Kerala Con- Thiruvananthapuram the party cadres against such moves gress (Scaria Thomas), Janata Dal “centring around individuals” at a (Secular), Congress (S), Indian Na- time when it had a “fair chance” of tional Congress and Indian National olitical parties in Kerala are capturing power. League also failed. struggling to fi nalise their “We are engaged only in prelimi- They insisted on constituencies Pnominations for the May 16 as- nary talks and the internal discus- with better chances. sembly elections even as many ruling sions on candidates are going on,” he The fi rst list of the Bharatiya Janata legislators have started wooing voters said. “We have not taken any decision Party (BJP) for 22 constituencies was in their constituencies. on candidates”. also kept in abeyance after the central Talks between the Communist The CPM is hard pressed as it has leadership’s intervention. Party of India (Marxist) and its allies to accommodate a host of small- The party’s strategies are decid- except R Balakrishna Pillai’s Kerala er groups, including Pillai’s, that ed in New Delhi this time as Prime Congress faction were deadlocked switched sides. Minister Narendra Modi and party yesterday as each one them demanded But the existing allies are not pre- president Amit Shah are preparing more seats. pared to accommodate the defectors. to campaign here extensively and The CPM-led Left Democratic The second largest constituent CPI they want to accommodate allies Front (LDF) is meeting again on April is demanding two more seats this time and independents. 5 after reaching a consensus with each against 27 it contested in 2011 while The 20 candidates of the Indian partner. the CPM wants to take two to accom- Union Muslim League (IUML), the Adding insult to injury is posters modate the defectors. second largest ruling coalition part- springing up in diff erent parts of the It had reached an understanding ner, are already on the campaign trail state against potential candidates, with the Aravindakshan faction of and the party is awaiting a decision including fi lm star KPAC Lalitha and Communist Marxist Party (CMP) on a from the Congress, which leads the television journalist Veena George. seat, possibly Azhikode in Kannur, Er- UDF, to fi nalise its four remaining Some places also witnessed a few avipuram in Kollam or Thripunithura seats. people coming out on the streets de- in Ernakulam. Congress leaders are meeting to- manding a particular candidate or op- Revolutionary Socialist Party fac- morrow to fi nalise the allocations. Its posing another, a phenomenon usual- tion led by Kovoor Kunjumon has also president V M Sudheeran had sent a ly unheard of in the party that believes reached an agreement with the CPM to giant list of 400 probables for 82 seats in Stalinist principles. contest from Kunnathur constituency it is contesting for the 140-member It prompted CPM secretary Kodiy- that he represented for two terms. house.

Digvijaya slams govt over Three lawmakers clause for Urdu writers Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh yesterday slammed the Human Resource Development to return their gifts ministry’s proposal asking Urdu writers to declare that “the content in their books will not be against IANS microwave ovens, airbags and the government or the country.” Patna briefcases, former deputy “It is condemnable. If they have introduced such a chief minister Sushil Kumar clause then it should be there for the writers of all Modi yesterday tweeted: “La- the languages. Why are they only targeting Urdu hree legislators of the khs of school teachers are writers? It is being done because their (BJP) only opposition Bharatiya without salary for 4 months, agenda is to divide the country on communal TJanata Party in Bihar Prem Kumar, Mangal Pandey lines and rule,” said Singh. yesterday said they would and myself will return gifts The National Council for Promotion of Urdu return costly gifts they ac- like micro over back to gov- Language (NCPUL) has recently introduced cepted along with ruling ernment.” a form, requiring authors of the books that it lawmakers. Prem Kumar is Leader of acquires annually, to declare that the content will The education department Opposition in the assembly, not be against the government or the country. gifted microwave ovens to all while Pandey is the BJP state The NCPUL, that provides monetary assistance to legislators of the assembly president. Modi and Pandey Urdu writers, comes under the HRD ministry led and legislative council, draw- are members of the legislative by Smriti Irani. The form handed out to the writers ing criticism that thousands council. reads: “I son/daughter of --- confirm that my book/ of teachers have not been paid Without naming Deputy magazine titled --- which has been approved for salaries for months. Chief Minister Tejaswi Ya- bulk purchase by NCPUL’s s monetary assistance Three Communist Party of dav, Sushil Modi said the state scheme does not contain anything against the India (Marxist Leninist) legis- government gave a “ridiculous policies of the government of India or the interest lators, however, refused to ac- justifi cation” that the legisla- of the nation, does not cause disharmony of any cept the gifts. tors were “poor” and will “use sort between diff erent classes of the country, and A day after the BJP legis- the microwave ovens to taste is not monetarily supported by any government lators accepted the gifts like the mid-day meals”. or non-government institution.” Gulf Times 24 Sunday, March 20, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

Guatemalan conservation group slams activist death

AFP Guatemala City

Guatemalan conservation group on Friday lashed Aout against the killing of one of its leaders, weeks after the murder of a Honduran in- digenous activist prompted an international outcry. Walter Mendez of the As- sociation of Forest Communi- ties of Peten (ACOFOP) - who campaigned against deforesta- tion and hydroelectric projects in Guatemala’s northern Peten region - was found dead at his home on Wednesday, his body riddled with several gunshot wounds, the organization said in a statement. “He had received death threats from illegal invaders of the land who publicly denounced him because of the causes he cham- pioned,” the group said. Mendez was also a member of the Peten Front against Dams, which opposes hydroelectric projects on the Usumacinta Riv- er, the organization added. ACOFOP joins more than 20 People demonstrate in support of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff ’s appointment of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff in Sao Paulo on Friday night. peasant and indigenous groups to help manage forests in Gua- temala’s government-run Maya Biosphere Reserve near the bor- der with Mexico and Belize. Mendez’s death is the latest act of repression against Cen- tral American activists following the murder of Berta Caceres, an indigenous leader killed in Hon- Lula stripped of offi ce as duras earlier this month, and her colleague Nelson Garcia two weeks later, ACOFOP said. Caceres won international recognition for leading the in- digenous Lenca people in a struggle against a hydroelectric dam project that would have supporters demonstrate fl ooded large areas of native lands and cut off water supplies Reuters from ministerial offi ce can be appealed Hours earlier, riot police had fi red Committee chairman Rogerio Rosso, lington Moreira Franco, said on Twitter. to hundreds. Sao Paulo/Brasilia before a plenary session of the court. water cannon and tear gas to disperse of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) “On Tuesday the 29th, the party will The murders are part of the The opposition branded Rousseff ’s anti-government protesters who had that forms part of Rousseff ’s coali- decide to break away.” “systematic violence in Central appointment of her charismatic politi- blocked the same central Sao Paulo tion, said the committee was balanced The party is considering expelling America suff ered by leaders of top judge in Brazil ruled on Fri- cal mentor as a desperate bid to shore thoroughfare since Wednesday, when between lawmakers for and against Mauro Lopes, a PMDB lawmaker who the struggle to defend nature, day that Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva up support in her Workers Party against demonstrations erupted against Lula’s unseating the president, but recent became Rousseff ’s civil aviation minis- cultures and territories threat- Ashould be stripped of a ministerial impeachment proceedings, which appointment as minister. political events would infl uence their ter on Thursday, despite a party ban on ened by large hydroelectric dams role so he can be investigated for graft, picked up speed in Congress on Friday, In the lower house of Congress, op- decisions. taking up new posts in her administra- and agriculture,” ACOFOP said. minutes after the ex-president rallied as well as a means of protecting him position parties hurried along im- Last Sunday, more than 1mn people tion. tens of thousands of supporters behind from prosecutors. peachment proceedings against Rouss- poured into the streets of several cit- Rousseff appointed Lula, who re- embattled President Dilma Rousseff . At a rally in Sao Paulo’s central Pau- eff by holding a session on Friday, when ies to demand Rousseff ’s departure, the mains one of Brazil’s most infl uential Chile algal bloom In a move likely to infl ame tensions lista Avenue, tens of thousands of lawmakers are usually away from the biggest in a wave of protests calling for politicians six years after leaving offi ce, between the judiciary and Brazil’s left- Workers’ Party supporters cheered Lula capital. her resignation. in an attempt to fi ght impeachment is receding : govt ist government, Supreme Court justice as he promised that his return to gov- The president has 10 sessions in the “The large street demonstrations are and win back working-class support- Gilmar Mendes said Rousseff ’s decision ernment would bring a greater empha- lower house to present her defence and echoing here,” he told local television. ers amid the worst economic recession n algal bloom in Chile that to name Lula her chief of staff appeared sis on returning the recession-stricken the decision to hold a session on Friday “Political instability is growing.” in decades. has killed up to 20% of the designed to shelter him from prosecu- economy to growth and creating jobs. meant the clock has started on those, Rousseff ’s main coalition party, the But his appointment has been over- Acountry’s farmed salmon, tors’ charges of money laundering. “We have a long time before 2018 to even though the special impeachment fractious Brazilian Democratic Move- shadowed by taped telephone conver- causing higher prices globally, Lula’s appointment on Wednesday, turn around the fortunes of this coun- committee did not meet. ment Party (PMDB), has brought for- sations between Rousseff and Lula that has started to recede along with which sparked protests in several cit- try,” Lula said, referring to the next The case against her centres on alle- ward to March 29 a meeting of its execu- were released by a crusading anti-cor- fi sh deaths, the government said ies, means only the Supreme Court can presidential elections, for which he gations that Rousseff broke budget rules tive to decide whether to break with her ruption judge who said they showed the on Friday. investigate him, placing him beyond the has suggested he could be a candidate. to boost spending as she campaigned government and seek her impeachment. pair discussing how to interfere with his “What the scientists have told reach of a crusading judge heading Bra- “There will not be a coup.” for re-election in 2014. The PMDB’s leader, Vice President Petrobras probe. us is that the algae has diminished, zil’s biggest ever graft probe into cor- Pollster Datafolha estimated some Lula and Rousseff both deny any Michel Temer, would become Brazil’s The release of the recordings has in- and what we also have detected is ruption at state oil company Petrobras. 95,000 people took part in the Sao Pau- wrongdoing. acting president if the lower house fl amed tensions that were already run- that fi sh deaths have ceased,” said “It would be plausible to conclude lo demonstration. Tens of thousands Antonio Imbassahy, the leader of the votes to impeach Rousseff and the Sen- ning high between the judiciary and Jose Miguel Burgos, head of the that the appointment and subsequent more participated in pro-government opposition Social Democratic Party of ate agrees to start a trial. Many party government. government’s fi sheries body. swearing-in could constitute fraud of protests in Rio de Janeiro, while police Brazil (PSDB) in the lower house, said insiders expect it to back impeachment. “This was illegal,” Rousseff told a rally “Today we hope that we are the Constitution,” Mendes said in his said more than 5,000 joined a rally in the committee could present its fi nd- “The PMDB’s hurry is based on the on Friday. “Only the Supreme Court has within view of this declining and ruling. His decision to suspend Lula the capital Brasilia in front of Congress. ings by mid-April. will of the people,” a party leader, Wel- the authority to wiretap a president.” defi nitively ending.” More than 230,000 Colombian Cuban honour for Maduro children uprooted by war: UN Reuters Havana Reuters Government fi gures show nearly 45,000 chil- Bogota dren have been killed and 8,000 disappeared since 1985. uba honoured Venezuelan “No child in Colombia today knows what it is President Nicolas Maduro ore than 230,000 Colombian children like to live in a country at peace. It is time to turn Cwith its highest state hon- have been forced to fl ee their homes the page,” said De Bernardi. our on Friday in an act of defi ance Msince peace talks between the govern- Indigenous and Afro-Colombian children liv- two days before US President ment and rebels began three years ago, and chil- ing in confl ict areas, mainly concentrated in Co- Barack Obama is due for a his- dren will continue to be at risk even if a deal is lombia’s border areas and jungle provinces, have toric visit to Havana. reached, the UN has said. been particularly hard hit by the confl ict over the Cuban President Raul Castro The government and rebels from the Revo- decades, Unicef said. pinned the medal, known as the lutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Children are also at risk of being recruited, and Order of Jose Marti, on Maduro are inching ever closer to signing a peace deal in 1,000 children were used or recruited by illegal in a show a solidarity between Cuba, where talks began in late 2012. armed groups, including the FARC, in the last socialist allies that have stood to- If a peace accord is reached it would bring an three years, Unicef said. gether against the US since Ma- end to more than half a century of war and Latin The government estimates there are 2,000 duro’s predecessor, the late Hugo America’s longest-running insurgency. child soldiers in Farc ranks. Children are trained Chavez, came to power in 1999. “Even if the peace agreement were to be signed to fi ght, use grenades and to plant home-made Maduro paid repeated hom- tomorrow, children will continue to be at risk of landmines, while girls are used as sex slaves and age to Chavez and former Cu- all kinds of violations including recruitment, undergo forced abortions, according to human ban leader Fidel Castro, the landmines and sexual exploitation,” Roberto De rights groups. president’s brother, as well as Bernardi, Colombia representative for the UN In April 2015, the Farc reiterated its pledge to to the independence heroes of children’s agency (Unicef), said in a statement. release child combatants but did not say when or each country, Simon Bolivar and “Unless these children receive the material and where this would take place. Marti, names that serve as a ral- psychological assistance they need, the prospects “Releasing every child below the age of 18 from lying cry against interference of long-lasting peace will remain elusive,” he said. armed groups should not be contingent upon the from foreign powers. Peace talks and a unilateral ceasefi re declared outcome of the peace agreement,” Unicef said in “This strength of Marti, of a Cuba’s President Raul Castro hosts his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro at Havana’s Revolution by the FARC in July 2015 have led to a decline in the report. dignifi ed and steadfast Cuba that Palace. the number of children displaced and injured or In the last three years since peace talks began, stands tall, I will take with me to killed by landmines, Unicef said in its latest re- at least 180 children, mostly girls, were victims of the people of Venezuela in recog- viet Union by providing oil on for missions by Cuban doctors Despite major ongoing dif- port. But despite peace eff orts, an average of more sexual violence at the hands of warring factions, nition of their heroism,” Maduro favorable terms. Fidel Castro re- and nurses in the South Ameri- ferences, Obama and Raul than 6,000 children a month were uprooted from it said. said. signed in 2008, when his younger can country. Castro ended more than half their homes between 2013 and 2015, the report “Sexual violence is so prevalent in Colombia Chavez emulated and be- brother took over. When Obama arrives today, it a century of US-Cuban es- said. that it will most likely continue unabated even friended Fidel Castro, coming to Since Chavez died in 2013, Ma- will mark the fi rst visit to Cuba by a trangement in December 2014 Children account for one in every three of Co- after the peace agreement is signed,” the report the aid of a Cuban economy in duro has continued to aid Cuba US president in 88 years. Obama’s and restored diplomatic rela- lombia’s 7.8mn offi cially registered war victims. said. collapse after the fall of the So- with Venezuelan oil in exchange visit will last until Tuesday. tions last year. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 25 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Pakistani probe team’s India visit history-making: Daily

IANS and history-making”. later this month. two things. In administrative appear reluctant to announce a The editorial went on to say terrorism threat in the region can Islamabad The Pathankot air force base It noted that the Compre- terms, the foreign secretaries of date for the foreign secretaries’ that necessary and welcome as only be combated by joint action attack in India in early January hensive Bilateral Dialogue both India and Pakistan must meet to meeting, suggesting a link to prime ministerial interactions by Pakistan and India - and dia- was a grim episode that could countries so boldly agreed to late determine a schedule for meet- progress on the Pakistani side of are, they must go beyond tenta- logue alone off ers the opportu- rime Minister Nawaz have yet again derailed dialogue last year has all but stalled. the Pathankot investigation. tive ideas. nity to create a robust framework Sharif and his Indian between Pakistan and India, it “It is time for that process to “In political terms, Modi “In political terms, Modi and “When Modi and Sharif next for joint action against militancy Pcounterpart Narendra added. begin and, therefore, it is disap- and Sharif will need to Sharif will need to invest their meet, the emphasis must be on and terrorism. Modi should “invest their time The daily gave credit to the pointing that a meeting on the invest their time and time and capital in dialogue - substance. Regional hopes for “Yet, Pakistan needs to ac- and capital in dialogue”, said an governments of Modi and Sharif sidelines of a Saarc summit in capital in dialogue - both to both to ensure that it restarts peace could soon turn to a fa- knowledge the centrality of ter- infl uential daily which described that the “Pathankot attack did Nepal between Adviser on For- ensure that it restarts and, and, subsequently, to nudge bu- miliar disillusionment if the two rorism to India’s concerns about as history-making the imminent not cause the rupture that it eign Aff airs Sartaj Aziz and In- subsequently, to nudge reaucratic negotiations towards prime ministers reduce their its relationship with Pakistan. trip by a Pakistani investigation could have and both govern- dian Foreign Minister Sushma bureaucratic negotiations results. Thus far, both leaders meetings to desultory photo ops. The recent sharing of intelli- team to India. ments have kept the channels of Swaraj did not go far beyond talk towards results” have only demonstrated a will- “Perhaps what India needs to gence with the Indian national An editorial “Pakistan-India communication open”. of the Pathankot probe.” ingness to take risks in meeting recognise is that dialogue should security adviser by Pakistan was peace process” in the Dawn yes- Yet, nearly three months will The daily said that resump- ings of the various dialogue sub- each other - but not the will- not hinge on any single issue, es- a positive step. Faster action on terday said that the imminent have passed since the attack by tion of dialogue - or, technically, groups and determine how a fi rst ingness or confi dence to actu- pecially if that issue is a militant the Pathankot and Mumbai at- trip by a Pakistani investigation the time the Pakistani inves- the start of the Comprehensive round of talks will move ahead. ally move dialogue forward. That attack meant to derail dialogue.” tacks would send a stronger sig- team to India is “both necessary tigation team arrives in India Bilateral Dialogue - hinges on “So far, the two governments must change.” The daily stressed that the nal yet.”

WEATHER Eight killed due to rains, landslides in Kashmir

Taliban leader At least eight people were killed overnight due to rains and land- slides in Pakistani Kashmir, police said. A rockfall hit half a dozen of houses in Sarli Sacha Sharqi village last night, Dawn online quoted a resident as saying. A calls for unity boulder also destroyed a house killing all its residents, he said. The residents launched a rescue operation amid heavy rains. Civil and military off icials joined the rescuers and so far four bodies were recovered, a police off icial among rivals said. In Bagh district, four people were killed in two diff erent land- Agencies in Afghanistan’s eastern Ku- slide incidents. About 150 shops Kabul nar, Nuristan, Ghazni and Logar were also partially inundated after provinces. water level rose dangerously in The movement also has a po- Activists of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) shout slogans during a protest against the government’s the district. aliban leader Mullah litical party with members in decision to allow Pakistan’s former President Pervez Musharraf to leave the country, in Lahore. Akhtar Mohamed Man- parliament and government, REPATRIATION Tsoor is calling for unity and wields infl uence because of among rival factions, which the fearsome reputation of its Over 250,000 splintered when he was named founder and leader. Pakistanis return as successor to the movement’s Hekmatyar became a hero Musharraf’s name was removed late founder in July. to many Afghans while leading from abroad His statements, sent to me- mujahideen fi ghters against the dia late Friday, referred to a rival Soviet occupation of the country from exit list after court order A total of 251,624 Pakistani nation- group led by Mullah Mohamed in the 1980s. als were repatriated to the country Rasool as “brothers who grew Akhtar Mohamed Mansoor A former Afghan prime minis- from abroad during the tenure of upset over the past year.” ter, he took up arms against the Internews The minister said the gov- “It was PPP which had the present government, a media It said full eff ort must be made process, a rare positive for an new government in Kabul after Islamabad ernment could not stop the given red-carpet guard of report said yesterday. According to “placate, assuage and inte- initiative that has been fraught the 2001 US-sponsored toppling former president from pro- honour to Musharraf during to Interior Minister Chaudhry grate them back into the united with false starts and publicly of the Taliban’s hardline Islamist ceeding abroad on basis of its tenure while Sindh High Nisar Ali Khan, 45,008 Pakistanis fold of Islamic Emirate.” rejected by the main Taliban in- regime. akistan’s Federal Min- those cases which were being Court’s decision was also were brought to the country At least 200 militants were surgency. Hekmatyar left Afghanistan in ister for Information discussed, adding that reg- announced during PPP’s re- between June 1 and Dec 31, 2013, killed in fi ghting between the The announcement marked the mid-1990s and is believed to Pyesterday said former istering a new case against gime,” he said. 78,409 in 2014 and 116,165 last rival factions in Afghanistan last the fi rst success for the renewed be in Pakistan, although his ex- president Pervez Musharraf’s Musharraf was the only way to Meanwhile, Musharraf re- year, Dawn online reported. In the week, breaking a ceasefi re agreed eff ort, aided by the US, China act location is unknown. name was removed from the stop him. fused to assure the government past few months, 12,022 Pakistanis in January. and Pakistan, to end nearly 15 Small groups of Hizb-i-Islami Exit Control List (ECL) in light He added that if the govern- in black and white that he will were repatriated from all over the Taliban founder Mullah Mo- years of war in Afghanistan that have defected to Afghanistan’s of the verdict of the Supreme ment registered a new case it come back home after medi- world. According to off icial docu- hamed Omar died in 2013 but kills and maims hundreds of government in the past, but the Court. would be considered as revenge cal treatment abroad; however, ments, 120,393 persons were sent that news was kept secret for people each month. main leadership’s decision to The apex court upheld the or personal rivalry. he verbally promised that he back from Saudi Arabia, 38,097 more than two years, which Representatives of Hizb-i-Is- join formal peace talks marked a Sindh High Court’s (SHC) de- The minister said that Paki- would return. from Iran, 23,330 from the United caused suspicion and intrigue lami, an Islamist militant move- milestone for the process. cision on ECL and there was no stan People’s Party (PPP) was The government wanted a Arab Emirates, 5,400 from Britain, within the ranks and led to a ment of several hundred fi ghters The Taliban’s leadership, such example in history of the criticising and fi ghting its case written assurance from Mush- 358 from the US, 11,248 from power struggle between Man- led by Soviet-era Afghan war however, earlier this month re- country, he told a private news on the media rather than on arraf that he would return after Oman, 9,789 from Malaysia and soor and Rasool. hero Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, ap- jected an invitation to join direct channel. any proper forum. medical treatment. 6,976 from Greece during the two Mansoor’s latest message also peared at a press briefi ng with talks with the Afghan govern- and a half years. affi rmed that the Taliban are in a members of the High Peace ment in the Pakistani capital, better shape than ever - despite Council, which oversees the Islamabad. HONOUR the infi ghting - as the insurgents peace process. Though it is one of several Pakistan wins gain more territory throughout “Today we held our fi rst intra- armed anti-government fac- Corruption holding back Pakistan: Imran Afghanistan since they were Afghan dialogue in the presence tions and its own leadership is US award for ousted from power by a US mili- of High Peace Council leader- fractured, the Taliban are re- combating TB tary invasion in 2001. ship,” said Mohamed Ayoub Rafi q, sponsible for most of the attacks IANS “The Third World is the Arguing that prosperous He said his mujahideen fi ght- the council’s head of secretariat, in Afghanistan. Kolkata Third World because of cor- countries had the least corrup- ers won “great conquests in on March 17. “May God help us to The movement intensifi ed ruption. And corruption breeds tion, he referred to countries Pakistan received a rare pat on various provinces of the coun- progress on the path of peace.” its off ensive last year, the first when there is no political gov- like Switzerland and New Zea- the back in the US capital on try and this victorious process is The head of the Hizb-i-Islami in which Afghanistan’s armed erming corruption as a ernance. When governance is land. “These countries don’t Thursday night when it was still continuing.” delegation, Karim Amin, said he forces and police were fi ghting “tax on common peo- okay, then that ends corrup- have abundant resources, but declared the most successful The message contained no hoped other anti-government without Nato combat troops Tple”, Pakistan’s Tehreek- tion,” Imran told Bengali news because they have a clean gov- country in fighting multi-drug reference to peace talks being fi ghters would be inspired by the who withdrew at the end of 2014. e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said channel ABP Ananda. ernment, they are prosperous.” resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB). advocated by the Afghan, Paki- “selfl essness” of his movement In October, the Taliban cap- the malady has stood in the He said to usher in prosperity, “In contrast, look at Nigeria, Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani, who stani, US and Chinese govern- and join the process, although tured the northern provincial way of his country’s progress. corruption has to be booted out. Pakistan. We (Pakistan) have received the TB Champion Award ments, which the Taliban have there was no mention of the capital of Kunduz, the fi rst major “Corruption is a tax on ordi- “When corruption is booted plentiful of resources, we have 2016 on behalf of the country at previously refused to join. group surrendering arms yet. city to fall to the insurgents since nary people. Corruption makes out, then we get good govern- a vibrant population, but we a ceremony at the US Institute of Last week, a small but sig- Loosely allied with the Af- 2001. Afghan forces backed by the poor poorer, makes the rich ance, and it leads to prosperity. are held back by corruption. Peace, pointed out that Pakistan nifi cant militant faction joined ghan Taliban, Hizb-i-Islami US air power took back the city richer, it fi nishes merit system, If we are to usher in prosperity, We cannot move forward,” he had one of the highest treatment Afghanistan’s fl edgling peace fi ghters are believed to be active after a week of intense fi ghting. and destroys institutions. we have to boot out corruption.” said. success rates in the world. Red Cross sounds alarm on rising casualties in Afghanistan

Thomson Reuters Foundation vention in 2001, has been wag- of people cannot get immediate London ing a violent insurgency to try to medical treatment when neces- topple Afghanistan’s Western- sary,” he added. backed government and re-es- The most high profi le attack he humanitarian situa- tablish a fundamentalist Islamic was the US bombing of a hospital tion in Afghanistan is in regime. run by Medecins Sans Frontieres Ta “downward spiral”, the The number of civilian casu- in the northern city of Kunduz in head of the International Com- alties hit a record high for the October. mittee of the Red Cross (ICRC) seventh successive year in 2015, International humanitarian warned on Friday, as he sound- with over 11,000 non-combat- law obliges all warring parties ed the alarm on rising attacks ants killed or injured, according to protect medical missions, the against medical facilities. to UN data. ICRC said. “There are more displaced Increased ground fi ghting in Maurer noted that Afghans people, more war-wounded and and around populated areas, are the second largest group of more disabled people,” ICRC along with suicide and other refugees and migrants arriving president Peter Maurer said at attacks in major cities, caused in Europe behind Syrians. the end of a visit to Afghanistan many of the deaths and inju- “This shows that the chronic - the organisation’s largest op- ries. violence and insecurity, and eration. Maurer said a particularly the permanent unpredict- “Humanitarian concerns are worrying trend was the escala- ability of the war, has pushed growing, yet international at- tion in attacks against medical people beyond their limits,” he tention is dwindling. It seems facilities and staff which was added. that the more the Afghan people making it increasingly diffi cult In two tweets at the end his suff er, the less attention there is for civilians to access health- trip, Maurer wrote: “My conclu- on them.” care. sion after a week in Afghanistan: An estimated 1mn people are Such attacks have risen 50% this is not a forgotten confl ict, displaced within Afghanistan, in the last year, he said in a state- it’s an ignored confl ict. some having been uprooted ment. “It defi es human logic: the multiple times. “Every bombed out hospital more victims there are in Af- The Taliban, ousted from and every doctor or nurse who is ghanistan, the less attention power in a US-led military inter- forced to fl ee, means thousands there is on the country.” An Afghan policeman inspects old and defused mines in a field in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province. Gulf Times 26 Sunday, March 20, 2016 PHILIPPINES

German pact to aid US in deal on rotational forest protection

By James Konstantin Galvez presence at fi ve bases Manila Times Reuters Base north of Manila, Fort Mag- er. She said US Defence Secre- However, he stressed that it na Sea, one of the world’s busi- ters, Navy chief Admiral John Washington saysay in Palayan, Lumbia Air tary Ash Carter would visit the did not allow for permanent US est trade routes. US Assistant Richardson also expressed he Department of Envi- Base in Mindanao and Mactan- Philippines in April to discuss bases that existed for 94 years Secretary of State Daniel Russel concern that the Hague rul- ronment and Natural Re- Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu. implementation of the agree- until 1991, when the Philippine said Friday’s agreement came ing, which is expected in late Tsources (DENR) and the he US and the Philippines US Deputy Assistant Secre- ment. Senate voted to evict them. at an important time ahead of a May, could prompt Beijing to German government have signed announced a deal yester- tary of Defence Amy Searight US Ambassador to the Philip- “This isn’t a return to that ruling in a case the Philippines declare a South China Sea ex- an accord for a P200mn fi nancial Tday allowing for a rotat- said the deal was reached under pines Philip Goldberg told re- era. These are diff erent reasons has brought against China over clusion zone. grant to boost forest protection ing US military presence at fi ve a 2014 Enhanced Defence Co- porters movements of supplies and for 21st century issues, in- its South China Sea claims in the Searight said the Pentagon eff orts in Panay Island, one of Philippine bases under a secu- operation Agreement (Edca) and personnel to the base loca- cluding maritime security,” he International Court of Arbitra- had told the US Congress of its the largest islands in the Visayas rity agreement inked amid ris- that grants Washington in- tions would take place “very said, adding that all US deploy- tion in the Hague. intention to provide $50mn to region. ing tensions with China in the creased military presence in its soon.” ments would require Philippine On Thursday, the US Navy help build regional maritime German Ambassador Thomas South China Sea. former colony through rotation He described the agreement, approval. said it had seen activity around security. She said the Philip- Ossowski witnessed as GIZ Di- A joint statement after an an- of ships and aircraft for human- valid for an initial 10 years, as “a The US is keen to boost the a reef China seized from the pines would get “the lion’s rector and Principal Advisor on nual US-Philippines Strategic itarian and maritime security pretty big deal,” that would al- military capabilities of East Philippines nearly four years share” of the funds, which are Climate Programme Dr Bernd Dialogue listed the sites as An- operations. low for a greater US presence as Asian countries and its own re- ago that could be a precursor to expected to go towards im- Markus Liss signed, on behalf of tonio Bautista Air Base, close to Searight told the meeting part of the US rebalance to Asia gional presence in the face of more Chinese land reclamation proving radar and other South GIZ country director the contested Spratly Islands in Manila was a “critical US ally” and enhance the alliance with China’s assertive pursuit of ter- in the South China Sea. China Sea monitoring capa- Dr Andreas Kalk, the agree- the South China Sea, Basa Air and ties had never been strong- the Philippines. ritorial claims in the South Chi- In an interview with Reu- bilities. ment with DENR Secretary Ram- on Paje, of the Forest and Climate (FORCLIM) Protection Panay Phase II, to provide 4mn euros or roughly P200mn for the project. Harsh life “With the agreement, Panay Marcos says will not Island is assured that its forests and their biological diversi- ties are well protected during engage in mudslinging the next three years and nine months,” Paje said following the ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino Manila Times Parks and Wildlife Center in Cebu City Quezon City. Panay Island is the sixth larg- est island in the country and the enator Ferdinand “Bong- third largest in the Visayas, next bong” Marcos Jr yester- to Samar and Negros Islands. It Sday said that he will not is comprised of four provinces – be provoked to engage in mud- Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo. slinging, saying such acts will “We are deeply appreciative not help solve the country’s of the continuing assistance of problems. the German government to the In an interview over Cebu country, particularly the DENR, Catholic Television Network to ensure the protection of the (CCTN) here, the senator from remaining blocks of forests in Ilocos Norte said that instead Marcos: national interest the Panay Mountain Range, in- of reacting to the tirades of his cluding the varied biodiversity opponents, he will continue leaders can begin fulfi lling therein,” Paje added. to present his platform rather their duties to serve the peo- Germany has remained con- than destroy his political ri- ple. sistently involved in the coun- vals. The senator urged all po- try’s forest conservation eff orts “Will mudslinging create litical leaders to set aside their not only through GIZ but also one more job? Will insult- own interests and put the in- in other multilateral funding ing somebody else, trying to terest of the people fi rst. organisations like the Global put them down help feed a “Let us remind our leaders Environment Facility, which child? None of these things are that they must attend to the is a signifi cant contributor to useful, none of these things needs of the people who they foreign-assisted projects on for- achieve anything except more have sworn to serve. Their oath estry.Ambassador Ossowski said disunity, more polarisation,” is to help the people, to sacri- the project is another step in the he stressed. fi ce our own personal interest “excellent co-operation” be- “I would not be goaded or for that of the country, for that tween the two countries, adding somehow baited to be part of of the citizenry. And we seem that the Philippines has become the mudslinging or part of the to have forgotten it. Politics a “strategic partner of Germany insults that are going back and have put walls between and in biodiversity protection and forth. I just see that there is no among us. We quarrel non- climate change eff orts.” place because when I talk to stop that’s why we have no- He also described the coun- people, ordinary Filipino citi- where to go,” he said. try’s rich biodiversity as a “gar- zens, they don’t ask me about “We Filipinos are loving den of Eden, where one can re- what a bad person the other people. We have so much re- ally admire God’s creation and person is. What they ask me is spect to our elders, to our said it is worthwhile to protect.” what can you do to help me,” he neighbours. We lift our fi ngers The FORCLIM project seeks to added. to help each other. That is the conserve the last remaining larg- Marcos said attacks against Filipino culture we should er block of natural forest with Shantytowns dot the Philippine capital where many of the city’s poor are forced to reside. candidates will stop after the support and show to each oth- globally important biodiversity elections so that the elected er,” he said. on Panay Island. Palace cool on proposal Binay promises enhanced to ease bank secrecy law public health spending By Llanesca T Panti makers, of course, will wait for dress money laundering, con- Manila Times the specifi c recommendations,” sidering that even Switzerland, Manila Times the Yellow Card programme of Quezon said in a radio interview. a country that valued the privacy Manila Makati, he said. Under the Philippine Bank Se- of its bank account holders for The Yellow Card programme he Palace is not back- crecy law, bank account holders the longest time, is also mulling provides free maternal, child ing proposals to ease the have absolute right to secrecy as easing its bank secrecy laws by nited Nationalist Alli- and elderly care; free outpa- Tcountry’s bank secrecy to the details of their deposits in 2017. ance (UNA) standard tient consultations and medi- law despite the laundering in the Philippine peso. Bank account “So far, there is a good exam- Ubearer Vice President cines, and government-sub- country of $81mn stolen from details can only be revealed if ple here which is Switzerland. Jejomar C Binay said he will sidised hospitalisation, along the Bangladesh Central Bank. there is a written permission They are very strict in protect- raise public health spending with PhilHealth benefi ts. President Communications from the depositor; in cases of ing the account holders and their to at least 5% of the Gross Do- Salgado said the Yellow Card Undersecretary Manolo Quezon impeachment; upon order of deposits. If we are going to fol- mestic Product (GDP) in line programme, a key pillar of Bi- said that the recommendations a competent court in bribery low their stance, I’m sure our with recommendations from nay’s tenure as Makati mayor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipi- or dereliction of duty cases of lawmakers, the Department of the World Health Organisation and emulated by other local nas (BSP) on the easing of bank public offi cials or unexplained Finance, the Bureau of Internal (WHO). governments, shows that the secrecy laws have yet to be fi nal- wealth such as plunder; and in Revenue, the BSP will be study- “This will allow government vice president is the only can- ised with Philippine and foreign cases where the money is the ing this closely and we’ll learn to provide free medical treat- didate who has the experience authorities and the Senate has subject matter of litigation. something from their process- ment for serious illnesses that and track record in tackling the yet to fi nish its investigation of But if the deposits are in for- es,” Quezon pointed out. require prolonged hospitalisa- issue of healthcare. the fund heist. eign currency, the right of bank “I do think if there’s one real tion and often expensive treat- “Only Binay has a proven “The recommendations from account holders to secrecy is ab- concern, it would be the security ments. It also replicates Maka- track record of addressing the the Bangko Sentral are not very solute under the Philippine For- or safety of account holders and ti’s globally-recognised Yellow health concerns of the poor,” he specifi c at the moment. They eign Currency deposit law. bearing that in mind, I’m sure Card health programme that said. just mention that the rules Quezon, however, conceded there will be proper safeguards has signifi cantly reduced out- “No amount of black propa- should be stricter. The Aquino that the country’s bank secrecy for that,” the Palace offi cial of-pocket expenses for health- ganda can diminish the truth administration and our law- law should be amended to ad- added. care,” Joey Salgado, campaign that he has improved the lives communications director, said. of the people of Makati,” he These serious illnesses in- Jejomar Binay: assurance on public health added. CRIME clude leukaemia, early stage The Yellow Card programme Double murder suspect surrenders to police breast cancer, prostate cancer, Private out-of-pocket the conviction that no patient has been recognised by the UN- kidney transplant, heart disease spending accounted for should die because of poverty,” Habitat as one of the world’s One of the suspects in the killing of a mother and Barangay chairman Celso Dioko to the police fol- and cervical cancer. 56.3% of the total or some said Salgado. “In Makati, resi- best practices. her one-year-old child on March 2 surrendered lowing his surrender saying he was bothered by Data from the National Sta- P296.5bn. dents are cared for from birth to Salgado said a Binay admin- to authorities on Friday evening, Manila Times his conscience. Galo admitted participating in the tistical Co-ordination Board Meanwhile, each Filipino their senior years. This is what istration will expand the cov- reported. Laguna Provincial Director Senior Supt. crime saying they were hired by a man he called (NSCB) showed that Filipino spent P5,360 for health-re- VP Binay will replicate nation- erage and benefi ts under Phil- Ronnie Mondejar identified the suspect as Ramon- “Boss” to kill the victims for P60,000. Dioko said households still carry most lated expenses in 2013 — a wide,” he added. health. cito Galo, 25, tricycle driver from Barangay Cupang, Galo identified the “Boss” as Richard, the victim’s of the spending burden for 9.8% increase from P4,881 per To minimise health-related “We will extend Philhealth Muntinlupa City. Galo was one of the suspects husband who was earlier tagged as “person of healthcare, despite total spend- capita expenditure recorded in expenses shouldered by the coverage to include outpatient seen on CCTV footage fleeing the area before the interest” in the crime by the police. ing for healthcare increasing by 2012. people, a Binay administration services and free medicine, bodies of Pearly Sta. Ana and her one-year old son Galo claimed that Richard suspected his wife was 11.7% year on year to P526.3bn “Vice President Binay’s will implement nationwide a which is the major expense of Denzel were found. He was turned over by Cupang having an extra-marital affair. in 2013. health agenda is anchored on programme patterned after our countrymen,” he said. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 27 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Next Saarc secretary Prince Harry in Nepal to general from Pakistan visit quake-aff ected areas proposed Agencies said: “I hope she’s looking down IANS Kathmandu with tears in her eyes, being in- Pokhara, Nepal credibly proud of what we’ve established. ritain’s Prince Harry ar- “I hope that everything we do akistan, the incoming chair rived in Kathmandu yes- privately and offi cially, that it of Saarc, has proposed the Bterday at the start of a makes her proud. I think losing Pname of Pakistani dip- fi ve-day visit, which will see your mother at such a young age lomat Amjad Hussain B Sial as him tour areas hit by a deadly does end up shaping your life the next Saarc secretary general, earthquake in April last year. massively.’ offi cials have said. He was received by the min- Highlights of Harry’s Nepal The name was proposed dur- ister of state for local develop- trip will see the prince trek in ing the ongoing 37th Saarc Min- ment, Kunti Shahi, at the capi- the foothills of the Himalayas isterial Meeting in Pokhara, tal’s Tribhuvan International and spend a night with a Gurkha and circulated for endorsement Airport. family in their home. from the member-states and a The prince met with Prime And he will also be introduced ratifi cation is expected from the Minister K P Sharma Oli yesterday. to the home of the Brigade of ministerial meeting on Thursday. Today, he is to meet with Gurkhas, saluting the extraor- Sial, a career diplomat at the President Bidhya Devi Bhandari dinary bravery and commit- Pakistan foreign service, has been and visit areas in Kathmandu ment that Gurkhas have shown an ambassador to various coun- struck by the earthquake, which fi ghting alongside British forces tries. He will replace incumbent killed 8,800 people. for more than 200 years. Arjun Bahadur Thapa of Nepal Tomorrow, he is to travel to Before fl ying out to Nepal, who will retire in March 2017. Bardiya Wildlife Reserve in Harry met members of MapAc- Sial had served in the Saarc western Nepal, before head- tion, a humanitarian emergency Secretariat in Kathmandu as ing to Pokhara, where he will response organisation which director from 2003 to 2006. visit the villages of Gurkha helps co-ordinate relief eff orts Pakistan is also hosting the soldiers aff ected by last year’s in disaster areas. 19th Saarc Summit this year. The quake. Speaking about his fi rst vis- date and venue are, however, yet On Wednesday, he will join it to Nepal, he said: “I think, to be announced. the president in inaugurate hopefully, by doing this trip it The Saarc secretary general is the Nepal Girl Summit before will shine a spotlight back on usually picked according to the returning home. the issue, and people will real- English alphabetic order among It is the fi rst time in years that ise that there’s still a hell of a lot the member states. Their tenure a British royal family member needs to be done. is three years. has visited Nepal. Late Prin- “But everyone should know A standing committee meet- cess Diana, Harry’s mother, had the locals will do their very best ing at the foreign secretary-level visited the Himalayan nation to turn the country around, Britain’s Prince Harry, left, meeting with Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, at his off ice at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu yesterday. on Wednesday decided to host in 1993. given the opportunity.” the Saarc Summit in November The trip comes after Har- Following the earthquake, allowing the government to ments among political parties prince’s fi rst tour was the chance more we can encourage people to after every two years. ry revealed that he hopes his hundreds of thousands are spend billions of dollars pledged about who would head the to live and work with a unit of go - it’s that question of “Nepal Nepal’s foreign secretary mother Princess Diana is still homeless, living in tents by foreign donors on home agency. Gurkhas, men from Nepal famed is here now”. Shankar Das Bairagi said that “looking down with tears in and huts, and they faced the reconstruction. The prince left the army last for their fi ghting prowess. “Since World War I, World in 32 years of its history, Saarc her eyes” over her children’s harsh winter weather in Nepal’s But it has been criticised for summer after 10 years as an of- During his meeting with the War II - way before that - we’ve could host only 18 summits. achievements. mountain villages. delays to the new laws and the fi cer and had served two tours in MapAction team, Harry said: had the Nepalese army, the Gur- India also got the approval In an intimate interview with Last December, the Nepa- formation of a reconstruction Afghanistan. “Everyone that’s been to Ne- khas, helping us out, so the least of Nepal for a satellite for Saarc Good Morning America, he lese parliament approved laws authority because of disagree- One of the highlights of the pal says amazing things and the we can do is repay the favour.” during the meeting. This was al- ready approved by Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Saarc satellite will be used for meteorological purposes as well as communication. Two Bangladeshi workers India and Pakistan also gave the nod to Nepal’s proposal on sharing its experience and ex- pertise on community forestry abducted in Afghanistan management.

By Mizan Rahman spokesman Mahbubul Alam happened. My uncle and aunt 12 Indians arrested Dhaka Kabir said. are worried that he’ll never He said the gunmen later re- return ...” in Lanka for visa leased the Afghan citizen. Bangladeshi aid workers violations wo Bangladeshi devel- BRAC has been working working in the war-ravaged opment offi cials work- in Afghanistan since 2002. country have been attacked Twelve Indian nationals have Ting in Kunduz, Afghani- With around 400 offi ces in several times in the past. been arrested in Sri Lanka’s stan have been abducted, a Afghanistan’s 34 districts, In May 2012, militants Eastern Province for allegedly spokesman of the Bangladesh the NGO provides educa- stormed into a BRAC offi ce in abusing visa conditions. Rural Advancement Commit- tion, healthcare, training, Ghor province, shooting one The police arrested the 12 tee (BRAC), a non-govern- and development tools to offi cial dead. An engineer was Indian nationals, including mental organisation, said in the citizens of the war-hit killed and six offi cials abducted seven women, in Kattankudy in Dhaka. country. in December 2010. Batticaloa district as they were The victims were Haji A BRAC team from the capi- Another BRAC offi cial was engaged in business having Swakat, 50, an engineer, and tal Kabul was on its way to killed by unidentifi ed gun- arrived on tourist visas. Sirajul Islam Sumon, 37, an ac- Kunduz. men in September 2007. The police said the group was countant hailing from Pabna Meanwhile, Sumon’s fam- The same year, another of- engaged in the trade of medicinal district. ily has urged the Bangladesh fi cial named Nurul Islam drugs in several areas across the Unidentifi ed gunmen kid- authorities to take every step was released after being held country. Herbal oils and other herbal napped the three BRAC of- necessary to secure the release captive for 83 days. products were seized from the fi cials, including an Afghan of two men, his cousin Abdul In 2008, two offi cials were possession of the arrested Indians. national, while they were go- Khalek said. abducted from the Ghazni Those arrested were to be ing to Baghlan from Kunduz at “My cousin’s colleagues province but released after 10 produced before the Batticaloa Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seen coming out of the newly-commissioned warship in southeastern around 4pm local time, BRAC called us to tell us about what days. magistrate’s court yesterday. port city of Chittagong yesterday. Seven human traff ickers held Members of the Bangladesh’s elite Navy to induct two security force Rapid Action Battalion Bangladesh seeks (RAB) busted an international human traff icking gang and arrested seven of its members from diff erent parts of the country, a senior police off icial submarines: PM said in Dhaka yesterday. FBI’s help in central RAB said the arrested persons used to look for people seeking to go abroad By Mizan Rahman spect the members of the naval the tenures of the government,” in search of work. They would arrange Dhaka force who work hard and per- she said, adding that two more visit visas for Sudan and send the form their duties with integrity. corvettes are also being con- victims there to start their long ordeal, bank heist probe Hasina stressed the need for structed in China to strengthen according to a RAB press release. rime Minister Sheikh utilising huge sea resources like the navy’s capability. On arriving in Sudan, the gang Hasina yesterday said fi sh, mineral oil, natural gas “The responsibility to utilise members would snatch passports Reuters in the Philippines in one of tion said that an FBI team Ptwo submarines will be and other valuable resources huge maritime resources for of the victims. They beat them and Dhaka the largest cyber heists in was expected to visit the inducted into Bangladesh navy “which are very important for the economic uplift of a devel- made them to call their relatives back history. Criminal Investigation De- this year for the fi rst time, aim- Bangladesh’s national econo- oping country like Bangladesh at home for ransom. The traff ickers The central bank gover- partment (CID) of police in ing to transform it into a three- my and socio-economic devel- is bestowed upon the navy,” she would take the victims to Libya by angladesh has formal- nor resigned on Tuesday, as Dhaka today. The CID was dimensional force. opment of the country.” said. road and confine them there. They ly sought assistance details emerged in the Phil- also co-ordinating with The prime minister was ad- She termed commissioning Hasina said the role of Bang- used to extract money from the Bfrom the US Federal ippines that $30mn of the Interpol to track down the dressing the commissioning of the newly built warships as ladesh navy considering stra- families of the victims at diff erent Bureau of Investigation to money was delivered in cash perpetrators. ceremony of three new war- another step forward in attain- tegic and geographical location stages. track down the cyber crooks to a casino junket operator in “We are trying to fi nd out ships at the Bangladesh Naval ing capability of the navy. of the country is immense in “On many occasions, victims who stole $81mn from its Manila, while the rest went to what type of security there Academy in southeastern port Elaborating various measures protecting water boundary and would die on their way to Libya. central bank’s US account, two casinos. was, what safety measures city of Chittagong. taken for navy’s development, its resources. The traff ickers just threw the the interior minister said “We sought the FBI’s as- were taken, and how the She said the government she said the government, re- Mentioning the main focus bodies from vehicle and ran over yesterday. sistance when a group of thieves penetrated the fi re has undertaken programmes turning to power in 2009, for- of the entire world is on the them,” the release said quoting a Unknown hackers FBI met with me for inves- wall,” he said. to construct warships in the mulated the Forces Goal 2030. maritime resources due to re- victim. breached the computer sys- tigating the central bank The chief of Bangladesh country with own technology Besides, she said 18 state- source limitations on the plain Acting on a complaint lodged by tems of Bangladesh Bank in heist last month,” Inte- Nationalist Party, the largest in Chittagong dry dock. “Our of-the-art warships, includ- land, she said steps have been the family of one such victim, RAB early February and attempted rior Minister Asaduzzaman opposition party said yester- government wants to develop ing frigate, corvette and patrol taken to ensure the proper use on March 12, picked the seven to steal $951mn from its ac- Khan said. day that if elected they would the navy as a more powerful vessel as well as survey vessels of sea resources through blue gang members. After grilling them, count at the Federal Reserve An US embassy offi cial in ensure real autonomy for the force and will provide it with all and fl eet tanker and container economy policy. RAB gathered information on the Bank of New York, which Dhaka said Washington stood central bank. necessary support to this end.” vessels have already been in- Later, she witnessed a joint whereabouts of victim Somor Ali it uses for international ready to assist the govern- “There will be no inter- Referring to the country’s ducted into the navy fl eet. exercise of various warships of and with the information provided settlements. ment of Bangladesh in its ference or infl uence from huge sea area as the navy’s “Maritime helicopters and the navy, Special Force Swads by RAB, the Bangladesh embassy in Some attempted transfers investigation. the political party,” Kha- workplace, she said people will maritime patrol aircraft have also and the Naval Aviation on Benghazi, Libya, on Friday rescued were blocked, but $81mn A senior police offi cial leda Zia said at a party ever remember with deep re- been added to the navy during containing terrorism. the victim. was transferred to accounts involved in the investiga- conference. Gulf Times 28 Sunday, March 20, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Let us join hands to defeat Production Editor: C P Ravindran

P.O.Box 2888 the plot against the Mideast Doha, Qatar [email protected] The people of the Middle become a heap of destroyed states, of the population of Afghanistan and East for almost a century by losing Telephone 44350478 (news), East should not allow then to move the region’s people away 99% of the population of Iraq and their lives. Today, there is not even one 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) from religion and to create a Middle Yemen. place which has not been dominated Fax 44350474 themselves to become a East without Islam. Having been dominant in the by confl ict in the Middle East. pawn of the violence and On the other hand, there is a critical region since the 7th Century, Islam Marking its sixth year of civil war, fact that the people behind this plan has a major impact on all aspects Syria lost more than 250,000 people, confl icts engulfi ng the region have overlooked; the Middle East of daily life including politics, and while an entire nation has been has been identifi ed with religions, economics, law, culture, science, essentially wiped off the face of the By Harun Yahya particularly with the religion of Islam, arts and education. Everything in Earth, what remains is a devastated Istanbul for thousands of years. Religion in the Middle East is based on Islamic country where only the opposing GULF TIMES such a large area has been the only traditions and almost the entire forces fi ght to kill each other. element that brings about the most region is characterised by Islam. About 400,000 Libyans were he eff ective way of life in the region. It is a nightmare for the local displaced within the country due Middle In fact, the Middle East is the people to drift away from Islam. For to the ongoing confl icts since the East is homeland for religions, and it is that reason, it would be of no use to collapse of the Gaddafi regime in Libya Doha meeting is Ta land religion that has shaped the region for indoctrinate them to set their religion and the subsequent civil war; Yemen of civilisations the past several millennia. Therefore, aside because of economic or political is now completely divided because of that has long it would be an incomplete view to promises. Indeed, one of the most severe confl icts between Shia Houthis been a homeland for countless states acknowledge that the importance prominent characteristics of the and the government. and empires, and the birthplace of the of the region in the international people in the region is their devotion The sectarian confl icts in Iraq are a major initiative to responsible for more than 15,000 three monotheistic religions. It is one conjuncture accrues only from its to religion. of the most signifi cant regions in the geopolitical or geostrategic location, These people have lived faithfully deaths, among them many civilians. world; so to speak, the heart of the energy resources or political by their religions for many centuries It would be impossible to unleash world. characteristics. and maintained their faith under such a scourge upon the Middle East stabilise oil market The region has assumed a very even the most adverse conditions and only when the people in the region can important role in every period of Everything in the environments up to the present. It is put their confl icts aside and gather for history in political, strategic, social nothing but a pipe dream to envision peace and brotherhood. The global energy industry will have its eyes keenly and economic aspects and acted as a Middle East is based a Middle East without a religion, Recalling the fact that the unifying set on Qatar as the all-important meeting of major oil bridge in spreading and developing without Islam. element in the Middle East is cultures and belief systems. on Islamic traditions In other words, the notion of “a religion, the region should maintain producers takes place in Doha on April 17 in an eff ort With its geographical position Middle East without Islam” and its position as a part of the world to bolster prices, which have declined signifi cantly in uniting both East and West, the It should be always remembered that consequently “a world without Islam”, where all communities, including the past several months. Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, the region has been, in a manner of for which the shadow state forces have diff erent religions and sects, can freely Russia and the warm seas and its speaking, the embodiment of the three been striving for years, are a part of articulate their beliefs; each group Qatar, which holds the rotating presidency of the strategic resources such as oil, gas, great divine religions in the world. an amateurish plan, unrealistic and should defend their beliefs and above Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is diamonds, gold and uranium, the The Middle East, literally acting as impossible to reach. all, respect what is diff erent from what hosting the upcoming talks between Opec member Middle East has great importance a “geography of religions”, has been In addition to the diff erent they believe. and been the primary target for those blended with religions in such a way characterisations of the geography Everyone should unite under the states and other major oil producers to stabilise the shadowy forces in pursuit of world that it is possible to see the refl ection of the Middle East, it is necessary to belief in the Oneness of God and market. domination throughout history. of this characterisation in every say that there have been many people prevent the destruction of the region. The gathering, which will build on earlier talks that It is a well-known that by means of country in the region. sharing a common history and culture The matter of urgency for the terrorist acts, psychological warfare The Middle East is the region where as well as a common fate. salvation of the Middle East is to build included major suppliers such as Russia and Saudi strategies, illegal organisations Christianity, which forms the basis The failure or success of these plans a community based on brotherhood, Arabia, seems to refl ect a growing sense of urgency and illegal political, economic and of Western civilisation, was born of destruction, which were built many friendship, tolerance and compassion, among producers to try to shore up crude prices military activities, such forces have and spread to the world. In addition years ago and are attempted to be put which are the values ordered by all of been striving for dividing the lands to Christianity, Judaism is also a into practice today, depends upon the the true religions. following a steep drop that is straining their domestic of the Middle East, taking control monotheistic religion born in the strengthening of this commonality. Beyond question, a community of budgets. of the region by destroying the local Middle East, accounting for 4% of the The people of the Middle East love based on religion underlies the HE the Minister of Energy and Industry, Dr elements and thus accessing the total population of the region. should not be provoked by foreign power and the strength of the Middle resources in the region freely and And of course, Islam is the forces and should not allow East. Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, the current president having a voice in the region. dominant religion in the countries themselves to become a pawn of of the Opec Conference, said some 15 oil-producing The shadow state forces also across the region. For instance, 95% of the violence and confl icts engulfi ng zHarun Yahya has authored more than nations, accounting for 73% of the world output have plan to divide the region into the the population of Qatar is Muslim and the region; they must endeavour to 300 books on politics, religion and smallest units possible, weakening 99% of the population of Saudi Arabia overcome the snares laid for them. science, translated in 73 languages. He agreed to take part. and destabilising the region, to force is Muslim. Furthermore, Muslims are Millions of people have paid for may be followed at @Harun_Yahya and He said, “The continuous eff orts of the Qatari the region to lose its integrity and to 99.5% of the population of Iran, 99.7% the ongoing oppression in the Middle www.harunyahya.com government have been instrumental in promoting dialogue among all oil producers to support the Doha initiative, helping the stabilisation of the oil market to the interest of all.” Last month, at a Clearly, the meeting in Doha the energy ministers current crude from Russia and Opec prices are highly members Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Venezuela unsustainable had pledged to cap their output levels if others do the same in an eff ort to bolster oil prices. Oil prices plunged to below $30 a barrel - their lowest point in more than a decade - earlier this year, extending a slide from $100 plus a barrel, which began in 2014. But prices have edged higher in recent weeks, with the US benchmark crude breaking above $40 a barrel on March 17 for the fi rst time this year, extending a rally that has seen prices rebound 53% from their lowest level in more than a decade. The recent oil rally is also driven by the announcement on the mid-April Doha meeting, which is expected to draw a plan to support the global oil market. The slump has already caused panic in some countries that are heavily dependent on oil exports, leading them to slash many public sector jobs and Nothing ‘virtual’ about climate impact of e-mails search for new sources of revenue. Qatar, as the president of Organisation of Petroleum By Marlowe Hood social network chatter to streaming he said, a percentage that holds for are sent each year, generating the same AFP/Paris movies on smartphones - has slipped many developed countries. greenhouse gas emissions as 3mn cars Exporting Countries, has been co-ordinating with largely unnoticed under the climate To see the big picture, it helps to using 7.5bn litres of petrol. Opec and non-Opec oil producers to gather more change radar. break it down. And the next time you look on support for the Doha initiative. ven as people the world over In isolation, these discrete units of Sending fi ve dozen of those four- Google for “cats that look like Hitler” symbolically dimmed lights our virtual existence seem weightless gramme e-mails in a day from your (536,000 hits), remember this: a web Clearly, the current crude prices are highly to fi ght global warming and without cost. smartphone or laptop, for example, is search on an energy-effi cient laptop unsustainable. This is evident by the unprecedented Eyesterday, many joined A short e-mail, for example, is the equivalent of driving an average- leaves a footprint of 0.2 grammes of drop in investment in the oil industry, which has e-mail and social network campaigns estimated to add about four grammes size car a kilometre. CO2e. that invisibly contributed to climate of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) into the The culprits are greenhouse gases On that clunky desktop, that fi gure indeed started to impact oil production worldwide, change. atmosphere. produced in running the computer, goes up to 4.5 grammes. showing a decline that is likely to continue. The 10th edition of Earth Hour, server and routers, but also include Even no-frills SMS text messages organised by the WWF and backed by “Electricity those emitted when the equipment - like the tiniest of atoms - are not Global oil and gas investments are expected to fall to other NGOs to raise awareness about was manufactured. without mass, weighing in at about their lowest in six years to $522bn in 2016, following the threat of climate change, saw consumption related Add a one-megabyte (MB) 0.014 grammes of CO2e. a 22% fall to $595bn in 2015, according to the Oslo- landmark monuments - from the Eiff el attachment - a photo or invitation, And e-readers are not necessarily Tower to the Empire State building to to the growth of say - and the energy consumed would more eco-friendly than old-fashioned based consultancy Rystad Energy. Taipei 101 in Taiwan - going dark at be enough to power a low-wattage books. 8:30pm local time. digital technologies is lightbulb for two hours. It takes about a kilo of CO2e to make Individuals were also encouraged If that e-mail is sent to a mailing an airport paperback, but at least 200 to participate and adjust lifestyles exploding” list, multiply by the number of times as much to manufacturer an To Advertise to trim their carbon footprints, recipients. e-reader. thus incrementally reducing the By comparison, humanity emits E-mail tips for the energy- That means you would need to read [email protected] greenhouse gas emissions that drive some 40bns tonnes of CO2 every conscious include avoiding no less than 70 books a year for three Display global warming. year. unnecessary recipients, slimming the years on a digital device to be “carbon Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Biking or car-pooling to work, But as the digital era deepens, weight of attachments, emptying your neutral” compared to a book. eating less meat, turning down the accumulated volume of virtual trash box. The WWF has “urged its Classified the thermostat a notch in winter, messages has become a signifi cant Even not being too verbose is supporters to take a stand for climate Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 becoming an “eco-responsible” part of humanity’s carbon footprint. helpful - the carbon counter is action” by massively using Facebook consumer - these are some of the “Electricity consumption related running as someone reads your long- and Twitter. Subscription many ways folks can make a small to the growth of digital technologies winded missive about that trip to “Social media knows no physical [email protected] diff erence, especially in rich countries is exploding,” notes Alain Anglade of Disney World. boundaries and neither does climate with higher per-capita CO2 emissions. the French Environment and Energy And then there’s spam, a byword for change,” said Siddarth Das, executive At the same time, however, a parallel Management Agency. unsolicited advertising. director of the Earth Hour initiative. 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved realm of carbon-polluting activity In France it already accounts for Anti-virus software maker McAfee But it does have a cost, he might - ranging from e-mail exchanges to more than 10% of total electricity use, estimated that upward of 60tn spams add. Gulf Times Sunday, March 20, 2016 29 COMMENT Where happiness is serious business

Happiness entails and sound economic policy to our new approaches to services and a commitment to helping people, but whether we are making service delivery. our people happy. Of course, the latter We are also developing others, as well as taking requires delivering the former; but it benchmarks and assessment tools, responsibility for your own also means going beyond statistics, to in order to formulate and monitor comprehend that we are all individuals measurable performance indicators decision to proceed with our own hopes, fears, and for happiness. constructively and aspirations. Alongside our eff orts to place Happiness is serious business in the the quest for happiness at the core optimistically UAE, where attention to it permeates of the national agenda, we need to everything we do in government, encourage the private sector to join By Ohood al-Roumi including eff orts to encourage private- us. In one of the world’s most diverse Dubai sector companies to place a value on it labor markets – the UAE is home in their everyday operations. It entails to people representing up to 200 formulating national strategies, nationalities – we must ensure that, ’m delighted to join in the programmes, and policies to increase beyond maintaining appropriate celebration of this year’s happiness and then measuring our legislative and regulatory frameworks, International Day of Happiness. achievements on an ongoing basis. our country’s entrepreneurs act on the IBut, to be honest, my focus is on But what exactly is this indicator basis of enlightened self-interest. the other 364 days of the year. After we are calling happiness? It is neither Just as GDP is not the only all, I am in the happiness business. a transitory moment of delight nor benchmark to defi ne a country’s There have been a number of a constant condition. It is a state success, profi t alone cannot defi ne a initiatives and eff orts around the of being beyond satisfaction, a company’s success. In our connected world to move beyond GDP and fl ourishing and ambient joy. and social world, where opinion, news data on schools or hospital beds in Happiness is knowing that you and information travel at the speed measuring a country’s success in and your family are safe; that there of light, happiness is a competitive governance and development. is opportunity open to you and your advantage; indeed, it is central to a In a country that has spent the past children; and that you can depend company’s brand. fi ve decades building an economy on a high degree of care, dignity and We live in a tough neighbourhood. from a standing start, the government fairness in your society. Happiness is The Middle East is usually not in which I serve knows only too well not something that is bestowed from associated with happiness; at times, that such fi gures, while showing that on high; we all must work to achieve it. the bad news from our region seems our development is progressing, do But, as I see it, our role in government to drown out the good. And yet we are not tell the whole story – or anything is to create an environment that all bound by the desire to see ourselves like it. enables happiness and a positive and our loved ones thrive and be the In 2011, the UN called on member attitude toward life to fl ourish. best we can be. states to place more emphasis on Setbacks or frustrations in one’s That spirit is within us all, and by happiness and well-being when life do not necessarily imply a loss of celebrating it and strengthening it, working to achieve and measure social happiness, which depends on how you we can aspire to off er peace, security, and economic development. Since – and others who are helping you – go tolerance, positivity and respect. then, many countries have come to about overcoming obstacles. We can work together to create an realise that placing happiness at the Happiness thus entails a environment where people can truly heart of their governance objectives commitment to helping others, as well Ohood al-Roumi: happiness can’t be mandated, demanded, or enforced; it must be encouraged and nurtured. fl ourish and aspire to fulfi l their makes perfect sense. as taking responsibility for your own human potential. We can all be part Here in the UAE, we have decision to proceed constructively and positivity. Happiness is something seeking constructive outcomes. It is place and a clear set of tasks ahead of a community brought together recognised, as others are recognising, optimistically. I take personally and believe in experienced at both the individual and of us. by the desire to share the quality of that we need benchmarks for In my 10 years working in passionately. collective levels. We have defi ned guidelines for happiness.- Project Syndicate governance that truly express what we government, I have personally Happiness can’t be mandated, So how are we going about it in shaping policy across government, mean by success. encountered no situation that demanded, or enforced. It must be the UAE? It is still early days – my and we have started to create zOhood al-Roumi is minister of state The question we ask is not whether could not be handled with a smile, a encouraged and nurtured. It requires post is just over a month old. But structures for co-ordinating among for happiness of the United Arab we are providing adequate services little consideration, and a touch of a change of mindset, with a focus on we already have a 100-day plan in government entities and for defi ning Emirates. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY The need for New real estate bill As per the bill, developers will have starting or completing the project. High: 29 C to deposit a minimum 70% of funds A large number of non-resident Low : 21 C Relatively hot daytime with slight a mosque will protect NRIs collected from investors into a separate Indians (NRIs) working in Qatar and dust and scattered clouds escrow account to meet construction other GCC countries have been their Dear Sir, Dear Sir, costs. And they have to sell on carpet victims. The new bill will safeguard basis not on built-up area. their investments and rights. MONDAY A report in Gulf Times recently Passage of the new Real Estate Bill Many unscrupulous builders High: 30 C about the opening of new mosques by Indian parliament is a welcome simply used to vanish after collecting Ramesh G Jethwani Low: 24 C by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic step, especially since opposition money from buyers without even (Address supplied) M Sunny Aff airs spurred me write this letter. and ruling parties have been at Being a resident of West Bay, I loggerheads, stalling many important notice that a big mosque has been bills. Support to this bill by all political Please send us your letters TUESDAY under construction in the Diplomatic parties across the table is a step in the High: 27 C Area behind the French embassy for right direction. It had been hanging By e-mail Low: 21 C P Cloudy some time now. The structure has fi re since 2009. [email protected] been there for more than three years The Real Estate (Regulation and but we don’t seem to see any progress. Development) Bill, 2013, is designed Fax 44350474 The area has no mosques in its to protect consumer interest, ensure Or Post Fishermen’s forecast Letters to the Editor vicinity. A number of people reside in effi ciency in all property-related OFFSHORE DOHA the towers in the area and they do need transactions, improve accountability Gulf Times Wind: NW-SW 03-10 KT a mosque close by. of developers, boost transparency and P O Box 2888 Waves:1-3 Feet We shall be grateful if the Ministry attract more investments to the sector. Doha, Qatar INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW-NE 03-12 KT of Awqaf and Islamic Aff airs can do It will now be diffi cult for promoters Waves: 1-2/3 Feet something about this. It would greatly and builders to delay projects, with the All letters, which are subject to editing, should have the name of benefi t people living in the area. bill giving relief to home-buyers and the writer, address and phone number. The writer’s name and Around the region proposing imprisonment of up to three address may be withheld by request. Weather Weather Azad Chalikuzhi years besides monetary penalties for today Max/min tomorrow Max/min (Address supplied) any violation of rules. Abu Dhabi M Sunny 28/18 M Sunny 33/23 Baghdad Cloudy 29/13 Sunny 26/12 Dubai Sunny 27/19 M Sunny 29/22 Kuwait City Sunny 26/21 P Cloudy 29/19 Manama Sunny 24/21 M Sunny 28/22 Muscat M Sunny 31/24 M Sunny 32/25 Riyadh Sunny 30/18 Cloudy 33/17 Live issues Tehran S Showers 18/10 M Sunny 16/11 Have we lost the personal touch?

By Barton Goldsmith communication has become less if there’s an unsettled issue, being Tribune News Service personal. polite can only help. It may not be so important in the Also, when I answer the phone, I grand scheme of things, but are we use my name. I don’t just say hello hen I was a kid, my even losing the habit of using each (unless it’s an obvious marketing call dad brought home a other’s names? or message). telephone-answering Communicating by text or e-mail It’s precisely because things in Wdevice. He was such a will suffi ce in most situations, but our world have become so much cutting-edge guy. Back in the pre- if you want to give your message more complicated that we need to digital days, this machine would lift some emotional impact, please use keep the personal touch alive in our the handle of the phone, so it could the other person’s name in your communications. It puts people at connect and record the message. communication. ease and shows you are fully present It was about the size of a big and willing to talk about whatever is telephone book, and all the neighbours It’s not easy to be on the table. Around the world came over to see it. In face-to-face conversations, Weather Weather We kids couldn’t touch it, so we mean to someone saying someone’s name once or twice today Max/min tomorrow Max/min waited until dad got home to listen to is great - especially at the beginning Athens Sunny 19/11 M Sunny 19/13 who called today. It was fun for a little and or end of a conversation - but Beirut Rain 17/14 S Showers 18/13 who is being kind Sunny 34/27 while, and then we got used to it, and don’t overdo it. Bangkok 34/27 Sunny Berlin Showers 07/03 Cloudy 08/04 then more technology entered our and cordial There are other ways to make Cairo P Cloudy 24/11 Sunny 24/11 lives. Some of it made life easier, some conversations more personal, and you Cape Town P Cloudy 21/14 P Cloudy 23/14 of it made life more complicated, but The person on the receiving end can always ask what someone else Colombo P Cloudy 33/26 P Cloudy 33/26 that’s progress. may not notice it on a conscious level, prefers when it comes to both verbal Dhaka S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 34/24 Hong Kong Showers 20/17 Showers 19/16 Ultimately, this progress has helped but it does have an impact. Instead of and written communication. That Istanbul P Cloudy 10/06 Sunny 14/08 save lives and kept people closer. seeing what you sent as just another way, you know exactly how to make Jakarta S T Storms 32/26 T Storms 32/25 I can remember sitting at home text, the recipient may get in touch the other person feel heard. Karachi Sunny 33/18 Sunny 34/21 waiting for phone calls before answering with his or her feelings toward you and London Cloudy 11/03 M Cloudy 12/03 M Sunny Sunny 34/23 machines changed our lives and we respond appropriately. zDr Barton Goldsmith, a Manila 35/23 Moscow P Cloudy -1/-10 M Cloudy 0/-10 all became more mobile by checking I do try to use people’s names in all psychotherapist in Westlake Village, New Delhi Sunny 34/19 Sunny 32/17 messages from our pagers on payphones of my correspondence, and it helps me California, is the author of The Happy New York P Cloudy 06/02 P Cloudy 10/01 (remember either one of those?). focus my attention on that person. I Couple: How to Make Happiness a Paris M Cloudy 10/05 M Cloudy 11/04 Life and communication has think it also makes my communication Habit One Little Loving Thing at a Sao Paulo M Sunny 30/17 Sunny 32/18 Seoul M Sunny 17/02 Sunny 16/02 changed drastically since then, and clearer as well as more polite. People Time. Follow his daily insights on Singapore S T Storms 34/27 S T Storms 33/27 although getting in touch with others generally respond positively to niceness. Twitter at @BartonGoldsmith, or Sydney Rain 20/16 Showers 20/15 is much easier and more effi cient It’s not easy to be mean to someone e-mail him at Tokyo Clear 16/11 Clear 13/06 than it used to be, in some ways our who is being kind and cordial, so even [email protected] Gulf Times 30 Sunday, March 20, 2016 QATAR QNL digitises over half a million pages from archives

The health of our civilisa- resources and archives contained are tion, the depth of our aware- widely accessed by users from across “ness about the underpinnings the GCC, Europe, the UK and US. of our culture and our concern for By providing high-quality diversi- the future can all be tested by how fi ed online databases free of charge, well we support our libraries,” famed QNL supports QF’s vision of unlock- Lights were switched off at Katara and some neighbouring buildings for an hour yesterday evening to mark Earth Hour. PICTURE: T K Nasar astronomer and author Carl Sagan ing human potential. QNL grants once said. researchers and academics direct ac- The axiom exemplifi es the foun- cess to a wealth of knowledge across dation on which Qatar National Li- a variety of mediums. brary (QNL), a non-profi t organi- “The advantage of QNL’s combined sation under the umbrella of Qatar system is that it is able to cater to the Foundation for Education, Science varying needs of the general public. and Community Development (QF), Anyone making use of QNL’s resourc- bases its entire ethos. es will be able to fi nd both basic and The digital era has signifi cantly scientifi c material on various topics Katara switches off challenged the traditional defi nition of interest at their fi ngertips. There of a library and its role in the society. is a thirst for knowledge in Qatar and Organisations within the informa- this is evident from the wide variety tion services sector have had to un- of resources being acquired,” said Dr dergo major transitions to fully adapt Claudia Lux, QNL’s project director. to the ever-changing digital land- Qatar is set to become the fi rst scape. Part of the transformation has country in the Middle East and North meant a shift to integrated library Africa region to host the Metropoli- systems that grant users digital open tan Libraries (MetLib) conference. to mark Earth Hour access to information. The MetLib 2016 conference will “Metropolitan libraries all over be held in Doha from April 23 to 28. ights were turned off from tional programme for conservation relations and communications at Kah- He said a number of hotels and tour- the world handle the same issues of The annual platform is organised 8.30pm to 9.30pm yesterday as and energy efficiency (Tarsheed), ramaa, said the organisation was trying ism agencies in the country took part in technology change and globalisa- by the MetLib section of the Inter- La number of public and private said in a statement yesterday that the to spread awareness on the need to save the initiative yesterday. tion. They need to serve a multicul- national Federation of Library Asso- organisations observed Earth Hour in gesture to turn off lights and electri- energy and rationalisate consumption The ministry of economy and com- tural society so that they adapt and ciations and Institutions, the lead- Qatar. cal appliances for an hour in many of among individuals. merce, too, participated in the Earth cater to a variety of needs,” said Saadi ing international body representing Iconic landmarks across the world the country’s government buildings, While highlighting the necessity for Hour celebrations by switching off al-Said, QNL’s director for adminis- library and information services and observe Earth Hour, the global climate hotels and other establishments re- changes in one’s lifestyle over the years, lights at its building from 8.30pm to tration and planning. their users. change awareness campaign, every flected Qatar’s wholehearted com- the Tarsheed campaign also looks for- 9.30pm yesterday. In its eff orts to adapt to the digital The conference in Doha will be held year. mitment to the campaign and was an ward to achieving more sustainabil- Tariq Abdul Aziz al-Sada, senior PR explosion and rapid advancements under the overarching theme, ‘Pearls Qatar General Electricity and Water expression of solidarity with the glo- ity in the country in line with the goals and communications director at the in technology, QNL has undertaken in the desert: unleashing potential’. Corporation (Kahramaa) led the Earth bal initiative. and objectives of Qatar National Vision MEC, said: “The celebrations refl ect its “most innovative and successful Participants will explore human po- Hour celebrations at Katara yester- The corporation had joined hands 2030, said the offi cial. Qatar’s commitment to rationalise the project to date”. Offi cially launched tential, focusing on areas of growth day evening. All lights across diff erent with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Meanwhile, QTA director of PR and use of its energy resources and reduc- in 2014, the Qatar Digital Library and development for both metropoli- buildings and the amphitheatre at the and United Development Company for communications Faisal bin Ahmed al- tion in the consumption of electricity. has partnered with British Library to tan library patrons and librarians. cultural village were turned off for an its campaign, ‘Gift Earth One Hour’, to Mohannadi hailed the participation of It also helps create awareness about the digitise over half a million pages of For registration and more in- hour to mark the occasion. observe Earth Hour this year. both the public and private sectors in need for protecting the environment archival material. formation, one can visit www. Kahramaa, which pilots the na- Abdulla al-Jassim, director of public the Earth Hour celebrations. and natural reserves.” The extensive collection of digital metlib2016qatar.org Georgia looks forward to more Qatar visitors

By Ramesh Mathew really cold, Georgia receives tour- some of our well-known stage artistes, Staff Reporter ists all through the year, according to and an art exhibition held under the tourist department information. In aegis of the Georgian Arts and Culture winter, the country gets visitors for Centre drew a number of visitors,” the eorgia is poised to receive a large the Christmas and New Year celebra- offi cial noted. number of travellers from Gulf tions. Chogovadze also had a word of Gcountries, particularly Qatar, a The senior offi cial said in view of the praise for his country’s envoy to Doha, senior Georgian offi cial has said. expected growth in tourist numbers to Ekaterine Meiring, who he said has Speaking a group of 16 travel pro- Georgia, eff orts are on to develop fur- been instrumental in making Geor- fessionals who arrived in the Georgian ther facilities at the airport in Tbilisi, gia and its tourist and cultural venues capital Tbilisi from Qatar a few days where works worth millions of dollars more popular among the residents of ago, George Chogovadze, head of the have been carried out over the past Qatar. Georgian National Tourism Admin- three years. Compared to the previous Replying to a query from Gulf Times, istration, said the Eurasian country year, there was a nearly 11% growth in Chogovadze said while Georgia’s to- expected a growth in the number of the number of tourists to Georgia in tal population is 4.5mn, the country tourist visitors from the Gulf region on 2015, it is learnt. received more than 2.5mn visitors in account of the visa-on-arrival facility The offi cial felt there was little 2015. available for GCC residents. awareness about his country among Chogovadze said, that in addition to The local tour operators had gone Gulf residents until a few years ago. “I being home to several leisure, archaeo- there on a joint invitation from the feel that even now, many Gulf residents logical and heritage spots, his country Georgian National Tourism Adminis- have the idea that Georgia is quite far also has “excellent facilities for health tration and a GCC-based airline. from the Gulf region even though the education”. Georgia has a very low crime rate and journey time between Tbilisi and most “A large number of students from this makes it a favoured destination for of the GCC states is only 3-3.5 hours,” the Gulf region, India and Far-East tourists, many of whom are repeating said Chogovadze. are pursuing studies at our universi- their tours to the country, Chogovadze Qatar, he said, is special to Georgia ties, mainly Tbilisi State University, said while interacting with the tour as it is the only GCC country to have which off ers some of the best-known operators in Old Tbilisi. an embassy in Georgia. Also, Qatar is academic programmes in medicine,” He said the availability of rooms and home to one of only three Georgian he said. other facilities at competitive rates, as embassies in the Gulf region (the oth- The medical education programmes compared to several other countries in ers are in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait). at Tbilisi are attractive “both on ac- the region, would help Georgia attract Chogovadze also recalled that events count of their aff ordability and good more tourists from the Gulf states. held at Katara - the Cultural Village, ratings at the international level”. Rooms at standard hotels are avail- featuring artistes and other cultural The standard of communicative able from $60-70 (including break- professionals from Georgia, received a English in Georgia is also good and fast) in Tbilisi. With the exception of good response from this country’s res- most youths are well-versed in the December and January, when it gets idents. “The cultural festival, featuring language.

George Chogovadze with the travel professionals from Qatar in Old Tbilisi.

Gulf Times 32 Sunday, March 20, 2016 QATAR

Mall of Qatar to off er live entertainment

Seminar set to esidents of Qa- In addition to proprietary tar can expect top- shows, other producer or ven- Rnotch entertainment dors will use the stage for show- ‘MOQLIVE’with live concerts, ing their own content. This entertainment and mall activi- can be on the stage lift, a car ties, covering 52 weeks of pro- presentation, a fashion show, discuss national gramming at the Mall of Qatar. kids amusement or similar. For This will reinforce the mall’s these events, the stage ring can status as the fi rst live entertain- be entered by the audience by ment destination premiering using the bridges and railings. the world’s fi rst resident troupe By using the LED screens in the in a mall. down position, football games identity amid This unique free entertain- or any other video content can ment concept, brought to life be shown. The audience can by a cast and crew of more than stand or sit within one of the 50 international theatre profes- numerous casual dining restau- sionals, will be mall-wide with rants and cafes around the pond seven main shows performing Oasis Pool and the stage view. watching same content on each globalisation within the heart of the mall at of the four curved LED screens. the Oasis. cial eff ects and animated water of professional costume tai- Rony Mourani, general man- nder the patronage of HE Hotel, and is organised by the Dr al-Mulla, said that the sec- The Oasis is covered by an features. The shows have been lors, lighting designers, stage ager, MOQ said: “Mall of Qatar the Prime Minister and Qatar Heritage and Identity ond edition of the seminar high- impressive 6,000 sq m glassed custom developed by theatrical managers, sound technicians, and Premium Projects are de- UInterior Minister Sheikh Centre, and sponsored by Voda- lights national identity as key dome of 30 metre height that is productions experts, Premium scenery carpenters and make- veloping a unique entertain- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa fone Qatar. element in any community in to- carried by four giant steel trees. Projects, based in Germany. up artists who will work behind ment package which has never al-Thani, Qatar’s Second Na- The details of the seminar day’s era of globalisation and the The focal point of the Oasis is Nearly 1,000 performers the scenes day by day to deliver been presented in a mall before. tional Identity Seminar will kick were announced at a joint press rapid changes and developments a 15 metre diametre 360-degree have been cast from around the a theatrical experience. Dur- All shows and acts are custom- off tomorrow with the theme, conference addressed by Dr that communities witness. rotating stage with a central hy- world to fi nd the best perform- ing the performances, up to 25 designed for Mall of Qatar to ‘The role of educational insti- Khalid Youssef al-Mulla, execu- Al-Yami said: “Vodafone Qa- draulic lift, theatrical sound and ers and hand-picked talent for dancers, singers, actors and ac- ensure a unique signature ex- tutions in promoting National tive director of Qatar Heritage tar is seeking to revive and pro- lighting, high wire rigging, spe- the shows. The crew comprises robats can be seen live on stage. perience.” Identity.’ and Identity Centre, and Mo- mote the Qatari heritage, which The two-day seminar will be hamed al-Yami, director of Ex- will contribute to strengthen- held at Sharq Village and Spa ternal Aff airs at Vodafone Qatar. ing the concepts and values of our national identity. Since its establishment, Vodafone Qatar has aimed to strengthen Qatari Conference ends with sponsors award ceremony values and traditions and instil a sense of belonging and citizen- ship.” mpower 2016, a youth conference organised by Reach out to The seminar will witness a Asia (Rota) concluded yesterday with a sponsors award cer- number of local and internation- Eemony. al prominent speakers. The sec- Rota, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and ond National Identity Seminar Community Development (QF), gave participants an opportunity to focuses on the present period tour some of QF’s partner universities on the fi nal day. and the future. It discusses how Students benefi ted from the opportunity to practise the knowl- national educational institu- edge and skills they have acquired over the course of the three-day tions can guard the Qatari iden- conference. tity and whether foreign schools Participants also visited Qatar Business Incubation Centre have a negative impact on Arabic (QBIC), Qatar Scientifi c Club (QSC), and participated in a set of ac- language and on national iden- tivities facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme tity. (UNDP) at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Student Cen- The seminar also compares tre. Essam Heggy, planetary scientist, member of the Esa-Nasa Qatari education experiment Rosetta mission facilitated the “Introduction to formulating Space and its role in promoting iden- Mission” workshop on the second day of Empower 2016. One of the sessions of Empower 2016 . tity with other nations in the re- He said: “What’s important is the fact that Empower takes place gion. Following the overwhelm- annually – it sends out a message that empowering youth is and Empower 2016, now in its eighth year, drew to a close with a ing success of the fi rst edition, must be a continuous eff ort. It is imperative that we keep youth highly anticipated Sponsors Award ceremony and closing cer- the second seminar marks the motivated and engaged. It makes me really happy to see how en- emony, which included a number of entertaining cultural per- great responsibility to help in thusiastic the participants are and how they want to use science and formances. Empower 2016 was sponsored by Qatar Char- achieving the Qatar National technology to do something amazing for their countries - they have ity, the Qatar Financial Centre and the Qatar National Convention Mohamed al-Yami and Dr Khalid al-Mulla at the press conference. Vision 2030. a great sense of responsibility.” Centre.