BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 12 Lawrie Commercial Bank posts stays in QR1.46bn net INDEX hunt for DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2 – 14, 34 – 36 COMMENT 32, 33 profi t in 2015 REGION 14 BUSINESS 1 – 9, 13 – 20 Qatar 16,173.64 8,979.50 32.34 ARAB WORLD 15 CLASSIFIED 10 – 13 +6.41 +230.88 +0.89 INTERNATIONAL 16 – 31 SPORTS 1 – 12 +0.04% +2.64% +2.83% treble Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXVI No. 9981 January 28, 2016 Rabia II 18, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Emir reshuffl e s Cabinet The Emiri Order No 1 of 2016 amends the formation of the Council of Ministers QATAR | Weather Strong wind and poor H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday visibility likely today Hordered a Cabinet reshuffl e in Strong wind and poor visibility which he named a new foreign minister. due to dust have been forecast all The new foreign minister was named over Qatar today. The maximum as HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrah- temperature of 21C is expected at man al-Thani. Mesaieed, Wakrah and in Doha, HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Atti- followed by 20C at Al Khor, 18C yah, the outgoing foreign minister, will at Dukhan and Abu Samra, and become minister of state for defence 17C at Ruwais. The minimum aff airs. The Emir holds the post of de- temperature of 13C is forecast at fence minister. Mesaieed and Wakrah, followed Al-Attiyah had been Qatar’s foreign HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa by 14C at Al Khor, Dukhan and minister since 2013 and was recently al-Thani with the newly-appointed ministers after the oath-taking ceremony yesterday. Abu Samra, and 15C in Doha and heavily involved in international ne- at Ruwais. gotiations on the Syrian war. He had awarded the new position of minister zHE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-At- zHE Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti as tended by HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh worked within that department since for administrative development and la- tiyah as Minister of State for Defence Minister of Transport and Communi- Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE 2011. bour and social aff airs. Aff airs and member of the Council of cations, the Prime Minister and Interior Min- REGION | Survey Sheikh Mohamed is a senior offi cial He replaces Labour Minister HE Ab- Ministers, zHE Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Ru- ister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Top ranking for Qatar who was previously in charge of inter- dullah Saleh Mubarak al-Khulaifi at zHE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrah- maihi as Minister of Municipality and Khalifa al-Thani. national co-operation in the Foreign one of the country’s most high-profi le man al-Thani as Foreign Minister, Environment, Also yesterday, HH the Emir issued in Transparency Index Ministry. Cabinet posts. zHE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al- zHE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari as the Emiri Order No 2 of 2016, appoint- Qatar has been ranked first In total, seven changes to the Cabinet HH the Emir issued the Emiri Order Ali as Minister of Culture and Sports, Minister of Public Health. ing HE Major General Hamad bin Ali among Gulf and Arab countries were announced as several ministries, No 1 of 2016, amending the formation zHE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi The new ministers took the oath al-Attiyah as adviser to HH the Emir for on Transparency International’s including the labour, were merged. of the Council of Ministers. as Minister of Administrative Develop- before the Emir at the Emiri Diwan. Defence Aff airs, with the rank of prime (TI), Corruption Perception HE Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi was The Emiri Order appointed: ment, Labour and Social Aff airs, The oath-taking ceremony was at- minister. Page 11 Index (CPI) 2015. Qatar has made significant progress and has been ranked 22 among the Concerns allayed Emir begins offi cial visit to Italy 168 countries on the 2015 index, about falling oil prices rising 4 places in the CPI ranking Steps planned to reduce queues HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim compared to the previous year. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin bin Hamad al-Thani arrived Page 12 Hamad al-Thani has reaffirmed the in Rome yesterday on an at HIA emigration counters significance of diversifying the off icial visit to Italy. The Emir sources of income in light of the fall in was received at Ciampino he entities concerned are “As a team, among the airport, oil prices, noting that price volatility is Military Airport by a group “trying to resolve the issue” Ministry of Interior and other enti- normal and that there is no room for of senior Italian off icials; Tof long queues of passengers ties, we are trying to resolve this is- fear or panic. Qatar’s ambassador to at Hamad International Airport’s sue,” al-Baker said. Chairing the Cabinet meeting at Italy, Abdulaziz bin Ahmad emigration counters, said Qatar Air- Mostly inbound passengers, the Emiri Diwan yesterday, the Emir al-Malki; Italian ambassador ways group chief executive Akbar al- currently face signifi cant de- stressed the need to redouble efforts to Qatar, Guido De Sanctis; Baker. lays in emigration clearance at so as to achieve the future goals and and a number of heads “Staff shortage is the reason for the Hamad International Airport. plans that he mentioned in his address of diplomatic missions this,” al-Baker said yesterday. Page 12 before the Advisory Council. Page 10 accredited to Italy. Page 6 Gulf Times 2 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, accompanied by other dignitaries, inspects a parade presented by the cadets of the Ahmed bin Mohamed Military College yesterday. Emir attends Ahmed bin Mohamed Military College graduation event

QNA the military parade. this batch of Qatari cadets. Doha HH the Emir honoured the The batch, including 89 ca- outstanding batch of graduates. dets, will be distributed among The 11th batch then handed the Armed Forces, the Police, H the Emir Sheikh over the fl ag to the 12th batch. the Internal Security Forces Tamim bin Hamad al- An order for promotions was (Lekhwiya), The Emiri Guard HThani presided over the read out and the graduates took and the State Security, in addi- graduation ceremony of the 11th the oath. tion to other nationals from the batch of offi cer candidates at United Arab Emirates, Kuwait Ahmed bin Mohamed Military The Ahmed bin Mohamed and Libya, al-Nuaimi said. College yesterday. Military College received Al-Nuaimi added that un- The ceremony was attended for the fi rst time students der the vision of HH the Emir by HE the Prime Minister and from Jordan and Tunisia to for this college to be a meeting Interior Minister Sheikh Abdul- join the 15th batch place and a source of estab- lah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- lishing friendly relations with Thani, ministers, ranking army The Commander of the others states, it received for the offi cers and commanders of the Ahmed Bin Mohamed Military fi rst time students from Jor- military colleges of other coun- College, Major General Hamad dan and Tunisia to join the 15th tries. Ahmed al-Nuaimi, delivered an batch. Upon Emir’s arrival on the address in which he expressed After the graduation ceremo- podium the band played the na- gratitude to the Emir for pre- ny, the Emir opened the Water- tional anthem. Then the Emir siding over the graduation cer- sports Complex of the College. reviewed the parade presented emony of the 11th batch of the The complex includes the by the graduates. collage. latest equipment according to The ceremony began with Major General al-Nuaimi international standards for vari- recitation of the Holy Qur’an congratulated the Emir on the ous water sports, treatment and before the graduates performed occasion of the graduation of rehabilitation therapy. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visiting the Watersports Complex at the Ahmed bin Mohamed Military College yesterday.

Gulf Times 6 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR

Qatar calls for end to Israel’s illegal practices Emir arrives in Rome HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim atar has urged the ian law, and to reject all sentative to the UN Sheikha Sheikha Alia was speak- of the continued suff ering bin Hamad UN Security Coun- practices and illegal actions Alia Ahmed bin Saif al- ing at a meeting of the UN of Syrian civilians as the al-Thani being Qcil to compel Israel carried out by the Israeli Thani, who emphasised the Security Council on the international community is received at to respect provisions of the occupation authorities. country has spared no ef- “Situation in the Middle unable to alleviate this suf- Ciampino international law and the The call was made by fort in achieving peace and East, including the Pales- fering and stop war crimes Military Airport international humanitar- Qatar’s Permanent Repre- stability in the region. tine Question”. against humanity commit- in Rome In the fulfi lment of its ted by the Syrian regime yesterday. The humanitarian commit- and its militias. Emir is on an ments, Qatar has so far car- She pointed to the Secu- off icial visit ried out $230mn projects rity Council’s Decision No to the Italian for Gaza’s reconstruction, 2254 which calls for tak- Republic. the envoy said. ing all appropriate steps to Sheikha Alia said the Is- protect civilians and allow raeli violations in the Pal- safe arrival of humanitari- estinian territories were an agencies and relief aid to continuing, including uni- all people in need in Syria. lateral measures, settle- The Qatari representa- ments, the siege imposed tive also called for releasing on the Gaza Strip, access detainees, the immediate restrictions to the holy cessation of attacks against places in Jerusalem and civilians, and the full im- other violations that are plementation of the Coun- contrary to the UN resolu- cil’s decisions concerning tions and the provisions of humanitarian situation in the international law. Syria. None of those de- She added that Israel’s mands have been imple- continued violations with- mented, which calls for the out taking into account the consideration of additional consequences of the esca- measures in accordance lation of tension and the with paragraph 6 of resolu- undermining of a peaceful tion 2258, she added. solution to the Arab-Israeli Qatar confi rmed its par- confl ict is a worrying issue. ticipation with a high-level The Security Council will delegation in the “Sup- be able to fulfi l its responsi- porting Syria and the Re- bility for peace in the Middle gion Conference”, which East if Israel end its occupa- will take place in London in tion of all Arab territories, February. Qatar’s representative said. She highlighted Qatar’s She also called on the support to international Security Council to work eff orts to establish peace eff ectively to achieve tan- and stability in the Middle gible progress in the peace East based on legal and in- process. ternational terms of refer- Sheikha Alia also warned ence.

Woqod service centre in Simaisma

Qatar Fuel (Woqod) has about 13,200m, and has opened its 33rd service three lanes. The station station in Simaisma will offer round-the-clock under the patronage services including a Sidra of chairman Sheikh convenience store, Kenar Saoud bin Abdulrahman shops, auto wash and al-Thani. Woqod CEO repair, and sale of LPG Ibrahim Jaham al-Kuwari cylinders. “The service inaugurated the new station at Simaisma is the outlet. The petrol station second to be opened in is spread over an area of 2016,” stated al-Kuwari.

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR

Jeep Cherokee models recalled for faulty AC pipes

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with United Cars Almana, dealer HBKU hosts leading expert of Jeep vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Jeep Cherokee 2015 models over a defect in the air condition pipes. The Ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing eff orts in Qatari constitutional law to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on amad Bin Khalifa Uni- insights into various aspects of daily practice. Dr al-Sayed learning out of the classroom vehicles’ defects and repair them. versity (HBKU), a mem- Qatar’s legal landscape held at also fi elded questions from the and have the opportunity to The Ministry will co-ordinate with Hber of Qatar Foundation, the HBKU Law School facilities. students. hear from people with a range the dealer to follow up on the welcomed Dr Hassan Abdul- The event is likely to become a An expert on constitutional of experience and viewpoints maintenance and repair works rahim al-Buhashim al-Sayed, regular series. law, Dr al-Sayed studied at Ku- that may diff er from their and communicate with customers as part of an HBKU Law School Dr al-Sayed discussed the wait University and the Univer- professors.” to ensure that the necessary initiative that gives its students history and establishment of the sity of Jordan before completing Prof Clinton W Francis, repairs are carried out. the opportunity to hear from Permanent Constitution of the his PhD at the University of East founding dean of the HBKU Law The Ministry has urged all leading scholars and practition- State of Qatar during the event. Anglia in the UK. School, commented: “We are customers to report any ers in the legal system of Qatar As an expert on constitutional Dr al-Sayed returned to Qatar extremely fortunate that Dr al- violations to its Consumer and the region. law and a legal practitioner, Dr to practise law and provide legal Sayed took time out of his busy Protection and Anti- A highly respected judge who al-Sayed not only presented education. He served as dean of schedule to join us at HBKU. Commercial Fraud Department sits on the Qatar International the students with his in-depth the university’s College of Law He is a highly experienced and through the following channels: Court and an associate profes- knowledge of the constitution from 2007 to 2010. He has also well-regarded legal expert here Hotline: 16001, em-ail: info@ sor in Constitutional Law at itself, but also provided the served as vice president of the in Qatar, and I am sure our mec.gov.qa, Twitter: @MEC_ Qatar University, Dr al-Sayed students with a unique under- Qatari Bar Association. students greatly appreciated Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, shared his fi rst-hand experi- standing of how legal profes- Dr al-Sayed said, “I believe his willingness to share his in- MEC mobile app for Android ence of practising law in Qatar sionals in Qatar currently work that it is important that stu- depth knowledge of Qatari law and IOS: MEC_Qatar Dr Hassan Abdulrahim al-Buhashim al-Sayed at the event and gave valuable with the constitution in their dents sometimes take their with them.”

Increase in cases of injuries sustained from heating systems

ith a rise in pa- to physically remove them- tients seeking selves from the scalding Wtreatment for in- liquid’s path, and because juries sustained from heat- their skin is much thinner ing systems, the Hamad In- and more sensitive to high jury Prevention Programme temperatures,” he said. (HIPP) has shared tips that The HIPP has asked peo- can help residents to stay ple to purchase an electrical safe while keeping warm or space heater that is ‘UL’ during the winter season. certifi ed, or its equivalent. “With the persistent cold It is also recommended weather, some residents of that electrical heaters must Qatar have used additional be plugged directly into means to stay warmer at a wall outlet as they are home and at bath time. Un- high-power devices. Plug- fortunately, we have been ging them into an extension seeing a rise in the number cord, especially those with of patients with injuries multiple outlets, can lead to due to accidents with their an overload of the electrical heating system. These in- system. This can cause the clude scald injuries, elec- fuse to blow, or overheat- trical or contact burns, and ing and melting of devices even serious fl ame burns or wiring, which can in turn from house fi res,” said Dr lead to a house fi re. Rafael Consunji, director, According to HIPP, heat- HIPP, the community out- ers must be positioned far reach arm of the Hamad away from combustible Trauma Centre. materials such as curtains, Dr Consunji said that tablecloths, blankets and electrical burns and fi res are beddings. At least a 3ft or more likely to happen with 1m distance is recommend- the incorrect use of electri- ed. Moreover, children cal appliances for heating, should be taught to avoid while scald burns most of- space heaters as they can be ten happen when bathing a signifi cant source of heat or cooking with hot liq- to cause contact burns. uids. “Most victims of scald Users must ensure that burns are very young or eld- automatic timers on the erly, because they are unable heaters are working.

Off icials of Video Home & Electronic Centre, Bosch, Actron, and LG at the event. Video Home holds meeting with system integrators

ideo Home & Elec- people counting systems tronic Centre, one of worldwide. The latest of- Vthe leading players ferings from the company in retailing and distribu- were showcased. tion of consumer electron- Bosch’s range of CCTV ics and home appliances, cameras was on show. Intelli- held a meeting with leading gent dynamic noise reduction, system integrators in Qatar. tracking of moving objects and Jumbo Electromech Engi- video analysis were among the neering, which caters to the technical specialties. growing mechanical, electrical LG showcased its Su- and plumbing (MEP) needs in per IPS panels for signage the country, is Video Home’s solutions that provides a total MEP solutions provider. wide viewing angle, mini- Video Home showcased mises image distortion on products and services from pressure, and no blacken- brands including Bosch, ing eff ect in direct sunlight. Actron, and LG. With the LG also showcased some latter two it has exclusive industry leading screens. distributorship while for Also showcased was a Bosch it is the platinum market fi rst 98” screen with partner with service back- an aspect ratio of 58:9 capa- up in Qatar. ble of playing four diff erent Executives from the two pictures side by side on the companies made presen- same screen, a video wall tations about their latest with a bezel of less than 2mm product off erings and the and transparent screens. benefi ts their products of- Jumbo Security Equip- fered over conventional ment and Service, is a Min- and existing systems. istry of Interior (MoI) - Se- Actron, based in Slov- curity Systems Department enia, is well-known for approved company for CCTV parking management and trading and installation. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 9 QATAR

Community College of Qatar launches new courses in Information Technology

The Community College of which consists of two Market research and extensive accreditation standards such additional elective and major (AS) degree in Information positions as Information Security Qatar (CCQ) has announced the concentrations in Cyber and interaction with the external as ABET and went through an courses in IT. Technology will prepare students Analyst, Network Security launch of its new associate and Network Security and Network business community have extensive review by a team of The final two years build upon the for entry level employment in Support Specialist, Security bachelor degree programmes in and Systems Administration, emphasised the need for international experts. knowledge acquired in the first the IT field. After completing year Auditor, Ethical Hacker and other Information Technology. were developed by the CCQ in IT graduates in Qatar and The first two years of the two years while focusing more two of the programme, students related careers in Cyber and The courses are specifically collaboration with the Supreme specifically expertise in programme is designed to on applied technical knowledge will be required to do a summer Network Security. tailored to the industry in Qatar Education Council, Qatar cyber security and network provide the student with broad and skills specifically in Cyber and internship/practical training More information could be and aligned with international University, the College of the administration. academic knowledge through the Network Security, and Network course. The Cyber and Network had from Dana Abualsaud at standards and requirements. North Atlantic-Qatar and many The new degrees are designed core educational requirements. and Systems Administration. Security concentration will 5054-8132 or e-mail at dana. The 2 + 2 degree programme, local stakeholders. in accordance with international In addition, students will take The Associate of Science prepare students for entry level [email protected] QU programme focuses on safe work place environments atar University on “Qatar University’s Envi- productivity, and therefore (QU) Health Clinic ronment, Health and Safety on an organisation’s suc- A QRC booth at the training session. Qorganised and host- Guidelines” and “Health and cess,” Hashad said. ed a training course recent- Safety Management of Haz- Vallenius said QU has ly to promote health and ardous Materials and Waste”. been consistent in up- safety awareness of risk An exhibition on the holding international best materials and waste. sidelines featured infor- practices and standards of Themed “Prevention mation booths by QU En- workplace health and safe- is better than cure”, the vironment, Health and ty and that the course is an course was organised in Safety Offi ce and Qatar Red example to its commitment conjunction with the Oc- Crescent (QRC). Attendees in this regard. cupational Health and were provided with infor- “It is an opportunity to Safety Department (OHSD) mation on QU’s hazardous collaborate in knowledge- at Hamad Medical Corpo- waste disposal procedures, sharing with its partners in ration (HMC), and aimed and QRC’s health and safe- engaging the community to raise community aware- ty services, as well as a brief on important issues such as ness on health and safety session on fi rst aid. this,” she added. processes, and facilitate the Health Clinic head Dr Dote said: “Hazardous creation of safe workplace Hafsa Hashad noted that materials and waste in the environments. it highlighted QU’s core workplace require sound Course participants in- role in raising awareness management to ensure cluded over 180 students, on various issues related smooth organisational op- Health Clinic doctors and to health and well-being in erations. Workers who are QU faculty and staff . The Qatar. in the frontline of activi- programme agenda included “Our aim is to ensure the ties involving such types of presentations delivered by best standards of health and waste are to be made aware QU environmental health safety systems in the work- of chemical hazards and as- offi cer Laura Vallenius and place that can have a signifi - sociated risks that jeopardise HMC safety instructor Leo cant and positive impact on their health, and adversely Dote. They addressed topics overall health, welfare and impact productivity.” Gulf Times 10 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani presiding over the Cabinet meeting yesterday. Right: HH the Emir addressing the Cabinet ministers. Emir allays concerns over falling oil prices H the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has reaffi rmed the signifi cance of diversifying the sources of income in light of the fall in oil prices, not- ing that price volatility is normal and that there is no room for fear or panic, but what is needed is to take advantage of past lessons and deal with the Hcurrent situation. Chairing the Cabinet meeting at the Emiri Diwan yesterday, the Emir stressed the need to redouble eff orts so as to achieve the future goals and plans that he mentioned in his address before the Advisory Council, highlighting the mutual trust between citizens and offi cials and the importance of enhancing it. “Citizens’ trust is the most leap in the country has led to important gain,” he said. some slack in some sectors, At the outset, the Emir which, he said, is no longer welcomed the ministers, acceptable. “Mistakes are particularly the new ones, natural and our offi cials are saying the meeting provides known for their integrity and an opportunity to discuss transparency, but I stress conditions in general as well that fi nancial and adminis- as the plans that were previ- trative corruption, which is ously agreed upon with the more dangerous as it causes Cabinet and in line with Qa- sagging in institutions, can- tar National Vision 2030. not be tolerated.” The Emir said he had ear- lier spoken of the impor- “Your responsibility tance of diversifying income in light of the falling sources and that there is an oil prices is bigger, but improvement in some sec- serving the citizens and tors but the State aspires for their lifestyle should more. not be aff ected by this He added that the State situation” is moving ahead with the execution of its ambitious The Emir added that there projects and plans. are challenges in some in- “Your responsibility in frastructure, education and light of the falling oil prices health projects as well as is bigger, but serving the some other areas. Express- citizens and their lifestyle ing confi dence that those in should not be aff ected by this charge of these sectors will situation,” the Emir said ad- work to overcome them, he dressing the ministers. called on everyone to co-op- The Emir said that obsta- erate with them. cles hindering investment Additionally, the Emir said must be removed. Highlight- focus in the coming years ing the importance of the will be on strengthening the single window system and domestic sector, not only the need to eradicate hurdles in the economy and secu- faced by domestic and for- rity spheres but also in other eign investors, the Emir said fi elds such as education and complaints in this regard health as well as promoting must be addressed in a time- military capacity and de- bound manner. veloping the Qatari Armed The Emir stressed the Forces. need to focus on projects HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh that the State is committed Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani to, noting that the economic attended the meeting. Emiri Decisions issued on organisational structure of ministries

QNA structure of the Ministry of Doha Culture and Sports. 5. Emiri Decision No 8 of 2016 on the organisational H the Emir Sheikh structure of the Ministry of Tamim bin Hamad Transport and Communica- Hal-Thani yesterday tions. issued the following Emiri 6. Emiri Decision No 9 of Decisions: 2016 on the organisational 1. Emiri Decision No 4 of structure of the Ministry of 2016 amending some provi- Education and Higher Edu- sions of the Emiri Decision cation. No 16 of 2014 setting the 7. Emiri Decision No 10 of competencies of the minis- 2016 on the organisational tries. structure of the Ministry of 2. Emiri Decision No 5 of Health. 2016 on the organisational 8. Emiri Decision No 11 of structure of the Ministry of 2016 organising the Hamad Municipality and Environ- Medical Corporation and de- ment. fi ning its terms of reference. 3. Emiri Decision No 6 of 9. Emiri Decision No 12 of 2016 on the organisational 2016 organising the Primary structure of the Ministry of Health Care Corporation Administrative Develop- (PHCC). ment, Labour and Social Af- The Decisions shall be ef- fairs. fective starting from their date 4. Emiri Decision No 7 of of issuance and shall be pub- 2016 on the organisational lished in the Offi cial Gazette. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 11 QATAR New ministers take oath before Emir

QNA mad al-Thani and HE the Prime Nasser al-Ali as Minister of Cul- Doha Minister and Interior Minister ture and Sports. Emir appoints Adviser Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin O HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al- for Defence Aff airs Khalifa al-Thani. Nuaimi as Minister of Admin- he new ministers appoint- The Emiri Order No 1 of 2016, istrative Development, Labour HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim ed by the Emiri Order No amending the formation of the and Social Aff airs. bin Hamad al-Thani issued T1 of 2016 issued yesterday Council of Ministers appointed: O HE Jassim Seif Ahmed al- yesterday the Emiri Order No to amend the formation of the O HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Sulaiti as Minister of Transport 2 of 2016, appointing HE Major Cabinet, took the oath before al-Attiyah as Minister of State and Communications. General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin for Defence Aff airs and member O HE Mohamed bin Abdullah as adviser to HH the Emir for Hamad al-Thani at the Emiri Di- of the Council of Ministers. al-Rumaihi as Minister of Mu- Defence Aff airs, with the rank of wan. O HE Sheikh Mohamed bin nicipality and Environment. Prime Minister. The oath-taking ceremony Abdulrahman al-Thani as For- O HE Dr Hanan Mohamed The Emiri Order is eff ective was attended by HH the Deputy eign Minister. al-Kuwari as Minister of Public from the date of its issue. HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, the new Minister of Public Health, takes oath before HH the Emir Sheikh Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Ha- O HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Health. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Emiri Diwan yesterday.

NEW CABINET AND APPOINTMENTS

HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser HE Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah HE Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud bin Khalifa al-ThanI Adviser to HH the Emir for Defence Aff airs, with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani Prime Minister and Interior Minister Prime Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Foreign Minister

HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah HE Dr Mohamed bin Minister of State for Defence Aff airs and member of the Saleh al-Sada HE Ali Sherif al-Emadi HE Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali Council of Ministers Minister of Energy and Industry Minister of Finance Minister of Culture and Sports

HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari HE Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari HE Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani Minister of Public Health Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Aff airs Minister of Transport and Communications Minister of Economy and Commerce

HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi HE Mohamed Abdul Wahed HE Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi Minister of Administrative Development, Labour HE Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi HE Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit Ali al-Hammadi Minister of Justice and Social Aff airs Minister of Municipality and Environment Minister of Development Planning and Statistics Minister of Education and Higher Education Gulf Times 12 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR Qatar keeps high GTCI ranking

atar has maintained A strong banking sector, high its high ranking in the quality in ICT and telecom QMiddle East and North services, multiple infrastruc- Africa (Mena) region in the ture projects and the 2022 FIFA Global Talent Competitive- World Cup Qatar continue to ness Index (GTCI) 2015-16 re- attract talent to the nation,” leased by the INSEAD business according to Bruno Lanvin, ex- school. ecutive director of global indi- HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the president of Qatar Olympic Committee receiving the expedition team at the entrance of the Rayyan Castle. Qatar ranked number 24 out ces at INSEAD, and co-editor of 109 countries, gaining one of the report. spot over its position on the World-class universities index last year, GTCI said. have set up base in Qatar, at- In comparison, the UAE was tracting students from the ranked 23 (against 22 in 2014), world over, many who choose Saudi Arabia 42 (32) and Ku- to stay and continue to add to wait 51. the wealth of human capital, Qatar also has of one of the he said. best standards of living as the “Temporary economic mo- Group that trekked quality of lifestyle ranking rose bility of highly skilled people from 26 in 2014 to number two may initially be seen as a loss in 2015. for their country of origin, The sustainability rank- countries have to understand ing for retaining talent gained that this translates into a net on the index, rising from 41 in gain when they return home, 2014 to 26 in 2015. The regu- he added. latory, market and business Lanvin also said the GCC through the Empty landscape was also conducive (Gulf Co-operation Council) to attracting talent, rising from countries have benefi ted from a ranking of 12 in 2014 to fi ve in talent arriving from across the 2015. world and by building world- Qatar ranked number one class universities to develop in the world in labour market local human capital. fl exibility and in attracting The skills that an expat gains international students. Its tax working in these dynamic Quarter arrives free business environment also markets, mixing with diff erent contributed to its number one cultures, are invaluable assets By Joseph Varghese reached at the same Rayyan Castle. The caravan reached its fi nal destina- previous team as much as possible,” ranking in the taxation variable when he moves onwards, he Staff Reporter Speaking to the media, Evans said: “We tion of Rayyan Castle yesterday morn- said Amour al-Wahaibi, the third on the index. said, adding such an interna- were faced by two main challenges: physi- ing. The journey started in Salalah, member of the team. “Qatar has shown tremen- tional experience is what top cal and mental. Physically it was exhaust- Oman, on December 10, 2015, and con- “We came across both physical dous leadership in growing organisations are looking for three member expedition team ing as we have not even had a single day tinued across Saudi Arabia through to and mental challenges. After two its non-hydrocarbon wealth. today. from Oman completed an epic off . But the mental challenge was more the Empty Quarter, culminating in Qatar. weeks, we were almost fi t to face the Ajourney, ‘Tahaddi Arabia’, by cross- tough to handle. We were relieved to reach The mental challenge was the most hardships and overcame the physical ing the world’s largest sand desert, Empty the Qatar border.” diffi cult to overcome in the whole challenges. But mental challenges Quarter, on foot and reached the Rayyan Faisal al-Mansouri, director of public expedition, said Evans after crossing the persisted and were hard to control. Castle yesterday. relations and marketing at the ministry world’s largest sand desert on foot. It was the most diffi cult one. We They were received by HE Sheikh Joaan of youth and sports, said: “85 years ago, “Every day, we wondered when we compared our journey to a marathon Qatar tops region in bin Hamad al-Thani, the president of Qa- two pioneer travellers reached Qatar after would arrive at our destination. How many like situation and kept confronting it tar Olympic Committee as well as one of crossing the depths of the Empty Quarter more kilometres do we have to cover? How each day,” said Evans. the patrons of the expedition. The minis- and bringing with them the tales of the far is it to Doha? These questions kept “However the biggest diffi culty that Transparency Index try of youth and sports with Nomas Cen- vast desert. Today, we celebrate the same ringing in our minds,” said Mark Evans, we had faced was going through the tre had organised a welcoming ceremony feat by brave travellers of our era. Their one of the members of the group. dunes in Saudi Arabia. It was the most for the team to celebrate their historic challenge is aimed to emphasise the im- Mohamed al-Zadjali, another member diffi cult part of the journey. The dunes QNA The State of Qatar is work- achievement. portance of preserving the historical and of the expedition group observed: “Every- in Saudi Arabia were very diffi cult. Doha ing to promote national Saudi Arabian ambassador, Abdullah cultural heritage of the region, and en- day during the journey, I had a dream that The sand was so soft and at times the transparency and integrity bin Abdulaziz al-Aifan, Omani ambas- courage and inspire a new wave of young tomorrow would be better than today. I temperature was in mid 30s. The wind indicators, improving its in- sador Mohamed bin Nasser al-Wahaibi, travellers to instil self-reliance and resil- thought the next day would be easier than was strong. The camels were refusing he State of Qatar has dexes and rank among the British ambassador Ajay Sharma as well ience in them to overcome all odds in life.” the previous one. How long will it take to to go and did not move,” he added. been ranked fi rst among most developed countries in as a number of senior Qatari offi cials were The team, had reached the Qatari border reach Doha.These are questions that we Evans pointed out that they walked TGulf and Arab countries terms of transparency and present on the occasion. on the morning of January 24. They were had every single day.” about 35-40km every day. “We kept on Transparency Internation- integrity. The team members- Omani citizens greeted by the children from the Nomas “This is my fi rst time in Qatar. I am going everyday with out any rest al’s (TI), Corruption Percep- To achieve this target, the Mohammed al-Zadjali and Amour al-Wa- Centre and spent the night out in the open happy that I walk so that I could day. I lost seven kilos and one of tion Index (CPI) 2015. State of Qatar has added a haibi and British expatriate in Oman Mark desert in what was a refl ection of the trav- observe the countryside closely. The my teammates lost seven kilos and Qatar has made signifi cant number of legislations in line Evans- walked from Salalah through Saudi ellers’ experience. The journeymen were Rayyan Castle was the end of the fi rst the other one 10 kilos. But when we progress and has been ranked with international agree- Arabia, to Doha, retracing the historic then taken to a desert area popular with journey and we wanted our journey reached the border of Qatar, we were 22 among the 168 countries on ments, particularly the United 1,300km route taken in 1930 by a group Qataris, where tents were setup to spend to end here too. We also wanted to relieved that we were almost done. the 2015 index, rising 4 places Nations Convention Against of Omani and British explorers that had the night out in the open. stick to the same route taken by the It was still another 90km to Doha.” in the CPI ranking compared to Corruption in order to en- the previous year. hance transparency, integrity, CPI is generated on the basis promote full control over state of data collected from 10 Glo- funds, protect public money bal Institutions including the from waste and promote in- World Bank, the International ternational co-operation as a Monetary Fund, the Asian top priority by profi ting from MoI, other entities ‘trying to Bank, the African Bank, and international expertise and ex- the Bertelsmann Foundation. perience. cut emigration queues at HIA’ Koreans on trial for money laundering Three Korean expatriate men are under trial at the court of appeal on money laundering charges, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported By Pratap John to resolve this issue,” al-Baker said. Saudi Arabia (855,555) followed by India was to promote Qatar and its institutions. yesterday. Chief Business Reporter Mostly inbound passengers, currently (375,910) and the UK (135,645). “Our airport and Qatar Airways are very Investigations about the case revealed that the defendants were face signifi cant delays in emigration clear- Earlier, addressing an event at the Ha- important institutions of my country.” charged with illicit brewing of wine and alcohol. They also used to ance at the Hamad International Airport. mad International Airport, al-Baker said: On issues facing Al Maha Airways, a deposit the revenues from the illegal trade in a local bank account he entities concerned are “trying to Besides Qatar’s rising population, which “We designed HIA-Qatar to be the most subsidiary of Qatar Airways, which was opened by one of them to transfer the money to their home resolve the issue” of long queues of now stands close to 2.4mn, the country advanced, most effi cient and most com- launched for low-cost operations in Saudi country. The accomplice who owned the bank account was paid an Tpassengers at Hamad International has seen a steady increase in the number of fortable global aviation gateway, and a Arabia, al-Baker said: “It could not take off extra amount. Airport’s emigration counters, said Qatar visitors to the country. facility able to handle up to 50mn of our because we had some regulatory hurdles… The issue came to light when the security department concerned Airways group chief executive Akbar al- According to Qatar Tourism Authority own passengers every year, as well as the and we are trying to resolve these.” received information that the defendants were brewing and selling Baker. (QTA), Qatar hosted nearly 2.93mn visitors millions of fans that will visit Doha for the Al Maha, which means “oryx” in Ara- wine illegally to Asian workers and other labourers. Accordingly, “Staff shortage is the reason for this,” in 2015. This shows a 3.7% increase over 2022 FIFA World Cup.” bic will sport the Qatar Airways Oryx they were arrested and the equipment used in the criminal activity al-Baker said yesterday. 2014 and an 11.5% annual average growth He said the decision to make HIA the logo, but it will be in green instead of ma- seized. Eventually, investigations pointed to the bank account “As a team, among the airport, Ministry between 2010 and 2015. offi cial platinum sponsor of the legendary roon, to match Saudi Arabia’s national they used to transfer the money from the illicit trade to their home of Interior and other entities, we are trying The highest number of visitors was from German football club, FC Bayern Munich colours. country. The case is still being heard by the court. Varsity institute starts project on guest workers welfare index

he Social and Economic Survey Re- by QU said. The key topics to be included in country’s infrastructure. Qatar has received the state has amended the sponsorship sys- search Institute at Qatar University the survey and eventual index were identi- criticism over the kafala system of foreign la- tem by issuing Law No. 21 of 2015 regulat- T(Sesri-QU) has embarked on the first- fi ed by workshop participants. These include bour sponsorship, the occupational health and ing guest workers’ entry, exit and residency, ever effort to measure and track over time among others: health and safety, working safety of guest workers building World Cup which is expected to make workers less de- the welfare of blue-collar guest workers in conditions, living conditions and housing, stadiums, the conditions of labour camps, and pendent on their sponsor. Yet, it is difficult Qatar. social life, and overall worker satisfaction. By other issues. to gauge the effect of this and other changes The ‘Guest Worker Welfare Index’ is the combining the responses to survey questions However, too often such critiques have been on the actual lives of workers. product of a closed expert workshop convened on these topics, Sesri will create an objective based on anecdotal interviews with a small The state may make great strides in im- last week at Sesri that brought together local and reliable welfare index that will refl ect the sample of individual workers. Indeed, such ac- proving the working and living conditions of and international scholars, stakeholders, and actual conditions and experiences of labourers cusations can fl ourish when accurate and reli- guest workers, but without consistent and policymakers.. in Qatar and can also track changes in welfare able measures of worker welfare are lacking. scientific measurement of worker welfare, The welfare index will be based on the re- over time. In providing a source of unbiased data, Sesri Qatar would be unable to demonstrate this sults of a semi-annual or annual survey con- According to Sesri, Qatar needs a Guest aims to help avoid the generation and spread success to itself and the world. A compre- ducted with more than 1,000 blue-collar Worker Welfare Index for the following rea- of erroneous information based on personal hensive and up-to-date picture of the lives guest workers in Qatar. “Although offi cial sta- sons: First, since the moment Qatar was impressions and unrepresentative cases. of workers will give decision-makers the tistics may also be used to supplement these chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the In addition, the State of Qatar continues information needed to understand the im- survey fi ndings, the advantage of survey data country has faced fi erce international scru- to develop and implement policies designed pacts of their policies, and to identify areas is that it refl ects the actual experiences and tiny over the welfare of the guest workers re- to improve the conditions of low-wage of progress as well as those in need of fur- viewpoints of individuals,” a statement issued sponsible for creating and maintaining the guest workers. Most recently, for instance, ther improvement. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 13 QATAR Rolls-Royce unveils the new Dawn

olls-Royce Motor Cars Royce Wraith presents a has organised the fi rst unique character. Rpublic unveiling of the Ihab Allam, general man- Rolls-Royce Dawn in Doha at ager of Rolls-Royce Motor the Qatar Motor Show 2016. Cars Doha, said: “As a luxury The show opened its doors marque always striving for at the Doha Exhibition and excellence, it is with great Convention Centre yesterday. pleasure that we have show- The new motor car was very cased two truly magnifi cent well received by potential and and unique motor cars at this existing Rolls-Royce Motor year’s Qatar Motor Show. Cars customers attending the “We are delighted to be show. part of this signifi cant event As well as the Rolls-Royce once again and have already Dawn, visitors to the Rolls- received a number of en- Royce stand were able to view quiries from existing clien- The Audi S8 plus being presented at the Qatar Motor Show 2016 yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil a bespoke Rolls-Royce Wraith, tele, as well as potential new conceptualised by Rolls-Royce customers. We look forward Motor Cars Doha exclusively to continue showcasing the for its discerning clientele. breadth of the Rolls-Royce Considered to be the most portfolio to our discerning powerful and dynamic Rolls- clientele over the next few Three regional premieres Royce in history, the Rolls- days of the show.” for Audi at motorshow udi Middle East continues to ex- With a power output of 605hp and a at the rear are gleam in black. Distinctive The new Audi SQ5, the third regional pand its product portfolio in the re- top speed of up to 305kph, the new Audi design characteristics of the S8 plus also premiere on the Audi stand, produces Agion with a ‘dynamic range’ of new S8 plus has a body made almost entirely include darkened tail lights and a gloss 354hp and 470Nm of torque. It sprints models and latest innovations at the Qatar of aluminium. The design is based on the black diff user insert, which has an addi- from zero to 100kph in 5.3 seconds and has Motor Show 2016. Audi Space Frame (ASF) and weighs just tional carbon surround. The dual-branch a top speed of 250kph. Audi is displaying three regional pre- 231 kg – the lightest among the competi- sport exhaust system branches into two The new Audi SQ5 is powered by a free- mieres at this year’s show, including the tion. oval gloss black tailpipes on the left and revving, supercharged, three-litre V6 fi rst RS model in the Q series - the Audi The new S8 plus reveals its position as right. The S8 styling package is also avail- engine with a displacement of 2,995 cc. RS Q3. The Audi SQ5 is also being shown the sportiest top model of the model se- able. Its compressor sits in the 90-degree V of for the fi rst time together with the new S8 ries in its design detailing. The standard The second regional premiere on the the cylinder banks and is belt-driven by plus. spoiler lip on the rear lid is painted in the Audi stand is the Audi RS Q3, the fi rst RS the crankshaft. Two rotors inside the su- Also new for Qatar are the all-new Audi exterior body colour, and it is also avail- model from the Q range. It takes just 4.8 percharger spin at over 20,000 rpm. The R8 and the all–new Audi A4, which feature able in carbon fi bre as an option. The seconds to complete the sprint from 0 air gap between them is just a few thou- the brands latest technology innovations. fl aps in the side air inlets and the blade to 100 km/h. The 2.5-litre fi ve-cylinder sandths of a millimetre. The supercharger The Audi A8 Security Car boasts an array on the front apron are made of carbon turbo produces 340 hp and has an average compresses the intake air to as much as of outstanding protection features. fi bre too. fuel consumption of just 8.4 litres of fuel 0.8 bar; two intercoolers then cool it for Benoit Tiers, managing director of Audi The mirror housings in body colour are per 100 km. greater power. Volkswagen Middle East said: “Qatar is an optionally available in gloss black or car- An award-winning high-performance Also on show is ‘the most secure Audi important market for Audi that has shown bon. The single-frame grille and double engine, the 2.5 TFSI, is at work under the ever,’ the Audi A8 L Security car, satisfy- consistent growth, and the recent opening bars are in gloss black, while the honey- hood of the RS Q3. This fi ve-cylinder en- ing the criteria of the class VR 9 ballistic of the new workshop for Q-Auto has en- comb structure of the side air inlets and gine has been named ‘International En- protection standard, currently the most sured our customers here are given an even radiator screen are in matt black. gine of the Year’ in its class for three con- stringent requirements for civilian high- The unveiling of the Rolls-Royce Dawn at the Qatar Motor Show better customer experience.” The trim strips on the side windows and secutive years. security sedans. 2016 yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil All-new Mini convertible makes Commercialbank launches vehicle fi rst Middle East appearance loan campaign

he fi rst day of the Qatar Motor Show hp for the MINI Cooper S Convertible, ommercialbank, Qa- Commercial Bank EGM, 2016 saw the Middle East debut of alongside with options of 6-speed Step- tar’s fi rst private bank chief consumer & private Tthe all-new Mini Convertible yes- tronic transmission or 6-speed Steptronic Cand Offi cial Bank banking, Dean Proctor said: terday. sports transmission. Sponsor of the Qatar Motor “Commercial Bank leads the Mini enthusiasts also had the opportu- The car’s exterior design comprises a Show 2016, has launched a vehicle fi nancing business in nity to see the all-new Mini Clubman for balance between top-class elegance and vehicle loan campaign to co- Qatar both in terms of qual- the fi rst time in Doha. sporty fl air. Maintaining the classic Mini incide with the event. ity of service and very com- “We are excited to be bringing another design features, this model is further en- Running for six weeks, the petitive off ers throughout the great model debut to the region, further hanced with circular headlamps and rear campaign is available to both year. The bank aims to build highlighting the importance of the Qa- lights with chrome surrounds, hexagonal existing Commercialbank on this strong position and in- tar market for the MINI brand,” Alfardan radiator grille, black peripheral body sur- customers and non-custom- crease our vehicle loan market Automobiles general manager Ihab Allam round, side turn indicator elements and a ers during the campaign pe- share through an innovative said. “We have also introduced the all-new large selection of body fi nishes including riod. six-week campaign in con- MINI Clubman, a model that has brought the variant of Caribbean Aqua metallic All can benefi t from a spe- junction with our sponsor- with it a new DNA for the brand.” that is being presented here for the fi rst cial vehicle loan rate of 1.99% ship of the Qatar Motor Show. Redefi ning urban driving fun, the MINI time. fl at (reduced from 3.69%) with Customers can look forward Convertible is the only premium convert- The interior is designed with horizon- an optional grace period of to enhanced vehicle loan rates, ible in the small car segment, carrying for- tally structured cockpit, circular or ellip- up to 3 months, so customers free gifts and a prize draw en- ward the trademark of go-kart feeling with tical contours for displays, air vents and need not start repaying right suring that Commercialbank its iconic MINI design. door trim elements as well as high-quality The all-new MINI Convertible being unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show 2016 yesterday. away if they choose not to. continues to be the best and The all-new MINI Convertible comes colour and material combinations on the PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Further special vehicle loan go-to bank in Qatar for vehi- in two engine variants of Mini TwinPower steering column, central instrument with benefi ts include a reduction on cle fi nancing needs during this Turbo Technology where there is a 3-cyl- new functions, optional LED lighting dis- 32cm in length and around 12cm in width. the exterior and brings them inside the car. vehicle insurance rates down to busy time of year.” inder petrol engine with 100 kW/136 hp play and a start/stop button at the toggle The defi ning element of the Mini Club- Other models showcased include the 2.65%, a chance to get a QR500 “Commercial Bank con- for the Mini Cooper Convertible and a switch bar. man interior is its broad instrument panel, Mini 5 door hatch and the Mini 3 door free petrol voucher, and the op- tinues to provide the best- 4-cylinder petrol engine with 141 kW/192 The model has increased by just over which adopts the generous surface areas of hatch. tion of paying the associated in-market vehicle solutions costs of owning a car by credit through strong alliances card at 0% for the fi rst two years with dealerships for both subject to eligibility. new and used cars. Our dedi- As an added bonus, cus- cated Vehicle Finance team tomers who secure a vehicle is located in our offices next United Cars Almana puts latest cars on display loan during the campaign pe- to the Nissan showroom in riod are also eligible to enter Salata, on Airport Road and a prize draw to win a brand- D Ring Road, and for added nited Cars Almana (UCA) is showcasing its latest vanced and intelligent 4x4 systems in its class, all to de- new, prestigious Mini Cooper. customer convenience, rep- cars at the Qatar Motor Show 2016 that opened liver best-in-class off -road capability. These are the Jeep Terms and conditions apply, resentatives are available at Uyesterday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention active drive and Jeep active drive low. and eligible customers can en- car showrooms or can visit Centre. The 2016 Chrysler 200 sedan provides drivers and pas- ter the prize draw if they meet you at work or home to pro- UCA general manager – operations Gurdeep Singh sengers a beautifully crafted car with an elegantly simple set criteria, with no penalties, vide more information on Multani said the company is well positioned to achieve style, an exhilarating driving experience, state-of-the-art hidden charges or clauses at- Commercial Bank’s attrac- continued growth in the automotive sector through its in- and easy-to-use technology, 60 advanced safety and se- tached. tive vehicle finance offers.” novative and impressive range of cars. curity features and fuel economy ratings of up to 36 miles “Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and RAM are some of the most per gallon (6.53 L/100km). It is the mid-size sedan for illustrious American vehicles in the world. Our mission is customers who have earned a little luxury in their life, but to meet customers’ expectations and provide total satis- demand value for their money. faction in every way and every time,” he said. The Jeep Renegade at Qatar Motor Show 2016. The 2016 Chrysler 200 delivers a beautiful exterior de- Multani added that UCA has also focused on off ering PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed sign, a thoughtful, exquisitely crafted interior and an ex- and building showrooms and a workshop and service cen- ceptional driving experience, thanks to its segment-fi rst tre that are fully-equipped with the most recent technol- nowned American design, ingenuity and innovation, mark- nine-speed automatic transmission and Compact US ogy to meet customers’ needs and requests. ing the Jeep brand’s fi rst entry into the small SUV segment. Wide (CUS-wide) chassis. With the choice of two world- “Our skilled and trained professional teams provide the “Renegade expands the brand’s product portfolio and class engines, available sport mode and paddle shifters for service you would expect from a leading company. The targets the rapidly expanding small SUV segment with a an engaged driving experience, and estimated highway new working hours are from 7am until 7pm for after sales best-in-class combination of fuel effi ciency and off -road fuel economy of 36 mpg (6.53 L/100km), the 2016 Chrys- and showrooms. On Fridays timings are from 4pm until capability, while at the same time delivering the outstand- ler 200 makes the daily commute something drivers will 8.30pm. ing driving dynamics and open-air freedom customers look forward to. The 2016 Chrysler 200 off ers 60 avail- Commercialbank executive general manager (chief consumer & Marco Tronchi, CEO and managing director of Fiat expect from the Jeep brand,” Tronchi said. able safety features and state-of-the-art, easy-to-use private banking) Dean Proctor and teammates announcing their Chrysler Automobiles Middle East Regional Offi ce, said Leveraging 4x4 technology from the Jeep Cherokee, technology that keeps drivers and passengers connected. bank’s vehicle loan campaign at Qatar Motor Show yesterday. the all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade symbolises the brand’s re- Tronchi said the Renegade off ers two of the most ad- More Motor Show reports — Pages 34, 35, 36 PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Gulf Times 14 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR/REGION Al Jazeera fi les case over Egypt arrests, seizures

AFP jurisdiction of the International tah al-Sisi overthrew his Islamist litically motivated charges,” the confi scated and, at a conservative Their trial sparked interna- saying in yesterday’s statement. London Centre for Settlement of Invest- predecessor, Mohamed Mursi, in statement said. estimate, it has suff ered losses of tional criticism led by the White “Al Jazeera has launched this ment Disputes in Washington. 2013. “Al Jazeera’s facilities in Egypt at least $150mn,” it said. House and the United Nations. claim to protect the rights of “Al Jazeera formally initi- The statement said Egypt was suff ered attacks by the military, The ousting of Mursi unleashed One of the Al Jazeera journal- its staff ... together with its own l Jazeera is suing Egypt, ates arbitration case against the in breach of international law as police and gangs supporting the a bloody crackdown on protesters ists, Australian Peter Greste, rights under international law,” saying the closure of its Arab Republic of Egypt,” read a well as a Qatar-Egypt investment military government,” it said. that killed hundreds of demon- was deported and the other two, the spokesman said. Abusiness and harassment statement from the company’s treaty intended to protect busi- “Al Jazeera’s licence to broad- strators, while militants launched Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Al Jazeera served Egypt with a of its journalists there had caused London-based lawyers, Carter- ness interests. cast in Egypt was also cancelled an insurgency that killed hun- Egyptian Baher Mohamed, were formal notice under the Qatar- losses of more than $150mn, its Ruck. “A large number of journalists and its local branch subjected to dreds of policemen and soldiers. eventually pardoned and released. Egypt investment treaty in April lawyers said yesterday. Thousands of activists, as well working for Al Jazeera were sub- a compulsory liquidation proce- Three reporters with Al Jazeera “Al Jazeera has now been left 2014 and Carter-Ruck said that The international arbitration as several journalists, have been jected to harassment, arrest and dure.” were detained in 2013 and later con- with no option but to formally the Egyptian government did not claim on behalf of the Doha-based detained since then army chief detention, either without charge “Al Jazeera’s very signifi cant victed of fabricating “false” news in commence legal action,” a com- “show any interest at all” in legal channel is being lodged under the and now President Abdel Fat- or on clearly spurious and po- investment in Egypt has been support of the Brotherhood. pany spokesman was quoted as discussions. Hope as well as frustration in Iran after sanctions end

Reuters open or hold accounts abroad Ankara and dual-national Iranians out- side their homeland faced prob- lems maintaining their accounts he lifting of sanctions on even if they have never trans- Iran has given Mohamed ferred money to or from Iran. TSadeghzadeh hope of sav- Maryam Sadeghian, a middle- ing his struggling textile fac- class Iranian, said she had felt tory—as long as the impact of the she would be “reconnected to the changes is felt quickly. outside world” when the nucle- “The sanctions have ruined ar-related sanctions were lifted. my business. In six months I will “But my happiness did not close down if it goes on like this. last long. I contacted my bank in We need to see some tangible re- Munich, where I used to have an sults,” he said by telephone from account for over a decade to open Rouhani attends a meeting with French ministers and representatives of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) in Paris yesterday. the northern city of Rasht. a new account,” she said. “But Iranians are delighted the the answer was negative. I was United States, United Nations told that there was no change of and European Union agreed to policy.” lift nuclear-related sanctions For Mohsen Dadpeynia, a on January 16 in exchange for former government employ- Iran curbing its nuclear pro- ee, there has also been disap- gramme. pointment because he cannot But many are frustrated not yet transfer money easily to his ‘New chapter’ begins in to have seen immediate changes daughter in Italy. now Iran’s isolation is over and “After my daughter moved to fear the benefi ts will not be felt Italy in 2013, it was a nightmare for a long time as foreign banks, to send her money. I had to fi nd companies and governments trustworthy black market dealers tread carefully for fear of violat- to transfer money,” he said. ing residual US sanctions. Taraneh Moghaddam, an ar- EU ties, says Rouhani “I hope by lifting the sanc- chitect from the central Iranian tions, I will be able to use banks city of Shiraz, also encountered The Iranian president arrives fi rmed in France, along with tie- On Monday, Rouhani attended political solutions” to the prob- “From 2020, we will take deliv- like other civilised countries. My practices under sanctions that in France for an off icial visit ups with carmakers Peugeot and a business forum at which he por- lems affl icting the region and to ery of Airbus A350s and A380s. only hope is to be part of the glo- she hopes will now end. She had during which he is expected Renault. trayed Iran as the ideal base for help combat terrorism and arms We want eight A380s and 16 bal business community,” said a to go to London in a hurry to re- to sign a host of commercial The president is accompanied companies seeking a foothold in a traffi cking. A350s.” businessman in the city of Tabriz trieve $300,000 in cash in 2013 deals by a delegation of more than 100 region of 300mn people, reassur- It was the fi rst offi cial visit to Before fl ying to Europe, Rouha- who gave his name only as Hesh- when her bank called to warn ministers, offi cials and business- ing would-be investors their con- the Vatican by an Iranian presi- ni himself mentioned economic mat. her it would close her account Agencies men marking the return of Iran on tracts would be honoured. dent since Mohamed Khatami projects between Iran and France. “But still we have a long way to in a week “because you live in Dubai/Paris the international economic stage “Iran is the safest, the most was hosted by John Paul II in 1999. “We need to modernise our go. I am afraid that if the current Iran.” with the lifting of sanctions after stable country in the entire re- In Paris today, Rouhani will aviation fl eet and buy locomo- situation continues until March, “I was desperate and had to a historic deal over Tehran’s nu- gion,” Rouhani said. meet President Francois Hollande tives,” he said on Monday. I will have to close my business,” carry the cash in my handbag to ran’s President Hassan Rou- clear programme. “Everyone understood that the and French business leaders. He indicated Iran was also said Heshmat, whose account Iran,” she said, adding that she hani said on his arrival in Paris Rouhani, a 67-year-old former nuclear negotiations represent- Ahead of Rouhani’s European looking at the automotive sector. in a French bank was blocked in was unable to open an account Iyesterday that a new chapter academic and diplomat who is seen ed a win-win situation for both trip, Iranian Transport Minister “Important contracts will early 2013. in any other Western bank even had begun in Tehran’s relations as a pragmatist, was elected in 2013 sides. Abbas Akhoundi on Sunday an- probably be signed on this trip The Western sanctions cut off though she has joint Iranian- with the European Union, after on a pledge to end sanctions and “Now we have created the con- nounced a major contract with including with Peugeot and Re- fi nance from abroad, pushed up British nationality. the lifting of sanctions on the Is- improve relations with the West. ditions for investment and for the Airbus for 114 planes. nault,” he said. the cost of borrowing in Iran and President Hassan Rouhani, lamic Republic. In Rome on Monday, the Iranian transfer of know-how. There has Akhoundi, quoted by Iranian A joint press conference is hit many businesses by banning who said during his 2013 election “A new chapter has begun in leader met his Italian counterpart to be an advantage for both sides: media, said the deal “will be planned after Rouhani’s meeting foreign bank transfers. Heshmat campaign that he would boost Tehran relations with the EU, Sergio Mattarella and Prime Min- we invite you to invest and we will signed between Iran Air and Air- with Hollande today, the French got used to bringing in money in Iran’s economy, hopes the lifting including France,” Rouhani was ister Matteo Renzi, with whom provide stability and ensure that bus” when Rouhani is in Paris. presidency said. thick wads of $100 bills on fl ights of sanctions will facilitate Iran’s quoted as saying by Iran’s Isna he attended the signing of several you can make adequate returns.” An Airbus spokesman declined to Iran has been rebuilding its from Turkey and elsewhere. return to the global oil market news agency. economic agreements in the pres- Rouhani then visited the Vati- comment. relations with Italy and France Western banks quit Iran after and attract much-needed for- Rouhani’s visit to Paris is ex- tigious setting of the Capitole. can for the fi rst time and met Pope Akhoundi’s deputy, Asghar Fa- which were among Tehran’s main the United States and European eign investment. pected to result in the signing of Italian offi cials said contracts Francis, who has urged Iran to khrieh Kashan, said Iran “essen- economic partners before the Union imposed sanctions on its But expectations of a quick fi x important business contracts, signed in Rome would be worth up work for peace in the Middle East. tially wants to buy Airbus A320s, tightening of international sanc- fi nancial and oil sectors in 2012, are slim, with even the lure of a after sealing multi-billion dollar to 17bn euros ($18.4bn), underlin- In a statement afterwards, the A321s and A330s”. tions in January 2012. making it almost impossible for resource-rich and well educated deals in Italy. ing the huge economic stakes in- Vatican said Francis had urged the “We will take delivery in 2016 Competition to tap the Ira- many middle-class Iranians to country of about 80mn people A major order for 114 Airbus volved in Iran’s reopening, partic- Iranian leader to use Iran’s im- and 2017 of Airbus A320s and nian market has been fi erce as it transfer money to their children opening up overshadowed by le- planes to modernise Iran Air’s ularly for Europe’s manufacturing portant role to promote, together A321s, with the A330s coming emerges from international isola- studying abroad. gal uncertainties for many fi rms ageing fl eet is expected to be con- and engineering sectors. with other countries, “adequate later,” he said. tion with the lifting of sanctions. Many Iranians were unable to and banks.

Saudi soldier killed Standing guard in border shelling

AFP regions since March when a Sau- Riyadh di-led military coalition began air and ground action in Yemen against Iran-backed rebels. Saudi soldier has been The coalition is supporting killed in shelling from local forces against the Houthi Aacross the border in rebels who seized territory, in- Yemen, the interior ministry an- cluding the capital Sanaa, from nounced yesterday. the internationally recognised He died on Tuesday in a strike government. on a border guards’ observation More than 5,800 people have post in the Harth district of Jazan been killed in Yemen since March, in the kingdom’s south, the min- about half of them civilians, ac- istry said. cording to the United Nations. Around 90 civilians and sol- More than 21mn people — 82% diers have been killed in shelling of the population — are facing se- and skirmishes in Saudi border vere food shortages.

Egyptian murder convict executed Saudi Arabia yesterday executed robbing a Saudi, the interior an Egyptian convicted of murder, ministry said, adding that he was adding to a surge in death executed in Riyadh. sentences carried out since late Last year the kingdom executed 2014. 153 people, mostly for drug A Yemeni tribesman from the Popular Resistance Committees, supporting forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, stands on a pick-up truck mounted with a Mahmud Jumaa Morsi was found traff icking or murder, according heavy machinegun as he holds a position on the outskirts of Taez on Tuesday. guilty of fatally strangling and to an AFP tally. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 15 ARAB WORLD Assad foes demand answers before joining talks Reuters negotiate with President Bashar by the UN Security Council in a asked on Al Jazeera TV. gan on September 30 have tilted and Mr de Mistura told me he had Manna is co-leader of an op- Beirut/Geneva/Paris al-Assad’s government as it claws resolution passed last month. French Foreign Minister Lau- the war Assad’s way after major not sent them an invitation letter.” position group called the Syrian back territory with help from The HNC is seeking clarifi ca- rent Fabius said he had spoken to setbacks earlier in 2015 brought The PYD’s representative in Democratic Council (SDC), which Russia and Iran. tion from de Mistura. HNC co-ordinator Riad Hijab and rebels close to coastal areas that France, Khaled Eissa, who had includes the PYD and was formed yrian peace talks were A Saudi-backed opposition “We sent the questions. We understood the group would at- form the heartland of Assad’s been on a list of possible delegates in December in Kurdish-control- clouded by uncertainty yes- council grouping armed and po- are awaiting the response,” said tend. “If I understand their posi- Alawite sect and are of great im- proposed by Russia, blamed re- led Hasaka province. Sterday as the Saudi-backed litical opponents of Assad con- an opposition source, who con- tion, they say yes to negotiations,” portance to the state he leads. gional and international powers, Ilham Ahmed, a Kurdish poli- Syrian opposition insisted on a vened in Riyadh for a second day fi rmed the letter’s authenticity. Fabius told France Culture radio, While the Saudi-backed HNC in particular Turkey, for blocking tician who co-chairs the SDC, response to its demands from the yesterday. But as night fell there Opposition offi cials have long but they wanted clarifi cation on includes powerful rebel factions the Kurds and forecast the talks heaped criticism on de Mistura. United Nations and a powerful was no sign of a decision about insisted they cannot go to talks key issues fi rst. fi ghting Assad in western Syria, would fail. “We hold him responsible - not Kurdish group said its exclusion whether they would attend the before the government shows Diplomacy has so far failed to Russia has been demanding wider “You can’t neglect a force that America or Russia - him and the meant the negotiations would fail. talks. goodwill through such moves. resolve the confl ict that has forced participation to include Syrian controls an area three times the United Nations. He was tasked The Syrian government has While it has expressed support Monzer Makhous, an HNC millions from their homes, creat- Kurds who control wide areas of size of Lebanon,” he said. “We will with forming the delegations in already agreed to join the talks for a political solution and talks, member, said: “I can’t say if the ing a refugee crisis in neighbour- northern and northeastern Syria. not respect any decision taken a balanced way and in a way that that UN envoy Staff an de Mistura the opposition High Negotiations discussions will be fi nished today ing states and Europe. The Syrian Kurdish PYD party, without our participation.” represents all the elements of Syr- hopes to convene in an indirect Committee (HNC) reiterated de- or not. I have mixed feelings.” The Syrian government, aided which is affi liated to the Kurd- Russian Deputy Foreign Minis- ian society,” she said. format in Geneva tomorrow with mands including a halt to attacks Another HNC member said de by Russian air strikes and allied ish YPG militia, was however ex- ter Gennady Gatilov said the PYD “When the whole of north- the aim of ending the fi ve-year- on civilian areas before any nego- Mistura must clarify the aim of militia including Iranian forces, cluded from the invite list in line could join the talks at a later stage. ern Syria is excluded from these old war that has killed 250,000 tiations. the talks. “There is a problem we is gaining ground against rebels with the wishes of Turkey, a ma- Haytham Manna, a prominent negotiations, it means they are people. In a letter to UN Secretary Gen- would like to clarify with de Mis- in western Syria, this week cap- jor sponsor of the rebellion which opposition fi gure allied to the PYD the ones dividing Syria. They are Preparations have been beset eral Ban Ki-moon, it also called for tura. Is the main aim of these ne- turing the town of Sheikh Maskin views the PYD as a terrorist group. and invited to the talks, said he always accusing the Kurds of di- by diffi culties, including a dis- the lifting of sieges on blockaded gotiations for them to be held or near the Jordanian border. Fabius said: “The PYD group would not attend if his allies were viding Syria, but they are the ones pute over who should be invited to areas among other steps outlined to succeed?” Riyadh Naasan Agha Russian air strikes that be- was causing the most problems, not there. dividing Syria.” Palestinians’ hopes rise as US, EU, UN slam Israel The United Nations as well “The UN lost its neutrality and that world powers might fi nally as Israel’s closest allies, moral force a long time ago,” he be minded to support a UN reso- the United States and the added, singling Ban out for per- lution condemning Israel’s policy European Union, have sonal criticism. outright. publicly expressed their While terse words between Is- “We are continuing our con- People hold placards during a demonstration to demand the release of Palestinian journalist Mohamed al-Qiq (portrait) in Jerusalem yesterday. frustration with the policies of rael and the United Nations are tacts with the international com- Netanyahu’s government nothing new, Israel’s closest al- munity... and will go to the Se- lies, the United States and the curity Council for a resolution Reuters European Union, have publicly against the colonial settlement Jerusalem expressed their own frustration enterprise,” Saeb Erakat, the Pal- with the policies of Netanyahu’s estinians’ chief negotiator, said right-wing government. last week. Israel’s top court refuses he United States, European Speaking at a security confer- The last attempt at such a Union and the United Na- ence last week, US ambassador resolution failed in 2011 after the Ttions have issued unusually to Israel Dan Shapiro questioned United States vetoed it, saying it stern criticism of Israel, provok- how equitably justice is applied in harmed the chances for peace. ing a sharp response from Prime the occupied West Bank, saying: The feeling among Palestinian to release hunger striker Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “At times there seem to be two diplomats now is that the United and raising Palestinians’ hopes of standards of adherence to the rule States may be less inclined to veto AFP strike, the risk of death grows renewable six-month periods Allan ended a two-month steps against their neighbour. of law: one for Israelis and anoth- given the absence of peace talks Jerusalem daily, experts say, with few able without trial. hunger strike last summer after UN Secretary General Ban Ki- er for Palestinians.” and the depth of US frustration to survive beyond 70 days if only Qiq, a 33-year-old father of Israel suspended his detention moon on Tuesday described Is- That, too, drew an angry re- with Israel. drinking water. two and a correspondent for without trial. During his strike rael’s settlements as “provocative sponse from Netanyahu. Shapiro Israeli diplomats are also wary hunger-striking Palestin- His lawyer Jawad Boulus Saudi Arabia’s Almajd television, and after his release he became acts” that raised questions about later said he regretted the tim- of that possibility. ian journalist is to remain asked the Supreme Court to re- was arrested on November 21 at a symbol of resistance for many its commitment to a two-state ing of his remarks, made on the “It’s always a risk and we are Ain jail in Israel despite lease him but the three judges his home in the West Bank city of Palestinians. solution, nearly 50 years after oc- day an Israeli woman, stabbed to extremely attentive to it,” said warnings over his deteriorating ruled that an earlier decision by Ramallah. Rubinstein asked how long cupying lands the Palestinians death by a Palestinian in a West Emmanuel Nahshon, the foreign health, the country’s top court a military court to detain him Shin Bet said he was arrested after abandoning his strike Al- seek for a state. Bank settlement, was buried. ministry’s spokesman. ruled yesterday. was legal. for “terror activity” as a mem- lan was able to return to health, Ban also laid some of the blame The European Union’s policy of “There has indeed been a lot of The Supreme Court said it Boulus said the judges were ber of Hamas, which controls the and he was told about a month by for four months of stabbings and labelling products made in Israeli criticism of Israel recently, but I would not release Mohamed al- “briefed on classifi ed mate- Gaza Strip. lawyer Boulus. car rammings by Palestinians settlements has provoked similar don’t know whether that neces- Qiq immediately but would fol- rial and are convinced” that Qiq He denies the charges and has Over 680 Palestinians are at Israel’s door, saying “as op- anger from offi cials, while Swe- sarily translates into a UN resolu- low his health on a daily basis. “constitutes a danger to the se- been refusing food since Novem- currently under administrative pressed peoples have demon- den’s foreign minister was brand- tion.” Qiq has been on hunger strike curity of Israel”, so declined to ber 25 in protest at the “torture detention, out of 6,800 in jail in strated throughout the ages, it ed an anti-Semite after calling for He said there had been “anti- for 63 days over his detention overturn the military court’s rul- and ill-treatment that he was Israel, according to Addameer. is human nature to react to oc- an independent investigation into Israeli resolutions” at the United under Israel’s administrative de- ing. subjected to during interroga- Qiq was jailed for a month in cupation, which often serves as Israel’s eff orts to quell the current Nations in the past, regardless of tention law and his organs are at The evidence provided by the tion”, according to Addameer, a 2003 and then for 13 months in a potent incubator of hate and wave of violence. developments on the ground. risk of failure any day, his legal Shin Bet security services was Palestinian human rights organi- 2004 for Hamas-related activi- extremism”. The criticism, particularly The Palestinians hope France, team says. presented to the judges without sation. ties. Netanyahu’s response was quick about the settlements, where a permanent member of the UN The European Union yester- witnesses, who had to leave the During the trial, which was In 2008, he was sentenced to and furious. Ban’s remarks “give a some 550,000 Jews live in around Security Council, might sponsor day said it was “especially con- room. attended by four Arab members 16 months in prison on charges tailwind to terrorism”, he said, and 250 communities scattered across such a resolution, but it is unclear cerned” about his deteriorating Under Israel’s controversial of the Israeli parliament, judge linked to his activities on the stu- ignore the fact “Palestinian mur- the West Bank and East Jerusa- whether the French have the ap- health. administrative detention law, Elyakim Rubinstein brought up dent council at the West Bank’s derers do not want to build a state”. lem, has raised Palestinian hopes petite for such a course. After 50 days of a hunger the state can hold suspects for the case of Mohamed Allan. Birzeit University. Nearly 34,000 fl ee Libya peace process Darfur clashes: UN

AFP Marta Ruedas, the UN humani- Khartoum tarian co-ordinator in Sudan. ‘slower than IS rise’ The vast majority of those fl ee- ing the fi ghting were women and AFP ity of lawmakers from both sides the military process, and the po- ome 34,000 people in Su- children, she said. Tunis signed a deal to unify the govern- litical process must be faster than dan’s western Darfur re- The ceasefi re was extended for ment. the military expansion of Daesh,” Sgion have fl ed fi erce clashes a month on New Year’s Eve. A national unity government he said, using an Arabic acronym between government forces and Sudan’s military said it is com- N envoy Martin Kobler headed by businessman Fayez for the Islamic State group. rebels around the mountainous mitted to the ceasefi re and has expressed concerns yes- al-Sarraj and comprising 32 min- He warned that while politi- Jebel Marra area, the United Na- only responded to rebel attacks, Uterday that Libya’s po- isters was formed last week, but cal forces discuss the agreement, tions said yesterday. while the SLA-AW has said gov- litical process is slower than the it was rejected by the recognised “Daesh and other terrorist organ- After several months of relative ernment troops and militia have Islamic State group’s expansion, parliament on Monday. isations... just act and they steal quiet in the restive region follow- tried to fi ght their way into Jebel after the country’s internationally “I am working on the basis that the territories from the Libyan ing Khartoum’s announcement Marra, claiming to have beaten recognised authorities rejected a the glass is now half full,” Kobler people”. of a ceasefi re late last year, fresh back several attacks. national unity government. told a news conference in the cap- In recent weeks, IS militants fi ghting erupted around Jebel Ruedas said the United Nations World powers have urged Lib- ital of neighbouring Tunisia. launched attacks from their Marra around 10 days ago. had provided some humanitarian ya’s warring factions to endorse The German diplomat ap- stronghold in the city of Sirte Jebel Marra straddles South, assistance but lacked full access the unity government agreed last plauded lawmakers who had been on facilities in the “oil crescent” Central and North Darfur states to the region. week under a UN-brokered deal boycotting the recognised parlia- along the coast. and is seen as a stronghold of “While it is encouraging that aimed at ending political paralysis ment in the eastern city of To- Fears they are establishing a the rebel Sudan Liberation Army some humanitarian assistance that has fuelled the rise of Islam- bruk for attending the assembly, new bastion on Europe’s doorstep (SLA-AW), which has been bat- is being provided, clearly much ist militants. describing this as “a very coura- have added urgency to diplomatic tling the government since more is needed,” she said. Libya has been in chaos since geous decision”. eff orts to bring together Libya’s 2003. The UN-African Union Mis- the 2011 ouster of long-time dicta- But Kobler said that he was warring factions. “Initial reports indicate that sion in Darfur (UNAMID) pre- tor Muammar Gaddafi . It now has “impatient” like members of the European Union foreign aff airs about 19,000 civilians have fl ed viously said more than 10,000 two governments and parliaments, international community who chief Federica Mogherini earlier into North Darfur state, and up to people have been displaced in the with the recognised authorities were frustrated at the slow process this month pledged to give Libya 15,000 into Central Darfur state, fi ghting, and that artillery and based in the east and a militia- caused by “certain personalities”. 100mn euros ($108mn) to battle following fi ghting in the moun- aerial bombardments had been UN envoy for Libya, Martin Kobler, holds a press conference in backed authority in Tripoli. “Sometimes I think that the IS as soon as the unity govern- tainous Jebel Marra region,” said used in the clashes. Tunis yesterday. In mid-December, a minor- political process is slower than ment came to power. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, January 28, 2016 AFRICA 13 killed in triple Nigeria attacks AFP 5 Kenya cops dead aft er truck hits IED escape in the immediate after- Chibok math but 219 are still being held Five Kenyan policemen were the deaths of our five off icers killed and have not been seen since they killed late on Tuesday in the at the hands of the Shebaab.” appeared in a Boko Haram video t least 13 people were killed coastal county of Lamu after their Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, in May that year. yesterday when three sui- truck hit an improvised explosive Shebaab’s military operation Chibok was briefl y overrun by Acide bombers blew them- device planted on the road by spokesman, told Reuters: “We the Islamic State group-allied selves up in the northeast Nige- Islamist militants Shebaab, police killed eight Kenyan soldiers after rebels in November 2014 but re- rian town of Chibok, where Boko sources and a local governor said. we burnt their car with a roadside captured by the military after Haram kidnapped more than 200 It was the latest in a series of bomb near Lamu area.” several days. schoolgirls. attacks near Kenya’s border with The militants and the govern- Ayuba Chibok and Buba both The blasts happened at about Somalia. Shebaab took credit for ment often give conflicting death said yesterday’s blasts were sui- (From left) Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Nigerian President Muhamadu Buhari and midday (1100 GMT) as the re- the attack but said it had killed counts. It was not immediately cide attacks and had prompted Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta arrive at the Moi Barracks in Eldoret northeast of Nairobi for a mote town in Borno state was eight Kenyan soldiers. clear while Kenya had identified terrifi ed residents to lock them- memorial to soldiers killed fighting Islamist militants in Somalia. packed with traders from sur- “The truck had about 10 admin- the dead as police, and Shebaab selves inside their homes or fl ee rounding villages for the weekly istration police off icers and the called them soldiers. in fear of repeat attacks. shortly afterwards, fi tting a pat- in Boko Haram attacks, with only again saw fi ghters raid food and market, Chibok elder Ayuba Chi- explosive that blew it up seemed The attack comes less than two “The fi rst bomber set off his tern of Boko Haram suicide at- three recorded in Nigeria this steal more than 200 cattle. bok told AFP. to have been planted on the weeks after Somali Islamist mili- explosives at the checkpoint tacks with multiple bombers month but those that have oc- Nigeria’s President Muham- “Ten died on the spot and an- road they were using,” a senior tants Shebaab attacked a military where people coming into the setting off their devices almost curred underline the diffi culty in madu Buhari on December 24 other one died on the way to hos- regional off icial, who asked not to camp housing Kenyan soldiers town were being searched,” said simultaneously. protecting hard-to-reach rural declared the rebels were “tech- pital,” said health worker Dazz- be named, told Reuters. who are part of an African Union the town elder. But Buba said it was still un- areas. nically” defeated but at least 66 ban Buba, who volunteered to Senior off icials and police (AU) force in Somalia (AMISOM). “A second bomber managed clear whether the third bomber The insurgents raided a village people were then killed in raids treat the injured at hospital. declined to give off icial statement The Al Qaeda-linked group, to get into the market and blew deliberately detonated his explo- in Yobe state on Sunday, killing and suicide bombings in the days “A woman and a child died on the attack, saying it was sensi- which seeks to overthrow Soma- himself up. A third bomber was sives or whether the device was one man, while on January 11, an- following. as they were being admitted (to tive, and that they still awaited lia’s Western-backed government identifi ed and residents pursued triggered when troops opened other raid in the Adamawa state According to an AFP tally, more hospital), so now the death toll detailed report from off icers on and drive the AU force out of So- him. fi re as he fl ed. town of Madagali left seven dead. than 1,650 people have been killed stands at 13. Thirty others were the ground. malia, said it had killed more than “When he realised he was Buba said the 30 injured were Seven people were killed in a since Buhari came to power in injured, 21 critically.” But Lamu Governor Issa Timamy 100 soldiers in the attack. Kenyan about to be apprehended he det- mostly suff ering from burns and raid and suicide bomb attack in May last year, vowing to crush the The blasts bore the hallmarks told Reuters, “It is unfortunate that off icials have not yet revealed the onated his explosives in an area fractures, and that nine had been Izgeki village on January 5. Gun- insurgency, which has left at least of Boko Haram, which has re- once again the nation is mourning death toll. not far from the market.” discharged, he added. men also looted food and burnt a 17,000 dead since 2009. peatedly hit “soft” civilian tar- Buba said he rushed to help his There was no immediate com- large part of Nchiha village near On Monday, 32 people were gets such as markets, mosques brother who was injured in the ment from the police, the mili- Chibok earlier the same day. killed when at least three suicide and bus stations as well as mili- Chibok came to prominence in kidnapped 276 girls, causing glo- fi rst blast in the Bamzir Road area tary or the government’s main On December 6, there was a bombers blew themselves up at a tary and civilian vigilante check- April 2014 when Islamist fi ghters bal outrage. of the town. relief agency. similar attack in Takulashi vil- market in Bodo village in north- points. stormed a boarding school and Fifty-seven girls managed to The second blast happened Recent weeks have seen a lull lage, also near Chibok, which ern Cameroon. Clashes erupt in S Leone after Ebola infection scare

AFP community, which is deeply suspicious of Doctors at the Italian-run Emergency Freetown western treatments for the deadly virus. Hospital in the capital Freetown confi rmed A town chief told AFP that police in Bar- that three seriously injured patients had moi Luma had ordered market traders to been brought from the area but declined to hree youths were seriously injured in halt business and shops to close from Sat- give further details. clashes with police in Sierra Leone urday “to minimise any risk of contact with Police have denied using live bullets to Tlate on Tuesday after authorities or- the runaway contacts”, and they had re- quell the disturbance. dered village traders to shut up shop while mained shuttered. Francis Hazeley, a local police command- they hunted for people who may have had “This has angered residents who said the er, told reporters: “We did not use live shots contact with an Ebola victim, witnesses actions of the police were arbitrary since but used tear gas canisters to disperse the said. Marie Jalloh did not die in Barmoi Luma but protesters.” Angry youths allegedly burnt down a po- in Magburaka,” he said. Reports said the area was now calm, with lice post in the northern village of Barmoi Health authorities believe Jalloh fell ill in police withdrawing to the nearby town of Luma, reports said, as police fi red tear gas to Barmoi Luma before travelling to the city of Kambia on the request of community leaders. disperse angry crowds. Magburaka some 100km away. Senior offi cials including Health Minis- Witnesses told AFP by telephone that Witness Fatu Jalloh told AFP: “Temper ter Abu Bakarr Fofonah and national police three youths were seriously hurt, with one fl ared up this morning when the police tried chief Francis Munu were holding urgent shot in the head and another in the leg. to enforce the no-trading order and doz- talks with local authorities in Kambia. Authorities said the trouble started Sat- ens of youths and women rushed into the Jalloh’s death came just a day after west urday when 30 local people were quaran- streets, hurling sticks and stones at police Africa had celebrated the end of the Ebola Supporters of South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance take part in a march in Johannesburg. tined for having potentially had contact search teams.” epidemic which cost 11,000 lives. with Marie Jalloh, a 22-year-old who died of She added: “I saw seven people injured, Her aunt has since also been diagnosed Ebola on January 12. three of them seriously... There were lots of with the virus, with an offi cial saying last Some 50 others who may have come into tear gas smoke and people were dashing for Friday that she was responding well to SA opposition sets contact with Jalloh went into hiding in the cover.” treatment. sight on jobs crisis Fire aftermath People inspect the damage AFP a new national cause,” DA leader scribed as “misleading” by Africa after a fire Johannesburg Mmusi Maimane told thousands Check, a fact-checking website broke out at the of party supporters at a rally in created by, but editorially inde- Kaduna Railway central Johannesburg. pendent of, the AFP Foundation. Station Market outh Africa’s main opposi- “Unemployed South Afri- It said the fi gure did not in- in Nigeria. More tion party yesterday vowed cans must know this: President clude newly-created jobs, mis- than 100 shops Sto fi ght key local elections (Jacob) Zuma and the ANC have calculated the number of those were destroyed on the issue of unemployment as long forgotten you. “It all begins who have given up looking for in the fire on it plots to challenge the African with voting for a government... work, and used two diff erent un- Tuesday, local National Congress (ANC) that that prioritises changing the fu- employment surveys. media reported has ruled since apartheid. ture of the unemployed.” The DA stuck by its unemploy- yesterday. The Democratic Alliance (DA) The South African rand has hit ment statistics, which were dis- hopes to make major gains in new record lows against the dol- played on a huge billboard where municipal elections due be- lar this year, refl ecting the coun- yesterday’s march was held. tween May and August, tapping try’s growing economic troubles Ahead of the event, the bill- into widespread discontent over as commodity prices fall, growth board was badly vandalised, with South Africa’s dire economy. slows sharply and investors lose the DA blaming ANC activists. Unemployment stands at more confi dence. The DA took 22% of votes in than 25%, with the number rising The DA’s campaign centres on the 2014 general election, which to near 40% including those who its claim that about 770 South Af- was easily won by the ANC. have given up looking for work. ricans become jobless every day. South Africa will next hold “We want to make job creation But the statistic has been de- general elections in 2019. Final round of Central Africa election delayed

AFP soon announce a new date,” said sectarian violence in the chroni- maths professor who served as There has been no offi cial con- “irregularities”, but said the sec- rebels against vigilantes from the Bangui Julius Ngouade Baba, a senior cally volatile and dirt poor nation. prime minister under disgraced fi rmation of the date, however. ond round of the presidential poll Christian majority, with civilians offi cial at the electoral authority Dologuele won 23.74% of the ousted president Francois Bozize. “We drafted a technical report, could go ahead. the main victims. (ANE). vote in the fi rst round on Decem- He was considered an outsider which was brought before vari- There were more than 1,000 can- Nearly 2mn people were eligible he fi nal round of presiden- Two former premiers, Anicet ber 30, trailed by Touadera, who among the 30 candidates running ous institutions for considera- didates in the legislative election. to vote in the polls, seen as the way tial elections in the Central Georges Dologuele and Faustin picked up 19.05%. for the top job. tion. When everyone agrees, we The new legislative elections out of more than two years of sec- TAfrican Republic, which Archange Touadera, are vying for Dologuele, a 58-year-old At a meeting in the capital will quickly announce the new should be held within 60 days of tarian bloodshed that has forced had been scheduled for Sunday, the presidency of the strife-torn former central banker, came to Bangui, the government, ANE date,” the ANE’s Ngouade Baba the last one according to law, but about one in 10 of the nation’s has been postponed over organi- nation in the second round run- be known as “Mr Clean” after his and international community said. that is unlikely to happen in this 4.9mn people to fl ee their homes. sational problems, the electoral off vote. attempts to bring transparency to representatives mulled postpon- The announcement comes poor country with abysmal infra- The vote was marred by logis- authority said yesterday. Presidential and legislative murky public fi nances during his ing the second round to February after the country’s top court on structure. tical problems including delays “We can’t hold the election on elections had been seen as vital for time as premier. 14, according to a participant in Monday annulled last month’s The latest violence in Cen- in voting material reaching poll- Sunday, it’s impossible, we will restoring stability after the worst Touadera, also 58, is a former the meeting. fi rst-round legislative vote over tral Africa set mainly Muslim ing centres. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 17 AMERICA Oregon standoff Plow plea! turns violent as occupier killed AFP ist who in 2014 engaged in an armed standoff Burns, Oregon with federal authorities over unpaid cattle grazing fees at his Nevada ranch. Cliven Bundy confi rmed Finicum’s death three-week standoff between police on his Facebook page, saying that he “was and anti-government protesters at an Shot and murdered in Cold blood today in AOregon wildlife refuge exploded into Burns Oregon” by the FBI and state police. violence, with the group’s apparent spokes- The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is man killed by gunfi re and the ringleader located some 48km from Burns, which has a among eight taken into custody. population of 3,000. The status of the occupation by ranchers Malheur Refuge occupier Jason Patrick told and farmers angry over federal land manage- The Oregonian that the site was quiet. But he ment policies remained unclear yesterday, added: “We’re all standing here ready to de- with some protesters still reportedly at the fend our peaceful resolution.” Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in a rural Local radio reports said that neighbours part of the state. were being urged to leave the area around the Details of the operation that led to Tues- refuge. day’s shooting - apparently as police arrested Last week, some 30 people, including occupation participants driving on an icy women and children, were at the site, but highway to a meeting with local people - also it was unclear how many were present on were murky. Wednesday. The bloodshed provided a dramatic twist Oregon Governor Kate Brown urged calm. to a standoff that has been quietly simmering “The situation in Harney County continues for weeks after fi rst grabbing headlines. to be the subject of a federal investigation Ammon Bundy, the rancher who led the that is in progress,” she said in a statement. “I initial January 2 occupation in the north- ask for patience as offi cials continue pursuit Mike Mazza and son Gabriel stand outside of their subdivision, attempting to get plow service western state, was among fi ve people ar- of a swift and peaceful resolution.” for snowy streets, in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Washington will need several more days to return rested when federal agents and state troopers The gunmen originally took over the Mal- to normal after a weekend blizzard dropped more than 60cm of snow along the East Coast, stopped vehicles carrying the activists on a heur reserve in protest over the jailing of two likely causing billions of dollars in damage and killing more than 30 people. remote highway, the FBI said. local ranchers, Dwight Hammond and his son Bundy, 40, and the others face a federal fel- Steven, who were convicted of arson. ony charge “of conspiracy to impede offi cers Their demands soon grew to include calls of the US from discharging their offi cial du- for the government to turn over area federal ties through the use of force, intimidation, or land to local ranchers. In Oregon, nearly 53% threats,” the FBI said in a statement. of the land is federally owned. During the arrest operation, “there were Robert LaVoy Finicum ... accidental victim The Hammonds distanced themselves shots fi red,” the statement read. from the movement and voluntarily began Obama urges swift After the highway incident, the FBI and life threatening injuries and was rushed to a their scheduled prison sentences after the Oregon state police arrested two other men in hospital before being arrested. occupation began. Burns, the town nearest to the refuge. The group was stopped on the highway Several members of the local community, An eighth person, 32-year-old Jon Ritzhe- while traveling in two vehicles, CNN report- notably the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, imer, surrendered to police in the southwest- ed. had condemned the takeover of the reserve, action on Zika virus ern state of Arizona on the same charge, po- Apparently two men - including Bundy’s while expressing sympathy for the Ham- lice said. 43-year-old brother Ryan - disobeyed orders monds. Authorities did not immediately identify when agents stopped the cars and resisted ar- On January 11, the protesters destroyed AFP Positive test ica and the Caribbean that have the dead person. But The Oregonian newspa- rest, resulting in shots being fi red, The Ore- fencing surrounding the reserve. Washington seen cases of Zika virus. per said it was group spokesman Robert “La- gonian said. Ammon Bundy has said they were acting at A Virginia resident who Now, travellers are advised Voy” Finicum. The Bundy brothers are the sons of Cliven the request of a rancher who wanted to graze travelled outside the US to postpone visits to the US The FBI said another person suff ered non- Bundy, 69, a vitriolic anti-government activ- his cattle on the property. S President Barack has tested positive for the Virgin Islands and the Do- Obama has called for mosquito-transmitted Zika minican Republic, along with Ufaster research on the virus, state health off icials said Puerto Rico, Barbados, Bolivia, quick-moving Zika virus, on Tuesday. Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, which is spread by mosquitoes The adult resident had Ecuador, El Salvador, French and has been linked to a rise in recently travelled to a country Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guate- birth defects in Brazil. where Zika virus transmission mala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Lizard found in student’s Obama on Tuesday urged was ongoing and the infection Martinique, Mexico, Panama, better diagnostic tests and the was confirmed through test- Paraguay, Saint Martin, Samoa, development of vaccines and ing by US Centers for Disease Suriname and Venezuela. treatments against the virus, Control and Prevention, the There have not yet been any which the World Health Or- Virginia Department of Health cases of local transmission of salad is now a class pet ganization has said is likely to said in a statement. Zika virus within the US, al- spread throughout the Ameri- “Zika virus is acquired though infected travellers have cas. through the bite of an infected returned to the country after By Barbara Goldberg, Reuters body while unwrapping a bunch studying DNA and the anole is the said in an email to Whole Earth. As of now, there is no vaccine mosquito. Because it is not visiting other areas. New York of tatsoi, an Asian leaf, science only reptile to have its entire DNA “It underscores that food or medicine to treat Zika virus, mosquito season in Virginia, Zika virus is spread to people teacher Mark Eastburn of River- code sequenced,” Eastburn said. doesn’t just come from the su- and no way to prevent it other this individual with Zika virus primarily through the bite of an side Elementary School in Princ- Fran McManus, spokeswom- permarket but from actual out- than by trying to avoid mos- infection poses no risk to oth- infected Aedes species mosqui- tiny green lizard found by eton said on Tuesday. an for Whole Earth Center, the door farms,” the email said. quito bites. er Virginians,” Virginia Health to, according to the CDC. a New Jersey kindergar- Warmth restored its energy natural foods store where Mabon Also known as an American Obama was briefed on the Commissioner Dr Marissa Symptoms are usually mild Aten student in a bundle of and soon the anole lizard was on bought the tatsoi, told Reuters by chameleon, the anole changes situation by top science experts Levine said in a statement. and may include fever, rash, chilled salad greens at home has its way to Riverside Elementary telephone that a Florida grower colour from green to brown to in the US government, includ- The Arkansas Department joint pain and conjunctivitis. wriggled its way into the hearts of School, where it caught “oohs” believes the lizard snuggled into blend into its surroundings, ing the US Centers for Disease of Health on Tuesday con- However, the virus can pass an entire elementary school class, and “aahs” like fl ies, and quickly the greens as they were being which now include a glass enclo- Control and Prevention, Health firmed that a resident of that from a pregnant women to her which has adopted it as a mascot. became the class pet. harvested in chilly temperatures sure near the blackboard in East- and Human Services, and the state who had also recently foetus, and global health au- The 7.5cm critter went un- Less Godzilla and more Geico and then woke up as a stowaway burn’s classroom. National Institutes of Health, travelled out of the country thorities are concerned by an noticed for a few days in the Gecko, the juvenile lizard has in New Jersey. So far, the lizard has feasted on according to a White House tested positive for Zika. apparent link between Zika virus refrigerator in Princeton, New been named “Green Fruit Loop” The lizard lurking in the salad a live cricket and some fruit fl ies statement. and nearly 4,000 cases of babies Jersey, before Sally Mabon and by the children. greens has turned out to be a valu- and has no appetite for tatsoi, On Tuesday, the CDC ex- born with unusually small heads her daughter Faye found its limp “It’s great because the kids are able learning experience, Eastburn Eastburn said. panded its travel warning for considering becoming pregnant - a condition known as micro- pregnant women and those to avoid 24 areas in Latin Amer- cephaly - in Brazil. Chicago architect’s design picked for WWI memorial

By Tom Ramstack, Reuters centrepiece is a wall that includes etched Washington images of World War I soldiers in battle or rescuing injured comrades. Weishaar is a project architect with park-like design by a Chicago archi- Brininstool+Lynch in Chicago and a 2013 tect was selected for the National graduate of the University of Arkansas. The AWorld War I Memorial in Washing- design jury unanimously recommended his ton on Tuesday, the project’s organisers design and the commission approved it. said. The site will complete the national me- Architect Joseph Weishaar’s design, morials in Washington to the four great US called ‘The Weight of Sacrifi ce’, was picked wars of the 20th century - the two world by the World War I Centennial Commis- wars, Korea and Vietnam. sion to be built at Pershing Park in down- The new memorial, which will feature town Washington. It will commemorate the trees and other greenery, will also honour more than 116,000 Americans who died in the 4.7mn Americans in the armed forces the war. during the war and the millions who served Weishaar, 25, and New York sculptor in a civilian capacity. Sabin Howard headed a team that fi nished The 1.75 acre site about a block east of ahead of more than 350 other entrants in a the White House already contains a statue privately funded competition. of General John Pershing, the commander The fi nal design faces a number of ap- of the American Expeditionary Forces dur- provals before it can be built, including that ing the war. of the National Park Service. World War I began in July 1914 and killed It is expected to cost about $35mn. 16mn combatants and civilians. The US en- “We’ve got a long way to go in the fund- tered the war in April 1917 and more Ameri- raising,” Edwin Fountain, vice chairman of cans died in the confl ict than in Korea and the World War I Centennial Commission, Vietnam combined. told a news conference. “We lost more men in one month in Each cubic foot of the memorial repre- World War One than we lost in 14 years in An artist’s rendering of Joseph Weishaar and Sabin Howard’s design ‘The Weight of Sacrifice’ released by the World War I Centennial Commission. sents a US service member who died. The the war on terror,” Fountain said. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, January 28, 2016 ASEAN Communist Party Top lawyer ‘rejected re-elects Trong as consensus rule advice’ to charge Najib prevails in Vietnam Reuters Minister Mahathir Mohamed, Kuala Lumpur Najib’s fi ercest critic, said in a blog that having that much Reuters term premiership, experts say. money in his account was Hanoi Political analyst Nguyen alaysia’s anti-graft wrong in itself, and the attor- Quang A said Dung’s politbu- agency had recom- ney-general’s role as both judge ro exit was due to personality Mmended that Prime and prosecutor amounted to an ietnam’s Communist clashes and the party’s con- Minister Najib Razak be charged injustice. Party re-elected Nguyen sensus rule may not be an im- with criminal misappropria- Najib still enjoys the backing VPhu Trong to its top post pediment as private business tion, a source said yesterday, of most of the powerful division yesterday, an expected out- booms and the country seeks to amid growing outrage after the chiefs in the ruling United Malays come that bolsters consensus integrate globally. premier was cleared of any of- National Organisation party, and rule but creates some uncer- “There are forces outside of fences in a multimillion-dollar most of his critics concede that tainty about the momentum of the Communist Party that will scandal. he cannot be unseated. economic reform. lead the progress of the coun- The attorney-general on Moving to stamp out dissent Trong, 71, is seen by experts try,” he said. Tuesday closed all investiga- last year, he sacked his deputy, as a conservative apparatchik “Trong is no strongman, he tions of Najib, after review- replaced the former attorney- and a party loyalist unlikely to won’t overrule the collective ing reports from the Malaysian general and replaced him with deviate from the party’s eco- decisions. We can see a lot of Anti-Corruption Commission Apandi and cracked down on nomic and foreign policy agen- younger, Western-educated (MACC) on a case that involved opposition leaders and academ- da, at a time when China and people now on the party’s cen- the transfer of $681mn into the ics. Human Rights Watch said in the US are vying aggressively tral committee.” prime minister’s personal bank its World Report 2016 released for influence. A source familiar with inter- account. But a source at the yesterday that Malaysia’s hu- The five-yearly congress, nal affairs of the secretive party MACC told Reuters that, when man rights situation had dete- normally considered a dull af- confirmed to Reuters Trong’s it handed its fi ndings to the at- riorated sharply during 2015, fair, had stirred rare public re-election. torney-general last month, the as the government stepped up excitement about politics due The congress is due to en- agency had recommended Najib a campaign of harassment and to the prospect of a leadership dorse him today and announce to be charged for criminal mis- repression. challenge from pro-business a new politburo. appropriation. Separately, a report by global premier Nguyen Tan Dung, The party has not officially “It’s a pretty straightforward watchdog Transparency In- whom the politburo overlooked announced him retaining the case. We had made recommen- ternational showed Malaysia’s in its nominations for key post, although the congress dations for charges to be fi led ranking in corruption percep- posts. Despite speculation of a website carried a photograph that the attorney-general has tion had tumbled four places tense showdown, Dung chose of Trong holding flowers and instead chosen to reject,” said last year to 54th among 168 not to contest. flanked by smiling officials, the source, who declined to be countries. Its report is based on Trong was the politburo’s with a caption saying they were identifi ed or to elaborate on perceived level of corruption in sole candidate for party chief, congratulating him on being MACC’s fi ndings. the public sector. clipping the wings of Dung, re-elected. The attorney-general’s offi ce “The government must pro- 66, who had garnered broad Some investors saw that as was not immediately available Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak leaves his off ice at the Parliament house in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. vide the leadership and strong party support and cultivated a win for the old guard that for comment. political will to drive the mes- an image as a progressive with brings uncertainty about the MACC said in a statement it funds, adding to a sense of cri- ed to be taken on the matter. “The court of public opinion sage of zero tolerance for graft,” his decisive running of a fast- trajectory of an economy that would seek a review of the deci- sis in a country under economic Najib has denied any wrongdo- will continue to try him,” said said Akhbar Satar, president growing economy. was spurred last year by a slew sion and declined to make any duress from slumping oil prices ing and said he did not take any veteran journalist and former of Transparency International Analysts regard Trong as a of new liberal regulations and further public comment on the and a sliding currency. money for personal gain. editor-in-chief of the state- Malaysia, who said the 1MDB party stalwart keen to uphold a Vietnam’s accession to multi- attorney-general’s fi ndings. Attorney-General Mohamed However, popular opinion linked New Strait Times news- scandal was one of the factors collective rule that Dung’s am- lateral trade pacts. Najib has been buff eted for Apandi Ali appeared to have seems to be against Najib as he paper, A Kadir Jasin. behind the fall in the ranking. bition and popularity among The re-election to the cen- months by allegations of graft drawn a line under the scandal tries to rebuild support ahead “As for all of us, we have to do “The general public are ex- businessmen could have tested. tral committee of some key at the debt-laden state fund on Tuesday, announcing that of a 2018 general election, and some serious soul searching if pecting high ethical standards Resentment still festers policymakers and ministers of 1Malaysia Development Ber- the money was a private gift yesterday commentators and we care for this country and its of both conduct and account- among Dung’s party opponents Dung’s government, however, had (1MDB) and by revelations from Saudi Arabia’s royal family critics denounced the attorney- future.” ability from executive, judiciary over crises in the banking and could signal wholesale changes of the mysterious transfer of and that no further action need- general’s ruling as a whitewash. Infl uential former Prime and legislative branches.” state sectors under his two- may not take place.

UNREST Forces evacuate hundreds of members Thailand of sect after clashes is top Indonesian security forces yesterday evacuated hundreds of members of a group authorities Asia-Pacifi c have called a deviant religious organisation to the capital, Jakarta, after sectarian violence drove tourist stop them from their homes in West Kalimantan province. Men, women and children associated with a Reuters group called Gafatar, which the Singapore country’s highest Islamic council considers a deviant sect, were attacked last week by other West hinese tourists can’t Kalimantan residents who oppose seem to get enough of their beliefs. The attackers burned CThailand, with visitor houses and cars, media reported, numbers to the Southeast Asian but there were no reports of any kingdom surging over the past deaths. More than 700 people ar- year at one of the fastest clips in rived on a navy vessel at Jakarta’s the Asia-Pacifi c region. main port. They will be housed in In a year that saw the Thai government shelters before being military government grapple relocated, off icials said. with an outbreak of the deadly One of the evacuees, Ateng, 42, fl u-like Mers virus as well as the who arrived in the capital with his bombing at a major shrine, Chi- wife and six children, denounced nese tourists helped turn Bang- the violence against them. kok into the region’s most-visit- “This is a violation of democracy,” ed destination in 2015, according he told Reuters. “The law guaran- to the fi rst-ever MasterCard tees the right to assemble and Asia Pacifi c Destinations Index organise.” Authorities consider Ga- published yesterday. fatar’s teachings “dangerous” and All three Thai destinations in the group was outlawed last year. the 10 most-visited list —Phuket People associated with the group was ranked fi fth, Pattaya eighth say it is a social organisation and — recorded more than 10% year- not a religious one. on-year growth in international Newly-elected members of parliament from the National League of Democracy participate in a study-visit to the parliament at Naypyidaw yesterday. arrivals, outpacing other loca- tions like Singapore and Kuala DISTRESS Lumpur, which were at No 2 and Police find more No 4, respectively. In 2016, the Thai govern- bodies of migrants ment expects Chinese visitors to Suu Kyi’s novice MPs learn ropes from boat make up a larger proportion of the record 32mn people forecast Malaysian police said yesterday to visit. they had recovered five more bodies from the waters off the southern state of Johor, a day af- TRAGEDY in outgoing Myanmar parliament ter a boat carrying illegal migrants 14 dead in cold wave capsized in big waves. AFP stifl ed by military rule. country,” he said. for president has yet to be re- ministry by giving it control Authorities launched a search At least 12 people died overnight in Yangon The new MPs include de- Most MPs currently in par- vealed. over immigration. on Tuesday after 13 bodies were Thailand as cold weather gripped mocracy activists from all liament are from the military- She is barred from the role The move would need par- spotted in the sea near the coastal the country, off icials said yesterday. walks of life and dozens of affi liated ruling party, part of a by the junta-drafted consti- liament’s approval. town of Bandar Penawar. The deaths were caused either by undreds of newly- former political prisoners, but quasi-civilian administration tution and has pledged to rule Suu Kyi’s administration District police chief Rahmat exposure or respiratory illnesses, elected Myanmar MPs few have any background in that replaced outright junta “above” the next leader - a will face major challenges Othman said the boat had been an off icial from the Department of Hfrom Aung San Suu lawmaking. The country was rule in 2011 and initiated a se- move she would have to bal- such as high levels of pov- travelling from Indonesia’s Batam Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Kyi’s party took lessons in ruled by an oppressive military ries of major political and eco- ance against a desire to main- erty, an economy struggling island and was believed to have (DDPM) said. Two other people died lawmaking from the outgoing junta for nearly 50 years, from nomic reforms. tain harmonious relations with to take fl ight despite droves of been carrying up to 40 people. earlier in Chainat Province, also due army-dominated parliament 1962-2011. “We are now trying As a key part of those chang- the still-powerful army. international investors, ongo- “Some of the passengers man- to the plunge in temperature. yesterday, days before taking to learn from the old MPs be- es Suu Kyi and some 40 fellow As the outgoing parliament’s ing civil wars and desperately aged to swim to safety, though it A cold front has swept through their seats in the most demo- cause we have no experience,” NLD MPs entered parliament fi nal day on Friday comes clos- overburdened infrastructure is unclear how many survived,” he Thailand, sending temperatures cratic legislature for decades. said Naing Ngan Kyaw, a new for the fi rst time in 2012, form- er there has been a fi nal fl urry and bureaucracy. said in a text message. below five degrees Celsius in some A landslide victory for Suu lower house MP from the cen- ing a minority opposition. of negotiations and political It was not just the new NLD The bodies of nine men and areas, more than 10 degrees less Kyi’s National League for De- tral mining town of Mogok. But the tables turned dra- manoeuvres. lawmakers who attended yes- nine women had been taken to a than the average low for this time of mocracy (NLD) in November He was one of around 350 matically last year, when the Suu Kyi met army chief Min terday’s sessions. Some new hospital for a post-mortem. More year.A high-pressure front has also polls will give the politicians new legislators who attended party swept nearly 80% of Aung Hlaing on Monday and unelected military MPs, who bodies were expected to be found, caused flooding and high storm their fi rst taste of power when parliament sessions in the cap- elected seats in the parliament. a day later President Thein are allocated a quarter of par- Rahmat said. surges in the country’s south, with the new parliament convenes ital Naypyidaw to watch vet- Many remain gripped by un- Sein made a shock proposal to liament seats under a consti- Indonesians travel to Malaysia to more than 3,000 households af- on February 1, a historical eran lawmakers in action. certainty over the transfer of extend the powers of the mil- tutional provision, were also work in plantations and as domes- fected, according to the DDPM. turning point for a nation long “It is in the interest of our power since Suu Kyi’s choice itary-controlled home aff airs present. tic helpers. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 19 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA US, China agree Power on need for new steps on N Korea

Reuters After talks yesterday, which went hours Beijing past schedule, Kerry said details still had not been set. A restored World War II-era Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter taxis on the tarmac at Japan’s Maritime In a sign that Beijing could be reluctant to Defence Force’s Kanoya air base in Kagoshima prefecture on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. S Secretary of State John Kerry and take a more hardline stance on North Korea, More than 70 years after striking fear into the hearts of Allied pilots, a restored Zero fighter took to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi state news agency Xinhua said it was “un- the skies in southern Japan yesterday. Former US Air Force pilot Skip Holm piloted the legendary Uagreed yesterday on the need for a realistic to rely merely on China to press the airplane owned by Japanese businessman Masahiro Ishizuka who lives in New Zealand. signifi cant new UN Security resolution tar- DPRK to abandon its nuclear programme, geting North Korea after its January 6 nuclear as long as the US continues an antagonistic test, though there were few signs of concrete approach wrought from a Cold War mental- progress. ity”. Kerry, on a two-day visit to Beijing, had US Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese “Bear in mind that China-DPRK ties should been expected to press China, North Ko- president Xi Jinping in Beijing yesterday. not be understood as a top-down relationship Poison drooling Big Boy lends his rea’s lone major backer, for more curbs on where the latter follows every bit of advice of- Pyongyang after it said it had successfully tween China and North Korea was one area fered by the former,” Xinhua said, referring to conducted a test of a miniaturised hydrogen where steps could be taken to pressure North Korea by its offi cial name, the Demo- fangs to life saving programme nuclear device, though the United States has Pyongyang back to talks, he said. cratic People’s Republic of Korea. voiced scepticism as to whether it was that Kerry also said that shipping, aviation, Xinhua commentaries are not offi cial gov- powerful. trade of resources, including coal and fuel, ernment pronouncements, but can be read as DPA that are China has insisted it is already making and security at border customs, were key ar- a refl ection of offi cial thinking. Wang added Sydney milked for great eff orts to achieve denuclearisation on eas in the sanctions debate. North Korea is that sanctions should be seen as a path to ne- venom at the Korean peninsula and Wang rejected any heavily reliant on China for oil, gasoline and gotiation, and not as a punitive end in them- the park “groundless speculation” on its North Korea trade. selves. ustralian researchers are milking a deadly every year. stance, following remarks from US offi cials “All nations, particularly those that seek a Kerry said that a need for the United States funnel-web spider with a leg span of 10cm, Their ven- that China could do more. global leadership role, share a fundamental and China to fi nd a way forward on easing Athe largest ever used for their anti-venom om is then “We agreed that the UN Security Council responsibility to meet this challenge with a tension in the South China Sea weighed heav- programme. injected in needs to take further action and pass a new united front,” Kerry said. ily in talks. The funnel-web, named Big Boy, is one of the incremental resolution,” Wang told reporters at a joint He added that the US would take “all nec- “I stressed the importance of fi nding com- world’s deadliest species, and was handed over last doses into briefi ng with Kerry. essary steps” to honour security commit- mon ground among the claimants and avoid- week to the Australian Reptile Park for the coun- Big Boy rabbits that “In the meantime, we must point out that ments to allies, signalling that the US was ing a destabilising cycle of mistrust or esca- try’s sole anti-venom scheme. gradually the new resolution should not provoke new prepared to continue ramping up its military lation,” Kerry said. “Foreign Minister Wang It will be milked to produce an antidote for hu- build up antibodies in their blood. tensions.” presence in the region, a move that would Yi accepted the idea that it would be worth mans bitten by funnel-webs. Only males can be After 10-12 months, the lab extracts a small Kerry said the two sides had agreed to likely unsettle Beijing. exploring whether or not there was a way to milked, and venom drips constantly from the fangs amount of the blood, from which the plasma con- an “accelerated eff ort” at the UN to reach a The 15-member UN Security Council said reduce the tensions and solve some of the of Big Boy, the park said in a statement. taining the anti-bodies is extracted to make the “strong resolution that introduces signifi cant at the time of North Korea’s test that it would challenges through diplomacy.” “They are a feisty species of spider and can be anti-venom serum. new measures” to curtail North Korea’s abil- begin working on signifi cant new measures in Wang said China’s activities in the region, expected to stand their ground and defend them- The bite from a funnel-web, which can live un- ity to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile response, a threat diplomats said could mean which have elicited unease from the US and its selves,” said Liz Vella, Head Curator at the Austral- der water up to 30 hours, can aff ect the nervous programs. an expansion of sanctions. allies, should not be construed as militarisation. ian Reptile Park. system and intestines, cause diffi culty in breath- “It’s not enough to agree on the goal. We Since then, diplomats said Washington and “China has given a commitment of not en- The park regularly issues calls to the pub- ing, and even heart collapse. According to Austral- believe we need to agree on the meaningful Beijing have been primarily negotiating on a gaging in so-called militarization, and we will lic to catch and send in spiders to produce the ian Museum website there have been 13 recorded steps necessary to get the achievement of the draft resolution, but when asked on Saturday if honour that commitment,” Wang said. “We anti-venom, which saves hundreds of lives per deaths from the Sydney funnel-web spider bites in goal,” Kerry said. they were nearing agreement, US ambassador cannot accept the allegation that China’s year. Australia, but no one has died since the anti-venom The exchange of goods and services be- to the United Nations Samantha Power said no. words are not being matched by action.” Big Boy is one of more than 500 funnel-webs programme was introduced in 1981. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, January 28, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA HK clears ex-offi cial of charges

Reuters z The head of China’s sta- Hong Kong tistics bureau, responsible for calculating the country’s eco- nomic fi gures, is being probed ong Kong has cleared for corruption, a watchdog its former anti- said Tuesday, the latest tar- Hcorruption chief of get of a high-level anti-graft criminal wrongdoing, saying drive. there is not enough evidence “Wang Baoan is suspected to prosecute him, the depart- of severe disciplinary viola- ment of justice said yesterday. tions, he is currently under Timothy Tong, the former investigation,” the central commissioner of the inde- commission for discipline pendent commission against inspection said in a one-line corruption (ICAC), had been statement on its website, us- accused of entertaining main- ing a phrase that normally re- land offi cials too often and too fers to corruption. lavishly during his fi ve-year The announcement came tenure to 2012. just hours after Wang ap- Tong denied any wrongdo- peared at a press briefi ng in ing. Beijing on China’s economy Taiwan navy fast attack boats take part in a military drill outside a naval base in Kaohsiung port. “In the present case, the in 2015. decision not to prosecute Mr Tong is solely based upon in- “The fact that the DOJ suffi ciency of evidence,” the decides not to commence department of justice (DOJ) prosecution on the said in a statement. ground of insuffi ciency “The fact that the DOJ de- of evidence should cides not to commence pros- not be interpreted as ecution on the ground of insuf- an endorsement of Mr Taiwan holds drills to fi ciency of evidence should not Tong’s conduct or any be interpreted as an endorse- part thereof” ment of Mr Tong’s conduct or any part thereof,” it added. Last week, the National The ICAC, credited with Bureau of Statistics released ending the rampant offi cial data that showed China’s graft that fl ourished during economy grew at the slow- calm tension on China Hong Kong’s colonial era, en- est pace in 25 years. Wang dorsed the DOJ decision and reiterated on Tuesday that The prospects of relations going bad Although Tsai has pledged to main- (AIT), the de facto US embassy in Taipei in independence-leaning Democratic Pro- said in a statement it would the country’s gross domes- when the new president takes over tain the status quo with Beijing, rela- the absence of formal diplomatic ties. gressive Party (DPP). Ma’s offi ce said it had not pursue any independent tic product calculations were are raising tensions tions are widely expected to cool as the “We are disappointed that president asked DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen to send a investigations. reliable, Chinese media re- DPP is traditionally a pro-independ- Ma Ying-jeou plans to travel to Taiping representative, but the party said it had no It also said it had tightened ported, despite widespread AFP ence party. Island,” AIT spokeswoman Sonia Urbom plans to do so. rules on spending, including criticism of the data. Taipei It does not recognise that Taiwan is part said in an email to Reuters. Beijing, recognised by most of the world on offi cial entertainment, gifts Questions have repeatedly of “one China” — a principle insisted upon “Such an action is extremely unhelpful as the head of “one China”, deems Taiwan and overseas visits. been raised about the accuracy by Beijing. and does not contribute to the peaceful a wayward province to be retaken by force Inquiries by Hong Kong of offi cial Chinese economic aiwan carried out military drills China’s state-controlled CCTV last resolution of disputes in the South China if necessary. lawmakers found that Tong statistics, which critics say yesterday with naval chiefs assuring week released footage it claimed depicted Sea.” Yann-huei Song, a prominent Taiwan had lead 22 offi cial ICAC del- can be subject to political ma- Tresidents the island is safe, as con- a drill recently carried out by Chinese The United States wanted Taiwan and scholar who advises the government on egations to mainland cities nipulation. cerns grow that tensions will escalate with forces, off the southeast coast of the main- all claimants to lower tensions, rather than South China Sea issues, said Ma was mak- and Macau while he was com- Wang was appointed head China after recent presidential elections. land, near Taiwan. taking actions that could raise them, Ur- ing the trip to make sure Taiwan, recog- missioner, costing a com- of the National Bureau of The drills were the fi rst since Tsai Ing- Taiwan’s defence ministry dismissed bom added. nised by only a handful of countries, had bined total of almost HK$2mn Statistics in April of last year. wen of the China-sceptic Democratic the footage, saying the images were col- On a visit to Beijing yesterday, US sec- a voice. ($260,000). He previously spent about 17 Progressive Party (DPP) swept to victory lated from past manoeuvres. retary of state John Kerry said Washington “No one is listening to Taiwan,” Song, The visits included mul- years in various positions in in the elections earlier this month. A Taiwanese defence ministry offi cial and Beijing needed to fi nd a way to ease who is a research fellow with the prestig- tiple meetings with China’s the fi nance ministry. She ousted the ruling Beijing-friendly who spoke on condition of anonymity told tensions in the South China Sea, through ious Academia Sinica in Taiwan, told Reu- top prosecutor and dozens of Offi cial allegations of graft Kuomintang (KMT), bringing to an end AFP that the move was part of Beijing’s which $5tn in ship-borne trade passes ters. “You are not allowed to participate in senior national and provincial against high-level politicians eight years of unprecedented rapproche- “psychological warfare” against Taiwan. every year. the multilateral dispute mechanism. What offi cials. are generally followed by an ment with China. China has 1,500 missiles trained on “We talked about the possibility of a would you do?” After he left the ICAC, Tong internal probe by China’s Yesterday, the Taiwanese navy displayed Taiwan, according to the island’s defence diplomatic way forward and foreign min- Ian Storey, a South China Sea expert at was appointed to the Chinese Communist Party, and some- eight warships and fi red fl ares from a mis- ministry. ister Wang Yi accepted the idea that it Singapore’s ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, People’s Political Consultative times lead to criminal pro- sile corvette during an exercise in waters China fi red test missiles into the Taiwan would be worth exploring whether or not said he expected the Philippines and Viet- Conference (CPPCC), a pres- ceedings almost guaranteed to off Tsoying in southern Taiwan, home to Strait in a bid to deter voters in the island’s there was a way to reduce the tensions and nam to lodge a strong protest. tigious advisory body to the end in conviction. the island’s naval headquarters. fi rst democratic elections in 1996. solve some of the challenges through di- “But I do think it is unlikely they would mainland government. Internal investigations into It was the second and fi nal day of the Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou’s plomacy,” Kerry said. stage a similar visit involving a senior po- Tong confi rmed he had high-level party offi cials op- drills which saw a group of elite frogmen planned trip to the Taiwanese-held island Both Taiwan and China claim most of litical fi gure going to one of their own oc- also hosted meals for main- erate without judicial over- land on a beach in motorboats Tuesday on of Itu Aba in the disputed South China Sea the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Phil- cupied islands ... that would risk infl aming land offi cials from the central sight. Once announced, they the island of Kinmen — a Taiwan-control- is “extremely unhelpful” and won’t do ippines, Malaysia and Brunei also have relations with China and neither want to government’s liaison offi ce in are likely to lead to a sacking led outpost island near China’s southeast- anything to resolve disputes over the wa- competing claims. Vietnam’s most senior go that far,” Storey said. Hong Kong and offi cials from followed by criminal prosecu- ern Xiamen city. terway, a US offi cial said yesterday. offi cial in Taiwan said Hanoi “resolutely Asked to comment on Ma’s planned the Communist Party’s United tion and jail sentence. A fl eet of F-16 fi ghter jets were also Ma’s offi ce earlier announced that the opposes” Ma’s planned visit. visit, the mainland’s Taiwan Aff airs Of- Front Work Department. Authorities have been pur- scrambled in another exercise Tuesday at president, who steps down in May, would Itu Aba lies in the Spratly archipelago, fi ce reiterated that China and Taiwan had Hong Kong returned from suing a hard-hitting campaign the southern Chiayi airbase. fl y to Itu Aba today to off er Chinese New where China’s rapid construction of seven a common duty to protect Chinese sover- British rule to China in 1997 against allegedly crooked of- “With the Lunar New Year approaching, Year wishes to residents on the island, man-made islands has drawn alarm across eignty in the waterway. under a “one-country, two- fi cials since president Xi Jin- our citizens can feel at ease we are able to mainly Taiwanese coastguard personnel parts of Asia and been heavily criticised by “Safeguarding national sovereignty and systems” formula intended to ping took offi ce in 2013, a cru- maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait,” Vice and environmental scholars. Washington. territorial integrity as well as safeguarding preserve the fi nancial hub’s sade that some experts have Admiral Tsai Hung-tu, head of the navy’s But Ma’s one-day visit to Itu Aba, Taiwan has just fi nished a $100mn port the overall interests of the Chinese nation autonomy. called a political purge. political warfare offi ce, told AFP. known as Taiping in Taiwan, comes amid upgrade and built a new lighthouse on Itu is the common responsibility and obliga- Military exercises are routinely carried growing international concern over rising Aba, which has its own airstrip, a hospital tion of compatriots across the straits,” out by Taiwan before the Lunar New Year tensions in the waterway and quickly drew and fresh water. spokesman Ma Xiaoguang told reporters in Beijing. holidays which fall in February this year. the ire of the American Institute in Taiwan Ma’s visit follows elections won by the Taiwan court orders Curbs in Auckland after discovery of fly retrial of general Restrictions on moving fresh produce Ousted but not forgotten: and frequent inspections were still in force in parts of Auckland on Tuesday AFP court which also cleared five after a single fruit fly regarded as an Taipei others for their roles in the invasive pest was found last week. case. The ministry of primary industry put The high court cleared Shen former Aussie PM Abbott in place a Controlled Area extending aiwan’s top court yes- a year later on the ground that 1.5km around the place where the terday ordered a retrial he did not actually infl ict harm Tau fly was found on Thursday in the Tof a senior military of- on the young man or could DPA His high-profi le policy of suburb of Manurewa, 25km from the fi cial acquitted over the death have predicted the tragic out- Sydney stopping migrant boats from city centre. The Tau fly is seen as an of a young conscript that come — a ruling overturned by reaching Australia dramatically insect pest in South-East Asia, where sparked widespread anger and the supreme court yesterday. slowed arrivals. He announced its larva feed on host plants and brought down the then de- “Doubt remains over ony Abbott, 57, made an that even successful asylum can damage produce. People in the fence minister. whether or not he (Shen) ful- impression as a rigorous seekers would not be allowed controlled zone have been asked not Corporal Hung Chung- fi lled his obligation to look af- Tand combative premier into Australia but resettled to move fruit and vegetables on the chiu, 24, died of heatstroke on ter (a subordinate) and if this during his time in power from elsewhere, a policy continued restricted list - which includes the fly’s July 4, 2013 just three days be- was a negligence or an indirect September 2013 to September under Turnbull. favourite foods such as pumpkins, fore the end of his compulsory but intentional act ... which 2015. His ouster in September melons, cucumbers and aubergines - year-long military service. should be thoroughly inves- True to form, after being came as the Liberals’ popu- from their properties other than to put His family said Hung was tigated and reviewed,” the ousted by Malcolm Turnbull in larity slumped, with many them in designated disposal bins. forced to do excessive exercise supreme court said in a state- last year’s internal Liberal party blaming him for Australia’s Some 58 field workers are in the area as punishment for taking a ment. ballot he lashed out at what he suffering during the global checking traps and collecting produce smartphone onto his base, and Hung’s case was one of the saw as “sour, bitter character economic slowdown, pav- for inspection but no further Tau that he had previously fi led worst scandals to have hit the assassination” in the media, Tony Abbott ing the way for the arrival of flies have been found, the ministry’s complaints about other abuse military and triggered massive and Australia’s “revolving-door trained lawyer and investment manager for surveillance and meted out by his superiors. street protests that brought prime ministership”. ship to study politics and law at ership contest he won by one banker Turnbull. incursion investigation, Brendan Gould Prosecutors had said that down then defence minister Over a 21-year political ca- Oxford University in England. vote. Abbott has continued to said. “We are focused on finding out if Hung was subjected to “cruel Kao Hua-chu. It also dealt a reer, the Jesuit-educated mara- He became a media adviser After winning power in the make headlines in the last four there is a population of these flies in and abusive” exercises when big blow to the government thon runner gained a reputation with the Liberal party in oppo- 2013 general election, he cut months however, including for the area. If one exists, we want to get indicting a number of military of president Ma Ying-jeou, as a right-wing, pro-business sition before winning a seat in a spending and some taxes, and a speech in London in October rid of them as they pose a threat to offi cials over his death. whose approval ratings were monarchist. 1994 by-election in Warringah, restarted the practice of giving encouraging Europe to adopt some horticultural crops,” he said in a Major general Shen Wei- plummeting at the time. “I’m not saying that our cul- north Sydney – the same seat knighthoods by awarding one Australia-style immigration statement. chih, the former commander Ma, of the China-friendly ture, our traditions are perfect, he is set to contest in the next to Queen Elizabeth’s husband, policies; and for picking up a “We will be working closely with of Hung’s brigade, was sen- ruling Kuomintang, has less but we have to respect them elections. Prince Philip. The policy has fridge bought by his wife on schools ... to make sure parents have tenced to six months in prison than four months left of his and my idea is to build on the When Labor took over again since been scrapped. second-hand goods website good information about what can by a district court in 2014 on term and will be succeeded by strength of our society,” he said in 2007, Abbott held his seat. Taxes on mining and carbon Gumtree in December. and can’t go into school lunchboxes,” charges of abusing his author- Tsai Ing-wen of the opposi- during his successful 2013 elec- He took advantage of divisions were duly axed, although Abbott With another election in his Gould said. New Zealand’s climate does ity to confi ne the young con- tion Democratic Progressive tion campaign. caused by then leader Turn- committed to the previous admin- sights, he is not going to dis- not suit the species however, and the script. Party (DPP), who won presi- After university in Sydney, bull’s support for Labor’s cli- istration’s target of a 5% reduction appear from the political scene ministry of primary industry says it is Shen was among 13 mili- dential elections in a landslide Abbott won a Rhodes scholar- mate policy, sparking a lead- on 2000 emissions by 2020. anytime soon. unlikely the insect will establish itself. tary officials jailed by the victory earlier this month. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 21 BRITAIN

LEGAL PEOPLE DECISION SURVEY OFFBEAT ‘Bedroom tax’ Singer Black dies FT journalists vote to Quarter of Britons Club launches appeal as discriminates: court following car crash strike in pensions row ‘have witness racism’ mascot’s head disappears

The “bedroom tax” was declared British singer Black, known for his wistful 1980s hit Reporters at Britain’s Japanese-owned About a quarter of British people have witnessed Queen’s Park have launched an urgent missing discriminatory by the Court of Appeal Wonderful Life, has died following a road accident, a Financial Times business newspaper have racism in the last year and more than two thirds persons appeal after their mascot’s head yesterday following challenges by a victim of statement on his Facebook page said. The musician, voted in favour of their first strike in 30 years of them regret not challenging the perpetrators, disappeared from the club pavilion. The Scottish domestic violence and the grandparents of a real name Colin Vearncombe, never regained over a pensions dispute, the main journalists’ a survey found. The Holocaust Memorial Day club tweeted a picture of Harry the Hoopo severely disabled teenager. The government consciousness after a car crash 16 days ago and died trade union said. “Financial Times journalists Trust interviewed some 2,000 adults, with (with his head intact) and the plea: “We beseech said it would appeal against the ruling by in hospital in Cork, southern Ireland, surrounded are poised for a 24-hour strike... as talks broke 25% saying they had witnessed at least one you to leave no stone unturned in the hunt for three judges over its policy of cutting housing by family members who were singing as he passed down over the management’s refusal to “hate crime or hate incident based on race or Harry’s head. He is a much-loved Queen’s Park benefit for social housing tenants who have away. “No need to laugh or cry/ It’s a wonderful, honour pension commitments following the ethnicity,” it said in a report published to mark figure and we fear that should his head not a “spare” bedroom. It followed a hearing in wonderful life,” the statement concluded, quoting newspaper’s sale to Nikkei,” the National Union Holocaust Memorial Day yesterday. Sixty-nine be returned there will be many young spiders November over two cases. In both cases it was Black’s most famous song. The 53-year-old’s funeral of Journalists (NUJ) said in a statement. It said percent of respondents said they regretted severely disappointed.” The League Two club, argued that the policy, which came into force will be private but will be followed by a memorial that the members voted “overwhelmingly” in not challenging those who committed “acts of nicknamed the Spiders, are currently awaiting in April 2013, unlawfully discriminates against service in his home city of Liverpool, northwest favour of the action. An NUJ spokesman said violence or hostility directed at people because a ransom note for the missing hippopotamus women and domestic violence victims and England. News of his death was confirmed by a the strike was scheduled for next week but of who they are or who someone thinks they cranium but say that any information received against children. second statement on his off icial website. would not specify when. are,” the report said. will be treated with strict confidence.

Campaign event Southern Rail, Thameslink voted worst in country

London Evening Standard given the “best possible service London every time they travel” and had not “always received the service they deserve”. hree profitable train But she added: “These fi gures firms serving London show that overall satisfaction in Tfaced passenger fury this area is improving and this is yesterday after being named as testament to the record invest- the worst in Britain. ment and the hard work of rail Thameslink came bottom, staff who made it happen.” with 73% for passenger satisfac- A spokesperson for Southern, tion, followed by Southeastern Thameslink and Gatwick Ex- on 75% and Southern on 78%, press said: “We know punctual- according to fi gures from the ity was particularly poor at the National Rail Passenger Survey. time of this survey, making life The satisfaction level among diffi cult for our passengers. commuters was just 68% for “Many of those delays were both the Govia Thameslink fran- outside our control, such as lor- chise and for Southeastern, with ries hitting one particular low Southern on 70%. railway bridge in Tulse Hill no Prime Minister, David Cameron listens to Conservative London mayoral candidate, Zac Goldsmith, at a campaign event in London. All three firms are part of fewer than seven times, causing parent company Go-Ahead, 125 cancellations and delaying which reported profits from trains by more than 3,500 min- its rail business rising 30.5% utes. But we will redouble our to £25.7mn in the year to June. eff orts with Network Rail to im- Its chief executive David Brown prove punctuality, with NR mak- saw his pay package rise to ing track, signalling and other £2.1mn last year. systems more dependable and Shadow transport secretary GTR bringing in new, more reli- Lilian Greenwood said: “It’s able trains this spring and still outrageous that the train opera- more drivers.” Under-fi re Cameron tor is reporting rising profi ts and The offi cial added that in- awarding huge bonuses while creased passenger demand and services are deteriorating. Com- essential improvement work at muters are enduring appalling London Bridge had made any delays and overcrowding and problems on the Brighton main serious questions now need to be line and Thameslink route “up asked over the viability of these to four times more diffi cult to re- defends Google tax deal franchises.” cover from”. All three train operators have Southeastern MD David AFP Google was paying an eff ective Cameron said he was “genu- The Times newspaper said Italy the Special European Parliamen- been aff ected by the rebuilding of Statham apologised for recent London tax rate of three percent on its inely angry about what happened was set to strike a far tougher deal tary Committee on Tax Rulings, London Bridge station. delays and stressed it was seek- profi ts made in Britain. The 2015- to Google” under previous La- with Google, equating to 15% of said it wanted to question Fi- Anthony Smith, chief execu- ing to address causes of disrup- 16 corporation tax rate is 20%. bour governments. its profi ts there. nance Minister George Osborne tive of watchdog Transport Fo- tion for which it was responsible. rime Minister David “I do dispute the fi gures that The Conservative leader, who Britain’s tax deal with Google about the “very bad deal”. cus, said: “Passengers must be NR said: “We are working hard Cameron yesterday de- you give,” Cameron replied. took offi ce in 2010, said: “Goog- follows a six-year probe by Her “We also want the head of involved much more closely in the on the reliability of our equip- Pfended the tax deal struck “But I am absolutely clear that le’s taxes are going up under this Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Google to come and tell us, be- planning of future big investment ment and it is improving. How- with US Internet giant Google no (British) government has done government. We have put in in response to controversy over cause this is not fair competi- programmes, such as at Waterloo ever, the very busy nature of the as he came under fi re in parlia- more than this one to crack down place the diverted profi ts tax that low taxes paid by multinational tion,” she told BBC radio. and Euston. railway in Kent and south Lon- ment yesterday. on tax evasion and aggressive tax means that this company and corporations which operate in “This bad deal is very bad news “In addition, these schemes don in particular means that the Google is to pay £130mn in avoidance.” other companies will pay more Britain but have headquarters for everybody because it shows should have realistic expecta- impact of any problems is far back taxes to Britain following Corbyn said workers fi lling tax in future. and subsidiaries elsewhere. that the UK prepares itself to be- tions about performance and greater than in the past and lasts a government inquiry into its in their tax returns “do not get “And more tax in future than The diverted profi ts tax - nick- come a kind of a tax haven to at- price freezes built in from the longer.” tax arrangements, a company the option of 25 meetings with they ever paid under Labour, named the “Google tax” - is tract the multinationals.” start. The deserved credit for the For Britain as a whole, rail pas- spokeswoman said yesterday. 17 ministers to decide what their where the tax rate for Google was intended to stop fi rms moving She added: “You have to do a investment will be much harder senger satisfaction rose for the Cameron was grilled on the rate of tax is. “Why is there one zero percent. “We have changed profi ts abroad. lot of calculation to know wheth- to claim otherwise.” fi rst time since 2012. The survey deal in the House of Commons by rule for big multinational com- the tax laws so many times that Google is among several top er the deal that was struck with Rail Minister Claire Perry de- of more than 28,000 passengers opposition Labour leader Jeremy panies and another for ordinary, we raised an extra £100bn from technology fi rms under pressure Google was a good or a bad deal. manded that commuters in Lon- found a slight increase in overall Corbyn. small businesses and self-em- business in the last parliament.” over complex tax arrangements. And I can tell you it is a very bad don and the South-East must be satisfaction for last autumn. The left-wing veteran claimed ployed workers?” On its front page yesterday, Eva Joly, vice chairwoman of deal.”

Costa Prize Scotland calls on PM to ‘Bunch of migrants’ admit refugee children remark by PM fl ayed AFP said it was “shocking” and a London senior Labour source said it was Guardian News and Media Yousaf, the Scottish govern- be matched with resources from “entirely unacceptable to a hu- London ment’s minister for Europe and the UK government, saying that manitarian crisis on our door- international development, held “there has to be an extensive pack- rime Minister David step”. a meeting with Save the Children age of resources because (taking Cameron came under The quote was also quickly he Scottish government on Tuesday afternoon as pressure unaccompanied children) is much Pfi re in parliament yester- picked up on social media, with has added to growing grew on the UK government to more complex than taking fami- day for referring to “a bunch many commenters pointing out Tpressure on David Cam- off er a safe haven after Downing lies”. Yousaf added: “There has of migrants” in Calais, with that Cameron used similarly eron to admit thousands of un- Street indicated at the weekend already been an overwhelming opposition MPs condemning pejorative language last year accompanied and at-risk refugee that the prime minister was seri- response from local authorities - his words as “divisive” and when he referred to migrants in children to the UK. ously considering the charities’ Scotland has taken 40% of all Syr- “shocking”. Calais as a “swarm”. Humza Yousaf, the SNP min- plans. ian refugees who arrived in the UK Cameron was speaking about Many tweets also included ister who has spearheaded Speaking to the Guardian after before Christmas last year. People a visit last week by opposi- poignant images of Europe’s Scotland’s response to the hu- the meeting, Yousaf said: “The across Scotland have been quick tion leader Jeremy Corbyn to migrant crisis alongside Cam- manitarian crisis, called on the public outcry over the refugee to off er any help they can and the migrant camps in Dunkirk and eron’s words and pointed out UK government to increase the crisis really began with the photo- welcome given to refugees arriv- Calais in northern France. the irony of his earlier tribute number of refugees it is prepared graph of Alan Kurdi . That sparked ing in our communities has been “They met with a bunch of to the victims of Nazi repres- to accept and suggested that his outrage at the time and now we outstanding. “I again urge the migrants in Calais. They said sions on Holocaust Memorial own government would be willing have almost cross-party consen- government to do more and in- they could all come to Britain,” Day. to take more than its proportionate sus about these unaccompanied crease the number of refugees they he said. “Today it struck an especially commitment if necessary. children, with Tim Farron and Jer- are prepared to accept. Scotland is Yvette Cooper, who chairs discordant note,” columnist Yousaf has written to Inter- emy Corbyn also in agreement.” willing to continue to play its part.” the Labour Party’s refugee Jonathan Freedland wrote in The national Development Secre- Scotland welcomed 400 of the A spokesperson for the Con- task force, said that Cameron’s Guardian. tary, Justine Greening, asking her 1,000 refugees Cameron agreed vention of Scottish Local Authori- words, made during parlia- “One of the lessons of the to make available the resources to take before the end of 2015, al- ties (COSLA) reiterated the need to ment’s weekly Prime Minister’s Shoah... is that is all too easy needed to underpin the calls from though the Scottish government’s have resources secured in advance, Questions (PMQs) session, were to dehumanise other people, to charities, led by Save the Children, proportionate commitment was saying: “While we support the de- inappropriate for a “complex turn them from human beings to admit at least 3,000 young peo- to take 10%. But Yousaf insisted it sire to off er safe and secure futures and sensitive” issue. with lives and needs and hopes ple who have already reached Eu- was “the fl oor and not the ceiling” for some of these young people, “Cameron very wrong to into a problem to be repelled,” rope without their parents from of how many refugees Scotland in the current fi nancial climate, Author Frances Hardinge smiles after being awarded the talk of ‘a bunch of migrants’ in he said. countries such as Syria and Af- was willing to accept. we will have to secure assurances overall winner of the Costa Book Awards 2015 for her #PMQs. Divisive, not states- “To speak the way he did was ghanistan, and who are judged to However, he cautioned that about how this would be fully re- children’s book The Lie Tree in London. manlike,” she tweeted. beneath the offi ce he holds - and be at serious risk from traffi ckers. this willingness would have to sourced.” Labour MP Imran Hussain beneath him,” he concluded. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, January 28, 2016 BRITAIN Might back ‘Brexit’ to boost Scottish independence hopes: Wilson

Reuters Kingdom could break up if Brit- 1980s, told Reuters in an inter- supports staying in the EU, and voted to stay but the majority of ing in (the EU), is that they have economic arguments, uncon- Dundee ons voted to leave the EU when view in the eastern city of Dun- polls show that a majority of the Britons voted to leave that could to say ‘stronger in Europe’ and vincing at the last vote, were the a referendum is held before the dee. 5mn Scots would also back that trigger another independence that’s the mirror image of the right ones this time, less focused end of 2017. “I myself haven’t decided view. referendum on Scottish inde- (unionist) ‘stronger in Britain’,” on North Sea oil and more on de- ome Scottish national- Former SNP leader Gordon how I’m going to vote (in the EU However, the Scottish vote pendence. Wilson said. veloping skills in Scotland. ists, who strongly support Wilson said that might lead to referendum). I helped steer the is dwarfed by that of England Scots rejected independence Sturgeon has previously said “Until you ratchet up support Sstaying in the European some of its supporters support- SNP towards European policy which has 53mn and represents by 55%-45% in a vote in 2014 but there could only be another in- to 60% you shouldn’t have an- Union, might vote for a British ing a “Brexit” in hope of boost- (in the 1970s) but certain things about 84% of the population of since then the SNP has gained dependence vote if a majority other referendum,” he said. exit from the bloc in the hope of ing Scotland’s secessionist as- have happened and ... I want to the United Kingdom. further strength, taking 56 of the of Scots voted for a party which “What will happen after dare- boosting the chances of gaining pirations. He said he was still look at it strategically from the With opinion polls surveys 59 seats representing Scotland in proposed one in a Scottish par- I-say-it the distraction of the independence for Scotland, a weighing up how best to vote Scottish viewpoint. It depends suggesting the EU vote will be the national parliament in Lon- liamentary election. Such an (May) Scottish assembly elec- former Scottish National Party himself. on an analysis of how Scotland very close, Scottish nationalists don in last May’s election. election is due in May this year tion is a resumption of cam- (SNP) leader said. “The SNP has a huge hinter- can better achieve independ- backing a Brexit could help tip However, the SNP’s support and polls indicate that the SNP paigning for independence.” Several senior British political land which may get impatient if ence.” the balance, even if a majority in for the EU does leave it with a will be easily returned to power. Wilson has no formal role in fi gures including former prime it doesn’t progress the leader- Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of Scotland still voted to remain in paradox, Wilson said. But Wilson said another vote the party but runs an independ- ministers Tony Blair and John ship (towards independence),” the SNP and of Scotland’s de- the bloc. “One of the problems the SNP on independence should be ence think tank called Options Major have said that the United Wilson, who led the party in the volved government, has said she Sturgeon has said that if Scots has in supporting Scotland stay- some time off to ensure that the for Scotland.

House Catherine Zeta-Jones dazzles price Britain unions growth slows in January ready to join

Reuters London fi ght to stay in ouse prices rose at a slower pace than ex- Hpected in January af- ter a fall in mortgage approv- als the month before, although mortgage lender Nationwide said yesterday that momen- EU: top offi cial tum should pick up in 2016 as a whole. Reuters members, half the number of the Conservative Party resent them House price growth cooled London late 1970s. But the TUC, which as an embodiment of EU over- to 0.3% month-on-month represents most unions, remains reach into the aff airs of member from December’s eight- a political force with close ties states. month high of 0.8%, causing ritain’s trade unions are to the opposition Labour Party For the TUC, by contrast, they year-on-year growth to drop close to joining the push which is broadly supportive of are sacrosanct. “A Brexit would to 4.4%, Nationwide said - Bto keep the country in the EU membership. have massive implications for below average expectations in European Union, bringing grass- In a referendum in 1975, the jobs, rights, and the very fabric of a Reuters poll. roots muscle to a fi ght that has so TUC campaigned to get Britain the UK,” O’Grady said, referring The British Bankers’ Asso- far been dominated by big busi- out of what was then European to a possible British exit. ciation - which represents most ness and bankers, the head of the Economic Community. “If you take that fl oor away, major lenders, though not Na- country’s largest union group But it turned pro-Europe in the workers will be worse off . It’s a tionwide - said mortgage ap- said. 1980s when Brussels promised to hell of a gamble for those, who provals in December for house Unions will fi ght to stay in, combine the allure for business want to leave Europe, to depend purchase dropped to a seven- emphasising jobs and workers’ of a single European market with on particularly the government month low of 43,975 on a sea- rights, Frances O’Grady, general strong protections for workers, we have now to protect the rights sonally adjusted basis. secretary of the Trades Union something that contrasted with on which so many people’s work- The housing market played a Congress, told Reuters in an in- the bitter industrial confl ict rag- ing lives depend.” big role in past economic booms terview. ing at the time between unions The relationship between the although the Bank of England Voters were not yet listening and former prime minister Mar- EU and Europe’s labour unions currently sees little danger to to the arguments because the garet Thatcher. has come under strain in recent financial stability apart from campaign to date has had little Last year, the TUC held off years. Many unions complain the “mild concern” about a surge to do with their everyday lives, from promising to fi ght to keep bloc has taken an increasingly in lending to fund investment she said. Britain in the EU in protest at pro-business stance and were properties. “There is a real danger that signs that Cameron wanted to appalled by the austerity meas- BBA data also showed a drop this campaign is turning into a water down the bloc’s so-called ures that it ordered for countries in net credit card lending in debate between elites funded by Social Chapter incorporating such as Greece, Spain and Por- December from November, in the big banks on the one hand workers’ rights before he called tugal during the euro zone’s debt line with earlier soft retail sales and hedge funds on the other,” the EU membership referendum. crisis. figures. O’Grady said, referring to some O’Grady said she was now con- O’Grady said Brussels had to “The housing market has of the main fi nanciers of the rival fi dent that a weakening of pro- show disillusioned voters that come modestly off the peak camps. tections such as guaranteed paid it could help them by spurring levels seen around August. It Opinion polls suggest vot- holidays and parental leave and Europe to create more and bet- may also be that a shortage of ers are split almost 50-50 on health and safety rules would not ter jobs. And, in an increasingly properties on the market is lim- whether to pull Britain out of the be among the reforms Cameron is competitive global economy, Eu- iting housing market activity,” EU in a vote which Prime Min- expected to clinch with other EU rope represented the best bet for IHS Global Insight’s chief UK ister David Cameron is likely to leaders next month. Britain’s workers, she said. economist Howard Archer said. schedule for later this year. That means that all but a few of “If I was asked the ques- Nationwide said house price “What we need to do is start the 52 unions represented by the tion, would workers be better growth looked likely to pick up putting rights and jobs centre- TUC are likely to urge voters to off under a model of capitalism modestly in the months ahead, stage in the campaign debate,” stay in the EU. dominated by Russia or China fuelled by a shortage of new O’Grady said. “The bulk of the The EU-mandated protections or America, the answer is clear,” homes to meet demand and as British actress Catherine Zeta-Jones arrives with Chelsea Pensioners for the world premiere rights at work that matter to us for workers would be at risk if O’Grady said. “However imper- the labour market continues to of the film Dad’s Army in London. originated in Europe.” Britain votes to leave the EU. fect Europe is, it’s better than the firm. Britain has around 6mn union Many lawmakers in Cameron’s alternatives.” Motorist jailed for driving Emotional moment Hit-and-run victim head-on at two cyclists ‘slowly on the mend’ Agencies cion of dangerous driving caus- London ing serious injury, attempting to Agencies Keynes, Wiltshire was captured was convicted of two charges of pervert the course of justice and London on a camera mounted on Jones’s dangerous driving but acquitted aggravated vehicle taking. helmet and shows the driver at of a third following nearly fi ve father who was left for A 56-year-old woman, also about 50mph hooting his horn hours’ deliberations. dead by a speeding hit- from Brighton, who was arrest- motorist has been jailed and heading towards the cyclist. Giving evidence, Goble admit- A and-run driver in a sus- ed on suspicion of attempting to for more than two years At the last minute the car ted he was driving during the in- pected stolen car is slowly on the pervert the course of justice has Aafter being found guilty of swerves out of the way and dis- cident with Jones but denied he mend, his wife said. been bailed until April 3. deliberately driving head-on at appears into the distance. Jones drove dangerously - claiming he Andy Payne, 53, is recover- In the footage released by po- two cyclists to either force them downloaded the footage and re- was trying to avoid a pothole. ing at home after being fl ung lice, a witness can be seen hold- off the road or “scare the living ported the driver to the police. And he insisted his brother into the air by a Fiat 500 which ing their hand to their mouth in daylights” out of them. The registration plate of Go- was driving the Peugeot during smashed into him as he crossed shock at the impact. Dean Goble, 40, targeted them ble’s car was identifi ed from the the incidents with Maiden and the road. Payne is seen sprawled mo- in two separate incidents 10 days fi lm and he was later arrested. the third alleged victim Amanda Shocking footage of the hit- tionless in the middle of the apart nearly two years ago in Jones told jurors: “The whole Adams. and-run in Montague Place in road as passers-by stand around Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. incident was over in less than “I just didn’t want to get my the Kemptown area of Brighton in disbelief. The two cyclists, David Jones two seconds. To tell you the truth brother into bother. It’s not a lie,” has been viewed by almost 3mn Sergeant Dan Pitcher said: and Jeremy Maiden, were each rid- it happened so quickly and it was Goble said. people, Sussex Police said. “We know the CCTV was very ing alone when suddenly from the all a bit of a shock. Goble gave no explanation in At the family home in Hove, shocking but almost 3mn peo- opposite direction Goble swerved “I think if I had veered to the court for acting in the way he did East Sussex, Payne’s wife Lisa ple watched it, we had 16,000 at them head-on in his dark blue right I would have been in col- and insisted he was a “keen cy- spoke briefl y and said: “He’s comments and more than 6,000 Peugeot 206 hatchback car. lision with the vehicle. The car clist”. getting better slowly. He’s not liked it on Facebook alone. Prosecutor Michael Butt told came directly towards me.” Even his barrister Michael too bad.” “More than 300 people Swindon Crown Court: “It will Maiden recalled the incident Pulsford described the off ending She declined to comment retweeted our appeal on Twit- be plain from the evidence you of May 7 on an unclassifi ed road as “bizarre” during his closing further as police continued ter. We have passed on all the will hear from these cyclists that between Ewen and Cirencester, speech to the jury. to question a man arrested on well-wishes from people on so- this was a deliberate act by a Gloucestershire. The court heard that Goble Tuesday night over the crash cial media to the victim who is driver who either wished to scare “I found it very traumatic be- has 20 previous convictions dat- Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was visibly moved which happened at 3.40pm on grateful of the support. the living daylights out of the cy- cause for a split second you think ing back to his teens for handling while listening to Diana Parkes whose daughter January 14. “He is continuing to recover clist or perhaps even worse run the car is going to hit you,” he stolen goods, burglary, violent Joanna Brown was killed by her husband Robert The 31-year-old suspect from well at home.” Meanwhile, po- them off the road.” said. disorder, criminal damage, af- Brown. Camilla was visiting SafeLives, a national Brighton was detained after try- lice have traced the drivers of The fi rst incident on April 30, Goble, of Parkway, Sidding- fray, dangerous driving and sup- charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse in the UK. ing to hide on a roof in Donald four vehicles they were looking 2014, on Ashton Road in Ashton ton, Cirencester, Gloucestershire plying Class A drugs. Hall Road. He was held on suspi- to speak to, he added. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 23 EUROPE

Double fl u blow forces More Zika cases emerge AFP/Reuters zerland from Haiti and Colom- None of the fi ve people in Por- In Spain, two cases of Zika companies, airlines, understand crocephaly, or abnormally small Copenhagen bia were also diagnosed with the tugal who have tested positive were detected in late 2015, au- the signs and react quickly. heads, particularly in Brazil. Russian virus, the Swiss Federal Offi ce of for the mosquito-transmitted thorities in the northwestern “Of course mosquitoes cannot The tally of cases of micro- Public Health said. Zika virus required admission region of Catalonia confi rmed fl y over the ocean, but infected cephaly in Brazil surged from 163 enmark and Switzer- Neither was pregnant and to hospital, the National Health on Friday. people can and do.” per year on average to 3,893 af- school land have joined a grow- neither required hospital care, Institute (NHI) said. Both were South American There is no vaccine or spe- ter the Zika outbreak began last Ding number of European the statement said. “As of today we have fi ve con- women – aged 30 and 45 – who cifi c treatment for Zika, a fl u- year. countries to report Zika infec- Health watchdogs in a string fi rmed cases, all imported from had travelled to the continent like disease with a rash that goes Forty-nine of the babies have closures tions among travellers return- of European countries mean- Brazil. These people have not over Christmas. Diagnosed on unnoticed in 70% to 80% of the died. ing from Latin America, where while said that they had record- been hospitalised and do not re- their return, they have since cases. Some 20 Latin American and the mosquito-borne virus has ed Zika cases dating back to as quire further medical attention fully recovered. Neither was Most patients treat the symp- Caribbean countries have been AFP been blamed for a surge in birth early as March 2015. as these are mild cases,” said a pregnant. toms simply with painkillers and swept up in the outbreak which Saint Petersburg defects. The Netherlands confi rmed spokesman for the institute. In Moscow, Health Minister other medication. has extended as far north as “A Danish tourist who trav- 10 cases and Britain fi ve, all The NHI is in charge of all epi- Veronika Skvortsova said that The virus is transmitted by Mexico. elled to Central and South among people returning from demiology tests in Portugal. the Russian authorities had been the Aedes aegypti mosquito af- Travellers have also brought it n outbreak of swine fl u America was diagnosed on his South America. A woman in the Swedish capi- “monitoring (Zika) since it ap- ter it takes a blood meal from an back to the US states of Florida, has claimed some 22 lives return with the Zika virus,” a In Italy, the Spallanzani Na- tal Stockholm was diagnosed peared. infected person. Hawaii and New York. Ain Russia’s second city hospital in eastern Denmark said tional Institute of Infectious with the virus in July 2015, the “Now we are working on con- The insect can also carry den- So far there has been no Saint Petersburg and combined in a statement late on Tuesday. Disease said that four cases were Swedish Public Health Agency trolling it as soon as any strange gue, chikungunya and yellow known cases of local transmis- with high rates of seasonal fl u to The Danish patient was a recorded in March 2015, while confi rmed Wednesday. strains appear ... to have domes- fever. sion – infections that are gener- force authorities to close schools young man who was expected in Portugal, the health ministry “The symptoms were treated tic medication for prevention Zika was fi rst reported in Af- ated within a country – in the US and send residents fl ocking to to make a full recovery, the head said fi ve Portuguese had been and the woman recovered,” said and treatment,” she said. rica, Asia and the Pacifi c before or Europe, although France said pharmacies. of Aarhus hospital, Lars Oster- infected. Karin Tegmark Wisell, head of President Vladimir Putin add- leaping to the Americas, where it such cases had occurred in its Saint Petersburg has recorded gaard, told broadcaster DR. All nine had been travelling in microbiology at the health agen- ed: “We need to pay attention to has been linked to a jump in the departments and territories in the highest number of swine fl u Two people returning to Swit- Brazil. cy. this ... work with transportation number of babies born with mi- the Caribbean basin. deaths in an outbreak that has claimed some 80 victims na- tionwide since the start of the winter, according to AFP calcu- lations based on statements by regional offi cials. French farmers block roads in Authorities say there are treating some 12,000 people with fl u symptoms every day and ‘distress call’ over low prices up to 80% of these cases could be swine fl u, also known as the H1N1 virus. AFP Some 360km (220 miles) to the from around the region descend- To stop regular fl u and the Rennes east, tractors rolled onto a tram- ed on the town’s central square. H1N1 virus from spreading, the line in Le Mans, one of them with “Crises are piling up dramati- city’s primary schools will be “Le Foll Get Lost” scrawled on cally in the agriculture sector,” closed for two weeks from Feb- armers in northwestern the front, referring to Agriculture said Julien Tuff ery, head of the ruary 1, and some parents have France used their tractors Minister Stephane Le Foll. Lozere department’s Young already taken action. Fto snarl traffi c across the Another banner read “Happy Farmers group. “It’s all the more “I don’t want to take any region yesterday, demanding to Have Fed You”. terrible for a rural (area) like Loz- risks,” said Lyubov Anikanova, urgent government action in the The farmers said they were ere where agriculture accounts who has refused to send her face of plunging prices. sending up a “distress call” ahead for more than half of the econo- daughter to school over fears “Producers keep losing money of a meeting set for today at the my.” that she could catch the fl u. while processors and wholesalers government seat of Rennes, in Christine Valentin, head of “We are hearing that swine fl u keep making more,” farmers’ un- Brittany, which their union has the local chamber of agriculture, is very dangerous this year,” she ionist Eric Chanu told AFP in the decided to boycott. dismissed Le Foll’s announce- added. Normandy town of Le Neubourg. Instead, protests that have ment as a “bandage on an infect- Russian offi cials have tried to “It can’t go on any longer.” proliferated since last week “will ed wound”. downplay the seriousness of the To underscore their anger, continue”, said Thierry Coue, Union offi cials said Lozere outbreak with Health Minister farmers in the area dumped ma- head of Brittany’s chapter of the farmers had just learned that aid Veronika Skvortsova saying on nure outside a slaughterhouse in FRSEA farmers union. promised in 2015 would not be Monday that the swine fl u situ- the town. “We need answers, as well as disbursed until the end of 2016. ation in the country was “com- By midday, farmers were visibility,” he told a Paris news The latest outburst of anger pletely under control”. blocking roads or impeding traf- conference. over plunging prices comes af- The country’s top doctor said fi c with “escargot” (snail) op- The producers are especially ter months of protest action last on Tuesday that the recent up- erations in 18 locations in Nor- concerned over the falling prices year from farmers who brought tick in fl u fi gures was not out of mandy, Brittany and the Pays of pork, milk and beef, and an more than 1,500 tractors into the ordinary. de la Loire, the western region’s announcement by Le Foll of a Paris in September. “The incidence of fl u is above highway centre said. new government support plan The agriculture ministry es- average in some regions,” the Farmers dumped hay and tyres failed to calm their anger. timated at the time that around country’s top doctor, Anna Pop- on a highway in Quimperle, in Also yesterday, a major protest 10% of farms in France – ap- ova, told Interfax news agency. People walk near the tram road blocked by tractors during a farmers’ demonstration to protest falling Brittany, before setting the bar- was staged in Mende, southern proximately 22,000 sites – were “But overall the number of cases prices of dairy and meat products, yesterday in Le Mans, northwestern France. ricade alight. France, where some 130 tractors on the brink of bankruptcy. does not exceed the average over many years.” Despite the assurance from Uber France fined offi cials the recent fl u cases have seen residents of Saint Peters- French taxi drivers extended burg head to drugstores to stock Further protests against Greek pensions reform anti-Uber protests into a second up on medication and masks, day yesterday as news emerged emptying the shelves of phar- that a Paris court had fined the macies across town. Reuters changes, staging a series of rallies farming as well as pensions re- alternative car ride service for Some chemists have now al- Athens and protests across the country in mained defi ant yesterday. skirting rules prohibiting its ready run-out of prescription fl u recent weeks. In a symbolic protest, they drivers from touting directly for medication and other fl u-season Under the plan, which Greece handed out about 50 tonnes business on the streets. essentials. erries were docked at Greek must adopt for its international of produce in under an hour in The fine of €1.2mn followed a “We haven’t had many popu- ports yesterday as sailors lenders to complete their fi rst a poor, working-class Athens complaint from the traditional lar medications for a week now,” Fkicked off their second 48- review of its latest bailout, the neighbourhood yesterday, where taxi industry federation that Uber said pharmacist Natalia Se- hour strike this week, adding to a country’s pension funds would a few hundred Greeks jostled with and others were flouting rules lezneva. groundswell of public discontent be merged into one together with another for free bags of potatoes, that limit alternative cab services Health authorities have over plans to reform the country’s cutbacks worth 1% of gross do- lettuce and fruit. to pre-booked business – rules pledged to restock pharmacies struggling pension system. mestic product a year. Notaries also began a three- that eff ectively keep hail-down with 100,000 masks and fl u Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras “We’re striking because our day strike yesterday, joining law- business for the traditional medication to face increasing launched a vocal defence of the main pension fund, the oldest in yers, engineers, doctors and other licenced taxis. demand. plan on Tuesday, saying that the Greece, will close,” said Lefteris self-employed professionals who The matter did not challenge “I would like to resist the country had no choice but to re- Saridakis, head of a union repre- have taken to the streets against Uber’s mobile phone application. panic,” 67-year-old pensioner form a pension system which senting staff on passenger ships. the measures. The news came amid protests Maya Yakovleva told AFP. “But had created chronic defi cits and He said the workers planned Without pension reform, Ath- by traditional taxi drivers who right now, the fl u is everyone’s would collapse if left unchanged. to step up action when the bill is ens cannot conclude the fi rst re- partially blocked roads on the favourite topic: where to buy Greeks, many of whom will see tabled in parliament next month. view of its compliance to terms edge of Paris and other spots for (medicine), the number of peo- contributions jump to about 20% Farmers who have been block- of a bailout worth up to €86bn People reach out to receive free produce handed out by a second consecutive day in the ple who have died. of monthly earnings to prop up ing motorways across the coun- agreed last August, and move on farmers yesterday, in a protest action against the latest outcry against what they “It seems this is all we talk the new pension system, have re- try on and off for days in protest with talks on potential debt relief, government’s proposal to overhaul the country’s ailing say is unfair competition from the about.” sponded angrily to the proposed at planned to cut tax breaks for which Tsipras sees as a vital prize. pension system in Athens. likes of Uber.

Rapist duo jailed for ‘moralist’ attacks

Two men who gang-raped several women and lectured them about Anger grows in Italy over ‘cultural sacrilege’ accepting rides from strangers have been sentenced to up to seven years in prison, the Saint Petersburg prosecutor’s off ice said yesterday. Reuters/AFP of business deals on his two-day He said yesterday that he had As Rouhani refuses to attend denying the country’s own cul- The duo, nicknamed the “moralists” by the Russian press, would Rome trip. not asked his Italian hosts to cov- offi cial meals at which any alco- ture. pick up women trying to catch a ride home late at night in Russia’s “Covering those nudes cov- er up the classical statues. hol is available, wine was strictly “Covering those nudes ... second largest city, Saint Petersburg, and rape them. ered Italy in ridicule,” was the A smiling Rouhani told report- off the menu at both lunch with meant covering ourselves. Was In Russia it is common to flag down any car and agree on a fare n the 16th century, Dan- front-page headline in Il Gior- ers he had “no contact on the President Sergio Mattarella and it worth it, in order not to off end with the driver, although the government has cracked down on the iele da Volterra was mocked nale, a leading opposition paper. subject” with Italian authorities. dinner with Renzi. the Iranian president, to off end practice. Iby contemporary artists for Neither Culture Minister Dario “I know that the Italians are According to media reports, ourselves?” the left-leaning La “After committing the crimes, the criminals would admonish the agreeing to paint loincloths on Franceschini nor Prime Minister very hospitable, a people who France has baulked at making a Repubblica said. victims, saying they should not have caught just any car and should Michelangelo’s nudes in the Sis- Matteo Renzi had been informed seek to make their guests’ vis- similar placatory gesture, leaving La Stampa criticised “those have used a taxi,” the prosecutor’s off ice said in a statement. tine Chapel. of the decision, Franceschini its as pleasant as possible and I diplomats preparing for Rouha- geniuses of protocol” who feared The men raped at least three women, one of whom they brought to Italian protocol offi cials must said. thank them for that,” he added. ni’s visit to Paris from Wednes- that Rouhani might have had a a rented apartment and raped repeatedly over the course of a day, now know how da Volterra prob- The Iranian embassy had asked Rouhani and Renzi made day with a major protocol head- “shock” if he saw the statues and the statement said. ably felt. for the statues to be covered and speeches in Rome’s Capi- ache. cancelled contracts with Italian The driver, Nikolai Burlakov, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Italy’s opposition leaders, offi cials in Renzi’s offi ce had toline Museum on Tuesday, Italy’s anti-immigration companies. His accomplice, Anatoly Pagela, a citizen of Moldova, got six years. commentators and media grew agreed without consulting their with a huge statue of Roman Northern League denounced More than four centuries ago, Both individuals will serve their sentences in a prison colony. increasingly vocal in their criti- bosses, Italian media reported. emperor Marcus Aurelius on what it called “submission to a the Vatican commissioned da cism yesterday of ancient nude Renzi’s offi ce said it had start- a horse featuring prominently culture which we don’t share”. Volterra to paint veils and loin- statues being covered by white ed an internal investigation into in many of the photographs of Francesco Rutelli, a former cloths over some of Michelange- Online platform for neo-Nazis banned boxes in Rome’s city hall and mu- the matter. the event. Rome mayor and culture minis- lo’s nudes in the Last Judgment, seum complex for a visit by Iran’s A spokesman said he had no But nude statues, including ter, said that covering the statues an 1,800-square-foot panel in Germany has banned a neo-Nazi internet portal used by Holocaust President Hassan Rouhani. information about whether Iran a Venus dating from the second was “total idiocy and a cultural the Sistine Chapel. deniers to exchange content and post xenophobic slurs, part of a Italian newspapers ran photo- had asked for the statues to be century BC, had all been covered sacrilege”. One papal master of ceremo- crackdown yesterday that saw the arrest of two people suspected graphs of the boxes on their front covered. up in temporary wooden cartons, “You can’t erase history. It nies at the time is said to have of running the site. pages and even the minister of Asked about the clash of cul- removing the risk of them creep- would have been enough to have told the Pope that the painting Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere had announced earlier culture called the decision “in- tures at a news conference be- ing into any of the shots. him go in another way,” he said. was “more fi tting for a bathhouse yesterday that the website, Altermedia, would be taken off line. comprehensible”. fore leaving Italy, Rouhani said The museum cover-up was not Even mainstream newspapers or a tavern than a papal chapel”. Jutta V and Ralph Thomas K – whose full names have been withheld He suggested a diff erent venue he knew nothing about it and the only step taken in Italy to en- usually sympathetic to the gov- Da Volterra went down in under German privacy laws – have been arrested on charges of could have been chosen to host thanked Italy for being “very sure the Iranian visit passed off ernment weighed in, saying that art history with the nickname spreading content tantamount to hate speech, prosecutors said. Rouhani, who signed up to €17bn hospitable”. smoothly. the decision was tantamount to “breeches maker”. They also stand accused of founding a criminal organisation. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, January 28, 2016 EUROPE

Lithuania opens war Top minister quits over crimes trial over French anti-terror plan Soviet DPA/AFP/Reuters Taubira has been hailed as a rorists killed 130 people in a actions Paris staunch champion of the left, night of co-ordinated terror on particularly among a cabinet full November 13, existing laws have of right-leaning Socialists. been used to conduct adminis- AFP eading leftist politician The French Guiana-born trative searches and bolster bor- Vilnius and French Justice Minis- black minister, who spearheaded der controls. Lter Christiane Taubira said eff orts to legalise same-sex mar- Critics have said the plan yesterday that she has resigned riage in France, had been the tar- would expand the authority of ithuania has launched the from her post after disagreeing get of racist insults by conserva- police and central government at trial of 65 former Soviet with a government-led reform tive politicians in the past. the risk of curtailing independ- Loffi cials over a deadly 1991 plan expanding measures to She became France’s most ent judiciary powers. crackdown by Moscow during fi ght terrorism following a string senior black politician when she One of the main criticisms of the Baltic state’s independence of attacks in Paris. was given the justice portfolio in the nationality clause is that it drive. In a speech shortly after the 2012. will drive a wedge between those “All these people are accused announcement, Taubira said she She was scheduled to travel to who are French only, and those of crimes against humanity and was leaving the cabinet position the US yesterday to meet with who hold a second nationality. war crimes,” prosecutor Daiva due to a “major political disa- representatives of the Black Under current French law, Lisauskiene told reporters. greement”, acknowledging the Lives Matter movement and At- those with dual nationality Only two suspects, both Rus- threat of terrorism but adding torney General Loretta Lynch, who were born abroad may be sian citizens, attended the hear- that “we should not concede any and to receive an honorary doc- stripped of their nationality if ing, a quarter century after the victory, neither military, diplo- torate from the University of convicted of serious crimes. massacre in which 14 civilians matic, political or symbolic”. Wisconsin. But if the latest reform passes, died and 700 were injured. Earlier, Taubira posted on her The Elysee said French Presi- France would become “the fi rst Former tank offi cer Yuri Mel Twitter account that, “some- dent Francois Hollande had ap- democracy in the world” to en- has been held in Lithuanian cus- times to resist is to remain, pointed Jean-Jacques Urvoas as shrine the principle of unequal tody since being detained at a sometimes to resist is to leave”. the country’s new justice min- treatment of dual nationals in its checkpoint on the border with The minister had expressed ister. constitution, political scientist Russia’s exclave of Kaliningrad her opposition to some aspects Urvoas is close to Prime Min- Patrick Weil told AFP. in 2014. of the constitutional reforms ister Valls, who has championed While left-wing politicians Another suspect is a Vilnius put forward by the government, The headline of a French newspaper Le Monde, which translates as ‘Taubira slams the door’, is seen next the anti-terrorism measures. paid tribute to Taubira, those on resident who is reportedly co- which include a proposal to strip to a French member of parliament attending a session of questions to the government at the French A special commission in the the right revelled in her resigna- operating with justice authori- dual nationals of their French National Assembly in Paris yesterday. National Assembly will delib- tion. ties. citizenship if they are convicted erate on the measures, before a Far-right National Front lead- The remaining defendants – of terrorism-related activities. respect commitments under lined themselves from the na- plan to strip French citizenship broader parliamentary debate. er Marine Le Pen said Taubira’s citizens of Belarus, Russia and During an address to parlia- international conventions that tional community,” Valls said af- from binationals convicted of They are aimed at extending resignation was “good news for Ukraine – were represented by mentarians yesterday, Prime do not allow actions that leave a ter the measure was announced. terrorism “ridiculous”. some of the extraordinary pow- France”. their lawyers. Minister Manuel Valls said the person stateless. Taubira, who was one of the Just a day before the reforms ers granted to the executive in Taubira’s resignation comes Lithuanian prosecutors also draft proposal would be changed “Removing French nationality ministers expected to drum up were presented, Taubira an- the current state of emergency. as French media speculates sought to question ex-Soviet to remove reference to bination- from those who blindly kill other support for the plan, had made nounced the measure would be Under the current three- about a possible broader shake- leader Mikhail Gorbachev as a ality, ceding to some of the fi erc- French in the name of an ideol- her disapproval clear during tel- dropped, only to be overruled month state of emergency, up of Hollande’s team as it heads witness, but Moscow refused to est critics. ogy of terror is a strong symbolic evision interviews last month. at the last minute by President which has been in place since into its last full year before pres- co-operate with the case. He added that France would act against those who have side- On iTele, she had called the Francois Hollande. Islamic State (IS)-affi liated ter- idential and legislative elections. Soviet troops entered the cap- ital Vilnius to bring Lithuania to heel after its 1990 secession from the Soviet Union follow- ing fi ve decades under Moscow’s thumb as a republic of the USSR. Death toll mounts in Turkey as HRW warns on civilians The troops stormed the city’s television tower as tens of thou- sands of people formed human DPA prone districts, HDP said. shields to block their progress. Istanbul Since December, the districts The breakaway republic have also been facing tough cur- played a key role in the demise fews, which have been criticised of the Soviet Union in December t least 24 people are in- by human rights groups as “col- 1991. jured and trapped in a lective punishment”. Russian President Vladimir Ahouse, unable to receive In total, the army says it has Putin once described the col- medical care, amid clashes in killed 744 militants in Cizre, Si- lapse of the USSR as the “great- Turkey’s southeastern Cizre lopi and Sur districts in the past est geopolitical catastrophe” of district, the country’s main pro- six weeks, though the armed the 20th century. Kurdish party said yesterday. PKK has said the fi gure is far Lithuania has been seeking The people have been trapped lower, without specifying, the justice for the crackdown’s vic- for fi ve days and several have pro-Kurdish Firat news agency tims ever since the Baltic state died, according to sources in the reported. won recognition as an independ- pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democrat- The security forces, mean- ent nation in September 1991. ic Party (HDP) in the area. while, announced three soldiers Six Soviet-era Lithuanian of- “They must withdraw and the and a police offi cer also died in fi cials were convicted and jailed ambulances be sent in to collect the last day. in the 1990s for their role. the wounded,” Faysal Sariyildaz, The information about the The war crimes probe gath- a local HDP deputy told the Firat number of dead cannot be inde- ered steam in 2010 thanks to a news agency. pendently verifi ed. change in Lithuania’s criminal The example highlights the “The situation in the southeast code, allowing the trial of indi- plight people are facing in the in- has a fog over it, in which you lit- viduals in absentia when they are creasingly battle-scarred region, erally cannot know the circum- abroad and cannot be extradited. the party said. stance of fi ghting going on in city President Dalia Grybauskaite Kurdish offi cials said this centres,” said Emma Sinclair- hailed the move yesterday, but week that Cizre’s population was Webb, the Turkey researcher for said it was belated. 120,000 prior to the escalation Human Rights Watch (HRW). “It’s a partial step in the direc- of violence, but about 100,000 “We do not see in the picture tion of achieving justice,” inde- people have since fl ed. presented by the government pendence icon Vytautas Lands- The military said 465 militants any sign of civilian suff ering,” bergis told AFP, explaining that have been killed in the town since she said, adding that there was a even if the defendants are found December. “denial of the civilian population guilty, Russia will never extradite The government is employing being victims of this terrible, de- Residents flee from Sur district, which is partially under curfew, in the Kurdish-dominated southeastern city of Diyarbakir. them for sentencing. heavy weapons and armoured clining situation.” vehicles in the fi ghting against Ibrahim Kalim, a spokesman in July, after peace talks stag- the Kurdistan Workers’ Party for President Recep Tayyip Er- nated. (PKK) and its off shoots. dogan told reporters that the The government has said it will Meanwhile, the civilian death “state has to take measures” not relaunch talks with the PKK. toll in clashes between govern- against militants digging trench- The war in the southeast has Prosecutors seek life terms for journalists ment forces and Kurdish mili- es in the southeast. lasted for more than three dec- tants has gone up to 168 since A two-year ceasefi re between ades and has left more than July in the three most violence- the PKK and the state collapsed 40,000 people dead. AFP/Reuters is particularly sensitive as the prison last week that their arrest Istanbul/Ankara Nato member is under pressure was instead designed to send a Kurds accuse Europe of turning a ‘blind eye’ to Turkish rights violations to step up the fi ght against Is- warning to journalists. lamic State (IS) militants. The government denies there The European Union’s desire to strike a deal with the inces in the southeast, has seen intense violence dur- Turkish prosecutor is Erdogan, who has cast the is a political agenda behind the Turkish government on stemming migration flows ing the past six months as militants from the Kurdistan seeking life sentenc- newspaper’s coverage as part of investigation, saying there was has led the bloc to turn a “blind eye” to Turkish human Workers’ Party (PKK) clash with the state’s security Aes without parole for an attempt to undermine Tur- an “open breach of law”. rights abuses, the leader of the country’s main pro- forces after the collapse of a two-year ceasefire. two prominent journalists on key’s global standing, has said Emma Sinclair-Webb of Hu- Kurdish party said in an interview yesterday. The government has pledged to carry on with its mili- charges of assisting terrorists, he would not forgive such re- man Rights Watch expressed “To us, it seems that they turned a blind eye on the tary operations until the group is defeated and says it according to a court document porting. dismay, saying: “We are abso- human rights violations by the Turkish government, in will never again negotiate with the PKK. seen by Reuters, after they pub- He has acknowledged that the lutely clear that Can Dundar and order to reach an agreement with Turkey on the migra- Demirtas decried a “serious silence” from the EU and lished video footage purporting trucks, which were stopped by Erdem Gul, in publishing stories tion issue,” Selahattin Demirtas, the co-leader of the urged Germany’s leadership to push for renewed to show the state intelligence gendarmerie and police offi cers no chance of parole and solitary on the subject were doing their Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) told DPA. peace talks, noting Berlin’s close ties to Ankara and agency helping to send weapons en route to the Syrian border, confi nement for 23 hours a day. jobs as journalists and no more He was commenting amid a serious uptick in violence influence within the bloc. to Syria. belonged to the MIT intelligence It also limits family visits. than that.” in Turkey’s mostly Kurdish southeast that has drawn “While the war in Turkey is worsening significantly, it’s Can Dundar, editor-in-chief agency and they were carrying It is not unusual in Turkey for European Union Enlarge- criticism from human rights groups. not enough that Germany only makes a half-hearted of Cumhuriyet (pictured), and aid to Turkmens in Syria. prosecutors to seek such com- ment Commissioner Johannes The migration deal, reached in November, is meant to ceasefire call,” Demirtas said. senior editor Erdem Gul were Turkmen fi ghters are bat- bined sentences, but this is done Hahn said on Twitter that he see Europe give some €3bn ($3.2bn) to Turkey to help “The German chancellor or German president must arrested in November in a case tling both President Bashar al- in cases involving violent crimes was “shocked by life sentences” the country host Syrian refugees. themselves, every day, make a call to return to the that has drawn international Assad’s forces and Islamic State. such as murder. demanded for Dundar and Gul The country, a major gateway point for migrants trying solution process,” he added. condemnation and revived con- However, Erdogan has said The court has yet to decide and that Turkey, negotiating for to reach Europe, has registered some 2.5mn Syrians According to Demirtas, pressure to end the violence is cern about press freedom under prosecutors had no authority whether to accept the indict- EU membership, must respect fleeing the civil war. “compatible” with European eff orts to reach a sustain- President Recep Tayyip Erdog- to order the trucks be searched, ment, according to lawyers fa- freedom of expression. Many have, in the last year, traveled onward to Europe. able migration policy. an. and that they acted as part of a miliar with the case. US Vice-President Joe Biden The HDP is a key opposition group to the governing Europe saw more than 1mn migrants land on its shores The two are charged with in- plot to discredit the government Erdogan and the state secu- said on a visit to Istanbul last Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) last year. tentionally aiding an armed ter- – allegations that the prosecu- rity agency are listed as the two week that Turkey was setting a of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is accused of EU off icials visited Turkey this week and pledged rorist organisation and the pub- tors denied. plaintiff s in the indictment. The poor example for the region in becoming increasingly authoritarian after more than the money would soon be released to help Syrians lication of material in violation A prosecutor is seeking two court declined to comment. intimidating media. 12 years in power. and also called for an “immediate ceasefire” in the of state security. life sentences plus 30 years for Government offi cials have He met Dundar’s wife and Demirtas, who was attending a conference on the southeast. Cumhuriyet published pho- each man, according to the 473- said the case is matter purely son during his trip, according to Kurdish people in Brussels, warned that democratic The leader of the HDP was, however, pessimistic about tos, videos and a report in May page document submitted to an for the judiciary, not a political Turkish media reports. reforms were in the process of being reversed in the the peace process being restarted in the next months. which it said showed intel- Istanbul court yesterday and issue. Following Biden’s comments, country. He warned that there could not be progress without ligence offi cials transporting seen by Reuters. Dundar and Gul say the case Erdogan said terrorist propa- Demirtas’ main constituency, the mostly Kurdish prov- his party and the PKK being part of the talks. arms to Syria in trucks in 2014. The sentences include one of has no legal basis. They told ganda was not freedom of ex- Turkey’s involvement in Syria “aggravated” life, which means Reuters in a faxed message from pression. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 25 EUROPE Merkel’s cabinet agrees to toughen Greece warned over laws on migrants

DPA Merkel’s Christian Democratic Berlin Union (CDU) and its Bavarian- based ally, the Christian Social ‘neglected’ borders Union (CSU), slipping over the erman Chancellor Angela last week. AFP its obligations and that there are not being taken there is a pos- “We know that in the mean- year extension to the controls. Merkel’s cabinet agreed Support for the CDU/CSU Brussels serious defi ciencies in the carry- sibility ... which would allow time Greece has started under- Austrian Interior Minister Gyesterday to toughen asy- dropped one percentage point ing out of external border con- member states to temporarily taking eff orts towards rectifying Johanna Mikl-Leitner warned lum laws to help deport migrants over the last week to 36%, ac- trols that must be overcome and close their borders.” and complying with the Schen- last week that Athens could face found to have been involved in cording to pollsters Forsa. reece has failed to protect dealt with by Greek authorities,” The Greek government insist- gen rules. Substantial improve- “temporary exclusion” from criminal activities. On Tuesday, the CSU further the EU’s external frontiers Commission Vice-President ed that the situation had changed ments are needed,” he said in a Schengen. The changes come in the wake fuelled tensions in the coalition Gfrom migrants and faces Valdis Dombrovskis told a press since the inspection was carried statement. Slovak Prime Minister Robert of the mass sexual assaults and by sending the chancellor a let- border controls with the rest of conference. out. The European Commission re- Fico said yesterday that the EU robberies on women allegedly ter threatening to take her to the the Schengen passport-free zone The report could pave the way “This report dates from No- port comes at the worst time for was committing “ritual suicide” committed by a group of asylum- nation’s highest court, the Con- in three months if it fails to act, for Brussels to authorise other vember but important work has Greece, just days after calls from with its migration policy. seekers at New Year’s Eve cel- stitutional Court, if Berlin failed the European Commission said member states to exceptionally been carried out since then. The fellow EU members for the coun- For Athens it is also an un- ebrations in Cologne and other to secure the country’s borders yesterday. extend border controls within next reports will be very dif- try to be suspended from the welcome return to the eye of cities. and staunch the fl ow of asylum- The highly critical draft re- the EU’s cherished Schengen ferent,” Greek junior migration 26-country Schengen area. the storm just months after the Under the draft law, which seekers. port by Brussels heaps pressure area, including with Greece, for minister Yannis Mouzalas told In the last few months, Aus- EU agreed a huge bailout worth was drawn up by Justice Minister CSU leader and Bavarian Pre- on Greece, the main gateway for up to two years, instead of the AFP in Athens. tria, Germany, Denmark, Swe- €86bn ($94bn) to keep debt- Heiko Maas and Interior Minis- mier Horst Seehofer has called the one million refugees and mi- normal six months. Mouzalas rounded on his EU den, France and non-EU member wracked Greece from crashing ter Thomas de Maiziere, asylum- on Merkel to impose an annual grants who entered Europe last Dombrovskis said that if a ma- peers earlier this week, accusing Norway have all introduced six- out of the euro currency. seekers or other non-Germans limit of 200,000 asylum seekers, year in the continent’s biggest jority of the 28 EU member states them of “lies” as Greece did its month temporary controls over Dombrovskis insisted that sentenced to more than one year which the chancellor has repeat- such crisis since World War II. adopt the report, the Commis- best in hugely diffi cult circum- the migrant crisis. the EU would not make Greece’s in jail for crimes such as caus- edly rejected. Based on an inspection at the sion will then draw up a plan for stances. They took the step to deal with bailout status dependent on how ing bodily harm, murder or rape The Bavarian government also Turkish land border and on sev- shoring up Greece’s borders, es- EU Migration Commissioner a wave of migrants moving most- it deals with the migration crisis. could face deportation. said yesterday that it was seeking eral islands in the Aegean Sea, the pecially its sea frontier with Tur- Dimitris Avramopoulos ac- ly from Greece towards Germany “We are not linking the Greek The new rules form part of a an additional €2bn ($2.2bn) from EU found Greece was failing to key. knowledged Greece’s eff orts in and Sweden, the main destina- (bailout) programme with series of changes that Merkel’s Berlin to help accommodate the properly register and fi ngerprint “Greece will then have three dealing with the tide of migrants tion for migrants in Europe. Schengen-related issues,” said conservative-led coalition has refugees in the state. migrants. months to implement remedial and refugees fl eeing war in Syria, EU interior ministers had Dombrovskis, who took a lead- launched aimed at tightening up Five months after Merkel “The draft report concludes actions,” Dombrovskis said. “If Iraq and Afghanistan, but said it asked the Commission on Mon- ing role in the protracted bailout the nation’s asylum laws ahead opened German borders to the that Greece seriously neglected necessary remedial actions are was not enough. day to draw up a plan for a two- talks last year. of what is expected to be another refugees in September, pub- surge in refugee numbers this lic opinion has gradually being year. turning against the asylum- Prosecutors fi led the fi rst seekers. criminal charges linked to the The change in mood in the na- Confusion over Cologne attacks yesterday, fol- tion and the growing political lowing widespread criticism that tensions have forced Merkel’s the police reaction to the attacks coalition to take steps to tighten was inadequate. asylum laws. report of death at Local court spokeswoman In October, the government Sonja Heidel said that a Moroc- introduced a package of meas- can and a Tunisian, who alleg- ures aimed at boosting inte- edly stole a man’s bag contain- gration and streamlining the registration centre ing a camera near the city’s main processing of asylum seekers, station, are currently in custody. which was also aimed at helping They are expected to appear in to speed up deportations. DPA “Why, I ask, did he have to court in February. But the government is now Berlin die,” wrote the volunteer who of- The station was the epicentre battling to hammer out a com- fered the man shelter in his home of the chaos that soured New promise on a another new set of on Facebook. Year’s festivities for many wom- legislation, which is due to be uthorities in Berlin were “Maybe because we haven’t en, who claimed they were encir- considered next week by cabinet, working yesterday to been given an appointment for cled and attacked by crowds of in part addressing the thorny Aconfi rm a report that a days?” he said in his post, which drunken men. question of family reunions of 24-year-old man has died in Ber- stressed that the asylum-seeker More than 1mn refugees ar- asylum seekers already in Ger- lin after standing outside a facil- had been unable to see a doctor. rived in Germany last year, plac- many. ity for registering and accommo- The helper, however, has since ing enormous strains on the Merkel, Seehofer and Sigmar dating refugees for days. deleted his Facebook posts and nation’s resources for asylum- Gabriel, who heads up the jun- A member of volunteer group has refused to speak to authori- seekers and triggering criticism ior coalition member, the So- Moabit Hilft took the man in on ties. from within Merkel’s coalition of cial Democrats (SPD), are due Tuesday evening, a spokeswom- A spokeswoman for Moabit her handling of the crisis. to meet today in a bid to agree Candles are lit next to a door at the State Off ice of Health and Social Aff airs (Lageso) registration centre an for the local group told DPA. Hilft, a loud critic of the Ger- A new opinion poll published on possible new restrictions on for refugees in Berlin after news spread over social media on the alleged death of a migrant. Police and The volunteer called an ambu- man capital’s handling of the yesterday showed support for family reunions. health authorities in Berlin had no record of the alleged incident. lance for the man, who was suf- migration crisis, later said that fering from a severe fever, but he there was no reason to doubt his did not survive the journey to the claims. hospital, she said. Lageso, a German acronym The death would mark another for the capital’s State Offi ce for Seven UNHCR ‘concerned’ by Norway’s policies damning development at Lageso Health and Social Aff airs, has – a Berlin registration centre for repeatedly made the headlines in asylum-seekers, which has be- recent months with images of its drown off AFP Norway decided in November The Norwegian return policy Nations recommendations go come a symbol for the country’s long queues and tented accom- Oslo that migrants who arrived in the risks depriving some legitimate beyond what our commitments lumbering and chaotic response modation sparking condemna- Scandinavian country after hav- asylum seekers of their right to are in respect to international to the refugee infl ux. tion from across the political Greece ing stayed legally in Russia had protection, the UNHCR warned. conventions”. The German senate’s depart- spectrum. he United Nations’ refugee to be swiftly sent back to Russia An independent body within The UNHCR also said it was ment for health and welfare has In November last year, a se- agency UNHCR expressed – without having their asylum the Norwegian immigration au- “deeply concerned” by Norway’s vowed to investigate the case curity guard was fi red from his AFP Tconcern yesterday over applications considered – since thority, Landinfo, said that it had plans to tighten rules for family closely. post at the shelter for using Nazi Athens Norway’s policy on returning Oslo considered Russia a safe been informed by the UN agency reunifi cations. But late yesterday afternoon it terminology to verbally abuse migrants to Russia and plans to country. that Russia had in January 2015 The right-wing coalition gov- was still not able to confi rm the asylum-seekers and volunteers. tighten rules for family reunifi - Some 5,500 migrants arrived expelled two Syrians back to ernment, which includes an group’s claims. One month earlier, a four- escuers found the bod- cations. in Norway via the “Arctic route” their war-torn country. anti-immigration party, has pro- “We have checked all hospi- year-old Bosnian boy was kid- ies of seven drowned “We consider that the Nor- through Russia last year. Norwegian Immigration posed that a person must have tal admissions,” a department napped while waiting with his Rmigrants, including two wegian procedure ... is cause for After sending some 200 people and Integration Minister Sylvi studied or worked for at least spokeswoman said, adding that family on the grounds of the local children, yesterday after their concern,” the UNHCR’s repre- back, Norway stopped returning Listhaug, speaking at the same four years before being allowed they had found no trace of the authority building. boat sank off the Greek island of sentative in the Nordic region, migrants to Russia at Moscow’s press conference as Phiri yes- to bring over their family. man, despite volunteers claiming His body was found weeks Kos, the coastguard said. Pia Prytz Phiri, told reporters request, as Russian authorities terday, assured that “we are of The proposal, which is still in that he had been confi rmed dead later in a case that added a tragic The bodies were found during at the close of a three-day visit. cited “security reasons”. course going to listen to what the the early stages, would require on arrival at a local hospital. new dimension to the tide of suf- a rescue operation launched af- “It’s a problem for us that Nor- But Norway has said it is nego- UN has to say”. parliament’s green light and the The city fi re department has fering that drove over 1mn people ter a survivor reported the sink- way considers Russia a safe asy- tiating a resumption with Mos- She added however that “there government does not hold a ma- also been backtracking emergen- to seek asylum in Germany last ing. The man had managed to lum country.” cow. are situations where the United jority. cy calls but without results. year. swim to shore on Kos and raised the alarm. The incident took place in Turkish waters two and a half kilometres (one and a half miles) Russia warned against exploiting ‘rape’ case from Kos, the coastguard said. Turkish and Greek patrol boats, as well as two vessels from AFP The teenager, identifi ed by “We are now working with her Foreign ministry spokesman EU border agency Frontex and an Berlin Russian media as “Liza”, went lawyer. He is working with her Martin Schaefer earlier expressed NGO boat took part in the opera- missing on January 11, reportedly family, with our embassy,” Lav- surprise at the sudden high-level tion, the coastguard said. on her way to school. rov said. “It is clear that the girl – intervention from Moscow. The only other survivor ermany and Russia are She subsequently returned absolutely, for sure not voluntar- “We are pleased to see this among the nine people on the trading barbs over a and fi led a police report, with ily – disappeared for 30 hours.” strong engagement of the Rus- boat was a woman, who has been Gmurky case involving the her parents telling investigators Lavrov said he regretted that sian government for clarity, ob- hospitalised in Turkey in critical alleged rape of a teenager, with she was kidnapped by three ap- news of Liza’s disappearance jectivity and transparency in the condition. Berlin warning yesterday against parently foreign men at a railway had “been hidden for a very long criminal justice system,” he said, The tragedy comes just fi ve “exploiting” the allegations af- station in eastern Berlin and tak- time, for some reason”. with a touch of sarcasm, add- days after 45 people including 20 ter Moscow hinted at an offi cial en to a fl at where they raped and He suggested that Europe’s ing: “We hope that this interest children drowned off Kalolimnos cover-up. beat her. refugee crisis was prompting of- endures, not only for the case near Kos on Friday. Chinese artist Ai Weiwei helps an Afghan migrant as he arrives with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter The case sparked outrage and fi cials to sweep pressing issues in question ... but for all other More than a million people other refugees and migrants on a raft on the Greek island of Lesbos, Steinmeier accused Russia of allegations on far-right websites “under the carpet”. cases.” headed to Europe in search of in this January 25 file picture. trying to “infl ame” Germany’s and Russian media outlets of an “I truly hope that these migra- The incident came to light new lives last year, most of them heated national debate on refu- offi cial attempt to bury the ac- tion problems will not lead to at- with Germany in an uproar over refugees fl eeing confl ict in Syria, Ai Weiwei pulls art from Danish sites gees over the claims by a 13-year- cusations. tempts to ‘gloss over’ reality for a spate of New Year’s Eve as- Iraq and Afghanistan in the con- old German-Russian girl. However, Berlin prosecutors political motives – that would be saults on women in Cologne al- tinent’s worst migration crisis Chinese activist artist Ai Weiwei is withdrawing works on exhibit German police last week re- said there was no evidence that just wrong,” he said. legedly carried out, for the most since World War II. in Denmark, a protest at recent moves that make the country less jected the teenager’s account the girl was forced to have sexual Steinmeier rejected the in- part, by Arab and North African The onset of winter does not welcoming to refugees, Ai said yesterday. that she was sexually assaulted relations during that period and sinuation and said the Russian men, that was initially met with appear to have deterred the mi- Ai posted his decision on social media, a day after the Danish by immigrants in Berlin. opened an investigation against ambassador would be briefed on silence from the police. grants, with boats still arriving parliament approved tighter asylum rules, including a controversial But Russian Foreign Minister at least one man on possible stat- the established facts of the case. Last year, Germany took in on the Greek islands from Tur- plan to seize assets from asylum-seekers so they can contribute to their Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday sought utory rape charges. “There is no reason and no jus- nearly 1.1mn asylum-seekers, key daily. own upkeep. to lend credence to the girl’s alle- Sex with anyone under the tifi cation ... to use this case for most of them from Syria, Af- The UN says more than His exhibits in Denmark include the installation Yu Yi, 2015, which is gations and charged that her dis- age of 14, even if consensual, is political propaganda to infl ame ghanistan and Iraq, with Chan- 46,000 people have arrived in part of the exhibition A New Dynasty – Created in China at the Aros appearance had been “hidden” a crime in Germany and punish- an already diffi cult debate on mi- cellor Angela Merkel under Greece so far this year, 31 times Aarhus Art Museum in the western city of Aarhus. by German authorities. able by imprisonment. gration,” he told reporters. increasing pressure over her wel- more than for all of January 2015. Ai’s decision would also aff ect an exhibition in the capital, Copenhagen, German government spokes- Amid ongoing tensions be- Steinmeier pledged a thorough coming stance toward refugees The EU is mulling allow- at the Faurschou Foundation. The exhibition, titled Ruptures, opened in man Steff en Seibert hit back yes- tween Russia and the West on a investigation and said Russian fl eeing war. ing states in the passport-free March 2015 and due to run until April 15. terday, saying that “there is no range of issues, Lavrov used the offi cials would do better to base Tensions between Russia and Schengen zone to reintroduce Faurschou told broadcaster DR that Ai had telephoned him from the reason, in fact it is unacceptable, occasion of his annual press con- their conclusions on the Ger- the West plunged to a low point border checks for up to two years Greek island of Lesbos, where the artist is filming a documentary on the for this incident to be politically ference to draw attention to the man probe and not on “media over the Ukraine crisis and Syr- to cope with the migration crisis. refugee crisis, and had expressed shock at the Danish decision. exploited”. case. reports”. ia’s civil war. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, January 28, 2016 INDIA

WILDLIFE SETBACK INQUIRY DISRUPTION ADVENTURE Third rhino killed in Tribunal quashes probe Delhi panel to probe Manipur govt functioning Woman police off icer national park this year off icer’s appointment crimes against women remains aff ected after quake conquers Antarctica peak

Poachers killed yet another one-horned rhino In another embarrassment for the Uttar Pradesh The Delhi government has set up a commission The Manipur government’s functioning has been A woman police off icer at Assam’s Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday government, the Central Administrative Tribunal to inquire into complaints of crime against partially aff ected as the new secretariat building, has successfully climbed night, taking to three the total number of rhinos yesterday quashed the appointment of an off icer to women since February 2013. The government where several ministers and senior off icials have the Mount Vinson Massif, killed since the dawn of 2016, off icials said probe the case of suspended police off icer Amitabh issued a notification on January 19 which their off ices, was damaged in the January 4 the highest peak in the yesterday. The poachers also took away the Thakur, calling it “against the rules”. Thakur was became public yesterday. Retired district judge earthquake. Ever since the earthquake measuring Antarctic sub-continent, horn of the rhino, the off icials said. The latest suspended and a string of probes ordered against Dinesh Dayal has been appointed the chairman 6.8 on the Richter scale jolted the northeastern an off icial said yesterday. killing came less than 48 hours after the second him after he lodged a first information report of the commission. Richa Pandey Mishra, wife of states, the general public has been inconvenienced Aparna Kumar, an Indian rhino was found dead. “Gun shots were heard against Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dinesh Pandey, as ministers and elected representatives, including Police Service off icer, climbed the 17,000ft-high from the Burhapahar range around 12.30am Yadav for allegedly threatening him on phone. and Surbhi Singh will be the other members parliamentary secretaries, and other off icials peak of the Mount Vinson Massif on January and an operation was launched immediately. The CAT said the government must also decide a of the commission. The commission, having have not been able to function from the new 17. Kumar hoisted the Indian tricolour and the But today morning the forest guards recovered request by Thakur seeking an opportunity to be a two-year tenure, will submit a report of its secretariat. To make matters worse, no senior Uttar Pradesh police flag on the mountain peak. a carcass of the rhino from near the Deochur heard by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, making it findings every three months. The notification off icial is available to explain the situation. Sources She is the first woman off icer of any All-India camp in the Burhapahar range of the park. clear in its order that he, as minister in charge of the said the commission will look into cases of said the government was mulling alternative Services to have done so. Uttar Pradesh Chief The horn of the rhino was missing,” said the home department, is the competent authority to sexual violence, harassment of women, stalking, accommodation for these ministers and off icials Minister Akhilesh Yadav has congratulated her off icials. take decision in cases related with the IPS off icers. voyeurism, and such crimes against women. for the smooth functioning of the government. for the feat. 70% of urban India’s sewage is untreated, says survey

The untreated sewage is mld (30%) is treated, according households (38.2%), of the 79mn dumped directly into water to the Faecal Sludge Management households with septic tanks, bodies, polluting three-fourth (FSM) report by Water Aid, a safe- have no clear method for sewage of India’s surface water water and sanitation advocacy, disposal. resources, says report quoting a 2009 CPCB report. About 12.6% of urban house- The untreated sewage is holds defecate in the open. This IANS dumped directly into water bod- number is higher for slums, with New Delhi ies, polluting three-fourth of In- 18.9% of households defecating in dia’s surface water resources, the the open. FSM report said. Up to 80% of Around 1.7% of households here are four years left for water bodies could be polluted, across India defecate in the open the government target of the report said. despite having toilets, the govern- Tensuring all Indians use Operation and maintenance of ment informed the Lok Sabha last toilets, but in urban India alone, existing treatment capacity is be- month, based on a 2012 National no more than 30% of sewage low par, with 39% plants not con- Sample Survey report. generated by 377mn people fl ows forming to environmental rules In Madhya Pradesh, around through treatment plants. for discharge into streams, the 22.5% urban households defecate The rest is randomly dumped in CPCB report said. in the open, followed by Tamil rivers, seas, lakes and wells, pol- An estimated 75% to 80% of Nadu (16.2%), Uttar Pradesh Students of Jadavpur University stage a demonstration against the suicide of Rohith Vemula, a Dalit research scholar of the University of luting three-fourths of the coun- water pollution is from domestic (14.8%), Gujarat (8.7%), Mahar- Hyderabad, in Kolkata yesterday. try’s water bodies, according to sewage, discharged untreated into ashtra (7.7%) and Delhi (3%). an IndiaSpend analysis of various local water bodies. A staggering 55% of rural data sources. Of the 522 working STPs across households defecate in the open, An estimated 62,000mn litres India, the maximum are in the according to data tabled in the per day (mld) of sewage is gen- northern state of Punjab, which Lok Sabha on May 7, 2015. Odisha erated in urban areas, while the has 86. But no more than 38 work. tops the list, with 86.6% of rural treatment capacity across India is Uttar Pradesh has the most households defecating in the open. Students protest in Kolkata only 23,277 mld, or 37% of sewage working STPs, 62, followed by In Kerala, no more than 3.9% of generated, according to data re- Maharashtra (60) and Karnataka households defecate in the open. leased by the government in De- (44). The proportion of people prac- cember 2015. About 17mn urban households tising open defecation globally Further parsing of this data re- lack adequate sanitation facilities has fallen almost by half, from over Dalit scholar’s suicide veals that of 816 municipal sew- in India, with 14.7mn households 24% in 1990 to 13% in 2015. age treatment plants (STPs) listed without toilets, the FSM report About 68% of the world’s pop- IANS Chakraborty has been sitting mool Congress of indulging in jya Sabha, spent a long time at across India, 522 work. So, of said. ulation had access to improved Kolkata in protest at a makeshift shelter vote bank politics over the sui- the Hyderabad University cam- 62,000 mld, the listed capacity is If you consider fi ve people per sanitation facilities, including outside the Jadavpur campus. cide of the Dalit scholar. pus and addressed the students 23,277 mld but no more than 18,883 family, that means about 85mn fl ush toilets and covered latrines, “We are supporting his pro- “Trinamool leader Derek demanding justice for Vemula. mld of sewage is actually treated. people - or more than the popula- in 2015, according to the World section of students of Ja- test,” a student said. O’Brien had gone to Hyderabad Irani also slammed the That means 70% of sewage gener- tion of Germany - are without ad- Health Organisation (WHO). davpur University boy- On Tuesday, a rally in Kolkata to demand justice for the Dalit Mamata Banerjee-led govern- ated in urban India is not treated. equate sanitation in urban India. However, nearly 2.4bn people Acotted classes yesterday by the ultra-left United Stu- student. I want to ask him... in ment on recent incidents of vio- While 79 STPs don’t work, 145 In terms of rural households, across the world lack basic sanita- in protest against the suicide of dents’ Democratic Front (USDF) Nadia, a Trinamool leader had lence in the state. are under construction and 70 only 48.4% (87.9mn) have toilet tion facilities, such as toilets or la- Rohith Vemula, a Dalit research protesting over Vemula’s sui- murdered three Dalits inside “In Malda, a police station are proposed, according to the facilities as on December 7, 2015, trines. Of these, 946mn defecate in scholar of Hyderabad University. cide turned violent. their home in May 2015... Why was burnt. Police watched the Central Pollution Control Board’s according to a minister’s state- the open, according to the WHO. The protesting students Widespread protests have didn’t O’Brien visit their fami- tamasha and Mamata did not say Inventorisation Of Sewage Treat- ment in the Lok Sabha. The Swachh Bharat (Clean In- said they have also expressed rocked India following the death lies?” Irani asked. a word. Nobody said anything ment Plants report. Around 5mn (7.1%) urban dia) Mission, launched by the solidarity with Deborshi of Vemula, who committed sui- “Because for him, vote bank when the constitutional laws India’s towns and cities con- households have pit latrines that government on October 2, 2014, Chakraborty, a research scholar cide on January 17 following his ‘tamasha’ in Hyderabad is more were being torn apart,” she said. taminate their own water, with no have no slabs or are open pits, and aims to make India open defeca- and a former student of Presi- suspension along with four oth- important than securing justice Irani also criticised the party improvement over the years. about 900,000 toilets dispose off tion-free by October 2, 2019. dency University who began er Dalit students over an alleged in Nadia,” she said at a public on the sensational hit-and- Sewage generation in In- faeces directly into drains. The government plans to con- a hunger strike on Friday, de- clash with a leader of the Akhil rally in Durgapur, around 165km run case in which an Indian dia from class-I cities (with a Only 32.7% of urban house- struct 2.5mn individual household manding the resignation of cen- Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad from Kolkata. Air Force corporal was mowed population more than 100,000) holds that have sanitation facili- toilets in urban areas by 2016, of tral ministers Smriti Irani and (ABVP). Last week a two-member down in Kolkata. He was killed and class-II towns (population ties use toilets connected to an which 882,905 were constructed Bandaru Dattatreya in connec- In Durgapur, West Bengal, Trinamool MP delegation, led while supervising the Republic 50,000-100,000) is estimated at underground sewage network. up to December, 2015, according to tion with the suicide. Irani accused the ruling Trina- by O’Brien, its leader in the Ra- Day Parade rehearsals. 38,255 mld, of which only 11,787 As many as 30mn urban the latest data available.

Pawar leaves hospital Death penalty Chandy took Rs19mn bribe, commuted The Delhi High Court yesterday commuted to life term the death sentence says solar scam accused handed down to serial killer Chandrakant Jha. Justices By Ashraf Padanna Rs4mn from her through a mid- legations and those who believed Sanjiv Khanna and R K Gulf Times Correspondent dleman and released an audiotape her would regret. He had a CD Gauba commuted the death Thiruvananthapuram of a telephone conversation with with him showing her relations penalty, saying there was no Congress leader Thampanoor with some of the media houses eyewitness in the case but Ravi. which promoted her “business”. held that the imprisonment woman standing trial in 33 He was heard asking her to par- Ravi said he talked in length would be for entire life without cheating cases across Ker- rot Chandy’s statement to the when she called him as there were remission. “In the present Aala yesterday alleged that one-man commission during a reports that opposition politi- case, there is no eyewitness Chief Minister Oommen Chandy 14-hour marathon hearing on cians and the liquor lobby were and the prosecution has relied took a bribe of Rs19mn from her. Monday in which he said he might after her to make such a state- upon circumstantial evidence Deposing before the ‘solar com- have met the woman thrice. ment in the run-up to the state which, we have held, has been mission’ probing the Rs70mn Chandy said her claims were elections later this year. proved beyond reasonable scam, Saritha S Nair said Chandy’s baseless, and he never had “Being in public life, I used to doubt,” the court said. “We Delhi-based ‘friend’ Thomas Ku- done any favour to the couple. take all calls coming to my cell would convert the death ruvilla demanded Rs70mn from He received a dud cheque for phone number which is available sentence to life imprisonment her and took Rs19mn for clearing Rs200,000 from them to the on the party’s website, and had (or) imprisonment for ‘solar solutions’ she was off ering. Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. got her calls many times,” he told entire life without remission She and her companion Biju “They couldn’t even honour this correspondent. without aff ecting the power Radhakrishnan were arrested that cheque. Who’s then going to Nair had earlier told a televi- under articles 72 and 161 two years back for cheating un- believe that they paid us millions,” sion channel that she was off ered of the constitution. This suspecting customers of nearly he told reporters here. Mohamed Rs100mn by the opposition to would be appropriate and Rs70mn promising solar solu- said Nair had called him seeking make allegations against the chief proportional sentence. We tions, mainly rooftop panels. A his help to promote her business, minister and other ministers and order accordingly.” Jha, court later sent Radhakrishnan to but he refused. that senior Communist Party of Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar is seen with family members after he was from Madhepura in Bihar, jail for life for killing his wife. Mohamed said the liquor lobby India (Marxist) leader E P Jayara- discharged from a hospital in Pune yesterday. The former defence minister was admitted to was sentenced to death in Nair claimed Power Minis- angry at the government’s prohi- jan approached her through her Ruby Hospital for a routine medical test. 2013 in two cases and to life ter Aryadan Mohamed also took bition policy was behind the al- lawyer with a similar demand. imprisonment in one. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 27 INDIA

Rights group seeks probe into police inaction over rape complaints

Reuters fi ghting for the rights of poor “One policeman said, ‘We man rights lawyer Shalini Gera lenges such as hostile police of- “The team investigating the lence in the region last year. Raipur farmers and landless labourers to will burn down your houses. If it told the Thomson Reuters Foun- fi cers, unsympathetic forensic case must also be sensitive to- “Now that the FIR has been land and a greater claim on min- wasn’t daytime, we would have dation. examinations, a lack of counsel- wards the aff ected women, and registered in the Nendra case, the eral wealth. killed you.’” “And we feel even the fi ling of ling, shoddy police investiga- ensure that their statements are Chhattisgarh police must ensure olice in Chhattisgarh face According to Amnesty’s India Despite changes to India’s the FIR is just a bureaucratic step tions and weak prosecutions in recorded in a manner that takes an independent and impartial mounting criticism for offi ce, 13 women from the Adi- anti-rape laws, which make it and the investigation will not the courts, they say. their safety and convenience into investigation, since the alleged Pdelays in registering com- vasi group said they were raped mandatory for police to fi le a case be started any time soon, since The tribal women, who left account,” said Gopika Bakshi, perpetrators include police offi - plaints of rape during operations and sexually assaulted by police as soon as a sexual violence com- there is no indication on when their children and homes to camp women’s rights campaigner at cials,” she said. against Maoist rebels, with Am- and security forces during anti- plaint is brought to them, it took the statements of the complain- at the district headquarters in Bi- Amnesty International India. Bijapur Police Superintendant nesty International India de- Maoist raids in Nendra village a week for the fi rst information ants will be recorded.” japur to ensure their complaint In e-mailed comments to K L Dhruv said the investigation manding an independent probe between January 11 and 14. report (FIR) or offi cial complaint Rape victims in India have to was heard, travelled back to their the Thomson Reuters Founda- would begin once the basic pa- into police inaction. “Two men caught hold of me to be recorded, a lawyer for the contend with an archaic, poorly forest homes after medical tests tion, Bakshi called for a swift, perwork was completed. One of India’s poorest regions, and dragged me inside my house women said. funded and insensitive criminal were done last week. thorough investigation into the “How soon it is wrapped up Chhattisgarh has seen major se- and sexually assaulted me,” one “Instead of helping the wom- justice system, campaigners say. Offi cial statements from the rape allegations. Critics say po- depends on the investigating of- curity operations to fl ush out woman told the human rights en, the police have made it diffi - Those brave enough to go to women are required for the probe lice have dragged their feet over fi cer,” Dhruv told the Thomson Maoist rebels who say they are group. cult for them at every step,” hu- the police face numerous chal- to proceed. similar reports of sexual vio- Reuters Foundation. India is doing great, but nobody talks about it: Trump

IANS cause they’re so good,” he was Washington quoted as saying. Trump’s statement about In- dia came a day before a new poll ndia’s rise has caught the found him hitting a new high in attention of controversial the race for the Republican nom- IRepublican presidential ination with 41% Republican frontrunner Donald Trump who voters nationwide backing him. thinks the world’s largest de- Signifi cantly, more than two- mocracy is doing great, but no- thirds of Republicans said he body is talking about it. is the candidate most likely to “India is doing great. Nobody capture their party’s presidential talks about it,” the brash real nomination, according to a new estate mogul, who has ruffl ed CNN/ORC Poll. many feathers with his anti-im- Trump was also widely seen migration rhetoric, a call to ban as the candidate best able to win all Muslims and accusing several the November election with 63% countries, particularly China, of of Republicans saying so. taking advantage of the US, said A Huffi ngton Post article re- in an interview with CNN on cently argued that Trump’s rise is Monday. actually good for India provided Trump’s fi rst comments about “there is no practical way Donald India on the campaign trail came Trump can be elected president.” Police stop women activists on their way to Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar. in response to a question about Keeping that assumption in the change in his views expressed mind, Trump’s rise would then in a September 24, 2007 CNN actually boost Democratic can- interview when he had talked didate Hillary Clinton’s chances about America’s decline and the of becoming president, the ar- rise of China and India. ticle said. And Clinton as US He had then said: “Just look at president, the article said, would this country (the US). We have be better for India because “with gone from this tremendous pow- her record of support for India Govt calls for talks with er that was respected all over the against Pakistan, her progressive world to somewhat of a laughing immigration policy and her gen- stock. eral concentration on Asia, Clin- “All of a sudden, people are ton might turn out to be a bet- talking about China and India ter friend for India in the White and other places, even from an House than other candidates.” economic standpoint. America The 69-year-old billion- women on temple row has come down a long way, a long aire has been trying for years to way. The US has come down a capitalise on his brand in India, A change in tradition Ahmednagar, clashing with vil- women to the temple and end- The popular Sabarimala up as an issue about equality for long way, and it’s very, very sad. which according to the latest in accordance with the lagers. Police briefl y detained ing similar gender bias in other Ayyappa temple in Kerala, which women, and not just entry into a We’re not respected.” International Monetary Fund times is our culture, says the protesters. places of worship in the state. denies entry to women of repro- temple.” In his response on Monday to projections has overtaken China Maharashtra chief minister Fadnavis said state offi cials Desai said Fadnavis respond- ductive age, is the subject of a z Tension prevailed in Bihar’s the statement made almost nine to emerge as the fastest grow- would facilitate talks between ed “favourably” to the demands petition in the Supreme Court, Hajipur town yesterday, a day years ago, Trump explained: ing economy in the world with a Agencies the activists and temple author- and she suggested he should which has asked temple author- after police demolished a temple “That was the beginning of 7.5% growth rate. Mumbai ities, as #RightoPray trended on visit the temple with his wife as ities to explain why they forbid as part of an anti-encroachment China. That was the beginning In 2014, he announced the Twitter for a second day in India. a token of his support. women entry. drive on the order of the Patna of India, when India, by the way, launch of Trump Tower Mumbai, “Indian culture and the Hin- Meanwhile, the Hindu Jan- Politicians and spiritual lead- High Court. India is doing great. Nobody an 800ft skyscraper with 75 sto- overnment offi cials in du religion have always given jagruti Samiti urged the state ers have weighed in on the highly At least ten police offi cials talks about it. And I have big jobs ries to be erected in Mumbai by Maharashtra state have women the right to worship,” government to remain alert to contentious issue, with the head were injured and a few vehicles going up in India. But India is do- Indian developer Lodha Group. Gcalled for talks between Fadnavis said in a tweet late on prevent incidents which seek to of the lawyers’ group that fi led torched in the protest by people, ing great.” Before that, in August 2012, protesters who tried to storm a Tuesday. “A change in tradition create a blot on religious tradi- the Sabarimala temple petition police said. However, in a little noticed developer Panchshil Realty an- Hindu temple that bars entry to in accordance with the times tions at places like Shani Shing- saying they had received hun- Additional security forces statement as recently as Novem- nounced another luxury resi- women and temple offi cials, as is our culture. Discrimination napur, said its state organiser dreds of death threats for their have been deployed in the town, ber 2015, Trump had actually dential property with the Trump a campaign for equal access to in worshipping is not our cul- Sunil Ghanvat. action. about 30km from Patna, in view accused India too of “taking ad- name, in Pune, a city about temples gathers momentum. ture.” The temple, which has barred “There is discrimination of tension following violent pro- vantage of the US”. 145km from Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fad- Trupti Desai, president of the women for centuries from the against women across religions,” tests by the locals. “If you look at the way China The Trump Towers Pune fea- navis met women activists yes- Bhumata Ranragini Brigade, and inner sanctum that is dedicated said Flavia Agnes, a women’s According to police offi cials, and India and almost everybody ture two towers with 23 stories terday, a day after hundreds of other women met Fadnavis in to Shani, or Saturn, is one of a rights lawyer and co-founder the locals attacked a police team takes advantage of the United each. The project is still under them tried to force their way into Pune and submitted a memo- handful in India that bars wom- of Majlis legal centre in Mum- and threw stones at them during States - China in particular, be- construction. the Shani Shingnapur temple in randum demanding entry of en. bai. “It’s high time we took this the demolition.

Congress: we have majority in Rehearsing the ‘retreat’ Jet Airways passengers Arunachal Pradesh assembly evacuated after alert

IANS Babbar said despite an “ugly mending the imposition of Presi- Reuters man said. Police at Delhi’s inter- New Delhi game of destabilising, induce- dent’s Rule. New Delhi national airport were not imme- ment and subversion”, the Con- At the outset of the hearing, diately available for comment on gress still had a clear majority senior counsel Fali S Nariman what caused the security scare. he Congress Party yester- and a strength of 31 legislators in told the court that ever since assengers on a Kathmandu- Indian media said police received day said it commanded a the house of 60 members in Aru- the last hearing on February 22, bound aircraft of Jet Airways an anonymous call warning Tmajority in the Arunachal nachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh had been put Pwere evacuated minutes be- bombs were on two aircraft. Pradesh assembly and the central He said the Congress had 47 under President’s Rule and two fore take-off from New Delhi yes- The other aircraft, operated government’s decision to impose legislators in the state assembly, advisers appointed to assist the terday due to a security alert, the by Air India, was also headed to President’s Rule in the north- “out of which two resigned and governor in running the aff airs of second such incident this week on Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. The eastern state was a “shameful 14 disqualifi ed in accordance the state. the same fl ight. plane was taken to a bay area and example of coercive federalism”. with the provisions of the anti- Seeking the date on which The plane’s doors were closed security personnel screened the The decision to dislodge an defection law”. the governor recommended the and it was ready for take-off baggage, the company said on its elected Congress government on The Supreme Court yester- imposition of President’s Rule, when the alert was raised, ac- Twitter account. the Republic Day was “an open day issued a notice to the central Nariman said senior counsel cording to a Jet Airways spokes- In a separate incident, AirAsia and dastardly murder of democ- government on a plea challeng- Harish Salve, who appeared for man. All 122 passengers and India, part-owned by Malaysia’s racy”, party spokesman Raj Bab- ing the imposition of President’s the governor, told the court on seven crew members were asked AirAsia Bhd, said late yesterday bar said in a statement here. Rule and gave it time till January January 14 that nothing unto- to leave the plane and security that it received a specifi c bomb He also accused state Gov- 29 to fi le its response. ward would be done to precipi- agencies were investigating. threat after one of its aircraft land- ernor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa of The court gave liberty to the tate the situation. The incident comes two days ed in the southern city of Bengalu- “premeditated malice”. petitioner, Congress chief whip Describing as “crucial” the after the same Jet Airways’ Del- ru from Jaipur in Rajasthan. “The Congress has full faith in Arunachal Pradesh Rajesh date on which President’s Rule hi-Kathmandu 9W 260 fl ight “In-fl ight cabin crew spotted in the judiciary. Constitutional Tacho, to amend the plea to in- recommendation was sent by Members of the military band rehearse for the “Beating the was delayed due to a security the bomb threat in the aircraft af- norms, democracy and federal- clude a challenge to the presi- Rajkhowa, senior counsel Kapil Retreat” ceremony in New Delhi yesterday. The ceremony scare, but investigations later ter landing,” AirAsia India said in a ism will win at the altar of justice. dential proclamation. Sibal sought to know the grounds symbolises retreat after a day on the battlefield, and marks found nothing unusual. statement, adding that a search of Conspiracy to debunk democracy The court directed that Tacho and material relied upon by the the off icial end of the Republic Day celebrations. It is held “It is the same fl ight. This is the aircraft revealed nothing and and murder of federalism will be be provided the date on which governor while making the rec- every year on January 29. something that doesn’t happen the aircraft was allowed to resume defeated substantively,” he said. Rajkhowa sent a report recom- ommendations. normally,” a company spokes- normal operations. Gulf Times 28 Thursday, January 28, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

SCANDAL SUMMIT LAW AND ORDER RULING DISASTER Brazilian police launch new Latam leaders meet on Dozens of convicts still on Pinochet regime victims’ Colombia landslide raids in corruption probe Colombia peace process the run after jail breaks families get $1.3mn payout kills six, four missing

Brazil’s Federal Police yesterday launched the Latin American leaders gathered yesterday for Forty-four convicts are still on the run after two Chile’s Supreme Court ordered the state to A landslide in a remote and violence-torn area of latest stage of a sweeping investigation into a summit focused on Colombia’s request for prison breaks in the past week in the north-eastern pay $1.3mn in damages to the families of four Colombia killed six people and left four missing, corruption at state-controlled firms, with six personnel for a UN mission to oversee what the Brazilian state of Pernambuco. Last Wednesday people who disappeared in the 1970s during authorities said. A wall of mud smashed into arrest and 15 search warrants issued in the states region hopes is an imminent peace deal with night, 53 prisoners escaped from the Barreto the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. The court a small community in an isolated region of of Sao Paulo and Santa Catarina. The warrants in the Farc rebels. The request from the Colombian Campelo penitentiary after explosives were used awarded payments ranging from $16,000 to Narino department in southwestern Colombia, the so-called “Operation Carwash” probe involve government and the leftist guerrilla group for to blow a hole in an outer wall. The prison is located $1mn to the families of the four men, who were all said governor Camilo Romero. “It covered two the suspected use of off shore companies and unarmed observers to monitor the eventual end on the island of Itamaraca, around 50km north of detained by regime agents and never heard from houses and left six people dead,” he said. Rescue real estate transactions to launder money from of their half-century conflict tops the agenda the state capital, Recife. By Saturday afternoon, again. The largest award, 700mn pesos, was for workers have not yet been able to access the bribery, graft and other off ences, police said in as leaders from the 33-member Community of the authorities had succeeded in capturing 13 of the family of Miguel and Gilberto Rojas, a father area because of its diff icult terrain, which serves a statement. According to TV Globo channel, Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) the prisoners, when a group of 40 inmates broke and son who were arrested in October 1973, the as a hideout for drug traff ickers and rebel groups raids were being conducted in Sao Bernardo meet in the Ecuadoran capital Quito. The UN out of the Frei Damiao de Bozzano jail, part of the month after Pinochet seized power in a coup including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of do Campo, the political stronghold of former Security Council agreed on Monday to send a Curado prison complex in the western suburbs and began cracking down on leftist opponents Colombia (Farc). Four people are still missing, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, “political mission” to Colombia once a peace deal of Recife, using a similar method. Thirty-six of the and their supposed supporters. The Rojases according to a source at the national disaster whose Workers’ Party is involved in the probe. is signed. inmates have now been captured. disappeared after being detained by the army. management agency.

Landmark Students’ relatives protest debate on Aristide ‘has marijuana laws begins in Mexico crucial role

AFP Mexico City in Haiti’s exico opened a national debate on prohibition- Mist marijuana laws, as the government appeared open to legalising medical cannabis use. President Enrique Pena Ni- new crisis’ eto, who personally opposes le- galisation, decided to hold fi ve Reuters a replacement for outgoing were to become president. public forums after the Supreme Port-au-Prince President Michel Martelly on Speaking beneath a cam- Court opened the door to rec- Sunday but the two-man run- paign poster of Aristide holding reational use of marijuana in a off was postponed indefi nitely her raised hand, Narcisse said country beset by drug cartel vio- is name is not on any after opposition candidate Jude her political mentor predicted lence for a decade. ballot paper and he was Celestin refused to participate in October the vote would be “This is an issue that has di- Htoppled from power over alleged fraud that sparked “a selection not an election” - rectly or indirectly aff ected the 12 years ago but the shadow the protests and violence. a catch phrase that has defi ned lives of millions of Mexicans,” of Jean-Bertrand Aristide still Aristide’s supporters want the opposition’s fraud claims Interior Minister Miguel Angel looms over Haiti and his sup- their candidates put back in and galvanised protesters. Osorio Chong said at the start porters are at the centre of a the race - a position that puts “He respects the Haitian of the fi rst debate, which was new crisis in the impoverished them in direct confl ict with people, and the Haitian people broadcast online. country. both the government and the are mobilising,” Narcisse said. “Such a delicate issue cannot Despite the divisions in his international community, and “The mobilisation will con- be left to improvisation,” he said party Fanmi Lavalas, or ‘The potentially with Celestin, who tinue.” in the Caribbean resort city of Flood’, and his offi cial retire- currently enjoys their backing Haiti now has to decide Cancun, where experts were in- ment from politics, Aristide’s as the default opposition can- whether the election run-off vited to debate the drug’s eff ects infl uence has quietly grown didate. between Celestin and rul- on public health and addiction. since he returned from exile in Aristide himself, who was ing party candidate Jovenel Legalisation supporters argue South Africa in 2011. twice elected president and Moise should go ahead, or be that decriminalising marijuana Three of the four top candi- twice ousted in coups, is con- scrapped to again include Nar- would strip drug cartels of a ma- dates in the fl awed fi rst round stitutionally barred from run- cisse and others. jor source of revenue and reduce of Haiti’s presidential election ning again. Martelly is due to leave of- violence that has killed tens of in October fully or partly draw Since he returned from a fi ce on February 7, meaning the thousands of people. strength from Aristide’s fol- seven-year exile in 2011 to a country will need some kind of Pena Nieto has rejected such lowers, and his name is uttered country on its knees from a interim administration until a arguments, but he indicated that with reverence by poor pro- devastating earthquake, Aris- new leader is elected. his government would be open testers whose violent demon- tide, 62, has kept a low public Some in Haiti fear that Fan- to changing the laws, depending strations last week forced the profi le, offi cially dedicating his mi Lavalas’ renewed relevance, on the outcome of the debate. run-off vote to be called off . time to a university bearing his with or without electoral sup- Osorio Chong strongly hint- The moves Aristide and name. port, could mean a return to ed that the administration his political heirs make in the His most recent, rare, ap- a chaotic period of ideologi- was open to the medical use of next few weeks could deter- pearances were to vote in Oc- cal confl ict that characterised marijuana, noting that there is a mine Haiti’s immediate future tober and to endorse Maryse Aristide’s time in power. “majority (of public) opinion” in more than at any time since the Narcisse, a doctor, as Fanmi Even a few days ago, it didn’t favour of such uses. former priest-turned-presi- Lavalas’ presidential candi- look like Aristide’s enemies had The government, he said, “is dent was toppled from power date. He did not respond to re- much to worry about. Narcisse completely open to measures in 2004. quest for an interview for this was a low profi le health expert that improve the quality of life” “Aristide is the engine of this article. until she emerged as Aristide’s of its citizens. movement. Without him we But he remains involved in favorite in 2014. His support Roberto Campa, a deputy in- cannot live,” said unemployed his party’s strategy. boosted her popularity, but she terior minister for human rights, protester Fredo Dorival stand- “He has played a role as a still only mustered 7% of the said that international conven- ing near smoldering tires and captain, now we hope he will vote in October. While she says tions do not prohibit the medical rubble at a march from Port- accept a role as coach,” Nar- that is because of fraud, many use of marijuana. au-Prince’s St Jean Bosco par- cisse said adding that she Fanmi Lavalas voters opted for “There is much more space to Relatives of the 43 students missing from Ayotzinapa College Raul Isidro Burgos take part in a ish, where Aristide once pre- consults with Aristide regu- either Celestin or former Aris- fi nd agreements in this sense,” march to mark the 16-month anniversary of the disappearance of the students, in Mexico City. sided. larly and would want him tide aide Moise Jean Charles, Campa told reporters. Haiti was supposed to choose as a senior adviser if she who came third. Economic woes will sink Mujica in Havana Inmates fi re guns Maduro: opposition chief at prison funeral AFP incident took place on Mon- Caracas day at a memorial service for a Reuters 72-year-old lawyer and ca- for a recall referendum later former prisoner named Teofi lo Caracas reer politician said the real this year to remove Maduro “Rabbit” Rodriguez, who had culprit of the crisis is the and force a new election. The nmates at a Venezuelan for years been the boss among state-led system championed constitution allows for such a prison have been captured the inmate population. resident Nicolas Ma- by late leftist leader Hugo vote halfway through a presi- Ion video fi ring a host of Rodriguez, a convicted drug duro is unlikely to com- Chavez. dent’s six-year term. automatic rifl es and other traffi cker whose decade-long Pplete his six-year term, Maduro and his cabinet, “We’ve given ourselves guns into the air at a memorial jail term ended a year ago, was and could even be replaced however, laud Chavez and six months to find a consti- service for their late leader. shot dead at a bar on the island this year, as Venezuela’s eco- blame the recession on a so- tutional exit,” Ramos said, The incident drew condem- Sunday, Nieto said. nomic crisis worsens, the called “economic war” they stressing that the unravelling nation in the opposition-con- “Rabbit’s body was taken head of the new opposition- say is being waged against economy makes his removal trolled legislature and from to the prison. That’s when the led congress said. them by unscrupulous busi- all the more urgent. an activist group that moni- gunfi re occurred,” he said. Oil-producing Venezuela is nessmen in league with the “The simple political cal- tors prison violence, which The group said Rodriguez’s suffering the world’s steepest opposition. culation ‘let’s leave him for demanded an explanation of family and friends had brought inflation, an economic reces- “If they insist, as they are, three more years so he finish- how jailed criminals could his body to the jail with the sion, and shortages of basic in holding on to a model that es burning himself in his own have gained access to such an complicity of prison authori- goods including flour and has failed in all senses, then oil’ seems very irresponsible arsenal. ties. It called for Prison Servic- pharmaceutical products. the response is obvious: the to me,” said Ramos, whom The video, obtained by pris- es Minister Iris Varela to resign. Voter anger over the crisis ones causing a crisis have to Maduro calls a “fascist dino- on monitoring group Window In the video, more than a propelled Venezuela’s op- leave; otherwise we’ll never saur.” on Freedom, shows dozens dozen National Guard mem- position last month to win a overcome it,” said Ramos. “What would the next of inmates gathered on the bers can be seen reacting with majority in the legislature, “We’ve insisted that the president inherit in three roof of a prison on Margarita surprise to the gunfi re, then where it is piling pressure on solutions to the crisis have years? A cemetery,” he added. island, which sits in the Car- going about their business. Maduro’s near three-year ad- to be democratic, constitu- Ramos said Congress will ibbean about 40kms off the “It’s incredible that this can ministration. tional, pacific and electoral. also press forward with an Venezuelan mainland. happen with total impunity. “In this situation I don’t Nothing else,” he added. amnesty law for jailed politi- At least four inmates can be What can ordinary citizens think he’ll finish (his term),” The MUD opposition coa- cians, including opposition seen fi ring large automatic ri- expect if the people locked Henry Ramos, president of lition has agreed to find the leader Leopoldo Lopez, de- fl es into the air, and four oth- up in jail have these kinds of the National Assembly, said best way to remove Maduro spite Maduro’s vow to veto ers fi ring automatic pistols. guns and run a large part of the in an interview. “The crisis is from office in the first half of such legislation. Some of them pause to reload country’s organised crime?” swallowing him up.” the year, though Ramos was “The president said ‘no.’ Former Uruguayan president Jose Mujica addresses the and then continue their spree. said legislative majority leader Speaking in a side room of coy on details. The assembly ... will say audience during a conference in Havana. Carlos Nieto, spokesman for Julio Borges, an opponent of his office, the rambunctious The opposition may push ‘yes,’” he said. Window on Freedom, said the President Nicolas Maduro. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 29 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

DEFENCE TRANSPORT EDUCATION MEDIA CUSTOMS DAY Security on Pak-Afghan Karachi-Gwadar-Iran Non-Muslim pupils across Pakistan urged to end 45 Indian fishermen border to be improved ferry service finalised Sindh to study ‘ethics’ curbs on free speech arrested in Pakistan

In view of growing concerns over militant Port and shipping authorities have finalised The Sindh Text Book Board (STBB), Jamshoro Pakistani journalists and activists faced an The Pakistani maritime security agency has infiltration in border areas, Pakistan has decided arrangements to start ferry services between has introduced a book on ethics for non-Muslim increasingly hostile climate in 2015 due to arrested 45 Indian fishermen for fishing in the to improve the border monitoring mechanism Karachi and Gwadar and also to Chabahar, Iran students from class seven. The book, which covers harassment, threats and violence from both country’s waters, an off icial said. to restrict the activities of “undesired persons” from both the Pakistani port cities. The service diff erent religions and ethical values, will become security forces and militant groups, Human The Indian fishermen were arrested while across the Afghan border. There is a strong is set to begin by mid-March, aiming to promote part of coursework at government schools for Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday. In its 659- fishing in Pakistani limits of the Arabian sea perception among the law enforcement agencies tourism and safe transportation to pilgrims minorities’ students from the new academic page World Report 2016, it said the government, on Tuesday, Dawn online quoted a police that because of the Afghan government’s weak heading to holy places in Iran. The decision to year of 2016-2017 starting from April 1 this year. under pressure from the military, placed new off icial as saying. A total of five boats were writ, infiltration has become a routine matter, this eff ect was taken at a high-level meeting The book, written in Urdu, covers various topics restrictions on the funding of civil society groups. also seized. said an off icial of the interior ministry. Referring yesterday. Federal Ports and Shipping Minister including, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism and Sufi “Pakistan should reverse course and repeal or “We were later given their custody and they to the attacks on the Army Public School in Kamran Michael chaired the huddle. For the poetry, and also has information on all religious amend laws curbing freedom of expression and would be produced in court” the off icial Peshawar and the Bacha Khan University in Karachi to Gwadar ferry, a deal with Silangan festivals practiced in Pakistan. In the first phase of association,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at said. Cases have been registered against the Charsadda, he said these elements easily enter Express-1 is at the final stage. This carrier has a the book’s implementation, it will be introduced HRW. “The government should never use the detained Indian fishermen under Sections 3/4 Pakistani territory to launch terrorist schemes, capacity of 419 passengers and will take 14 hours from class seven onwards while STBB also has threat of extremist violence as a pretext to violate of the Foreigners’ Act and 3/9 of the Fisheries including attacks on educational institutions. for the journey. plans to introduce it in primary classes. the rights of independent voices.” Act.

EU warns Pakistan Pakistan ratcheting govt over migrant co-operation

AFP culties with this readmission Brussels deal,” European Commission up campus security spokeswoman Natasha Ber- taud told a news briefi ng. Agencies Marwat said. he European Union has “The Commission is cur- Islamabad Another police offi cial added complained about dif- rently examining possible in- that in case of repeated viola- Tfi culties in deporting centives — positive and nega- tions it had been decided to take migrants to Pakistan, warn- tive — so that this accord is arge areas of Pakistan are up the matter with the Home ing it could take steps against applied properly.” increasing security at edu- and Education departments for Islamabad if it fails to comply In December Pakistan sent Lcational institutions after closure of schools for not adopt- with a deal on repatriations. back at least 30 undocument- a deadly assault on a university ing suffi cient security measures. Struggling with its biggest ed migrants that Greece was campus, offi cials said yesterday. “In the wake of militants’ at- fl ow of refugees since World trying to repatriate after say- At least 21 people died when tack on Bacha Khan University, War II, the EU persuaded Pa- ing Greece had failed to pro- four militants stormed Bacha Inspector General of Police Nasir kistan in November to restore vide adequate proof that they Khan University a week ago in Khan Durrani has issued security a suspended agreement to fa- were Pakistani, a claim later Charsadda town in the north- guidelines for employing securi- cilitate the return of Pakistani disputed by the EU. west. ty staff , manning entry and exit illegal immigrants without Last year Islamabad tem- Additional measures were be- points, establishing observation documentation. porarily suspended the repa- ing taken to improve security at posts, raising and fencing walls Pakistan was one of the top triation agreement, citing its more than 64,000 educational and ensuring patrolling and fi ve countries of origin among “blatant misuse” and saying institutions in Khyber-Pa- vigilance inside and outside the the one million migrants who member countries were not khtunkhwa province where the premises,” said Mohamed Afzal, arrived in Europe last year, adequately checking the na- attack occurred, said the prov- Superintendent of Police at the although most are considered tionality of the deportees. ince’s public health minister, Central Police Offi ce. economic migrants rather The deal was restored in Shah Farman. He added that the IGP had di- than refugees from confl ict. November following a meet- Private security guards are rected the quarters concerned to “While discussions have ing between Pakistani offi cials manning the schools and police ensure eff ective communication been good and positive, we and EU migration chief Dimi- are being deployed at vulnerable within the security staff , install note that there are still diffi - tris Avramopoulos. places, he said. A Pakistani policeman checks students outside the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda. SOS alert system, manage school Newly proposed legislation entry system, constitute par- would make it easier for staff to security guards. Right from playgroup to uni- crossed 200 by yesterday. ents’ vigilance committees and carry weapons, and technology In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prov- versities, students are studying Independent sources said organise drills and rehearsals. Afghanistan ‘fails to improve human rights’ is also playing a role. ince too the security of schools, as per routine. that more than 680 FIRs were The district police offi cers “We had a special mobile colleges and universities has Participatory security mecha- registered against the owners (DPOs) have been instructed to Afghanistan has failed to important opportunities phone app at disposal of the been enhanced following the nism has been adopted by the of educational institutions that convene meeting of all heads remedy a series of chronic to tackle serious human head of institutions to immedi- terrorist attack on Bacha Khan police along with the school included 23 colleges and a few of all private and government human rights abuses ranging rights problems,” Patricia ately alert police in case of any University in Charsadda. management. Cases have been universities. schools and colleges and vul- from the torture of prisoners Gossman, senior Afghanistan threat by militants,” he said. “We However, threats and secu- registered against the owners In Peshawar, Senior Super- nerable educational institutions by security forces to brutal researcher at Human Rights are now expanding it to link to rity concerns couldn’t deter and principals of around 468 intendent of Police (SSP) Op- along with the representatives mistreatment of women, Watch, said in a statement. the local police stations for quick even small children from going public and private sector educa- erations Abbas Majeed Marwat from the Education Department Human Rights Watch said in a “As reforms have slipped, so response.” to school in the province which tional institutions all over Khy- visited a number of educational and District Administration to report yesterday. have essential human rights The app provides a map of the suff ered two worst terror attacks ber Pakhtunkhwa for inappro- institutions to check the secu- sensitise them about the vulner- The rights watchdog’s protections for detainees, institution under threat, he said. on the educational institutions priate security arrangements. rity arrangements. A number of ability of their institutions and 2016 annual report said women, and the media.” In the capital Islamabad, se- in the last 13 months. The fi rst information reports institutions have been termed advise them to take appropriate reform eff orts by President HRW said international curity barricades and extra po- “All our class fellows come to (FIRs) were registered against vulnerable due to inadequate security measures. Ashraf Ghani’s national donors, whose support is licemen were being deployed at school as per routine,” said Saad, management of 156 schools in security and FIRs were lodged The police have been directed unity government had been essential to the government school entrances, police offi cials a grade-2 student. He was on his Peshawar, 128 in Mardan region, against their management. to ensure that heads of all the undermined by failure to of one of the world’s poorest said. way to school on a foggy morn- 5 in Kohat, 148 in Bannu and 31 in “We are adopting participa- institutions constitute a com- contain internal diff erences economies, had to work Security was also reportedly ing along with his younger sister Hazara, an offi cial at the Central tory security measures along mittee of suffi cient number of and keep local strongmen more closely with Afghan being enhanced in the larg- and brother. Police Offi ce (CPO) said. with the school manage- parents, not less than 10, to pay and power brokers in check. authorities to ensure that est province of Punjab in the The same is the case with mil- An offi cial of the Peshawar ment and the public to ensure surprise visits to the institutions “Afghanistan’s national unity human rights gains made east, where police were being lions of other kids in Khyber Pa- Police, however said, the number proper security to educational to review the security arrange- government squandered since 2001 were not lost. enrolled to help train private khtunkhwa and rest of Pakistan. of FIRs in the capital city had institutions,” Abbas Majeed ments. Kabul’s middle class embraces the food truck trend

AFP ghanistan — frozen from Ka- based in Afghanistan. Kabul rachi, the Pakistani port meg- They stand apart from the acity located 1,400km from vast majority of the population, Kabul. in which just 32 percent of adults hen the fi rst Lazeez “We have to pay attention to can read and write, according to food truck arrived in the conditions of the journey to a 2011 Unesco fi gure. WKabul many mistook it be sure everything is going well, Congregating in Kabul, this for a rickshaw and wanted to hail otherwise our cargo rots,” says worldier group has a need for a ride — the yellow chassis and the 26-year old entrepreneur. speed. three wheels so reminiscent of For now, Naveed has found Take Idriss Atef, a telecom- taxis popular in South Asia. a successful route: Mohamed munications engineer who is But it took little time for says his burger tastes just fi ne, paying a fl ying visit to a Lazeez the city’s emerging middle as does the hot dog he also pur- food truck. class to embrace the novelty chased, even if the fare is a long “It’s the fi rst time I’ve eaten of canteens-on-wheels serv- way from the tempting morsels from a food truck,” he admits. ing Western fast foods around available from food trucks in But, echoing workers in Lon- town. Paris or New York. don or New York, he adds: “I’m Parked on one of the capi- It has been a year and a half busy, I don’t have time to go to tal’s busiest roads, Obaidullah’s since the six food trucks embla- a restaurant, sit down and order truck — emblazoned with a giant zoned with the Lazeez logo — something.” hot dog, and the Lazeez logo — is meaning “delicious” in Dari, one Naveed’s success is all the unmissable. He serves a hand- of Afghanistan’s two national rarer in Afghanistan, far from ful of customers, who are seem- languages — began crisscrossing being a haven for entrepreneurs ingly undeterred by the roadside the streets of Kabul. despite all the promises from pollution, and bullish about the Today Naveed has 15 employ- President Ashraf Ghani, him- sourcing and sanitation of the ees and business is going well self a former economist with the meat. — for example, Obaidullah says World Bank. “Us Afghans are immune to the truck he manages serves Red tape, renewed violence, all sorts of illnesses,” jokes Mo- between 30 and 60 customers a and endemic corruption have hamed — an oral hygiene student day. not helped to create a business- buying a quick burger. After expenses and paying his friendly environment in the Food hygiene is terrible in Af- employees, Naveed pockets $150 country. ghanistan, with 60 children out a day, a fortune in Afghanistan In 2014 Transparency Inter- of 1,000 dying from diarrhoea where 72% of households earn national ranked the country 172 before the age of fi ve, according less than $150 a month and social out of 175 in its Corruption Per- to the French NGO Acted. inequalities are enormous. ceptions Index. So for Naveed Noori, who His success is even more im- Naveed knows something founded Lazeez with his cousin pressive given that spiced dishes about corruption and can always Abdullah Karim, fi nding meat of lamb, mutton and rice still en- An Afghan customer buys a burger from a Lazeez food truck in Kabul. When the first Lazeez food truck arrived in Kabul many mistook it for a count on the police to stop him without breaking the cold chain joy pride of place in Afghan cui- rickshaw and wanted to hail a ride – the yellow chassis and three wheels so reminiscent of taxis popular in South Asia. from selling his hot dogs. — the series of transportation sine, rather than the American “They don’t know that it’s and storage options that main- fast food which has become so sandwich from Manoto, a food “I work for the council so I cause I earn 6,000 afghanis ($87) lifestyle changes of an emerging only a food truck, nor do they tain a given temperature — is a entrenched elsewhere. truck also doing the rounds in get a special price — I pay 50 a month and I’ve got 12 mouths middle class. know where we’re allowed park,” challenge. “Unfortunately no food truck Kabul like Lazeez. afghanis (less than a dollar) for to feed,” he says wearily. The country’s middle classes he explains. Naveed buys his hot dogs — off ers Afghan dishes,” laments “Sure I’d prefer rice and Af- my hotdog instead of 100,” he The popularity of food trucks speak English and work in for- So, for a quieter life, he resorts made of chicken, with pork a Nassir, a student who is getting ghan dishes but they don’t have explains. in Kabul owes less to their cu- eign NGOs, government min- to bakshish — a bribe “in the hard sell in mostly-Muslim Af- ready to chow down on a chicken them,” says Saifuddin, a cleaner. “Even so, that’s expensive be- linary off erings than the slow istries or Western companies form of money or burgers”. Gulf Times 30 Thursday, January 28, 2016 PHILIPPINES Nation ‘made no headway in fi ght against corruption’

By Leena C Chua leaders are falling short of Manila Times their bold promises, while governments in Bangladesh and Cambodia are exacer- he Philippines made bating corruption by clamp- zero progress in its cam- ing down on civil society. In Tpaign to reduce corrup- Afghanistan and Pakistan, tion in 2015 as the country not a failure to tackle corrup- only remained on the list of tion is feeding ongoing vi- countries with serious corrup- cious conflicts, while China’s tion problems, but its ranking prosecutorial approach isn’t even went down by 10 notches, bringing sustainable remedy according to Transparency In- to the menace. This inability ternational (TI). to tackle root causes holds From its 85th ranking in true across the region– wit- 2014, the Philippines slid to ness, for example, Australia’s 95th with a score of 35 out of dwindling score in recent 100 (very clean) in the Cor- years,” IT said. ruption Perception Index 2015. “This year’s poor results de- The country’s score in 2014 mand that leaders revisit the was 38. genuineness of their eff orts Last year’s score was even and propel the region beyond lower than in 2013 when the stagnation. They must fulfi l Philippines notched a grade of promises, and ensure eff orts 36. In 2012, the country got an aren’t undermined in practice. even lower score — 34. Anti-corruption commissions The least corrupt country are a prime example here. was Denmark, which scored While their creation across 91. It was followed by Finland, the region is commendable, 90; Sweden, 89; New Zealand, ongoing political interference Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko walk towards the Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldiers as they pay tribute to the graves of fallen Filipino heroes during a wreathlaying ceremony 88; The Netherlands, 87; Nor- and inadequate resources has at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (National Heroes Cemetery) in Taguig, Metro Manila yesterday. way, 87; Switzerland, 86, Sin- meant many are unable to fulfi l gapore, 85; Canada, 83; Ger- their mandate. This has to be many, Luxembourg and United addressed,” the group added. Kingdom, which each had a The Transparency Interna- score of 81. tional report stresses the need North Korea and Somalia for government to establish in- shared the bottom with both stitutional reforms in order to countries scoring 8. fi ght corruption, political ana- The Corruption Perceptions lyst Ramon Casiple said. Index measures the perceived Casiple added that the re- Akihito pays tributes levels of public sector corrup- port showed that the Philip- tion worldwide. pines’ anti-corruption eff orts “Public sector corruption is failing. “There was no insti- isn‘t simply about taxpayer tutional reform established,” money going missing. Broken he told Manila Times. institutions and corrupt of- These institutional reforms, fi cials fuel inequality and ex- he said, should include “re- ploitation– keeping wealth in moval of syndicates in govern- at WWII cemetery the hands of an elite few and ment agencies,” strengthening trapping many more in pov- of the Offi ce of the Ombuds- AFP aerial bombings and artillery Manila-based political analyst erty,” TI noted in its report. man and the Sandiganbayan, Manila flatten the city. Richard Javad Heydarian. The group said more than and “simplifi ed transactions,” Akihito has made honour- “The emperor will serve as 6bn people live in a coun- among others. ing Japanese and non-Japanese the apologetic, sincere face of try with a serious corruption Freedom of Information apanese Emperor Akihito who died in World War II a Japan... it will balance out his problem. (FOI) should also have been bowed his head in sorrow touchstone of his near three- government’s controversial, It added that the Asia Pacifi c among these reforms, accord- Jduring a sombre ceremony decade reign — known as Hei- pugnacious and seemingly re- region also made zero progress ing to Casiple. at the Philippines’ biggest war sei, or “achieving peace” — and visionist statements,” he said. in the fi ght against corruption. A proposed FOI measure, cemetery yesterday as he vowed now in its twilight. Conservative Japanese Prime “If there was one common which has long been pending never to forget the many Filipi- He has previously journeyed Minister Shinzo Abe angered challenge to unite the Asia Pa- in Congress, aims to enable nos killed during World War II. to other Pacific battle sites China and South Korea when cifi c region, it would be corrup- citizens access to government Akihito, 82, and his wife Em- where Japanese troops and ci- he marked the 70th anniversa- tion. From campaign pledges to information and mandates press Michiko are in the Philip- vilians made desperate last ry of Japan’s surrender last year media coverage to civil society government agencies and offi - pines to celebrate 60 years of stands in the name of his father by saying that future genera- forums, corruption dominates cials to disclose all information diplomatic ties, while also hon- Hirohito. tions should not apologise for discussion. Yet despite all this on offi cial acts, transactions or ouring those who died during The other key symbolic event the war. talk, there’s little sign of action. decisions. Japan’s brutal occupation of the on Akihito’s agenda in the Phil- But the Philippines now Between Australia’s slipping The group said even the Philippines. ippines will be a visit tomorrow views Japan, its biggest source scores and North Korea’s pre- world’s “up and coming econ- “During this war, fi erce battles to a shrine for Japanese casu- of development aid and foreign dictably disastrous perform- omies” are struggling to shake between Japan and the US took alties of the war in Caliraya, a investment, as a trusted ally. ance, this year’s index shows no off corruption, citing massive place on Philippine soil, result- Philippine “comfort women” for the Japanese Imperial army during World lake resort village about three Highlighting the warmth of signifi cant improvement,” the scandals in Brazil and Malaysia ing in the loss of many Filipino War II, join in a protest near the Malacanang Palace in Manila where visiting hours’ drive south of Manila. the relationship, Akihito and group said. as cause for concern. lives and leaving many Filipinos Japanese Emperor Akihito is meeting the president. Before leaving Tokyo on Aquino enjoyed a wide-ranging It also noted though that Brazil showed the biggest injured,” he said. Tuesday, Akihito said a main 20-minute chat after the wel- “public desire for change is decline in its ranking, slump- “This is something we Japa- Akihito’s visit is the fi rst by a Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ focus of his trip was to honour coming ceremony yesterday. huge,” citing that governments ing seven notches to 76th po- nese must never forget and we Japanese emperor to the Phil- Cemetery) in Manila, which was the war dead. Outside the palace, though, came to power on anti-cor- sition over a kickback scan- intend to keep this engraved in ippines and comes as the two built in 1947 to honour Filipino “In the Philippines, many about 200 people rallied to de- ruption platforms in India, Sri dal engulfi ng state oil giant our hearts throughout our visit,” countries strengthen economic soldiers who died during World lives of Filipinos, Americans mand justice for women forced Lanka and elsewhere. Petrobras. On the other side he said at a banquet hosted by and defence ties, partly to coun- War II. and Japanese were lost during into sexual slavery by occupy- The group, however, said of the globe, graft allegations President Benigno Aquino. ter China’s increasingly asser- During the Japanese WWII the war,” Akihito said. ing Japanese soldiers in World many countries failed to de- surrounding Malaysian Prime Aquino in turn, praised Aki- tive actions in disputed regional occupation, tens of thousands He specifically referred to War II. liver on their promises to curb Minister Najib Razak also laid hito’s role in reconciliation, say- waters. of soldiers died marching to the Manila independence bat- “To the emperor of Japan, corruption, citing the case of bare corruption dogging the ing: “I am held in awe, recognis- The offi cial events of his ve- fi Japanese concentration camps tle in his remarks. talk to your leader about Fili- Malaysia whose leader is un- Asian state, it noted. ing the burdens you have borne, day trip began yesterday morn- or during confinement. His remorse over the war pina grandmothers who are der investigation for an alleged Overall, two-thirds of the as you have had to live with the ing with a red-carpet welcome An estimated 100,000 Fili- helps to improve Japan’s inter- fighting for their rights,” one of $700mn that was deposited in countries measured by TI weight of the decisions made by at the presidential palace hosted pinos also died during the national image and counterbal- seven former sex slaves at the his bank account. scored below the 50-point others during the dark episodes by Aquino. month-long campaign to liber- ances his government’s more protest, Narcisa Claveria, 85, “In India and Sri Lanka, mark out of a top score of 100. in the history of our nations.” In the afternoon he visited the ate Manila in 1945, which saw nationalist bent, according to said over a megaphone.

Miss Universe brings cheer to soldiers, children Aquino kept dangerous

By Christina Alpad with children from Smile Train, mission ‘confi dential’ Manila Times an organisation providing cor- rective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. By Jeff erson Antiporda mand and control and strategic iss Universe 2015 Pia Before her hospital visit, Wur- Manila Times decisions over Oplan Exodus,” Wurtzbach spent yes- tzbach visited ABS-CBN where the senator said. Mterday visiting patients she started a career in acting. He added that the president at the Armed Forces of the Phil- Organisers of Wurtzbach’s resident Benigno Aquino assumed responsibility for the ippines Medical Centre also homecoming told Manila Times deliberately kept Oplan operation and set aside the known as V Luna General Hos- that she will also be meeting PExodus to himself and command system of the police pital in Quezon City. with people with HIV through- his trusted man, former Philip- and the military. Former Spe- Accompanied by Binibining out her brief Philippine visit. pine National Police (PNP) chief cial Action Force (SAF) chief Pilipinas Charities Inc. chair- HIV awareness is one of Wur- Alan Purisima, even if the mis- Getulio Napenas agreed with person Stella Marquez Araneta, tzbach’s two advocacies. The sion was too perilous, Sen. Juan Enrile’s observation. Wurtzbach comforted injured other is cyber bullying. Ponce Enrile said at the reopen- Enrile said Aquino exclud- soldiers at the hospital’s Heroes At her grand press conference ing of the Senate investigation of ed concerned members of his Ward 3A. She shook hands with on Sunday, she said that she is the killing of 44 police comman- Cabinet and officials of the po- the patients, shared jokes and planning to get tested as a way to dos in Maguindanao last year. lice and the military in the op- told little stories about her expe- take out the stigma in HIV. The president, according to eration and sent the SAF troops riences. “To take out the stigma, Enrile, disregarded the com- on the dangerous operation to AFP Medical Centre head somebody has to step forward mand system of the Armed capture terrorist Zulkifli bin Col. Joseph Acosta and AFP vice and do something so other peo- Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Hir alias Marwan and two other chief Lt Gen. Edgar Fallorina led ple can follow suit. What we and the PNP. targets. the offi cials who welcomed the are planning to do is to have my “To understand this, when But Purisima, who was beauty queen. HIV test in New York. It will be a I say compartmented Oplan present at the hearing, insisted Doctors and hospital staff public testing so I can show eve- Exodus, I mean that President that Oplan Exodus was a mis- presented gifts to Wurtzbach—a rybody how easy it is to do and Aquino intentionally, delib- sion planned and executed by patch, a name plate and a Philip- how important it is, I hope it can erately and actually confined the SAF and Aquino was exer- pine fl ag. help, even just a little,” Miss Uni- Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach consoles a child from Smile Train, an organisation which provides corrective and arrogated unto himself and cising his authority as head of The beauty queen then met verse said. surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. Purisima full knowledge, com- the PNP and as president. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 31 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL/MALDIVES

India to deepen economic ties with Lanka India looks to deepen its economic and commercial ties with Sri Lanka and has Lanka orders arrest of 22 maintained that the island nation continues to be a key part of India’s “neighbourhood first” policy, an Indian envoy said in Colombo yesterday. India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Y K Sinha speaking at an event to mark the Indian cops over party killing Republic Day in Colombo said relations between India and Sri Graphic footage captured Graphic footage captured victim had over 180 lacera- demonstrating in the capital. some of the country’s chronic the draconian Prevention of Lanka have been transformative on closed-circuit television on closed-circuit television, tions after being dragged over Police are also implicated human rights problems, but Terrorism Act (PTA), it said. in the past year and India’s shows a group of off icers which has been widely circu- glass shards from a number of in extrajudicial killings under much remains to be done. Authorities agreed to release total development assistance dragging partygoers out lated on social media, showed windows which were smashed. former strongman Mahinda “The pervasive culture of some PTA detainees on bail, commitment to Sri Lanka was onto the street and then a group of offi cers dragging Amid a growing public out- Rajapakse who was defeated fear is largely gone and positive “rehabilitate” others, and pros- now around $2.6bn, covering thrashing them with their partygoers out onto the street cry, Law and Order Minister by Sirisena at elections last measures have been adopted, ecute the remainder, but ar- all areas of contemporary batons in Embilipitiya town and then thrashing them with Sagala Ratnayake told lawmak- January. but the previous government’s rests under the PTA continued relevance. earlier this month their batons in the southern ers he was retracting an earlier IMPUNITY PERSISTS disastrous restructuring of in- throughout the year, it said. Sinha also noted the increasing town of Embilipitiya earlier report which claimed that the AMID REFORMS IN LANKA: dependent state institutions In August, the UN Offi ce of air connectivity between the this month. victim had jumped through a The Sri Lankan government that needs to be fully dismantled.” the High Commissioner for Hu- two countries and the growing AFP Police had initially claimed glass door to escape from police. took offi ce a year ago ended the The report said the govern- man Rights issued a scathing tourist arrivals from India in Colombo they came under attack from “It has come to light that the pervasive culture of surveillance ment of President Maithripala report on unlawful attacks, kill- Sri Lanka. India is currently the partygoers. But after a fl ood of information I gave the House and censorship and embarked Sirisena initiated a series of ings, torture, sexual violence, leading market for the highest witnesses came forward and earlier about this incident was on reforms aimed at undoing constitutional reforms, includ- and attacks on relief aid by both number of tourist arrivals to Sri Sri Lankan magistrate the CCTV footage emerged, wrong,” the minister said, add- years of increasingly authori- ing establishing a constitu- sides during the civil war with Lanka followed by China, Xinhua ordered the arrest of 22 national police chief N K Illan- ing that it appeared that police tarian rule, Human Rights tional council and restoring the the Liberation Tigers of Tamil reported. Apolice offi cers yesterday gakoon ordered an investigation had lied. Watch said yesterday, IANS independence of the judici- Eelam that ended in 2009. Sinha alluded to the strong following an outcry over foot- into the incident which found The incident is an embar- reports from New York. ary, police, and human rights At the Human Rights Council bilateral defence ties, the age showing offi cers assaulting that offi cers had fabricated rassment for the govern- While it opened dialogues commissions. in October 2015, member states testimony of which he said revellers at a party where one evidence. ment of President Maithripala both domestically and abroad, Civil society groups are once including Sri Lanka endorsed a was the visit to Colombo by man died after allegedly being Many witnesses said the po- Sirisena, which came to power the government still faces key again able to speak out safely consensus resolution calling on India’s largest naval aircraft thrown through a window. lice went on the rampage after on a promise of improving Sri concerns, including wartime on issues of concern. In De- Colombo to implement the re- carrier “INS Vikramaditya” last Magistrate Prasanna Fern- party organisers refused to give Lanka’s dismal human rights accountability and prolonged cember, the government signed port’s many recommendations, week. ando called for the immediate them alcohol, describing how record. detention without trial, the the UN Convention against including to establish a special He aff irmed that India had an arrest of two senior offi cers and the 29-year-old man who died Last month the independ- rights group said in its World Enforced Disappearance, a counsel to investigate and pros- abiding interest in the security other lower-ranking police per- had been assaulted and then ent Human Rights Commis- Report 2016. step toward tackling a massive ecute alleged wartime abuses, of Sri Lanka and remained sonnel as a government min- pushed through a second-fl oor sion ruled that police had A Human Rights Watch offi - decades-long problem. and to include foreign judges committed to Sri Lanka’s unity, ister apologised to parliament window. violated international humani- cial said: “Sri Lanka’s new gov- But the government has yet and prosecutors in a Sri Lankan sovereignty and territorial over his initial version of events. Medical reports showed the tarian law by assaulting students ernment has begun to address to fulfi ll its pledge to abolish tribunal. integrity.

Do not spare infl uential fi gures, Hasina tells police offi cers

By Mizan Rahman The prime minister was ad- so that militancy and terrorism Dhaka dressing the high offi cials of cannot re-emerge in the country. Bangladesh Police at her offi ce. Hasina said steps have been Noting that the poor and weak taken to ensure exchange of in- rime Minister Sheikh people are often subjected to formation and boost coordi- Hasina yesterday asked harassment by the so-called in- nation among the intelligence Ppolice offi cials to take fl uential people, Hasina directed agencies regularly. strong action against those the police offi cials to protect and The prime minister also di- committing crimes and injus- give shelter to hapless people. rected the ministry of home af- Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaking on the occasion Ban Ki-moon: “Positive development would help ease the border tice no matter how infl uential “Even, if anyone of my party fairs to take a project addressing of Police Week 2016 in Dhaka yesterday. blockade.” the persons are or their political in this connection tries to in- various problems of police in affi liation is. fl uence, then communicate phases like constructing build- their nature of work. Regarding fi cials to ensure security to both “There’re some people who with me as I’ve given [you] such ings at the police stations, en- the demand for forming a sepa- local and international tourists often tend to take advantage access and scope,” she said. suring separate accommodation rate bank for police, Hasina said coming to Cox’s Bazar, tea gar- of their political identity. My Mentioning that there have and barracks for the female per- she has no objection in this re- dens and in the hilly areas. “The specifi c order in this regard is been occurrences of smuggling sonnel, installing CCTVs at the gard if the police force could pro- most important thing is to gain UN chief hails never to allow any kind of in- and human traffi cking due to divisional headquarters. vide 4bn taka for forming a bank the trust and confi dence of com- justice to happen no matter how geographical location, the prime She also welcomed a proposal and put forward the matter to the mon people and also to discharge infl uential the people are,” she minister asked the top brass of for introducing insurance policy fi nance minister. your duties with utmost honesty Nepal charter said. the police force to remain alert for the police force considering She also directed the police of- and integrity.” amendments PM at reconstruction campaign Britain could use IANS create a house of representa- United Nations tives, redelineate electoral constituencies so they can sanctions potentially meet the demands ecretary-General Ban of Madhesis and ensure social Ki-moon has welcomed justice. to pressure SNepal parliament’s vote However, the Madhe- to amend the constitution and sis, whose protests have led hoped that the positive devel- to a blockade of the border Maldives opment would help ease the with India, have rejected the border blockade. amendments saying they did Reuters Responding to a ques- not go far enough to meet their London tion, Ban’s spokesperson demands. Their principal de- Stephane Dujarric said that mand is the creation of two Ban “welcomes parliamen- separate Madhesi provinces in ritain could impose sanc- tary action to amend the the plains region, which was tions on Maldivian indi- constitution as an impor- not included in amendment Bviduals if the Maldives’ gov- tant step in resolving dif- project. ernment fails to take action to free ferences on constitutional Participating in the walkout political prisoners, Prime Minister arrangements.” before the vote on the amend- David Cameron said yesterday. “He hopes that current ment, Laxman Lal Karna of Mohamed Nasheed, the Mal- positive developments could the United Democratic Mad- dives’ fi rst democratically elected help normalise passage of hesi Front said, “It does not president, is serving a 13-year supplies at Nepal’s border even touch our main demand sentence on terrorism charges for points and refocus atten- for changing the borders of the alleged abduction of a judge tion to address urgent recon- the provinces.” after a rapid trial last March which struction and other needs,” Dujarric said Ban “encour- drew international criticism. Dujarric added. ages all parties to exercise Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, right, talks with villagers as he arrives to participate in the off icial launch of a national Nasheed and his lawyer Amal Over the weekend Nepal’s maximum fl exibility in re- reconstruction campaign at Bungamati in Lalitpur, near Kathmandu. Nepal has commenced the reconstruction process nearly nine Clooney met Cameron at Down- parliament voted to amend solving remaining issues via months after the massive earthquakes in April and May last year. ing Street in London on Saturday the constitution in order to dialogue.” after the former president won permission to travel to Britain for surgery. The Maldives gained Nepal’s China imports down 14.1% independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. Nepal’s imports from China, its Imports of Chinese goods “We want to see a change in Freedom under attack in Bangladesh: HRW second largest trade partner, fell through sea have been aff ected behaviour from the Maldiv- 14.1% in the first five months of due to the ongoing troubles near ian government to make sure that the current fiscal 2015-16, Nepal’s the Indian border, according to political prisoners are set free and IANS killed or injured during vio- Other bloggers, writers and other journalist’s right to publish central bank said yesterdaty. the bank. yes we are prepared to consider New York lence that erupted during some publishers, whose names were fair criticism of war crimes trials. Imports have been aff ected by “The supply of goods through targeted action against individu- Bangladeshi opposition block- published on a hit-list, went Media critical of the govern- a blockade on the Indian border the land route has also been als if further progress isn’t made,” ades of transport routes, the into hiding, concerned that gov- ment continued to face closure, points and a delay in bringing aff ected due to the delay in Cameron said in parliament. reedom of expression US-based rights body said. ernment protection was either as editors and journalists faced the closed Khasa-Tatopani bringing the Khasa-Tatopani He was responding to a ques- came under severe attack The government, led by absent or at best inadequate. charges and arrest. Two men border point into operation, customs point, which had served tion by lawmaker John Glen on Fin Bangladesh in 2015, Hu- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, A Shia procession and a Hin- were prosecuted for social media Xinhua news agency reported. as the main trade route till the whether Britain would work to man Rights Watch (HRW) has became increasingly authori- du temple faced serious attacks, posts criticising the government. Imports from China declined to deadly earthquake last year, build an international consensus said in its World Report 2016. tarian, with security forces ar- with many wounded. In a positive development, $342mn in the first five months back to operation,” said Nara on targeted sanctions. While extremist groups tar- resting key opposition leaders, Members of the opposition eff orts to shore up support for of the current fiscal, which begins Bahadur Thapa, chief of research On Saturday, Cameron’s of- geted secular bloggers and for- often on trumped up charges, Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangla- labour rights in the country’s in mid-July, from $398mn during department at the bank. fi ce said the prime minister and eign aid workers, the government and state authorities refusing desh Nationalist Party (BNP) garment industry seemed to be the same period in the previous Currently, the inland trade Nasheed had agreed that a Com- cracked down on media and civil to prosecute security forces for said they feared arbitrary arrest having an impact, with a rise fiscal, according to the bank. between Nepal and China monwealth meeting to be held in society activists, launched con- serious violations, including or extrajudicial killings, the re- in the number of labour unions Normally, Nepal imports 25% is taking place through the the Maldives next month would tempt of court proceedings or torture, killings, and enforced port said. registered, although concerns of goods from China through Kerung-Rasuwagadhi trade provide an opportunity to press prosecuted them under vague disappearances. Civil society and media faced remain about the capacity of the land route and the rest route, which was also closed for the Maldivian government to en- and overbroad laws, it said in a In 2015, fi ve bloggers with harsh conditions. Forty-nine workers to form and participate enter Nepal by sea via Kolkata, six months after the earthquake gage in “open political dialogue 659-page report. atheist sympathies were hacked people were prosecuted for ex- freely in labour unions, Human according to the Customs but was reopened in and free all remaining political Several commuters were to death by extremist groups. pressing public support for an- Rights Watch said. Department. October 2015. prisoners swiftly”. Gulf Times 32 Thursday, January 28, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: C P Ravindran The global economy’s

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] marshmallow test Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Societies that defer instant infrastructure, productivity tends to and unemployment instead. Money Recession. Now China is facing the Fax 44350474 consumption in order to save decline (mainly through depreciation), put into banks and other fi nancial same problem, with infl ows having dragging down living standards. intermediaries (such as pension abruptly given way to outfl ows. and invest for the future will High investment rates in turn and insurance funds) can fi nance The mainstream macroeconomic enjoy higher future incomes depend on high saving rates. productive activities or short-term advice to China – boost domestic A famous psychological experiment speculation (for example, consumer consumption and overvalue the and greater retirement found that young children who could loans and real estate). Great bankers renminbi to cut exports – fails the security resist the immediate temptation to of the past like J PMorgan built marshmallow test. It encourages GULF TIMES eat a marshmallow, and thereby gain industries like rail and steel. Today’s overconsumption, underinvestment, two marshmallows in the future, were money managers, by contrast, tend to and rising unemployment in a rapidly By Jeff rey D Sachs likelier to thrive as adults than those resemble gamblers or even fraudsters aging society, and in a world that can New York who couldn’t. like Charles Ponzi. make tremendous use of China’s high Likewise, societies that defer Fourth, today’s investments with saving and industrial capacity. instant consumption in order to save high social returns – such as low- The right policy is to channel Qatar players he world economy is and invest for the future will enjoy carbon energy, smart power grids China’s high saving to increased experiencing a turbulent higher future incomes and greater for cities, and information-based investments in infrastructure and start to 2016. Stock markets retirement security. (When American health systems – depend on public- skills in low-income Africa and Asia. Tare plummeting; emerging economists advise China to boost private partnerships, in which public China’s new Asian Infrastructure economies are reeling in response consumption and cut saving, they investment and public policies help Investment Bank (AIIB) and its can be proud to the sharp decline in commodities are merely peddling the bad habits of to spur private investment. This One Belt, One Road initiative to prices; refugee infl ows are further American culture, which saves and has long been the case: Railroad establish modern transport and destabilising Europe; China’s growth invests far too little for America’s networks, aviation, automobiles, communications links throughout the has slowed markedly in response future.) semiconductors, satellites, GPS, region are steps in the right direction. of their show to a capital-fl ow reversal and an hydraulic fracturing, nuclear power, These programmes will keep overvalued currency; and the US is genomics and the Internet would China’s factories operating at high in political paralysis. A few central In economic not exist but for such partnerships capacity to produce the investment Qatar’s young footballers can hold their bankers struggle to keep the world development, as in (typically, but not only, starting with goods needed for rapid growth in heads high despite crashing out of the AFC U23 economy upright. the military). today’s low-income countries. To escape this mess, four principles life, there’s no free Our global problem today is that China’s currency should be allowed Championship at the semi-fi nal stage on Tuesday. should guide the way. the world’s fi nancial intermediaries to depreciate so that China’s capital- First, global economic progress lunch are not properly steering long-term goods exports to Africa and Asia are Two late goals by South Korea put paid to Felix depends on high global saving and saving into long-term investments. more aff ordable. Sanchez’s side’s hopes of earning a crack at the investment. Second, saving and investment The problem is compounded by the More generally, governments Second, saving and investment fl ows are global. A country such as fact that most governments (the should expand the role of national continental title, the result also prolonging their fl ows should be viewed as global, not China, with a high saving rate that US is a stark case) are chronically and multilateral development banks wait to fi nd out if they qualify for the Olympics in national. exceeds local investment needs, can underinvesting in long-term (including the regional development Third, full employment depends on support investment in other parts education, skill training, and banks for Asia, Africa, the Americas Rio de Janeiro later this year. high investment rates that match high of the world that save less, notably infrastructure. Private investment and the Islamic countries) to channel By virtue of being the hosts of the tournament, saving rates. low-income Africa and Asia. China’s is falling short mainly because of long-term saving from pension funds, Fourth, high private investments population is aging rapidly, and the shortfall of complementary insurance funds and commercial Qatar had the advantage of playing in front of by business depend on high public Chinese households are saving for public investment. Shortsighted banks into long-term public and their home fans, but on the fl ip side it also added investments in infrastructure and retirement. macroeconomists say the world private investments in twenty-fi rst- human capital. Let’s consider each. The Chinese know that their is under-consuming; in fact, it is century industries and infrastructure. to the pressure on them. A fl op show in home First, our global goal should be household fi nancial assets, rather than underinvesting. Central banks and hedge funds conditions would have certainly raised eyebrows economic progress, meaning better numerous children or government The result is inadequate global cannot produce long-term economic living conditions worldwide. Indeed, social security, will be the main source demand (global investments growth and fi nancial stability. especially considering the fact that a few players that goal has been enshrined in the of their fi nancial security. Low- falling short of global saving at full Only long-term investments, both from this side were expected to be at the peak new Sustainable Development Goals income Africa and Asia, on the other employment) and highly volatile public and private, can lift the world adopted last September by all 193 hand, are both capital-poor and very short-term capital fl ows to fi nance economy out of its current instability of their careers and tipped to don the country’s members of the UN. Progress depends young. They can borrow from China’s consumption and real estate. Such and slow growth. - Project Syndicate colours when it hosts the 2022 FIFA World Cup. on a high rate of global investment: high savers to fi nance a massive and short-term fl ows are subject to abrupt building the skills, technology and rapid build-up of education, skills, reversals of size and direction. zJeff rey D Sachs is professor of As it turned out, Qatar’s performance earned physical capital stock to propel and infrastructure to underpin their The 1997 Asian fi nancial crisis sustainable development, professor accolades from virtually everybody involved with standards of living higher. own future economic prosperity. followed a sudden stop of capital of health policy and management, In economic development, as in life, Third, a high global saving rate does infl ows to Asia, and global short- and director of the Earth Institute at the tournament. They played thrilling football there’s no free lunch: Without high not automatically translate into a term lending suddenly dried up Columbia University. He is also special rates of investment in know-how, high investment rate; unless properly after Lehman Brothers collapsed in adviser to the UN secretary-general on to reach the knockouts with an all-win record in skills, machinery and sustainable directed, it can cause underspending September 2008, causing the Great the Millennium Development Goals. the group stage with A fl op show skipper Abdelkarim Hassan, Ahmed in home Alaeddin and Akram conditions Afi f producing some would have brilliant individual performances. certainly raised In the quarter- eyebrows fi nals, Qatar came from behind to edge a dogged North Korea before they ran into South Korea, one of the giants of Asian football. Qatar had their chances in the match, but a couple of defending errors allowed the South Koreans to break free in the fi nal moments to seal victory. The Al Annabi will now meet Iraq tomorrow hoping to secure the third spot in the tournament Investors looking on beside an electronic board showing stock information at a brokerage house in Shanghai. Shanghai stocks closed lower yesterday, extending a which will still be good enough to put them in the 6.42% plunge the previous day on worries over the weak economy after data showed industrial profit accelerated declines in December. Olympics. Coach Sanchez was philosophical after the defeat: “I think in all the games the players showed team spirit,” he said. “It’s very important Growing militant threat worries West Africa to play in these kind of competitions and in the next game they will try their best to perform well By Malick Rokhy area for Western organisations” and State group, a competing extremist around every two months,” he told the AFP/Dakah occupies a “privileged position” in the faction, “which will unfortunately French broadcaster RFI. and have a good result.” region, he said. result in much damage and In Dakar and Abidjan, the US That, however, is now making it bloodshed”, he said. and French envoys have urged their The tournament has so far produced exciting aced with a growing militant an attractive target for destructive Northern Mali fell under the control nationals to “avoid crowded areas” football and fans can expect much more of it when threat, West African nations forces, “a symbolic target, because of militant groups linked to Al Qaeda as they did after the November 20 Qatar take on Iraq tomorrow, with the winners are scrambling to boost in attacking Senegal, you hit many in 2012. attacks on a hotel in the Malian capital Fsecurity but are seeing visitor interests”, he said. They were largely ousted by Bamako, which killed 20, 14 of them going through to the Olympics. numbers fall as foreign governments a French-led military operation foreigners. warn their nationals about the risks. launched in January 2013, although Even in Sierra Leone, where the On Saturday, Japan meet South Korea in a battle “The alert is being taken very “With the meagre large swathes of the area remain Ebola virus has hit the tourist sector for supremacy between the two Asian football seriously,” said a Senegalese security means available lawless and prone to attacks. and where authorities lend little source after police carried out a In an interview with Mauritania’s credibility to threats of attacks against giants. Considering the rivalry that defi nes weekend of security operations in a to us in this region, Al-Akhbar website, a leader of the Al hotels, security is being beefed up sporting and political ties between the two bid to tackle the “terrorist threat”. Qaeda Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group around major buildings, according to Some 900 people were detained, you cannot combat threatened allies of the West, probably hotel sources. neighbours, it will be a match no football fan can mainly for security checks. pointing to Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Last week Idriss Deby Itno, aff ord to miss. The situation is being taken terrorism” Senegal and Togo. president of Chad - a key member of particularly seriously in Dakar’s Troops from the five countries France’s counter-terrorism mission in Corniche district, which is home to Mohamed Fall Oumere, security make up most of the UN forces in the Sahel region - said terrorism had many hotels, he said. expert and director of the Mauritanian Mali, and some of these nations host become a worse threat than Ebola, To Advertise Hotel security has been stepped newspaper La Tribune, said he expects US and French military bases on which has killed over 11,000 people. up after 30 people were killed militant attacks to extend westwards their soil. During a recently solidarity visit to [email protected] earlier this month in a deadly attack to countries such as Senegal, Ivory Speaking to AFP, French security Burkina Faso, he described terror as Display on a top Burkina Faso hotel and a Coast and Mauritania which have expert Yves Trotignon, who knows “an epidemic, worse than Ebola, worse Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 nearby restaurant in the capital hitherto been largely spared “because the region well, said Niger seems than any illness”. Ouagadougou. of the security noose” around the area. very vulnerable and that mounting The Chadian leader said it imposed Classified Senegal is “an island of stability in The militants want to send three an attack on the capital Niamey an additional burden on poorer Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 an ocean of instability”, said Bakary messages, Oumere says. “wouldn’t be very diffi cult”. countries that already had enough Sambe, researcher on religious One is to France, telling them Last week, Niger’s Interior Minister problems to deal with. Subscription radicalism at Gaston Berger University, that their 2013 intervention in Mali Hassoumi Massaoudou spoke for “With the meagre means available [email protected] referring to the unrest gripping Mali “remains unresolved” while another the fi rst time of arrests over the past to us in this region, you cannot to the east and Nigeria further south is to France’s allies to warn them that month of people who came to Niamey combat terrorism while also thinking where the Boko Haram militants are “they are still in the fi ring line”, he intending to carry out the kind of about development, about youth 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved active. said. attacks seen in Ouagadougou. employment, about creating jobs,” he “It is increasingly a strategic retreat The third is a message to the Islamic “We receive information and threats said. “It’s impossible.” Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 33 COMMENT The marketing of the American president

Cruz is a propagandist, for men, an earnest empathizer for as great and powerful only until he selling to his constituents an women, or a charming Twitter user for needs to perform actual miracles.) the millennials. Among these one-dimensional ostensibly credible story of In the current campaign, the fi gures, one fully formed candidate actual leadership most complex candidate, Hillary stands out: the Texan Ted Cruz. Once Clinton, is suffering mightily a national debating champion, Cruz as a result of – let’s be honest – is fully in control of his persona; not By Nina Khrushcheva personality issues. She has made even Trump, with his frantic attacks New York important policy contributions as US on Cruz’s eligibility (because he was secretary of state in the first Obama born in Canada), can get under his administration, and she has offered skin. hen it comes to political what is arguably the most complete In fact, it is Cruz who has made entertainment, it economic vision of any presidential Trump squirm. In last week’s doesn’t get much candidate. Yet she is facing a serious Republican debate, Cruz accused Wbetter than presidential challenge from Bernie Sanders, a Trump of having “New York values, election season in the US. Foreign self-described socialist senator calling the city (explicitly excluding observers follow the race to determine from Vermont, in the race for the New York State) “socially liberal” and who is best equipped to lead the Democratic nomination. focused on “money and media”. US – and, to some extent, the world Sanders’s popularity stems Cruz managed not only to get a rise – toward a more stable, secure, and partly from the image he projects out of Trump, but also to enhance his prosperous future. of a stereotypical “nutty professor”, own appeal to conservative voters in But in America, entertainment is adorably of another world. His the Midwest and South. king, and Americans tend to focus energetic and unselfconscious Appropriately plastic-looking, on excitement above all – who looks gesticulations make him seem Cruz can, when necessary, act as better, has a catchier sound bite, passionate and genuine. Yet his actual brainless as Sarah Palin (who has just seems most “authentic”, and so on, policy suggestions – such as free post- endorsed Trump). But Cruz, educated often to the point of absurdity. secondary education and universal at Princeton and Harvard, is no fool. This is not a new approach, of health care – resemble Trump’s calls He is, as Bernays taught, treating his course. Edward Bernays, the father of to “make America great again,” in the campaign as a “drive for votes, just as modern public relations, examined sense that they establish simple yet an Ivory Soap advertising campaign is it in 1928, in his book Propaganda. visionary goals. a drive for sales.” “Politics was the fi rst big business in According to Bernays, people’s Trump is a showman who has America,” he declared, and political desire for simplicity extends to captured the public’s attention. But campaigns are “all side shows, all another area of electoral politics: Cruz is a propagandist, selling to his honors, all bombast, glitter, and “party machines should narrow down constituents an ostensibly credible speeches.” the fi eld of choice to two candidates, story of actual leadership. Though he, The key to victory is the or at most three or four.” Here, the like Clinton, is not the most broadly manipulation of public opinion, and Republicans have gone badly astray. likable character, he would be a worthy that is achieved most eff ectively by After beginning the election season contender in a presidential election. appealing to the “mental cliches and with 17 candidates, they have managed The question is whether Americans emotional habits of the public”. to narrow it down by only a few, to 12. US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waving to the crowd as he leaves a campaign rally at the University of will want to buy what they are selling. A president, in other words, is Jeb Bush, former Florida governor Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. - Project Syndicate nothing more than a product to be and younger brother of George W marketed. And, as any marketer Bush, was initially considered a establishment alternative. But his a typical US presidential election Trump – a showman and a zNina L Khrushcheva, the author of knows, the quality of the product is serious contender. But Trump is right, campaign, like his appearance, lacks campaign, Christie might be a businessman – seems to have the right Imagining Nabokov: Russia Between not necessarily what drives its success; for once, in his observation that Bush defi nition and assertiveness – not to contender for the most cartoonish background for Bernays-style public Art and Politics and The Lost if it were, Donald Trump would not be is a “low-energy” person. He is the mention a good sound bite. candidate. But this is not a typical manipulation. Khrushchev: A Journey into the Gulag regarded as a serious candidate for the Charlie Brown of the election, whose A lack of sound bites is not a campaign, because there’s nothing But he has the wrong background of the Russian Mind, is Professor of Republican Party nomination, much every swipe at the football is thwarted problem for New Jersey Governor typical about Trump. for a president. (It is worth asking International Aff airs and Associate less a top contender. by his savvier counterparts. Chris Christie, whose Tony Soprano With his exaggerated facial whether he really even wants to be Dean for Academic Aff airs at The New Instead, a president must serve as a Another Floridian, Senator vibe and brash one-liners have plenty expressions, penchant for trash president. He must know that, like the School and a senior fellow at the World kind of imaginary friend: a beer buddy Marco Rubio, is a more energetic of entertainment value. Indeed, in talking, and love of superlatives, Wizard of Oz, he can portray himself Policy Institute. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast Needed: More No end in sight people still continues and there is no before India marked its Republic Day. TODAY immediate sign of hope before them. This constant criticism against the High: 21 C facilities to Syrian crisis government doesn’t do anyone any Low : 15 C Strong wind over all areas and poor Ramachandran Nair good. Such reports hurt Indians’ visibility due to dust Dear Sir, Dear Sir, (e-mail address supplied) sentiments, I feel. India is a progressive country with I live in a residential complex behind In reference to the report “UN sees a lot of achievements to speak of in FRIDAY the Concorde hotel and the Jarir book Syria talks starting on Friday” (Gulf Constant science, technology, education and High: 16 C store in Doha. Times, January 26), I feel that the criticism human resource development. And Low : 11 C More than 150 people live in the United Nations and some Western most importantly, all Indians should Cloudy compound. The area needs more countries have not realised the be proud of its democratic values. facilities and better upkeep. seriousness of crisis the Syrian people Dear Sir, So it’s my request to Gulf Times Authorities concerned may act on have been going through due to years to give a balanced coverage about SATURDAY the following points: of unrest in the country. The report, “Modi govt not open- India. High: 17 C zThe street connecting to the main A ceasefire is a must prior to minded, says author Nayantara Low : 12 C Mattar Road from our complex needs any discussions as the civil war Sahgal” (Gulf Times, January 24) was Zarna Bhatt Cloudy better street lighting. has already claimed thousands of untimely, as it came just a few days (e-mail address supplied) z Side streets in our area are lives and made millions homeless, often blocked by a large number of starting off mass replacement Fishermen’s forecast taxis waiting to pick up and drop off of people. Many “refugees” live Please send us your letters OFFSHORE DOHA people. outside Syria in camps. Wind: NW 25-35 KT zThe rain water drainage system, Peace discussions cannot make Waves: 8-12 Feet in general, is not very eff ective in any progress unless there is an agreed By e-mail INSHORE DOHA [email protected] Wind: NW-N 18-28/40 KT the Umm Ghuwailina area where the agenda in place and all the parties Waves: 1-3/4 Feet complex is located. involved in the dialogues must ensure Fax 44350474 zGarbage collection should be that they contribute equally and Or Post Around the region better organised. There should be responsibly to end the years-long Letters to the Editor Weather Weather separate disposal of green waste as in crisis. Gulf Times today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi the Al Khor area. These problems have As the suff ering of the Syrian P O Box 2888 P Cloudy 24/14 Cloudy 19/14 been there in the area for long. Early community continues, the discussions Baghdad Sunny 10/00 Sunny 12/01 Doha, Qatar Dubai action on them will be appreciated by must have some serious objectives P Cloudy 24/16 Cloudy 19/16 Kuwait City Cloudy 12/04 Sunny 14/06 all residents of this area. considering the humanitarian aspects All letters, which are subject to editing, should have the name of the Manama Cloudy 18/11 Cloudy 14/11 of the issue. At the same time it is Muscat M Sunny 26/19 Sunny 23/16 ZP quite embarrassing that despite the writer, address and phone number. The writer’s name and address Riyadh M Sunny 16/01 Sunny 12/00 (Full name and address supplied) military involvement of the US, Russia may be withheld by request. Tehran P Cloudy 04/-3 Sunny 06/-2 and other world powers, the agony of Live issues A universal remote control for the smart home

By Jochen Wieloch Pre-programed models have also the option of retrofi t infrared DPA/Berlin stored within them thousands of solutions such as the Smart Zapper infrared commands for the many from One for All (around $35) or the diff erent devices sold by the major Harmony Ultimate Hub from Logitech he typical household today manufacturers. Programing is (around $70 ). has a lot of electronic devices performed using a numerical code. Combined with an app, these — TVs, DVD and Blu-ray Often it’s suffi cient to merely align the transform smartphones and tablets Tplayers and music systems, to universal remote with the device and into infrared remote controls. The Around the world name just a few. And in the networked the appropriate code will be searched apps communicate with the devices Weather Weather house more and more devices are for. via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min being added all the time — lamps, Smartphone or tablet apps are the Whether an actual physical device Athens Sunny 17/09 Sunny 18/08 blinds, surveillance cameras. competitors for universal remote or an app, universal remote controls Beirut M Sunny 12/08 Sunny 15/09 Sunny 34/24 The dream is to control everything control devices. Almost every are generally designed for working Bangkok 32/22 Sunny Berlin Showers 09/01 M Cloudy 08/05 using a single remote control manufacturer now off ers free Android with consumer electronics only. A Cairo P Cloudy 15/06 Sunny 17/07 while sitting on the couch or even and iOS apps to control their devices. jack-of-all-trades which will control Cape Town M Sunny 26/19 Sunny 29/20 travelling. Fortunately, this option A prerequisite is that the phone or lights, blinds or kitchen appliances Colombo Sunny 32/22 M Sunny 32/23 does exist today, at least for consumer tablet is integrated into the same WiFi doesn’t exist. Dhaka P Cloudy 24/15 P Cloudy 24/14 Hong Kong Rain 21/18 Rain 20/15 electronics. network as the device which is to be “So far the smart home has been Istanbul P Cloudy 09/06 M Sunny 10/04 “The more devices that can be controlled. an isolated application in which Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 33/25 controlled with a universal remote The more expensive smartphones each manufacturer makes their own Karachi P Cloudy 28/18 P Cloudy 28/17 control, the better,” says Michael connected to a PC via USB and then and tablets such as the Galaxy S6 from app,” says Peter Knaak from German London M Sunny 11/07 Cloudy 12/10 P Cloudy M Sunny 33/23 Pleininger from German technology set up using an online tool. These are Samsung, the G4 and G Pad 8.3 from consumer goods tester Stiftung Manila 31/23 Moscow Showers 03/01 P Cloudy 02/01 blog Neuerdings.com. available from around $55. LG, Sony’s Xperia-Z series and the Warentest. “The heating has one, the New Delhi Sunny 23/13 M Sunny 24/14 “A universal remote control is Universal remote controls can be One and One Max from HTC can also blinds another.” New York M Sunny 06/00 P Cloudy 06/-3 worthy of the name only if it really can divided into several categories such as work without Wi-Fi, because they So a universal remote control Paris P Cloudy 09/03 Sunny 12/05 replace all existing remote controls.” pre-programed models or models that have a built-in infrared module. for the smart home is still a thing Sao Paulo S T Storms 29/21 T Storms 29/21 Seoul P Cloudy 05/-4 Cloudy 07/-2 Another important consideration are capable of learning. There are also If an Android phone doesn’t already of the future. That said, tablets or Singapore T Storms 32/26 T Storms 33/26 is how easy the remote control devices that have higher quality signal have an app installed, users can try even the TV represent a good basis Sydney Showers 26/19 S T Storms 27/19 is to install and use. Particularly transmitters or feature LCD displays free apps such as “IR Universal Remote for controlling automation in the Tokyo ClearClear 13/02 Cloudy 07/03 convenient are models that can be or touch-screens. 2.0” or “Twinone TV Remote”. There’s home. Gulf Times 34 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR Four new Porsche models make ME debut at Qatar Motor Show By Joey Aguilar ing fun as the sports car among 200,000 cars for the fi rst time sports car evolution displayed in Staff Reporter compact SUVs. described as a signifi cant the Turbo S are extended to the With an output of 360 hp, achievement for the brand, 911 Carrera 4S and 911 Targa 4S. the model features a 3.0 litre V6 heading towards its strategic di- The completely new engine he Middle East debut of bi-turbo engine, Porsche Dop- rection set for 2018. generation with bi-turbo charg- four new Porsche mod- pelkupplung (PDK) and Porsche Papke noted they enjoyed un- ing featured in both models Tels yesterday at the Qatar Traction Management, with precedented success with fi ve results in an increase of 20 hp Motor Show 2016 highlighted fl exible power distribution be- years of double digit growth in- across all models, amounting to a the brand’s latest advancements tween front and rear axles. Com- cluding in the Middle East. total of 420 hp in the 911 Carrera and legacy as one of the world’s pleting the zero to 100 km/h “At the same time we have 4S Cabriolet and 911 Targa 4S. best-selling sports car. sprint in 5.0 seconds with the developed extremely well in the About his forecast for 2016 Deesch Papke, chief execu- optional Sport Chrono package, Middle East as well and we have given the oil price decline, Papke tive offi cer, Porsche Middle East Porsche’s latest GTS model has a the benefi t of a very strong oil believes that they will endure and Africa, led the unveiling of top speed of 256 km/h. price and we have the benefi t of and survive the crisis by doing the all-new Macan GTS, the lat- According to Papke, Porche massive investment of the gov- the right thing: from investing to est 911 Turbo S, and the new 911 has been investing heav- ernment, of the ruling family,” working well, making sure cus- Carrera 4S and 911 Targa 4S. ily in long-term technology and he added. tomers get what they deserve. “Through constant develop- spends an enormous amount for The new 911 Turbo S is the top “We attract customers in the ment in the form of technology research and development. athlete in the 911 range and thanks appropriate way to become part of transfer and a mindset of evolution Papke noted that they were also to new turbo chargers with larger the Porche world, success would our engineers have been able to ad- the fi rst manufacturer in the seg- compressors, the 3.8 litre twin- be the result of the sales,” he said. vance the 911 range to a new high,” ment to have a plug in hybrid in turbo six-cylinder engine delivers “But we must learn from the he said, adding: “With the pre- Cayenne, the fi rst in Panamera, an output of 580 hp. previous crisis in 2008 and 2009, miere of the all-new Macan GTS and the fi rst in a super sports car. This makes the Turbo S the many companies laid off people we are celebrating a landmark mo- “We are streets ahead and at fi rst production 911 to acceler- very quickly, and when it came ment, as we now have a powerful the same time, we were the fi rst ate to 100 km/h in less than three back, it was expensive to get them and dynamic GTS version in every one to introduce a completely seconds, reaching the milestone back,” he said, adding: “We got to Porsche model series.” electric sports car, which was speed in 2.9 seconds. The model’s be careful to just get rid of people, As the newest addition to Por- announced recently,” the CEO top speed is 330 km/h, 12 km/h it is an easy short-term solution sche’s SUV range, the Macan stressed. higher than its predecessor. but it is not a long-term strategy Deesch Papke, Porsche Centre Doha chairman and CEO Salman Jassem al-Darwish and another off icial GTS promises even more driv- Porche sold more than The same traits of Porsche’s that one should follow.” present a new vehicle yesterday. New Tiguan ‘ultimate SUV for urban jungle’

olkswagen Middle East The SUV features include in the interior and luggage com- has unveiled the new LED projection headlights, partment has taken a gigantic Vgeneration of the best- digital Active Info Display leap forward. The boot volume selling Tiguan, described as and Head-Up Display - the of the new Tiguan can store up ‘the ultimate SUV for the ur- new Tiguan has transformed to 615 litres of cargo (loaded to A range of Ford vehicles displayed at the Qatar Motor Show 2016 yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed ban jungle,’ at the Qatar Motor the Compact SUV segment the back of the rear bench); when Show 2016. with smart, aff ordable and the rear seat backrests are folded, “On board the new Tiguan, innovative features. its capacity increases to 1,655 safety, convenience and con- The interior is a model exam- litres. This represents a gain of nectivity have been taken to a ple of well thought-out ergo- 145 litres. new level with driver assist- nomics and intuitive operating The new Tiguan will be avail- Almana announces line-up ance and infotainment sys- structures. The interplay of the able in showrooms across the tems,” Thomas Milz, managing dash panel, centre console and Middle East from August 2016. director, Volkswagen Middle door panels create a remark- Also featured at the event is East, said. ably intuitive atmosphere for the the Golf GTI Clubsport concept The latest model will be avail- driver. car – marking the 40th anniver- of all-new SUVs from Ford able in three new powertrains The weight of the new Tiguan sary of the Golf GTI – alongside ranging from a 1.4L engine with was also reduced by over 50 kg the fun and iconic Beetle Cabrio- an output of 150 HP, up to a 2.0L compared to the previous model. let and the family–friendly newly ord and Almana Mo- rpm and 346 Nm of torque at three engine options, including exhaust gas recirculation system engine with a 220 HP and a six Meanwhile, the space off ered designed 2016 Passat. tors Company, the local 4,000 rpm – is paired with a a standard twin-scroll 2.0-litre to help improve fuel effi ciency and seven-speed dual-clutch Fimporter-dealer, have an- six-speed SelectShift Automatic EcoBoost four-cylinder and a by up to 18%. It is paired to a six- gearbox (DSG) with 4MOTION, nounced an impressive new line- transmission. 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6. A nor- speed automatic transmission, which is now off ered for the rstfi up in Doha, including the all-new The Explorer Sport gets a mally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 carefully calibrated to maximise time in the Tiguan. 2016 Ranger, 2016 Explorer, and standard 3.5-litre twin-turbo- engine will also be off ered. All performance, refi nement, and The new Tiguan is ‘one of the 2016 Edge SUVs unveiled for charged EcoBoost V6 making will be equipped with dual ex- effi ciency. the world’s most advanced the fi rst time in Qatar. 370 PS at 6,500 rpm and 470 haust and a six-speed automatic The Middle East’s best-sell- Compact SUVs with impres- “The wide range of Ford ve- Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm – transmission. ing truck in 2014, and America’s sive innovative features en- hicles we are bringing to Qatar also mated with the six-speed The 2016 Edge will be avail- best-selling truck for 38 years hancing the vehicle’s safety, provides customers with the SelectShift. Explorer’s intel- able in four trim levels, includ- straight, the Ford F-150 contin- convenience, infotainment capability to chart their own ligent four-wheel drive reas- ing SE, SEL, Sport, and, for the ues to redefi ne standards of ex- and dynamism.’ course,” Ian Ashley Partridge, sesses conditions about 20 times fi rst time, a top-of-the-line cellence. Both the exterior and These include the 12.3-inch general manager, Almana Mo- faster than the blink of an eye Titanium series to meet mar- interior design of the Ford F-150 Active Info display – an interac- tors, said, adding that Ford plans – providing precise handling ket demand for more premium refl ect decades of customer in- tive, fully digital main instru- to bring 30 new models to the and traction. off erings. teraction, through understand- mental panel and a Head-Up Middle East and Africa by 2020. The original crossover util- The Ford Ranger is undoubt- ing and incorporating their Display, off ered for the rstfi time On the back of having sold ity vehicle from Ford is loaded edly one of the company’s best occupational and recreational in a Volkswagen SUV. Further- more than 7mn Explorers mod- with more technology, higher performers in the Middle East needs. more, ensuring complete pas- els worldwide, and building levels of craftsmanship and and Africa in terms of sales. The On display at the Ford stand senger comfort and convenience on 25 years of innovation and greatly improved vehicle dy- latest generation of Ford’s glo- in the Doha Exhibition and are features such as Easy Open/ sales leadership, the new 2016 namics. Based on Ford’s suc- bally proven 3.2-litre Duratorq Convention Centre will be Mid- Easy Close (automatic open- Ford Explorer has arrived with cessful, global mid-size vehicle TDCi fi ve-cylinder diesel en- dle East Car of the Year 2015 ing or closing of the tailgate even more smart technology. platform, the Edge has been re- gine powers the new Wildtrak, Award winners – Ford Mustang in response to a specifi c foot The standard 3.5-litre V6 en- imagined with a stronger, more and enables its impressive ca- Convertible and Focus ST – as movement behind the Tiguan) gine for base, XLT and Limited athletic shape. pabilities. The engine features well as the new Explorer Sport, and power comfort seats with a The new Tiguan being presented by Thomas Milz (right) and another off icial models – with 294 PS at 6,500 The all-new Edge will feature upgrades including an updated Ranger, and Edge. memory feature. at the Qatar Motor Show yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Auto Class introduces light GMC Sierra gets fresh, bold appearance

annai Auto Group and GMC have passenger vehicle Maxus unveiled yesterday three enhanced Mmodels – the 2016 Sierra, Terrain, and Yukon at the Qatar Motor Show 2016. uto Class, a subsidiary of Nasser Bin Khaled The vehicles, all available with the range Automobiles, has introduced the Maxus for topping Denali nameplate, reinforce GMC’s Alight passenger and cargo transport, in the ‘legacy of rugged capability, practical refi ne- Qatar market. The new brand was unveiled at the ment, and incredible power.’ The 2016 Acadia Qatar Motor Show 2016 yesterday. Denali is also on view. Auto Class pavilion has displayed people movers Mohamed Helmy, group general man- Maxus V80 15-seater and G10 7-seater in addition ager, Mannai Auto, said: “GMC’s line-up to commercial panel vans Maxus V80 and G10, of- is uniquely tailored to the needs of Middle fering ‘great value for money and effi cient cost of Eastern consumers; many of whom are look- ownership.’ ing for strong, dependable vehicles with an Maxus V80 Minibus is a light commercial van assertive character.” Mannai Auto Group and GMC off icials present a GMC vehicle at Qatar Motor Show 2016 with a long-wheelbase chassis and dropside cab. Marcus Leithe, managing director, GMC yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Maxus will throw in alloy wheels, reverse parking Middle East, said: “Expert craftsmanship and sensors, dual sliding side doors, rear barn doors on functionality appeal to everyone. Whether power, thanks to a number of new enhance- The bold exterior styling combines with a cargo models and electric entry step for passenger Maxus V80 is a 15-seater vehicle. it’s a reconfi gurable instrument cluster and ments including signifi cant lighting technol- precision-crafted interior and more stand- models, and dual-zone air-conditioning as stand- durable carpet on the interior, or chrome de- ogy upgrades. ard features designed to broaden the appeal ard equipment across the range. A reverse-view Cars, said that Maxus vans and buses are a perfect tails and bold lines on the exterior, GMC em- Distinguished by a new, more contempo- of already one of the industry’s most popular camera and tyre pressure monitoring system are blend of legacy and technology, integrating Europe’s bodies premium design. This attention to de- rary appearance and additional enhance- family of full-size SUVs. available on the higher-spec models. century-honoured commercial vehicle culture with tail has been well received across the region.” ments, the refreshed 2016 GMC Terrain is a Visitors were also able to view examples of Formerly known as LDV (Leyland DAF Vans), SAIC Motor’s three-decade experience of passenger The 2016 GMC Sierra gets a fresh and bold smart choice for customers seeking versatil- the brand’s latest immersive experience using Maxus is one of the products of Shanghai Automo- vehicle manufacturing and research and development. appearance and off ers new, advanced engi- ity, style and technology. Oculus virtual reality. It follows the experi- tive Industry Corporation (SAIC), a leading player “We are confi dent in providing our market with neering features designed to complement its The 2016 GMC Yukon provides the capa- ence of two individuals as they adventure in a in the light passenger and cargo transport industry. reliable vehicles that are really able to meet the de- crafted interior. The model’s bold exterior bility, refi nement, safety, performance, and 2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD heavy-duty pickup Tarek Habbal, operations manager at Auto Class mand of customers.” design exudes confi dence, refi nement, and connectivity discerning customers expect. truck. Gulf Times Thursday, January 28, 2016 35 QATAR Ferrari 488 Spider unveiled lfardan Sports Motors, This model is the fi rst RHT maximum torque of 760 Nm at Salem al-Mannai, deputy group the offi cial Ferrari im- (retractable hard-top) intro- 3000 rpm send the 488 Spider president and CEO, QIC - Mena Aporter-dealer in Qatar, duced from Maranello on a car sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in region. unveiled the Ferrari 488 Spider of this particular architecture. 3 seconds fl at and from 0 to 200 yesterday at the Qatar Motor This solution ensures lower km/h in 8.7 seconds. Show 2016, which opens to the weight (-25kg) and better cock- This is also an exceptionally public today at the Doha Exhi- pit comfort compared to the effi cient engine; it is not only bition and Convention Centre. classic fabric soft-top. 100 CV more powerful than the QIC off ers “This model is an innova- Just like all previous spider previous naturally-aspirated V8 tive and distinguished addi- versions of Ferrari’s models, but also has lower CO2 emis- tion to the Ferrari family and a this is a car that is aimed at cli- sions. cover for true representation of the his- ents seeking open-air motoring The turbo V8 has a unique tory and excellence of the brand pleasure in a high-performance character, delivering increasing combining strength and luxury sports car with an unmistakable levels of power right across the off -road at the same time,” said Charly Ferrari engine sound. rev range, and completely elim- Dagher, general manager, Al- Every area of the car has been inating the traditional turbo lag fardan Sports Motors. designed to set new technologi- with a throttle response time of driving The Ferrari 488 Spider’s glo- cal benchmarks for the sector: just 0.8 seconds. bal debut was held in September from the aluminium space- Also the most aerodynami- atar Insurance Company last year at the Frankfurt Motor frame chassis and bodyshell cally effi cient Ferrari Spider (QIC), the offi cial insurer Show. It is the latest chapter in to the new turbo-charged V8, ever built, this model features a Qof this year’s Qatar Mo- Maranello’s ongoing history of aerodynamics that reconcile the series of complex aero solutions tor Show, which opens to the open-top V8 sports cars. need for greater downforce with designed to guarantee opti- public today at the Doha Exhibi- This model is also Ferrari’s reduced drag along with the mal downforce whilst reducing tion and Convention Centre, will most powerful ever mid-rear- specifi c cabin air fl ow demands drag. launch at the event the Off -road engined V8 car to feature the of an open-top car, and vehicle Designed around the concept 360 Cover that covers driving on patented retractable hard-top, dynamics that render it fast, ag- of the retractable hard-top, the sand dunes and similar terrains. along with the highest level of ile and instantly responsive. 488 Spider has a spaceframe “Our latest product, Off -road technological innovation and Beneath the engine cover chassis made of 11 diff erent alu- 360, will give complete peace of with innovative design. throbs the 3902cc turbo- minium alloys combined with mind to customers having cars with Dagher expressed confi dence charged V8 that debuted just other noble metals, such as Ferrari Middle East and Africa sales director Giorgio Turri and Charly Dagher unveiling the Ferrari 488 Spider off -road capabilities while enjoy- that people in Qatar will re- a few months ago on the 488 magnesium, each one used in a at the Qatar Motor Show, at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil ing the great outdoors,” said Salem ceive the new Ferrari 488 Spider GTB. Its performance levels highly specifi c way. al-Mannai, deputy group president warmly due to its excellent per- are nothing short of extraordi- This yields the same torsional the chassis’ performance by in two overlapping sections to nism is exceptionally smooth and CEO, QIC - Mena region. formance and the driving com- nary: a maximum power out- rigidity and beam stiff ness fi g- 23% over that of its predecessor. rest fl ush on the engine in a very and takes just 14 seconds for the “Though the majority of resi- fort it provides. put of 670 CV combined with ures as the coupé, improving The RHT folds backwards compact solution. The mecha- top to fully retract or deploy. dents in Qatar love driving in the desert, they worry about the damage that may be caused to their vehicles while driving on sand dunes, which rob them of the thrill of an outdoor adven- ture. By introducing the Off -road Sales in Middle East not aff ected, says director 360 Cover, we want to change this negative perception and add By Joey Aguilar 2016 waiting list for GTB and Ferrari’s 488 Spider yesterday at Qatar market, he described tion every year as part of its off er our customers the chance an element of excitement and fun Staff Reporter Spider models is almost full. the annual event. their customers in Qatar as very commitment to the market. to realise their dreams.” to their outdoor adventure.” “We are very positive and Last year, Ferrari unveiled passionate, demanding and “Innovation for Ferrari is a Turri said, “It is more than Customers can now take ad- looking forward to a very suc- two of its latest models in Gene- always looking for something priority, it is a key value and we about entering a family than vantage of an exclusive discount errari continues to per- cessful 2016 even if the business va and Frankfurt. These models new, amazing and unique. have taken the commitment to buying a car. Ferrari is about (valid until the end of 2016) to form well in sales in the environment is not as brilliant as occupy a core segment of its of- Turri said Ferrari has the ca- deliver to the market at least one lifestyle, it is about gathering purchase the new Off -road 360 FMiddle East despite the oil the past years,” he said, adding: ferings and have been very well- pability to off er people exclu- new product per year and we are together with a common pas- Cover by visiting www.qic-on- price slump, Ferrari Middle East “We stay on a niche of the mar- received in the region. sivity of a unique brand and over exceeding this commit- sion for brand and product. line.com or calling 8000742 or and Africa sales director Giorgio ket, which at the moment is not However, he admitted that the chance to customise their ment,” the sales director said. “We give our customers the through any QIC branch. The Turri said yesterday. aff ected as much as the others.” the oil price trend aff ects cars according to their own According to Turri, Ferrari chance to join a full platform of [driv- same off er would also apply for Speaking to Gulf Times on Turri and Alfardan Sports the “general economics” as expectations and taste. has remained appealing to every ing] activities on the road and on the customers who wish to transfer the sidelines of the Qatar Motor Motors general manager Charly refl ected on other industries. Ferrari invests heav- market. “We used to say that we race track with their own cars or with their car insurance to QIC. Show 2016, he noted that their Dagher led the Qatar debut of About the response of the ily on technology and innova- sell dreams rather than cars, we special cars that we can off er them.” Gulf Times 36 Thursday, January 28, 2016 QATAR Minister inaugurates sixth Qatar Motor Show

inister of Transport and tors are advised to register in Communications HE advance to avoid queues on MJassim Seif Ahmed al- www.qatarmotorshow.gov.qa Sulaiti opened the sixth Qatar Among several new models, Motor Show 2016 at the Doha Qatar’s fi rst concept car was also Exhibition & Convention Cen- revealed. Texas A&M at Qatar tre. graduate, Abdulwahab Ziaullah The minister visited the pa- conceptualised the car during vilions and was introduced to his undergraduate research and a wide range of exhibitors and the model has been brought to exciting range of new car and life for the fi rst time in partner- motorcycle models by the or- ship with Ali Bin Ali Group. ganisers. Exhibitors at this year’s show This year’s event is showcas- include Audi, BMW, Bosch, Ca- ing more than 20 new auto- dillac, Castrol, Chrysler, Con- motive models in the country. tinental, Dodge, Ducati, Ferrari, Key partners include Commer- Ford, GMC, Harley Davidson cialbank, the show’s ‘Official (NBK), Infi nity, Jaguar, Jeep, Bank Sponsor’ and the Marri- KTM, Land Rover, Lexus, Ma- ott Marquis City Center Doha, serati, Maxus, Mercedes Benz, the show’s official hotel, Qatar Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pi- Insurance Company, Qatar Air- aggio, Porsche, RAM, Renault, ways and QTickets. Rolls-Royce, Sand X, Titani- There is no entrance fee for um, Toyota, Triumph, VW and HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti inaugurating the sixth Qatar Motor Show 2016 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday. the visitors. However, the visi- Ziebart. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed BMW’s Solitaire revealed as Coupe makes ME debut lfardan Automobiles, of- command of their car at all G 500 Square at the NBK pavilion: PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil fi cial BMW Group im- times. The M2 Coupe comes Aporter in Qatar, hosted with three-litre six-cylinder the Middle East debut of the all- in-line engine with M Twin new BMW M2 Coupe yesterday Power Turbo technology to de- at the Qatar Motor Show 2016. velop 272 kW/370 hp at 6,500 New Mercedes models Visitors at the Doha Exhibi- rpm. Peak torque of 465 Nm tion and Convention Centre can can be increased to a maximum also see an exclusive edition of of 500 Nm. galore at NBK pavilion the 7 Series fl agship model, in There is also an optional the form of the limited edition seven-speed M Double Clutch BMW 7 Series Solitaire. Transmission (M DCT) and ercedes-Benz country distributors Nasser Bin Khaled “Our support for this year’s Launch Control, allowing it to (NBK) Automobiles has launched four models from the Qatar Motor Show is evident go from 0 to 100km in just 4.5 Mpremium auto maker at Qatar Motor Show 2016. with the regional debut of the seconds. The A-Class 250 Sport, G 500 Square, C 450 AMG and C 300 BMW M2 Coupe,” Alfardan Top speed is electronically Coupe will attract visitors to the sprawling stand spread over Automobiles general manager limited to 250km/h. The M more than 900sqm. Ihab Allam said. DCT with Drive logic, avail- NBK Automobiles is also displaying a range of 14 cars from diff er- “The BMW 7 Series Solitaire able as an option, allows gear ent categories that will appeal to all styles and choices, including the edition is the most expensive changes with extraordinary recently launched SUVs and sporty cars, to the most luxurious series. BMW ever built,” he noted speed but no interruption in The show, being held for the sixth year will end on February 1. It in- while explaining that only six the flow of power. cludes outdoor screenings, also in motocross and test drives. units have been produced. The vehicle is also equipped NBK Automobiles general manager Khalid Shaaban said, “The The BMW M2 Coupe, a com- with a wide selection of driver company is proud to have the biggest stand at the show that pact high-performance Coupe, assistance systems and mobil- showcases new models and a wide range of its cars from diff erent Alfardan Automobiles has showcased the limited edition flagship BMW 7 Series Solitaire edition, the most expensive is easily identified as a member ity services from BMW Con- segments. At this event, NBK Automobiles reiterates its leading BMW. Below: The all-new BMW M2 Coupe on display at the Qatar Motor Show. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil of the BMW M family, with its nected Drive. position as one of the most selling for Mercedes-Benz cars and its motor racing genes wrapped in The BMW 7 Series Solitaire commitment to its clients”. “NBK has built its success by estab- exciting design. edition’s highlights include a lishing solid, longstanding relationships with its customers, and The car’s extraordinary per- sparkling exterior colour with through off ering a wide range of products. The brand is deeply formance potential is further glass flakes that makes an associated with a history of premium quality service and market enhanced by the low front opulent impression as you ap- leadership.” apron with large air intakes, proach the vehicle. Established in 1957, Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles is Qatar’s muscular flanks with charac- The model comes with full exclusive distributors of May Bach, Mercedes-Benz and AMG. teristic M gills, 19-inch alu- leather interior in BMW In- All Mercedes-Benz G-Class models will in future off er up to minium wheels in familiar M dividual Tartufo Brown with 16% more power and lower fuel consumption. The range includes double-spoke design and low, white woven piping and in- the G 500 with a new, powerful 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine. wide rear with M-specific cludes floor trim panel and twin-tailpipe exhaust system floor mats made from lamb’s all play impressive roles here. wool. These softer details per- The interior features Al- fectly contrast the luxury and cantara leather on the door elegance of the dashboard’s cards and centre console to- black piano trim and Arabic- gether with porous carbon fi- inspired Pearl inlays. Six carats bre underlined by blue contrast of diamonds are present in each stitching and M embossing on car on the wood trim, dash- selected details. Sports seats, board, side panels and key. an M sports steering wheel Various BMW models are and an M gearshift lever ensure also on display for the event set BMW M2 drivers are in perfect to run until February 1. C 450 being unveiled. Elibriea: Qatar’s fi rst-ever Nismo’s latest line-up concept sports car unveiled get an introduction

By Joe Koraith The Elibriea has a 525HP en- Staff Reporter gine procured from General Motors. There was an engine made but they went with the hat started with a GM engine for safety reasons. ‘high-school’ sketch The concept car has a mid- Whas now turned into engine architecture which was Qatar’s fi rst-ever concept chosen by Ziaullah because it sports car. makes the vehicle more stable The Elibriea was unveiled and improves the handling. yesterday at the 2016 Qatar Mo- As for the performance fi g- tor Show. The brainchild of Ab- ures, the car hasn’t been pushed dul Wahab Ziaullah, the physi- fully yet but Ziaullah says that The 370Z Nismo being unveiled. The Patrol Nismo. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed. cal development of the concept the acceleration, during limited car took around 2 ½ years. testing at the Al Khor airstrip, aleh Al Hamad Al Mana san’s legendary Patrol has been Nismo model is proof of our There were lots of oohs and was more than anticipated. And Company, the exclusive specially developed to be the commitment to making thrilling aahs at the Doha Convention he reluctantly reveals that the Sdistributor of Nissan in best vehicle for off -road driving. driving experiences accessible to & Exhibition Centre when the Abdul Wahab Ziaullah (left) poses beside Elibriea, Qatar’s first-ever 0-100kmph fi gure was ‘3 point Qatar, has revealed at Qatar Mo- With the abilities of this incred- all our customers,” he added. covers were taken off the Elibriea concept car, which was unveiled yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil something’. tor Show 2016 yesterday the ible vehicle, the Patrol Desert Firmly-rooted in the spirit and Ziaullah is extremely proud Ziaullah is not satisfi ed with latest line-up of performance Edition will address one of the of pioneering Japanese maver- of having achieved his dream. funding for developing the de- importantly, it’s simple,” he the “great tag of Qatar’s fi rst- vehicles under the Nismo brand, most popular customer needs in ick engineers, where innovative “When we were taking it out for sign. And then over the past 2 said. And just like the name, ever concept car’. The next step GTR Nismo, 370Z Nismo and Qatar.” solutions are applied in bold testing, there would be many ½ years, the car was manufac- the car itself is diff erent sets for him is the commercialisa- Patrol Nismo, as well the lat- McCluskey said Nismo is the and smart ways to challenge the people desperate to take a closer tured with funding from the Ali of parts put together. “It’s just tion of the Elibriea. For that, est tune-up for the Patrol – the “ultimate essence” of Nissan’s norm, Nismo cars provide ex- look. The Qatari Batmobile is Bin Ali Group. The name, Ziaul- like making a dish. In Qatar, all he’s already communicating “Desert Edition”. promise to deliver “innova- citing driving experiences with what they called it. And I liked lah explains, came to him when the ingredients are imported. with experts and looking to get “This is yet another exam- tion that excites.” With the high motorsport-inspired aerody- that. It’s unique,” said Ziaullah he started combining words like Then you put them together more hands on deck. He says ple of how Nissan is completely performance brand added to the namics and styling, enhanced yesterday. elegance, luxury and others. “A and create your own recipe. it will take 2-3 years for the in tune with its customers,” Nissan lineup, the Patrol ad- handling characteristics and un- The process started when lot of permutations came into That’s what we did too. We took fi rst commercial variant of the said Declan McCluskey, general dresses the Qatari market cus- matched agility. Ziaullah submitted a proposal my mind with these words and resources from diff erent indus- Elibriea to be launched. manager, automotive at Saleh Al tomer demands for performance All three of the showcased to the Qatar National Research I fi nally came up with Elibriea. tries and then snapped them to- He wants it to be a unique Hamad Al Mana Company. sports and 4x4 vehicles. Nismo models are designed with Fund (QNRF) and he received It sounded luxurious. And more gether into a product.” product from Qatar. “The Desert Edition of Nis- “The launching of the Patrol the Nismo DNA at its core.