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Tuesday 10 January 2017 | 12 Rabia II 1438 Volume 21 | Number 7037 | 2 Riyals

Emir receives message from Jordan King Deputy Emir Screening chairs second meeting of project to QU Board of Trustees curb diseases QNA eputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah Fazeena Saleem Dbin Hamad Al The Peninsula Thani, the Chairman of the Known as ‘Smart’ the Board of Trustees of Qatar he Primary Health preventive medicine University (QU), presided Care Corporation and screening service over the second meeting (PHCC) has launched aims at preventing of the Board of Trustees a pilot screening and managing risks for the academic year project to curb the 2016/2017, which was held of chronic health Thigh prevalence of several life- at the Emiri Diwan style and other diseases in the conditions such as yesterday. country. hypertension, diabetes, The meeting discussed Known as ‘Smart’ the pre- cancer and other topics on the agenda, ventive medicine and screening common diseases including a report on the service aims at preventing and through screening and projects and decisions managing risks of chronic implemented by the QU early detection. health conditions such as since the first meeting. hypertension, diabetes, cancer The Board agreed on and other common diseases factors and invites these high- appointing Dr Hassan Eissa through screening and early risk patients to the clinic for Al Fadalah, as Associate detection, says Dr Samya Al voluntary screening, said Dr Dean for Academic Affairs, Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has received a written message from King Abdulla, Executive Director for Samya. During an initial 20 in addition the board Operations at the PHCC. minutes appointment the per- Abdullah II of Kingdom of Jordan, inviting the Emir to attend the 28th ordinary session agreed on the suggestion During the three-month son’s and the family’s medical of the Arab League at the summit level, in Amman in March. The message was handed of amending the policies pilot project all Qataris above history will be analyzed. If the over by Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs and procedures of the uni- the age of 18 and registered at person is found to be at the risk Nasser Judeh at Emiri Diwan yesterday. Nasser Judeh conveyed the greetings of King versity admissions. the Leabaib and Rawdat Al of developing lifestyle and other of Jordan to the Emir and to the Qatari people. → Continued on page 4 Khaial health centers will be common diseases, then will be invited for screening. It is directed for screening. planned to be expanded to all A comprehensive health health centers in a later phase. check will be done during the The ‘Smart’ service employs screening, and those who need accountable care practices to will be referred for further care Stalls allotted to investors at Umm Salal market improve the health and well- and treatment. being of people through the ‘Smart’ has been launched delivery of high-quality, effi- upon the success of an initial Mohammed Osman Umm Salal Central market, stalls and other outlets in Um committee on the sidelines of the cient care for those who suffer project implemented for three The Peninsula which is being developed. Salal central market. event. Around 69 fish vendors from, or are at risk of, develop- months at the Al Wakrah Health The winning entries were There is a plan for opening will be transferred directly to the ing hypertension, diabetes, Centre aimed to combat the total of 105 investors and selected from 251 applicants. The three new markets for selling new market in Umm Salal, Al cancer and other diseases. prevalence of diabetes. It was two companies were draw was organised by the Per- meats, fish, vegetable and fruits Kawari added. Using a combination of data implemented as a local impact A selected through an open manent Committee for the and these include Al Wakra, Al Some 251 shortlisted analytics and a risk-based of World Innovation Summit for raffle draw conducted yesterday Management of Central Markets Sailiya markets which will open applicants were invited by the screening, the program identi- Health (WISH). at Ritz-Carlton Hotel for hiring at the Ministry of Economy and during this year, said Abdullah committee to attend the raffle fies those with known risk → Continued on page 2 fish and vegetable stalls in the Commerce (MEC) to allocate fish Al Kawari, Vice Chairman of the draw. → Continued on page 4

IS blows up Pact signed to modernise Planting of Damas tree barred major Syrian courts electronically Huda N V The Peninsula gas plant The Peninsula pro-ject to enhance and develop courts in Qatar is one of the sup- common tree with a com- Beirut he Ministry of Transport portive tools to achieve Qatar plex root system that has AFP and Communications and Government Strategy 2020 Abeen blamed for wrecking Tthe Supreme Judicial objectives, said a statement. underground water pipes will THE Islamic State group has Council yesterday signed a As per the memorandum, now be banned in the country. blown up a natural gas plant memorandum of under-stand- both the MOTC and the The Ministry of Municipality and that supplied one-third of Syr- ing (MoU) to modernise and Supreme Judiciary Council will Environment has barred all nurs- ia's electricity, one month after develop courts electronically. cooperate in the areas of sup- eries from sales and purchase of getting its hands on the facility, Minister of Transport and Com- porting justice administration, Conocarpus plants, locally called a monitor said yesterday. munications and Chairman of developing courts electroni- Damas (pictured). maintain it as a hedge, experts Because of its high salt toler- "In the past 48 hours, IS Qatar e-GOV2020 Steering Com- cally, and optimizing litigation The Public Parks Depart- say the damas can grow to ance and relative drought blew up the Hayyan gas plant mittee, H E Jassim bin Saif Al mechanisms, through the use ment at the ministry has called more than 20 metres tall. tolerance, the tree is sometimes in eastern Homs province, Sulaiti, and Head of the Court of of the best technological meth- upon all nurseries in the country “We have not received any planted as a pioneer species in putting it totally out of order," Cassation and President of the ods to provide better services to stop the sales, import and notification from the ministry yet, forestation projects, as in Qatar. said the Syrian Observatory Supreme Judiciary Council, to litigants, lawyers and stake- planting of Conocarpus. With though, it cannot be planted in The tree has a symmetrical for Human Rights, a Britain- Masoud Mohamed Al Amirthe, holders and make it easier for rather invasive roots, the tree streets. However, it is being growth habit and can easily be based group that tracks the attended the signing ceremony citizens to support the achieve- strangles underground pipes and planted in large scale in the shaped into a variety of different country's civil war using yesterday. The MoU was signed ment of prompt justice. The chokes drains. The tree's roots desert as part of forestation forms. It can be shaped into short sources on the ground. by Khalid Sadiq Al Hashmi, Prime Minister and Minister of run deep and can cause damage plans,” said manager of a local and tall hedges, and is effective A source at the Syrian oil Assistant Undersecretary, Cyber Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin to roads, walls, buildings, serv- plant nursery. “Conocarpous , for creating a visual or a noise ministry also confirmed the Security Sector at MOTC and Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani ice lines, sewage networks and though cheap compared to other barrier. With suitable plant spac- explosion. The plant had Judge Dr Hassan Mohammed Al- identified e-Government as a could even destabilise posts. plants, growing it can cause far ing it can also be grown as a already ceased to operate one Muhannadi, advisor to the priority and formed a Steering Conocarpus is common in more expensive complications,” hardy single-stemmed tree which month ago, after the advance President of the Supreme Judi- Committee, spearheaded by the Qatar, because it can cope with he told The Peninsula. is good for shade. of the jihadists in the central ciary Council. Ministry of Transport and the hot and arid conditions. It The invasive roots can wrap Meanwhile the ministry region of Palmyra. IS on Sun- The MoU is part of the min- Communications. is also popular because it around pipes, crack walls, stressed that sale and purchase day released a video entitled istry's mission to better serve The Committee was charged requires little irrigation and is uproot tiles and clog drains. of the plant can now be done "Hayyan Gas Company explo- individuals and business-es, cre- with developing and guiding the cheaper compared to other While reaching for water only through the ministry’s nurs- sion in the east of Homs ate efficiency in government implementation of a nationwide plants of its class. However as sources it affects anything that eries, after getting needed province" in which a man is administration, and develop a Digital Government strategy. they grow, their roots begin to comes in its way, including approvals from concerned seen planting explosives before more open government with Qatar Digital Government 2020 wreak havoc. Though some other plants in the vicinity. authorities here. a wide-angle shot of a huge enhanced participation of citi- is the result of the Committee’s explosion engulfing the plant. zens and residents, as the efforts. → See also page 4 02 HOME TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 Evening classes at PIS a huge hit Who is the most engaged – Qatari or expat workforce? Amna Pervaiz Rao The Peninsula Dr Sharoq Almalki Qataris from career develop- s many as 128 over- ment and success. aged students from t is a debate that has been different nationali- raging for years, and Aon …and for the Expats ties are enrolled in Hewitt have added fuel On the other hand, those evening classes at to the fire with their that argue that it is in fact the theA Pakistan International recently published expats who are far more School (PIS). Ireport claiming that Qatari engaged than the local work- Most of the students in the employees demonstrate the force point to several factors evening classes are those who highest engagement among that occur in the workplace. could not join schools at the national employees in the These include the fact that ex- appropriate age for various rea- GCC, while expats working in pats as a rule will always sons or lagged behind due to Qatar are the least engaged of arrive at work and start in repeated failure in exams and all the expats in the region. good time, whereas some hence were not able to get admis- So who is the most Qataris do not. It is not sions in regular morning classes. Students in the evening school at the Pakistan International School (PIS). engaged in Qatar, the locals uncommon for expats to stay The evening school has been or the expats? Social media behind until midnight and specially designed for students her language and I was able to Peninsula: “In passport, my age has been red hot with people beyond if the work needs who are adults or over-aged for Special classes explain to her accordingly.” is four years more than my dismissing the validity of the completing, while Qataris will morning classes. The timing of Most of the students She said that improving stu- actual age. At present, I am report, while others have leave the office for family rea- the school is from 4 pm to 8 pm dents’ English language skills 15-year-old and due to my pass- backed it to the hilt. Others sons, and leave the work in the evening while the syllabus has been was very important as the port age I couldn't get admission have claimed that it very undone. slightly trimmed down. classes are those evening classes like the ones in a morning school.” much depends on the indus- Another case for the A period is of a duration of who could not join held in the mornings were Eng- Another student of sixth grade try and type of company, and expats is that as a rule they 35 minutes, and students have a schools or failed in lish-medium. “A keen interest said: “We were on a visit visa due you can’t group the whole of mostly have extremely good recess of 30 minutes for refresh- exams repeatedly. of these students makes me to which I couldn't take admis- the Qatari workforce together. presentation skills, whereas a ments and prayers. work harder. They have the will sion in any school and my age Here we look at both sides of lot of Qataris still feel too shy Nargis Raza Otho, PIS Princi- The evening school is to get education,” she noted. crossed the age-limit criteria. the argument. or lacking in confidence to pal, told The Peninsula: “We specially designed The evening school is sepa- When we came to know about this present. The expat workforce started this initiative in April 2015, for students who are rate for girls and boys. The opportunity, we rushed and got The argument for the also tends to be far more especially for the betterment of adults or over-aged. activities and classroom decorum admission.” In comparison with Qatari nationals experienced, with more than society. I am overwhelmed to is maintained as per the school’s the morning school, the attend- Those claiming that of the 20 years in many cases, while share that we started with seven rules and regulations. The classes ance of the students is 90 percent two, it is the Qataris who are the Qataris are a lot younger students and now the number has offered are from kindergarten to and according to school faculty, more engaged point to sev- and inexperienced. swelled to 128.” teacher of PIS Girls Wing, said: grade nine. The age limit for “these students are more active eral examples where Qataris She said that the evening “I have been teaching for nine evening classes is not more than and attentive”. have led successful showcase Conclusion school was a regular school with years but I still face a new chal- eight-years older than the actual “Best teachers from the projects in the country, against Everyone can always pick all activities like food festivals, lenge everyday to make students age required to sit in the class. school’s faculty are selected to cases where those led by and choose examples that educational trips etc. “Over-aged understand English language. Mostly, Pakistani students are teach the students in evening expats have failed. There are back up and highlight their students are mature and a few Teaching students how to write, enrolled in the school while some classes and each class has a also instances where projects argument. A study like this, of them who never attended any read and speak is challenging. I Afghan students are also regis- strength of ten students,” said an that have been successfully without a customized engage- school in childhood show great remember an Afghani student tered there. The evening school official of the school, adding that com-pleted by nationals have ment definition will always be enthusiasm for learning and they asking me the meaning of the starts with an assembly in the the fee structure was uniform and also come in on or even under flawed, as people are coming are high achievers,” she added. word ‘cloud’ which prompted same way as the morning school. no extra charges were applicable. budget, whereas similarly suc- at the argument from oppos- Rifat Tahir, an English me to learn what it was called in An Afghan student told The Transportation is also provided. cessful projects run by expats ing sides. What could be have come in over budget. essential to define engage- At a different level, there ment on one side, may only is also the argument that be a “nice to have” on the many Qataris have helped to other. What is the most impor- Al Rayyan Municipality surpasses Doha in building permits create a healthy and attrac- tant thing in all of this is that tive working environment and as a nation, and as individual The Peninsula permits, i.e. 11%. Other municipal- permits), and fencing permits the forefront of non-residential culture in their organization, businesses we need both a ities followed with Umm Salal with 4% (18 permits). Building per- buildings permits at 50% (19 per- whereas there have been good local workforce, and a l Rayyan Municipality has issuing 59 permits (10%), Al Khor mits data is of particular mits), followed by industrial instances where expats have high quality expat workforce. surpassed Doha Municipal- 24 permits (4%), and Al Shamal 9 importance as it is considered an buildings as workshops and fac- created a toxic culture in some And we need them to work Aity in terms of the issuance permits (2%). indicator for the performance of tories at 21% (8 permits), followed working environments. There together in harmony, for the of building permits last month. The figures were revealed by the construction sector which in by mosques at 13% (5 permits), are people who accuse expats common good. Picking over However, an overall decrease by the Ministry of Development turn occupies a significant posi- then governmental buildings at of being motivated and driven who is better is not beneficial 6 % was seen in the number of Planning and Statistics in its 24th tion in the national economy. 11% (4 permits). only by people of their own for anyone. permits issued in December com- edition of the monthly Statistics Within the new residential A 6% decrease was seen in the nationality. And please remember, pared to November 2016. of Building Permits issued by all buildings permits issued, villas’ number of permits issued in Another argument that is that a Qatari – the same as Al Rayyan Municipality municipalities. In terms of type permits top the list, accounting December 2016 with those issued leveled against expats is that with any other nationality - (including Sheehaniya) issued 198 of permits, the new building per- for 51% (163 permits) of all new in the previous month. whereas Qataris are keen to will always like to have the building permits, accounting for mits (residential and residential buildings permits. This decrease was noted in build a secure foundation for ownership and the pride of 35% of the total permits issued in non-residential) constitute 62% This is followed by abodes under the municipalities of Al Khor a strong future for the com- their country. November, followed by Doha (356 permits) of the total build- housing loans by 37% (118 per- (33%), Al Shamal (25%), Al Daayen pany, expats are more in it (engage@sharoqalmalki. Municipality with 133 permits, i.e. ing permits issued during the mits) and apartments buildings (24%), Wakrah (13%), Rayyan (3%). merely for the lifetime of their com): The author is an 23%. Al Wakrah Municipality month of December 2016, while by 9% (29 permits). On the other hand there was an contract, and also actively employee engagement expert, issued 88 permits (15%) and Al the percentage of additions per- On the other hand, commer- increase in the municipalities of work to try and eliminate author and public speaker. Da'ayen Municipality issued 63 mits constituted 35% (200 cial buildings were found to be in Umm Slal (31%), and Doha (2%).

Smart service to be expanded Four Qatari designers to present creations at 14th DJWE → Continued from page 1 Raynald C Rivera akin to fairy tales, including the “Smart service complies The Peninsula opportunity to have glamorous with PHCC’s pledge to take photos taken by internationally forward the national vision our young Qatari designers renowned Harcourt Studio; for healthcare development will debut their creations workshops offering a deeper in Qatar by providing excel- Fon an international stage as knowledge of craftsmanship lence in health care services they showcase their works essentials in jewellery, and of to its citizens. Smart will sup- alongside renowned interna- horology (the art of making port the national public tional brands at the 14th Doha clocks and watches) with Objec- health strategy, which incor- Jewellery and Watches Exhibi- tif Horlogerie. porates disease prevention, tion (DJWE), organizers The exhibition will also fea- early detection and promo- announced yesterday. ture an indoor/outdoor garden tion of healthy behaviours. Up-and-coming talented café in and a special exhibition We are happy to launch the local designers Noor Al Fardan of unique vintage pieces. Smart service’s pilot opera- (owner of Noudar), Nada Al Mazen Abd Rabbo, General tion at health centers in Sulaiti (of Hairaat), Sarah Al Manager of event organisers Leabaib and Rawdat Al Hammadi (of Sarah’s & Co) and Auditoire Qatar said, “We are FROM LEFT: Ehab Abdel Fattah Amin, Senior Vice-President Commercial-Middle East, Africa and Khaial. A comprehensive Fajr Al Attiya (of Trifoglio) will proud to organise this major lux- Pakistan, Qatar Airways; Mazen Abd Rabbo, Managing Director, Auditoire; Ahmed Mohammednoor health check will play a vital display their works and intro- ury exhibition, which is one of role in encouraging citizens duce their brands in a 206-metre Al Obaidly, Director of Exhibitions Department, Qatar Tourism Authority; Fouad Tayoun, Head of the largest business-to-customer to adopt a healthy lifestyle. It space inside the main exhibition Watches and Jewellery, Fifty One East; and Salem Anzan Al Nuaimi, AGM Public Relations, Qatar jewellery and watches exhibi- will also help for early detec- hall of the Doha Exhibition and National Bank, addressing the media at the Shangri-La Hotel Doha yesterday. tion on the global calendar and tion and preventing diseases,” Convention Center from Febru- is becoming an essential player said Dr Samya. ary 20 to 25. press conference yesterday. Al-Darwish, Chairman and Man- growing event management on the watch and jewellery inter- The ‘Smart’ service is This is part of the Young The initiative will be spon- aging Director of Darwish Holding, services, and increasing exhibi- national scene,” he said. planned to be expanded to all Qatari Designers initiative, a sored by Fifty One East for the said in a statement. tion space spread out through Over 500 brands will be dis- health centers and reach all fresh feature and a major high- coming three editions. Nada Al Sulaiti, one of the world-class venues. And, QTA is played by 40 exhibitors from ten Qataris and expatriates even- light of this year’s expo. “We are delighted to help young designers expressed proud of DJWE, which is consid- countries at the show. Qatar tually. “At present, the service “We are particularly pleased bring Qatar’s most exciting and excitement on the new initiative, ered the longest-running and National Bank is the official will only be available to Qataris with the plans for this edition of gifted young designers to an inter- saying it will serve as a platform most anticipated exhibition in sponsor, Qatar Airways the offi- aged 18 and above and regis- Doha Jewellery and Watches national stage. By exhibiting at for them to introduce their Qatar’s annual calendar of cial airline partner and tered at either Leabaib or Exhibition, which give outstand- DJWE, these designers will ensure brands regionally and interna- events, and continues to rein- Shangri-La Hotel Doha the hotel Rawdat Al Khail health cent- ing local talent the chance to that Qatari culture and craftsman- tionally as well as serve as a force the country’s position as a partner. ers. In the longer term, PHCC shine alongside global luxury ship are passed down another great opportunity to break into premium business events desti- Qatar Airways is offering plans to open the service up to brands,” said Ahmed Al Obaidli, generation, and I expect their dis- the vibrant luxury market. nation,” said Al Obaidli. holiday packages including dis- all registered at across health Director of Exhibitions at Qatar plays to be a vast attraction for “Qatar’s business events sec- DJWE 2017 will feature a counted flights from the GCC to centers in Qatar,” she added. Tourism Authority (QTA) at a visitors of all backgrounds,” Bader tor is set for success thanks to series of enchanting experiences attract more visitors to the expo. TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 HOME 03

Dr Al Kawari Parking Master Plan meets PM of Antigua likely in April this year and Barbuda QNA Irfan Bukhari Parking solutions According to recently released The Peninsula figures by the Ministry of Devel- rime Minister of Antigua and The Parking Master opment Planning & Statistics, Barbuda Gaston Browne s the parking issue Plan will be given there was a 61.2percent increase Pmet with H E Dr Hamad bin worsens with an final shape in the in the number of new vehicles Abdulaziz Al Kawari, Cultural increase in popula- second annual Smart registered in Qatar in October Adviser at the Emiri Diwan and tion and the number Parking Qatar 2016 compared to the previous Qatar's candidate for the direc- of vehicles in the conference in April. month. As many as 8,629 vehi- tor-general post at the United country,A the Ministry of Trans- cles were registered in October Nations Educational, Scientific port and Communication is set Automated while the number of newly reg- and Cultural Organization to give final shape to “2017 istered vehicles in September (Unesco) in St. John's yesterday. Mechanized Parking Parking Master Plan” in April stood at 5,352. In November last The meeting took place dur- systems could this year. year, 8271 vehicles were ing the candidate's visit to The Parking Master Plan will be a solution, registered. Antigua and Barbuda to present H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari with Prime Minister of be given final shape in the sec- say experts. According to official esti- his electoral programme under Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne in St. John's yesterday. ond annual Smart Parking Qatar mates, the total number of the theme "Towards a New Start conference to be held on April registered vehicles increased in for Unesco." The candidate plans 10-11. The second annual Smart and the adoption of sophisti- Qatar from 130,000 in 1996 to to visit several countries includ- succeed in the position. He also for his warm welcome during his Parking Qatar conference, a cated multi-level automated around 1,000,000 in 2014. ing the Caribbean and South conveyed his admiration about visit, and promised that the component of Project Qatar parking systems. According to “Qatar is seeing an increase American countries, where he Qatar's development and pros- region would be of top priority exhibition, will “develop car technical calculations, commer- in the construction of new malls, will meet with senior officials. perity in all fields, especially in when he is appointed as direc- parking management strategies cial and office developments hotels and mixed used develop- The prime minister education. tor general of the Unesco. The and innovations for sustainable require one parking space for ments including Lusail Smart expressed his country's support Dr Al Kawairi valued the candidate also met with Charles and livable cities”. every 65sqm of floor area, while City over the next few years. In to the Qatari candidate, wishing support of the Caribbean coun- "Max" Fernandez, Minster of For- Project Qatar is organised residential colonies need either addition, consultants for QRail him success in his endeavours, tries which shows the deep eign Affairs of Antigua and under the auspices of the Prime one space per 120sqm or one have started working on the and voiced the Caribbean coun- relations between those coun- Barbuda and they discussed Dr Minister and Minister of Interior space per apartment. integration of space and park- tries' trust in Dr Al Kawairi's tries and the state of Qatar. He Al Kawairi's vision which focuses H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Market sources think that ing (park & ride) before expertise which qualifies him to also thanked the prime minister on giving Unesco a new start. bin Khalifa Al Thani. “The 2nd Automated Mechanized Park- tendering out for contracting in Annual Smart Parking Qatar con- ing systems could be the solution the next year. There are also leg- ference will be discussing the 2017 to parking woes particularly in acy plans for the stadiums, Parking Master Plan that will be urban areas. These systems can which all involve potential smart issued by the Ministry of Trans- be ideally installed in condensed parking investments,” says Advisory Council reviews law on real estate port & Communication and urban areas to provide a quick Smart Parking Qatar website. identify the opportunities avail- and reliable solution to parking The first and inaugural QNA The Council reviewed a draft pursuit its review at another able around FIFA World Cup problems. Smart Parking Qatar 2016 was law to organize real estate bro- meeting. 2022,” says the website. The parking related prob- held last year with the support he Advisory Council held kerage and decided to refer it to Meawhile, the speaker of the The master plan will intro- lems are on the rise in Qatar of the National Traffic Safety yesterday its regular the Legal and Legislative Affairs Advisory Council H E Moham- duce parking policy as well as with an increase in population Committee, and the event gath- Tweekly session during its Committee to study it and sub- med bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi bring plans for new parking lots and the number of vehicles. ered more than 130 delegates. 45th ordinary session under the mit a report thereon to the met here yesterday with the chairmanship of Speaker of the Council. Cuban Ambassador to the State Advisory Council H E Moham- The Legal and Legislative of Qatar Emilio Caballero Rod- med bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi. Affairs Committee of the Advi- riguez. During the meeting, they Online encyclopaedia on legal rules launched At the outset of the meeting, sory Council held a meeting discussed parliamentary rela- Secretary General Fahad bin during the 45th ordinary session tions between the two THE Supreme Judicial Council December 2014. technical office and includes all Mubarak Al Khayareen read the under its rapporteur Nasser countries. launched yesterday an electronic The encyclopedia was the rulings of the court of cas- agenda, which was approved Rashid Seraye Al Kaabi. The Secretary-General of encyclopedia on the legal rules launched on the council's web- sation in the 10-year period before the council ratified the The Committee reviewed the Advisory Council Fahad bin adopted by the Court of Cassa- site. The encyclopedia was ending 2014. The rulings are also minutes of its previous the law to organise real estate Mubarak Al Khayareen also tion between January 2005 and prepared by the council's classified to facilitate research. meeting. brokerage and decided to attended the meeting. 04 HOME TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 Biobanking Congress to focus on precision medicine

The Peninsula de-velop customised medical New approach solutions to the various diseases The conference will and health issues prevalent in atar Biobank will host be held on March 14 the country. the Second Qatar and 15 at Qatar Qatar Biobank’s efforts will Biobanking Congress, National Convention help researchers understand in March, focusing on how lifestyle, environment and Centre (QNCC). Qprecision medicine genes affect health locally, and initiatives in Qatar and around eventually develop prevention the world as part of its mission Qatar has made and treatment plans tailored for Engineer Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al Hammadi (left), Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department to bring personalised healthcare considerable efforts each individual patient, as so- to the country. to move away from called ‘precision medicine’. Manager at Kahramaa, and Engineer Saadi Al Said, Director for Administration and Planning Under the overarching the ‘one size fits all’ Supporting that effort is Qatar at Qatar National Library, exchanging documents. theme, ‘The Impact of Biobank- approach to Genome Programme, which is ing on Precision Medicine healthcare in the incubated under Qatar Biobank Initiatives’, the conference will country with the aim and recently sequenced its be held on March 14 and 15 at of providing efficient 3,000th genome. QNL contributes 500 books to KAP Qatar National Convention Cen- and customised Public will also be given an tre (QNCC). treatment. opportunity to take part in the The Peninsula QNL, said, “QNL’s continuous ef- Eng. Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al The two-day event will fea- debates. The wide ranging ses- forts in cooperating with local Hammadi, Conservation and ture an international group of sions and presentations will atar National Library (QNL) organisations aims to enhance Energy Efficiency Department experts on biobanking, genom- care in their own countries.” primarily be themed around a recently contributed a col- learning opportunities in Qatar Manager at Kahramaa, said: “The ics and personalised medicine Qatar has made considera- review of precision medicine Qlection of 500 books to the and to provide free resources to Conservation and Energy Effi- from around the world and the ble efforts to move away from initiatives in Qatar; ethical and Kahramaa Awareness Park our country’s diverse communi- ciency Department seeks to focus will be on using precision the ‘one size fits all’ approach to Islamic perspectives on (KAP). This contribution was ties. We also believe that together achieve fur-ther success and medicine to improve clinical healthcare in the country with biobanking and genomic re- made as part of a Memorandum both organizations will contrib- progress through Tarsheed, outcomes. Sidra Medical and the aim of providing efficient search; worldwide trends in of Understanding (MoU) recently ute greatly to creating a launched by Kahramaa in 2012. Research Center (Sidra) and and customised treatment for precision medicine; and indus- signed between the two organ- knowledge-based society in The program aims to raise Hamad Medical Corporation patients. try case studies from Qatar, the isations. The agreement will also Qa-tar.” awareness, encourage technol- (HMC) are co-organisers of the “Through precision medi- region and worldwide. see QNL providing e-resources The KAP, part of Qatar Gen- ogies, and develop legislation congress. cine, medical practitioners in Dr Nahla Afifi, Scientific and registration for KAP users and eral Electricity and Water and regulations relating to con- Dr Asma Al Thani, Chair of Qatar will be able to provide the Education Manager and Acting training services for KAP librar- Corporation (Kahramaa), is a servation, energy efficiency, and Qatar Genome Programme right medicine for patients at the Director at Qatar Biobank, said, ians, as well as conducting joint educational facility established renewable energy in Qatar, while Committee and Board Vice- right time. This will help us pre- “The conference is carefully library programmes in the KAP. to achieve the objectives of the considering the socioec-onomic Chairperson of Qatar Biobank, vent and cure many of the designed to provide tailored Hind Al Khulaifi, Head of National Program for Conserva- growth and environmental said, “By bringing together lead- healthcare issues the local pop- knowledge to participants, espe- Children’s Services, QNL, said, tion and Energy Efficiency, dimension to ensure sustainable ing researchers, policy-makers ulation face, or may face in the cially those directly related to “QNL’s contribution to the Kah- Tarsheed, and to serve as a plat- development and welfare for cit- and healthcare providers, the future,” said Dr Asma. the field of biobanking and ramaa Awareness Park further form for educating young people izens and residents. A strategy Second Qatar Biobanking Con- Launched in 2011, Qatar genomic re-search. In addition enhances our commitment to about the importance of con- focusing on the program’s three gress will advance the Biobank, a member of Qatar to an array of informative top- promoting a love of reading in serving energy consumption. pillars: awareness, out-reach and discussion of precision medicine Foundation, recently welcomed ics and sessions, the core of the Qatar and to the development of This reflects Kahramaa’s concern community development; laws, around the world, and enable its 5,000th Qatari participant to agenda revolves around the children and youth throughout to mobilize its community out- regulations and new technolo- valuable knowledge sharing so its programme. It collects bio- progress Qatar has made in the country.” reach efforts to ensure gies; and the develop-ment of a that attendees may advance the logical samples from the local terms of developing its own pre- Eng. Saadi Al Said, Director awareness based on innovation consumption tariff needs to be efficiency and value of health- population in an effort to cision medicine initiatives.” of Administration and Planning, and creativity. expanded.”

MoU signed to modernise courts Umm Salal tenants need to deposit QR40,000

Continued from page 1 will receive the shops fully Leasing of the fish stalls furnished, informed the con- will be for a two year cerned officials. period, which is renewable The committee said that QU President for a similar period in tenants need to start operat- accordance with the condi- ing the shops within a month welcomes Al Fadalah tions and provisions, the after they receive them and Continued from Page 1 committee said. provide quality products to The committee earlier customers. Following the appoint- explained that tenants who The Umm Salal Central ment of Dr Hassan Al Fadalah win the investment oppor- Market, which is scheduled to (pictured) as Vice-President tunity and lease shops open by the end of the first for Academic Affairs, the Pres- allocated for selling vegeta- quarter this year, includes a ident of Qatar University Dr Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti (standing right) and ble, fruits, dairy, meat and fish and seafood restaurant, a Hassan Rashid Al Derham Head of the Court of Cassation and President of the Supreme Judiciary Council, Masoud fish need to deposit cafeteria, a bakery, and six tweeted: "I welcome return of Mohamed Al Amirthe, witnessing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) QR40,000 which is not vegetables/fruits shops, Dr Hassan Al Fadalah to QU to modernise and develop courts electronically, yesterday. refundable, as the tenants among other facilities. and I wish him success." Home Centre’s new catalogue features 850 styles

The Peninsula solutions like the Blend table, Signature sofa, Stellar bed and ome Centre, the region’s Infinity wardrobe, which ena- leading home retailer, ble customers to select Hhas released its latest components that perfectly suit 140-page catalogue that show- their space and personalities. cases an extensive collection Santosh Pai, COO of Land- of furniture and home acces- mark Group Qatar said “The sories, both classic and 2017 Home Centre Catalogue contemporary. With over 850 is designed to meet the evolv- new inspiring styles, this cata- ing styles and design logue promises to let customers requirements of our house rediscover the joy of shopping proud customers. The new for their homes. annual catalogue extends the Like every year, this edition Home Centre shopping expe- too will reflect the year’s glo- rience to discerning home bal trends in home furnishing, enthusiasts, by showcasing the customised and presented trendiest picks of our latest col- beautifully for regional shop- lections along with home Avirup Chandra, Concept Manager Home Center (left) pers. In addition to the print design tips, style advise and version, the latest catalogue is practical suggestions for inte- and Rajgopal R, Marketing Manager LandMark Group also available online and fea- grating new pieces of furniture with other official on the launch of Home Center Latest tures interactive elements and into existing living spaces or Catalogue-2017 at Al Asmak Mall Home Center yesterday. new-age technological com- doing up new homes. We had Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula ponents such as a mobile a very successful grand unveil- responsive design and inform- ing of the new annual catalogue of them inspired by distinctive catalogue offers home design ative embedded videos. The in our Home Centre Al Asmakh styles and curated to create tips, style advice and practical catalogue offers customers a store in Doha, and our custom- beautiful homes. The new cat- suggestions for the discerning preview of Home Centre’s lat- ers’ first impressions were very alogue also features ‘Great homemaker. The print cata- est range of interior products encouraging”. Deals’, offering customers a logue will be available at all categorised as Living, Dining, This year, Home Centre has selection of best priced prod- Home Centre stores, while the Sleeping and Playing solutions. introduced three breath-tak- ucts. Designed to meet the interactive catalogue can be A new addition this year are the ing collections – Ar-abesque, customers’ evolving style and viewed online at homecentre. modular and mix-and-match Marrakesh and Majestic - each design requirements, the com. TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 GULF / MIDDLE EAST 05 Assad ready to 'negotiate everything' with rebels

Beirut Talks in doubt French reporters at his Damas- AP cus palace, Assad defended his The upcoming talks troops' deadly bombardment of yrian President Bashar later this month in eastern Aleppo, saying the alter- Assad said in remarks Kazakhstan, native would have been to leave published yesterday brokered by Ankara the city's civilians to the mercy that he was prepared "to of "terrorists" — a term the gov- negotiate everything" at and Moscow, are ernment uses for all rebels. Splanned talks later this month in still in doubt as Assad questioned the credi- Kazakhstan, seeking to cast him- Syrian opposition bility of Syrian opposition groups self as a peacemaker after his groups have yet to backed by the West and Saudi forces' recapture of Aleppo last confirm their Arabia, which make up the bulk month. participation. of the armed and political oppo- However, the upcoming sition to his rule. talks, brokered by Ankara and "There's no limit to negotia- Moscow, are still in doubt as Syr- tions," Assad said, in remarks ian opposition groups have yet several Islamic State militants, carried by Syrian state media. to confirm their participation. killing all of them and flying off "But who is going to be there Syrian activists meanwhile with the bodies, he said. from the other side, we don't reported what appeared to be a "It's an operation that appar- know yet. ... The viability of the US-led special forces raid on ently targeted an important conference depends on that." Islamic State militants in eastern figure," Abou Leila told The Asso- Past Syrian peace talks have Syria. ciated Press from Germany, run aground on the question of Omar Abou Leila, who runs where he is based. Deir Ezzor 24 Assad's future and whether he is Deir Ezzor 24, said four helicop- is one of several locally staffed Smoke rises after Turkish Army's airstrike over Daesh terrorists' positions during the "Operation to continue as president, with the ters landed in the desert between underground groups reporting Euphrates Shield" in Aleppo, Syria, yesterday. opposition insisting his depar- the IS-held cities of Deir el-Zour from IS-held territory. ture is a precondition for any and Raqqa on Sunday. Comman- The Britain-based Syrian reforms. Assad said the matter dos set up checkpoints and Observatory for Human Rights, 25 militants were killed in the least some of the commandos immediate comment from the could only be resolved through intercepted a vehicle carrying another activist-run group, said ambush. Local witnesses said at spoke Arabic. There was no US-led coalition. Speaking to a constitutional referendum.

Bahrain court confirms death Iraq eyes recapture of east Mosul within days sentences to Baghdad be retaken within "a few days, "our units... are close to encir- areas around the city, Iraq's sec- and deployed military advisers AFP God willing," Staff Lieutenant cling Mosul University," whose ond largest, were swiftly on the ground, made rapid three people General Abdulghani Al Assadi, a sprawling campus is located east reconquered, but the elite forces progress since the start of 2017. raqi forces will retake east top commander in Iraq's elite of the Tigris. that pushed into the streets of "It's pretty excellent progress A BAHRAINI court yesterday Mosul from the jihadists Counter-Terrorism Service, said. IS overran Mosul and Mosul itself have faced stiffer that they've made over the last upheld death sentences Iwithin days, a top com- Assadi's remarks came a day swathes of other territory north than expected resistance. couple of weeks, since they against three people con- mander said yesterday, after his after officials said Iraqi forces in and west of Baghdad in 2014, In late December, the federal restarted the operation on the victed of killing police fighters in the city reached the Mosul had reached the eastern sweeping aside security forces advance inside the city had 29th" of December, coalition including an Emirati officer Tigris River for the first time. side of a bridge across the Tigris that were ill-prepared to face the slowed to a crawl but a fresh spokesman Colonel John Dor- in a bomb attack, a judicial Baghdad's forces have River, which divides the city, for assault. Tens of thousands of coordination effort between CTS rian said. source said. The decision by retaken a series of areas in east- the first time during the Iraqi forces launched an offen- and other forces gave fresh "They have synchronised Bahrain's Court of Cassation ern Mosul since launching an operation. sive on October 17 to retake impetus to the operation. three axes of advance... and that's ends the trial of members of operation to recapture the city Assadi said that "the bridge Mosul, the last major urban cen- Iraqi forces, backed by more than the enemy can solve," the group behind the March from the Islamic State group on fell tactically," though Iraqi tre in Iraq still controlled by the increased support from the US- he said, referring to elite interior 2014 attack in a village near October 17, but the west remains forces were still some 150 metres group that seized around a third led coalition that has carried out ministry and other forces also Manama, for which seven under IS control. East Mosul will away. The general also said that of the country in 2014. Several the bulk of air strikes against IS operating inside Mosul. others had received life sentences. Israel buries Erdogan sees better US four soldiers relations under Trump HUNDREDS of Israelis attended funerals yesterday for four soldiers killed when Ankara militia group battling Islamic a Palestinian rammed a truck Reuters State in Syria. Turkey sees the into troops visiting a popular group as an extension of the PKK, tourist site in a stark reminder resident Recep Tayyip which has waged a three-dec- of tensions despite a recent Erdogan said he believes ade insurgency for Kurdish lull in violence. Sunday's PTurkey’s dialogue with autonomy in southeastern Tur- attack, which also saw the the United States will gain pace key and has been behind a spate driver shot dead, came after after President-elect Donald of recent bombings. months of relative calm and Trump takes office and that “I believe we will accelerate led Prime Minister Benjamin they will reach a consensus on dialogue when Mr Trump takes Netanyahu to spark debate by regional issues. office. I believe we will reach a suggesting it was inspired by Relations between Wash- consensus with Mr Trump, par- the Islamic State group. ington and Turkey - a Nato ally ticularly on regional issues,” Police arrested nine peo- key to the US-led fight against Erdogan told Turkish ambassa- ple and removed a memorial Islamic State in Syria and Iraq dors gathered in Ankara for an tent set up in the Palestinian's - have deteriorated sharply annual conference. east Jerusalem neighbour- since a failed military coup in Foreign Minister Mevlut hood, located near the site of July. Erdogan and the govern- Cavusoglu earlier told the the incident. Five of the nine ment blame the abortive putsch envoys that he believed Trump arrested were relatives of the on Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic would not make the same mis- attacker, 28-year-old Fadi Al cleric who has lived in self- takes as the outgoing US Qunbar, police said. His imposed exile in Pennsylvania administration in relations with cousin said he was religious since 1999, and want him extra- Turkey. He said Turkey expects like other members of the dited. Gulen denies Washington to extradite Gulen family, but dismissed Netan- involvement in the coup. and to end its cooperation with yahu's statement that Qunbar They have also been angered the Syrian Kurdish YPG was an IS supporter. by US support for a Kurdish militia. New Yemen offensive to break deadlock

Dubai and sea support, loyalist forces Fearing a rise in influence in AFP launched operation "Golden its southern neighbour for Spear" on Saturday in Yemen's regional rival Tehran, Saudi Ara- emeni pro-government western Dhubab district, about bia launched the intervention forces have launched a 30km north of the strategic Bab the following March. Ymajor offensive to push al-Mandab Strait. But despite thousands of air Shiite rebels from coastal areas, The goal is to drive Houthi strikes and the sending of coa- in a move analysts say aims to rebels from all of Yemen's Red lition troops to support Hadi's end a military stalemate and Sea coast, which stretches some forces, the loyalists have been jumpstart political talks. 450km. Battles have raged since unable to dislodge the rebels But the forces loyal to Pres- the launch of the offensive, with from key positions including in ident resident Abdrabuh at least 68 fighters, including 55 Sana'a. Mansour Hadi — who are rebels, killed so far, according UN-backed peace talks have backed by a Saudi-led military to local military sources. repeatedly broken down, coalition — are facing divisions The rebels, backed by Iran, despite the more than 7,000 within their ranks that are ham- seized control of large parts of people killed in the conflict and pering their efforts. Yemen including the capital an escalating humanitarian Supported by coalition air Sanaa in 2014. crisis. 06 ASIA / AFRICA TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 Ivory Coast government dissolved as PM resigns

Abidjan elections are usually followed by Reuters Regime change a change of government as a I have tendered my matter of procedure. vory Coast Prime Minis- resignation and that The resignations pave the ter Daniel Kablan Duncan of the government: way for the implementation of resigned and dissolved Duncan measures contained in a new the government yester- constitution. day, a move that had been Ivory Coast is French-speak- Iexpected following elections The resignations pave ing West Africa's largest and last month but which was the way for the most prosperous economy, as delayed two days by an army implementation of well as the world's leading mutiny. measures contained in grower of cocoa. Duncan had been expected a new constitution. In 2011, it emerged from a to stand down on Saturday, but spate of short wars and a pro- held off after dissident soldiers tracted crisis lasting nearly a took over army bases in cities decade to retake its place as the Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara (right) and Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan shake across the West African country "I have tendered my resig- economic engine of the region. hands after the resignation of Duncan's government, at the Presidential Palace, in Abidjan, on Friday demanding bonus nation and that of the Ouattara signed a new con- yesterday. payments. government," he said after a stitution that had been approved It took 48 hours to reach the meeting with President Alassane by referendum into law in deal to quell the revolt in an Ouattara. November, casting it as the way constitution that lay behind the Though largely resolved, the military, and Ouattara's inabil- army that is made up of govern- Ouattara kept hold of his to ensure peace is maintained in conflict, especially concerning aftermath of the conflict has left ity to reign it in threatens to ment troops and former rebels majority in the December 18 par- Ivory Coast. nationality requirements for the government hostage to an ill- undermine its economic and riven with divisions. liamentary polls. But legislative It modifies clauses in the old presidential candidates. disciplined and factionalised success. UN rights envoy Former Chad leader's appeal over conviction begins Dakar lawyers requested an appeal on arrives in Myanmar AFP his behalf. The president of the appeal awyers acting for Chad's court Wafi Ougadeye said its Yangon former president Hissene deliberations would continue Reuters At least 65,000 LHabre began an appeal without Habre's presence after yesterday against his life sen- a defence team request. N human rights envoy Rohingya fled tence for war crimes and crimes Ougadeye said Habre had Yanghee Lee has arrived against humanity after a con- replied to a letter from the court Uin Myanmar on a 12-day to Bangladesh viction hailed as a landmark for with the assertion that he did visit amid growing concern Africa. recognise its authority and about reports of abuse of mem- The Extraordinary African therefore "was not able to bers of the Rohingya Muslim AFP Chambers, a body created by receive any document issued minority in a government secu- Senegal and the African Union by it." rity crackdown. AT least 65,000 Rohingya (AU), sentenced Habre in May The hearing was expected Lee would visit the north of have fled to Bangladesh from to life behind bars, an unprec- to last several days, with the Rakhine State, where the mili- Myanmar -- a third of them edented ruling seen as a blow final decision expected by April tary operation is taking place, over the past week -- since to the impunity long enjoyed by 30. the commercial hub Yangon, the army launched a crack- repressive rulers. One of Habre's most high- the capital Naypyidaw and down in the north of Rakhine Habre, 74, who ruled Chad profile campaigning victims, Souleymane Guengueng of the Association of Victims of the Kachin State in the north, state, the UN said yesterday. from 1982 to 1990, refuses to Souleymane Guengueng, said where government forces are The figure marks a regime of former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre walks out recognise the court's authority he had "no doubt the judgement battling autonomy-seeking eth- sharp escalation in the the courtroom at Dakar courthouse, yesterday. but his court-appointed will be upheld." nic Kachin guerrillas, the Office numbers fleeing a military of the United Nations High campaign which rights Commissioner for Human groups say has been Rights said in a statement. marred by abuses so severe Boko Haram "The events of the last few they could amount to China opposes Tsai meeting with US senator months have shown that the crimes against humanity. international community must "Over the past week, targets military remain vigilant in monitoring 22,000 new arrivals were Beijing economic relations. Beijing was "fully pre- the human rights situation," in reported to have crossed AFP The Taiwanese leader was pared" to break ties with the base and militia Myanmar, Lee, the UN special the border from Rakhine in transit en route to Central US should Trump abandon the rapporteur on human rights in state," the UN's relief hina said yesterday it America, where she will meet policy, said the Global Times Kano Myanmar, said in the agency said in its weekly "firmly opposed" a meet- regional diplomatic allies. Bei- newspaper, which often takes AFP statement. report. Cing between Taiwan jing had asked Washington to a nationalistic tone. Suu Kyi, a former political President Tsai Ing-Wen and bar her from US airspace. "If Trump reneges on the BOKO Haram killed at least prisoner and champion of Senator Ted Cruz, as a state-run "We are firmly opposed to One China policy after taking five soldiers at a military base democracy in then military- military, which retains a major newspaper warned of the Taiwan leader's engage- office, the Chinese people will in northeast Nigeria, while ruled Myanmar, came to power political role. "revenge" against President- ment with US officials under demand the government to suicide bombers killed three in April after a landslide elec- Lee will also investigate the elect Donald Trump should he the pretext of transit, and her take revenge. There is no room people in the key city of Mai- tion win, installing her impact on civilians of intensi- abandon the One China attempt to undermine China- for bargaining," it said in a duguri, the authorities said confidant, Htin Kyaw, as fied fighting between the army policy. US relations," foreign ministry Sunday editorial. yesterday. president. and rebels in Kachin and Shan Tsai met Cruz in Houston spokesman Lu Kang said. Cruz, who lost to Trump in The weekend attacks will However, increasing vio- states, which she said "is caus- over the weekend, the Repub- He urged the US to abide the Republican primary elec- again prompt questions about lence in border regions has ing some disquiet regarding the lican from Texas said, with the by the One China policy and tions, said he had gone ahead the extent to which the raised questions about Suu Kyi's direction that the new govern- two discussing arms sales, dip- "prudently handle" Taiwan- with the tete-a-tete despite Islamic State group affiliate commitment to human rights ment is taking in its first year of lomatic exchanges and related issues. Chinese opposition. is a spent force, as Nigeria's and ability to rein in the administration". government has claimed. There was no official claim of responsibility but the attacks bore the hallmark of Boko Haram, which has fre- quently hit checkpoints and Jammeh fires 12 ambassadors: Foreign ministry security services with suicide bombers. Banjul why President Yahya Jammeh separate legal complaints with Rebel fighters, whom the AFP terminated their services, but I the Supreme Court alleging military said were ousted can tell you that these are the manipulation of ballot counting from their Sambisa Forest ambian President Yahya ambassadors that congratulated by the IEC and intimidation of enclave in Borno state last Jammeh has fired 12 and endorsed President-elect supporters. month, first hit an army base Gambassadors after they Adama Barrow for his election Gambian legal expert Aziz in Buni Yadi in neighbouring called for him to step aside and victory". Bensouda said a quick resolu- Yobe state, at dusk on allow opposition leader Adama The ambassadors' actions tion was unlikely and Saturday. Barrow to take power, a foreign highlight the isolation in which constitutionally Jammeh still Twenty-four hours later, ministry source said Jammeh finds himself a day had to step down by the end of a wave of five suicide bomb- yesterday. ahead of his Supreme Court case his five-year mandate on Janu- ers targeted civilian vigilantes The Gambia's ambassadors against the Independent Elec- ary 18. assisting the military with to China, Britain, Turkey, Sen- toral Commission (IEC), seeking "In the absence of a court security in Maiduguri and egal, and the US, as well as the to have the December 1 vote and the pure impossibility of the elsewhere in the remote country's permanent represent- result overturned. parties being served in time to region. ative to the United Nations, were Meanwhile yesterday, West appear and enter a response, it One senior officer, speak- among those sacked after send- African leaders were meeting seems that an adjournment of ing on condition of anonymity ing a letter asking Jammeh to in Abuja to decide on next steps the case will be the most likely as he was not authorised to leave in late December. in their mediation of The Gam- outcome," he said. talk to the media, said the "The Gambia government bia's political crisis, following Nigerian and Gambian legal Buni Yadi assault led to an From Left: Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Nigeria's has recalled 12 ambassadors top-level talks in Banjul last experts said that although five "intense battle". after terminating their services," month that ended without Nigerian judges and one from President Muhammadu Buhari, Senegal's President Macky "We lost five soldiers in a foreign ministry source said resolution. Sierra Leone had been invited Sall and former Ghanaian president John Mahama during the the attack, including a captain on condition of anonymity. Jammeh and his political to hear the case, none had special meeting of Ecowas delegation on Gambia election crisis, who was recently deployed to "I do not know party have now lodged three responded. in Abuja, yesterday. Buni Yadi," he said. TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 ASIA / PHILIPPINES 07 Philippines finalising security deal with Russia

Military exercises Manila would become his country's ally traditional New Year's call at the help us in case we're attacked". Reuters and protector. main army base in Manila. "We wont have that with A Philippine official Duterte has thrown the "If we need their expertise, Russia. The MOU is about assured US that ties he Philippines is final- future of Philippine-US relations then we will join the exercises. exchange of military personnel, with Moscow will not ising a security deal into question with angry out- That's the framework of the visits and observation of affect its alliance with with Russia allowing bursts against the US, a former memorandum of understanding exercises." its traditional ally. the two countries' colonial power, and some scal- that is going to be signed. It could He said the Philippines also leaders to exchange ing back of military ties while be a joint exercises but, initially, expected a team of Russian secu- Tvisits and observe military drills, taking steps to improve relation- its going to be exchange of rity experts to visit to discuss the "We will observe their a minister said yesterday, at the ships with China and Russia. visits." sale of new weapons systems. exercises. If we need same time assuring the United In October, Duterte insulted Lorenzana assured Washing- Last month, Duterte sent his their expertise, then States that ties with Moscow will US President Barack Obama and The visit by the Russian war- ton the military agreement with foreign and defence ministers to we will join the not affect its alliance with its tra- said the United States had ships was the first official Moscow would not allow rota- Moscow to discuss arms deals exercises. That's the ditional ally. refused to sell some weapons to navy-to-navy contact between tional deployment of Russian after a US senator said he would framework of the Two Russian warships made his country but he did not care the two countries. troops, planes and ships in block the sale of 26,000 assault memorandum of port calls in Manila last week because Russia and China were "We will observe their exer- Manila for mutual defence. rifles to the Philippines due to understanding that is with President Rodrigo Duterte willing suppliers. cises," Philippine Defence "It's not similar to the US concern about a rising death toll going to be signed. touring an anti-submarine ves- He is due to go to Moscow in Minister Delfin Lorenzana (pic- which is a treaty, Mutual Defence in a war on drugs launched by sel, saying he hoped Moscow April. tured) said during the military's Treaty, which mandates them to Duterte.

Hong Kong legislator Dhaka seizes North Korean slams violent attacks diplomat's Rolls-Royce car Dhaka of smuggling more than a Hong Kong on Saturday. The two-day event AFP million cigarettes as well as AFP was an exchange of views electronics worth half a mil- between democratic movements angladesh authorities lion dollars. ong Kong pro-democracy in Hong Kong and Taiwan. have seized a luxury "We had intelligence that legislator Nathan Law hit "There is never justification BRolls-Royce Ghost car Han made a deal with a local Hout yesterday at "violent for violence, not even in the illegally brought into the buyer to bring the person a attacks" by pro-China protest- name of patriotism," Law said in country for a former North Rolls-Royce with Han's dip- ers at the city's airport on his a statement yesterday. Korean diplomat expelled for lomatic immunity, therefore return from a political forum in "I will continue to fight for smuggling. he attempted to evade cus- Taiwan. democracy and the right of self- Customs intelligence chief toms tax," Khan said. Law, 23, encountered the determination of Hong Kong Moinul Khan said Han Son Ik "Han has been marked as crowd in the arrivals hall late people." Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator Nathan Law gestures to intended to bring in the car a frequent offender." Sunday. At a press conference yes- a photo of injuries he sustained after being attacked at Hong without paying duty due to In March 2015, a North Protesters, who accuse Law terday afternoon he described Kong International Airport, in Hong Kong, yesterday. his diplomatic status and sell Korean diplomat was forced of favouring independence for the attackers as an example of it on to a local buyer. to apologise after he was Hong Kong, shouted, threw liq- "gangster politics" and accused Officials said the luxury caught at Dhaka airport try- uid in his face and tried to hit the Chinese Communist Party of Law and Chu are among a showed Law stumbling down a car would have been liable for ing to smuggle nearly 27 him as airport security struggled trying to suppress democratic new group of legislators who staircase after a water bottle was import duties of over 800 kilogrammes of gold worth to bundle him through. movements. support the idea of self-deter- thrown at him. percent had it been brought $1.7m into the country. It came after Law and other Fellow pro-democracy law- mination for semi-autonomous Protesters shouted: "Trip and in legally. In the year 2012, customs high-profile Hong Kong pro- maker Eddie Chu, who also Hong Kong -- a notion that has die!" and one called Law a Han was first secretary of authorities imposed a democracy activists including travelled to Taiwan, said there infuriated Beijing, which "traitor". the North Korean embassy in 2.5-million taka fine after Joshua Wong, had been greeted was now a "globalised...anti- resumed sovereignty in 1997. Law said he suffered Dhaka until he was expelled seizing illegal wines from by pro-China protesters in Tai- democratic violent network" At one point during Sunday's scratches and bruises and had in August after being accused another North Korean envoy. pei as they arrived for the forum controlled by Beijing. attack, television footage reported the incident to police.

Japanese holiday

Japanese women wearing kimonos arrive for their Coming of Age Day celebration ceremony at an amusement park in Tokyo, yesterday.

Thailand considers death penalty for officials convicted of graft

Bangkok measure. It also stipulates that 2014 coup after months of pro- Reuters officials who are found guilty of tests that led to the ouster of corruption worth less than 1 bil- civilian prime minister Yingluck hai officials convicted in lion baht could face up to five Shinawatra, Thaksin's younger corruption cases involv- years in prison. sister. Ting more than $28m could "The meeting agrees with Since then, it has sought to face the death penalty under a this measure," a member of the burnish its graft-busting repu- proposal approved yesterday by committee said in a televised tation by cracking down on the military-appointed National session. shady patronage networks. Reform Steering Committee. "We will take recommenda- However, it has been reluc- Analysts said such a stern tions from legislators before tant to touch the monarchy, punishment for all forms of graft forwarding them." military and religion, Thailand's was a further way for the ruling The measure must now be most powerful institutions. junta to control its opponents, submitted to Cabinet, parlia- The junta has instead including allies of former prime ment and then to Thailand's focused on silencing its oppo- minister Thaksin Shinawatra, constitution committee for nents, including supporters of who was ousted in a 2006 coup. deliberation before it is adopted. Yingluck and her brother, by Of the 162 steering commit- Legislators said the process imposing restrictions on public tee members present yesterday, could take some time. gatherings and by jailing several 155 voted in favour of the The junta took power in a opposition members. 08 VIEWS TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL Assad’s ploys he warning by Syrian rebels that they would be forced to abandon the truce currently prevailing in the country because Tof violations by Syrian forces is a grim reminder of how President Bashar Al Assad is using the ceasefire to advance his plans. The ceasefire, which came into effect on December 30 The BDS struggle in to pave the way for new peace talks which Russia hopes to convene with Turkish and Iranian support, has been in force but has remained tenuous due to accusations of violations by both sides. But the opposition charges appear true for US academia two reasons: first, Assad’s army is continuing its campaign to enforce its complete control over all of Syria, targeting rebels where they are still declared a constitutionally protected ter, both in and of themselves and also in powerful, and secondly, the opposition is weak form of free speech. In passing that reso- conjunction with similar acts of solidary David Palumbo-Liu after their defeat in Aleppo and therefore has no lution, the MLA will be doing Trump’s emanating from religious groups, Al Jazeera work for him. In fact, one opponent of municipalities, unions, and others, interest in violating the ceasefire terms. It’s also the boycott said its supporters were across the globe. Already, the aggrega- possible that the regime could be exaggerating and merely being “politically correct”. tion of such acts of solidarity have raised exploiting minor violations by the rebels, using Why all this concern over which res- international consciousness with regard them as an excuse for bigger violations by its n January 7, the Delegate Assembly olutions academic organisations with to Palestinian rights like no other move- forces. This is clear from the words of opposition of the Modern Language Associa- little political clout or influence issue? ment has. In its decade of existence, BDS leaders. Mamoun Haj Musa, a spokesman for the tion (MLA) voted against a One reason is that they are a barom- has cleared a space for debate on this Free Syrian Army-affiliated Suqur al Sham rebel non-binding resolution to endorse eter of how different generations and topic like no other movement has. group, which is one of the groups which signed the the call from Palestinian civil soci- demographics of younger scholars, who The Israeli regime, and the Trump truce deal, said that they could not abide by the Oety for the academic boycott of Israeli are, after all, future teachers, are posi- administration, know this well, and have truce in a “unilateral way”, and would respond to institutions (Yes, 79; No, 113). At that same ses- tioning themselves on the issue of pledged to destroy BDS, such is its real attacks by the other side. “Even if the agreement sion, the Assembly voted for a resolution to Israel-Palestine. danger to the status quo. continues within what condemn the boycott (Yes, 101; No, 93). While the MLA and other older Finally, the academy is a powerful has been agreed on, One of the reasons it is difficult for those organisations tend to endorse the status site where ideas are tested, assumptions they have the full right supporting Boycott, Divestment and Sanc- quo when it comes to Israel-Palestine, questioned, and habits of thought chal- Bashar Al to respond to breaches tions (BDS) to get their motions passed is that the organisations that have passed boy- lenged, and the organisations and Assad has a wherever they are,” he external organisations here and in Israel add cott resolutions, such as the Association scholars that have endorsed the boycott said. The leader of their resources and legal teams to the anti- for Asian American Studies, the Ameri- show a willingness to do so with regard duty to follow another group too boycott side. can Studies Association, the Critical to Israel-Palestine, unlike their older, voiced the same The Brandeis Center threatening a lawsuit Ethnic Studies Association, the National more traditional, and largely white the ceasefire sentiment, which against the MLA if it lets the vote go forward, Association for Chicana and Chicano counterparts. speaks of large-scale the collaboration of a group of university Studies, the Native and Indigenous Stud- Comprised of minorities, younger which his own violations by the Syrian heads in Israel, anxious about the pro-boycott ies Association, and Peace and Justice scholars, and progressives, these organi- side initiated. army. There are connecting their universities to the mainte- Studies, are groups representing the new sations are fully exploiting the power of reports that intense nance of the occupation, and other repressive American academy. the academy to challenge the status quo, fighting continues near measures also aided the fight against the boy- This generational issue connects especially when it comes to injustice and Damascus where the cott. As reported in Ynet, one Israeli group with an ideological one as well, and privilege. They are undeterred and army and allied militia are trying to capture a declared that “the fight was … assisted by vari- serves as another index to the gradual unsurprised by negative votes such as rebel-held area that includes the main water ous Jewish organisations, along with The shift in American public opinion with the MLA’s. source supplying Damascus. Assad has a duty to Committee of University Heads in Israel.” regard to Palestine. They understand that, as the Interna- follow the truce which his own side initiated. But another reason such boycotts are hard They are also tional Covenant on Social, Economic, Meanwhile, speaking to French media, Assad to pass in these large and traditional organi- important because and Cultural Rights indicates, the right to said his government was ready to discuss sations is that they are averse to acting symbolic acts of soli- education opens on to other essential “everything” at the peace talks to be held in politically. This sometimes takes very particu- darity coming from rights: “Education shall be directed to the Kazakhstan, including his own lar forms. learned societies mat- full development of the human person- ality and the sense of its dignity, and position within the framework of the Syrian For example, in the 1980s the MLA also refused to endorse the anti-apartheid boycott, shall strengthen the respect for human constitution. He said that any new constitution and this is now regarded as a major factor in rights and fundamental freedoms.” must be put to a referendum and it was up to This generational ending the apartheid regime in South Africa, So when academic organisations Syrians to elect their president. Though it will seem on the grounds that the MLA did not do poli- issue connects with an such as the ones mentioned endorse the that Assad is finally ready to leave power, which tics. Yet at its January meeting the majority of ideological one as well, Palestinian call for rights, it is recognis- has been the demand of the opposition in this six- MLA delegates made a political declaration to ing precisely the essential link between year civil war, things appear more complicated. and serves as another protect themselves from potential attacks on index to the gradual shift the right to education and human rights After gaining an upper hand in this war by pushing speech, racism, and travel which might ema- and to the right to participate in building out rebels from Aleppo, it’s unlikely that Assad will nate from the new Trump administration - it in American public opinion a social and political world in general. settle for anything less than a continuation of his issued a strong critique of our new president. with regard to Palestine. It is they who are the hope for presidency. His offers and other conciliatory Professor David Lloyd noted the irony of liberation. statements are part of a ploy to lure the opposition the voting down of the boycott resolution into the talks and later walk away with what he coinciding with the passage of this resolution wants. critical of Trump: “The resolution expresses concern that the incoming Trump administration will threaten these freedoms that we cherish. But we should recall that during his campaign, it QUOTE OF THE DAY was Israel that Trump invoked as his model for successful racial profiling. It was Israel that he praised for knowing how to build a wall that would deny freedom of movement on the basis of national origin, race and ethnic Britain is, for sure, identity. He praised Israel’s discriminatory an important partner immigration policies that arbitrarily deny with whom one would entry to Muslims and people of Arab origin. It want to have good is hard not to feel the hypocrisy of passing a resolution like this while denying our support relations even after an to Palestinians who do not face a potential exit from the EU. threat, but actually suffer the denials of aca- demic and every other freedom that we are privileged to enjoy.” There is one further irony: The anti-boy- Angela Merkel The BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement active in numerous German Chancellor cott resolution now to be voted on by all MLA members amounts to a prohibition of a mode countries aims to put pressure on Israel to end its engagement in the Palestinian of protest that the US Supreme Court has territories. TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 OPINION 09 Secret tapes expose Israeli influence over UK Conservative Party

position to plant parliamentary questions supportive barrage of abuse and character assassination,” the Strizzolo also revealed she David Hearst of Israel. former minister wrote. “prepared everything” for MPs so it The conversation was filmed by Al Jazeera’s “It now seems clear people in the Conservative was hard for them to say no. investigative unit at a restaurant in London last year and Labour parties have been working with the “So you literally prepare every- and features Shai Masot, the embassy’s political Israeli embassy which has used them to demonise thing for them, it’s harder for them senior political officer at the Israeli officer, and Maria Strizzolo, a former parliamentary and trash MPs who criticise Israel; an army of Israel’s to say: ‘Oh no, I don’t have the time, Embassy in London has been secretly assistant to Robert Halfon, a junior education minis- useless idiots in Parliament. This is politically corrupt, you know.’ So if they already have filmed talking about how he would like to ter and former Conservative Party deputy chairman. and diplomatically indefensible,” the former minister the questions to table for PMQs, it’s “take down” UK foreign office minister She also mentions meeting Masot’s bosses at the Min- wrote, concluding that: “We need a full inquiry into harder to say, ‘Oh no, no, no, I Alan Duncan, a vocal opponent of illegal istry of Strategic Affairs several times in Israel. the Israeli Embassy, the links, access and funding ... won’t do it.’” Halfon had not IsraeliA settlement building in the West Bank. Speaking to an undercover reporter posing as a and an undertaking from all political parties that they responded to requests for comment He said Duncan, who is one of the few Conserva- pro-Israel political activist, Strizzolo boasted of how welcome the financial and political support of the UK at the time of publication. tive ministers to speak out over settlements, was she had taken on Halfon, the MP for Harlow in Essex, Jewish community, but won’t accept any engagement Masot, a former major in the causing “a lot of problems”. He also called Boris John- when he was a backbencher: “And now look at him, linked to Israel until it stops building illegally on Pal- Israeli navy, described his position son, the foreign secretary, “an idiot”. he’s a minister, so I’m not too crap!” estinian land.” The tapes also expose how the Israeli at the embassy as a “political post- In a separate conversation with the embassy BDS is not the only tactic against Israeli occupa- embassy has helped to establish, and in some cases ing” and explained that he was not staffer, Crispin Blunt, the chairman of the Commons tion, but it is working has directly funded, a number of organisations that a “career diplomat”. He said he Foreign Affairs Committee, was described as being The exchange about Duncan is among hours of claim to be independent of it. This includes the Union worked for the Ministry of Strategic “on the hit list” for his views which were “strongly conversations recorded over a period of months, of Jewish Students and a group for aspiring diplomats Affairs, which was set up by Netan- pro-Arab rather than pro-Israel”. which reveal how Masot sought to manipulate the called Young Diplomatic London, to which Masot was yahu to conduct what has been The revelations provoked an immediate political political debate over Israel and Palestine within both on the executive committee described in Israel as a secret war reaction, with Desmond Swayne, a former Conserva- the Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Strizzolo said that “pretty much” all Tory MPs against the BDS movement. tive minister and parliamentary aide to former prime Party. The Al Jazeera reporter gained Masot’s trust belonged to the CFI, including Theresa May, Chancel- Masot said Mark Regev, the minister David Cameron, calling for the incident to be and infiltrated his circle so effectively that he was lor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and Boris current Israeli ambassador to the “investigated thoroughly”. offered a job by the embassy to help combat the Boy- Johnson. She also claimed credit for a question asked UK, was a friend, though in a “What we cannot have is Israel acting in the UK cott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign in by Halfon at the time of the kidnap and suspected revealing episode he hinted that he with the same impunity it enjoys in Palestine,” he told Britain. The strategy, which is described in the tapes murder by Hamas of three Israeli settler youths in the considered him too dovish. Middle East Eye. “This is clearly interference in by a senior member of AIPAC, the influential pro- West Bank in June 2014. The incident contributed to “Mark Regev, he’s all the time another country’s politics of the murkiest and most Israel lobbying organisation in the US, is to detach tensions which led to Israel’s assault on Gaza the fol- asking me, yeah he’s a good friend,” discreditable kind.” Britain from pro-Palestinian sentiment in Europe and lowing month in which more than 2,000 Palestinians he said. “Yeah, but that’s the thing In a statement on Saturday night, the Israeli bring the UK closer to the US. The embassy tapes died, according to United Nations figures. with Netanyahu: usually the people embassy said that Mark Regev, Israel’s ambassador to reveal the extent to which Israel has penetrated the Strizzolo, who was in Israel with the CFI at the that surround him are really nice, the UK, had spoken to Duncan to apologise and that Conservative Party through an organisation called time, said: “And I was on the phone with Rob [Halfon] they are comfortable, they are Regev had made clear that the embassy considered the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI) for whom to convince him to table a question for Prime Minis- comfortable people. Mark is a great the remarks to be “completely unacceptable”. both Halfon and Strizzolo had worked. ter’s Question Time, paying tribute ...” person but he’s not the guy that will A spokesperson for the UK’s foreign office also The strength of Conservative support for Israel The reporter interrupted: “Did he do it?” go for a war.” confirmed that Regev had apologised. was highlighted last week in comments by a spokes- Strizzolo continued: “Yeah. And also tabled in an In a statement, Strizzolo said “The Israeli ambassador has apologised and is person for Prime Minister Theresa May, which urgent question to ... get a statement from the gov- her conversation with Masot had clear these comments do not reflect the views of the appeared to criticise US Secretary of State John Ker- ernment on the three kids.” been “tongue in cheek and gossipy” embassy or government of Israel,” he said. “The UK ry’s recent speech in which he said that Israeli ‘Hamas is Hamas is Hamas’: How UK minister and had taken place “in a social has a strong relationship with Israel and we consider government policy was being driven by “extreme spoke up for Israel context”. the matter closed.” The undercover recording, which elements”. “We do not believe that it is appropriate to Halfon spoke about the incident in parliament on “Any suggestion that I, as a civil exposes how Israeli influence extends to senior levels attack the composition of the democratically elected 2 July 2014, putting the following question to then- servant working in education, of the governing Conservative Party, also includes a government of an ally,” the spokesperson said. prime minister David Cameron: “The world has seen could ever exert the type of influ- conversation in which an assistant to another Con- The Daily Mail featured a response critical of May the tragic and brutal murders of three Israeli young- ence you are suggesting is risible,” servative minister described how she used her headlined, Poisonous conduct is a disgrace: Minister sters, most probably by Hamas. “Will my right she added. who served in David Cameron’s government says it is honourable friend give the Israeli government every time to end the problem of Israel buying UK policy, in possible support at this time? Does he agree that, far The undercover recording, which exposes which a former minister wrote: “The reason is clear: from showing restraint, Israel must do everything how Israeli influence extends to senior the Conservative Party wants pro-Israel donors’ possible to take out Hamas terrorist networks, and money, and principle in the Government’s foreign will he give the Israeli government support in that?” levels of the governing Conservative policy has been relegated. Cameron replied that he knew Halfon to be “pas- Party, also includes a conversation “Lots of countries try to force their views on oth- sionate about these issues,” but said that security D-RING ROAD in which an assistant to another ers, but what is scandalous in the UK is that instead of operations needed to be conducted with care to avoid POST BOX: 3488 Conservative minister described how she resisting it, successive governments have submitted further escalation. to it, taken donors’ money, and allowed Israeli influ- “It is very important that Britain will stand with DOHA - QATAR used her position to plant parliamentary ence-peddling to shape policy and even determine Israel as it seeks to bring to justice those who are [email protected] questions supportive of Israel. the fate of ministers. Even now, if I were to reveal responsible. The people responsible for this should be who I am, I would be subjected to a relentless found and brought to justice,” he said. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758

MANAGING EDITOR Theresa May is failing Brexit Britain TEL: 4462 7505

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Are we aiming to stay in the single TEL: 4455 7769 Alastair Sloan market? Nobody knows. Are we to Al Jazeera pay a reduced subscription fee to retain some access? Nobody knows. LOCAL NEWS SECTION Will EU citizens already settled in the TEL: 4455 7743 UK be able to stay? Nobody knows. hen Theresa May Has anyone begun disentangling the BUSINESS NEWS SECTION appeared on the steps of enormous web of agricultural, scien- TEL: 4462 7535 Number Ten in her first tific and regulatory connections the address as Prime Minis- British economy has with the EU? I SPORT NEWS SECTION ter, she seemed like a hope so - but nobody knows. TEL: 4455 7745 Wsudden moment of serenity in a chaotic Will British businesses face a “cliff post-Brexit Britain. She had reassuringly edge” in which no new trade deal is ONLINE SECTION grey hair for a start. in place before we leave? We thought TEL: 4462 7501 Her predecessor, David Cameron, had we maybe knew - when May hintedat [email protected] been just 43 when he took office. Tony a “transitional deal” — but then we Blair had also been in his 40s. May was didn’t, when she said it was just “one PUBLIC RELATIONS pushing 60. Now the seriousness of actu- option under consideration”. ally getting on with Brexit was upon us, it Instead of leading with vision, TEL: 4455 7613 [email protected] was like the kids had finally been booted Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the Confederation of May has instead become prone to out from the halls of power; and the adults taking cheap shots at her own team British Industry’s (CBI) annual conference in London. were back in charge. to distract from her own floundering ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT May had a reputation for competence. strategy, and has failed to rise above TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 She had been the longest-serving home A former very senior civil servant took to his petty rows about her choice of trousers. Meanwhile experts FAX: 4455 7870 secretary in modern times, responsible for personal Twitter account to call out the government continue to warn that her secretive approach to Brexit is a [email protected] immigration, policing, and national secu- for “a wilful & total destruction of expertise”, and brewing disaster. rity over six long years. She had endured, accused the May government of “amateurism”. It This vacuum of leadership and exodus of expertise are not CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT keeping herself out of political squabbles, was frustrations with May’s haphazard and ignorant May’s only failings; she is a luke-warm saleswoman too. Her TEL: 4455 7857 and focused diligently on the work in office that appear to have driven Rogers out. only major trip to try to boost trade ties with other parts of the [email protected] hand. Many hoped the quiet vicar’s daugh- It is this deep disparity between the expertise of world has been to India. The delegation was a damp squib. ter would apply the same professionalism the bureaucratic and diplomatic professions, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that Britain was SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION in Number Ten, and guide Britain through the dogmatic, ignorant “amateurism” of the May now a low priority for commerce. TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 Brexit with steadfast efficiency. She has team, that is essential to understanding how badly Ironically, this was May’s previous job coming back to haunt FAX: 44557819 not. Six months on, Britain’s ambassador Number Ten is handling Brexit. her. Although she appears to have lost her knack for compe- to Brussels has just resigned, causing a Last week, a union leader for civil servants said tence when it comes to her new job in Number Ten, as a [email protected] storm that has highlighted increasing disil- that May “lacks the political courage to admit how minister for immigration she was so ruthlessly efficient at limit- lusionment among those who will actually complex and time-consuming this will be. When ing entry to Indians that she has almost irreparably damaged carry out Brexit - the bureaucrats and dip- anyone pops their head above the parapet [...] and relations with Delhi. Indian businesses had been interested in All thoughts and views lomats - and she who will steal the says this is going to take a long time, and it’s com- Britain because it had access to the single market. It was no sur- expressed in these columns undeserved credit later down the line — plex, they are immediately shot down and accused prise then that some business leaders didn’t even bother to turn Theresa May. of betraying the will of the people.” Others have up to her meetings. May returned to Britain forlorn. In despera- are those of the writers, not More resignations are already simply said the officials are “unable to cope”, tion, she has been fawning at the heels of Donald Trump, while of the newspaper. rumoured, because “Mandarins are tired because of spending cuts that have brought the civil most of the world turns away from America in revulsion. of being blamed for bad decisions by poli- service to its smallest size since World War II. May There was a moment when Theresa May swept into All correspondence ticians.” Ivan Rogers, the ambassador in is, incredibly, insisting these cuts continue. Number Ten, and seemed to be a mature beacon of calm, regarding Views and question, was one of Britain’s most Perhaps the worst decision May has made is not amid a chaotic post-referendum backdrop. Unfortunately she Opinion pages should be respected diplomats, and was praised by to make any. She has maintained a stance of almost has not turned out to be. Perhaps worst of all — 2016 was the key players for his in-depth knowledge of complete silence since taking office, as to what the easy part. This year looks set to throw up more challenges - mailed to the how the European Union actually works. government’s overall objectives for Brexit might be. but is May really up to it? I sincerely doubt it. [email protected] 10 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017

NEWS BYTES Groups credit military for drop in violence US bombings Islamabad behind the drop. But for the compared to 2015. Still, both legislation in 2016 outlawing drop to record Towards peace AP trend to continue, they say, organisations tempered the find- hate speech and denying clerics One of the groups authorities need to disband sec- ings by warning that the trend from rival Islamist sects the right low in 2016 said there was a tarian and anti-Indian extremists could be halted unless militant to use their loudspeakers at their 45% drop in wo Pakistani research based in the populous Punjab groups are disbanded and called mosques. However, Sharif's gov- US BOMBINGS in Paki- violence-related groups have noted that province. The findings, which are for improving relations with ernment has not succeeded in stan dropped to a record deaths in 2016. the country saw a sig- based on the groups' records, neighbouring India and disbanding outlawed sectarian low , three, in 2016, com- nificant drop in were released last week and Afghanistan. groups that re-emerge later pared to more than The groups say, militant violence last yesterday. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif under a different name. 24,000 bombs it dropped Tyear, crediting the military for One of the groups, the Center echoed some of those sentiments "A government that is going in Iraq and Syria last year, authorities need to the decrease in attacks. for Research and Security Stud- last week, when he told a writ- into an election next year doesn't says a study by a US think- disband sectarian The two Islamabad-based ies, said there was a 45 percent ers' conference that Pakistan want to lose votes," said Imtiaz tank, Council on Foreign and anti-Indian groups say that large-scale mil- drop in violence-related deaths needs to create an effective nar- Gul, executive director of the Relations. extremists based in itary operations in the lawless in 2016, compared to the previ- rative that promotes tolerance. Center for Research and Secu- The statistics indicate the populous Punjab tribal regions bordering Afghan- ous year. The Pakistan Institute "We are forgetting how to rity Studies, which authored one a change in situation on province for the istan, in the chaotic port city of for Peace Studies, which tallies speak of mutual love, integrity, of the reports. Pakistan has the ground in Pakistan’s trend to continue. Karachi and the sparsely popu- violent incidents, registered a 28 compassion and empathy," he fought three wars with archrival tribal areas, which US lated Baluchistan province are percent drop in attacks in 2016, said. His government introduced India over Kashmir. defence experts say are used for launching attacks at American and Afghan troops in Afghanistan. In the past, a major Dual responsibility terrorist attack on tar- First N-capable gets inside Afghanistan or the increase in ter- rorist activities inside Pakistan’s tribal areas submarine led to US bombings inside Pakistan. Since June 2014, when Pakistan launched a comprehensive military missile tested operation against terror- ist hideouts in Fata, the Islamabad Nuclear tension terrorist attacks have Reuters decreased and as have The launch of the US bombings. akistan fired its first Sub- nuclear-capable The statistics also marine Launched Cruise Babur-3 missile is show that the United PMissile (SLCM) yesterday, likely to heighten States has shifted its the military said, a show of long-running tension focus away from the force for a country that sees its between India and Pak-Afghan region and missile development as a deter- Pakistan. is now targeting terror- rent against arch-foe India. ist strongholds in Iraq and The launch of the nuclear- Syria. Most of the bomb- Pakistan eyes this capable Babur-3 missile, which ings conducted in 2016 development as a has a range of 450km and was sought to destroy the mil- fired from an undisclosed loca- step towards itant Islamic State group tion in the Indian Ocean, is reinforcing the policy (IS) positions in these two likely to heighten long-running of credible minimum An Afghan girl carries water, with her brother and sister, in Kabul, yesterday. countries. tension between India and deterrence. The increase in bomb- Pakistan. ings in these two countries “Pakistan eyes this hall- “capable of delivering various also indicate the Obama mark development as a step types of payloads and will pro- administration’s determi- towards reinforcing the policy vide Pakistan with a Credible Four cops dead in Afghan blast nation to lessen US ground of credible minimum deter- Second Strike Capability, aug- combat operations in rence,” the military’s media menting deterrence”. foreign wars, except in wing said in a statement. The Babur-3 is a sea-based Islamabad the province's Yaftal district strategically-important prov- Afghanistan where US A spokesman at the Indian variant of the ground-launched Anatolia when police were carrying out ince that connects Afghanistan troops still participate defence ministry was not Babur-2 missile, which was a search operation in the area. with Central Asia republics. in combats. immediately available to com- tested in December. The mili- t least four police person- Afghan Taliban spokesman The United States will send ment on the Pakistani missile tary said the missile had nel were killed and five Zabihullah Mujahid took some 300 Marines to Afghani- Decision on test. India successfully test- features such as “underwater Aothers wounded in an responsibility for the attack and stan's southern Helmand fired a nuclear-capable, controlled propulsion and explosion near a mosque in claimed that as many as 10 province to train, advise and fate of military submarine-launched missile in advanced guidance and navi- northeastern Afghanistan’s police personnel, including two assist Afghan security force. 2008 and tested a submarine- gation”. Last year, Pakistan said Badakhshan province yesterday, officers were killed. Over the past week, Afghan courts tomorrow launched cruise missile in 2013. it was “seriously concerned” by according to regional governor's However, Police Chief Skhi- forces have been carrying out The Pakistani military said India’s test of anti-ballistic spokesman Jawad Rahimi. dad Haidari rejected the claims. clearing operations in different THE FEDERAL gov- the Babur-3 missile was missiles. The incident took place in Badakhshan is considered a parts of the province. ernment of Pakistan has summoned the par- liamentary leaders of National Assembly par- Wiring up ties to discuss the future IWT: World Bank urged of military courts, whose mandated term lapsed on Saturday. The govern- to restart arbitration ment is also considering convening an all parties conference (APC) over Islamabad time has already been lost”. the matter, a government Internews Pakistan first asked for arbitra- source said. tion on August 19, 2016. The NA secretariat akistan has asked the Last month, the World Bank sent a message to par- World Bank to restart the paused the arbitration process, liamentary leaders in the Pprocess of arbitration in asking India and Pakistan to lower house to attend a its water dispute with India decide by the end of this month special meeting tomor- despite New Delhi’s objections. how they want this dispute row. A source said the NA In its communications with the resolved. The bank said it was speaker will discuss the bank, Pakistan argued that only doing so to protect the treaty. future of military courts arbitration can save the Indus The 1960 IWT gives Paki- with parliamentary par- Waters Treaty (IWT), which has stan the right to demand the ties’ representatives in successfully resolved water dis- formation of the court of arbi- this meeting. Pakistan putes between India and tration 60 days after submitting Tehreek-e-Insaf’s par- Pakistan for more than half a a formal request. The current liamentary leader in NA century. dispute concerns two hydroe- Shah Mahmood Qureshi That’s why Pakistan wants lectric plants Kishanganga and confirmed the invitation the bank to restart arbitration, Ratle that India is building on for the meeting on Jan- Technicians fix cables on a power transmission line in Karachi, yesterday. even if India disagrees with the the rivers whose waters were uary 11. suggestion, as “much precious given to Pakistan under IWT. Smartphone-powered robots launched for school students

Karachi students at leading schools in the produced robotic kits that attract and innovations simultaneously,” you speak, lights switching off a particular thing and person via Internews country. children and young aged 7 to 20 he said. “Our latest engineered automatically and a small plat- feed of a programme in the “Some of the schools are to years to assemble and play with products attract children to pro- form to keep tea/coffee hot and smartphone App. ith a mission to trans- make our project part of their the engineered products. duce a morning alarm bell which soft drinks cold when attached Another product has the form Pakistan into a curriculum soon,” said Shaheer “We place the products in the rings with the catch of first rays with the laptop. Prices of such capability to move an object Wmainstream engineer- Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer category of engineering rather of the sun, an indicator to check products range from Rs1,000 to weighing up to 500 grammes. ing hub from the current of Techtree startup. than in the category of toys,” he the water level in tank and radio Rs1,500 each. Students at some of the slow-paced progress, a group of Three engineering graduates said. “We chose the project of from the educational robotic Earlier, they have produced schools do practical of their engi- four university graduates, mostly from the Sir Syed University of robots as they {robots) attract kits,” he said. Other such engi- goods in the range of Rs8,000 to neered robots after taking engineers, has launched smart- Engineering and Technology and children learn sciences, technol- neered products in the pipeline Rs12,000 each. The products are lectures delivered by the project phone-controlled robots for an ACCA from the UK have ogy, engineering, mathematics are lights that are switched on as like a spying robot, which follows founders. TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 INDIA 11 Note ban will be an important issue in polls: Manmohan New Delhi Adverse affect states which face elections. IANS Apart from Punjab, Goa, Uttar Manmohan Singh Pradesh, Uttarakhand and ormer Prime Minister contended that note Manipur will vote in February and Manmohan Singh yes- ban would be an March. Upping its tirade against terday held that important issue not Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali demonetisation will only in Punjab but Dal-BJP alliance, the Congress have a "very significant also in the other four yesterday promised to end mafia, Fadverse affect on the country's states which face operating allegedly at the behest GDP" and will be an important elections. of Badals, and ensure better rev- issue in all the five states going enue generation for the to polls. Releasing the Congress development of Punjab. Punjab Congress yesterday manifesto for the Punjab assem- Congress Vice President Man- promised to end mafia, bly polls here, he said the preet Badal told media, after operating allegedly at Narendra Modi government's releasing the manifesto, that decision to demonetise Rs1,000 the behest of Badals, ending the mafia alone would and Rs500 notes had adverse and ensure better boost revenue generation affect on the country's GDP. revenue generation for manifold. "I have said in the Parliament the development of "This will help generate about demonetisation having its Punjab. funds required to implement the effect on GDP and it has already various welfare schemes been established. According to announced in the party mani- Central Statistics Office estimates Attacking the government festo. Funds to the tune of Rs (for 2016-17), the GDP growth which maintained that the meas- 10,000 crore would be needed Women shouting slogans during a protest organised by Congress party against demonetisation will be 7.1 per cent as against the ure will not harm anyone, he said for the execution of the prom- in Chandigarh, yesterday. targeted 7.6 percent. it has already been established ises, which could be achieved by "But this estimate doesn't take that it has affected National increasing revenue generation "Eliminating the various types and bringing it out of its current forthcoming Punjab elections, it into account the effect of demon- Income and GDP. and reducing government of mafia, operating at the behest fiscal mess," Manpreet, co-chair- would eliminate the drugs men- etisation on the system. If (that is Manmohan Singh contended expenditure," Manpreet Badal, of Badals, would itself lead to man of the Congress Manifesto ace in the state within four weeks. done), you will see there will be that the note ban would be an the estranged nephew of Punjab massive increase in the revenue Committee, said. The Congress said it will end the a very significant adverse affect important issue not only in Pun- Chief Minister and Akali Dal generation, thereby putting the The Congress has also prom- supply and consumption of drugs on the country's GDP," he said. jab but also in the other four patron Parkash Singh Badal said. state finances on the right track ised that, if elected in the completely in the state in a month.

NEWS BYTES Three dead in attack on Kashmir camp CBSE postpones Srinagar firing after a deadly attack on an Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba AFP Indian army base in September Mufti yesterday blamed Pakistan board exams to that New Delhi blamed on mili- and the separatists leaders for hree civilian workers were tants from Pakistan. inciting violence and planning March 9 killed yesterday when uni- "Terrorists fired at the camp conspiracies in the Kashmir. While Tdentified militants attacked at 1:30am and killed three cas- replying to a debate in the state THE Board exams for the a military road construction ual labourers. A search operation assembly on last year's unrest in students of class 10 and 12 camp in Indian-administered is launched to nab the attackers," the Valley, Mehbooba said: "When have been postponed by a Kashmir, the army said. A army spokesman Manish Mehta issues like Kashmiri Pandit Col- week, due to the elections spokesman said the army had said. Kashmir is divided between ony and Sainik Colony did not in five states, and will now launched a search for the attack- India and Pakistan, both of which work, the killing of Burhan Wani start from March 9, Cen- ers, who fled after firing at the claim it in full. was used to trigger unrest." tral Board of Secondary General Reserve Engineering Rebel groups have for dec- Mehbooba said: "Pakistan and Exams (CBSE) announced Force camp near the interna- ades fought 500,000 troops the separatists derailed the dia- yesterday. tional border with Pakistan while deployed in the Indian-admin- logue process by shutting doors The exams were the workers were sleeping. istered part of Kashmir, on the all-party delegation Army soldiers take position during an encounter with earlier scheduled to The area has been relatively demanding independence or a because they had made prepara- commence from March suspected militants near a General Engineering Reserve Force calm in recent weeks following merger with Pakistan. tions for the Valley unrest in 1 and the decision was camp in Jammu, yesterday. an upsurge in cross-border Meanwhile, Jammu and advance." taken keeping in mind the upcoming assembly elections in five states, dur- ing which many teachers will remain occupied with No extra charge at petrol pumps for card payments: Govt the election duty. "The board has given careful consideration New Delhi and oil marketing companies not accept payments through West Bengal Petroleum Deal- petroleum dealers' account and to the situation before IANS which they will resolve. credit and debit cards from today ers Association President Tushar net transaction value will be postponing the exams "Government will abide by in protest against various banks' Kanti Sen said: "We took the deci- credited to our account... This by a week which will here will be no additional guidelines issued in February decision to levy additional trans- sion very late on Sunday night will lead to financial losses for now allow the students charges on digital transac- 2016 wherein it stated custom- action charge of up to one per because some banks communi- the dealers," Bansal wrote. to get more time for the Ttions made at petrol ers won't bear extra charges on cent on petrol pumps instead of cated they would not levy Jaitley yesterday said the preparation and ensure stations, Petroleum Minister digital transactions," Pradhan on customers. transaction fee till January 13 but Centre was discussing with all uninterrupted sequence Dharmendra Pradhan said. Yesterday, AIPDA said some did not. the stakeholders about the issue of examinations," CBSE announced yesterday even as The minister said the discus- pumps across the country will "We kept a close watch. of levying transaction fee for said in a statement. petroleum dealers threatened to sions between the petrol pump continue to accept cards till Fri- Eventually, the Ministry payments through cards for sell- "(It) has made all stop accepting credit and debit association and banks over card day, as banks have deferred requested us to defer the deci- ing and purchasing fuel. possible efforts to main- cards after Friday. transaction charges does not charging transaction fee till then. sion till January 13." The AIPDA decision not to tain reasonable time "Neither the customers nor affect consumers, since it focuses "Late on Sunday, banks com- In a letter to Jaitley, AIPDA accept payments through cards gap between the major petrol pumps will bear additional on sharing of the merchant dis- municated to us they will not President Ajay Bansal said HDFC came at a time when the Centre papers and also ensured charges on digital transactions. count rate (MDR) charges levy the transaction fee on card and other banks would start had directed state-run oil com- that the students appear- The issue will be resolved," Prad- between petrol pumps and payments till January 13. Accord- charging one per cent on all panies to offer a 0.75 per cent ing for Joint Engineering han told reporters here after banks, none of which will be ingly, we have decided to credit card transactions and discount on price of petrol and Exam (JEE) and upcom- meeting Finance Minister Arun passed on to consumers. continue accepting payments between 0.25 and 1 per cent on diesel to consumers paying by ing National Eligibility Jaitley over the matter. The All India Petroleum through cards till Friday," AIPDA all debit card transactions from cards or mobile wallets to cum Entrance Test (NEET) "Regarding the issue, it is a Dealers Association (AIPDA) on West Bengal unit General Sec- today. encourage people to move complete the CBSE exam- business module between banks Sunday announced that it would retary Saradindu Pal said. "The same will be debited to towards digital payments inations ahead of these entrance exams," it added. Half a dozen Women plan protests Restoring glory rare felines seized in UP against mass assault Mumbai Bengaluru on Dec. 31, despite IN A significant catch, five Reuters the presence of a large number caracals and a leopard cat, of policemen. both rare and very less omen's groups are The state home minister sighted members of the cat planning nationwide later told television networks family, were rescued from Wrallies on January 21 to "such incidents do happen", trafficker in Uttar Pradesh's protest the alleged mass moles- while another politician blamed Mirzapur district, forest tation in the city of Bengaluru on women for following "western officials said yesterday. The New Year's eve, and subsequent culture", dressing inappropri- animals, kept in medium- comments by politicians blam- ately and staying out late. sized cages, well-wrapped ing the women for the crime. "That something like this up but with netted cloth to The protests, publicised under could happen in a city like Ben- avoid suffocation, were the hashtag #IWillGoOut on galuru, in a crowded ublic being taken from Bihar to social media, are meant to coin- space, is shocking. It could have Hyderabad. Police rescued cide with the "Million Women happened to any of us," said them on Sunday evening March" in Washington on Janu- ElsaMarie D'Silva, of Safe City, after a tip-off after inter- ary 21, the day after Donald an online project that collects cepting a vehicle in which Trump's inauguration as presi- reports of harassment and Mohammad Arif of Hydera- dent of the United States. maps areas unsafe for women. bad was transporting them, Several women said they "To see these reactions Mirzapur's District Forest were groped and assaulted by from authorities who are meant Labourers working on part of a restoration project at the Taj Mahal monument in Agra, Officer K K Pandey said. a mob on a crowded central to protect us is even more yesterday. street of the technology hub distressing." 12 EUROPE TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017

Police arrest Chaos as London Tube strike hits millions 17 in France London over robbery Reuters Travel woes Huge queues began of Kardashian illions of London- building up outside ers struggled to stations while many work yesterday at major roads in the Paris the start of a week city were gridlocked. AFP of travel chaos Mwhich sees rail networks brought FRENCH police arrested 17 to a standstill by a series of strikes. Train drivers on people in raids yesterday over Commuters used cars, boats, Southern Rail are the robbery of US reality TV bicycles and heaving buses to striking today, star Kim Kardashian in Paris cope with a 24-hour walkout by tomorrow and last year, police sources said. underground station staff that Friday, bringing all Police swooped in Paris left the majority of “Tube” stops rail services in region and south of France in central London closed and no London to a halt. following discovery of DNA services operating from main- at the luxury Paris residence line stations such as Victoria, where Kardashian was tied Kings Cross and Waterloo. Tube, which carries up to 4.8 mil- up and robbed of jewellery Huge queues began building lion passengers a day, begins a worth around €9m ($9.5m) up outside stations while many week of industrial action which in October, one source said. major roads in the city were will hit rail and air passengers, and “One of the DNA samples gridlocked. there are warnings the problems Commuters walk and cycle across Waterloo Bridge during a strike on the Underground by matched an individual known “I’m giving up on even try- could spread across the country. to police for robbery and members of two unions in London, yesterday. ing,” said software developer Train drivers on Southern criminal offences, who is con- Rajiv Perseedoss, 30, who was Rail are striking today, tomor- services in central and northern “It’s intolerable that key Conservative Party, told the sidered a major thug,” the trying to get to work in central row and Friday, bringing all rail England as other operators look public services can be brought Daily Telegraph newspaper. source said. Money and doc- London from Canary Wharf. services used by hundreds of to bring in driver-only trains. to a halt by a small number of The London Underground uments were also seized in “I’m not a Tube worker, I thousands of passengers from British Airways staff will also militant trade unionists in what strike by staff in the RMT and the raids. don’t know about their condi- south coast and Gatwick Airport begin a strike for two days over increasingly looks like a co-ordi- TSSA unions comes in a dispute A gang of armed and tions, but whatever it is, they to London to a halt. pay today, although the impact nated political action,” Nick over staffing levels after the clo- masked men had burst into can’t take it out on everybody.” The Sunday Times newspaper of the walkout is likely to be Herbert, a lawmaker in Prime sure of ticket offices in recent residence in a chic area of the Yesterday’s walkout on the said the dispute could spread to limited. Minister Theresa May’s years. capital where 36-year-old Kardashian was staying dur- ing fashion week. The star was tied up and 10,000th locked in the bathroom and British PM warns of ‘politics of division’ the gang fled with jewellery including a ring worth around victim of child €4m and a case of jewellery London ignoring the legitimate concerns In her first televised interview with a value of €5m. abuse rescued: Agencies of ordinary people for too long.” of the year, May denied that Brit- Kardashian finally broke Referencing a speech she ain would face a “binary choice” her silence about the incident Interpol ritish Prime Minister made when she took office, May between curbing immigration and this weekend, saying she Theresa May (pictured) said the referendum vote was having preferential access to the feared she was going to be Lyon, France Byesterday warned that partly driven by a sense that peo- bloc’s single market. killed by the robbers. AFP mainstream politicians must ple “felt locked out of political and Asked at a public meeting if “They’re going to shoot better address public concerns social discourse in Britain”. her comments had been inter- me in the back,” Kardashian LESS than seven years after about inequality, immigration Wage stagnation, concern preted wrongly, May said: “I’m tells her sisters in a promo- Interpol set up its Interna- and globalisation, or risk losing about immigration, job insecu- tempted to say the people who tional clip for the new season tional Child Exploitation power to “politics of division”. rity and the cost of housing must are getting it wrong are those of her hit TV show Keeping database, the global crime Six months after she took be addressed, she said, repeat- who print things saying I’m talk- Up with the Kardashians. buster has identified and res- office following Britain’s vote to edly calling for “solidarity” in ing about a hard Brexit, (that) it “There’s no way out. It cued a 10,000th child victim, leave the European Union, May society. is absolutely inevitable there’s a makes me so upset to think it said yesterday. said the government should step problems, and always know In a break from Conservative hard Brexit. about it,” she adds. It is Using worldwide data- up to build a stronger, more what and who to blame. leaders in the past, May said gov- “I don’t accept the terms believed the men escaped on base, investigators analyse cohesive society. “We see those fringe voices ernment must step up to address hard and soft Brexit. What we’re bicycles but one of the gang millions of images found on “We know what happens gaining prominence in some Britain’s generational, financial doing is going to get an ambi- dropped a diamond pendant suspects’ computers or spot- when mainstream centre- countries across Europe today. and geographical divisions. tious, good and best possible worth around €30,000 in the ted on the internet. The ground politics fails—people Voices from the hard left and far She said it was wrong to say deal for the United Kingdom in street outside. system’s sophisticated software embrace the fringe, politics of right stepping forward and sens- a “hard Brexit” was inevitable, terms of ... trading with and It was found by a passer- compares photos and videos, division and despair,” she said ing that this is their time. after sterling fell to a 10-week operating within the single Euro- by and handed in to police. allowing investigators to iden- in a major speech in London. “But they stand on the shoul- low following comments pean market,” she added. Kardashian lodged a formal tify abusers and locations. “They turn to those who ders of mainstream politicians intepreted as a signal she would May said she had not said complaint in France after she “The scale of crime is offer easy answers, who claim who have allowed unfairness prioritise border controls over anything new in her Sunday was filmed at the residence shocking, made worse by the to understand people’s and division to grow by EU market access. interview. following the robbery. fact that these images can be shared online globally at touch of a button and can exist for- ever,” said Interpol chief Juergen Stock. “Each time an Rehearsing for primaries Portugal says goodbye to image or video clip is shared or viewed, the child is being re-victimised,” he said. its ‘father of democracy’ Analysis of digital, visual and audio content of files is Lisbon home in Lisbon, where mourn- another way of finding clues, AFP ers laid red roses—the Socialist determining when cases Party symbol—on a journey to overlap and pooling efforts to housands paid their last the capital’s 16th century Hier- locate victims. Police services respects yesterday to onymite monastery. in 49 of Interpol’s 190 mem- TMario Soares, widely seen His body is to lie in state in ber states are connected 24/7 as the father of Portugal’s mod- a monastery chapel until to the ICSE database. ern-day democracy, as his midnight. In June 2015, a man in his funeral cortege wound its way “Mario Soares will go down 40s was arrested in French across Lisbon to applause from in history for his fight for free- town of Ariege after he posted mourners. dom and democracy. We must pictures of his 10-year-old The founder of Portugal’s thank him and follow his exam- niece on the internet. Socialist Party, who served as ple,” said Goncalo Garcia, a His detention was trig- president from 1986-96, died 16-year-old who watched the gered on the other side of the in hospital on Saturday. procession. world where New Zealand Yesterday was the start of He will be buried today at police had just entered the Members of French Socialist Party take part in the presentation and demonstration of three days of national mourn- the Prazeres cemetery in the photos into the Interpol data- voting procedures for the left-wing primaries ahead of France's 2017 presidential elections, ing. Escorted by about 30 police west of the capital, alongside base after infiltrating a at the party's headquarters in Paris, yesterday. motorcyclists, the hearse con- his wife, actress and philan- discussion forum. taining his coffin, draped in the thropist Maria Barroso, who national flag, left his family died in July 2015. Italy’s 5-Star eyes anti-populist power play

Rome dent in a vote next week. Grillo said the decision to leave the 5-Star Movement would AP The 5-Star Movement left the EFDD was logical after Brit- keep its autonomy but would the EFDD group, where it had ain’s vote to leave the EU, since have a greater voice since ALDE taly’s populist 5-Star Move- Britain’s far-right U.K. Inde- Farage had obtained his aim and would gain in standing. ment has voted to join the pendence Party as an ally. the EFDD would lose its reason “This means it would acquire Iliberal ALDE group in the UKIP’s Nigel Farage, refer- to exist and political weight in a weight of notable importance. European Parliament in an ring to the 5-Star founder, said Strasbourg. It means that in many cases it about-face power play that has “Beppe Grillo will now join the “Staying in the EFDD would would tip the balance: with our sent shockwaves through the Euro-fanatic establishment.” mean facing the next two and a vote we could make the differ- European Union legislature. By getting 5-Star Movement half years without a common ence and influence the results of In an online ballot, 78.5 per- on board, ALDE would move political objective and stay with many important decisions to cent of 5-Star voters agreed to join from being the fourth biggest a group that has no interest in fight the European establish- ALDE, which is headed by Belgian group in Strasbourg to the third. bringing home concrete results,” ment. We don’t renege on the Guy Verhofstadt, who is seeking In a blog post encouraging he wrote. choices of the past that brought The coffin of Mario Soares is carried on a horse-drawn hearse to become EU Parliament presi- supporters to vote for ALDE, He said that by joining ALDE, us to where we are today.” to the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon, yesterday. TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 EUROPE 13 Deaths and travel chaos in Europe cold snap

Warsaw “I have been waiting here for AFP Frost victims three months and I do not know when I will be able to continue Double-digit sub-zero cold snap gripping my journey,” said the young Europe has killed 10 temperatures have migrant, who is travelling alone. more people in claimed more than 30 Schools were closed across Poland and brought lives over the past cities in central Siberia yester- fresh misery for both few days, many of day but classes resumed in migrantsA and the homeless. them migrants or Moscow where the temperature Double-digit sub-zero tem- homeless people rose by seven degrees to -20 peratures have claimed more found frozen to death. degrees Celsius. than 30 lives over the past few Moscow recorded its coldest days, many of them migrants or Orthodox Christmas Night for homeless people found frozen Macedonian capital Skopje while 120 years at the weekend. to death. in Serbia, the southeastern town Greece and Italy have also Sunday was the deadliest day of Sjenica saw mercury plunge seen fierce cold weather over the this winter for cold-related to -33 degrees Celsius. past week and in both countries, deaths in Poland, where temper- Traffic on Danube and Sava several migrants have died of atures have plunged to below rivers was halted in Serbia. hypothermia. With more than minus 20 degrees Celsius in Scores of migrants in Belgrade 60,000 mainly Syrian refugees on some regions. took shelter in a warehouse near its territory, Greece has moved “Yesterday, 10 people died of railway station, spurning shel- many migrants to prefabricated cold,” Poland’s centre for national ters provided by the government houses and heated tents. security (RCB) said in a statement, for fear they would be deported On the island of Moria, A man walks next to frozen cars in Thessaloniki, Greece, yesterday. adding that “the number of hypo- back to their countries. there are “more than 2,500 thermia victims has reached 65,” “It’s very difficult, especially people living in tents, without Veizis from the charity Doctors uation on the island of Samos. house without heating near the since November 1. at night,” said Niamat, a 13-year- hot water or heating, including Without Borders. In Italy, the cold snap southern city of Brindisi and a A 68-year-old homeless man old Afghan. Temperature women, children and handi- He said there were more claimed two more lives: an 78-year-old man in a village in was found frozen to death in overnight was -15 degrees Celsius. capped people,” said Apostolos than 300 people in a similar sit- 82-year-old man who died in a northern Sicily.

Dutch police Encouraging young talent issue ‘cold Russia 'tired' of case calendar’ US hacking claims

to inmates Moscow aimed at discrediting him. AFP Peskov added that “witch The Hague hunts” by US politicians are usu- AFP he Kremlin yesterday ally followed by “more sober branded a hacking report specialists, more sober DUTCH police have come up Tby US intelligence base- approaches which seek dialogue with an inventive way to seek less and amateurish, saying rather than emotional fits.” new leads in so-called “cold Moscow is growing tired of The declassified US intel cases”—turn them into a denying claims the Russian report contained largely open- year-long calendar and hand government meddled in the US source information to show that them to prison inmates. election. Russian state media followed a “Experience has shown “These are baseless allega- pro-Trump line and said there police and prosecutors that tions substantiated with was “high confidence” in intel- inmates are among those who nothing, done on a rather ama- ligence from multiple sources know quite a bit about teurish, emotional level that is that Putin ordered the cam- (unsolved) criminal offences,” hardly worthy of professional paign to tilt the vote, without Dutch police said in a state- work of truly world-class secu- revealing those sources. ment yesterday. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (centre) greets the Carol singers for the annual reception rity services,” Kremlin In December, the White There are some 1,500 at the Chancellery in Berlin, yesterday. spokesman Dmitry Peskov told House said the GRU Russian “cold cases” in The Nether- journalists. military intelligence orches- lands, many of them serious US intelligence agencies on trated a hack, helped by the offences that have been lan- Friday released a report saying Federal Security Service and guishing for decades. Russian President Vladimir Putin various third parties, though In these cases “witnesses personally ordered a campaign without saying exactly how the play a crucial role,” said Wim Macedonian leader Gruevski to of hacking and media manipu- alleged hack was perpetrated. Perlot, who heads the police lation to upend campaign of Trump did not reject the squad for cold cases. Democratic presidential candi- report’s findings that Russia- Police are now handing date Hillary Clinton. ordered hacking occurred, but out an experimental calendar receive mandate to form govt The Kremlin’s comments denied that it swayed the elec- of 52 weeks—each week fea- were the first official reaction tion outcome and blamed turing a cold case by Moscow to the public report, “gross negligence by the Dem- crime—which authorities Skopje December 11 election, while the The Albanian DUI party, which was half the length of the ocratic National Committee” for hope may produce fresh leads Reuters rival Social Democrats won 49 which was part of the previous classified version presented to lax cyber security. in stalled investigations. seats. Gruevski will need to seek Gruevski-led coalition, saw its President Barack Obama and His incoming chief of staff The calendars are to be acedonian President a coalition partner among parties number of lawmakers halved in President-elect Donald Trump. Reince Priebus told Fox News handed out nationwide in Gjorge Ivanov said yes- representing ethnic Albanians to last month’s election to 10, while “We still don’t know what that “he’s not denying entities prisons at Leeuwarden, Zut- Mterday he would ask form a majority government. a new, anti-establishment Alba- data is really being used by in Russia are behind these par- phen, Sittard, Zwaag and at Nikola Gruevski, the veteran Ethnic Albanians make up nian party, Besa, picked up 5 those who present such ticular hackings.” the Schiphol Justice Complex, leader of the conservative VMRO- about a third of the 2.1 million seats. unfounded accusations,” US President Barack the police said in the DPMNE party, to form a new population of the Slav-majority The other two parties are the Peskov said, insisting the Krem- Obama, who has received the satement. government following a parlia- country. Alliance for Albanians, with lin was “categorically denying same briefing, said Sunday that “An investigation... has mentary election last month. On Saturday three of the three seats, and the Democratic any implication” it was respon- he underestimated the impact shown that there are plenty Gruevski, 46, who led the four ethnic Albanian parties rep- Party of Albanians, with two. sible for the alleged hacking. of Russian hacking and that of people, an estimated 800 ex-Yugoslav republic for almost resented in Macedonia’s The latter party did not join Sat- “We are growing rather “this is something that Putin has people, with information a decade and quit a year ago parliament agreed on their con- urday’s agreement. tired of these accusations. It been doing for quite some time about unsolved crimes in The amid a wiretapping scandal, will ditions for joining a VMRO-led In the election, many ethnic is becoming a full-on witch in Europe.” Netherlands,” said Perlot. now have 20 days to win government. These include Albanian voters shifted to the hunt,” Peskov said, echoing The hacking claims pushed “Perpetrators often speak approval for his cabinet in the demanding a change in the con- Social Democrats for the first Trump’s claim ahead of Fri- ties between the US and Russia— about a crime some time after parliament. stitution to make Albanian an time since a 2001 inter-ethnic day’s briefing by spy chiefs already at their lowest since the it had been committed,” he VMRO-DPMNE won 51 of the official language in the country conflict brought Macedonia to that the hacking revelations Cold War due to Ukraine and added. 120 parliamentary seats in the along with Macedonian. the brink of civil war. were a “political witch hunt” Syria—to a new nadir. Cyprus leaders seek deal at talks

Geneva stemming from the 1974 division New UN Secretary-General island to other in and after 1974. Reuters of the Mediterranean island. Antonio Guterres, who was A combination of restitution, The talks between the two expected to attend the confer- compensation and exchange were he leaders of both sides of are scheduled to broaden to ence on Thursday, has described being discussed, the financing is ethically divided Cyprus include other nations with a the talks as an “historic oppor- unclear. IMF and World Bank offi- Thave sought to temper stake - Britain, Greece and Tur- tunity” for a breakthrough. cials in Geneva would be hopes of a swift breakthrough in key - on Thursday. But the issues are difficult. discussing the issue with two sides. unification talks that started yes- Arriving at the UN Nations Power-sharing, redrawing ter- Mediators are keen to capital- terday, initially focusing on how European headquarters in ritorial boundaries, and security ise on momentum of two to handle property disputes Geneva and asked if he was opti- issues in a future reunited home- moderates at helm of their com- stretching back more than 40 mistic, Anastasiades said: “Ask land are key sticking points in munities before domestic election years. me when we are finished.” negotiations that have resulted cycles dislodge the process. Hoping to succeed where Akinci was equally circum- in logjams in the past. The status of some 30,000 others failed, Turkish Cypriot spect, saying: “We are not Property rights were on the Turkish troops stationed in Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci (centre) gestures leader Mustafa Akinci and Greek pessimistic, but I see no need for agenda, a sensitive issue for Cyprus’s north is crucial. The Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasia- exaggerated expectations that thousands of internally displaced Greek side insists they must all between Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva Michael des met in Geneva to tackle everything will just happen. We people who were driven from be pulled out, while the Turkish Moller (left) and Special Adviser of Secretary-General on dozens of disagreements are expecting a difficult week.” their homes on one side of the side says some must remain. Cyprus Espen Barth Eide, upon his arrival in Geneva, yesterday. 14 AMERICAS TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017

Man arrested Rain & flood in US consular official’s threat in US shooting Guadalajara AFP West coast THE suspect in shooting of a US consular official in Mexi- co’s western city of Washington Weather fury Guadalajara is an American AP who will be deported back to At least four deaths his country, officials said s the East Coast have been blamed yesterday. waits to thaw out on the East Coast Hours after authorities from a weekend icy storm, which announced suspect’s arrest, mess, another dropped more than a the attorney general’s office storm is bringing feet of snow in and foreign ministry issued a rainA and the potential of the joint statement saying he southern New worst flooding in more than a would face justice in the England and caused decade to the West coast. United States for the “sordid A man skis under a snowfall in Central Park during a winter storm in New York, yesterday. At least four deaths have schools in North and cowardly” shooting. been blamed on the East Coast Carolina to cancel The official was shot in a storm, which dropped more classes. temperatures in North Carolina area about 25 miles southwest of forecast in the 70s on Friday. brazen attack by a man wear- than a feet of snow in southern ranged from zero in Reidsville Asheville. Cooper said rescuers In the West, forecasters said ing a black wig and a blue New England, caused a former and Roxboro near the Virginia got to the men about two hours flooding from the storm moving nurse uniform outside a governor to fall on his icy drive- a big problem in a place where state line to 29 degrees at Cape later, just in time to save them. onshore and a second predicted shopping center’s garage in way in Mississippi and caused officials depend on usually mild Hatteras. School systems across North bout of heavy rain today could Mexico’s second biggest city. schools in North Carolina to weather to melt away the ice The National Weather Serv- Carolina went ahead early Sun- cause flooding in northern Cali- Officials have not indi- cancel classes yesterday. and snow on less traveled ice had winter weather advisories day and cancelled yesterday's fornia and Nevada similar to cated the possible motive nor Out West, forecasters are routes. One person died in in effect for 75 of North Caroli- classes in part because of icy problems in 2005 and 2006 that reveal the identities of the warning of heavy rains in Montgomery County when a car na’s 100 counties. Driving roads, but also because of bitter sent 5 feet of water into ware- victim or the suspect. northern California and Nevada slid off icy Interstate 73/74 into conditions were dangerous across cold temperatures making it dan- houses in Sparks, Nevada, and The suspect was arrested through the middle of the week a tree yesterday, Governor Roy because of leftover snow and ice gerous for the children without hazardous waste barrels floating by Mexican authorities in along with an ice storm in Cooper said. and cold temperatures. proper clothes to wait for buses away. “close collaboration” with the Oregon. The other three deaths There was one happy ending. and difficult to keep buildings The icy weather also FBI and the US embassy, the In the East, the worst, lin- related to the storm occurred Two hikers missing for more than warm. prompted an increase in emer- joint statement said. gering problems were expected in Virginia, Georgia and Ken- a day in the frigid North Carolina Many schools and govern- gency room visits from falls. In A US government official in North Carolina where up to tucky, and officials said they mountains without food and ment offices were closed Mississippi, a family spokesman said the victim, who was in 10 inches of snow and sleet fell were the result of cars travel- water and only a small fire for yesterday. North Carolina State said 93-year-old former gover- stable condition, was a vice in places Saturday. The deep ling on roads made slick by ice. warmth were rescued from University also cancelled its nor William Winter was expected consul at the consulate in freeze followed. Forecasters Other traffic deaths were being waist-high snow. classes. to recover and was in fair condi- Guadalajara. Mexican author- predict temperatures won’t get investigated to determine if A helicopter using a tool that When the thaw does come tion after suffering a concussion ities said he handled above freezing in much of the weather played a factor. can detect heat found the hikers later in the week, it will be when he fell on the steep, icy interviews of visa state before Tuesday afternoon, Yesterday, low in the Shining Rock Wilderness quick. Highs in the South are driveway of his Jackson home. applicants.

Time runs out Concerned crowd Obama presses Trump for Venezuela to elect new for clean energy Washington better suited to confront the cli- president AP mate challenge and reap the economic benefits of a low-car- Caracas S President Barack bon future than the United AP Obama cast the adoption States,” Obama wrote. Uof clean energy in the US He peppered his article with THE clock ran out yesterday as “irreversible,” putting pres- subtle references to Trump, on the Venezuelan opposi- sure yesterday on noting that the debate about tion’s effort to oust ruling President-elect Donald Trump future climate policy was “very socialist party in a recall vote. not to back away from a core much on display during the cur- The opposition spent 2016 strategy to fight climate change. rent presidential transition.” calling for a referendum Obama, penning an opinion As he prepares to transfer against deeply unpopular Pres- article in journal Science, sought power to Trump, Obama has ident Nicolas Maduro. Courts to frame the argument in a way turned to an unusual format to and electoral officials friendly that might appeal to Trump in make his case to Trump to pre- to administration blocked that economic terms. He said the fact serve his policies: academic campaign at every turn. the cost and polluting power of journals. In the last week, A recall is still legally pos- energy have dropped at the same Obama also published articles sible. But today marks the time proves that fighting climate under his name in the Harvard start of last two years of change and spurring economic Law Review about his efforts Maduro’s term. The constitu- growth aren’t mutually on criminal justice reform and tion says any successful recall Relatives of inmates react in front of Desembargador Raimundo Vidal Pessoa jail in exclusive. in the New England Journal of vote after this date would centre of the Amazonian city of Manaus, Brazil, yesterday. Four inmates were killed in “Despite the policy uncer- Medicine defending his health have Maduro replaced by his the violence in the prison on Sunday. tainty that we face, I remain care law, which Republicans hard-line vice-president convinced that no country is are poised to repeal. rather than prompting a new election an opponent would likely win. The opposition-control- led congress is expected to Cops use rubber bullets to free border rail crossing blockade restart a symbolic political trial of Maduro. Congress adopted new Mexico City —at rock-tossing demonstrators. leadership last week widely AP The government said 11 train- seen as more moderate, but loads with about 1,000 cars of the return to the political trial olice in the Mexican state merchandise headed for the suggests that the opposition of Sonora fought a pitched United States had been backed will continue to follow the Pthree-hour battle to free a up by the protest. same playbook as last year. border rail crossing at Nogales It said the blockade had The opposition briefly that had been blocked by peo- threatened to temporarily shut suspended political trial last ple protesting petroleum price down Ford Motor Co.’s stamp- fall as a gesture of good will increase. ing and assembly plant in as it engaged in Vatican- The Sonora state govern- Hermosillo. mediated talks with the ment said early yesterday that Protests nationwide have government. Those talks fell two police officers were injured continued since the fuel price apart after the opposition said and two protesters were arrested hikes went into effect on Janu- the government was refusing in the confrontation. ary 1. to make real concessions. The demonstrators were In the border state of Baja Socialist Party leaders cel- protesting a recent 20-percent California, the state tourism ebrated yesterday. Former hike in gasoline prices. department acknowledged yes- congress president and Socialst The state government said terday that gas stations there had Party heavyweight Diosdado officers who tried break up the run out of gas due to protest Cabello said the political trial blockade were attacked with blockades of a distribution ter- would make no difference. rocks for about three hours and minal in previous days, but said “The opposition-control- responded by “firing rubber bul- that supplies had now been Demonstrators protest the rise in fuel prices in Guadalajara, yesterday. led congress never tires of its lets into the air.” re-established. foolishness, this time with a Video aired by local media On Saturday, a lone protester Federal police said seven offic- Largely peaceful protests largely subsided. political trial. The truth is showed officers firing shotguns drove his truck into a line of ers were injured in the incident against the fuel price increases The protests have left hun- Maduro will continue as pres- — commonly used to launch police guarding a fuel distribu- in Rosarito, near the border city continued elsewhere in Mexico, dreds of businesses looted and ident,” he wrote on Twitter. bean bags or rubber projectiles tion terminal in Baja California. of Tijuana.. and looting seen last week more than 1,500 detained. TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017 AMERICAS 15 Trump lashes out at screeen legend Streep

New York Streep trashed the incoming AFP War of words president for an infamous cam- Meryl Streep berated paign speech during which he did S President-elect Trump for his divisive a decidedly unflattering impres- Donald Trump yes- rhetoric as she sion of disabled New York Times terday lashed out at reporter Serge Kovaleski. received a lifetime screen legend Meryl “It was that moment when the achievement award at Streep, accusing her person asking to sit in the most Uof being an overrrated “flunky” the Golden Globes in respected seat in our country imi- of Hillary Clinton after the Los Angeles. tated a disabled actress berated him at the Golden reporter—someone he outranked Globes ceremony. in privilege, power and the capac- In what has become an early during her acceptance speech for ity to fight back. It kind of broke morning custom for President- the Cecil B DeMille Award, my heart when I saw it,” she said. elect, Trump took to Twitter to handed out by Hollywood For- “I still can’t get it out of my settle scores with the three-time eign Press Association. head because it wasn’t in a Oscar winner. “You and all of us in this movie. It was real life. And this “Meryl Streep, one of the room, really, belong to the most instinct to humiliate, when it’s most overrated actresses in Hol- vilified segments in American modelled by someone in the lywood, doesn’t know me but society right now. Think about public platform, by someone attacked last night at the Golden it. Hollywood, foreigners and the powerful, it filters down into Globes,” Trump wrote. “She is a press,” she said to her peers with everybody’s life, because it kind Hillary flunky who lost big.” a laugh, referencing Trump’s of gives permission for other Streep berated Trump for his campaign that frequently dispar- people to do the same thing.” FROM LEFT: Michael Evans, President of Alibaba Group; President-elect Donald Trump and divisive rhetoric as she received aged immigrants and what he Trump has denied mocking Jack Ma, Chairman of Alibaba Group; following their meeting at Trump Tower, in New York a lifetime achievement award at called biased media. Kovaleski and again defended City, yesterday. the Golden Globes early yester- The US entertainment indus- himself yesterday against day in Los Angeles. try broadly supported Streep’s accusation. simply showed him ‘groveling’ said in a series of tweets. telephone interview that he had The 67-year-old fought to Democratic Hillary Clinton, with “For the 100th time, I never when he totally changed a 16 “Just more very dishonest not seen Streep’s speech but was control her emotions as she many stars publicly endorsing ‘mocked’ a disabled reporter year old story that he had writ- media!” he added. Trump also “not surprised” to be criticised by received a standing ovation her White House run. (would never do that) but ten to make me look bad,” Trump told the New York Times in a brief “liberal movie people.”

Roof puts up no Honing skills Uber to help get a better defence against death penalty grasp on traffic patterns San Francisco streets and transit systems. Charleston AP The website draws upon AP data Uber gathers from its ride- BER is offering a helping hailing service showing average AFTER four days of testi- hand to some of the travel times on specific routes mony, prosecutors rested Usame city leaders it at any day or time. The San their death penalty case yes- sometimes antagonises with the Francisco company believes terday against convicted aggressive way it runs its pop- that information will enable city Charleston church shooter ular ride-hailing service. officials to make better plan- Dylann Roof, calling more The assistance will come in ning decisions about road than two dozen people dur- the form of a free website, closures and transportation ing the trial’s penalty phase. called “Movement,” expected improvements. Most of the testimony con- to be available to the public in The site won’t be compre- sisted of heartwarming stories mid-February. Uber announced hensive because Uber about each of nine people Roof the new website yesterday , on acknowledges its service hasn’t killed in the 2015 attack at the eve of a transportation- provided enough rides on some Emanuel AME Church. planning conference in routes to give reliable estimates Roof, 22, was convicted Washington. on typical travel times. But it last month on 33 federal Although anyone can use remains confident the service charges, including hate the website, Uber said that it will be a popular tool for city crimes and obstruction of Venezuelan soldiers take part in the Zamora 200 military exercise in La Guaira, Venezuela, believes its main audience planners who currently have to religion. The same jury that yesterday. will be city officials dealing pay for similar data from a vari- found him guilty has been with congestion in their ety of vendors. back in court this month, tasked with deciding if he gets death penalty or life in prison. As he promised earlier in the trial, Roof — who is rep- Airport shooting suspect makes initial court appearance resenting himself — rested his case without calling witnesses or presenting any evidence Fort Lauderdale, Florida Shackled in a red jumpsuit the charges,” the judge said. for January 17, followed by an Anchorage to Fort Lauderdale. on his own behalf. AP in the heavily guarded federal He said he had been in the arraignment for entering a plea The eleven-and-half-hour flight Jennifer Pinckney was the courtroom, Santiago answered Army, where he made about for January 23. has a two-and-half-hour layo- government’s first witness, he Iraq war veteran held mostly yes or no to questions, $15,000 a year. He mentioned More than a dozen officers ver in Minneapolis, one of the testifying about the life of her in the fatal shooting of five and told the judge he under- expenses including $560 in kept watch outside the court- longest itineraries within the US husband, church pastor and Tpeople inside Fort Lauder- stands the charges, which monthly rent, plus phone and house, carrying rifles and He checked a single piece of state Senator Clementa dale’s airport answered include committing violence other utility bills. He said he wearing bulletproof vests. There luggage: a gun box for his Walther Pinckney. She also spoke questions in a clear voice yes- against people at an interna- owns no property and doesn’t were also mounted police and 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and about the harrowing minutes terday as he was appointed tional airport resulting in death, have a vehicle. He said he had K-9 units. two magazines of ammunition, she spent huddled under- public defenders and told he and two firearms offences. worked for a security company, Santiago has been in custody according to FBI. Agents say he neath a desk with her could face the death penalty. She told him the death pen- Signal 88, in Anchorage, Alaska, since Friday’s shooting at Fort retrieved the box in baggage claim youngest daughter as shots Esteban Santiago, 26, alty could apply. “We are telling until November, making $2,100 Lauderdale-Hollywood Interna- and loaded his weapon in a bath- rang out in the next room, appeared before Magistrate Judge you the maximum penalty a month, but currently only had tional Airport. The FBI said room stall before opening fire on unsure if the shooter was Alicia Valle, who ordered him held allowed by law so that you $5 to $10 in the bank. Santiago flew on a one-way fellow passengers, killing five and coming her way. until his next hearings. understand the seriousness of Valle set a detention hearing ticket aboard a Delta flight from wounding six others.

Argentine grandmother Street skating revives tennis dream at 83

Buenos Aires her love of tennis. She started Obarrio trains three times a AFP playing as a girl and was a youth week on a court her family built champion. But the social mores for her at her country estate. na Obarrio de Pereyra of late 1940s Argentina got the “She has the best style of Iraola’s dream of becom- better of her after she met her play of anyone in her category,” Aing a tennis star was put husband when she was 18. said Norma Baylon, an Argen- on hold in 1949 when her hus- Shortly afterwards, she gave tine tennis star from the 1960s. band stopped her playing. up an opportunity to play in a Argentina has about 1,000 For the next 20 years, she major international tournament. competitive players in the sen- concentrated on raising their 10 “My husband didn’t like me iors category—more than most children instead. But now at 83, playing mixed doubles with countries. this Argentine grandmother has men... I didn’t play again after “As players get older, the revived her dream. that,” she recalls. aim is to run less and achieve “I like to compete. I like to “I don’t regret it. I would do greater precision in their shots,” win,” she says, sitting down at the same again. My first joy is my says coach Roberto Alvarez, the Hurlingham sports club in children. Tennis comes next.” director of the Argentine Senior Buenos Aires. She resumed playing with Masters 2016. She spoke after winning the friends in her 40s. Obarrio plays in 1950s-style A girl is pulled by a dog as she skates down a street which is closed off to traffic to allow Argentina Senior Masters in the In her 60s, after her hus- flat-soled white canvas shoes the public to jog, cycle and skate through the Chapinero district of Bogota, Colombia, 80-plus category. band’s death, she started and stylized shorts and t-shirt yesterday. Obarrio’s family indulged competing seriously again. that recall the days of her youth. 16 HOME TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS Citrus Fest-2017 at Lulu FAJR 05.00 am SHOROOK 06.21 am

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WEATHER TODAY

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Lulu Hypermarket Group has welcomed New Year with Citrus Fest-2017 and Super Value Savers Promotion. These promotions have started on January 8 and the Citrus Fest will continue until January 14, whereas Super Value Savers Promotion will continue till January 17. This year, more than 35 varieties of Citrus have been brought in for the festival from around the world. LG Electronics bags over 90 awards at CES

The Peninsula CES, TWICE Picks Awards: Video & TVs, T3 12 Best Gadgets We’ve Seen at CES, Poor visibility expected at places G Electronics (LG) won more than UberGizmo Best of CES, 9to5Toys Best at first and by night. Hazy to misty/ 90awards at CES® 2017, leading of CES, EFTM Best of the Best foggy at places at first and late the way with the coveted, official LG Smart InstaViewRefrigerator: night becomes mild daytime. L Engadget CES Best of the Best Awards, Expert Reviews CES Top Picks: Best HIGH TIDE 03:45 - 14:15 LOW TIDE 10:15 - 20:45 for LG’s revolutionary new LG SIGNA- Home Ap-pliance,Reviewed.com CES Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department TURE W7 OLED 4K TV complemented Editors’ Choice Winners, Consumer by a variety of best-of-show honors for Technology Associa-tion 2017 CES Inno- the W7 and LG Smart InstaView™ refrig- vation Awards: Home Appliances, Stuff erator. In addition to the top accolades Magazine 9 Best Gadgets with Amazon’s from publications all over the world, LG Voice Assistant, TechliciousCES Top was the recipient of21 CES Innovation Picks, TechnoBuffalo Reader’s Choice Awards from the Consumer Technol- Awards, TechRadar’s 2017 CES Awards ogy Association (CTA™) across home Best In-Home Gizmo, Tom’s Guide Best appliance, home entertainment and of CES mobile communications categories. LG Hub Robot:SlashGear: Best of LG unveiled brand new LG SIGNA- CES, WIRED Best of CES, The Verge: Best TURE products at CES 2017, including Robot, the LG SIGNATURE OLED TV W-series The Telegraph Best Tech of the which leads wins with over 20 awards, Week, Stuff Magazine 9 Best Gadgets employing a show stopping, entirely new with Amazon’s Voice Assistant, Chip Picture-on-Wall design. The LG Smart LG Electronics (LG) won more than 90 awards at CES 2017. Chick Best of CES InstaView refrigera-tor followed in LG Gram 14:Consumer Technology award wins, featuring a 29-inch touch Men’s Health Editors’ Choice Awards, of/Editors’ Choice CES Awards, Re- Association 2017 CES Innovation LCD display, Amazon’s Alexa Voice Serv- TechRadar’s 2017 CES Awards: Best in viewed.com CES Editor’s Choice Awards: Com-puter Peripherals, ice and a host of WiFi-enabled Show, The Verge: Best TV, Advertising Winners, SlashGear: Best of CES, Sound Engadget: Best of CES: Best PC Finalist, features. Age Best of CES, BGR Best of CES, CNET & Vi-sion/What Hi-Fi Stars of CES, Stuff MSPoweruser Best Win-dows Devices Awards earned by LG at CES 2017 Best of CES 2017: The Best Thing We Magazine Best TVs of CES 2017, Tech- to Come Out of CES include: Saw, Pocket-Lint: Best TVs of CES,CNN licious CES Top Picks, TechnoBuffalo LG Gram 15.6:Thorrot Best of CES LG SIGNATURE W7 OLED TV: Money Coolest Tech Products at CES, Reader’s Choice Awards, TechRadar’s LG SJ9 Sound Bar:Pocket-Lint Best Engadget Best of CES: Best of theBest, Dealerscope Best of CES, FOX News 10 2017 CES Awards: Best TV, AVS Forum Headphones and Speakers at CES, Engadget Best of CES: Best TV Product, Best Gadgets at CES, PCMag Best of CES: Best New Products of CES 2017, Tom’s TechRa-dar’s2017 CES Awards: Best Expert Reviews CES Top Picks: Best TV, Best Television, Popular Mechanics Best Guide Best of CES, Tweaktown Best of Audio Accessory Katara Hospitality cements its place as global hospitality leader

The Peninsula rebranding of Sealine Beach, a Murwab Resort, Qatar. It also atara Hospitality, the lead- witnessed the launch of two ing hotel owner, hotels in Qatar under the Kdeveloper and operator Murwab Hotel Group: Simaisma, based in Qatar, continued to a Murwab Resort and The Ave- make excellent progress in 2016 nue, a Murwab Hotel as well as across all areas of its the opening of Hotel Park, a new operations. public family-friendly park in The company’s strong per- Qatar. formance builds on the Last year also saw the intro- achievements of the previous duction of Katara Specialties, a year and takes it a step closer contemporary food and bever- towards realising its vision to be age initiative within all of Katara one of the world’s leading hos- Hospitality’s local and interna- pitality organisations. tional hotels in addition to its The Ritz-Carlton Doha Simaisma, a Murwab Resort Among its achievements last partnership with Marriott Inter- year were the opening of Hotel national to support the evolution investment and innovation to investment programme also contribution to the Qatari and at the annual World Travel Royal Savoy Lausanne, a of hospitality education in Qatar. leave an out-standing legacy for leave us well placed for further global luxury hospitality land- Awards ceremony in December. Murwab Hotel in Switzerland “Our Vision is to change the future generations, in line with growth in 2017 and beyond,” he scape, including; “Hospitality Katara Hospitality enters 2017 and the renovation and world of hospitality through Qatar National Vision 2030,” added. Company of the Year” within the with a high-quality portfolio of said Katara Hospitality’s Chair- Hamad Abdulla Al-Mulla, Arabian Business Qatar Awards, luxury assets. It intends to man, Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Chief Executive Officer of Katara “Middle East’s Leading Hospi- expand this through a consid- Bin Jabor Al-Thani. Hospitality said: “We remain tality Development Company” ered and highly strategic “Our achievements in 2016 committed to the further devel- for the third consecutive year at programme of development and demonstrate our commitment opment and expansion of our the World Travel Awards in May, investment in the highest qual- to reach that goal. We have portfolio, and 2016 was an “Remarkable & Exceptional ity hotels in Qatar while growing strengthened our position as a important stage in that pro-cess. Achievement in the Luxury Hos- a collection of iconic hotels in key player of Qatar’s domestic We now turn our attention to pitality Industry” award for the key markets across the globe. hospitality industry; and our 2017 as we expect to complete a second consecutive year by Excellent progress is being made continuing expansion overseas range of initiatives that will take Seven Star Luxury Hospitality & in the renovation of existing is establishing Katara Hospital- us closer to our target of 60 Lifestyle Awards in October. hotels and the creation of new ity as an internationally properties by 2026.” Rounding out 2016, Katara Hos- ones and Katara Hospitality recognised leader in the global Katara Hospitality has pitality was named the “World’s looks forward to announcing the luxury hospitality sector. Our received numerous prestigious Leading Hospitality Company” achievement of further mile- The Peninsula Paris ongoing renovation plans and accolades for its continued for the fourth consecutive year stones throughout the year.