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FRIDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10255 October 28, 2016 Muharram 27, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets Palestinian president Two new In brief fuel stations

QATAR | Mourning Condolences from set to open Prince Bandar, Geagea HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received yesterday telephone calls from Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia and Dr Samir Geagea, this month chairman of the Lebanese Forces party, in which they expressed their HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Al Bahr Palace. The wo new fuel stations, at Old condolences on the death of HH the meeting reviewed bilateral relations between the two fraternal countries and the latest developments in the Palestinian arena. Ghanem and Al Thameed, will Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin In addition, the meeting discussed Qatar’s eff orts to achieve reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas movements in order to Tbe opened this month itself, Wo- Hamad al-Thani. unite the Palestinian front in the face of Israeli actions of aggression as well as achieve the ambitions of the Palestinian people qod CEO Ibrahim Jaham al-Kuwari said in restoring their legitimate national rights. During the meeting, the Palestinian president hailed Qatar’s firm and unwavering yesterday. support for the Palestinian issue and its humanitarian eff orts and relief initiatives for the Palestinian people. He also praised the The fuel station at Hamad Interna- QATAR | Violation constant eff orts of HH the Emir to end the division and achieve the national Palestinian reconciliation. tional Airport (HIA) will open “very MEC shuts beauty soon”, he explained in a statement is- sued to announce Woqod’s third-quar- centre for a month ter results. The Ministry of Economy and In November, three more fuel sta- Commerce (MEC) has closed a tions will start operations. They are beauty centre in New Salata for a located at Mushaireb (on Al Rayyan month over displaying and using Road), Al Mashaf (North of Al Wukair) various expired products. The 900 IS militants killed and Al-Rayyan (Qadeem). MEC stressed it will not tolerate Eight fuel stations at Al Muntazah, land for more fuel stations is underway any violations of the Consumer North Al Wakrah, Madinat Shamal, across the country. Woqod is co-ordi- Protection Law and its regulations, Abu Nakhla (Salwa Road), Wadi Abu nating with the Ministry of Municipal- and will intensify its inspection Saleel, Al Wukair, and ity and Environment to allocate some campaigns to crack down on in battle: US have almost been completed and are 34 suitable locations to set up fuel sta- violations. The MEC has urged all expected to start operations by the tions so that most parts of Qatar are customers to report any violations AFP The off ensive, launched on October sul, we estimate they’ve probably killed year-end. covered. The focus will be on the South to its Consumer Protection and Arbil, 17, is seeing tens of thousands of Iraqi about 800-900 Islamic State fi ghters,” The work on four other fuel sta- Motorway and Express road, Wo- Anti-Commercial Fraud Department fi ghters advancing on Mosul from the Votel said in an interview. tions –Um Ghwalina, Salatah Jadeed, qod said. through the following channels: south, east and north in a bid to retake There are between 3,500 and 5,000 and Jabal Teilib in Lu- Seven more vehicle inspection cen- Hotline: 16001, e-mail: info@mec. he United States said yesterday the last major Iraqi city under IS control. IS militants in Mosul and up to another sail City is progressing fast and these tres will come up at Shehaniyah, Al gov.qa, Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, up to 900 Islamic State group Backed with air and ground support 2,000 in the broader area, according to are expected to be completed in 2017. Khor, Al Wukair, Al Mazrooah, Madi- Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC Tmilitants have been killed in from a US-led coalition, federal forces US estimates. Currently 40 fuel dispensing sta- nat Shamal, Al Wajba and Mesaimeer mobile app for Android and IOS: the off ensive to retake Iraq’s Mosul, as allied with Kurdish peshmerga fi ghters Votel also said he had spoken with tions including the mobile terminals South. These are expected to be com- MEC_Qatar. camps around the city fi lled with fl ee- have taken a string of towns and vil- Iraqi military leaders late Tuesday who were operating in the country, and pleted next year. ing civilians. lages in a cautious but steady advance. told him that as of that time, 57 mem- work was under way on a number of Recently, three vehicle inspection Iraqis who fl ed their homes ex- General Joseph Votel, who heads the bers of the Iraqi security forces had been new projects across Qatar. centres were opened at Wadi Al-Banat, AMERICA | Election pressed joy at escaping IS’s brutal rule US military’s Central Command, said killed and another 255 or so wounded. Woqod said four projects relating to Al Mamoora and Al Wakrah. Michelle Obama hits as they were given shelter and assist- the off ensive was infl icting a heavy toll For the Kurdish regional peshmer- fuel stations are in the “tendering and LPG sales (refi lling and new) during ance, in some cases reuniting with rel- on the militants. ga forces, numbers were lower, with award” stage. These projects – Salata the period (third quarter) grew by 5.7% trail with Clinton atives they had not seen in more than “Just in the operations over the last about 30 killed and between 70 and 100 Qadeema, Khaleej West, Al Kurana and and reached 1.2mn (metallic cylinders) Michelle Obama, surprise star of two years. week and a half associated with Mo- wounded. Page 4 – are expected to be com- and 646,000 (Shafaf cylinders -6 and the 2016 White House campaign, hit pleted next year. 12 Kg). the trail yesterday with Democrat Three projects are in the “design and The total volume of sales of petro- Hillary Clinton as the former and bidding stage.” They will be located at leum products (diesel, gasoline and jet current first ladies fight to conquer Madinat Mawatir, Education City and fuel) has increased by 11.4% during the battleground states before Election Ras Laff an. These projects are expected third quarter of this year and reached Day. Michelle and Hillary joined Qatar, Pakistan review military ties to be completed next year. 2.4mn litres compared to the same pe- forces on the trail for the first time Woqod said the process of allocating riod last year. Business Page 1 to headline a rally at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North QNA Carolina – a key swing state where Islamabad early voting is already under way before the November 8 election. Page 6 akistan’s Prime Minister, Nawaz Qatar National Day Barwa Sharif, met yesterday with HE the PMinister of State for Defence Af- INDIA | Tension fairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, Sports Championship set India, Pakistan to who is currently visiting the country. They reviewed bilateral relations and the expel diplomats means to enhance them, focusing in par- he Barwa Group, in associa- of war final is set for December 18. India and Pakistan yesterday ticular on military co-operation. tion with the Qatar National The cricket and football champions announced they would each expel They also discussed the latest region- TDay Celebrations Associated and runner-up will receive QR5,000 one of the other’s diplomats amid al and international developments. HE Activities Organising Committee, will and QR3,000, respectively, while vol- growing tension between the two al-Attiyah also held separate meetings hold sports competitions at the Barwa leyball and basketball champions will countries over the disputed region with Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Kha- Workers Recreation Complex in Al be awarded QR3,000 and the runner- of Kashmir. India said it would expel waja Muhammad Asif; Chief of Staff of Khor for communities up QR2,000. The tug-of-war winning a Pakistani diplomat who allegedly Pakistani Army General Raheel Sharif; and companies. team will receive QR1,500 and the run- ran a spy ring that collected sensitive Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff The Qatar National Day Barwa ner-up QR1,000. information about Indian security Committee of Pakistan Rashad Mah- Sports Championship will include Only 32 teams will be allowed for operations along its border. Pakistan mood and Minister of Defence Produc- cricket, football, volleyball, basket- cricket and soccer and 16 teams for declared an Indian diplomat, Surjeet tion Rana Tanveer Hussain. ball, and tug of war competitions volleyball and basketball. Registra- Singh, persona non grata and given The meetings dealt with bilateral every Friday evening until December tion may be done by sending e-mail him 48 hours to leave the country. relations, particularly in the military HE the Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah with 16. The semi-final and finals will be to [email protected] before No- Page 11 fi eld, and the means to enhance them. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, in Islamabad yesterday. held on December 17-18 while the tug vember 1.

Some 4.5mn cheques worth QR345.6bn processed in 2015: QCB

By Pratap John QR250,000) category comprised 96.5% ing system processes cheques above ous year; in value terms, the increase SWIFT transactions remained active clearing and settlement systems to Chief Business Reporter of total cheques processed, in value QR250,000 on a real-time basis, was only around 14%. across the months, refl ective of robust settle transactions smoothly and with terms, it accounted for 26.8% of the whereas cheques below QR250,000 are In contrast to SWIFT transactions, interbank market activity as compared finality. total. processed on a net basis by the end of the increase in the number of cheque to cheque transactions. Towards this goal of developing a ome 4.5mn cheques valued at Cheques above QR1mn made up the clearing day. transactions was around 26.5%, but the The volume of SWIFT transactions sound “Financial market infrastruc- QR345.6bn were processed in 58.2% of the total value of cheques, al- The real-time gross settlement value of cheque transactions increased on a daily average basis was almost ture”, QCB has been consistently bring- SQatar last year, Qatar Central though their volume was only 1% of the system (RTGS) processed on an av- by 23%. double that of cheque transactions, ing about signifi cant improvements Bank (QCB) data show. total number processed. erage around 1,320 SWIFT transac- The analysis of the volume and whereas in value terms, SWIFT trans- in the fi nancial infrastructure of the During 2015, the total volume of “From this viewpoint, it was im- tions and some 635 high value (above value of transactions through various actions were nearly 13 times that of the country. cheques processed showed an increase perative for the banks to maintain ade- QR250,000) cheque transactions on a modes illustrates that transactions cheque transactions. The payment and settlement system of 3.71%, while the value of cheques quate clearing account liquidity for the daily basis last year. via electronic means took precedence Qatar Central Bank said it strives has been modernised, the governance processed increased by 3.54%, QCB smooth processing of the high-value In case of Society for Worldwide over the medium of cheques in the to provide “safe, reliable and fast” system streamlined, the liquidity infra- said in its latest Financial Stability Re- cheques without causing any delays/ Interbank Financial Telecommunica- past year. electronic solutions for making a structure upgraded and the regulatory view. gridlock to the payment and settlement tion (SWIFT) transactions, while the Further analysis of month-wise wide range of business and personal infrastructure strengthened to meet Even though the number of cheques system,” QCB said. number of transactions grew by nearly volume and value of transactions via payments supported by flexible and the demands of a modern market econ- in the low denomination (below According to QCB, the cheque clear- 34% in 2015 as compared to the previ- SWIFT and cheques suggests that cost-effective means for payment omy, QCB noted. Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 28, 2016 QATAR

Anti-doping lab Envoys present credentials PM meets ALO official board revamped

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued Emiri Decision No 48 of 2016 re-forming the Board of Trustees of the Anti-Doping Laboratory. The Emiri decision stipulates that the Council shall be re-formed as follows: 1. Dr Mohamed Ghanem al-Ali Maadheed, President 2. Dr Hamad Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, Vice-president 3. Dr Makoto Youeqi, Member 4. Dr Jordi Segura, Member 5. Dr Mohamed Saleh Guenbaz, Member 6. Dr Mariam Ali Sultan Ali Maadheed, Member HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met 7. Dr Talal Mubarak Abdullah al- a senior Arab Labour Organisation (ALO) off icial who is currently visiting Qatar to participate in the Sabah, Member. meetings of the 85th Session of ALO’s board of management, which began in Doha yesterday. Talks The Emiri Decision also stipulates dealt with areas of co-operation between Qatar and the Arab Labour Organisation. HE the Prime that the membership of the Minister and Minister of Interior wished success for the ALO’s meetings. Council shall be for four years, renewable for a similar period.

HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi received copies of the Emir issues credentials of ambassadors of Uruguay and Singapore to Qatar, Jorge Antonio Sere Sturzeneg- decree ger and Jai Sohan Singh, respectively, in Doha yesterday. The Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs wished the two ambassadors success in their mission, assuring them support to upgrade the relations between Qatar and their countries. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim Labour Minister elected bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued the Decree No 42 of 2016 ratifying a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Chairman of ALO board the field of higher education, research, vocational education and vocational training between QNA Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa velopment and its national role at the governments of Qatar and Doha bin Hamad al-Thani. the Arab and international levels. Australia signed in Doha on The 85th session is to discuss He pointed out that the meet- 25/01/2016. several important issues, includ- ing is taking place under ex- he 85th session of the ing the rising unemployment in tremely complicated circum- Instruments Arab Labour Organisa- the Arab world and the proposed stances, where unemployment of ratification Ttion (ALO), which began solutions, fi nding mechanisms rates continued to rise steadily in its meetings in Doha yesterday, to support micro and small and most Arab countries. has elected HE the Minister of medium-sized enterprises, pro- He stressed the need to pro- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Administrative Development, moting the contribution of the vide the private sector with a Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued Labour and Social Aff airs Dr private sector in supporting the conducive working environment the following instruments of Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, as work of the ALO, in addition to to ensure that it becomes an ac- ratification: chairman of the ALO board of reviewing a report on the situa- tive partner in achieving the 1. Approving a draft agreement directors. tion of labourers and the people desired balanced development, on co-operation and mutual Sheikh Osman Mustafa, of Palestine in the occupied Arab underling the importance of assistance in customs matters who is a board member, has territories, among others. activating the role of entrepre- between the governments of been elected as vice-chairman In his opening speech, HE the neurship and small and medium Qatar and India signed in Doha representing employers, and Minister of Administrative De- enterprises and improving voca- on 5/6/2016. Jebali Maraghi, the president velopment, Labour and Social tional training. 2. Approving a draft of Egypt’s federation of labour Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al- He also reiterated the ALO’s Memorandum of Understanding unions, as vice-chairman repre- Nuaimi, the ALO Chairman, ap- full support for the Palestinian (MoU) for co-operation in the senting labourers. preciated the precious trust given people in the face of the inhu- field of health between the The meeting’s participants to him by members of the ALO mane practices of Israel, point- governments of Qatar and India extended their condolences to board and valued their role and ing out that the meeting will dis- signed in Doha on 05/06/2016. Qatar on the death of HH the eff orts in the organisation’s de- cuss this important issue. 3. Approving a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for co-operation in the field of skills development and recognition of qualifications between the governments of Pakistan embassy observes Qatar and India signed in Doha on 05/06/2016. ‘Kashmir Black Day’ Emir approves Cabinet decision

By Umer Nangiana and Zahid Awan high- Staff Reporter lighted that Kashmir was HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim one of the most important bin Hamad al-Thani approved issues of the era, a fl ash- yesterday the Cabinet’s decision he Pakistan em- point for a bigger disaster. No 29 of 2016 on forming the bassy yesterday “The international permanent committee for Tobserved ‘Kashmir community should pay industrial area aff airs. Black Day’ at a programme immediate attention to the attended by a large issue and work towards its New ambassadors number of community resolution,” said Khan. members including people Pakistan ambassador Anwar said ‘the Kash- appointed of Kashmiri origin. Shahzad Ahmad miri people’s struggle for Ambassador Shahzad addressing the gathering. their right to self-deter- HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ahmad asserted that ‘Pa- mination would bear fruit Hamad al-Thani issued yesterday kistan will continue to kistan issued on the occa- and it could not be denied.’ the Emir Decree No 46 of 2016 support people of Jammu sion of Kashmir Black Day. “The international com- appointing Saad Nasser Abdullah and Kashmir politically Prime Minister Nawaz munity should play its due al-Humaidi as ambassador to and diplomatically.’ Sharif was quoted as saying role in getting the people of Tunisia. He also issued the Emiri “We urge the internation- that the ‘implementation of Kashmir their right to self- Decree No 47 of 2016 appointing al community, especially the the UN resolution was the determination,” he added. Abdullah Nasser Abdullah United Nations, to resolve only plausible, peaceful, log- A short documentary al-Humaidi as ambassador to the issue in accordance with ical and conceivable solution on the alleged atrocities Romania. its resolutions,” he said. to the Kashmir dispute.’ being committed by the The envoy also read out A number of speakers, Indian Armed Forces in Emir issues the messages of president including Mohamed Khan, the disputed province was and prime minister of Pa- Rana Mohamed Anwar also screened. two laws

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued yesterday Law No.11 of 2016 on State Audit Bureau. He also issued Law No.12 of 2016 on the Off icial Gazette. Emiri decree on Advisory Council

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued the Decree No 41 of 2016 inviting the Advisory (Shura) Council to hold its 45th Ordinary Session on Tuesday 1st of Safar 1438 corresponding to the November A view of the gathering at the event. 1, 2016.

Poor visibility due to fog; motorists cautioned

oor visibility is ex- day along with some clouds. to exercise caution in view reached a high of 35C in the pected at some places Hazy to misty conditions of the prevailing conditions. Qatar University area and Pin the early hours to- are also expected in some On its part, the Ministry of 34C in the Doha airport day, the Qatar Met depart- off shore areas at fi rst along Interior, too, urged motorists area. The minimum tem- ment has said. with clouds. to be cautious while driving in perature, on the other hand, Visibility may drop to Thick fog with poor vis- the morning as mist and thick was 20C in Ghuwairiyah. 2km or less during this peri- ibility was reported from fog had been reported from Today, the maximum od, according to the weather a number of places early diff erent parts of the country. temperature is expected to report. yesterday morning. These Meanwhile, a maximum be 35C in Wakrah and Me- The detailed forecast for included Abu Samra, Al temperature of 37C was re- saieed, and 34C in Doha, inshore areas today says Ghuwairiyah, Al Karana, corded in Jumayliyah yes- while the minimum will be hazy to misty/foggy con- Al Sheehaniya, Al Ruwais terday, followed by 36C in 22C in Al Khor, Dukhan and ditions are likely in some and Dukhan, according to Al Sheehaniya, Batna, Al Abu Samra. The minimum places at fi rst, followed by a tweet by the Met depart- Khor and other places. In temperature will be relative- mild conditions during the ment, which advised people the capital, mercury level ly higher in Doha at 26C. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Safe, for now! US blocks 4 Iran arms shipments to Yemen AFP UN plan seems to sideline Hadi Dubai A UN peace proposal to end a 19-month war in Yemen appears aimed at sidelining exiled Presi- arships from the US Navy and allied na- dent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and setting up a tions have intercepted four weapons government of less divisive figures, according to a Wshipments from Iran to war-ravaged copy seen by Reuters. Yemen since April 2015, a US admiral said yesterday. Hadi fled the armed advance of the Iranian-al- Some of the children among 50 Syrians, living in the rebel-held side of Aleppo, entering a government-controlled area as part of a ceasefire. Yemen has been rocked by confl ict since Iran- lied Houthi movement in March 2015 and has been backed Houthi rebels overran the capital Sanaa a guest of neighbouring Saudi Arabia ever since. and other large parts of the country in 2014, A UN Security Council resolution a month later prompting military intervention by a Saudi-led recognised him as the legitimate head of state and coalition in March last year in support of the in- called on the Houthis to disarm and quit Yemen’s ternationally recognised government. main cities. “Either US ships or coalition ships...intercept- But the Houthis and their allies in Yemen’s army ed four weapons shipments from Iran to Yemen,” have said he will never return, accusing him and Lekhwiya participates in said US Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan. his powerful vice president, Ali Mushin al-Ahmar, “We know they came from Iran and we know of corruption. the destination,” he told reporters at an undis- The latest peace plan submitted by UN envoy closed military base in Southwest Asia. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed suggests Ahmar would Donegal said the shipments contained thou- step down and Hadi would agree to become little Gulf Security 1 exercise sands of AK-47 assault rifl es, anti-tank missiles, more than a figurehead after a Houthi withdrawal sniper rifl es and “other pieces of other equip- from the capital Sanaa. ment, higher-end weapons systems”. It was not immediately clear if the men had QNA al-Ghanem said that the aim of the exercise tion and cooperation to cope with crises and Naval offi cials were able to determine the des- been consulted on the plan. Doha is to enhance the effi ciency of security bod- emergency situations. tination of the boats’ by analysing GPS settings But their supporters have in the past insisted ies in GCC member states and increase their The implementation of the exercise is within and interviewing the crew. that past agreements recognising Hadi as leader ability to combat terrorist acts, in addition the security agreement between GCC coun- One of the shipments had been validated by the must be respected. he Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) to enhancing the exchange of experiences in tries, he said, pointing out that the exercise will United Nations as being an illegal weapons ship- “As part of the signing of a complete and com- is participating in the Gulf Security 1 security fi elds, especially in the fi ght against contribute to increasing the ability to make ap- ment, said Donegal. prehensive agreement, the current vice president Tmilitary exercise for security bodies terrorism. propriate decisions in emergency situations His comments come after the US military’s will resign and President Hadi will appoint a new of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), that The Lekhwiya spokesman added that the where the security teams will conduct fi eld Central Command chief General Joseph Votel said vice president,” the document says. got underway in Bahrain and will continue for exercise will raise the level of security readi- trainings to deal with any possible terrorist last week Iran may have played a role in suspect- “After the completion of the withdrawal from three weeks. ness between the GCC interior ministries by threat facing the region and raise the effi ciency ed Houthi missile attacks this month against US Sanaa and the handing over of heavy and medium Lekhwiya spokesman Abdullah Sultan promoting and raising the level of coordina- of the security services in addressing them. warships in the Red Sea. weapons (including ballistic missiles) Hadi will “We believe that Iran is connected to this in transfer all his powers to a vice president, and the some way,” Donegan said. vice president will appoint a new prime minister... Given the heavy volume of traffi c around the (who will form) a national unity government,” it Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf, the three-star added. admiral said “plenty” of other shipments would The proposal would technically confirm Hadi in Dubai deports Briton for breaking charity rules have gone through to Yemen. off ice, as stipulated by the UN resolution, but leave The arms seizures came after Iran in April 2015 him in reality with only a symbolic role. tried to send a convoy of seven ships, guarded by Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr AFP closed, had been acquitted by a tained benefi ts from individuals from a liver condition, it said. two Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels, said that the government had not received a draft Dubai lower court in June of the charge who were passionate about vol- Last month, prosecutors to Yemen. of the peace proposal from the United Nations, of promoting a charity without unteer work”, after she was re- dropped charges against a Brit- Donegan said these were fi lled with coastal- according to state news agency Sabanew. a licence and making fi nancial ported to police by the emirate’s ish-Australian man who used so- defence cruise missiles, explosives and other There was no immediate comment from the ubai’s appeal court has gains through it, The National Department of Islamic Aff airs cial media to highlight the work weapons. United Nations, or from Saudi Arabia. fi ned a British woman and said. and Charitable Activities, the of an Afghan refugee charity. The Houthi rebels are believed to be behind Dordered her deportation But after prosecutors ap- paper said. Dubai and other emirates of this month’s attacks in which surface-to-surface for violating the emirate’s strict pealed, the higher court fi ned her The defendant had used a false the United Arab Emirates have missiles were fi red at the USS Mason on at least The Mason and two other warships were likely rules on charity fundraising, a lo- 5,000 dirhams ($1,362) and or- name and launched a website introduced strict controls on two occasions. In response, US cruise missiles on targeted in a third missile attack on October 15, cal daily reported yesterday. dered her deportation. and a Facebook page on which charity work for fear that raised October 13 struck Houthi radar sites believed to but offi cials have not conclusively confi rmed The 41-year-old executive, The prosecution charged the she asked for donations to treat funds could end up in the coff ers have been used to target the weapons. what the threat was or where it was coming from. whose identity was not dis- woman had “fraudulently ob- two young brothers suff ering of extremists.

US off icial calls for vigilance against Tunisia denies providing base for US drones IS refinancing igilance must be main- AFP tained against the Islamic Tunis VState group’s ability to fi - nance itself even as it loses terri- tory in Iraq, a senior US treasury unisia yesterday denied a US offi cial said in Riyadh yesterday. news report it has allowed Wash- “It has the ability to, with Tington to operate unmanned relatively small amounts of fi - planes from its territory for missions in nancial resources, to rebuild ca- neighbouring Libya against the Islamic pability,” said the offi cial, who State group. sought anonymity to speak more “As part of Tunisian-US bilateral co- freely during a meeting with for- operation, we have acquired drones to eign reporters. train our military personnel to use this Tens of thousands of Iraqi technology and to control out south- fi ghters are advancing on the city eastern border with Libya and detect of Mosul, the last major city un- any suspicious movement” there, a de- der control of the extremists in fence ministry spokesman said. that country. But “Tunisian soil has never been and If Mosul falls, Syria’s Raqa never will be used to strike targets in Lib- will be the only signifi cant city ya. The drones are used by Tunisians and in either Syria or Iraq under IS no one else,” Belhassen Oueslati said. control, the vestige of a cross- The Washington Post on Wednesday border “caliphate” the jihadists reported that the Pentagon had “se- declared after seizing large parts cretly expanded its global network of of both countries in mid-2014. drone bases to North Africa, deploying IS, which inspired attacks unmanned aircraft and US military per- around the world and whose sonnel to a facility in Tunisia to conduct atrocities included the behead- spy missions in neighbouring Libya”. ing of foreign hostages and en- The “drones began fl ying out of the slaving Yazidi women, derived Tunisian base in late June” and “played illicit proceeds from its occupied a key role in an extended US air off en- territory. sive against an Islamic State strong- A report last year by the inter- hold” in Libya, the newspaper said. governmental Financial Action Since August 1, the United States Task Force said those sources has carried out 351 air strikes in Libya included bank looting and extor- in support of loyalist forces fi ghting to tion, control of oil fi elds and re- retake the coastal city of Sirte from IS, fi neries, robbery of economic as- US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said sets, and kidnapping for ransom. yesterday. “Our sense is that we have Tunisia’s Defence Minister Farhat made considerable progress lim- Horchani told the Mosaique FM radio A member of Libyan forces allied with the UN-backed government fires a weapon on a pickup truck during a battle with Islamic State militants in Giza Bahreya, in Sirte. iting ISIL’s access to multiple station yesterday: “We were one of the forms of ongoing fi nancial sup- few fi rst countries to oppose a foreign Tunisia but said: “There are no US bases forms,” Colonel Mark R Cheadle said. assistance”. Tunisia has suff ered from a and a beach resort that killed a total of port,” the offi cial said, using an- military intervention in Libya.” in Tunisia.” “There are US service mem- Tunisia “requested additional mili- wave of jihadist violence since the 2011 59 foreign tourists. other acronym for IS. “We don’t — and won’t — have a for- bers working with the Tunisian security tary equipment and training from revolt that ousted longtime dictator In March, dozens of extremists at- But he added “we are very con- eign military base in Tunisia,” he said. forces for counter terrorism and they Washington after deadly militant at- Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. tacked security installations in the town scious of the fact that it’s a very An AFRICOM spokesman did not are sharing intelligence from various tacks last year in Tunisia and the US has IS claimed brazen attacks last year on of Ben Guerdane on the border with resilient organisation and a crea- deny that US drones had taken off from sources, to include unarmed aerial plat- provided more than $250mn in security the National Bardo Museum in Tunis Libya. tive one that fi nds new pathways”. Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 28, 2016 ARAB WORLD

Libya Coast Yazidi survivors awarded Guard gets EU training

AFP top European rights prize Brussels

AFP he European Union has be- Strasbourg gun training the Libyan coast Tguard as part of eff orts to curb the growing infl ux of irregular mi- wo Yazidi women who survived a grants from North Africa, EU foreign nightmare ordeal of kidnapping, aff airs head Federica Mogherini said Trape and slavery at the hands of yesterday. Islamic State extremists yesterday won “Today we are starting the train- the European Parliament’s prestigious ing of the Libyan coast guard in Sakharov human rights prize. Operation Sophia which is a very Nadia Murad and Lamia Haji Bashar important step,” Mogherini said as have become fi gureheads for the ef- she arrived for a meeting with Nato fort to protect the , followers defence ministers in Brussels. of an ancient religion with more than “I think co-operation also in that half a million believers concentrated in respect with Nato would be im- northern Iraq. portant and we welcome that very “They have a painful and tragic sto- much,” she said. ry” but “they felt compelled to survive The EU and Nato have been dis- to bear witness,” European Parliament cussing increased overall coopera- chief Martin Schulz told the assembly tion in the face of new security chal- in Strasbourg. lenges, such as in Ukraine and Syria. “The courage of these two women, “We are together here because a the dignity they represent defi es all de- stronger Europe means a stronger scription.” Nato,” alliance head Jens Stoltenberg Murad hailed the prize as a “pro- said in opening remarks. found message to the ISIS terrorist Stoltenberg said Nato had just group that their criminal inhumanity is launched its own Operation Sea condemned and their victims are hon- Guardian in the Mediterranean to oured by the free world”. help support Operation Sophia. In a statement she said the award “Today we will discuss how to told “our people and particularly to deepen Nato-EU co-operation and the more than 6,700 women, girls, and partnership further... children who became victims of slav- including in areas of countering ery and human traffi cking under ISIS, hybrid threats, cyber defence, exer- that the genocide will not be repeated”. cises,” he added. According to UN experts, around The EU launched Operation 3,200 Yazidis are currently being held Sophia last year after hundreds of by IS, the majority of them in war-rav- migrants died when their rickety aged Syria. boats sank off southern Italy, spark- Bestowed annually, the award is ing popular outrage at their plight. named after the dissident Soviet scien- The central Mediterranean route tist Andrei Sakharov, who died in 1989, has seen more migrants risk their and honours individuals who combat lives in recent months after the EU intolerance, fanaticism and oppres- reached an accord with Turkey in sion, often falling foul of their govern- March to halt an infl ux of more than ments as a result. a million refugees who crossed the The prize, worth 50,000 euros Aegean Sea to reach Europe last ($55,000), will be presented at a cer- year. emony on December 14 in Strasbourg. A separate Nato mission in the Murad, a slight, softly spoken young Aegean will meanwhile continue, at woman, was taken by IS from her home least until the end of the year, Ger- village of Kocho near Iraq’s north- man Defence Minister Ursula Von ern town of in August 2014 and der Leyen said. brought to the city of Mosul. Diplomatic sources said the fu- As a captive of the reviled extrem- ture of this operation was uncertain ist group, Murad, now 23, said she was given that key ally Turkey was un- tortured and raped. happy at seeing Nato in waters so Bashar, who was just 16 when she close to home and which are in some was taken and is also from Kocho, A June 21, 2016, file photo of Nadia Murad testifying during the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Aff airs Committee hearing in Washington, DC. cases disputed with traditional rival witnessed family and friends being Greece. slaughtered by IS militants before be- stepped on a landmine following their eff ort to exterminate an entire commu- the German-Iraqi aid group Air Bridge Dinnayi, who has been looking after Operation Sophia is restricted to ing enslaved and sold. fl ight from the hospital director. nity – crimes that amount to genocide. Iraq: “I am so happy about the prize Bashar since her arrival in in international waters in the Mediter- After 20 months in captivity she es- The 2014 massacre perpetrated In speeches and interviews, Murad because I won it in the name of the April, translated the message into Ger- ranean so the engagement with the caped but then fell into the hands of an against the Yazidis by IS fi ghters in has voiced deep frustration with the Yazidi victims. man. UN-backed administration in Libya Iraqi hospital director who also abused Sinjar forced tens of thousands to fl ee international community for aban- “It is important that the world does Past winners include Pakistani edu- represents an important step. and raped her and several other victims. and left an already vulnerable commu- doning her people in the hands of gro- not forget the women and children im- cation campaigner Malala Yousafzai, Sophia currently comprises fi ve In a fi nal tragedy, Bashar suff ered nity under perilous threat. tesquely violent criminals. prisoned by IS and that such crimes are late South African rights icon Nelson vessels and three helicopters charged horrifi c burns to her face and lost UN investigators have said the IS as- Bashar said in a voicemail message not perpetrated against anyone,” she Mandela and Myanmar activist Aung with intercepting smugglers’ boats her right eye when one of her friends sault on the Yazidis was a premeditated left with Mirza Dinnayi, founder of said in Kurdish. San Suu Kyi. and destroying them. Villagers forced to walk to Mosul as IS human shields

Reuters Baghdad

slamic State fi ghters forced women, children and the eld- Ierly to walk alongside them for days as human shields to cov- er their retreat to Mosul, separat- ing out older boys and fi ghting- aged men along the way for an unknown fate, villagers said. Reuters spoke to a woman and an elderly man inside the Islamic State-held city, who were part of group of families forced to leave the villages of Safi ya and Elleza- ga, about 30km and 50km to the south. Children and the elderly were released when they arrived in Mosul on Tuesday and told to stay with relatives, they said, speaking by phone from one of the few places where there is still mobile coverage, on the city’s edges. A resident of Mosul, Rayyan, said he saw the families when they arrived in the city, “their bare feet bleeding and covered with dust as if coming from un- der the rubble.” “We cried when we saw them,” he said. Reuters could not independ- ently verify the villagers’ ac- counts, but they echoed reports from advancing Iraqi forces that Children welcome Kurdish Peshmerga fighters after peshmerga recaptured Fadiliya village in Nawaran, north of Mosul, from Islamic State militants. Islamic State fi ghters have been taking civilians with them as they Daesh, ISIS or ISIL, has a history They haven’t been heard of and made us walk to Mosul. cars in their retreat, fearing air As many as 1.5mn people are people around Mosul in the last pull back towards the city. of seeking protection by holding since, their relatives said. “One of them was shouting: strikes. still believed to be trapped inside week. Mosul is by far the largest city civilian hostages in other cities “The members of Daesh called ‘Quick, quick, otherwise the He walked with his daughters Mosul, and the United Nations Colville said security forces Islamic State fi ghters have ever its fi ghters have defended. on the population of the village unbelievers will kill your chil- and his grandchildren from Ella- fears for a humanitarian disaster, discovered the bodies of 70 civil- held and now the group’s last For the men, the walk ended in to gather in the school from the dren and rape your women’,” she zaga, sleeping two days in the forecasting up to 1mn could be ians a week ago in houses in Tu- stronghold in Iraq. Hammam al-Alil, a town about mosque’s loudspeakers,” said the said. “Another was repeatedly open. uprooted and thousands of oth- loul Naser village, further south The ground off ensive, now 11 15km south of Mosul where Iraqi woman, who gave her name as warning that anyone caught The militants took away one of ers held in peril by the militants. from Hammam al-Alil. days old, is expected to be the offi cials say Islamic State is kill- Fatima. making a phone call would be his sons. UN human rights spokesman Islamic State also reportedly biggest battle in Iraq since the ing former members of the police “Then they separated the shot dead.” “We know nothing about him, Rupert Colville said earlier in the killed 50 former police offi c- US-led invasion in 2003. and army who had lived in areas women, the elderly and the Abu Ahmed, in his early six- he said, and we’re worried that he week that Islamic State fi ghters ers outside Mosul on Sunday, he Islamic State, also known as under its control. boys over 14 from the families, ties, said the militants didn’t use could have been executed.” had reportedly killed scores of said. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 5 AFRICA Gordhan declines to comment on ANC backing

Reuters outlining measures to help kick- Asked whether he was con- tion that’s supporting him is not is putting the country on the Wednesday that the economy run-up to the 2019 elections. Cape Town start an economy that he forecast fi dent he had political backing, winning,” NKC Africa Econom- right footing,” Gordhan said. “If was suff ering infrastructure In the budget, Gordhan urged would barely grow this year. Gordhan said: “I’m not trying to ics analyst Gary van Staden said. we build confi dence to the point bottlenecks, volatile labour re- public servants to work with in- Gordhan is accused of fraudu- duck, but I’m not going to answer “If you’re asked if you have sup- where we get investment going lations, regulatory constraints tegrity, honesty and accountabil- outh African Finance Min- lently approving, in a previous it.” port and you say I’m not answer- ... everybody including ratings and red tape, ineffi ciencies in ity, a plea that his deputy Mcebisi ister Pravin Gordhan de- post as head of the revenue serv- The ructions in government ing that question, obviously he agencies will believe that we as state-owned enterprises and un- Jonas said referred to rampant Sclined yesterday to say ice, early retirement for a deputy have weakened the rand and thinks he doesn’t.” a government are doing the right certainties in the policy environ- corruption in state departments. whether he was confi dent of the tax commissioner and re-hiring bonds in an economy struggling Gordhan, who on Wednesday thing.” ment. “Corruption is real, it’s palpa- ruling party’s support, less than him as a consultant, costing the to create jobs. slashed growth forecasts for the Moody’s, Fitch and S&P, who Moody’s senior analyst Zuzana ble, you can feel it, and you can a week before he appears in court tax agency 1.1mn rand ($79,000). Some analysts say that Presi- next three years and predicted are due to review the credit rating Brixiova however said yesterday see it in most agencies,” Jonas told to answer fraud charges in a saga He has denied any wrongdo- dent Jacob Zuma’s allies are driv- wider budget defi cits than previ- of Africa’s most industrialised that South Africa would continue the post-budget briefi ng also at- that has rocked the government. ing, saying that the case is po- ing the investigation in a bid to ously expected, said he was not country in November and De- to be challenged by slow progress tended by Gordhan. “That’s why Speaking a day after present- litically motivated, a sentiment oust Gordhan, something the preoccupied with whether he had cember, have warned of down- and uncertainty around struc- sometimes Treasury gets the fl ak. ing his mid-term budget to par- echoed by opposition parties, president denied. done enough to stave off credit grades if growth remains weak tural reforms meant to support The public fi nance management liament, Gordhan said he had business leaders and some sen- “He (Gordhan) is well aware rating downgrades. and Pretoria’s commitment to growth. act requires that we intervene in tried not to let his November 2 ior African National Congress that while he does have some “Our preoccupation is not rat- fi scal prudence is in doubt. She also warned that spending institutions and try and correct court case distract him while (ANC) party fi gures. support inside the ANC, the fac- ing agencies. Our preoccupation Gordhan told parliament on pressures were likely to rise in the some of the problems.”

IS-linked group abandons Nigeria launches $10bn Somalia port town plan for peace in Delta AFP Reuters the petroleum industry, Kachik- of Nigeria’s oil is pumped. the next week or two. One area of investment would Mogadishu Abuja/Lagos wu described bringing the in- The seven-part strategy also While the government has be in improving outdated re- surgency to an end as the fi rst envisages passing a long-de- emphasised diversifying the fi neries to stop costly fuel im- goal of a seven-point plan. layed Petroleum Industry Bill by economy, Buhari said yesterday ports, he said. “We are going to breakaway group of igeria launched a $10bn “Our target is to ensure zero December. that it would be impossible to be licencing private refi neries, to around 50 Somali mili- infrastructure pro- militancy in the area,” he said. The bill, which covers every- move forward without the oil look at investing in private refi n- Atants who declared loy- Ngramme yesterday in its “This planned meeting shows thing from an overhaul of state industry. eries.” alty to the Islamic State (IS) restive Delta region as part of a the level of interest the president oil company NNPC to taxes on “Oil and gas resources still Kachikwu said Nigeria’s oil militants abandoned a small port plan to end an insurgency that has to ensure peace in the area.” upstream projects, was delayed remain the most immediate and output stood at 1.8mn barrels a town yesterday, a day after occu- has hobbled oil production. The $10bn investment is “not by violence in the Delta, which practical keys out of our present day (bpd), compared with the pying it, residents and an offi cial President Muhammadu Bu- necessarily” going to come from at one point cut production to economic crisis,” Buhari said, 1.9mn bpd that the petroleum said. hari will meet representatives of the federal government, but 30-year lows. and the plan for the industry is ministry announced earlier this “The militants left town early militant groups and community rather from “oil companies, in- The fi rst part of the bill is al- “a national imperative and a core week. this morning but they are not far leaders from the Niger Delta in vestors, individuals”, he said. ready pending in the senate, and thrust of our economic policy”. Still, he added that the gov- away,” said Abdiweli Adan, an Abuja next week in a bid to end Militants fi ghting for a great- Kachikwu said the second part, To drum up fi nancing and oil ernment hoped to get back to elder in a town close to Qandala the attacks, Oil Minister Em- er share of the Opec member’s which deals with fi scal aspects investments, Nigeria will hold a 2.2mn bpd next year – the level which the IS-linked group occu- manuel Ibe Kachikwu said. wealth complain of poverty and of the petroleum industry, is roadshow in the Gulf in January seen at the start of 2016. Kachikwu: Our target is to pied on Wednesday. Speaking to a forum in Abuja a lack of development across the “almost completed” and will be and in the United States by mid- “We have a capacity to pro- ensure zero militancy in the He said the group’s black fl ag aimed at outlining strategy for Niger Delta region, where most presented to the oil industry in 2017, Kachikwu told reporters. duce 3mn,” he said. area. still fl ew over government build- ings in the small seaside town on the Gulf of Aden coast of Punt- African group urges leaders to stick with ICC land, a semi-autonomous state in northern Somalia. A group of African legal and rights experts have called on Burundi, South “Some fi shermen saw them Africa and Gambia to reconsider their plans to withdraw from the Inter- staying close by in mountainous ICC ‘bias’ handy cover-up national Criminal Court (ICC). enclaves,” said Adan, who added The African Group for Justice and Accountability (AGJA) – consisting of that the militants left as they had lawyers, prosecutors, judges, academics and human rights activists – arrived, peacefully. called on the countries’ leaders to “reconsider and recommit themselves A security offi cial in the re- to the Rome Statute”, the treaty that established the ICC, a global court gional capital Bossaso said the for detractors, say experts headquartered in The Hague. threat of an arriving force of The AGJA was set up a year ago aiming to improve relations between the Puntland soldiers had scared the international court and Africa’s leaders, some of whom say the continent militants off . By Sophie Mignon, AFP But Gambian Information that the ICC has justifi ed inves- nor was it to protect or promote has been unfairly targeted for prosecution or investigation. “Puntland sent hundreds of The Hague Minister Sheriff Bojang charged tigation in all those situations,” Nkurunziza”. Last week Burundi became the first country to declare its intention to special forces to deal with the that the ICC had been used “for he told AFP. And Gambia, Bensouda’s leave the ICC, after the court’s prosecutor said she might open a case terrorists. Unfortunately, they the persecution of Africans and The three African nations home country where President against the government. have run away even before the omplex diverse political especially their leaders”. involved so far have diff erent Yahya Jammeh is seeking a fi fth South Africa and Gambia followed suit, raising fears of an exodus of Afri- forces reached the town,” said agendas are driving Af- “Not a single Western war reasons for trying to avoid any term having ruled with an iron- can countries, many of which are founding members of the court. Cabdirisak Mohamed, a security Crican nations to quit the criminal has been indicted,” international spotlight on their fi st for decades, may have tried “Withdrawals from the ICC constitute a serious obstacle to the rights of offi cial in the capital Bossaso, International Criminal Court he said late on Tuesday, as his domestic issues. a preemptive strike amid fears of victims to justice and the duty of states to ensure accountability for mass about 70km west of Qandala. (ICC), with leaders seeking to country followed Burundi and Burundi, where ICC chief an opposition crackdown. atrocities. They close an important recourse to justice and undermine Mohamed dismissed the take- cloak the move by reigniting continental heavyweight South prosecutor Fatou Bensouda Experts warned of the “polar- the global fight against impunity,” said AGJA member Hassan Bubacar over of Qandala as “a desperate age-old anger at the West, ana- Africa in announcing it intends opened a probe in April, has been ised debate” which has become Jallow, former prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for attempt to draw attention”. lysts say. to leave the tribunal. mired in 18 months of political symptomatic of everything that Rwanda and, like the ICC’s current chief prosecutor, a Gambian national. The militants – led by former Gambia’s announcement that It is a “very worrying de- violence since President Pierre has gone wrong with the court. The AGJA noted that African countries including Botswana and Senegal Shebaab cleric Abdiqadir Mu- it would be the third country to velopment,” said analyst Mark Nkurunziza announced his suc- Of the 124 nations which have had voiced their concern at the announced withdrawals and encouraged min – switched allegiance from withdraw from the court is all Kersten, from the University of cessful bid for a third term. ratifi ed the Rome Statute under- others to remain committed to the court. Al Qaeda to IS a year ago but the more frustrating as it comes Toronto. “The ultimate eff ect Former ICC chief prosecutor pinning the court, 34 are cur- have done little since apart from at a time when the tribunal is of this will be to protect high- Luis Moreno-Ocampo high- rently African. issuing occasional promotional beginning to probe some of the level senior perpetrators of mass lighted repeated fears from the But with the United States, highlighting Mali, Niger, Sen- is trying to operate in,” said De videos. world’s most intractable con- atrocities.” UN and the African Union of “a Russia and China all absent from egal and Gabon, which recently Hoon. “It has limited resources, Nevertheless, in late August fl icts, in places such as the Pal- In his online blog, Kersten possible genocide” in Burundi. the ICC’s signatories, real dis- asked the ICC to open an inves- limited jurisdiction.” the US State Department named estinian territories and Afghani- predicted while there would not “Who will defend the vic- cussion is needed on boosting tigation into election unrest. She suggested the withdraw- Mumin a “global terrorist” mak- stan, experts say. be a mass exodus, as many as tims?” he asked. the tribunal’s legitimacy. In part the ICC is hampered als could be part of an orches- ing him a potential target for US Set up in 2002, the ICC’s mis- fi ve to 10 nations could with- “Escaping the ICC is a way to “There’s a strong African by its own rules. It can only in- trated strike – coming only a few drone strikes which are regularly sion is to try the world’s most draw from the court based in come (with) free hands to com- lobby pro-ICC, in the sense that vestigate alleged crimes in states weeks before the members’ an- carried out against jihadists in heinous crimes which national The Hague, including Kenya, mit genocide,” Moreno-Ocampo they want to improve the ICC. So which have signed up to the nual meeting next month. Somalia. governments are either unable Namibia and Uganda. told AFP, adding all “dictators they are critical,” said Marieke Rome Statute, or if it is given a But member states should Abdukadir Said, a trader from or unwilling to prosecute. But he said ironically that are against” the court. de Hoon, assistant professor in UN mandate. take the criticism seriously and Qandala said aircraft fl ying over And most of the ICC prosecu- showed the tribunal was more It seems Bujumbura’s decision public international law at the That has hamstrung its ability work to overcome the setback. the town may have spooked the tions, such as in the Democratic relevant than ever. sparked a kind of “withdrawal Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. to bring to justice those involved “Because if they don’t, then it militants. Republic of the Congo, have “Why is the ICC in the African race”, said Kersten, while insist- “It’s those voices that we need in the wars in Iraq and Syria. is the dictators that are trying to “There were aircraft hovering been requested by the countries states as it is? If you look at all of ing Pretoria’s decision “was not to assist by giving them a voice, “It’s crucial to understand the run from justice” who will win, over Qandala during the last six themselves. them, I think what you’ll see is made in solidarity with Burundi rather than denying it,” she said, political playing fi eld the ICC she warned. hours” before they left, he said. Once a pirate stronghold, Qandala is an ancient trading and fi shing town whose main signifi cance is its proximity to Yemen, across the Gulf of Aden, Kenyan offi cers kill knife attacker outside US embassy where Al Qaeda and IS groups both operate. AFP public entrance to the visa sec- The well-guarded US embassy Nairobi tion when he attempted to grab a in Nairobi is located opposite gun from one of the offi cers. the main UN complex in Gigiri, Germany ready to A scuffl e ensued during which an upmarket suburb in the city’s aid Mali mission man was shot and killed the man reportedly pulled out north popular with expatriates. by Kenyan police outside a knife and stabbed one offi cer Additional UN security staff Germany has agreed in principle Athe US embassy in the before being shot in the head by were deployed along the road, to send military helicopters to capital Nairobi yesterday after another. called UN Avenue, after the in- Mali to help a UN peacekeeping stabbing an offi cer with a knife. A photograph shared on social cident. mission seen as vital to counter “The man was shot after stab- media showed the body of a man The motive for the man’s ac- Islamist militancy and tackle bing a GSU offi cer in the hand of apparently Somali ethnicity tions remains unknown with the migration crisis, it said on and left him with injuries,” said lying on the pavement, a pool of police saying “investigations are Wednesday. local police chief Vitalis Otieno. blood staining the tarmac by his still ongoing”. It will provide the aircraft if no The police offi cer involved in head, and surrounded by police “We are investigating to know other country comes forward the shooting was a member of offi cers. if there are other accomplices, to replace seven transport the paramilitary General Services Five US Federal Bureau of In- and if he had been sent by any- and attack helicopters being Unit (GSU) deployed to guard the vestigation (FBI) offi cers were one, so that we can get to appre- withdrawn by the Dutch military embassy. also present at the scene along- hend them,” Otieno told report- early next year, defence ministry He was said to be “in good side around a dozen Kenyan of- ers at the scene. spokesman Jens Flosdorff said. condition” in hospital. fi cers. The US missions in both Nai- UN peacekeepers, including 570 Otieno said the dead man was Soon after the incident the robi and Dar es Salaam in Tanza- Germans, are deployed across a 24-year-old Kenyan from Wajir busy road was opened to traffi c nia were hit by near simultaneous northern Mali, a vast region in the country’s northeast close which drove slowly past the body car bombings in August 1998. that was occupied by separatist to the border with Somalia, but still lying prone on the ground. The twin bombings, claimed Tuareg rebels and Al Qaeda- did not give a name. A statement from the US em- by Al Qaeda, killed a total of 224 linked militants in 2012 before a According to police, the man bassy confi rmed the “shooting people and injured some 5,000 – French military intervention in A US security off icer stands guard near the body of a man after he was shot and killed by Kenyan had been walking towards the incident”, adding that “no em- almost all of them Kenyans and 2013. police outside the US embassy in Nairobi. US embassy and was close to the bassy personnel were involved”. Tanzanians. Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 28, 2016 AMERICA Michelle Obama hits

Putin: Does anyone seriously think Russia can somehow influence the trail with Clinton the choice of the US people? Is the US some kind of banana republic? AFP against Trump and two outsid- White Plains, US ers – pointing to a likely electoral college victory. “I feel really good, energised, Putin slams claims emocrat Hillary Clinton working hard,” the former sec- hit the campaign trail retary of state told reporters Dyesterday with Michelle aboard her plane on Wednesday, Obama, surprise star of the 2016 her 69th birthday. “We built this of meddling by White House race, as the former campaign over a year and a half, and current fi rst ladies fi ght to now we see the results of all that lock in battleground states ahead hard work.” of November’s election. Trump’s standing has been Russia as ‘hysteria’ Obama has emerged as a com- hit hard, particularly among fe- pelling force in the hard-fought male voters, since this month’s campaign, delivering powerful release of a 2005 video in which AFP leak of emails from the Demo- arguments against Republican he boasts that his celebrity al- Sochi, Russia cratic National Committee. Donald Trump and in support of lows him to grope women with Russia has been accused of Clinton’s bid to become the fi rst impunity. favouring Republican candidate female president in US history. But the 70-year-old Manhat- resident Vladimir Putin Donald Trump – who has praised But Michelle and Hillary are tan real estate mogul took heart has slammed as “hysteria” Putin and called for better rela- joining forces on the trail for the from a new survey that shows Pclaims that Russia has at- tions with Moscow – over the fi rst time when they headline a him with a two-point lead in ear- tempted to interfere in the up- more hawkish Clinton. rally at a university in Winston- ly-voting Florida, a state where coming US presidential elections Putin has off ered what appears Salem, North Carolina, a key presidential races are often won by hacking American political to be veiled support for Trump, swing state where early voting is and lost. institutions. but he said yesterday that claims underway. “We are going to have, I think, “The number of mythical, the Kremlin would like to see the The 52-year-old wife of Presi- a tremendous victory,” he told dreamt-up problems includes Republican candidate win were dent Barack Obama has energised CNN. the hysteria – I can’t think of an- “absolute nonsense”. the Democratic camp with a se- Pressed on whether he’ll open other word – that has broken out “This is just a method of polit- ries of speeches taking Trump to his own wallet to match an on- Clinton talks with members of her staff yesterday aboard her campaign plane at Westchester County in the United States about the in- ical struggle, a way to manipulate task for his strident rhetoric and slaught of Clinton ads, Trump Airport in White Plains, New York. With less than two weeks to go before the election, Clinton is fl uence of Russia on the current public opinion on the eve of the for what she brands his “fright- said he will have spent $100mn of campaigning in North Carolina with First Lady Michelle Obama. elections for the US president,” US elections,” he said. ening” attitude towards women. his own money by Election Day, a Putin said at a Valdai Discussion Putin nonetheless praised And in the closing two weeks of sum which would imply him dig- But Bloomberg’s survey shows Republicans have attacked the he told cheering supporters in Club meeting of political scien- Trump for appealing to disen- the unprecedented race, Clinton ging much deeper than he has so Trump doing somewhat better outgoing president’s signature North Carolina. tists in Sochi. chanted American electors. is capitalising on one of the most far. than Clinton with independents, health care reform since it was North Carolina voted for Re- “Does anyone seriously think “He represents the views of popular Democrats in America to Today President Obama will who may hold the key to vic- passed, but they have found new publican nominee Mitt Romney Russia can somehow infl uence a signifi cant part of society in help make her case. campaign for Clinton in Florida – tory in a state that was famously traction after offi cials confi rmed in 2012, but the southern state the choice of the US people? Is the United States that is tired Clinton holds the momen- a state he won, albeit narrowly, in deadlocked in 2000, when the this week that voters’ premiums has been leaning Democratic in the US some kind of banana re- of those elites who have been in tum as the clock ticks down to both 2008 and 2012. Supreme Court decided the out- will jump an average of 25% next the current White House race. public? The United States is a power for decades,” he said. “He November 8, the polls crediting A Bloomberg poll out on come, giving the win to George year. Clinton is relying on strong great power. Please correct me if just represents the interests of her with a compelling lead over Wednesday put Trump up 45% W Bush. “Real change begins with turnout from the state’s sub- I’m wrong,” Putin said to laugh- such ordinary people, and he Trump, but her Republican ri- to 43% among likely voters in the Trump also appears to have immediately repealing and re- stantial African-American ter in the audience. presents himself as an ordinary val has pledged to pour millions Sunshine State, where Clinton clawed back ground in Nevada, placing the disaster known as population, and a rally featuring Washington last week for- guy who criticises those who more of his own dollars into his has been campaigning, a close where a new NBC News/Wall Obamacare, and Hillary wants Michelle Obama could inspire mally accused the Russian gov- have already been in power for teetering White House bid (see margin in what is a must-win Street Journal poll has the west- to double up and triple up. What them to head to polling stations. ernment of trying to “interfere” decades.” accompanying report). state for him. ern state in a dead heat. a disgusting situation,” Trump Clinton holds a 2% lead there in the 2016 White House race by He accused the West of build- The latest rolling poll average The RealClearPolitics poll av- And the provocative billion- said. and the state’s Republican lead- hacking US political institutions, ing up a “mythical and made- compiled by tracker RealClear- erage still puts Clinton ahead aire may have found a useful “Job-killing Obamacare is ers worry that Trump’s slow col- charges that the Kremlin has re- up” threat of Russian aggression Politics showed Clinton with a in the state by 1.6 percentage card to play in the fi nal hand: just one more way the system is lapse will hurt them in congres- peatedly dismissed. to justify increasing military 5.4-point lead in a national race points. Obamacare. rigged. System is rigged, folks,” sional races. Putin has vehemently rejected spending and bolstering Nato the accusations, saying that they forces in countries neighbouring are meant to divert American Russia. voters from domestic problems. “It’s very pleasant and profi t- “It’s a lot easier to distract able to make yourself out to be people’s attention towards Rus- defendants of civilisation from sia’s so-called hackers, spies, some new barbarians, but the agents of infl uence, and so on,” thing is Russia doesn’t plan to Putin said yesterday. attack anyone,” he said. The Kremlin strongman how- “It’s unthinkable – simply ever adopted a hard line against stupid and unrealistic,” he added. cyber attacks, saying that these “It’s just funny to talk about it.” are “unacceptable”. Putin also took a jab at the Russian authorities have West for its “mistakes” in its mil- Trump gesturing at a campaign event on Wednesday night on the slammed Washington for “un- itary interventions in Iraq, Libya, tarmac of the airport in Kinston, North Carolina. precedented” threats after US Afghanistan and now, Syria. Vice-President Joe Biden told “The fi ght against terrorism NBC this month that Putin has not yielded a global result would receive a “message” in re- while the threats are only grow- sponse to the alleged hacking. ing,” he warned, complaining Trump digs deep NBC later reported that the that Russia’s calls to unite forces CIA was preparing a retaliatory against terrorism have been ig- cyber attack “designed to harass nored. AFP slaught of Clinton ads, Trump and embarrass the Kremlin lead- He pointed the fi nger of blame Washington said he will have spent $100mn ership”. at the United States for the on- of his own money by election Russia’s foreign ministry at going violence in Syria, saying day, a sum which would imply the weekend said that an old ver- that “stopping bloodshed and onald Trump pledged on him digging much deeper than sion of its website had apparently launching a political process (in Wednesday to pour mil- he has so far. been attacked after a US hacker Syria) has not been possible”. Dlions of his own dollars But fi rst he set aside pre- claimed he broke in and posted a “Our personal agreements Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles, is seen after it was vandalised. into his presidential bid, in defi - cious time on Wednesday for the mocking message. with the US president did not ance of the seemingly unstoppa- grand opening of his new hotel in The Kremlin was propelled to work,” Putin added, accusing Man who defaced Trump’s Hollywood star arrested ble momentum building behind Washington, the Trump Interna- the heart of US politics in July forces in Washington of “doing Hillary Clinton. tional. after Hillary Clinton’s campaign everything for these not to be A man who admitted to defacing Donald Trump’s “When people are unhappy with one of our With less than two weeks be- Hundreds of journalists cov- blamed Moscow for a damaging implemented”. star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in protest at honorees, we would hope that they would project fore polling day, and with early ered the grandiose re-opening of the Republican presidential candidate’s treatment of their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize voting under way in some states, the former post offi ce, a stone’s Bill Clinton ‘for profit’ income of more women was arrested yesterday, police said. a California state landmark,” chamber head Leron the Democratic nominee remains throw from the White House, but James Otis had planned to hold a news conference in Gubler said. “Our democracy is based on respect for comfortably on course to become many mocked Trump for focus- than $50mn detailed in hacked e-mail the early morning at the site of Trump’s star and then the law. People can make a diff erence by voting and America’s fi rst female president. ing on his business so close to surrender to police, but he was arrested beforehand. not destroying public property.” And Wednesday’s headlines polling. Former president Bill Clinton took in more than $50mn from “for profit” Otis, who had his misdeed filmed on Wednesday, said Gubler said the chamber planned to pursue the case were a telling tale of two build- “This election isn’t over before activities over the years as he led the Clinton family foundation, a close he initially wanted to remove the star and auction it against Otis, who was charged with one felony count ings: Clinton revealed that she it’s actually over,” Clinton said. aide said in a hacked memo released by WikiLeaks. in New York on Election Day. of vandalism. will hold her likely victory party “And I was struck today that The aide, Douglas Band, detailed his own moneymaking eff orts both The proceeds, he said, would go to nearly a dozen This is not the first time Trump’s Walk of Fame star under a vast glass ceiling while Donald Trump is actually paying on behalf of Bill Clinton personally and on that of the foundation, in a women who have accused the 70-year-old Trump of has been targeted. Trump unveiled an alterna- more attention to his business 2011 memo sent in response to complaints by the Clintons’ daughter sexual misconduct. In July, a Los Angeles street artist built a tiny wall of tive Washington address – just than to the campaign.” Chelsea. Otis ended up taking a sledgehammer and pickaxe wooden planks topped with barbed wire around it, in in case the White House eludes At a speech later, Trump in- The latest disclosures have added to a drip-drip of WikiLeaks to the star but could not totally remove the slab, as protest at Trump’s campaign vow to build a wall on him. sisted that he had wanted to cut revelations plaguing Hillary Clinton in the final stretch of her run for the the “stone was like marble”, he told the news agency. the Mexican border. “We are going to have, I think, the ribbon on his hotel with his White House as the Democratic nominee. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce quickly Last year, excrement was left on the star and a tremendous victory,” Trump children “who had worked very They come from a trove of e-mail stolen from the account of John moved to repair the star, which was awarded to the someone drew a large yellow X over it. told CNN. hard” and boasted the building Podesta, who played a leading role in the foundation before becoming billionaire businessman in 2007 for his work on his A swastika was also drawn on the red tile earlier this Pressed on whether he’ll open was “under-budget and ahead of Clinton’s campaign chairman. reality television show The Apprentice. year. his own wallet to match an on- schedule”. Podesta has refused to authenticate the e-mails, which US intelligence believes were stolen by Russian hackers to disrupt the US elections. But neither he nor the Clinton campaign has challenged their authenticity. They show the foundation had become a source of tension between aides to Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea, who accused them of ‘Bridgegate’ jury in New Jersey to hear closing arguments taking “significant sums of money from my parents personally” and hustling clients for their own business at foundation events. In the memo, Band defends his use of his private consultancy Teneo to Reuters Bill Baroni, former deputy exec- ity to be the busiest bridge in the Christie maintains that is not rights deprivation and conspira- raise funds for the foundation, saying that it brought in large corporate New York utive director of the Port Author- world. true. He has not been charged cy charges. donations from Coca-Cola, Dow Chemical, and Swiss bank UBS among ity of New York and New Jersey, The scandal damaged Chris- with wrongdoing. If convicted, they face poten- others. operator of the bridge. tie’s political standing as he was The lane closures caused sev- tial prison terms. “Independent of our fundraising and decision-making activities on awyers in New Jersey’s Closing arguments were beginning a campaign for the Re- eral days of massive gridlock on Both defendants took the wit- behalf of the Foundation, we have dedicated ourselves to helping “Bridgegate” trial began scheduled to begin at 9.30am publican nomination for presi- the New Jersey side of the bridge ness stand in their defence. the President secure and engage in for-profit activities – including Ldelivering closing argu- (1330 GMT) in federal court in dent. and hurt local businesses. Kelly was asked about an e- speeches, books, and advisory service engagements,” he said. ments yesterday, seeking to sway Newark, New Jersey, and are ex- Christie is now an ally of the Christie’s aides ordered the mail that set the scheme in mo- “In support of the President’s for-profit activity, we also have solicited jurors deliberating the fate of two pected to last into the next day. nominee Donald Trump, and is shutdown of the lanes as payback tion in which she wrote: “Time and obtained, as appropriate, in-kind services for the President and his former allies of Governor Chris The two former offi cials are leading Trump’s transition plan- for the Democratic mayor of Fort for some traffi c problems in Fort family – for personal travel, hospitality, vacation and the like.” Christie. charged with abusing their gov- ning. Lee, New Jersey, who would not Lee.” Band said he had received no fees or percentages of “the more than Jurors heard more than a ernment positions by scheming Federal prosecutors said dur- support Christie’s re-election in She said she was simply “par- $50mn in for-profit activity we have personally helped to secure for month of testimony in the trial in 2013 to shut down lanes lead- ing the trial that Christie knew 2013, prosecutors say. roting” the language another of- President Clinton to date or the $66mn in future contracts, should he of Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie’s ing to the George Washington about the lane closings ahead of Baroni and Kelly have pleaded fi cial used in describing the pos- choose to continue with those engagements”. former deputy chief of staff , and Bridge, said by the Port Author- time. not guilty to wire fraud, civil sible gridlock from a traffi c study. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 7 ASEAN

Thai prisoners honour late king

Reuters across Thailand amid an Bangkok outpouring of grief. “Many inmates wanted to do something to show their ore than 3,000 loyalty to His Majesty,” pris- prison inmates on commander Narongsak Mlined up yesterday Sompat told Reuters. to form the Thai symbol for Crown Prince Maha Vaji- the number nine, in hon- ralongkorn, 64, is the king’s our of late King Bhumibol designated successor, but Adulyadej, who died on Oc- junta chief Prayuth Chan- tober 13 after reigning for ocha told the country hours seven decades. after the king’s death that Thailand has entered a the prince had informed him year-long mourning pe- he was not yet ready to as- riod for the king, formally sume the throne. known as King Rama IX and Prayuth said last week the the ninth of the 234-year- prince could become king old Chakri Dynasty, who in seven to 15 days after the was seen as a unifying fi gure king’s death, or later. in the politically fractious His coronation, however, country. cannot take place until af- As many as 3,699 male ter the royal cremation, in a inmates of the Central Cor- year’s time. rectional Institution for The government has Young Off enders in Pathum moved to quash uncertainty Thani province, 40km surrounding the succession north of the capital, Bang- and to reassure the country kok, stood in the grounds that the king’s death will of the prison complex and not derail plans for a return sang songs dedicated to the to democratic rule, which late king. include a general election in The men, many of them late 2017. jailed for drug convictions, It has also gone after crit- were accompanied by a ics of the monarchy and en- marching band. forced tighter censorship The activity, which was of Internet comments per- compulsory for inmates, is ceived to be insulting to the Male inmates pay their respects to the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Central Correctional Institution for Young Off enders in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok. part of many similar events royals. Malaysia’s Woman jailed 20yrs in PM aims to take China ’s ‘poisoned ties to ‘new coff ee’ murder case The defence claimed the case “The defendant did not regret ing drugs, saying that the “cruel” against Jessica was weak her action and claimed she did crime was planned “meticulous- highs’ ly”. not do it.” AFP Wongso, who denies carrying Police say that she placed bags Reuters “There are implications Jakarta out the crime, was emotionless on the table to prevent CCTV Kuala Lumpur should Najib move to get deep- as the ruling was handed down, cameras in the cafe from fi lming er into Beijing’s embrace,” said then told the court: “I cannot ac- her slipping the poison into the Yang Razali. n Indonesian woman was cept the verdict, it’s very unfair.” coff ee. alaysian Prime Min- Najib is eyeing more Chi- jailed for 20 years yester- Her legal team said they would Wongso had vehemently de- ister Najib Razak nese investment in infrastruc- Aday for murdering a friend fi le an appeal. nied murdering her friend, Mheads to China next ture and manufacturing. from an Australian college with Some of Salihin’s relatives breaking down in tears as she week to build closer ties and Defence deals may also be poisoned coff ee in a “sadistic” sobbed with relief after the ver- took the stand during the trial to seek investment, which may discussed. fashion, capping a sensational dict, with her twin sister Sandy reject the allegations. further dent US aims in South- China’s increased assertive- trial that has gripped the coun- telling journalists: “This is very She had testifi ed that she could east Asia after a push by Presi- ness in the South China Sea try. hard, I am grateful.” not remember key details about dent of the has heightened US-China ten- Jessica Kumala Wongso, 28, The victim’s supporters had the day and her defence team to bolster China sion, with the two trading ac- who is also an Australian perma- rallied outside court throughout asserted the case against their ties. cusations of militarising the nent resident, was found guilty Jessica Kumala Wongso gestures after her trial at the Central the day waving signs that read client was weak and lacked evi- Najib is travelling to China waterway through which some of murdering Wayan Mirna Sa- Jakarta Court. “Justice for Mirna”, and when the dence to prove guilt. with dozens of government $5tn in trade passes each year. lihin by slipping cyanide into hearing concluded gave out white During the months-long trial, leaders and business people. Last week, a US navy ship her drink at an upmarket Jakarta The murder, which Wongso members of the public, a three- roses to police and journalists. which began in June, three foren- In statement on Wednesday, undertook the fourth of cafe, sparking applause in the carried out in January after be- judge panel declared Wongso After drinking the iced Viet- sic experts called by the defence he said Malaysia was commit- what the United States calls packed courtroom. coming angered at 27-year-old guilty of premeditated murder namese coff ee at the cafe in one testifi ed there was no proof Sa- ted to strengthening friend- freedom-of-navigation op- The soap opera-style tale of Salihin’s criticism of her boy- and handed down the lengthy jail of Jakarta’s fanciest malls, Sali- lihin’s death was caused by cya- ship with China and pushing erations in the past year, to two members of Indonesia’s friend, also generated huge inter- sentence. hin collapsed and began convuls- nide poisoning. ties to “new highs”. challenge what it sees as over- wealthy elite having a dramatic est in Australia, where the wom- “The defendant’s action was ing, then died soon afterwards in Australian authorities assisted “We will be signing many reaching maritime claims by fallout that culminated in murder en studied together at a Sydney deplorable and sadistic because it hospital. with the case after receiving as- new agreements and under- China in the South China Sea. has captivated the country, with design college. was committed against her own Prosecutors said Wongso de- surances that Wongso would not standings that will elevate The United States has seen the trial dubbed the “poisoned After hours reading the ver- friend,” presiding judge Kisworo, cided to murder Salihin after she be handed the death penalty if the relationship between our the Philippines as an impor- coff ee” case and broadcast live dict in a courtroom overfl owing who like many Indonesians goes advised the defendant to break found guilty of murder, a capital two nations to even greater tant ally in its “rebalance” on national TV for months. with hundreds of journalists and by one name, told the court. up with a boyfriend as he was us- crime in Indonesia. heights,” the prime minister to Asia in the face of a rising said. China but Duterte’s threats to The October 31-November cut US ties while making over- 6 visit comes days after Du- tures towards China has raised terte’s Beijing trip, where he questions over the US strategy. Interfaith training declared a “separation” with Ties between Malaysia and old ally the United States and China reached a new peak in said he had “realigned” with December when China came China. to Najib’s rescue with a $2.3bn Both Malaysia and the Phil- deal to buy assets of scandal- ippines are in dispute with hit state fund 1Malaysia Devel- China over rival claims in the opment Berhad (1MDB), help- South China Sea but Duterte ing ease Najib’s concern over has softened the Philippine the fi rm’s mounting debt. position in his push to build China has since been pump- China ties and China could ing more funds into Malaysia. ease the dispute with Malaysia For the fi rst three months by off ering economic benefi ts, of 2016, Chinese investment an analyst said. in Malaysia’s manufacturing “If it wields its cheque-book sector reached 1.5bn ringgit diplomacy shrewdly, it may ei- ($356mn), making it the larg- ther tie Malaysia’s hand on its est foreign investor in its man- dispute over the South China ufacturing. Sea, or even split Asean further Malaysia’s China push on the South China Sea,” said comes amid strained US ties Yang Razali Kassim, senior fel- after the US department of low at the S. justice fi led lawsuits linked to Rajaratnam School of In- a money-laundering investi- ternational Studies (RSIS), of gation at 1MDB, the advisory Nanyang Technology Univer- board of which Najib chaired sity in Singapore. until recently. The 10-member Associa- Najib dismissed foreign in- tion of South East Asian Na- terference in Malaysia’s aff airs tions, which both the Philip- and questioned why the Unit- pines and Malaysia belong to, ed States publicised the issue. has struggled in recent years to “The lawsuits were a strate- present a united front to China gic mistake by the US... China on the South China Sea. will look at this situation with Vietnam and Brunei are also glee,” said a person familiar Asean members and also have with the matter but not au- Myanmar Muslim, Khin Yadanar Myint, 25, poses with a dress pattern at a dressmaking class at an interfaith vocational training programme in Yangon. South China Sea claims. thorised to speak to the media. Gulf Times 8 Friday, October 28, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

MISHAP WEATHER WOES LONG LIFE APOLOGISES INHUMANE Pokemon Go-related Australia will get hotter, 60-year-old Puan now Politician tells driver to Polar bear at mall shows accident kills 9-yr-old drier, and see more fire world’s oldest orangutan chauff eur his dogs signs of ‘mental decline’

A nine-year-old boy was killed in a car Australia will experience more extreme hot and dry An orangutan at Perth Zoo has been named the A state minister in Australia who told a A three-year-old female polar bear kept in a accident in central involving a truck days and a longer and fiercer fire season, while parts world’s oldest Sumatran orangutan in captivity taxpayer-funded driver to chauff eur his shopping mall aquarium in southwestern China, driver playing the popular Pokemon Go game of the country will see worse droughts, as well as by the Guinness Book of World Records, as two pooches while at work apologised at the centre of an animal rights controversy, is while driving, authorities said yesterday. more flooding rains, a report by the country’s top she celebrated her 60th birthday yesterday. yesterday after massive criticism. Steve showing signs of mental decline, animal welfare The 36-year-old driver was arrested late government scientists has said. The biannual report, Puan celebrated with a birthday breakfast Herbert, corrections minister for the state groups said. The bear, named Pizza, attracted Wednesday after his vehicle hit the boy who State of the Climate, released yesterday, said surface of rambutans from her childhood home in of Victoria, had his two dogs, Patch and Ted, the attention of international news media after was crossing a street in the city of Ichinomiya, temperature has increased about one degree Malaysia, Perth Zoo spokeswoman Danielle driven a distance of some 120km between Hong Kong-based Animals Asia posted a video Aichi prefecture, local police said. “I did not Celsius since 1910, since the government started Henry said. She was gifted to the zoo in 1968 by his home in Trentham and Parkdale to his on its website in July that showed visitors at the keep my eyes to the front as I was playing the recording data. Between 1910 and 1941 there were the Sultan of Johor who received some native off ice in Melbourne city on several occasions. Guangzhou mall taking photos of her as she lay on Pokemon Go game while driving,” the man 28 days when the national average temperature was Australian animals in return. Female orangutans Herbert did not say how many times the dogs her side in the blue-themed enclosure. Humane told police. It was the second fatal accident in the top extremes recorded, while the year 2013 in the wild do not generally live past 50, Henry were taken in the state car, but said that this Society International on Tuesday released a video of in Aichi prefecture linked to the augmented- alone saw 28 such days, said the report, prepared said. “But due to the care she receives here and “mistake” was due to his “tough job.” He said he Pizza, which it said showed “worrying stereotypical reality mobile game since its release in Japan by the Bureau of Meteorology and Commonwealth the veterinary and keeper care she’s obviously has now made other arrangements for the dogs behaviour such as head swaying and repetitive in July, local police said. Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. well surpassed that life expectancy.” and would repay the transportation costs. pacing, evidence of frustration and mental decline.” Party declares Xi ‘core’ leader

AFP ing Xi an opportunity to promote fa- Beijing voured allies. Xi’s elevation comes as he exerts increasing pressure on the party to hina’s ruling Communist clean up its act. Party yesterday declared its Since coming to power, he has CGeneral Secretary Xi Jinping presided over an anti-corruption the “core” of its leadership, elevating campaign that has punished more his already powerful status. than one million offi cials in what A communique issued by top party some say resembles a political purge. leaders after a four-day meeting in Casualties have included ranged Refugee advocates hold placards and banners during a protest in central Sydney calling for the closure of the Australian Beijing called on all its members to from so-called “fl ies”, minor offi - detention centres in Nauru and Manus Island. “closely unite around the CPC Cen- cials, to “tigers”, major fi gures in- tral Committee with Comrade Xi cluding top generals in the People’s Jinping as the core”, said the People’s Liberation Army and seemingly in- Daily, the party’s offi cial mouthpiece. vincible former security czar Zhou The announcement followed a Yongkang. gathering of 400 top party leaders President Xi ... elevated status The drive has eliminated poten- PNG rejects resettlement of in Beijing for a meeting known as the tial rival bastions of power, but it has Sixth Plenum to discuss changes to China has a constitutional limit of also laid waste to the party’s organi- party structure and discipline. two fi ve-year terms for the national sational chart, paralysing grassroots Scenes of the meeting shown on president, another of Xi’s titles, bureaucrats petrifi ed of making a state broadcaster CCTV showed a but no formal rule on tenure for the mistake, a problem compounded by asylum seekers in Australia relaxed but businesslike Xi, clad in a general secretary of the ruling party, unclear and contradictory signals on black windbreaker, lecturing a ball- the post from which he derives his what policies to pursue. room of rapt party members. power. While some had speculated the Reuters pal lawyer, Lomai, instead of the direct For men like Abdul Aziz, 24, who fl ed He has sought to bend the party to Deng Xiaoping, the economic re- party might use the opportunity of Sydney claimants, Ian Rintoul, a spokesman for his home in Sudan amid a bloody civil his will since taking its helm in 2012, former who was China’s paramount this week’s conference to dial back the Refugee Action Coalition, who was war, the court case had stirred hopes and has already taken control of leader throughout the 1980s and its anti-graft campaign and give present at the hearing, told Reuters. of fi nally leaving the centre after 38 more levers of power than any leader into the 1990s, was referred to as the cadres some room to breathe, the he Papua New Guinea Supreme “The reality is the refugees are facing months. since Mao Zedong. “core” of the leadership. communique suggested the oppo- Court yesterday dismissed an ap- longer in detention and that’s extremely “I’m optimistic that after the court Regional cadres began using the But his successor Jiang Zemin was site, calling for a “zero tolerance” at- Tplication to send asylum seekers disappointing,” he said. case, I will be sent back to Australia. We term “core” for Xi last December, only called the core of the third gen- titude towards misbehaviour. held on an isolated island to Australia on “The legal issues have not been re- are keeping our fi ngers crossed,” Aziz but it then disappeared, suggesting eration of leaders, eff ectively limit- The party must “persevere in a paperwork technicality. solved and it does not change the fact told Reuters by telephone before the case that the Chinese president had en- ing the duration of the description, constructing a system where (party A ruling in favour of the 302 detainees that these men are detained illegally.” was dismissed countered resistance to his eff orts to Lam said. members) do not dare to be corrupt, would have ordered the PNG and Austral- The group will go back to Manus next “We sought asylum from Australia, further consolidate his power. Xi’s immediate predecessor Hu cannot be corrupt and do not think ian governments to transfer them to Aus- week to collect the signatures but get- not PNG.” Analysts have speculated that Xi Jintao never achieved the status. about corruption,” it said. tralia within 30 days, a political nightmare ting a hearing at the Supreme Court may A ruling in favour of the 302 detainees could seek to stay in power beyond “A core leader is critical for a na- To that end, the communique for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. be diffi cult, Rintoul added. would have set a precedent for all 823 the traditional 10-year term. tion, for a political party,” the People’s called for strengthening the party’s Under Australia’s tough immigration “We lost trust in any court or lawyer detainees, asylum seekers predominate- The declaration was “very signifi - Daily said in an editorial published internal controls, including increas- laws, asylum seekers intercepted trying or justice,” Behrouz Boochani, an Iranian ly from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. cant”, Willy Lam, professor of politics shortly after the meeting ended. ing ideological conformity and more to reach the country by boat are sent for who has been on Manus for more than The United Nations and human rights at the Chinese University of Hong “Formally” anointing Xi “refl ects strictly monitoring individual mem- processing on PNG’s Manus island and the three years, told Reuters. groups have condemned Australia’s im- Kong, told AFP, because in Chinese the common aspirations of the whole bers’ behaviour, the People’s Daily tiny South Pacifi c island nation of Nauru. Australia has vowed the asylum seek- migration policy, citing human rights politics the “core” has traditionally party, the whole military, the whole said. The policy has won past elections and ers will never set foot in the country abuses in the centres. denoted a degree of individual au- country and all of its people,” it said. But it sought to allay concerns has bipartisan political support. after being intercepted by its navy and Many asylum seekers on Nauru are thority unconstrained by term limits. The plenum confi rmed that the about overzealous implementation Lawyer Ben Lomai confi rmed the case shipped to Manus. being driven to attempt suicide to escape “The core of leadership can last Communist party will hold a con- of the rules, allowing for forgiveness had been dismissed and that the detain- Many of the asylum seekers have the prison-like conditions they face in forever,” he said. “There’s no idea gress late next year, when a new po- in the event that an error was made ees planned to refi le the application. spent three years in the centre, which indefi nite detention, Amnesty Interna- of tenure, retirement age associated litburo standing committee, its most in the pursuit of “reform and innova- The case was dismissed because the the Supreme Court ruled in April was tional said last week, amid reports of as- with the core.” powerful body, will be selected, giv- tion”. court fi lings were signed by the princi- unconstitutional and must close. saults and sexual abuse. Theme park defends safety norms Chinese govt slams Japan ‘provocation’ AFP Sydney Reuters “What is more, when Beijing aircraft of the Japan Self- n Australian theme park Defence Forces encounter yesterday defended its Chinese aircraft, their ra- Asafety standards follow- hina’s Defence Min- dars light up, they let off ing the deaths of four people on a istry yesterday ac- infrared jamming projectiles malfunctioning ride, while admit- Ccused Japanese air and show other unprofes- ting it had not been in touch with force jets of locking their sional, dangerous provoca- grieving relatives of those killed. radars on to Chinese mili- tive behaviour,” Wu said at a Two women and two men died tary aircraft, acting pro- monthly briefi ng. when rafts on the Thunder River vocatively and endangering “This endangers the safe- Rapids ride at the hugely popular safety, after Japan said it is ty Chinese aircraft and per- Dreamworld tourist attraction on scrambling a record number sonnel and is the root of the the Gold Coast collided Tuesday, of fi ghter jets. China-Japan maritime and tipping one backwards and crush- China and Japan have air problem.” ing or drowning those on board. long been mired in a terri- China urges Japan to A boy and a girl, aged 10 and torial dispute over a group adopt a responsible attitude 12, on the six-person raft miracu- of tiny, uninhabited East and prevent such incidents lously survived the tragedy. China Sea islands, called the from happening, he added. The Australian Workers Union Senkaku in Japan and Di- Japan worries that as Chi- said it had voiced concerns about aoyu in China. na increases its control over the operation and maintenance of Patrol ships and fi ghter the South China Sea, it is some equipment at Dreamworld jets from Asia’s two biggest turning its attention to ex- last year, while media reports economies have been shad- panding its infl uence in the claimed to have uncovered safety owing each other on and off East China Sea and into the mishaps. near the islets, raising fears western Pacifi c. The Sydney Morning Herald al- that a confrontation could China insists regular pa- leged the rapids ride had malfunc- result in a clash. trols in the region are its tioned twice in three days recent- In the six months end- right and intended to pro- ly, while The Australian reported ing in September, Japanese tect national security and mechanical problems just hours Mourners leave floral tributes outside the main entrance to Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. fi ghters scrambled to chase sovereignty. before the accident. Chinese planes 407 times ’s support for a Dreamworld said in a statement “Our rides and slides are Dreamworld’s parent company no-one from Ardent had been in nual meeting, to the Red Cross, compared with 231 times in July ruling by an arbitration that safety was its priority, with checked and tested by our ex- Ardent Leisure held its annual touch. Thomas replied: “I am very which is supporting people af- the same period last year, court in the Hague that in- the Thunder River Rapids ride perienced team before the park general meeting in Sydney with happy to call her very soon after fected by the tragedy. That pay- the Japanese Air Self-De- validated China’s sweeping passing an annual mechanical and opens every day. If it’s not tested, chief executive Deborah Thomas this meeting. ment is separate to a more than fence Force said in mid-Oc- claims in the disputed South structural test on September 29. it doesn’t open.” forced to defend herself after ad- “And on behalf of the staff A$800,000 bonus that Thomas tober, an increase of about China Sea, a case brought by “Dreamworld would like to as- It added that the park, Aus- mitting she had yet to speak with and management at Ardent and is also due to receive over the next three-quarters. the Philippines, has also an- sure the public and park guests that tralia’s biggest, had hosted 30mn the relatives of those killed, saying Dreamworld, that our hearts and four years, pending her perform- Chinese Defence Minis- gered Beijing. at the time of the incident the park people since opening in 1981 and “we didn’t know how to contact our thoughts and prayers are with ance. try spokesman Wu Qian said China refuses to rec- was fully compliant with all re- had never seen a death until this them”. you and your family at this diffi - The park, which has been closed Chinese air force activities ognise that decision and quired safety certifi cations,” it said. week. A journalist told Thomas the cult time,” she added. since the incident, was scheduled accorded with international says countries not directly “All our procedures and systems Police are conducting an in- mother of two of the victims was The Ardent chief announced to reopen today for a memorial law and norms, and that it was involved in the disputes, are constantly benchmarked against vestigation and have said that if watching her live news conference yesterday she would donate a cash day but this was later cancelled on Japan which was increasing its namely the United States international best practice and ride there was any criminal negligence, and had sent the reporter a text bonus of A$167,500 (US$128,000) the advice of police who are still monitoring and interfering in and Japan, should not get manufacturer specifi cations. charges would be brought. message saying she was furious that she was awarded at the an- conducting their investigation. normal training exercises. involved. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 9 BRITAIN/IRELAND

LEGAL OFFBEAT AVIATION CRIME VERDICT Teen claims explosive I wouldn’t hire James Bond, Grayling faces grilling over Teenager dies after Last journalist cleared device on Tube ‘a prank’ says real spy chief runway pollution issue being stabbed in street in mammoth police probe

A teenager charged after an explosive device Despite his unrivalled record for single-handedly Transport Secretary Chris Grayling faces a grilling A teenager was stabbed to death in the street in an The only journalist successfully tried in the was found on a London Underground train saving the world from disaster while seducing by MPs over whether a Heathrow third runway attack in east London early yesterday. The 19-year- mammoth police probe into alleged corrupt intends to plead not guilty on the grounds that beautiful women along the way, James Bond will cause more air pollution over London. The old was found collapsed suff ering from knife payments to public off icials for stories had it was a prank, his lawyer told a court yesterday. would not get a job as a British spy, the head Commons environmental audit committee is wounds near the station in Goodmayes and rushed his conviction quashed yesterday. The Sun Damon Smith, 19, appeared at Westminster of external intelligence agency MI6 has said. also to question the Cabinet minister over the to hospital but later died. Scotland Yard launched newspaper’s crime reporter Anthony France Magistrates Court in London over the incident Alex Younger said real spies had to cope with methods used to conclude that expansion of a murder hunt amid reports that the attack took had his conviction overturned by the Court of on October 20 which sparked a security alert. complex moral and physical challenges in the the west London airport can be done without place outside a shisha club near the station. Ten Appeal. France was sentenced to 18 months in He entered no plea to a charge of unlawfully and most forbidding environments on Earth, which breaching legal air quality rules. Committee teenagers aged between 16 and 19 have lost their jail, suspended for two years, after being found maliciously making or possessing an unspecified would rule out the agent known as 007 because chairwoman and Labour MP Mary Creagh said: lives in knife attacks in London so far this year. guilty of cultivating a “corrupt relationship” with explosive substance with an intent to endanger he lacked a strong ethical core. “In contrast “We will be looking carefully at the department Police said off icers were called to Goodmayes Road a policeman between 2008 and 2011. But three life or cause serious injury to property. But his to James Bond, MI6 off icers are not for taking for transport’s analysis on Heathrow’s air quality in Ilford at about 12.40am. Paramedics found the judges accepted the appeal against his conviction lawyer indicated that Smith, who has a form of moral shortcuts,” Younger said. “It’s safe to impact. We will be pressing the government teenager suff ering from a number of stab wounds. for aiding and abetting a police off icer to commit autism, would at a later date plead not guilty on say that James Bond wouldn’t get through our for assurances that they have used the latest He was taken to an east London hospital and misconduct. They said the jury had not been the grounds that it was a prank. recruitment process,” said Younger. methodologies in the coming weeks.” underwent emergency surgery but died at 1.45am. properly directed. He will not face a retrial. Scottish NHS Royals visit Poundbury ‘is failing to keep up with rising demand’

Guardian News and Media caught in the crossfi re of political Edinburgh and public opinion”. She called for a “decisive re- sponse” from the Health Secre- cotland’s NHS faces mas- tary, Shona Robison. sive cuts as the health serv- “Clarity is needed from gov- Sice fails to keep pace with ernment on how they will sup- increasing demand, rising costs port health boards to deliver the and the needs of an ageing popu- changes needed, and also how all lation, according to the public fi - the various health strategies and nances watchdog. reforms currently under way will The damning report from Au- be delivered coherently across dit Scotland warns that some Scotland. All politicians need to NHS boards may not be able to set aside their diff erences and Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall look at food hampers during a visit to a Waitrose balance their books next year, and work together in order to get this supermarket in the town of Poundbury yesterday. Poundbury is an experimental new town on the outskirts of Dorchester in southwest England designed by Leon Krier reveals that the service met only right.” with traditional urban principles championed by The Prince of Wales and built on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. one of its eight key waiting time Audit Scotland reports that the targets last year. country’s 14 health boards made But Nicola Sturgeon insisted total savings of £291mn last year, the health service was perform- which left some needing to use ing better against tougher tar- short-term measures to break gets, and that there was “nothing even. It forecast that the fi gure unique about the challenges fac- would nearly double to £492mn ing the NHS in Scotland”, with in the current fi nancial year. the performance of accident The report says there is a “need and emergency departments 8% for NHS boards to make unprec- higher than those in England and edented levels of savings in 2016- Ukip backs Goldsmith Wales. 17, and a risk that some will not She told the Holyrood chamber achieve fi nancial balance”. during fi rst minister’s questions: The total health budget in 2015- “There is now more than £3bn 16 was £12.2bn. Although this in- extra investment in the health creased by 2.7% in real terms from service compared to the time we the previous year, major expenses took offi ce. There are 11,000 more have risen more sharply, with in Richmond Park polls medical professionals working staff costs increasing by 6.4% and in our health service. That’s why pension costs up by 18.6% in the Guardian News and Media election, resigned as an MP a matter of principle and Ukip happen.” Conservative government play- Audit Scotland says that staffi ng past six years. London earlier this week after the gov- admire him for having the cour- The LibDem leader, Tim ing Russian roulette with the levels are at an all-time high.” Failure to keep pace with rising ernment’s decision to approve age to do so,” a spokesman said. Farron, said the endorsement British economy. During a bruising session, demand and costs strengthened expansion at Heathrow, which “Ukip have always believed that showed Goldsmith was “the “Goldsmith can get as many Sturgeon was challenged by the the case for changing the way kip has endorsed Zac he opposes. The Conservatives Gatwick was a preferred option Ukip candidate”. hard-right candidates to give Scottish Conservative leader, services are delivered, according Goldsmith, the former have said they will not put up to Heathrow. “Goldsmith claimed Brexit him a clear run as he likes: he Ruth Davidson, about her gov- to the auditor general for Scot- UConservative MP who is their own candidate against “Recognising Zac as a princi- has nothing to do with this by- knows he faces a major battle ernment’s “outrageous” failure land. now standing as an independ- Goldsmith. pled man, who was fully com- election,” he said. “The very with a Liberal Democrat party to get a grip on the NHS, while Caroline Gardner said: “The ent in the Richmond Park by- The LibDems, who held the mitted to helping get Britain out public endorsement he has determined to keep Britain Scottish Labour’s Kezia Dugdale Scottish government has had a election. west London seat until 2010, of the European Union, Ukip picked up from the party of Ni- open, tolerant and united.” presented individual illustrations policy to shift the balance of care The party’s interim leader, have high hopes of winning it leader Nigel Farage, in conjunc- gel Farage nails that lie. On Wednesday, the Labour of what she described as the “hu- for over a decade but, despite Nigel Farage, said Ukip would back, thanks to their opposi- tion with our national executive “This by-election presents frontbenchers Clive Lewis and man cost of a decade of SNP mis- multiple strategies for reform, not put up a candidate against tion to Heathrow expansion and committee, have agreed that we a golden opportunity to defeat Jonathan Reynolds, as well as management”. NHS funding has not changed Goldsmith, who backed Leave their support for the EU. A large will not be fi elding a candidate one of the leading Brexiteers, the former shadow minister The criticism of government course. in the EU referendum, and majority of voters in Richmond in the upcoming by-election for who is determined even (to) take Lisa Nandy, suggested their ministers for failing to outline a “Before that shift can occur, its supporters should vote for Park voted to remain on June 23. Richmond Park.” Britain out of the single market. party should not contest the coherent vision for the healthcare there needs to be a clear and de- him to stop the pro-EU Liberal Ukip, which came fi fth in the The spokesman said the He might be able to aff ord the seat, where Labour came third system was echoed by the direc- tailed plan for change, setting out Democrats from winning the seat at last year’s general elec- LibDems were “committed to huge damage this would do to in 2015. The trio said it would be tor of the Royal College of Nurs- what the future of the NHS looks seat. tion, said it respected Gold- overturning the result of the our economy, but many people preferable not to split the pro- ing Scotland, Theresa Fyff e, who like, what it will cost to deliver Goldsmith, who was the smith’s decision to fi ght Heath- 2016 referendum and ignoring in Richmond Park are worried gressive vote, with the LibDems said health boards trying to make and the workforce numbers and Conservative candidate for row expansion. the will of the British people. about the eff ect on their jobs standing a chance of reducing savings “often fi nd themselves skills needed to make it a reality.” mayor of London in May’s “Goldsmith has resigned on This must not be allowed to and livelihoods as a result of the Theresa May’s majority. N Ireland court to rule Baroness honoured Brown takes crown as Bake Off bows out on Brexit challenge today London Evening Standard to overnight fi gures. London Charlotte Moore, head of BBC Content said: “BBC1 brought Reuters killed by loyalist paramilitaries in While overall, 52% of the UK over half of the British viewing Belfast 1997 whose case was heard in par- voted in favour of leaving the EU andice Brown yesterday public together to watch the fi - allel with the politicians’. in June’s referendum, a majority spoke of her joy at being nal of the Great British Bake Off , – 56% – of those voting in North- Ccrowned the winner of delivering the highest ever rat- orthern Ireland’s High The politicians argue that ern Ireland backed remaining in The Great British Bake Off after ings. Congratulations to Candice Court will today rule on a the government is obliged the bloc. Lawyers for the British the show bowed out on the BBC and the Bake Off team, and a big Nchallenge against British4 to maintain the statutory government told the court that it with record-breaking viewing thank you to all the loyal fans plans to leave the European Union recognition of the 1998 was not “illegitimate” for Britain’s fi gures. over the last seven series.” without a vote in parliament, the Good Friday Agreement prime minister to begin the proc- The 31-year-old said she was Brown is poised to win en- fi rst judgment in legal cases that between Britain and ess of leaving the EU without par- “thankful and honoured” after dorsements and TV deals and has are being closely watched by poli- Ireland liamentary approval. a peak of 14.8mn people tuned also set her sights on opening a ticians and markets. Campaigners have taken similar in to watch her triumph in the tea shop. The PE teacher, who A cross-party group of politi- “We are confi dent. I believe and action in London to argue Prime royal-themed fi nale. grew up in London but lives in cians, including members of the my legal people believe we have a Minister Theresa May and her Brown, who is now tipped to Hertfordshire with partner Liam British province’s largest Irish na- very strong case.” ministers do not have the author- earn £1mn, wrote online: “I am Macaulay, 30, said it was the tionalist parties, brought the chal- The politicians pursuing the ity to invoke Article 50 of the EU grateful thankful and honoured! “biggest moment of my life”. lenge earlier this month, arguing High Court case argue that the Lisbon Treaty, the mechanism by What a crazy few months! You She said: “When they an- that a vote in the Northern Ireland British government is legally which a nation can leave the bloc, will never know what this means nounced the winner, I almost regional assembly should also be obliged to maintain the statutory without the explicit backing of to me!” didn’t hear it, and was in com- required. recognition of the 1998 Good Fri- parliament. Jane Beedle, 61, who lost out plete and utter disbelief. I was Justice Paul Maguire told the day Agreement between Britain One of the applicants in that to Brown with fellow fi nalist An- aware of it but I couldn’t take three-day hearing that he would and Ireland, which contains refer- challenge, Northern Irishman drew Smyth, 25, tweeted: “Huge it in. (Judges Mary Berry and consider the case and reconvene at ences to the EU. Fergal McFerran, told Reuters that congrats... you smashed it! Enjoy Paul Hollywood) came over and an unspecifi ed date. The agreement ended three he understood that the judgment every minute, you deserve all the I thought my knees would give One of the plaintiff told Reuters decades of tit-for-tat killings be- in the London case was expected love.” way. the judge had notifi ed them that he tween Catholic Irish nationalists, next week. The BBC revealed the fi nale, “When I got home after the was ready to give his ruling. who want the province to unite Whatever the result in either Model Naomi Campbell poses for a photograph with the last before the show’s con- fi lming I went straight to bed “The legal teams have to come with Ireland, and Protestant un- case, the losing side will almost Baroness Amos, after Amos received her Member troversial move to Channel 4, at- and got up for work... I couldn’t down to court Friday morning at ionists, who want to remain part of certainly appeal to the Supreme of the Order of the Companions of Honour at tracted an average of 14mn view- talk about it and nothing had 10am for the judgment,” said Ray- the United Kingdom. Court, the UK’s highest judicial Buckingham Palace, in London yesterday. ers, the highest ever, beating last changed. I questioned whether it mond McCord, the father of a man The confl ict left 3,600 dead. body. year’s 13.4mn average, according happened!” Gulf Times 10 Friday, October 28, 2016 EUROPE

IWC seeks to curtail Quakes rattle Italy but ‘science’ hunts

AFP no deaths are reported Portoroz, Slovenia Reuters/AFP Visso, Italy he world’s whaling watchdog voted yester- Tday to conduct stricter arthquakes caused wide- reviews of whales killed under spread damage and ter- an exemption to a 30-year-old Erifi ed residents in central moratorium which Japan’s crit- Italy overnight, two months ics say it abuses to hunt for meat. after a strong quake left nearly The resolution, opposed by 300 dead and razed villages in Japan and fellow whalers Nor- the same area, but no-one was way and Iceland, was adopted killed. by 34 “yes” votes to 17 against, Several people were slightly at the 66th meeting of the Inter- injured, but only a few needed national Whaling Commission hospital treatment, the Civil (IWC). Protection Agency said. It is not legally binding on In Visso, one of the larger hill members of the commission, towns hit, the mayor said most which has no policing or penalty of the damage had been to build- function. ings already weakened by the Renzi: The whole of (Italy) is by your side. Submitted by Australia and August 24 earthquake. New Zealand, the resolution “The situation is ugly and you everyone had already left their look like Amatrice.” seeks to “improve” the review can see the noticeable damage, homes after the fi rst quake so I Yesterday the government process for scientifi c whal- but luckily I can say it’s better don’t think anyone was hurt.” set aside €40mn ($44mn) for ing programmes – which Japan than it looks. We don’t have vic- In Campi, a town of about immediate costs related to the alone conducts, netting more tims or seriously injured people 200, rescue workers set up some earthquakes, and Prime Minis- than 15,000 of the marine mam- or anyone missing,” Giuliano 50 beds in a quake-proof build- ter Matteo Renzi visited the area mals since 1986. Pazzaglini said. ing for people who could not aff ected. “We welcome this result as an The quake was nonetheless a sleep in their homes. “The whole of the population important reaction to Japan uni- shock to a town that had started “I can’t shake off the fear,” is by your side,” he told local of- laterally issuing its own permits to work on rebuilding after the said Mauro Viola, 64, who said fi cials in the town of Camerino, for so-called scientifi c whaling,” last tremor, Pazzaglini said, and he had not slept and had spent adding that the latest tremors said Matt Collis of the Interna- the hours following it were full the night outside. “I am afraid underlined the need for invest- A collapsed house is seen tional Fund for Animal Welfare. of anxiety for people in the bor- to see what my house looks like.” ments to make Italy’s buildings after an earthquake in Borgo “We all know that scientifi c der area of the Marche and Um- Police had blocked off the earthquake proof. Sant’Antonio, near Visso, central whaling is sham science, and bria regions. road to his home with a bench, Renzi has said spending under Italy. simply commercial whaling by Many people slept in their and Viola said a chapel nearby a plan to reinforce the country’s another name,” he added. cars. had collapsed. schools should be excluded from Right: A woman makes a phone Japan defended its annual “Given the strength of the Boulders tumbled down the European Union limits on budg- call after an earthquake in Southern Ocean whale hunt, shocks the absence of any deaths valley into roads around Visso. et defi cits. Ussita. saying that it was gathering sci- or serious injuries is miracu- Offi cials restricted access to “We will rebuild everything, entifi c data. lous,” Interior Minister Angelino its historic centre, awakening 100%, that is the government’s Campi di Norcia, was reduced to The country insisted that its Alfano said. grim memories of the levelling commitment,” said Vasco Erra- rubble. actions were in keeping with a Marco Rinaldi, mayor of the of the hilltop town of Amatrice ni, the reconstruction supremo The fi rst tremor measured 2014 ruling of the International village of Ussita, described in August. appointed after the August dis- magnitude 5.4, causing many Court of Justice (ICJ), which “apocalyptic” scenes. “The only time I have cried aster. people to fl ee their homes and found that permits issued by “People were in the streets today was when I wasn’t allowed The three main overnight the second was stronger at 6.1, Japan were “not for purposes screaming. Many houses have to go into the historic centre,” quakes came about two hours according to the US Geological of scientifi c research” and in- collapsed. Our town is fi nished,” said Visso restaurateur Elena apart. Survey. structed the country to halt its he said. “I’ve felt a lot of earth- Zabuchynska, 43. “I thought of Close to Visso, the rose- A 4.9 aftershock came a cou- JARPA II programme. quakes but that was the strong- Amatrice, all fallen down, and windowed facade of a late 14th ple hours after that, and dozens “Reports oftentimes say (that) est I’ve ever felt. Fortunately I thought our city centre might century church, San Salvatore a of weaker ones followed. irrespective of the ICJ judgment Japan started the research, or in violation of the ICJ judgment ... and that’s not true,” Japan’s commissioner to the IWC, Joji Morishita told fellow delegates. In the judgment of the court Rajoy looks to tomorrow’s itself, “it is clear that the ICJ assumes there can be future re- search activities”, he insisted. “The ICJ also said ... that the use of lethal sampling per se is vote to form government not unreasonable in relation to the research objectives,” Moris- hita added. Reuters when Rajoy only needs more On Wednesday, he urged op- (the Socialists),” said Antonio After the court ruling, Japan Madrid votes in favour than against, ponents to work with him to Hernando, a senior Socialist cancelled its 2014-15 hunt, only should allow him to form a mi- avoid yet another election in the member. to resume it the following year nority conservative government near future. The Socialists remain deeply under a new programme called pain’s opposition parties and end more than 300 days of During a second term, Rajoy, split over their abstention in NEWREP-A (New Scientifi c warned acting Prime Min- political paralysis. who has led the PP since 2004, tomorrow’s vote, approved by a Whale Research Programme in Sister Mariano Rajoy that Socialist leaders made it very will need support from opposi- majority of their senior mem- the Antarctic Ocean). he will face a challenging sec- clear during a heated debate tion parties to pass legislation to bers last Sunday. It killed 333 minke whales in ond term if, as expected, he wins yesterday, in which fellow op- tackle mounting challenges and The party’s Catalan wing has the Southern Ocean – many of a parliamentary confi dence vote position party Podemos at one restore Spain’s international already said it will vote “no” to- them pregnant, according to ob- tomorrow after losing a fi rst point stormed out of the cham- stature. morrow. servers. ballot yesterday. ber, that they would not give A top priority will be shrink- The former Socialist leader, The Southern Ocean hosts one The Socialist party has agreed Rajoy a free hand to govern and ing Spain’s budget defi cit to Pedro Sanchez, who resigned of two whale sanctuaries in the to abstain in the second vote, would fi ght his austerity poli- meet the 2017 target agreed on October 1 after a party re- world. which was called automatically cies. with Brussels, which requires volt over his refusal to enable a The issue is a deeply divisive after Rajoy fell six votes short Rajoy’s People’s Party (PP) at least €5bn ($5.46bn) of either Rajoy-led government, could one at the biennial meetings of of the majority he needed in won two national elections in cuts or extra revenues. resign from his seat in parlia- the IWC, which turned 70 this yesterday’s fi rst parliamentary December and June but without “You will not dominate par- ment before tomorrow’s vote to year. vote. a majority, and eff orts to form a liament, the majority you lack avoid having to break with his The meat from Japan’s hunts The Socialists’ planned ab- coalition in a fragmented parlia- will triumph and a lot of the party’s line on abstaining, a par- ends up on supermarket shelves Rajoy gets up to leave after the investiture debate yesterday. stention tomorrow evening, ment failed. time it will align with the PSOE ty source close to Sanchez said. and in restaurants, in line with an IWC stipulation that whales taken for research must be eaten. Under the IWC moratorium, all whaling other than for abo- riginal subsistence, or science, is prohibited. France tells migrants to forget Calais ‘Jungle’ Japan hunts under the science exemption, while Norway and Iceland lodged formal objections Reuters earthmovers fl attened the camp, with the Save the Children char- “We’ve gone from 2,000 to to the moratorium and continue Calais where the evacuation started on ity. “Other children fl ed. They 3,000 in two days with the clo- commercial hunts. Monday. lost faith in the system.” sure of Calais,” she told BFM TV New Zealand’s commissioner She said more than 6,000 mi- A young man from Sudan of the makeshift camp, where Amy Laurenson expressed her ulldozers cleared mounds grants had signed up to be taken who said his name was Clinton a railway bridge provides cover country’s “deep disappoint- of debris and demolished to other parts of the country as told Reuters that he had arrived for hundreds of tents and mat- ment” with Japan’s resumption Bmakeshift shelters in the planned, and that matched the overnight from Germany and tresses. of whaling without IWC ap- “Jungle” migrant camp yester- number of people who had been was “here for England” as a fi nal The numbers of irregular proval. day, and French authorities said living there. destination. migrants reaching Europe are Japan had referred NEWREP- more than 6,000 people had One high-ranking local offi - “But it is also okay if I can fi le sharply down on the 1.3mn who A to the IWC’s scientifi c com- been evacuated from the squalid cial, speaking on condition that an (asylum) request in France. It arrived in 2015. mittee, but started whaling be- site. he not be identifi ed, said the doesn’t matter where I sleep to- But more than 300,000 have fore it could complete a review, Charities said hundreds of camp was not totally empty. night,” he said. made the hazardous Mediter- she said, and accused Tokyo of migrants might have fl ed the “There was panic over the un- Buccio said she wanted to ranean crossing in 2016 so far, sidelining the commission. camp rather than take part in a accompanied minors, we knew make clear to any would-be new and many are likely to head for “On the basis of the informa- programme to rehouse them in we’d be back today to try to sort arrivals in the French port that Britain for work, language and tion the commission has before towns across the country. this out,” he told Reuters. “And I the camp was shut for good and family reasons. it, it is clear that NEWREP-A is Yesterday a Reuters reporter think some migrants are still go- the rehousing exercise fi nished. The British referendum vote not in fact for purposes of scien- saw dozens of migrants, includ- ing to remain inside the camp in “It is not Calais’ role to receive this year to quit the European tifi c research,” the commissioner ing children, still in the western An aid worker provides assistance near a group of migrants coming days.” all the migrants of Europe,” she Union was in large part driven argued, and called on Japan to part of the camp, where the dis- claiming to be minors using blankets to protect themselves from A British charity called Help said. by worries over immigration, “cease the lethal component of mantling had not yet started. the cold as they prepare to spend the night after the dismantlement Refugees said police had arrest- There were signs that some and stoked by scenes of the Cal- NEWREP-A”. The Jungle, a ramshackle, of the ‘Jungle’ camp in Calais. ed some minors yesterday. migrants might have fl ed from ais migrants trying to force their For Kitty Block of the Humane overcrowded shanty town, came Police patrolled the camp and Calais to Paris to avoid being way in. Society International, yester- to symbolise Europe’s diffi culty Socialist President Francois examination of their cases. other parts of Calais, where doz- roped into offi cial processing of Now that Britain is leaving the day’s vote shrank the scientifi c in dealing with record infl ows Hollande, facing an election “By next Monday, the camp ens of migrants were wandering. asylum requests. EU, right-wing French politi- whaling “loophole”. of migrants from impoverished six months from now, decided will be no more. It is already gone “Lots of children are sleeping Heloise Mary, working to help cians with an eye on next year’s “With its continued defi ance and war-torn regions of Africa, under local pressure to close but the (demolition) job will be outside. We had a group of Eri- migrants at a smaller camp un- election want to tear up the and its unfettered whaling, Ja- the Middle East and Asia, many the Jungle and relocate its in- fi nished by Monday evening,” trean boys, 13 and 14 years old, der a bridge in north Paris, said agreement under which Britain’s pan is not just killing whales but of them bent on crossing the sea habitants in towns and villages local government prefect Fa- last night, who slept outside,” numbers there had suddenly border controls are conducted in making itself a true outlier in the from Calais to Britain. throughout the country pending bienne Buccio told reporters as said Dorothy Sang, a worker shot up. France. community of nations,” she said. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 11 INDIA

Govt approves setting up of National Academic Depository plan

IANS months and will be rolled out thing of the past. It will help boards) which can be submitted had incorporated the plan of Academic institutions will be cies and academic institutions. New Delhi fully throughout the country in students immensely. (Under easily for employment, higher NAD for school learning cer- responsible for the authenticity It will provide digital or a the next fi scal year, said an offi - NAD) the records can be shared education and loans and are eas- tifi cates, degrees and other aca- of records uploaded by them into printed copy of the academic cial release issued here following easily and obtained by stu- ily trusted and verifi ed. demic awards of higher educa- the integrated system. The NAD awards with security features he central cabinet yester- a meeting of the union cabinet. dents, especially those abroad, It will integrate directly with tion institutions, on the lines of will extend support to them to to students or other authorised day approved establishing Minister for Human Resource or employers at just one click,” boards/universities which issue a Securities Depository. upload data digitally. The up- users. It will verify academic Tand operationalising the Development Prakash Javadekar Javadekar said. certifi cates and hence ensure The NAD will be operational- loaded data from various insti- awards, certifi cates online on National Academic Depository called the development an “im- He added that several institu- authenticity of the records. ised by two depositories – NSDL tutes will be integrated in the the same day of request by any (NAD) which envisages doing portant milestone in higher edu- tions had already started digiti- Academic awards can be veri- Database Management Lim- NAD by the depositories. authorised user. away with the use of paper cer- cation.” sation of their documents. fi ed and authenticated, accessed ited (NDML) and CDSL Ven- It will register institutions, However, it will allow access tifi cates for verifi cation of aca- “It brings transparency and The NAD will develop an on- and retrieved from the digital tures Limited (CVL) – which are boards, eligibility assessment of academic awards to potential demic records, an offi cial said. rules out any possibility of line portfolio of all education depository. registered under the Securities bodies, students and verifying employers and academic insti- The NAD will be operation- tampering. The issue of fake certifi cates across academic in- In this year’s general budget, Exchange Board of India (SEBI) entities like banks, employer tutions only after receiving con- alised within the next three degrees will now become a stitutes (universities/institutes/ Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Act, 1992. companies, government agen- sent of students. US targets Indian call centres over tax racket

Agencies The call centre racket made Washington use of informal money transfer businesses known as hawalas to move the money. Many of the people contacted S justice authorities an- did not know the money being nounced action yester- transferred was part of an extor- Uday to shut down a group tion scheme, according to the of Indian call centres that had Justice Department. Police officials pose with Subhash Jangir and Maulana Ramzan in New Delhi yesterday, after they were arrested for alleged espionage activities for Pakistan. cheated victims in the United Caldwell said the fi ve call cen- States of hundreds of millions of tres and individuals targeted in dollars. yesterday’s announcement were The Justice Department said apart from the arrests early this tens of thousands of victims, month of some 70 people by In- most of them from South Asia, dian authorities also involved in were extorted by callers pre- call centre scams. tending to be US tax or immigra- “We want to comment the tion offi cials threatening them Indians for having done that India expels Pakistan with arrest and deportation if because we think it’s important they did not remit money to the that they come in, in addition government. to our enforcement eff orts,” said But the victims were then di- Caldwell. rected to people working with She said the call centres the call centres in the United worked together on the scam but States to collect the “fi nes” did not identify any one individ- offi cial for ‘espionage’ through prepaid debit cards or ual or group leading the scheme. wire transfers, and the money She said it was unlikely any of High Commission staff er his possession on Indian troop mitted he worked for the Paki- Akhtar was placed at the mis- “A list of jawans (soldiers) was quickly laundered out of the the victims, most of them cheat- given 48 hours to leave deployment along the border, stan High Commission. sion in New Delhi in September posted at the border along with country, according to the Justice ed between 2012 and 2015, would country; Islamabad denies Yadav told a press conference in In Islamabad, the Pakistan 2013 where he was working as soldiers who had retired from Department. get their money back. charges Delhi. foreign ministry said the offi cial assistant to the trade counsellor. service was also recovered,” Ya- The agency said it had ar- “Often once the money’s paid, “They used to meet once in a was detained for three hours Tensions between India and dav said. rested 20 people and unveiled its gone,” she said. Agencies month at a pre-decided place to on “false and unsubstantiated” Pakistan have soared since a raid Another Indian national was charges against fi ve call centres Caldwell warned that the ar- New Delhi exchange documents and mon- charges of espionage before he last month on an Indian army arrested late yesterday from and 32 individuals in India in the rests do not mean the end to ey,” he said. was returned to the mission. base in Uri in Jammu and Kash- Jodhpur in Rajasthan on charges Ahmedabad-based operation. such scams. Akhtar was later released, he “We condemn the detention mir near the de-facto border of helping the Pakistan offi cial, The charges lodged by the US “These people are persist- ndia announced yesterday added. and manhandling of our diplo- killed 19 soldiers, the worst such a senior police offi cer said. attorney in the southern district ent. If you get phone calls, and it was expelling a Pakistani Foreign Secretary Subrah- matic offi cial,” a statement said. attack in more than a decade. High Commissioner Basit of Texas sets charges against a I do expect these people are re- Ivisa offi cial for suspected manyam Jaishankar summoned “This act clearly refl ects In- India blamed militants in Pa- lodged a “strong protest” yes- total of 56 people and fi ve In- silient and will not give up, my spying after he was briefl y de- Pakistan’s High Commissioner dian actions to shrink diplo- kistan and said it had responded terday with the Indian foreign dian companies for conspiracy advice to you is just hang up,” tained carrying sensitive de- Abdul Basit to inform him of matic space for the working of by carrying out strikes across ministry and said the detention to commit identity theft, false she said. fence documents, with tensions the decision to expel the offi cial the Pakistan High Commis- the heavily-militarised bor- of the offi cial contravened dip- impersonation of an offi cer of Caldwell said the US will be between the neighbours already within 48 hours. sion,” the statement added. der, although Islamabad denies lomatic conventions, a Pakista- the United States, wire fraud and seeking the extradition of those running high. “FS (foreign secretary) sum- It noted that Akhtar’s deten- these took place. ni diplomatic source said. money laundering. based in India and warned others New Delhi police said the of- mons Pak High Commissioner tion violated the Vienna Con- Indian and Pakistani troops “The High Commissioner “These individuals demanded engaged in similar schemes. fi cial had been recruiting Indian to convey that Pak High Com- vention. regularly exchange fi re across denied the accusation and said immediate payments from the “It’s really important for nationals for two-and-a-half mission staff er has been de- But Indian spokesman Swarup the Line of Control in Kashmir, we (the commission) never people they called to avoid de- the scammers in India to know years to spy for Pakistan’s pow- clared persona non grata for said: “He was treated with ut- but sending ground troops over engage in activity that is in- portation, to avoid arrest or to that the US is looking at this, is erful Inter-Services Intelligence espionage activities,” foreign most courtesy” in keeping with the line is rare. compatible with its diplomatic cover supposedly unpaid income watching them and they could, (ISI) in return for cash. ministry spokesman Vikas diplomatic norms and handed Yadav said two Indian nationals status,” the source said on con- taxes,” said Assistant Attorney if they engage in that activity, “Delhi police crime branch Swarup said on Twitter. over to a diplomat of the Pakistan from Rajasthan were also arrest- dition of anonymity. General Leslie Caldwell. be extradited to the United Sates has busted an espionage racket “We have defi nitely busted mission on Wednesday itself. ed, and that Akhtar had planned The offi cial has been given 48 “In the process, these crimi- and could sit in jail ... for several run by a kingpin working in the an espionage ring and the ring- Akhtar reportedly said that to meet his Indian co-conspira- hours to leave the country, the nals took hundreds of millions years,” she said. The investiga- Pakistan high commission,” leader has been asked to leave he joined the Pakistan Army’s tors at the Delhi Zoo to exchange source said. of dollars from this scam alone. tion involved Immigration and said Ravindra Yadav, joint com- within 48 hours,” Swarup later Baloch Regiment in 1997 and the information and cash. The expulsion comes as two The victims include people all Customs Enforcement, Treas- missioner of police on crime. said at a press conference. was deputed to the Inter Serv- He said Akhtar was carrying Indian soldiers died yesterday over the United States and tar- ury, Homeland Security, US Se- The offi cial, named as Meh- Akhtar initially posed as an ices Intelligence maps that showed the deploy- during two separate gunfi re in- geted primarily immigrants and cret Service and police offi cials, mood Akhtar, was detained on Indian national and produced a in 2013, according to the In- ment of Border Security Forces cidents on the border with Pa- the elderly.” the Justice Department said. Wednesday with documents in fake identity card, but later ad- dian spokesman. (BSF) and army soldiers. kistan in Kashmir.

Cultural gaff e: minister calls Tycoon to gift cars New Zealand PM ‘McCullum’ and fl ats to workers

AFP The company will be IANS “It’s payback,” he said, prob- sador last year, Malhotra had Ahmedabad spending an estimated New Delhi ably with his tongue fi rmly in his met Key at his offi ce and the Rs500mn ($7mn) under the cheek. prime minister had gifted the loyalty programme to reward New Zealand’s prime minister, actor a jersey of the famous All generous diamond an unknown number of staff t seems India’s minister of of course, ignored the minister’s Blacks rugby team. tycoon in Gujarat is from a total workforce of culture does not know who gaff e saying that a direct fl ight Malhotra, who has done Aonce again giving away 5,500. Ithe prime minister of New between India and his country half a dozen films in Bolly- hundreds of cars and fl ats to Most employees receive Zealand is especially at a time would be the next step to lift the wood, is planning to leave for his employees as a bonus for presents of some kind from when he is visiting New Delhi number of tourists both ways. a 10-day tour to New Zealand meeting company targets. their bosses during Diwali, and was present at a meeting to Key, who addressed the gath- next month to shoot for new Savjibhai Dholakia, who the festival of lights, but they talk about the tourism potential ering with a warm “Namaste, tourism-related campaigns. runs a diamond export fi rm in are usually boxes of Indian between the two countries. Sat Sri Akaal”, said he was happy He calls New Zealand his “third Surat, announced his company sweets. Mahesh Sharma addressed about having a “young ambassa- home” after Delhi, where he will give 1,260 cars, 400 fl ats But Dholakia has been mak- John Key as “His Excellency dor” like Malhotra who connects was born, and Mumbai where and pieces of jewellery to his ing headlines by giving ex- Prime Minister McCullum,” be- with the youth. he now lives. employees ahead of the festi- pensive gifts to his employees traying his inability to distinguish With around 43,000 tourists Amid a raging controversy val of Diwali which falls on the since 2012, when three em- between him and the other guest, coming to New Zealand from In- over Indian student visa fraud, a weekend. ployees received cars for their former New Zealand cricket dia every year, Key said he hopes New Zealand agency for interna- “Our aim is that each em- performance. skipper Brendon McCullum. the numbers increase. tional education has advised po- ployee must have his own The generous boss gave 491 The federal minister for cul- Malhotra presented a home- tential applicants to go through home and car in the next fi ve cars and 207 fl ats to his em- ture and tourism repeated the made statue of a lion to the prime government-recognised educa- years. So we have decided to ployees under a similar pro- name at least twice during his minister saying it represented tion agents. gift cars, homes and jewellery gramme in 2014. address, attracting gasps from power, pride and confi dence. Education New Zealand to employees,” Dholakia, own- The company will exclude the audience. “I hope this fi nds a place at (ENZ), the country’s govern- er of the Hare Krishna Exports, previous year’s benefi ciaries Bollywood star Sidharth Mal- your workplace or home, Sir,” ment agency for international said. from the new scheme. hotra, who is the tourism am- the actor said. He also invited education, stressed that such a He said the rewards were in His fi rm is one of the lead- bassador for New Zealand, gave Key for a “home cooked meal” at process will ensure that the stu- India’s Tourism and Cultural Minister Mahesh Sharma watches as recognition of the outstanding ing polishing companies in back to the minister when he his residence. dents and parents realise they Bollywood actor and Tourism New Zealand Brand Ambassador performance and dedication India’s diamond hub Surat and mumbled a diff erent name while During his maiden visit to are ultimately responsible for Sidharth Malhotra (right) and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key shown by employees in the last exports diamonds to some 75 addressing him. New Zealand as tourism ambas- the repercussions. light a traditional lamp during an event in New Delhi yesterday. fi ve years. countries. Gulf Times 12 Friday, October 28, 2016 INDIA

CONTROVERSY JUDICIARY CRIME SCARE SUICIDE SC to hear plea against SC stays UP summons Nigerian national held No need for panic over DCW issues summonses making bridge toll free to Kejriwal, Vishwas for staying illegally avian flu: Kerala minister to CBI, Delhi police

The Supreme Court will today hear a plea by the The Supreme Court yesterday stayed a summons A Nigerian national was arrested for allegedly Kerala Animal Husbandry Minister K Raju The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Noida Toll Bridge Company (NTBCL) challenging issued by an Uttar Pradesh court to Delhi Chief staying illegally in India, police said yesterday. yesterday said there was need to panic over yesterday again issued summonses to the the Allahabad High Court order making the Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi party Wilsan Oeochukwu, 28, came to India on an reports of ducks dying due to avian flu (H5N1 Central Bureau of Investigation and the Delhi Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) Flyway toll free. A leader Kumar Vishwas and issued a notice to the education visa and was earlier staying in Vasant virus) in Alappuzha. “It has been confirmed that police in the suicides of senior bureaucrat bench headed by Justice Anil R Dave passed state government. A bench headed by Justice Kunj area of New Delhi. He was staying as a the virus that caused the death of the ducks will B K Bansal and his family and expressed the order yesterday after senior counsel Shyam Jagdish Singh Khehar granted the stay on the paying guest in Gurgaon for the last two months not aff ect human beings and hence there need shock why an FIR had not been filed so far. Divan mentioned the plea for an early hearing. summons issued by a Sultanpur court in a case from where he was arrested. Oeochukwu be no panic,” said Raju. In the past few days, Asking them to appear on November 2, the The DND has become toll-free following the in which both leaders were accused of violating hails from Nigeria’s Benin city, the police said. ducks have been found dead in four Alappuzha Commission also asked the police to provide high court order on Wednesday. The verdict prohibitory orders by holding an unscheduled “Oeochukwu was arrested during a routine villages. Bodies of 1,500 ducks were burnt copies of the suicide notes written by Bansal’s had come on a PIL, filed by the Federation of roadside meeting during the 2014 Lok Sabha search operation. His visa expired in 2004 and yesterday. “It has been decided to compensate wife and daughter, and sought reasons for not Noida Residents’ Welfare Association in 2012, election. Both leaders sought the quashing of the he was staying illegally since then,” police off icer the farmers for the loss they have suff ered. They registering an FIR. “It’s shocking that no FIR challenging the “levy and collection of toll in criminal proceedings that followed an FIR filed by Surender Singh said. The accused was yesterday will be given Rs200 for each dead duck more was registered in the case till date and the CBI the name of user fee by the Noida Toll Bridge an election off icer on April 20, 2014. In pursuance produced before the court of Chief Judicial than two months old while Rs100 will be given and Delhi police violated the law by refusing Company Ltd.” It is estimated that about to the summons, Kejriwal and Vishwas were to Magistrate (CJM) Gagandeep Mittal and was sent for those younger. Rs5 will be paid for each egg information to the DCW – a statutory body,” 150,000 vehicles use DND toll bridge daily. appear before the Sultanpur court yesterday. to jail under judicial custody for 14 days. that had to be destroyed,” Raju added. DCW chief Swati Maliwal said.

Court puts off hearing Govt, tobacco petition on Sonia’s election industry face

IANS New Delhi

he Supreme Court yes- off ahead of terday deferred hearing Tan appeal challenging the election of Congress president Sonia Gandhi to the Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli in May 2014 al- leging that it was at her instance that the Shahi Imam of Del- WHO meeting hi’s historic Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari had sought Health off icials say won’t bow nies to print bigger health warn- be allowed into the WHO FCTC votes for the party. to “pressure tactics” ings on tobacco products. conference. The bench of Justices Anil A tobacco farmers’ group this In a September 28 letter, the R Dave, R K Agrawal and A M Reuters month questioned the legality TII said “there is no obligation Khanwilkar said the issue raised New Delhi of India implementing the FCTC on any signatory to the FCTC to in the petition was the one being treaty, and asked the Delhi High comply with or implement any examined by a seven-judge Con- Court to compel the government provision of the FCTC.” stitution bench and its outcome ndia’s $11bn tobacco industry to allow farmers to attend the The WHO, however, says the should be awaited. has urged the government to WHO FCTC conference. treaty is legally binding on its The seven-judge Consti- Itake a softer line on tobacco A judge last week asked the member countries. tution bench is examining control eff orts when it hosts a government to “consider” the The ministry also received whether restriction on seeking WHO conference in New Delhi plea, but did not rule on the other a near-6,000-page petition votes in the name of religion, next month, but offi cials say requests. signed by more than 100,000 caste, community and lan- the government will not bow to “If we take them in the del- farmers seeking protection from guage under Section 123(3) of “pressure tactics.” egation, the government of In- FCTC rules. the Representation of People’s Delegates from about 180 dia may feel embarrassed,” said The TII - which represents Act, 1951, is limited to the con- countries will attend the Novem- one health ministry offi cial, who cigarette makers including ITC, testing candidates or includes ber 7-12 World Health Organisa- didn’t want to be named because which is part-owned by British election agents and third par- tion conference on the sole global of the sensitivity of the matter. American Tobacco; and God- ties as well. anti-tobacco treaty: the Frame- “We will not act on these (lob- frey Phillips, the local partner As Hari Shankar Jain, lawyer work Convention on Tobacco bying documents).” of Philip Morris International for petitioner Ramesh Singh – Control (FCTC). Around 1,000 tobacco farmers - also sent the health ministry a a Rae Bareli voter – urged the In force since 2005, the treaty staged silent protests yesterday ‘handbook’ detailing how FCTC court to hear the plea, Dave said: aims to deter tobacco use that outside the federal health minis- proposals are a threat to farmers’ “Let the Constitution bench de- kills around 6mn people a year. try and the WHO regional offi ce, livelihoods. cide the issue.” The industry in India, the both in New Delhi, appealing to It asked the government to The judge said that seeking world’s third-biggest tobacco the government to boycott the ensure that “unreasonable and votes in the name of religion is producer, wants Prime Minister conference. impractical” proposals are not one of the issues fl agged by the Narendra Modi’s government to The WHO FCTC Convention adopted at the WHO FCTC con- petitioner in his plea. soften its stance on what it says Secretariat in Geneva said it wel- ference. Jain said that besides rais- are tough FCTC measures that comes India’s decision, saying its The TII did not respond que- ing the issue of Imam Bukhari’s threaten livelihoods among the guidelines state that no country ries on the make-up of the Indian appeal, the petitioner has also estimated 46mn people linked to should have delegation members delegation or the legality of the raised the issue of Gandhi still the sector. linked to the tobacco industry. FCTC. retaining her Italian citizen- In documents obtained un- Conference decisions on In another letter, a group rep- ship. der India’s Right to Information treaty provisions – designed for resenting traditional Indian cig- Singh moved the top court law, industry and farmer groups eventual implementation at na- arette makers urged Modi to en- challenging the July 12 verdict of wrote to offi cials across govern- tional level by signatories – have sure the health ministry does not the Allahabad High Court dis- ment asking to attend the WHO a direct bearing on the global to- make any anti-tobacco commit- missing his plea on both counts. FCTC conference and be part of bacco industry that Euromonitor ments before or after the confer- The high court had ruled that India’s delegation, in an eff ort to International estimates is worth ence, fearing the potential im- Singh did not have suffi cient protect their interests. $784bn this year. pact on those tied to the industry. grounds to sustain the peti- Global tobacco fi rms have Topics for debate at the WHO The health ministry offi cial tion and hence it was being dis- criticised the biennial event for FCTC conference include alter- said the government would con- missed. not being transparent, in part native livelihoods for tobacco sider farmers’ views, but there Gandhi had told the high court because proceedings have in the farmers, e-cigarettes and trade was “no soft corner for the in- that she was a lawfully elected past not been open to the public, and investment issues. dustry.” member of the Lok Sabha, and including industry representa- The nation’s main cigarette Smoking kills more than 1mn denied that she had indulged in tives. industry body, the Tobacco In- people a year in India, BMJ Glo- corrupt practice on the ground The tussle comes at a time stitute of India (TII), and farmer bal Health estimates. of religion. She also told the high when the Indian industry is groups wrote to the agriculture The WHO says tobacco-re- court that she had renounced her Tobacco farmers under the banner of the Federation of All India Farmers Association stage a smarting from measures im- ministry demanding to have lated diseases cost the country Italian citizenship. demonstration against the upcoming WHO conference, in New Delhi yesterday. posed this year forcing compa- their views represented and to $16bn annually.

Jeans junction Women have the highest Jayalalithaa ‘recovering status in Islam: former CEC fast’, says AIADMK

IANS one a chance to interfere with our including art and photography IANS which said she continued to be New Delhi religious laws,” Quraishi said. exhibitions, lectures by academ- Chennai under treatment and observation Speaking at a function on the ics, fi lm screenings and cultural for all vital parameters, respira- 96th foundation day of Jamia shows were also held in the ongo- tory support and passive physi- omen have the highest Milia Islamia, Vice Chancel- ing three-day celebrations. amil Nadu Chief Minis- otherapy. status in Islam and the lor Talat Ahmad said there was zThe Goa Congress expressed ter J Jayalalithaa is on the The hospital said Jayalalithaa WMuslim community a need to focus on the education support for the triple talaq and Troad to full recovery and “is interacting (with people) and must see things with a liberal in- of minority communities in the criticised Prime Minister Naren- it is for doctors at Apollo Hospi- progressing gradually.” terpretation now, former chief country, especially the Muslims, dra Modi for “trying to meddle tals to decide on her discharge, The 68-year-old was admitted election commissioner of India S for them to progress in society. with Shariah law and polarise the state’s ruling All India Anna to the hospital with fever and de- Y Quraishi said yesterday. “The community will progress votes by attacking the minority Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam hydration on September 22. Speaking in the backdrop of an only when everyone receives edu- community.” party said yesterday. Doctors later said she needed a ongoing debate about triple talaq, cation.” “Modi is trying to create a com- “Our leader is recovering longer stay at the hospital as she Quraishi said: “Muslim women “Given the circumstances, we munal issue by trying to interfere fast. She is interacting with had an infection and was put on have the highest status in Islam do not have to let any community with the Shariah... He has no others. She speaks and it is all respiratory support. and no other religion has such a remain backward in any aspect,” right to interfere in matters relat- rumours that she communi- According to the hospital, a concept of equality.” he added. ed to the Muslim religion,” Con- cates only by sign language,” team of specialists including Giving examples of property University Grants Commission gress spokesperson Urfan Mullah party spokesperson C R Saras- cardiologists, respiratory physi- rights of women in Islam and right (UGC) chairman Ved Prakash said said in Panaji yesterday. wathi said. cians, consultants for infectious to education, he said: “There is a the country needs to place its ed- “Had triple talaq been such She said it was for the doctors diseases, diabetologists and en- perception that women are sup- ucation system right. “We need to a bad thing, women from our to decide on Jayalalithaa’s dis- docrinologists was treating Jay- pressed. The government must sit together and interpret in terms community would not have pro- charge. alalithaa. think that the laws are sacred of curriculum and ensure diver- gressed so far right from Uttar Meanwhile, the hospital con- Meanwhile, prayers were within a community as they are sity there in,” Prakash said. Pradesh to here,” he said. tinued to maintain silence on held outside the hospital by AI- seen with liberal interpretations The function was held to inau- Asked if the Congress Party in Jayalalithaa’s health condition ADMK cadres for Jayalalithaa’s now. gurate a “Talimi Mela” (educa- Goa supported the practice of tri- A vendor checks and arranges used jeans for re-sale at a for the sixth consecutive day. speedy recovery. Similar prayers “We all (Muslims) should also tional fair) on the campus. ple talaq, Mullah said: “Of course second-hand clothes market in Kolkata, yesterday. The last bulletin on Jayala- were also held in several temples unite together and not give any- Various other programmes, we support triple talaq.” lithaa was issued on October 21 across the state. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 13 LATIN AMERICA In Cuba, online media pry open state grip on news

AFP tion, when it opened up Internet about 3,000 blogs and portals the traditional launch pad for ca- chase a variety of funding sources, “Some turn to paid advertis- toward features rather than hard Havana access to the public in 2013. dedicated to Cuba that are pub- reers at state media and the Com- including selling what they can to ing, or payment for content or news, the publications for the What followed was a progres- lished on the island or by Cubans munist Party newspaper Granma. survive month-to-month. a service, or partnerships with most part are trying to depict the sive rollout of 200 Wi-Fi hotspots living abroad. “We all came from classes at “Internet access is very expen- other media or non-profi t or- reality of Cubans’ everyday lives. braham, Elaine and Jose across the Caribbean island of Sites like The Sneeze (El estor- the University of Havana, and sive, we don’t have an offi ce or an- ganisations, or a co-operative But unlike others, such as are under 30, and they’ve 11.2mn people. Access is limited. nudo), Neighborhood Journalism we were kind of left homeless, ything,” Jimenez explained, saying fi nancing group,” she said. 14yMedio launched in 2014 Apulled off the unthinkable Few Cubans can aff ord the (Periodismo de Barrio), El Toque in the sense that for us, the state that articles and photos are sent At times, like at The Sneeze, it by journalist-dissident Yoani in Cuba – they are producing on- sky-high connections fees of $2 and the most well-known, On- press isn’t an option,” Abraham by e-mail abroad to be put online. takes another job to survive – the Sanchez, or independent portals line news, prying open the state’s per hour and the government Cuba, are key voices in this fl our- Jimenez, the 27-year-old who “Without state economic price of realising the dream of published in Spain, like Cuba half-century grip on the media. only rarely authorises an Inter- ishing cyber-media fi eld. heads The Sneeze, said. support, we must look for oth- being an independent journalist Daily, or in Miami, Cubanet and The Castro government cre- net connection at home. Some of the journalists were Jimenez and his colleagues er ways to manage fi nances,” in Cuba. With sleek homepages, CiberCuba, these new media ated a crack in the Cuban media Still, the US-based Commit- educated at the University of Ha- launched the portal in March. Like said Elaine Diaz, 30, director of full-screen photos, polished eschew confrontation with the wall, allowing this small revolu- tee to Protect Journalists counts vana’s communications school, other independent media, they Neighborhood Journalism. writing and reporting that tends authorities. senate, judiciary rift could derail fi scal reform

Reuters counter-espionage equipment Brasilia from senate police offi ces. Senate policemen detained in the operation told investigators he president of Brazil’s they were ordered to sweep the senate has urged the Su- homes of three senators and a Tpreme Court to halt an in- former president of Brazil, who vestigation into the use of senate are under investigation in the police to protect senators from a sprawling graft scandal centred corruption probe, stoking ten- on state-controlled oil company sions between the judiciary and Petrobras. the legislative branch. The Temer administration The row threatens to cast a is worried that the dispute will shadow over President Michel spill over onto the senate fl oor Temer’s eff orts to push through and upset the passage of the legislative reforms to restore spending ceiling that cleared the fi scal discipline to Brazil’s over- lower house by a comfortable drawn budget accounts. margin on Tuesday.. Senate president Renan Cal- The constitutional amend- heiros, who faces several cor- ment limits federal spending to Opposition lawmakers protect themselves while they try to reach the National Assembly in Caracas yesterday. ruption investigations, fi led the rate of infl ation for up to 20 an injunction requesting that years, a measure to plug Brazil’s the Supreme Court respect widening budget defi cits that boundaries between the diff er- have fuelled infl ation, expand- ent branches of government and ed the public debt and cost the stop an operation that “invaded” country its prized investment the jurisdiction of the senate. grade credit rating. The injunction requests the Temer attempted to calm ten- suspension of the police opera- sions by inviting the heads of Parliament seeks to push tion and the immediate return of both chambers of Congress and the equipment seized from senate Chief Justice Rocha to a meeting police that was used to sweep the on Wednesday, but she refused homes of senators to see if they to attend. were bugged, according to a copy Calheiros said he would not let provided by Calheiros’ offi ce. the dispute delay two rounds of The dispute erupted last Fri- voting on the spending cap set ahead with Maduro trial day when federal police arrested for November 29 and Decem- the head of the senate police ber 13. “The voting dates will Reuters palace set for coming days. them to rely on an emergency He notes that the combination tion that holds the world’s larg- force for counter-intelligence be maintained. I will not give Caracas The National Assembly voted backup generator. of a national strike, set for to- est crude reserves. eff orts to protect senators impli- in to any pressure to change the on Tuesday to open a largely “The federal legislative pal- day, and a march to the Mi- But there was no evidence cated in a sprawling graft scan- timetable of such an important symbolic trial against Maduro ace was built (in the 19th cen- rafl ores presidential palace, the demonstrations could aff ect dal, mostly by sweeping their measure for Brazil due to diffi - enezuela’s opposition- for violating democracy, but tury),” wrote parliament ad- scheduled for next week, mir- operations at state oil company homes for bugs. cult political circumstances,” he dominated Congress the government dismissed the ministrator Roberto Marrero rors the situation in the run-up PDVSA, which has been fi rmly Calheiros then blasted the told reporters. Vconvened yesterday to move as meaningless. in a tweet directed at state-run to the 2002 coup that briefl y under the control of the ruling lower court judge who issued the Calheiros has been accused of push forward a political trial of The opposition had urged power company Corpoelec. “In toppled late socialist leader Socialist Party. arrest warrant. receiving bribes from defend- socialist President Nicolas Ma- supporters to rally outside yes- that era there was NO electric- Hugo Chavez. The opposition rallies on In an apparent response, Su- ants in the Petrobras investiga- duro, a day after dozens were terday’s session to show sup- ity. And they held sessions any- “We urge the Democratic Wednesday, dubbed the “Take- preme Court chief justice Car- tion. He denies any wrongdoing. injured in protests demanding port. way!” Unity lawmakers to refl ect. Do over of Venezuela,” drew hun- men Lucia Rocha rebuff ed the He is also being investigated a vote to recall the unpopular But government supporters The opposition says the Ma- not head down the road of a dreds of thousands of people senator, declaring that any attack for having a private company pay leader. and security forces appeared duro government eff ectively coup,” said Hector Rodriguez, and triggered dozens of inju- on a judge was an attack on her. child support for a daughter he The opposition has intensi- outside, impeding access for staged a coup by blocking a re- who leads the minority govern- ries and arrests as protesters Calheiros has also criticised had out of wedlock with a jour- fied demonstrations since au- some, witnesses said. call vote that polls suggest he ment faction in the National clashed with police in provin- Temer’s justice minister, who is nalist, a scandal that forced him thorities last week effectively Congressional leaders also would lose. Assembly. cial cities. responsible for law enforcement to resign as head of the senate in scuttled its drive for a plebi- denounced early in the morn- Maduro says it is the oppo- Global oil prices rose yester- State prosecutors said 80 and the federal police, for al- 2007 and is now being taken up scite, with a national strike ing that power had been cut off sition that is seeking to over- day, in part in response to the people would be presented in lowing the operation that seized by the Supreme Court. and march to the presidential to the legislative palace, forcing throw the government illegally. renewed unrest in the Opec na- court on charges of violence. Brazil carbon emissions US fugitive arrested Panama Canal gears rise despite recession up for rise in tonnage Reuters Both liquefi ed natural gas Copenhagen and liquefi ed petroleum gas Reuters “If emissions rose during a the result as builders put the (LPG) carriers were contribut- Sao Paulo recession, if deforestation in- brakes on new projects. ing to the increase, he said. creased while the economy Deforestation in Brazil jumped he Panama Canal is Shipping industry experts was contracting, we wonder 24% last year, when 6,207 square likely to attract up to said in August that many large ncreased deforestation led what could happen when Bra- kilometres of forests were de- T15% more tonnage next tankers were having to under- to a 3.5% jump in Brazil’s zil resumes economic growth,” stroyed. It was the fi rst large year after an upgrade which go inconvenient retrofi ts to Igreenhouse gas emissions in Climate Observatory’s execu- increase in deforestation in four means it can now accommo- pass through the canal’s new 2015 despite an economic reces- tive secretary Carlos Rittl told years. date gas tankers previously too locks. sion that reduced levels of the reporters. “Deforestation in the Amazon large to transit, its operator The authority acknowl- gases produced by the energy, should fall to around 3,000 square said yesterday. edged at the time that some transportation and industrial “If emissions rose during a kilometres per year if we want to The expanded canal opened vessels would probably need sectors, researchers said. recession, if deforestation be in a position to meet our cli- in June, fi tted with new locks new chocks and bollards add- An annual report released by increased while the mate commitments,” said Tasso that allow ships three times ed. “We’ve only had three bulk Brazil’s Climate Observatory said economy was contracting, Azevedo, a forest and climate ex- bigger than previously to pass carriers that are larger than emissions last year reached 1.92bn we wonder what could pert who co-ordinated the study. through. “We expect to get Panamax going through the tonnes of carbon dioxide equiva- happen when Brazil Destruction of Amazon for- more tonnage specifi cally expanded canal,” Quijano said. lent (CO2e), with deforestation resumes economic growth” ests was in the past often linked because of the expansion,” Quijano said it was far from contributing 884mn tonnes. to clearance of land for the culti- Panama Canal Authority chief certain that Egypt would suc- Brazil is going through its Heat-trapping gases from the vation of crops such as soybeans executive Jorge Quijano said ceed in eff orts to persuade worst recession since the Great energy sector fell 5.3% in 2015, or for ranching. in an interview at the Danish container shipping fi rms to Depression. The economy shrank as power consumption in Bra- But Marcio Astrini, Ama- Maritime Forum conference in agree to advance toll payments by 3.5% last year and is expected zil dropped for the fi rst time in zon campaign co-ordinator for Copenhagen. in exchange for discounts. to contract 3% this year. years. Greenpeace, said deforestation “Hitting those targets will of He said the Panama Author- The rise in emissions despite Emissions from transporta- was less and less related to food course depend on the (global) ity would not rule out some- the sharp economic slowdown tion, in a country that moves production or commodities economy. But in the worst of thing similar. But it already raised questions by analysts most of its freight by truck, fell prices. cases I think we will see 10% operated a ‘frequent fl yer’ sys- about the government’s ability 16% as the recession impacted According to him, land grab- US fugitive Edward Lee Leblanc, wanted by the Federal and in the best of cases 13- tem for container vessels and to meet its commitments under the use of diesel and gasoline. bers boosted forest destruction Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the murder of a woman in 15%.” would take time to assess how the Paris climate agreement. Greenhouse gases from the seeking to guarantee possession the state of California in 2008, waits to be registered by the Container shipping tonnag- the expanded version was op- Brazil pledged to cut emis- industrial sector fell 1.2%, with of vast swathes of public land in National Civil Police in Guatemala City following his arrest in es were up, “but we also have erating in terms of tonnage and sions by 43% by 2030, compared carbon intensive cement pro- the Amazon before a new rural Cuyotenango, 110km southwest of the capital. LNG shipments that we didn’t effi ciency before making any to 2005 levels. duction largely contributing to register enters into force in 2017. have before.” changes to its toll structure. Gulf Times 14 Friday, October 28, 2016 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Pakistan bans Kashmir ‘Black Day’ protests ahead of demonstration

AFP Khan led a previous mass ian offi cials had clashed with the Islamabad protest in the summer of 2014 military over its alleged covert that lasted four months, allying support for proxy fi ghters. himself to populist cleric Tahir- The army has used the pretext akistan yesterday banned ul-Qadri to back a sit-in in front of civil unrest to unseat govern- all public gatherings in Is- of parliament calling for the gov- ments three times in Pakistan’s Plamabad for two months, ernment to resign over election history and some analysts be- setting the stage for confronta- rigging allegations. lieve Sharif may be forced to tion ahead of a major protest A notifi cation banned gath- strike a deal that would appease aimed at paralysing the capital erings for two months because the military to ensure his sur- and unseating Prime Minister protests were “likely to threaten vival. Nawaz Sharif. public peace and tranquility, cause “The severity of the threat to The premier is under growing public annoyance or injury, en- Sharif is a product of the civil- pressure from opposition parties danger human life and safety”. military divide,” said The News over his children’s off shore bank columnist Mosharraf Zaidi, add- accounts that were revealed in “The severity of the threat ing the military would like to see the Panama Papers leak. to Sharif is a product of the the government fi re offi cials re- Former cricketer turned op- civil-military divide” sponsible for the leaked report. position leader Imran Khan, who “If he survives with his cabi- Chief of the United Jihad Council, Syed Salahuddin (second right) walks with Jaish-e-Mohamed chief in Kashmir, Mufti Mohamed is due to lead the protest on No- The planned protest comes at net as is, it will represent a major Asghar (second left) and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen chief, Farooq Kashmiri (left) after a conference in Muzaff arabad, capital of vember 2, has demanded Sharif a sensitive time for Sharif, with victory for him. If he is forced to Pakistan-administered Kashmir yesterday. Pakistanis are observing ‘Black Day’ to express solidarity with those in Indian- stand down over the revelations. Pakistan’s Supreme Court due to sacrifi ce members of cabinet to administered Kashmir, who they alleged suff er brutality from the Indian armed forces. “This will be a decisive and start hearing a case into the Pan- assuage challengers to his gov- historic gathering, people will ama Papers revelations about ernment - he will be seen as hav- come together with resolve to Sharif’s family involvement on ing been weakened,” said Zaidi. hold the prime minister ac- November 1. Security analyst Imtiaz Gul CRIME countable,” Khan told reporters. Sharif government’s relation- said the military would also like However, there will be a heavy ship with the all-powerful army Sharif to pick a successor to Six arrested for police presence in Islamabad to is also at a low ebb following the army chief Raheel Sharif it ap- Death warrant issued for honour killing deter protesters with confronta- publication of an embarrassing proves of when his term ends in tion now appearing inevitable. report this month that said civil- November. Pakistani police yesterday said they had arrested six men Pakistani mentally ill man suspected of strangling a couple to death in the latest so-called honour killings to hit the country, AFP city of Vehari, the JPP said. tion,” Foa said, demanding Pa- weeks after the government Al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan Islamabad Ali, aged 50, was sentenced kistan’s president intervene. passed long-awaited legislation to to death for the murder of a re- Pakistan reinstated the death combat the crime. ligious cleric in 2002. penalty and established mili- The victims had been married for killed in US drone attack akistani authorities is- He had been sentenced to tary courts after suff ering its a year and were living in Karachi’s sued a death warrant for hang last month, but received a deadliest-ever extremist at- eastern Malir district after the Pa mentally ill condemned last minute stay of execution by tack, when gunmen stormed a woman left her previous husband AFP mation of their death on Thurs- tively hunting for Qahtani for prisoner on Wednesday after the Supreme Court, before that school in the northwest in 2014 and fled her home in the city’s Kabul day, adding that a third senior four years. the country’s Supreme Court expired last week. and killed more than 150 people west. member of the group had also He had longstanding ties with ruled that his schizophrenia is — mostly children. been killed. Osama Bin Laden before his “not a permanent mental dis- “It is terrifying to think Hangings were initially rein- PROHIBITION wo top Al Qaeda leaders “The attack was carried out death in the 2011 US raid on his order”. that a mentally ill man stated only for those convicted in Afghanistan were killed in coordination with NDS,” the Pakistan compound. Lawyers and rights groups like Imdad Ali could now of terrorism, but later extended Court closes Tin a US drone attack, the spy agency said in a statement, Qahtani has operated in Af- say convicted murderer Imdad hang because judges to all capital off ences, with over liquor shops nation’s spy agency confi rmed without naming the third leader. ghanistan since at least 2009 and Ali, who was diagnosed with are pretending that 400 people hung from more than yesterday, in a major blow to the Pentagon press secretary Pe- led an Al Qaeda battalion since at schizophrenia while in prison schizophrenia is not a 8,000 death row prisoners. A Pakistani court yesterday group as it seeks to re-establish ter Cook had earlier said their least mid-2010, offi cials said. in 2012, cannot be executed as serious condition” The JPP has already sent a ordered the closure of all liquor safe havens in the country. demise would deal a blow to the “He was seeking to re-estab- he cannot understand his crime mercy petition to President shops in the southern province of Washington said the strikes militant group’s presence in Af- lish (Al Qaeda’s) control in Af- and punishment. Rights groups have slammed Mamnoon Hussain along with Sindh, off icials said, cutting off one on Sunday targeted Farouq al- ghanistan. ghanistan,” the US offi cial said. Ali’s death warrant was is- the ruling, with Amnesty call- testimony from medical ex- of the few legal alcohol sources in Qahtani, Al Qaeda’s emir for “Eliminating these core lead- “He was charged with the re- sued by a criminal court on the ing it “a deeply worrying devel- perts. the country. northeastern Afghanistan, and his ers of Al Qaeda will disrupt ef- quirement to establish AQ safe- request of the provincial Pun- opment”. It remains pending with his Although Pakistani Muslims are deputy Bilal al-Utabi, calling it the forts to plot against the United havens throughout Kunar and jab government, said a state- Maya Foa, a director of Re- offi ce since September 19. banned from drinking alcohol, most signifi cant attack against the States and our allies, reduce the Nuristan provinces.” ment by The Justice Project Pa- prieve, last week called the Ali has spent 14 years on the country’s minorities, mainly group in several years. threat to our Afghan partners, His deputy Utabi, was seen as kistan (JPP), which is providing Supreme court ruling “out- death row, with three years in Hindus and Christians, face no Multiple Hellfi re missiles and assist their eff orts to deny the second- or third-most sen- Ali with counsel. rageous” and said it fl ies in solitary confi nement in the jail such prohibition. “levelled” two diff erent com- Al Qaeda safe haven in Afghani- ior Al Qaeda leader in Afghani- It follows a ruling last week the face of accepted medical hospital due to his schizophre- However, critics argue that the pounds in Kunar where the men stan,” Cook said. stan, the offi cial said. by Pakistan’s top court that knowledge — including in Pa- nia. licensed liquor shops also sell to were believed to be hiding, US Another US offi cial said the In October 2001, in response to said schizophrenia was a “re- kistan. “Imdad’s hanging will sig- Muslims. offi cials said on Wednesday, attack represented the “most the 9/11 attacks, the US launched coverable disease” that could “It is terrifying to think that a nal to the world that Pakistan It is not clear how the minori- without confi rming if the strikes signifi cant strike” against the Al military operations to dislodge be treated by drugs, and not a mentally ill man like Imdad Ali does not take its human rights ties will now buy liquor in the were successful. Qaeda leadership in Afghanistan the Taliban from Afghanistan and mental disorder. could now hang because judges commitments and treaty ob- province, home to the teeming Afghanistan’s National Direc- in years. capture or kill Al Qaeda militants He will now be executed on are pretending that schizo- ligations seriously,” said Sarah financial capital Karachi, with torate of Security off ered confi r- The Pentagon had been ac- they were harbouring. November 2 in a prison in the phrenia is not a serious condi- Belal, JPP executive director. some 20mn people. Pakistan radio show confronts harassment of women

AFP Islamabad

or many women in Pa- kistan, the simple act of Fleaving the house can be uncomfortable, even intimidat- ing — the probing gaze of the op- posite sex is never far away. Fed-up with the constant un- wanted attention, broadcaster Anila Ansari decided to bring the touchy subjects of harassment to the airwaves, by launching an “anti-ogling campaign” on her national radio show. The idea — unprecedented in this country — came to her at the start of the year when she returned to her country after living for two decades in Great Britain. Everywhere she went in public spaces, she felt endlessly intimi- dated by the male gaze — and Anila Ansari, a programme manager at Islamabad-based Power 99 FM radio, launches an on air Najib Ahmed, director of Islamabad-based Power 99 FM radio, speaks during an interview with AFP at the found she was far from alone. “anti-ogling campaign” at the off ice of the station in Islamabad. station in Islamabad. “I went to diff erent offi ces, restaurants: everywhere I went for encouraging such attention “You wouldn’t like it if someone their message on the streets. But, to truly change things, “Everyone is watching the brings to the fore the place of I could see these eyes following by their choice of outfi t or make- was staring at your sister!” Journalists handed out leafl ets “the matter will have to be taken journalists from head to toe. women in a profoundly patriar- me,” she told AFP from the Ra- up. Najib Ahmed, the radio’s di- and made speeches. “Say no to up by the government”. Nobody is looking at them chal society. dio99 offi ce located in the centre Ansari says she launched the rector, said he the project had his staring. It’s unethnical!” shout- Nearby, Ayyan Ali, a young with good intentions because Staring is an act of intimida- of Islamabad. campaign to highlight “how it full support from the outset. ed one of the DJs. man dressed in traditional garb, they are not covered properly.” tion aimed at “pushing women “So I came to my offi ce and impacts on a woman’s mental “In our country we put these Sana Jaff ry, a young woman is far from convinced. Women in Pakistan face huge out of the public sphere,” she started asking my female col- health and well being and even kind of issues under the carpet, wearing a pink hijab and sun- Girls, he says “are the honour discrimination in all aspects said, adding that the aim has leagues and said ‘Is it just me or her opportunities, academic or we don’t discuss them,” he said. glasses, said the project had her of their parents”. If they don’t of their lives, with the country been validated by the clergy. do you experience that as well?’, employment opportunities.” “It is the basis of everything, support, adding she too suff ers wear the burqa or clothes that ranking 144 out of 145 on the “They believe wrongly that and every woman I spoke with And her radio station, which the basis of the economy, the from daily ogling by men on her completely cover the body, “they World Economic Forum’s 2015 it is required by Islam,” Zakaria said ‘Oh don’t even talk about it, claims a listenership of up to women go out of their home and way to work. can’t complain if someone is Gender Gap report. said. it’s so endemic.’” 25mn across the country, backed if (women) are not comfortable “These men who keep their staring at them”. Ansari hopes her show can She urged women to take out When it came to the men, the idea. they won’t be able to do their sisters locked up at home, why “If they go out in the street in open the door for discussions their phones and record evi- though, many didn’t even realise As part of the campaign, she jobs properly with their other do they stare at others?” she inappropriate clothes, we can’t on other issues facing women dence to shame men who ogle there was a problem. hosts regular debates on the colleagues.” said. “They need to appreciate help ourselves,” he adds. and girls such as honour kill- and harass. “They either laugh it off or subject encouraging listeners to One afternoon in September, that women who go out are also According to Ali, most men ing, forced marriages, and child Zakaria explained: “When they get really upset or even an- call in. Anila and her colleagues gath- respectable.” share his views. “Nobody has brides. this form of harassment is made noyed,” she explained, adding She also makes proclamations ered on the pavement outside Radio99’s campaign is a “fi rst come out for this campaign,” he For lawyer and feminist Rafi a visible and is debated, moral that some even blamed women to underline her point such as: Radio99’s headquarters to spread step” she says. said. Zakaria, the issue of harassment pressure is created to stop it.” Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 15 PHILIPPINES

Kylie Verzosa crowned ’16

Manila Times cultures that we expand our ho- Makati rizons, tolerate diff erence, and appreciate diversity. All these enable us to achieve he Philippines now has six international understanding. Miss International titlists And I believe I’m prepared to Twith the crowning of the take on this responsibility,” she country’s bet Kylie Versoza yes- said. terday in Tokyo, Japan. Miss Australia was named fi rst Versoza’s win comes at the runner-up, with Miss Indonesia, heels of President Rodrigo Du- Miss Nicaragua, and Miss USA, terte’s fruitful visit to Japan. placing second, third and fourth An early favourite, Versoza was runners-up, respectively. ranked No 5 in the Miss Interna- Versoza now joins the exclusive tional Hot picks in July. club of Gemma Cruz who won in Landing at the pageant’s Top 1964, in 1970, Mel- 15, the Ateneo De Manila Uni- anie Marquez in 1979, Precious versity Business Management Lara Quigaman in 2005, and Bea graduate confi dently said she is Rose Santiago in 2013. prepared to take on the responsi- Shortly after Versoza’s win, bility of Miss International 2016. posted the “Three things come to mind following message for the na- when I think of Miss Interna- tion’s latest pride: “Congratula- tional – culture, education and tions to the new Miss Interna- international understanding. tional 2016 , besting These three work together to over 69 other candidates in the make the brand of the Miss Inter- pageant held in Tokyo, Japan. national relevant Your journey of fi nding true to the global community and to beauty and strength is an inspi- our time. ration to every Filipina; and your If I become Miss International advocacy is a shining example of 2016, I will devote myself to cul- selfl essness and true humanity tural understanding because I that many should emulate. Newly elected 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa from Philippines with 3rd runner-up Miss Nicaragua Brianny Chamorro (L), 1st runner-up Miss Australia Alexandra Britton (2nd believe that it is with developing BPCI is proud to have support- L), 2nd runner-up Miss Indonesia Felicia Hwang (2nd R) and 4th runner-up Miss USA Kaitryana Leinbach (R) during the Miss International beauty pageant final in Tokyo. in each of us sensitivity to other ed you every step of the way.” VAT break ‘favours’ Mining fi rm fi les rich and case against DENR Mining firms are feeling the pinch of Mines Geosciences Bureau, Environmen- the mining companies of any recourse Ronald Recidoro, vice president for le- middle-class being denied permission to resume tal Management Bureau and DENR re- against the results of the audit and, worse, gal and policy of the Chamber of Mines work gional offi ces for grave abuse of discretion, will require them to summarily acknowl- of the Philippines (COMP), said another in an arbitrary manner, without due proc- edge alleged liabilities for compensation mining company recently suspended by Manila Times air fare, for instance, mostly Manila Times ess and ahead of the conduct of a nation- and rehabilitation, without immediate the DENR is mulling to fi le a case before Makati are [within reach only] by the Makati wide mining audit. prospect of resuming operations,” the the courts. rich who can aff ord to pay and “BNMI availed of said legal remedy to company said. The country’s big mining lobby earlier go to these restaurants. prove that despite its full compliance with The unjustifi able suspension, according scored the DENR’s “reckless” public pro- laiming that most of So we’re proposing to re- ecretary Regina Lopez of the depart- remediation conditions under the previ- to BNMI, is taking its toll not only on the nouncement on results of the mine audit. those benefi ting from move the exemption,” Chua ment of environment and natural ous lifting order dated August 24, 2015, the corporation but on its workers, contrac- “The audit findings have serious im- Cthe Value-Added Tax told the committee. Sresources (DENR) could be facing a said regional government agencies unjus- tors and suppliers, and its scholars and pact not only on our present mining (VAT) exemption for senior The money to be generated series of court cases in relation to ongoing tifi ably refused to reverse the suspension surrounding communities. projects but also upcoming projects,” citizens are the rich and the from removing the VAT ex- audit of mining operations in the country. order,” it noted. BNMI said it was forced to temporarily COMP vice president for policy Ronald middle-class, the department emption of senior citizens and Yesterday, Benguet Corp said its whol- BNMI said it earlier exerted earnest ef- lay off more than 1,000 workers since its Recidoro said. of fi nance (DOF) has proposed PWDs he said, could be used ly owned nickel subsidiary Benguetcorp forts to assure the DENR and the anti- unwarranted suspension. Among those recommended for sus- to limit the tax break to medi- to directly benefi t the poor and Nickel Mines Inc (BNMI) has fi led a case mining groups of its continued undertak- The mining fi rm “comes to court with pension are: Libjo Mining Corp, AAM- cines. vulnerable among them. before the Pampanga regional trial court, ing to conduct responsible and sustainable the knowledge that its operations have Phil Natural Resources Exploration and At a hearing of the senate Angara said the DOF should while another mining company is mulling mining activities and its willingness to been, and will continue to be, compliant Development Corp.– Parcel 1 and Parcel ways and means committee not view the issue as only a a separate case. be an active partner of the government in with national regulatory and international 2B, Krominco Inc, Carrascal Nickel Corp, headed by senator Juan Edgar- “mathematical” issue because BNMI, according to its parent fi rm, is protecting the environment. certifi cation standards. Marcventures Mining and Development do Angara, DOF undersecre- thousands of senior citizens left with no other viable administrative “To this end, BNMI reached out to It is confi dent that its operations, once Corp, Filminera Resources Corp, Strong- tary Karl Kendrick Chua said are expected to be aff ected by remedy, and is constrained to elevate to the DENR and the anti-mining groups allowed to resume, will not pose any threat built Mining Development Corp, Sinos- they are looking at lifting VAT the proposal. the courts the matter of the unlawful sus- to present a proposed arrangement that to the environment”. Benguet’s wholly teel Philippines HY Mining Corp, Oriental exemption of senior citizens “It’s an emotionally charged pension of its nickel mining operations in would have ensured that the environment owned subsidiary, along with two other Synergy Mining Corp and Wellex Mining on non-essentials, which only issue, not a purely mathemati- Santa Cruz, Zambales. in Santa Cruz would not only be protected, nickel operators in the province, was sus- Corp the rich and middle-class sen- cal issue. “After careful consideration, BNMI is but would even be improved, through a pended because of complaints about en- Also included in the recommendation ior citizens can aff ord to buy. Seniors feel it is something constrained to take this judicial recourse partnership between the mining corpora- vironmental degredation as a result of its for suspension are Century Peak Corp.– A proposed tax reform pack- they have earned having served in order to protect itself, its workers and tions, the people and the government,” it nickel ore extraction. Rapid City Nickel Project and Casiguran age of the DOF presented dur- for so long. the aff ected communities, which depend added. MGB director Leo Jasareno clarifi ed that Nickel Project, Oriental Vision Mining ing the hearing seeks to remove You might not want to spend on the corporation for their livelihood and “These eff orts, however, proved to be the preventive suspension against BNMI Philippines Corp, CTP Construction and VAT exemption of senior citi- your political capital there,” he support,” it said. unsuccessful, as the anti-mining groups, was in view of a writ issued by the supreme Mining Corp, Agata Mining Ventures Inc, zens and people with disabili- also told the DOF offi cial. The mining fi rm fi led a petition for cer- and even the DENR representatives, re- court and a newly signed executive order Hinatuan Mining Corp, Benguet Corp, ties (PWDs) on other purchas- Chua pointed out that they tiorari with injunction to assail the sus- jected BNMI’s fair and reasonable proposal by the local government unit of Zambales, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co, Ocean- es aside from medicines. are fi ghting more for the prin- pension order jointly issued last July 8, and continue to appear bent on endorsing suspending all mining operations in the aGold Phils Inc, Adnama Mining Resourc- Chua said that by remov- ciple of equity. 2016 by concerned regional offi ces of the an unjust arrangement which will deprive province. es Inc and SR Metals Inc. ing the exemption, the gov- “There is also the principle ernment could generate P3 to of compassion. P6bn. He said the current VAT One of the reasons [that leakage is between P6bn and enabled the president [to come P10bn. to]power was that people saw “For senior citizens, we are other candidates as not as Free shuttle to proposing to retain the exemp- compassionate. Ex-PCSO offi cial pleads tions on medicine in our new “He wanted to have more proposal. working people have more cemeteries in We, however, fi nd that the money in their pockets,” An- expenses in restaurants, travel gara said. not guilty to plunder rap Muntinlupa

Manila Times It said that even before the fl ight landed, she “has already Manila Times Makati been complaining to her son that she was not feeling well”. The Makati Robredo warns govt National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) personnel “could not decide” whether Valdes should be brought to the hospital, so a Fatima Valdes, a former offi cial of the Philippine Char- they brought her to the bureau’s offi ce on Taft Avenue in Ma- he local government of Muntinlupa on treatment of IPs ity Sweepstakes Offi ce, has pleaded not guilty to the nila, and her family brought her cardiologist there instead. City (Metro Manila) will be providing Mplunder charge fi led against her before the anti-graft After examination, the doctor and later the NBI’s medico- Tfree shuttle services to and from pub- court Sandiganbayan in connection with alleged misuse of the legal offi cer recommended that Valdes be brought to the hos- lic and private cemeteries from October 31 to PCSO’s confi dential and intelligence funds from 2008 to 2010. pital and she was then brought to the MMC where she “is still November 2. Public information offi cer Tez Manila Times he bled. The IPs were demand- Valdes, who was among those charged along with former under the custody of the NBI”. Navarro yesterday said locals can avail of free ing their right to self-determi- president and now Pampanga representative Gloria Macapa- “Operatives of the NBI are with her in the hospital 24/7,” the rides in JRF E-jeepneys that will ply the na- nation and that their ancestral gal-Arroyo in 2012, had been at large but resurfaced last Octo- defence said in the urgent motion. tional road and also in government trucks and land be free from militarisa- ber 11 and was arraigned yesterday before the Sandiganbayan’s In asking the court to allow Valdes’ detention at the hospi- buses going to memorial parks. he government should tion by Philippine and Ameri- First Division. tal, it said her continued stay there “would allow her doctors Pick-up points for the free shuttle services stop treating indig- can armed forces. Following her return, her arraignment was twice deferred af- to continuously monitor her medical condition and will allow going to cemeteries are: Those visiting Ever- Tenous peoples (IPs or “The summary of poverty ter she was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in such doctors to immediately perform the appropriate medical est Hills Memorial Park – in front of Susana lumad) poorly if it wants to is how does the entire govern- Makati City (Metro Manila). In asking the court to let her post treatment, as may be necessary. Heights Bus Terminal; Japanese Cemetery combat poverty, vice presi- ment view the IP community. bail for her provisional liberty, the defence cited her age and This would not be possible if [she]will be placed in a normal – in front of a government offi ce under con- dent Ma Leonor Robredo said Because we should view the IP medical condition. detention facility”. The possibility of her escape “is likewise struction on Rizal Street; and Muntinlupa yesterday. community as an equal part- It also asked the court’s permission to let her adopt the pro- non-existent since she is currently under the custody of the City Public Cemetery and Aglipay Cemetery She made the statement ner on everything that we do ceedings conducted for bail petitions fi led by several former NBI and would be contrary to the essence and purpose of her – Caltex Station. during the IP Leaders Assem- and… looking back, it seems respondents. voluntary surrender.” For those visiting San Nicolas de Tolentino bly in General Santos City, a that it is not what is hap- Plunder, being an off ense punishable by life imprisonment, In September 2015, the court acquitted the following on de- Cemetery, free shuttle routes will be from Su- week after the violent disper- pening,” Robredo said in her is not bailable as a matter of right but bailable at the court’s dis- murrer: Former PCSO directors Manuel Morato, Raymundo cat East Service Road to Alabang, Montillano sal of protesting IPs at the US speech. cretion when evidence is not strong. Roquero and Jose Taruc 5th as well as former Commission on Street to M.L Quezon Street to Meralco Road Embassy in Manila wherein a Prior to her stop in General The defence has also fi led an urgent motion asking the court Audit chairman Reynaldo Villar. Loop.Navarro said water stations and assist- police car tried to run over the Santos, she visited the IPs be- to allow Valdes’ detention at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) But it struck down Arroyo’s move to dismiss the plunder case ance desks will be put up. lumad at least four times. longing to the Mangyan com- pending resolution of her bail petition, and considering her age on demurrer. The assistance desks will be manned by The police were also caught munity in Mindoro, the seven and medical condition. Last July, the Supreme Court dismissed the plunder case personnel from Muntinlupa Police Depart- on video grabbing a driver of tribes of Bukidnon, as well as Based on the urgent motion, Valdes’ son, who accompanied fi led against Arroyo for lack of evidence. ment, Rescue Department, City Health Offi ce, one of the jeepneys used by the the IPs in Ifugao and Mountain her, asked upon arrival at the airport if it would be possible for It also granted Aguas’ demurrer. Former PCSO general man- Community Aff airs and Development Offi ce protesters, mauling him until Province. her to be brought to the hospital. ager Rosario Uriarte remains at large. and other city government departments. Gulf Times 16 Friday, October 28, 2016 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL 40 million hungry in Bangladesh, says WFP

By Mizan Rahman Muhith said early marriage Dhaka aff ected future generations due to lack of proper nutri- tion. n alarming 40mn peo- He said women and children ple in Bangladesh are were the victims of malnutri- Astill food-insecure and tion. hungry, and most of them do “So, we will focus on this not have a suffi ciently nutri- problem in the budget to ad- tious and wholesome diet, a dress the issue,” he added. World Food Programme (WFP) “Under-nutrition already Sheikh Hasina formally launching the ‘Child Helpline — 1098’ yesterday from her Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka via videoconferencing. report has said. costs Bangladesh more than The report—Strategic Re- $1bn in lost productivity every view of Food Security and year and even more in health Nutrition in Bangladesh—re- costs,” said Osmani. leased in Dhaka was commis- “No country can expect sioned by the UN World Food to build a thriving economy Programme. on the backs of hungry and The WFP report was pre- undernourished people,” he pared by independent ex- added. Premier Hasina opens perts to foster a shared Osmani, who has pub- understanding of the food lished extensively on pov- security and nutrition situ- erty, hunger and nutrition in ation in the country, and to South Asia, spent the past better align the plans of the 10 months leading a team of government and partners to senior experts with decades achieve SDG2. of experience in nutrition, toll-free child helpline According to the report, agriculture, social protection, more than one in three children gender, food security and cli- The child helpline helps children vanish by marrying off their children. violation, to an appropriate authority and Responding to a question about BNP’s are still affl icted by stunted mate change to produce a thor- break free of exploitative “Rather they will have to be given the simplify the process of providing informa- participation in the next national elec- growth. ough and holistic assessment relationships ability to stand on their own feet,” she tion. tion, Quader, also the road transport and Acute malnutrition has not of food security and nutrition said. The child sensitive social protection in bridges minister, said they had the chance decreased signifi cantly over in Bangladesh. By Mizan Rahman Sheikh Hasina said everybody will have Bangladesh project under the department to participate in the previous election but many years. Bangladesh has made signif- Dhaka to think that they have children, mothers of social services, ministry of social wel- they could not take the right decision at The report emphasised that icant progress since the 1970s and sisters. “Every male has a responsi- fare, and supported by Unicef Bangladesh, that time. the Bangladesh government when there was not enough bility to ensure security for mothers and had started the Child Help Line 1098 as a “If they can’t take the right decision and its partners must rally to food for everyone in the coun- rime Minister Sheikh Hasina yes- sisters, while he should also look after the pilot initiative all over the country in De- about the upcoming polls, it’ll be a big end hunger and improve nu- try. terday launched Bangladesh’s fi rst- safety of others,” she said. cember 2015. mistake for them,” he said adding, “We’re trition to sustain the country’s Since then, it has achieved Pever toll-free ‘Child Helpline-1098’ Describing the Child Helpline-1098 as To date, Child Helpline 1098 has sup- now trying to organise our party (AL) re- remarkable economic trajec- overall food self-suffi ciency putting emphasis on creating mass aware- very important for the Bangladesh soci- ported the prevention of 379 child mar- moving all the internal problems. tory. and has had one of the fastest ness to stop child repression. ety, Sheikh Hasina hoped that it would riages and 2,070 children have been pro- We also need a strong team work to Led by a team of national prolonged reductions in child Sheikh Hasina called upon all to build a help reduce child repression in the coun- vided with health and education support strengthen the party.” experts and guided by a wide under-nutrition in recorded beautiful society by awakening their latent try. as well as legal aid and reintegration serv- Quader further said they need to be alert range of stakeholders across history. human qualities. Sheikh Hasina said those who misuse ices throughout the country through a re- about ‘hybrid leaders’ so that they cannot the country, the study identi- The report lauded such “Awareness should be raised so ood in- the helpline by giving false information ferral mechanism. isolate the dedicated party leaders. fi ed substantial challenges to gains as impressive, but cau- tentions fl ourish instead of beastly atti- would also be punished. The Child Helpline operates a 24-hour The Indian high commissioner greeted achieving zero hunger in Bang- tions that they must not lead to tude...and the social welfare ministry will Sheikh Hasina opened the helpline by telephone line and provides emergency Quader on being elected the general secre- ladesh and made recommen- complacency. have to play the leading role to this end,” making a call to the call centre set up at the support to children at risk, as well as to tary of Awami League. dations on how to overcome Moreover, the report said she said. department of social services at Agargaon. concerned citizens who need to raise the Meanwhile, Obaidul Quader yesterday them. there were emerging concerns Sheikh Hasina formally launched the When the operator asked her identity, alarm about certain children. termed BNP “a frustrated and devastated Speaking at the programme, with food security and nutri- ‘Child Helpline — 1098’ from her Gana- Sheikh Hasina said, “I’m not a child, but I The service also links children with ex- party” and said the activities of the party fi nance minister AMA Muhith tion as a result of socioeco- bhaban residence in Dhaka through vide- could be called a 70-year-old child. isting social protection services through are now limited to holding press confer- said: “The study fi ndings will nomic and climate change. oconferencing to provide a free telephone I’m the Prime Minister.” rescue, safe shelter, referral and network- ences. be useful for Bangladesh in Consequences such as service to children who are facing vio- Urging those who work at the call centre ing, offi cials said. “Their (BNP’s) activities are now lim- achieving the SDG2 within obesity and lack of food safe- lence, abuse and exploitation. to take care of child victims properly, the Newly-elected ruling Awami League ited to holding press conferences sitting the time span we have set to ty may become particularly The prime minister also talked to the premier said: “You will have to be careful (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader at home. end hunger in 2024 and tack- evident in urban slums, it victims of Faridpur Safe Home and Rajbari so that they get proper help.” yesterday said the next general election They’ve no relation to the country’s ling malnutrition defi nitely added. Safe Home through the videoconferenc- She spoke about online trials and said will be held on time. people,” he said. by 2030.” Presided over by the To free all people of Bangla- ing. there will be a court room adjacent to the “Our party (AL) has already started pre- Quader was talking to reporters after secretary of disaster manage- desh from the burden of food The Child Helpline 1098 enables any- jail and trial of the accused would be held paring for the election following prime placing wreaths at the grave of Bangamata ment and relief, insecurity and under-nutri- one to report child rights violations, child at that jail as there are problems in trans- minister Sheikh Hasina’s call,” he told re- Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other martyr Shah Kamal, the additional tion, the battle must be si- abuse and exploitation by calling a toll porting such criminals from jail to the porters after a meeting with Indian high members of Bangabandhu’s family at Ba- secretary of economic rela- multaneously fought on many free number ‘1098’ from any corner of the courts. commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan nani graveyard in the city. tions division, Shahidul Islam, fronts, with suffi cient funding country, through any mobile phone opera- Sheikh Hasina said she has already in- Shringla at the secretariat. The ruling party general secretary said: chief of staff WFP James Har- and accountability, the report tor. structed the authorities to start online Quader’s remarks clearly indicate that “ The BNP should prove fi rst that they be- vey, and WFP representative stated. State minister for social welfare Nuruz- trial and it’s the most important aspect of the next parliamentary election in 2019 lieve in democracy. Christa Rader addressed the It called for a more diver- zaman Ahmed, secretary of the minis- the child court. will be held under the Awami League gov- There’s no democracy within the party programme, among others. sifi ed agriculture sector and try Zillar Rahman, judge of the Supreme Child Helpline 1098 has been initiated ernment with Hasina as the prime minis- itself but it talks a lot about it. Siddiqur Rahman Osmani, an enhanced social protec- Court justice Iman Ali and on behalf of in accordance with Article 90 of the Chil- ter. But, Awami League is a big and disci- professor of developmental tion system that leaves no one the Unicef Sara Bordas Eddy spoke at the dren Act 2013 to provide a means for chan- About Teesta issue, he said it will be plined political party.” economics at Ulster Univer- behind, and pointed out that function. nelling information from vulnerable chil- resolved very soon and prime minister The newly elected members of the sity in Northern Ireland, gave empowering women is the key The prime minister said parents will dren, children in confl ict or contact with Sheikh Hasina may visit India in Decem- Awami League central working committee a short description of the re- to achieving sustainable food have to be convinced that problems won’t law as well as information of child rights ber next. were present. port. security and nutrition.

Scrub typhus Lanka to sell claims another Colombo after dark white elephants in Chitwan to cut debt Sri Lanka said yesterday A woman died of scrub it will reduce its foreign typhus during treatment in debt by $1bn by selling off Chitwan district yesterday. former strongman president With this, the death toll due Mahinda Rajapakse’s vanity to the disease in the district projects. Prime Minister this season has reached Ranil Wickremesinghe told five. This as reported by the parliament he wanted to himalayantimes.com’ privatise a $1.3bn port and a All of the deaths were $210mn airport in Rajapakse’s reported from the Bharatpur- home constituency which based Chitwan Medical have become huge white College. Of them, three were elephants. women and two were girl “By turning the debt into children. Shital Adhikari of the equity and forming a public- college said that a 51-year-old private partnership to run woman from west Chitwan the airport and the harbour, died of the disease today. we will reduce our foreign She had been admitted to debt by a billion dollars,” the hospital three days ago Wickremesinghe said. though it has been learned He did not disclose whether that she was sick for last 12 any investors had been days. lined up for the facilities Adhikari said it would be in Rajapakse’s home really diff icult to heal patients constituency of Hambantota if they went to the hospital in the island’s deep south, only after their major organs which were built with Chinese stopped functioning. loans and named after the Ram KC, bacteria control former leader. inspector at the Chitwan Only one airline operates District Public Health Off ice, flights to the airport in the informed that as many as 307 sparsely-populated area were found infected with the while the harbour is also one disease out of 1,042 who had of the emptiest in the world. approached diff erent health The new government which facilities in the district till came to power in January mid-October. Currently, nine last year has been trying to are undergoing treatment at renegotiate terms of its $8bn the Chitwan Medical College; Chinese debt, which includes and two of them are critical, the construction costs of the according to the health vening commuters in Colombo. airport and the harbour, but facility. with no success. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 17 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Entering the Whom one is allowed to marry

arriage is the most essential social bond that response was to say: “She is not permissible for me. She marital bond maintains human society. It is the key step is the daughter of my brother through breastfeeding. to establishing a family, which is the nucleus And breastfeeding forbids what is forbidden through arriage is one of the most comfort, repose, and security in the Mof society. Since the ultimate goal of creating blood relations.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] serious and impor- relationship. This goal is more likely to human beings is to worship Allah Almighty, a Muslim The brother of a woman who had breastfed ‘Aa’ishah tant commitments an be achieved if each spouse has fear of has to look at marriage as a means of ‘producing’ human (may Allah be pleased with her) came to visit her. She Mindividual will make in Allah and adheres to Islam. beings who will be future worshippers of Allah, which refused to let him in until she asked the Prophet if it was his lifetime. It is a bond that once Unfortunately, women often look is a religious commitment, apart from being a physical, permissible to do so, and he said: “Give him permission, established, cannot be easily broken. It for a man who has wealth and letters social and psychological need. for he is our uncle.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] is one of the most important relation- behind his name (M.D., Ph.D., etc.) When planning for marriage, one has to ask himself who ships in a society, as it is the building assuming that this will bring them he should marry. Allah mentions most of the categories of stone of the overall structure. Mar- happiness. Although there is no harm women involved in this question in the following verses, The Minimum Requirement riage is so important in Islam that the in considering these things, yet it (which means): “And do not marry those [women] whom for Breastfeeding Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) should not be given fi rst priority. How your fathers married, except what has already occurred. said: “Whoever marries has completed helpful will that wealth and those Indeed, it was an immorality and hateful [to Allah] and There is a wide variety of opinions on how many half of his faith. So let him have fear letters be when the person is being was evil as a way. Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your ‘sessions’ of breastfeeding create the prohibition of Allah in the remaining half.” [At- disrespectful and uncaring towards mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father’s sisters, including one, three, fi ve, seven and ten sessions. A Tabaraani] his wife? How benefi cial will he be in your mother’s sisters, your brother’s daughters, your sister’s common opinion is that the child must have nursed on As an act of worship, Muslims helping her to fulfi ll her obligations to daughters, your [milk] mothers who nursed you, your three separate occasions; this is based on the Hadith: should make the intention to please Allah? sisters through nursing, your wives’ mothers, and your step “The prohibition is not established by one suck or two.” Allah, Almighty, during this process Women should carefully arrange daughters under your guardianship [born] of your wives The strongest opinion is that of Imaams Maalik and and act in accordance with His laws. their priorities when it comes to unto whom you have gone in. But if you have not gone in Abu Haneefah and ‘Ali bin Abu Taalib, ‘Abdullaah bin Unfortunately, in this time, more selecting a spouse, for the success and unto them, there is no sin upon you. And [also prohibited ‘Umar, and ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Abbaas and others, which is and more Muslim marriages are happiness of the marriage may depend are] the wives of your sons who are from your [own] loins, that a single session is suffi cient. This is the strongest crumbling, primarily due to the fact on this. and that you take [in marriage] two sisters simultaneously, opinion because it is consistent with the apparent that they were not in conformity with except for what has already occurred. Indeed, Allah is ever meaning of the word Ridhaa’ah (breastfeeding) in the the laws established by Allah. The Forgiving and Merciful. And [also prohibited to you are all] above-mentioned verses as well as the related Hadiths; intention to please Allah was not there Payment of Mahr married women except those your right hands possess [i.e., also, the above Hadith could be easily taken to refer to from the beginning. (dowry): slaves or war-captives who had polytheistic husbands]. ‘sucks’ and not ‘sessions.’ So, in other words, if the baby As this is a rather immense topic, it [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are merely sucks once or twice, it does not count unless the will be spread out over several issues. Payment of the Mahr is also a [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in baby completes the ‘session’, drinking to satisfaction. Some of the initial components in necessary condition for soundness marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, the process are considered in the of a marriage contract. It is given to not unlawful sexual intercourse...” [Qur’an 4:22-24] following, with the focus on women the wife as a way of honoring and Women Included in this Category who are entering the marital bond. respecting her and as a symbol of the One’s female ascendants through nursing. This The presence and guidance of a Wali husband’s commitment to provide for Those who are Permanently includes the woman who nursed him and her mother, etc. (guardian - father or whoever takes his and take care of his wife. Forbidden in Marriage The husband of the wet nurse is considered the ‘cause’ of place) is one of the conditions required Allah Says (what means): “And give the milk involved. So, for example, if a girl is nursed by a for soundness of a marriage contract. the women (upon marriage) their This category includes those whom one is woman, that woman’s husband becomes forbidden to her The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa bridal gifts graciously.” [Qur’an; 4:4] forbidden to marry due to a blood relationship just as her own biological father is. sallam) said: “There is no marriage This verse and others establish the as well as those who are forbidden due to marital Descendants through nursing. The man who is the except with a Wali.” [Ahmad, Abu obligatory nature of the Mahr. There relations: ‘cause’ of the milk is forbidden from marrying the one his Daawood and At-Tirmithi] He also is no minimum or maximum amount wife nursed or their children, etc. said: “If any woman marries herself of Mahr stated explicitly in either the Descendants of ‘parents’ through nursing, (i.e., the without the permission of her Wali, Qur’an or Hadith. Those Permanently Forbidden ‘sisters’). One cannot marry any of the children (either by then her marriage is void, then her Anything of value is acceptable due to Blood Relations blood or nursing) of the wet nurse or her husband. marriage is void, then her marriage as Mahr, regardless of whether it is Siblings of ascendants by nursing (i.e., brothers and is void.” [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and something material or something Descendants due to a relationship with a woman, sisters of the wet nurse or her husband). This does not others] non-material (if the person lacks regardless of how far (a man’s daughter, granddaughter, include their children (‘cousins’ by nursing). The Wali is the one who will be wealth). The prophet said: “Search etc.). Note the following important point as stated by Shaykh responsible for fi nding a suitable for something, even if it just be a ring Ascendants of women, regardless of how far (mother, Ibn ‘Uthaymeen : “The relatives of the child that is spouse for his ward, one who is made from iron.” [Al-Bukhari and maternal and paternal grandmother, etc.). nursed, except for his/her children, have no relation to religious and an appropriate match. Muslim] In fact, the Mahr could be Descendants from a man’s parents, regardless of how the breastfeeding mother [or her husband] and there is The Wali must be male, mature, of knowledge of the Quran as related far (sisters, half sisters, sister’s children, etc.) no eff ect on them from that nursing. So, it is allowed for good moral character, and of the same in a popular narration. The Prophet Siblings of male and female ascendants, regardless of a boy’s blood brother to marry his brother’s wet nurse or religion as the woman. accepted the dower of a person’s how far (paternal and maternal aunts, great aunts, etc.). her daughters. However, the children of the child who was In the ideal situation, the Wali knowledge of Quran. He said: “Go for One may notice that of these, the grandmother was nursed will become like the children of the wet nurse and should be the closest male relative I have put her under your charge (in not explicitly mentioned in the verse. This is because her husband in the same way that their father (the one of the woman, so fi rst it has to be marriage) due to what you have of the frequently in Arabic and in the Qur’an (as in some of the originally nursed) was a ‘child’ (by nursing) to those two.” the father, if not then it passes to the Qur’an.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] verses on inheritance), the term ‘mother’ includes the closest male relative on the father There is no maximum amount of grandmother and all her ascendants. side, her grandfather, then her son, dower as Allah Says (what means): Those Forbidden for then her full brother, then her half “But if you want to replace one wife Temporary Reasons brother, then his sons, then paternal with another and you have given one Those Permanently Forbidden uncles, then their sons, then the father of them a Qintaar (great amount of due to Marital Relations The second category of women a man is forbidden to paternal uncles, then the Muslim gold) in gift, do not take (back) form it marry consists of those forbidden for temporary reasons. judge. For women who have entered anything.” [Quran; 4:20] Wives of ascendants, regardless of how far (the father’s If the reason ceases to exist, marriage between them Islam from another religion, however, A Qintaar is a very large amount of wife, grandfather’s wife, etc.). Consummation is not a becomes lawful. They include the following: it is not acceptable for her non-Muslim gold, which implies that it is allowed condition; the mere completion of the marriage contract While being married to a woman, a man cannot marry father or other non-Muslim relative to give such large amounts. The Caliph makes this marriage forbidden forever. her sister or any of her aunts (paternal or maternal). The to act as her Wali. In this case, the Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) Wives of descendants, regardless of how far. Again, fi rst was mentioned in the verses previously mentioned responsibility falls upon the leader however, did advise the people at one the mere marriage contract is what is considered here and the second is mentioned in the following Hadith: of the community. A woman cannot time not to be excessive with regard to with or without consummation. “The Prophet prohibited joining (in marriage at the choose any person for her Wali. The a woman’s dower. The Prophet also Ascendants of wives (such as the mother-in-law), same time) a woman and her paternal aunt or a woman Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) co-operation involving mutual respect encouraged people to be easy in this regardless of whether the marriage was consummated or and her maternal aunt.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] said: “There is no marriage but with a and consideration. area. He said: “The best Mahr is the not. If a person divorces his wife three times, it is not Wali. And the ruler is the Wali for one one which is easiest (to be paid).” [Al- Descendants of wives (step-daughters and their allowed for him to marry her again until and unless who does not have a wali.” [Ahmad and Haakim and Ibn Maajah] children) only if the man consummated the marriage she marries someone else (but not as a trick in order to others] Finding a Spouse with Some women request enormous with the wife in question. The phrase (which means) ‘… marry him again), consummates that marriage and that A woman should never be forced Faith and Piety: amounts of money, jewelry, and goods Under your guardianship…’ was mentioned here only to marriage is subsequently legally ended. to accept a marriage proposal. This from their prospective husbands, portray the usual case and not as a condition. The ruling Any woman if a man already has four wives. is very clear in Islam. If a woman is The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi oftentimes making it impossible for holds whether the step-daughter was ever under his care Marrying a slave girl when one is already married to a forced to accept a marriage proposed wa sallam) said: “If someone whose the men to fulfi l these requests. Men or not. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars. free woman. against her will, she would have the religion and character you are pleased are actually foregoing or postponing Marrying a woman who is already married or who is right either to annul the marriage or with comes to you (to marry your marriage because they are unable in ‘Iddah (waiting period). A woman in ‘Iddah due either accept and remain in it. daughter or ward) then marry (her to pay the “going rate” or to fi nd a Those Permanently Forbidden to her husband’s death or divorce is not allowed to marry Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased off to) him. If you do not do so, there woman who is willing to accept a lesser due to Breast Feeding until it is fi nished. with him) narrated that a young will be commotion on the earth, and a amount. A woman upon whom a man has made Li’aan, unless virgin woman came to the Prophet great deal of evil.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn This creates a great deal of The verse actually mentions ‘mothers’ and ‘sisters’ by he confesses to having made it up. Al-Li’aan in Arabic (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and Maajah] corruption, trial and temptation breast feeding. From these two, others can be derived is when the husband accuses the wife of adultery but stated that her father had married her The Wali should assist the woman not only for individuals, but also for based on the Hadeeth (narration) of the Prophet : cannot bring witnesses, so he swears that it occurred and she disliked it. So the Prophet gave in fi nding a spouse who has strong society as a whole. Women should look “Breast feeding makes forbidden what is forbidden and the two are separated after the wife swears that she her the option (to annul the marriage faith and piety, which is refl ected in beyond their own personal desires and through blood relations.” [Muslim] is innocent. He can never marry her again unless he or remain in it). [Abu Daawood and behavior. interests and consider loftier values confesses that he was lying about it. Ahmad] The happiness of the marriage often and benefi ts. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was asked A woman who is neither Muslim nor Jewish nor The relationship between the rests upon this important element. Article source: http://www. to marry the daughter of his uncle Hamzah but his Christian. woman and her Wali is ideally one of One of the goals of marriage is to fi nd islamweb.net/emainpage/ The necessary components of the marital process

his article discusses some It should be entered with the intention and goals of the contract bring harm to anyone. The primary righteous, and also adult, mature and (as outlined above article) as detailed of the important issues to seriousness, and as with any would be acceptable. It is important purpose of these additions should be sane. Most scholars state that the in Shari’ah, and learn about her role consider when entering the contract, the best attempt should to mention that when the contract is to avoid any confl ict or hardship in the witnesses must be male, although as a wife and companion. She should Tbond of marriage. This includes be made to fulfi l the obligations and entered into, the aspects pertaining future. Abu Haneefah is of the opinion that also be informed about the rights that the marriage contract and witnesses responsibilities due to the other party. to marriage in the Shari’ah (Islamic Those who accept the stipulations it is allowed to have one male and two are due to her from her husband. It is to the marriage. It is imperative to All scholars agree that the off er by Law) become binding upon each must complete the condition or the females. The witnesses must also be a beautiful reciprocal relationship in remember that whatever endeavour a one party and acceptance by the other person, regardless of whether or not husband or wife has right to nullify the Muslim between two Muslims. (Abu which the rights of one party become person engages in, his or her intention is an essential part of the marriage they are stated in the contract. These marriage. Allah says (what means): “O Haneefah allows for non-Muslims the responsibility of the other. should be purely for the sake of Allah, contract. Most of these scholars also aspects would include the rights and believers, fulfi l the contracts.” [Qur’an; witnesses if the marriage is to a non- There are many books available Almighty. For something as serious as say that the off er must be from the responsibilities of each party, such as 5:1] Muslim woman). on this topic and it would be wise marriage, this should be obvious. The woman’s side (the Wali - the guardian the husband providing sustenance for The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi The reason for having Muslim to read some of these as part of the correct intention will ensure that the or one who represents him) and the his wife and the wife being obedient wa sallam) said: “The Muslims witnesses is that the contract is a preparation. In Islam, it is not enough union is blessed by Allah and protected acceptance from the man during toward her husband and so forth. must act upon their stipulations.” serious one and is considered to be a to just get married. One must have from diffi culty and tribulation. Our sole the process of the contract. The Certain customs that are known and [Abu Daawood and Al-Haakim]. It religious contract. the knowledge to enter the union with purpose in life should be to seek the majority of the scholars also say that accepted by everyone can also take is necessary to mention that some wisdom and understanding and a deep pleasure of Allah in all that we do. If this it is necessary to have the presence of the status of law and be considered scholars are of the opinion that Conclusion commitment to making it successful. goal were the focus, we would see many both the prospective husband and the binding on the parties. These, of additional conditions cannot be added As a woman eagerly prepares for Equipped with the right intention happy, smiling married couples. Wali during the process. The actual course, would only be acceptable if to the marriage contract. her wedding day, buying clothes and knowledge, there should be little presence of the woman to be wed is they do not contradict the Shari’ah. and accessories, beautifying herself, room left for Satan to nudge between 1. The marriage contract external to the whole process. Some examples may be the custom of 2. Presence of witnesses informing family and friends, she the man and woman who have promised The marriage contract is a necessary It is essential to mention here that the husband providing furniture for The majority of scholars agree should refl ect on the serious nature to love and honor each other all the days component in the marital process. the consent of the Wali is a condition the house or the bride being taken to that the presence of two witnesses of the contract that she is about of their lives… and in the Sight of Allah. Marriage itself is actually considered without which the contract is void. the home of the groom. is an obligatory aspect of the marital to enter. It is a lifelong, binding Article source: http://www. to be a contract agreed upon by the The marriage contract itself may Other stipulations may be added to contract. The Prophet said: “There is contract that entails many duties islamweb.net/emainpage/ two parties. It is a binding, permanent simply be in spoken form, although the marriage contract if both parties no marriage save with a guardian and and responsibilities. She should agreement that can only be broken it may also be completed through agree. These conditions cannot two (just) witnesses.” [Al-Bayhaqi] become aware of the elements that are through the process of divorce. writing. Any wording that clarifi es contradict the Shari’ah nor can they The witnesses must be just and necessary for completion of this bond Gulf Times 18 Friday, October 28, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: Amjad Khan What comes next after

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] election in America? Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) The election contest has The only poll that counts is the one he does not have an opportunity for a the president enjoys considerable Fax 44350474 exposed deep fault lines on November 8. Until then, all we can second term. latitude. do is speculate. Yet some predictions Given how much of Trump’s agenda While only Congress can offi cially within American society can be made with greater confi dence. his fellow policymakers would likely declare war or ratify treaties, presidents There is little doubt that the US will fi nd objectionable, governing would be may use (or refuse to use) military and damaged the country’s emerge from this election a divided very diffi cult during his administration. force without explicit congressional global reputation country with a divided government, In either scenario, it may still be approval. regardless of who is president or which possible to make progress in a few key They can also enter into GULF TIMES party has a majority in either chamber areas. international agreements other than By Richard N Haass of Congress. The next US government might treaties, appoint powerful White House Kiev Neither Democrats nor Republicans manage to enact legislation to fund staff , and change US foreign policy by will be able to realise their objectives the modernisation of America’s ageing executive action, as Obama recently did without at least some support from the infrastructure, a policy that both regarding Cuba. Outmanned, outgunned: he ongoing presidential other. candidates and many in Congress Under Clinton, this discretion could campaign in the United But no one should think that the only favour. translate into establishing one or more IS will eventually lose States stands out for its divide in American politics is between It might also be able to cobble safe areas in Syria, providing more Tlack of civility and the vast Republicans and Democrats. together a majority to reform the US tax defensive arms to Ukraine, and taking diff erences between the candidates: In fact, splits within the two major code – in particular, lowering the high a tougher line toward North Korea as the anti-establishment businessman parties are just as deep, with large rate for corporations and raising taxes it continues its nuclear and missile its chokehold on Mosul Donald Trump on the Republican side and highly motivated factions pulling on the wealthy. buildup. and the polished politician Hillary each to their respective extremes – There could even be some reform of It is more diffi cult to guess what The United States said yesterday up to 900 Islamic Clinton representing the Democrats. Democrats to the left and Republicans healthcare, President Barack Obama’s Trump would do. State group militants have been killed in the off ensive to The contest has exposed deep to the right. signature achievement, owing to He is, after all, a political outsider, fault lines within American society This makes compromise on centrist serious implementation problems with so no one knows how much of his retake the Iraqi city of Mosul. and damaged the country’s global positions all the more diffi cult to the current system. campaign rhetoric would be translated Iraqis who fl ed their homes expressed joy at escaping reputation. achieve. But other issues requiring co- into policy. IS’s brutal rule as they were given shelter and assistance, No surprise, then, that one of the few The rapid resumption of presidential operation between Congress and the Still, one could anticipate a Trump things Americans seem to agree on is politics will undermine compromise president are unlikely to be addressed administration distancing itself from in some cases reuniting with relatives they had not seen that the campaign has gone on for too further. any time soon. some traditional allies in Europe and in more than two years. long. If Clinton wins, many Republicans One is immigration reform, which Asia and standing mostly aloof from But soon it will be over. will assume that it was only because of is as controversial in the US as it is in the Middle East. The IS will eventually lose its chokehold on Mosul. The The question is: what comes next? Trump’s fl aws, and they will judge her Europe. What exactly will happen to America ongoing Iraqi military off ensive, buttressed by US-led Polls suggest that Clinton, a former likely to be a one-term president. Another is trade: because the after the presidential election remains coalition airstrikes, has the militant group outmanned senator and secretary of state, will A country favouring change, they will domestic political environment makes an open question. defeat the controversial Trump. conclude, is unlikely to keep a Democrat policymakers wary of supporting Though some outcomes can and outgunned. Driving out the Islamic State dead- But polls are not to be confused with in the Oval Offi ce for a fourth term. positions with dedicated opponents, reasonably be expected, the only genuine enders won’t be easy, and it could take months – but reality. Many Republicans (especially those both Trump and Clinton oppose the certainty is that the 96% of the world’s After all, going into June’s Brexit who deny the legitimacy of a Clinton Trans-Pacifi c Partnership, even though population that does not vote in US eventually, Iraqi forces likely will regain control over the referendum, most observers believed victory) will thus seek to frustrate its ratifi cation would benefi t America’s elections will feel the eff ects no less than country’s second-largest city. that a victory for “Remain” was a sure her administration, lest she be able economy and strategic standing. Americans will. – Project Syndicate When that happens, it will be a victory for Iraqis. It thing. to run again in 2020 as a successful Meanwhile, America’s defi cit More recently, Colombian voters incumbent. and debt are certain to rise, as there zRichard N Haass, a former director also will be a shot in the arm for America’s anti-Islamic rejected a peace accord that was widely Similarly, if Trump manages to seems to be little or no will to reduce of policy planning for the US State State strategy. expected to receive popular approval. win, most Democrats (and even some entitlement spending. Department, is President of the Council All of this is to say that, while a Republicans) will – after recovering The foreign-policy implications of on Foreign Relations and the author Insurgencies have a way of melting into civilian life, Clinton victory may be likely, it is no from their surprise and dismay – make the election are somewhat diff erent, of the forthcoming book A World in lying low for a spell and eventually regrouping. certainty. it their highest priority to ensure that because, under the US Constitution, Disarray. “So it’s defi nitely not over” once Mosul has been retaken, a Canadian general who oversees training of Iraqi security forces told reporters at the Pentagon earlier this month. “If anything, it’s going to be more diffi cult.” With that in mind, it will be incumbent on Obama’s successor to commit the US to a robust Iraqis shouldn’t counterinsurgency wait to forge a presence in Mosul plan for Mosul’s long after Iraqi and US generals have governance declared victory in the city. That presence should entail intelligence-gathering to ferret out any signs of an IS resurgence, as well as the training and equipping of Mosul’s decimated police force. We’ve seen what happened when the US left Iraq too early. Obama withdrew US troops in 2011. In that vacuum, the Islamic State was able to seep in from Syria and take root throughout northern and western Iraq. Iraqis shouldn’t wait to forge a plan for Mosul’s governance after the IS is gone. That needs to be done Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton: the election campaign has gone on for too long now, and it should include a prominent role for Sunnis. Carving out such a role will require reining in Iran- backed Shia militias, which have a notorious history of treating all Sunnis – whether or not they are linked to the Islamic State – as one amorphous enemy. Two other immediate problems loom. First: Already Education innovation in Middle East the fi ghting on the outskirts of Mosul has generated By Gordon Brown persecuted by Syrian President Bashar making optimistic appeals to universal opportunities to create new virtuous legions of refugees. The UN predicts that as many as a London al-Assad’s regime. religious axioms. cycles across the Middle East’s million Iraqis may be forced out of their homes because PEER will connect college-ready It should also support courses that education sectors, and they should Syrian refugees with refugee-ready teach pupils that diversity is a strength take a lesson from Sir Ronald Cohen’s of the off ensive. The UN is scrambling to provide enough upporting the millions of newly colleges, and it will eventually be a and a public good for their societies. pioneering work in social-impact short-term shelter and humanitarian assistance, but displaced people of the Middle web-based higher-education conduit That is what the Catalyst Foundation investing, and social enterprise as a East demands resources far for displaced students at all grade levels hopes to do. whole. that exodus will be seen as ideal cover by IS militants Sbeyond the capacity of the worldwide. The proposal is to work with some Education-sector social looking to escape the fi ghting. It’s not far-fetched to United Nations, and is a continuous PEER is being supported by the half-dozen pilot schools, including a entrepreneurs now have more fi nancing think some of those militants may trek to Turkey and, humanitarian-aid challenge for Institute of International Education and secondary school in the United Arab tools at their disposal than ever before companies, foundations, and public- the Catalyst Foundation for Universal Emirates, high schools in the US and – from venture capital to targeted- eventually, Europe. A strict, comprehensive vetting sector donors. Education, an education charity Europe, and a secondary school in investment funds and other new process needs to be established to ensure IS fi ghters While UN peacekeepers are fi nanced founded by former New York University Lebanon that is taking in Syrian refugee asset classes – and they can play an by a system of “assessed contributions,” President John Sexton. students. important role in bringing the Middle don’t fi nd their way to the West, where they can humanitarian aid depends on voluntary Beyond PEER, the Catalyst Lebanon is a particularly important East’s classrooms into the 21st century. establish sleeper cells. donations. Foundation is also looking at projects to participant in this project. Too many past ideas that have Which sets up the second immediate problem: Yes, the Education, which is prioritised improve school auditing, spur social- Despite its long history of political, emerged from the nonprofi t sector have below basic survival needs like food and impact investing in the education social, and religious divisions, all stalled, owing to a lack of fi nance. Islamic State eventually will get run out of Mosul. But shelter, all too often gets left behind. sector, and introduce curricula to nine-year-old pupils are introduced to The Catalyst Foundation aims to the group still holds sway with who-knows-how-many This failure is far more dangerous encourage inter-faith coexistence in the a school curriculum that emphasises to provide seed capital for education than it might seem at fi rst glance. Middle East and worldwide. all children – whether Shia, Sunni, or start-ups and to help them scale up followers around the globe. And no matter where they In fact, we now confront an Schools are the fi rst places where we Christian – the worth and dignity of all successful programmes. hunker down, they will continue to be living threats of education crisis that threatens to leave a can promote inclusive citizenship in faiths and the common ground between For anyone who cares about future terror attacks. lost generation of young people without Middle Eastern countries. them. education in the Middle East, our task any hope for a better future. With this in mind, the Catalyst The Lebanese model is a good is clear: to furnish millions of poor The majority of Syria’s 6mn Foundation is assessing pilot civic- starting point for developing a and vulnerable young people with the displaced children remain out of school, education projects in the region – as framework that can be used worldwide. support they need to transform and To Advertise while around 250,000 young people well as in Eastern Europe, Africa, and The Catalyst Foundation’s improve their lives through learning. miss out on a college education. the United States – to determine how curriculum is likely to include universal As the Catalyst Foundation intends to [email protected] In war-torn Yemen and Iraq, millions school curricula can best cultivate themes to prompt youths from very show, a little social enterprise can go a Display more children are also missing out on inter-faith understanding. diff erent national, religious, and long way. – Project Syndicate/Mohamed school. A large generation of young people cultural backgrounds to interact with Bin Rashid Global Initiatives, 2016. Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 Some may go through all their growing up in the Middle East and one another, online or in person, Classified school-age years without ever entering North Africa – soon to number by sharing their own insights and zGordon Brown, former prime Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 a classroom. 200mn – would be well served by experiences. minister and chancellor of the But thanks to the Platform for an educational model that fosters The goal is to foster cultural and Exchequer of the United Kingdom, Subscription Education in Emergencies Response, cultural coexistence, especially during religious understanding and dialogue is United Nations Special Envoy [email protected] charities, philanthropists, and a time when certain politicians in among young people at a critical stage for Global Education and Chair foundations can unite to help refugee the West deny that coexistence is of their education, with the hope that of the International Commission students fi nd higher-education possible. they will grow up to become their on Financing Global Education 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved opportunities, and to provide safe A model curriculum need not be countries’ and communities’ leaders. Opportunity. He chairs the Advisory havens for lecturers and professors limited to teaching the Golden Rule or Indeed, reformers have many Board of the Catalyst Foundation. Gulf Times Friday, October 28, 2016 19 COMMENT Theresa May’s nasty Britain

Theresa May has itself, rather than basking in tradition. revolting against cosmopolitanism – I was advocating a kind of and May is playing to the crowd. launched attacks on progressive patriotism – one that was Some fear that this is the new “international elites” soon embraced by Britain’s political normal. class, beginning with Blair himself. When May’s government fi rst and decided to prioritise To my surprise, when the threatened to force companies to list immigration controls Conservative Party started to renew foreign workers, I was dining with tech itself under May’s predecessor, David entrepreneurs from other EU countries over single-market access Cameron, it focused on celebrating an who are settled in the UK. in negotiating the UK’s inclusive national identity. They joked darkly about being forced Cameron and former London to wear blue stars on their clothes, withdrawal from the EU Mayor Boris Johnson, who now serves speculating that the 1990s could one as foreign secretary, represented day be seen as an Anglo-Saxon version By Mark Leonard the modern, outward-looking, of Germany’s ill-fated Weimar period. London multiracial, multi-ethnic Britain That may be a stretch, but concerns that was broadcast to the world in that May’s decision to vacate the the electrifying Olympic opening political center could represent a ritish Prime Minister Theresa ceremony in 2012. long-term reversal of Britain’s political May once warned her fellow To be sure, within a couple of years, moderation are very real. Conservatives of the perils Cameron was calling for the Brexit Fortunately, however, the long-term Bof being known as the “nasty referendum in a bid for votes, and trend seems to be toward inclusion, party.” But after 100 days in offi ce, she Johnson was stepping up as a leader of even if the UK takes a couple of steps is in danger of going further, turning the “Leave” campaign. backward today. the United Kingdom into the nasty Nonetheless, they did not unravel Even May herself, in her recent country. the progress of the previous years. attack on cosmopolitanism, In just a few months, May has A major opinion poll recently inadvertently celebrated Britain for launched attacks on “international showed that almost a third of precisely the achievements that its elites” and decided to prioritise England’s people feel “very positive cosmopolitanism has enabled, from immigration controls over single- towards our multicultural society,” up its outsize share of Nobel Prizes to the market access in negotiating the from 24% in 2011. City of London’s fi nancial clout. UK’s withdrawal from the European Theresa May: 100 days in off ice Meanwhile, the proportion of Nonetheless, as the Brexit vote Union. Britons who are most strongly hostile highlighted, Britain’s success is fragile. At one point recently, companies This revival has come on fairly or the European Commission. precocious 23-year-old, became to immigration and a multicultural And the surge in hate crimes shows faced the threat of being compelled to quickly. There was no shortage of domestic embroiled in the debate about national society has declined, from 13% to that the emerging cosmopolitan furnish a list of their foreign workers. As recently as the 2012 Olympic villains: trade unions, miners, teachers, identity. 8%. As The Economist’s Jeremy majority cannot simply sit back and And the 3.5mn European citizens Games in London, the UK was showing doctors, the BBC, ethnic minorities, In 1997, a few months after the Cliff e argued in a 2015 paper, factors wait for history to do its work. who are settled in the UK were a very diff erent face to the world: the Scots, the Welsh, and Irish election of Tony Blair and a few days like rising racial diversity, a more It must off er a new kind of politics left to worry about whether May’s welcoming, connected, and self- Catholics. after the death of Princess Diana, I educated citizenry, urbanisation, and that places a wedge between genuine government would guarantee their confi dent in its diversity. By the time John Major took over wrote a report arguing that, instead increased variety in family structure fears and isolationism. residence rights. The current surge in identity politics the premiership in 1990, there was a of mourning the death of the old seems to be giving rise to “an emerging It must show how Britain can It did not take long for the seems to refl ect a backlash against all sense of national malaise, fuelled by narratives, we should celebrate the cosmopolitan majority” in the UK. reinvent its economy and state to normalisation of nationalist rhetoric that openness. anguish about Europe and frustration birth of new ones, refl ecting pride in As with any major social shift, deliver equitable growth, thereby to aff ect the daily lives of Britain’s In fact, Britain seems to be with the declining prestige of British our past successes, while touting our diversity has its detractors. regaining its agency in the world. immigrant population. oscillating between inclusion and institutions. creativity, diversity, and openness to White, English, working-class men And it must off er new ways to build Indeed, hate crimes began to exclusion – and has been for four In 1995, opinion polls showed that business. over the age of 55 feel particularly solidarity and advance inclusion. proliferate almost immediately after decades. only a minority of the country felt The point of my report, which excluded from the progressive version Britain must not be allowed to June’s Brexit referendum – even before When Margaret Thatcher was prime “British,” while many groups – namely was credited with spawning the of patriotism, and fear becoming become the nasty country. – Project May took power. minister in the 1980s, she promoted young people, ethnic minorities, political and media eff ort to rebrand a minority in their “own” country. Syndicate Her government’s attitude seems to exclusion, defi ning British identity Londoners, Scots, and Welsh – felt the UK known as Cool Britannia, (According to data cited by Cliff e, the be a symptom, rather than a cause, of a with reference to its enemies – and not poorly represented. was to recognise Britain as a “silent majority of the UK’s population will zMark Leonard is Director of the broader nativist revival in Britain. just external foes, like the Soviet Union It was around that time that I, a revolutionary” that constantly renews be non-white by 2070.) So they are European Council on Foreign Relations. Weather report The secret success of Abenomics Three-day forecast TODAY High: 34 C By Koichi Hamada was some ¥30tn (about $300bn) representation of Japan’s economic Add the GNI adjustment of over larger than officially reported. circumstances. ¥8.5tn, and Japan’s economy is nearly Low : 26 C Tokyo Hazy to misty/ foggy at places at first There is good reason to believe that In the 2015 fi scal year, Japan’s GNI ¥70tn, or 14%, larger than offi cial data becomes mild temperature daytime it was. grew by 2.5%, while its GDP grew by suggest. with some local clouds. okyo is in the midst of a Tax data account for distributed only 0.8%. Because Japan’s nominal While this is only a rough construction boom, with GDP and cover a broader swath of GDP is now close to ¥500 tn yen, calculation, it is impossible to deny SATURDAY old high-rise offi ce and economic activity than traditional the 1.7-percentage-point diff erence the potential diff erences that more High: 34 C apartment buildings being measures of output. between GNI and GDP amounts to comprehensive calculations can make. Low: 23 C T Sunny rebuilt in more modern and elegant And, because few taxpayers have ¥8.5tn. This has important policy forms, all while maintaining stringent incentives to infl ate their reported To be sure, foreign activities are not implications. environmental standards. income, the resultant fi gures are the only reason why GNI is growing According to offi cial statistics, So bright is Tokyo’s gleam – which unlikely to be overestimates. more quickly than GDP. which place Japan’s GDP at ¥500tn, SUNDAY is sure to impress visitors at the More insights into Japan’s real Even within Japan, many fi rms have Japan is still ¥100tn away from High: 35 C 2020 Olympic Games – that the city progress can be derived from another lately been earning revenues at record achieving a key goal of the second Low: 24 C might seem like an anomaly, given source: the new System of National rates, thanks largely to Prime Minister iteration of Abenomics: to achieve a Sunny gloomy reports that, after decades Accounts 2008, the latest international Shinzo Abe’s economic revitalisation ¥600tn economy. of stagnation, Japan’s GDP growth statistical standard for national eff orts. The revised reading of the statistics remains anaemic. accounting by the United Nations In fact, the gradual economic growth would reduce that shortfall by 70%. Fishermen’s forecast In fact, even the small cities of Statistical Commission. spurred by so-called Abenomics, Simply put, Abenomics is not getting OFFSHORE DOHA Kushiro and Nemuro in Hokkaido, Tentative calculations using together with the low exchange rate enough credit. Wind: NW 05-15/18 KT located near the disputed islands Japanese Cabinet Offi ce data suggest that has prevailed until recently, has The incompleteness of the offi cial Waves: 2-4/5 Feet that, according the standard of helped to spur the tourism that has view can be frustrating, especially as INSHORE DOHA between Russia and Japan, are Wind: NE-NW 05-15 KT being rebuilt and modernised at the 2008 SNA – which counts enabled cities like Kushiro and Nemuro Japanese stocks suff er setbacks, even Waves: 1-2 Feet a brisk pace, as is apparent to any research and development, including to fund their reconstruction. as Chinese stocks increase, despite tourist (as I was this summer). What intellectual property, among fi rms’ Taken together, the growth of the fact that, unlike Japan, China faces Around the region explains this divergence between capital assets – Japan’s 2011 GDP Japan’s GNI and the implications of considerable hidden economic risks. Weather Weather disappointing national economic exceeded the published data by 4.2%, tax data and 2008 SNA suggest that A more comprehensive and accurate today Max/min tomorrow Max/min data and visible progress in Japanese or ¥19.8tn. Japan’s economy has been doing representation of Japan’s economic Abu Dhabi Sunny 37/24 Sunny 35/22 Baghdad cities? A third failing of traditional GDP signifi cantly better lately than the progress is vital to give investors the P Cloudy 35/21 Sunny 33/17 Dubai Sunny national statistics seem to suggest. confi dence that Japan’s economy Sunny 35/24 34/24 It may be a problem of calculation. measurements for Japan lies in the Kuwait City P Cloudy 35/20 Sunny 37/21 According to offi cial data, Japan’s fact that they account only for what is Though each new calculation merits. Manama Sunny 33/23 Sunny 33/24 economic growth slowed by one actually produced within the country’s focuses on a diff erent year, we can That, in turn, would bolster the Muscat Sunny 31/25 Sunny 33/24 percentage point, in real terms, in the borders. use them heuristically to estimate impact of Abenomics even further. – Riyadh Sunny 32/18 Sunny 33/18 2014 fi scal year. But we live in a globalised world, unaccounted-for economic progress Project Syndicate Tehran M Sunny 26/15 M Sunny 26/14 Yet, according to Bank of Japan and nowadays, Japan’s citizens are in Japan. researchers, tax data suggest acquiring considerable income from The result is substantial: a ¥30tn zKoichi Hamada is Emeritus Professor that growth was more than three Japanese activities abroad. annual adjustment for distributed of Economics at Yale University, and percentage points higher than the Given this, gross national income income and ¥19.8tn adjustment for a special adviser to Prime Minister official figure, implying that GDP (GNI) might be a more accurate R&D and intellectual property. Shinzo Abe.

Live issues Laser treatment an option for cataract removal

Tribune News Service “A question I’ve often been asked resulting in speedy recovery and Washington is: ‘Can cataract surgery be done with discharge home after the procedure laser?’ Until recently, the answer was lasting only about 20 minutes. no,” says Hessler. “Laser refractive Until now, the surgeon has had to or many, clear vision is not surgery, known by names such as Lasik create the corneal and lens access Around the world possible without spectacle (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) incisions manually using blades Weather Weather correction, and proper and PRK (photorefractive and instruments. While a practiced today Max/min tomorrow Max/min eyewear is important to enjoy keratectomy), has been popular surgeon can accomplish this with great Athens Cloudy 17/13 Sunny 19/11 F Beirut M Sunny 27/21 Sunny 27/22 vision to its fullest. While glasses or in recent years. This technology skill, new laser technology enables Bangkok T Storms 32/25 T Storms 31/25 contacts can help render clear vision, reshapes the cornea – the clear domed even greater precision in creating the Berlin Cloudy 12/07 P Cloudy 11/08 sometimes your eye exam will reveal windshield on the surface of the eye – incisions required in cataract surgery. Cairo Sunny 29/19 P Cloudy 30/19 other conditions that can impact replacing it with a clear intraocular to better focus light through the lens The laser treatment, called Cape Town Cloudy 26/16 P Cloudy 21/13 eyesight. lens (IOL) implant. inside the eye and onto the retina, femtosecond laser surgery, is Colombo P Cloudy 29/26 S T Storms 29/26 S T Storms I T Storms 31/24 “Cataract, or opacity of the lens IOL implants are prescription lenses eliminating or reducing the need for performed at the beginning of the Dhaka 30/24 Hong Kong M Sunny 30/26 P Cloudy 29/22 inside the eye, can keep properly that are specifi cally chosen for your glasses.” procedure, is painless and only lasts Istanbul Cloudy 14/11 P Cloudy 14/08 focused light from fully reaching eye’s degree of nearsightedness or While a viable solution for many, about 30 seconds. It enables more Jakarta T Storms 31/24 T Storms 31/24 the retina,” says Mayo Clinic Health farsightedness, often reducing your this treatment will not correct an eye effi cient cataract removal, requiring Karachi Sunny 35/22 Sunny 32/22 System ophthalmologist Dr Ronald need for glasses to see in the distance with cataract, since the focused light less energy and less stress to the eye. London M Cloudy 17/11 P Cloudy 15/10 Manila P Cloudy 33/26 P Cloudy 33/26 Hessler. “Occasionally occurring in and, for some, resulting in only the still passes through the hazy cataract It also results in faster recovery and Moscow Cloudy 01/-1 Snow 00/-1 children or younger adults for genetic need for inexpensive reading glasses. lens inside the eye. Your cataract getting you back to enjoying life with New Delhi Sunny 33/18 Sunny 33/17 or medication reasons, this lens Also, IOL implant technology has surgeon must enter the eye through the the best eyesight possible. New York Cloudy 11/04 M Sunny 19/13 opacifi cation aff ects most of us to advanced to allow premium lenses cornea to access, then fragment and “If new glasses alone aren’t enough Paris P Cloudy 16/08 P Cloudy 16/08 P Cloudy M Cloudy 18/13 remove the cataract using ultrasound to correct your vision, ask your eye Sao Paulo 21/11 some degree in later life.” to neutralise astigmatism, which is Seoul Cloudy 17/06 P Cloudy 11/01 Age-related cataracts aff ect more irregular focusing of light into the eye, energy before placing the IOL implant. care provider if you have cataracts Singapore T Storms 31/24 T Storms 31/24 than 22mn Americans. Fortunately, and even multifocal IOL implants to Modern cataract surgery allows the and if you are a good candidate for Sydney Showers 17/16 Showers 20/17 cataract removal surgery can restore yield clear vision at distance and for incisions to be tiny (only slightly larger femtosecond laser surgery,” says Tokyo Clear 17/11 Cloudy 20/11 vision by removing the hazy lens and reading at near. than the diameter of a toothpick), Hessler. – Mayo Clinic News Network Gulf Times 20 Friday, October 28, 2016 QATAR

Bangladesh envoy hosts Asian ambassadors’ dinner Apple Fest begins at LuLu outlets

Bangladesh’s ambassador to Qatar, Ashud Ahmed, and his wife recently hosted an Asian Ambassadors’ Group Dinner in Doha. The The Apple Fest was launched at all LuLu Hypermarket outlets in Qatar yesterday. The week-long event was attended by the ambassadors of diff erent Asian countries and their spouses. Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, director festival features more than 20 varieties of apple from Spain, France, Italy, New Zealand, the US, of the Department of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, also participated in the gathering. Portugal, South Africa, China, Sri Lanka and Iran. 28 trucks seized in crackdown n a crackdown on overloaded shop, the MME said. The viola- and uncovered trucks, Al tion was registered in accord- IKhor and Al Thakhira Mu- ance with Law No 8 of 1990. nicipality has seized 28 such ve- The Health Control Sec- hicles from the Umm Al Baraka tion also issued a violation re- area, the Ministry of Municipal- port against a fast-food joint in ity and Environment (MME) said New for storing and in a tweet. preparing food inside a labour The MME also informed that camp, away from public view. Doha Municipality had issued Further, the section issued a a violation report and initiated violation report against a cafete- legal action against a shop in ria in the Industrial Area for pre- the Thumama area for selling paring and storing meals at room rotten fish. temperature without observing Meanwhile, the authorities the necessary health regulations. concerned have conducted a Besides, meat of unknown origin clean-up drive in the play area was also found there. of Al Wakrah family beach. The In another development, sev- MME has also urged all visitors en boxes of imported fi sh (black to the beach to properly dispose Zubaidi) and one box of import- of garbage, including charcoal, ed shrimps – collectively weigh- before they leave. ing 170kg – were destroyed at the The Health Control Section Central Market in Abu Hamour of Al Wakrah Municipality has as they were found unfi t for hu- destroyed 120kg of rotten fi sh at man consumption. Food items stored inside a room Food stored and prepared inside the Al Wakrah fi sh market. The Meanwhile, the MME stressed behind a supermarket in a labour camp by an eatery in fi sh was examined and found that Health Control inspectors Madinat Khalifa. New Al Mirqab. unfi t for human consumption, from diff erent municipalities according to a press statement in Qatar were continuing with The play area at the Al Wakrah family beach. from the MME. their inspection campaigns at Meanwhile, Doha Munici- food establishments around Such campaigns would con- in accordance with the regula- ducted a clean-up campaign in pality’s Health Control Section the country to ensure compli- tinue across Qatar in order to tions, the statement added. the Al Ruwais fish market area. detected the manipulation of ance with the relevant laws and detect violations of food safety The MME’s General Clean- Garbage and abandoned boats expiry dates of food products at ensure the health and safety of regulations and the erring par- liness Department (Beaches were removed during the ini- a restaurant located in a hotel in consumers. ties would be dealt with strictly and Islands Section) has con- tiative. the Al Rafaa area. Labels mentioning the origi- nal expiry dates were replaced with new ones, it was found. Ac- cordingly, a violation report was issued against the restaurant for fl outing provisions of Law No 8 of 1990 on the regulation of hu- man food control. A violation report was also is- sued against a supermarket in for not abiding by food safety regula- tions. The Health Control Section of Doha Municipality found food products being stored in un- healthy conditions by the super- market inside a room behind the Clean-up at Al Ruwais. The crackdown on overloaded and uncovered trucks. Inspection at the Al Wakrah fish market.

Katara to continue staging authentic Qatari cultural programme Host of activities

esidents will have the op- of time and referring back to at ‘Family Fun portunity to watch and the lives of ancestors and the Renjoy authentic Qatari tough circumstances they went musical arts and folk singing through. Fridays’ today every weekend until April 28, Last week, a number of work- 2017 at the Katara – the Cultural shops were organised in col- Village esplanade. laboration with Katara Art Stu- he ‘Family Fun Fridays’ series contin- The second edition of the cul- dios, such as engraving henna on ues today at The Pearl-Qatar. tural show, dubbed ‘The Revival wood and canvas by Qatari artist T Organised by United Develop- of Qatar’s Musical Heritage and Aisha al-Mohannadi. ment Company (UDC), master developer of Qatari Folk Singing Programme’, The paper pulp workshop, The Pearl-Qatar, today’s activities include is in line with Katara’s continu- which concludes today, has balloon twisting, games for children, face ous eff orts to preserve the her- been attracting a large number painting and drawing. itage of Qatar’s ancestors. It of children while a live art will be staged between 6pm and painting expo at the Village’s Organised by UDC, master developer 10pm every Thursday and Fri- Alleys will continue to amuse of The Pearl-Qatar, today’s activities day. visitors throughout October include balloon twisting, games for Some sideline activities at during the weekends. Visitors children, face painting and drawing the event include training ses- will also enjoy a QatArt hand- sions, competitions, exhibi- made market today from 3pm Mascots, stilt walkers and clowns will tions, documentary research, to 8pm. roam around Qanat Quartier 6A (boardwalk publications, and lectures and Katara Art Studios will also level near Salik rent a car and Eskisehir) to seminars. organise a number of art work- welcome and entertain visitors from 5pm to The previous weekend at Ka- shops for diff erent age groups 9pm. Popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream tara saw stunning Qatari tradi- in November, including paper will also be distributed free at the event, tional performances on stage, quilling by Shuarra Iqbal Hus- which has been attracting dozens of families which enthralled the diverse au- sain on the 18th, 19th and 25th; every week. dience. arcket art by artist Ahmad Fa- The next ‘Family Fun Fridays’ will take Katara will also focus on rouq on the 13th and 16th; and place at Qanat Quartier 5A (near The Furr showing the extent of Qatari Art of Islamic Geometry by Azi- Camp and Evergreen Organics Café) on No- pride and heritage, especially in za Iqbal, which will take place on vember 4 and at Qanat Quartier 7 (near The documenting the various phases the 10th, 17th and 24th. An artist participating in an activity at Katara. Breakfast Club) on November 11.