SPORT | Page 1 BUSINESS | Page 1 Qatar-Italy trade volume reaches INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2 – 8, 28 COMMENT 26, 27 Al-Khulaifi set to €2.3bn in REGION 9 BUSINESS 1 – 6, 10 – 12 17,795.45 9,888.39 46.01 ARAB WORLD 9 – 11 CLASSIFIED 7 – 9 be youngest ever -132.90 +4.80 +1.35 INTERNATIONAL 12 – 25 SPORTS 1 – 12 2015 -0.74% +0.05% +3.02% Qatari Olympian Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10086 May 12, 2016 Sha’baan 5, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets Chinese foreign minister Ashghal to In brief

QATAR | Weather hand over Windy and dusty days ahead Qatar is likely to experience a spell of strong winds and dusty conditions in the coming days, peaking on Saturday and Sunday, the Met department has said. three new The mercury level is expected to rise to the mid-40s in the central parts of the country today and tomorrow before dropping to the mid-30s across Qatar on Saturday and Sunday due to northerly winds. An extension of a high- hospitals pressure ridge is expected to aff ect the country between tomorrow The new hospitals will be able to the furniture and other loose fi ttings evening and Sunday (May 15), to serve about 4,000 patients a day, are to be supplied by the operator.” be accompanied by fresh to strong including about 600 inpatients The offi cial stated that the main con- northwesterly winds and dusty struction contractor for the project was skies. Page 2 By Joseph Varghese Hyundai and there were over 30 sub- Staff Reporter contractors. “A good percentage of the subcon- IRAQ | Terrorism tractors were Qatari companies. There 94 die in triple hree new hospitals built and were other costs such as consultancy car bombings equipped at a cost of QR3.7bn and designing in addition to QR 3.7bn Tby the Public Works Author- cost of the project,” he said. Three car bombs in Baghdad, ity (Ashghal) in Hamad Bin Khalifa According to al-Rashid, the project including a huge blast at a market HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Medical City will be handed over to the was completed in the amended stipu- in a Shia area, killed at least 94 delegation accompanying him, now in Doha to participate in the seventh session of the ministerial meeting of the Arab- Ministry of Public Health by the end of lated time. “The project was supposed people yesterday, the bloodiest day Chinese Co-operation Forum which will be held today. The talks reviewed ties between the two countries and ways to boost June. to be completed in a particular period. in the Iraqi capital this year. The them on all fronts, particularly in economic partnership. Regional and international developments were also covered. Page 4 They are the Ambulatory Care Cen- However, several changes were sug- attacks, all claimed by the Islamic tre, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute and gested later. Facilities such as the oper- State (IS) group, came with the the Women’s Wellness and Research ation rooms were added to the scope of government locked in a political Centre. the project which made us change the crisis that some have warned could Ashghal has completed examina- earlier date of completion. The whole undermine the fight against the tions, inspections and testing opera- project was completed in four years and militants. Page 11 tion procedures for all of the technical two months.” New version of Metrash2 and electromechanical systems ahead According to Ashghal, all the three of handing the buildings over to the hospitals were built “according to AFRICA | Corruption ministry. highest specifi cations and internation- Return stolen assets, “The handing-over process was al standards with regard to best con- Buhari tells Britain launched on April 30 and generally struction materials, paint colours and comes in six languages for such large projects, it takes about all the requirements and standards”. It Nigerian President Muhammadu two months to complete,” said Abdul- would enhance the sustainability of the Buhari yesterday urged Britain to mohsin Hassan al-Rashid, head of the building and provide a comfortable in- return assets stolen by corrupt he Metrash2 mobile applica- part of the updated Metrash2, ac- Health Projects in the Buildings Project door environment for patients, medical off icials in pointed remarks after tion is now available in four cording to Brig al-Maliki. Management Department, Ashghal. staff and visitors, said Ashghal. Prime Minister David Cameron Tnew languages - Spanish, He hinted that more languages “The new hospitals stretch over a The project includes the main kitch- called his country “fantastically French, Urdu and Malayalam – in could be added to the Metrash2 built-up area of 227,000sq m. They will en of Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City’s corrupt”. “I am not going to addition to Arabic and English, the service based on the requirements be able to serve about 4,000 patients hospitals with a daily capacity of 8,000 demand any apology from Ministry of Interior (MoI) has said. and number of people speaking such a day, including about 600 inpatients. meals. anybody. What I am demanding A new version of the app launched languages in the country. He also There are 559 beds for the inpatients Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City is the return of the assets,” Buhari by the General Directorate of Infor- hoped that the new additions would in addition to the ICU and other care project is one of the most prominent told an anti-corruption event in mation Systems (GDIS) at the MoI facilitate easy use of the application units,” he said. healthcare sector projects in the coun- London. Page 12 also provides access to a host of ad- for the speakers of those languages. “The hospitals are equipped with try and the benefi ts are expected to ditional services, including com- “Metrash2 offers more than 120 MRI facilities, robotic pharmacy and positively refl ect on the effi ciency of munity policing and features im- MoI e-services through Android and all the other general requirements. All healthcare services off ered to citizens BUSINESS | Commodities provements to some of the existing iOS devices, where most of the serv- these are provided by Ashghal while and residents of Qatar. Page 4 Oil jumps aft er US services. ices can be accessed and completed The launch is part of the efforts electronically, including payment, crude inventories fall made to enhance the MoI’s e-servic- without having to resort to any MoI Oil jumped yesterday, with es, the ministry said in a statement. Brig al-Maliki: GDIS assistant director. services centre,” the ministry said. Brent up more than 4% for a “With the addition of the new Subscribers can download the second day in a row, after the US languages, the Metrash2 service can school and company visits and event app on more than one device and government unexpectedly said be accessed by a higher number of participation, and other general with any service provider in Qatar. A crude inventories fell the first time expatriates as the application is now services regarding information on smart ID card is not a condition for since March, adding to concerns available in six languages,” said Brig road damage, damage to traffic and Metrash2, according to the state- over supply outages in Canada and Abdul Rahman al-Maliki, GDIS as- service signboards, dangerous in- ment. Nigeria. Brent crude futures settled sistant director, noting that a bunch tersections and malfunctioning sig- The GDIS has set up a 24-hour call up $2.08, or 4.6%, at $47.60 per of new services has been added to nals, etc, the statement explains. centre (234 2000) to assist subscrib- barrel. the app, mainly pertaining to serv- Besides, services such as queries ers in case of any queries or techni- ices provided by the Community on travel bans and locations form cal help. Police Department for citizens and SPORT | Football expatriates alike. Number of subscribers tops 241,000 Qatari referees The community policing services that can be accessed through Me- There are now more than 241,000 large number of transactions had been for Switzerland trash2 now include security serv- subscribers of Metrash2, including completed through Metrash2 until now, A referees crew from Qatar ices such as reporting abandoned individuals and company representa- including 180,000 residence permit Football Association (QFA) will buildings, law violations, selling tives, and they are able to access over renewals, 140,000 vehicle ownership off iciate tomorrow a Serie B prohibited items and damaging fa- 120 services electronically through the transfers, 25,000 fancy vehicle number match in Switzerland as part of a cilities, social services like report- app, General Directorate of Information transfers, 15,000 renewal and activation programme of exchanging referees ing family disputes, behavioural is- Systems assistant director Brig Abdul of e-gate services and 10,000 driving between the QFA and the Swiss sues and social support, invitations Rahman al-Maliki has said. He said a licence renewals. An exterior view of the new facilities at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City in Doha. Football Federation. and requests for awareness lectures, PICTURE: Jayaram IATA sees further decline in global airfares

By Pratap John year-on-year so far this year, IATA said its latest “Airlines fi nancial monitor”. economy counterpart so far this year. yielding premium segment off ers an the highest level since November 2015. Chief Business Reporter citing latest data. “With oil prices up 65% since their Premium fares have held up better than important buff er for overall airline fi- “That said, the bigger picture is Adjusting for the impact of earlier January low, the biggest stimulus to de- those in economy on many of the key nancial performance. that oil prices are still around one- gains in the dollar, the international mand from lower airfares now appears premium routes. On crude oil prices, IATA said these third lower in year-on-year terms. irfares are expected to fall fur- trade body of major airlines, esti- to be behind us,” IATA said. As a result, IATA noted premium’s have risen to six-month highs, but Moreover, with storage levels remain- ther in the near future as prior mates that airfares fell by a round 4% Premium airfares have held up bet- share of revenues on some routes has the market still expects the fares to be ing very high for this time of year, Adeclines in jet fuel prices feed in constant exchange rate terms in ter than those in economy on many of increased in annual terms (particularly “lower for longer”. the overriding market sentiment for oil through, IATA said but noted that the early-2016. the key premium routes so far this year, on the North Atlantic and Europe-Asia Crude oil prices gained further dur- prices is “lower for longer”. biggest stimulus to demand from oil But given that the dollar has fallen and premium traffi c continues to off er markets, which together accounted for ing April, driven by market expecta- “Indeed, while the oil futures curve prices appears to be over. sharply against most currencies in re- an important buff er for overall airline around two-fi fths of total premium tions of a possible freeze in production has shifted upwards in recent weeks, Average global fares in reported US cent months, the distortions caused fi nancial performance, it said. revenues last year). levels. the market still currently expects Brent dollar terms (excluding taxes, fees and by its prior strength will ease over Premium international passenger In the current environment of down- The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil prices to remain below $50/b into surcharges) have fallen by around 9% the coming months, IATA said in traffi c has grown more slowly than its ward pressure on yields, the high- oil ended the month at around $47/b, early-2018,” IATA said. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, May 12, 2016 QATAR

Emir receives credentials of new envoys

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received the credentials of five new ambassadors to Qatar at his Emiri Diwan off ice yesterday. Jose Andrade de Lemos, Jens Eikaas, Wilfred Ali, Mohamed Saad and Kamlesh S Prakash, ambassadors of Angola, Norway, Malawi, Togo and Fiji, respectively, presented their credentials to the Emir yesterday. The ambassadors conveyed the greetings of leaders of their countries to the Emir. The Emir welcomed the new ambassadors and wished them success in their missions and the relations between Qatar and their countries further progress and prosperity. The ambassadors were accorded an off icial reception ceremony upon arrival at the Emiri Diwan. Strong winds, dusty conditions forecast In brief

he country is likely to ex- ping to the mid-30s across Qatar panied by fresh to strong north- areas, the report states. inshore areas says it will be hot Dukhan today, followed by 40C perience a spell of strong on Saturday and Sunday due to westerly winds and dusty skies. Sea warnings will also be in during the day and partly cloudy in Doha and Al Khor and 38C in Twinds and dusty condi- northerly winds, according to The wind speed is likely to eff ect for strong winds and high at times. There is also a chance of Messaied, Wakrah and Al Ruwais. Ministerial tions in the coming days, peak- the weather offi ce. increase gradually, reaching waves, measuring 6-9ft. light scattered rain. Al Ruwais and The Met department has ing on Saturday and Sunday, the The Met department said in a its peak on Saturday and Sun- The department has urged Abu Samra are among the places advised people to follow lat- decision Qatar Met department has said. report yesterday that an exten- day, when it will range between people to remain cautious dur- where it may rain today. est weather updates through its The mercury level is expected sion of a high-pressure ridge was 18 and 25 knots, going up to 35 ing the period of strong winds Off shore areas will see hazy offi cial social media accounts. HE the Minister of Education to rise to the mid-40s in the expected to aff ect the country knots at times. This will result and low visibility and avoid ven- conditions with some clouds. More is available at http:// and Higher Education Dr central parts of the country to- between tomorrow evening and in blowing dust and a drop in turing into the sea. A maximum temperature of qweather.gov.qa/NewsDetail. Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali day and tomorrow before drop- Sunday (May 15), to be accom- visibility to 2km or less in some Meanwhile, today’s forecast for 41C is expected in Abu Samra and aspx#sthash.7HbXqldL.dpuf al-Hammadi issued a decision yesterday appointing Khalifa Saad al-Derham as director of department of school aff airs at the Ministry. Turkish president meets Jordan bans Cabinet approves draft decree entry of falcons Qatari minister of state The Jordanian Ministry of Interior has issued a decision banning the entry of falcons into Jordan, on unifi ed customs tariff QNA dent, and his wishes for further an off icial source from the Ankara progress to the relations be- Department of Consular Aff airs at tween Qatar and Turkey. the Foreign Ministry in Doha said. QNA draft Memorandum of Under- between the governments of Qa- Municipality and Environment President Erdogan reciprocat- Doha standing (MoU) on co-operation tar and Serbia. on the Cabinet’s draft decision urkish President Recep ed the Emir’s greetings. Lekhwiya in the tourism sector between The Cabinet also reviewed and amending the organisation of Tayyip Erdogan has Discussions during the exercises the governments of Qatar and took decisions on the following some administrative units that Tmet HE the Minister meeting dealt with the co- he weekly Cabinet meet- Kuwait, a draft agreement on the issues: comprise the Ministry of Mu- of State Sheikh Hamad bin operation between Qatar and The General Command of ing, presided over by HE avoidance of double taxation and 1. A memo by the Foreign nicipality and Environment and Nasser bin Jassim al-Thani, Turkey in the fi eld of humani- the Qatari Armed Forces has Tthe Deputy Prime Min- the prevention of fi scal evasion Minister and president of Qa- set its terms of reference, who is also Board Chairman tarian relief. announced that the Internal ister and Minister of State for with respect to taxes on income tar’s Committee for the Alliance 3. A letter by the Minister of of the Qatar Charity (QC), in Sheikh Hamad bin Nasser bin Security Force (Lekhwiya) will Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Ab- between the governments of of Civilizations on the annual Municipality and Environment Ankara. Jassim al-Thani inaugurated conduct exercises at the Zekreet dullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud ap- Qatar and Turkey and the draft report of the implementation of on a draft decision of the Min- The Minister of State con- yesterday a regional offi ce of camp on May 16 from 6am to proved a draft decree amending protocol attached thereto; and Qatar’s plan for the alliance of ister amending some provisions veyed the greetings of HH the the Qatar Charity in the Turkish 11am. the unifi ed customs tariff . a draft agreement on economic, civilizations 2015, of law No. 83 of 2011 regarding Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad capital Ankara in the presence Visitors to the area have been The Cabinet also approved a trade and technical co-operation 2. A letter by the Minister of family housing zones. al-Thani to the Turkish presi- of a number of Turkish offi cials. advised to take precautions. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 3 QATAR

Deputy PM meets German official North Security dept launches mobile offi ce service

he North Security Depart- cludes the necessary technical ment recently launched a supplies. It is also electronically Tmobile offi ce facility that linked to police patrols and the would provide security services Ministry of Interior’s electronic to people visiting tourist and system. recreation spots in the external This will help the offi ce pro- areas. vide the necessary service and In the fi rst stage, the offi ce help people visiting tourist areas has started operating in the Al save time and eff ort by removing Ghariya area during weekends the need to go a police station in and offi cial holidays, according the city. to a statement. The move to launch the mobile The new mobile offi ce will offi ce refl ects the “keenness of receive “simple complaints, the North Security Department HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid provide assistance and fi nd ap- The new mobile off ice. to provide security and facili- al-Mahmoud yesterday met Dr Markus Ederer, state secretary of the German Federal Foreign Off ice propriate solutions to some of tate public services based on the in Doha yesterday. The meeting reviewed relations between Qatar and Germany. the problems as well as inform if necessary”, the statement The offi ce is manned by the principle of decentralisation”, other security authorities, notes. department’s personnel and in- the statement adds. Seminar discusses dispute resolution in construction sector

QNA Doha

s part of its legal semi- nar programme, the Qa- Atar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) has held a seminar on alternative dispute resolution in the construction industry. The seminar was presented by a panel of three experts compris- ing Joseph Huse and Karen Mc- Grath from the Supreme Com- mittee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and Sultan al-Abdulla, founder and managing partner of Sultan Al-Abdulla and Partners. Many persons were in attendance in- cluding counsel from the private sector and governmental organi- sations, as well as lawyers, aca- demics, construction engineers Participants at the seminar held by the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre on alternative dispute resolution in the construction industry. and other professionals. During the seminar, the rep- nancial Centre (QFC), McGrath Sultan al-Abdulla discussed coming these obstacles. He observed that construc- being delayed and consequential QICDRC has always supported resentatives of the SC for the observed that “owners and con- the legal framework relating to Faisal al-Sahouti, the CEO tion contracts are complicated losses and damage being suff ered awareness of ADR, particu- fi rst time discussed openly their tractors in the State of Qatar are construction contracts and indi- of the QICDRC, stressed the and have a special nature owing by the parties as a result. Thus, larly in construction contracts, philosophy behind dispute reso- still awaiting the revised QFC cated the diff erent risks associat- importance of executing gov- to the inherent risks involved. dispute resolution clauses need through its seminar programmes lution clauses contained within law to be issued which will en- ed with contractual drafting. He ernmental construction con- Without an eff ective dispute res- careful consideration. and related activities. their construction contracts. hance the ADR environment in demonstrated the legal dilemmas tracts on time and to settle any olution method, the only option Al-Sahouti commended the The panellists gave the au- As regards the alternative dis- the State of Qatar considerably, that normally arise when imple- disputes arising out of them may be recourse to the domestic SC strategy which he stated was dience the opportunity to ask pute resolution environment including in relation to the con- menting contracts and suggested through eff ective dispute reso- courts which may take time to in line with best international questions and a lively question contained within the Qatar Fi- struction sector”. remedies for avoiding and over- lution mechanisms. resolve the matter with projects standards. He added that the and answer session commenced. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, May 12, 2016 QATAR FM meets Chinese counterpart New hospitals provide world-class facilities

By Joseph Varghese Qatar Rehabilitation Institute is built on Staff Reporter an area of approximately 38,000sq m, and has 200 beds. There is an adult hydrother- apy suite which is considered to be one of he three new hospitals at the Hamad the most advanced facilities of its kind in Bin Khalifa Medical City - Ambula- the Gulf region. It is also equipped with a Ttory Care Centre, Qatar Rehabilita- “Patient Lift” system across the whole cen- tion Institute and Women’s Wellness and tre to facilitate the easy transportation of Research Centre - provide a number of patients, especially those who are unable to world-class and high-tech facilities. move on their own. HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met his Chinese Constructed and equipped by the Public The building also includes outpatient counterpart China Wang Yi yesterday on the sidelines of the preparatory meeting for the 7th Works Authority (Ashghal), the handover clinics covering occupational therapy, ministerial meeting of the China-Arab co-operation forum which is being hosted by Doha today. They process of the QR3.7bn hospitals, is cur- prosthesis, organ transplantation and inpa- discussed bilateral relations and ways of developing prospects of co-operation in various fields, and rently underway. tient therapy support. exchanged views on issues of common interest. “The three facilities are interconnected The outpatient physical therapy has 12 and there are separate elevators for visitors, treatment rooms, four gyms, group therapy patients and staff and the service providers,” room and a main suite for education and said Abdulmohsin Hassan al-Rashid, head of support services. The main laboratory is Health Projects in the Buildings Project Man- also located in this building. This hospital LuLu outlets host Mango Mania 2016 agement Department of Ashghal. Abdulmohsin Hassan al-Rashid off ers a wide range of specialised services, The generators can provide more than including physiotherapy, occupational and LuLu Hypermarket Group has three days of power in case of an electric- in this building in an area of 3,400sq m, speech therapy, prosthetics and orthotics. launched Mango Mania 2016 ity failure. The Ambulatory Care Centre with more than 30 examination rooms and The Women’s Wellness and Research in Qatar. The festival, which is has 116 beds and 14 operating theatres with over 50 short-stay rooms. Centre is built over an area of 72,000sq m, part of the group’s promotion all major recovery rooms and support. The This state-of-the-art facility will pro- with 190 beds and 53 neonatal intensive calendar, was inaugurated operating theatres include an integrated vide a range of clinic services including care cots. The centre also has seven operat- by Indian ambassador Sanjiv system through screens that are connected diagnosis, observation and treatment for ing theatres, 21 delivery rooms and 60 out- Arora at LuLu Hypermarket - Al with all medical and non-medical systems adult outpatients who does not require an patient examination rooms. Gharafa yesterday evening in the room. The building also has an exten- overnight admission. The centre aims to The new centre includes a full accident in the presence of a number sive radiology and examinations suites and accommodate cases that require minor sur- and emergency department with a full of dignitaries and senior treatment rooms, in addition to 12 exami- gery, to eliminate the need of using hospital series of rooms for C-section, triage, ul- executives from the retail nation rooms for ENT audiology. sections and operating theatres allocated trasound, treatment rooms and rooms for industry and other walks of life. Qatar National Diabetes Centre is located for major surgical operations. emergency deliveries. Running for a week at all LuLu Hypermarket outlets in Qatar, this year’s festival features more than 60 mango varieties from India, Yemen, Malaysia, Kenya, Thailand, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Ivory Coast, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, the US, Mexico, Sudan, Ghana and Burkina Faso. The highlights of the festival also include “organic mangoes of historical importance” and a range of mango-based products, according to a statement. Fresh stocks of mangoes from these 17 countries have been imported for the festival. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil One of the world class high-tech surgery rooms. PICTURES: Jayaram The hydrotherapy suite Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 5 QATAR

HE the Attorney General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri addressing the General Assembly of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), in beijing yesterday. Qatar elected president of anti-corruption association

QNA bers of the IAACA, which refl ects the tional universities. Beijing confi dence placed in the State of Qa- HE the Attorney General said that tar and the recognition of its initia- the IAACA will pursue a new way in tives in the fi eld of anti-corruption, the fi ght against corruption at inter- he General Assembly of the In- stressing that the international com- national level, calling on all states to ternational Association of Anti- munity’s confi dence in HH the Emir’s become parties to the IAACA in line TCorruption Authorities (IAACA) support to eff orts aimed at combating with the approach of the United Na- elected unanimously HE the Attorney corruption is the main reason for the tions Convention against Corrup- General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri as selection of Qatar as president of this tion. President of the IAACA to succeed association. On his part, the former IAACA pres- Chinese Attorney General Cao Jian- He highlighted Qatar’s absolute ident congratulated the Attorney Gen- ming. support to the issue of fi ghting cor- eral and wished him success. The election took place at the ruption, outlining its initiatives in The meeting was attended by IAACA’s fi nal meeting held yesterday this area, both by extending a helping charge d’aff aires of the embassy of the in Tianjin, China. hand and by enhancing awareness State of Qatar in China Abdullah bin In a statement on the occasion, HE among the people through including Saif al-Khayareen, and the delega- Dr al-Marri expressed his gratitude the fi ght against corruption as a sub- tion accompanying HE the Attorney for the trust placed in him by mem- ject in a number of local and interna- General.

Conference on construction specifi cations

he third Qatar Construction als, is to be presented by fi ve experts He highlighted the eff orts made by Specifi cations (QCS) conference from the QPMC. the contracting companies, consulting Twill be held on May 22 in Doha The second workshop will be pre- fi rms, and governmental bodies to fully under the patronage of HE the Minister sented by experts from QCS Commit- comply with the QCS. of Municipality and Environment Mo- tee for Asphalt and Concrete Specifi - Engineer Eisa al-Hammadi, CEO of hamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi. cations. the QPMC, pointed out the contribu- The event, which has the Qatar Pri- “The QCS Conference is very im- tions of his company to the economic mary Materials Company (QPMC) as portant,” stated Dr Mohamed bin Saif development of Qatar and stability of the strategic partner, will comprise al-Kuwari, assistant undersecretary the construction sector. two workshops. for Laboratories and Standardisation The event, organised by Hawkama The fi rst workshop, on the quality Aff airs, Ministry of Municipality and Public Relations and Media, will be and specifi cations of primary materi- Environment. held at the Torch Hotel, Aspire Zone. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, May 12, 2016 QATAR

Qatar, French views on issues identical: envoy

The Foreign Ministry’s between France and Diplomatic Institute held Qatar reflect close visions, a seminar on French- adding that the two Qatari ties in which French countries share the same US entrepreneur inspires ambassador Eric Chevallier views about the Syrian, spoke in the presence of Libyan and Palestinian diplomats and ministry issues. staff . On Syria, he said France The ambassador praised and Qatar believe in bilateral relations as a transitional period future business leaders strategic, old, deep- and agree that Bashar rooted, comprehensive al-Assad is not accepted heikh Faisal Centre for En- and strong, noting that in a future Syria. He trepreneurship in the Mid- relations between HH added that the Syrian Sdle East, a leading business the Emir Sheikh Tamim people’s suffering must education partnership between bin Hamad al-Thani and end and the Security Al Faisal Holding and DePaul Uni- French President Francois Council’s decision must versity of the US, has hosted serial Hollande are strong and be fully implemented, entrepreneur Paul M Rand as part deep as were relations condemning the bombing of its entrepreneurship and busi- between HH the Father that the Syrian people are ness development programme. Emir Sheikh Hamad being subjected to. Rand, who is also an author bin Khalifa al-Thani and “We believe humanitarian and a marketing expert, spoke to former French presidents, aid must reach everyone more than 200 professionals from which, he said, cements in Syria,” the French a number of institutions with a relationships at all ambassador said. presentation focusing on the pow- levels and ensures their Regarding Libya, er of “word-of-mouth” market- prosperity. Chevallier said a positive ing and his approach to building a Speaking about regional dynamism based on business and brand from scratch. issues, Chevallier said the work of UN-backed The entrepreneurship and busi- the strategic relationship government is needed. ness development initiative was devised to educate Qatari entre- preneurs about promoting their HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani and Paul M Rand with other dignitaries. business and taking it to the next level by applying smart market- forts to encourage the develop- contribution SMEs make to eco- are more constrained by fi nancing laborating with leading institu- ing tools and the latest marketing ment of local entrepreneurial tal- nomic growth and to the overall than large enterprises. Through tions in Qatar such as Qatar Busi- trends with minimum cost. ent, according to a statement. strength and diversifi cation of the this presentation, we are giving ness Incubation Centre, Qatar The Sheikh Faisal Centre for Over the last decade, Qatar has country’s business infrastructure new ideas, derived from fi rst- Science & Technology Park and Entrepreneurship focuses on en- reinforced its eff orts in strength- and employment opportunities, hand experience from a leading Bedaya and look forward to fur- hancing Qatar’s entrepreneurial ening the role of small and medium the statement notes. entrepreneur, on increasing the ther enhancing our partnerships capacity and strengthening con- enterprises (SMEs) in the country Dr Mandy Terc, director of value added by applying innova- in the future to strengthen Qatar’s nections between Qatar and the and established several enterprises Sheikh Faisal Centre for Entre- tive methods in promoting and entrepreneurial capacity and con- US in this domain, which plays a to support local entrepreneurs. The preneurship in the Middle East, marketing their businesses. nect entrepreneurs in Qatar and key role in supporting Qatar’s ef- initiative recognises the important DePaul University, said: “SMEs “We are honoured to be col- the US.”

International pianist to perform in Doha

ifty One East and Yamaha Iwasaki, born in Japan, has In 2012, she was also chosen are hosting for the first received numerous prizes at in- as a Chanel Pygmalion Days Ftime in Qatar international ternational piano competitions Artist. pianist Junna Iwasaki in a special including a prestigious Diploma The concert will be divided concert at the Music Square at Award at the 16th International into 10 pieces, with each lasting Fifty One East- Lagoona Mall on Chopin Competition at Warsaw three to six minutes. The Music May 14 evening. in 2010. Square is described as “the only She will be playing pieces In 2011, she was invited to destination of its kind in Doha by international pianists, as perform in the concert com- where music aficionados from all Beethoven, Liszt and Chopin, memorating the 200th anni- levels can experience a world of presented on S4, the premium versary of Franz Liszt’s birth harmony and extensive selection Junna Iwasaki: Doha concert piano from Yamaha. at the Musikverein in Vienna. of music instruments.” Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 7 QATAR Water use up 70% in 7 years AFP Industry use was up by more than resources is part of our National De- Doha 200%, though the biggest consumers velopment Strategy,” HE Dr Saleh Mo- were agriculture and residential house- hamed Salem al-Nabit, the Minister of holds. Development Planning and Statistics, ater consumption in Qa- Some 245mn cubic metres of water wrote in the study. tar increased by 70% in the were used by residential households in As well being a scarce resource, wa- Wseven years up to 2013, the 2013, up from 130mn in 2006. ter security forms a major component fi rst water statistics published by Doha In 2006, fewer than 967,000 people of the government’s “National Vision revealed yesterday. lived in Qatar. 2030”. More than 740mn cubic metres of By 2013, that number had risen to This is a 2008 government-launched water were used in 2013, up from just 2.1mn as the state embarked upon a strategy designed to help transform over 437mn in 2006, refl ecting the massive transformation. Qatar “into an advanced society capa- country’s rapid expansion, fi gures from Currently, the population is around ble of achieving sustainable develop- the Ministry of Development Planning 2.5mn. ment”. and Statistics (MDPS) show. Qatar’s main source of water is de- The National Vision identifi ed that “Government” water consumption salination of sea water for drinking wa- “Qatar is facing major environmental grew the most during that time period, ter and groundwater for agriculture. challenges that need to be appropri- increasing by almost 400%, said the “Water is life, therefore the protec- ately resolved, particularly achieving MDPS. tion of national natural freshwater water security”.

Beauty centre shut A beauty centre in Al Markhiya has been shut down for one month by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), for using expired hair products. The closure came as part of MEC’s eff orts to regulate the local market through regular and surprise inspection campaign. Pictured here are ministry inspectors writing up their report after examining the products used at the beauty centre. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, May 12, 2016 QATAR Big increase in fi nancial services professionals: CISI

atar is taking big strides towards an Qincreasingly quali- fi ed workforce in the fi nancial services industry, according to data from the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). Al-Jamal and other senior QIIB executives with teachers and students of Mohammad Bin Abdulwahhab Independent High School for Boys. More than 205 exams were taken by fi nancial industry professionals in the past three months, compared to a total of 250 in 2015. A total of 358 Matthew Cowan, regional exams were taken by fi nancial director, CISI. industry professionals in the fi nancial year (FY) 2015-2016, supporting the “Human De- compared to 209 the previous velopment” pillar of Qatar’s Students receive tip on year, marking a 71% increase National Vision for 2030. year-on-year. Matthew Cowan, regional The qualifi cations in- director Middle East at CISI, cluded certifi cates in Islamic said: “It’s heartening to see Finance, Fundamentals of the increase in the demand Financial Services, Interna- for qualifi cations as this tional Introduction to Secu- shows the industry is keen Islamic banking at QIIB rities and Investment, Inter- to embrace higher standards national Certifi cate in Wealth of professionalism. We’ve IIB received a group of accounts, and matters relating to so that students, who are the of Shariah-based banking that other matters related to banking. and Investment Management, seen a tremendous growth in students from Moham- cheques among others. future of this great country, will is now acquiring considerable The students and their ac- Qatari Financial Rules and the qualifi ed fi nancial serv- Qmad Bin Abdulwahhab The students were also able be equipped to drive institutions momentum globally, noting that companying supervisors Regulations, Risk in Financial ices industry workforce, and Independent High School for to get a feel of operations on the and sectors in order to achieve Islamic banking services were thanked QIIB for facilitating Services and Global Securi- we’ve built solid partnerships Boys who spent a ‘profession- ground and gain an idea about further progress to the nation.” much diversifi ed and provided to their tour. They also stated that ties, among others. along the way, which indicate al day’ at the bank within the the functioning of the Banking Since its establishment in both individuals and corporates. this professional day was very The range of topics indi- this growth is only going to framework of its corporate social Hall and the department dedi- 1991, QIIB has been able to During the students’ visit to fruitful and that it helped them cates an overall increase in continue. responsibility initiative. cated to serving VIP customers. achieve continuous growth and the various departments, they gain solid ideas and acquire im- qualifi ed professionals across “In 2016 and beyond, we’ll The students’ professional QIIB Deputy CEO Jamal Ab- expand its presence throughout were able to ask the senior ex- portant knowledge about bank- various fi elds in the Qatari be launching new qualifi ca- day comprised a tour of several dullah al-Jamal and a number of Qatar, thereby becoming one ecutives’ some questions about ing in general and Islamic bank- fi nancial industry, which tions, hosting interesting departments, where they lis- senior executives met the stu- of the most important Islamic banking, the diff erences be- ing in particular. demonstrates an increase in workshops, and overall, pro- tened to detailed presentations dents and briefed them about banks in the country and the tween the functioning of Islamic This, they said, would help the support for professional- viding the necessary frame- about various Islamic banking Islamic banking. region. banks and that of conventional them in their relevant courses ism and CISI’s ethical stand- work required to further up operations such as customer Al-Jamal said, “QIIB is keen Al-Jamal also briefed them banks, as well as questions about and assist those who choose to ards in the industry, further the level of professionalism service, information systems, to place its expertise for the bet- about the work mechanism in banking challenges, staff quali- work in the banking sector in bolstering Qatar’s fi nancial in the country’s fi nancial and types of banking services, terment of education in Qatar, Islamic Banks’, key principles fi cations, job opportunities and future. services industry and closely services industry.” Ahli Hospital NBK launches two new conducts trucks at Project Qatar orthopaedic asser Bin Khaled (NBK) companies from the region and truck with strong drivetrain to Automobiles, the ex- the world, and we are proud to face all challenges of transport. trauma Nclusive dealer of Mer- align with this event to pro- Made for urban distribution cedes-Benz in Qatar, has spon- vide the best and comfortable and service, it is distinguished sored the 13th installment of transport solutions and serv- with its compact cab that is awareness Project Qatar, which concludes ices to the VIP guests on board modern and comfortable. today at the Doha Exhibition of our modern fl eet.” It is strong and reliable pow- and Convention Centre. He added: “During the ex- ertrain that creates the base exhibition NBK Automobiles was the hibition, Nasser Bin Khaled for productivity and economy “offi cial transport partner” of launched for the fi rst time two for any transport task. Its re- Dr Tolessa (left) at the event yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma the international exhibition new Mercedes-Benz trucks. liable, robust, and economic l Ahli Hospital yesterday conducted an and had supplied a fl eet of lux- The Accelo and the Atego will Mercedes-Benz Engine of 4 awareness exhibition on orthopaedic the hospital has highly sophisticated equip- ury cars that transported VIP provide ideal solutions for cylinder/4 litres generates Atrauma, aiming to raise public aware- ment that can address both simple and seri- guests to and from the exhibi- transportation or multi-usage maximum power of 150hp and ness on common bone and joints injuries and ous cases eff ectively,” he stated. tion, and provide transporta- services, while the well-known maximum torque of 580Nm. how to handle them for better healing results. Dr Tolessa believes that such events are tion solutions to one of Qatar’s Actros truck will prove again The Atego has a robust and “More than 700 persons attended the event,” very important in Qatar as there are a large largest events. its leadership in the heavy duty reliable truck chassis for dis- Dr Emanuel Tolessa, consultant orthopaedic number of young people in the country, and During Project Qatar 2016, services. tribution and short-distance surgeon and head of the orthopedic depart- the possibility of injuries due to work, road NBK Automobiles launched “We are confi dent that our transport that is distinctive ment, said, adding: “Companies including Par- accidents or even routine sport activities, the Mercedes-Benz Accello trucks will be a benchmark in with it spacious cab. Like the sons, Cellini, Deloitte, and Saleh Al Hamad Al making it necessary to raise people’s aware- and Atego, two new multipur- their fi eld and will meet the re- Accelo, the Atego is made for Mana sent some of their employees to benefi t ness on how to avoid injuries and how to pose trucks, and the new Ac- quirements and demand of the urban distribution and serv- from the event.” handle them when required. tros trucks for heavy transpor- market especially that it has ice, and is distinguished with “It is of crucial importance to raise peo- Besides issues related to bone and joints tation and services. proved its high capabilities and its compact cab that is modern ple’s awareness on how to handle common health, visitors were off ered free blood sugar NBK Automobiles general are distinguished with latest and comfortable. bone and joints injuries, as simple proce- and blood pressure tests. manager Khalid Sha’aban said: technology and systems.” The Atego has a powertrain dures and precautions when handling the in- “At Al Ahli hospital we adopt a holistic health “NBK Automobiles reiterates The Accelo and Atego provide with large gear-spread for high jured person at fi rst make dramatic changes and treatment approach. The health of a patient its strong connection with the all kinds of applications, includ- fl exibility regarding applica- in the treatment process,” he said. has to be addressed in part and as a whole to ar- Qatari community and events ing cargo body, cargo box, bev- tions and low operational cost. Al Ahli hospital handles a large number rive at better outcomes,” said Dr Tolessa. that enhance the progress of erage distributer, fl atbed cargo It comes with Mercedes-Benz of surgeries of bone and joints injuries on a The success of the event has inspired the national economy. body, refrigerator body, tipper, Engines 6.4l -6cyl (245 hp). Its regular basis. “Every day, we encounter new the hospital to consider the idea of having “Project Qatar has acquired and car rescue truck. mechanical specs include dou- types of injuries which enhance our surgical more of such events on a wider and more Visitors being briefed on various aspects of international acclaim and em- The Accelo is a compact, ro- ble-speed Mercedes-Benz Rear experiences in handling such cases. Besides, accessible scale. orthopaedic trauma. braces various multinational bust and versatile distribution Axle, ABS brake system.

Headaches talking point at WCM-Q lecture

Headaches and how to prevent headaches, you should drink plenty of them was the subject of Weill Cornell fluids, particularly water. To relieve the Medicine – Qatar’s (WCM-Q) public symptoms you can stretch and relax, lecture series, Ask the Expert recently. especially with the lights dimmed and The talk was given by Dr Basim taking a cool bath will help rebalance Uthman, vice chair and professor of the circulatory system. clinical neurology, WCM-Q. “In the case of migraine, suff erers According to Dr Uthman, there are should also avoid drinking soft two types of headaches: secondary drinks and avoid eating processed headaches, which are caused by meats, pickled items, monosodium high blood pressure, eye disorders, glutamate, spices and chocolate. inflammation of the middle ear or Painkillers like paracetamol can bring sinuses, dental pain, fever, colds, flu relief but they should not be used on a and disorders of sugar in the blood; regular basis.” and primary headaches, which can For secondary headaches and certain occur independently of any other types of severe or complicated disease process and may be triggered primary headaches the causes or exacerbated by psychological may vary and suff erers should or emotional reasons, stress, really consult their doctor to malfunctioning of some body parts or accurately diagnose and treat the lifestyle changes. underlying condition, acutely and Dr Uthman said: “To prevent primary prophylactically. The newly -launched Atego. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 9 REGION/ARAB WORLD 8 killed, army commander wounded in

Yemen attack Shaybah, the base for Saudi Aramco’s Natural Gas Liquids plant and oil production in the surrounding Shaybah field in Saudi Arabia’s remote Empty Quarter desert close to the United Arab Emirates. Reuters ters in the city of Seyoun, while from the Hadramout provincial Aden on a trip to inspect his forces. capital in a military off ensive last The blast near the city of al- month. Qatan killed six members of Islamist militants have ex- suicide bomber killed Halili’s security team and two ploited a civil war pitting sup- eight people and wounded civilians, and wounded 17 other porters of the Saudi-backed Hadi Aa senior army commander people, including Halili, the of- and the Iran-allied Houthis to ‘Empty Quarter’ full of in an attack on his convoy in fi cial said. extend their control over areas in eastern Yemen yesterday, Presi- Hadi’s state news agency said southern and eastern Yemen and dent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s Halili later visited wounded recruit followers. state-run news agency reported. soldiers at Seyoun hospital and The growing militant threat No one claimed responsibility vowed to keep pushing to “up- has spurred UN-sponsored Saudi oil fi rm’s hopes for the attack, which appeared to root this malicious plant from peace talks between Hadi’s gov- resemble recent bombings car- our midst”. ernment and the Houthis now AFP offi cials say will be the world’s “We’re going to 1mn (barrels been readied elsewhere, Man- ried out by Islamic State or Al The agency had earlier report- underway in Kuwait. Shaybah largest-ever share off ering, per day) in two weeks,” said An- sour said. Qaeda militants against military ed that only three people were The talks are aimed at an while transforming Saudi Ara- war al-Hejazi, the production The centre is located within and security forces in southern killed in the attack - one soldier agreement that would allow mco into “a global industrial manager. a series of modern grey offi ce and eastern Yemen. from Halili’s security and two ci- the Houthis and troops loyal eddish-brown sand conglomerate”. That is an increase from buildings, around a pedestrian A local security offi cial said the vilians. to former President Ali Abdul- dunes twist across the At Shaybah, near the United Shaybah’s current 750,000 plaza, that include a research suicide bomber targeted General Hadi supporters, backed lah Saleh to evacuate cities they Rdesert, their canyon-like Arab Emirates, hundreds of kil- barrels a day and only a part of centre and a training facility for Abdul-Rahman al-Halili, com- mainly by United Arab Emirates control in northern Yemen and ridges accentuated by late af- ometres southeast of Saudi Ar- Saudi Arabia’s total daily output engineers and geoscientists. mander of Yemen’s First Military (UAE) forces in the Saudi-led co- for the formation of a new, more ternoon sun as a Saudi Aramco amco’s headquarters at Dhah- of more than 10mn barrels from Among its tools is a three-di- Region, which has its headquar- alition, drove Al Qaeda militants representative government. jet approaches the site of a re- ran, that transformation was inland and off shore fi elds. mensional theatre where train- mote gas plant. on display to foreign journalists Saudi Aramco manages the ees can virtually travel into the “Not many people live down invited for a rare tour. world’s second-largest crude layers of oil, gas and water un- there,” the captain announces in Their shift fi nished, work- oil reserves at 261.1bn barrels, der the Shaybah sands. an American accent. ers in hardhats and blue over- as well as 294tn standard cubic For Shaybah-based workers ‘Nakba’ anniversary The Empty Quarter, a vast alls walk out from a complex of feet of natural gas reserves. like Abdullah al-Aiderous, Dhah- desert in the southern Arabian pipes, stacks and holding tanks At Shaybah, drilling oc- ran is a weekly refuge, reached peninsula, conjures an image of at Shaybah’s plant for Natural curs underground at hundreds by Saudi Aramco’s own fl eet of what Mars might look like. Gas Liquids as the sun drops of wells controlled remotely passenger planes fl ying into the But it is here that techno- behind. by operators who receive data company’s private terminal. logical advances enabled Saudi Products of the plant, opened by satellite from tentacle-like Aiderous, a 31-year-old sen- Arabia’s state energy giant to late last year, include propane probes exploring the rock. ior operations adviser, said liv- build the plant, and drill for oil and butane recovered from nat- The information appears as ing in Shaybah “basically re- despite the isolation and harsh ural gas and used in petrochem- squiggly lines resembling an minds you of college life.” environment. ical production, a focus of Saudi electrocardiogram on their com- He is among the 84% of the The Shaybah facility stands Aramco’s move away from sim- puter consoles at a room like a company’s roughly 66,000 em- at the heart of Saudi Aramco’s ple oil extraction. small lecture hall in Dhahran. ployees who are Saudi. long-standing dominance of By 2020 the company says it At a bigger control centre, Shihabuddin, the Shaybah- the world oil industry, and its will have tripled its gas process- about half the length of a foot- based engineer, said working path for the future. ing capacity from levels at the ball pitch, the kingdom’s entire in the desert outpost is not so “Of course the location of turn of the century. hydrocarbon stock is monitored hard, “except that you’re far Shaybah is a challenge,” said “Our gas programme is ex- on multicoloured fl oor-to-ceil- away from home. Beside that, Faisal Shihabuddin, a 28-year- panding signifi cantly,” Saudi ing screens. everything is available here.” old Saudi engineer among about Aramco president Amin al- Dispatchers sit at several Well, not exactly. 1,500 workers at the site. Nasser said in Dhahran. semi-circular stations moni- Dhahran has “The Camp”, Despite the challenges, it has The company says gas will toring fl ow and pressure data home to 20,000 in what resem- been successfully developed help reduce the amount of oil “to listen to the heartbeat of the bles suburban America with over the past 20 years “in the the kingdom uses for electric- system” and ensure its safety, bungalows and parks. middle of nowhere,” he added. ity. It is also an ingredient for said Abdullah al-Mansour, Unlike the rest of Saudi Ara- Although global oil prices other industries, aiding diversi- manager of the Oil Supply Plan- bia, Dhahran and other major have collapsed, production is fi cation, while being more envi- ning and Scheduling Centre. Aramco facilities even have expanding at Shaybah, as it is ronmentally friendly than other Along with graphs and other their own cinemas. Palestinian women walk past a poster depicting a key symbolising the keys to houses left by Palestinians in other units of the company at fossil fuels - all goals of the Vi- numerical displays, the screens At Shaybah, the best show in 1948, yesterday in the West Bank city of Ramallah, a few days ahead the 68th anniversary of the “Nakba”. the centre of the kingdom’s Vi- sion 2030 plan. show icons of tanker ships on an is the sun setting behind the “Nakba” means in Arabic “catastrophe” in reference to the birth of the state of Israel 68-years-ago in British- sion 2030 drive for diversifi ca- More oil is also being pulled electronic calendar. dunes in the quiet wilderness, mandate Palestine, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who either fled tion away from oil. from rocks in a fi eld of more The work is so sensitive and before orange lights from the or were driven out of their homes during the 1948 war over Israel’s creation. The government plans to sell than 600 sq km below the soft vital that cameras are forbidden gas facility glow in the vast less than 5% of the fi rm in what Shaybah dunes. and a smaller backup centre has darkness around it.

Bid to stop heavy water Dubai police seek Canadians and purchase from Iran blocked Iranian after property investor shot US Senate Democrats defeated a Republican eff ort to undercut the Iran nu- Reuters May 4, the daily Emarat Muzaina declined to Emirates federation. Walk- clear agreement yesterday by Dubai al-Youm cited police chief comment when reached by ing around the Marina, it is blocking an amendment to a Khamis Matar al-Muzaina phone, referring Reuters not unusual to see wallets spending bill that would have as saying. to the report in Emarat al- laid on cafe tables and keys stopped the Obama admin- ubai police are seek- Muzaina said police had Youm. left in car ignitions. istration from buying heavy ing at least two Ca- identifi ed suspects involved The gunmen used si- Nevertheless, authori- water from Tehran. Dnadians and one in attack, though some had lenced pistols, and the ties periodically uncover The amendment to an energy Iranian in connection with left the country, according to crime was only discovered crimes including money spending bill off ered by Re- the fatal shooting last week the newspaper. later when a security guard laundering, drug smug- publican Senator Tom Cotton of a real estate investor in One was an Iranian citi- discovered the body in the gling and human traffi ck- received 57 yes votes and 42 an upscale neighbourhood, zen and others were Ca- car, parked in a residential ing, newspaper report. no votes. It had needed 60 media reported yesterday. nadian citizens, he said. building, Emarat al-Youm The emirate has also seen yes votes to advance in the In a killing linked to or- The police had provided cited police sources as say- assassinations of politi- 100-member Senate. ganised crime, the Turk- information about the ing. cal fi gures in recent years, Cotton withdrew his amend- ish citizen of Iranian origin suspects to the Canadian Street crime is rare in including a senior Hamas ment after the vote and the was shot nine times in his authorities, he was quoted Dubai, one of the seven offi cial and a Chechen rebel Senate is expected to vote car in the Dubai Marina on as saying. emirates in the United Arab leader. later on a version of the spending bill without it. The measure would have barred the use of US govern- ment funds to purchase heavy water, which is non-radioactive and used in nuclear reactors and for mak- ing nuclear weapons. Under last year’s nuclear deal between Iran, the US and five other world powers, Tehran is responsible for reducing its stock of the substance, which it can sell, dilute or dispose of, under certain conditions. President Barack Obama’s administration had warned Congress that it strongly op- posed any move to prevent the planned purchase of $8.6mn- worth of heavy water from Iran. Senate Democrats and a handful of Republicans had also banded together in late April to block the Cotton amendment, and hence the spending bill. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, May 12, 2016 ARAB WORLD 4.6mn forced from homes in Mideast confl icts last year

DPA gian Refugee Council and the In- people internally displaced gional Director in the Middle East, homes as a result of the Saudi-led President Bashar al-Assad started mer,” the report said. Beirut ternal Displacement Monitoring worldwide due to confl ict, said Jan Carsten Hansen. airstrikes.” in 2011. The report said that of the Centre (IDMC) said. Egeland, the Secretary General of “While richer, stable countries This amounted to a 20-fold in- With no political solution in 10 countries with the highest Yemen, where a Saudi-led coa- the Norwegian Refugee Council have been scheming to keep asy- crease over the 2014 fi gures, the sight and military confrontation number of people displaced by onfl icts in Yemen, Syria, lition last year joined a loose al- (NRC). lum seekers out of their borders report said. continuing, the number of people confl ict, fi ve - Colombia, Demo- and Iraq caused 4.6mn liance of local forces in fi ghting “This is the highest fi gure ever and deny them protection, mil- In Syria, the number of people aff ected in Syria is likely to con- cratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Cpeople to seek refuge else- against mainly Shia Houthi rebels, recorded, and twice the number lions remain trapped in their own forced to fl ee represented an 18% tinue to rise, according to Syrian South Sudan and Sudan - have where in those countries last year, registered 2.2mn newly displaced of refugees worldwide,” Egeland countries with death staring them increase over 2014, consistent activists. been on the list every year since according to a report issued yes- persons. said. just around the corner,” he added. with the overall deteriorating hu- In neighbouring Iraq, the report 2003. terday. It was followed by Syria at “As the world’s attention fo- The report stated that last year manitarian situation, the report pointed to the rise of the so-called “This is further evidence that in The three confl ict zones ac- 1.3mn and Iraq at 1.1mn. The fi g- cused on the fl ow of refugees out was by far the worst for Yemen, said. Islamic State militant group and the absence of the help [displaced counted for more than half of the ures do not include refugees who of the region, millions were dis- which accounted “for one quarter According to the UN and moni- other armed groups. people] need, displacement tends global total of 8.6mn people inter- sought safety outside their home placed internally in the Middle (25%) of the confl ict-related dis- toring groups, more than 270,000 “As the crisis deepens, the like- to drag on for years and even dec- nally displaced by confl ict in 2015, country. East, more than in the rest of the placement globally with a stag- people have been killed in Syria lihood of them being able to re- ades,” said IDMC director Alexan- the report issued by the Norwe- There are now a total of 40.8mn world combined,” said NRC’s Re- gering 2.2mn forced to fl ee their since the uprising against Syrian turn to their homes becomes dim- dra Bilak. Egypt opens Gaza border crossing for 48 hours Palestinians get temporary as president three years ago. “You never know when the Palestinians wait at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the southern Gaza Strip, after it was opened for two days by Egyptian authorities respite from blockade; Egyptian offi cials view Gaza’s crossing will be open, so if you yesterday. 30,000 Gazans on waiting list governing Hamas group as a want to come and visit your family to leave for Egypt threat, accusing it of supporting at home, you should be prepared an Islamist insurgency in the Sinai to risk your job,” said a Gaza mer- Reuters peninsula bordering the Palestin- chant who does business in the Gaza City ian territory. Hamas denies the al- Gulf. legation. The Palestinian embassy in Some 30,000 Gazans are on Cairo said Rafah was opened at French PM: Unesco Jerusalem gypt opened its border with a waiting list to cross at Rafah. the request of West Bank-based Gaza for the fi rst time in Only a few thousand, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Ethree months yesterday, patients, students and holders of Abbas, who met Egyptian leader giving Palestinians a two-day residency permits in third coun- Abdel Fattah al-Sisi this week. respite from a closure stemming tries, were likely to do so before it Hamas ousted Abbas’s Fatah resolution ‘unfortunate, clumsy’ from friction between Cairo and closes again today. movement from power in Gaza in Hamas. “I have been waiting for several a brief civil war in 2007. Egypt’s shuttering of Rafah months to get a chance to have At Cairo international airport, AFP the fact that the Jerusalem site, ish presence and Jewish history month in a bid to relaunch the and destruction of cross-border advanced cancer checks in Cairo,” immigration sources said 90 Pal- Paris which is located at the south- in Jerusalem. It would make no peace process following the smuggling tunnels, along with said Umm Ahmed, a 55-year-old estinians from Gaza, stranded in eastern corner of the Old City, is sense, it is absurd to deny this worst fl are-up of violence in the tight restrictions imposed by Is- Gaza resident, urging Egypt’s third countries, had arrived and also revered by Jews as the Tem- history,” Valls said. Gaza Strip for two years, his of- rael along its own frontier with president to reopen the Rafah would travel by bus to Rafah. The rench Prime Minister ple Mount. The Unesco resolution, which fi ce said on Tuesday. Gaza, have deepened economic crossing for good because “we are sources said another 120 Pal- Manuel Valls yesterday “This Unesco resolution con- also accuses Israel of “plant- His visit, from May 21-24, misery for many of the 1.9mn brothers, not enemies”. estinians were expected to land Fdescribed a Unesco reso- tains unfortunate, clumsy word- ing fake Jewish graves in Muslim comes as France seeks to engi- Palestinians in the enclave. For Gazans who live or work later. lution on the fl ashpoint Al Aqsa ing that off ends and unquestion- cemeteries”, infuriated the Jew- neer a peace deal based on a two- Egypt’s military-backed gov- outside the enclave, a visit home is Last week, Israel said it planned mosque compound in Jerusalem ably should have been avoided, ish state, with Prime Minister state solution. ernment has kept its border with hard to schedule, and it carries the to reopen a second border point as “clumsy” and “unfortunate” as should the vote,” Valls told Benjamin Netanyahu describing It will happen ahead of a May the Gaza Strip largely closed risk of being stuck in the territory for commercial traffi c into Gaza, and said it should have been parliament. it as “absurd”. 30 meeting which France is or- since Mohamed Mursi of the and losing residency rights in host a step toward gradually easing the avoided. Valls, who will visit Israel and The controversy comes as ganising for ministers from 20 Muslim Brotherhood, was ousted countries. blockade it imposed since 2007. The Paris-based UN cultural the Palestinian territories later France is hoping to lead a revival countries to try and relaunch the body adopted the resolution on this month, said the Unesco of the moribund Israeli-Pales- Israel-Palestinian peace process. Israeli soldiers shoot and injure two Palestinians in Jerusalem “Occupied Palestine” presented resolution “changed nothing” in tinian peace process following That proposed meeting has by several Arab countries in mid- France’s approach towards the the worst fl are-up of violence been welcomed by the Pales- Israeli soldiers invaded yesterday clashes with local youths. soldiers shot him with a live April. Israeli-Palestinian issue. in and around the Gaza Strip for tinians, who have suspended the village of Kafr Aqab, north of Medical sources said one round in the chest. Palestinian The resolution referred several “I want to repeat once again nearly two years. a planned UN resolution con- occupied East Jerusalem, shot Palestinian suff ered a life- medics moved him to a hospital times to Israel as the “occupying and clearly, with conviction - Valls will visit Israel and demning Israeli settlements to and injured two Palestinians in threatening wound, after the in Jerusalem. power” and made no reference to France will never deny the Jew- the Palestinian territories this focus on the bid. Egyptian court recommends death for 25

AFP tia, the offi cials said. Cairo They were charged with murder, attempted mur- der and arson. n Egyptian court The two clans, Bani yesterday recom- Hilal and the Nubian Amended death Dabudiya family, had sentences for 25 people long-standing tensions over deadly tribal clashes before the incident. in 2014 in the southern The trial was held in province of Aswan, judi- another southern prov- cial and prosecution offi - ince, Assiut, for security cials said. reasons. The court asked the Tribal vendettas are mufti - the country’s of- common in Egypt’s poor, fi cial interpreter of Is- rural south, but police lamic law - to consider called the 2014 clashes the death sentences and among the deadliest in re- it scheduled a session to cent memory. pronounce its fi nal deci- Meanwhile, a Cairo sion on June 7. prosecutor has ordered The 25 defendants were the detention of four among 163 people ac- members of an Egyptian cused of killing 28 peo- satirical performance ple in clashes between group for 15 days pending two tribes in Aswan that further investigation into erupted after a woman the charges against them, was accosted in April their lawyer said yester- 2014. day. Egyptian law requires “The group had been the mufti to sign off on charged on Tuesday with death sentences. His opposing the main prin- opinion is not binding but ciples of the state, incit- is usually respected by ing resistance against the courts. authorities and publish- Sixteen of the defend- ing false news that disturb ants were present while public security,” lawyer nine were tried in absen- Mahmoud Othman said. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 11 ARAB WORLD Four policemen, three militants killed in Tunisia raids

AFP In yesterday’s deadliest con- ed militants were killed near the raid at around 8am (0700 GMT). Yesterday, a southern town hit strike called by the UGTT main Negotiations focused on cus- Tunis frontation, four policemen were capital in the operation against a “They were not from the neigh- in March by deadly militant vio- trade union confederation, an toms duties have so far failed to killed when a militant detonated cell planning “simultaneous” at- bourhood. We didn’t know them. lence from across the border in AFP correspondent reported. reach a settlement. his explosives belt after a fi refi ght tacks, the same source said. They rented the house recently,” Libya staged a general strike in Only the hospital emergency Libya’s prime minister-desig- our policemen and three erupted in the Tatouine governo- Sixteen others were arrested she said. protest at a decision by Libyan department, a pharmacy and nate Fayez al-Sarraj, whose unity suspected militants were rate, said the interior ministry. during the operation in Ariana The Islamic State group authorities to halt cross-border some schools remained open government is trying to assert Fkilled during security op- A national guard unit had car- province just outside Tunis, and claimed brazen attacks last year trade on which its economy de- in the town, whose economy is its authority over the violence- erations yesterday near the capital ried out the raid acting on infor- Kalashnikov assault rifl es, pistols on the National Bardo Museum pends. heavily dependent on cross-bor- plagued country, met yesterday and in southern Tunisia, in the mation from an “anti-terrorist” and ammunition seized. in Tunis and a beach resort near Ben Guerdane, one of the North der trade and where smuggling is in Tunis with President Beji Caid latest violence to hit the country, operation earlier the same day The interior ministry said the Sousse that killed a total of 60 African nation’s poorest towns, rife. Essebsi. offi cials said. near Tunis. suspects had gathered in the area people, all but one of them foreign was the target of a militant assault Libyan border offi cials say “The anti-terrorist strug- Tunisia, the birthplace of the “One terrorist element was from diff erent parts of the coun- tourists. that killed seven civilians and 13 they halted all freight traffi c gle was at the top of the subjects Arab Spring, has suff ered from a shot dead while the other deto- try. A November suicide bombing security personnel in March as since the end of April through raised, as well as our aim of an wave of militant violence since its nated his explosives belt, killing A resident of the Sanhaji dis- in the capital, also claimed by IS, well as 55 extremists. the Ras Jedir crossing in a bid economic partnership,” Sarraj 2011 revolution that ousted long- two offi cers and two agents of the trict said that a two-hour gunbat- killed 12 presidential guards and Shops and offi ces in the town to stop the smuggling of fuel, said, while the Tunisian presiden- time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben national guard,” said the ministry. tle erupted with the suspects after prompted the authorities to de- of 60,000 inhabitants were all which is much cheaper across cy said the situation at Ras Jedir Ali. In the earlier raid, two suspect- the national guard launched the clare a state of emergency. closed in response to the one-day the border. was also raised. 94 dead in Baghdad car blasts People gather at the scene of a car bomb attack in Baghdad’s mainly Shia district of Sadr City yesterday. AFP the local resident said. The poli- carried out by suicide bombers, Baghdad ticians “should all get out”. for whom they each provided a Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who nom de guerre. spearheaded a protest movement The UN’s top envoy in Iraq, Jan hree car bombs in Bagh- demanding a cabinet reshuffl e Kubis, condemned the blood- dad, including a huge blast and other reforms, has a huge shed. Tat a market in a Shia area, following in the working-class “These are cowardly terror- Syrian forces battle IS killed at least 94 people yester- neighbourhood of Sadr City, ist attacks on civilians who have day, the bloodiest day in the Iraqi which was named after his father. done nothing but going about capital this year. Another suicide car bomb at- their normal daily lives,” he said. The attacks, all claimed by tack killed at least 17 people at Government spokesman Saad the Islamic State group, came the entrance of the northwestern al-Hadithi went on state tel- militants near Palmyra with the government locked in neighbourhood of Kadhimiya, evision hours after the Sadr City a political crisis that some have which is home to an important bombing and said that IS now warned could undermine the Shia Muslim shrine. only controls 14% of Iraq, down AFP Unesco world heritage site. in its ancient amphitheatre last Russia and the US after a spike fi ght against the militants. from 40%. Beirut A military source told the week. But today IS surrounds in violence in the city last month The worst bombing struck “The state is in a confl ict But the militants have retained SANA offi cial news agency that Palmyra from all directions ex- - is set to expire at midnight yes- the frequently targeted Sadr over (government their ability to strike in the heart the Syrian air force had carried cept the southwest, Observatory terday. City area of northern Baghdad positions) and the people of Baghdad and other govern- yrian regime forces yester- out strikes against IS around chief Rami Abdel Rahman said, The former economic hub at about 10am (0700 GMT), are the victims” ment-held areas with bomb at- day battled militants who the main facility in the Shaer gas adding that IS was within 10km has been divided between the killing at least 64 people, offi- tacks. Scut a key supply route west fi eld northwest of Palmyra. of the city. regime-held west and rebel- cials said. Access to the neighbourhood, The months-old political of ancient Palmyra, after new A security source said: “Mili- In Deir Ezzor province further controlled east since 2012. The blast set nearby shops on which has also been repeatedly crisis has led to repeated mass bombardments hit Aleppo city tary operations are ongoing in east, at least seven civilians were Two people were wounded fi re and left debris including the targeted over the years, is heavily demonstrations that required a where a ceasefi re was due to ex- the Shaer gas fi eld,” which is one killed, including a child, in re- early Wednesday when regime charred, twisted remains of a ve- controlled. huge security deployment and pire at midnight. of the biggest in the central prov- gime air strikes late yesterday on aircraft strafed rebel positions hicle in the street. Several members of the secu- hampered government action at The latest fi ghting comes as ince of Homs. an area held by IS. in two eastern neighbourhoods Dozens of angry people gath- rity forces were among the vic- a time when Iraq is still battling world powers prepare to meet in Both sides have been battling They died in “regime air with heavy machinegun fi re, an ered at the scene of the bombing, tims, hospital sources said. militants on several fronts. Vienna next week to try to revive each other in the desert around strikes on the Shuhail district in AFP correspondent reported. blaming the government for the In the Jamea district in west- Security forces are currently peace talks aimed at ending a Palmyra since IS was ousted the east of Deir Ezzor province Late Tuesday, government carnage. ern Baghdad, another car bomb engaged in large-scale military fi ve-year confl ict that has killed from the city in late March. targeting a health facility and warplanes struck two other “The state is in a confl ict over went off in the afternoon, kill- operations in the provinces of more than 270,000 people. The militant group last week other areas in the district”, the rebel-held neighbourhoods, he (government positions) and the ing at least 13 people, an interior Anbar and Nineveh as they close The Syrian Observatory for seized the Shaer gas fi eld from Observatory said. added. Rebel rocket fi re hit two people are the victims,” said a ministry offi cial and medics said. in on Fallujah and Mosul, IS’s Human Rights, a Britain-based the regime. In the northern battleground government-controlled districts man named Abu Ali. “The politi- A total of around 150 peo- two major remaining hubs in monitor, said the Islamic State President Bashar al-Assad’s city of Aleppo, an AFP corre- in the west of the city, the Ob- cians are behind the explosion.” ple were wounded in the three Iraq. (IS) group on Tuesday cut the troops retook Palmyra with sup- spondent said earlier the city’s servatory said. Abu Muntadhar echoed his bombings. The US and the UN have main road from Homs city to port from Russian air strikes on rebel-held east was calm after Rebel sniper fi re killed a gar- anger. IS issued an online statement warned the political impasse Palmyra just weeks after the March 27 - an achievement his fi ghting overnight. bage collector late Tuesday, “The state is responsible for claiming responsibility for all could undermine the fi ght army recaptured the city, a regime celebrated with concerts A local truce - brokered by SANA reported. the bombings that hit civilians,” three attacks. It said they were against IS.

Rebel fi re kills Russia soldier in Homs province

AFP fl own back to his home town Moscow on May 5 in a full military ceremony. Russia said on Tuesday it Russian soldier has had delivered bread to parts died in Syria after of Homs province and ex- Acoming under fi re tended the ceasefi re to one from rebels in Homs prov- more area of the battered re- ince, a representative of Rus- gion. sia’s Hmeimim air base told The announcement of the Russian news agencies yes- latest casualty also came terday. hours before the expiry at The soldier, named as midnight of yesterday of a Anton Yerygin, “sustained Russian and US-brokered serious injuries after com- ceasefi re in Aleppo. ing under fi re by rebels while Regime forces and rebels escorting vehicles of the in the battleground city have Russian co-ordination cen- already agreed to extend the tre mediating between the truce twice. warring sides”, the unnamed The fi ghting comes as offi cial told Interfax news world powers prepare to agency. meet in Vienna next week Yergyin died after doc- to try to revive peace talks tors fought for his life for two aimed at ending a fi ve-year days at the military hospital confl ict that has killed more where he was taken shortly than 270,000 people. after the assault, the offi cial The White House yes- added. terday defended its plans to He did not specify how- admit 10,000 Syrian refu- ever when the assault had gees this year despite fi gures taken place, or when exactly that show it lags far behind the soldier died. its goal. The soldier will be deco- The US has taken in rated with a posthumous 1,736 Syrian refugees in medal, the offi cial said. the first seven months of The death came after the the fiscal year that began body of a Russian special October 1 through the end forces offi cer killed in late of last month, US figures March close to Palmyra was show. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, May 12, 2016 AFRICA

$10mn to shut Kabila can stay in offi ce world’s largest if no election held: court refugee camp AFP in Kenya Kinshasa

AFP R Congo’s President Joseph Nairobi Kabila can remain in offi ce Dwhen his mandate expires at the end of 2016, even without enya said yesterday it had set aside $10mn to help being re-elected, the Constitu- fund the closing of the world’s largest refugee tional Court said yesterday. Kcamp, home to around 350,000 mostly Somali The ruling came amid rising ten- refugees, citing security fears. sions over the government’s failure Kenya hosts around 600,000 refugees, some of whom to set a date for the country’s next have lived in the country for a quarter of a century. elections, originally due in No- On Friday, an interior ministry offi cial announced a vember this year before Kabila’s plan to refuse new refugee arrivals and shut Dadaab on mandate ends. the Kenya-Somalia border. After months of incessant con- “For reasons of pressing national security that speak to troversy, protests and arrests, po- the safety of Kenyans in a context of terrorist and crimi- lice in Lubumbashi, the country’s nal activities, the government ... has commenced the second biggest city, use teargas exercise of closing Dadaab Refugee Complex,” Interior and stun batons yesterday to clear Minister Joseph Ole Nkaissery told a press conference in thousands of opposition support- Nairobi. ers who had stormed a courthouse. “The refugees will be repatriated to their countries of The protesters forced their way origin or to third party countries for resettlement,” Nkai- inside in support of powerful op- ssery said. position fi gure Moise Katumbi, a Nkaissery said the government would provide $10mn wealthy former governor of min- “to kick-start the repatriation process and subsequent eral-rich Katanga province who is closure of Dadaab”, adding that a timetable was being Kabila’s leading rival. drawn up. He was appearing in court for Charities and the UN refugee agency are dismayed by the second time this month over the plan while human rights groups have warned that alleged use of foreign mercenaries, forcibly repatriating refugees would break international including Americans, allegations law. he has slammed as “a grotesque Nkaissery repeated claims that terrorist attacks on lie” and “a machination”. Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall, at Kenya’s Garissa Yesterday’s constitutional rul- university and elsewhere, “were planned and deployed ing in Kinshasa followed a request from Dadaab refugee camp by transnational terrorists,” for clarifi cation by the ruling party but no credible evidence has yet been provided to sup- over Kabila’s fate should the polls Democratic Republic of Congo’s opposition presidential candidate Moise Katumbi waves to supporters in Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga province. port these allegations. fail to be held on schedule, as is Nkaissery compared Kenya’s Somali refugees to Syrian widely expected. to stick to the election schedule, ricans were among the foreigners a security advisor. Mr Darryl Lewis run for president on behalf of an refugees in Europe. Kabila, who took over Demo- while the opposition suspects he working for Katumbi in Katanga. was not armed and allegations he opposition coalition. “ISIS has taken advantage of refugee infl ows and proc- cratic Republic of Congo on his is planning to amend the constitu- Katumbi, who last week said he was involved in mercenary activity The following day he asked the esses to install its destructive cells. So much so that gov- father’s assassination in 2001, is tion to extend his rule. would run for presidential offi ce, are false,” it said. UN mission in the country for pro- ernments across Europe and the Middle East have taken constitutionally barred from run- In Lubumbashi, the 51-year-old was an ally of Kabila for a decade It added that he worked for a pri- tection, saying he felt he was “in unprecedented eff orts to limit refugee infl ows into their ning for a third term. He won suc- fl amboyant Katumbi entered the but quit the ruling party in No- vate company that provided serv- danger”. He said his home had been countries on the grounds of national security,” he said. cessive elections in 2006 and 2011. court for a closed-door hearing vember when the president split ices to clients around the world. surrounded by security forces and Nkaissery said Kenya, too, faces a potential threat from The nine-member Constitu- sporting an all-white outfi t and a several provinces, including Ka- One of France’s top lawyers, Eric two of his bodyguards had been ar- the Islamic State group, adding: “Kenya cannot look tional Court - three of them cho- scarf in the colours of the national tanga. Dupond-Moretti, told AFP that he rested. aside and allow this threat to escalate any further.” sen by Kabila, three by parliament fl ag. Katanga, formerly the size of was going to join Katumbi’s legal Human Rights Watch on Mon- “This decision has been made by government refl ect- - based its response on article 70 The owner of the prestigious Spain, has been carved up into four team following a request from the day slammed the case as “targeted ing the fact that the camps have become hosting grounds of the constitution stating that a Tout-Puissant Mazembe foot- separate entities. politician’s lawyers and several actions against a presidential as- for Shebaab as well as centres of smuggling and con- president remains in offi ce until ball club, three-time winners of The US embassy said in a Fa- damning reports by human rights pirant and close supporters.” traband trade besides being enablers of illicit weapons the next head of state steps in. the African Champions League, is cebook post that it was “deeply groups. “The recent developments in proliferation,” Nkaissery said, referring to Somalia’s Al The opposition on the other accused of hiring several foreign concerned about the accusations He said he would seek interna- Lubumbashi come in the context Qaeda aligned group. hand argued in favour of article 75 mercenaries as his private guards. of mercenary activities” brought tional observers at the trial and was of a broader crackdown against ac- Dadaab residents, aid agencies on the ground and in- calling for the senate president to Justice Minister Alexis Tham- against Katumbi. ready to involve the International tivists, opposition party members dependent observers deny that Islamic militants fi nd a step in pending new elections. bwe Mwamba said there was “We are aware of the detention Criminal Court in The Hague as and others who have urged that safe haven there, while numerous reports have highlight- Kabila has been under pressure “documented proof” that former on April 24th of an American citi- well as the UN. presidential elections be organ- ed the role of corrupt Kenyan offi cials in the smuggling of from the international community American soldiers and South Af- zen who was working in Katanga as Katumbi a week ago accepted to ised,” it said. charcoal, sugar and people through Dadaab.

UN warns against high levels of child malnutrition in Madagascar Return stolen assets, Buhari tells Britain

N Secretary General Ban AFP need something tangible,” he said. ceeds is very tedious, time consuming, ted in Nigeria on corruption charges but Ki-moon yesterday ex- London Cameron is hosting a major anti-cor- costly”, Buhari said. jailed in London for a similar off ence, Upressed strong concern ruption summit today, which Buhari is Other Nigerian politicians were less had owned six properties in London, over the levels of malnutrition attending alongside Afghan President forgiving about Cameron’s comments. according to anti-poverty group ONE. in Magadascar, saying they were igerian President Muhammadu Ashraf Ghani. “I am taken aback. I am not happy These included a six-bedroom house among Africa’s highest. Buhari yesterday urged Britain Ahead of the talks, Cameron was about it,” said Senator Chukwuka Utazi, with an indoor pool in Hampstead, a Nearly half of children under Nto return assets stolen by cor- caught on camera telling Queen Eliza- chairman of the Senate committee on leafy suburb of north London, worth fi ve suff er from stunted growth rupt offi cials in pointed remarks after beth II that the leaders of some “fan- anti-corruption and fi nancial crimes, £3.28mn today ($4.73mn). and 9% suff er from acute mal- Prime Minister David Cameron called tastically corrupt” countries were who was attending the Commonwealth The properties have been seized but nutrition, the UN said in a report. his country “fantastically corrupt”. attending, adding that Nigeria and Af- event. the proceeds have not yet been returned The fi ndings of the report were “I am not going to demand any apol- ghanistan were “possibly the two most “If there’s no market for stolen goods, to Nigeria. made public during Ban’s visit to ogy from anybody. What I am demand- corrupt countries in the world”. then there would not be a thief. As long A group of Nigerian civil society the Indian Ocean island state. ing is the return of the assets,” Buhari A spokesman for Buhari said the as the criminals steal, and Britain is groups wrote to Cameron ahead of to- Madagascar’s economy loses told an anti-corruption event hosted by comments were “embarrassing” and ready to welcome them over here... it day’s summit asking him to stop mak- about 1.5bn dollars - 15% of gross the Commonwealth Secretariat in Lon- refl ected “an old snapshot of Nigeria”. smacks of irresponsibility.” ing Britain a “safe haven” for corrupt domestic product - annually due don. Buhari has embarked on a widespread Senator Dino Melaye said he thought offi cials. to the eff ects of malnutrition on He noted the case of Diepreye anti-corruption campaign since taking Cameron should apologise for his Nigerian President Muhammadu Jose Ugaz, chairman of global advo- people, according to the study. Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of offi ce last year. “reckless” and “demeaning” remarks, Buhari addresses delegates at the start of cacy group Transparency International, Ban called malnutrition “a oil-rich Bayelsa state who was detained His critics have accused him of a po- which he said were “insulting the integ- a conference to tackle corruption at the told the Commonwealth event that tragedy for the people and a dis- in London on charges of money laun- litical witch hunt. rity of my nation”. Commonwealth Secretariat in London. Cameron’s comments had only told part aster for the country’s develop- dering in 2005, but skipped bail by dis- The president said corruption was a “Nigeria, like many other countries of the story. ment.” guising himself as a woman. “hydra-headed monster” that was “en- across the globe, is corrupt, but corrup- president Bukola Saraki who is current- “It takes two to tango,” he said. Experts attribute the high Alamieyeseigha, who died in Nigeria demic and systematic” in Nigeria, and tion is a two-way traffi c,” he said. ly on trial for fraud, said the money in- “Yes, there are countries with fan- levels of malnutrition to a com- in October, left behind “his bank ac- thanked Britain for helping his country “The UK cannot continue to encour- volved “billions of pounds stolen from tastic levels of corruption and some of bination of factors including a count and fi xed assets, which Britain is tackle it, including by arresting some age and warehouse the proceeds of cor- Nigeria, deposited in properties and them appearing in the third world, in one-sided rice-based diet and prepared to hand over to us. This is what former state governors accused of fraud. ruption and then accuse nations of be- cash in the UK”. poor parts of the world. But this would poor hygiene, which can cause I’m asking for”, Buhari said. But in general, “our experience has ing corrupt.” James Ibori, the former governor of not happen without complicit partici- diarrhoea. “What would I do with an apology? I been that repatriation of corrupt pro- Melaye, a public supporter of Senate the oil-rich Delta state who was acquit- pation of the fi rst world.”

Judge in SA racism row on ‘special leave’

white South African judge accused of making racist com- ments has been put on special leave while the incident Ais investigated, the justice ministry said yesterday. High Court Judge Mabel Jansen is reported to have said that in black people’s culture “a woman is there to pleasure them. Period,” and that she had never met a black girl “who was not raped at about 12”. Social activist Gillian Schutte says Jansen made the com- ments to her during an online conversation. Jansen later said on Twitter: “What I stated confi dentially to somebody in a position to help has been taken completely out of context.” Many South Africans demanded Jansen be sacked for the comments that once again drew attention to enduring ra- cial tensions. “The complaint relates to comments on social media attributed to her which have caused outrage among members of the public,” Justice Ministry spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said in a statement announcing Jansen had been put on leave and a temporary substitute judge had been appointed. The body that oversees appointments to the judiciary said its conduct committee was investigating the incident, a procedure that could lead to her facing a tribunal and, ulti- mately, impeachment by parliament. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 13 AMERICAS Minnesota men worked hard to help ISIS: govt

Reuters Defence attorneys were Minneapolis scheduled to make their open- ing statements later. The government’s evidence hree Somali-American will also include murders com- men accused of trying to mitted by the Islamic State Tassist Islamic State put a group and videos watched by lot of eff ort and planning into the defendants depicting the their attempts to travel overseas use of explosives and fi rearms. to fi ght with the militant group Along with the conspiracy in Syria, and they also talked counts, Farah and Daud are openly of killing people, pros- charged with perjury, and Farah ecutors said yesterday. with making a false statement Minnesota residents Moha- to Federal Bureau of Investiga- mad Farah, Abdirahman Daud tion agents. and Guled Omar are charged Omar is also facing a charge with conspiring to provide ma- of attempted fi nancial aid fraud terial support to Islamic State for trying to use $5,000 in fed- Burned out homes in the Abasand neighbourhood of Fort McMurray. and commit murder outside the eral student aid to fund travel to United States, according to a Syria, prosecutors said. brief fi led by prosecutors. Each defendant faces up to The men are part of a group life in prison. They are in federal of 10 people that faced similar custody. federal charges. Six have already From March 2014 to April pleaded guilty to providing ma- 2015, a group of individuals, terial support to Islamic State, including the defendants, met and another is believed to be in multiple times at various lo- Syria, said Ben Petok, a spokes- cations and agreed to travel to Run on apartments man for the US attorney’s offi ce Syria to fi ght for Islamic State, for the district of Minnesota. prosecutors said. In an opening statement, as- An Uzbek citizen has be- sistant US attorney Andrew come the sixth individual to be Winter told the jury in US dis- charged for participating in a trict court in Minneapolis that New York-based conspiracy to the three defendants worked provide support to the militant “tirelessly” to travel to Syria to group Islamic State, US pros- in Fort McMurray join Islamic State. ecutors said yesterday. Winter showed slides and Azizjon Rakhmatov, 28, was Rehousing people and oil staff has favourable weather overnight was seen “There are hazardous materials and bro- cash value could be less than owners hope. read quotes by the three de- arrested earlier in the day and become a critical issue helping fi refi ghters. ken power lines. Basic services, gas, water, Debra Bunston, an Alberta realtor, said fendants from conversations charged in an indictment fi led While many companies have work camps waste disposal, healthcare and much more the disaster may fi ll vacant homes or spur tape recorded by the govern- in federal court in Brooklyn, Agencies at the site of their oil sands projects around needs to be re-established,” she said. sales of homes that are already on the mar- ment, in which the men discuss New York, with conspiring and Fort Mcmurray/Lac La Biche, Alberta Fort McMurray, workers from across Can- “The city was surrounded by an ocean of ket, “a bit of a silver lining in this horrible their criminal plans. attempting to provide mate- ada and around the world moved into the fi re only a few days ago but Fort McMur- cloud of smoke”. Winter quoted Omar dis- rial support to Islamic State and city with their families when the sector was ray and the surrounding communities have After a wildfi re blazed a path of destruc- cussing how he would help Is- conspiring to use a fi rearm. econstructing Fort McMurray will be booming years ago. been saved, and they will be rebuilt.” tion in the oil boomtown of Fort McMurray, lamic State return to the United US authorities have charged easier than fi rst feared since much of If energy companies can’t house workers The province is already speaking to tem- Canadian towns in heavily wooded north- States: “They’ll do crazy dam- at least 85 people since 2014 Rthe city’s critical infrastructure re- and their families quickly, they risk losing porary builders. ern Alberta are scrambling to take precau- age. I swear to God, we have a with crimes related to Islamic mains intact but the once booming oil town them permanently. “They’ve been asking very general ques- tions against fi re as hot weather and dry big opportunity.” State, which controls terri- will be smaller than before, according to its The industry will support eff orts to re- tions about what kind of temporary hous- vegetation increase the risk. Winter also quoted Omar tory in Syria and Iraq and has mayor. build the hospital, pipelines and electri- ing solutions we can provide (and a) rough Half a dozen communities located in for- talking about killing the “kuf- claimed responsibility for at- The fi rst priority is getting new tem- cal distribution center, Suncor Inc chief timeline of how long it would take to be est in the western province of Alberta were far”, an Arabic term for disbe- tacks in Paris in November that porary housing so companies can resume executive offi cer Steve Williams said on installed,” said Troy Ferguson, CEO of Re- variously clearing out dead wood, pruning liever. killed 130 people. shuttered oil production. Tuesday after a meeting of industry and drock Group, which builds modular work back the most fl ammable kinds of trees and Fort McMurray mayor Melissa Blake said provincial offi cials. camps and homes in Alberta. banning open fi res, offi cials said. the fi re is a chance to “right size” the city A recovery will be easier due to the city’s Marc Roy, who was chief of staff for the In Whitecourt, 180km northwest of the after the energy slump left it with vacant largely intact infrastructure and downtown, US Federal Emergency Management Agen- provincial capital of Edmonton, offi cials houses and unemployed workers well be- but people are already fi ghting over availa- cy in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hur- are aggressively enforcing a ban on all-ter- fore wildfi res hit last week. ble housing because several major residen- ricane Katrina, sees parallels between the rain vehicles and looking at installing giant Rembrandt painting With 10% of the city burned and more tial neighbourhoods were destroyed. two disasters, including the total destruc- sprinklers on the edge of town. than 90,000 residents evacuated, the “We’ve got banks, companies, restora- tion of some homes. “The Fort McMurray situation has eve- combination of a glut of prefi re homes and tion companies, engineering companies all Longer term, Roy said, authorities need ryone thinking, that’s for sure,” said Jay found in basement quick-build housing are a solution as the looking for space now. People need to stay to allocate resources carefully, because Granley, director of community safety in government and oil executives try to jump- somewhere,” said Bill de Silva, construction some residents likely will not return. the 10,000-strong town. start rebuilding. manager of Liam Construction, one of the “Are you building with the hopes that Communities located in forested ar- Reuters ily home in Essex County after “If I look at what the circumstance gives city’s biggest builders. you build a fi eld of dreams and people come eas will likely be reviewing their insurance New York their parents died contacted to us, I think it’s an opportunity to right- He said the “fi rst wave” is already trying to fi ll it, or are you using your resources as arrangements, said Insurance Bureau of John Nye, owner of Nye and Co size the community,” Blake told Reuters. “I to secure space in hotels, condominiums wisely as you possibly can at the moment?” Canada spokesman Steve Kee, though none auction house in Bloomfi eld, recognise that this horror is probably go- and apartments undamaged by the fi re, but he said. “You just can’t put it back exactly surveyed by Reuters said they plan to get painting languishing New Jersey. ing to get some people reconsidering what the approval process in the still-evacuated like it was and make that your plan. That more coverage. in a New Jersey base- “The picture was remark- their futures are, whether it’s in the region city isn’t easy. does not work.” The northern or boreal forest covers Ament that turned out to ably unremarkable,” Nye said, or not.” “We’ve got to get there as quickly as we One wrinkle may be home insurance pol- 270mn hectares, stretching across most of be one of Dutch master Rem- recalling the oil painting was The fi re may have been the fi nal push can. We can play a big role but they have icies that do no pay out in full unless home- northern Canada. brandt’s earliest works goes on fl aking. “It looked like a dark, that some residents needed to leave the iso- to let us in. All the government red tape owners rebuild. University of Alberta professor Mike display on Wednesday at the J discoloured portrait of three lated northern city, but major oil producers doesn’t help us now,” de Silva said. “If a customer chooses not to repair or Flannigan, who specialises in wildfi res, Paul Getty Museum in Califor- people, one of whom is passed need it back on its feet quickly to restart Alberta premier Rachel Notley said of- replace, they will receive the actual cash said almost every town in the forest was nia as a key part of an exhibit out.” some 1 million barrels per day of shuttered fi cials need to fi nish damage assessments, value of the building at the time of the loss,” at risk. on the 17th century artist. When the painting went production. set up a welcome centre and transportation said Intact Insurance, Canada’s largest “This is a wake-up call,” he said. “People “The Unconscious Patient up for auction in September, The wildfi re, which has spread over plan and secure food and supplies before property and casualty insurer, in a state- ... think this is a one in a lifetime thing, a (An Allegory of the Sense of Nye estimated it would fetch 229,000 hectares, is still burning, though anyone can start moving back in. ment. Because of the oil downturn, that one off , a fl uke, but it’s not.” Smell)” depicts two men waft- up to $800, having spent two ing a rag under the nose of a weeks on display on the auc- third man who is swooning and tion house wall and in its on- is dated 1624, the museum said line catalogue. That is where in a press release. sharp-eyed art afi cionados The 8-1/2-by-7-inch from three diff erent European (22-by-18-cm) work is among countries spotted it, ultimate- Rush on pillows at evacuee centre a series of fi ve paintings on the ly leading to a Paris art dealer’s senses that Rembrandt created winning bid of $870,000, or as a teenager, and will be dis- about $1.1mn including the AFP “Not enough (womens) shoes,” Don played with two others - hear- typical added sale premium, Toronto quipped. ing and touch - from Wednes- Nye said. They had stuffed into their car “things day until August 28, when the Restoration of the piece that meant the most to us,” including exhibit will travel internation- confi rmed suspicions - it re- here was a rush on pillows at Can- family photos, a mixed tape she made ally. vealed the initials RHF, for ada’s largest fi re evacuation centre for him, a scrapbook of their vacations The painting’s slog from a Rembrandt Harmenszoon van TTuesday as many who fl ed wildfi res together and a wooden duck carved by New Jersey basement to the Rijn fecit. in Alberta province’s oil region looked for- Don’s father. upper echelons of the art world “Basically, he put his name ward to their fi rst good sleep in days. There was also a heart pendant given to began in July when adult chil- down and ‘fecit’ means ‘made It will be at least two weeks before Fort Amanda by her mother inscribed with the dren cleaning out their fam- this,’” said Nye. McMurray residents can return home, but words: “Times can be tough but you’ll get the damage now appears to be less than through it.” anticipated with 90% of structures still They have been busy all week fi ling in- Missouri to execute man for murder standing. surance claims and late tax returns, taking And several of the evacuees told AFP their dog to a veterinarian, “trying to fi nd A man who killed three people, including a sheriff ’s deputy, in a dispute they feel they can fi nally rest easier. our way in this city, it’s huge compared to over drugs is to be executed in Missouri today, a spokeswoman for the Offi cials at the Northlands Exposition Fort McMurray.” state’s supreme court said. The execution, set to take place between Center in Edmonton, which was converted Upon learning they may be able to return 6pm Wednesday and 6pm Thursday, comes as the rate of executions into a shelter, said hundreds of donated Firefighters arrive to relieve those fighting wildfires in Fort McMurray. home soon, they said they might take in a falls steeply in the United States and even some conservative voices pillows had been handed out throughout movie as they push for normality. are advocating for abolition of the death penalty. Earl Forrest, now the day. As she spoke, a man walked past, strug- “It never even occurred to me (at fi rst), But the couple remains anxious. 66, killed an acquaintance, Harriet Smith, and a visitor at her house, The 48,000sqm complex is one of 13 gling to carry half a dozen pillows to his but I thought if I could have a little bit more “It will be hard to get back to a normal Michael Wells, in a dispute over methamphetamine, on December 9, emergency centres across the province truck, where his wife and three kids were comfort and sleep a little better,” she said. life, our normal routines, because there’s 2002. He shot both of them in the face, within a range of a few inches, housing an estimated 7,000 evacuees and waiting. At the end of a hectic week settling into nothing further from normal what we’re according to court records. Forrest and his girlfriend then fled Smith’s providing supplies to tens of thousands The man, who chose not to give his a basement apartment in Edmonton that doing right now,” Don said. house in the southern Missouri town of Salem, taking with them a living in hotels or at campsites. name, said he found a place to stay with would allow them to keep their nine-year- “We love our town and we just want to lockbox containing an estimated $25,000 of methamphetamine. “I’m happy I got a pillow,” said Samantha friends — a room. old bulldog, Amanda and Don Prophet also get back to it.” Later, he got into a shootout with law enforcement and shot and James. She has been staying at her niece’s va- “We’re just trying to keep safe and make came for pillows. “But it’s overwhelming thinking what killed sheriff ’s deputy Sharon Joann Barnes, according to the records. cant student apartment in Edmonton since ourselves as comfortable as possible,” he “The very little money that we have our next move is going to be, insurance- During his trial the defence said Forrest had problems with alcohol and the evacuation of Fort McMurray a week ago. said. (right now), every little bit helps,” said Don. wise, living-wise, also our work,” he said. methamphetamine and that long-term substance abuse had impaired She learned her home was untouched by Judy Ramsay, who was taken in by stran- The couple had packed a bag in anticipa- “We don’t know if have jobs to go back his judgment.The jury unanimously recommended a death sentence the fi res, and so the worst she expects upon gers, stopped here to pick up pillows her tion of the evacuation order. to. We don’t know if we have a house. It’s for each conviction because of aggravating factors, including that part returning to Fort McMurray is a bunch of herself, her husband and her 11-year-old But they now realise they packed too touch and go. We’re really in limbo right of his motivation was to obtain drugs and that he killed an off icer who dead house plants. daughter. lightly. now.” was on duty at the time. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, May 12, 2016 ASEAN 10 foreign convicts to be executed in Indonesia

DPA ing were Mary Jane Veloso Jakarta from the Philippines, Lindsay Sandiford from Britain and Frenchman Serge Atlaoui, but en foreigners were it was not clear if they were among 15 convicts on among those scheduled to be Tdeath row in Indonesia put to death. scheduled to be put to death No date for the execution as authorities were preparing has been set, but Liliek said a new round of executions, a 150 police shooters have been report said yesterday. appointed to carry out the Four Chinese nationals, task. one Pakistani, two Nigeri- “They have practiced for ans, two Senegalese and one days, so that the execution Zimbabwean were among can be conducted any time,” those to be executed, Central Liliek said. Java police spokesman Lil- Under Indonesian law, iek Darmanto said on Tues- each convict would face a day, according to The Jakarta squad of 10 shooters. Post. Last year Indonesia exe- Nusakambangan island, cuted 14 convicts, all but two the site of the penal complex of them foreigners, in a move where death-row convicts that drew international con- were previously executed, demnation. falls within the jurisdiction At least 121 people are of Central Java province. currently on death row in “There are five Indone- Indonesia, including 35 for- sians -- one woman and four eigners, mostly convicted of men,” Liliek was quoted as drug-related crimes, accord- saying by the Post. “Mean- ing to the Justice Ministry. while, there are 10 foreign Indonesian President Joko citizens.” Widodo, who took office He did not reveal the con- in 2014, has taken a tough victs’ names. stance against drug traffick- Among other foreigners on ing, saying that the country is death row for drug traffick- facing a drug emergency.

Activists gather to watch on a big screen a live webcast from Geneva of the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Thailand’s Human Rights situation in Bangkok yesterday. Vet dies after being trampled by rare Thai govt defends rights 5.5-tonne elephant

AFP and keeper moments before. Solo The local conservation of- fi ce said the elephant had a record of turning on its ma- restrictions at UN review young Indonesian vet houts in the past. was trampled to death It had just been transferred UN members urge end to review in Geneva expressed justice ministry said in a live has stepped up prosecutions of mation law makes it a crime to Ayesterday by one of the from a zoo to the tourism cen- curbs on freedom of speech, concern over the deteriorating broadcast of the meeting, re- those accused of defamation, defame, insult or threaten the critically endangered Sumat- tre in recent weeks said Pardi- assembly; Military govt rights situation since the mili- sponding to the concerns handing down harsher sen- king, queen, heir to the throne ran elephants under her care, yanto, who like many Indone- tightens crackdown ahead of tary took power in a May 2014 raised at the review, the coun- tences. or regent. Those found guilty offi cials said. sians goes by one name. August referendum coup. try’s first since 2011. The latest crackdown comes face prison terms of up to 15 Esthi Octovia Wara Hapsari, Sumatran elephants are Some UN members urged the The military seized power in as the military government years for each offence. a 24-year-old vet at a tour- classifi ed as critically endan- Reuters military to review controversial May 2014, saying it had to end prepares to put a widely criti- Thailand is one of 14 coun- ism centre on Java island, was gered by the International Bangkok laws, such as a royal insults law, a bitter cycle of political unrest cised military-written consti- tries being questioned at the tending to two elephants when Union for Conservation of Na- that rights groups say have in- that had rocked Thailand since tution to the public in August. Universal Periodic Review one became violent. ture, a protection agency. creasingly been used to silence 2006, when the army ousted Thai authorities on Tuesday (UPR), a cyclical review of the “Suddenly the elephant be- The World Wildlife Fund hailand yesterday de- critics. former prime minister Thaksin released on bail eight activists human rights record of the 193 came ferocious,” said Pardi- estimates there are between fended its curbs on free- Thailand should “allow all Shinawatra. arrested in April over Facebook UN members. yanto, the head of the Gajah 2,400 to 2,800 such elephants Tdom of expression at a Thai people to fully partici- Rights groups say the junta comments critical of the junta More than a decade of po- Mungkur Dam tourism site left in the wild in Indonesia. review of its rights record by pate in the political process,” has tightened its grip on power and the draft constitution. litical strife has seen at times where the incidence occurred. The population has dwin- the UN Human Rights Coun- the US said in a brief statement and severely repressed rights in Two of the eight activists violent street protests by both “The elephant threw the dled due to poaching and habi- cil, saying the measures were to the council, and called for the past year. face separate charges of royal Thaksin’s supporters and their mahout (keeper) off its back, tat pressures as rainforests are aimed at “those who stir up the elimination of “mandatory It has jailed critics, intro- insult. opponents. then attacked Esthi, who was converted for plantations and violence”. minimum sentences for lese- duced new laws aimed at curb- They were charged yester- In their closing remarks, standing nearby.” residential developments. At a time of fresh arrests of majeste”. ing freedom of speech, cen- day with insulting the revered Thai officials told the council Police are investigating why Confl ict between elephants online critics accused of criti- The restrictions were “meant sored the media and restricted monarchy in private Facebook they expected to adopt some of the 5.5-tonne elephant sud- and humans is also on the rise cising Thailand’s junta, UN for those who stir up violence”, political debate. messages. its recommendations on Friday, denly became violent, after as people encroach on the ani- member states attending the a representative of Thailand’s The military government Thailand’s strict royal defa- when its current session ends. interacting calmly with the vet mals’ habitats. UN offi cial accuses Indonesia to buy Airbus A400M Myanmar govt of Rohingya prejudice military transport planes: minister

DPA nantly Buddhist Myanmar. Reuters ditional A400M sales in South- Addis Ababa The government does not con- Jakarta east Asia. Malaysia remains the sider them to be a native ethnic only export customer for the group but illegal Bengali immi- aircraft after South Africa can- senior UN offi cial on grants, stripping them of their ndonesia plans to purchase celled its order in 2009. Tuesday accused My- citizenship and property. some Airbus A400M military The A400M was developed Aanmar’s government Itransport aircraft, its defence for Spain and six other Euro- of allowing discrimination to “It was our hope that the minister told Reuters yesterday, pean Nato nations - Belgium, continue against the country’s new administration in in a potential boost to Europe’s Britain, France, Germany, Lux- Rohingya Muslim community Myanmar will address the largest defence project. embourg and Turkey - at a cost and warned that it could lead to issue of discrimination “I have a plan to buy A400s of 20bn euros ($23bn), making genocide. against the Rohingya from Europe ... but just a small it Europe’s biggest single arms “It was our hope that the who are Muslim” number. There is no need to buy contract. new administration in My- many,” Minister Ryamizard Rya- It is intended to fi ll a gap be- anmar will address the issue Dieng urged Myanmar’s State cudu said without elaborating. tween the smaller Lockheed of discrimination against the Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to The Airbus A400M has been Martin C-130 Hercules, many Rohingya who are Muslim. In- use her moral authority to pre- marred by development delays of which are in service in In- stead, they have continued to vent discrimination against the and cost overruns. One of the donesia, and the Boeing C-17 be denied their identity,” said Rohingya. “Suu Kyi has asked planes crashed in Spain a year cargo jet. Ryacudu also said the Adama Dieng, a special adviser the new US ambassador in My- ago killing four crew members government agreed to buy eight to the UN secretary general on anmar not to use the (name) and leading some countries to Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fi ghter jets the prevention of genocide. Rohingya. This means the dis- ground the troop and cargo car- this year, but added the price was “If it is not halted, it could crimination that this minority rier. still being negotiated. lead to a genocide,” he said in group faced for so many decades A spokeswoman from Air- Indonesia had initially Addis Ababa, where he was has continued,” Dieng said. bus Defence and Space, which planned to buy around a dozen attending a UN-sponsored Although Suu Kyi has been is responsible for the European of the Russian jets to replace its meeting on the role of African hailed for her pro-democracy aerospace fi rm’s military prod- ageing Northrop F-5 fi ghters, religious leaders in preventing activism in the past, she has ucts, told Reuters via e-mail that and supplement a fl eet of 16 Su- violence and extremism. recently come under criti- while the company could not khoi Su-27 and Su-30 fi ghters The Rohingya are a minor- cism over the situation of the comment on specifi c sales cam- that form the backbone of its air ity Muslim group in predomi- Rohingya. Indonesia’s Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu gestures during an interview in Jakarta yesterday. paigns, it was “confi dent” of ad- force. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Australians Wools’ worth held trying to sail to Syria

AFP because they intended to “leave ly concerned about its citizens Sydney Australia by sea, transiting to fi ghting with militant organisa- Indonesia and, from Indonesia, tions such as Islamic State in Iraq seeking to reach Syria to engage and Syria, saying some 110 Aus- ive men with cancelled pass- in hostile acts in that country”. tralians had left the country to ports were yesterday ac- “The suspicion is that they join such groups. Fcused of planning to sail to were seeking to leave Australia Between 50 and 59 nationals Indonesia from Australia en route by (the) vessel to avoid the fact have so far been killed fi ghting in to join militant groups in Syria. that they couldn’t travel by air Iraq or Syria, Brandis said last week. The men included notori- because their passports had been Australia has long been wor- ous Australian Islamic preacher cancelled,” he said. ried about homegrown extrem- Musa Cerantonio, who was de- The nationalities of the men, ism and the terror threat alert has tained in the Philippines in 2014 aged between 21 and 33, was not been raised to level to high since and deported for reportedly urg- given and they have yet to be September 2014. ing people to join militancy in charged. It has passed a raft of national Iraq and Syria, the Australian Police did not say when they security laws, including legisla- Broadcasting Corp said. were picked up but Melbourne’s tion allowing for passports to be The men bought a 7m boat Age newspaper reported they cancelled to prevent Australians and drove it 2,840km from Mel- were detained on Tuesday. from leaving the country. bourne north to Queensland Brandis said they were arrested At least six attacks have been state where they planned to set at an unspecifi ed location north foiled on Australian soil over the sail to Indonesia, the Australian of Cairns, a gateway to the Great past 18 months, but several have Federal Police said. Barrier Reef popular with inter- taken place, including the terror- Attorney-General George national tourists. linked murder of a police em- Chinese tourists look at Merino sheep put on display by the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) in the central business district of Brandis said they were arrested Canberra has been increasing- ployee in Sydney in October. Sydney. The AWI is a non-profit company that invests in research, development and marketing to increase the long-term profitability of Australian woolgrowers. China, Taiwan blame game begins ahead of president’s inauguration N Koreans sing praises of

Reuters May 20, has said she will main- China has been pressuring Beijing tain the status quo, but has never Taiwan since the January conceded to a key bilateral agree- election, forcibly repatriating ‘motherly’ ruling party ment referencing the “one Chi- Taiwanese fraud suspects from aiwan’s new government na” principle, which has angered Kenya and Malaysia and estab- will be to blame for any Beijing. lishing diplomatic ties with a AFP While the Moranbong Band made nods to Images of golden wheatfi elds and boun- Tcrisis with China that Under the “1992 consensus” former Taiwanese ally in Africa, Seoul Western popular musical infl uences, songs tiful rice crops suggested a theme of plenty erupts once it assumes offi ce, with the Nationalists, Taiwan Gambia. about love referred to love of the party, the at odds with the North’s history of famine Beijing said yesterday, heaping and China agreed there is only On Sunday, the incoming Tai- country or the ruling family - which are tak- in the 1990s and the serious food shortages on the pressure ahead of the in- one China, with each having wanese government accused orth Korea yesterday sang the prais- en to be one and the same. international agencies say continue today. auguration of a new president their own interpretation of what China of “political interference” es of the ruling party in a two-hour A song entitled “Mother Party” described While praising the “motherly party”, the from a pro-independence party. that means. Defeated Nationalist after Beijing cast doubt over the Nconcert extolling its achievements its love for the people as “higher than the concert also paid tribute to all three mem- China and self-ruled Taiwan forces fl ed to Taiwan at the end of island keeping its observer status and those of the Kim dynasty that has ruled sky, deeper than the sea”. bers of the ruling dynasty: national founder underwent a rapprochement the civil war with the Commu- at the World Health Organisa- the country for its entire history. The concert echoed the North’s historical Kim Il-Sung, his son and successor Kim under the outgoing government nists in 1949. tion. The show entitled “Always follow our narrative - that it won the 1950-53 Korean Jong-Il and the current ruler, whose smiling which was run by China-friendly Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for Ma said Taiwan’s previous party” was staged to celebrate a Workers’ War and went on to build a thriving econo- portrait closed out the event. Nationalists, but ties have begun China’s Taiwan Aff airs Offi ce, participation had been predi- Party congress, the fi rst for 36 years, which my in the teeth of adversity. “We only follow you, no others,” was the to strain with their successors, said it was clear who was “de- cated on acceptance of the “one ended Monday. Archive fi lm or computer-generated title of one song, referring to Kim Jong-Un. the independence-leaning Tsai stroying bridges” and trying to China” principle, something That meeting was widely seen as a corona- images projected behind the perform- Western analysts say the party congress Ing-wen and her Democratic change the status quo. recognised by the UN, of which tion for current leader Kim Jong-Un, who took ers showed smiling Stakhanovite workers delivered little of political substance, restat- Progressive Party (DPP). “If there are those who are un- the WHO is a part. power after the sudden death of his father Kim achieving miracles of production in industry ing Pyongyang’s continued foreign policy of Tsai and the DPP won presi- clear on this point, or are off ering “With a challenge to the one Jong-Il in December 2011 and has been work- and construction, or heroic soldiers strug- belligerent defi ance backed by an expanding dential and parliamentary elec- encouragement from the wings, China principle which has the ing to claw back power from the military. gling through snowdrifts. nuclear arsenal. tions by a landslide in January, in this is really not a sensible act,” recognition of the international The concert featured the country’s fi rst all- There was also footage of recent achieve- But the North has spared no eff ort to cel- part on rising anti-China senti- Ma told a briefi ng live on state community, the relevant ar- women group, the Moranbong Band, whose ments such as the launch of a rocket which ebrate the event, staging a parade in Kim ment. television. rangements will be hard to con- members - clad in white outfi ts ending above put a satellite in space - an exercise seen in Il-Sung Square Tuesday, followed the same Beijing has never renounced “We must repeat, if there tinue,” he said. the knee and matching hats - were said to have the West as a disguised ballistic missile test. day by a mass dance and torchlight parade. the use of force to take the island is deadlock across the Taiwan Taiwan has attended the an- been chosen by the leader himself. The overarching theme of the perform- Party delegates, including several mem- which it considers a breakaway Strait, or if there is a crisis, the nual gathering of the World Also featured in the event at a 10,000- ance was the good life the party had given bers of the politburo standing committee, province, particularly if it makes responsibility will be on the Health Assembly, the decision- seat Pyongyang stadium were the Chong- its people, played out in numbers such as made up most of yesterday’s audience in the moves toward independence. heads of those who change the making body of the WHO, since bong Band, formed in 2015, and the mili- “We have nothing to envy in the world” and auditorium, which was decked out in the Tsai, who assumes offi ce on status quo.” 2009 as an observer. tary’s State-Merited Chorus. “Glory to the Workers’ Party of Korea”. party colours of red and gold.

Hiroshima hopes Obama visit will revitalise anti-nuclear push arack Obama’s trip to bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, simply that humanity “should Hiroshima this month is 1945. never ever suff er such an experi- Axe fragment found in Ba chance for him to see Tens of thousands were killed ence again.” how the city suffered after its by the fi reball that the power- Hiroshima is now a thriv- atomic bombing, and to renew ful blast generated, with many ing, modern city, little differ- his push for global nuclear dis- more succumbing to injuries or ent from many others in Ja- armament, local officials said illnesses caused by radiation in pan, although the bombed-out Australia ‘world’s oldest’ yesterday. the weeks, months and years af- remains of a domed building On May 27, Obama will become terwards. stands tribute to those who died the fi rst sitting US president Vast swathes of the city, in- in the world’s first ever atomic AFP to visit Hiroshima, the White cluding many of its military and attack. Sydney House said Tuesday, stressing industrial installations, were Last month US Secretary of there would be no apology for fl attened. State John Kerry laid a wreath the city’s devastation in the fi nal The southern city of Nagasaki near the building, and visited the rock fl ake found in Australia is be- days of World War II. was hit by a second bomb days “gut-wrenching” memorial mu- lieved to be from the world’s oldest Obama, who will be in Japan later, killing 74,000 people, in seum that shows the human cost Aknown axe and likely dates from just for a Group of Seven summit, will one of the fi nal acts of World War of the bombing. after humans arrived in the country around make the pilgrimage to Hiroshi- II. Japan has long urged 50,000 years ago, scientists said yesterday. ma’s Peace Memorial Park and Hidehiko Yuzaki, the governor world leaders to visit The fragment, about the size of a thumb- will be accompanied by Japanese of Hiroshima prefecture, told re- Hiroshima and Nagasaki to see nail, was found in Western Australia’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, him- porters he hoped Obama would the horrors of the atomic bomb- sparsely populated Kimberley region and its self a fervent nationalist. see “the reality of how the atom- ings and join eff orts to eradicate age indicates that early indigenous technol- “I hope that here in Hiro- ic bomb hurt people here, and nuclear arms. ogy was novel and inventive. “This is with- shima he will conceive concrete would come away with a deep Former president Jimmy out doubt the oldest axe in the world,” Peter steps towards a nuclear-free understanding of the scale of the Carter visited Hiroshima Hiscock, the University of Sydney academic world,” said city mayor Kazumi damage.” after leaving offi ce, while who analysed the fragment, told AFP. Matsui. Although many survivors of Richard Nixon went to the city The piece was excavated in the 1990s, but About 140,000 people died af- the attack may hope for an apol- a few years before assuming the it was not until recently that its signifi cance Lead archaeologist professor Sue O’Connor and PhD student Tim Maloney inspect an ter US forces dropped an atomic ogy, Yuzaki said the key issue was presidency. was recognised and confi rmed by new tech- example of the world’s oldest known axe of which a fragment has been unearthed in nology. “It’s a relatively small fragment, it’s Australia, indicating that early indigenous technology was novel and inventive. not much more than a centimetre (half an NZ PM ejected from parliamentary debate inch) long,” said Hiscock, who used a digital mans in the landscape. “The coincidence of Sue O’Connor, who found the piece in the microscope to analyse the piece and deter- the timing of the arrival of humans and the 1990s, agreed that it was the earliest evi- New Zealand’s Prime Minister moderates parliamentary debates had ever been ordered out of a mine it was man-made. “It’s one fl ake off the appearance of axes shows an inventiveness,” dence of a hafted axe - one with a handle at- John Key was yesterday ordered - stood to his feet. debate as premier. edge of a polished axe or a ground-edge axe.” he said. “Axes were not made in Africa, they tached - in the world. to leave a debate in parliament, in He told Key to resume his seat and Key had told parliament the pre- The fragment has been dated at between were not made in the Middle East. “Nowhere else in the world do you get a rare move by the speaker of the repeatedly called for order before vious day that the charities were 46,000 and 49,000 years old. Humans are “So people moving out of Africa didn’t axes at this date,” she said in a statement, house. ordering him to leave the debating beneficiaries of trusts named in a thought to have arrived in Australia around have axes. They arrive in Australia and they adding that while such axes had appeared Key had been answering a ques- chamber. Carter said Key had been database released by the Interna- 50,000 years ago. invent this technology. It shows that there about 35,000 years ago in Japan, in most tion from Green Party co-leader given fair warning after a similar tional Consortium of Investigative “It’s probably not the oldest axe ever made, was novelty, the capacity to innovate.” countries they arrived with agriculture James Shaw on why he was refus- incident occurred the previous day. Journalists based on a massive it would be remarkable if we found the frag- He added that the axe fragment was not within the last 10,000 years. ing to apologize to the charities “When I stand to my feet and leak of files from Panama law firm ment off the fi rst axe. I don’t think my luck’s the fi rst of its type found in Australia and “Australian stone artefacts have often Greenpeace, the Red Cross and call for order, he is to be treated no Mossack Fonseca. that good,” Hiscock joked. “But it’s probably showed that the nation’s indigenous peo- been characterised as being simple,” she Amnesty International after linking diff erently to any other member of The charities were in fact the indicating that this is at, or just after, the ar- ples’ ancestors were good at creating the said. “But clearly that’s not the case when them to foreign trusts named in this House. Obviously I just didn’t victims of an earlier scam where rival of humans (in Australia).” The fi ndings tools they needed. you have these hafted axes earlier in Aus- the leaked Panama Papers. see him, didn’t hear him, I was in they were named as beneficiar- appear in Australian Archaeology. “I think that this tells us that axes were tralia than anywhere else in the world.” Key continued to address the middle of an answer,” Key was ies of foreign trusts in order to Hiscock said it was interesting that the invented by the early settlers, the ancestors The piece comes from an axe that had been the chamber when Parliamen- quoted as saying after leaving the hide the identities of the true earliest appearance of axes in Australia ap- of Australian Aboriginals,” he said. shaped and polished by grinding it against a tary Speaker David Carter - who chamber. It was the first time he beneficiaries. peared to coincide with the arrival of hu- Australian National University professor softer rock such as sandstone, the ANU said. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, May 12, 2016 BRITAIN

ENTERTAINMENT VERDICT POLITICS OFFBEAT LEGAL Clarkson goes on a Grand Man jailed for plot to Jones blocked from return Woman sent home from BBC couple in court over Tour for Amazon car show import counterfeit stamps as Wales’ first minister work for not wearing heels child abuse charges

Former BBC Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson’s A man who plotted to import £17,000 worth of Opposition parties blocked the return of Labour A woman claimed she was sent home on her Two BBC radio presenters have appeared before new car show will be called The Grand Tour fake Royal Mail stamps from Hong Kong has leader Carwyn Jones as First Minister on the first day as a receptionist at a top London magistrates accused of committing a series of sex because it will be recorded in a big tent pitched been jailed for two years after a National Crime Welsh Assembly’s first day back since the election. accountancy firm for refusing to wear high heels. off ences against four boys in the 1990s. Married in diff erent countries for each episode, maker Agency swoop. A box marked “gift cards” but full Jones was expected to retain his post as Wales’ Nicola Thorp, 27, says that when she arrived at the couple Tony and Julie Wadsworth, who have both Amazon said yesterday. The series, which of counterfeit first-class stamps was intercepted premier politician in the Senedd but rival parties off ices of PricewaterhouseCoopers in flat shoes worked for BBC Radio Leicester and Birmingham- launches in the autumn, reunites Clarkson with and delivered to Christer Chinnappah, 36, refused to give him their backing and instead all a manager told her she must wear heels two based BBC WM, were charged by Warwickshire his co-presenters and producer from Top Gear, who signed for the package. Chinnappah, of voted for Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood. Labour to four inches high. Thorp, an actress who was Police earlier this year. Both broadcasters spoke the show that propelled the journalist to global Ickenham, Middlesex, who organised the import, missed out on winning an overall majority during hired by contractors Portico as a temp in PwC’s only to confirm their names and address during fame before he lost his job after he punched a was jailed at Kingston crown court and ordered last week’s election after winning 29 seats. With off ices in Embankment, yesterday called for a ban a five-minute hearing in Leamington Spa. Tony member of the production team. Clarkson, along to pay £17,000 compensation to Royal Mail and Jones unable to vote for himself, the votes ended on “outdated and sexist” dress codes. She says Wadsworth, 68, of Old Mill Road, Broughton Astley, with Richard Hammond and James May, signed £5,000 costs. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to up tied at 29 a piece - with Labour being saved she was “laughed at” by the Portico supervisor Leicestershire, is charged with five counts of an exclusive deal to make a show for the online defraud Royal Mail between December 1, 2013, from an embarrassing first day back in business when she complained about the “discriminatory” inciting a boy under the age of 16 to commit an act retailer’s subscription service Amazon Prime last and January 18, 2014, by obtaining and marketing thanks to support from the sole Liberal Democrat demand and was sent home without pay after of gross indecency. His wife, aged 58 is charged July. counterfeit stamps. A M Kirsty Williams. refusing to go out and buy a pair of heels. with seven counts of the same off ence.

I speak for all UK’s ‘golden London residents, era’ with China says Khan

AFP London in balance after

ew London mayor Sadiq Khan yesterday said that Nhe was not a Muslim leader but represented everyone in the city, after making history Queen remark by becoming the fi rst mayor of his faith in a major Western cap- Guardian News and Media fi rm whether the “golden era” was “President Xi Jinping’s state visit ital. London still ongoing, Lu replied: “Both to the UK last year was very suc- “Let me be very clear, I’m not sides have expressed the hope that cessful. Both sides at the working a Muslim leader or Muslims’ they would implement the out- level made great eff orts towards spokesperson, I’m the mayor of hina has refused to say comes of President Xi’s visit and the success of the visit.” London. I speak for all London- whether a “golden era” push forwards a steady and stable Michel Hockx, director of SOAS ers,” the 45-year-old said in a Cof relations with Britain rise of the bilateral relationship. China Institute, told the BBC’s wide-ranging media briefi ng. still exists, after the Queen was This requires the common eff orts Victoria Derbyshire programme Khan, the son of Pakistani im- caught on camera accusing Bei- of both sides.” that some on Chinese social me- migrants, added however that his jing offi cials of being rude. Asked if that meant the special dia believed the conversation was election proved “that it’s possible In a discussion with a senior relationship was over, Lu said: scripted – because the offi cial in- to be Muslim and a Westerner. Metropolitan police offi cer, the “You can put my answers today troducing D’Orsi to the Queen was Western values are compatible Queen was heard accusing un- together.” reading from his notes. with Islam”. named Chinese representatives of Asked if he had been surprised Hockx said: “It comes across as He repeated his criticism of being “very rude” to the British by the Queen’s comments, he very sort of scripted and unnatu- presumptive US Republican pres- ambassador in connection with laughed and said: “I have already ral ... the fact that it was caught idential nominee Donald Trump, President Xi Jinping’s fi rst state said what I can say.” on camera and being put into the who has proposed banning all visit to Britain last year. China often suppresses foreign public domain – so some people Muslims from entering the US. The Queen was apparently una- media reports that it regards as are saying ‘Well, this Queen turns Khan, a member of the oppo- ware that the camera had picked sensitive, and information about out to be just another politician sition Labour party, said Trump up her comments to Metropolitan the Queen’s remarks were diffi cult anyway’.” was “ignorant about Islam” and police commander Lucy D’Orsi, to fi nd on the country’s Internet. He added: “Other people are was “playing into the hands of fi lmed by a pool cameraman work- The BBC said that its BBC World saying, ‘Well, we’re always wor- the extremists”. Trump made the ing on behalf of British broadcast- news channel was blacked out ried about our politicians not proposal in December, days after ers during a garden party at Buck- when it reported on the story. knowing how to behave in civilised a terror attack killed 14 people in ingham Palace on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Bucking- countries like the UK, and this San Bernardino, California, say- When D’Orsi was introduced as ham Palace said: “The Chinese proves they still have a lot to learn’.” ing Muslims should not be able to the offi cer responsible for security state visit was extremely success- The Metropolitan police said enter the US “until our country’s during the visit, the Queen was ful and all parties worked closely to they would not comment on the representatives can fi gure out heard to say: “Oh, bad luck.” ensure it proceeded smoothly.” private conversation. what is going on.” D’Orsi said it had been a “test- Speaking in Gibraltar, the for- Earlier on Tuesday, the Queen Khan also repeated his support ing time” and that offi cials had eign secretary, Philip Hammond, was involved in another unguard- for Britain to stay in the European walked out of a meeting, say- said: “Big state visits are big lo- ed moment when the prime min- Union in the June 23 referendum, ing the trip was off . “They were gistic challenges. I was involved in ister was fi lmed telling her that Ni- saying membership was crucial very rude to the ambassador,” the this and yes, it got a bit stressful on geria and Afghanistan were two of for London’s prosperity. Queen replied. both sides. the most corrupt countries in the “It’s crucial for London to re- Speaking in Beijing yesterday, “But it was a great state visit world. The leaders of both coun- main in the EU... Half a million Lu Kang, a spokesman for China’s – everybody agrees, hugely tries are attending an anti- jobs are directly dependant on the foreign ministry, declined to di- successful – and our re- corruption summit organ- union,” he said. rectly address the Queen’s com- lationship with China ised by David Cameron in He added that Paris mayor ments or confi rm whether the is very strong and has London this week. Anne Hidalgo at their meeting on “golden era” – heralded when Xi been greatly strength- Cameron was over- Tuesday had joked that in case of visited Britain last year – was still ened by the success of heard telling the mon- Brexit, she would “roll out the red alive. that visit.” arch that “leaders of carpet to welcome London com- “President Xi’s visit to the UK A spokeswoman from some fantastically cor- panies” to the French capital. last year was a very successful one. the Chinese embassy in rupt countries” would be Khan said he would be happy to Both sides have made great eff orts the UK made no attending the meet- campaign alongside Conservative for the success of the visit and the direct mention ing, before Prime Minister David Cameron two sides highly recognised that,” of the Queen’s singling out “because it’s more important than Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks with Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo as they meet at St Pancras Station Lu said. comments, Nigeria and political parties”. in London. Pressed by the Guardian to con- saying only: Afghanistan.

Leave campaigns PM’s Brexit war claim get biggest donations demented: Johnson Reuters Peter Hargreaves, a billionaire London entrepreneur who sent a letter to around 15mn homes earlier London Evening Standard speech in which he warned Boris Johnson in a live debate, this year to urge people to leave London of future wars after a Brexit. accused him of shifting his roups campaigning for a “wasteful” EU, had donated The ex-mayor said: “I think all position on the EU. Britain to leave the EU £3.2mn, higher than the sum this talk of World War III and Brown said critics of EU Ghave raised £8.2mn, given by the next biggest donor, oris Johnson yesterday bubonic plague is demented, immigration had exaggerated more than the rival “In” cam- which donated almost £2mn to said he thought claims frankly.” He accepted “con- figures and said when restric- paign, a watchdog said yes- another “Out” campaign. Bby David Cameron that trolled” immigration’s bene- tions were lifted on Romania terday, publishing fi gures that Those in the offi cial “In” Europe could descend into war fits, but added: “What is not a and Bulgaria around 30,000 showed the role of big business campaign - Britain Stronger after a Brexit are “demented”. good idea is to have absolutely people came in each of the first in the battle. in Europe - were boosted by He spoke out as he repeated no control. two years, which he said were Campaigns from both sides two donations worth more another attack on the prime “What is certainly not a not “huge figures”. He added: of the debate have courted than £2mn by its leading con- minister for promising to re- good idea politically is for pol- “I wouldn’t say we made a money from business to fi ght tributor David Sainsbury, the duce EU immigration while iticians to stand up year after mistake over that. I think it’s a referendum on June 23, a de- former chairman of the super- knowing it to be “impossible” year and tell the British peo- true to say that you’ve got to cision that will not only help market Sainsbury’s who has It came as former prime ple we can cut immigration to manage migration. determine Britain’s future in given money to the main op- minister Gordon Brown ‘tens of thousands’ when they “But the real problem of the trade and world aff airs but position Labour Party. launched a staunch defence know fine well that that is le- future is going to be illegal im- also shape the future of the Sainsbury also gave £50,000 of the EU and denied he made gally impossible.” migration. You can’t manage it 28-member bloc. to Scientists for EU, £95,000 to “a mistake” by allowing too He said the promise, repeat- without having co-operation Groups aiming to keep Brit- another group called Michelle much immigration while in edly made by Cameron, had with France.” ain in the EU raised £7.5mn, Ovens, which appeared to be Downing Street. been given over a period where Former MI5 chief Dame the Electoral Commission said. named after a small business And ex-spy chief Dame there was a net increase in im- Manningham-Buller said the The independent watchdog enterprise specialist of that Eliza Manningham-Buller migration of some 300,000 a UK should remain a member looked at donations from Feb- name and to the European boosted the Remain camp by year. to influence the “intelligence ruary 1 until April 21 and said Movement of the UK. arguing the UK would be “sig- Johnson added: “It’s the response” to terrorism, while in a statement that Leave.EU, Much of big business has nificantly less safe” outside lack of control that is so cor- senior Labour MP Chuka which is not the offi cial lead said it supports staying in the Europe. rosive and it’s financially Umunna dismissed “dodgy” campaign for a British exit, or European Union, concerned Speaking as he kicked off damaging and is also corrosive claims by Leave campaign- Brexit, had been boosted by that Brexit could break supply Vote Leave’s battlebus tour in of trust in democracy.” ers and said British business Former London mayor Boris Johnson holds up a Cornish pasty during the one donation from a founder contracts, harm the employ- Cornwall, Johnson was asked Meanwhile Brown, who said “overwhelmingly wants us to launch of the Vote Leave bus campaign, in favour of Britain leaving the of investment fi rm Hargreaves ment of workers from overseas about the prime minister’s he would be willing to take on stay in.” European Union, in Truro, Britain, yesterday. Lansdown. and see costs rise. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 17 BRITAIN/IRELAND MPs could be forced by watchdog to commute from Zone 3

London Evening Standard minster. Instead, accommodation mean MPs having to commute mean many of them having to lift of £2,425 for each dependent which would keep a lid on the rent style accommodation. It is exam- London payments would be in line with for half-an-hour, could save the move to places such as Streatham, family member. MPs earn £74,962 bill paid by the taxpayer. ining whether MPs from the re- typical Zone 3 rental costs. taxpayer an estimated £900,000 Catford, Colliers Wood, Crystal a year but some of them believe Some MPs, though, are likely to gions who already own a property “This would make it diffi cult a year. Palace, Forest Gate, Tottenham, the rental allowance, which has fi ght the proposed change, espe- in London should continue to be Ps face having to com- for MPs to rent a property close It is another sign of how even Ealing, Acton or Park Royal. not changed since 2010, to be in- cially as they would have to meet allowed to rent a second home at mute to work with mil- to Parliament, as many currently well-paid professionals are be- MPs from the regions can cur- adequate . But IPSA is concerned the additional costs of commuting the taxpayer’s expense, but ap- Mlions of Londoners rath- do,” said a review of expenses by ing forced out of living in central rently claim up to £20,610 a year that the bill for politicians’ ac- out of their own pocket and also pears unlikely to ban this practice. er than having a taxpayer-funded the Independent Parliamentary London by sky-high property and to rent a home in the capital. commodation - £6.7mn a year in- endure the appalling overcrowd- Ninety-six MPs who live in the home within walking distance of Standards Authority (IPSA). renting prices. Many MPs cur- This budget is based on MPs cluding hotel stays - is likely to rise ing conditions suff ered by many “London area” — broadly the M25 Parliament. It added: “But this would align rently live in Westminster, Pimlico renting a one-bedroom property as central London property prices workers. area — are not allowed to claim to The expenses watchdog is con- them more to the experience of and Kennington. within “reasonable” travelling spiral even higher. However, IPSA has ruled out an rent a home as they are regarded as sidering limiting funding for poli- most London commuters.” If the proposed Zone 3 fund- distance of Westminster. They So it is consulting on limiting even more controversial measure, able to commute like other work- ticians to rent fl ats close to West- The shake-up, which would ing change goes ahead it would can also claim for a budget up- the rent allowance to Zone 3 levels of forcing MPs to live in barracks- ers. Heathrow William opens library makes new off er to clinch runway deal

London Evening Standard in fact for a night-time fl ight ban London between 11.30pm and 6am. Campaigners believe eight fl ights currently using the airport eathrow yesterday between 4.30am and 5am will launched a dramatic bid now be shifted half an hour later Hto clinch a deal with David and would prefer a ban until 6am. Cameron for a third runway. Heathrow chiefs also said they Chief executive John Holland- would accept a commitment Kaye said it would meet in full the from the government to rule out a Airports Commission’s condi- fourth runway. tions for expansion. He wrote to They emphasised that they the prime minister stating that would meet the 11 key recom- the airport’s “bold” off er “meets mendations from the airports’ and exceeds your demands”. panel and exceed nine of these. Heathrow bosses believe they In his letter to Cameron, Hol- have enough backing in the Cabi- land-Kaye said: “You demanded net and from MPs to win Com- ambitious plans from my team to mons support for another run- deliver expansion with a bold and way. fair deal for our neighbours. To- Prince William yesterday opened a new library at one of Oxford University’s most historic colleges. Magdalen College’s Longwall Library was recently renovated at a But they still need to persuade day, I am proud to submit a com- cost of £11mn. Cameron to do a U-turn on his prehensive plan that meets and previous “no ifs no buts” opposi- exceeds your demands.” tion to Heathrow expansion be- He argued that the expansion, fore the 2010 general election. costing around £16bn, would Amid growing concern over deliver up to £211bn in economic toxic air and the VW emissions benefi ts and 180,000 jobs for “cheating” scandal, Heathrow Britain. pledged to set up an ultra-low John Stewart, chairman of emission zone around the airport anti-Heathrow expansion group if a third runway gets the go- HACAN, said the airport had ahead. “gone further than expected”. Threat level to UK from All vehicles failing to meet set “The decision now is clearly in emission standards when ac- David Cameron’s court and he cessing the airport would have to should not renege on his ‘no ifs no pay a levy. Heathrow bosses also buts’ promise not to build a third promised that new capacity at an runway.” expanded airport would not be Mary Creagh, chair of the EAC, released unless this could be done welcomed the night fl ight com- N Ireland militants raised without delaying UK compliance mitment, but added: “Heath- with EU air quality limits. row’s proposals to tackle air pol- AFP tivity,” May said. pected imminently, and severe, A prison officer in Northern was also found buried in plas- This commitment meets the lution, however, need to go much London “As a result of this change, which means an attack is highly Ireland died of his injuries ear- tic barrels in a forest park in a commission’s recommendation further much faster.” we are working closely with the likely. lier this year after an explosive predominantly unionist area but has already been dismissed Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate police and other relevant au- The threat to Northern Ire- device placed under his van near Larne, 50kms north of as a fl awed test by the Commons claimed Heathrow’s air quality he security threat level thorities to ensure appropriate land itself, which was riven by detonated in an attack attrib- Belfast. environmental audit committee plans “fail the most basic cred- to Britain from North- security measures are in place,” three decades of confl ict and uted to dissident republicans Some 3,500 people were (EAC), which warned increased ibility test”. Tern Ireland-related ter- she said. where there are still strong opposed to the peace process. killed in a confl ict known as The pollution should not be permit- Heathrow pledged to compen- rorism has been raised from The level was substantial sectarian tensions despite the Police in Northern Ireland Troubles which largely ended ted. sate those who would lose their moderate to substantial, Home when the rating was fi rst pub- signing of a peace agreement in at the time warned about the with the landmark 1998 Good If it is allowed to grow, Heath- homes at full market value plus Secretary Theresa May said in lished by the MI5 domestic in- 1998, remains severe. threat of violence from dis- Friday peace deal and the de- row agreed to a legally-binding an additional 25% above their a statement to parliament yes- telligence service in 2010 but The threat from interna- sident republicans around the commission of Irish Republican ban on all scheduled night fl ights unblighted value plus legal fees, terday. was lowered to moderate in tional terrorism to Britain also centenary of Ireland’s 1916 Army weapons. for six-and-half hours between stamp duty and moving costs. “This means that a terrorist 2012. remains unchanged at severe, Easter Rising, which paved the Tensions remain between 11pm and 5.30am. They insisted This would be extended to a fur- attack is a strong possibility and Substantial is the third high- meaning an attack is highly way for independence in 1922. pro-British unionists and re- this met the airports commission ther 3,750 properties near the refl ects the continuing threat est level out of fi ve after critical, likely. It has been at this level A large cache of bomb- publicans, who want a united recommendation, though it was compulsory purchase zone. from dissident republican ac- which means an attack is ex- since August 2014. making parts and explosives Ireland. Facebook posts land Film premiere Partner urges missing author to come home dishonest model in jail London Evening Standard Yesterday Stewart, 55, issued London a statement saying: “We miss you and Boris so much. We are London Evening Standard But on the fi rm’s website, she whirl too.” During a trip to Macau shattered in so many ways... you London claimed a “VIP fi lm star” clien- in 2010 she wrote: “Getting over he partner of missing chil- bring so much to so many people tele including Michael Buble and the pool party yesterday so relax- dren’s author Helen Bailey in ways you don’t even realise. David Schwimmer, and revealed ing and chilling with millionaires Tyesterday issued a heartfelt You not only mended my heart model who claimed she was plans to expand into Dubai and Los drinking champagne!” plea for her return, a month after fi ve years ago but made it bigger, so poor she lived on food Angeles. Investigations by Kensington her disappearance. stronger and kinder. Ahandouts from her local While claiming benefi ts be- and Chelsea’s anti-fraud squad Bailey, 51, vanished without “Together we learnt to live with mosque has been jailed after bene- tween 2009 and 2014 she went on found the King’s Road fl at she trace last month from the £1.3mn our grief and move forward with fi ts inspectors uncovered her jetset a series of trips which were uncov- claimed to rent in her benefi t claim home she shared with her part- our lives but never forgetting. lifestyle from glamorous holiday ered by council fraud inspectors was purchased with a deposit of ner, Ian Stewart, and his two sons Now it feels like my heart doesn’t snaps posted on Facebook. who trawled through her social £20,000. from a previous marriage. even exist. Our plans are nowhere Carina Reid, 32, claimed more media profi le. She got a mortgage based on She is thought to have taken near complete and without you than £50,000 in housing and Her Facebook account, under genuine tax returns, which showed her dog Boris, a brown miniature there is no point. council tax benefi ts to help fund the pseudonym Cara Delmonte, Enhance was a thriving business. dachshund, with her after telling “We promised each other 30 holidays in Dubai, Hong Kong, shows her sipping champagne in A further investigation revealed family and friends that she need- years — please keep that promise Spain, Portugal, France and Swit- Harrods and dining at other top she sent £116,000 abroad in 2013- ed “a little time to herself”. and come home. Whatever has zerland and meals at the West establishments including Scott’s 2014 to acquire property in Dubai. However, despite extensive po- happened, wherever you are I will End’s top restaurants. in Mayfair, the Dorchester and the Reid was sentenced to three lice searches in and around her come and get you and Boris and She claimed handouts to pay Berkeley. years in prison at Isleworth crown home in Royston, Hertfordshire, give you whatever you need.” rent on a fl at in an upmarket block Alongside a photo from Laduree court after pleading guilty to nine and appeals for her to get in touch Chief inspector Julie Wheat- in King’s Road, Chelsea, which tea rooms in Harrods in August, charges of dishonestly claiming there has been no word from her. ley, of Hertfordshire police, said: she owned, and was found to hold 2014, she wrote: “Drinking cham- housing benefi t and council tax Bailey vanished just weeks af- “Helen seems to have simply £180,000 in 19 separate bank ac- pagne. It’s a hard life!” benefi t. It is one of the most severe ter the fi fth anniversary of the disappeared. We literally have no counts. Pictures from the same year sentences ever to have been hand- death of her husband John Sin- trace of her.” Reid told Kensington and Chel- show her taking a helicopter trip at ed out in London for benefi t fraud. fi eld, 65, who drowned when he She added: “Whilst this very sea council she had no savings, the Cannes fi lm festival and posing The court heard she had been was caught in a riptide while on much remains a missing person took no holidays and made so lit- in a glamorous gown in Lisbon. overpaid £51,110 in benefi ts, none holiday in Barbados. She wrote inquiry at this time, understand- tle from her Wandsworth beauty In February 2014 she went ski- of which has been recovered. Actors Mia Wasikowska and Johnny Depp arrive at about her grief in a blog which ably as the days and weeks pass business Enhance Medica that she ing in Davos and posted: “It’s Reid told the court that she did the European Premiere of Alice Through the Looking was turned into a best-selling we and Helen’s family and friends accepted free food from her local bloody hard. I’m aching but sur- not believe she had an extravagant Glass at a cinema in London. book called When Bad Things are becoming increasingly con- mosque. viving. Might give snowboarding a lifestyle. Happen In Good Bikinis. cerned for her welfare.” Gulf Times 18 Thursday, May 12, 2016 EUROPE

Four-way talks on Europe Parliament says Ukraine war fail

AFP Turkey visa deal on hold Berlin DPA Ankara has warned that its dogan, Burhan Kuzu, this week the corresponding bill on to the Berlin/Istanbul implementation of measures to cautioned that if Europe’s par- responsible justice committee, ey powers failed to clinch control refugee fl ows hinges on liament rejects the visa-free as Turkey has not fulfi lled fi ve of a breakthrough in talks access to Europe for its citizens. access, then “we will send the 72 conditions, Schulz said. Kyesterday seeking a last- he president of the Euro- Turkey has been a major gate- refugees” to the bloc. “It is not only a question of ing peace deal in Ukraine, with pean Parliament, Martin way country for migrants. Erdogan says that he wants quantity, but quality, and as far negotiations stumbling over the TSchulz, said yesterday European demands for chang- the visa deal wrapped up by Oc- as quality goes, two of the most thorny issue of local elections in that he saw no chance for an es to Turkey’s anti-terror laws, tober. essential prerequisites – data the rebel-held zone. agreement on visa-free access to which the bloc wants trimmed In an interview with German protection and anti-terrorism “The result is, at the very best, the European Union for Turkish from their current parameters, radio broadcaster Deutschland- laws – have apparently not only mixed,” said German Foreign citizens by July, explaining that have become the latest obstacle funk, Schulz said that the EU’s not been fulfi lled, but not even Minister Frank-Walter Stein- Turkey has not met the condi- to an already fraught deal. parliament would “absolutely” approached,” Schulz said. meier after hosting the talks tions. Initially the sides had hoped not begin consultations when The parliament president with his Russian, Ukrainian and The visas are part of a wider for closure this summer. Ankara has not fulfi lled the con- later met with Turkey’s minister French counterparts. EU-Turkey deal on stemming A key adviser to Turkish ditions for visa-free access. for EU aff airs, Volkan Bozkir, in Even if there had been “clear migration fl ows to the bloc. President Recep Tayyip Er- He had therefore not passed the French city of Strasbourg. progress” on the issue of security Schulz said after the meeting in war-wracked eastern Ukraine, European Union grants Europol new powers in fi ghting terrorism that there was “not yet a solu- Steinmeier said the “political tion” to unblock the visa fi le and Schulz (right) and Bozkir at the joint press conference after their process remained diffi cult and The EU police agency Europol is set to acquire new in recent years, most recently in Belgium on March 22 spoke of a “very diffi cult situa- meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France. without a breakthrough today”. powers in its fight against terrorism and other serious this year, when more than 30 people lost their lives tion”. Germany and France are crimes, after the European Parliament gave its bless- in suicide bombings at its main international airport “All the agreements we have used to crack down on political relent on the anti-terrorism spearheading eff orts to end the ing to the changes yesterday. and at an underground railway station in its capital achieved until now – built on opponents and journalists criti- laws, saying that for the amend- fi ghting between Ukrainian The reforms, which will come into eff ect in May 2017, Brussels. confi dence, goodwill, taking cal of the government. ment to pass in October, Ankara troops and pro-Kremlin rebels will make it easier for Europol to set up specialised “The tragic terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris have responsibility and also tak- “Our impression is that in the needed to begin consultations – whom the West believes are units to respond faster to emerging threats. starkly highlighted the need for better co-operation ing political risks – are facing a frame of application of anti- immediately. backed by Russia – in Ukraine’s They will also allow the police agency to exchange between police and security forces in Europe,” Green very dangerous moment,” Bozkir terror rules, the scope and the The row over visa-free ac- eastern industrial heartland. information directly with private entities, such as EU parliamentarian Josep-Maria Terricabras said. said. “We are trying to save the interpretation is so far-reaching cess could put at risk the agree- Although a peace deal was social media providers, which could be used to more “Europol needs new tools to face new challenges,” [migration] package.” that we think that some of the ment struck between the EU and agreed in Belarussian capital quickly remove online terrorist propaganda. conservative EU lawmaker Timothy Kirkhope added. But he added that changing measures are touching ... for ex- Turkey on stemming migration Minsk in February 2015, a truce The new rules are additionally meant to encourage “Our fight against terrorism and serious crime is one Turkey’s anti-terrorism laws is ample the freedom of expression fl ows to Europe, as the bloc deals has been frequently violated. data-sharing, while also foreseeing data protection where we are too often several steps behind our “completely impossible” at this and of media,” Schulz said. with the largest number of peo- Both sides have also been un- safeguards. enemy. This regulation is an important step in closing moment, pointing to recent ter- Turkey ranks 151 out of 180 ple on the move in decades. able to break a deadlock on or- “The new powers will improve Europol’s ability to that gap.” rorist attacks in the country. countries on the Reporters Turkey, over the past two ganising local elections in the support EU member states in the fight against terror- Far-left lawmakers, however, opposed the proposal Bozkir also told local broad- Without Borders Press Free- months, has cracked down on rebel-held Donetsk and Luhansk ism and organised crime at a time when Europe faces over data privacy and supervision concerns. caster NTV that Turkey’s laws dom Index while critics accuse smugglers bringing migrants to regions. many challenging security threats,” Europol director “It’s a black box giving all power to Europol, and that’s already comply with European Erdogan of becoming increas- Europe by boat, after years that In a sign of the hostility over Rob Wainwright said in a statement. why we reject the whole package,” EU parliamentar- standards. ingly authoritarian and seeking the Turkish coastline was used the issue, Ukraine’s Foreign The continent has seen a number of terrorist attacks ian Cornelia Ernst said. Critics say, however, that the to consolidate his grip on power. to reach nearby Greek islands, Minister Pavlo Klimkin said the anti-terrorism laws have been Schulz called on Erdogan to which are part of the EU. Russians had presented a ver- sion of electoral legislation for the polls. But he told his Russian coun- terpart Sergei Lavrov that “we are capable of writing Ukrainian Austria, legislation by ourselves, and we Dozens of terror suspects among don’t need any advice”, accord- ing to remarks reported by Inter- Greece fax agency. Steinmeier on Tuesday ex- pressed exasperation at the pace bury the migrants who entered Germany of the talks, complaining that “in terms of seeking a political solu- tion, things have been moving hatchet Reuters tide of migrants, in part to avoid autumn, but has fallen dra- vestigation by federal and state and arrested in a refugee centre along at snail’s pace”. Berlin exacerbating public concerns matically in recent months due authorities. in Salzburg in December. “It cannot go on like that,” he about the infl ux, which hit a to the closing of the Greek bor- That represents a sharp in- There is also evidence that said. AFP record 1.1mn last year. der with Macedonia and a deal crease from the 213 warnings Saleh Abdeslam, believed to be The pro-Moscow rebellion Vienna erman authorities are But the head of Germany’s between the European Union and 18 investigations that the the lone surviving suspect from has now killed more than 9,300 investigating 40 cases in domestic intelligence agency and Turkey that has discour- police had recorded in early the attacks, picked up three people and, along with Russia’s Gwhich Islamic militants Hans-Georg Maassen told a aged refugees from crossing the January. unidentifi ed militants who en- annexation of Ukraine’s strate- ustria and Greece’s for- are suspected of having entered conference last week that al- Aegean Sea. “German security offi cials tered Europe with the refugees gic peninsula of Crimea, it has eign ministers said yes- the country with the recent though there were more effi - The reduction in the num- have indications that members in the southern German city of plunged Russia’s relations with Aterday that they have fl ood of refugees from the Mid- cient ways to smuggle in fi ght- bers has eased pressure on Ger- and supporters of terrorist or- Ulm in October of last year. the West to a post-Cold War low. buried the hatchet after diff er- dle East, the federal police said ers, IS appeared to have sent man Chancellor Angela Merkel, ganisations are being smug- In February, German author- ences over Europe’s migrant cri- yesterday. some via the Balkan route from who came under fi erce criti- gled in with refugees in a tar- ities arrested a 35-year-old Al- sis prompted a chill in relations. That represents a doubling of Greece in order to fan fears cism last year for welcoming geted, organised way in order to gerian and his wife in the town Rebels celebrate “Our ambassador has re- such cases since January and is about refugees and “send a po- hundreds of thousands of mi- launch attacks in Germany,” the of Attendorn. ‘independence’ turned ... she accompanied me likely to deepen concerns about litical signal”. grants fl eeing war in the Middle BKA spokeswoman said, noting The man, a suspected IS to Vienna” to take up her post the threat level in Germany, “I am not telling you a se- East with the optimistic slogan however that there was no de- member, reportedly posed as Pro-Moscow rebels in Ukraine’s again, Greek Foreign Minister which has not suff ered a large- cret when I say that I am con- “We can do this”. fi nitive confi rmation of this. a Syrian when he entered Ger- eastern separatist region of Nikos Kotzias said after talks scale Islamist attack like those cerned about the high number A spokeswoman for the Two of the suicide bombers many in the autumn of 2015. Donetsk marked yesterday the with his counterpart Sebastian that have rocked neighbours of migrants whose identities we Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), or from the November 13 attacks Days later, a 32-year-old second anniversary of their self- Kurz in the Austrian capital. France and Belgium in recent don’t know because they had federal police, said that there in Paris that killed 130 people man was arrested in the city of proclaimed independence with a Greece recalled its ambassa- months. no papers when they entered had been 369 warnings about came into Europe through the Mainz who is suspected of hav- mass parade and calls to one day dor in March in retaliation for In the past, the German gov- the country,” Maassen said. possible extremists entering Balkan route and so did two ing fought with the militant join Russia. Austria’s decision to leave Ath- ernment has played down the The number of migrants en- the country since the infl ux of men who authorities believe group in eastern Syria before Leaders of the “Donetsk People’s ens out of a meeting to discuss risks of Islamic State (IS) fi ght- tering Germany reached peaks refugees accelerated last year, were meant to participate in travelling to Germany via Tur- Republic” staged a self-rule the fl ow of migrants through the ers entering Europe with the of more than 10,000 a day last of which 40 merited further in- those attacks but were delayed key. referendum in parts of Ukraine’s Balkans. industrial east under their control Athens also refused a visit that was allegedly supported by from Austria’s then interior 90% of the voters. minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, The unmonitored poll was accusing Vienna of “falsifying branded a “farce” by the pro- the truth” over its border control Western leadership in Kiev and eff orts. treated cautiously by Russia itself. Last year hundreds of thou- The Kremlin said it recognised sands of migrants trekked up the wishes of those who wanted from Greece through the Bal- to split away from Ukraine but kans, heading for Austria and never formally recognised their beyond, particularly Germany independence. and Scandinavia. Parts of Donetsk and the Vienna accused Athens of smaller neighbouring province failing to police its borders and of Luhansk revolted less than register migrants. Mikl-Leit- a month after Russia annexed ner even called into question Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula in Greece’s membership of the March 2014. passport-free Schengen zone. The fighting has killed more than Since then, however, the Bal- 9,300 people and forced Russia kans route has been closed down A supporter takes a picture of Hungarian chef Tamas Szell during to deny accusations by Kiev and and a deal between Turkey and the Bocuse d’Or chef competition in Budapest. its Western allies of plotting and the European Union has taken supporting the war in reprisal eff ect, signifi cantly slowing the for the February 2014 ouster migrant fl ow. of Ukraine’s Moscow-backed More than 50,000 remain president. stuck in Greece, however, with Europe’s top chefs Donetsk’s “Day of the Republic” almost 10,000 at Idomeni on the featured a parade of more than Greece-Macedonia border. 10,000 people who waved local And according to the Interna- compete for spot in flags as well as those of Russia tional Organisation for Migra- A chef shows a plate of fish from Swiss chef Filipe Pinheiro during the Bocuse d’Or chef competition and two separatist regions tion (IOM) more than 185,000 in Budapest. of ex-Soviet Georgia whose migrants and refugees have en- ‘Culinary Olympics’ independence is recognised tered Europe by sea so far this by Moscow and a handful of its year, with more than 1,350 dying French inquiry opened after suicide broadcast online allies. in the attempt. Reuters tional competition, founded But one Donetsk coal miner said A spat has also erupted be- Budapest by French chef Paul Bocuse in French prosecutors have launched an inquiry investigators will look to establish the motive that many of those in attendance tween Vienna and Rome over 1987 and which draws culinary after a woman appeared to record her suicide behind her act and, if that fails, widen the yesterday had been ordered Austrian measures preparing for talent from around the world, on Periscope, the mobile Web application that investigation that has been launched,” said a to show up by the separatist a possible closure of the Brenner hefs from 20 Europe- will be conducted in January in allows users to broadcast live to their followers. statement from the prosecutor’s off ice. authorities. Pass in the Alps between the two an countries put their France. The prosecutor’s off ice in Evry, a southern It said that the young woman, born in 1997, also “We were told we would have a countries. Cchopping, cooking and The European leg of the con- suburb of Paris, said it had opened the appeared to have sent a text to people close to day off at our mine and required Austria’s tougher line on mi- presentation skills to the test test, held in Budapest on Tues- investigation after the teenager threw herself her before she died to tell them of her intentions. to attend the parade whether we grants has however failed to stop yesterday, all eager to secure a day and yesterday, saw chefs onto the rails at a railway station on Tuesday The 15-minute set of extracts – showing wanted to or not,” the 47-year-old support growing for the far- place in the prestigious Bocuse from around the continent use afternoon and died. continuous messages from followers – begins told AFP on condition that he right, contributing to the res- d’Or contest, dubbed the “Cu- local ingredients such as veni- “Once the first results from an examination with the woman talking into the camera, and only be identified as Vladimir. “No ignation of chancellor Werner linary Olympics”. son and sturgeon with its caviar of the victim’s mobile telephone and of data ends with the camera pointing upwards at train one refused. Everyone knew they Faymann on Monday. The fi nal of the interna- for their gastronomic creations. from the Periscope application are known, carriages. had no choice.” Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 19 EUROPE Minister drawn into

US actors Eisenberg, Lively, and Stewart with director Allen during a photocall for the film Cafe Society. French sexism row Reuters people, I made a comment to a Republicains politician wrote Paris journalist about her clothing and on social media about her shock put my hand on her back,” Sapin when a fellow politician told Woody Allen’s said in a statement. her after Baupin’s resignation: rance’s fi nance minister He insisted his actions should “When I see you I want to do ‘a admitted yesterday to be- not be “confused with the seri- Baupin’ to you.” Fhaving inappropriately to- ousness of harassment or sexual “Instinctively you hide ... as love story kicks wards a woman, the second time assault”. if you were the culprit. And you this week the issue of sexism “There was no aggressive or end up laughing, by refl ex. Be- in politics has hit the headlines sexual intent in my conduct but cause, well, we’re French and so amid signs a veil is lifting on acts the mere fact that the person was we’re meant to laugh about such off Cannes fest that have gone unreported in the shocked shows that those words things,” Berge wrote. past. and this gesture were inappro- Rousseau said some male poli- In the two days since a sexual priate, and I was, and still am, ticians behaved with a sense of AFP could play an adorable little harassment scandal forced a top sorry,” he wrote. impunity and called for protec- Cannes secretary from Nebraska – this lawmaker to quit, female politi- Sapin, a close ally of President tion for women who remain si- sweet little girl just as cute as a cians have denounced abuse in Francois Hollande, did not ap- lent for fear of damaging their button – and later in the movie the corridors of power and some pear at risk of losing his job. career or political party. ollywood decamped you could see her in furs and have revealed their own experi- He said that the journalist had Safin: insisted his actions should not be ‘confused with the A three-year statute of limita- to Cannes yesterday jewels and she would be ... ences of unwanted sexual ad- immediately asked to talk with seriousness of harassment or sexual assault’. tions was too short, she said. Hwhere Woody Allen’s completely believable,” Allen vances. him after the incident and he It is fi ve years since former In- romantic yarn set in cinema’s said. The reactions of some men apologised. were to be treated on equal terms Independent, right-wing law- ternational Monetary Fund (IMF) golden age received mixed Stewart, sporting a sharp to the headlines also show how Sandrine Rousseau, a spokes- in France’s political circles. maker Jacques Myard on Tuesday chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn reviews from critics as it bleach blonde bob and dressed deeply entrenched sexist at- woman for the Greens party, Baupin quit his post as vice- told journalists in the corridors resigned in another sex scandal, launched the world’s top fi lm all in white, is known more for titudes can be in France, where welcomed Sapin’s statement as president of France’s National of parliament: “If we can’t make unleashing a soul-searching de- festival. her edginess than cuteness and three in every four lawmakers in a sign that male politicians in- Assembly but denied any wrong- jokes anymore it’s the return to bate within France about sexual The biggest praise for Cafe looked amused at the descrip- the National Assembly are men. creasingly felt they had to explain doing. moral order.” abuse in the upper echelons of Society came for performances tion. Finance Minister Michel Sapin themselves over allegations of “I hope things will change but Centre-right lawmaker Pierre power. by Twilight megastar turned “I auditioned for this part. I made his public apology after inappropriate gestures. I’m not sure that will be the case,” Lellouche was quoted by RTL ra- Misogynistic attitudes per- indie darling Kristen Stewart really had to prove myself be- coming under pressure to tell But Rousseau, one of the Rousseau told Reuters. dio as declining to comment on sisted, said Berge, but the dif- and Jesse Eisenberg of The So- cause I don’t know if that love- his side of a story reported a few women who on Monday accused She pointed to some who re- the Baupin case, saying: “I com- ference is that more women are cial Network fame, who walked ly little lady was something he weeks ago in a book. lawmaker Denis Baupin of har- acted to Monday’s allegations ment on important matters, not speaking out. the red carpet last night in one saw immediately,” the actress “During a trip to Davos in Jan- assment, said there must be ac- against Baupin by saying “one girly stuff .” “Maybe they won’t change but of the starriest Cannes of re- said. uary 2015, in a group of about 20 tion and not just words if women cannot joke or fl irt anymore”. And Aurore Berge, a local Les we will, we’ll talk,” Berge wrote. cent times. Her co-star Eisenberg was Shot in dreamy technicolor left red-faced when a reporter hues, Allen’s movie highlights revealed he had written a script what one critic called “the about Woody Allen when he selfi shness of being happy” as was a teenager. Stewart and Eisenberg voyage “I was so inspired by discov- Poll: Nearly every second German is Mafi a through infi delity and heart- ering Woody Allen that I wrote break from 1930s Hollywood to a script that was based on him bohemian New York. and it got sent to agents be- planned The fi lm follows Bobby (Ei- cause they thought it was fun- opposed to a fourth term for Merkel senberg) as he heads to Hol- ny and it got sent to his lawyers lywood to score a job with his who didn’t think it was funny bomb big-shot agent uncle Phil – and they sent me cease and de- Reuters Around 27% said they want- portant factor. “Her solo run in played by Steve Carell – and sist letters and that was the end Berlin ed the conservative Christian the refugee crisis last summer falls in love with his secretary of that,” he said. Democratic leader to stay in was a mistake, both on the na- attack on and mistress Vonnie (Stewart). “And it looks like now this offi ce for a fourth term while tional as well as the European After much wavering from might be the end of this,” he early half of Germans roughly 25% said they did not level.” all characters, Vonnie chooses said, looking sheepishly at Al- surveyed in a new poll have an opinion on the matter Merkel decided to keep Ger- prosecutor the rich uncle and a heartbro- len, to laughter. Noppose Chancellor or did not give a reply. many’s borders open for hun- ken Bobby returns to New York Allen’s movie kicks off 12 Angela Merkel remaining in Leaving out those undecid- dreds of thousands of refugees where he works for his gangster heady and exhausting days of offi ce for a fourth term after an ed and indiff erent, nearly two- from war-torn countries such DPA brother, prone to killing off his fi lms, networking and party- election next year – a sign that thirds of respondents with as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Rome enemies and burying them in ing in Cannes, as the popula- her handling of the ongoing a clear opinion were against The number of migrants en- cement, and marries a divorcee tion of the French Riviera town migrant crisis is still weighing Merkel staying in offi ce, Cicero tering Germany reached peaks played by Blake Lively. is set to nearly triple to some on her popularity. said. of more than 10,000 a day last talian mobsters were plan- Vonnie later makes her way 200,000 people. Conducted by pollster Insa “This shows that Germans autumn, but has diminished ning a bomb attack on a top to a New York where, to a back- The red carpet awaits stars for German magazine Cicero, are getting increasingly tired signifi cantly this year due to Iprosecutor leading the fi ght drop of jazz and gorgeous peri- such as Julia Roberts, Jodie the survey showed yesterday of Merkel with her being in the closing of Greece’s border against the Camorra Mafi a in od dress, she lures Bobby back Foster, Sean Penn, Robert De that some 48% did not support power for 11 years now,” Cic- with Macedonia and a Euro- Naples, according to media re- into her arms. Niro, Charlize Theron and the statement: “I’m in favour ero editor-in-chief Christoph pean Union deal with Turkey ports yesterday that cited anon- A spate of self-deprecating George Clooney. of Angela Merkel remaining Schwennicke told Reuters, that has discouraged refugees ymous investigative sources. jokes steeped in Allen’s Jewish The event has heaped pres- Merkel: 27% of those polled wanted chancellor also after the fed- adding that her handling of the from crossing the Aegean Sea The target was allegedly Na- heritage drew the most laughs sure on French authorities al- her to stay in off ice. eral election in 2017.” migrant crisis was also an im- to the EU. ples chief prosecutor Giovanni from the audience, but crit- ready on high alert six months Colangelo. ics complained that the fi lm after terror attacks left 130 The Camorra, based in and lacked depth. dead in Paris. around the southern city, is one “Woody Allen’s Cafe Society Before his fi lm premiered, of Italy’s main Mafi a organisa- is a sweet, sad, insubstantial jeu the Hollywood veteran admit- tions, along with Sicily’s Cosa d’esprit, watchable, charming ted that the terror threat was French government escapes rebels’ Nostra and the Ndrangheta in and beautifully shot,” wrote playing on his mind. Calabria. Guardian fi lm critic Peter “I’m hypochondriacal when The Ansa news agency said it Bradshaw, praising Stewart it comes to terrorism,” Allen learned that 550g of TNT was and Eisenberg for “charming told Variety, “the world’s big- no-confi dence move ... by two votes found on Friday hidden in the and intelligent” performances. gest worrywart.” garden of Amilcare Monti Con- Toronto Star movie critic Hundreds of extra police desnitt, a mobster from Gioia Peter Howell however wrote offi cers have been deployed, Reuters Minister Manuel Valls nonethe- day to use a rarely-used consti- that would make it simpler to del Colle, a town in southern It- on Twitter: “Woody’s golden with daily bomb sweeps of the Paris less faces a no-confi dence vote tutional clause to avoid a vote in lay off staff in hard times and aly where Colangelo has a home, lens plumbs shallows of NY/ main venue and long queues at today proposed by conservative parliament and pass the reform allow employers to apply in- were meant to be used to kill the LA celeb swirl, lacks depth. checks to get inside. lawmakers, though this is likely by decree. house rules on pay and work prosecutor. Stewart & Eisenberg sparkless Festival director Thierry Fre- ebel French Socialist law- to fail in the absence of a major- The government faces a wave conditions instead of national Prosecutors in Bari investigat- this time.” maux told AFP that despite the makers failed yesterday to ity. of potentially violent protests ones. ing the allegations were given Allen told reporters he want- terror threat which prompted Rgather enough votes from Coming a year away from a today after calls for nationwide Hundreds of police and a the information by an informant ed the fi lm, which he narrated, the French interior minister to among the party and left-wing presidential vote, the close rebel street rallies from trade unions number of protesters have been detained in the same jail as Mon- to have “the scope of a novel visit the town on Monday, this allies to table a no-confi dence vote on the motion highlights a and youth movements viscerally hurt in clashes since the re- ti Condesnitt, Ansa said. that took place over a period of would be a “normal year I dare motion against the government growing revolt within the So- opposed to both the reform it- form plan emerged at the end of Police were led to the TNT by time, with a number of diff er- to say”, and that it was impor- over its plans to push through cialist party from left-wingers self and the decision to override March. wiretapping phones during an ent incidents”. tant that Cannes “is there to disputed labour reform by by- frustrated at the government’s parliamentary opposition. Without a majority in the investigation into an attempted The director said that Stew- defend (global) cinema”. passing parliament. pro-business policies and par- The hardline CGT union National Assembly, the con- murder in February linked to art, set for a stellar Cannes Nearly 90 feature fi lms from The rebels required support ticularly outraged over the la- called on port and dock workers servatives’ own no-confi dence Mafi a turf wars in Bari. where she will also appear all over the world will be shown from 58 lawmakers for the no- bour reform. to strike against the law on May motion has next to no chance of Once a connection to Col- in competition fi lm Personal in this year’s offi cial selection, confi dence vote to go ahead in Unable to win support from 17 and 19. toppling the government, even angelo was established, offi cers Shopper, had been perfect for including 21 which are in the the National Assembly, but they rebel Socialists and left-wing Opinion polling agencies say if the rebel Socialists and left- seized the TNT and arrested fi ve the role. running for the Palme d’Or secured backing from only 56. groups for the unpopular bill, that as many as three in four wing lawmakers were to support people, Ansa said. “I needed somebody who main prize. The government of Prime the government opted on Tues- French people oppose a reform it in a vote today. “I wish to express my soli- darity, support and respect for prosecutor Colangelo. He is an excellent magistrate,” Giovanni Legnini, the deputy leader of the governing body of the Italian Ukraine recovers 17 paintings judiciary, said in reaction to the reports. Italy has a history of Mafi a stolen from Verona museum murders against top offi cials. The most notorious cases were in 1992, when two separate Reuters prepare for them to be handed They tied up the museum bombs planted in Palermo by Kiev back, his offi ce said in a state- cashier and forced an armed se- Sicily’s Cosa Nostra killed anti- ment. curity guard to hand over keys to Mafi a prosecutors Giovanni Fal- Footage released by the presi- his car, which they used to get cone and Paolo Borsellino. kraine has recovered dent’s offi ce showed Ukrainian away. In a separate development, 17 paintings, including border guards unwrapping the The robbery prompted re- Colangelo’s offi ce issued 11 ar- Uworks by Peter Paul Ru- paintings, which had been cov- criminations in Italy over the rest warrants against members bens and Tintoretto, stolen by ered with plastic sheets. lack of security at the museum, of Naples’ Camorra Mafi a, sus- armed robbers from the Cas- The artworks were found which some critics blamed on pected of running illegal gam- telvecchio museum in Verona about 1.5km from the border public spending cuts. bling and sports betting activi- last year, Ukrainian President with Moldova, the statement Poroshenko, whose govern- ties and an extortion racket. Petro Poroshenko said yester- said, without elaborating. ment needs to convince its Meanwhile, Italy’s tax po- day. The paintings were stolen on Western backers that it is serious Poroshenko (left) being briefed on how the stolen paintings were recovered. lice seized assets worth more Ukrainian authorities will November 19 by thieves who about tackling corruption, said than €15mn ($17mn) belong- now invite Italian experts to au- acted just after the Verona mu- that recovering the paintings tion reminds the world about works of art,” Poroshenko said. country’s 17th-century Golden ing to Nicola Schiavone, a jailed thenticate the paintings – which seum’s 11 staff had left but before was a measure of what Ukraine the effi cient struggle of Ukraine Last month Ukrainian securi- Age, more than 10 years after leader of the Casalesi, one of the have an estimated value of more a remote alarm system with the was capable of. against smuggling and corrup- ty services recovered four Dutch they were snatched from a mu- Camorra’s bloodiest crime fami- than €16mn ($18.3mn) – and police station was activated. “Today, this brilliant opera- tion, inter alia, smuggling of masterpieces, dating from the seum in the Netherlands. lies. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, May 12, 2016 INDIA

ISSUE SCANDAL ACCIDENT INITIATIVE TRAGEDY Inter-linking of rivers Naval chief dodges Fire at Times of India KFC programme to CRPF off icer commits not feasible: Joshi questions on Agusta probe building in New Delhi fight malnutrition suicide in Gurgaon

Inter-linking of rivers may not be feasible Naval chief Admiral R K Dhowan yesterday dodged A fire broke out at the Times of India Aiming to fight hunger and malnutrition in the A 30-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in most parts of the country as most rivers questions related to the AgustaWestland scam, saying building in central Delhi yesterday, and 21 country, KFC India yesterday launched ‘Add off icer from Karnataka undergoing training in in India are already short of water, veteran all aspects and decisions related to the probe were fire tenders were sent to douse the blaze, Hope’ initiative to create awareness and raise Gurgaon committed suicide by hanging himself from a Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar being looked into by the government. “Whatever is fire off icials said. The fire broke out on the funds to provide meals to underprivileged ceiling fan, police said yesterday. Mohamed Monusul, Joshi said yesterday. “It is a complicated happening, as you know, the government of India is fourth floor of the building, situated near children. It expects to provide 20mn meals by an under training assistant commandant, was found issue. Ken and Betwa rivers can be linked probing... Whatever decision that needs to be taken the Income Tax Off ice, at around 2.20pm, 2020. The company will do this with the help hanging in his hostel room at Kadarpur camp, some but Ken and Ganga cannot be. All rivers will be taken by the government of India... Whatever a fire off icial said. Delhi Fire Services of three partners - World Food Programme 12km from Gurgaon city. Monusul, who hailed from are drying, how can you link the rivers?” investigations are needed to be done are being done,” director G C Mishra said: “It is a medium (WFP), Akshaya Patra Foundation and India Belgaum, was on a year-long training which began in Joshi said the issue needed to be debated Dhowan told reporters in Panaji. Asked whether category fire. Keeping in view the safety Food Banking Network (IFBN). “One out of September. He left a suicide note saying no one was thoroughly. “Inter-linking of rivers needs service chiefs should have to mandatorily undergo of the number of buildings in the area we every four children in India is malnourished. We responsible for his death. “All my friends are good, much debate. It is feasible only in some a cooling-off period before accepting commercial have sent 21 fire tenders to the spot to are a food company and it’s our privilege and my training off icers are also good, I am killing myself,” places. The idea of linking rivers from Ganga assignments after retirement, Dhowan said: “I think douse the flames.” The building has been responsibility to address the issue of hunger read the note, police off icer Suresh Kumar said. to Kaveri is not possible,” he said. “What this is an aspect which is looked at by the government evacuated and no one was injured in the where millions of children go days without a Monusul, who was not married, also apologised to his would one beggar give another beggar,” he of India (along with) all aspects related to what is incident, said a fire off icer. The reason for proper meal,” Rahul Shinde, managing director family. “I don’t want to die, but I am dying. I know I may added. going on in that connection.” the fire is not known. of KFC India said. go to hell but I am going,” he wrote.

Bug attack leaves SC criticises green spots on Taj Mahal govt for not

DPA Agra setting up pest attack at iconic Taj Mahal has left part of Athe famous monument’s pristine white marble covered with green spots. Every evening for the past few weeks, tiny insects attracted by drought fund the sparkling facade have gath- ered on its western walls and left Court asks government to the drought, as the government Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna behind patches of green excre- create national plan to tackle comes under intense pressure to and Datia of Madhya Pradesh tion, Archaelogical Survey of In- the crisis ease the crisis. have only one to two functional dia (ASI) offi cial Bhuvan Vikram Rural Development Minis- hand pumps in each village,” said yesterday. Agencies ter Birender Singh told parlia- the survey released by the NGO The fl ying bugs, from the spe- New Delhi ment on Tuesday that millions said, adding that the situation cies Goeldichironomus, breed in in government funds have been was worse than three months stagnant puddles on the near- released to drought-hit regions, ago. dry Yamuna river bed behind the he Supreme Court yester- as temperatures soar across the Contrary to government western walls, Vikram said. day criticised the govern- country in the summer months. claims, the survey says only The ASI is a state-run agency Tment for failing to set up Industry body Asscocham 20% hand pumps have been re- that takes care of all historical a disaster fund to help drought- estimated yesterday the crisis paired or re-installed in Madhya monuments in India, including hit farmers and villagers suff er- would cost the economy $100bn Pradesh in the last three months. the 17th-century mausoleum ing crop losses and severe water if it continued until the end of the The report has also insisted built by a Mughal emperor for shortages. year. that the much talked about tank his favourite queen. India is in the grip of its worst Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary water ferried by ‘water trains’ The green patches started ap- water crisis in years, with the P K Sinha has told chief secretar- has reached a mere 4% of Uttar pearing about a month ago and government saying about 330mn ies of all 29 states and seven un- Pradesh’s Bundelkhand villag- swabs were sent to scientists for people, or a quarter of the popu- ion territories to make arrange- es, and 2% of the area falling in tests, Vikram said. lation, are suff ering from drought ments to preserve rain water this Madhya Pradesh. “The excreta that these in- after two weak monsoons. monsoon season. It also said that 71% of UP sects deposit is soluble and we Acting on a petition, the Su- In a letter to them, Sinha has Bundelkhand villages have seen have been scrubbing it off with preme Court issued a slew of or- stressed that the states must abnormally high cattle deaths plain water,” Vikram said, “but ders to the government including get all the ponds or water stor- due to shortage of fodder. The they keep returning; and this creating a national plan to tackle age facilities de-silted through number in MP’s Bundelkhand will go on till the monsoons the crisis, a mitigation fund and MGNREGA before the monsoon area is 53%. come and the river starts fl ow- standard procedures for declar- season approaches. Poor rains have prompted ex- ing and the larvae are washed ing areas drought-hit. “India has 5,20,000 irrigation treme measures including water away.” Justice Madan B Lokur also tanks or ponds with the storage restrictions, armed guards at The offi cial said the deposits lashed out at the government capacity of 3,000 crore cu m. De- reservoirs and water trains sent are unlikely to do any permanent over a lack of preparedness for silting can be a cost eff ective way to the worst-aff ected regions. damage. “It is also only on the the drought which has struck at of improving water storage ca- Farmer suicides are high and western facade facing the river, least 10 states across the country. pacity and MGNREGA funds can some have migrated to cities and but the green patches do look “Evidently, anticipating a dis- be used for this activity,” Sinha towns to work as daily wage la- ugly.” aster such as a drought is not yet said in his letter. bourers to earn money. Villagers “We have had a similar attack in the ‘things to do’ list of the He also requested the states to in remote areas are being forced before,” Vikram said. “The river Union of India and ad hoc meas- complete digging 800,000 farm to walk long distances to source needs to be cleaned up to prevent ures and knee jerk reactions are ponds, already approved by the drinking water as local wells dry these insects from breeding.” the order of the day,” Lokur said central government before the up. Local authorities have already in a written judgment. onset of the monsoon season. Offi cials have forecast an taken measures to protect the “We are also quite surprised Meanwhile, a survey con- above-average monsoon this monument’s gleaming facade that the National Disaster Miti- ducted by the NGO Swaraj Ab- year, off ering hope for the strug- from the eff ect of pollution, gation Fund has not yet been set hiyan of activist Yogendra Yadav gling agriculture sector that em- with motor traffi c restricted up even after 10 years of the en- has refl ected on the gravity of ploys about 60% of the popula- in a green corridor around the forcement of the DM (Disaster the drought that has hit Bun- tion. monument. Management) Act,” he also said. delkhand area - straddling the Farmers across India rely on The Taj Mahal, a Unesco Prime Minister Narendra Modi states of Uttar Pradesh and Mad- the monsoon - a four-month World Heritage site, draws 7 to A farmer stands in his dried up cotton field at Chandampet Mandal in Nalgonda, east of Hyderabad, in has met recently with at least hya Pradesh. rainy season which starts in June 8mn visitors every year. Telangana. The government is under intense pressure to ease the drought crisis. three state chief ministers over “Forty percent villages of - to cultivate crops.

Driver wants to ‘reveal all’ AAP: did DU have in Sheena murder case computers in ’78? IANS Referring to DU’s response IANS H S Mahajan and questioned that he had witnessed the New Delhi to an RTI fi led by Maharash- Mumbai about the case, when he admit- crime, and was present when tra-based activist Anil Galgali, ted that Bora was strangled to Bora, Indrani’s daughter from Ashutosh said the university then death. a previous relationship, was aunching an attack on Del- said it did not keep records as old n a major twist in the Shee- “I am aware of the acts con- strangled and during subse- hi University over Prime as three to four decades old. na Bora murder case, driver nected with the off ence and was quent developments culmi- LMinister Narendra Modi’s “Yesterday (on Tuesday), IShyamwar Rai, one of the a participant in the murder,” Rai nating in the dumping of her degree, the Aam Aadmi Party the registrar of the university four prime accused, yesterday told the court. half-burnt body in the dense yesterday sought to know if the claimed they have verifi ed the expressed a desire to turn ap- He added that he was not forests of Raigad district, university had computers in records and that Modi’s degree prover and sought the court’s under any threat, pressure or around 90km south of Mum- 1978. was original. pardon after making certain coercion to reveal the facts and bai, in April 2012. Again highlighting the “dis- “However, when an RTI fi led disclosures about the sensa- was “repentant” about his ac- Sheena, 24, was reported to crepancies” in the graduation by Galgali in 2015 asked for a tional crime. tions. have disappeared mysteriously, degree and mark-sheets of Modi, list of all the graduates of 1978, Rai, the former trusted driver Thereafter, the judge directed but it later came to light that AAP leader Ashutosh said: “The the DU responded they don’t of another prime accused In- the CBI to fi le its reply on Rai’s she was killed on April 24, 2012. name and marks of the candidate keep three to four decades old drani Mukerjea, had recently application to turn approver by Her body was found on May were printed in Modi’s mark- records. written a two-pager letter to May 17. 23 that year by the local police, sheets released by the BJP. “Either the university lied in the Special Central Bureau of Rai, who was arrested by the but the crime remained unno- “However in the documents the RTI or it lied yesterday be- Investigation Court from jail, Mumbai police, along with In- ticed till August 2015 when the of other candidate who passed cause if there were no records expressing his willingness to drani and her ex-husband San- case unfolded and forensic tests out in 1978, the name and marks how did they verify it?” become an approver and seek jeev Khanna in August last year, confi rmed that the remains be- were handwritten. He asked the university to pardon, an offi cial said. has been in custody for the past longed to her. “Similarly, the university logo comply with the Central Infor- “He has written that he eight months. Among other things, certain on Modi’s degree is printed in mation Commission order ask- wants to shed light on certain If Rai’s plea is accepted by the fi nancial deals are believed to modern font while the original ing it to make Modi’s degree important aspects of the case court, it could signifi cantly help be the motive behind Bora’s degrees had simple font. This public. and is prepared to turn approv- the prosecution case against killing, which the CBI is inves- clearly shows that the degree is “Delhi University is a prestig- er, and also sought the court’s the other accused, including tigating. fake,” he said. ious university. They should be pardon,” a legal offi cial, declin- former media baron Peter Muk- Khanna, Rai and Peter Muk- The AAP also countered the loyal to the constitution of the ing to be named, said. erjea, who was arrested in No- erjea are lodged in Arthur Road Bharatiya Janata Party activists raise slogans against Delhi Chief university’s claims that the de- country, not to the leaders of the He was summoned to the vember last year by the CBI. Central Jail, while Indrani is in Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in front of his gree was original and it had veri- ruling party,” said another AAP witness box yesterday by Judge Rai has already confessed the Byculla Women’s Jail. residence in New Delhi yesterday. fi ed it. leader, Dilip Pandey. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 21 INDIA

New treaty with Mauritius signals end of shopping for tax havens

Reuters crackdown on tax treaties and Investors say they will wait for sense. India will next year Investors were relieved the brokerage Religare Capital Mar- A hedge fund manager who Mumbai make it harder for investors to fi nal details and consider how it toughen the criteria under which taxes would only apply to in- kets. had been considering setting shop around for new havens. will aff ect India’s tax treaty with off shore funds can claim tax vestments starting next year The tax changes could hurt up in Mauritius said his firm India will start imposing Singapore. The rules state any benefi ts abroad, a key prior- and not affect existing invest- short-term foreign investment would also keep its options ndia’s move to plug sus- capital gains tax on investments changes to the capital gains ex- ity for Prime Minister Narendra ments. India’s main share index infl ows, but investors say they open, while exploring other pected losses in tax revenue coming from Mauritius starting emption provided to Mauritius Modi’s government. fell 0.5%. may still choose Mauritius if it locations such as Delaware or Ithrough Mauritius, a top next year, after the two countries will lead to changes in the agree- “World over, the wind is India has become a favourite proves cost eff ective. Cayman Islands. source of foreign investments agreed to amend a three-decade ment with the city-state. blowing against tax treaty shop- destination of foreign inves- “I don’t think shifting eve- “Ultimately, if Mauritius into the country, has not sent old treaty. Mauritius and Singapore ac- ping and treaty abuse. Struc- tors under Modi on hopes of rything lock, stock and barrel proves to be a more cost-ef- fi nancial markets into a tailspin Now, funds from Mauritius count for the bulk of the $278bn tures set up only for the purpose major reforms targeted to revi- for an existing fund is going to fective off shore jurisdiction for as it would have just a few years interested in India will have to in foreign equity investments of claiming tax exemptions but talise Asia’s third-largest econ- be that easy,” said a director for non-US investors, then I think ago. weigh paying capital gains taxes since 2000. without adequate substance are omy. Gross foreign investments a private equity fund in Mauri- many India funds will con- But while markets took the that could range from zero to as Even with capital gains, ana- no longer likely to work,” said reached a record $55.5bn in the tius, who declined to be identi- tinue to domicile their funds move in their stride, analysts much as 20% versus the expense lysts say shopping around for Suresh Swamy, a partner at PwC year to March 2016, up 23% from fi ed given the sensitivity of the and management companies in warn India is likely to expand its of setting up a new structure. a new tax haven may not make in Mumbai. the previous year, according to subject. Mauritius.” UK rebuff s India’s bid to bring back Vijay Mallya

AFP deport the tycoon, who left New Delhi India on March 2. His massive debt has be- come a symbol of Indian ndia will seek to extra- banks’ vast volume of bad dite indebted tycoon Vijay loans - meaning in default or IMallya, Finance Minister close to it - seen as a threat Arun Jaitley said yesterday, to fi nancial stability in Asia’s after Britain turned down its third-largest economy. request to deport him. In declining the request, the Jaitley told parliament that UK government cited the 1971 Britain had refused to deport Immigration Act which does Mallya, who left India owing not require an individual to $1.34bn, because he entered hold a valid passport to remain the country on a valid pass- in the country if they entered port, even though it was later on one, an external aff airs revoked. ministry spokesman said. The 60-year-old beer “At the same time, the UK Rawat is being greeted by supporters in Dehradun after the central government told the Supreme Court that he had the legislative majority and that his government would be restored. baron, once dubbed the King acknowledges the seriousness of Good Times for his lavish of allegations and is keen to lifestyle, is being chased by a assist the government of In- group of lenders over unpaid dia,” Vikas Swarup said. loans made to his collapsed “They have asked (the) gov- carrier, Kingfi sher Airlines. ernment of India to consider He faces a money-launder- requesting mutual legal as- ing probe by India’s fi nancial sistance or extradition.” crimes agency. An Indian court has issued President’s Rule goes, “Their (UK authorities’) an arrest warrant for Mallya. procedures say that if his entry The Enforcement Directo- into the country was on a valid rate, India’s financial crimes passport and later it got can- agency, has accused him of celled then that doesn’t result siphoning off money from his in an automatic deportation,” now-defunct Kingfisher air- Jaitley told parliament. lines to buy property abroad Rawat is back as CM “There is another legal pro- - a claim the company de- cedure for extradition which nies. Congress says Uttarakhand Attorney General Mukul Ro- bilation in the Congress camp in ate sweets, hugged each other by the central government on will continue.” Critics say the Indian gov- development a victory of hatgi told Justices Dipak Misra Dehradun as well as in Delhi. and burst fi recrackers near Rajiv March 27 citing poor govern- New Delhi revoked Mallya’s ernment has not done enough democracy and Shiva Kirti Singh that there In Delhi, the Congress said it Bhavan, the party headquarters ance. diplomatic passport last to tackle the issue of wealthy was “no doubt” that Rawat had was the “victory of democracy.” in the heart of Dehradun. The crisis for the Congress month after he repeatedly individuals such as Mallya, IANS the legislative strength to head “Hope Modiji learns his les- A peeved BJP claimed the began in the state when the BJP failed to appear before inves- who obtain huge loans that New Delhi/Dehradun the state government. son. People of this country and Congress’ jubilation would be tried to leverage a rebellion in the tigators, and asked Britain to they later fail to repay. “It is clear (Rawat) has proved the institutions built by our “shortlived.” Congress led by Vijay Bahuguna, the majority,” Rohatgi said. founding fathers will not toler- “This majority is just for whom Rawat replaced. day after ousted chief The court asked the central ate the murder of democracy,” show. It will be a short-term The problems peaked on ‘Dancing doctors’ spurn patients minister Harish Rawat government “to revoke forth- Congress vice president Rahul glory. They have already lost March 18 when the assembly Awon a trust vote, the cen- with the order of proclamation Gandhi tweeted. the confidence of the people passed the budget Appropria- Off icials are investigating a The women were doctors and tral cabinet headed by Prime of President’s Rule” to let Rawat But Rawat, 69, said he had no of Uttarakhand. The Congress tion Bill by a voice vote while the complaint that patients were nurses at the civic Diwaliben Minister Narendra Modi yester- return as the chief minister, add- acrimony with the BJP govern- majority in the assembly was a opposition and nine Congress turned away from a hospital in Mehta Hospital and were day revoked President’s Rule in ing it had ordered the fl oor test ment and needed its support for result of purchase and sale of rebels sought recorded voting in Mumbai because the doctors celebrating a popular female Uttarakhand to pave the way for on “concession by the parties.” the state’s progress. elected members,” BJP leader the house of 70 members. were too busy dancing to see festival called Haldi Kumkum, the Congress government’s re- “We may hasten to add, we “It has been a tense period, Shrikant Sharma said outside Rawat’s problems are not over them, according to reports the Mumbai Mirror tabloid turn in the state. directed for fl oor test on con- a period of uncertainty and the parliament. yet. He has been summoned by yesterday. A video shot on a reported. A complaint alleging The cabinet decision came cession of the parties and we state suff ered losses. But all is The return of the Congress the Central Bureau of Investiga- mobile phone and uploaded that the partying doctors after the Bharatiya Janata Party- had varied the order today on a well that ends well,” an elated government, however, awaits tion (CBI) to answer charges that to YouTube shows around two had failed to see a number led central government told the prayer being made by the union Rawat told a crowded news con- President Pranab Mukherjee’s he, in a sting operation, tried to dozen women dressed in saris of outpatients has been filed Supreme Court that Rawat got of India,” the court said. ference in Dehradun. proclamation. bribe Congress rebels to return happily dancing away to loud with the city authorities’ health 33 votes while 28 legislators vot- Rawat’s victory, which was Congress workers in Dehra- The court ruling ended Ra- to his camp. music in what appears to be an department, according to the ed against him in the trust vote already known but offi cially an- dun broke into festivities. They wat’s more than 45-day long le- Rawat has denied the allega- empty hospital waiting room. Press Trust of India. on Tuesday. nounced yesterday, sparked ju- danced and sang, distributed and gal battle after he was dismissed tions. Doctors raise concerns after Hindu group prays elderly woman gives birth for Trump’s victory DPA importance in Hinduism, for New Delhi the blessings of god we do AFP “I used to feel empty. There after two previous unsuccessful this,” Gupta said. New Delhi was so much loneliness.” attempts. The Hindu Sena is one of In- Kaur put her age at about 70 But Britain’s the Guardian Hindu rightwing group dia’s many ultra rightwing fringe - a common scenario in India, newspaper yesterday quoted held a fi re ceremony groups which have made head- octors yesterday raised where many people don’t have the clinic’s doctor saying donor Ato pray for the victory lines with recent protests and ethical and health con- birth certifi cates - while the eggs were used. The doctor de- of Donald Trump in the US vigilante activities. Dcerns after a woman gave clinic said in a statement that clined to comment yesterday, presidential elections, after During the fi re ritual, or birth to her fi rst child in her 70s, she was 72. saying it was not ethical of him endorsing anti-Islamist com- havan, a small wood fi re is lit following two years of IVF treat- But fertility expert Sunil Jin- to do so. ments made by the presump- and participants throw wood ment. dal raised questions about the Gynaecologist Anshu Jindal, tive Republican nominee. shavings, resin and clari- Daljinder Kaur gave birth future of a child born to elderly based in Meerut not far from The ritual by the fringe fi ed butter into the fi re while last month to a healthy boy parents, as well as health issues the capital, said she tried to Hindu Sena was held at Jantar prayers are chanted. after falling pregnant by her for the mother. discourage women over the age Mantar, the designated space Hindu Sena activists forced 79-year-old husband, follow- “There are ethical issues. In of 60 from undergoing fertility for protests in New Delhi. the cancellation of an event ing fertility treatment at a clin- my opinion it is unfair to do such treatment - for the sake of both A priest presided over the involving a Pakistani singer in ic in Haryana. a procedure on a woman who is mother and child. ceremony with photographs New Delhi in April. Kaur said the couple, married over 60,” Jindal said. “According to me it is not an of the monkey god Hanuman India has often been the for 46 years, were overjoyed at “The sheer fact that a woman age to have a baby. It will take a and the Manhattan billionaire target of terrorists, with New fi nally having their fi rst child in her 70s has to carry the weight toll,” she said. looking on, each with a red Delhi claiming that they are after enduring years of taunts of a child in her womb for nine The clinic’s doctor said on mark, or tika, daubed on their sheltered by Pakistan. in a country where infertility is months is stressful. Tuesday that tests showed Kaur foreheads for good luck. The Hinu Sena also re- sometimes seen as a curse from “Then the question comes was medically fi ne to carry the The group’s president Vish- quested a police raid on a God. how are the parents going to look baby through pregnancy. nu Gupta said Trump was a guesthouse in October on “I feel blessed to be able to after the baby? That is also quite The case is not the fi rst in brave man who had vowed to suspicion that it was serving hold my own baby. I had lost a task.” India - a 72-year-old woman destroy terrorism if he was beef in its canteen. Hindus re- hope of becoming a mother The clinic said the couple’s from Uttar Pradesh reportedly elected president of the US gard the cow as holy and their ever,” Kaur said in her home in baby was conceived using Kaur’s gave birth to twins in 2008, also Daljinder Kaur holds her newborn baby boy Arman as she arrives and he deserved support. slaughter is banned in several Amritsar. egg and her husband’s sperm through IVF. home in Amritsar yesterday. “The fi re ritual has much states and the capital. Gulf Times 22 Thursday, May 12, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

LEGAL ECONOMY PEOPLE LAW AND ORDER POLICY Court rejects bid to halt Brazil recession ‘puts Brazilian music legend Colombia fires more than Mexico eyes anti-pollution Rousseff impeachment focus on smaller banks’ Gil back in hospital 1,400 police off icers rules for smoggy capital

Brazil’s Supreme Court yesterday rejected Smaller corporate lenders are better positioned Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil was Colombia’s national police force has fired Authorities have announced new measures a petition from President Dilma Rousseff ’s to weather Brazil’s worst recession in decades, hospitalised for what he described as a more than 1,400 off icers over the past 80 days to combat a recent increase in air pollution in government lawyers to halt impeachment but need to be monitored closely as clients check-up, his second hospitalisation this in a crackdown on corruption, the country’s Mexico City, as off icials reported an increase in proceedings against her, as the senate debated grapple with soaring defaults and bankruptcy year. Gil, 73, said he had checked in to top law enforcement off icial said yesterday. related ailments such as asthma. Environment suspending her from off ice and putting her on filings, the head of the nation’s deposit hospital in Sao Paulo to finish a medical The 180,000-strong police force has let go of Minister Rafael Pacchiano blamed the rise in trial. Justice Teori Zavascki “denied the petition guarantee fund said. Banks in the so-called examination he interrupted in April to go nearly 18 off icers per day since General Jorge ozone levels on the 5.5mn cars and trucks that to issue a stay suspending the process,” a middle-market segment have tightened loan on tour with fellow Brazilian music icon Hernando Nieto took over leadership of the zoom around the mega-city of 21mn people court spokesman said. The decision all but disbursement standards and scaled down Caetano Veloso. “Now I’ve come back to organization in February, he told journalists. every day. Pacchiano said that rules to verify erases the leftist leader’s hopes of avoiding a the use of borrowed money to boost lending, the hospital... to finish my check-up. Thanks The dismissals are part of a “zero tolerance for vehicle emissions will be reinforced on July six-month suspension and trial for manipulating although they are struggling to predict defaults, for all your kind words, I hope I’ll be home corruption,” Nieto said, as the force seeks to 1, with new systems aimed at preventing the government’s accounts. It came down which recently hit a six-year high. “Diff erently soon,” Gil wrote in a message to his fans improve its public image after recent scandals, corruption that has allowed the most polluting as the senate held a marathon debate on from prior crises, small- and mid-sized banks on Twitter and Facebook. Gil was released including one connecting high-level off icials cars to stay on the road. Other plans include impeachment, which was expected to end with were not caught by surprise, they are less from hospital in March after undergoing two to a prostitution ring. Almost 400 off icers switching public transport to natural gas and a vote to suspend Rousseff for up to 180 days leveraged,” Andre Loes, president of Sao Paulo- weeks of treatment for high blood pressure were removed from their posts because of installing systems to capture fuel vapours at and put her on trial. based FGC said. and kidney problems. corruption cases service stations. ‘Social fridges’ catch on in Argentina as poverty rises

AFP the sidewalk outside restaurants. Buenos Aires One is plugged in and operating in the central Plaza de Mayo square in Buenos Aires, in front of the ith hardship rising due presidential palace. to job cuts and infl a- “Take what you need,” reads a Wtion, Argentina has sign. adopted a scheme from Europe’s Out in the open air during economic crisis: putting food in the day and shut up in a wooden outdoor “social fridges” for the cabin at night, the fridge is run by needy. the charity Red Solidaria. Local “I was sick of seeing how food restaurants provide ready-made got thrown away and then shortly meals to stash in it. Every Friday, afterwards people were forag- a traditional soup kitchen is set up ing for it” in the trash, said Luis alongside the fridge. Pondal, a restaurant owner in the “The idea is for people not to northern city of Tucuman. look like they’re begging,” said “I said to myself, ‘Why not give Gabriel Shneider, coordinator of it to them with dignity?” that project. So-called social or solidarity “They can come and take food fridges, where people leave food without anyone handing it to Opposition supporters clash with Venezuelan National Guards during a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday. for those who need it, popped up them. It is a notion of solidarity in countries such as Spain and that aims to make those in need Germany in recent years during feel more dignifi ed.” the recession in Europe. Macri promised to achieve Now the trend has spread to “zero poverty” over the long- Argentina, one of Latin America’s term when he took offi ce. He set richer nations. out to reverse 12 years of leftist Pondal launched his fridge in policies by his predecessors, vow- February and says there are now ing that his reforms will strength- Tension in Venezuela as at least 50 others around the en the economy in the long run. country. In one case, a vet even set Macri blames the high infl ation up a fridge for pets, he said. on the policies of his leftist pred- With its countless fi elds and ecessor Cristina Kirchner and livestock, Argentina is one of the vowed to bring it down. world’s biggest food producers. He has lifted foreign trade and But with infl ation close to currency restrictions, raised util- anti-Maduro rallies held 40%, domestic prices are soaring ity prices and cut public sector and Argentines are fi nding their jobs. Labour unions say 140,000 AFP ezuelan people are enduring as with fl ags and caps in the red, trolled legislature, Henry Ramos A general in the National salary is not enough to buy the people have lost their jobs since Caracas part of the crisis. yellow and blue national colours Allup. Guard military police, Sergio food they need. Macri took offi ce. With robberies and violence gathered to march to CNE of- Under Venezuela’s consti- Rivero, said on television on “It is not just beggars going Maria Belen Aragon said she reportedly surging in the reces- fi ces in Caracas, escorted by po- tution, after January 2017 a Tuesday that nine criminals were through the rubbish for a piece ran several “social fridges” in the pponents of Venezuela’s sion-hit nation, the military also lice. Similar marches were held successful recall vote would killed by Venezuelan security of bread or a few vegetables. You northern region of Salta. “In Salta President Nicolas Ma- said that nine gang members had across the country. transfer power to Maduro’s vice forces around the capital, where also see well-dressed people do- there are people who take the bus Oduro yesterday demon- been killed in a crackdown by The opposition Democratic president rather than trigger 3,000 troops and police have ing it - people who apparently to get to the fridges and pick up strated to demand a referendum security forces. Unity Roundtable (MUD) a new elections. been deployed to go after gangs. have jobs,” said Pondal. food,” she says. “There is a lot of on removing him from offi ce, Under the law, opposition week ago handed in 1.5mn sig- Supporters of Maduro also Separately, a crowd looted “Eating has become too expen- need for them.” as leaders warned that tensions leaders have until the end of natures petitioning for a refer- held demonstrations in his sup- a wholesale market in the city sive.” In Buenos Aires, where she in the crisis-hit country could this year to hold the referendum endum. port. of Maracay yesterday, the state Researchers at the country’s has now opened a restaurant, she erupt into unrest. in order to remove the social- Under electoral rules, the Analysts and some politi- ombudsman Tarek William Saab Catholic University estimated in worries that such fridges would The opposition held rallies ist leader Maduro, whom they CNE was supposed to count cians have warned of the risk of told reporters. a study that 1.4mn people fell into be shut down by health inspec- outside headquarters of the blame for the country’s eco- those signatures by last Mon- violence. Anti-government pro- Venezuela has the biggest oil poverty in the fi rst three months tors. So she is handing out food National Electoral Board (CNE) nomic crisis. day and then authenticate them tests in 2014 led to clashes that reserves in the world but its rev- after Conservative President parcels instead. across the country to demand it But there are several proce- within fi ve days before author- left 43 people dead. enues have plunged in line with Mauricio Macri took offi ce on De- Although Argentina set up a quickly approve their call for a dural steps to go through with ising the opposition to seek a A senior offi cial named by the price of crude over the past cember 10. national food bank during an recall referendum. the CNE. The opposition accus- further 4mn signatures to call a Maduro to monitor the count- two years. It said 34.5% of the nation’s economic crisis in 2001, many Separately yesterday, looting es the government of controlling referendum. ing of the signatures, Jorge Ro- Maduro blames the crisis on a 40mn people are living below the charities say they cannot run food reportedly broke out at a food the board and seeking to delay “The popular will must be driguez, earlier warned the op- plot by capitalists. On Tuesday poverty line. projects because of a lack of regu- store as anger boiled over at the process. fulfi lled without delay,” said the position it was not authorised to he repeated his vow to hold onto The fridges typically stand on lations to authorise them. widespread shortages the Ven- Thousands of demonstrators speaker of the opposition-con- demonstrate. power.

Bachelet in Stockholm Tax reform must and will Argentina farmers hit by surging fuel prices pass this year: Santos Reuters already neutralised the gains of Buenos Aires the tax reduction,” Eliseo Rovetto of the Argentine agrarian federa- Reuters which the country could see a when asked for a date. “We’re tion said. London downgrade to its credit ratings. very close to ending the war.” rgentina’s farmers are fac- Although Macri has won plau- Standard & Poor’s said in Febru- US Secretary of State John ing a sharp increase in dits on Wall Street for his eco- ary it could cut Colombia’s rating Kerry, who met Santos shortly af- Atransportation costs after nomic policies, the rapid adjust- olombian President Juan if there is no progress on the plan ter the meeting with investors in fuel prices were hiked in recent ments are causing pain for many Manuel Santos said a tax this year. London, said Washington hoped months, dismaying a sector that Argentines and sending his ap- Creform bill, considered vi- Santos said he had support for to see a deal imminently. has been one of centre-right proval ratings down. tal to help the country cope with the tax overhaul plan from par- “Mr President, we really en- President Mauricio Macri’s big- The fuel cost situation is espe- plunging oil revenues, will be ap- ties accounting for about 80% of courage these next days ... that gest allies. cially troublesome for farmers in proved by Colombia’s congress Congress and he denied he was hopefully can see this important Shortly after taking the reins Argentina’s northern provinces, before the end of 2016 and would prioritising the peace process, agreement reached,” he told San- of Latin America’s third-largest many of whom have to cover as not be delayed by the country’s which the government had hoped tos in front of reporters. economy in December, free-mar- much as 1,200km to reach the peace process. to conclude in March. Asked whether the tax reform ket proponent Macri dropped the country’s ports. Nearly 80% of Speaking to investors in Lon- “So some people are saying the bill would include changes to trade and currency controls ap- agricultural products are shipped don, Santos said he hoped the president is playing politics, he value-added tax, Santos said he plied by his leftist predecessor, from the central port of Rosario. government would soon con- wants the peace and he will sac- would not announce details of the Cristina Fernandez. Argentina’s farm belt is con- clude lengthy talks with leftist rifi ce the fi scal reform. Nonsense, changes before presenting them He eliminated corn export du- centrated in the country’s central Farc rebels to end Latin America’s I’m not going to sacrifi ce the fi s- to the country’s congress. ties and reduced soy export taxes, provinces, but about 11% of the longest war but said this would cal reform. We need it and we will Santos also said he would stick winning the favour of the farm- 20mn hectares of soy planta- not detract from fi scal reform. have it approved.” to the country’s fi scal rules, which ing sector. But his government, tions for the 2015-16 season are “This will be approved, this Santos said he hope the nego- set limits for the budget defi cit, blaming exchange-rate correc- in the north, as well as 19% of has to be approved before the end tiations to end the war with Farc, and they would not be derailed by tions, has also overseen a jump in corn plantations, according to the of the year for the reform to start the Revolutionary Armed Forces the costs of reintegrating com- fuel prices, up 31% so far in 2016. Buenos Aires grains exchange. producing its eff ects next year,” of Colombia, which has killed batants from the country’s civil Chile’s President Michele Bachelet chats with Stockholm’s That has boosted the cost of For farmers in the north, the Santos said referring to the tax about 220,000 people since 1964, war into society and compensat- city council chairman Eva-Louise Erlandsson Slorach ground transportation for Argen- cost of shipping to Rosario can reforms. “There will be no prob- would be concluded “in the very ing victims. as they arrive for a lunch at the Stockholm City Hall in tina’s grains producers, most of represent over half of what the lem.” near future” but gave no specifi c “No matter what happens we Stockholm, Sweden yesterday. In the background Queen whom rely on trucks to transport shipment is worth, said Ernesto Investors are keen for signs of timetable. will respect this fi scal rule,” he Silvia is seen. their harvest to the country’s ports. Ambrosetti, an economist at Ar- progress on the reform without “As soon as possible,” he said said. “As of today, fuel prices have gentina’s Rural Society. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

Political parties Gilani’s son home after welcome rescue 3-year hostage ordeal of Gilani’s son

AFP Internews Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Islamabad Islamabad chairman of the Pakistan Peo- ples Party, which the Gilanis have been associated for dec- he freed son of a former olitical parties have wel- ades, tweeted his congratula- Pakistani premier was comed the rescue of former tions soon after the news was Treunited with his family Pprime minister Yousaf announced. in a shower of rose petals in La- Raza Gilani’s son Ali Haider Gi- PPP Co-chairman and former hore yesterday, three years after lani after three years in custody president Asif Ali Zardari also he was kidnapped then taken to of militant organisations. welcomed the rescue. Afghanistan. The youngest son of the “The recovery of Ali after Ali Haider Gilani, son of former premier was kidnapped three years is welcome news not Yousaf Raza Gilani, was rescued on May 9, 2013, while canvassing only for the Gilani family but during a counter-terror raid by for his father three days before also for the whole nation,” he US and Afghan forces in eastern the general elections. said in a statement. Afghanistan on Tuesday. Yesterday, the Foreign Offi ce Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf Crowds of well-wishers danc- confi rmed Ali Haider’s recovery (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also ing to drum beats greeted the after a joint operation carried congratulated the Gilani’s family 30-year-old’s arrival at his fam- out by the Afghan and US secu- over Ali’s rescue. ily’s home in Lahore in a black rity forces in Afghanistan. “Congratulations to the Gilani SUV strewn with pink rose pet- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif family for the safe recovery of als. Later, up to ten goats were congratulated the Gilani family. their son. No parent should have sacrifi ced in celebration. “I am pleased at the news of to go through this ordeal,” Im- Faiza Malik, a Punjabi politi- the safe recovery of your son. I ran wrote on the microblogging cian, said she was “very emo- pray to Allah Almighty he may website Twitter. tional” after witnessing the return home soon,” Nawaz said Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul scene inside the house. in a statement issued by the PM Haq termed the recovery of Ali “Almost everyone had tears House. good news for the Gilani family. in their eyes after meeting Ali “I pay tribute to you and your “I congratulate Yousaf Raza Gilani,” she said. “There was no- whole family for spending three Gilani and his entire family on body —brother, sister, uncles — years with courage and patience.” the recovery,” Haq said. who was not weeping after hug- ging him.” Gilani, who is a triplet, was accompanied by his brother Ali Kasim on the journey from Kabul in a plane that the Paki- Musharraf declared stani foreign ministry said was The son of former Pakistani prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Ali Haider Gilani, shakes hands with Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan Syed sent by Prime Minister Nawaz Abrar Hussain at the Ministry of Defence in Kabul yesterday. Sharif. absconder by court His father was reportedly ab- ing forward to be reunited with he was campaigning. The off ensive has improved The Pentagon was tight- sent from the reunion, with tel- my family, just getting back to In May last year, he was able security in Pakistan but added lipped about events leading up evision channels reporting his normal life.” to phone his father to tell him he to Afghan resentment of Islama- to the raid, but said it occurred IANS newspapers declaring Musharraf appearance in a court in Islama- Gilani was rescued in the Giy- was well. bad, which it has long accused of after US and Afghan forces had Islamabad an absconder, and place posters bad on corruption charges. an district of Paktika province on At the ceremony in Kabul, supporting Taliban insurgents. “identifi ed terrorist activity”. outside the court and Mushar- “I really appreciate the... Tuesday by US Special Opera- Gilani also thanked Pakistani Gilani’s release allowed for a “There were terrorists where raf’s residences. Afghan forces eff orts,” Gilani, tions Forces and Afghan com- soldiers fi ghting in the tribal rare moment of cordiality be- they struck and conducted this special court hearing The prosecutor was also or- bearded and wearing a white T- mandos, according to Nato. areas on the porous border who tween Pakistan and Afghanistan. raid, and during that activ- treason charges against dered to submit record of all shirt and camoufl age baseball The Afghan presidency said “forced my captors to fl ee from Nato said the raid was carried ity they were able to rescue Mr Aformer Pakistan presi- property owned by the accused cap, told media at a ceremony the raid targeted an Al Qaeda Pakistan to Afghanistan”. out under Operation Freedom’s Gilani,” US Central Command dent Pervez Musharraf declared before the next hearing on July earlier yesterday in Kabul. cell. In 2014 the Pakistani mili- Sentinel, the US mission focus- spokesman Colonel Pat Ryder him an absconder yesterday, 12. “I would also like to thank the He was kidnapped by mili- tary launched an off ensive in ing on counter-terrorism as well said. almost two months after he left The court also ordered the US forces which at the critical tants in the outskirts of Multan the tribal areas where militants as training, advising and assist- US Defence Secretary Ashton the country for medical treat- Federal Investigation Agency moments of my release provided in the central Pakistani province had previously operated with ing Afghan troops. Carter heralded the raid as evi- ment abroad. (FIA) to produce Musharraf be- me with shelter, food and medi- of Punjab on May 9, 2013, just impunity, killing thousands and Four “enemy combatants” dence of progress by Afghani- The three-member bench fore the court within 30 days. cal care. two days before a bitterly con- sweeping others over the bor- were killed during the raid, it stan’s struggling security serv- of the special court, compris- Musharraf left for Dubai on “And, at this time, I am look- tested national election in which der. said. ices. ing Justice Mazhar Alam Khan March 18 for medical treatment Minakhel, Justice Syeda Tahira with the promise to return in a Safdar and Justice Mohamed few months after the Supreme Yawar Ali, declared Musharraf Court allowed him to do so fol- an absconder for his failure to lowing a three-year ban imposed appear before the court despite on him by the government on Pakistan’s exports to Inspired by Lata, Karachi auto multiple summons, Dawn.com leaving the country. reported. In March 2014, Pervez Mush- The court directed the pros- arraf was formally charged with India may reach $1bn driver now full time singer ecutor to publish advertise- treason for imposing emergency ments in both Urdu and English on November 3, 2007.

Internews release said. Dastgir opined that IANS famed video clip, Dunya News to know that the singer drove an Islamabad the Pakistan is the cost-eff ective Karachi reported yesterday. auto-rickshaw in Karachi. Three woman in family killed over alleged aff airs market for India to import raw “I was amazed when Lata A few hours after the clip was material for its agriculture and Mangeshkar praised my voice uploaded, Lata Mangeshkar in A man in Pakistan allegedly Ahmad. “Three women were akistan’s Federal Min- textile. rickshaw driver in Paki- and skills and from that moment Mumbai shared it on her Face- gunned down his wife, mother- killed for honour as the accused ister Khurram Dastgir “Trade concessions to India stan’s port city of Karachi I have quit driving rickshaw,” he book page. in-law and a female cousin suspected that they were in PKhan said yesterday cannot be off ered unilaterally. Awho shot to fame through said. She also wrote that she was yesterday over suspicions they relationships,” Ahmad said. that Pakistan’s exports to In- India also needs to extend access his singing video on Facebook, The 55-year-old rickshaw stunned to hear this talented were having relations with The suspects were all on the dia will reach $1bn mark with- to Pakistani products,” the min- says he has quit driving after be- driver got recognition when singer and wished for him to other men, police said. The run, he said. Last week, a in a year. ister added. ing praised by Indian legendary his clip was uploaded on social stand in front of the microphone killings were carried out with dozen men were arrested in “There is a lot of potential The delegates informed the singer Lata Mangeshkar. media in which he was singing and not drive a rickshaw. the help of two accomplices Abottabad district after village for Pakistani textile products in minister that Indian food manu- Aslam has now again started acclaimed Pakistani maestro However, Aslam is not new to in Balochni area of Faisalabad elders authorised the killing India,” the minister said while factures were looking for Pa- his singing training at home on Ghulam Ali’s thumri Yaad Piya being in the limelight. In 1993, district in eastern province of a teenage girl for allegedly meeting a delegation of Pak- kistani agriculture products a harmonium and always be- Ki Aaye. he took part in a TV programme of Punjab, according to local helping a friend to run away India Business Council (PIBC) including mangoes, kinno and gins the session with the same As the ‘thumri’ sung by Aslam and reached the grand fi nale of police station chief Mushtaq with a boy and marry him. led by Yawar Ali Shah, a press green peas. ‘thumri’ that he sang in the went viral, many were surprised the talent show. Panama Papers reveal system of concealing money

Internews felt the need to incorporate a with various countries that are The stock market sees daily cealed. This will register in the minister has been doing for years Papers, and when seen in con- Islamabad company in the British Virgin well known secrecy jurisdic- infl ow and outfl ow of funds, data as an import. now, showing Rs200mn coming junction with the types of trans- Islands whose existence was ul- tions. sometimes in thousands of dol- Another could be to funnel as a remittance from his son. actions that we see occurring timately revealed in the Panama These transactions occur lars and sometimes in millions, that money into the stock mar- But home remittances cannot routinely around us, they pro- ne thing the Panama Papers. in short bursts, where many coming and going from juris- ket through a broker, then with- be sent from a company account, vide a glimpse into a large world Papers have made very The three individuals named months show a zero value while dictions like the British Virgin draw it as “profi t” from another or from an account in your own of wealthy individuals who have Oclear is that there is a in the papers as owners “are at- some show millions of dollars Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda, investment made with the same name. Even receiving large re- built a system for accumulating large system for concealing and torneys, and not the benefi ciary in imports, exports or direct the Cayman Islands, and larger broker. mittances on a regular basis and enjoying wealth beyond the moving money into and out of owners”, he added. investment coming and going amounts from Mauritius. Yet another could be to sell a from a total stranger could trig- reach of the regulatory and tax Pakistan, and this system is used In 2009, an investment trust from these countries. What are these small, irregu- fi ctitious product to your own ger questions. The easiest way authorities. more by businesses and high net incorporated in Mauritius, The most favoured secrecy ju- lar transactions? company abroad, like software would be to open your foreign But today a murmur of con- worth individuals than it is by Suroor Investments, bought out risdiction, according to Mossack Some of them may well be for instance, and receive the accounts in the name of family sternation is travelling through public fi gures. three Pakistani banks in a trans- Fonseca, is the British Virgin Is- bona fi de trade or investment funds as a payment. members. this comfortable world as the Of the 259 Pakistani names re- action that was structured by lands. transactions. But it’s diffi cult to The simplest way would be A large apparatus for mov- prospects of a large-scale inves- vealed thus far in the second re- Mehmood Mandviwala, the law- It accounts for almost 50pc of consider what kind of an import to receive the funds as a “home ing funds around clandestinely tigation threatens to rip the veils lease of the data, only a fraction yer who told the Senate recently all entities in the database that could be coming from a place like remittance”, such as our prime has been revealed in the Panama behind which it has grown. are political fi gures. The rest are that there were no laws under forms the basis of the Panama St Kitts-Nevis, or what kind of all connected with business. which movement of foreign cur- Papers. Data on the State Bank equity investment from Mauri- Why do so many people in the rency out of the country could be website shows imports from the tius or export to Bermuda, con- Pakistan’s cabinet to be reshuffl ed world of business feel the need to investigated. Virgin Islands ranging from zero sidering that these countries, maintain an off shore company? But off shore companies are to $9mn per month over a two- except for banking, have tiny Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has decided be accommodated in the cabinet in some other There are numerous answers, useful mainly when you are year period, with large fl uctua- economies. to reshuff le the federal cabinet after assessing the ministry, the sources said. and not all of them involve a high net worth individual tions in between. But if you’re a business- performance of the current members in defending Two young, firebrand parliamentarians, Daniyal wrongdoing, says Ali Rahim of and need to accumulate assets Likewise, the export data var- man who has accumulated a the government over Panama leaks. Aziz and Talal Chaudhary, who have been Baker Tilly, a chartered account- abroad, and to operate bank ac- ies between zero and tens of large amount of money abroad The cabinet may also be expanded to defending the government and the prime minister ancy fi rm in Karachi. “The rea- counts in places where those as- thousands dollars per month through mis-declaration of accommodate some people from the allied parties. on the Panama leaks, are also likely to be given sons can be tax avoidance, which sets are held without having to over the same period. goods, for instance, and one day Off icial sources said on the condition of anonymity portfolios. isn’t illegal,” he says. “Or it can declare them. Direct investment is report- you decide to create a housing that PM Nawaz has finalised the names of the Senator Mushahidullah Khan, who had to resign be outright tax evasion, or even The catch here is that Paki- ed under a heading “other” if colony and need to bring one parliamentarians to be included in the expanded earlier after a controversy on civil-military laundering ill-gotten gains.” stani law requires all citizens to it is below a certain quantum, million dollars back into the federal cabinet. relations, is expected to return to the federal Some businessmen named declare earnings made abroad as but even here small amounts country, how will you do it? Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo of the Balochistan cabinet. have given other reasons. “The well as assets. are shown coming and going One way could be to purchase National Party is likely to replace Kamran Michael Some more are likely to lose their positions as well. company was especially incor- For example, the country’s ex- from all sorts of jurisdictions in a fi ctitious service from your as the ports and shipping minister, who has been The highest chance of removal from the federal porated to invest in KEZ,” says ternal account data shows trade amounts of a few million dollars own company abroad whose informed about the change. Kamran may still cabinet is of Marvi Memon, the sources said. Nazim Haji when asked why he and investment transactions per month. benefi ciary owners are con- Gulf Times 24 Thursday, May 12, 2016 PHILIPPINES Panel formed to ensure smooth power transition

By Catherine S Valente that Aquino called Duterte on Manila Times Tuesday night. He is among the few men in Duterte’s inner circle who may resident-elect Rodrigo be credited for the latter’s vic- Duterte has formed a tory. Psix-man committee Go earned the moniker “na- that will implement a smooth tional photobomber” for be- transition of power in Mala- ing usually visible behind the canang, his spokesman said presumptive president during yesterday. interviews. Peter Lavina bared the Go, a grandson of a close composition of the transi- Duterte friend, manages the tion committee on a Facebook personal and political aff airs post. of the mayor. “It’s now out. The mem- Other members of Duterte’s bers of the Duterte Transition core group will provide sup- Committee are Campaign port to the transition team. Manager Leoncio “Jun” Evas- These include Sen. Alan Pe- co; Assistant Campaign Man- ter Cayetano (Duterte’s run- ager and Executive Assist- ning mate), former Transpor- ant Christopher “Bong” Go; tation Secretary and elected Carlos G Dominguez, former Davao del Norte representa- Cabinet member and Head of tive Pantaleon Alvarez, former A resident talks on her mobile phone beside a huge election campaign poster of leading presidential candidate Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte in Davao city, southern Philippines yesterday. our Campaign Finance Com- Press Secretary Jesus Dureza mittee; lawyers Salvador and First District representa- Medialdea and Loreto Ata, tive Karlo Alexei Nograles. personal lawyers of the pre- Former presidential as- sumptive president, and yours sistant for Mindanao Paul truly at your service,” Lavina Dominguez was also seen at said. the Marco Polo hotel. The transition committee, Lavina said the transition he added, was formed yester- team will be one of several day. groups formed to prepare for Duterte set for wild The members met at the Duterte’s assumption into Marco Polo Hotel in Davao offi ce. There are the search City. Lavina said they also plan committee and the team that to hold daily news conferences will plan for Duterte’s inaugu- “to continue serving the vari- ration. ous media and help us dissem- The transition committee inate news and information will help the mayor identify about presumptive President members of the Cabinet and foreign policy ride Rody Duterte.” create a team to review Duterte Rody and Digong are Du- and Cayetano’s policy state- AFP comfort of other nations. I have ranks over this issue, it might ferent Duterte when he be- the US and Australia. “I will terte’s nicknames. ments during the campaign. Manila to make the Filipino comfortable affect... efforts to fend off Chi- comes president, according to not mend,” he said. “It is up A media centre was estab- For the inauguration, Lavi- fi rst before I give you comfort, na’s intrusion. There is a need his spokesman, Peter Lavina. to them if they want to mend lished at the Duterte national na said they will co-ordinate outside my country,” he said. to be united over this issue,” “You have to understand the their ways.” In China, at least, campaign headquarters for with Malacanang on proto- fter proposing a jet-ski Duterte, the long-time mayor said Faisal Syam Hazis, head of Philippine style of elections. his foreign policy platform has regular briefi ngs at 9am and cols. mission to defend remote of southern Davao city, thrilled the Centre for Asia Studies at The context is most of our poli- been welcomed - despite the jet 2pm everyday, Lavina said. A team will also identify Aislands against China, his supporters but outraged his the National University of Ma- ticians need to communicate ski jibe. Malacanang said Presi- Duterte’s personal envoys to daring the US to sever ties and critics with a series of diplomatic laysia. to our audience so many of our Relations went into deep dent Benigno Aquino has also communicate with heads of joking about burning Singa- fi rebombs on the campaign trail. Other foreign policy stum- politicians sing and dance,” freeze during the current ad- reached out to the camp of embassies in the Philippines, pore’s fl ag, Rodrigo Duterte is While his insults caused gasps in bles sprang from Duterte’s no- Lavina told reporters on Tues- ministration of President Be- Duterte through Go. churches, civil society organi- set for a wild foreign policy ride various capitals, his foray into a holds-barred election pitch. At day when explaining that the nigno Aquino due to the mari- Palace Communications sations, Armed Forces of the as the next Philippine president. delicate maritime dispute with one rally he recounted how he Singapore flag burning remark time dispute which has seen Secretary Herminio Coloma Philippines, Philippine Na- The fi rebrand politician China -- involving many na- had personally killed inmates was a joke. “Some make jokes, Washington send warships Jr said Aquino assured Go that tional Police, business cham- stormed to victory in national tions but with the Philippines a who had staged a 1989 Davao some make funny faces. Some close to the islands. the Cabinet is ready to ensure bers, World Bank, Japan Inter- elections this week using an in- key player -- may have the most prison riot. dress outrageously. So it is all in “The US will be concerned the “smoothest transition.” national Co-operating Agency cendiary brand of populism and far-reaching impact. Duterte on the campaign this context that all these jokes, if, in the new regime, they “I talked to Bong Go yes- and Asian Development Bank, nationalism that his aides insist Playing to nationalist senti- trail also repeatedly boasted bantering, happen during the have a leader that is more will- terday (Tuesday) to relay to among others. he will moderate once he has the ment, Duterte vowed to ride a about his mistresses and sexual campaign. We don’t expect the ing to negotiate some of the... Mayor Duterte that an Ad- Alvarez said they are doing keys to the presidential palace on jet ski to plant a Philippine flag prowess. The Australian and same attitude of our officials red lines that are shaping up ministrative Order (AO) is their best so that Duterte’s ad- June 30. on remote South China Sea is- US ambassadors also criticised thereafter.” around the South China Sea being drafted designating the ministration will not be a fail- Duterte made a controversial lands, where Beijing is accused the comments about rape, trig- Lavina acknowledged there disputes,” said Ashley Town- Executive Secretary (Paquito ure. “We do not like the new remark about the Pope and an- of using bully-boy tactics to gering a furious reaction from were “problems” with the US, shend from the University of Ochoa Jr)] as head of the tran- administration to be a failure grily told the US and Austral- intimidate smaller nations the contender, who told them Australian and - particularly - Sydney. sition team,” Coloma quoted that is why we are doing this ian ambassadors to “shut their with rival claims. not to interfere and raised the the Singaporean embassies. The Communist Party- the president as saying. so that the new one who sits mouths” after they criticised a But he also signalled a po- prospect of cutting diplomatic “We need to send out per- backed Global Times yesterday “I further off ered that the there is supported,” he said. joke he made about rape. tentially signficant reversal of ties. sonal envoys to open lines of sounded a hopeful note. “He Cabinet stands ready to brief Go, meanwhile, said Duterte The 71-year-old off ered no government policy, saying he Duterte also enraged Singa- communication and express opposes the idea of going to war his team on any and all of is not vindictive. apologies when asked by AFP would be prepared to hold di- pore when he said at a rally he openness to cooperate,” he with China, wants direct nego- their concerns. Lastly, we are “When the elections are on election night for a message rect talks with China on the would burn its flag in reaction said. tiation with Beijing about the committed to eff ecting the fi nished…the person who lost to members of the international issue — potentially shattering to its embassy disavowing a However on election night South China Sea, and doesn’t smoothest transition possi- and who is down, he will help. diplomatic community who may the united front of claimant hoax statement which purport- Duterte appeared to still be in believe in solving the conflict ble,” Aquino further said. The mayor is not vindictive,” be concerned. nations backed by the US. edly said it endorsed him. campaign mode when asked through an international tribu- Go confi rmed to the media he added. “It is not to contribute to the “By the Philippines breaking Diplomats can expect a dif- if would seek to fix ties with nal,” it said. Comelec says no clear winner Militants free four yet in race for vice presidency Indonesian sailors By William B Depasupil She also explained that no Manila Times elections were held in Biniday- AFP helped secure the release of the en to a military base for medical an because the members of the Jakarta hostages, and said eff orts were check-ups. Board of Election Inspectors aided by a recent deal aimed at “Arrangements are now being he race between Sena- (BEIs) did not report for work. halting the surge in abductions. fi nalised for the handover of the tor Ferdinand “Bong- Aside from Maguindanao, our Indonesian sailors Foreign ministers of Indo- Indonesian nationals to Indo- Tbong” Marcos Jr and the province of Sulu has so far kidnapped by suspected nesia, Malaysia and the Philip- nesian authorities,” it added in a Camarines Sur representative transmitted only 65% of the Fmilitants in the strife- pines agreed last week to launch statement. Leni Robredo is too close to call votes; Basilan, 84%; Tawi- torn southern Philippines were joint patrols of a key waterway The group were abducted even if 96.85% of the election Tawi, 95%; and Lanao del Sur, released yesterday, the second between their countries and to from a tugboat carrying coal results have been transmitted, 50%. group of Indonesian hostages to set up a hotline to communicate that was sailing from Cebu in the Commission on Elections Guanzon pointed out that the be freed this month. faster in emergencies and im- the Philippines back to Tarakan (Comelec) admitted yesterday. uncanvassed votes were signifi - Gunmen abducted the sailors prove intelligence sharing. in Indonesian Borneo. Six other “It’s a tight race,” Commis- cant enough to make a diff er- on the high seas off the east coast The hostages were dropped off seamen, including the wound- sioner Rowena Guanzon said, ence in the tight contest for the of Malaysia’s Sabah state on outside the house of local poli- ed man, managed to escape. adding that there were still vice presidential race. April 15, shooting and wounding tician Abdusakur Tan on Jolo, a On May 1, 10 Indonesian some 1mn votes from Mindanao “And so I can understand another crew member. mountainous and jungle-clad sailors kidnapped five weeks and overseas that are yet to be why Senator Marcos is really on Philippine group Abu Sayyaf island in the far south of the earlier were also released on transmitted. his toes,” she said. was suspected of having carried Philippines known to be an Abu Jolo, and told harrowing tales As of 11:32 am, yesterday, Ro- Marcos was leading Robredo out the kidnapping, the latest in Sayyaf stronghold. about how the militants threat- bredo was leading Marcos by by almost a million votes at the a recent spree of abductions that Tan — the governor of Sulu ened to slit their throats. 231,693 votes. Supporters of Ferdinand Marcos Jr, a vice-presidential candidate start of the parallel counting saw them behead a Canadian province, which includes Jolo Abu Sayyaf is a radical off- Guanzon said there were and son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, shout slogans as they being made by election watch- hostage last month. —said members of a rebel group shoot of a separatist insurgen- still 250,000 overseas vote that gather at a park in Manila yesterday. dog Parish Pastoral Council for Indonesian President Joko had helped negotiate the release. cy in the south of the mainly have not yet been canvassed Pastoral Voting (PPCRV). Widodo announced in Jakarta The Indonesians’ release was Catholic Philippines. Its lead- and another 500,000 votes day, the NBOC has canvassed partment to personally deliver Robredo took the lead in the that the men had been released secured through “persuasion ers have pledged allegiance to from Maguindanao province in 29 COC from abroad. a canvassing kit with laptop. wee hours of the following day. and were in good health. and joint eff orts of the military the Islamic State group, but southern Philippines. Guanzon explained that the As we speak, they are already The Marcos camp has called “The hostage release was suc- and police, and the local and analysts say they are more fo- The certifi cates of canvass votes from Maguindanao were transmitting from Buluan, on the Comelec to stop the cessfully conducted due to good provincial government. No ran- cused on kidnappings for ran- (COC) from 82 overseas posts not transmitted because the Maguindanao, the 500,000 PPCRV quick count because it co-operation between the Indo- som was paid for the freedom of som than setting up a caliphate. were canvassed also yesterday assistant of the provincial elec- votes,” she said. was supposedly setting a trend nesian government and the Phil- the Indonesians”. They are still holding at by the Comelec sitting as the tion offi cer was beaten by uni- The commission, Guanzon in favour of Robredo. ippines,” he said. However, Abu Sayyaf does not least seven other foreign hos- National Board of Canvassers dentifi ed persons who also fl at- added, is also inclined to call for But Comelec chairman Juan Philippine Foreign Secretary normally release hostages with- tages - four Malaysians, a (NBOC) for senators and party- tened the tires of their car. a special election in the town of Andres Bautista said that he is Rene Almendras thanked the out a ransom. Canadian tourist, a Norwe- list groups. “I have asked the (Comelec) Binidayan, Lanao del Sur, which yet to receive a formal request Indonesian government for the The Philippine military said gian resort owner and a Dutch As of press time on the same Information Technology De- has some 20,000 voters. from Marcos. “very close co-ordination” that the freed Indonesians were tak- birdwatcher. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Clashes in Bangladesh after Nizami’s hanging

AFP deputy police chief Masudul It comes amid a wave of grue- Dhaka Hasan said. some murders by suspected Is- Security was tight across lamists, with an atheist student, the country, with checkpoints two gay rights activists, a pro- Khaleda Zia ... charged as a mastermind in the arson attacks. lashes erupted in Bangla- erected on main roads in Dhaka fessor, a Hindu tailor and a Sufi desh yesterday after the to deter violence, and thousands Muslim leader hacked to death Cexecution of a top Islam- of police patrolling the capital. since last month. ist leader, heightening tension in Nizami, a 73-year-old former The Islamic State and a Bang- a country reeling from a string government minister, was the ladesh branch of Al Qaeda have of killings of secular and liberal fi fth and the most senior op- claimed responsibility for sever- Zia charged activists. position fi gure executed since al murders, but the government Motiur Rahman Nizami, lead- the secular government set up a blames homegrown extremists er of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, controversial war crimes tribu- and accuses the opposition of was hanged at a Dhaka jail late nal in 2010. trying to destabilise the country. Tuesday for the massacre of in- Security was also stepped up Nizami took over as Jamaat over arson tellectuals during the 1971 inde- in Nizami’s ancestral district of leader in 2000 and played a key pendence war with Pakistan. Pabna, where his body was taken role in the victory of an Islamist- Police said they fi red rubber under armed escort for burial in allied government in the 2001 bullets after hundreds of Ni- his family’s grave. general election. zami’s supporters attacked them “At least 16 activists of Jamaat The 1971 confl ict, one of the attacks with stones in the northwestern were arrested (in Pabna) Tues- bloodiest in world history, led to city of Rajshahi, where a liberal day night as part of the secu- the creation of an independent professor was killed by suspect- rity clampdown,” local police Moulana Motiur Rahman Nizami Bangladesh from what was then AFP She also faces around half a ed Islamists last month. inspector Ahsanul Haq said. East Pakistan. Dhaka dozen other charges stemming “There were 500 Jamaat ac- Jamaat called a nationwide But a fresh wave of bloodshed described as an historic moment. Prosecutors said Nizami was from her tenure as the premier tivists who were protesting the strike for today in protest at is considered unlikely follow- Mubashar Hasan, an assist- responsible for setting up the of the country from 2001-06 - execution. We fi red rubber bul- Nizami’s execution, saying the ing a major crackdown by Prime ant professor at Bangladesh’s pro-Pakistani Al-Badr militia, olice yesterday charged charges she rejects as baseless lets as they became violent,” charges against him were false Minister Sheikh Hasina’s gov- University of Liberal Arts, said which killed top writers, doctors Bangladesh’s main op- and politically motivated. Rajshahi police inspector Selim and aimed at eliminating the ernment that has seen tens of Tuesday’s execution may sound and journalists in the most grue- Pposition chief, Khaleda There was no immediate Badsah said, adding that about party’s leadership. thousands of Jamaat supporters the death knell for the already some chapter of the war. Zia, with masterminding arson comment from Zia on the lat- 20 were arrested. Executions of Jamaat offi cials detained. embattled Jamaat. He was convicted in October attacks during deadly anti- est allegations, which relate Jamaat and ruling party sup- in 2013 triggered the country’s Secular protesters cheered the “With the execution of Ni- 2014 by the International Crimes government protests last year, to fi re-bombings in Dhaka’s porters also clashed in Chit- deadliest violence in decades. midnight hanging, with hun- zami, the Jamaat leadership who Tribunal, which has sentenced a day after the execution of one Darussalam neighbourhood in tagong, where about 2,500 Is- Around 500 people were killed, dreds gathered outside the jail revived the fortune of the party more than a dozen opposition of her key political allies. March 2015, which caused no lamists attended a service for the mainly in clashes between Is- and at a square in central Dhaka in the post-1971 period are now leaders for war crimes in trials Police said they had brought injuries or deaths. executed leader, the port city’s lamists and police. overnight to celebrate what they almost gone,” he said. criticised by rights groups. charges against Zia, a two- Earlier this year Zia was time former prime minis- charged over a separate deadly ter, and 27 offi cials from her fi re-bombing of a bus in Dha- Bangladesh Nationalist Party ka during a nationwide trans- (BNP) for their roles in the port blockade she ordered last fi re-bombing of two buses in year in an eff ort to topple the Lanka probes UN claims the capital Dhaka. government. “We’ve submitted charge The blockade unleashed a sheets against 27 people in- wave of bloody violence, leav- cluding Khaleda Zia to the ing more than 120 people dead of ongoing police torture Chief Metropolitan Magistrate as opposition activists fi re- Court,” local police chief Mo- bombed hundreds of buses hammad Selimuzzaman said. and trucks, and police re- AFP “We are going to investigate kerosene and hung upside down, “She has been charged as a sponded by fi ring live rounds. Colombo this and ensure that there is no he said. mastermind in the arson at- Zia was confi ned to her of- room for recurrence,” Senaratne In some cases, victims had tacks.” fi ce compound in the capital said, without giving details. Of- chili powder thrown on their It came hours after the ex- for months after she threat- ri Lanka’s government an- fi cial sources said an internal face and eyes and there were ecution of Zia’s main political ened to lead an anti-govern- nounced yesterday a probe police investigation was already “sexual violations, including ally, Jamaat-e-Islami party ment rally through Dhaka on Sinto allegations police underway. mutilation of the genital area leader Motiur Rahman Ni- the fi rst anniversary of a dis- Kamal Thapa were sexually abusing suspects Mendez, UN special rappor- and rubbing of chili paste or zami, for war crimes commit- puted national election. and still using torture seven teur on torture, conducted a onions on the genital area”. ted during the country’s 1971 Prime Minister Sheikh years after the end of the island’s nine-day fact-fi nding mission Mendez expressed hope that independence confl ict with Hasina has vowed to prosecute civil war. in Sri Lanka earlier this month. President Maithripala Sirisena’s Pakistan. Zia and other top opposition UN human rights offi cial Juan He said he had heard testi- new government would deliver His hanging late Tuesday offi cials over the violence. Nepal wants friendly E Mendez said earlier this month mony that between 16,000 and on promises of accountabil- sparked several outbreaks of The BNP boycotted the that he had found “credible evi- 22,000 people had gone miss- ity for war crimes and an end to violence and heightened ten- 2014 general election, leav- dence” of detainees being tor- ing during the confl ict and its rights abuses. sions in the Muslim-majority ing the fi eld clear for Hasina’s ties with India and tured and disappearances since immediate aftermath, and that Sirisena’s administration, country, already reeling from a Awami League. the end of the war in 2009. police were still resorting to which took power in January last string of killings of secular and The opposition was further The government pledged an torturing suspects. year, has promised to investigate liberal activists. weakened by a government China: Deputy PM investigation after ministers met Suspects have been beaten rights abuses following allega- Zia, a bitter political ri- crackdown last year, when to discuss Mendez’s allegations with sticks or wires on the soles tions that up to 40,000 ethnic val of Prime Minister Sheikh police pressed charges against on Tuesday, spokesman Ra- of the feet, suspended for hours Tamil civilians were killed by Hasina, is already on trial for around 15,000 opposition ac- IANS Bhandari and recalled its am- jitha Senaratne told reporters in while handcuff ed, asphyxiated government forces in 2009 as corruption in a long-running tivists over the fi re-bombing Kathmandu bassador from New Delhi. Colombo. using plastic bags drenched in they crushed rebel forces. case. campaign. Recalling the recent visits of Prime Minister Oli to India and mid a dip in bilateral China and agreements signed ties with India, Nepal’s during the visits, Thapa said: ADeputy Prime Minister “We do not compare our rela- and Minister for Foreign Af- tions with one country with Sherpa First climbers summit Everest after disasters fairs Kamal Thapa yesterday that of the other. Bases and said Nepal’s consistent eff ort factors determining friendship is to maintain co-operative and co-operation are diff er- guides die Reuters attempts in the next few days. tragedy halted climbing on Everest. At least 289 climbers and their and friendly relations with ent for each country and each Kathmandu “Sherra Gyalgen Sherpa An avalanche in the treacherous guides were at diff erent high its two friendly neighbours - bilateral relation is unique.” reached the top of Sagarmatha Khumbu Icefall killed 16 mountain camps waiting for a “window” of India and China. Thapa said that during his of altitude at 5.05pm (1120 GMT),” said guides in 2014, and 18 people died clear weather to open for a fi nal In a briefi ng to the Kath- visit in diff erent countries as Nepali Sherpa led a nine- Ang Tshering Sherpa, chief of a year ago when an earthquake ascent, offi cials said. mandu-based diplomatic foreign minister, he had felt man team to the top of the Nepal Mountaineering As- sent a massive snowslide careen- Multiple teams, perhaps 100 community after recent po- that there is still mispercep- sickness AMount Everest yesterday, sociation (NMA), using the ing into Base Camp. people, were looking to sum- litical developments that al- tion and misunderstand- becoming the fi rst to scale the mountain’s Nepali name. In total, 9,000 people were mit from May 14 to 16, veteran most toppled the K P Oli-led ing about the constitution of world’s tallest peak from the Nepali “In all nine Sherpa climbers killed across Nepal in the 7.8 mountaineer and blogger Alan government, the government Nepal. “There is a percep- AFP side since a deadly earthquake in scaled the top,” tourism offi cial magnitude quake whose fi rst Arnette said in a post yesterday. tried to clear doubts about the tion that the constitution is Kathmandu 2015 and a fatal avalanche the year Gyanendra Shrestha told Reuters anniversary the country has just Numbers are well below the new constitution, future posi- not complete, inclusive and before forced climbers to retreat. from Everest Base Camp. commemorated. nearly 700 who summitted in tion of the government, and broad-based. The fact of the The mountain guide was part Laying the fi nal stretch of Climbing outfi t Jagged Globe 2013, showing how badly climb- how it is negotiating with agi- matter is that critics have ei- wo Nepali Sherpa guides of a rope-fi xing team preparing ropes was delayed slightly yes- tweeted that its Everest team was ing and adventure tourism in the tating Madhes-based parties, ther not studied the constitu- have died of suspected the fi nal stretch to the 8,850m terday by heavy snow high on at Camp 3 and in good spirits. Himalayan nation have been hit among others. tion fully or they do not want Taltitude sickness in the (29,035ft) summit, running the mountain. “If rope fi xed to summit today, by the Everest tragedies and last “In our external relations, to assess its content fairly and Himalayas, a tour operator said along the Southeast Ridge route, The ascents were the fi rst in they’ll move to South Col Thurs- year’s quake, which destroyed a we pursue the policy of friend- objectively.” yesterday. for teams to make their own three years after two years of day for summit attempt,” it said. million homes. ship with all,” said Thapa at Thapa added, “We have not The guides were assisting an the event, where Oli was also claimed that our constitution 11-member team on the 8,481m present. is hundred percent perfect. (27,825ft) tall Makalu peak, the fi fth- “Both our neighbours are Nowhere in the world such highest mountain in the world. making tremendous progress perfection is possible.” Parsuram Karki of the Tham- Traditional skills on display in economic growth, infra- “But to judge by any fair serku Expedition tour agency said structure development, sci- standard, it encompasses the the two men had complained of Women displaying ence and technology and in main features of a democrat- altitude sickness on Tuesday night their traditional transforming life standards of ic and inclusive polity. The at Camp II, located at 6,700m, but skills during the 13th their people,” Thapa said at Constitution guarantees hu- died as their team members were Handicraft Trade the briefi ng, adding “We are man rights and fundamental taking them down. Fair in Kathmandu inspired by their progress.” freedoms to all citizens with- “Their bodies have been brought yesterday. The fair “Situated between them, out any discrimination. State to the base camp,” Karki said. was organised by our legitimate desire is to ben- policies are aimed at uplifting Altitude sickness strikes when the Federation of efi t from their prosperity and the overall status of all section people ascend heights too quick- Handicraft this pragmatism is guiding of society,” he added. ly, with the decreased atmos- Associations of our deep and comprehensive “In terms of process, it was phere pressure causing head- Nepal in promotion engagement with them.” broad-based, consultative and aches, fatigue and dizziness. of Nepali art, culture, Over two dozen Kathmandu participative and in terms of In separate incidents, two trekkers clothes and language based ambassadors and heads content, it is comprehensive, in- — one Japanese and the other South throughout the world. of the diplomatic missions clusive and substantive, Thapa Korean — died of altitude sickness were present in the meeting. claimed and, in terms of ori- last month while on their way down The pro-establishment fac- entation, it is forward-looking, from Nepal’s Everest base camp. tion in Nepal blamed India for progressive and dynamic. Every year hundreds of people the recent upheaval in Nepal “Then, how can we still say from around the world travel to by allegedly propping up the that this constitution is not the Himalayas in Nepal for the Nepali Congress and UCPN inclusive and broad-based,” brief spring climbing season, (Moaist) to bring down the Thapa wondered. when conditions are at their best. Oli government. In response He said the constitution Mountaineering is a major to this alleged move, the Oli- can be amended and the gov- revenue-earner for impover- led government cancelled the ernment is ready to resolve all ished Nepal, home to eight of the visit of President Bidhya Devi issues through dialogue. world’s 14 peaks over 8,000m. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, May 12, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Can the Republicans and Production Editor: C P Ravindran

P.O.Box 2888 Democrats heal themselves? Doha, Qatar [email protected] For the fi rst time in successful as the conventional wisdom But there’s only so far she can go in been evasive in her responses to Telephone 44350478 (news), American history, both suggests. It is one thing for candidates the general election without losing the questions about what was undeniably 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) to decide that they must be gracious in votes of independents. a reckless act. As a result, her standing Fax 44350474 parties’ nominees are far defeat. Their followers can be harder While Sanders’s proposals are has gone down during the campaign. more disliked than liked by to reconcile. After 2008, tensions popular, particularly among young Clinton has a great many fervent between some of Clinton’s and people, much of his agenda – such supporters, of course, but her the country at large, though Obama’s strongest supporters lingered as transforming Obamacare into a presidential campaigns have both Trump does lead Clinton in for years. single-payer health system – isn’t suff ered from a dearth of passion. One way to unite party factions is politically feasible. Likewise, Wall The greatest danger she faces in the this department for the nominee to select his rival as Street’s banking behemoths are election in November is that too many GULF TIMES his running mate. John F Kennedy unlikely to be broken up. Democrats simply won’t bother to By Elizabeth Drew chose his formerly bitter opponent, Moreover, at this point, Clinton vote. Washington Lyndon B Johnson. (That merger and Sanders are exasperated by each Her campaign is counting on didn’t go well.) But Clinton isn’t about other. She and her husband, Bill, are Donald Trump to unite the party, and to make Sanders her running mate. annoyed with Sanders for continuing that might well happen; but she will Hopes high for he contests to decide the Sanders is temperamentally unsuited to campaign (even though she did the have her work cut out, particularly nominees of America’s for the role of subordinate, and their same in 2008) and for not toning down among young and first-time voters, two main political parties, policy disagreements refl ect deeply his critique of her record. who have overwhelmingly backed Tthe Democrats and the held views about the role of the federal Candidates rarely forget such Sanders. anti-corruption Republicans, for the presidential government. things. Thirty years later, Jimmy The Republicans will also have election are all but over. That leaves Carter still spoke bitterly about an a problem uniting around Trump, both parties facing the challenge of One way to unite incident at the Democrats’ convention who is now the party’s presumptive reuniting for the fall campaign – a in 1980. Carter, the incumbent nominee. Most elected Republicans summit in London feat that will be much harder to pull party factions is president, was reduced to chasing view him as too ill-informed and off this year than it was in most other his defeated challenger, Edward M bombastic to be president. In late presidential election years. for the nominee to Kennedy, around the stage in pursuit April, 40% of Republicans polled said Though it is mathematically of the traditional photo of former that they wouldn’t support Trump in World leaders, NGOs and fi nancial institutions gather impossible for Bernie Sanders to win select his rival as his rivals with arms raised and hands the general election. in London today for an anti-corruption summit that host enough pledged delegates to capture clasped. Instead of a beaming show Republicans also worry that Trump Prime Minister David Cameron has said will spur new the Democratic nomination, he is running mate of unity, Carter got only a grudging could be defeated badly enough to staying in the race, which means that handshake. cost them control of the Senate and global action in the wake of the Panama Papers leaks. Hillary Clinton cannot yet begin her Obama probably chose Clinton to be The main reason why it could be cut their majority in the House of About 40 countries have been invited alongside bodies healing eff ort. his fi rst secretary of state for reasons hard for Clinton to win over Sanders’s Representatives. For this reason, many such as the World Bank and the IMF, with the presidents But winning the support of the that went beyond her considerable supporters is that a great many of are agonizing over what to do about of Afghanistan, Colombia and Nigeria and US Secretary millions of voters who fervently back intelligence: It was better to have her them don’t like her. Trump. of State John Kerry among those due to attend. Sanders poses a serious challenge. in the tent than outside it. Even so, A third of them have said that they Some are stretching to say that they Campaigners are hoping for concrete action in Sanders is not simply an adversary; he Clinton’s loyalty was not absolute. won’t vote for her. In April, only 40% support Trump, but don’t endorse leads a movement that opposes what In her book Hard Choices, she took of Democrats gave her high marks him. Presidents George H W Bush and response to public outrage over the revelations in the so- Clinton and the “establishment” stand some shots at his handling of Syria’s for being honest and trustworthy, George W Bush have both said that called Panama Papers of how the rich and powerful hide for. civil war, and in her campaign she has and only 50% of Democrats rated they’ll stay out of this race. their money. The contest between Clinton and sometimes distanced herself from his her favourably overall. (Obama’s For the fi rst time in American They want governments to expose the benefi ciaries Barack Obama in 2008 seemed to end policies. Yet Obama, once Sanders is favourability rating in 2008 was 60%.) history, both parties’ nominees are of anonymous companies used to move money without amicably enough. Though Clinton out of the race, will surely campaign Though Republicans relish the far more disliked than liked by the stayed in the race to the end, she toned hard for Clinton. possibility that Clinton will be country at large, though Trump does detection, and take further action to reduce the secrecy down her rhetoric against Obama It is clear that Sanders intends indicted for routing offi cial business lead Clinton in this department. This of off shore tax havens where they are incorporated. as the contest wound down. That to challenge Clinton on some through a private e-mail server when is not a very good basis for starting the There is also speculation that Cameron will announce summer, she took the unusual step issues to be included in the party’s she was secretary of state, prosecutors next presidency. - Project Syndicate measures to tackle money laundering through London’s of going onto the convention fl oor 2016 policy platform. During the would have to prove that she intended luxury property market, following his declaration last to urge the party to nominate him by nomination campaign, he managed to break the law, which is unlikely. zElizabeth Drew is the author, most acclamation. to pull her somewhat to the left on But the e-mail row has highlighted recently, of Washington Journal: year that there was “no place for dirty money in Britain”. Yet the eff orts in 2008 to unite trade, the minimum wage, and mass some of the reasons people don’t like Reporting Watergate and Richard The summit declaration is likely to commit signatories the Democratic Party weren’t as incarceration. Clinton: To put it charitably, she’s Nixon’s Downfall. “to expose corruption wherever it is found, to pursue and punish those who perpetrate, facilitate or are complicit in it”. It will also promise to support victims and ensure corruption “does not fester” in government, business or communities. But there are already reports that the fi nal statement will be watered down About 40 following opposition from some countries, countries have with one passage stating there would be been invited “no impunity for the corrupt” removed. alongside The Russian foreign bodies such as ministry, which is sending deputy the World Bank foreign minister Oleg Syromolotov, has already and the IMF indicated that any fi nal agreement may not be binding. Cameron has led international calls to tackle aggressive tax avoidance and evasion and global corruption, but was embarrassed last month when his late father’s Bahamas- based investment fund was revealed in the Panama leaks. The release of 11.5mn confi dential documents from Panamanian law fi rm Mossack Fonseca also shone a US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump. spotlight on the secrecy of Britain’s overseas tax havens. More than 113,000 out of the 210,000 companies exposed were registered in the British Virgin Islands. Britain will introduce a public register on who ultimately benefi ts from British-registered companies Bright minds can come from any background - so-called benefi cial ownership - next month, the fi rst G20 and EU nation to do so. But the moral that seems most the population. Women are only a with most S-STEM programmes, we But campaigners want London to extend the measure By Darren Glass The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS profound to me as an educator is a quarter of the employees in scientific recognise that providing fi nancial to its overseas territories, forcing them if necessary. simple one: It is impossible to predict jobs in the US. resources is critical, but it is also very More than 300 economists, including former IMF where talent will come from, so we Our failure to notice and nourish important to mentor students and economist Oliver Blanchard and France’s Thomas recently saw the fi lm The Man in education need to work harder to talent in underrepresented groups nurture their abilities, especially since Piketty, have urged world leaders to end off shore Who Knew Infi nity, which was identify it. starts long before people enter the many of them have not attended the released in many American cities The world is fi lled with stories of workforce. There is growing evidence best high schools. fi nancial secrecy, saying tax havens “serve no useful a couple of weeks ago, and was people from unexpected backgrounds that white students, particularly We plan to off er a series of economic purpose”. I struck by the beautiful telling of an who turn out to have hidden talents those from wealthier backgrounds, workshops to get them up to speed, Kerry is also under pressure to address the lack inspirational story. The fi lm, which that shake the world. In the music are signifi cantly more likely to be while also providing a cohort of peers of transparency in US states such as Delaware and stars Jeremy Irons and Dev Patel, is world, this is the very premise behind identifi ed as academically gifted. in the sciences, mentors drawn from Wyoming, where anonymous companies can be created a biography of the mathematician television shows like American Idol, And even those of us who among older students and faculty, Srinivasa Ramanujan, who was born in and sports is fi lled with superstars are sceptical about high-stakes and opportunities to do research with for just a few hundred dollars. India at the end of the 19th century. who grew up in poverty. standardised tests should be faculty in addition to their course The IMF said yesterday public sector corruption Though he fl unked out of college concerned about the recent results work. siphons $1.5tn to $2tn annually from the global economy twice, Ramanujan did mathematical The world is fi lled from the National Assessment of We would all benefi t from a more in bribes and costs far more in stunted economic growth, research independently while working Educational Progress: Only 1% of diverse STEM workforce. Our world lost tax revenues and sustained poverty. In a new as a clerk in an accountant’s offi ce. He with stories of people black, 3% of Latino and 10% of white faces too many challenges to allow sent his results to the most prominent fourth-graders achieved advanced the potential of true geniuses like research paper, the IMF said that tackling corruption is mathematicians in the world, most of from unexpected scores in mathematics. Ramanujan to be left hidden in some critical for the achievement of macroeconomic stability, whom ignored the work. A number of eff orts are underway notebooks no one will ever read. one of the institution’s core mandates. G H Hardy, a professor at backgrounds who to fi nd scientifi c talent in unexpected Issues of diversity and equity Cambridge University, was intrigued, places. One example is the Navajo cannot be solved overnight, but there though, and invited the unknown turn out to have Math Circles project, in which are many steps that can be taken at Ramanujan to come work with him mathematicians work with teachers all levels of our educational system To Advertise in England in the midst of the First hidden talents that in the Navajo Nation to help to help all students thrive, and in the World War. The movie tells this story, shake the world their students develop a deeper process unearth the truly exceptional [email protected] so I won’t risk spoiling it, but suffi ce understanding of mathematics. talents that are out there. Display it to say that Ramanujan’s work was When it comes to science, however, Another is the National Science We must invest the time, energy Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 profound and still aff ects large parts we have a much worse track record at Foundation’s S-STEM Programme, and, yes, money, it takes to give of mathematics today, not to mention identifying and nurturing talent across which helps colleges and universities all students fi rst-rate educational Classified other fi elds such as physics and all races, genders and socioeconomic provide scholarships to talented opportunities and the kind of Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 applied chemistry. classes, even within our own country. students who wish to study scientifi c mentoring that inspires them to There are many lessons one can take A recent study indicates that less disciplines. do their best, just as Hardy did for Subscription away from The Man Who Knew Infi nity than 10% of the STEM (science, I help run one of these programmes Ramanujan. What story could have a [email protected] and from Ramanujan’s story more technology, engineering and at Gettysburg. This autumn we are better moral than that? generally, lessons about friendship, mathematics) workforce in the bringing in our fi rst dozen students, cross-cultural communication and the US identifies as either African- who are either fi rst-generation college zDarren Glass (dglass@gettysburg. 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved relationships between universities and American or Hispanic, though these or from groups that are traditionally edu) is an associate professor of society. two groups make up nearly 30% of underrepresented in the sciences. As mathematics at Gettysburg College. Gulf Times Thursday, May 12, 2016 27 COMMENT The Internet of Things to power smart cities

Internet of Things can help strives for workplace safety, as well as major investment and the progress implementation is not impossible construction companies in effi ciency. of construction is heavily dependent to manage, but it’s not easy either. IoT needs a secure, scalable on their functionality. Heavy- In fact, developing solutions for Qatar with on-time, network to succeed and Wi-Fi equipment is often required to be the Internet of Things requires on-budget project offers what IT departments require left on-site overnight which makes unprecedented collaboration, co- for strong “construction IoT them a prime target for theft. Asset ordination and connectivity for each completion networking”. tracking technologies help monitor piece in the system, and throughout With the introduction of tablet such equipment remote locations the system as a whole. By Gamal Emara devices, mobile project management and automatically detect and report All devices must work together Dubai has emerged as a worthy replacement suspicious behaviour. and be integrated with all other to age old methods. Coupled with Developers can also benefi t from devices, and all devices must the broad ecosystem of feature-rich automated maintenance schedules, communicate and interact ptimistic mobile applications and the ability to logs and reports. The readiness seamlessly with connected systems forecasts draw from vast amounts of remotely of cheap and easy-to-use RFID and infrastructures. The challenge for the stored data and “cloud” services, technology has made possible the for the developer is to find a robust OQatar’s these devices are capable of granting automation of inventory management. enterprise-class Wireless Local construction contractors, engineers and supervisors By knowing in advance which Area Network (WLAN) solution sector for the next access to blue prints, schematics and materials are soon to run out, that is affordable in terms of the few years is driven by factors such other vital documents. construction companies can foresee capital expense and operational as encouraging macroeconomics, Moreover, with the ability and avoid material defi ciencies, thus overheads. affi rmative demographics, as well to instantly push updates to all eliminating losses in productivity. In line with keeping things simple, as a resistant infrastructure project members working on the project, Equipment repairs are one of developers should also consider pipeline. mobile computing devices can aid the largest operating costs in the investing in controller-less ‘instant’ The government is solidly collaboration and revolutionise the construction industry. WLAN solutions. These solutions behind “smart city” development building information modeling (BIM) With the advanced sensors available utilise a virtual controller on access initiatives. As Qatar ushers in this process in real-time. now, machinery can self-detect the points to deliver controller-like new era of advancement, much With site-wide high speed wireless need for a repair before it becomes a features including RF management has been predicted and promised connectivity for all mobile devices, larger issue. and role based access control. about the integration of ICT into workers gain the ability to transfer Similar to monitoring and repair, As construction integrates more every aspect of the completed city high volumes of data back and forth equipment inspections can be deeply with IT, network uptime will developments. between not only each other but also enormously enhanced by the help of become an increasingly important The computing capabilities of headquarters (HQ). This signifi cantly smart sensors. factor. It is therefore prudent to invest mobile and Internet of Things streamlines communications With the advanced sensors available in network management tools which (IoT) devices have advanced to a while cutting costs and improving now, machinery can self-detect the can prove invaluable in providing level that has made them capable operational effi ciencies. This could imminent need for a repair before maximum network availability. of aiding the planning, designing, also bear attractive ‘green’ side eff ects it becomes a larger issue. Lost/ Companies must look for a service and building phases. But turning as staff no longer have to make regular late forms, low accuracy and undue provider whose solution is based mobility into an eff ective tool requires trips to and from HQ. internal processing time are no longer on the latest 802.11ac wireless not only computing power but also High speed wireless connectivity an issue with electronic processes. standard as this delivers gigabit Wi-Fi connectivity. is an enabler of the following Another vital area of a construction combined with the device density and At job-sites, wired connections applications: site where mobile technology can application intelligence required by are not feasible and cellular networks A truck driver can be required to be applied is in video surveillance. today’s Wi-Fi networks. are not always available and hence a wear a “wearable”, which may come in Not only does this enable better There is also a need to balance cyber strong case can therefore be made for the form of an activity band. Drivers collaboration and remote and physical security since smart developers to utilise Wi-Fi solutions. and management can be notifi ed supervision, it is essential to site devices are physical in nature. These are not only easy to install and if a driver is missing or is being security. High-speed connectivity For Qatar that is keen to drive smart manage, but are now also aff ordable unproductive. Construction workers for robust and cost-effective cities, both cyber and physical security and rugged enough to see deployment on-site can wear a helmet and vest camera equipment can mean the should always be considered in the in harsh construction surroundings. with RFID, vitals monitoring, GPS how it is being used is important for analysing the GPS data from across ready availability of high definition upstream of the project. IoT represents a huge opportunity sensors, motion sensors, etc. identifying cost savings opportunities your fl eet and comparing it over a video, making both identifi cation and for the construction industry, which Knowing GPS data related to and keeping your fl eet organised. period of time. collaboration easier. zGamal Emara is country manager, is constantly processing data and where your equipment is located and These benefi ts can be uncovered by At job sites, company assets are a An Internet of Things solution HPE Aruba. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY A healthy their medical records. chaos, global peace and tranquility has Khan has also rightly warned that High: 40 C Kudos to the Hamad Medical become more and more elusive today. Trump’s “ignorant” views of Islam Low : 30 C Hot during the day and partly move indeed Corporation. The enlightened voters of London “could make both our countries less cloudy at times with chance of light have picked up their spirits and got safe”. scattered rain. Dear Sir, George Matubia into action, to change the negative [email protected] state of aff airs. The consensus is that Farouk Araie FRIDAY The recent digitisation of patient religious strife leaves both sides hurt [email protected] High: 42 C records by the Hamad Medical while dialogue lets both prosper. Low: 30 C Corporation is a step in the right A model of Religious tolerance and Please send us Sunny direction. This is especially so for the tolerance collaboration rather than confl ict, Emergency Department in the Hamad characterise Christian-Muslim your letters General Hospital. relations in the United Kingdom; SATURDAY The Emergency Department is Dear Sir, therefore, from all indications, By e-mail High: 39 C arguably the busiest medical centre London is a model of tolerance. [email protected] Low: 29 C Fax 44350474 Sunny in Qatar. I salute the staff and The people of London have Sadiq Khan is the face of a new Or Post securitymen who work there. They fearlessly and resolutely said no to political reality. And it has been good Letters to the Editor face immense pressure but still make Islamaphobia by electing a Muslim to read that Khan has rejected US Gulf Times sure they serve everyone. mayor. presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s P O Box 2888 Fishermen’s forecast I believe the new system will The last three decades of global off er to make the new London mayor Doha, Qatar OFFSHORE DOHA make their work far easier. I have religious strife had left behind a an “exception” to a ban on Muslims Wind: SW-SE 05-15/18 KT worked there before and I know that large body of experience and whose travelling to the US. All letters, which are subject to Waves: 2-3/4 Feet paperwork used to take 40% of the aftermath and impacts are still very “This isn’t just about me. It’s about editing, should have the name INSHORE DOHA Wind: SE-SW 05-15 KT time for a patient to be seen by a much with us. That deserves a serious my friends, my family and everyone of the writer, address and phone Waves: 1-2 Feet doctor. refl ection on our part today. who comes from a background similar number. The writer’s name and The patients will be served faster With harmonious coexistence out to mine, anywhere in the world,” Khan address may be withheld by request. Around the region and better with the digitisation of of control and society plunged into has said. Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi Sunny 42/27 Sunny 42/27 Baghdad P Cloudy 37/23 Sunny 37/23 Dubai Sunny 37/28 Sunny 38/27 Kuwait City Sunny 38/26 Sunny 41/27 Live issues Manama Sunny 38/31 Sunny 37/29 Muscat Sunny 41/31 Sunny 41/32 Riyadh M Sunny 40/27 Sunny 41/25 Can mindfulness help ease back pain? Tehran M Sunny 25/17 M Sunny 28/18

By Dr Luisa Dillner as MBSR at reducing pain. The eff ects London lasted for at least a year. So what is MBSR, and is it worth trying if you have chronic back pain? hen I was a junior MBSR reduces the stress and negative doctor, I dreaded the impact of backache by changing how the back pain clinic. You had mind processes pain. MBSR in this study Wa few minutes with each involved two-hour group sessions once patient to talk through their months a week for eight weeks in which people of debilitating pain. There was little were taught meditation, yoga and body to off er in terms of relief. Fast forward awareness. and back pain is only getting worse. An early exercise has people lie on A report from the University of a mat for 10-20 minutes, focusing Washington in Seattle found that on one part of the body at a time, while people live longer, they feel becoming aware and “accepting of any healthy for fewer years because of sensations”. If you can try MBSR, you backache. So what can help relieve might as well: there are no side-eff ects pain and reduce the annual 10m days and it seems to carry on working. Around the world lost from work each year in the UK due Dan Cherkin, of the University of Weather Weather to backache? Pittsburgh School of Medicine and today Max/min tomorrow Max/min It depends on the cause, but the lead author of the research paper, Athens M Sunny 27/19 Sunny 30/18 exercise, spinal manipulation and believes that training the mind may Beirut Sunny 25/19 M Sunny 26/23 Bangkok P Cloudy 38/29 S T Storms 36/29 painkillers such as codeine (a weak have longer-lasting eff ects than Berlin M Sunny 25/12 S T Storms 24/08 opiod) and paracetamol are often manipulating the spine. Cairo Sunny 34/21 M Sunny 39/26 recommended. Taking opiods for Research even suggests that Cape Town P Cloudy 21/13 P Cloudy 19/13 years can make people dependent MBSR may cause physical changes Colombo T Storms 31/25 S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 30/26 and invariably causes constipation. in regions of the brain that regulate Dhaka 33/26 T Storms Hong Kong P Cloudy 29/25 P Cloudy 29/25 Guidance from Nice, which is being emotion, memory and self-referential Istanbul P Cloudy 25/18 P Cloudy 24/17 updated, also recommends cognitive awareness. Cherkin acknowledges Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 S T Storms 34/26 behavioural therapy (CBT) – training that MBSR may be as hard to come Karachi Sunny 35/28 Sunny 36/27 to change how people think and by as CBT, but says there are online London P Cloudy 24/11 M Sunny 19/06 Manila S T Storms 36/27 P Cloudy 35/26 behave when they have pain, which is courses and adds that MBSR-founder Moscow S Showers 17/06 M Sunny 19/07 notoriously hard to come by. Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn’s classic book Full New Delhi M Sunny 42/27 M Sunny 42/27 Now mindfulness-based stress Catastrophe Living could help. New York Sunny 23/14 T Storms 21/14 reduction (MBSR) can be added to the Of course, none of this implies that Paris S Showers 19/13 T Storms 22/08 S T Storms Showers 19/14 mix, following the fi rst trial comparing each treatment group and having than those given usual care. back pain is in the mind. It is worth Sao Paulo 22/16 Seoul Sunny 24/13 P Cloudy 26/12 this treatment with usual care or suff ered with back pain for an average In the MBSR group, 61% felt more noting that MBSR is also being looked Singapore S T Storms 33/27 T Storms 32/27 cognitive behavioural therapy. of 7.3 years, those given mindfulness able to move around without pain than at in breast cancer, to see if it not Sydney Sunny 23/11 Sunny 24/10 In a study of 342 adults aged 20-70, training found it easier to get out of the 44% who carried on with their only reduces distress but improves Tokyo Rain 25/17 Clear 26/16 randomly and equally allocated to chairs, go upstairs and had less pain usual care. CBT was equally as good survival.- Guardian News and Media Gulf Times 28 Thursday, May 12, 2016 QATAR

A cultural performance at the awards ceremony. PICTURES: Jayan Orma The winners of the Qatar e-Nature Schools Contest 2016 with off icials. Schools contest aims to instil awareness on environment Abu Hanifa Model The international integrated Newton International senting 60 private and inde- contest was presented during Qatar National Vision 2030. underwent a complete redesign, Independent School for Boys chemicals and energy company, School–Lagoon was the third pendent schools from across the awards ceremony. The video The contest allows students to features content in Arabic and took the first place in the Sasol, the Ministry of Educa- runner-up and Birla Public Qatar participated in the third highlighted the most memo- actively learn about the Qatar’s English. Qatar e-Nature tion and Higher Education and School, the fourth. The mem- edition of the schools contest. rable moments throughout the diverse wildlife. Over the past The user-friendly Qatar e-Na- Schools Contest 2016 Friends of the Environment bers of the third and fourth place This year’s attraction was the competition in its current and three years, the Qatar e-Nature ture app is available for download Centre (FEC) were the organis- teams each received vouchers new element of a real-time quiz previous years and also included Schools Contest has engaged free of charge on Apple App Store, he Qatar e-Nature ers. worth QR2,000 and QR1,000, contest in front of a live audi- testimonials from some of the over 350 schools and 250,000 Google Play Store for Android, Schools Contest 2016 The team of three students respectively. All the four win- ence, in which teams answered participating schools. students across Qatar. Windows Phone Store and on the Tconcluded yesterday from the winning school each re- ning schools were also presented questions in order to gain points. The award ceremony was also Launched in December 2013, website (www.enature.qa) which with a fi nal live round that saw ceived a voucher worth QR4,000 with a Qatar e-Nature award. At the fi nal live round and marked by performances by stu- the Qatar e-Nature application is also available for desktop ac- Abu Hanifa Model Independent and a gold medal in recognition The questions posed to the awards HE Dr al-Hammadi was dents from Abu Hanifa Model and website highlights fl ora, birds, cess. Active Facebook, Twitter School for Boys winning the fi rst of their excellence. students during the competi- represented by Fawzia Abdulaziz Independent School for Boys insects, mammals, reptiles and and Instagram channels allow us- place. Al Khansaa Primary Inde- tion were based on the Qatar al-Khater, director of the Edu- and Maymouna Primary Inde- nature reserves, with marine life ers to keep tabs on the latest de- The contest was held under pendent School for Girls was e-Nature application – a fi rst of cation Institute at the Ministry pendent School for Girls. in the country soon to be added. velopments. The application and the patronage of HE the Minister second runner-up and each its kind smartphone application of Education and Higher Educa- Phinda Vilakazi, president of Sasol created the app as part of website is updated regularly, hav- of Education and Higher Educa- member of the team received a that highlights the rich diversity tion. GTL Ventures at Sasol, said, the its corporate social responsibility ing added nature reserves earlier tion Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed voucher worth QR3,000 and a of Qatar’s environment. A documentary about the Qatar e-Nature schools compe- programme in partnership with this year to further benefi t users of Ali al-Hammadi. certifi cate of achievement. Nearly 200 students repre- Qatar e-Nature initiative and tition aims to contribute to the FEC. The app, which recently the application. Jaguar’s F-Pace luxury crossover in Qatar launch

By Joe Koraith variant. And that will increase Doha your 0-100kmph bragging rights by 0.3 seconds. Ian Callum, Jaguar Cars de- rom the luxurious XE to sign director, has worked his delectable F-Type, Jaguar, magic on the F-Pace too. The Ftill now, had four models lean, mean look up front, ac- on off er in Qatar. centuated by the LED ‘J’ blade Yesterday, they added a fi fth. DRLs is well complimented by And this could prove to be their the stylish tail lamps (similar to most important model in this the F-Type) at the back. It comes market. loaded with luxury features, just The F-Pace sees the Jaguar like any Jaguar does. brand enter into the world of Luxury SUVs is a fast-growing SUVs and yesterday, Alfardan segment and Yann Thepaut, re- Premier Motors Co, the exclu- gional business manager for Jag- sive retailer of Jaguar in Qatar, uar Land Rover Mena, believes unveiled the luxurious crossover that with the F-Pace, Jaguar will in Doha. now be able to make quite a bit of The British brand calls it the noise in that category. world’s ultimate practical sport- “SUVs are the fastest growing scar. And when you have a ve- segment in the automotive in- hicle which has a 0 to 100kmph dustry at the moment so it’s very Yann Thepaut, regional business manager for Jaguar Land Rover Mena (left) and Rabih Ataya, general manager, Alfardan Premier Motors unveil the F-Pace at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski, time of 5.8 seconds, you can important for Jaguar to be there. The Pearl-Qatar yesterday. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam sense where the focus is. The Coming from a sedan and sports F-Pace uses the same 3.0-litre car only scenario and not having The F-Pace aims to be one- a lighter, sportier and aff ordable vehicle with lots of space inside. SUVs and Qatar are almost a we have more ambitious targets supercharged V6 petrol from an SUV, we are talking to a much upping on its competitors by vehicle. We see this as a vehicle We are looking at young families synonym and Jaguar is banking than the other models. It fi ts bet- the F-Type producing the same wider audience now than in the providing a more involving expe- for the family who want the driv- in Qatar, the ones who have the on that to rake in the numbers. ter in the Qatari market which is 340PS as in the sportscar. You past,” Thepaut told Gulf Times rience. “When you compare the ing experience of a sports car but passion for driving,” said The- “If you compare this SUV with largely oriented towards SUVs,” can also upgrade to the 380PS yesterday. F-Pace to the competitors, this is the practicality of having a larger paut. the rest of the Jaguar line-up, said Thepaut. Al Emadi Hospital joins WHO’s hand hygiene campaign

l Emadi Hospital, in line There was a lobby exhibit with its commitment to promoting this year’s theme: Athe promotion of hand Hand Hygiene Supports Safe hygiene and preventing the Surgical Care. Flyers about spread of infection in the health- the ‘How, Why and When’ of care settings, joined the World hand hygiene, stick-on col- Health Organisation (WHO) ourful badges and free hand Save Lives: Clean Your Hands sanitisers were distributed Campaign on May 5. to all who visited the booth The initiative was part of and demonstrated the correct patient safety awareness cam- hand hygiene technique. paign held in collaboration The activity was well par- with the Ministry of Public ticipated not only by Al Emadi Health in Qatar. Hospital’s healthcare provid- “Patient safety is at the ers and staff but also by pa- heart of Al Emadi Hospital’s tients and families including commitment to the public children. – it is a way of life for every “When we improve our staff,” said Dr Mohamed al- hand hygiene compliance, we Emadi, chairman and senior Al Emadi Hospital off icials and staff who participated in the ‘Hand Hygiene Day.’ are reducing the likelihood of consultant for Metabolic and infection transmission there- Bariatric Surgery of Al Emadi ebration of World Hand Hy- the word, not the germs” to healthcare practitioners ebration included screening a tising relays showcasing the by promoting safer care and Hospital. giene Day, a short course en- – a QCHP approved CME/ across Qatar. video about five moments for correct WHO defined steps on saving lives,” added medical A week prior to the cel- titled “Hand hygiene: spread CPD activity, was offered The highlights of the cel- hand hygiene and hand sani- how to do hand rub. director Dr Abdulelah Adimi.