BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Al-Attiyah pulls out of Dakar

INDEX Rally DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2, 16 COMMENT 14, 15 ARAB WORLD 3 BUSINESS 1-8, 10-12 19,890.94 10,717.34 53.68 INTERNATIONAL 4–12 CLASSIFIED 9 Qatar’s real economic -51.22 +28.56 +0.42 ISLAM 13 SPORTS 1 – 8 -0.26% +0.27% +0.79% Latest Figures growth is seen at 3.7% in Q3 published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10325 January 6, 2017 Rabia II 8, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir watches Qatar Open matches More e-gates In brief will be needed

QATAR | Diplomacy FM meets former UK prime minister at HIA: al-Baker HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman By Pratap John ternational Airport, the MoI said. her ID card or passport on the e- al-Thani met former UK prime Chief Business Reporter Al-Baker said Qatar was reader at the e-gate, which will minister Tony Blair in Doha among the very few countries read the vital data stored on the yesterday. that had introduced e-gates on card or the passport and verify They discussed developments in ore e-gates at the Ha- a major scale, some 10 years ago. them. the Middle-East and exchanged mad International “Unfortunately, many people “Then the device will direct views on issues of joint interest. MAirport (HIA) will be- did not want to use it for several the passenger in Arabic or Eng- come necessary with the facil- reasons. Now the e-gates facility lish to move ahead as the fi rst EUROPE | Violence ity becoming popular among has been upgraded in a big way… glass barrier will be opened mak- New Turkey attack HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday attended the quarter-finals of the Qatar residents, Qatar Airways Group now they are faster… more bio- ing access for the passenger to ExxonMobil Open, being held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The Emir Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker metric friendly… and the cards the middle of the e-gate. claims two lives watched the match between the Croatian Ivo Karlovic and Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, which ended has said. are now free.” “Now the device will match A car bombing blamed on with the victory of Verdasco, in two straight sets. The Emir also watched the match between Serbian He said the Ministry of Inte- Al-Baker requested residents the data obtained from the travel Kurdish militants rocked the Novak Djokovic and Czech Radek Stepanek, which Djokovic won in two straight sets. Sport Page 1 rior was investing heavily into to utilise the e-gates facility, document by capturing his/her Turkish city of Izmir yesterday, “constantly upgrading the (e- which he said, “not only reduc- eye print and fi ngerprint and if killing at least two people and gates) system.” es the stress on the emigration the data matches the device will triggering a deadly shootout, as “It will become more and counters, but also makes their open the fi nal exit gate which authorities chased the fugitive more efficient and get much entry into the country smooth- enables the traveller to move to killer behind the New Year attack faster in processing the user’s er.” the boarding gate or baggage col- in Istanbul. data,” al-Baker told Gulf Times Earlier, the Ministry of Interior lection area. This process does Just four days after the Car bombing in Syrian yesterday. explained that the use of elec- not take more than two minutes, nightclub carnage, a car bomb “I am sure we will eventually tronic gates was very easy. whether to enter or exit,” a senior exploded outside a courthouse have to add more lanes of e-gates “A passenger has to place his/ MoI offi cial had said earlier. in the Aegean city of Izmir on to process the large numbers of yestersday afternoon, with govt stronghold kills 15 residents, who are now queuing authorities blaming the outlawed up at the emigration counters,” HIA expansion gets govt nod Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). al-Baker said. A policeman and a court worker, Agencies Those attacks were claimed position coalition urged the Recently, the Ministry of Inte- The government of Qatar has steering committee that has reportedly a bailiff , were killed, Beirut by the Islamic State extremist United Nations Security Coun- rior (MoI) activated e-gate serv- approved a major expansion been formulated under the Deputy Prime Minister Veysel movement. cil yesterday to put an “imme- ices on ID cards and passports of the Hamad International chairmanship of Abdullah bin Kaynak told reporters. Islamic State is excluded diate” halt to what it said were of resident expatriates free of Airport to boost its annual Nasser Turki al-Subaey. The aim Police battled “terrorists” in a t least 15 people, mainly from a nationwide ceasefi re regime violations of a shaky charge. capacity to more than 65mn is to complete the expansion clash which saw two militants civilians, were killed that went into eff ect in Syria a ceasefi re. This service can be accessed passengers, Qatar Airways work as soon as possible,” killed. Another escaped and is Ayesterday in a car week ago. The coalition “condemns at- by resident expatriates with ID Group chief executive Akbar al- al-Baker said at a media event now being pursued, he added. bombing that hit a government The truce, brokered by Rus- tempts by the government of cards and their children above 18 Baker has said. The expansion yesterday. The expansion Page 8 stronghold in Syria, a monitor- sia and Turkey, has since been (President) Bashar (al-Assad), years without the need for prior work will start later this year. is being designed by British ing group reported. marred by violations. Iran and their terrorist militias registration. “The government has architects Foster and Partners. AMERICAS | Security The bombing took place near The ceasefi re also excludes to continue with violations and There are 19 e-gates in the de- approved the expansion of Currently, the capacity of the HIA a stadium in the town of Jableh the Al Qaeda-linked Fatah al- with the war crimes that are parture lounge and 16 e-gates in the airport. There is a new is about 50mn. Business Page 1 US puts bin Laden’s in the Mediterranean province Sham Front. being carried out, especially the arrival lounge of Hamad In- son on terror blacklist of Latakia, the Syrian Observa- Spokesman for the Fatah al- in the Wadi Barada area,” the The United States added Hamza tory for Human Rights added. Sham Front, Hossam al-Shafei, National Coalition opposition bin Laden, son and would-be heir Syria’s state news agency criticised rebel groups that ac- body said. of the late Osama bin Laden, to SANA reported that the bomb- cepted the ongoing ceasefi re, It called on the Security its terrorist blacklist yesterday. ing killed nine civilians and in- saying they made a “big mis- Council and the guarantors of Hamza, who is in his mid- jured 25 others. take.” the truce to “halt attacks im- twenties, has become active as There was no claim of re- “What has been agreed upon mediately and to condemn and an Al Qaeda propagandist since sponsibility for the attack. is a big mistake and a large re- punish those who commit vio- his father’s death at the hands of Jableh is mainly inhabited by sponsibility borne by all those lations”. US special forces on May 2, 2011. members of the Alawite sect to who attended and signed...the Turkey’s Foreign Minister The State Department order whom Syrian President Bashar ceasefi re agreement,” al-Shafei Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednes- names Hamza bin Laden as a al-Assad belongs. said in an interview carried by day warned that ceasefi re vio- “Specially Designated Global Hmeimim, just outside Ja- Al-Jazeera Net. lation by the Syrian regime and Terrorist” and freezes any assets bleh, is the headquarters of the He added that the Syrian its backers were putting the he may hold in areas under US Russian troops that launched people did not off er all these Kazakhstan talks at risk. jurisdiction. an air campaign in support of sacrifi ces to be “rewarded by Cavusoglu had blamed The department also designated al-Assad’s overstretched forces this humiliating agreement.” breaches of the ceasefi re on the Ibrahim al-Banna, whom it in 2015. The ceasefi re is aimed at Iran-backed Hezbollah militia described as a senior leader in Al In May 2016, the area was ending Syria’s confl ict of nearly and the Syrian government. Qaeda’s Yemen-based franchise, rocked by a series of blasts that six years that has polarised re- Cavusoglu said they had Al Qaeda in the Arabian killed more than 100 people in gional powers. jeopardised peace talks planned Peninsula (AQAP). Page 5 Jableh. Meanwhile, Syria’s main op- for later this month in Astana. Passengers using the e-gate facility at the HIA. Picture courtesy: MoI Hamad International gets ‘5-Star Airport’ rating

amad International Air- Hong Kong, Tokyo-Haneda and passengers every year, and will is highly gratifying, and will port (HIA) has joined the Munich. grow to 50mn, yet each passen- continue to motivate us to cre- H“top tier of global air- This recognition is particu- ger can design their own expe- ate an exceptional experience ports”, becoming the sixth air- larly timely as it comes after a rience at the airport, whether it for everyone.” port in the world to receive the year of reaching a number of is shopping in the world-class Edward Plaisted, Sky- ‘5-Star Airport’ designation by strategic milestones at HIA, Qatar Duty Free premium trax CEO said, “We extend Skytrax. including the introduction of stores, relaxing in one of its 12 our congratulations to Ha- HIA is the fi rst ever airport in its iBeacon enabled mobile lounges, resting comfortably in mad International Airport for the Middle East to earn this ac- app, the launch of the ‘Smart the airport hotel or using one of achieving this 5-Star Airport claimed title. Airport’ features in the ter- the many amenities at the Vi- recognition, as well as being The prestigious 5-Star minal, the operation of the tality Spa including the squash the first airport in the Middle Airport rating is awarded to dual passenger train shuttle courts and the swimming pool. East to gain this status. This airports achieving the high- to concourses D and E and the The airport experience is de- accolade brings the challenge est, overall quality perform- opening of multiple duty free signed to be as memorable as that 5-Star Airports find their ance. The 5-Star Airport rat- stores. the journey.” customers become ever more ing recognises those airports Moreover, HIA has continued Hamad International Air- demanding, and we have every providing excellent facilities to work closely with Qatar Mu- port Chief Operating Officer confidence that HIA will con- for customers combined with seums adding multiple interna- Badr Mohamed al-Meer stat- tinue to both maintain and high quality airport staff tional and local art installations ed: “Joining the elite of air- improve standards as we move service. across the terminal. ports and being the first air- forward into 2017”. Airport quality ranking covers Qatar Airways Group Chief port in the Middle East to earn With just three years of op- front-line areas for departures, Executive Akbar al-Baker said, five stars from Skytrax is an erations, HIA has garnered arrival and transfer, including “Hamad International Airport honour, and a direct result of world-class awards and recog- airport facilities, customer serv- was designed and built in the the thousands of people who nition, including ‘Skytrax Mid- ice, security, immigration, shop modern era, taking into account ensure HIA operates smooth- dle East’s Best Airport’ (2015 outlets and food and beverage what passengers want most - ly every day, every flight. No and 2016), ‘Skytrax Best Staff facilities. convenience and service. HIA Al-Baker and al-Meer with senior Ministry of Interior off icials following the bestowing of ‘5-Star Airport’ matter how long our guests Service in the Middle East’ The highest rating – fi ve more than exceeds passenger designation on Hamad International Airport by Skytrax. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil are with us, we strive to make (2016) and previously ‘Best Air- stars – has previously only been expectations by providing what their journey flawless and port Award’ at the Future Travel awarded to fi ve other airports passengers want in an environ- ful and welcoming. HIA’s suc- it is now at capacity, and the is highly anticipated. The air- memorable. Experience (FTE) Asia Awards worldwide: Singapore, Seoul, ment that is beautiful, thought- cess is apparent in the fact that third phase of its development port serves more than 30mn “This acknowledgement in 2015. Gulf Times 2 Friday, January 6, 2017 QATAR

Message from Venezuelan president PM meets UK’s finance minister Ooredoo extends marathon deadline

oredoo has extended the deadline for the fi fth OOoredoo Marathon to be held on January 13. Registration will now close to- morrow at 11.59pm online (mar- athon.ooredoo.qa) and at 9pm at the Ooredoo Marathon booths. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a message from Venezuelan President The booths at City Center Nicolas Maduro, pertaining to bilateral relations between the two countries and means of develop- HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani Doha and Villaggio Mall will ing them. The message was handed over by Venezuelan Vice-President for political sovereignty, holding talks with UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond in Doha yesterday. They be open from 9am. As many as peace and security, and Minister of Foreign Aff airs, Delcy Rodriguez Gomez, during a meeting with discussed bilateral relations and means to further develop them, particularly in the fields of trade 1,200 runners have registered HH the Emir at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. and investment, in addition to reviewing issues of common concern. so far to take part in the annual event, which this year will raise money for the charity Reach Out to Asia. This year the Ooredoo Mara- thon will feature a 10km run, Crackdown on expired food half-marathon, full marathon and special children’s 3km and Strong winds, blowing 1km fun run. The route, which will start at the Museum of Islamic Art Park, will follow the Doha Corniche and prizes will be awarded to the dust forecast for today best runners in a range of catego- ries, based on age and gender.

By Ramesh Mathew of four to eight kilometres but could Staff Reporter fall to 3km or even less in some ar- Farm research eas. Though there is expected to be a marginal rise today to 13C in the dept records orthwesterly winds would minimum temperature from yester- success be exceptionally strong day’s 11C, the day’s maximum will Nacross Qatar today and there not be more than 22C against yester- The Ministry of Municipality are fairly good chances of slight to day’s 24C. and Environment’s Agriculture blowing dust in many areas at inter- The forecasters expect the coolest Doha Municipality Health Research Department made vals. weather conditions of the day in Control Section has spotted many achievements last year, The Met offi ce has issued caution the southern areas, with identi- a number of food facilities mostly in its success in growing as sea levels may go up considerably cal minimum temperature of 13C in and outlets keeping expired 12 diff erent types of plants using at times to reach up to 14ft at times in Mesaieed and Wakrah. The maxi- food products as part of its treated sewage water at Sabkhat the off shore areas. The average could mum of 22C would be in Doha and inspection campaign within Dukhan. be anywhere between seven and 12ft. Al Khor. the municipality. The department also succeeded Fishermen are instructed not to ven- The Met office has said both in The minimum and maximum in The inspectors of the in producing more than 9,200 ture out. the onshore and offshore areas the Doha and other places are as fol- section spotted expired date palm seedlings of the best However, by late evening the water winds could go beyond 30 knots at lows: Doha (15C and 22C), Mesaieed meat products in a bakery verities. levels may recede considerably to fi ve times but there could be fall in their (13C and 21C), Wakrah (13C and 21C), at Al Markhiya Area, expired The Ministry also is conducting a to eight ft levels. speed late in the evening to 14 to 22 Al Khor (16C and 22C), Ruwais (17C food substances used in research project on the impact of In the inshore areas, the maximum knots levels. and 20C), Dukhan (14C and 19C) and preparing pastry and sweets using date palm waste in sheep expected sea height is 4ft. The visibility will be in the region Abu Samra (14C and 21C). at a bakery at Musherib farming in Qatar. Area, expired food products Besides, around 95% of the at a grocery at Madinat construction works at the animal Khalifa South, and other production research station at products at a shop at the Al Sheehanyiah Area have been same area. accomplished. Other research Also, a restaurant at Umm centres are being equipped Lakhbah Area was spotted to start operations as soon as using expired meats, possible. chicken, fish, and vegetables in preparing its meals. At Old AlGhanim Area, a café Qatar-Djibouti was spotted keeping ties reviewed expired food products. All the necessary legal procedures were taken HE the Minister of against the violating outlets. Administrative Development, Doha Municipality’s unit for Labour and Social Affairs, fighting rodents and insects Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al- carried out 18,614 requests Nuaimi, held talks with to fight pest menace within Djibouti’s Minister of Labour Doha during 2016. The and Administrative Reform requests covered private Hassan Idriss Samrieh in Doha and government entities, in yesterday. addition to various public They discussed bilateral relations facilities. between Qatar and Djibouti and means of enhancing them.

Surprise inspection

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has conducted a surprise inspection campaign on the food storehouses across the country. The campaign resulted in issuing a report for violation of law no 8 for 2008 on Consumer Protection to a storehouse for keeping 93,464 pieces of various expired food items, in addition to 10 and a half tonnes of expired rice. Legal procedures were taken against the storehouse. Such violations entail a penalty of administrative closure of the place in addition to a fine ranging from QR3,000 to QR1mn. Gulf Times Friday, January 6, 2017 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD

INVESTIGATION REVENUES UPRISING MIDDLE EAST PLAYING WITH FIRE Egypt to question CAF Abu Dhabi levies fee Pro-democracy activist Fisherman missing president over deals on expat tenants released from prison after Israeli attack

Egyptian authorities are investigating Issa Abu Dhabi has imposed a fee on expatriates Egyptian pro-democracy campaigner Ahmed A Gaza fisherman was reported missing Hayatou, the president of Africa’s football renting homes there as it seeks to increase Maher, an iconic figure in the country’s 2011 yesterday after Israeli navy drowned his boat body CAF, over allegedly cutting deals that state revenues that have fallen due to low crude uprising, was released yesterday from prison near Sudaniya area, northwest Gaza, according infringed the country’s competition laws, prices. The municipal fee, equivalent to 3% of a after serving a three-year jail term for an to witnesses. They said Israeli navy boats Egypt’s state Middle East News Agency tenant’s annual rent, will take eff ect retroactively illegal street protest, state-run newspaper opened fire at the fishing boat and drenched it reported. The government’s Competition from next month, the Abu Dhabi Department of al-Ahram reported online. Maher, 36, will be with water apparently pushing the fisherman Agency accused Hayatou of exploiting his Municipal Aff airs & Transport said yesterday. Last on probation for three more years as part of identified as Mohamed Hassi to fall off into the position by unlawfully awarding broadcasting January, Abu Dhabi hiked water and electricity a court sentence in the same case, the report water. A fisherman witness said that the Israeli rights of CAF tournaments to the media charges, and in July the International Monetary said. In 2013, Maher was handed down the navy attacked a few Palestinian boats that company Lagardere Sports, the report said. Fund estimated the government would run a sentence after being convicted of participating were sailing near al-Sudaniya area, which is The awarding has violated “rules of free and fiscal deficit of 6.9% of gross domestic product in in an unauthorised protest and attacking a about 4 nautical miles off Gaza shore, chased A Houthi militant displays his skills during a fair competition”, the agency was quoted as 2016. Authorities decided on the fee last year but police officer outside a Cairo court building. them and opened fire at them, causing serious parade held by newly-recruited Houthi fighters saying. There was no comment from CAF, delayed its introduction because procedures to The verdict was issued under a controversial damages to them. One of the boats eventually before heading to the frontline to fight against which is based in Cairo. implement it were not yet in place. law that heavily restricts public protests. capsized and the fisherman on it went missing. government forces, in Sanaa, Yemen yesterday. Water crisis deepens in Damascus

AFP had almost run out and she Damascus only uses it for absolute ne- cessities. The public water authority major water crisis in has published daily updates on Syria’s capital wors- its Facebook page telling resi- Aened as regime and dents where and when water rebel forces clashed near its will be distributed. main reservoir yesterday de- But locals said the water of- spite a fragile truce that en- ten fails to arrive and when it tered its seventh day. does, is undrinkable. The water from rebel-held Authorities said they closed Wadi Barada, which supplies several shops on Wednesday 4mn people in Damascus, has for selling drinking water at been cut since December 22, elevated prices. causing major shortages. Mohannad, 53, said he buys The regime and rebels have drinking water at twice its traded accusations over re- normal price. sponsibility. A 10-litre bottle that sold Government forces backed for 500 liras before the mains by Lebanon’s Hezbollah water was cut now sells for An Iraqi family wait with their belongings to return home on the western edge of Al-Intisar neighbourhood in southeastern Mosul yesterday. Iraqi forces launched an off ensive group are fighting to recap- 1,000 liras. against the Islamic State group near the Syrian border, piling further pressure on the militants’ crumbling “caliphate”. ture the area northwest of “It’s an unexpected cost on Damascus even as a nation- top of that fact that living is wide ceasefire has brought already expensive,” Mohannad quiet to other parts of Syria said. in preparation for renewed The regime says forces in peace talks. Wadi Barada include former Al The truce, brokered by re- Qaeda affi liate Fateh al-Sham gime backer Russia and rebel Front, previously known as sponsor Turkey, was meant to Al-Nusra Front, which Mos- Iraq launches off ensive pave the way for peace nego- cow and Damascus say is ex- tiations later this month in the cluded from the ceasefi re. Kazakh capital Astana. Rebels deny the group is in The Syrian Observatory the area. for Human Rights said re- The fi ghting near Damas- gime forces late Wednesday cus threatened a truce that launched “dozens of air strikes was meant to pave the way for on IS near Syria border on parts of Wadi Barada along peace negotiations later this with artillery and rocket fi re, month in the Kazakh capital The main targets of the Jazeera Operations Command, against the militants in the area. last major stronghold in the elements to help advise them as killing a fi refi ghter.” Astana. operation are Aanah, using an Arabic acronym for IS. “Zero hour has come to liber- country. they move forward and to syn- The Observatory, a Britain- Observatory director Rami Rawa and Al-Qaim, the He said the operation was ate the western areas,” Nadhom The operation launched on chronise operations,” he said. based monitor of Syria’s con- Abdel Rahman said the truce westernmost Iraqi towns led by the army’s 7th division, al-Jughaifi , a commander with October 17 is Iraq’s largest in Prime Minister Haider al- fl ict, said pro-regime forces was in a “critical phase” with along the Euphrates Valley police, and fi ghters from lo- the Haditha tribal fi ghters, said. years and while signifi cant ter- Abadi promised that his forces and rebels were locked in on- violations on several fronts. cal tribes that have opposed the In 2016, Iraqi forces retook ritory was reconquered around would rid Iraq of IS by the end going clashes there yesterday. But he said fi ghting had AFP militants, with aerial backing large parts of the vast province Mosul, the going has been tough of 2016 but commanders have Retaking the area became an eased considerably since the Baghdad from the coalition. of Anbar, including its capital inside the city itself. admitted they were surprised at urgent priority for the regime truce came into force. The main targets of the op- Ramadi and the city of Fallujah. After a lull in operations, Iraqi how stiff militant resistance was as the cut caused severe water “The number of casualties eration are Aanah, Rawa and Anbar is a desert area tra- forces launched a fresh push last in the city. shortages in the capital. has fallen a lot, with only 13 raqi forces launched an of- Al-Qaim, the westernmost Iraqi versed by the Euphrates that week and appear to have found According to a top command- Damascus residents said dead in the areas covered by fensive against the Islamic towns along the Euphrates Val- borders Saudi Arabia, Jordan and new momentum. er in the Counter-Terrorism they have been forced to buy the ceasefi re since the truce IState group near the Syrian ley. Syria. “Iraqi security forces have Service that has spearheaded the bottled water at twice its nor- began. That would have been border yesterday, piling further The militant hub of Al-Qaim, Security in reconquered ar- made signifi cant progress since battle in Mosul, Iraqi forces have mal price as their supplies the toll of a single air strike pressure on the militants’ crum- which lies 330km northwest of eas remains precarious and mili- initiating phase two of their op- now retaken about two-thirds of have run low. before it came into force.” bling “caliphate”. Baghdad, is still a long way down tants continue to move across eration to liberate Mosul,” Colo- the city’s eastern half. “We used to complain about French President Francois Baghdad and its allies also the road and the most immediate the province. nel John Dorrian, the coalition’s Dorrian said the presence power cuts, but now we can Hollande yesterday called for turned up the heat on IS in its target is the town of Aanah. IS has lost more than half of spokesman, said on Wednesday. inside the city of hundreds see that it’s nothing compared respect for the ceasefi re, “par- last remaining Iraqi stronghold “Our forces started advanc- the territory it once control- He said that was partly owed of thousands of civilians had to the lack of drinkable wa- ticularly by the regime” so of Mosul, where the US-led co- ing from Haditha towards Aanah led in Iraq and the loss of Mosul to increased coalition involve- slowed progress. ter. Water is life,” said Faiz, a peace talks could go ahead. alition said it had doubled the from several directions,” Moha- would deal a major blow to the ment in the battle, with a dou- “There are more than 200,000 50-year-old civil servant. “Every eff ort should be number of its advisers. medi said. “caliphate” it proclaimed there bling of the deployment of ad- buildings in Mosul. And really, in Riham, 49, of Mashrou made to ensure that the ne- “A military operation has be- Haditha was never seized by in June 2014. visers there to about 450. order to do this properly, given Dummar district, said she has gotiations envisaged by the gun in the western areas of Anbar IS when the group swept across Tens of thousands of Iraqi “We have increased the the way that the enemy has con- not been able to bathe or wash United Nations can take place (province) to liberate them from much of Iraq’s Sunni Arab forces are currently involved in number of advise and assist ducted themselves, you end up her clothes for a week. within the envisaged time- Daesh,” said Lieutenant Gen- heartland in 2014 and is home an off ensive to retake the main forces that are there with the ISF having to clear each one,” he told The water in her own tank frame,” his offi ce said. eral Qassem Mohamedi, head of to a tribe that has led the fi ght northern city, which is also IS’s (Iraqi Security Forces) command reporters.

Arrests after threats over Protest against blockade Opposition leader’s Israeli soldier’s conviction detention extended AFP granted bail in another case AFP two people from Jerusalem and protesters scuffl ed with police Manama over tweets deemed hostile to Jerusalem the city of Kiryat Gat for in- on Wednesday as they gathered Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, for citement to violence online. outside Israel’s military head- which the next hearing is on According to Israeli news site quarters in Tel Aviv, where the ahrain’s prosecution January 23. sraeli police arrested two Ynet, the posts by a 54-year- verdict was announced. yesterday extended by In that case he is accused people yesterday after old man and 22-year-old Military chief of staff Gadi Btwo weeks the deten- of “spreading false news and Ideath threats emerged woman included death threats Eisenkot was reportedly tar- tion of opposition leader Na- rumours and inciting propa- online against a judge over against the head of the three- geted with threats, with some bil Rajab over spreading “false ganda during wartime which the manslaughter conviction judge panel in the case, Colonel supporters of the soldier sug- information” about the king- could undermine the war op- of a soldier who shot dead a Maya Heller. gesting he would join Rabin – a dom, his lawyer said. erations by the Bahraini armed wounded Palestinian assailant. “Police units are continuing reference to the 1995 assassi- The human rights activ- forces and weaken the nation”. Israel’s military has also as- to monitor social media and nation of former prime minis- ist “was interrogated by the Bahrain is part of a Saudi- signed bodyguards to the three respond to threats and incite- ter Yitzhak Rabin by a Jewish prosecution, who decided to led coalition since March judges who found the 20-year- ment to violence connected to extremist. extend his pre-trial detention 2015 battling Houthi rebels in old French-Israeli soldier guilty the Azaria court decision,” a The case burst into public by 15 days over the accusa- Yemen. on Wednesday, reports said. statement said. view when a video of the March tion of spreading rumours and Rajab, who had been par- Sgt Elor Azaria was con- Military and justice ministry 24 shooting in Hebron in the false information,” Mohamed doned for health reasons last victed after a trial in a mili- offi cials declined to comment occupied West Bank emerged al-Jishi said. year, was rearrested in June tary court that began in May on the increased security for and spread widely online. This accusation is linked to and is on trial on a list of and which deeply divided the Heller as well as the two other The video showed Abdul Fa- television interviews given by charges, including insulting country. judges, Colonel Carmel Wahabi tah al-Sharif, 21, lying on the Rajab in 2014 and 2015, the a state institution and Saudi It has led to harsh criti- and Lieutenant Colonel Yaron ground, shot along with an- lawyer said, adding a request Arabia in online postings. cism of the verdict by far-right Sitbon. other man after stabbing and to free him had been rejected. Rajab was questioned re- activists, while right-wing Military prosecutor Lieuten- moderately wounding a soldier On December 28, the pros- cently in custody over letters politicians – including Prime ant Colonel Nadav Weissman minutes earlier, according to ecution said Rajab would re- critical of the authorities that Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also reportedly given extra the army. main in custody to be ques- were published in September – have called for the soldier to protection. Azaria then shoots him again Palestinians take part in a protest against the Gaza blockade, tioned over “spreading false in The New York Times and in be pardoned. In a sign of the tensions sur- in the head without any appar- near Israeli Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip yesterday. news about the situation in December in French daily Le Police said they had arrested rounding the case, dozens of ent provocation. the kingdom”, despite being Monde. Gulf Times 4 Friday, January 6, 2017 AFRICA

Abuja airport to Ghana president urges close for six weeks support for successor from AFP Speaker, holding the baton of edge his defeat in a December 1 ing against strong headwinds”, March 8 Accra leadership prepared to pass it on election he lost to Adama Bar- he was able to deliver many in- with pride, goodwill and deter- row, challenging the result at the frastructure projects as well as mination to Nana Akufo-Addo Supreme Court. healthcare and water services to Reuters hana’s outgoing presi- and to ask all Ghanaians to cheer In the Democratic Republic millions of people. Abuja dent John Mahama has him on as he runs his portion of of the Congo, where President “Ghana is entering into an era Gurged his compatriots to this important relay for Ghana,” Joseph Kabila is constitutionally of power suffi ciency,” he said. “I get behind his successor, Nana said Mahama. barred from seeking a third term took responsibility.” igeria plans to close the Akufo-Addo, during his last Opposition leader Akufo-Ad- of offi ce, new elections have Akufo-Addo, an erudite airport in the capital state of the nation address yes- do defeated Mahama in the hotly been delayed by a year. 72-year-old human rights law- NAbuja for six weeks from terday. contested December 7 elections In 2015, Mahama was forced to yer, has pledged to put Ghana March 8 to repair its runway, the Mahama told parliament in on a platform promising to reju- go to the International Monetary “back on the path of progress aviation ministry said this week, the capital, Accra, that he was venate the economy and stamp Fund for a $918mn (€873mn) and prosperity”. pushing the move back later than happy to step down and let his out government corruption. bailout to try to turn around an In his election manifesto, he previously scheduled. long-time rival take the helm of Ghana is a shining example economic slump caused in part laid out a plan to restore eco- The decision to shut the air- one of Africa’s most stable de- of democracy in a region where by ballooning government debt nomic stability and encourage port and divert Abuja-bound mocracies. dictators have been desperately and a crippling power shortage. investment by slashing corpo- fl ights to Kaduna, an airport Akufo-Addo will be inaugu- trying to cling to power. But in his speech, 58-year-old rate tax and abolishing taxes on used primarily for domestic rated as president tomorrow. Gambian President Yahya Mahama defended his time in everything from real estate sales fl ights about 160km to the north, “I stand here today, Mr Jammeh has refused to acknowl- offi ce, saying that despite “sail- to domestic fl ight tickets. Mahama: Ghana is entering into an era of power suff iciency. was taken after airlines threat- ened to stop fl ying to the capital. The government had said the six week closure would begin in February. But a statement issued on Politicians Zimbabwe fi rst lady defi es eviction order Tuesday, which said the aviation minister would discuss the mat- ter with stakeholders, said the praised, DPA which was due to be President Mtetwa told DPA. party for the transaction. “proposed closure” was set to Harare Robert Mugabe’s gift to her on “We have since advised the The 51-year-old fi rst lady start on March 8. their 20th wedding anniversary deputy sheriff to have her evict- has been tipped as successor to No reason was given for the mocked in 2016. ed from the properties in line her 92-year-old husband, who change of date. imbabwe’s First Lady For unknown reasons, she with the court’s directive,” she has ruled the southern African The meeting with aviation Grace Mugabe is defying a refused to accept the ring on added. country since 1980. industry fi gures is to brief them over New Zcourt order to leave three delivery, and sought to get the There has been no comment Mugabe has, however, an- on eff orts being made to ensure properties that she seized from money back. from Grace Mugabe, who is cur- nounced that he will still be a that the use of Kaduna’s airport a Lebanese businessman in a A judge in December ordered rently accompanying her hus- candidate in the 2018 elections. is “seamless and hitch-free”, said Year song dispute over a $1.35mn diamond Grace Mugabe to leave Jamal’s band to China on a month-long The couple has been accused aviation ministry spokesman ring, the businessman’s lawyer properties within 24 hours. vacation. of lavish spending in the coun- James Odaudu. Grace Mugabe: currently said yesterday. “She has not made a step in Jamal has argued that he has try where 80% of the workforce Analysts have said that the AFP accompanying her husband Grace Mugabe seized Ahmed complying with the provisional not yet had time to reimburse is estimated to be unemployed, temporary closure of Abuja air- Lagos to China on a month-long Jamal’s properties after he failed order issued by Justice Clement the price of the diamond ring, and which has seen months of port, the country’s second busi- vacation. to reimburse the cost of the ring, Phiri,” Jamal’s lawyer Beatrice because he was using a third protests against Mugabe. est after the commercial capital Lagos, will have a negative im- t’s the country of Afrobeat pact on Africa’s biggest econo- legend Fela Kuti and pop my, which fell into recession in Istars Davido and Wizkid. It came from above 2016 for the fi rst time in 25 years. But a more unusual set of Passengers travelling to Abuja singers grabbed the spotlight in Three teenaged will have to fl y to Kaduna and Nigeria this week with their New travel in bus shuttles, guarded Year message. by security provided by the gov- Vice-President Yemi Osin- ernment, to the capital on a pot- bajo led a choir including former would-be suicide holed road where kidnappings president Olusegun Obasanjo have taken place in the last few and military ruler Yakubu Gow- years. on in a rendition of the 18th cen- Kaduna’s international airport tury hymn O God Our Help in bombers killed handled 12 fl ights in December Ages Past. 2015, the last month for which Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Nigeria’s airports authority has Christmas? it wasn’t. AFP and bus stations have been hit fi gures, compared with 812 that Yet it was hard not to see Kano repeatedly to cause mass civil- used Abuja International. parallels in the video, with the ian casualties. The government has said political heavyweights sing- Muhammad said the girls German company Julius Berger ing earnestly into microphones, hree teenage girls sus- were intercepted at Bakin will carry out repairs on Abuja’s headphones over their ears. pected of planning a tri- Dutse village, some 5km from damaged runway. There were cutaway shots Tple suicide bomb attack Madagali, and were believed to of symbols of Nigerian pride – in a town frequently targeted be heading to the town’s mar- the National Theatre in Lagos by Boko Haram have been shot ket. and the parliament buildings in dead, a local government offi - Last month, at least 45 peo- 11 killed as minibus Abuja – as well as some less than cial said yesterday. ple were killed in twin suicide crashes in Kenya tuneful singing. Civilian vigilantes opened attacks at Madagali’s busy The video (https://youtu.be/ fi re on the trio near the town markets, a year after a similar Eleven people were killed in P5WrUPNqbOo) was meant as of Madagali when they refused strike killed 17. Kenya yesterday when the driver a gesture of peace and good- to stop for a security check, the Madagali is in the far north of an overloaded minibus lost will in a country riven by strife, town council’s chairman, Yu- of Adamawa state on the bor- control of the vehicle which from Boko Haram Islamists in suf Muhammad, told AFP. der with Borno state, which rolled over and landed in a ditch, the northeast to oil rebels in the “Explosives strapped to two has borne the brunt of the vio- traff ic police said. south. of the girls exploded from the lence since 2009. The vehicle, known as a matatu, At the same time, some say impact of the shooting, while Islamic State group affi liate was travelling from Sirare on the that divine intervention – or at those on the third girl were de- Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest Tanzanian border to the port city least an eff ective economic plan fused by soldiers,” he added. hideout is nearby. of Kisumu when the accident – is required to lead the oil-rich Boko Haram Islamists have In August 2014, Madagali took place. nation out of a damaging reces- regularly used young women fell to the Islamist militants but “Off icers collected eight bodies sion. and girls as human bombs in a was reclaimed two months lat- at the scene. Unfortunately three “We pray to God to continue nearly eight-year insurgency, er, although attacks continue. others passed on while being to grant us better peace and uni- which has left at least 20,000 Nigeria’s military claims to rushed to the hospital,” said ty that this country dearly de- people dead and made more have driven Boko Haram out traff ic off icial Andrew Naibei. serves,” said Gowon, who seized than 2.6mn homeless. of Sambisa and the attacks are Local police commissioner power in a July 1966 coup and Some of the bombers have the last throw of the dice for Mohammed Maalim said the headed a military government been as young as seven and are the rebels. minibus was carrying too many until 1975. unlikely to have been aware of But, as the militant fi ght- A firefighting helicopter dumps water on a fire that has been burning in the mountains for the passengers “and we expect a Obasanjo, another former their actions, said experts who ers scatter, it is thought the last two days above the town of Somerset West, about 50km from the centre of Cape Town. The thorough investigation (into) how military head of state before track the confl ict. confl ict may move elsewhere, fire has raged through the area known for its wine production, damaging several vineyards and such an overloaded matatu could becoming a civilian president Civilian “soft” targets such including into the Lake Chad destroying three buildings. travel all the way from Sirare”, in 1999, added: “God created as mosques, churches, markets area. he said. Nigeria as we are. God doesn’t make any mistake. We should thank God for that.” Nigerian soldiers find another Chibok schoolgirl One user on Twitter called the video “inspirational” while an- Nigerian soldiers have found a schoolgirl who was medical investigation and would soon be released other said it was “so touching”. ‘Refugees suff ering in Lake Chad’ one of more than 200 pupils kidnapped by Islamist to the Borno state government,” said the army But the good intentions were militant group Boko Haram from their school in the statement, signed by spokesman Sani Usman. widely mocked. northeastern town of Chibok in April 2014, an army The rescue followed that of another girl and her child One called it “a waste of eve- Reuters aid by Boko Haram despite a re- to something like that just to spokesman said yesterday. in November. ryone’s time” while on Osi- London gional military off ensive against keep your children alive – frat- The troops were investigating suspected Boko A total of 276 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko nbajo’s Facebook page, many the Islamist militants, accord- ernising with people who have Haram militants when they discovered Rakiya Haram from Chibok in 2014 in one of the most blamed past leaders for Nigeria’s ing to the United Nations. money.” Abubkar, the spokesman said in a statement. infamous actions of their insurgency. current woes. omen in the Lake “It’s (extraordinary) ... to see The unfolding catastrophe in She had a six-month-old baby with her, it said. Only about 50 of the abductees managed to escape Another top offi cial, Okoh Chad basin have a woman and her family and the Lake Chad basin was named The news website Sahara Reporters tweeted that immediately. Ebitu Ukiwe, however, acknowl- Wbeen forced to sell they have nothing other than the most neglected crisis of she was rescued near Sambisa Forest, a Boko Haram More than 20 were released in October in a deal edged mistakes were made. sex to survive due to an insur- what they’ve been given. The 2016 in a poll of aid agencies by stronghold in the north-east. brokered by the International Red Cross. “I am grateful to God for ac- gency by Boko Haram fi ghters children are clearly malnour- the Thomson Reuters Founda- “Rakiya Abubakar is presently undergoing further About 200 are believed to be still in captivity. cepting us, despite the mess we that has driven millions from ished and it’s just hopeless,” tion. have made of ourselves and the their homes and left children to said Simon Brooks, head of Overshadowed by the wars More Boko Haram fighters defect in Niger: government country,” he said in the message. starve, the International Com- ICRC’s delegation in Cam- in Syria and Iraq and the global Nigeria’s government has pre- mittee of the Red Cross (ICRC) eroon. refugee and migrant crisis, Lake Around 20 more members of the Islamist militant squeeze on the group, launched in July, co-ordinated viously used songs to promote said yesterday. As the head of their house- Chad has barely made the head- group Boko Haram have surrendered in Niger. with security forces in Nigeria and Chad, where the national unity. The violence has displaced holds, some mothers have been lines, Brooks said during an in- “About 50 Boko Haram fighters have now given group also operates. Last month, the country’s more than 2.4mn people across forced to sell their bodies so terview in London. themselves up” since December 27, Niger’s interior More surrenders will follow, he said, adding “in some military, paramilitary and po- the swamplands of Lake Chad, they could feed their family, More than 7mn people lack minister, Bazoum Mohamed, said in an interview sectors, the war (against Boko Haram) is already lice released a Christmas music where the borders of Chad, since many no longer have hus- food but insecurity makes it broadcast late on Wednesday on the state TV over”. video. Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria bands because of the confl ict, hard for aid agencies to reach channel Tele Sahel. But he warned that “organised Boko Haram elements Uniformed offi cers were seen meet, and disrupted the live- Brooks said. the most vulnerable. The combatants surrendered at Diff a, in south- are training” in the marshes of Lake Chad, a zone lip-synching and dancing to the lihoods of hundreds of thou- “When you don’t have the Half a million children are eastern Niger, a Boko Haram stronghold close to that straddles the three countries. Jose Feliciano song Feliz Navidad sands of others, ICRC says. means to survive, you’ll go beg- severely acutely malnourished the border with Nigeria, where 31 fighters turned Diff a is one of the worst-hit regions, with around – (https://www.youtube.com/ Up to a million people have ging for it. It’s a loss of dignity and on the brink of death if they themselves in at the end of last month. 300,000 people supported by a local population watch?v=QxT9grU3BlI). been cut off from humanitarian when you’re having to resort are not treated, Brooks said. Mohamed attributed the success to a military which is already chronically poor. Gulf Times Friday, January 6, 2017 5 AMERICAS Spy chief ‘resolute’ in belief that Russia

Clapper: ‘Our assessment now is even more resolute than it was’ on hacked US election October 7 when the government first publicly accused Russia. President-elect Trump not planning intelligence agency revamp: aide Reuters agencies, he is heading for a con- Moscow denies the hacking al- knowledged the Russian hacking Washington fl ict over the issue because he has legations. but have not linked it to an eff ort Donald Trump has no plans to restructure the nation’s cast doubt on their assessments President Barack Obama last to help Trump win. top spy agency, his transition team said yesterday, re- that Russia targeted the election. week ordered the expulsion of 35 Trump and top advisers be- futing an explosive report that said the president-elect he top US intelligence of- Many lawmakers from both Russian suspected spies and im- lieve Democrats are trying to del- was considering paring back a bloated intelligence fi cial told Congress yes- parties are wary of Moscow and posed sanctions on two Russian egitimise his election victory by apparatus. Tterday that he was “even distrust Trump’s praise of Rus- intelligence agencies he said were accusing Russia of helping him. Republican Trump has been highly critical of the na- more resolute” in his belief that sian President Vladimir Putin involved in hacking US political Clapper said there were mul- tion’s intelligence community for months, openly cast- Russia staged cyber-attacks on and eff orts to heal the rift be- groups such as the Democratic tiple motives for the hacking but ing doubt on its conclusion that Russia was involved in Democrats in the 2016 election tween the US and Russia. National Committee (DNC). pointed out that “they did not US election-related cyber-attacks. campaign, despite scepticism Trump will be briefed by intel- In a tweet on Wednesday, change any vote tallies or any- “These reports are false,” said Trump spokesman Sean from Republican President-elect ligence agency chiefs today on Trump cast doubt on a Rus- thing of that sort”. Spicer, the incoming White House press secretary, Donald Trump about fi ndings on hacks that targeted the Demo- sian role in the aff air, writing: Clapper, National Security referring to a Wall Street Journal report late on Moscow’s role. cratic Party in the run-up to the “(WikiLeaks founder) Julian As- Agency Director Mike Rogers Wednesday that said Trump was aiming to scale back James Clapper, the Director of election surprisingly won by the sange said ‘a 14-year-old could and Under-secretary of Defence the Off ice of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) National Intelligence, said that New York businessman. have hacked Podesta’ - why was for Intelligence Marcel Lettre all and restructure the Central Intelligence Agency. he had a very high level of confi - “I don’t think we’ve ever en- DNC so careless? Also said the testifi ed at yesterday’s hearing “There is no truth to this idea of restructuring the intel- Trump: The media lies to make it look like I am dence that Russia hacked Demo- countered a more aggressive or Russians did not give him the about cyber threats. ligence community infrastructure. It is 100% false,” against ‘Intelligence’ when in fact I am a big fan! cratic Party institutions and op- direct campaign to interfere in info!” More than 30 nations are de- Spicer told reporters on a conference call. eratives, as well as disseminating our election process than we’ve However, yesterday Trump veloping off ensive cyber-attack Trump won a stunning upset against Democrat Hillary rebukes from Democratic and Republican lawmakers propaganda and fake news aimed seen in this case,” said Clapper, said in another post on Twitter capabilities as of late 2016, Clap- Clinton in the US election on November 8. alike. at the November 8 election. who leaves when Trump be- that he was not against intelli- per said. US intelligence off icials and the White House have On Thursday, Trump insisted he supports the US intel- Clapper said Russian President comes president on January 20. gence agencies or in agreement They described Moscow as a said Russia was behind a series of computer attacks, ligence agencies. Vladimir Putin ordered the hack Clapper stopped short of de- with Assange, whose organisa- major threat to a wide range of including of the Democratic Party in 2016, and leaks of “The media lies to make it look like I am against ‘Intelli- of Democratic Party e-mails, and claring Russia’s actions “an act tion leaked Democrats’ e-mails. US interests because of its “high- hacked documents, which hurt Clinton’s presidential gence’ when in fact I am a big fan!” the president-elect the motive will be revealed next of war”, saying that determina- Documents stolen from the ly-advanced off ensive cyber pro- campaign. tweeted. week. tion was beyond the scope of his DNC and candidate Hillary Clin- gramme” and sophisticated ca- The Journal had quoted a source familiar with Trump’s But Congressman Adam Schiff , the top Democrat on “Our assessment now is even offi ce. ton’s campaign chairman John pabilities. strategy as saying the president-elect and his advisers the House Intelligence Committee, said the willingness more resolute than it was” on Clapper did not say what made Podesta were leaked to the media An unclassifi ed version of the were working on a plan to scale back a US intelligence of Trump and his backers to disregard the determina- October 7 when the govern- him confi dent that Russia was before the election, embarrassing intelligence community’s review world which “has become completely politicised”. tions of the US intelligence community had reached ment fi rst publicly accused Rus- behind the cyber-attacks, but the campaign. of Russian interference in the US “They all need to be slimmed down. The focus will be “embarrassing” levels. sia, Clapper told a hearing of the that conclusion is shared by US US intelligence offi cials have election will be made public early on restructuring the agencies and how they interact.” “This is not healthy scepticism as they would like to Senate Armed Services Commit- intelligence agencies such as the said Russian cyber-attacks were next week and will assign a mo- Trump’s criticism of US spy agencies and praise for portray it,” Schiff told CNN yesterday. “This is very tee. Central Intelligence Agency and specifi cally aimed at helping tive for the attacks, Clapper said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn stern unhealthy, essentially avoidance of the facts.” Although Trump called him- several private cyber-security Trump beat Clinton. The report was delivered to self a “big fan” of intelligence fi rms. Several Republicans have ac- Obama yesterday. Temer promises new prisons after riot Sheriff off ers jail AFP for a string of deadly riots. Brasilia The new prisons will each have two separate buildings, en- inmates abling authorities to separate in- razilian President Michel mates convicted of minor crimes Temer said yesterday that from the most violent criminals. for wall Bthe country will build new The federal government will prisons in every state to relieve also build fi ve new maximum overcrowding after a “horrifi c” security prisons and transfer Reuters riot that left 56 inmates dead. “highly dangerous” gang leaders Boston It was Temer’s fi rst public re- to them, Temer said. action to the grisly riot in Man- High-tech equipment to block aus, the capital of Amazonas cellphone signals – preventing Massachusetts county state, where jailed gang mem- inmates from using contraband sheriff has proposed bers beheaded and mutilated phones for criminal activities Asending prison inmates their rivals in a 17-hour blood- – will be deployed in 30% of all from around the United States bath on Sunday and Monday. prisons in every state, he said. Temer: It’s not enough to just to build the proposed wall along “I want to fi rst of all express The latest riot, which also diagnose what went wrong. We the Mexican border that is one my solidarity with the families enabled 184 inmates to escape, have to act. of US President-elect Donald that lost their loved ones in this has cast a spotlight on Brazil’s Trump’s most prominent cam- terrible incident,” Temer said at under-funded prisons. to handle the current number of paign promises. a press conference after meeting Prisons are often controlled in inmates: 622,000. “I can think of no other project several of his ministers. “It’s not Brazil by drug gangs, whose turf That is the world’s fourth- that would have such a positive enough to just diagnose what wars are fought inside as well as largest prison population after impact on our inmates and our went wrong. We have to act.” outside prison. the US, China and Russia, ac- country than building this wall,” He announced the fed- Overcrowding exacerbates the cording to the report. Bristol County Sheriff Thomas eral government would spend problem, human rights activists The latest riot was the dead- Hodgson said at his swearing-in 800mn reals ($250mn) to build say. liest in Brazil since police killed ceremony for a fourth term in of- at least one prison in each of Brazil’s justice ministry said in 111 inmates in a crackdown on an fi ce late on Wednesday. Brazil’s 26 states to deal with a 2014 report that the country’s uprising at the Carandiru prison “Aside from learning and chronic overcrowding blamed prisons need 50% more capacity in Sao Paulo in 1992. A worker prepares graves for inmates who died during the Manaus prison riot. perfecting construction skills, the symbolism of these inmates building a wall to prevent crime in communities around the country, and to preserve jobs and work opportunities for them and Looting erupts amid Mexico gas protests Bin Laden son added other Americans upon release, can be very powerful,” he said. Hodgson, who like Trump is AFP ple have been detained. to US terror blacklist a Republican, said inmates from Mexico City Some shops closed in the af- around the country could build ternoon, but city secretary gen- the proposed wall, described by eral Patricia Mercado told local Reuters group’s security chief and has Trump as a powerful deterrent ooting broke out at doz- radio “there’s no need for that” Washington provided military and security to illegal immigration. ens of stores in Mexico as she vowed to police would advice to AQAP leaders, the Trump, who will be sworn in Lon Wednesday on the prevent further vandalism. State Department said. on January 20, insisted during sidelines of protests against a Federal police said 20 new son of late Al Qaeda head The Treasury Department’s his campaign that he would con- steep gasoline price increase as protests and roadblocks have Osama bin Laden and Offi ce of Foreign Assets Con- vince the Mexican government authorities detained more than been reported in various parts of Aa leader of Al Qaeda in trol added bin Laden and al- to pay for the wall, though Mexi- 200 people. the country on Wednesday. the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Banna to its list of special- can offi cials have repeatedly said Mexicans have blocked serv- State energy company Pemex were added to the US counter- ly-designated nationals, a they would not do so. ice stations, disrupted highway warned on Tuesday that the terrorism blacklist yesterday, a counter-terrorism blacklist. Offi cials in the Trump transi- traffi c and staged protests since blockades were aff ecting the move to keep them from using The State Department said tion offi ce did not immediately the government increased fuel distribution of fuel and that it the US fi nancial system, the the two had been identifi ed as respond to a request for com- prices by 20.1% on January 1. had reached a “critical situa- State Department said. specially designated global ter- ment. Vandalism and looting erupt- tion” in the northern states of The State and Treasury de- rorists. The US has a long history of ed amid the rising tension, Chihuahua and Durango and the partments said they had des- Any property owned by the prison labour, with advocates prompting Interior Minister central state of Morelos. ignated Hamza bin Laden and two men and subject to US ju- of the idea saying that putting Miguel Angel Osorio Chong to President Enrique Pena Ni- Ibrahim al-Banna as global risdiction may be frozen and inmates to work can help them instruct the National Security eto defended the price increase, terrorists. US citizens are prohibited from learn skills that prepare them for Commission to support local saying that it was necessary due Bin Laden, a son of the de- engaging in any transactions their return to society after com- authorities. to a rise in global oil prices. ceased Al Qaeda leader, has with them, the State Depart- pleting their sentences. The National Association of “I understand the irritation been declared a member of the ment said. Opponents contend that in- Self-Service and Department Demonstrators protest the rise in fuel prices at a petrol station in and anger among the population group by senior leader Ayman The designation is viewed as mates are not fairly compen- Stores said that 79 shops were Mexico City yesterday. in general,” he said, arguing that al-Zawahiri, according to the a powerful tool to deny them sated. looted while access to more than not increasing the prices would State Department. access to the US fi nancial sys- The federal prisons sys- 170 was blocked, mainly in the nors, were detained for “various isation of the price of gasoline”. have been more painful for the Bruce Reidel, an analyst with tem. tem operates some 53 factories state of Mexico, the capital, the acts of vandalism and thefts at Media images showed people economy. the Brookings Institution think Bin Laden, who was born around the United States that central state of Hidalgo and the shops” in six municipalities. using motorcycles and pick-up The government says the in- tank in Washington, has called in Saudi Arabia, has called for produced about $500mn worth western state of Michoacan. The statement said “some trucks to steal goods. crease is a fi rst step before let- Hamza bin Laden the “new acts of terrorism in western of clothing, electronics, furni- The government of the state groups of people have seized on Mexico City Mayor Miguel ting the market dictate how face for Al Qaeda” and “an ar- capitals and threatened to take ture and other goods in the fi s- of Mexico, which surrounds the the situation to commit thefts Angel Mancera told the Televi- much drivers will pay in March ticulate and dangerous enemy”. revenge against the United cal year ended September 30, capital, said in a statement that and acts of vandalism under the sa network that 23 shops were as part of a sweeping energy re- Al-Banna is a senior member States for his father’s killing, according to its fi nancial state- 161 people, including 35 mi- pretext of protesting the liberal- looted in the capital and 64 peo- form. of AQAP who has served as the the State Department said. ments. Gulf Times 6 Friday, January 6, 2017 ASIA /AUSTRALASIA Australia, Indonesia in damage control after military spat

Reuters ment, there was still confusion There were still, however, con- tion. Australian Prime Minister dependence. Ties resumed when Indonesian military (TNI), the tralian Defence Minister Marise Jakarta over the status of ties between tradictory messages. Indonesia’s Malcolm Turnbull said he looked counter-terrorism co-operation nation of Indonesia and even the Payne said an investigation into the Asia-Pacifi c neighbours. chief security minister Wiranto forward to the matter being re- became imperative after the 2002 ideology of Indonesia,” he said, the teaching materials, found at The countries have extensive said only co-operation related solved “as soon as possible”. nightclub bombings on the resort referring to material concerning Campbell Barracks in the west ndonesia and Australia military co-operation, which to the military’s Australia-based “I acknowledge and value island of Bali that killed 202 peo- East Timor and “Papua need- Australian city of Perth, would be sought to calm tensions yes- ranges from counter-terrorism language training programme President Widodo’s commit- ple, including 88 Australians. ing to be independent”, as well as concluded “imminently”. Iterday after Indonesia’s mili- co-operation to border protec- had been suspended. ment to the strategic partnership Indonesia most recently sus- mocking the country’s founding She denied allegations, re- tary said it had suspended co- tion, But a statement from the of- between our two countries and pended military ties in 2013 over principles, known as ‘Pancasila’. portedly made by Nurmantyo in operation because of “insulting” President Widodo said ties fi ce of Indonesia’s state secretary value our personal friendship,” revelations that Australian spies Papua, where a separatist a lecture last year that Australia teaching material found at an with Australia were “still in a fi ne said joint training, exchange of Turnbull said in a statement. had tapped the mobile telephone movement has simmered for had tried to recruit Indonesian Australian base that questioned condition” and his defence min- offi cers and bilateral visits had The neighbours have had a of then president Susilo Bam- decades, is a sensitive issue for soldiers as agents during train- Jakarta’s sovereignty in Papua ister and military chief had been also been suspended. rocky military relationship in bang Yudhoyono. Indonesia, which took over the ing. province. asked to investigate. “We have Earlier, Indonesia’s Armed recent years. Australia stopped Nurmantyo said yesterday that former Dutch colony after a Payne said Jakarta has given A day after the shock an- agreed, Indonesia, Australia, to Forces Chief Gatot Nurmantyo joint training exercises with In- “unethical” teaching material widely criticised UN-backed no indication of any change in nouncement by Indonesia’s army respect each other, to value each said training with Australia had donesian special forces (Kopas- had been found by an Indonesian referendum in 1969. “That cur- helping Australia to enforce its chief, which seemed to blindside other and not meddle in each been suspended and other areas sus) after accusations of abuses offi cer who had been sent to Aus- riculum had been used for a long controversial immigration poli- not only Australia but parts of other’s domestic aff airs,” Widodo of co-operation were being re- by the unit in East Timor in 1999, tralia to teach. time,” Nurmantyo said, noting cy, which includes turning back President Joko Widodo’s govern- said. evaluated pending an investiga- as the territory prepared for in- The material “discredited the it had now been removed. Aus- boats carrying asylum-seekers.

Japan’s ‘Tuna King’ wins annual auction Malaysia fl ood: Thousands for record $636,000

AFP Tokyo stranded in relief centres

apan’s self-styled “Tuna King” has done it again — paying AFP 49-year-old single mother, said more than $600,000 for a single fi sh. Sushi entrepreneur Kiy- Rantau Panjang she was hoping for food rations Joshi Kimura paid top price at the fi rst auction of the New Year and cash assistance. “I have to at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fi sh market yesterday, bagging a prized bluefi n feed four children. I am running tuna for an eye-watering 74.2mn yen ($636,000). housands of people re- low on food supplies and do not The head of the Sushizanmai chain is now the proud — if tem- mained stranded in re- have cash because my eldest porary — owner of a 212kg fi sh. At that price a single piece of Tlief centres yesterday as child is unable to go to work due fatty tuna sushi would cost roughly $85, or 25 times the $3.4 that northeast Malaysia struggled to to the fl oods,” she said. Kimura charges for the product at his 51 stores across Japan. “I recover from severe fl ooding and From the air, parts of the state feel it was a bit expensive, but I am happy that I was able to suc- residents raised fears of loot- capital Kota Bharu resembled a cessfully win at auction a tuna of good shape and size,” Kimura ing. But the number of people muddy lake, with only rooftops said. displaced in the states of Kelan- peeking out of the murky brown Later in the day, Kimura and his fellow sushi chefs sliced up tan and Terengganu fell to about waters. the giant fi sh with special knives resembling a Japanese sword at 18,300 from almost 23,000 on In some areas in Kelantan, its main restaurant near the market, as hundreds of sushi lovers Wednesday. children were seen playing in waited for a taste or two. “As always, I want to buy the best one Seasonal fl ooding hits Malay- fl oodwaters while commuters so that our customers can have it. That’s all,” Kimura said when sia’s east coast states every year waded through knee-deep wa- asked about the auction result. and regularly results in mass ters. Zainuddin Hussin, chief He has built his successful chain into a national brand by pay- evacuations. In badly hit Ran- of Kelantan’s civil department ing big money at Tsukiji’s fi rst auction every year — he has now tau Panjang, a Kelantan town force, said further scattered won for six straight years — essentially using the event for pub- bordering Thailand, more than showers were expected. licity. He paid a record $1.8mn for a bluefi n — a threatened spe- 300 residents sought shelter at a Levels of major rivers were cies — at the New Year auction in 2013, outbidding a rival bidder crowded relief centre. receding but he warned that the from Hong Kong. Last year, he faced no formidable rival and paid Evacuees said food was suf- Golok river, on the border with a bargain $117,000 for a 200kg tuna. fi cient but there were hygiene Thailand, could overfl ow. Ma- The prices may seem enormous, but Kimura makes sure to get concerns. laysia’s worst fl ooding in dec- the most out of his money. Every year, the boisterous auction, Dustbins were overfl owing ades occurred in 2014 and forced which takes place in the small hours, makes national headlines. with garbage while families with some 118,000 people to fl ee their Decades of overfi shing have seen global tuna stocks crash, young children were squeezed homes. leading some Western nations to call for a ban on catching endan- into small classrooms. Looking Prime Minister Najib Razak gered Atlantic bluefi n tuna. glum, fl ood victims said they came under fi re for golfi ng with Japan consumes a large portion of the global bluefi n catch, a were worried about future sup- Local residents wade through a flooded street in Jal Besar, Malaysia’s northeastern town of Tumpat. US President Barack Obama dur- highly prized sushi ingredient known in Japan as “kuro maguro” plies of clean drinking water, loss Floods continued to inundate two northeast Malaysian states yesterday, as thousands of people remained ing the crisis. With a snap general (black tuna) and dubbed by sushi connoisseurs as the “black dia- of income and thieves looting in relief centres while others expressed fears of looting and sought aid. election expected this year, Najib mond” because of its scarcity. their homes. is expected to visit Terengganu Greenpeace Japan offi cial Kazue Komatsubara declined to Mohamad Nawi Che Mamat, have run out of cash,” said the also expressed frustration, say- ment,” said Abdul Manan Moha- and Kelantan on Saturday to comment specifi cally on this year’s auction. “But a huge volume 50, said he had to wade through lorry driver, who supports a fam- ing they have yet to receive aid. mad, who added he was running oversee rescue eff orts. of tuna on retail display could make people forget that it’s actually fl oodwaters daily from the relief ily of fi ve. “We are government support- out of money to feed his wife and Votes from the two states will an endangered species,” she said. centre to check on his home. Others who had chosen to re- ers but we have not received any four children. be crucial for the ruling United The 2017 auction could be the last at Tsukiji, the world’s largest “I am unable to go to work and main in their fl ood-hit homes food aid from the federal govern- Mazlina Abdul Rahman, a Malays National Organisation. fi sh market. It was originally supposed to move to a new location in November, but the plan was put on hold until at least late this year over concerns about toxic contamination at the new site. Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said in November that the move could even be delayed until the “spring of 2018” depending on re- About town sults of health and environmental tests. But she also held out the Melbourne possibility of scrapping the relocation altogether. beaches Japan probing dolphin escape in Taiji hit by poo Japanese police said the enclosure of their own yesterday they were volition. A fourth dolphin investigating the escape of was swimming nearby. hazard four dolphins from a park Taiji, a small port in in a Japanese town that western Japan’s Wakayama DPA has gained international prefecture, was thrust into Sydney notoriety for staging an the global spotlight after annual slaughter of the the 2009 documentary The mammals. Cove. The Oscar-winning ustralian offi cials A fisherman in the city film depicted an annual have warned of the of Taiji noticed that four dolphin slaughter in the Arisk of contracting bottlenose dolphins from area, where some of the diarrhoea at popular Mel- the facility were swimming animals are also captured bourne beaches after they outside their netted and sold to aquariums. were deemed unsafe for enclosure in the early Environmental campaigners swimming due to high levels morning, police said. “We visit Taiji every year to of faecal bacteria following are investigating the case protest the slaughter and storms over the weekend. on suspicion of criminal authorities have boosted The Environment Pro- damage,” a police off icial in security to prevent clashes tection Authority forecast the nearby city of Shingu between locals and activists. “poor” water quality at eight said. He said two of the nets Defenders of the hunt say beaches at Port Phillip Bay at the DolphinBase park it is a tradition and point and warned people to avoid were apparently cut with a out that the animals are them due to the risk of con- sharp object, allowing the not endangered, a position tracting gastroenteritis, also mammals to escape, before echoed by the Japanese known as diarrhoea. three of them returned to government. A “poor” quality forecast North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits a newly built bag factory in Pyongyang recently. carries an illness risk of 5 to 10%. Torrential storms have been blamed for washing China confirms latest human death faeces into the water. “This is an unusual event. In Mel- from H7N9 bird flu bourne, we had an enor- mously large thunderstorm A man in China’s eastern province of Shandong has become at S Korean president skips hearing in impeachment trial and rainfall this weekend least the fourth person to die this winter from H7N9 bird flu, state — one of those one in a hun- media said yesterday, while off icials in southern Guangdong DPA at the Constitutional Court in to help Choi. “This amounts to ing weeks of protests which saw dred years storm,” Anthony confirmed 14 cases of the virus in December. Seoul Seoul, according to the Yonhap abusing one’s position to vio- hundreds of thousands of people Boxshall, the group manager Regional fears of a major bird-flu outbreak have been sparked by news agency. late the people’s basic rights and taking to the streets. of applied sciences at the a record outbreak of avian influenza in poultry in South Korea, as She was also absent at the warrants losing one’s authority Park has repeatedly apolo- authority, said yesterday. well as infections in birds in Japan. South Korea lawmaker opening of proceedings on to oversee state aff airs,” he said. gised over the scandal but de- “When there is that much The 77-year-old man diagnosed in Shandong’s Rizhao city on accused President Park Tuesday. Her attendance is not “Dismissing the president is nied committing any criminal amount of water it picks up Tuesday died later the same day, the off icial Xinhua news agency AGuen-hye of violating mandatory. aimed not only at recovering the off ence. Yesterday her lawyer everything from the street said. “people’s basic rights” on the Kwon Seong-dong, chairman national loss and vacuum in the denied that she had pressured and parks and everywhere Guangdong authorities said the December bird-flu cases were fi rst day of oral arguments in the of the parliamentary legislation running of state aff airs but at Samsung to make sizable do- to the bay. Everything on the scattered around the province, according to the state-run China leader’s impeachment trial yes- and judiciary committee, told restoring the constitutional or- nations to foundations run by land ends up at the ocean News Service. Dozens of human cases have been confirmed terday, local media reported. the judges Park had given con- der,” he continued. Choi. Choi appeared at the Seoul and from all kinds of sourc- around China this winter. Bird flu is most likely to strike in winter Park, who is accused of cor- fi dential documents to her close South Korean lawmakers vot- Central District Court yesterday, es.” and spring. IN recent years, farmers have stepped up cleaning ruption, abuse of power and friend Choi Soon-sil, and ex- ed overwhelmingly to impeach pleading not guilty to a string of “So there is dog poo, duck regimes, animal detention techniques, and built roofs to cover hen violating constitutional duties, torted large amounts of money Park, South Korea’s fi rst female charges including abuse of pow- poo, cow poo, bird poo and pens, in their eff orts to prevent the disease. again failed to appear at her trial from South Korean companies president, last month, follow- er and attempted fraud. people poo.” Gulf Times Friday, January 6, 2017 7 BRITAIN/IRELAND

DECISION TRAGEDY FALLOUT PROPOSAL LEGAL Changing the Guard Young boy killed in Brexit vote sees surge in MPs give ‘London Visa’ Man faces jail for fly-tipping switches to fixed days driveway accident Irish passport applications a stamp of approval in alley near £1mn homes

The Changing of the Guard ceremony at A young boy has died after being run over on the The number of applications for Irish passports A “London Visa” came a step closer yesterday A fly-tipper faces jail after being caught on CCTV Buckingham Palace is to change its timings as part driveway of a house in West Yorkshire. Neighbours from Britain rose by 41% last year, prompted when a group of MPs backed giving regions the dumping tons of rubbish on a lane lined with £1mn of security measures following the Berlin terror said scores of paramedics, police cars and an air mainly by the country’s vote to leave the power to set their own immigration policies. A homes. George Smith, 40, took cash in hand for attack, the palace said. The military ceremony ambulance were called to a home in Wakefield European Union, Irish Foreign Minister Charlie report from the all-party parliamentary group on house clearance jobs and illegally deposited more regularly brings crowds outside the gates of Queen at 2.14pm on Wednesday. A spokesman for West Flanagan said yesterday. Some 65,000 passport social integration said local visas could help ease than six tons of trash in just two months, a court Elizabeth II’s residence and previously there have Yorkshire police described the collision as a “tragic applications were received from Great Britain, tensions caused by a “one size fits all” immigration heard. He was filmed driving down an alleyway only been some traff ic restrictions while it takes incident”. The child’s age has not been released. with another 68,000 applications from Northern policy. It called for “substantial immigration off Campden Road, Croydon, in a truck, which place. From January 16, the much-loved attraction The incident is understood to have happened on Ireland, up 27% from 2015, Flanagan said. The powers” to be devolved by adopting a Canadian was traced back to him. Smith, who was jailed in will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays Lingwell Nook Lane, a quiet country road in the Irish government processed 733,060 passport scheme in which regions can set local quotas, 2009 for rubbish dumping, denied carrying out and Sundays each week and has been brought village of Lofthouse. A neighbour, Ian Whitworth, applications last year, up 9% from 2015, he said. enforced by region-specific visas. The London four fly-tips in south Croydon and Thornton Heath forward by half an hour to 11am local time. The said: “I’m completely shocked. Although we don’t Many of those applying for Irish passports from Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the City between February 12 and April 11 last year. He ceremony traditionally took place on alternate know each other intimately we know each other Britain are people with Irish ancestry who want of London Corporation both called for a London claimed an impostor had copied his number plates days, meaning it was performed on diff erent days well enough to say hi. I can’t imagine how awful it to remain inside the EU, according to media Visa scheme to improve the capital’s ability to pick and stuck them on diff erent vehicles, known as from one week to the next. must be and I feel terrible for the family.” reports. skilled talent from around the world after Brexit. “doubling up”, before dumping the trash. Model, mum Job seeker lured into £3mn property fraud, court hears

London Evening Standard 30k, you fl y here for two days then London back. You can change to your other name. It’s only your passport, not all your docs.” model and her mother In a later message to her, De plotted to take control of Cruz apparently revealed that the Aa pensioner’s £3mn Ken- payment had been increased, say- sington house in an “audacious” ing: “It’s now 100k for you.” property fraud, a court heard. Hay said the property, which Laylah De Cruz, 31, enlisted her was vacant as owner Margaret mother Dianne Moorcroft, 62, Gwenllian Richards lives in Cam- to pose as the owner of the mews bridge, was rented by a man called home, fooling solicitors and estate Mark Armstrong for £6,500 a agents into believing she was look- month in August 2014. ing to sell up and move to Dubai, it He then went to a solicitor, is said. claiming to represent Margaret A man stands outside Canary Wharf train station holding a banner reading “MSc Finance Graduate Seeking Employment Opportunities” as he looks for work in the The pair were lured into the Gwenllian Richards and saying she finance industry in London. scam by fraudsters with the off er was looking to sell up and move of £100,000, jurors heard, helping to Dubai. Moorcroft changed her to secure a £1.2mn bridging loan name to Margaret Gwenllian Rich- on the four-bedroom property. ards and went with Mr Armstrong Moorcroft, who lives in Black- to the solicitors’ offi ce to back up pool, changed her name by deed his claim that a sale was imminent. poll to Margaret Gwenllian Rich- The court heard that in Octo- ards to make it identical to that of ber Moorcroft e-mailed the so- the house’s 85-year-old rightful licitor to say she was applying for a owner. She allegedly secured a UK bridging loan against the property passport and Dubai residency per- to release equity without waiting Premier plans speech to mit in Margaret Gwenllian Rich- for a buyer to be found. ards’s name to convince loans fi rm Hay said: “She was clearly rep- Finance and Credit Corporation to resenting that she was free to use transfer £1.2mn to a bank account the property as she saw fi t.” in Dubai, Southwark crown court On October 20, a loan of heard. £1,196,108 was sent to Moorcroft’s The deal was fl agged as a pos- bank account in Dubai on her in- defuse Brexit criticism sible fraud by the Land Registry struction, the court heard, and had but the money had already been already been withdrawn when the Guardian News and Media gration system for EU citizens. “We do not yet know what the insistences they should be more well as his previous experience in withdrawn as cash in Dubai before Land Registry noted the deal as a London May will restate that control of government will set as negotiat- transparent. Brussels. “I’ve seen him in Brus- investigators could stop it. potential fraud. borders will be a red line for the ing objectives for the UK’s rela- “I think people feel the scale sels, he knows the corridors, he De Cruz and Moorcroft are Hay said Moorcroft’s passport government, inevitably making tionship with the EU after exit,” of the challenge is enormous but knows the characters,” he told standing trial accused of conspir- shows she fl ew back and forth to heresa May will make a economic access a lower priority. he wrote. we’ve got a lot of our best people BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. ing with others to carry out the Dubai when the deal was going major speech on Brexit in That means the government His successor, the former on it,” he said. “I think people get “But more importantly, I’ve fraud in mid-2014. through. She is said to have been Tan attempt to quell criti- must be prepared for Britain ambassador to Moscow Sir Tim a bit fed up of ‘why aren’t we be- seen him in Moscow dealing with Prosecutor Teresa Hay said: with her daughter in the United cism that the government is not to stop being a full member of Barrow, was appointed within ing more open with the plans?’ Putin there at a very testing time “The fraud was as simple as it Arab Emirates when the loan yet clear on its negotiating objec- the single market, although the 36 hours of Rogers’ departure, Mohamed Ali didn’t brief every- for our relationship and Tim had was audacious. Dianne Moorcroft money was transferred. tives for exiting the EU, as former prime minister has said she has and was described by Downing one in advance on Rumble in the a reputation for being bulletproof changed her name by deed poll in The prosecutor said De Cruz diplomats hit out at the intense an objective to secure maximum Street as “a seasoned and tough Jungle. out there. People often say diplo- summer 2014 solely for the pur- and Moorcroft played a “small but levels of criticism that ministers access for companies to trade negotiator, with extensive expe- “Most of all, I think people mats have an iron fi st in a velvet pose of participating in this fraud. hugely signifi cant” role in the al- and civil servants have had to op- with the EU. rience of securing UK objectives are sick of the constant criti- glove, I’ve seen his iron glove as “She was encouraged and sup- leged scam. erate under. Sir Ivan Rogers, who quit as in Brussels”. cism. West Ham players perform well.” ported in the endeavour by her “The eff orts of the others could The Foreign Secretary, Boris the UK’s ambassador to the EU Tom Fletcher, the former am- much better when they’re not Sir Robert Cooper, a former daughter Laylah De Cruz.” never have even taken shape in Johnson, and the Brexit Secre- on Tuesday, sent a resignation bassador to Lebanon, said there being booed by their own side the UK diplomat who is now a Euro- Messages between the pair the absence of a female partici- tary, David Davis, are contribut- letter in which he urged his staff was frustration among civil whole time. We need to let our pean commission offi cial, said he show Moorcroft was worried that pant willing and able to repre- ing to the speech, expected later and successor to challenge “ill- servants in Whitehall not only people get on with it now.” expected that diplomats such as changing her name would cause sent herself to the solicitor as the in January. It is likey to address founded arguments and muddled with ministers, but with criti- Fletcher said Barrow had Barrow would “spend at least as problems with her medical docu- rightful owner of the property,” Britain’s access to the European thinking” – interpreted as an at- cism from outside that the Brexit showed he was a tough negotia- much time negotiating with your ments but De Cruz told her: “It’s she said. single market and a new immi- tack on Downing Street. project was in a state of chaos and tor during his time in Moscow, as own side as with the other side”. Police issue new appeal Farage to host LBC over 1972 ‘Ripper’ murder radio talkshow Guardian News and Media broadcasting and his new interest London in US politics. London Evening Standard forensic and fingerprint ex- Amala’s death, but I am con- Since then the former leader has London amination, no strong suspects vinced that someone, some- been linked – admittedly mainly were identified and no arrests where, knows the circum- t may not be the ambassador- by himself and his close allies – made. stances of her brutal murder. ship to Washington, or even to with becoming the new ambas- old case detectives yes- An inquest in 1973 heard It was a long time ago, but I’m Ithe EU, but Nigel Farage does sador to the US or even joining the terday issued a new plea that Whelan came to London sure there are people in the lo- fi nally have a steady job now he is House of Lords. None of those has Cfor help in solving the after dropping out of Warwick cal area who remember Ama- no longer Ukip leader: presenting a come to pass yet. 44-year-old mystery of a uni- university and had a number of la’s murder. radio talkshow four nights a week. He has appeared regularly on versity student who was raped boyfriends. “Amala suffered a brutal Farage – who is still offi cially the broadcast media, especially and strangled to death in her At the hearing, a 62-year- death and the identity of the an MEP though a largely absent LBC, where he has attracted some London flat. old accountant denied having suspect has remained a mys- one – is to host an hour-long pro- headlines, notably last month Amala Ruth De Vere Whe- sex with Whelan at her flat tery. She was a very popu- gramme four weekday evenings a when he accused the widower of lan, 22, was found on the floor in Randolph Avenue on the lar and attractive female who week on LBC beginning from next the murdered Labour MP Jo Cox of of her Maida Vale flat and evening before her death. had a wide social network of Monday, the radio station has an- being associated with extremism. the word “Ripper” had been Whelan had lived at the flat friends. She was an active nounced. Farage has previously stood in sprayed on the wall with yellow for about three weeks prior member of the CND party, and The Nigel Farage Show runs as a guest presenter on LBC, which detergent from a washing-up to the killing. Before that, she had numerous friends in the from Monday to Thursday, and began in the 1970s as a London- liquid bottle. worked and lodged at The Bar art world. will be presented variously from only station, but is now broadcast She had been strangled with Lotus on Regent’s Park Road in “If you have any informa- London or across the US or Eu- nationwide. a stocking and grazes on her Camden. tion, no matter how insig- rope, depending on Farage’s trav- When Nick Clegg was deputy body indicated she had put up Yesterday, detective inspec- nificant you think it might be, els. prime minister he presented a a struggle. There was no sign of tor Susan Stansfield, head of please come forward. Maybe Farage stepped down as Ukip weekly call-in programme on forced entry to the flat, and de- the Met’s special casework you didn’t contact police at the leader following the election of LBC. Among Farage’s current co- tectives believe Whelan knew investigation team which in- time as you were too scared, Diane James in September, al- presenters are Nick Ferrari, James her assailant or had let him in. vestigates cold case murders, but with the passage of time though he was obliged to fi ll in O’Brien, and professional contrar- Detectives spoke to more said officers were keen to trace now feel able to tell us what you again when she resigned after 18 ian and attention-seeker Katie than 700 people after her mur- Whelan’s friends and family, in know in confidence. Did you days in the job. Hopkins. der in November 1972. Police particular her younger sister, live in the vicinity of Randolph When Paul Nuttall took over Announcing Farage’s new show, said they found it difficult to who was 12 at the time of the Avenue in the early Seventies? the post in November, Farage said LBC said the new presenter would break bedsit-land’s code of murder and would now be 56. Did you see or hear anything he would defi nitely step back from “bring his inside knowledge, ex- people keeping themselves to Stansfield said: “More than suspicious on November 12, frontline politics, saying he would perience and grasp of world poli- themselves and despite a full 44 years have now passed since 1972?” Nigel Farage: new job instead focus on areas including tics at a pivotal time in our history”. Gulf Times 8 Friday, January 6, 2017 EUROPE Berlin truck attacker used at least 14 names: Germany

Reuters Anis Amri, shot dead by Italian head of the NRW Criminal Police tack is focusing on whether Amri had “very intensive discussions” night remembers seeing him,” complice said he had always told Berlin police in Milan on December 23, Unit, told the regional parliament had any accomplices. at the restaurant on the eve of the said the co-owner, declining to them he was Libyan. had been marked as a potential during a briefi ng. Police arrested another Tuni- attack. give his name and requesting the “The strangest thing about threat by authorities in the west- The 24-year-old divided his sian man in Berlin this week, who The co-owner of the restau- eatery not be named. him was that he used to pray he man who killed 12 peo- ern federal state of North Rhine- time between NRW and Berlin, prosecutors say had dinner with rant in north Berlin where the “We are so busy we hardly have every day but most evenings he ple last month by plough- Westphalia (NRW) in February where offi cials also classifi ed him Amri at an Arab restaurant in the two allegedly met told Reuters time to breathe. The police said would go out to nightclubs with Ting a truck into a Berlin 2016, some six months after he as a potential threat. capital one day before the attack yesterday that he had not been he was here between 8pm and his friends,” said Mohammad, a Christmas market had lived un- arrived in Germany and applied But there was a consensus on December 19. aware that Amri had dined at the 9pm,” said the man. 21-year-old Syrian refugee who der at least 14 diff erent names for asylum. among security offi cials that A spokeswoman for the pros- premises until police came asking At a shelter for migrants at the said he had shared a room at the in Germany, a regional police “He acted in a conspiratorial he posed no concrete threat, ecution said on Wednesday that if they could have CCTV footage western end of Berlin where Bilel shelter with Bilel A six months chief said yesterday, raising more manner and used various per- Schuermann said. Amri and the arrested suspect, recorded on December 18. A was arrested, refugees who said ago before moving to another questions about security lapses. sonalities,” Dieter Schuermann, An investigation into the at- identifi ed as 26-year-old Bilel A, “No one who was here that they knew Amri’s suspected ac- room at the facility.

Italy aims to fi ght radicalisation in Car bombing in jails, deport more illegal migrants Reuters Rome

taly’s government said yes- terday that it would try hard- Ier to combat Islamist radical- Turkey’s Izmir isation in its prisons and on the Internet and it defended plans to build more detention centres for migrants who have no right to stay in the country. New Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has come under in- creased pressure to tackle illegal kills at least two migration and radicalisation in jails after a failed Tunisian asy- Reuters lum-seeker who spent time in Gentiloni (right) speaks next to Interior Minister Minniti during the Ankara an Italian prison drove a hijacked news conference at the Palazzo Chigi in Rome. truck into a Berlin Christmas market on December 19, killing that jails had become “a fertile fewer than 5,000 were carried uspected Kurdish mili- 12 people. ground” for Islamist militants out, according to Eurostat. tants clashed with police Italy’s anti-terrorism chief to recruit weaker individuals to Italy is already struggling to Sand detonated a car bomb said last week the suspect, Anis fi ght for them and said union deal with record numbers of boat in western Turkey yesterday Amri, had been radicalised while members should receive foreign migrants arriving mostly from after their vehicle was stopped in a Sicilian jail. language lessons and courses north Africa. at a checkpoint, killing a police Islamic State (IS) claimed re- on religious awareness to better “We need ... more eff ective offi cer and a court employee, of- sponsibility for the attack. tackle the challenge. migration policies that combine fi cials said. Amri was shot dead by Italian “It is not by chance that many the great humanitarian inclina- The explosion and gunfi re police in Milan on December 23 radicalised common criminals, tion to rescue and house people outside the main courthouse after fl eeing Germany. especially of North African ori- ... and rigorous and eff ective re- in Izmir, Turkey’s third largest “Processes of radicalisation gin, who showed no particular patriation policies,” Gentiloni city, highlighted the country’s today are happening above all in religious inclination when they said. deteriorating security fi ve days certain places: in prisons and on entered prison, are gradually Commenting on plans to build after a gunman killed 39 people the Web,” Gentiloni told a news transformed into extremists un- more detention centres to hold in a New Year’s Day mass shoot- conference after talks with an der the infl uence of other in- people ahead of deportation, ing at an Istanbul nightclub. expert commission appointed by mates who are already radical- Minniti said he aimed to allocate Deputy Prime Minister Veysi the government to study militant ised,” the union statement. smaller numbers of migrants to Kaynak said a much larger attack Islamists. “Working on prisons Italy tried to deport Amri after more locations, thereby reducing was apparently being planned, and the web is one of the prin- he served his four-year jail term, pressure on overcrowded sites based on the weapons found at cipal tasks the experts are asking but Tunisia refused to take him where protests have broken out. the scene in Izmir, which is lo- for in this prevention eff ort.” back and he was released with Opposition politicians have cated on the Aegean coast. Italy’s Interior Minister Mar- only an order to leave the coun- criticised Minniti’s plan to open The local governor said the co Minniti told the same news try. more detention centres, a system arms included Kalashnikov ri- conference that he wanted a Italy has not suff ered the type repeatedly criticised for alleged fl es, hand grenades and am- “protective network against the of militant attack seen in France, corruption and human rights munition for rocket-propelled malware of terror” online, but Belgium and Germany, but has abuses. grenade launchers. gave no details on how the gov- expelled 133 suspected militants “It would only slow down ex- “Based on the preparation, ernment planned to address the in the past two years. pulsions of illegal immigrants the weapons, the bombs and problems in jails. Of more than 27,000 expul- and would increase waste, ille- ammunition seized, it is un- The national prison work- sion orders handed out in 2015 to gality and mafi a groups,” said the derstood that a big atrocity was ers’ union said in a statement immigrants with no right to stay, anti-system 5-Star Movement. being planned,” Kaynak told re- porters. Izmir police shot dead two of Top French paper the attackers and were hunting a third, a police source and the drops polls after state-run Anadolu agency said. Top Turkish soldiers forecast failures Two people, believed to have sold the vehicle used in the at- A leading French newspaper said tack to the assailants, were sub- given life sentences in this week that it had decided sequently detained, security to stop using polling groups in sources said. a journalistic experiment that Initial fi ndings suggested that fi rst coup convictions follows wide criticism of how Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) voter surveys have failed to militants were behind the at- forecast recent political shocks. tack, Izmir governor Erol Ayy- DPA cleric Fethullah Gulen of be- Le Parisien daily said it would ildiz said. Istanbul ing behind the July 15 coup at- stop commissioning polling He said a second vehicle had tempt, though Gulen has said group Ipsos and would base its been detonated in a controlled he was not involved. stories in the run-up to this year’s explosion. wo high-ranking sol- At least 246 lives were lost presidential election on reporting Anadolu said police suspect- diers were given life in in the failed military coup, ac- by its own journalists. ed the attackers had planned to Burning cars are seen after the explosion outside a courthouse in Izmir. Tprison yesterday by a cording to the government. “We have decided, and it was escape in this vehicle. court in the eastern Turkish A fi nal death toll of coup the subject of a lot of debate, North Atlantic Treaty Or- ing present in areas like Iraq and the largely Kurdish southeast, Tayyip Erdogan also blamed on city of Erzurum, the Anadolu plotters has not been released. to return to the heart of our ganisation (Nato) member Tur- Syria, which produce terrorists where they have fought an in- Kurdish militants. news agency reported, the fi rst Since July, the government profession which is working on key is part of the US-led coali- like viruses,” Kaynak said. surgency for three decades. There was no immediate sentences to be handed down has moved to sideline thou- the ground,” the paper’s editorial tion fi ghting Islamic State (IS) Ayyildiz said that the clash A PKK off shoot claimed re- claim of responsibility for the after last year’s failed coup in sands of civil servants, judges, director Stephane Albouy told in Syria and is also battling an outside Izmir’s main Bayrakli sponsibility for twin bomb- attack in Izmir, a liberal coastal Turkey. soldiers and journalists. France Inter radio. insurgency by the PKK in the courthouse erupted after police ings that killed 44 people, most city which had largely escaped The soldiers were found As many as 41,000 people Most media routinely rely on largely Kurdish southeast. offi cers tried to stop a vehicle of them police offi cers, and the violence that has plagued guilty of attempting to remove have been detained. polls – surveys of hundreds, It regularly bombs PKK camps at a checkpoint and that the at- wounded more than 150 outside Istanbul and the capital Ankara “the regime envisioned by the On Thursday, according to sometimes thousands of voters in northern Iraq and its military tackers detonated the car bomb an Istanbul soccer stadium on in recent months. constitution through the ap- Anadolu, in a further crack- by phone or online – to flag operations in Syria also aim to while trying to escape. December 10. Police detained 20 suspected plication of violence”, the DHA down on the Gulen movement, up political trends and tip the stop Kurdish militias it sees as The PKK – deemed a terrorist A car bomb a week later killed Islamic State militants thought news agency quoted the court investigators ordered the ar- leading candidates. an extension of the PKK from organisation by Turkey, the US 13 soldiers and wounded 56 to be of Central Asian and as saying. rest of 380 business people, But their credibility suff ered gaining territory there. and EU – and its affi liates have when it tore through a bus car- North African origin in Izmir The suspects had denied the 110 of whom are thought to be in 2016 after pollsters failed to “Turkey will be instrumen- been carrying out increasingly rying off -duty military person- on Wednesday, in raids Turkish charges. abroad, with raids carried out forecast Britain’s vote to leave the tal in its region. These (attacks) deadly attacks over the past year nel in the central city of Kayseri, media said were linked to the Is- The government has ac- on the homes and offi ces of the European Union, Donald Trump’s will never prevent us from be- and a half, ever further from in an attack President Recep tanbul nightclub attack. cused supporters of self-exiled suspects. triumph in the US presidential election or the victory of Francois Fillon in a French right-wing primary. Albouy said newspapers needed to listen to critics who Valls favourite to win offi cial left-wing ticket for French election see journalists as being “cut off from reality” while denying that Le Parisien had made errors in Reuters Arnaud Montebourg on 25%, turn the tide against what seems polls to emerge as favourite, and presidency have suff ered from the front of voters’ minds, and frequently publishing polls on its Paris and third-placed Benoit Hamon likely to end in a showdown be- went on to win the ticket for The President Francois Hollande’s with two heavyweight rivals front-page in recent months. on 22%, the poll by Harris In- tween centre-right and far-right Republicans party by a big mar- deeply unpopular rule, were hemming him in on the left and “It’s not a question of defying teractive for France Televisions candidates. gin. putting a brave face on their the right, the race is looking like the pollsters but another way of ormer prime minister showed. But surveys about primaries Polls predicting the election chances. an uphill struggle for Valls or any working which we want to test Manuel Valls is favourite to He would go on to win the of- have proved deceptive in the itself consistently see a likely “We are the last to get organ- candidate who represents the for the rest of the campaign,” Frepresent the Socialists in fi cial left-wing ticket by beating past. second round head-to-head be- ised for the presidentials. We Hollande legacy. he told AFP, while not ruling the French presidential election, either of these two opponents in Polls were predicting a com- tween Fillon and National Front will be the key to it,” party leader Polls have consistently put out occasionally reporting an opinion poll showed yester- a run-off on January 29, with be- pletely diff erent outcome from leader Marine Le Pen, with the Jean-Christophe Cambadelis Valls in a distant fi fth place and polls commissioned by other day, an outcome surveys show tween 55% and 57% of the vote, the actual result in the months 62-year-old Fillon winning by a said on Europe 1 radio. eliminated in the April 23 fi rst publications. would off er the best chance of according to the poll – a similar leading up to the conservative comfortable margin. Opinion polls of voting inten- round of the election. Polling groups say turbulence victory for the beleaguered party outcome to others conducted in primaries last November. An Elabe poll for Les Echos tions for the presidential elec- Nevertheless, they show the and technological change in and its allies. December. They had Alain Juppe as fa- newspaper reaffi rmed that yes- tion itself give Valls or any can- 54-year-old, who is from the Western democracies, which Valls is seen coming top in the If Valls, prime minister until vourite over fellow former prime terday. didate from the ruling party very right of his party and quit as have been buff eted by mass January 22 fi rst round vote of the a month ago, does emerge the minister Francois Fillon. Regardless of which candidate little chance of winning. prime minister to focus on a migration and economic woes, primaries of the French left with as Socialist candidate, it will fall In the space of two weeks, Fil- they end up with, the Socialists, Hollande’s dismal record on presidential campaign, repre- have made their job more 43%, ahead of second placed to him to try to rally the Left and lon came from third place in the whose prospects of retaining the tackling joblessness remains at sents the Socialists’ best bet. diff icult. Gulf Times Friday, January 6, 2017 9 INDIA

HISTORY TRAVEL ASSISTANCE CRIME JUDICIARY New book on Mughal Buses to run on biogas Govt approves financial aid Congress leader, friend HC curbs on Telangana Emperor Akbar launched in Kolkata from March-end to Uttarakhand, Karnataka shot dead in MP from acquiring lands

Emperor Akbar is among the most fascinating A 75-seat bus powered by biogas will soon Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a Congress leader Raju Misra and his friend In a blow to the TRS government in Telangana, the of the Mughal rulers and the latest addition ferry passengers Kolkata from March 30. The meeting of the High Level Committee (HLC) Kukku Punjabi were shot dead by unidentified Hyderabad High Court yesterday said it cannot to the scholarly offerings on him throws more operators claim it will be India’s first such bus in New Delhi yesterday for central assistance men in Jabalpur city of Madhya Pradesh, police acquire lands for various irrigation projects under light on his decisions as well as the frame service. A nominal fare of Re1 will be charged to Uttarakhand and Karnataka, aff ected by said yesterday. According to sources, Mishra the state government order. The court said lands of mind in which he made them. Written from each passenger. The bus – to run on the flood and drought, respectively. According and Punjabi were standing on a roadside and should not be acquired under Government Order by Shazi Zaman in Hindi, “Akbar” is a close 17.5km Ultadanga-Garia stretch – will be one to a statement, the committee examined the talking on Wednesday night when at least four (GO) 123. The court, however, ruled that the state examination into possibly every material of the 12 buses to be deployed along 12 routes proposal based on the reports of the Inter- men on motorcycles fired shots at them. They government can acquire the lands under Right available on the celebrated emperor till date. across Kolkata. Each bus will cost Rs1.8mn. The Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which had were seriously injured and taken to a private to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land The book was launched in New Delhi on renewable fuel is generated from waste. “The visited the two states. “The HLC approved the hospital where they were declared dead. Police Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, Wednesday evening. “I am overwhelmed by bus gives a mileage of 20km for 1kg biogas that assistance from the National Disaster Relief Superintendent Hari Om Sharma said the police 2013. The division bench headed by Acting Chief the response ‘Akbar’ has evoked. Obviously costs Rs 3,” Jyoti Prakash Das, chairman and Fund (NDRF) and National Rural Drinking suspect the assailants were targeting Punjabi Justice Ramesh Ranganathan passed the orders it is testimony to the fact that the emperor managing director of Phoenix India Research Water Programme (NRDWP) in respect of but Mishra was killed in the process. Punjabi on a batch of petitions filed by farmers aff ected is very much alive in the collective memory and Development Group, an alternative Uttarakhand to the tune of Rs208.91 crore had a criminal background and had many cases by projects like Mallanna Sagar and others. The of the people of Hindustan. The tale of energy company, said. The initiative has been ,” the statement said. It added that the registered against him. The police off icer added petitioners alleged that the government was forcibly Akbar’s inner and outer battles has never lost undertaken under a central subsidies plan of committee also approved Rs 1,782.44 crore that the attackers will be identified soon as acquiring lands from them under GO 123 when there relevance,” Zaman said. the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. from the NDRF for Karnataka. investigations are on. was already a central legislation for land acquisition. ‘Patricidal war’ spices up political soap opera

AFP Analysts say part of the fas- New Delhi cination of the Yadav saga is Akhilesh’s refusal to follow con- vention and yield to his father. fter being tongue-lashed Congress vice president Rahul and expelled from his own Gandhi was the party’s frontman Aparty, Uttar Pradesh Chief in the last general election but Minister Akhilesh Yadav had two his 70-year-old mother Sonia options: bow to the will of his remains party president and calls father or commit political patri- the shots. cide weeks before an election. The 89-year-old Prakash “Giving up power in old age Singh Badal is bidding to re- is something that doesn’t hap- main chief minister when Punjab pen in India, so we now have a holds state elections next month, patricidal war in Uttar Pradesh,” meaning his son and deputy Su- said P R Ramesh, an editor at the khbir Singh Badal, 54, will again Delhi-based Open magazine. have to bide his time. Politics in India has long been And in Tamil Nadu, five-time a family aff air, dominated by former chief minister Muthuvel clans such as the Gandhis who Karunanidhi is clinging on as have provided three prime min- leader of the Dravida Munnetra Opposition leaders arrive to meet Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi to demand that the budget be deferred till assembly elections get over in five states, in New Delhi isters and now lead the main op- Kazhagam DMK party aged 92 yesterday. position party. while two sons position them- But even in a country used to selves as his political heir. dynastic feuds, the battle be- Sunita Aron, author of a book tween Akhilesh and his father called The Dynasty: Born to Rule, Mulayam Singh Yadav has been said it was frowned upon for In- gripping stuff . dia’s political princelings to crit- After paving the way for his icise their fathers – regardless of Australian-educated son to be- the provocation. come chief minister following “Akhilesh was humiliated Opposition demands state polls fi ve years ago, the from day one but no one can af- 77-year-old Mulayam continued ford to be seen to be harsh to their to lead the Samajwadi Party (SP). elders,” she said. During his term in charge of “As long as he’s alive, it is the the state – which has a popula- father who is the head of the tion of around 215mn – Akhilesh family, and takes all the deci- has frequently bitten his tongue sions on the family and business budget postponement following criticism from his fa- front.” ther, a former defence minister. The analyst Ramesh agreed Parties against budget Munnetra Kazhagam met Chief present the budget after March 8. Singh said the opposition to the valikar said his party would con- The older man has also been any show of disrespect does “not presentation before assembly Election Commissioner Nasim That is the fair way to do it. Not budget only refl ected the nerv- test 22 of the 40 assembly seats a source of embarrassment, es- go down well with the public” elections Zaidi and demanded that the only the EC has to be fair but it ousness of the Congress and the and soon formalise an alliance pecially after saying of a high- and was the reason why Akhilesh budget be presented only after has to be seen to be fair. We are Samajwadi Party. with rebel RSS leader Subhash profi le rape case that “boys will still stressed his love for his fa- IANS March 8. optimistic,” said O’Brien. “The budget is a constitutional Velingkar’s outfi t. be boys”. ther. New Delhi “We told them that allow- The ruling Bharatiya Janata mandate and has no bearing with Dhavalikar released to the me- But with multi-round state In his speech after ousting ing the budget ahead of the polls Party (BJP), however, slammed elections. Every now and then we dia a letter written to Goa Gov- elections starting next month, his father, Akhilesh said: “No gives an unfair advantage to the the opposition over their de- have elections... You don’t post- ernor Mridula Sinha announcing the 43-year-old Akhilesh has matter what happens, nothing everal opposition parties government and how the exer- mand. pone a budget for that,” Singh the snapping of ties with the BJP. been trying to assert his author- can change our relationship. yesterday urged the Elec- cise can be used to infl uence the “The budget is a constitutional added. “After the election results, ity by publicly admonishing his He is my father and I am his Stion Commission to ask the voters,” Congress leader Ghulam duty and not related to any one The opposition parties ear- a BJP-MGP government took father and sacking an uncle. son.” government to postpone the Un- Nabi Azad told reporters. state. The presentation of the lier submitted a memorandum charge of the administration and A furious Mulayam responded Despite being the world’s larg- ion Budget until after assembly The EC gave the opposition a budget is not a sudden decision,” to President Pranab Mukherjee we continued our co-operation by expelling his son from the SP est democracy, the cost of cam- elections in fi ve states. patient hearing, he added. said minister Mukhtar Abbas and the EC, requesting that the in spite of diff erences on various on Friday but then found the ta- paigning means candidates often The budget is likely to be un- The budget is to be presented Naqvi. budget be deferred. issues which recently led to the bles had been turned as Akhilesh have to rely on family connec- veiled on February 1, while the on February 1, days before Uttar “The opposition parties have Zaidi on Wednesday said the ouster of MGP MLAs from the engineered a hostile takeover tions when running for offi ce at staggered polls in the fi ve states Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, gone bankrupt on issues. That is EC has received the memoran- cabinet,” Dhavalikar said in his of the party and was elected its national or state level. are to be held between February 4 Goa and Manipur go to the polls why they are trying to create an dum and said the poll panel was letter, which was also submitted president. A quarter of MPs elected in the and March 8. to elect their state assemblies on issue of a non-issue. The gov- examining it and would “take a to Goa assembly Speaker Anant “Who made him chief minis- 2014 election are from political A delegation of opposition diff erent dates. ernment has decided February 1 call on it in due course”. Shet. ter?” Mulayam said to reporters. dynasties while a study by The parties comprising the Congress, Trinamool Congress Lok Sab- for budget presentation and ir- zThe Maharashtrawadi Go- He said now that the Goa elec- “He doesn’t seem to understand Hindu newspaper found all fi ve Trinamool Congress, Janata ha member Derek O’Brien hoped respective of what the opposi- mantak Party (MGP) snapped its tion had been announced for that his future is now doomed. Samajwadi representatives in Dal-United, Samajwadi Party, that the EC would address their tion says, it will be presented,” he alliance with the ruling BJP in February 4, the MGP had decided He is not even listening to my the Lok Sabha were related to the Bahujan Samaj Party, Rash- concerns. added. Goa yesterday. not to continue its alliance with advice.” Yadavs. triya Janata Dal and the Dravida “There is enough time to BJP secretary Siddharth Nath MGP president Deepak Dha- the BJP. 4 held in Bengaluru Google betting big on AI, says Pichai

Agencies Pichai was back on the cam- over sexual assault Kharagpur, West Bengal pus after 23 years and spoke about his life at the IIT and how Agencies cluded lane in a residential area The video sparked outrage be- his experience has been over the Bengaluru late on December 31. cause it showed a man dismount- oogle CEO Sundar Pichai years. The four men arrested were ing from a scooter to grab the yesterday said his organi- The event saw over 3,000 at- “directly related to the case”, in- woman and drag her towards the Gsation was s “betting big” tendees including students, who olice yesterday arrested cluding the two who perpetrated vehicle, despite her struggles. on advances in artifi cial intelli- got an insight and background of four men in Bengaluru over the attack, a senior city police of- The other man on the scooter gence (AI) and machine learning Google’s CEO. Pa video recording of a New fi cial said. briefl y joined the scuffl e as by- in the coming years. Pichai started off by talking Year attack on a woman that has “There is clear evidence in the standers watched. Asked about the next big thing about his days on the campus. sparked a national public debate case,” added the offi cial, who de- But she was thrown to the at Google, Pichai said: “I can’t He admitted he bunked a few about women’s safety. clined to be named as he was not ground before the men rode off . quite tell exactly but advances classes while he was doing his B News of the video came after authorised to speak to the media. G Parameshwara, Karnataka in AI and machine learning, we Tech course, calling it a ‘rite of witnesses and media said several The police offi cial did not elab- home minister, said the govern- are making a big bet on that. Ad- passage’. women revellers were groped and orate on why the other two men ment would soon bring the “cul- vances in machine learning will He also mentioned about his assaulted by a mob in the south- were arrested. prits to book”. bring a diff erence in many, many wife Anjali, who he met at IIT it- ern city in a separate incident on All face charges of sexual har- The government plans to install fi elds.” self, and how he had to visit the New Year’s Eve. assment and assault. nearly 550 more closed-circuit Pichai was interacting with girls’ hostel to see her. Police made the arrests after The suspects are said to be cameras within two months, in- Google Inc CEO Sundar Pichai (C) talks to a group of woman students at the Indian Institute Apart from his college life, the examining a closed-circuit video residents of Kammanahalli in the crease police call centre facilities known as ‘Internet Sathis’ who learn mobile Internet from Google of Technology in Kharagpur from CEO was asked some questions clip of the attack by two men as city’s north-east suburb where and deploy more women police and then teach other villagers, in Gokulpur village some 140km where he earned his degree in by students around his profes- the woman walked down a se- the victim was molested. offi cers, he added. west of Kolkata yesterday. Metallurgical Engineering. sional life. Gulf Times 10 Friday, January 6, 2017 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN Indus Water Treaty a model for peaceful co-operation: US

Internews “The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) Pakistan, brokered by the World provides specifi c criteria for Secretary Kerry’s call to Dar, the “Has he talked to the Indians by said: “I don’t have any more Islamabad has served, I think as you know, as Bank and signed in Karachi on such plants. spokesman said: “I can confi rm also on this issue?” the journal- detail for you.” a model for peaceful co-operation September 19, 1960. The US facil- At his news briefi ng held on that he did speak on December ist asked again. Diplomatic sources in Wash- between India and Pakistan for itated the treaty, which had helped Tuesday, Kirby confi rmed that 29 with Finance Minister Dar. “We’re in regular communi- ington said Pakistan had not he US state department now 50 years,” the department’s resolve several water disputes be- US Secretary John Kerry tel- I’m not going to read that out in cation with the Indian and Pa- asked the US to help implement has reminded Pakistan spokesman John Kirby told a news tween the two neighbours. ephoned Finance Minister Ishaq any great detail”. kistani governments on a wide the treaty as the treaty gives this Tand India that the Indus briefi ng in Washington. The latest dispute concerns Dar over the weekend and dis- When a journalist asked him range of issues. I just don’t have role to the World Bank. Waters Treaty has been a model “We encourage, as we have in two hydroelectric power plants cussed the issue with him. But if the US had off ered to mediate any more details for you,” the US The IWT recognises the World for peaceful co-operation be- the past, India and Pakistan to – Kishanganga and Ratle – that Kirby avoided a straight answer between India and Pakistan on offi cial replied. Bank as the main arbitrator and tween the two nations for more work together to resolve any dif- India is building on the Indus when asked if Washington was this issue, Kirby said: “As I said, When another journalist gives it the power to appoint neu- than 50 years and they need to ferences.” rivers system. Pakistan believes mediating between India and we encourage India and Pakistan asked if the US had discussed tral experts or set up a court of ar- continue using it for resolving The IWT is a water-distribu- the projects violate the design Pakistan. to work together bilaterally to this issue with India at the same bitration for resolving water dis- diff erences. tion agreement between India and parameters of the treaty, which Asked if he had a readout of resolve their diff erences.” level as it did with Pakistan, Kir- putes between Pakistan and India. Islamabad’s Indian fishermen released residents pedal towards a greener city

Thomson Reuters Foundation bike lanes in November was the Islamabad fi rst phase of a plan to install around 60km of cycle tracks by mid-2018, which is now await- yclists are taking to the ing national government ap- streets of the Pakistani proval, Aziz said. Ccapital, after the Islama- Separated from the roads by bad Metropolitan Corporation wide strips of grass to keep vehi- offi cially opened dedicated bike cles out, the new bike lanes con- lanes for the fi rst time, aiming to nect government offi ces, schools, promote a greener environment shopping malls, food courts, mar- and better public health. kets, tourist spots like the zoo, and Local authorities hope the the Margalla Hills National Park. 5km of cycle track, costing Aziz said the city authorities around $20,000, will help reduce plan to mark zebra crossings on public reliance on fuel-guzzling all bike lanes to make them safe vehicles that have degraded the for pedestrians, and install sig- sprawling city’s air quality. nals at crossings in line with in- The cycle paths were con- ternational standards. ceived more than half a century Presently, the restored bike ago under a master plan for the lanes are being used mainly by Indian fishermen who were arrested for crossing territorial waters pose for a picture after their release at the Cantonment railway station in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday. city’s development when it was young people and foreign em- designated as the capital, but bassy staff for leisure and exer- were never inaugurated and fell cise, particularly in the evenings into disrepair. They have now and at weekends. been restored to fulfi l their origi- Parents are especially happy nal purpose. about the cycle paths, because Islamabad Metropolitan Cor- they off er an outdoor activity poration chairman Anser Aziz for children and can cut down on said the aim was to motivate monthly school transportation people to use bikes instead of costs. cars “at least for short-distance “My children are now getting Zardari, Bilawal to contest travel to offi ces, schools and an opportunity for some physical shopping areas”. activity with cycling instead of Science student Lubna Syed, being glued to video games, mu- fl anked by her friends riding bicy- sic gadgets and (sitting) in front cles along a lane on Constitutional of computer screens — which Avenue opposite the parliament has made them overweight and building, said cycling off ered two lazy,” said Karam Daad, a father- polls on diff erent symbols major advantages: a healthy envi- of-three who works as a biology ronment and a healthy body. teacher in a private college in an Internews litical party at a time. elections. And now the two The former president dis- tional Assembly constituency Syed enjoys short rides every upscale part of Islamabad. Islamabad He pointed out that Zardari leaders are required to contest closed that Mohamed Ayaz was to take place within 60 evening with her classmates, Housewife Samina Mishaal, was president of the Pakistan the polls from the platforms of Soomro, an MNA from NA- days of the occurrence of the which has encouraged her four a resident in another smart area Peoples Party Parliamentarians their respective political parties 204 (Larkana), and Dr Azra vacancy. cousins to join them, she said. of town, spends almost $210 ormer president Asif Ali (PPP-P) and Bilawal Zardari under separate election sym- Fazal Pechuho, an MNA from The PPP had formed a sepa- Nowadays cities are becoming per month for her three chil- Zardari and his son Bilaw- patron-in-chief of the Pakistan bols. NA-213 (Nawabshah), had sent rate entity, PPP-P, in August environmentally degraded fast- dren to commute to school. She Fal Zardari will contest by- Peoples. The source said the issue of their resignations to the party 2002 to meet the require- er, and are home to more people has already persuaded her hus- elections for National Assembly Party (PPP) as per the list of PPP-P and PPP had come under leadership for their onward ments of a decree issued by the suff ering from pollution-related band to invest $300 in bicycles seats from Sindh on separate political parties with the Elec- discussion during a party meet- submission to the National As- then military ruler. A law was health problems like asthma, she for the children to ride between election symbols. tion Commission of Pakistan ing on December 27, but no de- sembly speaker at an ‘appro- framed to bar Benazir Bhutto added. home and school, a distance of An informed source said the (ECP). cision could be taken. During a priate time’ to enable Zardari from holding a party office and It is a “real joy” to see how around 3km. “This one-off cost reason behind the move was The source said the PPP-P public rally in Larkana the same and his son to contest the by- the new political entity was Islamabad’s new bicycle lanes will allow us to cut our monthly a legal hitch. Under Section 5 had been allotted the ‘arrow’ day, Zardari had announced polls. a bid to avert the imminent could help tackle those prob- spending on taxis. Besides, it will (3) of the Political Parties Or- symbol and while the PPP was that he and his son would con- The source said that under threat of losing the chance of lems, she said, pedalling off . help my children overcome their der 2002, a person cannot be a given the ‘two swords’ by the test the elections to enter par- Article 224 of the Constitu- contesting the elections.— In- The opening of Islamabad’s obesity,” Mishaal said. member of more than one po- ECP prior to the 2013 general liament. tion, the by-election to a Na- ternews Power generation under Street vendor Real estate sector CPEC to be rescheduled ‘picking up after fall’ Internews said the number of buyers and Lahore sellers dropped by 75% post Internews agreement and joint study by The Rahimyar Khan coal fi red the new tax regime. Islamabad experts. power project was intended to “For several months, the Ka- “The additional inclusion add 1,320MW as two projects fter six months of sub- rachi real estate market saw no of more projects such as mod- having capacity of 660MW each dued activity, the real investment activity. The lim- akistan and China have ernisation of railways, roads and was planned but these have now Aestate sector is ex- ited activity seen in the mar- slashed projected power rail-based mass transit system been delayed. pected to pick up in the com- ket is due to genuine buying Pgeneration estimates from for provincial headquarters into Some projects in Sindh would ing months. The industry had and selling,” said M Ali Syed of 10,000MW to around 5,000MW CPEC framework will result in be delayed which will now come been feeling the heat of the Heavens Deal Real Estate and till 2018 under the CPEC early substantial increase to the over- into national grid after 2018 or government’s new tax regime. Builders. harvest programme. The deci- all size of CPEC beyond $50bn. 2019, the minister said. While experts are at a loss “In response to the drop in sion was owing to delays in a few The feasibility and technical The JCC noted that 12 CPEC in explaining how much time real estate transactions, prop- projects including the Rahim- studies will determine its exact energy projects, including the the market will take to revert erty rates in all major areas in- yar Khan and Muzzafargarh coal cost,” Iqbal said while address- Sahiwal coal-fi red power plant, to its pre-tax state, which was cluding DHA Karachi and DHA fi red projects as well as a couple ing the JCC meeting on CPEC the Port Qasim coal-fi red plant dominated by high growth, City Karachi fell. Real estate of Sindh projects. here yesterday. and others were under construc- high prices and high volumes, agents operating solely in However, both sides agreed The minister explained that tion and close to fi nancial clo- stakeholders say the pace has DHA’s projects are very disap- that some alternate hydropower the CPEC and non-CPEC pow- sure. picked up after the govern- pointed.” projects on the Indus River in- er projects would help gener- The investment in these ment announced the tax am- According to the Defence cluding the Bhasha Dam would ate 10, 000 MW till 2018. CPEC projects – with a total capac- nesty scheme. and Clifton Association of Real be considered for adjustments projects would generate around ity of 8,130MW – will be about Meanwhile, a survey by Estate Agents (DEFCLAREA), to make them part of the CPEC 5,000MW while remaining elec- $16bn. It is expected that around Zameen.com, an online real the Sindh property market framework, Federal Minister for tricity would be added into na- 5,000MW will become opera- estate portal, showed the real faced a loss of Rs500mn since Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, said yes- tional grid through non-CPEC tion in 2017-18. estate sector managed to post July 2016. terday. projects. The JCC agreed that China an overall growth of 118% over “The real estate invest- The Joint Co-ordination The Chinese experts, he said, Electric Power Equipment and the last fi ve years. ment activity in Islamabad has Committee (JCC) under the will visit Pakistan in February to Technology (CET), which is In the fi rst six months of dropped 50% ever since the new $50bn China Pakistan Eco- make adjustments in the energy a subsidiary of the State Grid 2016, the Lahore, Islamabad tax regime was implemented. nomic Corridor (CPEC) agreed projects. Corporation of China, will be and Karachi realty market The drop in demand isn’t spe- on keeping total capacity un- The Rahimyar Khan and the sponsor for the Matiari- witnessed a growth of 13.6%, cifi c to a certain locality, the changed and reiterated that Muzzafargarh power projects Lahore and Matiari-Faisal- An Afghan vendor sells candy floss as he walks on the streets 8.26% and 11.39%, respective- market has suff ered across-the- any future adjustments will were among the delayed CPEC abad HVDC transmission line of Kabul yesterday. ly. However, the second half board,” said Askari Inn Real Es- be made only after a mutual projects, the minister said. projects. proved disastrous. The survey tate CEO Irfan Malik. Gulf Times Friday, January 6, 2017 11 PHILIPPINES

CRIME DECISION ENTERTAINMENT APPOINTMENT DATA Abu Sayyaf rebels’ bid Commission on Higher Duterte appoints blogger Retired police chief to head December inflation fastest to hijack cargo ship foiled Education off icial sacked as MTRCB board member Light Rail Transit Authority in two years at 2.6%

Government forces foiled an attempt by Abu The Off ice of the Ombudsman has ordered the President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed blogger The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) yesterday Philippine headline inflation hit 2.6% in December, Sayyaf rebels to hijack a local cargo ship sailing off dismissal of the Commission on Higher Education and entertainer Margaux “Mocha” Uson as a board named retired police director Reynaldo Berroya showing the fastest acceleration in two years, Basilan province. A report said the armed men, on (CHED) executive director, Julito Vitriolo, after member of the Movie and Television Review as its new administrator. The board of directors although the full-year average at 1.8% remained board two speedboats, attacked the vessel Ocean it found him administratively liable for failing to and Classification Board (MTRCB). In a news unanimously elected Berroya who was earlier below the government’s target for 2016. The Kingdom manned by over two dozen sailors off heed calls for a probe into an alleged diploma conference yesterday, Malacanang spokesman appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as headline rate in December was only marginally Sibago Island. The ship was heading to Davao City mill and for letting a university issue transcripts Ernesto Abella confirmed Uson’s appointment, board member. Under the new rules set by higher than November’s 2.5%, but posted a big to deliver its cargo. A Filipino sailor from another of records and diplomas based on a suspended which was made on January 3. Uson’s term as the governance commission for government- jump from 1.5% recorded in December 2015. It vessel nearby said they received a distress call education programme. According to a statement MTRCB board member will expire on September owned or controlled corporations, heads of was the fastest rate since December 2014, when from MV Ocean Kingdom. He said their ship was issued yesterday, the ombudsman found Vitriolo 30, 2017. When asked about her qualifications government–run corporations are chosen from inflation hit 2.7%. The rise in consumer prices in just three miles from MV Ocean Kingdom and guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, to be an MTRCB board member, presidential among and by the members of their respective December supported the forecast by the Bangko heading to Davao City when they received the call incompetence and ineff iciency, and breach of communications secretary Martin Andanar cited boards. Prior to joining the LRTA, Berroya served Sentral ng Pilipinas’ for an average of 1.8% for 2016, from the vessel. Security forces alerted by the conduct. It also found basis to file graft charges at Uson’s influence as a “blogger” and experience in the police’s intelligence, anti-narcotics, and but faster than the 1.4% average recorded in 2015. attack rushed to the area and secured the cargo the Sandiganbayan (special appellate collegial court) as an artist. “Mocha is one of the biggest artistes anti-crime units. He also served as general It also hit the lower end of the 2.6% to 2.8% range boat owned by Oceanic Shipping Lines. against him. Vitriolo said he will appeal the decision. we have in the country,” Andanar said. manager of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3). seen by analysts polled by The Manila Times.

South China Sea ruling 40 inmates ‘not to be discussed at summit’ recaptured

Reuters Manila after jailbreak n arbitration court rul- ing that rejected China’s Aclaims to the South China sea and strained Chinese rela- tions with the Philippines will not be on the agenda of this year’s Southeast Asian summit, in Philippines a senior Philippine offi cial said yesterday. AFP Philippine President Rodrigo Kabacan, Philippines RUNDOWN PRISONS Duterte reiterated last month he wanted to avoid confrontation Here are some of the successful of the Basilan provincial jail and with China and saw no need to hilippine authorities yes- jailbreaks: spring 31 inmates. press Beijing to abide by the July terday said they had cap- April 10, 2004: Fifty-three March 4, 2010: Mohamed ruling that went in favour of the Ptured or killed dozens of inmates break out of the main Jaafar Maguid, alias Commander Philippines. men who escaped in the nation’s jail on Basilan island. Twenty Tokboy, escapes from his prison “The Hague ruling will not be biggest jailbreak but more than Abu Sayyaf militants were cell in Alabel town. on the agenda in the sense that 110 remained on the run in vast among the escapees. Police August 27, 2016: Dozens it’s already part of international farmlands and isolated villages later kill nine of the fugitives of militants of the Maute law,” Foreign Aff airs Under- of the nation’s strife-torn south. and recapture 15 others. group, another gang to pledge secretary Enrique Manalo told Suspected guerrillas stormed February 2, 2007: The Moro allegiance to IS, raids a jail reporters ahead of the Associa- a decrepit jail in the major Islamic Liberation Front free 49 in Marawi city and frees 23 tion of Southeast Asian Nations southern city of Kidapawan on inmates of Kidapawan jail, the inmates. (Asean) meeting chaired by the Wednesday, freeing 158 prison- same prison where this week’s January 4, 2017: About 100 Philippines in April. ers and killing a guard, in what breakout took place. gunmen storm the Kidapawan “So we really can’t discuss the authorities said may have been a December 13, 2009: More jail and engage in a two-hour ruling. It’s there.” bid to free fellow rebels. than 100 gunmen believed to battle with overwhelmed prison The July 2016 ruling rejected Forty of the inmates had been belong to the MILF blast a wall guards. China’s territorial claims over recaptured by yesterday after- much of the South China Sea. noon, with seven others killed in Beijing declared the decision the manhunt that involved secu- citizens are co-operating,” Ka- However Wednesday’s jail- as “null and void”, but called on rity forces fi ring mortars at some bacan mayor Herlo Guzman said. break was the biggest in the countries involved in the dispute escapees in remote farmlands The southern Philippines is nation’s history, Bureau of Jail to start talks again to peacefully and jungles, jail authorities said. home to a decades-old separatist Management and Penology resolve the issue. But they emphasised there insurgency, as well as extrem- spokesman Xavier Solda said. What the 10-member Asean were many obstacles in the op- ist gangs that have recently de- Solda said 13 “high-value will focus on is the completion eration. “This is a very wide area. clared allegiance to the Islamic targets” — seven rebels and six of a framework for a code of con- Aside from sugar, rubber and State. organised crime gang members duct to ease tension in the dis- coconut plantations, there are The southern region of Mind- — had not been able to escape on puted waters, Manalo said. areas and camps held by rebels anao is the ancestral homeland Wednesday. “We hope we will have a that we cannot easily enter,” jail of the Muslim minority in the On Wednesday, Bongngat said pleasant scenario during our warden Peter Bongngat said. largely Catholic Philippines. the attackers were believed to be chairmanship. We will talk to Thirty-nine of the escapees The badly overcrowded jail in militants who had broken away China in a way we will put forth were accused of rape, while 35 Kidapawan, 950kms south of from the Moro Islamic Libera- our interest just as we expect were in jail for murder, accord- Manila, housed about 1,500 in- tion Front (MILF), the nation’s China will put forth theirs,” ing to a list released by prison mates. It is a run-down former largest Muslim rebel organisa- Manalo said. authorities. school building that militants tion which is in peace talks with Since 2010, China and the In Kabacan, a farming town have targeted repeatedly over the the government. Asean have been discussing a about 30kms from Kidapawan, past 15 years. The MILF, which has about set of rules aimed at avoiding residents tipped off search teams In 2007, Khair Mundos, a Fili- 10,000 armed followers, has confl ict. China claims most of about inmates who were hiding pino who would later become been fi ghting since the 1970s for the energy-rich waters through and sleeping in rubber and palm one of the world’s most wanted independence or autonomy. which about $5tn in ship-borne oil plantations, using thick veg- accused terrorists escaped along The rebellion has claimed trade passes every year. etation as cover. with 48 other inmates. Mundos, more than 120,000 lives al- Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, “We are alarmed because with a $500,000 bounty from though the MILF has in recent the Philippines, Taiwan and Vi- A group of captured inmates sit at a villager centre in Kabacan on the southern island of (prisoners) are convicted crimi- the US government, was recap- years observed a ceasefi re as part etnam also have claims. Mindanao yesterday. nals. But what’s good is that our tured in Manila seven years later. of the peace process. Russian Marines’ charm Leader of pro-IS off ensive wows Filipinos militant group slain AFP The military killed eight An- Manila sarul Khilafa members in a clash AFP “The performances were great, April or May to be “a milestone”. in November 2015 at Maguid’s Manila the stunts were quite impressive,” “It will be a very successful Mindanao hometown of Palim- gushed student Antonio Chua. visit that will give a powerful hilippine security forces bang, 1,000kms south of Manila. Filipinos were also allowed impetus (to our) cooperation in yesterday killed the leader Interior Secretary Ismael Sue- ussian Marines shattered to attend an open house on the diff erent fi elds,” Khovaev told Pof a militant group that no warned of potential violent glass bottles with their submarine-hunter Admiral reporters at the Marines’ display. has carried out deadly attacks repercussions from the death Rheads and smashed burn- Tributs, one of the two ships The Russian navy visit comes on civilians to win support from of Maguid, more widely known ing wooden planks against each making what was only the Rus- less than a month after Duterte Islamic State fi ghters in Iraq and by his nickname of Commander other yesterday as part of an eye- sian Navy’s third-ever port call sent his foreign and defence Syria, authorities said. Tokboy. catching charm off ensive in the in the Philippines. ministers to Moscow to discuss Mohamed Jaafar Maguid, “They might retaliate so we Philippines, a traditional US ally. Duterte, who calls himself arms deals after a US senator founder and leader of Ansarul have to double our preparations,” The camoufl age-clad Marines a socialist, has championed a said he would block the sale of Khilafa Philippines, was tracked Sueno said, citing festivals in the showed off their pistol-shooting, move away from the US and to- 26,000 assault rifl es to the Phil- down and shot at a beach resort Philippines this month. knife-fi ghting and martial arts wards US rivals Russia and Chi- ippines due to concern about a on the southern island of Mind- Ansarul Khilafa was behind skills to the Filipino public in na following American criticism rising death toll in a war on drugs anao shortly after midnight, an attack that left two civilians Manila’s central park as part of a of his bloody war on crime that launched by Duterte. while three “cohorts” were ar- dead on Mindanao in 2008 as “goodwill visit” spearheaded by has claimed thousands of lives. Khovaev had on Wednesday rested, a police report said. well as a series of robberies and two warships following Philippine “America has lost,” Duterte said Moscow is ready to supply Ansarul Khilafa is one of several other crimes, according to Sid- President Rodrigo Duterte’s an- said on a visit to China in Octo- the Philippines with sophisti- violent militant groups on Mind- ney Jones, director of the Indo- nounced pivot away from the US. ber last year. cated weapons including aircraft anao, where a decades-old sepa- nesia-based Institute for Policy As bewildered passers-by “I’ve realigned myself in your and submarines and aims to be- ratist rebellion has claimed more Analysis of Confl ict. watched, the Russians smashed (Chinese) ideological fl ow and come a close friend of the tradi- than 120,000 lives. “He’s wanted Maguid was arrested in 2009 boards with their fi sts, had cin- maybe I will also go to Russia tional US ally as it diversifi es its for bombing incidents. They use but escaped eight months later, der blocks crushed on their to talk to (President Vladimir) foreign ties. improvised explosive devices, kill- Jones said in a research paper stomachs and endured beatings Putin and tell him that there are Khovaev said Russia had a range ing people at town festivals,” chief published in October last year. from fl aming planks. three of us against the world: of weapons to off er. “We are ready superintendent Cedric Train, the Train said the authorities had The show culminated with China, Philippines and Russia. to supply small arms and light regional police chief, said. also been looking into Ansarul them smashing glass bottles on It’s the only way.” weapons, some aeroplanes, heli- “They fl y the ISIS fl ag in their Khilafa’s role in a bombing in their heads without any visible Russia’s ambassador to the copters, submarines and many, camps. They want to be recog- Davao, Mindanao’s largest city eff ect. After the display, eager Philippines Igor Khovaev said many other weapons. Sophisti- Russian Marines show their individual combat skills during a nised by the ISIS,” Train added, in September last year that killed Filipinos rushed to take “selfi es” yesterday he expected a planned cated weapons. Not the second- public capability demonstration at the Luneta National Park in referring to the Islamic State 15 people and injured dozens of with the beret-wearing Russians. visit by Duterte to Russia in hand ones,” Khovaev said. Metro Manila, yesterday. group by one of its acronyms. others. Gulf Times 12 Friday, January 6, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Police still clueless over MP’s murder Bangladesh’s woman city in Bangladesh mayor takes oath of offi ce By Mizan Rahman Dhaka By Mizan Rahman the fairest among all held under Dhaka the incumbent Election Com- hough fi ve days have elapsed since the killing of Member mission, headed by Chief Elec- of Parliament (MP) from Gaibandha district, Manjurul tion Commissioner Kazi Rak- TIslam Liton, there has been no tangible progress in the in- rime Minister Sheikh ibuddin Ahmad. vestigation into the murder case as police are still clueless. Hasina yesterday admin- “The EWG did not observe any Investigation in the case is on and we’ll be able to debunk the Pistered oath of offi ce to the incident of violence or vote rig- mystery soon, said Faruk Hasan, additional superintendent of country’s only woman city mayor ging and found voter participa- police. He said so far 18 people who had earlier secured bail in Selina Hayat Ivy. Ivy was elected tion substantial amid multiple murder cases have been arrested. as the mayor of Narayanganj City layers of tight security,” it said. Unhappy over the slow investigation, local people threat- Corporation (NCC). The oath- The EWG, a platform of 27 civil ened to continue their movement in Sundarganj until the killers taking ceremony took place at a society organisations working of Liton are arrested. Meanwhile, family members of slain MP function at the Prime Minister’s for promoting fair elections and Liton, including his wife and only son, left Sundarganj for the Offi ce in the Bangladesh capital. good governance, revealed its capital as they were suff ering from a sense of insecurity’. Ivy was re-elected mayor of fi ndings at a press conference. Tahmida Bulbul Kakoli, younger sister of Liton and also the Narayanganj City for the sec- “In general, polling offi cials plaintiff of the murder case, along with her sister-in-law and ond consecutive time in an elec- were neutral, voting took place nephew left Bamandanga village for Dhaka on Wednesday af- tion held on December 22, 2016. in an effi cient and professional ternoon. “Who will ensure our security here? As we’re facing Elected 27 general councillors manner, and voters were able life threat, we’re leaving our home. It has been proved what the and nine reserved women coun- to cast their votes in an orderly criminals can do even in police presence,” she told reporters cillors also took oath. manner,” said EWG Director Ab- while leaving the house. Local Government, Rural De- dul Alim. Afroza Bari, elder sister of Liton and a resident of the capital, velopment and Cooperatives In the NCC elections, the said, “We knew that Liton had enemies but we couldn’t realise Minister Engineer Khandaker EWG observed voting in 31 out he had such big enemies. Why was he not allowed to keep his Mosharraf Hossain administered of 174 polling stations. Its ob- licensed fi rearm? Chan Mia, a local ruling Awami League leader, the oath to all elected councillors. servation covered preparation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy embracing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the PM’s off ice in Dhaka after being alleged that police could not arrest the real culprits yet. They Cabinet members, PM’s advisers and opening of polling stations, administered oath of off ice yesterday. only arrested day labourers, shop employees and supporters of and leaders of diff erent political voting operation and proce- Jamaat-e-Islami. parties and senior offi cials were dures, closing and counting, were empty, said the statement. polling stations. There was no by 79,567 votes. Among the 27 A police team, led by offi cer-in-charge of Sundarganj Police present on the occasion. After and overall environment in- Voting took place peacefully intimidation of voters, ballot councillor seats, AL candidates Station Atier Rahman, has interrogated plaintiff Kakoli, Liton’s the oath taking ceremony, the side polling stations. The EWG from polls opening to closing. stuffi ng, attacks by miscreants got 13, BNP 12 and Jatiya Party wife Smriti, his brother-in-law Badrul Ahsan Betar, son Sakib mayor and the councillors took found that all polling stations No incident of ousting of polling and vote rigging. and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal Sadman and some other family members at his house. The Awa- photograph with the prime min- were equipped with necessary agent was recorded and no com- In the NCC election, ruling got one each. Of the winners of mi League MP was shot dead at Bamandanga village in Sundar- ister. equipment and opened on time, plaint on electoral irregulari- Awami League (AL) candidate nine reserved seats for women, ganj sub-district on December 31. According to the Election and ballot boxes opened in front ties was made by candidates and Selina Hayat Ivy bagged 1,75,611 four councillors-elect belong to Working Group (EWG), a poll ob- of polling agents and observers their polling agents. The EWG votes beating her nearest rival AL and two to BNP. The rest do server, said the NCC election was to demonstrate that the boxes observers found no violence in BNP’s Shakhawat Hossain Khan not have any political affi liation.

Court defers Submarine cable hearing on graft cases against dysfunction slows Khaleda Zia Net in Bangladesh A special court in Dhaka yesterday deferred the hearing on Zia Charitable By Mizan Rahman mained uncertain. “Users of Trust and Zia Orphanage Dhaka Bangladesh would get Internet corruption cases against connection in full pace after Bangladesh Nationalist Party the three submarine cables (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda illions of Bangladeshi come back in order,” added Zia to January 12. users have been ex- Haque in the statement. Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar Mperiencing slow In- On December 13 last year, the of the Special Court passed ternet connection for the last i2i submarine telecommunica- the order at Bakshibazar’s few days due to glitches in the tion cable, owned by Bharti makeshift court in presence submarine cables of India, Airtel Limited, was down due of Khaleda Zia in response said Internet Service Provid- to fi bre cut while on January to a time petition filed by her ers’ Association of Bangladesh 4 another 3,175km long In- lawyer Sanaullah Mia. (ISPAB) in Dhaka yesterday. dian cable TIC that connected Earlier on December 22, a “Three submarine cables, Chennai and Changi of Singa- court deferred the hearing two owned by Indian compa- pore went down. of Zia Charitable Trust nies and another consortium, Besides, the ultra high ca- graft case against BNP that serve Bangladesh have pacity IMEWE submarine ca- chief Khaleda Zia and fixed been snatched and remain out ble that links India and Europe January 5 for presentation of order in the last few days via Middle East also went out of self defence. On August causing sluggish Internet in of order. 8, 2011, the Anti-Corruption Bangladesh,” ISPAB Secretary Currently, Bangladesh’s to- Commission filed the Zia Md Emdadul Haque said in a tal bandwidth consumption is Charitable Trust graft case statement. more than 400 Gbps, of which with Tejgaon Police Station He said the i2i submarine ISPAB takes 120 Gbps from accusing four people, cable owned by Bharti Air- the state-owned Bangladesh including Khaleda Zia, of tel would be back in order by Submarine Cable Company Bangladesh security personnel stand guard at a special court where Bangladesh’s main opposition leader and Bangladesh Nationalist Party abuse of power in raising January 20 while India-Middle Limited (BSCCL) while the re- Chairperson Khaleda Zia made an appearance in corruption cases. The special court adjourned hearings of alleged corruption cases against funds for the trust from East-West Europe (IMEWE) maining is supplied from India Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage until January 12. unknown sources. cable in a week, and repair of through six international ter- Tata Indicom Cable (TIC) re- restrial cables.

20 idols in three Hindu temples vandalised in Bangladesh

Miscreants vandalised 20 idols in three temples in Jamai Bazar Dhumuria area of Tungipara sub-district of Gopalganj district early yesterday. Locals said the miscreants swooped on Durga Temple, Hari Temple and Radhagobindha Temple early in the morning and damaged 20 idols. Local Hindu community people staged demonstrations in the area protesting the attack. Deputy commissioner of Gopalganj district Md Mukhlesur Rahman Sarkar visited the spot. Meanwhile, police arrested two youths Sabur and Shoeb in this connection. Mahmudul Haque, off icer-in-charge of Tungipara Police Station, said the incident might have been taken place following enmity over setting up of a shop in the area. Incidentally, Tungipara is the ancestral home of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Meanwhile, detectives yesterday arrested Union Parishad (UP) chairman of Brahmanbaria district in connection with attacks on Hindu community. Chairman of Haripur UP Atikur Rahman Akhi was the prime accused in a case filed over the attack. Nepal Speaker urges PM to Sri Lanka arrests 10 Indian fishermen Two Biman offi cials placed on fresh forge consensus with oppn Nepal Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar requested Sri Lanka arrested 10 Indian fishermen for poaching in its waters Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) to yesterday. The arrested fishermen and their trawlers were taken to forge consensus with the opposition parties before a naval base where they were handed over to local authorities in remand for glitch in Hasina’s fl ight the next session of Parliament, the media reported. Jaff na town, Xinhua news agency reported. The Speaker, who went to the prime minister’s Earlier this week, Sri Lanka urged India to end bottom trawling in residence in Baluwatar, made the request in order order to resolve a long-standing fishing dispute. India and Sri Lanka By Mizan Rahman spector Mahbub Alam of man offi cials – its chief en- Management) of Biman to resume the house meetings, which had been are divided by a narrow strip of sea. Sri Lanka routinely arrests Dhaka Counter Terrorism and gineer Debesh Chowdhury, Bangladesh Airlines MM disrupted since November 29, the Himalayan Times Indian fishermen who fish in its waters. Transnational Crime chief engineer (quality as- Asaduzzaman fi led a case reported. (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Met- surance) SS Siddique, prin- against nine offi cials of the In response, Prachanda expressed his commitment Lanka cabinet to launch national Dhaka court yes- ropolitan Police (DMP) pro- cipal engineer (system and national fl ag carrier with to end the stalemate and forge consensus with the terday placed two duced them before the court maintenance) Billal Hossain, Airport Police Station under agitating political parties. programme for child protection Aoffi cials of Biman and sought a 10-day remand engineers Shamiul Haque, the Special Powers Act. Meanwhile, the leading political parties have Airlines on a seven-day for each. Niron Chandra Bishwas, A Biman fl ight carrying begun fresh talks after the Supreme Court’s order Sri Lanka’s cabinet approved to launch a national programme fresh remand in a case fi led Those remanded are Sid- Lutfar Rahman and Zakir the Prime Minister had to to let Parliament endorse the second Constitution to protect children from various threats, Cabinet spokesperson over glitch in a fl ight carry- dikur Rahman and Rokonuz- Hossain on a 7-day remand. make an emergency landing amendment bill. The main opposition Communist Rajitha Senaratne said. Senaratne said it had been decided to ing Prime Minister Sheikh zaman. Earlier on December A team of CTTC unit ar- at Ashgabat International Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist also hinted implement the “Let’s Protect Children” programme from 2017 to Hasina. 28, another court placed the rested them from diff erent Airport in Turkmenistan on it would not obstruct the house meetings anymore. 2019, reported Xinhua news agency. The programme will cover Metropolitan magistrate duo on a seven-day remand. areas of the city on Decem- her way to Budapest on No- The Speaker also held separate meetings with crime, health, nutrition and welfare, personality development, Sikder Ali Chakraborty On December 22, another ber 21. On December 20, vember 27 following low oil the leaders of other political parties to make her education and life skills. passed the order when in- court placed seven other Bi- Director (Engineering and pressure in its engine. request for running the house. Gulf Times Friday, January 6, 2017 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Practical steps to memorising the Qur’an

any Muslims wish to memorise the arrogant: Qur’an, and may start doing this. Yet Memorising the Qur’an is a blessing and a large number among them do not privilege from Allah. It is indeed a great Mtake this enterprise methodological- enterprise. After memorising the whole Qur’an ly, but rather haphazardly which often leads to a one might become proud to have accomplished greater chance to forget what one has memorised, this task. He then might want everybody to know to memorise the Qur’an the wrong way, or even to his accomplishment, so that they admire him. abandon memorising altogether. It is feared for such a person that he might be To avoid these setbacks and ensure a successful punished for this. memorising of the Qur’an, some practical steps Although it is he who put the time and eff ort are presented in this article which is separated in to memorise the Qur’an, one should never forget three sections: that it is Allah Who guided him and facilitated the Qur’an for him. He should be thankful to Allah 1. What one should fulfi l before and avoid arrogance. memorising the Qur’an: 2. Try to acquire the manners of the Qur’an, A. Purity of intention: and apply its instructions in all aspects of life: Being sincere and seeking only the reward from The Qur’an was sent down to men so that they Allah is a necessary condition for acceptance of take it as a way of life. This obligation is more every act of worship a Muslim undertakes, and emphasised on those who know it by heart. A memorising the Qur’an is a worshipping act Muslim scholar said: “A man would read the (like Salat, Zakat, fasting, etc...) and should be Qur’an and curse himself without knowing it. He free from shirk. Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, said would say ‘The curse of Allah is on the wrong- “whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work doers,’ (Qur’an 7:44) and he is one of them, righteousness, and in the worship of his Lord, ‘The curse of Allah is on the liars.’ and he is a liar admit no one as partner” (Qur’an 18:110) himself!” B. Awareness and feeling of the greatness of the Noble Qur’an: 3. Try not to forget what one has One should remember that the Qur’an is the memorised, and commit oneself to that: Word of Allah, for Allah said “If one among the The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, pagans asks you for asylum, grant it to him, so encouraged the Muslims to take care of the Qur’an that he may hear the Word of Allah” (Qur’an 9:6). by memorising it, and reviewing it quite often, The greatness of the Qur’an is derived from the and warned them from forgetting any part of greatness of Allah. it. The hadiths mentioning this are numerous. One should remember why the Qur’an was The Prophet said: “Take care of the Qur’an (by revealed to Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa memorising it). By the one in Whose Hand my sallam: To guide mankind to the good, and to take soul is, it is easier to slip away from you than the them out from darkness to light. Allah said: “This camels in their shackles.” (Related by al-Bukhari). is the Book, in it is guidance sure, without doubt, He also said: “The holder of the Qur’an (i.e. the to those who fear Allah” (Qur’an 2:2). And He one who memorised it) is like the holder of the said: “Ramadan is the month in which was sent chained camels. If he keeps watch on them they down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear will stay with him, and if he loosens their chains signs for guidance and judgment between right they will slip away.” (Related by al-Bukhari). and wrong” (Qur’an 2:185). A mosque in Amman, Jordan. For this reason, one should review the Qur’an From the greatness of the Qur’an comes the quite often so that he does not forget it. It is greatness of the month in which it was revealed z Seeking the reward from Allah as it has been G- Choosing a good reader from whom one can 5. Read the verses with a moderately loud voice. advised to review the whole Qur’an in forty days, (the month of Ramadan) and the greatness of mentioned above. listen to the Qur’an and recite it the right way: Reading aloud helps one overcome laziness and based on the hadith of the Prophet, sallallaahu the Prophet to whom it was revealed (Prophet z Applying the commands and complying with Reading the Qur’an from the book by oneself tiredness. On the other hand, one should keep ‘alaihi wa sallam, who said: “In how many days Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), and instructions mentioned in the Qur’an. is not suffi cient, for there is a right way of his voice low so as not to bother the others. In should the Qur’an be read?” then he himself also the greatness of any one who studies the z Understanding the right concepts of this pronunciation and intonation. One can listen to any case, one should not read silently, but should replied: “In forty days.” (Related by at-Tirmidhi). Qur’an and teaches it. The Prophet, sallallaahu deen, for the Qur’an and the Sunnah are the the reader from an audio-tape and repeat after listen to himself while reading. It is also disliked that forty days pass and one has ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The best among you is he sources for the correct understanding of the him. 6. Read slowly and with the right intonation. not read a single word from the Qur’an. who studies the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Related fundamentals of the deen. H-Choosing a Qur’an book with clear writing One should know the basic rules of by al-Bukhari) Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, said: “And We and keeping the same book all the time. intonation (tajweed) and try to apply them while 4. The reason for forgetting the Qur’an C. Realising the virtue and the great reward for sent down to you the Book explaining all things, I- Starting memorising the Qur’an from the memorising. Allah said: “And recite the Qur’an in and how to avoid it: studying the Qur’an: a guide, a mercy, and glad tidings to Muslims.” last chapter and going backward, because surahs slow, measured rhythmic tones.” (Qur’an 73:4). Allah says: “And whatever of misfortune befalls Many hadiths emphasise the reward and (Qur’an 16:89) in this part are shorter and more familiar. He also said: “Move not your tongue concerning you, it is because of that your hands have earned.” the high status of any Muslim who reads the E- Being aware that Allah facilitates the Qur’an J- Praying (supplicating) Allah, subhanahu wa the Qur’an to make haste therewith.” (Qur’an (Qur’an 42:30). This means that the sins that one Qur’an. Umar, radhiallahu ‘anhu, narrated that for those who wish sincerely to memorise it: ta’ala, to help one memorise the Noble Qur’an. 75:16). This indicates that one should not read commits are the reason of the misfortune that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: Allah said: “And We have indeed made the the Qur’an fast, but rather slowly, which is best befalls a Muslim, and no doubt that forgetting “Surely Allah by means of this Qur’an elevates Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is 2. Practical steps to memorise the Qur’an: achieved when one applies the rules of tajweed; the Qur’an is a big misfortune. The companions people and puts down others.” (Related by there any that will receive admonition.” (Qur’an Now that one is ready to start memorising the pausing and prolonging at the right places. This of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and Muslim). Ibn Masud, radhiallahu ‘anhu, narrated 54:18) Qur’an, it is necessary to follow certain steps was the way the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa the generation after them had realised this. They that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, F- Concentrating on memorising the Qur’an that will, insha Allah, facilitate this task. For this sallam, used to recite the Qur’an. Anas Ibnu would take a strong position against those who said: “He who reads a word from the Book of Allah and making this a habit in spite of one’s busy life: purpose one should: Malik was once asked about the way the Prophet forgot the Qur’an, by reprimanding them and will be rewarded for every letter in that word, and One of the good habits in reading and 1. Set a specifi c portion to be memorised at recited the Qur’an. He said: “He would prolong keeping away from them. Adhahak said: “No one the reward will be multiplied tenfold.” (Related by memorising the Qur’an is to make it a daily every session. his reading like this: ‘Bismillaaahe ‘rahmaaaane memorises the Qur’an then forgets it, unless he at-Tirmithi). activity. This would necessitate allocating a time It is better not to choose a large amount in ‘raheeeem’.” No doubt that reciting slowly helps committed a sin.” By trying to avoid committing The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, during the day for this task. The best time for the beginning, because most often one is driven one better understand the Qur’an and refl ect on sins, and purifying oneself, one can hope to keep also said: “Read the Qur’an, for it will be your reading Qur’an is after Fajr prayer, for Allah said: by his enthusiasm to memorise more, but with its meaning, which in turn helps him memorise it. the Qur’an in his heart and mind. intercessor on the Day of Judgment.” (Related by “Establish regular prayers at the sun’s decline till time this enthusiasm wears out and one cannot 7. Recite the amount he memorised to himself Muslim), He also said: “He who reads the Qur’an the darkness of the night, and recite the Qur’an in keep up with same amount. This may discourage without looking at the book. 5. How and when to review the Qur’an: and memorises it, is with the pious and just in the the early dawn, for the recital of the early dawn is him from memorising and lead him to give up 8. Read again from the Qur’an to check if any The best way to review the Qur’an is to allocate hereafter, and he who reads it and practises it in ever witnessed.” (Qur’an 17:78) altogether. It is more important to persevere in error was made. a time for this purpose, apart from the time spite of its diffi culty (of language) will be rewarded Reading the Qur’an in the same quiet place memorising no matter how small the amount is. One should be very self critical at this step allocated to memorising. This however can be twice.” (Related by al-Bukhari) regularly also helps to put the Muslim in the mood This amount could be defi ned as a certain number and should not overlook the minor errors of diffi cult, due to one’s busy day. Another way is Allah said: “Those who rehearse the Book of for memorising it. The best and most natural of verses, or number of pages, to be memorised. pronunciation, because it will be harder to correct to recite when performing the voluntary (not the Allah, establish regular prayer, and spend (in place for this is the masjid. 2. Read the verses from the Qur’an to a these errors afterward. obligatory) prayers, and to recite one part every charity) out of what We have provided for them, Memorising the Qur’an with a group of knowledgeable reader before memorising them. 9. Recite the amount memorised to a day, so that in thirty days, he would fi nish the secretly and openly, hope for a good trade that will Muslims is better than doing it alone, because the This is so that he corrects any wrong knowledgeable reader. whole Qur’an (which is divided in thirty parts). never perish” (Qur’an 35:29) members in the group encourage one another, and pronunciation, especially if one is not familiar 10- It is preferred to connect the diff erent Once can also recite in the car while driving, A Muslim is rewarded for reading the Qur’an as help make this task a regular one. The Prophet, with the Arabic characters. amounts one has memorised from the beginning or between the Athan and the congregational well as listening to it (being read by someone else). sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Whenever a 3. Read the verses to oneself to correct the of the chapter (surah) at ever session, in addition prayer, or allocate a few minutes after Fajr prayer Allah said: “When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it group congregates in one of the houses of Allah pronunciation of the diffi cult words. to reviewing the whole surah once the last part of for reviewing. In any case one should try his best with attention, and hold your peace that you will to recite the Book of Allah, and to study it, peace 4. Memorise one verse at a time, then connect it has been memorised. to review the whole Qur’an in 40 days, as the receive mercy.” (Qur’an 7: 204) and mercy will descend on them, the angels will the newly memorised verse to the previous ones. 3. What one should do after memorising the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, advised D. Realising the goals of reading and surround them, and Allah will mention them to If the verse is too short, then one can memorise whole Qur’an: us. We ask Allah, the Almighty, to guide us to this memorising the Qur’an. These goals include: those with Him.” (Related by Muslim). two verses at a time. 1. Be careful not to show off and become noble task and facilitate it for us. History of the Noble Qur’an Neglecting the Book of Allah

he Qur’an is the backbone of government, and family. during the War of Apostasy. ‘Umar Ibn al- t is recommended for every believing man and increase their reading of it, with contemplation and Islam. On this Sacred Book of A number of chapters inform about Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, woman to recite the Book of Allah, the Noble Qur’an, understanding it, along with sincerity to Allah - with the Allah depends the Islamic call, Resurrection, the Hereafter and the went to the Caliph and discussed the idea often, with due contemplation and understanding. purpose of learning and benefi ting from it. They should Tstate, society and the civilisation unseen; others relate the stories of various of compiling the Qur’an into one volume. IThis may be done by using a copy of the Qur’an or read the entire Qur’an once a month. If, however, they of the Muslim world. It is the last Divine prophets and their calls to their people to He was disturbed, as most of those who from one’s memory. Allah - the Most High – Says (what are able to do more than this without any diffi culty, then revelation, which was sent down to Prophet return to Allah. We see how the previous memorised it had died. Then, Abu Bakr, means): “[This is] a blessed Book (the Qur’an) which We they should complete it in less than this time. Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) nations were severely punished when they may Allah be pleased with him, called for have revealed to you [O Muhammad], that they might However, it is best not to complete it in less than (may Allah exalt his mention), the last and disobeyed Allah and denied the messages Zayd and commissioned him to collect the refl ect upon its verses and that those of understanding three days, since this is the least amount of time that fi nal of all Prophets, may Allah exalt their of previous prophets, may Allah exalt their Qur’an into one book, which became known would be reminded.” [Qur’an 38:29] And: the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, mentioned to mention. His task was to convey the mes- mention. as the Mus-haf. “Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah (the ‘Abdullaah Ibn `Amr Ibn al-‘Aas, may Allah be pleased sage of worshipping the One God, Allah, In addition, several chapters focus on After Zayd, may Allah be pleased with Qur’an) and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out with him. This is because if it is read in less than three without ascribing any partners to Him. The the story of creation and the development him, accomplished this great task and of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, days, the person becomes hasty and lacks thought and Noble Qur’an, which is the source of guid- of human life. In fact, Makkan revelations organised the Qur’an into one book, he [can] expect a transaction [i.e. profi t] that will never concentration while reading it. ance and mercy to mankind, is divided into made the Muslims’ faith in Allah fi rmly submitted the precious collection to Abu perish. That He may give them in full their rewards and Allah, the Most High, Says in the Glorious Qur’an 114 Surahs (chapters) of varying lengths. established. On the other hand, Madinan Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, who increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving (what means): “And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, Ninety-three chapters were revealed in revelations were meant to translate the faith kept it in his possession until the end of his and Appreciative.” [Qur’an 35:29-30] indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] Makkah, while the remaining 21 were into action and give details of the Divine life. During the caliphate of ‘Umar, may The aforementioned recitation of the Qur’an abandoned.” [Qur’an: 25: 30] revealed in Madinah. Law. Allah be pleased with him, it was kept with includes both reciting and acting upon it (abiding by So, Allah Almighty informs us about His Messenger The fi rst revelation that the Prophet Allah will forever preserve the Qur’an his daughter Hafsah, may Allah be pleased what Almighty Allah enjoins in it and refraining from Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, that he (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) received was against all attempts to destroy or corrupt it. with her, who was also a wife of the Prophet what He forbids in it). The recitation is to be done with said: “My Lord my people have abandoned - acting Surat Al-’Alaq, which was in Makkah where Being guarded by Allah, it will always remain (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). contemplation and understanding of it. Sincerity to or listening - to the Qur’an.” and that is because the Surat An-Najm was to later became the pure. There does not exist a single copy with During the Caliphate of ‘Uthmaan, may Allah is a means of complying with and acting upon the idol-worshippers did not pay attention nor listen to the fi rst to be recited openly to the people. In any variation from the recognised text. Allah be pleased with him, Islam reached Qur’an, and its recitation contains a great reward - as Qur’an, as Allah Says (what means): “And those who Madinah, Surat Al-Mutaffi feen was the rst fi Any attempt of alteration has resulted in many countries, and readers began to recite the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Recite disbelieve say, “Do not listen to this Qur’an and speak one revealed after the Hijrah (migration). failure. the Qur’an in diff erent ways (dialects). the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection, it shall come noisily during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) Upon the command of the Prophet ‘Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, as an intercessor for its companion (one who recites and overcome.” [Qur’an 41:26] had to fl ee to Madinah to save his own life (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) his then had various copies made and sent complies by its teachings).” [Muslim] Thus, when the Qur’an was being read to them, and the lives of his followers, upon the Companions would write down what was them out to the diff erent Muslim lands, The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, also said: they would deliberately make noise and futile speech command of Allah. revealed of the Noble Qur’an. They used, lest these dialects would cause alterations “The best of you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches so that they would not hear the Qur’an. However, this The last verse sent down to the Prophet for this purpose, palm branches stripped to the Qur’an, and kept the original copy it.”[Al-Bukhari] is from the ways of abandoning the Qur’an. Likewise, (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was the of leaves, parchments, shoulder bones, with Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her. Another narration states: “Whoever reads one letter of not having faith and trust in it is also from the ways of saying of Allah which means: “…This stone tablets, etc. About forty people were Thus, the Qur’an remained preserved and the Qur’an shall receive a good deed and ten good deeds abandoning the Qur’an. Not pondering over it, nor trying day I have perfected for you your religion involved in this task. Among them was Zayd the Caliph was very much pleased with his similar to it. I do not say that Alif Laam Meem is one to understand it, not acting by it, not obeying its orders and completed My favour upon you and Ibn Thaabit, may Allah be pleased with achievement. letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a and refraining from what it forbids, turning to something have approved for you Islam as religion...” him, who showed his work to the Prophet Today, every copy of the Qur’an conforms letter.” [At-Tirmithi] other than it - whether poetry, music, amusement, [Qur’an: 5:3] (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). Thus, the with the standard copy of ‘Uthmaan, may The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said to or other forms of vain speech and taking a path that is Some chapters in the Qur’an focus on Qur’an was correctly arranged during the Allah be pleased with him. In fact, Muslims Abdullaah Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Al-`Aas, may Allah be pleased derived from other than the Qur’an are all from the ways the call to Islam as guidance for humanity. Prophet’s life, but it was not yet compiled over the ages excelled in producing the with him: “Complete the recitation of the Qur’an once a of abandoning the Qur’an, of which we were strictly They focus upon monotheism and the fi ght into one book. In the meantime, most of best manuscripts of the Noble Qur’an in month.” He (‘Abdullaah) said: “I am able to do more than warned by Allah, the Most Exalted, and His Messenger, against polytheism and idolatry. Thus, the Prophet’s Companions memorised the the most wonderful handwriting. With that, O Messenger of Allah.” So he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. stress is laid on all that is related to faith. Qur’an. the introduction of printing, more and sallam, said: “Then complete its recitation once in seven Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/ In other chapters, attention is given to When Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased more editions of the Noble Qur’an became days.” [Al-Bukhari] legislation, acts of worship, relationships with him, became Caliph after the Prophet available all over the world. The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, among people and the laws that regulate (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) died, a large Article source: http://www.islamweb. used to complete the entire Qur’an once every seven days. matters within the Muslim community, number of the Companions were killed net/emainpage/ So, it is recommended that the readers of the Qur’an Gulf Times 14 Friday, January 6, 2017 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Production Editor: Amjad Khan Trump’s policies could

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] spark global trade war Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Turning trade into a World (2015) – speak volumes about in turn spawns its chronic current- US economy. It is foolish to think that Fax 44350474 weapon of mass economic his tabloid-level biases. account defi cit and a massive trade America holds all the cards in this Ross and Navarro were also defi cit. bilateral economic relationship. destruction could be a policy co-authors of an economic-policy Dealmakers who try to address Codependency is a very reactive blunder of epic proportions position paper published on the this macroeconomic problem one connection. If one partner changes Trump campaign website that country at a time cannot possibly the terms of engagement, the other stretched any semblance of credibility. succeed: the US ran trade defi cits is likely to respond in kind. If the By Stephen S Roach Now they will get the opportunity to with 101 countries in 2015. There can US goes after China – as Trump, GULF TIMES put their ideas into practice. And, in be no bilateral fi x for a multilateral Navarro, and Ross have long New Haven fact, the process has already begun. problem. It’s like the proverbial Dutch advocated and now seem to be doing Trump has made it clear that he will boy sticking his fi nger in a leaky dike. – it must also face the consequences. uring his campaign, US immediately withdraw the US from Unless the source of the problem – a On the economic front, that spells president-elect Donald the Trans-Pacifi c Partnership (TPP) saving shortfall that is likely to worsen the possibility of reciprocal tariffs Trump used foreign trade – in keeping with Ross’s criticism in the face of Trump’s inevitable on US exports to China, as well as Pakistan breaks of America’s trade deals. And his widening of federal budget defi cits potential ramifications for Chinese Das a lightning rod in his supposed defence of the beleaguered brazen willingness to challenge the –is addressed, America’s current- purchases of Treasuries. And other American middle class. This is not an 40-year-old “One China” policy by account and trade defi cits will only countries – tightly linked to China uncommon tactic for candidates at speaking directly with Taiwanese widen. Squeezing China would merely through global supply chains – may the back of crime either end of the political spectrum. President Tsai Ing-wen – to say shift the trade imbalance to other well impose countervailing tariffs of What is unusual is that Trump has nothing of his subsequent anti-China countries – most likely to higher-cost their own. not moderated his anti-trade tone tweets – leaves little doubt that his producers, which would eff ectively Global trade wars are rare. But, since winning. Instead, he has upped administration will follow Navarro’s raise the prices of foreign goods sold to like military confl icts, they often and terrorism the ante and fi red a series of early prescription and take dead aim at hard-pressed American families. start with accidental skirmishes or warning shots in what could turn America’s largest and most powerful But the story doesn’t end there. The misunderstandings. More than 85 into a full-blown global trade war, trading partner. Trump administration is playing with years ago, US Senator Reed Smoot and There has been a dramatic change in the security with disastrous consequences for Of course, Trump, a self- live ammunition, implying profound, Representative Willis Hawley fi red situation in Pakistan. The South Asian country, which the United States and the rest of the proclaimed master dealmaker, may global repercussions. Nowhere is the fi rst shot in sponsoring the Tariff until a few years ago was considered one of the most world. simply be talking tough, in order to this more evident than in the likely Act of 1930. That led to a catastrophic Consider Trump’s key personnel put China and the world on notice Chinese response to America’s new global trade war, which many believe dangerous nations on the planet, is today safer than at decisions. Industrialist Wilbur Ross, that the US is now prepared to operate muscle-fl exing. The Trump team is turned a serious recession into the any point since former US president George W Bush the Commerce Secretary-designate, from a position of strength in the dismissive of China’s reaction to its Great Depression. launched his war on terror 15 years ago. has been vocal in his desire to foreign-trade arena. A bold opening threats – believing that the US has It is the height of folly to ignore the How has the change come about? In September 2013 abrogate America’s “dumb” trade gambit, the argument goes, softens nothing to lose and everything to gain. lessons of history. For today’s saving- deals. Peter Navarro, an economics the adversary for a more palatable Alas, that may not be the case. short, defi cit-prone US economy, it Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called a special professor at the University of endgame. Like it or not, America and China are will take far more than China-bashing cabinet meeting in Karachi. At this meeting Sharif California at Irvine, will be the But, while such tough talk locked in a codependent economic to make America great again. Turning ordered a crackdown on Pakistan’s perceived “culture of director of the National Trade undoubtedly played well with relationship. Yes, China depends on trade into a weapon of mass economic violence’’. Karachi is Pakistan’s main economic hub and Council – a new White House policy voters, it fails a key reality check: US demand for its exports, but the US destruction could be a policy blunder shop to be set up on a par with the America’s large trade defi cit – a visible also depends on China: the Chinese of epic proportions. - Project parts of the city had been a war zone for decades. That National Security Council and the manifestation of its low saving – own over $1.5tn in US Treasury Syndicate changed after Sharif sent in the Rangers. Just three years National Economic Council. Navarro calls into question the very notion securities and other US dollar-based ago, according to the Numbeo international crime index, is one of America’s most extreme of economic strength. A signifi cant assets. Moreover, China is America’s zStephen S Roach, a faculty member at Karachi was the sixth most dangerous city in the world. China hawks. The titles of his two domestic saving defi cit, such as that third-largest export market (after Yale University and former Chairman most recent books – Death by China which affl icts the US, accounts for Canada and Mexico) and the one that of Morgan Stanley Asia, is the author Today it stands at 31 – and the number is falling. (2011) and Crouching Tiger: What America’s insatiable appetite for is expanding most rapidly – hardly of Unbalanced: The Codependency of Six months after he ordered the Rangers into Karachi, China’s Militarism Means for the surplus saving from abroad, which inconsequential for a growth-starved America and China. Nawaz Sharif took an even more momentous decision. The prime minister, whose initial instinct had been to negotiate with the Taliban and oppose the use of force, sent the army into North Waziristan, the Taliban stronghold on the Afghan border. In June 2014, General Raheel Sharif launched a massive military off ensive called Zarb-e-Azb. The aim was to wipe out militant bases in northwestern tribal areas and bring an end to a bloody insurgency that has cost thousands of civilian lives since 2004. It has involved a series of military off ensives as well as concerted eff orts to block the militants’ sources of funding. In response Taliban groups carried out a “There is no series of atrocities of possibility of which the most deadly was the attack on the any revival of Army Public School in extremism” Peshawar, in which a reported 140 children were killed. That prompted the National Action Plan in January 2015, considered as the defi ning moment in the fi ght against terrorism. Under the plan, special military courts were set up and several terror groups were outlawed. At the same time, the army stepped up its operations. According to offi cial fi gures, it has killed about 3,500 Taliban fi ghters, destroyed 992 hideouts and cleared Since winning, president-elect Trump has upped the ante and fired a series of early warning shots in what could turn into a full-blown global trade war. 3,600sq km of territory. Nearly 500 soldiers have died. Bakhtiar Mohamed, director of the National Counter Terrorism Authority, says the Taliban have been gravely weakened. “The army has gone very deeply into every nook and corner of the tribal areas. There is no possibility of any revival of extremism.” Will healthcare be disrupted? It is worth recalling that the average number of militant attacks per month before Zarb-e-Azb was 161, which By Spencer Nam Precision medicine – which should Explaining the many nuances of bacterial and viral diseases were dropped to 60 in 2015. Lexington, Massachusetts not be confused with personalised a mysterious disease such as cancer treated through intuitive medicine, According to statistics issued by an Islamabad based medicine – describes a rules-based requires emotional intelligence and because nobody had isolated the cause process by which standardised the ability to build trust with patients of patients’ symptoms. independent think tank, Pakistan Institute for Confl ict lthough intelligent machines treatments with predictable by delivering information eff ectively. Then, Louis Pasteur and other and Security Studies (PICSS), for the year 2016, the are increasingly operating outcomes are applied to known health Doctors also must exhibit cultural scientists developed the germ theory, overall picture of two years after National Action Plan complex manufacturing conditions. humility, so that they can take into microscopes improved, and scientists the country saw 68% reduction in militant attacks, 62% Asystems and replacing According to Christensen, most of account a patient’s social background began to identify the sizes and shapes humans on factory fl oors, they have the medicine practiced today is closer when administering care. of microbes. decline in resultant deaths and 48% decrease in injuries. not made signifi cant inroads in to the intuitive side of the spectrum, For the foreseeable future, machines Over the past century, our scientifi c The dramatic improvement in the security situation in healthcare. and only a few diseases, primarily probably will not be able to match understanding of germs has improved Pakistan has gone largely unnoticed and unacknowledged The sector’s most advanced infections, can be treated using humans in helping chronically ill so much that every virus and bacteria in the backdrop of a rash of violent incidents elsewhere in machines, from ultra-high-resolution precision medicine. patients whose prognosis remains can now be quickly diagnosed and imaging instruments to surgical In fact, at the moment, the concept uncertain. isolated. the world, especially in Syria, Turkey and Europe. robots, are still fully controlled by of precision medicine is incorrectly Still, despite intelligent machines’ This has enabled healthcare While it would be unwise to assume that Pakistan’s humans. applied to improve only the outcomes limitations, they will continue to play professionals to switch from security problems are over, it is a fact that the country But as robotic and artifi cial- of intuitive medicine, instead of a bigger role in health care, even in the practising intuitive medicine to has won its current war against crime and terrorism and intelligence (AI) systems become identifying the causal mechanisms of realm of intuitive medicine. precision medicine, where they can more advanced, will they eventually diseases. Owing to their superior analytic apply standardised processes that succeeded in normalising the war-like situation in the render doctors and nurses obsolete, As long as this is true, human power, machines are already providing predictably cure diseases. northwest. with patients consulting a computer know-how and engagement will more data upon which physicians With simple and inexpensive instead? The short answer is: not remain integral to healthcare. base their diagnostic and treatment methods, we have eradicated deadly anytime soon. Treating unspecifi c symptoms decisions. diseases such as polio and smallpox. Healthcare professionals will without a prescribed roadmap requires Machines are increasingly More recently, researchers certainly become increasingly eff ective decision-making and trust, monitoring patients as well, helping to discovered an Ebola vaccine that To Advertise dependent on machines; but which is a signifi cant hurdle for prevent human errors in hospitals and provides 100% protection against the technology will augment, not replace, machines. pharmacies. virus. [email protected] their abilities, and doctors will remain After millions of years of evolution, Soon, many more ancillary One day, when we have gained a Display in charge of medical practices. humans have developed a capacity functions such as admissions, similar level of understanding of the Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 In his 2009 book The Innovator’s for contextual intuition that enables scheduling, and discharges will be biochemistry and physiology of the Prescription, Harvard Business trained doctors to make sensible and automated. human body, precision medicine will Classified School’s Clayton Christensen timely decisions in uncertain, data- But, again, until the scope of be applied to all disease categories. Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 identifi ed a spectrum of medical scarce environments. precision medicine surpasses that We will be able to determine every practices that range between Even the most sophisticated AI of intuitive medicine, health-care disease’s cause and progression Subscription “intuitive” and “precision.” Intuitive systems that we have today would professionals will continue to make precisely, and machines will operate [email protected] medicine describes when a doctor need to be improved signifi cantly in medical decisions and interpret the with more autonomy. interprets a patient’s symptoms to order to mimic this ability. data. arrive at a diagnosis and prescribe a Communicating with patients So, what are the prospects for such zSpencer Nam is a senior research 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved treatment, the effi cacy of which is poses an even greater challenge for a shift? fellow at the Clayton Christensen often uncertain. machines. Up until the mid-19th century, Institute for Disruptive Innovation. Gulf Times Friday, January 6, 2017 15 COMMENT Rethinking labour mobility

We must continue and bankruptcy with the same sort to these “new” jobs. Europe and the of populist politics that featured so US have long attempted to support to search for viable prominently in 2016. They formed and “losers” in manufacturing and opportunities that voted for radical political movements services through various small- that blended economic and social scale programmes that do not, in allow people to utopianism with increasingly fact, benefi t many workers. For participate creatively militant nationalism. These example, the US Trade Adjustment movements against globalisation, Assistance programme, which was and meaningfully in the which culminated in World War II, augmented under the 2009 Trade and economy helped to destroy the contemporary Globalisation Adjustment Assistance international order. Act, and the EU’s Globalisation In the aftermath of World War II, Adjustment Fund are small, By Harold James politicians in industrial countries complex, and expensive measures to Princeton found a diff erent solution to the compensate displaced workers. problem of displaced farmers: they As a result, many of the dilemmas subsidised agriculture, supported that confronted 19th-century he past year will be prices, and sheltered the sector from policymakers are confronting their remembered as a period international trade. counterparts today. No one can deny of revolt against what US In the US – which, tellingly, avoided that it is a waste of human and natural Tpresident-elect Donald the nationalist surge – this eff ort resources to prop up occupations that Trump likes to call “globalism.” had already been embodied in the create unwanted or obsolete goods. Populist movements have targeted 1933 Agricultural Adjustment Act. Earlier generations had emigration as a “experts” and “elites,” who are now In Europe, price maintenance and release valve, and many people today, asking themselves what they could supranational protectionism formed especially in Eastern and Southern have done diff erently to manage the political basis for European Europe, are responding to poor local the forces of globalisation and integration in the European Economic economic conditions in a similar technological innovation. Community, which would become fashion. The emerging consensus is that the foundation for the European Internal migration into dynamic people and communities displaced by Union. To this day, the EU budget metropolitan hubs is still a possibility, these forces should be compensated, is overwhelmingly devoted to the especially for young people. But this perhaps even with an unconditional Common Agricultural Policy, the kind of mobility – which is increasing basic income. But that strategy has system of subsidies and other in modern Europe, but not in the US – many hazards. People who are paid to measures to support the sector. requires skills and initiative. In today’s do meaningless activities, or nothing In the Industrial Revolution of the across oceans – to places where they Heinz Company), Henry John Heinz, Agricultural protectionism worked world, workers must learn to embrace at all, will likely become even more late 18th and early 19th centuries, could take on new forms of work, and was born in Kallstadt as well, in 1811, well for two reasons. First, US and adaptability and fl exibility, rather than disengaged and alienated. Regions technological innovation, especially even prosper. As the late Thomas K and emigrated to Pennsylvania in the European agricultural products in this succumb to resentment and misery. that are subsidised simply because in textile machinery, displaced McCraw’s brilliant book The Founders 1840s, to escape an agricultural crisis. new regime were not fundamentally The most important form of they are losing out may demand more skilled artisans and craft workers en and Finance shows, America’s But just one century later, worthless, as handmade, technically mobility is not physical; it is social autonomy, and then grow resentful masse, and left them deprived of any tradition of entrepreneurship is a emigration was no longer an option for inferior cloth was during the or psychological. Unfortunately, the when conditions do not improve. real safety net to cushion the blow. testament to inventive migrants. people whose economic activity had Industrial Revolution. American US and most other industrialised Thus, simple transfers are not But, in retrospect, it is not obvious To see the benefi ts of migration, we suddenly become obsolete, not least and European producers still fed the countries, with their stultifying and enough. Humans are ingenious that governments could have done need look no further than Kallstadt, because most countries had imposed populations of rich countries, even if rigid education systems, have failed and adaptable, but only in some anything to compensate Silesian a town of small-scale farmers in tougher barriers against migration. they did so at a higher cost than was to prepare people for this reality. - circumstances; so we must continue handloom weavers or rural Irish southwest Germany where Friederich In the fi rst half of the 20th century, economically necessary. Second, and Project Syndicate to search for viable opportunities that artisans. Although they were hard (Fred) Trump – Donald Trump’s the most vulnerable producers were more important, workers were able allow people to participate creatively workers, their products were both grandfather – was born on March 14, rural, small-scale farmers who could to change occupations, and many and meaningfully in the economy. To inferior in quality and more expensive 1869. He moved to the US in 1885 (his not compete with expanding food moved from the countryside to fi ll zHarold James is Professor of History that end, we should look to history, than what was being manufactured in wife was also born in Kallstadt, and production elsewhere in the world. attractive, high-paying jobs in urban and International Aff airs at Princeton and study what happened to the the new factories. he married her there on a return visit This was especially true for manufacturing and services. University and a senior fellow at the “losers” during previous periods of Instead, many displaced workers in 1902). The father of the founder of European farmers, who responded Of course, today the threat posed Center for International Governance rapid techno-globalisation. emigrated – often long distances the food giant Heinz (now the Kraft to their sudden impoverishment by globalisation extends precisely Innovation. Weather report Vinyl records making a comeback Three-day forecast TODAY High: 22 C parents never owned one in the fi rst It is the critical eye that values My passion for collecting records Low : 15 C By David Sax Strong wind and high sea Tribune News Service place? How can you accuse a 25-year- everything against what came before is driven by the same judgment. old computer programmer of being it, and constantly asks whether each It was only after I uploaded my lost in the past, simply because he new idea is an improvement, or not. CD collection to iTunes, then ver the past few years, collects hip-hop 45s in his spare time? When Nancy Silverton opened abandoned that for the endless SATURDAY analog goods including If nostalgia more broadly La Brea Bakery in 1991, bread in buffet of streaming, that the High: 24 C physical books, board understood plays a role, though, that’s America still meant processed, sliced, unseen benefits of listening to vinyl Low: 14 C Ogames and, of course, a bad thing only if you believe that packaged loaves sold at the grocery became apparent. All the digital Sunny vinyl records have experienced a progress ought to move in a linear store. The invention of processed inventions (MP3s, iPods, Wi-Fi, surprising resurgence – despite direction. bread in the early 20th century cloud computing) that brought me the fact that these technologies are In today’s rapidly innovative, was heralded at the time as a great free, disembodied music anywhere, SUNDAY functionally obsolete. How could this digitally driven economy, reverence technological leap. Suddenly, bread anytime, made me value music I High: 25 C be happening? Why would someone for the old stands in opposition to was cheaper, more plentiful and had can own, display, touch and feel Low: 16 C pay $20 or more for a second-hand the Utopian futurism at the heart of a longer shelf life, making it more with all my senses. To the millions M Sunny copy of Bill Withers’ “+Justments” Silicon Valley. The past is relevant accessible to more people, which had of consumers worldwide who have on a scratchy melted plastic disc that only in terms of how quickly you a signifi cant impact on hunger and resurrected the record industry plays only on a costly, troublesome speed away from it, and as long as the food supply. But soon enough, over the past few years, I suspect Fishermen’s forecast the feeling is mutual. To us, the turntable, when she could stream Moore’s Law holds steady – doubling consumers were nostalgic for the slow OFFSHORE DOHA the same album in digital clarity on the speed of processors and halving fermented sourdoughs that no longer return of vinyl – even as we listen Wind: NW 14-22 KT Spotify for free? their cost every 18 months – the only were available, and it was bakers like to streaming services on the drive Waves: 5-8 Feet The conventional wisdom is that hardware and software that truly Silverton who brought them back to to work – represents not regression, INSHORE DOHA Wind: NW 15-25/30 KT nostalgia is to blame for this twee matters is the next version. No one the mass market. but progress. Waves: 2-3/4 Feet trend: Millenials, hipsters or that pines for Windows 2.0, or the iPhone Today, the country supports Silicon Valley may never look most-coveted demographic, the 4; progress is a one-way street, and thousands of artisan sourdough back, but for the generation who has Around the region millennial hipster, are indulging in anyone who dares to reverse course is bakeries, and even your average grown up with omnipresent digital Weather Weather a perverse Wes Anderson fantasy. a Luddite. supermarket loaf has more character – technology, nostalgia isn’t just some today Max/min tomorrow Max/min They’re deifying outdated things and Outside of Silicon Valley, the and fl avour – thanks to the food trend foolish whim. It is a life raft, and Abu Dhabi Sunny 23/17 Sunny 25/16 repackaging them as contemporary world doesn’t work this way. In Silverton and her cohorts achieved the one sure means of grounding Baghdad P Cloudy 16/04 Sunny 17/04 Dubai culture. real life, innovation is a two-steps- by looking back to the way bread was ourselves in a world that promises Sunny 25/14 Sunny 26/15 Kuwait City M Sunny 20/09 Sunny 20/10 But the conventional wisdom is too forward-one-step-back dance, made in the past, and making that constant change. My turntable is Manama Cloudy 21/14 Sunny 22/15 simplistic, as it so often is. Across the the product of trial-and-error bread accessible in the present. from the 1970s and so are many of the Muscat P Cloudy 24/16 Sunny 24/16 board, consumers who weren’t even experiments in which we adopt, When I buy artisanal sourdough, it’s records that play on it. It can be fi xed, Riyadh Sunny 19/08 Sunny 23/12 around when these technologies fi rst reject, forget and resurrect ideas not because of some misplaced fear modifi ed and restored, but it cannot be Tehran Sunny 08/01 Sunny 09/01 lost their prominence are driving their in science, culture, politics and of bakery science, but because that rendered obsolete. When disruption is resurgence. How can a 15-year-old commerce as we move forward in crusty, airy, wonderful loaf just tastes the norm, the real disruption may just be nostalgic for a turntable, when her time. Nostalgia’s role here is crucial. so much better than Wonder bread. be permanence. Live issues Living near heavy traffi c increases dementia risk

Guardian News and Media connective tissue) and lower cognition. whether the small increase in dementia develop dementia, Parkinson’s disease London A recent study suggested that risk is driven by indirect eff ects or or multiple sclerosis. magnetic nano-particles from air whether proximity to traffi c directly Over the study period, more than pollution can make their way into infl uences dementia pathology. 243,000 people developed dementia, eople living near a busy brain tissue. Regardless of the route of causation, 31,500 people developed Parkinson’s road have an increased risk The latest study, published in this study presents one more disease and 9,250 people developed of dementia, according to The Lancet, found that those who important reason why we must clean multiple sclerosis. Around the world Presearch that adds to concerns live closest to major traffi c arteries up the air in our cities.” The scientists found no link Weather Weather about the impact of air pollution on were up to 12% more likely to be Advertisement However, others between living near a road and today Max/min tomorrow Max/min human health. diagnosed with dementia – a small but cautioned that those living close to Parkinson’s disease or multiple Athens M Cloudy 12/-1 Cloudy 02/-3 Roughly one in 10 cases of signifi cant increase in risk. main roads should not be unduly sclerosis, but dementia was slightly Beirut Sunny 20/12 Cloudy 17/12 Showers 30/24 Alzheimer’s in urban areas could be The study, which tracked roughly alarmed by the fi ndings. more common in people living close Bangkok 29/24 Showers Berlin Sunny -2/-7 S Showers -2/-3 associated with living amid heavy 6.6mn people for more than a decade, Profesor John Hardy, a neuroscientist to busy roads and the risk dropped off Cairo Sunny 21/08 Sunny 18/08 traffi c, the study estimated – although could not determine whether pollution at University College London said: gradually in less built-up areas. Cape Town Cloudy 25/18 Cloudy 27/17 the research stopped short of showing is directly harmful to the brain. “The analyses are exceedingly complex Those living within 50 metres of Colombo M Sunny 32/20 Sunny 32/20 that exposure to exhaust fumes causes The increased dementia risk could … and this always leads to concerns a busy road had a 7% higher risk in Dhaka Sunny 27/14 Sunny 27/14 Hong Kong Sunny 24/21 P Cloudy 22/21 neurodegeneration. also be a knock-on eff ect of respiratory that the analytic complexity is hiding developing dementia, the risk was Istanbul Rain 12/-2 Snow -2/-6 Hong Chen, the scientist who led and cardiac problems caused by traffi c confounding factors in the analytic 4% higher risk at 50-100 metres, 2% Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 31/25 the work at Public Health Ontario, fumes or due to other unhealthy life- pipeline. There are several reasons why higher risk at 101-200 metres and Karachi M Sunny 27/12 Sunny 24/09 said: “Increasing population growth style factors associated with living in one might not want to live near a major there was no increase in risk in those London Showers 07/05 Fog 10/06 Manila P Cloudy P Cloudy 32/22 and urbanisation has placed many built-up urban environments. road, but this study is not an additional living more than 200 metres away. 32/22 Moscow S Showers -2/-28 Cloudy -24/-31 people close to heavy traffi c, and with Ageing test could highlight one.” Ray Copes, chief of environmental New Delhi M Sunny 23/12 S Showers 21/10 widespread exposure to traffi c and patients at risk of dementia Read The study tracked all adults aged and occupational health at Public New York P Cloudy 02/-4 Cloudy -1/-7 growing rates of dementia, even a more Rob Howard, a professor of old between 20 and 85 living in Ontario, Health Ontario, and a co-author of the Paris Sunny 01/-3 Cloudy 02/02 modest eff ect from near-road exposure age psychiatry at University College Canada from 2001 to 2012, using Lancet paper, said that those living in Sao Paulo T Storms 28/20 T Storms 29/21 Seoul Sunny 09/-2 P Cloudy 09/-2 could pose a large public health burden.” London, who was not involved in the postcodes to determine a person’s cities should consider walking along Singapore S T Storms 33/26 P Cloudy 33/25 Previously, scientists have linked air study, said: “We know that major road proximity to major roads. side streets, jogging in parks and Sydney S Showers 24/19 P Cloudy 25/17 pollution and traffi c noise to reduced air pollution is bad for general health The cohort’s medical records were planning cycle routes along quieter Tokyo Clear 08/03 Cloudy 10/01 density of white matter (the brain’s and this latest study doesn’t tell us examined to see who went on to roads where possible. Gulf Times 16 Friday, January 6, 2017 QATAR Honey Fest attracts a swarm of visitors and farms this year he three-day Honey fairs Department, stressed Festival, which began that the MME has given Tyesterday at Al Maz- farmers more support to rouah Yard, near Umm Salal encourage them to increase Ali, under the auspices of their honey production and the Agricultural Aff airs De- help them compete with partment of the Ministry of other producers from out- Municipality and Environ- side the country. ment (MME), has attracted “The production of honey a larger number of visitors in Qatar amounts to four and farms, compared with tonnes during a single sea- the previous editions of the son, which is considered a event. signifi cant amount com- The festival is being par- pared to the imported prod- ticipated by 130 local farms, ucts,” he stated. which produce honey and Besides, the MME aims at other agricultural products establishing and enhancing of very high quality. When such local farm industries, the project was launched and supplies farmers with in 2012, only 30 farms took the necessary support. The part and 50 participated in event will also be held at Al 2014. Khor from January 12 to 14, Yousef al-Khelaifi , direc- and Al Wakrah from January tor of the Agricultural Af- 19 to 21, from 7am to 5pm. Qatari honey products festival attracted more number of visitors this year. As many as 130 local farms are participating in the Honey Festival. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Families, students, envoys ... attend Mahaseel Festival

he Mahaseel Festival, or- ganised by Katara – the TCultural Village, contin- ues to attract a large number of visitors who had the opportunity to buy fresh vegetables, fruits, and other locally grown agricul- tural produce. The third day of the festival introduced around 1,100 stu- dents from various schools in Doha to various agricultural crops produced by Qatari farms. In a statement, Katara noted that students, as well as teach- The festival continues to attract more students. ers, were also briefed about the festival’s aim in promoting and raising awareness on the impor- tance of food security. The festival off ers an excellent opportunity for such visitors to connect theory, read mostly in textbooks, with real-life agricul- tural activities. Katara expressed optimism that the festival will help to fur- ther enhance the country’s agri- culture sector as it aims to meet the demand for food in the fu- ture. Apart from vegetables and Mahaseel Festival features products from Qatari farms across 22 stalls. fruits, home-grown fl owers and other ornamental plants Many visitors lauded Katara ity honey, fresh meat, organic Ambassadors Mohamed Ha- also served as attractions at the for a highly-organised festival, vegetables, as well as farm- feez al-Ajmi (Kuwait), Kaba- event, which will conclude on which introduced them to new ing tools for planting, are also lan Abi Saab (Ecuador), Mering Saturday, but will continue dur- types of fl ower decoration, in- showcased at the event. Vari- Aaktarin Mekadez (Georgia), and ing weekends until the end of cluding roses and home plants. ous types of Qatari dates are Hassan M’Barek (Niger) also vis- Students from various schools in Doha are taking part in a number of activities at Mahaseel Festival. April. A variety of high qual- also a big hit. ited the festival. CONNECTED by Q-Post Bicycle riders from Nepal visit Asian Town contest winners awarded

atar Postal Services could be used to travel to any Q-Post chairman Faleh al- Company (Q-Post) has destination in Europe. The win- Naimi gave away the award to Qannounced the winners ners are Hani Abouayash, Islam the winners. of its ‘Ship & Win’ promotion Shehata, and Thani Alsaad. To enter the draw, the cus- held as part of its newest serv- They were selected from tomers need to use the CON- ice, CONNECTED by Qatar among all those customers who NECTED by Qatar Post website Post. used CONNECTED shipping and follow the terms and condi- The winners were given two service between October 4 and tions of its shop online and ship business-class tickets, which December 31, 2016. service.

Two special travellers from Nepal, who have arrived in Qatar riding bicycles, visited the Asian Town. The duo started their journey in 2004. One of them, Lok Bandhu Karki, who hails from Lumbini in the higher altitude of the Himalayan country said their journey ‘World Peace Tour 2004-2017’ is for spreading the message of permanent peace, harmony and humanity across the world. At the Asian Town, a number of residents, including their compatriots in Qatar, interacted with the duo. They not only praised the valiant eff orts of the two over the last 13 years since they began their journey but also reminded them of the patronage extended by Qatar to a large number of their compatriots. The winners with Q-Post chairman and other officials.