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Reinsurance Coaching superstar market in Mena Villas Boas praises set to grow Aspire Academy

WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 • 4 MOHARRAM 1438 • Volume 21 • Number 6940 2 Riyals thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar 201,663 new RPs Work visa rules to ease: PM issued in first half The Peninsula the country’s economic activities, highlighting changes to the visa and transit visas as an example of these the period reached 41,293,748, which efforts. There will also be a facili- shows 27.3% increase compared to DOHA: The Prime Minister and tation in the process of obtaining a The Ministry of Interior the same period last year. This fig- Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdul- work visa to allow the private sector also cancelled 100,215 ures a monthly average of 6,882,291 lah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to obtain its needs from the job mar- residencies during the and daily average of 229,410. The said yesterday that government will ket, said the Prime Minister. first half of this year. General Directorate of Nationality, ease the procedures for work visas The meeting served as a way Borders and Expats Affairs com- to enable private companies to meet to discuss different views on how pleted 20,982,263 transactions with the requirements of the job market. to advance the business and invest- an increase of 9.6% compared to the These measures will follow the ment environment in Qatar, in order to The Peninsula same period last year. These included recent announcements about sim- increase local and foreign investments. 201,663 new residence permits, plifying tourist and transit visa rules The Prime Minister agreed to form a 673,430 residence permit renew- and procedures, the Prime Minis- joint committee between the govern- als, 97,811 residence changes to new ter said, addressing a meeting with ment and the private sector that meets DOHA: The Ministry of Interior issued passports from the old ones, 100,215 chairmen of companies listed in the regularly to discuss challenges facing 201,663 new residence permits and residency cancellations, 6,121 reacti- Qatari stock market at the Sheraton the private sector and their solutions. cancelled 100,215 residencies during vation of residence permits and 3,723 Hotel. A number of ministers and top The committee would then present its the first half of this year, with over 27 sponsorship transfers. officials were present. reports to the Prime Minister. percent increase in various trans- The Recruitment Applications The Prime Minister said that the Qatar is one of the biggest coun- actions carried out by the ministry, Reviewing Committee received a private sector must be an active part- tries in terms of spending on national compared to the same period last year. total of 345, 584 entry visa appli- ner to the government and a pillar of Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser projects. Spending on major projects The different services centres of cations during this period. the national economy. reached QR56bn in the first six the ministry completed 159 trans- The total number of transac- bin Khalifa Al Thani meeting with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) The government is committed to months of the year. The past two actions every minute and 9,559 tions related to the Qatar ID cards of companies listed on Qatar Stock Exchange at the Sheraton Grand continue improving the ease of doing months also saw signings of agree- transactions every hour, accord- reached 21,520 marking an increase business and investing in Qatar by Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, yesterday. ments worth QR16bn, said the Prime ing to the six-month data released of 11.6%, in addition to 5,349 trans- developing the legislative framework Minister. by the ministry yesterday. actions related to Qatari citizenship. and simplifying procedures, said the He said there was a committee with facilitating the private sec- The total number of transactions Prime Minister. revising the procedures and charged tor’s ability to participate in all of → Continued on page 2 accomplished by the ministry during → Continued on page 6 Al Khor Hospital starts telemedicine for stroke care

By Fazeena Saleem Al Khor Hospital and it has signif- patient. A collaborative initiative “The telemedicine technol- immediate treatment with live sav- given. By significantly reducing the The Peninsula icantly helped patients’ chances of by teams across Hamad Medical ogy enables direct evaluation of ing therapies,” Professor Shuaib told time period between the onset of making a full recovery, said a sen- Corporation (HMC) has led to the stroke patients admitted at Al The Peninsula. stroke symptoms and the start of treat- ior official. implementation of the system that Khor’s Emergency Department “Prior to the introduction of the ment, patients’ chances of making a Telemedicine is an advanced sys- is improving care for stroke patients and allows real time examination telemedicine system, patients would full recovery are greatly improved,” DOHA: Telemedicine system for tem that enables the diagnosis and at Al Khor Hospital, said Professor of the CT scan imagery by HMC’s often need to be transferred to HGH’s he added. real time evaluation of stroke treatment of patients by clinical teams Ashfaq Shuaib, Director, Neuro- expert stroke team based at HGH’s Emergency Department for a full patients has been introduced at situated in a different location to the sciences Institute HMC. Stroke Ward in Doha, facilitating assessment before treatment was → Continued on page 6

Stunning view of old & new

An aerial view of the desert rose-inspired National Museum of Qatar with the Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani’s original palace nestled in the centre. The National Museum is unique for the structure of its façade comprising interlocking discs of varying sizes. This ultramodern museum, which is nearing completion, is set to reflect Qatari roots, history and identity in the thousands of objects that will be displayed in its temporary and permanent galleries. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula

New Kahramaa service QU condoles death of two students

DOHA: Qatar General Elec- DOHA: The Qatar University (QU) has condoled the death of two of its girl tricity and Water Corporation students, Noor Khalil Ibrahim Al Haidous and Reem Saif Homeid AlKa- (Kahramaa) has launched a new lbani, who drowned in a swimming pool in their hostel on Monday. service on its mobile app to get News about the incident went viral on social media yesterday trigger- feedback directly from custom- ing a debate on the safety and security of swimming pools in the country. ers about its services. “ We pray God to help their bereaved families to bear this great loss,” The Shoot & Send service aims the University tweeted yesterday. to set up direct communication “ I am shocked to hear the news of the death of the two girls… May God with customers to receive com- bless them and give their families the patience to bear this loss,” QU Pres- plaints and suggestions from them ident Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham said on his Twitter account. quickly. Some Qatari citizens have launched hashtags with the names of the deceased to express their sorrow over the incident and convey their con- → Continued on page 4 dolences to the bereaved families. 02 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 HOME Q-Post launches Arabic website of ‘Connected’

acceptability among residents. On the eve of the launch of Ara- Around 10,000 people The officials further said that bic website, Q-Post also introduced from November 2016, Q-Post’s a lucrative offer to all new users with became members “Connected” will inaugurate its a generous discount of 30 percent of ‘Connected’ since warehouse in China. They also on the base charge of first ship- announced multiple upgrades to ment. “Every Connected customer the launch of the the e-commerce service. who uses the service in October e-commerce service Connected by Qatar Post is and December this year will qual- Some of the CEOs of companies listed on Qatar Stock Exchange at a meeting which was addressed by the in April this year. an eagerly awaited e-service that ify to enter a draw to win amazing allows residents in Qatar to shop prizes of two business class tickets to Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, at the Sheraton their favourite brands online. It Europe, and one winner per month Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel. By Irfan Bukhari offers a range of unique delivery will be awarded and the final draw options. “The customers can not only will be held on January 8, 2017,” the The Peninsula collect the purchased items from officials announced. Q-Post’s 25 branches in Qatar, but Connected offers home or office can also avail the facilities of new delivery; smart lockers which are DOHA: Q-Post yesterday launched state-of-the-art smart lockers or available 24/7 (10 smart lockers across the Arabic website of its online shop- even swift home-delivery. We lit- Qatar) and branches collection (30 ping and shipping service called erally bring the world right to your branches across Qatar). Qatar Post, ‘Connected’. doorstep,” said Faleh Al Naemi, following the 2030 Qatar National Maud Daniel, Head of Marketing Chairman Qatar Post. Vision through its smart city engage- and Communications, and Khalid J The officials said that in the last ment and ongoing transformation, Alemadi, Deputy Director Market- six months, the “Connected” team is particularly focused on customer ing and Sales, said that as many as had been listening to customers’ experience. “We respect customers’ 10,000 people had become members feedback and planned a great cus- feedback and the launch of this Arabic of ‘Connected’ since the launch of the tomer experience enhancement such website is also the result of this con- service in April this year. Addressing as adding Arabic website, introduc- sideration,” said Maud Daniel. “We media persons at Arab Postal Stamp ing a rate calculator feature, opening understand that e-shoppers need eas- Museum Katara, the officials said a new warehouse in China and iness and convenience. ” this was the proof of its success and developing amazing offers. Connected is a full-service New Development Strategy planned solution that offers simple shop- ping and shipping processes. While → Continued from page 1 many international online stores the number of listings in the stock coordination between fiscal and do not offer international shipping market did not match the economic monetary policies, adding that the options, Connected is here to resolve He said that the budget for the growth of the country and required government is keen on supporting shoppers’ problem by providing 2017 fiscal year will see an increase further listings and initial public the role of the banking sector. international shipping addresses in in spending on the state’s big projects, offerings in the future. The Prime The Prime Minister said that the the UK (for whole Europe) and US, something that will enhance economic Minister stressed that the govern- State Cabinet is giving the finishing and also China from November 2016. growth in the country. ment was keen on backing the role touches to Qatar National Develop- It also offers consolidation of The Prime Minister highlighted of the country’s financial market, ment Strategy 2017-2022, the second parcels ordered from separate ven- some of the features of the 2017 adding that a number of compa- strategic plan in the process of achiev- dors into one shipment for reduced budget, saying the government nies and investment funds will list ing Qatar National Vision 2030. shipping charges. The journey of the will focus on completing its major in the Qatari stock market in the Some of the features of the new parcels is closely monitored and cus- projects in infrastructure, education, coming period. The government is strategy include enhancing the tomers will be able to track every health as well as projects tied to the encouraging family business to list partnership with the private sector. movement. Also, Qatar Post and Con- World Cup 2022. their companies in the stock market. Other features include developing nected are the proud sponsors of The These commitments will lead There is a keenness to turn Msheireb the logistics sector, the process of Splash Water Park in Katara and Heya to an increase in spending on those into an international financial cen- offering land to investors, devel- Khalid J Alemadi, Deputy Director of Marketing and Sales, and Maud Arabian Fashion exhibition, one of the projects in the next three years, he tre, said the Premier. oping the legislative framework Daniel, Head of Marketing and Communications, at the launch of Arabic largest exhibitions for the fashion and added. His Excellency then said that and simplifying the procedures for website of ‘Connected’. Pic: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula modern design in Qatar. The Prime Minister noted that Qatar always enjoyed a strong investment. HOME WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 03

1,097 new companies registered

The Peninsula representing 18.5 percent of the the category of individual corpora- newly registered companies. The tions. Contracting companies topped total number of new key commercial the list of the most commonly used DOHA: The Ministry of Economy records reached 742 and new subsid- activities, with 259 commercial and Commerce (MEC) registered iary commercial records were at 355. records issued in this field. 1,097 new companies last month, The percentage of the limited In construction materials trad- according to the monthly Business liability companies reached 60%, ing, 112 commercial records were Progress Report of the Commerce while 24% of the companies were issued while for restaurants and Sector. The total number of compa- registered in the category of Sin- groceries 124 commercial records nies closed in September was 203, gle-Person Company and 15% in were issued. Auditoire Qatar wins DJWE bid

DOHA: The 14th edi- tion of Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibi- tion (DJWE) to be held from February 20 to 25 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center Qatar’s Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Turkey’s Minister of Transport, (DECC), will be delivered Maritime and Communications Ahmet Arslan and Qatar’s Ambassador to Turkey Salem Mubarak Al-Shafi look by Auditoire Qatar, Qatar on as Chairman of Qatar Postal Services Company and Managing Director Faleh Mohammed Al Nuaimi and Tourism Authority (QTA) PTT Chairman of Executive Board and Director-General Kenan Bozgeyik sign the cooperation agreement. announced yesterday. Following a compet- itive bidding process, Auditoire Qatar won the Q-Post & Turkey’s PTT sign contract to deliver three editions of DJWE. One of QTA’s flag- ship exhibitions, DJWE features more than 500 cooperation agreement of the most exclusive international brands and one of the most notable QNA to ensure sustainable and mod- Qatari side was Chairman of Qatar events on the regional ern products, and the third goal Postal Services Company and calendar de luxe. is to foster effective market sector Managing Director Faleh Moham- QTA works to facil- functioning. med Al Nuaimi. On the Turkish itate the growth of ISTANBUL: Minister of Transport On the sidelines of the congress, side, PTT Chairman of The Exec- business events in Qatar and Communications H E Jassim bin Qatar Postal Services Company utive Board and Director-General by working with, and Saif Al Sulaiti participated yesterday (Q-Post) signed a cooperation agree- Kenan Bozgeyik signed the agree- empowering, the private in the 26th Universal Postal Union ment in the postal field with the ment. Qatar’s Ambassador to Turkey sector to organise and (UPU) Congress, with ministers from national post and telegraph direc- Salem Mubarak Al-Shafi attended deliver quality exhibitions 50 member countries taking part. torate of Turkey (PTT). the signing as well. and events. Identified in The meeting, which took place in The cooperation will be in mail The Universal Postal Congress Qatar’s National Tour- Istanbul, discussed the state of the and packages, electronic and secure is the supreme authority of the Uni- ism Sector Strategy as a global postal sector and focused in banking services. The Minister of versal Postal Union (UPU). It brings core sub-sector, Business particular on discussing the World Transport attended the signing along together plenipotentiaries of the Events play an impor- Postal Strategy 2017-2020. The strat- with Turkey’s Minister of Transport, Union’s 192 member countries every tant role in attracting the egy has three main goals -- first is Maritime and Communications four years to discuss developments seven million annual vis- to improve the interoperability of Ahmet Arslan. of the global postal sector and decide itors Qatar is targeting by network infrastructure; second, Signing the agreement on the on its future. 2030. 04 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 HOME

Three shops shut WCM-Q honours work of 467 affiliate doctors for violating law

The Peninsula

The local physicians DOHA: Al Rayyan Municipal- have shared their ity last month closed down three shops for violating the law and knowledge and registered 63 violations during experiences to help 531 inspection visits last month. train the college’s It also destroyed 38 sheep which did not meet health spec- students. ifications and collected fines totalling QR178.000. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment The Peninsula said it is conducting annual main- tenance work for green spaces and it is normal for people to notice changes in landscape colours. DOHA: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) has honoured the work of 467 local physicians who share their 345 tonnes of farm knowledge and experiences to help train the college’s students. cargo destroyed They were presented with WCM-Q doctor’s white coat and busi- DOHA: The Agriculture Quar- ness cards at a ceremony at Hamad antine Office at the Ministry of Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hajar Municipality and Environment Auditorium. last month destroyed 167 imported As part of medical training, agricultural shipments weighing Officials with affiliate doctors at the honouring ceremony. WCM-Q students in the final two about 345.08 tonnes for violating years of their degrees spend 55 weeks the agriculture quarantine law. on clinical clerkships in affiliated doctors is invaluable to the educa- how to diagnose illnesses, how to pro- centres. It is this knowledge and wis- “WCM-Q students join us for sur- A total of 5,815 shipments institutions, including Hamad Med- tion of the next generation of doctors vide comfort and support and how dom in fields as varied as obstetrics, gery and on our ward rounds and all weighing 72644.09 tonnes at var- ical Corporation (HMC), where they and the future of healthcare in Qatar. to save lives. However, it is the doc- internal medicine, surgery, neurology, students I have seen are enthusias- ious outlets were inspected. can begin to apply knowledge they The affiliates practice in institu- tors at our affiliate institutions who psychiatry and paediatrics they are tic, up-to- date and energetic. That The office also inspected five have gained in the classroom and tions, including HMC; Sidra Medical show them how to put that knowl- passing on to our students,” he added. means we have to keep up with them; export shipments weighing 49.5 acquire hands-on skills to be a fully and Research Center; Aspetar Ortho- edge into practice. Dr. Abdulla Al Ansari, Dep- when you have energetic students it tonnes and issued health certifi- qualified doctor under the super- paedic and Sports Medicine Hospital; “Among them, our faculty col- uty Chief Medical Officer, Surgical energises their doctors and teachers. cates and clearances. Agriculture vision of physicians affiliated with Primary Health Care Corporation; leagues at WCM-Q’s affiliates have Services, HMC, and Associate Dean, They have a very positive effect on the quarantine is considered the first WCM-Q. and Feto-Maternal Center. experience that can be learned Clinical Medicine, WCM-Q, said environment and it means they also line of defence to protect plants Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean, WCM- Dr. Sheikh said, “As a medical col- through decades of work in hospi- the relationship between HMC and have good relationships with nurses and agriculture products from Q, said the work of WCM-Q’s affiliate lege we can teach our student doctors tals, clinics, surgeries and healthcare WCM-Q is getting stronger every day. and patients,” he said. pests. Qatar Fund for Development RAF opens training centre in Sudan jail signs deal with OICHF The Peninsula

QNA

DOHA: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdul- lah Foundation for Humanitarian DOHA: Qatar Fund for Development (QFD) has signed Services (RAF) has opened a voca- a grant agreement with Organisation of Islamic Coop- tional training centre for inmates eration Humanitarian Funds (OICHF). of Al Huda Jail in Khartoum, capi- OICHF will receive a grant to support programmes tal of Sudan. QFD General Manager Khalifa bin Jassim Al Kuwari for capacity-building and economic empowerment in The project worth over QR2.1m its member states. The three-year deal was signed by and OICHF Board of Trustees Chairman Sheikh Dr. was financed by the endowment QFD General Manager Khalifa bin Jassim Al Kuwari and Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. fund of Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al OICHF Board of Trustees Chairman Sheikh Dr. Abdulaziz Thani for charity works. Thousands bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Sheikh Dr. Abdulaziz said the deal is a prelude to of prisoners will receive training so It aims at supporting humanitarian projects imple- cooperation and sustainable partnership between OICHF they could join the job market after mented by OICHF in OIC member states, especially in and QFD as QFD is proactive in supporting humanitar- serving their terms. It will also help the most needy areas where inhabitants are suffering ian and development projects in the Arab and Islamic them integrate into the social life and Dr. Ayed bin Dabssan Al Qahtani, Chairman, Board of Trustees and due to poverty and diseases. countries. earn livelihood for them and their General Director, RAF, with local officials at the vocational training families. centre opened in a jail in Khartoum. The centre was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Ayed bin Dab- in collaboration with the Supreme certificates to the participants.” ssan Al Qahtani, Chairman, Board Council for Vocational Training and There will be two courses for of Trustees and General Director, Industrial Apprenticeship,” said six months and three years. The RAF; several Sudanese ministers Minister of State for Labour Khalid participants will undergo a month- and officials. “We have prepared Hasan. “The council will grant inter- long course to specify their level of training courses for the inmates nationally recognised apprenticeship education and will be selected by the council for courses, including wielding, electri- cals, packing, installation of health equipment and aluminium fixers. The training period will be for 24 weeks and classes will be held from 7:45am to 1:15pm.

‘Shoot & Send’ service guidelines Continued from page 1

To avail of the service, customers must download ‘Kahramaa’ app on smart- phones, opt language and ‘Contact Us’. They will have options to request ‘Sug- gestion’ or ‘Complaint’. To send a suggestion, they have to enter data (name, phone number, email) and to lodge a complaint they may select the option according to the complaint type whether it relates to reading meters or electric- ity and water emergency. The user has to record the electricity and water number that existed on the external wall of his house and fill in other informa- tion and attach a ‘Shoot’. In case of informa- tion about a violation, the user must go to ‘Contact Us’ service, select ‘Com- plaint’ as a request type and choose ‘Others’ as a complaint type and men- tion the violation’s site with details. HOME WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 05

Filipino Food Fiesta at Hwang Restaurant

Ibrahim Fakhroo (left), Director of Protocol, Foreign Ministry; Wilfredo C. Santos, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar; and Michelle Adrillana, celebrity chef from the Philippines, opening the Filipino Food Fiesta at Hwang Restaurant at InterContinental Doha The City yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula QF to mark World Teachers’ Day

The Peninsula Local educators will be honoured today DOHA: Qatar Foundation (QF) today for their efforts to marks World Teachers’ Day by cele- brating local educators. nurture excellence, Teachers are celebrated as unlock capabilities they strive to nurture excellence, unlock capabilities of future gen- of future generations erations and empower the leaders and empower the of tomorrow. Through its world-class educa- leaders of tomorrow. tors and unique academic system that caters for children as young as six months through to doctoral (pictured) is a physical educa- level, QF is helping drive human tion teacher at Qatar Leadership by developing skills and professional development and enables students Academy (QLA) and believes in the needs to improve performance lev- and graduates to flourish in a glo- importance of lifelong learning. els in schools. bal world, while inspiring change in About QF’s efforts to provide “I believe it is important in help- Qatar and beyond. learning opportunities to its educa- ing teachers perform their role to the Qatari Khalaf Al Merekhi tors, he said: “QF supports teachers best of their abilities, he added. 06 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 HOME

Foreign Minister in Singapore ‘Best Operator Network’ award for Ooredoo

and ensure that our customers have access to the fastest speeds available. The 2016 Telecom “We’ve invested heavily in World Middle East launching world-class services such as 1Gbps Fibre and expanding and Awards in Dubai 4G+ network across Qatar. The award recognise Ooredoo’s demonstrates our commitment and achievement. progress towards our vision and we plan to continue upgrading our Supernet until everyone in Qatar has access to its superior speeds.” The Peninsula Ooredoo Qatar was awarded the Best Operator Network by a panel of judges assembled by Terrapinn, the organisers of the annual Telecoms DOHA: Ooredoo Qatar’s Chief Oper- World Middle East Conference and ating Officer Yousuf Abdulla Al Awards. Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Ooredoo Qatar’s Chief Operating Officer Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi Kubaisi has collected the trophy for The ‘Best Operator Network’ yesterday met Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan ‘Best Operator Network’ on behalf award recognises the telecommu- (second left) receiving the award at the gala event in Dubai. during a visit to the country. Talks dealt with mechanisms of of the company at the 2016 Telecom nications operator that has launched promoting cooperation, particularly in the investment, commerce, World Middle East Awards. a new network or made significant the strongest and latest technology. together to support download speeds infrastructure, urban planning and energy sectors; issues of The gala event was held in Dubai, improvements to its network since Qatar has become one of 10 coun- of up to 325Mbps for its customers. common concern; and the latest regional and international and was attended by several officials April 2015. tries in the world to launch 1Gbps The awards recognise outstand- developments. from Ooredoo, including members of The Ooredoo Supernet launched fibre, alongside a host of regional ing performance in key areas in the Ooredoo Kuwait and Ooredoo Oman. in August 2015 enhances every firsts from Ooredoo, such as adding Middle East telecom industry and Al Kubaisi said: “The Ooredoo aspects of the company’s offerings the new Category 9 LTE-Advanced highlight key players that have con- Supernet was launched to improve — mobile, fixed broadband Inter- standard to its mobile network, tributed to making the sector one of Envoy: QFF donation to help develop every aspect of our network services net — and provide customers with bringing multiple 4G frequencies the most dynamic globally. future leaders of Japan’s town Qatar Rehabilitation Institute opening soon for stroke patients QNA towards a new school in the heart of Onagawa, Bilal said the project Continued from page 1 aims at putting children at the cen- countries with stroke being one of Shuaib. “Following discharge from world-class integrated rehabilitation tre of the community by nurturing the leading causes of mortality and the Stroke Ward, all patients receive services, including specialist care for TOKYO: Children are the future their ambitions and helping develop The stroke telemedicine system the No.1 cause of chronic disability. extensive support throughout their patients recovering from stroke. At of the world and Qatar is proud the future leaders of the town. has been developed by teams at The main difference in Qatar recovery from our rehabilitation QRI, we will offer ground-breaking to support such an ambitious and The deal was signed by Qatar HGH’s Stroke Ward; Al Khor’s Emer- and many countries is the younger teams,” he added. therapies to help patients recover lost innovative project in Onagawa Friendship Fund (QFF) and Ona- gency Department; and the Health average age of stroke victims — aver- Patients needing long-term reha- skills. These will be provided by our Town in Japan, said Qatar’s Ambas- gawa Mayor Suda Yoshiaki in the Information and Communication age age is 54 years here and 77 in bilitative care will soon benefit from teams trained extensively in assisted sador to Japan Yousef Bilal. presence of Foreign Minister H E Technology Department. the US and the UK. Every day, four Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) therapy to enhance the re-learning In a statement following the Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrah- Qatar, like other GCC countries, or five new patients are admitted to due to open in Hamad Bin Khalifa of movement, speech, hearing and signing of a deal to donate $10m man Al Thani. is no different from many developed the Stroke Ward, according to Prof. Medical City soon. “QRI will provide reading,” he added.

Delah Roundabout QLC Executive Leaders complete Harvard Business School module in Al Khor closed

The Peninsula leaders to sharpen leadership skills strategic techniques to improve the for works through team activities, discussions performance of their organisations. and case studies that highlighted The leaders began their Learn- exemplary management theory ing Journey at Baker Institute, a think The Peninsula DOHA: Qatar Leadership Centre’s and practical solutions from the tank dedicated to energy and health (QLC) Executive Leaders completed contemporary business and entre- policy research studies. The visit the ‘Innovation and Change’ module preneurship landscape. allowed them to broaden horizons DOHA: The Public Works Author- from September 18 to 23 at Harvard The sessions also highlighted how and observe and learn about how ity (Ashghal) has announced full Business School (HBS) in Cambridge, innovative and thought-based lead- creative leadership can solve energy closure of the previously known Massachusetts. ership can be and has influenced and health challenges facing the glo- Delah Roundabout in Al Khor City The HBS module was followed by decisionmaking in major multina- bal economy. to convert it to a signal-controlled a five-day Learning Journey to Rice tional corporations and fledgling The Learning Journey was fol- intersection. University’s Baker Institute in Hou- startups. Pooling collective theo- lowed by visits to Nasa, Texas Heart Traffic approaching the clo- ston, Texas. retical and practical knowledge, Institute and Schlumberger, a lead- sure area will be diverted to The module has enhanced par- participants identified and devel- ing oil and gas company. alternate routes. ticipants’ analytic skills and the oped strategies and best practices to “Challenges of today’s modern The closure aims at complet- Learning Journey strengthened their solve problems based on real-world world compel us as professionals QLC’s Executive Leaders travelled to the US to learn from professors ing the final wearing course and grasp of global energy and health pol- case studies. to make a commitment to life-long and experts at Harvard Business School and Baker Institute. road markings for the roundabout. icies. Such activities are integral parts They discussed cases ranging learning and development,” said Dr. The closure will last six days of QLC’s year-long leadership curric- from a port authority project man- Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, Member, forge ahead in our mission of achiev- programmes and applications for all starting this morning and the ulum for Qatari professionals in the agement challenge to Uber’s business Board of Directors and Manag- ing Qatar’s 2030 vision.” three programmes are open for 2017- intersection will be re-opened to Executive Leaders Programme. model. The module enabled them to ing Director, QLC. “Developing our QLC also offers Rising Lead- 18 cycle until October 31. For details, traffic in all directions on Sunday The module enabled the executive better adapt to change and employ human capital will be crucial as we ers and Government Leaders visit QLC website: www.qlc.org.qa. morning. 1,417,196 residence permit transactions in first six months

Continued from page 1

A total of 1,417,196 transactions were made related to residence permits and 1,194,431 trans- actions related to entry permits during the first six months of 2016. “The Ministry of Interior has been doing its best in providing its services in accordance with the lat- est systems that facilitated the public to access its services at anytime and anywhere in line with its strategy which was developed corresponding to Qatar National Vision 2030,” said a statement yesterday. The Recruitment Applications Reviewing Com- mittee received 345,584 entry visa applications during the period. The Airport Passports Department handled 6,908,230 transactions, with an increase of 6.1 per- cent compared to the same period last year. These included about 218,325 company exit permits, 32 359 exit permits for Qatari personal spon- sorships, 58 235 exit permits for non-Qatari personal sponsorships and 9,032 return visas. The General Directorate of Traffic completed 4,231,675 transactions, including 47,280 new licences and 49,531 new vehicle registrations. The Criminal Evidences and Information Department recorded 342,791 fingerprints along with 406,571 medical check-ups for expatriates during the period. The outstanding services indicators show that 5,448 transactions were exempted from payment which amounted to QR1,440,563 in terms of serv- ices for the beneficiaries of the special decision of the Minister of Interior exempting them from payment. The Ministry also facilitated a mobile vehicle with high technical specifications to offer services to the elderly and people with disabilities in all areas of the state. MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 07

Turkey Palestinian local fires 12,800 polls delayed by policemen AFP

ANKARA: Turkey yesterday sus- up to 4 months pended 12,800 police officers over alleged links to an Islamic preacher accused of master- welcomed the postponement, saying minding the failed July coup, and they were hopeful Gaza would now cut broadcasts of a pro-Kurdish The postponement be included in the eventual vote. television channel under its con- came a day after The Palestinians have not held troversial state of emergency. an election in which both Hamas Tens of thousands have the Palestinian high and Fatah took part since 2006. already been arrested or lost court ruled that the They have also not held a vote in their jobs under the three three- elections, initially both the West Bank and Gaza Strip month state of emergency which at the same time since then. was declared days after the July 15 scheduled for October “The Palestinian cabinet, in con- coup and was extended on Mon- People inspect a damaged site after air strikes in the rebel held Karam Houmid neighbourhood in Aleppo, 8, should be held only sultation with President Mahmoud day a further 90 days to last well Syria, yesterday. in the West Bank and Abbas, decided to postpone the local into 2017. Officers entered IMC TV elections for (up to) four months,” headquarters and cut broadcasts not in the Hamas- Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah after it was ordered, along with controlled Gaza Strip. said in a statement. several other outlets, to be closed Islamist movement Hamas Russia deploys S-300 missile last week under the emergency rejected the postponement and laws over accusations of support- said the delay and the decision not ing Kurdish militants. AFP to hold the polls in Gaza were Fatah A total of 12,801 police were manoeuvrings to avoid an electoral system at naval base in Syria suspended from duty as part of the defeat. Hamas had planned to sup- investigation into the coup attempt, port lists of candidates not officially including 2,523 police chiefs, the HEBRON: The Palestinian govern- linked to the movement to avoid Reuters said yesterday efforts to end Syria’s combat aircraft in designated areas.” police headquarters said in a state- ment delayed municipal elections potential sanctions if they won. war must continue despite Wash- Kerry accused Russia of turning ment. In total, Turkey has around for up to four months yester- It was not clear if Hamas would ington’s decision to break off talks a blind eye to Assad’s use of chlorine 270,000 police officers. day with Fatah and Hamas so far still attempt to do so. with Moscow over what he called gas and barrel bombs and suggested A Turkish official, who did not unable to overcome divisions to The elections were initially to MOSCOW: The Russian Defence its “irresponsible” support for Pres- it was pursuing a scorched earth wish to be named, confirmed the organise their first competitive choose municipal councils in some Ministry said yesterday it had ident Bashar Al Assad. policy in place of diplomacy. suspensions, adding that the indi- polls in a decade. 416 cities and towns in Gaza and the deployed an S-300 missile system The United States on Monday “As we know, this tragic war viduals would continue to be paid The postponement came a day Israeli-occupied West Bank. to its Tartus naval base in Syria. suspended talks with Russia on has been made worse by the utter two-thirds of their salary “pend- after the Palestinian high court On September 8, the Palestinian “The missile battery is intended implementing a ceasefire deal in depravity of the regime, that doesn’t ing further investigation”. ruled that the elections, initially high court based in the West Bank to ensure the safety of the naval base Syria, accusing Moscow of not living hesistate to still use gas, chlorine, The action was taken over scheduled for October 8, should be suspended the polls following dis- ... It is unclear why the deployment of up to its commitments to halt fight- mixed with other ingredients to suspected links to the movement held only in the West Bank and not putes between Fatah and Hamas the S-300 caused such alarm among ing and ensure aid reached besieged kill its citizens, that drops barrel of the US-based preacher Fethul- in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. over candidate lists. our Western partners,” the ministry communities. “We are not giving up bombs on hospitals and children lah Gulen which Turkey blames A new date for the vote was not That dispute led to Monday’s said in a statement. on the Syrian people and we are not and women,” he said. for the failed putsch in July which set by the government based in the decision in which the high court US media reported earlier this abandoning the pursuit of peace,” “You also have the irresponsible sought to oust President Recep West Bank, the Palestinian territory ordered the elections to be held only week that Russia had sent the S-300 Kerry said in a speech in Brussels. and profoundly ill-advised decision Tayyip Erdogan from power. run by President Mahmoud Abbas’ in the West Bank and not in Gaza. system to Syria at the weekend in “We will continue to pursue a by Russia to associate its interests Gulen, an ally-turned-foe of Fatah party. It said that the Hamas-control- its first foreign deployment of the meaningful, sustainable, enforceable and reputation with that of Assad, Erdogan who has lived in self- The Palestinian Central Elec- led judiciary in Gaza did not have surface-to-air weapon in the civil cessation of hostilities throughout a man who has been responsible for imposed exile in the United States tions Commission and the United the necessary “guarantees” in place war-ridden country. the country — and that includes the torturing more than ten thousand since 1999, strongly denies Anka- Nations special representative for holding the polls. US Secretary of State John Kerry grounding of Syrian and Russian people.” ra’s accusations. Egypt police shoot dead senior Brotherhood leader and activist

AFP & AP along with Yasser Shahata Ali Ragab military wing after the army’s over- in an exchange of gunfire as police throw of Mursi in 2013. It said he tried to arrest the two late on Mon- had been given two life sentences day night. in absentia on charges of forming CAIRO: Egyptian police shot dead But a Brotherhood statement an armed group and involvement two members of the Muslim Broth- posted on its official website shortly in a bombing near a police station erhood, one of them a senior leader after reports of the shootout sur- in Assiut in southern Egypt. of the outlawed Islamist group, the faced said Kamal had been arrested It said he was also wanted on interior ministry said yesterday. by police, suggesting he was killed suspicion of involvement in the mur- The ministry charged that after being taken into custody. der of prosecutor general Hisham Mohamed Kamal headed the mili- In July 2015, the Brotherhood Barakat in a June 2015 car bombing tary wing of the movement of ousted made a similar claim when secu- and the attempted murder of leading president Mohamed Mursi, although rity forces raided an apartment in a Muslim cleric Ali Gomaa in August. the group has always denied having western Cairo suburb, saying nine of The Brotherhood and its sup- one. A ministry statement carried its members were killed after they porters have been subjected to a by the state Mena news agency said were rounded up. deadly crackdown since Mursi’s 61-year-old Mohammed Kamal, a The ministry alleged that Kamal ouster but it denied taking up arms physician by profession, was killed had founded the Brotherhood’s in response.

30 migrants drown off Libyan coast

Anatolia

TRIPOLI: At least 30 people were killed when two boats carrying undocumented migrants of vari- ous nationalities sank off Libya’s northern coast Monday evening, according to local officials. “Two boats carrying scores of undocumented migrants sank off the coast of Sabratha [in north- western Libya],” Bassam Al Nourane Houas (right), a Franco-Tunisian Red Cross worker freed Gharabali, chairman of Libya’s following Omani mediation after almost a year in captivity in Yemen, anti-illegal immigration agency being greeted upon her arrival in Muscat, yesterday. in Sabratha, told Anadolu Agency. According to Al Gharabali, both ill-fated vessels had set out from destinations along the Lib- Houthis voice conditions yan coast — he did not say where exactly — en route to Europe. for possible peace talks While the official refrained from saying how many people SANA’A: Yemen’s Houthis toughened demands for the resumption of talks had been aboard the two boats to end the 19-month-old civil war, saying President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi or provide detailed information must go and an agreement must be reached on the presidency. The com- regarding their nationalities, he ments from the Iran-aligned forces are likely to complicate United Nations noted that survivors had included efforts to bring the parties back to talks based on proposals made by US Libyan, Moroccan and Syrian Secretary of State John Kerry in August. nationals, including one baby. Hadi’s internationally-recognised government, which is supported by “The search for bodies — and an alliance of Arab states led by Saudi Arabia, is battling the Houthis who survivors — remains ongoing,” took over the capital Sanaa in September 2014. he said. 08 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

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DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL A blow for peace Good time for a bloodbath

S Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement on Monday that Washington was suspending talks in Aleppo? Putin thinks so with Moscow due to Russia’s role in the offensive in Aleppo has dealt another blow to the faint chances of a ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities had one effect. It split a nation- proved to be a ticket back out of inU Syria. Washington’s decision came after Russia, along with alist Sufi separatist movement, Putin is effectively international isolation, forced Syrian forces, started unleashing an assault on Aleppo to which had been running on and pitting Russia’s on it by the Ukrainian conflict. retake the city from the rebels a week into the ceasefire agreed off since Tsarist days, into two It saved Assad. It persuaded factions. One went into exile economy against Obama to avoid the meltdown by Washington and Moscow. The US stance isn’t surprising and is inert. The other became of the Syrian state, even at the because the Russian attack was a brazen violation of ceasefire the hard core of the Islamic State Turkey and Saudi cost of keeping Assad in a post- terms, and the bombing of Aleppo, widely condemned, has (IS) in the North Caucasus, and Arabia’s and in war transitional government. been described as unprecedented in its ferocity. Russian and provides one source of foreign the circumstances, Instead, in a series of quick- Syrian forces have been committing war crimes by deliberately fighters for IS in Raqqa. fire tactical moves, Putin is targeting civilians, hospitals and aid deliveries to crush the will Russia has never put this fire this is not such an fashioning a strategic disaster out. It continues to burn away in for Russia. With the cancellation of more than 250,000 people trapped in the city. But the people intelligent thing to By David Hearst Muslim-majority Russian repub- of the agreement to destroy plu- of Aleppo are proving that their will is unbreakable, even in the lics like Dagestan and Ingushetia do. tonium, he has plunged Russian face of deadly bombardments from and will burst out again the relations with America to its low- the air. moment Moscow takes its foot est levels of mutual trust since The battle for Aleppo is considered t is nearly a year since off the throat of the North Cauca- Brakes come off Andropov, certainly to the pre- the most decisive and biggest in the Vladimir Putin sprung one sus. In one sense, Putin is right to As the US walks away from perestroika days of Gorbachev. five-and-a-half-year war in Syria. The of his little surprises on think that he is fighting the same Geneva, that brake will now A winner-take-all mental- Washington Washington by entering enemy now in east Aleppo, as he come off. The key funders of the ity in post-cold war America still lacks Syrian-Russian forces, backed by the the civil war in Syria as an did 16 years ago in Grozny. It is rebel militias - Saudi Arabia, Tur- and its Nato allies has undoubt- Iranian militia on the ground, wouldn’t Iactive combatant on Bashar al- one that he himself created. key and Qatar - will be freer to edly played its part. Nato is not an effective hesitate to commit the worst crimes in Assad’s side. In that time, Russian Aleppo, however, is not Gro- pump battlefield weapons into the innocent victim of Putin’s and coherent their bid to recapture this last major bombing can claim to have saved zny. It does not lie on the fringe the battlefield. nationalist revivalism. It is one strategy on urban stronghold, but it’s proving to be Damascus and the regime itself of the Russian Steppe. Its one of Turkish forces are already of the well springs of it. But post- a tough battle. Rebels yesterday said from falling, to have re-opened three major Sunni cities, along within easy reach of east Aleppo. communist Russia is not even a Syria. the coastal road to Latakia, and with Baghdad and Mosul, which if If they retake al-Bab from IS, they shadow of the world power the they repelled an army offensive as liberated Palmyra. Putin has Bashar al-Assad, Hezbollah, and will be within a few kilometres Soviet Union once was. For most warplanes from the alliance continued already declared mission accom- the Quds brigade of the Iranian of it. of his presidency, Putin has used to pound residential areas. plished once and flew home most Revolutionary Guard get their Out of the blue, having seem- military force reflexively and out Kerry yesterday said efforts to of his bombers. He is now flying way, will see another major Sunni ingly been overshadowed by of weakness, not strategically out end the war must continue despite them all back in an assault on east civilian exodus. his younger nephew, the Saudi of strength. the suspension of talks. But Washington still lacks an effective Aleppo. Putin is assuming that the Crown Prince Mohammed bin There is only one military and coherent strategy on Syria which has been responsible In that time, Sergei Lavrov fall of Aleppo will be a pivotal Nayef has suddenly asserted force which can function and sus- and John Kerry lulled each other moment in the civil war. He is himself. He popped up in Wash- tain itself as a global power, that for the current chaos. The collapse of the ceasefire last month into thinking that they could assuming the fall of a Sunni city ington and now Ankara. Turkish belongs to whomever sits down was a blow to US and it was a personal blow for Kerry, who waltz their way to the Geneva to Shia militias, controlled by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan next in the Oval Office. had negotiated the truce over months despite scepticism from conference table, when neither the regime and two other for- denied that the two had discussed Putin may think this is an several quarters. At the same time, Russia has been bulldozing the Russian Ministry of Foreign eign interveners, Hezbollah and arming the rebels. I have no infor- excellent time for a bloodbath in its way ahead, strengthening the hands of its ally Bashar Al Affairs, nor the State Depart- Iran, would be game over for Syr- mation to contradict that, but in Aleppo. Obama, who defined his Assad. ment were running things. The ian rebels. the context of the US withdrawal presidency on withdrawal from deal breaker was theUS bombing To judge only by the recent from Syria, this was an impor- foreign intervention, has not the Meanwhile, Turkey has said it planned to make a proposal of Syrian regime positions in Deir history of Aleppo, Homs, Mosul, tant meeting. will, nor the time left to resist. to Washington and Moscow to resurrect the ceasefire that Ezzor on 17 September, an act for Fallujah and Ramadi, I would If I am right, and Russia fails It will be months before a collapsed last month. It’s a proposal worth considering because which the US have apologised but not place a lot of money on the to achieve the quick knock-out new president is elected, and if, it’s time for another ceasefire in Syria, a ceasefire that all sides which the Russians believe was a bet that a Russian intervention blow to the rebel cause that Putin as Russia fears, that new presi- must adhere to rather than try to sabotage. Turkey is also in a deliberate act. can deliver a knock-out blow. thinks he will deliver, this means dent will be Hillary Clinton, then better position to make a proposal because it now enjoys good Just as he did in Ukraine (a These cities have fallen and been that he has to think long term. Putin may well calculate that he relations with Russia and knows the intricacies of this war, separatist war for which Moscow, retaken more times than Putin He has not got an economy that has a window of opportunity in Ukrainian nationalists and EU and Barack Obama have met. can sustain a long-term foreign Syria which will shortly close. and as a neighbour, it has been a victim of this war – due to negotiators all have blood on their What applies to the limits of US, intervention. Putin and his band Strategically, neither Russia, the spillover effect and the refugee crisis that has spilled into hands), the arch regional oppor- British and French kinetic force in of oligarchs never succeeded in nor Iran, nor a rump sectarian Europe. tunist Putin saw an opportunity: Iraq, applies also to Russia, Iran, weaning the Russian economy regime in Damascus that has to finish off Aleppo, and with it a and Hezbollah. off its fix of oil and gas revenues. fought a war which has killed war that has lasted the five and a Considering the ferocious fire The “fat” decade of extreme up to 470,000 of it own citizens half years. Or so he thinks. power they have faced, the com- wealth for some in Russia has and caused 4.8 million to fleecan The fire that never goes out bined combat strength of Syrian gone and will not return. The prevail in a country with a Sunni Russian generals also think rebel factions has been remarka- cranes have stopped whirring majority, backed by two regional they have done Aleppo before. For bly resilient. Even under massive around Moscow. powers in Turkey and Saudi. Quote of the day anyone who witnessed the bom- bombardment, the front lines At the rate at which Putin How and where Putin returns bardment of Grozny - in 1994 and in Aleppo have not changed, as is burning through his foreign to Geneva is a matter for him. But 2000 - the pictures coming out yet, as much as one might have reserves, they have two years if he thinks beyond the next tac- This is what happens of east Aleppo are nothing new. expected them to. left. Saudi Arabia is also burning tical master stroke, he may well The use of thermobaric or The issue is not the number through its foreign reserves. But it come to the conclusion that the now, I will be vacuum bombs (bursts which of fighters at the rebel’s forces has longer and has more options. worst thing that could happen reconfiguring my foreign suck the oxygen out of the air disposal. It has been faction- In a long-term military to Russia is if east Aleppo fell. It policy. Eventually, I within a 500-metre radius), alism - which has been solved engagement in Syria, Putin is would not be the end of five and a phosphorus, “double tap” strikes, by the unity forged under all effectively pitting Russia’s econ- half years, but the start of another might in my time I will deniable militias, the target- out assault. And it has been the omy against Turkey’s and Saudi five and a half years. break up with America. ing of hospitals, market places, quality of weapons that Obama Arabia’s and in the circumstances, mosques, anywhere where civil- allowed through, under a pol- this is not such an intelligent thing Rodrigo Duterte ians gather in war time - all icy designed to keep rebel forces to do. The writer is Editor-in-Chief of Middle East Eye. He was chief for- Philippine President this Russia has tried before in strong enough to resist, but not Syria worked for Putin on a Chechnya. strong enough to prevail. Obama number of levels. It wrong-footed eign leader writer of The Guardian, The brutality of the Russian has always been frightened by Obama - always a plus for Putin. former Associate Foreign Editor, counter insurgency in Chechnya what victory in Syria looks like. A key role in Geneva could have European Editor.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] OPINION WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 09 Afghanistan: Beyond reactive tactics and quick fixes

elections as the only solution. NUG lead- ers have instead pushed a new reform agenda, promising to fulfil 30 commit- ments by the end of 2016. Beyond the political sphere, Afghan- istan remains vulnerable in security terms. A renewed Taliban offensive threatens city centres in the north- east and south, while Islamic State has emerged in the country’s east. The provincial capital of Kunduz, in the northeast, has been under near-con- tinuous siege for more than a year, briefly By David Kilcullen falling to the Taliban last October, while Al Jazeera Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand, is almost encircled and Tarin Kot, the cap- ital of Uruzgan, came dangerously close to falling to the insurgents last month. fghanistan’s two key politi- Ordinary Afghans, the ones legitimis- cal leaders - President Ashraf ing the government through high turnout Ghani and Chief Executive in elections, accept the current system Abdullah Abdullah - today and support the state. meet European Union rep- How NUG leaders deal with the Aresentatives, 70 donor nations and 20 security crisis, amid their own internal international organisations in Brussels, disagreements and weakening legit- to review progress and agree on future imacy, will determine Afghanistan’s assistance. future. As the Brussels conference gets under Most Afghans still prefer the way, Afghanistan is increasingly frag- post-Bonn order that has governed ile. Ghani and Abdullah jointly head the Afghanistan since the Taliban. People National Unity Government (NUG), which prefer a democratic state, despite its is now reaching the end of its second year. inadequacies. But in a recent interview, former presi- Ordinary Afghans, the ones legit- dent Hamid Karzai directly questioned imising the government through high the NUG’s legitimacy. turnout in elections, accept the current The political agreement that cre- system and support the state. That’s why ated the NUG requires a constitutional the NUG, as a symbol of the first peace- Loya Jirga (grand assembly) to decide on ful transition of political power in Afghan a change of political system, from a pres- history, should continue for its constitu- idential to a parliamentary model, by the tionally defined term. end of its second year. Even its strongest political oppo- Likewise, the NUG was supposed to nents - groups such as the Enlightenment undertake electoral reform and hold par- Movement - agree that the NUG must liamentary elections. But as the two-year serve its full five years. A government deadline passes, none of these conditions collapse would set Afghanistan back, has been met. Political opposition groups running the risk of a return to its bru- An Afghan National Army soldier sits in front of a closed shop in Kunduz. are relishing these failures, trying to fur- tal past. To address these challenges, ther weaken the government. the NUG needs to focus on bolstering its Anwar ul-Haq Ahadi, a prominent legitimacy. Through a people-centric - or, we in 2013, and indirectly treated Afghan- positive future. opposition politician, has suggested early In the past 15 years, reactive tactics might say, a “green-centric” strategy, the istan as its primary enemy. With this But multilateral domestic develop- and short-term solutions dominated NUG would focus on delivering nation- doctrine in place, it is hard to see a stra- ment is time-consuming, and with an Afghan government thinking. Both wide services comprehensively, seeking tegic change in Pakistan’s vision towards increasingly active insurgency actively Afghan leaders and the international to reward and integrate the majority of Afghanistan. threatening cities across more than two- community invested primarily in insur- Afghan citizens who support the state, Moreover, Afghanistan faces the thirds of the country, there is no doubt gent-dominated population groups and rather than trying to win over the minor- challenge of managing conflict security that Afghanistan remains in dire need violence-affected provinces through ity who support an expanding insurgency. interests of regional and international of international support. developmental projects and security In foreign policy, just as in its internal players. Until 2014, NATO member This support should be conditional, Beyond the political sphere, programmes. security, Kabul has traditionally invested states, along with key non-NATO coali- requiring ongoing reform and devel- The idea was not to focus on the much political capital on winning over tion members such as Australia, were the opment efforts, but despite all the Afghanistan remains vulnerable in majority of citizens who support the gov- Pakistan ... key players engaged in security affairs of difficulties, a strong international com- security terms. A renewed Taliban ernment, but to win over the minority In foreign policy, just as in its internal Afghanistan. mitment is a must for the future of the who don’t. This “red-centric” approach security, Kabul has traditionally invested But since then, major economic country. offensive threatens city centres was partly to blame for the rifts that have much political capital on winning over players such as China and Russia have Forgetting Kabul, or treating Afghan- in the northeast and south, while appeared between the government and Pakistan, gaining support from China become increasingly involved in the istan as a burden on the international the people over the past decade. and reinvigorating a failed peace process, security arena. Managing these con- community increases the risk of a cat- Islamic State has emerged in the Ghani and Abdullah continued the with consequences that can be described flicting states’ interests in Afghanistan astrophic collapse, as we saw in Iraq in country’s east. Most Afghans still same approach, adding a Pakistani-cen- as mixed, at best. is challenging and the country needs a 2014, or at the very least a backsliding prefer the post-Bonn order that tric foreign policy in their first year in Ghani trusted Pakistan’s political more focused foreign policy. That’s why that would wipe out current achieve- office. But this futile methodology must goodwill gestures, failing to understand, the NUG should not put Kabul in the circle ments and might lead Afghanistan back has governed Afghanistan since the change. or preferring to ignore, the real Afghan of conflicting security interests of major to the chaos of the pre-9/11 era. Taliban. People prefer a democratic The Afghan government’s key source affairs doctrine of Pakistan. players. Neither the world as a whole, nor of political legitimacy is the majority of The Pakistani military “Green Book”, Despite the daunting list of chal- Afghans - the overwhelming majority of state, despite its inadequacies. the Afghan population who continue to which underpins Pakistan’s foreign pol- lenges, Afghanistan is changing for the whom reject a return to that disastrous support the state despite all its challenges. icy towards Afghanistan, was updated good and there is every chance of a past - can afford that outcome. Why biologists don’t put too much stock in race

recent common origin in Africa. While many professor Daniel Lieberman said at an event made a statistical error, but his conclusion ago in Africa. This is recent in evolutionary human species and sub-species once roamed the night after the presidential debate. “Race remains debunked. time, given that our lineages split from that the planet, there’s abundant evidence that is a scientifically indefensible concept with Graves - who is the author of several of chimpanzees perhaps 7 million years ago. beyond a small genetic contribution from no biological basis as applied to humans.” books, including 2005’s “The Race Myth” Refining the story, contemporary sci- Neanderthals and a couple of other sub-spe- Consider the fact that most of the race - said a key turning point occurred when entists have analyzed DNA collected from cies, only one branch of humanity survived boxes people tick off on census forms were Charles Darwin published “On the Origin diverse populations - Aboriginal Australians, to the present day. invented by creationists, such as Swed- of Species” in 1859. From his travels around Papua New Guineans, Basques, Bedouins and Up for grabs was whether modern ish biologist Carolus Linnaeus. In 1758, he the world, Darwin realized that there was no Pygmies. non-Africans stemmed from one or more declared that humans could be divided into scientific reason to divide people into four The very nature of the project acknowl- migrations out of Africa. The newest data races he described as white (European), red races. It made just as much sense to him, he edges that these groups are distinct enough suggests there was a single journey - that (Native American), black (African) and yellow wrote later, to divide them into anywhere that their DNA matters in deciphering the sometime between 50,000 and 80,000 (Asian). He also attributed various unflatter- between two and 63 races. human story - but not so distinct that they years ago, a single population of humans left ing personality traits to all the races except But not everyone took Darwin’s side. represent separate races. Bones and teeth Africa and went on to settle in Asia, Europe, for whites. In subsequent decades, scientists Another influential figure in 19th century scattered through the Middle East and Asia By Faye Flam the Americas, the South Pacific, and every- of European ancestry argued over whether science was Swiss-American biologist Louis show people left Africa in many waves, but Bloomberg where else. But this finding amounts to just God created the races separately or whether Agassiz, whom Graves describes as a “giant” according to this latest DNA analysis, only dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on a sci- they diverged from a common creationist - both in his accomplishments and his sway one of those waves made a substantial contri- entific view that long ago rendered notion of origin. over his contemporaries. Even after Darwin bution to the current population of humans. human races obsolete. In the 19th century, scientists used race published his book, Agassiz continued to pro- Why are people still so determined to ace is perhaps the worst idea ever to “We never use the term ‘race,’ “ said Har- not just to classify people but to justify slavery mote the notion that Africans and Europeans believe that racial categories are distinct, come out of science. Scientists were vard geneticist Swapan Mallick, an author on by painting Africans as inferior, according to were different species. Agassiz proposed unchanging and rooted in biology? “It’s not Rresponsible for officially dividing one of the papers revealing the latest DNA- Joseph Graves, a University of North Carolina that the children of mixed couples would rational,” said Graves. He said one reason human beings into Europeans, Africans, based human story. “We’re all part of the geneticist who spoke at Harvard this week. be infertile, as are the offspring of horses Americans are stuck in the 19th century Asians and Native Americans and promot- tapestry of humanity, and it’s interesting to One of the world’s most prominent American and donkeys. He was wrong, just like he was when it comes to race is that many teachers ing these groups as sub-species or separate see how we got where we are.” scientists of the mid-1800s, Samuel Mor- wrong in never accepting evolution. are unprepared to teach human evolution or species altogether. That happened back in That’s not to deny that people vary in skin ton, collected skulls from all over the world Darwin’s powerful idea didn’t put an end refuse to out of fear. the 18th century, but the division lends the color and other visible traits. Whether you’re and attempted to demonstrate that those of to scientific racism -- the eugenics movement Graves sometimes quizzes his students by feel of scientific legitimacy to the prejudice dark or light, lanky or stocky depends in part European ancestry had the world’s biggest of the Progressive Era, for example, tried to showing them an image of a man and ask- that haunts the 21st. on the sunlight intensity and climate in the heads and were, so he claimed, intellectu- cloak racism in evolutionary theory - but in ing them to guess where he comes from. It Racial tension proved a major point of regions where your ancestors lived. Nor is ally superior. general, 20th-century researchers pushed appears to show someone most Americans contention in the first 2016 presidential it to deny that racism exists -- but in large Scientists subsequently realized that racism to the scientific fringes. (Historians would identify as a black man, and Graves debate, and yet just days before, scien- part, it reflects a misinterpretation of those Morton was wrong - about whose heads have shown that Hitler could only fake the says people assume he’s from Africa or an tists announced they’d used wide-ranging superficial characteristics. were biggest and the connection between scientific credibility of his racist ideology.) African American community in the U.S. But samples of DNA to add new detail to the con- “There is a profound misunderstanding head size and intelligence. There is still con- And in the 1980s, scientists used DNA to trace he’s from the Solomon Islands, which are in sensus story that we all share a relatively of what race really is,” Harvard anthropology troversy about whether Morton cheated or all humans back to an origin 200,000 years the South Pacific.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 10 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 ASIA / AFRICA

France wants EU to Vegetarian festival in Thailand act against DR Congo

to hold an election for his successor be postponed because of logistical in November. problems. It is necessary to act Dozens of people have died in The vast, mineral-rich central to stop the situation clashes between security forces and African state has never experi- from worsening in protesters angered by what oppo- enced a peaceful transition of power. sition groups say is Kabila’s plan to Donors fear growing political insta- DRC: Spokesman postpone the vote and retain power bility could turn into armed conflict beyond his two-term limit. in a country plagued by militias, “It is necessary to act to stop the especially in the lawless east. Reuters situation from worsening in DRC,” Millions of people died in Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain regional wars in Congo between Nadal said. 1996 and 2003 that drew in armies “France wants the European from half a dozen countries. PARIS: France said yesterday it was Union to use all means at its dis- On Monday, French Foreign Min- time to prevent the political situation posal, including if necessary and ister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Kabila worsening in Democratic Republic of in function of the evolution of the should step aside and allow the elec- Congo and consider imposing Euro- situation, resorting to sanctions’ tion to take place immediately. pean Union sanctions. measures against those guilty of “The constitution must be The United States imposed sanc- serious human rights violations or respected, a date must be fixed for the tions on a general and a former those who block an exit to the crisis.” elections and a real national dialogue Members of a Chinese opera troupe prepare before performing at a shrine during the annual vegetarian senior police official on September Kabila denies planning to needs to really take place. He does not 28 in an apparent ratcheting up of retain power. His government has have the right to stand for re-election festival in Bangkok, yesterday. pressure on President Joseph Kabila said the November election must and he needs to set the example.” S Africa students and Second UN peacekeeper dies in Mali police clash in battle AFP second peacekeeper died overnight detainee arrested over terrorism nearly 180,000 children in about from his injuries,” said a UN state- offences and two cases of torture in 1,000 schools were in jeopardy, in a ment, referring to the mission using the last four months. country where one meal a day was its acronym. Ban said that an investigation a major incentive for parents to send AFP consequences of not finishing the BAMAKO: The UN said yesterday A peacekeeper from Chad was had been launched and vowed “cor- their children to school. academic year”. a second peacekeeper had died killed and eight others injured on rective measures”. Continued equipment shortages He said most students wanted to following an attack on a base in Monday in the attack near the Alge- Two other cases of abuse have could mean that the mission would return to lectures, adding that police northeastern Mali, as it admitted rian border, the 27th attack on the been lodged against its staff since be “handicapped in carrying out its JOHANNESBURG: South African and security staff would ensure serious failings in its most danger- force and the 13th peacekeeper the beginning of the year. mandate, and the confidence that the police fired rubber bullets, stun teaching could go ahead and that ous ongoing mission. killed since May 31, according to Attacks against the UN force signatory parties and the population grenades and tear gas at student mass protests would not be allowed. More than 11,000 UN police and the UN. and Malian security forces were have in the mission will suffer,” the protesters in Johannesburg yester- “The university wants to arrest military are currently serving in The announcement coincided “increasingly frequent, bold and well secretary-general said. day as authorities tried to re-open us, instead of listening to us,” said Mali, attempting to guarantee secu- with the scheduled publication yes- coordinated,” Ban said, while only a Ban also emphasised that while the prestigious Wits University after 21-year-old Patrick Shabalala, a rity in lawless swathes of the vast terday of UN Secretary-General Ban third of the expected financing for some progress had been made to weeks of demonstrations. third-year law student, as clashes Sahel nation. Ki-moon’s latest report on the crisis humanitarian projects in 2016 had secure the troubled peace process The university, along with many continued outside Wits’ Great Hall “Following the attacks yesterday facing the Mali mission. been received. that began last year, developments campuses across South Africa, has auditorium. on the MINUSMA camp in Aguel- It said MINUSMA had been The UN’s World Food Programme in the country’s troubled north had been closed for at least two weeks “We are not criminals. We hok, we regret to inform you that a responsible for the death of a said last week that school meals for been limited. during protests over tuition fees, want to study and not end up pay- with violent clashes regularly erupt- ing endless student loans from the ing between students, police and government. That is why we are private security guards. striking.” “There has been an attempt As police opened fire and pro- to disrupt lectures at Wits today,” testers threw rocks, television Harare ‘losing $1bn a year to graft’ the university said in a statement footage showed several students recently. and at least one police officer sus- “Police are dispersing the pro- taining minor injuries. Reuters Mugabe has at times admitted to testing students as we speak, using Campuses nationwide includ- corruption among his cabinet minis- Court orders teargas and stun grenades.” ing the University of Cape Town, the ters but says police lack the evidence University authorities had University of KwaZulu-Natal and to prosecute. Nigeria to release vowed to re-open the campus yes- the University of Pretoria have all HARARE: Zimbabwe is losing at “It could be true there could be terday, with vice-chancellor Adam been hit by violence, arson and clo- least $1bn annually to corruption, corruption but we don›t have people ex-security adviser Habib warning of the “immense sures in recent weeks. with police and local government who are prepared to give evidence,” officials among the worst offenders, Information Minister Christopher Transparency International said in Mushohwe said in response to ques- LAGOS: Nigeria’s former a report yesterday. tions about the report. national security adviser, Social media groups like #This- “Give us the evidence and the law held since December Flag and #Tajamuka have cited will take its course.” 2015 on fraud charges, corruption in President Robert Zimbabwe was last year ranked should be released, a Mugabe’s (pictured) government and 150th out of 168 countries on the judge at the court of the police roadblocks where money is Transparency International index, Economic Community taken from motorists as among the which measures public perceptions of West African States main reasons for protests that have of corruption in public institutions. (ECOWAS) ruled, saying rocked the southern African nation extensive,” TIZ said recently. Corruption mainly consists of his detention was unlaw- in the last few months. ‘It would be surprising if the public officials demanding bribes ful and arbitrary. Transparency International value (of corruption) were less than for basic services like installing Sambo Dasuki has Zimbabwe (TIZ) said the police, $1bn annually.” an electricity metre, approving been accused of fraud local councils, the vehicle inspec- Police spokeswoman Charity a house plan to facilitating involving $68m of tion department that issues driving Charamba said she could not imme- investment. defence spending, part licences and the education depart- diately comment. Zimbabwe’s tax authority in May of a wider $2.1bn in arms ment were among the most corrupt Critics and the opposition accuse suspended its head and five manag- deals under investigation. institutions. President Mugabe of failing to tackle ers in connection with the purchase He has pleaded not guilty. “The resulting institutional- high-level graft and say endemic of luxury cars that were underval- He served under Smoke billows at the University of Witwatersrand as students disperse isation and systematisation of corruption is one reason foreign ued by a local dealer, one of few Nigeria’s former presi- during a running battle with the police forces on campus during a corruption in Zimbabwean politi- companies are hesitant to invest in high-ranking graft cases to be made dent, Goodluck Jonathan. mass demonstration, in Johannesburg, yesterday. cal and economic spheres has been the country. public in recent years. US warships Lawmakers to probe use of funds for people fleeing Boko Haram revisit Vietnam after 21 years Reuters controlled by the group before it was station and $654,839 was paid to pushed back by Nigerian troops and another company for the removal HANOI: Two US warships others from neighbouring countries of invasive plant species along river made port calls at Viet- in early 2015. channels. nam’s strategic naval ABUJA: The use of Nigerian govern- Bashir Gabai -- a senator from And it added recently that base at Cam Ranh Bay, ment funds earmarked for assisting Borno, the state where the insur- another company received $377,419 the US navy said, in a displaced people who are living in gency began -- tabled a motion, for supplying temporary shelters but brief but symbolic return desperate conditions in the former passed by the upper house of par- there was “no record of these shel- for US combat vessels to stronghold of Boko Haram, is to be liament, to investigate the use of ters anywhere”. what was a crucial logis- investigated because of suspicions government funds. The Senate set up a committee, tics complex during the of corruption, lawmakers said yes- “The rather incoherent and which would report its findings in Vietnam War. terday. largely fragmented state of the pro- two weeks and be followed up by Submarine tender USS More than two million have been curement process so far points to a a public hearing, to establish how Frank Cable and guided- displaced, and some 15,000 people vague and corrupt scheme that is not much of the government’s funds missile destroyer USS have been killed, during the jihad- in tune with helping our people in had been used and how the money John S. McCain made ist group’s seven-year insurgency in the north east,” stated the motion. was spent. the visit on Sunday to which it has sought to create a state The motion stated that 63 trucks Boko Haram’s move to its strong- the deep-water naval adhering to a strict interpretation of carrying grains intended for dis- hold in the northeast’s vast Sambisa base, marking an impor- Islamic law. placed people in camps in Borno forest in the last few months has tant step in fast-growing Last week Unicef said 75,000 state had been diverted. enabled government and aid agen- defence ties between the Boys drink packets of evaporated milk at the camp for internally children could die in the next year It also said $260,323 was paid cies access to areas that were two former enemies. in northeastern areas previously to a company to refurbish a police previously hard to reach. displaced people in Abuja recently. ASIA / PHILIPPINES WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 11

Vietnam War propaganda Philippine-US broadcaster dies annual war AFP HANOI: Silky-voiced communist propaganda broadcaster “Hanoi Hannah”, famous for urging American GIs to leave her coun- games begin try during the Vietnam War, has died at age 87, friends said yes- terday. The radio presenter, whose them... they are reprimanding me real name was Trinh Thi Ngo, I am confident that in public,” he said, while signalling was among dozens of Vietnam- again that he wanted to forge closer ese journalists drafted by the we will continue to alliances with China and Russia. communist regime to inundate build our partnership Last week Duterte, 71, also the country with anti-US rheto- claimed the CIA was plotting to ric during the conflict that ended and capabilities assassinate him. in 1975 with the fall of Saigon and together: US official Duterte has vowed to eradi- America’s defeat. cate illegal drugs in the Philippines, “GI, your government has warning the nation is in danger of abandoned you. They have becoming a narco-state. Philippines and US marines link arms during the opening ceremony of the Amphibious Landing Exercise at ordered you to die,” she said in AFP His crime war has seen more the Marines headquarters in Manila, yesterday. one of her on-air appeals in Eng- than 3,000 people killed, with the lish during the draining war. United Nations, the European Union “Don’t trust them. They lied and rights groups raising concerns the Enhanced Defence Cooperation to you, GIs, you know you cannot MANILA: The Philippines and the about alleged extrajudicial killings Agreement (EDCA) that Duterte now win this war.” United States launched war games and a breakdown in the rule of law. wants to scrap. In daily broadcasts on state- yesterday against the backdrop of the President Duterte has insisted President Duterte appears intent run Voice of Vietnam (VOV) from unusual threat of American forces he is not doing anything illegal, yet on adopting the opposite tactic, say- the northern capital Hanoi, Han- being ejected from the Southeast at the same time said he would be ing recently he hopes to travel to nah would list the names of Asian nation, as its leader pivots to “happy to eliminate” three million China and meet with President Xi American troops killed in com- China. drug users. Jinping. bat, read US newspaper articles President Rodrigo Duterte has He also likened his crime war to Aquino also launched interna- about anti-war protests and lull sustained a verbal assault on the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s effort to tional legal action that in July saw a listeners with Joan Baez and Bob United States, the Philippines’ former exterminate Jews, but following an UN-backed tribunal declare China’s Dylan tunes. colonial ruler and mutual defence outcry apologised for referring to the vast claims in the sea illegal. She rarely spoke of Vietnam- partner, since he took office on June Holocaust. However, Duterte has declined ese losses or American successes 30 in response to criticism of his A total of around 2,000 troops to use the verdict to pressure China. in her broadcasts, which were deadly war on crime. from the two sides are taking part He has also said there will be no carefully controlled by the com- Duterte has in recent days in the war games, including in waters joint patrols with the United States munist authorities. warned the war games will be close to flashpoint areas of the South in the sea. Hannah died Friday at her the last of his six-year term, and China Sea. Still Duterte’s comments have not home in Ho Chi Minh City, accord- threatened to scrap a defence pact China claims nearly all of the filtered down into government pol- ing to VOV. implemented by his predecessor that sea, even waters close to the Phil- icy, and it remains unclear to what “Hanoi Hannah was clearly was meant to see more US troops in ippines and other Southeast Asian extent he is prepared to damage ties one of the most prominent broad- the Philippines to counter Chinese nations, and has in recent years with the United States. US Marine Commander Brigadier General John Jansen (left) and casters we had in history of the expansion in the South China Sea. built artificial islands in the disputed “I am confident that we will con- Philippines Marines Commandant Major General Andre Costales salute Voice of Vietnam and the coun- “Better think twice now because I areas, capable of hosting military tinue to build our partnership and at the start of the opening ceremony of the Amphibious Landing Exercise. try in general,” said Nguyen Ngoc will be asking you to leave the Philip- bases. capabilities together,” the 3rd US Thuy, a former journalist at VOV’s pines altogether,” Duterte said in his To counter China, the Philip- Marine Expeditionary Force deputy The US Embassy in Manila urged our alliance commitments, and we English service. latest outburst against the Americans, pines’ previous president, Benigno commander, Brigadier General John the Philippines yesterday to live up expect the Philippines to do the “She will be remembered for full of typical invective. Aquino, sought to draw the US Jansen, said at the opening ceremony to previous agreements. same,” embassy spokeswoman Molly her legendary voice in broadcasts “The Americans, I don’t like closer. This included the signing of in Manila. “We will continue to honour Koscina said. targeting American servicemen. Indonesia Air Force to hold largest drill in S China Sea

Reuters air force to act as a deterrent,” said 23 injured as Jemi Trisonjaya, spokesman for Indonesia’s air force. Malaysia military More than 2,000 air force JAKARTA: Indonesia’s air force is personnel were taking part in chopper crashes holding its largest military exercise the two-week long exercise, this week, near some of its islands which includes the deployment in the South China Sea, in a show of of Indonesia›s fleet of Russian KUALA LUMPUR: A sovereignty over the gas-rich area Sukhoi and F-16 fighter jets, he said Malaysian military hel- on the fringe of territory claimed recently. icopter crashed into a by China, officials said yesterday. Other branches of the Indo- school yesterday in a rural President Joko Widodo in nesian armed forces are not area on Borneo island, June launched an unprecedented taking part in exercise, which ends injuring at least 23 peo- campaign to bolster fishing, oil tomorrow. ple including students, exploration and defence facilities China claims almost the entire authorities said. around the Natuna island chain South China Sea, where about $5 The helicopter made after a series of face-offs between trillion worth of trade passes every the emergency crash the Indonesian navy and Chinese year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philip- landing at a high school fishing boats. pines, Taiwan and Vietnam also in Tawau in Sabah state China, while not disputing Indo- have claims. about two hours into the nesia’s claims to the Natuna islands, While Indonesia is not part routine training flight, the has raised Indonesian anger by of the dispute over claims in the air force said. saying the two countries had “over- South China Sea, it objects to Chi- It added yester- lapping claims” to waters near them, na’s inclusion of waters around the day that all 14 people on an area Indonesia calls the Natuna Natuna Islands within its “nine- board the plane survived, Sea. dash line”, a demarcation line used Air Force Sukhoi fighter pilots and crew walk across the tarmac after training for an upcoming military and that it will investigate “We want to show our existence by China to show its claims in the the cause of the incident. exercise at Hang Nadim Airport in Indonesia. in the area. We have a good enough sea.

Thai PM takes steps to allay Myanmar scraps law used Singapore approves dengue vaccine flood fears by junta to silence activists Anatolia insufficient evidence on the safety have had prior exposure to den- BANGKOK: As Thailand’s and efficacy of Dengvaxia on those gue, but only 38 percent effective rainy season peaks, the AFP they took power in late March. above 45. for those without previous dengue government is taking Many are former political However, the Authority indi- infection. steps to avoid a repeat activists who spent years in prison SINGAPORE: Authorities in Sin- cated that it is prepared to review Dengue -- which causes flu-like of devastating floods in because of the law. gapore have approved use of the approved age range once more illness, and occasionally develops 2011 that killed hundreds YANGON: Myanmar yesterday Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than the world’s first dengue vaccine, clinical data is available. into a potentially lethal complica- of people and cost bil- scrapped a law used by the former said yesterday that legislation over- allowing the city-state to tackle a According to major clinical stud- tion called severe dengue -- has long lions of dollars, Prime military government to silence turning the act had been approved. mosquito-borne disease estimated ies involving individuals between been an issue on the small tropical Minister Prayuth Chan- political activists, which threatened Under the repressive act any- to globally infect 390 million peo- the ages of two and 16, Dengvaxia is island nation. ocha said yesterday. jail for anyone who endangered one committing treason -- which ple each year. effective in reducing dengue illness According to information from “This time round, public morality or execution for spanned sabotage of railways or Dengvaxia was approved by the by 60 percent, and severe dengue the National Environment Agency, the floods in the north- damaging telephone lines. damaging telegraph poles -- could Health Sciences Authority yesterday illness by 84 percent. there are currently six high risk ern and central regions The Emergency Provisions Act, face life behind bars or even death. following a seven-month review into It was also found to be much areas in the country where 10 or are manageable,” Pray- passed in 1950 after Myanmar won Hefty terms were also meted out its potential benefits and risks, and less effective on the two strains of more cases of dengue have been uth said. independence from Britain, became for other crimes, such as spread- will be made commercially availa- dengue that are most common in logged. “The government is the military’s weapon of choice to ing false news or disrupting public ble in several months time. Singapore. In the first 39 weeks of 2016, doing everything it can silence dissent during its half a cen- morality. It is approved for use by indi- Authorities have also advised 12,034 cases of dengue were to manage the water, but tury in power. Previous attempts to axe or viduals between the ages 12-45 individuals who have never been reported in Singapore. in some areas it is flood- Lawmakers from the National amend the act were scuppered by years old, as studies showed infected with dengue to discuss with Dengvaxia is currently approved ing because of heavy rain League for Democracy party, led by opposition from military MPs, who inconsistent risk reduction of their doctors whether the vaccine is for use in 10 other countries, includ- and others are low-lying.” Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, still control a quarter of the seats in hospitalised dengue in the nine advisable for them, as Dengvaxia is ing the Philippines, Indonesia, have been trying to repeal it since parliament. to 11 age group, while there was 81 per cent effective for those who Thailand, Brazil and Mexico. 12 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 PAKISTAN Afghan forces flushing Taliban out of Kunduz

clearing operation warning that mil- Sediq Sediqqi said fighting was ongo- itants were hiding in civilian homes. ing in the city’s outskirts, and that at Fighting was ongoing Dozens of residents could be least 30 Taliban insurgents had been in the city’s outskirts seen boarding buses, many of them killed. The defence ministry earlier government employees and their said three Afghan soldiers were killed and at least 30 families fearing Taliban violence. and seven wounded in the fighting. Taliban insurgents “I have to leave the city with my The number of civilians reach- were dead. family, because my brother is in the ing hospital with bullet and shrapnel army,” 40-year-old Hussain said as wounds jumped from around 40 to he boarded a bus for Kabul. “The more than 100, hospital officials said, situation is uncertain, if the Taliban with one person killed. find out about it they may kill us. The Kunduz provincial governor AFP people are very scared, they are all Assadullah Omarkhil said the oper- moving to safer places.” ation was moving slowly “because Afghan security forces keep watch in front of their armoured vehicle in Kunduz city yesterday. “We could not sleep the whole the Taliban are using people’s houses night, each blast would startle my to hide”. But a Taliban spokesman KUNDUZ: Fighting continued on kids and shake our house,” said insisted via Twitter that the militants homes by intense fighting as the said, comparing it to “exaggerated” wounded. The organisation, which the outskirts of Kunduz yester- another resident Amrullah. “There were still advancing. The insurgents sound of explosions echoed across attacks earlier this year on Lashkar has not since relaunched its oper- day as some frightened residents is no safe place in the city, they are are known to exaggerate their claims. the city, with provincial officials voic- Gah in Helmand, and Tarin Kot in ations in Kunduz, had planned to fled the city a day after the Taliban fighting from street to street. I have to Jawid Salim a spokesman for the ing fears it could fall. Uruzgan. mark the anniversary on Monday launched an hours-long assault that move my family to a safer place until special forces in Kunduz, said the Nato spokesman Brigadier Gen- Afghan troops had responded by sending its country representative was repelled by Afghan forces backed the situation comes back to normal.” Taliban were setting fire to some eral Charles Cleveland said the “effectively”, he said. Guilhem Molinie and international by Nato. The assault launched early buildings as they were pushed out of government was in control of the city, After seizing Kunduz on Septem- president Meinie Nicolai to the city. Helicopters hovered over the Monday came just over a year after the city, including the main power but the strength of the attack was still ber 28, 2015, the Taliban held the city But the fresh Taliban assault strategic provincial capital and com- militants briefly seized the provin- station. being assessed. “We did see fighting for two days then withdrew from the forced them to hastily cancel and mandoes were stationed in the main cial capital. On Monday, residents had but we did not see the scale of attack outskirts on October 15. More than evacuate non-medical staff who had square, as Afghan forces conducted a Interior ministry spokesman reported being trapped in their that was initially being reported,” he 280 people were killed and hundreds been sent ahead to prepare.

200,000 Afghan World powers seek more money to keep Kabul running refugees return

Reuters China, Iran, Russia, the United States, Iran, Pakistan or seeking asylum in in exodus from Pakistan and India on the sidelines Europe. of the conference in what would be A prosperous Afghanistan could Pakistan: UNHCR the first concerted peace push since mean fewer refugees into Europe, an BRUSSELS/KABUL: World pow- 2013. “If we don’t achieve peace, it’s end to its status as a haven for mil- ers convened in Brussels yesterday going to be extremely costly for the itant groups hostile to the West and AFP to raise billions more dollars for foreseeable future,” Mellbin said. more effective police action against Afghanistan to keep the country US Secretary of State John Kerry its billion-dollar narcotics trade. running until 2020, but hopes for a met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani For Moscow, which invaded in ISLAMABAD: More than 200,000 new start to peace talks were over- in Brussels yesterday. 1979 and spent a decade trying to Afghan refugees have been repat- shadowed by a surge in violence by A senior US State Department control the country, the stability riated from Pakistan this year, Taliban fighters. official said the United States was of the central Asian region is par- nearly half of them in September Fifteen years after the US inva- prepared to restart a peace process amount. It has its largest foreign alone, UNHCR said yesterday, the sion that ousted Taliban rulers “without any pre-conditions”, and military base on the Afghan border, highest number since 2002, after harbouring militants behind the noted that after forty years of con- in Tajikistan, and an interest in keep- the fall of the Taliban regime. attacks on New York and Washing- flict, Afghans were tired of war. US ing out the drugs that are trafficked The tsunami of refugees ton, Afghanistan remains reliant on and EU officials have been encour- and consumed in Russia. returning to the war-torn country international aid and faces resurgent aged by a smaller peace agreement But even with billions of dollars comes after Pakistan tightened its militants that threaten its progress. last month between the Afghan gov- spent by the United States and Nato border controls in June and began The two-day, European Union- ernment and a local warlord. for Afghan security forces, some 30 cracking down on undocumented led donor conference is seeking fresh But a senior Indian diplomat percent of the Afghan population Afghans. The vast majority — funds, despite Western public fatigue questioned whether the Taliban lives in territory that the government more than 185,000 — returned with their governments’ involvement was ready to make peace. The West does not fully control, according to after July, with nearly 98,000 in Afghanistan. wants Pakistan to do more to strike Western officials. crossing the border in September Around 70 governments, includ- remaining militants. “The fact At the Brussels conference, offi- alone, UNHCR spokesman Qaisar ing the United States, Russia, Iran, remains that at least the Afghan Tal- cials will seek total pledges of $3bn a Khan Afridi said. China and India, are attending, with iban continue to enjoy safe havens year for the 2017-2020 period. That is “From January until today, the pledges to be made today. “We’re in Pakistani territory,” the US offi- lower than the $4bn a year pledged at number of refugees voluntarily buying four more years for Afghani- cial said. the last conference in Tokyo in 2012, repatriating to Afghanistan has stan,” said EU Special Representative Afghanistan remains one of the partly because Afghanistan is rais- crossed the figure of 200,000,” US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Afghanistan’s Chief Executive for Afghanistan Franz-Michael world’s most dangerous countries, ing its own revenues and because of Afridi said. Abdullah Abdullah during a Conference on Afghanistan in Brussels Mellbin. with 1.2 million Afghans forced to donor fatigue. More and more appear to be yesterday. The two-day conference, hosted by the EU, will have the EU foreign policy chief Federica live as refugees in their own coun- Eighty percent of Afghanistan›s going every day, with officials participation of over 70 countries to discuss the Afghanistan situation. Mogherini may seek to bring together try and another 3 million living in budget is financed by aid. saying that the first four days of October saw up to 5,000 returnees daily. An Amnesty International report said Pakistan hosted 1.6 Senators call for million refugees, making it the Ban on Indian content on cable networks sought third largest refugee hosting nation in the world. But UNHCR building small said the figure, based on its own data, was already out of date and dams & reservoirs Internews The Pemra Board at a meeting that there was no policy in India decision by the association of film should be revised to 1.4 million made the consensus decision to ask regarding the Pakistani content and producers in India and the demand after the movement since July. the federal government to amend artistes, and decisions in this regard made by some actors in Bollywood A further one million undocu- Internews the existing policy, adding Pakistan were made by the relevant industry to ban Pakistani artistes, musicians mented refugees are estimated ISLAMABAD: Seemingly in a move should allow airtime to the Indian themselves. and technicians. The current policy to be in Pakistan. to counter decisions taken by the content only if New Delhi allows air- “We have made this consen- in Pakistan allows a total airing of 10 Since 2009, Islamabad has ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Sena- Indian film industry, the Paki- time to the Pakistani content. sus decision to link the airing of the ercent foreign content that is more repeatedly pushed back a dead- tors stressed the need for building stan Electronic Media Regulatory The Pemra Board decried the Indian content with the policy in that than two hours and 40 minutes in 24 line for them to return, but fears more small dams and water res- Authority (Pemra) yesterday asked policy formulated in 2004 by the country after looking at their treat- hours while the airing of Indian con- are growing that the latest cutoff ervoirs for the development of the the government to impose a complete government of Pakistan allowing ment of our artists and productions,” tent is limited to six percent which date in March 2017 will be final. agricultural sector and to over- ban on Indian content on cable TV six per cent airing of Indian content. said one of the Board members. is a little less than one hour and 35 Pakistani officials said the come energy issues. networks. An official of the authority said The member referred to a minutes daily. increase came after they vowed Before holding a full-fledged to tighten border controls, par- debate on the problems being ticularly at the porous Torkham faced by farmers on a motion Gate crossing. moved by Taj Haider of the Paki- However UNHCR cited an stan Peoples Party (PPP), the Four women dead array of other reasons that could Senate unanimously adopted a be helping drive the rush back into resolution “recommending that Afghanistan, including increasing a 250km highway be constructed in Quetta bus attack anxiety and insecurity for refu- along the coast from Sir Creek to gees about life in Pakistan. Karachi to serve as a wall against Other factors include the sea intrusion”. UNHCR decision to double its The resolution was tabled by AFP cash grant for voluntary returnees the PPP’s Sassui Palijo after Min- from $200 to $400 per individ- ister for Parliamentary Affairs ual in June, and a campaign by Shaikh Aftab Ahmed assured the QUETTA: Gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a the Afghan government to lure its house that the federal government moving bus in Pakistan and killed four women from the citizens back with the slogan «My would ask the National Highway Shia minority in an apparent sectarian attack, officials country, my beautiful country». Authority to construct the road said yesterday. In Afghanistan, however, torn once the Sindh government pre- The gunmen sprayed the vehicle with bullets in the apart by more than three decades pared feasibility of the project. outskirts of Quetta city, the provincial capital of the south- of conflict, authorities warn the Palijo warned that if the high- western province of Baluchistan. number of displaced people has way was not built, Badin and “At least two motorcycle riders on one bike fired at the outpaced the capacity of the gov- Thatta districts would drown bus when it reached close to Hazara town. Two people, ernment and aid agencies to cope. under sea water in the near future. one male and another female, were also wounded in the Meanwhile, the EU said She urged the federal government attack,” Abdul Razzaq Cheema, a senior police official said. it has struck a tentative deal Security officials and residents gather around ambulances carrying the bodies of women not to leave the matter to the pro- “The bus was travelling from one locality of Hazaras with Afghanistan to take back vincial governments. killed in an attack by gunmen at a hospital in Quetta yesterday. to the other,” Cheema said. migrants. INDIA WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 13 Cross-border terrorism & radicalisation big threats: PM

our cooperation to counter these Development Corporation on collab- threats, including in the domain of oration in technical and vocational Singapore’s Prime cyber security”. education and training. Minister Lee while “Our defence and security coop- Another MoU was signed between eration is a key pillar of our strategic the Assam government and ITEES condemning partnership,” he stated. Singapore, also on collaboration terrorism in all its “As two maritime nations, keep- in technical and vocational educa- ing the sea lanes of communication tion and training. A third MoU was forms, extended his open, and respect for international signed in the field of industrial prop- condolences to the legal order of seas and oceans is a erty cooperation between India’s families of the victims shared priority,” Modi said. Department of Industrial Policy and “Our cooperation in the frame- Promotion (DIPP) and Intellectual of the Uri attack. work of Asean (Association of Property Office Singapore. Southeast Asian Nations), East Asia “Prime Minister Lee and I also Summit and the Asean Regional welcome the issuance of corporate IANS Framework is aimed at building an rupee bonds in Singapore,” Modi said. open and inclusive architecture for “It is a step forward in our efforts regional cooperation, in an atmos- to mobilise capital for India’s large phere of trust and confidence.” infrastructure development needs.” NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Modi said trade and investment Recalling his visit to Singapore Narendra Modi yesterday described ties formed the bedrock of the India- in November last year, the Indian cross-border terrorism and radical- Singapore bilateral relationship. Prime Minister said that the bilat- isation as “grave challenges to our Stating that the two sides enjoyed eral relationship was upgraded to security” while visiting Singapore a strong network of business to busi- the level of a Strategic Partnership Premier Lee Hsien Loong condemned ness partnerships, he said: “In this with “renewed spirit, new energy”. terrorism in all its forms. context, Prime Minister Lee and I “To deliver benefits to both our “Rising tide of terrorism, espe- have agreed to expedite the second people, our partnership aims to com- cially cross-border terrorism, and the review of our Comprehensive Eco- bine the strengths of Singapore with rise of radicalisation are grave chal- nomic Cooperation Agreement.” the scale of India; and dynamism lenges to our security,” Modi said in a Following the delegation-level of Singapore with vibrancy of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, prior to a joint press statement with Lee after talks, India and Singapore signed states,” Modi said. delegation-level talks between the meeting in New Delhi yesterday. three memoranda of understanding Affirming the importance of the two sides here. “They threaten the (MoUs). One MoU was signed between bilateral ties, Prime Minister Lee said very fabric of our societies,” Modi need to stand and act together against Singapore’s Lee, while condemning victims of the Uri attack. Singapore’s Institute of Technical that Singapore was a firm believer said. “It is my firm belief that those this menace,” Modi added. terrorism in all its forms, extended Modi said that India and Sin- Education (ITE) Education Services in India and would contribute where who believe in peace and humanity In the joint press statement, his condolences to the families of the gapore have agreed “to enhance (ITEES) and India’s National Skill it can. Kashmir daily banned Fresh cross-border firing heats up tension for ‘inciting unrest’ IANS landed near civilian areas in Now- shera, a border area located on the banks of Manawer river, some 125km AFP move, which comes weeks after from here. local authorities briefly banned all JAMMU: Fresh firing across the de The officer said the Army retal- newspapers from publishing and facto border between India and Paki- iated and fired at Pakistani posts. stopped internet services. stan yesterday intensified military Any damage on the other side of NEW DELHI: Authorities in Kash- “The government has a duty to tension between the already tense the ceasefire line was not known mir have banned a local newspaper respect the freedom of the press, neighbours with Indian Air Force immediately. they said was inciting violence in and the right of people to receive Chief Arup Raha warning that the Across the LoC, the Pakistan the Himalayan region, which has information,” Amnesty Interna- situation on the Line of Control (LOC) Army made similar allegations, been roiled by deadly violence in tional said in a statement. was still “live”. saying Indian troops “resorted to recent months. “It cannot shut down a newspa- The Army alleged that Pakistan unprovoked firing” at 4am yesterday. The editor of the Kashmir per simply for being critical of the troops opened unprovoked heavy “Pakistani troops befittingly Reader, an English-language daily, government.” firing in at least three places on the responded to the unprovoked Indian said police had come to their office Journalists marched to protest LoC — a ceasefire line that divides firing... in Bhimber sector,” an Inter- carrying an order for them to stop the move in Srinagar, calling it a Jammu and Kashmir between the Services Public Relations (ISPR) publishing. “There was no prior violation of press freedom. two countries. Cross-border shelling statement said. Activists and supporters of Aam Aadmi Party shout anti-Pakistani notice or communication from Nearly 90 people, most of them also occurred along the International “It would not be right for me to the government,” Hilal Mir said. young protesters, have been killed Border at Akhnoor sector in Jammu. give a perspective now,” Raha told slogans during a protest as they try to march towards the Pakistani “If there was a problem with the in clashes with security forces in No injuries were reported from reporters in New Delhi, refusing to High Commission in New Delhi yesterday. content, they could have sought an Indian-administered Kashmir since the Pakistan mortar shelling at bor- take any questions on India’s cross- explanation from us.” the death on July 8 of a popular der posts in Jhangar, Kalsian and border surgical strikes late last Pakistan. “We are always ready and destroyed at least seven terror launch The order said the Kashmir militant leader. It is the worst vio- Makri areas of Nowshera sector in month targeting militant launch pads we will be ready... The IAF has the pads and killed an unknown number Reader “contains such material and lence the troubled region has seen Rajouri district. The heavy exchange in Pakistan-held Kashmir. capability to be deployed for offen- of militants and their sympathisers in content which tends to incite acts of since 2010, although several armed of fire continued for several hours Raha said the Indian Air Force sive operations. Today, the IAF has the September 29 cross-border raids. violence and disturb public peace groups have for decades been fight- and was continuing till yesterday had “evolved” and was prepared to the strategic reach and can deter a The heavy exchange of fire was and tranquility”. ing Indian forces stationed there, evening. face a two-front war, in case it broke conflict,” he said. the latest in a series of violations of Rights groups criticised the seeking independence from India. A police officer said many shells out simultaneously with China and India said its Special Forces border truce signed in 2003.

MJ Akbar in Brussels Get instructions on Jayalalithaa’s Mallya can return to health: High Court India on emergency IANS travel document: ED

CHENNAI: The Madras High IANS Enforcement Directorate (ED) plea Court yesterday directed Addi- to withdraw the exemption given tional Advocate General to get to him from personal appearance instructions from the government in the case. on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s NEW DELHI: Enforcement Direc- Mallya’s counsel Ajay Bhargava health. torate (ED) yesterday told a court moved a plea seeking exemption Jayalalithaa was admitted here that industriliast Vijay Mallya from his personal appearance and to Apollo Hospitals on Septem- can obtain emergency travel doc- told the court that his client is liv- ber 22 for fever and dehydration. ument to visit India and can face a ing in London. The hospital on Monday said she case of alleged violation of foreign The court has fixed the matter continues to improve and must exchange rules against him. for November 4 for further hearing. remain warded for some more The ED’s Public Prosecutor Earlier, the court had allowed days because of infection. Navin Matta requested Chief Met- the ED plea to seek recall of a Belgium Foreign Minister Didier Reynders (left) meets with his Indian counterpart M J Akbar prior to Social activist Traffic Ram- ropolitan Magistrate Sumit Dass to court order that granted perma- a conference in Brussels yesterday. aswamy filed a public interest reject Mallya’s plea for exemption nent exemption from appearance litigation (PIL) in the Madras High from personal appearance before to Mallya, who faces money laun- Court seeking the real status of the court. “...the accused (Mallya) dering charges in India. Jayalalithaa’s health. may visit the nearest High Com- The court was hearing the final The court also observed mission of India and obtain an arguments in the 2000 case related that people were anxious to emergency travel document and to alleged violation by Mallya of know about the Chief Minister’s visit India on the basis authorised provisions of the erstwhile Foreign Roopa Ganguly nominated to Rajya Sabha health. travel document obtained from the Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) Traffic Ramaswamy sought to High Commission of India,” Prose- in arranging funds to advertise his know whether Jayalalithaa was cutor Matta told the court. company’s liquor products abroad.” IANS Mukherjee to fill a vacancy of a nom- which she contested. in sound health to take impor- Mallya on September 9 sought According to the ED, Mallya inated member. The vacancy had She however lost from Howrah tant decisions and hold meetings exemption from personal appear- allegedly paid $200,000 to a British arisen following the resignation of North to Trinamool Congress can- of officials and ministers. ance in court and said he is unable firm for displaying the Kingfisher cricketer-turned-politician Navjot didate and cricketer Laxmi Ratan A brief statement from the to return to the country and face logo in the Formula One World NEW DELHI: Actor-turned-BJP Singh Sidhu of the Bharatiya Janata Shukla. hospital said: “The same line of trial in a case of alleged violation Championships in London and some leader Roopa Ganguly was yester- Party from the upper house. In the Rajya Sabha, she will be treatment is being continued. of foreign exchange rules as the European countries in 1996, 1997 day nominated to the Rajya Sabha, Ganguly, who had come into the in the company of former cricketer The Chief Minister is under close Indian authorities had suspended and 1998. The agency had claimed an official statement said. limelight with her role of Draupadi Sachin Tendulkar, actor Rekha, col- observation by doctors.” his passport. that the money was allegedly paid A Home Ministry release said in television serial “Mahabharat”, umnist Swapan Dasgupta and BJP According to Apollo Hospitals, On July 9, the court asked Mallya without prior approval from the she had been nominated to the joined BJP in 2015, ahead of the West leader Subramanian Swamy, who Jayalalithaa has been advised fur- to personally appear before it on Reserve Bank of India, in violation upper house by President Pranab Bengal assembly elections in 2016 are among the nominated members. ther stay in the hospital. September 9, after allowing the of FERA norms. 14 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 EUROPE

EU tightens Assange vows export ban on torture more leaks equipment about US vote Reuters STRASBOURG: The European Parliament passed legislation Democrat candidate Hillary Clin- yesterday designed to strengthen ton or target her Republican rival the EU’s ban on the export of tor- WikiLeaks founder Donald Trump. But the white-haired ture equipment by preventing the refuses to elaborate WikiLeaks founder described the marketing and promotion of items on planned leaks material as “significant” with “a lot such as spiked batons or restraint of fascinating angles”. chairs. on 10th anniversary “Do they show interesting fea- The European Union has of the site. tures on power factions and how since 2005 banned goods used they operate? Yes they do,” he said. for capital punishment or torture, Ten years after it was founded, including drug injection systems Wikileaks has faced growing and electric-shock belts on a list AFP charges that it is manipulated by since expanded to thumb cuffs or politicians — either by recycling chains to anchor a person to a wall documents provided by Moscow, or or floor. by allegedly serving the interests of However, rights group BERLIN: WikiLeaks founder Julian Trump in the US presidential elec- Amnesty International had crit- Assange vowed yesterday to pub- tion race. icised the existing legislation for lish new “significant” documents And Assange himself took ref- still allowing companies to adver- related to the US presidential elec- uge in the Ecuador embassy to avoid tise such equipment at military tions ahead of the November 8 vote, extradition to Sweden where he is and security trade fairs inside as the online leaking platform cel- accused of raping a woman while the bloc, notably in London and ebrated its 10th birthday in defiant she was asleep. Paris, and promoting them on the From Left: Princeton University professor F Duncan Haldane, who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in mood. The 45-year-old has always internet. Taking aim at critics accusing maintained the allegations are Physics, talks with fellow Nobel Prize winners from Princeton University Eric F Wieschaus, 1995 winner of It highlighted the promotion of him and his organisation of manip- false and has refused to travel to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and Joseph Taylor, 1993 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, banned equipment at a Paris exhi- ulation, Assange pledged he would Stockholm for questioning due to on the campus of Princeton University, in Princeton, New Jersey, yesterday. bition in November 2015 and to a not be muzzled as he sought to raise concerns that Sweden will hand German company showcasing on “an army” of supporters to join in him over to the US to stand trial for its website “stun-cuffs” operated the defence of WikiLeaks. espionage. by remote control that can deliver “We hope to be publishing He has come under fresh pres- an electric shock of 60,000 volts. every week for the next 10 weeks. sure after WikiLeaks published British trio wins Physics Nobel The new EU law, likely to We have on schedule... all the US some 20,000 internal emails on enter force at the start of 2017, is election related documents to the eve of the US Democratic Party designed to expand on the export come out before November 8,” convention that forced top party ban to prevent marketing and pro- Assange, wearing a black T-shirt officials to quit. for ‘strange states of matter’ moting of torture goods, whether bearing the word “Truth”, told Assange charged that WikiLe- at trade fairs, in catalogues or on journalists via webcast from the aks was now the target of a witch the internet, and to end transit of Ecuadorean embassy in London hunt orchestrated in particular by AFP discoveries remain in the realm of The trio’s pioneering work “boosted such equipment. where he has been holed up since Clinton, likening it to the repres- research. frontline research in condensed “We want to make it difficult, 2012. sion of American communists in Thouless won half of the eight matter physics, not least because of and to remind countries, such as He refused to reveal if the US- the 1950s driven by then senator STOCKHOLM: The study of “strange million Swedish kronor (around the hope that topological materials Saudi Arabia, Iran, China but also vote related documents would hurt Joseph McCarthy. states” of matter, which may one day $931,000 or ¤834,000) prize, while could be used in new generations of the US that we don’t tolerate and yield superfast and small computers, Haldane and Kosterlitz share the electronics and superconductors, or we condemn these practices,” earned British scientists David Thou- other half. in future quantum computers,” said EU trade commissioner Cecilia less, Duncan Haldane and Michael Topology is a branch of mathe- the Nobel jury. Malmstrom told a debate before Kosterlitz the Nobel Physics Prize matics that investigates the physical the vote. yesterday. properties of matter and space — ‘Stumbled’ on discovery’ “We should of course continue The trio, all based in the US shape in essence — that remain In the early 1970s, Kosterlitz and our fight against capital punish- working in the highly-specialised unchanged under certain deform- Thouless overturned the theory that ment for all crimes and invite mathematics field of “topology”, ing forces. superconductivity or suprafluidity countries to apply similar end-use studied unusual phases or states of These include stretching, com- could not occur in very thin layers controls to their exports,” she said. matter. pressing and bending, but not of material. The new law will extend to “This year’s laureates opened the piercing, tearing or gluing. Superconductivity is when elec- ban acting as a broker for such door on an unknown world where An often-used example is a rub- tricity flows through a material goods or offering technical sup- matter can assume strange states,” ber coffee cup being bent, twisted without experiencing any resist- port, including repairs or training. the Nobel jury said. and reshaped into a donut — for ance or losing energy as heat, while The law also aims to make it “Thanks to their pioneering topologists the two shapes are indis- suprafluidity is when a fluid flows easier and faster to update the work, the hunt is now on for new tinguishable, though to the rest of us without any friction. banned list to take into account and exotic phases of matter.” they are completely different. Thouless, 82, is professor emer- changing technologies. The jury said there were hopes In practical terms, these proper- itus at the University of Washington “We hope that this can pro- that their discoveries would have ties of matter may one day lead to the in Seattle. vide a start and we would look to future uses in the fields of materials reshaping of common materials into Haldane, 65, is a professor at see similar regulations in other Julian Assange, founder and Editor-in-Chief of WikiLeaks, on video link science and electronics, especially “topological states” that can trans- Princeton University, and Kosterlitz, parts of the world,” said Amnesty and Sarah Harrison, a WikiLeaks journalist, attend a press conference at the super-small quantum scale. port energy and information in very born in 1942, teaches at Brown Uni- International EU foreign policy on the 10th anniversary of WikiLeaks in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. For now, the scientists’ small spaces without overheating. versity in Providence, Rhode Island. specialist David Nichols.

England wants fewer foreign Paris climate deal set to take effect after EU parliament nod doctors after Brexit AFP approved the EU’s fast-track ratifi- Parliament building following the European Parliament, the bloc’s only needs ratification from 55 coun- cation of the deal sealed in Paris last vote that passed by 610 to 38, with elected body, backed a decision by EU tries, which must together account December. 31 abstentions. environment ministers last Friday to for at least 55 percent of the planet’s AFP STRASBOURG: The landmark Paris That puts the European Union on “I look forward to the Paris fast-track approval of the deal, despite greenhouse gas emissions, which are climate pact is poised to enter into track to hand over its ratification to agreement entering into force as only seven out of 28 EU countries hav- responsible for climate change. force globally after the European the United Nations on Friday, which soon as possible, even in just a few ing themselves ratified it. With a decision in the last few Parliament joined the world’s top would then take the international days time.” Fears that China and the United days by India, the third biggest BIRMINGHAM: England is to polluters in endorsing the deal to community above the threshold The Paris accord requires all coun- States, the world’s two biggest pol- emitter, a total of 62 countries have train more doctors so that it can slow the planet’s dangerous tem- needed for implementation within tries to devise plans to achieve the goal luters, were leaving Europe behind ratified the agreement to commit to end its reliance on foreign recruits perature rise. one month. of keeping the rise in temperatures on ratifying last year’s historic deal take action to stem the planet’s ris- for the state-funded National With UN Secretary General Ban “I’m extremely honoured to within two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahr- pushed them into rushing through ing temperatures. They all account Health Service after it leaves the Ki-moon watching the vote yester- be able to witness this historic enheit) above pre-industrial levels and the ratification. for 52 percent of the planet’s green- European Union, the government day, the parliament overwhelmingly moment,” Ban said at the European strive for 1.5 C (2.7 F) if possible. The To come into force the accord house gas emissions. announced yesterday. “Currently a quarter of our doctors come from overseas,” Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said at the ruling Conservative Kim Kardashian freed herself History behind shroud Party’s annual conference in Birmingham. “They do a fantastic job and and raised alarm after robbery the NHS would fall over without them. When it comes to those that are EU nationals, we’ve been clear AFP locked in the bathroom while the Investigators had initially thought we want them to be able to stay robbers helped themselves to a a stylist who was in the building post-Brexit,” he said. ring worth around ¤4m ($4.5m) at the time had raised the alarm. “But looking forward, is it and a case of jewellery with a Kardashian’s bodyguard Pas- right to carry on importing doc- PARIS: Kim Kardashian freed value of ¤5m ($5.6m). cal Duvier was providing security tors from poorer countries that herself and raised the alarm after Two mobile phones were also for Kardashian’s sister Kourtney need them, whilst we turn away being tied up and robbed at gun- stolen. at a Paris nightclub. bright home graduates desperate point in Paris of $10m in jewels The robbery in the chic The assailants wore masks to study medicine?” in Paris, police sources said yes- Madeleine district of Paris, near and police jackets. After overpow- From September 2018, Eng- terday. the city’s main department ering the night warden three of land will train up to 1,500 more The multi-millionaire US real- stores, took place at around them kept guard while two burst A woman stands behind a curtain before unveiling the memorial for doctors every year, increasing the ity TV star, who was in the French 2:30am (0030 GMT). When the into Kardashian’s apartment, number of medical school places capital for Paris fashion week, was danger had passed, 35-year-old sources said. They held a gun to Czech Republic’s former President Vaclav Havel by Czech sculpture by up to a quarter, he said. robbed at a luxury residence in the Kardashian “untied her bonds and her head, gagged her and bound Kurt Gebauer, yesterday in Prague, on the eve of Havel’s 80th birth There is currently a 6,000 early hours of Monday by five men at 2:56 am phoned her bodyguard her hands and feet before bun- anniversary. Havel was the hero of the 1989 Velvet Revolution against cap on numbers of medical posing as police officers. who was not present at the time dling her into the bathroom, the communist rule. students. Kardashian was tied up and of the attack,” the sources said. sources added. AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 15 Yahoo secretly scanned customers emails for US intelligence

Reuters Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer’s deci- this year. A selector refers to a type of search sion to obey the directive roiled some senior term used to zero in on specific information. executives and led to the June 2015 departure “It would be really difficult for a provider of Chief Information Security Officer Alex to do that,” he added. SAN FRANCISCO: Yahoo Inc last year Stamos, who now holds the top security job Experts said it was likely that the NSA or secretly built a custom software programme at Facebook Inc. FBI had approached other Internet companies to search all of its customers’ incoming emails “Yahoo is a law abiding company, with the same demand, since they evidently for specific information provided by US intel- and complies with the laws of the United did not know what email accounts were being ligence officials, according to people familiar States,” the company said in a brief state- used by the target. The NSA usually makes with the matter. ment in response to Reuters questions about requests for domestic surveillance through The company complied with a classified the demand. Yahoo declined any further the FBI, so it is hard to know which agency is US government directive, scanning hun- comment. seeking the information. Reuters was unable dreds of millions of Yahoo Mail accounts at Through a Facebook spokesman, Stamos to confirm whether the 2015 demand went to the behest of the National Security Agency or declined a request for an interview. other companies, or if any complied. FBI, said two former employees and a third The NSA referred questions to the Office Alphabet Inc’s Google and Microsoft Corp, person apprised of the events. of the Director of National Intelligence, which two major US email service providers, did not Some surveillance experts said this declined to comment. respond to requests for comment. represents the first case to surface of a US The demand to search Yahoo Mail Under laws including the 2008 amend- Internet company agreeing to a spy agency’s accounts came in the form of a classified ments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance demand by searching all arriving messages, directive sent to the company’s legal team, Act, intelligence agencies can ask US phone as opposed to examining stored messages according to the three people familiar with and Internet companies to provide customer or scanning a small number of accounts in the matter. data to aid foreign intelligence-gathering real time. US phone and Internet companies are efforts for a variety of reasons, including pre- The Yahoo campus in Sunnyvale, California, United States. It is not known what information intelli- known to have handed over bulk customer vention of terrorist attacks. gence officials were looking for, only that they data to intelligence agencies. But some former Disclosures by former NSA contractor tried to fight last year’s directive on at least Other FISA experts defended Yahoo’s wanted Yahoo to search for a set of charac- government officials and private surveillance Edward Snowden and others have exposed two grounds: the breadth of the demand and decision to comply, saying nothing prohib- ters. That could mean a phrase in an email experts said they had not previously seen the extent of electronic surveillance and led the necessity of writing a special programme ited the surveillance court from ordering a or an attachment, said the sources, who did either such a broad directive for real-time US authorities to modestly scale back some to search all customers’ emails in transit. search for a specific term instead of a specific not want to be identified. Web collection or one that required the cre- of the programmes, in part to protect pri- Apple Inc made a similar argument earlier account. So-called “upstream” bulk collec- Reuters was unable to determine what ation of a new computer programme. vacy rights. this year when it refused to create a spe- tion from phone carriers based on content data Yahoo may have handed over, if any, and “I’ve never seen that, a wiretap in real Companies including Yahoo have chal- cial programme to break into an encrypted was found to be legal, they said, and the same if intelligence officials had approached other time on a ‘selector,’” said Albert Gidari, a lenged some classified surveillance before iPhone used in the 2015 San Bernardino logic could apply to Web companies’ mail. email providers besides Yahoo with this kind lawyer who represented phone and Inter- the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, massacre. The FBI dropped the case after it As tech companies become better at of request. net companies on surveillance issues for 20 a secret tribunal. unlocked the phone with the help of a third encrypting data, they are likely to face more According to the two former employees, years before moving to Stanford University Some FISA experts said Yahoo could have party, so no precedent was set. such requests from spy agencies.

Vice presidential Hurricane rips candidates face the heat in US through Haiti election debate AFP a corner of Haiti where many peo- ple live along the coast in shacks of Full extent of wood or simple concrete blocks. WASHINGTON: Hillary Clin- damage uncertain Matthew was causing major ton and Donald Trump’s running damage, though the extent was not mates carried the race for the as Cuba braces for immediately known, said Marie Alta White House yesterday, prepar- barreling Hurricane Jean-Baptiste, director of the coun- ing to face off in their only debate Matthew. try’s Civil Protection Agency. of the campaign with the US elec- “It’s much too early to know tions five weeks away. how bad things are, but we do know Polls show Clinton, the Dem- there are a lot of houses that have ocratic candidate, gaining in the AP been destroyed or damaged in the People wade through a flooded street while Hurricane Matthew passes, in Cite-Soleil in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, wake of a punishing week for her south,” Jean-Baptiste said. Republican rival Trump, who was yesterday. Haitian authorities had tried hammered by controversies over to evacuate people from the most his taxes, his charitable founda- PORT-AU-PRINCE: Hurricane vulnerable areas ahead of the metres) of storm surge and batter- over the weekend. the possibility of a direct hit, and the tion and treatment of women. Matthew roared across the south- storm, but many were reluctant to ing waves. “We do not know yet whether Red Cross put out a call for volunteers The candidates’ number western tip of Haiti with 145 mph leave their property. Some sought “They are getting everything a the centre of Matthew will actually in South Carolina. two’s — Democrat Tim Kaine and winds yesterday, uprooting trees shelter only after the worst was major hurricane can throw at them,” come ashore in Florida. That’s possi- As of 11am EDT (1500 GMT), the Republican Mike Pence — were and tearing roofs from homes in a already upon them, making their said Dennis Feltgen, a meteorologist ble,” said Rick Knabb, director of the storm was centred about 35 miles to take their place in the spot- largely rural corner of the impover- way through debris-strewn streets with the US National Hurricane Center hurricane centre. “It also could go to north-northeast (60 kilometres) of light last evening when they were ished country as the storm headed amid pounding rain. in Miami. The storm was moving along the right and stay farther offshore. Tiburon, Haiti, and 90 miles (145 kil- to battle before a national televi- north toward Cuba and the east “Many people are now asking the Windward Passage between Haiti The farther offshore it is, the lesser ometres) south of the eastern tip of sion audience. coast of Florida. for help, but it’s too late because and Jamaica, where it was dumping the impacts will be, but the impacts Cuba. It was moving north near 10 For many Americans, it will be One person was reported killed there is no way to go evacuate heavy rain that caused flooding. It was are going to happen no matter what.” mph (17 kph). As dawn broke, people their first prolonged exposure to in Haiti as the storm closed in, and them,” said Fonie Pierre, director headed for southeastern Cuba and Cuba’s government declared a in the Haitian tourist town of Port the little-known men who would four deaths were recorded in the of Catholic Relief Services for the then into the Bahamas. The centre of hurricane alert for six eastern prov- Salut described howling winds and be next in line for the presidency neighbouring Dominican Republic, Les Cayes area, who was huddled the storm was projected to pass about inces, and workers removed traffic big waves slamming the beaches. if their side wins on November 8. bringing the death toll from Mat- in her office with about 20 people. 50 miles northeast of the US naval base lights from poles in the city of San- “The winds are making so many Kaine, 58, is an affable sena- thew’s path through the Caribbean Matthew was expected to bring at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. tiago to keep them from falling. bad noises. We’re just doing our best tor from Virginia whose liberalism to at least seven. 15 to 25 inches of rain, and up to 40 Forecasters said it could menace In the US, Florida Governor to stay calm,” said Jenniflore Desro- stems in part from his Catholic The dangerous Category 4 inches (100 centimetres) in isolated Florida toward the end of the week Rick Scott urged residents along the siers as she huddled with her family faith and experiences as a volun- storm blew ashore around dawn in places, along with up to 10 feet (3 and push its way up the East Coast state’s Atlantic Coast to prepare for in her fragile cinderblock home. teer working in poor communities in Central America. Pence, 57, is the Christian con- servative governor of Indiana, Colombia govt as modest and polite in style as Trump is brash and insulting. and Farc hold Hillary courts working mothers in Philadelphia Pence’s job will be to reassure prospective Republican voters at a time when Trump is mired in dif- talks in Havana AP to release his tax returns. On the stump Monday ficulties, many of his own making. night, he told supporters he used tax laws “bril- Weighing heavily against the Reuters liantly” to his benefit, but pointed to “unfairness” New York billionaire are a medio- in the system. cre performance in his first debate HAVERFORD: Hillary Clinton aimed to capital- Trump’s tax reform proposals do not call for with Clinton, followed by revela- HAVANA/BOGOTA: Colombia’s ise on tumult within the campaign of rival Donald changing the provision that would have allowed tions of a near billion dollar loss government and Marxist guer- rump yesterday, hunting for votes in the Philadel- him to avoid paying taxes. in 1995 that may have meant he rillas went back to the drawing phia suburbs with a message directed at working There were signs Trump’s troubles were trick- paid no taxes for 18 years, and board in Havana yesterday after mothers and college-educated women. ling down to other Republicans on the ballot. criticism of his demeaning treat- a peace deal they painstakingly Joined by daughter Chelsea Clinton and actress New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte, a ment of a former Miss Universe, negotiated over four years was Elizabeth Banks at an event billed as a “family Republican running for re-election, stumbled Alicia Machado. rejected in a shock referendum town hall,” the Democratic presidential nominee on Monday night when she was asked whether she His campaign manager Kel- result. outlined ways she would curb gun violence that considers her party’s nominee to be a role model lyanne Conway promises the In a vote that confounded has spilled out across the nation and provide paid for children. Ayotte, who is in a close race with Kaine-Pence debate will be opinion polls and was a disaster family leave and sick days for struggling work- Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan, initially “fiery.” for President Juan Manuel Santos, ing mothers. answered “absolutely,” but then backtracked in “I think you’ll see in Mike Colombians narrowly rebuffed the “It should not be so hard to be a young parent. a statement afterward saying she had changed Pence somebody who is able to pact on Sunday as too lenient on And it should not be so hard on the other end of her mind. defend Donald Trump the run- the rebels. the age spectrum to take care of your loved one,” “I misspoke tonight,” the statement said. “While ning mate, but at the same time, Lead negotiators Humberto Clinton said in a question-and-answer session I would hope all of our children would aspire to take the case right to Hillary Clin- de la Calle and Sergio Jaramillo with supporters, making the case to female vot- be president, neither Donald Trump nor Hillary ton,” she said on CBS. were back at a Havana convention ers who have periodically backed Republicans in Clinton have set a good example, and I wouldn’t Pence, who spent a dozen center yesterday meeting coun- past presidential races. hold up either of them as role models for my kids.” years as a member of Congress, terparts from the Revolutionary Trump, meanwhile, sought to shore up support Ayotte’s trouble answering the question is known for his discipline. He Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Arizona after finding himself on the defensive underscores Trump’s trouble with independent, has prepared intensively for the to see what the rebels are willing after revelations that his massive financial losses moderate and college-educated women who are debate, unlike Trump, who did lit- to do, the government said. could have allowed him to avoid paying federal turned off Trump. tle to practice for his September The Cuban capital was the income taxes for years. He was also grappling with Those were precisely the type of voters Clinton 26 encounter with Clinton. venue for talks between the two new allegations of boorish treatment of women was seeking to connect with in suburban Philadel- “We expect them to throw a sides since 2012 that reached an and criticism of his comments about veterans’ phia’s Delaware County, where President Barack lot of mud,” said Clinton cam- US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary accord to end Colombia’s 52-year health. Obama earned 60 percent of the vote in both the paign manager Robbie Mook, Clinton at a ‘Family Town Hall’ campaign stop war that has killed around a quar- Trump has not said whether he has paid fed- 2008 and 2012 election but has often served as a ahead of the debate in Farm- ter of a million people. in Haverford, Pennsylvania, yesterday. eral income taxes in recent years and has refused swing area in the battleground state. ville, Virginia.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 27o C Maximum: 36o C

FAJR 04.11 am ZUHR 11.22 am MAGHRIB 05.19 pm HIGH TIDE 07:30 - 18:45 Hazy to misty at places at first becomes hot day- SHOROOK 05.27 am ASR 02.45 pm ISHA 06.49 pm LOW TIDE 00:45 - 13:45 time with slight dust at places at times.

16 WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER 2016 HOME ONLINE CHART BUST First branch of Spazio Interni opens in Doha www.thepeninsulaqatar.com The Peninsula MOST READ DOHA: The first branch of Spazio Interni for Legal Corner: New decoration and furnishings opened last Satur- 1 rules for Residence day on Salwa Road in the presence of Italian Permit transfers Ambassador to Qatar, Guido De Sanctis, Mansour Abdullatif Al Mahmoud, Executive Director of the company, and several VIPs Two female students and media personnel. 2 drown in Qatar The Italian ambassador pointed out that University pool Italian furniture and items of decoration are one of the important Italian exports to Qatar QA starts weekend and the Middle East in general. “This is a clear 3 Doha-Dubai getaway evidence that Italian goods are well known for flights their high quality and magnificence”. Italian furniture and decoration brand Spazio Interni’s first branch in Doha was inaugurated last Saturday. Below: Furniture on “Despite the relatively high prices of Italian brands compared to other products, display during the opening ceremony on Salwa Road. Pic: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula Italian brands are in high demand because TWEET OF THE DAY of their high quality and finest touches”, he filling the interior spaces with high quality the Italian brands which are famous for their quality products in the market”. added. antiques and furniture, adding a group of Ital- luxury and excellence and long history with Al Mahmoud pointed out that the com- I am happy to be here on the launch of ian companies to the Qatari market”. Qatari customers, said Al Mahmoud praising pany is ready to meet special orders which the first branch of Spazio Interni in support The Executive Director of Spazio Interni the quality of Italian products. could be prepared at the mother company in of Italian companies providing innovative said “we have a number of exclusive agen- He added: “We have witnessed more Italy. He added that while visiting the factory products in the world of furniture and deco- cies in the region on top of that Sirmani, attraction for Italian brands following the in Italy he noted that the sizes of the furniture ration, said Sanctis. specialising in modern furniture, and Design spread of Chinese and other cheap and low were small in keeping with small flats there. Sanctis emphasised that trade ties and Nature Company which offers quality wooden “We asked the factory to make the sizes bigger exchanges between the two countries have accessories. The designers of the company in line with the bigger villas and spaces here”. witnessed significant progress in the past, and the artist recycle old wood and produce Ahmed Samih, Director of Marketing at particularly after the opening of commercial impressive pieces of arts; this is in addition Spazio Interni branch, lauded the quality of mission at the embassy in Doha. He added to illumination specialised in production of Italian products saying “our products have that “trade exchange between Qatar and chandeliers and crystal. lifelong warranty because all goods here were Italy has reached around QR2bn and Italian Talking about textiles, Al Mahmoud said made unbreakable. They are made from spe- exports to Qatar amounted to around QR1bn, Spazio Interni provides luxurious fabrics from cial beech woods and other hard woods. and furniture is placed second among the companies like Marco Foresti, CTS, and Sam- Samih assured customers that prices are exports”. giorgio specialising in silk and cotton, and competitive, because we conducted visibil- Mansour Abdullatif Al Mahmoud said: from Gacimbirti Company which is a major ity study in the market and compared Spazio “We are pleased to launch today the first producer of silk and satins. Interni’s products with similar ones in the branch of Spazio Interni which means in Ital- When it came to attracting excellent local market and then decided the prices in ian “internal decorations” that invites one for brands to the Qatari market, our choice was collaboration with the Italian brands.