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FRIDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10290 December 2, 2016 Rabia I 3, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Qatar now In brief a maritime ARAB WORLD | Confl ict 2,000 killed in Iraq last month, says UN The scope of the toll the six-week gateway for old battle for Mosul has taken on Iraqi forces emerged yesterday, with UN figures showing that around 2,000 had been killed in fighting last month alone. While high casualty tolls were expected for what has trade: PM been Iraq’s toughest battle against the Islamic State group to date, few figures had been released. The Sheikh Abdullah highlights of economic development projects being United Nations’ mission in Iraq private sector’s role in Hamad Port implemented by the state to be under- released monthly casualty figures development taken by the local sector. for November that showed 1,959 The prime minister emphasised members of the Iraqi forces were By Peter Alagos that the Hamad Port was a key pillar killed just last month and 450 others Business Reporter of the economy, adding that it would wounded. The UN toll includes make Qatar a maritime gateway for members of the army, police global trade via maritime services engaged in combat, the Kurdish atar’s private sector has played using state-of-the-art technology peshmerga, interior ministry forces a signifi cant role in the devel- and international security and safety and pro-government paramilitaries. Qopment of major infrastructure standards. Page 4 projects such as the new Hamad Port, “Today, we are witnessing a great HE the Prime Minister and Minister of achievement in the private trans- QATAR | Statistics Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin port sector’s projects. The unlim- Khalifa al-Thani has said. ited support by HH the Emir Sheikh Marginal rise Speaking at a ceremony marking the Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, along HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani tours Hamad Port, which in population start of Hamad Port’s full operation with the close follow-up by HH started full operation yesterday. He is joined by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of State for Cabinet Aff airs Ahmed There was a marginal growth in yesterday, the prime minister com- the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Qatar’s population in the one- mended the New Port Project (NPP) bin Hamad al-Thani, were behind Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, and HE the Minister of Municipality and month period between October 31 Steering Committee for encouraging the start of the overall operations Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed and November 30, the Ministry of private sector contribution to national of this giant project before the set Development Planning & Statistics mega projects. deadlines and within the allocated During the tour, he was joined by of Economy and Commerce Sheikh other countries now that Hamad Port is said yesterday. The population “The share of Qatari companies and budget,” he stressed. other dignitaries, including HE the Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al- operational.” went up by approximately 1% local market in the contracts for the The prime minister’s visit to Hamad Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Thani, and HE the Minister of Munic- He noted that the port’s full op- (26,000) during the 30-day period, establishment of the port was nearly Port yesterday was highlighted by a of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed ipality and Environment Mohamed eration months before its scheduled the ministry said. While the figure 60%,” he said. briefi ng and tour of port facilities and bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi. opening in June 2017 “is a historic released on October 31 put the Private sector participation, he added, administrative buildings, as well as a HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sherif Speaking to Gulf Times at a press milestone for the ministry and the population at 2,611,000, it rose to “comes in line with the wise leadership of presentation on the arrival of the port’s al-Emadi, HE the Minister of Trans- conference later, al-Sulaiti said: “We country, and is also a big step that 2,637,000, as per the latest figures HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad fi rst container ship, the Panama-regis- port and Communications Jassim Seif hope to witness signifi cant growth in would benefit port-related business- released yesterday. Page 2 al-Thani,” who wants the largest share tered MSC Esthi. Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister the trade volume between Qatar and es.” Gulf Times 2 Friday, December 2, 2016 QATAR

Message from Mongolian FM Heads of GCC chambers call on PM HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has received a written message from Mongolian Minister of Foreign Aff airs Tsend Munkh-Orgil, dealing with bilateral relations between Qatar and Mongolia and ways of enhancing them. The message was handed over to HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi during a meeting with Mongolian Health Minister Dr Tsogtsetseg Ayush in Doha yesterday.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met the heads of the Federations of Chambers of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), on the occasion of their 49th meeting in Doha. The Prime Minister wished the heads of the GCC Federations of Chambers success in their meeting, hoping that it would contribute to enhancing the progress of GCC countries. The meeting discussed means of activating the role of the private sector and enhancing economic integration between GCC member states. EAA, Gavi team PM meets head of Turkey’s court of cassation up to improve children’s health

ducation Above All Foun- EAA partners and Gavi will aff ect a child’s ability to attend dation (EAA) and Gavi, identify communities with out- school and attain high education Ethe Vaccine Alliance, have of-school children and where levels.” announced a new partnership low levels of vaccination have Vaccines are protecting more HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday met the president of Turkey’s to improve children’s health been recorded. They will then children than ever before, but Court of Cassation Ismail Rustu Cirit, and the delegation accompanying him. They reviewed bilateral relations between Qatar and through community outreach develop a joint community out- millions of the poorest and most Turkey and exchanged views on issues of common concern. and advocacy for immunisation reach strategy to improve rates vulnerable children still miss out in countries in Africa and Asia. of immunisation. on the basic vaccines they need HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, The partnership is an impor- to stay healthy. founder and chairperson of EAA tant means by which the or- In 2015, around 19mn children Foundation and member of the ganisations can show their sig- around the world did not receive Official United Nations SDG Advocates, nifi cant contribution towards a full course of basic vaccines. believes a collaborative approach achieving the Sustainable De- Many of these children are un- SC meets partners to discuss to development is crucial. velopment Goals (SDGs). able to attend school, are not en- “Together, Education Above This partnership is the fi rst rolled or have dropped out of the All and Gavi will work to improve of its kind for Gavi and EAA to education system. Emir condoles health and wellbeing in some of target both SDG 3, which aims This partnership is described World Cup’s fi ve-pledge plan the world’s most deprived com- to ensure healthy lives and pro- as a signifi cant breakthrough Brazil plane munities”, she said. mote well-being for all, and SDG in supporting vulnerable and crash victims “This is just one example of 4, which aims to ensure inclusive marginalised children to better QNA Representatives from the ability on how to use public the role education can play as a and equitable quality education. access the life-saving vaccines Doha Ministry of Transport and Com- transport from and to the air- driver for human development, It is also a showcase for SDG 17, to they need, as well as increasing munications, Qatar Tourism Au- port. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin showing that increased access revitalise the global partnership access and equity in education. thority, Public Works Authority Hamad International Airport Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy to quality education can support for sustainable development. “Education plays a crucial role he Supreme Committee (Ashghal) and Hamad Interna- and Qatar Tourism Authority Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad the achievement of wider devel- During a meeting with HH in raising awareness of health for Delivery and Legacy tional Airport were present for will be responsible for training al-Thani and HE the Prime opment aims”. Sheikha Moza in Doha, Dr challenges and shaping the at- T(SC) held a meeting for the meeting that took place at airport and hospitality staff on Minister and Minister of Interior The partnership was an- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, chair of titudes and behaviours that can its partners to discuss the fi ve- SC premises. how to handle people with dis- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin nounced during the third edition the Gavi Board underlined that make a diff erence“, said Dr Seth pledge plan launched by the dif- The five points include ap- abilities. Meanwhile, the SC will Khalifa al-Thani have of Qatar Foundation’s the World “overwhelming evidence dem- Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vac- ferent state institutions to ex- proving the structural guide- be in charge of integrating them sent cables to Brazilian President Innnovation Summit for Health, onstrates the benefi ts of immu- cine Alliance. “We look forward ecute the infrastructure projects lines for the development and in the World Cup volunteer pro- Michel Temer condoling the which concluded in Doha on nisation as one of the most suc- to working closely with Educa- required for hosting the 2022 organisational standards for grammes. victims of the plane crash in Wednesday, after bringing to- cessful and cost-eff ective public tion Above All Foundation to World Cup. people with disabilities in A working mechanism will Colombia, in which many people, gether over 1,000 global health- health interventions. Minimis- strengthen our immunisation The meeting came one week buildings and facilities, which be set up to ensure the par- including the Brazilian football care experts and leaders to tackle ing the burden of illness through eff orts in Gavi-supported coun- after organising the Accessibility will be the responsibility of the ticipation of the people with team, were killed. pressing healthcare challenges. immunisation will positively tries”. Forum, which aims to ensure a Ministry of Municipality and disabilities in the planning seamless fan experience is deliv- Environment. The Ministry of and execution of the forum’s National Day ered for people with disabilities Transport and Communica- participant entities through attending the 2022 FIFA World tions will be in charge of a guide workshops held throughout greetings sent Cup Qatar. for people with movement dis- the year. HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Careem joins Nojoom network Hamad al-Thani, HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime oredoo has announced Credit’ accounts via their Hala or via the Ooredoo app. Minister and Interior Minister that car booking app, or Shahry account. Careem allows users to choose Marginal increase in population Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin OCareem, will join the No- Fatima Sultan al-Kuwari, di- the car type that best suits their Khalifa al-Thani have sent cables joom partner network. rector, Community and Pub- needs (from a host of premium of congratulations to Romanian Careem, which fi rst began op- lic Relations at Ooredoo Qatar, or economy class cars), includ- By Ramesh Mathew lation at 2,611,000, it rose to starts going up from September, President Klaus Werner Iohannis erations in Qatar in 2014, ‘pro- said: “The Careem service is al- ing a newly-introduced ‘GO’ Staff Reporter 2,637,000, as per the latest fi g- only from the end of October the on his country’s National Day. vides customers with easy trans- ready massively popular with a with smaller cars and aff ordable ures released yesterday. population usually returns to the port solutions’ by enabling them large segment of our customers pricing. Users have the option to The ministry also said there had May level. The general expecta- PM meets Bahraini to book and pay for a ride via the thanks to our top-up agreement earn Nojoom points while pay- n line with the usual trend been an increase of nearly 7.1% tion is that Qatar’s population Careem mobile app or website. and now through the Nojoom ing in cash, or through Ooredoo witnessed over the last 15 compared to the fi gures of the may exceed the 2.7mn mark by interior minister With this new partnership, programme, we are happy to re- Hala credit. Iyears, there was a marginal corresponding period last year. the end of February 2017. Nojoom members can now earn ward them for every day simple Every Ooredoo customer with growth in the country’s popu- The usual trend has been Qa- While the fi gures hit the HE the Prime Minister and and redeem Nojoom points for activities such as booking a Car- a Qatar ID can enrol into No- lation in the one-month period tar’s population increasing be- 2.6mn mark at the end of Octo- Minister of Interior Sheikh taking Careem rides in 43 cities eem ride.” joom, which enables members between October 31 and Novem- tween October and May every ber this year, the previous high Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa in the world. For every QR3 spent To earn points, Nojoom mem- to earn Nojoom points each time ber 30, according to a commu- year (commonly referred to as the was in May, also this year, when al-Thani held a meeting with the on a Careem ride, Nojoom mem- bers just need to book their jour- they use an Ooredoo service or nique from the Ministry of De- months of arrivals) and falls dur- it was 2,587,000. Minister of Interior of Bahrain bers will earn one Nojoom point. neys through the Careem app or shop at Nojoom’s earn partners velopment Planning & Statistics ing the three months between June The lowest fi gure so far this Lieutenant-General Sheikh This is the latest in a line of website and add the promo code or use their services. Points can yesterday. 1 and August 31, when a consider- year was recorded in July when Rashid bin Abdulla al-Khalifah in partnerships with the technolo- ‘NOJOOM’. Nojoom members be redeemed at over 200 local It said the population went up able segment of the expatriates there were only 2,326,000 resi- Doha yesterday. gy-led travel services for Oore- can also redeem their points for and international Nojoom part- by approximately 1% (26,000) go on vacation. In December also, dents in Qatar. This was appar- The meeting reviewed the doo, as the company teamed Careem credit, with rides start- ner outlets. For more details, during the 30-day period. While the fi gure falls as a large number of ently because of the summer va- existing relations between Qatar up with Careem in 2015 to help ing at QR10, by logging into their visit the Nojoom pages at www. the fi gure released by the minis- residents usually travel. cation when a sizeable number and Bahrain. customers top-up their ‘Careem Nojoom account at Ooredoo.qa ooredoo.qa. try on October 31 put the popu- Though usually the fi gure of people left the country. The Bahraini Interior Minister arrived in Doha earlier yesterday on a short visit. He was welcomed at Doha International Airport by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh HMC, S Korean hospitals collaborate to perform complex surgical procedures Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani.

By Joey Aguilar Qatar was performed jointly by promi- further co-operation with leading Ko- Health Minister Staff Reporter nent South Korean doctor Dr Sung-Gyu rean healthcare systems. Lee, president of Asan Healthcare Sys- Dr Minwon Lee, director general of holds meetings tem, and professor Hatem Khalaf, clini- South Korea’s Global Health Care Bu- amad Medical Corporation cal lead of HMC liver transplant with reau of the Ministry of Health and Wel- HE the Minister of Public Health (HMC) and two Korean hospi- both their teams. fare, echoed al-Khal’s statement saying Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari Htals performed complex surgical South Korean ambassador Heung the collaboration between these world- yesterday met the ministers of procedures in Qatar on Wednesday as Kyeong Park expressed confi dence that renowned medical institutions will health who took part in the World part of a collaboration to further improve South Korea and Qatar will continue to benefi t patients in both nations. Innovation Summit for Health healthcare in the two countries, the expand their close medical co-opera- A medical forum was also organised by (WISH), which concluded on South Korean embassy in Doha has said. tion in the coming years. HMC, Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health Wednesday. Doctors from HMC, Asan Medi- Park said the event forms part of a (MoPH), and South Korean embassy in In this context, Dr al-Kuwari met cal Centre (AMC), and Seoul St Mary’s memorandum of understanding be- Doha on Wednesday in the presence of separately with health ministers Hospital (SSMH) successfully complet- tween the two countries in the fi eld of South Korean ambassador Heung Kyeong Park (second left) with off icials of HMC, Dr al-Khal, Dr Lee, AMC director Dr of Sudan, Somalia, Kosovo and ed one liver transplantation, one knee healthcare and medical sciences signed MoPH, AMC, SSMH, and South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare at the event. Young-tak Kim, SSMH professor Dr Mongolia Bahar Idris Abu Garda, and one hip replacements, and three in November 2014 during the offi cial Yongsik Kim, and ambassador Park. Mohamed Abdel Nour, Imet heart surgeries while breakout sessions visit of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin South Korea, paving the way for new care it provides, HMC’s deputy chief The South Korean delegation also Rahman, and Tsogtsetseg Ayush were held a day before the actual proce- Hamad al-Thani to South Korea. and innovative patient care. medical offi cer and director of medical toured the HMC, watched some of the yesterday. dures. The envoy added that this collabora- HMC is also looking forward to shar- education, Dr Abdullatif al-Khal said in live procedures, and took part in sev- Talks dealt with bilateral relations The embassy noted that the fi rst case tion will direct available resources to ing ideas with Korean doctors and devel- a statement issued by the embassy. eral joint discussions and presentations and means of enhancing co- of living donor liver transplantation in healthcare professionals in Qatar and oping more ways to improve the health- He said they will continue to explore with HMC staff . operation in health sector. Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD Rainbow over Cairo Shamoon virus in new cyber attacks

Reuters drowned in the Mediterranean Washington last year. The FireEye spokesman said the malware contains embed- version of Shamoon, ded credentials, which sug- the destructive com- gests the attackers may have A puter virus that crip- previously conducted intru- pled tens of thousands of sions to gather the necessary computers at Middle Eastern logins and passwords before energy companies four years later embedding them into the ago, was used in mid-No- malware for the destructive at- vember to attack computers tack. in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere The 2012 Shamoon at- in the region, according to US tacks were likely conducted by security fi rms. hackers working on behalf of CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Net- the Iranian government, said works Inc and Symantec Corp CrowdStrike Chief Technology warned of the new attacks on Offi ce Dmitri Alperovitch. Wednesday. It is too early to say whether They did not name any vic- the same group was behind tims of the new version of Sha- Shamoon 2, he said. moon, which cripples comput- The motive of the recent at- ers by wiping their master boot tacks was also not immediately records that they use to start clear. A double rainbow spreads across the sky over the Egyptian capital Cairo. up. They also did not say how The reappearance of much damage had been Shamoon is signifi cant caused or identify the hack- as there have only been a ers. handful of other high- FireEye said in a blogpost profi le attacks involving that its Mandiant unit “has re- disk-wiping malware, sponded to multiple incidents including ones in 2014 at other organisations in the on Sheldon Adelson’s Las region.” A spokesman declined Vegas Sands Corp to identify the countries or or- Kuwait opposition ‘needs ganisations. “Why Shamoon has sud- The reappearance of Sha- denly returned again after four moon is signifi cant as there years is unknown,” the Syman- have only been a handful of tec Security Response team other high-profi le attacks in- said on its blog. “However, volving disk-wiping malware, with its highly destructive including ones in 2014 on payload, it is clear that the at- unity’ after poll victory Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas tackers want their targets to sit Sands Corp and Sony Corp’s up and take notice.” Kuwait’s opposition needs to unify brought unilaterally by the government. On populist issues, their number will issues to ensure the success of agreed na- Hollywood studio. The malware triggered according to analysts But they decided to contest the Novem- increase as other MPs will join,” Saeedi tional topics,” Harbash said. Governments and business- the disk-wiping to begin at ber 26 snap polls to stop what they called told AFP. During its heyday in 2011-2014, the es pay close attention to such 8:45pm local time on Thurs- AFP a “political deterioration” in the oil-rich For example, a large number of MPs will opposition held massive street protests cases because it can be time- day, November 17, according to Kuwait City emirate. join the opposition in rejecting govern- demanding wide democratic reforms, an consuming and extremely the security fi rms. “The opposition is not a single entity. ment austerity measures and raising pric- elected government and broad consti- expensive to restore infected The Saudi business week It is a coalition of groups and individuals es, motivated by popular pressure. tutional changes that would eff ectively systems. ends on Thursday, so it ap- uwait’s Islamist-dominated op- not linked by a distinct ideology or even a Some leading opposition lawmakers restrict the powers enjoyed by the ruling The original Shamoon hack- pears to have been timed to position made a strong showing in programme,” said political analyst Abdul- have already pointed to a number of urgent family. ers left images of a burning begin after staff left for the Kthe Gulf state’s parliamentary elec- wahed Khalfan. issues they want to tackle when parlia- Those demands are no longer a priority US fl ag on machines at Saudi weekend to reduce the chance tions, but analysts say the loose coalition “They diff er in their directions and ment holds its inaugural session on De- for the opposition which has been weak- Aramco and RasGas Co Ltd in of discovery and allow maxi- must forge strong unity to become an ef- goals but they meet under a common um- cember 11. ened and several of its leaders and activists 2012. mum damage. fective political force. brella of opposing the government,” Khal- Opposition MPs held their fi rst coor- jailed. Researchers said the Sha- “The malware had poten- Saturday’s polls were the fi rst in nearly fan told AFP. dination meeting on Wednesday and dis- While parliament has the power to vote moon 2 hackers also left a call- tially the entire weekend to four years contested by the opposition, Islamists took nearly half of the 24 seats cussed fi elding a candidate for the post of the prime minister and cabinet members ing card: a disturbing image spread,” Palo Alto researcher whose diverse components agree on some won by the opposition in the 50-member parliamentary speaker as well as their po- out of offi ce, the Kuwaiti political set-up of the body of three year-old Robert Falcone said in a blog issues such as rejecting government aus- parliament. litical agenda. means change is not easy. Syrian refugee Alan Kurdi, who post. terity measures but are split on many oth- The rest went to nationalists and liber- They agreed in principle that their pri- The country has the Gulf’s oldest elect- ers. als. orities are to address revocations of citi- ed parliament, but under the constitution Political parties are banned in Kuwait, The main Islamist group is the Muslim zenship, opposing austerity measures and the emir has extensive powers and can dis- which has been ruled by the Al-Sabah Brotherhood-linked Islamic Constitu- the scrapping of freedom-curbing bills solve the legislature at the recommenda- family for two and a half centuries and was tional Movement (ICM) which won six issued by the previous pro-government tion of the government. the fi rst Gulf Arab state to adopt a parlia- seats along with its allies. parliament. Ruling family members occupy the key Nobel laureates in mentary system in 1962. The radical Salafi sts and their support- They plan to hold more meetings next portfolios of defence, foreign and inte- But many groups operate freely as de ers won fi ve seats. week. rior. facto parties. “I think we will see more than one op- “There is no alternative for MPs but to In addition, unelected ministers become call for action to As a result, the opposition coalition is position bloc in parliament... reach an understanding on the basis of members of parliament with almost simi- made up of individuals, rather than well- Not all opposition members can be clas- joint national commitments,” veteran Is- lar powers to those of elected MPs, giving defi ned parties with a distinct ideology. sifi ed under one category,” political ana- lamist opposition MP Jamaan al-Harbash the government an edge. protect heritage The opposition groups boycotted two lyst Saleh al-Saeedi said. wrote on his Twitter account earlier this “The opposition’s strength and capabil- general elections in 2012 and 2013 in “They will agree on a number of priority week. ity will hinge on its unity and cooperation,” protest at a change in the voting system issues... “We must put aside any controversial Saeedi said. AFP Sirleaf and former UN chief Abu Dhabi Kofi Annan. They also included Nobel literature laureates Orhan Pa- ive Nobel prize winners muk of Turkey and Mario Var- called yesterday for ur- gas Llosa of Peru. Fgent international action As examples they cited the UN envoy meets Yemen President to protect world heritage sites demolition by the Islamic State from the destruction wrought group over the past two years by extremist groups and con- of the temples and tower tombs fl icts. of the ancient city of Palmyra In an appeal launched on in Syria and the priceless col- Hadi in new move to end confl ict the eve of an international lection of the Mosul Museum conference in Abu Dhabi, the in Iraq. laureates pointed to the irrep- They also recalled the de- AFP Hadi would then transfer power to the arable damage that has been struction by the Taliban of Aden vice president who would appoint a new done to some of the world’s the ancient Buddha statues prime minister to form a government most treasured ancient sites in of Bamiyan in Afghanistan in in which the north and south of Yemen Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and 2001 and the damage dealt by he UN envoy to Yemen and Presi- would have equal representation. Mali. Mali’s Ansar al-Dine militia dent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi Late last month, Ould Cheikh Ahmed “Part of our history has been to ancient mausoleums and Tmet yesterday in the southern city said he has been preparing “for a new lost forever, with the goal of manuscripts in Timbuktu in of Aden to discuss a new bid to end the round” of peace talks, after a previous fanaticism being to undermine 2012-3. country’s confl ict, a government offi cial round held in Kuwait collapsed in August. our hope for the future,” they A two-day conference, co- said. More than 7,000 people have been killed said. sponsored by France and the Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who fl ew and nearly 37,000 wounded since Yemen’s “Urgent action must be United Arab Emirates, opens in in from Riyadh, held several hours of talks confl ict escalated after the Saudi-led mili- taken – the time for powerless Abu Dhabi on Friday with the with Hadi at the hilltop Al-Maashiq pal- tary coalition intervened in March 2015 to expressions of indignation is aim of establishing a $100mn ace, where members of his government are support Hadi. over.” fund to help cover the costs also staying, before leaving Aden, the of- On a separate front, Aden has been the The signatories included of transporting, safeguard- fi cial said. target of frequent jihadist attacks claimed Myanmar’s de facto leader ing and restoring damaged or The UN envoy, after meeting Hadi in by Al Qaeda or the Islamic State group Aung San Suu Kyi, Liberi- endangered monuments and Aden for the fi rst time, said the visit was which have expanded in Yemen’s south an President Helen Johnson artefacts. a “message of respect” for the president, and east. in videotaped comments sent to reporters. Yesterday, three Al Qaeda suspects, The aim of his mission was to “return including a local leader named Abu Jeni to dialogue and a peaceful solution”, Ould al-Suairi, were killed in an apparent US Bahraini rights lawyer on trial: HRW Cheikh Ahmed said, reporting “much drone strike on their vehicle in the east- Bahraini authorities have put a prominent human rights lawyer on positivity” from Hadi. ern province of Hadramawt, security of- trial for charges that include insulting state institutions, Human Aden has been serving as Yemen’s tem- Houthi rebels demonstrate skills during a rally held to mobilise fighters for battles fi cials said. Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday. porary capital since pro-Hadi forces with against government forces, in Sanaa. In Shabwa province, further south, The New York-based rights group said that Mohamed al-Tajer, support from a Saudi-led Arab coali- suspected Al Qaeda gunmen shot dead a who has defended opposition figures and rights activists involved tion recaptured it from Iran-backed Shia website said Hadi handed the envoy a let- have not been made public. But informed retired intelligence offi cer, colonel Salem in 2011 pro-democracy protests, was questioned by the public Houthi rebels last year. ter reiterating the government’s rejection sources say it calls for agreement on nam- Yusr, as he was left a local market, they prosecutor on November 10 for inciting hatred of a religious sect Hadi, who has been based mostly in Riy- of a roadmap presented by Ould Cheikh ing a new vice president after the rebels said. Washington regards Al-Qaeda’s and misusing a telecommunications appliance. adh since Yemen’s confl ict broke out, fl ew Ahmed in October, which would see the withdraw from the capital Sanaa and other Yemen-based branch as its most danger- No date has been set for a trial. to Aden last Saturday. president eased out of power. cities and hand over heavy weapons to a ous, and it has kept up a long-running Al-Tajer faces prison sentences totalling more than five years if The government-run sabanew.net The contents of the peace roadmap third party. drone war targeting its commanders. convicted. Gulf Times 4 Friday, Decmber 2, 2016 ARAB WORLD

OFFENSIVE Israeli forces shoot Palestinian worker

Israeli troops yesterday shot and injured a Palestinian worker near the village of Numan, east of Beth- Rebels reverse regime lehem, while he was on his way to work in Jerusalem, according to medical sources. Israeli soldiers reportedly opened fire at Mousa Dababseh, 28, and injured him in the left foot. He was then handed over to the Palestinian Red Crescent who gains in eastern Aleppo transferred him to Beit Jala hos- pital for treatment where he was Agencies tralise decision-making. reported on stable condition. Beirut The Jabha Shamiya group, known in English as the Levant RAIDS Front, has received support from Israelis detain yrian opposition fi ghters Turkey and other states that yesterday reversed recent want Syria’s President Bashar 12 Palestinians Sgains by regime forces in a al-Assad removed from power. strategic area in the divided city Meanwhile, thick cloud cover Israeli forces detained at least 12 of Aleppo, a monitoring group and rain deterred air strikes on Palestinians during raids in Jerusa- reported. rebel-held districts of east Alep- lem and the West Bank district of The rebels wrested back half po yesterday, though artillery Qalqilia, the Palestinian Prisoner’s of Sheikh Said district in the bombardment and heavy fi ght- Society (PPS) said yesterday. southern part of eastern Alep- ing continued on the ground, a PPS said Israeli police detained po following a counter-attack monitor and civil defence work- seven Palestinians from East Je- against regime troops and their ers said. rusalem, including 16-year-old Mo- allies, the Syrian Observatory for Rebel groups are trying to hamed Attoun, son of lawmaker Human Rights said. prevent further gains by govern- Ahmad Attoun. Israel expelled The watchdog reported fi ght- ment forces. Attoun from East Jerusalem and ing between both sides with each In the last few days, before the forced him to live in the West trying to take complete control bad weather, Syrian government Bank, away from his family and of the district. No casualty fi g- jets had struck several east Alep- home, Palestinian News Agency ures were given. po districts, the Observatory, (WAFA) quoted PPS as saying. “Sheikh Said is crucial for the rebels and residents reported. Meanwhile, Israeli troops broke [opposition] factions because, “Praise God, there are no war- into the village of Azzoun, east of if they lose it, the regime would planes,” Ibrahim Abu al-Laith, a Qalqilia, where they detained five tighten the noose on areas deep civil defence offi cial in opposi- Palestinians. inside eastern Aleppo,” Observa- tion-held Aleppo, said yester- tory head Rami Abdel-Rahman day, speaking to Reuters. ENERGY said. The civil defence is a rescue On Wednesday, the Syrian service that operates in rebel- Egypt delays 3rd government said its forces had held areas of Syria. LNG terminal taken full control of the Sheikh A few people were burning Said neighbourhood. their belongings or furniture to Forces fi ghting for Syrian warm themselves, he added. Egypt will delay plans to rent a President Bashar al-Assad have Syrian residents of eastern rebel-held parts of Aleppo walk through the Kadi Askar district as they leave their homes for a safer place in “The situation of the dis- third liquefied natural gas import advanced into the rebel-held a rebel-controlled area. placed is very bad,” he added. (LNG) terminal because the eastern enclave of Aleppo in re- “There are no shelters for them, market does not need it in 2017, cent days. Rebels retaliated by fi ring Thursday it had started talks and the number of displaced er of the Jabha Shamiya rebel no fuel, no fi rewood. Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla Damascus has repeatedly shells on the neighbourhood of with Russia, a key military ally people in Aleppo now stands at faction, one of the major groups Many people are sleeping in told local financial newspaper Al- vowed to take full control of al-Malab al-Baldi in the govern- of al-Assad, on setting up four 400,000, according to Egeland. fi ghting in northern Syria under the streets.” Borsa yesterday. Molla did not say Aleppo by dislodging the oppo- ment-held western part of Alep- corridors for aid shipments and Meanwhile, rebels in Aleppo the Free Syrian Army banner. Thousands of people have fl ed how long the delay would be for. sition forces from their bastion po, the Observatory said without medical evacuations in eastern have agreed to form a new mili- An offi cial with a second rebel deeper into the rebel-held sector Once a net energy exporter, Egypt in the eastern section of the city. reporting potential casualties. Aleppo. tary alliance to better organise group confi rmed that the Jabha in recent days, as the govern- began importing liquefied natural Regime artillery yesterday Local activists say the be- Senior UN envoy Jan Egeland the defence of parts of the city Shamiya’s Abu Abdelrahman ment and its allies press on with gas (LNG) last year and has leased shelled the rebel-held districts sieged opposition enclave is said Russia had announced its they control from a ferocious Nour had been selected as the a ferocious off ensive aimed at two floating and storage regasifica- of al-Shaar and al-Maadi in being pounded by regime jets willingness to reopen such safe assault by the government and leader. taking the whole city. tion units (FSRU) already to help eastern Aleppo, according to the and shelling, with wide areas passages. Egeland added that its allies, offi cials in two of the In an interview with Reuters “Many of the families that avert power shortages caused by Observatory. devastated and abandoned by medical aid and shelters for win- insurgent groups said yesterday. last week, Nour urged greater were displaced within besieged falling energy production and rising Four children from the same residents seeking shelter further ter are urgently needed. The two offi cials, speaking support from foreign states that Aleppo are living in houses that consumption. Norway’s Hoegh family were killed in the shell- away from advancing govern- Some 26,500 have fl ed rebel- from Turkey, said the new alli- back the opposition. don’t even have doors,” said Be- delivered Egypt’s first FSRU, an im- ing, the Britain-based watchdog ment forces. held eastern Aleppo during the ance would be called the “Aleppo A Jabha Shamiya offi cial said bars Mishal, a civil defence res- port terminal that converts LNG to said. The United Nations said on current government off ensive, Army” and led by the command- the new alliance would help cen- cue worker in the area. natural gas to feed the power grid.

UN warns of ‘giant graveyard’ in Aleppo Heavy rain piles

AFP al-Assad have pressed an assault suitcases they had packed to es- O’Brien made an urgent appeal. ing crude munitions like bar- Aleppo to retake control of all of Aleppo, cape. “For the sake of humanity we rel bombs – but as the ground misery on displaced once Syria’s commercial hub but The steady artillery fi re could call on – we plead – with the advance has gathered pace the now a divided city in ruins. again be heard pounding rebel parties and those with infl u- army has instead turned to more undreds of elite Syrian The assault – backed by heavy areas early yesterday, with heavy ence to do everything in their precise artillery. troops moved into east artillery fi re – has spurred a rainfall adding to the misery. power to protect civilians and Thousands of people have people in Mosul HAleppo yesterday ahead mass exodus of tens of thou- The violence in Aleppo has enable access to the besieged sought refuge in the remaining of a push into the most densely sands of residents from rebel- sparked widespread outrage, but part of eastern Aleppo before it rebel-held neighbourhoods in populated areas, after the UN held districts. little concrete action from the becomes one giant graveyard,” southeastern Aleppo, arriving AFP Waddah Abdelhadi, from Mo- warned the city risked becoming The relentless barrage has left international community. he said. with overpacked suitcases or Khazir, Iraq sul’s Intisar neighbourhood, a “giant graveyard”. Aleppo’s streets strewn with Speaking to a special Security Syrian warplanes have been sometimes just the clothes on extending his arms in a gesture Despite fi erce global criticism, the bodies of men, women and Council session on Wednesday, pounding east Aleppo with air their backs. of powerlessness and looking forces loyal to President Bashar children, many lying next to the UN humanitarian chief Stephen strikes for months – often us- bdelwahed Mahmud at the thousands of white tents dug gullies around his around him. Atent in northern Iraq “The water entered some Thursday after heavy over- tents, we wish they had put a night rain fl ooded Khazir concrete base under them or camp, the latest hardship to hit surfaced at least the main road the thousands of families dis- to facilitate the movements of US on watch for IS placed around Mosul. those coming back with from “This is to stop the rain, if the shops,” said the 28-year-old, we don’t dig these, it will keep who described himself as a poet. coming in,” said the 35-year- The tents in Khazir, the larg- dispersing in Libya old, using the back of his spade est of the camps set up for the to shore up the sides of his tent. people displaced by the Mosul Around 74,000 people have off ensive, stretch over more been forced to fl ee their homes than a kilometre. Reuters multilateral aff airs. including in the biggest since tens of thousands of Iraqi Algiers “We are very confi - city of its self-declared forces launched a major off en- “The water entered some dent that in a short pe- Caliphate, Mosul. sive to retake Mosul, the last tents, we wish they had riod they will be able “ISIS is also declining major bastion in Iraq of the Is- put a concrete base under he United States to eliminate the threat in Iraq and in Syria. In lamic State group. them’’ is “watching very coming out of Sirte.” that area but also in Libya The fi rst major rain storms of Tcarefully” for Is- However, Richards we are seeing the fi ghters the winter swept the Mosul area “It’s very muddy inside the lamic State militants said that there will in- being squeezed,” Rich- late Wednesday, miring the dis- tents, and it’s only going to get operating outside Sirte evitably be elements ards said, using an acro- placed gathered in the crowded worse with the frosty weather,” as the jihadist group that disperse throughout nym for Islamic State. camps dotting the region. Abdelhadi said. faces defeat in its former Libya.”We are watch- “But people are re- Earlier this week, the fi rst Camp manager Badreddin North African strong- ing very carefully where cruited at home and they sub-zero temperatures hit the Najmeddin said 6,000 heaters hold, a senior US De- they go,” she added. can still carry out terror- region and yesterday some were handed out in Khazir over partment of State offi cial ist attacks at home with- families in Khazir camp woke the past two days. told Reuters. “They have made out travelling... up to fi nd their foam mattress- The hundreds of thousands Libyan forces have a great deal of the threat from Daesh es soaked in muddy water. who remained in their homes been battling Islam- progress, but the (Islamic State) will con- “We are cursed,” said Samar inside Mosul face no better ic State in Sirte for fi ght has been tinue, it just will take Lafi , a woman with decaying conditions however, with fi erce more than six months quite severe and diff erent forms.” teeth who did not know her fi ghting raging in the city. and have reduced the the Libyan forces Speaking during a visit year of birth but looked in her The United Nations warned amount of ground held have taken a lot of to Algiers, Richards also mid-thirties. on Wednesday that up to by its fi ghters to a small casualties” praised Algeria’s role in “We don’t put the heater 500,000 civilians inside Mo- cluster of buildings near organising a counter- on, we’d rather use the paraf- sul were facing a shortage of the city’s Mediterranean Libyan offi cials and terrorism conference in fi n they are giving us to cook,” drinking water that will have a sea front. commanders say that the Algerian capital this said the mother of two, who “catastrophic impact.” Since Aug 1 the forc- some Islamic State mili- week. was displaced twice since IS Already suff ering from a se- es, led by brigades from tants fl ed Sirte in the The conference has conquered large parts of Iraq vere lack of food and electric- the western Libyan city early stages of the cam- led to “a lot of sharing in 2014. ity, civilians in Iraq’s second of Misrata, have been paign there. information and discus- People trudged along in the city are now also running out backed by US air strikes. Though Sirte was the sions, particularly the mud, carrying gas canisters of drinkable water, said Lise “They have made a only Islamic State-con- issue of terrorists re- and bottled water, or pushing Grande, UN humanitarian co- great deal of progress, but trolled city in Libya, the turning home”, she said. wheelbarrows fi lled with basic ordinator in Iraq. the fi ght has been quite group has a presence in Algeria has become a goods down the camp alleys. “Nearly half a million civil- severe and the Libyan other parts of the coun- key regional partner for Some wore plastic bags over ians, already struggling to feed forces have taken a lot of try. Western counter-terror- their shoes to walk through the themselves day to day, are now casualties,” said Marie The battle in Sirte ism eff orts since emerg- puddles while a group of chil- without access to clean drink- Richards, the Depart- comes as Islamic State ing from a confl ict with dren embraced the situation ing water. The impact on chil- ment of State’s deputy is also on the defensive Islamist militants in the and played in the biggest pool dren, women and families will counterterrorism co-or- against US-backed cam- 1990s that left as many of muddy water. be catastrophic,” Grande said dinator for regional and paigns in Syria and Iraq, as 200,000 dead. “This is how we live,” said on Wednesday. Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 5 AFRICA Gordhan orders inquiry into tax Gambians vote amid collection agency

Reuters Johannesburg Net, phone blackout

outh African Finance AFP Minister Pravin Gordhan Banjul Shas ordered an investi- gation into the tax collection authority, offi cials told par- ambian President Yahya liament yesterday, underlin- Jammeh faced the strong- ing rising tensions between Gest electoral challenge of the Treasury and the revenue Gordhan: has expressed his 22-year rule yesterday as vot- agency. concerns at the leadership of ers went to the polls, braving an Gordhan has expressed con- the South African Revenue Internet and phone blackout the cerns at the leadership of the Service. government defended as a secu- South African Revenue Service rity measure. (SARS), saying earlier this week It was unclear when the After an unprecedented two- that he could not vouch for the probe was initiated, but Busi- week opposition campaign that accuracy of the information it ness Day newspaper quoted the has energised his rivals, Jammeh provided because of a lack of head of the committee, Den- rumbled into the capital’s cricket accountability and co-opera- nis Davis, as saying that it had ground in a 4X4 and after casting Voting drums with the emblem of the candidates are tion from its top management. been carrying out its work for his vote predicted his best score seen at a polling station in Banjul yesterday during The SARS said in a statement several months. ever. presidential elections. that it was concerned over the Davis could not be reached “By the grace of the almighty comments questioning the in- for comment at the number Allah, there will be the biggest Right: A woman leaves her voting booth at a polling tegrity of its leadership. provided on the committee’s landslide in the history of my station in Banjul. News of the latest investiga- website. elections,” said Jammeh, wearing tion adds to the impression of a SARS spokesman Sandile his usual white robes and sun- Alliance for Patriotic Reorienta- A third candidate, former Text messages stopped early Social media is very important system in turmoil after months Memela and Treasury spokes- glasses and carrying a staff and tion and Construction (APRC). ruling party lawmaker Mama afternoon yesterday. for this election,” opposition of tension between President woman Yolisa Tantsi did not Qur’an. He faces previously unknown Kandeh, is also standing for the This was “so people don’t give leader Barrow said. Jacob Zuma and the fi nance immediately reply to telephone Some 890,000 Gambians were businessman Adama Barrow, Gambian Democratic Congress out false info”, said Information There will be no professional minister, who himself survived and e-mail requests for com- eligible to vote – by dropping a chosen as the opposition fl ag (GDC). Minister Sheriff Bojang. international observers present, a separate probe into allega- ment. marble into a coloured drum for bearer by a group of political par- All three men are aged 51, born “This is a security measure. diplomats have confi rmed, but a tions of fraud while he was the “The implication is that he their candidate – in a west Afri- ties who have joined forces for in 1965, the year Gambia won its They will lift it as soon as the re- small team of African Union ex- head of the SARS. has a lack of confi dence in the can nation long accused by rights the fi rst time and won unprec- independence from Britain. sult is announced,” he told AFP perts will monitor events along The tensions have unnerved top leadership at the SARS,” groups of suppressing freedom of edented popular support. At his fi nal campaign rally, by phone. with Banjul-based US and Euro- investors at a time when Afri- political analyst Daniel Silke expression. “Power belongs to the people. Jammeh warned that protests Popular private voice and mes- pean delegations already present ca’s most industrialised econ- said, referring to Gordhan. Polling stations closed at 5pm You cannot stop us and you can- over the election result would not saging apps such as WhatsApp, in the country. omy is stalling, with growth Gordhan and SARS commis- (1700 GMT) and results were ex- not stop them,” Barrow said after be tolerated. Skype and Viber are unavailable Independent Election Com- forecast at 0.5% this year by sioner Tom Moyane, who was pected within a few hours. casting his vote in the village of If Barrow were to win – a tall without a Virtual Private Net- mission vice-chairman Malleh the Treasury. appointed in 2014 by Zuma, The winner in the three-way Old Yundum. order both in terms of votes and work (VPN), software that many Sallah told AFP that “Gambians An eight-member team set were at loggerheads earlier this race will serve a fi ve-year term “If (Jammeh) loses, let him the likelihood of Jammeh giving Gambians use to work around the have come out to vote in large up by the Treasury to investi- year when Moyane refused to in the tiny former British colony concede defeat. And we know he up power – he would likely de- problem. numbers” but gave no fi gures. gate governance at the SARS halt an operational turnaround with pristine beaches that oc- is going to lose,” Barrow told AFP. cide to serve a three-year term The opposition has relied on Jammeh seized power in a 1994 said in a presentation to par- plan that had been vetoed by cupies a narrow sliver of land One opposition supporter, at the head of a transition reform messaging applications and coup and has survived multiple liament, seen by Reuters, that the minister. surrounded by French-speaking Sulayman Jallow, said “we were government. texts to organise rallies and move attempts to remove him from it was studying whether the At the time, media reported Senegal. yearning for a change of govern- The government meanwhile around roadblocks set up in Ban- power. agency was suffi ciently ac- that Gordhan had threatened Jammeh, who once said he ment”. defended a cut to Internet and jul during the last week of cam- But 60% of the population live countable and had the capac- to resign from the cabinet un- would govern for a billion years “We have been marginalised, international calls, which went paigning. in poverty, and a third survive on ity to deal with illicit fi nancial less Moyane was removed from if God willed it, is running for a we have been persecuted, we down around 8.15pm (2015 GMT) “We are not happy. Gambians $1.25 (1€.20) or less a day, ac- fl ows. his role. fi fth term in offi ce with his ruling have been tortured.” on the eve of the vote. need to know what is going on. cording to the UN. Ugandan town comes to terms with massacre’s aftermath

By Michael O’Hagan, AFP Kasese, Uganda

utside the mortuary in Kas- ese, grief-stricken families Owait to fi nd out if their missing relatives were among scores killed by Ugandan security forces at the week- end. Huddling in groups, some pull clothes over their mouths and noses to mask the sickening stench of the de- composing corpses inside. Kikanda Bwambale, 40, was back at the mortuary to look for his older brother, Siriro, after being turned away A picture taken yesterday shows police off icers seen through a window with a the previous day. bullet hole after fighting in Kasese. Bwambale last heard from Siriro on Saturday when he visited the local ries, with some suspecting the real toll gradually returning to a semblance of king’s palace to discuss a land issue. tops 100. normality with shops and restaurants That day, clashes broke out between Tembo Jockim of the Ugandan Red opening, but anguish and fear remain. royal guards and Ugandan police that Cross said many people remain miss- Near some market stalls in the town left nearly 90 dead. ing. centre, Abdon – who did not want to “My brother had never been to the “Civilians, wives to the royal guards give his full name for fear of reprisals palace before. He was a peasant, he were at the palace and we know that – said the local ethnic group feels mar- didn’t know anything about politics or in the palace there were children and ginalised. the kingdom,” said Bwambale. “I think they’re seen neither in police custody “The Bakonzo community feel that he’s been shot.” nor in the death list,” Jockim said. they have always been oppressed, even Mumbere Isaac, 27, was also looking The Ugandan government alleges since colonial times. The whole of this for his brother, Nyanza. that kingdom hardliners want to se- region was underdeveloped,” he said. “The bodies in there are burnt and cede and establish an independent But he denied government claims of decomposed,” he said, distraught state they call the Yiira Republic that ethnic militancy or a drive for seces- that he may be unable to identify the would include a part of neighbouring sion. corpse. Democratic Republic of the Congo, “We’ve just heard of ‘Yiira’ on press Sobs rang out as coffi ns were loaded whose people share the same culture or media but publicly nobody has held into trucks or carried to grave sites as and language as the local Bakonzo. a rally or any gathering about that,” he families who had recovered their dead Before being recognised as a tra- said. began holding funerals. ditional kingdom in 2009, Rwenzu- The kingdom’s prime minister Tem- The offi cial police toll from weekend ruru had a long history as a separatist bo Kitsumbwe disputes the offi cial fi ghting fi rst given on Sunday stands at movement, and the government said a account that royal guards started the 62. trained, armed militia had set up camp violence. However Kasese’s district police in the palace and surrounding Rwen- “I was inside my offi ce at noon on commander has told AFP that another zori mountains. Saturday when I received a call to say 25 bodies were found in two sub-coun- Uganda’s Internal Aff airs Minis- the offi ce was being surrounded. I ties on Monday. ter General Jeje Odongo said machine escaped through a side door and the The government accused King guns, machetes, spears and petrol Royal Guards closed the doors and re- Charles Wesley Mumbere of stoking a bombs had been found in the palace. fused to let the police and army enter,” secessionist rebellion and stormed his But Bwambale said none of this he told AFP. palace on Sunday to arrest him. meant anything to his missing brother. “Moments later the police just He was taken to the capital Kampala “He didn’t support a Yiira Republic bombed the offi ce. I ran to the palace where he was charged with murder. or not. He was not interested in that.” and within an hour that was surround- But in Kasese there are diff erent sto- Days after the violence, Kasese is ed, too,” he said.

Ethiopia says it intercepted armed rebels linked to Eritrea

Ethiopian troops killed 15 armed rebels crossing from for comment; they routinely dismiss allegations by Ethiopia, Ethiopia’s arch-rival Eritrea over the weekend, and captured which they in turn accuse of seeking to destabilise the region. more than 70, an off icial said yesterday. The two nations often accuse one another of supporting Foreign ministry spokesman Tewolde Mulugeta said the insurgencies in the other country – a legacy of years of bitter insurgents were members of Ginbot 7, which Ethiopia says is conflict that has left them with a disputed border. backed by Eritrea. Eritrea, a former province of Ethiopia, won independence in He said 115 insurgents had entered Ethiopia’s Tigray region 1991 after 30 years of war. on Saturday and then been attacked by soldiers and local Seven years later, hostilities erupted again, over the border, militiamen: “Of the 115, our troops killed 15 rebels and and around 70,000 people were killed. captured 73.” A peace agreement was signed in 2000, but enmity Eritrean government off icials were not immediately available continues. Gulf Times 6 Friday, December 2, 2016 AMERICAS

Universities press president-elect to drop plan to deport thousands

AFP programme approved in 2012 by Stanford, signed a statement last During the campaign, Trump “Imagine being stripped of Obama himself urged Trump experts provide legal assistance New York President Barack Obama that week pledging to do what they cast DACA as an “illegal ex- your driver’s licence, being de- to “think long and hard” before to the university’s 40 undocu- protects them from deportation. can to protect their undocu- ecutive amnesty” by President nied the right to go to college, eliminating the programme and mented students, the Harvard It has brought some normalcy mented students, most of whom Barack Obama. getting your work permit taken harming young people “who for Crimson reported. ore than 350 US uni- to their lives, but it is a pro- are DACA benefi ciaries. However, the president-elect away. It’s devastating for a young all practical purposes are Ameri- Many big US cities with Demo- versities are urging gramme that Trump promised “To our country’s leaders we never made it clear whether end- adult,” he said. cans”. cratic mayors, such as New York, Mpresident-elect Donald during the presidential campaign say that DACA should be up- ing it meant accepting no new The defi nitive solution for Some universities are already Chicago and Los Angeles, have Trump to change his mind and to eliminate “immediately” if he held, continued, and expanded. applicants, or simply abolishing these young people, an approval preparing for the worst. also rejected Trump’s deporta- keep a programme that lets hun- won. We are prepared to meet with the whole programme. of a “Dream Act” bill granting “We will not allow immigra- tion plans and vow to protect dreds of thousands of undocu- While DACA does not grant you to present our case,” the let- “It’s really a huge waste of tal- them permanent residence, lan- tion agents to enter our campus their undocumented residents, mented young people study and the dreamers federal funds or the ter reads. “This is both a moral ent not to continue and not to guished in Congress 15 years ago. without a court order, nor will even if it means losing millions in avoid deportation. coveted “Green Card” – perma- imperative and a national neces- expand the DACA programme,” After his election, Trump said we share information about the federal funds. Nicknamed “Dreamers”, they nent residence and a work permit sity. America needs talent – and Oxtoby told AFP. that he would fi rst expel undoc- immigration status of undocu- Michael Crow, the president of are the estimated 1.2mn young – it lets them study at university, these students, who have been “These students are Ameri- umented people with criminal mented students with them un- Arizona State University, said in people who were brought to get a job and have a driver’s li- raised and educated in the United cans in almost every dimension records, which he estimated at less required by a subpoena or an e-mail to all students that if the United States illegally as cence if they were in the country States, are already part of our na- of the word, except in the geo- two to three million people. court order,” Columbia Univer- any of them lose the status that children, grew up without US before the age of 16 and if they tional community.” graphical birthplace,” the Pomo- Those who commit serious sity’s provost John Coatsworth, makes them eligible for in-state residency papers, fi nished high were under 31 in 2012. The statement was released na College president added. crimes are not eligible for DACA. wrote in a message to all stu- tuition, ASU will “seek fi nancial school and often speak bet- It is renewable every two years. after thousands of university For Wendy Feliz, of the Ameri- But some experts say Trump’s dents. support for the continued study ter English than the language of At the initiative of Pomona students protested nationwide can Immigration Council, “it estimate of the number of un- Harvard University president of students ... at ASU who gradu- their parents. College president David Oxtoby, after Trump’s win, calling for makes zero sense” to dismantle documented immigrants is over- Drew Faust announced on Mon- ated from Arizona high schools Some 740,000 of them have more than 350 universities, in- their campuses to become “sanc- DACA when the state has already infl ated, but worry he may in- day that she will expand a refu- and who are qualifi ed to attend joined the DACA (Deferred Ac- cluding Columbia, Harvard, tuaries” where undocumented invested so much in these young clude the DACA dreamers in the gee and immigrant programme at the state universities – regardless tion for Childhood Arrivals), a Yale, UCLA, UC Berkeley and students are safe. people. 3mn number. law school and have immigration of their immigration status.” Wisconsin recounts Trump, Pence go on presidential votes DPA Stein’s campaign website Washington listed more than $6.7mn in do- nations yesterday towards a goal of $9mn, for a drive that she says ounty offi cials across is seeking to overturn the results Wisconsin were re-tally- in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Cing votes yesterday as the Michigan. Midwest victory lap Midwestern state began a presi- They are all industrial heart- dential recount. land states where Clinton had AFP administration that we’re open The eff ort followed a payment been expected to win but lost to New York for business here in the US, and this week of $3.5mn in recount Trump, who was the nominee we’ve got to get American people costs by the presidential cam- of the conservative Republican back working in American jobs.” paign of Green Party nominee Jill Party. onald Trump kicked off Steven Mnuchin, Trump’s Stein. Flipping the three battle- a victory tour through nominated treasury secretary The left-wing candidate, who ground states from Trump to Dthe Midwest yesterday, and multi-millionaire former won about 1% of the vote in Wis- Clinton would swing enough swinging through Indiana to Goldman Sachs banker, said he consin and nationally, petitioned electoral votes to change the out- trumpet a deal to keep 1,000 couldn’t remember the last time last week for the recount as part come of the November 8 elec- manufacturing jobs from relo- a president had made such an of an eff ort to change the out- tions. cating to Mexico and addressing intervention with an American come of the November 8 elec- Clinton led the national popu- a campaign-style mass rally in chief executive. tions, in which Donald Trump lar vote by more than 2.5mn votes Ohio. “I think it’s terrifi c,” he told scored a surprise victory. but lost in the decisive electoral The president-elect, who up- reporters on Wednesday, saying In Wisconsin, Trump beat vote, in which states are weight- ended the US establishment and that he and Wilbur Ross, the bil- Democratic Party nominee Hil- ed by population. the world by defeating Hillary lionaire nominated as commerce lary Clinton by more than 22,000 The Green Party nominee has Clinton on November 8, made secretary, would be working with votes. sought a recount in Michigan and guaranteeing jobs for blue collar Trump to “do the right thing for Stein claims that voting ma- fi led a lawsuit to force a recount American workers a key plank of the American workers”. chines used in some parts of in Pennsylvania. his presidential campaign. Trump has so far peppered Wisconsin and other states are Trump has denounced Stein’s Casting aside interviews for top-level administration ap- vulnerable to hacking and could eff ort as a fundraising “scam” for senior cabinet positions yet to be pointments with billionaires and have been manipulated. the Green Party. fi lled, the maverick tycoon fl ew millionaires, having slammed out of New York bound for Indi- Clinton for her ties to Wall Street ana where he will tour an air con- and for amassing a fortune of ditioning plant that he repeatedly millions in between stints in leaned on in public not to ship a public offi ce. planned 2,000 jobs to Mexico. Later, Trump and Pence will The 70-year-old billionaire travel to Ohio to lead a rally. will be accompanied by vice- Trump walks up to board his plane at LaGuardia Airport, New York, yesterday. He was headed to Trump was the fi rst Republi- president-elect Mike Pence, who Indianapolis, Indiana, to speak to workers at the Carrier factory. can nominee for president to win is winding down his offi cial du- the state since 2004. ties as governor of Indiana and the business community and left of American politics, savaged hailed the agreement as a “big Unlike several other swing also helped to broker the deal. create an improved, more com- the deal in an op-ed published in win” but declined to fl esh out the states it is not scheduling a re- “Getting ready to leave for the petitive US business climate,” the Washington Post yesterday. details when pressed by report- count. Great State of Indiana and meet said Carrier. “United Technologies took ers, saying that it would be down The evening event at the home the hard working and wonder- “Incentives” off ered by the Trump hostage and won. And to the president-elect and Car- of the Cincinnati Cyclones, ful people of Carrier AC,” Trump state were “an important consid- that should send a shock wave of rier to discuss. which can host more than 17,000 tweeted. eration”, it said. fear through all workers across But on Wednesday, Anthony people, is expected to be similar Carrier, a subsidiary of United Critics are fearful that work- the country,” he wrote. Scaramucci, an entrepreneur and to those that drew enthusiastic Technologies, has announced ers’ rights may not be adequately “Trump has endangered the member of the Trump team’s crowds of thousands during the that it will preserve more than protected, or that the deal may jobs of workers who were previ- executive committee, said “the campaign. 1,000 jobs and continue to man- embolden other fi rms to threat- ously safe,” Sanders added. “He whole purpose” was to slash cor- The transition team has ufacture gas furnaces in Indiana- en to relocate jobs in exchange has signalled to every corpora- porate tax rates to make it more dubbed it a “thank you tour”. polis, but the precise details of for reported tax and regulatory tion in America that they can competitive for US companies to While such rallies are untradi- the agreement are unclear. breaks off ered to Carrier. threaten to off shore jobs in ex- allocate capital at home. tional for a US president-elect, “The incoming Trump-Pence Bernie Sanders, the independ- change for business-friendly tax “I’m hoping that every CEO Trump often spoke of the thrill administration has emphasised ent senator from Vermont and benefi ts and incentives.” in America is getting that bea- of addressing such enormous Observers watch as tabulators in Dane County work on recounting to us its commitment to support prominent Trump critic on the The Trump transition team has con signal from the new Trump crowds during the campaign. presidential ballots yesterday in Madison, Wisconsin. Supply, not foreigners, is behind Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin high Canada house prices: CMHC

Reuters in Vancouver, Canada’s most ex- ship fell to 2.2% in Vancouver evacuated from South Pole Vancouver pensive housing market, where in 2016 from 3.5% in 2015, the locals believe wealthy Chinese agency said, suggesting that the buyers have made housing unaf- August introduction of a 15% tax AFP dation (NSF) said it received West Point military academy in housing shortage, not a fordable for ordinary Canadians. on foreign buyers in that city had Miami request to evacuate him and dis- New York state. rush of foreign demand, But that may be a case more of dampened demand. patched a humanitarian medical He joined the US Air Force, Ais probably driving up perception than reality, Siddall Buyers did not appear to have fl ight to the Amundsen-Scott and fl ew 66 combat missions in Canadian property prices, the told an audience in Vancouver. shifted to other cities where the uzz Aldrin, the 86-year- South Pole Station. the Korean War, shooting down country’s housing agency chief “When a white person buys a tax was not imposed, as some old retired US astronaut From there, another fl ight two enemy fi ghter jets. said on Wednesday, as he warned house, we don’t notice. When a analysts had predicted, with for- Bwho was the second man would take Aldrin to McMurdo He earned a doctorate in as- against blaming overseas buyers person of colour buys a house, we eign ownership falling to 2.3% in to walk on the Moon, has been Station on the Antarctic coast, tronautics from the Massachu- for the market boom. do. That’s not good economics,” Toronto from 3.3% a year earlier. evacuated from the South Pole and then to New Zealand “as setts Institute of Technology, New government data shows he said. Siddall said the most impor- for medical reasons, offi cials soon as possible”. and devised manned space ren- foreign ownership is only a small The housing agency said in a tant factor driving up home pric- said yesterday. An NSF spokesman told AFP dezvous techniques – an orbital factor behind the high prices, report on Wednesday that for- es was a supply shortage, partic- Aldrin was visiting Antarctica that he was unable to confi rm manoeuvre during which two Canada Mortgage and Housing eign ownership of Canadian ularly in Vancouver, along with as part of a tourist group, when the status of the fl ight to New crafts dock in space – that were Corp (CMHC) chief executive condominiums dropped in 2016 rising incomes, immigration and his “condition deteriorated”, Zealand, given the early hour in later adopted by Nasa. Evan Siddall said in a speech at after the introduction of a for- lower mortgage rates. said a statement from the opera- Aldrin: was evacuated on the McMurdo. In 1963, he was picked to join the Greater Vancouver Chamber eign buyer’s tax in Vancouver, He urged municipalities to tor, White Desert. first available flight out of the The NSF said it “will make the select corps of early US as- of Commerce. and remains a fraction of overall increase housing supply by, for Aldrin was “was evacuated South Pole. additional statements about the tronauts, and six years later Foreigners have been blamed ownership. example, speeding up housing on the fi rst available fl ight out patient’s medical condition only he set a record – now broken for driving up prices, particularly The share of foreign owner- development approvals. of the South Pole”, it added, de- Armstrong stepped out of the as conditions warrant”. – for the longest space walk by scribing the move as “a precau- lunar module fi rst, uttering the Aldrin is an avid user of Twit- spending fi ve and a half hours tion”. now famous words: “That’s one ter, and tweeted in recent days outside the spacecraft during First snowstorm of the year slams eastern Canada “His condition was described small step for man, one giant about his trip to the South Pole. the Gemini 12 orbital mission. as stable upon White Desert leap for mankind.” “I could be a little under- He logged a total of 4,500 The first major snowstorm of winter slammed The storm also blanketed the Canadian Maritimes doctor’s hand-over to the US Aldrin stepped out next. dressed for Antarctica. Al- hours fl ying time, 290 of them eastern Canada from Quebec to the Atlantic island provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Antarctic Programme medical “Beautiful, beautiful. Mag- though I tend to be hot blooded,” in space. province of Newfoundland yesterday, causing travel Island as it tracked toward Newfoundland, leaving team,” the statement said. nifi cent desolation,” Aldrin said he wrote on November 27, post- He is known to be a Repub- and power disruptions. clogged roads and downed power lines in its wake. No other details about on July 20, 1969. ing a picture of himself wearing lican and a devout Christian, The snowfall, which began on Wednesday, was Public transit was brought to a standstill in several Aldrin’s condition were re- In recent years, Aldrin has a black and red Mars shirt. and has said he took commun- expected to leave significant accumulations. cities including Fredericton, New Brunswick, and leased. authored books for adults and “South Pole, here I come!” he ion while in the spacecraft that In Quebec City and along the Saint Lawrence seaway, Quebec City. In 1969, Aldrin and Neil Arm- children and advocated estab- wrote a day later. landed on the Moon. as much as 30cm of snow was forecast, while the Some 70,000 households, meanwhile, have had strong became the fi rst men to lishing a permanent human Born in Montclair, New Jer- Aldrin has been married and Charlevoix massifs and the Gaspe Peninsula could their electricity cut off as heavy, wet snow knocked walk on the Moon, as part of the colony on Mars. sey on January 20, 1930, Aldrin divorced three times and has get more than 40cm. down tree branches and power lines. Apollo 11 mission. The National Science Foun- was educated at the prestigious three children. Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 7 ASEAN

Jakarta set for protest Najib eyes snap election, against governor

Reuters vows fi ght to the death Jakarta

AFP UMNO has dominated multi-cultural Kuala Lumpur Malaysia for decades, enshrining poli- ore than 100,000 In- cies that favour the Malay majority. donesians are expected But the large ethnic Chinese minor- Mto rally today to call for alaysia will hold polls soon, ity and a new generation of other voters the arrest of the Christian gov- embattled Prime Minister have fl ocked to the opposition in dis- ernor of Jakarta for alleged blas- MNajib Razak said yesterday, gust over racial politics and persistent phemy, as police staged drills vowing “to fi ght until the death” and accusations of corruption and demo- and prepared water cannon after showing no sign of succumbing to calls cratic abuses. violence at a protest last month. to quit over a massive fi nancial scandal. But since former opposition leader Authorities are hoping to It was the fi rst time the Malaysian Anwar Ibrahim was jailed in 2015 on avoid a repeat of November 4 leader has signalled he may bring for- sodomy charges, the political opposi- when one person killed and more ward polls not due until mid-2018, as tion has fractured. than 100 wounded in clashes he addressed the annual assembly of his Najib warned his Malay-Muslim vot- with police during a similar rally ruling United Malays National Organisa- er base that if the opposition won the led by hardline Islamists. tion (UMNO) and called for party unity. election it would be a “nightmare” for Muslim groups accuse Gov- “I know, many can feel the heat...and rural Malays, who are largely dependent ernor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama are waiting for directions to battle in the on government handouts. of insulting the Qur’an, though polls that will be held soon,” he said. Najib is holding on to power despite they have pledged that today’s Speaking to some 2,600 delegates damaging allegations he took part in the demonstration will be peaceful. of UMNO, which represents the Malay alleged looting of billions in state fund Police yesterday brought in heartland whose support is crucial for 1MDB. water cannon and barbed wire any Malaysian leader, Najib promised to Najib, 63, and 1MDB deny wrongdo- to the site of the rally, a central uphold Islam and protect the commu- ing. Jakarta park. “We are expecting nity’s interests. The UMNO gathering comes just two over 100,000 participants,” said The party has been in power ever weeks after some 20,000 people took Jakarta police spokesman Argo since independence in 1957 and its an- to the streets in the capital, demanding Yuwono. “There is enough secu- nual gathering is the country’s most Najib’s resignation. rity so the public need not worry. closely watched political event. His position in the party and grip on We hope everything will proceed “God willing, we will fi ght until the power is said to be strong as he is backed according to the agreement with death and until the last drop of blood,” by most of the 191 powerful UMNO di- the protesters.” Najib told delegates, who had earlier vision chiefs. Indonesia has the world’s big- greeted him with enthusiastic applause, Few expect him to quit or be toppled. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak inspects a ceremonial guard of honour during the annual congress of his ruling party, gest Muslim population but rec- signalling their support for his leader- “He may see that relinquishing power the United Malays National Organisation yesterday. ognises six religions and is home ship. would enable his opponents to go after to dozens of ethnic groups, some “Please realise my (Malay) race, do him. So it makes more sense to stay on,” last year after being criticised over the has fi led lawsuits to seize assets it says Najib singled-out his fi ercest critic, of which follow traditional beliefs. not falter for a moment as we are facing Chong Ja Ian, a political analyst from 1MDB scandal, shook up his cabinet and were purchased with stolen 1MDB former premier Mahathir Mohamad, Purnama, an ethnic Chinese unprecedented challenges,” he added. the National University of Singapore, surrounded himself with party loyalists. money — says the fund was pillaged in who has been campaigning for his oust- Christian, is being investigated Ruslee Bedol, a delegate from south- told AFP. Malaysia has been seized since last an audacious campaign of fraud and er, calling him “a traitor”. over comments he made about ern Johor state, told AFP that UMNO Najib has also purged the party of year by the fi nancial fi asco, which has theft that involved an unnamed top Ma- But analyst Chong said even Ma- his opponents’ use of the Qur’an had already started preparing for a vote critics over the 1MDB scandal, which he sparked investigations in several coun- laysian offi cial. hathir, who has a strong local following, in political campaigning. and said “we expect elections in the mentioned only once in his speech. tries. A Malaysian Cabinet offi cial has since was not able “to present a serious ob- He has denied wrongdoing but next six months.” He fi red his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin The US Justice Department — which admitted that individual was Najib. stacle to Najib.” apologised for the remarks.

First blush! Cambodia microcredit boom proves to be a blessing, but also a curse in disguise

By Erin Hale, DPA one of the most competitive mi- as a way to alleviate poverty, mi- ing...These are not wealthy cli- Takeo Province, Cambodia crocredit districts in Cambodia, crocredit traditionally provides ents, so how is it that they have which itself is one of the largest loans to the poor, or people who loans that large?’” markets for microloans in the cannot borrow from a bank, in This question, and others, will uong Chhuon’s village is world. order to start a business or buy be raised at the CMA’s annual doing better than it was Cambodia’s microcredit mar- agricultural equipment. general meeting on December Kfi ve years ago. Incomes ket is second in size only to In- In Cambodia, where the econ- 2, when 73 lender organizations have doubled due to the opening dia’s, according to Symbiotics, omy was obliterated by dec- will gather in Sihanoukville to of nearby factories, but villagers an international social invest- ades of war, microcredit lenders discuss the challenges facing the also have something many rural ment fi rm. helped recreate the banking in- industry. people around the world lack: In fact, at $4.4bn, Cambodia’s dustry after Cambodia returned While there have not been any access to credit. microloans market makes up to democracy in 1993. national studies on how the loans The villagers borrow money 9.7% of the global microcredit These days, the industry is are being paid off , one answer to buy fertilizer, rebuild their industry. booming, achieving 48% com- may lie in how Cambodians bor- homes and expand their busi- Today, nearly one in fi ve adult pound annual growth from 2006 row and how the country’s in- nesses, said Kuong Chhuon, the Cambodians has such a loan, ac- to 2015, according to the Cam- dustries are changing. village headman. cording to Microfi nance Index of bodia Microfi nance Association Group loans are increasingly “If they have small businesses, Market Outreach and Saturation (CMA). popular and single borrowers of- they borrow around $1,000 to (MIMOSA), an independent re- With interest rates of 2% to ten receive help from their entire $2,000. But for those who have search group. 3.8% per month, microcredit family. big businesses, they borrow up to Although it’s a good way to loans are attractive propositions At Chhuon’s village, the head- $10,000,” the 68-year-old said. get businesses started, industry for many families. man said earnings from a new These microloans, known col- insiders are starting to question The rates are generally lower factory have raised family in- lectively as microcredit, are of- whether Cambodians are tak- than informal lenders or com- comes and also the ability to bor- ten issued to groups or to several ing on too much debt, a situa- mercial banks. row. members of the same family. tion that has led to political and But now the market has reached But while families are willing Around three-fi fths of the economic crises in other large over-saturation, according to MI- to help each other, it is unclear 226 families in Prech village, in microcredit markets, like India. MOSA, meaning that everyone how stable this source of income the country’s south-west Takeo More than 80 people commit- who needs a loan already has one. will be in the future, as a down- Province, have taken out micro- ted suicide in Andhra Pradesh in The size of the loans is also turn in the garment sector, or loans, Chhuon said. south-eastern India in 2010, al- growing rapidly. other hazards like a drought or He can name a half-dozen legedly related to stress over their “If you look at (microcredit health emergency, could impact microcredit institutions active microloan debt. institutions) that serve the poor- people’s ability to repay loans. in the area, saying that they all The crisis led to a backlash est Cambodians, their loan sizes “It is always diffi cult for fami- Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi stands next to the orchid named after her, the come to see him and ask about against the industry, as people are 70% of median income,” said lies to pay (back loans),” Chhuon ‘Papilionanda Aung San Suu Kyi’, during a visit yesterday to the National Orchid Garden in potential customers. asked whether it was adhering to MIMOSA’s Daniel Rozas, who re- said. “Sometimes if they cannot Singapore. Suu Kyi is on a three-day visit to Singapore, the largest foreign investor in The village, despite its humble its original humanitarian princi- searches microcredit crises. pay, they sell their land or some Myanmar after China. surroundings of dirt roads and ples. “You start wondering, ‘Ok if I part of their land. Only a few rice paddies, is in the middle of Founded in 1970s Bangladesh imagine the clients they are serv- families have done that so far.” King Rama X formally ascends Thailand throne

AFP an acceptance speech...after that Vajiralongkorn, who has been much of the kingdom’s super- Bangkok he will pay respects in front of a named successor for more than rich business elite as well as a portrait of the king,” the state- four decades, does not yet enjoy military that dominates politics ment added. the same level of popularity. through its regular coups. rown Prince Maha Vaji- Buddhist temples across the He spends much of his time It is also protected from criti- ralongkorn was yester- country have been asked to beat outside of the public eye, par- cism by one of the world’s harsh- Cday proclaimed the new drums and gongs after his proc- ticularly in southern Germany est lese majeste laws, carrying up king of Thailand , opening a new lamation. where he owns property. to 15 years in jail for every charge chapter for the powerful monar- He will be named Rama X of He has had three high-profi le of defaming the king, queen, heir chy in a country still mourning Thailand’s Chakri dynasty, but divorces, while a recent police or regent. the death of his father. will not formally be crowned un- corruption scandal linked to the That law makes open discus- Vajiralongkorn, 64, who in- til after his father’s cremation, family of his previous wife al- sion about the royal family’s herits one of the world’s richest which is expected next year. lowed the public a rare glimpse of role all but impossible inside the monarchies as well as a politi- Bhumibol’s reign, which palace aff airs. kingdom and means all media cally troubled nation, will ascend ended on October 13, spanned Yesterday’s ascension will end based inside the country rou- the throne 50 days after King seven turmoil-laden decades, a period of uncertainty which tinely self-censor. Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death. pockmarked by a communist followed a shock junta an- Convictions for so-called In complex protocols, the insurgency, coups and street nouncement after Bhumibol’s “112” — named after its criminal prince yesterday evening granted protests. death that the prince had asked code — have skyrocketed since an audience to grandees includ- To many Thais, Bhumibol was to delay his offi cial proclamation generals seized power in 2014. ing the Thai junta leader and the the only consistent force in a po- so he could mourn. Experts say most have targeted head of the National Legisla- litically combustible country, his Thailand’s constitutional the junta’s political opponents, tive Assembly, who invited Vaji- image burnished by ritual and monarchy has limited formal many of whom support the top- ralongkorn to become king. shielded by a harsh royal defa- powers. pled civilian government of A woman holds up a picture of Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn ahead of his arrival at the “The Crown Prince will deliver mation law. But it draws the loyalty of Yingluck Shinawatra. Grand Palace in Bangkok. Gulf Times 8 Friday, December 2, 2016 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

UNPROVOKED ATTACK SUSPENDED INNOVATIVE APPROACH COAL CAP ASYLUM IMBROGLIO French tourist stabbed to Pilot urges passengers to Aussie schoolboys recreate Beijing will ‘seriously’ Activists again target death in remote Australia protest flight delay price-gouged HIV medicine enforce N Korea sanctions Australian parliament

A French tourist has died after being stabbed A Chinese pilot has been suspended, his airline A group of Australian schoolchildren working Beijing will “seriously” implement new United Australia’s parliament was hit by a second day in the neck during an unprovoked attack when said, after social media footage showed he on a shoestring budget have recreated the HIV Nations sanctions imposed on North Korea of protests yesterday by anti-off shore detention he and his wife pulled over on a highway in told passengers to protest against a flight drug whose price was controversially jacked up over its nuclear and missile programmes, it centre activists with two people abseiling down the remote Australia, police said yesterday. The pair delay. The flight, operated by Lucky Air, was 5,000% by a former hedge fund manager. US drug said yesterday, with the measures set to hit building to unfurl a banner reading “close the bloody were about an hour north of Alice Springs on scheduled to leave the tourist destination company chief Martin Shkreli became a global Pyongyang’s lucrative Chinese coal exports hard. camps now”. While the pair scaled Parliament the Stuart Highway on Wednesday afternoon of Xishuangbanna for the southern city of figure of hate after buying the rights to Daraprim UN Security Council resolution 2321, passed on House a dozen others waded into a forecourt when the man was killed. “It is believed that Kunming at midnight on Monday. Thirty and then raising the price in the United States from Wednesday, caps the North’s annual coal exports pond and added red dye to symbolise blood while two French touristswere at a rest stop 30km minutes after the scheduled departure, the $13.50 a tablet to $750. Youngsters at a Sydney at little more than four months of current sales to holding placards calling for the closure of off shore south of the Aileron Roadhouse when they were captain told passengers that a plane operated school decided to draw attention to the scandal China. The response to the hermit state’s latest immigration detention facilities. Both of the approached by an unknown man,” said Detective by a larger carrier had jumped the queue and and went to work creating pyrimethamine, the nuclear test in September was approved 15-0 after protests were organised by grassroots organisation Superintendent Travis Wurst. “The man has caused the delay. “I am very angry. Let’s put active ingredient for Daraprim. Student James extended negotiations. It limits North Korea’s coal Whistleblowers Activists and Citizens Alliance. No allegedly then stabbed the male tourist to the some pressure on the airport, go and vent for Wood said he and his friends had started off with exports next year to 7.5mn tonnes or just over charges have yet been brought against those who neck, in an unprovoked attack.” The attacker fled me,” the passenger on the video quoted the just $20 of the drug, and in one reaction had $400mn. China imported 1.8mn tonnes of coal took part. Spokeswoman Zianna Fuad said to expect but was arrested yesterday morning. pilot as saying. The flight eventually left at 3am. produced thousands of dollars’ worth. worth $101mn from North Korea in October alone. “widespread protest until the camps are closed”. Australia okays Disputed islands ‘indefi nite detention’ of terror suspects

AFP prison to be released and then go on to Sydney harm our fellow Australians.” The law is similar to arrangements already in place for sex off enders and extremely violent igh-risk terror off enders in individuals in some states. There would Australia may now be kept in be regular reviews and reassessments. Hjail even after serving their sen- The passing of the High Risk Terror- tences, under legislation passed yester- ist Off enders Bill was opposed by the day that strengthens laws to tackle the Greens and Liberal Democrat David threat posed by extremists. Leyonhjelm, but had enough support to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pass through the upper house Senate. fl agged the move in July, prompted by Leyonhjelm argued it was an unac- the frequency and severity of attacks ceptable erosion of civil liberties. around the world. “We should not be able to eff ectively It will allow Attorney-General impose life imprisonment on someone George Brandis to apply for an extension who was not originally sentenced to life 12 months before a sentence expires. imprisonment,” he said. For this to happen, the Supreme Keenan said that since September Court would need to be satisfi ed that 2014 when Australia’s terror alert level Protesters demanding the return of disputed islands claimed by both Japan and Russia, called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kuriles the off ender poses an unacceptable risk was lifted to high, 55 people had been in Russia, march in Tokyo yesterday ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Japan this month. of committing a serious terrorism of- charged as a result of 24 counter-ter- fence if released into the community. rorism operations. “This bill strengthens the ability of “Currently we have 40 people before our security agencies to continue to de- the courts for terrorism-related off enc- tain somebody if they’ve committed se- es,” he added. rious terrorism off ences...and they have “We’ve also had four attacks in Aus- not been rehabilitated,” Justice Minister tralia during this period, and because of Michael Keenan told parliament. the great work of our counter-terrorism “We are not going to allow peo- authorities, we have stopped a further 11 ple who haven’t been rehabilitated in attacks.” Party tells Park: quit China could further ease curbs on more children or risk impeachment AFP Father’s birthplace ‘hit by arson’ The party would give Park until next Seoul Thursday to accept their demand. Reuters its restrictions on giving birth, or even The birthplace of the father of South she did neither,” the suspect was “Otherwise, we would have no oth- Beijing abolish them,” it added. Korea’s scandal-hit President Park quoted as saying by the police, accord- er option but to take part in the vote The government’s easing of family plan- outh Korea’s ruling party yes- Geun-Hye was damaged in an arson ing to Yonhap news agency. for an impeachment motion Friday ning restrictions, which originally began in terday urged scandal-hit Presi- attack yesterday, police said, with the Police were investigating whether he next week”, said Kim, who is leading hina might further relax, or even 2013, aims to alleviate demographic strains Sdent Park Geun-Hye to step suspect allegedly calling on the leader had written a message in the visitors’ the anti-Park group within the ruling scrap, restrictions on childbirth on the economy, such as a rapidly aging down in April next year, giving her a to quit. book yesterday which read “Kill your- party. Cto avoid a “low birthrate trap”, population and a shrinking workforce. week to accept their ultimatum or risk The suspected arson attack dam- self, Park Geun-Hye. Stop soiling your While she retains the presidency, an infl uential government think-tank Despite allowing all couples to have impeachment. aged the memorial hall of the house father’s name”, Yonhap added. Park cannot be charged with a crimi- has said, as the country debates how to two children, offi cials maintain curbs Park this week said she would be where former military dictator Park Park Chung-Hee, is credited with nal off ense except insurrection or avert a demographic timebomb. are necessary, because of the pressure willing to step down early after com- Chung-Hee was born in the southern pulling the war-ravaged South out of treason, but she could be charged China’s birth rate, one of the world’s China’s large population exerts on re- ing under huge pressure to quit over city of Gumi, police said. poverty during his iron-fisted rule from once she steps down. lowest, is fast becoming a worry for au- sources and the environment. an infl uence peddling scandal that A 48-year-old man was arrested 1961 to 1979, when he was assassinated Massive weekly protests have been thorities, rather than the achievement it In March, asked to predict when Chi- has drawn more than a million people nearby for suspected arson. by his security chief. However, he is intensifying over the past month, with was considered at a time when the gov- na might end restrictions on childbirth, onto the streets in protest. “The president should have resigned also reviled for his regime’s human up to 1.5mn people braving freezing ernment feared over-population. Li Bin, head of the National Health and The ruling Saenuri Party’s 128 law- or killed herself. I set the fire because rights abuses. temperatures in Seoul on Saturday to Beijing formally allowed all couples Family Planning Commision, replied, makers unanimously agreed to de- demand Park’s resignation, according to have two children in October last year “There is no timeline”. mand Park resign in late April and to organisers. after decades of enforcing a strict one- Adjusting the controversial policy, called for a presidential election to be parliament decide her fate following the end of January. Activists called for a sixth weekly child policy for the vast majority of the fi rst introduced in the late 1970s to limit held in June, six months earlier than accusations that she colluded with “All South Koreans want Park to protest on Saturday in central Seoul, population. population growth, may help boost scheduled. Choi Soon-Sil — a secretive confi - leave as soon as possible...they don’t despite Park saying she would be will- But the two-child policy is not the consumption and slow society’s aging, “All the lawmakers of the party dante dubbed “Korea’s Rasputin” — to want her to stick around so long,” its ing to cede power. “end point” for adjustments to regula- but it has also brought new obstacles. unanimously approved this timeta- coerce fi rms to “donate” tens of mil- leader Choo Mi-Ae said. Park on Wednesday approved a tions on childbirth, the Chinese Acad- Many of the 90mn families eligible ble”, parliamentary fl oor leader Chung lions of dollars to foundations which Lawmakers from Park’s own party lawyer recommended by the opposi- emy of Social Sciences (CASS) said in a for a second child are lukewarm to the Jin-Suk was quoted as saying by the were used for Choi’s personal gain. had backed the opposition-led move tion-controlled parliament as an in- report. prospect, especially young couples liv- Yonhap news agency after a crucial Park has been named as a suspect to impeach her as early as next Friday. dependent prosecutor to carry out a “As lifestyles change, people marry ing in big cities who face a heavy eco- party meeting. in the investigation, making her the But one of them, former Saenuri new probe into the scandal. and give birth later, and the willingness nomic burden. The party considered the timeta- fi rst sitting president to be subject to a Party head Kim Moo-Sung, said they The special prosecutor will inter- to give birth increasingly drops,” the top Following the changes, hundreds of ble the most appropriate to ensure a criminal probe while in offi ce. were now willing to give Park four view Park and be given 120 days to think-tank said in its yearly Green Book parents who lost an only child, often peaceful transfer of power, maintain And although Park’s announce- months to leave offi ce. follow up on the fi ndings of state in- on population and labour. seen as the primary means of support in stability and give political parties time ment reduced the momentum of calls “If the president agrees to step vestigators. “In order to avoid falling into a ‘low old age, protested in Beijing in April to to prepare for the presidential elec- for her impeachment, the main oppo- down on April 30, there is no need to She has backtracked on earlier birth rate trap’, our nation may in the demand more compensation from the tion, Chung said. sition Democratic Party insisted that push through with impeachment”, promises to make herself available for future be required to further loosen government. Park said Tuesday she would let Park should be stripped of offi ce by Kim said. questioning in a judicial probe.

Christmas cheer South Korean Australia cuts tax for fruit harvesters children wearing Santa Claus outfits play Reuters ian capital of Canberra, announcing a December to the end of January. with a pot-shaped Sydney cut in the tax rate to 15%, from 32.5%. “We would not be able to operate charity character Fruit growers rely heavily for labour our business without them,” said Tim before a ceremony on overseas workers, who are allowed Reid, a cherry farmer on the southern to launch an tax faced by visitors picking to stay a second year in Australia on island of Tasmania. year-end fruit in Australia will be more condition that they complete three “Fifteen per cent is far, far better fundraising Athan halved under a deal Prime months of work in the rural industry. than the 32.5% that was going to come campaign at Seoul Minister Malcolm Turnbull struck However, changes to the law last in from January 1.” plaza yesterday. late yesterday with political parties year made such workers liable to tax The higher rate will now aff ect few- The Salvation across the spectrum, just in time for of 32.5% from January 1, unless leg- er than 20,000 people, with weekly Army runs its the harvest. islation was changed before today’s earnings between A$200 and A$400, year-end charity The issue threatened Austral- deadline. apart from their food and accommo- campaign for the ia’s fruit exports, set to hit a record Previously, the workers could claim dation. poor from A$2.27bn ($1.68bn) next season, as a tax-free threshold that allowed most The issue exploded into national December 1 to farm groups warned a lack of work- to escape tax. prominence with the ruling coalition December 31. ers would mean items such as cherries Australian fruit growers said their and opposition Labor parties disa- and stone fruit would be left to rot. produce would have rotted if a deal on greeing on the tax rate — Labor sought “What this has done is provide the so-called “backpacker tax” had a lower rate while Turnbull’s coali- security and assurance to farmers,” not been brokered before a season that tion said a higher rate would help the Turnbull told reporters in the Austral- typically runs from the beginning of budget bottom line. Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 9 BRITAIN

CONTROVERSY LAW AND ORDER CRIME RESCUE PEOPLE Bank of England looking Teen charged for City worker critical after Fire brigade spent £1.8mn Sharks, jellyfish slow man’s to make note meat-free Polish man’s death ‘mystery’ head injuries saving trapped animals attempt to swim Atlantic

The supplier of the new plastic £5 notes has A 15-year-old boy was charged with A City worker is fighting for life after suff ering Kittens trapped in mud, a budgie stuck on A man aiming to be the first person to swim been forced into a rethink after vegan and manslaughter yesterday after the death of a “mystery” head injuries following a night out with a ledge and a fox with its head caught in a across the Atlantic yesterday said he is grappling vegetarian campaigners complained that animal Polish man during an alleged hate crime in friends in south London. KPMG Japan specialist watering-can are among the animal rescues with sharks, jellyfish stings, choppy water – and fat was used during the note’s production August. The attack on Polish citizen Arkadiusz Christopher Mapleston, 29, is in a critical condition that have cost London Fire Brigade £1.8mn over a sea moth that tried to nest in his left ear. Ex- process. After coming in for criticism earlier this Jozwik, 40, was one of the most serious in hospital and unable to tell detectives how he the past six years. The brigade, which recently policeman Ben Hooper, 38, says he embarked week over the use of the derivative, known as incidents reported amid a sharp rise in racism suff ered a fractured skull Investigating off icers closed 10 fire stations and axed hundreds of jobs on the nearly 3,200km crossing from Senegal to tallow, in the polymer note, the Bank of England and hate crimes since Britain voted to leave believe he may have fallen or been the victim of in a drive to save tens of millions of pounds, has Brazil to prove that nothing is impossible, inspired said it was “aware of some people’s concerns” the European Union on June 23. On August a violent robbery as he was found without his been called out on 4,578 rescues since 2009, by explorers like Ranulph Fiennes, who crossed and that it would treat them with the “utmost 27, Jozwik was assaulted as he and his friends iPhone 6. He was last seen by friends as he ran including for cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, the Antarctic on foot. But since setting out on respect”. The bank said it was in talks with the argued with a group of six youths outside a pizza for a N343 bus close to Peckham Rye railway budgies and even drowning fish. Animal rescues November 13 he has only swum 67 nautical miles, supplier, Innovia, which was looking at “potential restaurant in the town of Harlow in Essex, police station between 1.30am and 2am on November cost the LFB an average of £16,500 a month meaning that at the current rate he will not arrive solutions”. In a statement, it said: “This issue has said. Jozwik died two days after the attack, in 20. An hour later, he was found critically injured and over the six-year period the £1.8 million bill until early 2018, many months behind schedule. only just come to light, and the Bank did not which he reportedly hit his head as he was felled in the middle of Arbuthnot Road in New Cross, a represents 5,382 hours of work, at an hourly cost A former crew member said a support vessel had know about it when the contract was signed.” by a single punch. residential street two miles away. of £326. only packed food for 140 days. Blair sets up Harry, Rihanna attend concert institute to tackle Brexit ‘populism’

Guardian News and Media international engagement.”. London The new organisation would not be a thinktank, but a policy unit and networking space, ony Blair has an- Blair’s offi ce said, calling it “a nounced that he is to platform designed to build a Tlaunch a new institute new policy agenda for the cen- for centre-ground politics tre ground” which would seek in response to what he said a return to “reasonable and were growing concerns about evidence-based discussion of the global forces of right and the future which avoids the leftwing populism. plague of social media-led ex- The institute will be changes of abuse”. launched in the new year, the Blair said in his statement former prime minister said in a that the organisation would statement, but added it should be not-for-profi t, with the not be interpreted as a desire business side of his work shut Prince Harry, sitting next to Barbadian singer Rihanna, signs towards the audience while taking part in a concert in Bridgetown to commemorate the 50th independence to return to party politics. down and millions of pounds anniversary of Barbados. “This is not about my re- of assets gifted to the new in- turning to the front line of stitute. politics,” Blair said. “I have “It is what I know I would made it abundantly clear that want were I still in the frontline this is not possible. However, I of politics,” he said. “Part of its care about my country and the focus will plainly be around the world my children and grand- European debate; but this will children will grow up in; and not be its exclusive domain. It want to play at least a small has to go far wider than that part in contributing to the de- since in many ways the Europe bate about the future of both.” debate is a lightning rod for the Immigration hit record Three of Blair’s current pro- whole of politics.” grammes, the Africa Govern- The former Labour prime ance Initiative, the Tony Blair minister accepted his work Faith Foundation and the Ini- since stepping down had been tiative for the Middle East will chequered with criticism. “I now come under the banner of have learnt a huge amount the new organisation, which about the world and frankly high before Brexit vote does not yet have a name. what I can do and can’t do to The new institute will also aff ect it positively,” he said. London Evening Standard Brexit can achieve the cuts ex- but we have made clear it will Romanians accounted for ues the upward trend seen over examine a fourth pillar, the glo- He also described much of London pected by many Leave voters. take time.” 10% of all immigration during the last few years and in 2015 bal forces of left and right that the scrutiny of his business Net immigration was a near- New Ukip leader Paul Nuttall 2015 — more than any other na- Romania was the most common contributed to a major disrup- dealings as inaccurate. “It was record 335,000 over the period said: “These fi gures just go to tionality. country of previous residence.” tion in world politics, includ- open to misrepresentation mmigration rose to a record in which May was in charge of show that you cannot trust the The overall infl ow of 650,000 There were rises in job-seek- ing the EU referendum and the and to criticism either that we high of 650,000 during borders — just 1,000 short of the Tories to bring down immigra- — which included 77,000 re- ing workers from Austria, Bel- election of Donald Trump. were confl ating private and ITheresa May’s last year as all-time peak of 336,000 record- tion. This is an abject failure by turning Britons — was equiva- gium, Denmark, Finland, France, Blair said that although public roles or that we were home secretary, offi cial fi gures ed a year earlier. the prime minister in particular.” lent to roughly the population Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxem- diff erent ends of the politi- working in countries which revealed yesterday. The massive numbers revealed The record was fuelled by the of two London boroughs. It was bourg, Netherlands, Portugal, cal spectrum took diff erent aroused controversy,” he said. An unprecedented 284,000 by the Offi ce for National Sta- highest ever infl ux of EU nation- countered by emigration total- the Republic of Ireland, Spain approaches to a groundswell The Guardian previously EU citizens arrived in the UK tistics left in tatters the govern- als in the 12 months before June’s ling 315,000 — of which 95,000 and Sweden. of anti-globalisation feeling reported that the institution amid a rush to beat the Brexit ment’s target to reduce net levels referendum. For the fi rst time were EU citizens. Some 189,000 Europeans – the left anti-business, the will focus on practical policy referendum in June. to the “tens of thousands”. there were more Romanians in The ONS’s head of migration came to Britain for work, of right anti-immigrant – there answers to issues that have fed At the same time, despite Downing Street insisted that the fi gures than people from any statistics, Nicola White, said as which 108,000 had a job off er. were many similarities he said into the rise of populism, im- government claims that im- the prime minister was still other EU nation. the new data was unveiled: “Net The next biggest national con- were “especially around isola- migration, manufacturing and migration was increased by EU wedded to the target, saying: That fact confi rmed former migration remains around record tributors were China, which pro- tionism and protectionism, in stagnating wages. The organi- free movement rules, there were “She remains absolutely com- Ukip chief Nigel Farage’s con- levels. The infl ow of EU citizens vided 44,000 immigrants during what is an essentially closed- sation is not set up to directly 289,000 non-Europeans who mitted to bringing net immigra- troversial prediction made when is at historically high levels. the same period, Poland, with minded approach to globali- oppose Brexit or push for a have no such rights. The fi g- tion down to sustainable levels, Romania achieved free move- “Immigration of Bulgarian a 38,000 tally, and India, with sation and its benefi ts and to second referendum. ure raises a question of whether which means tens of thousands, ment rights in 2014. and Romanian citizens contin- 36,000. Mayor scraps police Film promo Minister slams UN targets for cutting crime decision on Assange AFP he faces a rape allegation that he London denies. London Evening Standard that it “aims to build trust and dreds of millions of savings. He fears Sweden would extra- London confi dence in policing and crimi- The mayor also announced dite him to the US to answer for nal justice for everyone. We want plans for a victims commissioner he government yesterday the leaking of diplomatic cables to restore real neighbourhood to speak up for those aff ected by voiced disappointment and other classifi ed documents by ayor Sadiq Khan yester- policing and make sure local pri- crime, and he pledged to roll out Tafter a UN panel rejected his whistleblowing website. day scrapped “infl ex- orities refl ect local concerns. restorative justice programmes its request to review a ruling that The disclosures caused huge Mible” police targets to “Most importantly, this plan where victims meet off enders WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange embarrassment in Washington. cut crimes such as burglary and signals a step change in eff orts to to explain the impact of their is being arbitrarily detained. The UN panel, which is at- robbery — and announced a new protect the most vulnerable Lon- crimes. “ Assange is not, and has never tached to the Human Rights emphasis on victims and neigh- doners, and I want to encourage Victims will be able to track been, arbitrarily detained in the Council, met between November bourhood policing. everyone to feed into our public the progress of their case online. UK,” junior foreign minister Alan 21-25 but only published its fi nd- In future, the mayor wants consultation and help us make There are also plans for two Duncan said in a statement. ings on Wednesday. The fate of to see boroughs set their own sure we are providing for them.” Child Houses, described as a “We completely reject the opin- the former computer hacker, who crime-fi ghting priorities, which The mayor pledged to estab- “one-stop shop for young vic- ion of the UN Working Group and turned WikiLeaks into a vehicle could include serious “harm” lish at least two dedicated police tims to report sexual abuse and are very disappointed that they for releasing classifi ed documents crimes, such as domestic abuse constables and one PCSO in each receive long-term support” with will not review their deeply fl awed on the US-led wars in Iraq and Af- and child sexual exploitation. In ward by the end of next year. proposals to overhaul child pro- and incorrect position,” he said, ghanistan, remains unclear. a draft Police and Crime Plan for The plan states that police tection in the capital. adding that Assange’s presence at He was grilled over the long- London announced yesterday, chiefs want to keep the total A new eff ort is proposed to the Ecuadoran embassy was “en- standing rape allegation by an Ec- the mayor confi rms plans to cre- number of offi cers in the Met at boost the number of ethnic mi- tirely self-infl icted”. uadoran prosecutor at the embas- ate larger command units with about 32,000 but adds that this nority offi cers in the Met with a Having initially issued its opin- sy for two days earlier this month. boroughs merging into one to will be increasingly diffi cult. One plan for a new police “recruit- ion in favour of Assange in Febru- The questions were provided by slash management costs. idea is to boost the number of ment assessment” process to ary, the Working Group on Ar- Swedish offi cials but the answers In two trial schemes, the bor- offi cers working with schools to “select offi cers with unique skills bitrary Detention said it was not were confi dential. oughs of Barking & Dagenham, improve relations between chil- for policing London”. changing course as the British Swedish prosecutors dropped a Havering and Redbridge will be dren and police. The draft plan said the request “did not meet the thresh- sexual assault probe into Assange merged into one policing com- The report says the Met sur- “MOPAC 7” targets introduced old of a review...and (was) thus not last year after the fi ve-year statute mand unit, and Camden and Is- vived cuts of £600mn in recent by Boris Johnson focused po- admissible”. of limitations expired. But they lington police units will also be years by axing 4,500 PCSOs and lice resources on volume crime, US actor Chris Pratt and actress Jennifer Lawrence Assange, 45, has been at the still want to question him about merged. back-offi ce staff and selling more at the expense of other serious pose during a photocall to promote the forthcoming Ecuadoran embassy in London the 2010 rape allegation, which Launching the draft plan in than 120 buildings but states the crimes such as domestic abuse film Passengers in London yesterday. since 2012, having taken refuge to carries a 10-year statute of limita- Southwark yesterday, Khan said force still needs to make hun- and child sexual exploitation. avoid being sent to Sweden where tions. Gulf Times 10 Friday, December 2, 2016 EUROPE No second term for Hollande Reuters/AFP that neither Hollande nor any minister Manuel Valls, who labour laws that brought thou- Le Monde wrote in an editorial Paris other Socialist candidate would raised the possibility in a week- sands out onto the streets in pro- earlier that the Socialists risked make it past the fi rst round of the end interview that he might run tests early this year. tearing themselves apart, further election. in the primaries against his boss. Hollande’s image was also diminishing their chances in next rench President Francois They predict a run-off battle Hollande beat conservative in- hit by a series of communica- year’s presidential and parlia- Hollande has said that he between centre-right candidate cumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in an tion mis-steps, including a very mentary elections. Fwould not seek a second Francois Fillon and the leader of election in May 2012 after a clas- public split with his ex-partner “The person who is most re- term in offi ce in the presidential the far-right National Front, Ma- sic left-wing campaign in which Valerie Trierweiler and pictures sponsible is François Hollande, election in 2017, an unprecedent- rine Le Pen. he targeted big business and of him going to visit his new who has not given a meaning to ed move that leaves the way open The left is deeply divided as it pledged to raise taxes for high partner on a scooter. his time in offi ce, occupied the for other left-wing candidates. approaches the election. earners. The last straw for some of his job with authority or imposed It is the fi rst time in decades Several other Socialists, in- But his popularity soon began closest supporters was the publi- himself as the legitimate candi- that an incumbent French presi- cluding former economy min- to decline with a perceived lack cation of a book by two Le Monde date for his party,” it said. “The dent has not sought re-election. ister Arnaud Montebourg, have of leadership and fl ip-fl ops on journalists in October. longer he keeps up the uncer- Hollande is the most unpopu- said that they will take part in the key issues, particularly tax re- In interviews with them, Hol- tainty, the worse the confusion lar president on record. party’s primaries in January. form, which dismayed many on lande criticised several of his al- will get.” “I am aware today of the risk Another of Hollande’s former the left. lies and others from judges to And there could be more bad that going down a route that ministers, Emmanuel Macron, His popularity has been un- footballers, in comments that news to come. would not gather suffi cient sup- and leftist fi rebrand Jean-Luc dermined by stubbornly high un- were widely criticised as indis- Hollande’s embittered former port would entail, so I have de- Melenchon have said they will employment and anaemic eco- creet and ill-befi tting a presi- aide Aquilino Morelle has an- cided not to be a candidate in the run in the presidential election nomic growth. dent. nounced a tell-all book to be presidential election,” a sombre- but without taking part in the Grassroots supporters were He also disclosed that French published around the same time looking Hollande said in a tel- primaries. further alienated by a pro-busi- secret services had carried out as the primary about the presi- A photo taken off a TV screen yesterday shows Hollande delivering evised address. There has been tension be- ness switch in 2014, a wavering four targeted killings on his or- dent’s fi rst few years in power. an off icial statement at the Elysee Palace. The French president has All recent polls have predicted tween Hollande and his prime over security reforms, and by ders. Its title? The Abdication. announced that he will not stand for re-election. Russia is not ‘looking for enemies’: Putin Worldwide cyber-crime AFP since the Cold War over its 2014 archy,” Putin said. “The result Moscow annexation of Crimea, the con- everywhere is the same: human fl ict in Ukraine and lingering tragedies and victims, decay and network hit disagreements about the con- ruin, disappointment.” resident Vladimir Putin fl ict in Syria. Putin also called on Russians adopted a conciliatory Yesterday Putin reiterated to ponder their turbulent his- Reuters Ptone to international rivals Moscow’s readiness to work tory – including the 1917 Febru- Berlin in a key speech yesterday, saying with Donald Trump’s adminis- ary and October revolutions that that Russia has “never looked tration once the president-elect saw the Bolsheviks seize power for enemies” in the international takes offi ce in January. – to learn lessons from the past ne of the world’s big- community. “It is important to normalise that could help prevent a similar gest networks of hijacked “We do not want confronta- and start to develop bilateral re- scenario in modern Russia. Ocomputers, which is sus- tion with anyone. It is not need- lations on an equal and mutual- “We need the lessons of his- pected of being used to attack ed – not by us, our partners, the ly-benefi cial basis,” Putin said. tory fi rst of all for the reconcili- online banking customers, has international community,” Putin “We have a collective respon- ation, the strengthening of the been taken down following po- said during an address on the sibility to ensure international social, political and civil har- lice swoops in 10 countries, Ger- state of the nation. “As opposed security and stability.” mony we have reached today,” man police said yesterday. to some of our foreign colleagues He added that attempts to he said. “It is unacceptable to In an internationally-co-or- who view Russia as an adversary, disrupt this “strategic parity” hold on to the rifts and rancour, dinated campaign, authorities we are not looking, and have are “extremely dangerous and resentment and bitterness of the carried out the raids on Wednes- never looked, for enemies. We can lead to a global catastrophe.” past in today’s life.” day, seized servers and website need friends.” Putin also called on Russia The Kremlin has repeatedly domains and arrested suspected In a pointed aside, Kremlin to remain united to thwart any warned against so-called colour leaders of a criminal organisa- strongman added that Russia internal political confl icts that revolutions, the name given to tion, said police and prosecutors would nevertheless “not al- could destabilise the state. pro-Western movements seen in northern Germany. low its interests to be infringed “Recently we have seen many in some former Soviet republics Offi cials said they had seized upon”. countries in which this situation over the last several years, which 39 servers and several hundred A shop assistant at an electronics store in Moscow works behind TV sets broadcasting Putin’s state of Russia fi nds itself locked in its has paved the way to opportun- Moscow believes were fomented thousand domains, depriving the nation address at the Federal Assembly. worst stand-off with the West ists, coups and ultimately an- by the United States. criminals of control of more than 50,000 computers in Germany alone. These hijacked computers were used to form a “botnet” to knock out other websites. Two people who are believed Ukraine launches missile drills near Crimea to have been the administra- tors of the botnet infrastructure AFP tweeted. “We will be acting in Everything is going according told the Ukrainska Pravda web- Peskov said the tests could known as “AVALANCHE” were Kiev the interests of the people of to plan,” Volodymyr Kryzh- site that Kiev had received sev- “create dangerous conditions arrested in Ukraine, investiga- Ukraine!” anovskiy was quoted as saying. eral “notes and letters from the for international fl ights cross- tors said. Kiev says Russia illegally an- He said the war games includ- Russian foreign and defence ing the territory of Russia and Another person was arrested kraine has unleashed a nexed Crimea in March 2014 – a ed air defence units as well mili- ministries” protesting the drills. neighbouring regions”. in Berlin, offi cials added. barrage of missile tests month after Ukraine’s Russian- tary drones and S-300 ground- Moscow’s messages stressed An unnamed source in the The strike came in the same Unear Russian-annexed backed president was ousted in a to-air missile systems. that the “tests supposedly vio- Crimean military told Russia’s week that hackers tried to create Crimea in a show of strength pro-EU revolt. Kryzhanovskiy added that late the sovereignty of Russia RIA Novosti state news agency Poroshenko: No one will stop us the world’s biggest botnet, or an and defi ance bound to irritate It also accuses Moscow of none of the missiles would land and international law”, Betsa was that his region’s anti-missile ... we will be acting in the army of zombie computers, by Moscow. backing a 31-month pro-Rus- closer than 30km (19 miles) from quoted as saying. systems had been put on a interests of the people of infecting the routers of 900,000 The two-day military drills sian insurgency in Ukraine’s Crimea. The Kremlin did not initially heightened state of alert. Ukraine. Deutsche Telekom with mali- near the Black Sea peninsula industrial east in a confl ict that Ukrainian media was full of confi rm sending warning mes- Ukraine’s national secu- cious software. are a fi rst for the former Soviet has claimed nearly 10,000 lives. speculation on Wednesday that sages. rity council chief warned on has been waging against us for Police said criminals had used republic and a sign that it is re- A Ukrainian military spokes- Russia intended to shoot down But spokesman Dmitry Pesk- Wednesday that such intimida- the past three years into an ac- the “AVALANCHE” botnet tar- gaining assertiveness in the face man told the 112.ua Ukraine the Ukrainian missiles once the ov told Thursday’s online edi- tion would not work. tive war,” Oleksandr Turchynov geted in Wednesday’s interna- of its arch-foe Russia. news site that Kiev was not vio- tests began. tion of the Vedomosti daily that “Threats to use weapons said. tional raids since 2009 to send “No one will stop us,” Ukrain- lating international laws. Ukrainian foreign ministry Russia would indeed shoot down against Ukraine are an eff ort to The second set of tests are due phishing and spam e-mails. ian President Petro Poroshenko “The launches have started. spokeswoman Mariana Betsa the missiles if it felt threatened. turn the hybrid war that Russia to last for two hours today. More than a million e-mails were sent per week with mali- cious attachments or links. When users opened the at- tachment or clicked on the link, their infected computers became Cargo ship lost on its way to part of the botnet. Investigators said the suspects had operated the commandeered network and made it available International Space Station to other criminal groups, who had used it to send spam and phishing e-mails, defraud online AFP Nasa meanwhile said on its Russia sends three or four such banking user and to spread ran- Moscow website that supplies at the space spacecraft per year to supply the somware, a form of online extor- laboratory are “at good levels”. ISS. tion scheme. The cargo ship, which had After making their delivery, Offi cials estimated worldwide n unmanned cargo ship been scheduled to arrive at the they plummet back to Earth, damages at upward of several travelling to the Interna- ISS tomorrow, was carrying 2.4 burning up in the atmosphere hundred million euros. Ational Space Station (ISS) tonnes of fuel, food and equip- above the Pacifi c Ocean. Authorities have identifi ed 16 burned up in the atmosphere ment when it took off from Last month Frenchman Tho- suspected leaders of the organi- shortly after launching yester- Baikonur, Roscosmos said. mas Pesquet, Russian cosmonaut sation from 10 countries. day, the Russian space agency The Russian agency said a state Oleg Novitsky and American as- A court in Verden, north- said, raising concerns over space commission would probe the in- tronaut Peggy Whitson launched ern Germany, has issued arrest travel safety. cident but did not say whether it to the ISS for a six-month mis- warrants for seven people on “According to preliminary in- would aff ect future launches. sion. suspicion of forming a criminal formation, as a result of an ab- This latest incident represents The launch followed that of organisation, commercial com- normal situation, the cargo ship’s the second failed launch of a Russians Andrei Borisenko and puter fraud and other criminal loss occurred some 190km above Progress cargo ship in less than Sergei Ryzhikov and American off ences. the remote, unpopulated moun- two years. Shane Kimbrough in October, Service towers move towards the Soyuz-U carrier rocket, with the cargo ship Progress MS-04 lifted, The raids came after more tainous territory of (Russia’s) In April 2015 a Progress ship which was pushed back by nearly on the launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Russia’s space agency than four years of intensive in- Tuva region, and most fragments disintegrated as it plummeted a month due to technical issues. said yesterday that the unmanned cargo ship was lost shortly after it blasted off for the International vestigation by specialists in 41 burned up in dense layers of the to Earth, a failure that Russia Technical mishaps have com- Space Station. countries. atmosphere,” Roscosmos said in blamed on a problem with a Soy- plicated plans to extend the peri- a statement. uz rocket. ods during which the ISS is fully Roscosmos said earlier that The incident saw Russia put staff ed with six astronauts. Turkish Cypriots protest daylight saving time after deadly traffic collision it had lost contact with the all space travel on hold for nearly Russia’s Soyuz capsules off er Progress MS-04 ship 383 sec- three months and forced a group the only way for global astro- Almost 1,000 people protested yesterday in called the protest, with students vowing to In September, Turkey said it would not turn onds after it launched from the of astronauts to spend an extra nauts to reach the space station northern Cyprus over its decision to abandon keep up the demonstration until the clocks its clocks back from this winter, staying on Baikonur cosmodrome in Kaza- month on the ISS. since the American space shuttle Daylight Saving Time, blaming the move for a were turned back an hour. summer time all year round in a bid to better khstan, and that its specialists Russia said at the time that be- programme was retired in 2011. road crash that killed two schoolgirls. A school bus collided with a truck early on utilise daylight. were looking into the problem. cause the same type of rocket is The space laboratory, where a “It’s not possible to go to school in the Tuesday morning, killing the driver and two Northern Cyprus, linked to Turkey through The space agency said the loss used for manned ships, all issues range of research is carried out, dark!”, “Government, resign!”, chanted the girls. the banking sector, aviation, business and of the cargo ship will “not aff ect with Progress resupply missions has been orbiting Earth at about demonstrators gathered outside the prime Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci cut commerce, decided to follow suit, unlike the normal operations of the ISS needed to be thoroughly investi- 28,000kph (17,000mph) since minister’s off ice in the northern sector of short a visit to Turkey to chair an emergency the Greek Cypriots in the south, leaving the systems and the subsistence of gated before any manned vessels 1998. divided Nicosia. cabinet meeting yesterday on measures to island with two diff erent time zones in the the station’s crew”. could be launched. Trade unions and student organisations prevent such accidents. winter months. Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 11 INDIA

WEATHER COMMENT CLARIFICATION OFFBEAT CRIME Modi ministers provoking Troops at toll plazas as per Start wrestling tournament Charges filed after Gandhi’s Pakistan: Omar Abdullah exercise: defence ministry for parliamentarians: MP Twitter account hacked

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah triggered Refuting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata A Bharatiya Janata Party MP yesterday asked The Delhi police yesterday filed the charge- controversy yesterday by saying Prime Minis- Banerjee’s allegations that troops had been de- the government to start a worldwide wrestling sheet into the hacking of the official Twitter ter Narendra Modi’s ministers were provoking ployed in the state while keeping her government competition of parliamentarians, asserting that he handle of Congress party and its vice president Pakistan to launch terror attacks like in Jammu in the dark, the defence ministry yesterday said cannot be defeated. Anguished over the opposi- Rahul Gandhi. Deependra Pathak, joint com- and Kashmir’s Nagrota town where seven soldiers it was an annual exercise conducted throughout tion’s continued protest in the lower house, Virendra missioner of Delhi police said: “The cyber cell were killed on Tuesday. “The Nagrota attack is a the country for getting a data about the load Singh ‘Mast’, BJP MP from Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh, has lodged charges in the hacking case. We result of statements made by various ministers carriers that can be made available to the army ‘flaunted’ his wrestling skills during Question Hour. are probing the matter. We are also taking help against Pakistan,” the National Conference leader in contingency situations. Soon after Banerjee al- While asking a supplementary question about from officials in Twitter in Bengaluru,” he added. told reporters on the sidelines of his address to leged that the army had been deployed at two toll sports in schools, Singh said: “I can say that no par- The cases were registered under Section 66 of party workers in south Kashmir Anantnag district. plazas – Palsit and Dankuni on National Highway liamentarian in the world can defeat me in wrestling. IT Act following complaints from the Congress He said Modi’s claim that demonetisation would 2 (that links Delhi and Kolkata), a Defence Ministry Here they are shouting, I would have taught them party leaders. Police said initial investigation end terrorism in the country was another reason spokesman said there was “nothing alarming wrestling.” He also urged Sports Minister Vijay Goel suggested that Rahul Gandhi’s official email A women walks under an umbrella during heavy for terror attacks being stepped up in Jammu and about this” and the exercise is carried out as per to begin a worldwide wrestling championship for ID was compromised to access his Twitter rains in Chennai yesterday. Kashmir. government orders. parliamentarians. account. 42 Kerala treasuries cashless on salary day

IANS created a cash crisis across the Thiruvananthapuram country. Issac cited a report of the Centre for Monitoring of Indian housands of people were Economy that has observed that left standing outside the total cost of the demoneti- Ttreasuries and banks on sation exercise will cost the ex- the fi rst salary-pension day chequer Rs128,000 lakh crore. after the November 8 demon- “It includes the collection of etisation, as 42 state treasuries old notes, printing and distribu- remained cashless till noon, said tion of new currency and the op- a Kerala minister. portunity cost. When you look State Finance Minister Tho- at what was the gain – it is more mas Issac told reporters that or less around the cost incurred. there was no fi nancial crunch So why put people into trouble,” – rather the crunch was of cur- asked Issac. rency. Despite that, there were “I am here since 8.30am and no reports of any untoward inci- the treasury offi ce was already dent, he said. full by then and am still waiting Bank customers try to hand over cheques to a member of staff outside a bank in Mumbai yesterday. like everyone else,” said a pen- “Banks do not have the sioner waiting for his turn to money to disburse. Till withdraw money. now, 42 state treasuries are “On Wednesday, I tried to get unable to disburse money some money from my bank ac- as cash did not arrive” count, but after getting a token, I was told there was no currency, “Banks do not have the mon- hence I had to return,” he added. ey to disburse. Till now, 42 state In Kerala’s commercial capi- Anger erupts as banks’ treasuries are unable to disburse tal Kochi, the scene was much money as cash did not arrive. the same with people – mostly We asked for Rs10bn from the pensioners – queuing up in Reserve Bank of India to be dis- front of treasuries and banks. tributed to banks with Rs5bn “We are told that the treas- yesterday and the rest today,” ury will have extended working said Issac. hours and will function till 6pm. cash supply runs dry There are 157 banking treas- Despite suff ering on account uries in the state. of Modi’s new directives, I fully IANS payments are done in cash. their monthly needs and pay their cash,” the banker said, requesting many returned disappointed. While the ATMs have a ceiling endorse this scheme,” said a New Delhi In Uttar Pradesh, police said domestic help, school fees and clear he should not be named. Shiv Kumar of Noida said he of Rs2,000, the withdrawal limit pensioner waiting patiently for violence erupted at many places as their monthly grocery and other In Kolkata, the city of joy, an an- reached the ICICI Bank in Sec- in treasuries and banks were his turn to withdraw money. mobs targeted banks and staff ers bills. gry mob surrounded the manager tor 18 hours before it opened. fi xed at Rs24,000 a week and He said he hoped that things lready starved of cash due after being told there was either lit- People were agitated as several of a state-run Punjab National Bank “Though the limit on withdrawals hence the rush was less at ATMs. would get better in the days, to demonetisation, people tle or no cash available to be with- banks rationed withdrawals – de- branch and a section of government is Rs24,000, banks are giving away As a matter of abundant cau- weeks and months to come. Aacross the country suff ered drawn. spite the government’s upper limit staff protested at the RBI offi ce after only Rs5,000,” he said, after a nearly tion, additional police force State BJP leader J R Padma- more pain amid stray violence yes- Hundreds of irate customers of Rs24,000 a week. failing to get cash. three-hour wait. Chandana Bardia was deployed in front of several kumar, however, alleged that terday as queues outside banks and went on a rampage at a Syndicate Some bank offi cials said they Bank Employees Federation of said she visited an Oriental Bank of banks and treasuries across the there was a secret understand- ATMs got longer after November Bank branch on Hapur Road in were getting cash from the Reserve India’s general secretary Pradip Commerce branch in north Delhi state. ing between Issac and the RBI salaries and pensions were cred- Meerut after it ran dry. Dozens of Bank of India much below their Kumar Biswas said bankers were fi ve times in the last one week but At Kasargode, due to short- offi cials. ited. vehicles were damaged, traffi c was needs. A banker in Delhi said that putting the cap on the withdraw- was always denied cash. age of currency, many who came “We suspect that there is As the government struggled disrupted and an effi gy of Prime on a “payday we got only one-fi fth al limit “to serve the maximum “On my sixth time yesterday, to the treasury could get only some secret understanding be- to keep pace with the demand Minister Narendra Modi was burnt, of the normal”. number of customers with the I told them I am not returning. I Rs10,000 as the available cash tween the offi cials of the RBI for cash after 86% of currency witnesses said. Violence was also “Since the demand is already available cash”. had two cheques of Rs24,000. One was much less than what was and Issac to create an artifi cial – Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes – in reported in at least two dozen plac- higher than normal (due to three On the roads in Delhi and adjoin- in my name and the other in my required. crisis, just to play spoil sport circulation was declared illegal es in the state. weeks of cashlessness) and the sup- ing areas, people, anticipating mas- mother-in-law’s. I was told I could Issac also slammed Prime to an excellent programme to on November 8, people appeared Chaotic queues tested people’s ply is already low (because mints sive queues, waited outside ATMs only get cash on my behalf and that Minister Narendra Modi for the give the economy a boost,” said to be losing patience in a country patience as millions in India wait- haven’t been able to print enough and banks since early morning to too just Rs6,000. I accepted,” she ban on high value currency that Padmakumar. where nearly 80% of consumer ed in long lines for money to meet currency), we have to ration the be among the fi rst to get money. But said. Deadlock in parliament, Problems only for two quarters: Jaitley

Modi’s apology sought in the country, Mukesh Ambani, IANS Bhubaneshwar chairman and managing director IANS to persuade the protesting mem- treasury benches protested noisily of Reliance Industries yesterday New Delhi bers to continue the discussion at this demand. said it is the strongest possible on demonetisation but opposi- Bahujan Samaj Party supremo nion Finance Minister push to the growth of a digitally- tion members, led by Congress, Mayawati and Janata Dal-United Arun Jaitley yesterday enabled, optimal cash economy. arliament yesterday re- trooped near his podium to de- leader Sharad Yadav reiterated Usaid the hardships faced “This decision is an impor- mained deadlocked for the mand an apology from Modi, who their demand that Modi should sit by the people after the Novem- tant step in his ongoing eff orts to P11th consecutive day on the was then present in the house. through the entire debate. ber 8 demonetisation will last change the mindset of the peo- issue of demonetisation as the Kurien said: “This is unfair. Your In the Lok Sabha, the opposition only for one or two quarters but ple of India. Digitally-enabling opposition persisted with its de- demand was that the prime minis- again disrupted the proceedings its eff ect on the economy will be transactions will help to create a mand for a discussion in the Lok ter should come to the house. Now persistently demanding a discus- long-term. fair, just, transparent and strong Sabha under the rules entailing he is here. You continue the dis- sion on demonetisation under a “The eff ect of demonetisation India and Indian economy,” Am- voting and seeking Prime Min- cussion.” rule that entails voting, forcing will remain for one or two quar- bani said in an address to stake- ister Narendra Modi’s apology in But the opposition didn’t relent Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to ad- ters, but its eff ect on the economy holders at RIL’s Navi Mumbai the Rajya Sabha. and shouted slogans like “Prime journ the house for the day shortly will be seen in the long term,” offi ce. Both the Houses were adjourned Minister, apologise”. after noon. The opposition, led by Jaitley said on the sidelines of the “It will bring unprecedented for the day after opposition led by Kurien then adjourned the the Congress and the Trinamool, ‘Made in Odisha Conclave’ here. accountability at every level. I be- Congress and Trinamool Congress house for the day. trooped near the Speaker’s po- The minister thanked Odisha lieve that the common people will kept up a din. Earlier, Modi entered the house dium to demand a discussion on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for be the biggest benefi ciaries of this In the Rajya Sabha, the oppo- at noon, when a heated exchange demonetisation as Mahajan tried backing the Centre on demon- change. Every Indian will have a sition created an uproar over its was on over the opposition’s to conduct the Question Hour. etisation and the GST (Goods and digital ATM in their hands, which demand that Modi apologise for charge that the government had Members of the Left parties, the Services Tax). they can operate whenever and allegedly projecting outside Par- bypassed the upper house by tak- Samajwadi Party, the Nationalist Hailing Odisha’s high growth wherever they want. liament that the entire opposition ing the “money bill route” while Congress Party and the Rashtriya rate this year, Jaitley said: “If Odis- “No more will they have to trav- was supporting black money. moving the Income Tax Laws Janata Dal stood in the aisles in ha’s gross domestic product grows el and stand in queue for train tick- The prime minister was present (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, solidarity, while AIADMK mem- faster than the national GDP, it ets, bus tickets, movie tickets, to in the upper house in pre and post- passed by the Lok Sabha on Tues- bers also stood near their seats. will help in improving the national pay bills for utilities, or to deposit lunch sessions. day. Money bills do not need the The Parliament has experienced GDP.” and withdraw money from banks. In the morning, the house was upper house’s nod. a virtual washout since the winter Odisha registered a state GDP of Time saved is money earned,” he adjourned for 15 minutes and then As soon as Modi entered, leader session began on November 16 as 9.2%, two percent higher than the added. till 2pm when the opposition con- of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad the government and the opposi- national GDP. On November 8, Modi an- tinued to demand the apology. sought his apology for allegedly tion have locked horns over de- Police arrests Congress activists shouting slogans against Prime Meanwhile congratulating nounced the demonetisation of When it met again at 2pm, portraying the entire opposition monetisation and the consequent Minister Narendra Modi during a protest march against the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi for high-denomination Rs 500 and deputy chairman P J Kurien tried as supporters of black money, but cash crunch. demonetisation, in Kolkata yesterday. his recent demonetisation drive Rs1,000 bank notes. Gulf Times 12 Friday, December 2, 2016 INDIA

DISASTER DECISION PEOPLE TRAGEDY SOCIETY Two dead in blast at LPG price hiked by DMK chief Karunanidhi Medical student ends Newborn baby recovered Tamil Nadu factory Rs2.07 per cylinder hospitalised, stable life in Andhra Pradesh from field in West Bengal

At least two workers have been killed and 13 more State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M A student of an Andhra Pradesh medical A newborn baby was rescued from an open are missing after a blast at an explosives factory hiked the price of subsidised cooking gas, Karunanidhi has been admitted to a hospital in college committed suicide early yesterday. The field in West Bengal’s Burdwan district, police in Tamil Nadu, an emergency department off icial or LPG, effective yesterday by Rs2.07 per Chennai, his party said. The 93-year-old leader has incident occurred at the GSL Medical College said yesterday. “A baby boy aged between 10-12 said yesterday. G Sathyanarayanan said two cylinder, while that of aviation turbine fuel been suff ering from allergies for over a month. in Rajamahendravaram (earlier known as days was rescued from Ulara village in Burdwan bodies had been recovered from the burnt-out (ATF) was cut by 3.7%. OMCs revise rates of “Doctors have admitted him for a few tests. He will Rajahmundry) town. Shubhashri (21), a fourth year district. The kid was lying at the corner of a building and rescue teams using bulldozers and LPG and ATF on the first of every month, be back home in a few days,” a DMK source said. MBBS student, jumped from the fourth floor of village field,” said an off icer from Memari police drills were searching the wreckage for survivors. based on global oil prices and the foreign “Karunanidhi (has been) admitted for optimisation the college hostel building. She was admitted to station. “We haven’t received any claims for “We fear 15 have died. There were 18 workers exchange rate. With this seventh increase of nutrition and hydration. He’s stable... (and is the GSL Medical College, where she succumbed the child’s custody yet,” he added. A villager inside the factory, but we believe three had left in rates in six months, a subsidised 14.2kg being) treated by a team of doctors. He will be in to her injuries. She hailed from Visakhapatnam. first heard the child’s cry and informed Memari before the blast,” he said. “Up to 18 people were cylinder now costs Rs432.71 in Delhi, as hospital for a few days,” a statement from Kauvery Police disclosed that a few hours before taking police station and the child helpline. “The inside the building at the time of the blast,” he against Rs430.64 earlier. The price of non- Hospital said. Karunanidhi has not been seen in the extreme step, the girl sent an SMS to her newborn is kept at the local children’s home in added. Sathyanarayanan said the blast at the subsidised LPG, which consumers buy after public for over a month. In October, a statement friend stating “I will miss you.” Police added they Memari,” police said. The incident came into factory, which manufactured gelignite sticks – a exhausting their quota of 12 cylinders in a from his party said, “The DMK leader is unwell due were investigating allegations that she committed light amid increased police vigil throughout the type of explosive – had been triggered by a fire. year, was also hiked by Rs54.5 to Rs584. to a drug-induced allergy.” suicide due to ragging by senior students. state to prevent child traff icking.

Trains, Nalanda fl ights No gold uni board hit by fog formed ‘as in Delhi seizure up per law’

IANS IANS New Delhi to certain New Delhi number of fl ights and fter Nalanda University train services were af- chancellor George Yeo Afected yesterday as dense Aresigned last week citing fog enveloped the national capi- unhappiness over a new govern- tal and reduced visibility to less ing board being formed without than 50 metres in the morning. limit: govt his knowledge, the government A statement from the North- yesterday clarifi ed that the new ern Railway said 40 trains head- IANS amendments to relevant law board has been formed in ac- ing for Delhi were delayed. New Delhi through the Taxation Laws cordance with the provisions of Another 12 trains that were (Second Amendment) Bill, the Nalanda University Act. supposed to leave from here were 2016, passed by the Lok Sabha “As you know, a proposal for also rescheduled, it added. he government yester- on November 29 to deal with revival of the Nalanda University The authorities at Delhi’s In- day clarifi ed that the the situation arising out of the was initiated by the government dira Gandhi International air- Texemption limit for November 8 demonetisation. in 2007 and the Nalanda Men- port said six fl ights were diverted seizure of gold jewellery and The Taxation Laws (Second tor Group (NMG) was formed due to low visibility. ornaments during searches Amendment) Bill, proposes up for taking forward the proposal,” “Things improved by noon for black money is 500gm for to 85% tax and penalty on un- external aff airs ministry spokes- and now operations are normal,” married women, 250gm for disclosed wealth unearthed by person Vikas Swarup said in his the offi cial said. unmarried women and 100gm tax authorities during search weekly media briefi ng here. The visibility improved from for every male member of a and seizures. “Subsequently, the Nalanda 50 metres to 800-1,000 metres family. “It is clarifi ed that the bill University Act 2010 was passed around noon as a south easterly “There is no limit on holding has not introduced any new by the Parliament and came into wind picked up, an offi cial of the of gold jewellery or ornaments provision regarding charge- force in November of that year,” meteorological department said. by anybody, provided it is ac- ability of tax on jewellery. The he said. Yesterday was the second day quired from explained sources bill only seeks to enhance ap- “Initially, the NMG, formed that north India has been fog- of income including inherit- plicable tax rate to be charged in 2007 was meant to discharge bound aff ecting normal life in ance,” the government also in case of unexplained invest- the functions of the governing the morning. The phenomenon, clarifi ed. ment in assets,” the statement board, pending formation of a which spells the onset of winter The government said ru- said. proper governing board accord- in right earnest, shall prevail for mours that all gold jewellery, The bill, currently under ing to the provisions of the Act. the next few days, the Met offi ce including ancestral one, will be consideration of the Rajya As the Mentor Group had been here said. taxed at 75% plus cess, with a Sabha, seeks to amend Sec- functioning for nine years and Meanwhile, the air quality in further penal liability of 10% of tion 115BBE of the Income Tax the Act provided for three-year the capital remained “severe” tax payable, were totally “un- Act to provide for 60% tax and tenure for members, it was de- with high particle pollutant in founded and baseless”. a 15% surcharge on it for black cided to constitute the board in air and thick fog continuing to “A reference to instruc- money holders. accordance with the Nalanda choke residents. tion No 1916... which provides Another section provides Act. The last time the Mentor As per weather analysts, high that during search operations, for additional 10% penalty if Group’s tenure was extended humidity, light winds and low no seizure of gold jewellery established that undeclared was on November 25, 2013, mak- temperatures are the reasons why and ornaments to the extent wealth is unaccounted or black ing it three years since then.” the particulate matter was not of 500gm per married lady, money. Swarup said that on Novem- getting dispersed and continues 250gm per unmarried lady and “Tax rate under Section ber 21 this year, President Pranab to be major cause of pollution. 100gm per male member of the 115BBE is proposed to be in- Mukherjee, in his capacity as the “Right now the wind, which family shall be made,” a fi nance creased only for unexplained Visitor of the Nalanda Universi- are coming from the Bay of Ben- ministry release said here. income as there were reports ty, approved the constitution of gal have moisture in it and the “Further, legitimate holding that tax evaders are trying to the governing board of the uni- pollutants are getting mixed of jewellery up to any extent is include their undisclosed in- versity in accordance with Sec- with it. This situation could im- fully protected,” it said. come in the return of income tion 7 of the Nalanda University prove within two to three days, In a subsequent clarifi ca- as business income or income Act, 2010. as north-westerly dry winds are tion, the government includ- from other sources,” the min- “Let me emphasise that this expected after two days,” Ma- ed ‘inheritance’ as category istry said. the fi rst time since the Act was hesh Palawat, director of private among explained sources of “The provisions of Section passed that a governing board weather forecasting agency Sky- income used for purchase of 115BBE apply mainly in those has been properly constituted as met, said. gold jewellery. cases where assets or cash etc. per its provisions,” he stated. According to Sumit Sharma, The earlier release only are sought to be declared as Yeo had said in a statement fellow at TERI, the levels of PM spoke of “tax rate to be charged ‘unexplained cash or asset’ or following his resignation that 2.5 (particulate matters with in case of unexplained invest- where it is hidden as unsub- the order dissolving the govern- diameter less than 2.5 mm) are ment in assets”. stantiated business income, ing board and creating a new one three to fi ve times higher than The government clarifi ed and the Assessing Offi cer de- came as a complete surprise to prescribed standards. Traffic comes to a standstill due to heavy fog in Delhi yesterday. after apprehensions arose over tects it as such,” it added. him and to most others.

Promo event Threat of communal Probe ordered into violence in Manipur

Mamata fl ight scare IANS However, the counter block- Imphal ade took an ugly turn since Wednesday with the torching of IANS He said the aircraft had cir- traffi c controller, who assumed various items. New Delhi/Kolkata cled overhead for about 30 that the aircraft had only eight ntelligence sources have S Ibmecha, a woman activist, minutes and alleged that the minutes of total fuel left. The hinted at a possible com- said they were compelled to take Air Traffi c Control (ATC) de- misinterpretation of the infor- Imunal fl are-up as a spillover such extreme steps. ivil Aviation Minister layed giving the green signal to mation by ATC controller led of the blockade and counter- She said: “There are many Ashok Gajapati Raju land despite the pilot pointing ATC to instruct fi re engines blockade that has aff ected Ma- communities in Manipur and the Cyesterday informed out that the plane was running and ambulances to be stationed nipur since November 1, offi cials blockade has hit the people hard Parliament that a probe has out of fuel. at Kolkata airport.” said yesterday. and the Nagas are also suff erers. been ordered into an alleged However, the civil aviation “We would like to clarify – The United Naga Council As a fi rst step, we are destroying safety lapse on the aircraft minister refuted the claim, say- the IndiGo captain at no stage (UNC) called for an indefi nite the items being transported to ferrying West Bengal Chief ing the fl ight hovered only for declared a fuel priority or an economic blockade in Manipur the Naga areas.” Minister Mamata Banerjee on about 13 minutes before land- emergency. Subsequently, the as it believes the government is “They had burned trucks and Wednesday. ing at Kolkata airport. airplane made a normal landing going ahead with the creation of destroyed consumer items. If The minister informed the Budget passenger carrier In- at Kolkata airport at 8.40pm two districts – Jiribam and Sadar they do not stop it we will also Lok Sabha about the probe or- diGo also rebutted the allega- (delayed by an hour due to con- Hills – to be carved out of Im- show that there will be befi tting dered by the civil aviation reg- tions by stating that its fl ight gestion).” phal East and Senapati districts retaliation,” she said. ulator, the directorate general – 6E 342 – made a normal The airline said that the fuel respectively. An offi cial said the develop- of civil aviation (DGCA), after landing at Kolkata airport on on arrival was more than the Since 1971, the Naga groups ments are worrisome. “The an uproar in the House over Wednesday night. required minimum diversion have been opposing the creation state government has been in the issue of West Bengal Chief “The fl ight was kept on hold fuel. of the proposed districts, saying touch with the centre request- Minister Mamata Banerjee’s for landing due to air traffi c “There has been no viola- “lands of the Nagas” would be ing intervention by prevailing aircraft not being allowed to congestion at Kolkata. The pi- tion or breach of any regulatory included there. upon the NSCN-IM to restrain land at Kolkata airport. lot operating 6E-342 had ad- requirement in the above men- During the blockade, the UNC its frontal organisations,” he Soon after the House met vised the ATC that he has eight tioned scenario,” the statement activists set afi re two trucks, two said. yesterday, TMC (All India Tri- minutes of extra holding fuel added. government offi ces in Tamen- “The situation is fast getting namool Congress) leader Sudip over Kolkata (destination) be- “IndiGo has responded to glong district and damaged out of control”, he warned. Bandopadhyay raised the issue fore commencing diversion to the queries made by the regu- several trucks which were being Manipur had witnessed com- of the aircraft not being al- the planned alternate,” the air- lator. At IndiGo, safety of pas- escorted towards state capital munal fl are-ups in the past. On lowed to land at Kolkata airport line said in a statement. sengers, crew and the aircraft Bollywood actor Aamir Khan poses for a photograph during Imphal by armed personnel. May 3, 1993, at least 102 inno- despite technical glitches on “However, this information is the utmost priority and at no a promotional event in Mumbai. There were perfunctory coun- cent people including children Wednesday night. was misunderstood by the air stage it can be compromised.” ter blockades as well. and women were killed. Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 13 LATIN AMERICA

FUNERAL APPEAL INVESTIGATION ANGER CRIME Senate urged to oppose Peru suspects foul Eleven injured in Nicaragua Suspects in murder of bill shielding lawmakers play in mall fire after protest against canal Dutch couple arrested

The judge presiding over a corruption probe A mall fire that killed four people just before a Eleven people have been injured in Nicaragua Costa Rican police arrested two suspects in a urged Brazil’s senate to oppose a bill that would global trade summit in Peru may have been set after clashes broke out between police and brutal murder nearly a year ago of a Dutch couple undermine the authority of prosecutors and that intentionally, authorities said as they off ered protesters who oppose the construction of who had been managing a farm. The suspects, critics say the lower house passed in a hasty bid a $4,392 reward for information about a man a massive inter-oceanic canal project in the identified as Zuniga and Calderon belong to a to shield lawmakers from graft charges. Judge recorded by security cameras. The government of Central American country, federal police and “very violent” gang believed to have carried out Sergio Moro said the proposal sends the wrong Pedro Pablo Kuczynski had initially ruled out any demonstration leaders said. A gigantic canal dozens of assaults, the head of the police’s OIJ signal to a nation eager to see tough action foul play in the movie theatre fire two weeks ago at project extending 280km from the Caribbean investigation unit, Walter Espinoza, said. A third against widespread corruption. Moro, who is the upscale Larcomar shopping mall, which came a to the Pacific has been met with disapproval suspect, Angulo, was previously arrested and was presiding over a massive kickback investigation day before the leaders of the US, Russia, China and by local residents and environmentalists who also being kept in custody, he said. The bodies centred around state-run oil company Petrobras, Japan gathered in Lima for the Apec trade summit. warn the project will cause damage to Lake of the Dutch expatriates, Johannes Snelders and The urn with the ashes of Cuban leader Fidel spoke in a senate debate one day after the lower However, the interior ministry said it had received Nicaragua, the largest lake in central America. Kawitadevi Dhawtal, were found with their hands Castro is driven through Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, house passed a bill that made it possible for pictures and video of a man on the scene when the Demonstrators had planned to converge on the bound by plastic tape. They were murdered just yesterday during its four-day journey across judges and prosecutors to be punished for abuses fire started. The man was “missing, and is being capital of Managua but cancelled the gathering before Christmas in 2015 but the crime had gone the island for the burial in Santiago de Cuba. of authority in cases involving legislators. searched by the police,” it said. after clashes broke out with riot police. undiscovered until January 4, 2016. Bogota cancels Anger at layoffs airline’s permit after fatal crash

Agencies Bonilla said in Medellin. “One of La Paz the theories we are working on is that fi nding no fuel at the crash site or in the alimentation tubes, olivia yesterday suspend- the aircraft suff ered fell for lack ed the operation permit of fuel.” Bof a charter airline whose LAMIA chief executive of- plane crashed in Colombia kill- fi cer Gustavo Vargas said on ing 71 people, and sacked high- Wednesday it is at the pilot’s ranking aviation regulators, the discretion to refuel en route. He government said. said plane should have enough Public Works Minister Milton fuel for about four-and-a-half Claros said the government had hours, more or less depending on also ordered an investigation weather. “Weather conditions into LAMIA Airlines, a Bolivian- infl uence a lot, but he had alter- registered charter company that natives in Bogota in case of a fuel specialises in fl ying Latin Amer- defi ciency. He had all the power ican football clubs. to go to refuel. It’s a decision that Meanwhile according to ini- the pilot takes,” Vargas told re- tial fi ndings by aviation offi cials porters in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. the ill-fated plane had no fuel on Bonillo said weather conditions impact. in Medellin at the time were opti- The comments by the civil mum for a successful landing. aviation authority confi rmed Bo- Some have also questioned Workers of the UOM (Union Obrera Metalurgica) hold banners reading “Stop layoffs” during a protest at Plaza de Mayo square in Buenos Aires, yesterday. The livian pilot Miguel Quiroga’s fi - why Chapecoense used the demonstration denounced the missing of 20,000 jobs since the beginning of Mauricio Macri’s government. nal words to the control tower at charter company instead of a Medellin’s airport on a crackly au- commercial airline. dio obtained by Colombian media. Investigators from Brazil have “When we arrived at the acci- joined Colombian counterparts dent site and were able to inspect to check two black boxes from the the remains we could confi rm crash site on a muddy hillside in that the aircraft had no fuel at the wooded highlands near La Union. time of impact,” said Freddy Bo- Bolivia, where LAMIA is nilla, secretary of airline security based, and the United Kingdom at Colombia’s aviation authority. also sent experts to help the A recording of the pilot’s fi nal probe. The club’s vice president, Colombia govt to rush words can be heard telling the Luiz Antonio Palaoro, said LA- control tower the plane was “in MIA had a track record of trans- total failure, total electrical fail- porting soccer teams around ure, without fuel.” South America and it had used He requested urgent permis- the airline before. sion to land before the audio “We are dealing with the hu- went silent. manitarian aspect of the families approval of peace deal The BAe 146, made by BAE and the victims,” Palaoro told Systems, slammed into a moun- reporters in Chapeco.”After that, Reuters tionary Armed Forces of Co- Juan Manuel Santos, who won rights violations from prosecu- Other laws would include ru- tainside next to the town of La we are going to have to think Bogota lombia (Farc) said they would the Nobel Peace Prize in Octo- tion, would be the fi rst to go to ral reform, victims compensa- Union outside Medellin. about restructuring the team not begin demobilising until ber, has a majority in congress lawmakers, Cristo said. tion, removal of land mines and Only six on board the LAMIA and also in the appropriate legal parts of the accord, including and the laws are likely to pass Some 7,000 fi ghters are set to a United Nations-monitored Bolivia charter fl ight survived, in- measures.” olombia’s government is an amnesty law for most fi ght- easily. lay down their weapons under ceasefi re all agreed to in the cluding three of the Chapecoense Among surviving players, ready to speed the pas- ers, are approved by lawmak- The right-wing opposition, the deal. peace deal. soccer team en route to the Copa goalkeeper Jackson Follmann’s Csage of laws and reforms ers. led by former president and Sudamericana fi nal, the biggest right leg was amputated, while so it can carry out a peace deal The government hopes the now senator Alvaro Uribe, de- Talks with ELN guerrillas postponed game in their history, a journalist defender Helio Neto was in in- with leftist Farc rebels, pending court will allow those laws to mand that Farc leaders get tra- and two crew members. tensive care with severe trauma approval from the constitution- move ahead more quickly than ditional jail time and refused to The Colombian government negotiations with the ELN, International fl ight regula- to his skull, thorax and lungs, al court, offi cials said yesterday. normal by cutting the number vote on the deal. said its peace negotiations which the US and European tions require aircraft to carry and fellow defender Alan Both the senate and the low- of required debates. The agreement to end Latin with the National Liberation Union consider a terrorist enough reserve fuel so they can Ruschel had spinal surgery. er house backed the accord in “We expect a decision in the America’s longest insurgency Army (ELN) were postponed organisation, could only begin fl y for 30 minutes after reach- Two of the Bolivian fl ight crew, votes this week, giving neces- coming days and based on that was put together in just over a to January 10 while the after the release of Odin ing their destination in case they Ximena Suarez and Erwin Tu- sary legislative approval to the decision of the Constitutional month after the original pact guerrilla force conducts Sanchez, who was kidnapped need to circle before landing or miri, were bruised but not in crit- deal to end 52 years of war in Court we can proceed to the was narrowly defeated in a ref- internal consultations and is in April. They were meant to fl y to another airport. ical condition, while journalist which more than 220,000 peo- implementation of the accords,” erendum on October 2. to free a kidnapped politician. start last month. The ELN is “In this case, sadly, the aircraft Rafael Valmorbida was in inten- ple have been killed and mil- Interior Minister Juan Fernando The amnesty law, which Colombian President Juan the country’s second largest- did not have enough fuel to meet sive care for multiple rib fractures lions displaced. Cristo told journalists. would protect rebels not in- Manuel Santos has said guerrilla force after the Farc. the regulations for contingency,” that partly collapsed a lung. But rebels from the Revolu- The coalition of President volved in war crimes or human Mexico central bank Haiti unrest Venezuela ‘facing’ Mercosur suspension chief to quit in July Reuters pend Venezuela is expected Brasilia to be announced today, they said. Reuters weakened more than 1% on the Ramos Francia, who is less well Venezuelan Foreign Minister Mexico City news that Carstens was leaving. known in global fi nancial circles. enezuela will likely be Delcy Rodriguez said defi antly Who would replace Carstens Carstens had warned that suspended from the this week that her socialist- was not immediately clear, Trump’s election could hit Mex- VMercosur regional trade led country would not leave exican Central Bank though Mexican Finance Minis- ico like a hurricane. However bloc this week for failing to Mercosur and denounced what governor Agustin ter Jose Antonio Meade said there following Trump’s surprise vic- meet membership require- she said was a campaign by MCarstens will stand would be an orderly transition. tory, he suggested the next US ments, three Brazilian govern- right-leaning Brazil, Argentina down in July, leaving his post amid “It was shocking,” Ernesto Re- government’s impact could be ment sources said yesterday, in and Paraguay to expel Caracas rising doubts about the direction villa, an economist at Banamex, less severe. another blow to Caracas amid from the group. of Latin America’s No. 2 economy said of Carstens’ departure. Most members of the central a deep political and economic The suspension will not following the election of Donald “There were rumours of this, but bank’s board are concerned that crisis. carry any sanctions against Trump as US president. no one was expecting it to hap- uncertainty about new eco- Venezuela had until Decem- Venezuela, but will sideline its The central bank yester- pen so soon, especially with the nomic policies under Trump ber 1 to meet requirements socialist government from bloc day announced the impending new Trump scenario.” could further hammer the peso, that included economic, hu- meetings and trade negotia- departure of the 58-year-old “Agustin has been a pillar of according to minutes from the man rights and immigration tions, the offi cials said. Carstens, a former Mexican fi - economic policy in Mexico,” Re- central bank’s board last meet- accords governing the group In a statement on Tuesday, nance minister who has been villa noted. ing released earlier yesterday. made up of Argentina, Para- Venezuela’s foreign ministry the governor of the central bank The peso suff ered yesterday “Going forward, the majority guay, Uruguay and regional said the country had embraced since 2010 and is highly respect- because “there is no clear suc- agreed it’s possible that the...re- diplomatic heavyweight Bra- one of the economic accords ed by international investors. cessor at the central bank... covery won’t be sustainable due zil. needed for membership. Bra- He will leave to take the top There is no one on the top of to the aforementioned uncer- “Venezuela has not adopt- zil’s foreign ministry was not job at the Bank for International peoples’ minds of who could tainty surrounding the econom- ed all the membership rules immediately available for Settlements (BIS) in October take his place,” he added. ic policies of the new adminis- and treaties it had promised,” comments. for a fi ve-year term, the Basel- Among potential replacements tration of the US government,” said one official directly in- Tensions within Mercosur based BIS said in a statement. mentioned by economists were the minutes said. volved in the decision, who refl ects the changing political Carstens’ term at the helm Alejandro Werner, a former dep- Trump threatened to rip up a Demonstrators protesting at Jovenel Moise being named asked not to be identified so landscape of a region that has of the Mexican central bank uty fi nance minister who holds free trade deal with Mexico dur- new president of Haiti, flee tear gas, in Port-au-Prince. The as to speak freely. “Every- turned to conservative govern- had been due to conclude at the the top post for the western hemi- ing the campaign and any such Provisional Electoral Council preliminary results showed that thing indicates that Venezue- ments after years dominated end of 2021. The peso, which sphere at the International Mon- move could hit Mexico’s econo- Moise won the election outright, garnering 55.7% of the vote, la will be suspended starting by leftist leaders buoyed by has been battered by fears sur- etary Fund, as well as current dep- my, which sends around 80% of thus barring the need for a second round. in December.” a decade-long commodities rounding the Trump presidency, uty central bank governor Manuel its exports to the US. Mercosur’s decision to sus- boom. Gulf Times 14 Friday, December 2, 2016 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

TRADE First cargo train from China leaves for Karachi

China and Pakistan have launched Trump full of praise for a direct rail and sea freight service, with the first cargo train departing from Yunnan, an inland province in southwest China. A cargo train loaded with 500 tonnes of commodities left Kunming, capital of Yunnan, for Karachi on Wednesday, marking Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan the opening of the new route, the off icial Xinhua news agency Byline ing to a person I have known exceptional’ as well? Won’t you reported. Dateline for long,” it quoted Trump as ‘Chat with Trump stop them entering?” wrote “The route helps locals businesses saying. “Your country is amaz- won’t save Sharif journalist Omar Quraishi on connect with the world market,” a ing with tremendous oppor- from Panama case’ Twitter. representative from the New Silk akistan said Donald Trump tunities. Pakistanis are one of Trump railed against Muslims Road Yunnan Limited said. praised its prime minister the most intelligent people,” during the campaign and vowed The new rail, sea freight will cut Pas a “terrifi c guy” and of- Trump said according to the Cricketer-turned-politician to ban them from entering the logistics cost, including that of fered support for a “fantastic” statement, while also offering Imran Khan yesterday said US. transport, by 50 per cent com- country, in an eff usive phone to help solve the nation’s many Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s “I’m still trying to process pared to past services, the news call that baffl ed many after sharp challenges which include a vio- conversation with US president- that zany Trump-Sharif phone agency reported. criticisms in the past. lent insurgency. elect Donald Trump cannot call. The service is part of China’s Mari- The Pakistani government re- “I am ready and willing to play “save him” from the Panama Who would have known that time Silk Road initiative, of which leased the candid account, com- any role that you want me to play Papers scandal. Trump would become a spokes- the China-Pakistan Economic Cor- plete with Trump’s trademark to address and fi nd solutions to the The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf man for #PakPositive?” tweeted ridor project is an extension. language, after Nawaz Sharif outstanding problems. It will be an chairman said that while it was Michael Kugelman, an analyst at Pakistan and China kicked off first phoned the billionaire real estate honour and I will personally do it.” good news that Trump spoke to the Woodrow Wilson Center in trade activities under CPEC in Oc- mogul to congratulate him on his Trump has long been disdain- Sharif, the chat will do no favour Washington. tober as over a hundred Chinese election victory. ful of Pakistan on social media. to the prime minister in the Kugelman later warned not to containers arrived at the Sust port The widely-circulated state- On January 17, 2012, he tweet- Donald Trump tells Nawaz Sharif: “You are a terrific guy. You are Panamagate case. read too much into the call, given in Hunza, following clearance from ment released late Wednesday ed: “Get it straight: Pakistan is doing amazing work which is visible in every way. how “unpredictable” Trump can customs. caused surprise given the anti- not our friend. We’ve given them be. The containers were headed to Muslim rhetoric of the Trump billions and billions of dollars, leader Osama bin Laden, found saying he would “love to come like to continue working with Trump’s transition team con- Gwadar sea port, in Balochistan campaign and the president- and what did we get? Betrayal hiding in Pakistan, without Is- to a fantastic country, fantas- the new administration when it fi rmed the call but gave a more province of Pakistan. elect’s past description of Paki- and disrespect — and much lamabad’s consent. tic place of fantastic people”, it takes over,” he continued. toned-down account, saying the stan as “not our friend”. It said worse.#TimeToGetTough” Trump’s election has met with said. Some social media users ap- pair had a “productive conversa- EDUCATION Trump told the embattled Paki- Pakistanis have also been sus- concern over what it could mean He would be the fi rst US pres- peared to welcome the phone tion about how the United States stani leader, currently embroiled picious of his relationship with for aid commitments and bumpy ident to visit since George W call revelations. and Pakistan will have a strong Thousands in in a corruption court case, that arch-rival India. diplomatic relations. Bush during military leader Per- “Fantastic diplomacy” wrote working relationship in the fu- he has a “very good reputation”. Pakistan heavily relies on US aid However, the government vez Musharraf’s rule in 2006.” Pakistani journalist Waseem ture.” Pakistan learning “You are a terrific guy. You and is likely to get around $1bn in statement said Trump urged His visit to Pakistan would be Abbasi, based in Washington, on “President-elect Trump also Chinese language are doing amazing work which economic and security assistance Sharif to call him “any time even most welcome,” a foreign min- Facebook. noted that he is looking for- is visible in every way. I am in the 2017 fi nancial year. before 20th January” when he istry spokesman said yesterday. Some were more sceptical. ward to a lasting and strong As the momentum on the China- looking forward to see you Relations plummeted after it takes power. Pakistan “would like to “But Mr Trump do you know personal relationship with Pakistan Economic Corridor soon. As I am talking to you emerged in 2011 that the US had Trump also responded to an strengthen...the existing rela- most Pakistanis are Muslim — Prime Minister Sharif,” it said gears up, interest in learning the prime minister, I feel I am talk- carried out a raid to kill Al Qaeda invitation to visit Pakistan by tionship further and we would how can they be ‘brilliant and in a statement. Chinese language among the youth is increasing in Pakistan. The Technical Education and Vo- cational Training Authority (Tevta) is providing free of cost three- month courses in six districts of Sartaj Aziz to attend Heart of Overseas Pakistanis fi le 80,000 the Punjab, which is gaining a lot of traction. Purpose to start this language complaints at federal ombudsman programme is to make the Asia conference in India already trained skilled labour force of Pakistan more acceptable in Internews thority (NADRA) and delayed rights, had the courage to report the Chinese market. AFP archrivals are busy in eff orts to attend the conference due to on- Islamabad salaries. them and also had the will to Chairman Tevta, Irfan Qaiser Islamabad isolate it on international level, going border tensions. The remaining 39,000 com- address all kinds of misadmin- Sheikh said till now 4,000 youth while at the same time it has Some experts believe that this plaints were registered against istration in government depart- have learned the language and in engaged Pakistan on the Line of participation is in the interest of he federal ombudsman diffi culties being faced at inter- ments. one year period 15,000 more will dviser to Pakistani Prime Control and Working Boundary. the country as Pakistan should offi ce in Pakistan received national airports. “Wafaqi Mohtasib has already be able to speak and understand Minister on Foreign Af- Representatives of 40 coun- not be out of the loop when it Tover 80,000 complaints According to the fi gures, of moved a summary to the prime the language. Afairs Sartaj Aziz will go to tries will participate in the two- comes to South Asian aff airs. from overseas Pakistanis during the 43,000 complaints, 20,000 minister to resolve the long- This will help them get jobs in India to participate in the Heart day conference, including Af- Afghanistan is our neighbour- the past seven months. were registered by Pakistanis re- standing issue of 20,000 Paki- Chinese companies working on of Asia Conference amid con- ghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani. ing country and peace over there According to data compiled by siding in Denmark over dual na- stanis residing in Denmark seek- the CPEC, he added. tinuing skirmishes between the Previously, this conference is part of the Pakistan’s foreign Wafaqi Mohtasib, 43,000 com- tionality issues, whereas, 10,000 ing dual nationality,” Khokhar The students are of the view that two nuclear-armed neighbours was held in Islamabad and the policy, they added. plaints were registered online by complaints were registered by added. the Chinese is not diff icult and the at the border. Indian Foreign Minister Sushma According to them, Paki- overseas Pakistanis residing in unpaid citizens working in Saudi Sharing details of the prob- CPEC is opening opportunities According to reports, Sartaj Swaraj attended the event. stan made several eff orts for Germany, Malaysia, New York, Arabia. lems being faced by the over- for us. will travel to India via Wagah The government has decided dialogues between Taliban and Middle Eastern countries and Grievance Commissioner for seas Pakistanis at international The massive CPEC project is border on December 4 and return to partake in the meeting, while the Afghan government but the Saudi Arabia against Pakistan Overseas Pakistanis Hafi z Ah- airports, he said majority of the expected to create thousands to the country on the same day. opposition parties opposed the process was sabotaged when an International Airlines (PIA), is- san Khokhar said that a huge complaints were regarding bag- of job opportunities and The statement comes at a plan, saying the advisor to the attack by the US killed Taliban’s suance of passport by National number of complaints indicated gage claims and mishandling of generate economic activity in time when the neighbouring premier shouldn’t go to India to Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. Database and Registration Au- that people were aware of their baggage. Pakistan. Rebuilding history? Debate rages over lost Afghan Buddhas

AFP Karachi

or centuries they stood, two monumental ancient Fstatues of Buddha carved into the cliff s of Bamiyan, loved and revered by generations of Afghans — only to be pulverised by the Taliban in an act of cul- tural genocide. It felt like the loss of family for many who live and tend their crops nearby — but some 15 years on they are hopeful these awe- inspiring relics can be recon- structed. But experts are divided on the value of rebuilding the ar- tefacts, with some insisting it is more important to preserve the remains of the entire crumbling site. Archaeologists and restor- ers, mostly Afghan, German, Japanese and French, working in the Bamiyan Valley in central This picture taken on November 6, 2016 shows Afghan archaeological guard, Hakim Safam, standing in Afghanistan will meet from De- front of the reconstructed foot of the Salsal Buddha, which was 58 metres high before being destroyed This picture taken on November 6, 2016 shows Afghan men walk at the site of the giant Buddha statues, cember 1-3 in Munich, Germany. by the Taliban in 2001, in Bamiyan province. which were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 in Bamiyan province. There they will try to move forward on the issue, as much a ing tickets at the site.”I feel as lio Bendezu-Sarmiento, direc- weathered, the rock crumbling were painted,” says Ghula have still kept the memory, the of culture or in depth respect for matter of the conservation of the though I had lost family.” tor of the French Archaeologi- against the elements. Reza. Buddhas will remain in the col- religious dialogue. Unesco World Heritage Site as “In the villages local people cal Delegation in Afghanistan Greatly weakened the cliff German restorers, in favour of lective memory even so,” he says. “So if the reconstruction of the memories and culture of a very much want the Buddhas to (DAFA) and member of the threatens collapse, Julio Bende- reconstructing the statues, have “Leaving aside nostalgia, of the Buddha statues would brutalised community. be rebuilt...They are always ask- committee for the preservation zu-Sarmiento adds. already rebuilt the feet of the the urgency is rather to prevent contribute to revitalising such All Afghans, especially the ing us, when will you be ready of Bamiyan which will meet in “The focus for Unesco is to smaller Buddha, nearly ten me- it from happening again,” he memories or dignity, this has peasants tending potatoes at the to begin?” says Rassoul Chojai, Germany. preserve the remains of the stat- tres long. concluded, citing Palmyra, the to be (considered),” he added, front of the cliff s, mourn the loss professor of archaeology at the The cliff , he says,is “pierced ues,” said Ghula Reza Moham- “We have some fragments of Greco-Roman oasis in the Syr- describing a rebuild as a poten- of the tutelary silhouettes — the University of Bamiyan. with thousands of decorated madi, representative of the UN the original Buddhas,” says Bert ian desert devastated in 2015 by tial “contribution to a peaceful largest, the Salsal, was 56 metres But the statues were so thor- caves, connected by stairs, cor- agency in Bamiyan. Praxenthaler, a Bavarian art his- the Islamic State group. world.” high; its feminine version, the oughly destroyed that it is not ridors, used in the past by monks Unesco has reinforced the torian who has worked in Bamiy- The debate surrounding the The debate will not be decided Shamama, 38 metres. even clear if they ever could be and hermits” until the slow ar- niche of the Shamama with the an since 2003. Buddhas is not only technical, in Munich, where experts will They were blasted in April reconstructed. rival of Islam from the 8th to the help of Japanese funding, and is “It would be a kind of statue says Masanori Nagaoka, director simply agree on the work to pre- 2001 by the Taliban, who had Unesco and the archaeologists 11th centuries. now working on that of the Sal- with a lot of gaps and holes of of cultural heritage at Unesco in serve the site — or in Abu Dhabi, taken control of the province have gathered fragments, a clut- It was the Buddhist history of sal, enmeshed in giant scaff old- course, but this is the fi rst hon- Kabul, arguing that considera- where Afghan President Ashraf and killed thousands of Haz- ter of rocks and stones of various the area that the Taliban wanted ing. ourable approach to the history,” tion must also be given to ethi- Ghani will attend a separate con- ara civilians, a Shia minority sizes. to erase in the name of Islam, “Since 2001, German re- he argues. “If we have a really cal, humanitarian and human ference on safeguarding cultural in Bamiyan. But the bulk of the monu- when they blew the statues up searchers have also worked good funding, we could do it in a rights points of view. heritage this weekend. “For us, they were like par- ments has simply vanished, re- in 2001. on protecting the wall mu- period of about fi ve years.” “Statues are not just a physi- But the question is already on ents,” said Hakim Safa, the duced to dust. The explosions left deep rals — there are more than But why bother, wonders cal representation...they have the agenda of an international 27-year-old representative from “The destruction of the great cracks along the niches, which 4,000 caves in Bamiyan and Bendezu-Sarmiento: “In history meaning for people, to represent conference on Bamiyan next au- the Afghan culture ministry sell- Buddhas is total,” confirms Ju- over the years have expanded, all of them have designs and so much has disappeared yet we their history and their diversity tumn in Tokyo. Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 15 PHILIPPINES Sereno and New acquisition bar council overruled on new judges

By Jomar Canlas Aquino, however, ignored the in en banc deliberations despite Manila Times fi rst shortlist containing nomi- her recusal. nees for the 16th post, and in- Associate Justice Teresita Le- stead chose two names from the onardo-de Castro was the po- HE Supreme Court en sixth list for the 21st post. nente of the decision, which held banc has overruled Chief In May, the Integrated Bar of that the appointing powers of the TJustice Maria Lourdes the Philippines (IBP) and several President are plenary in nature Sereno and the Judicial and Bar lower court judges questioned and cannot be clipped or limited Council (JBC) on the issue of ap- the appointments of Geraldine by the JBC through a “cluster- Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (left) and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ricardo Visaya gives the thumbs-up sign pointments to the judiciary, de- Faith Econg and Michael Fred- ing” scheme. yesterday, posing on a FA-50 fighter jet, newly purchased from South Korea, at a hangar at the Clark Air Base, Angeles city, claring that the President has the erick Musngi, claiming Aquino In its petition, the IBP cited Sec- Pampanga province, north of Manila. prerogative to appoint any nomi- violated the Constitution when tion 9, Article VIII of the Constitu- nee from shortlists submitted by he picked the two from the sixth tion, which provides that “mem- the JBC. short list and dropped the fi rst bers of the Supreme Court and During deliberations earlier one. judges of the lower courts shall be this week, the high tribunal voted The high tribunal junked the appointed by the President from unanimously to declare the JBC’s petitions and validated the ap- a list of at least three nominees “clustering” scheme unconsti- pointments made by Aquino. prepared by the Judicial and Bar Lawmaker lauds stoppage of terminal fee for OFWs tutional and illegal, in a landmark The former president, it ruled, Council for every vacancy.” decision that sets the precedent committed “no grave abuse of Judges Philip Aguinaldo, Rey- for future vacancies in the Su- discretion” in ignoring one of the naldo Alhambra, Danilo Cruz, Manila Times disregards the exemptions granted by law to have been fi ghting for years to revoke this preme Court and the rest of the “clustered” shortlists of the seven- Benjamin Pozon, Danilo San- Manila our fellow OFWs,” he said in a statement. illegal memorandum issued by the previous judiciary. man JBC, and could choose any doval and Salvador Timbang Jr., Beriz was referring to Section 35 of Repub- administration,” Bertiz said. Two Supreme Court posts will name from any of the shortlists. the nominees on the list ignored lic Act 8042, as amended by RA 10022, or the He also earlier fi led House Resolution 14, become vacant this month with The clustering of nominees by Aquino, joined the petition, lawmaker yesterday hailed the deci- Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act, which seeks a House inquiry into the im- the retirement of Associate Jus- began during Sereno’s stint at claiming to have “suff ered direct sion of Manila International Airport which exempts OFWs from paying travel tax, plementation of Memorandum Circular 8, tices Arturo Brion and Jose Perez. the JBC, and was never practiced injury in this case.” AAuthority (MIAA) general manager documentary stamp and airport terminal fee. Series of 2014 integrating the P550 airport The dispute arose in January from the time of Chief Justice Among those appointed by Ed Monreal to stop the collection of the P550 Monreal earlier announced that starting terminal fee in the airline tickets of all inter- after then-president Benigno Claudio Teehankee up to Chief Aquino to the Sandiganbayan airport terminal fee from overseas Filipino March 2017, the OFWs will no longer have national passengers, including OFWs. Aquino appointed six new jus- Justice Renato Corona, Sereno’s was Zaldy Trespeses, Sereno’s workers (OFWs). to queue at the Ninoy Aquino International “This directive (MC 8) not only removes tices to the expanded Sandigan- impeached predecessor. Court close aide whose name was on According to Rep John Bertiz 3rd of Airport to refund the P550 terminal fee in- the benefi ts granted by law to millions of bayan anti-graft court. sources told The Manila Times the same shortlist that included ACTS-OFW party-list group, it is about tegrated in the airline tickets they purchase. OFWs, notably their exemption from pay- Under the clustering scheme the clustering scheme could be Musngi and Econg. time that the MIAA rescind its memoran- He disclosed that while his offi ce is fi n- ment of airport terminal fee, but also the introduced by Sereno to the manipulated to mix a “prodigy” Aquino also appointed to the dum circular (MC) No 8 that took eff ect last ishing technical details with international very spirit of the law and the intention of our JBC, which screens applicants candidate with “weak” candi- Sandiganbayan two Malacañang February 1 because it blatantly violates a law airlines so that they would stop collecting lawmakers,” Bertiz said. and recommends nominees to dates. undersecretaries, Musngi and that grants exemptions for OFWs from pay- the fee from OFWs, it will be ready to refund The MIAA acknowledges the OFWs’ ex- posts in the judiciary, six short- A Supreme Court source said Reynaldo Cruz; Assistant So- ing the airport terminal fee, among others. OFWs who can present a copy of their E- emption by providing a scheme where the lists containing diff erent sets of Sereno inhibited from the case, licitor General Karl Miranda; and “I commend Monreal’s move to stop the ticket, boarding pass and passport. workers can refund integrated terminal fee names were submitted to Aquino, being the JBC chairwoman. two members from the judici- collection of airport terminal fee for our “Finally, our hardworking OFWs need not upon showing of the Overseas Employment to choose the 16th to 21st Sandi- But Sereno, an Aquino ap- ary, Econg and Judge Ma Theresa OFWS starting March next year. This is long have to queue at the refund counters. This is Certifi cate issued by the Philippine Over- ganbayan associate justices. pointee, continued to participate Mendoza-Arcega. overdue because its continued collection indeed a very welcome development as we seas Employment Administration.

Terror alert Duterte warns Maute: Do not force my hand into war Malaria raised after Manila Times ted criminal acts not only in Lanao del Sur but also in affl icts Manila Maguindanao and portions of Cotabato. The group had been blamed for the September 2 foiled plot Davao City night market bombing that killed 15 people 5,000 resident Rodrigo Duterte has said he does not and wounded 70 others. wish to wage war with terrorists in Mindanao, “Aggressive military operations continue to date Reuters Pbut warned the Maute terrorist group “not to against the LTG (local terrorist group) with govern- Micah Yvana M Vardeleon Manila force my hand into it.” ment troops now securing much of the municipality of Manila Times Duterte made the warning as the military said it had Butig. Troops are currently completing the necessary retaken 90% of the town of Butig in Lanao del Sur that clearing operations in the outskirts of the area,” said he Philippines has raised was overrun by the Maute Group and killed 21 more Brig Gen Restituto Padilla Jr., AFP spokesman. he Department of Health its terror alert to its highest gunmen, on the sixth day of a military off ensive. The death of 21 Maute fi ghters brought to 61 the (DOH) in Mimaropa Tlevel after police said they Duterte went to Lanao del Sur for a military brief- number of terrorists killed since the government T(Mindoro Oriental and had discovered a plot by Islamic ing and then to Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visits troops launched an off ensive against the extremist group, Mindoro Occidental, Marindu- State-linked militants to attack a City, where he visited members of his advance party in Nanagun, Lombayanague in Lanao del Sur in which security offi cials say are linked to the IS. que, Romblon and Palawan) has park, following a foiled bombing who were wounded by a bomb attack on Tuesday in Mindanao island. Twelve Maute members were also reportedly conducted intervention meas- near the US embassy earlier this Marawi City. Maute supporters were allegedly behind wounded. ures against a reported rise in week. the blast. said he was not yet ready to talk to the group. On the government side, at least 35 soldiers were malaria cases in Palawan with Ronald dela Rosa, the national “I do not want war but do not force my hand into it,” “I am not ready to talk to Maute group,” he said. injured. more than 5,000 people affl icted police chief, said the plot was re- the President told reporters. Recaptured Government troops retook the old mu- Padilla said the fi gure included the seven members since January this year. vealed by two men arrested over “With the Maute, I said I do not want to wage a war nicipal building of Butig and killed 21 more Maute of the Presidential Security Group and two other sol- Regional health offi cials said the planting of a bomb near the against Filipinos but I told them that they have to stop. Group members in one of the fi ercest fi refi ghts since diers whose convoy was bombed by suspected terror- at least fi ve municipalities–Riz- embassy in Manila on Monday. I hope we do not come to the point of war. So I am do- the extremists occupied the area over the weekend, a ists in Marawi City on Tuesday. al, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Bal- “These men planned to deto- ing everything to prevent a war,” he said in a mix of military offi cial said. The presidential guards were Duterte’s advance party abac and Quezon–were among nate a bomb in a public park, but English and Filipino. The recapture of the abandoned municipal hall at for his scheduled visit to the Army’s 103rd Brigade. those with high incidence of the it failed, then they planted another Asked what were his instructions during the com- 9.20am on Wednesday, where the Maute hoisted a fl ag On Wednesday, security offi cials said government mosquito-borne illness. improvised explosive device near mand briefi ng with the military fi ghting the Maute of Islamic State (IS) last Friday, came as Duterte vis- troops also clashed with Abu Sayyaf members, killing They noted a 17% incidence the US embassy,” dela Rosa told a group, Duterte said: “They have to go on with the op- ited the troops at an Army tactical command post in one of them on Capual Island off the southern Sulu increase in Brooke’s Point, based news conference, standing beside erations.” Lumbayanague some 10km away from Butig. town of Omar in the restive Muslim autonomous re- on records from January until two men in yellow prisons shirts. The President said it seemed the Maute group was Major Felimon Tan, spokesman of the Armed Forces gion. the end of October this year. Three other men belonging to a not interested in talking peace with the government. of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Com- Soldiers recovered the body of the slain rebel, three The DOH Mimaropa conduct- southern Philippine Islamist mili- “No one is showing sincerity there, so the fi ght goes mand, said that besides the old municipal hall, secu- motorboats, an automatic rifl e and an improvised ex- ed blood smear test, rapid diag- tant group had evaded arrest, he on,” Duterte said. rity forces took control of 85% to 90% of areas earlier plosive following the Tuesday fi ghting between mem- nostic test and immunochro- added. On Tuesday, the president said he wanted to be- occupied by Maute. bers of the 11th Scout Rangers and the notorious group matographic test for fi lariasis on “I am advising the public to be friend the Maute group to end the violence in the area. Combat operations continued as troops pursued the also tied to the IS. There were no reports of casualties residents in the aff ected areas. vigilant, to be cautious, but don’t But in Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday, Duterte extremist group, which the military said had commit- on the military side. It distributed insecticide- panic. Enjoy your Christmas,” treated mosquito nets to one he said, adding that checkpoints thousand families and hygiene would be set around the capital kits to children. and raids conducted on known The regional health offi cials “lairs of suspected terror groups”. noted a lack of knowledge and A mobile phone wired to an lack of tests were among the rea- 81mm mortar bomb was found by Release overtime pay, airlines told sons for the increasing number a street sweeper near the US em- of residents affl icted with ma- bassy on Monday. laria. Police safely detonated the Manila Times Representatives (BAR), which ordered “It is unfortunate that up to now, the Biazon and Alberto Lina to assert the In 2015, Palawan registered a bomb, but the masterminds had Manila the BOC to immediately implement Customs personnel of Mactan-Cebu rightful claims of the Customs workers higher number of malaria cas- tried to set it off by calling the Customs Administrative Order (CAO) International Airport (MCIA), have yet against PAL and Cebu Pac. es with 7,437 and 13 reported phone, Dela Rosa said. 1-2005, prescribing an increase in over- to receive their overtime pay from two Faeldon recalled that Biazon issued deaths. Police traced the number to a HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has time pay of Customs personnel render- major airlines, namely PAL and Cebu the necessary directives and letter-ap- Affl icted areas with deaths are man in a province north of Manila, reiterated its call to managements ing service to international airline com- Pacifi c, which had the biggest number peals for implementation of the SC rul- the towns of Taytay, Bataraza, then arrested him. Tof Philippine Airlines (PAL) and panies at the country’s airports. of international fl ights served during the ing, while Lina issued a written authority San Vicente, Sofronio Espanola A second man who drove a car Cebu Pacifi c (Cebu Pac) to release long- The CAO took eff ect in 2005 while the period from the year 2005 to 2010,” he to the Customs collector of the sub-port and Puerto Princesa City. and placed the explosive near the delayed overtime pay of bureau person- SC decision became fi nal and executory added in his October 19 letter to the BAR. of Mactan to negotiate and enter into A three-cycle indoor resid- US mission was also arrested. nel at the Mactan-Cebu International on January 11, 2012. “The delay in the execution of the an amicable settlement with the airline ual spraying (IRS) operation in Philippines President Rodrigo Airport, citing a 2012 Supreme Court The CAO required airlines that are judgment in favor of the BOC person- members of BAR to aid in the long-over- all malaria-endemic areas was Duterte has been warning that Is- (SC) ruling favoring the workers’ claims. BAR members to increase the overtime nel within the fi ve-year period from due implementation of the SC decision. conducted last year to eliminate lamic State fi ghters could seek to Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, pay of Customs personnel at the air- the date of its entry on 11 January 2012 Under CAO 7-92, the BOC offi cers malaria-causing mosquitoes. establish a foothold in his coun- in a report to Finance Secretary Car- ports. or until 11 January 2017 [or about three and employees at the airport were to re- Malaria is a mosquito-trans- try if driven out of Iraq and Syria, los Dominguez 3rd, said he has writ- Faeldon said he has also written the months from now]may amount to deni- ceive P28 to P30 overtime pay per hour, mitted disease and considered as warning of “contamination” by ten Jaime Bautista of PAL and Lance BAR chairman, Jose Perez de Tagle, for al of justice and further inconvenience with allowances of P50 for traveling per the ninth leading cause of death extremists. Gokongwei of Cebu Pac to remind them the “speedy and full settlement” of on the part of the claimants,” Faeldon way and P50 per meal. in the Philippines. Its symptoms The southern Philippines has for of their fi nancial obligation under the the obligations of PAL and Cebu Pac to said in his letter. The new order (CAO 1-2005) in- include fever, headache, chills decades been a hotbed of Muslim High Court’s ruling. the Mactan-Cebu Customs personnel, He informed the BAR that his letter creased the overtime pay to P66 and and vomiting and it can progress militancy, though driven largely by The SC ruling refers to the case of Of- some of them already retired from the is, in eff ect, a follow-up to earlier eff orts P83, and also included P110 fl at rate for into severe illness and death if domestic agendas. fi ce of the President vs Board of Airline service. of former BOC commissioners Rufi no traveling and P110 meal allowance. not given prompt treatment. Gulf Times 16 Friday, December 2, 2016 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Awareness campaign Sex trade victims must get damages: says judge Sri Lankan health workers take part in an awareness walk to mark World Aids Day in Colombo. in Nepal

Thomson Reuters anti-traffi cking legislation. Foundation Compensation should be London between 500,000 and 1.5mn Nepalese rupees ($4,560 to New evidence hints at $13,700), she said. epalese girls and wom- She also called for new leg- en rescued from sexual islation to make it easier for Nslavery should receive Nepal’s government to recover compensation from the gov- assets from traffi ckers. ernment when their traffi ckers Dunawar told the confer- are convicted, a survivor said ence, hosted by the Thomson IS role in cafe attack on Wednesday. Reuters Foundation, how she Sunita Danuwar, who was was traffi cked by two men who An off icial has claimed that IS has raised the alarm for overseas investors. Fatema, had a comfortable middle-class deri the new point of contact with Kausar, sold to a Mumbai brothel when sold her to a Mumbai brothel deeper connections in Bangladesh In its Rumiyah magazine published after life in Dhaka, with two children and steady the police offi cial said. she was 14, said compensation after befriending her fam- than previously known the café massacre, Islamic State claimed jobs. At around 7.30pm on September 10, po- was crucial to help survivors ily and giving her a sweet laced two dozen attacks in the country since “We were a very happy family,” Kaderi’s lice knocked on the door of Kaderi’s apart- rebuild their lives and reduce with drugs. Reuters September 2015. son Mohamed Tahrim Kaderi Abir wrote in ment, where his wife, one of his sons and the risk of being retraffi cked. When she refused to work Dhaka The claim could not be independently a confession presented before a magistrate. some associates were hiding. “Survivors need to reinte- she was beaten and told she verifi ed. Abir, an eighth grade student, wrote In the ensuing chaos, police were at- grate into society. would be killed. After the siege, police raided suspected that his parents’ behaviour started to tacked with grenades and knives, while If they have money then they She was sold to a second efore Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury jihadi hideouts and said they killed dozens change after they went on the Haj pilgrim- some women in the apartment threw chili can reintegrate more easily. brothel where she was gang- orchestrated Bangladesh’s worst of militants and arrested hundreds more. age in 2014. powder at them. Kaderi ran into a room. If they do not have money raped before being forced to Bmilitant attack, he sought and won Still, the government of Prime Minis- After that, Kaderi told a preacher he had As they tried to apprehend him, he then they may be preyed on have sex with around 20 men approval for it from Islamic State. ter Sheikh Hasina has said Islamic State dreamed he was standing with a weapon in swung a scythe at police, who were using and re-traffi cked,” said Danu- a day. A Canadian of Bangladeshi origin, he does not exist in the impoverished South his hand in the middle of a desert. his son as a shield. war, who now runs an anti- was told by his contact in the militant Asian nation of 160mn people, and instead Kaderi also started spending time with Kaderi told his son: “If you get hit, you traffi cking charity in Nepal. “No amount of money group, Abu Terek Mohamed Tajuddin blames the rise in political violence on the acquaintances from the local mosque, who will either be martyred or Allah will re- Her call for compensation will compensate a victim Kausar, to target foreigners, according to Islamist opposition. introduced the family to others, including ward you.” was backed by Nepal’s lead- who has been exploited a senior police offi cial who has seen com- Opposition leaders deny any link and associates of Chowdhury. By the time the raid was over, Kaderi had ing anti-traffi cking judge, Tek and traffi cked but at least munications between the two men. say it can be traced to the bitter rivalry, They in turn preached to the fam- slit his own throat. Narayan Kunwar, who set a it can help them gain Chowdhury, located in Bangladesh at which has long poisoned politics in the ily about faith and jihad and showed them The last known link to Islamic State in precedent in 2012 when he or- independence and make the time, proposed an attack on a Dhaka country, between Hasina’s ruling Awami videos of the war in Syria. Bangladesh was dead, although the police dered the government to pay a new start” eatery frequented by expatriates. League and its main rival, the Bangla- One gave them a copy of Dabiq maga- offi cial said they did not know if anyone else the equivalent of $3,000 to the On July 1, a group of gunmen stormed desh Nationalist Party (BNP), as well as zine, an Islamic State publication, accord- was in contact with the militant group. son of a woman who died of “I felt very depressed and the Holey Artisan café in the city’s Gulshan Jamaat-e-Islami. ing to the confession. Opposition leaders accuse the govern- HIV after years working in In- very afraid. I thought my life neighbourhood, murdering 22 people, “These are all home-grown people,” said The preparations for the café attack ment of using militancy as an excuse to dian brothels. was darkness. I didn’t have any most of them foreigners, in an overnight Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, add- began at least as early as June, around the stifl e dissent. Kunwar said 9,500 Nepalese choice — I could not run away. siege that shocked the country. ing that the siege militants belonged to a new beginning of the Muslim holy month of “A democracy defi cit is defi nitely en- women and girls were traf- I wanted to try to kill myself,” The back-and-forth between Chowd- faction of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangla- Ramadan, according to Abir’s confession. couraging the extremists,” said Mirza fi cked abroad every year. she said. hury, 30, and Kausar, 35, which includes desh (JMB), a banned group he said had ties Kaderi rented an apartment in Basund- Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP’s secretary Many end up in India, oth- Danuwar, who was repatri- drafts of articles later published in Islamic to the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party. hara area of Dhaka, near the cafe. general who spent months in jail and now ers are traffi cked to China or ated to Nepal after being res- State magazines, has not been previously An aide to Hasina said that, while lo- A few days later the fi ve militants who faces prosecution in dozens of cases. within Nepal. cued during a police raid, set reported. cal militant groups had links with Islamic conducted the attack showed up at the The Jamaat leadership has gone into Victims were very poor and up the charity Shakti Samuha Together with attempts by people linked State, the extent of support was limited. house. hiding after several of its top leaders were often faced social stigma when with other survivors. to Islamic State to recruit and fund mili- “They are not an organised group here. Kaderi’s family moved to Dhaka’s old executed during the past two years for war they returned to Nepal, he said. “We decided — 15 girls — to tancy in the country, the documents show People with Islamic State links are here. city the night of the raid. crimes committed during the country’s “No amount of money will fi ght together and change our the extremist organisation has built deep- But that is not to say Islamic State is here.” Chowdhury was killed on August 27. 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. compensate a victim who has fear into power,” she said. er connections with Bangladeshi militants Bangladesh police fi rst came to know That and the other raids gave police ac- In an e-mail, Maqbul Ahmad, the head been exploited and traffi cked The charity runs shelters for than was previously known. about Chowdhury around fall of last year, cess to his correspondence with Kausar. of the party, denied any connections with but at least it can help them rescued girls and women, or- The police offi cial declined to be named but they did not know his whereabouts, In one, Chowdhury was asked by Kausar JMB or other militants. gain independence and make a ganises traffi cking prevention due to the sensitivity of the information. the police offi cial said. to answer questions for an interview, “The government is consistently de- new start. programmes and promotes ed- Reuters could not independently verify In December, Dhaka police seized about which was eventually published in Dabiq nying the actual presence of terrorism in The government should pro- ucation and training for survi- the contents of the communications. 3.9mn taka ($50,000) destined for a close in April under the nom de guerre Abu Ib- Bangladesh,” Ahmad wrote. “Rather they tect its citizens,” said Kunwar. vors and others at risk of being As Islamic State comes under pressure associate of Chowdhury’s. rahim al-Hanif. are using it as an eff ective instrument of The district judge in Chitwan traffi cked. in its home base of Syria and Iraq, its ac- The money, which the police offi cial Al-Hanif was identifi ed in the magazine repression of Islamists.” is also known for helping to ac- The group also supports tivities in outposts such as Bangladesh said was sent via the informal hawala cash as head of Islamic State in Bangladesh. Soon after the café attack, the gov- celerate the time it takes to bring prosecutions of traffi ckers, but could intensify, experts have said. transfer network, came from a UK-based In another, Chowdhury sent the draft ernment placed a bounty of 2mn taka traffi ckers to justice, introduce Danuwar said victims received The extent of Islamic State’s infl uence company. of an article about the café attack, which ($25,000) on Chowdhury’s head. A series tougher prison sentences and very little compensation be- in Bangladesh will be key to the country’s The company’s founder, Siful Sujan, was published after his death in Rumiyah of raids on militant hideouts followed. improve witness protection. cause traffi ckers were either garment sector that employs millions of was killed a few days later in Syria. magazine, the police offi cial said. By October 3 police said they had killed Speaking on the sidelines too poor to pay or had secreted people and earns $28bn a year in exports. At the time, investigators could not Kausar’s mother said he moved to Aus- 42 militants and arrested at least 221 peo- of Trust Women, an annual their wealth. Any sign the global jihadi network establish the money had been sent on Is- tralia in 2006 and she had not heard from ple, according to an internal police report. women’s right and traffi ck- About 229,000 people are is making inroads could force Western lamic State’s instructions, the police of- him since before the attack. Militant groups, including a faction ing conference, traffi cking trapped in some form of slav- brands to look elsewhere for cheap clothes. fi cial said. Tahera Begum, who lives in a town ideologically linked to Al Qaeda, have gone survivor Danuwar said her ery in Nepal, according to the In the year before the cafe atrocity, a Chowdhury’s group, meanwhile, was 200km from Dhaka, said she did not know quiet and police say the overall security organisation was pushing the 2016 Global Slavery Index by string of grisly individual murders, includ- recruiting. whether he had links with Islamic State. situation is under control, although the government to introduce com- rights group Walk Free Foun- ing of bloggers and foreigners, had already Tanvir Kaderi and his wife, Abedatul Before his death, Chowdhury made Ka- threat is not over. pensation during its review of dation. Sham brokers shatter students’ foreign education dreams

AFP Promised an internationally-recog- But only a fraction are registered Our passports were confi scated, we But the education ministry is playing Kathmandu nised diploma, a paid internship and with the government and many are couldn’t study, we couldn’t work. catch up to an industry that has mush- eventual transfer to a US-based college, simply fronts. We were stranded,” Shrestha said. roomed out of control: at present 506 Shrestha arrived at Lambirds Academy These cowboy outfi ts pocket the Shrestha spent 14 months in a gov- educational consultancies are regis- hen aspiring chef Bijay to fi nd a sparely furnished two-story huge deposits the applicants stump up, ernment shelter before he was allowed tered with the ministry, with about 900 Shrestha left Nepal last year building with three classrooms. though some take the charade a step home, but over a dozen Nepali students applications under process. Wfor the Caribbean island of “I was stunned. further, sending students to far fl ung remain, he said. “We understand there are irregulari- Saint Lucia his goal was an interna- But what could I do? My parents had colleges that don’t match up the prom- “Other students had warned the ties,” said Gauri Shankar Pandey, a sen- tional degree, work experience, and a spent so much so I could come here to ise — or don’t exist — and leaving them agent about the conditions at Saint Lu- ior offi cial at the education ministry. chance at a well-paid career. study,” Shrestha said. there. cia, but he still sent me and four oth- “It is important for the parents and But instead, after 14 months liv- Hundred of thousands of Nepalis “It is almost a form of traffi ck- ers,” Shrestha said. the students to be alert as well, only ing in penury in Saint Lucia, Shrestha work abroad — mostly as maids and on ing when the students are stranded Prakash Pandey, head of the Educa- choosing consultancies registered with was back in Kathmandu penniless and construction sites in Southeast Asia abroad,” said Sarvendra Khanal, head of tional Consultancy Association of Ne- the government.” without his qualifi cation. and the Gulf — and their remittances Kathmandu’s police crime branch. pal, said that the government has left a A 28-year-old nurse, who asked Shrestha is one of hundreds of Nepali are a mainstay of the country’s econo- Nepali students have been aban- regulation vacuum which has opened not to be named, had her dreams of a students duped into paying thousands my, providing about 30% of gross do- doned in countries around the world, the door to this kind of fraud. master’s degree in Australia shattered of dollars to brokers on the promise of mestic product. including Chile, Malaysia and Holland, “Unfortunately, the absence of when a broker disappeared leaving her help with international college appli- Nepalese student Bijay Shrestha For years dishonest labour bro- he said. strong monitoring made it easy for $10,000 in debt. cations and visas, who then disappear during an interview in Kathmandu. kers have taken advantage of the huge A month after Shrestha arrived in those looking for fast money to join the “He not only ran away with my mon- with the cash or ship them to sham col- stream of willing workers, but now the Saint Lucia with four other Nepali industry and trap gullible students,” ey, but also made wrong papers in my leges. large debts in the hope that a foreign illicit trade is cashing in on the big am- students, the authorities closed down Pandey said. name, which means I have been black- Education consultancies have mush- degree will pay huge dividends. bitions of a younger generation dream- Lambirds Academy and arrested three Last year, Kathmandu police’s crime listed by Australian authorities and roomed in Nepal, helping students who Last year alone, over 38,000 stu- ing of foreign degrees. Indians and one Bangladeshi on hu- branch raided over three dozen unreg- cannot apply again,” she said. have begun to looked overseas for bet- dents left Nepal for higher education Along a main street in the capital man traffi cking and money laundering istered outfi ts claiming to be education The broker is now in police custody, ter education opportunities than those opportunities — chances never materi- Kathmandu, dozens of education con- charges. consultancies and found that many accused of cheating more than 10 oth- available at home. alised for some. sultancies vie for business — fl ashing They took 60 Nepali students into were fake. ers out of nearly $100,000. Once the preserve of the country’s Shrestha’s tropical education dream promises of places at international custody as witnesses. The raid was the necessary scare to “I had big dreams, I trusted him with rich, an increasing number of students quickly evaporated when he arrived in colleges and easy visas on huge bill- “We were victims but felt like pris- encourage some to register with the my career. But now I don’t know what are now burdening themselves with Saint Lucia. boards. oners. government. to do.” Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 17 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH The seven under the Shade of Allah

By Fareena Aslam and ‘Itrat Azad

he Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi A Mosque near Furousiya Roundabout wa sallam) said: “There are in Doha. seven whom Allah will shade PICTURE: Naushad Thekkayil Tin His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the masjids; two men who love each other for Allah’s sake meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but he says: ‘I fear Allah’; a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Sahih al-Bukhari) In this beautiful hadith, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade [this shade refers to the Shade of Allah’s ‘Arsh (Throne) as is mentioned in other authentic ahadith.] This may not seem like much at fi rst but then refl ect upon the following hadith: “On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left a distance of only a mile. The people will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration and, while saying this, the Messenger of Allah put his hand towards his mouth.” (Narrated by al-Miqdaad in Aswad and collected in Sahih Muslim) And in another hadith, some will be submerged in sweat “seventy armlengths in the earth.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah and collected in Sahih al-Bukhari) Let us examine the characteristics and virtues of these seven categories of people who will be worthy of such an exalted position on the Day of Gathering.

1. “A JUST RULER...” going further than that.] and collected in al-Haakim and others.] struggles as many seem to have become (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) warned his reminders of your generosity or by The concept of Justice in Islam is very The concept of justice is most these days. And we seek Allah’s refuge ummah specifi cally about this. He said, injury, like him who spends his wealth to important and it is something which the important for the Ruler, since he is in 3. “A MAN WHOSE HEART IS from this! “The world is sweet and green and verily be seen of men and he does not believe in Muslim – Ruler and the ruled – must charge of the people and the prime ATTACHED TO THE MASJIDS...” Allah is going to install you as successors Allah nor in the Last Day.” (Al-Baqarah 2: apply in all matters without exception. disposer of justice in the land. For There is great encouragement in the 4. “TWO MEN WHO LOVE upon it in order to see how you act. So 264). May Allah preserve us from this. Justice means to give each the right this reason, the Ruler is given special Sunnah for men to pray in the masjids EACH OTHER FOR ALLAH’S avoid the allurement of women: verily he deserves: Muslim or non-Muslim, mention as one of the seven who will be and the reward associated with it is SAKE, MEETING FOR THAT AND the fi rst trial for the Children of Israa’eel 7. “...A MAN WHO relative or stranger, friend or enemy. honoured with Allah’s Shade. tremendous. [This applies only to PARTING UPON THAT...” was caused by women.” [Narrated by REMEMBERED ALLAH IN PRIVATE Allah says: “...And do not let hatred men, because for women it is more Having mutual love for the sake of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree and collected in AND SO HIS EYES SHED TEARS.” cause you to act unjustly, that is nearer 2. “A YOUTH WHO GREW UP IN meritorious for them to pray in their Allah is one of the great doors leading to Sahih Muslim.] Our noble Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi to piety.” [Al-Maa’idah 5: 8] THE WORSHIP OF ALLAH...” homes. This is based on the authentically the good of the Hereafter and a cause of The most important provision which wa sallam) informed us: “If you knew Unfortunately, even if we admit The great scholar Ayyoob as- related hadith in Sunan Abu Daawood tasting the sweetness of eemaan in this we need to protect ourselves from this what I knew, you would laugh little and this in theory, we quickly forget it in Sakhtiyaanee (d. 131H) said, “From the where it is reported that the Prophet world. Loving one another for Allah’s and all other temptations in life is the weep much.” [Narrated by Abu Hurairah practice. success of a youth or non-Arab is that said, “Do not prevent your women from sake means that the Muslim does not fear (khawf) of Allah. This fact is alluded and Anas and collected in Sahih Muslim] So we fi nd that when we speak about Allah guides him to be a scholar of the going to the masjids, but their homes are love another except for the correctness to in the following Qur’anic aayah: “And Crying is not a ‘sissy’ thing to do. our friends and loved ones, we praise Sunnah.” [Hasan – reported in Sharh better for them.”] of his Deen. So it does not matter what as for him who feared standing before his The Prophet, who was the best of all them beyond reason and when we speak Usoolis-Sunnah of al-Laalikaa’ee] Not only does it make the person the person looks like, what he wears, Lord and restrained himself from impure creation, would weep as would all of about those whom we hold diff erence Indeed, it is a great blessing eligible to Allah’s Shade on the Day how rich or poor he is, where he comes evil desires, verily Paradise will be his his Companions. Tears are a genuine with, we can fi nd no good in them and from Allah for a youth to be guided of Judgment, but, “he does not take a from, or what the colour of his skin is abode.” (an-Naazi’aat 79:40-41) expression of fear of Allah’s Punishment we just capitalise on their bad points. towards worship and befriended by step (towards the masjid), except that – perhaps you dislike everything about and of our sincere love and awe of Him. This is far removed from the justice the righteous, since it is in youth that because of it, he is raised by one rank him, but you love him for his eemaan: 6. “A MAN WHO GIVES IN But how often do we remember Allah in which Allah loves and gives great reward a person is most vulnerable to the and one sin is removed from him. Then, this is loving for Allah’s sake. CHARITY AND HIDES IT, SUCH seclusion and are then moved to tears? for, as mentioned in the hadith: “The temptations of life and liable to drift when he prays, the Angels do not cease “Allah, the Mighty and Magnifi cent THAT HIS LEFT HAND DOES NOT How much do we laugh and how little doers of justice will be on thrones of away from the Islamic Path. This supplicating for him (for) as long as he says: Those who have mutual love for the KNOW WHAT HIS RIGHT HAND do we weep? The Prophet (sallallaahu light at Allah’s Right Hand – and both of becomes apparent when we look at the remains at his place of prayer (saying): O sake of My Glory will have pillars of light GIVES IN CHARITY...” ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “There is nothing Allah’s Hands are Right Hands – those society around us and we see that most Allah send blessings upon him, O Allah and will be envied by the Prophets and This describes the type of person who more beloved to Allah than two drops who were just in their Ruling, with of the worldly distractions, such as have mercy upon him...” [Narrated by martyrs.” [Sahih – collected in Sunan at- goes to great lengths to protect himself and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of their families and in all that over which music, games, clubs, fashion, etc, are all Abu Hurairah and collected in Sahih Tirmidhee and Musnad Ahmad] from ar-Riyaa. Ar-Riyaa means to do Allah, and a drop of blood spilled in the they were given authority.” [Narrated specifi cally targeted at the young. al-Bukhari.] Subhaan Allah! Imagine being envied deeds in order to earn the praise and Path of Allah. And as for the two marks, by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar and reported in “You’re only young once,” they are It must be emphasised here however by Allah’s chosen Messengers and those recognition of people. This sin destroys they are a mark caused in the Path of Sahih Muslim. This hadith is one among told, which is why many Muslims that all the ahadith encouraging the men who were slain in His Path! Such is the all the benefi ts that lie in righteous deeds Allah, and a mark caused by fulfi lling one several authentic ahadith which prove nowadays waste their youth thinking to be attached to the masjids are not reward for those who love one another and brings on a serious punishment for of the duties made obligatory by Allah.” that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has the that they will pray, wear hijab and go intended to lead one to the conclusion for Allah’s sake. the one who commits it. It is particularly [Hasan – collected by at-Tirmidhee and Attribute of possessing Hands. Ahlus- on Hajj, etc when they are old, as if that Islam is a Religion which should be dangerous because it is in man’s nature al-Mishkaat] Sunnah therefore affi rm that belief that they have a guarantee of longevity from confi ned to the masjids, as many people 5. “A MAN WHO IS CALLED to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Alhamdulillaah, through these seven Allah has Hands. They do not delve into Allah! imagine (and as many governments BY A WOMAN OF BEAUTY AND Thus, great care has been taken to ensure types of people mentioned in the hadith, what His Hands are like, nor liken His How well we would do to heed the would want in their countries!). POSITION, BUT HE SAYS: ‘I FEAR that one’s intentions begin and remain we have been given clear signposts of Hands to the hands of creation, nor do Prophet’s advice when he said: “Take Nonetheless, the masjid should be at the ALLAH...” pure whenever good actions (such as the way to attain Allah’s pleasure and they say that His Hands symbolise Power benefi t of fi ve before fi ve: your youth heart of the Muslim community, and the This world is full of temptations charity) are being done. Not like what satisfaction. So dear brothers and sisters or anything else, since these claims before old age, your health before role of those in authority of the masjids which lead to burning in the Fire, and we see today where we have masjid in eemaan, devote yourself to being have no basis except conjecture and sickness, your wealth before your is vital here. They are the ones mainly amongst them is that which comes from noticeboards announcing who gave what one amongst those seven, for indeed opinion. And it is impermissible to say poverty, your free time before you are responsible for making the masjid a women. Many a man has led his soul to whom, why and when! fortunate will be those who are granted anything about Allah, except that which preoccupied and your life before your welcome refuge for the Muslims, rather into destruction on account of the lure Allah warns us: “O you who believe! Allah’s Shade on the Day when there will He affi rms or denies about Himself, not death.” [Sahih – Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbass than an arena for politics and power of a woman, which is why the Prophet Do not render vain your charity by be no shade but His. Enter the gate of repentance

By Shaykh Saalih al-Munajjid by Your strength and my own weakness, the doorstep and went to sleep, with the out the shade of a tree, where he lay obedience and goodness that Shaytaan what has happened to your son!” with by Your self-suffi ciency and my own tear marks still streaking his face. A little down and went to sleep. When he woke may even say, “Would that I had never tears streaming down his cheeks. He dependence. To You I submit my lying, while later, his mother came out. When up, his camel had disappeared, so he led him into this sin in the fi rst place!” clings tightly to his father even though slave of Allah, Allah has sinful forelock. You have many slaves she saw him in this state, she could not went looking for it. He came to a hill and Thus some of those who repent may the enemy runs after him to snatch him opened the gate of repent- besides me, but I have no Master except help herself. She embraced him, kissed climbed it, but he could not see anything. become better after repenting than they back, and catches up with him. ance for you, so why not You. I have no refuge or escape from him and started to weep, saying: “O my He climbed another hill and looked ever were before. Do you think the father will give the Oenter it? It was reported that You except with You. I beseech you son, where did you go? Who would care around, but he could not see anything. Allah will never forsake His slave who boy back to the enemy and abandon repentance has a gate whose width is in the manner of a poor and destitute for you except me? Didn’t I tell you not to When heat and thirst overcame him, turns to Him in repentance. him? What then do you think of One like the distance between East and West man, I pray to you with the prayer of disobey me and not to make me punish he said: “Let me go back to where I was Imagine a boy living with his father, Who is more merciful towards His slaves [according to another report: its width is one who is humble, I call upon you with you, when Allah has made me merciful and sleep there until I die.” He went back who gives him the best food and drink, than any father or mother towards a like the distance travelled in 70 years]. It the supplication of one who is blind and and caring towards you?” Then she to the tree and lay down in its shade, dresses him in the fi nest clothes, gives child? How do you think Allah will will not be closed until the sun rises from afraid. This is a plea from one whose picked him up and went back inside. despairing of ever seeing his camel again. him the best possible upbringing, and respond when a slave fl ees from his the West. (Reported by al-Tabaraani in head is humbled before You, whose nose But the Prophet (peace and blessings Whilst he was lying there, he opened his gives him money to spend. He takes enemies and throws himself at His door, al-Kabeer; see Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2177). is in the dust, whose eyes are fi lled with of Allah be upon him) told us: “Allah is eyes, and saw his camel standing next to care of all the boy’s interests. But one rolling in the dust and weeping, saying Listen to the call of Allah: “O My tears and whose heart has submitted to more compassionate towards His slaves him, with its halter dangling and his food day his father sends him on an errand, “O Lord, have mercy upon the one who slaves, you err night and day, but I forgive You.” than this mother towards her child.” and drink still loaded on it, so he grabbed and an enemy comes and captures the has no one to show him mercy except all sins, so ask Me for forgiveness and I It was reported that one of the (Reported by Muslim). hold of its halter. Allah rejoices even boy, ties him up and carries him off You, no supporter except You, no place will forgive you.” (Reported by Muslim). righteous people was passing through There is no comparison between a more when the believer repents to Him to enemy territory. Now the way he of refuge except You, no helper except So why not seek forgiveness? the street when he saw an open door out mother’s compassion and the Mercy of than this man rejoiced over the return of is treated is the opposite of the kind You, one who is poor and in need of Allah stretches forth His hand at night of which came a boy who was crying and Allah, which encompasses everything. his camel and his supplies.” (Compiled treatment his father gave him. Whenever You, one who beseeches You. You are to forgive those who have done wrong weeping, followed by his mother who Allah rejoices when His slave repents from saheeh reports; see Tarteeb Saheeh he remembers his father’s kindness, his his place of refuge, You are his Source of during the day, and He stretches forth was pushing him out. She shut the door to Him, and we can never despair of al-Jaami’, 4/368) heart is fi lled with anguish and grief protection. There is no escape or refuge His hand by day to forgive those who in his face, and went back inside. The boy goodness from a Lord who is rejoices. You should know that sincere because of the blessings that he has from You except with You...”? have done wrong during the night. Allah went a short distance away, and stood Allah rejoices more over the repentance repentance brings contrition and lost. It so happens that while he is still Let us move on, then, to good and loves our apologies and pleas, so why not there, thinking, but he could fi nd no of a slave when he repents to Him than humility before Allah, and the pleading a prisoner of the enemy, and about to righteous deeds, to the company of turn to Him? other refuge than the house from which a man who was travelling through the of the one who repents is dearly beloved be executed by them, he suddenly turns righteous people, to avoiding deviation How beautiful to Allah are the words he had been expelled and no one else who wilderness and stopped to camp awhile to the Lord of the Worlds. towards his father’s home, and he sees after having been guided aright. May of the one who repents: “O Allah, I would care for him as his mother would. in an isolated and dangerous place, but The believing slave still remembers his his father standing nearby. He runs to Allah be with you. ask You by Your power and by my own Broken hearted, he went back, and found he had his camel by his side, with his sin, and is fi lled with sorrow and regret. him and throws himself into his arms, [From The Book I want To Repent, shame to have mercy on me. I ask You the door still locked. So he lay down on food and drink loaded on it. He sought He follows his error with so many acts of crying “O my father, O my father! Look But...!!] Gulf Times 18 Friday, December 2, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Deputy Managing Editor: K T Chacko Alpine migrant route into Production Editor: Amjad Khan

P.O.Box 2888 France a dead-end for many Doha, Qatar [email protected] Roya Valley has become an the French Riviera, a growing number scrutinising a charred map of Europe railway line. Now he is stuck in the of migrants are trying to fi nd a route and discussing their next move. valley, along with dozens of other Telephone 44350478 (news), entry point for migrants through the Alps. But the journey into Weghe, 17, left Asmara, Eritrea’s young African migrants. 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) who have made their way the valley is proving a dead-end for capital, a year ago to avoid compulsory Police offi cers, and even the foreign Fax 44350474 many. and indefi nite military service, and so legion, have been deployed in and north from southern Italy “They don’t understand that after that he could practise his Protestant around the Roya Valley. Offi cially, they and then become stuck Ventimiglia, they get into France, but faith freely. He did stints in Sudan, are fi ghting terrorism as part of the if they continue north, they’ll end Libya, and Italy before arriving at government’s Operation Sentinel. In in Ventimiglia, where the up back in Italy,” explains Nathalie Herrou’s farm last week. practice, soldiers patrol train stations border was closed in June Massiglia, who lives in the village “We understood quickly in and small roads, while police offi cers of Breil-sur-Roya in the valley. A Ventimiglia that the border was shut; check trains and set up roadblocks, GULF TIMES 2015 professional clown, she is part of the the trains and the roads to France were eff ectively sealing all exits out of the Roya People’s Collective, which hosts watched by police,” he says. “Some valley. “Of course we are looking By Gwenaelle Lenoir and feeds migrants who wander into migrants had tried going through four, for illegal migrants,” a police offi cer Paris the valley and then transports them fi ve, six times. Every time, they were admits, checking a car boot. “We catch to small, distant train stations so they sent back to Italy. So we walked along them every day.” can continue their journeys. “We the railway at night, for seven hours But the migrants keep coming Collaboration tanding in the kitchen of an have become (active) because of the (until) we saw some light.” and winter is fast approaching in the old ochre-coloured stone circumstances,” Massiglia says. “How Weghe had no idea that getting out of mountains, where temperatures can house in the Roya Valley near can you close your eyes when there the valley would be even more diffi cult plummet dangerously quickly. “Will SFrance’s southern border are men, women, sometimes children, than getting in and that his status as there have to be deaths in order to get is key to Paris with Italy, four young men carrying wandering along our roads, exhausted, an unaccompanied minor probably the state to take responsibility and backpacks are eating a hurried meal. lost, starving?” wouldn’t help him if he was caught. stop putting it on our shoulders to take They are smiling, but clearly anxious. No one knows how many migrants “We see increasing numbers of in these people?” asks Alain Creton. On a signal from the homeowner, they have passed through the Roya Valley, unaccompanied children arriving,” He and his partner Camille, mountain leave the house and duck into two cars but those helping them say it’s in the says Francoise Cotta, a local lawyer guides and farmers, often receive climate deal waiting outside. A few minutes, and thousands. “The fi rst people came whose large house often hosts up to messages from locals asking them to kilometres, later, eight more young to my house about a year ago; for 10 migrants. “They are supposed to be take in migrants they’re afraid to host men emerge through some olive the past six months, it hasn’t slowed taken in by social services, but we have themselves. If last year’s climate talks in Paris saw UN member- trees and slip down a muddy path down,” says Cédric Herrou, a 37-year- evidence of children being taken back Not everyone feels a duty to help. states designing a (climate-friendly) engine, this year before getting into the vehicles. The old farmer who is currently facing to the border.” On September 22, the department they have been tinkering with it, fi guring out how to convoy zigzags along a valley road, smuggling charges. His farm, where he She fi led a complaint of child voted against hosting any of the which winds between the steep wall raises laying hens and cultivates 800 neglect against the prefect of the migrants removed from camps in bring it up to speed. of a mountain and the bed of a river olive trees, sits just outside Breil-sur- Alpes Maritimes department on Calais. Some local people in the Despite the setback of the US presidential elections swollen by autumn showers. Roya and is the fi rst property migrants November 21. The department only Roya Valley report sightings of that delivered the White House to climate change The 12 passengers are all Eritreans; come to when they exit a railway took in 238 unaccompanied migrant migrants to the police, while others denialist Donald Trump, countries which attended the the drivers all French. The former tunnel on the winding, mountain road children this year, compared to 1,500 are sympathetic but prefer not to get arrived to France covertly, without from Ventimiglia. in 2015, despite the increase in young involved for fear of getting into trouble recent talks in Morocco were at least united in purpose. visas. The latter are risking arrest “Every night, I go to bed wondering migrants passing through the region themselves. But the task ahead is daunting. In Paris, the parties and prosecution for the smuggling of how many will come to me. Almost in the past 12 months. Cotta views On November 23, hundreds of committed to a long-term goal of curbing global undocumented migrants. every night, my dog starts barking and the fi gure as proof of a hardening of supporters gathered in front of Nice’s warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre- In the Roya Valley, convoys I make bets with myself: three, four, attitudes against migrants, including criminal court, where Herrou’s case industrial levels. The more aspirational 1.5 degree goal like these have become a regular 10, more?” Herrou says. children. was being heard. His trial ended occurrence for the past year. On this wet Sunday in November, Abdallah, a 15-year-old from up being postponed until January, seems further out of reach with every passing year. Surrounded by Italy to the south, east, there are about 20 migrants staying at Sudan’s Darfur region, says he was but another local man, Pierre- If the US, the world’s second largest greenhouse gas and north, this area of the French a camp Herrou has set up a few metres arrested on a train near the French Alain Mannonis, went on trial for emitter, walks away, it will only become more diffi cult. Alps, which starts about 30km north away from his small house. Accessible border. transporting three young, injured The year 2016 is poised to become the hottest year of the Riviera, has become an entry only by foot, it consists of two “I told the police I was 15, but Eritrean women, one of them a minor. point for migrants who have made caravans that Herrou had delivered the offi cer wrote down 1997 as my He said he acted out of a sense of duty on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2015. their way north from southern Italy by helicopter last summer, fi ve tents, birth date. I told an Arab-speaking and humanity, and the prosecutor In vulnerable parts of the world, the impacts of climate and then become stuck in Ventimiglia, a wooden shed, and a large canvas policeman there was a mistake, requested a six-month suspended change are already major drivers of humanitarian crises. where the border was closed in June sheet to protect it from the elements. but they still sent me back to Italy.” sentence. He could have faced up to The two-week meeting in Marrakesh marked the start 2015. After being pushed back from A group of young Eritreans and Abdallah and two friends then crossed fi ve years in prison, as well as €30,000 of a process meant to bring all the countries up to speed train stations and roads leading into Sudanese are sitting around a campfi re into France on foot, following the in fi nes. Herrou still could. on climate action – linked also to progress on economic development and poverty eradication for vulnerable countries. Delegates from Africa, vulnerable small island states, Asia, and other developing regions came to Marrakesh asking rich nations to ramp up their contributions for climate adaptation. People in coastal cities need sea walls to stave off rising tides; farmers in arid regions need to move to fi nd 2016 is poised fresh water; and rolling out drought-resistant to become the crops is not free. The UN Environment hottest year Programme estimates on record, that adaptation is going to cost between $280 surpassing the and $500bn per year previous record by 2050 in developing countries alone. set in 2015 This year, rich countries presented a fi nance roadmap detailing how they will deliver on their $100bn commitment on overall climate fi nancing by 2020, a politically important promise made in 2009. Making the Paris Agreement work requires a rule book. The fi rst step is to ensure that all countries are able to measure their progress and report back to the UN A group of Eritrean and Sudanese migrants staying at Herrou’s camp discuss their next move. in a transparent way. Once the transparency framework is completed, countries will be expected to record their actions and show their progress every two years. The only way to make the Paris Agreement work is through collaboration, and Marrakesh saw the launch of a Far-right ‘gladiator’ vs green professor number of sharing platforms. One of the most signifi cant is the partnership around AFP on Austria’s European Union Bellen spent an “idyllic childhood”. adopt a more moderate course and Nationally Determined Contributions. It’s a coalition of Vienna membership. His academic career saw him focus on social welfare and purchasing No one can level the same become dean of the economics faculty power, to steal support from the developing and developed countries and international accusation at ex-Greens chief at the University of Vienna, before he traditional parties as the economic institutions working together with the aim to share ne is a gun-loving populist Alexander Van der Bellen. joined the Greens in the mid-1990s. crisis hit. research fi ndings, best practices and direct money and Islam critic, the other At 72, the grey-haired economics The party achieved record results The strategy paid off , with the FPOe where it is most needed to accelerate climate progress. an elderly pro-EU professor expert cuts a somewhat dishevelled under his decade-long leadership. now consistently topping opinion Members believe that improving technology and Owith Green backing – the and often grouchy-looking fi gure Van der Bellen’s trademark polls. rivals in Austria’s presidential re-run next to the FPOe’s strapping poster professorial manner has often riled During his own campaign, Hofer infrastructure will in turn attract private investors on Sunday mirror the deep fault lines boy who walks with a cane after a Hofer. has mainly pushed for Swiss-style and help developing countries kickstart their green splitting both the country and Europe. paragliding accident. “I’m talking about Europe: E-U-R- direct democracy and opposition to economies, breaking free from aid ties. In the far-right corner stands If “Hofer is the off ensive attacker O-P-E. Never heard of it?” Van der international trade deals. parliamentary speaker Norbert Hofer who knows he can only score if Bellen taunted his opponent during a While his core support is among the The Paris Agreement engine has been cranked up, of the Freedom Party (FPOe), founded he’s not too aggressive, Van der TV encounter earlier this year. working and rural classes, he has won encouraging growth in the renewable sector and by ex-Nazis in the 1950s. Bellen comes across as a nice, older “My God, the schoolmasterliness, support right across Austrian society. providing a boost to clean development worldwide. In The 45-year-old narrowly lost gentleman”, political expert Peter Herr Doctor Van der Bellen,” an Yet, despite his amiable appearance, two years’ time, the parties will reconvene to sign off on the election in May but now has Hajek said. agitated Hofer shot back. Hofer is a true-blue far-right the rule book, and from 2020 countries will have to take another shot after the initial run- But even Van der Bellen has at times Van der Bellen’s huge backing proponent who wants a “Europe of off was annulled over procedural bared his teeth, saying he would refuse from celebrities and the country’s fatherlands.” responsibility for their own progress. irregularities. to swear in Strache as chancellor if top politicians has left his rival Critics have also highlighted his Described as the FPOe’s “friendly current poll leader FPOe wins the next unimpressed. membership of a pan-Germanic face”, the self-proclaimed political general election scheduled for 2018. “You have the glitterati, but I have student fraternity. “gladiator” pushes themes like anti- The remark prompted Hofer to call the people,” the far-right politician “When we speak about Norbert To Advertise immigration with a winning smile him a “green dictator”. observed. Hofer, we speak about someone instead of the incendiary rhetoric of In the course of their encounters, Hofer, a trained aeronautical fascinated with the ideology of [email protected] party chief Heinz-Christian Strache. the pair have traded increasingly engineer, has had a slow but steady a Greater Germany... someone Display Hofer’s polished campaign – run sharp barbs, exposing their climb to the top over the past two pulled from the hat of a party Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 under the slogan “Tough in action, glaring diff erences over issues like decades. chief with links to the neo-Nazi engaging in tone” – earned him 35% immigration. The son of a conservative councillor scene,” according to Austrian news Classified in the fi rst round in April, the FPOe’s Van der Bellen was born during in Burgenland state, he joined the magazine Profil. Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 best-ever result at federal level since World War II in Vienna to an FPOe in 1994 and was made party Hofer’s Instagram account shows 1945. aristocratic Russian father and an secretary two years later. the father-of-four – who occasionally Subscription But observers warn the smooth Estonian mother who fl ed Stalinism Biding his time, he later became a carries a Glock pistol in public – at a [email protected] politician is a “wolf in sheep’s – earning him the tag “communist” close adviser to Strache who took over shooting range with his children. clothing” who has already threatened from Hofer. the party reins from the charismatic “I just love to shoot,” he once to seize upon never-before-used The arrival of the Red Army in 1945 Joerg Haider in 2005. declared, saying he understood the 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved presidential powers to fi re the forced the family to escape to the On Hofer’s advice, Strache dropped rising trend of gun owners in Austria government or call a referendum southern state of Tyrol, where Van der openly xenophobic comments to “given current uncertainties”. Gulf Times Friday, December 2, 2016 19 COMMENT Monkey study raises hopes for HIV cure

By Julie Steenhuysen But, for more than half of the what is harbouring this HIV cell Chicago 36.7mn HIV patients around the population that needs to be cleared - world, ART transformed it into a at least that is what the monkey study chronic disease. implies.” r Anthony Fauci doesn’t Taken daily, ART suppresses Takeda is providing the drug and get too excited about the the virus. But keeping up a daily supporting the study. results of animal studies, medication regimen is diffi cult. Shetzline cautioned that it’s only and he doesn’t make The drugs are expensive and toxic, a pilot. “We’d love to see this benefi t houseD calls. causing nausea, fatigue and nerve patients,” he said. But when a drug already taken by problems in the short-term, and If it pans out, cost could be an issue. thousands of people for intestinal insulin resistance and other problems Entyvio is priced as a biologic, conditions appeared to control over time. similar to other IBD treatments, which the monkey version of HIV, it got Only about a third of US patients range from $2,000 to $5,000 a month, the attention of the director of the take ART consistently enough to push according to Consumer Reports. National Institutes of Allergy and the virus down to undetectable levels. Entyvio’s HIV trial began in August Infectious Diseases. “We’re going to need other and seeks to enroll 15 to 25 people with Fauci hopped on a plane to Cambridge, approaches,” said Dr Nelson Michael, stable disease. Massachusetts, to personally tell Japan’s director of the US Military HIV They will remain on daily ART drugs Takeda Pharmaceutical Company’s US Research Programme at the Walter while taking nine infusions of Entyvio representatives that their drug may off er a Reed Army Institute. over a period of several months. dramatic advance in the fi ght against Aids. Much work has focused on the Then, ART will be stopped, they will Takeda’s drug suppressed the the discovery of rare antibodies made get two more infusions, and doctors virus to undetectable levels in eight by HIV patients that can neutralise will watch to see if the virus rebounds monkeys, some for two years. several diff erent forms of the virus. – or remains suppressed. The fi ndings raise hopes for a so- One trial involving an antibody Manni Baez, 30, of Columbus, Ohio, called “functional cure” – a treatment called PGT121 licensed by Gilead travels to the National Institutes of that puts the disease in sustained Sciences Inc reduced the virus Health in Bethesda, Maryland, about remission. to undetectable levels in 16 of 18 once a month for the study. “The data was so dramatic,” said monkeys; the eff ect lasted for four “For me, the end game is providing Fauci, who has made Aids research his months in three of them. the folks at NIH with the resources life’s work. At Walter Reed, Michael is taking they need to get them closer to fi nding The drug is one of several promising a diff erent tack, testing whether a a cure or a vaccine for this plague,” ideas heading into early-stage human vaccine – being developed to prevent Baez said. trials, all seeking to help patients HIV infection – can fi ght off the virus Fauci said he doesn’t expect control the virus that causes Aids in infected individuals. meaningful results until late 2017 or for extended periods without daily Last month, Michael and early 2018. antiretroviral therapy (ART). researchers at Harvard’s Beth Israel Even partial success would be huge, The studies build on research Deaconess Medical Centre published The new findings raise hopes for a so-called “functional cure” – a treatment that puts the disease in sustained remission. he said. propelled by the case of Timothy Ray the results of a monkey test of Johnson “If we discontinue therapy in the Brown, the so-called “Berlin patient,” & Johnson’s HIV vaccine candidate treatments showed signifi cantly Fauci’s visit was a fi rst for Takeda, Entyvio, an antibody engineered to 15, and four of them don’t rebound,” whose HIV was eradicated through an called Ad26/MVA and Gilead’s reduced viral loads. a company focused on treatments attack a specifi c protein. he said, then “that is the best anybody elaborate stem cell transplant in 2007. experimental drug GS-986. In three, the combination therapy for cancer, gastroenterology and The drug, known generically as has ever seen.” “There has been this explosion On its own, the vaccine had a has kept the virus at bay for at least six the central nervous system, said Dr vedolizumab, is approved in more than Fauci said he doesn’t get emotional of discovery,” said Mitchell Warren, modest eff ect. months. Michael Shetzline, who heads clinical 50 countries for ulcerative colitis and about the data he collects, and, in any executive director of the Aids Vaccine But it was even more eff ective when Human trials could begin within science for Takeda in Cambridge. Crohn’s disease, which occur when the event, it’s early days for this research. Advocacy Coalition. it was given with GS-986, a so-called months, said Dr Paul Stoff els, J&J’s “The excitement was just clear,” immune system attacks the intestines. “I try to be as objective as I possibly “There are completely new ideas TLR-7 agonist that “kicks the immune chief scientifi c offi cer. Shetzline said. “It was like, ‘Wow.’” “Entyvio is a cell traffi cking can,” he said. that were impossible to conceive even system up to a higher gear,” Michael “If the cure is there, the industry Takeda does not study HIV. molecule that aff ects immune “I will get really excited if we get our a few years ago.” said. will fi nd a way to get there very But its researchers understood the responses,” Shetzline said. fi rst seven people in human (trial), and HIV once meant certain death. All nine monkeys that got both quickly,” Stoff els said. basic science surrounding its drug “In this instance, the GI tract is I stop ART – and they don’t rebound.”

Weather report Live issues Three-day forecast Diabetes may TODAY High: 30 C Low : 21 C have a new cure Expected poor horizontal visibility at places at first. in Platypus

SATURDAY High: 28 C venom Low: 23 C P Cloudy IANS Sydney SUNDAY High: 28 C Low: 22 C hormone produced in the Cloudy venom of platypus – an egg- laying mammal native to Australia – can pave the way Fishermen’s forecast A for potential new treatments for Type OFFSHORE DOHA 2 diabetes in humans, researchers have Wind: SE-SW 03-10 KT found. Waves: 1-3 Feet The study found that platypus INSHORE DOHA produces hormone glucagon-like Wind: SE 03-12 KT Waves: 1-2 Feet peptide-1 (GLP-1) – normally secreted in the gut of both humans and animals Around the region for stimulating the release of insulin to Weather Weather lower blood glucose, but insuffi cient today Max/min tomorrow Max/min to maintain proper blood sugar Abu Dhabi Sunny 32/21 P Cloudy 32/22 balance. Baghdad M Sunny 21/09 Sunny 20/06 “Our research has discovered that Dubai Sunny 30/20 Sunny 30/22 platypus have evolved changes in the Kuwait City Rain 24/15 P Cloudy 21/12 Manama P Cloudy 28/21 M Sunny 27/21 hormone GLP-1 that make it resistant Muscat Sunny 29/21 Sunny 29/22 to the rapid degradation normally Riyadh Sunny 28/16 Sunny 24/13 seen in humans,” said Professor Frank Tehran Rain 11/07 P Cloudy 14/03 Grutzner of the University of Adelaide in Australia. The GLP-1 hormone produced in the gut of the platypus, which helps regulate blood glucose, is also produced in their venom to fend off other platypus males during breeding season, the researchers said. “This tug of war between the different functions has resulted in dramatic changes in the GLP-1 system. The function in venom has most likely triggered the evolution of a stable form of GLP-1 in monotremes. “Stable GLP-1 molecules are highly desirable as potential Type 2 diabetes treatments,” added Briony Forbes, associate professor at Flinders University. In addition, GLP-1 has also been Around the world discovered in the venom of echidnas – Weather Weather another egg-laying mammal. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min While the platypus has spurs Athens Sunny 16/08 M Cloudy 16/09 on its hind limbs for delivering Beirut Rain 16/14 P Cloudy 18/13 a large amount of venom to its P Cloudy 33/24 Bangkok 32/24 P Cloudy opponent, there is no such spur Berlin Sunny 05/-3 P Cloudy 02/-2 Cairo P Cloudy 20/11 M Sunny 22/12 on echidnas. Cape Town Cloudy 27/17 Sunny 26/16 “The lack of spur on echidnas Colombo M Sunny 30/23 P Cloudy 31/23 remains an evolutionary mystery, Dhaka M Sunny 29/20 Sunny 29/19 but the fact that both platypus and Hong Kong P Cloudy 21/18 P Cloudy 22/19 Istanbul Cloudy 11/04 Sunny 09/02 echidnas have evolved the same Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 31/24 long-lasting form of the hormone Karachi Sunny 33/17 Sunny 32/16 GLP-1 is in itself very exciting,” London Fog 07/04 P Cloudy 08/03 Grutzner said. M Sunny P Cloudy 31/25 Manila 31/24 These fi ndings have the potential Moscow S Showers -4/-7 S Showers -4/-8 New Delhi Sunny 27/12 Sunny 27/11 to improve diabetes treatment, one New York M Sunny 11/04 P Cloudy 08/03 of the greatest health challenges, Paris Fog 04/03 P Cloudy 06/02 “although exactly how we can convert Sao Paulo Cloudy 27/18 T Storms 27/20 this fi nding into a treatment will need Seoul Sunny 08/-2 M Sunny 11/02 Singapore T Storms 30/24 S T Storms 31/25 to be the subject of future research,” Sydney M Sunny 33/19 P Cloudy 23/18 Grutzner observed, in the paper Tokyo Clear 15/07 Clear 15/06 published in the journal Scientifi c Reports. Gulf Times 20 Friday, December 2, 2016 QATAR Ajyal fi lm fest includes activities for the family

amilies and children in Qa- fi cult it can be to speak about tar, as well as visitors, will emotional and physical trauma. Fhave the opportunity to Dana al-Meer’s Passport is watch fun-fi lled fi lms and enjoy a funny short about Reem and an array of activities today at the Mahmoud, who want to go to fourth Ajyal Youth Film Festival at America but circumstances Katara – the Cultural Village. keep getting in their way. The third day of the festival Alanood al-Kuwari’s Um will see a ‘kids’ red carpet screen- Khalifa is about 10-year-old ing’ at 3pm, at the Katara Drama Khalifa, born with Down syn- Theatre, of the classic Willy drome, in a frank conversation Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, with his loving mother, who (US) directed by Mel Stuart. shares her experience raising In keeping with the theme him. of the fi lm, children can come In The Waiting Room, Qatari dressed up as oompa-loompas, fi lmmaker Hend Fakhroo tells chocolate bars or blueberries and a story of two young women to more to attend the screening. explore the universality of car- The Emirates A380 being greeted by a ceremonial water cannon salute at Hamad International Airport, Doha. Another equally delightful ing for a loved one in distress. fi lm for the family is Taika Wai- An uplifting take on the power titi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople of storytelling and the resource- (New Zealand). Screening at fulness of the human mind 7pm, the fi lm about a young is evident in Life, Animated boy’s last chance to settle down (US, France) directed by Roger with a foster family is marked Ross Williams. It will screen at by brilliant performances and a 8.30pm at Katara 12 Theatre A. heartwarming story. A subtle take on the displace- Emirates Dubai-Doha For thriller lovers, there is ment issue is Niam Itani’s Twice enough edge-of-the-seat ex- Upon a Time (Lebanon), screening citement in store with the mid- at 9.15pm at Katara 12 Theatre B. night screening of Colm McCa- A former child refugee her- rthy’s The Girl with All the Gifts self, Itani attempts to docu- (UK), screening at 11pm. ment the meaning of childhood A compelling showcase of Made through the eyes of nine-year- A380 service launched in Qatar fi lms by home-grown tal- old Khalil. ents will screen at 8pm, including Philippe Faucon’s Fatima By Jacob K Philip Suzannah Mirghani’s Caravan. (France) about an Algerian im- Doha Trapped in a traffi c jam, the minds migrant to France, will screen at of Doha residents meander in a 10.30pm at Katara Opera House. state of dreamlike suspension. There is more in store for mirates yesterday set an aviation Shouq Shaheen’s Daz is a the family-viewing experience milestone by launching the world’s clear-eyed look at the passion with the free screening at 8pm Ebiggest passenger aircraft on its many young Qatari men have at the Katara Esplanade of Nal- shortest, scheduled sector ever. for high-speed drag racing. edi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale (US, Covering 379km from Dubai to Doha in a Amer Jamhour’s Dunia depicts Botswana) under Ajyal’s Sony total travel time of 1 hour and 20 minutes, nine year-old Dunia’s mother, Cinema Under the Stars. Di- the Airbus A380 aircraft landed at Hamad who is on some kind of mission, rected by Geoff Luck and Ben International Airport (HIA) yesterday but she won’t share the details, Bowie, the fi lm puts the spot- morning. and an already strange night be- light on the battle to protect the Onboard were senior offi cials of Emir- comes a life-or-death struggle. elephants of Africa. ates, prominent members of the UAE Mostafa Sheshtawy’s Love The festival also off ers family business community and media persons. Blood Test has Baghat and Wanee- activities as part of the Fam- After landing, fl ight EK841 was taxiied sa passing their love blood test and ily Weekend, open from 3pm to into a water cannon salute and welcomed all they need now is her father’s 10pm. by key offi cials and trade guests at an blessing but realise that the path In addition, visitors can take Emirates reception at the terminal. to true love is never simple. part in Geekdom: Time Machine At the welcome event at Gate B3, Adil Aisha R al-Muhannadi’s Exhibition from 2pm to 10pm that al-Ghaith, Emirates senior vice president, Makh’bz shows how the actions assures a trip down nostalgia lane commercial operations (Gulf, Middle East of men and machines in making as visitors will be transported to & Iran); Ioannis Metsovitis, vice president bread become a graceful dance the time of ‘Snakes & Ladders’, operations, HIA; and MC Tariq Almutawa, while Ahmad Abdelnaser’s More handheld gaming, hangman and Emirates manager, Qatar, spoke. Than Two Days explores how dif- other childhood favourites of yore. To mark the launching of the new serv- ice, al-Ghaith and Metsovitis, together with other offi cials cut a cake. After the passengers disembarked, of- Emirates’ Adil al-Ghaith, HIA’s Ioannis Metsovitis and other senior off icials of Emirates cut a cake at HIA to mark the launching of ficials and media persons were taken for Emirates A380 service on the Dubai-Doha sector yesterday. a guided static tour of the double-decker aircraft to see some of the most iconic customers from Doha fl ying to popular and in the last fi ve years Emirates has car- digital widescreen in-fl ight entertainment Emirates amenities, like the First Class destinations like New York, London Hea- ried over 3.7mn passengers between the system. Private Suites, Shower Spas and the throw, Frankfurt, Manchester, Dusseldorf, two cities,” he explained. “The double-decker A380 is the world’s popular Onboard lounge for First Class Milan, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam, can “The Emirates A380 serving Doha oper- largest passenger aircraft in service, and and Business Class passengers, which now enjoy a seamless A380 experience and ates in a three-class confi guration, with has been tremendously popular with air offers a wide range of drinks and cana- also have a wider choice of an ‘all A380’ 429 seats in economy class on the main travellers across the globe with its spa- pés, as well as ample space to relax and fl ight itineraries for their journeys,” said deck, 76 fl at-bed seats in business class cious cabins and quiet journeys. socialise. al-Ghaith. and 14 fi rst class private suites on the up- “Emirates is the largest operator of Air- Flight EK 841 departs Dubai at 7.45am, “Making it the most served destina- per deck. bus A380 and currently has 86 of the air- arriving in Doha at 8.05am. The return tion in the airline’s network, Emirates has “With a choice of over 2,500 channels craft in service and 56 are to join the fl eet fl ight, EK 842, departs Doha at 9.50am, steadily grown its presence in Doha and on-demand, including a wide selection shortly. At present, the aircraft are de- Qatar-based filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani (fourth left) and other arriving in Dubai at noon. now operates with nine daily fl ights. De- of Arabic programmes, passengers in all ployed in a total of 45 sectors,” added al- talents on Ajyal Red Carpet yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil “The timing of the A380 service means mand between Dubai and Doha is stronger classes can enjoy the multi-awarded ice Ghaith. Lagoona Mall Fashion Week starts Dec 4

agoona Mall, Doha’s pre- cool and iconic designs to cater mium shopping and life- for the modern man who loves Lstyle destination, has an- stylish and comfortable clothing. nounced the third edition of its Lagoona Mall Fashion Week Fashion Week to showcase the launches with a presentation by latest collections from some of Max & Co and Michael Kors on the top names in fashion. December 4, followed by show- The seven-day event will cases from Karen Millen and Ver- kick-off on December 4. Fashion sace Collection on December 5. shows and entertainment ac- On December 6, Adolfo tivities are scheduled to bring to- Dominguez and Pronovias will gether fashionistas, trend watch- be on display, on December 7, ers and style infl uencers and the Liu·Jo and Cath Kidtson are the best looks from esteemed fashion show, December 8 boasts Por- labels from across the globe. sche Design and Furla, Decem- Lagoona Mall Fashion Week ber 9 presents Riva and MBC By will be opened by the popular Malene Birger, and the fi nale is to Qatari comedian Hamad al-Am- feature Tadashi Shoji and DKNY ari, known as ‘The Qatari Guy’, on December 10. with a crowd pleasing stand-up There will be daily runways routine. shows between 6.30pm and 8pm In addition, the week will along with live performances. showcase menswear for the very Lagoona Mall is adjacent to the fi rst time with contemporary, ZigZag Towers. Lagoona Mall Fashion Week is set to kick off on December 4.