BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Lekhwiya bounce back INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2 – 9 COMMENT 26, 27 All signs point to with 4-0 rout REGION 10 BUSINESS 1 – 9, 14 – 20 17,634.90 10,008.77 35.73 ARAB WORLD 11 CLASSIFIED 10 – 14 deal on oil output of Al Nassr -102.10 -225.59 +0.03 INTERNATIONAL 12 – 25 SPORTS 1 – 12 -0.58% -2.20% +0.08% at Doha meeting Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10050 April 6, 2016 Jumada II 28, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Deputy Emir meets Moroccan prime minister

In brief Business

REGION | Militancy IS claims attack on initiative Saudi police colonel A Saudi police colonel was shot dead in the Riyadh region yesterday, the interior ministry said, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State militant group. Colonel Kattab Majid al-Hammadi was killed by gunfire “from an unknown source” to benefi t in the town of Duwadimi, the ministry said in a statement, adding that an investigation had been launched. The attack is the second claimed by the extremist group against Saudi police in the past four days. Page 10 farmers HH the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani held talks with Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane and WORLD | Documents the accompanying delegation on the occasion of their visit to Doha to participate in the sixth session of the Qatari-Moroccan The Jahiz initiative focuses on Qatar, al-Khalifa told Gulf Times that one Iceland PM resigns Joint Higher Committee. During the meeting at the Emiri Diwan, they reviewed relations between the two countries and leasing complete and equipped of the main pillars of QDB’s evaluation ways to enhance them, in addition to a number of issues of common concern. HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister facilities to Qatari SMEs and process “is to ensure that the project fi lls over Panama Papers Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani attended the meeting. Page 2 entrepreneurs to encourage the gap for local needs”. Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur the establishment of innovative “We have synchronised the local farms David Gunnlaugsson resigned and environmentally-friendly with the raw material requirements to yesterday, becoming the first businesses ensure that their products are aligned casualty of leaked documents from with the end product of entrepreneurs a Panamanian law firm which have By Peter Alagos and SMEs,” he said. shone a spotlight on the finances Business Reporter “We always believe that the private of an array of politicians and public Next-generation ICT sector is smart enough to come up with figures worldwide. The more than opportunities that make sense, capitalis- 11.5mn documents, leaked from n addition to small and medium-sized ing on the local farms and how they can the Panamanian law firm Mossack enterprises (SMEs), local farmers in transform their produce into competitive Fonseca, have caused public IQatar are also expected to gain from products that could be sold in both the outrage over how the world’s rich services for Qatar Rail the 14 industrial facilities to be estab- domestic and international markets,” he and powerful are able to stash their lished under Qatar Development Bank’s explained. cash and avoid taxes. Pages 16, 19, “Jahiz 2” initiative. Qatar Development Bank head of Busi- 20, 22, 23 oredoo and Qatar Railways “QDB has provided 14 new indus- ness Development Saleh al-Khulaifi said Company (Qatar Rail) yes- trial facilities to support the growth of that QDB’s evaluation process also de- Oterday signed a memoran- the food and beverages sector in Qatar,” termined if SMEs could source their raw dum of understanding (MoU) to es- CEO Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa an- materials locally. tablish a collaboration framework to nounced following a workshop on Jahiz 2 “When two SMEs apply for the initia- provide next-generation ICT solu- on Monday. tive, it would be very hard to select if they tions for the design, construction “The initiative was an off shoot of Ja- are outstanding and complex projects. and operation of the Qatar Rail De- hiz 1, launched several months ago, and But since one of the criteria requires velopment Programme (QRDP). features 32 industrial facilities aimed at sourcing products locally, the applicant The MoU was signed by Ooredoo supporting several industry sectors, in- that complies with the criteria gets extra Qatar CEO Waleed al-Sayed and cluding chemicals, plastics and wood and points because this means that the ap- Qatar Rail CEO Dr Saad al-Muhan- electronic materials,” he explained. plicant creates business, which is why we nadi at a ceremony attended by sen- The Jahiz initiative focuses on leasing are incentivising entrepreneurs who are ior executives from both companies. complete and equipped facilities to Qatari in talks with diff erent farmers,” he said. Qatar Rail is currently driving SMEs and entrepreneurs to encourage the Al-Khalifa said QDB would start re- the development of one of the larg- establishment of innovative and environ- ceiving applications from mid-April until est rail projects in the world, and mentally-friendly businesses. September 15. This also signals the sec- the technology agreement is one of The initiative also aims to acceler- ond stage where applications are evalu- the most far-reaching and compre- ate the trend towards a diversifi ed and ated. hensive ever agreed by a leading ICT knowledge-based economy to achieve He said the evaluation process would provider and a rail infrastructure sustainable economic development, take nine weeks, which would be followed developer. which is considered a key element of Qa- by personal interviews with QDB, lasting The agreement positions Ooredoo tar National Vision 2030. for six weeks. The winners will be an- as the primary ICT solutions suppli- “The Jahiz initiative’s fi rst phase was nounced in February 2017. er for the QRDP. It will support the a huge success, with a large number of Al-Khalifa said each facility spans provision of next-generation ICT entrepreneurs applying for the ben- 2,230sq m and is divided between two services and infrastructure across Ooredoo’s al-Sayed and Qatar Rail’s Dr al-Muhannadi at the MoU-signing ceremony. efi ts provided to them. We expect Ja- fl oors. The ground area is 1,784sq m, while the Qatar Rail network. hiz 2 to achieve similar success. There the administrative offi ce fl oor measures Upon completion, citizens, resi- Ooredoo provides world-class tech- support the development of dedi- are now 46 industrial facilities serving 446sq m, leased at QR5sq m per month. dents and visitors to Qatar will all nology and networks at every stage cated smart solutions for manag- fi ve diff erent industrial sectors, all of “QDB also supports the winning en- benefit from a range of communi- of the roll-out and deploy smart ing rail transportation, including which was accomplished within a few trepreneurs by providing a package of cation services provided both on- technology that enabled significant full control centre functionality and months,” he said. advisory and fi nancing programmes that board and at stations. environmental and financial ben- data centre services. Asked about the role of Jahiz 2 in pro- give them the best possible start,” he In addition, the ICT services will efits,” he said. The agreement is designed to sup- viding opportunities to local farms in added. provide vital connectivity during Dr al-Muhannadi said the agree- port Qatar Rail’s vision to provide the development phase of each of ment would bring the full benefit customer-centric integrated railway the essential national projects. of world-class technology and cut- services that are accessible, effi cient, Al-Sayed pointed out that Qatar ting-edge networks to Qatar Rail safe and reliable while maximising Rail is leading one of Qatar’s “fore- projects and ultimately to the cus- social, economic, and environment most projects”, creating a national tomers who travel on the national benefi ts. railway network that will support rail system. Ooredoo has demonstrated its the National Vision 2030 and deliver Under the terms of the agree- experience and expertise in con- incredible benefits to the people and ment, Ooredoo will provide Qa- necting Qatar with world-class ICT future generations. tar Rail with the latest infrastruc- infrastructure on major national “By integrating a full collabo- ture and solutions, including fixed projects, including Lusail City, Ha- ration framework into the devel- and wireless connectivity services. mad International Airport, Katara opment plan, we will ensure that In addition, the agreement will and Souq Waqif. QDB’s Saleh al-Khulaifi and Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa. Museum of Islamic Art Park to open round-the-clock

he hugely popular Museum of cording to the website. Bikes, as well as Many children fi nd the park “hov- MIA Park is the perfect place to take a Islamic Art (MIA) Park will now smoking in the area, are strictly prohib- erboard-friendly” because of its well- stroll or for your children to run around Tbe open round-the-clock. MIA ited. built walkways. These toys have been in complete safety.” Park made the announcement on its The MIA Park draws a large number banned in most of the malls and other But it announced that the car park- Twitter account yesterday morning, of visitors, especially during the week- business establishments across Qatar. ing area would be closed due to main- saying: “MIA Park lovers rejoice, as of ends. Other physical activities such as bik- tenance and ongoing improvements today MIA Park will be open 24/7.” The MIA Park’s small hills and green ing and skateboarding for all ages are a “until further notice”. The play area will be open 24 hours lawns overlooking the Doha skyline of- usual sight at the park. The MIA park prohibits activities while its Cafe Kiosk will operate from fer a “perfect environment” for families The MIA Park is a popular destination for families in Qatar. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar “Adjacent to the museum is MIA such as swimming, fi shing, barbeque, 11am to 11pm. as well as individuals to simply unwind Park where you can stroll, participate in open fi res, bringing animals and smok- Children between two and 10 will or engage in football and other games, Major events like the Qatar Interna- It hosted a number of activities dur- activities or just gaze at the Doha sky- ing in cafe and seating areas. It also be allowed to play but those under 10 picnicking and sightseeing, among tional Food Festival are held regularly at ing the Qatar National Sport Day in line from the best vantage point in the reminds visitors to properly dispose should be supervised by an adult, ac- others. the park. February. city,” the MIA Park website said. “The wastes at trash bins. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 QATAR

In brief

Emir receives phone call from Italian PM

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a telephone call from Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations and means of enhancing them in addition to the latest developments in the region. Premier sends message to UAE deputy PM HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and the Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelillah Benkirane witness the signing of agreements in Doha yesterday.

UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al-Nahyan received a written message from HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani dealing with Qatar, Morocco sign pacts; relations between Qatar and the UAE and issues of common concern. Qatar’s ambassador to the UAE Hadi bin Nasser Mansour al-Hajri handed over the message during a meeting yesterday with Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu PM chairs joint panel meet Dhabi.

QNA Qatar-Sweden Doha ties discussed

HE the Deputy Prime Minister atar and Morocco signed and Minister of State for Cabinet several agreements Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Qand memoranda of un- Zaid al-Mahmoud met the State derstanding following the 6th Secretary for the Ministry of meeting of the Qatari-Moroccan Foreign Aff airs of Sweden Annika Joint Supreme Committee held Soder and her accompanying yesterday at the Emiri Diwan delegation. under the co-chairmanship of During the meeting, they HE the Prime Minister and Min- discussed bilateral relations ister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah and ways of enhancing them in bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani various fields. and the Moroccan Prime Minis- They also reviewed a number of ter Abdelillah Benkirane. regional and international issues The meeting was attended by of mutual concern. a number of Qatari Ministers and Ambassador of Sweden to Qatar the members of the offi cial del- Eva Bolano attended the meeting. egation accompanying the Mo- Separately, HE the Assistant roccan prime minister. Foreign Minister for Foreign At the outset of the meet- Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Meraikhi ing, HE the Prime Minister also met the State Secretary for and Minister of Interior wel- the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs of comed the Moroccan premier Sweden Annika Soder. and the accompanying delega- They discussed bilateral relations tion, expressing satisfaction at and ways to further improve the ongoing progress in the them. two countries’ relations under the leadership of HH the Emir HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and the Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelillah Benkirane chairing the 6th meeting of Health Minister Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- the Qatari-Moroccan Joint Supreme Committee in Doha yesterday. Thani and King Mohamed VI of meets envoys Morocco. He noted the positive ensure an active and infl uential operation in various fi elds and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ab- 5. An MoU between Qatar’s committee meeting. results of the previous fi ve meet- Arab role in addressing the cur- to expand the horizons of the dullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- National Committee for Inter- Following the meeting, HE the HE the Minister of Public Health ings of the Joint Supreme Com- rent situation in the region. co-operation and overcome any Thani and the Moroccan Prime national Humanitarian Law and Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari mittee, which resulted in the Fruitful consultation and diffi culties. It is also an opportu- Minister Abdelillah Benkirane Morocco’s National Committee bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani held separate meetings with signing of several agreements constructive dialogue between nity to deepen consultation and signed the minutes of 6th meet- for International Humanitarian hosted a luncheon banquet in Belgian ambassador to Qatar and memoranda of understand- the two countries constitute the co-ordination and to exchange ing of the Qatari-Moroccan Joint Law. honour of the Moroccan premier Christophe Payot and South ing between the two countries mechanism of foreseeing the fu- views on various issues of mu- Supreme Committee. 6. An MoU on co-operation in and the accompanying delega- Korean ambassador Park Heung- in various fi elds and contributed ture prospects for co-operation tual concern, he added. They also witnessed the sign- the fi elds of oil, gas, renewable tion. kyeong. During the two meetings, to the development and increase and exploring ways to cement Benkirane said that Morocco ing of a number of agreements energy, electricity and energy Later, Moroccan Prime Min- they discussed aspects of co- bilateral co-operation. the base of common economic aspires to raise the volume of and memoranda of understand- consumption effi ciency between ister Abdelilah Benkirane left operation in the health sector. He stressed the importance interests to meet the aspirations trade exchange, strengthen Qa- ing (MoU) between the two Qatari Ministry of Energy and Doha yesterday after a two-day of relations between Qatar and of the two peoples, he added. tari investments and expand countries. Industry and Moroccan Ministry visit during which he chaired the Morocco as well as determina- The Prime Minister said that their fi elds, pointing out that The two sides signed the fol- of Energy, Mines, Water and En- Moroccan side in the meetings of Minister meets tion on activating all bilateral the sixth meeting of the joint these ambitions requires inten- lowing agreements and MoUs: vironment. the sixth Qatari-Moroccan Joint Sudanese off icial co-operation agreements. committee is an opportunity to sifying meetings between the 1. An agreement on legal and 7. An MoU on 4th programme Supreme Committee. The Prime Minister said that evaluate and review the bilat- various sectors of the govern- judicial co-operation. in cultural and artistic fi eld. The Moroccan prime minis- the relations between the two eral co-operation and to put the ments and increasing involve- 2. An agreement on maritime 8. An Mou on 2nd programme ter and his accompanying del- HE the Minister of Transport countries have been distin- signed agreements and memo- ment of the private sector in transportation. in the sport fi eld. egation were seen off at Hamad and Communications Jassim guished by depth, mutual re- randa of understanding into ef- both countries. 3. A co-operation agreement 9. An MoU between Qatar’s International Airport by HEthe Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti met the spect, convergence of visions on fect as well as to identify areas Talks during the meeting between Morocco’s National General Retirement and Social Minister of Energy and Industry Assistant of Sudanese President many issues under the extremely for new agreements. dealt with bilateral relations and Ports Agency and Qatar Ports Insurance Authority and Moroc- Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, Dr Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamid in grave circumstances experi- Prime Minister of Morocco means to further develop them Management Company. co’s Deposits and Saving Fund. Qatar’s ambassador to Morocco Doha yesterday. They discussed enced by the region, calling for Abdelillah Benkirane stressed in addition to a host of regional 4. An agreement between HE the Prime Minister Abdullah bin Falah bin Abdul- relations between Qatar and maintaining high levels of co- that the joint committee meet- and international issues of com- Silatech Foundation and Mo- and Minister of Interior and lah al-Dosari, and Morocco’s Sudan, especially in the field of ordination and consultation to ing is an opportunity to assess mon concern. rocco’s Attawfi q Micro-Finance the Moroccan Premier held ambassador to Qatar Al-Makki transport and communications promote Arab solidarity and to the outcomes of bilateral co- HE the Prime Minister and Foundation. a meeting prior to the joint Kawan. and ways of enhancing them. Gala dinner marks conclusion of Azerbaijan road show

gala dinner in Doha marked the with these countries. We are pleased conclusion of a road show that to inform the public, travel trade com- Awas organised by Azerbaijan’s panies and those planning to visit Az- Ministry of Culture and Tourism with erbaijan and enjoy the historical sites the aim of developing co-operation in and its beautiful landscape,” he said. the fi eld of travel and tourism, both The visa waiver will facilitate “an business and leisure. excellent traffi c fl ow by all categories The initiative also sought to spread of people among these nationals”, it information about tourism in order to was observed. diversify Azerbaijan economy’s away Azerbaijan was chosen to host the from its dependence on oil and gas. World Tourism Forum Lucerne Think Development of tourism is currently a Tank last month, while the fi rst Europe- key priority for Azerbaijan, according an Games were held in Baku in 2015. Az- to a statement. erbaijan has also signed a contract to host The event was attended by Qatari the Formula 1 Baku Grand Prix this year. dignitaries, ministers and industry These major events will help attract pioneers. people from all over the world and Rashid al-Noori, representative of this, in turn, is likely to have a posi- the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in tive impact on Azerbaijan’s tourism the GCC, presented Azerbaijan’s travel sector over the next decade, the state- and tourism portfolio - highlight- HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari and other dignitaries at the gala dinner. Off icials and dignitaries at the event. ment notes. “Along with excellent air ing diff erent segments of Azerbaijan’s accessibility, world-class conference tourism market. Key aspects were also erbaijan, who made a presentation on “We’d like to inspire travellers from The minister spoke about the im- “The government of Azerbaijan has facilities and high-quality hotels to discussed to engage industries and the “solution basket that would help all over the world to visit and explore portance of the Middle East, particu- lifted advance visa requirements for accommodate events of diff erent size government in support of Azerbaijan’s make Azerbaijan the ultimate tourism Azerbaijan. We’d also like to deliver larly the GCC states, for Azerbaijan’s the citizens of fi ve GCC countries, as and scale, unique dining venues and tourism growth. destination, off ering an unparalleled a global network to support tourism tourism. He also shared his best ex- well as Japan, Malaysia, China, South authentic on-site activities, we’re all He was followed by Abulfas Garayev, variety of travel and holiday experi- promotion in Azerbaijan and to cham- periences of working in co-operation Korea and Singapore. This is a his- working together to make Azerbaijan Minister of Culture and Tourism, Az- ences”, the statement noted. pion tourism,” he said. with Qatar. toric milestone in our relationship visible to the world of meetings.” Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 3 QATAR Foreign Minister holds talks with Kerry

QNA against terror and to address the Thani also met a number of Washington root causes economically, politi- members of the US Senate For- cally and socially. eign Relations Committee. He emphasised that the Unit- During the meeting, they dis- E the Minister of For- ed States is a strategic ally in re- cussed ways of strengthening eign Aff airs Sheikh Mo- storing security and peace in the and developing bilateral rela- Hhamed bin Abdulrah- region, stressing Qatar’s com- tions in various fi elds. They also man al-Thani met US Secretary mitment to the achievement of exchanged views on a number of State John Kerry yesterday in that goal. of topics of common interest, the course of his current visit to For his part, the US State particularly the situation in the Washington. Secretary underlined that both region. The meeting comes in the countries share common inter- HE the Foreign Minister em- framework of ongoing consulta- ests in establishing peace and phasised during the meeting the tion and co-ordination between stability in the region, especially depth of relations between Qatar Qatar and the US on bilateral in Syria, Libya and Yemen. and the United States, looking relations and the latest regional The US secretary of state forward to further developing and international developments. highlighted the joint eff orts the co-operation at all levels. In statements to reporters pri- of both countries in the fi ght HE also reaffi rmed Qatar’s or to the meeting, HE the Foreign against extremist groups. commitment to work with Minister underlined the distinct He thanked HH the Emir friendly countries to maintain relations between Qatar and the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- international security and peace, United States of America at all Thani for the eff orts he recently and to fi nd real and comprehen- levels, and stressed the keenness exerted to support the Libyan sive solutions to the challenges of both the countries to further government, security and sta- facing the region, especially in strengthen co-operation and bility in the region, and fi ght the Syria, Libya, Yemen and Pales- co-ordination to face challenges infl uence of extremist groups in tine. in the region, mainly in Pales- Libya. For their part, the members of tine, Syria, Libya and Yemen. Kerry also thanked Qatar for the US Senate Foreign Relations The Foreign Minister said that promoting the work between Committee expressed their ap- the meeting aims to discuss the the two countries in the security preciation for the eff orts exerted risk of the growing phenomenon fi eld. by the State of Qatar to establish of terrorism through a compre- Separately, HE Sheikh Mo- security and stability in the re- hensive perspective of the fi ght hamed bin Abdulrahman al- gion. HE the Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani with US Senate Foreign Relations Committee members.

Bakery owner fined for building Senyar Championship gets off to a rousing start extra floor without permission A Doha Misdemeanour Court Public Prosecution had accused has fined an owner of a bakery the defendant of violating the he fi fth annual edition of Sen- days and another license from the QR5,000 for building a second building regulations in the yar Championship got off to a Ministry of Transport and Communi- floor without obtaining proper country. Accordingly, the court Trousing start yesterday at Ka- cation is also required, besides meet- approvals from the department established his guilt based on tara beach. ing other logistic and supply require- concerned. Local Arabic daily the inspection reports of the The traditional event will go on ments. Arrayah reported yesterday the department concerned. until April 9. As many as 806 sailors The 110-member committee has across 67 teams sailed in dhows to formed seven sub-committees, each Jail for stealing money from vehicle Fisht al Hadid area in Sealine. comprising six members and respon- Senyar Championship is divided sible for 11 teams. The participating A Doha Criminal Court has sentenced an Arab expatriate man to into three major categories of Alafah (a teams have been given seven diff erent three months in jail and subsequent deportation for stealing money traditional fi shing method using a rod colours for easy identifi cation. from another persons’ parked vehicle. or line with a bait and practised from a Winners of the fi rst and second Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported yesterday that the victim boat), fi shing and pearl diving. positions in pearl diving will have the spotted the defendant moving around suspiciously around his car The organising committee earlier priority to represent Qatar in pearl and detained him. He also discovered that the defendant took a checked all boats to ensure they have diving competitions at the GCC level, sum of QR714 from his wallet left in the car. Investigation proved fulfi lled all requirements including a as per terms introduced by the com- that the defendant stole the money and his fingerprints were found licence for sailing for more than fi ve mittee this year. The competing dhows sail towards Sealine from Katara Beach yesterday. in the vehicle. Besides, the witnesses confirmed the case. Customs foils bid to smuggle marijuana through airport

he General Customs Authority (GAC) has foiled an attempt to smuggle T6.4kg of marijuana through Hamad International Airport (HIA). The illicit drugs were found with an Asian traveller transiting HIA on a journey from his home country to another GCC country. “The GAC offi cer suspected a bag of the traveller and ordered a full search of his lug- gage, leading to the discovery of the hidden drug,” Ajab al-Qahtani, director of HIA Cus- toms, said. Marijuana was found in 11 packets wrapped in plastic bags and hidden among other items such as dried fi sh and snacks. The issue was referred to the security de- partment concerned to take the necessary legal procedures against the traveller. GAC president Ahmed bin Ali al-Mo- hannadi thanked the offi cer who foiled the smuggling attempt and honoured him for his alertness in discharging his duty. He further affi rmed that GAC offi cers are an important asset for the department and protects the country against such harmful attempts. The illicit drug packets were hidden among dried fish and snacks.

The honoured customs inspector flanked by al-Muhannadi (Right) and al-Qahtani. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 QATAR QU alumni hold reunion

ver 1,500 Qatar University (QU) alumni and their friends Oand relatives gathered recently at QU Library courtyard for the 2016 Alumni Reunion. The event aimed to reconnect graduates with their alma mater and encourage mutual support and interaction between the institution and its graduates. Organised by QU Alumni Associa- tion (QUAA), the annual gathering is an opportunity to bring together friends, faculty and QU leaders to re-energise the spirit of pride, friendship, and loy- alty and to remind alumni of their last- ing connection with their alma mater. Attendees included QU president Dr Hassan Rashid al-Derham, members of QU leadership and college deans, QUAA president Dr Saif al-Hajri, Alumni and Partner Relations manager Rana al-Falasi, and QU alumni Trade and Industry Department director at the Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf Dr Hilal Almukhaini (class of 1983) and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait Strategic Alliance & Other Fess Income Department head Khaled Fa- QU president Dr Hassan Rashid al-Derham speaking at the event. rooq Sabri al-Khatib (class of 1983), as well as several QUAA members. Hamad bin Thamer bin Mohamed al- graduating highly-qualifi ed individu- The programme featured a short fi lm Thani (Class of 1987) for Distinguished als to join leadership ranks in the labour screening on the association, enter- Alumni, College of Pharmacy Chapter market, and actively contribute to Qa- tainment activities by Embrace Doha, for Distinguished Chapter, and CAS tar’s growth and development. and live performances including poetry student Fatima Alsheeb for the Design “The university is today home to recitations by renowned Qatari poet Competition Alumnus & Alumna cat- nine colleges, 17,000 students and Hamad al-Daiya. egory. more than 62 academic programmes at Also on the programme was a kids’ Mohamad Alhasel won fi rst place in the undergraduate and graduate levels. zone organised and supervised by QU the photography competition, while Our mission is to ensure that we keep Early Childhood Centre with activi- student Farah Dawwas and student Ab- abreast of the society’s fast growth by ties for children that included a puppet delaziz Issa won second and third place developing new programmes, promot- show, career role playing, handicraft respectively. ing research, and contributing to pro- and painting. Dr al-Derham noted that since its viding solutions to problems within the Awards were presented to Sheikh inception in 1973, QU is committed to society,” he said on the occasion.

Met predicts more rain for the weekend

here are chances of scattered upper levels of the atmosphere” was tions and a chance of scattered rain in light rain in some places today, expected to aff ect the country in the some places at times. Tthe Qatar Met department has coming few days, with the possibility Off shore areas will see partly cloudy said. The chances of rain will increase of rain – along with thunder over some to cloudy conditions and there is a between tomorrow evening and Fri- areas – increasing on Thursday and chance of scattered rain as well. day morning, according to weather Friday. The minimum and maximum temper- charts. The forecast for inshore areas today atures in the country today are expected On Monday, the weather offi ce had says slight dust is expected during the to be 19C and 32C, respectively, with the said a “trough of low pressure in the day, followed by partly cloudy condi- forecast for Doha being 21C and 30C. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 5 QATAR Beauty centre is shut down over expired hair dyes

he Ministry of Economy and The administrative closure is pub- Commerce (MEC) has an- lished on the ministry’s website as Tnounced a two-week adminis- well as two daily newspapers at the trative closure of a beauty centre, lo- off ending centre’s own expense in line cated in Al Waab area, over the display with article (3) of law no (8) on con- and sale of expired hair dyes. sumer protection. The closure comes within the The MEC stated that it is deter- framework of inspection campaigns mined to protect consumer rights by the ministry to monitor the market and will intensify its inspection and commercial activity in Qatar, in a campaigns to crack down on all vio- bid to off set price manipulation and lations of the consumer protection expose violations pertaining to coun- law. terfeit goods and non-conformance The ministry said it will refer vio- with standard specifi cations. lators of laws and ministerial decrees Inspectors from the ministry fi ned to the competent authorities, who the beauty centre and compelled its in turn will take appropriate action closure for a two-week period in line against perpetrators in order to pro- with article (6) of law number (8) of tect the rights of consumers. 2008. The MEC has urged all customers to The law prohibits suppliers of goods report any violations to its Consumer from selling, displaying, off ering or Protection and Anti-Commercial advertising corrupt or fraudulent Fraud Department through the fol- products. lowing channels: Hotline: 16001, e- Products are considered corrupt if mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ they do not conform with standards MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, specifi cations, are unusable or have An inspector from the MEC enforcing MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: expired. the closure of the beauty centre. MEC_Qatar 113 consumer violations last month

he Ministry of Economy and prices without prior approvals from the for the purchase process, especially Commerce (MEC) recorded 113 authority concerned, display of expired when not using Arabic language. Tconsumer violations in March, it products, violating the terms and con- Such violations could be punishable was announced yesterday. ditions of the warranty, not abiding by by a fi ne of QR5,000 to QR30,000, de- These were regarding various issues the mandatory price list for fruits and pending on the type and circumstances such as not posting proper price tags vegetables, violating the terms and of the violation, besides the adminis- or service charges for the items on dis- conditions for special sales and promo- trative closure of the outlet for varying play or the off ered services, increasing tions, and not issuing proper invoices periods. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 QATAR NU-Q partners Katara Hospitality to with Shell for train QU students PR course he Northwestern Uni- munications strategies work atar University College communication with the in- versity in Qatar (NU-Q) in the real world. of Arts and Sciences dustry. Katara Hospitality is the Thas partnered this year Rob Sherwin, general man- Q(QU-CAS) has signed best partner to promote such with Qatar Shell for one of its ager corporate aff airs and an agreement with Katara Hos- a concept and we hope that integrated marketing commu- deputy country chairman of pitality to provide QU students our students benefi t from this nications courses, ‘Case Stud- Qatar Shell, said he and his with the opportunity to benefi t MoU.” ies in Public Relations and colleagues were impressed from multi-disciplinary train- Al-Kubaisi said: “We are hon- Strategic Communications’. by the level of interaction in ing, and improve their skills in oured to work hand in hand with “This exceptional partner- the classes and the quality of hospitality-related fi elds. Qatar University as we create in- ship with Shell Qatar connects the discussion. “It’s clear that The agreement was signed by itiatives that foster the holistic our students with some of the Northwestern is develop- QU president Dr Hassan Rashid growth of our indigenous popu- most talented communica- ing graduates with skills and al-Derham and Katara Hospi- lation. This MoU is a testament tions professionals in the re- knowledge that will be imme- tality chief corporate services of our ongoing commitment to gion,” said Everette E Dennis, diately applicable in the world offi cer Salem al-Kubaisi in the creating unique employment dean and CEO at NU-Q. of corporate communications presence of CAS dean Dr Ei- and career development op- “Shell’s communications - whether in agency or in- man Mustafawi, CAS associate portunities for promising young activities and eff orts to foster house roles.” deans Dr Hassan Abdulaziz and Qataris; further encouraging corporate social responsibility The course is taught by Dr Steven Wright, among other our nation’s youth to explore are a model in the region.” Gregory Bergida, an adjunct guests and faculty members careers in Qatar’s burgeoning The course provides stu- assistant professor at North- The terms of the agreement hospitality sector.” dents with a better under- western and director of stu- include providing CAS under- Dr Mustafawi said the part- standing of the structure of a dent aff airs. It covered internal graduate and graduate students nership exemplifi es the kind communications operation, communication, media rela- with internships, training and of collaboration that should be including areas such as in- tions, crisis management, and scholarships, as well as organ- seen more between academia ternal communication, crisis other topics. ising joint events such as work- and the industry and highlights management, media analytics, NU-Q is expanding its fac- shops and presentations. the College’s ongoing eff orts to and corporate social responsi- ulty and off erings in strategic Dr al-Derham said QU’s part- expand its local and interna- bility. Professional commu- communication as a response nership with Katara Hospitality tional connections. nicators from Shell lectured to a need felt in a country is aligned with the university’s “This agreement will provide a series of classes providing where businesses and govern- capacity-building strategy to our students with multi-disci- Dr al-Derham presenting a memento to al-Kubaisi after signing the agreement. the students with a fi rst-hand ment ministries are seeking meet the needs of the society. plinary training through intern- look at how integrated com- trained personnel in this fi eld. “The agreement refl ects QU’s ship opportunities to enhance lated fi elds which refl ects CAS’ with unique educational experi- includes sponsorship opportu- endeavours to develop good their skills in the hospitality re- goal for providing its students ences. Moreover, the agreement nities.”

Doha resident dies in Saudi road accident

35-year-old Indian resi- Kerala’s Kozhikode district. Saudi Arabia’s eastern province. a number of supermarkets and dent of Doha died in a The accident occurred when Manaf and others were trav- foodstuff companies. Aroad accident in Saudi the vehicle in which he was trav- elling to Dammam from Salwa Eff orts are underway to send Arabia on Monday, sources elling crashed into a camel. Two border between Qatar and Saudi Manaf’s body directly from said. The victim has been iden- other occupants of the vehicle Arabia late in the evening on Saudi Arabia to his native place. tifi ed as Abdul Manaf (pic- sustained minor injuries and Monday. He was the fi nancial He leaves behind his wife and a tured), a native of Vatakara were admitted to a hospital in manager of a group which runs child. Rob Sherwin engaging with NU-Q students.

Architect’s impression of the B Square Mall in south Doha. B Square Mall to open on June 15

International real estate developer Al Bandary International Group (BIG) will open B Square Mall in south Doha with a soft launch on June 15 this year. Overseen by BIG subsidiary Al Bandary Real Estate, B Square Mall will usher in “an unparalleled shopping, dining and entertainment experience” an off icial said. “B Square Mall is spread across more than 25,000sqm,” said Amjad Saleh, malls manager of Al Bandary Real Estate. A number of retailers have signed with B Square Mall which include Spar Supermarket, Roxy Cinema, Java u Café, Al Aker Sweets, Gulf Pharmacy and Velocity City. “The dining and shopping options on hand will not only feature an assortment of international cuisine and trendy fashions but also introduce a large number of eateries and commercial opportunities to a section of Qatar which has for years gone without such a selection,” Saleh said. Entertainment for the entire family will also be major attraction and based around Roxy Cinema, a state-of-art movie theatre, and Velocity City, the latter being a speed- themed, 2,000sqm family entertainment centre which will feature video and table games, carnival rides and more.

Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 QATAR QA doubles fl ights to New York City atar Airways has an- nounced the addi- Qtion of a second daily, non-stop fl ight on its route between John F Kennedy Air- Alakoski, Yiannouka, Dlabajová, Ballester, and Garcia del Riego at the WISE event in Brussels. port (JFK) in New York City and Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha. The route features the Air- bus A350 and a new morning departure time from JFK, al- WISE organises dialogue on lowing passengers to arrive in Doha in the following morning. The airline has been operat- The route features the Airbus A350. ing in the US for nine years and recently added a daily, non- Qatar Airways was the glo- ing British Airways, Cathay role of entrepreneurship stop service to Boston. It will bal launch partner of the A350 Pacifi c, Iberia, and Qantas. also commence a service to in 2015. The airline currently Qatar Airways will continue Atlanta on June 1. operates eight of the advanced to operate its evening route, he World Innovation European policymakers and in- Alakoski, executive director and failure of education to pro- Akbar al-Baker, chief ex- aircraft on four continents, scheduled to depart New York Summit for Education dustry and civil society repre- co-founder of Me & My City, vide them with relevant skills, ecutive, Qatar Airways Group, including routes to Frankfurt, at 11pm, from Terminal 8. T(WISE) has led a high- sentatives. Participants shared one of the WISE Awards winning young people are increasingly said: “By off ering a second Munich, Singapore, and from Following is the daily, non- level event focusing on the their views on entrepreneur- projects in 2014. The Finland- interested in entrepreneurship,” fl ight from JFK, we provide our next month, Adelaide. stop fl ight schedule: QR701 role of entrepreneurship in the ship education in Europe, and based initiative uses a 500sq m he said. leisure and business travellers In the US, the A350 currently departing HIA at 8.15am and transformation of education and their experiences of initiatives miniature town to engage young The event produced several with convenient connections, operates to Philadelphia and reaching JFK at 3.15pm (Ter- tackling youth unemployment in designed to create a sustainable students in basic social, civic conclusions relevant to policy- via Doha, to top destinations in Boston, in addition to the sec- minal 8, Boeing 777-300ER), Europe. These topics have been environment for entrepreneurs and economic concepts. making, which the speakers are Africa, the Middle East, South- ond daily fl ight to New York’s QR702 departing JFK at 10pm identifi ed by the European Com- to thrive and grow. Yiannouka highlighted the expected to share with their re- east Asia and the Far East. JFK International Airport. and reaching HIA at 5.35pm mission (EU) as key priorities Speakers included Stavros N opportunity for policymakers spective collaborators and audi- “In particular, business trav- The second daily fl ight de- next day (Terminal 8, Boeing for 2016. Yiannouka, CEO, WISE; Rod- and educators to take action in ences through their work, given el between New York City and parts JFK from Terminal 7 at 777-300ER), QR703 departing The panel was hosted in Brus- rigo Ballester, member of the transforming educational prac- the growing interest in adjusting Singapore on Qatar Airways is 11.15am and arrives in Doha at HIA at 2.25am and reaching JFK sels by Martina Dlabajová, a EU Commissioner’s Cabinet tices, by capitalising on the de- education to the needs of the la- now one of our most popular 6.45am (next day). The new at 9.15am (Terminal 7, Airbus member of the European Parlia- on Education, Culture, Youth, sire of young people to develop bour market in Europe. routes, off ering business trav- fl ight to New York City arrives A350-900), and QR704 depart- ment from the Czech Republic. and Sport; Antonio Garcia del as entrepreneurs. WISE is an initiative of Qa- ellers a best-in-class experi- in JFK’s Terminal 7 at 9.15am. ing JFK at 11.15am and reaching Aiming to inspire an informed Riego, managing director for “Although great numbers tar Foundation for Educa- ence featuring the Airbus 350 Terminal 7 is also home to oth- HIA at 6.45am next day (Termi- dialogue, the event brought to- European Corporate Aff airs at of youth are being shut out of tion, Science and Community on every leg of the journey.” er oneworld members, includ- nal 7, Airbus A350-900). gether an audience of 30 key Banco Santander; and Tomi the labour market due to the Development. QRCS receives donation for Librarians explore medical project in Syria ways to promote

atar Red Crescent Soci- cine, gynaecology & obstetrics, ery supplies, furnishing and in- ety (QRCS) has received dentistry, dermatology, general stalling the equipment, securing Qa donation of QR1mn surgery, orthopaedics, dressing the medication, hiring and train- from Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad and laboratory. ing the medical and administra- reading culture bin Abdullah al-Thani. A bilateral agreement was tive staff and co-ordinating with This comes in support of signed with the local authori- local and international medical atar National Library QRCS’s eff orts to enhance the ties to license the centre and institutions working there. (QNL), a member of Qa- medical sector in Syria and another with the local partner This project comes in re- Qtar Foundation for Edu- provide treatment for thou- to avoid duplication of eff orts sponse to the critical humani- cation, Science and Community sands of patients and victims and ensure integration of health tarian situation in the area, Development, recently organ- of the Syrian crisis. services. Accordingly, QRCS which weighed heavily on the ised an event entitled, ‘Qatar The donation will go to- will off er primary healthcare, medical sector. There is no pri- Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Library Camp 2016’, in collabo- wards a project of rebuilding, while the partner will provide mary healthcare in the district Abdullah al-Thani ... the donor ration with University College equipping and operating the secondary healthcare. and the nearest one is in Al Ja- London Qatar (UCL Qatar). healthcare centre of Darkush, Also, QRCS will undertake the nudiyah, 12km away. More peo- due to lack of funding or di- Bringing together practition- a town in the Idlib governo- logistical tasks of rehabilitating ple are fl eeing Aleppo city and rect bombing. Transportation ers within the industry to en- rate. The project will serve the building and infrastructure, countryside as a result of the to farther towns is diffi cult and courage the exchange of new 70,000 inhabitants as well as connecting the water/power fi ghting. risky compared to Darkush, ideas, knowledge and experi- displaced people from Lattakia supply and sewerage system, Most health facilities in the which is the area’s largest and ences, the Qatar Library Camp and Aleppo. procuring the medical/station- area are out of service, either safest town. brought together 40 librarians This number is expected from schools, universities and to rise as clashes are escalat- other institutions across Qatar. ing and may lead to a wave of Hosted at UCL Qatar, partici- forced migration, QRCS has pants examined topics of rele- said in a statement. vance to Qatar’s growing knowl- Participants at the Qatar Library Camp 2016. The objectives of the project edge-based economy. These are to off er primary health- included ways to promote a work, allowing them to gain new tutions the opportunity to ex- care for the host community reading culture using QNL’s vast insights that will prove ben- change ideas and address certain and evacuees, promote health resources, introducing research efi cial to both the industry and challenges facing the industry. awareness, reduce communi- skills to primary and secondary the wider community. We are The format of the event is unique cable diseases through early school students, and stimulat- looking into organising similar and allows participants to ex- diagnosis and medication, ing collaboration of knowledge events in the future to ensure li- press themselves freely and dis- and vaccination of children in between Arabic and English brarians in Qatar are connected cuss topics of interest with their partnership with peers. speaking librarians. with one another and are made peers.” Under the project, the out- Saadi al-Said, director of aware of the latest industry de- QNL will host MetLib 2016 patient centre of Darkush will administration and planning velopments.” Qatar later this month under the be rehabilitated into a stand- at QNL, said: “The Qatar Li- QNL’s Music Information theme ‘Pearls in the Desert: Un- ard primary healthcare facility brary Camp provides an ideal Services librarian, Sebastian leashing Potential’. This is the with a wide range of specialties platform for library practition- Wilke, said: “This event gives fi rst time this conference is held - paediatrics, internal medi- The donation money will be used to build a healthcare centre in Darkush town. ers to exchange ideas and net- librarians from various insti- in the Mena region.

Cadillac STS-V models Mannai HEG fetes loyal customers of 2004-2007 recalled Mannai Heavy Equipment Group (HEG) Mannai HEG has hosted a special awards night for works closely The Ministry of Economy and customers. with its global Commerce, in collaboration with The event, hosted in partnership with partners to Mannai Trading Company, has Caltex, DAF, Eicher, Grove and JCB maintain announced the recall of Cadillac for their customers in Qatar, brought its strong STS-V models of 2004-2007 due to a together around 500 of the company’s relationships possibility of the electrical terminals of top customers and partners. in the market. the fuel pump to melt. The awards appreciated loyal “With over two The MEC said the recall campaign customers of the respective decades of comes within the framework of its brands and also included a special experience in Khalid Yousef speaking ongoing eff orts to protect consumers recognition for top customers in Qatar, Mannai at the event. and ensure that car dealers follow up the parts, lubricants, sales, service, HEG has been on vehicles’ defects and repair them. wholesale and aftermarket divisions of a trusted partner to construction, The MEC will co-ordinate with the Mannai HEG. infrastructure and rental companies dealer to follow up on the maintenance Khalid Yousef, general manager of that have been responsible for and repair works and communicate Mannai HEG, said: “These awards contributing to Qatar’s growth from with customers to ensure that the are an extension of Mannai HEG’s a budding frontier market to a major necessary repairs are carried out. philosophy of judging the health of our regional growth hub,” according to a The MEC has urged all customers to business not by quantity, but by the statement. report any violations to its Consumer quality of the services we provide and Some of the results of the company’s Protection and Anti-Commercial the success we have in retaining and eff orts in recent years include Fraud Department through the building on our partnerships. first place in the Middle East and following channels: Hotline: 16001, “These awards recognise the loyalty of Africa under the Caltex Distributor e-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @ our customers and demonstrate our Programme, an elite distributor award MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, appreciation for their commitment to from Grove Cranes, recognition as the MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: keeping us on our toes while managing largest JCB excavator dealer in the MEC_Qatar their full range of needs.” world and more. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 9 QATAR

The family train ride moves around the Amusement Park. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed Rides, art activities entertain visitors at Souq Waqif festival

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

umerous rides and at- tractions at the Souq NWaqif festival continued to entertain young visitors for the second day yesterday at the Al Ahmed Square from 4pm to 10pm. The 15-day celebration, which will run until April 18, features extreme and fun rides such as crazy frog and dragon games, swing ride and airplane games, and extreme and crazy fi re games. A family train ride takes visi- tors on a short journey around the Amusement Park, which also hosts many unique rides and an infl atable playground for little children. “These rides really make my sons happy because they do not have to wait in long queues,” said Bushan, an Indian expatri- ate who was treating his wife and two sons to a dinner. The family also had the oppor- tunity to visit the Souq Waqif Art Centre which hosts three new art activities dubbed as “Drawing, Carving and Ceramic Work for the Qatari Environment.” Bushan sees the rides, games The Souq Waqif festival hosts numerous rides, games and attractions. and activities as an “outdoor version” of the Eid al-Fitr cel- area. One of the most popular ebrations held in the past at the and major touristic destinations Doha Exhibition Centre organ- in Qatar, Souq Waqif is known to ised by the Qatar Tourism Au- organise many similar festivals, thority. events and art exhibitions for He said many families want families and children especially to enjoy the seemingly ex- during winter and spring. tended winter season with such Local and foreign tourists festivals.“We prefer to visit Souq usually spend their evening in Waqif regularly not only because the area to dine and chat with of the many celebrations being friends over a cup of coff ee. held here but also the conven- Some of the Souq’s organised ience the underground parking events host a number of theatre provides,” he added. and family entertainment shows The underground parking, at the Sout Al Rayyan, attract- which can accommodate more ing many spectators. Other ac- than 2,000 vehicles, is a big re- tivities and programmes are also lief for many motorists due to the held at various locations of the scarcity of parking slots in the Souq. The Airplane ride. One of the rides for little children.

Extreme rides at the Souq Waqif festival has also attracted many visitors. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 REGION Washington insists Iran gets no access to US fi nance

AFP the US is preparing to reinstate East militant groups. As the Senate Foreign Rela- seeks those funds, there are ernments and companies, fi gure ter Mohamed Javad Zarif, part of Washington Iranian access to the US fi nancial Now Tehran is chafi ng under tions Committee convened yes- banks unclear of the nature of the out exactly where the problem or Rouhani’s “moderate” camp. system are not true,” he said. these ongoing sanctions, with terday, Senator Bob Corker asked regulatory structures.” reluctance is.” Shannon insisted Washington In January, the US and the Eu- hardliners accusing President Shannon to explain these “ru- Separately, speaking to AFP on Earlier this year, as the deal will continue to impose tough senior offi cial dismissed ropean Union implemented their Hassan Rouhani of having sold mours out of the administration.” condition of anonymity, an offi - was being implemented, a sen- sanctions on Iran’s ballistic mis- reports yesterday that side of last year’s Iran nuclear his country out for little reward. Shannon insisted that - “as far cial said Washington is trying to ior European offi cial said banks sile programme and interference AWashington plans to allow deal, lifting a raft of sanctions. And European and other inter- as I know” - there are no plans to reassure foreign banks about do- are afraid New York prosecutors in its region. Iran access to the US fi nancial Under the accord, Iran had national banks are returning only allow Iran to use the US fi nancial ing business with Iran. would target them if they traded But he added that both Kerry system or to buy the latest Rus- divested itself of its nuclear fuel gingerly to the Iranian market, sector for transactions in dollars. Washington, he said, has had with Iran. and Treasury Secretary Jacob sian warplanes. stockpile, dismantled much of fearing their American opera- But he confi rmed that the ad- “requests and inquiries both Corker told Shannon “there Lew have “been clear about the Responding to sceptical US its enrichment capacity and put tions will fall afoul of US prose- ministration planned to reassure from foreign governments and was some concern there was a importance of ensuring Iran has lawmakers, Undersecretary of a bomb beyond its immediate cutors. foreign banks seeking to do busi- companies, European and Asian little bit of a wink and nod going access to the assets now open to State Thomas Shannon insist- reach. Secretary of State John Kerry ness with Iran about where they mostly.” on where we were saying to insti- them.” ed that the US would maintain In return, the West dropped and to a lesser degree President stand relative to US law. These requests concerned the tutions that we are not coming He also warned that Washing- sanctions pressure on the Islamic many sanctions, giving Iran ac- Barack Obama have hinted at “As Iran attempts to access “transactions needed to repat- after you.” ton would veto any Russia plan - republic. cess to tens of millions of dollars sympathy for the complaints, in- money being made available to it riate Iran’s own funds that have And he warned that he sus- as reported in Iranian media - to But he confi rmed that the State in frozen assets and allowing it to sisting the US will keep its side of through the lifting of sanctions, been locked up for some time, pected some US offi cials “have sell Tehran advanced Sukhoi Su- Department is attempting to double its oil exports. the deal. there will be instances in which and for any transactions regard- developed relationships and are 30 jet fi ghters. “clarify” the terms of its fi nancial But Washington maintains But this has led to concerns in we have had to help Iran access ing future deals.” trying to bend this in a way that “The sale of this type of air- sanctions to foreign banks now other sanctions designed to Congress - and confl icting re- that money by clarifying regula- “In terms of specifi cs, we’re will benefi t Iran.” craft is prohibited without the looking to do business with Iran. punish Tehran for maintaining ports in Washington - that the tions under which money can be just not there yet,” he said. This was a dig at Kerry, who approval of the UN Security “The rumours and news that a banned ballistic missile pro- administration is preparing new transferred to them,” he said. “It’s really a matter of con- has a channel to his Iranian op- Council and we would not ap- has appeared in the press that gramme and for arming Middle concessions to Iran. “We have found that as Iran tinuing to talk to the foreign gov- position number Foreign Minis- prove it,” Shannon said. Saudi police colonel shot dead in attack

A man and a boy sleep outside a tent at the Shawqaba camp for internally displaced people who were forced to leave their villages by the war claimed by IS in Yemen’s northwestern province of Hajjah.

AFP in Saudi Arabia, said in a state- nationality of the victim in that Riyadh ment on Twitter that its mili- incident but said two security tants had “assassinated” the patrol vehicles parked in the area offi cer. were damaged in the bombing Uprooted by civil war in Yemen, Saudi police colonel was It threatened further attacks claimed by Najd Province. shot dead in the Riyadh against security forces in the IS frequently claims attacks on Aregion yesterday, the in- kingdom. Saudi security forces as well as terior ministry said, in an attack The attack is the second deadly bombings and shootings families struggle in barren camp claimed by the Islamic State mil- claimed by the extremist group that target the kingdom’s Shia itant group. against Saudi police in the past minority. In August, an IS suicide Colonel Kattab Majid al- four days. bomber struck a mosque inside a By Abduljabbar Zeyad/ Hajjah province, which borders they sought refuge, al-Mazraq ices. Mohamed, 11, is waiting for Hammadi was killed by gunfi re The interior ministry an- Saudi special forces headquar- Reuters Saudi Arabia. camp near the border city of treatment of his fractured leg. “from an unknown source” in nounced that a foreign resident ters, killing 15 people. Hajjah, Yemen When fi ghting between Saudi Harad, also in Hajjah, was bom- Elderly people with diabetes the town of Duwadimi, the min- was killed in a bomb blast tar- IS, which controls swathes of forces and Houthi rebels began barded. and heart conditions complain istry said in a statement, adding geting a police patrol vehicle late territory in Syria and Iraq, has in March 2015, these refugees Families moved further in- of a lack of medicine - and the that an investigation has been on Saturday, also in the Riyadh claimed responsibility for a wave hey live in scruff y tents were forced to leave their villages land to the arid Shawqaba camp high prices when it is available. launched. region. of attacks in the region and else- or mud huts on dry, stony in al-Dhahir and Shada districts that lacks the most basic serv- Yemen has been in a civil war Najd Province, the IS affi liate Authorities did not specify the where, including deadly bomb- Tground. Children play in neighbouring Saada province ices. Residents call home poorly for more than a year between ings in Brussels last month. with what they have - a rubber as Saudi-led warplanes targeted build huts that protect them supporters of President Abd- Algiers defends ‘non-intervention’ stand In December, Saudi Arabia an- tyre will do. Medical treatment Houthi positions. neither from summer heat nor Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the nounced the creation of an “an- is hard to come by for young and Residents and human rights winter cold. Iran-allied Houthi group that Algeria has defended its stand President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, ti-terrorism” coalition whose old alike. groups say some of the strikes Amal Jabir, 10, standing out- has sucked in a Saudi-led al- against foreign military interven- in a message to Saudi Arabia’s members it said would share in- In northwest Yemen, one of destroyed homes and damaged side her family’s hut, says there’s liance and caused a major hu- tion, in a message to Saudi Ara- King Salman, stressed that telligence, counter violent ideol- the poorest countries in the farmlands. The coalition has only one thing she wishes for. manitarian crisis. bia with which ties are strained non-interference was a principle ogy and deploy troops if neces- Middle East, families uprooted acknowledged mistakes in air “I want this war to be over, UN-sponsored peace talks over the Yemen conflict and for Algiers “and not, as it may sary to combat extremists. by the war have been stuck in operations in Yemen but denies to return home and fi nish my are scheduled to start in Kuwait Lebanon, national news agency appear, a sign of opposition to The kingdom is also part of the camps for the past year. Houthi allegations that its forc- studies,” she says. on April 18. The two sides in the APS said on Monday. It said Arab partners”. US-led coalition bombing IS in Around 400 of them now re- es strike civilian targets. Many children suff er from a confl ict have confi rmed a truce Iraq and Syria. side in the Shawqaba camp in A few months later, the place lack of nutrition and health serv- starting at midnight on April 10.

US Navy seizes Iran weapons bound for Houthis

Reuters The weapons seized last week by The boat, which the Navy described It cited a Feb. 27 incident in which Washington the warships Sirocco and Gravely as stateless, and its crew were al- the Australian Navy intercepted a were hidden on a small dhow and lowed to leave once the weapons dhow in late February and confi s- included 1,500 AK-47 rifl es, 200 were taken. cated nearly 2,000 AK-47s, 100 S Navy ships in the Arabian rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) “This seizure is the latest in a RPG launchers, and other weapons. Sea intercepted and seized launchers, and 21 .50-caliber ma- string of illicit weapons shipments On March 20, a French destroyer Uan arms shipment from Iran chine guns, according to the Navy assessed by the US to have origi- seized almost 2,000 AK-47s, dozens likely bound for Houthi fi ghters in statement. nated in Iran that were seized in the of Dragunov sniper rifl es, nine anti- Yemen, the military said in a state- The weapons were seized on region by naval forces,” the military tank missiles, and other equipment. ment on Monday. March 28 and are now in US custody. said in the statement. Houthi forces seized Yemen’s capital Sanaa in 2014, stoking con- cern in Saudi Arabia that Iran was exploiting turmoil in the region and extending its infl uence to the Saudi Flamingos in Dubai border. The Houthis are Shia, whose home territory is in northern Yemen. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Monday that Iran’s support for the Houthis is an exam- ple of its “destabilising activities” in the region, and that the weapons shipment could be raised at the UN Security Council. “We obviously are concerned about this development, because off ering up support to the rebels in Yemen is something that is not at all consistent with UN Security Coun- cil resolutions,” Earnest said. US offi cials have said in the past that Iran’s direct involvement with the Houthis is limited, but that Ira- nian military personnel were train- ing and equipping Houthi units. A Saudi-led Arab coalition has been fi ghting to restore Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power since last year, in- cluding via air strikes on Sanaa. UN-sponsored peace talks are scheduled to start in Kuwait on April Pink flamingos standing on the mud flats at the Ras al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary with the Dubai skyline 18. in the background, on the outskirts of the city yesterday. The sanctuary which is Dubai’s only desert The two sides have confi rmed a wetland occupies about 2.4sq miles on the banks of Dubai Creek and comprises of mudflats, lagoons, truce starting at midnight on April pools, and mangroves. 10 ahead of the peace talks, sched- uled to follow a week later. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 11

ARAB WORLD Syria peace talks likely to resume on April 11: UN

Agencies flexibility in the timeline. not return to Geneva until after any transitional government is mediator’s eff orts to promote di- port in this,” Lavrov was quoted Syrian government that includes Geneva/Washington UN spokesman Ahmad Fawzi the elections on April 13. agreed. rect and inclusive talks between as saying in opening remarks at a opposition, independents and told journalists that de Mistura The UN does not recognise The regime has said that the sides in Syria’s confl ict, Rus- meeting with de Mistura. loyalists, but has rejected the idea “expects to start on the 11th” by Syria’s upcoming vote and is try- dialogue about the president’s sian Foreign Minister Sergei La- Meanwhile, US Secretary of of a transition authority. yria peace talks will likely meeting with the main opposi- ing to strike a peace deal that will future is off limits. De Mistura vrov told de Mistura in Moscow State John Kerry said yesterday But Syria’s opposition has resume in Geneva on April tion High Negotiations Commit- see fresh general elections, with has said the next round will be yesterday. the talks will test whether Assad consistently said it wants a halt S11, but regime negotiators tee (HNC). opposition candidates included, focused on concrete plans for “As in any confl ict, it is of can negotiate in good faith. in attacks on civilians and for the will only arrive several days later De Mistura is leading indirect held within 18 months. political transition to lead Syria course key that we ensure the “The key right now is whether Geneva talks to result in a tran- after the completion of parlia- negotiations, meaning the vari- Fawzi said Assad’s negotiators out of five years of brutal civil inclusive character of the nego- Assad is capable of negotiat- sitional governing body for Syria mentary elections in the country, ous parties have so far not met were expected in Geneva from war. tiations and that they are focused ing in good faith, and we have to that does not include Assad. the UN said yesterday. face-to-face. April 14. Many doubt that Damascus is on promoting a direct dialogue put that to the test,” Kerry told Kerry, who is working with UN mediator Staffan de Mis- Before the previous round of The talks remain gridlocked prepared to enter serious nego- between the two sides,” Lavrov Bloomberg Television in New Russia to persuade Assad to step tura had previously said he talks paused on March 24, Presi- over the president’s political fate, tiations on forming a new gov- was quoted as saying by RIA news York. down, repeated that there was no wanted to restart the talks on dent Bashar al-Assad’s repre- with the opposition demand- ernment. agency. Assad has said he thinks the way to end the Syrian war with April 9, but noted there was sentatives had said they would ing Assad leave power before Russia will support the UN “We will give you our full sup- Geneva talks can produce a new Assad still at the helm. UN Libya envoy travels to Tripoli as unity govt asserts authority

AFP stopping for people to take selfi es Tripoli with him, an AFP photographer said. Libya has had rival administra- he UN Libya envoy trav- tions since the Libya Dawn mili- elled to Tripoli and met the tia-backed alliance seized control Tnew prime minister desig- of Tripoli in mid-2014, forcing nate yesterday, in the latest sign the internationally recognised an internationally backed unity government to fl ee to the coun- government is asserting its au- try’s far east. thority over the capital. The unity government has been Martin Kobler fl ew into Tripoli formed under a power-sharing for his fi rst visit since Fayez al- deal agreed by some lawmakers in Sarraj arrived with members December. of his cabinet in the capital last Sarraj arrived by sea last week. Wednesday after the Tripoli au- The UN envoy had been pre- thorities closed airspace to keep vented from travelling to the him out, and has since been oper- capital last month by authorities ating out of a naval base. The wreckage of a Syrian warplane shot down by rebels near Aleppo yesterday. in charge of the city, who have so The new administration has far refused to cede power. been broadening its support, win- The new government’s arrival ning the backing of the Libyan In- has raised hopes it will be able to vestment Authority, the National restore some stability in Libya, Oil Corp and the Central Bank. which has been plagued by chaos Ten coastal cities that were un- since Muammar Gaddafi ’s 2011 der the control of the Tripoli au- overthrow. thorities have also backed the new Rebels shoot down second Kobler said on Twitter he had a government. “great meeting” with Sarraj and Mattia Toaldo, a policy fellow at members of the unity govern- the European Council on Foreign ment and that he was “moved by Relations, said Kobler’s visit was their courage and determination” a clear signal that the Government in trying to set up in Tripoli. of National Accord (GNA) was Syrian warplane in a month He later said that he also met putting down roots in the capital. municipal offi cials, adding: “We “Kobler’s visit to Tripoli, after Damascus and monitors shoot down a warplane in west- recent days, the Syrian Observa- plane was mostly likely brought down by artillery fi re. want to show that the UN and the the many times he was refused say rebels used anti-aircraft ern Syria in March - but rebels tory for Human Rights said. down by an anti-aircraft missile. “The Syrian air force planes international community support landing and access... shows the missile; rebels deny missile accused Damascus of fabricating The pilot was seized alive by Rebels last downed a Syrian are old and so after a certain Prime Minister Sarraj and mem- degree of control of Tripoli by the used, say used anti-aircraft the claim, saying the plane was fi ghters from Al Qaeda’s Nusra jet in the western province of mileage they need overhaul and bers of the presidency council.” GNA,” Toaldo said. guns downed with anti-aircraft guns. Front and taken to one of their Hama on March 12, when they are forced to fl y at very low alti- Kobler said the UN was ready An adviser to Kobler said the Foreign-backed rebels have headquarters in the area, the also denied a Russian defence tudes. They risk getting hit” by to provide “all the support need- UN envoy discussed with Sarraj Reuters long demanded anti-aircraft monitoring group said. ministry report they had used gunfi re, he said. ed” towards an “immediate and “ways to support the action” of Amman/Beirut weapons to fi ght against devas- Videos circulated by pro- an anti-aircraft missile. The Ob- Aerial supremacy has been a peaceful handover of power”, the unity government. tating aerial raids by Syrian and, rebel accounts on social media servatory said on that occasion a major advantage for the Syrian and urged Libya’s internation- Western governments are since September, Russian forces. showed what appeared to be the rebel group had used two heat- army that has been battling in- ally recognised parliament to en- deeply concerned that Libya’s ebels shot down a second But their backers, which include remains of the aircraft burning seeking missiles. surgents seeking to overthrow dorse the unity government. disarray has allowed the militant Syrian warplane in less Western and Sunni Muslim re- on an open patch of ground and Ahmed al-Seoud, the head of President Bashar al-Assad. The German diplomat, ap- Islamic State group to gain an Rthan a month yesterday gional states, are wary of deliver- surrounded by rebels. Some us- a Free Syrian Army rebel group A fragile truce has held in Syr- pointed last year to spearhead important foothold in the coun- and reportedly captured its pi- ing weapons that could fall into ers separately posted an image of operating in northwestern Syria, ia for over a month as the various international eff orts to resolve try, but have said a foreign inter- lot in an area near Aleppo where the hands of hardline groups. the man they said was the pilot. said: “Not one faction in the op- parties try to negotiate an end to the Libya confl ict, posted pho- vention can only take place at the heavy fi ghting has erupted in re- The aircraft crashed in the Syria’s military confi rmed that position has surface-to-air mis- the fi ve-year-old civil war. tographs of himself descending request of a unity government. cent days despite a cessation of Talat al-Iss highland south of a plane on a reconnaissance mis- siles.” But the truce excludes Islamic from a UN turboprop plane and Most foreign representations hostilities agreement. Aleppo city, an area where Al sion had crashed after being hit A former rebel commander State and Nusra Front, and air then meeting with offi cials in- have long since left the capital The Syrian army said the jet Qaeda-affi liated insurgents have by a surface-to-air missile. The and army defector, Brigadier and land attacks by Syrian and cluding Sarraj. but Tunisia on Monday said it was shot down with an anti- come under heavy bombard- pilot survived and eff orts were General Ahmad Rahal, said he allied forces continue in parts of He was later seen walking in was reopening diplomatic mis- aircraft missile - the same type ment by Syrian and Russian underway to rescue him, it said. had information that the war- Syria where the government says the streets of Tripoli’s Old City, sions in Tripoli following the of weapon it says was used to warplanes since capturing it in The Observatory also said the plane in Aleppo was brought the groups are present. chatting with patrons in cafes and new government’s arrival. Italy ups pressure Hamas offi cial denies on Egypt over student murder stealing cement imports AFP quences” including “stopping major donor to Gazan recon- Gaza City the wheels of reconstruction, struction, and the UN were still AFP specialising in abducting for- destroying the economy and able to bring in cement. Rome eigners, and that they had increasing unemployment with “We’re hoping that this will found Regeni’s passport in the Palestinian offi cial yes- adverse repercussions for tens of be kept to a very short window,” apartment of a sister of one of terday denied Israeli thousands of citizens”. he said. “It mustn’t drag on be- taly has upped its pressure the slain suspects. A charges of syphoning off “If Israel continues to prevent cause it will have an impact on on Egypt over slain student That version of what hap- cement imports to Gaza and the supply of cement to Gaza, the recovery process.” IGiulio Regeni, warning it pened to Regeni has been greet- warned of a potential “explo- the situation will explode in the Over 1.2mn tonnes of con- would not accept a “fabricated” ed with outraged scepticism sion” unless a cement ban is face of the occupation and it will struction materials have entered account of the Italian’s tor- in Italy, where there is a wide- lifted. bear the responsibility.” Gaza since the reconstruction ture and murder from Egyptian spread suspicion that the mur- Israel on Monday announced The Israeli defence ministry mechanism was set up in 2014. prosecutors and police due in der was the work of elements in it had stopped private imports of body responsible for imple- According to an Israeli of- Rome today. the security services. Cairo has cement to the Hamas-run Pal- menting government policies fi cial, 80 truckloads of cement As Cairo confi rmed the in- rejected that theory as baseless. estinian enclave, accusing Imad in the Palestinian territories, enter Gaza weekly, each one car- vestigative team would fl y to the Gentiloni reiterated that Italy al-Baz, deputy director of the COGAT, accused Baz on Monday rying 40 tonnes. Italian capital, Foreign Minister regarded the kidnapping gang economy ministry, of diverting of taking “construction mate- Israel has imposed a blockade Paolo Gentiloni warned of un- story as a “new attempt to give supplies. rials intended for civil recon- on Gaza since 2006. Palestinian specifi ed “proportionate” con- credence to a convenient truth” But Baz denied any off ence, struction”. militants in Gaza and the Jew- sequences if Rome’s demands and said he would reject any at- saying the imports were in line “This is a clear example of ish state have fought three wars for greater transparency on Re- tempt to have it accepted as “a with a UN-brokered Gaza Re- how Hamas continues to abuse since 2008. geni’s fate were not met. conclusion to the investigation”. construction Mechanism, aimed and harm Gaza’s civil popula- In recent months, Hamas Regeni, 28, and a PhD candi- Egypt responded tersely to at allowing for reconstruction tion to advance their own per- has been accused of rebuilding date at Cambridge University, those remarks. “We refrain following a devastating 2014 war sonal agenda,” it charged. tunnels destroyed in 2014 that was found dead outside Cairo from commenting on these with Israel. Robert Piper, the UN humani- could be used to attack Israel. on February 3, his body bear- statements which complicate “We don’t interfere with the tarian co-ordinator for the Pal- Hamas officials say any such ing the signs of torture which the situation, particularly as cement mechanism,” he said, estinian territories, said they did tunnels would be defensive in an autopsy concluded had been they come one day prior to the Palestinian workers pour cement on the roof of a building under adding that all cement distribu- not have the evidence Israel was nature. infl icted over several days. arrival of the Egyptian investi- construction in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah yesterday. tion sites in Gaza are monitored referring to, but were seeking to The strip of 1.8mn people has On March 25, Cairo an- gators’ team,” the foreign min- Israel, earlier in the week, announced it had stopped private imports by Israeli cameras. resolve the issue. one of the world’s highest un- nounced police had killed four istry in Cairo said in a state- of cement to the Hamas-run Palestinian enclave, accusing Imad al-Baz, He warned that Israel’s deci- The ban only aff ected private employment rates and poverty is members of a criminal gang ment. deputy director of the economy ministry, of diverting supplies. sion would have “dire conse- providers, he said, so Qatar, a widespread. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 AFRICA ANC guards Zuma from impeachment

AFP He vowed the ANC, which He has been urged to resign by Pretoria convincingly won the 2014 gen- a number of senior ANC veter- eral elections, would pay the price ans who led the struggle against when voters return to the polls. apartheid. outh African President The Constitutional Court last The country’s top court ruled Jacob Zuma yesterday eas- week issued a damaging ruling last Thursday that Zuma had Sily survived an impeach- against Zuma over spending of fl outed the constitution by failing ment vote after a stormy session public funds on his private resi- to repay some of the money spent of parliament over a court ruling dence. on “security upgrades” at his ru- People fleeing violence rest at the Catholic Church of Moungali in Brazzaville yesterday. that he had violated the country’s As lawmakers on both sides ral home at Nkandla in the eastern post-apartheid constitution. shouted insults at each other, province of KwaZulu-Natal. Lawmakers from Zuma’s Af- the fi rebrand leader of the radi- The project, which cost tax- rican National Congress (ANC) cal Economic Freedom Fighters, payers $24mn, included a swim- rallied to his defence, defeating Julius Malema, said that “Zuma ming pool, chicken run, cattle the motion by 233 votes to 143 and the ANC want to convert enclosure and an amphitheatre. despite growing pressure for him South Africa into a banana re- A 2014 report by the govern- Congo army seeks to calm to resign over the scandal. public”. ment-appointed public protec- During the debate, Zuma was Speaking on behalf of the ANC, tor, Thuli Madonsela, found that likened by the leader of the main deputy justice minister John Jef- Zuma and his family had “unduly opposition party to a “large and fery said that any impeachment benefi ted” from the upgrades and malignant tumour” on the ANC, bid required a “serious violation” ordered him to pay back some of restive Brazzaville which came to power in 1994 of the constitution. the money, but Zuma stalled for with the election of Nelson Man- While “the Constitutional two years. AFP few cars and people out on the streets during the fi ghting on “disbanded Ninja Nsiloulou” dela and the end of white-mi- Court judgement stated that the After the court ruling, Zuma Brazzaville the morning. The southern districts of Makele- fi ghters, saying they had attacked an army nority rule. president failed to uphold, de- apologised in a national tel- kele and Mayana remained eerily quiet and few position as well as four police stations. “When the highest court in the fend and respect the Constitu- evision address on Friday for residents appeared to have returned home after The Ninjas is a rebel group which fought land ruled that the man occupy- tion”, it did not fi nd a “serious” the “frustration and confusion” ongolese troops deployed yesterday fl eeing the fi ghting in droves on Monday. two civil wars in the 1990s and was headed ing the highest offi ce violated contravention, he said. caused by the aff air, but made it across parts of the capital Brazzaville Stalls were empty at the Total market, the by Protestant preacher Frederic Bintsamou, the constitution, it should have The opening of the debate was clear that he had no intention of Cas business slowed to a trickle a day city’s biggest, while vendors only had fruit, known as Pastor Ntumi, whose trademark been the end of President Zuma,” suspended for more than an hour responding to calls to resign. after heavy fi ghting in opposition bastions vegetables, beans and onions on sale at the colour is purple and who disbanded the group Mmusi Maimane, leader of the after opposition parties called on He said he would pay back that sent thousands fl eeing for safety. Makelekele market, where a handful of buy- in return for a junior government position. Democratic Alliance, told the as- Speaker Baleke Mbete - who is some of the money as ordered. After heavy gunbattles that began be- ers did their shopping in a hurry. He recently came out in favour of presi- sembly. “Corruption has infected chairwoman of the ruling party - Zuma was not in parliament fore dawn on Monday and raged through Traffi c was unusually thin on the main dential candidate Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, the entire party like a cancer.” to recuse herself. She refused. for the impeachment debate, the morning in the city’s southern districts, thoroughfare linking the southern districts who came second to Sassou Nguesso in last Acknowledging that the ANC Zuma was not seriously avoiding the chaotic scenes that sporadic gunfi re continued until sunset but to the city centre. month’s vote. would use its overwhelming threatened by the vote, which have regularly erupted when he is petered out overnight. The government has issued no toll from The constitutional court on Monday ruled majority to defeat the impeach- requires a two-thirds majority to present. There was no immediate toll from the what it called “a terrorist action” and has that Kolelas’ request to have the results of ment motion, Maimane said succeed. Previous disruptions have fi ghting, which comes on the heels of a dis- said it is investigating whether the assail- four regions annulled was “inadmissable as it that “when ANC MPs defend But he has been wounded by been sparked by Malema’s EFF, puted presidential election and was blamed ants were linked to opposition fi gures who was fi led after the constitutional deadlines”. President Zuma and his corrupt a series of scandals and has en- which vowed last week that it by the government on a rebel group known have contested President Denis Sassou “We live in a country where, whether you acts, they will show that they dured a torrent of criticism that would in future physically pre- as “The Ninjas”. Nguesso’s re-election last month. vote or not, peace is always under threat,” are complicit in the spread of the could see him fail to serve out the vent the president from speaking Troops deployed at key points throughout In a televised statement Monday, govern- said a woman in the city’s restive south who disease”. last three years of his fi nal term. in parliament. the city and manned roadblocks, searching the ment spokesman Thierry Moungalla blamed gave her name as Julienne.

Uganda to arrest parents refusing to vaccinate children Dry motorists fume at arents in Uganda who fail to take The East African country is currently already been vaccinated, said Andrew fuel shortages in Nigeria their children for compulsory embarking on a mass immunisation Bakainaga, an immunisation adviser ICC throws out charges Pvaccinations will be arrested, of- campaign against diseases including with the World Health Organization ngry motorists queued overnight at fi cials have said. measles, tetanus, hepatitis B, polio, diph- in Kampala. But in some districts, the petrol stations across Nigeria and Under a new immunisation law, theria, yellow fever and whooping cough. vaccination coverage “is very low,” he against Kenya’s Ruto Alines of cars blocked traffi c in the which President Yoweri Museveni The campaign targets children below added. commercial capital Lagos yesterday as the signed in March but was only made the age of fi ve, as well as some other “If one parent refuses to immunise, worst fuel shortages for years hit Africa’s public recently, such parents or other groups, such as young girls being vacci- hundreds will be infected,” Bakainaga Reuters incriminating evidence, but the top oil producer. people preventing vaccinations could nated against cervical cancer and young said. Children who have not been vac- Amsterdam three judges were divided on President Muhammadu Buhari was face fi nes of up to 240,000 shillings mothers. cinated can be barred from primary whether to acquit, continue the elected in March 2015 on a ticket to end the ($63) or up to six months in jail. About 90% of those targeted have school. case or declare a mistrial. mismanagement and corruption that have udges at the International The decision was a blow to pros- kept many of the 180mn people in Nigeria Criminal Court yesterday ecutors at the court who have seen in poverty, despite the country’s oil wealth. Jthrew out post-election vio- their highest-profi le cases evapo- Buhari’s All Progressives Conference par- lence charges against Kenyan Dep- rate under heavy political pressure ty (APC) and ministers have come under fi re uty President William Ruto, giving from Kenya and its African Union for not getting agreements in place quickly him a major boost as he prepares allies. They had accused the court enough to swap Nigeria’s crude oil for fuels to make another run for offi ce in of unfairly targeting Africans. The such as gasoline, and keep vehicles running. elections next year. absence of an acquittal in the Ruto “We’ve slept here in the queue since yes- In a complex ruling, ICC judges and Sang cases means the ICC is terday night but there is no fuel,” said Tho- yesterday declared that there was free to bring fresh charges in future. mas Udoh, a driver in a queue for a petrol no case for Ruto and his co-accused, Kenya’s Citizen Television station stretching for kilometres in Lagos. “I broadcaster Joshua Sang, to answer. showed crowds cheering in Ruto’s voted for APC for change, but ... is this the The two were accused of fo- electoral heartland of Eldoret in change? This is very painful,” Udoh said. menting murderous inter-ethnic reaction to the ruling, which fol- Many people did not make it to work in violence in Kenya after the 2007 lowed a similar withdrawal of Lagos yesterday, a sprawling metropolis of elections in the country, leading to charges against Kenyatta. more than 20mn people, with even some some 1,200 deaths. The three judges in the case were small side streets jammed by queuing cars. A similar case against Kenyan deeply divided over how to proceed, Despite pumping 1.8mn barrels of oil a President Uhuru Kenyatta col- with presiding judge Chile Eboe- day, Nigeria imports most of its fuel as its lapsed last year. Usuji writing in a separate opinion outdated refi neries are often out of action. “This decision brings to a close that a mistrial had taken place. Analysts say fraud at a subsidised petrol what has been a nightmare for my “Declaration of mistrial and al- scheme is also leading to the shortages that nation,” Kenyatta said in a speech lowing the case to start afresh in the have steadily worsened. welcoming the decision. “Our future is better than rewarding the Nigeria has often been hit by strikes by country is fully back on focus to interference and political meddling unpaid oil marketers hampering supplies, enhance our eff orts towards nation with a verdict of acquittal,” he said. but these disruptions have usually been building, promoting peace and se- Another judge, Robert Fremr, fi xed by the government relatively quickly. curity.” wrote that Ruto should have been “The whole thing is not working out, you Judges halted the trial before acquitted, while the third, Olga can see there are queues everywhere,” said Ruto’s defence lawyers opened Herrera Carbuccia, wrote that the Ankele James, an accountant in Lagos stuck their case, ruling that prosecu- trial should have proceeded until in a queue for fuel. “I have been here since tors had failed to marshal enough the reaching of a verdict. yesterday.” Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 13 AMERICAS Trump plans to block all Mexico remittances to

Republican presidential contender Donald Trump speaks yesterday to voters and supporters outside a pay for the wall polling place at the Waukesha Fire Department in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Reuters “It’s an easy decision for Mex- General Accountability Offi ce re- der with his comments about after year providing services and Sanders, Clinton fi nally agree to New York debate Washington ico,” his campaign said in the port. Mexico. benefi ts to illegal immigrants,” memo, dated March 31. Trump’s campaign put the fi g- In addition to the wall, he has said the memo, fi rst reported by Democratic presidential rivals “Sanders all along has pressed Trump’s pledge to build the ure at $24bn. also accused Mexico of sending the Washington Post. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for a debate on television in prime epublican presidential wall along the southern US bor- Most of the transfers stem rapists and drug runners to the In Mexico, President Enrique will face off in a debate on April time so the greatest number of contender Donald Trump der has been a much-touted from California, Texas, Illinois US. Democrats and many Re- Pena Nieto and other offi cials 14 in Brooklyn, after sparring for New Yorkers and Americans may Rhas said he would try to highlight of a larger platform and New York, according to a publicans have repeatedly con- have repeatedly said they will days about having a New York de- listen to the candidates and de- force Mexico to pay for his pro- targeting illegal immigration in Wall Street Journal report in Feb- demned his comments as infl am- not pay for any wall. Last month, bate ahead of the state primary. cide for themselves who has the posed wall along the US border the US. ruary citing Bank of Mexico data. matory and unrealistic. some Mexicans turned to burn- The duo accepted CNN’s off er best ideas about how to reform by blocking remittances from Mexico has fl atly rejected pay- The move could also af- But his remarks have been ing effi gies of Trump in protest. to hold the debate in the run-up our rigged economy and the cor- immigrants in the US, a move ing for the wall. It is unclear how fect banks and companies that enthusiastically received by his Representatives for the Mexi- to the April 19 primary, the net- rupt campaign finance system.” that could deal a devastating much the wall would cost, and handle wire transfers such as supporters, especially by white can government did not imme- work said on Monday. Brian Fallon, spokesman for blow to the Mexican economy. such a project would be rife with Western Union Co, MoneyGram working-class voters. diately respond to a request for Sanders, who trails in the race the Clinton campaign, tweeted: In a two-page memo made pub- legal and political hurdles. International and PayPal Hold- In the memo, Trump’s cam- comment. for the Democratic nomination “Brooklyn. April 14. It’s on.” lic yesterday, Trump’s campaign Any move to target payments ings, which last year acquired paign repeated its pledge to also The memo on paying for the for the White House, has been Sanders, a self-described said that if elected to the White sent back to Mexico from peo- digital money transfer provider target visas, either by cancelling wall emerged as Republican candi- pushing for a debate in New York, democratic socialist originally House in November, he would use ple living in the US could have a Xoom. them or charging higher fees for date Ted Cruz appeared set to beat where he lags in opinion polls. from Brooklyn, is hanging on in a US anti-terrorism law to cut off crushing fi nancial eff ect. Mexico Trump, front-runner to be Mexicans to visit the US. Trump in Wisconsin’s primary con- “We are glad that she finally the race for the party ticket and money transfers to Mexico unless is the leading recipient of US the Republican nominee for the “The cost of a border wall is test yesterday, a win he would hope has agreed,” said Michael Briggs, has recently enjoyed a string of it made a one-time payment of remittances, receiving nearly the Nov. 8 election, has angered nothing compared to the hun- would mark him as the best alterna- Sanders’ spokesman. primary successes. $5bn to $10bn for the wall. $25bn in 2014, according to a US many on both sides of the bor- dreds of billions we spend year tive to the New York billionaire.

Crew member leaves packed plane on emergency slide Notorious 60s killer A United Airlines flight attend- Divided Supreme Court ant deployed an emergency evacuation slide on an airplane dies behind bars after it arrived in Houston and used it to exit a plane packed with passengers, an airline of- wary of taking new cases AFP gency services telephone number ficial said yesterday. New York and sparked debate about the “It is our understanding that responsibilities of witnesses to a she deployed it intentionally,” By Lawrence Hurley, Reuters So far the justices have agreed to hear be provided to women through these em- crime. said United Airlines spokesman Washington eight cases in total for the next term, which ployers’ insurance plans without any in- he man who raped and mur- Moseley, at the time a married Charlie Hobart, adding airline off i- runs from this October through June 2017. volvement on the part of the employers. dered a young New York father of two, was arrested fi ve cials have been speaking with the That includes fi ve cases they agreed to The court could also split 4-4 on a chal- Twoman, whose screams for days after her killing. He con- flight attendant to see why she ith a seat vacant possibly un- hear in January before Scalia died and is lenge by abortion providers to a restrictive help famously fell on deaf ears and fessed on arrest to killing two deployed the slide in the incident til next year, the US Supreme slightly below average for this time of year. Texas abortion law and a lawsuit by Texas shocked 1960s America, has died other women from Queens, al- that took place on Monday. WCourt is accepting fewer cases The court generally hears about 70 cases a and other states to block Obama’s execu- behind bars. He was 81. though he was never convicted of In a video shown on Houston and seeking compromises as it tries to term. tion actions to protect large numbers of Serial killer Winston Moseley their deaths. TV station KPRC, the flight avoid being hamstrung by 4-4 deadlocks “It is beginning to look like the court people in the country illegally from depor- died on March 28 at the Clinton He was sentenced to death and attendant tosses her bag out of on such contentious issues as abortion, is being especially selective in choosing tation. Correctional Facility in Danne- in 1968 escaped, holding people a door behind the cockpit and birth control and immigration. which cases to grant,” said John Elwood, a With the court evenly split with four mora, the New York state prisons hostage in the city of Buff alo and slides down the slide. She grabs The court has shown a reluctance to lawyer at the Vinson & Elkins law fi rm who liberals and four conservatives, the slow service said on its website. The raping a woman before being re- the bag and walks away from accept new cases as it faces the prospect practices before the court. pace in fi lling the calendar indicates an in- cause of death was not immedi- captured. the plane, which was at full stop. of the vacancy created by the February 13 President Barack Obama last month creased cautiousness considering the real ately disclosed. In 1976, his death sentence was A photo of the airplane on death of Justice Antonin Scalia remaining nominated centrist appellate judge Mer- possibility of 4-4 deadlocks on anything He had spent more than 50 commuted to life imprisonment the station’s website shows unfi lled for an extended period. rick Garland to replace Scalia. ideologically divisive. years behind bars for the terrify- on appeal and a year later he got a it at the gate, with the slide It has placed only three new cases on its But the seat may remain empty for per- Such decisions leave lower court rulings ing rape and killing of 28-year- degree in sociology. deployed on the side opposite calendar since Scalia died: a patent dispute haps a year as Senate Republican leaders in place but set no national precedent. The old bar manager Kitty Genovese, That year The New York Times of the gate. and two criminal appeals, none likely to insist that Obama’s successor, who will court has issued two 4-4 decisions so far, whom he stalked on her way published an op-ed by Moseley The flight, with 159 pas- generate much controversy. take offi ce next January after the Novem- including one in a high-profi le labour case. home from work in Queens in in which he expressed regret and sengers and six crew members In the previous fi ve years, the court had ber 8 presidential election, fi ll the va- In recent years the court has not shied July 1964. claimed he was a changed man aboard, was from Sacramento taken up an average of eight cases during cancy. away from taking up controversial issues Reports that neighbours saw who wanted “to be an asset to so- to Houston’s George Bush Inter- the same period, from late February to ear- Last week, the court took the unusual such as abortion, affi rmative action, vot- the attack and heard her cries but ciety, not a liability to it.” continental Airport. ly April, with a high of 11 in 2013. step of suggesting a possible compromise ing rights, gay rights and religious rights. did nothing to help caused out- He was reportedly denied pa- The flight attendant, who was The court’s current approach suggests the in a dispute over objections from Christian It is too early to say if it will avoid con- rage. That year there were 636 role 18 times, most recently in not identified by the airline, has justices, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, non-profi t employers to providing female troversial cases altogether, but Scalia’s murders in New York, in stark 2015. He was held in the same been removed from flying du- have an interest in avoiding the appearance workers insurance covering birth control absence means it may now be restricting contrast to 75 in 2015. prison from which two other ties. All the others aboard exited they are crippled by having a vacant seat. as required by Obama’s 2010 healthcare itself to disputes in which the justices are The crime went on to spawn convicted killers staged an auda- the plane without incident or That desire also has been signalled in the law. “more likely to reach consensus and clarify books, fi lms, music and even a cious prison break, cutting their injury. way the court has handled cases during the The justices asked the two sides to sug- the law,” said Jeff rey Wall, a lawyer at the musical. It led ultimately to the way to freedom with power tools current term, which runs through June. gest ways that birth control coverage could Sullivan & Cromwell law fi rm. introduction of the 911 emer- last June.

Phone scammers hitting In Washington, there’s more than politics on the menu on refugees in Canada By Veronika Oleksyn, AFP “I have a lot of family and friends in picked up over the past few years. Washington the DC area and there was just a lot of “It’s a growing food movement opportunity,” he said, sifting through and that means more people come in, By Ethan Lou, Reuters agency, said the warning was issued cocoa beans as he demonstrated the which means there’s more competi- Toronto mainly due to the “arrival of a number ary Ackley, who lives in the process of making the chocolate bars tion,” said Jonas Singer, co-founder of of new immigrants and refugees to US capital, had to keep an using only organic cocoa and sug- Union Kitchen. Canada over the past year.” Mopen mind while pursuing arcane and some additions such as “I also think people realize that it’s elephone scammers have begun Daniel Williams, a senior fraud spe- her dream of becoming a farmer. So Himalayan pink salt. real, that they can actually run a suc- to target refugees in Canada with cialist with Canada’s Anti-Fraud Cen- she went underground. “DC is a thriving place right now - cessful business and that aspiration Textortion schemes by posing as tre, said the agency started receiving It’s in the cellar of a Washington pub there are a lot of exciting things hap- creates a hunger and you see more government employees and threaten- complaints about such scams in late that the 35-year-old grows micro- Bridget Grier, of Pops by Haley, pening in the food community.” people being ambitious about it.” ing them with arrest or deportation 2013. The scammers initially looked greens, which are fi nding favour with distributes cake batter at Union Kavalier, whose bars he says are One aspect helping food startups unless they immediately wire money, through phonebooks and targeted peo- local restaurants and residents. Kitchen in Washington, DC. available at a number of grocery land on their feet in Washington is the Canadian authorities have said. ple with south Asian names, operating “That’s some pretty beautiful basil,” stores, specialty shops, restaurants purchasing power in the city, Singer With complaints to Canada’s gov- on the assumption they were new to the founder of Little Wild Things City Some, including Ackley, have and breweries and sell for $8 to $12 on- suggested. ernment surging, law enforcement the country, but have become more in- Farm said proudly as she pulled out a turned to Union Kitchen. line, is upbeat about the future. “I do think there is money here and offi cials last week warned that the discriminate and expanded to include tray packed with a lush carpet of tiny The self-described food incubator Currently, he said, the company is there is a local interest and the combi- scammers were taking aim at immi- other groups, Williams said. plants from neatly-stacked shelves set has two locations in the city where producing between 2,000 and 3,000 nation of the two has allowed people grants and refugees. Williams said such scams involve up in the storage space alongside the members can, for a monthly fee, use bars a month but “we’re pushing to here to be very successful.” Complaints to the Canadian gov- fraudsters demanding money to re- beer. a shared production space and equip- double that.” But success can come at a cost and ernment about the extortion scams solve what they claimed were tax or Ackley - who also harvests produce ment while taking advantage of serv- “We’re growing a successful busi- takes commitment. last year reached more than 15,000, 10 immigration issues and threatening outdoors at a monastery minutes away ices to help their business grow and ness,” he said. “You’ve got to just go all in - every- times higher than in 2014, and at least victims with jail or fi nes. - is one of a number of Washington get their creations to consumers. And that can have a multiplier eff ect thing has happened really organically 5,200 complaints already have been “And if you’re foreign-born, your start-ups tapping into demand for lo- On a recent weekday morning, the for the local economy. for us and we’ve seen nice growth over lodged this year, Canada’s Anti-Fraud passport will be revoked, your citizen- cally-grown and manufactured food in sun-fi lled, multi-fl oor venue in a “It’s about knowing that locally- the years but we also are working all Centre said on Monday. ship will be revoked, you’ll be deport- a city better known for power lunches former warehouse in Washington’s spent dollars mean just a little bit the time, said Sarah Gordon of Gordy’s The Liberal government has taken ed,” Williams said, explaining what the of fl own-in steaks and oysters. northeast Ivy City neighbourhood was more than dollars spent elsewhere,” Pickle Jar, which has been around in some 25,000 Syrian refugees since scam victims were told. “I defi nitely could not do this without abuzz with activity. said Morgan H West of Think Local since late 2011. taking power in November, and Immi- Government data showed that supportive restaurants - that’s an im- Among those chopping, peeling, First, a non-profi t aimed at support- “If you’re not willing to make huge gration Minister John McCallum last 1,111 victims of phone scams of all portant part of it,” said the former Peace mixing and measuring out ingredients ing and strengthening locally-owned sacrifi ces for your small-batch com- week said Canada would accept 10,000 kinds have lost more than C$3.5mn Corps volunteer who is taking a year of was Adam Kavalier, owner of Undone businesses and a sustainable local pany then it might not be for you.” more. ($2.68mn) since 2014. unpaid leave from the US Foreign Serv- Chocolate. The 37-year-old scientist, economy in the District of Columbia. “Doing everything by hand in small The warning by Canada’s Com- But the actual amount of money lost ice to focus full-time on her urban farm. who got into chocolate-making during “For every $100 spent at a local batches, nothing’s really quick,” said petition Bureau did not specify how to phone scams remained unknown. Around town, others in the capital’s graduate school in New York, has since business, $68 stay in the community. Gordon as her partner and co-founder scammers are targeting refugees and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police food startup scene are toiling to see if found Washington - often referred to That drops to $32 for every $100 spent Sheila Fain worked away in the back immigrants. Marie-France Faucher, a said only about 5% of victims report they can make a living doing what they as DC - to be a receptive place for his at a chain.” production area. spokeswoman for the law enforcement these scams to authorities. love. endeavour. But competition is fierce and has “It’s defi nitely a slow food.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 ASEAN Vietnam Ivory seizure confi rms fi rst Zika virus cases

AFP cases,” of the virus, which has Hanoi been linked to increased rates of microcephaly in babies born to infected mothers. wo Vietnamese women It was not immediately clear have tested positive for if either of the women had re- Tthe Zika virus, the Min- cently travelled abroad. istry of Health said yesterday, Vietnam had already raised the fi rst confi rmed cases of its alert level against the vi- the mosquito-transmitted in- rus after an Australian tourist fection in the Southeast Asian tested positive after leaving country. the country on March 6, the State media reported the state-run Thanh Nien news- younger of the patients is paper said. pregnant. Zika is transmitted by the A 64-year-old from the Aedes aegypti mosquito, popular beach resort of Nha which also spreads dengue fe- Trang became the country’s ver, and was fi rst discovered in fi rst confi rmed case after be- Uganda in 1947. ing admitted to hospital com- It is not usually life-threat- plaining of fever, headache and ening but has been linked to a a rash on her legs, the ministry rise in birth defects, with hun- said in a statement. dreds of babies born with unu- Customs off icers arrange confiscated elephant tusks before a news conference at the Customs Department in Bangkok yesterday. Thai customs off icials have seized 315kg of “She tested positive to Zika sually small heads in countries ivory worth 28mn Thai baht ($792,000) coming from Mozambique at Bangkok Suvarnnabhumi airport, authorities said yesterday. virus on March 31, 2016 at Nha where the virus is prevalent. Trang’s Pasteur Institute,” and Brazil has been hardest hit the results have been con- by Zika, with some 1.5mn peo- fi rmed by further testing, the ple infected and 745 confi rmed statement said. cases of the brain-deforming The second confi rmed case syndrome microcephaly in was a 33-year-old woman who children born to women in- lived in Vietnam’s southern fected with the virus while business hub Ho Chi Minh pregnant. City. It has also spread quickly to “She had symptoms includ- more than 30 places in Latin Suu Kyi meets Chinese ing a rash, conjunctivitis, and America and the Caribbean fatigue,” the statement said, since last year. adding that she tested positive There have been a small for Zika last Thursday. number of Zika cases across VnExpress, a state media the Greater Mekong region. outlet, said the woman is two Nearby Thailand has re- months pregnant. corded around fi ve cases a year counterpart in FM debut Both patients are in a stable since 2012, according to health condition and the ministry offi cials who earlier this year AFP national opprobrium while Suu largest foreign investor, despite has monitored the relatives stressed that the virus cur- Yangon State counsellor bill passes vote despite protest Kyi languished for years under reforms in recent years that have and friends of the two women rently posed no widespread house arrest. seen Western fi rms surge back. but “did not detect any other threat. Myanmar’s military lawmakers constitution,” he said. Chinese fi rms enjoyed a host Its interests range from a huge yanmar’s Foreign Min- made clear their opposition to Suu Kyi, who led her National of juicy business deals with My- oil and gas pipeline and special ister Aung San Suu a bill to create a powerful new League for Democracy to a anmar’s generals and their cro- economic zone, to dams and MKyi met her Chinese presidential advisory role for sweeping election victory nies that were often seen as ex- mining. Chinese fi rms have con- counterpart yesterday in the Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday by in November, is barred from ploiting the nation’s rich natural tinued to win major contracts in fi rst diplomatic foray of her new refusing to take part in a lower becoming president under the resources. recent months. Sumatran rhino dies pro-democracy government, house of parliament vote on it. military-drafted constitution be- But the comfortable relation- The two countries share a underscoring the importance of The bill, which creates a state cause her children are not My- ship was thrown into upheaval long border, along parts of which relations with Beijing. counselor position enabling Suu anmar citizens. She has vowed under the last quasi-civilian ethnic minority rebel groups weeks after discovery The nation sees its giant Kyi to work in both in the execu- to govern from “above the government of Thein Sein. are fi ghting Myanmar’s gov- neighbour - and largest trad- tive and legislative branches president”. Under the constitu- In 2011, he shocked the in- ernment. The frontier also sees ing partner - as its biggest for- of government, passed in the tion, the military, which ruled ternational community by sus- huge fl ows of illicit timber, drugs AFP cumbed to a leg infection after eign policy preoccupation, with lower house but not before for nearly 50 years after seizing pending the multibillion dol- and jade fl ood north from Myan- Jakarta her health deteriorated in re- border wars and controversial raising tension between the power in 1962, holds a quarter lar China-backed Myitsone mar. cent days, Indonesia’s envi- China-backed mega-projects military and Suu Kyi’s party. “The of seats in parliament and three hydropower project in war-torn Yun Sun from the Stimson ronment ministry confi rmed. topping the agenda. term ‘state counselor’ in the important ministries. Near the Kachin state. Centre’s East Asia Programme critically endangered “The death of this Sumat- The new civilian administra- name of the bill is tantamount end of the parliamentary ses- Fighting in the border region said discussions were likely to Sumatran rhino has ran rhino proves they exist on tion, sworn in on March 30, faces to mean that he or she can sion, military lawmakers stood of Kokang last year between the focus on China’s role in Myan- Adied weeks after its Borneo, so we will continue a host of economic challenges as exercise both the executive and en masse in an apparent sign of Myanmar army and local rebels mar’s peace process as well as in chance discovery on the In- protecting them,” Tachrir Fa- it inherits the government of the legislative powers, therefore it is protest against the bill’s passage. with links to China also strained its economic development. donesian part of Borneo island thoni, a senior offi cial at the impoverished nation from the against the constitutional provi- Lower house speaker Win Myint, relations. Suu Kyi, who met President Xi was hailed as a landmark con- environment ministry, said. military. sions,” said military member admonished the off icers, telling Analysts say both nations Jinping during a visit to Beijing servation success, an offi cial A post-mortem examina- It also faces tensions with the of the lower house Brigadier them to be seated and that they want to rebalance the relation- last June, has shown a pragmatic said yesterday. tion is being conducted to de- military which ruled for almost General Maung Maung. He was already had a chance to discuss ship after Myanmar’s historic streak in dealing with Chinese The rare rhino was caught termine the offi cial cause of half a century. reiterating the concern voiced the bill. The bill will make its way November elections that saw interests. in a pit trap last month in East death, he added. Environmen- Suu Kyi, for decades the by military members of the to the president’s off ice, where it millions of voters take to the But in a rare sign of pushback, Kalimantan province in an talists discovered in 2013 that standard-bearer of the democ- upper house on Monday that is likely to be quickly signed into polls to end the military’s domi- a top party economic adviser in area close to mining opera- the Sumatran rhino was not racy movement and now foreign the bill was unconstitutional. “It law by President Htin Kyaw, a nation. March said the incoming gov- tions and plantations, where it extinct on Indonesian Borneo minister, invited China’s Wang is important to make sure this handpicked confidant of “The new government rec- ernment could rethink the My- was struggling to survive. - as had long been thought Yi for talks in the capital Nay- bill is in conformity with the Suu Kyi. ognises China’s importance but itsone project despite China’s It was the fi rst physical con- - when hidden cameras cap- pyidaw. will also be keen to recalibrate eagerness to see it restarted. tact environmentalists had tured images of the animals. At a press conference after- aspects of the two countries’ The meeting between Suu Kyi made with a Sumatran rhino on Conservationists had her- wards she described relations dence” between the nations and the relationship between the two relations,” said Nyantha Maw and her Chinese counterpart Indonesian Borneo in more than alded the capture of the rhino as “very important politically as vowed that China would support countries,” he said through an Lin, of advisory fi rm Vriens and comes amid growing tension be- 40 years, after it was assumed in March as an exciting dis- well as socially and economi- Myanmar’s process of national interpreter. Partners. tween her party and the military. the animal was long extinct. covery, and expressed disap- cally”. reconciliation. Beijing was once instrumental With a cumulative total of Suu Kyi is barred from the However Najaq, as the fe- pointment at the tragic turn of Wang said his government “China is a good neighbour to in shielding Myanmar’s former $15.4bn of approved investments presidency by the junta-era male rhino was known, suc- events. was eager to “build more confi - Myanmar. We want to improve junta from the full force of inter- in Myanmar, China is by far its constitution. Malaysian murder convict ‘I’m going to die’: panicked passenger loses appeal against hanging recalls Indonesia plane collision

AFP Appeal, Singapore’s highest ing mother and sister who AFP ices some commercial domestic Singapore court, reinstated his death sen- had fl own in from Malaysia’s Jakarta routes - extinguished the blaze tence in January 2015. Sarawak state. but scorch marks were visible on Kho’s scheduled execution “We are... concerned that the wing after the collision. ingapore’s highest court last November was stayed at the (Kho) has been forced to endure assengers feared for their The tail of the ATR craft op- yesterday quashed a fi - eleventh hour when his lawyer years of immense suff ering as lives as their plane set fi re erated by TransNusa, another Snal appeal by a Malaysian fi led another motion, which his sentence has been changed Pand fi lled the cabin with domestic carrier, was also man- murder convict, setting the was denied yesterday. on a number of occasions,” said the stench of gasoline following gled. stage for his hanging despite Judge Chao Tick Hin, who Laurent Meillan, the UN Hu- a collision with another aircraft The transport ministry said it calls for mercy from rights delivered the fi nal decision man Rights Offi ce’s regional on an Indonesian runway, an launched an investigation into groups. of the fi ve-judge court, said representative, in a statement. eyewitness said yesterday. the cause of the accident, and Kho Jabing, 31, was sen- the motion did not introduce Human Rights Watch also A Batik Air plane with 49 pas- concedes safety guidelines were tenced to death in 2010 for any new material compelling expressed its opposition. sengers and seven crew on board not followed. killing a Chinese construction enough for the court to recon- “For Singapore to defend the was taking off from the Jakarta “If everyone followed the worker in a robbery gone wrong sider the death sentence. death penalty on international airport when it clipped a Trans- rules, this wouldn’t have hap- and spent the next six years on “It is the applicant’s core case forums is a further indication of Nusa aircraft being towed across Investigators are seen near the wing of a Batik Air Boeing 737-800, pened,” transport ministry a legal roller-coaster trying to that our decision in the re-sen- complete disregard for interna- the runway late Monday. which was damaged in a collision with another plane while on the spokesperson J A Barata told avoid the gallows. tencing appeal is wrong,” the tional human rights standards,” The collision sheared off a runway at Halim Airport in Jakarta yesterday. AFP. A High Court judge in 2013 judge said, adding that material said Phil Robertson, deputy di- section of the wing and started Indonesia’s air travel industry commuted his sentence to life presented fell short of showing rector of its Asia division. a fi re, sparking panic inside the the crew open the emergency off , and the crew opened the is booming but it has a dismal air imprisonment and caning fol- that the court made a mistake. Local anti-death penalty cabin. “When I saw the fi re I told door, fearing an imminent ex- emergency doors, allowing pas- safety record and reputation for lowing changes to the penal He said a new execution date group We Believe In Second myself ‘I’m going to die in this plosion. sengers to safely evacuate. No chaotic regulation. code that ended the manda- would be set by the Singapore Chances noted that two of fi ve plane’,” passenger Faisal Ibrahim “The fi re spread so quickly, one was injured in the incident. In 2013 a Lion Air jet with a tory execution of murder con- president, who has already re- appeal judges had voted against said. and there was a smell of gasoline Emergency crews on site at rookie pilot at the controls un- victs. jected clemency. capital punishment and warned He said fellow travellers inside.” Halim Perdanakusuma airport dershot the runway and crashed But state prosecutors fought After the hearing, Kho was against the risk of wrongful ex- shouted “fi re!” when they saw The plane stopped abruptly - primarily a military and gov- into the sea in Bali, splitting the the decision and the Court of calm as he spoke with his weep- ecution. the wing ablaze and demanded after the pilot aborted the take- ernment terminal that serv- plane in two. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 15 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA Clark to contest for UN post Ex-military panel chief admits graft in China

AFP hua quoted an offi cial of the Beijing military procuratorate as say- ing. Prosecutors had taken a ormer top Chinese mili- “highly responsible attitude tary leader Guo Boxiong to the law and to history”, the Fhas confessed to bribe- offi cial said, and seized money taking, the offi cial Xinhua and properties involved “in ac- news agency reported yester- cordance with the law”. Others day, citing military prosecu- involved who had commit- tors who described the sums as ted crimes would be punished “extremely huge”. “without tolerance”. Guo was for a decade one of Guo read and signed each the two vice chairmen of the interrogation transcript, the Central Military Commission, offi cial said, adding his legal second only to the Chinese rights had been “earnestly Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark sings a New Zealand Traditional song for luck as workers of the Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations president in the top body of guaranteed”. gesture, during a press conference in New York yesterday. Clark announced that she would campaign to be the next UN secretary-general, after New Zealand Prime Minister the People’s Liberation Army Chinese media poured scorn John Key confirmed the government will nominate Clark. (PLA). He retired in 2012 and on Guo: “One demon killed, was expelled from the ruling all demons deterred,” declared Communist Party last year. a commentary in the Peo- His fall came as President Xi ple’s Daily, the party’s offi cial Jinping seeks to consolidate his mouthpiece. power and enhance his control “We must raise high and over the PLA, the world’s larg- wield the sharp anti-corrup- est military and technically the tion sword, so that the idea of armed force of the ruling party going corrupt will be nipped rather than the Chinese state. in the bud and the corrupt will Guo was found to have taken pay a price.” North can put nuke advantage of his position “to Guo’s family built up an assist the promotion and re- enormous fortune after he as- location of other people, ac- cended to the highest echelons cepting an extremely huge of power, news portal Netease. amount of bribe personally com reported at the time of his and through his family”, Xin- expulsion. hua cited military prosecutors as saying in a statement. “One demon killed, all on missile: S Korea The 73-year-old had been demons deterred” formally charged and the pro- This nuclear admission places Norrth North has successfully mounted a war- Despite threats to strike the mainland made exemptions consistent with sanc- cedure to prosecute him had His wife He Xiulian acted Korea on a new pedestal head on such a missile, the South Korean United States, the North is seen as several tions, including uses intended for “the begun, it added. as a broker between him and offi cial said. He declined to discuss the ba- years away from building an ICBM that people’s well-being” and not connected to In China criminal charges senior military offi cers, taking Agencies sis for the change in assessment. can carry a nuclear warhead. nuclear or missile programmes. normally follow expulsion bribes for promotions and re- Seoul Staunch US ally South Korea has been Experts have previously said a function- wAn exception was made for coal from the ruling party. Trial, funding the money if the post facing off against its rival to the north for ing mid-range nuclear missile would need originating in third countries and sup- conviction and a jail term is ef- did not materialise, it said. decades. the technology to overcome the stress of plied via North Korea’s port of Rason. fectively guaranteed to follow Hostile Western forces are orth Korea can mount a nuclear The South’s conservative president, launch and re-entry and to strike the tar- Landlocked Mongolia, looking for alter- in a court system controlled by behind the “Panama Papers”, warhead on a medium-range mis- Park Geun-hye, has reversed a policy of get with precision, which requires repeat- native supply routes for its commodities, the Communist Party. a state-run Chinese newspa- Nsile, a South Korean offi cial said trying to engage the North in dialogue and ed testing. has already signed an agreement with Since coming to power Xi per alleged yesterday, as media yesterday in a new assessment of the ca- has instead adopted a hard line against it, The North fi red a Rodong missile in the port that gave its exporters preferen- has sought to impose his au- avoided reporting revelations pability of a country that conducted its particularly since the North conducted its March. It fl ew about 800km into the sea, tial treatment. thority on the military, one of about Communist leaders and fourth nuclear test this year. fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6 and a month in the fi rst such launch since two Rodongs Export bans on jet and rocket fuel in- the targets of his wide-ranging it emerged that the law fi rm North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said later launched a long-range rocket putting were fi red in 2014. cluded exemptions for “basic humanitar- anti-corruption drive. involved has eight offi ces in the last month his country had miniaturised an object into space orbit. China yesterday banned imports of gold ian needs” in conjunction with inspec- As well as being the world’s country. nuclear warheads to mount on ballistic The test and launch prompted the UN and rare earths from North Korea as well as tions, and for civilian passenger jets fl ying largest active military, a vast The scandal erupted on Sun- missiles. It was his fi rst direct statement of Security Council to impose new sanc- exports to the country of jet fuel and oth- outside of North Korea. network of businesses are day when media groups began a claim often made in state media though tions. er oil products used to make rocket fuel, Other restricted minerals include vana- linked to the armed forces — so revealing the results of a year- never independently verifi ed. South Korea has previously said North a move in line with new United Nations dium and titanium, both used in steel al- extensive that academics have long investigation into a trove of “We believe they have accomplished Korea had made progress in its eff orts to sanctions on Pyongyang. loys. dubbed it “PLA Inc”. Offi cials 11.5mn documents from Pana- miniaturisation of a nuclear warhead to miniaturise a nuclear warhead but the The Security Council unanimously Independent experts have frequently have said it will be fully barred manian law fi rm Mossack Fon- mount it on a Rodong missile,” the South capability was incomplete. South Korea’s passed a resolution in early March ex- questioned China’s resolve to enforce from providing “paid services” seca, which specialises in creat- Korean offi cial, with knowledge of South defence ministry said yesterday that as- panding UN sanctions aimed at starv- sanctions against North Korea, whose in three years’ time. ing off shore shell companies. Korea’s assessment of the North’s nuclear sessment remained the military’s posi- ing North Korea of funds for its nuclear economy is heavily dependent on its Graft is endemic in China At least eight current or programme, told a small group of reporters tion. and ballistic missile programmes after neighbour. China has said it will enforce and critics say that without former members of China’s Po- on condition of anonymity. Rodong missiles, developed from So- Pyongyang conducted a fourth nuclear the measures “conscientiously”. systemic reforms Xi’s cam- litburo Standing Committee, The Rodong missile can fi re a 1 tonne viet-era Scud missiles, make up the bulk test in January and launched a long-range US state department offi cials have ex- paign is open to being used for the ruling party’s most power- warhead a distance of up to 2,000km, the of the North’s short- and medium-range rocket in February. pressed optimism the sanctions will be political infi ghting. ful body, have been implicated, offi cial said. That would put all of South missile arsenal with an estimated stock- The mining sector is a key part of North more eff ective than earlier attempts to Along with Bo Xilai, whose according to the International Korea, most of Japan and parts of Russia pile of 200. Korea’s economy, which is already largely curtail North Korea’s nuclear programme, fall predates Xi’s ascension to Consortium of Investigative and China in range. Experts have predicted that the delivery cut off from the rest of the world. Experts pointing to China’s apparent willingness the highest offi ce, Guo is the Journalists (ICIJ), which co-or- “We believe they have the ability to vehicle for the North’s fi rst nuclear war- believe revenue from the sector helps un- to support them. fourth former member of the dinated the reports. mount a nuclear warhead on a Rodong. head would be the medium-range Rodong derwrite North Korea’s military expendi- China disapproves of North Korea’s nu- ruling party’s 25-strong Polit- Mossack Fonseca has offi ces Whether they will fi re it like that is a po- missile, rather than an intercontinental tures. clear programme, although, as its sole ma- buro to fall. in eight Chinese cities includ- litical decision,” said the offi cial. ballistic missile (ICBM), which the North The ministry said it would also ban coal jor ally, it has supplied large quantities of Guo “confessed to his sus- ing HK, its website showed, There was no direct evidence that the has yet to test. shipments from North Korea, although it aid off the books for decades. pected crime of bribery”, Xin- more than any other country. Diamond, scroll break Movie banned Aussie govt by China takes auction records in HK top prize trails Labor

AFP in a quarter of a century and a far cry DPA Reuters policy changes amid internal Hong Kong from years of double-digit increases. Hong Kong Sydney party bickering. There are fears that the combination “The Australian people are in- of the Chinese economic slowdown and credibly disappointed that they rare blue diamond set a new an anti-corruption drive by President dystopian fi lm about the future of Hong upport for Australian saw a change in [prime minister] record at Sotheby’s in Hong Xi Jinping could hit the Asia market — Kong has won top prize at the Hong Kong Prime Minister Malcolm but no change in direction from AKong yesterday after fetching both Sotheby’s and Christie’s posted AFilm Awards, despite Beijing’s disapproval STurnbull’s conservative this government,” said Richard HK$248.29mn ($31.8mn), despite a lower totals at their autumn sales last and ban of the fi lm. Ten Years features fi ve shorts government has fallen to its low- Di Natale, leader of the opposi- slowdown in China’s economy which year in Hong Kong compared with the that portray Hong Kong under an increasingly au- est level since he assumed offi ce, tion Australian Greens. has aff ected the auction market. two preceding years. Liu, who has been thoritarian Beijing in 2025. undermining expectations he Turnbull declined to com- The De Beers Millennium Jewel 4, a making record-setting purchases at Children form military squads that attack shops will secure a comfortable elec- ment on the poll when asked by 10.10 carat vivid blue diamond, broke auctions in the past few years, stunned which sell banned material. Speaking Cantonese - tion victory later this year. reporters in Sydney, insisting the record for the most expensive piece the art world when he bought a famed the form of Chinese most used in Hong Kong - is Support for the ruling Liberal- that his attention was focused of jewellery sold at auction in Asia, but nude by Italian artist Amedeo Mod- frowned upon and speaking Mandarin encour- National coalition is now at 49%, on driving economic growth. at the lower end of estimates which igliani costing more than $170mn in aged, while activists fi nd themselves unheard and a Newspoll found yesterday, on a He still retains a command- predicted it would fetch between $30 The 10.10 carat vivid blue diamond. November. in a moment of desperation self-immolate to fi ght two-party preferred basis where ing lead as preferred prime and $35mn. He set a record for Chinese porcelain for the city’s independence. votes for minor parties are redis- minister over Labor leader Bill Slightly larger than an almond, it is It was snapped up by Chinese col- in 2014 by paying over $36mn for a tiny “Our fi lm is for Hong Kongers,” executive pro- tributed to the two main blocs Shorten, with the poll showing described by Sotheby’s as the largest lector Liu Yiqian’s Shanghai museum Ming Dynasty cup depicting a rooster ducer Andrew Choi said at the awards late Sun- according to preferences. his personal standing at 48% to oval blue diamond ever to appear at — the latest in a string of massive buys and hen tending to their chicks, know day. “There are places where the fi lm is welcome With an election expected Shorten’s 27%. auction and “internally fl awless”. It was associated with the former taxi driver as the “chicken cup”. and places where it’s not,” he said, when asked to be called as early as July, the More socially liberal than sold to an anonymous phone bidder. turned tycoon. Liu made world headlines by drink- about the mainland’s ban on the movie. poll fi ndings give the opposi- Abbott, Turnbull’s rise stoked “It was a very successful sale,” Zhang’s splashed ink and colour ing from the cup after he bought it. The movie has resonated with Hong Kong resi- tion Australian Labor Party hopes for a change in policies Sotheby’s international jewellery divi- scroll outstripped the top-end pre- Auctioneers say despite China’s eco- dents, who feel increasingly anxious about the a lead for the fi rst time since on issues ranging from legalis- sion worldwide chairman David Ben- sale estimate of HK$65mn, break- nomic downturn, there is still demand future of their city. It is a special administrative Turnbull ousted former con- ing gay marriage to making the nett said. ing the record for the artist’s work at for top quality collectibles, and demand region of China, which enjoys greater freedom of servative prime minister Tony country a republic, but he has “The fact that it’s a record price for auction. stretches across Asia. speech, assembly and a judicial system separate Abbott in September 2015. stuck with previous govern- jewellery in Asia I think speaks well A buyer from Liu’s Long Museum The Seal of the Mandate of Heaven from the mainland under an agreement which Support for the conserva- ment policies. about the Asian market... I think it’s ended hour-long bidding for the work, which belonged to the Kangxi Emperor, ceded the former British colony to China in 1997. tive coalition jumped to as high He has also been at odds alive and well and healthy,” Bennett said. entitled Peach Blossom Spring, with the longest reigning Chinese mon- Earlier this year, the Global Times, a Chinese as 53% after Turnbull became over economic policy with his The sale came hours after a scroll more than 100 bids cast. arch, is to be auctioned on Wednesday state-run news platform, called the movie a “vi- prime minister, but Turnbull’s treasurer Scott Morrison and painting by Chinese master Zhang The sales comes despite a slowdown at Sotheby’s as part of its spring sales rus of the mind” and Chinese broadcasters can- popularity has waned amid was rebuff ed at a meeting last Daqian sold for a record-breaking in the Chinese economy which expand- season, with a starting at a price of celled a screening of the awards reportedly after disappointment that he failed week with state premiers over a $35.93mn, also at Sotheby’s. ed 6.9% in 2015, the worst performance HK$50mn. the movie was announced as a nominee. to push through any major new tax plan. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 BRITAIN

MOTORING JUSTICE TRAGEDY CRIME VERDICT ‘Good times’ at an end Girls to apologise for Eight-year-old boy dies as Man admits rape and Judge frees crime boss as cost of petrol rises false sex assault claims car and lorry crash in Fife murder of teenager jailed after fleeing to Syria

Motorists have been warned that the period of Two girls are to write letters of apology to a man An eight-year-old boy has died in a crash between A man has admitted raping and murdering a A London crime gang financier who was jailed lower fuel prices is over after the cost of petrol rose they falsely accused of a sex attack. Police had a car and a lorry in Fife. The accident occurred 15-year-old girl. Kayleigh Haywood, of Measham, after going on the run to Syria while owing tax- last month for the first time since July 2015. Experts issued an image of a man on a bike who had just before 3pm on Monday on the A92 in Kirk- Leicestershire, disappeared on November 13 and payers £535,000 has been freed after a judge said the 3.4p per litre (ppl) rise in average pump reportedly attempted to sexually assault a 13-year- caldy, north of the Redhouse roundabout. The was killed two days later. Off icers were drafted in cut his sentence for non-payment to 28 days. prices to 105p was a result of oil reaching 40 US dol- old girl who was walking with her 12-year-old boy was a passenger in a Ford Focus. Its driver, a from across the region to help with the hunt for the Iraqi-born Maythem al-Ansari, who returned to lars a barrel for the first time since early December. friend. The man subsequently came forward in 36-year-old woman, was left in a critical condi- teenager, whose body was discovered five days Britain in February after five years as a fugitive, The report by the RAC found that around £1.84 was a bid to clear his name and the youths then con- tion. Another boy, aged nine, is being treated for after she went missing on Leicestershire farmland. had been told to serve a three-and-a-half-year added to the cost of filling up an average 55-litre car fessed they had lied about the alleged incident in serious injuries to his face. Police said the driver Stephen Beadman, of George Avenue, Ibstock, ad- default sentence for failing to repay profits with unleaded. Diesel forecourt prices increased by Leigh, Greater Manchester, on Saturday. The girls of the Iveco lorry and his passenger were not mitted the rape and murder of the teenager when he made as the money launderer for a major 3.7ppl to 105p, according to the motoring organisa- have been spoken to in front of their parents and injured. The road was closed for seven hours. he appeared at Leicester Crown Court via video-link. drugs gang in the capital. But a judge at King- tion’s analysis. The RAC claimed this indicates retail- all parties have agreed to restorative justice as the “Tragically this collision has resulted in the death Luke Harlow, also of George Avenue, appeared at ston crown court has now agreed to reduce ers are either using lower diesel wholesale cost to best outcome, said Greater Manchester Police. of a young boy while the driver and another child the same hearing via video-link and pleaded guilty his prison term to four weeks, leading to his subsidise the price of petrol or using it as a means Both girls will write letters of apology to the man also sustained very serious injuries,” said Inspec- to one count of sexual grooming and two counts of immediate release as he had served that since to increase profit margins. they had wrongly accused, added police. tor Brenda Sinclair. sexual activity with Kayleigh. flying back to Heathrow.

Johnson attacked PM faces the for Brexit stance heat over dad’s Reuters London

ondon Mayor Boris John- son’s leading role in cam- Lpaigning for Britain to tax ‘dodge’ leave the EU is sending “unwel- come and unhelpful” signals to investors about the capital’s fu- ture, the head of the City of Lon- don Corporation said yesterday. The corporation, which runs the only global fi nancial centre to rival disclosures New York, last month came out in favour of Britain staying in the Eu- AFP total transparency,” John Mc- fund acted illegally or that the ropean Union when the country London Donnell, Labour’s shadow chan- family did not pay tax on any re- votes in a June 23 referendum. cellor, said in a statement. patriated assets. In contrast, Johnson, who The Panama Papers also list Steve Richards, a political is responsible for running the rime Minister David Cam- several British entrepreneurs commentator for The Inde- whole of London, aims to con- eron came under pressure and former politicians who have pendent, said Cameron “cannot vince voters into leaving the EU. Pto explain his family’s fi - made large donations to Cam- be held responsible for his fa- Jeff rey Evans, head of the nancial aff airs yesterday after eron’s Conservative Party. ther’s financial arrangements,” corporation and also ceremo- the so-called Panama Papers re- “The Tories (Conservatives) but argued that the leaks reflect nial lord mayor of the fi nancial vealed his late father ran an off - should come clean and set out “the powerlessness of elected district, said Johnson’s position shore fund which avoided paying exactly what the situation is - power.” was “disappointing”. tax in Britain for 30 years. is the prime minister happy to “When the super-rich have “The City of London is the A government source said receive money from big donors the power to avoid their fair share leading international fi nancial Cameron had no funds in off - who are accused of tax avoid- of tax, the elected rulers become centre in the world,” he said. “It shore accounts or investments, ance?” McDonnell said. even more constrained,” Rich- is the most cosmopolitan major but a spokesman said the issue ards wrote in the newspaper. business city in the world and ... of his family members’ holdings Corbyn called for an inde- a step backwards from an inter- was a “private matter”. pendent investigation, and de- national position, which I think The revelations are embar- manded the government in gen- many would see this as, is un- rassing for the prime minister, eral “stop pussyfooting around welcome and unhelpful.” who has sought to lead interna- on tax dodging”. Evans said the City of London tional eff orts to improve fi nancial “There cannot be one set of wanted “informed debate”. transparency and whose govern- tax rules for the wealthy elite “We want people to be out ment is hosting an anti-corrup- “It’s a private matter in and another for the rest of us,” there with views, but I think peo- tion summit covering the issue so far as it’s a privately he said. ple do appreciate Britain’s inter- next month. held interest, but it’s not In a statement, Jennie Granger, national position and they like to Opposition Labour leader Jer- a private matter if tax has the government offi cial in charge see leading spokesmen in London emy Corbyn called for an inves- not been paid” of revenue enforcement and being pro-Europe,” he said at his tigation into the tax aff airs of all compliance, said her department historic Mansion House offi ce, those implicated in a massive The prime minister’s father would “relentlessly pursue tax close to the Bank of England. leak of tax documents from Pan- Ian Cameron helped found Blair- evaders”. Johnson’s support for leav- amanian law fi rm Mossack Fon- more Holdings, an investment Legislation forcing British ing the EU has been viewed as seca, including the Camerons. fund based in the Bahamas, in companies to disclose who owns a gamble aimed at securing the “I think the prime minister, in the early 1980s and was report- and benefi ts from their activities coveted top job of prime minis- his own interest, ought to tell us edly one of fi ve UK-based direc- comes into force in June. ter if Britain leaves. exactly what’s been going on,” he tors until shortly before his death The revelations emerged from London dominates the said. “It’s a private matter in so in 2010. the leak of 11.5mn confi dential $5.3tn-a-day global foreign ex- far as it’s a privately held interest, His off shore dealings were documents from Mossack Fon- change market and is by far the but it’s not a private matter if tax previously known, but the leaked seca, which specialises in creat- most important fi nancial centre has not been paid,” Corbyn said. documents revealed that the ing off shore shell companies. in the EU. If Britons vote to leave, He also suggested that Lon- fund hired local residents to sign The leak has shone a spot- London faces losing the trade in don could impose direct rule on its paperwork to avoid paying tax light on tax havens, including trillions of euros in derivatives. British overseas territories if they in Britain. the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Evans, who is the 688th lord were revealed to have become “In 30 years, Blairmore has a tiny British overseas territory in mayor which is an ambassado- places for “systematic evasion” never paid a penny of tax in the Caribbean. rial role for the small fi nancial of tax. the UK on its profi ts,” said The Despite having a population of area known as the City of London, “The prime minister should Guardian newspaper, which has only around 30,000, it is among said Britain’s EU membership had lead by example and come out seen the leaked documents along the top fi ve investors in Russia been “a great factor for inward in- Prime Minister David Cameron holds a Q&A session on the forthcoming European Union referendum with and set the record straight on his with the BBC. and China, according to a 2014 vestment” into the country. staff of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Birmingham yesterday. own tax aff airs - we need full and There is no suggestion that the report by the OECD. Predator snared by Firearms amnesty No ban on head who ‘failed to protect pupil’

Internet vigilantes London Evening Standard alerted by another parent, failed to London tell the authorities or the teenag- er’s parents before she met Sem- London Evening Standard teur investigation, which set up meeting with him, they told pers again when she was 14 after London the girl’s profi le, but instead the him: “Stay here or we will take headteacher and his dep- they exchanged further messages. defendant met the investigator you down.” As Mullarkey tried uty have escaped a ban The same parent told the and his friends.” to lie, they said: “Take your Afrom the profession over teachers about the second en- n online predator hop- He said Internet Interceptors hood off so we can identify you. their failure to protect a 13-year- counter and called the local au- ing to meet a 14-year-old member Andy Bradstock posted What are you going to do to her, old pupil who was groomed on- thority two days later after no Aschoolgirl for sex was the fake profile on an adult on- rape her?” line and later sexually assaulted action was taken. Police arrested caught by Internet vigilantes. line dating site. When Mullar- James Hasslacher, defending, by a teaching assistant. Sempers in October 2013 and he Daniel Mullarkey, 31, was key made contact, he was told told the court: “He’s extremely Last month, it was revealed was jailed for 18 months at Isle- identifi ed and fi lmed by mem- in text messages that “Hay- ashamed and cannot understand that Adam Lang, principal of worth crown court in 2014 after bers of Internet Interceptors, ley” was 14. Mullarkey asked how he has gone down this slip- Uxbridge High School, and vice- admitting two counts of sexual who had invented the schoolgirl her: “Can you tell me what you pery slope. He went from a happy principal Judith Barton failed to activity with a child. to snare him. would like to do as you know married home life and a job to tell police or the local author- Lang and Barton resigned in 2014. When he arranged to meet the what I’d like to do.” being in custody.” ity about serious allegations Of Lang, the panel said: “This girl to have sex, he was confront- Warwick McKinnon QC, that Kevin Sempers, 30, a former sequence of events, whilst serious, ed by the vigilantes and fl ed. He “He’s extremely ashamed the Recorder of Croydon, told Commonwealth Games athlete, represented errors of judgement was arrested after reporting the and cannot understand Mullarkey: “This is an extremely had inappropriately messaged rather than anything deliberate or group to police. how he has gone down serious matter and it is all the the girl on social media. a cavalier disregard for his respon- Mullarkey pleaded guilty at this slippery slope” more extraordinary that you are Over a year later, he assaulted sibilities. The panel considered Croydon crown court to at- a married man with two children. her in the back of his car. that he still had a contribution to tempting to meet a girl under He also told her not to tell any- One of the results of this outra- Despite admitting a string of make in education.” the age of 16 after grooming her one about him and off ered to buy geous and disgusting activity is failures to adequately safeguard the It said he had accepted full online. her a phone. that there has been a breakdown girl, a National College for Teaching responsibility, expressed uncon- Mullarkey, of New Addington, Mullarkey was confronted by in your marriage.” and Leadership misconduct panel ditional remorse and undertaken who spent 11 weeks in prison after the group, who describe them- He ordered Mullarkey to com- has ruled the pair should not be further safeguarding training. his arrest, was given a 16-month selves as a “dedicated team of plete 200 hours of community Greater Manchester Police assistant chief constable, John banned. It heard that Sempers mes- The panel added: “Barton had jail sentence, suspended for two parents hunting paedophiles and service work, sign the Sex Of- O’Hare, poses with guns from a previously held firearms saged the girl, then 13, via Facebook, made serious errors of judge- years. sexual predators”, on January 20 fenders Register for 10 years and surrender, at the launch of the new North West firearms referring to her “belly” and telling ment and, unfortunately, there Tom Nicholson, prosecuting, in South Norwood. obey a fi ve-year sexual harm pre- surrender initiative, at Police Headquarters in Manchester. her he “wished she were older”. had been consequences which said of the sting: “It was an ama- In online footage of their vention order. But Lang and Barton, who were had fl owed from those errors.” Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 17 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Prospect of unstable minority rule a risk for Irish recovery

Reuters Ireland became one of several ropean Union’s fastest growing “We think that the govern- party and historic rival, Fianna 2.35% last week despite the po- sending rents in Dublin back Dublin euro zone countries left with economy but warned that more ment will struggle to effect Fail, to back it from the opposi- litical foot-dragging. above peaks and wiping out the deeply fractured parliaments protracted uncertainty could meaningful policy actions to tion benches on a vote-by-vote However there are major gains of the recovery for many. as voters angry at not benefit- have adverse consequences for address the problems in hous- basis. problems to tackle that threaten The cost and scarcity of ive weeks of largely ineff ec- ing from an economic recovery economic growth. ing and aspects of public in- Investors are confident of to choke the recovery. housing, especially in cities, tive attempts to form a gov- ousted Prime Minister Enda “We are likely to enter a pe- vestment, with unhelpful im- no radical policy shifts under a Eight years after Ireland was threaten to damage investment Fernment in Ireland has left Kenny’s coalition on February riod of eff ective political paraly- plications for competitiveness.” compromise between the cen- left with a surplus of houses fol- among multinational firms that a weak minority administration 26 without opting for a clear al- sis,” said Philip O’Sullivan, chief Kenny’s Fine Gael remains tre-right parties. The economy lowing a 2008 property crash, a employ almost one in 10 people as the only option to avoid a fresh ternative. economist at Investec Ireland, the biggest party and is trying is also forecast to beat the rest decimated construction sector and analysts say the govern- election, an unstable compro- Ireland’s central bank said who expects that the government to win support from independ- of the EU for a third successive has since failed to build even ment must do more to cut the mise that could paralyse policy last week that the impasse has will fail to pass a budget in Octo- ent lawmakers before asking year and Ireland issued its first half the 25,000 homes needed cost of building and revive ac- and stoke labour discontent. so far had little effect on the Eu- ber, triggering another election. the country’s second-largest 100-year bond at a yield of just each year to meet demand, tivity. Police probe Unfair fine sudden death of Sussex cricket star

Guardian News and Media side, paid their own tribute. London “The Big Matt Hobden (BMH) arrived with the talents, and on a trajectory, that made it he sudden death of a clear he was destined for the up- 22-year-old county per reaches of the professional Tcricket star in a small arena. So it swiftly proved, play- Scottish town hundreds of ing for Cardiff MCCU from 2013 miles from his Sussex home and signing his fi rst professional is being investigated by local contract in 2014, which neces- police. sarily reduced his availability Matthew Hobden, a Sussex for our 1st XI to a handful more fast bowler and England pros- outings. pect, died in the Forres area on “Though our time with the the northern Scottish coast on BMH was brief, it was bril- Saturday, Police Scotland said. liant. His performance with “The death of the male, who the ball was at times hostile to When theatre worker Matt Armstrong went to bed, his car was parked on the road outside his home as usual. The next morning, he found council workers had painted a disabled is believed to be from the Sussex the point of brutal and, hav- bay around his Renault Clio — and there was a £110 ticket on his windscreen. To add insult to financial injury, the bay was intended for his neighbour ... who died earlier this year. The area, is currently being treated ing seen him contribute several man’s widow requested the bay more than two years ago and says she has called Lambeth council several times to cancel it since her husband’s death. as unexplained,” a statement useful innings with the bat, we from the force said. “Enquiries were perhaps less surprised are at a very early stage but there than many by his part in the are not thought to be any suspi- record-breaking 10th wicket cious circumstances. A report stand for Sussex in 2015.” will be sent to the procurator Its statement added: “A big, fi scal as is usual procedure.” ever smiling, ever joyful young Fellow professionals, in- lad, the very defi nition of popu- cluding Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, lar, he was always a delight to be and Paul Collingwood, were around. Even with his career go- among those who mourned his ing from strength to strength he 25,000 surgeries put off loss. He had been named in the always had time for us all. fast-bowling group for the Po- “That we will not see how tential England Performance far his talent will take him is a Programme late last year. heartbreaking injustice. That Kevin Shine, the lead fast- no one will get to spend time bowling coach of the Eng- with Matt again is too awful lish and Wales cricket board, for words. We are devastated as doctors’ strike looms said: “As a player, I remem- for his parents, brothers, loved ber, the fi rst time I saw him, ones, friends, team-mates.” Agencies industrial action taken by the Brit- sustainable way through nego- posed new contracts, the Saturday said: “We’ve already seen that a just thinking ‘wow’. He was In a statement, Sussex London ish Medical Association (BMA) tiation. day shift will be paid at a normal 48-hour strike puts considerably the strongest, most powerful county cricket club had said it in the ongoing dispute over a new “The college believes that an rate in return for a rise in basic pay. more pressure on the NHS and cricketer I’ve ever seen on that was “deeply shocked and sad- contract for junior doctors. urgent inquiry by the Health Se- The dispute has become in- it’s deeply regrettable that thou- programme - up there with dened” to hear of Hobden’s lmost 25,000 operations The number of operations lect Committee could help re- creasingly fraught and junior sands of patients are still facing elite athletes from diff erent death. have been cancelled as a cancelled for both inpatients and solve the current impasse and doctors have two strikes planned disruption because of this recur- sports. His potential was huge, “Matthew was an exciting Aresult of strike action by planned day cases now stands at restore stability within the junior for this month. ring action. he was improving rapidly and young cricketer with a big fu- junior doctors in England. 24,577. doctor workforce in England. The fi rst will be a 48-hour “As always, the safety and care I’m certain that he would have ture ahead of him in the game. New fi gures from NHS England The news comes as the Royal “If we do not resolve this dis- strike starting at 8am today, with of patients is our number one played for England. He was a fantastic individual show that more than 5,100 opera- College of Physicians of Edin- pute, the impact on our patients, junior doctors providing emer- priority and everything possible “But for all that, my over- who had progressed through tions have been postponed as a re- burgh (RCPE) said it had written the NHS workforce and the long- gency care only. is being done to make sure pa- riding memory of Matt will be Sussex’s youth and academy sult of a 48-hour industrial action to the Health Select Committee term sustainability of the NHS But strikes planned for April tients will still be able to access of his character: he was a won- ranks, having been born locally which begins today morning. asking it to conduct an inquiry will be profound.” 26 and April 27 will see the full urgent and emergency services.” derful lad. It’s devastating for in Eastbourne. NHS England said it was into the “escalating crisis” relat- Junior doctors are objecting to withdrawal of labour by junior A department of health all who knew him to have lost “He made his fi rst-class de- “deeply regrettable” that thou- ing to the contract. a new contract in England which doctors - everyone up to consult- spokeswoman added: “This him so young.” but for Sussex in 2014 and had sands more operations have been Professor Derek Bell, president the government says will create a ant level - between the hours of strike is irresponsible and dis- Preston Nomads cricket club, represented the county across cancelled. of the RCPE, said: “The situation truly seven-day service. 8am and 5pm on both days. proportionate, and with almost for whom Hobden had played all three formats over the past The walkout, which will still see should not have escalated to this They are currently paid more for Commenting on the action, Dr 25,000 operations cancelled so from 2012, even as he made two seasons. He will be greatly junior doctors provide emergency level as matters of this impor- working unsocial hours at night or Anne Rainsberry, national inci- far, it is patients who are suf- progress with the Sussex county missed.” care cover, is the fourth round of tance can only be resolved in a at the weekend. But under the pro- dent director for NHS England, fering.” Rolling Stones make an Girls found guilty of exhibition of themselves murdering woman Agencies wooden stick laced with screws, London TV set, coff ee table, shovel and a AFP for the exhibition’s launch. of the show’s gems: a recreation of computer printer were used. London The gallery off ers a unique the band’s fi rst shared apartment. Jurors were told Wrightson plunge into the world of the The fl at at 102 Edith Grove in wo teenage girls have was forcibly restrained while Stones, spread over two levels, Chelsea - at the other end of the been found guilty of the pair battered and tortured ick Jagger’s outlandish nine themed rooms and 1,750 King’s Road from the Saatchi Gal- Tmurdering 39-year-old her. costumes, Keith Rich- square metres of space. lery - is fi lled with dirty crockery, Angela Wrightson at her home While at the house, the Mards’ guitars and the Despite the retrospective, the cigarette butts, Chuck Berry and in Hartlepool. younger girl made a phone call fi lthy London fl at they shared are band is in no mood to rest on its Muddy Waters records, and old Wrightson was found dead over Facebook to a friend who on show in an exhaustive exhi- laurels. socks on an unmade bed. in her living room. She had heard her say: “Go on (older bition dedicated to The Rolling “We’re just going to keep going “It was a pretty stinky, disgust- suff ered more than 100 inju- girl). Smash her head in. Kill Stones which opened yesterday. ‘til we can’t go anymore,” says a ing place,” said Jagger. ries, including 80 to her face. her,” as another laughed in the Exhibitionism, which off ers an quote from Richards on one gal- “But Edith Grove was very Her killers, who cannot background. interactive and multi-sensory trip lery wall. formative and elemental in our re- be named for legal reasons, Her body was discovered by through the life of the iconic Brit- By way of proof, a new album is lationships, listening to music and started crying as the verdicts her landlord in an “undignifi ed ish rock band, opened its doors to on the way. sharing experiences and just liv- were read out at Leeds Crown manner”, naked from the waist the public at the Saatchi Gallery in “We just started it before ing, generally.” Court. They were immediately down on her sofa. Her living London. Christmas,” said Jagger. Wood The smell Jagger talks about is led away from the dock. room was described as “akin to The group, which fi rst formed in added: “We accidentally cut 11 revived, with visitors assaulted by The trial heard the pair vis- a bomb site”. 1962, are still rocking and rolling songs in two days of cover versions the aroma of chicken tandoori - ited Wrightson, who was an Gerry Wareham, chief 54 years later, fresh from a ground- of blues songs from Little Walter to the singer’s favourite dish - and of alcoholic and known to some Crown Prosecutor for CPS breaking concert in Cuba and with Howling Wolf and lots of other rare the fi sh and chips preferred by his as “Alco Ange”, on a number North East, said: “Given the their fi rst studio album since 2005 blues people. It’s very exciting and old fl atmates. of occasions as she would buy severity of their assault on in the pipeline. it’s what the band is all about.” Jagger, Richards, Brian Jones, them alcohol and cigarettes. Wrightson, one would expect “Right now it’s an interesting The exhibition, which runs until the band’s guitarist who died The teenagers, aged 13 and the girls to have shown a de- time to do it,” said frontman Jag- September 4, is much like a Stones in 1969, and their friend James 14 at the time, had been drink- gree of remorse in the wake of ger. concert: a spectacle of raucous Phelge shared the fl at between ing and used a variety of weap- her death. “We’ve got enough stuff ; in fact, sound and colour on a grand scale. 1962 and 1963. ons to carry out the “sustained “Instead, they laughed and too much stuff .” There is also good business be- Among the other eight rooms is and brutal” attack on Decem- smiled while posing for a ‘selfi e’, The band - singer Jagger, 72; ing done: tickets start at £19 ($27, a reconstruction of Olympic Stu- ber 8, 2014. with each continuing to deny drummer Charlie Watts, 74; Ri- 24 euros). dios, where the group recorded Members of the Rolling Stones (left to right) Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, The seven-week trial heard that they had murdered her chards, 72, and his fellow guitarist The slick exhibition venue their fi rst single, Come On, several Mick Jagger and Keith Richards arrive for the “Exhibitionism” opening at the assault took place over fi ve throughout the investigation Ronnie Wood, 68 - were in town makes a stark contrast with one other records. the Saatchi Gallery in London . hours and items including a and prosecution of this case.” Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 EUROPE

Expert to Erdogan targets rebel rule on pupils’ supporters’ citizenship refusal AFP In March, Erdogan came un- ties watered down its demands Prosecutors in January Ankara der fi re for calling for the defi ni- to seek instead more autonomy launched a major investigation to shake tion of terrorism to be expanded with cultural and language against more than 1,200 Turkish to include journalists, activists rights. academics who signed a petition urkish President Recep and others who “exploit their Jailed PPK founder Abdullah denouncing the military opera- Tayyip Erdogan has pro- positions, pens and titles and Ocalan called a truce in March tions against Kurdish rebels in hands Tposed stripping Turkish put them at terrorists’ disposal”. 2013, but tensions over the Syr- the southeast that enraged Er- citizenship from supporters of But this was the fi rst time he ian confl ict kickstarted the vio- dogan. Kurdish rebels waging a deadly has proposed that supporters of lence again last year. Days later, Erdogan personally AFP insurgency against the security the PKK be stripped of their na- Turkish forces launched an warned the academics that they Geneva forces. tionality. all-out off ensive to eradicate the would “pay a price” after falling The comments by Erdogan “Supporters (of terror) who rebels from urban centres with a into a “pit of treachery”. marked the latest escalation in pose as academics, spies who blistering military campaign in In mid-March three promi- Swiss legal expert will his drive to crack down on dis- identify themselves as journal- the southeast. nent Istanbul academics were decide on the validity of sent against the government’s ists, an activist disguised as a Erdogan said last week that arrested on charges of publish- Aa controversial ruling that relentless operation to wipe out politician ... are no diff erent 355 members of the security ing “terrorist propaganda”. allows male Muslim students to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers from the terrorists who throw forces had been killed in fi ghting A fourth, Mercal Camci, is avoid shaking hands with female Party (PKK). bombs,” Erdogan added yester- as well as over 5,000 PKK mem- facing up to 7.5 years in jail after teachers for religious reasons, an “To prevent them from doing day. bers – although this could not be being arrested after returning to offi cial said yesterday. harm we must take all measures, “But like a wolf in sheep’s confi rmed. Turkey from abroad on March The decision reached by a including stripping supporters clothing, they serve the same The confl ict has also struck 31. school in Switzerland’s northern of the terrorist organisation of purpose as the members of the the heart of the country, with Accused of increasing author- municipality of Therwil sought their citizenship,” Erdogan said terror organisation. As a nation two attacks in the capital Ankara itarianism, Erdogan’s govern- to reach a compromise with two in a speech to lawyers in Ankara. we need to be careful. No-one claimed by Kurdish rebels killing ment has also targeted journal- male students, aged 14 and 15, “These people don’t deserve must commit treachery against dozens at a time when citizens ists, with the president himself and their families, but ended up to be our citizens. We are not the state and the nation behind are already on high alert over brushing off all criticism and causing uproar and fi erce public obliged to carry anyone engaged our backs.” bombings by the Islamic State declaring he doesn’t need “les- debate over the limits of reli- in the betrayal of their state and Erdogan has also pushed for group. sons in democracy” from the gious freedom. their people.” lawmakers from a pro-Kurdish It has also strained diplomatic West. “We have asked for an expert Erdogan has refused to give party to be stripped of their par- ties between Turkey and the US, Two journalists from the opinion from our legal service,” any quarter to the PKK which liamentary immunity so they which supports Kurdish militia leading opposition daily Cum- said Deborah Murith, spokes- has been blamed for a string of can be prosecuted for “terrorist in Syria which Ankara see as a hurriyet are currently facing life woman for the education de- attacks in Turkey, after the col- propaganda”. branch of the PKK. in prison after being charged partment in the canton of Ba- Erdogan delivers a speech to lawyers at the Presidential Complex lapse last year of a truce in its The PKK launched a bloody As part of a wider crackdown with revealing state secrets over sel-Country, where Therwil is in Ankara yesterday. He has proposed stripping Turkish citizenship decades-long fi ght for greater insurgency against the Turk- on free speech, Erdogan has par- a story accusing the government located. from supporters of Kurdish rebels waging a deadly insurgency autonomy and rights for Kurds ish government in 1984 seeking ticularly homed in on those seen of seeking to illicitly deliver The two students informed against the security forces. which has left 40,000 dead. independence, but in the nine- to be supportive of the PKK. arms to rebels in Syria. the school that a Swiss custom of pupils shaking teachers’ hands violated their faith if the teacher is a woman. To avoid approving the de facto discrimination of female Turkey Pope eyes visit to migrants on Greek frontline island teachers, the school decided to exempt the boys from shaking hands with any of their teachers, says next AFP Head of the Greek Orthodox Istanbul “and the weight of the Germany records 300 attacks on asylum shelters regardless of sex. Athens Church, Archbishop Ierony- presence of the Pope will send a That ruling – made independ- mos II, has been informed “of resounding wake-up call to the There were almost 300 attacks and other criminal off ences against Ger- ently by the school without in- migrant the wish of Pope Francis to visit international community”, the man asylum shelters in the first quarter of the year, police said yesterday, volvement of the cantonal au- ope Francis has asked to Greece” to “draw the attention Greek church said in its state- which suggests the 2016 total could exceed last year’s level. thorities or municipal offi cials visit Greece to show sup- of the international commu- ment. The arrival of more than 1mn migrants into Germany last year has – triggered an outcry across transfer Pport for refugees there, nity to the need for an immedi- The news of the Pope’s inter- prompted a significant rise in attacks against asylum shelters. Switzerland. and Greek church authorities ate ceasefi re in the confl icts” in est came the day after Greece They reached 1,029 last year, compared with 199 in 2014 and 69 in 2013. Justice Minister Simonetta have approved plans for a papal the Middle East and to “shed began expelling migrants back But the flow of migrants into Germany has slowed to a trickle in recent Sommaruga insisted on Swiss delayed trip to Lesbos, offi cials said yes- light on the major humanitarian to Turkey under a deal agreed weeks, following the eff ective closure of the Balkan route bringing peo- public television on Monday that terday. problem” of the infl ux of mi- between the EU and Ankara ple through southeastern Europe, and it was not clear what eff ect that “shaking hands is part of our The Greek Orthodox church grants to Lesbos and other Greek aimed at quelling the bloc’s could have on future attacks. culture”, in remarks echoed by AFP added that it had invited Ecu- islands, the statement said. worst migration crisis since Of the 292 off ences registered in the first quarter – more than three at- other offi cials and public fi gures. Ankara menical Patriarch Bartholomew, The Greek church has accept- World War II. tacks a day on average – 33 were arson attacks, 59 were acts of violence, Murith told AFP that the case the head of the Eastern Ortho- ed Pope Francis’s proposal for an Pope Francis has on several and one was an explosion, police said. was “not simple” and that Basel dox Church, “so that he can informal “symbolic and human- occasions spoken up for the mi- The rest were damage to property and propaganda off ences, police was now trying “to fi nd a balance he next transfer of mi- honour Lesbos with his pres- itarian” visit to an Aegean Sea grants fl ooding into Europe. added. between religious liberty, the grants to Turkey from ence the day of Pope Francis’s island for a few hours, it added. On March 27 he spoke out right to education and the legally TGreece under a contro- visit”. The Greek Orthodox Church against the “rejection” of refu- enshrined equality between men versial deal with the EU has been The Vatican did not confi rm chose to invite the Pontiff to gees as Europe struggles to cope continent’s wealthier northern Pope Francis in 2013 visited and women”. postponed until later this week that the Pope would be visiting Lesbos which, since 2015, has with the infl ux which brought states. the Italian island of Lampedusa, She said the compromise at Athens’ request, a Turkish of- the Greek island but spokesman been the main port of arrival more than 1mn migrants to its “The Easter message of the where large numbers of mi- reached by the school could fi cial said yesterday. Federico Lombardi did not deny into Europe, from Turkey, for shore last year. risen Christ ... invites us not to grants fl eeing fi ghting in Libya serve as a “provisional measure”, “It has been postponed to Fri- that contact had been made. those fl eeing war or poverty in Countries along Europe’s forget those men and women were arriving. while the legal expert prepares day” from today, the offi cial told A Greek church statement, their own countries many of “Balkan route” have toughened seeking a better future, an ever After the EU beefed up con- guidance. AFP, asking not to be named. published on the specialist web- whom are Syrian. their stance on migrants in re- more numerous throng of mi- trols along this sea route, the The head of the Therwil “Greece could not send the site Dogma.gr, gave no dates for “The personality and pres- cent weeks, closing their bor- grants and refugees ... fl eeing Aegean islands became the fa- school system, Christine Akeret, people. Everything is ready here the visits, but the site itself gave tige of the ecumenical patriarch ders to those seeking to transit war, hunger, poverty and social voured destinations for people told Swiss media that she plans but we received a message from it as April 15. (Bartholomew)” who is based in in search of a better life in the injustice,” the pope said then. smugglers. to abide by the expert ruling, the Greek side,” added the of- but voiced frustration that she fi cial. had not previously been given The offi cial did not give fur- instruction from higher authori- ther details but the Greek gov- ties on the matter. ernment had admitted earlier the Murith agreed that “there is procedure had been slowed by an Court dismisses currently a gap in the current increase in asylum requests by regulation on this subject”. migrants on the islands of Chios “That is why we have asked and Lesbos. for an expert legal opinion,” she A local offi cial in the Turkish charges in Love said. region of Izmir had said earlier Switzerland’s population of a new wave of around 200 mi- 8mn people includes an estimat- grants would be shipped from ed 350,000 Muslims. Lesbos into the Turkish harbour Parade tragedy Previous similar disputes have town of Dikili on the Aegean sea centred on Muslim parents who this morning. demanded that their daughters The fi rst transfer of over 200 AFP/DPA tiff s, called the dismissal a “ju- be exempt from swimming les- migrants from Greece took Berlin dicial scandal”. sons, a case that led to the par- place on Monday, under the deal “I feel traumatised all over ents being fi ned. agreed between the EU and Tur- again,” Manfred Reissaus, who Muslim families have how- key aimed at quelling the bloc’s German court has lost his daughter, told DPA. “It ever secured victories in court worst migration crisis since thrown out criminal gave us hope that we, as parents, against schools which sought to World War II. Acharges stemming from a were waiting for a trial to take ban the full face veil. But in Athens, a Greek gov- catastrophic stampede at a Love place at some point.” This August 6, 2010 file photo shows candles and flowers laid down ernment source denied that a Parade street party in 2010 that Reissaus added that he and at the site where the victims of the Love Parade stampede died in date for the next transfer had killed 21 people, in a ruling that many other relatives have lost Duisburg, western Germany. ever been set. enraged victims’ families. faith in the authorities. “We don’t plan in advance the The decision by the regional German prosecutors had tions remained unanswered and The mayor of Duisburg at the date or number of those being court in the western city of Du- charged the 10 suspects with gaps in the report were not rec- time, Adolf Sauerland, became Centenarian off ered sent back,” the source told AFP, isburg for now halts eff orts to negligent manslaughter and tifi ed,” Bender said. the prime target of public an- emphasising that the Greek gov- prosecute those who planned bodily harm in February 2014. The disaster occurred on July ger and was forced to resign by ernment had to assess asylum the event over its chaotic crowd The manslaughter charges 24, 2010 when a large crowd of a 2012 city referendum, accused place in kindergarten applications by migrants. “If by management. could have carried sentences of revellers at one of Europe’s top of having ignored warnings that the end of the week, there is a “The state’s accusations up to fi ve years in prison. techno music events was forced the summer festival was a disas- satisfactory number of people could not be proved with the Twelve civil lawsuits are still to go through a narrow tunnel ter waiting to happen. AFP than the daughter of a cente- who have not demanded asy- evidence presented,” the court pending and expected to be that served as the only entrance The Love Parade started as Stockholm narian. lum and which justifi es a return, said after dismissing the charges heard from next month. and exit to the festival grounds. an underground event in the Stigert Pettersson, the of- we will see if there will be a new against six city offi cials and four In a rare press conference on Those killed – 13 women and former West Berlin in 1989 and fi cial in charge of local school transfer.” parade organisers. “Hence a a court ruling, presiding judge eight men who were crushed, was held there most years until our years after celebrat- registrations, explained that Under the pact with the Euro- conviction of the accused could Ulf-Thomas Bender placed the trampled to death or suff ocated 2006, at times drawing more ing her centenary, a letters should have gone out of- pean Union, Turkey has agreed not be expected.” blame for the case’s collapse – included seven foreigners, than 1mn people. Fwoman in a town in west- fering places in the local crèche to take back migrants who ar- Prosecutors said they would on major failings in an expert from Australia, Italy, the Neth- Following wrangling over ern Sweden has been off ered a for children born in 2011, 2012 rived in Greece in illegal cross- appeal the ruling, as lawyers report that was to serve as the erlands, China and Spain. permits and arguments over the place in the local kindergarten. and 2013. ings of the Aegean Sea after representing survivors of the main basis of the prosecution’s More than 650 people were mountains of trash left behind, “It’s fantastic! I must be the “Apparently, the compu- March 20. stampede and victims’ families case during the trial. injured in the mass panic as the festival moved from Berlin only 104-year-old in Hylte to ter made a mistake and peo- Out of around 6,000 migrants blasted the decision. Bender angrily denounced the pressure from a heaving sea of to cities in western Germany’s be off ered a place in a crèche,” ple born 100 years earlier were who arrived on the islands after Attorney Baerbel Schoenhof evaluation by British crowd dis- hundreds of thousands of young industrial Ruhr region until the Hallands Nyheter quoted Maja contacted. It’s embarrassing – that deadline, more than 2,300 told reporters it amounted to a aster expert Keith Still as fl awed, people squashed the victims tragedy of 2010. Bergstrom as saying. but also a little charming,” said had applied for asylum, said “slap in the face” for the “ex- biased and contradictory, saying against fences and walls. The deadly disaster led or- Her amused response came Pettersson. Yiorgos Kyritsis, the spokesman tremely traumatised” people at that it had little chance of hold- Prosecutors blamed serious ganisers to declare that the Love after the local authorities Swedish nursery schools ad- for the Greek government panel the parade that day. ing up in court. planning errors for the tragedy Parade would never be held wrote to her daughter Birgitta, mit children aged between the co-ordinating the migration cri- Julius Reiter, who is repre- “Although the court posed 75 at the site, a former cargo rail again “out of respect for the 78, who was wrongly thought ages of one and six prior to the sis. senting around 100 co-plain- follow-up questions, the ques- depot in the industrial city. victims”. to be the mother of a tot rather entry to elementary school. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 19 EUROPE Tax scandal ‘claims’

Icelandic PM’s head Gunnlaugsson laughs while speaking to the media outside the Iceland president’s residence in Reykjavik. AFP/Reuters Gunnlaugsson stepped down sociates, Chinese President Xi daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung and istry spokesman Hong Lei said: Reykjavik ahead of a planned vote of no- Jinping’s relatives, British Prime shared with more than 100 media “For such groundless accusa- any funds or any open current Michel Sapin said his country confi dence, hours after ask- Minister David Cameron’s later groups by the International Con- tions, I have no comment.” accounts,” the Messi family said would put Panama back on its ing President Olafur Ragnar father and celebrities such as Ar- sortium of Investigative Journal- The Kremlin suggested a US in a statement on Monday. list of countries that do not co- celand’s prime minister has Grimsson to dissolve parliament. gentine footballing great Lionel ists (ICIJ). plot after the leaks put a close Australia, France and the operate in eff orts to track down resigned, becoming the fi rst The president had said that he Messi. The network of journalists friend of Putin’s at the top of an Netherlands have announced tax dodgers following the revela- Ipolitical victim of a mush- would talk with the main parties Iceland’s leader had been un- published their fi rst fi ndings on off shore empire worth more than investigations into revelations tions. rooming worldwide scandal over before making a decision. der immense pressure after the Sunday after a year-long probe. $2bn. contained in the papers. The papers, from around hidden off shore fi nancial deal- Dissolving parliament would papers, leaked from a Panama- Off shore fi nancial dealings are “Putin, Russia, our country, A judicial source said Spain 214,000 off shore entities cover- ings exposed in the so-called almost certainly lead to a new nian law fi rm, appeared to show not illegal in themselves, though our stability and the upcoming had opened a money-laundering ing almost 40 years, also name “Panama Papers”. election. that he and his wife Anna Sig- they may be used to hide assets elections are the main target, probe into the law fi rm. the president of Ukraine and the Prime Minister Sigmundur On Monday, the opposition urlaug Palsdottir owned an off - from tax authorities, launder the specifi cally to destabilise the sit- “We need to make sure that not king of Saudi Arabia. David Gunnlaugsson was the fi led a motion of no-confi dence shore company in the British Vir- proceeds of criminal activities or uation,” said a Kremlin spokes- just ordinary citizens pay their Ukrainian President Petro Po- biggest casualty of a worldwide and thousands of Icelanders gin Islands and placed millions of conceal misappropriated or po- man, claiming many of the jour- taxes but also people who have roshenko denied any wrongdo- media probe into 11.5mn leaked gathered in front of parliament, dollars there. litically inconvenient wealth. nalists were former offi cers from a lot of money, who earn a lot ing, but he may face an attempt documents that purportedly re- hurling eggs and bananas and Though the prime minis- In Beijing, there was no offi cial the US state department, the CIA of money, pay their taxes where to impeach him. veal the off shore fi nancial ac- demanding the departure of the ter denied ever hiding money reaction to ICIJ allegations that and special services. they make that money and don’t One of the Panama law fi rm’s tivities of 140 political fi gures, leader of the centre-right coali- abroad, pressure on his govern- eight current or former members Messi’s family denied any hide the money,” visiting Euro- founders, Ramon Fonseca, told including 12 current or former tion government, in power since ment had mounted, with egg- of the ruling party’s most power- wrongdoing after the footballer pean Commission Vice-Pres- AFP the leaks themselves were “a heads of state. 2013. throwing protesters gathering in ful body concealed their fortunes and his father were named as ident Frans Timmermans told crime, a felony” and “an attack “The prime minister told (his A series of other leaders and the streets on Monday and fresh through off shore havens, as well owners of a Panama company reporters yesterday in the Polish on Panama”. party’s) parliamentary group stars fi ngered in the leaked pa- demonstrations planned yester- as relatives of Xi Jinping, who that had not previously been dis- capital Warsaw. Mossack Fonseca is subject to meeting that he would step down pers have hit back at the allega- day. has overseen a much-publicised closed during a Spanish probe Panama has pledged to iden- investigations in Germany and as prime minister and I will take tions, denying any wrongdoing The vast stash of records from anti-corruption drive. into their tax aff airs. tify whether any crimes had been also in Brazil, where it is part of over,” the Progressive Party’s despite the international furore. Panamanian legal fi rm Mossack Asked whether China would “The Panama company to committed and any fi nancial a huge money laundering probe deputy leader Sigurdur Ingi Jo- Those named include Russian Fonseca was obtained from an investigate those named in the which they refer to is a totally damages should be awarded. that has threatened to topple the hannsson told a live broadcast. President Vladimir Putin’s as- anonymous source by German reports, however, foreign min- inactive company that never had But France’s Finance Minister current government.

€24bn Mediators urge Armenia, Turkish spent on Azerbaijan to talk peace Cypriot illegal govt DPA/AFP the so-called Minsk Group said OSCE monitors stationed in Moscow in a written statement. Nagorno-Karabakh have yet drugs Armenia and Azerbaijan to confi rm that the ceasefi re is resigns agreed yesterday to an immedi- holding because they have not nternational mediators ate ceasefi re after a recent surge yet been able to reach the areas annually have urged Armenia and of fi ghting in Nagorno-Kara- where fi ghting has taken place, AFP IAzerbaijan to honour their bakh, the TASS news agency according to an OSCE spokes- Nicosia new ceasefi re agreement after reported, citing Armenia’s de- man. By Lachlan Carmichael recent fi ghting in the disputed fence ministry. The eruption of violence has and Gina Dogget, AFP Nagorno-Karabakh region, and “Operations along the line of happened amid wider regional he prime minister of the Paris to negotiate a solution to their contact between the Azerbai- tensions. breakaway Turkish Cyp- long-standing confl ict. jani and Armenian forces have Armenia is in a military al- Triot state submitted the “Reports on the cessation been suspended from noon lo- liance with Russia, while Az- resignation of his government U citizens spend more of hostilities are encouraging. cal time [0900 GMT] on April erbaijan enjoys close ties with A soldier of the self-defence army of Nagorno-Karabakh carries yesterday after his ruling coali- than €24bn ($27.3bn) Our immediate eff orts must 5 upon the agreement of the Turkey. weapons in Martakert region. tion collapsed at a time of high Eevery year on illegal drugs now focus on stabilising the parties,” the Armenian ministry Relations between Russia hopes for reunifying the Medi- such as cannabis and heroin, a ceasefi re and preventing any was quoted as saying. and Turkey are currently tense Azerbaijan’s defence ninis- tainous Nagorny Karabakh, a terranean island. European watchdog said yester- new escalation,” said German Azerbaijan’s defence min- as they back opposing sides in try said in a statement on its majority ethnic Armenian re- Mustafa Akinci, the presi- day, warning of links between Foreign Minister Frank-Walter istry confi rmed to the Interfax the Syrian civil war. website on Monday that 170 gion lying inside Azerbaijan, dent of the unrecognised Turk- the trade and terrorism. Steinmeier, who is chairing the news agency that a ceasefi re Russian Prime Minister soldiers had died in the recent in an early 1990s war after the ish Republic of Northern Cy- The report said cannabis, Organisation for Security and deal had been reached. Dmitry Medvedev will visit Ar- clashes. Soviet Union crumbled that prus (TRNC), urged the swift which accounts for the biggest Co-operation (OSCE) this year. The two former Soviet re- menia tomorrow and Azerbai- According to Armenia’s de- claimed some 30,000 lives. formation of a new government illegal retail market, was mainly A group of Russian, French publics have fought for decades jan on Friday as part of eff orts to fence ministry, Azerbaijani The sides have never signed to support his talks with Greek grown in the European Union, and US diplomats who co-chair over the Nagorno-Karabakh restore peace in the region, the troops started the fi ghting with a peace deal despite the 1994 Cypriot leaders on ending the is- while heroin, the second biggest an OSCE mediation group set region, populated primarily Interfax news agency reported, an off ensive involving tanks ceasefi re and sporadic violence land’s decades-old division. market, was now being produced on resolving the long-standing by Armenian Christians but citing his spokeswoman. and artillery, to which Armeni- regularly claims lives of soldiers “It is important to resolve in- in some EU member states. confl ict travelled to Nagorno- recognised by the UN as part Armenian President Serzh an forces responded by shoot- on both sides, though the latest ternal problems, but also for the Alexis Goosdeel, the head of Karabakh yesterday, following of predominantly Muslim Az- Sargsyan had told OSCE repre- ing down a combat helicopter outbreak represented a serious discussions we are having,” Ak- the European Monitoring Centre consultations at OSCE head- erbaijan. sentatives on Monday that the and destroying several tanks escalation. inci said after receiving the res- for Drugs and Drug Addiction quarters in Vienna. Both countries have traded confl ict has the potential to de- and drones. While ex-Soviet master ignation of Prime Minister Omer (EMCDDA), which produced “The deterioration of the blame for sudden violence that volve into an all-out war. Azerbaijan denied the alle- Moscow has sold arms to both Kalyoncu. the report, estimated the annual situation on the ground dem- reportedly erupted on Friday Sargsyan was scheduled to gations, saying that its soldiers sides and treads a careful line Both Akinci and his Greek spending on the illegal drugs at onstrates the need for an im- night. visit German Chancellor An- were reacting to heavy attacks between the two, it has a mili- Cypriot counterpart Nicos the massive €24bn fi gure. mediate negotiation, under the The fi ghting has been the gela Merkel today for talks ex- from the Armenian side. tary alliance with, and base in, Anastasiades, the island’s in- “The EU drugs market is driv- auspices of the co-chairs, on most severe since a ceasefi re pected to focus on the height- Separatists backed by Yer- Armenia and far closer ties to ternationally recognised presi- en by profi t and power,” Goos- a comprehensive settlement,” was agreed in 1994. ened regional tensions. evan seized control of moun- Yerevan. dent, have expressed hope they deel said at a press conference can reach a deal this year after with other offi cials in Brussels. 11 months of promising UN- Europol director Rob Wain- backed talks. wright told the press briefi ng The TRNC government, that about one-third of all or- which is recognised only by Tur- ganised crime groups his or- Youths protesting key, collapsed after ministers ganisation helped identify “are from the right-wing National involved in drug traffi cking”. Unity Party (UBP) withdrew in a He added that more than 20% dispute over economic policy. of those involved in smuggling French labour bill Their resignations left Kaly- migrants to Europe were also in- oncu’s centre-left Republican volved in drugs traffi cking. Turkish Party (CTP) without The report warned that the a majority in parliament and Internet was making it easier to clash with police ended the fi rst grand coalition sell illicit drugs. between the two largest parties “The Internet has become the since the formation of the TRNC new battleground in the war on AFP ness and unlikely to achieve in 1983. drugs,” Dimitris Avramopoulos, Paris their stated goal of reining in UBP chairman Huseyin the European commissioner for unemployment, which stands Ozgurgun said his party did not security and migration aff airs, at 25% among young people. accept a decision to pay civil told journalists. aris riot police fi red tear Students barricaded dozens servants’ salaries in instalments The report says “many” peo- gas and charged youths of high schools across France, and was also unhappy with wa- ple involved in Islamic terrorist Pthrowing stones, bottles but fewer than in previous pro- ter distribution in the breakaway attacks, “often recently radical- and eggs during fresh protests tests. north of the island. ised young people, may have a yesterday against France’s pro- Student leader Pierre Mon- The TRNC government is still history of low-level criminality, posed labour reforms, making quet noted that the exam pe- heavily dependent on aid from including drug use or involve- over 100 arrests. riod is approaching and said the Turkey to stay afl oat and was ment in the drug market, and “Police everywhere, jus- group was seeking permission unable to pay public sector staff exploit their criminal links to tice nowhere,” hooded youths to stage debates on the labour Anti-riot police off icers clash their wages in March. conduct their terrorist activities shouted as shopkeepers in the reforms in high schools. with high school students on Akinci heads the dovish Com- in a range of ways”. area rolled down their shutters. The Socialist government Boulevard Diderot in eastern munal Democracy Party (TDP) It warned of “some links being Police said that 130 people is desperate to push through Paris during a protest and defeated the UBP candidate overlooked” as narcotics agents were arrested on the sidelines reforms to France’s contro- yesterday against the planned in a presidential election run-off and counter-terror offi cials had of the march. versial labour laws, billed as a labour reform. in April last year with support separate functions and speciali- Students have been in the last-gasp attempt to boost the from the CTP. sations. forefront of a wave of some- fl agging economy before next easier for struggling companies The TRNC has a presidential The link between drug traf- times violent protests over the year’s presidential election. to fi re workers, even though system and his talks with Anas- fi cking and terrorism is to “a Socialist government’s labour Unions and students are an- the reforms have already been tasiades will continue while the certain extent indirect”, Wain- reforms seen as too pro-busi- gry over the plans to make it diluted once in a bid to placate search for a new governing coa- wright said. “We have terror- critics. lition goes on. ist suspects responsible for the German public sector stages fi rst token strikes Yesterday’s protests come Cyprus has been divided atrocities in Paris and we think as a parliamentary committee since 1974 when Turkish troops Brussels as well who have a Public sector workers left their posts for a couple of hours across Ger- began debating the labour bill, invaded the island’s northern criminal background, a lifestyle many yesterday as a warning to employers in a dispute over pay. with more protests set for Sat- third in response to an Athens- albeit low-level.” Trade union Verdi said that scores of workers at local authorities in urday. engineered Greek Cypriot coup Citing the most recent avail- states across eastern and central Germany – Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt In between, several minis- High school students, university students and union members seeking union with Greece. able fi gures, the report said can- and Thuringia – staged walkouts. Child-minding services were also ters including Education Min- protest in Bordeaux yesterday. In 2004, Turkish Cypriots nabis led in 2013 with 38% of the aff ected in Lower Saxony in the north. ister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem voted in favour of a UN-bro- market, followed by heroin at Verdi is calling on employers to increase wages by 6% alongside the have agreed to meet with youth rubbish bins and threw eggs Last Thursday some 400,000 kered reunifi cation plan but it 28%, cocaine at 24%, ampheta- GEW education union and dbb, which represents public sector work- groups. during a demonstration that people protested across France was rejected by Greek Cypriots mines at 8.0% and ecstasy at ers. In the southern city of Mar- drew around 1,500 according to and students forced the closure and Cyprus joined the EU still a 3.0%. seille, protesters overturned police. of some 200 schools. divided island. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 INDIA

HONOUR MILITANCY ACCIDENT WASTE MANAGEMENT COLLAPSE Priyanka invited for Gunfight continues in Driver flees after car Rag pickers to be Dismantle remaining White House dinner Kashmir’s Pulwama knocks down man regularised: Javadekar part of flyover: expert

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who has A gunfight broke out between separatist A 33-year-old business consultant was killed The government has decided to register and The remaining portion of Kolkata’s under- found visibility internationally with American guerrillas and security forces yesterday evening when a speeding car, allegedly driven by regularise rag pickers recognising their vital construction Vivekananda Road flyover, a part TV show Quantico, has been invited to the in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police a teen, hit him while he was crossing the role in solid waste management, Environment of which collapsed on March 31, should be annual White House Correspondents Dinner said. “Following specific information about the road in New Delhi, police said yesterday. Minister Prakash Javadekar said yesterday. dismantled and the reasons for its collapse looked with US President Barack Obama and First Lady presence of a group of militants, security forces The accident took place around 10pm on It has also been decided to criminalise open into, road safety expert Kamaljit Soi said yesterday. Michelle Obama. The actress is among some of surrounded Gadoora village in Pulwama. As the Monday at Sham Nath Marg in north Delhi’s burning of waste. Announcing the revised Soi said there may have been “shortcomings” in Hollywood’s biggest names like Bradley Cooper, cordon was tightened, hiding militants opened Civil Lines area. Police said Siddhartha rules for solid waste management, the the flyover’s construction, which led to its collapse Lucy Liu, Jane Fonda and Gladys Knight to have indiscriminate automatic gunfire, triggering a Sharma died on the spot after the speeding minister said the government would also killing 26. “Whenever we construct a flyover, we been invited for the special dinner, which will gunfight which is going on,” a police off icer said. Mercedes car hit him. “The accused fled provide better healthcare facilities to the rag do a structural stability testing. Probably, the take place at the White House, said a statement Earlier yesterday, guerrillas fired at an army patrol leaving the vehicle behind,” said a police pickers. The rules revised after 16 years will company lagged in soil and material testing. I from Chopra’s representatives. However, in Dardpora village of Kupwara district. A senior off icer. The car’s owner, Manoj Agarawal, come into eff ect from today, the minister said. think soil testing was not done,” Soi, a member the actress is still not sure if she will be able police off icer said in Srinagar that “a patrol party was called to the police station and after Under the new rules, sanitary napkins and of the National Road Safety Council of the Road to attend the get-together due to her tight of the army was fired upon by militants in Jindyal questioning him it came to light that the diapers would not be allowed to be dumped Transport and Highways Ministry, said. “The shooting schedule for Quantico as well as for village. Immediately after the firing incident, vehicle was being driven by a teenager, in the open. Instead, the manufacturers would flyover portion still standing should be dismantled her Hollywood debut Baywatch, said a source security forces cordoned off the area and started whose identity is withheld, the off icer be asked to provide dumping pouches for and adequate evaluation of the factors should be close to her. a search operation to trace the militants.” added. them. done to find out why it collapsed.”

Fastest train with Amitabh: I top speed of 160km launched have no links

Agencies New Delhi

ndia fl agged off its fastest- with off shore ever train yesterday as part of Ia major modernisation of the crumbling railway system - but its top speed is only half of those in China and other countries. Railways Minister Suresh Pra- bhu hailed the Gatimaan Express, companies running from New Delhi to the Taj Mahal and boasting hostesses My name has been misused, nor Raghuram Rajan yesterday Satish Govind Samtani, Vishal and bone china crockery, as “a says actor said not every off shore company Bahadur and Harish Mohnani. new era of high-speed rail travel”. opened by an Indian national The paper also gave glimpses of But the express has a top speed IANS need be illegitimate, and that this their alleged modus operandi. of 160km per hour, compared to Mumbai will be the primary task of the On Monday, after the fi rst list, trains in China, Japan, France and probe team in which the central Prime Minister Narendra Modi other countries which can reach bank has also been co-opted. ordered a multi-agency probe 320km per hour or more. ollywood megastar Am- team on the expose, conducted Described by the government itabh Bachchan yesterday by the International Consortium as India’s fi rst “semi high-speed Bdenied links with any of of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) train”, it is part of Prime Minister the off shore shipping companies along with over 100 global media Narendra Modi’s $135bn plan to in which he is supposed to be a organisations, dubbed the “Pana- overhaul Asia’s oldest rail net- director according to the leaked ma Papers”. work over fi ve years. “Panama Papers”. RBI chief Rajan sought to clar- The 100-minute journey on “I do not know any of the com- “I have paid all my taxes, ify that the main tasks for the the Gatimaan Express, from the panies referred to by Indian Ex- including on monies spent probe team will be to establish the capital to Agra, home of the fa- press - Sea Bulk Shipping Com- by me overseas” legality of transactions. “We are mous Taj Mahal, will cost be- pany Ltd, Lady Shipping Ltd, in the investigation team on Pan- tween Rs750 and Rs1,500 de- Treasure Shipping Ltd and Tramp In a series of articles under ama Papers. We will have to see pending on seat class. Shipping Ltd,” the actor said in a “Panama Papers Part 2” - as part what’s legitimate and what’s not. The Gatimaan also includes statement. of the global expose on people That is a part of the investigation plush interiors, bio-toilets and “I have never been a director of with alleged off shore links - the process,” he said. soap dispensers, a GPS-passen- any of the above stated compa- Indian Express published its sec- “It’s important to remember ger information service, auto- nies,” he said. “It is possible that ond list of Indian names, along that there are legitimate reasons, matic sliding doors in coaches, my name has been misused.” with an article on how an aide to too, to have accounts overseas.” a Wi-Fi-based electronic enter- Bachchan added: “I have paid underworld don Dawood Ibrahim On Monday, the newspaper tainment system and a range of all my taxes, including on mon- used a set of 17 entities to buy ran several pages of the investi- cuisines served on china in ex- ies spent by me overseas. Monies properties abroad. gation reports alleging, among ecutive class. that I have remitted overseas have Named in the second list, with other people, Bachchan and his The train will run six days a been in compliance with law, in- some repeats, are: Politician daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai week. It comprises two executive cluding remittances through LRS, Anurag Kejriwal, industrialists were directors of companies in air-conditioned chair cars and after paying Indian taxes. Gautam and Karan Thapar, busi- Panama. Others named in the eight AC chair car coaches. “In any event the news report nesspeople Ranjeev Dahuja and report were real estate tycoons Catering will be carried out by in Indian Express does not even Kapil Sain Goel, jeweller Ashwini Sameer Gehlaut of Indiabulls and the Indian Railways Catering and suggest any illegality on my part.” Kumar Mehra, former cricketer K P Singh of DLF. Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Meanwhile the newspaper Ashok Malhotra, and pharmaceu- Vinod Adani, the elder brother railway undertaking. yesterday reported that a now- ticals maker Vinod Ramachandra of industrialist Gautam Adani, “IRCTC has made arrangement deceased underworld don, a poli- Jadhav. politician Shishir Bajoria from for deploying train hostesses on tician, industrialists and an ex- Also named in the list are IT West Bengal and Anurag Kejri- board the train. This train will see cricketer are among those with consultant Gautam Seengal, agri- wal of Loksatta Party were also improved catering and will have alleged off shore links. business owner Vivek Jain, retired alleged to have companies in tax options of diff erent kinds of cui- Amid these fresh reports, Re- government employee Prabhash havens. All of them have denied sines,” a statement said. Railways staff push a trolley inside a carriage of the Gatimaan Express train in New Delhi yesterday. serve Bank of India (RBI) Gover- Sankhla, and garment exporters any wrongdoing. Bureaucrats are attempting to strangle e-commerce t is often said of doctors, quite products. And when consumer to make good the loss suff ered by even in the number of items sold sumers by big business houses uncharitably of course, that business meets technology, e- the vendor plus an additional per- by a certain business house. How and cartels. It is not known if a Ithey are heartless when it commerce is but natural. centage of profi t as well. Why they much more ridiculous can it get? third government body would comes to enforcing diet regimes Look up any of the pink papers Delhi Diary should do so is something that no Pity is, Modi and his very articu- be formed for e-commerce and on their patients. The rule of the in the country and you will fi nd one has been able to answer con- late Commerce Minister Nirmala start-ups, but the government’s thump in these matters is: “If it page after page of reports on e- By A K B Krishnan vincingly. It is said these players Sitaraman seem to have swal- intentions have been spelt out: tastes good spit it out!” You sim- commerce. Venture capitalists, will eventually hike their prices lowed this highly retrograde idea Big Brother will be watching! And ply can’t aff ord to eat that yummy angel investors and even hedge Gulf Times Correspondent and make a profi t after getting hook, line and sinker. there goes another Modi promise triple chocolate sundae if your funds are queuing up like there is the consumer addicted to online During the earlier Congress re- of improving the ease of doing blood sugar levels are spiking like no tomorrow. The Modi govern- shopping. Also, if these vendors gime it was the retrospective tax business in/with India. Suddenly the Himalayas. So doctors have ment has launched a major ini- Chambers of Commerce (Asso- Apparently the “level playing do not go public they may get ac- that sent shivers down the spine the bad old days of “licence-per- only your well-being at heart tiative called ‘Invest India’ which cham) estimate, e-commerce in fi eld” formula is meant to keep quired by global giants and then of foreign investors. It continues mit raj” looms. when they read out the taboo list. mostly focuses on attracting for- India is set to touch $38bn in 2016. the offl ine businesses intact. the venture capitalist can make a to plague the new government. Indian cities are now dot- Only a few of India’s bureau- eign investment in technology- It was $3.8bn in 2009, a ten-fold But should a government decide killing. But these, truth to tell, are The status-quoist bureaucrat is ted with malls and hypermar- crats are qualifi ed doctors but driven businesses. The National jump in just seven years! The fi g- which business should survive very hazy arguments at best and never happy to cede his ground. kets. But these came into exist- they seem to have wielded a great Association of Software and ure for 2020 is a mind-boggling and which should not? The word very big risks at worst. When Modi came to power he ence in the last quarter century infl uence on their entire brother- Services Companies (Nasscom) is $69bn. The future, by general “services” could also include Be that as it may, the consumer promised the “red carpet and not or so. Before that you had small hood because, more often than a body of IT and business process consensus, is in e-commerce. quality assurance and no-ques- has been benefi ting because of red tape” to foreign investors. and medium-sized shops sell- not, the thump rule by which outsourcing (BPO) fi rms which But the bureaucrat thinks it tions-asked refunds on unsatis- the rivalry between these major That would not suit the ‘babu’, ing a limited number of goods. these worthies make laws that has its own ambitious programme should not be! Of course, unlike factory products now in vogue in players. Yes, the brick and mor- as the bureaucrat is referred to A century ago even these did not govern their countrymen is: “If called “10000 Start-Ups”, many the physician, he can’t altogether e-commerce. These marketplace tar business of retailing has taken somewhat derisively. So take this exist. The weekly village fair was it’s doing good for the people, ban of which are centred round e- ban it, but he is furiously fi nding players do not produce or even a hit and so has the mom-and- unkindest cut. where all business took place. it! And if that is not possible, at commerce. ways to spoil the good times In- stock any of the stuff that they pop shop around the bend. But Curiously Secretary Abhishek And before that you had only the least spoil it.” Alibaba and Amazon are dians are having. So he has come sell through their platforms. In- is that reason enough to stop e- had also announced the govern- barter system, so even money did Prime Minister Narendra Modi household names but homeg- up with a new set of rules for these stead they have tie-ups with vari- commerce fi rms from providing ment decision to permit 100% not change hands, if at all there is a big fan of technology. He has rown Flipkart, Snapdeal, Myntra, companies which, if they go un- ous vendors across the country substantial discounts? Also, if the foreign direct investment in on- was any. As with everything else, set much store in his pet pro- Shopclues and several others are challenged, have the potential to and through an intricate network ultimate benefi ciary is the citizen line retail. That was a very wel- the way we buy and sell things gramme “Start Up India, Stand giving them a run for their penny kill the industry altogether. off er products at highly dis- at large, then shouldn’t that over- come move because it meant has also evolved over time. Now Up India”, by which he meant to and pound. You could sit in your The new rules unveiled last counted rates to the consumer at ride all other considerations? more money fl owing into India’s the malls and hypermarkets are give a major push to the ever- study feet up and at the click of a week by Ramesh Abhishek, Sec- his doorstep. In the process they The bureaucrat was not done businesses. But the sting lay in the threatened by e-commerce. Soon growing numbers of budding tal- button order anything from a mo- retary in the Department of In- help these regional or small-town with his attempts to strangle e- tail in the form of the several rid- we will have other modes of busi- ents in technology. torbike to a three-wheeler toddler dustrial Policy and Planning vendors reach a national or even commerce. Another rule says a ers that Abhishek came up with ness that will make even e-com- Much of the developed world cycle, from an expensive Swiss- (DIPP) bans these major e-com- global market. They have also cre- marketplace player cannot allow during the same press conference. merce outdated. has acknowledged that now that made watch to a pair of socks. All merce fi rms, known as ‘market- ated millions of jobs directly and one vendor or its group compa- Much has been left to bureau- “No army can resist an idea China’s economy is not what it this at prices unheard of hitherto place players’ in bureaucratic par- indirectly. nies to account for more than 25% cratic discretion, a sure recipe for whose time has come,” said Victor used to be just a couple of years thanks mainly to two reasons: un- lance, from selling products at a It is not as if the vendor compa- of sales through its platform. All corruption. Hugo. An idea has come to the In- ago, it is India that is the next derwriting by investors and low discount. The marketplace player ny, which will most likely be Indi- through his election campaign in There is a Competition Com- dian marketplace. Hopefully the big thing for almost every kind cost warehousing. “cannot directly or indirectly in- an-owned, is selling at a loss. The 2014 Modi’s refrain was “mini- mission of India (CCI) and a Mo- army of Indian bureaucrats will of business. An aspiring, young The consumer never had it fl uence the sale price of goods and marketplace player has enough mum government, maximum nopolies and Restrictive Trade be swept aside. Hopefully Naren- population also means a growing so good, both in choice and in services and shall maintain a level backing from investors - mostly governance.” Now his bureau- Practices Commission (MRTPC) dra Modi will call the bureaucratic market for all sorts of consumer price. According to an Associated playing fi eld,” Abhishek said. foreign-based - who are willing crats are threatening to intervene that oversee exploitation of con- bluff . Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 21 INDIA Google unveils India ‘health cards’ as it eyes vast market

Agencies After the US and Brazil, India is Google’s strategy to improve the Approximately one in 20 with typical symptoms, as well landed a $90mn investment last need for Indians and people New Delhi the third country to get the health quality of information available Google searches worldwide is for as details on how common the year, including Google Capital, globally. This is a very diffi cult cards, which appear at the top of a on the Indian Internet, to en- health-related information, the condition is - whether it’s criti- while its close rival Lybrate pulled space to navigate for consum- Google search page when search- courage people to use the search search giant said. cal, if it’s contagious, what ages it in $10mn led by high-profi le ers online, they have issues with oogle yesterday began ing using its smartphone app. engine and help it tap the vast The Indian health cards were aff ects, and more,” the company hedge fund Tiger Global. trust and vocabulary. We wanted off ering its own doctor- “How contagious is this con- market. produced together with India’s explained in a statement. Those two companies are to create something simple and Gvetted health informa- dition, am I in the age range With hundreds of millions Apollo Hospitals and Columbia The cards include images and focused on providing reliable straight forward that gives this tion on search pages in India, that’s likely to get it, what are of Indians not online or new to Asia Hospitals. can be downloaded as PDFs. information to users, who can framework from which you can as the Internet giant battles to the common symptoms - these the Internet, Google is still seen “We are very interested in go- Google said it will serve ‘lite’ ver- also get more specialised feed- dive deeper to get more informa- boost user numbers in the key are questions we see constantly,” by many as a specialist research ing past 400 conditions. The ex- sions of the cards if a user is on a back (and, if necessary, ap- tion,” Ramaswami said. emerging market. said Prem Ramaswami, a senior tool rather than a daily informa- isting 400 show the conditions limited Internet connection, as pointments) with qualifi ed doc- Google has been actively pro- The “health cards”, available product manager at Google. tion source. Indians have been searching for. can happen in places like India. tors. Google’s India health push moting its search features. It had in Hindi and English, cover more “We view this as a simple out- Many people prefer to ask But we don’t have a fi xed time- Google’s move is in line with doesn’t go that far, but, with aired a series of advertisements than 400 conditions and give line, a stepping stone, a frame- friends for information rather line. We consult with medical a growing number of start-ups its visibility, even a seemingly on TV during the Cricket World basic information such as typi- work from which an individual than search for it online, meaning doctors and search log,” Ramas- dedicated to democratising small move could provide better Cup T20 that concluded on cal symptoms, the prevalence can learn about the health con- Google has struggled to gather wami said. healthcare in India, where it is access to information and en- Sunday and still continues to air of a disease and medical illus- dition and have a more informed high-quality content, while In- “Next time you ask Google claimed as many as 97% of people courage people in India to take those ads. The company did not trations for people with limited conversation with their doctor.” dia’s plethora of offi cial languag- about common health conditions, do not have access to basic surgi- a keener interest in their health. reveal any plans around adver- reading skills. The health cards are part of es has also posed a barrier. we’ll show you information cards cal coverage. Search portal Practo “Health is a really important tising the health cards. Leaders hit campaign trail in Kerala

By Ashraf Padanna software parks and tourism. Gulf Times Correspondednt He also attacked the BJP Thiruvananthapuram whose candidate Shobha Suren- dran pocketed 23,433 votes in the 2014 parliamentary elections op leaders in Kerala are from this segment, and its ally in the thick of campaign BDJS of trying to divide people Tfor the May 16 assembly into communal lines. elections seen as crucial for both In Kollam, the chief minis- the ruling Congress Party and ter responded to the allegations the Communist Party of India saying he was before the people’s (Marxist). court and if they found an iota of Chief Minister Oommen truth in them, they would deliver Gautam Chakraborty, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Balurghat constituency, of West Bengal campaigns ahead of the second round of elections, yesterday. Chandy, 72, who is leading the their verdict against his govern- Congress-led United Demo- ment. cratic Front (UDF), yesterday hit The LDF, UDF and the Na- the campaign trail inaugurating tional Democratic Alliance constituency-level meetings of (NDA) of BJP, which is emerg- its candidates in the southern ing stronger after every elec- districts. tion, have finalised their can- Shouldering the responsibil- didates. ity of bringing the coalition back While it is a do-or-die battle RBI chief hints polls into the saddle after forcing his for the CPM and the Congress, party leadership to fi eld most the BJP is also expected to launch of his nominees, Chandy had a high-voltage campaign, to promised to address rallies in all be inaugurated by its president the 140 constituencies to ensure Amit Shah on Saturday. victory. Meanwhile, fi lm star Jagdish, Opposition CPM leader V S the Congress candidate against behind excess billions Achuthanandan, 92, who is in co-star K B Ganesh Kumar in a bitter power struggle with his Pathanapuram, launched a Rajan says the amount way or due soon in West Bengal, spite heavy penalties prescribed with the DMK and end its alli- The alliance named Vijaykant as party colleague Pinarayi Vijayan, scathing attack on his opponent of cash in public hands Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and by the Election Commission ance with the four-party Peo- its chief ministerial candidate. 72, whom others project as its saying he was behind the “let- was Rs500-600bn higher Puducherry. against vote-buying. ple’s Welfare Front (PWF). Under the deal, the DMDK chief ministerial candidate, was ter bomb” of solar scam accused than anticipated at this “On the reasons for excess Past giveaways aimed at se- “The decision to align with will put up candidates in 124 of mostly confi ned to his Malam- Saritha S Nair who made sexual time of year, with no clear cash, we are trying to under- curing votes in state elections the PWF was taken within Vi- the 234 seats. The rest will be puzha constituency. harassment charges against the explanation stand it,” Rajan told reporters have also included electric jaykant’s household, without shared among the other four The former chief minister who chief minister. following the RBI’s bi-monthly blenders, goats, whisky and consulting party leaders or cad- parties. had won from there with a com- “I’m familiar with his hand- Agencies monetary policy meeting. small amounts of gold. res,” Chandrakumar said at a “On March 24 itself we wrote fortable majority in 2001, 2006 writing. After all we have been Mumbai “We see some possibility of - In other election related de- press conference. to Vijaykant expressing our op- and 2011, is seeking re-election working together for the past 30 you know, around election time velopments, Tamil Nadu’s Desi- He said party leaders had told position to the alliance and re- for the fourth straight time. years,” he said. “That would not cash with the public does in- ya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam Vijaykant that the DMDK should questing him to review the deci- Congress student leader V S Joy, sell here.” he amount of cash in crease, you can guess as to rea- (DMDK) of actor-turned-politi- align with the DMK to unseat sion,” Chandrakumar said. “We 28, is his opponent this time but An interesting turn to Kerala’s circulation in India has sons why. We also guess,” Rajan cian A Vijaykant party suff ered the ruling All India Anna Drav- told him the decision to align the votes the Bharatiya Janata elections was provided on Mon- Tswollen by more than said. a split yesterday as he expelled ida Munnetra Kazhagam in next with MNK (the Tamil name of Party (BJP) could garner holds day by a party other than the $7bn, the central bank governor While the RBI governor did several leaders for seeking an al- month’s elections. PWF) will destroy the party.” the key. three political fronts. said yesterday, as he appeared to not go into detail or mention liance with the Dravida Munne- He said the disgruntled party He said 95% of party members Reading out from a written The All India Anna Dravida suggest that vote-buying at state corruption, cash-for-votes tra Kazhagam for the assembly legislators and district secretar- favoured an alliance with the text, Achuthanandan described Munnetra Kazhagam, led by elections may be one reason. scandals frequently mar elec- elections. ies were not quitting the DMDK DMK. the Chandy government as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Reserve Bank of India Gov- tions in India. Vijaykant said in a statement now but urging Vijaykant to end “The decision to align with most corrupt the state had ever Jayalalithaa, said it will con- ernor Raghuram Rajan said the “You see some (increase in that he had expelled propa- the alliance with the PWF. the AIADMK in 2011 was in line seen. test seven Kerala seats, fi elding amount of cash in public hands cash) not just in the state which ganda secretary V C Chandra- On March 23, Vijaykant an- with the party cadres’ wish. To- “He had given away 2,820 Biju Ramesh, the whistle blower was Rs500-600bn ($7.5-$9bn) is going for elections but also in kumar, a legislator, and district nounced his decision to join day the situation has reversed,” acres of land to corporates and liquor bar owner, from Thiru- higher than anticipated at this neighbouring states. There is leaders with immediate eff ect forces with PWF - a combina- he said. his companions,” Achuthanan- vananthapuram. time of year, with no clear expla- something there, we need to un- for acting in a way that defamed tion of two Communist par- On Monday, after sealing a dan alleged, referring to the Ramesh revealed corrup- nation. derstand it better,” Rajan said. the party. ties, Dalit party Viduthalai seat sharing pact with the Con- government’s controversial tion in the Chandy cabinet and However, Rajan hinted that Infl uencing voters through The expulsion came soon after Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and gress, the DMK said no more decision to lift the ceiling on caused sleepless nights to many the increase may be connected illicit cash and liquor is an age- Chandrakumar and the others Vaiko’s Marumalarchi Dravida parties will be included in the the landholding to promote in the ruling party. with a fl urry of elections under- old trick across the country, de- demanded that the DMDK align Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK). alliance. Bihar imposes complete Pak report ‘total ban on sale of alcohol concoction’: India IANS of information sought by the New Delhi fi ve-member Pakistani team. Agencies Wednesday passed a law ban- “We have taken this step The report being run on news Patna ning locally brewed liquor from keeping in mind the emotions of channels is quoting sources. We April 1. poor people, women, and chil- ndia yesterday termed as have not had any talk with Paki- The government had earlier dren. It will benefi t them a lot,” “total concoction” a Paki- stani offi cials on this so far.” ihar yesterday decided to said a complete ban on all al- Yadav said. Istan report, quoting sourc- The Pakistan Today said that ban the sale of all forms cohol would be introduced in a Ruling Janata Dal (United) es in the Joint Investigation the JIT report, which will be Bof alcohol from all outlets phased manner over six months MP K C Tyagi said it was a big Team that visited India, that submitted to Prime Minister Na- including hotels and bars with beginning April 1. challenge to ban liquor in the the Pathankot attack had been waz Sharif in the next few days, immediate eff ect. “Women, children and youth state, but the government will staged by India. has concluded that Indian au- “Liquor will not be sold in have been driving this campaign do everything to ensure it works. “The report in Pakistan To- thorities had prior information any bar, pub or hotel from now for the ban on alcohol,” Kumar “We are committed to ensuring day is a total concoction. While about the terrorists. onwards,” Chief Minister Nit- said. a complete ban on liquor in the in India, the JIT took onboard The report also quoted a ish Kumar said at a televised Announcing the plan in No- state.” the detailed evidence which was member of the JIT as saying press briefi ng in the state capital vember, Kumar had said the Asked how the government shared by NIA,” sources said. that NIA offi cer Tanzil Ahmad’s Patna. poor were consuming alcohol would ensure that no liquor is “Since the JIT collected evi- murder on Saturday night in Ut- “We are placing a complete and it was having a negative im- sold in the state, Tyagi said: dence in accordance with a Pa- tar Pradesh showed that “Indian ban on its sale in the state,” said pact on their families and their “We have a fool-proof blue- kistani law which applies to Pa- establishment wants to keep the Kumar, who had promised a ban children’s education, while also print ready to implement this kistani citizens committing an matter under wraps”. on alcohol - a demand of wom- being a major cause of domestic law across the state. There is off ence abroad, the involvement Meanwhile Delhi Chief Min- en voters across Bihar - before violence. provision for stringent action of Pakistanis in the Pathankot ister Arvind Kejriwal urged he was re-elected in November Kumar said yesterday the gov- against those who do not com- attack is self- evident,” the Prime Minister Narendra Modi 2015. ernment would help create job ply with the rules. We have made sources added. to “apologise to the nation” for Kumar said there had been and business opportunities for special arrangements at the bor- Pakistan Today, quoting allowing the Pakistani team to such a positive response to the those economically aff ected by der areas to prevent smuggling sources in the JIT said “the at- probe the Pathankot attack. ban on locally brewed alcohol the ban. Deputy Chief Minister of liquor.” tack was a drama staged to ma- “The entire country and all that the government had de- Tejashvi Yadav said: “This will Bihar has become the fourth lign Pakistan”. political parties were against cided to extend it to other liquor prove to be a revolutionary step state after Gujarat, Nagaland National Investigation Agency the idea of inviting a Pakistani ahead of schedule. towards social equality, justice and Manipur to ban the sale of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addresses a press conference (NIA) spokesman Sanjeev Singh team,” the Aam Aadmi Party The Bihar legislature had and change in the state.” alcohol. in Patna yesterday. said: “We had provided all kinds (AAP) leader said. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

DECISION SPORTS LAYOFFS VIOLENCE CORPORATE Rousseff rules out UN to provide nuclear Petrobras to One dead as football Mexico state eyes deal with Cabinet reshuff le security at Rio Olympics slash 12,000 jobs fans clash in Sao Paulo Kia to end plant dispute

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff yesterday The UN atomic agency said it will provide Brazil Brazil’s largest oil company Petrobras will A man was shot dead in Sao Paulo during a fight A Mexican state government said it could reach said she is not planning a cabinet reshuff le, with equipment to help prevent any attempted eliminate 12,000 employees through voluntary between fans of local football clubs Corinthians a deal with Kia Motors in “the coming days” in a ignoring calls for immediate changes in her terrorist attacks with nuclear material at this resignations. Petrobras announced the plan and Palmeiras. Police said the man, whose identity dispute over the terms surrounding the opening administration that would help secure political year’s Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. The stating it had been approved by the board and was not revealed, was an innocent bystander as of the South Korean carmaker’s first plant in the support to defeat an upcoming impeachment International Atomic Energy Agency said it will would be part of the company’s management rival fans clashed at the entrance of the Sao Miguel country. The government in the northern state of vote. Since Rousseff ’s main coalition partner, loan Brazil selected types of radiation detection plan, Xinhua news agency reported. The train station in Sao Paulo’s eastern suburbs, Xinhua Nuevo Leon, led by independent Jaime Rodriguez, the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party devices, including personal radiation detectors, company is currently going through massive news agency reported. “A man who was not a fan has been demanding that Kia renegotiate some (PMDB), broke away last week her government for the Games in August and September. The restructuring to deal with crippling debt, low oil was shot in the heart and died,” police off icer Luiz of the incentives pledged in an accord struck in has off ered jobs and incentives to other Vienna-based IAEA is also prepared to provide prices, and a sprawling corruption investigation Gonzaga told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper. 2014 under the previous state administration. wavering allies ahead of an impeachment vote and/or facilitate assistance to Brazil “in the that has seen a number of its executives In another incident, 25 people were reportedly South Korean President Park Geun-hye, currently in the lower house expected for mid-April. Her event of a nuclear or radiological emergency,” arrested. “The company has around 12,000 injured during clashes between fans of the same in Mexico, and the Nuevo Leon government said Workers’ Party has called for the replacement it said in a statement. Experts and politicians employees that can retire. We are considering a teams. Corinthians and Palmeiras are among state off icials held a productive meeting with of the six PMDB ministers still in off ice to have long warned of the risks of extremists plan of around this scale, at a predicted cost of Brazil’s most successful clubs, having won 14 members of the South Korean delegation to seek strengthen her new alliance. getting hold of nuclear materials. 4.4bn reais ($1.23bn),” said Petrobras. Brazilian top flight titles between them since 1959. a resolution to the impasse. Photographer Santos in El Salvador fi ghts to protect remote Brazil tribe’s rights

Thomson Reuters Foundation lages by helicopter, as there were Rio de Janeiro no roads, and only forest paths connected the isolated commu- nities. hen Brazilian photog- She said she began photo- rapher Claudia An- graphing the tribe simply be- Wdujar started working cause it interested her as a pho- with Yanomami people in the tojournalist. Amazon rainforest in the 1970s, The Yanomami are naked but most of them did not know what for dyed loin cloths, and they a camera was. traditionally paint their bodies. Andujar spent most of that They are best known for using decade and more in north- wooden sticks as facial pierc- ern Brazil photographing the ings. The position of the stick, Yanomami, one of Latin Amer- which normally pierces the lips ica’s most remote indigenous and nose, is determined by a per- tribes. son’s gender. She learned their language In the early 1980s, Andujar and joined their daily routines began taking pictures to be used hunting and gathering food in for immunisation records. With the largest indigenous territory two doctors, she spent three Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos stands with El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez after he arrived for an off icial visit, at the Oscar Arnulfo Romero on the continent, an area roughly years photographing the villag- International Airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador. the size of Belgium. ers one by one to identify them “Most of them had never for health cards because the seen a non-Yanomami person. Yanomami people do not have They were very vulnerable,” the names. 84-year-old told the Thomson Andujar became their ardent Reuters Foundation from her defender. home in Sao Paolo. “I got very engaged in protect- They are in danger again to- ing the territory, the life and cul- day, despite decades of eff orts ture of the Yanomami people,” to protect them, their advocates she said. say. In the 1970s, illegal gold min- Macri denies wrongdoing The Yanomami’s land rights ers began to encroach on their are under threat by a proposed territory, bringing diseases such constitutional amendment that as malaria which killed off a large would enable changes to the portion of the tribe. boundaries of current Indian re- Activists say the miners also serves and allow private sector introduced mercury poisoning involvement in agriculture, min- into the Yanomami’s ancestral over Panama Papers leak ing and other projects, they say. lands. “Indigenous land rights of In- In 1978, Andujar helped found Reuters a law firm based in the tax “It was an off shore company wealth hidden for tax evasion, self,” the head of the Argentine dians across the country would the fi rst non-governmental or- Buenos Aires haven of Panama which spe- to invest in Brazil, an invest- money laundering, sanctions anti-corruption offi ce, Laura be drastically weakened,” said ganisation, the Pro-Yanomami cialises in setting up offshore ment that ultimately wasn’t busting, drug deals or other Alonso, wrote on Twitter. Sarah Shenker, a campaigner Commission (CCPY), to repre- companies. completed, and where I was di- crimes. Alonso is a member of Macri’s with Survival International, a sent them. In 1992, their lands resident Mauricio Macri, The “Panama Papers” rector,” he said. “There is noth- In its online report, the ICIJ party and her swift defence of London-based charity. were offi cially mapped out by the who won last year’s elec- showed that he moonlit as di- ing strange about this.” highlighted that Macri had not the president prompted outcry The Yanomami live in small Brazilian government, aff ording Ption in Argentina partly rector of Fleg Trading, which The Panama Papers were disclosed his connection with from opposition lawmakers, communities of up to around them some protection from il- on promises to fi ght corrup- was founded in 1998 and dis- leaked to more than 100 news Fleg Trading in his assets decla- including calls for her resigna- 300 people. They hunt, live off legal miners and others, such as tion, has denied any wrongdo- solved in January 2009. Oppo- organisations around the world rations after he became Buenos tion. rainforest fruit and plant veg- cattle ranchers. ing in his connection with an sition lawmakers demanded he co-operating with the US- Aires mayor in 2007. “She came out immedi- etables such as sweet potatoes in And Andujar and the Yanoma- off shore company in the Baha- explain his role at the off shore based International Consor- The Macri administration ately defending the president gardens. mi people bonded, despite their mas which emerged in a leak of company. tium of Investigative Journalists said Macri had never had a when her role is to investigate There are thought to be rough- diff erent lives. She respected documents. In a short television interview (ICIJ). stake in the fi rm so he had not whether an act of corruption ly 32,000 Yanomami in Brazil them and their culture, she said. Macri was among the tens of with La Voz, Macri said that his While holding money in been required to disclose the was carried out,” the Front for and Venezuela today, according “With me they were always thousands of rich and power- tycoon father Franco Macri, one off shore companies is not il- connection in those declara- Victory said in a statement, to Survival International. very gentle, but I also was very ful people named in the leak of of the richest men in Argen- legal, journalists who received tions. calling for the anti-corruption Andujar said she could only gentle with them. They weren’t four decades worth of docu- tina, had founded the company the leaked documents said “To create a company in a tax office to be headed by the op- gain access to Yanomami vil- worried about me,” Andujar said. ments from Mossack Fonseca, through a “legal operation”. they could provide evidence of haven is not a crime in and of it- position. US court jails Colombian Blaze destroys buildings Fujimori to shun dad’s over drug, uranium plots authoritarian policies Reuters and democratic institutions that Lima her father weakened as he con- Reuters criminal sophistication, “that Cruz Trejos said he also solidated power. New York evidence is inconsistent with represented the Venezuelan “Never another 5th of April!” the amount of discussion about government, and referenced eru’s presidential front- Fujimori said, referring to the weaponry and the numer- then-president Hugo Chavez, runner Keiko Fujimori day 24 years ago when her fa- Colombian who pleaded ous discussions the defendant prosecutors said. Psigned a pledge commit- ther shuttered congress and in- guilty to US narcotics was involved in over numerous His partner told the FBI ting her to avoiding the authori- tervened in the courts with the Acharges stemming from years.” source that Farc wanted 125 tarian ways of her father, in a fi nal backing of the military. a probe that began with him Prosecutors said in 2009, a grammes of uranium and the appeal to middle-ground voters Fujimori also vowed to give trying to help a paramilitary Colombian claiming ties to Co- Venezuelan government want- ahead of next week’s ballot. the opposition control of over- group get uranium for a “dirty lombian paramilitary groups ed 2kgs of the substance, pros- Fujimori, 40-year-old daugh- sight and intelligence commit- bomb” to attack the US embas- and the Venezuelan government ecutors said. ter of ex-president Alberto Fuji- tees in congress and reiterated a sy in Bogota was sentenced to 13 began talking with a Federal No deal took place. mori, has long enjoyed a double- promise to provide reparations years in prison. Bureau of Investigation source A Farc member, Franklin Ra- digit lead over her nine rivals but to scores of women forcibly ster- Jhon Jairo Cruz Trejos, who posing as a drug traffi cker tied mos Sanchez, in 2013 said Farc she is not expected to win the ilised during her father’s 1990- authorities call a freelance weap- to Russian organised crime. had postponed its attack plans, simple majority needed to avoid 2000 government. ons traffi cker, was sentenced by The Colombian later in- prosecutors said. a presidential election run-off in Critics dismissed the pledge US district judge Naomi Reice troduced the source to Cruz Cruz Trejos and Sanchez, June. as a cynical ploy for votes. Buchwald in Manhattan after Trejos, his partner, who indi- who died in 2015, meanwhile The centre-right candidate “The same mafi a, the same pleading guilty in November to cated he had ties to the Co- proposed supplying cocaine to has struggled to calm fears that sweet-talk,” the collective No To charges including conspiring to lombian paramilitary groups FBI sources they thought were she will reactivate the govern- Keiko said on Twitter. import cocaine into the US. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Russian organised crime mem- ment of her father, now serving Opposition to Fujimori has Cruz Trejos, who is expect- Colombia (Farc) and National bers to sell in the US to fi nance a 25-year sentence for human eased as it looks increasingly ed to get credit for time spent Liberation Army (ELN), pros- buying weapons, prosecutors rights abuses and corruption. likely that she will face 35-year- in custody after his February ecutors said. said. “I know how to look at the his- old leftist lawmaker Veronika 2014 arrest in Colombia, said in In meetings, Cruz Trejos Cruz Trejos in 2013 provided tory of my country. I know what Mendoza in a polarising run-off court that “a lot that was done expressed his desire to obtain the purported Russians with chapters should be repeated and race. there was bluster,” adding that weapons, including highly en- 17kgs of cocaine, in order to I’m very clear on which ones Mendoza has risen to statis- he had been seeking money to riched uranium, which he and obtain 100 rifl es and machine shouldn’t,” Fujimori said during tically tie for second place with fund his legitimate business as his partner said Farc would use guns plus surface-to-air mis- Residents carry items out of a house during a fire in Petion her fi nal message in the debate. 77-year-old investor-favourite a mechanic. to make a bomb to target the US siles that he could sell to either Ville, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. According to local media, the fire The document she signed Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in three Buchwald said while some embassy in Bogota, prosecutors the Farc or the ELN, prosecu- destroyed several buildings. committed her to respecting hu- recent opinion polls, as support evidence indicated he lacked said. tors said. man rights, freedom of the press for him remains largely fl at. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 23 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

TRANSPARENCY Asset details of Pakistani MPs yet to be published

The Election Commission of Paki- NAB should stan (ECP) has failed to publish the details of even declared assets of parliamentarians, a key require- ment under the law. The publica- tion of assets statement by ECP is vital as those found involved in hiding assets can be disqualified under the law. However, seven probe Sharif months have passed since the deadline for the submission of the asset details but ECP has yet to make it public. When contacted, an ECP spokesman said he was unaware of the reason behind the delay in the publication of the family: Imran statements of assets. said. ENTERTAINMENT IANS Mariam, Hasan and Hussain and integrity of the country. He A Pakistani boy removed mud from the shop where he works following heavy rain and flooding on the Petition to ban Islamabad “were owners or had the right to was talking to a meeting of the outskirts of Peshawar yesterday. authorise transactions for sev- party’s consultative council here Bollywood movies eral companies”. from Canada through video link. akistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Meanwhile, a NAB source told Dr Qadri wondered how a rul- in Pakistan chairman Imran Khan has The News that the National Ac- er, who could not convince his Pdemanded that the Na- countability Bureau will consider children to invest in the country, Death toll from rains rises to 71 A petition seeking ban on the tional Accountability Bureau the “Panama Papers” revelations could invite others for invest- exhibition of Indian movies in Paki- (NAB) initiate a thorough probe for the possible initiation of an ment purposes. stan was yesterday filed in Lahore into the fi nancial holdings of inquiry against those alleged to The Pakistan’s Punjab Prov- AFP offi cial there told AFP. peratures resulted in enhanced High Court. The plea, registered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have off shore companies. ince Assembly Speaker Rana Islamabad At least 10 people have been heat and water-stressed condi- by local producers and distribu- and his family members after the An NAB source told The News Iqbal yesterday blocked a resolu- confi rmed killed there since the tions, particularly in arid and tors, challenged the display of Bol- “Panama Papers” leak. that the top management of the tion seeking probe into ‘Panama rain began Saturday. semi-arid regions, leading to lywood films at Pakistani cinemas, A massive leak of documents bureau will discuss the leaks to Leaks’ forcing the opposition to he death toll after heavy “My children are sitting un- reduced agricultural produc- reports Dunya News. It stated that from a Panamanian law fi rm re- decide whether to initiate an in- walk out of the house in protest. rains in Pakistan’s der the open sky. My cattle and tivity. showing Indian movies in Pakistan vealed that Sharif family “owned vestigation. Opposition leader Mian Mah- Tnorthwest and in Kash- belongings were trapped un- It pointed out that there are was against the law as per Motion or had the right to authorise Over 200 Pakistanis have moodur Rashid wanted to table mir rose to 71 yesterday, offi - der the debris,” local resident threats to coastal areas due to Pictures Ordinance 1979 and it transactions for several off shore been identifi ed and the count is the resolution out of turn but cials said, as rescuers sought to Nasim Atakhar said after her projected sea level rise and in- was also promoting lawlessness companies”, Dawn online re- still going up. However, the list law minister Rana Sanaullah evacuate dozens of people still house collapsed. creased cyclonic activity due and violence in the country. The ported. does not include the name of asked him to give him its copy trapped by landslides. Poorly built homes across to higher sea surface tempera- petitioners urged the authorities “Probes have already been ini- any army General – serving or for amendment so that a joint Ten more people were found Pakistan, particularly in rural tures besides having stress be- to disallow presentation of Indian tiated in several countries – in- retired. resolution could be brought to dead in the province of Khyber areas, are susceptible to col- tween upper riparian and lower entertainment material in national cluding Australia, New Zealand, The report though reveals the the house. Pakhtunkhwa after the week- lapse during the annual spring riparian regions in relation to cinemas. Sweden and France – across the names of people owning such But Rashid insisted on ta- end downpour triggered land- rains, which are often heavy. sharing of water resources. globe after their leaders and of- off shore companies. It admits bling the opposition’s resolution slides and collapsed the roofs Severe weather in recent The report said Pakistan ASSISTANCE fi ce bearers were implicated,” that it does not mean that all without any amendment. He re- of dozens of houses. years has killed hundreds and makes a tiny contribution to said Imran. those having off shore companies quested the speaker to allow him “The number known to have destroyed huge tracts of prime total global greenhouse gas Canada pledges “If NAB wants to maintain its have ill-gotten money or are in- to do so as treasury had the right died in rains so far in the north- farmland. (GHG) emissions (among the over $30mn for credibility, it should immedi- volved in tax evasion or money- to oppose it. west has now risen to 61 with During the rainy season last lowest in the world) but it is ately begin a probe into Sharif’s laundering, Geo TV reported. Reminding the PML-N legis- over 350 houses damaged all summer, torrential downpours among the countries most vul- Pak polio drive family.” Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami lators of their party manifesto, over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” a and fl ooding killed 81 people nerable to climate change, and Imran said: “Sharif should ex- (JI) emir Sirajul Haq has called Rashid said it had committed spokesman for the local disas- and aff ected almost 300,000 it has very low technical and The Canadian government has plain how his children made all the report “an eye-opener” that it would take steps to bring ter management authority said people across the country. fi nancial capacity to adapt to its announced support for Pakistan’s this money.” He asked if Sharif’s about off shore properties of Pa- back looted money from abroad. in a statement. The climate change has adverse impacts. programme of eradication of polio family have “paid tax on this in- kistani politicians, bureaucrats, “It (PML-N) should keep its At least 30 people were caused considerable increase It said while Pakistan is from the country with a pledge come”. businessmen and judges, and words now,” he demanded. still stranded following a in the frequency and inten- working on a strategy that of over $30mn. In a meeting with Imran said the data leak was said the National Accountability But before the speaker disal- heavy landslide in the area of sity of extreme weather events, seeks to conserve energy, im- Pakistan’s Canada envoy Tariq a defi ning moment for Pakistan, Bureau must look into it. lowed him to table the resolu- Khoistan, he said. coupled with erratic monsoon prove energy effi ciency and Azim Khan, Minister for Interna- and added: “How can those who He alleged that politicians and tion, the opposition leader read While in Pakistani-held rains causing frequent and in- optimise fuel mix to support tional Development, Department launder money from Pakistan to rulers had ruthlessly plundered na- some of its contents. Kashmir, dozens of local tense fl oods and droughts in global eff orts for reduction in of Foreign Aff airs, Canada Marie off shore accounts ask others to tional resources and public money “This house demands the fed- tourists remained marooned Pakistan. GHG emissions, the more im- Claude Bibeau on Monday an- invest in the country?” and had transferred the “looted eral government start investiga- in the picturesque Neelum According to an offi cial re- mediate and pressing task is to nounced two polio eradication He said that Maryam Nawaz wealth” abroad unlawfully. tion into allegations against 140 Valley as authorities attempt- port compiled by the ministry prepare itself for adaptation to projects costing 40mn Canadian had given a statement two years He questioned if the rulers politicians and bureaucrats for ed to evacuate them, a local of climate change, rising tem- the climate change. dollars (US$30mn). ago that her family did not have built properties on foreign lands, transferring the looted money any assets abroad. who would invest in the country? abroad.” “But now Hussain Nawaz ac- He called upon Prime Minis- Not getting out-of-turn per- cepts that Maryam owns two ter Nawaz Sharif to explain the mission (to present the resolu- off shore companies,” Imran said. off shore companies of his family. tion) the opposition walked out Documents published by an The Pakistan Awami Tehreek of the house in protest and one Train blast kills one passenger in Pakistan international coalition of more Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri has said of its members pointed out quo- than 100 media outlets, based on a daily newspaper was needed rum. The proceedings resumed 11.5mn records of off shore hold- to record alleged corruption, after the quorum completed in AFP ings, details how politicians, money laundering, receiving of 30 minutes. Islamabad celebrities and other famous kickback by and foreign assets of Later, talking to reporters out- people use banks, law fi rms and the incumbent rulers. side the assembly, Rana Sanaul- off shore shell companies to hide He questioned the silence of lah termed the Panama Leaks bomb planted on the their assets. institutions meant for account- as “Pajama Leaks”, saying these track killed at least one According to documents ability of the corrupt, provision were mere media reports and not Atrain passenger and available on the ICIJ website, of justice and ensuring solidarity an “authentic document”. wounded four others in Pa- kistan’s restive southwestern province of Balochistan yester- Son of Mullah Omar given top council post day, offi cials said. The improvised explosive de- vice exploded as the Jaff ar Ex- The Taliban appointed the son of its late founder opposition from some factions within the press from Rawalpindi passed Mullah Mohamed Omar as head of a military movement after taking power last year. over it 180km east of Quetta, commission on Monday and named him and his Yaqoob, whose family name still carries great local security offi cial Naseer uncle to its powerful decision-making body, a prestige among Taliban militants, was appointed Ullah said. spokesman said. head of the Taliban’s military commission for 15 “A passenger was killed and Mullah Omar’s eldest son Mullah Mohamed Yaqoob provinces of Afghanistan. four others were wounded and and brother Mullah Abdul Manan were both called “They accepted their new responsibilities and moved to hospital,” he said. to the Rahbari Shura or leadership council, Taliban began their work from Monday,” Ahmadi said. A three-feet section of the Passengers carry an injured train blast victim as they arrive at a railway station in Quetta yesterday. spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi said. The elevation of the two men to the Rahbari Shura track was destroyed by the The appointment of two of its founder’s closest comes nearly seven months after they dropped bombing, which hit the second 25km north of the blast site. There was no immediate Quetta is the capital of Balo- relatives would appear to strengthen current their opposition to Mansour’s claim on the carriage. A provincial home minister claim of responsibility but Tali- chistan province, which is also Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour, who still faces leadership. The injured were taken to offi cial in Quetta confi rmed the ban militants are active in the home to a separatist insurgency hospital in the town of Sibbi details. region. that has been raging since 2004. Afghan forces’ retreat in Helmand ‘should help battle Taliban’

Afghan forces see benefits the Afghan army’s 215th Corps to power in Kabul and reimpose “The Taliban are now at the zai said their presence under- from withdrawing from last week. its strict interpretation of Is- doorstep of Lashkar Gah and lined the need for continued in- some areas; Move aimed at “It was exhausting forces in lamic law. threatening the city.” ternational support. cutting off free movement of desert areas where they have less Government forces are now The complex and shifting But troops are weary after Taliban in Helmand; Locals infl uence on the security of the grouped closer to the provin- tribal politics of the province months of continuous fi ghting, suspicious of Afghan troops, civilians,” he said. cial capital Lashkar Gah and have defi ed central government their morale sapped by corrup- police and government “More importantly, when you nearby towns including Mar- control for decades. tion, poor equipment and lack of look at the strategy the terror- jah and Gereshk, straddling But the loss of the province supplies. Reuters ist groups are adopting, they are the main Highway One that would severely undermine the The 215th corps is undergoing Lashkar Gah/Sorab, Afghanistan moving, they’re in small groups, links the major cities of Kan- credibility of President Ashraf retraining and refi tting and doz- they move from one place to an- dahar in the south and Herat in Ghani’s government and leave ens of senior offi cers, including other place.” the west. the strategic city of Kandahar, the corps commander, have been he surprise withdrawal of The decision to relocate forces To the north of the high- birthplace of the Taliban, ex- replaced. Afghan forces from parts corresponded with the views of way, they are also holding on in posed. The corps recently retook Tof Helmand province may Nato commanders, who say Af- Sangin and in Kajaki, where they Stanekzai acknowledged that the isolated southern district of leave large areas under Taliban ghan troops have been spread are protecting a vital dam and the situation was “not rosy”, but Khanishin close to the border control, but it should bolster the too thinly in static checkpoints, power station that supplies elec- said that by positioning troops in with Pakistan after persuading defences of the volatile southern handing the initiative to the Tal- tricity to Kandahar. strategic zones where they could local people to abandon support region, the country’s top defence iban. Adding to the challenge of block the fl ow of fi ghters in and for the Taliban, and Stanekzai offi cial said. Hundreds of US troops have outwitting a nimble enemy, the out of the province, security said winning over the population Acting Defence Minister been deployed to Helmand since Masoom Stanekzai Western-backed government forces could regain the initiative. would be vital. Masoom Stanekzai said it made February to support local sol- in Kabul must overcome pub- “We have to get the fi ght- But after months of steady little sense to spread forces diers in advising roles, while US other province of Afghanistan to the Taliban. lic distrust of the local armed ing out of the villages, we have reverses, patience with the ad- across sparsely populated dis- warplanes have stepped up air since arriving after the fall of The militants’ gains in the forces. to close the border, we have to ministration in Kabul is wearing tricts like Musa Qala and Naw strikes there this year. the Islamist government in late province underline the danger “They are busy fi lling their reach the areas where the move- thin. Zad, where government troops Helmand, a mainly desert re- 2001. they pose to Afghan security, own pockets rather than taking ment of fi ghters is taking place,” “People are fed up with in- pulled out in February. gion bordering Pakistan, is of The province also sits along now Nato has withdrawn most care of security,” said Moham- he said. justice of government offi cials,” “We needed reorganisation. strategic and symbolic impor- major smuggling routes for combat troops, leaving a smaller mad Akhondzada, one of hun- As well as the Taliban, gov- said Hafi zullah Khan, another There was a lot of pressure in dif- tance as a heartland of the Tali- drugs and weapons and is the training and advisory mission. dreds of tribal elders and schol- ernment forces in Helmand have elder at the Lashkar Gah meet- ferent parts of Helmand,” he said ban. region that accounts for the The guerrilla movement is op- ars who met in the provincial been fi ghting foreign groups in- ing. “Therefore they’re much in Helmand, where he met local More American and British biggest share of opium culti- posed to any foreign troops on capital to express their concern cluding Al Qaeda and Islamic closer to the Taliban and wel- tribal elders and commanders of troops died there than in any vation, a key source of revenue Afghan soil, and wants to return about worsening security. State sympathisers, and Stanek- come them.” Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 PHILIPPINES Wealth of the sea Poe pledges pro-poor, sensitive government

By Jeff erson Antiporda Manila Times

enator Grace Poe prom- ised a new Philippines Sand vowed a presidency that will give priority to the poor so that they too will feel the gains of a strong economy. In her visit to Bagong Silang, Grace Poe: assurance Caloocan City (Metro Manila) over the weekend, Poe said a and that she will monitor the leader must be tough but also progress of her administra- compassionate and decent. tion’s programmes especially “If your president is a good for the poor. She reminded person and follows the law, if voters about the sanctity of the your leader gives priority to ballot, urging them to think the poor, there will be more about their choices. jobs here in Caloocan. I prom- “If I will be given the chance, ise you a new Philippines,” she there will be a big change in added. the country. But you have the Taking on her late father freedom to choose your lead- Fernando Poe Jr’s 2004 cam- ers,” Poe said. paign slogan “Bagong Umaga According to the senator, A vendor holds a tray of shrimps at a food market in Paranaque, Metro Manila yesterday. (New Morning),” the inde- her administration will be sen- pendent presidential candi- sitive to the needs of farmers. date said a “new” Philippines In an interview during the is one where no one gets left grand rally of her Partido Gal- behind. “Our people will not ing at Puso in Valenzuela City have to beg for help. With me (Metro Manila) on Monday as president, you will not be night, Poe vowed to improve neglected because the poor irrigation canals and construct and needy will be our priority,” more irrigation systems to she added. help the farmers. She said her “I will make sure that you administration will abolish ir- Marcos ‘ahead in race will feel the love and assist- rigation fees. ance from the government,” Farmers whose land yields Poe said. 40 sacks of rice pay an es- The senator, the fi rst found- timated P4,500 per hectare ling to run for president, gave annually in irrigation service assurances that she will deliv- fee to the National Irrigation for vice presidency’ er on her campaign promises Administration. The Manila Broadcasting It also operates dzRH News Sy, Imee named in ‘Panama Papers’ list Company (MBC)-dzRH Television. Third Wave Survey Marcos also took the lead in The country’s richest man, of companies and Robert Coy- Result on April 2 showed the latest Pulso ng Pilipino sur- Henry Sy, Senator Jose Victor iuto Jr, chairman of the Coyuito Marcos surging to 29.8%, vey. “JV” Ejercito, Ilocos Sur Gov- Group of Companies. Compa- edging out his closest rival The non-commissioned sur- ernor Imee Marcos and hun- nies such as Holcim Philippines Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, vey conducted from March 16 dreds of other rich Filipinos Inc, Megaworld Corp, Nickel who garnered 22.6% to 22, 2016 by the Issues and were in the list of people with Asia Corp, Panay Electric Co Advocacy Centre showed Mar- off shore holdings exposed by Inc and the Kapunan, Lotilla By Jaime R Pilapil cos getting 27% of the “votes,” the International Consortium Garcia and Castillo law off ices Manila Times 3% higher than Escudero, who of Investigative Journalists were also listed. One of the got 24%. (ICIJ), Manila Times reported. biggest document leaks in In the same poll, Robredo got Documents provided by history snared world leaders, ice presidential aspir- 21%, Cayetano, 14%, Trillanes, Panamanian law firm Mossack celebrities and sports stars in a ant Senator Ferdinand seven% and Honasan, five%. Fonseca listed 572 Filipinos snowballing worldwide scandal V“Bongbong” Marcos Jr Marcos also led the rest of and “master clients” with over their secretive off shore has surged in two separate sur- his rivals for A/B social classes off shore financial deals. The list financial dealings. veys, taking the solo lead going with 27%, and 24, 23, and 24 included various companies A year-long worldwide media into the fi nal month of the 45- percentage points for classes C, and law off ices. investigation of a trove of day campaign. D, and E, respectively. With a net worth of $12.9bn, 11.5mn documents, leaked The Manila Broadcasting Ed Malay, director of the Sy, 91, was named by Forbes from the Panama-based Company (MBC)-dzRH Third centre, said the survey showed magazine as the Philippines’ law firm with off ices in 35 Wave Survey Result on April the so-called millennials richest. His wife Felicidad, countries, exposed a tangle of 2 showed Marcos surging to seemingly gravitating toward daughter Teresita and son confidential financial dealings 29.8%, edging out his closest Marcos, whose campaign plat- Hans were also on the by the elite, from aides of rival Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escu- form is anchored on unity and “Panama Papers” list. Wealthy Russian President Vladimir dero, who garnered 22.6%. progress. businessmen were also in- Putin to relatives of Chinese In third place was Sen. Allan Marcos maintained that the cluded, such as Andrew L Tan, President Xi Jinping, sports Peter Cayetano at 18.4%, fol- rise in his ratings was a product chairman of the board of Alli- celebrities and screen stars. lowed by Camarines Sur repre- of the people’s acceptance of ance Global Group that owns The vast stash of records sentative Leni Robredo who got his message for national unity. Megaworld and Emperador from Mossack Fonseca, the 17.8%. “But we should not stop Distillery. Tan’s net worth was so-called Panama Papers, was Senators Antonio Trillanes File photo shows Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, being mobbed by there. We will continue to bring placed by Forbes at $5.1bn. obtained from an anonymous and Gregorio Honasan gar- members of the media after a breakfast forum in Manila. the message to as many people Also on the list are Andrew Tan source by German daily Sued- nered 5.5% and 4.3%, respec- as possible and give them hope Gotianun Jr, chairman and pres- deutsche Zeitung and shared tively. respondents from randomly the strength of the largest radio dzRH, Love Radio, Yes FM, Ak- and confidence that things ident of Pacific Sugar Holdings with more than 100 media The survey used face-to- selected barangay (villages) in network in Asia. syon Radio, Hot FM and Radio will be better if we have unity,” and founder of Filinvest Group groups by the ICIJ. face interviews with 7,490 various provinces, harnessing MBC has 175 stations under Natin. he said. Bangladesh Bank hackers ‘possibly Chinese,’ says senator

Reuters ed the fi nger at Deguito, saying sure Company, which is owned Manila that even transactions totaling by Wong; and to an ethnic Chi- hundreds of millions of dol- nese man believed to be a junket lars could be handled by branch operator in Manila. hinese hackers were pos- managers without prior approval Philrem president Salud sibly behind one of the from head offi ce. Bautista said the suspected Chi- Cworld’s biggest cyber The inquiry has led to the re- nese junket operator was paid heists, the theft of $81mn from covery of about $5.5mn from a more than $30mn in six tranch- the Bangladesh central bank, a Chinese casino boss and junket es. senator in the Philippines said operator called Kim Wong, who But Wong, who said he wit- yesterday, while a Manila bank received a total of almost $35mn nessed four of the transactions, manager involved in the case through his casino company and has disputed the sum, saying said she was a pawn of senior Philrem, the foreign exchange in a previous Senate session bankers and unnamed tycoons. broker. Wong, who denied any that only about $14mn changed Unidentifi ed hackers stole involvement in the heist, prom- hands. the money from the Bangla- ised to pay back another 450mn This led senators to believe desh Bank’s account at the Fed- pesos ($9.7mn) of the stolen Philrem still holds a portion of eral Reserve Bank of New York Maia Santos Deguito, branch manager of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) answers questions during a money laundering hearing at the Senate money, but said a portion of the unaccounted stolen funds, in early February and funneled in Manila yesterday. At right is her legal counsel Fernando Topacio. Right: Chinese casino junket operator Kim Wong, gestures as he answers questions what he had received had already which its treasurer Michael it through a Manila branch of the during the money laundering hearing. been spent on gambling chips for Bautista denied. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp clients. “But we are not keeping mon- (RCBC) to casinos and gambling Recto did not give any details desh Bank tried to steal $951mn funds were then transferred to a for the ‘grandmaster,’ it is not Wong said a further $17mn ey. There is no money with us,” agents in the Philippines. on why he thought the hackers from its account at the New York foreign exchange broker and fur- me,” she said. Without nam- remained with Philrem, whose he told the inquiry. “It would appear they are not were Chinese. But the Senate Fed although most transactions ther distributed. ing names, Deguito blamed the husband-and-wife representa- Senator Recto, who led the Filipino hackers (but) possibly was told in a previous session were blocked. “I am but a pawn in a high- crime on senior RCBC offi cials tives came under fi re at yester- questioning, appeared exasper- Chinese hackers,” said Ralph that the money was brought into But $81mn was transferred stakes chess game played by gi- “in cahoots with extremely day’s inquiry. ated by the confl icting testimo- Recto during a Senate inquiry in the Philippines by two Chinese into four RCBC accounts at a ants in international banking wealthy businessmen whose far- Philrem distributed the stolen ny. “There seems to be double the capital Manila. “They saw high-rollers, one from Macau single Manila branch, which had and high fi nance,” Maia Santos reaching powers and infl uence $81mn to Bloomberry Resorts dealing here. That is how it ap- the vulnerability in the (Philip- and one from Beijing. each been opened with a $500 Deguito, the branch manager, span several countries.” Corp, which owns and operates pears,” he said. pines) banking system or one The hackers who infi ltrated deposit and remained inac- told the senate committee. In a previous hearing, RCBC’s the upmarket Solaire casino in The inquiry continues on bank.” the computer systems of Bangla- tive for almost a year. All of the “If this committee is looking president and lawyer had point- Manila; to Eastern Hawaii Lei- April 12. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 25 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Thousands Khaleda surrenders charged over to court; given bail coal plant AFP Dhaka protests

court in Bangladesh AFP ration for building the plants. granted bail to opposition Chittagong, Bangladesh They fear the case registered Aleader Khaleda Zia yester- by police could give authori- day after issuing a warrant for her ties extra powers to harass arrest over a deadly fi re-bomb angladesh police yester- or detain anyone protesting attack on a bus, her lawyer said. day charged thousands against the project. The 70-year-old was given Bof villagers with vandal- “Police will now use their bail when she surrendered to the ism and assault after demon- power indiscriminately against court, where an estimated 5,000 strations against a Chinese- any villager who speaks against supporters of her Bangladesh backed power plant in which the plants,” a schoolteacher who Nationalist Party (BNP) gath- four protesters were shot and lives in the village said by phone ered, shouting anti-government killed by police. on condition of anonymity. slogans. Dozens more protesters Hundreds of villagers The party had threatened to were wounded when police staged further protests against stage protests across the politi- opened fi re on Monday in the the plant yesterday, demand- cally volatile country if she was village of Gandamara on the ing justice for the four victims. arrested on the charges, which southeastern coast where twin Local media reports say date back to a nationwide anti- power plants are to be built in the group plans to build two government campaign of arson a $2.4bn project backed by two coal-fi red power plants on the in January 2015. Chinese companies. site on the edge of the Bay of “She surrendered to the court The villagers say their pro- Bengal, with the capacity to this morning and was granted tests were peaceful but police produce 1,224 megawatts. bail in the arson case. She also say 11 offi cers were hurt, in- The two Chinese fi rms — got bail in four other cases,” her cluding one who was shot in SEPCOIII Electric Power and lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder the head. They have arrested HTG — are fi nancing $1.75bn said, referring to long-standing at least three villagers over the of the plants’ estimated corruption and other cases. violence. $2.4bn cost, the Daily Star The Dhaka magistrate court “We’ve fi led cases against newspaper said. last week issued a warrant for around 3,200 people for the Authorities in Chittagong Zia’s arrest on charges of insti- violence. We’ve identifi ed 57 district, where the site is gating the attack, which left two of them but the rest are un- located, have ordered an people dead and dozens injured. named,” local police chief investigation into the clashes. It took place during a nation- Former Bangladeshi prime minister and BNP leader Khaleda Zia arriving at a court in Dhaka yesterday. Swapan Kumar said. They come after thousands wide blockade last year of roads, Kumar said local people op- of people demonstrated last rail and waterways that Zia Zia was confi ned to her offi ce offi cials were arrested as part of Zia’s aide Shimul Biswas said when police pressed charges pose the power plants because month against plans to build called to try to force Prime Min- compound in Dhaka for months a crackdown in the wake of the the cases against Zia were base- against thousands of their lead- they fear the resulting pollu- massive coal-fi red power ister Sheikh Hasina to resign and during the blockade after she unrest. less and fabricated, aimed at ers and grassroots activists over tion would damage the envi- plants on the edge of the Sun- pave the way for new elections. threatened to lead an anti-gov- It is not the fi rst time that Zia keeping her under pressure po- the fi re-bombing campaign. ronment and force them from darbans, the world’s largest The blockade unleashed a ernment rally through the capital — a bitter political rival of Hasina litically. “They are designed to The party has recently been their homes. mangrove forest. wave of bloody violence, leav- on the anniversary of a disputed — has faced arrest. harass her,” Biswas said. trying to stage a comeback, The villagers had been Experts say the plants ing more than 120 people dead national election. Last year a Dhaka court issued The BNP boycotted the 2014 holding a leadership election holding peaceful protests would cause major damage as opposition activists fi re- Hasina has vowed to prosecute an arrest warrant against her for general election, leaving the fi eld this month for the fi rst time in for days after S Alam Group, to the delicate ecosystem of bombed hundreds of buses and BNP offi cials for the violence. alleged corruption. She was grant- clear for its rivals. more than six years in an eff ort the Bangladeshi conglomer- the area, home to endangered trucks and police responded by Around 15,000 opposition sup- ed bail after she surrendered, but The party was further weak- to introduce fresh faces into the ate behind the project, began Bengal tigers and Ganges fi ring live rounds. porters and dozens of senior BNP the charges remain live. ened by the crackdown last year, leadership. levelling farmland in prepa- dolphins. Nepal risks fresh Food foray EU wants to deport illegal unrest over disputed Bangladeshi charter: crisis group migrants By Mizan Rahman Dhaka AFP fruitful negotiations with the lock, parliament in January Kathmandu government risked sparking amended the constitution to another round of bloodshed. increase Madhesis’ presence in European Union (EU) del- “Forcing acceptance of a government bodies. But Mad- egation sought measures epal risks renewed un- fl awed constitution could end hesis say the amendments do Afor repatriating 80,000 il- rest unless it resolves a the political transition and not address their main demand legal Bangladeshi migrants at the Ndeadly dispute with an trigger unmanageable new on internal borders. fi rst Bangladesh-EU dialogue on ethnic minority over the new confl ict,” it said. The ICG report called on Ne- migration management yester- constitution, the International The ICG said all stakeholders pal’s political parties to urgent- day, while Bangladesh urged for Crisis Group (ICG) said yes- needed to redouble eff orts to ly agree on terms of reference Wild elephants crossing a highway in Habarana, 183kms from Colombo, yesterday. Around 15 scopes to regularise them con- terday in a report that sparked resolve outstanding issues as a for a mechanism to resolve the wild elephants were seen crossing the road, heading to search for water and grass in Habarana. sidering their contributions to criticism from the government. matter of urgency. issues over state boundaries. economies and the fact that not More than 50 people have “The underlying anger that The government announced all went there illegally. died in clashes between police fuelled the demonstrations an 11-member committee in The dialogue also highlighted and Nepal’s ethnic Madhesi and violence has not been as- early March to review such is- Lanka starts moves to grant Tamils more autonomy the urgency for exploring possi- community over the constitu- suaged and will re-emerge, po- sues, but has not yet nominat- bilities of wider co-operation on tion which was adopted in Sep- tentially in more virulent form, ed anyone to sit on it including Sri Lanka’s parliament yesterday political reforms needed,” demands of the ethnic minority. migration and mobility through a tember, triggering a crippling unless all understand that from the Madhesi parties, fur- launched a process to draw up Jayasuriya told parliament. The premier has also promised possible comprehensive political months-long border blockade. without compromise and good ther hiking frustration levels. a new constitution aimed at The assembly includes a action against the military and declaration, the foreign ministry The constitution was meant faith Nepal faces an existential “As the negligence of the preventing a return to ethnic 21-member steering committee Tamil rebels for alleged war sources said. to cement peace and bolster threat,” the ICG said. government and the major war by granting minority Tamils headed by Prime Minister Ranil crimes committed in the final Foreign secretary Shahidul Nepal’s transformation to a Information and Communi- political parties continues, greater autonomy, AFP adds from Wickremesinghe to draft the new phase of the 37-year conflict that Haque led the Bangladesh delega- democratic republic after dec- cation Minister Sherdhan Rai the country is collapsing, the Colombo. charter aimed at unifying ethnic ended in 2009. tion while the 10-member EU del- ades of political instability and described the ICG’s report as economy is in ruins, and we Parliamentary speaker communities and strengthening Remaking the constitution is egation was led by Christian Lef- a 10-year Maoist insurgency. inappropriate, saying talks be- are inviting more confl ict,” said Karu Jayasuriya opened a democratic institutions. controversial in Sri Lanka, with fl er, deputy secretary general for But the Madhesis, from Ne- tween the government and the Laxman Lal Karna, vice chair constitutional assembly, seeking Although no timeframe was given hardline members of the ethnic Global and Economic Issues, the pal’s southern plains, dispute community were ongoing. of the Sadbhawana Party that public views on reforming the yesterday for finalising a draft, Sinhalese majority opposing a European External Action Service. the state borders laid out in the “These are internal issues of represents the Madhesis. charter, seven years after the end political sources said the process federal system that would grant The EU delegation off ered co- constitution which they say Nepal and we are working to Madhesi demonstrators of the separatist war that claimed could take years. more power to Tamils. operation in the fi eld of informa- will limit their representation resolve it. It is unnecessary and blocked a major trade route that at least 100,000 lives. Wickremesinghe has pledged to President Maithripala Sirisena, tion campaign and awareness in parliament. inappropriate for external ac- sparked a national shortage of “This is an historic occasion devolve more political powers to elected in January last year partly raising on the danger of irregu- The ICG report warned that tors to comment on our inter- fuel and other supplies from and we have an opportunity Tamils and reduce the military with the support of Tamil voters, lar migration as well as a special the depth of the Madhesi com- nal issues,” Rai said. neighbouring India, a crisis that to seek the views of the public presence in the former war zone has also pledged other political programme for reintegration of munity’s anger and the lack of In an eff ort to end the dead- was only resolved in February. to implement the very radical in the island’s north, two key reforms to ensure a lasting peace. the returnees. The Bangladesh side high- lighted the government’s policy of bringing all the people in an irregular situation back as well as the need for widening the scope of safe, orderly and regular Govt probes reports of child traffi cking in quake zones migration. The two sides agreed to con- tinue the dialogue looking at a DPA The government-affi liated hit districts due to the earth- Nepal government banned a police investigation into the They are good people. They are wide-ranging approach to ad- Kathmandu Child Welfare Board said they quake and aftershocks in April both international and local allegations of child traffi cking - good at doing all the housework dress the issues of migration and would assist in the investigation. and May 2015, according to the child adoption in the aftermath “a truly abhorrent crime” - and and they’re very good cooks. No mobility. Offi cials in quake-hit Dola- government. More than 1,000 of the earthquakes last year to action against perpetrators. one is going to come after you,” According to sources, as many he government in Nepal kha district said that parents were orphaned. prevent child traffi cking. The Sun’s investigation was he was quoted as saying. as 80,000 Bangladesh nation- said yesterday it would in- from the area often sent their The orphans were sent to An investigation by The Sun carried out by an undercover “India is fl ooded with boys. als living in EU countries have Tvestigate reports that chil- children to India to study to children’s homes in diff erent newspaper suggested that gangs reporter posing as a wealthy Nepal has been destroyed and turned illegal and undocument- dren from earthquake-hit regions become monks. parts of the country, which will operating in the north Indian British-Indian visiting the city all the Nepalese are here. We go ed mainly due to expiry of their were being traffi cked to Britain They had no registered cases of also be investigated as part of state of Punjab are preying on of Jalandhar, looking for a child to the poor parents, we talk to visas, some of them migrating and sold as household slaves. traffi cking, the district offi ce said, the offi cial probe. destitute Indian children, as well worker to take back to the UK. them, we do a deal,” he added. from other countries. A report published by British although they said they could not The Sun reported that chil- as Nepali children who migrated It quotes a trader, who had South Asia is the fastest- The EU requested Bangladesh tabloid The Sun said that Nepali rule out the possibility that chil- dren were being sold for £5,300 to India after earthquakes hit lined up three children for the re- growing and second-largest re- to bring back all 80,000 illegal children as young as 10 years old dren were being traffi cked from ($7,600) by traffi cking gangs their country last year. porter to choose from, claiming gion for human traffi cking in the Bangladesh nationals, now liv- were being traffi cked to north- their temporary homes in India. operating in India. The British The article published on he had supplied mostly Nepali world, after East Asia, accord- ing in the European countries ern India and sold to British More than 39,300 children government has urged the po- Monday prompted British Home boys to rich families in England. ing to the United Nations Offi ce while Bangladesh sought their households. were aff ected in the 14 worst- lice to investigate the claims. Secretary Theresa May to call for “Take a Nepalese to England. for Drugs and Crime (UNODC). regularisation. Gulf Times 26 Wednesday, April 6, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: C P Ravindran Europe preparing for

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] a generational war Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) In countries dominated by education, pension, health-care and better future than the last. Today, Indeed, global warming, for Fax 44350474 gerontocratic politics, young tax regimes. by contrast, widespread malaise and example, is often viewed as imposing With this clash, the forecasts of secular stagnation make a heavy burden on future generations. people typically try to leave intergenerational pact that long promises about a better future appear While the scale of this burden has as quickly as possible underpinned social and political fraudulent. not been unambiguously calculated, stability has been broken. In many countries – particularly in it is clear that it could be reduced The conservative philosopher the Mediterranean, but also elsewhere substantially by investing relatively By Harold James Edmund Burke famously saw society in Europe, as well as in North Africa small amounts today on a global basis. GULF TIMES as a contract not just among “those – youth unemployment has reached Yet countries continue to fail to make Princeton who are living”, but also with “those record levels, owing to a combination such investments. By the time the who are dead” and “those who are to of problematic macroeconomic needed adjustments are implemented, hroughout the industrialised be born”. policies and bad labour-market they will be the next generation’s world, governments are Burke was suspicious of popular policies. problem – and they will cost much Saudi economic rushing to hand out money politics that would favour the current With the young seemingly bound more. Tto the elderly. Germany’s generation over future cohorts. The to leave, spending on education In this sense, current generations government has not only reversed an father of welfare economics, Arthur increasingly appears to be a waste. As are imposing a kind of tax on their increase in the retirement age intended Pigou, thought that the state would education diminishes, the amount successors, who are already being plans bode well for to make pensions more aff ordable; it somehow protect the social contract’s of investment in human capital that starved of life opportunities. Some has recently announced a 5% increase absent partners, but that view was the migrants take with them declines commentators describe the burden in benefi ts, the largest such rise since hopelessly idealistic. What motive – but so does the amount of human in even more brutal terms, saying 1993 (when, unlike today, Germany would the government have to be a capital that stays behind. that the current generation is its non-oil future was actually experiencing infl ation). trustee for unknown people at the A better approach would be to essentially colonising the future, as Poland’s Law and Justice expense of real and present voters? reverse the exodus of the young they, like many European colonisers government, in one of its fi rst moves The focus on the present has far- through better policies, as Ireland in the past, strip the world of its Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman after taking power last year, decreased reaching consequences. The impact did in the late twentieth century, riches and leave a wasteland for has laid out an ambitious vision for the world’s largest the pension age and increased is particularly severe in a context of with rapid economic growth leading those they colonised. payments. labour mobility, where the losers at many of the skilled workers who It might be said that it is hopelessly oil producer as well as the largest Arab economy At a time when public budgets the ballot box – the young – wield had left in the 1980s to return – and naive to expect altruism of the present to diversify away from the over-dependence on oil are strained, this trend may seem another weapon: their feet. spur even faster growth. In order generation. And, indeed, in today’s counter-intuitive. And, in fact, the In countries dominated by for such a reversal to take place, self-centred culture, it is diffi cult to revenue for decades. The boldest reforms being United Kingdom’s government has gerontocratic politics, young people however, young people’s countries expect people to put the interests of planned in the history of kingdom envisage selling moved in the opposite direction, typically try to leave as quickly as of origin must become more open future generations fi rst. stake in Saudi Aramco; creating the world’s largest cutting disability benefi ts (though a possible. And because young people and more innovative – no small feat, For now, the safety valve provided cabinet minister resigned in protest). receive extensive subsidies in the form especially when the elderly are in by labour mobility may rule out a sovereign wealth fund and accelerating subsidy But the overarching trend toward of education, when they leave, they political control. In short, there are youth revolt against the selfi shness cuts and imposing more levies in an economy more increased benefi ts for the elderly has a take with them resources that could many feedback loops that make the and complacency of the elderly. simple explanation: politics. otherwise have been used to pay for gerontocracy self-reinforcing. The question is what will happen accustomed to lavish welfare spending. As populations in Europe and other people’s retirement. Put another The damage wrought by the when opportunities abroad are no Saudi Arabia plans to sell a stake “of less than 5%” Japan age, the demographic pyramid way, they leave behind a debt burden preference for the old over the young better than those at home.- Project is rapidly inverting – and a war of that will be much more diffi cult to extends beyond national economies. Syndicate in the parent of its state-owned oil company by 2018 generations, rather than of classes, is reduce without them. Environmental damage on a global or even a year earlier. Saudi Arabian Oil Co, or Saudi emerging. The war is fought primarily This trend is fuelled by inadequate scale provides perhaps the starkest zHarold James is professor of history Aramco, is in a league of its own. Aramco pumps at the ballot box – old people win economic opportunities at home. illustration of how today’s middle-aged and international aff airs at Princeton elections, while young people stay In the mid-twentieth century, population is making decisions without University and a senior fellow at the 10mn-plus barrels daily (expandable up to 12mn bpd home – and the spoils lie in the rapid economic growth implied regard for the younger generation – and Centre for International Governance on short notice), more than the domestic output of national budget, in the balance among that each generation would have a those that will follow. Innovation. every US oil company combined. It has 261bn barrels of proven reserves, according to its 2014 annual report. The company could be worth anything from $1tn to upwards of $10tn, which would make it the most valuable company in the world. The biggest domestic economic shakeup since the founding of Saudi Arabia - which foresees levies on expats, energy, luxury goods, sugary drinks - would raise at least an extra $100bn a year by 2020, more than tripling non-oil Saudi Aramco is income and balancing the budget. in a league of its The plan for the all- own dwarfi ng $2tn Public Investment Fund (the $825bn Norway SWF is currently the world’s No 1) would see Saudi Arabia getting ready for the twilight of the oil age by creating the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund for the kingdom’s most prized assets. The Saudi government is also planning to increase its debt, in the meantime, to help fi nance spending and test the market with a dollar bond later this year. The two-year decline in oil prices has hit the fi nances of the Gulf countries hard. Nowhere is it, perhaps, felt more acute in Saudi Arabia. Youth unemployment in the country is among the highest in the world and economic growth is set to slow to 1.5% this year, the worst since at least 2009, according to a Bloomberg survey. Almost eight decades since the fi rst Saudi oil was discovered, King Salman’s 30-year-old son is aiming to transform the world’s most infl uential crude exporter Winning the war against TB into an economy fi t for the next era. There’s no reason to doubt his determination. He has already moved By Melvin Sanicas burden and widespread human and quickly treat fresh cases. must acknowledge that the disease is Seattle suff ering caused by TB, a By actively seeking out victims rooted in poverty and social exclusion. surprisingly quickly to cut wasteful spending and comprehensive eff ort to tackle and treating them quickly, so that Since the middle of the twentieth subsidies, and is pushing for large-scale privatisations. the disease is urgently needed. In they are no longer infectious, the century, worldwide eff orts to address In a wider sense, policymakers in every Gulf country umans have been battling a series of articles in the British chain of TB transmission can be TB have emphasised biomedical tuberculosis since the Stone medical journal The Lancet, Salmaan broken. This strategy has been proven solutions and focused on treating now know for sure the oil windfall the region has been Age. But only in the last Keshavjee, a professor of global eff ective by empirical evaluation and outbreaks. accustomed to for decades is a thing of the past in Hcentury has real progress health and social medicine at Harvard mathematical modeling. But, before the development of been made against the disease. Medical School, outlined a strategy for At the same time, eff orts must be antibiotics, improvements in living an era of lower-for-longer oil. Prince Mohamed, for A vaccine, fi rst used in humans in defeating it. made to control the seedbeds of the standards had helped reduce the sure, will face obstacles. But his bold economic reform 1921, is still in use around the world Keshavjee and a group of disease, the latent infections that are impact of TB. Integrating a biomedical today. And a series of antibiotics, TB scientists, clinicians, and the source of virtually all new cases of approach with an emphasis on the plan, detailed in a fi ve-hour interview with a group beginning with streptomycin in the advocates from governmental and active TB. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, importance of good nutrition, decent of Bloomberg journalists in Riyadh last week, bodes 1940s, has proven eff ective in treating nongovernmental organisations, the bacteria that causes the disease, can housing, and human welfare will well for Saudi Arabia’s non-oil future. But its success infections. hospitals and universities set lay dormant for long periods, during be necessary if the disease is to be Since 1990, TB’s annual death themselves the goal of bringing TB’s which the victim shows no symptoms of brought to heel. will require moving fast on the kinds of political and toll has been cut nearly in half. From death toll to zero – and outlined the having been infected. The global community must cultural reforms that usually take decades. 2000 to 2014, better diagnosis and measures needed to achieve it. Targeting TB at this stage would work together and translate treatment saved some 43mn lives. The fi rst step is to ramp up data- stop the bacteria’s spread and reduce existing knowledge and strategies Time is money. Nonetheless, progress has slowed to collection eff orts. TB epidemics, like the disease’s global burden. into effective programmatic a crawl, suggesting that the battle is far those of other infectious diseases, vary by Rolling out preventive therapies in interventions in communities most from over. The annual decline in cases geography; as result, eradication eff orts at-risk populations and developing afflicted by TB. To Advertise over the past decade has been a mere need to be customised to local conditions. better diagnostic tests to identify By developing new tools – including 1.65%; in 2014, TB killed 1.5mn people. Local TB programmes need to those with asymptomatic infections rapid diagnostics safe and shorter [email protected] Meanwhile, strains of the make better use of existing data, would help drain reservoirs of the treatment of TB infection and disease Display disease are developing resistance expand routine collection, modernise bacteria. and an effi cacious TB vaccine – Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 against treatment. The misuse and data-storage systems, and develop Developing a more eff ective vaccine strengthening health systems, and mismanagement of antibiotics has the analytical infrastructure needed would have the biggest impact on the improving the living conditions of Classified resulted in multidrug-resistant TB. to measure the eff ects of local epidemic. at-risk populations, we can neutralise Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 These strains must be treated with interventions. The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin one of humankind’s oldest killers. second-line medications, which are These fi ndings need to be made vaccine is given to infants in many Only then will we be able to consign Subscription more expensive and often cause worse available within the country where parts of the world, but its effi cacy TB, at long last, to the history books. - [email protected] side eff ects. Strains that are resistant data were collected, and the lessons against pulmonary TB is highly Project Syndicate to second-line drugs, known as learned must be shared with variable. To eliminate the disease extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR- neighboring countries and regions. globally, a better vaccine would be zMelvin Sanicas is programme offi cer 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved TB), have also appeared. Moreover, health-care workers must crucial. and global health fellow at the Bill & Given the enormous economic expand eff orts to prevent new infections Finally, any eff ort to eradicate TB Melinda Gates Foundation. Gulf Times Wednesday, April 6, 2016 27 COMMENT Tap the brakes on the Internet of Everything

We’re now in the early stages These network-connected “things” But there’s a big difference. In the That world is not inevitable. of the so-called Internet of will be able to beam reports on our past, exchanges of information were If the arrival of the Internet of behaviour to corporate databases. We limited to particular purchases. The Things provides an opportunity to Things won’t be tracked just by our smart- shoe clerk and the architect didn’t expand the Silicon Valley surveillance phones. We’ll be tracked by our cars, collaborate in preparing a detailed complex, it also provides an opportu- By Nicholas Carr our homes, our clothes, our appliances profile of you that they could then nity to rein in that complex. Los Angeles Times/TNS and the machines and tools we use in share with or sell to other compa- By placing restrictions on how our jobs. nies. And they certainly didn’t keep companies exploit personal data, We’re beginning to see the extent tabs on you as you went through we can make “privacy” rather than mericans live their lives on of the surveillance the Internet of your day. “surveillance” the Internet’s default their phones now. So wrote Things will entail. Thermostats and As the Internet of Things makes setting. 15 prominent technol- smoke detectors sold by Nest, a unit the collection and storage of personal The Federal Trade Commission in Aogy companies, including of Google’s parent company, Alpha- information near universal, there will the US could, for example, establish Google, Facebook, Amazon and Snap- bet, collect information on a home’s be little we do that isn’t tracked and new consumer protections that would chat, in a legal brief supporting Apple temperature, humidity and lighting analysed by industry. permit companies to collect personal in its now-moot fi ght with the Justice as well as the movements of people In many cases, companies will make data for purposes of delivering or Department over unlocking the San in rooms. more money from the collection of enhancing a particular product, but Bernardino killer’s iPhone. Amazon’s Echo, a voice-activated data than from the provision of goods. prohibit them from combining that Our phones have become “an exten- home automation device, records The sale of a product will no longer data with other information about a sion of our memories”, the companies conversations and stores them in mark the conclusion of a transaction. person, sharing it with other busi- argued, and “to access someone’s Amazon’s cloud. It will mark the beginning of a surveil- nesses or storing it indefi nitely. cellphone is to access their innermost The cars built by Tesla contain lance regimen. Under this regulatory system, a thoughts and their most private af- sensors that track and transmit a Ever since Internet fi rms started carmaker would be able to gather data fairs”. vehicle’s location and its owner’s tracking us online, we’ve worried on a vehicle’s operation in order to im- Although the companies are right, driving habits. about the loss of privacy. Knowing prove its maintenance or alert drivers their earnest defence of privacy is Vicks sells a rectal thermometer that we’re always under watch can to problems. deeply ironic, if not hypocritical. with a Bluetooth transmitter and ac- erode our sense of autonomy and But it wouldn’t be able to sell the They are, after all, in the business of companying smartphone app. Under circumscribe our freedom of thought information or use it for advertising surveillance. Armour has announced plans to put and action. or marketing - and it would have to They collect personal data on a biometric sensors in the underwear The Internet of Things brings an delete the information when it was no scale that would make most law- and other garments it makes. added danger. As businesses learn longer of immediate use. enforcement agencies blush. The There doesn’t seem to be anywhere even more about our habits and Nest would be able to analyse very existence of firms like Google companies won’t go to collect infor- desires, they’ll be able to mold our information on room temperature and and Facebook hinges on their ability mation about us. behaviour to fi t their own interests. humidity in order to adjust thermostat to monitor our innermost thoughts As consumers, we’ve always di- The networked devices that sur- settings to keep a home comfortable and our most intimate affairs, to tap vulged information about ourselves round us won’t just collect informa- and energy-effi cient, but it wouldn’t into our digital memory pretty much in the course of buying products and tion about us. They’ll start telling us be able to merge that information continuously. services. If you want to get a comfort- what to do. with other personal data that Google The struggle between Apple and able pair of hiking boots at a local shoe Earlier this year, Google began test- collects or use it to track a person’s the government highlighted thorny store, you’re going to need to let the ing a new algorithm, called Driving whereabouts. security issues that will take years to clerk measure your feet. Mode, for its popular Maps applica- It’s possible to gain the benefi ts of a resolve. It also provided a valuable If you want to build a new house tion on Android phones. By analysing connected world without submitting diversion for tech companies, enabling that suits your lifestyle, you’re going all the information the company col- ourselves to surveillance and manipu- them to portray themselves as defend- to have to share with an architect lects about you through Web searches lation. By retaking ownership and ers of privacy even as they intensify details about how you and your and location tracking, the algorithm control over our personal information, their eff orts to siphon data from our family live. Technology companies is able to tell you, without prompting, we can make sure that we’re treated as gadgets. would argue that the new network- which destination you ought to drive people rather than as things. We’re now in the early stages of the connected goods fit this well-estab- to next. so-called Internet of Things. Compa- lished pattern. Google, in eff ect, takes the wheel. zNicholas Carr, the author of The nies are rushing to install sensors and Collecting information about us In its small way, Driving Mode off ers a Shallows and the forthcoming Utopia transmitters in all manner of consum- allows them to deliver more personal- peek into a world where everything is Is Creepy, is a special contributor to er and industrial goods. ised products. A man using an app on his iPhone to check on his parents. not only watching us, but guiding us. the Los Angeles Times. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY Tough action is Although the attempt by individu- Eateries overcharge High: 30 C als, groups or corporate bodies to Low : 21 C Please send us Partly cloudy to cloudy with a need of the hour stash their unaccounted wealth in for bottled water chance of scattered rain hidden accounts comes as a shock, your letters Dear Sir, the revelation proves that nothing Dear Sir, can be hidden from the public for THURSDAY The revelations of the so-called long. AV’s letter, “Questionable promo- By e-mail High: 29 C Panama Papers investigation, to tell Finally, the truth comes out. tion” (Gulf Times, March 29) was [email protected] Low: 23 C the truth, did not come as a surprise to However, to conduct a sincere probe thought-provoking. Fax 44350474 Sunny me (“Panama Papers’ revelations trig- and to take follow-up actions is a On a similar note, I am at a loss to Or Post ger international probes”, Gulf Times, process the administrations fail on understand as to why restaurants in April 5). most of the occasions. Doha are charging exorbitantly for Letters to the Editor FRIDAY One thing is obvious: Most of the Countries like India, Russia, Aus- bottled water. Gulf Times High: 31 C cases are a direct violation of laws of tralia, New Zealand, France and Aus- Summer is fast approaching and it is P O Box 2888 Low: 22 C the respective countries as well as tria, from where some of the people obvious that demand for bottled water Doha, Qatar Sunny international norms that are aimed at named in the scandal come, must take will rise in the next few weeks. controlling unauthorised handling of strong action against those involved, Bottled water is priced quite high in resources through illegal sources. if the exposures are supported by several of Indian restaurants in Doha. All letters, which are Fishermen’s forecast The involvement of political leaders evidence. To add insult to injury, they buy subject to editing, should OFFSHORE DOHA and celebrities and their family mem- Mere naming of the people on the bottled water for wholesale price and have the name of the Wind: SW-SE 05-15/18 KT bers in the aff air once again proves list doesn’t make them guilty, but if sell it to their customers for a much Waves: 2-4/5 Feet that in our world, ethics and legal the charges are supported by proof, higher price. writer, address and phone INSHORE DOHA Wind: SW-SE 05-15/18 KT compliance don’t matter to the top they should not be allowed to get away This practice must be stopped number. The writer’s name Waves: 1-2 Feet brass. For them, what matters most is with their illegal activities. forthwith. and address may be with- money and acquisition of it. And what held by request. Around the region concerns them most is how to avoid Ramachandran Nair V Kalyanaraman Weather Weather paying taxes. (Address supplied) (Address supplied) today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Abu Dhabi Sunny 33/21 Sunny 36/24 Baghdad P Cloudy 32/16 P Cloudy 31/16 Dubai Sunny 29/21 Sunny 32/24 Kuwait City M Sunny 28/21 M Sunny 27/20 Manama P Cloudy 28/22 M Sunny 28/22 Muscat Sunny 33/23 Sunny 34/25 Live issues Riyadh Sunny 33/19 Cloudy 34/18 Tehran Sunny 22/12 M Sunny 22/14 Do you need to be troubled to be a genius?

By Oliver Burkeman help wondering how recent confl icts New York might have unfolded with brooding introverts, instead of peppy optimists, at the helm. ou’d be sympathetic, I But our stigmatisation of mental assume, if you heard of a man illness has always gone hand in hand so psychologically troubled with romanticising it: we like our Ythat he compulsively geniuses to be “touched with fi re”, as saved receipts, empty food cans, Kay Redfi eld Jamison puts it in her old toothbrush boxes, stamps and book tracing links between creativity toenail clippings, squirrelling them and manic depression. There’s patchy away in boxes. You’d feel sad to learn evidence for a connection. But as the how diffi cult he found it to relate to writing coach Robert Boice points out, other people – and how he referred to it leads us astray when it comes to our his portable tape recorder, which he own creative work, or encouraging carried everywhere, as his “wife”. creativity in children. Around the world Such haunted souls seem We glamourise the high-suffering Weather Weather destined to live on society’s fringes, approach, telling ourselves that today Max/min tomorrow Max/min contributing little. And yet, whatever working in exhausting binges, or Athens Sunny 25/15 P Cloudy 24/16 you make of his art, it’s hard to waiting for inspiration, is essential Beirut Sunny 24/17 Sunny 23/17 Sunny 37/28 conclude that Andy Warhol, who to the process; or that depression’s Bangkok 38/28 Sunny Berlin P Cloudy 16/09 S howers 13/04 did all of those things, made no the price to be paid for truly Cairo Sunny 33/17 Sunny 36/21 contribution. profound art. Cape Town Sunny 28/14 Sunny 31/17 A recent book by the science The odd truth, these days, is that Colombo S T Storms 32/26 S T Storms 33/26 journalist Claudia Kalb is entitled it’s almost as embarrassing to admit Dhaka Sunny 36/26 Sunny 36/26 Hong Kong P Cloudy 24/19 P Cloudy 24/19 Andy Warhol Was A Hoarder, and she Flashback to the 70s: Andy Warhol during a visit to Japan in 1974 for his solo exhibit. to being boringly moderate in your Istanbul Sunny 22/11 Sunny 22/12 provides ample evidence for that claim habits as wildly unstable. And yet, Jakarta T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 32/25 – and for her arguments that Marilyn that mental illness is a social the right word – helped make them for most people, the way to make Karachi Sunny 31/22 Sunny 32/23 Monroe had borderline personality construct: that what counts as a who they were. It was no fun being a mark, creatively or otherwise, London Showers 12/04 Showers 13/03 P Cloudy M Sunny 36/25 disorder; that Abraham Lincoln was disorder or a gift, as craziness or Lincoln: “If what I feel were equally involves cultivating the willingness to Manila 35/24 Moscow P Cloudy 13/01 Showers 15/04 seriously depressed; and that George genius, is a constantly shifting line. distributed to the whole human doggedly plug away, day after day, in New Delhi P Cloudy 37/22 Sunny 36/20 Gershwin suff ered from hyperactivity, (In the new tech economy, it has family,” he once wrote to a friend, a dispiritingly sane fashion: patience, New York P Cloudy 09/07 Rain 14/07 to name just a few. been argued, some autism spectrum “there would not be one cheerful face not delirium. Paris M Cloudy 14/06 S T Storms 12/04 A slight tilt in the course of history, symptoms are the path to prestige and on the earth.” Figures such as Warhol show you Sao Paulo M Sunny 32/18 Sunny 32/18 Seoul P Cloudy 24/11 S Showers 22/04 and Warhol might only have been riches.) Yet in Kalb’s telling, that same can be highly eccentric and also highly Singapore P Cloudy 33/27 P Cloudy 34/27 famous for 15 minutes – as the subject Kalb’s point isn’t that her subjects raw sensitivity to sadness meant creative – not that eccentricity is a Sydney M Sunny 31/18 M Cloudy 21/17 of a voyeuristic reality show. succeeded despite their affl ictions, but he felt the carnage of the Civil War path to creativity for the rest of us.- Tokyo Clear 1 9/09 Cloudy 21/12 All of which is another reminder that their affl ictions – if that’s even in a deeply personal way; you can’t Guardian News and Media