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BUSINESS | 21 SPORT | 29 Qatar’s investment Mo Farah to ‘run in Turkey his heart out’ exceeds $19bn in Doha

Thursday 11 January 2018 | 24 Rabia II I 1439 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 22 | Number 7403 | 2 Riyals

Emir receives letter from King of Morocco Emir, President Repressive of Paraguay review ties regimes cause QNA DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday held via telephone of terrorism a conversation with President of the Republic of Paraguay THE PENINSULA H E Sheikh Mohamed Horacio Cartes. bin Abdulrahman Al The telephone conver- DOHA: Deputy Prime Minister Thani says the siege sation reviewed bilateral and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh relations and means of Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al countries have not boosting and developing Thani has said the allegation of provided evidence them, in addition to a set of supporting terrorism on Qatar to international issues of mutual interest. by siege countries is a tool to community except gain sympathy in Western Fun Fair at countries while extremist clippings of their policies pursued by repressive newspapers to prove Mall of Qatar regimes are the main cause of their allegations terrorism. from Monday The Deputy Prime Minister against Qatar. THE PENINSULA also revealed that the reason for the UAE media onslaught on the two months before the Gulf crisis Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from H M King Mohammed VI DOHA: A three-month Fun State of Qatar before start of Qatar noticed media attacks from of the Kingdom of Morocco, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to boost cooperation between Fair extravaganza, featuring Gulf crisis was the presence of the UAE-based media outlets and both countries and achieve common interests. The message was handed over by Morocco’s Minister unique entertainment for wife of an Emirati opposition contacted them to to solve the of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, during a meeting with H H the Emir visitors, is set to kick off at figure who entered Qatar and problems bilaterally. and his accompanying delegation at Al Bahr Palace, yesterday. The Minister conveyed greetings of H Mall of Qatar on Monday. left for London in 2013. “The response of the UAE M King Mohammed VI to H H The Emir, wishing him good health and happiness and the Qatari people Organised in partnership Speaking on Qatar TV was conditional with the extra- progress, development, and prosperity. For his part, H H the Emir entrusted the Moroccan Minister of with QSports, Mall of Qatar’s “Truth” last night, the Deputy dition of the woman and they Foreign Affairs with his greetings to H M King Mohammed VI and wished him happiness and the brotherly family fun event will run Prime Minister said Abu Dhabi stopped cooperation. Then Moroccan people further progress and prosperity. from January 15 to April 15 had asked to hand over the Qatar approached Saudi Arabia in front of AlRayyan Hotel woman to the UAE. and briefed them on the situ- Doha. Throughout the event, “His Highness the Emir ation,” he said. Mall of Qatar is set to excite Sheikh Tamim assured them that The Deputy Prime Minister shoppers with over 15 dif- Doha would not be used as a said that the then Crown Prince ferent activities such as platform to attack the UAE or any of Saudi Arabia Prince Qatar to seek international paintball, a wind-tunnel, other country and as long as the Mohammed bin Nayef and and a trampoline park. Vis- woman is not guilty of our law, Prince Mohammed bin Salman itors looking for a thrill can morality and values do not allow said their country would not arbitration to end blockade enjoy the indoor wind tunnel the extradition of a woman.” become part of the dispute and that will run from January The Deputy Prime Minister supported the Qatari stance. MOHAMMED OSMAN documentation of violations and the High Commissioner for 15 to March 15. pointed out that the woman’s “They said they would work to THE PENINSULA damages inflicted by the Human Rights (OHCHR) which passport was withdrawn by the contain the differences, and we blockade imposed on the State documented the human rights →REPORT ON PAGE 6 UAE embassy in Doha. He said will act as a mediator.” DOHA: All options are available of Qatar and affected the gov- violations related to the siege that all differences before the with the State of Qatar to ernment, individuals, com- imposed on Qatar and the GCC Al Wakrah issues start of Gulf crisis were minor but →CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 approach international forums panies; Qatar has begun to seek crisis. and seek arbitration through the means of arbitration to get The report proved that the 209 building international courts, other the unjust blockade ended, Al measures made by siege coun- permits in Dec organisations or the UN institu- Khater stressed describing the tries did not differentiate tions for bringing the blockade UN report as an added value between the government of DOHA: Al Wakrah munici- to an end, said Lulwah Al Khater, which strengthened the evi- Qatar and its citizens and resi- pality has topped the country Spokesperson for the Ministry dence of the violations and the dents. It was against the claims in terms of number of of Foreign Affairs. legal position of Qatar. of siege states that the measures building permits issued in “The report of UN technical She added that the State of were only directed against the December last year. A total of mission from the Office of the Qatar hopes that the issues can government of Qatar. 209 permits were issued in High Commissioner for Human be resolved through diplomatic “This is a baseless claim, and Wakrah municipality, which Rights (OHCHR) which has come channels and dialogue, but it has been proved wrong by the is 30 percent of total permits from a neutral international maintained that residents and report. Qatar does agree with issued in the country. body is satisfactory, compre- citizens whose rights have been what has been confirmed in the The Ministry of Devel- hensive and has included violated deserve to be compen- report that measures taken by opment Planning and Sta- important points,” she said, sated and the government will the blockading countries, espe- tistics said this in the monthly while addressing a press briefing do its utmost in this regard. cially the economic ones are an statistics on building permits yesterday. Al Khater highlighted the economic warfare,” she said. issued yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed After more than seven report issued by the UN tech- bin Abdulrahman Al Thani speaking on Qatar TV. months are spent on nical mission from the Office of →CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 →REPORT ON PAGE 2

Local brands to shine at jewellery and watches expo from Feb 21

RAYNALD C RIVERA Nouf Jewellery by Nouf Al Meer, some of their latest creations at exudes Qatar’s rich culture to the “It is important to give these Six jewellery brands THE PENINSULA Hairaat by Nada Al Sulaiti, Ghada the six-day show. world through unique pieces designers platform to showcase by local designers Al Buainain by Ghada Al Al Meer, who blends western inspired by amazing Qatari and sell their works. Many of the to feature at show DOHA: A number of Qatari Buainain, Ghand Jewellery by fashion and oriental feminism in architecture culture and heritage. young designers don’t have their brands are set to steal the spot- Hissa and Jawaher Al Mannai, her designs, have created Inspired by her mother’s gifts, own showrooms and this exhi- as part of the Young light at the much anticipated 15th Leila Issam Fine Jewellery by “Qatar”, which consisted of Shikha Mohammad finds beauty bition will provide them the Qatari Designers edition of the Doha Jewellery and Leila Issam Abu Issa, and Alghla bracelets and rings bearing the in traditional jewellery designs. opportunity to get in touch with initiative under the Watches Exhibition from Jewellery by Shikha Mohammad. colors of the Qatari flag. Using gold and pearls, stones and the market and to continue being Patronage of Prime February 21 to 26 at Doha Exhi- While Al Meer, Al Sulaiti and She has collaborated with diamonds, she creates pieces in the market,” said Mazen Abd bition and Convention Centre Al Buainain already joined the renowned Qatari artist Ahmed specially made for the women of Rabbo, Vice-President of Audi- Minister and Interior (DECC). show last year; Al Mannai, Abu bin Majed to transform his the Qatari society and every toire, Middle East, adding the Minister H E Sheikh Six jewellery brands by Issa and Mohammad are first- Tamim Al Majd portrait into a woman who loves jewellery. event also gives opportunity for Abdullah bin Nasser Qatar’s homegrown designers timers to the exhibition. Their limited edition handmade On its second year, the YQDs homegrown designers to work bin Khalifa Al Thani. will feature at this year’s show designs will be showcased pendant, which will be “a symbol initiative is a major highlight of with international brands. as part of the Young Qatari alongside well-known brands of power and strength for the the exhibition which shows that DJWE 2018 will feature more Designers (YQDs) initiative under from all over the world. Qatari people.” nurturing young creativity is one than 400 brands and over 40 new features and services such the Patronage of Prime Minister This talented group of young Al Sulaiti draws inspiration of the key pillars of DJWE exhibitors from 10 countries as the DJWE Forum, daily and Interior Minister H E Sheikh designers have crafted designs for most of her designs from allowing young emerging Qatari spread on a 29,000sqm exhi- industry talks, watches and Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa inspired by their country and Qatari nature integrating it with talent to shine alongside well- bition space. jewellery workshops, and kids Al Thani. The brands include; their heritage and will reveal International standards. She known heritage brands. It will have a number of playground. 02 HOME THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 Al Wakrah Municipality issues 209 building permits in Dec

THE PENINSULA the construction sector which in turn dwellings of housing loans permits by 40 occupies a significant position in the percent (118 permits) and other residential DOHA: Al Wakrah Municipality has national economy. buildings by 7 percent (19 permits). topped the country in terms of number of Al Da’ayen municipality witnessed Commercial buildings topped in building permits issued in December last issuance of 88 permits (13 percent non-residential buildings permits with year. According to the monthly Statistics share), Umm Slal saw issuance of 51 a share of 47 percent (73 permits), fol- of Building Permits, a total of 209 permits permits (7 percent share), Al Khor 28 lowed by industrial buildings (work- were issued in Wakrah municipality, permits (4 percent share), Al Shee- shops and factories) with 29 percent accounting 30 percent share in total haniya 26 permits (4 percent) while (45 permits), governmental buildings permits issued in the country. Al Shamal saw issuance of 7 permits with 19 percent (30 permits) and The Ministry of Development with a share of 1 percent. mosques with 4 percent (6 permits). Planning and Statistics yesterday In terms of type of permits issued, Comparing number of permits released the thirty sixth issue of the data indicated that the new building issued in December 2017 with those monthly Statistics of Building Permits permits (residential and non-residential) issued in the previous month, the report issued by all municipalities. constituted 64 percent (446 permits) of noted a general decrease of 16 percent. FM, Moroccan Minister review ties Rayyan municipality stood second the total building permits issued during It is worth mentioning that the with 161 permits, having a share of 23 the month, while the percentage of addi- release of this monthly data comes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman percent in the total permits, followed tions permits constituted 34 percent (238 under the joint cooperation between Al Thani met with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation by Doha municipality with 131 permits permits), and fencing permits with 2 the Ministry of Development Planning Nasser Bourita, who is currently visiting the country. The meeting discussed the with a share of 19 percent. percent (17 permits). and Statistics and the Ministry of bilateral relations and ways to boost and develop them. In addition, the meeting Building permits data is of signif- Villas’ topped the list, accounting for Municipality and Environment to discussed the latest developments in the region. icant importance as it is considered 49 percent (143 permits) of all new resi- make use of the existing electronic link an indicator for the performance of dential buildings permits, followed by between the two ministries.

Cabinet approves renewal Ashghal to remove Dukhan Road diversion of QFCRA Board of THE PENINSULA DOHA: The Public Works Authority, ‘Ashghal’, will remove the existing Directors membership eastbound diversion on Dukhan between Al Wajba Bridge and Old Bani QNA neration of Board members. Hajer Roundabout shifting the traffic The Cabinet reviewed the following onto the carriageway. DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior topics and took the appropriate decisions: The detour, designed in collab- Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser 1. Draft law organising scholarships. oration with the General Direc- bin Khalifa Al Thani chaired yesterday 2. Letter of the Minister of Devel- torate of traffic, will be in place on the Cabinet’s regular weekly meeting opment Planning and Statistics on the Friday (January 12) and last for two at its Emiri Diwan premises. After the visuals of each of the Ministry of Interior months to facilitate the con- meeting, Minister of Justice and Acting and the Ministry of Administrative Devel- struction of the service roads, util- Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs opment, Labour and Social Affairs on the ities and landscaping of Khalifa H E Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr Al achievement of the recommendations Avenue. Mohannadi said the Cabinet reviewed made regarding population growth. During the traffic change, road topics on the agenda. 3. Memo of the Minister of Public travellers coming from Dukhan to The Cabinet approved the renewal Health on the results of the visit to the Doha can use the carriageway in place of the membership of the Board of Sultanate of Oman in November 2017. of the existing diversion, as illustrated Directors of Qatar Financial Centre 4. Letter of the National Committee on the attached map. Travellers Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) as of for the Prohibition of Weapons on the heading for Al Rayyan can use the New The Public Works Authority will road users abide by the new speed March 8, 2018, appointing a member 39th report of the work of the Committee Al Rayyan Street on the right after Al install road signs advising motorists limit at 50kph, and follow the road in the Board and determining the remu- from December 1 to 9, 2017. Wajba Bridge. of the detour. ‘Ashghal’ requests all signs to ensure their safety. THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 HOME 03 Qatar & Sudan sign MoU for cooperation in public prosecution

QNA H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri direction towards the support of the said within the framework state institutions, the law and the inde- KHARTOUM: Qatar and Sudan signed pendence of the judiciary completely here yesterday a memorandum of of bilateral cooperation, from the executive and legislative understanding (MoU) for cooperation prosecutors from both branches. in the field of public prosecution to sides will exchange visits to For his part, the Sudanese Attorney exchange information on laws, regula- benefit from the other side General said that the signing of the MoU tions, provisions and criminal justice was within the framework of bilateral systems, as well as to cooperate in the experience in investigation cooperation by exchanging joint training field of training of prosecutors. and judiciary, as well as of prosecutors in both countries in the field Signed by Qatar’s Attorney-General exchange experiences as of investigation and knowledge sharing, H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri and Sudan’s Qatar’s public production praising the strong and deep-rooted rela- Attorney General Maulana Omar Ahmed tions between Sudan and Qatar. Mohammed, the MoU stressed on reg- has 16 years of experience. “We are keen on knowledge ular bilateral consultations to review the sharing and this memorandum of level and magnitude of cooperation in understanding augurs well for rela- training and mutual legal assistance. that will be transferred to Sudan in order tions between the two countries in the Following the MoU signing, Dr Ali to benefit from it. legal fields,” said the Sudanese bin Fetais Al Marri said within the Dr Al Marri praised the continuous Attorney General, adding that his dis- framework of bilateral cooperation, and advanced relations between Sudan cussions with the Qatari Attorney- prosecutors from both sides will and Qatar in all fields, pointing out that General dealt with relations in the field exchange visits to benefit from the other his visit to Sudan aims to back the judi- of combating crime in general, and the Qatar’s Attorney-General H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri and Sudan’s Attorney side experience in investigation and ciary in all its forms and promote bilat- Arab cooperation in relation to the General Maulana Omar Ahmed Mohammed signing the MoU. judiciary, as well as exchange experi- eral cooperation and joint public prosecution and its role and ences as Qatar’s public production has coordination. independence. Ali Ahmed Toral-Dabba, where they The signing ceremony was attended 16 years of experience, during which He praised the establishment of an It is worth mentioning that Dr Al discussed means of advancing joint by the Ambassador of the State of Qatar Qatar managed to replace registry with independent public prosecutor in Sudan, Marri met with State Minister at the cooperation between the two to the Republic of the Sudan Rashid bin electronic investigation - an experiment stressing that it is a step in the right Sudanese Ministry of Justice Tahani countries. Abdulrahman Al Nuaimi.

Public Security D-G GU-Q alumnus wins Queen’s Young Leaders Award meets Ethiopia envoy QNA THE PENINSULA and digital streaming technology to bring Cambridge to continue developing his school curriculums to children who are communication, fund-raising, and lead- DOHA: Director-General of DOHA: Georgetown University in Qatar unable to attend formal classes, or who are ership skills. Public Security Major General (GU-Q) alumnus Haroon Yasin (SFS ‘15) at risk of dropping out of school. The GU-Q alumnus hopes this course Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi was recently named as one of the winners Using a mobile app with cartoon char- will enable him to scale up Orenda’s work, met here yesterday with of the 2018 Queen’s Young Leaders acters living in ‘Taleemabad’ (Urdu for as the organisation expands the app’s Ambassador of the Federal Awards for his work to educate under- ‘Education City’) and complementary reach internationally and rolls out new Democratic Republic of Ethi- privileged children in Pakistan. work books, Yasin and his co-founder, ‘digital books’ for children without opia to Qatar Metasebia Later this year, Yasin will travel to the fellow GU-Q alumnus Ahwaz Akhtar (SFS Internet access. Tadesse. United Kingdom to receive his award from ’16), are making learning fun and engaging “We have recently manufactured an They discussed a number Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. for around 1,300 children in the country. extremely low cost device that can play of subjects of joint interest Yasin is the co-founder of Orenda, an “Recently, after having seen the ben- all the content via built-in memory,” said during the meeting. educational organisation that uses cartoons efits of the Taleemabad cartoon series, Haroon Yasin uses cartoons and digital Yasin. “It can store up to a year’s worth Al Shamal Municipality streaming technology to bring school of content, and can play it for up to eight curriculum to children who are unable hours consecutively without a charge. online services to attend formal classes. Using SMS messages, the device also keeps on submitting progress reports to our THE PENINSULA server so that the child can be helped we have started developing tools to take when they get stuck.” DOHA: Al Shamal Munici- our digital learning model to the masses,” Yasin was one of three winners from pality responded to 837 said Yasin. “The award has given us the Pakistan, and one of 60 young people online requests seeking serv- publicity and forum to ensure that the selected from thousands of applicants ices regarding pest control maximum number of people benefit from from across the world for the 2018 last month. The Municipality the service we have designed.” Queen’s Young Leaders Awards. Short- also provided 669 services The Queen’s Young Leaders Award is listed applicants were selected by a panel upon the requests of the resi- a global program that recognises and cel- made up of young people from across the dents related to trimming ebrates people aged 18-29 from across Commonwealth, and the finalists were trees, carrying drainage water the Commonwealth who are using their chosen by members from The Queen Eliz- and unblocking the manholes skills to impact their communities. As part abeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Comic among many others in of his prize, Yasin will be taking a custom- Relief, and The Royal Commonwealth December 2017, said a designed course at the University of Society. release.

QGBC signs MoU with Al Sulaiti Law Firm to promote sustainability

THE PENINSULA both our organizations to work together to intro- business environment. This agreement is an example duce and achieve sustainable practices within a of collaborative innovation for the greater benefit of our DOHA: Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC), a business environment. respective members and stakeholders.” member of Qatar Foundation, has signed a Memo- The signing of this MoU randum of Understanding (MoU) with Al Sulaiti demonstrates our contin- Law Firm. The MoU aims at creating awareness on uous active role in society sustainability, offer training opportunities, and to create and maintain sus- provide appropriate certification through each tainable environments that other’s respective partners, said a release. can be of benefit to future The MoU was signed by Engineer Meshal Al generations for years to Shamari, Director, QGBC, and Mubarak Al Sulaiti, come.” Chairman, Al Sulaiti Law Firm. Al Sulaiti added: “We are The partnership kicked off with a training ses- very pleased to be partnering sion presented by Hamoda Youssef, Head of Com- with Qatar Green Building munications, QGBC, to all Al Sulaiti Law Firm Council to promote sustaina- employees, highlighting the WELL Building Engineer Meshal Al Shamari and Mubarak Al Sulaiti bility through cooperative Standard and the importance of supporting and signing the Memorandum of Understanding. relations and exchanges. We promoting human health and well-being through look forward to working buildings, interior spaces, and communities. partner with Al Sulaiti Law Firm and we look for- together to advance awareness Engineer Al Shamari said: “We are proud to ward to a constructive exchange that will enable towards a more sustainable

Ooredoo hosts technology master class THE PENINSULA digital revenue streams, free up staff to focus on more creative problem solving, DOHA: Ooredoo recently showcased how and to more quickly identify and predict emerging technologies, such as the Internet customer trends.” of Things and artificial intelligence, can The “Exploring New Technologies” ses- transform Qatar’s businesses with its third sion was the latest in a series of master technology master class “Exploring New classes held in collaboration with Digital Technologies”. and Beyond, a digital incubator led by Talking about the event, Yousuf Abdulla Ooredoo and the Qatar Business Incuba- Al Kubaisi, Ooredoo Qatar COO, said: “We tion Center (QBIC). hope this master class opened Qatar’s Aysha Al Mudahka, CEO, Qatar Busi- entrepreneur’s eyes to the technology ness and Incubation Center, commented: already available to take their business or “Adopting emerging technologies should The master class in progress. idea to the next-level. not be done in isolation – start-ups and In the growing Digital Economy, organisations should examine how Companies will also need to train and Qatar’s start-ups must harness innova- emerging technologies can solve busi- upskill their employees, in order to opti- tions such as the Internet of Things and ness problems, and fit into a wider dig- mise how emerging technologies can aug- artificial intelligence to unlock new ital transformation programme. ment their tasks”. 04 HOME THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 QRI facility helps patients lead an independent life

THE PENINSULA Simulated Living suite’s activities are part of Suite is a home- Hamad Medical Corporation’s DOHA: A Simulated Living Suite (HMC) cutting-edge occupational opened at Qatar Rehabilitation like environment therapy treatments that allow Institute (QRI) last year is helping with an accessible patients with disabilities to prac- patients re-learn the skills bedroom and tice self-care activities under the needed to regain their independ- attached bathroom. supervision of an Occupational ence and reintegrate into the Therapist (OT). community. It has a living room Sultan Al Abdulla, Chief of The suite, which is also called with a television, an Occupational Therapy at the an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) accessible kitchen, QRI, said: “An Occupational room, is a home-like environ- and specially adapted Therapist helps patients ment with an accessible bed- develop and/or regain the skills room and attached bathroom. It equipment and other they need to return to inde- has a living room with a televi- adaptable facilities. pendent living. The team works sion, an accessible kitchen, and with patients to help them carry specially adapted equipment. A within their own homes. Patients out the tasks they need to do at The Simulated Living Suite helps patients with disabilities regain the skills they need to return to washing machine, accessible who develop a disability after a home, at work, and in the independent daily living. doors and windows, electric stroke, spinal cord injury, head community.” switches, plug points, a washing injury, Guliiane Barre syndrome He added that at the Simu- “We advise patients and their suite’s services by introducing simplest tasks, EADLs can pro- basin with taps, and adapted (a disorder in which the body’s lated Living Suite, Occupational families on the importance of assistive technology. “Elec- vide them with some basic con- switches are also part of the immune system attacks part of Therapists help patients learn home modifications by actually tronic aids to daily living trol over their daily life. Indi- room. the peripheral nervous system), how to use the accessible showing them how it should look (EADLs) enable people with dis- viduals can control even the Since the suite opened, a and multiple trauma-related kitchen, bedroom, and living and allowing them to practice abilities to have more control smallest amount of movement number of patients with disabil- injuries can relearn daily tasks room by enabling them to prac- carrying out tasks in the adapted of their environment. When a using, but not limited to, var- ities have been successfully with activities organised in the tice carrying out different tasks areas,” said Al Abdulla. person lacks mobility, motor or ious types of adapted switches. rehabilitated and are now con- suite. such as cooking, by using equip- Al Abdulla mentioned that cognitive skills that prevent This is being planned for the fidently living independently The self-care retraining ment adapted to their needs. there are plans to expand the them from performing even the future,” he added. Darfur Refugee Football team meets with Save the Dream officials

THE PENINSULA protect sport values in young people around flict and civil war in Sudan, said a release. the world. During the meeting, officials from Save DOHA: The Darfur Refugee Football team Comprising of players and officials from the Dream discussed a number of potential visited the headquarters of the International different tribes and camps from across sports projects and areas of mutual interest Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) recently to Sudan, the Darfur Refugee Football team with the Sudanese delegation — which meet with senior officials and international was formed to provide opportunities to sup- included officials, coaches and players — as experts from Save the Dream. port and empower displaced youth in the well as how technical assistance can be pro- Save the Dream is a global non-profit country, as well as using sport as a platform vided by Save the Dream in the field of sport movement that aims to promote and to promote for peace following years of con- development and peace-building. In addition, players and officials from the Darfur Refugee Team learnt about var- ious projects and volunteer programmes cur- rently being conducted around the world by Save the Dream, its overall mission and core Ashghal announces values that aim to educate and empower young people through sport, as well as how traffic change at the global movement plans to continue to expand its work in Qatar and around the Mesaimeer Intersection world in 2018. Speaking at the meeting, Massimiliano Montanari, Executive Director — Save the THE PENINSULA Dream said: “This meeting was an impor- tant opportunity to learn and share experi- DOHA: The Public Works Authority, ‘Ashghal’, has announced a ences about the important role that sport traffic change on Mesaimeer Intersection (Leabidly Roundabout) can play in empowering young people, as on E-Ring Road leading from Doha and Industrial Area as well as well as ongoing projects and initiatives being from Doha Expressway to E-Ring Road, Rawdat Al Khail Street conducted by both organisations. and Industrial Area. “At Save the Dream, we are committed The detour, designed in collaboration with the general Direc- Darfur Refugee Football team and officials during their visit to the headquarters of International to sharing our expertise and providing tech- torate of Traffic, will be in effect on Saturday (January 13) and last Centre for Sport Security in Doha. nical assistance to organisations like the for two years to facilitate the revamp of Leabidly Roundabout into Darfur Refugee Football team, who are a multi-level interchange. playing an active and vital role in using sport Also, the Leabidly Roundabout Bridge will be closed to traffic as a platform for peace and youth empow- from E-Ring Road towards Industrial Area. erment in Sudan.” During the diversion, Doha-bound traffic from Industrial Area will be detoured right prior to Leabidly Roundabout to a newly built road towards E-Ring Road, where a fresh light signal was installed to control traffic in all directions including Rawdat Al Khail Street and Doha Expressway. Road users travelling from Doha Expressway towards Industrial Area, E-Ring Road or Rawdat Al Khail Street can take right prior to Leabidly Roundabout onto a newly built road towards Industrial Area Road, where a fresh light signal was installed to control traffic in all directions involving E-Ring Road. Road users travelling from E-Ring Road towards Indus- trial Area can use the recently-installed light signal before Leabidly Roundabout and take left onto the new route towards Industrial Area Road. Road users travelling from Rawdat Al Khail Street towards Industrial Area can use Leabidly Roundabout then turn left onto the third exit and turn right via the next signal towards Industrial Area Road. Also, road users travelling from Rawdat Al Khail Street towards Industrial Area can turn right at Leabidly Round- about onto the next light signal then perform a U-turn towards the new route and the Industrial Area Route. Ashghal will install road signs providing motorists with advance notice of the new road layout. The Public Works Authority requests all road users to abide by the new speed limit and follow the road signs to ensure their safety. Infiniti Q50, Q60 recalled THE PENINSULA

DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collab- oration with Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Company, dealer of Infiniti vehicles in Qatar, has announced the recall of Infiniti Q50 and Q60 models of 2017 over possible defect in the Engine Control Module (ECM) programming. The Ministry said the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on vehicle defects and repairs. The Ministry said that it will coordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works. THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 HOME 05 Ministry clears concerns about poultry projects

SANAULLAH ATAULLAH The clarification came National Vision 2030 therefore poultry project, should be imple- beauty because of a poultry farm in arable areas during earlier THE PENINSULA after concerns were no project will get license mented within the framework is against Qatari heritage,” said regular sessions of the Council. without implementing the envi- of the Ministry’s strategy to pre- a comment posted on the A CMC member, Khalid bin DOHA: Brushing aside miscon- raised by environment ronmental requirements and serve the land environment. hashtag. “We demand to keep Abdullah Al Ghali had made a ceptions surrounding allotment activists for shifting of obtaining the necessary environ- Qatari environmental activ- away projects from green areas. proposal, raising concerns about of land for a poultry farm in an a poultry farm project mental permits, said the post. ists are running an online cam- Arable lands and environment encroachment of green lands and arable land, the Ministry of The Ministry of Municipality paign to protect green arable are an incredible wealth,” said allotment of arable lands by the Municipality and Environment to green land for and Environment emphasised land locally called “Rawd”. another comment. Urban Planning Department at has clarified that all projects will environmental reason. that the protection of arable land The campaign launched on Another commentator said the Ministry of Municipality and meet environmental require- and the environment in general Tweeter under hashtag “Ibadu that he demanded from the Environment for the projects of ments. is one of its strategic priorities. Al Mashari An Al Rawd” (Keep authorities concerned to provide housing, foods and poultry farms. The clarification came after clarify about the allocation of Therefore, the aforementioned away the projects from arable alternative places for estab- Al Ghali said in his proposal concerns were raised by envi- land for a poultry farm project. project of poultry farm is still lands) received overwhelming lishing projects instead of green that these projects can be imple- ronment activists for shifting of Protection of Qatar’s environ- being studied by the authorities response from citizens and other land. The members of the Cen- mented at non-arable lands. He a poultry farm project to green ment is among its top priorities,” concerned at the Ministry. environment activists. tral Municipal Council (CMC) also also suggested to the officials to land for environmental reason. the Ministry tweeted yesterday. The Ministry noted that the “Greenery and arable lands raised similar voice demanding coordinate with environment “The Ministry of Municipality Protection of environment is establishment of food security are true face of Qatar which must the authorities concerned to activist in launching such and Environment intends to one of the four pillars of Qatar projects of the country including be preserved, so removing this avoid allotting lands for projects projects. QC implemented 1,079 water Mall of Qatar to name first set of projects in Pakistan last year Shop Qatar 2018 winners today RAYNALD C RIVERA Hotel. Stunning models wearing Next week will be another THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA creations by well-known Arab week filled with surprises as Shop designers took to the runway at Qatar presents Bollywood Week DOHA: Qatar Charity imple- DOHA: It will be an exciting night the fashion show. featuring new set pop-up shops, mented 1,079 water projects at at Mall of Qatar as the names of Designs by celebrity Kuwaiti workshops, fashion shows and a cost of QR6m in Pakistan in the first set of Shop Qatar 2018 fashion designers Yousef Al Jasmi live entertainment including the 2017 to improve the community winners will be revealed at the and Sakba and Meriem Bel concert of Bollywood singing sen- health and make access to clean first raffle draw at 7.30pm tonight. Khayat from Morocco were sation Sonu Nigam on January 19, drinking water easy. Thirteen cash prizes worth among the features of the night’s 7pm at DECC. More than 200,000 people QR500,000, one BMW 730 Li and show. Today, visitors at The Gate Organised by Qatar Tourism benefitted from the projects in one BMW 530i will be given away Mall will enjoy an Omani cultural Authority (QTA), Shop Qatar 2018 several Pakistani provinces to lucky shoppers who entered show at 5.30pm and 6pm. People offers 31 days of discounts and including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber- the raffle. can also visit the dhow art pop-up promotions at 13 malls including Pakhtonkhwa and Baluchistan, On its second edition, Shop shop at Ezdan Mall from 7pm to Al Khor Mall, City Centre Doha, said a release. With a cast of Qatar offers big discounts and 8pm and the sand art pop-up Doha Festival City, Gulf Mall, QR6m, the Qatar Charity Office promotions and up to QR4m cash shop at Mall of Qatar from 6pm Hyatt Plaza Mall, Lagoona Mall, in Islamabad has implemented and car prizes in store for shop- to 7pm. Landmark Mall, Mall of Qatar, these projects, which included pers at various outlets of the 13 The much anticipated concert Tawar Mall, The Gate Mall, Vil- the drilling of 859 artesian wells participating malls. For every of famous Lebanese singing sen- laggio Mall, Ezdan Mall and Dar equipped with a hand pump, 149 QR200 purchase a shopper gets sations Yara and Joseph Attieh Al Salam Mall. artesian wells equipped with an Water projects implemented by QC in Pakistan. a voucher for a chance to win big will take place tomorrow at 8pm With the theme ‘A Brand New electric pump and two bath- prizes during the weekly raffle at Doha Exhibition and Conven- Tradition’, the festival, which aims rooms, as well as 71 deep arte- More than 200,000 which make easy access to draws, which are one of the main tion Centre. to support the country’s vibrant sian wells equipped with an elec- drinking water, improve the features of the shopping The Arabian Week wraps up retail and tourism sectors, fea- tric pump and two bathrooms. people benefitted health conditions of communi- festival. with a makeup masterclass by tures themed weeks with a Qatar Charity also con- from the projects ties, and reduce the spread of Other highlights of this week Kuwaiti celebrity makeup artist diverse line-up of fashion and structed 220 toilets along with in several Pakistani epidemics and diseases in poor was the Arabian Fashion Show Hanan Al Najada’s on Saturday at entertainment events catered to sinks and places for ablution provinces including areas suffering from disasters. yesterday night at Mondrian 4pm at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. an international audience. under these water projects to Qatar Charity is always at the improve sanitation conditions Punjab, Sindh, forefront of responding to every and reduce the risk of the spread Khyber-Pakhtonkhwa request made by the Pakistani of diseases and epidemics. and Baluchistan. government for humanitarian The Director of the Qatar support, emergency relief and Charity Office in Pakistan, Amin disaster assistance. Issa said that Pakistan is exposed Qatar Charity has been able to natural disasters such as floods population creates immediate to quickly respond to disasters and earthquakes and suffers and long-term health risks. due to its field offices in Paki- from some conflicts from time Issa pointed out that Qatar stan and Kashmir and imple- to time. Local and international Charity pays special attention mented many projects as a assessments have revealed the to the water and sanitation humanitarian response in col- great need for water and sanita- sector and implements various laboration with the key UN tion in emergencies, as the dis- projects by drilling wells and organizations such as UNICEF, placement of massive providing sanitation facilities, WFP and FAO. Al Markhiya Gallery to hold “120/20” exhibition

THE PENINSULA organizing a number of exhibi- Al Markhiya Gallery was tions, both in its new premises established with a mission to DOHA: Al Markhiya Gallery and at Katara, in an attempt to promote and represent a distinc- yesterday announced that it revitalize the plastic art move- tive group of emerging and would hold an exhibition enti- ment in Qatar. established Arab artists in Qatar, tled “120/20” at “Katara” next Recently the Gallery held the the region and throughout the Tuesday and will continue until “50 by 50” exhibition, which was world. the March 8. attended by many Qatari artists The last two exhibitions The Gallery explained that and residents. It is worth men- organised by the Gallery at the the exhibition will be attended tioning that Al Markhiya Gallery end of last year are: “Another by a group of Qatari, Gulf and plays an important role in the Dream” for the artists Nasser Al Arab artists. Each artist will development of the cultural and Attiyah (Qatar), Meshail Faisal present a collection of his works plastic art in the country by rep- (Kuwait), and the exhibition enti- of art, in the form of a mural resenting the private sector and tled “Lamha” by the Sudanese painting. Since its opening in proving its ability to support art artist Rashid Diab, which con- September, the Gallery has been and creativity in Qatar. tinues until January 18.

WCM-Q extends application deadline for Biomedical Research Training Program

THE PENINSULA The training program begins on February 11 and is a full-time, six-month employment com- DOHA: Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) mitment with trainees receiving a graduation has extended the application deadline for its certificate upon completion. annual Biomedical Research Training Program The deadline for applications has now been for Nationals. extended until January 30. For more informa- The program is aimed at recent Qatari grad- tion or to apply visit www.qatar-weill.cornell. uates of any discipline who are interested in pur- edu/research/research-training-programs/ suing a career as a bench or clinical researcher, biomedical-research-training-program-for- or a research administrator. nationals. 06 HOME THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 QU-CENG hosts forum on industry networking

THE PENINSULA The event its research ranking, which is a brought together source of great pride for QNRF due DOHA: Qatar University College representatives from to the significant support it has of Engineering (QU-CENG) provided to the institution over the recently organised its “Academic- many industries and past 10 years. It is particularly Industry Networking Forum”, government agencies. encouraging to see the level of aimed to identify opportunities engagement and insight by the for collaboration between attendees of the forum, during the academia and stakeholders. energy and environment, and roundtable discussions, on how The event was attended by biomedical and health. best to meet Qatar’s national CENG Dean Dr Khalifa Al Khalifa, In his remarks, Dr Khalifa Al research priorities and the the- Qatar National Research Fund Khalifa said: “This event is part of matic areas of research focus iden- (QNRF) Executive Director Dr CENG’s commitment to cement tified by QNRF within its ongoing Abdul Sattar Al Taie, QNRF Infor- relations with industrial stake- funding programs. This reflects the mation and Communication holders and push forward collab- commitment and responsiveness Technology Program Senior Man- orations and joint initiatives in of the research community to ager Dr Munir Tag, and CENG order to enhance CENG services addressing the nation’s greatest FROM LEFT: QNRF Information and Communication Technology Program Senior Manager Dr Munir associate deans for Academic that respond to industry’s require- needs.” Tag, CENG Dean Dr Khalifa Al-Khalifa and QNRF Executive Director Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie at the event. Affairs Prof Abdelmagid Ham- ments and needs. It will further Dr Munir Tag said: “I am very muda and for Research and Grad- develop the progressive research pleased to participate in this uni- uate Studies Prof Abbes Amira, as efforts between both parties versity-industry network event, economy.” that will yield to a sustainable region. The collaboration well as CENG faculty and staff. towards more wide partnerships which is timely and needed. Over “I found the discussion development of the country,” he between industry and academia The event brought together that benefit the community and the last ten years, QNRF has been among academia, business and added. has always supported improve- representatives from many the country in all related fields.” funding research that focused on government representatives Prof Abbes Amira said: “We ment and innovation in the industries and government agen- Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie said: “I building capacity, capability and extremely useful. Such interac- recognize the importance of the industry and helps to ensure cies. They had the opportunity to am thoroughly delighted to attend infrastructure. We are now tions will help in addressing the university-industry collabora- industrial relevance in academic exchange their ideas and experi- this forum and witness the impres- focusing on creating research problems and challenges through tion in facing different challenges research. In addition, a good ences on various research areas sive progress made by Qatar Uni- impact on the economy and the our research funding programs resulted in particular from the industry-academic partnership related to information and com- versity College of Engineering in society in Qatar in view of and lead to more innovation and current economic climate and set up from the start is always a munication technology (ICT), the research arena, as well as in achieving a knowledge-based entrepreneurship opportunities recent developments in the win-win for all sides.”

Fun Fair extravaganza set to kick off at Mall of Qatar

THE PENINSULA Mall of Qatar is set to excite shoppers thrilling for all of our visitors. We pride entertainment with a multilevel Family with over 15 different activities such as ourselves on creating a truly immer- Entertainment Complex integrating DOHA: A three-month Fun Fair extrav- paintball, a wind-tunnel, and a tram- sive shopping experience, with unique Kidzmondo an international edutain- aganza, featuring unique entertainment poline park; so even the biggest of kids offerings and events that align with our ment concept, Xtremeland featuring for visitors, is set to kick off at Mall of will have plenty of fun. exceptionally high standards,” said advanced gaming machines and Qatar on Monday. The event will take place every day. Stuart Elder, Mall of Qatar CEO. “Our enthralling rides as well as Qatar’s pre- Organised in partnership with Visitors looking for a thrill can enjoy ‘Mall of Qatar Fun Fair’ is set to be an mium cinema destination, operated by QSports, Mall of Qatar’s family fun event the indoor wind tunnel that will run event our visitors will never forget, and Novo, inclusive of IMAX’s revolutionary will run from January 15 to April 15 in from January 15 to March 15. we look forward to welcoming them to laser projection on the region’s largest front of AlRayyan Hotel Doha. “At Mall of Qatar, we are always fantastic three months of fun.” screen, 28 metres wide by 15 metres Several activities are planned at Mall of Qatar. Throughout the duration of the event, looking to provide something new and Mall of Qatar is the home of family high.

Fourth edition of The Color Run on January 27 THE PENINSULA

DOHA: The fourth edition of The Color Run presented by Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First, the flagship public health campaign of Weill Cornell Medicine– Qatar (WCM-Q), is set to take place on January 27. This year once again, the popular 5K course will transport participants to a world where anything is possible, inspiring them to make dreams a reality. The Color Run will begin at the Qatar National Convention Centre. Known to be the biggest and most colorful event that Doha has ever seen, this edition of the Color Run will have a A file photo of participants at an earlier edition of The Color Run. one-of-a-kind theme: The Dream World Tour. Colors, music, running, jogging, Awalan is a unique race that celebrates Each Color Runner will receive a fun skipping and dancing will ensure that all health, happiness and individuality by participant kit, which includes a limited participants will have an absolute blast! both empowering and encouraging par- edition Dream World Tour race shirt, During The Color Run participants ticipants of all ages and abilities to focus embroidered headband, a fun temporary can choose to run, walk, jog or skip on their health and well-being. tattoo, welcome card, rainbow pencil and around the 5km course with their family Ticket sales have been through the some awesome goodies from sponsors. and friends. The brand new Foam Zone roof so far and all participants are encour- Deluxe Runners will receive the kit plus will make Color Runners feel on top of aged to buy their tickets today, before a Gold bib a wristband, tutu, party socks the world, as they enjoy a brand new they sell out, to avoid disappointment and and sunglasses for the ultimate Color color, and as always, get covered from be part of this exciting event. Celebrated Runner look on the day. head to toe in an array of colors. After the by everyone of all ages and walks of life, Since its inception in 2012, The Color course, participants can show their aspi- both veteran Color Runners and those Run has become a global phenomenon, rations on the first ever Dream Wall and that will be taking part for the first time continuing to innovate the 5k paint race enjoy the ultimate color extravaganza will be able to enjoy an action-packed genre each year. The Color Run has been with family and friends at the Finish Fes- day in a fun, fitness-inspired environ- experienced by over 6 million people tival – featuring the world famous color ment. Tickets can be purchased for this worldwide in 35+ countries and has throws! fantastic initiative by visiting www. donated a staggering $5m to charity to The Color Run presented by Sahtak thecolorrun.qa. date. THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 HOME 07 Repressive regimes cause of terrorism CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 to identify the location and how campaigns against Qatar for media not provided the international countries, while extremist policies countries but the US told us that it H H the Emir is also keen on the crime occurred,” he remarked. outlets in America and Europe. We community with evidence except pursued by repressive regimes are had not received any response Qatari-Gulf relations and resolving He said that the State of Qatar noticed there are many contradic- clippings of their newspapers to the main cause of terrorism.” from those countries. “It is not any problems between brothers, allowed those who restored their tions in their stances, most notably prove their allegations against He said that Qatar had acceptable to impose demands on the Deputy Prime Minister said. Qatari nationality to retain their the issue of internationalization of Qatar. Qatar contacted all the responded to the demands of the a sovereign state although we have He said that a hostile media offen- Bahraini nationalities in order to the crisis, but we saw them con- friendly countries and explained blockading countries legally and dealt with the provocative sive in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the preserve the situation in Bahrain. ducting diplomatic campaign to them our position. Some of handed over its response to His demands of these states with open UAE against Qatar launched He said that the blockading coun- abroad at the beginning of the these countries approached the Highness the Emir of Kuwait mind in respect and appreciation immediately after the hacking of tries promised Kuwait’s Foreign crisis to promote lies against siege countries but they did not Sheikh Sabah and Qatar assured of the Kuwaiti mediation.” the QNA. “We wanted the inves- Minister following the crime of Qatar,” he added. The Deputy respond to any mediation.” him that “we are open to dia- He said that the Emir wel- tigation of the crime of cyber cyber attack that they are going to Prime Minister pointed out that He said that the siege States logue”. He said that US Secretary comed the Kuwaiti Emir’s invita- attack to be conducted in a trans- submit complaints and grievances Qatar worked in a joint operation fabricated allegations against of State Rex Tillerson presented a tion to attend the Gulf Summit as parent manner therefore we wel- against Qatar but nothing hap- room with these countries in Syria Qatar in relation to the financing roadmap to resolve the Gulf crisis an opportunity to meet GCC comed the participation of the FBI pened so far. “The blockading but we were surprised by their of terrorism. “The charge of sup- during his visit to the region and leaders face-to-face and discuss and the Crime Enforcement countries are spending huge claim that we financed terrorism porting terrorism is tool they used Qatar agreed to that and waited the Gulf crisis but they did not Agency of Britain and we managed amounts of money on media there. “The siege countries have to gain sympathy in the Western for the response of the blockading attend the meeting in Kuwait. Malabar Gold to open 11 showrooms tomorrow

THE PENINSULA Eight of the 11 Abdul Salam KP, Group Execu- showrooms are tive Director of Malabar Group. DOHA: Malabar Gold & “In 2018, we will be opening Diamonds, one among the BIG 5 going to be opened more showrooms as well as jewellery retailers globally, is in the GCC countries, manufacturing units. This will opening 11 new showrooms crossing the milestone fuel our vision to become the top across six countries in one single of 200 showrooms jewellery retailer in the world.” day, tomorrow, January 12 — Shamlal Ahammed, Man- including eight in the Gulf region, globally. The company aging Director of Malabar Gold taking the total number of outlets also plans to add 50 & Diamonds’ International Oper- to 208 spread across nine coun- more showrooms in ations, said, “In 2018, we will be tries. This is for the first time that 2018. expanding into new horizons, an Indian jewellery retailer has marking our presence in coun- been opening such a large tries such as the US, Sri Lanka, number of showrooms spread Brunei, and Bangladesh. As part across six nations in a single day. Chairman of Malabar Group, told of its global expansion plans, The new showrooms would the media at a press Malabar Gold & Diamonds will be located at Mall of Qatar, conference. be opening another 50 show- Lagoona Mall in Qatar, Muscat Currently, Malabar Gold & rooms in this year in different City Centre in Oman, five cen- Diamonds has 197 showrooms formats in various countries.” tres in the UAE, AMK Hub in Sin- of which 90 showrooms are in It has decided to organise a gapore, Ampang Mall in India and other 107 showrooms grand ceremony at Lulu Al Malaysia, and Warrangal in Tel- abroad. The rapid expansion of Hazana to celebrate crossing the FROM LEFT: Abdul Salam KP, Group Executive Director of Malabar Group; Shamlal Ahamed, Managing angana, India. showrooms across geographies milestone of 200 showrooms Director - International Operations of Malabar Gold & Diamonds; M P Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar “The opening of 11 show- is part of the Group’s strategy to globally. The upcoming show- Group; Dr P A Ibrahim Haji, Co-Chairman of Malabar Group; Ameer CMC, Director - Finance & Admin rooms in a single day across six fast expand its global footprint. rooms of the group are at Man- of Malabar Gold & Diamonds; during the announcement of launching 200 showrooms globally at a countries reflects our strong con- In FY2017 alone, Malabar Group narkad (Kerala), Abbasiya press meet held in Dubai. viction and confidence in the has opened 27 showrooms across (Kuwait), Himayat Nagar overall growth of the gold and nations. (Hyderabad), Kondapur diamond sector, despite chal- “Despite the bull-run of (Hyderabad), Mall of Travancore showrooms as well as manufac- focus areas of the CSR initiatives that they operate. The group, lenging circumstances in certain crypto-currency, introduction of (Kerala), Noida (UP), South turing units in the country, even- of Malabar Group are in the areas which currently has showrooms markets. We are getting wide GST in India and VAT in two Gulf Extension (Delhi), Vashi tually generating more employ- of Health, Education, Women across GCC, India, Malaysia and acceptance in the global market states, we believe that the gold (Mumbai), Ludhiana (Punjab), ment opportunities and Empowerment, Housing and Singapore undertakes several place. This is also one of the rea- and diamond trade will sustain Rajkot (Gujarat) and Karim Nagar enhancing initiatives like ‘Make Environment. The organisation welfare activities with the asso- sons we are expanding our global growth in the long run and will (Telangana). In India, the com- in India’ being implemented by has kept aside 5% of its profit for ciation of like-minded organisa- presence. Our core business remain as the best commodity pany currently operates manu- the Government of India.” the CSR activities in all the regions tions in the respective regions. values such as adherence to for investment and as a saving facturing units in Kerala, Tamil Malabar Group believes transparency, honesty, quality instrument in addition to being Nadu, Karnataka, Telengana, that the most successful com- along with our value added serv- used as jewellery. As consumers Maharashtra, Bengal and in panies are those which inte- ices, product designs that suited adjust to the new tax regimes in Qatar and two other Gulf states. grate sustainability into their to every class of customers’ taste different countries, we believe, Asher O, Managing Director core business. The group is cutting across age group are the the market will record stronger - India Operations of Malabar always proactive when it key factors that give us global growth as people adjust their Gold & Diamonds, said: “The comes to CSR activities right acceptance,” M P Ahammed, budgets for ornaments,” added group is planning to set up more from the inception. The key Qatar to seek international arbitration to end blockade CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 blockading countries and did not demand citizens of siege Al Khater added: “This is an countries to leave, rather they issue that must be taken into are enjoying all rights as before consideration.” the crisis. It is worth mentioning that For instance she said: the UN technical mission from “health services provided by the Office of the High Commis- Qatar to the citizens of the sioner for Human Rights siege countries residing here (OHCHR) visited Doha between during the September, November 17 and 24 to inves- November period surpassed tigate the repercussions of the the 300,000 mark.” siege on the human right prac- Foreign Ministry’s Spokes- tices and the humanitarian sit- person Al Khater said the uation of the citizens, residents report documented the hate and GCC citizens who stay in speech broadcast on the siege Qatar. Lulwah Al Khater, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, addressing countries’ media and docu- Al Khater highlighted the a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office, mented acts of incitement important role carried by the against the State of Qatar. yesterday. PIC: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULA technical mission and the call On the measures that the made on June 14 by the High State of Qatar will take, Al Commissioner for ending the dents of the State of Qatar. damages. Khater said that the Compen- Gulf crisis. Al Khater said the report Al Khater further said that sation Claims Committee, “When the siege on Qatar has concluded the ongoing since this report was issued by established to determine the was announced on June 5, the debate on whether it is a dip- a UN entity, which the siege damages resulting from the High Commissioner called on lomatic blockade or a siege, countries are also members of, violations, will be the legal June 14 for a quick settlement adding that the report proved refused the entry of the tech- basis for international action. of the crisis especially with that the siege measures have nical missions to their coun- Al Kahter outlined that all regards to the unjust proce- exceeded the limits of diplo- tries, but they can no longer lines of communications with dures that affected citizens and matic procedures. make excuses that the reports the siege countries are still cut, individuals”. She also praised Damages affected Qataris, supporting the position of the expressing hope that a dialogue all the effective efforts carried residents and citizens of the State of Qatar are issued by can take place in the future in out by all human rights siege countries and left nega- non-governmental organiza- order to resolve the situation, organizations. tive impact on humanitarian, tions and may not be highlighting the big role played Al Khater said that the rights, economical and other recognized. by Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh report proves the hefty finan- aspects. This is an important Al Khater highlighted that Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al cial and moral damages that issue, especially when the siege the State of Qatar did not take Sabah since the beginning of fell on the citizens and resi- countries are denying these similar measures like the the crisis. 08 MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 Russia, Iran urged to stop Syrian offensive

REUTERS The UN High “Iran and Russia need to Commissioner carry out their responsibilities. ANKARA: Turkey called on If you are guarantors, which you Russia and Iran yesterday to for Human Rights are, stop the regime,” Cavusoglu pressure Syrian authorities to expressed grave told the state-run Anadolu news halt a military offensive in Syria’s concern for an agency in an interview broad- rebel-held Idlib province, which estimated 2 million cast on Turkish television Damascus launched despite an channels. international deal to reduce people in the Idlib Cavusoglu’s ministry sum- hostilities there. region. moned the Iranian and Russian As pro-government forces ambassadors on Tuesday to pressed the assault, the Russian complain about violations of the defence ministry’s newspaper 2 million people in the Idlib Idlib de-escalation zone, and he said Moscow had asked the region, where the population has said President Tayyip Erdogan Turkish military to tighten con- grown as Syrian rebels and civil- might call Russia’s Vladimir Putin trol over armed groups in Idlib. ians fled government advances on the issue. It said militants had used the in other areas. Fresh conflict Turkey, which has been Two Syrian sisters run across the rubble to embrace after finding each other alive following an air province as the launchpad for a could trigger more displacement fiercely opposed to Assad, has strike on Hamouria, in the besieged rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area near Damascus, yesterday. drone attack on two Russian on Turkey’s southern border. recently been working with his bases in the last week. Turkish Foreign Minister allies Russia and Iran for a polit- Idlib has become a focal Mevlut Cavusoglu said Russia ical resolution to the conflict. But In the first attack of its kind, Syrian government forces Wednesday, said a military point of the Syrian war as gov- and Iran must fulfill their duties Cavusoglu said the Idlib offen- Moscow said on Monday mili- have taken scores of villages in media unit run by Lebanon’s ernment forces and allied militia under a joint accord reached sive was endangering those tants had used drones to attack recent weeks near the provin- Hezbollah, which fights on the have thrust towards an insur- with Turkey last year in which efforts. “This isn’t a simple air its naval and air bases in the cial border between Idlib and Syrian army’s side. gent-held air base. Idlib, bor- the three countries announced strike, the regime is advancing nearby provinces of Tartus and Hama, with the help of Iran- The Syrian Observatory for dering Turkey, is the largest a “de-escalation zone” in Idlib. into Idlib. The goal is different Latakia. The Russian defence backed militias and Russian air Human Rights said the army and single chunk of Syria still under He said advances by the here,” he said. “If the aim here is ministry’s newspaper said on power. They have progressed allied militias captured 16 vil- the control of rebels fighting Syrian army and allied forces to make some unwilling oppo- Wednesday the drones had been towards the Abu al-Duhur mili- lages and positions yesterday. President Bashar al-Assad. into Idlib could not have taken sition groups go to Sochi, it will launched from the south- tary airport, where rebels com- They clashed with Tahrir al- The UN High Commissioner place without the support of backfire,” he added, referring to western part of the Idlib de-esca- pletely ousted the army in 2015. Sham fighters around the airport, for Human Rights expressed Moscow and Tehran, which have Russia’s plans to host a congress lation zone held by “moderate The forces had advanced to the Britain-based war moni- grave concern for an estimated both backed Assad in the war. on Syria at the end of this month. opposition” armed groups. within 3 km of the air base on toring group said.

Arab League Palestine rejects US blame after attack to meet on AFP ital, angering the Palestinians. Israelis, and to those killed while other killings as evidence of his talks. Israeli officials say pay- Jerusalem “An Israeli father of six was carrying out attacks. Hamas, a bias. “Friedman’s remarks and ments to the families of attackers RAMALLAH: The Palestinian killed last night in cold blood by Palestinian Islamist group, positions further complicated the encourages further violence and next month government attacked comments Palestinian terrorists,” Friedman praised the attack. road towards the peace process have regularly called for a halt yesterday by the US ambassador said on Twitter yesterday after The Palestinian Ministry of and the resumption of negotia- to them. The Israeli Ministry of REUTERS to Israel blaming it for the failure a 35-year-old was killed near an Foreign Affairs said in a state- tions between the Israeli and Defence said the Palestinian of peace efforts, after an Israeli Israeli settlement in the West ment that Friedman’s comments Palestinian sides, specifically Authority had paid out $350m CAIRO: The Arab League (AL) settler was killed in the occupied Bank. “Hamas praises the killers reflected his “prejudiced and after President Donald Trump’s last year in such payments. will meet on February 1 to West Bank. and PA (Palestinian Authority) selective attitude towards the declaration on Jerusalem,” the For Palestinians, such pay- discuss how to counter US In the latest tensions laws will provide them financial occupation, settlement construc- statement added. ments are a key source of income President Donald Trump’s between them, the Palestinian rewards. Look no further to why tion, and the Palestinian just and Trump’s December 6 for families who have in many move last month to recognise foreign ministry accused US there is no peace.” legitimate national rights.” announcement that he would cases lost their main bread- Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, ambassador David Friedman of Friedman, a supporter of It pointed to Friedman’s move the US embassy from Isra- winner. Qadura Fares, head of Egypt’s state news agency a “prejudiced and selective atti- West Bank settlements, was silence over what Palestinians el’s commercial capital to Jeru- the Palestinian Prisoners Club, MENA said yesterday. tude” towards the conflict. referring to payments to the say was the killing by Israeli salem enraged the Palestinians. did not dispute the figures but Six Arab foreign ministers It comes a month after US families of imprisoned Palestin- forces of a disabled Palestinian They said they will no longer said that the Palestinian people who met in Amman last week President Donald Trump recog- ians, including those who have man during recent protests and engage with the Trump admin- overwhelmingly supported the said Arab states would nised Jerusalem as Israel’s cap- carried out attacks against clashes on the Gaza border and istration’s push for fresh peace payments. embark on a diplomatic drive to persuade the UN to recog- nise a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital Erdogan meets party leader on territory captured by Israel Turkey to complete in the 1967 war. Arab foreign ministers said in an emergency meeting wall on Iranian held following Trump’s deci- sion on December 6 that the border by Spring 2019 move would spur violence throughout the region. They described Trump’s announce- REUTERS border, militants from Islamic ment as a “dangerous viola- State and other groups have tion of international law” ANKARA: Turkey has also tried to use smuggling which had no legal impact. completed more than half of a routes through Iran into Turkey, In recognising Jerusalem 144km wall on its border with they said. as the Israeli capital, US Pres- Iran and will finish it next Turan said all but a small ident Donald Trump reversed Spring, the firm building the portion of the wall along the 911 decades of US policy, imper- barrier said, as Ankara secures km border with Syria had been illing Middle East peace its frontiers from smuggling, finished, despite falling behind efforts and upsetting the Arab illegal immigration and militant schedule because of the world and Western allies infiltration. weather and security alike. State housing developer concerns. TOKI, better known for low- “All but 25-30 km have cost, high-rise apartment been completed, including the Israeli forces blocks in Turkey’s major cities, road... We can say it is at 98 has also been building a wall percent,” Turan said, referring in manhunt on the border with northern to the security roads TOKI is Syria where Kurdish fighters building alongside the walls. for attackers and hardline Sunni jihadis hold The agency is also playing territory. a leading role in government AFP Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) shakes hands with Turkey’s Nationalist Movement “We started this (Iran wall) efforts to rebuild parts of south- Party’s Leader Devlet Bahceli during their meeting at Presidential Complex in Ankara, yesterday. in the summer, but the season eastern Turkey, which has been JERUSALEM: Israeli forces is very short here. Currently, damaged by the heavy fighting set up roadblocks and 80km of this 144km has been between the military and deployed around a major completed, and when seasonal Kurdish militants since the col- Palestinian city in the occu- weather conditions permit, God lapse of a ceasefire in 2015. pied West Bank yesterday in EU to back Iran nuclear deal willing, we will have finished Ergun said TOKI were a manhunt for attackers who by next spring,” TOKI President building 25,000 housing units shot dead an Israeli settler. REUTERS negotiate the 2015 accord will a coincidence ... It’s a campaign Ergun Turan said. in the region’s worst-hit areas, Raziel Shevah, a 35-year- reassure Tehran they remain that we have carried on since Erdogan said last year .TOKI will also construct old rabbi, was killed late BRUSSELS: European powers committed to it. October,” referring to Trump’s Turkey would build walls along “industry sites” in three prov- Tuesday while driving near will reaffirm today their support They will also urge Iran to decision not to certify that its border with Iraq and part of inces, Ergun said. He said ten- the wildcat settlement where for the Iran nuclear deal that US continue to comply with inter- Tehran is meeting the terms of the border with Iran similar to ders would be held for the three he lived, Havat Gilad near the President Donald Trump has national inspectors, the diplo- a pact to stop it developing the nearly completed one on its projects, in Aksaray, Bolu and northern West Bank city of rejected, EU diplomats said, on mats said. Tehran has always nuclear weapons. longest border, with Syria. Diyarbakir, by the end of Jan- Nablus. Some 22 gunshots the eve of a deadline for the US denied seeking nuclear arms. A spokesman for Iran’s The wall with Iran, which uary, totaling up to 1 billion lira were found in his car, Israel’s president to decide whether to “The aim is to send a mes- atomic energy agency said yes- will stretch along the northern ($263 million). army radio reported. The reimpose oil sanctions lifted sage to Washington that Iran is terday that a reimposition of third of Turkey’s Iranian fron- Ergun said he expected gunshots reportedly came under the agreement. complying and that it is better sanctions by the United States tier, aims to prevent smuggling TOKI to build between 60,000 from a passing vehicle. At a meeting with Iran, to have the nuclear agreement would be a violation of the and infiltration by Kurdistan and 65,000 housing units in “Entrances and exits to Britain, France, and Germany, than to isolate Tehran,” one dip- nuclear deal and added that the Workers Party (PKK) militants, Turkey this year, after having and from the villages sur- convened by the EU’s top dip- lomat said. Islamic Republic had the Turkish officials have said. built 65,000 and 60,000 in rounding Nablus will be pos- lomat Federica Mogherini, the A second diplomat said: capacity to greatly increase its Since the construction of 2016 and 2017 respectively, and sible only after security European powers that helped “The date of the meeting is not enrichment of uranium. the wall along the Syrian around 820,000 since 2003. checks,” the military said. THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 AFRICA 09 200 arrested in fresh Tunisia unrest

AFP Police and army forces neighbourhoods of Djebel Lahmer and Zahrouni on the TUNIS: More than 200 people were deployed in outskirts of Tunis, the central have been arrested and dozens several cities during cities of Gafsa and Kasserine, and hurt during clashes in several the night, including in the northern town of Jedaida. parts of Tunisia, the interior Tebourba 30km west But AFP correspondents said ministry said yesterday, after a calm had returned to these areas second night of unrest driven by of the capital Tunis, on Wednesday morning. anger over austerity measures. where hundreds of In the central town of Sidi The North African country young people took Bouzid, the cradle of the protests has been hailed for its relatively to the streets after that sparked the 2011 Arab smooth democratic transition Spring uprisings, youths blocked since its 2011 uprising, but seven the funeral of a man roads and hurled stones, causing years after the revolution ten- in his 40s who died the police to retaliate with tear sions over economic grievances in unrest on Monday gas, an AFP reporter said. are high. night. A representative of Tunisia’s Tunisia has seen rising anger Jewish community said two Mol- over hikes in value-added tax otov cocktails were thrown at the and social contributions after a advantage of the chaos to steal entrance to two Talmudic tough new budget was applied goods including electrical appli- schools on the Mediterranean at the start of the year. ances. The police intervened, island of Djerba, but their inte- Interior ministry spokesman firing tear gas. riors were not damaged. Khalifa Chibani told local radio Police and army forces were The recent unrest started that 49 police officers were deployed in several cities during with peaceful protests against wounded during clashes across the night, including in Tebourba the austerity measures last week, the country and that 206 “trou- 30km west of the capital Tunis, but escalated into clashes with Tunisian protesters clash with security forces in the town of Tebourba yesterday, following the funeral of blemakers” were arrested where hundreds of young people police in the night of Monday to a man who was killed the previous day in a demonstration over rising costs and government austerity. overnight. took to the streets after the Tuesday. Properties were damaged, he funeral of a man in his 40s who Activists have called for a contribution hikes, as well as peaceful protests. the anniversary of the 2011 revolt said, including a branch of the died in unrest on Monday night. massive demonstration on better welfare for struggling Tunisia’s economy has strug- that unseated dictator Zine El Carrefour supermarket chain in Police have insisted they did Friday against the austerity families. gled since the 2011 revolution, Abidine Ben Ali. the suburbs of Tunis that was not kill the man. The results of measures, which are expected The powerful UGTT trade which was fuelled by unemploy- January 2016 saw the biggest looted. an autopsy have not been made to increase the cost of living. union said young unemployed ment and graft. wave of public discontent since A witness said youths threw public. They have called for the revi- Tunisians had legitimate Protests are common in the the uprising as the death of an stones at shop windows on Unrest was also reported in sion of the 2018 Finance Act demands but condemned the North African state in the month unemployed protester in Kas- Tuesday evening, taking the working-class behind the VAT and social “violence and looting”, calling for of January, when Tunisians mark serine sparked days of unrest.

Zambia closes UN to help Libya organise polls by year end main passport

REUTERS one. Jeffrey Feltman, UN Under- been “very encouraged” by the offices to curb Secretary-General for Political apparent enthusiasm for elec- cholera spread TRIPOLI: The United Nations is Affairs, said the UN saw elections tions, pointing to around half a committed to helping Libya this year as a route to a “peaceful million new voters who have organise elections by the end of and inclusive end to the transi- signed up since voter registra- REUTERS this year, encouraged by the rate tion phase”. tion was opened in early at which Libyans have been “The goal is a Libyan goal: to December. LUSAKA: Zambia has closed registering to vote, a top UN offi- end the transition phase with an “Public opinion poll after its main passport offices in the cial said yesterday. inclusive peaceful process that public opinion poll demonstrate capital, a hub which is always The UN hopes elections can produces a unified government the strong support of the thronged with people, as part help stabilise Libya, which was that is a product of the will of the majority of Libyans from all parts of measures to curb the thrown into turmoil after long- Libyan people,” Feltman told of the country to be able to par- spread of cholera which is time leader Muammar Gaddafi reporters in Tripoli after meeting ticipate in credible elections and sweeping the country, the was toppled in a Nato-backed Fayez Seraj, head of the interna- to be able to participate in cred- government said. uprising in 2011. tionally recognised ible elections in this year,” he Street vending and public Holding elections is a major government. said. Libya’s election commis- gatherings have also been challenge in a country still split Libya’s unity government Prime Minister Fayez Al Sarraj (right) “I had the opportunity to talk sion says a total of 1,965,450 banned in Lusaka to counter among military and political fac- meets with UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey to the prime minister about the people are now registered to the disease, which has killed tions, and where rival govern- commitment of the secretary- vote, out of a population of more 67 people since September, Feltman (left) in the capital Tripoli, yesterday. ments have claimed authority general, the hope of the United than six million. Turnout in the 62 of them in the capital since the result of a 2014 vote Nations, to see inclusive elec- 2014 election was just 630,000. alone. was disputed. Security in many referendum on a constitution December 2015 peace plan for tions take place in 2018, and to The polls led to a battle for con- Home Affairs minister parts of Libya is poor. held before national polls. Libya and pave the way for a pledge the support of the United trol of Tripoli, and to rival gov- Stephen Kampyongo said the A new electoral law would A UN effort launched in Sep- vote, but has so far produced no Nations to support those elec- ernments being set up in the cap- Passports and Citizenship likely have to be agreed and a tember aims to amend a deal on how to move towards tions.” Feltman said the U.N. had ital and in eastern Libya. Office in Lusaka would remain closed until further notice. “In the meantime officers will only attend to travel Senegal to step up Zuma exit not discussed by South emergencies. This is to allow for measures to be put in African ruling party, says official place to avoid the spread of efforts to stop cholera,” Kampyongo said. REUTERS Somaliland timber trafficking SOUTH AFRICA: The new lead- ership of South Africa’s ruling adopts law to AFP could last several days.” “We party did not discuss the future therefore advise against travel of President Jacob Zuma curb violations DAKAR: Senegal has said it will to the area south of Ziguinchor,” yesterday, its Secretary-General step up efforts to stop the traf- a statement posted on the for- said, pouring cold water on against women ficking of prized timber in its eign ministry website added. intense media speculation that southern Casamance region, Former colonial power it would seek to remove him AFP following the massacre of 13 France, whose tourists visit from power. men in an incident believed other areas of Senegal in Zuma’s replacement as MOGADISHU: Lawmakers in linked to the trade. droves, removed Casamance party leader by his deputy, Cyril the breakaway state of Soma- The army is leading a from its list of danger zones in Ramaphosa, last month liland have for the first time search for the perpetrators of October 2016. prompted widespread expecta- adopted a law criminalising the January 6 attack in the A separatist movement in tions of an early end to his time South African President Jacob Zuma reacts during the closing physical abuse, in what has forest of Borofaye, close to the Casamance left thousands of in office, which has been marred address at the 54th National Conference of the ruling African been hailed as a “victory for regional capital of Ziguinchor. civilians and military personnel by persistent allegations of graft. National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg. women” in the conservative Most of the victims were shot, dead and forced many to flee The rand has risen around Muslim region. and one was burned to death. over three decades, as well as 8 percent since Ramaphosa was seaside city of East London. junk status, significantly raising “This law is the most Justice Minister Ismaila hurting the economy dependent narrowly elected in December Zuma does not have to step borrowing costs for Africa’s useful ever passed in Soma- Madior Fall said the authorities on agriculture and tourism. to head up the African National down before his second term as most industrialised economy. liland and it will help eradi- would “evaluate the policy for But the separatist rebels of Congress. Yesterday, the cur- president ends with general It also brought tens of thou- cate violations against criminality linked to wood traf- the Movement for Democratic rency extended losses against elections in 2019, but analysts sands of anti-Zuma protesters women, specifically, abuse ficking in the region” in Forces in Casamance (MFDC) the US dollar in a sign of inves- have said he is increasingly seen onto the streets in nationwide and other physical offences,” remarks released late Tuesday, condemned the massacre and tors’ disappointment the party as a political liability to the party marches. “The ANC cannot MP Ibrahim Mahdi Buba said. after the illicit sale of teak blamed local officials at the did not move to remove him. once headed by the iconic avoid dealing with the future of After seven years of emerged as a possible motive head of a “huge illegal network “That matter was not for any Nelson Mandela. Jacob Zuma. The leadership debate, the law was finally for the killings. for teak logging and resale”. discussion or debate,” ANC Sec- The ANC’s public support know the longer Zuma stays, the adopted in Hargeisa. Loggers have long benefited The attack came a day after retary-General Ace Magashule has declined under Zuma’s lead- more damage it could do at the Forty-six of the 51 MPs from lax oversight of Senegal’s the army released two MFDC said in response to a question ership as voters have become ballot box,” said Susan Booysen, present in the lower house southern Casamance forest, fighters following negotiations about whether Zuma’s future increasingly disillusioned with an author and professor at Uni- approved the law, which must often taking timber over the spearheaded by Rome’s Com- was discussed or would be a raft of corruption scandals, versity of the Witwatersrand. now go through the upper border to The Gambia before munity of Sant’Egidio, a charity raised. weak economic growth and an Two senior committee members house before being signed by exporting it to China. with ties to the Vatican special- The only item on the agenda unemployment rate that has told Reuters Ramaphosa’s fac- the president. France meanwhile posted ising in peace mediation. was a statement to be read by risen to nearly 28 percent. tion in the ANC did not want to The rationale was that a warning for travellers in the President Macky Sall had Ramaphosa on Saturday to Zuma’s sacking last year of try to openly oust Zuma since this would avoid public region, which alerted its appealed to the Casamance mark the 106th birthday of the Finance Minister Pravin the NEC was only elected a shame for the victim, who is nationals that a military oper- rebels to continue talks to ANC, Magashule told reporters Gordhan triggered downgrades month ago and because Ram- likely to struggle to find a ation “is being prepared and create a “definite peace”. at a break in the meeting in the of South Africa’s credit rating to aphosa’s victory was marginal. husband after being abused. 10 VIEWS THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 Israel’s settlements: 50 years of land theft

ESTABLISHED IN 1996 ZENA TAHHAN AL JAZEERA

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF O the casual visitor or tourist driving through the occupied West Bank or DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI Jerusalem, Israeli settlements may appear [email protected] Tas just another set of houses on a hill. The middle-class suburban style townhouses, ACTING MANAGING EDITOR built fast and locked in a grid of uniform units, stand like fortified compounds, in direct contrast to the MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED sprawling limestone Palestinian homes below. [email protected] Settlement homes, mostly constructed of cement with a cosmetic limestone cladding, tend to fashion a similar look: American-style villas topped by red-tiled roofs and surrounded by lush, neatly trimmed green lawns. The largest settlement, Arab-Israeli war broke out. During the colonies in the occupied Palestinian Modi’in Illit, houses more than 64,000 Israeli Jews fighting, Israel militarily occupied the rest territories, all of which involve seizing in the occupied West Bank. The mega-settlement of historical Palestine, consisting of East Palestinian land and are all illegal under EDITORIAL has its own mayor, as well as schools, shopping Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Israel international law. malls and medical centres. also occupied the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula Israel has developed a myriad of ways to Some settlements even have their own and the Syrian Golan Heights. With the seize Palestinian land. Since Israel has not universities. Today, between 600,000 and 750,000 exception of the Sinai Peninsula, all the other annexed the occupied West Bank and does On right track Israelis live in these sizeable settlements, equivalent territories remain occupied until today. not have jurisdiction there, it uses military to roughly 11 percent of the total Jewish Israeli In response, the UN Security Council orders as well as its own interpretations of population. They live beyond the internationally members voted unanimously for Resolution Ottoman, British and Jordanian laws to seize t was a great feeling of satisfaction and pride for recognised borders of their state, on Palestinian 242 on November 22, 1967 — exactly fifty Palestinian property. In East Jerusalem every resident of this country to see Doha Metro land that Israel occupied in 1967, comprising East years ago. The resolution stated that Israel however, the state applies Israeli law, despite is on the right track to its completion by 2020. It Jerusalem and the West Bank. must withdraw from the territories it seized the fact that the territory is considered was also a special moment for each person to see Since then, the Israeli government has openly in the war and formed the basis for all occupied under international law, and the Ithe beautiful structures of stations coming up so fast funded and built settlements for Israeli Jews to live ensuing diplomatic negotiations on the Palestinians who live there are not Israeli and later the test runs happening on the elevated track there, offering incentives and subsidised housing. Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the concept of citizens. in Wakrah. So why have these housing compounds caused so “land for peace”. In 2004, Israel began building the The inspection visit of Prime Minister and Interior much rancour and been called a threat to the Israel, however, did not accept the separation wall, which was meant to provide Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa prospect of peace in the Holy Land? resolution and continues to violate it to this “security” for Israelis by dividing between the Al Thani to the Economic Zone Station near Barwa What are settlements and how did they come day, 50 years later, by building settlements West Bank and Israel following the second Village on Tuesday highlighted the progress and main about? Contrary to common belief, settlements are on the territories meant for a Palestinian Palestinian uprising in 2000. Israel has achievements made by Qatar Rail last year and its a legacy of the state. however used the wall to annex more land to future plans. In the last 50 years, the pre-1948 period, Israel’s settlement project after 1967: its borders and has built it around some of the The details of the project and the techniques used, Israeli government has before the How is it different? When the guns fell silent largest settlements in the West Bank, placing such as digital media and signage, latest self-service creation of Israel. in 1967, the Israeli state began building them on the “Israeli side”. Some 85 percent of ticketing facilities, integrated travel planning, smart transferred between In the 1880s, the colonies, or settlements, for its Jewish Israeli the wall falls inside the West Bank, and not air-conditioning, full Wi-Fi coverage among others, 600,000 and 750,000 community of citizens on Palestinian land it had just on the Green Line. Palestinians have can match or better any such services at present in the Jewish Israelis to the Palestinian Jews, occupied.Settlements have become the therefore aptly described the wall as an global transport sector. West Bank and East known as the hallmark of the Israeli colonial project in “annexation wall”. The new fully driverless trains are among the fastest Jerusalem. Yishuv, amounted Palestine. In the last 50 years, the Israeli In 2009, the Jerusalem municipality in the region, capable of speeds up to 100kmph, and to three percent government has transferred between adopted a master plan intended “to guide and will deliver a safe, reliable and fast commuter service of the total 600,000 and 750,000 Jewish Israelis to the outline the city’s development in the next for passengers. population. They were apolitical and did not aspire West Bank and East Jerusalem. They live in at decades”. The vision, as stated in the plan, is The first phase of the project will be ready in 2020, to build a modern Jewish state. least 160 settlements and outposts. This to create a ratio of 70 percent Israeli Jews to when the project’s 37 metro stations are expected to But in the late 19th century, the Zionist means that roughly 11 percent of Israel’s 6.6 30 percent Palestinians in the city. be operative, with an average journey time of two movement - a political ideology - grew out of million Jewish population now lives on How do they impact Palestinians? minutes between adjacent stations. Eastern Europe, claiming that Jews were a nation or occupied land, outside the internationally Besides being built illegally on private With thousands of race that deserved a modern “Jewish state”. recognised borders of Israel. and public Palestinian land, settlements workers on site, the total The movement, citing the biblical belief that The dilemma of the settlements and the impact the day-to-day life of Palestinians in number of man-hours God promised Palestine to the Jews, began to buy occupation has effectively split Israelis many ways. In 2016, the UN found that the worked exceeded 432 million land there and build settlements to strengthen their between those who believe it is their God- economy of the occupied Palestinian in 2017 and achieved one of claim to the land. given right to settle land that was promised to territories would be twice as large if the the lowest Accident At the time, these settlements, built largely on the Jewish people, and others who believe 50-year occupation were lifted. Israel’s The remarkable Frequency Rates (AFR) in the coastal plain and in the north of the country, the settlements are a death sentence for the policies of occupation and settlement have achievements construction in the world. were called “Kibbutzim” and “Moshavim”. The first Jews. To religious Jews, the outcome of the come to be seen as a purposeful strategy of of Doha Metro Minister of Transport and Kibbutz Degania, was established in 1909 by 1967 war and the seizure of the remainder of de-development to weaken resistance to prove that Qatar Communications H E Jassim European Jewish colonists. Tel Aviv, now the historical Palestine — particularly East military rule and thwart attempts to build a bin Saif Al Sulaiti said that economic capital of Israel, was also built in the Jerusalem, which houses the Old City — led successful Palestinian state. has overcome the almost 73 percent of the early 20th century and was one of the first to a sense of euphoria. The settlements have only been able to unjust siege, which project is complete and has settlements. The approach is known as “creating Thousands of Jews, including secular thrive through severe economic exploitation did not affect the received 20 trains for the facts on the ground”— laying a stake in an area to Jews, flocked to the Western Wall, also of the occupied West Bank at the expense of progress of any of project. ensure that it will be part of a future state and known as the Al Buraq Wall to Muslims. They the natives. While the majority of the Qatar Rail has also set difficult to get rid of later on. wept as they gave thanks for what they Palestinian population in the West Bank live the infrastructure ambitious goals this year. All The distribution of the settlements determined believed was a miracle from God. in Areas A and B, the infrastructure upon projects in the remaining mechanical, the map of the proposed United Nations Partition The majority of Israeli Zionist leftists who which their livelihood depends either lies in country at all. electrical and plant (MEP) Plan for Jewish and Palestinian states in 1947. By oppose the settlement project however, or crosses into Area C. The area encompasses and architectural fit-out 1948, prior to the ethnic cleansing of Palestine by believe in the Jewish state along 1948 borders the territory’s water resources, most fertile works will be completed this the Zionist movement, Jews had control over less and reject Israel’s expansion into the pasture and agricultural land, as well as year, with overall progress than six percent of the land. occupied territories. mining and mineral extraction resources and to touch around 90 percent. What happened in 1948? To Palestinians, Israel’s occupation and tourist sites. Palestinian access to Area C, Doha Metro has also bagged several accolades As European Jews began to colonise Palestine the settlement project did not come as a some 60 percent of the West Bank, is either during 2017 winning ITA Awards 2017 nominated under - many pushed by anti-Semitic persecution in surprise; the Zionist movement was founded completely prohibited or highly restricted, the category of “Major Project of the Year - More Europe — the balance of land control between by non-natives to colonise the land, just as causing an annual loss of $3.4bn to the €500M”. The ITA awards are considered the highest Palestinians and immigrant Jews shifted they did in 1948. Munir Nuseibah, a law economy. Freedom of movement and the award in the world in the field of tunneling and significantly. The project was facilitated by the professor at Al Quds University in Jerusalem, separation wall underground projects. For this award, the project’s British, who were occupying Palestine from 1917 says the occupation and the settlement Israel uses various methods to hinder scale, tight delivery time, technical complexity, among to 1947, with the aim of building a Jewish state. project “reminded the world of the colonial Palestinian movement in the West Bank for other factors were taken into consideration. Between 1922 and 1935, the Jewish population aspects of Israel”. the protection of Israeli settlers. Doha Metro has also been recognised by the United rose from nine percent to nearly 27 percent of the In a series of agreements known as the • By the end of 2016, there were 572 Nations Underground Space organisation as the world’s total population, displacing tens of thousands of Geneva Conventions, formulated in the obstacles to the free movement of pre-eminent project for 2017. The project joins the Palestinian tenants from their lands as Zionists aftermath of World War II, the international Palestinians, including military checkpoints ranks of the UN’s most awarded mega projects of the bought land from absentee landlords. community established a set of accepted and roadblocks, in the occupied West Bank. word including the tunnels of the 32,690km Tibet Under the 1947 UN Partition Plan, Jews were rules and standards for the protection of • The separation wall has physically railway in China and the Eurasia Tunnel Project in allocated 55 percent of the land, encompassing civilians, prisoners and injured people in separated Palestinian communities from one Turkey. many of the main cities with Palestinian Arab times of war. Under the Fourth Geneva another and added hours to otherwise short The remarkable achievements of Doha Metro prove majorities and the important coastline from Convention, which defines humanitarian commutes. that Qatar has overcome the unjust siege, which did Haifa to Jaffa. The plan would deprive the protections for civilians caught in a war zone, • Palestinians in certain areas must cross not affect the progress of any of the infrastructure Palestinian state of key agricultural lands and an occupying power is forbidden from a checkpoint to enter and exit their villages. projects in the country at all. seaports, which led the Palestinians to reject the transferring parts of its civilian population Due to the close proximity of settlements proposal. into the territory it occupies. to Palestinian homes, friction and violence Shortly after the issuance of UN Resolution But the Israeli government maintains between settlers and Palestinians is a near- 181 that called for partition, war broke out that the status of the Palestinian territories is daily reality. between Palestinian Arabs and Zionist armed ambiguous, as there was no internationally • In the first half of 2017, the UN groups, who, unlike the Palestinians, had gained recognised government in the territories documented 89 incidents in which Israeli QUOTE OF THE DAY extensive training and arms from fighting prior to the 1967 war. The Israeli government settlers killed or injured Palestinians or alongside Britain in World War II. Zionist argues that it took the territory from Jordan, damaged Palestinian property. Hopefully North Korea paramilitary groups launched a violent process of which had control of the West Bank and East • The main forms of violence by Israeli talks will lead to success ethnic cleansing in the form of large-scale Jerusalem between 1949 and 1967, while settlers include throwing stones at for the world, not just attacks, massacres, and destruction of entire Egypt had control of the Gaza Strip. Israel Palestinian homes and vehicles, physically for our country, but for villages aimed at the mass expulsion of regards the West Bank as “disputed” territory assaulting Palestinians, uprooting or Palestinians to build the Jewish state. By the end and thus refutes the existence of a military damaging olive trees, vandalising property, the world. And we’ll be of 1949, the Jewish state had taken up some 78 occupation there; saying the Fourth Geneva or setting fire to agricultural lands. seeing over the next percent of historical Palestine. Convention does not apply. But the UN, the • In 2016, more than 1,500 Palestinian number of weeks and Of the remaining Palestinian territories, the International Committee of the Red Cross, olive trees were damaged or uprooted by West Bank and East Jerusalem came under the International Court of Justice, and the settlers, in addition to 2.5 million trees months what happens. Jordan’s control, while Gaza was placed under international community have all affirmed uprooted since 1967. Egyptian control. The international community that it does. Israel also denies that any of the • The overwhelming majority of Donald Trump recognised Israel based on the 1948 borders. But settlements were built on private Palestinian complaints filed against settler violence pass US President less than 20 years later — in 1967 — another land. There are three main types of Israeli without any punishment of the perpetrators. THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 OPINION 11 Trump is obsessed with his border wall N Tuesday, President has been doing everything it can about how wonderful the pay for a wall, but that didn’t in certain areas, say - but Donald Trump hosted to enact the cruelest and most recipients are and how he wants make the idea any less thrilling. demanded that in exchange, he a bipartisan meeting counterproductive set of policies to protect them - then signs off And while Trump may not talk not only consent to allow DACA Oat the White House in possible on immigration, driven on deporting them. What does about making Mexico pay recipients to stay and have a an attempt to iron out by a group of nativists within the he actually believe should be anymore, he has to keep the path to citizenship, but also roll differences between the parties administration, including White done? It depends what day you idea of the wall alive, to show back some of the other PAUL WALDMAN on immigration that are House policy aide Stephen catch him on and who spoke to his supporters that it wasn’t all a immigration changes the THE WASHINGTON POST preventing Congress from Miller and Attorney General Jeff him last. lie. administration has made? passing a budget and thereby Sessions. The recent decision to But there is one thing Trump That’s the context to Many Republicans wouldn’t threatening yet another end Temporary Protected Status cares more about than anything understand a report like this one like it, but it might win Trump government shutdown. for hundreds of thousands of else: his border wall. from today’s New York Times: over. He’d get to say he built his At the meeting, Trump Salvadorans living in the It’s almost impossible to “The Trump administration wall, and Democrats would get It’s almost impossible to reportedly endorsed the general country is only the latest move; overstate the symbolic would cut or delay funding for a substantive victory by winning overstate the symbolic idea of doing something to the administration has also importance the wall holds for border surveillance, radar a reprieve for Dreamers and protect the “dreamers” first and sharply cut back on the number Trump. Throughout his technology, patrol boats and making the administration’s importance the wall then moving on to a more of refugees admitted to the campaign for president, he customs agents in its upcoming immigration policies less awful. holds for Trump. Throu- comprehensive set of country, undertaken a wave of used it as a representation of spending plan to curb illegal Democrats wouldn’t have to ghout his campaign for immigration reforms later. At immigration arrests and, most everything he would offer his immigration — all proven go back on their insistence that president, he used it the same time, he again insisted notably, ended the Deferred supporters: a way to keep out security measures that officials the wall is a terrible idea, a belief as a representation of on construction of a wall as part Action for Childhood Arrivals not only immigrants diluting and experts have said are more they share with a majority of the everything he would of any deal for the dreamers. program (DACA). the country’s whiteness but effective than building a wall public. For instance, this ABC Which means that, as long as But while the president the very forces of modernity along the Mexican border,” The News/Washington Post poll offer his supporters: Trump is involved in the himself has throughout his life and change. His message was Times reported. from September found that 86 a way to keep out not negotiations, a border wall is displayed an animus toward clear: The wall will protect us “President Trump has made percent of Americans believe only immigrants diluting going to be at the center of them. immigrants and nonwhites, not just from crime and drugs the border wall a focus of his DACA recipients should be the country’s whiteness And this could offer Democrats when it comes to specific but from a confusing and campaign against illegal allowed to stay in the United but the very forces of a way to get a great deal of what policies he has little in the way threatening world. Even immigration to stop drugs, States, and 65 percent said modernity and change. they want. of fixed opinions. On DACA, for better, he told his fans that terrorists and gangs like MS-13 they’d support pairing DACA The Trump administration instance, he regularly talks Mexico would pay for it. from coming into the United with increased border security Whenever Trump talked States,” the report continued. measures. But only 37 percent about other countries, it was “Under spending plans supported building a border always in terms of shame and submitted last week to Congress, wall, while 62 percent opposed humiliation: They’ve made us the wall would cost $18 billion it. But they could argue, quite into losers, they’re beating us, over the next 10 years, and be reasonably, that they gave a and most of all, they’re laughing erected along nearly 900 miles little on the wall to achieve a at us. Build a wall and make of the southern border. greater good. It might be a bitter Mexico pay for it — forcing It’s not about what works or pill to swallow, but if it means them to their knees in a ritual what doesn’t; it’s about the they can attract significant humiliation — and we’ll symbolism. Which gives concessions, it could be well recapture our sense of mastery Democrats an opportunity. Up worth it. and potency. until now, they’ve quite properly In other words, they’d be If you were, say, a 60-year- been adamantly opposed to the using Trump’s silly obsession to old white guy with uncertain wall, stating that they’ll never substantially mitigate the real economic prospects and a accept it under any and substantial damage he’s feeling that the world had circumstances. But what if they already doing to the lives of passed you by, it was a offered to give Trump at least immigrants, their families and compelling message. Maybe something he could call a wall — the communities in which they you knew Mexico would never more money for border fencing live. It might be worth it.

HINA’S war on poverty is in forcefully, rural residents to move to based on speculation, but not on direct danger of turning into a war on the complexes on the outskirts of second- and demand,” Eduard Kgel, an urban planner poor. third-tier cities such as Liaocheng, who studies Chinese cities, explained to C At China’s 19th Communist Zhengzhou, and Ankang, which often lack German public broadcast network Deutsche Party Congress in October, President Xi critical infrastructure. Welle. “Massive stretches are built, and it is D-RING ROAD Jinping renewed a lofty pledge to lift 70 Residents of these new towns have assumed that the future growth and POST BOX: 3488 million people out of poverty by 2020. limited access to basic services like health prosperity will somehow fill the space up.” DOHA - QATAR That’s a worthy goal in a country where care and education due to a severe shortage A study by a state-run think tank found over 43 million people still live on less than of medical staff and teachers in less China’s building boom created ghost cities [email protected] 2,300 yuan ($350) per year, the poverty line developed regions. China’s tiered system, with enough housing for 3.4 billion people - set by the government, and roughly 40 whereby schools in the big cities receive more than twice the country’s population. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE percent of the population, some 500 million more funding and better staff, leaves China’s anti-poverty plan hinges on TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 people, get by on less than $5.50 a day. But smaller ones struggling and often forces attracting rural residents to second- and FAX: +974 4455 7758 that effort relies heavily on an opaque, people to travel hundreds of miles in the third-tier cities, but villagers have shown arcane, and already overburdened social hope of better medical treatment. little interest in moving there. Instead, they MANAGING EDITOR benefits system that is likely to buckle under More than a lack of services, rural have clung to their rural homes and TEL: 4462 7505 the strain — and on policies that may leave transplants have been cut off from the traveled to thriving cities to seek poor Chinese worse off than before. subsistence-based life they once knew and opportunities. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Xi’s pledge is an extension of the thrown into a world they’re unprepared for. The government has a long record of TEL: 4455 7769 government’s effort, starting in 2012, to The case of Qin Huamei, 45, one of China’s forcefully relocating residents, but it has move 100 million rural residents into the newest urban residents, highlights the pitfalls. always risked social unrest by doing so. In LOCAL NEWS SECTION cities by 2020. Officials believe that urban A few months ago, Qin traded her mud 2011, the village of Wukan made TEL: 4455 7743 EUGENE K CHOW life brings higher standards of living and, house in Guizhou, one of China’s poorest international headlines after authorities laid FOREIGN POLICY more importantly, increases domestic provinces, for a new two-bedroom siege to the town following a mass uprising BUSINESS NEWS SECTION apartment in a white-walled government over a land grab. The protest was eventually TEL: 4462 7535 housing complex in Guiyang, the provincial quieted, but the government has little capital, she told NPR. No longer does she appetite for the costs of further suppression. SPORT NEWS SECTION have to draw water from the village well So to incentivize voluntary moves, the TEL: 4455 7745 China’s war on each morning — instead Qin can simply central government has promised massive turn the taps in her sink. “Life here is much infrastructure spending, linking every city ONLINE SECTION better than my hometown, but now I need with more than 200,000 residents by rail TEL: 4462 7501 poverty could hurt money to pay for my food,” Qin told NPR. and expressways, and cities with more than [email protected] “Before, we just ate what we grew.” 500,000 by high-speed rail. While life has improved, Qin and other But it is unclear if the government can PUBLIC RELATIONS rural transplants must now find a way to continue stimulating growth by pouring TEL: 4455 7613 the poor most earn an income. She is uninterested in any money into infrastructure, let alone [email protected] of the available jobs such as street cleaning, maintain the pension system and fund and is instead hoping that something better needed improvements in health care and ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT consumption to rebalance China’s export- will come along once the technology park education. Last summer, authorities made TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 reliant economy. across from her building eventually opens. the unprecedented move of halting FAX: 4455 7870 In a 2014 speech, Premier Li Keqiang Even then, it’s unclear if she will be able to construction on a multibillion-dollar [email protected] vowed to “wage a war against poverty with get a job. With limited experience outside of subway project in Inner Mongolia, a a stronger resolve.” The key to the plan, farming, many rural transplants have potential red flag. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT according to Li, was to “relocate people difficulty finding and maintaining jobs. A In August 2017, the International TEL: 4455 7857 living in inhospitable areas, and nurture study of 960 rural migrants who were Monetary Fund warned that China’s [email protected] small towns where the relocated [people] resettled in Chongqing found that over half aggressive debt-driven growth strategy was can enjoy the same public services as urban struggled to find stable jobs due to their putting the country on a “dangerous SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION residents.” But China doesn’t want the poor unfamiliarity with the city and their lack of trajectory.” From 2000 to 2014, Chinese TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 moving to any old city. Thriving megacities social networks. debt soared from $2.1 trillion to $28.2 FAX: 44557819 like Beijing and Shanghai have officially The process can be particularly alarming trillion, and it is projected to rise to nearly [email protected] capped their populations, following existing for the elderly, who have almost no chance 300 percent of GDP by 2022. The fate of China’s residents’ worries that an influx of migrants of employment in the urban job market. As The fate of China’s war on poverty rests could drown out their access to superior one woman in her 70s told researchers in on shaky ground. Moving 70 million people All thoughts and views war on poverty schools and hospitals. Hebei in 2011, echoing Qin, “Before, we grew out of poverty will require a complete rests on shaky In November, authorities in Beijing food. Now we have to go and buy it in the overhaul of its entire social welfare system expressed in these ground. Moving began aggressively evicting internal migrant store. But what happens if there’s no food in as well as trillions in new debt. This is a columns are those of the 70 million people workers by demolishing entire city blocks, the store, or if the government takes away rocky path, even if the government avoids writers, not of the in some cases with only a few hours’ notice. our money, now we don’t even have our plunging off the cliff into economic crisis. newspaper. out of poverty Officially, this is a crackdown on “illegal own land to grow it?” But however the cost is managed, China’s will require a structures” following a deadly fire that For younger transplants, the promised farmers will have to suffer the complete overhaul claimed the lives of 19 in a crowded jobs may never materialize. Villagers are consequences of the government’s plans, as All correspondence of its entire social neighborhood filled with domestic migrants dumped on the edge of empty third-tier cities, they always have. regarding Views and — but the result has been to render tens of which were largely built by overzealous Opinion pages should be welfare system as thousands of people homeless in a freezing provincial leaders who hoped to attract The author writes on foreign policy and well as trillions in winter. businesses and residents with glittering military affairs. His work has been published send to editor-in-chief new debt. To help keep numbers low in major downtown buildings and empty malls. in The Week, Huffington Post, National office or mailed to the cities, officials are encouraging, sometimes “Cities and extensions get built purely Interest, and The Diplomat. [email protected] 12 ASIA THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 400 deaths a day: India to take car safety seriously A bill introduced BLOOMBERG brokerage LKP Shares and Secu- in August 2016 — rities Ltd., predicts a short-term NEW DELHI: In India, more than proposing harsher impact to the earnings of auto- 150,000 people are killed each penalties for traffic makers from the new act and said year in traffic accidents. That’s it could be a death knell for ultra- about 400 fatalities a day and far offenses and requiring low-priced cars in India as their higher than developed auto that automakers add cost could go up by as much as markets like the US, which in safety features — has 100,000 rupees. 2016 logged about 40,000. passed the lower Manufacturers sometimes Now, Prime Minister offer “all safety features for the Narendra Modi’s government is house of parliament models that are sold in the inter- attempting to curb the carnage and is expected to national markets where they on Indian roads caused by eve- go through the upper have to satisfy mandatory safety rything from speeding two- house in 2018. standards, while they offer min- wheelers to cars not equipped imum features for Indian with air bags. A bill introduced in models,” said Mohan. August 2016 — proposing harsher Nadar University. Globally, man- In 2015, Renault sold its Kwid penalties for traffic offenses and ufacturers haven’t usually added in India without a frontal airbag Republic Day rehearsal requiring that automakers add such safety elements “until and or anti-lock braking system, safety features — has passed the unless they were forced to do so earning the model a zero rating India’s Border Security Force (BSF) “Daredevils” women motorcycle riders perform during a lower house of parliament and is by mandatory government reg- from Global NCAP at the time. rehearsal for the Republic Day parade on a cold winter morning in New Delhi, yesterday. expected to go through the upper ulations,” he said. A spokes- The following year, it got one star house in 2018. woman at India’s Ministry of Road for adult occupant protection The wide-ranging changes Transport and Highways declined after some safety features, are likely to boost manufacturing to give a timing for the new law. including an airbag for the driver, costs for domestic and foreign car- were added. The brand in Latin makers in India. The South Asian Tight budgets America earned a higher three- One dead as mob clashes with police country will be the world’s third- Indian consumers are star rating last year. largest car market after China and famously price sensitive when it Maruti Suzuki’s popular Alto over custodial death in Assam the US by 2020, according to comes to car purchases. Low-cost car and the Tata Nano, which was researcher IHS Automotive. The and no-frills compact cars have launched as the world’s cheapest IANS into the circumstances leading the Dhula police station, police World Health Organization esti- long been sold by companies like car, are among those that have to the police firing and subse- lathi-charged them. When the mates that traffic crashes cost most Tata Motors Ltd., Maruti Suzuki received a zero rating from the GUWAHATI: One person was quent civilian death. irate mob turned violent and countries about 3 percent of their India Ltd., a unit of Japan’s Suzuki group. The Global NCAP tests are killed and several others were The violence started in the attacked the police station with gross domestic product. Motor Corp., Renault SA and not mandatory for vehicles to be injured in police firing to morning when hundreds of stones, police fired blanks to The UK-based non-profit Hyundai Motor Co. These budget sold in India. All the models meet disperse an irate mob people gathered in front of Dhula control the situation. Global NCAP, which studies the vehicles are usually priced below local safety standards, which are protesting over an alleged police station after the death of “Blank firing was ordered quality of vehicles, has over the Rs400,000 ($6,300), and the new presently far more lenient than custodial death in Darrang Hasen Ali on Tuesday night to disperse the crowd. How- years assigned a zero star rating law is likely to require that their global ones. Tata Motors, Renault district of Assam yesterday. there. Earlier, angry locals pro- ever, two protesters were hit. to many small vehicles sold in manufacturers add a string of fea- and Hyundai didn’t respond to Several officials of police tested on the National Highway Mohidul Islam breathed his last India — an assessment that there tures like airbags, audio speed requests for comment. and other security forces, 15 to demand action against the later while another injured could be life threatening injuries warnings and anti-lock braking CV Raman, head of research including a Deputy Superin- guilty police officials. person Ghulam Mustafa was in a crash at 40 miles per hour. systems. and development at Maruti tendent of Police, were among Ali, a daily wager, was struggling for life in a hospital,” Past efforts in India to boost road Costs for Indian automakers Suzuki, said car makers are those injured in the mob attack. allegedly picked up by police police said. “Locals allege that safety haven’t taken off, and the will shoot up by 7 or 8 percent investing in facilities, testing and Indefinite curfew was station incharge on Tuesday Ali died in custody following success of this one will depend after the passage of the new law equipment to build advanced clamped in and around Dhula night and tortured. Although police atrocities. We have on how strictly it is and will be felt across the small safety features into vehicles, to ensure violence did not police sent him to the Guwa- already ordered a magisterial implemented. car segment, said Deepesh ahead of the deadlines set by the spread further. Although the hati Medical College and Hos- probe and officer concerned, India “has delayed 20 years Rathore, London-based director government. For each model, situation in the area was under pital, he died. Police also Ranjit Hazarika, has been in making safety features man- at consultancy Emerging Markets Maruti has test crashed 35 to 40 control, tension continued to searched Ali’s house after sus- placed under suspension,” Dar- datory,” said Dinesh Mohan, a Automotive Advisors. cars to ensure they meet the simmer. The state government pecting him of possessing illegal rang Deputy Commissioner professor at Noida-based Shiv Ashwin Patil, an analyst with advanced standards, he said. ordered a magisterial probe firearms. As locals gathered at Ashok Kumar Barman said. ‘Fadnavis faces serious threats to life’ NEWS BYTES India, Kerala pavilions launched IANS Raosaheb Patil’s post at ideologies of late Sena leader from Pune, Milind at tourism event in Netherlands 10.12 pm on January 1 terms founder Bal Thackeray. Ekbote, for the Koregaon- MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Fadnavis, his ministerial col- His Facebook profile dis- Bhima riots and demanded THE HAGUE: Indian Ambassador to the Nether- Minister Devendra Fadnavis league Girish Bapat and plays pictures of the late their arrest and prosecution on lands Venu Rajamony and Mayor of Utrecht Jan van (pictured), faces serious former journalist Sudheendra Thackeray, Bhide, and murder charges. Zanen jointly inaugurated the ‘Incredible India and threats to his life from certain Kulkarni as “insects” (keeda) Chhatrapati Shivaji. Interest- Asked whether he would Kerala Tourism stalls at the Vakantiebeurs (Holiday pro-Hindutva elements, who could be “chopped off”. ingly, the Shiv Sena is a con- take a proactive stand and Fair), the largest tourism event in the Netherlands. Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh “If you fall short of fig- stituent of the ruling lodge a police complaint or The Mayor was the first to view India’s major President Prakash Ambedkar ures for Koregaon-Bhima, National Democratic Alli- other similar action, tourist attractions in Virtual Reality, a novel initia- claimed yesterday. you are free to chop off ance led by the Bharatiya Ambedkar said he will meet tive taken by the Embassy of India in collaboration To justify his contention, Girish Bapat, Devendra Fad- Janata Party at the Centre Fadnavis on Thursday and with India Tourism. As a special attraction, visitors Ambedkar pointed to a navis, Sudheendra Kulkarni, casteist riots in which a and a major partner in the hand over material he has also received opportunity to take pictures of them- Facebook post of one I shall have no objections. 28-year-old youth from Maharashtra alliance. gathered in this context. selves with famous Indian monuments such as Taj Raosaheb Patil who, the BRP They are insects infesting the Nanded was killed, Ambedkar Ambedkar, who led a As to whether this points Mahal and Qutub Minar as well as the wildlife and chief says, is a “close aide” country and the state,” told media persons here. successful Maharashtra to resurgence of so-called natural landscapes of India. of Sambhaji V. Bhide, Pres- Raosaheb Patil’s post said. Working as an “assistant at shutdown on January 3 that Hindutva terror that came The stalls were inaugurated with Mayor van ident of Shri Shiv Pratisthan Incidentally, the post Balaji Motion Pictures”, claimed the life of a to the fore 10 years ago with Zanen and Ambassador Rajamony lighting tradi- Hindustan, a pro-Hindutva came on the day when Kore- Raosaheb Patil has described schoolboy (also in Nanded), the Malegaon bomb blasts, tional Indian lamps. Indian refreshments were also ultra-rightist outfit from gaon-Bhima village in Pune himself as a “staunch Shiv has consistently targeted Bhide Ambedkar chose to give a served to around 500 visitors throughout the day. western Maharashtra. district was rocked by Sainik” and follower of the and another pro-Hindutva diplomatic reply. Vakantiebeurs is held every year in the city of Utrecht at the heart of the Netherlands and attracts a large number of visitors. There has been a steady increase in the number of tourists from the Nether- lands to India with approximately 21,000 electronic Congress seeks case against visas issued in 2017. Kerala CM for diverting relief fund Three kids dead in leopard attack

KOCHI: Congress leader M M November 30. After NEW DELHI: At least three children have been Hassan yesterday demanded meeting the central killed by leopards in a series of recent attacks in a vigilance case to be filed government team, rural India, according to media reports and wildlife against Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan flew back to experts. Two of the children were killed in a village in Pinarayi Vijayan (pictured), Thrissur and his gov- central India — possibly by the same leopard — with for using cyclone relief funds ernment debited the a 14-year-old boy killed in the country’s north, near to pay for his chopper ride to chopper ride’s expenses the edge of a wildlife conservation area. All three attend a party meeting. to the relief fund. were killed on Sunday, the reports said. Simultaneously, the Hassan, the President of With thousands of leopards and more than 1.3 Bharatiya Janata Party urged Congress in Kerala, told billion people, cat attacks occur dozens of times a Home Minister Rajnath Singh reporters here that this year across India. “By and large, the story of humans to see that the central funds given for was nothing but corruption. and leopards is a story of coexistence,” said Pranav Ockhi relief should be monitored closely “He has used public money to pay Chanchani, coordinator of the Tiger Conservation by New Delhi. In a bid to end the con- for his travel to attend party meetings program at WWF-India. “There are many millions troversy, the CPI-M Secretariat which and it’s a blatant lie that his office said of people living close to the leopard population,” he meets today is likely to foot the bill of that no one knew about it. In the gov- said, but only a tiny percentage ever face an attack. Vijayan’s helicopter ride. A government ernment order itself, the name of the India’s poorest endure the most attacks, with order surfaced on Tuesday directing pay- Private Secretary of the Chief Minister the most vulnerable living in makeshift shelters ment of Rs800,000 be paid from the is mentioned. How can they say they without electricity on the edge of forests or sugar Funeral gathering Ockhi relief fund for Vijayan’s chopper have no knowledge?” asked Hassan. cane fields where leopards, and sometimes tigers, ride on December 26 from Thrissur, Former Chief Minister Oommen can easily find shelter. The Bahraich district of Uttar People carry the body of Farhan Ahmad Wani, a suspected where he was attending a Communist Chandy said Vijayan should at least Pradesh state, where the 14-year-old was killed Sun- militant who was killed in a gunbattle with Indian security forces Party of India-Marxist meeting, to the apologize to the people of Kerala who day, has seen at least a half-dozen leopard killings on Tuesday, during his funeral in Wanigund village in south state capital to meet a central team that generously contributed to the relief since the beginning of 2017, with at least one child Kashmir’s Kulgam district, yesterday. had come visiting from Delhi to study the fund. State BJP President Kummanem reportedly dragged from his home. damage caused by the cyclone on Rajasekheran said denounced Vijayan. THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 ASIA 13

PML-N wins Chakwal-I Don’t politicise refugee by-polls issue, Kabul tells Islamabad INTERNEWS ANATOLIA Afghan Minister of Refugees and ISLAMABAD: Pakistan KABUL: The Kabul govern- Repatriation Syed Hussain Alami Balkhi told Muslim League-Nawaz ment yesterday urged Islam- a cabinet meeting in Kabul that Islamabad’s (PML-N) candidate Haider abad not to politicise a human- Sultan won the by-election in itarian issue, in response to its unilateral decision to issue one-month PP-20 Chakwal-I with a one-month ultimatum for ultimatum for Afghan refugees residing thumping majority. Afghan refugees residing in He bagged 75,655 votes, Pakistan. in Pakistan was against the previously unofficial and unconfirmed Abdullah Abdullah, chief reached agreement between Afghanistan, results from all the polling executive of the National Unity Pakistan and the UN Refugee Agency. stations suggested late last Government (NUG), directed the night. Sultan was followed by relevant Afghan authorities to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf stay in close coordination with (PTI) nominee Tariq Afzal, their Pakistani counterparts and to return to their home was against the previously who secured 45,702 votes. the UN Refugee Agency country. reached agreement between It is interesting to note (UNHCR) to ensure that the The issue will be raised with Afghanistan, Pakistan and the UN that the PML-N candidate rights of the refugees are the UN Refugee Agency and the Refugee Agency. has polled 13,577 more votes protected. international community, said More than 2.4 million than the 2013 general elec- In a statement, Abdullah a statement released after the Afghan refugees remain in tions. Then the PML-N can- underlined the need for the meeting. Pakistan, often occupying didate Chaudhry Liaquat Ali complete execution of an “Pakistan’s economy has bottom-rung jobs, while 4.2 Khan had secured 62,088 agreement between Afghan- carried the burden of hosting million have been repatriated votes. istan, Pakistan and the UN Afghan refugees since long and since 2002, according to the The Punjab Assembly seat Refugee Agency in this in the present circumstances it UN. Pakistan’s move comes as fell vacant following the matter. cannot sustain it further,” it the US — currently fighting its death of Pakistan Muslim Last week, in a meeting added. war on terror in Afghanistan League-N (PML-N) MPA chaired by Pakistani Prime Kabul sees this move as a —suspended military aid to Liaquat Ali Khan. The by- Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi pressure tactic by Pakistan Islamabad, accusing it of har- election was seen as a test for in capital Islamabad, it was against the war-ravaged boring terrorists who attack the ruling party as the con- decided that the validity of the country. foreign troops in Afghanistan. Anti-US protest in Lahore stituency has long been a Afghan refugees’ residency Afghan Minister of Refugees Kabul echoes the stance. Pakistani demonstrators burn an effigy of US President Donald PML-N stronghold, while it documents, called Proof of and Repatriation Syed Hussain Islamabad denies the Trump against Washington’s decision to freeze billions in military was also expected to serve as Registration cards, would only Alami Balkhi told a cabinet charge, saying it has borne the assistance to Pakistan, in Lahore, yesterday. a curtain-raiser for the gen- be extended for 30 days — meeting in Kabul on Tuesday that brunt of the war in eral elections later this year. after which they would have Islamabad’s unilateral decision Afghanistan.

Award-winning Pakistani scribe escapes kidnap attempt Cybercrime complaint AFP the use of violence against journalists was Islamabad by armed assailants. troubling. Pakistan has a long history of enforced portal in Sindh ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani journalist “This is extremely worrying and rein- disappearances, particularly in conflict known for criticising the powerful mili- forces the fear that human rights groups zones near the border with Afghanistan. INTERNEWS tary said he had escaped an abduction and media organisations have voiced for More than 1,500 people are still missing attempt after being assaulted by armed a while now that the Pakistan govern- in disappearance cases, according to data KARACHI: The Sindh prov- men in Islamabad yesterday, in the latest ment views violence as an instrument of compiled by Pakistan’s commission of ince chapter of Pakistan’s case involving forced disappearances in dealing with dissenting voices,” Human inquiry on enforced disappearances pub- Federal Investigation Agency the turbulent country. Rights Watch country representative lished this month. (FIA) yesterday launched its Taha Siddiqui, who won France’s Saroop Ijaz said. Pakistan routinely ranks among the web portal for registration of highest journalism award the Albert “This is also a reflection of the impu- world’s most dangerous countries for complaints related to cyber- Londres prize in 2014, said he was nity that has existed for a long time, and media workers, and reporting critical of the crime, becoming the first attacked by up to a dozen men en route has been increasing recently,” he added. powerful military is considered a red flag, province to take the initiative to the airport in Rawalpindi but managed The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of with reporters at times detained, beaten and with a promise to protect user to escape before being kidnapped, suf- Journalists said it had contacted Interior even killed for running afoul of the security identity. Taha Siddiqui fering minor injuries during the scuffle. Minister Ahsan Iqbal “to direct the con- establishment. Addressing a press con- “Safe and with police now. Looking and who has reported for France 24, had cerned officials to investigate the incident The assault on the reporters followed ference at his office, Sindh FIA for support in any way possible #StopEn- previously complained of being harassed of attempted kidnapping of a senior jour- a crackdown on social media activists ear- director Dr Amir Ahmed forcedDisappearances,” wrote Siddiqui by authorities for publishing bold critiques nalist”. The attack comes months after lier in 2017 when five bloggers, who had Sheikh announced the launch in a tweet posted on a fellow journalist’s of the country’s security establishment. prominent reporter Ahmed Noorani was taken stands against religious intolerance of the portal (www.fiacyber- account. Siddiqui, the Pakistani bureau Human rights and media groups also savagely beaten and stabbed in the and criticised Pakistan’s military, were crimesindh.com.pk) and chief of Indian television channel WION voiced concern over the incident, saying head after being dragged out of his car in abducted within days of each other. urged women and youngsters in particular to report cyber- crime or harassment on the website. “In 2017, 76 per cent of the Mob angered by murder total complaints relating to social media were registered of girl attacks police by our cybercrime wing,” he said, adding that 150 million AP station and the subsequent people in the country were clashes unfolded yesterday, using mobile phones of which LAHORE: A mob angered over local TVs broadcast footage 50m were broadband the recent rape and murder of showing police firing shots in subscribers. an 8-year-old girl attacked a the air and toward the stone- “Hence, the growing use police station and a nearby pelting mob, trying to disperse of this [social media] tech- government building in eastern it. In one segment, an officer nology by criminal elements Punjab province yesterday, asks another to hold direct fire, should not surprise anyone,” triggering clashes that left at after which the second officer said Dr Sheikh. least two people dead and is seen continuing to shoot at several injured, the police said. the protesters. Haroon Akhtar The violence erupted in the Also yesterday, the Lahore Khan appointed city of Kasur hours before the High Court’s chief justice funeral of Zainab Ansari, whose ordered a probe into Zainab’s revenue minister Beehives case has drawn wide public killing. Zulfiqar Hameed, the A man collect honey at a bee garden in Munshigan, near Dhaka, Bangladesh, yesterday. outrage. police chief in Kasur, refused ISLAMABAD: Special The girl went missing last to say whether the two people Assistant to Pakistani Prime week while going to a nearby killed in yesterday’s clashes had Minister on Revenue Haroon home for Quranic studies. Her died from police gunshots. Pro- Akhtar Khan has been parents, who were away at a vincial Law Minister Rana elevated to the status of pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia at Sanaullah said the police were federal minister for revenue. Sri Lankan lawmakers exchange the time, returned yesterday, trying to contain the violence A notification to this effect landing at the Islamabad air- and find and arrest those was issued yesterday. This is port. “We will not bury our involved in the girl’s murder. the first time in the country’s blows over corruption claims daughter until her killers are Kasur shop owners shut history that a federal minister arrested,” said the father, their businesses yesterday to for revenue has been AP son-in-law of a former central was injured, but some law- Ameen Ansari, as his wife express their anger over Zain- appointed. bank governor benefited from makers had their shirts torn off. sobbed. ab’s slaying. Firebrand cleric A well-placed source said COLOMBO: Sri Lankan leaked inside information on The former central bank Zainab’s body was found on Tahir-ul-Qadri who took part in that Prime Minister Shahid lawmakers exchanged blows in the bond issue. governor was a confidante of Tuesday in a garbage bin, senior Ansari’s funeral service Khaqan Abbasi has split the Parliament yesterday during a Opposition lawmakers first Wickremesinghe, who picked police officer Imran Nawaz demanded the local government responsibility between debate over alleged corruption lodged a protest that they haven’t by him for the position. Khan said. Police say she was be replaced, saying it has “no Adviser to Prime Minister on in a bond issue that has marred been given the report and later The inquiry report said the abducted, raped and murdered. right to remain in power after the Finance and Economic Affairs the reputation of a government walked into the middle of the former central bank governor’s Officer Maqsood Ahmed said six killing of Zainab Ansari.” Dr Miftah Ismail and Haroon. elected on a platform of good chamber while shouting slogans son-in-law made a quick profit girls were sexually assaulted in In a speech to thousands of Ismail will look after the governance. and carrying placards. Govern- of $72m and the state suffered recent months in Kasur and that mourners, he blamed the work of finance and economic The brawl erupted after ment lawmakers also walked into a loss of about $55m. It also police were probing whether Punjab chief minister, Shahbaz affairs while Haroon will take opposition lawmakers protested the well of the chamber and a recommended bribery charges there was a connection in the Sharif, for failing to “protect care of the revenue policy. in the chamber as Prime Min- brawl soon broke out. be filed against the then cases. Activists on social media lives and honor of innocent The decision was taken to ister Ranil Wickremesinghe was About 50 lawmakers from finance minister, who allegedly have condemned the govern- girls” in the province. Qadri also bring cohesion in the new speaking on the bond issue. both sides of the 225-member lived in a luxury apartment ment for failing to arrest those issued an ultimatum to Sharif economic team which will A recent presidential Parliament took part in the paid for by the ex-governor’s involved in the crime. and Sanaullah to step down by work for the next five months, inquiry report said the scrum. It was unclear if anyone son-in-law. As the attack on the police Jan. 17 to avoid street protest. the source added. 14 ASIA THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 US ready to talk to Pyongyang at right time: Seoul

AFP

SEOUL: South Korea said yesterday China and Japan criticise Canada’s N Korea mediator bid the United States is open to talks with North Korea “at appropriate times” BLOOMBERG if Pyongyang agrees. The comments during a phone TOKYO: Two of North Korea’s closest call between President Donald Trump neighbours have criticised Canada’s and his South Korean counterpart effort to help coordinate the interna- appeared to build on progress as tional response to Kim Jong Un’s Seoul and Pyongyang held their first weapons programme. formal talks in more than two years, Chinese Foreign Ministry following high tensions over the spokesman Lu Kang said yesterday that North’s nuclear weapons an upcoming Canadian-organised programme. meeting on North Korea would “not help” North Korea agreed to send ath- because it didn’t include key players, letes to the Winter Olympics in the adding that it would “harm joint efforts South next month and the two rivals to improve the situation on the penin- also decided to hold military talks and sula.” Japan, South Korea, India and to restore a military hotline closed Sweden are among those invited. China since February 2016. and Russia — who supported the North The US has cautiously welcomed Korea side during the war — were not. the talks, but warned that the North’s Meanwhile, a Japanese foreign min- invitation to the Games must not istry official questioned the need for undermine international efforts to including countries as distant as isolate Kim’s regime. Colombia and Greece. “At appropriate times and cir- Canada is among several countries cumstances, the United States is open that have sought to bolster diplomatic if North Korea wants to talk,” Trump efforts amid escalating saber-rattling Friendship Bridge (left) and Broken Bridge (right), which lead to North Korea, are seen from Dandong, China’s northeastern told South Korean President Moon by US President Donald Trump and Kim, Liaoning province, yesterday. Jae-In according to the presidential the North Korean leader. As a result, U.S. Blue House in Seoul. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson agreed The US leader also denied Amer- to co-host with Canadian Foreign Min- includes 17 countries that contributed as crucial to forcing Kim into negotia- in line with government policy, said ican media reports he was consid- ister Chrystia Freeland a January 16 troops to United Nations forces during tions over his weapon’s program. Mean- Japan had been given no details on who ering launching a strike against North summit on the topic in Vancouver. and after the Korean War, according to while, while Japan, which plays host to would attend, what would be discussed Korea, stressing “there will be no mil- The effort to seek “a more peaceful, a document distributed to reporters about 50,000 US military personnel, or how the event would be organised. itary action during the inter-Korean prosperous and nuclear-free future” on Tuesday by Japan’s foreign ministry. sees itself as among the most likely tar- Ties between Canada and Japan dialogue”. the Korean Peninsula has since been In an apparent reference to the gets of North Korea’s weapons. were strained in November, after Prime The United States and South overshadowed by the first direct talks guest list, China’s Lu also warned yes- A Japanese foreign ministry official Minister Justin Trudeau raised last- Korea agreed last week to delay their between the two Koreas in more than terday against perpetuating “Cold War” also criticized the list of invitees, saying minute objections to an effort by the joint military exercises until after the two years on Tuesday. thinking. The Trump administration they “are not necessarily the 17 coun- remaining 11 participants in a Pacific Games, apparently to help calm While few details have been views economic pressure from China, tries most affected by North Korea.” The trade pact to revive the deal without nerves. released, the Vancouver guest list which shares a border with North Korea, official, who asked not to be identified Trump. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un have until now repeat- edly traded threats of war and per- he had a “nuclear button on my desk”. The Blue House said Trump and “naturally lead to a dialogue between proposed military talks — which would sonal insults, with Kim sparking yet However, Kim’s speech also made Moon agreed in the 30-minute call that the two Koreas for the denuclearisation be the first of their kind since 2014 — more verbal clashes with Washington an offer of high-level dialogue, to which the inter-Korean talks would extend of the Korean peninsula”. would be held. after warning in his New Year speech Seoul responded. beyond the Winter Olympics and would However, it remains unclear when

Soldier dead Myanmar security forces admit in Philippine to massacre of 10 Rohingyas bomb explosion AFP Refugees who have fled in Myanmar’s army chief Min AFP their hundreds of thousands to Aung Hlaing as well as the coun- YANGON: Myanmar security neighbouring Bangladesh have try’s civilian leader Aung San MANILA: Militants who forces took part in a massacre given consistent accounts of Suu Kyi have repeatedly prom- pledge allegiance to the of 10 Rohingyas in September, massacres, rape and torture by ised to punish anyone found Islamic State (IS) group have the army chief’s office said Myanmar security forces guilty of abuses. killed a soldier and wounded yesterday, as it admitted for the flanked by ethnic Rakhine mobs. But until now Myanmar three civilians in bomb first time abuses during a crack- Those allegations, which authorities have only blamed attacks in the southern Phil- down that sparked a mass have been cross-checked by Rohingya militants for causing ippines, the military said exodus of the Muslim minority. media and rights groups, have a human catastrophe that has yesterday. The massacre took place on seen Myanmar accused of ethnic left 655,000 of the minority in Security forces on the September 2 in the village of Inn cleansing by the US and UN and squalid camps in Bangladesh. main southern island of Din in Rakhine state, the Face- prompted questions over “This is quite a striking Mindanao have been pur- book post said, as tensions esca- whether the crackdown may acknowledgement by Myan- suing pro-IS armed groups lated pitting Rohingya against have amounted to genocide. mar’s military of wrongdoing,” following a five-month battle security forces and ethnic But Myanmar’s army has said political analyst Richard with militants for the city of Temporary shelters of Rohingya refugees at Balukhali refugee camp Rakhine locals following the until now staunchly rebutted Horsey. Marawi last year that left near Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. killing of a Rakhine man. allegations of misconduct, He tweeted “it may not be a more than 1,100 dead. “Some villagers from Inn clearing itself of any wrong- coincidence” that this admission The soldier was fatally hit Din village and security mem- doing in an internal probe. came on the same day as two documents by two policemen two policemen. The charges Tuesday while his unit was bers confessed they killed 10 In its account of the Inn Din Reuters journalists were for- over dinner. against them have sparked out- tracking Bangsamoro Islamic Bengali terrorists,” the office massacre the army chief’s office mally charged by police in court The pair have widely covered rage around the world with rights Freedom Fighters (BIFF) said in its post, using a pejora- said security forces captured 10 with breaching a colonial-era the military campaign in Rakhine groups and diplomats calling for gunmen on a mountain trail tive term for Rohingya and Rohingya militants before killing secrecy law. although Reuters has declined to their immediate release. “These near the town of Datu Unsay, blaming militants for causing them as violence engulfed the If convicted, Myanmar comment on whether they were charges are a travesty of justice regional military spokesman the unrest in the village. village and its surrounding area. nationals Wa Lone, 31, and specifically reporting on the mass and should be dropped,” said Phil Captain Arvin Encinas said. The post also gave the first “Action will be taken Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, could face up grave in Inn Din. Robertson, deputy Asia director “The dead soldier was confirmation of a mass according to the law against vil- to 14 years in jail. The journalists’ families have of Human Rights Watch. involved in a clearing opera- Rohingya grave inside Rakhine lagers who were involved and They were arrested a month suggested the pair were set up, The reporters will return to tion (against the BIFF),” state following an army-led security members who broke ago under the draconian Offi- saying the arrests took place court on January 23, when the Encinas added. crackdown on militants from the the Rules of Engagement,” the cial Secrets Act after they were immediately after leaving the res- bench will decide whether to A roadside bomb appar- minority group in late August. post added. allegedly given classified taurant where they dined with the accept the case. ently intended for a military convoy in the neighbouring town of Datu Hoffer wounded three civilians instead, Encinas added. China and Asian leaders discuss He said both military units were pursuing BIFF members who had clashed Mekong dam projects with security forces in the same region on Saturday, a AP accelerate industrialisation, water and transport. firefight that left a soldier and urbanization, trade and finan- The world’s 12th-longest five militants dead. PHNOM PENH: Leaders of cial integration. They also called river, the Mekong runs nearly He said some members of nations along Southeast Asia’s for greater cooperation in man- 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) the BIFF had been trained in Mekong River met yesterday in aging and utilizing water from the Tibetan Plateau down making improvised explosive Cambodia’s capital amid a push resources. The stated goal of the into mainland Southeast Asia devices by Zulkifli bin Hir, a by China to build more dams that Mekong-Lancang Cooperation before emptying into the South Malaysian killed in a police are altering the water flow and forum, created by China in 2015, China Sea in Vietnam. The riv- operation in the same region raising environmental concerns. is to promote sustainable devel- er’s basin is home to up to 1,700 two years ago. The meeting was chaired by opment and boost the quality of fish species, making it the most “These are students of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun life for the millions of people diverse basin after the Amazon Marwan. There’s quite a few FROM LEFT: Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-ocha, Vietnam’s Sen and Chinese Premier Li living in the Mekong and Congo. Yet the river is also of them,” Encinas said of the Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Keqiang, who were joined by subregion. another potential source of bomb makers, referring to Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, Laos Prime Minister Thongloun leaders from Thailand, Laos, Known as the Lancang in regional tensions due to an Zulkifli’s alias. Sisoulith and Myanmar Vice-President Myint Swe, during the second Vietnam and Myanmar. China, the Mekong River is vital increasing number of hydroe- The Muslim minority of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation leaders meeting, under the theme The leaders agreed in a joint to Southeast Asia, where more lectric projects that are altering the mainly Catholic Philip- “Our River of Peace and Sustainable Development”, in Phnom Penh, statement to enhance connec- than 60 million people rely on its flow and raising concerns of pines considers Mindanao as Cambodia, yesterday. tivity between their countries to it and its tributaries for food, ecological damage. its homeland. THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 EUROPE 15 Poland warned of EU funding cut

REUTERS Either... the rule of law and the independence WARSAW: The man in charge of courts would of the European Union’s budget constitute a condition raised the possibility yesterday of Poland losing out financially for claiming European if it refuses to give ground in a budgetary resources. bitter dispute with the bloc over Or otherwise the its judicial reforms. restoration of the EU Budget Commissioner Guenther Oettinger’s (pictured) rule of law could be comments came after Poland’s seen as a possible new rime minister, Mateusz way of getting more Morawiecki, pressed a charm EU recommendations. offensive in Brussels aimed at resources: Guenther Oettiner said the executive smoothing relations badly Oettinger Commission would come up strained by disputes over the with a proposal in April. courts and also over migration. Juncker said last week it Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with volunteers at the headquarters for the upcoming But Morawiecki, a former the posterchild of post-commu- would be wrong to put pressure presidential election, in Moscow, yesterday. banker who took the reins of the nist transition increasingly iso- on Poland by cutting funds, conservative government in lated in the EU as crucial nego- though some EU states including Warsaw last month, showed no tiations over the bloc’s next Italy have openly called for this. sign of scrapping the judicial seven-year budget begin. Morawiecki has made clear Putin vows minimum wage hike overhaul that critics, including Poland is currently the biggest he sees the EU funds as key to Brussels, say weaken judicial beneficiary of EU funds, helping Poland close the eco- AFP is widely expected to win in the Factory workers are tradi- independence and the rule of receiving 7 billion euros in 2016. nomic gap with wealthier coun- election on March 18. tionally portrayed as the core of law. Asked whether Poland could tries in western Europe. MOSCOW: Russian President He said he proposed Putin’s support base, and it was “I genuinely believe that see its funds cut in the new EU Before flying to Brussels for Vladimir Putin, who is seeking increasing the minimum wage at another factory, the GAZ with added effort to explain our budget starting in 2021 because dinner with Juncker on Tuesday, to win a fourth term in the on May 1 of this year. automaker, where he intentions we will be able to of issues concerning the rule of Morawiecki sacked several min- Kremlin in March elections, Currently the minimum announced last month that he clarify misunderstandings,” law, Oettinger told a news con- isters who have clashed most pledged yesterday to raise the wage in Russia is $166 a month, would seek reelection. Morawiecki told reporters in ference in Brussels: sharply with the EU since PiS minimum wage this year, bene- while the poverty line is at $196 The Russian economy has Warsaw yesterday on his return “Either... the rule of law and took power in late 2015. fitting some four million people. a month. been hit hard in recent years by from Brussels. the independence of courts Despite Morawiecki’s con- Speaking to workers at a The change would affect falling oil prices and sanctions “I believe dialogue will lead would constitute a condition for ciliatory gestures and rhetoric, factory in Tver, northwest of “about four million people,” imposed against Moscow by the to de-escalation.” claiming European budgetary it remains unclear whether Moscow, Putin said the long- Putin said. West. While the economy has Poland’s nationalist ruling resources. Or otherwise the res- Poland can reach a compromise expected hike of the minimum In a highly choreographed come out of recession, it has not party, Law and Justice (PiS), says toration of the rule of law could with Brussels over its judicial wage to the so-called subsist- visit, Putin also said he would led to an increase in quality of the reforms are needed because be seen as a possible way of get- reforms by February 27, when ence level, or poverty line, will look into expediting building a life. the judiciary is still steeped in ting more resources.” the 28 EU member states are happen in May, quicker than bridge in the city across the Real incomes decreased last the mindset and practices of the The remarks, which seemed due to debate the matter. previously planned. Volga River and acted surprised year by 1.4 percent according to postwar communist era. The to contradict an earlier statement The Commission has opened A person needs to earn at when one worker offered to the state statistics agency. party has also tightened control from his boss, Commission pres- an unprecedented legal case least the subsistence level “to help in his presidential Over 20.3 million Russians over state media. ident Jean-Claude Juncker, sug- against Warsaw over its back- have a chance to live on this campaign. are living in poverty according Poland’s feud with Brussels gest Poland could also be sliding on the rule of law and wage, and if that’s not the case “I didn’t expect that. Thank official figures released last have left a country once seen as rewarded for compliance with democracy. it is not normal,” said Putin, who you very much,” Putin said. month. Migration to dominate ‘Southern Seven’ meet NEWS BYTES AFP limited the number of arrivals to Italy’s general elections on Camera captures 28,800 -- six times fewer than March 4. ROME: The heads of seven in 2016 -- but it did not solve the Spain has faced a backlash pack of wolves southern European states gather problem of caring for those who over the state of the detention in Rome yesterday to tackle one had already made the journey. centres where migrants are held AP of the most stubborn thorns in The toll of dead or missing before being expelled. the EU’s side: flows of migrants in the Mediterranean dropped The southern European BUCHAREST: Romanian for- from war-torn and impoverished from nearly 5,000 during cross- countries have urged time and estry officials have released countries. ings in 2016 to 3,116 in 2017, again for the migrant burden to footage of a wolf pack caught The leaders of Cyprus, mostly off the coast of Libya. be shared across the EU. on surveillance camera in cen- France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Por- But the start of 2018 has seen “Italy can no longer continue tral Romania. tugal and Spain will meet in the some grim statistics. to pay for everyone, in financial The rare sighting of six Italian capital for a short meeting Between 90 and 100 terms as well as in terms of polit- wolves walking in a line in followed by a joint press confer- migrants were missing after their ical effort,” Italian Finance Min- snowy forest in the Piatra ence and a working dinner. makeshift boat sank off Libya, ister Pier Carlo Padoan said Craiului National Park was It will be the fourth meeting the country’s navy said late Monday in Brussels. filmed recently by forestry of the “Southern Seven” since Tuesday. Ten migrants also died Interior Minister Marco Min- authorities. Greek Prime Minister Alexis last weekend and dozens more niti—the man behind the Brus- Forestry spokesman Rob- Tsipras launched the initiative Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni with Greek Prime Minister are missing after their boat sank. sels-backed deal with Libya to ert Pache said: “We haven’t in September 2016. The group Alexis Tsipras prior to a meeting at Chigi Palace, in Rome, yesterday. But apart from rescues at block migrants from setting out always had the infrastructure, met twice last year, in Lisbon and sea, asylum applications—and for Europe—has urged the EU to but we’ve always had large Madrid. islands to packed boats heading in Italy last year, down 35 per- the inevitable delays and lengthy follow Italy’s lead on humani- carnivores and now the world Issues on the agenda are for Spain, the hottest topic is cent on 2016. appeals—have placed great tarian corridors. can see them.” expected to include the future of bound to be migrants. For its part, Spain saw a strain on some countries. With France also facing a Forestry officials say the eurozone and efforts to For Italy, 2017 was a turning notable increase in Algerians and Despite a proliferation of record increase in asylum appli- Romania has an estimated propel growth, employment and point: the country went from Moroccans sailing in, from 6,000 small structures aimed at cations, the migration issue is 5,800 wolves, one of the larg- investment, as well as prepara- large-scale arrivals in the first attempting the crossing in 2016 improving integration, tens of also expected to figure at a bilat- est populations in Europe tion for the 2019 European Par- six months to a sharp drop-off, to nearly 23,000 picked up last thousands of people are still eral meeting on Thursday outside Russia, although other liament elections. thanks to controversial agree- year. forced to idle away their days in between President Emmanuel estimates are lower. But from overcrowded ments in Libya. In Greece, an accord struck large centres as a climate of mis- Macron and Italy’s Prime Min- reception centres on Greek Some 119,000 people landed between the EU and Turkey trust and racism grows ahead of ister Paolo Gentiloni. Train services to Zermatt resume Theresa May faces pressure AFP ZERMATT: Trains from pop- ular Swiss ski station Zermatt over healthcare crisis reopened yesterday, provid- ing relief for some 13,000 AFP of treatment cycles used to alle- “The reality in our NHS is tourists trapped there by viate symptoms, rather than cure that we are seeing 2.9 million heavy snowfall, a state- LONDON: A healthcare crisis put patients, due to staff shortages. more people now going to acci- ment said. British Prime Minister Theresa The hospital has denied any dent and emergency, over two Visitors have been stuck May on the defensive at her first change in policy. million more operations taking in the mountain resort for two weekly parliamentary questions May dismissed the report but place each year,” she said. days after snow blocked road of 2018 yesterday following a apologised for the postponement Corbyn also mocked May and rail links. report about cuts in cancer care. of tens of thousands of opera- over reports that she had “The railway line between The questions followed a tions over January due to a surge intended to sack Health Secre- Zermatt - Tasch will reo- pen. The first train leaves report in yesterday’s edition of in demand at the state-run tary Jeremy Hunt but was “too Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May after the weekly Prime Minister at 11.15am, a statement on The Times which said a leading National Health Service during weak” to do so in a cabinet Question (PMQ) session in the House of Commons, from Downing Zermatt’s official site said hospital was delaying the start the winter period. reshuffle earlier this week. Street, in central London, yesterday. of chemotherapy for patients due “I fully accept that the NHS NHS staffing levels have yesterday. to a 40% shortfall of nurses in is under pressure over winter... been in crisis for months. also falling. Numerous doctors have Tasch is a small Swiss vil- the relevant medical unit. I apologise to those people who There are 40,000 vacant According to the Nursing and taken to social media in recent lage 6km from from Zermatt Andrew Weaver, head of have had their operations nurse posts in England, Midwifery Council, 27 percent weeks to apologise to patients, that serves as a gateway for chemotherapy at Churchill Hos- delayed,” May said after a bar- according to the Royal College more nurses and midwives left with one emergency doctor in those travelling in the Matter- pital in Oxford, is also reportedly rage of questions from Labour of Nursing, but the numbers the job between 2016 and 2017 central England warning of horn mountain region. considering reducing the number leader Jeremy Corbyn. applying to study the subject are than joined. “third-world conditions”. 16 EUROPE THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 Zeman could face stiff re-election challenge

AFP The vote shows a But the situation could broader conflict, it change dramatically if Drahos PRAGUE: Czechs will vote in a shows how society is wins. divisive presidential election “Drahos has made it very starting tomorrow, seen as a test polarised. It is a clash clear that a prosecuted man for the country increasingly split between... the post- should not be prime minister,” between pro-Russian views of communist part of Pehe said. incumbent Milos Zeman and society represented by While Zeman vowed to unite more liberal currents. society, his political views have The 73-year-old former Zeman and the other done the opposite. communist Zeman is hoping to part, say, modern, In China last year, Zeman beat eight other contenders to pro-Western, which told his ally Russian President clinch a second five-year term Vladimir Putin that journalists after his 2013 win in the EU simply doesn’t want should be “liquidated”. member’s first-ever direct pres- this president any He was also caught on idential vote. more: Political analyst camera verbally threatening to But although polls show him kill a cameraman at the Council in pole position, the outspoken of Europe headquarters in Stras- head of state is unlikely to win “The vote shows a broader bourg in October. an outright majority and may conflict, it shows how society is Zeman has stayed out of all face a run-off round in two polarised,” independent political election debates, saying he did weeks. analyst Jiri Pehe said. not want to attack his rivals. Jiri Drahos, his most likely “It is a clash between... the But Josef Mlejnek, a political opponent in the duel, could not post-communist part of society analyst at Charles University in be more different. A liberal cen- represented by Zeman and the Prague, said he believes that trist, the 68-year-old former other part, say, modern, pro- “poor health” was the chief head of the Czech Academy of Western, which simply doesn’t Czech President Milos Zeman delivers his speech supporting the Prime Minister Andrej Babis, in the reason, as the president suffers Sciences is staunchly pro-Euro- want this president any more.” Czech Parliament, in Prague, yesterday. from diabetes-induced pean and has called for Prague A January survey commis- neuropathy. to “play a more active role in the sioned by Czech Television government-building measures who is himself facing police president has another attempt Doctors have forced Zeman EU”. showed Zeman losing a run-off by the populist ANO movement charges over EU funding fraud, and Zeman said he would tap to curb smoking and drinking, but Zeman echoes other popu- to Drahos, who beat him with of billionaire Andrej Babis, a has found it impossible to form Babis again, should he fail to win voters will recall him staggering list-minded eastern EU leaders— 48.5 percent to 44 percent. Zeman ally who won the October a majority government after confidence. during a ceremony at Prague especially in Hungary and No matter who wins, the next 2017 ballot. being tapped prime minister by Pehe said Zeman’s victory Castle shortly after taking office. Poland—at odds with Brussels president will find himself bat- ANO topped the vote, scoring Zeman. might “pave the way for a deeper And yet, his supporters over mandatory refugee quotas tling a political crisis with roots 78 of 200 parliamentary seats Babis appeared set to lose a alliance with Andrej Babis, which remain faithful, lavishing praise and various rules they see as in last year’s general election. campaigning on an anti-corrup- parliamentary confidence vote could lead to a change in some on the man who beat aristocrat attempts by Brussels to limit Analysts note that a Drahos tion and anti-euro ticket. scheduled for January 16. basic parameters of liberal Karel Schwarzenberg in the 2013 national sovereignty. victory could upset But the controversial tycoon, Under the constitution, the democracy in the country”. run-off. UK court Former Russian policeman on trial for 59 murders grants bail AFP sentence for raping and killing Andrei Chikatilo, convicted of 52 victims and after his first crime Popkov later went with 22 women, and the attempted Soviet-era murders. felt little fear of discovery. investigators to the crime scenes to Sarkozy MOSCOW: A Former Russian murder of two more. Yesterday’s first full hearing He said he gave women lifts and showed them where the policeman convicted of killing Popkov killed his victims saw prosecutors read out the and targeted those who were bodies were buried. 22 women went on trial after offering the women rides accusations against Popkov. drunk or living in a way he saw Investigator Yevgeny associate yesterday for a further 59 late at night, sometimes in a The hearing was closed to as immoral. Karchevsky, who worked on the AFP murders, in a case that could police car, while he was off-duty media to avoid making public The crimes were committed case, told Meduza: “His diagnosis make him Russia’s most prolific around his hometown of Ang- details of his alleged sexual during Popkov’s career as a is homicidal maniac, that is he LONDON: An associate of serial killer in recent history. arsk close to Irkutsk. attacks on victims, Interfax news policeman and after he retired has an uncontrollable desire to French politician Nicolas Mikhail Popkov, 53, He has been nicknamed “the agency reported. in 1998. commit murders.” Sarkozy was granted bail appeared in court in the Siberian werewolf” and the “Angarsk Popkov has called himself a Popkov was only caught in “Popkov is seen as having a yesterday by a British court, city of Irkutsk after confessing maniac” by Russian media. “cleaner” who was purging his 2012 after investigators re- personality disorder but is after his arrest on charges to 59 additional murders and one If convicted of 81 murders, city of prostitutes, according to examined the cases and carried judged to be sane and respon- linked to a probe into attempted killing between 1992 he would exceed the total of reports. out DNA testing of residents, sible for his crimes.” financing the former presi- and 2010, Interfax news agency notorious figures such as the In an interview with Meduza focusing on those who drove a “Victims included prostitutes dent’s election campaign. reported. “chessboard killer” Alexander news site in December, he said make of car whose tracks had and drug addicts but most were French businessman He is already serving a life Pichushkin, who killed 48, and he used a hammer or axe to kill been found at crime scenes. ordinary women with families.” Alexandre Djouhri appeared at a London court after being detained on Sunday at Hea- throw airport on a European arrest warrant. The judge ordered a 1.1 Pope upsets animal million euro bail be paid to secure the 58-year-old’s release. Djouhri was ordered rights activists to stay at his daughter’s home in the British capital. REUTERS An activist said Embroiled in an investi- use of animals in gation into the suspected VATICAN CITY: Pope circuses was being Libyan financing of Sarkozy’s Francis’ decision to treat 2007 election campaign, he some of Rome’s poor to a day phased out in many has refused to respond to at the circus has upset animal countries, including summons for questioning in rights activists, who say his Italy, because it Paris. gesture towards the down- Well known among trodden involves the exploi- was now commonly France’s rightwing political tation of nature’s weakest accepted that establishment, Djouhri is creatures. keeping animals in facing fraud and money- The Vatican said yes- cages and moving laundering charges and will terday that the office of the next appear in court for an pope’s almoner, which man- them from place to extradition hearing. ages his local charity dis- place was harmful. The Swiss resident has bursements and activities, been a focus of the inquiry had arranged for 2,100 the exploitation of the opened in 2013 by judges Catherine visits Reach Academy Feltham people to take in a show at weakest, in this case, ani- investigating claims by former the Medrano Circus on mals,” she said. Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during her visit to the Reach Academy Feltham, a school Libyan ruler Moamer Kadhafi Rome’s outskirts. In 2016, a court in the which supports children, their families and the school community throughout their school career, and his son Seif Al Islam that The Vatican arranged for northern city of Padua they provided funds for in Feltham, west London, yesterday. tickets for the Thursday handed down an eight- Sarkozy’s election effort. afternoon performance for month suspended sentence the poor, homeless, a group to an administrator of the of prisoners, children of circus following accusations needy families, volunteers by animal rights advocates and caregivers. that its animals were Catalan separatists agree to re-elect Puigdemont “We are surprised to see mistreated. the Vatican doing this,” said Salvatore Mendola, a AP the new regional parliament to can’t be the president.” be able to vote unless they are Gaia Angelini, who heads the manager and spokesman for appoint him despite his absence. A spokesman with Puigde- released or give up their seats to exotic animals division of the the circus, said the charges MADRID: Catalonia’s main The Catalan assembly’s reg- mont’s Junts per Catalunya someone else on the party list. Italian animal protection were denied and the case was separatist parties said yesterday ulations are ambiguous about (Together for Catalonia) ticket But a new president can form group LAV. still in the appeals process. they have agreed to re-elect that possibility, but the anti- said that the separatist politician government with a simple She said use of animals in He said yesterday that the fugitive Carles Puigdemont as independence opposition says secured the backing of the left- majority in a second attempt. circuses was being phased circus was now under a dif- president of the region later this that a president can’t govern republican ERC party. An ERC spokesman also con- out in many countries, ferent administrator. month, although how to make from afar. The parties jointly hold 66 firmed the deal, adding that including Italy, because it was “We treat our animals that legally possible is still up in “It’s evident that for gov- of the 135 seats in the regional Puigdemont will propose to now commonly accepted that very well. We have to get per- the air. erning Catalonia you have to be chamber, and can add the sup- speak via video conference to keeping animals in cages and mission to hold shows in each Puigdemont, who has been in in Catalonia, you can’t do that port of four anti-establishment the regional parliament later this moving them from place to city and are inspected by vet- Brussels since he was sacked in via WhatsApp or as a hologram,” lawmakers. month or have a fellow party place was harmful. erinarians before permission October over an attempt to secede said Ines Arrimadas, the leader The separatists’ dominance lawmaker read the mandatory “It is a bit surprising that is given,” he said. from Spain, faces immediate of the anti-independence of the chamber, however, speech that candidates to the a noble gesture of solidarity “Our animals are arrest if he returns home. He Ciutadans (Citizens) party. “A depends on jailed or fugitive regional leadership need to like this one will also involve super-controlled.” wants the separatist majority in person who is fleeing justice elected lawmakers who won’t deliver before being voted in. THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 AMERICAS 17

Immigration agents raid US issues 7-Eleven stores

AFP new travel WASHINGTON: US immigra- tion agents raided nearly 100 7-Eleven convenience stores around the country, sending a warning to businesses not warnings to hire illegal immigrants, officials said. US Immigration and Cus- AFP Ten war zones and toms Enforcement (ICE) failed states are agents arrested 21 undocu- WASHINGTON: The United ranked Level Four, mented immigrants in the States unveiled a way to warn raids of 7-Eleven franchises its citizens about the dangers of “Do Not Travel”: in 17 states and the capital, foreign travel yesterday, with Afghanistan, Central they said, amid a broad a four-point safety ranking African Republic, crackdown by the year-old system for countries and an Iran, Iraq, Libya, administration of President interactive world map. Donald Trump. Ten war zones and failed Mali, Somalia, South “Today’s actions send a states are ranked Level Four, Sudan, Syria and strong message to US busi- “Do Not Travel”: Afghanistan, Yemen. nesses that hire and employ Central African Republic, Iran, an illegal workforce: ICE will Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Voting rights struggle enforce the law, and if you Sudan, Syria and Yemen. But Cuba is ranked only are found to be breaking the US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) addresses a rally ahead of arguments in a key voting rights case North Korea is also Level Level Three, “Reconsider law, you will be held involving a challenge to the Ohio’s policy of purging infrequent voters from voter registration rolls Four, with the additional Travel.” accountable,” ICE Deputy restriction that US law prohibits Officials insisted the change outside the US Supreme Court, in Washington, yesterday. Director Thomas Homan said American travelers from using was to make advice clearer to yesterday. their passports there, effectively US citizens that plan to travel. banning visits. Some countries have com- But some of the other plained in the past that warn- country ratings may raise eye- ings exaggerate dangers and brows -- or international anger damage tourism, or suspect Judge blocks Trump’s plan to end DACA -- even if the State Department they have been subjected to a says it is only presenting US diplomatic rebuke. existing advice in a new format. But each warning is accom- AP A White House official brought to the US illegally as chil- DACA sparked a flurry of law- Officials insisted the change panied by a country page on the said in a statement the dren or came with families who suits nationwide. was to make advice clearer to travel.state.gov website, SAN FRANCISCO: A federal overstayed visas. The programme Alsup considered five sepa- US travelers, but the travel explaining what specific threats judge yesterday night tempo- ruling was “outrageous, includes hundreds of thousands rate lawsuits filed in Northern warning system has long been have been identified and why rarily blocked the Trump admin- especially in light of the of college-age students. California, including one by the controversial and often offends the advice has been given. istration’s decision to end a President’s successful US Attorney General Jeff Ses- California and three other states, foreign capitals. Western European capitals, programme protecting young bipartisan meeting sions announced in September and another by the governing “These are not political doc- for example, while prosperous immigrants from deportation. that the programme would be board of the University of Cali- uments. These are simply based and politically stable, have seen US District Judge William with House and Senate phased out, saying former Pres- fornia school system. on our assessment of the secu- recent attacks by Islamist mil- Alsup granted a request by Cal- members at the White ident Barack Obama had “DACA covers a class of rity situation,” senior consular itants in areas popular with ifornia and other plaintiffs to House on the same day.” exceeded his authority when he immigrants whose presence, official Michelle Bernier-Toth tourists. prevent President Donald Trump implemented it in 2012. seemingly all agree, pose the said. Mexico, a Level Two from ending the Deferred Action Yesterday, the Department least, if any, threat and allows Major European allies like country, has complained in the for Childhood Arrivals pro- ruling was “outrageous, espe- of Justice said the judge’s deci- them to sign up for honest labor Britain, France and Germany past that US alerts hurt tourism, gramme while their lawsuits cially in light of the President’s sion doesn’t change the fact that on the condition of continued are Level Two, “exercise but the site gives a detailed play out in court. successful bipartisan meeting the programme was an illegal good behavior,” Alsup wrote in increased caution,” while breakdown of areas to avoid Alsup said lawyers in favour with House and Senate mem- circumvention of Congress, and his decision. authoritarian Uzbekistan gets because of drug cartel of DACA clearly demonstrated bers at the White House on the it is within the agency’s power “This has become an impor- Level One, “exercise usual violence. that the young immigrants “were same day.” to end it. tant program for DACA recipi- precautions.” The United States itself is likely to suffer serious, irrepa- Sanders said the issue should “The Justice Department will ents and their families, for the On Tuesday, US senators not rated in the new system. rable harm” without court “go through the normal legisla- continue to vigorously defend employers who hire them, for heard State Department offi- But as a rough guide, Amer- action. The judge also said the tive process” and pledged Trump this position, and looks forward our tax treasuries, and for our cials say someone known to the ica’s per capita murder rate of lawyers have a strong chance of “will work with members of both to vindicating its position in fur- economy.” Cuban government has a mys- 4.88 per 100,000 people puts succeeding at trial. parties to reach a permanent ther litigation,” department Alsup also questioned tery weapon that they use to it between Cuba at 4.72 (“recon- White House Press Secretary solution.” spokesman Devin O’Malley said whether the administration had cause brain trauma to Ameri- sider travel”) and Somalia at Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in DACA has protected about in a statement. conducted a thorough review cans in Havana. 5.56 (“do not travel”). a statement yesterday that the 800,000 people who were Sessions’ move to phase pout before ending the programme.

Hoax call Democrats warn against suspect also Russia’s rising interference faces charges REUTERS planned no immediate action in Calgary as the panel has held hearings AP WASHINGTON: Democratic and briefings on Russia, and US lawmakers accused Russia helped pass sanctions aimed at CALGARY: A Los Angeles of a “relentless assault” on Moscow over alleged interfer- man accused of making a democratic institutions world- ence in the 2016 presidential hoax emergency call that led wide, and called on President election. to the fatal police shooting of Donald Trump to treat election US intelligence agencies a Kansas man is charged with interference as a national crisis. concluded Russians tried to tip making a similar call in Democrats on the Senate the election to Trump through Canada days earlier. Foreign Relations Committee hacking and releasing emails Police in Calgary said in a released a report detailing what to embarrass Democratic nom- news release that warrants they described as nearly two inee Hillary Clinton and have been issued for Tyler Bar- decades of Russian efforts to tilt spreading social media riss, 25, who is charged with politics across Europe, and crit- propaganda. public mischief, fraud and mis- icizing Trump for doing too Other Western nations, chief. He’s accused of calling little to address the issue. including France, have accused authorities on December 22 But Republicans, who con- Russia of trying to interfere in and claiming that he had shot trol the committee, said they their elections. his father and was holding his Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski with his new ministers during a swearing-in ceremony mother and younger brother at the Government Palace, in Lima, Peru, yesterday. hostage, the release said. Officers descended on an Tsunami alert after strong apartment building and were evacuating people when a Peru President reshuffles cabinet earthquake hits Caribbean woman called police and said she believed she was the BLOOMBERG and Mines Ministry. “The last 30 days have prob- AP victim of “swatting,” in which The president’s decision to ably been unprecedented in our a person makes up a false LIMA: Peru’s President Pedro pardon Fujimori on health political life,” Kuczynski said TEGUCIGALPA: A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck in the report to get a SWAT team to Pablo Kuczynski reshuffled his grounds on December 24, three after the swearing in ceremony. Caribbean Sea between the coast of Honduras and the Cayman descend on an address. The cabinet in a bid to breathe new days after he narrowly survived “We’re going through tense Islands yesterday night, shaking the mainland and causing woman walked out of her life into his moribund govern- an impeachment effort by Con- times, but we should strive for officials to briefly post advisories warning of the threat of apartment unharmed and ment after his decision to free gress amid corruption allega- understanding to return stability possible tsunami surges around the region. police were able to confirm former autocrat Alberto Fuji- tions, has increased the disarray to the country.” There were no early reports of serious damage on land. the call was false. The release mori from jail sparked a wave in his 17-month old centrist Opposition parties snubbed Officials in Honduras said shaking was registered across much said it is believed the woman of criticism. government. the president’s goal of forming of the Central American nation and there were some reports was “targeted because of her Kuczynski swore in nine A host of government offi- a more politically diverse of cracks in homes in Colon and Atlantida provinces along the online persona.” new ministers at the presiden- cials including two ministers cabinet. northern coast and Olancho in eastern Honduras. A similar bogus call on tial palace in Lima yesterday. resigned while leftist parties are New Labor Minister Javier Tsunami warning centres initially issued advisories December 28 about a Cabinet Chief Mercedes Araoz considering a fresh impeach- Barreda and Health Minister stressing that people in Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, Cuba, shooting and kidnapping led and Finance Minister Claudia ment motion alleging the pardon Abel Salinas were both expelled Jamaica and other Caribbean islands as well as on the coasts police in Wichita, Kansas, to Cooper remain in their posts is the result of a deal with a from the Apra party as punish- of Mexico and Central America should aware of the tsunami rush to a home where Andrew while Cayetana Aljovin moved small group of lawmakers loyal ment for joining Kuczynski’s danger. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said later that Finch, 28, was shot and killed to the Foreign Ministry after to Fujimori and should be struck cabinet, Canal N reported the advisories had been canceled. after opening his door. five months heading the Energy down by the courts. recently. 18 HOME THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018 AMERICAS 19 At least 15 dead in California mudslides

REUTERS Officials have ordered several blocks from the spot residents in a large where a large mudslide crossed LOS ANGELES: Rescue crew swath of Montecito Coast Village Road as it moved members with dogs and thermal- toward the ocean. imaging equipment searched the to stay in their homes “We have a lot of friends of hills around wealthy Santa so that rescuers can ours, and they are in the other Barbara, California, yesterday for better go about their part of Montecito, and they don’t up to two dozen people missing work. About 300 have electricity, they don’t have after rain-driven mudslides gas, water and they don’t have swept through the coastal people were stranded internet,” Henry added. “We are community, killing at least 15. in a canyon. quite lucky.” Mudslides damaged historic The mudslides followed a hotels and the homes of celeb- we will locate people alive.” violent rainstorm that dropped rities including Oprah Winfrey, Officials have ordered resi- as much as 6 inches of precipi- who relish the area sandwiched dents in a large swath of Mon- tation in pockets northwest of between the ocean and the tecito to stay in their homes so Los Angeles, soaking ground sprawling Los Padres National that rescuers can better go about that was left vulnerable after Forest, for its natural beauty and their work. much of its vegetation burned proximity to sprawling Los About 300 people were in the state’s largest wildfire last Angeles. stranded in a canyon. Local month. US Vice-President Mike Pence greets students after meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol But the wooded hillsides rescue crews, using borrowed Winfrey posted a video on Hill, in Washington, yesterday. that once gave their estates a helicopters from the US Coast Instagram showing her wading sense of seclusion were largely Guard, worked to airlift them through nearly knee-deep mud denuded by last year’s historic out, officials said. on her Montecito property. wildfires, setting the stage for The county initially ordered “The house in back is gone,” Pence to lead delegation in Pyeongchang the massive slides that slammed 7,000 residents to evacuate and she could be heard saying as she into homes, turned highways urged another 23,000 to do so inspected the damage. REUTERS North Korean leader Kim Jong counterpart Moon Jae-In, Trump into raging rivers and shredded voluntarily, but only 10 to 15 A 14-year-old girl was found Un. expressed his openness to cars into nearly unrecognizable percent complied with manda- alive yesterday after firefighters WASHINGTON: Vice-President North Korea will also send holding talks with Pyongyang tangles of metal after heavy tory orders, said Amber using rescue dogs heard cries for Mike Pence and second lady high-ranking officials, athletes, “at the appropriate time, under Tuesday rains. Anderson, a spokeswoman for help from what was left of her Karen Pence will lead the US and a cheering squad to the the right circumstances.” Between 12 and 24 people the Santa Barbara County Fire Montecito home, the Los delegation to the Winter Olym- Olympics, a senior South Korean “The two leaders under- who were believed to in the area Department. Angeles Times reported. pics in Pyeongchang, South official said on Tuesday. scored the importance of con- at the time of the slides The slides closed several “I thought I was dead there Korea, next month, a senior The US State Department tinuing the maximum pressure remained unaccounted for, said historic hotels, including The for a minute,” the teenager White House official said said in a briefing yesterday that campaign against North Korea,” Chris Elms, a spokesman for Four Seasons Biltmore, which Lauren Cantin, covered in mud, yesterday. there are not any current plans White House Press Secretary state firefighters. had just reopened on Monday said after workers spent six Pence will also visit Alaska for the American delegation to Sarah Sanders added in a state- About 500 law enforcement after repairing damage from the hours rescuing her. and Japan as part of the trip. meet with the North Korean ment that confirmed a South officers and firefighters were wildfires. The courtyard of the The number of fatalities sur- Pence will review ICBM defence delegation. Korea account of the phone call. combing mud-covered neigh- 90-year-old Montecito Inn, built passed the death toll from a Cal- systems in Alaska and reaffirm Republican US Senator Moon briefed Trump on his borhoods, using dogs, helicop- by silent movie actor Charlie ifornia mudslide on Jan. 10, to the leaders of Japan and South Lindsey Graham has said he government’s talks with a del- ters and thermal imaging equip- Chaplin, was filled with a thick 2005, when 10 people were Korea that the United States is opposed inviting the North egation from the North yes- ment to locate missing people. crust of debris driven by the killed as a hillside gave way in fully committed to stability in Korean delegation to the Games. terday, which resulted in “We are still very much in slides. the town of La Conchita, less the region, the official said. “I don’t mind talks with Pyongyang agreeing to send a active search and rescue mode,” Some undamaged busi- than 30km south of the latest The Pyeongchang Olympics, North Korea but I do have delegation to the Winter Olym- Elms said in a phone interview. nesses closed as they lacked disaster. which start on February 9, coin- serious concerns about legiti- pics in Pyeongchang next The current death toll of 15 con- water, gas and other supplies to Last month’s wildfires, cide with high tensions on the mising the most barbaric leader month, both sides said. firmed fatalities could rise, he operate. including the Thomas Fire, Korean Peninsula due to North on the planet,” Graham wrote Trump also told Moon that warned. “There are no customers,” which became the largest in Cal- Korean nuclear tests and con- in a post on Twitter yesterday. the vice-president would lead “That’s a fear, Elms said. said Pierre Henry, owner of the ifornia history, left the area vul- tentious exchanges between US Meanwhile, During a phone the US delegation to the Olympic “We are still very hopeful that Bree’osh Bakery Cafe Montecito, nerable to mudslides. President Donald Trump and call with his South Korean Games, the White House said. 20 MORNING BREAK THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 05.00am SHOROOK 06.21 am

ZUHR 11.42 am MAGHRIB 05.04pm ASR 02.42 pm ISHA 06.34pm WEATHER TODAY

Falcon Festival

LEFT: Falconers at Qatar Falcons and Hunting Festival at Sabkhet Marmi in Sealine. ABOVE: A falconer with his bird during the Hudud Al Tahaddi Championship at the Festival.

In digital age, Self-driving suitcase circus still captivates 15oC 24oC on display at 2018 CES audiences Minimum Maximum AFP REUTERS LAS VEGAS: Self-driving cars may Hazy to misty at places at first becomes moderate temperature daytime and cold take a while to arrive, but the self- BUDAPEST: Budapest’s international by night. driving suitcase is here now. circus festival shows audiences are still Some of the technologies used captivated by the emotion of a live

HIGH TIDE 02:15 – 11:30 LOW TIDE 06:30 – 19:15 in autonomous cars have been performance, Charlie Chaplin’s son COURTESY: Qatar Meteorology Department adapted in products unveiled at the Eugene, who heads the jury, said. 2018 Consumer Electronics Show The 12th Budapest International Circus in Las Vegas, to help travelers with Festival, with artists from all over the the weighty problem of dealing with world, has performances from horseback- baggage. riders, jugglers, illusionists and aerial acro- The “robot suitcase” from Cali- bats. And this year, it pays tribute to the fornia-based startup Travelmate can 250th anniversary of the founding of the be controlled with a smartphone app modern circus by Philip Astley, an Eng- and can roll alongside its owner at lish equestrian, in London in 1768. speeds up to 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) “The circus has a big show value. My per hour, navigating around father liked it and I think the important obstacles. thing is you ... must have some kind of “This is really a robot which fol- emotion, and if this feeling, this emotion lows you around,” said Travelmate comes out, the public gets it,” Chaplin told founder and president Maximillian Reuters. Chaplin was the biggest star in An exhibitor demonstrates the MODOBAG at the Venetian during CES Kovtun. Hollywood’s silent movie era. Eugene 2018 in Las Vegas. Travelmate designed the device Chaplin is one of his 11 children, and is a -- which integrates elements of arti- renowned recording engineer, and doc- ficial intelligence -- to roll at a pace driving algorithm to have a clear Also shown at CES was an auto- umentary filmmaker. that matches that of the user, or it path,” said founder Nicholas Chee, following suitcase from China-based In the opening act, Kevin Richter, a can be directed with the smartphone who showed a prototype at CES. 90FUN, which has been available young Hungarian artist, performs a tra- app in the same manner as a drone. The ForwardX suitcase also has in the Chinese market and is soon ditional horseback acrobat act, riding close Priced at around $1,100, it is gesture control technology and can coming to America. It uses self-bal- to 20 horses in the circus ring. slated to roll out in February for the be immobilized to protect against ancing technology from the personal “The audience loves it that it is not a US market, and late in Europe and theft. Chee said he expects the transport maker Segway. film they are watching, not some kind of Japan. A competing offering from launch in mid-2018 at a price under And finally for the weariest of edited recording, or a digitalised film ... ForwardX, a Chinese startup with $1,000. travelers, a luggage product called here acrobats risk their lives and this is a offices in California, is designed to Both Travelmate and ForwardX the Modobag, which lacks artificial unique experience,” said Florian Richter, be used with facial recognition, say their devices comply with US intelligence but offers a sizeable his father. Florian himself won the Golden without need for a smartphone safety regulations because their lith- perk instead: as a ride-on suitcase Clown award at the 32nd Monte-Carlo application. ium-ion batteries, banned in which can carry its owner along with International Circus Festival in 2008 with “It uses computer vision and a checked luggage, can be removed. their clothes. his own horseback act. When humans wage war, animals suffer too: Study

AFP running a country’s protected The new study natural areas. But there is cause collated data from PARIS: When humans wage for optimism, said Princeton war, they harm more than just University research duo Robert 253 large herbivore one another. Wild animals suffer Pringle and Joshua Daskin. populations, too, and some have verged on “While wildlife populations representing 36 annihilation in Africa’s many declined in conflict areas, they species, in 126 anti-colonial and civil conflicts, rarely collapsed to the point researchers said Wednesday. where recovery is impossible,” protected areas in 19 More than 70 percent of the they said. African countries. continent’s protected natural Even in Gorongosa, wildlife areas has been touched by war levels have recovered to about between 1946 and 2010, trig- 80 percent of pre-war levels and other extractive industries gering a “downward spiral” for thanks to a concerted re-popu- decline. The new study collated many populations of big plant- lation effort with the buy-in of data from 253 large herbivore eating mammals, according to local communities, many of populations, representing 36 a study published in the journal which had to be convinced to species, in 126 protected areas Nature. abandon illegal bushmeat. in 19 African countries. In Mozambique’s Gorongosa “Gorongosa is as close as The data suggests that sus- National Park, for example, you can come to wiping out a taining conservation efforts in more than 90 percent of large whole fauna without extin- times of war, and rapid action herbivores -- including ele- guishing it, and even there we’re following ceasefires, can help phants, zebras, wildebeests, buf- seeing that we can rehabilitate save at-risk animal populations, faloes, warthogs, hippos and wildlife populations and regrow the team said. various antelope -- died in the a functional ecosystem,” said While the recovery of 1964-74 struggle for liberation Pringle. human communities must be from Portuguese rule, and sub- “That suggests that the other the priority, “the two can often sequent civil war. high-conflict sites in our study go hand-in-hand,” Daskin said. A baby elephant plays with a tree in the DierenPark Amersfoort (Zoo of Amersfoort) in Amersfoort, On top of animals killed by can, at least in principle, also be “Again, Gorongosa is an The Netherlands. bullets or bombs, war boosts rehabilitated.” instructive example. Several poaching amid failing law The pair said they were the hundred Mozambicans are now enforcement -- both for food as first to show that war had a net employed by the park in sectors educational, medical, and legal More than 70 percent of the continent’s poverty increases, as well as for negative impact on animal pop- including tourism, construction, assistance that is crucial both to protected natural areas has been touched ivory, hides and other products ulations, though they did not road maintenance, auto repair, human development and to by war between 1946 and 2010, triggering a to be sold for more weapons. calculate the actual numbers finance, human resources, sci- facilitate a reduction in people’s “downward spiral” for many populations of big Wartime also commonly lost. Some earlier studies had entific research, and wildlife reliance on wildlife as food. This sees the collapse of government pointed to a potential positive management,” he said by email. is a potential win-win, for plant-eating mammals, according to a study and support institutions, effect of war on nature as people “Additionally, thousands of people and nature, in post-con- published in the journal Nature. including those charged with avoid combat zones, and mining people receive the agricultural, flict zones.”