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THURSDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10275 November 17, 2016 Safar 17, 1438 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals PM attends Arabian Gulf Security exercise Progress In brief

QATAR | Grace period on clinical Ministry reminder on amnesty scheme The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has issued a reminder on the three- month amnesty scheme for illegal guidelines residents, which can be availed of until December 1. The grace period The development of National tion, Al Ahli Hospital, Sidra Medical and came into eff ect on September Clinical Guidelines forms part of Research Center, Family Medical Clinic, 1. Under the scheme, foreigners eff orts to achieve the Goal 2 of the Qatar Petroleum, Aster Medical Group residing in Qatar in violation of the National Health Strategy and Al Emadi Hospital with more pres- provisions of Law No 4 of 2009 entations scheduled in future. Regulating the Entry, Exit, Residence he Ministry of Public Health These presentations were focused on and Sponsorship of Expatriates could (MoPH) is making steady the leadership of the health institutions exit the country without facing legal Tprogress on the implementation and health practitioners with an insight consequences, the MoI reiterated of the workshops for developing 19 Na- into the process of National Clinical through posts on social media tional Clinical Guidelines out of a total Guideline and Pathway development. yesterday. Illegal residents should of 30. MoPH has already completed 11 The attendees were briefed how the contact the Search and Follow up of these guidelines. introduction of the guidelines is ex- Department to complete the exit HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, in the presence of King Hamad The development of National Clinical pected to lead to more standardised, procedures during the grace period. bin Isa al-Khalifah of Bahrain, attended the Arabian Gulf Security 1 exercise which was held in Bahrain yesterday afternoon. Guidelines is part of the ministry’s ef- evidence-based care with optimised It was also attended by a number of princes, ministers and senior off icials and military off icers from the GCC countries. The forts to achieve the Goal 2 of the National patient outcomes. WORLD | Climate exercise started with a parade by the GCC Joint Armed Forces. Pages 2, 12 Health Strategy: “An integrated system of Lots of accomplishments have been healthcare off ering high-quality service”. made through this project so far. The US tries to assert All guideline content that is devel- Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety commitment oped will go through senior executive Department has developed a National The majority of Americans want to review and sign-off , prior to their pub- Clinical Guidelines Team who has, in honour the country’s commitment lication. They will be available for all turn, communicated with key health- to fighting climate change, US Warnings of fog and poor visibility healthcare professionals through the care providers across Qatar to create a Secretary of State John Kerry MoPH website. stakeholder representative group. The guidelines which have already Working cohesively, the Clinical told international negotiators in oor visibility due to fog is once areas today says misty/foggy con- mum, on the other hand, will be Marrakesh, Morocco, yesterday as been developed are for common cold, Guidelines Team has received nomi- again expected in most parts of ditions are expected in most places 30C in Doha. the White House unveiled a long- tonsillitis, community acquired pneu- nations of expert physicians from key the country early today, the Qa- at fi rst, followed by mild conditions Yesterday, a minimum temperature term strategy to bring down carbon P monia, asthma in children, asthma in stakeholders who will engage in devel- emissions. The moves were part of a tar Met department has said. Visibil- during the day. It will be relatively of 13C was recorded in Abu Samra, adults, hypothyroidism, hyperthy- oping the guidelines. response to increasing apprehension ity is expected to drop to 1km or less cold by night. followed by 14C in Karana and 15C in roidism, hypertension, diarrhoea in These National Clinical Guideline De- that president-elect Donald Trump during this period. Hazy to misty conditions are Al Sheehaniya, Batna and other plac- children, lower urinary tract infection velopment Workshops are approved by could gut US commitments to High humidity levels were reported also likely in some offshore areas es. In the capital, a minimum of 19C in females and obesity. Qatar’s Council for Healthcare Practition- climate accords or fail to uphold the yesterday along with thick fog and at first along with clouds. A mini- was recorded in the Qatar University The MoPH National Clinical Guide- ers and accredited as Category-2, Self- country’s environmental promises, low visibility, with the Met depart- mum temperature of 14C is ex- area. The maximum, meanwhile, was lines team has also conducted numerous Directed Learning Activities under the even as average global temperatures ment reiterating the need to drive pected in Abu Samra and 16C in Al 32C at a number of places, includ- “Awareness presentations” at provider Research and Quality Improvement Con- and carbon concentrations in the safely in foggy conditions. Khor today, while in Doha it will be ing Al Rayyan, Al Khor and the Qatar sites including Hamad Medical Corpo- tinuing Medical Education and Continu- atmosphere break all records. Page 14 The detailed forecast for inshore relatively higher at 22C. The maxi- University area. ration, Primary Health Care Corpora- ing Professional Development activity. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, November 17, 2016 QATAR Premier attends Arabian Gulf Security exercise in Bahrain

QNA Manama

E the Prime Minis- ter and Minister of Hinterior Sheikh Ab- dullah bin Nasser bin Kha- lifa al-Thani, in the pres- ence of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah of Bahrain, at- tended the Arabian Gulf Se- curity 1 exercise which was held in Bahrain yesterday afternoon. The exercise was also attended by a number of princes, ministers and sen- ior offi cials and military offi cers from other GCC countries. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa The exercise included a al-Thani with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifah and (below) Bahrain’s parade by the GCC Joint Prime Minister Prince Khalifah bin Salman al-Khalifah in Bahrain yesterday. Armed Forces, anti-terror- ism teams, overland intru- sion equipment and air sup- port snipers. It also included parades and presentations by rapid intervention force, anti- explosives teams, combat units, special forces as well as land and marine ar- moured military and infan- try and military vehicles. Later HE the Prime Min- ister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met his Bahraini counterpart Prince Khalifah bin Salman al- Khalifah. During the meeting, they reviewed relations between Qatar and Bahrain countries and ways of enhancing and banquet held by Bahrain’s Arabian Gulf Security 1 ex- Salman al-Khalifah, Bah- strengthening them in all Crown Prince, deputy Su- ercise. rain’s Deputy Prime Min- fi elds. preme Commander of the A number of ranking offi - ister Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Bahrain Defence Force and cials attended the banquet. al-Khalifah, the GCC Secre- Minister Sheikh Ali bin First Deputy Prime Min- Earlier on arrival in Bah- tary-General Dr Abdullatif Khalifa al-Khalifah attend- ister Prince Salman bin rain, the Premier and his bin Rashid al-Zayani, Qa- ed the meeting. Hamad al-Khalifah, held accompanying delegation tar’s ambassador to Bahrain Later HE the Prime Min- at the Royal Academy of were welcomed at Isa Air Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed ister and Minister of Inte- Police in honour of the del- Base by Bahrain’s Prime bin Saud al-Thani and the rior attended a luncheon egations participating in Minister Prince Khalifa bin Qatari embassy staff .

Gulf Times 4 Thursday, November 17, 2016 QATAR

Prostate cancer awareness drive launched

atar Cancer Society (QCS) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among men in Qatar, and the fi fth most Qcancer causing death in men globally. The campaign will have several awareness lectures and workshops aimed at various sectors in the country. They highlight the most important symptoms and factors which increase the likelihood of the prostate cancer as well as methods of prevention and cure. Prostate cancer risk factors are age - the chance of having prostate cancer rises rap- idly after age 50; family history - having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing this disease; diet- men who eat a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products and fewer fruits and vegeta- bles appear to have a slightly higher chance of getting prostate cancer. According to Dr. Hadi Mo- hamad Abu Rasheed, health educator at QCS, other fac- tors that lead to prostrate cancer are obesity, smok- ing and chemical exposures. Obese men have a higher risk of getting more advanced and serious prostate cancer. Smoking has been linked to increased risk of dying from prostate cancer. Chemical exposures at workplace such as among fi refi ghters may increase their risk of prostate cancer. Infl ammation of the prostate’ gland is also linked to an increased risk of pros- tate cancer. “Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms,” cautioned Dr Abu Rasheed. More advanced prostate can- cers sometimes cause symp- toms. In most cases, symp- toms are caused by benign prostatic enlargement, or an infection. It is important that the people regularly consult a doctor to understand what causes the symptoms. Warning signs of infec- tion with prostate cancer are problems urinating, includ- ing a weak or interrupted urinary fl ow, pain while uri- nating, inability to urinate, sense of incomplete empty- ing the bladder, intense need to urinate, or the need to uri- nate more often, especially at night. Other signs include blood in the urine or semen, erection problems and pain in the hips, back chest.

Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 9

QATAR MEC organises workshop for employees on ‘family culture’ he Ministry of Economy the children and their social in- visory jobs participated in the Ambassador Guido De Sanctis, Mohamed Althaf and other off icials and dignitaries at the inauguration of ‘Festival Italiano’ at LuLu and Commerce (MEC) teraction and diff erent factors af- initiative. Hypermarket, Al Gharrafa, yesterday. A 35m pizza was cut as part of the celebration. PICTURE: Ram Chand Tyesterday held a workshop fecting the educational process. The training programme is in for its employees titled ‘Educa- The workshop also touched line with the MEC’s keenness to tional Aff airs’ in collaboration upon the role of parents in en- rehabilitate and prepare the em- with the Family Consulting Cen- hancing their children’s capabil- ployees undertaking leadership tre. ities with a focus on the ‘dialogue and supervisory jobs, and en- The workshop was organised principle’, and the identifi cation hance their skills and knowledge as part of the MEC’s Community of the success scale of the educa- for future leadership roles, the Italian festival begins Engagement Programme. tional process. ministry said in a press state- The aim of the initiative was to The workshop concluded with ment. strengthen family culture among a series of queries and discussion The programme addressed the employees and introduce sessions in order to achieve the topics on supervisory manage- them to educational patterns, desired objectives. rial skills, how to prepare, or- and their role in supporting their Meanwhile, the ministry, in ganise and develop action plans, at LuLu Hypermarket children’s capabilities and how to collaboration with the Pub- the mechanism for evaluating deal with them. lic Administration Institute at the performance of staff as well uLu Group’s ‘Festival to a press statement. products, dry groceries, Italian sunglasses from leading Italian The workshop addressed a the Ministry of Administrative as communication skills to deal Italiano’ was inaugurated The objective is to introduce cooking ranges and other elec- brands, collections of Italian number of key topics, such as Development, Labour and So- with subordinates and how to Lby Italian ambassador and promote Italian foods and trical appliances, and house- perfumes and beauty accesso- the defi nition of the educational cial Aff airs, organised a training motivate them, time-manage- Guido De Sanctis at LuLu Hy- food habits among the local ware items from Italy to the ries, and fashion wear and foot- process and its concepts as well programme to prepare Grade 2 ment skills and the mechanism permarket, Al Gharrafa, yes- community as well as the large Middle East. wear for all age groups. as the practical applications. Ad- employees for leadership and su- for organising meetings, and terday. The festival runs until cross-section of ethnic com- Italian recipe contests, cook- “We have been conduct- ditionally, it shed light on educa- pervisory jobs. the provisions of the Human November 21. munities from various coun- ing lessons and demonstrations ing ‘Festival Italiano’ from the tional patterns and the impact of More than 50 employees un- Resources Act, the statement The inaugural ceremony was tries, the statement notes. by leading Italian chefs, insights year 2004 in Qatar and strive to each pattern on the personality of dertaking leadership and super- added. also attended by a number of A 35m pizza was cut as part into various cooking styles and launch innovative promotions other dignitaries from corporate of the celebration, while repli- ingredients of Italian cuisine are every year,” said Mohamed Al- business groups. cas of the Colosseum, Leaning some of the activities planned in thaf, director of LuLu Group. The event is being hosted Tower of Pisa and other ancient the food category. He thanked the Italian envoy by LuLu Group in conjunction structures of Italy were created Other attractions include and his team as well as offi cials with the ongoing ‘Week of Ital- and displayed at the venue. special counters and kiosks pro- from the Italian Trade Com- ian Cuisine: The Extraordinary The event has also been moting off ers on diff erent Ital- mission for their “wholehearted Italian Taste,’ organised by the conceptualised to acceler- ian electronics and home ap- support”. “We consider it as our Italian embassy and Italian ate the import of agricultural pliances, new product launches privilege to associate with them Trade Commission, according produce, cheese and other deli and demonstrations, designer in hosting this festival.”

Ford Ecosport recalled over seat defect he Ministry of Econo- The MEC said the recall with the dealer to follow up on to its Consumer Protection and my and Commerce, in campaign comes within the the maintenance and repair Anti-Commercial Fraud De- Tcollaboration with Al- framework of its ongoing ef- works and communicate with partment through the follow- Mana Motors Company, has forts to protect consumers and customers to ensure that the ing channels: Hotline: 16001, announced the recall of Ford ensure that car dealers follow necessary repairs are carried e-mail: [email protected], Twit- Ecosport model year 2015-2016 up on vehicle defects and re- out. ter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: over a potential defect in the pairs. The MEC has urged all cus- MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for A trainer speaks at the workshop for employees of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC). rear folding seat. The MEC will co-ordinate tomers to report any violations Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar

Qatar attends Riyadh meeting

Qatar participated in the third meeting of the promotion of the GCC joint action, as well Customers of new Maserati models GCC Committee of Ministers of Labour and as the related resolutions of the Supreme Social Aff airs held in Riyadh yesterday. Qatar’s Council in the fields of labour and social delegation was headed by HE the Minister aff airs and report on the progress being of Administrative Development, Labour and made regarding these resolutions, and the off ered ‘master driving course’ in Italy Social Aff airs Dr Issa bin Saad al-Jafali al- preparation of a joint mechanism to follow up Nuaimi. The ministers discussed the topics on the implementation of the GCC countries of the agenda, including the vision of Custodian objectives of sustainable development 2030 lfardan Sports Motors, the of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on in areas of labour and social aff airs. offi cial dealer of Maserati Qa- Atar, has announced a choice of exclusive off ers on its high-per- formance models. Customers are entitled to a com- plimentary Master Maserati Driv- ing Course in Italy next year upon purchasing the brand-new Maserati Ghibli or Quattroporte. The promotion comes with a range of value-added benefi ts in- cluding Business Class return air tickets, 5-year warranty and 5-year service. As an alternative, custom- ers also receive the option of tak- ing home cashback benefi ts worth QR60,000. The exclusive driving courses will provide participants the thrilling ex- perience of sports driving on the fa- mous Varano de’ Melegari racetrack through a series of high-adrenaline, intensive workshops. The sessions will be held under the The off er, valid until December 30, is available for the 2016 models of the Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte ranges. supervision of expert Maserati in- structors featuring top-performing craftsmanship that the brand is re- of the Maserati Ghibli and Quattro- a top speed of 285km/h. world championship racers and rally vered for,” Charly Dagher, general porte ranges. The Maserati Quattroporte rep- drivers. Each course is structured for manager, Maserati Qatar-Alfardan The Maserati Ghibli is the fi rst resents the sixth-generation model various levels of driving experience, Sports Motors, said. four-door sports executive sedan of the classic fl agship sedan range to acquaint attendees with the true “The Master Maserati Driving by the brand that blends a breath- combining high quality engineer- performance of the Maserati brand Course serves as a unique oppor- taking design with outstanding ing, supercar performance and in an exciting and safe environment. tunity for our clients to master the performance. Featuring a new- limousine comfort. The top-of- “We are delighted to introduce fundamentals of sports driving at generation twin turbo-charged the-range variant, the 530hp Quat- this one-of-a-kind off er to our cus- the hands of Maserati experts, right 3.0-litre V6 engine, the top model troporte GTS, provides Maserati’s tomers, which brings us closer to in the heart of Italy,” he added. of the range - the Ghibli S - delivers performance benchmark, reaching our goal of providing a fi rst-hand The off er, valid until December a power output of 410hp, races to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds and experience of Italian heritage and 30, is available for the 2016 models 100 km/h in 5 seconds and reaches achieving a 307km/h top speed.

Health ministry gets new director of fi nancing and insurance halid al-Mughesib has been talented Qatari cadres capable of ing several leadership positions. and ambassador of the International appointed by HE the Minis- achieving signifi cant success and He joined the Ministry of Finance Insurance Society, New York since Kter of Public Health Dr Hanan development at important posi- in mid-2014 as adviser at the minis- 2011. Mohamed al-Kuwari as director of tions, the ministry said in a state- ter’s offi ce.With more than 20 years Al-Mughesib has held the posi- health fi nancing and insurance de- ment yesterday. of local, regional and international tion of deputy CEO, board member, partment as well as adviser to the Al-Mughesib was the director of insurance experience, al-Mughesib Qatar Insurance Services with of- minister on insurance aff airs at the Tax Department at the Ministry of helped in setting the cornerstone for fi ces in Doha, Dubai and London. Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). Finance since the beginning of 2016. the health insurance in Qatar. He worked also at Qatar Petro- The decision comes as part of the He has also held the position of in- He has a certifi cate in Insurance leum and established AlKoot Insur- Qatarisation policy of the leadership surance adviser to the CEO of Qatar Practice from the Chartered Insur- ance Co in 2004 and served as gen- jobs at MoPH with an aim to utilise Financial Centre in addition to hold- ance Institute UK and is a member eral manager of AlJaser Takaful. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, November 17, 2016 QATAR Prince Michael of Kent inaugurates GEMS Wellington School – Qatar rince Michael of Kent of- fi cially inaugurated GEMS PWellington School – Qa- tar, a branch of Premier Schools International, at a formal cer- emony yesterday with founding families, students, parents and teachers of the school, as well as several dignitaries, including Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohamed Saud Abdulrahman al-Thani and British ambassador Ajay Sharma. The delegation also included Dino Varkey, managing director and board member, GEMS Edu- cation; Sir Christopher Stone, chief education offi cer, GEMS Education; Peter Burdon, chief schools offi cer, GEMS Educa- tion; and Jonathan Dey, CEO and principal, GEMS Wellington School – Qatar. Located in Al Wakrah, GEMS Dignitaries at the unveiling of a plaque to mark the off icial inauguration of GEMS Wellington School – Wellington School is owned and Qatar yesterday. operated by GEMS Education in Qatar. It joins the GEMS Eng- tar, off ering the academically plaque unveiling, Prince Michael – Qatar for the fi rst time. lish National Curriculum school renowned National Curriculum toured the school and visited “I am delighted to be able network in the Middle East, for England. The programme classes of Year 6, Year 8 and Year to visit and inaugurate GEMS Dignitaries interacting with a student. which includes Gems’ fl agship has been adapted to suit stu- 1 students. Wellington School – Qatar. The GEMS Wellington International dents who come from countries As patron of GEMS Wel- school is providing high-quality schools,” said Prince Michael. of the technological era,” said The school off ers “outstand- School in Dubai. around the world and expect a lington International School in British education with an in- “It is a dynamic and forward- Varkey. ing education” from Foundation Modelled on the GEMS Wel- British education that prepares Dubai, Prince Michael has seen ternational fl avour to the local thinking school, empowering “Getting the best out of each Stage to Year 9 and has a Min- lington International School them for their lives as global cit- the number of GEMS Welling- community. Each student I have students to develop the neces- student is our priority, as the istry of Education and Higher in Dubai, GEMS Wellington izens and innovators, according ton Schools in the UAE and met is happy and confi dent, sary skills for future success at school shapes how a student will Education license to expand to School – Qatar is GEMS Edu- to a press statement. abroad grow. Yesterday, he vis- which is a testament to the edu- university and future employ- learn and interpret the world as Year 13 in the coming years, the cation’s second school in Qa- After a ribbon cutting and ited GEMS Wellington School cation they are receiving at these ment, meeting the high demands an adult,” added Dey. statement adds. Fake electrical goods destroyed WCM-Q team publishes review of e-health in GCC

atar’s leading role in randomised controlled trials developing new data to demonstrate actual benefi ts Qprivacy laws and se- of e-health initiatives in the cure networks is one of the key region. fi ndings of a study conducted The results were then pub- by a team from Weill Cornell lished by the Royal Society of Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q). Medicine’s Journal of Telemed- Findings of the study, which icine and Telecare. marks the fi rst and most com- Dr Alan S Weber, visiting prehensive systematic review of associate professor of English e-health in the GCC, have been at WCM-Q, led the research published by students from team, which comprised stu- WCM-Q. dents Rebal Turjoman, Mu Ji E-health is an emerging best Hwang, Faryal Malick, Farah al- practice in modern healthcare Sayyed and Yanal Shaheen. in which the electronic deliv- Qatar’s leading role in de- ery of health information and veloping new data privacy laws services over the Internet can and secure networks was an benefi t healthcare practition- important fi nding of the study, ers, patients and scientists in the statement noted. “Re- numerous ways. searchers at ICTQatar, Qatar In a statement yesterday, University and Carnegie Mel- The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has destroyed more than 135,000 pieces WCM-Q explained that the lon University in Qatar know Dr Alan S Weber and the research team. of counterfeit electrical appliances seized during various inspection campaigns at the local study surveyed the state of re- that medical privacy and confi - market. This was part of the MEC’s eff orts to combat commercial counterfeiting and exercise search into e-health in the GCC dentiality are key patient con- use Internet services related the authors were conducted in tighter control on the local market. The shops, where such appliances were spotted, were countries and located several cerns in the Muslim world,” Dr to medicine or banking if they Saudi Arabia, which has a thriv- issued reports for violating Law No. 7 for 2008 on consumer protection, in addition to being research gaps where further Weber said. feel that their private informa- ing research culture in medical closed for varying periods. studies were needed, such as Several studies have shown tion could be stolen or misused. informatics, telemedicine and cost-benefi t analyses and more that patients are reluctant to Most of the studies located by e-health. Health Park board game Qatar reaffi rms interest in launched for diabetics business and human rights QNA HE Sheikh Mohamed bin man Rights Council and other Geneva Youssef Jassim al-Thani, assist- stakeholders in this issue. atar Diabetes Association (QDA), ant director of the Foreign Min- He expressed hope that the a member of Qatar Foundation for istry’s Human Rights Depart- forum will help in shedding more QEducation, Science and Community he State of Qatar pays ment, made the remarks as he light and deepening the under- Development, and Sasol, the international special attention to the addressed the high-level session standing of the UN guiding prin- integrated chemicals and energy company, Tissue of business and hu- of the fi fth edition of the Forum ciples and discussing challenges have launched a new educational tool, ‘the man rights and the UN guiding on Business and Human Rights, facing the stakeholders. Health Park with Salem and Sarah,’ to sup- principles, an interest that was which is being held in Geneva. The forum aims to enhance ties port children and families living with type 1 embodied by hosting the fi rst He said that Qatar looks for- between the two fi elds of busi- diabetes in Qatar and the region. Asia Regional Forum on Busi- ward to co-operating and co-or- ness and human rights, discuss The event also witnessed the launch of ness and Human Rights in April dinating with the working team challenges hindering the imple- the offi cial QDA costume mascots Salem to constitute an opportunity to in following up on the outputs of mentation of the guiding princi- and Sarah. The new Health Park board game promote the guiding principles the forum, noting that holding ples, and encourage dialogue and is available to families dealing with diabetes and understand the best practic- the forum comes on the back of co-operation on issues related to by registering with QDA. es and policies in the continent. the increasing interest by Hu- business and human rights. There are more than 200,000 diabetes cases in Qatar, according to a statement issued on behalf of Sasol, which is join- ing forces with QDA to provide them sup- QDA and Sasol off icials at the event. port in overcoming the challenges of this Ministry holds workshops condition. in QDA camps for children with diabetes, as the lives of the children and will help them This unique educational board game well as distributed through the newly di- build a better future.” with the characters Salem and Sarah in- agnosed programme in collaboration with Phinda Vilakazi, president, GTL Ventures cludes three diff erent games: Health Park Hamad Medical Corporation. at Sasol said, “Diabetes is a life-threatening with Salem and Sarah, Slides and Ladders Dr Abdulla al-Hamaq, executive director, condition that is aff ecting a signifi cant por- and Match up game. These games test the QDA, said the organisation is always look- tion of the society. In line with the Qatar knowledge of the children with diabetes ing for innovative methods for preventing National Vision 2030, Sasol is committed to and their families on the food groups, on diabetes, managing the chronic illness and building a healthy population by increasing food that aff ects blood sugar and on the do’s raising awareness about it, especially when the level of awareness and knowledge about and don’ts of healthy behaviour of people it comes to the lives of young children who diabetes in the country.” with type 1 diabetes. The games were de- are always in need of special guidance and Salem and Sarah custom plush toys were signed to relieve children from anxiety and treatment. launched in 2014 to aid children and their The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has conducted two workshops on managing severe cases of influenza fear thanks to the friendly companions Sa- “We are grateful for Sasol’s continuous families living with diabetes to cope with and acute respiratory tract infection. They were held in co-operation with the World Health Organisation. lem and Sarah that they learn from and play support in contributing to the development the condition, provide self-confi dence and Participants were from the department concerned at MoPH, Hamad Medical Corporation, Sidra Medical and with. of this unique educational tool. We are con- help them overcome the challenges that the Research Center, Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Red Crescent, and the private health sector. A total of 1,000 board games will be used fi dent that this game will be benefi cial to condition presents. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 11 QATAR

ASTAD Project Management won ‘Green Government Building’ award Kahramaa won ‘Government Initiative’ award for Kahramaa Awareness Park. Qatar Charity won ‘NGO Sustainability Initiative’ award for TAYF in-kind Donations Programme. for National Museum of Qatar project. QGBC announces winners of Qatar Sustainability Awards atar Green Building awards serve to raise sustain- Council (QGBC) has ability awareness and encourage Qhonoured the commit- the wider industry to do their ment and achievements of lo- part and work towards building a cal organisations that have ‘greener’ future.” made signifi cant contributions The Qatar Sustainabil- to advancing sustainable de- ity Awards, organised by QGBC, velopment and environmental part of Qatar Foundation for Ed- protection in Qatar. ucation, Science and Communi- The Qatar Sustainabil- ty Development (QF), showcased ity Awards 2016 ceremony took an industry-wide collaboration place on the sidelines of the Qa- among organisations as quali- tar Green Building Conference fi ed members of the industry and Qatar Sustainability Week. were nominated by their peers Announced in October, the for their commitment and vital Qatar Sustainability Awards re- achievements. ceived more than 100 nomina- The Qatar Sustainabil- tions in six categories from vari- ity Awards 2016 winners are: ous organisations across Qatar’s Msheireb Properties - ‘Green public and private sectors. The Government Building’ award winners were selected following for the National Archive project; a reviewing process by an ex- ASTAD Project Management – Msheireb Properties won ‘Green Government Building’ award for the National pert panel of judges, comprising ‘Green Government Building’ Archive project. Gulf Contracting Company won ‘QGBC Special Award’. senior sustainability experts and award for National Museum of academics and other industry Qatar project; Arab Engineering for Northwestern University in Building’ award for HBKU Stu- - ‘Building Contractor’ award; Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar Technology’ award for Ciralight practitioners. Bureau - ‘Green Offi ce Build- Qatar project; Arab Engineering dent Housing Complex project. Bin Muftah for Energy Solu- - ‘University Initiative’ award Active Skylights project; Aamal Meshal al-Shamari, direc- ing’ award for Ghanem Hold- Bureau - ‘Green Interior Fit-out’ Winners in other categories tions - ‘Facility Management for Sahtak Awalan project; Qa- Readymix - ‘Green Building tor, QGBC, said that the collec- ings Headquarters project; Qatar award for RasGas Headquarters - are: Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel Organisation’ award; Qatar Solar tar Charity - ‘NGO Sustain- Material’ award Green Concrete tive eff orts of these organisa- Green Leaders - ‘Green Com- Interior Fit-out project; Msheir- & Villas - ‘Green Hospitality’ Technologies (QSTec) - ‘Cor- ability Initiative’ award for TAYF project; TRL Limited - ‘Green tions, who are active members mercial Building’ award for Ma- eb Properties - ‘Green Religious award; KEO International Con- porate Initiative’ for Shams in-kind Donations Programme; Research’ award for Recycled Ag- of Qatar’s sustainability indus- rina Yacht Club at Lusail project; Building’ award for Msheireb sultant -‘Building Consultant’ Generation project; Kahramaa ‘Hand Over’ organisation - ‘So- gregate in Construction project try, are advancing the Qatar Qatar Foundation - ‘Green Mosque project and Qatar Foun- award; Gulfar Al Misnad En- - ‘Government Initiative’ award cial Enterprise’ award; Synergy and Gulf Contracting Company National Vision 2030. “These Educational Building’ award dation - ‘Green Residential gineering & Contracting WLL for Kahramaa Awareness Park; United Co WLL - ‘Green Building WLL - ‘QGBC Special Award’. Croatian ex-PM sees enormous scope for sports ties with Qatar

By Ramesh Mathew handball on the global level is the country made its Olym- Staff Reporter currently serving Qatar. “Our pic debut at Barcelona (1992), engineers and other skilled Croatia has won more than 35 professionals played a big role medals. here is enormous scope in facilitating the speedy con- The former Croatian prime for strengthening bi- struction of an exclusive hand- minister also had a word of Tlateral co-operation ball complex near Lekhwiya praise for his compatriot en- between Croatia and Qatar Stadium in Duhail,” he said gineers serving a number of in many areas of sport, said adding that a number of local major projects in Qatar. Zlatko Matesa, a former prime institutions, clubs and schools Matesa recalled that it was minister of the Balkan country are showing interest in bring- during his tenure as the premier and president of their Olympic ing coaches and physios from that Qatari leaders made their Committee for 14 years. his country. fi rst offi cial visits to his coun- “Our sportspersons have “Three or four schools in Qa- try. “When I was PM between A view of the berthed dhows and visitors at Katara beach yesterday. made a very good impact in Qa- tar have Croatian chess train- 1995 and 2000, Qatar’s former tar in recent years, with at least ers,” said Matesa, one of the prime minister and foreign three football coaches serv- widely known sport organisers minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin ing the Qatar Stars League and of Europe. Croatia’s visibility Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani visit- many handball players as well in the sport circles has shot up ed Zagreb (1996) and I was here as coaches working at diff erent considerably, according to him. on a visit in 1998,” he said while recalling that Qatar has been Visitors throng Dhow Festival levels,” he said yesterday. Croatia did well at the recent In Qatar for the ongoing Rio Olympics bagging a total of a happy destination for many general assembly of the As- 10 medals, including fi ve golds, Croatian leaders over the years. he sixth edition of the culture, as new generations sociation of National Olympic to fi nish 17th overall in the fi nal “For instance, Andrej Plenko- Dhow Festival at the should be well-aware of their Committees, Matesa recalled standings. vic, who led a team of EU par- TCultural Village Founda- own cultural identity. that Croatian players played a “If we were to take the medal liamentarians to Qatar earlier tion - Katara completed its sec- Yesterday, students from major role for Qatar in the last performance of every country this year is now Croatia’s prime ond day yesterday with a good 14 national and international World Handball Championship at Rio, the Croatians were third minister. Similarly, it was in turnout of visitors. schools also visited the event. held in Doha. after Jamaica and Trinidad,” he Doha that Croatia opened its The annual event, under The children were assigned to Croatian Otto Barich, one said while pointing out that in fi rst embassy of the Gulf region the patronage of HH the Emir diff erent projects that helped to of the best known coaches in a short history of 24 years since in 2011.” Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- improve their awareness of the Thani, will continue until Sat- old lifestyle. They could paint a urday at Katara beach. dhow, write essays, and engage A group of members of Wives in photography assignments. of Heads of Missions in Qatar Dhow Trips from The Pearl- (WHOM) toured the festival Qatar to Katara and back, daily yesterday, accompanied by Ka- from 3pm to 9pm, are new at- tara general manager Dr Khalid tractions of the festival this bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti. year. The traditional café serves Lebanon, Palestine, Alge- coff ee and Qatari Karak. ria, Arteria, Chad, Singapore, The event features a collec- Indonesia, Vietnam, Afghani- tion of maritime tournaments, stan, Iran, Pakistan and Hun- including a rowing tournament gary were represented in the scheduled to start tomorrow at delegation. 3.30pm, followed by Al-Lafah Daphne Sohan, wife of the competition at 4pm. Singaporean ambassador, de- The opening ceremony of scribed the dhow festival as the pearl diving event is today ‘the most interesting cultural at 4pm, followed by Al Naham event she attended in Doha so at 5.45pm. Daloub Operetta is far.’ held daily from 6.30pm, where Roqaya al-Mahy, wife of the visitors will enjoy a traditional Zlatko Matesa, left, speaks as Croatia ambassador Tomislav Bosnjak looks on yesterday. PICTURE: Chad ambassador, pointed out live performance steeped in Jayan Orma the importance of preserving Qatar history. A dhow setting sail from Katara beach yesterday during the festival. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, November 17, 2016 REGION

PM attends Gulf security exercise in Bahrain

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani with King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah of Bahrain, attended the Arabian Gulf Security 1 exercise which was held in Bahrain yesterday. The exercise was also attended by a number of Princes, ministers and senior off icials and military off icers from the GCC countries. Red Sea megacity More than 50 ‘pointing the way

Fahd al-Rasheed, the chief of the King Abdullah Economic forward for Saudi’ City – an integrated industrial, dead in heavy residential and tourism centre.

AFP that we’ve ever been.” nomic City, the Saudi-listed unit western region within one hour,” Riyadh Oil makes up the bulk of Saudi of Dubai’s Emaar Properties, the Rasheed said. revenue but a fall in crude prices project has seen $10bn in invest- This will boost another goal since 2014 intensifi ed economic ment. of Vision 2030, which is tourism s Saudi Arabia seeks to di- reform eff orts. Rasheed said it has signed development, he said. Yemen fi ghting versify its oil-dependent In April, the country’s Deputy contracts with more than 120 “We are building golf courses, Aeconomy, the chief of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Sal- companies, many of them theme parks, zoos, safaris”, he Agencies witnesses said, reporting heavy resolution to a confl ict that has a Red Sea “megacity” says his man announced an ambitious French. said, calling tourism “the most Aden/Hodeidah fi ghting and loud explosions that killed more than 10,000 people. project is pointing the way for- new economic plan dubbed Vi- Renault is assembling trucks, strategic sector” for the KAEC. shook the city. The announcement appeared ward. sion 2030 that aims to promote drug maker Sanofi has a plant, Home so far to a luxurious wa- Fighting in Taiz and its sur- to confi rm the details of a deal set A decade after its conception, private sector investment. and Total is also established. terfront resort, the city expects to eavy fi ghting between roundings on Tuesday killed 39 out by Kerry a day earlier that he the King Abdullah Economic The plan noted that the eco- The KAEC is served by the receive 150,000 visitors this year government forces and people, including fi ve civilians, 20 said included plans for a ceasefi re City – an integrated industrial, nomic cities “did not realise their King Abdullah Port, which Rash- and targets 1.5mn by 2020. Hrebels in north and west soldiers and 14 rebels, military of- starting today. residential and tourism centre potential” and said some faced eed said will handle about 1.8mn The rail line, developed by a Yemen has left 51 dead, as a new fi cials said. Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a mem- – is profi table and in line with a challenges “that threaten their containers this year, a fi gure set Spanish consortium, is behind peace eff orts appeared to stumble, US Secretary of State John ber of the political council of the government push which intensi- viability”. to increase in 2017. schedule and is not expected to military offi cials said yesterday. Kerry said on Tuesday that rebels Houthi’s Ansarullah group, said: fi ed this year to develop the pri- They are just one compo- The project is promoting sea- open before the end of 2017. They said forces loyal to Presi- were ready to observe a ceasefi re “Ansarullah’s position has been vate sector, Fahd al-Rasheed told nent of the wide-ranging Vi- side residential developments The KAEC development fore- dent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi plan taking eff ect this week, but and still is with stopping the war AFP in an interview. sion, whose scale has raised and expects to be home to 10,000 sees investment of $100bn at have clashed since Tuesday with the government swiftly dismissed and the establishment of a na- The KAEC was one of several doubts over whether it can all be people within a few months, completion, but Rasheed said Shia Houthi rebels and allied the proposal. tional unity government that “economic cities” touted for de- achieved. with more than 40,000 targeted there is no target date. renegade troops in the country’s Meanwhile, the Houthi group incorporates all political compo- velopment 10 years ago, during But Rasheed said he is con- by 2020. “This will depend obviously northwest, near the border with said yesterday it was ready to stop nents,” Bukhaiti said, respond- the reign of the late King Abdul- vinced of “the strong fundamen- “We are the largest residential on the country’s economy, on Saudi Arabia. fi ghting and join a national unity ing to a question on Kerry’s an- lah, as special zones where the tals of the Saudi economy” and developer in terms of sales in the the global economy, and on the The fi ghting intensifi ed as loy- government, raising hopes of a nouncement. private sector could thrive. that, in the case of KAEC, “the country, although we are con- absorption of our product,” he alists launched an attack on three Rasheed said there were “so model works”. centrated in a remote site” north said. fronts to recapture the coastal many challenges” in the project’s “We believe that it is time now of Jeddah, said Rasheed. Rasheed was speaking on town of Midi and nearby Haradh, early years but that the KAEC is for expansion with Vision 2030 A high-speed rail line will con- sidelines of the MISK Global Fo- the offi cials said. now thriving. because we believe we are very nect the KAEC with Jeddah and rum, which aims to link business Fifteen loyalists and 23 rebels “We are profi table for the last aligned” with the reform plan, Islam’s holiest cities of Makkah leaders with young Saudis in a were killed in the fi ghting, the of- fi ve years,” he said, “and we are he said. and Medina, “which will give us bid to inspire their involvement fi cials said. today at the highest cash position Developed by Emaar, The Eco- access to 12mn residents in the in economic diversifi cation. “Our military operations will continue until we push them out,” said army Colonel Abdul Ghani al-Shubaili, whose forces had air support from a Saudi-led Arab Airshow coalition. Elsewhere, nine rebels and four Saudi offi cial sees sport soldiers were killed in fi ghting on the outskirts of the fl ashpoint city of Taiz, in southwest Yemen, mili- tary offi cials said. fund at worth $666mn Pro-Hadi forces have advanced A Yemeni tribesman from the Popular Resistance Committee, towards the city’s presidential supporting forces loyal to Yemen’s Saudi-backed President Abd- residence and police headquar- Rabbu Mansour Hadi, holds a position in the country’s third-largest AFP main economic co-ordi- portedly government owned. ters, both under rebel control, city Taiz during clashes with Shia Houthi rebels on Tuesday. Riyadh nating body, the Council of Saud, named three months Economic Aff airs and De- ago as Vice President for velopment, called for crea- Women’s Aff airs at the Gen- Man City owner buys The National audi Arabia plans to tion of the fund within three eral Authority for Sports, develop its sports sec- months. said privatisation of football The government of Abu Dhabi has IMI is a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi dominated by digital platforms, Stor with a fund worth It aims to “support diff er- would provide “the seed cap- sold its English-language daily, The Media Investment Corp (ADMIC), a especially mobile, off ers new more than $600mn helped ent sports, development and ital of our future”. National, to a media investment private company owned by Sheikh opportunities for The National to by the privatisation of foot- investment in the relevant Her agency is trying to company owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, half- develop and extend its voice, while ball teams, a senior offi cial areas,” while contributing to boost the kingdom’s interna- Mansour, the owner of Manchester brother of Abu Dhabi’s ruler and maintaining a robust presence as a said yesterday. privatisation of sports clubs tional competitiveness and to City Football Club. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin traditional print asset,” said a joint “The fund will be no less and the establishment and get more Saudis exercising. International Media Investments Zayed al-Nahyan. statement by IMI and ADM. than SR2.5bn ($666mn),” funding of amateur sports She said her own focus is The Latvian Baltic Bees team flies (IMI) acquired the daily, which Sheikh Mansour is also the owner ADM owns several publications, Princess Reema bint Bandar programmes, the offi cial on promoting healthy life- six L-39 Albatross jets during an was founded in 2008 by the of the Abu Dhabi group that radios and television channels, al-Saud told the MISK Global Saudi Press Agency said. styles, which would also have airshow in Iran’s southern resort government-owned Abu Dhabi bought English Premier League including the widely circulated Forum. Most professional football economic benefi ts in the island of Kish yesterday. Media (ADM), the newspaper said club Manchester City in 2008. Aletihad newspaper and Abu On Monday the kingdom’s clubs in Saudi Arabia are re- kingdom. yesterday. “The 21st-century media landscape, Dhabi Channel. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 13 REGION/ARAB WORLD Iran to follow nuclear accord despite Trump

Agencies Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme Tehran leader Ali Khamenei said yes- terday that the result of the US election made “no diff erence” ran will continue to follow to the Islamic republic despite the terms of its nuclear ac- Trump’s aggressive stance. Icord with the international “We have no judgement on community even during the this election because America presidency of Donald Trump in is the same America,” he told the United States, Iranian Presi- thousands of people during a dent Hassan Rouhani said yes- public speech in Tehran, broad- terday. cast on state television. “We will continue to fulfi l our “In the past 37 years, neither part of the obligations,” Rouhani of the two parties who were in said, adding that he doubted charge did us any good and their Trump would keep his election evil has always been directed to- campaign promise to scrap the ward us.” 2015 Vienna accord. It was his fi rst reaction to the Rescuers and civilians inspect a destroyed building in the Syrian village of Kfar Jales, on the outskirts of Idlib, following air strikes by Syrian and Russian warplanes yesterday. The accord – by which Iran election of Trump, who during Syrian and Russian warplanes bombed rebel-held areas in Aleppo and Idlib province overnight, a day after Moscow announced a fresh off ensive against opponents of its would suspend elements of its his campaign labelled last year’s Damascus ally. nuclear programme worrisome nuclear deal between Iran and to the international community world powers a “disaster” and and submit to intrusive inspec- threatened to tear it up. tions of its facilities in exchange “We neither mourn nor cel- of a lifting of economic sanc- ebrate, because it makes no dif- tions – was pilloried continually ference to us,” Khamenei said. by Trump during his campaign “We have no concerns. Thank and he threatened to renegoti- God, we are prepared to confront ate it. any possible incident.” Outrage as Syria and In such a case, Trump would Khamenei pointed to several likely face strong headwinds bitter encounters with diff er- from the other negotiating part- ent US administrations, includ- ners Britain, France, Germany, ing the 1988 shooting down of Russia and China as well as from an Iran Air passenger jet by the his own country’s security com- USS Vincennes that killed 290 munity. people. Russia pound Aleppo “The world is in the hands Tehran and Washington have neither of one specifi c person not had formal diplomatic ties nor of one specifi c party,” Rou- since 1980, when Islamist stu- AFP The Independent Doctors The ceasefi res were intend- Qaeda affi liate Fateh al-Sham has supported the rebels fi ght- hani said, adding sooner or later dents stormed the US embassy Aleppo, Syria Association, a medical group, ed to encourage residents and Front with air strikes from a ing his government. all radical political movements and held staff hostage for 444 said barrel bomb attacks had surrendering rebels to leave the carrier in the eastern Mediter- But that could change un- will be constrained by reality. days. damaged two facilities it sup- east, but few did so, expressing ranean. der the next administration, At the same time, he warned Opposition to the US has re- yrian government and Rus- ports in eastern Aleppo – the fear of moving into govern- But the bombardment has with Assad telling Portugal’s the US that it would be best not mained a central plank of Iran’s sian warplanes pounded children’s hospital and the only ment-held territory. been criticised by both the UN RTP state television on Tues- to provoke Iran, the Iranian peo- foreign policy, despite last year’s Srebel-held parts of north- bloodbank in the area. Food aid stockpiled in the and Washington, with the Gen- day that he welcomed Donald ple or the country’s military. nuclear deal. ern Syria yesterday, including Medical facilities have regu- east is all-but-exhausted, with eral Assembly’s human rights Trump’s campaign comments battered second city Aleppo, larly been hit, and sometimes international organisations committee voting overwhelm- suggesting Washington’s in- where food aid rations were all- completely destroyed, in the and their local partners saying ingly on Tuesday to condemn volvement in Syria should be but-exhausted after months of government’s fi ght against they were distributing the fi nal escalating attacks on civilians. focused exclusively on fi ghting regime siege. rebels, though Damascus and rations in recent days. Washington said it had re- militants. The renewed bombardment Moscow deny they target hos- No aid has entered the east- ceived reports that the latest Washington already leads Egypt clears way for killed at least 32 people in Alep- pitals. ern neighbourhoods since gov- bombing raids had damaged an international coalition car- po city in 24 hours, and sparked The Observatory also report- ernment troops surrounded civilian infrastructure in rebel rying out strikes against IS in anger from Washington and the ed 19 people had been killed in the sector in mid-July. areas. Syria and Iraq, but it does not former presidential United Nations. Batabo, a village on the border Once Syria’s economic pow- “We strongly condemn the co-ordinate with Damascus The Syrian regime and its ally between Aleppo and Idlib prov- erhouse, Aleppo has been rav- resumption of air strikes in and Assad’s government has Russia launched a wide-ranging ince, where Russia and Syria aged by the war that has killed Syria by the Russians as well as condemned it as ineff ective. candidate to return home assault on rebels on Tuesday, were carrying out strikes. more than 300,000 people the Syrian regime,” State De- The coalition is supporting shattering a month of relative The monitor said it was not across the country since it partment spokeswoman Eliza- an operation by the Kurdish- calm in the rebel-held east of immediately clear if the strikes started in March 2011 with an- beth Trudeau told reporters. Arab alliance known as the Reuters uprising in 2011. devastated Aleppo. on Batabo were carried out by ti-government protests. “The most recent reported Syrian Democratic Forces to Cairo Taking pride in his strong The Syrian Observatory for Russian or Syrian planes. Russia intervened in Sep- attacks are on fi ve hospitals capture the IS bastion of Raqa. ties with the military and fre- Human Rights, a Britain-based The bombardment ended tember last year in a bid to and one mobile clinic in Syria. “We are advancing even quently speaking of his admira- monitor, said six children were a period of relative respite, bolster the government, and We believe it’s a violation of in- though IS is mining the villages gyptian authorities have tion for his mentor Mubarak, he among the 32 killed in govern- particularly in eastern Alep- on Tuesday said its forces were ternational law.” as they fl ee,” SDF commander taken the name of former squared off against the Muslim ment strikes and artillery fi re on po, where Moscow halted air launching a “major operation” Washington was an early Rodi Derik said yesterday in the Epresidential candidate Brotherhood’s Mohamed Mursi besieged opposition-held dis- strikes on October 18 ahead of a in Idlib and central Homs prov- backer of the uprising against village of Tuwaylaa, recently Ahmed Shafiq, who fled the in Egypt’s first free and fair tricts since Tuesday. series of brief ceasefi res. ince, targeting IS and former Al President Bashar al-Assad, and captured from IS. country after his 2012 defeat, presidential election in 2012. off airport watch lists, his law- Facing the prospect of several yer said, clearing the way for corruption trials, he left Egypt him to return home. after he lost to Mursi, who was Shafiq had faced various cor- himself ousted by the military in ruption charges but was either 2013 after mass protests. acquitted or had cases against But neither Mursi’s fall nor ‘Our depots are empty’: food him dropped in most instances. the ascension of former mili- He filed a motion to be re- tary man Abdel Fattah al-Sisi moved from the watch lists and to the presidency persuaded a Cairo criminal court accepted Shafiq to return and face trial. it yesterday. He instead formed a political aid runs out in battered city “There is nothing stopping party and led it from abroad. him from returning,” said his The party failed to make sig- lawyer Yehia Kadri. nificant gains during a 2015 By Karam al-Masri/AFP a warehouse in the Maadi neigh- said the last of the food aid it had said most NGOs distributing evacuation of wounded civilians Shafiq, 70, is a former air parliamentary election. Aleppo, Syria bourhood. delivered to east Aleppo before food aid were reliant on WFP ra- or delivery of fresh aid. force chief who served as the It is not clear if Shafiq will “This month, we’ve only been the siege began was being dis- tions that had now run out. Moscow last week rejected a last prime minister of Hosni return soon or whether he is able to distribute rations a quar- tributed. But others, like Al-Sham, UN call for longer ceasefi res, de- Mubarak, the veteran president seeking to play any political n two districts of the besieged ter of the usual size because of “The last food rations are be- have purchased food to distrib- spite Egeland’s warning that “the who was ousted in a popular role. eastern side of Syria’s battle- the dwindling supplies,” he said. ing distributed as we speak,” the ute from the declining stocks consequences of no help and no Iground city of Aleppo, local Outside the warehouse, vol- head of a UN-backed humani- available in local markets, where supplies will be so catastrophic I volunteers distributed meagre unteers oversaw a truck full of tarian taskforce for Syria, Jan prices have spiralled as the siege cannot even see that scenario”. bags containing the last food aid boxes of food. Egeland, told journalists on No- goes on. In Maadi district, a small left in their depots. Ordinarily, each family would vember 10. He urged all sides to Even as the last food aid was crowd gathered on Tuesday be- “Our depots are empty, we receive two large boxes with the confl ict to grant humanitar- being distributed, Syria’s gov- hind a truck half-full of boxes have nothing else to distribute,” enough aid to last for a month. ian access to the besieged eastern ernment and its ally Russia on and cartons of aid. said Ammar Qadah, director of But this time, each received neighbourhoods. Tuesday renewed their bom- “They told us that this is the Al-Sham Humanitarian Founda- only a single bag, containing two “I don’t think anybody wants bardment of rebel strongholds last distribution because there is tion, a Syrian charity in the rebel- bottles of oil, 2kg of rice, 2kg of a quarter of a million people to be across the country, with heavy no more aid,” said Abu Ahmed, held side of the battered city. lentils, 2kg of sugar and a box of starving in east Aleppo.” government fi re on east Aleppo. 32, his face tired as he waited for No aid has entered eastern mortadella. A World Food Programme Moscow said it had paused its food. Aleppo since mid-July when A family of fi ve will struggle spokeswoman, Bettina Lue- air strikes in Syria in October, The Maadi resident confi rmed government forces surrounded to stretch those supplies longer scher, said that the UN agency’s as it organised a series of brief that this month he was receiving the rebel-held east, sealing off than a week. partners had delivered the last of “humanitarian pauses” in east just a quarter of the aid he would more than 250,000 residents In the Marjeh neighbour- their aid over the weekend. Aleppo intended to encourage normally get to feed his wife and from the outside world. hood, residents at a distribution “The last distributions of WFP residents and surrendering rebels three children. “Today we fi nished distribut- point waited their turn for a bag, food through our partners took to leave. “These rations won’t last more ing food aid to the roughly 2,000 as children sat on the pavement place on Sunday, 13 November,” But few did, and the UN said than a week. We have nothing to families that we support,” said nearby. she said. it was unable to obtain suffi cient rely on but them and God,” he Former presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq Qadah, speaking on Tuesday at Last week, the United Nations An AFP journalist in Aleppo security guarantees to allow the said. Erdogan: Turkish-backed rebels close to taking Syria’s Al Bab

Reuters The rebels said on Tuesday Ankara is determined to pre- “There is resistance now, but in support of mostly Arab and to Kurdish militants who have that YPG fi ghters should not be Ankara they had taken Qabasin, several vent Kurdish forces from joining I don’t think it will last much Turkmen rebels, an operation fought a three-decade insurgen- involved in the planned Raqa op- kilometres northeast of Al Bab, up cantons they control along longer,” he said. dubbed “Euphrates Shield” and cy in Turkey. eration, arguing that the city is setting the stage for an assault the Turkish border. Erdogan also said he was con- meant to drive both Islamic State The YPG said it was pulling predominantly Arab. urkey-backed rebels are on the last urban stronghold of “The Free Syrian Army fi dent that the Syrian Kurdish and Kurdish militia forces away out of Manbij and withdrawing US special envoy Brett just 2km from the north- Islamic State in the northern (rebels), with the support of our YPG militia would withdraw from its border. east of the Euphrates, but was McGurk described the YPG Tern Syrian city of Al Bab Aleppo countryside. special forces, is about 2km away east of the Euphrates River from But Manbij was recently lib- doing so in order to participate in withdrawal from Manbij as a and are expected to take it from Al Bab is of particular strategic and the siege is continuing as the city of Manbij yesterday or erated from Islamic State by the campaign to liberate the Is- “milestone”, saying on Twitter Islamic State quickly despite importance to Turkey because planned,” Erdogan told a news today, fulfi lling a long-standing Kurdish-led forces backed by the lamic State stronghold of Raqa, that all YPG units would de- some resistance, Turkish Presi- Kurdish-dominated militias conference in Ankara before de- Turkish demand. United States. which is likely to further antago- part after training local units dent Tayyip Erdogan said yes- have also been pursuing a drive parting on an offi cial visit to Pa- Turkey sent warplanes, tanks Ankara regards the YPG as nise Ankara. to maintain the city’s security terday. to seize it. kistan. and artillery into Syria in August a hostile force with deep ties Turkey has repeatedly said against Islamic State. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, November 17, 2016 ARAB WORLD Leaders urge Trump to stand by climate pact

AFP “At some point even the tions, imperilling the very goals Fortune 500 fi rms. Thoriq Ibrahim, environment and droughts, disease spread, not believe that that can or will Marrakesh, Morocco strongest sceptic has to acknowl- of the global pact. The Paris pact sets the goal of minister of the Maldives, said and confl ict over ever-scarcer be reversed.” edge that something disturbing Kerry stressed yesterday that limiting average global warming the time for action was running resources the result. Market forces, not politics, will is happening,” Kerry said at a UN “climate change should not be a to 2C (3.6F) over pre-Industrial out “especially for small island While waiting for the new dictate the world’s energy future, ations, businesses and climate conference in Marrakesh, partisan issue”. Revolution levels, by cutting states whose very existence is president to make his climate the diplomat added. Washington’s top dip- just a week after Trump’s elec- “No one has the right to make greenhouse gases from burning threatened by powerful storms, position clear, many now look to “That’s why I’m confi dent Nlomat urged president- tion to the White House. decisions aff ecting billions of fossil fuels. poisoned oceans, and rising seas”. the rest of the world to bolster the for the future regardless of what elect Donald Trump yesterday Before his election, the busi- people based solely on ideology Countries, including the United “And now politics has entered Paris Agreement. policy might be chosen, because not to withdraw the US from the ness tycoon called climate without proper input,” he added. States, have pledged to curb emis- the discussion in a way that has At a ministerial-level gath- of the marketplace.” climate-rescue Paris Agreement change a “hoax” perpetrated by Major companies joined the sions under the deal by moving to again put our ultimate success in ering yesterday, speaker af- While Trump’s ascension to and its commitments to preserve China and vowed to “cancel” the chorus, calling for “continu- renewable energy sources. doubt,” he said. ter speaker, from Africa, South the US presidency has been up- Earth for future generations. hard-fought Paris Agreement ation of low-carbon policies” But Trump has vowed to boost “Indeed, we can understand America, Russia, Asia and Eu- permost on the minds of del- US Secretary of State John concluded last year to limit dan- and investment in a low-carbon oil, gas and coal. the concern and frustration ex- rope, recommitted their nations egates in Marrakesh, diplomats Kerry underlined the perils that gerous global warming. economy. “Time is not on our side,” pressed by so many here and to the pact. have been pushing on with the await the world if leaders drag The Marrakesh meeting has “We call on our elected US warned Kerry, who has made the around the world that worry “We must honour commit- nuts-and-bolts work of design- their feet on cutting planet- started to draft a roadmap for leaders to strongly support con- fi ght against global warming a what the future may hold.” ments and consolidate mutual ing rules and procedures for the warming greenhouse gases, while putting the agreement’s goals tinued US participation in the hallmark of his tenure. Analysts say that on current trust,” said China’s climate envoy Paris Agreement’s execution. poor nations and small-island into action, but many fear a Paris Agreement,” said an open “The world is already changing emissions-curbing pledges, the Xie Zhenhua. And ministers met yesterday to states highlighted their own vul- Trump administration would de- letter signed by more than 360 at an increasingly alarming rate world is headed for warming of Kerry said Washington was discuss the hot-button issue of nerability to the predicted cli- stroy political momentum built companies and investors, mainly with increasingly alarming con- about 3C – with land-gobbling well on its way to meeting targets fi nance for staving off dangerous mate catastrophe. up over years of tough negotia- American, including a dozen sequences.” sea level rise, worsening storms under the Paris pact, and “I do climate change. Israel backs bill to legalise settler homes

AFP the country’s attorney general proved and those it has not. Jerusalem says it will never hold up in court. The progress of the bill, ap- But those who support it say proved earlier by a committee of the move is urgently needed to ministers on behalf of the gov- he Israeli parliament gave protect a Jewish outpost in the ernment, has demonstrated the initial approval yester- occupied West Bank called Amo- power of the settler movement. Tday to a bill to legalise na. Netanyahu’s government is thousands of West Bank settler The outpost, where some 40 seen as the most right-wing in homes, a measure drawing in- families live, is under a high court Israeli history, and key members ternational anger and posing the order to be demolished by De- of his coalition advocate annex- government’s biggest test since cember 25 because it was built on ing most of the West Bank while 2015 polls. private Palestinian land. openly opposing the idea of a The measure, which would The bill however goes far be- Palestinian state. apply to an estimated 2,000 to yond legalising Amona and Opposition leader Isaac Her- 3,000 Jewish homes in the oc- would allow an estimated 2,000 zog, who heads the Labour party, cupied West Bank, requires three to 3,000 Jewish homes in the said the bill contravened Israeli more full parliamentary votes to West Bank built on Palestinian and international law while jus- become law. land to be legalised. tifying “theft.” This file photo taken from the West Bank Christian village of Taybeh, shows the wildcat Jewish settlement of Amona. The Israeli parliament There have been reports that a Palestinian landowners would Education Minister Naftali gave initial approval yesterday to a bill to legalise thousands of West Bank settler homes, a measure drawing international anger and posing behind-the-scenes compromise be off ered compensation in Bennett, who heads the hardline the government’s biggest test since 2015 polls. could see the bill now stall. exchange, but Attorney Gen- Jewish Home party and has been The vote in the Knesset, or eral Avichai Mandelblit says the the driving force behind the bill, parliament, was 58-50. move would undermine private has made no secret of his posi- Prime Minister Benjamin property laws. tion. Netanyahu initially opposed US President Barack Obama’s Netanyahu’s government cur- the bill, fearing an international administration says it is “deeply rently controls 66 of the 120 backlash and legal implications, concerned.” seats in parliament. Egypt cop gets life term for but voted in favour yesterday. “This would represent an un- Finance minister Moshe Kahl- Netanyahu faces pressure to precedented and troubling step on, whose centre-right Kulanu hold his right-wing coalition to- that’s inconsistent with prior Is- party holds 10 seats, has been key gether and not be seen as mov- raeli legal opinion and also break and had initially threatened not ing against the powerful settler longstanding Israeli policy of not to vote. killing man over cup of tea movement. building on private Palestinian In the end, he voted for yester- There has been speculation land,” State Department spokes- day’s initial backing but said he that the bill could even cause the woman Elizabeth Trudeau said. would withdraw support in the Reuters with several incidents spilling mally run for 25 years. human rights groups say they government to collapse – though The international community future if it “harms” the country’s Cairo over into skirmishes and pro- Activists say police brutality have returned to their old ways. a number of analysts caution that considers all Israeli settlements high court. tests, fi ve years after an uprising is widespread in Egypt, enabled In February, a policeman shot a compromise seems more likely in illegally-occupied East Jeru- The statement was a reference in which police offi cers were a by a culture of impunity. dead a driver in the street in an for now. salem and the West Bank to be to Amona and the high court n Egyptian court sen- major focus of discontent. The Interior Ministry says argument over a fare, prompt- The bill has been pushed by illegal, whether they are author- ruling against it – signalling that tenced a policeman who The policeman sentenced abuses are isolated and inci- ing hundreds of people to pro- hardline members of Netan- ised by the government or not. the bill could stall in the future if Akilled a man over the yesterday shot three people in a dents are investigated. test outside the Cairo security yahu’s coalition who defi ed his The Israeli government diff er- the outpost is not removed from price of a cup of tea to life in Cairo suburb after an argument Anger over perceived police directorate. pleas not to move forward, while entiates between those it has ap- it. prison yesterday, a rare lengthy over the price of a cup of tea, excesses helped fuel the 2011 There were also riots in the punishment for police violence killing one of them and causing uprising that began on a Police northern, Suez Canal city of Is- in a country that rights activists a riot. Day holiday and ended the 30- mailia and southern Nile city of say has a culture of impunity. The sentence, issued after he year rule of autocratic President Luxor over the authorities’ han- Public anger over allegations was convicted of murder, can be Hosni Mubarak. dling of at least three deaths in Woman killed in shooting attack of police brutality has been appealed. Since then, police have re- police custody in a single week on Palestinian security post bubbling over the past year, Life sentences in Egypt nor- gained considerable powers and in November last year.

DPA lets. Hilda Osta, 39, was killed The Palestinian Authority said Ramallah and three security offi cers were at the time that it would not al- Turkey names new ambassador to Israel hurt, leaving one of them in criti- low lawlessness and gunmen to cal condition. return to West Bank cities fol- Palestinian woman was Rjoub added that the incident lowing a series of attacks against Reuters Israel and Turkey said in June fore leaving on an offi cial visit to Turkish pro-Palestinian ac- killed and three offi cers is under investigation. security forces. Ankara they would normalise relations Pakistan. tivists were killed by Israeli Ahurt, one critically, when The shooting comes after Days later, the man accused of – a rapprochement driven by On Tuesday, the Israeli For- commandos enforcing a naval gunmen attacked a Palestinian weeks of violence between Pal- masterminding the attack was the prospect of lucrative Medi- eign Ministry spokesman said blockade of the Gaza Strip. security post in the West Bank estinian security and armed at- beaten to death in detention. urkish President Tayyip terranean gas deals as well as Eitan Na’eh, currently deputy The soldiers had raided a city of Nablus, the governor said tackers. The clashes are thought to be Erdogan named a new mutual fears over security risks ambassador in London, had ship, the Mavi Marmara, lead- yesterday. In August, two Palestinian se- related to internal dispute among Tambassador to Israel yes- in the Middle East. been appointed ambassador in ing a fl otilla to Hamas-run Pal- Gunmen opened fi re at the se- curity offi cers and two gunmen members of Palestinian Presi- terday, reciprocating a move by “We are appointing as am- Ankara. It was not immediately estinian territory. curity post shortly after an Israeli were killed during an operation dent Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah the Israelis a day earlier – steps bassador to Israel Kemal Okem, announced when he would take Israel agreed to pay out army unit had left the area follow- in Nablus to arrest individu- party over an upcoming Fatah towards restoring diplomatic our prime minister’s foreign up his post. $20mn to the families of those ing a raid, Nablus governor Akram als described by a spokesman as conference in Ramallah sched- ties between the once-close al- aff airs adviser,” Erdogan told a Israeli-Turkish relations killed on the vessel, a crucial el- Rjoub told Palestinian media out- “criminal outlaws.” uled for November 29. lies that broke down in 2010. news conference in Ankara be- broke down in 2010 when 10 ement in the restoration of ties. UN warns of mass atrocities in South Sudan

AFP clearly defi ne what actions it is tions do not have the appropriate in the report sent to the council in December 2013, leaving tens of agreed to deploy a regional force South Sudan today, has threat- United Nations prepared to take in the event of manpower or capabilities to stop last week. thousands dead and more than to Juba to improve security, ened to impose an arms embargo mass killings. mass atrocities,” he added. Ban plans to dispatch a del- 2.5mn people displaced. but the government in Juba has on South Sudan for its refusal to “There is a very real risk of Nearly 14,000 soldiers and po- egation to the African Union in The country won independ- balked at the deployment of the co-operate, but it has yet to take N Secretary-General Ban mass atrocities being commit- lice are deployed in the UNMISS Addis Ababa to agree on a joint ence from Sudan in 2011, with 4,000 troops. action. Ki-moon is warning of ted in South Sudan, particularly mission, but a recent report plan to confront a possible out- strong support from the United In a separate confi dential letter “South Sudan is inundated Ua “very real risk of mass following the sharp rise in hate showed the peacekeepers failed break of mass violence in South States. to the council obtained by AFP, with weaponry, which is often atrocities” in South Sudan and speech and ethnic incitement in to protect civilians during an Sudan. A peace deal between Presi- Ban said Kiir’s government had turned on defenceless civilians,” that peacekeepers deployed in recent weeks,” Ban said. outbreak of heavy fi ghting in the The plan could include the dent Salva Kiir and rebel leader shown “piecemeal and limited Ban said in his report, adding the war-torn country will not be While UN peacekeepers will capital in July. creation of an over-the-horizon Riek Machar in August last year consent” for the proposed re- that “under the present circum- able to stop such a bloodbath. resort to “all necessary means” “The limits on UNMISS abil- force that would quickly deploy had raised hopes of peace, un- gional force while continuing to stances, stopping the fl ow of ad- Ban told the Security Coun- to protect civilians, “it must be ity to protect civilians in the in a crisis. til clashes erupted in Juba four impede UNMISS in its work on ditional arms into the country cil in a report released yesterday clearly understood that United current environment have been The world’s youngest nation, months ago. the ground. is critical for the protection of that the United Nations must Nations peacekeeping opera- demonstrated clearly,” he said South Sudan descended into war The UN Security Council The council, which will discuss civilians.” Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 15 AFRICA Muslim Bangui caught between guns and trade

By Samir Tounsi, AFP hundreds of thousands have general staff of the militia group with the worst mass killings wit- “We (Muslims) are abandoned the far side of the airport,” Ben earth, weaving between cars, de- Bangui spawned several of the so-called — sat on a carpet inside a house nessed during the fi rst year of the to ourselves. The state doesn’t Seid told AFP. livery vans, motorcycle taxis and “50/50” armed groups. to plot the future of their move- chaos. exist. You don’t see the police, “The students no longer go to small vegetable stalls. They take their name from de- ment after its chief was killed in “We’re not Boko Haram,” said nor the gendarmerie (police),” the university.” But normality grinds to a halt e’re not jihadists, we’re mands by Muslims, who make up violence that left about 10 dead Abdoulaye Mabo Koudoukou, the said the owner of a hardware Yet his Christian clients can every time there is a fresh out- not bandits, we’re de- as much as 20% of the country’s at the end of October. self-proclaimed “deputy chief of store at the edge of PK5, beside a still come to PK5, he says. break of violence. “Before, it Wfending our communi- population of 4.5mn, to be guar- The shootout was one of the staff ” of the Muslim militia, re- road leading to other parts of the The best-known Christian in took one gunshot for the market ty,” insisted the leader of a militia anteed the same rights as Chris- latest episodes of recent violence ferring to the Islamists active in capital. Bangui, Roman Catholic arch- to empty in a split second. Then group in a powder keg Muslim tians. to strike the country as it strug- northern Nigeria and beyond. PK5 gets its name from its lo- bishop and future cardinal Dieu- we had to wait for weeks for ac- district of the Central African The militias are adamant that gles to shrug off the shadow of “We’re not bandits. We are de- cation — 5km from the centre of donne Nzapalainga, regularly tivity to resume. When people Republic’s capital Bangui. they will not sign up to the dis- the civil war between mainly manding freedom of movement Bangui. joins the local imam in organising were killed (in late October), the Outside the group’s impro- armament process pushed by the Muslim rebels of the “Seleka” for all Muslims throughout the Many Muslims no longer feel peace marches in the troubled market was open again 48 hours vised base, a short distance from weak central government and the coalition and the militias known Central African Republic.” safe to make that short journey district. later,” said Lazare Ndjadder, a the mosques and shops of Ban- United Nations until their equal as “anti-balaka” (anti-machete) The country’s fl ag hangs on by foot for fear of being attacked And despite patrols by UN Christian customs agent. gui’s fl ashpoint PK5 district, a rights are guaranteed. that emerged in Christian com- the wall, alongside the move- if they leave their enclave. peacekeepers and streets that “Kilometre 5 is a small repub- youth from the so-called “50/50” And this week’s donor con- munities. ment’s mottos: “Equality, jus- Some residents even aban- are deserted after nightfall, PK5 lic in Central Africa, with Mus- self-defence group guarded the ference in Brussels could throw Massacres were carried out tice, brotherhood” — and “No to doned other districts to take ref- looks like any other commer- lims, Christians and atheists,” headquarters with an M16 as- Central Africa a crucial lifeline by Seleka forces who overthrew Violence”. uge in PK5. cial neighbourhood, with shops said Ndjadder, who was a losing sault rifl e. but will likely throw up criti- then-president Francois Bozize The armed Muslim groups “We’re trapped. MINUSCA stocking everything from mat- candidate in legislative elections Another man concealed a cism of the embattled central in March 2013 and took power for formed following the attempted (the UN mission in the Central tresses to mechanical spare parts, held alongside last February’s weapon under a red blanket. government’s effort to neutral- 10 months. Seleka takeover are “a necessary African Republic) encircles us, and stock spilling out onto the presidential vote. Three years of confl ict and ise armed groups like the 50/50 The atrocities led to the crea- evil” according to the general but does not protect us. For a roadside. “It’s not diffi cult to be a Chris- massacres that pitted Muslims militias. tion of anti-balaka militias and secretary of the Traders’ Asso- month, we’ve no longer had ac- Pedestrians still make their tian in PK5, when you have done against Christians and displaced Back in PK5, six men — the both sides slaughtered civilians, ciation of PK5, Hassan Ben Seid. cess to the Muslim cemetery on way down wide streets of beaten nothing wrong, like me.” Kenya suspends Protesting racism Dadaab refugee

camp closure South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ruling party African National Congress (ANC) and South African main opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) members and supporters rally in protest outside the Middelburg Magistrate Court during the first hearing of two white men accused of assault charges, after an online video emerged showing them pushing a black man into a coff in and threatening to burn him alive. Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Martins Jackson, both 28, were remanded in custody after their lawyer decided not to apply for bail. The men face charges of kidnapping and assaulting 27-year-old Victor Mlotshwa over an incident that occurred in August at a farm near the town of Middelburg in the eastern for six months province of Mpumalanga.

AFP to Somali refugees since the outbreak of Kenya should end its threats to close Nairobi civil war in 1991. “The repatriation will the Dadaab camps and the UN refugee continue to be carried out in a humane, agency and donors should press Kenya to safe and dignifi ed manner,” he said. publicly reassure Somalia refugees they enya yesterday agreed to suspend The government announced in May are welcome in Kenya until it safe for Burundi exodus ‘driving refugee crisis’ the closure of Dadaab refugee that the vast Dadaab camp in north-east them to return.” Kcamp, the world’s largest, for six Kenya near the Somali border would be In September, HRW warned in a report months after coming under fi re over the shut down, citing security concerns. that the repatriation of Somalis from Reuters Almost 325,000 Burundians — 3% of killings, disappearances and tor- fate of its 280,000 inhabitants, most of Since sending troops into neighbour- the sprawling Dadaab camp violated in- Nairobi of the population — have fl ed since the ture in the country. them Somalis. ing Somalia in 2011, Kenya has come un- ternational standards and that refugees crisis began in April 2015 when Presi- With 462 Burundians and 42 The decision to push the deadline back der repeated attack from Shebaab, East were returning home involuntarily only dent Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run Congolese arriving in Tanzania each to May 2017 comes just two weeks be- Africa’s long-time branch of Al Qaeda. to face persecution and hunger. The Ken- fi vefold surge in Burundians for a third term, which he secured in a day in November, the UN refugee fore the camp was scheduled to close and Nairobi has taken a hardline position, yan government dismissed the report. fl eeing to Tanzania to escape disputed election in July 2015. agency (UNHCR) predicts the refu- follows mounting concern that Somali claiming Dadaab acts as a terrorist train- Refugees will be returning to a coun- Apolitical violence in their Half of those fl eeing Burundi gee population will reach 280,000 refugees, some of whom have lived in the ing ground for Shebaab Islamists and try that already has over 1mn people troubled central African homeland have gone to Tanzania and others to by the end of 2016. camp for 25 years, were being forced to that both the 2013 attack against Nairo- displaced from their homes, where fi ve is creating one of Africa’s biggest Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic “It has become necessary and return against their will. bi’s Westgate shopping mall and the 2015 million lack enough food and where Afri- refugee crises, a charity said yester- Republic of Congo. The refugees say urgent that additional camps be Interior minister Joseph Nkaissery said attack at Garissa university were planned can and Somali forces are still fi ghting Al day, amid warnings from activists of they are fl eeing harassment, wors- identifi ed to enable dignifi ed recep- the move also followed a request to delay at Dadaab. Qaeda-aligned Shebaab militants. genocide threats. ening hunger and an uncertain fu- tion of new arrivals, many of whom dismantlement from the United Nations Nkaissery yesterday pledged to abide An estimated 18,000 have returned Some 10,000 Burundians have ture, Nash told the Thomson Reuters are women and children,” UNHCR’s High Commissioner for Refugees (UN- by international law during the six- this year — 10,000 since the announce- arrived in neighbouring Tanzania Foundation in a phone interview. country representative Chansa Ka- HCR). month resettlement of refugees to Soma- ment of the camp’s closure. each month since August, increas- Crimes against humanity are be- paya said in e-mailed comments to “I wish to announce that the govern- lia or to a third country while sticking to Amnesty International said that a ver- ing the population in three over- ing committed in Burundi, with the the Thomson Reuters Foundation. ment has accepted the request to extend plans to close the camp. ifi cation exercise carried out by the Ken- crowded north-western camps to risk of intensifying to genocide, the “UNHCR is confi dent that the the deadline for the completion of the “Delaying the closure of the camp by yan government and UNHCR in July and almost 250,000 people, Medecins International Federation for Human repeated appeal to the government repatriation of Somali refugees and the six months is certainly better than de- August had concluded that only 25% of Sans Frontieres (MSF) said. Rights and Burundian Human Rights of Tanzania to identify additional eventual closure of Dadaab refugee com- porting the refugees in two weeks. But refugees were willing to return. “This is rapidly becoming one League said on Tuesday — charges the camp sites will be successful.” plex by six months,” he told a news con- with the new date...the refugees will Refugees said the authorities had of Africa’s biggest refugee crises,” government has repeatedly denied. A fourth site, Karago, has been ap- ference. continue to feel that they must leave,” threatened they would be forced to leave MSF’s Tanzanian head of mission, Burundi intends to withdraw proved but it does not have enough Nkaissery said a comprehensive repa- said Gerry Simpson, a researcher at rights if they did not go and would miss out on David Nash, said in a statement. from the International Criminal water, Nash said, so new arrivals are triation programme would be rolled out group Human Rights Watch (HRW). a UNHCR repatriation allowance if they “Unrest in Burundi (is) showing no Court, after the ICC announced being taken to Nduta camp, which has next month at the sprawling camp, home “Such coerced returns are illegal. refused to leave, Amnesty said. signs of abating.” plans in April to investigate reports already exceeded its 50,000 capacity.

Ivorian artist draws on roots in ‘Mogo Dynasty’ show Boko Haram weakening

By Patrick Fort, AFP Aboudia studied at the regional con- in Cameroon: analysts Abidjan servatory of arts and crafts in Abengour- ou and the technical centre for applied arts in Bingerville, then moved on to the Reuters “(Boko Haram) has suff ered ome people said I’d wasted my life, Higher National Institute for Arts and Dakar heavy losses and seen its con- that I should be a doctor, do some- Cultural Action (INSAC) in downtown ventional capacities reduced,” Sthing else,” recalls Aboudia, an Ivo- Abidjan. the study said, partly thanks rian painter with international fame and His work won him renown at a very oko Haram has dramatically to last year’s formation of a a big show this month in Abidjan. young age at the height of a political scaled back attacks in Cam- 10,000-strong regional force with Aboudia grew up as Abdoulaye Diarra- and military confl ict in 2010-2011 that Beroon in recent months, an- troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cam- souba, a youth who still readily speaks claimed several thousand lives. alysts said yesterday, suggesting a eroon, Niger and Benin. Nouchi, the street dialect of working- The chaos was refl ected in paintings of regional security force is gaining Up to 1,000 fi ghters with heavy class districts in Ivory Coast’s economic that time. ground against the militants. weaponry and armoured vehicles capital. The Ivorian has often been likened to The Islamist movement — joined strikes in Cameroon’s Far Though today he often abandons his Haitian-American artist Jean-Michel which controlled an area the size North Region in 2014-15, the re- easel in the city for cramped aircraft Basquiat (1960-1988) both for stylistic of Belgium in northeast Nigeria port said. seatback tables and art galleries in Paris, traits and their precocious emergence. last year and raided Cameroon But attacks were now focused London and New York, Aboudia remains The Brooklyn-born artist moved on and other neighbours to expand on the northernmost tip of the re- close to his roots and his current exhibi- from street art graffi ti to paintings shown its “caliphate” — had since suf- gion where fi ghters continued to tion hosted by the Fakhoury Foundation across the United States and in Europe in fered a string of defeats, Interna- control part of the fi shing indus- is called ‘Mogo Dynasty’. his early 20s. tional Crisis Group (ICG) said. try of Lake Chad amid a labyrinth “I’m still of Nouchi culture.’Mogo’ in Ivorian painter Aboudia, who became known for his 2010-2011 works on the “That doesn’t bother me,” Aboudia The report came days after se- of waterways. Nouchi means lad, the people,” he told post-electoral crisis in his country, paints at his studio in Abidjan. said of the comparison. curity and UN sources said hun- Recruitment is also faltering in AFP in the midst of his work, some- “People say it to me a lot. At the time, dreds of Boko Haram fi ghters and Cameroon although forced enlist- times in black and white and sometimes were to see my work in China or Japan, drawing” — still in primary school with I didn’t know him. I like his work very their families had surrendered on ment remains a risk, ICG said. in lurid colour, portraying human heads, you wouldn’t know that it’s African.” his chalks — he moved on to football and much — a great artist. But as for me, I am another frontline in Chad. Up to 4,000 Cameroonians are skulls or robots with teeth everywhere. The painter acknowledges, neverthe- school theatricals. Aboudia.” There was no comment from thought to have joined the group The show runs until November 20. less, that it is most likely harder for an “At least I knew what that was...It was Today, Aboudia has broadened his any of the factions of Boko Haram and some were given sign-on bo- “My paintings are the Africa of today,” African to break through to success in in growing up and reaching high school range to montages, notably including a which is still seen as one of the nuses of up to $2000 and a motor- Aboudia asserts in front of a piece called a world where art is often regarded as a that I realised that there was a school for wall tapestry made of the bits and pieces main security threats in West Af- bike, according to the study, citing “The Death of the King”. futile activity and a diffi cult way to earn design, for art. of everyday life. rica. interviews with locals. “In this one, they’re trying to give the money. “Curiosity led me to the school (a re- “Clothes, shoes, dolls, teddy bears... “We’ve seen a dizzying down- Those who proved their loyalty king medicine...This too is Africa, where “It’s tough everywhere, but there is the gional conservatory) and every time I saw It’s the whole ensemble that comes from wards spiral in the number of at- by killing their parents often en- there’s tradition, people who struggle to culture (of art).The majority of Africans these children there drawing or paint- humankind and children that I took to tacks and suicide bombings,” said joyed quick promotion, it added. live. lack this culture. Some understand, but ing, I stopped going to my high school... make a composition. Hans De Marie Heungoup, one of Analysts say the faction around I wanted to tell that, the Mogos.” this isn’t like places where art is readily At home, I dressed as if I was going to “I undress people, I take their clothes the report’s authors. the Lake Chad Basin represents While proud of his African identity, welcomed. Here you need to fi ght to make school, but I spent the whole day with and I make another canvas. This follows Two years ago, attacks were the stronger branch of the group, Aboudia refuses to be categorised. “I people understand. That’s not necessarily them, just watching. That’s how one day on from the paintings, but in another happening on an almost daily ba- loyal to Islamic State (IS) and led consider myself to be an artist, an artist a bad thing, it depends on the kind of cul- I asked whether I could join the class. form. sis, he said. by Abu Musab al-Barnawi. who comes from Africa. ture you learned at an early age,” he says. They looked at what I’d done and they “I count on doing more and even big But the number had falled to Another faction led by Abubak- People label things like ‘African art- Though Aboudia was “very young said ‘Why not try? You could be an art- ones. My defi nition of art is the search between six and eight a month er Shekau is based further south ists’ and ‘European artists’. But if you (when he became aware) of a talent for ist later.’” for new sensations.” since September. in Nigeria’s Sambisa forest. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, November 17, 2016 AMERICA Besieged pipeline fi rms ask court to intervene

Reuters being “dispossessed” from its Houston lands in the past. Government offi cials have not said how long the process he companies behind will take, according to a source the Dakota Access familiar with the matter. TPipeline have asked a Construction of the 1,885km US court to intervene in the pipeline is about 85% done, fi ght over its completion as Phillips 66, a pipeline investor, demonstrators across North said last week. America on Tuesday protested The only work left in North the project over fears it would Dakota is the segment to run New York city mayor Bill de Blasio arrives at Trump Tower for meetings with Donald Trump in New York. pollute water supplies and de- under the lake, Energy Trans- stroy sacred Native American fer said last week. tribal sites. The company says the pipe- In what could be the larg- line would be a more effi cient est protests to date, people and safer way to transport oil gathered outside Army Corps from the Bakken shale of North of Engineers offi ces, banks Dakota to the Midwest and and energy companies, a day onto the US Gulf Coast. after the US government de- Late Monday, the company Immigrants explain layed granting an easement for criticised the government’s the pipeline’s construction in decision, noting that the Corps North Dakota. acknowledged that its original Energy Transfer Partners, decision to grant the permit the main company behind the was consistent with legal re- pipeline, and its subsidiary, quirements. Sunoco Logistics Partners, “To propose, as the Corps how ‘Deferred Action’ fi led papers on Monday night now does, to further delay in district court in Washing- this pipeline and to engage in ton, DC, seeking declaratory what can only be described as relief to “end the administra- a sham process sends a fright- tion’s political interference in ening message about the rule the Dakota Access Pipeline re- of law,” said Kelcy Warren, En- view process”. ergy Transfer’s chief executive changed their lives On Monday the Army Corps offi cer. delayed granting an easement, Organisers said Tuesday’s Illegals allowed to stay under various “It has always been my dream to serve accept any more initial or renewal appli- As part of his 10-point immigration or the right to cross someone protests will be outside Army dispensations are shaken my community as a bilingual and bicul- cations for Daca. plan, he promised to “immediately termi- else’s land for a specifi ed pur- Corps offi ces throughout the tural provider, but I fear that may soon be On Monday, citing the benefi ts of Daca, nate” Daca and to ramp up deportations. pose. country, and at major banks Guardian News taken away if Daca ends,” he wrote. Obama urged Trump and his incoming ad- But after winning the presidency, he More than 200 protests were fi nancing construction of the London Gaby Pacheco, a Daca recipient and a ministration to “think long and hard” be- seemed to soften his tone on immigration. called by indigenous leaders in pipeline, such as TD Bank and nationally known immigration activist, fore ending the program and “endanger- In an interview with the CBS pro- support of the Standing Rock Citigroup. helped launch the campaign. ing” young immigrants benefi ting from it. gramme 60 Minutes on Sunday, he said he Sioux Native American tribe Norwegian bank DNB this imon Mendoza-Moreno works as She said the goal was to get Trump sup- “These are kids who were brought here wanted to focus on deporting immigrants and to get the Army Corps of month said it would reconsid- a primary care provider at a com- porters and others to see “what happens by their parents,” the president said.”They with criminal records, which he estimated Engineers and US government er fi nancing the project if the Smunity health centre in Wenatchee, when immigrants’ talents are unleashed”. did nothing wrong. to be up to three mn. to stop the pipeline, according concerns of the Standing Rock Washington, mainly serving low-income The programme, she says, allowed her to They’ve gone to school. He also said once the border was se- to Dallas Goldtooth, a spokes- Sioux were not addressed. patients. The 25-year-old is also an un- buy her fi rst home, pay more in taxes, and They have pledged allegiance to the fl ag. cured, he would determine what to do man for Indigenous Environ- In Houston, Texas, demon- documented immigrant, who was six get a job that provides her with health in- “By defi nition, if they’re part of this with the “terrifi c people” who were in the mental Network, one of the strators will gather outside En- months old when his parents brought him surance. programme, they are solid, country illegally but had otherwise clean organisers. ergy Transfer’s offi ce. from Mexico. She works as programme director for wonderful young people of good char- criminal records. The companies are seeking The protests come as the He is able to legally work in the US TheDream.US, a scholarship fund for im- acter,” he continued. “And it is my strong Jaime Ballesteros, a 24-year-old teacher the easement to tunnel under Dakota Access is expected to under Barack Obama’s Deferred Ac- migrant youth. belief that the majority of the American and Daca recipient from the Philippines, Lake Oahe, the water source at have the support of President- tion for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) pro- There are about 741,500 young immi- people would not want to see suddenly said he believed there was a real possibility the heart of the protests. The elect Donald Trump. gramme. grants who have been approved for Daca those kids have to start hiding again.” that Trump could keep his promise to end decision was seen as a partial He has expressed strong Worried about the future of Daca under since it launched in 2012, according to the Aldo Martinez, a 23-year-old Daca re- Daca and increase deportations. victory for the protesters. support for development of president-elect Donald Trump, latest data available from US Citizenship cipient living in Florida, wrote on Face- But he said he tried to stay positive for The $3.7bn Dakota Access energy infrastructure projects, Mendoza-Moreno and thousands of and Immigration Services (USCIS). The book that the programme allowed him to his seventh grade students, many of whom project has drawn steady op- including oil pipelines. Warren others are posting on social media using programme, which is renewable every two become a paramedic. told him they were afraid their parents position from the tribe as well donated more than $100,000 the hashtag #WithDACA to show what years, temporarily shields young immi- “ #WithDACA I have been able to be- might get deported. as environmental activists who to the Trump presidential they’ve been able to achieve because of the grants from deportation and allows them come a paramedic who works in the ER to Ballasteros wrote on Twitter that Daca claim it could pollute nearby campaign, and one of Trump’s programme. to legally work. provide emergency medical services to my had allowed him to earn a master’s de- water supplies and destroy sa- top energy advisers, North “We are not criminals,” he said. “We The National UnDACAmented Research community, as well as being able to con- gree in education; a member of Teach for cred historical tribal sites. Dakota congressman Kevin were highly vetted through the Daca ap- Project, a multi-year study that measures tinue my path towards becoming a trauma America, he teaches chemistry at a charter The Army Corps said it Cramer, supports Dakota Ac- plication process. the eff ects of Daca, fi nds that the pro- surgeon.” school in East Los Angeles. plans to get more input from cess and is being considered We are contributing to this country just gramme’s recipients have experienced a Martinez was working the night of the Karina Alvarez, a 27-year-old teacher the Standing Rock Sioux in for the job of energy secretary like any other American.” signifi cant increase in economic opportu- election, and recalled feeling “hopeless” and Daca recipient who posted on Twit- light of the tribe repeatedly in the new administration. Mondoza-Moreno wrote on Facebook nities. and “defeated” when the results came in. ter that DACA had allowed her to support that with Daca he was able to get his grad- Many have been able to get higher- “My heart sank to my stomach when I her son on her own, said she tried to give uate medical degree as a physician assist- paying jobs, become homeowners, ob- heard Donald Trump had won,” said Mar- a similar message to her second grade stu- ant. tain driver’s licenses and open bank ac- tinez. “I called my parents, and I couldn’t dents in San Antonio, Texas. He said he started working at the com- counts. get any words out.” But she said it had been “diffi cult for me munity health centre on election night and Trump has promised to sign away the Trump made immigration a top issue in to tell them it’s going to be okay” when she that most of his patients were Mexican programme on his fi rst day in offi ce; as his campaign, saying he would build a bor- has had a hard time believing that’ll be the immigrants, like his parents. president, he could direct USCIS to not der wall along the US-Mexico border. case. Scientifi c community fears the worst

AFP For John Abraham, professor of engi- head the transition of the Environmen- Washington neering at University of St. tal Protection Agency (EPA), the agency Thomas in Minnesota, the election of through which President Barack Obama Trump “has cost us at least a decade” in set many of his tougher regulations on rom the fi ght against climate change the fi ght against global warming. pollution from power plants and automo- to dwindling budgets for research, “I study ocean warming and energy bal- biles. Fthe US scientifi c community fears ances of the Earth,” he told AFP. However Holt, a former lawmaker the worst under Donald Trump, seen by “The data is staring us right in the face. himself, cautioned that when it comes to Hundreds of people gather to protest against the proposed many as the most hostile to science of any We could not aff ord this election result. Trump, “it’s not really clear what he thinks Dakota Access Pipeline outside the off ices of the Army Corps of American president in history. “The only way we can avoid serious about climate change”, he told AFP, noting Engineers in Washington. Trump will be “the fi rst anti-science climate change is to rapidly implement that Trump has often made contradictory president we have ever had”, warned Obama’s work,” he added. statements. Michael Lubell, director of public af- Early in October, nearly 400 scientists For instance, Trump applied for permits fairs for the American Physical Society in including 30 Nobel laureates wrote an to build a sea wall protecting one of his Washington, in the British journal Nature. open letter, criticising Trump’s proposed golf courses in Ireland, citing the dangers “The consequences are going to be very, plans to abandon global climate deals. of sea level rise. 30yrs for attempting very severe.” “A ‘Parexit’ would send a clear signal to “It may well be that if it’s presented to Meanwhile, the vice president-elect, the rest of the world: ‘The United States him as a matter of dollars and cents then Indiana governor Mike Pence, is an ul- does not care about the global problems he would think about it diff erently than to aid Islamic State traconservative and a creationist who has of human-caused climate change,’” they if it is presented as a matter of domestic rejected Charles Darwin’s theory of evolu- Vice president-elect Mike Pence at Trump wrote. politics or international politics.” tion, the foundation of modern biology. Tower. “The consequences of opting out of the Perhaps the realm of space explora- Reuters US district judge Michael Dav- “There’s a fear that the scientifi c in- global community would be severe and tion – long a bipartisan source of pride Minnesota is, according to the Minneapo- frastructure in the US is going to be on its vowed to withdraw from the Paris climate long-lasting – for our planet’s climate among Americans – is the only area of lis Star Tribune. knees,” said Robin Bell, a geophysicist at accord. and for the international credibility of the science where Trump’s support has been Farah is one of three men Columbia University and incoming pres- “If Trump makes good on his campaign United States.” clear. Somali-American man scheduled to be sentenced on ident-elect of the American Geophysical promises and pulls out of the Paris Treaty, “Clearly he is uninformed on many Answering a question from ScienceDe- in Minnesota was sen- Wednesday for attempting to Union. it is diffi cult to see a path forward to keep- things,” said Rush Holt, director of the bate.org, Trump said space exploration Atenced yesterday to 30 aid the group in 2014 and early “Everything from funding to being able ing warming below dangerous levels,” said American Association for the Advance- will promote interest in science educa- years in prison for conspiring 2015. to attract the global leaders we need to do Michael Mann, director of the Earth Sys- ment of Science, the world’s largest gen- tion and bring jobs and investment to the to aid the Islamic State mili- Farah was convicted in June basic science research.” tem Science Center (ESSC) at Pennsylva- eral scientifi c society and the publisher of country. tant group, according to local of conspiring to commit mur- A key worry is how the New York bil- nia State University. the journal Science. “Observation from space and explor- media. der in Syria on behalf the Is- lionaire declared climate change to be The United States is the second largest He raised concern about Trump’s choice ing beyond our own space neighbourhood Mohamed Farah, 22, was lamic State, as well as lying to a “hoax” orchestrated by the Chinese, and emitter of greenhouse gasses after China. of leading climate skeptic Myron Ebell to should be priorities,” he said. handed the sentence by senior grand jury and FBI agents. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 17 AMERICA

Kushner, the son-in-law who has Trump’s ear

AFP trail where he is believed to have New York written several of the candidate’s speeches. He is also thought to have ho does Donald Trump pushed out his fi rst campaign truly listen to? His manager back in July. Wadult children have According to a BusinessWeek been ever-present throughout his investigation, Kushner – who 10 meteoric political rise. years ago acquired The New York But the family clan also extends Observer lifestyle newspaper and to his son-in-law, Jared Kush- revived its fortunes by taking it ner, who shuns the limelight but online – played a key role in pro- whose role appears increasingly moting Trump’s message on so- pivotal. cial media. When the president-elect vis- He reportedly hired a Texan on- ited the White House last week, line marketing specialist named a few seconds of footage – of Brad Parscale, and built a highly the telegenic 35-year-old walk- effi cient team tasked with mobi- ing in the gardens beside Barack lising Trump supporters, and dis- Obama’s chief of staff , Denis Mc- couraging potential backers of the Donough – spoke volumes about Democrat Hillary Clinton. the place Ivanka’s husband has In some ways, Kushner’s life carved out at Trump’s side. story is similar to Trump’s. Kushner’s only offi cial role is as Like Trump, he took over the member – alongside Ivanka, Eric family real estate business, then and Donald Jr – of the transition based in New Jersey, and shifted team tasked with building the Re- its focus to Manhattan high-rises. publican billionaire’s administra- But he won his place in the tion between now and his January Trump inner circle through sheer 20 inauguration. loyalty – all the more remark- But despite his lack of politi- able as he comes from a family of cal experience, the businessman staunch Democrats who donated Students at the University of Chicago rally against Donald Trump in Chicago, Illinois. is believed often to have the fi nal generously to the party. word in advising Trump, accord- Take this example from July, ing to The New York Times, which when Trump retweeted an image expects him “to wield great in- of Clinton set against a six-point- fl uence over the new president ed star said to resemble a Star of regardless of whether he holds a David, setting off alarm bells in formal title”. the Jewish community. That infl uence is already play- Some of Kushner’s friends ing out at Trump Tower, where asked if he – as a devout Ortho- the president-elect’s team has dox Jew – would break with the Trump touts foreign been taking shape since the end of campaign. last week – in a process reported- Quite the opposite: Kushner ly fraught with vicious infi ghting. published an op-ed in which he When two transition offi cials spoke of his Holocaust survi- were ousted Tuesday, The New vor family, and defended Trump York Times reported that they against any charge of anti- were victims of a purge orches- Semitism. trated by Kushner. “I actually think he likes poli- contacts on Twitter Trump transition offi cial Jason tics more than he likes real estate,” Miller dismissed the reports as Trump quipped of his son-in-law The president-elect has blasted Minister Shinzo Abe, who will today be “palace intrigue” pushed by peo- after clinching the Republican mainstream media for getting it the fi rst foreign leader Trump meets with ple bitter at the election outcome. nomination. wrong again as president-elect. But several US media similarly The president-elect has report- Trump, whose aggressive use of Twit- reported that Kushner was work- edly inquired about a top-secret Reuters ter reportedly led to calls for restraint from ing to drive out associates of New clearance for Kushner to be able to Washington his inner circle, said in a CBS 60 Minutes Jersey governor Chris Christie, join daily presidential briefi ngs – interview broadcast on Sunday that he who himself was removed Friday reports denied by Trump. would be “very restrained” on Twitter as as head of the transition team. What will Kushner do with his resident-elect Donald Trump used president, if he used it at all. The feud is personal: back in newfound political capital? his Twitter account yesterday to Several US news outlets have reported 2004, then-US attorney Christie Observers believe he could be Pdenounce reports of problems in his that former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani prosecuted and jailed Kushner’s tempted to use it to muscle into transition team, singling out the New York is tipped for secretary of state. father for tax evasion, witness the media landscape: already on Times for saying world leaders have had Hawkish former UN ambassador John tampering and illegal campaign friendly terms with Australian trouble getting in touch with him. Bolton and retired general Michael Flynn contributions. media mogul Rupert Murdoch, Trump, whose aggressive use of Twit- reportedly are also among those shortlist- His father’s fall from grace is he was reported before last week’s ter against rivals was a key element of his ed for top jobs. said to have left a profound mark election to be playing with the presidential campaign, tweeted a list of Other sightings at the iconic Trump- on the young Kushner, according idea of launching into television. several world leaders he had spoken with branded skyscraper included Ted Cruz – to the New Yorker. Back in July, it At the time his father-in-law since his upset victory in the November 8 Senator Ted Cruz poses for a photo with a New York police off icer as he departs Trump the arch-conservative Texas senator who was already reported that he fl at- denied any plans for a “Trump presidential election. Tower in New York. Trump belittled as “Lyin’ Ted” during the out blocked Christie as Trump’s TV” network, but observers are “I have recieved and taken calls from Republican primaries. running mate. not ruling it out. many foreign leaders despite what the fail- “Very organised process taking place as team’s congressional liaison, brushed off Trump also dismissed press reports So is Kushner a modern-day “It would be an unprecedented ing @nytimes said. I decide on Cabinet and many other posi- the morning Twitter storm, saying Trump that he was trying to get family members “Rasputin” fi gure, whispering move – something akin to estab- Russia, UK, China, Saudi Arabia, Japan,” tions,” Trump said on Twitter. “I am the was under a lot of pressure and needed to cleared to attend high-level briefi ngs. into the ear of the political novice lishing a state television station to the Republican real estate magnate wrote only one who knows who the fi nalists are!” blow off steam. “I am not trying to get “top level secu- Trump as he prepares to assume serve as a propaganda arm of the in a morning Twitter post, misspelling the Entering Trump Tower in New York yes- “If this is his way of relaxing, God bless rity clearance” for my children. power? executive branch,” The Washing- word “received”. terday morning, Trump’s son, Eric Trump, him,” Collins told CNN. “You don’t want This was a typically false news story,” he For Jeanne Zaino, professor of ton Post wrote last week. “But so “Australia, New Zealand, and more. was asked by reporters if any positions this stuff all bottled up. tweeted yesterday. political science at Iona College in much about Trump’s campaign I am always available to them.@nytimes would be named. During his campaign, Trump has at- Media said Trump has requested top- New York, it is safe to say Kush- was unprecedented that perhaps is just upset that they looked like fools in He responded, “Likely.” tacked media reports he found unfavour- secret clearance for his son-in-law Jared ner prefers the shadows – un- we should not expect anything their coverage of me,” Trump continued. Trump tweeting about contacts with able to him, often targeting the Times by Kushner – husband to his daughter Ivan- like his wife Ivanka, a successful diff erent from his presidency.” He focused on the Times, a frequent foreign leaders on such a public forum referring to it as “failing” while regularly ka – so he can join the daily presidential businesswoman and potent sur- Twitter target for Trump, because it said drew immediate criticism, with conserva- granting its reporters interviews. briefi ngs. rogate for her father during the US allies were “scrambling to fi gure out tive political commentator David Frum The Times reported yesterday that the The Washington Post reported that campaign. how and when to contact Mr Trump”. questioning the wisdom of such posts. presidents of Egypt and Israel got through Kushner purged several transition team “Jared Kushner is much more “The failing @nytimes story is so totally “Vladimir Putin reading Trump Twitter to Trump quickly but British Prime Minis- members allegedly linked to New Jersey private,” said Zaino. “He almost wrong on transition,” he tweeted. “It is feed this AM. ‘So Merkel has not yet called ter Theresa May had to wait 24 hours be- governor Chris Christie, who was demot- never speaks publicly, you don’t going so smoothly. Also, I have spoken to him? Hmm. That’s useful to know,’” Frum fore reaching him. ed Friday when Trump reshuffl ed his tran- see tweets. You get the sense he is many foreign leaders.” said on Twitter. Since his upset win over Democrat Hil- sition team and placed Pence in charge. much more comfortable working On Tuesday night, Trump had defended “When does president Trump compro- lary Clinton, Trump also has talked with Kushner is a real estate developer with behind the scenes.” his transition team amid reports the team mise an important secret?” the leaders of other countries, including no political experience other than his role The Harvard graduate, she said, is in disarray, behind schedule and marked Longtime Trump supporter US rep- Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and Australia. as a Trump confi dant on the campaign earned Trump’s trust though Eric Trump, son of Donald Trump by infi ghting. resentative Chris Collins, the transition He spoke last week with Japanese Prime trail. sheer hard work on the election at Trump Tower. Abe to press president-elect on security pledges

Guardian News “As it will be their fi rst direct arrangements, which include the might change under a Trump ad- On Monday, Trump’s advis- London meeting, the talks will focus on presence of 28,500 US troops ministration. “That relationship ers, Peter Navarro and Alexander building a relationship of per- south of the heavily armed bor- is going to remain, regardless of Gray, said in a newspaper op-ed sonal trust,” Japan’s top spokes- der dividing the Korean penin- the administration, a corner- piece that he would “never again apan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo man, sula. stone for the United States.” sacrifi ce the US economy on the Abe, will seek reassurances Yoshihide Suga, told reporters But Jeff rey Kingston, the di- Japan will have to wait for altar of foreign policy by entering Jabout the US’s commitment yesterday. “Their relationship rector of Asian studies at Temple Trump to take offi ce before it into bad trade deals like the North to his country’s security when he has got off to a great start. They University in Tokyo, said anxiety can fully gauge how serious he American Free Trade Agreement, becomes the fi rst foreign leader held telephone talks at an ex- remained high in Tokyo following is about maintaining the current allowing China into the World to meet Donald Trump today. tremely early time, shortly after Trump’s “decidedly unreassur- security arrangements, accord- Trade Organisation, and pass- Japan and South Korea were [Trump] was elected.” ing” comments on security. ing to Tetsuya Otsuru, a senior ing the proposed TPP”. Whatever rattled by comments the presi- In the days since his election “Abe will politely try to explain foreign ministry offi cial. disagreements they have about dent-elect made during his cam- victory, Trump has shown signs why the alliance is so important “Trump may take longer than trade and security, Trump and paign, when he hinted at a with- of shifting away from hardline and that Trump needs to retreat usual to build his administration Abe will fi nd it easier to establish drawal of American troops from comments made during his cam- from some of his assertive rheto- as he searches for people to fi ll common ground when it comes the Asia-Pacifi c unless the two paign, in which he said Tokyo did ric,” Kingston told Reuters. key policy positions,” Otsuru said to dealing with Vladimir Putin. US allies paid more towards the not contribute enough to the se- US state department offi cials in a speech in Tokyo. “We want to Trump has made no secret of cost of their security. People march against Donald Trump in Seattle, Washington. curity off ered by the 47,000 US moved quickly to reassure Ja- safeguard our alliance with the his admiration for the Russian Offi cials in Tokyo and Seoul troops based on Japanese soil. pan that the bilateral relation- United States during the transi- leader, while Abe has been push- were also disturbed by Trump’s quent pressure on Japan and South than most, citing Trump’s Japan pays nearly 200bn yen ship would remain at the heart of tion.” ing for closer ties with Russia in suggestion – which he has since Korea to go nuclear, would “trigger “extraordinary talents” as a (£1.5bn) annually in host-nation Washington’s policy towards the Abe could receive disappoint- the run-up to Putin’s visit to To- denied – that the two countries massive destabilisation of the re- businessman, and adding: “I very support, a sum the country’s de- Asia-Pacifi c, where Chinese mil- ing news on trade, having invest- kyo next month. could end decades of dependence gional order”. It adds: “A precipi- much look forward to closely fence minister, Tomomi Inada, itary activity in the South China ed considerable political capital Russia is seeking more Japa- on their US nuclear umbrella and tous reduction of engagement in cooperating with you to further described as enough”. In a tele- Sea and North Korea ‘s nuclear at home with his support for the nese investment in its under- develop their own nuclear deter- Asia would be detrimental to the strengthen the bond of the Ja- phone call last week, Trump told weapons programme have sig- Trans-Pacifi c Partnership (TPP) developed far east region, while rents. interests of most Asian countries pan-US alliance.” Abe that he wanted to strengthen nifi cantly raised tensions. free trade pact, now abandoned Japan is hoping to resolve a long- Either move would redraw the as well as the United States.” Abe will be looking for evi- the “special partnership” be- “My message would be one of by the Obama administration. running dispute over ownership Asia-Pacifi c security map and In his congratulatory mes- dence of Trump’s commitment tween Japan and the US. reassurance to the Japanese peo- Many observers believe that of the Kuril islands – known in usher in a new era of instability, sage last Tuesday, Abe reminded to bilateral security ties when He struck a similar tone in a ple that that relationship is of … Trump’s protectionist, “America Japan as the Northern Territo- according to a recent report by Trump of the importance of the he meets him in New York today brief conversation with the em- core foreign policy interest to the fi rst” stance – one he is unlikely ries – four islands that belonged the Asia Foundation. Japan-US security alliance to on his way to the Asia Pacifi c battled South Korean president, United States,” Mark Toner, the to revise – has in eff ect brought to Japan until they were invaded The report warns that the with- peace and stability in the region. Economic Co-operation (Apec) Park Geun-hye, telling her that department’s spokesman, told the 12-nation trade pact to its by Soviet forces at the end of the drawal of US forces, and the subse- His message was more fulsome summit in Peru. he would retain existing security reporters when asked how ties knees. second world war. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, November 17, 2016 ASEAN Mahathir urges Jakarta governor named Malaysians to suspect in blasphemy case join protest rally

AFP Jakarta as tension grows

akarta’s Christian governor Reuters Maria Chin Abdullah, who led was formally named a sus- Kuala Lumpur a similar rally last year. Jpect in a blasphemy inves- Ethnic Indian and Chinese tigation yesterday, after allega- minorities formed the bulk of tions that he insulted a religion ormer Malaysian pre- the 200,000 protesters at the sparked a violent mass protest mier Mahathir Moham- time. by hardliners in the Indonesian Fed yesterday threw his A six-week campaign by capital. weight behind a massive rally Bersih ahead of the rally has Police said the allegations planned for this weekend to been marred by violent con- against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, demand that scandal-tainted frontations between the group who is also the fi rst member of Prime Minister Najib Razak and a pro-state group called Indonesia’s ethnic Chinese mi- resign, with clashes feared “Red Shirts”. nority to lead Jakarta, should go between protesters and pro- Red Shirts leader Jamal Yu- to trial and ordered him not to government groups. nos, an UMNO member, has leave the country. Najib, who is eyeing an early warned of a repeat of racial The case is being viewed as a election next year, faces out- riots in 1969, when clashes be- test of religious tolerance in the rage over his involvement in a tween Malays and ethnic Chi- country, where a spike in at- multi-billion-dollar fi nancial nese killed hundreds. tacks on minorities has eroded scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Mainly Muslim ethnic Ma- a reputation for pluralism, and Development Berhad (1MDB), lays form about 60% of Ma- analysts said the decision was a and has used harsh measures laysia’s population of 30mn, “setback”. to silence critics. while ethnic Chinese and In- Religious groups had de- Election reform group Ber- dians account for about 32%. manded that Purnama, known sih, the organiser of Saturday’s Lawsuits fi led by the US by his nickname Ahok and Ja- rally, has demanded Najib re- Justice Department in July say karta’s fi rst non-Muslim leader sign. more than $700mn of misap- in half a century, be prosecuted Malaysia is “facing a state propriated funds from 1MDB for allegedly insulting a holy of panic”, former prime minis- fl owed into the accounts of book while campaigning in elec- ter Mahathir, wearing Bersih’s “Malaysian Offi cial 1”, whom tions for the governorship. signature yellow T-shirt, said US and Malaysian offi cials The governor — currently in a video posted online. have identifi ed as Najib. favourite to win the polls — had Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, nicknamed “Ahok” (right), speaks with the media regarding a blasphemy complaint against him “I hope all Malaysians will Najib has denied wrongdo- accused his opponents of using a while standing next to deputy governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat in Jakarta yesterday. join this demonstration by ing, but has taken steps critics religious book verse, in order to Bersih which is aimed at fi nd- say aim to limit discussion of trick people into voting against had eventually concluded the ma, urged all involved to respect but as night fell descended into Widodo, who was forced to ing a way to fi x this country,” the scandal, such as sacking a him. case should go to trial. the legal process. chaos, with hardliners torching cancel a trip to Australia after said Mahathir, who quit Na- deputy prime minister and a The blasphemy allegations Naming someone a suspect is Observers expressed surprise police cars and hurling rocks in the unrest, has accused “politi- jib’s ruling United Malays Na- former attorney-general, be- sparked much anger among both a formal step in the Indonesian at the decision — police had the heart of Jakarta. cal actors” of fanning the vio- tional Organisation (UMNO) sides suspending newspapers moderate and hardliners -- and legal system that means authori- been expected not to pursue the Scores of police offi cers were lence. in February. and blocking websites. more than 100,000 protesters ties believe they have enough case as the evidence was viewed injured and one man died in the Purnama won huge popular- Malaysia’s longest serving The newly-introduced Na- took to the streets in Jakarta on preliminary evidence to consider as weak —and said it could be clashes close to the presidential ity with his no-nonsense style Prime Minister formed a new tional Security Council Act November 4 demanding that fi ling charges. a compromise to avoid further palace. and determination to clean up political group this year in his gives Najib powers to declare Purnama be prosecuted, with Purnama, who could be jailed violence. Purnama has apologised for Jakarta, a crowded, polluted me- campaign to oust former pro- virtual martial law in areas the demonstration later turning for up to fi ve years if found “This is a calculated move by his remarks made in September, tropolis of 10mn, but his once tege Najib. deemed to face a “security violent. guilty under Indonesia’s tough the government and police,” To- saying he was criticising his po- enormous poll lead has dwindled Concerns are growing that threat”. After a lengthy investigation blasphemy laws, pledged not to bias Basuki, a political analyst litical rivals who were using the to a few percentage points since Bersih supporters and pro- Activist and graphic artist that involved questioning scores pull out of the Jakarta election from Jakarta-based think tank verse rather than the Koran it- the blasphemy scandal broke. government groups could Fahmi Reza, who was charged of witnesses, national police in February following the an- the Centre for Strategic and In- self. The protests against Pur- clash at the rally, with the with violating multimedia chief detective Ari Dono told re- nouncement. ternational Studies. However his election op- nama have often taken on group’s chairwoman having laws following a caricature porters: “Basuki Tjahaja Purna- “This is not the end, there However he added the deci- ponents – the son of an ex- anti-Chinese overtones in a received anonymous death depicting Najib with a clown ma has been named a suspect.” will be a court process which we sion marked a “huge setback for president and a former cabinet country where the minority threats. face, has designed posters and National police chief Tito hope will be open,” he said, urg- Indonesia”. minister – seized on the remarks regularly faces discrimination. “We cannot stop because if banners for Bersih protesters. Karnavian conceded there were ing his supporters to back him in The demonstration earlier and have faced accusations of In 1998, many ethnic Chinese we stop and we don’t protest, “I think it’s important for us “sharply dissenting opinions” the vote. this month, which was the big- whipping up popular anger as Indonesians were killed in the then we can’t have any say as citizens to continue to speak and the decision was not unani- A spokesman for President gest in recent years in Indone- they seek to stop him winning a rioting that preceded the fall of in any legislation, policies or up, to take a stand and voice mous, but added investigators Joko Widodo, an ally of Purna- sia, was peaceful during the day second term. long-serving dictator Suharto. laws,” said the chairwoman, our dissent,” he said. Two tigers ‘killed or Students’ dinosaur connect traffi cked every week’

AFP meaningful progress in controlling this source of Hanoi supply,” Kanitha Krishnasamy, a co-author of Traf- fi c’s report said in a statement. “Any further stimu- lation of demand could have a more disastrous im- wo tigers are killed or illegally traffi cked pact on wild tigers.” every week, according to fresh analysis pub- Around 30% of tiger parts seized between 2012 Tlished yesterday that warned of the “disas- and 2015 now come from captive tigers compared to trous impact” on the 4,000 big cats left in the wild. just 2% between 2000 and 2003. The latest estimate comes as experts and digni- Animal rights groups argue that by keeping de- taries, including Britain’s Prince William, gather in mand for tiger parts going, farms simultaneously Vietnam’s capital for an international wildlife con- perpetuate the destruction of tigers in the wild. ference that kicks off on Thursday. Laos recently announced plans to close its tiger The two-day meeting brings together govern- farms while Thailand has initiated investigations ments, NGOs and activists to combat illegal wild- after a long tussle with a controversial Buddhist life trade and is being hosted in a country that has “tiger temple” that for years had been at the centre become a nexus for smuggling and consumption. of allegations of complicity in the trade. Wildlife trade monitoring group Traffi c, which But both countries have a long history of corrup- campaigns to protect endangered animals and help tion and policing crackdowns that rarely result in governments catch those who trade in their parts, permanent successes on the ground. published a new analysis looking at 16 years of tiger Animal rights groups hope the Hanoi conference seizure data from across the globe.They estimate will pile pressure on governments to redouble ef- an average of 110 tigers became victims of the trade forts to stem the trade and close down farms. each year since 2000. “Ending tiger farming would ease the pressure The study also illustrates the growing role breed- and help law enforcement agencies focus on the ing centres play in fuelling the trade, especially in poachers and traffi ckers of wild tigers,” Michael Southeast Asia. Baltzer, from the World Wildlife Fund said. Schoolchildren look at a lifelike animatronics display of a dinosaur at the dinosaur-themed Zoo-rassic Park in Singapore yesterday. Researchers singled out Thailand, Laos and Vi- Prince William, who has become a champion of To raise awareness on the sixth mass extinction, the Singapore Zoo and River Safari displayed lifelike dinosaur animatronics where etnam as among the world’s top countries for tiger endangered species in recent years, met Vietnam’s visitors can trail along the Dinosaur Valley which does not involve living animals. farms. “These countries have clearly made little prime minister and vice president yesterday.

Court sentences American to life for drug smuggling Thailand fi nds 33

Reuters Malik, who is also known new cases of Zika Jakarta as Phillip Russel, was ar- rested in January with seven others involved in a smug- Reuters ters. Suwannachai said health n Indonesian court gling ring that Judge Noor Bangkok campaigns warning travellers sentenced an Ameri- Ali described as “a Pakistani about Zika have been increased Acan to life in prison network”. as many Thais flock to the cap- yesterday for smuggling The judge said Malik dealt hai health offi cials yester- ital Bangkok to take part in na- a large quantity of crystal with the fi nances. day said 33 new Zika virus tional mourning activities for meth into the country from On Monday, the same Tcases have been detected King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who China, state news agency court sentenced to death in the country as offi cials step up died on Oct 13. Antara reported. the Pakistani ringleader, screening for groups at high risk “This is a period of move- The district court in the Mohamed Riaz, Antara re- from the disease such as preg- ment with people coming to port city of Semarang, the ported. nant women. the capital from the provinces provincial capital of Central Another Pakistani in the “We confirmed 33 new cases to take part in various activi- Java, found Kamran Ma- group, Faiq Akhtar, was sen- last week and have detected the ties,” he said. lik guilty of smuggling 97 tenced to life on Tuesday, virus in two further provinc- “We have to remind them kilograms of the drug inside local media reported, while es,” Ministry of Public Health that Zika is a silent disease American Kamran Malik (right), who is also known as Phillip Russel, sits in a courtroom beside his legal counsel generator sets being import- fi ve others, all Indonesians, spokesman Suwannachai Wat- and some people won’t have in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, yesterday. ed from China, Antara said. received lighter sentences. tanayingcharoenchai told Reu- symptoms.” Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 19 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA

Cramming Searches for ‘Fatty Kim’ blocked

Reuters Kim is unpopular in China Beijing because of his country’s nu- clear and missile tests.Chinese foreign ministry spokesman hinese websites have Geng Shuang said reports the again blocked search- government had banned the Ces for “Fatty Kim the search term “did not accord Third”, as many Chinese with the facts”. mockingly call North Korean “What I want to stress is that leader Kim Jong-Un, with Chi- China has always dedicated it- na’s foreign ministry saying it self to constructing a rational, did not approve of ridiculing cultured and healthy environ- foreign leaders. ment for public opinion,” Geng Chinese Internet users be- told a daily news briefi ng. gan reporting last week that China “does not approve searches on the Twitter-like of insulting or ridiculing lan- microblogging site Weibo and guage to address any coun- search engine Baidu for the ex- try’s leader”, he added, without pression returned no results, elaborating. the normal sign that some- China’s internet regulator thing is being blocked despite did not respond to a request for its wide usage. comment. The term — which refers to Many Chinese, howev- the weight of Kim, his father er, took to Weibo to suggest and grandfather — was last multiple other terms which blocked in September after sound similar to “Fatty Kim neighbouring North Korea’s the Third” and which are not latest nuclear test. blocked.

South Korean parents pray for their children’s success in the annual college entrance exams in Seoul. Man drives off cliff after choco mishap

DPA bank. “There was torrential Wellington rain. But what really set it off was the fact he was eating a chocolate bar and he started to New Zealand driver had choke,” Hawke’s Bay road po- New Zealand evacuates a miraculous escape af- licing spokesman Grant Mar- Ater his car plunged 35 shall told Stuff . “He applied metres down a cliff and into a the brakes to pull over, but he river when he lost control of got into a skid and that’s when the vehicle while choking on they went off the side .” The a Crunchie chocolate bar, the pair suff ered only minor inju- Stuff website reported yester- ries and hypothermia .“We’re earthquake-hit town day. Police said the man was gobsmacked as to how they driving with his mother in the survived this,” Marshall said. Transport links have been cut leaving expensive crustaceans had stopped pump- central North Island on Tues- The vehicle was a write-off communities out of reach ing. day when their vehicle skidded and remained in the Waipunga “It’s better to use the food than throw it off the road and down a steep River. Reuters in the rubbish,” Solomon told Reuters by Wellington telephone. China chartered four helicopters to evacuate about 40 nationals from Kaik- ew Zealand emergency services oura, mostly elderly and children, late on and defence personnel evacuated Monday, said Liu Lian, a Chinese consular World’s fi rst pizza Nhundreds of tourists and residents offi cial in Christchurch. from a small South Island town amid more One Chinese citizen was treated for a strong aftershocks, a day after a powerful minor head injury, Liu said, and 60 would delivery by drone earthquake killed two people. be evacuated on Tuesday. The 7.8-magnitude tremor struck just “They have been trapped in Kaikoura for after midnight on Sunday, destroying farm a couple of days, some are maybe scared, DPA in Whangaparaoa, about 25km homesteads, sending glass and masonry they have some mental stress,” Liu told Auckland north of Auckland. The drone, toppling from buildings in the capital, Reuters, adding that many planned to a DRU model by Australian Wellington, and cutting transport links continue travelling elsewhere in New Zea- independent drone delivery across the northeast of the ruggedly beau- land, however. omino’s Pizza has car- service Flirtey, hovers above tiful South Island. Other tourists also planned to continue ried out the world’s fi rst the house before lowering As aftershocks continued to rattle the Evacuees from the earthquake-aff ected town of Kaikoura disembark from a helicopter trips, and travel agencies said they saw Dpizza delivery by drone the pizza into the customer’s region, emergency services cordoned off in the town of Woodend, near Christchurch, New Zealand. no drop-off in bookings, easing concerns in a suburb of Auckland, New garden. Scott Bush, general streets in Wellington and evacuated sev- about a major hit to the industry, New Zealand, according to a video manager of Domino’s in New eral buildings for fear one might collapse. “We’re looking to do as many fl ights as know that we were able to help those in- Zealand’s biggest export earner. posted on Facebook. The video Zealand, called it “the fi rst Wellington mayor Justin Lester said the we can out of Kaikoura today,” he said. jured people.” Gale-force winds and rain were hamper- shows a peri peri chicken pizza ever drone delivery of food to a vacant building appeared to have suff ered About 400 of the 1,200 tourists strand- The Red Cross, which used defence ing recovery eff orts, and hundreds of after- and a chicken and cranberry customer via unmanned aerial structural damage when the land it was on ed in the town were fl own out on Tuesday, force helicopters to bring in emergency shocks rocked the region, one of magnitude pizza being delivered to a house vehicle.” subsided in the quake. including 12 injured people, offi cials said. generators, satellite communications and 5.4 being felt strongly in Wellington. A fi re service offi cial said a major struc- One British tourist described cracks water supplies, said water in the town was Finance Minister Bill English said the tural beam had “snapped like a bone”. appearing on the road both in front of, running out. government was well positioned to tackle Monkey rides on goat’s back in China The town of Kaikoura, a base for and behind, the van in which she and her Mark Solomon, a leader of South Island an expected repair bill running into the whale-watching about 150km northeast friends were driving to higher ground. indigenous Maori Ngai Tahu tribe, which billions of dollars, with low debt and A baby monkey has been hitching a somewhat unusual ride at a of Christchurch, the South Island’s main “The tide had gone back and the ground has tourism and fi sheries businesses budget surpluses. farm in China’s Yichun city — clinging on to the back of goat. city, remained cut off by massive land- was cracking, so we obviously all went into around Kaikoura, said a local Maori meet- “We are in about as good a shape as we State broadcaster CCTV yesterday showed footage of the monkey slips. a panic,” Laura Taylor, a 24-year-old nurse ing spot had received 1,000 people since could be to deal with this natural disaster,” clutching tightly on to a black goat, which appeared unfazed as it Four defence force helicopters fl ew in from Sheffi eld, told Reuters, adding that Monday morning. English told parliament. walked by a river and munched on leaves. to the town on Tuesday morning and two the group then volunteered to pitch in and Many slept overnight in the communal Civil Defence estimated the quakes It quoted the farm owner as saying the monkey, which turned up Navy vessels made for the area carrying help the injured. hall or in vehicles outside. caused 80,000 to 100,000 landslides. at the goat farm at the weekend, appeared to feel more secure that supplies and to assist with the evacua- “We got to the hospital and I think we The tribe had fed them with crayfi sh, a New Zealand media reported that three way and had ridden on the back of several of the animals. tion, Air Commander Darryn Webb, acting did 19 hours. delicacy for which the South Island town cows fi lmed stranded on a small patch of Local wildlife protection authorities said they will first send the commander of New Zealand joint forces, It was a free-for-all, it was chaotic. is famous. grass surrounded by landslips had been monkey to the local zoo before releasing it into the wild, according told TVNZ. We were petrifi ed, but it was nice to With no power, the tanks that hold the rescued by a farmer. to CCTV.

President Park ‘used starlet as K-pop group Top graft suspect pseudonym’ The starlet of a TV soap became surrenders the most talked-about celebrity in South Korea yesterday when a TV channel revealed president Reuters one on the list and is the 37th Park Geun-hye once used her Beijing fugitive to return so far, the name as a pseudonym at a beauty commission said. and detox clinic, a distraction Chinese offi cials “intro- from the scandal engulfing her hina’s most-wanted duced relevant policies to administration. Gil Ra-im, the corruption suspect re- Yang Xiuzhu, advising her to heroine of the smash hit drama Cturned to China from abandon her resistance and Secret Garden, became the object the United States yesterday give herself up, and get lenient of parody following the report that after turning herself in, a major treatment in accordance with Park used her name at the Chaum victory for the ruling Commu- the law”, it added in a separate beauty and anti-ageing clinic in an nist Party’s overseas hunt for statement. upscale Seoul neighbourhood. fugitive offi cials. Her brother, regional offi cial Cable channel JTBC said late on Yang Xiuzhu, a former Yang Jinjun, also wanted for Tuesday that Park frequented the deputy director of Wenzhou’s corruption, was sent back to clinic, even after she took off ice in construction bureau in the China in September 2015, the 2013. Rhie Dong-mo, president of booming eastern province of fi rst time Beijing succeeded in Chaum, confirmed that Park used Zhejiang, surrendered to Chi- bringing back a suspect from the pseudonym Gil Ra-im in 2011. nese authorities after spending the United States. “We can’t deny patients who want 13 years in hiding overseas, the Chinese Foreign Ministry to use pseudonyms,” Rhie told party’s graft-busting Central spokesman Geng Shuang said Reuters by telephone. Chaum, Commission for Discipline In- her return was an important where the enrolment fee is spection said in a statement on result for Sino-US anti-cor- $130,000, off ers anti-ageing, detox, its website. ruption cooperation and ex- food therapy and spa services, In April last year, China pub- pressed thanks. according to its website. lished a list of 100 of its most Yang fl ed China in April Secret Garden, about the life of wanted corruption suspects 2003 after authorities began a struggling stunt woman, Gil who had been targeted with an investigating her, it added, Ra-im, who falls in love with a rich Interpol red notice, many liv- and sought political asylum in department store owner, has aired ing in the US, Canada and Aus- France, the Netherlands and in at least 14 countries around the South Korean K-pop group Twice pose on the red carpet of the 2016 Asia Artist Awards in Seoul yesterday. tralia. Yang was ranked number then the United States. world. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, November 17, 2016 BRITAIN

PROBE OFFBEAT JUSTICE TREND DECISION Tram in fatal crash was BBC presenter goes into Charity boss jailed Couples fall out of love Chagos islanders not to speeding: investigators labour after live broadcast for defrauding centre with weddings abroad be given right to return

A tram that overturned in south London a A BBC presenter went into labour after reading A “selfish” charity boss who swindled a women’s The trend for weddings held on Tuscan hillsides The Indian Ocean islanders expelled from the week ago killing seven people and injuring the news — and her co-host acted as her birthing refuge out of more than £33,000 as it was on the and exotic beaches looks to be on the wane — British-ruled Chagos archipelago during the more than 50 was going more than three times partner. Victoria Fritz, who reads the business brink of closure has been jailed for two years. Ruth possibly to the relief of cash-strapped guests. Cold War to make way for a US military base, the prescribed speed limit, investigators said news on BBC Breakfast, appeared on her regular Hiscock, 37, raided the accounts of the Harrow New figures show couples are apparently falling will not be given the right to return to resettle, yesterday. The tram was travelling at around slot on Tuesday to talk about easyJet’s latest Women’s Centre to top up her salary after she was out of love with the idea of overseas ceremonies the British Foreign Off ice said yesterday. Britain, 70km per hour in a 20kph zone just ahead of a figures. Shortly afterwards, while off camera, she made finance off icer and centre co-ordinator. The in the wake of the Brexit vote and the weakened which has ruled the islands since 1814, allowed curve on the approach to Sandilands Junction in went into labour. Her husband Dan was stuck in charity, which has off ered a sanctuary for women pound. They are now more likely to stick to the US to build an air and naval base on Diego Croydon where it derailed, said the independent traff ic on the M6 so fellow presenter Sally Nugent in need for 20 years, was plunged into financial having their nuptials much closer to home. Garcia, the archipelago’s largest island, 50 Rail Accident Investigation Branch in an interim acted as her birthing partner. Fritz gave birth to crisis in April 2013 when it lost council funding. Data from online stationery company Paperless years ago. The existing population of around report. “The factors that led to the over-speeding a baby boy at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester, Hiscock publicly spoke of the centre being near Post, which specialises in sending out wedding 1,500 was moved to nearby Mauritius and the are still under investigation,” it added. The tweeting: “My heartfelt thanks to @sallynugent & closure. However, it has emerged she siphoned invitations, suggests the number of couples Seychelles and eff ectively barred from returning. 42-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of St Mary’s Drs & Midwives who helped me deliver off money during the crisis. She was confronted in London planning to tie the knot in foreign Many eventually settled in southern England. manslaughter after the crash and released on my little boy yesterday.” Nugent replied: “It’s going by charity trustees when the two-year fraud was climes dropped 20% in the third quarter of 2016, A Foreign Off ice statement said the existing bail until next May. to make a brilliant story for his 21st birthday! ” finally exposed, and confessed: “I took the money.” compared with last year. arrangement would continue until 2036. Ex-MP mulls Grand Tour trio are still partial to a prang action against police over fl awed probe

Guardian News and Media Proctor, 69, met Hogan-Howe London at 2.30pm, a hastily arranged meeting after the Met released the Henriques report on the day arvey Proctor, the former of the US election. MP who lost his job and At a press conference at a ho- Hhome during a 16-month tel opposite the Yard, Proctor Metropolitan police inquiry into said: “In the light of the Hen- an alleged VIP paedophile ring, riques report and its fi ndings, is considering taking legal pro- the letter of apology which I re- ceedings against the force. ceived from Sir Bernard Hogan- The announcement follows Howe last Tuesday, and the in- a meeting between the former tolerable strain and stress I, my Conservative MP for Basildon family and friends have borne Commuters in King’s Cross were treated to a foretaste of the destruction that will be inflicted on cars all over the world when the former Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, and the Met police chief, Sir this last 18 months, I have asked Richard Hammond and James May return to TV tomorrow. An abandoned “crashed” Toyota Prius bearing the personalised numberplate M4Y was left crumpled against a Bernard Hogan-Howe, at Scot- my solicitors to look towards red post box. land Yard to discuss the after- taking proceedings against the math of Operation Midland. Metropolitan Police Service and It comes a week after a dam- I will comment further shortly.” aging report by Sir Richard Hen- He added that he was also riques found 42 serious failings considering taking action in the force’s handling of sex against two other unnamed par- crime allegations against high- ties involved in the criminal in- profi le suspects including Lord quiry. Brittan, who has since died, and Proctor said Hogan-Howe the war hero Lord Bramall. admitted at the meeting that a Jobless rate at 11 year-low, The retired high court judge decision in 2014 by detective found that the Operation Mid- sergeant Kenny McDonald, who land inquiry could have taken was overseeing the inquiry, to place “speedily” without the describe Nick’s allegations as suspects learning of the claims. “credible and true” was pre- The original complainant, Nick, meditated – an apparent con- is being investigated for per- tradiction of Hogan-Howe’s but warning signs appear verting the course of justice. previous claims in interviews Proctor lived and worked in a with Radio 4 and LBC that the Reuters number of people claiming un- it, said, adding he expected a growth is holding up. Total ready the slowest since early farmhouse in the castle grounds offi cer “misspoke”. London employment benefi t gathered “slow burn” of gradually rising earnings including bonuses rose 2015. They urged Finance Min- of Belvoir Castle with his part- The statement was seen as speed in October, the Offi ce for unemployment. by 2.3%, unchanged from their ister Philip Hammond to give ner, Terry Woods, as the Duke highly damaging to the reputa- National Statistics said. The number of people claim- pace in the three months to Au- the economy a boost by invest- of Rutland’s private secretary, tion of the Met and those under ritain’s unemployment Britain’s economy weathered ing unemployment benefi ts in gust, though below a Reuters ing in rail, roads, new homes when his home was raided by investigation because it pre- rate unexpectedly fell to the initial shock of the Brexit October rose by 9,800, the big- poll forecast of 2.4%. and clean energy when he an- dozens of offi cers in March 2015. empted the conclusion of the Bits lowest level in 11 years vote better than the Bank of gest rise since May, the ONS Excluding bonuses, earnings nounces his fi rst budget plans News of the raid was leaked inquiry. in the fi rst three months af- England and almost all private- said. rose by 2.4% year-on-year, the next Wednesday. within minutes to the now de- “I quoted roughly what Hog- ter the Brexit vote, offi cial data sector economists expected. Changes to the benefi t system fastest rate in a year and in line “And he must give a direct funct website Exaro and media an-Howe had said – that it had showed yesterday, but there However, many fi rms are ex- meant September’s claimant with expectations. boost to pay by lifting the pub- organisations were briefed that been a throwaway line. He ad- were signs that a slowdown pected to act cautiously as they count increase was revised up to A survey of employers pub- lic sector pay cap and increasing Proctor was accused of a brutal mitted that it was not, and that in the labour market could be wait for more clarity on what 5,600 from a previous reading lished on Monday by the Char- the minimum wage,” Frances and prolonged murder and rape he understood it was a more coming. Britain leaving the European of 700. tered Institute of Personnel and O’Grady, the head of the Trades of two boys. drafted and pre-arranged re- The jobless rate edged down Union means for them. “The moderate upward trend Development showed employ- Union Congress, said. Proctor has said pressure mark,” Proctor said. to 4.8% in the July-September The BoE expects the jobless in the claimant count now is ers expected to make basic pay Separately, the ONS said pro- upon his employers by police Proctor also pressed Hogan- period, compared with a medi- rate to stand at 5.6 % in two clear, suggesting that the main settlements of just 1.1% in 2017, ductivity growth slowed in the and social services meant that Howe on why he had decided an forecast of 4.9% in a Reuters years’ time. unemployment rate will be- squeezing living standards as third quarter. Output per hour he had to resign and leave his not to resign following the Hen- poll of economists. “There are now clear signs of gin to drift up soon,” Samuel infl ation is expected to rise to rose by 0.2%, slowing from home, leaving him homeless and riques report but would instead But the increase of 49,000 softness in the labour market Tombs, an economist at consul- around 3% after the recent fall growth of 0.6% in the second penniless. The Met has since retire in February, leaving other in the number of people in following the vote to leave the tancy Pantheon Macroeconom- in sterling. quarter and the weakest quar- said that Proctor was innocent more junior offi cers to take the work was the slowest since the EU,” Daniel Vernazza, an econo- ics, said. Trade unions said pay growth terly improvement since late of all claims. blame. three months to March, and the mist with Italian bank UniCred- For people in work, wage adjusted for infl ation was al- 2015.

Rough sea Urgent inquiry into tax MP’s murderer ‘told police offi cers it’s me’ avoidance scheme sought Reuters from the “Stronger in Europe” London campaign. The two police offi cers who ar- Guardian News and Media squirrelled away by those agencies However, despite that warn- rested Mair said he had put his London found to have been avoiding tax in ing, the Guardian understands he man accused of murder- arms up and said “It’s me”. this way?” that there has been a spike in the ing lawmaker Jo Cox a week The offi cers, Craig Nicholls and The Labour MP has also tabled a number of fi rms marketing simi- Tbefore June’s Brexit refer- Jonathan Wright, said they had M Revenue & Customs written parliamentary question to lar schemes since April, when the endum told police “I’m a political rugby-tackled Mair on a residen- has been asked by an in- Philip Hammond asking about an government closed down a diff er- activist” after they arrested him, a tial street near the murder scene, Hfl uential Labour MP to HMRC investigation. Field asked ent tax avoidance scheme widely court heard yesterday. causing him to crack his head on launch an urgent investigation the chancellor: “Having a Brit- used by the employment agency Labour member of parliament the road. into an aggressive tax avoidance ain that works for all of us, as the sector. Cox, a 41-year-old mother-of- They said Mair had told them he scheme used by recruitment prime minister wishes, means that Jolyon Maugham QC, a tax bar- two young children, was shot three had a knife in his pocket and the agencies that is depriving the tax- HMRC prevents tax being option- rister at Devereux Chambers, said times and repeatedly stabbed on gun might be in his bag. “He stated payer of “hundreds of millions” of al. We need an inquiry, and for it to that “the loss to the exchequer the street in the town of Birstall, I’m a political activist,” Nicholls pounds. be followed up with fi rm action, to of this sort of abuse runs into the part of her electoral district in said. They also said they had found Frank Field, the chairman of bring an end to double standards hundreds of millions, if not bil- northern England, as she arrived a bag full of bullets in his pocket. the House of Commons work and on tax.” lions, of NICs (national insurance for an advice session with local Simon Russell Flint, Mair’s law- pensions select committee, also Guardian undercover footage contributions), and prospectively residents at a library. yer, disputed the offi cers’ account, asked that Jon Thompson, chief shows Patrick Griffi n of Premier VAT.” Prosecutors have told the Old saying his client had said nothing executive and permanent secre- Payco, a provider of the schemes, Iain Wright MP, the chairman Bailey central criminal court that to the police at any point. tary to HMRC, looks into recoup- outlining how workers’ contracts of the business select committee the man accused of her murder, Another offi cer, Ben Marston ing any revenues lost after details are being transferred from a single which is conducting an inquiry 53-year-old Thomas Mair, had who was among a unit armed of the scheme were revealed by the employment agency into a web of into the future world of work and researched white supremacists, with assault rifl es that arrived on Guardian on Tuesday. thousands of tiny companies to rights of workers, added: “There Nazi Germany, shootings and as- the scene shortly afterwards, said In his letter to HMRC, Field benefi t from an accumulation of are two questions with tempo- sassinations before the attack and the gun found in the bag had been said: “Given the potential scale small tax breaks, and how each of rary employment agencies. First, had said “this is for Britain” as he modifi ed with both the barrel and of this racket, and the size of the these tiny companies is ostensibly is the fl exibility used in agencies’ carried it out. butt shortened. sums that taxpayers otherwise run by overseas directors. business models when a lot of Mair, who has lived in the area He said it would have been hard have to pay, might you please con- Last year, HMRC advised any- the workers they employ should for decades, denies murder. for someone unfamiliar with the sider launching an urgent inves- body using such a scheme to notify be on full time contracts? And Jurors yesterday heard that weapon to use, and that there was tigation into recruitment agen- it to “avoid the costs of litigation secondly, are they just conning a along with a fi rearm and a knife a bullet in the chamber and two in cies’ tax arrangements? Might and minimise any interest and whole range of people, whether A man is hit by a wave at New Brighton in north west found in a holdall he was carrying the magazine and it was ready to you also act swiftly to recoup all penalties due on underpaid na- that is the individual or the gen- England yesterday as he runs along the sea wall. at the time of his arrest there was fi re. of the monies that may have been tional insurance”. eral taxpayer?” a leafl et relating to the referendum The trial continues. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 21 BRITAIN Missing teenager had been sleeping rough in London

Guardian News and Media reading George Orwell’s Down spent the last 10 weeks exploring on and Cornwall police, his par- also to the media for their help was on a train in the Exeter area Arthur over the last two months.” London and Out in Paris and London – the London, Birmingham and Man- ents said: “We are overjoyed to in raising awareness of his disap- when he was spotted by a mem- The teenager went missing af- classic tale of living on a shoestring chester by foot, sleeping rough at have Arthur home with us again pearance and our deep gratitude ber of the public, who tipped off ter leaving his family home in a – when he took off with just £350. night. – tired, grubby and rather smelly to all our friends and family who the police. The teenager was met tucked-away valley near Axmin- grammar school pupil Following frantic appeals from “I am very grateful to every- but otherwise none the worse have supported us through this off the train at Honiton, nine miles ster on the morning of September missing for two months his parents, Caroline, an art- one who has helped my family in for his experiences. We feel ex- diffi cult time. from his home, by offi cers and tak- 6 and failing to turn up at school. Afrom a remote Devon ist, and Jeremy Heeler-Frood, a trying to ensure my safe return. tremely lucky that he is safe and “We now wish to spend some en to a police station. When he disappeared, Arthur hamlet has revealed that he spent cabinet maker, the teenager re- I apologise to the police for the sound. time in private with Arthur to The police said: “Offi cers left his parents a letter explaining the time sleeping rough and ex- appeared on Tuesday afternoon, time they spent looking for me “Many thanks to Devon and settle him back home and to would like to thank the member that he was bored with his life, ploring three of Britain’s biggest making his way back to Devon by and for the worry I have caused Cornwall police for their pro- make some plans for his future.” of the public who called in and asking them not to try to fi nd him cities. train. family and friends.” fessionalism and their tireless Speaking on Tuesday evening, also thank everyone who has as- and promising to be back within Arthur Heeler-Frood, 15, was Yesterday Arthur said: “I have In a statement issued via Dev- search for Arthur. Thank you Caroline Heeler-Frood said Arthur sisted with the appeal to fi nd the year.

William in Vietnam Blacks ‘more likely to be jailed than Harry ready whites for same crime’ to pay for

Reuters London

ritain’s courts are more likely to send people girlfriend’s Bfrom ethnic minorities to prison for certain types of crime than white people con- victed of the same offences, a government-commissioned review into race and the crimi- nal justice system has found. protection Lawmaker David Lammy, who is heading the review, wrote in London Evening Standard women in her local supermarket. that Scotland Yard would fund an open letter to Prime Minis- London Another well-placed source protection for Markle at this stage. ter Theresa May yesterday that told the Standard: “Scotland Yard “In America and Canada, most people from minorities operates the royal diplomatic de- where she lives, she is well used who were born in Britain be- rince Harry’s relationship partment. It is an elite corps of to the attention she gets as a star lieved there was discrimination with actress Meghan Mar- offi cers and is therefore not cheap actress. But nothing can prepare in the system. Pkle is so serious that he is to run. Like any-where in the pub- a person, even a Hollywood ac- “Our criminal justice system poised to fi nance protection for licly funded sector, they have been tor, for the attention they get has a trust defi cit,” he wrote. her out of his own funds. subject to stringent government once they are associated serious- May has expressed concern The fi fth in line to the throne funding cuts. ly with a member of the British about the issue in the past. In her is ready to hire a retired Scotland “That means even blood royals royal family – especially if they fi rst address as prime minister, Yard personal protection offi cer to such as Princesses Beatrice and are in the sights of the paparazzi in July, she said: “If you’re black, shadow the woman he loves when Eugenie – while still protected and the tabloid press. you’re treated more harshly by she is in the UK. Miss Markle, 35, round-the-clock – do not have “The bottom line is that if it is the criminal justice system than is said to be “relaxed” about the their protection totally funded by believed Markle is a serious con- if you are white.” situation and believes that such a the taxpayer. tender to be Prince Harry’s bride In preliminary fi ndings, the move is “charming” but unneces- “Their father the Duke of York then of course the reporters and Lammy review reported that for sary. has to contribute to protection photographers of the press will do every 100 white women sent to But Harry, 32 – still haunted by when they are off duty. Of course their job. That is fair enough. prison by Crown Courts for drug the death of his mother Princess the mainstream royals – the “But in this day and age it does off ences, 227 black women were Diana while she was being pursued Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince leave her a little exposed.” jailed. by foreign paparazzi – is under- of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, the Wharfe went on: “Should, how- For every 100 white men, 141 stood not to want to leave his girl- Cambridges and Prince Harry all ever, Harry fund a retired, and black men were imprisoned. friend’s personal safety to chance. still get 24/7 protection provided therefore unarmed, ex-S014 offi c- The exact level of dispropor- One senior inside security by Scotland Yard and SO14.” er to accompany Markle while she tionality varied depending on source said: “There have been ini- Markle – known for her star is in the UK I think that it would be types of off ences and categories of tial discussions about this matter. role in the hit American TV drama a sensible move. courts, but the overall pattern was “Harry has made it clear that he Suits – has been dating Prince “The expertise in dealing with that the outcomes were worse for believes Markle’s personal safety is Harry for about two months and situations and associations with people from minorities. paramount and that the behaviour has been staying with him at existing offi cers in the depart- “These emerging fi ndings of some elements of the media and Kensington Palace recently. ment and appreciation of raise diffi cult questions about press has been grossly unaccept- Last week Harry instructed our policing systems could whether ethnic minority com- able. the palace to issue an unprec- prove timely and, yes, crucial. munities are getting a fair deal in “But in the end it comes down to edented statement confi rm- Prince Harry received more our justice system,” Lammy said a matter of cost, who is paying for ing the relationship and than £10mn – his share in a statement. what. Protecting the royal family is attacking “abuse and of the inheritance He did not give an explanation a hugely expensive business.” harassment” to which from his mother Diana for the disproportionality, say- There is a precedent for senior he felt his 35-year-old – when he turned 30 ing he would dig deeper to un- royals hiring retired offi cers from girlfriend was being on September 15. The derstand the issue and whether the elite Scotland Yard depart- subjected. cost of paying to hire a bias played a part. ment to watch over their loved Princess Diana’s retired freelance SO14 The review is due to produce a ones. Most notably the Prince of former personal pro- offi cer full time would be fi nal report with recommenda- Wales hired his trusted former tection offi cer In- approximately £50,000 tions next spring. personal protection offi cer, the spector Ken Wharfe, annually, as they would The scope of the review has late Sergeant Andy Crichton, to now a security con- already receive a fi nal sal- been extended by Justice Sec- Prince William, Duke of Cambridge plays football with pupils as he visits a local primary watch over the Duchess of Corn- sultant and best-sell- ary pension. A Kensing- retary Liz Truss to include the school in the old quarters of Hanoi yesterday. Prince William is in Vietnam to attend an wall when, as Camilla Parker ing author, told the ton Palace spokesman issue of lack of diversity among international conference on wildlife traff icking. Bowles, she was reportedly Evening Standard: “It said: “We wouldn’t com- the ranks of the judiciary. pelted with bread rolls by upset is extremely unlikely ment on private matters.”

Conservation plan ‘Post-truth’ is word of the We have nothing left: year: Oxford Dictionaries dead boy’s parents London Evening Standard on the fl oor. I saw them working London on him to try to get him breath- AFP dent of Oxford Dictionaries. highly controversial. ing again. London “Fuelled by the rise of social The Oxford Dictionaries “Now we’ve lost our son, media as a news source and a said the word “post-truth” he father of a teenager we’ve got nothing left.” growing distrust of facts of- had become “overwhelming- who died after suffering Nasar’s mother Ferdosie said: he Oxford Dictionaries fered up by the establishment, ly” associated with politics. Tan asthma attack during “Nasar was ill growing up and it yesterday chose “post- ‘post-truth’ as a concept has “Given that usage of the a school detention yesterday was a challenge raising him until Ttruth” as their word been finding its linguistic term hasn’t shown any signs said: “We’ve lost our son, we’ve he got to 14. Now he is gone out of the year, saying its use had footing for some time. of slowing down, I wouldn’t got nothing left.” of this world without us. I can’t spiked in the past year because “We first saw the frequency be surprised if ‘post-truth’ Nasar Ahmed, 14, stopped believe it.” A picture of Nasar in of the Brexit vote in Britain and really spike this year in June becomes one of the defining breathing in a room at Bow hospital before he died, released the rise of Donald Trump in the with buzz over the Brexit vote words of our time,” Grathwohl School in Tower Hamlets where by his family, has been shared on US. and again in July when Donald said. he was reportedly being kept in social media alongside calls for “Post-truth has gone from Trump secured the Republican The publisher traced the supervision for knocking over a “justice”. being a peripheral term to presidential nomination.” first use of the word to a 1992 bin. He was taken to hospital but His cousin Sani Begum, 38, being a mainstay in politi- The runners-up for words essay by late Serbian-Amer- died four days later on Monday said the family want an investi- cal commentary,” the Oxford of the year included the Brit- ican playwright Steve Tesich after his life support machine gation, adding: “As a kid he was Dictionaries said in a state- ish term “Brexiteer” used for in The Nation magazine about was turned off . His death is now popular, well-mannered – he ment, noting that usage had anti-EU advocates. the Iran-Contra scandal and being investigated by police. would always help his parents increased by 2,000% since “Alt-right” also made the the Gulf War. His father Ashrafu Zaman, with shopping. He was so clever last year. shortlist, defi ned as an ultra- “We, as a free people, have 48, said he was called into the and he wanted to be a politician. The publisher defi ned the conservative grouping in the US freely decided that we want school at 11.40am last Thursday “He loved his classmates and word as “relating or denoting “characterised by a rejection of to live in some post-truth after being told his son had done they’ve been with us crying in circumstances in which objec- mainstream politics and the use world,” Tesich wrote. something “naughty”. He said: the house. We were all there tive facts are less infl uential in of online media to disseminate “There is evidence of the “Nasar pleaded with me, say- when we switched off the ma- shaping public opinion than deliberately controversial con- phrase ‘post-truth’ being used ing ‘I’ll never do it again. I’m so chine in hospital.” appeals to emotion and per- tent”. before Tesich’s article, but ap- tired, I’m not well’, but they sent The school said Nasar was su- sonal belief”. Trump’s appointment of parently with the transparent Queen Elizabeth II speaks with television presenter David him to detention anyway. Later pervised at all times in the de- “It’s not surprising that our anti-establishment media meaning ‘after the truth was Attenborough during an event at Buckingham Palace in that day I got the call saying he tention room. Executive head choice reflects a year domi- firebrand Steve Bannon, seen known’ and not with the new central London to showcase forestry projects that have been was unwell and I had to come in. I Cath Smith said: “The whole nated by highly-charged po- as a leader of the “alt-right” implication that truth itself dedicated to the new conservation initiative – The Queen’s left work to rush down and there school community sends our litical and social discourse,” movement, as his chief of staff has become irrelevant,” Ox- Commonwealth Canopy (QCC). were four ambulances outside. I thoughts and prayers to him, and said Casper Grathwohl, presi- earlier this week has proved ford Dictionaries said. got into the room and saw my son to his family.” Gulf Times 22 Thursday, November 17, 2016 EUROPE

Foggy morning Now, Russia withdraws support to Hague court AFP last resort to try the world’s worst In her annual report she said The Hague crimes where national courts are there was a “reasonable basis” to unable or unwilling to act. believe US troops as well as the But in his passionate plea, Taliban and Afghan forces may ussia yesterday dealt the Kaba admitted the ICC was un- have committed war crimes in International Criminal dergoing a “diffi cult moment”. Afghanistan. RCourt a new blow as the With Russia and China having If a full-blown investigation court’s top offi cials appealed to blocked UN moves to refer war goes ahead, the tribunal would be nations to support the tribunal crimes in Syria to the ICC for in- taking on its most politically con- hit by a wave of unprecedented vestigation, Kaba acknowledged troversial investigation to date. defections. some saw “injustice” with inter- And even though the United Moscow has never ratifi ed national justice marked by “two States has also not ratifi ed the the world’s only permanent war weights, two measures”. court, US forces will be exposed crimes court, but in a heavily But he off ered reassurances, for the fi rst time to an ICC inves- A photographer takes a picture of the Brandenburger gate in Berlin on a foggy morning yesterday. symbolic move on the opening saying: “You have been heard.” tigation. day of the ICC’s annual meeting, There have long been accusa- “Though the powerful may it said it was formally withdraw- tions of bias against African na- fear the court, victims every- ing its signature to the tribunal’s tions. where plead for its involvement,” founding Rome Statute. And Kenya, Namibia and UN human rights chief Zeid “The court did not live up to Uganda have also indicated they Ra’ad al-Hussein said. the hopes associated with it and are considering pulling out of the He insisted “there is no substi- did not become truly independ- Rome Statute. tute for the ICC” and in the long- Balkan weapons traffi cked ent,” Russia’s foreign ministry But chief prosecutor Fatou term, “these states will boomer- said, describing its work as “one- Bensouda told the assembly her ang back as the court is accepted sided and ineffi cient”. offi ce would continue “to forge by more and more states”. The move came only days after ahead to deliver on its important Warning that “a new trend of The Gambia on Monday formally mandate”. isolationist and unprincipled west still a ‘major problem’ notifi ed the United Nations it “We must not and will not al- leadership” was sweeping the was leaving the ICC, following in low that law falls silent during world, Zeid insisted: “Now is not the footsteps of South Africa and wars and confl icts,” she insisted. the time to abandon the post. AFP sination of reformist prime minister Zoran staff ed “territorial defence” units, designed Burundi. “Without the ICC we will re- This is the time of resolve and Belgrade Djindjic in 2003. to defend against a surprise foreign attack. “Don’t go,” pleaded Senega- gress into an even more turbulent strength.” The interior ministry yesterday an- They ended up deployed in inter-ethnic lese politician Sidiki Kaba, the world where chaos and violence “Do not betray the victims, nounced its biggest weapons haul in at least civil war as the federation collapsed, while president of the ICC’s Assembly take the upper hand.” nor your own people. Stand by year after militants used weapons 16 years, which led to the arrests of 10 peo- more weapons were smuggled into the re- of State Parties as he opened an On the eve of the meeting, the Rome Statute and the court. manufactured in Serbia to gun down ple. gion to build up armies in the face of inter- eight-day meeting in The Hague. Bensouda, who has already It may not be perfect, in design Avictims in Paris, Balkan countries are Police in Serbia’s northwest seized arms national sanctions. “In a world criss-crossed by opened preliminary probes into nor operation... but it is the best struggling to end the scourge of illegal arms including 111 hand grenades, 12 anti-tank Such arms went untracked in the chaos violent extremism...it is urgent cases in the Palestinian terri- we have.” traffi cking. grenades, two rocket launchers, 10 rifl e gre- of confl ict until resurfacing again on the and necessary to defend the ideal tories, Colombia and Ukraine, Currently nine out of the 10 The killers who opened fi re at the Bata- nades, 10 automatic or semi-automatic ri- streets of Aachen, Stockholm or Paris, of justice for all.” revealed she may be poised to full ICC investigations are in Af- clan theatre, cafes and restaurants in the fl es, six pistols, 6,000 bullets and dozens of where 130 people were killed in the attacks The tribunal opened its doors launch her most complex inves- rican countries. The other is in French capital last November used Yugo- kilos of explosives. on November 13, 2015. in 2002 in The Hague as a court of tigation so far. Georgia. slav-era assault rifl es produced by Serbia’s In neighbouring Bosnia, “it is a fact that... “The Paris attacks were a turning point on Zastava Arms. there are weapons that are not under control many levels,” said Zverzhanovski, referring Months earlier the Kouachi brothers, and traffi ckers buy these weapons,” Security to growing co-operation within the EU and Swiss banks seek heirs to millions in ‘dormant’ cash behind the deadly assault on the Charlie Minister Dragan Mektic told news portal between Balkan law enforcement agencies. Hebdo magazine offi ces, carried a rocket Klix.ba recently, stressing that the problem Serbian and French offi cials signed an ac- wiss banks said yesterday further names for which it has list also includes American, Ital- launcher from the Balkans, a region littered existed across the region. cord in October to form joint teams to inves- that another 300 names not been possible to establish ians, Germans and French citizens. with weapons since the wars of the 1990s. Zverzhanovski told AFP that, based on tigate arms smuggling, and Belgrade’s pros- Shad been added to a list contact since 1956,” the associa- Some of the account holders on According to a top French magistrate, information from law enforcement agen- ecutor for organised crime Mladen Nenadic seeking heirs to accounts holding tion said in a statement. the list were born in the 19th cen- Robert Gelli, Serbian citizens come up in cies, a gun bought for 250 to 500 euros on said “determination and clarity” were need- tens of millions of Swiss francs Claimants have a year to come tury and include industrial groups. nearly a third of international arms traffi ck- the Balkan black market could sell for 3,000 ed to tackle the problem. dormant for at least 60 years. forward before banks must hand Certain accounts have no cor- ing probes carried out in France. to 5,000 euros in a country such as Sweden. In April, 5,000 police offi cers were mo- The newly-added accounts hold the assets over to the Swiss state. responding names or addresses “The weapons getting through to west- The weapons are rarely transported by the bilised in all former Yugoslav republics in a assets of about 8mn Swiss francs For accounts that have been and are identifi ed only through ern Europe and the eff ects they have is still truck-load but a few at a time, in private cars 48-hour Interpol-led operation – but it re- ($7.9mn), the Swiss Bankers Asso- dormant for longer than 60 an ID number found in a passbook a major problem,” said Ivan Zverzhanovski, or the countless buses that link the Balkans sulted in the seizure of just 40 fi rearms and ciation said in a statement. years, claimants have fi ve years. which, in theory, should be in the who leads a UN Development Programme with western Europe. 6kg of explosives, along with 22 arrests, ac- They follow an initial listing In total, the list includes some possession of the account holder. project in the Balkans to help combat illegal Some are sent in pieces to be reassembled cording to Bosnian police. in December 2015 of more than 4,000 accounts holding tens of Switzerland has previously pub- arms traffi cking. later and some are even sent by post, experts According to Zverzhanovski, eff orts are 2,600 accounts of individuals or millions of Swiss francs and doz- lished lists of dormant accounts, The international monitoring project say. “still relatively ad hoc, case-based,” and companies without any move- ens of safety deposit boxes. but only those with a direct link to Small Arms Survey said in late 2014 that an Smuggling on this micro-scale makes the the EU needs to help to build the capacity ments on their Swiss bank ac- Since the website was victims of the Holocaust. estimated 3.6mn to 6.2mn fi rearms were in problem diffi cult to tackle. of Balkan police forces, along with plying counts for the past 60 years. launched last December, Swiss A 1998 agreement that sought the hands of civilians in the Western Bal- “Until now, no serious groups of arms political pressure on the region to deal with The dormant accounts are banks have found heirs for about to resolve the controversy sur- kans, a region home to less than 25mn peo- traffi ckers have been dismantled in Bosnia,” illegal possession. listed on a website www.dor- 5% of the accounts listed on the rounding Holocaust-era ac- ple. said Jasmin Ahic, an analyst from Sarajevo’s “This is the moment to tackle it, before mantaccounts.ch to give their site, the banker association said. counts saw Swiss banking giants In Serbia alone there are between 200,000 faculty of criminology. these countries come into the EU,” he said, owners’ heirs a chance to come The vast majority of the ac- UBS and Credit Suisse pay out and 900,000 unregistered weapons, ac- The arms have their roots in communist noting that Croatia’s eff orts on firearms forward and claim the funds. counts concern Swiss nationals $1.24bn to a victims fund man- cording to authorities, despite various am- Yugoslavia, where large stockpiles were kept dropped off signifi cantly once it joined the “The banks today published who lived in Switzerland, but the aged by a New York-based judge nesty campaigns launched since the assas- across the federation for use by civilian- bloc. Maverick Macron opens up French presidential race

AFP candidates less than six months former prime minister Francois Macron is left-wing on social Paris before the voting. Fillon for the Republicans’ nomi- issues, pledging to bring jobs to The resurgent far-right Na- nation, but polls are tighten- deprived areas and a defender tional Front under leader Ma- ing ahead of primary voting this of public services, but also pro- olitical outsider Emmanuel rine Le Pen, who yesterday an- Sunday and next. business, notably as a vocal critic Macron yesterday joined nounced her slogan “In the name Macron has a mere two years’ of France’s strict labour laws. Pthe increasingly unpredict- of the people”, is seeking new experience in government, serv- A maverick in politics as well able race for France’s presidency, momentum after Trump’s win. ing as a sometimes rebellious as in his private life, the accom- vowing to take on “the same men Dismissing Macron as “a can- economy minister from 2014- plished pianist is married to his and the same ideas” that domi- didate of the banks”, she said that 2016 and as an economic advisor former schoolteacher, a divorcee nate national politics. “there is undeniably a new world to his one-time mentor, Presi- with three children who is some Macron, a 38-year-old former emerging and there is an old or- dent Francois Hollande. 20 years his senior. economy minister, announced as der that is collapsing in on itself.” “I believe that the French peo- President Hollande, who has widely expected that he will stand Her new campaign headquar- ple won’t put their destiny in the yet to announce whether he will as an independent in next year’s ters are close to the presidential hands of someone with no expe- run in next year’s election, is re- vote, backed by his centrist move- palace on one of Paris’ most ex- rience,” Fillon said yesterday. portedly furious at what he sees as ment En Marche (On the Move). pensive streets, leading her to But Macron believes youth betrayal by his one-time protege. Never elected and “neither of joke about having to travel “only and inexperience are assets in a The president called Tuesday the left or the right” in his own 1.7km” to claim power. country weary of a political class for “cohesion” and “uniting” in words, the pro-business and Macron, who quit the belea- blamed for years of low growth, the divided Socialist party. tech-savvy former investment guered Socialist government in high unemployment and mount- Hollande is one of the most banker is hoping to shake up a August to focus on his own po- ing government debt. unpopular presidents since race dominated by older, more litical movement, is expected to “Our political system is World War II after a fi ve-year familiar faces. steal centrist voters from the Re- blocked,” said the high-fl ying term marked by multiple terror “We have entered a new era,” publicans as well as the left. graduate of elite universities who attacks, stubbornly high unem- Macron declared yesterday, re- A poll on Tuesday showed him wrote a thesis on Machiavelli, the ployment and U-turns on key ferring to a crisis for Western de- as one of France’s most “presi- famously scheming Italian po- policies. mocracies as well as the dangers Emmanuel Macron announces his candidacy for next year’s French presidential election at a press dential” fi gures behind the elec- litical theorist. He was widely panned, even of global warming and growing conference in Bobigny, near Paris. tion favourite Alain Juppe, a Macron, who quit Hollande’s by his own prime minister, after inequality. 71-year-old former prime minis- government in August, yesterday agreeing to collaborate for a tell- “We can’t respond with the centre in a gritty Parisian suburb. But some analysts are ques- Macron’s entry adds another ter with one of the longest CVs in hurled new barbs at his ex-boss. all book published in October in same men and the same ideas,” he The centre-right Republicans tioning such assumptions after element of uncertainty, with the French politics. “I’ve seen the emptiness of our which he criticised ministers, added at a news conference held party is tipped to win the two- Donald Trump’s stunning upset Republicans and ruling Social- Juppe is favoured over ex- political system from the inside,” judges and the national football symbolically at a jobs training stage election in April and May. in the United States. ist parties yet to nominate their president Nicolas Sarkozy and he said. team. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 23 EUROPE

MP questioned Survivor testimony raises Moroccans’ ‘right to exist’: migrant death toll to 240 Dutch court AFP AFP bated despite worsening weather in Amsterdam Rome the Mediterranean, with over 2,700 people having been rescued from crowded and unseaworthy dinghies utch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders in- resh testimony yesterday from off Libya since Saturday. sulted Moroccans by questioning their survivors of a deadly shipwreck Video footage released by MOAS Dvery right to exist with hate-fi lled com- Fin the Mediterranean raised the showed survivors on board one of ments at a rally, his trial heard yesterday. likely death toll for the past 48 hours its rescue vessels howling with grief Laying out their case for the fi rst time, pros- to 240 people, confi rming fears of as the body of a victim is carried on ecutors addressed the trial at a high-security rescuers who had warned dozens board, wrapped in a white sheet. courthouse near Schiphol airport which has probably died. The charity blamed “the changing been snubbed by the far-right politician. The new tally is based on infor- approach of smuggling networks” Wilders, 53, is facing charges of insulting a ra- mation gathered by the UN’s refu- which it said showed “an attempt to cial group and inciting racial hatred after com- gee agency (UNHCR) from 15 survi- maximise opportunity and meet de- ments he made about Moroccans living in the vors, who said some 135 people had mand on the part of the smugglers”. Netherlands. drowned or lost when a dinghy sank “Whereas in past years, crossings Due to run until November 25, the trial focus- on Monday. were organised in more manageable es on a 2014 election rally when Wilders asked Some 95 others were feared dead trickles, perhaps a few a day, this supporters whether they wanted “fewer or more after another dinghy sank on Tues- year our crews have seen departures Moroccans” in the country. day. Nine bodies have been recov- organised in large waves,” it said in a When the crowd shouted back “Fewer! Few- ered in total after both incidents, statement. er!” a smiling Wilders answered: “We’re going to while a 10th person was seen to have “Despite tireless eff orts to save organise that.” drowned but could not be pulled lives by both civil society and Euro- “In this case an ethnic group is being collec- from the sea by rescue teams. pean navies...search-and-rescue ef- tively aff ected...namely because they are of Mo- Monday’s survivors arrived early forts in the Mediterranean are more roccan descent,” prosecutor Wouter Bos said. yesterday in the port of Catania in challenging than ever,” it added. “It aff ects (their) human dignity to the core. Sicily, where they spoke of their Over 167,000 people have been It touches upon their right to exist,” he told the ordeal. “The survivors told us that Migrants wait to disembark from Italian Coast Guard patrol vessel Diciotti in the Sicilian harbour of Catania, Italy. brought to safety in Italy since the three judges. there were about 150 people on start of the year, according to the in- Bos read testimonies from aggrieved Dutch- board, so there would be about 135 The latest deaths will lift the total ies recovered and survivor accounts. much higher than the recorded fi gure terior ministry. Moroccan citizens after an avalanche of more missing,” UNHCR spokesman Iosta number of migrants who have died The Malta-based charity MOAS, as it is highly likely that many boats The fi gure has already passed the than 6,400 complaints against Wilders follow- Ibba told AFP. trying to cross the Mediterranean which deploys two rescue boats in sink without ever being reported”. 153,000 number recorded in 2015 ing the rally. The migrants are overwhelmingly this year to just over 4,500, accord- the area, said yesterday that “it is al- The rate of departures from the and is closing in on the 170,000 fi g- “Wilders’ wish that there should be fewer from sub-Saharan Africa. ing to a UNHCR count based on bod- most certain that the true death toll is North African coast continues una- ure recorded in 2014. Moroccans...is about our existence. It feels like we shouldn’t be here. That deeply hurts,” one woman said in her testimony, read by Bos. Known for his fi ery rhetoric, Wilders has snubbed the trial which he has denounced as a “political process” and a “travesty” accusing Poland demands the Opposition unites against Spain PM government of trying to silence him. It is the second such trial for Wilders, who was acquitted of similar charges in 2011. return of Kaczynski Reuters vious legislature and which included plain sailing for the opposition how- But Bos said “the only measure to judge” Madrid an unpopular new exam regime. ever. Rajoy’s executive has the power whether Wilders should be punished for his “Today we start to reverse the most to veto some motions before they comments “should be the law — and politicians crash wreckage damaging policies of the PP,” Socialist progress through parliament if he can are also bound by it.” pain’s opposition parties have politician Antonio Hernando told re- argue they aff ect the budget. “The public prosecution operates in criminal scored their fi rst victory against porters before the vote in parliament. Parties can try and chip away at cases independent from politics,” said Bos. AFP for-tat sanctions notably targeting Snewly reinstated Prime Minis- Rajoy has off ered to sit down with existing legislation with amend- “There’s no space for personal opinions” ei- Warsaw Polish agricultural products. ter Mariano Rajoy, paralysing an edu- rivals in the coming months to reach a ments, but repealing bills entirely ther, he insisted. Warsaw has repeatedly asked cation bill, in a taste of the challenges cross-party agreement on education, entails coming up with alternative Wilders remains unrepentant and has repeat- Moscow to hand over the wreck- he will face in his second term. but yesterday he cautioned them not laws which Rajoy’s foes may struggle edly maintained he was just “saying what mil- olish Foreign Minister Wi- age and black boxes, but each After two inconclusive elections, to put an economic recovery at risk to agree on. lions of other Dutch people think.” told Waszczykowski yes- time Russia has said it will only Rajoy now leads Spain’s weakest mi- by overturning reforms such as a la- Aside from education, the PP’s foes The trial, with a verdict due on December Pterday demanded that Rus- do so when its own inquiry is fi n- nority government and will have to bour market overhaul. have also teamed up to try and over- 9, comes ahead of Dutch general elections in sia hand over the wreckage of a ished. piece together support in a hostile “They were good for Spain and turn an unpopular “sun tax” intro- March. 2010 presidential plane crash that The Polish delegation was and fragmented parliament to pass what works should not be changed,” duced by the last PP government and Wilders who has promised to close mosques, has stoked friction with Moscow heading to a ceremony in Rus- laws and, most pressingly, design a he told a conference in Madrid. seen as penalising households which ban Muslim immigrants and withdraw The and caused divisions at home. sia’s Katyn forest in memory of budget for 2017. Opposition lawmakers say Ra- produce their own solar energy. Netherlands from the European Union is riding President Lech Kaczynski and thousands of Polish army offi c- The Socialists and smaller centrist joy, who has led the PP since 2004, If parliament continues to throw high in the polls. his wife Maria were among the ers killed by Soviet secret police party Ciudadanos enabled Rajoy to will have to make more of an eff ort up obstacles to his government, Ra- His far-right Freedom Party (PVV) is running 96 people who died in the crash in 1940 — a massacre the Kremlin have a second term in a confi dence to change his style, seen by many as joy can threaten to dissolve it in May a close second to the Liberal VVD party of Prime in Smolensk, western Russia, on denied until 1990. vote last month but have said they aloof, to gain backing. and call a new election, but opposi- Minister Mark Rutte, who heads a coalition gov- April 10, 2010. The wreckage has symbolic will fi ght his policies and may form “The PP still thinks it has an ab- tion politicians doubt this would be ernment. “If Russia wants respect and value for Warsaw but it is also ad-hoc majorities to legislate against solute majority, psychologically it in line with his style of governing. Prosecutors are due to announce what sen- pragmatism from us, then we a major piece of evidence that his conservative People’s Party (PP). has to leave that behind,” said Pedro “Rajoy is not known for mak- tence they are asking for on Thursday. expect the same from them,” could shed light on what caused Lawmakers voted late on Tuesday to Azpiazu of the Basque National Party ing quick or dramatic decisions, If found guilty, Wilders could face a two-year Waszczykowski told the Polish the crash. freeze the implementation of an edu- (PNV), whose support Rajoy hopes to but rather by favouring continuity,” jail term or a fi ne of over 20,000 euros, but ex- news agency PAP. Poland’s previous liberal gov- cation law Rajoy’s party passed when gain for his budget. said Miguel Gutierrez, a senior Ciu- perts believe it is more likely he would face a Russian President Vladimir ernment blamed bad weather and it had an absolute majority in the pre- Overturning laws will not be all dadanos politician. lesser fi ne or community service. “Putin says he’s ready to do eve- errors by the Polish pilots and rything (to restore dialogue). Russian air traffi c controllers. Here’s my response: no need to But the current governing Law do everything, just start by re- and Justice (PiS) party, whose turning the Tupolev 154 wreckage leader is the late president’s iden- and lifting economic sanctions tical twin, rejected those conclu- Work on constitutional changes entering the fi nal phase against Poland.” sions as a cover-up and launched Bilateral ties have been strained its own investigation. since the crash as well as Mos- This week Polish justice offi - Reuters cow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea cials began exhuming the remains Ankara from Ukraine, which prompt- of the victims to test for traces ed the EU to impose sanctions of explosives or combustion, as against Russia. the PiS believes a fi re may have resident Tayyip Erdogan The Kremlin responded with tit- erupted onboard before the crash. could govern Turkey until P2029 with expanded ex- ecutive powers under proposals the ruling AK Party hopes will go to a referendum next spring, offi cials who have seen the latest Merkel set to run for draft told Reuters yesterday. Erdogan and his supporters argue Turkey needs the strong fourth term: party ally leadership of an executive presi- dency, akin to the system in the United States or France, to avoid Reuters mined, willing and ready to con- the fragile coalition govern- Berlin tribute to strengthen the interna- ments that hampered its devel- tional liberal order, but we can’t opment in the past. see the chancellor or Germany as Opponents, however, see the erman Chancellor An- last man standing.” proposed change as a vehicle for gela Merkel will run for Asked about Roettgen’s as- personal political ambition. Ga fourth term next year, sertion, a CDU spokesman said: The AKP, founded by Erdogan a lawmaker in her conservative “What the party leadership said a decade and a half ago, is aim- party said, though her spokes- remains valid: she will commu- ing to hold a referendum on the man brushed off the comments nicate her decision in due course.” issue next spring and is seeking and said she would address the Merkel spokesman Steff en support from the nationalist issue “at the suitable time”. Seibert told Reuters on Tuesday: MHP opposition order to win Norbert Roettgen, a lawmaker “She will address this question at parliamentary approval for such Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim delivers a speech during the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) extended meeting of in Merkel’s Christian Democratic the suitable time, as has been said a vote. provincial heads at the party headquarters in Ankara. Union (CDU), told CNN on Tues- many times in the past.” Under the latest draft, pre- day that Merkel “will run and she Merkel’s CDU holds its annual sented to the MHP on Tues- sion in our work on constitu- the need to consult parliament. by the gravity of the threat from go to a referendum. The AKP has will act as a responsible leader”. party conference early next month day, Erdogan could assume the tional changes and will bring it The president would have up the July 15 putsch. 317 seats, and the MHP 39. The former environment min- — a venue the chancellor could use position of “acting” executive to the parliament in the com- to two deputies and would di- Erdogan has ridden a wave Other opposition parties ister, who is not in Merkel’s inner to say she will run again. president immediately after the ing days,” Prime Minister Binali rectly appoint the heads of the of nationalist support since the seem to be against a stronger circle, did not say how he knew Even though Merkel’s CDU and referendum if the changes are Yildirim told a conference of military and intelligence agen- abortive coup, vowing to crack presidency. she had made up her mind to run their Bavaria-based Christian approved. AKP provincial heads in Ankara cies, university rectors, senior down on Turkey’s enemies at Erdogan said yesterday the in national elections in 2017. Social Union partners are roughly A presidential election would yesterday, without giving de- bureaucrats, and some top judi- home and abroad, and sup- executive president should not But her aides have signalled in 10 percentage points ahead of then be held, as scheduled, tails. cial bodies, expanding the pow- port from the MHP will be vital have to cut ties to his political the past she is moving that way, their nearest rivals in opinion when his term expires in 2019. “We will continue to seek ers of the role, the offi cials said. for realising his ambition of a party. in the wake of Republican Don- polls, her decision to let around Under the constitution’s cur- a base for consensus with the Such changes would likely stronger presidency. Under the current constitu- ald Trump’s US election victory, 900,000 migrants come in last rent two-term limit and pro- other parties. After that, the de- alarm the European Union, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli tion, the head of state is sup- Britain’s vote to leave the Europe- year has angered many voters. vided he wins the 2019 election, cision lies with the people.” which has been critical of the has indicated his party could posed to be impartial and re- an Union and the rise of populist The right-wing Alternative for Erdogan would be able to rule According to two senior of- post-coup attempt crackdown. support the reforms and said on nounce party ties as part of a parties across Europe. Germany, which has embraced until 2024 only. fi cials who have seen the draft, Turkey, which aspires to join Tuesday that party lawyers were system of checks and balances. “She will run for chancellor,” tough anti-immigrant rhetoric, is But under the proposed ex- the president would be eligible the EU, has dismissed or de- assessing the AKP’s latest draft. Erdogan’s comments suggest said Roettgen, who now chairs drawing support away from the ecutive presidency, the clock to serve a maximum of two fi ve- tained more than 110,000 civil Any constitutional change he could seek to resume leader- the Bundestag foreign aff airs bigger traditional parties and is would reset, allowing him an- year terms and would be able servants, members of the secu- needs the support of at least 367 ship of the AKP, by far Turkey’s committee. expected to make it into parlia- other two terms. to issue presidential decrees on rity forces and other offi cials in deputies in the 550-seat assem- largest political movement, if “And she is absolutely deter- ment in national elections in 2017. “We have come to a conclu- most executive matters without a crackdown it says is justifi ed bly to pass directly, and of 330 to elected in 2019. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, November 17, 2016 INDIA

GOVERNMENT DIPLOMACY AVIATION ART Jaitley to unveil Israeli president visits Taj, Kerala to build airport Tagore’s Mayar Khela to budget on Feb 1 water treatment plant near Sabarimala: CM be staged as opera

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present the Israeli President Reuven Rivlin yesterday Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who Rabindranath Tagore’s play Mayar Khela will be budget on February 1, Minister of State for visited the 17th century Mughal monument met Civil Aviation Minister Anand Gajapathy showcased in Mumbai in the form of an opera Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said yesterday. to love, the Taj Mahal, and a water treatment Raju in New Delhi yesterday, said the state on December 10, according to the organisers. He however added a formal confirmation plant in Sikandra that uses Israeli technology. government will go ahead with building an Interpreted and directed by Sumitro Mukherjee, is awaited from the Cabinet Committee on Archeological Survey of India (ASI) off icial airport near the famed Sabarimala temple. the opera has taken nearly five years of meticulous Economic Aff airs. “It is almost decided that and caretaker of the Taj, Munnazzar Ali said: “The temple is one where lakhs of pilgrims eff ort with the script and the music to become February 1 will be the date for presentation of “The president spent over an hour here and come and an airport is a necessity. We met the a reality, the organisers said in a statement. The the budget,” Meghwal said. He said it was also evinced keen interest in the details, particularly aviation minister and he said a no-objection opera will be showcased with multi-layered stage necessary to present the budget early as the calligraphy. Since he knows Arabic, he could read certification will be given after we identify and dance sequences with a blend of Indian implementation date of the Goods and Services the quotes from the holy Qur’an. His wife too took the land. The land has already been identified classical and Western contemporary forms. Tax (GST) has been fixed at April 1. The other a lot of interest.” Later in the day, Rivlin visited the near Erumely and once I am back in the state, Artistes like Raul D’Souza, Prachi Save Saathi, two major changes regarding the upcoming 144mn litres a day (MLD) water treatment plant, the decision to go ahead with the airport Manju Elangbam, Mahathi Vijayprakash, Nilesh budget are converging of the rail and general which supplies piped drinking water to around will be taken and we will inform the central Singha and Anusree Bonnerjee will be a part of it. budget and doing away with the Plan and Non- 2mn residents of Agra. The Israeli president government,” Vijayan told reporters in New Mayar Khela was first staged in 1888. It is about Plan Expenditure. Instead the budget will have Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and his wife pose surprised everyone when he sipped water from a Delhi. Erumely is located about 45km from the the confused heart that stutters and stumbles on Revenue and Expenditure classification. for a photo in front of the Taj Mahal. glass filled with the treated water at the plant. temple town in Pathanamthitta district. its way to the realisation of its dream.

Sushma suff ers Will go to jail kidney failure but won’t share Agencies New Delhi xternal Aff airs Minister water with Sushma Swaraj said yes- Eterday she was in hospital being treated for kidney failure and undergoing tests for a pos- sible transplant, an announce- ment that raises questions over how long she can stay in the job. others: Badal Swaraj, a senior leader of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Punjab assembly passes the (Supreme) Court order at any lier accepted Haryana’s petition government, said she was on di- resolution, demands cost; not a drop of water from for an early hearing on the issue alysis at the All India Institute of payment from neighbouring Punjab will be given to anyone of the SYL canal. Medical Science, a top govern- states even if we have to go to jail.” Haryana has a BJP govern- ment hospital. The assembly also asked the ment while in Punjab, the BJP is “I am undergoing tests for a IANS Punjab government and its de- an alliance partner with the rul- kidney transplant. Lord Krishna Chandigarh partments and agencies not to ing Akali Dasl since 2007. will bless,” Swaraj said from her hand over land to any agency The BJP legislators said the authorised account Twitter. and not to co-operate in the Punjab government’s move was “Sushma Swaraj has under- he Punjab assembly yes- construction of the controver- in contempt of the Supreme gone some of the important tests terday passed a unani- sial Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) Court verdict. before kidney transplant. She Tmous resolution against canal. The two states are in the has gone home today but will sharing of river waters with oth- “Any decision to rob the state midst of a political and legal war again come back tomorrow for er states. of its legitimate rights on river over water sharing through the further investigations,” a hospi- The resolution, moved by waters will not be acceptable to SYL canal, which has remained tal source said. Chief Minister Parkash Singh me nor to the Shiromani Akali at the centre of controversy for “Currently there is need of a Badal during the assembly’s spe- Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party al- four decades without a drop of donor, for which the emphasis cial one-day session, was adopt- liance government in the state,” water actually fl owing in the is for someone within the blood ed in the absence of 42 Congress Badal said. canal. relation. However, the problem legislators who resigned on No- Taking strong exception to the In March this year, the Punjab is that her daughter who could vember 11 from the 117-member absence of Congress legislators, assembly had “unanimously” be the donor is also diabetic, house to protest against a Su- Badal blamed the opposition passed a bill to return the land making it impossible,” said the preme Court verdict ordering party and its leadership for “be- acquired for the construction of source. the state to share river waters traying Punjab and its people on the canal. The 64-year-old politi- with its neighbours. territorial issues, including river Within hours, the Haryana cian has been sidelined by poor The court had dubbed a 2004 waters.” assembly passed a “unanimous health on a number of occasions law passed by the Punjab as- The Punjab government on resolution” condemning the since Modi’s Bharatiya Janata sembly to end a water-sharing Tuesday ordered de-notifi cation passage of the bill by the Punjab Party swept to power in 2014. agreement as “unconstitution- of nearly 5,000 acres of land ac- assembly. It had described the There has been no announce- al”. quired for the SYL canal nearly move as “unilateral, unconstitu- ment that she will formally del- Yesterday’s resolution even four decades ago. tional and denying the authority egate her duties while she is un- asked the Punjab government BJP legislators from Haryana of the Supreme Court.” well. to demand payment from other yesterday met Punjab Governor The then Congress gov- Her team was recently rein- states for the river water sup- V P Singh Badnore and asked ernment in Punjab in 2004 forced by veteran journalist M J plied to them over the past few him to block the Punjab govern- scrapped the water sharing Akbar, who has travelled exten- decades. It asked the govern- ment’s move to de-notify the agreements with the neigh- sively since being named minis- ment to seek the central gov- acquired land. Led by Haryana bouring states and refused to ter of state. ernment’s help to recover water BJP president Subhash Barala, give any water to others, espe- That has left the other minis- dues from Haryana, Rajasthan the legislators urged the gov- cially Haryana. ter of state, former army chief of and Delhi. ernor not to give assent to the The SYL canal that was to staff V K Singh, to take the lead Addressing the assembly, move. link the two major rivers of on ensuring the security of In- Badal reiterated that Punjab did Haryana claims to be a water Sutlej and Yamuna in Punjab dian citizens abroad. not have even a single drop of defi cit state and has said it has and Haryana, was planned and Although Swaraj is one of Mo- river water to spare and no wa- been deprived of more than half major portions of it were even di’s most experienced ministers, ter would be allowed to fl ow to of its legitimate share of 3.50mn completed in the 1990s at a cost the premier has made foreign Haryana. acre feet (MAF) of surplus Ravi- of over Rs7.5bn at that time. It is policy very much his own do- Badal said: “The state govern- Beas water, which has led to a entangled in a political and legal main, travelling the world and ment will do everything possible reduction in agriculture produc- quagmire with Punjab and Har- working to strengthen ties, es- Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is accompanied by an official as he arrives to attend a to stop water from fl owing to tion. yana unwilling to give up their pecially with the United States. special assembly session in Chandigarh yesterday. Haryana. We will not implement The Supreme Court had ear- respective stands. Kerala hospital penalised Rahul gets bail in after wrong body cremated defamation case Agencies ister Narendra Modi, Gandhi Thane, Maharashtra alleged that in the past one By Ashraf Padanna else. When the police inter- of the deceased signed the peti- year, Modi had waived off over Thiruvananthapuram viewed, it was found out that tion. Rs1.1tn (110,000 crore) loans the hospital had released Pu- The hospital also claimed it court in Bhiwandi near to a handful of 15 industrial- rushothaman’s body to some had already settled the matter Mumbai, yesterday ists. consumer court here has other people who cremated with the family of A P Kanthy, Agranted bail to Con- “Now, he has taken money asked a hospital to pay him after performing religious who died in the hospital a day gress vice president Rahul from each citizens’ pocket ARs2.5mn to the family of rituals. later, and who resembled Pu- Gandhi, who is accused in a to give it to these industri- a man whose body was handed The court slammed the hos- rushothaman. defamation case. alists who are his friends... over to others. pital for its “callous attitude” On the request of Kanthy’s The next hearing in the case, No action was taken against The Kerala State Consumer which showed “clearly the family, his body was also kept in fi led by Rashtriya Swayam- them... Disputes Redressal Commis- deficiency of service on their the mortuary, and the hospital sevak Sangh activist Rajesh “We demand action against sion gave the ruling on a decision part.” mistakenly handed over Purush- Kunte, was set for January 28. Modi’s friends and those who from Dr P R Jayashree, an associ- “The act of the opposite party othaman’s body to them for cre- Former union minister have hoarded black money,” ate professor at the University of has resulted in the breach of the mation and last rites. Shivraj Patil stood as surety Gandhi said. Calicut, against the mishandling right to a decent burial of the Kanthy’s family later accept- for the bail for the Congress Gandhi had earlier ex- of the body of her father Purush- dead body of the father of the ed it was a mistaken identity leader. pressed his readiness to face othaman. complainants. The complain- and admitted the body lying in The case stems from Gan- trial after the Supreme Court Purushothaman, a retired ants have suff ered much mental the mortuary was that of his dhi’s speech in Bhiwandi on refused to interfere with the district registrar, died at the agony,” district judge P Q Bar- brother. March 6, 2014 in the run-up criminal proceedings pend- Ernakulam Medical Centre kath Ali, who heads the commis- The hospital then released the to Lok Sabha elections when ing against him before the trial Hospital, where he was under sion, said in the order. body of Kanthy to his son who he allegedly claimed that “RSS court. treatment for kidney failure, on Dr Jayashree’s lawyer S Ra- took it to his native place, and people had killed Mahatma The Supreme Court had December 30, 2009. ghukumar said the family had performed the last rites for a Gandhi.” rapped the Gandhi scion in As his three daughters were claimed a compensation of second time. Later, addressing a huge July 2016 for his remarks and away, they asked the hospital to Rs10mn. “My father was familiar to the crowd of Congress activists asked him to either apologise keep the body in the morgue for The judge rejected hospital’s hospital staff as he used to go in the Muslim-dominated or face trial in the case. two days. argument that there was no “un- there for weekly dialysis,” said powerloom town, Gandhi “If you won’t apologise, When the relatives came fair trade practice or defi ciency Dr Jayashree. said he had come “to fight” you will have to face trial,” after two days, the hospi- of service” on their part and that The ashes of Purushothaman an ideological war against the the court said pulling up the tal handed over a body which the claim was not maintainable were later handed over to his Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi arrives at a Bhiwandi court RSS. Congress leader for his re- turned out to be of someone as only two of the four daughters relatives. which later granted him bail, yesterday. Lashing out at Prime Min- marks. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 25 INDIA 40 deaths in seven days attributed to cash crunch

IANS Narendra Modi on November 8 nation notes to pay for fare. range lower denomination notes Lavkush died on Tuesday night heart failure after waiting for long Gopala Shetty, 93, died on Sat- New Delhi night announced the withdrawal The deaths in Uttar Pradesh for their treatments in hospitals. as the economic condition of the in a queue outside a public sector urday at Ajekar village in Udupi of Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes. include seven due to cardiac ar- The hospitals denied the charges. family had worsened. His father, a bank in Mulund in Mumbai. district of southern Karnataka Assam, Madhya Pradesh, rests and two suicides in the past The consequences of demon- daily wage worker, was unable to In Assam, Dinabandhu Das, after he collapsed in a long queue t least 40 deaths - including Jharkhand and Gujarat reported one week. etisation have also claimed three get work in the past few days. 52, had taken out a huge sum to exchange the demonetised suicides, cardiac arrests in three deaths each while two persons A farmer in Bulandshahr alleg- lives in Jharkhand. Police sources In Govandi near Mumbai, an of money from the bank for the currency notes at the state-run Along queues, hospital casu- each have died in Telangana, Bihar, edly hanged himself in his house said two died on Wednesday and ill infant was allegedly denied marriage of his daughter slated Corporation Bank. alties and a murder in a fi t of rage Mumbai, Kerala and Karantaka. on Sunday after he failed to ex- one on Tuesday. admission at a private hospital for next month. He died of shock In West Bengal’s Howrah, a - in the past few days have been Seven people have died in change his old currency notes. Ramchandra Paswan died after for the same reason. He died the after Modi announced the de- man was alleged to have thrown attributed to demonetisation. Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Police said he was to marry off his standing in a crushing queue for next day. Apart from these two cision, rendering the currency his wife to death from the 10th The move has caused a huge cash Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and daughter on December 4 and had more than four hours at a State fatal incidents, many private notes useless. fl oor of their apartment build- crunch in the country and turned West Bengal, put together. visited a bank to exchange his old Bank of India branch in Moham- hospitals have refused to accept Another trader lost his life in ing as she returned home empty life upside down for the lower mid- In Odisha, a two-year-old, notes but could not do so because edganj. the scrapped currency notes in Assam’s Jorhat town with one of handed hours after standing in a dle class and poor families in India. suff ering from high fever, died of the surging crowds. In another incident, 70-year- violation of government orders, his sons saying the death was due queue outside an ATM. A fam- Eleven people have died in after an auto-rickshaw driver Two children were also re- old Lakshmi died of shock over the posing huge problems for people to depression he suff ered after ily member said the accused Uttar Pradesh, most due to car- refused the family a ride because ported to have died in the state death of his 20-year-old grand- during medical emergencies. the demonetisation decision was was tense over the government’s diac attacks since Prime Minister they didn’t have lower denomi- after their parents failed to ar- son Lavkush in Bokaro district. A 73-year-old man died due to announced. move. Gold traders on edge amid rumours of import ban

Reuters The All India Gems and Jewel- New Delhi lery Trade Federation dismissed the messages among traders as a rumour, but some are nev- ome gold traders are plac- ertheless buying extra gold for ing bulk, short-term im- the wedding season and to see Sport orders on fears that themselves through the next few Prime Minister Narendra Modi months, said an offi cial with the might soon add curbs on over- India Bullion And Jewellers As- seas purchases of the metal to sociation. his withdrawal of high-denom- A Finance Ministry spokes- ination banknotes in his fi ght man did not immediately re- against black money, traders and spond to a request for comment. jewellers said. One senior offi cial involved India is the world’s second with government policy-making biggest gold buyer, and it is es- on gold said there has been no timated that one-third of its discussion on import curbs but annual demand of up to 1,000 that supply has gone up through tonnes is paid for in black money. “unoffi cial channels.” Modi has said he may not stop “If you see the premiums, you Delegation of members of parliamentarians and leaders from various political parties march towards Rashtrapati Bhavan against the government’s decision to withdraw Rs500 and at the shock currency move that know that there is demand,” the Rs1,000 banknotes, yesterday. has led to a massive cash short- offi cial said, speaking on condi- age, but has not made clear what tion of anonymity. his next step would be in his drive In domestic markets, jewellers to uncover the wealth. are charging premiums of as high as 50% but have not committed “A client last week left to buy any new gold, said sev- a bag full of a few lakh eral jewellers who declined to be rupees outside our identifi ed. showroom saying that he The cash crunch has badly hit Opposition slams govt had left his (dues) for us demand in rural areas, which ac- to pick up or throw out” count for two-thirds of total de- mand. That uncertainty is likely to But in the main gold markets create sharp swings in purchases, of Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai and aff ecting world prices. Karol Bagh in New Delhi, there “We’re uncertain about what are ready buyers of the metal over demonitisation the government will do next,” willing to pay in the old bills. said Daman Prakash Rathod, The current rate in the trade Mamata urges president to Bharatiya Janata Party, sought “I appeal to you on behalf of due to stress,” she said, and also we are supporting the Trina- a director at MNC Bullion in - illegal since Modi’s November intervene and ‘stop financial President Pranab Mukherjee’s the toiling masses, those who eke called for a probe into the rise of mool Congress. The decision Chennai. 15 move to withdraw the notes - chaos’ intervention. out a living by trading in small the banks’ non-performing as- should have been implemented “No legal business trader is is Rs45,000 ($663) per 10gm in Congress vice president Rahul goods and services and those sets. with proper preparations,” Ad- willing to risk very big quantity. Karol Bagh, 53% higher than the IANS Gandhi trained his guns on Modi from the villages of India, to use “The president gave us a pa- sul said. (Some) want to buy 2-3kg extra offi cial price, said one jeweller New Delhi and demanded action against your highest offi ce to intervene tient hearing, he was the coun- The Congress also chose to so that in future they could con- who has been in the trade for 14 “his friends” and those who are and stop this fi nancial chaos and try’s fi nance minister, no one can take up the issue with the masses. duct their business for a month years. hoarding black money. insecurity and protect them from understand the situation better Addressing a large group of or two until the situation is sort- The rate is similar in Zaveri ajor opposition par- Joined by the leaders of the a situation which is more than than him. So, we hope he will party activists in Bhiwandi near ed out.” Bazaar. ties, including the Con- National Conference, Aam an unannounced fi nancial emer- take appropriate action,” said Mumbai, Gandhi alleged that in Panicked gold traders and jew- “I’m getting non-stop calls Mgress and Trinamool Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Shiv gency,” the memorandum to the Banerjee. the past couple of years, Modi has ellers have circulated messages from unknown numbers from Congress, yesterday took on the Sena, Banerjee and 40 of her president said. National Conference leader waived off over Rs 1.1tn of loans among themselves saying the people asking for gold,” the jew- government outside parliament Trinamool MPs marched to the Later, talking to reporters, Omar Abdullah was among the to a small group of industrialists, government could ban import of eller said. over the acute problems faced by Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential Banerjee said the “big black leaders who took part in the with whose help the country is gold for domestic use from early “A client last week left a bag people following the “fi nancial palace and submitted a memo- scheme” has led to many deaths march that started from Parlia- being run. next year to March, according full of a few lakh rupees outside calamity” unleashed by the sur- randum demanding a rollback across the country and resulted ment House premises. Meanwhile, Kejriwal, who at- to several jewellers in New Delhi our showroom saying that he had prise demonetisation move. of demonetisation of Rs500 and in a loss of Rs2tn to India’s GDP. The Shiv Sena, which has been tacked Modi for “cheating the and Mumbai who have seen the left his (dues) for us to pick up or West Bengal Chief Minister 1,000 currency notes. “This is a big black scheme. critical of demonetisation, was country,” announced he will ad- message. throw out,” the jeweller said. Mamata Banerjee, who is also However, AAP leader and Del- Today there are no vegetables in represented by MP Anandrao dress a public meeting in Azad- India’s ongoing wedding sea- “If you see, 750 tonnes used the Trinamool supremo, and hi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the market, no milk for babies Adsul, who said his party was not pur Mandi in north Delhi today son - traditionally a focus for to be the total import a year, this leaders of three other parties in- gave the march a miss, with MP and no medicine for the sick and against the decision but at the against demonetisation. gifting gold - is fuelling the dis- must have happened in the last cluding the Shiv Sena, an ally of from Punjab Bhagwant Mann the ailing. Around 20-30 people way it was implemented. Banerjee will also address the quiet. few days alone.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s representing the party. have already died, many of them “On that (implementation), meeting. Mining baron splurges on Airlines off er special daughter’s lavish wedding discounts on fares IANS plicable for travel 15 days post New Delhi the date of booking, on specifi c AFP lavish expenditure, saying Reddy Indians rely heavily on cash domestic destinations on the Bengaluru wanted people to remember the for their daily transactions and Jet Airways network,” the airline wedding of his only daughter. those living in rural areas or who o cope with a reduction in said in a statement. “It is unfortunate that a do not have bank accounts have airline bookings after the Low cost carrier AirAsia In- controversial mining ty- daughter’s wedding has been been particularly hard hit. Tgovernment’s recent deci- dia announced “end-of-year Big coon has taken over a made an issue out of envy and ri- The 49-year-old Reddy, a sion to demonetise higher denom- Sale” from November 14-20 for Aroyal palace and fl own in valry,” Manju Swamy said ahead former minister of the Bharatiya ination currency notes, several its domestic and international Brazilian dancers at a reported of the party. Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, domestic carriers have announced network. cost Rs5bn ($75mn) to celebrate “It’s an important moment for spent three years in jail for his special discounted fares. According to the airline, pas- his daughter’s wedding yester- her parents and they wanted to alleged involvement in a mining “Airlines have reported a short- sengers will be able to explore day, as the country reels from a celebrate the event in a way that scam before he was released on Daughter of Gali Janardhan Reddy, Bramhani, sits with her groom term drop in ticket sales after the domestic destinations with fares cash crisis. befi ts the family’s status in soci- bail last year. Rajeev Reddy during their wedding at the Bengaluru Palace Grounds demonetisation announced by the starting as low as Rs999 and in- Up to 50,000 people attended ety.” Speaking to journalists in his yesterday. government last week, and this ternational destinations from the wedding of Bramhani, Gali Prime Minister Narendra Modi hometown last week, he re- could be an attempt to catalyse Rs3,399 for the travel period from Janardhan Reddy’s daughter, at announced last week that Rs500 fused to reveal how much he was play of wealth at a time of cash Activist T Narasimha Murthy demand and bring travellers back May 1, 2017, to February 6, 2018. the sprawling Bengaluru Palace, and Rs1,000 notes - 85% of the spending on the celebrations, crunch, others were sympa- put the cost of the wedding at to the market,” said Sharat Dhall of Commenting on the surprise a mock Tudor castle. cash in circulation - would cease but said everything would be de- thetic. Rs5bn, a fi gure that tallied with Yatra.com. announcement by airlines, John Local media criticised the ex- to be legal tender. clared to the tax authorities. “What’s wrong in conducting media reports. Yesterday, Jet Airways an- Nair, head of business travel travagance at a time when many Indians can change a limited Guests received their invita- a daughter’s wedding on a grand “Reddy has hired about 3,000 nounced its winter sale with at Cox & Kings said: “The dis- people are struggling to fi nd the number of old notes for new tions on LCD devices and helium scale? The rich and wealthy do it bouncers and security guards to all-inclusive fares starting at counts in airfare during the peak cash to buy food following the ones at banks and post offi ces, balloons featuring images of the regularly,” said Jayaprakash Rao, prevent media and activists like Rs1,099, on select sectors across holiday season enables custom- government’s shock move to pull but there have been huge queues Reddy family were reported to be a retired government offi cial. me from barging into the venue,” its domestic network. ers to reduce their holiday costs high-value notes out of circula- since they reopened last Thurs- fl oating above the palace. “Reddy is spending from his said Murthy, adding he had pe- “The four-day fare sale - from by at least 25% and encourages tion in a bid to tackle tax evasion. day after closing for a day fol- While some residents were pocket and not public money,” titioned local tax authorities to November 16-19, 2016, will be those who have put off their trav- But one associate defended the lowing the announcement. appalled at Reddy’s obscene dis- Rao said. investigate. valid on economy fares and ap- el plans to reconsider the same.” Gulf Times 26 Thursday, November 17, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

PEOPLE DISASTER OBITUARY INITIATIVE POLITICS Dominican Republic floods Ecuador’s ex-president Mexico launches plan Nicaragua party widens displace more than 20,000 Duran Ballen dies at 95 to protect migrants in US majority in Congress

Floods in the Dominican Republic have displaced Ecuador’s conservative former president Mexico’s government yesterday unveiled a Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega’s party more than 20,000 people, off icials say. Most Sixto Duran Ballen, who served in the 1990s, programme to protect immigrants in the US strengthened its majority in the country’s Congress of them have taken shelter with friends and has died, officials said. He was 95. “The death from any “abuses” after Donald Trump won the after his landslide re-election earlier this month, relatives. More than 4,000 homes have been of Sixto Duran Ballen, a great patriot, former US election on a promise to deport millions. The the country’s electoral authority said. Ortega, the flooded and at least 50 totally destroyed after Quito mayor and ex-president, has plunged foreign ministry outlined 11 actions that it will head of the Sandinista National Liberation Front heavy rainfall caused rivers to break their banks. Ecuador into mourning,” Quito mayor Mauricio undertake through its embassy and 50 consulates (FSLN) party, won his third consecutive term in President Danilo Medina has extended the state Rodas said on Twitter. The ex-president died in the US so Mexicans can “avoid being victims the election on November 6, as voters cheered Members of the Caravana de Madres of emergency from four to eight provinces in the at home during a nap, relatives told local of abuses and fraud.” One of the steps is to “call years of solid economic growth and overlooked Centroamericanas (Caravan of Central American Caribbean nation. The military rescued 13 people media. Born in 1921 in Boston, in the US state on the communities to avoid any situation of criticism he is installing a family dynasty. The Mothers) hold up photos of missing migrants who were left stranded in Los Naranjos, in the of Massachusetts, where his father was consul, conflict and not commit actions that can lead to electoral authority, which needed more than a during a journey called “We seek life on death north-east of the country. More rains are expected Duran Ballen was an architect by training. administrative or criminal sanctions,” the ministry week to tally results from across the country roads” as they search for their disappeared for the weekend. People living along rivers or on He led the Andean nation’s conservative said. The government will activate a free 1-800 including isolated communities, said Ortega’s family members at La Mesilla Border hillsides have been told to be extra vigilant and government from 1992-1996. He also was a hotline, open 24 hours per day, “to deal with any Sandinistas won 71 of the 92 seats in Congress, up Guatemala-Mexico, in Guatemala. beware of flash floods and landslides. lawmaker and public works minister. doubts about immigration measures.” from the 63 seats they won in the 2011 election. Trump win Crippled by obesity ‘adds pressure on Brazil to pass reforms’

Reuters congressional inaction on the New York reform agenda could deter the central bank from cutting inter- est rates. onald Trump’s US elec- Brazil’s benchmark overnight tion victory and the lending rate, at 14%, is among Densuing market volatil- the world’s highest. ity should encourage Brazilian The high rates have long in- policymakers to push ahead with hibited capital spending, ag- ambitious economic reforms gravating Brazil’s chronic lack that help cushion the country of infrastructure and the emer- from global turmoil, business gence of long-term fi nancing for executives and bankers said. businesses. A lack of decisive action to The banker added that ap- nudge Congress into approv- proval of the reforms could help ing broad pension, labour and bring back investors who remain Mexican Juan Pedro Franco, who weighs almost 500kg arrives at a hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico. Franco, 32, suff ers from extreme obesity and has remained confined spending cap legislation over wary of the country’s explosive to the bed for six years as he is unable to walk. In the next few days, he will undergo a medical evaluation to see what possibilities he has to walk again. the next months could imperil debt trends despite the govern- President Michel Temer’s eff ort ment promises to rein in on ex- to pull Brazil out of its deepest penditures. recession in eight decades, ex- Their remarks underscore the ecutives told Reuters at a New policy dilemmas facing several York event sponsored by Banco countries around the world in Bradesco SA. the wake of Trump’s November One of them, who declined to 8 victory. be identifi ed because of the sen- The Brazilian central bank has sitivity of the issue, said Trump’s stepped up intervention in its surprise victory has shown that foreign currency market and the Court defends Maduro “more than ever, the fate of country’s Treasury has halted Brazil depends on Brazil, which the sale of some local bonds in means it is up to us to fi x our response to the volatility. economy and lure capital.” Offi cials have said they expect Trump’s victory has sent the volatility to be short-lived, shockwaves through emerging but the real’s slump since the markets with currencies from election has hindered hopes for a against threat of trial Mexico to Brazil losing more than more aggressive rates cuts in Lat- a tenth of their value and the in America’s biggest economy. AFP said in the ruling that it “is or- his allies. It said the ruling itself ease the crisis. But Maduro has Earlier, three opposition law- price of local bonds plummeting. Some large investors said the Caracas dering the deputies in the Na- was unconstitutional. refused to discuss holding any makers at the center of a dispute The Temer administration has Temer administration under- tional Assembly to desist from “It is absolutely null,” said kind of vote on his fate before between Venezuela’s congress been cautious in reacting to the stands the need to get Brazil’s re- continuing with the planned the opposition speaker of the scheduled elections in 2018. and its top court stepped down election, but offi cials have ac- form package passed but played enezuela’s high court or- political trial.” assembly, Henry Ramos Allup, The opposition suspended following an agreement meant to knowledged that the country’s down the eff ect of the US election. dered the opposition to It ruled that the notion of a on Twitter. The court “can give planned street protests pending ease a political standoff between incipient recovery could suff er if “In principle, Trump’s victory Vdrop plans for a political political or impeachment trial orders to its team of lackeys, the talks. the opposition and Maduro. Trump makes good on his prom- is not an incentive for Brazil to trial against President Nicolas does not exist in the Venezuelan but not the National Assembly But analysts warn unrest in Lawmakers Julio Ygarza, Nir- ises to limit trade. advance on the policy front, but Maduro, whose rivals blame constitution. elected by the people.” the streets could grow if the ma Guarulla and Romel Guza- Growing expectation that if policymakers act on top of it, him for food shortages in the Moments after the ruling, Authorities have blocked the talks yield no progress. mana submitted their resigna- Trump’s stimulus plans could then great,” said Will Landers, volatile country. Maduro welcomed it, on air opposition’s drive for a referen- The MUD blames his eco- tions in writing to congress. force the US Federal Reserve to who oversees $2bn in Latin The opposition majority in during his new salsa radio show. dum on removing Maduro from nomic management for the The lawmakers, two from raise rates more than expected American equities for Blackrock the legislature had vowed to “Excellent. Venezuela’s consti- power. The court has system- crisis, sparked by falling prices the Amazonas jungle state and has also sparked a fl ight of capi- Inc. “They know their task, and stage a kind of impeachment tutional and institutional sys- atically overruled the assembly for Venezuela’s essential oil ex- one who represents indigenous tal away from Brazil and other we are very confi dent of their trial against Maduro, who has tem is working very, very, just since the opposition majority ports. Maduro says the crisis is groups, were key to handing emerging markets and into US ability to deliver.” resisted its other eff orts to re- so very well, and fl uidly so,” the took its seats there in January. the result of a US-backed capi- the opposition a super majority Treasuries. Blackrock, the world’s largest move him from offi ce. president said. The opposition Democratic talist conspiracy. in December 2015’s legislative A senior banker and the chief money manager, has an “over- The Supreme Court respond- The centre right-dominated Unity Roundtable (MUD) coali- Shortages of food, medicine elections. executive offi cer of a Brazil- weight” position in Brazilian ed with the latest in a series of opposition says the socialist tion launched Vatican-backed and basic supplies have sparked But a Supreme Court order ian consumer goods producer equities that is the biggest in at judgments overruling the Na- president controls the court and negotiations with the govern- riots and looting over recent banned them on allegations of agreed that government and least three years, Landers added. tional Assembly legislature. It electoral authorities through ment this month in a bid to months. fraud in January. Canada’s PM visits Rio ex-governor held in voter fraud probe

Cuba to reboot ties Reuters tics, the couple once enjoyed Rio de Janeiro strong support in the sprawl- ing suburbs of Rio state and AFP strengthen” the bilateral rela- sor and Cuba expert at Dalhousie many other blue-collar areas Havana tionship. University in Halifax, said. olice yesterday arrested across the country, particu- The visit will also provide an Canada maintained diplo- a controversial former larly among some Christians. opportunity to “collaborate more matic ties with Havana after the Pgovernor in Rio de Janei- Garotinho in 2002 surprised anada’s Prime Minister closely on sustainable economic revolution “despite signifi cant ro as part of an ongoing inves- many when he made a strong Justin Trudeau arrived growth, inclusive governance, se- pressure from Washington” over tigation into voter fraud during showing in the fi rst round of Cin Cuba to boost ties as a curity, climate change, and gender the years, Kirk said. recent municipal elections. Brazil’s presidential elections. breakthrough in the communist equality,” a statement said. Ottawa also remained stead- The former governor, Antho- One of their nine children, island’s US relations hung in the Trump, who won the US presi- fastly opposed to the American ny Garotinho, has been serving Clarissa, now serves in Congress. balance following Donald Trump’s dential election a week ago, has trade embargo on Cuba, which has as municipal secretary in Cam- In recent years, however, presidential election win. sent mixed messages about the not been revoked by Congress. pos dos Goytacazes, a city north Garotinho and Matheus, each After arriving at Havana air- thaw in US-Cuba relations which Offi cially, no meeting is of Rio where his wife, Rosinha as governor and as municipal port, Trudeau headed straight was started two years ago by cur- planned with Fidel Castro, but Matheus, another former gov- offi cials in Campos, have been to the city’s iconic Revolution rent President Barack Obama. “there’s a chance” they will see ernor, is serving as mayor. known as much for contro- Square and laid a wreath. He Trump gave it a lukewarm each other, Cuba’s ambassa- Both, despite repeated de- versy and investigations into was scheduled later to meet with welcome at fi rst, before vowing dor to Canada, Julio Garmendia nials of wrongdoing by each, corruption and voter fraud as Cuba’s President Raul Castro, to reverse the new policies unless Pena, told Canadian media. have been frequent targets of for their past electoral success. offi cials said. Raul Castro agrees to democratic The visit is the fi rst by a Ca- corruption allegations. An electoral court recently The two-day visit is the fi rst reforms and other demands. nadian leader to Cuba since Jean Brazil’s federal police, which found fraud related to Math- stop on a tour that will also take Because Obama used executive Chretien in 1998. arrested Garotinho in the capi- eus’ 2012 election as mayor of Trudeau to Argentina and to authority to enact the rapproche- Over the past decade, bilateral tal city of Rio, confi rmed his Campos. Peru for the Apec Asia-Pacifi c ment, Trump could change course ties reached a historic low with detention in a brief statement. It ordered her to step down, trade summit. just as easily to reinstate fi nancial, former Conservative prime min- In a separate statement, but she remains in the offi ce, It comes 40 years after Tru- trade and travel restrictions. ister Stephen Harper often sid- Garotinho’s offi ce criticised pending an appeal, according to deau’s father Pierre Elliott Tru- While observers note that ing with Washington in seeking the arrest, saying it was “arbi- a spokesman at Campos city hall. deau committed to a lifelong Cuba will probably not be a pri- to isolate Cuba on the interna- trary” and “based on facts that Garotinho’s arrest followed friendship with Cuba’s former ority for Trump, it remains un- tional scene. did not occur.” detentions of a handful of oth- revolutionary president Fidel clear how he would view a Tru- Yet it was also Harper who host- Although Garotinho and er suspects in the more recent Castro during a similar visit. deau-Castro photo opportunity. ed secret talks between US and Cu- Cuba’s President Raul Castro and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Matheus are no longer as fraud investigation, related to According to Trudeau’s of- The visit is primarily “symbol- ban offi cials in 2014 leading to the Trudeau review the guard of honour during the official reception prominent as they were in re- municipal elections carried fi ce, the goal is to “renew and ic,” John Kirk, a politics profes- rapprochement. ceremony at Havana’s Revolution Palace, Cuba. cent decades in Brazilian poli- out last month. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 27 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

‘Trump would deserve Nobel if he resolves Kashmir issue’

Internews Islamabad

dviser to Pakistani prime minister on foreign af- Afairs Sartaj Aziz yesterday said the United States presi- dent-elect Donald Trump would deserve Nobel Prize if he inter- venes and succeeds in resolving the Kashmir dispute between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif greets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan upon his arrival at the military airbase in Islamabad. Right: President Mamnoon Hussain shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Recep India and Pakistan. Tayyip Erdogan at the President House in Islamabad. “Trump would deserve Nobel Prize if he helps resolve Kash- mir dispute,” he said on a lighter note while responding to a ques- tion regarding Trump’s off er to mediate between Pakistan and India. Aziz indicated that Pakistan will welcome any such interven- Erdogan arrives in Pakistan as tion by the US president-elect Donald Trump. The US president-elect, in an interview with an Indian news- paper in October, had said that he would be pleased to mediate between Pakistan and India. ‘Gulenist teachers’ deported “Well, I would love to see Pakistan and India get along, Turkish president arrives in Premier Sharif and senior respond to requests for com- Gulen lives in self-im- because that’s a very, very hot Islamabad on two-day visit; government offi cials received ment. posed exile in Pennsylvania. tinderbox. That would be a very About 450 people get three President Erdogan at Islamabad Before his departure from He denies any involve- great thing.I hope they can do days’ notice to leave; Erdogan airport. Ankara, Erdogan praised Pa- ment in the failed coup in it,” said Trump. blames cleric Fethullah Gulen The teachers and their fami- kistan’s actions against what which more than 230 people Sartaj Aziz, while talking to for July coup bid lies, totalling about 450 people, his government calls the Gu- were killed. media in Islamabad, also re- were given three days notice to lenist Terror Organisation Turkey has applied pressure vealed that Pakistan will partici- Reuters leave, PakTurk International (FETO). to other countries that are pate in the Heart of Asia Con- Karachi Schools and Colleges said in a “Pakistan’s decision to have home to institutions backed ference scheduled to be held in statement late on Tuesday. people linked to FETO leave by Gulen, whose “Hizmet” India on December 3, 2016. PakTurk educates more than the country by November 20 movement runs about 2,000 “Unlike India, that had sabo- Turkish President 10,000 students in Pakistan and is very pleasing,” Erdogan educational establishments in taged Saarc summit in Pakistan Recep Tayyip Er- denies any affi liation with the said. about 160 countries. by pulling out, Pakistan will re- W dogan arrived in Is- cleric Fethullah Gulen, or his “Just like Turkey, Pakistan PakTurk said the schools spond by participating in the lamabad yesterday on a two- “Hizmet” movement. is carrying out a relentless would continue operating and Heart of Asia being held in Am- day state visit as Pakistan Erdogan has accused Gulen, a fight against terror. Turkey told students and their fam- ritsar, India, on December 3,” ordered Turkish teachers at former political ally, of being be- A Pakistani student walks at the private PakTurk International supports Pakistan’s battle un- ily members it was opposed to confi rmed Aziz. schools with alleged links to a hind a coup attempt in July, and Schools and Colleges in Islamabad yesterday. til the end.” “ingress of some other organ- The adviser said he himself Turkish cleric opposed to Er- Turkey has previously asked Pa- During his visit Erdogan isation into the teachers and will participate in the confer- dogan to leave the country. kistan to shut down any groups ish teachers, management The Islamabad High will also address its parlia- staff of the schools”. ence and will not repeat India’s Erdogan is scheduled to hold in the country with links to the and their family members... Court has set a hearing for ment today. Dawn, citing sources, said blunder where it boycotted Saarc talks with Prime Minister Nawaz cleric. to leave the country within today on a petition by the Turkey and Pakistan have Turkey’s government had summit in November. Sharif, military chief General “PakTurk International three days,” the school said. school management chal- traditionally had close ties, suggested that management Aziz, however, said it has not Raheel Sharif and address the Schools and Colleges are It added that staff were asked lenging the decision, Paki- which have warmed further of the schools be transferred been confi rmed yet whether he Pakistani parliament during his deeply concerned over the to leave because of “non-ap- stan’s Dawn newspaper re- under the leadership of Er- to an international non-gov- will meet his Indian counterpart stay. He also plans to visit the abrupt decision of the gov- proval of their requests for ex- ported. dogan and Pakistani Prime ernment body with links to on the sidelines of the confer- eastern city of Lahore. ernment requiring the Turk- tension of visa”. The Interior Ministry did not Minister Nawaz Sharif. Erdogan’s administration. ence or not. “Despite the fact that Indian forces killed our seven soldiers along Line of Control on Mon- day, Pakistan will not boycott the Enemies of Pakistan will get conference,” Aziz maintained. TERRORISM IS owns up befi tting response, says PM Kabul suicide bomb attack IANS near Bahawalpur, merely days “The situation at the bor- Islamabad after seven Pakistani soldiers der remains sensitive due to A suicide bomber on a motorbike were killed in fi ring across the India’s grave violation of the yesterday killed four people and Line of Control. ceasefire agreement,” he add- wounded 10 in an attack on a rime Minister Nawaz The military exercises, code- ed. vehicle carrying national security Sharif, witnessing mili- named Raad ul Barq, “refl ect The prime minister said a off icials in the Afghan capital, P tary exercises showcas- the preparedness of our armed policy of non-interference was police said. ing combat-readiness of the forces to respond to any threat practised by Pakistan, which Militant group Islamic State armed forces near the Indian to national security”, the prime “expects the same from others claimed responsibility for the border, in an apparent warn- minister said. to enable lasting peace in our attack, which occurred during ing to India yesterday said any “No country can remain ob- region”. morning rush hour in Kabul. effort to harm Pakistan’s na- livious to threats to national se- “We cannot remain de- “The martyred brother Talha tional security interests will curity,” he added. tached from recent develop- al-Khorsani was able to infiltrate a be met with a “befitting re- Nawaz Sharif termed the ments in the region. Efforts bus transporting elements from sponse”. “killing of civilians and soldiers to harm security and territo- the apostate Afghani intelligence Nawaz Sharif and Army chief along the LoC” as “another act rial integrity will be met with and detonated his explosive vest,” Gen Raheel Sharif inspected the of aggression that warrants in- befitting response,” Nawaz A screen grab from a TV channel showing Pakistan’s Prime Minsiter Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Raheel Islamic State said in a statement exercises at Khairpur Tamewali ternational attention”. Sharif said. Sharif at the Raad ul Barq military exercises near Bahawalpur. posted on social media. Climate change fuels insurgency in Afghanistan

AFP locked country was classed in The Taliban’s insurgency, stan’s Director of Agriculture Kabul 2012 as among the most vulner- which they have waged since Projects. able to climate change, a world- being ousted from power in He added people had stopped wide problem that is the subject 2001 by a US-led coalition, cultivating potatoes, one of the fter two winters without of a UN conference in Marrakesh has lately expanded to multi- main crops in Bamiyan, in at least snow, Kabul residents this week. ple provinces and beyond the two districts due to lack of water. Aare anxiously scouring And it is here that the knock- traditional “season” that be- After two successive record- the hills for the fi rst fl akes, wary on eff ects of global warming will gins with the spring melt and breaking years, 2016 is shaping that the depletion of this ma- be keenly felt. ends with the first heavy falls up to be the hottest ever. jor source of water further fuels Around 80 % of Afghani- of snow. According to Famine Early instability in war-ravaged Af- stan’s economy is based on ag- Last year, the fi ghting con- Warning Systems, a US fund- ghanistan. riculture. tinued into winter as less snow ed organisation that provides Historically speaking, a Afghan farmers depend on made it easy for insurgents to analysis on drought and food snowless year is highly unu- reliable, year-round sources remain mobile and conduct hit- insecurity, there is a likelihood sual for this ancient capital, of surface water from melting and-run attacks in northern and for “average to below-average built 1,500metres (5,000 feet) snow on mountains to irrigate central Afghanistan. precipitation across much of Af- above sea-level in the foothills their crops and water their live- Consecutive droughts have ghanistan” during the wet sea- of the Hindu Kush. “Kabul can stock. plagued Afghanistan since the son that began in October and be without gold but not without But only 10% of the country’s mid 1990s, hitting farmers in lasts till May. snow”, according to a local prov- land is still farmable because of central provinces such as Bami- Shakir Majeedi, the deputy erb. the impact of recent climate- yan, where the water that drains planning director for the minis- But as the world gets warmer, related disasters, Salim says. from the Hindu Kush range is try of agriculture and livestock that is changing. That increasingly leaves rural running low. said the country was getting less “Countrywide, in the last folk in a desperate situation, says “When I was child, I remem- snowfall each year due to climate decade nearly every year has Kazim Hamayun, the deputy di- ber it was impossible to travel in change, making life diffi cult for seen either fl ooding or drought,” rector of Afghanistan’s National winter in Bamiyan due to heavy some farmers. Mohamed Salim, an expert at Environment Protection Agency In this photograph taken on November 10, 2016 a general view of the Kabul river is seen in the Kabul. snow. “The changes (in the climate) the United Nations Develop- (NEPA). After two winters without snow, Kabul residents are anxiously scouring the hills for the first flakes, wary People could only travel on the have made a lot of farmers food- ment Programs agency said.”And “If they lose their jobs due to that the depletion of this major source of water further fuels instability in war-ravaged Afghanistan. roads by donkeys. insecure. if the current trends continue, drought, they will join the mili- But for the last three years the It is too soon to predict this droughts will become the new tancy” of the Taliban, he said. change is a big challenge for Af- ically and the landscape is not tion can contribute to terrorism. roads are open, the wells are dry year’s weather, but we hope to normal.” “Being a landlocked coun- ghanistan. made to absorb rain water. It disrupts the social order,” he and that is a huge problem,” said have enough snow and rain,” he The mountainous land- try, besides terrorism, climate “Snow has decreased dramat- Droughts and land degrada- added. Sayed Daoud Mosavi, Afghani- said. Gulf Times 28 Thursday, November 17, 2016 PHILIPPINES Philippine, Drugs arrest US troops in joint drill

AFP exercise involving around 30- games with its key defence ally Manila 40 Filipino solders and an un- would continue to be held next specifi ed number of US Special year. The country hosts 28 such Forces. exercises annually. ilipino and US troops be- “This is a very small bilat- Duterte has made no secret gan training exercises eral activity,” Filipino military of his hostility for the US, call- Fthis week, the Philippines spokesman Brigadier-General ing for US Special Forces to leave military said yesterday, despite Restituto Padilla said, refer- the Philippines’ troubled Mind- President Rodrigo Duterte’s ring to the exercise that kicked anao region where they cur- threats to end joint war games off on Monday on the island of rently train Philippine soldiers in and kick American soldiers out Palawan in the west of the ar- counter-terrorism. of his country as he edges closer chipelago. He has also threatened to to Beijing. Philippine Army spokesman scrap a defence pact intended Duterte has called for the Colonel Benjamin Hao earlier to counter Chinese expansion in withdrawal of American troops told reporters that the exercise the South China Sea as he courts from his country and has brand- was intended “to test the basic Beijing for aid and investment. ed US President Barack Obama war fi ghting skills of our soldiers Duterte’s war on drugs has a “son of a w****” in response (and) to improve the relationship seen more than 4,000 people to international criticism of his of both armed forces”. killed, with the United Nations, Bureau of Customs off icial Ariel Nepomuceno speaks beside Malaysian national Nassir Uddin bin Mohd Hasnan covering his face who was deadly war on drugs. Harry Harris, commander of the European Union and rights arrested after he tried to smuggle high grade cocaine at Ninoy Aquino International airport in Pasay city, Metro Manila yesterday. He also announced an end the US Pacifi c Command, said groups raising concerns about to joint war games after an am- in Washington that military co- alleged extrajudicial killings phibious exercise involving sev- operation between the US and and a breakdown in the rule of eral hundred US and Filipino the Philippines is unchanged for law. marines fi nished last month. now. Duterte has insisted he is not But yesterday, military The Philippine military said doing anything illegal, but added spokesmen said about an ongo- it was awaiting guidelines from he would be “happy to slaugh- ing month-long joint training Duterte on whether the joint war ter” three million drug users. Duterte trusts Trump to Ombudsman has be fair on immigration Reuters Manila no legal power to hilippine leader Rodrigo Duterte thinks he will get along with Donald PTrump as the US president-elect “has not meddled in human rights” issues, and he trusted Trump’s judgment to deal fairly dismiss: Villanueva with the undocumented workers he plans to kick out. Duterte’s hostility towards traditional By Jeff erson Antiporda Apart from Villanueva, also facing charges are ally the United States has defi ned his presi- Manila Times former Agriculture secretary and now Bohol Rep. dency so far, but he has changed his tune Arthur Yap; Villanueva’s former staff member Ro- since Trump’s surprise election win last nald Samonte; former Department of Agriculture week. defi ant Senator Joel Villanueva has main- employee Delia Ladera; former Nabcor representa- “It was a well-deserved victory. You tained that the Offi ce of the Ombudsman tives Alan Javellana, Romulo Relevo, Ma. Julie Vil- (Trump) are the chosen leader of the most Acannot order his dismissal for alleged mis- laralvo-Johnson, Rhodora Mendoza, Maria Ninez powerful country,” Duterte told reporters at use of “pork barrel” funds, arguing that it has no Guanizo and Alfredo Ronquillo, president of Aaron a function at the presidential palace late on jurisdiction over members of Congress. Foundation Philippines, Inc. Tuesday. In an interview, Villanueva also pointed out that Aaron Foundation was allegedly the recipient of He acknowledged Trump’s intent to he is now a member of the Senate, but the ombuds- agricultural supplies funded by Villanueva’s PDAF. crackdown on illegal migrants. man’s dismissal order pertained to his supposed The deal involved the purchase of vegetable seed- Large numbers of Filipinos are believed use of P10mn in priority development assistance lings, liquid fertilisers and threshers from MJ Rick- to be working illegally in the United States funds (PDAF) when he was a member of the House son Trading Corp. for the residents of Pantukan, and remittances from all US-based Fili- of Representatives. Nabunturan, Tambongon, Bongabong, Napnapan, pinos is equivalent to 3% of the country’s Villanueva, who represented the Citizens’ Bat- Mipangi, Anislagan and Magsaysay in Compostela GDP. “I trust in his judgment that he would tle Against Corruption (Cibac) party-list in the Valley province. be fair in the matter of the treatment of ille- House from 2002 to 2010, claimed the ombuds- However, the ombudsman found that these areas gal immigrants. I cannot talk for the illegals man did not consider evidence that his signature were not suitable for farming. It also found that not because, whether President Trump or any- in a letter authorising the release of funds for ag- one of the alleged recipients was a registered voter body else for that matter, an illegal is always ricultural supplies was forged. The senator was or a resident of those towns. an illegal.” referring to the authorisation letter supposedly Villanueva insisted that he did not have a Duterte’s volatility and willingness to issued on November 7, 2008, using a letterhead staff member named Roland Samonte, which castigate anyone he disagrees with earned of the House of Representatives, authorising the the ombudsman could easily check with House him the nickname “Trump of the East” Rodrigo Duterte: hopeful National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor) to deduct records. when he was campaigning as the alternative a 3% management fee from the total cost of the “These are the main points … these are all not candidate in a presidential election he won friends with anyone and noted the incom- yesterday said Trump’s migration policy project. part of the decision (of the ombudsman). They did in May by a big margin. ing president had not said anything about would have little impact on the Philippines. On Monday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Mo- not even bother to look,” he said. His warm words for Trump contrasts human rights – a no-go topic for Duterte He declined during a regular briefi ng to rales ordered Villanueva dismissed from public Villanueva, son of evangelical preacher Eddie starkly with the abuse he poured on incum- and a trigger for his rage. give an estimate of the number of Filipinos service after fi nding him guilty of grave miscon- Villanueva, maintained that he never pocketed a bent Barack Obama, who he told repeatedly “We don’t have any quarrels. I can always working illegally in the United States. duct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to single centavo from his PDAF, and vowed to ex- to “go to hell” and called a “son of a b****” be a friend to anybody especially to a presi- Abella said there were mechanisms in the interest of the service. haust all legal means to clear his name. for daring to voice concern about the death dent, a chief executive of another country,” place to provide them with business and Villanueva pointed out that in the purported let- Villanueva headed the Technical Education and toll in Duterte’s drugs war. he said. “He has not meddled in the human employment opportunities and the govern- ter, the name of the party-list he was representing Skills Development Authority in the previous ad- When asked if he thought he would get rights.” ment encouraged them to return home be- was wrong – Buhay party-list instead of Cibac. ministration. along with Trump, he said he could be Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella fore Trump takes offi ce. 1mn pesos bounty raised to nab de Lima’s lover

By Jomar Canlas accepting payoff s from prison and Ronnie Dayan, who was pin- declined to name the politician. & Catherine S Valente drug lords to fi nance her senato- pointed as the collector of drug De Lima on Tuesday insisted Manila Times rial campaign, with the driver- money,” Aguirre told the report- that she never allowed her per- bodyguard as her bagman. ers. Aguirre also said de Lima’s sonal life to aff ect her work as a In a statement, Chief Presi- admission of the aff air with Day- public servant, and that her track resident Rodrigo Du- dential Legal Counsel Salvador an established the fact that the record could speak for itself. terte’s chief legal counsel Panelo said de Lima’s admission latter became her common-law “Like many of us, including Pon Tuesday called on Sen. of her “romantic albeit illegal husband. my detractors, some decisions Leila de Lima to quit after ad- and immoral liaison with her “She denied that (aff air) ear- and relationships in our past mitting that she had a romantic bodyguard-driver” validates the lier. And now, the truth has have not been the best and the relationship with her driver- president’s accusation that the come out. Ronnie Dayan was her wisest. I have learned from these bodyguard because of the “frail- senator “committed unlawful common-law husband,” Aguirre experiences and resolved to use ties of a woman.” and immoral acts and opens her said. my pain to focus on the good I As this developed, the Volun- to a criminal charge of adultery, The admission also strength- can do,” de Lima said in a state- teers Against Crime and Corrup- her lover being a married man.” ens the disbarment case fi led ment. tion (VACC) announced a P1mn Panelo later told reporters: against her by the VACC before De Lima denied anew that bounty for the capture of de “It strengthens the case fi led the Supreme Court, he claimed. she fi nanced the construction Lima’s ex-lover, Ronnie Palisoc- against her on her involvement “There is no more doubt now of Dayan’s house in Pangasinan Dayan. in the drug operations. It opens that she had an aff air with a mar- and her alleged links to the illegal Businessmen pooled the funds her to expulsion proceedings in ried man. That is immorality… drug operations at the national after Dayan failed to show up in the Senate by the Senate Ethics Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption founding chairman Dante Jimenez (left) and lawyer Ferdinand the Supreme Court is consistent penitentiary. last month’s House of Repre- Committee for immorality and Topacio announce a 1mn pesos bounty for information leading to the arrest of Ronnie Palisoc-Dayan, in imposing the ultimate penalty “My record and my reputa- sentatives inquiry into de Lima’s grave misconduct in offi ce apart former driver-bodyguard of Senator Leila de Lima. of disbarment for lawyers in- tion have been untarnished until alleged role in the proliferation from opening herself to a disbar- volved in illicit aff airs,” Aguirre now because of all these unjust, of the drug trade in the New Bili- ment proceedings as a member sion interview aired Monday that that she never collected drug- Aguirre also said de Lima dug her said. unfair and false allegations and bid Prison in Muntinlupa, VACC of the bar for immorality and she was in a relationship with tainted money. She declined to own grave with her admission. Aguirre said the National Bu- fabricated lies against my alleged lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told unethical conduct. To save the Dayan, a native of Urbiztondo, give further details about her ties “It has very big implications reau of Investigation (NBI) had involvement in the drug trade. I reporters. Senate from further embarrass- Pangasinan, for a few years and with Dayan, saying she did not (on the charges against de Lima) received information that Dayan have made my peace with my Duterte bared de Lima’s aff air ment she must voluntarily re- that they broke up before she ran want to publicly discuss private because it corroborates state- was being harboured by a big- past and my family. I don’t know with Dayan in August, accusing sign.” for the Senate. matters. ments of the witnesses and es- time politician from Pangasinan, if my primary attacker can say the former Justice secretary of De Lima admitted in a televi- But the senator maintained Justice Secretary Vitaliano tablishes the link between her also linked to illegal drugs. He the same,” de Lima said. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 29 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL

Malaysia Paris deal’s implementation to to begin hiring of Bangladesh save millions of lives: Hasina workers in IANS “This is the time to move for- for Environment and Forests Dhaka ward to implement decisions Abdullah Al Islam Jakob signed into actions,” she said, adding the agreement at a ceremonial December that the Paris Agreement suc- programme held on Tuesday he lives of millions of cessfully created a solid ground during the Climate Conference people will be saved by for a meaningful cooperation in in Marrakesh, Morocco, Xinhua By Mizan Rahman Tthe implementation of combating climate change. news agency quoted the for- Dhaka the Paris Agreement, Bang- “We must be prepared to eign ministry spokeswoman as ladesh Prime Minister Sheikh share equitable burden to ful- saying in a statement. Hasina has said. fi l our promises of making the Khaleda Begum, senior infor- angladesh is set to make “Lives of millions of people world a safer and better place mation offi cer of the ministry signifi cant breakthrough would continue to be at risk for our future generation. of foreign aff airs, said signing Bin manpower export in the unless we deliver to our com- “Unless, we address this of the ISA Framework Agree- coming months with opening of mitments on climate change is- challenge of climate-induced ment has reiterated the fi rm greater scope of sending more sues,” she said pointing out that migrant issue appropriately, we commitment of the government workers to two major overseas Bangladesh is one of the fi rst would never be able to attain towards further promoting re- job markets. countries that signed and rati- the objectives of Sustainable newable energy, more particu- According to offi cial sources fi ed the Paris Agreement. Development Goals,” she said. larly solar energy. in Dhaka, the process of sending Hasina made the statement at Hasina said Bangladesh is Joining the ISA will widen workers to Malaysia would start the 22nd edition of the Confer- also the fi rst country to set the opportunities for Bangla- in December. ence of the Parties (COP22) in up “Climate Change Trust desh to collaborate with other Saudi Arabia would also start Marrakesh, Morocco, on Tues- Fund” of $400mn from its own member of this Alliance in the soon taking more home work- day, Dhaka Tribune reported. resources. areas of solar technology, fi - ers from Bangladesh as the According to Hasina, Marra- Bangladesh joins solar nance, research, innovation and Kingdom on Monday approved kesh climate conference bears alliance: Bangladesh has development as well as capacity recruitment to this eff ect. a special signifi cance as the joined the International Solar building, it said. “The Saudi cabinet approved historic agreement signed last Alliance (ISA), an initiative International Solar Alliance an arrangement on recruiting year “creating a solid ground announced by India, by sign- is a global platform for coop- home workers from Bangladesh,” for a meaningful co-operation ing the Framework Agreement eration among solar-rich coun- Saudi Press Agency reported. in combating climate change on ISA, an official said yester- tries, which was launched at The cabinet also approved es- impacts”, is expected to be en- day. the Climate Summit in Paris on tablishment of labour attache forced this year. Bangladeshi Deputy Minister November 30 last year. Sheikh Hasina speaking at the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) in Marrakesh, Morocco yesterday. offi ces at the Saudi embassy in Dhaka based on a recommenda- tion by the Standing Commit- tee of the Council of Economic Aff airs and Development. Saudi Arabia in August lifted ban on the recruitment of Bang- Crackdown on Lanka launches plan to ladeshi workers after seven years. Currently, there are some 60,000 female domestic helps among 1.3mn Bangladeshi workers in the Kingdom. tax evaders to address sexual violence Malaysia, another major over- seas job market for Bangladeshi workers, would also be reopened IANS said the ministry was happy other partners to eliminate all a requirement to regain trade soon as authorities of the two Colombo that several leading ministries forms of sexual and gender- concessions from the European countries already reached an un- begin soon and institutions from diff erent based violence against women, Union. derstanding on employment of sectors, UN agencies, INGOs men, boys and girls. Priyasad was allegedly re- Bangladeshis in Malaysia. ri Lanka yesterday and NGOs had joined hands Meanwhile, police in Sri sponding to comments by The Malaysian government IANS ister Ravi Karunanayake said launched a national ac- in developing the plan and Lanka yesterday arrested two Razik. Both men have been suspended recruitment of for- Colombo the department had more Stion plan to address sex- ensured a multi-sectoral en- people accused of publicly in- remanded to custody. eign workers from all countries than doubled the number of ual and gender-based violence. gagement, thereby putting in citing racial hatred, including Concerns were raised by civil including Bangladesh in Febru- tax fi les since the new govern- The action plan was offi cially place a comprehensive holistic one from the majority Sinhalese society on the recent trend of ary this year. ri Lanka’s inland revenue ment came to power in January launched by the ministry of national plan. community. racial hate speeches. Expatriates’ Welfare and department will carry last year, but many remained women and child aff airs and the Una McCauley, resident co- The Colombo Fort police said On Tuesday, Tamils in the Overseas Employment Minis- Sout raids on businesses outside the tax net. UN Development Programme ordinator of UN Sri Lanka and they arrested a man named Dan eastern district of Batticaloa ter Nurul Islam told reporters to crack down on tax evasion, He said that while Sri Lan- (UNDP) in Colombo, Xinhua Resident Representative of Priyasad who had called himself protested and called for the ar- yesterday that the government the media reported yesterday. ka’s population consists of news agency reported. UNDP Sri Lanka, stated that the “Saviour of the Sinhalese” rest of a local Buddhist monk would start in December the Kalyani Dahanayake, com- 23mn people, there were only The national action plan, the national plan was a clear and had publicly threatened to for publicly threatening a Tamil process of sending workers to missioner general of the in- 43,000 corporate tax fi les, developed on the vision of indication of the political will bomb Muslims in Sri Lanka. state offi cial with death. Malaysia. land revenue department, 21,000 VAT fi les and 25,000 creating “a violence-free life of the government of Sri Lanka Similarly, secretary of the “We are extremely con- The decision was a result of said the department’s aim Nation Building Tax fi les. for women and children” with through a comprehensive and Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamath, cerned at the appearance of the successful bilateral meet- was to widen the tax base These are only 9% of zero tolerance for sexual and multi-sectoral framework in- Abdul Razik, was arrested signs that, yet again, legal re- ing with Malaysia’s Human and get people to pay their tax fi les compared to the gender-based violence in Sri volving three important di- in the capital on charges of forms aimed at improving our Resources Minister Datuk Seri taxes, Xinhua news agency population, he said. Lanka, is signifi cant as it was mensions; namely, preven- speaking against other reli- democracy and governance Richard Riot, held in Dhaka on reported. “Isn’t this disgraceful? Pay formulated using a multi- tion, intervention and policy gions in an off ensive man- are being undermined by the Tuesday, the minister said. “We will be going all over your due call and ask as much sectoral approach with en- advocacy. ner during a protest campaign forces of chauvinism and in- The Malaysian minister told country even after offi ce hours as you want from the govern- gagement from key ministries She said the UN System in Sri held earlier this week. tolerance,” Centre for Policy the meeting that his country to get people not in the tax net ment. But don’t pay nothing representing nine sectors. Lanka looks forward to work- The Thawheed Jamath pro- Alternatives (CPA), a leading would hire Bangladeshi workers to be brought in,” she said. and ask for everything,” the Chandrani Bandara, minis- ing together with the ministry tested against moves to amend civil society organisation said in three sectors - construction, Sri Lanka’s Finance Min- minister said. ter of women and child aff airs, of women and child aff airs and the Muslim Marriage Act as in a statement. plantation and manufacturing. BNP man Heavy rain lashes Colombo 41 Tibetan arrested for attacks on refugees held minorities By Mizan Rahman in Nepal Dhaka

Thomson Reuters travel documents,” Bista said olice yesterday arrested Foundation over phone from Dhangadi. an opposition Bangladesh Kathmandu “We have taken them into cus- PNationalist Party (BNP) tody and handed (them) over leader for his alleged role in re- to immigration authorities.” cent attacks on minority Hindu epali police have de- Basudev Ghimire, director community in Nasirnagar area of tained 41 Tibetans at the immigration depart- Brahmanbaria district. Ntrying to cross the ment in Kathmandu, said the He was identifi ed as Amirul border into India, offi cials said refugees, were being brought Hossain Chakder, president of on Tuesday, in a crackdown on back to the Nepali capital Nasirnagar Sadar Union unit of BNP. people fl eeing the region. where an investigation would After a tip-off , a police team Fewer than 200 Tibet- be conducted on how they had conducted a raid in Nasirnagar ans arrived in 2013, trekking entered Nepal. Bazar area and arrested Chakder, Sri Lankan commuters drive through heavy rain in Colombo yesterday. The Sri Lankan capital has been lashed by heavy rains for days to cross treacherous “If they are genuine refu- said Nasirnagar police station causing major traff ic jams throughout the city. mountainous passes to reach gees they may be handed over offi cer in-charge Abu Jafar. Nepal before seeking political to the United Nations High A total of 85 people have so far asylum in India - down from Commissioner for Refugees. been arrested in connection with the an annual average of 2,000 Otherwise they may be de- attacks on the Hindu community. before 2008. ported to the country they On October 30, a mob attacked Human rights groups such came from,” said Ghimire. a number of Hindu temples and as Human Rights Watch say Offi cials from the Chinese nearly 100 houses in Nasirna- Madhesi parties issue fresh ultimatum to govt Nepal faces Chinese pressure embassy in Kathmandu were gar following a rumour of an to limit the fl ow of Tibetans not immediately available for off ensive Facebook post. The Sanghiya Gathabandhana Singha Durbar. the amendment proposal in a important issues as federalism, crossing the border and re- comment. However, a report revealed that - an alliance of 29 Janjati and According to a source, Yadav, couple of days. national identity, representation in strictions have helped stem Nepal is home to more than a turf war between Nasirnagar Madhes-centric parties protesting while handing over the The Madhes-centric parties the state apparatuses on the basis the number of those 20,000 Tibetans - many who lawmaker and Fisheries Minister against the new constitution – memorandum, said: “The associated with the alliance of population, proportional and fl eeing Tibet. fl ed after an abortive uprising Muhammed Sayedul Hoque and has issued a 15-day ultimatum registration of the amendment have been carrying out a inclusive representation, good Police offi cer Rajen- in 1959. Brahmanbarhia district unit Awa- to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal proposal won’t suff ice unless it protest movement pressing governance, electoral system, dra Bista said the Tibetans Approximately 128,000 Ti- mi League president and lawmak- Dahal to register a proposal for a accommodates our opinion. The for fulfilment of their demands, the federal judicial system and were stopped on Monday at betans live in exile around the er Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury constitutional amendment that proposal should be agreeable to especially demarcation of the elimination of the caste-based, Dhangadi, 430km (270 miles) world - according to an esti- had led to the attacks. accommodates their demands, us and fulfil our demands. provincial borders, citizenship regional and gender-based southwest of Kathmandu as mate based on a 2009 census Amid allegations of negligence IANS reports from Kathmandu. “We are ready to wait for another and proportional inclusive discrimination and inequality, in they travelled on a bus to India by the Central Tibetan Ad- to stop the mayhem, police started Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum 15 days. But the proposal should representation based on such a way that the grievances where the spiritual leader, the ministration, a body based an inquiry. That also blamed a feud Nepal chairman Upendra Yadav be agreeable to us.” population, among others. of the Madhesis and indigenous Dalai Lama, lives in exile. in Dharamsala, India. Other between local political leaders as submitted a reminder letter on In response, Dahal assured him The memorandum further stated: nationalities, among others, are “They did not possess pass- estimates have placed the responsible for the mayhem. the matter to Dahal at his off ice in that he was working to register “It is necessary to address the redressed.” ports nor had they any other number higher. Gulf Times 30 Thursday, November 17, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Production Editor: C P Ravindran Even in defeat, Clinton

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] an inspiration for women Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Maybe it was karmic also the unfairness of a last-minute Voting for the Iraq war was a huge one. But Hillary Clinton should not move that America’s nastiest intervention by the FBI chief, with Her strategies running against Obama off into the sunset without getting the Fax 44350474 voting already underway, to stir up were at times overbearing, even credit she deserves for putting herself presidential campaign new doubts about old e-mails. Of a off ensive. Her ties to corporations have out there time and again, and not woman who spent a lifetime preparing felt too cozy. giving up even when she was trashed, came when a woman for the nation’s top job losing to This time around, her biggest failing humiliated and misrepresented. was running, to test her someone who hadn’t spent a day in seemed to be that people wanted Even as I have questioned some of public service and who boasts of not someone angry, and she doesn’t do her stances, I have drawn personal strength and show how reading books. anger. She’s rational, methodical and strength and inspiration from the way GULF TIMES resilient a woman can be Maybe it was karmic that America’s even-keeled. To some, that suggested she withstood the personal shaming nastiest presidential campaign came she didn’t care enough or was too and political savaging. when a woman was running, to test calculated. (You’d be circumspect, And that’s not to mention the By Rekha Basu her strength and show how resilient a too, if you’d seen your every word gruelling schedules and the physical Des Moines Register/TNS woman can be. thrown back at you – even as your endurance it took to keep up the pace As she has so many times before, opponent got away with saying literally at an age when some of us are tempted Can Trump bring Clinton didn’t get rattled or lose her anything.) to kick back and even – dare I say it ? – wo days after Hillary Clin- bearings. She shrugged insults off and bake cookies. ton’s stunning electoral stayed on point, just as she learned to Although Hillary Although Hillary Clinton will not defeat, a TV network showed do when she got slammed for saying get to fulfi l the hopes of so many and a sense of calm Ta picture of her looking re- she wasn’t the type to stay home and Clinton will not get become the fi rst female president, she laxed and radiant while walking in the bake cookies, or when she said she will have opened the door. woods. She had agreed to a selfi e with forgave Bill for the Lewinsky scandal to fulfi l the hopes Comedian Seth Meyers, of all a young mother and baby she encoun- and people claimed she was making people, said it beautifully and to Indo-Pak ties? tered out for a hike. excuses for him. of so many and emotionally in his post-election It was striking that Clinton, who Clinton used those lessons when show. “Someone’s daughter is out was widely expected to make history running for the Senate, for president become the fi rst there right now who will one day have It seems both India and Pakistan can’t do anything by this election, had the appearance not against Barack Obama and when she female president, that title,” he said of a fi rst female themselves and are waiting for Donald Trump to assume of someone defensive or angry or was secretary of state. president. “Maybe you’re a woman office as America’s President to bring some measure grieving, but someone at peace with No number of apologies would ever she will have who’s currently a senator. Maybe the world, and herself. be enough to be forgiven for using a you’re in college. Hopefully you’re of calm to the relationship between the two warring But then, she’s had experience private e-mail server or for US deaths opened the door not a toddler.... We don’t know who neighbours! handling disappointments. “I survived in the Benghazi attack. you are, but I imagine this moment Recent events have caused despair among peace lovers because of a combination of soul She was even opposed by a group of But the Democratic National will be a defi ning one for you, one that searching and relying on friends, mothers who reject vaccinations for Committee and its former chair, will make you work harder and strive and raised tensions sky high with the talk of war and nuclear the support of people who give their children. Strange times we live in. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, farther.” attacks dominating news channels on both sides of the advice, religious faith, long and hard “Her biggest mistake,” I wrote in seemed to be tone deaf about Wherever Clinton’s journey takes border. discussions,” she told Talk magazine 1999, “may have been in not realising Bernie Sanders’ momentum in their her next, she should know that many in 1999 after the Monica Lewinsky she was damned whether she talked clumsy efforts to anoint Clinton the of us owe her a debt, and that someone Saner voices are being drowned out and there is real fear scandal blew up. It has been a tougher or didn’t. If she didn’t wear her pain party’s nominee. someday will repay it in a way she’d that the crisis may escalate into something more sinister road for her supporters. on her sleeve, she was evasive or made Then some of Sanders’ followers celebrate. imperilling the lives of millions of people. It isn’t just the deferred dream of steel. When she opened up, she lost convinced themselves that her of a fi rst female president, or the her dignity.” administration would be no better than zRekha Basu is a columnist for the Des India’s BJP-led government is in no mood to relent ever fear that a Trump presidency will Not that Clinton hasn’t made her a Trump one and stayed home. They’ll Moines Register. Readers may send her since the attack on the Uri military base in Kashmir killed reverse eight years of progress. It’s share of mistakes, as I have noted. soon see how wrong they were. e-mail at [email protected] 19 soldiers in September. Pakistan denied any involvement but India launched what it called a “surgical strike” in which it was claimed that several terrorist “launching pads” were destroyed. Pakistan dismissed the event as regular border fi ring, but that didn’t stop the BJP and its partners from whipping up a nationalistic storm that was felt across every aspect of bilateral co-operation. Obviously there Several Pakistani actors working is serious lack in Bollywood of eff ort by both productions had to leave India in countries to defuse a hurry as anti- Pakistan sentiment the situation touched hitherto unseen levels. The makers of a movie starring Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan were threatened with violence and asked to shell out 500 million rupees to a soldiers’ fund in a dubious deal brokered by politicians to ensure its release. In Pakistan, authorities banned Indian films and television serials in retaliation. Cinema hall owners resented the move, but had to go along with the government diktat. Left with the prospect of empty theatres, authorities hurriedly signed deals to screen Turkish and Iranian movies. On the border almost daily skirmishes have claimed several lives so far, including those of soldiers and hapless villagers who bear the brunt of any confl ict. Thousands Hillary Clinton: she should not move off into the sunset without getting the credit she deserves for putting herself out there time and again, and not giving up even when she of people on both sides of the divide have been forced to was trashed, humiliated and misrepresented. evacuate, causing them untold hardship. With each country blaming the other for “unprovoked” firing, patriotic grandstanding has acquired ridiculous proportions with politicians and commentators referencing myths and imaginary conquests to score An economic ultimatum for the Arab World points. Obviously there is serious lack of eff ort to defuse the Hydrocarbon-producing countries Still, Middle Eastern countries cannot which began in December 2010 and led situation, although both sides would maintain they are By Marwan Muasher Washington used their profi ts to establish what hope to develop prosperous economies to the 2011 Arab Spring, was a response leaving no stone unturned in the quest for peace. were eff ectively welfare states; and without such a transition. After relying to the breakdown of the old social The unexpected arrival of Trump on the world political non-oil producers enjoyed the benefi ts on resource rents for decades, these contracts. In today’s perfect storm of f Middle Eastern of aid, capital infl ows and remittances governments must switch not only to declining oil prices and closed political scene, meanwhile, has added to all the chaos. Curiously, it countries do not sent back by their nationals working in new growth models, but also to more systems, a new wave of protest could has also raised hopes of a de-escalation of tensions, the logic Istart making real resource-rich countries. representative governance. When Arab well emerge, particularly where being that Trump would somehow turn out to be the exact progress on funda- Because the governments of oil- societies are asked to accept reduced governments have not recognised that mental political and producing countries used revenues to subsidies, fewer government jobs, and the end of rentierism marks the end of opposite of what was projected about him in the run-up to economic reforms, provide for most of their people’s needs, less from the state in general, they will the old social contract. the US election! further regional tur- these governments fostered a culture of demand a larger share in the decision- For these governments, economic Even Trump wouldn’t have expected the burden to moil is inevitable. With the rentier dependency, rather than encouraging making process. reform is now a matter of survival. In a fall on his shoulders before he took charge at the White systems that governments have main- self-reliance and entrepreneurship more open system, Arab governments tained for decades now at a breaking to expand the private sector. What’s will need to privatise many state- House, but he will be surely enjoying all the attention. point, policymakers must begin the more, because they did not need to In recent decades, controlled companies, and make it far Maybe he really has a plan that has escaped everyone for diffi cult, but not impossible, process of tax their citizens to generate revenues, most Arab countries easier for entrepreneurs to register 70 years. establishing new social contracts. people had little recourse to challenge start-ups and launch new businesses. That contract in Arab countries authoritarianism. The political culture have benefi ted in And, ultimately, Arab states’ economic Maybe. After all, did anybody take him seriously when he started to erode at the turn of refl ected a simple principle: “no reforms will succeed only if citizens gain announced his intention to run for President? the century, when governments taxation, no representation.” some way from a more powerful voice in governance. with infl ated budgets and bloated Now that oil prices are declining and Tunisia is the one country where bureaucracies could no longer provide will likely continue to remain low for the Middle East’s a new social contract has begun to an adequate supply of basic services several years, if not permanently, the replace rentierism. The rest of the To Advertise such as healthcare and education, Middle East’s rentier systems face a abundant oil and Arab world faces two alternatives. Its create a suffi cient number of jobs, or signifi cant challenge. leaders can begin fi ghting the cancer [email protected] sustain food and fuel subsidies. But, But, while the Arab world’s gas reserves of an unsustainable status quo, with Display despite diminished state benefi ts, most governments have reached the limits all the pain and uncertainty that such leaders have continued to insist that of their ability to employ more people, As it stands, the Arab world is stuck a struggle entails; or they can wait Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 their countries’ people uphold their raise public debt and attract outside between an unsustainable economic and for the cancer to become a terminal Classified end of the contract by not participating grants, members of these countries’ political status quo and the inclusive, condition, and be devoured by it.– meaningfully in public life. political and economic elite, whom merit-based economic system that Project Syndicate/Mohammed Bin Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 Arab governments were able to the current rentier system privileges, less myopic people in the region Rashid Global Initiatives Subscription sustain ineffi cient economies for will likely resist eff orts at substantive know must replace it. Too many Arab [email protected] decades because they were propped reform. And we should expect to governments have put themselves in this z Marwan Muasher, a former foreign up by oil revenues. In recent decades, see further opposition from state untenable situation, having given little minister and deputy prime minister most Arab countries have benefi ted bureaucracies, which lack any vision consideration to building the governance of Jordan, is vice president for Studies 2016 Gulf Times. All rights reserved in some way from the Middle East’s for a transition to an inclusive and institutions their states need. at the Carnegie Endowment for abundant oil and gas reserves. sustainable economic model. The fi rst wave of Arab uprisings, International Peace. Gulf Times Thursday, November 17, 2016 31 COMMENT Need to end abuse of antibiotics Antibiotic-resistant able cost-benefi t analysis might be there are several options with similar possible. But about 70% of them are effi cacy and safety, produced by dif- bacteria represent a glo- used to make farm animals to grow a ferent companies. So clinicians could bal threat, and therefore bit faster. The other 30%, while used prescribe drugs mostly from highly to treat people, are often prescribed rated companies, and avoid drugs from cannot be addressed with incorrectly or needlessly. And, because companies with low ratings. Patients national measures alone a substantial share of the used drugs could encourage such decision-mak- are released into the environment ing, and follow suit when purchasing with wastewater and manure, bacte- over-the-counter drugs. Over time, By Carlos F Amebile-Cuevas rial communities in soils, waters, and antibiotics could become more profi t- Mexico City wildlife are also exposed. able again, as engaged companies sell If this abuse of antibiotics does more of their other drugs and the need not end, we will soon fi nd ourselves for costly incentives diminishes. rom the discovery of penicillin without drugs to treat bacterial infec- The key to NANBU’s success will in 1928 to the introduction of tions eff ectively. But while some steps be to ensure widespread understand- the last of the main groups of are being taken – a high-level United ing of the antibiotic-resistance threat Fantibiotics in the 1960s, hu- Nations meeting last September pro- and what is needed to combat it. This manity’s capacity to fi ght pathogenic duced proposals for some international would give patients and doctors the bacteria has been transformative. But, measures – they are far from adequate. impetus to regard NANBU ratings in over time, the number of antibiotics to What is really needed is an im- making drug decisions, as well as to which bacteria are susceptible has been mediate worldwide ban on the pressure their governments to take dwindling, and some pathogens have agricultural use of antibiotics. even stronger action. The use of a become resistant to most or all exist- Moreover, guidelines for the clinical public awareness campaign to intensify ing drugs. As a result, once-treatable use of antibiotics, which the medical pressure on governments to pursue infections are becoming deadly again. community now follows as closely as necessary but diffi cult measures Already, antibiotic resistance is those concerning how to pick a neck- has worked before – for example, in leading to an estimated 700,000 tie, must be reviewed and strongly advancing forest and fi shery sustain- deaths per year, with fi nancial costs enforced. These two measures alone ability. reaching tens of billions of dollars. – both of which could be enacted by Public awareness was among the As antibiotic resistance continues to governmental regulatory agencies – priorities highlighted at the UN meet- undermine our ability to treat cancers, would reduce the use of antibiotics ing. To carry out that global eff ort, transplant organs, and implant pros- by nearly 80%, slowing the rise of however, we need a new global institu- thesis, these fi gures will only rise. antibiotic resistance substantially. tion that really is up to the task. NAN- Many factors have contributed to Of course, getting governments to BU, as an international NGO, would rising antibiotic resistance. Bacteria implement such measures will not be able to cope with the transnational can reproduce and mutate rapidly, be easy, because they run counter to nature of most drug companies, while and they can establish something of a powerful economic interests, the most being protected from national-level “genetic Internet” that enables certain obvious being the pharmaceutical lobbying or political pressure. pathogenic bacteria to “download” industry, which sells $40bn worth of astronomical prices for new drugs. antibiotic-resistance problem; those that engaged in the opposite behav- Antibiotic-resistant bacteria rep- antibiotic-resistant genes. Moreover, antibiotics each year. While Big Phar- But the benefi ts of such incentives that do not contribute should be pun- iours – selling antibiotics as livestock resent a global threat, and therefore most antibiotics are natural products ma has a strong interest in continued for pharmaceutical companies would ished with fewer sales. I call it NANBU “growth promoters” or actively en- cannot be addressed with national of soil bacteria, in which antibiotic antibiotic abuse, it has little interest far exceed the cost of the actual R&D (No Antibiotics, No Business). couraging physicians to prescribe the measures alone. The world must think resistance can occur naturally. When in developing new antibiotics to tackle pursued; they would be instruments NANBU would grant points to drugs – would lose points. and act together to preserve the huge human-made antibiotics were intro- drug-resistant bacteria. Drugs for to funnel public funds into private companies with vigorous research At fi rst, virtually all drug companies gains to human health and well-being duced on a massive scale, the bacteria chronic illnesses and cancer are better hands – the very hands that caused the programmes or with new antibiotics in would have negative scores. But, over that antibiotics have enabled. – Project with resistance became the most for their bottom line. problem. the development pipeline. Companies time, the ratings could be adjusted, al- Syndicate prevalent. So Big Pharma is seeking “incen- Beyond all of these carrots, however, that do not manufacture or sell antibi- ways according to scientifi cally sound Today, humans release about tives” to pursue research and de- societies should consider using some otics for agricultural purposes, or that advice from an independent group of l Carlos FAmabile-Cuevas is the direc- 100,000 tons of antibiotics per year. velopment of new antibiotics, such sticks. I propose an initiative that rates refuse to promote the use of antibiotics experts. The ratings could then be used tor of the Lusara Foundation, a private, If those antibiotics were being used as extended patents or tax breaks; pharmaceutical companies accord- for diseases that do not require such to guide drug-purchasing decisions. nonprofi t research institution in Mexico properly and saving lives, a reason- the alternative would be to charge ing to their contribution to solving the drugs, would gain points as well. Those For many kinds of relevant drugs, City.

Graphics help bring Rowling’s magical world to life Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY By Marie-Louise Gumuchian naturally easy for anyone creatively High: 30 C Reuters, London was that it was a new location, a specific period in time as Low : 22 C Expected poor horizontal visibility opposed to a contemporary period over most area at first n a table in a London studio, referencing historical periods (like copies of The New York in Harry Potter) so having those Ghost newspaper lie beside markers...are actually kind of really FRIDAY a pile of applications for good anchors to build on.” High: 29 C O Low: 20 C wand permits. Nearby a Witch’s Friend The duo came up with all sorts of magazine teases winter fashion trends. graphic designs for the movie. Sunny The items by graphic designers The designers start work six months Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima before shooting with visual research are among the fantastical creations and questions for Rowling to get more SATURDAY helping bring to life Harry Potter information for items like Scamander’s High: 30 C author J K Rowling’s latest off ering passport. Low: 21 C from her magical world of witches and “We need to ask Jo those things Sunny wizards, movie Fantastic Beasts and like what’s his birthday, where was he Where to Find Them. born, all those details that you might The duo, who met on the Harry not see,” Mina said. “We have to create Fishermen’s forecast Potter and the Chamber of Secrets set, the integrity of a piece.” OFFSHORE DOHA worked on eight fi lms in the hugely Mina and Lima are exhibiting Wind: SE-E 03-12 KT popular series, designing items like their work at the four-storey House Waves: 1-3 Feet The Daily Prophet newspaper with of MinaLima, where fans can view INSHORE DOHA Wind: SE-E 03-10 KT moving pictures to the magically graphic art prints from the films. Waves: 1-2 Feet revealing Marauder’s Map. On display across the building’s Along with other creative teams wooden floors and draped windows Around the region from the Harry Potter fi lms, they have are posters, signage, front pages Weather Weather returned with more intricate designs and props. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min for spin-off Fantastic Beasts to help J K Rowling: Harry Potter author “It’s completely immersive, you Abu Dhabi Sunny 32/20 Sunny 32/20 tell the new story of magizoologist feel that perhaps the building could be Baghdad P Cloudy 26/11 M Sunny 23/08 Dubai Newt Scamander. in New York with a case of magical Harry Potter fi lms stayed together for part of that universe of the wizarding Sunny 32/21 Sunny 31/21 Kuwait City M Sunny 29/16 P Cloudy 28/15 The movie, set 70 years before the creatures. Fantastic Beasts,” Mina told Reuters world,” Mina said. “We wanted people Manama Sunny 30/19 M Sunny 28/20 fi rst Harry Potter books, unfolds in “It was quite an organic transition in the graphic designers’ MinaLima to feel that they are maybe in Diagon Muscat Sunny 28/18 Sunny 27/19 1926 as Scamander, played by Oscar for most people because quite a lot studio. Alley, but now a bit in New York as Riyadh Sunny 31/14 M Sunny 29/13 winner Eddie Redmayne, arrives of the people who had worked on the “The things that made it well,” Lima added. Tehran P Cloudy 22/12 P Cloudy 20/07

Live issues Can worrying about your health make you ill?

By Dr Luisa Dillner Anxiety is already associated with doctors have found? If there’s a yes to London increased thickness in artery walls any of them, he gently suggests help. and activation of hormone systems Simple reassurance is useless – Tyrer’s involved in stress – both increasing research shows cognitive behavioural ost people are happy if the risk of heart disease. This new therapy is needed to reinterpret their medical test results study took into account lifestyle their obsessive thoughts about their Around the world come back negative factors that promote heart disease, health. It helps to keep a diary to link Weather Weather – but for at least 5% but it was impossible to exclude symptoms with daily activities. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min M Sunny Sunny 19/11 of us such news brings no relief. If actual illness being the cause of some “The symptoms themselves are Athens 18/09 you have health anxiety, there is no of the health anxiety. often due to anxiety, such as chest Beirut Sunny 19/14 Sunny 23/17 Sunny P Cloudy 34/25 test on earth to reassure you. You pain,” says Tyrer. “We get people to Bangkok 33/23 Berlin Showers 09/08 S Showers 12/05 may pore over the Internet picking People with health make the connection themselves. Cairo Sunny 23/13 M Sunny 25/16 the most serious diagnosis for your For example, if they get chest pain Cape Town Cloudy 22/14 Cloudy 23/14 symptoms. And last week brought anxiety are more at work but not when digging the Colombo S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 32/25 evidence that health anxiety can garden then it’s unlikely to be Dhaka Sunny 31/19 Sunny 30/18 Hong Kong M Sunny 27/24 S Showers 28/25 make you physically ill. A study of likely to develop physical, cardiac pain.” Istanbul Sunny 13/04 Sunny 16/07 more than 7,000 Norwegians found Tyrer says that health anxiety Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 T Storms 31/24 that people with such anxiety had heart disease, says usually starts young: the death of a Karachi Sunny 33/16 Sunny 32/17 a 73% greater chance of developing community psychiatry and an expert grandparent can be a trigger. About London Cloudy 12/04 M Sunny 08/02 P Cloudy S T Storms 31/26 five to 10 therapy sessions seems to Manila 32/26 heart disease over 10 years, compared on health anxiety, says it is the level a study Moscow Cloudy -2/-3 S Showers 01/00 with those who weren’t anxious. of anxiety that sets it apart from work – as does mindfulness – and New Delhi Sunny 29/15 Sunny 29/13 Health anxiety is the persistent hypochondriasis. If you have health Tyrer asks people with symptoms the benefits seem long-lasting. So, New York Sunny 17/08 Sunny 18/07 preoccupation with having a serious anxiety, you want to stop worrying and suspected health anxiety three if you overmonitor your health and Paris Cloudy 13/09 Cloudy 10/05 illness. It involves monitoring about being ill rather than have questions: have you been worrying can’t be reassured enough (by tests Sao Paulo S T Storms 25/17 Showers 18/12 Seoul Sunny 15/03 P Cloudy 17/09 your body closely, misinterpreting your physical symptoms relieved. a lot about this (problem)? Do you if needed), suspect that your real Singapore T Storms 33/24 T Storms 31/24 symptoms and often seeking medical However, this latest study will ramp tend to worry about your health in condition is health anxiety and ask Sydney P Cloudy 23/14 M Sunny 33/18 advice. up any existing anxiety by linking it general? And have you ever felt that your doctor for help. – Guardian Tokyo Cloudy 16/08 Clear 15/08 Prof Peter Tyrer, professor of to heart disease. the problem is more serious than the News and Media Gulf Times 32 Thursday, November 17, 2016 QATAR

Wedding ceremony

HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has attended the wedding ceremony of Sheikh Suhaim, son of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani. On the occasion, a reception and dinner party was held and attended byministers, Sheikhs, friends and relatives. Sheikha Hind meets Stars of Science fi nalists

atar Foundation for Educa- amples for future generations who tion, Science and Community will go on to pursue scientific stud- QDevelopment (QF) vice chair- ies. person and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint “You each have a unique ability to Hamad al-Thani met the four fi nalists positively infl uence the region’s young of this season’s Stars of Science TV minds as inspirational role models, and programme, as well as alumni from your recent visit to Qatar Academy was the show, ahead of the fi nale on Sat- undoubtedly a source of great encour- urday. agement for the young students,” she During the gathering at the QF added. headquarters yesterday, Sheikha Hind The meeting served as a prel- talked with the science and research ude to the conclusion of the popular role models about their ideas and am- ‘edutainment’ TV show, currently in bitions for the future, which align with its eighth year. QF’s desire to embolden innovation An initiative of QF, the series aims and entrepreneurship in Qatar and the to showcase creative solutions that region. address regional and global challenges Noting their position as powerful within the information technology and community representatives, Sheikha energy industries, as well as the envi- Hind described them as shining ex- ronment and health sectors. HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani with the Stars of Science finalists and alumni at the QF headquarters yesterday.