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Saturday 14 January 2017 | 16 Rabia II 1438 Volume 21 | Number 7041 | 2 Riyals

Visitors impressed by Kenyan wins Ooredoo new transit visa rules Marathon

Fazeena Saleem Within 11 hours of transit, Raynald C Rivera The Peninsula they were able to visit several The Peninsula places in the country. “It was really a good experience to visit THE POUNDING steps of hun- any travellers a Middle Eastern county for the dreds of trainer-clad feet have started ben- first time. It really changed my echoed as a roar of runners efiting from the perception about the region. All took to the Doha Corniche for relaxed transit I have read is that these coun- the annual Ooredoo Marathon visa rules appli- tries have strict rules, especially yesterday morning. Mcable for Qatar Airways Passengers for women. We thought women The Corniche road was passengers with a minimum lay- travelling with should cover head to toe with temporarily closed for five over of five hours in Doha. oversized clothes but in Qatar we hours to give way to the much Free transit visas for short Qatar Airways were wearing the same dress we anticipated marathon which stopovers was implemented with a minimum dressed in the UK . During the visit attracts a huge number of run- since November 1 last year to transit time of five I managed to see the desert, cam- ners every year, some of whom attract more visitors to the hours at Hamad els for the first time and to buy comprise groups representing country. The new system allows fresh dates from the market. I various local companies. transiting passengers of all International really enjoyed the traditional In its fifth edition, the mar- nationalities to enter Qatar for Airport can stay in atmosphere of Souq Waqif and athon witnessed the up to 96 hours in between Qatar for up to 96 the modern structures in Doha participation of around 1,650 flights. hours, by applying and the City Centre shopping amateur and professional run- Several travellers The mall," said Perera. ners as well as enthusiasts from Peninsula spoke to shared their for an entry visa in She, however, suggested various categories based on age experiences saying the visa pro- advance. that a fast track visa processing and gender. cedures were very convenient desk for transit visa holders and This year’s marathon fea- and their stay in Doha was shuttle service between the air- tured courses for all abilities of memorable. Passengers travel- port and the Doha downtown runners including full mara- ling with Qatar Airways with a (excluding public holidays) prior and other major attractions thon (42km), half-marathon minimum transit time of five to departure. The visa is valid would help passengers save (21km), 10km run, 5km run, hours at Hamad International for 30 days from the date of time. 3km run and special children’s Airport can stay in Qatar for up issuance. To apply for a transit visa, a 1km fun run. The event kicked to 96 hours, by applying for an Wathsala Perera who visited confirmed ticket to Qatar and off at 6.30am with the course Young children participating in the fifth edition of the entry visa in advance. Doha with her mother in onwards on one of the Qatar running from the Museum of Ooredoo Marathon yesterday on the Doha Corniche. Passengers booking a multi- December said: “Applying for Airways operated flights is Islamic Art Park to the Shera- Pic: Baher Amin/The Peninsula city option with Qatar Airways the visa via Qatar Airways was required, along with a clear ton Doha Park. can simply include the stopover very easy. Within three days we passport copy for each passen- The much coveted full mar- time of two hours, 16 minutes Kiplagat won a full marathon in Doha to their booking, at no received our visas. I have a Brit- ger (including infants). The athon category was dominated and .05 seconds, Kiplagat beat in his career which spans over extra charge. The ticket book- ish passport and my mom has a passport should be valid for a by Kenyan runners with last year’s record of compatriot a decade, he told the media ings and applications for the Sri Lankan passport but we both minimum of six months at the 36-year-old Henry Kiplagat Amos Maindi by more than four after his victorious finish. pre-approved transit visa should got our visas within same time of entry into Qatar. clinching the top spot. With a minutes. This was the first time → Continued on page 2 be done at least seven days period.” → Continued on page 2

Palestinians seek Putin help to block Al Ruwais Port likely to become operational this year US embassy move Irfan Bukhari is working on the second phase see the capacity of the port with a cost lower than estimated. minal of the region. The Peninsula of Al Ruwais Port in the north expanded,” the document says, Hamad Port is now handling all The development work on Moscow of Qatar. An official yearly- adding that a new storage facility commercial vessels entering or the first phase of Al Ruwais Port AFP fter the inauguration of brief of 2016 on the would be built and a market leaving the country and Doha had been started in 2014 under Hamad Port last month, Al performance of the Ministry of would be established at the port Port is closed to all commercial the Emiri Decision No. 76 of 2014 PALESTINIAN President ARuwais Port is likely to Transport and Communications to sell products of neighboring ships. on the operating the port in order Mahmoud Abbas has asked become operational as commer- has revealed this. countries. Doha Port will continue to ease the entry and exit of ves- Russian President Vladimir cial port this year and will also “The ministry is currently Last month, the Ministry of receiving only cruise ships until sels, goods, travellers, import Putin to help stop the United house a market to sell products working on completing the sec- Transport and Communications March 31 this year as the drilling and export, and stimulating com- States moving its embassy to from neighbouring countries. ond phase of developing Al inaugurated Hamad Port after and development works on Doha mercial exchange between Jerusalem, a top Palestinian Currently, the Ministry of Ruwais Port. The process, sched- completion of its first phase Port site will start in April 2017 countries of the region. official said. Saeb Erekat said Transport and Communications uled to take less than a year, will ahead of stipulated time and to make it a leading cruise ter- → Continued on page 2 he had passed on the message from Abbas to Putin during a visit to Moscow during which he met Russian Foreign Anti-regime protest Minister Sergei Lavrov. Huge rush to get "The letter asks President Putin to do what he can about the information we have that mobile vendor licence President-elect Donald Trump will move the embassy Sanaullah Ataullah successful phase-1. Details to Jerusalem, which for us is The Peninsula about the initiative were given a red line and dangerous," by the senior officials of the Erekat said. pplications have poured Ministry in an interactive pro- The Grand Mufti of in at the Ministry of gramme on Qatar TV recently. Jerusalem used his sermon at AEconomy and Commerce The programme was the Al Aqsa Mosque seeking licence for running attended by Tariq Abdul Aziz Al compound to say the embassy mobile vendor business. Reg- Sada, Director of Public Rela- move would represent an istration is open and interested tions and Communications and "assault" on Muslims across candidates can apply till Feb- Saud Sultan Al Asiri, Head of the globe. ruary 1. The Ministry offered 12 Anti-Trade Monopolies and The Palestinian opportunities for vehicle ven- Market Competition Protection leadership has been informed dor in businesses including Department at the Ministry. by diplomatic contacts that eatery, ice-cream parlor, tyre “We received big number of Trump could call for the move repair and beauty salon by the applications thanks to the aware- in his inauguration speech on end of last month. ness of people about the January 20. The Palestinians Limited opportunities were importance of the opportunities. regard east Jerusalem as the offered because the initiative is Twelve opportunities are just capital of their future state, Syrians stage a protest against regime forces and its supporters for violating ceasefire, at the beginning stage. It means beginning as an experiment to while Israel proclaims the after Friday prayers at the Maarrat Al Nu'man district of Idlib, Syria. more opportunities are the markets,” said an official. entire city as its capital. expected to be offered after a → Continued on page 2 02 HOME SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017

Emir wishes Dr Al Kawari meets Dominican officials good health Santo Domingo the Dominican Republic Miguel to Al Bashir QNA Priorities Vargas, who welcomed the Dr Al Kawari seeks to Qatari candidate, stressing the EMIR H H Sheikh Tamim bin give priority to the depth of relations between the Hamad Al Thani sent a cable E Dr Hamad bin vulnerable in two countries, saying that he is of congratulations to Presi- Abdulaziz Al impressed with Qatar's dent of the Republic of Sudan developing countries Kawari, Cultural position. Field Marshal Omar Hassan and assist them in Adviser at the Emiri He looks forward to devel- Ahmed Al Bashir on the success Diwan and Qatar's their development. oping bilateral relations in of the exploratory catheteri- Hcandidate for the director gen- investment, trade and culture zation surgery he underwent eral post at the United Nations Former president of fields, praising the Qatari candi- on Wednesday, wishing him Educational, Scientific and Cul- the Dominican date program for the good health. tural (Unesco), has met with a Republic welcomes advancement of Unesco, and Deputy Emir H H Sheikh number of senior officials in the the vision of the wished him success. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani Dominican Republic as part of Qatari candidate. Dr Al Kawari expressed his and Prime Minister and Inte- his current tour of the Caribbean thanks to the Government of the rior Minister H E Sheikh and the South American conti- Dominican Republic for its inter- Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- nent countries. seeks through his programme est in his visit and the lifa Al Thani have also sent Dr Al Kawari met with Leo- and new goals to achieve the opportunity to meet with offi- Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari during his visit to Dominican cables of congratulations to nel Fernandez, former president noble objectives of the cials to talk to them in details Republic. Omar Hassan Ahmed Al- of the Dominican Republic, Pres- organization. about his vision and the place of Bashir on the success of the ident of the Global Foundation The former president of the the Caribbean and Latin Amer- innovation initiatives. for Dr Al Kawari's reform pro- surgery. for Democracy and Develop- Dominican Republic welcomed ica in this vision. The Dominican Minister of gramme and his innovative ment. During the meeting, they the vision of the Qatari candi- Dr Al Kawari also met with Higher Education Dominican vision for the functions and role reviewed the Qatari candidate's date that is based on equality Dominican Minister of Higher underscored the Ministry's inter- of Unesco especially in Latin Visitors praise programme, which he seeks to among nations, and affirmed the Education, Science and Technol- est in the implementation of America and the Caribbean implement including giving pri- support of the Caribbean coun- ogy Alejandrina German. He scientific programmes that con- countries. Qatar Airways ority to the vulnerable in tries to Dr Al Kaawri for his reviewed the goals of his candi- tribute to raising the level of She praised the experience developing countries and assist practical and academic experi- dacy and vision for the future of education in the country, which of the State of Qatar in the field → Continued from page 1 them in their development ence and expressed hope for the Unesco in order to play its role is considered one of the chal- of education and hope to achieve efforts, as well as the role of future cooperation. in the international community, lenges the government faces in a joint cooperation in this aspect. However, entry into Qatar Unesco in this domain. Dr Al Kawari also met with highlighting its role in scientific its development. She wished the Qatari candidate will be at the discretion of the Dr Al Kawari stressed that he the Foreign Minister of Affairs of development and stimulation of She also expressed support success in his quest. immigration authorities and the Qatar Airways offices act only as a processing agent for visa applications. Rickaz Raheem, who Prizes awarded to winners plans to visit Doha next month using a transit visa, along with his spouse and son, said, “I’m in several categories glad that an airline operator in the Gulf region is facilitat- → Continued from page 1 Second to Kiplagat was ing an easy transit visa “I’m so happy. I had some Benard Kipsang Chumba, also process. In general, booking tough competitors,” Kiplagat from Kenya, who missed to win tickets via Qatar Airways said, attributing his win on his first place by merely .03 seconds. website is very convenient. I early preparations, nice route He was followed by fellow Ken- find it professional and user- and the pleasant weather. yan Henry Kipsang. friendly. Once the ticket is “I had early preparations Another Kenyan Alex Kibet booked the website automat- which started in September. The won the half marathon with a ically asks if the passenger route was nice as well as the time of 1:01:52 beating last year’s requires a visa to Qatar. Once weather because normally Doha winner Benard Korir by only .02 we enter the visa application is very hot,” he said. seconds. Korir, however, beat his page all our details get auto- Yesterday marked his third last year’s record of 1:07:25. matically updated and the time to compete in 42km mara- Georgina Rono from Kenya only additional requirement thon, the first was in Amsterdam (42km female), Violah Jep- is to attach the first page of but it was his second time to take chumba (21km female), Alsadik our passports and provide part in Ooredoo Marathon, he Mikhou (10km male) and Eilish with the address and contact said. McColgan (10km female were mobile number during our “I was here in 2015, but I among the other winners. Prizes Children participating in the Ooredoo marathon. stay in Doha.” competed in half marathon and were awarded to the winners in “We got our visas within finished second,” he said, stress- various categories at the end of three days. I have travelled to ing his eagerness to stage a the exciting competition. event designed to encourage more to raise money for worthy causes. year’s registration fees will be a few countries, including comeback next year. The marathon is an annual people to get involved in sport and Ooredoo said that 100% of this donated to Reach Out To Asia. some in the GCC and would say this was the most hassle free experience in getting a visa,” he added. Nahna, who had a stopo- Souq Waqif readies for festival Vendors 'will be under ver in Doha while travelling from Germany to Dubai, said: “My husband and son have strict monitoring' German passports and they are eligible for on-arrival visa → Continued from page 1 commodities and services in Doha. But I, having an “We study the initiative to offered by the traders as it has Indian passport, always had assess the quality of the serv- low operation cost. They need to go through the standard ices to make it of international not pay the rent of shops and visa applying procedures standards. The initiative aims other costs. when we visit our relatives in at opening a new sector. Vehi- The vendors will be under Doha. But with this new tran- cle vendor business is available strict monitoring by the author- sit visa system it was very all over the world and the ities concerned to protect the easy to apply and it is free of region as well. It is low cost consumers’ rights. It is easy to charge.” compared to those like restau- track vendors as they have to “It’s convenient and saves rant and other business announce the type of business, time as well as money,” she activities,” said the official. places of practice and even the added. “The requirements for shops they bought the items Some travellers have also obtaining licence for vehicle ven- from among others. shared their experience on dor are easy. The candidate The application form seek- social networking sites. requires approval from employ- ing licences for vehicles “We did a 36 layover in ers and a few more. We made vendors is available at the web- Doha and am very glad we easy procedures for the issuance site of the ministry www.mec. did! That time was enough of the licenses. The main purpose gov.qa. The duly-filled applica- for us to see around the Souq Waqif is preparing for the annual two-week Spring festival which will open on is to organize the vendor market tion form may be emailed to country and it is definitely January 20. Various rides, stalls and stages are set to roll during the 15-day festival. to safeguard the rights of cus- [email protected]. something everyone should Special theatricals at Al Rayyan Theatre, games and activities at Souq squares, circus, tomers and to specify the Eligible applicants will be do. The Museum of Islamic clowns and street performers at the Souq alleys and art shows are all part of the festival. liabilities of the traders.” selected through a raffle. And Arts alone is worth the trip, Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula The vendor business will the applications should meet and admission is free,” said help reduce the prices of the terms and conditions. a traveller. Qatar ranked among top 10 Asian countries in e-govt development index

→ Continued from page 1 Technology Centre (Mada) it adds. In the biannual E-Gov- frequencies. The authority also supporting 430 disabled students symbols for alternative commu- The ministry’s year-ender among others. ernment Development Index issued around 270 permits for in education and 25 people with nication "Tawasol". The symbols 2016 highlights various achieve- “The ministry remains com- (EGDI), the document says, Qatar allowing commercial activities employment, and 190 people in are provided with their text ments and ambitious plans of its mitted to developing the improved its position and was in the telecommunications sec- the community sector. Mada equivalents in Modern Standard associated entities like Hamad transport infrastructure and is ranked as one of the top 10 Asian tor. The report further says that enables people with disabilities Arabic and where appropriate International Port, Qatar Rail, developing the roads and bridges countries in 2016. Mada’s ‘Tawasol’ project has cre- to the information and commu- colloquial Qatari Arabic plus Civil Aviation Authority, Qatar network of the entire country, as On CRA’s achievements, it ated 300 new Arabic symbols to nications technologies (ICT) that their English translation. Ports Management Company part of a seven-year programme says that the Communications help people with disabilities. can empower them to excel in “The project created 300 new (Mawani), Qatar Transport Com- that started in 2010. There are Regulatory Authority (CRA) pro- Highlighting achievements of all aspects of their life. Arabic symbols to be used by pro- pany (Mowasalat), currently 30 projects being vided more than 1,350 Innovative Center for Assistive After three years of work, fessionals and service providers Communications Regulatory implemented to improve link frequencies and provided around Technology (Mada), the report Mada center completed the to help people with disabilities,” Authority, Qatar Assistive roads, intersections and tunnels,” 3,040 permits for radio says that it has succeeded in project of developing a set of the report further reveals. SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 03 Iraqi forces reach second Mosul bridge

Mosul Force advances Earlier, bulldozers had Reuters smashed through a wall sur- The forces aim to rounding the campus and dozens raqi special forces stormed take full control of of CTS troops sprinted through the Mosul University com- the eastern bank of carrying rocket-propelled gre- plex in the city’s northeast the Tigris river, nade launchers. yesterday and pushed which bisects Mosul An Iraqi officer said army Islamic State further back from north to south, units backed by air strikes had Ito reach another bridge across also taken control of Hadba dis- before launching the Tigris river, the military said. trict, north of the university, and attacks on the west, The militants were fighting would aid the assault on the back at the university, which still fully in Islamic complex. they had seized when they took State hands. Another CTS commander over the city in 2014. A Reuters said the capture of the univer- reporter witnessed heavy clashes sity would enable further inside the campus. stronghold will probably spell the advances as it overlooks areas Iraqi forces have recaptured end for the Iraqi side of the closer to the river. most districts in eastern Mosul caliphate it has declared, stretch- Advances by Iraqi forces in nearly three months of a US- ing into Syria. have gathered pace in the last backed offensive, which Senior Iraqi Counter Terror- two weeks after troops got accelerated at the turn of the ism Service (CTS) commander bogged down in fierce street year with new tactics and better Sami Al Aridhi said the univer- fighting in late November and coordination. sity was the most important December and militants hid They aim to take full control Islamic State base in the eastern among the civilian population. of the eastern bank of the Tigris half of the city. New tactics employed since river, which bisects Mosul from He said the CTS had taken the turn of the year, including a north to south, before launching over a hill overlooking parts of night raid and better defences attacks on the west, still fully in the campus, including the tech- against suicide car bombs, have Islamic State hands. nical college. “Forces are heading given the campaign fresh Iraqi Special Operations Forces carry weapons during clashes with Islamic State militants in Driving the ultra-hardline into the depths of the university,” momentum, US and Iraqi mili- Islamist group out of its Mosul he said. tary officials say. frontline near university of Mosul, Iraq, yesterday. Obama eases Sudan 'Russia accord will prevent warplane clashes'

Istanbul sides of the civil war, with Rus- Ankara had agreed to coordinate during the Syria conflict. How- economic sanctions AFP sia backing Assad and Turkey their air forces in Syria. ever, Turkish officials have on calling for his ouster. "The accord made with Rus- occasion acknowledged that urkey yesterday said an But joint coordination efforts sia includes coordination. Within Assad is a player who cannot be Washington trade embargo since 1997 over accord with Russia to have intensified after Turkey and this, the appropriate coordina- ignored in Syria and could AFP its support for Islamist groups. Tcoordinate their air forces Russia patched up diplomatic tion will be made to ensure potentially stay on in a post-war Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin in Syria will prevent clashes relations strained by the shoot- Turkish aircraft do not come into transition. S President Barack Laden was based in Khartoum between its warplanes and those ing down of a Russian warplane confrontation with those of Rus- Russia and Turkey have Obama took the contro- from 1992 to 1996. of Russia and also the regime of over Syria by Turkish forces in sia or the regime in Syria," he spearheaded a shaky ceasefire Uversial step of easing The US government Bashar al-Assad. November 2015. said, quoted by the Anadolu in Syria, which Moscow and some economic sanctions believes those ties have ebbed, Ankara and Moscow have Turkish Defence Minister agency. Ankara has always Ankara hope will lead to Syria against Sudan Friday, trying to but sanctions have remained since the onset of the Syrian con- Fikri Isik confirmed Russian vehemently denied any secret peace talks in Kazakhstan begin- improve relations with a coun- amid the government's flict in 2011 stood on opposite statements that Moscow and contacts with the Assad regime ning on January 23. try whose leader is accused of scorched earth tactics against war crimes and past links to ethnic minority rebels in Dar- terror. fur.According to the United Obama informed Congress Nations, 300,000 people have that he will lift trade and invest- been killed and 2.5 million were Turkey arrests soldiers for NEWS BYTES ment sanctions against displaced since that conflict Khartoum, although Sudan will began in 2003. Libya not accepting Italy migrant deal still be designated a state spon- The country's long-time helping terror group sor of terrorism. leader President Omar al- VALLETTA: Libya’s UN-backed government has not accepted The outgoing president Bashir is wanted by the Istanbul December 17. The soldiers are proposals by Rome aimed at cutting migrant flows to Italy noted "a marked reduction in International Criminal Court for AFP accused of "helping a terrorist and the two sides are “far apart” on the issue, Malta’s foreign offensive military activity, cul- War Crimes.Obama's organisation" and "leaking mil- minister said yesterday. minating in a pledge to announcement prompted out- urkey has arrested five itary information", including George Vella, whose government holds the rotating chair maintain a cessation of hostil- rage from rights groups. soldiers in connection the time the bus would leave, of European Union ministerial councils, said he would brief ities in conflict areas in Sudan." "The Obama administra- Twith a deadly suicide state-run Anadolu Agency said. his EU counterparts in Brussels tomorrow . He also recognized "steps tion's decision to 'ease' attack on the military claimed The attack in Kayseri, an toward the improvement of sanctions is inexplicable," said by a Kurdish radical group in industrial hub in the heartland 10 IS militants dead in Egypt gunfight humanitarian access through- Leslie Lefkow of Human Rights the central city of Kayseri, state of Anatolia, was one of many in out Sudan, as well as Watch. "Sudan's government media said yesterday. Turkey in a bloody 2016. A CAIRO: Egyptian security forces killed 10 militants linked to cooperation with the United has failed to make progress on A bus -- carrying low-rank- "revenge squad" from the the Islamic State group during a raid Friday on one of their States on addressing regional core benchmarks, from its ing privates and Kurdistan Freedom Falcons hideouts in the Sinai Peninsula, the interior ministry said. conflicts and the threat of ongoing war crimes and crimes non-commissioned officers -- (TAK), seen as a radical offshoot Members of the group opened fire at the security forces terrorism." against humanity in Darfur and was attacked after leaving the of the outlawed PKK, targeted as they approached the hideout in an abandoned house in the Sudan was labelled a state other conflict zones, to its commando headquarters in the the off-duty conscripts and North Sinai provincial capital of El-Arish, a ministry state- sponsor of terrorism in 1993 extensive repression of inde- city to take the off-duty soldiers "successfully carried out the ment said. The gunmen were linked to a militant leader from and has been subject to a US pendent voices." on a shopping trip on attack", the group said. Ansar Beit al-Maqdis who formed groups that attacked secu- rity forces, the ministry said. Ansar Beit al-Maqdis is the name used by the group before it pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadist organisation in November 2014. Refugee crisis fears loom over Gambia talks Nigerian governor apologises to UN NIGERIA: The governor of Nigeria's embattled Borno state Banjul has apologized to the United Nations, saying his accusations AFP that aid agencies are profiting from funds for people fleeing Boko Haram were aimed at local charities. est African leaders "Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, we are grateful to began crisis talks with the United Nations for all it has been doing toward rehabilita- WPresident Yahya Jam- tion and resettlement of our displaced people," Gov. Kashim meh yesterday over his refusal Shettima said. He spoke Thursday as senior U.N. officials to leave power, as fears grew of including Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon flew to a refugee exodus caused by the Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, to meet with him to dis- nation's political impasse. cuss his damaging comments. Nigerian President Muham- madu Buhari is leading the 2 dead in Nigeria suicide bomb attacks three-nation delegation that includes Ghana's former presi- NIGERIA :Three women suicide bombers detonated explosions dent John Mahama and Liberian at a checkpoint where scores of people were being searched leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who for a bustling weekly market yesterday in Nigeria's north- attempted similar negotiations eastern town of Madagali, witnesses said. The blasts killed last month without success. two self-defense fighters who wanted to search the bombers. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Jammeh has made clear he Their challenge likely saved many lives. In December, will not step down until the coun- (centre) meeting Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, in Banjul, yesterday. two women suicide bombers killed 57 people and wounded try's Supreme Court decides on 177, including 120 children, at Madagali market. Last week, his legal challenge seeking to was "pretty optimistic that the his legal challenge before May, Guinea-Bissau. Tibna Sambe Na three girl suicide bombers were killed on the outskirts of the annul the results of last month's talks will not fail this time." The ratcheting up tensions with the Wana, the national coordinator same town. polls, which he initially conceded delegation landed with just five winner of the December 1 elec- for Guinea-Bissau's refugee com- Residents blamed Boko Haram Islamic extremists for the losing. days left of Jammeh's five-year tion, Adama Barrow, whose mission, said more than 1,000 attacks. Madagali is about 150 kilometers (90 miles) southeast On his his way out of a lux- term to go, and with a warning inauguration is due January 19. Gambians had crossed into the of Maiduguri, the largest city in the northeast and birthplace ury hotel to meet Jammeh, Buhari by the president late Tuesday to The prolonged political country, where they do not of Boko Haram's insurgency. told journalists "only God knows" the international community that uncertainty and fear of unrest has require a visa, in recent days. "It "They blew up themselves after they were intercepted if the Gambian leader will step "undue external interference" pushed thousands of Gambians is clear that the total number is by local vigilantes stationed at the checkpoint at the entry to aside. But Nigerian foreign min- was unnecessary. The Supreme across the border into neighbour- far higher than a thousand and town," resident David Abawu said by telephone. ister Geoffrey Onyeama said he Court is unlikely to sit and hear ing Senegal and further afield to rising daily," Na Wana said. 04 ASIA SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 Thailand contitutional change delays poll

Bangkok Charter change clauses related to royal power in Reuters the draft constitution, a rare Somjet Boonthanom, intervention by a sitting Thai hailand's military- a member of monarch. backed parliament parliament, said it In order to make those voted overwhelmingly was likely that changes, the National Legisla- yesterday to make elections would now tive Assembly has to first amend amendments to the take place next year. the interim constitution. Tconstitution as suggested by the Of 231 assembly members, new king's office, a move likely 228 voted in favour of the to delay a general election sched- Both the junta and changes yesterday with three uled for the end of the year. the Royal Household members abstaining, according The military-backed con- Bureau declined to to a televised session of the vote. stitution is a key part of the comment on why the The assembly also made junta's plans to hold an election changes were changes that allowed the king to to return Thailand to demo- requested by the travel overseas without having cratic rule following a 2014 king. to appoint a regent to rule in his coup. stead. The draft constitution was King Vajiralongkorn trav- approved in a referendum last Promulgation of the charter, elled frequently while he was People look at a portrait of Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun year and has been awaiting which was forwarded to the pal- crown prince and has spent a sig- at a royal memorabilia shop in Bangkok, yesterday. endorsement by King Maha Vaji- ace for royal endorsement in nificant amount of his adult life ralongkorn, who took the throne November, was expected in early abroad, mostly in Germany in December after the death of February. where he has a home. "The election will take place amendments. The king then has mid-2018," he said. his father, King Bhumibol Aduly- Prime Minister Prayuth Somjet Boonthanom, a mem- 15 months after the constitution 90 days to approve the amended Both the junta and the Royal adej, who commanded immense Chan-ocha on Tuesday said that ber of parliament, said it was is endorsed," Somjet said. charter, Somjet said. Household Bureau declined to respect from Thais during his the office of King Vajiralongkorn likely that elections would now The government must first "According to the steps, the comment on why the changes 70-year reign. had asked for several changes to take place next year. make the requested election should happen early to were requested by the king. Ban second in Korea Japan and South Korea spar over statue

Seoul a feud over wartime history in Busan is unfortunate," Foreign to resolve the issue. presidential survey Reuters between South Korea and its Minister Yun Byung-se told law- South Korean politicians, past colonial ruler and prompted makers, referring to the southern including expected presidential Seoul he would make a decision on outh Korea's foreign min- Japan to temporarily recall its city. "Our government is not contenders, have called for rene- Reuters his political future soon. ister said yesterday there ambassador. against the instalment of a girl gotiation of the December 2015 Yesterday, Ban visited Seoul Swas nothing wrong with The term "comfort women" statue... but I think we need to agreement stating the comfort ormer UN secretary-gen- National Cemetery and the erecting a statue in memory of is a euphemism for girls and pool our wisdom on the issue of women issue would be "irre- eral Ban Ki-moon polled community centre near his res- women forced to work in Japa- women, from South Korea, location." versibly resolved" if all Fsecond in a survey of idence to register his Seoul nese brothels in World War Two, China, the Philippines and else- He did not say if the statue conditions - including a Japanese South Korean presidential street address, after spending but its location outside a Japa- where, forced to work in would be moved. The statue, apology and a fund to help the favourites released yesterday, the past decade based in New nese consulate was Japanese military brothels. which depicts a barefoot girl victims - were met. 11 percentage points behind York as head of the UN. inappropriate. South Korean activists esti- sitting in a chair, was erected Approximately three quar- former opposition leader Moon The poll was conducted The statue of the young mate that there may have been near the Japanese consulate at ters of comfort women died, and Jae-in, who led the Gallup from January 10 to 12 and takes "comfort woman" in the south- as many as 200,000 Korean vic- the end of last year. Japan said most survivors were left infer- Korea poll at 31 percent. into account news that two of ern city of Busan has rekindled tims. "The issue of a girl statue the statue violated an agreement tile due to trauma. Ban, 72, returned to his Ban's relatives were indicted by native South Korea on Thurs- US prosecutors over bribery day. He has not yet declared his allegations. Ban has denied any intention to run in the upcom- knowledge of his relatives' Kerry back in ing presidential race, but said affairs. Taiwan confirms new bird flu case Vietnam on last Taipei case proactively to the author- authorities have also culled Reuters ities, it said. over 175,000 birds and closed diplomatic tour Taiwan has reported four some poultry markets follow- aiwan confirmed a new bird flu cases this year, all in ing reported outbreaks among Ho Chi Minh City bird flu case on Thurs- Yunlin county on the island's poultry and more than a hun- AFP Tday, the fourth this year, western coast. dred cases of human according to a statement More than 43,300 birds infection. JOHN Kerry began his swan- posted on the website of the have been slaughtered in the A new human H7N9 avian song tour as US Secretary of island's Animal and Plant county so far, including the flu case was confirmed in Chi- State in Vietnam yesterday, Health Inspection and Quar- most recent cull, according to na's Hunan province on defending Washington's 'pivot' antine Bureau. the bureau's statement. Thursday, reported Xinhua to Asia in the face of President- The H5N2 avian flu virus The Taiwan authorities news. elect Donald Trump's threat to was confirmed at a Yunlin urged poultry farmers to The patient, a 59-year-old dump a key regional trade deal. county chicken farm, where strengthen protection and san- man from Yuanjiang City, had Vietnam has been at the 16,800 birds were culled to itation as now is the peak contact with poultry before he centre of President Barack reduce the risk of further season for bird flu outbreaks. fell ill, said the local official. Obama's Asia embrace, spreading, the statement said. This comes as South Korea Health authorities in marked by the lifting of a war- The farm will be compen- and Japan battle their own Macau also confirmed the first time-era arms embargo, major Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and his wife sated for its loss as it followed major outbreaks. imported human H7N9 infec- growth in trade and signing of Yoo Soon-taek pay a tribute at the National Cemetery in regulations and reported the In mainland China, tion case there on Thursday. massive Trans-Pacific Partner- Seoul, yesterday. ship (TPP) trade pact. The TPP aimed to unite Washington's east Asian allies in trade, creating a counter- Pilots on drugs balance to a rising China and El Salvador to boost ties with Taiwan rewarding political and eco- nomic reform. to blame for All that is now in question San Salvador Diplomacy with Trump blaming unfet- plane crashes Reuters tered global trade for the loss Foreign Minister Hugo of American jobs. Jakarta l Salvador said on Thurs- Martinez said that El But Kerry sought to reas- AP day it will strengthen ties Salvador's President sure his Vietnamese hosts Ewith Taiwan as President Salvador Sanchez that Washington was not set MOST of Indonesia's airline Tsai Ing-wen visits Central Ceren would hold a to turn its back on trade or its accidents have involved pilots America at a time when China "special working Asian allies. who tested positive for drugs, suspects sheis seeking formal meeting" with Tsai "Now, it's no secret that including a Lion Air jet that independence from the yesterday and they the future of the Trans-Pacific slammed into the sea four mainland. were expected to Partnership in itself is uncer- years ago while trying to land Tsai is making her last stop tain," he said, admitting that make announcements on the tourist island of Bali, in the region on a trip that has globalisation proved "unset- to strengthen the chief of the national nar- taken her to Honduras, Nicara- tling" for American voters. cotics agency said. gua and Guatemala, after bilateral relations. "So I cannot predict what "Almost all air accidents meeting US Republican lawmak- the new American adminis- in Indonesia, whether it was ers in a Houston stopover last tration is absolutely going do just a skid or whatever, the weekend that angering China. Beijing was furious when US with respect to trade, but I pilots are indicated to be pos- Foreign Minister Hugo Mar- President-elect Donald Trump can tell you that the reasons itive for drugs," Waseso said. tinez said that El Salvador's broke years of diplomatic tradi- for the TPP haven't changed." Earlier in the day he told President Salvador Sanchez tion by accepting a El Salvador's Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez (left) speaks Speaking in Vietnam's the event attended by Bali's Ceren would hold a "special congratulatory telephone call with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen during an event in San buzzing commercial centre Ho governor that a Lion Air pilot working meeting" with Tsai yes- from Tsai after his surprise elec- Salvador, yesterday. Chi Minh City, Kerry insisted in the spectacular 2013 crash terday and they were expected tion win. that free trade creates jobs and had "hallucinated" that the to make announcements to Beijing regards the one- relations with the United States. El Salvador was an important that "protectionist trade poli- sea was part of the runway. strengthen bilateral relations. China policy as the basis of its Tsai said on her arrival that friend to Taiwan. cies won't work". SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 ASIA 05

Australia to Pakistan denies terror network links change rule in political funding Karachi Terrorism "Pakistan lost thousands of (intelligence agency) RAW and in the attack were not produced Anatolia its citizens and suffered $100bn (Afghan intelligence agency) NDS in Afghanistan,” Atmar said Foreign Ministry in economic losses due to ter- nexus remains a matter of deep recently. Sydney akistan has rejected spokesman Nafees rorism," he added. concern to Pakistan,” he said. On Thursday, Afghan Inte- AFP Afghanistan’s latest Zakria reiterated that He accused Afghanistan of He said Islamabad remained rior Ministry spokesman Sediq allegations of provid- Islamabad “does not hosting several terrorist organ- committed to peace efforts in Sediqqi said the Kandahar attack AUSTRALIA toughened over- ing safe havens to allow its territory to isations due to instability, which Afghanistan. had been planned by terrorists sight of politicians' expenses terrorists following an be used for attacks in turn created space for terror- A suspected suicide blast at based in Pakistan. yesterday after a senior min- Pattack in the Afghan province of against any other ist groups such as the Haqqani a state guesthouse in Kandahar This is not the first time ister quit over the purchase Kandahar that killed several country. Network, Tehreek-e-Taliban on Tuesday left 11 people dead, Kabul or Islamabad have of a luxury flat during a tax- people, including officials from Pakistan, Islamic State, Al Qaeda including some officials from the accused each other of support- payer-funded trip. the gulf country, UAE. and Jamaat-ul-Ahraar etc. UAE, who were reportedly vis- ing terrorist groups. Public outrage has been In a statement released yes- Pakistan lost “It is, therefore, not appro- iting Afghanistan to invest in While Islamabad believes building over revelations terday, Foreign Ministry thousands of its priate to blame others for the humanitarian projects. that certain terrorist groups Health Minister Sussan Ley spokesman Nafees Zakria citizens and suffered adversities due to the deterio- On Wednesday, Afghan backed allegedly by Indian and bought a $595,000 apartment rebuffed Kabul’s claims, which $100bn in economic rating security situation in National Security Adviser Afghan intelligence are trying to on the glitzy Gold Coast dur- were also backed by the US, and losses due to Afghanistan. The oft repeated Mohammad Hanif Atmar hinted sabotage Pakistan, especially its ing an official work trip reiterated that Islamabad “does terrorism. claims regarding safe havens are, at Pakistan’s alleged involve- new multi-billion-dollar trade -- which she claimed was an not allow its territory to be used therefore, more of a rhetoric ment in Kandahar attack, saying corridor with China, Kabul is impulse buy. for attacks against any other than anything else,” he added. the explosives used in the attack convinced the Afghan Taliban Ley stepped aside earlier country.” rendered have been acknowl- He also pointed fingers at had been brought into Afghani- leadership is being hosted by this week amid an investiga- Zakaria added, “Pakistan’s edged by the world, including the Afghan and Indian intelligence stan from beyond its borders. Pakistani military, which sup- tion and resigned yesterday. contribution to the international US at various levels of their lead- agencies for the situation in “This is an act of enemy posedly uses it to pile pressure This and further revela- community’s fight against ter- ership, European Union and Afghanistan. which involves the help of for- on the present Afghan tions of other ministers rorism and the sacrifices that we others.” “The activities of Indian eign hands. The materials used government. claiming expenses to attend sporting events sparked the move by Prime Minister Mal- colm Turnbull to set up an independent agency to Papua New Guinea failing to administer and oversee all Abu Sayyaf threatens to behead German claims by parliamentarians. As part of the changes, fight graft and police abuse Zamboanga City ultimatum to fulfil our expenses would be disclosed Anatolia demands. Failure to pay the monthly and be accessible in Sydney about corruption, and the only ransom will cause the behead- an searchable database. Under AFP government response was gun- n IS-linked terrorist ing of this German citizen,” one the current system, expenses fire," said Human Rights group has released a of the gunmen says. are disclosed twice a year. orruption and police Watch's Australia director Avideo of a German hos- "Have you learned noth- "I am firmly of the view abuse will only end in Elaine Pearson as global group tage threatened with ing?” asks the gunman in the that transparency is the key. CPapua New Guinea when released its annual report. "Cor- beheading if Germany refuses video, stressing that all infidels Sunlight is the best medicine," officials are held accountable ruption and abuse will only end to pay a $10m ransom. will be targeted. Turnbull said. for their actions, Human Rights when abusive officials are held Brief video footage, posted Kantner, 70, was kid- He said the new body Watch said yesterday, accusing responsible for their crimes." on social media, shows Ger- napped by Abu Sayyaf in would mimic Britain's model, the government of failing to Police brutality, including man national Juergen Kantner November 7 from his private which was established in protect victims. towards children, "continues (pictured) in an orange shirt yacht near Tanjong Luuk 2009 following a parliamen- Dozens of people were with little accountability even kneeling near a grave guarded Pisuk, Sabah. His partner, tary expenses scandal where injured and one man killed in for fatalities and egregious by three masked Abu Sayyaf Sabina Merz, 50, was shot and several MPs were jailed. June after police in the Pacific physical abuse", the report said. militants dressed in black. are also displayed to the side. killed. "It will make a very nation fired at students protest- "Despite 1,600 complaints of The video also shows two "To the German govern- Government troops dis- important change to the way ing against Prime Minister Peter police abuse between 2007-14, of the three militants are car- ment: it seems that you are not covered Merz's bare body with in which expenses are under- O'Neill over corruption allega- with 326 classified as criminal rying high-powered firearms paying attention to our gunshot wounds later on the taken, and, indeed, the way tions, which he denies. cases, the government has not while the other is reading their demands because of your arro- yacht docked on a distant in which they are recorded "People took to the streets revealed if any of the accused demand. Black ISIS-style flags gance. We are giving you an island in Sulu archipelago. and the way in which they are to voice concerns officers had been convicted". reviewed".

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waves to the crowd after the ceremonial eagle naming at the garden area of Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City, the Philippines, yesterday. Abe enjoys Duterte's folksy diplomacy

Davao aide said, with the leaders din- A ceremony saw a two- AFP ing at a wooden table. year-old eagle named Sakura "We also showed him how after the famous Japanese ith a visit to Philipine the president enjoys the com- cherry blossom. President Rodrigo fort of his own bed, including his Abe was given a photo of the WDuterte's bedroom, old and favourite mosquito net," eagle, which is kept at a nearby having one of the world's rarest Duterte's aide, Christopher Go, sanctuary, as well as a fluffy toy birds named in his honour and wrote on Facebook alongside a version draped in indigenous guided by a sockless host, Jap- photo of the leaders smiling clothing. anese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe while standing next to the bed. Abe, normally blue-suited had a morning to remember The leaders later had a cas- and politically conservative who yesterday. ual meeting at a hotel nevertheless showed off his fun Duterte, a charismatic pol- overlooking the sea, where side last year when he dressed itician known at home for his Duterte was photographed in a up as video game icon Super folksy charm, dropped many of checkered shirt and long pants Mario at the Rio Olympics' clos- the formal protocols normally but no socks -- a familiar look ing ceremony, appeared to enjoy associated with visits by a head for the 71-year-old who takes the day. of government as he took Abe pride in his informal fashion Japan's Abe smiled and on a tour of his beloved south- style. laughed throughout the eagle ern home city of Davao. Abe's next activity saw him ceremony, and ended his Davao Abe's day began with a visit standing in front of a stuffed trip at a Japanese-language to Duterte's "simple home" for a Philippine eagle, the national school where he was greeted by breakfast of sticky rice cakes and bird and one of the world's most singing and flag-waving mung bean soup, a presidential endangered. children. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017

Oppn flays PM India warns of for replacing more strikes Gandhi New Delhi IANS

he replacement of if needed Mahatma Gandhi's pho- Ttographs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's in Guwahati Mounting pressure Khadi Village Industries Com- Anatolia mission (KVIC)'s annual Surgical strikes were calendar and diary yesterday ndia’s army chief yester- a demonstration of kicked off a political storm. day said that more what we can do if While the opposition strongly "surgical strikes" would the situation condemned the move, the BJP be carried out in warrants. Will do it and the government sought Pakistan"if the situation again if needed," to defend it citing laws. Iwarrants", local media said General Bipin Media reported that reported. Rawat. Modi's picture spinning the "Surgical strikes were a charkha donning the cover demonstration of what we can page of the KVIC calendar do if the situation warrants. Operations, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and diary, instead of the Will do it again if needed," Gen- was quoted as saying by the iconic picture of Gandhi eral Bipin Rawat was quoted Times of India on September weaving khadi on a simple as saying by The Times of India 29. "The operations were charkha, wearing his trade- UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, Yanghee Lee Yanghee Lee (right) is escorted by a during a press conference in focused on ensuring that these mark loin cloth. Modi, already New Delhi. terrorists do not succeed in policeman on arrival at Sittwe airport, in the capital of Rakhine State, yesterday. facing heat over the move to In his first conference after their design to cause destruc- demonetise higher denomi- taking office on December 31, tion and endanger the lives of nation notes, was on Friday Rawat said that the cease-fire our citizens," Singh reportedly UN envoy visits Myanmar state the subject of ridicule not just violations had recently come said, adding that almost 20 from the opposition but also down across the Line of Con- infiltration attempts were foiled from Mahatma's great-grand- trol (LoC) dividing the disputed by the army at or close to the Myanmar by a shadowy group along the more than 100,000 still live in son Tushar Gandhi. region. LoC in 2016. AP border. The army denies any squalid internal displacement Among the first to mock "But if not then, we may Tensions between the two abuses, but Rohingya sympa- camps. Lee is on a 12-day visit the move was Congress Vice resort to such surgical strikes nuclear rivals have increased he UN human rights envoy thizers say hundreds of civilians to Myanmar at the invitation of President Rahul Gandhi. again," he added. since India accused Pakistan for Myanmar arrived yes- have been killed. The claim can- the government, during which Posting the IANS story on In late September 2016, the of having links to gunmen Tterday in tense Rakhine not be independently verified she is to meet political and com- Twitter, Gandhi said "The Indian military said it carried who killed 19 soldiers in state, where soldiers are accused because authorities have lim- munity leaders, representatives Mangalayaan effect", refer- out surgical air strikes along the Jammu and Kashmir in Sep- of widespread abuse of mem- ited access of aid workers and of civil society, victims of human ring to his earlier jibe at Modi LoC based on "specific and tember 2016. bers of the Muslim ethnic journalists to the area. Official rights violations and members for taking the credit after credible" input of terrorist infil- Pakistan has denied the Rohingya minority, including figures put the death toll under of the international community. India's successful launch of tration plans. "Based on charge and accuses India of torture, rape and killing of civil- 100 and don't make clear the Lee said she will present a report the Mars Orbiter Mission or receiving specific and credible repressing pro-independence ians and the burning of circumstances under which the to the UN Human Rights Coun- the Mangalyaan. input that some terrorist teams protests that started in the thousands of homes. deaths took place. cil in March. The opposition parties had positioned themselves at disputed Himalayan region in UN rapporteur Yanghee Lee The estimated 1 million Lee visited the Rakhine cap- were unsparing in slamming launch pads along Line of Con- July 2016 when more than 100 began a three-day visit to west- Rohingya face official and social ital, Sittwe, in the southern the move, asserting that the trol to carry out infiltration and Kashmiri civilians were shot ern Myanmar to probe the discrimination in Buddhist- portion of the state, where she 'Father of the Nation' was conduct terrorist strikes inside dead by Indian forces and situation in northern Rakhine, majority Myanmar. Most do not said she was hopeful she could irreplaceable.Terming Jammu and Kashmir and in thousands others were where an army crackdown has have citizenship and are get permission to visit the most replacement of Gandhi's various metros in other states, injured. The two countries driven an estimated 65,000 regarded as illegal immigrants affected area in the north.She photo as "sacrilegious", Con- the Indian Army conducted sur- have fought three wars – in people to flee across the border from Bangladesh, even when visited an enclave in Sittwe gress leader Abhishek Manu gical strikes at several of these 1948, 1965 and 1971 – since to Bangladesh in the past three their families have lived in where 4,000 Rohingya are con- Singhvi said: "Obsession bor- launch pads to pre-empt infil- they were partitioned in 1947, months. The crackdown began Rakhine for generations. Com- fined, but residents there were dering on narcissism has tration by terrorists," the two of which were fought in October after nine policemen munal violence in 2012 forced pessimistic that her mission unfortunately become the Director-General of Military over Kashmir. were killed in attacks many to flee their homes, and would improve their situation. hallmark of the PM."

Religious gathering Sri Lanka clamps NEWS BYTES down on tuk-tuks Rights watchdog raps Nepal KATHMANDU: Ten years after the end of Nepal’s bloody civil Colombo war, the Himalayan republic has failed to punish perpetrators AFP of human rights abuses during the conflict, a leading inter- national watchdog said yesterday. New York-based Human ri Lanka yesterday tightened the rules gov- Rights Watch blamed the Nepali government and political erning the around one million tuk-tuks parties for continued “cynical stalling” on accountability for S-- rickety three-wheel taxis -- on its streets war crimes. “Every step of the way, what we see with the after road traffic accidents claimed a record Nepali government and political parties is a willingness to 3,000 lives last year. sacrifice victims’ needs in order to promote their own inter- The transport ministry said all tuk-tuks must ests,” Brad Adams, HRW’s Asia director, said in a statement. now have head and tail lights, and made it an offence for drivers to smoke while carrying pas- Outrage over woman kept in pigsty sengers. All three-wheelers will also have to be fitted with fare meters and issue receipts to pas- BEIJING: Footage of a 92-year-old Chinese woman reportedly sengers, it said in a notice in the country's official kept for years by her son in a pigsty has incited an online fire- gazette. storm, as China grapples with the question of how to provide The transport ministry also made it man- for its increasingly ageing population. The woman, surnamed datory for the ubiquitous tuk-tuks to have Yang, was kept in a pigsty by her son and daughter-in-law, who electrically operated windscreen wipers and did not provide her with enough food or clothing and constantly cabin lights. Police estimate that 3,000 people beat and scolded her, according to the local Nanguo Morn- died on Sri Lanka's roads last year and about ing News based in the southern Guangxi region. A video of it 15 percent of those were tuk-tuk passengers. appeared on China's Twitter-like social media platform Weibo. Another 100,000 people are seriously wounded in traffic accidents each year in Sri Lanka. Myanmar minister meets Sheikh Hasina Hundreds of Muslims perform Friday Prayers as they take part in Biswa Last month, the government announced Ijtema, the second largest religious gathering of Muslims in the world, raising the minimum traffic fines from about YANGON: Myanmar and Bangladesh have agreed to start in Tongi, 20 km from Dhaka, Bangladesh. 500 rupees ($3.3) to 25,000 rupees ($166) in a consultation for verification and repatriation of refugees, bid to make Sri Lankan roads safer. said a statement of the Myanmar Foreign Ministry yesterday. The statement came after the visit of Myanmar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U. Kyaw Tin to Bangladesh as spe- cial envoy of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi over the last two days, Xinhua news agency reported. China & Russia against S Korea missile defence The refugees concerned are those persons who fled armed men in the October 9 attacks on three border posts in Myanmar's Rakhine state. The Myanmar minister met with Bangladesh Beijing complicating matters for South The report gave no details guard against North Korean mis- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Abul Has- AP Korea as it faces domestic polit- and a Chinese Foreign Ministry siles, a threat that drew renewed san Mahmood Ali during the state visit. ical divisions and significant spokesman on Friday said only attention after North Korean hina has a range of eco- public opposition. that China has a legitimate right leader Kim Jong Un announced Sri Lanka faces severe drought conditions nomic, diplomatic and China's official Xinhua News to defend its security interests. in his annual New Year's address Cmilitary options to retali- Agency said Beijing and Moscow "China believes it is a serious that the country had reached the COLOMBO: Several districts in Sri Lanka would face severe ate if the US and South Korea agreed to take "further counter- threat to China's security inter- "final stages" of developing an drought conditions in the coming three weeks as very little proceed with deployment of an measures" in response to the ests and for the region," Lu Kang intercontinental ballistic rain was expected, the country's disaster management offi- advanced missile defence sys- plan during security talks said at a daily briefing. "I believe missile. cials said yesterday. Disaster management officials were quoted tem, experts said Friday, as between the two countries in that as long as our country has China has campaigned by Xinhua news agency as saying that at least 10,000 people Beijing remained vague in its Moscow on Thursday. legitimate security concerns, it relentlessly against the deploy- were affected by the ongoing drought, which, it called "the threats against the plan. "The countermeasures will is understandable that necessary ment, warning of unspecified worst drought in four decades". The numbers were expected to Such steps could raise the be aimed at safeguarding inter- measures be taken to safeguard retaliation and leading to a sharp increase in the coming weeks. Drinking water was distributed stakes for Washington and Seoul ests of China and Russia and the such interests." downturn in relations with in 17 districts to families who faced a severe water shortage in a controversial deployment strategic balance in the region," The proposed Terminal Seoul. China says the system's and President Maithripala Sirisena said that the tri-forces were that China regards as a major Xinhua quoted the agreement as High-Altitude Area Defense, or powerful radar can peer deep also deployed to assist people in the affected areas. security threat, while saying. Thaad, radar system aims to into its territory. SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 EUROPE 07 Cyprus talks stumble over fate of Turkish troops

Geneva Discussions on security had AFP Bone of contention just begun and the issue is “highly emotional”, he said. Greek Cypriot opes for a peace deal A 1960 agreement gave Brit- President Nicos in Cyprus stalled ain, Greece and Turkey the right yesterday over a Anastasiades to intervene to defend Cyprus’s decades-old dis- yesterday restated sovereign integrity, which Ankara pute, with the rival his position that a used to justify its invasion. Hsides at loggerheads over the timeline must be Eide said by joining the peace future of Turkish troops on the agreed for Turkish process, the camps had accepted divided island. troops to eventually that this so-called “guarantor A week of UN-brokered talks withdraw. power” system was destined to in Geneva between Greek Cyp- change. Britain and Greece have riot President Nicos Anastasiades said they were happy to scrap the and Turkish Cypriot leader Mus- restated his position that a time- deal, but for Turkey it remains a tafa Akinci sparked optimism line must be agreed for those priority. Akinci struck a more that an agreement to reunify the troops to eventually withdraw. moderate tone on the issue than island could be at hand. And Greek Foreign Minister Erdogan. But any settlement will Nikos Kotzias said there can be Letting the talks fail would require an agreement on no solution to the four-decade be “a grave mistake”, he said, Cyprus’s future security, with division of Cyprus while Turkish calling the guarantor power deal consent needed from key play- “occupation” troops remain. “a system (that) belongs to 1960.” ers Greece, Turkey and former But Turkish President Recep “Now we are in 2017,” he colonial power Britain. Tayyip Erdogan declared that a added. “How do we adapt this A key sticking point remains full withdrawal of Turkish troops system through a mutually Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (centre) addresses a press conference following the presence of some 30,000 from northern Cyprus was “out accepted formula which will UN-sponsored Cyprus peace talks in Geneva, yesterday. Turkish troops in the north of of tquestion”. secure the security concerns of the island. Asked about Erdogan’s Turkish Cypriots but at the same a new security pact. sides were “on a path that cre- Cypriots alike, that a fine balance Ankara and Akinci have remarks, UN envoy Espen Barth time would not cause any threat The UN process is aimed at ates hope” and that compromise must be struck,” he told report- insisted that some Turkish mil- Eide insisted that efforts to end for the other community?” forging a republic with two zones was key. “A solution cannot cre- ers in Geneva. itary presence is essential for one of the world’s longest run- Technical experts from all that would be a full European ate winners and leave losers (in Turkish Cypriot leaders have Turkish Cypriots to feel safe in a ning political crises would not be sides were due to reconvene Union member. its wake). If we want it to be via- accepted to return some of the prospective united country. derailed over a temporary war in Switzerland on January 18 Despite the roadblocks ble and durable, all must land they have controlled since Anastasiades yesterday of words. to table concrete proposals for ahead, Anastasiades said the two understand, Greek and Turkish the failed 1974 coup. US troop in Poland proportionate: Nato Hungary PM defies

Vilnius since the Cold War, an opera- in Syria since late 2015. Last summer, Nato leaders AFP tion that Russia angrily branded Also last year, Moscow’s endorsed plans to rotate troops EU with migrant a security “threat”. deployment of nuclear-capable into Poland and the three Baltic senior Nato official yes- “I do want to emphasise that Iskander missiles into its Kalin- states to reassure them they terday called it is proportionate and meas- ingrad outpost and frequent would not be left in the lurch if AWashington’s deployment ured,” Gottemoeller said of the military drills in the Baltic region Russia was tempted to repeat its detentions of an armoured brigade to deployment of some “3,500 per- rattled neighbouring Nato mem- Ukraine intervention. Poland and other eastern allies sonnel, 87 tanks and 144 Bradley bers Poland and Lithuania. The former top US general a “proportionate and measured” fighting vehicles.” Gottemoeller said she saw in Europe told reporters yester- Budapest scheme to share refugees response to Russian military “This is an important step, “legitimate possibilities for day that dialogue with Russia AFP around the bloc. activity near the region. but it is meant for deterrence future dialogue” between Nato was “inevitable” after President- Over the past two years “Through the so-called and defence,” she added. and Russia, but insisted the elect Donald Trump takes office, ungary’s right-wing many hundreds of thousands Atlantic Resolve operation there The Atlantic Resolve mission Western alliance needed to be but recommended taking small Prime Minister Viktor of migrants have sought asy- is US armour coming back to will see US soldiers and heavy very “clear-eyed” about reduc- steps. HOrban said yesterday he lum in Europe. Europe and it is a response to equipment also deployed in Nato ing risks on its eastern flank. “What we need to do is begin has defied Brussels by reintro- Orban says allowing what Russia has been doing,” partners Estonia, Latvia, Lithua- “We want to reduce risks so a series of dialogues and address ducing the systematic detention migrants without proper checks Nato Deputy Secretary General nia, Romania, Bulgaria and that we do not have a possibil- small incremental things that we of migrants arriving in the poses a security threat, with Rose Gottemoeller told the Bal- Hungary on a rotational basis. ity of a crisis emerging that could see as mutually beneficial,” said country in response to recent some of the Islamist extremists tic news agency BNS. Tensions between Russia and possibly escalate into conflict,” retired general Philip Breedlove, “terror” attacks in Europe. responsible for attacks such as US troops and tanks began the West have escalated over past the Nato official told BNS speak- who was also attending the secu- “We have reinstated alien in Paris in November 2015 hav- streaming into Poland Thursday two years, triggered by Russia’s ing on the sidelines of an rity conference in the resort town police detention in cases of those ing posed as refugees. as part of one of largest deploy- 2014 annexation of Crimea from informal security policy summit of Trakai on the outskirts of the whose application to enter The most recent attack was ments of US forces in Europe Ukraine and its military campaign in Lithuania. Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Europe has not yet been legally in Berlin on December 19 when judged,” Orban told public radio a Tunisian, Anis Amri, drove a in a regular interview. truck into a crowded Christmas Denmark to “As long as there is a ver- market, killing 12 people. He dict outstanding (in their was killed in a shootout with Eyeing new trade ties asylum applications) they can- police in Italy four days later. raise military not move freely in Hungary,” Amri arrived in Italy from said the 53-year-old known for Tunisia in 2011 and went to spending citing his anti-immigration views. Germany in 2015. He was Under pressure from Brus- known to German counter-ter- Russian threat sels, the UN refugee agency and rorism officials and was the European Court of Human supposed to have been Copenhagen Rights, Hungary in 2013 sus- deported back to Tunisia. Reuters pended practice of detaining Orban, a big admirer of US asylum applicants. President-elect Donald Trump, NATO member Denmark “But since then there have also says that allowing in so plans to increase military been terror acts in western many Muslims risks undermin- spending in response to Rus- Europe,” Orban said yesterday. ing Europe’s democratic values sian missile deployments in the “Any legal regulation that facil- and its Christian traditions. Baltic region that it perceives itates terror acts must be Some of Orban’s fiercest as a threat, its new defence changed in the interests of our critics, not just over refugees minister said in an interview own self-defence.” but also in other areas, have published yesterday. He said he was aware that been non-governmental But Claus Hjort Frederik- this “openly goes against the organisations. sen said that despite pressure EU”, putting his government in Earlier this week a senior from allies including incom- “open conflict” with the rest of member of his Fidesz party ing US President Donald the 28-nation bloc. announced plans to tighten reg- Trump, Denmark was not Orban has regularly crossed ulations on NGOs that receive able to meet the Nato defence British Prime Minister Theresa May (left) greets New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English on swords with the European foreign funding. spending target of 2 percent his arrival at Downing Street in London, yesterday. Later, addressing a press conference Union over migrants, including “We live in a world where of gross domestic product. English said New Zealand is ready to negotiate a high-quality free trade agreement with by erecting fences on Hunga- attempts to influence are “We are under great pres- the UK when it is in a position to do so. ry’s border with Serbia and endemic in all countries,” Orban sure from both the current refusing to take part in a said yesterday. Obama administration and, from what we understand, Trump to live up to the 2 per- cent target,” Frederiksen said. “I would say it is not a realis- Belgrade warns France against ‘impunity’ for Kosovo ex-PM tic (target to reach).” “We can observe that the Russians now are deploying Belgrade France under an international towards getting him fully freed. Kuburovic said they would work ethnic Albanian province new missiles in Kaliningrad AFP arrest warrant issued by Serbia But he must stay in France while on the “principle of reciprocity”. became a United Nations with a capability to reach more than a decade ago. the extradition request is exam- “If a person accused of war protectorate. Copenhagen.” This is of erbia warned France yes- Belgrade has requested the ined, which could take months. crimes is not extradited to Ser- It unilaterally declared inde- course a serious risk,” Fred- terday against “impunity” extradition of former leader of “Serbia does not accept a bia, we will respond with same pendence a decade later—a move eriksen told daily newspaper Sfor Kosovo’s ex-premier the insurgent Kosovo Liberation judicial system that infers impu- measures to any requests from that has never been recognised by Berlingske. Ramush Haradinaj after he was Army (KLA) to try him for alleged nity for those who have France,” Kuburovic said, when Serbia, which sees Kosovo as the Denmark last month released on bail by a French atrocities committed against committed crimes against the asked hypothetically about cradle of its identity and religion. offered to deploy 200 troops court following his arrest on sus- civilians during the 1998-99 con- civilian population,” Marko Dju- extraditing suspected terrorists Haradinaj has twice before to a UK-led Nato mission in picion of war crimes. flict against Serbian forces. ric, Serbian minister who to France. been acquitted of war crimes by Estonia, and has said it plans Haradinaj was detained on On Thursday Haradinaj was handles Kosovo affairs, told a After the 1990s conflict in the International Criminal Tri- to join a Europe-based mis- January 4 at Basel-Mulhouse- released on bail, a move that press conference. Kosovo, which killed 13,000 bunal for the former Yugoslavia sile defence system. Freiburg airport in eastern Kosovo hailed as “a first step” Serbian Justice Minister Nela people, the predominantly (ICTY) in The Hague. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL Peace push

he Middle East peace conference to be held in Paris from Sunday is set to make its mark as one of the major initiatives ever made to Anti-Zionism & anti-Semitism Tcreate a state for Palestinians. The conference, being hosted by the French government, is getting plenty of international attention and is growing in importance for many reasons - like the in British politics scale of participation, its timing, the changing geopolitical situation, and the new global order being shaped after the election of Donald Trump etc. The success of BDS in mobilising and Holocaust deniers and that he Around 70 countries and international organisations Avi Shlaim support against the occupation is viewed shared platforms with them. are taking part in the conference to make a new push Al Jazeera with alarm by Israel’s leaders. They see it The other “evidence” produced by as part of a broader international cam- the detractors was an offensive cartoon for a two-state solution in the Middle East. The paign to delegitimise not just the posted on Facebook by Naz Shah, the conference will also receive huge support from the occupation but the state of Israel itself. Labour MP for Bradford West, and a outgoing US administration. Secretary of State John Their response to BDS is not to engage bizarre claim by Ken Livingstone, the Kerry will be joining foreign ministers from around here is no denying that from time to with its arguments but to tag it as short- former London mayor and long-time 40 countries and representatives from the UN, EU, time anti-Semitism raises its ugly hand for Jew-hatred. Palestinian rights campaigner, that Hit- Arab League and other organisations in calling for a head in the UK, as it does in many In June 2015, the Israeli government ler supported Zionism in 1932 “before he two-state deal and the meeting is also expected to other countries. What is striking, set up a special task force with a budget went mad and killed six million Jews”. support a UN resolution last month which however, about contemporary Brit- of around $25.5m to fight the movement Yet Corbyn was sufficiently rattled condemned Israeli settlement building in Palestinian Tain is the use of anti-Semitism as a political worldwide. The worse Israel behaves, by the furore in the media to appoint an territory. Palestinians and Israelis will not be tool to silence legitimate criticism of the poli- the more aggressive are its efforts to dis- independent inquiry. Although the participating in the conference. Palestinian president cies and practices of the Israeli government qualify and discredit anyone who holds report concluded that there is no Mahmud Abbas will meet French President Francois and the collusion of members of the political her to account. In Britain the majority of endemic anti-Semitism within the Hollande in the coming weeks to be briefed on the establishment in this process. Israel’s opponents are on the left of the Labour Party, the witch-hunt continued. conference outcome. As for Israel, its leaders are The Jewish philosopher Isaiah Berlin political spectrum. In truth, the crisis in the Labour Party furious about the conference because they are defined an anti-Semite as someone who hates In the past year the Labour Party was not primarily about anti-Semitism. Jews more than is strictly necessary. became the main target of attack for It was part of a broader effort by a group realizing that the world is This definition has its humorous side but it allegedly harbouring a large number of of disgruntled Blairites and their allies still serious about a two- does not take us very far. A simpler definition anti-Semites within its ranks. outside the party to overthrow Jeremy state solution. Prime of an anti-Semite is someone who hates Jews These attacks originated with what Corbyn and to reverse his progressive The Middle East Minister Benjamin as Jews. Israeli propagandists deliberately, yes might be loosely termed “the Israel policies. In short, the crisis was manu- Netanyahu has lambasted peace conference deliberately, conflate anti-Zionism with anti- Lobby”. This lobby consists of the Israeli factured to serve the ends of a the conference and called Semitism in order to discredit, bully, and embassy in London, the Board of Depu- right-wing faction within the Labour to be held in it a plot against Israel. He muzzle critics of Israel; in order to suppress ties of British Jews, and other bodies Party as well as those of the Israel lobby. Paris is one of the dismissed it as a “rigged” free speech; and in order to divert attention such as the Community Security Trust This is the broader context in which major initiatives conference, insisting that from the real issues: Israeli colonialism, Isra- and BICOM, the Britain Israel Communi- Al Jazeera’s four-part series on “The for a two-state only bilateral talks can el’s apartheid, its systematic violation of the cations and Research Centre. Lobby” should be viewed. It is a remark- human rights of Palestinians, and its denial of It is unlikely to be a coincidence that able piece of investigative journalism, solution. bring peace. The conference may their right to independence and statehood. the charges of anti-Semitism began to be packed with concrete evidence of murky not produce any wonderful The propagandists persistently present an levelled at the Labour Party soon after manipulations by Israel’s envoys and results in the near future, anti-racist movement (anti-Zionism) as a rac- the election of Jeremy friends in Britain to empower its sup- but it can clear the way for ist one (anti-Semitism). Corbyn as leader. For porters and undermine its critics. In British politics there is a striking dis- Jeremy Corbyn is the “The Lobby” not only alleges but negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis. connect between the public which is largely first leader of a major documents covert operations by the Coming after the UNSC vote, the conference will have pro-Palestinian and the political elite which is British political party to Israeli embassy and improper interfer- the courage and determination to proceed with overwhelmingly pro-Israeli. ence at every level of British politics. It renewed vigour and send a powerful message to Our last four prime ministers have all exposes the way in which the Israeli Israel that its aggression and violation of been proud partisans of the state of Israel. embassy “infiltrated” both the Conserva- international laws will not go unpunished Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were honorary What is striking, however, tive and the Labour parties in flagrant indefinitely. It can also send a powerful message to patrons of the Jewish National Fund UK, a violation of diplomatic protocol. Donald Trump that the international community has body which, as its name indicates, caters about contemporary The most shocking revelation is that completely different ideas for Middle East peace. exclusively for the Jewish and not the Arab Britain is the use of anti- Shai Masot, a senior political officer at the Trump is threatening to upend the US policy on citizens of the state of Israel. So was David Semitism as a political Israeli embassy, set up a number of politi- Middle East, which has been carefully nurtured by US Cameron until he decided to resign. Theresa tool to silence legitimate cal organisations in the UK that operated presidents for decades. His controversial plan to May, the current prime minister, is one of the as though entirely independent. He was most pro-Israeli leaders in Europe. criticism of the policies also secretly caught on camera plotting to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and and practices of the Israeli appointment of a hawk as US envoy in Israel are In a recent speech she hailed Israel as “a “take down” MPs he regarded as hostile remarkable country” and “a beacon of toler- to Israel. Among the MPs that Masot forcing Palestinians and the world to think of a peace government and the ance”. Rubbing salt in Palestinian wounds, wanted to “take down” was Sir Alan Dun- plan without US. And that will reflect poorly on collusion of members of she called the Balfour Declaration “one of the can, the foreign office minister and vocal Trump than others. most important letters in history”. the political establishment supporter of a Palestinian state. There are signs that the forthcoming peace Large segments of the British public, moti- in this process. Mark Regev, the Israeli ambassador, conference is a success. Israel’s UN ambassador vated by the traditional British values of fair made a full apology to Sir Alan for the yesterday raised concern over what he said were play and sympathy for the underdog, increas- incident and stated that Masot will soon moves at the Security Council to adopt a new ingly side with the Palestinians. be sent back to Jerusalem. Regev had lit- measure to build on the Paris Middle East conference. Media reports of Israeli land confiscations, tle choice but to apologise: Al Jazeera house demolitions, the siege of Gaza, and set- make an unqualified stand in support of produced the smoking gun. tler violence on the West Bank all reinforce Palestinian rights and Palestinian state- The British government seemed sat- this sympathy for the victims and provoke hood. He is also opposed to the sale of isfied with the apology and declared the QUOTE OF THE DAY anger against the oppressor. arms to Israel. matter closed. But a number of MPs from Indeed, the failure of western govern- Corbyn’s Jewish detractors did not all parties have expressed their concern ments to protect the Palestinians against directly accuse him of anti-Semitism over this gross interference in British these never-ending Israeli depredations goes because they could not find even the democracy and called on the prime min- The dire situation right a long way to explain the growing activism at flimsiest evidence to substantiate such a ister to launch a public inquiry. the level of civil society. charge. Corbyn has been in public life for It is a fair guess that despite the now is Greece. Children The clearest manifestation of this anger a third of a century and he has a consist- recent setback, the Israeli embassy are particularly prone to with Israel is Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions ent and an entirely commendable record under Mark Regev’s leadership will con- respiratory illnesses at a (BDS), the global grassroots movement whose of opposing all forms of racism, includ- tinue its campaign of targeted political time like this. It’s about goals are to end Israel’s occupation of all Arab ing anti-Semitism. attacks and that in its Hasbara it will lands, to ensure full equality for the Palestin- The detractors, with the extensive continue to equate legitimate criticism of saving lives, not about ian citizens of Israel, and allow Palestinian research facilities at their disposal, prob- Israeli policies with visceral hatred of red tape and keeping to refugees to return to their homes. BDS is thus ably went through Corbyn’s speeches of the Jewish people. But in the long run, bureaucratic arrangement. a response to Israel’s denial of Palestinian the past three decades with a fine-tooth Israel and its envoys abroad have no rights. The movement holds the moral high comb but found no incriminating evi- chance of winning the battle for hearts ground because its goals are grounded in dence. So they resorted to the old ploy of and minds for the simple reason that Sarah Crowe international law and its methods are guilt by association: to smears and innu- Zionism itself has already ended up on Unicef Spokeswoman non-violent. endos that he consorted with Jew-haters the wrong side of history. SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 OPINION 09 Time to trim US intelligence oversight

Virginia office building and took on a Steven A Cash host of responsibilities, including The Washington Post functions best characterized as oper- ational or analytic. This result was no fleet admiral, but a new, ponderous ship and another captain (one with a resident-elect Donald Trump has indicated fancier uniform). that he intends to dramatically downsize the Was the DNI a disaster? No. As so Office of the Director of National Intelligence. often happens, structural mistakes He would be right to do so. Even before the are mitigated by personal action. A attacks of September 11, 2001, there was con- series of DNIs, starting with John Pcern that the structure of the US intelligence community Negroponte and ending with the cur- was fundamentally flawed. A single person, by statute, rent occupant, James Clapper Jr., held two roles: head of the intelligence community struggled mightily against the bur- (meaning the then-13 agencies and sub-departments, dens of the growing bureaucracy. including the National Security Agency, FBI, Defence Tellingly, the term “DNI” (referring to Intelligence Agency and, yes, CIA, that made up the a person) has come to be largely community) and head of the CIA. Many saw this as replaced by “ODNI,” Office of the DNI inherently dysfunctional. How could one person credi- (referring to a huge institution). The bly lead - and sometimes adjudicate disputes among DNIs have succeeded; it is the ODNI - this multitude of agencies and also be the head of one that has failed. But we cannot rely on of them? How could we expect to find one person with the happenstance of having excellent the temperament, interest and ability to do two such DNIs leading a fundamentally flawed different jobs? And weren’t these each full-time jobs, system. requiring the energy and attention of two people? Former senator Daniel Coats, One simple possible solution drew on the analogy of R-Ind., just announced as the presi- an admiral of a fleet. Such an officer is responsible for dent-elect’s nominee for DNI, may be guiding the overall activity of a group of warships, the right person to right-size the assigning roles and responsibilities and leading the cap- operation, but he faces a monumen- FROM LEFT: FBI Director Comey, Director of National Intelligence Clapper, CIA Director Brennan and tains of those ships. But this admiral does not have his tal task. own ship. He is not first among equals, a kind of player- NSA Director Rogers preparing to testify to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on So what should be done? A simple coach. He stands apart and at the head of his fleet. “Russia’s intelligence activities” in Washington. place to start would be to go back and In 2002, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, look at what was contemplated in that introduced the Intelligence Community Leadership Act. being the lifeblood of all government meetings). Like an first bill. Clapper said as much in hear- A few months later, it was co-sponsored by Sen. Mitch admiral, he would preside over disputes among his cap- ings last week - that he thought it McConnell, R-Ky. The bill established a director of tains, lead and direct them, and then let them each would be helpful “that some attention Even before the attacks of national intelligence (DNI), but unlike the legislation command their own ships. He would hold them be given to, in our case, the legislative September 11, 2001, there was that eventually created the position, this version was accountable for their performance, reward their suc- underpinnings that established the concern that the structure of the concise. It basically took the existing “dual-hatted” cesses and punish their failures. He would manage the DNI in the first place.” US intelligence community was functions and divided them into two categories: manag- fleet budget. He would not, however, drive his own ship. If we follow Clapper’s advice and ing the community and managing the CIA. The new DNI The bill went nowhere. The Senate Select Commit- the president-elect’s stated approach, fundamentally flawed. A single got the first category, and the CIA director got the sec- tee on Intelligence never held hearings, issued a report we may be able to get what we person, by statute, held two ond. The DNI got his own general counsel (to ensure or marked up legislation. Instead, the DNI concept needed in the first place: a slim, trim roles: head of the intelligence community-wide consistency in legal matters) and became a post-Sept. 11 talking point. It eventually ended DNI. An admiral to lead a fleet. community (meaning the then-13 inspector general (to focus on community-wide issues). up as part of a bill before a non-intelligence committee agencies and sub-departments, Nothing else significant changed. The bill was 33 pages and passed as the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism including the National Security long, had only two titles and largely consisted of legisla- Prevention Act of 2004. This bill was 236 pages long tive language moving existing provisions into the two and, while it did create a DNI, this DNI would need Agency, FBI, Defence Intelligence titles. much more than a table and some coffee cups. The bill Agency and, yes, CIA, that made Some joked that all the new DNI would need to created three “centers,” imposed myriad requirements up the community) and head of carry out his duties was a conference table, 14 nice and established a huge enterprise. D-RING ROAD the CIA. chairs (one for each intelligence community member, In the years that followed, the DNI establishment POST BOX: 3488 plus one for him) and a nice coffee maker (caffeine continued to grow. It eventually occupied a large DOHA - QATAR [email protected]

With image aides and viral tweets, Le Pen targets power EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 calling him “the establishment’s new star”. took over the FN’s leadership from her father Jean-Marie in 2011, has Ingrid Melander “Francois Fillon in power would bring a sought to soften its image and re-brand it as a party that protects MANAGING EDITOR Reuters terrible economic and social decline for fam- those who suffer from globalisation. TEL: 4462 7505 ilies and middle-class and working-class She has herself acknowledged the importance of the Idea-Image French,” Le Pen’s campaign director David committee to her campaign. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Rachline said in a web video sent to support- “They do the spadework on ideas and how to bring them about,” TEL: 4455 7769 ers and posted on his Twitter feed. she told reporters last week. “It’s brainstorming, people who think very week, a small group A key objective of the FN’s strategy is to about everything ... and then the directors of the campaign decide.” of Marine Le Pen’s aides brainstorm soften Le Pen’s image and boost her appeal beyond Those directors are Le Pen, Rachline and Florian Philippot, her LOCAL NEWS SECTION on how to achieve what many say is grassroots supporters of the FN. Since launching her deputy and the party’s communications and strategy chief. TEL: 4455 7743 impossible: change how most campaign, she has spoken in a TV interview about her Aside from Chenu and Olivier, members of the Idea-Image com- French people view her to get her love of gardening, her cooking speciality - a traditional mittee also include several other senior party officials. BUSINESS NEWS SECTION Eelected president in May. Brittany cake with caramelised apples - and her child- One is Philippe Vardon, a founder of the “Bloc Identitaire”, an TEL: 4462 7535 The “Idea-Image” committee of Le Pen’s hood, for example. anti-Islam group that calls for the preservation of Europe’s ethnic far-right National Front (FN) consists of about Her blog, meanwhile, has showed pictures of the heritage, and now an FN councillor in southeast France. SPORT NEWS SECTION 10 party officials and supporters. It held its mother-of-three petting kittens and dogs, visiting Julien Odoul, an FN councillor in eastern France, and Philippe TEL: 4455 7745 first meeting in October as the party kicked farms and travelling abroad. Isabelle Veyrat-Masson, a Murer, an economic adviser to Le Pen, are also on the panel. off its presidential campaigning. political communications expert at the CNRS research The committee also includes party supporters who work in the ONLINE SECTION The job of the group is to advise 48-year- institute, characterised the strategy as being about the media or public relations, Chenu said, adding that they did not want TEL: 4462 7501 old Le Pen and her top campaign officials on a “de-demonisation” of Le Pen. their names to be published. They are volunteers and are not paid for [email protected] wide range of issues from where to hold ral- “She wants to show that she is a woman like any their contributions, he said. The promotional paraphernalia for the lies and what issues to highlight, to campaign other ... that she has a heart.” campaign bears no PUBLIC RELATIONS posters, speeches and online campaigns. The FN views much of the mainstream media as set reference to the FN or even the Le Pen family name but instead While opinions polls predict the leader of against it and sees the internet as a crucial campaigning shows a blue rose, rather than the party’s trademark flame motif, TEL: 4455 7613 the anti-immigration, anti-Europe FN will battleground. Social media networks “are essential to and simply the moniker “Marine”. [email protected] make it to the election’s second round in May, talk directly to the people without a filter,” Le Pen said Le Pen herself came up with the idea of a blue rose as a campaign they see her losing that run-off because a last week. More Twitter campaigns like #TheTrueFillon logo, which was then designed by an in-house graphic artist, and her ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT majority of voters still have a negative view of one are also in the pipeline, Chenu said, without giving campaign slogan “In the name of the people”, according to FN TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 her. The Idea-Image panel’s task is to help further details. officials. FAX: 4455 7870 change public hearts and minds. All presidential candidates have communications The logo, Le Pen says, is meant to symbolise that she wants to [email protected] “I’m just out of a meeting where we talked team, but the FN says its own is different because it has bring all French together - the rose being the symbol of the Socialists about our online viral campaigns and all the not hired any big communications or advertisement and the colour blue associated with the political right in France. FN CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT trips the candidate (Le Pen) will undertake, agency. officials say a blue rose is also meant to symbolise making the impos- TEL: 4455 7857 with one key theme per trip,” said Sebastien “We do everything in-house. We don’t have much sible possible. While other parties in France have sometimes done [email protected] Chenu, an FN regional councillor in northern money, it obliges us to be more creative,” Chenu said, away with their logos for presidential elections, it is rare to drop a France who jointly heads the committee with referring to the fact that with fewer elected officials candidate’s family name. SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION Le Pen’s brother-in-law Philippe Olivier. than mainstream parties, the FN receives less public Using only “Marine” highlights that she is the only woman among TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 It was in one of those committee meetings funding. The FN says it is struggling to get loans to the top candidates, and aims at establishing a more direct link with FAX: 44557819 that the idea of the #TheTrueFillon campaign finance its campaign. Le Pen, a trained lawyer who voters, aides say. was born, he said, referring to when FN offi- “For Marine Le Pen to make herself better known, as a woman, as [email protected] cials and supporters spread a series of a candidate, is certainly a key, because a presidential election is not messages on Twitter attacking conservative While opinions polls predict the only about a project but also about a person,” Philippot told Reuters. candidate Francois Fillon just after he won However omitting her surname also serves to distance herself leader of the anti-immigration, All thoughts and views his party’s nomination in late November. further from her father, who alienated swathes of the population and expressed in these columns “We had one campaign ready for (Fillon’s anti-Europe FN will make it to was convicted of inciting racial hatred. She kicked him out of the losing opponent Alain) Juppe and one for Fil- the election’s second round in party in 2015. While Jean-Marie Le Pen, a provocative former para- are those of the writers, not lon, so we could push it out immediately,” May, they see her losing that trooper, was content with attracting protest votes, his daughter of the newspaper. Chenu, who used to work in the communica- run-off because a majority of targets power. Le Pen does, however, face a delicate balancing act if tions departments of the government and voters still have a negative view she is to win power - to attract mainstream support while keeping a All correspondence state-owned TV station France 24, said in a grip on the FN’s core voters. of her. The Idea-Image panel’s regarding Views and phone interview. This was evident at a Paris Christmas market last month when Opinion pages should be The online anti-Fillon drive targeted his task is to help change public she shook hands with Father Christmas, posed for pictures and said plans to shrink the public workforce and hearts and minds. her Christmas wish was “for France to pick a leader who thinks of the mailed to the questioned his credibility on immigration, people”. [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 Winter storm batters Europe: 2 more dead

London Flood warnings were put in AFP Deadly cold snap place for much of England’s east Since the end of last coast, while in the Netherlands powerful winter week, a winter cold pumps were used to lower water storm battered snap across Europe levels in Amsterdam and sur- Europe yesterday, rounding areas, according to has killed more than killing one woman Dutch news agency ANP. 60 people, with and leaving 330,000 Thousands of residents in homesA without power in France homeless people and Skegness in eastern England as flights and train services were migrants stranded in were urged to leave their homes cancelled and coastal areas put countries like Greece or move to upper floors, while on flood alert. and Serbia most at further south villagers in Jay- Britain issued nearly a dozen risk. wick were also warned to severe flood warnings, mean- evacuate ahead of high tide. ing there was a risk of severe Temporary shelters were set flooding and danger to life, and The rose window of a up for local residents, but some urged thousands of people to famous Gothic cathedral in Sois- appeared reluctant to leave. evacuate their homes in several sons in northern France was “While I know the police are seaside communities. also badly damaged. putting on extra patrols, they The storm, officially named Winds of up to 146km an can’t cover the whole area the A man walks along the Pennie Way footpath past snow-covered moorland near the village of Egon, also battered Belgium and hour hit France’s Channel port whole time,” Jaywick resident Germany, where the key inter- of Dieppe overnight, while parts Rebecca Kenny, 31, told the Marsden, northern England, yesterday. national hub of Frankfurt airport of Germany were bracing for up Press Association news agency. cancelled 120 flights, according to 30cm of snow yesterday, “With the security risk, I to German media. according to German weather don’t really want to leave the Flood alert: Villagers evacuated in UK Eurostar cancelled two officials. house,” she said. trains between London and Since the end of last week, Some 100 soldiers were Paris, while 180 passengers a winter cold snap across standing by in Skegness to help London “This decision has not been leave their homes. were forced to spend a chilly Europe has killed more than 60 out and the Royal Air Force is AFP taken lightly and has been made The flood preparations came night on a high-speed Thalys people, with homeless people checking for damage. in the best interests of all resi- after heavy snow fell across Scot- train from Brussels to the French and migrants stranded in coun- “Our absolute priority is easide residents in southern dents to ensure their safety until land, Northern Ireland and parts capital that finally arrived 10 tries like Greece and Serbia most protecting lives, homes and England were ordered to the severe weather passes,” Russ of England. hours late. at risk. businesses from the threat of Sevacuate yesterday as Brit- Cole, a police chief inspector, said In anticipation of the snow- “We stopped on the tracks “Severe winter weather coastal flooding currently fac- ain faced severe flood warnings, of the evacuation. fall Heathrow cancelled 80 flights at around 9pm,” said Eduardo struck southeastern Europe, ing the east coast,” floods after snow caused flights to be Locals were offered shelter arriving at and departing from the Soteras, a passenger on the train. with extreme cold and snow in minister Therese Coffey said. cancelled. Police officers went at a centre set up by authorities airport. In France, a woman was Italy, the Balkans and Turkey. “That is why we have sol- door-to-door in the village of Jay- or advised to travel outside the “The latest forecast is for killed by a falling tree in her gar- This caused many accidents on diers on the ground helping to wick, southeastern England to village. snow... which will reduce the den in a village near Nice, while roads, school closures, cancelled warn and evacuate people warn residents they would be An additional 1,100 proper- number of aircraft able to take another woman in Albania was flights and hardship for the alongside the emergency serv- evacuated ahead of heavy rain ties were likely to be evacuated off and land each hour,” a Hea- found dead outside her home in homeless and refugees,” the UN ices and environment agency and high winds. along the coastline of the nearby throw spokesman told reporters the southern town of Saranda. weather agency said. teams, who are putting up tem- The order came as the Envi- Suffolk region, police said. yesterday. “She died in front of her The World Meteorological porary defences,” she said. ronment Agency issued seven Further up the coast, the Following the snowfall the children. Her husband tried to Organisation said in a statement The storm brought the first severe flood warnings, indicat- defence ministry said 100 soldiers Met Office, Britain’s weather help by cutting the tree but it that the high-pressure weather snowfall of the year to the British ing danger to life, and 68 further had been deployed to the seaside agency, warned of widespread icy was too late,” a French police system was “moving slowly capital, prompting the usual mix flood warnings which call for town of Skegness where around conditions and “a bitterly cold official said of the death there. eastwards over Europe”. of excitement and frustration. immediate action. 3,000 residents were urged to night for all”.

Russian minister Poland to Trump: Improved Russia ties must not harm us on EU sanctions Warsaw relations with the Kremlin. Tough talk warning about Russia,” Waszc- list invited to AFP Tensions between Russia zykowski said. and the West have escalated over “You can’t criticise anyone “They (the Trump adminis- G20 meeting oland yesterday told US the past two years, triggered by for wanting to improve tration) think rationally, as we President-elect Donald Russia’s 2014 annexation of Cri- relations with Russia,” do, and their view of the world Berlin/Moscow PTrump’s incoming admin- mea from Ukraine and its Foreign Minister Witold and of competition with Russia istration that any improvement military campaign in Syria a year is similar to ours.” Reuters Waszczykowski said. in Washington’s ties with Mos- later. Poland has long been wary cow cannot come at the cost of In response, US President of its Soviet-era master Russia. RUSSIAN Agriculture Min- harming Warsaw. Barack Obama’s administration Since shedding communism ister Alexander Tkachev, “You can’t criticise anyone ordered the deployment of an Cold War —drew a swift and in 1989, Warsaw’s foreign pol- who is on a European Union for wanting to improve relations armoured brigade to Nato's east- angry response from the Krem- icy has been focused on building list of Russians banned from with Russia,” Foreign Minister ern flank in a bid to reassure lin which described it as a buffers against Moscow, namely entering the bloc, will next Witold Waszczykowski (pic- Poland and other allies rattled “threat” on its “doorstep”. through its 1999 membership of week attend a meeting in tured) said. told RMF commercial radio. by frequent Russian military The Obama adminstration the Nato Western defence alli- Berlin with his G20 counter- “We’re Russia’s neighbours Waszczykowski’s comments exercises near the region. has also pushed a hard line on ance and 2004 entry into the parts at Germany’s and we would also want this. come just a week ahead of the The brigade’s arrival in maintaining sanctions on Rus- European Union. invitation. This is our message to the inauguration of Trump, who has Poland on Thursday—as part of sia for its actions in Ukraine. But Russia has long frowned European Union leaders Americans: we like this, but not suggested his Republican admin- one of the largest deployments “Since November 8, Donald upon Poland’s drive to integrate last July extended economic at our cost,” Waszczykowski istration will seek to improve of US forces in Europe since the Trump is behaving rationally, itself with the West. sanctions against Russia first imposed in 2014 after it annexed Crimea and went on to support a separatist rebel- lion in eastern Ukraine. Refugees' plight Assange agrees to The European Union last year also extended travel bans and asset freezes cov- extradition on terms ering about 150 people and 37 entities, including Tkachev. London Washington over WikiLeaks’ A spokeswoman for the AFP publication of thousands of US German ministry of agricul- military and diplomatic docu- ture played down the ikiLeaks founder ments leaked by former US significance of the invitation Julian Assange will soldier Manning. by Germany, which in Janu- Wagree to be extradited Manning is currently serv- ary 2015 refused to issue an to the United States if President ing a 35-year sentence in entry visa to Tkachev. Barack Obama grants clemency solitary confinement for hand- “Invitations were sent to to the former US soldier Chel- ing over the 700,000 sensitive all G20 members and Russia sea Manning, jailed for leaking documents from the US State is a G20 member,” Christina documents, the company said Department. Wendt told a regular govern- yesterday. Manning has already made ment news conference in “If Obama grants Manning two suicide attempts and cur- Berlin yesterday. clemency Assange will agree to rently has an appeal pending The Russian agriculture US extradition despite clear before a military court. ministry confirmed in a state- unconstitutionality of DoJ (US Washington has maintained ment on Friday that Tkachev Department of Justice) case,” the threat of prosecuting will attend the Jan. 22 WikiLeaks wrote on Twitter. Assange over 2010 leak, though meeting. Assange has been living in no charges have been filed. It said Tkachev would the Ecuadoran embassy in Lon- WikiLeaks’ post on Twitter hold bilateral meetings with don since June 2012 to avoid was accompanied by a letter G20 counterparts. It provided extradition to Sweden to face addressed to US Attorney Gen- no further details. Refugees wash their clothes as they take shower outside a derelict warehouse where they sexual assault allegations. eral Loretta Lynch, in which France last May granted took shelter in Belgrade, Serbia, yesterday. Despite the help of local and international The Australian former com- Assange’s lawyer Barry Pollack Tkachev an entry visa to organisations, the situation in the warehouses have been very precarious for months, puter hacker said he fears argues there is no legitimate basis attend an assembly of the waiting on borders to open. Stockholm will in turn extradite for continuing the investigation World Organisation for Ani- him to the US, where he angered into the WikiLeaks founder. mal Health in Paris. SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 AMERICAS 11 Havana hails end to special US policy for Cubans

Havana administrative rule change to AP End to old policy end the policy. Donald Trump Cuban nationals who could undo that rule after he Cuban government attempt to enter the becoming president next week. hailed President US illegally and do He has criticised Obama’s moves Barack Obama’s deci- not qualify for to improve relations with Cuba. sion ending automatic humanitarian relief But ending a policy that has legal residency for any will be subject to allowed hundreds of thousands TCuban who touches US soil, of people to come to the United removal, consistent while ordinary citizens mourned States without a visa also aligns the end of an easy pathway to a with US law and with Trump’s commitment to new life in the United States. enforcement tough immigration policies. Average Cubans and oppo- priorities,” Obama The two governments have nents of island’s communist said. been negotiating an end to “wet foot, leaders said they expected pres- dry foot” for months and finalised sure for reform to increase with an agreement yesterday. elimination of a mechanism that end to a special immigration sta- “Effective immediately, siphoned off island’s most dissat- tus bestowed during the Cold War Cuban nationals who attempt to isfied citizens and turned them had been flocking to the United enter the US illegally and do not into sources of remittances sup- States since the December 17, 2014 qualify for humanitarian relief porting relatives who remained announcement that the U.S. and will be subject to removal, con- on the island. Cuba would re-establish diplo- sistent with US law and The repeal of the “wet foot, matic relations and move toward enforcement priorities,” Obama JosefinaVidal, Director of US affairs at the Cuban Foreign Ministry (left) and Deputy Director dry foot” policy went into effect normalization. About 100,000 left said in a statement. “By taking immediately after the announce- for the US after declaration of this step, we are treating Cuban Gustavo Machin speak at a news conference in Havana, yesterday. ment yesterday. It followed detente, many flooding overland migrants the same way we treat months of negotiations focused through South and Central Amer- migrants from other countries. been accepting the return of Act, which lets Cubans become back those turned away from the in part on getting Cuba to agree ica and Mexico in an exodus that The Cuban government has migrants interdicted at sea.” permanent residents a year after US, if the time between their to take back people who had irritated US allies and other immi- agreed to accept the return of A decades-old US economic legally arriving in the US departure from Cuba and start arrived in the U.S. grant groups. Cuban nationals who have been embargo, though, remains in Under the terms of the agree- of deportation hearings in the US Cubans fearful of an imminent Obama is using an ordered removed, just as it has place, as does Cuban Adjustment ment, Cuba has agreed to take is four years or less. Obama surprises Biden with Medal of Freedom Mexico names Gutierrez

Washington said after receiving the medal. as new US ambassador Reuters “I get a lot of credit I don’t deserve,” he said, proceeding to S President Barack give a roughly 20-minute Mexico City or taxes on Mexican-made Obama surprised Vice impromptu speech thanking Reuters goods, is due to take office on U-President Joe Biden yes- Obama and honouring the January 20. terday by awarding him the extended Biden family. exico appointed its third Mexico is particularly Presidential Medal of Freedom Biden and Obama became ambassador to the exposed to any economic shock with Distinction in an emotional close friends during their time in MUnited States in less because it sends about 80 per- White House ceremony that cel- White House. Biden was a Sena- than a year just days before cent of its exports to the United ebrated their partnership over tor from Delaware when Obama inauguration of President-elect States and has long depended on eight years in office. chose him to be his running mate Donald Trump, who has its neighbour for about half of its “This is an extraordinary in 2008 presidential campaign. unleashed widespread concern foreign direct investment. man,” Obama said of his friend Biden told an anecdote about in Mexico with his aggressive The country’s economy and running mate at a surprise Obama offering to help the rhetoric on trade and jobs. minister said yesterday that ceremony with staff, family and Bidens financially during Biden’s The government said yes- Mexico must be ready to friends of the vice president. US President Barack Obama awards Vice-President Joe Biden son Beau’s illness. Beau died of terday that the new envoy to respond immediately with its “For past eight years, he brain cancer at age 46 in 2015. Washington would be own tax measures if the Trump Presidential Medal of Freedom. could not have been a more First lady Michelle Obama Geronimo, who held senior administration imposes a bor- devoted or effective partner in that the ceremony would take bestow on him the highest civil and the Obamas’ daughters, posts in two previous Mexican der tax. the progress that we’ve made.” place, became visibly moved honour in the United States. Malia and Sasha, also attended administrations headed by the Gutierrez will replace Car- Biden, who was unaware when Obama said he would “I had no inkling,” Biden, 74, the ceremony. opposition center-right los Sada, who switches to the National Action Party (PAN). role of deputy foreign minister The nomination of Gutier- responsible for North Ameri- rez, which must be ratified by can relations, a move the PAN’s Trudeau grilled the Senate, suggested that Pres- Romero Hicks described as a Corruption at US border ident Enrique Pena Nieto of “great designation” given his Institutional Revolutionary experience in US-Mexican over luxury Party (PRI) hopes to shore up relations. cross-party political support as Pena Nieto earlier this week holiday on Aga agency led to lie detectors he faces Trump. sketched out his plans for deal- “It’s a message of national ing with Trump, saying that “all Khan’s island San Diego 8,000 agents in three years to arrested or charged with corrup- unity,” said Juan Carlos Romero the issues” defining bilateral AP more than 20,000 in 2009. tion during the six-year span, Hicks, a PAN senator and mem- relations would be on the table, Ottawa But breakneck growth including taking bribes to smug- ber of the upper chamber’s including security, migration Reuters hen James Tomsheck brought unintended conse- gle drugs or people. Foreign Relations Committee. and trade when the two sides joined US Customs quences that serve as a “I came to understand in He applauded the nomination met for talks. CANADIAN Prime Minister Wand Border Protection cautionary tale to President- 2008 that hiring initiative had of Gutierrez, currently head of Among posts Gutierrez pre- Justin Trudeau, under fire for in 2006 as chief of internal elect Donald Trump and others gone awry and there were signif- the North American Develop- viously held were deputy holidaying on a Caribbean affairs, the nation’s largest law who want more agents. icant problems,” Tomsheck said. ment Bank. foreign minister for North island owned by the Aga enforcement agency was on an The number of employees Tomsheck helped introduce The bank was set up under America and deputy interior Khan, yesterday revealed he unprecedented hiring spree. arrested for misconduct, such as lie detectors in Secret Service hir- the North American Free Trade minister. had flown there by private The Border Patrol, a part of civil rights violations or off-duty ing in 1980s and forcefully argued Agreement (NAFTA), which Pena Nieto’s poll ratings have helicopter - an apparent CBP, held job fairs across the crimes like domestic violence, for it at CBP. President Obama Trump has threatened to tear been in the doldrums for months breach of official ethics rules. country, aired recruitment ads grew each year between 2007 signed legislation to make poly- up if he cannot renegotiate it in and a hike in fuel prices at the Trudeau, 45, came to and sponsored a NASCAR race and 2012, reaching 336, a 44 per- graphs a CBP hiring requirement, favor of the United States. start of the year has unleashed power in November 2015 car and bull-riding contests. The cent increase. Additionally, more and Tomsheck put the practice in Trump, who has also fresh discontent and protests promising to run an open and agency ballooned by nearly than 100 employees were place for all hires in 2012. threatened to slap hefty tariffs across much of Mexico. accountable administration but has been dogged by repeated questions about his luxury Bahamas vacation over the New Year, which his officials Brazil & Peru to work Contraband seized in Peru first declined to talk about. Opposition legislators say the holiday was inappropri- together on graft probe ate since Ottawa helps fund the Aga Khan’s foundation, Brasilia “We are interested in get- and shows Trudeau is out of Reuters ting information to improve our touch with ordinary Canadi- investigations,” Velarde added. ans at a time when the rosecutors General of Bra- The agreement comes two economy is struggling. zil and Peru yesterday days after Peru’s Comptroller “The travel back and forth Psigned an agreement to Edgar Alarcon said irregulari- from Nassau to the island increase cooperation between ties in contracts awarded to happens on the Aga Khan’s the two countries in the “fight Odebrecht SA, the Brazilian private helicopter, which he against corruption” as probes family-owned builder at the offered us the use of ... we into bribery and fraud involv- centre of Brazil’s largest ever don’t see an issue on that,” he ing Brazilian companies spread corruption scandal, had cost told a televised news confer- to other Latin American coun- Peru $283m. ence in Kingston, Ontario. tries where they operate. Odebrecht, which has Under ethics rules which “We will establish dialogue signed a plea deal in Brazil, has Trudeau himself introduced and transmission of informa- agreed to cooperate with Peru- in 2015, government minis- tion in a more direct and vian authorities and pay an View of more than two tonnes of cocaine hydrochloride seized by Peruvian police, ters may not take private spontaneous way,” Peru’s Pros- initial $8.9m in a gesture of flights without first getting ecutor General Pablo Sanchez goodwill. The company has also during presentation to the press, in Lima, yesterday. The Peruvian drug squad seized approval from Mary Dawson, Velarde told reporters after agreed to pay Panama $59m the drug -which was camouflaged in asparagus tins ready to be sent by sea to country’s conflict of interest meeting with his Brazilian and Colombia $32m in repara- Amsterdam and arrested six people, including a Serbian citizen. and ethics commissioner. counterpart Rodrigo Janot. tions for bribes. 12 AMERICAS SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017

House Republican Cabinet picks summons ethics chief over Trump free to air criticism Washington AP ideas: Trump A TOP House Republican has accused head of a federal ethics office of abusing his position for Washington Tones differ having temerity to challenge AFP President-elect Donald Trump’s The views of ethics. S President-elect President-elect Representative Jason Chaf- Donald Trump nominees—on public fetz, chairman of House Oversight yesterday display in Senate Committee, said he wants shrugged off the confirmation answers from Walter Shaub Jr., strikingly diver- hearings this week— director of Office of Government Ugent positions his cabinet picks Ethics, who has issued a scathing have often have taken on Russia, torture, review of Trump’s plan to turn contradicted Trump’s and a host of other issues, say- over control of his business to his ing he wanted them to express most incendiary sons. Shaub said in a speech their own ideas. pledges made during Wednesday the only way Trump “All of my Cabinet nominee the presidential could avoid a conflict of interest (sic) are looking good and doing campaign. as president would be to divest Marine Corps General James Mattis testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee at a great job,” he said in a tweet from his business and have his exactly one week before he the US Capitol in Washington, yesterday. assets placed in a blind trust. takes office. “I want them to be has shaped Western strategic Chaffetz, a Utah Republican, themselves and express their thinking and institutions since sent Shaub a sternly worded let- own thoughts, not mine!” World War II. Mattis wins support from Democrats ter yesterday requesting that The views of his nomi- The contrast was all the Shaub sit for a transcribed inter- nees—on public display in more striking because it came view. He said the interview would Senate confirmation hearings against the backdrop of an ugly Washington Barack Obama would sign the sible use of nuclear weapons. “help the committee understand this week—have often contra- feud between Trump and the AP legislation, or if it would fall to Senator Jack Reed of Rhode how you perceive OGE’s role, dicted Trump’s most incendiary US intelligence agencies, stoked Trump after his inauguration. Island, the committee’s top Dem- among other things.” “Your agen- pledges made during the pres- by the leak of an unsubstanti- he Republican-led Congress The Senate cleared a similar ocrat, also backed the waiver cy’s mission is to provide clear idential campaign. ated report that Russia had is moving swiftly to clear measure easily, 81-17, after 30 legislation because Mattis would ethics guidance, not engage in They have variously gathered compromising per- Tthe way for retired General Democrats including Senator act as a “counterbalance” to public relations,” Chaffetz wrote. warned of the threat posed by sonal and financial material on James Mattis to run the Pentagon, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico Trump. Reed said many Ameri- Chaffetz’ letter cited a series Russia, hailed Nato, repudiated the president-elect. winning support from Democrats backed the bill. The legislation is cans are rightly concerned about of tweets by Shaub in November. torture, defended the US intel- “Totally made up facts by who believe he’ll be a bulwark to separate from a Senate confirma- how Trump may respond when In the tweets, Schaub congratu- ligence community and sleazebag political operatives, a president-elect they fear will tion vote on Mattis, but it signals he is tested by Russia, Iran or lated Trump for agreeing to divest cautioned against withdrawing both Democrats and Republi- carry his impulsive, bombastic there will be no real hurdle to North Korea, or faces a cyberat- from his business — an agree- from the Iran nuclear treaty and cans - FAKE NEWS! Russia says style into the White House. approving Trump’s choice shortly tack from an unknown source. ment that Trump never made. the Paris Climate Accord. nothing exists,” Trump tweeted The support underscores con- after the President-elect is sworn Reed called Mattis a “gener- The letter did not mention On virtually every contro- early yesterday. cerns over Donald Trump’s in next week. ational exception.” Shaub’s speech. In the speech, versial foreign policy stance “Probably... released by dearth of military and foreign Heinrich asked Mattis during Mattis faced no hostile ques- Schaub noted that members of that Trump took during the ‘Intelligence’ even knowing policy experience as well as the his Armed Services Committee tions during the hearing. He Trump’s Cabinet — some of them campaign, the nominees there is no proof, and never will bipartisan respect Mattis culti- confirmation hearing to assure called Russia the nation’s No. 1 very wealthy, like Trump — must hedged and backtracked and be. My people will have a full vated on Capitol Hill during his lawmakers he would provide security threat and accused its place their assets in a blind trust. sought to assure senators that report on hacking within 90 44 years in the military. “sound policy and guidance” to leader, President Vladimir Putin, Schaub said the president should they shared the consensus that days!” It was unclear if President Trump, especially regarding pos- of trying to “break” Nato. be held to the same standard.

Venezuela tension rises Chicago police violated civil rights for years: Report Chicago department and the city, includ- authorities and city officials have according to the federal report. enforcement experts had seen as govt arrests AP ing insufficient training and a signed an agreement that offers Of 409 police shootings that hap- to nearly such an extent in other failure to hold bad officers a broad outline for reform, pened over a five-year period, agencies.” more rivals hicago police have violated accountable for misconduct. including commitments to police found only two were “The procedures surround- the constitutional rights of The Justice Department improved transparency, train- unjustified. ing investigations allow for Caracas Cresidents for years, per- began investigating the police ing and accountability for bad The Justice Department crit- ample opportunity for collusion AFP mitting racial bias against blacks, force in December 2015 after officers. The Justice Department icized the city for setting up among officers and are devoid using excessive force and shoot- release of dashcam video show- and the city will negotiate a final barriers to getting to the bottom of any rules prohibiting such VENEZUELAN authorities ing people who did not pose ing a white officer shooting a black settlement to be enforced by the of police misconduct, including coordination,” the report said. yesterday said they arrested immediate threats, Justice Depart- teenager named Laquan McDon- courts. provisions in union agreements, When discipline is imposed, four opponents of President ment announced yesterday after ald, who was hit 16 times as he Attorney General Loretta a failure to investigate anony- according to the report, it’s often Nicolas Maduro for plotting a yearlong investigation. walked away from police holding Lynch said the report lays “the mous complaints or those for behavior that’s less serious an armed revolt, while the Officers endangered civil- a small folded knife. The video of groundwork for the difficult but submitted without a supporting than what triggered the investi- opposition accused him of ians, caused avoidable injuries 2014 shooting, which the city necessary work of building a affidavit and a “pervasive cover- gation in the first place. using intimidation to cling to and deaths and eroded commu- fought to keep secret, inspired stronger, safer, and more united up culture.” Police used stun guns on power. nity trust that is “the cornerstone large protests and cost the city’s Chicago for all who call it home.” It said witnesses and accused people for no other reason than The arrests raised tension of public safety,” said Vanita police commissioner his job. Chicago has spent more than officers were frequently never they did not obey officers’ ver- in the volatile South Ameri- Gupta, head of the Justice Mayor Rahm Emanuel said half a billion dollars to settle interviewed at all, that evidence bal commands, Gupta said, and can country after Maduro Department’s civil rights the results of the investigation claims of police misconduct went uncollected and that wit- investigations into misconduct launched an “anti-coup com- division. were “sobering” and pledged to since 2004, but police did not nesses were routinely coached are “glacially slow,” with disci- mando squad” led by his new The federal report blamed make changes beyond those conduct disciplinary investiga- by union lawyers — “a dynamic pline often “unpredictable and hardline vice president, “systemic deficiencies” within the already adopted. Federal tions in half of those cases, neither we nor our law ineffective.” Tareck El Aissami. That was a response to opposition lawmakers’ latest efforts to remove Maduro over an economic crisis that Peru cops clash with crowds has caused food shortages and deadly riots. Son of Raul Baduel, a protesting road tolls retired general-turned-critic of Maduro, said on Twitter authorities revoked parole of Lima has been swelling since the fam- has denied wrongdoing. his father who served six Reuters ily-owned conglomerate “The roads belong to the years in jail for corruption. acknowledged last month that it people and not to corporations!” Authorities also arrested olice arrested dozens of spent years bribing unnamed said Carlos Rossini, a protest opposition lawmaker Gilber protesters and fired tear officials in a dozen countries leader who called for Odebrecht Caro and two opposition Pgas and pellets to disperse including Peru. and its partners to “disappear” councillors, Jorge Luis crowds in Peru’s capital Lima In December, the Odebrecht- from Peru. Gonzalez and Rosmer Rubio. yesterday after thousands of res- founded road consortium Rutas Rutas de Lima said it was Interior Minister Nestor idents marched against new road de Lima imposed new fees start- open to dialogue and that the Reverol said the four were sus- fees in a contract awarded to ing at 5 soles ($1.49) to use the fees allow it to recover 1.7bn pected of links to “a terrorist corruption-plagued Brazilian only highway that connects pop- soles in investments. plan of destabilisation.” builder Odebrecht. ulous shantytowns and Odebrecht sold its majority He alleged that Caro, Protesters demanded can- working-class districts on the stake in the consortium to Can- Gonzalez and Rubio were cellation of the tolls and marched outskirts of northern Lima with ada’s Brookfield Asset Protesters march against new road fees imposed for a highway found in possession of firearms with signs that read “No to Tolls” the city’s center. The minimum Management Inc last year as it and explosives and Baduel had and “Down with Corruption” wage in Peru is 850 soles ($252) faced a massive corruption built by Odebrecht-founded road consortium Rutas de Lima, held meetings about the plot. before clashes erupted. At least a month. inquiry in Brazil that hobbled its in Lima, yesterday. Reverol also alleged involve- one policeman was injured, the Residents called the fee, access to financing. Odebrecht ment of Lilian Tintori, a government said. which has pushed up bus fares, now controls a quarter of Rutas President Pedro Pablo Kuc- tual reparations. high-profile critic of Maduro Television footage showed abusive and said it was likely the de Lima and local investment zynski has barred Odebrecht The $29m in bribes Odebre- who is wife of jailed opposition riot police hauling away protest- result of a corrupt deal by the fund SIGMA 18 percent. from future public work con- cht said it distributed to win leader Leopoldo Lopez. ers as others ran or threw rocks. company to secure the 30-year, On the eve of the protest, the tracts but said not all it has done contracts in Peru span three Tintori earlier branded The government said extremist $500m concession in 2013. city of Lima announced a month- was corrupt. Odebrecht Peru said presidencies, threatening to Caro’s detention an groups infiltrated the protest. Susana Villaran, mayor of Lima long suspension of the fee while its top priority is to assist local expose high-level officials “abduction.” Anger at Odebrecht in Peru when the contract was signed, an alternative was sought. prosecutors and pay Peru even- involved in its schemes. SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 CLASSIFIEDS 13

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CONCEPTIS SUDOKU

7:30 Talk To Al Jazeera 06:25 Storage Hunters 05:15 Gator Boys 07:40 American Pickers 8:00 News UK 06:02 River Monsters 09:20 Leepu And Pitbull 8:30 Al Jazeera 06:50 The Liquidator 06:49 Wild Animal Repo 10:10 Fifth Gear Investigation 07:40 Storage Hunters 07:36 Night 11:00 Shipping Wars 9:00 Witness UK 08:25 Wild Animal Repo 11:25 Shipping Wars 10:00 News 08:05 How Do They Do 11:05 Wildest Islands 12:40 Ax Men 10:30 Inside Story It? Of Indonesia 13:30 Battle 360 12:30 Counting the Cost 10:10 Gold Rush 12:00 Treehouse 15:10 Sean Bean On 13:00 NEWSHOUR 11:00 Deadliest Catch Masters Waterloo 14:00 News 11:50 Sean Conway - 12:55 Gorilla School 16:00 Storage Wars 14:30 Al Jazeera Running Britain 14:45 Wild Iberia Texas Investigation 12:40 Fast N' Loud 15:40 North America 16:25 Storage Wars 15:00 Indian Hospital 16:50 Misfit Garage 16:35 Growing Up...: Texas 16:00 NEWSHOUR 17:40 Kings Of The Wild Wolves 16:50 Counting Cars 17:00 News 18:30 Impossible 17:30 Living With 17:15 Car Hunters 17:30 UpFront Engineering Wolves 17:40 Pawn Stars 18:00 newsgrid 19:20 Marooned With Ed 18:25 Penguins On 18:05 Storage Wars: Yesterday's answer 19:00 News Stafford A Plane: Great Best Of 19:30 Al Jazeera 20:10 Treasure Quest: Animal Moves 18:30 Mountain Men Conceptis Sudoku: Conceptis Sudoku is a number- Investigation Snake Island 19:20 Lone Star Law 19:20 American Pickers placing puzzle based on a 9×9 grid. The object is to 20:00 News 21:00 Life After: 20:15 Wild Animal Repo 20:10 The Curse Of Oak place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so 20:30 Inside Story Chernobyl 21:10 Wild Animal Island that each row, each column and each 3×3 box 21:00 NEWSHOUR 21:50 Curse Of The Rescue 21:00 The Curse Of Oak contains the same number only once. 22:00 News Frozen Gold 22:05 Treehouse Island 22:30 The Listening Post 22:40 Alaska: The Last Masters 21:50 Hunting Hitler 23:00 23:00 22:40 CROSSWORD Al Jazeera World Frontier Lone Star Law DB Cooper: Case HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

NOVO SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Patriots Day (2D/Action) 10:30, 11:00am, 1:00, 1:30, 3:30, 4:00, 6:00, 6:30, 8:30, 9:00, 11:00 & 11:30pm The Great Wall (2D/Action) 2:50, 6:30, 8:50, 9:20 & 11:30pm Assassin’s Creed (2D/Action) 10:30am, 12:40, 5:00, 7:10 & 11:35pm Surf’s Up 2: Wave Mania (2D) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00 & 4:00pm The Windmill Massacre (2D/Horror) 6:00, 8:00, 9:50 & 11:45pm Sing (2D/Animation) 10:30am, 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30pm La La Land (2D/Musical) 6:30, 9:00 & 11:30pm The Warrior’s Gate (2D/Action) 10:00am, 12:15, 2:30, 4:45, 7:00, 9:15 & 11:25pm Surf’s Up 2: Wave Mania (2D/Animation) 11:00am, 12:50, 2:40 & 4:30pm Passengers (2D/Drama) 6:20, 8:40 & 11:20pm A Monster Calls (2D/Fantasy) 10:00am, 12:10, 2:20, 4:30, 6:40, 8:50 & 11:00pm The Great Wall (3D IMAX/Action) 11:15am, 1:25, 3:35, 5:45, 7:55, 10:05pm & 12:15am

Yesterday's MALL Khaidi no 150 (Telugu) 2:00 & 8:00pm Bairavaa (Tamil) 2:00, 5:00, 10:45pm Khaidi no 150 (Telugu) 2:00pm Surf’s Up 2: Wave Mania (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 3:45pm Patriots Day (2D/Action) 5:15 & 9:00pm Gautami Putra (Telugu) 6:30pm A Monster Calls (2D/Fantasy) 7:30 & 9:30pm The Warrior’s Gate (2D/Action) 4:30pm OK Jaanu (Hindi) 11:15pm The Windmill Massacre (2D/Horror) 11:30pm

LANDMARK

Bairava (Tamil) 2:00, 5:00 & 8:00pm Surf’s Up 2: Wave Mania (2D/Animation) 2:00, 3:45 & 5:30pm Khaidi no 150 (Telugu) 2:30 & 11:00pm The Windmill Massacre (2D/Horror) 5:00pm Gautami Putra (Telugu) 6:45pm A Monster Calls (2D/Fantasy) 7:15 & 11:30pm OK Jaanu (Hindi) 9:00pm Patriots Day (2D/Action) 9:15pm The Warrior’s Gate (2D/Action) 11:30pm

ROYAL PLAZA Bairavaa (Tamil) 2:00, 5:00 & 10:45pm Khaidi no 150 (Telugu) 2:30 & 8:00pm Surf’s Up 2: Wave Mania (2D/Animation) 2:15, 4:00 & 5:45pm The Windmill Massacre (2D/Horror) 5:00pm Gautami Putra (Telugu) 6:30pm A Monster Calls(2D/Fantasy) 7:30 & 9:30pm Patriots Day (2D/Action) 9:00pm ALL IN THE MIND OK Jaanu (Hindi) 11:15pm The Warrior’s Gate (2D/Action) 11:30pm ASIAN TOWN Bairavaa (Tamil) 12:30, 1:30, 3:45, 4:45, 7:00, 8:00, 8:45, 10:15, 11:15pm, 00:30am Khaidi no 150 (Telugu) 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm BUSH, CHAMPAIGN, Gautami Putra (Telugu) 12:30 & 3:15pm COMMON, OK Jaanu (Hindi) 6:00pm COUNTRYSIDE, DESERT, FIELD, GRASSLAND, AL KHOR GREEN, HAYFIELD, Bairavaa (Tamil) 11:30am, 2:30, 5:30, 8:30 & 11:30pm HINTERLAND, LEA, Khaidi no 150 (Telugu) 11:00am, 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm LLANO, MEADOW, OK Jaanu (Hindi) 12:15, 3:00, 5:45, 8:30 & 11:15pm MOOR, OUTBACK, PADDOCK, PAMPAS, ROXY PARK, PASTURELAND, PLAIN, RURAL, SALT Surf Up 2 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00pm FLATS, SAVANNA, Bairavaa (Tamil) 2:00, 5:20, 8:50, 11:20pm & 00:10am SNOWFIELD, STEPPES, The Great Wall (Action) 8:00 & 10:15pm Monster Calls 2:00, 4:20, 6:45 & TUNDRA, WASTELAND, 9:00pm Khaidi no 150 (Telugu) 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm WILDERNESS. 16 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 05.01 am Astronauts begin spacewalk to upgrade ISS SHOROOK 06.21 am Cape Canaveral ZUHR 11.43 am MAGHRIB 05.06 pm Reuters Power system ASR 02.44 pm ISHA 06.36 pm Plan to replace wo astronauts ageing batteries for floated outside the the laboratory's solar International Space WEATHER TODAY power system to Station yesterday o o for a 6-1/2-hour keep the outpost Tspacewalk to replace ageing running. 15 C 22 C batteries for the laboratory's Minimum Maximum solar power system, an Nasa expects to take upgrade needed to keep the about three years to outpost running into the next complete the space decade, Nasa said. station's power US astronaut Shane Kim- system upgrade. brough left the station's airlock at about 6:30am EST (1130 GMT) to begin his sec- lithium-ion batteries arrived ond spacewalk this month. He at the station aboard a Japa- was joined minutes later by nese HTV cargo ship in French crew mate Thomas December. The remaining 18 Pesquet, a rookie astronaut new lithium-ion battery packs making his first spacewalk. will be flown to the station on The men are continuing future Japanese resupply work started during a space- missions. US astronaut Shane Kimbrough (centre) and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet (left) walk earlier this month to Nine of the old batteries remove a battery outside the International Space Station. hook up an array of 428- will be loaded aboard the pound (194 kg) lithium-ion cargo ship that will depart battery packs, which are about the station later this month take about three years to to move the new batteries into the batteries when it flies in the size of a small refrigera- and burn up in the atmos- complete the space station's position and remove the old darkness, circling about 250 tor, to the station's solar phere. Three defunct power system upgrade, ones. This robotics work cut miles (400 km) above Earth. power system. They replace batteries will be stored out- which will keep it opera- the number of spacewalks The space station, which nickel-hydrogen batteries that side the station. tional until at least 2024. needed for the project from is about the size of a five-bed- are losing the ability to hold a The US National Aero- Before this month's space- six to two, Nasa said. room house, is a $100bn charge. nautics and Space walks, ground control teams The solar-powered station research laboratory, owned Strong wind expected at places The first six of the new 24 Administration expects it will used the station's robotic arm draws power from and operated by 16 nations. daytime. HIGH TIDE 06:30 - 17:45 LOW TIDE 13:30 - 23:30 Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department Michael Jackson spoof show WhatsApp vulnerable scrapped after family complaints to snooping: Report

London singer is said to have taken year, which also featured London reported the backdoor vulner- Reuters in 2001 with movie stars episodes about Hitler, AFP ability to Facebook in April Elizabeth Taylor and Mar- former heavyweight boxing 2016 and was told that Face- comic film about lon Brando. champion Muhammad Ali he Facebook-owned book was already aware of the Michael Jackson was "We have taken the and Irish writer Samuel mobile messaging serv- issue but that it was not actively Adropped by British decision not to broadcast Beckett. Tice WhatsApp is being worked on. The company makers yesterday after the Elizabeth, Michael and Mar- Sky Arts said the "Urban vulnerable to interception, the said in a statement that it pro- daughter of the late Amer- lon ... in light of the concerns Myths" series, which Guardian newspaper reported vided a "simple, fast, reliable ican pop star described the expressed by Michael Jack- launches on Jan. 19, explores yesterday, sparking concern and secure" service. episode, which casts a white son's immediate family," real life stories "using a gen- over an app advertised as It said there was a way of actor to play her father, as Sky Arts said in a erous dose of artistic putting an emphasis on notifying users when a contact's vomit-inducing. statement. license" but Jackson fans privacy. security code had changed. Paris Jackson said in a "We set out to take a accused makers of "white- The report said that What- "We know the most com- series of Tweets on Wednes- light-hearted look at report- washing", where white sApp messages could be read mon reasons this happens are day that she was "incredibly edly true events and never actors are cast to play char- without its billion-plus users because someone has switched offended" after the trailer intended to cause any acters of other ethnicities. knowing due to a security back- phones or reinstalled What- was released on Tuesday for offence. Joseph Fiennes fully Paris Jackson, 18, also door in the way the company sApp.... In these situations, we the tongue-in-cheek epi- supports our decision." replied to fans of her father has implemented its end-to- want to make sure people's sode, part of the "Urban Michael Jackson, who on Twitter voicing her dis- end encryption protocol. messages are delivered, not lost Myths" series, by Britain's had the medical condition gust at the film. The system relies on unique in transit," it said. satellite TV channel Sky vitiligo that lightened the "It angers me to see how security keys "that are traded But the Guardian said it had Arts. colour of his skin, died in obviously intentional it was and verified between users to verified that the security back- The 30-minute episode June 2009 at the age of 50 for them to be this insulting, guarantee communications are door still exists. cast British actor Joseph after an overdose of the sed- not just towards my father, secure and cannot be inter- The paper quoted Steffen Fiennes as Michael Jackson ative propofol. but my godmother (Eliza- cepted by a middleman," the Tor Jensen, head of informa- in a comedy dramatisation Sky Arts announced the beth Taylor) as well," Paris report said. But WhatsApp can tion security and digital of a road trip the "Thriller" launch of the series last Jackson tweeted. force the generation of new counter-surveillance at the encryption keys for offline European-Bahraini Organisa- users "unbeknown to the tion for Human Rights, saying: sender and recipient of the "WhatsApp can effectively con- messages," it said. tinue flipping the security keys Butterflies Tobias Boelter, a cryptogra- when devices are offline and phy researcher at the University re-sending the message, with- of California told the Guardian: out letting users know of the "If WhatsApp is asked by a gov- change till after it has been ernment agency to disclose its made, providing an extremely messaging records, it can effec- insecure platform". tively grant access due to the Facebook bought What- change in keys." sApp in 2014 but it continues to Boelter said he had operate as a separate app. Guetta's concert called off

Mumbai not complied with permission AFP formalities. "The permission has been rejected by the Mum- rench DJ David Guetta's bai police. Legal formalities concert in Mumbai was have not been completed by the Fcalled off yesterday after organisers," Virendra Mishra, a authorities refused permission, senior Mumbai police officer, a day after another one of his told NDTV news network. concerts in southern India was "They haven't shared any cancelled. The Grammy-win- type of formal papers, any type ning dance music producer was of permissions and no security Entomologist Anna Platoni with a Blue Morpho butterfly perched on her cheek scheduled to perform in Mum- plan has been communicated to mark the opening of Butterflies in the Glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley, bai on Friday as part of a to us." The Mumbai-based near Woking, England, yesterday. The event features hundreds of butterflies four-city India tour. organiser, Sunburn, confirmed emerging from their pupae and released into the warm surroundings at the But police refused to give the cancellation, hours after glasshouse. The annual event runs at the gardens from today until March 5, 2017. its go-ahead for the concert, fans had already gathered out- saying organisers had side the concert venue.