BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Roy steers England

INDEX into World DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2–13, 32 COMMENT 30, 31 Qatar Airways pledges REGION 14 BUSINESS 1–8, 12–16 its support for aviation T20 fi nal 17,716.66 10,312.88 38.29 ARAB WORLD 14, 15 CLASSIFIED 9–11 +83.55 -3.79 +0.01 INTERNATIONAL 16–29 SPORTS 1–8 biofuel development +0.47% -0.04% +0.03% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXVII No. 10044 March 31, 2016 Jumada II 22, 1437 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets UAE vice-president Qatar signs In brief deals worth

REGION | Fee Tax for Dubai airport passengers QR3.54bn The emirate of Dubai, whose airport is the world’s busiest for international passengers, yesterday announced it was introducing a tax on travellers to help finance expansion. The at Dimdex 35-dirham ($9.50) fee will apply to all passengers, including The Emiri Air Force and German and Export Corporation (CASIC) for those transiting in Dubai, on all company Reiner Stemme Utility the provision of support in the fi elds of flights from June 30, according Air-Systems sign a QR365mn MoU production and military co-operation to a statement carried by the for the production of drones between the drone project committee Wam state news agency. More and CASIC. than 78mn passengers passed HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting with UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, atar signed 10 major deals total- Dimdex 2016 also saw the conclusion through Dubai International in Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, at Al Marmoum yesterday afternoon, during a visit to Dubai to attend events of the ling QR3.54bn at the fi fth Doha of the Middle East Naval Commanders 2015, keeping its place as the Al Marmoum Heritage Festival. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed a number of issues of QInternational Maritime Defence Conference (MENC) yesterday, under world’s busiest for international mutual interest. The Emir attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid. The meeting was attended by Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex) the auspices of Chief of General Staff passengers since overtaking Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed al-Maktoum and a number of sheikhs and senior off icials. 2016 yesterday. of the Qatar Armed Forces, HE Ma- London Heathrow in 2014. The The biggest is a QR2.6bn memoran- jor General Ghanem bin Shaheen al- receipts of the new tax will be dum of understanding (MoU) between Ghanem. channelled into funding the the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and Euro- Held under the theme, “The Mari- expansion of Dubai airports, the pean company MBDA for a coastal bat- time Domain – The Centre of Gravity statement said. tery system. for the Regional Security Complex of Next is a QR365mn MoU between the Arabian Gulf”, MENC welcomed QATAR | Diplomacy SC ‘committed to health, the Qatar Emiri Air Force and German senior naval commanders and academ- company Reiner Stemme Utility Air- ics to Doha to discuss the key issues FM meets Canada’s Systems for the production of drones. currently facing maritime security in chief of staff HE the Minister of State for Defence the region. HE the Foreign Minister Sheikh Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-At- The military and academic speakers Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al- safety of every worker’ tiyah had said at the opening of Dimdex from Canada, France, India, Italy, Pa- Thani met General Jonathan Vance, on Tuesday that the drone production kistan, Qatar, Turkey and the US ex- Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff , project had reached an advanced stage. amined a diverse range of topics relat- and John Foster, Deputy Minister of he Supreme Committee for De- a misleading picture and do nothing munications Offi ce said that Qatar “You will see a Qatari drone in skies ing to the maritime security complex Department of National Defence, in livery & Legacy (SC) has termed to contribute to our eff orts. remained committed “to the ongoing, over Doha by next year,” he had an- for the Arabian Gulf states, expanding Ottawa yesterday. They discussed Tthe tone of some of Amnesty “Amnesty International’s investi- systematic reform of labour laws”. nounced. beyond a narrow viewpoint of military relations between Qatar and Canada International’s latest fi ndings “mis- gation was limited to just four com- “The Government of Qatar consid- A QR240mn MoU was signed be- security to include energy security, and ways to strengthen co-operation leading”, saying many of the issues panies out of more than 40 currently ers the welfare of our guest workers a tween the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and environmental security and freedom between the two countries in mentioned had been addressed much engaged on Khalifa International Sta- top priority and is committed to the MBDA for new Exocet MM40 B3 mis- of navigation around maritime chok- all fields, including military and before they were raised by the human dium - Eversendai, Seven Hills, Blue ongoing, systematic reform of Qatar’s siles, while a QR134mn deal was inked ing points. security. They also exchanged views rights body. Bay and Nakheel Landscapes. The labour laws,” the statement said. between Al Zaeem M B A A Air Acade- MENC is a key component of Dimdex on the situation in Syria, Iraq, and The SC has also emphasised its conditions reported were not repre- “Our goal is to create a legacy of my and French company DCI for fi ghter 2016’s three-day programme and as Yemen. commitment towards the welfare and sentative of the entire work force on improved conditions for workers in and helicopter pilot training. with the exhibition, offi cial VIP delega- safety of workers involved in World Khalifa. Qatar and to set the standard for both Qatar Emiri Naval Forces signed a tions and warship visits, it is both host- BANGLADESH | Politics Cup projects, adding that some com- “We acknowledge that Amnesty labour rights and human rights in MoU of QR95mn with German com- ed and organised by the Qatar Armed panies involved in malpractices were identifi ed challenges in worker condi- the Gulf region. We acknowledge the pany MTU Friedrichshafen for main- Forces for the fi rst time this year. Arrest warrant issued blacklisted and banned from subse- tions existing during early 2015. But progress that has been made by the tenance and overhaul of the MTU pro- Brig Dr Thani A al-Kuwari, chair- for former premier quent World Cup projects. as the result of the Supreme Com- Supreme Committee for Delivery & pulsion system, followed by a QR60mn man of Dimdex, said the fi fth edition A Dhaka court yesterday issued SC chief Hassan al-Thawadi said mittee’s continued enforcement and Legacy,” it said. deal between the Qatar Armed Forc- of the MENC conference provided a an arrest warrant for former its commitment to reform was “clear monitoring eff orts, many of the issues “To that end, we are well aware that es and French company Thales for high-profi le industry forum for GCC Bangladeshi prime minister and steadfast” and reiterated that raised had been addressed by June of our eff orts are a work-in-progress, and Searchmaster radar. and international naval commanders Khaleda Zia and 27 activists over no workers had died on World Cup 2015, months before the publication we welcome the eff orts Amnesty and The Qatar Emiri Air Force signed a to share their insights on the strategic firebomb attacks on a passenger projects. of Amnesty’s report. other NGOs are making to help us iden- QR50mn, three-year contract with the challenges facing the security of re- bus during the last year’s anti- Relevant reforms had been intro- “In June 2015 – seven months be- tify areas for further improvement. US company Lockheed Martin for the gional waters. government agitations, officials duced to address concerns raised by fore Amnesty contacted us – Nakheel “Though many of the points raised by maintenance of C-130 military trans- In his opening remarks at MENC, said in Dhaka. District Court judge the report, even before the committee Landscapes had undergone a compre- Amnesty have already been addressed port aircraft, whereas the Qatar Emiri Chief of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, Kamrul Hossain Mollah issued knew about it. hensive rectifi cation process, and are through recent legislative changes, we Naval Forces entered into an agreement Staff Major General Mohamed bin the warrant after investigators These included wage protection, one of the most compliant companies are concerned by a number of allega- with Qatari company Nakilat for the Nasser al-Mohannadi, stated that the pressed charges against Zia, who improved accommodation, and sanc- on site. Eversendai, although having tions contained within the report. The training of navy offi cers. security and economies of all states is also chief of the opposition tions against companies named in the gone through a signifi cant rectifi ca- Ministry of Administrative Develop- The partnership with Nakilat, the along the coast of the Arabian Gulf re- Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and report including the termination of tion process, have been banned from ment, Labour and Social Aff airs intends shipping arm of Qatar’s liquefi ed natu- lied on the fundamental ability to de- her supporters over the attacks Seven Hills’ contract. subsequent World Cup projects until to investigate the contractors named in ral gas sector, envisages establishing fend the territorial waters from evolv- that killed a passenger and hurt “We have always maintained this they can demonstrate sustainable im- the report.” and operating a national naval centre ing threats. dozens of others on January 23, World Cup will act as a catalyst for provements. The government has been continu- for technical simulator training apart “Regional and international co-or- 2015. Page 29 change - it will not be built on the “Seven Hills and Blue Bay have not ing to reform its labour system. New from allowing Qatari naval offi cers to dination and co-operation is required back of exploited workers,” said the worked on World Cup Projects since laws have recently been enacted – and train onboard Nakilat Fleet. to guarantee the energy security, en- committee in a statement. June 2015 and are no longer eligible signifi cant eff orts have been made to The Qatar Armed Forces signed a vironmental security and freedom of PHILIPPINES | Defence “We wholly reject any notion that to work on future projects, until they strengthen the enforcement of these MoU with Polish company WKK, spe- navigation of our waters from both Manila mulls Qatar is unfi t to host the World Cup.” demonstrate they are compliant with laws – in an eff ort to protect the la- cialised in the manufacture of compos- the conventional and unconventional submarines Below is the complete text of the SC our standards. bour rights and human rights of Qa- ite materials and fuselage production, challenges we face in this geo-strategic statement issued last night: “Amnesty has acknowledged the tar’s expatriate labour force. for the purchase of 51% of its shares. region,” he added. The Philippines may invest in its “The Supreme Committee for De- SC’s Workers’ Welfare Standards In October 2015, HH the Emir Yet another deal inked by the Qatar Today is the last day of Dimdex 2016, first-ever submarine fleet to help livery & Legacy (SC) is committed to work. We have always maintained Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Armed Forces was with the Chinese with warships and the exhibition still protect its territory in the disputed ensuring the health, safety and well- this World Cup will act as a catalyst issued sweeping reforms of the na- National Precision Machinery Import open to visitors. Page 32 South China Sea, President Benigno being of every worker on World Cup for change – it will not be built on the tion’s entry, exit and residency re- Aquino said yesterday. The nation, projects. We have maintained a con- back of exploited workers. We wholly quirements. Once enacted, the new which has never before operated structive working relationship with reject any notion that Qatar is unfi t to laws will enable greater freedom of submarines and until now relied labour organisations, including Am- host the World Cup.” movement and will enable workers to largely on US surplus ships, has been nesty International, to achieve these In a separate statement to the media submit exit permit requests directly ramping up defence spending of goals. However, the tone of Amnesty following the latest Amnesty Interna- to the Ministry of Interior if a dispute late. Page 28 International’s latest assertions paint tional report, the Government Com- with their employer occurs.

Tunnelling for Doha Metro reaches new milestone

atar Rail has announced the station at 57% and overall tunnelling this monumental endeavour. This through Al Rayyan Al Qadeem, Al completion of tunnelling on of Doha Metro at 87%, the project is has been possible due to the hard Shaqab and Qatar National Library be- Qthe Green Line with the break- progressing fast, according to offi cials. work and dedication of all parties in- fore reaching Education City Station. through of tunnel boring machine Engineer Saad al-Muhannadi, Qa- volved,” he stated. Once service starts, passengers can (TBM) Al Messila at Education City tar Rail CEO, expressed delight in having Tunnelling on the Doha Metro Green take the Green Line starting from Al station, the last underground station completed tunnelling on the Green Line Line began in September 2014 with six Mansoura Station in the east to Al Riff a on the stretch before moving towards ahead of schedule and stated that signifi - TBMs used to complete the 22km oper- Station in the west, passing through 11 the above ground station Al Riff a. cant progress is being achieved across the ational line which has 10 underground stations. It will take approximately 24 Achieving this major milestone for project as a whole, as preparations are be- stations and one above ground. The minutes to travel the whole line. Doha Metro comes less than 10 days ing done to move from the construction to Green Line will run for 19km beneath The next major milestone Qatar Rail after Qatar Rail celebrated completion systems and architectural works. ground level and 3km above ground. looks forward to celebrating is comple- of tunnelling on the northern section “We are delighted to have been The Al Messila TBM which complet- tion of tunnelling on Doha Metro’s Gold of the Red Line. With the construction able to achieve all this within the ed tunnelling on the Green Line was Line and later this year its longest line, Top off icials of Qatar Emiri Naval Forces and Qatari company Nakilat shaking hands progress at Green Line’s underground timelines and budgets allocated for launched in January, 2015 and passed the Red Line, will also fi nish its tunnels. after signing a MoU yesterday at Dimdex 2016. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, March 31, 2016 QATAR

Emir meets Chinese delegation

HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress and President of China-Arab Friendship Association Arken Imirbaki and the accompanying delegation at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. They reviewed aspects of co-operation between Qatar and China and exchanged views on topics of common concern. The meeting was attended by HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi.

Rain, strong winds and drop in temperature forecast

nstable weather the result of an extension be accompanied by a 5-8C eas and 30 knots in inshore is expected in the of a low-pressure system, drop in temperature across areas during the thunder- Ucountry until to- charts indicate. the country as compared to showers, while the sea level morrow, the Qatar Met de- Fresh to strong northerly early this week. The mini- may rise to 12ft. partment has said. winds are expected to con- mum and maximum tem- The minimum and maxi- There are chances of tinue aff ecting the country peratures are expected to mum temperatures in the scattered rain during this until Saturday and visibility range between 19C and 22C, country today are expected period, which may become may drop to less than 3km and 25C and 29C, respec- to be 19C and 27C, respec- thundery at times, espe- in open areas due to blow- tively. tively, with the forecast for cially today, and a drop in ing dust. The weather offi ce Meanwhile, today’s fore- Doha being 21C and 27C. the mercury level is also has also forecast high waves cast states partly cloudy to Latest weather updates likely due to strong winds, and strong winds in off shore cloudy conditions are likely could be obtained from according to the weather areas. in both inshore and off shore the social media accounts report. The Met department has areas, and there is a chance of the Met department. Rain is expected across urged people to remain cau- of scattered rain – which More is available at http:// Qatar, including in Doha, tious during this period and may be thundery at times. qweather.gov.qa/NewsDe- today. avoid sea activities. The wind speed may go tail.aspx#sthash.x1Xdoe68. The unstable weather is The northerly winds will up to 35 knots in off shore ar- dpuf Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 3 QATAR Cabinet approves draft Qatar-Pakistan ties reviewed law on civil decorations

QNA More civil decorations can the decision No 73 of 2014 form- a customs offi ce at Hamad Port Doha be created by an Emiri decision ing a committee to oversee petrol according to the map and co-or- which determines their orders. storage and fi lling stations. dination attached to the Emir de- Those who receive any of the The committee, established cision No. 58 of 2015 establishing he weekly Cabinet meet- civil decorations will be granted with the Ministry of Energy and Hamad Port. ing, presided over by HE a patent certifi cate signed by Industry, will be chaired by the The weekly Cabinet meeting Tthe Prime Minister Sheikh HH the Emir and the decision of representative of Qatar Petrole- also approved a draft agreement Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa awarding this decoration shall be um and comprise members from for technical, trade and econom- al-Thani, yesterday approved a published in the offi cial gazette. the bodies concerned. ic cooperation between the gov- draft law on awarding civil deco- The Department of Emiri Pro- It is tasked with developing ernments of Qatar and Nigeria. rations and referred it to the Ad- tocol at the Emiri Diwan shall standards and specifi cations It also approved a draft agree- visory Council. undertake all executive func- for all petrol storage and fi ll- ment on encouraging and pro- Under the provisions of the tions pertaining to the prepara- ing stations, specifying activi- tecting mutual investments be- draft law, the award of civil tion of decorations and patents, ties permitted for the stations, tween the governments of Qatar decorations shall be by an Emiri the conservation thereof, and evaluating existing stations and and Nigeria. decision. The decorations will be the follow-up of all related is- their compatibility with the ap- The Cabinet reviewed a pro- awarded according to this order: sues. proved environment, health and posal to amend some provisions 1- Sword of The Founder HE the Deputy Prime Minister safety norms and standards, and of Civil and Commercial Pro- ‘Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin and Minister of State for Cabi- determining the requirements to cedure Law issued by Law No Thani’ net Aff airs Ahmed bin Abdullah improve and develop the existing 13 of 1990 in light of the report 2- Sash of HH the Father Emir bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said the stations. prepared by the competent com- HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al- Cabinet approved a draft deci- The Cabinet also approved a mittee in the Ministry of Justice, al-Nuaimi met Pakistan’s ambassador to Qatar Shahzad Ahmad in Doha yesterday. They discussed Thani sion by the council of ministers draft decision by the Minister of and took the appropriate deci- bilateral relations between Qatar and Pakistan as well as means of developing them. 3- Decoration of Al Wajbah amending some provisions of Finance on the establishment of sion in this regard. Speaker meets Chinese delegation Al-Kuwari hails Qatar-Unesco relations

QNA Mathieu Emile Lang, the former Paris French minister of culture and Director of the Arab World In- stitute in Paris. E the Adviser at the Dr al-Kuwari said in 2003 Emiri Diwan and Qatar’s relations between Qatar and Hcandidate for the post Unesco began to take a new turn of Unesco Director-General Dr with the appointment of HH Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Ku- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser as wari has underlined the depth Unesco Special Envoy for Ba- of relations between Unesco and sic and Higher Education. He Qatar which are based on friend- referred in this respect to the ship and co-operation in various commitment of Qatar towards HE the Speaker of the Advisory Council Mohamed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi met the Vice-Chairman of fi elds. Qatar’s candidate for the post of Unesco Director-General Dr Hamad education through WISE Con- the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress and President of China-Arab This came in the fi rst speech bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari ference, Educate a Child and Friendship Association Arken Imirbaki in Doha yesterday. Talks during the meeting covered he gave abroad after the decla- Education Above All, paved the parliamentary relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them. The meeting was ration of his candidacy for the ence of Qatar’s ambassador Zainal, a group of Arab and for- opportunity for more than 10mn attended by HE the Secretary General of the Advisory Council Fahad bin Mubarak al-Khayareen and post of Unesco director-general to France Sheikh Mishaal bin eign diplomats, representatives children to have education in the the Chinese ambassador to Qatar Li Chen. at the diplomats forum in Paris Hamad al-Thani, Qatar’s Per- of states to Unesco and French most vulnerable and marginal on Tuesday night in the pres- manent Delegate to Unesco Ali intellectuals including Jack areas of the world.

Gulf Times 6 Thursday, March 31, 2016 QATAR Ministry seeks entries for WSA-Mobile 2016

he Ministry of Transport and by submitting their best submissions and apps that deliver the most value health & wellbeing, learning & edu- sations are invited to submit their out in the United Nations Declaration Communications is inviting from today until April 30. Submissions and richness and diversity beyond SMS, cation, environment & green energy, entries to the ministry via e-mail: of Human Rights and its application Tmobile app developers in Qatar can contain mobile applications, SMS games and pictures in order to rise to culture & tourism, smart settlements [email protected] to be considered by international human rights courts to submit applications for the World based products, mobile games and in- the challenge to keep mobile innovation & urbanisation, business & commerce for nomination. Only one product or or panels recognised by the United Na- Summit Award Mobile (WSA-mobile) teractive mobile productions. There is moving forward,” said Reem al-Man- and inclusion & empowerment. app can be nominated from Qatar in tions Organisation. 2016; a unique global contest for digital no limitation regarding the platforms soori, assistant undersecretary for Dig- All submitted products from Qatar each category. All submitted products Submissions which encourage war, applications that have a strong impact or channels the projects work with. ital Society Development, the Ministry will be evaluated by a local jury of ex- must have been completed after Janu- the exercise of violence, fraud, racism on society in one of the eight WSA cat- “Mobile usage has outgrown Internet of Transport and Communications and perts headed by Reem al-Mansoori, ary 1, 2014. or discrimination will not be accepted egories. usage in terms of access and we do more the competition’s national expert. being the national expert spearheading Any submitted product must be free and eliminated. Similarly, submissions Individuals, companies, and organi- and more things with our mobiles. The The award includes eight categories: the nomination process for Qatar. of off ensive or plagiarised content and that violate international copyright sations are invited to join the contest WSA is seeking for the best m-content Government & Citizen Engagement, Individuals, companies or organi- may not violate human rights as laid provisions will be excluded. ADLQ forum discusses ‘nature vs nurture’

afé Scientifi c at the Anti-Doping CLaboratory Qatar (ADLQ) in Aspire Zone re- cently hosted a forum on the topic ‘Nature versus nurture’. The event gathered sci- entists, physicians, law- yers, football coaches, tal- Dr Mohamed al-Maadheed ent scouts, and members of the public and engaged iour, which he said “maybe participants in the genes less related, as opposed to versus environment de- genetics and physical per- bate to determine whether formance, where the ge- a person’s skills are inborn netic component may be or shaped by experience. stronger”. Dr Mohamed al-Maad- During the forum, some heed, chairman of ADLQ of the participants ar- Board of Trustees, opened gued that genes determine the discussion by giving strengths and potentials examples of class systems such as individuals with a based on a division of se- great memory for detail. lected talents, identical “In such cases, environ- twins, and his sons, who ment had little or no im- may share the same or pact at all,” the partici- similar genes but grew up pants said. with diff erent skills and Other participants ar- characters, depending on gued that “relating every- their environments both thing to genes and inborn at home and in their peer capabilities was fl awed, group. and more importantly Dr Mohamed Alsayrafi , could disturb the balance ADLQ general manager, of life and does not allow said the audience diff eren- for development of the so- tiated genetics and behav- ciety as a whole.”

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, March 31, 2016 QATAR

Shahry subscribers get international top up facility oredoo has announced its Interna- Shahry customers can send credit directly to tional Top-Up (ITU) service is now any international phone number. Oavailable for Shahry customers, ena- Shahry users have to activate the ITU serv- bling all Ooredoo users to transfer airtime ice by calling 111, then send an SMS to 92266 internationally via their phones. with their selected recipient mobile phone The Ooredoo ITU service, fi rst launched number (including the international dial code) in 2010, hitherto allowed Hala customers to and choose the amount in Qatari riyals to send. use their mobile phones to send talk time to While Hala customers have the amount 20 popular destinations around the world deducted from their account balance, Shahry including India, Nepal, Egypt, Bangladesh, customers will see the transfer amount and fee Philippines, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. deducted from their credit limit and transac- With the new update Ooredoo’s post-paid tion details will show on their monthly bill.

Dr Eiman Mustafawi and Christophe Eon at the signing ceremony. QU, Total ink pact for ‘green’ water re-use atar University (QU) and To- ing this grant for this very critical (Planning and Quality Assurance) with their teams in France. tal E&P Golfe Limited Qa- research project, which addresses and Dr Khalifa al-Hazaa (Outreach “The general idea is to fi nd the Qtar Science and Technology water scarcity in Qatar,” said College and Engagement), and Biological most adequate combination be- Park-B have signed an agreement to of Arts (CAS) Dean Dr Eiman Musta- and Environmental Sciences De- tween suitably treated water from collaborate in fi nding environmen- fawi in her welcome remarks. partment head Dr Fatima Ammar our operations, local plants and tal-friendly solutions for the re-use “The normal solution is recycle al-Naemi. soils, in order to achieve a sustain- of ‘produced waters’ for irrigation the available resources we have in “This is what we tend to valorise able irrigation system,” he added. purposes. irrigation and other applications,” and promote at Total as part of our Dr Fatima Ammar al-Naemi ech- The agreement included a he added. Corporate Social Responsibility pol- oed the statement of Eon saying the $100,000 fund off ered by Total for The signing ceremony was at- icy particularly by reinforcing the agreement aims to promote the re- the project, which will involve two tended by Total’s Human Resources, links between the education system search in the fi eld of reusing water students from the Biological and Communications and Corporate and the industry,” Eon said. as well as providing students with Environmental Sciences Depart- Social Responsibility vice presi- He noted that they are committed hands-on experiences in the fi eld of ment as part of their masters thesis. dent Christophe Eon, CAS associ- to a large research and development water applications. “We are looking “We really appreciate Total for ate deans for Academic Aff airs Dr programme for water management forward to expand our collabora- collaborating with us and provid- Hassan Abdulaziz, Dr Steven Wright with strong links and interactions tion.”

Gulf Times 10 Thursday, March 31, 2016 QATAR

Techno Blue’s Recall order for Ikea Gothem lamps The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC), in collaboration 11th showroom with Hamad and Mohamed Al-Futtaim, dealer of Ikea in Qatar, has announced the recall of Ikea Gothem lamps over the risk of Techno Blue, the leading distributor of electrical shock. many top electronics and appliances Ikea customers who have Gothem lamps should immediately brands in Qatar, recently opened their remove the items and bring them back to the store for a full refund. new showroom in Al Shafi Street, Rayyan The ministry said that the recall campaign comes within the next to QNB. This is the 11th showroom framework of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure for Techno Blue in the country. techno that suppliers follow up on product defects and recall defective Blue boasts top-quality service and the items. showroom off ers the latest in Samsung The MEC will co-ordinate with the supplier to ensure the recall of televisions, mobile phones, refrigerators, defective products and communicate with customers to ensure washing machines, microwave ovens that the necessary procedures have been taken. and vacuum cleaners in addition to The ministry has urged all consumers to report violations to its Russel Hobbs small kitchen appliances, Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department La Germania cookers, Asus laptops, and through the following channels: Hotline: 16001, e-mail: info@mec. Linksys networking products. gov.qa, Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar Ministry signs R&D pacts on biosolids MME, Tamuq and QSRTC off icials signing the agreements. he Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq) Tand the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Cen- tre (QSRTC) have signed three-year research and devel- opment (R&D) agreements exploring the use of Pearl Gas to Liquids (GTL) biosolids, for the production of fodder crops at the ministry’s experimental farm in Rawdat Al Faras. The signing ceremony took place at the MME and was attended by Sheikh Dr Faleh bin Nasser al -Thani, the as- sistant undersecretary for Agricultural Aff airs, Livestock and Fisheries, interim Tamuq dean Dr Ann L Kenimer, and Michiel Kool, the managing director and chairman of Qa- tar Shell Companies. Biosolids are the byproduct of a biological water treat- ment process at Pearl GTL whereby living micro-organ- isms, rather than chemicals, treat the industrial water produced in the gas-to-liquids conversion process. Global uses of biosolids include application as a soil en- hancer to improve and maintain productive soils, stimu- late plant growth and increase water retention. They are also used as a soil enhancer in gardens and parks. The agreements will focus on research on the feasibility of using Pearl GTL biosolids as soil enhancer for growing fodder crops, and evaluating their environmental impact and benefi ts in terms of improving the soil composition in Qatar. Sheikh Dr Faleh said “At the ministry we aim for inclu- sive and sustainable growth for future generations in Qa- tar. That is why we are delighted to collaborate with QS- RTC and Tamuq to explore the suitability of use of Pearl GTL biosolids in agriculture to improve soil properties in Qatar.” Kenimer said: “This research collaboration with QS- RTC and MME aims to identify sustainable and economi- cally benefi cial solutions for industrial by-products. This project aligns with Texas A&M University at Qatar’s re- search priorities and supports Qatar’s quest to become a knowledge-based economy.” Kool said: “We are extremely proud to once again col- laborate with the ministry and Texas A&M at Qatar. This agreement builds on our existing 10-year R&D collabo- ration agreement with the Department of Agriculture, which includes the Rawdat Al Faras research farm.”

Al Khor Hospital surgical team conducts fibroidectomy

A team from Al Khor Hospital (AKH), part of the Hamad Medical Corporation, has successfully performed a fibroidectomy - the surgical removal of fibroids on the womb - on a woman aged 33. Seventeen uterine fibroid tumours of varying sizes were removed from the patient, who has been discharged from hospital and is now leading a normal life. The team was led by Dr Hussain Shararah, a senior consultant The surgical team. and head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at AKH, senior specialist Dr Nada Kheyon, and specialist Dr Gazomati Dayabran. Dr Shararah said: “The patient was suff ering from a number of conditions including menorrhagia, abdominal and back pain, frequent urination, chronic constipation and an inability to conceive. An ultrasound examination revealed that she had 17 uterine fibroid tumours of diff erent sizes from 2cm to 12cm. We therefore decided to perform a fibroidectomy surgery to relieve her of the pain and increase her chance of getting pregnant.” He said that uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths on the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. “Uterine fibroids can be caused by heredity or hormonal factors, skin tone, starting menstruation at an early age, high consumption of red meat, alcohol consumption and a low vegetable and fruit intake,” he explained. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 11 QATAR Health Minister meets German envoy EU team impressed with work on 2022 World Cup

QNA Doha

he Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy T(SC) has received a del- HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari met German ambassador to Qatar, egation of members of the Euro- Hans-Udo Muzel, in Doha yesterday. Talks dealt with aspects of co-operation between Qatar and pean Parliament who were given Germany in the health sector and means of enhancing them. an overview of progress and preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup by the SC Secretary General Hassan al-Thawadi. The European delegation was led by Ramona Manescu, Member of the European Par- Man gets 5-year jail term for liament for the Romanian Na- tional Liberal Party, and Sheikh Ali bin Jasim bin Thani al-Tha- ni, ambassador, Mission of the kidnapping restaurant worker State of Qatar to the European Union. A wide range of topics were Doha Criminal Court scene in his vehicle. discussed, including Qatar’s has sentenced a man to Local Arabic daily Arrayah preparations for the tourna- Afi ve years in jail for kid- reported yesterday that a Doha ment, workers’ welfare, ini- napping a restaurant worker by Criminal Court also ordered tiatives aimed at building a threatening him with a pistol, the defendant to pay a sum of sporting industry and fostering local Arabic daily Arrayah re- QR200,000 as blood money for innovation in the region such as The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) off icials at a meeting with a delegation of members ported yesterday. the legal inheritors of the victim. Josoor Institute and Challenge of the European Parliament. The defendant became agi- Besides, his driving license was 22 as well as matters related to tated when the restaurant em- suspended by the court for three security and accommodation for we share. Qatar really has the visited an area where 100,000 this huge project is delivered in ployee did not respond to his re- months. the 2022 FIFA World Cup. opportunity to bring the world migrant workers are going to be a way which does credit to Qatar quests immediately. He got out open and went away. According to the prosecution, “It is quite extraordinary to together, unite the East and the hosted. Their facilities, recrea- and the FIFA World Cup, and I of his vehicle, went inside the Later, the victim managed to the defendant was speeding see how Qatar is developing and West. There is so much passion tional and medical, their shop- am confi dent that will happen.” restaurant, shouted angrily at return to his workplace and re- when he ran over a pedestrian becoming a major player. I have and love for football here which ping and leisure areas – seeing Amjad Bashir, Conservative the worker and left. ported the issue to the police, who was crossing the road. The had the opportunity also to look I have seen, which is a good that at fi rst hand changes your British MEP for Yorkshire and But he returned later and who were able to arrest the de- victim sustained severe inju- at the whole issue of the World thing,” he added. perception. When you are out- the Humber, added: “Within 18 asked for the same worker. When fendant. However, the victim ries in the accident that led to Cup in 2022, and as someone The visiting EU delegation side just listening to the media, months there has been such ex- the worker approached the vehi- relinquished his claims at the his death, according to medical who is a keen football fan I am was also given an overview of the it doesn’t give you quite the hilarating and fantastic change, cle, the defendant asked him to court and the court convicted reports. Further, the report said looking forward to the tourna- SC Workers’ Welfare Standards picture as when you come and there is a real buzz about this get in but the worker refused. the defendant for owning an un- he did not stop to see what hap- ment,” Afzal Khan, Member of and how they are being imple- visit it.” place. I’m excited to see not only Subsequently, he threatened licensed fi rearm and threatening pened to the pedestrian or call the European Parliament for the mented across SC projects, hav- Concluding with his impres- the design but also the build of him with a pistol and forced to kill a person. for help for the victim but ran British Labour Party, said after ing already visited the new ac- sions on progress taking place the stadiums, because I know him to get into the car with him. away instead. the meeting. commodation built by Qatar at across the country, the Man- from Manchester how excited The defendant then sped off to Hit-and-run The motorist was identifi ed “It is reassuring for me Labour City. chester United fan added that the Arab crowd is about football. the desert outskirts, where he motorist gets after a witness was able to pro- that progress is being made in “It was good to see the vari- he would be back for the tourna- It is right that the World Cup dropped his victim and fi red a vide his vehicle plate number. preparations. It will be great ous safety precautions that are ment in 2022. comes to this part of the world, warning shot. one-year jail During the hearing, the motorist to have the tournament in the being taken for workers, be- “I am delighted to have had and a brilliant idea that Qatar The scared worker started justifi ed his escape by telling the Arab and Muslim world for the cause this is one of the concerns this opportunity to visit Qatar. hosts this event. I think they running, with the defendant fol- motorist has been sen- court that he was very afraid and fi rst time. The world we live in you hear when you are outside,” The SC are dedicated, very pro- have thought about everything, lowing him in his car and fi ring tenced to one year in jail did not know what to do in such is a global village, and we need added Khan. “It is good to see fessional and passionate about you can never get everything randomly. After some chase, the Afor running over a pedes- circumstances. But he admitted to create ways to join people the progress being made on their work and go into detail to right, but they have done their defendant left the worker in the trian and then escaping from the to running over the victim. because football is something that front as well. Today we make sure that every aspect of best.”

Customers strike it rich in Jumbo Mega Promotion

ustomers have been winning many prizes in the Jumbo Mega Promotion, launched on CMarch 27 and running until April 16, off ering over QR1mn worth of gifts across all Jumbo Elec- tronics showrooms, including Harman House. A customer won a LG 65” Super HD TV worth QR12,999. The bumper prize of a holiday voucher to an international destination for two persons is still up for grabs. A customer has won a LG 65” Super HD TV worth QR12,999 in the The gifts include TVs, refrigerators, washing ma- ongoing Jumbo Mega Promotion. chines, projectors, sound bars, Bluetooth speakers, and restaurant vouchers. “With the weekend, we expect more customers to make purchases and win a lot of gifts. The customers need to hurry so that they can increase their chances of winning the best gifts before they run out,” urged C V Rap- pai, director and CEO, Video Home & Electronic Centre.

Oman delegation visits Kahramaa

Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) yesterday received a delegation from “Nama International Institute” - Oman yesterday. This visit was meant to exchange experience in the field of environment and resources protection. The Omani delegation got acquainted with Kahramaa’s role in disseminating the techniques, regulations and legislation of electricity and water conservation as well as initiatives to make use of renewable energy.

Qatar-UK security off icials meet

HE the Director General of Public Security Major General Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi met Stephen Phipson, Head of the Defence and Security Organisation within the UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO). During the meeting, they discussed means to enhance co-operation on issues of common concern. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, March 31, 2016 QATAR QA launches direct Birmingham fl ights atar Airways yesterday inaugurated the airline’s Qfourth UK gateway with direct fl ights between Doha and Birmingham. The airline will operate eight weekly services to Birmingham with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The inaugural fl ight touched Off icials and dignitaries are pictured with a celebratory cake replicating Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art to down at sunrise yesterday and mark the occasion. was greeted by a traditional water salute. ager (UK and Ireland), Jonathan coming Qatar Airways to Bir- two fl ights on Saturday, Qatar Qatar Airways chief commer- Harding - Qatar Airways senior mingham Airport. Connecting Airways recognises the growth cial offi cer Dr Hugh Dunleavy, vice-president (NSW Europe), the economically vibrant West and demand represented by this who travelled on board the in- and Kehoe cut a celebratory cake Midlands region with the rap- important region in the UK,” the augural fl ight with British am- replicating Doha’s Museum of idly developing capital city of airline said in a statement. bassador to Qatar Ajay Sharma, Islamic Art. Doha will be hugely benefi cial The weekly schedule is as fol- was greeted at the arrival gate by Qatar Airways now oper- to passengers at both ends of lows: Monday, Wednesday, Fri- Birmingham Airport CEO Paul ates 73 fl ights per week to the the route.” day and Saturday - Birmingham Kehoe. UK from Hamad International The Birmingham route is oper- to Doha, departure at 8.55am and The addition of Birmingham Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight being greeted with a traditional water salute after touching down at Airport, with 42 fl ights per ated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrival at 5.35pm; Doha to Bir- marks the fourth UK gateway Birmingham. week to London Heathrow, in a two-cabin confi guration, mingham, departure at 1.30am for the Doha-based carrier after 16 to Manchester, seven to comprising 22 seats in business and arrival at 6.50am. London Heathrow, Manchester brant and economically powerful ma said: “I was delighted to be To mark the occasion, offi cials Edinburgh and eight to Bir- class and 232 in economy class. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Edinburgh. region represents an important able to travel on the inaugural and dignitaries, including Ha- mingham, giving UK passen- Birmingham is the largest and and Sunday - Birmingham to Qatar Airways Group chief addition to our worldwide net- fl ight from Doha to Birmingham. mad al-Muftah - Qatar’s deputy gers access to more than 150 most populous city in the UK Doha, departure at 4.20pm and executive Akbar al-Baker said, work and is a testament to our The launch of this new route will ambassador to the UK, Sharma, destinations worldwide. outside of London and is situat- arrival at 1am (next day); Doha to “We are delighted to commence commitment to the UK. open up further opportunities Dr Dunleavy, Richard Oliver Meanwhile, Kehoe said: “We ed in the West Midlands. “With Birmingham, departure at 7am service to Birmingham. This vi- On his part, ambassador Shar- for both Qatar and the UK.” - Qatar Airways country man- are extremely excited to be wel- eight fl ights a week, including and arrival at 12.20pm. QA, Rolls-Royce develop training programme for Qatari nationals

atar Airways and Rolls- These included corporate Royce, the airline’s stra- strategy, fi nancial management, Qtegic partner, have devel- relationship management and oped a new training programme customer service management. exclusively for Qatari nationals. Nabeela Fakhri, Qatar Airways Nine-hour closure on Shamal Road Under Qatar Airways’ Al Darb senior vice-president (human Qatarisation programme, nomi- resources), said: “Our Al Darb A nine-hour closure will be The speed limit will be nated Qatari delegates visited the Qatarisation programme, part of in place tomorrow from reduced from 120kph to Rolls-Royce facility in Derby, UK, Qatar Airways National Talent 1am to 10am on three of the 50kph to ensure the safety to attend the Rolls-Royce Business Management, identifi es the most four northbound lanes of Al of road users and the Management and Commercial talented Qatari individuals to join Shamal Road (after Exit 35), project’s workforce. Awareness Programme. our team and empowers them for approximately 1.3km at The diversion is being “The annual business man- with the knowledge required to Al Khor intersection, the eff ected to facilitate the agement programme provides a contribute to the growth of their Public Works Authority construction of the bridge unique learning opportunity for national carrier and the rapidly (Ashghal) announced at the intersection between Qataris enrolled in the Al Darb transforming aviation industry. yesterday. Al Shamal Road and the Qatarisation programme to con- “We are pleased to off er this During the period, traff ic New Orbital Highway as nect with and learn from experts programme with our esteemed will be diverted to the part of the New Orbital at the leading aero-engine manu- partners at Rolls-Royce as it rein- fourth lane of the road Highway and Truck Route facturing company,” according to forces our goal of providing high- which will remain open. Project (Contract 4). a statement. quality professional development Chosen for their high perform- opportunities that benefi t our ance and as a token of appreciation employees.” for their long-time service with Qatar Airways’ Al Darb Qatari- Under Qatar Airways’ Al Darb Qatarisation programme, nominated Qatari delegates have visited the Rolls-Royce the company, the selected del- sation programme is an initiative facility in Derby, UK, to attend the Rolls-Royce Business Management and Commercial Awareness Programme. egates met with specialists from that aims to develop young Qataris Rolls-Royce over a fi ve-day in- to become the leaders of the na- students and graduates with real- Al Darb includes nine pro- port and develop Qatarisation. A duction programme that intro- tional carrier. Through initiatives life projects that add to their work grammes and 36 majors, 13 of term that means “The Pathway”, duced them to a variety of sub- such as its summer internship experience and prepare them for a which were added recently. Tailor- Al Darb highlights the diff erent jects crucial to executives in the programme and graduate devel- successful career in the airline, the made programmes are created for paths that individuals can take aviation industry. opee programme, Al Darb provides statement notes. each participant in order to sup- with Qatar Airways.

Instagram milestone for Qatar Airways atar Airways has an- account allows followers to travel porate communications at Qatar nounced that it has the world from their own homes, Airways, said: “Achieving this Qachieved the milestone of inspiring them to explore new en- milestone of 1mn followers, plus 1mn followers on photo-sharing vironments and experience new the continuous growth across platform Instagram. cultures, the statement notes. all our social media platforms, Having launched its Instagram “Among the most popular posts aligns with Qatar Airways’ vision account in May 2013 the airline has have been Sydney, with a stunning to be number one in the aviation “managed to attract new followers air-to-air image of the airline’s industry.” at an average rate of 30,000 people fi rst fl ight over the Opera House, The statement points out that per month, thanks to its engaging LA with Mariah Carey performing Qatar’s national carrier is forging and diverse eye-catching imagery”, at an intimate dinner, and a spec- new ground on Snapchat (qatar- according to a statement. tacular landing near the beach in airways) and is currently one of Often showcasing the popular Phuket.” the only carriers in the world ac- Qatar Airways celebrated the milestone with celebrity chefs at the destinations on Qatar Airways’ Salam al-Shawa, senior vice- tive on the emerging social media recently held Qatar International Food Festival in Doha. extensive network, the Instagram president of marketing and cor- platform. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 13 QATAR Gulf Craft launches preview at the Pearl ulf Craft, Qatar’s market and Silvercraft fi shing and fam- sales across its comprehensive breathtaking 360-degree views leader for luxury yachts ily were presented at a private portfolio of world-class yachts from the superyacht’s interior. Gand leisure boats, yes- event yesterday. and boats. The Nomad 55 is the latest in terday launched an exclusive “Today, Qatari buyers are The new Majesty 110 and the Gulf Craft’s long-range series preview at The Pearl-Qatar. interested in a diverse range of Majesty 90 superyachts both of yachts, off ering Qataris with Two new superyachts from on-water experiences, marked combine powerful engineering an insatiable appetite for sea the shipyard’s Majesty Yachts by a growing desire for onboard and advanced technology with travel an opportunity to take the brand and an oceangoing yacht comfort and extended sea trav- immaculate design. fi ve-star loft experience into the model from its long-range No- el,” Gulf Craft chairman Mo- A unique venture into the midst of the world’s oceans. mad Yachts series are among hamed Hussein al-Shaali said. world of tri-deck (three decks), Similar to its sister ship the the attractions of the three-day “We also understand that Qa- the Majesty 110 has abundant Nomad 65, the Nomad 55 ema- event. tari owners want to spend more outdoor and indoor entertain- nates world-class engineering The GCC-based shipyard time cruising and less time ment features and numerous from the inside-out with a hy- leads Qatar’s market share for maintaining their boats, and amenities, including a spacious brid hull designed by celebrated leisure craft, now accounting that is why our dedicated after- garage that is large enough to British yacht designer Andrew for 50% of domestic purchases. sales support team is always store a dinghy and a Jet Ski. Wolstenholme. It translates to a 10% growth within reach,” he added. Meanwhile, the ample space Reaching speeds of up to 25 from last year due to the com- The fi fth edition of Gulf onboard the Majesty 90 enables knots using twin 700 hp en- pany’s capacity to manufacture Craft’s exclusive preview in Qa- passengers to move eff ortlessly gines, the Nomad 55 can travel reliable and seagoing craft. tar follows on the heels of the inside and outside the supery- long distances without having More than 10 yachts and boats company’s global launch of the acht, giving owners the chance to to make frequent fuel stops, al- from the builder’s expanding three new yachts at the Dubai customise the fl y-bridge to either lowing its passengers to enjoy fl eet of Majesty Yachts, Nomad International Boat Show. It gen- fi t a dinghy, Jet Ski, or an even an uninterrupted cruising expe- More than 800 visitors attended the first edition of the fashion week, according to a statement from Lagoona Mall. Yachts, Oryx sport cruisers, erated more than AED 80mn in larger seating area, and off ering rience. 14 brands to display their collections at fashion event

agoona Mall has an- the excitement will unfold in the miniguez and Tadashi Shoji on nounced that would host north court lobby of Lagoona April 5, Furla and Pronovias on Lthe second edition of its Mall. The show will be open to April 6 and Patricia Pepe and bi-annual fashion event, the La- the public and fashion lovers in Simona Barbera Twin-Set on goona Mall Fashion Week, from Qatar, who will be treated to an April 7. April 2 to 8. unforgettable fashion experience The event will come to a close For this season, an extended highlighting some of the world’s with the preview of collections edition of the fashion week will most renowned brands,” the from Gerard Darel and Fifty One be held for seven consecutive statement notes. East on April 8. days with the participation of 14 The event will feature pres- More than 800 visitors at- brands showcasing their “lat- entations from leading brands tended the first edition of the est and trendiest collections for such as Liu Jo and Max & Co on Lagoona Mall Fashion Week, Spring/Summer 2016”, accord- April 2, Blugirl Blumarine and where eight brands exhibited ing to a statement. Elisabetta Franchi on April 3, their latest creations through The luxury yachts and leisure boats from Gulf Craft at the exclusive preview at The Pearl-Qatar yesterday. “With daily live shows and Karen Millen and Versace Col- live fashion shows, the state- performances from 7pm to 9pm, lection on April 4, Adolfo Do- ment added.

GT readers win music show tickets

Gulf Times readers Rashid Khan, Rkvcs, Mathew, Aswathy Anna Baby, Kuriakose M Jacob and Manoj Mariyil have won a ticket each to the Punjab Music Group (PMG) event being held today at Sheraton Doha from 7.30pm. Led by popular Pakistani folk singer Tariq Tafu, the show includes pianist and music composer Razwan Bobby Sarwar, young singer Danish Asif Ali and talented TV singer Hina Ali. Gulf Times is the media sponsor. The winning coupons were picked by Tariq Tafu and Razwan Sarwar, along with PMG off icials Nazakat Ali Khan, Shahid Rasheed and Amin Motiwala, in the presence of Habib Ullah Sheikh, senior business development manager, Gulf Times. PMG has been organising music events and cultural shows for South Asian communities in Doha for the past 10 years. The winners should contact Gulf Times off ice at 44466620 for their tickets.

QRC takes part in Tunis meeting

QNA ing attended by number of agenda includes several ing a humanitarian response Doha non-governmental organi- goals and objectives. plan and make suggestions sations and institutions They include means of to address these gaps and of the Libyan civil society establishing a direct dia- challenges. atar Red Crescent and nine international or- logue between the UN and Qatar Red Crescent So- is taking part in the ganisations and diplomatic its partners, NGOs and the ciety has been conducting QUN Humanitarian missions as well as the UN Libyan national actors to a large-scale relief inter- Co-ordinator Conference, agencies. discuss basic humanitarian vention to help families which opened in Tunis yes- The Qatar Red Crescent challenges and mechanisms displaced or affected by terday. is represented by Director to provide assistance. the armed conflict in Lib- The three-day event dis- of Relief and International The conference aims to ya, with $10mn funding cussed the humanitarian Development, Khaled Diab, discuss the gaps and the from Qatar Development situation in Libya. It is be- who said the conference challenges of implement- Fund.

Lucky draw winner strikes gold

Kattamouthiu, one of the winners of ‘Malabar Gold & Diamonds - Win Up to QR1.5mn worth gold coins campaign,’ re- ceives the prize of ‘100 gold coins’ from Shaff i C K, branch manager, Al Khor Mall, in the presence of other off icials. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, March 31, 2016 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Khamenei: missiles, not ‘negotiations’ key to Iran security

AFP erful Revolutionary Guards for enhancing their military and said Iran’s recent ballistic missile Council said that missiles re- lution that accompanied the nu- He said those who believe only Tehran their “show of advanced and pre- missile capabilities and given this tests violate UN Security Council cently fi red by Iran were “inher- clear accord. diplomacy is the key to Iran’s fu- cise missiles” in recent tests that how can we say the age of mis- resolutions. ently capable of delivering nu- Iran has twice tested ballistic ture are acting out of “ignorance drew Western criticism. siles has passed?” The same four countries, along clear weapons”. missiles since the July 14 deal, or treason”. ran’s supreme leader said yes- “In this jungle-like world, if His comments appeared aimed with Russia and China, reached The letter obtained by AFP prompting Western condemna- In response to Iran’s tests, the terday that missile power was the Islamic republic seeks ne- at ex-president Akbar Hashemi the historic agreement with Iran says the missile launches were tion and new US sanctions. US Treasury last week named Ikey to the country’s future gotiations, trade and even tech- Rafsanjani, a senior leader of the last year that saw Tehran scale “destabilising and provocative” “The enemies of the revolu- units of the Revolutionary security, slapping down moder- nology and science, but has no reformist and moderate camp, down its nuclear programme in and defi ed a 2015 UN resolution, tion... use dialogue, economic Guards to its sanctions blacklist. ates who say the focus should be defence power, won’t even small who last week tweeted: “Tomor- exchange for the lifting of sanc- number 2231. trade, sanctions, military threats Stressing that he was not on diplomacy. countries dare threaten Iran?” row’s world is the world of dia- tions. The resolution includes the and any other means to further averse to diplomacy, Khame- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who Khamenei said in remarks pub- logue not missiles.” A joint letter from the US terms of the nuclear accord. their goals,” Khamenei said. “We nei said Iran should “negotiate has the fi nal say in all matters of lished on his offi cial website. They also came a day after the and other Western powers sent Iran argues that these missiles should be able to confront and strongly and vigilantly so we state in Iran, praised the pow- “Our enemies are constantly US, France, Britain and Germany on Monday to the UN Security are not covered by the UN reso- defend in all of these fi elds.” won’t be deceived.” Child labour rises in Gaza amid soaring unemployment

Child workforce doubled in At one garage in downtown with unemployment rising to its five years; nearly 3,000 under Gaza, 16-year-old Mahmoud current level from around 35% legal working age, according Yazji and another boy, aged 12, fi ve years ago. Palestinian boy Mohamed al-Bana, 10, sells mints at a market in Gaza City. Bana, whose father is unemployed, earns around 10 Shekels ($2.5) to off icial figures work nine hours a day. Mahmoud “Some people are living like per day. The boy starts working after finishing school. He hopes to continue education and become an engineer in the future. said he earns the equivalent of kings and many others like us are Reuters $13 a week; the younger boy takes hardly fi nding anything to eat,” Gaza home half of that. said 10-year-old Mohamed, who “My father makes 1,000 shek- sells potato chips on the street els ($258) a month. It disappears and began working after his fa- hild labour has risen in a few days and we struggle for ther, a construction labourer, lost sharply in Gaza, where the rest of the month,” Mahmoud his job. Cyoungsters toiling in ga- said. A gap is evident on the Gaza Yemen govt forces push rages and on construction sites Haitham Khzaiq, 16, quit beachfront, where child vendors have become breadwinners for school six months ago to sell lugging trays of tea, coff ee and families feeling the brunt of the candy apples to visitors at Gaza’s snacks mingle with other chil- Palestinian enclave’s 43% unem- newly developed seaport, a major dren using expensive cellphones ployment rate. picnic venue. He works a half- to record their family picnics. Al Qaeda back in Aden In the past fi ve years, the day, seven days a week, and said Several smart hotels overlook the number of working children be- he earns a total of 20 shekels ($5). port and beachfront. AFP tween the ages of 10 and 17 has “We are fi ve brothers and eight A Dutch-funded organisation, Aden doubled to 9,700 in the territory, sisters. I am the oldest son and I El-Wedad Society for Community according to the Palestinian Bu- had to work because my father is Rehabilitation, has been running reau of Statistics. unemployed,” he said. “I don’t a project for three years aimed at oyalist forces pushed Al The bureau said 2,900 of those earn enough but it is better than convincing families in Gaza of the Qaeda out of parts of Aden children are below the legal em- nothing and it is better than beg- importance of returning working Lyesterday in a new drive ployment age of 15. Economists in ging people for money.” children to the classroom. against the militants in Yemen’s the narrow coastal strip, home to A devastating 2014 war be- “We are very worried. We feel second city where the interna- 1.9mn Palestinians, estimate the tween Palestinian militants and children’s rights are being tram- tionally recognised government real number of underage workers Israel, border restrictions im- pled on,” said Naeem al-Ghalban, is based, military sources said. could be twice as high. posed by Israel and Egypt and who heads the society. Troops and militia retook the The increase in Gaza goes the destruction of cross-border Its representatives visit the central prison and deployed on against trends. The International smuggling tunnels by an Egyptian homes of working children they main roads across the Mansura Labour Organisation says the government at odds with Gaza’s meet on the street and invite them residential district after a three- worldwide number of children in Hamas rulers have contributed to guidance sessions at the organ- hour gunbattle with the mili- labour has fallen by a third since to economic hardship in the ter- isation’s headquarters. Children tants, the sources said. 2000, from 246mn to 168mn, ritory. are taken for visits to Gaza’s col- There was no immediate word with more than a fi fth in sub-Sa- The UN estimates that 80% of leges to show them what could lie on casualties. haran Africa. the population is aid dependent, ahead if they go back to school. The Sunni extremists of Al Qaeda have exploited confl ict between the government and Loyalist forces stand guard on a main road in the Mansura residential district of Aden after they pushed Shia rebels who overran the Al Qaeda out of parts of the southern city yesterday in a new drive against the militants. Iraqi PM to present his new cabinet lineup today capital Sanaa in September 2014 to expand their control in the air strikes against Al Qaeda in Tuesday in apparent fear of new But other residents resisted Iraqi Prime Minister Haider political patronage networks that calling for,” Abadi said in a south. cities it has seized including strikes. the militants’ eff orts to get them al-Abadi said he would present have sustained their wealth and statement posted on his website A Saudi-led coalition, which Hadramawt provincial capital The coalition raids follow a US to join the protest, the witnesses to parliament today his new influence for more than a decade. yesterday. It was unclear whether intervened in support of Presi- Mukalla and Abyan provincial strike against an Al Qaeda train- said. cabinet lineup aimed at fighting Failing to deliver on long-promised the parliament would approve the dent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi capital Zinjibar. ing camp outside Mukalla last There has been no let-up in corruption, in keeping with a anti-corruption measures could new cabinet lineup. when he fl ed into exile in March Five militants were killed week that killed 71 militants, ac- the longstanding US air war deadline set by the legislature weaken Abadi’s government just On Tuesday Abadi had appealed last year, concentrated its fi re- and three wounded in Monday cording to provincial offi cials. against Al Qaeda’s Yemen-based earlier in the week. as Iraqi forces are gearing up to try to lawmakers for guidance power on pushing the rebels strikes on Mukalla, a major port On Tuesday, hundreds of peo- branch, which it regards as the Abadi announced more than six and recapture the northern city of on whether to appoint party and their allies out of Aden and city that the militants seized ple took part in an Al Qaeda-or- militant network’s most danger- weeks ago that he wanted to Mosul from Islamic State militants. politicians or independent neighbouring southern prov- last April, provincial offi cials ganised protest in Mukalla against ous. replace current ministers with “Parliament must make up its technocrats to the cabinet, but inces, and the militants took ad- said. the US raid, witnesses said. US strikes have taken out a independent technocrats but mind and proceed with reforms parliament speaker Salim al- vantage. Zinjibar residents said that Al “US raids will not defeat ji- number of senior Al Qaeda com- has faced resistance from rivals including the cabinet reshuff le Jabouri said yesterday it was for But in recent days, the coali- Qaeda fi ghters were evacuating had,” banners carried by the manders in Yemen over the past who fear it could weaken the which it and citizens have been Abadi to decide. tion has carried out a series of public buildings in the city on demonstrators said. year.

LuLu opens sixth hypermarket in Bahrain UAE sending aid to Benghazi

AFP Abu Dhabi

he United Arab Emirates is transporting humanitar- Tian aid to residents in the war-torn Libyan city of Beng- hazi, the Emirates Red Crescent announced yesterday. The fi rst of nine aircraft carry- ing food, medicine, medical sup- plies and other materials depart- ed this week to Benghazi, the aid organisation said in a statement. “This move... could not have been timelier as the humanitar- ian situation in Libya has dete- riorated drastically over the past Boxes of humanitarian aid stacked at a warehouse near the Emirates few months,” said Emirates Red Red Crescent headquarters in Abu Dhabi, ahead of being transported Crescent Secretary General Mo- residents in the war-torn Libyan city of Benghazi. hamed al-Falahi. Libya’s second city Benghazi in Libya since the beginning of allowing militants to gain ground LuLu Group has opened its sixth hypermarket in Bahrain, located at Galleria Mall, New Zinj. The new hypermarket, the group’s 124th has been the scene of months of the crisis there,” said the state- in the oil-rich country. store globally, was off icially inaugurated by Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah al-Khalifah in the presence fi ghting between forces allied ment, noting that the Red Cres- It has had two rival adminis- of Minister for Industry and Commerce Zayed al-Zayani, Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan, British ambassador Simon Martin, US with the internationally recog- cent had already provided aid to trations since mid-2014 when an ambassador William Roebuck, Indian ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha, LuLu Group chairman Yusuff ali M A, prominent businessman nised government and Islamist Libyan refugees in neighbouring armed alliance overran the capi- Mohamed Dadabhai, LuLu Group CEO Saifee Rupawala, executive director Ashraf Ali M A, Bahrain regional director Juzer Rupawala militias, including the Islamic Tunisia. tal, setting up its own authority and other top off icials. The LuLu Group chairman described the opening as a “moment of great pride” for the company. The group will State group. Libya has descended into cha- and forcing the internationally open two more hypermarkets in the country by the end of 2017 - at Saar and Busaidi, he added. “The current move is a con- os since the 2011 ousting of long- recognised parliament to fl ee to tinuation of the UAE’s aid eff orts time dictator Muammar Gaddafi , Libya’s remote east. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 15 ARAB WORLD Footballer Messi boot donation angers Egypt ians

Reuters cast an interview last Saturday “Whose shoes do you want to celona uniform to the Egyptians, hed, a spokesman for the Egyp- Sharkawy who interviewed Messi know why they said he is pre- Cairo with Barcelona’s Messi on the sell, Messi? How much do you it’s accepted. But just the shoes? tian Football Association, on his said the gesture had been misin- senting it to Egypt. This was television programme ‘Yes I am think it will get? You don’t know It’s humiliating to all Egyptians programme, who added: terpreted and that the donation never said.” Famous’, but the announcement that the nail of a baby Egyptian and I do not accept this humilia- “I am confused. If he (Messi) was not for an Egyptian charity. Messi has not commented on orld Footballer of the that the Argentina forward would is worth more than your shoes? tion. Egyptians may not fi nd food, intends to humiliate us, then I “This is so false. It’s a trend on the reaction to his donation. Year Lionel Messi auction his boots for charity pro- Keep your shoes to yourself or but they have pride.” say he’d better put these shoes on our show that we take a souvenir Former Egypt forward Mido Wfound himself the un- voked an unexpected response. sell them to Israel.” “We Egyptians have never his head and on the heads of the from our guest and put it on auc- said he was grateful for Messi’s likely fi gure of controversy in Member of parliament and tel- “Messi, we Egyptians are been humiliated before during people supporting him. We don’t tion for charity,” El-Sharkawy gesture, writing on Twitter: “The Egypt after a local politician and evision presenter Said Hasasin, 90mn people, who have pride, our seven thousand years of civi- need his shoes and we don’t need was quoted as saying by news most precious thing the writer a soccer offi cial reacted angrily appearing on his own talk show, we have shoes.” lization.” charity from Jewish or Israeli peo- agency Ahram. owns is his pen ... and the most when he donated a pair of his took off his shoes and said he “We don’t eat off the money of Throwing shoes is considered ple. Give your shoes to your coun- “I am surprised, I didn’t say precious thing the footballer boots to raise money for charity. would donate them to the poor of other peoples’ shoes. I would have an insult in the Middle East. try, Argentina is full of poverty.” we will be giving it to charity in owns is his shoes. I hope we stop MBC Masr channel broad- Argentina. understood if he donated his Bar- Hasasin called up Azmy Mega- MBC Masr’s Mona El- Egypt or any other place. I don’t the false accusations.” UN-backed Libya govt head arrives in Tripoli

AFP recognised parliament to fl ee to ties there, who even closed the Tripoli the country’s remote east. airspace several times to prevent International leaders, increas- them fl ying in. ingly alarmed by the rise of mili- Tripoli residents reacted on he head of Libya’s UN- tants and people-smugglers in social media to Farraj’s arrival Libyan prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj (right) is greeted upon arrival in Tripoli, Libya yesterday. backed unity govern- the impoverished North African with a mixture of hope and sar- Tment arrived yesterday in state, have urged Libya’s political casm. Tripoli, but international hopes rivals to support the unity gov- Twitter user @alladdinno said of a peaceful power handover ernment. Sarraj’s appearance in the capital were dealt a swift blow as the un- But so far the two administra- “felt like when the things you or- recognised authorities demand- tions have refused to cede power. dered online fi nally arrive”. Dozens feared missing after ed his departure. A presidential council formed The unity government an- Fayez al-Sarraj, a businessman under the December deal con- nounced this month that it would named prime minister-designate fi rmed on its Facebook page that start working on the back of a pe- under a UN-brokered power- Sarraj and several other members tition signed by a narrow major- sharing deal in December, ar- had “arrived safe and sound in ity of Libya’s elected lawmakers. migrant boat sinks off Libya rived by sea with a naval escort Tripoli”. The US and its European al- along with several members of Sarraj said he would make lies have threatened sanctions his cabinet. “reconciliation and the settle- against those who undermine the Reuters from boats and rubber dinghies in The number of new arrivals number of migrants travelling via But in a sign of the formidable ment of security and economic political process. Tripoli/Rome the southern Mediterranean. is expected to climb further in Turkey to Greece could increase challenge facing Sarraj’s govern- crises” his top priority. Libya has descended into chaos The Libyan spokesman, Ayoub coming months as warmer, more the fl ows through Libya to Italy. ment, Tripoli’s unrecognised au- UN special envoy Martin since the 2011 ouster of longtime Qassem, said naval guards had stable weather kicks in, making it However, up until now, the thorities demanded that he leave Kobler joined a string of Western dictator Muammar Gaddafi , rais- ozens of migrants were intercepted one boat carrying easier for people traffi ckers to put vast majority of migrants using the capital or “hand himself in”. offi cials in hailing Sarraj’s arrival, ing fears the Islamic State group feared missing after their 120 migrants off the coast near the boats to sea. the Mediterranean route have “Those who entered illegally urging a “peaceful and orderly is establishing a new stronghold Dboat sank off Libya yes- Sabratha and had also managed The Italian coast guard said continued to come from sub- and secretly must surrender or handover of power”. just across the Mediterranean. terday, a spokesman for the to rescue 32 from the boat which that after saving some 3,680 Saharan Africa, with no signifi - turn back,” the head of the Tripo- The EU’s foreign aff airs chief IS has seized control of Gadd- country’s naval forces said, amid sank. It was not known exactly people over the past three days cant increase in the number of li authorities Khalifa Ghweil said Federica Mogherini said Sar- afi ’s coastal hometown of Sirte signs of a sharp increase in the how many people were missing. a further 350 migrants, most Syrians, Afghans or Iraqis, who in a televised address. “We won’t raj’s arrival in the capital was “a and launched a wave of attacks, number of people attempting the More than 16,000 people have believed to be minors, had been have mostly been using the Greek leave Tripoli as long as we are not unique opportunity for Libyans both against rival Libyan forces dangerous crossing from North made the crossing from north spotted on a boat off Sicily and an route. sure of the fate of our homeland.” of all factions to reunite”. and across the border in Tunisia. Africa to Europe. Africa to Italy in the fi rst three operation was under way to bring Hundreds of thousands of Tripoli’s government had de- She added that the 28-nation Western countries are con- Earlier Italian offi cials said their months of 2016, some 6,000 them ashore. migrants have reached Italy in clared a state of emergency ahead European Union stood ready to sidering military action against coast guard and navy vessels had more than in the same period last Italian offi cials have also recent years, looking for a better of Sarraj’s anticipated arrival, support Libya and had already the militants in Libya but want a rescued 1,361 migrants yesterday year. warned that a deal to limit the life in the West. and several main highways were prepared an aid package worth unity government to request help blocked late yesterday by armed 100mn euros ($110mn) for vari- fi rst. groups - some uniformed and ous projects. The US Special envoy for Libya Syria opposition rejects unity govt that includes Assad regime others in civilian clothes - who Italy, which has off ered to lead Jonathan Winer tweeted that the arrived aboard military vehicles, a peacekeeping force in Libya if country’s politicians “must now Syria’s main opposition High powers, including presidential the transition, Zoabi said. transitional body. an AFP reporter said. asked to by the new government, begin crucial work to address full Negotiations Committee powers,” HNC senior member Assad made the demand in He did not specify which Residents hurried to their also welcomed the development. range of #Libya’s challenges”. yesterday flatly rejected a Asaad al-Zoabi said, adding an interview with Russia’s RIA opposition groups should be homes as cracks of gunfi re could “It is another step forward for Libya has long been a stepping demand from President Bashar “Assad should not remain Novosti state news agency included in the government be heard around the capital. the stabilisation of Libya,” For- stone for migrants seeking to al-Assad for any transitional for even one hour after the published yesterday. but his remarks come with Libya has had two rival admin- eign Minister Paolo Gentiloni cross the Mediterranean to Eu- government to include his formation” of this body. The Syrian leader said it would Damascus facing international istrations since mid-2014 when a said. rope, which lies just 300km (185 regime. “Bashar and his gang live outside be “logical for there to be pressure to compromise at UN- militia alliance overran the capi- Sarraj and his cabinet had pre- miles) away, and in recent years “International resolutions of reality, on another planet... all of independent forces, opposition mediated talks aimed at ending tal, setting up its own authority viously been blocked from enter- traffi ckers have exploited the speak of... the formation of Assad’s recent declarations are an forces and forces loyal to the the five-year conflict that has and forcing the internationally ing the capital by the authori- country’s instability. a transitional body with full attempt to evade the question” of government represented” in any killed some 270,000 people.

Land Day rally Israeli army chief warns soldiers after wounded Palestinian shot

AFP ful to our values,” Eisenkot said. again, in the head, without any Jerusalem “We will not hesitate to hold apparent provocation. accountable soldiers and offi cers A poll released by Israel’s who do not respect operational Channel 2 television showed 57% sraeli army chief of staff Gadi and moral criteria that guide us of Israeli Jews were opposed to Eisenkot sent a letter yester- in our actions.” the soldier being prosecuted. Iday warning troops to use ap- The 19-year-old soldier who Rights activists have labelled propriate force, after a soldier was shot the Palestinian appeared in it a summary execution, while caught on video shooting dead a a military court on Tuesday as Palestinian leaders have called wounded Palestinian assailant. several hundred of his supporters on the UN to investigate alleged The soldier - who last week protested outside. Israeli “extrajudicial killings”. shot the Palestinian in the head Prosecutors were seeking to The activist who shot the vid- while he was lying prone on the extend his remand in the case, eo of the incident has said he and ground - has been arrested and which has gripped the country his family have since received strongly condemned by top mili- and sparked political tensions, threats. tary offi cials. and the judge decided that he be The soldier’s arrest reportedly But far-right politicians and kept in custody until today. sparked a heated debate at Sun- protesters have rallied to his The soldier’s identity has re- day’s weekly Israeli government cause, criticised the military’s mained secret under a gag order, cabinet meeting. response and demonstrated for granted at the request of his law- Education Minister Naftali his release. yers. He holds both Israeli and Bennett has defended the soldier, Following the soldier’s arrest, French nationality. saying he “is not a murderer”. posters were distributed calling Video of Thursday’s killing in He and the soldier’s lawyers for Eisenkot’s resignation. the fl ashpoint West Bank city of have said he may have thought The chief of staff , seen by some Hebron spread widely online and the Palestinian had explosives, Israelis as a voice of moderation threatened to further infl ame Is- though he had reportedly been amid a wave of violence that raeli-Palestinian tensions. checked for a suicide belt prior to erupted in October, said in the It showed a 21-year-old Pales- the shooting. letter that soldiers must always tinian, who along with another Defence Minister Moshe behave professionally. man had allegedly stabbed a sol- Yaalon has hit back, criticising “In all situations, we must act dier minutes earlier, lying on the those conducting an “unprec- Israeli Arab demonstrators ride horses during a Land Day rally in the northern Israeli village of Arrabe yesterday. Land Day in a professional manner, using ground, apparently after being edented incitement campaign commemorates the killing of six Arab citizens of Israel by security forces during protests in 1976 over government land confiscations. force in a measured and consid- shot. against the army, chief of staff , ered way in order to remain faith- The soldier then shoots him and senior commanders.” Gulf Times 16 Thursday, March 31, 2016 AFRICA Touadera vows to ‘preserve the peace’ AFP with an announcement from France that Bangui it would end its military intervention in the mineral-rich but deeply poor nation this year. entral African Republic’s new France launched Operation Sangaris in President Faustin-Archange December 2013, at the height of the vio- CTouadera yesterday pledged to lence that swept the country. “preserve peace” as he was sworn in fol- At the time Central African Republic lowing polls aimed at restoring stability in “was in the throes of civil war, torn by re- the wake of three years of turmoil. ligious tensions, plagued by chaos, on the The 58-year-old former maths teacher brink of pre-genocidal scenarios,” French was the surprise winner of February’s Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said presidential election - the fi rst since the yesterday in Bangui. outbreak of a wave of inter-communal “In the space of two years, the Sangaris violence between Muslim and Christian force restored calm and prevented the un- militias that has killed thousands of peo- acceptable,” he said, announcing that the ple since 2013. operation, which counted 2,500 troops at “I pledge to wholly respect the con- its peak, would be wrapped up “during the stitution... and preserve peace,” he said, course of 2016”. promising to carry out his duties “without While admitting that the security situ- any ethnic bias”. ation was “not resolved” yet, Le Drian said He also pledged to “revamp the army Central Africa was fi nally “emerging from into an apolitical and secular force” and a long period of trouble and uncertainty”. A stray male lion runs during a chase by a Kenya Wildlife Services ranger in the Isinya area of Kajiado county on the outskirts of Nairobi. launched an appeal for “national recon- Touadera, who served as prime minister ciliation”. between 2008-2013 under Bozize, faces The swearing-in ceremony at the main enormous challenges on both the security stadium in the capital Bangui was attend- and economy fronts. ed by regional leaders, including Presi- The so-called “people’s candidate” is dent Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equa- hugely popular - partly due to a measure he introduced as premier to pay govern- Stray lion shot dead in Kenya torial Guinea and Denis Sassou Nguesso from the Republic of Congo as well as the ment salaries directly into bank accounts, foreign and defence ministers of former ending decades of pay arrears and unpaid Reuters Fugitive South African feline gets reprieve on death sentence colonial ruler France. wages. Nairobi It marks the last stage of the political But another former prime minister South African wildlife off icials said yes- “Some members of the public have Sylvester, who was fitted with a transition that began with the overthrow warned Touadera would struggle to raise terday they would re-assess a decision been alarmed by reports that the ani- tracking collar after that breakout, in 2013 of Christian former president revenues. “(The country) remains cut off enyan wildlife rangers yester- to euthanise a lion named Sylvester mal will be euthanised, but no decision escaped again on Sunday under an Francois Bozize by the predominantly from its income due to the systematic day shot dead a stray male lion who has escaped twice from a national can be taken until the animal is safely electric fence after heavy rains. Muslim “Seleka” rebel alliance. bleeding of revenue by armed groups that Kon the outskirts of Nairobi af- park and killed livestock. captured,” it added. He has since killed one cow on a The crowds at the ceremony included have set themselves up as customs offi c- ter it attacked and injured a local resi- Trackers are searching for the The lion could instead be moved to private farm, according to reports. 29-year-old engineer Igor Ali who said ers (and) tax offi cials,” said Enoch Derant dent, the Kenya Wildlife Service said. three-year-old animal after he slipped another national park or private game “Though the team of rangers sent the day was a “great event which will al- Lakoue, a presidential candidate. A mob had gathered around the through a fence at the Karoo National reserve, or fencing could be improved out to search for the lion are experi- low us to fi nally bury the past.” Central African economist Achille lion, forcing the rangers to shoot it to Park in the south of the country at the to keep him inside the Karoo park. enced in tracking animals in the bush, Nadege, a shopkeeper who lives with Nzotene added: “It’s a balancing act in avert further injuries, a spokesman weekend. The South Africa National On his previous escape last year, the situation on the ground continues her six children in a camp in Bangui for terms of security, and he must engage in a for the agency said. Parks authority (SANParks) had an- Sylvester killed 28 sheep, a cow and to pose a real danger of a possible displaced people, added: “I want Touad- titanic economic recovery eff ort.” “It had injured somebody. There nounced it would put down the lion a kudu antelope during three weeks ambush by the animal,” the park era to disarm the militia. We have suff ered Like his predecessors, Touadera will be was a crowd that had formed around when he was caught - triggering on the run in which he roamed for authorities said. too much.” largely dependent on the international it, so it was practically impossible to outrage from some animal lovers. hundreds of kilometres. “The lion is currently roaming a re- After Bozize’s ouster, the former rebels community to underwrite his govern- capture it the way we planned to,” But yesterday, it said euthanising He was finally captured after being mote mountainous area and it is hoped ran amok, sacking villages in a wave of ment’s budget and security. Paul Udoto, communications man- Sylvester would only be considered if shot by a tranquiliser dart fired from a that it will not encounter humans.” bloodletting that sparked fi erce retali- The French defence minister also ager for the wildlife service, told “the damage caused is massive and helicopter in a hunt that cost 800,000 Locals were warned to use extreme atory attacks on minority Muslims by pointed to another huge task he faces: Reuters by phone. may include danger to people.” rand ($54,000). caution and not to approach him. Christian-dominated militia. putting in place an eff ective and non-par- The lion was the third in recent In November, Pope Francis visited the tisan army. weeks to stray from Nairobi National country, on his fi rst trip to a war zone, “There has to be a legitimate army and Park on the outskirts of the capital. Images on social media showed process somebody got injured, and city limits, providing visitors views during which he made an impassioned not one that is divided along ethnic lines No injuries were reported in the fi rst the lion in the latest incident walk- by the time the veterinary and se- of lions, rhinos, giraff es, zebras and plea for peace and reconciliation. and networks,” he said. case on February 19, but one man was ing in a grassy area next to the fence curity teams got to the ground it was other wildlife against a backdrop of Several weeks later, a constitutional ref- The army, whose strength is estimated injured in the second, on March 18. of the national park around 9am. already beyond salvation,” Udoto high-rise buildings. erendum on limiting the president’s tenure between 7,000 and 8,000, is currently a The wildlife service managed to They also showed residents gather- said. “With that commotion we Lions are occasionally spotted in was approved by a large majority, clearing ragtag force of ill-paid soldiers who are capture the stray lions in the fi rst two ing around the animal, some perched risked more injuries or even possible the city close to the park after they the way for elections on December 30. poorly trained and often lack basic equip- incidents and returned them to pro- on the back of light trucks. deaths.” fi nd a way through fences that protect Touadera’s inauguration coincided ment. tected areas. “The mob had formed and in the Nairobi National Park lies on the the built-up areas near the reserve.

ICC to rule Safety fears Kenya announces ivory amnesty next week AFP environment minister Judi “Although the destruction Nairobi Wakhungu told reporters, as of ivory and rhino horn will not preparations for the giant burn- in itself put an end to the illegal on Ruto case ing ceremony were launched in trade in these items, it demon- enya yesterday launched Nairobi national park. strates Kenya’s commitment to a three-week amnesty “Those who take advantage seeking a total global ban in the AFP Kto hand in ivory and of this amnesty will not be trade of ivory and rhino horn,” The Hague rhino horn ahead of the world’s punished.” Wakhungu added. biggest burning of ivory next The highly publicised dis- More than 30,000 elephants month. play on April 30 will be led by are killed for their ivory every ar crimes judges will The mass burning, the vast Kenyan President Uhuru Ken- year in Africa to satisfy de- rule next Tuesday majority of its ivory and rhino yatta and attended by a gaggle mand in Asia where raw tusks Wwhether to throw out horn stockpile, will amount to of celebrities, conservationists sell for around $1,100 a kilo- a case brought against Kenyan some 105 tonnes of ivory, sev- and heads of state. gramme. Deputy President William Ruto en times the size of any ivory Kenyatta set fi re in March “The poaching of elephants for his alleged role in post- stockpile destroyed so far, as 2015 to a giant pile of 15 tonnes and rhinos and illegal wildlife election violence several years well as 1.35 tonnes of rhino of elephant ivory, which con- trade is a major problem across ago which left more than 1,300 horn. servationists said then was the much of Africa, it threatens the dead. “Anybody holding any ivory, largest ever burned in Africa. very survival of these iconic The judges at the Interna- rhino horns or any other wild- At the time, the pile of tusks species,” Wakhungu said. tional Criminal Court will hand life trophies or jewellery or formed a dramatic 3m tall pyre, “Poaching is facilitated by down their ruling on April 5 on Children walk down the street of Chibok in Borno State in northeast Nigeria. trinkets made from these ma- which burned for several days un- international criminal syndi- motions brought by Ruto and his terials should surrender them,” til the ivory was reduced to ash. cates and fuels corruption.” co-accused, radio boss Joshua arap Sang, to either acquit them or fi nd there is no case to answer, the court said in a statement yesterday. “This decision will be noti- UN decides against reducing DR Congo peacekeeping force fi ed only in writing. No hearing will be held,” the statement said, adding it would be made public AFP mously adopted a French-drafted said the council had refused to downsize Congolese Ambassador Ignace Gata The French ambassador said the mis- before 5pm on the day. Kinshasa resolution extending for one year the the mission because “the country still Mavita charged that the council showed sion at its current force level would help Ruto, 49, and Sang, 40, have 20,000-strong MONUSCO mission, faces very important challenges and it “a lack of fl exibility” over its refusal to protect civilians and “support the hold- both denied three charges rejecting appeals from Kinshasa for a is the responsibility of the international downsize MONUSCO and warned the ing of credible, peaceful and democratic of crimes against humanity he UN yesterday decided against drawdown of the force. community to support it at this time.” decision could undermine the “climate elections”. namely murder, forcible depor- cutting back its peacekeeping The DR Congo’s foreign minister The DRC is supposed to hold elections of work on the ground”. After several disagreements with tation and persecution arising Tmission in the Democratic Re- told the council last week that the force in November, but the chances that they The resolution stated that the council Kinshasa over the campaign against out of Kenya’s disputed elec- public of Congo as fears grow of politi- should be halved and UN Secretary will actually take place are growing dim- would be ready to reconsider the troop level rebels in the east, the UN withdrew tions in late December 2007 cal turmoil in the vast African country General Ban Ki-moon had proposed mer, with President Joseph Kabila sus- for MONUSCO “once signifi cant progress support for military operations in Feb- and its violent aftermath in ahead of elections. cutting 1,700 troops from the mission. pected of planning to extend his rule after has been achieved” in rooting out rebel ruary last year, but decided to restore early 2008. The UN Security Council unani- French ambassador Francois Delattre his mandate runs out at the end of the year. groups in the east and protecting civilians. ties earlier this month. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 17 AMERICAS Trump stands Newark to revamp by aide over stop-frisk practice battery charge Reuters “She made up this story,” Trump By Joseph Ax Washington added on NBC. He told Fox News that Newark Lewandowski had likely grabbed the reporter “unknowingly.” S Republican presidential Fields has stood by her account. olice in Newark, New Jersey, will candidate Donald Trump yes- “Seriously, just stop lying,” she said in revamp their practices in stop- Uterday vowed to stand by his response to a Twitter post by Trump Pping and frisking suspects and campaign manager despite the aide’s following the arrest. submit to a federal monitor under a arrest over a misdemeanour battery Trump leads his opponents, US deal reached yesterday with the US charge, drawing criticism from rivals. Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Gover- Justice Department settling allegations Trump, in a round of television in- nor John Kasich, in the race for 1,237 of civil-rights violations. terviews, played down the incident in- delegates needed to secure the nomi- The deal, which is subject to court volving a reporter and campaign man- nation at this summer’s Republican approval, follows a 2014 fi nding by the ager Corey Lewandowski, 42, who was Party convention. Justice Department that police en- arrested in Florida on Tuesday. Cruz told CNN on Tuesday that “of gaged in a pattern of unconstitutional Trump also stood by comments course” he would fi re Lewandowski practices including unwarranted stops he made Tuesday night that he was over the battery charge. “It shouldn’t that disproportionately targeted black abandoning his pledge to support be complicated that members of the people, excessive use of force and whoever eventually wins the nomi- campaign staff should not be physi- stealing from suspects in New Jersey’s nation to be the party’s presidential cally assaulting the press,” Cruz said. largest city, just 12km from New York candidate for the November 8 elec- If Trump does not win the del- City. tion. egates needed before July, the party “Far, far too many police reports Police in Jupiter, Florida, charged will need to turn to a complicated and have failed to describe a constitution- Lewandowski with intentionally likely contentious process to formally ally adequate reason for stops of people grabbing and bruising the arm of select a nominee at the convention. on the street,” said Paul Fishman, the Michelle Fields, then a reporter for the Kasich also wavered on Tuesday on top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, at conservative news outlet Breitbart, his pledge to back the eventual Re- a press conference outlining the terms when she tried to question Trump at publican nominee. of the settlement. a campaign event on March 8. “If the nominee is somebody that I He noted that the police depart- Trump and Lewandowski had both think is really hurting the country ... I ment’s policy on when to stop a suspect initially denied the incident occurred. can’t stand behind them,” Kasich told was unclear and that offi cers had come A July 25, 2015, file photo of a man shouting slogans during the ‘Million People’s March Against Police Brutality, Racial Trump is front-runner to be the CNN. to regard a person’s presence in a high- Injustice and Economic Inequality’ in Newark. Republican nominee after running an Former candidate Marco Rubio has crime area as suspicious behaviour in insurgent campaign that has alarmed asked party leaders in 21 states and the city of some 277,000 people, more roughly 54% of Newark’s population. The Justice Department has reached ordered a federal monitor to oversee many in the party establishment. territories not to release the 172 del- than half of whom are black. It also said offi cers stole citizens’ prop- similar settlements with other cities changes. Opponents have criticised not just egates he won before he quit, media “We also found that this practice had erty, failed to off er a legal justifi cation in recent years, including Ferguson, Newark’s city council voted earlier his proposals on issues such as trade outlets reported. a particularly acute impact on African- for three-quarters of pedestrian stops Missouri, which initially rejected a this month to create a permanent civil- and immigration but his streams of Rubio “wants to give voters a Americans,” Fishman said in the former and used excessive force far too often. deal to reform its police practices be- ian complaint board to oversee the po- insults toward rivals and the aggres- chance to stop Trump,” his aide Alex manufacturing centre that has strug- Fishman said that Peter Harvey, the fore capitulating in the face of a federal lice department. sive tone of his rallies. Burgos told NBC. gled to overcome its image of urban state’s former attorney general, would lawsuit. The department is also prob- Rebuilding trust between police and Trump yesterday defended Four appointees of the party’s con- blight and high crime. “Some of the oversee the Newark police department’s ing the Chicago Police Department in residents may take time, however. Marc Lewandowski and went further to vention rules committee told Politico people who have been stopped and ar- compliance with the settlement. the wake of several high-profi le police King, 68, a black resident, said nothing allege that the reporter had grabbed yesterday they are willing to change a rested were lawfully objecting to police The Newark agreement comes amid shootings of minorities. short of a top-to-bottom “overhaul” of Trump. He said he was considering 2012 rule requiring candidates to win action or simply behaving in a way that national tensions over police en- Yesterday’s settlement also comes the department would fi x its problems. legal action in response. a majority in at least eight states to be offi cers perceived as disrespectful.” counters with minorities, which have two years after a federal judge ruled “A complaint review board will fall “I’m sure there will be a counter- eligible for the nomination. The probe found that 85% of pedes- sparked frequent protests often led by New York’s stop-and-frisk policing on deaf ears,” said King, as he sat on a claim coming down the line,” he told Only Trump has met that threshold trian stops involved blacks, who are the Black Lives Matter movement. amounted to illegal racial profi ling and bench in downtown Newark yesterday. ABC News. so far. Most Americans Ash cloud support torture of terror suspects: poll

Reuters ‘Plan to share raw data protects privacy’ Washington American spy chiefs have told asked the NSA to halt the sharing Congressmen that a plan to plan, suggesting it would be “un- early two-thirds of allow the National Security constitutional and dangerous.” Americans believe tor- Agency (NSA) to share more raw The specifics of the proposal are Nture can be justifi ed to eavesdropping reports with other still secret. extract information from sus- agencies will not be unlawful and Lieu, a Democrat from Califor- pected terrorists, according to will protect the privacy rights of nia and Farenthold, a Republican a Reuters/Ipsos poll, a level of US citizens. from Texas, wrote in a March 21 support similar to that seen in In a letter sent on Monday to letter to NSA Director Michael countries like Nigeria where mil- two members of Congress and Rogers that the proposal would itant attacks are common. reviewed by Reuters, Director violate Fourth Amendment The poll refl ects a US public of National Intelligence James privacy protections because the on edge after the massacre of 14 Clapper said the NSA’s proposal to collected data would not require people in San Bernardino in De- give other spy agencies access to a warrant before being searched cember and large-scale attacks in “unevaluated signals intelligence” for domestic law enforcement Europe in recent months, includ- will ensure data is used only for purposes. ing a bombing claimed by the intelligence activities directed at Monday’s reply from the intel- militant group Islamic State last foreigners. ligence chief’s off ice said the plan week that killed at least 32 people Last week, US Representatives would not allow the use of com- in Belgium. Ted Lieu and Blake Farenthold of munications data for domestic Donald Trump, the front- the House Oversight Committee law enforcement. runner for the 2016 Republi- can presidential nomination, has forcefully injected the issue be justifi ed “against suspected insurgency that has killed hun- The Pavlof volcano spews ash in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska in this US Coast Guard handout photo. of whether terrorism suspects terrorists to obtain information dreds. should be tortured into the elec- about terrorism.” In November, terrorism re- tion campaign. About 25% said it is “often” placed economy as the top con- Trump has said he would seek justifi ed while another 38% it cern for many Americans in Canadian police break to roll back President Barack is “sometimes” justifi ed. Only Reuters/Ipsos polling, shortly Obama’s ban on waterboarding 15% said torture should never be after militants affi liated with the tobacco smuggling ring - an interrogation technique that used. Islamic State killed 130 people in Many ignorant of Zika facts simulates drowning that human Republicans were more ac- Paris. anadian police yesterday arrested rights groups contend is illegal cepting of torture to elicit infor- At the same time, Trump nearly 60 people suspected of links under the Geneva Conventions. mation than Democrats: 82% of surged in popularity among Re- AFP One in fi ve of these households said they Cto a tobacco smuggling ring accused Trump has also vowed to Republicans said torture is “of- publicans, who viewed him as the Washington believed a vaccine exists to prevent Zika, of defrauding the government of half a bil- “bring back a hell of a lot worse” ten” or “sometimes” justifi ed, strongest candidate to deal with even though one does not and experts say lion dollars, offi cials said. if elected. compared with 53% of Demo- terrorism. Besides his advocacy such a vaccine will take years to develop. Some 700 police taking part in early Trump’s stance has drawn crats. of waterboarding, Trump said any Americans are unclear on key More than four in 10 (42%) did not real- morning raids nabbed suspects across broad criticism from human About two-thirds of respond- that he would “bomb the hell out facts about the mosquito-borne ize Zika virus can be sexually transmitted. Quebec and Ontario provinces, including rights organisations, world bod- ents also said they expected a of ISIS,” using an alternative ac- MZika virus, which has been linked Furthermore, one quarter mistakenly in two aboriginal communities along the ies, and political rivals. terrorist attack on US soil within ronym for Islamic State. to birth defects and is of particular concern believed symptoms were likely to be ap- Canada-US border. But the poll fi ndings sug- the next six months. “You’re dealing with people to pregnant women, US researchers said on parent, when in fact most of those who are They are accused of drug traffi cking and gest that many Americans are Surveys by other polling agen- who don’t play by any rules. And Tuesday, warning of a race against time. infected show no signs of illness. money laundering as well as cheating the aligned with Trump on the issue, cies in recent years have shown I can’t see why we would tie our The fi ndings were contained in a nation- “We have a key window before the mos- treasury of some $500mn in cigarette taxes. although the survey did not ask US support for the use of torture hands and take away options ally representative poll of 1,275 adults con- quito season gears up in communities The authorities allege the suspects, respondents to defi ne what they at around 50%. like waterboarding,” said Jo Ann ducted by the Harvard University T H Chan within the US mainland to correct misper- ranging from 35 to 65 years of age, smug- consider torture. A 2014 survey by Amnesty Tieken, 71, a Trump supporter. School of Public Health in early March. The ceptions about Zika virus so that pregnant gled cheap tobacco from the US through “The public right now is cop- International, for example, put Tieken said her views had been survey included 105 households in which a women and their partners may take ap- border crossings including Kahnawake ing with a host of negative emo- American support for torture at infl uenced by the injuries suf- woman was pregnant or was considering propriate measures to protect their fami- Mohawk and Iroquois ancestral territories. tions,” said Elizabeth Zech- about 45%, compared with 64% fered by her two step-grandsons becoming pregnant in the next year. lies,” said Gillian SteelFisher, director of The group’s reach extended to Europe meister, a Vanderbilt University in Nigeria, 66% in Kenya and while serving in the military four In those households, nearly one in four the poll and research scientist at Harvard. and South America, police said. professor who has studied the 74% in India. years ago in Afghanistan. (23%) were not aware of the association Among the general public, misconcep- The investigation, which began in 2014, link between terrorist threats and Nigeria is battling a seven- The Reuters/Ipsos poll includ- between Zika and the birth defect, mi- tions about Zika were also common, the constituted “the largest on tobacco smug- public opinion. year-old insurgency that has ed 1,976 people. It has a cred- crocephaly, in which infants are born with poll found. gling in America to date, and also in cross- “Fear, anger, general anxiety: displaced 2mn people and killed ibility interval, a measure of ac- unusually small heads. Four in 10 said they thought Zika could border crime between Canada and the US,” (Trump) gives a certain credibil- thousands, while al Shebaab curacy, of 2.5 percentage points Thousands of children in Brazil have be a danger to future pregnancies, while Quebec provincial police Captain Frederick ity to these feelings,” she said. militants have launched a series for the entire group and about 4 been born with the condition, sparking the US Centers for Disease Control and Gaudreau said in a statement. The March 22-28 online poll of deadly attacks in Kenya. In- percentage points for both Dem- alarm about a virus that today remains Prevention says Zika is believed to be a Police seized more than 52,800kg of to- asked respondents if torture can dia is fi ghting a years-old Maoist ocrats and Republicans. poorly understood by global scientists. threat only to current pregnancies. bacco and $3mn in cash during the raids. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, March 31, 2016 ASEAN

Court dismisses bid to strike out MH370 suit

Reuters Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian court yester- day dismissed a bid by Anational fl ag carrier Ma- laysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) to throw out a suit fi led by relatives of three passengers who went missing on fl ight MH370, open- ing the way for other relatives to sue the airline. MH370 disappeared on a fl ight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, with 239 passen- gers and crew on board. More than 50 suits have been fi led in the Malaysian courts over the plane’s disappearance, while others have been fi led in the US, Myanmar’s new President Htin Kyaw (centre), first Vice President Myint Swe (left) and second Vice President Henry Van Thio attend their swearing-in at union parliament in Naypyidaw. Australia, and China. The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruling is likely to come as a relief for relatives, many of whom had feared they would not be able to get compensation from Malaysia Airlines Systems (MAS) after it transferred all its assets and op- erations to MAB in a restructur- ing exercise last year. Suu Kyi aide sworn in MAB had argued that it had no liability as it was set up eight months after the aircraft disap- peared. But the court did not accept that, instead ruling that MAB’s liability would be determined in a trial, government lawyer Alice as Myanmar president Loke Yee Ching told reporters. “It was not plain and obvious AFP my ability,” the 69-year-old Muslim sentiment have fl ared in mocracy),” said NLD lawmaker that MAB is not a proper party Naypyidaw told the chamber. recent years. Aye Naing. (to the suit). That should only be In a later ceremony at the US President Barack Obama Among a smattering of NLD determined by the full trial,” she presidential palace, Thein Sein hailed an “extraordinary mo- supporters outside parliament, said. yanmar entered a new symbolically handed over to his ment” in Myanmar’s history. Yin Myint May welcomed the The suit ruled on yesterday era yesterday as Aung successor as a smiling Suu Kyi “Htin Kyaw’s inauguration handover. “It is the biggest day was fi led by two teenagers whose MSan Suu Kyi’s democ- looked on. represents a historic milestone for us,” she said. parents and older brother were racy movement took power after But the army is far from leav- in the country’s transition to a “Remember we started (the on the plane on the ill-fated 50 years of military domination, ing the political scene. The mil- democratically elected, civil- democracy fi ght) in 1990,” she fl ight. with a close aide of the Nobel itary holds a quarter of all par- ian-led government,” Obama added, referring to elections won It will be the fi rst case against laureate sworn in as president. liamentary seats and three key said in a statement. in a landslide by the NLD that the airline to be heard in Malay- Htin Kyaw, a school friend posts in the cabinet. But he warned of “signifi cant were ignored by the junta. sia, more than two years after the and confi dant of the democra- Suu Kyi, the standard-bear- challenges going forward,” in- Myanmar has witnessed a plane went missing. cy champion, succeeds former er of the fi ght for democracy, cluding on economic develop- staggering political change since The court, however, dismissed general Thein Sein, who ushered joins that same cabinet holding ment and working to securing 2011 under Thein Sein. the teenagers’ bid to also hold in reforms that transformed a clutch of positions including personal freedoms for all. Investors and tourists have the Malaysian government and Myanmar from a repressive her- foreign minister. The European Union wel- begun to pile in as much repres- two of its entities liable for the mit state to a nation full of hope. In a speech later in the day comed Htin Kyaw’s swearing in sion has eased, promising a better plane’s disappearance. As Htin Kyaw took the oath Htin Kyaw signalled the NLD as a “new important step in the future to a public who now have The family’s lawyer, Sangeet of offi ce, he hinted he would would continue its long-stated consolidation of the country’s re- access to mobile phones, cheaper Kaur Deo, told reporters the change the army-imposed con- vow to amend the constitution markable transition”. cars and other coveted consumer court had ruled that while the stitution that has excluded his to bring it up to “democratic But it added: “Many chal- goods. Hundreds of political pris- government had a duty of care friend and mentor from the top standards” -- no small order lenges remain for Myanmar to oners have been released and me- to the plaintiff s, “there was no post. Myanmar’s new president Htin Kyaw (left) and National League for given that the military’s bloc in become an inclusive, pluralistic dia censorship lifted. Most West- breach of that duty”. Suu Kyi, 70, is barred from Democracy party leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives to parliament in parliament gives it an eff ective and peaceful democracy.” ern sanctions have been rolled becoming president by the jun- Naypyidaw yesterday. veto on any such change. NLD lawmakers also have little back as a reward. ta-scripted constitution but has He gave no details. practical experience of govern- Suu Kyi’s administration must declared that she will steer the The NLD won 80% of par- Welcoming a new age of Expectations run high among ment. Some were jailed by the still maintain smooth relations government anyway. Htin Kyaw liamentary seats, giving them a full civilian government, the Myanmar’s 51mn people but the junta, including most famously with the military that locked her is expected to act as her proxy. massive public mandate to rule. bespectacled new president new government faces a steep Suu Kyi who was held under and many of her colleagues up Vietnam The handover at the junta- They are tasked with reviving pledged to be “faithful to the task. house arrest for s total of 15 years. for years. As well as their guaran- built parliament in the capital a battered economy and a soci- people of the republic of the un- Revolts still rage in ethnic But on a historic day the party teed parliamentary bloc, the junta Naypyidaw marks the fi nal act ety straitjacketed by the army, ion of Myanmar”. minority borderlands, poverty faithful were undaunted by the charter gives the army chief con- jails three of a prolonged transition since which ruled with an iron fi st be- “I will uphold and abide by is widespread and the military challenges ahead. trol over the home aff airs, border Suu Kyi’s National League for tween 1962 and the start of re- the constitution and its laws. I holds huge political and eco- “I’m really happy. I am also re- and defence ministries - and with Democracy party swept elec- forms in 2011 under Thein Sein’s will carry out my responsibili- nomic power. membering my colleagues who it sweeping powers over the civil women tions last November. quasi-civilian administration. ties uprightly and to the best of Sectarian tensions and anti- sacrifi ced for this battle (for de- service. over fl ag Russian Ousted party urges Indonesia government pushes to protest

AFP killed by Thais to reject unshackle victims of mental illness Hanoi croc while junta’s constitution Reuters ietnam jailed three wom- Serang, Indonesia en yesterday on charges Vof spreading anti-state snorkeling AFP The junta has warned it will propaganda after they waved the Bangkok not tolerate criticism of the ndonesian rice farmer Us- fl ag of the former US-backed charter in the run-up to the man has kept his 19-year- South Vietnam regime, state DPA vote, making debate all but Iold son chained in the fam- media said. Jakarta he political party top- impossible. ily’s tiny wooden hut for more A court in Ho Chi Minh City pled in Thailand’s 2014 Two opposition politicians than a month, reluctant to re- found the women guilty of carry- Tcoup urged voters yes- were detained by the military lease the mentally disturbed ing out “propaganda against the Russian tourist was found terday to reject the military’s this week for voicing criticism boy for fear he might wander socialist Republic of Vietnam,” the dead after he was appar- proposed new constitution, of the document and of the off and steal neighbours’ live- offi cial Thanh Nien newspaper re- Aently attacked by a salt- describing it as an undemo- junta. stock. ported. water crocodile while snorkeling cratic document that would The Puea Thai administra- The teenager is one of nearly The trio had waved the fl ag of in Indonesia’s West Papua prov- further entrench army rule. tion of then-Prime Minister 20,000 Indonesian victims of the former regime - defeated in ince, a rescue offi cial said yes- A panel appointed by the Yingluck Shinawatra was mental illness kept in shackles by 1975 after a bitter decades-long terday. ruling military junta unveiled dumped from offi ce in a May families and government institu- war with the communist north - The body of Sergei Vasilyev- its draft constitution on Tues- 2014 coup that brought army tions, an illegal practice President outside the US Consulate General ich was found on Tuesday near day, touting it as the solution chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha to Joko Widodo’s administration Deden, a teenager whose father says suff ers from mental illness, lives in the city. The court concluded a blue water mangrove forest in to the kingdom’s decade-long power. He has clamped down aims to stamp out by the end of chained to a tree under a shelter next to a rice paddy near his family the trio’s activities were “serious, the Raja Ampat island chain, a political crisis. on dissent with an iron fi st. 2017. “He stole buff aloes and home in Longkewang village in Serang, Banten province, Indonesia. violated national security... and popular diving and snorkeling But critics lambasted it Parties loyal to Yingluck clothes,” Usman told Reuters as caused suspicion and distrust in spot, said Prasetyo Budiarto, as divisive and a throwback and her billionaire brother he sat beside his son Deden, in medical treatment they need. 28-year-old Jumiya has spent the people about the party and the head of the local search and to the days when Thailand’s Thaksin, who was toppled as the hut in the district of Serang, “The social ministry and more than four years locked in a state,” the newspaper reported. rescue agency. “We believe he legislature was weak and con- premier in a 2006 coup, have on Indonesia’s island of Java. agencies across Indonesia rec- dark wooden shed after showing The charges fall under arti- was eaten by a crocodile be- trolled by unelected people. swept the last three elections. “We are the ones who are em- ognise that there are still a lot of signs of a mental disorder fol- cle 88 of the communist coun- cause we had to chase away a In a statement the Puea But they are loathed by the barrassed, so I chained him up in such cases, so we are determined lowing her return from a job in try’s criminal code, which crocodile before retrieving his Thai Party told supporters to Bangkok elite who are deter- case he disturbs the neighbours.” to end the shackling practice by Syria, her family said. rights groups say is one of many body,” Prasetyo said. “His left vote against the charter dur- mined to see them never re- Usman lets a doctor give his December 2017,” said Social Af- “People spend years locked up vaguely worded provisions used hand was severed and his left ing a planned referendum on turn to power. son a medical check-up every fairs Minister Khofi fah Indar in chains, wooden stocks, or goat to pursue regime critics. thigh had a gaping wound.” August 7. If the charter is ratifi ed, it two weeks, but says he will not Parawansa. sheds because families don’t One of the women was handed Vasilyevich’s friends made a “(The party) will not ac- will perpetuate the military’s free the boy until he is “more The world’s fourth most pop- know what else to do, and the a four-year jail term, while the missing person report on Sat- cept a charter in which real infl uence. stable”. ulous nation has outlawed such government doesn’t do a good others were sentenced to three urday after he failed to return power does not belong to the A junta-appointed sen- In a programme launched this shackling for decades but the job of off ering humane alterna- years each. to his homestay, he said. people,” Puea Thai said in the ate would check the powers year, Indonesia sends teams of practice continues, particularly tives,” said Kriti Sharma, the Communist Vietnam is rou- Saltwater crocodiles can be statement, putting it on a col- of lawmakers for a fi ve-year workers into often-remote ham- in poor areas. author of a report on the issue tinely criticised for its intoler- found in mangrove swamps and lision course with the gener- transitional period following lets to help free patients kept in In the village of Jambu, published this month by Human ance of dissent and regularly estuaries. als. fresh elections. chains and ensure they get the 80km from the capital, Jakarta, Rights Watch. prosecutes regime critics. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 19 AUSTRALASIA/EAST ASIA British ‘invaded’ Australia, China rejects say university guidelines

AFP tory from the shores of Eng- people were in Australia long sector organisations and it is Sydney land rather than the shores of before Captain Cook arrived, absolutely appropriate for stu- Australia,” the guide says. making it impossible for him to dents and staff to have such a But the university rejected “discover” the country. resource available,” it added. worry over anguage guidelines that the idea that it was dictating “Most Aboriginal people fi nd The guidelines were blasted advise students to de- what language could be used by the use of the word ‘discovery’ by The Daily Telegraph tabloid Lscribe British explorer students. off ensive,” it added. as a “whitewash”, a reaction James Cook’s arrival in Sydney “The guide does not mandate The guide likewise says it is that indigenous historian Jackie as an “invasion” rather than a what language can be used,” it said more appropriate to describe Huggins said was disappointing. “settlement” were defended by in a statement, adding that it of- the arrival of British ships in “We know this country has an Australian university yester- fered a range of examples of more Australia using terms other a colonial history and that cer- day, denying it was rewriting and less appropriate language. than “settlement”. tainly has been characterised web rules history to be politically correct. “For example the guide sug- The university said students by a devastating land dispos- The University of New South gests referring to Captain Cook were always encouraged to form session, violence and unapolo- Reuters cessing the related Internet con- is not being too restrictive. Of- Wales (UNSW) Indigenous Ter- as the fi rst Englishman to map their own opinions and to sug- getic racism as well,” she told Beijing tent and do not aff ect the normal fi cials say controls help maintain minology guide says that Aus- the continent’s East Coast is gest that the guide would sti- the Australian Broadcasting development of business for social stability and national se- tralia was “invaded, occupied ‘more appropriate’ than re- fl e open debate was “plainly Corporation. overseas companies in China,” it curity in the face of threats such and colonised”. ferring to his “discovery” of wrong”. “We cannot deny our his- hina’s technology regula- said in an e-mail. as terrorism. “Describing the arrival of the Australia.” “Terminology guides such as tory. It’s a history that’s never tor has rejected criticism Authorities often issue pre- They have also suggested con- Europeans as a ‘settlement’ at- The guide notes that Aborig- this are commonplace across fully been taught to us in our Cof proposed Internet liminary laws and regulations for trols provide a good framework tempts to view Australian his- inal and Torres Strait Islander universities and many public country.” rules that could block access to comment though it is not clear if to nurture domestic Internet foreign websites, saying there regulators will incorporate pub- fi rms. was misunderstanding about lic feedback in fi nal drafting. The But experts say the rules HK to limit what some people see as a way to ministry said it would “earnestly would enhance China’s ability tighten control over cyberspace. study” feedback. to censor, and allow it to target Abe leaves for US inoculations for Experts have said the draft Some of China’s biggest web- sites that are hosted on Chinese children regulations, like many laws in sites including Alibaba Group servers but have registered their China, could be interpreted Holding’s Taobao and Tmall, domain names overseas, where Hong Kong is to limit the number broadly and, in extreme cases, Baidu Inc’s search engine, they cannot be completely shut of non-resident children getting could give authorities the power JD.com Inc’s shopping site and down by Beijing. vaccinations at government to shut off access to all websites the Sohu.com Inc news portal “The draft rules aim to ensure clinics, after an illegal vaccine that have not registered their are registered overseas, accord- that content hosted on Chinese scandal in mainland China raised web addresses in the country. ing to the www.whois.net site, servers is accessed through a fears some families would come The Ministry of Industry and which provides information on domain name managed by a to the city for inoculations and Information Technology said the registration of websites. Chinese registration service put pressure on supplies. in its proposed revisions to do- “We are closely examining the provider,” said Rogier Creem- From tomorrow, Hong Kong’s main name management regu- draft regulation and will pro- ers, a lecturer in China’s politics Maternal and Child Health lations Chinese websites must vide appropriate input,” a Baidu and history at the University of Centres will only accept 120 new use domestic domain registra- spokesman told Reuters. Oxford. “This points to an in- non-resident children a month. tion services or risk being cut off A JD.com spokesman said the creased level of control.” Non-resident children will only in China and facing fi nes up to company was studying the draft Foreign business groups have be able to book an appointment 30,000 yuan ($4,600). but believed the rules would not criticised Internet restrictions when there is spare capacity and “Internet service providers have an impact on its business. as limiting opportunities for will have to pay a higher fee. must not provide network access Alibaba and Sohu declined to overseas fi rms and stifl ing in- “The government’s policy is to services for domain names con- comment. novation. accord priority to local children,” nected to the domestic network China has long operated the James Zimmerman, chair- Hong Kong’s Assistant Director but which are not managed by world’s most sophisticated on- man of the American Chamber of Health for Family and Elderly domestic domain name registra- line censorship mechanism, of Commerce in China, said the Health Services, Teresa Li, said in tion service bodies,” the ministry known as the Great Firewall. The proposals were vague, ambigu- a statement. said in a draft of the rules posted websites for Google’s services, ous, subject to broad interpreta- “We will closely monitor the on its website last week. Facebook and Twitter are all in- tion and would slow commerce utilisation of services by (non- The ministry told Reuters accessible in China. and isolate China technologi- resident children) and may adjust yesterday there was “misunder- Under President Xi Jinping, cally. the quota or withhold new case standing” about the regulations the government has implement- “At a minimum, the regula- bookings.” which “did not fundamentally ed an unprecedented increase in tions would create additional Mainland Chinese authorities confl ict” with global practices. Internet control, and sought to challenges for both foreign and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe waves as he departs from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport said this month a mother and The rules “do not involve codify the policy within the law. domestic companies,” he said in yesterday. Abe set off on a five-day trip to the US to attend the Nuclear Security Summit in daughter had illegally traded websites that are accessed over- China’s top Internet regulator, an email. Washington. nearly $90mn worth of vaccines seas, do not aff ect users from ac- Lu Wei, has said the government and sold them on to hundreds of re-sellers around the country, prompting an outcry from parents and political leaders. The vaccines, which police said were made by licensed China US will not recognise S China Sea exclusion zone producers, were not kept refrigerated, meaning they could be ineff ective. jails ally Reuters brought by the Philippines South China Sea, through tion and not force or coercion,” China Sea through its freedom Hong Kong would order Washington against China over its South which more than $5 trillion in he said. of navigation patrols in the re- additional vaccine supplies if China Sea claims could prompt global trade passes every year. Work spoke as Chinese Pres- gion and the expansion of mili- needed, another spokeswoman of former Beijing to declare an air defense “We don’t believe they have ident Xi Jinping prepared to tary alliances with countries there said. he United States has told identifi cation zone, or ADIZ, in a basis in international law, and visit Washington for a nuclear such as the Philippines. The Macau government said China it will not recog- the region, as it did in the East we’ve said over and over (that) security summit this week. In February, Chinese For- in a statement on Tuesday that security Tnise an exclusion zone in China Sea in 2013. we will fl y, sail and go wherever The United States has ac- eign Minister Wang Yi said only Macau residents were the South China Sea and would Work told an event hosted by international law allows,” Work cused China of raising tensions his country’s South China Sea entitled to free vaccinations and view such a move as “desta- the Washington Post that the said. in the South China Sea by its military deployments were no government-procured routine chief bilising,” US Deputy Secretary United States would not rec- “We have spoken quite apparent deployment of sur- diff erent from US deployments vaccinations would not be given of Defence Robert Work said ognize such an exclusion zone plainly to our Chinese coun- face-to-air missiles on a dis- on Hawaii. to visitors. yesterday. in the South China Sea, just terparts and said that we think puted island, a move China has Tensions between China and Hong Kong, a free-wheeling Reuters US offi cials have expressed as it did not recognise the one an ADIZ would be destabilis- neither confi rmed nor denied. its neighbours over sovereignty financial hub and former British Beijing concern that an interna- China established in the East ing. We would prefer that all of China, for its part, has re- in the South China Sea have risen colony, returned to Chinese tional court ruling expected China Sea. the claims in the South China peatedly accused the United after Beijing embarked on recla- rule in 1997 with wide-ranging in the coming weeks on a case China claims most of the Sea be handled through media- States of militarizing the South mations on disputed islands. autonomy. former deputy governor of China’s southern prov- Aince of Hainan has been Men charged over sentenced to 12 years in prison for corruption, the offi cial Xin- Flavour of the season bongo chilli assault hua news agency said yesterday. Two men who allegedly forced China warns Taiwan Ji Wenlin was a one-time ally of a teenager to eat red-hot bongo Zhou Yongkang, the country’s once- chillies have been charged with powerful domestic security boss, who assault in New Zealand. over proposed new law was felled by President Xi Jinping’s Police did not detail the alleged anti-corruption campaign. crimes but the victim, an 18-year- Xi has warned that rampant old who cannot be named for Reuters play of anti-China sentiment corruption threatens the sur- legal reasons, recounted his Beijing in Taiwan in years. vival of the ruling Communist ordeal to Fairfax New Zealand The DPP is proposing Tai- Party and has waged a campaign earlier this month. wan’s parliament fi rst passes a against graft in the past three He claimed a group of men assaulted he Chinese government so-called cross-Taiwan Strait years that has swept up scores of him in a basement after an argument warned Taiwan yester- supervision law before it will senior offi cials in the party, the over a prank telephone call, Tday that the passage of consider agreeing to the trade government, the military and punching him and forcing him to eat a proposed new law govern- pact. state-owned companies. bongo chilli peppers. ing relations between the two China is worried that the Investigators began looking into The chillies, cultivated in Fiji, could seriously damage the law would stymie future Ji’s activities as early as 2014, Xin- reportedly measure 100,000- basis for talks, and that Bei- agreements with Taiwan. hua said, adding that he used his 350,000 Scoville heat units, jing opposed any obstacles to Asked about the law, a position to seek benefi ts, including compared to 3,500-8,000 for a developing ties. spokesman for China’s Taiwan investments for several companies, jalapeño. China has looked on with Aff airs Offi ce said the basis for illegally obtaining 20.4mn yuan The youth said he ate one but suspicion at Taiwan since talks between the two sides ($3.2mn) in assets and bribes. could not finish a second and was Tsai Ing-wen and her pro- should not be damaged. Ji’s offi cial biography says he punished with a punch in the head. independence Democratic “Anything that damages the worked under Zhou when the A woman pushing a wheelbarrow full of strawberries along a street in Beijing yesterday. “My insides were hurting, Progressive Party (DPP) won basis for consultations and latter was the party boss of the sweating, and I couldn’t see presidential and parliamenta- negotiations between the two southwestern Sichuan province anything or even talk properly,” ry elections in January on the sides of the strait, interferes in and the public security minister, he said. back of a wave of anti-China or impedes relevant progress among other posts. Zhou was “Everyone was just laughing and sentiment. or puts up man-made blocks jailed for life last June. Several key watching.” In 2014, hundreds of stu- on the development of ties, Zhou allies have been ensnared in He said a man then pulled dents occupied Taiwan’s par- we will resolutely oppose,” the anti-graft campaign, includ- Approval for Fukushima’s ice wall down his pants and grabbed liament for weeks in protests spokesman An Fengshan said ing Jiang Jiemin, the former top his genitals. Police launched an nicknamed the Sunfl ower at a regular briefi ng. regulator of state-owned assets. investigation after he told his Movement, demanding more He did not elaborate. In another report, Xinhua said IANS After several delays, the extreme care, and with all neces- mother about the alleged sexual transparency and fearful of The trade deal has stalled in the trial of a former senior offi cial Tokyo plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric sary details (for follow-up),” said assault the next day. China’s growing economic Taiwan’s parliament, although who had vigorously backed Xi’s Power Company (Tepco), today NRA president Shunichi Tanaka Two men, aged 24 and 29, were due and political infl uence on the the manner in which the self- anti-graft campaign had begun. will be able to begin the process at the end of a meeting yesterday. to appear in Hamilton District Court democratic island. ruled island moves forward in Wang Min, the one-time apan’s Nuclear Regulation of freezing the ground around NRA had wanted to analyse this in the North Island, acting detective The protests over the 2013 the current February-to-May Communist Party boss of Jinan Authority (NRA) yesterday the buildings that housed the project, originally raised in 2013, Sergeant Paul Van der Zee said. Cross-Strait Service Trade session will be seen as a sign city, about 300 km (185 miles) Japproved the use of an under- four reactors that were most af- to certify that Tepco, which has “The off enders have been Agreement, which aimed to of how Tsai will steer Taiwan- south of the capital, Beijing, is ground “wall of ice” at the de- fected by the earthquake and a long history of negligence, can charged with injuring with intent open up investment from China ties. suspected of procuring property stroyed Fukushima nuclear plant to tsunami of March 11, 2011. “This properly manage the system with- to injure, common assault and both sides in industries such China’s trade minister last and other favours for companies, help contain spills of contaminated operation is a challenge, and it out causing additional leaks of ra- indecent assault,” he said in as banking, healthcare, and month urged Taiwan to pass and of taking bribes. water into the Pacifi c Ocean. is necessary to carry it out with dioactive water in the facilities. statement. tourism, were the largest dis- the trade pact. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, March 31, 2016 BRITAIN EU court clears UK in Menezes shooting

Reuters Strasbourg, France

urope’s top human rights court ruled yesterday Ethat British prosecutors were right not to charge police offi cers involved in the shoot- Jean Charles de Menezes ing 11 years ago of a Brazilian parents in the village of electrician they thought was a Gonzaga, Minas Gerais, Brazil. suicide bomber. Jean Charles de Menezes was investigation, a prosecutor shot seven times in the head had considered all the facts of by specialist fi rearms offi cers the case and concluded that as he boarded an underground there was insuffi cient evidence train at Stockwell station in against any individual offi cer south London on July 22, 2005. to prosecute.” He was killed the day af- In 2007, the Metropoli- ter four Islamist militants had tan Police as an organisation unsuccessfully tried to bomb was found guilty of breach- the British capital’s transport ing health and safety laws and network, and police wrongly fi ned £175,000 ($270,130), af- thought he was Hussein Os- ter the court heard it had made man, one of the attackers on “shocking and catastrophic” Zac Goldsmith the run. blunders. British security services Lawyers for the British gov- were on a high state of alert ernment told the European anyway as two weeks earlier Court of Human Rights last four young British Muslims June that the death could have had killed 52 people and them- been prevented and was the re- selves in bombings on three sult of serious operational fail- underground trains and a bus ures by police, but said the kill- in the most deadly peacetime ing did not amount to murder. attack in Britain. The family argued that Mayor rivals clash on Despite repeated demands prosecutors were wrong not from de Menezes’s family that to charge any individuals, and the offi cers involved or their that the health and safety of- superiors should be charged, fence was an inadequate pun- prosecutors said there was not ishment. enough evidence to take action “For 10 years our fam- against any individuals. ily has been campaigning for “The decision not to pros- justice for Jean because we fares and ‘TfL waste’ ecute any individual offi cer believe that police offi cers was not due to any failings in should have been held to ac- Both candidates are digging dirt on However, Khan then found £310,000 the investigation or the State’s count for his killing,” Patricia each other worth of donations to him or his local tolerance of or collusion in un- Armani Da Silva, de Men- party under scrutiny, including £149,000 lawful acts,” the court said in ezes’s cousin, said in a state- Evening Standard from trade unions. its ruling. ment last June. London The furore began when Labour MP Neil “Rather, it was due to the “Jean’s death is a pain that Coyle made a formal complaint after spot- fact that, following a thorough never goes away for us.” ting that Goldsmith had reported a batch ac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan of old donations, adding up to £120,000 clashed over fares yesterday as the over several years, on the Register of Mem- ZTory candidate for mayor said a ber’s Interests last June. freeze would endanger plans for 270,000 They included two gifts dating to 2010: new homes, while his Labour rival accused £5,500 from his mother and £1,800 from ‘IS’ fl ag spotted transport chiefs of presiding over “waste, his half-brother. excess and ineffi ciency”. £310,000 worth of donations to Sadiq The showdown came over the crucial Khan is under scrutiny. in Hackney battleground of an alleged “black hole” in Both had been declared on the Electoral Khan’s transport plans, arising from his Commission’s register of donations, but promise to hold down Tube and bus fares not on the separate Register of Member’s Evening Standard words “HACKNEY IS FASH- for four years. Interests at Westminster. London ION”, according to the Hack- It began with Goldsmith launching his Standards commissioner Kathryn Hud- ney Walk development’s strat- transport manifesto in Ilford this morn- son has now launched an inquiry into egy director Andrew Sissons. ing, with a claim that a fares freeze would whether Goldsmith broke rules by failing black fl ag bearing the Following the backlash, he divert £1.9bn from investment and could Sadiq Khan to declare the gifts within 28 days. letters ‘IS’ which was told the Standard the fl ags cause the cancellation of vital new rail Coyle welcomed the probe, saying: Aspotted in Hackney IS were installed over a year ago lines linked to growth and homes, in- Transport for London budget. workers, saying: “It’s simply not accept- “There shouldn’t be one rule for the to be ‘updated’ after a social and are soon to be updated. cluding the Barking Riverside develop- He scorned Khan’s claim that he could able.” former non-dom and another for everyone media backlash, the market- In a statement, Sissons ment. fi nd risk-free savings, saying: “His union Khan’s controversial pledge of a fares else.” But his words rebounded when the ing team behind it said yes- said: “There is a sequence of Minutes later, Khan used a speech in paymasters will never allow him to make freeze has seen him at odds with TfL of- Tories unearthed records of donations to terday. 18 banners running along the Brixton to hit back with a stinging assault tough decisions.” fi cials. Khan that appeared to be either registered A banner outside Tesco in lamp posts on Morning Lane on “bloated” Transport for London, ac- He also mocked Khan for using “David In January, transport commissioner late or not at all. Morning Lane was widely which were installed over a cusing it of a “culture of excess” and im- Brent corporate speak about ‘sweating the Mike Brown confi rmed that it would cost Tory MP Paul Scully, in a letter to Ms criticised as resembling prop- year ago and are due to be up- plying there was plenty of room to cover assets’”. £1.9bn, allowing the Tories to allege a fi - Hudson, said: “There appear to be serious aganda for terror group Islam- dated shortly. the lower fi gure of £450mn that he claims Khan replied with a list of targets for a nancial black hole in Labour’s plans. Ear- omissions and irregularities.” He high- ic State after a picture of it was “They are designed to pro- a freeze would cost. “crackdown on waste and ineffi ciency” at lier this month, however, he conceded it lighted a £60,000 gift from Unite. posted on social media. mote Hackney as a fashion The skirmish treated Londoners to the TfL and said there would be an external was “legitimate” for Labour to use a dif- Khan’s spokesman said 20 gifts were It has now emerged that the district. The banner in ques- sight of the mayoral frontrunners engag- root and branch review of its structures ferent calculation. donated after the deadline, mostly by a fl ag was put up to advertise tion is one of a series of three ing in political cross-dressing, with the and functions and a “forensic review” An attack on Zac Goldsmith for fail- few days, but denied union donations to the Hackney Walk develop- which clearly reads ‘Hackney Conservative candidate arguing for higher of its business plan to weed out “vanity ing to declare donations in the Commons his Tooting constituency party had to be ment – a new fashion hub Is Fashion’. investment and Labour’s one demanding projects”. backfi red when Sadiq Khan was accused of listed under the rules. built in recommissioned rail- “Unfortunately, one person effi ciency savings. “I’ll be the bus driver’s son who makes having a worse record. He added: “This is desperate stuff from way arches, which is due to has photographed one of the Goldsmith stepped up his attack by commuting more aff ordable,” he said. Goldsmith admitted he may have bro- the Tories, who are trying to distract at- open next month. banners in isolation.” estimating that 270,000 extra homes He criticised TfL for paying 450 staff ken Westminster rules by registering tention from the fact that Zac Goldsmith The black “IS” banner with The fl ag had sparked criti- and 250,000 new jobs were reliant more than £100,000 a year and spending £120,000 worth of campaign gifts after is once again facing an offi cial probe into white lettering is part of a cism after pictures were post- on transport schemes funded by the £383mn a year on consultants and agency the deadline. his campaigns.” sequence that spells out the ed online. Brit who took grinning snap with hijacker speaks out

Evening Standard Speaking to The Sun, Innes said of the pho- down the stairs of the plane, with another escap- London tograph: “I’m not sure why I did it, I just threw ing through a cockpit window before they were caution to the wind while trying to stay cheerful led away by security offi cers. in the face of adversity. EgyptAir said Cypriot authorities at the air- British passenger who posed for a photo “I fi gured if his bomb was real I’d nothing lose port had confi rmed “the explosive belt that the with the EgyptAir hijacker during a six- anyway, so took a chance to get a closer look at it. hijacker allegedly said that he was wearing is Ahour standoff has hailed “the best selfi e “I got one of the cabin crew to translate for me fake”. ever”. and asked him if I could do a selfi e with him. Offi cials said early on the hijacking was not an Health and safety expert Ben Innes, 26, posed “He just shrugged OK so I stood by him and act of terrorism, and later that the man appeared grinning for a snap with Seif Eldin Mustafa as he smiled for the camera while a stewardess did the to be psychologically unstable. was held hostage on a plane in Cyprus. snap. It has to be the best selfi e ever.” The man was said to have initially asked to He was one of four Britons on the jet when it He is said to have approached Mustafa while speak with his Cypriot ex-wife, who police was forced to divert to Cyprus by a man wearing being held hostage on the tarmac, and sent the brought to the airport. a fake suicide belt. photograph to one of his fl atmates as well as At one point he demanded the release of wom- The plane was carrying at least 55 passengers, other friends. en held in Egyptian prisons, but he then dropped including 26 foreigners, on a domestic fl ight A foreign offi ce spokeswoman said cialsoffi the demand and made others. from Alexandria to Cairo. were providing consular support to four British An official at Egypt’s ministry of foreign af- After posing for the photo, Innes was later seen nationals who were on board. fairs said: “He’s not a terrorist, he’s an idiot. running across tarmac at Larnaca airport as Mustafa The alleged hijacker was arrested minutes af- Terrorists are crazy but they aren’t stupid. This disembarked the plane and surrendered to police. ter some of those being held were seen walking guy is.” Ben Innes, right, with Seif Eldin Mustafa. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 21 BRITAIN Sex attacks like those in Cologne ‘likely’

Evening Standard lems in this country. London “But to me, if you allow the unlimited access of huge num- bers of young males into the igel Farage has claimed European continent who come Cologne-style mass sex from countries where women Nattacks could happen in are at best are second class Britain if it stays in the Euro- citizens, don’t be surprised if pean Union. scenes that we saw in Cologne The Ukip leader told a 500- don’t happen more often.” plus crowd at a pro-Brexit rally Dressed in a purple suit and that German Chancellor Ange- luminous green tie, Farage took la Merkel had made a big mis- to the stage in a marquee at the take in lifting restrictions on Rodney Parade stadium to a Syrian refugees last summer. standing ovation before draw- Public support for asylum ing laughs from the crowd after seekers in Germany has fallen mocking pro-EU campaigners following allegations that hun- as “Remainions”. dreds of women were groped, He accused prime minister robbed and intimated at Co- David Cameron of scaremon- logne’s central station on New gering over what would happen Year’s Eve. to the UK if it left the EU before Speaking at the cross-party calling George Osborne the Grassroots Out event, in New- “worst Chancellor in modern port, South Wales, Farage said: times”. British opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives at the Tata sports and social club to meet with union representatives and Tata steel workers. “We’ve been through a hun- More than 100 women and dred years of female emancipa- girls claimed they were sub- tion and liberation ... and now jected to sex assaults and rob- the mistakes of Mrs Merkel are beries by gangs of men in Co- now threatening all of that. logne on New Year’s Eve. “What we saw outside that It was claimed that men car- train station in Cologne on New ried out dozens of attacks with Year’s Eve was truly and genu- little or no response from au- inely shocking. thorities. The attacks sparked Corbyn is accused of “I am not saying that we are a major debate in Germany over not immune from such prob- the country’s migration policy.

‘supporting’ terrorists Single parents Corbyn’s past actions are under The leader would not comment today tempting to scrutinise tonight is the proc- scrutiny but at the time Corbyn said in a Commons ess, the thinking and the procedure behind ‘locked out of work’ debate that proscription of Al Qaeda and this type of proscription. Evening Standard other groups was “causing a great deal of “The history of Britain’s withdrawal London disquiet in the Islamic, Turkish and Tamil from empire is littered with groups that by childcare costs communities.” were described as terrorists, but survived He said some of the 21 organisations to take tea with the Queen.” n Ex-Labour home secretary yes- were engaged in ceasefi res in their own As well as Al Qaeda, the 2001 vote also Evening Standard terday launched a devastating at- countries and “the search for long-lasting proscribed Hezbollah and Hamas, whose London Atack on Jeremy Corbyn and his top peace”. members Corbyn has since referred to as shadow cabinet lieutenants, accusing Former home secretary Charles Clarke A spokesperson for McDonnell said “friends”. them of giving “tacit support” to Al Qaeda. today that he voted against the measure The Labour leader also caused contro- he high cost of childcare Charles Clarke said the failure of the scribe lightly, but only on the basis of a because it meant another group, the Sikh versy when he described the death of Bin in London is leading to Labour leader and his key frontbench sup- very considered assessment.” Youth Federation, was proscribed. Laden as “yet another tragedy”. Tsingle parents being porters to back offi cially listing Al Qaeda Straw added: “The power to proscribe He added: “John had many members of The three Labour fi gures voted against “locked out” of work, a study as a terror group just six months before terrorist organisations was and is ex- the Sikh community in his constituency the proscription of Al Qaeda despite it has revealed. Single parents in London are 9/11 had given eff ective backing to the ex- tremely important. who were members of the group and were having already been responsible for killing Thousands are unable to being ‘locked out’ of work. tremists. “Without it terrorist organisations rightly shocked to be on such a list. two people in a 1992 Yemeni hotel bomb- work full time due to childcare Another former Labour home secretary could get funds and canvass support with “There was no way the list could be ing, six in the 1993 World Trade Centre costs, which are more than a fordable is essential for sup- Jack Straw said proscribing Al Qaeda had impunity.” amended. It was a take it or leave it vote. bombing and more than 200 people in US third higher than other parts porting more single parents been critical to stopping Osama bin Laden It was six months before Al Qaeda fl ew “And if anything John has subsequently embassy bombings in 1998. of the country, research by the back into the jobs market and killing more innocent people. jets into New York’s World Trade Centre been proved to be right in the end by the A year before the Commons vote on charity Gingerbread found. ensuring that it pays to work. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell buildings, killing almost 3,000 people, fact that this government’s recent review proscription, Al Qaeda also killed 17 US One in six single parents are Not least because work is still and shadow development secretary Diane that Straw and Clarke asked parliament to has lifted this unjust ban on the [Sikh] sailors when it bombed the USS Cole as it under employed as a result and deemed to be the best route Abbott were also among those who failed proscribe it along with 20 other groups. group.” was docked in Yemen. the problem is not being ad- out of poverty. to back proscribing Al Qaeda, despite the It meant it would become a criminal of- In 2001, Labour minister Lord Bassam Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said it showed dress by the government, the “Our analysis shows that group having already slaughtered scores of fence carrying a possible ten year prison said the Sikh group was involved in “as- that “Labour are a serious risk to our na- charity warned. supporting single parents into people in other attacks. sentence to be a member of Al Qaeda or sassinations, bombings and kidnappings”. tional security”. The research also showed work not only benefi ts families, Clarke told the Standard: “It must have raise money, promote or arrange its meet- When his Tory successor Lord Bates lifted In a 2001 debate before the vote Abbot that half of single parents in but also the Exchequer. A 5 per given comfort to the proscribed organisa- ings. the ban on the group this year, he said it said: “While no one denies the atrocities the capital are forced to bor- cent increase in single parents’ tions that people like Jeremy Corbyn, Di- Of the 413 MPs who voted on the statu- was clear it was “concerned in terrorism” perpetrated by some groups on the list, row money to pay to have their employment rate could gener- ane Abbott and John McDonnell were giv- tory instrument listing Al Qaeda, just 17 at the time of proscription. what we are attempting to scrutinise to- children looked after while they ate £436mn a year as a result ing them tacit support.” opposed the move. The Standard contacted Abbott about night is the process, the thinking and the work. of increased tax revenue and He went on: “Proscription was and is a They included Islington North MP Cor- the vote but she had made no response to procedure behind this type of proscription. A single parent in London reduced benefi ts. very important weapon against those or- byn and his two main future shadow cabi- the story this morning. “The history of Britain’s withdrawal will spend half their income, “This scheme would also ganisations which are trying to attack us net backers, the Hayes and Harlington MP In a 2001 debate before she said: “While from empire is littered with groups that after housing costs, on a nurs- provide a much-needed leg-up and our society. McDonnell and Hackney North and Stoke no one denies the atrocities perpetrated by were described as terrorists, but survived ery place for a child under the for the thousands of pre-school “We never took any decision to pro- Newington MP Abbott. some groups on the list, what we are at- to take tea with the Queen.” age of two. parents working in London. Gingerbread called on Lon- “We’re calling on Mayoral don Mayoral candidates to candidates to support Gin- commit to supporting its cam- gerbread’s plan and plug a gap paign to help parents fi nd work. that’s currently not being ad- Chief executive Fiona Weir dressed by any level of govern- Man stabbed ‘over £120 debt’ said: “Making childcare af- ment or agency.”

Evening Standard argument with one other person at fi rst The Met Police said detectives from the London then a car pulled with three people in and Homicide and Major Crime Command are they got angry. He tried to defend himself investigating. No arrests have been made. 12 lambs dead after but they beat him up and then slashed him A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on man was stabbed to death by a mob across the chest.” suspicion of murder after a man was found in front of his screaming girlfriend A friend said: “I can’t believe it, I grew stabbed to death. shooting spree Aon a leafy suburban street. up with him. His girlfriend was there, it’s Hassan Abdi Mohamed, 48, from Har- The victim was surounded by the group so bad. He was such a nice guy, he was low, Essex, was found collapsed on a path of men and knifed on a tree-lined avenue never armed himself.” in the town on March 5. Evening Standard said: “This is a sickening and in North Finchley where houses sell for The victim had turned up in an Audi car. He had been stabbed and later died of London thoughtless act of violence £1mn. A friend who was also with them phoned his injuries. against animals, which has The man, named by friends as Ali Nasro, for help as the incident unfolded. Essex Police said the 15-year-old, from caused outrage amongst the was cradled by his girlfriend who cried “I Another resident said: “One woman north London, was arrested in Holloway ambs were killed in a sec- farming community across the love you” as he lay dying in the middle of One witness said: “You could hear tried to revive him and then all of a sud- on Tuesday on suspicion of murder and ond shooting spree at region and beyond. the road. shouting. They were saying ‘you were den there were several paramedics all possession of class A drugs. Lnearby farms within the “Both incidents have caused Witnesses who tried to revive him yes- supposed to give me my £120, ‘why didn’t around him trying to revive him as he lay An 18-year-old, also from north Lon- last week, police have said. distress and outrage not only terday told how he was involved in a row you bring my £120?’ on the fl oor. He wasn’t moving and they don, was previously arrested on suspicion Offi cers were called to Cherry in our local communities, but with a man over £120 just minutes before “Then three men turned up in a car and had removed his top so they could work of murder and remains on police bail. Tree Lodge Farm in Crow Tree across South Yorkshire. a car with three more people pulled up and they all got into an argument. One of them on him.” A man has been arrested after two peo- Bank, Doncaster, South York- “It is simply intolerable and I ambushed him. then slashed him across the chest. A friend of the victim took to Twit- ple were found dead at a home in Kent. shire, and found six lambs dead want to reassure the local com- He was beaten up before being slashed “I ran out with tea towels and tried to ter this morning to express her shock and Two others are in hospital following an and a further six which had suf- munity that we are determined across the chest in front of his girlfriend save him by putting pressure on his chest sadness at his death. “altercation” at the property in Canter- fered injuries so serious that to fi nd those responsible. who was sitting waiting for him in their car wound. By this time his girlfriend had got She wrote: “RIP Ali Nasro. Gone but not bury, police said. they had to be put down. “I understand that people will parked just yards from the scene on Wood- out of the car when she saw him staggering forgotten. Offi cers were called to the home in Two ewes were also hurt in be concerned and we are explor- side Grange Road. away, and was just screaming and scream- “22 years, young man. This is an unfair Dickens Avenue at 7.39pm on Tuesday. the shooting, thought to have ing a number of lines of inquiry The 22-year-old victim, believed to be ing ‘they have stabbed him’, and while he world.” Police said it is believed the victims and happened overnight. to confi rm that these incidents from Hatch End, north west London, was was on the fl oor she was screaming ‘Ali I Paramedics battled to save him before the man in custody were known to each Another six lambs were killed are linked. seen staggering from the entrance of an love you, I love you Ali’. rushing him to a central London hospital other. and two more had to be put down “We must keep an open mind alleyway off the street before collapsing in “She was praying there on the fl oor next where he was pronounced dead soon after Offi cers from the Kent and Essex Seri- following a shooting last week at in this early stage of the inves- the car park. to him while he was in and out of con- arrival. ous Crime Directorate are investigating. Stoupers Gate Farm, which is tigation and this is where any The killing, yesterday afternoon at sciousness. It was terrible. I couldn’t sleep A devastated family member visited the They are yet to identify the dead peo- near Hatfi eld, Doncaster. information that you hold, how- about 2.40pm, was opposite a children’s last night, all I can see is his face.” scene last night, paying silent tribute for a ple and are in the process of informing the Inspector Mark Payling, ever small, could prove signifi - nursery. The witness added: “He was having the few minutes before leaving in tears. next of kin. from the local policing team, cant to fi nding out who did this.” Gulf Times 22 Thursday, March 31, 2016 EUROPE Cyprus remands Migrant arrivals to man accused of plane hijacking

AFP/DPA cockpit window and dropping Larnaca to the ground. Greece rise sharply Among them was a 26-year- old British man, Ben Innes, Reuters journey from Turkey on small he man accused of hi- who asked crew to snap a selfi e Athens rubber boats even more danger- jacking an Egyptian of him with Mostafa that has ous than usual. Tplane and diverting it to been widely shared on social Under the agreement in eff ect Cyprus has said he acted out media. igrant and refugee ar- since March 20, migrants and of desperation to see his ex- The image features a grin- rivals to Greece from refugees who arrive in Greece wife and children, as he was ning Innes standing next to MTurkey rose sharply from Turkey will be subject to remanded into custody yester- Mostafa, with what appears to yesterday, just over a week after being sent back once they have day. be a rudimentary suicide vest the European Union and Turkey been registered and their indi- A judge in Larnaca on the is- strapped to his chest. struck an agreement intended to vidual asylum claim processed. land’s southern coast ordered “I fi gured if his bomb was cut off the fl ow and as hundreds Returns are due to begin from Egyptian Seif al-Din Mohamed real I’d nothing to lose anyway, marched through central Athens April 4, and for each Syrian re- Mostafa held for eight days so took a chance to get a closer to protest that deal. turned from the Greek islands to during his fi rst court appear- look at it,” Innes, a health and The demonstrators included Turkey, one will be sent the other ance after Tuesday’s hijacking. safety auditor from Leeds in human rights activists, students way for direct resettlement in The Egyptian state prosecu- northern England, told Brit- and migrants from among the Europe. tor’s offi ce said it had asked for ain’s The Sun newspaper. thousands stranded in Greece by Human rights groups and Mostafa, 58, to be remanded “So I stood by him and recent border closures across the some governments have ex- into its custody under a 1996 smiled for the camera while a Balkans. pressed concerns about the le- bilateral extradition treaty. stewardess did the snap. It has Greek authorities recorded gality of the scheme. Egyptian police have alleged to be the best selfi e ever,” he 766 new arrivals between Tues- “We should be under no illu- that Mostafa had a criminal said. day morning and yesterday sion that the EU-Turkey deal will record for forgery and was also As it became clear on Tues- morning, up from 192 the previ- bring an end to the refugee cri- suspected in a number of fraud, day that the hijacker was trying ous day. sis,” Jane Waterman, of aid group theft and narcotics cases. to contact his ex-wife and was Most entered the country via International Rescue Commit- Mostafa is accused of forcing likely not a real danger, Egyp- the northeastern Aegean island tee, said yesterday. the Alexandria-to-Cairo fl ight tians also took to social media of Lesbos. Following the Balkan border Migrants and refugees rest at the passenger terminal at the port of Piraeus where more than 5,500 to divert to Larnaca, where to poke fun at the incident, Italy reported an even larger closure that preceded the Turkey migrants and refugees found temporary shelter yesterday. he demanded to see his Cyp- many using the Twitter hash- jump on Tuesday, when offi cials deal, an estimated 51,000-plus riot ex-wife, with whom he has tag #loveisintheair. there said 1,350 people – mostly refugees and migrants, among the racist EU-Turkey agreement”. children. “This is what happens when from Africa – were rescued from them Syrians, Afghans, Iraqis “I am here to press Greece to “What’s someone supposed you block your ex,” one per- small boats taking a longer mi- and others fl eeing confl ict in the make Macedonia open the bor- to do when he hasn’t seen his son wrote on Twitter, while gration route across the Mediter- Middle East and Asia, are cur- ders,” said 26-year-old Afghan Austria plans further wife and children in 24 years another opined: “Some may ranean as the weather warmed rently stranded in Greece. Mohammad Ansari who has been and the Egyptian government wonder why the hijacker didn’t up. Some were among the around in Greece for a month. “Why are won’t let you?” Mostafa told just e-mail his wife. They don’t The EU Commission said on 1,000 people who joined the we staying here? We should go.” asylum restrictions authorities, police prosecutor realise how terrible Egypt’s In- Tuesday that fl ows from Turkey march to parliament and the ad- Some of the protesters had Andreas Lambrianou told the ternet is.” to Greek islands had reduced in jacent local offi ces of the Euro- taken the train to Athens from court. H A Hellyer, an Arab aff airs the last week, with only 1,000 pean Commission late yesterday, the nearby port of Piraeus, the Reuters states, Vienna says this was nec- Police told the court that specialist at the Royal United people arriving compared to an a police offi cial said. country’s biggest, where nearly Vienna essary to safeguard public order Mostafa – described by of- Services Institute in London, average of 2,000 a day in the last They pushed children along in 6,000 people remain stuck after and internal security. fi cials as “psychologically tweeted: “My wife just told couple of months. strollers and chanted “open the having arrived there on ferries In the future, only people who unstable” – faces possible me: ‘You don’t love me enough. It was not clear why numbers borders!” from Greek islands close to Tur- ustria plans to introduce are likely to suff er persecution charges of hijacking, kidnap- You haven’t hijacked a plane to had dropped, but the Aegean Sea Others held up banners that key before the deal. measures as early as May if Austria sends them back and ping, reckless and threatening talk to me. Sort it out’.” had been hit with bad weather read: “No borders, no nations, Scores have found shelter in Ato restrict even further refugees who already have close behaviour, and breaches of the After several hours in Lar- and gale force winds, making the stop deportations” and “Abolish passenger waiting lounges while the number of migrants it lets family members living in the anti-terrorism law. naca, passengers on the fl ight hundreds more sleep in the open, into the country, the interior and country will be granted asylum, Mostafa will not face any were fl own to Cairo late on either in fl imsy tents or on blan- defence ministers said yesterday. Interior Minister Johanna Mikl- formal charges until a later Tuesday. kets spread on the dock. Austria said in January that it Leitner said. hearing and only at that point “Fifteen minutes after de- Queues for the few portable would limit the number of asy- “We will not accept any ap- will he be expected to enter a parture we saw on the screens toilets are long, and scuffl es have lum claims it accepts this year plications for asylum unless we plea. that the plane was not going to broken out in recent weeks over to 37,500 – less than half of last have to, due to certain criteria He fl ashed journalists the Cairo and it was crossing the mobile phone chargers and food year’s 90,000. such as Article 8 of the European victory sign as he was driven sea,” passenger Noha Saleh said distribution. It has received around 14,000 Convention on Human Rights,” away by police from the court- on arrival in the Egyptian capi- International rights group Hu- claims so far in 2016, according Mikl-Leitner said. house, which is less than a kil- tal. “They said it was a techni- man Rights Watch has described to the interior minister. Article 8 of the ECHR protects ometre (half a mile) from Lar- cal problem and they needed to conditions at the port, including The country has mainly served the private and family life of in- naca airport where a six-hour go to Cyprus or Greece to fi x it basic hygiene, as “abysmal”. as a conduit into Germany for dividuals against arbitrary inter- stand-off unfolded after the ... they were professional and Among those stranded in Pi- refugees and migrants from the ference by public authorities and hijacking. their attitude was normal.” raeus yesterday was Mariam Middle East and Africa but has private organisations. Most of the 55 passengers Egypt’s military said on its El Musa, a 37-year-old teacher absorbed a similar number of Migrants will only be able to on the EgyptAir fl ight were Facebook page that a team of from Aleppo, Syria. asylum-seekers relative to its fi le their application for asylum quickly released after it landed special forces and negotiators “The problem here is the psy- much smaller population. directly at border crossings in in Larnaca but it took hours of dispatched to Cyprus after the chology of the people,” she said. It co-ordinated a domino of the future and not any longer at negotiations, including a con- hijacking had returned, post- “People are angry and depressed border closures with nearby Bal- police stations inside the coun- versation with his former wife, ing a video showing the troops because the borders are closed, kan countries over the past few try, Defence Minister Hans Peter before Mostafa surrendered to boarding a plane. because it takes ages to have a months, which has led to around Doskozil said. police. Concerns were raised about meal and because we are dirty 50,000 people being stuck in A decision on whether to grant Local daily Phileleftheros security at Egyptian airports Children stand yesterday on railway tracks at the Greek-Macedonian ... we Syrians thought we would Greece. asylum will be made in an hour quoted members of the wife’s after a Russian airliner was border, near the Greek village of Idomeni, where thousands of stay in Greece for only two or While Austria’s approach has and those not accepted will be Cypriot family as saying that downed on October 31 over the refugees and migrants are stranded by the Balkan border blockade. three days.” angered other European Union sent back immediately, he said. the estranged couple had four Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 children but that Mostafa had people on board. shown no interest in them in The Islamic State group years. claimed to have smuggled a Some passengers and crew bomb on board. escaped only minutes before But Egypt’s interior ministry Germany, EU reject protest against Erdogan satire the stand-off ended, includ- said in a statement that all se- ing one uniformed man who curity measures had been ap- was seen clambering out of a plied. Reuters to explain an NDR broadcast in- lor Angela Merkel, who has led were “non-negotiable”. ident Jean-Claude) Juncker be- Berlin/Brussels cluding a two-minute song that eff orts to forge the migrant deal “(It has been) made clear that lieves this moves Turkey further poked fun at Erdogan, who is between the EU and Turkey, a despite all the interests Germany (away) from the EU rather than known for his sensitivity to criti- candidate for EU membership. and Turkey share, the view on closer to us,” said a spokeswom- ermany and the Euro- cism. That deal is designed to stop il- press freedom, freedom of ex- an, adding that the EU expected pean Union have rejected German newspapers have legal migrants entering Europe in pression is non-negotiable for Turkey to uphold the highest Gprotests by Turkey over poured scorn on Erdogan for try- exchange for fi nancial and politi- us,” she said, adding, however, standards on democracy, rule of a satirical German television ing to muzzle media and some cal rewards for Ankara, prompt- that Turkey was an important law and freedoms. show that mocked President Re- have also questioned whether ing some of Merkel’s critics to partner. Turkish state prosecutors cep Tayyip Erdogan, saying that Germany and the EU have gone warn that the EU must not lower The EU was more forthright have opened nearly 2,000 cases press freedom was sacrosanct, soft on Turkish human rights its standards on human rights in its criticism, saying that sum- against people for insulting Er- just as the EU is banking on An- because they need Ankara’s co- and basic freedoms. moning the German envoy did dogan since 2014, the country’s kara’s help in solving its migrant operation to stem the infl ux of A spokeswoman for Germany’s not seem to be in line with the justice ministry said this month. crisis. migrants. foreign ministry said yesterday EU’s cherished freedoms of the The defendants include car- Turkey’s foreign ministry last The incident is particularly that Berlin had made it very clear press and of expression. toonists, academics, journalists Mostafa flashes the ‘V’ sign as he leaves the court in Larnaca in a week called in Germany’s envoy awkward for German Chancel- to Ankara that basic freedoms “(European Commission Pres- and schoolchildren. police car yesterday. ‘Antarctica alone may lift seas a metre by 2100’

By Marlowe Hood, AFP “Frankly, I hope we’re wrong global warming and its impacts, own raised oceans to levels 6m to or beer in a freezer, the liquid will The other natural mechanism should be a wake-up call.” Paris about this,” Robert DeConto, lead put that number at about a dozen 10m higher than today. expand and crack the container. is the break-up of buttressing The study adds to new evi- author of the study and a climate centimetres (5”), all of it from a “In both cases, the Antarctic “That’s what happened here,” ice shelves, and the failure of ice dence that ocean water marks scientist at the University of relatively small section called the ice sheet has been implicated as said Anders Levermann, an ex- cliff s, that both act as dams for may go up more and faster that elting ice from Antarc- Massachusetts, told AFP. West Antarctic Ice Sheet. the primary contributor, hinting pert on the dynamics of ice the ice sheets behind them. previously thought, other scien- tica could raise oceans But independent experts con- The IPCC predicted that total at its future vulnerability,” the sheets at the Potsdam Institute in “These are not ‘new’ proc- tists said. Mby 1m before 2100 at tacted by AFP said that the study sea level rise from all sources – study said. Germany and a lead author of the esses’ per se,” DeConto said. “But “The recent modelling now current rates of greenhouse gas was probably on target. including the expansion of water But how, exactly, the planet’s chapter on sea levels in the most they haven’t been considered at favour the view that continu- emissions, doubling previous While sharing DeConto’s sense as it warms, melting glaciers, and ice continent – far colder than recent IPCC report. the continental scale in Antarc- ing rapid warming will cause sea forecasts for sea level rise, ac- of alarm, they praised the new the Greenland ice sheet – would the Arctic, and thus less subject “You have meltwater go- tica before.” level rise to be larger, and perhaps cording to a study yesterday. research, published in the peer- probably not top a metre by cen- to melting – disintegrated re- ing deep into crevices in the ice When the researchers applied much larger, especially if we look Such an abrupt change would reviewed journal Nature, as “re- tury’s end. mained a mystery. sheet, and then it expands and their models to the previous pe- beyond the end of this century,” spell disaster for major cities and ally good science”. But the low fi gure for Antarc- Building on earlier work, De- cracks the ice open,” pushing it riods of warming, the pieces of said Richard Alley, also a scientist coastal areas across the globe, Up to now, estimates of how tica had more to do with gaps in Conto and David Pollard, a cli- toward the sea, he told AFP, com- the puzzle fell into place, he said. at Pennsylvania State University. forcing hundreds of millions of many centimetres or inches Ant- knowledge than diff erences of mate scientist at Pennsylvania menting on the study. It also gave rise to alarm- DeConto did note, however, people to seek higher ground. arctic melt-off would add to the opinion. State University, created com- Up to now, scientists have ing conclusions about what lies that if humanity succeeds in Over a longer time scale, the world’s oceans over the next 85 Scientists have long struggled, puter models integrating for the focused on the impact warm- ahead. drastically reducing greenhouse study concluded, the picture is years have been conservative. for example, to understand the fi rst time two mechanisms that ing oceans have on the overhang “The fact that a model – tested gas emissions in the coming dec- even grimmer: within 500 years, The latest report from the UN role Earth’s southern extremity appeared to solve the puzzle. from ice sheets, which sit on and calibrated against past exam- ades, there is relatively little con- Earth’s once-frozen continent Intergovernmental Panel on Cli- played during earlier periods of One is a process called hydrof- land. ples of sea level rise – simulates tribution to sea level rise from will have lifted water lines by mate Change (IPCC), a federation global warming – 125,000 and racturing. But it turns out that air tem- such a strong future response Antarctica. more than 15m (50’), reconfi gur- of several thousand scientists 3mn years ago – when tempera- As any teenage can tell you, if peratures have risen enough to to warming if very concerning,” “That’s the good news here,” ing the planet’s coastlines. that report to governments on tures barely warmer than our you put a sealed bottle of water cause melting on top as well. DeConto said, stressing: “This he added. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 23 EUROPE Dutch minister stumbles over Hollande drops plan attack warning

Reuters Amsterdam to strip citizenship he Dutch security and AFP commitments I have taken ... to than ever,” said Hollande. justice minister said yes- Paris ensure the security of our coun- The failure to convince all po- Tterday that he had made try.” litical parties to fall behind the another factual error in a letter Initially Hollande had pro- reforms will deal a stinging blow informing parliament that US rench President Francois posed stripping citizenship from to Hollande, who is hoping to run intelligence warned the authori- Hollande has scrapped convicted Islamic militants born for re-election next year. ties about two Belgian brothers a Fcontested constitutional in France who held a second An Ipsos-Sopra Steria poll week before the pair carried out reforms he proposed after the passport. published yesterday showed that the Brussels attacks. Paris attacks, in an embarrass- But this sparked howls of pro- Hollande would be eliminated in A series of blunders by Bel- ing U-turn for his already belea- test from within his Socialist the fi rst round of an election if gium’s security and intelligence guered government. party, with critics arguing that held now, no matter who his op- agencies have come to light since The reforms included a plan to it would create two categories of ponent. the attacks that killed 32 and strip convicted terrorists of their French citizens – a sensitive is- Prime Minister Manuel Valls wounded hundreds last week. French nationality, which had sue in a country where millions said he “bitterly regrets” that the It has also exposed weaknesses sparked a fi erce debate over the hold two passports. right refused an “outstretched in communication between in- risk that it would create stateless Polls showed the majority of hand”. telligence agencies across Eu- persons. terror-weary French people sup- The leader of the far-right Na- rope. Hollande also wanted to en- ported the plan, but justice min- tional Front (FN) Marine Le Pen For the Dutch, it is the second shrine in the constitution a state ister Christiane Taubira was so said Hollande’s decision to scrap mistake in as many days by Se- of emergency adopted after sui- opposed to the measure that she the constitutional reform was “a curity and Justice Minister Ard cide bombers and gunmen from resigned. historical failure” and called for van der Steur, who was forced on the Islamic State group killed 130 The right and far-right ini- him to resign. Tuesday to send a correction of Van der Steur: It was the NYPD, people on November 13. tially praised the measure, until However, Hollande’s Socialist his fi rst letter addressed to par- not FBI, that warned about the El However the lower house Na- the government amended it to party said the opposition was re- liament about the intelligence Bakraoui brothers. tional Assembly and opposition- remove any mention of dual na- sponsible for the “sad spectacle”. received on Ibrahim and Khalid dominated Senate failed to agree tionality. “We apologise to the French El Bakraoui. closest neighbouring country, on the exact wording of the text, This sparked criticism over people. We were not able to In another missive yesterday, the Netherlands, rather than be- a prerequisite for a constitutional the potential creation of stateless convince the right in general ... van der Steur wrote that contrary ing sent home. Khalid had been amendment to be adopted in citizens. to reinforce our law in the fi ght to what he had said on Tuesday, missing since October. France. Hollande’s move to drop the against terrorism,” said party Hollande: A compromise appears out of reach on the stripping of it was not the US Federal Bureau The Brussels attacks, claimed “A compromise appears out of reform comes as authorities in leader Jean-Christophe Cam- terrorists’ nationality ... I also note that a section of the opposition is of Investigation (FBI) that had by Islamic State (IS), were car- reach on the stripping of terror- Europe face increasing criticism badelis. hostile to any constitutional revision. I deeply regret this attitude. warned that two brothers were ried out by the same network as ists’ nationality,” Hollande said. over laxity and security failings Hollande was France’s most being sought by Belgian authori- the Paris attacks in November, in “I also note that a section of in the face of the growing Islamic unpopular leader in modern his- his handling of those attacks, but with his hardline response. ties. which 131 people died. the opposition is hostile to any militant threat. tory when Paris suff ered its first not for long. Hollande has also faced a se- The information actually came Van der Steur said during a constitutional revision. I deeply Links have emerged between terrorist attack of 2015, when The display of political unity ries of street protests, fi rst over from the New York Police De- parliamentary debate on Tues- regret this attitude,” the presi- the Islamic State (IS) cell which gunmen killed 17 people at the quickly fi zzled out after the No- economic reforms which Prime partment’s Intelligence Division day night that the Netherlands dent said in a brief televised attacked Paris and the suicide offi ces of Charlie Hebdo maga- vember attacks, and turned to Minister Manuel Valls had to and was forwarded by the Dutch had “done all that could have statement. “I have decided to bombers who struck Brussels last zine and at a Jewish supermarket blame-trading and infi ghting force through parliament, and embassy liaison in Washington, been done” with the information close the constitutional debate week, killing 32 people. in January. among Socialists who accused now over plans to reform labour the minister wrote. it received. (but) I will not deviate from the “The threat remains higher His popularity briefl y rose over Hollande of shifting to the right laws. US investigators are helping Belgian federal police denied their European partners unravel the minister’s assertion that 20 IS recruiters the network behind the attacks. their Dutch counterparts had The price of freedom... But legislators are demand- shared US intelligence about the held in Moscow ing to know why Dutch agencies brothers at a meeting on March did not act on US intelligence 17. Around 20 Islamic State (IS) received on March 16 that Ibra- Four men were detained in followers were arrested in him was sought by the Belgian Rotterdam over the weekend. Moscow trying to recruit new authorities for “his criminal The main suspect, identifi ed fighters for the group, Russia’s background”, while Khalid was as 32-year-old Frenchman Anis RIA news agency cited a security wanted for “terrorism, extrem- B, wanted by France for allegedly source as saying yesterday. ism and recruitment”. helping prepare an attack that “During a joint operation of the Ibrahim was not on interna- was never carried out, is resist- FSB (Federal Security Service) tional wanted lists when he was ing extradition – a legal process and the police, around 20 people put on a fl ight from Turkey to expected to take around three suspected of connections to ISIS Amsterdam on July 14, 2015 and months. (Islamic State) were arrested,” RIA disappeared, the minister said on Two others, described as quoted the source as saying. Tuesday. “having an Algerian back- The FSB could not immediately He was violating conditions ground”, are also being held on be reached for comment; the of parole in Belgium and avoided terror charges. police declined to discuss the potential arrest by requesting A fourth has been released matter. that Turkey deport him to the without charge. “According to preliminary information, they were searching for and recruiting new members in Moscow,” RIA said, citing the source. Car blast in Russia’s RIA said that the majority of those arrested were citizens of the former Soviet republic of Dagestan kills offi cer, Uzbekistan. They had fake documents, including false Turkish driving hours after IS killing licences, it said. Russia is helping the Syrian army fight Islamic State in Syria. AFP Investigators said they had Moscow launched a probe into the inci- dent, which the Kremlin refused Off icer ‘was drunk to comment on. at crisis meeting’ ne police offi cer was Ubaydatova said that Russia’s French army paratroopers patrol near the Eiff el Tower in Paris after the government decided to deploy 1,600 additional police off icers to killed and another injured national anti-terror committee bolster security at its borders and on public transport following the deadly blasts in Brussels. A Brussels police commissioner Owhen a car exploded at a would be involved in the inves- arrived drunk at a meeting on checkpoint in Russia’s volatile tigation. the evening of last week’s suicide region of Dagestan yesterday, Tuesday’s attack is the fourth bomb attacks in the Belgian local police said, hours after an- to be claimed by IS in the North capital, local media reported other offi cer died in a bombing Caucasus in the last seven yesterday. claimed by the Islamic State (IS) months, according to Caucasian France charges main suspect in foiled plot A report has been issued group. Knot, a news portal that moni- and disciplinary measures “As police were trying to stop tors the region. could follow, the Belga news a car, the driver drove past and Dagestan’s police force refused AFP week and found to have assault gium, which is reeling from the recruitment network and sen- agency wrote, citing a police the car exploded,” local police to comment about any possible Paris rifl es and homemade explosives March 22 suicide bomb attacks tenced to 10 years in jail. spokesperson who confirmed spokeswoman Fatina Ubaydato- links between the two incidents at his home. on its airport and metro system. Investigations showed Kriket an earlier report by La Derniere va told AFP. “As a result one po- in the region, which occurred His arrest came just four Another suspect was arrested played a key role in fi nancing the Heure daily. lice offi cer was killed and one was some 100km apart. he main suspect in a foiled months after the terrorist car- in Rotterdam in Sunday. Dutch network with money from rob- The newspaper wrote that injured, according to preliminary Attacks against police are not French attack plot was nage that claimed 130 lives in police found ammunition at his beries and stolen goods. the police meeting had been information.” uncommon in the North Cau- Tcharged yesterday with Paris, and investigators said an- home. Among those who went to convened following the attacks Ubaydatova said the identity casus region, which faces a sim- membership of a terrorist group, other major attack had been in an Kriket, who is linked to the Syria through the network were on Brussels in order to discuss and fate of the people in the ve- mering Islamist insurgency. sources close to the investigation “advanced stage” of planning. suspected ringleader of the Paris Abdelhamid Abaaoud – the sus- urgent measures to be taken, hicle remained unknown. Last year 126 people were said. Two other suspects who have attacks, was found guilty in ab- pected ringleader of the Paris decide on areas for ramped-up An unnamed source in law killed in Dagestan as a result of French national Reda Kriket, been charged over the foiled at- sentia in Brussels in July of be- attacks – and another Paris at- surveillance and look at police enforcement told RIA Novosti terror and armed confl ict, in- 34, was arrested near Paris last tack plot are in custody in Bel- ing part of an Islamic militant tacker, Chakib Akrouh. staff ing levels. state news agency that a brief car cluding 13 law enforcement of- chase ensued after the vehicle fi cers, Caucasian Knot reported. failed to stop at the checkpoint In February, two police offi cers and that its occupants hurled an died and two were injured after explosive device at the police car. attackers detonated a car bomb Denmark eyes measures against ‘hate preachers’ The incident came hours af- at a checkpoint. ter a police offi cer was killed and Around a dozen civilians were two were injured when explo- also injured. AFP sented tentative plans for deter- could in the future be stripped of ism or violence against groups of sive devices were detonated on a The IS group claimed a dead- Copenhagen ring preachers who “undermine the right to offi ciate marriages, people,” it said in a statement. main road near Dagestan’s city of ly shooting in December near the society they should be a part Rasmussen said. In a recent documentary se- Kaspiysk late on Tuesday as two the ancient citadel of Derbent, of”, he said. Cross-party talks would con- ries titled The mosques behind police vehicles passed. southern Dagestan. he Danish government The proposals included es- tinue next week and the govern- the veil, Danish broadcaster TV2 The Aamaq news agency, Islamist rebels from Dagestan, is considering tighten- tablishing a list of people who ment hoped to be able to present used a hidden camera to show which is affi liated with IS, which lies immediately east of Ting legislation to prevent would be barred from entering a bill to parliament before the how some imams in the country claimed that fi ghters from the Chechnya, are known to have imams who “preach hate” from the country, similar to a blacklist summer break, he added. supported illegal practices such group were behind the bombing. travelled to join the Islamic State. spreading their views, Prime used in Britain. A Danish think-tank focused as the stoning of women and The offi cer killed in the at- Last year the group declared it Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen The government also wanted on legal issues, Justitia, warned corporal punishment of chil- tack yesterday, 35-year-old lieu- had established a “franchise” in said yesterday. to look into whether it could that banning some imams from dren. tenant Igor Mutsenik, worked the North Caucasus. “In Denmark we have religious outlaw speech that “undermines entering the country could vio- The documentary was con- for the police force of Siberia’s Al Qaeda’s affi liate in Syria, the preachers who in reality abuse Danish legislation” and ban cer- late free speech laws. troversial, with some Danish Krasnoyarsk region but had been Al Nusra Front, has previously our freedoms, preaching hate,” tain people from coming to a “Any entry ban on hate Muslims claiming it painted an temporarily serving in Dagestan. called on Islamic militants from Rasmussen: In Denmark we have he said at a press conference. place of worship, but remained preachers should be limited to unfair picture of the country’s His body will be sent home the Caucasus to attack targets in religious preachers who in reality At a meeting with opposition vague on any details. people who are considered to mosques, while others said it re- within the next few days, au- Russia in response to Moscow’s abuse our freedoms, preaching leaders, Rasmussen’s minor- Preachers who “don’t respect pose a threat to national security fl ected real problems that need- thorities said. bombing campaign in Syria. hate. ity right-wing government pre- the basic norms in our society” or who have encouraged terror- ed to be addressed. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, March 31, 2016 INDIA

PROTEST POLITICS INVESTMENT WELFARE CONTROVERSY Hyderabad university Government’s foreign CPM blasts 100% FDI in Bihar extends job Husband was treated students want VC to go policy flawed: Congress e-commerce retail quota to third gender like a dog, says widow

Students and two professors of University The Congress yesterday dubbed the The Communist Party of India (Marxist) The Bihar government yesterday announced The wife of a Central Reserve Police of Hyderabad vowed after their release government’s foreign policy “flawed” and said yesterday dubbed the government’s move reservation in jobs to the third gender and set Force trooper from Kerala who drowned from jail to intensify their struggle till Appa the opposition will seek answers from Prime to allow 100% FDI in e-commerce retail up a welfare board for them. “The third gender in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday hit out Rao is removed as the vice chancellor. Minister Narendra Modi in parliament. Reacting “an outright surrender to the big foreign will be provided reservation in government at off icials, accusing them of showing Stating that there was no going back on the to the visit of a Pakistani team to Pathankot to e-commerce retail firms” and demanded jobs and Bihar Rajya Kalyan Board will be set up disrespect to her husband’s body. “My movement following the suicide of Dalit probe a terror attack, Congress leader Anand its scrapping. “This is clearly announced to soon,” Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma said husband was treated like a dog. They research scholar Rohith Vemula, they said Sharma said: “The foreign policy of the Modi appease foreign capital on the eve of (Prime in Patna. After the state government recognised could have at least used a cloth to cover the police repression had only strengthened government is flawed. The prime minister does Minister Narendra) Modi’s US visit,” the CPM eunuchs and transgenders as “the third gender” his body,” said Lini, wife of the 33-year-old their resolve. Twenty-five students and two not understand the gravity and seriousness of said in a statement. “It is also a surrender to the following the Supreme Court order last year, Anil Achenkunju. “Would they have done faculty members, who were released from diplomacy, and he has tried to use every event pressures of the EU (European Union) keeping the latest move to provide reservation in this if the person who died was an off icer? jail on Tuesday night, reached the campus as a photo-op opportunity. The opposition in mind the ongoing Free Trade Agreement government jobs is expected to give them Since my husband was only a jawan, he was to a rousing welcome from friends. A huge will seek answers from the prime minister on talks with EU and the prime minister’s visit to more opportunities to become part of the treated like this,” she said in Alappuzha, march was taken out on the campus with these issues. He will not be allowed to hide his Brussels.” The CPM said the Bharatiya Janata mainstream. Last year, the state government Kerala. Lini blamed both CRPF off icials and students raising revolutionary slogans and failures. We are not against talks with Pakistan Party (BJP) had been vocal against the FDI in recognised them as the third gender by putting the home ministry for the manner in which waving blue flags. They held torches as well but there is need for more clarity on the retail trade when it was in the opposition. “Now them in the Annexure 11 of the Other Backward the body was brought to Kerala in a plastic as placards. government’s stand.” it has done a somersault.” Classes category. cover.

TDP foundation day Pakistan cooking up Mallya off ers spy story to defame India: Rijiju to pay banks

IANS New Delhi

he government yester- $600mn as day accused Pakistan of T“cooking up” stories to defame India and of releasing a “doctored video” in which an arrested Indian ex-naval offi cer is heard purportedly “confess- ing” to New Delhi’s alleged in- settlement volvement in terrorist activities in Balochistan. Supreme Court gives lenders Diageo Plc last month to give up Addressing reporters, Min- a week’s time to respond his chairmanship and board po- ister of State for Home Kiren sition at top Indian spirits maker Rijiju said: “The MEA (Ministry Agencies United Spirits Ltd. After step- of External Aff airs) has already New Delhi ping down, Mallya said he would come out with a statement re- spend more time in England garding the forged, doctored where his children live. video and the made up story mbattled tycoon Vijay Once known as the “King of being created by the Pakistani Mallya has proposed to Good Times” for his extrava- establishment. We don’t have Erepay Rs40bn ($603mn), gant lifestyle, Mallya has denied to pay attention to that, and I less than half of what his defunct that he had fl ed India and said feel that this is an internal game Kingfi sher Airlines owes to cred- he would comply with local laws. within the Pakistani establish- itor banks who have approached Media reports have traced him ment, their government, the the nation’s highest court to re- to the Hertfordshire village of prime minister and their agen- cover their dues. Tewin, north of London, where cies.” Mallya, who left India on he owns a house. Pakistan on Tuesday re- March 2 and whose exact where- Mallya: off ers to repay $603mn His surprise departure has leased a video purportedly abouts since then are not known, proved an embarrassment for the showing Kulbushan Jadhav, made the off er yesterday to the ceived an off er for “settlement government, which was forced whom Islamabad has accused group of lenders led by State of dues” and was examining the to admit he had left the country of being a spy, as saying that Bank of India to pay the sum by off er. even as it sought permission to he had been directing vari- end-September. The court also heard that impound his passport. ous activities in Karachi and A lawyer for Kingfi sher, C S Kingfi sher representatives had Opposition politicians have Balochistan “at the behest of Vaidyanathan, yesterday sub- communicated with the banks demanded to know why the RAW” (Research and Analysis mitted the repayment plan to via video conference, but law- 60-year-old was not arrested Wing), the Indian intelligence the Supreme Court. The court yers representing the banks said before he fl ew out on March 2. agency, and that he was still sought the banks’ response with- the lenders wished to meet with India’s fi nancial crimes agency with the Indian Navy. in a week to the proposal. It will Mallya in person. has also summoned Mallya in “Doctored videos made by Pa- hear the case next on April 7. A lawyer for Mallya said he was connection with an alleged case kistan will have no eff ect on in- “It is for you to tell us whether not in the country and that “in of loan fraud involving state-run ternational platforms. They are you reject this or not,” Justice Ro- the present ambience (it was) not IDBI Bank in Mumbai. cooking up stories and doctoring hinton Nariman told the banks. needed”. The businessman, who is also videos to defame India,” Rijiju Justice Kurian Joseph then asked Kingfi sher, once India’s sec- a member of the Rajya Sabha, the added. whether Mallya is back in India. ond-biggest airline, ceased oper- upper house, has criticised the India on Tuesday dismissed “Where are you? Are you back in ations more than three years ago media for what he has called a as baseless the remarks made by India?” Kurian asked. after a stretch of losses, leaving “witch hunt”. Jadhav. “No. The media has vitiated creditors, suppliers and employ- Mallya’s case has taken centre “We have seen a video re- the atmosphere. The atmos- ees with unpaid dues. stage at a time when the central leased by Pakistani authorities phere is so surcharged against As of last November, it owed bank and the government have of a former Indian naval offi cer, me... There are cases in which the group of banks about $1.4bn begun a crackdown on bank loan doing business in Iran, who is media created such a surcharged including interest and fees. defaulters to clean up the nation’s in Pakistani custody under un- atmosphere that even beatings A spokesman for Mallya’s UB ailing state-run banks. Finance explained circumstances,” the have taken place... the less said Group did not immediately reply Minister Arun Jaitley has said the MEA said in a statement. the better,” Mallya’s lawyer Vai- to an e-mail seeking comment government had asked banks to “The video has this individual dyanathan responded. on whether Rs40bn is all Mallya go “all out” in their eff ort to re- making statements which have “The media ultimately stands wants to pay the banks or it is the cover money from Kingfi sher. no basis in fact. That the indi- for the public interest. They just fi rst installment of repayment. “I don’t want to make any vidual claims to make the state- want the money taken from the The creditor banks stepped up comments on individual cases ments of his own free will not Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu speaks to Telugu Desam Party banks to be brought back...” Jus- pressure on Mallya - who gave a but I think it’s a responsibility of only challenges credulity but supporters after garlanding a statue of TDP founder N T Rama Rao during the party`s tice Kurian shot back. personal guarantee for the King- large groups like his (Mallya’s) to clearly indicates tutoring,” it foundation day celebration in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Separately, the SBI, the na- fi sher loan - after he agreed to a honourably settle their dues with said. tion’s top lender, said it had re- $75mn settlement with Britain’s the banks,” he said last week.

Assam’s unity under threat VS, Pinarayi, Mukesh from ‘two evil forces’: Sonia on LDF election list IANS from Palakkad. He is the eldest IANS Aamguri in Sivasagar district at “The country wakes up with Thiruvananthapuram candidate. Sivasagar, Assam Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur Assam tea. The prime minister Jaik C Thomas, who turns 26 district. often appreciates Assam tea and next month, is the youngest LDF The Congress president re- says that he used to sell Assam tea. ommunist Party of In- candidate. He will take on Chief ongress chief Sonia Gan- minded the people of Assam that However, he is now aware about dia (Marxist) veterans V Minister Oommen Chandy in dhi yesterday said the the state was known only for in- the pathetic condition of the tea CS Achuthanandan and Puthupally in Kottayam district. Cunity and integrity of As- surgency and bad fi scal health garden workers in Assam. The tea his known rival Pinarayi Vijayan Popular actor Mukesh is one of sam were under threat as “two earlier and that the “same situa- garden workers in Assam are still fi gure in the fi rst list of 124 can- the two fi lm stars in the list. He evil forces have united” against tion will be repeated if these two wondering as to when the ‘aach- didates announced by the Left will contest from Kollam. His se- the Congress. evil forces come to power in As- che din’ (good days) will come in Democratic Front in Kerala yes- lection had been opposed by par- “The Congress government sam once again.” their lives,” she said, attacking the terday. ty activists who favoured former had worked very hard in the past Attacking Narendra Modi, prime minister. The list also includes fi lm state minister P K Gurudasan, 15 years to bring back peace and Gandhi said that the prime min- “The government cancelled the star Mukesh and two journal- the outgoing legislator. prosperity to Assam. However, ister and the BJP had opposed the special category status for Assam ists, LDF leader Vaikom Viswan The second fi lm star is K B the unity and integrity of the state India-Bangladesh Land boundary and the prime minister also tried announced here. The Kerala as- Ganesh Kumar, a legislator for 15 is at stake now after two evil forc- Agreement when they were in the to snatch away the subsidised ra- sembly election will take place years who last year quit the Con- es have joined hands in this elec- opposition. “However, they made tion of the tea garden workers in in May. gress-led UDF to join the Left. tion,” said Gandhi, with apparent a U-turn on their position and Assam,” she said. “The remaining 16 candidates The two journalist candidates reference to the Bharatiya Janata signed the LBA agreement imme- Gandhi also accused the prime will be announced in the com- are M V Nikesh Kumar and Veena Party (BJP) and the Asom Gana diately after coming to power.” minister of not doing anything for ing days as talks are on at various George, both from Reporter TV Parishad (AGP). “While signing the recent the welfare of minorities and adi- levels. The LDF manifesto will be channel. She said the two forces were framework agreement regard- vasis (ethnic tribals) of Assam. released on April 5,” Viswan said. Kumar is the son of former opposing the ruling Congress ing the Naga Peace talks too, “The price rise of essential The LDF, led by the CPM, on fi rebrand CPM leader late M Party as they know that all sec- the prime minister ignored the commodities is yet to be checked Monday fi nalised seat sharing V Raghavan. He will be an in- tions of the people in Assam were chief ministers of the northeast- and prices of essential medicines agreement among its allies. dependent candidate from with it. ern states which will be aff ected have also been increased beyond Congress president Sonia Gandhi waves to the crowd at an Former chief minister Azhikode constituency which his Gandhi addressed two public due to the Naga agreement,” said the reach of common man,” she election rally in Bishwanath Chariali in Sonitpur yesterday, ahead Achuthanandan, 92, is contest- father won after leaving the CPM rallies in Assam yesterday – at Gandhi. added. of state assembly elections in Assam. ing for the fourth successive time in the 1980s. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 25 INDIA Uttarakhand court puts on hold assembly fl oor test

IANS Harish Rawat government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Uttarakhand, accusing its ally of governor till March 28 to prove the BJP’s ‘radar’ ever since he re- only in a democratic manner as Dehradun The two-judge bench of the government, which had justifi ed “strangling democracy”. its majority. fused to host the India-Pakistan otherwise it would lead to politi- high court comprising Chief the imposition of central rule in In an editorial in the Sena “A day before this (on cricket match in Dharamshala. cal instability. Justice K M Joseph and Justice V the state. mouthpiece Saamana, the party March 27), President’s Rule Corruption cases against him In a democracy, the voice of division bench of the Ut- K Bisht also fi xed April 6 as the The central government had warned that the BJP’s action may was imposed. What has the were initiated. It will not be a the opposition is of paramount tarakhand High Court next date of hearing. rushed Attorney General Mukul be repeated in Congress-ruled BJP gained out of this?” the surprise if an Uttarakhand is re- importance and should not be Ayesterday put on hold The central government is ex- Rohatgi to Nainital to plead states like Himachal Pradesh Sena asked. peated in HP. strangled since a single-party today’s fl oor test in the state as- pected to fi le an affi davit on its its case before the high court and Manipur, creating political The Sena said earlier the BJP “By this, the BJP is giving an rule would be worse than an sembly, setting aside Tuesday’s stand on the dispute regarding against Tuesday’s ruling. instability and anarchy in the removed the Congress regime opportunity to the opposition emergency or dictatorship, it ruling of the court. suspension of the state assem- On Tuesday, Justice U C Dhy- country. in Arunachal Pradesh and, af- parties to unite,” the Sena point- said. The bench accepted the cen- bly and imposition of President’s ania had ordered a fl oor test in It said the BJP in Uttara- ter Uttarakhand, Himachal ed out. “The country will be de- tral government’s plea chal- Rule in the hill state. the assembly . khand used nine rebel Con- Pradesh and Manipur could Reiterating its opposition to stroyed if the opposition is tar- lenging the single-judge bench’s The division bench’s decision Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena gress legislators to destabilse follow suit. the Congress, the Sena made it geted and snuff ed out and poi- order of Tuesday allowing the has come as a reprieve for the criticised the BJP over the im- the Congress-led government, “Himachal Pradesh Chief clear that a democratically elect- son is used on allies,” the Sena March 31 fl oor test for the ousted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and position of President’s Rule in which was given time by the Minister Vir Bhadra Singh is on ed government must be removed warned. India blames Italy for delay in settling marine’s case

Agencies ceedings are often lengthy, could The Hague leave Girone detained without charge for up to eight years, thou- sands of kilometres from his wife ndia blamed Italy for de- and young children, he said. laying the repatriation But India’s lawyers say the Iof an Italian marine who delays are the result of Italy’s has been detained in Delhi for 2012 decision to escalate the four years as Prime Minis- aff air to international courts ter Narenda Modi arrived at a rather than letting Indian summit with the EU in Brus- courts to handle it. sels hoping to defuse the long- “The trial has not com- running row. menced due to an obstruc- In 2012, India arrested two tive course of action by Italy,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to the victims of the Brussels terror attack at a street memorial outside Maelbeek metro station yesterday. Italian marines who were es- said Neeru Chadha, India’s corting an oil tanker on sus- lead lawyer. “Italy is now picion of shooting dead two trying to shift the blame onto fi shermen they mistook for India.” pirates. Though they were not The dragging case has be- charged, the pair were barred come a political hot-button is- from leaving India. sue in Italy with Prime Minister Massimiliano Latorre was Matteo Renzi regularly fl ayed by allowed to return home last opposition leaders for failing to PM seeks extradition year for medical treatment. secure the release of both men. But Salvatore Girone has been Azzarello said yesterday confi ned to Delhi, where he that Italy “gives the solemn lives at the Italian ambassa- undertaking” the marines will dor’s residence and reports be returned to India if the PCA regularly to police. orders Rome to do so. Azzarello also said he was treaty with Belgium “The trial has not hopeful about the petition to commenced due to an bring Girone back from India. Modi pays tribute to Brussels week for Belgium,” Modi said in Modi said that India was ready and companies to pro-actively est strategic partners,” Modi obstructive course of “It’s not a question of be- terror attack victims a speech alongside his Belgian to welcome Belgian King Phil- associate with India’s ambitious said. action by Italy” ing optimistic or pessimistic, counterpart Charles Michel. lipe next year which will mark 70 development projects including Indian diplomats said that but obviously Italy is hopeful, Agencies “Having experienced terrorist years of diplomatic ties between Digital India, Start Up India and both sides were looking to take Italy says Girone’s hu- based on its solid humanitar- Brussels violence ourselves on countless the two countries. Skill India.” forward negotiations on Broad- man rights are being violated ian and legal reasoning, oth- occasions, we share your pain,” He said his talks with Michel According to Modi, Belgian based Trade and Investment and has asked the Permanent erwise it would not have come he said. earlier in the day covered the businesses can make their glo- Agreement (BTIA) talks, which Court of Arbitration in The here,” Azzarello said. rime Minister Narendra “In this time of crisis, the whole spectrum of ties. bal supply chains more cost started in 2007 but have stalled Hague to order India to send Italy maintains both ma- Modi yesterday off ered whole of India stands in full sup- “A system of bilateral foreign effective by manufacturing in since 2013. him home. rines were immune to pros- Phis deepest condolences port and solidarity with the Bel- policy consultations would rec- India. Key sticking points in the The case moved to the Court ecution since they were to the families of the victims of gian people.” ommend concrete ways to up- “India’s goal to modernise in- trade talks include European de- of Arbitration after India and serving on a UN-backed anti- the March 22 terror attacks in Modi said: “As part of our ef- grade our partnership,” Modi frastructure, especially railways mands that India remove tariff s Italy agreed to suspend all do- piracy mission, and because Brussels, and said an extradition forts to respond to this common said. and ports, and building of 100- on cars and car parts, wine and mestic legal proceedings. the tanker was in international treaty between India and Bel- challenge we could resume dis- Referring to the economic plus smart cities also presents a spirits. The EU is India’s largest Addressing the UN tribunal, waters when it fi red on the gium should be expedited. cussions on a mutual legal as- opportunities India offered to unique investment opportunity trading partner. Francesco Azzarello, Italy’s lead fi shermen. He said India shared Belgium’s sistance treaty. Negotiations on the world today, Modi said the for the Belgian companies,” he EU exports to India totalled lawyer in the case, pledged that Italy has paid $190,000 in pain over the attacks as he added extradition treaty and a treaty on India’s macroeconomic fun- said. just over €38bn ($42.6bn) in Girone would be returned to compensation to each victim’s a wreath of white fl owers to a exchange of sentenced prison- damentals were robust, and at Later in the day, Modi met 2015, while Indian imports to the India to face charges should it family. sea of tributes outside Maalbeek ers could be concluded expedi- 7% plus, it was one of the fast- with EU President Donald Tusk bloc reached almost $40bn, ac- bring them once the Hague ar- India hopes the Brussels metro station. tiously.” est growing economies of the and European Commission cording to data released yester- bitration is fi nished. summit will bring a thaw in Flanked by Belgian Foreign He said that India and Belgium world. President Jean-Claude Juncker day by the EU statistics agency “The only reason Girone ties with the European Union Minister Didier Reynders, Modi shared a long history of friend- “I believe that a combination for talks expected to focus on Eurostat. is not allowed to leave In- and persuade Italy to refrain bowed his head and clasped his ship. of Belgian capacities and India’s trade co-operation and counter- Ahead of the talks, the medi- dia is so that he can act as a from blocking India’s mem- hands together in tribute to the “A hundred years ago, more economic growth can produce terrorism eff orts. cal charity Doctors Without de facto guarantee of Italy’s bership of a key global group victims of the suicide blasts, than 130,000 soldiers from In- promising opportunities for The summit in Brussels - the Borders (MSF) called on Modi obligation to return him for on missile technology. Rome which struck a train at the sta- dia fought in the First World War businesses on both sides,” he 13th such meeting between the to refrain from agreeing to any trial,” Azzarello said. “A hu- single-handedly scuppered tion and the city’s airport. alongside your countrymen on said. European Union and India - is trade concessions that could man being cannot be used as India’s bid to join last year. An Indian citizen, a 31-year- Belgian soil,” the prime minister “The prime minister and I the fi rst to take place since 2012. impact the country’s produc- a guarantee of the conduct of As part of a broad agenda, old IT worker, was among the 32 said. have just held a productive in- New Delhi hopes it will also help tion of generic medicines, a state.” the EU plans to raise the issue people killed in Belgium’s worst- “More than 9,000 Indian sol- teraction with Belgian CEOs and to improve relations amid a dip- which tend to be far cheaper Waiting until the end of the of the marines with Modi, ac- ever terror attacks. diers made the supreme sacri- business persons earlier today. I lomatic row with Italy. than brands marketed by large case in The Hague, where pro- cording to sources. “Last week has been a sad fi ce.” invite the Belgian government “The EU is one of our strong- pharmaceuticals.

Maoist rebels kill seven Will seal Indo-Bangla CRPF men in Chhattisgarh border, says Rajnath

IANS “The fact remains that they Agencies the road, police said. among Maoists who are feeling Duliajan, Assam are not even bothered. The Con- Dantewada, Chhattisgarh It was the biggest attack by the heat of increased police pres- gress never paid any attention to Maoists in Chhattisgarh in re- ence in their strongholds. the issue of infi ltration since be- cent months. “I salute the supreme sacrifi ce ome Minister Rajnath ginning,” he said. uspected Maoist rebels The dead security personnel of the seven CRPF men. The at- Singh yesterday blamed “I have visited the India- triggered a powerful land- were in civilian clothes and were tack has strengthened my re- Hthe Congress for illegal Bangladesh border areas and Smine blast in Chhattisgarh returning to their base after a solve to weed out Maoism from infi ltration into Assam, and said held talks with the authorities in yesterday, killing seven police- holiday, police offi cials said. the state,” he said in Raipur. the central government would Bangladesh. Our government is men, in the latest attack in the “It was a massive blast. The Dozens of heavily armed par- seal the India-Bangladesh bor- committed to solving the infi l- restive region, the central state’s vehicle fl ew several feet up in amilitary troopers launched an der. tration problem. We need some police chief said. the air and then landed on the operation to track down the in- “The Congress was never time to seal the border com- A truck carrying the Central ground in four pieces,” a police surgents who reportedly slipped bothered about the infi ltration pletely,” he added. Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of- offi cer said. into nearby forests after the into Assam. They have destroyed The veteran Bharatiya Ja- fi cers hit the landmine as it trav- Police offi cials who rushed to bloodbath. the state for their vote bank poli- nata Party leader added that elled through forested and re- the scene within 45-50 minutes Offi cials at the Chhattisgarh tics. We are going to seal the bor- Prime Minister Narendra mote Dantewada district, some said the CRPF men were un- police headquarters here dubbed der completely so that no infi l- Modi had pledged to curb cor- 350km south of state capital armed. the attack “a classic case of failed trators can enter Assam,” Singh ruption. Raipur. Local tribals who fi rst got ac- intelligence network” in the Mao- told a public rally at Duliajan in “The whole world knows that “Seven jawans (offi cers) of the cess to the blast site and tipped ist heartland of Bastar which in- Assam’s Dibrugarh district. there is not a single case of cor- CRPF were killed,” Chhattisgarh off police about the attack said cludes Dantewada district. “Ever since Bangladesh was ruption in the Centre since the Director General of Police A N the bodies of the CRPF men were Home Minister Ajay Chan- created, there has been infi ltra- BJP-led coalition took power,” Upadhyay said. beyond recognition. drakar presided over an emer- tion in Assam. I want to ask them he said, adding that the party, The rebels looted the truck Chief Minister Raman Singh gency meeting of top police and (Congress), why didn’t you seal if it wins the Assam assembly of weapons after exploding the denounced the killings and called home department offi cials in the borders? Why didn’t you stop elections, would ensure zero mine which left a large crater in it “a clear sign of frustration Raipur to assess the situation. Police off icials inspect a giant crater created by the blast yesterday. them from entering into our land? corruption. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, March 31, 2016 LATIN AMERICA

Alternative therapy for babies hit by Zika

Reuters Recife, Brazil

aniele Santos only wanted to comfort her Dboy, Juan Pedro, one of Brazil’s growing number of Daniele Santos with her baby babies born with a birth defect Juan Pedro in her home in linked to the Zika infection his Recife, Brazil. mother had while pregnant. Just 3 months old, Juan Those include a traditional Pedro’s shrill and constant cry- Indian shantala massage for ing, typical of babies born with babies, using a simple sling microcephaly, drove his moth- that keeps babies tightly held er to desperation. to their mother’s chest for According to Santos, the comfort throughout the day, boy’s fussing was so intense it and also the use of a specially led to her husband abandoning shaped bucket for warm baths the family. meant to mimic the womb. The boy is receiving tradition- Santos now uses the mas- al care at a hospital in Recife in sage, sling and bucket soaks northeastern Brazil, the epicen- each day. tre of the Zika epidemic and the “His crying after the mas- capital of the state seeing most of sages and baths became less the birth defects associated with shrill,” Santos says, noting that the mosquito-borne virus. Juan Pedro is “much calmer.” Zika, which has spread rap- Therapist Rozely Fontoura, idly through the Americas, who follows up with the moth- has not been proven to cause ers after they take the therapy microcephaly in babies, but classes, said the shantala mas- there is growing evidence that sage is particularly helpful, suggests a link. The condition as it works by producing en- A screen reading ‘In defence of democracy. No to the coup’ during a demo of Brazilian actors in support of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in front of the Duque de Caxias Palace is defi ned by unusually small dorphins and by reducing the in Rio de Janeiro. heads that can result in devel- stress hormone cortisol. opmental problems. “Babies with microcephaly Modern medicine has not are generally very irritable, they been enough for Santos and are very sensitive to stimulants, many other mothers. they become very irritated and That is where a type of pa- are diffi cult to calm down,” she rental therapy group called said. “ So the production of “Room to be a Mother” came (endorphins) and the reduction in to bring relief to Santos and of cortisol helps a lot.” others. Brazil has said it has con- Impeachment bid is The group’s instructors this fi rmed more than 900 cases of month held two free workshops microcephaly, and considers in Recife for the mostly impov- most of them to be related to erished mothers of babies born Zika infections in the mothers. with birth defects related to the Brazil is investigating nearly Zika virus, teaching natural tech- 4,300 additional suspected a coup, says Rousseff niques to soothe the children. cases of microcephaly. Rousseff is beset by deserting allies ing her re-election campaign in 2014. dividual deputies, regardless of their af- Yesterday, Rousseff supporters rallied and poor ratings The potentially lengthy process is al- fi liation. in Brasilia, where the president was open- ready underway in a preliminary commis- A Rousseff aide told O Globo newspaper ing a new phase of the government’s social Colombia launches Agencies sion and the lower house of Congress could yesterday that even with its heavy pres- housing program known as My House, My Rio De Janeiro vote as early as mid-April on whether to ence in the cabinet, the PMDB would only Life. send the case to the Senate for full trial. have delivered 25 to 30 votes against im- Rousseff cancelled a trip to Washing- talks with ELN To survive, Rousseff needs 172 of the peachment. ton for a nuclear safety summit today and razilian President Dilma Rousseff 513 votes in the lower house, or one-third Now the aim is to entice new allies tomorrow, the state news agency said. A yesterday called current eff orts to of the deputies. Until only recently that to come up with 80 anti-impeachment government spokesman said that in “the AFP ment to end the violence for Bimpeach her in Congress a “coup” seemed doable, despite her massive un- votes, the aide said. That, added to the current political context,” it was not ad- Bogota good. and said she would continue to fi ght for popularity and the intense hostility of op- 100 votes the government believes it has visable. The ELN is a leftist group like social programmes despite an ongoing re- ponents in the increasingly divided coun- already guaranteed, would hit the magic President Dilma Rousseff ’s popularity the Farc but has fought as a ri- cession. try. one-third. remains close to historic lows, according olombia’s government val to it for territory in a many- Rousseff , announcing the third tranche With the PMDB’s exit, the math gets far A parallel strategy, analysts say, is to to a poll yesterday, amid a mounting po- launched peace nego- sided confl ict that started as a of a government housing programme, dicier, analysts say. persuade deputies to abstain, making it litical crisis following the loss of her main Ctiations yesterday with peasant uprising in 1964. during a speech in Brasilia discredited ef- “The likelihood of impeachment has impossible for the opposition to get the coalition partner this week that increased the country’s second-biggest While the Farc has observed forts by opposition lawmakers to oust her greatly increased,” said political analyst necessary 342 votes. the risk of her impeachment. guerrilla group, the left-wing a ceasefi re since last year as its because of irregularities in the govern- Michael Freitas Mohallem of the Fundacao “They’re all on their computers count- Pollster Ibope said the number of Bra- ELN, broadening the push to peace talks have advanced, the ment budget. Getulio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro. ing votes, trading votes for jobs and minis- zilians who rate Rousseff ’s Workers’ Party end the country’s bloody half- ELN has continued attacks. Allies of embattled Brazilian President Loyalists put a brave face on Tuesday’s tries,” Mohallem said. government “bad” or “terrible” dipped to century confl ict, offi cials said. The war between right- and Dilma Rousseff horse-traded in Congress debacle, with Chief of Staff Jaques Wagner A cross-party commission is hearing 69% from a record high of 70% in the pre- The two sides “have agreed left-wing guerrillas, govern- yesterday in a frantic bid to fi nd enough calling it an opportunity to “renew” the arguments and is expected to make its rec- vious survey in December. to set up public negotiations... ment troops and gangs in Co- votes to ride out an impeachment drive government. ommendation on impeachment on about Those who consider it “great” or “good” in order to sign a fi nal accord lombia is considered the last after her main coalition partner quit the Put another way, the government now April 12. Rousseff ’s defence is already ex- edged up to 10% from a record low of 9%, to end the armed confl ict and major armed confl ict in the government. has seven ministries and some 580 other pected to wind up on Monday. according to the poll commissioned by the agree on changes in search of Western Hemisphere. A months-long crisis reducing Latin posts to hand out and is ready to horse- The lower house would then debate and National Industry Confederation. peace and equity”, they said in The government of president America’s biggest country to political pa- trade for support. could vote between April 14-16, according Rousseff ’s popularity plummeted last a joint statement read out by Juan Manuel Santos has been ralysis ahead of the Rio Olympics peaked Rousseff hopes her main weapon will to a preliminary estimate of the timetable. year as she embarked on her second term their delegates. discussing for more than two Tuesday when the centrist PMDB broke its be her predecessor in the presidency, the If deputies do send the case onto the with Brazil sinking deeper into what is Colombian government ne- years the possibility of launch- alliance with the leftist Rousseff ’s Work- charismatic and authoritative Luiz Inacio Senate, then a process possibly taking likely to be its worst recession since the gotiator Frank Pearl and ELN ing formal negotiations with ers’ Party. Lula da Silva -- a renowned wheeler and months begins. A two-thirds vote would Great Depression in the 1930s. commander Antonio Garcia the ELN. The decision left Rousseff isolated as dealer. again be needed to depose Rousseff . Eight in 10 Brazilian do not trust Rous- read out the statement in a joint The government has been she tries to survive impeachment in Con- However, after being accused in the While Congress fi ghts, ordinary Brazil- seff , according to the poll, which did not appearance after talks in the holding talks in Havana with gress against a background of punishing Petrobras corruption scandal, he has also ians are becoming increasingly angry over ask respondents about her impeachment. Venezuelan capital Caracas. the Farc for the past three years. recession and a corruption scandal at state become a focal point for opposition at- the dismal economy and the constant drip Other polls show more than two thirds of They hope to bring the ELN They had aimed to sign a oil company Petrobras that has snared a tacks, making it questionable whether he feed of corruption revelations. Brazilians want to see the leftist leader im- into the peace process under peace agreement on March 23 cross-section of the country’s elite. helps or hinders Rousseff more. Demonstrations both against and in fa- peached. way with Colombia’s biggest but that deadline passed with Rousseff faces impeachment over al- The strategy will be to look beyond the vour of Rousseff and Lula are multiplying, Ibope surveyed 2,002 people between rebel force, the Revolution- no deal as key issues have not legedly illegal budgetary manipulations to PMDB to the multitude of smaller parties with Workers’ Party activists planning to March 17 and 20. The poll has a margin of ary Armed Forces of Colombia yet been resolved, including cover the extent of Brazil’s recession dur- in the fractious Congress and even to in- hold rallies in major cities today. error of 2 percentage points either way. (Farc), sealing a broad agree- disarmament. Sex traffi cking ‘staggering’ in illegal gold mines

Reuters Livia Wagner, who wrote the re- Though gold prices have fallen in Men, women and children are Bogota port, said she had seen girls as young recent years, organised crime groups also found in forced labour, essen- as 12 working in the brothels and bars are still driving the expansion of ille- tially slavery, in and around mines around illegal gold mines in Madre de gal gold mining, the report said. in Bolivia, Brazil, Nicaragua and he scale of sex traffi cking Dios, a vast province in Peru’s Ama- Global Initiative estimates up Colombia, according to the US State around illegal gold mines zon jungle. to 80 percent of the gold mined in Department’s 2015 Traffi cking in Tin parts of Latin America is “Sexual exploitation is very much Colombia is illegal, while govern- Persons Report. “staggering,” and thousands of peo- prevalent in illegal mining areas, es- ment offi cials say about half of all A key reason why human traffi ck- ple working there are prey to labour pecially in Peru and Bolivia, and my mining operations in Colombia are ing fl ourishes in the illegal mining exploitation by organised crime impression is that the girls are get- illegal. sector is because mines are often groups, a think-tank said yesterday. ting younger and younger. The scale is In Peru’s Madre de Dios province, located in jungle areas that are hard “When these mines are directly staggering,” Wagner, a private sector in one mining area alone, known as to reach and there are few labour controlled by criminal groups, or in adviser at the Global Initiative, told the Delta 1, around 2,000 sex workers inspectors and police working in re- areas controlled by organised crime, Thomson Reuters Foundation. were employed in 100 brothels, 60% mote rural areas. there is an elevated risk of human High gold prices from 2000 to of them children, according to 2010 “There’s no police presence there,” traffi cking,” the report by the Gene- 2010 created a gold rush and led or- estimates by Huarayo Association, a Wagner said. va-based organisation said. ganised crime groups to move into local campaign group. Local authorities trying to com- “In Colombia and Peru particu- the multi-billion dollar illegal min- “Whenever there are large migra- bat illegal gold mining have largely larly, and to a lesser extent in the ing industry, especially in Peru and tions of men to an area for employ- been helpless because of the power other countries studied, our research Colombia, the report said. ment, there is a high demand for sex- of criminal groups who corrupt offi - uncovered numerous instances of la- It quoted Colombian police au- ual services, which often generates cials, the report said. bour traffi cking and exploitation, sex thorities as saying record gold prices sex traffi cking,” the report said. The governments of Peru and Co- traffi cking and child labour.” and a government crackdown on co- Most women and girls come from lombia say clamping down on illegal The report by the Global Initia- caine traffi cking had pushed the Rev- poor backgrounds with little educa- mining is a top priority, and both tive Against Transnational Organ- olutionary Armed Forces of Colom- tion and are easy prey for recruiters have created special police units to ised Crime examined the links be- bia (Farc) rebel group and criminal who off er them non-existent jobs tackle the problem. tween illegal gold mining, organised gangs to seek new revenue sources as cooks and waitresses in mining In the past few years, both crime and human traffi cking in nine and expand into illegal mining in the camps. countries have shut down thou- countries - Peru and Colombia, the past fi ve years. “The wives of miners ... (in Madre sands of mines operating without region’s largest producers of illegal Profi ts from illegal mining are at de Dios) are themselves the princi- a government license and have gold, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guy- least three times as high as those pal recruitment agents of new girls rescued hundreds of victims of ana, Mexico, Nicaragua and Ven- from drug traffi cking, the Colombian for the bars and brothels,” the report human trafficking during raids on ezuela. government says. said. illegal mines. A paramilitary-controlled mine near Suarez, Cauca. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 27 PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN

DIPLOMACY US backs Pakistan PM’s decision Pakistani man without arms gets assistive device in India to cancel trip

IANS accident fi ve years ago leading Rano initially used an import- movement. We created an inno- doctors sought the help of engi- appropriate assistive devices The United States has backed New Delhi to irreparable damage to both ed robotic arm which did not vative low-cost small assistive neers from the assistive technol- “The device has been created Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s his arms. While his left arm was work for him. He also attempted device that was attached just ogy department at ISIC. The in- keeping in mind the require- decision to cancel his US visit, amputated from the shoulder, he cosmetic prosthesis which also above his elbow,” said Nekram clusion of assistive device did not ments and needs of the patients. noting that the current situation 41-year-old Pakistani lost his right arm from just above failed to provide him any relief. Upadhyay, head of the depart- require any clinical intervention. We primarily use some techno- in Pakistan required him to stay man who lost both his the elbow. He was fi nally referred to ISIC. ment of assistive technology. The device acts like an arti- logical solution for complex is- at home. The prime minister was Aarms in an accident was The department of assistive “When Rano came to us, he fi cial hand that helps him get a sues with a low-cost approach. due in Washington this week to assisted with an unique innova- technology at ISIC created fi rst was also not able to stand from “When Rano came to us, he grip of things. Assistive devices We are happy with our work and attend a nuclear security summit tive device at the Indian Spinal of its kind, low-cost assistive a sitting position due to non- was also not able to stand are created based on the “pa- its success,” added Upadhyay. which brings leaders from more Injuries Centre (ISIC) here. device to enable functioning of functionality of the cosmetic from a sitting position” tient-driven approach” where a Rano and his family are happy than 50 countries to the US Rano, who goes by single amputated arms, the centre said prosthesis which met the aes- patient is clinically evaluated for that he can live with greater in- capital. Sharif, however, cancelled name, suff ered a life-altering in a statement. thetics needs but off ered no After inspecting Rano, the developing the innovative and dependence in his daily life. his trip after the Lahore blasts that killed 72 innocent people in a park. “I think, given what just happened, it’s completely under- standable why he would want to stay at home,” said State Depart- Sharif ment spokesman John Kirby when asked to comment on the prime minister’s decision. Kirby also agreed with the assessment replaces that terrorist groups in Pakistan Protesters end sit-in had recently increased attacks on civilian targets because a government-led operation against attorney their hideouts had put them un- der pressure. “I know that they’re under pressure. This group in particular that claimed the Lahore general after ‘deal with govt’ attack is TTP,” he said. ACCIDENT Internews AFP US F-16 crashes Islamabad Islamabad in Afghanistan, rime Minister Nawaz slamist protesters gathered pilot ejects Sharif showed the door in the Pakistani capital ended Pto the federation’s top Itheir days-long sit-in yes- A US F-16 warplane crashed on law offi cer Salman Aslam Butt terday after claiming the gov- Tuesday while taking off from on Tuesday because he appar- ernment had agreed to a number Bagram airfield in Afghanistan, ently lost the case related to the of their demands including the an off icial said. The pilot ejected removal of Pervez Musharraf’s hanging of a Christian woman safely. Pentagon press secretary name from the no-fl y list. convicted of blasphemy. Peter Cook said the fighter from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Pakistan’s Interior Minister the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing approved the resignation of AGP Chauhdry Nisar Ali Khan denied crashed around 8:30pm. “Coalition Salman Aslam Butt and replaced however that a deal had been forces are securing the crash site. him with Ashter Ausaf, who was struck, saying the demonstra- The cause of this accident will be working as special assistant to tors left “on their own accord”. investigated,” Cook said. The Tali- the PM on legal aff airs. The protesters — who num- ban said their fighters shot down Butt was appointed as the bered some 25,000 at their peak — the jet, claiming that all on board top law offi cer in January 2014, had gathered Sunday in support of had been killed. The insurgent reportedly, due to his close as- Mumtaz Qadri, who was hanged group is well known for exag- sociation with the premier. He in late February fi ve years after he gerating battlefield claims. Cook returned the favour by providing assassinated a liberal Punjab gov- said there was no immediate relief to the federal government ernor over his calls to reform the indication the plane came down in a number of cases. country’s blasphemy laws. due to enemy action. The pilot In some instances, instead The demonstrators clashed safely ejected and was recovered of engaging local counsel, Butt with security forces in Islama- by coalition forces, and was being himself represented the govern- bad before setting up camp out- evaluated by medical personnel. ment of Pakistan before interna- side key government buildings Bagram is the largest US military tional courts. Legal experts were along the capital’s main Consti- base in Afghanistan and is located quick to brand him as the ‘most tution Avenue. north of Kabul. successful AGP’ of the decade. Ashraf Asif Jalali, one of the But he met his Waterloo in the protest’s main leaders, told DEFENCE Musharraf case, earning him the reporters at the protest site wrath of the top legal eagles of Wednesday evening: “As a result US appreciates Pakistan Muslim League- Na- of the continuous four-day sit- Pakistan nuclear waz (PML-N) who were un- in, the government has accepted Pakistani supporters of convicted murderer Mumtaz Qadri celebrate as they leave after their leaders announced the end of a protest held in happy with Butt’s conduct and our demands.” front of the parliament building in Islamabad yesterday. safety measures called for his replacement. “Nobody involved in blasphe- On March 16, an important my against the Holy Prophet will Muslim women involving a bowl ment,” Khan said. The minister added that the cide bombing targeting Chris- Just two days ahead of the Nu- day in Pakistan’s legal history, be given concessions, whether of water. “We were about to give orders protesters then decided to leave tians celebrating Easter Sunday clear Security Summit, the United Khawaja Mohamed Haris, Akram they be Asia Bibi or anybody However the interior minister to law enforcement agencies for on their “own accord”. in Lahore, underscoring deep States has forcefully reiterated that Sheikh, Shahid Hamid and Mus- else,” he added, referring to a denied any such deal was made. clearing the area but then two The stand-off came as Pa- religious divisions fuelling the Pakistan’s nuclear responsibility tafa Ramday were present in Christian woman on death row “There has been nor writ- religious personalities inter- kistan mourned more than 70 country’s long battle with ex- has been up to the mark because Courtroom No-1 of the Supreme since 2010 over a dispute with ten or any other form of agree- vened.” people killed in a Taliban sui- tremism. of its important security meas- Court, when the larger bench dis- ures in place. “Without question, missed the federal government’s Pakistan takes very seriously its re- plea against Sindh High Court or- sponsibility to provide security for der to remove Musharraf’s name both nuclear material and nuclear from the Exit Control List. weapons,” said Thomas Country- Butt lost the case and the gov- UNHCR conducting key survey of Afghan refugees in Peshawar man, Assistant Secretary of State ernment simply allowed the ex- for International Security and Non- dictator to fl y off to Dubai. A senior proliferation. Keeping that resolute PML-N leader claims AGP Butt Internews politan Peshawar. Afghan refugees who have been now, but only after the survey to ask for seats for Afghan refu- tone, he further said Pakistan was much closer to the defence and Peshawar This is the fi rst time CAR is living in Hayatabad for years. was completed.“It clearly diff er- gees in schools, colleges and uni- and the US have had continued therefore, he was shown the door. conducting such a survey with “The aim is to collect data on entiates between registered and versities in Peshawar,” he said. discussions on the subject as well. Despite several attempts, Butt fi nancial support from the Unit- documented and undocumented unregistered Afghan refugees,” Rabi also shared this survey “As a consequence of the Summit was unavailable for comment he Commissionerate ed Nations High Commissioner refugees living in the city,” he said. Rabi added, saying initially, the would also disclose the status of process as well as our bilateral about his sudden resignation. Afghan Refugees (CAR) for Refugees (UNHCR). The survey started in January survey was limited to Hayatabad, undocumented refugees living in co-operation, they [Pakistan] have However, another law offi cer, who Tin Pakistan’s north- Afghan Refugees Repatriation and is in its fi nal stages as almost but now will be extended to other Hayatabad. He said the status of taken important steps forward in talked with the former AGP said west province of Khyber Pa- Cell Director Fazal Rabi shared all of Hayatabad has been cov- parts of the province. “This sur- all refugees whose Proof of Reg- providing that security,” he said. that Butt resigned because his khtunkhwa, is collecting data CAR is conducting a door-to- ered, he said. The director added vey will help us understand the istration (PoR) expired would be Thomas Countryman was briefing personal practice was suff ering. on refugees residing in metro- door survey on the population of he could not share the data as of needs of refugees. We will be able considered “illegal”. the foreign media on Tuesday. Easter bomb strikes at symbolic heart of Pakistan: Lahore

AFP powerful army a way into his hardened militants scuttling which is leading protests in Is- Lahore citadel. across Pakistan’s porous border, lamabad calling for Shariah law. “Sharif has been resisting the where they became entrenched Lahore looks on itself as the army’s attempt to carry out a in tribal areas. cultural capital of Pakistan, he Taliban’s Easter bomb- counter-terror operation in the Since then, much of the of- home to many of the country’s ing of a crowded park in province now, and the army has fi cial response to the violent Is- liberals, and somewhat above TLahore could prove the called his bluff and is doing it,” lamism has been concentrated in the fray. trigger for what many see as a says Ahmed Rashid, a leading the Pashtun-dominated north- It was the powerbase for long overdue counter-terror of- security expert. west. Zulfi qar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan’s fensive in the bastion of Paki- The generals have already car- But observers say the empha- fi rst socialist prime minister, and stan’s establishment. ried out raids in three cities in sis on these lawless border ar- current premier Sharif, who cut But analysts warn a sweep- Punjab, including state capital eas belies the problems in other his teeth as provincial fi nance ing military operation in a re- Lahore, and arrested more than parts of the country. minister in 1983. gion traditionally dominated by 200 people — although they Lahore is by no means shield- “One family from Lahore has the current ruling party could have stopped short of publicly ed from militancy. It has seen its been ruling in Punjab and fre- be another step in a “creeping calling their actions a full blown share of attacks, including one quently at the centre since those coup” by the increasingly asser- off ensive. on Christians just one year ago years. More than three decades,” tive army. Increasing the army’s pres- that killed 17. said Badar Alam, editor of Herald At least 73 people perished ence in Punjab could quell mili- “The Punjab government has magazine. and hundreds were injured when tancy as it has done in Karachi, failed to root out our sectar- “That is one massive reason a bomb packed with ball bear- Pakistan’s heaving metropo- ian militants in the province’s why Punjab’s power has contin- ings exploded near a playground lis of 20 million people on the south,” said Aamir Mughal, ued to grow.” on Sunday, the bloodiest episode Arabian Sea where paramilitary a former intelligence offi cer That is also what made it such in the country since 2014. Rangers launched an operation turned analyst. an attractive target for Jamaat- The attack, which the Taliban in 2013. “The provincial government is ul-Ahrar, the Taliban faction said was aimed at Christians, But in the zero-sum game more concerned with its foreign that carried out yesterday’s left the shattered bodies of doz- of Pakistani governance, that image and has been stalling a bombing. ens of children strewn around would represent a loss for the Supporters of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) hold lighted candles as they stage a rally in Lahore on March military operation there to weed “Nawaz Sharif should know the park. civilian government, which in- 29, 2016, to pay tribute for the victims of a suicide bomb blast. out these groups.” that war has reached his door- It illuminated festering ex- creasingly fi nds itself playing Such an operation could dam- step,” militant Ehsanullah Ehsan tremism in Punjab, the home second-fi ddle to the military. plete control of foreign policy Sindh), and now is looking at a the US-led invasion of Afghani- age long-standing alliances wrote on his Twitter account on province of three-time Prime “What you are witnessing is a and counter-terror in two third.” stan toppled the Taliban in 2001. Sharif’s party enjoys with Pun- Tuesday. “God willing, the mu- Minister Nawaz Sharif. And, say creeping coup,” said Rashid. provinces (northwest Khyber An Islamist insurgency began The presence of thousands jabi Islamist groups — including jahideen will be the winners in observers, it has also given the “The army already has com- Pakthunkhwa and southern rattling Pakistan shortly after of American troops sent battle- the Sunni Tehreek movement, this war.” Gulf Times 28 Thursday, March 31, 2016 PHILIPPINES

Volcano Govt mulls submarines as spews ash and fi ery China row simmers: Aquino debris DPA AFP of the Philippines, despite may not address the problem Manila Manila Aquino’s eff orts to raise defence in the most reasonable way,” spending to record levels and he said. Aquino said the South the acquisition of new warships China Sea dispute concerns ne of the Philippines’ he Philippines may invest and fi ghter jets. every country since it could most active volcanoes in its fi rst-ever subma- This year China’s pro- disrupt trade in shipping lanes Ospewed ash and fi ery de- Trine fl eet to help protect posed defence spending through which about a third of bris overnight, triggering a small its territory in the disputed of 954bn yuan ($147bn) is the world’s oil passes. bushfi re on its slope, a govern- South China Sea, President Be- about 59 times that of the “The uncertainty breeds in- ment agency said yesterday. nigno Aquino said yesterday. Philippines. stability. Instability does not The Philippine Institute of The impoverished nation, The Philippines has turned promote prosperity,” he said. Volcanology and Seismology which has never before oper- to its long time ally the US and But while the Philippines is (Phivolcs) said it recorded two ated submarines and until now former wartime foe Japan to fortifying its defences, Aquino minor eruptions at Kanlaon relied largely on US surplus bolster its military hardware. - who will step down in June volcano in the central province ships, has been ramping up de- It has also asked a UN- when his single six-year term of Negros Oriental on Tuesday fence spending in response to backed arbitration panel to ends - said that as an impov- evening. China’s military expansion in declare China’s sea claims il- erished nation the government “From the southeastern side the region. legal, with a ruling expected would prioritise “butter rather of the volcano, the eruption China claims almost all of the later this year. than guns”. plume was observed to have South China Sea despite con- China boycotted the ar- “We have no illusions of ever reached 1,500 metres above the fl icting claims from the Philip- bitration hearings at The trying to match, trying to en- active crater,” the agency said in pines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Tai- Hague. gage anybody in an arms race or a bulletin. wan and Brunei. However, buying subma- in a military build-up,” he said. No injuries were reported Aquino said the Philippines rines would not solve the dis- In a separate development from the eruptions, which oc- could lose control of its entire putes as the Philippines could a defence department official curred three months since the west coast should China suc- not match China’s military confirmed that the Philip- 2,435-metre volcano, located ceed in enforcing its claims. might, said Benito Lim, a po- pines had sealed an agreement about 520 kilometres south of “We’ve had to accelerate the litical science professor at the to acquire two anti-submarine Manila, last spewed ash. modernisation of our armed Ateneo de Manila University. helicopters. Phivolcs reminded the public forces for self-defence needs,” “Aquino should be realis- The Anglo-Italian AW159 to stay outside a four-kilometre he told reporters. tic. He needs force to counter helicopters will be delivered in radius danger zone “due to the “We are a natural transit Aquino: defence modernisation force,” Lim said, adding the a little over a year, said defence further possibilities of sudden point into the Pacifi c and we are Philippines should reopen dia- undersecretary Fernando and hazardous steam-driven or now studying whether or not we Beijing has reclaimed more in an intensive island-building puted island there, according to logue with China. Manalo, adding they would be minor ash eruptions.” do need a submarine force,” he than 2,900 acres from the South campaign, and has deployed Taipei and Washington. “A submarine will be a very the nation’s first. said. China Sea in less than two years surface-to-air missiles on a dis- China’s military dwarfs that expensive investment, and it He did not disclose the cost.

Leisure Three killed in Commandos ready Zamboanga to rescue Indonesians shootout

Manila Times why the Philippine military Zamboanga City and police forces failed to Manila Times protect the Indonesian boat Zamboanga City despite the huge presence of ndonesia is ready to send security forces in Tawi-Tawi elite police commandos to because of nickel mining op- olice killed three people, Ithe Philippines to rescue erations in Languyan. including a naked woman, 10 of its citizens being held for Indonesia said it is also co- Pin a shootout before dawn ransom by the militant group ordinating with the Interpol yesterday in Zamboanga City in Abu Sayyaf. after the Abu Sayyaf demand- southern Philippines that en- Manila and Jakarta have ed P50mn in ransom for the sued during one of their anti- confi rmed that the Abu Sayyaf safe release of the hostages. drug operations. kidnapped the Indonesians The Abu Sayyaf, whose It was unclear if the woman off Tawi-Tawi province near group is coddling Malaysian had been caught in the crossfi re the Malaysian border. Jakarta and Indonesian militants in in a house in the village of Bali- said the police commandos are southern Philippines, has wasan Tabuk, where two men ready to rescue the hostages pledged allegiance to the Is- allegedly engaged the raiders in who are being held by Al- lamic State in Iraq and Syria or a gun battle. habsi Misaya, a notorious Abu ISIS. But the Philippine mili- News reports said the woman Sayyaf leader tagged as behind tary said the kidnappers may was shot in the back. the spate of terrorism and kid- be spreading disinformation Police also said four people nappings in Mindanao. on the status of the hostages were arrested in the anti-drug A report by the Straits Times to mislead government forces operation. yesterday quoted Indone- who are after them. One policeman — PO1 Jurak- sian police spokesman Anton Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, man Juhayli, assigned in Tunga- Charliyan as saying that elite Armed Forces of the Philip- wan town in Zamboanga Sibugay squads from an anti-terrorism pines (AFP) spokesman, said a province — jumped in the river unit and a police mobile bri- number of reports have reached upon hearing gunshots, but was gade are ready to assist in the the military and these are being also taken into custody and is rescue of the crew of the tug- validated carefully. “There were being investigated. boat Brahma 12. pieces of information that had Juhayli, who was in Zam- The boat was on its way to been fl oated. We have to vali- boanga City attending a seminar, Batangas province in Luzon date and examine these care- said he thought the rebels had when intercepted by gun- fully because these may have attacked the neighborhood, so men near Languyan Island on been circulated to mislead the People swim in the polluted waters of Manila Bay. he jumped into the river to save March 26. It was unknown investigators,” he added. his life. Most Filipinos aspire for Poe pledges better health ‘simple, comfortable life’ services for senior citizens Manila Times medicines. Philippine Statistics still provide you these medicines San Nicolas Authority (PSA) fi gures in 2012 even if you can’t pay for them,” By Mayvelin U Caraballo Filipinos.For most Filipinos, the sion is realistic. For us in Neda, that destabilise them. The gov- showed that medicines account Poe said. Manila Times most important economic goal the answer is a resounding yes, ernment also needs to provide for more than half of out-of- Public facilities, she added, is the eradication of poverty, it is possible with the right the appropriate “rules of the enator Grace Poe reached pocket expenditures of Filipino must be well-equipped to ef- hunger and unemployment, the policies,” Socioeconomic Plan- game” and ensure that these are out to senior citizens when patients. fectively serve the marginalised ajority of Filipinos are survey said. ning Secretary Emmanuel Es- enforced fairly and equally, Es- Sshe returned to her home A December 2015 survey of sectors of society such as the aspiring for a simple The next most important guerra said during the launch of guerra, also the Neda director province of Pangasinan, where Pulse Asia also found that health elderly. Mand comfortable life, goals are housing, education the agency’s long-term vision general, said. she vowed to improve healthcare was the top concern of Filipinos. The PSA found that 66% of according to a survey conduct- and health. dubbed as “Ambisyon Natin He noted that sustained for the elderly. “What we want is this: You Filipinos seek medical care from ed by the National Economic A prevailing sentiment 2040” in Quezon City yester- public investments to close the In a campaign sortie in San should be able to get your main- public hospitals, rural health and Development Authority among those polled is that jobs day. country’s infrastructure gap Nicolas town yesterday, Poe tenance medicines faster and units and barangay (village) (Neda). should be found in the Philip- Under Ambisyon Natin 2040, will be important in removing said the government should easier, whether for diabetes, health centres. The survey held from Janu- pines and that Filipinos should in the next 24 years, Filipinos bottlenecks that have limited make sure that local communi- high blood pressure or anything This is particularly true ary to February this year among have options for good qual- will enjoy a stable and comfort- the potential of various sectors. ties have full access to essential else. The government should among the poorest Filipinos who 10,000 respondents in urban ity employment that supports a able lifestyle and will have equal “We also need to provide use public health facilities 90% and rural areas showed that comfortable life. opportunities; citizens will not an environment that fosters of the time. 70% of those polled want “a Eighty-eight percent agree be burdened by poverty or hun- competition and rewards in- “Barangay health cen- medium-sized home, enough that in 2040, it will be good for ger and have equal opportuni- novation, as they are critical for tres should be able to provide earnings to support everyday the country if citizens will stay ties; and the Philippines will be long-term growth,” the Neda for your medical needs daily, needs, at least one car/vehicle, in the Philippines instead of a predominantly middle-class chief said. whether you have cough or fever the capacity to provide their leaving to work abroad. society. Investments in health and of malaise. So that you will not children college education and The survey showed that more “We recognise, however, that education, will ensure the have to always go to a hospital,” going on local trips for vaca- than 69% of the respondents government has a critical role availability of a healthy, highly Poe said. tion.” said that if given a choice, they to play in supporting the reali- trainable and skilled labour The lone independent presi- A small segment or 16.9% of will choose to work here instead sation of these aspirations,” Es- force, allow the poor to benefi t dential aspirant also wants a the respondents aspire for an of working in a diff erent coun- guera said. more from growth and foster government programme that affl uent life, while 3.9% said try. He added that the govern- the development of a more en- will provide employment for they want to be rich. The Neda said Filipinos’ as- ment needs to provide ena- trepreneurial society, he added. senior citizens who are still Meanwhile, three-fourths piration for a comfortable life is bling conditions to help Filipi- The state, Esguerra said, physically able and mentally or 72.1% of the respondents attainable. nos build up their resources by also needs to adequately pro- sharp to work again. believe that by 2040, a sim- “I guess at this point, the fostering sustained economic tect its citizens against social, Senior citizens constitute 7% ple and comfortable life will question that many of you may growth, investing in people and environmental and economic or around 6mn of the Philippine be the standard of living for all have in mind is whether this vi- protecting them against shocks instability. Poe: assuring health services household population in 2010. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 29 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL Protest by nursing staff Explosives and suicide jacket found in Lanka

IANS earlier in the day raised ques- Colombo tions if the Tamil Tiger rebels were trying to regroup in the island nation. ri Lanka yesterday said However, Hettiarachchi there was no threat to said that the recovery was Sthe country’s security “nothing extraordinary” as though a suicide jacket and such explosives and ammuni- explosives were found from tion were hidden by the rebels a house in north where the during the war period. Tamil Tigers once held sway. In addition to the suicide There was no threat to the jacket, police also discovered a national security despite alle- stock of explosives and bullets gations by the opposition that which were hidden in a house in the Tamil Tiger rebels may Chawakachcheri, in the north. try to regroup, Xinhua news Police had reportedly raided agency quoted defence secre- the house on a tip-off that the tary Karunasena Hettiarach- owner had in his possession chi as saying. drugs and marijuana and the “We recover various kind suspect had fl ed the area dur- of ammunition very often as ing the raid. these were all hidden by the The opposition has called on LTTE during the war. So the the government to take respon- question of our national secu- sibility for the “breakdown in rity being threatened does not security” and take control of arise,” Hettiarachchi said. the escalating crime rate. Opposition parliamentar- The now vanquished Lib- ian and former president’s eration Tigers of Tamil Eelam son, Namal Rajapakse yester- (LTTE) liberally used suicide A nurse shouts slogans as police use water-canons to try to disperse a protest by nursing staff in Dhaka yesterday. Hundreds of nurses blocked an intersection demanding day tweeted that recovery of bombers to target opponents the reversal of a government decision to recruit nursing staff by requiring them to sit an exam under Bangladesh’s Public Service Commission. a suicide jacket and explosives during the armed confl ict in in the former war-torn north Sri Lanka that ended in 2009.

Man plans to reclaim Dhaka court orders arrest Everest age record

DPA of opposition leader Zia Kathmandu Khaleda Zia and 27 other “The court issued the war- senior offi cials have been ar- staged an impromptu demon- leaders of her BNP are rant of arrest against her and rested as part of a crackdown stration. But they moved back n 84-year-old Nepali will accused of instigating the 27 other senior offi cials and by Hasina in the wake of the to the party offi ce before police attempt to reclaim the petrol bomb attack as part activists.” unrest. reached the spot,” assistant com- Arecord for oldest person to of a deadly anti-government It is not the fi rst time that A judge in the Dhaka Metro- missioner of Dhaka Metropolitan scale Mount Everest this year, au- campaign of arson in 2015 Zia — the bitter political ri- politan Sessions Court issued Police Saifur Rahman said. thorities said yesterday. val of Prime Minister Sheikh the warrant against Zia after The BNP’s second-in-com- Min Bahadur Sherchan fi rst took AFP Hasina — has faced arrest, and accepting a police charge-sheet mand, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the record in May 2008, around a Dhaka BNP spokesman Ruhul Kabir over the attack in Dhaka on was arrested yesterday on sepa- month before his 77th birthday, Rizvi dismissed the charge as January 10, 2015. rate charges related to the 2015 but it was broken in 2013 by Japa- “laughable”. However, it was not immedi- unrest. He was held in jail be- nese Yuchiro Miura, then 80. Bangladesh court yes- “This is politically motivated ately clear whether police would fore being granted bail on health Sherchan, a former Gurkha terday issued an arrest and is part of deep conspiracy act on the order. Another arrest grounds. serviceman, planned to climb Awarrant for opposition against her,” he said. warrant issued against Zia last The BNP boycotted the 2014 Everest in 2015, but all expedi- leader Khaleda Zia over a fi re- The attack took place during year was never executed. general election, leaving the tions that season were aban- bomb attack on a bus that killed a nationwide blockade last year Either way, the order is an- fi eld clear for its rivals. doned after an avalanche trig- two people and injured dozens of roads, rail and waterways that other blow to the two-times The party was further weak- gered by an earthquake on April last year, a prosecutor said. the 70-year-old Zia called to try BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia waves to activists as she arrives for a former premier, who has de- ened by the crackdown last year, 25 struck the base camp. The Dhaka court accused Zia to force Hasina to resign and rally in Dhaka in this file picture. scribed previous cases against when police pressed charges The Nepal Tourism Board said that and 27 other leaders and offi - pave the way for new elections. her as politically motivated and against thousands of their lead- Sherchan’s permit has been extended cials of her Bangladesh Nation- The blockade unleashed a fi ce compound in Dhaka for she was confi ned to her offi ce at aimed at keeping her out of ers and grassroots activists over for 2016 along with all other unused alist Party (BNP) of instigating wave of deadly violence, leav- months during the blockade, that time,” her lawyer Sanaullah politics. the fi re-bombing campaign. permits from last year. the petrol bomb attack as part ing more than 120 people dead after she threatened to lead an Miah said. Police said up to 200 BNP The party has recently been The world’s highest summit of a deadly anti-government as opposition activists fi re- anti-government rally through “This case is just to harass her activists and supporters staged trying to stage a comeback, was fi rst reached by Edmund Hi- campaign of arson. bombed hundreds of buses and the capital on the anniversary of and to keep her politically under a protest in front of the party holding a leadership election lary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in “She is the main accused in trucks and police responded by a disputed national election. pressure.” headquarters in Dhaka as news this month after more than six 1953. It has been climbed by thou- the case,” prosecutor Shah Alam fi ring live rounds. “There was no way she could Around 15,000 opposition of the court’s move emerged. years. It wants to introduce sands of people since then, while Talukdar said. Zia was confi ned to her of- have instigated the violence as supporters and dozens of BNP “They shouted slogans and fresh faces into the leadership. hundreds have died in the attempt. Nepal should attract JV to construct $1.56bn power plant Reuters Two units with a capacity of Power Generation Co Ltd. 12,000 tonnes of coal daily. Dhaka 660MW each will be set up at “To implement the project, Bangladesh needs to pro- Dhankhali in Patuakhali dis- both signed an agreement late duce 24,000MW daily by 2021 Chinese investment to trict, 319km (199 miles) south of on Tuesday, with equal own- to meet its demand for power angladesh-China Power Dhaka and close to the proposed ership and 20% equity,” Alam that is growing 10% annually. At Company Limited (BCP- Payra sea port, said A M Khur- added. BCPCL will fund 80% of present, it produces 8,500MW a BCL) will invest $1.56bn in a shidul Alam, BCPCL’s managing the investment by a loan from day and has the capacity to pro- coal-fi red plant near a proposed director. Chinese banks and raw mate- duce 11,000MW per day. achieve growth: ADB sea port south of Dhaka to pro- BCPCL is a 50:50 JV be- rial coal will be imported from The fi rst unit of BCPCL’s duce 1,320 megawatts (MW) of tween China National Machin- Indonesia, China and Australia, planned project will come online electricity by 2019, the head of the ery Import and Export Corp Alam said. in April 2019 and the other one IANS creating troubles in agriculture joint venture (JV) said yesterday. and Bangladesh’s North-West The new project will require six months later, Alam said. Kathmandu sector. However, the growth rate is expected to pick up he Asian Development to 4.8% in 2017 through Bank (ADB) has sug- stabilisation of political USS Blue Ridge anchored at Colombo Tgested that Nepal should climate, acceleration of grab the opportunities from reconstruction and nor- China to achieve the targeted mal monsoon favouring economic growth rate for the agricultural growth. next two years. ADB is of view that there is Launching Asian Develop- an urgent need to accelerate ment Outlook 2016 in Kath- Kenichi Yokoyama: “China’s reconstruction and imple- mandu yesterday, the ADB structural change is a golden mentation of development said Asia’s leading economy chance for Nepal.” programmes to prevent a fur- China’s structural change in ther slowdown in economic imports can create immense addressing the programme. growth. opportunities for the bor- ADB has projected a 1.5% The economic growth of der-sharing Nepal, Xinhua economic growth rate of the Himalayan country is pos- reported. quake ravaged Nepal for the sible only through the speedy “China’s structural fi scal year 2016 after a three% reconstruction drive and fo- change is a golden chance growth last year. cusing on sectors of energy, for Nepal. Thus, it’s per- It projected a slow growth tourism and agriculture, the fect time to attract direct pace for this year in regard bank said. foreign investment from to slow post-earthquake re- Nepal witnessed an infl ation the northern neighbour to construction, trade and tran- rate of 7.2% in 2015 whereas strengthen economy,” Ken- sit disruption followed by it was signifi cantly higher in ichi Yokoyama, ADB country months-long economic block- January this year, standing US 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge is seen at Colombo port in Sri Lanka yesterday. director for Nepal, said while ade and unfavourable monsoon at 12.1%. Gulf Times 30 Thursday, March 31, 2016 COMMENT

Chairman: Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah Editor-in-Chief : Darwish S Ahmed Production Editor: Digital globalisation and C P Ravindran

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar the developing world [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), While global goods trade If trade in global goods has indeed On its face, this shift to digital users worldwide now exceeds 3.2bn, 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) has stalled and cross-border peaked relative to global GDP, it will globalisation would seem to work but at the end of 2015, 57% of the Fax 44350474 be harder for poor countries in Africa, against developing countries that world’s population, or 4bn people, fi nancial fl ows have fallen Latin America and Asia to develop by have large pools of low-cost labour remained offl ine, and many who are sharply since 2007, fl ows becoming the world’s next workshops. but inadequate infrastructure and online use only basic cell phones. But globalisation itself is not in education systems. In many developing countries, of digital information have retreat. Advanced economies dominate MGI’s connectivity is too slow, unreliable, surged While global goods trade has stalled latest Connectedness Index, which or expensive to allow entrepreneurs and cross-border fi nancial fl ows ranks countries on both infl ows and and individuals to take full advantage GULF TIMES have fallen sharply since 2007, fl ows outfl ows of goods, services, fi nance, of the new global business and By Laura Tyson and Susan Lund Berkeley of digital information have surged: people and data relative to their size educational opportunities. Cross-border bandwidth use has and share in each type of global fl ow. Education systems will also need grown 45-fold over the past decade, These fl ows are disproportionately to keep up with demand for language lobalisation is entering a circulating ideas, intellectual content concentrated among a small set of fl uency and digital skills. While Cycling authorities new era, defi ned not only and innovation around the world. countries, including the US, the United 40% of the world’s population are by cross-border fl ows of New research from the McKinsey Kingdom, Germany and Singapore, connected to the Internet, 20% are Ggoods and capital, but also, Global Institute (MGI) fi nds that with huge gaps between the leaders and still unable to read and write. and increasingly, by fl ows of data and cross-border fl ows of goods, services, laggards. China is the only emerging According to another recent MGI under pressure information. This shift would seem fi nance, people and data during economy to have made it to the top ten study, there are also large gender to favour the advanced economies, this period increased world GDP by on the index. gaps in access to digital technologies whose industries are at the frontier roughly 10% – roughly an additional Yet digital fl ows off er developing around the world, and this lack of in employing digital technologies in $7.8tn in 2014 alone. countries new ways of engaging access impedes women’s economic their products and operations. Will with the global economy. The and social empowerment. Lagging to improve safety developing countries be left behind? In the near future, near-zero marginal costs of digital countries that fail to promote gender For decades, vying for the world’s communications and transactions equality, invest in education, and low-cost manufacturing business 3D printing could create new possibilities for conducting adopt broader governance and Cycling’s authorities are under pressure to improve seemed to be the most promising way cross-border business on a massive regulatory reforms risk falling safety after Belgian rider Antoine Demoitie died for low-income countries to climb the further reduce the scale. Alibaba, Amazon, eBay, Flipkart even further behind in reaping the following an accident involving a motorbike on development ladder. Global trade in and Rakuten are turning millions of signifi cant benefi ts of globalisation. goods rose from 13.8% of world GDP need to ship goods small enterprises around the world Twenty-fi rst-century globalisation, Sunday but it will be a tough task in a sport which is in 1985 ($2tn) to 26.6% of GDP ($16tn) into “micro-multinational” exporters. driven by digitisation and rapid still largely amateur. in 2007. across long distances Companies based in developing changes in competitive advantage, can While the International Cycling Union (UCI) has Propelled by demand and countries can overcome local disrupt local industries, companies expressed its sadness over Demoitie’s death without outsourcing from advanced Data fl ows accounted for an market constraints and connect and communities and cause job loss, economies, emerging markets won a estimated $2.8tn of this gain, exerting with customers, suppliers, fi nancing even as it spurs greater productivity, discussing the circumstances of the accident, the growing share of the soaring trade in a larger impact than global goods trade and talent worldwide. A total of boosts overall employment, and riders’ association (CPA) has demanded a probe and goods; by 2014, they accounted for – a remarkable fi nding, given that the 12% of global goods trade is already generates economy-wide gains. improved safety measures. more than half of global trade fl ows. world’s trade networks developed over conducted in e-commerce channels. Governments must consider these Demoitie, 25, died after being run over by a race Since the Great Recession, however, centuries while cross-border data Moreover, a country need not trade-off s carefully and develop ways growth in global merchandise fl ows were nascent just 15 years ago. develop its own Silicon Valley to to support those who are harmed by motorbike during the Gent-Wevelgem classic - only trade has stalled, mainly owing Digitisation disrupts everything: benefi t. Countries on the periphery global fl ows, giving them paths to new the latest in a string of incidents involving race to anemic demand in the world’s the nature of goods changing hands; of the network of global data fl ows roles and livelihoods. vehicles over the last year. major economies and plummeting the universe of potential suppliers and can benefi t more than countries in the To date, few governments have Slovakia’s Peter Sagan and Portuguese Sergio commodity prices. But deeper customers; the method of delivery, centre. done so. Ironically, the political structural changes are also playing a and the capital and scale required Digital connections promote backlash against globalisation is Paulinho were sent crashing to the ground by role. to operate globally. It expands productivity growth; indeed, they gaining momentum in many places motorbikes during last year’s Vuelta, while Belgian Many companies are simplifying opportunities for more types of can help developing economies even as digitisation increases the Greg van Avermaet, who was soloing towards victory, and shortening their supply chains. fi rms, individuals, and countries to move to the productivity frontier by opportunities and economic benefi ts was dismounted by a motorbike at the Clasica San For a range of goods, automation participate in the global economy. exposing their business sectors to that globalisation as to off er. - Project means that production location and It also gives countries and companies ideas, research, technologies, and Syndicate Sebastian. outsourcing decisions no longer everywhere an opportunity to redefi ne best management and operational At the Tour de France, a motorbike collided with depend primarily on labour costs. their comparative and competitive practices, and by building new zLaura Tyson, a former chair of the Jakob Fuglsang during a mountain stage while Quality of talent, infrastructure, advantage. For example, while the US channels to serve large global markets. US president’s Council of Economic Frenchman Sebastien Chavanel and New Zealand’s energy costs and speed to market may have been at a disadvantage in But the Internet cannot deliver Advisers, is a professor at the Haas are assuming greater weight in such a world where low labour costs were such improvements in effi ciency and School of Business at the University Jesse Sergent were knocked down by neutral service decisions. paramount in global manufacturing transparency unless countries build of California, Berkeley, and a senior cars. In the near future, 3D printing could value chains, digital globalisation plays the digital infrastructure needed adviser at the Rock Creek Group. Susan Motorbikes have multiple functions during a race: further reduce the need to ship goods directly to its strengths in technology to connect the world’s huge offl ine Lund is a partner with the McKinsey some transport reporters and photographers, others across long distances. and innovation. population. The number of Internet Global Institute. race stewards and the regulators who decide who can overtake and when. “Must tragic “Must tragic circumstances be the circumstances marker for change?” Australian rider be the marker Michael Rogers asked recently. for change?” After one his riders was knocked by a motorbike during the La Drome Classic race last month, BMC manager Jim Ochowicz wrote to the UCI demanding action. Despite the recent incidents, the UCI regulations only state that “organisers shall demand that press vehicles be driven by experienced drivers, familiar with cycle races and knowing how to manoeuvre. These drivers must hold the licence of a vehicle driver for a road event.” Getting the licence, however, is a mere formality. While limiting the number of vehicles involved in a race would certainly help, that in itself would not solve the problem. Some 70 motorbikes are on the world’s biggest race, the Tour de France, although only about half of them can regularly overtake the peloton. Tour organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) have imposed training courses on the motorbike riders after Dutchman Johnny Hoogerland was sent fl ying A view of the Washington Convention Centre where the nuclear summit is being held. into barbed wire by a French TV car during the 2011 Tour de France. ASO own the biggest races in the world with Momentum slows on Obama’s N-security agenda the exception of the Giro d’Italia and the world Nuclear Security Summit today Nuclear Threat Initiative, an anti- made it harder than ever for terrorists championships. By Matt Spetalnick and David Brunnstrom and tomorrow. He inaugurated the proliferation watchdog, said in a to acquire nuclear weapons, and that They bought the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) two years Reuters/Washington event nearly six years ago, early in report. has made us all more secure,” she ago and after last year’s incidents sent chief regulator his tenure, after using his landmark According to the group’s Nuclear told reporters in a teleconference Jean-Michel Monin to the race to check how traffi c 2009 Prague speech to lay out the Security Index, which tracks the safety previewing the summit. ust as fears of nuclear terrorism goal of eventually ridding the world of weapons-usable nuclear materials, Still, with the summit set to bring was being regulated. are on the rise, President Barack of nuclear weapons as a central the past two years have brought no together more than 50 countries According to ASO competitions director Thierry Obama’s US-led drive to lock theme of his presidency. improvement in a range of measures, in the wake of last week’s Brussels Gouvenou, while ASO have the means to improve Jdown all vulnerable atomic including on-site physical protection, attacks, US offi cials acknowledge that safety, other organisers may not. materials worldwide risks losing Obama hosts world security during transport and the the threat of nuclear terrorism from momentum. ability to recover lost radioactive Islamic State could be uppermost in The problem is the sport is still largely amateur, as he Obama will convene a global leaders for his fourth materials. leaders’ minds. rightly pointed out. summit in Washington this week The report also said many countries’ Two of the suicide bombers had in the aftermath of deadly militant and fi nalNuclear nuclear reactors were vulnerable to secretly fi lmed the daily routine of the attacks in Brussels that have fuelled online attacks. Seven of 24 countries head of Belgium’s nuclear research concern that Islamic State could Security Summit with weapons-grade material, and development programme and eventually target nuclear plants and including China and Belgium, received considered an attack on a nuclear site To Advertise develop radioactive “dirty bombs.” today and tomorrow the lowest possible score for their in the country, according to Belgian But despite signifi cant progress facilities’ cyber security. media. [email protected] in persuading countries to protect While Obama’s hopes have bumped Other critics point to a lack of an US experts are less concerned Display or rid themselves of bomb-making up against geopolitical reality, the agreed-upon set of international about militants obtaining nuclear Telephone 44466621 Fax 44418811 materials, much of the world’s White House is touting a list of nuclear standards for nuclear security or weapon components than thefts of plutonium and enriched uranium security achievements as he heads into a mechanism for keeping tabs on easier-to-acquire ingredients for a Classified remains poorly secured. his fi nal 10 months in offi ce. common sources of radioactive low-tech “dirty bomb” that would use Telephone 44466609 Fax 44418811 At the same time, the eff ort has Arms control advocates commend material found in hospitals and conventional explosives to disperse been complicated by fresh nuclear Obama for his eff orts, but many see medical labs. radioactive material and sow panic. Subscription advances by North Korea and progress slowing. However, Laura Holgate, Obama’s Adding to the sense that Obama’s [email protected] diplomatic tensions between the US “The Nuclear Security Summits adviser on weapons of mass destruction, last nuclear summit might not be as and Russia. have had a positive eff ect, but the cited commitments from 30 countries productive as the earlier ones, Russian All of this weighs on Obama’s strategic goal of developing an at the last summit in 2014 to secure their offi cials are skipping the meeting. 2014 Gulf Times. All rights reserved agenda as he prepares to host world eff ective global nuclear security most dangerous material. The White House called the decision a leaders for his fourth and final system remains unachieved,” the “The international community has “missed opportunity”. Gulf Times Thursday, March 31, 2016 31 COMMENT Our collective brain makes the diff erence

As a cultural species, cultural evolutionary process that toward foreigners, for example, are humans acquire ideas, produces increasingly complex and much harder to sustain and diff use sophisticated technologies, languages, than those that demand that mothers beliefs, values, and social bodies of knowledge, conceptual care for their children. norms from others in their toolkits and adaptive heuristics. Fourth, our ability to innovate The power of this process arises depends on the size of our collective communities not from raw individual intelligence, brain, which depends on the ability of but from the reinterpretation of the social norms to encourage people to By Joseph Henrich serendipitous insights and mistakes generate, share, and recombine novel Cambridge that our intelligence produces. ideas and practices. This means that the rate Fifth, there is a fundamental link of innovation will depend, at between institutions and psychology. magine a game of survival that least in part, on the size and Because diff erent societies have pits a troop of capuchin monkeys interconnectedness of the pool of diff erent norms, institutions, against you and your work minds contributing to the cultural languages and technologies, they Icolleagues. Both teams would evolutionary process. All other things also have diff erent ways of reasoning, be parachuted into a remote African being equal, larger and more socially mental heuristics, motivations and forest, without any equipment: no interconnected groups will produce emotional reactions. The imposition matches, knives, shoes, fi sh hooks, a greater number of fancier tools, of imported institutions often creates clothes, antibiotics, pots, ropes, or technologies and techniques, even psychological and social mismatches weapons. After one year, the team with if their individual members are less that tend to lead to poor outcomes. the most surviving members would be inventive than those comprising a Finally, humans lack a certain declared the victor. Which team would smaller, more isolated group. degree of rationality, making us you bet on? This fi nding is supported by terrible at designing eff ective You might assume that the humans, both tightly-controlled laboratory institutions and organisations – at given our superior intelligence, are experiments and historical case least for now. I am hopeful that as we the team to beat. But do you or your studies. About 10,000 years ago, for obtain deeper insights into human colleagues know how to make bows example, rising oceans transformed nature and cultural evolution, this can and arrows, nets, water containers, Tasmania from an Australian be improved. Until then, we should and shelters? Do you know which peninsula into an island. take a page from cultural evolution’s plants are toxic? On the mainland, technological playbook and design systems that Can you start a fi re without progress continued unimpeded. use variation and selection to make matches? Can you make fi sh hooks But in Tasmania, groups of hunter- institutions compete. or natural glues? Do you know how gatherers began to lose – or failed That way, we can dump the losers to protect yourself from big cats and to develop – a wide range of useful and keep the winners. snakes at night? The answer to most, if technologies: bone tools, fi tted cold- By examining the rich interaction and not all, of these questions is probably weather clothing, boomerangs, spear- social rules, we emerged as potent and society generates some important the social norms that we acquire co-evolution of psychology, culture, “no”, meaning that your team would throwers, and durable boats. When social learners. insights. through a culture-driven process of biology, history and genetics, we likely lose to a bunch of monkeys – the Dutch arrived in the seventeenth The foundation of our ability to First, as a cultural species, humans self-domestication. (We acquire our have the possibility to gain important probably pretty badly. century, Tasmanians had the simplest form co-operative communities, acquire ideas, beliefs, values, and standards for judging and punishing insights into human psychology. This This raises an obvious question. If technology ever encountered by organisations and societies arises social norms from others in their others through the same process.) scientifi c road has rarely been travelled. we cannot survive as hunter-gatherers European explorers. not from innate co-operative communities, using cues of prestige, These internalised norms become the It promises an exciting journey into in Africa, the continent where our To understand humans’ social tendencies, but from the specifics success, sex, dialect and ethnicity. motivations that guide our actions. unexplored intellectual territory, as we species evolved, how did humans nature, it is crucial to understand of the social norms that we learn, We pay particular attention – This means that people’s preferences, seek to understand the peculiarity of our achieve such immense success relative how culture has driven our genetic internalise and enforce on others. especially under conditions of desires, and motivations are not species. - Project Syndicate to other animals and spread to nearly evolution in ways that shape not only While our innate motivations do uncertainty, time pressure and stress fi xed, and thus that well-designed all of the earth’s major ecosystems? our physiology and anatomy, but also play a role, they are harnessed, – to domains involving food, danger programmes or policies can change zJoseph Henrich is professor of human Here’s a key piece of the answer: our social psychology, motivations, extended, and suppressed by social and norm violations. what is automatic, intuitive and evolutionary biology at Harvard We are a cultural species. Our unique inclinations and perceptions. norms, which form the institutional Changing people’s behaviour begins obvious. University. His latest book is The Secret psychological capacities allow us From this long process, in which skeleton that allows our innate with an understanding of our cultural Third, the most potent social of Our Success: How Culture is Driving to learn from one another over surviving and thriving meant inclinations to operate. nature, not our rationality. norms harness aspects of our evolved Human Evolution, Domesticating Our generations, facilitating a cumulative acquiring and adhering to the local This novel view of human nature Second, we gradually internalise psychology. Social norms for fairness Species, and Making Us Smart. Letters Weather report Three-day forecast

TODAY Wrong extremely charming. And from time Even if their intention is to woo reacting to my cold response, asked High: 27 C to time, we kept hearing several the public to join their “club”, their me: “Sir, will you be interested to visit Low : 21 C Partly cloudy to cloudy with chance approach announcements of many families approach is wrong. How can you gain our offi ce to claim the prizes?” I said of scattered rain,thundery at times being welcomed to “the club”. the public’s trust when you begin it “no”. His response was curt: “Next Dear Sir, He insisted that we also join with a lie. time don’t fi ll in our coupons”. Of their “club” to get access to these course! FRIDAY Further to the letter “Questionable destinations through a hefty advance Shehla Subhani High: 24 C off ers” (Gulf Times, March 29), I would payment, stressing that if it was PO Box 63 Abdul Ghafoor Low: 19 C like to state that I was also one of the paid via credit card, there would be a Doha (Address supplied) M Cloudy victims of the same group referred to discount. in it. We had responded positively to Although we remained sceptical the telephone call from an offi cial of and I told him of our disinterest to the A waste of Please send us SATURDAY the group and our family visited their scheme, he kept on trying to convince valuable time High: 26 C offi ces located on the Bank Street. us. When we fi nally got up to leave, your letters Low: 18 C On arrival there, we were greeted by he called for his manager who came P Cloudy a friendly person who handed us over to us and also tried to change our Dear Sir, By e-mail to a sales agent of the group. The sales mind. Seeing that we were not at all [email protected] agent made us feel very comfortable; interested in their scheme, the two In reference to letters “Questionable Fishermen’s forecast Fax 44350474 he also had a very friendly attitude. He men’s friendly approach vanished. off ers” (Gulf Times, March 29) and OFFSHORE DOHA began showing us brochures of some We were then treated to a rude look on “Prize scams” (Gulf Times, march 30), Or Post Wind: NW 18-25/35 KT grand hotels, resorts and tourist spots. the manager’s face who told us that I would like to state that it is the same Letters to the Editor Waves:7-9/12 Feet We kept on asking him why he was as per their company policy, even if modus operandi followed by the group INSHORE DOHA Gulf Times Wind: NW 10-20/30 KT showing us all these and insisted that we did not join their club, they had concerned in many hypermarkets and P O Box 2888 Waves: 1-3/4 Feet he should come to the point. to announce our names and declare department stores. So many people Doha, Qatar But he convinced us fi rst to have that we had joined their “club”. To waste their valuable time through Around the region a detailed look at the brochures and our disbelief, they then made the claiming the “prizes” announced by Weather Weather then he would present to us what announcement. The remaining the group the next day. All letters, which are subject today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the group had to off er. His intention invitees might have believed that we I recently had the same experience to editing, should have the Abu Dhabi P Cloudy 29/22 Rain 24/21 was to gain our interest in the tourist too had joined the “club” though we as described in the two letters. Usually Baghdad Sunny 23/10 Sunny 23/10 name of the writer, address Dubai spots and hotels. After about an hour hadn’t. I did feel the urge to speak up I give such “promoters” a wide berth, M Cloudy 28/22 Showers 24/21 Kuwait City P Cloudy 26/16 Sunny 27/16 of explaining us the attractiveness and inform the rest of the families but last week by mistake I fi lled one and phone number. The writer’s name and address Manama Cloudy 23/19 Cloudy 23/19 of the tourist destinations, he fi nally there that it was a lie and just their coupon off ered to me by a sales agent Muscat M Sunny 34/25 P Cloudy 30/23 completed his session. Let me point marketing strategy. But I couldn’t do and I received a call the next day. After may be withheld by request. Riyadh P Cloudy 24/13 P Cloudy 22/11 out that all through this, he was that. going gaga over their prizes, the caller, Tehran M Sunny 17/08 Rain 10/04 Live issues Is a stand-up desk really healthier?

By Dr Luisa Dillner than reality. A systematic review by Treadmill work stations, though, London Cochrane researchers looked at 26 were found to reduce sitting by nearly studies with 2,174 people. They found half an hour in the Cochrane review that sit-stand desks reduced sitting by and another systematic review found itting is the new smoking – between 30 minutes and two hours a that they particularly benefi ted obese blamed for increasing the risk of day. While this sounds impressive, the people, improving their levels of good heart disease and cancer, as well researchers say the studies mostly did cholesterol and reducing their waist Sas diabetes and obesity. Health not deliver the up-to-four-hours of circumferences. Around the world guidelines suggest we should spend 150 standing that experts recommend. So much for the physical effects, Weather Weather minutes a week in moderate exercise, but what about productivity and today Max/min tomorrow Max/min but many of us sit down for more than brainpower? Exercise is traditionally Athens Sunny 21/13 M Sunny 22/13 half the working day – e-mail means Our sedentary thought to improve the ability to Beirut Sunny 21/14 Sunny 22/15 S T Storms 33/26 we don’t even have to get up to talk to think – but generally only after you Bangkok 32/27 M Sunny lifestyles are Berlin Cloudy 11/04 P Cloudy 12/01 anyone. So it is not surprising that there have stopped doing it. A study in Cairo Sunny 27/13 Sunny 29/13 is a gap in the market. increasingly being Plos One of 76 people randomly Cape Town P Cloudy 21/13 P Cloudy 20/13 Stand-up, sit-stand and treadmill assigned to a treadmill (moving at Colombo S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 32/25 desks are all the rage. Google and 1.5mph) or a sitting desk found that Dhaka S T Storms 29/22 T Storms 29/23 blamed for a range of Hong Kong P Cloudy 23/18 Cloudy 23/19 Microsoft have allegedly bought stacks the sedentary group did better at Istanbul Sunny 18/11 M Sunny 18/11 of treadmill desks – modifi ed treadmill problems recalling lists of words and working Jakarta S T Storms 31/25 T Storms 32/25 bases attached to work surfaces. The out mental maths problems. It Karachi Sunny 33/23 P Cloudy 33/24 manufacturer of TrekDesk says that a Standing desks were also not found to was easier to concentrate and London P Cloudy 13/02 P Cloudy 14/04 P Cloudy P Cloudy 34/24 treadmill-desk set at a walking speed have much benefi t in weight reduction – if remember from a sitting position. Manila 34/24 Moscow Rain 09/03 Cloudy 09/02 of 1.5km an hour will burn 2.6 calories a an average-sized man and woman spent Unsurprisingly, it was also easier to New Delhi Sunny 37/21 M Sunny 37/22 minute. Such energy expenditure does half of their eight-hour working day type faster without making mistakes. New York M Sunny 22/16 T Storms 21/12 not come cheap: desks cost upwards of standing, they would spend an additional So, while the benefi ts of standing Paris Rain 08/04 P Cloudy 14/06 £1,000. But do they make people more 20 kilocalories and 12 kilocalories each. desks may be overstated, the risks of Sao Paulo S T Storms 28/19 S T Storms 29/19 Seoul P Cloudy 22/05 M Sunny 23/07 active and healthier, or are they this This, point out the researchers, is not sitting are not. You can take walking Singapore P Cloudy 34/27 P Cloudy 34/27 year’s corporate gimmick? enough to prevent obesity or type 2 breaks throughout the day and use Sydney M Sunny 23/16 Sunny 26/16 The research so far is inconclusive. A woman working at a treadmill desk diabetes. Prolonged standing may also be the stairs, whatever desk you have.- Tokyo Clear 18/ 10 Cloudy 16/09 The benefi ts may be more myth at home. diffi cult for people with low back pain. Guardian News and Media Gulf Times 32 Thursday, March 31, 2016 QATAR Modernisation of fl eets ‘to generate new opportunities’

By Ramesh Mathew manufactured vessels for the use with advanced frigates and mul- Staff Reporter of the Egyptian Navy in our own ti-purpose vessels, the company facilities in France, ships were hopes its role in modernising the designed in Egypt, using our fl eets of such navies as those of s the modernisation of a technology solutions in Alexan- Egypt and Saudi Arabia would go number of navies of the dria, the DCNS offi cial said. a long way in landing new orders Aregion is currently un- The acclaimed French com- for its vessels. derway, the France-headquar- pany, which has supplied an ar- DCNS Frigates, helicopter tered high-tech naval solution ray of vessels to nearly 50 navies carriers and Cowind vessels are provider, DCNS hopes it would in the world is hopeful that there also in use by the navy in Malay- be able to cash in on the emerg- would be takers at diff erent lev- sia. The company’s technologi- ing opportunities in some of els for their solutions across the cal solutions are also being used the countries, including Qatar, region, where there has been a by the Indian navy these days for Off icials of Qatari Emiri Naval Forces and Raytheon during the recent visit to the US. where upgrading of technologies remarkable growth in defence building a Scorpene submarine and solutions are currently on in spending by countries. vessel at Mumbai’s Mazagon full swing. DCNS builds, designs subma- Docks, it is learnt. Speaking to this newspaper, rines and surface combatants, The French group has also ex- GCC regional delegate of the and develops associated systems panded its expertise and focus company Jean Luc Thouvenel and infrastructure. Many naval into marine renewable energy in Qatari naval offi cials tour said the role played by DCNS bases and naval shipyards are a big way. in modernising navies have en- among its list of clients. A member of the UN Global hanced its visibility and enlarged Considered among the leaders Compact, the company generat- their footprint across the Middle in providing eff ective solutions ed revenues of over 3.1bn pounds East in recent years. “After we to make naval defence stronger last year. Raytheon’s missile centre

enior offi cers from the The recent visit also includ- passive radio frequency and Navy awarded Raytheon a Qatari Emiri Naval Forces ed a trip to the US Navy’s RAM infrared guidance design al- $143mn contract for RAM Stoured the world’s largest programme office in Crystal low it to simultaneously de- Block 2 guided missiles, the missile-making facility in Tuc- City, Virginia, where the visi- fend against anti-ship mis- latest version of the intercep- son, Arizona, US to learn more tors received in-depth brief- siles, helicopters, aircraft and tor. about Raytheon’s Rolling Air- ings on the missile’s classified surface craft. RAM Block 2 has a larger, frame Missile’s (RAM) capabili- capabilities. RAM is co-operatively de- more powerful rocket motor ties and to see its manufactur- RAM is a supersonic, light- veloped in partnership be- and advanced control section, ing in person. weight, quick-reaction, fire- tween the US and Germany making it two and a half times Raytheon is a major exhibi- and-forget weapon designed and deployed on more than more manoeuvrable with one tor within the US pavilion at the to destroy anti-ship missiles. 165 ships in eight countries. and a half times the effective Doha International Maritime Its autonomous dual-mode Earlier this year, the US intercept range. Defence Exhibition and Con- ference (Dimdex) 2016, which concludes today. Turkish military facility ‘to be ready in two years’ The Emiri Naval Forces del- egation members were Colonel AFP years,” said Yilmaz, adding the deal had been Mohamed Bu-Hazzaa, Briga- Doha approved by the Turkish parliament. dier General Abdulla al-Maz- The deal is part of a defence agreement roey, Colonel Jassim Hussain, concluded by Qatar and Turkey in late 2014. Lt Colonel Jaralla al-Nabit, Turkish military base being built in Qa- “We want to achieve co-operation in the Lt Colonel Salem Almarri and tar will be ready within two years, An- field of (military) training and exercises, and Colonel Moh’d al-Dosari (Qatar Akara’s defence minister said yesterday. contribute to stability in the region,” said Yil- Navy). It will be the first Turkish military facility maz. They interacted with Raythe- in the region, Ismet Yilmaz told journalists The defence minister said the deal was re- on RAM Programme director on the sidelines of the three-day Dimdex de- ciprocal and said there were Qatari military Alan Davis and his colleagues fence and security fair in Qatar. personnel and aircraft currently stationed in C Jeff Meyer, Jerry Carter and “It (the base) will be completed within two Turkey. Jean Luc Thouvenel at the DCNS pavilion at Dimdex yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram Mark Lindorff . Top offi cer highlights Indian navy’s role in regional safety

ndian Navy’s Western Com- “Major religions that origi- that the developments in the the 2004 tsunami disaster. mand Flag Offi cer Com- nated in this region spread post-Cold War period had her- “The developments under- Imanding-in-Chief Sunil mainly through the sea routes to alded a new era of geopolitical scored the immediate require- Lanba yesterday recalled the other parts of the world,” he said. instabilities, leading to trans- ment for nations to co-operate historic ties and bond between Thus, through the ages, the national crimes. in evolving a robust collective his country and people of the Arabian Sea emerged as a melt- While highlighting the neces- mechanism, to foresee and re- Gulf region at the Middle East ing pot of diff erent societies and sity of a favourable maritime en- spond to any future calamity in Naval Commanders Conference cultures, said the vice admiral vironment in the Gulf region, the the region”, he said. held alongside the Dimdex 2016. while pointing out that the ar- senior offi cial recalled the Indian The offi cial also highlighted “This region constitutes In- rival of Europeans on Indian Navy’s eff orts to shape maritime the successful evacuation of more dia’s immediate neighbourhood, shores in the late 15th century, stability through the continu- than 4,000 people of nearly 40 with the waters of the Arabian initiated an imperial race that ous deployment of its ships in nationalities from the confl ict Sea lapping on the shores on ei- led to European powers jostling the Gulf of Aden since 2008 to zones of Lebanon and Yemen last ther side. We are indeed united for infl uence and domination, counter maritime piracy. year. Vice Admiral Lanba, who is through the sea and India has ultimately resulting in colonisa- “Co-operative actions by leading a high-level Indian del- a vital stake in the security and tion of this region. state agencies, maritime forces egation to the Dimdex, earlier Dr Khalid K al-Hajri, chairman and CEO of QSTec, flanked by students, inaugurates the solar art exhibition stability of this region,” said the Stressing that Middle East has and industry have succeeded in met Qatar’s Minister of State for at Katara yesterday. senior Indian naval offi cial while more than 50% of the world’s curbing piracy off Somalia,” he Defence Aff airs HE Dr Khalid bin addressing participants at the total oil reserves, he said more said while hailing the eff orts that Mohamed al-Attiyah at his offi ce conference. than than 17 million barrels of oil literally eliminated piracy inci- on Tuesday. He was accompanied While highlighting the histor- is passing through the Strait of dents anywhere in the Arabian by Indian ambassador Sanjiv Aro- ical signifi cance of the Arabian Hormuz, making it the world’s Sea since 2013. ra, Indian Coast Guard deputy di- Sea, the offi cial reminded that largest oil transit choke point. Lanba remembered the mis- rector general S K Goyal and other Solar art exhibition the earliest civilisations thrived “The security and stability sions made by as many as 27 members of the delegation. in the littorals surrounding the of this region, and its maritime Indian naval ships to diff erent A host of issues related to de- sea, and in its adjoining areas in- domain is therefore of vital sig- areas of his country and neigh- fence co-operation between India cluding the river basins of Nile, nifi cance for all nations of the bouring nations to help in the and Qatar were discussed at the Euphrates, Tigris and Indus. world,” he said, while recalling relief operations in the wake of meeting. kicks off at Katara

solar art exhibition ini- kit and recycled materials. to make their own solar lan- tiated by Shams Gen- Over 20 schools have incor- terns at Katara. A eration, an educational porated the programme, with A university programme initiative by Qatar Solar Tech- more than 1,500 students has also been launched this nologies (QSTec) in collabo- contributing to the artwork year with a view to collaborate ration with Qatar Museums, being showcased. with more universities and was opened yesterday at the Shams Generation, which colleges in Qatar. Katara Hall 19 – Gallery 2. will reach over 7,000 students Established by QSTec in Inaugurated by Dr Khalid K in 2016, is the largest ever na- 2015, Shams Generation is an al-Hajri, chairman and CEO tional-level educational pro- interactive hands-on learn- of QSTec, the event will be gramme of its kind in Qatar ing programme that combines open until April 6. The col- and aims to forge a blueprint art, science, reusing and solar lective exhibition features for progress on sustainability energy. artwork by students from of solar energy as a resource. Teachers receive instruc- various schools participating On April 6 and 7, the exhi- tions on how to implement in the Shams Generation pro- bition will make way for a se- the programme and in turn Vice Admiral Lanba and Indian ambassador Arora at the meeting with Qatar’s Minister of State for Defence Aff airs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah. gramme using a solar power ries of workshops for children educate the students.